Candidate for
United States Representative; District 53

Susan A Davis on the Issues:

Economy - Susan's top priority is to move us toward an economy that rewards those who work hard and play by the rules. She voted to hold Wall Street accountable, set up a process to wind down failing financial institutes from within to avoid government bailouts, and give consumers the financial protections they need and deserve. The Recovery Act passed by Congress prevented another Great Depression and created almost 3 million jobs. Susan helped crack down on credit card companies ending unfair rate hikes, abusive fees and penalties. She supported numerous small business tax cuts, including tax cuts to hire new workers, pay for new equipment and help cover losses. She has also supported several initiatives to help struggling families, including a bill to save millions of Americans from having to move out of their homes and legislation to extend unemployment benefits. Susan has also introduced a deficit-neutral bill to extend coverage for individuals currently on COBRA.

Holding Government Accountable + Susan has voted against congressional pay raises every year she has been in Congress. She slowed the revolving door between Congress and K Street, the mainstay of congressional lobbying. When the Supreme Court issued a ruling that gave corporations free reign to spend money on election ads, Susan stepped in to do something about it. She supported greater disclosure for political ads so voters know who is trying to influence our elections. She required electronic disclosure so the American people can get that information quickly. Susan has also championed several pieces of elections legislation including a bill to allow voters to track their absentee ballots online and a bill to prevent chief elections officials from also serving on campaign committees.

Education + As a member of the House Education and Labor Committee, Susan is working to improve public education, increase access to higher education and ensure our children get a world-class education. Teacher quality is a key focus of Susan's introducing legislation to recruit the best available for the classroom. Susan helped to overhaul the federal student loan program to increase loans and grants for higher education. A mentoring gap exists in the United States leaving millions of children without a role model. As Co-Chair of the House Mentoring Caucus, Susan is sponsoring legislation to bring together mentors with children in need of a strong role model.

Environment + According to the League of Conservation Voters, Susan has a 96% pro-environment voting record. As San Diego emerges as a national leader in solar energy, Susan is focused on nurturing prospect of clean energy made in America. She has taken on federal bureaucratic roadblocks that are preventing San Diego homeowners from using the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program to pay for solar energy renovations to their homes. Susan closed loopholes to environmental laws to expedite a toll road that would have cut through San Onofre Beach State Park. San Diego and California has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. That's why Susan has consistently opposed drilling for oil off California's coast. Susan has supported legislative action to hold accountable those who are responsible + private companies and federal agencies + for the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

Health Care + Susan supported the historic health care reform bill to put patients in charge of their health care needs. No more being denied health care coverage for a pre-existing condition. No more losing coverage you already have if you get sick. Parents can keep their children on their health plans until the age of 26. No longer can women be charged more for health insurance because of their gender. Small businesses will receive tax credits for covering their workers. Insurers are required to provide free preventative care on new plans. The new law starts closing the prescription drug gap called the "donut hole" Another key component of the new health reform bill is an issue that Susan has been working on since her days in the California State Assembly + giving women direct access to their OB/GYN. Women will no longer have to get permission from their primary care physician to see their OB/GYN.

Womens Issues + She has long been an advocate of equal pay for equal work. She supported the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act to give Americans the recourse to fight pay discrimination. As Chairwoman of the Military Personnel Subcommittee, Susan led an historic effort to pass legislation to take comprehensive steps to end sexual assault in the military. Susan is 100% pro-choice.

Veterans Issues + San Diego has a significant veterans population and Susan takes the care of those who have served their country very seriously. As Chairwoman of the Military Personnel Subcommittee, Susan is taking innovative approaches to addressing the unique mental health challenges facing our troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan and to ensure a healthy transition back to civilian life for them. Susan has also supported efforts to block increases in copayments for TRICARE and has supported significant increases in funding for veterans' health care.

Defense + As Chairwoman of the Military Personnel Subcommittee, Susan has made protecting our troops her top priority. In the service of our country, service members and their families face unique challenges in life that many of us take for granted. Susan has consistently supported pay increases for service members, whose pay continually lags behind the private sector. She has increased education benefits for our troops to make it easier to put their education on hold while to serve on active duty. Susan has led the charge in end the discriminatory "Don't ask, don't tell" policy which is making gay service members live a lie in order to serve their country. Susan held the first congressional hearing on the policy in the 15 years since its enactment. In May, she voted in the House to end the policy.

Animal Rights Issues + Susan is proud to have received the "Humane Advocate" Award from the Humane Society of the United States for her 100% voting record on behalf of animal rights.