Newsletter: 6/19/2014

Statement

Dear Friend,

Thank you for staying in touch and engaged with my office on the issues important to you. This newsletter has an update on efforts to reform the VA, make college more affordable, increase our military's energy security, and increase high-quality local education.

Reducing Wait Times and Improving Accountability at the VA

In recent weeks I helped pass three bills to reform the culture of complacency at the VA to ensure that recently discovered failures to serve our veterans adequately and honorably end and do not continue.

In addition to launching the Military Transition Support Project with leaders at home in San Diego, I'm leading three initiatives in Washington to help veterans nationwide: the Veterans Employment Transition Act, to give a tax credit to employers who hire a veteran; the 21st Century Care for Military and Veterans Act, to incorporate wireless medical technology in the VA; and the Shelter our Servicemembers Act to provide non-transitional housing and wraparound services to elderly homeless veterans.

High-Quality, Affordable College Education

An affordable, high-quality education for every family has been central to the American story, including my own. For too many, higher education is moving our of reach, threatening our country's ability to stay competitive in the global economy. That's why I recently introduced legislation to allow people with federal student loans to refinance them down to 4.0 percent, which would save the average borrower in California nearly $10,000 over the life of a student's loan.

Energy Security = National Security Imperative

The U.S. military is the largest institutional consumer of petroleum in the entire world, consuming 104 million barrels in 2012 at a cost of $16.4 billion. Military leaders from the Department of Defense and from bases across San Diego County have been advocating for an increased use of renewable energy in the military because it will improve their ability to fight missions and will save lives. That's why I introduced the Department of Defense Energy Security Act earlier this year to promote energy efficiency and the use of renewables by the military.

Last week, I held a screening at the new Downtown Library of 'The Burden,' a new film showing the costs incurred and the security risks that our men and women endure to transport petroleum for missions across the world. It also showed how renewables like solar and biofuels will be necessary to our future national security.

Opening Another School in Carmel Valley

Last week I was able to help break ground on the new Middle School being built in Carmel Valley to serve the area's growing population. It will be located next to the high-performing Canyon Crest Academy, a school I helped to get developed and built during my time on the San Diego City Council.

Scott spoke with constituents and local educational leaders at the ground-breaking of the new middle school in Carmel Valley.

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