Editor’s Note: This is the third in a series of question-and-answer sessions conducted by the Jewish Community Relations Council with candidates for Congress. In this installment, the JCRC questions Republican incumbent Brian Bilbray of the 52nd CD and his Democratic challenger, Scott Peters, a port commissioner and former San Diego city councilman:
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Brian Bilbray, Republican incumbent
1. What has been your involvement with the Jewish community of San Diego?
I have been committed to representing my constituency including the members of the Jewish community. In Congress I continue to support efforts to further our relationship with Israel. From placing further sanctions on Iran, to providing foreign aid and military assistance to Israel, to creating environments for U.S. and Israeli citizens to invest in our respective countries, my colleagues and I will continue to develop stronger foreign relations and better relations with the Jewish Community as a whole.
2. If you are elected this year, do you commit to being available to and regularly meeting with members of the San Diego Jewish community in your district and/or Washington offices in 2013 and 2014?
Absolutely. I am fortunate to have had an open dialogue with the San Diego Jewish community throughout my tenure in Congress and I look forward to continuing that if I am honored to be re-elected.
3. San Diego is an incredibly diverse community religiously, racially, ethnically, etc; what are some ways that you as a local leader on a national stage can help bring these communities together?
I believe that the best way to bring our community together is through listening, learning and understanding. One of the things that make America and San Diego great is our diversity. Including all groups and fostering mutual understanding through community events, meetings, and national associations will help bring all communities together.
4. What is your position on the separation of church and state?
As a man of faith myself, I have continued to work in Congress to preserve the Constitution and the freedom of religion which it guarantees.
5. What is the role of government in relation to those in need, or in poverty, particularly children, in the United States?
There are various levels of government in our system of federalism. When I was a chairman of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, it was my role to administer health care through the community health clinics and hospitals, and to provide other social services to those most in need in our society.
With respect to children, the local and state government provides funding and programs like after-school programs. The federal government provides funding for housing, nutrition assistance, and allows the state and local governments the discretion on how and when to administer those funds. As the level of government that is farthest from the people, the federal government can provide direction but should allow the state and local
governments the freedom to administer programs with their own tax dollars in a way that fits their communities and ensures that those most vulnerable in our community are provided a safety net.
6. What is the role of the federal government in relation to the healthcare system in the United States?
I believe that the federal government’s role with regard to healthcare is one of providing funding for research and development of medicines and medical technologies. I am proud to represent the San Diego biotech community and work for more federal funding for the National Institutes of Health, so that private companies and universities can discover the next medical breakthrough. Funding cancer research, and streamlining regulations for breakthrough technologies is the proper role of the federal government.
Overall, healthcare is something that should be administered and designed at at State and local level. Allowing states the freedom to decide what level of care is important for them allows the individual states to see what works and what doesn’t. It is more beneficial for our nation to see use the state’s as laboratories for innovation for what can work and what will not work. Establishing a national health mandate like Obamacare will overly burden doctors and patients. The Obamacare mandate will not bring more doctors into the medical community and it will result in rationing of care. Access to care does not always mean access to a doctor. I have been working hard to ensure that San Diego patients have access to their doctors. This year I have been working across the aisle with Sam Farr (D-CA) and Dan Lungren to ensure that doctors stay in San Diego and patients have access to this lifesavers.
7. What industries do you believe San Diego should work on attracting for the future? What specific efforts will you as a member of the United States Congress make to impact this issue?
Jobs are certainly the most important issue facing San Diego families today. High tech, bio tech, defense, and tourism are crucial industries in San Diego and I will work to ensure an environment in which those industries can thrive. I have worked in Congress to reduce regulations on our job creators and the promote policies which would keep jobs in San Diego.
I am also working to promote tax policies that create jobs in San Diego. U.S. Companies that make profits overseas must pay taxes in the jurisdiction where the profits were earned and if the company brings the funds back to the U.S. they then must pay U.S. taxes. The result is that U.S. companies have approximately $2 trillion in profits sitting overseas. An example is Qualcomm who according to some reports has over $10 billion overseas and they are being pressured to invest in overseas assets rather than pay the taxes and bring the money home to be invested here in San Diego. Rather than borrow money to pay for critical investments in our economy, I introduced H.R. 1036, the Job Creation and Innovation Investment Act, which would allow corporations to repatriate their profits tax free if they invest the money in research and development, facility expansion and/or new manufacturing. This would put U.S. money back to work on behalf of the U.S. economy.
8. What is your position on 1) the future of the Medicaid system and 2) turning Medicaid into a capped block grant program?
