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Ventura County Star: For Congress, Capps
http://www.vcstar.com/news/2010/oct/23/for-congress-capps/
A member of the U.S. House of Representatives for 12 years, Rep. Lois Capps, D-Santa Barbara, represents California’s 23rd District, which stretches from Ventura County to San Luis Obispo County.
In the sprawling district, registered Democrats outnumber Republican voters by nearly 2-to-1. Thus, it is not surprising that during her six terms in office, Rep. Capps has built a solid record of representing her constituents’ political views and policy interests while also responding to their requests for assistance with issues involving federal agencies.
On the basis of that record, The Star endorses Rep. Capps for re-election Nov. 2.
On Capitol Hill, she has actively worked to help thousands of homeowners in this area by seeking a delay in the flood-insurance requirement spawned by new disaster maps and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Also, she helped secure funds to pay for improvements under way at the Highway 101-Rice Avenue interchange in Oxnard.
She protected this region’s military bases — major economic engines for Ventura and Santa Barbara counties — during the Base Realignment and Closure process. She supported efforts to avert an even worse U.S. economic meltdown by voting for the Troubled Assets Relief Program, or TARP, out of a belief that there was no alternative. And, taking the pulse of her constituents, the onetime public-health nurse voted for national healthcare reform.
If she is re-elected, Rep. Capps intends to remain active on such key issues as comprehensive immigration reform, including passage of the DREAM Act, adding U.S. border agents, avoiding any disruption of the critically important agricultural work force, and providing a path to legalization — with appropriate penalties — for those who unlawfully immigrated to the United States.
Rep. Capps also intends to continue supporting healthcare reform; forward-looking comprehensive energy legislation with no new oil drilling off the coast of the 23rd District; and tax breaks for small businesses, which will create the jobs needed for an economic recovery. She vows to oppose efforts to reverse healthcare reform and financial-industry regulation.
The challengers in this election have outlined sharp policy differences with the incumbent but overall have failed to present a compelling case for taking the place of this experienced representative who is well-suited to her district. The Star recommends that voters keep Rep. Capps in Congress.