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We sat down with Rep. Davis, for a conversation on an array of topics, to get her perspective on what she thinks is in store for (at least) the next two years, particularly as it pertains to San Diego. Following is the first of a two-part feature based on that interview.<\/p>\n
As an elected member of Congress, Davis said that her (and her office\u2019s) role is as an advocate for the community; that they \u201cdeliver for people\u201d the federal services that are available to them.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe make sure that when people call that we\u2019re here to help them,\u201d Davis said. \u201cWhen people come to us, they\u2019re usually pretty desperate. People don\u2019t start off with their local member of Congress. It\u2019s not the first place they go to get help, particularly here in San Diego, where we have strong numbers of people on Social Security and Medicare. We know that that\u2019s critically important.\u201d<\/p>\n
In the aftermath of the 2016 election, California (and to a lesser extent, New York) has come under attack from the national political establishment, particularly the conservative wing. For many, the election served as a rebuke to our values, which are seemingly at odds with the national electorate.<\/p>\n
In 2012, for example, Californians voted specifically to raise taxes on the wealthiest residents and to raise the state sales tax, which spread the burden across the board. Since then, California\u2019s economy is as strong as it has ever been.<\/p>\n
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Trump and Republicans, however, ran and won \u2014 nationally \u2014 on the opposite message.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have to share our story,\u201d Davis said when asked about the disparity, adding that it\u2019s important to \u201cmake the case\u201d about what\u2019s worked in California.<\/p>\n
Regarding how her colleagues in Congress view the Golden State, Davis said that it depends on whom you ask.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of people see us for the innovation state that we are and I think that they would like to see that in their own states,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Still, there\u2019s a tangible animosity toward California that has spread across the country. Again, Davis said, we have to talk about what has worked for us.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe other thing that we have to share with the rest of the country is \u2018where would you be if you didn\u2019t have California?,\u2019\u201d Davis mused. \u201cThink of all the things California has given you. Take them all out of your house. You don\u2019t want any California products? People would be kinda lost.\u201d<\/p>\n
She has a point.<\/p>\n
Consider that California has been the center of the tech boom over the last two decades. Cell phones \u2014 Apple and their iPhone in particular \u2014 were developed in California. Google, Facebook, Twitter, many of the wines that people drink, the food that they eat, much of which also comes from here.<\/p>\n
California, she said, has also been at the forefront of climate research, immigration reform and other important issues.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve also been at the forefront of addressing equal rights,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Davis said other communities across the country are looking for ways to improve their economic standing, and that California is in a strong position to provide advice based on our experiences here.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have to share what we have here, but we also have to be supportive of all the other contributions that are being made across the country,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
As she previously mentioned, California has led the way on climate change policy. That position would seem tenuous with Republicans in control of Congress and Trump set to occupy the White House.<\/p>\n
The state can, she said, protect against a national rollback of climate and environmental protections.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut the legislature and the governor have to be on the same page,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
And they are.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are also some things that they\u2019re not going to be able to roll back and we have to hold them accountable,\u201d she said, referring to the expected efforts to roll back progress made during the Obama Administration on the environment and climate change.<\/p>\n
\u201c[We need to] be very public. People are going to be looking to us [Congress] to be very clear about what real and what\u2019s not\u201d when assertions are made in contradiction to scientific evidence.<\/p>\n
With regards to the military, which is critical to the San Diego economy, Davis said she disagrees with Trump\u2019s assessment that today\u2019s military is \u201cdepleted\u201d and \u201cnot capable of facing the most dire crisis since World War II.\u201d<\/p>\n
Davis \u2014 along with Scott Peters (D-52) and Duncan Hunter (R-50) \u2014 sits on the House Armed Services Committee.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are certainly prepared to do whatever would be needed today,\u201d she said. \u201cWhere the readiness can be better is further down the chain,\u201d such as in the FBI and Homeland Security.<\/p>\n
More research and development in cybersecurity is needed in order for the U.S. to be \u201cprepared on several fronts,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n
Locally, Davis said the military feels good about the last budget that was passed through the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).<\/p>\n
\u201cOur job is to make sure what we are spending money on is appropriate,\u201d she said. \u201cA lot of that area is in readiness, but there are areas where we can do better.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can\u2019t ignore the institutions that made them prepared,\u201d such as education, she said.<\/p>\n
Stay tuned to hear more from Rep. Davis in next month\u2019s column.<\/p>\n