Congressional Democrats unload on Trump policies at annual chamber luncheon
Moderator Christine Moore with Reps Juan Vargas Sara Jacobs Scott Peters and Mike Levin Photo by Chris Jennewein Times of San Diego The four Democratic members of Congress representing San Diego did not hold back Wednesday on criticism of militarized ICE raids the One Big Beautiful Bill and cutbacks in federal research funding at a well-attended legislative luncheon Reps Mike Levin Sara Jacobs Scott Peters and Juan Vargas took the stage at the Marriott Marquis for the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce s annual event Republican Issa was meeting with President Trump but sent a video message of regret The event drew nearly attendees with moderator Christine Moore of AT T noting that the San Diego delegation has a long history of working together to address issues affecting the region The raid on undocumented workers at Buona Focheta in South Park last month came in for unanimous criticism We re all in favor of getting rid of the murders and rapists mentioned Vargas but raiding restaurants and workplaces is dumb because it just undermines the local market system Peters blasted the brandishing of assault rifles and flash-bang grenades causing terror in the neighborhood and observed that speeding in our public is a lot more dangerous than undocumented dishwashers Jacobs explained the country demands to create new paths to citizenship so that immigrants can get in legally Issa expressed promotion for the Republican Party s One Big Beautiful Bill saying it would help the San Diego business activity but his colleagues panned it Levin called it a big ugly bill that drives a massive hole in our debt while Levin called it fiscally irresponsible because it would increase the deficit We pay more in interest than for our entire defense budget he noted and the bill would just add to that Peters revealed the cutbacks in research funding for universities and research Institutes across the country represents the biggest long-term threat to America What we re doing is felony stupid he declared Young scientists are going to say Is this the right place for me ' Jacobs explained the Trump administration is cutting grants just because they mention diversity They re literally doing Control-F to find words she revealed
