Southwestern border Democrats are trying to get a new source of federal money for their districts -- including San Diego. Jodi Breisler reports from Capitol Hill.
San Diego Congressman Bob Filner is pushing for the creation of a Southwestern Border Regional Authority. The federal/state entity would determine how federal grant money could be best used for border infrastructure -- and Filner says it's only fair.
Filner : Because of the border, which impacts every aspect of life in our community, what happens there is a result of national policy -- and yet the local communities are expected to bear the brunt of that.
Filner says the roads can't handle the border traffic, the area's air quality is harmed by Mexican emissions and the sewage that flows in from Tijuana is overpowering.
Filner : I'm probably the only Congressman in America who can say that 50 million gallons of raw sewage flows daily through my district.
The authority would include all counties within 150 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border.
It still faces many votes in the House before it can become law.
From Capitol Hill, Jodi Breisler, KPBS News.
