Bob Filner for Congress | News

Congressman Bob Filner recently joined students and families at the Parent Institute of Quality Education (PIQE) graduation ceremony for graduates of their Nine-Week Parent Involvement program. The Congressman also delivered a giant check for $438,000 in federal funding to help fund PIQE. PIQE is dedicated to bringing parents, students, schools and the community together to ensure that every student receives a quality education. Pictured here with the Congressman are (from left to right): Reverend Vahac Mardirosian, PIQE Founder; Eunice Mardirosian, his wife; and David Valladolid, PIQE President and CEO.

May 23, 2008

Filner Supports Federal Funding for School Construction and Modernization

Congressman Bob Filner recently co-sponsored H.R. 3021, the 21st Century High-Performing Public School Facilities Act.

H.R. 3021 would authorize a new federal grant and low-interest loan program that would provide funding to local educational agencies for the construction, modernization, or repair of public kindergarten, elementary, and secondary educational facilities.

“Schools across the country are crumbling! If we want to educate our children for the 21^st Century, we must ensure they have all the necessary resources available to them, including decent schools,” stated Filner.

With the exception of limited funding through the Impact Aid program and through the Department of the Interior for Indian schools, direct federal support for school construction has been virtually non-existent since fiscal year 2001 when, under the leadership of President Clinton, the federal government provided $1.2 billion in emergency funds for school repair.

May 24, 2008

Bob Filner Demands Closing the Wage Gap Between Women and Men

Washington, DC - The 110th Congress Will Attempt to Complete Final Action and Send to the President's Desk the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act On Equal Pay Day, Congressman Bob Filner stated that ensuring truly equal pay for equal work must be a top priority for American families. Equal Pay Day is the day when the wages paid to American women "catch up" to the wages paid to men from the previous year. In other words, because the average woman earns less, she must work longer for the same amount of pay.

"Thirty-five years have passed since President John F. Kennedy signed the Equal Pay Act into law in 1963," pointed out Congressman Filner. "And yet, in many cases, there is still not equal pay for equal work in this country."

In 1963, when the Equal Pay Act was signed, women who worked full-time, year-round made 59 cents on average for every dollar earned by men. In 2006, women earned 77 cents for every dollar earned by men. That is progress - but it is slow progress. It means that the wage gap has narrowed by less than half a cent per year.

"Equal pay is not just a women's issue, it's a family issue," said Filner. "The wage gap hurts everyone - husbands, wives, children, and parents - because it lowers family incomes that pay for essentials: groceries, doctors' visits, and child care. When women earn more the entire family benefits, which is why closing the wage gap must be an integral part of strengthening America's families."

"This week, the New Direction Congress will mark Equal Pay Day by bringing the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act to vote on the Senate floor and sending it directly to the President's desk," said Filner. "The House passed the bill last July. The bill is critical to restoring a basic protection against pay discrimination for American workers. It rectifies a May 2007 Supreme Court decision that overturned longstanding precedent and made it much more difficult for workers to pursue pay discrimination claims."

In May 2007, in the 5-4 decision of Ledbetter v Goodyear, the Supreme Court ruled that a worker must file a charge of pay discrimination within 180 days of the employer's initial decision to pay someone less for discriminatory reasons. This opinion ignores the realities of the workplace - where workers may go for years without knowing that they are being paid less than comparable employees. This bill rectifies the Supreme Court decision by restoring the longstanding interpretation of civil rights laws, under which as long as a worker files within 180 days of a discriminatory paycheck, their charges are timely.

"I am also an original co-sponsor of the Paycheck Fairness Act," Filner added. "This bill would strengthen the Equal Pay Act of 1963 by providing more effective remedies to women who are not being paid equal wages for doing equal work. The bill would also require the Department of Labor to enhance outreach and training programs to work with employers to eliminate pay disparities and would create a new grant program to help strengthen the negotiation skills of women."

