Congressman Bob Filner

Voting For Landmark Clean Energy Jobs Legislation

I voted in favor of landmark legislation that will help to protect our air, clean up our waterways and restore our public lands. The Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act emphasizes reducing pollution in our air and water, cleaning up dangerous toxic waste sites, boosting the production of renewable fuels and encouraging energy efficiency. The bill also eliminates 6 programs and cuts funding for another 37 to maintain fiscal responsibility.

This nation’s legacy lies in its magnificent natural resources. And with this bill, we can make real progress to clean up our water sources, spur the use and production of clean, efficient energy and help restore the splendor of our lakes, forests and parks.0

The bill takes significant steps to reduce pollution in our water and air and provides aid to over 1,500 communities to improve their drinking water and wastewater systems. It also provides funding to clean up dangerous toxic waste sites and gives the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the tools it needs to study the impact of toxins and pollution on children.

Our environment has a direct impact on the health and safety of our kids and our families. By passing this legislation, we can make sure our kids are drinking clean water and breathing clean air. There is no higher priority than protecting their health.

To support our national security objectives and economic recovery efforts, the legislation reduces our reliance on foreign oil and cuts the pollution caused by greenhouse gas emissions by encouraging consumer energy efficiency and the production of clean, renewable American energy. To help Americans save money and make wise environmental decisions, the bill allocates $50 million for the EPA’s successful Energy Star Program – which already saves consumers $14 billion a year in energy costs. The bill also dedicates funds towards the development of renewable clean energy sources on Federal lands and water.

With this bill, we are making great strides towards meeting our goal of producing 36 billion gallons of renewable fuels by 2022 and boosting research in new renewable energy sources. The future of our country and our planet depends on the investments we make today, and I am proud to say that with the passage of this legislation and the Clean Energy Act, we can all look forward to a brighter future.

Announcing A New Small Business Lending Program

Many local small businesses may soon be eligible for interest-free loans under a new program created by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The newly launched “America’s Recovery Capital” (ARC) program allows small firms to take out loans of $35,000 to pay down existing business debts. Borrowers pay no interest on the ARC loans and repayment does not begin for one year. The loan program was established through the ARRA, which the President signed into law in February. The new loans are part of Democrats’ ongoing work to help rebuild the economy.

There are many businesses throughout San Diego and Imperial Counties that would be viable in the long term if they could just make it through this rough patch. That’s why we created this initiative. The ARC program gives entrepreneurs the breathing room they need, so they can pay their bills, retain employees and play their traditional role as job creators in our economic recovery.

To qualify for the ARC loans, small firms must demonstrate they are experiencing immediate financial hardship due to the economic downturn, but are otherwise deemed viable by the Small Business Administration (SBA). The loans will be made by commercial lenders and can be used for payments of principal and interest for existing, qualifying small business debts like credit card obligations, mortgages, lines of credit, and balances due to suppliers, vendors, and utilities. In addition to the ARC loan program, the ARRA contained other measures aimed at helping small firms access credit. For instance, the new law increases the percentage of a loan that the SBA can guarantee, makes SBA-backed loans more affordable and provides tools to unfreeze the small business credit markets, helping small companies access capital at affordable rates.

Small businesses are our nation’s most reliable job creators, generating seven out of ten new jobs. If our nation is going to lift itself out of this recession, we need entrepreneurs to start growing again. The ARC loan program is one element in a whole series of initiatives in the Recovery Act aimed at giving small firms the tools they need to lead our nation back to prosperity.

To apply for ARC loans, businesses should visit their local SBA-approved small business lenders. The loans will be available through Sept. 30, 2010, or until appropriated funding runs out. Additional information about the ARC loan program is available online at: http://www.sba.gov/recovery/arcloanprogram/index.html

Securing Timely Funding for Veterans' Health Care

On Tuesday, June 23, 2009, the House of Representatives approved H.R. 1016, landmark legislation to secure timely funding for veterans’ health care delivered through the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). As Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, I announced the passage of the bill that would authorize the ‘advance appropriations’ process. The bill provides Congress greater ability to develop appropriation bills that provide sufficient funding to meet the best estimate of anticipated demand for VA health care services in future years by allowing funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical accounts one year in advance.

Last month, this House of Representatives took action to respond to years of chronic underfunding of VA medical care. Over the last 22 years, 19 VA budgets have been passed late – and our veterans pay the price with fewer doctors, longer waiting times, and more restricted access for the 6 million veterans using VA health care. Members of the Committee have worked closely with veteran service organizations to pass this landmark bill and guarantee that our veterans have access to comprehensive, quality health care.

H.R. 1016 would authorize Congress to approve Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical care appropriations one year in advance of the start of each fiscal year. An advance appropriation would provide VA with up to one year in which to plan how to deliver the most efficient and effective care to an increasing number of veterans with increasingly complex medical conditions. Unlike proposals to convert VA health care to a mandatory funding program, an advance appropriation does not create PAYGO concerns since VA health care funding would remain discretionary. Congress employs a PAYGO rule which demands that new proposals must either be budget neutral or offset with savings derived from existing funds.

Additionally, VA will be required to detail estimates in the budget documents it submits annually to Congress. Each July, the VA will be required to report to Congress if it has the resources it needs for the upcoming fiscal year in order for Congress to address any funding imbalances. This will help to safeguard against the VA facing budget shortfalls such as it faced just a few years ago.

