Mortgage crisis tops Speier's concerns

By Dana Yates  |  San Mateo Daily Journal  |  Link to article

Newly elected U.S. Rep. Jackie Speier, D-San Mateo, marked her first 30 days in Congress with a town hall meeting and residents expressed their concerns about the mortgage crisis, health care and foreign affairs.

Speier who spent the last few months on the campaign trail listening to concerns from constituents was prepared with answers on a number of different issues Saturday at the Doelger Community Center in Daly City. At least 200 people turned up for Speier's first community meeting and it seemed as though there were as many questions for the junior delegate.

Speier, a longtime consumer rights advocate, told constituents she was most interested in working to solve the home mortgage crisis and reforming health care into a single payer system.

Speier is supporting a plan that would in part allow judges to help determine loan settlements and grant $15 billion in federal funding to help save people from defaulting on their loans, she said.

A number of residents asked Speier specific questions related to their loan situations. Those residents said they were frustrated by major lenders that would not work with them to re-negotiate loans as they worked to avoid the possibility of foreclosure.

Much of the room applauded Speier's call for a single-payer health care system.

"We've got to get serious about health care in this country. Fifty percent of people who file for bankruptcy do so because of a health situation. Of that, 70 percent have health care," Speier said.

Sparked by a personal experience obtaining her father's prescription at the hospital, Speier said she is also plans to introduce legislation that would require the origin of medicine be listed. She recently learned that the majority of this countries prescription medication is manufactured outside the United States. In her recent experience, she learned her father's medication was recalled because it was produced at double strength.

"Some things need regulation. It's important we have regulations about health and safety issues," she said.

Speier was also urged to continue in the footsteps of the late Tom Lantos, who previously held the seat, in terms of foreign affairs. She was urged to support Burma, Israel and prevent escalating tension between the United States and Iran.

Speier said she plans to hold another town hall meeting marking her 100th day in Congress.


Dana Yates can be reached by e-mail: dana@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 106.