Ending the Cross-Border Pollution Crisis 

In January, we celebrated securing a total of $650 million to fully repair and expand the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant (SBIWTP). Our congressional delegation achieved this funding through years of science-backed advocacy from government and community partners. As each phase is completed, our entire region will feel the progress. Since then, the House has also passed my legislation to increase funding pathways for critical wastewater infrastructure. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin toured the Tijuana River Valley at our invitation and committed to a 100 percent solution. I’ll continue to work with anyone and everyone who wants to help us fix this public health threat.  

Opening a new Youth Homeless Shelter 

In April, I joined local leaders to open a new homeless shelter that I helped fund with $1.5 million in federal community project funding. This permanent shelter in the City of San Diego will provide 43 beds for transition-age youth (18–24-year-olds), with much-needed LGBTQ+ affirming services. Innovative projects like this are necessary to make progress in our city’s ongoing effort to address homelessness. 

San Diego International Airport Terminal 1 Grand Opening 

In September, the new Terminal 1 opened at the San Diego International Airport. Since then, San Diegans and tourists have enjoyed the new amenities, the fantastic local food options, and the beautiful space. This project was a robust collaboration between local and federal partners over the last several years. I was happy to help secure $643 million from the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, money that went toward sustainability and roadway projects, air traffic control towers, the Quieter Homes Program, and more. 

FY2026 NDAA 

This week, the House passed the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), legislation passed nearly every year to fund the U.S. defense for the upcoming fiscal year. I fought to secure several wins for our service members, their families, and for San Diego. The bill includes my Smart Ship Repair Act to bolster San Diego’s ship repair industry and protect critical jobs, a 3.8 percent pay raise for servicemembers, major infrastructure upgrades at California bases, a Child Development Center at Naval Base San Diego, and significant funding for science and technology programs in San Diego. Read more here.  

View a comprehensive list of the bills I introduced that have become law this year and since I've come to Congress here. 

Fix our Forests Act 

In January, the House passed my Fix Our Forests Act to simplify and expedite the most critical forest management projects while maintaining strong environmental standards. The wildfire crisis we're seeing in California, and all across the West, is not just a product of inaction, but decades of wrongheaded land management that let our forests, wildlands, and hills turn into tinderboxes. My bipartisan bill will help reduce the intensity of catastrophic wildfires, restore forest health, and build fire-safety defenses for communities in high-risk areas.

ePermit Act 

On Tuesday, the House passed my ePermit Act to digitize and modernize our outdated permitting system. If we want to build the housing, roads, bridges, broadband, and clean energy of the future, we need to modernize and streamline the permit process. This bipartisan legislation will expedite the approval process to get projects built faster and lower costs. For an added bonus, check out Let America Build’s ePermit Shuffle! 

No Budget No Pay 

This year’s record-breaking 43-day shutdown exposed Washington's persistent dysfunction. Since the last major overhaul of federal budgeting and spending laws in 1974, Congress has only passed a budget resolution and all the accompanying spending bills on time once. When the government shuts down, countless Americans are forced to endure the consequences. I introduced the No Budget No Pay Act to prevent Members of Congress from getting paid unless they pass a budget on time. During the shutdown, I donated my take-home salary to several local nonprofits working to support San Diegans who were suffering.  

Stop Excessive Force in Immigration Act 

Under President Trump, federal agents have consistently used excessive force against non-violent American citizens, immigrants, journalists, protesters, priests, and others. That makes no one safer; it makes Americans less safe. I introduced the Stop Excessive Force in Immigration Act to curb excessive force with a stronger standard for Federal immigration agents' use of force and make it easier to identify officers acting improperly, while ensuring Federal law enforcement can still apprehend those who pose a genuine threat to public safety and national security. 

Social Security 

Thomas from Bankers Hill needed help with his retirement application after applying in January. In June, his application had still not moved forward, and he had not heard anything from the Social Security Administration. My office was able to reach out and confirm his application did not have any errors and ensure it received a fair review. One week later, Thomas received his first disbursement, with back pay from January to June, totaling $12,265.00.  

“I have no idea how long I would have waited for benefits if not for the staff of Rep. Peters!” 

Tax Refunds 

Giacomo from La Jolla, who owns multiple restaurants, contacted my office to request assistance obtaining a refund from the IRS for proceeds from a business sale. The IRS withheld his payment due to an incorrect belief that the refund had already been issued. My office worked with Giacomo to obtain documentation showing the refund had actually been fraudulently taken by someone else. Giacomo was able to submit these documents to the IRS Taxpayer Advocate who verified that the refund was taken fraudulently. Giacomo was quickly issued a credit for $35,861.30. 

“Without [Congressman Peters' office's] assistance, my local small business would have been in jeopardy. I am deeply grateful for the support they provided and cannot thank them enough for their hard work.” 

Federal Employee Benefits 

Leesa from Rancho Bernardo contacted my office after wrongly being declared deceased by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Due to this clerical error, Leesa lost her health insurance and had to reschedule important medical appointments. My staff submitted an inquiry to OPM and helped Leesa get her health insurance reinstated.  

"Due to a silly but damaging clerical mistake, I lost my federal health insurance. I tried for 5 months to get the mistake fixed with no avail. [Congressman Peters' staff] worked their magic and my health insurance was reinstated within two months. Thank you for your hard work." 

Veterans Benefits 

Dan from University City reached out to retrieve his father’s Military Personnel File and the medals he was awarded for serving as a Pilot in World War II. A member of my staff pieced together records and secured seven medals from the National Archives. My staff was also able to find summaries of the missions Dan’s father flew during the historic air combat operations conducted over Europe.  

“We had been searching for a long time, but you were able to find the medals and their history!” Dan said. “We are so grateful.” 

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Thanks, and take care.