"Ensuring that women receive equal pay for equal work is a common-sense issue that affects all working women and their families," Congressman Filner concluded. "By eradicating unfair treatment in the labor market, we can help families gain the resources they need to ensure that their children have access to a better future."

April 24, 2008

Filner Supports Medicaid Safety Net

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Bob Filner yesterday joined a bipartisan majority in the U.S. House of Representatives to approve legislation that would place a moratorium, until March of 2009, on seven Medicaid regulations imposed by the Bush Administration. The 'Protecting the Medicaid Safety Net Act' (H.R. 5613) was approved by a vote of 349 to 62. H.R. 5613 would stop the pending cuts into Medicaid benefits for children, seniors and disabled Americans.

“There are over 47 million Americans in the United States who do not have health insurance and many more with inadequate policies. At a time like this, I was extremely disappointed when the President tried to limit Medicaid services and outreach even further. The cuts would undermine the Medicaid safety net and imperil critical services for our most vulnerable citizens,” said Congressman Filner. “Our bill protects states, beneficiaries, and providers from the harmful regulatory changes supported by the President. With the economy slowing and the cost of commodities like food and gasoline increasing, it would be unconscionable to allow the President’s ‘rules’ to continue!”

This bipartisan bill is supported by all 50 Governors, both Democratic and Republican, and by more than 2,000 organizations, including the National Governors Association, National Association of Counties, American Hospital Association, National Association of Medicaid Directors, National Association of Mental Health Program Directors, AARP, American Academy of Pediatrics, and National Public Health Association.

Specifically, by imposing a moratorium, this bill would protect states, beneficiaries, and providers from the Medicaid cuts caused by the following seven rules:

Restrictions on payment for Medicaid coverage of rehabilitation services: This rule would severely curtail the ability of people with chronic and temporary disabilities to receive rehabilitation services, and particularly hurt those with developmental disabilities, mental illness, and people who, without access to rehabilitation services, could see their health deteriorate.
Restrictions on payment for Medicaid coverage of case management services: Medicaid currently assists people with disabilities, chronic illnesses, or special needs in gaining access to Medicaid. This rule would hurt outreach efforts and Medicaid services.
Elimination of payment for school-based transportation and outreach: Currently, schools may be reimbursed by Medicaid for extremely limited, specialized medical transportation for Medicaid children to and from school and for administrative activities associated with the Medicaid program, including outreach, assistance with enrollment, and referring children to Medicaid providers and Medicaid services. This rule would prohibit all Medicaid funding of these programs.
Redefinition of allowable provider taxes used to raise state funding for Medicaid: Under current law, states are allowed to tax providers as a way to help pay for Medicaid expenses. The taxes are used to improve provider payment rates and improve the quality of care provided. This rule significantly redefines “allowable” provider taxes and would put current, long-standing state programs in jeopardy. This would result in states reducing services, cutting provider payments, or eliminating coverage.
Restrictions on payment for Medicaid hospital outpatient benefits: This rule would significantly restrict the types of hospital outpatient services Medicaid can cover and restrict the ability of states to cover services in outpatient clinics that are separate from hospitals – a common way states have served people in communities and reduced emergency room use.
Elimination of payment for graduate medical education in Medicaid: This proposed rule would prohibit Medicaid payment for graduate medical education programs that train providers so they have the experience and skills necessary to meet the needs of Medicaid beneficiaries.
Restrictions on payments to safety net institutions: This rule places strict limits on Medicaid payments to critical safety net institutions, such as hospitals and nursing homes, that serve Medicaid beneficiaries. If these payments are reduced or eliminated, the critical access to care and services provided by these institutions may be in jeopardy.

April 25, 2008

Filner Backs Extended Unemployment Compensation as the Number of Out-of-Work Americans Climbs

Help for Out-of-Work Families in a Tough Economy is Needed Now

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Bob Filner today announced his support for bipartisan legislation (H.R.5749, Emergency Extended Unemployment Compensation Act) to provide an immediate 13-week extension of unemployment benefits nationwide. This legislation would extend unemployment benefits for 3.2 million jobless Americans who are looking for work, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

“The Labor Department recently announced that the unemployment rate for California increased to 6.2 percent in March of 2008, up from 5.7 percent in February of 2008 and 3.7 percent in March of 2007. That is why I am supporting this legislation moving through Congress, which would provide much-needed relief to unemployed workers to assist them with rapidly rising gas and food costs, while they continue to struggle to find work in the slowing economy," stated Congressman Filner.

