releases: https://hunter.house.gov/merry-christmas-congressman-duncan-hunter
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| https://hunter.house.gov/merry-christmas-congressman-duncan-hunter | Merry Christmas from Congressman Duncan Hunter | 2018-12-21 | 2018 | 2018-12 | Republican | House | CA | Duncan Hunter | H001048 | hunter.house.gov | legacy | As we approach the final days of 2018 and the close of the 115th Congress, it's important to reflect on the year we've had. There's no question that as Californians and Americans we've faced significant challenges and successes this year. I look forward to continuing the work of strengthening our national security and expanding economic opportunity when Congress returns in January. Once again, I am grateful to the people of California's 50th District for the responsibility you've entrusted in me to serve the people and State I love so dearly. I thank you for always speaking your mind and making your voices heard. Building the Wall Earlier this year, I was pleased to join the President in his tour of San Diego's board walland show him first hand the security that strong border infrastructure can bring. Last month, I wrote a letter to President Trump offering a solution for completing a large portion of the border wall. Specifically, I called on President Trump to utilize the construction assets of the U.S. Army and engineering units to move the appropriate equipment and personnel to border bases as well as build a road along the southern border while supporting the Border Patrol and providing additional resources along the border. These actions will protect our homeland while, at the same time, reinforce the President's commitment to uphold federal immigration law and his efforts to invest in the necessary infrastructure to make our entire border secure. In addition, I support President Trump's position of requiring any spending bill passed by Congress to contain funds to increase our border securityparticularly for building the border wall. This week, I joined my Republican colleagues in the House to pass legislation to keep that promise. This is good news. While funding negotiations continue, I will remain a strong advocate for a secure border. Coast Guard Authorization Act Earlier this month, S. 140, the Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard Authorization Act, that I authored and introduced was signed into law by President Trump. As the former Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee Chairman, I appreciate the President's strong support for the Coast Guard. The Subcommittee that I led for nearly six years worked hard to ensure this bill provides the resources the Coast Guard needs to protect the safety and security of our nation. Wildfire Relief San Diego County, and California as a whole, know firsthand the destruction caused by wildfires and the need for active forest management. The 2018 Farm Bill, which was signed into law by President Trump, includes 10 categorical exclusions that allow for active management of our nation's forests and critical response. This will go a long way to helping mitigate future fires, and I applaud Chairman Mike Conaway on his work to include these forestry provisions. Access to Federal Lands Earlier this month, I sent a letter to the Secretary of the Interior to make him aware of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors action to ban recreational shooting on publicly managed lands in San Diego County. It is my understanding that under this provision, local law enforcement will be authorized to arrest citizens on federal public lands for exercising their constitutional 2nd Amendment rights. As your Congressman, I am doing everything in my power to reject this action in the strongest terms. It is my hope that the Department of the Interior can provide an official statement providing the official position of the Department of Interior and the Bureau of Land Management regarding this action. AMERICA Act Since 2005, the U.S. Census Bureau has issued an annual, 14-page mandatory survey to 3.5 million households across the country, called the American Community Survey (ACS). The ACS asks each recipient dozens of extremely personal questionseverything from household income to which type of fuel is used to heat the home. And every year I hear from my constituents how they are forced to complete the survey and provide private information outside of what should be required under the Constitution. These stories are why I introduced legislation, H.R. 7106, the Authorizing Moderated Enumeration Responses Including Citizenship Acquisition (AMERICA) Act, to help protect their privacy and limit the penalty for not completing the survey. Specifically, my bill will limit the penalty imposed on U.S. citizens refusing or neglecting to answer one or more questions in connection with the 2020 census. The bill also authorizes the U.S. Census Bureau to consider questions based solely on the number of individuals living in a household and their citizenship status. If no action is taken on the bill in the remaining weeks of the 115th Congress, I intend to reintroduce this bill at the beginning of the new 116th Congress, which will convene in January 2019. A copy of my bill is available here. Remembering 41 This month I joined my colleagues to mourn the passing of our 41st President of the United States, George H. W. Bush. Thousands of people across the country descended on Washington to pay their last respects to a beloved patriot and hero. Prior to starting his career in politics, President Bush served in the U.S. Navy as the youngest pilot during World War II. He then attended Yale University before moving to Texas where he entered the oil industry. After a failed run for U.S. Senate, Bush ran again for the U.S. House of Representatives and served for two terms as a U.S. Congressman from Texas. From there he served as the Ambassador to the United Nations, Chairman of the Republican National Committee, Chief of the U.S. Liaison Office in the People's Republic of China, and the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). From 1980 to 1988, he served as Vice President under President Ronald Reagan. He then went on to become the 41st President of the United States. During his presidency, President Bush navigated the United States through the end of the Cold War and the fall of the Soviet Union. After leaving office, President Bush continued to touch thousands of lives and his passing is an incredible loss for our country. Social Security Finally, I want to remind Social Security recipients that the monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits will increase 2.8 percent in 2019. The 2.8 percent cost-of-living-adjustment (COLA) will begin with benefits payable to Social Security beneficiaries in January 2019 and increased payments to Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries will begin on December 31, 2018. For more information about how the COLA is calculated please visit www.socialsecurity.gov/cola. Information about Medicare changes for 2019 will be available at www.medicare.gov. Visiting Washington, D.C. If you're planning a trip to our Nation's capital in the new year, my Washington, D.C. office can help in scheduling Congressional Tours at some of the city's most beloved historical sites. I recommend that you submit your tour request 3-6 months in advance of your visit. While you are in Washington, D.C., I encourage you and your family to stop by my office. If you have any questions, please contact my staff at (202) 225-5672. We will be happy to help you with any further requests you may have. Internship Are you a college student interested in getting an internship in politics or public service? Interns play an important role in constituent service, research projects, and more. To apply for full or part-time internships at my El Cajon and DC offices, please visit my website: https://hunter.house.gov. Social Media If you would like to stay up to date on my work in Congress, please subscribe to my newsletter by clicking here, like my page on Facebook, or following me on Twitter at @Rep_Hunter. Pathway Forward in 2019 My mission in Congress is to preserve the freedoms that you and I hold so dear and to advance opportunities for all Americans. In the final days of the 115th Congress, the House and Senate made a significant push to move several outstanding bills meant to spur economic growth, reduce burdensome regulations, and hold the federal government accountable for their actions. When Congress reconvenes in January, I look forward to hitting the ground running. I will continue to advocate for secure borders and a strong national defense, ensure the men and women of our military receive the resources they need to complete their mission and veterans receive the quality care they deserve, as well as foster an environment to further grow our economy. Thank you for another great year! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |