Declaring jobs and the budget as the country’s priorities, California Congresswoman Karen Bass held a media roundtable Wednesday morning with local reporters to provide an update in the Los Angeles district office.

U.S. Rep. Karen Bass discussed priorities as a new member of congress on Wednesday. (photo by Jose Martinez)

The hour-long discussion with the freshman congresswoman, only 50 days into her position in congress, allowed Bass to get her message across.

“I feel like I went from the frying pan into the fire,” Bass said about her new position in D.C.

Currently serving on the Foreign Affairs and Budget Committees, Bass was appointed by Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) to the Steering and Policy Committee that determines the policy course of the Democratic caucus, and was selected by Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD) to serve as an Assistant Whip. The 67th Speaker of the California Assembly, Bass represents the 33rd Congressional District that includes Los Angeles, Hollywood and Culver City.

Noting that unless the government can come to terms with a continuing resolution, “the government will shut down,” Bass said.

With 90 new members in congress, and only nine as Democrats, Bass noted they call themselves the “noble nine.” And with 40 new Republicans that align themselves with the Tea Party in congress, Bass pointed out it is “outright scary” that they want to cut $100 million from the continuing resolution.

She said the Tea Party members of congress want to cut funds for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) “for fiscal and ideological reasons,” as well as “basic standards” such as food, safety, and clean air, while chiping away at healthcare reform, and even halting all White House renovations.

Without the ability to raise the debt ceiling, approximately $14.3 trillion, “the government will run out of money by April,” Bass warned.

“If we don’t raise the debt ceiling that’s a major catastrophe,” Bass said. “It’ll be semi-Armageddon.”

Stating that the recession is “technically over,” Bass said if the Republicans get their way, huge unemployment would follow. If the government shuts down, Social Security and veteran checks will be delayed, work furloughs will be forced, passports will not be issued, and museums and national parks will close.

“With a divided congress, Obama can push very hard but we’re going to have a tremendous difficulty to push his agenda through,” Bass said.

Stressing this is an ideal time to learn on a national level, Bass noted she has her work cut out for her.

“I feel that I have an opportunity to learn,” Bass said. “Most of my life I’ve been on the outside as an activist. I’m going to try and prevent further damage.”

Bass wants to target workforce development, and children immigration issues, in her first year in congress.

Bass joked she is glad not to be in Sacramento anymore, referring to the governor’s proposed plan to wipe out the state’s community redevelopment agencies.

“At least we have a governor that knows how to do the job,” Bass said. “Mayor Villaraigosa has said he has alternate proposals and I’d be interested to know what those are.”

Stressing that unless Gov. Jerry Brown can get Republican votes to extend taxes, “California is going to be in a world of hurt.”

To stay in touch with her district, Bass has taken to organizing telephone town hall meetings with as many as 8,000 members of her district on the line. For more information, visit www.karenbass.house.gov.