“The strain of the economic downturn on middle-class families demands a second growth and relief package now. Yesterday, President Bush announced his interest in ‘work[ing] with Congress on pieces of legislation that’ll actually help people.’ That announcement is a hopeful sign that the President will now agree to work in a bipartisan manner on a second package, which includes unemployment benefits for millions of out-of-work Americans. With projections that unemployment will continue to increase through the end of this year, economists agree that additional unemployment compensation will be the most cost-effective and immediate way to jumpstart the economy,” continued Filner.

The Emergency Extended Unemployment Compensation Act will:

Immediately provide up to 13 weeks of extended unemployment benefits to workers exhausting regular unemployment compensation in every state.
Provide an additional 13 weeks (for a total of 26) in States with high unemployment (six percent or higher).
Run through January 2009 and be financed by the federal unemployment trust funds, which now have more than enough reserves to cover the cost.

Over the last three months, the U.S. economy has lost 232,000 jobs and over the past year the number of unemployed has grown by over one million. The number of long-term unemployed workers is nearly twice as high as it was at the beginning of the last recession (March 2001).

April 17, 2008

Filner Supports Bill to Ensure Continued Access to Federal Student Loans for American Families

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Bob Filner today joined a bipartisan majority in the U.S. House of Representatives to approve legislation to ensure that the turmoil in the U.S. financial markets does not keep students and families from accessing the federal student loans they need to pay for college. The Ensuring Continued Access to Federal Student Loans Act of 2008 (H.R. 5715), which carries no new cost for taxpayers, was passed by a vote of 383 to 27.

“Universal access to affordable education has made America great and helped create the middle class. Congress must fight to protect our values and ensure that every American family continues to have access to quality education,” said Congressman Filner. “As the global marketplace becomes increasingly competitive, we must provide our children with a viable education, resources and job training to fill the most selective positions. This bill will help us do just that!”

The Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loans Act of 2008 (H.R. 5715) would provide new protections, in addition to those that already exist under current law, to ensure that families continue to have timely, uninterrupted access to federal college loans in the event that the stress in the credit markets leads a significant number of lenders to substantially reduce their activity in the federally guaranteed student loan program.

H.R. 5715 would:

Reduce borrowers’ reliance on costlier private college loans by increasing the annual loan limits on federal college loans by $2,000 for undergraduate students, and by increasing the aggregate (the total loan limit over the course of a student’s education) loan limits to $31,000 for dependent undergraduates and $57,500 for independent undergraduates;

Give parent borrowers more time to begin paying off their federal PLUS loans by providing them with the option to defer repayment until up to six months after their children leave school – giving families more flexibility in hard economic times.

Help struggling homeowners pay for college by making sure that short-term delinquencies in mortgage payments don’t prohibit otherwise eligible parents from being able to borrow parent PLUS loans. Under current law, parents with an adverse credit history are ineligible to receive a parent PLUS loan, except under extenuating circumstances. The legislation would temporarily classify as an extenuating circumstance delinquencies on home mortgages of up to 180 days, therefore making it possible for parents who are being strained by the current housing market to secure loans for their children;

Clarify that existing law gives the U.S. Education Secretary the authority to advance federal funds to guaranty agencies in the event that they do not have sufficient capital to originate new loans, and allow guaranty agencies to carry out the functions of lender of last resort on a school-wide basis. Under the Higher Education Act, these guaranty agencies are obligated to serve as a nationwide network of lenders of last resort if requested to do so by the Education Secretary;

Give the U.S. Education Secretary the temporary authority to purchase loans from lenders in the federal guaranteed loan program, ensuring that lenders continue to have access to capital to originate new loans. The Education Department would be authorized to purchase loans only if doing so would not result in a net cost for the federal government.