A) According to the non partisan Medicare trustees report, Medicare is going bankrupt in 2024. It is important that we keep our commitments to retiring seniors and ensure that Medicare and Medicaid will be there for our children and grandchildren. It is my top priorities that seniors today as well as those in the future have access to this vital government program.
B) While we reform the Medicare and Medicaid system it is important to consider all options. As we go forward I will examine the concept of block grants and other reforms as long as they continue the promise of care to our seniors, our children and grandchildren.
9. Mexico is a wonderful country and its relationship with the US is strong and mutually beneficial with many positive implications for San Diego and the nation. It is also complex and there are local and national concerns in terms of the environment, immigration and drug related violence. What should the United States Congress do about these issues?
Our relationship with Mexico is a very important one. From trade, to border security and crime, we have to work together to solve our mutual challenges. During my time in Congress, I have worked to reform immigration and help the Mexican government enforce its own laws and create a better economy for Mexican citizens. Through the Merida initiative, the United States has committed to helping the Mexican police forces on a national and local level train and equip themselves to fight the drug cartels that have terrorized so many Mexican communities and brought a level of lawlessness to Mexican border communities.
The newly elected president of Mexico, Pena Nieto, has committed to reforming the Mexican judiciary in order to better establish the rule of law in Mexico. Over time, President Nieto and the United States will be able to combine efforts to create a better environment for trade and tourism, reduce crime and enhance border security. I support those partnership efforts and as a frequent participant in the U.S.-Mexico Inter-Parliamentary Group, I look forward to continuing to participate in the dialogue that seeks bi-national solutions to these challenges.
10. What, if anything, do you believe is necessary to further strengthen the relationship between the United States and Israel and promote peace between Israel and its neighbors, particularly the Palestinians?
Israel is one of our closest allies. Our two countries must continue to work together to increase the dialogue and work to foster better relationships with all countries in the Middle East. The United States is committed to a two-state solution to create an independent and functioning Palestinian state that recognizes Israel’s right to exist. With the changing of the government of Egypt and an increasingly belligerent Iran it is more important than ever that we work together to ensure Israel’s security. Nations like Iran that don’t respect the right of Israel to be a sovereign state must be punished with sanctions and isolated on the international stage. Furthermore, we must not be tepid in our response that Iran should not be allowed to develop nuclear power until they work together with the United States, Europe and Israel on a path forward.
11. What steps should the United States take to promote US peace with the Arab world?
The United States needs to continue its support of the two-state solution, foster an Egyptian government that will honor the Camp David Accords, and work to isolate and contain Iran. This needs to be done, diplomatically and economically, but military aid and force must remain an option of last resort.
12. What do you believe the United States government should do about Iran?
As referenced in earlier responses, sanctions on Iran are important and have been working. During the 112th Congress, we have worked to place additional sanctions on Iran and close loopholes in current law that will make if more difficult for Iran to pursue a nuclear energy program or be further belligerent toward Israel and other nations in the Middle East. Iran has engaged in terrorism in the past and the United States and Israel need to work together to eliminate the financial backing of an Iranian government that supports terror.
The United States and Israel must maintain a united front against an increasingly hostile Iranian regime. We should partner on joint activities that seek to disrupt Iran’s nuclear program and encourage the development of a reform movement within Iran.
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Scott Peters, Democratic challenger
1. What has been your involvement with the Jewish community of San Diego?
I have enjoyed a tremendous relationship and worked well with the Jewish Community in San Diego. When the Chabad Center in University City was vandalized with graffiti, I worked with Rabbi Leider to respond. I supported the Hillel Project near UCSD, and helped permit the eruv in the area around Adat Yeshurun. I helped with the permits and openings for Beth Israel and Beth El in La Jolla. I have consistently been endorsed in my campaigns by the Jewish press, including in this race, by San Diego Jewish World. Additionally, I have been and am supported by leaders in the Jewish Community, including the Jacobs, Viterbis, Galinsons and Schenks.
2. If you are elected this year, do you commit to being available to and regularly meeting with members of the San Diego Jewish community in your district and/or Washington offices in 2013 and 2014?
Yes, if elected I am committed to maintaining the same level of accessibility for all of my constituents that I was known for while serving on the San Diego City Council.
3. San Diego is an incredibly diverse community religiously, racially, ethnically, etc; what are some ways that you as a local leader on a national stage can help bring these communities together?
While on the City Council and in my time with the Port Commission, I have built a reputation as someone who can bring people together to find common ground and solve problems. I think it’s important to listen to every side and consideration of an issue and to bring people together to forge consensus.
