EMILY's List
By Emily on 02/03/2010 @ 11:14 AM
We caught up with Cong. Dina Titus (NV-03) recently, learning some of her tales from Capitol Hill and thoughts about working with other women congressional leaders. Here's what she had to say:
Which fellow members of Congress do you admire?
There are a number of members with whom I am fortunate to work with. On the Education and Labor Committee, Chairman George Miller and Congressman Rob Andrews have been fighting hard for Americas middle class and our nations children.
Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro has been an inspiration, and as a leader in our Caucus and host of interesting policy discussions, she is someone I have come to admire during my time in Congress.
Finally, there are two former members whose work I respect, even though I only had the opportunity to work with them for a short time, Hilda Solis and Ellen Tauscher. Both have gone on to serve in the Administration and continue their work on behalf of the American people.
Who are your mentors?
Congresswoman Shelley Berkley has been a mentor for me in Congress. She has been a close friend for many years, and when I first came back to Washington she helped show me around and introduce me to my new colleagues. Howard Cannon, the former Senator from Nevada, was also an influential figure. I worked for him as a faculty intern in 1982, and it was that work that sparked my academic interest in atomic testing and its influence on Nevadas history.
What was the best part of your first year in Congress?
The best part of being in Congress has been helping the people of District Three with the challenges they face. Many people in our community are at risk of losing their homes due to the foreclosure crisis or are having trouble getting the benefits they have earned. I have been working hard to help people on an individual basis, and there is nothing more rewarding than succeeding at keeping a family in their home or helping a veteran or senior get the VA or Social Security benefits he or she deserves.
What was the hardest part?
The hardest part was at the very beginning when I came to Washington because this Congress hit the ground running. We came in at a time when our financial system was on the verge of collapse and we were losing 700,000 jobs a month. We had to get to work right away to start turning things around so there wasn't much of a transition period to settle in. While it was a challenge, I wouldn't have had it any other way. The magnitude of the problems our nation faced demanded that we waste no time, and I came to Washington to work hard for the people of District Three.
Were there any surprises?
I have been surprised by how many people from Nevada have come to visit my office in Washington to advocate on the issues that are so important to my state. I thought because Nevada is so far away, there wouldn't be this many people visiting, but its so nice to see friendly faces back in Washington.
Do you work often with other congresswomen?
I work closely with a number of my female colleagues and have introduced amendments with them that focus on the critical needs of my district. I joined Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona to introduce multiple amendments that focus on renewable energy. As representatives of sunny states, we are both working to invest in clean energy that will create jobs and reduce our dependence on foreign oil. I recently worked with Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky on an amendment to protect seniors from reverse mortgage scams so that we can put an end to the predatory lending tactics that helped create our foreclosure crisis. I have also worked with Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz on breast cancer issues on which she has been a leader in the Congress. I recently returned from a trip to Afghanistan led by Loretta Sanchez with other women members. Finally, I have worked closely with my freshman colleague Chellie Pingree and my next door neighbor in the Cannon office building, Donna Edwards, who are becoming dear friends.
Who have you been most excited to meet in Washington?
While I had met then-Senator Obama in Las Vegas when he was running for president, it was exciting to see him again in Washington after he was elected President. Shortly after I was sworn in, I attended a bill signing ceremony at the White House and had the opportunity to see the President during his early days in office.
I was pleased to have the opportunity to meet General Stanley McChrystal when I visited our troops in Afghanistan. I was impressed with his depth of knowledge and expertise. Finally, I was excited to see my friend Hillary Clinton and see her perform in her new role as Secretary of State.
Do you have any predictions for the 2010 elections?
I expect that like any midterm election, 2010 will be challenging, but we will hold on to our majorities in the House and Senate and continue to make progress for the American people. Our agenda over the next nine months will focus heavily on creating jobs and strengthening our economy, so I feel the country will be much better off in November than it is today.
And a silly one -- what is your favorite meal to eat in the House cafeteria?
Macaroni and cheese.
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