April 16, 2008

Filner Visits SEIU Local 221

Congressman Bob Filner recently visited the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 221 headquarters and met with local representatives. Pictured here with the Congressman are (from left): Solita Kampley, SEIU designated staff for Registered Nurses; Kathy Griffee, SEIU member and Public Health Nurse; and Carmen Duron, SEIU member and Public Health Nurse.

April 10, 2008

Filner Announces Teaching American History Grant for Imperial County Office of Education

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Bob Filner announced today that the Imperial County Office of Education has been awarded a $995,204 Teaching American History grant from the United States Department of Education. The grant will be used to provide professional, history-specific training for teachers in Imperial County. The program is designed to raise student achievement by improving their teachers’ familiarity and understanding of American History.

“A basic knowledge of American history is absolutely necessary to understanding our institutions, the political and judicial systems, as well as the national decision making process,” said Congressman Filner. “I believe that by providing teachers with better curriculum options and a more complete understanding of history, they will enrich our students’ learning experience and help them achieve success throughout their lives!”

John Anderson, Superintendent of the Imperial County Office of Education, stated, “We are pleased to receive this opportunity to build capacity in the area of history for our local teachers. For the past several years we have focused on reading and mathematics. This project enables us to expand our services in the area of history. We are excited and will begin teacher recruitment soon!”

As you probably know, Imperial County is very large (larger than Rhode Island and Delaware combined), and it includes 17 separate school districts, five history museums, a university and many dedicated historians. These resources, though spread out, represent a unique opportunity to positively impact the lives of students.

During the course of this 5-year project, 26 teachers from all over the County will participate in two-week summer institutes, focused on history and the development of meaningful curriculum. The program will also include Saturday workshops, mentoring support, and the development of a unique countywide history education organization to sustain the project. During the first few years of the program, the summer institutes will include “Staff Rides” or bus tours to historical sites to immerse teachers in historical content, under the guidance of historians.

March 12, 2008

Filner Awarded “A” Grade from Nation’s Only Middle-Class Congressional Scorecard

Drum Major Institute: “In 2007, When America’s Struggling Middle Class Looked to Congress for Help, They Found a Consistent Champion in Congressman Filner”

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Bob Filner was recently awarded an “A” grade from the Drum Major Institute for Public Policy (DMI), which is widely recognized as America’s middle-class think tank. This political season, no set of issues have garnered greater attention than those involving the struggles of America’s current and aspiring middle class. Although attention has largely been focused on the presidential race, DMI releases “TheMiddleClass.org 2007 Congressional Scorecard” to remind Americans that the next President’s ability to advance his or her middle-class agenda will depend largely on cooperation from the 111th Congress.

With 470 Congressional seats up for election on November 4th, Americans who care about middle-class issues like health care, college affordability and the impact of free trade agreements need to know whether their representatives share these concerns. According to DMI, “one Representative, who demonstrated a sincere desire to strengthen and expand America’s middle class and voted to prove it, was Congressman Bob Filner.”

Upon hearing he had received an “A” grade from DMI, Congressman Bob Filner said, “I am honored to be recognized by DMI, and I applaud their efforts to inform community members and to hold elected officials accountable to their constituents. With increasing inequality of wealth across the United States, it is extremely important that we support legislation to reinforce the position of the middle-class and to provide additional educational opportunities, job skills and healthcare to those people who aspire to join the middle class. Every time I vote, I vote with my conscience, and I vote to support America!”

DMI Executive Director Andrea Batista Schlesinger said, “The middle-class squeeze isn’t inevitable. It is the result of decisions made by those we elect to represent us. Important legislation was voted on this year, ranging from health care and education bills that were aimed at alleviating middle-class burdens to misguided trade agreements and tax policies that were skewed towards wealthy Americans and hurt the middle class. Simply put, how Congress votes matters.”