Reform of the method in which the VA health care system is funded continues to be a top legislative priority for many veteran service organizations. In a letter sent by eleven veteran service organizations to Members of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, a vote for H.R. 1016 "will be among the most important for veterans and their families that the Committee will take this year." Representatives of these groups offered testimony in support of advance appropriations at a recent Committee hearing which focused on funding the VA of the future.

Disabled American Veterans National Commander Raymond E. Dempsey said, last month's "House approval of Chairman Filner’s advance appropriations legislation is a major step towards finally fixing the VA health care funding system, and ensuring that veterans receive the medical services they need and deserve. DAV is grateful to Chairman Filner for working with the Partnership for Veterans Health Care Budget Reform in developing H.R. 1016 and for successfully moving it through the Committee and onto the House floor.”

Senator Daniel Akaka (D-HI), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, introduced a companion bill in the Senate, S. 423.

YouthBuild Grant Awards

I am pleased to announce the release of $1,387,100 in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Labor YouthBuild program within the 51st Congressional District – $687,500 to the San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council and $699,600 to the Metropolitan Area Advisory Committee (MAAC) based in Chula Vista. The YouthBuild program is providing $114 million to 183 community groups nation-wide for education and job skills training for disadvantaged youth to achieve economic self-sufficiency, including $42 million dollars allocated through the federal Stimulus Act.

The YouthBuild program helps deserving kids find meaningful work and serve their communities. The Labor Council and MAAC will be able to tap into the energy and talents of our youth so they can help others while they help themselves. It’s a great program!

The Labor Council and MAAC YouthBuild programs will each train approximately 80 youth who will help increase the supply of permanent affordable housing for homeless and low-income families by constructing and rehabilitating low-income housing units in their own communities.

Critical Community Projects in San Diego, National City and Chila Vista Receive Funding

I have secured significant funding for critical community projects within California’s 51st District through the bi-partisan Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations bill as follows:

$1.2 million for the Regional Communications System Upgrade through the County of San Diego, which will also benefit Imperial County.

$95,000 for the Homeless Outreach Program and Enforcement (HOPE) Project through the City of National City, CA.

$200,000 for Gang and Drug Crime Investigation and Prosecution efforts through the County of San Diego District Attorney’s office.

$350,000 for the Regional Gang Enforcement Collaborative through the County of San Diego Sheriff’s Department.

$400,000 for the Prisoner Re-entry Employment Program through San Diego Second Chance.

$100,000 for the Turning the Hearts Center in Chula Vista, CA.

These are key investments in our priorities. As a result of this bill and the Recovery Act we passed earlier this year, we’re boosting crime prevention and noticeably improving people’s lives.

This bill begins to lay a new foundation for lasting prosperity and security with investments in programs that help local and state governments keep their citizens safe, and research and development programs that facilitate scientific innovation and discovery.

In the areas of justice and crime-prevention, the legislation:

Significantly increases funding for the FBI to boost our national security efforts, address the growing threat of cyber crime and prosecute financial fraud.

Invests heavily in protecting our borders, providing $2 billion for the Drug Enforcement Administration to combat drug trafficking with 128 new positions in the Southwest and enhanced resources to investigate, disrupt and dismantle major Mexican drug cartels.

Provides additional funding for the prosecution of violent crimes against women and strengthens services for the victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.

Invests $1.1 billion in the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms to reduce violent crime and combat drug trafficking along the southwest border.

The bill also makes significant investments in scientific research and innovation. Specifically, the legislation:

Helps our students succeed in a global job market by investing in science, technology, engineering and math education.

Renews our commitment to reduce global climate change with funding for research.

Invests $6.9 billion in the National Science Foundation for the most promising scientific research and innovation.

America’s success has always depended on our ability to innovate. To keep up and compete in a new global economy, we must support scientific research, discovery and education at every level. I’m proud to say that this bill makes historic investments to encourage the work of our scientists, researchers, students and educators.

Funding for Imperial County

Last month, I announced that the Department of Interior has released $3,093,802 to Imperial County, California under the Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) Program.

PILT payments help local communities pay for important services, including emergency response, public schools, and roads. I have long supported the PILT Program because it helps communities offset the foregone revenues to counties for federal lands within their jurisdiction.

Imperial County is the second-largest recipient of PILT payments in California, after Riverside County. Nationwide, the Department of Interior will pay $381.6 million to compensate nearly 1,850 local units of government.

Grant Awarded to the Black Storytellers of San Diego

Last month I announced that the Black Storytellers of San Diego, Inc. will receive a matching grant of $15,000 from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA).

The grant will fund the Big Read Program implemented in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services. This program engages the entire community – children and adults – in reading and discussing the book, A Lesson Before Dying, by Ernest J. Gaines.

The grant will provide free Readers’ Guides for students and community participants, Teachers’ Guides, audio introductions to the book, and a comprehensive website.

Dr. Annjennette McFarlin, President of the Black Storytellers of San Diego said, “We are thrilled to receive this grant! It allows everyone to be brought in to discover the joy of reading. The materials provided help us reach both children and adults and help us all to improve and become more literate.”

Since the program began in 2006, more than 802 Big Read grants have been awarded by the NEA to organizations in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

At a time when reading is declining, the Big Read Program encourages Americans to re-discover its benefits.