Recently in Janice Hahn Category

In her first official act, Hahn signed on to the Congressional Progressive Caucus letter to Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-San Francisco, opposing cuts to Social Security and Medicare.

The newly-minted congresswoman also expressed disapproval of the "cut, cap and balance" bill, which would allow a $2.4 trillion raise in the federal debt limit. The measure also includes spending cuts and a constitutional amendment requiring a balanced federal budget.

Favored by tea party-backed House Republicans, the legislation has little hope of passing the Democratic-controlled Senate. President Barack Obama has promised to veto the bill.

"This plan presents a false choice for Americans," Hahn said in a statement. "It will force seniors and other vulnerable citizens to pay for more tax breaks for millionaires, billionaires and corporate jet owners. It's not right, and it's not a fair way to balance our budget."

Hahn defeated Republican Craig Huey one week ago today in the runoff election to replace Democrat Jane Harman in the 36th Congressional District. Harman resigned in February to lead the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.

Reached by phone Tuesday, Hahn discussed several topics, including:

• The current atmosphere in Congress: "All day long, you're sitting here watching the speeches. It's very cantankerous," said Hahn. "(At the same time), when I was there, on the floor, it was very collegial. Members of both parties from all states were coming up and welcoming me."

• On using the Hahn family bible to take the oath: "It meant a lot to hold it today," the congresswoman said. "It has so much meaning and significance for me."
  
  The family bible, given as wedding gift in 1948 to Hahn's mother, Ramona, and her father, 40-year Los Angeles County Supervisor Kenneth Hahn, was stolen and discarded by thieves in 2006.
  
  A good Samaritan returned the bible to Ramona Hahn, who died July 11, one day before the election.
  
  "My mother held that every time my dad got sworn in, every time my brother (former Los Angeles Mayor James Hahn) got sworn in," said Hahn.
  
  "I'm looking at a picture right now of her holding it the first time I got sworn in to city council. It was very emotional for me today."
  
  
• She addressed concerns from liberal activists that she was waffling over protecting Medicare and Social Security.
  
  Hahn was quoted in a post-election interview saying she was open to compromises Obama has considered during debt negotiations regarding changes to the programs.
  
  "I think my statement was taken out of context," Hahn said, adding an unequivocal "no" when asked if she would be for reductions in Social Security or Medicare.
  
  
• Hahn said the latest congressional draft maps drawn by the California Citizens Redistricting Committee that include the district she represents links communities that have "no commonality."
  
  "I would be surprised if they stood," said Hahn.
  
  Addressing any perception in her own district that there is little shared between more conservative-leaning South Bay cities and the strongly-liberal areas in Los Angeles at the northern and southern edges, Hahn pointed out that many Huey-won areas were closely split. 
  
  She also trotted out well-worn campaign language.
  
  "I think the message of people wanting jobs and getting our economy up and running, transitioning to clean energy and other new technology, is something a lot of people rally behind," Hahn said.