I am pleased that the President's FY14 Budget addresses the student loan crisis in our country. From leading the world into the age of democracy to spearheading the technological revolution, America has always been at the forefront of greatness. 

While in search of the American Dream, many immigrants have made unimaginable sacrifices to create a better life for their families. Some arrived to our shores legally with temporary visitor, worker or student visas which they have overstayed.

President Barack Obama's State of the Union Address was a renewed commitment to rebuilding our nation. Strengthening our economy is essential to our stability, and can only be accomplished by creating jobs, rebuilding our middle class, and investing in our future.

I applaud the President’s talk tonight regarding jobs and technology. We must ensure the resilience of the American worker, and the adaptability and innovation inherent in our economy, to keep us at the forefront of global competitiveness.

This is the Silicon Valley way of life and business, where the manufacturing sector employs 1 in 5 workers (more than twice the national average), where breakthrough ideas are cultivated, and where the world’s most successful visionaries and businesses call home.

Last week, I said that if Congress has to make cuts, we should embrace the idea of ridding ourselves of wasteful giveaways to the fossil fuel industry. Here's an idea. Let’s cut the Master Limited Partnership loophole and fossil fuel subsidies.

Congress is considering a bill by my colleague from Texas, Congressman Lamar Smith, entitled the STEM Jobs Act of 2012. While I commend Congressman Smith’s initiative to address the shortage of talent in the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields, this issue would best be addressed as part of a comprehensive immigration plan.

Contrary to what many people believe, the U.S.-Mexico border is not the wild, wild southwest border; it is a modernized 21^st century border that is rich in trade and economic opportunities. I represent a part of the United States where trade has become a part of daily life. 

Over the past several years, suicide rates among our veterans have increased significantly, to nearly 18 each day.  Many of these cases are the result of the inability of our nation’s veterans to access the care they need, when they need it.