December 22, 2023

Dear Friend, 

This week, I returned to San Diego after three weeks in Washington, D.C. that included removing George Santos from office, setting military policy and spending levels for the year, and punting the question of government funding until early next year. It feels good to be back in San Diego — not just because of the far nicer weather — but because it gives me the opportunity to be back in the community, listening to your concerns and sharing updates on my work. I look forward to spending a couple more weeks in San Diego to celebrate the holidays with family and all of you and to listen to your priorities for Congress in 2024 before heading back to D.C.

Me with my District Office Staff in San Diego 

Below is an update on my work on your behalf this week. Happy Holidays! 

Casework Success Story

Ben, a U.S. Navy Seal from La Jolla, reached out to my office because the Department of Defense had not enrolled him in its retirement system, causing him financial hardship. A member of my staff reached out to the DoD’s Defense Finance Accounting Service and was able to secure Ben’s benefits. My office also assisted him with tracking down his VA claims file, which will allow him to file a claim for Combat Related Special Compensation associated with his 12 years of service and status as a combat veteran.

Strong Support for Police Child Care Bill

I kicked off this week with a press conference announcing the support of the Problem Solvers Caucus for my Providing Child Care for Police Officers Act. Introduced earlier this year, the bill will provide grants of up to $3 million to law enforcement agencies to assist with the opening and operation of child care centers — which will, ideally, make policing a more attractive profession for women. Research shows that women officers develop deeper trust with communities, are less likely to use force, and are less frequently identified in complaints and lawsuits. Securing the support of the caucus, composed of an equal number of Republicans and Democrats, was great news: Each session of Congress, only 2 to 3 percent of bills make it to the President’s desk, so strong bipartisan support makes the bill’s success more likely. We’ve also got strong local support for the bill. A big thank you to San Diego Police Officers Association President Jared Wilson, Peace Officers Research Association of California President Brian Marvel, and San Diego Assistant Police Chief Sandra Albrektsen for speaking at the press conference about the need for this bill. 

Helping Victims of the War in Ukraine

On Tuesday, I met with Dr. Peter Harsch and Igor Levin to discuss the ongoing war in Ukraine and the urgent need to support our Ukrainian allies. Dr. Harsch is a world-renowned prosthetist who has provided countless veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as those serving in the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia, with specially fitted prosthetic limbs and rehabilitation programs. He’s also worked with civilians injured in Russian attacks. Igor is originally from Ukraine and still has family there today. I am grateful for the work of people like Dr. Harsch in support of our Armed Forces and our allies around the world. 

Seniors Town Hall

Also this week, I visited the Gary and Mary West Senior Wellness Center in Downtown San Diego for a town hall. Operated by Serving Seniors, the center provides meals, activities, and other support services to low-income adults age 60 and older. I was grateful for the opportunity to discuss a number of important issues with the center’s clients, like my support for the Older Americans Act nutrition program, which provides funding for healthy meals at senior centers and through home deliveries. I also emphasized my commitment to protecting Social Security and Medicare from any future cuts. Understandably, attendees were concerned with high housing costs and homelessness. I shared with them my efforts to ensure that vouchers for homeless veterans don’t go unused and that renters who pay more than 30 percent of their income on rent get a tax credit. 

If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or need assistance with a federal agency, reach out to us through our website or by calling the district office at 858-455-5550.

To stay updated on my work throughout the week, you can also follow my social media accounts by clicking on the icons below.

Sincerely,