Thank you to the people in San Diego County who have once again trusted me to represent them in our nation’s capital. I’ve kept true to my pledge to work with everyone, regardless of politics or party, in a thoughtful and reasonable way to solve problems and make Americans’ lives better. It’s an honor that such a strong majority of voters agree with and support my approach.

Other results from Election Day were disappointing. We Californians and Democrats have a hard time understanding how the presidential race could turn out this way. Nationally, it’s evident that Democrats have not done a good job of understanding the challenges that many of our fellow citizens face. From now forward, we need to face the fact honestly and directly that many don’t think our party stands up for them. We must do a better job of recognizing and responding to how they’re struggling.

In this next term, I will continue to take actions in Washington that support San Diego’s economic engines – the ones that create the jobs our workers need to prosper. I’ll keep looking for ways to more quickly transition the nation to a cleaner, more sustainable energy future so we can slow climate change. I’ll find new, innovative ways to bring down the cost of healthcare and prescription drugs. I’ll fight for the remaining funds we need to fix the cross-border sewage catastrophe. And I’ll continue to fight for equal rights, abortion rights, immigration reform, and to protect voting rights and our democracy. I hope my colleagues will join me in working for common values and objectives, no matter their party registration.

But make no mistake, when it’s time to fight for what’s right, to protect the vulnerable, to defend the Constitution, to stand up for the rule of law, I will do so fiercely and wholeheartedly, and with all my strength. Anyone unwilling to do the same does not belong in Congress.

 

Congressman Scott Peters