Rep. Peters Stresses Importance of Bi-Partisan Results in Congress

Rep. Scott Peters said Wednesday he is proud of his work across the aisle with Republicans to ease the partisan logjam in Congress.

In a wide-ranging interview with Patch editors at his district office in La Jolla, Peters said that along with many freshman Congressmen he left for Washington understanding that constituents wanted to see results.

"We all got the message, Republican or Democrat, that it's time to stop fighting," said Peters, a Democrat who has completed his first year in office.

He noted that the influential National Review Daily counted him as the fourth most independent Democrat in terms of voting record.

He said last week's passage by the House of a two-year federal budget was an important accomplishment because it ends a period of crisis-to-crisis budget politics. The entire San Diego delegation voted to approve the budget.

Peters pointed to redistricting in California as an important factor in reducing the partisan nature of Congress, at least among the California delegation.

"The independent redistricting process has been great for California. The more states that would do that, the better," Peters said.

Because of redistricting, he is the first Democrat to represent La Jolla in recent memory. He said many of his colleagues are in safe districts that always elect a Republican or Democrat, but he believes "competition is good."

Peters said important issues for Congress in 2014 include immigration reform, investment in the innovation economy, and support for the military and veterans.

"I love the issues. I love the idea of getting things done," he said, reflecting on his first year in Washington.

Peters' 52nd District includes Coronado, La Jolla, Carmel Valley, Rancho Penasquitos, 4S Ranch, Rancho Bernardo and Poway, among other communities in San Diego.