4. What is your position on the separation of church and state?
I believe religious freedom is essential to a health democracy. I don’t believe that any one faith or system of beliefs should be held in higher regard than another by the government and I would support any measure that maintained our separation of religious inclination with our system of laws and governance.
5. What is the role of government in relation to those in need, or in poverty, particularly children, in the United States?
Poverty in our country continues to be a major concern. I believe we need to continue funding programs that provide those living in poverty with assistance and with an opportunity to elevate their status. That means making health care more available and accessible, that means maintaining and expanding assistance programs, and that also means providing greater economic opportunities.
6. What is the role of the federal government in relation to the healthcare system in the United States?
Healthcare in America needs to be accessible and affordable for everybody. When the Supreme Court affirmed the President’s health care insurance reform initiative (the Affordable Care Act) in June 2012, it reminded us that the powerful health services industry does not control the administration of health care. That control rests firmly in the hands of doctors and patients. The ACA is not perfect, but it’s a good start. If elected, I will be a strong and active advocate for healthcare reform – for patients, for our local hospitals, and for medical professionals.
7. What industries do you believe San Diego should work on attracting for the future? What specific efforts will you as a member of the United States Congress make to impact this issue?
America faces challenging new realities in our changing world. The economy is faster, smarter, more competitive and more global. And our federal budget is upside down because our Congressional representatives are more focused on holding onto problems for political gain than solving them. Congress needs to balance our budget over time to eliminate the crippling debt they’ve saddled us with. This will require sensible tax policy and smart reductions to the cost of programs. At the same time, our economic future depends on making smart investments. I will make three investments in our economic future a priority so we can compete in the 21st Century. Those investments are greater accessibility to a quality education, an improved system of infrastructure to benefit tourism and trade, and making sure we have adequate funding to encourage the level of scientific innovations that have transformed our world, raised the quality of life for millions and, equally important, created good-paying jobs for San Diegans.
8. What is your position on 1) the future of the Medicaid system and 2) turning Medicaid into a capped block grant program?
Medicaid provides essential medical services to those most in need. This program must be maintained and strengthened. One way to strengthen the program is to reduce the demands placed on it due to the administration of catastrophic care by placing greater emphasis on and increasing accessibility to preventative care measures. I would oppose any attempt to “voucherize” this program.
9. Mexico is a wonderful country, and its relationship with the US is strong and mutually beneficial with many positive implications for San Diego and the nation. It is also complex and there are local and national concerns in terms of the environment, immigration and drug related violence. What should the United States Congress do about these issues?
We must understand the economic disparity between Mexico and United States, two countries that share one of the longest borders in the world. One way to address this disparity is to improve the legal commerce that takes place across the border. Modern trade and security technology can speed up legal commerce, and the revenue it produces on
both sides of the border will reduce the pressure that drives people across it. In regards to immigration, we need a policy that’s tough, fair, and practical. It needs to be tough on border security to prevent people from trying to smuggle guns, drugs or people across the border. It needs to be fair to taxpayers, and it needs to be a practical solution that will finally address the problem. One way to start is by cracking down on employers who knowingly traffic in illegal immigration.
10. What, if anything, do you believe is necessary to further strengthen the relationship between the United States and Israel and promote peace between Israel and its neighbors, particularly the Palestinians?
The most basic need of the Israeli people is for safety and security. Israel has a right to self-defense and Israeli citizens should not have to live under the constant threat of terrorism. The United States should continue always to support Israel’s right to self-defense. I support the ten-year, $30 billion foreign assistance package for Israel. We must not forget that 75% of foreign aid for Israel is spent in the US, thus not only providing for Israel’s needs but also acting as an important economic stimulus to the US economy.
11. What steps should the United States take to promote US peace with the Arab world?
I would support and urge the leadership of the United States government to take an active role in bringing peace to the region. While the desire for democratic reforms in many of these countries is certainly encouraging, we must encourage any new leadership groups to draft and implement constitutions and laws that respect freedom of religious practice and status for all peoples. The new leadership groups which have arisen from the Arab Spring uprisings must secure the economic, social and political rights of all peoples regardless of religion, national origin or sexual orientation. The latest illustration of our concern is the September 11, 2012, attack on our embassy in Libya.
12. What do you believe the United States government should do about Iran?
World opposition to a nuclear-armed Iran needs to stay united and sustained. This policy of engagement has isolated Iran and divided its leadership. We need to continue our policy of strong sanctions and let this increased pressure do its job. We need to continue holding steadfast with our allies in the broad international coalition we have built. However, there should be no doubt of our resolve on this matter. Iranian leadership must understand that our policy is focused solely on preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
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Preceding provided by the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of San Diego County.