When asked about the most important function of the annual DMI middle-class scorecard, Schlesinger responded, “Accountability. Members of Congress cannot tell the public they support the middle class but then cast votes against them. Thanks to TheMiddleClass.org, every American has access to their Senators’ and Representative’s voting records on the most important middle-class legislation. Without question, those who kept their word, like Rep. Bob Filner, deserve every accolade they receive.”

March 11, 2008

Congressman Filner Supports Head Start!

Congressman Bob Filner recently requested adequate funding for Head Start, the most successful, longest-running, national school readiness program in the nation. Filner joined 56 of his colleagues in the House of Representatives in sending a letter to the House of Representatives Budget Committee Chairman John Spratt and Ranking Member Paul Ryan, requesting $7.8 billion for Head Start in the Fiscal Year 2009 budget, $800 million over the President’s budget.

“Understanding the constraints of the federal budget, I believe it is unwise to penalize one of the best performing federal programs with a budget that is lower than what is needed to keep up with inflation,” said Congressman Filner. “In addition, Head Start currently serves only 42 percent of the children who are eligible for this program.”

Created in 1965, Head Start provides comprehensive education, health, nutrition, and parental involvement services to low-income families. Its purpose is to improve the readiness of low-income children for their entrance into kindergarten by enhancing their development in language, mathematics, science, social and emotional functioning, creative arts, and physical skills.

“Nearly 25 million pre-school children and their families have directly benefited from Head Start,” said Filner. “Year after year, Head Start programs have transformed the lives of children and their families in dramatic ways. Enrollment in Head Start can break the cycle of poverty that affects too many American families.”

Filner continued, “Because of the comprehensive range of services offered to these families, for every dollar spent on Head Start, the nation realizes almost nine dollars through participants’ increased earnings and decreased welfare dependence.”

March 4, 2008

Children’s Defense Fund Declares Filner: One of the “Best Representatives for Children”

WASHINGTON – Congressman Bob Filner today thanked the Children’s Defense Fund Action Council (CDFAC) for naming him among the “Best Representatives for Children.” The CDFAC today released its 2007 Nonpartisan Congressional Scorecard, which grades every Member of Congress based on key votes affecting children, and Congressman Filner voted to protect the health and well being of California’s children 100 percent of the time. Filner achieved this distinction by voting to support the first increase in the minimum wage in a decade, access and quality improvements in Head Start, and additional funds for student loans.

Congressman Filner said, “I am honored to be recognized as one of the Best Representatives for Children, and I truly believe that providing for our children will create a better future for us all. Universal education and equal opportunity for children are central elements of the American dream, and without them our nation would not be what it is today. I will continue to fight to ensure that every child has the security, opportunity and resources to flourish and that every parent is able to provide the necessary support!”

“I applaud Congressman Filner for his commitment to improving the lives of children,” said CDFAC President Marian Wright Edelman. “With 9.4 million uninsured children in America and nearly 13 million living in poverty, it is critical that we elect Representatives committed to making children a priority. Filner is a dedicated advocate for children and has truly earned the distinction of being one of the best Representatives for children.”

The Children’s Defense Fund Action Council educates the nation about the needs of children and encourages preventative investment before they get sick or into trouble, drop out of school, or suffer family breakdown. The CDF Action Council began in 1969 and is a private, non-profit organization that has never taken government funds.

CDFAC developed an interactive map and other online tools to show how Members of Congress voted by state. To see the interactive map as well as the 2007 Congressional Scorecard in its entirety, which includes the grades of all Members of Congress, visit: www.cdfactioncouncil.org.

February 8, 2008

Filner Votes to Address Rising College Prices & Remove Barriers to College Enrollment

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Bob Filner today voted for legislation to address the soaring price of college tuition and remove other obstacles that make it harder for qualified students to go to college.

