Representative Scott Peters

Dear [salutation],

Late last night, Republicans passed a cruel rescissions package to cut $9 billion from foreign aid and public broadcasting funding. Congress has the power of the purse, but a president may request the rescission – or cancellation – of funds previously appropriated by Congress. The funding President Trump wants to cancel is money meant for organizations that work with the United Nations, the World Health Organization, the UN human rights council, and more, and for public broadcasters like NPR and PBS, as well as their local affiliates.

I voted no because cancelling this funding cedes the U.S.’ soft power and influence around the world. Soft power fosters important relationships with our allies without the use of military force, creates jobs, and strengthens our national security. Our adversaries, like China, are eager to fill the void we’re creating. This makes America less safe, less competitive, and less reliable as an international ally.

Casework Success

In April 2024, Tad from La Jolla requested assistance with processing his 2020 tax return. In January 2025, Tad received a letter asking for documentation to verify his identity, which he promptly provided, but he still did not receive any updates from the IRS. My office worked with Tad to gather various documents proving his identity and submit them to the Taxpayer Advocate for processing. At the beginning of this month, he finally received his refund.

Get help from my office with a federal agency.

Holding ICE Accountable

Today, Rep. Sara Jacobs (CA-51) and I exercised our oversight over the Otay Mesa Detention Center. I went in with a critical eye due to the Trump Administration’s reprehensible treatment of immigrants in San Diego and across the country, as well as reports of the conditions in other detention centers. Based on what we saw, the detainees here are being treated professionally and have access to legal services and medical care. I was able to speak with an Afghan refugee who risked his life to assist our troops and is now being treated like a criminal. It is heartbreaking that the Trump Administration is tearing families apart, sweeping up productive members of our community who have been here for years, and subjecting them to deportations - often without due process and sometimes to countries in which they’ve never set foot. ICE's own data shows that 65 percent of detainees have no criminal convictions and 93 percent have no violent convictions. I'll continue speaking out against the aggressive tactics ICE is using and the Administration's treatment of people who are guilty only of seeking a better life for themselves and their families.

Speaking with Forestry and Conservation Leaders

Rep. Peters speaks on a panel in front of a crowded room.

On Wednesday, I joined Reps. Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) and Bruce Westerman (AR-04) for a panel at the 9th American Forest Congress. This year’s theme, Healthy Forests, Thriving Communities, highlights our shared commitment to advancing science-based forest stewardship. We discussed the public-private partnerships in making our nation’s forests more resilient to threats like wildfires and ensuring the success of our forest economies. We shared important updates on our bipartisan Fix our Forests Act, which passed the House in January this year and was introduced in the Senate in April.

Scott’s Reads

I strongly believe our country will look back on the Trump Administration’s treatment of immigrants with great shame. This article from CBS discusses the recent ICE decision to no longer make migrants eligible for a bond hearing after they’ve been arrested for potential deportation, meaning millions of longtime residents could be held for months or years while their case is processed.
The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released a new analysis finding that President Trump’s NIH and FDA funding cuts will result in 53 fewer new cures and treatments. This New York Times article dives into how funding cuts and staff layoffs will roll back years of progress to transform health care and improve the lives of patients.
The future for Afghan refugees living in the U.S. and those still in Afghanistan remains dangerously uncertain under the Trump Administration. Here’s an update on the ways we’re breaking our promises to our allies, by ending the congressionally mandated Coordinator for Afghan Relocation Efforts (CARE) program, extending the travel ban, and deporting our Afghan partners.

Scott Peters
Member of Congress

Casework Success

Holding ICE Accountable

Speaking with Forestry and Conservation Leaders

Scott’s Reads

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