At a recent town hall-style meeting with U.S. Rep. Tom Davis (R-11), transportation barely ranked among the most popular questions asked by community members.
Immigration, Iran and Iraq topped the list of things people wanted answers about and several constituents expressed their frustration with the federal government as a whole. Davis told constituents where he stands on several issues, at the hour and a half meeting at Fairfax City Hall, Saturday, March 31. Constituents gave him some heat on certain issues, but several also praised his efforts.
"As an elected member of Congress, I’m just trying to do the best that I can," he said.
IMMIGRATION CAME UP a lot in the discussion. At least four community members voiced their concern over the country's immigration policy.
Elmer Savilla, a veteran who lives in Burke, started off the question-and-answer meeting asking about immigration — a topic that remained in the spotlight throughout the meeting. Savilla said illegal aliens are flooding the country and he wants to know what Congress is doing.
Dan Campbell of Annandale also wanted answers about immigration, along with three other constituents.
"I favor a high wall; I also favor a wide gate," said Davis. "I’m not for amnesty; allowing people to come in legally isn’t amnesty."
Davis said people should be able to come through that gate legally and that immigration and foreign worker programs help commerce. But Davis agreed with constituents that the status quo on immigration is "unacceptable."
"Immigration is a very important factor in the global economy, but it's got to be regulated," he said.
THE TRANSPORTATION BILL has a wonderful regional component, said Davis. He also said that the region can't solve its transportation crisis with pavement, even though he favors hot lanes "because they add pavement."
Davis is sponsoring a bill in Congress that would add $1.5 billion to the Washington, D.C., Metrorail system over time. The bill requires a match split by Virginia, Maryland and Washington, he said.
The House of Delegates was very nonpartisan in voting on the transportation package, but Davis said "the Senate was completely partisan; no Democrats voted for it." He said he was pleased that Gov. Tim Kaine (D) reached across party lines to work with the Republican leadership on the bill.
The House of Delegates and Senate voted on the governor's amendments after this publication went to press.
FOREIGN AID depends on how it's used and where it's utilized, said Davis. While governments can't "buy love," Davis said there is some utility in trying to help other country's economies. In the end, those countries "have to be responsible for their own economic systems."
As for America's foreign relations with Iran following the capture of British Navy officer there last month, Davis said invading the country would be counterproductive and not in America's interests. He said he hopes the situation can be solved diplomatically.