By an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 354 to 58, the House approved the College Opportunity and Affordability Act (H.R. 4137), which would reform and strengthen the nation’s higher education programs to ensure that they operate in the best interests of students and families. The legislation is the second major step that the new Democratic Congress has taken to make college more affordable and accessible for all qualified students. Last year, Congress enacted into law a $20 billion increase in college financial aid over the next five years, the largest increase in student aid since the G.I. Bill of 1944.

“It is absolutely necessary that we provide every student with the opportunity to attend college,” said Congressman Filner. “In the 21^st Century, a college education has become as important as a high school diploma was just one generation ago. Unfortunately, the cost of college has also grown rapidly, and more students then ever before graduate with incredible debt, or are unable to go to college due to the high cost. We must put our money where our mouths are and make college education a reality for every American!”

An October 2007 report from the College Board showed that, over the previous five years, tuition and fees had increased across the board, at public and private colleges and at two-year and four-year colleges. In California, tuition and fees at public, four-year colleges grew by 9 percent between 2006-07 and 2007-8. The bill would address these rising prices by encouraging colleges to rein in price increases, ensuring that states maintain their commitments to higher education funding, and providing students and families with consumer friendly information on college pricing and the factors driving tuition increases.

The legislation also strengthens provisions previously approved by the House to avoid conflicts of interest in the student loan programs. The bill’s new provisions include requiring better consumer disclosures and protections on private student loans. Together these protections form a Bill of Rights for college consumers.

“Our nation’s global standing and economy is dependent on the investments we make in our children. This legislation will provide students with the tools and resources necessary to be competitive in an international economy,” added Congressman Filner.

In addition, the College Opportunity and Affordability Act would:

• Streamline the federal student financial aid application process;

• Make textbook costs more manageable for students by, among other things, helping them plan for textbook expenses in advance of each semester;

• Allow students to receive year-round Pell Grant scholarships;

• Strengthen college readiness and support programs for minority and low-income students;

• Increase college aid and support programs for veterans and military families;

• Improve safety on college campuses and help schools recover and rebuild after a disaster;

• Ensure equal college opportunities and fair learning environments for students with disabilities; and

• Strengthen our nation’s workforce and economic competitiveness by boosting science, technology, and foreign language educational opportunities.

H.R. 4137 is a comprehensive reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, the primary federal law aimed at expanding college access for low- and middle-income students. The bill is supported by a broad coalition of students, colleges and universities, consumer rights advocacy groups, minority organizations, and more.

December 31, 2007

Congressman Filner Applauds Father Joe Carroll and St. Vincent De Paul Village

Congressman Bob Filner today announced that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded multiple “Continuum of Care Homeless Assistance” grants to St. Vincent de Paul Village, Inc. These grants, which total over $4 million, will be distributed to the Village and ten other local organizations to help fight homelessness.

Congressman Filner pointed out that, “Father Joe and St. Vincent de Paul provide a friendly, helping hand in our community, and they deserve all the support we can give!”

In 1950, St. Vincent de Paul started as a small center handing out peanut butter sandwiches to needy San Diegans, and the operation grew from there. In 1982 Father Joe Carroll took over leadership of the center and slowly increased the level of service. St. Vincent de Paul currently provides customized care, including three meals a day, child-specific education and care, job training and placement, and medical and dental care. The St. Vincent de Paul Village is dedicated to helping our neighbors in need break the cycle of homelessness and poverty by promoting self sufficiency.

Father Joe Carroll said, “I am very happy that HUD recognizes the unique partnership that exists here in San Diego. This partnership consists of ten organizations, including Catholic Charities, the San Diego Youth and Community Services, Volunteers of America, the Salvation Army and Veterans Village of San Diego. These grants are shared amongst these local organizations, which allows us to determine how best to respond to the needs of the homeless and destitute.”

St. Vincent de Paul Village, Inc. has been awarded $513,712 for their Family Living Center, $619,024 for Fresh Start, $1,699,096 for Solutions 2/5, $890,000 for Solutions 4, and $402,182 for the Toussaint Academy of the Arts and Sciences.

“This program is extremely important here in San Diego, because one of our greatest challenges has been helping homeless people overcome poverty, sickness and stigma to become productive members of our society. Father Joe has brought opportunities to disadvantaged families and helped many people get back on their feet,” said Congressman Filner. “I applaud his efforts, and I know that he inspires everyone to do more!”

December 31, 2007

Congressman Filner Applauds The Center For Family Solutions

Congressman Bob Filner today announced that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded a $169,864 grant to WomanHaven, Inc. WomanHaven, Inc, which recently changed its name to the Center for Family Solutions, provides shelter and services for all members of families who have been subject to domestic violence.

Congressman Filner pointed out that, “Many families continue to suffer from domestic violence, and I am thankful that the Center for Family Solutions is there to help not only victims of abuse, but their entire families, get back on their feet and learn to respect themselves and one another!”

In 1977, WomanHaven, Inc was created by a small group of community activists concerned about victims of domestic violence. Since that time, the group has dramatically increased their level of service. WomanHaven, Inc, now the Center for Family Solutions, provides shelter and services for victims, counseling for aggressors and their families, and prevention and awareness programs in local schools and the community. The Center serves all of Imperial County as well as rural parts of San Diego and Riverside Counties. In the first year that WomanHaven existed care was provided for 56 people. Last year the Center provided shelter and other services for more than 4,500 people in Imperial County.

Dr. Barbara Shaver, Executive Director of the Center for Family Solutions, speaking on behalf of their community Board of Directors and staff, “We are very grateful for the support of HUD and of Congressman Filner in our efforts to help victims and their families, by providing shelter, education and violence prevention services. Children in violent families often grow up to be troubled, join gangs, fail in school, become batterers, and never achieve their full potential. Ninety-nine percent of the men and women incarcerated in California grew up in violent homes, and children who do so tend to perpetuate this behavior into the next generation, because they don’t know how to be non-violent. We are dedicated to breaking this cycle in Imperial County and appreciate the support of HUD in our efforts.”

“Preventing abuse is in everyone’s best interest. Unfortunately, many children who grow up in abusive households repeat the mistakes their parents made, becoming victims, abusers and too often criminals. We need to stop this trend before it starts in order to prevent much pain and suffering, which is why the services at the Center for Family Solutions are so important!” said Congressman Filner. “I applaud their efforts, and I know that they inspire everyone to do his or her part!”

December 27, 2007

Congressman Filner Fights For San Diego-Hawaii Cruise Lines

Congressman Bob Filner recently protested a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) proposed rule change intended to stop cruise lines from operating Hawaiian cruise trips that depart from the West Coast.

The proposed rule change could drastically impact the city of San Diego's tourism industry and potentially delay improvements and renovations to the cruise terminals at the Port of San Diego.

"San Diego's cruise industry generates over $300 million a year in economic impact for our city. This proposed rule could change that and could drastically impact our city's tourism and economy. It is wholly unnecessary," said Congressman Filner.

Over the last decade, cruise operations have grown more than 300 percent in San Diego. The Port has one home-ported ship.

"This is a threat to our cruise business and to the economic impact it has on the San Diego region," Port Commission Chairwoman Sylvia Rios said. "Our region benefits tremendously from this thriving waterfront business. To decrease it in anyway would be a severe loss. The proposed rule change is an example of putting one state's interests over another."

San Diego's Hawaii-bound cruise ship business ranges from 22 to 26 calls per year. Each year, these cruises bring almost 70,000 passengers to San Diego. In addition to the money brought into the Port of San Diego, these passengers spend upwards of $14 million patronizing the city's airport, hotels, restaurants, transportation companies and attractions.

"The Port of San Diego's cruise business is an essential part of our city's tourism industry. Because of the damage this rule change will do to our city's economy, I call on CBP to withdraw this proposed rule!" said Congressman Filner.

December 20, 2007

Congressman Filner Backs Plan To Make Toys Safer, Protect Consumers

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Bob Filner today joined a majority in the House of Representatives in support of a plan to make toys safer and protect consumers. The Consumer Product Safety Modernization Act was approved by a vote of 407 to 0.

“Parents shouldn’t have to worry about toxic toys under the tree this Christmas,” said Congressman Filner. “Our legislation responds to the toy safety crisis, creates the toughest lead standard in the world for children’s products and helps ensure consumers know when products are recalled.”

The Consumer Product Safety Modernization Act bans lead beyond a minute amount in products intended for children under 12, mandates third-party testing of children’s products and requires mandatory safety standards for products like cribs and high chairs.

The legislation also requires new labels to aid in the recall of children’s products and prohibits companies from exporting products that have been recalled or violate product safety rules.

Finally, the legislation strengthens the currently underfunded and understaffed Consumer Product Safety Commission. The bill significantly increases CPSC resources to hire additional staff and for laboratory renovations, including $20 million to modernize the testing lab. The legislation also creates a new power for the CPSC to immediately share information about dangerous products with the public and ensures State public health agencies are kept informed.

“For too long, the Consumer Product Safety Commission has failed to protect the American consumer,” added Filner. “The bill we passed today will help give this essential commission the tools it needs to keep us safe.”

December 5, 2007

Congress Enacts Key Bipartisan Bill to Expand and Improve the Successful Head Start Program

Bipartisan Head Start Reauthorization is Another Key Achievement of the New Direction Congress

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Congress held a congressional enrollment ceremony for H.R. 1429, the bipartisan Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act, sending the bill to the President’s desk for his signature. The President is expected to sign the legislation.

Enactment of the bipartisan Head Start Reauthorization bill is a key achievement of the New Direction Congress. The authorization for the Head Start program actually expired in FY 2003. And yet, due to a stalemate, the 108th and 109th Congresses failed to enact a Head Start reauthorization bill. The new 110th Congress has now successfully broken that stalemate and enacted a bipartisan bill.

“I am very proud that the new 110th Congress has enacted this critical Head Start Reauthorization bill,” Congressman Filner stated. “Head Start has been the premiere early childhood education program in the U.S. for more than 40 years. It has served more than 20 million children and families in that time. This bipartisan legislation expands and improves Head Start, which research has shown works in raising children’s achievement.”

“Americans understand that all of us benefit when we invest in high-quality early education programs for low-income children,” Filner added. “The latest science shows that intervening early in a child’s life is the most likely to lead to that child’s future success. This bill is designed to reinvigorate Head Start and help more children arrive at kindergarten ready to succeed.”

This critical bipartisan bill improves and expands the Head Start program, with provisions to:

Improve teacher and classroom quality, including improving teacher qualifications and increasing teacher salaries;

Strengthen the focus on school readiness, including requiring the Head Start program to use the latest and best science on early childhood brain development in its curriculum and materials;

Provide access to Head Start for more children, with higher authorization levels for Head Start and a priority on the expansion of Early Head Start, which serves children from birth to age three; and

Impose strong accountability measures, to better ensure that Head Start funds are used appropriately and efficiently and that underperforming programs are either replaced or quickly improved.

The research shows that Head Start works. Research finds that children who attend Head Start enter school better prepared than low-income children who do not attend the program. There is also research showing that Head Start students experience IQ gains and are less likely to need special education services, repeat a grade, or commit crimes in adolescence. They are also more likely to graduate from high school.

“This legislation invests in our nation’s young children – and invests in their future success,” added Congressman Filner. “As such, it is part of the agenda of the New Direction Congress to strengthen our children and families, create new opportunity, and build a stronger future for all Americans.”

November 9, 2007

Congressman Filner Votes to Support Health Care & Education

Key Legislation Invests in Important Priorities

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Filner today joined a bipartisan majority in the House of Representatives to approve legislation that will make significant investments in health care and education. The Labor-Health-Education Appropriations bill was approved by a vote of 274 to 141 and now goes to the President.

“For too long, the Republican Congress and President Bush sent billions to Iraq and ignored important priorities here at home,” said Filner. “The New Direction Congress is making smart investments in health care and education that will make our country strong.”