Representatives from the Rancho Cordova Chamber of Commerce, the Cordova Community Council, and local government field offices gathered at City Hall on March 20 for the monthly Rancho Cordova luncheon, featuring Congressman Ami Bera. Photo by Ornella Rossi

RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - U.S. Representative Ami Bera delivered a wide-ranging update on political division, regional growth and national security during the monthly Rancho Cordova community luncheon on March 20.

The event, part of an ongoing series hosted by the Cordova Community Council and the Rancho Cordova Area Chamber of Commerce, was held Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at City Hall, 2729 Prospect Park Drive. The event, held on the third Friday of each month, features speakers with ties to the community or influence on regional issues.

Chamber President and CEO Dianne Rogers introduced Bera by highlighting both his policy roles and local impact, noting his service in Congress since 2013 and his work assisting Sacramento County residents with federal services.

Bera, now in his 14th year in office, framed his remarks around public service and opportunity, pointing to his upbringing as the son of Indian immigrants and his education in California public schools.

Residents, community members and local officials in attendance at the Rancho Cordova monthly luncheon heard from U.S. Representative Ami Bera on March 20. Photo by Ornella Rossi

“A lot of folks ask me, why would you leave a successful medical career to run for office?” Bera said. “That’s pretty simple. I love our country. I love the United States of America, the opportunity it gave my parents to emigrate here to build a life.”

He said that experience continues to shape his approach to policymaking, particularly when it comes to investing in education and economic opportunity.

“We’ve got to get back to investing in ourselves, investing in that next generation,” he said.

Throughout his remarks, Bera returned to the challenges of governing in a polarized political environment, describing a shift in Washington over the course of his tenure.

“It has gotten horrible,” Bera said. “And that’s just bad for our country.”

He said his focus remains on bipartisan collaboration, citing his involvement with groups aimed at working across party lines.

“It is a core belief of mine that we have to figure out a way to work together, not as Democrats or Republicans, but as Americans,” he said.

The Rancho Cordova monthly luncheon is part of an ongoing series hosted by the Cordova Community Council and the Rancho Cordova Area Chamber of Commerce, was held March 20 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at City Hall. Photo by Ornella Rossi

Drawing on his background as a physician, Bera said listening is a skill he believes is lacking in current political discourse.

“If you’re a good doctor, you’re trying to listen,” he said. “We just don’t do enough of that these days.”

Bera also pointed to the role of social media in intensifying divisions, saying it amplifies extreme voices and contributes to instability.

At the regional level, Bera said growth in the Sacramento area presents both opportunity and challenges, particularly in infrastructure and land use. He emphasized the need to expand transportation systems while preserving natural resources, including rivers and Lake Tahoe.

“I’m wildly optimistic about our region,” he said. “We see tremendous growth happening, but we’ve got to get that right. We’ve got to build an infrastructure to match that and think about how we grow and do it responsibly.”

Bera also highlighted a bipartisan effort to establish a national “day of play” on the first Saturday after the spring equinox, encouraging communities to spend time outdoors and reconnect.

“All we’re asking for is one day a year, go outside and play,” Bera said. “Do something to come together, get off your devices and start to rebuild a sense of community that we’re in this together.”

On national and international issues, Bera pointed to his work on the House Foreign Affairs and Intelligence committees, describing global conflict as a top concern.

“The war in Iran is keeping me awake at night,” Bera said, adding that he wants more direct communication from the president about the justification and long-term strategy.

He also raised concerns about the financial cost of military engagement and its effects on domestic priorities.

“When we can’t provide food… when we can’t pay our teachers enough… when we can’t afford to build the infrastructure we need,” Bera said, “that has real impact for our families right now.”

U.S. Representative Ami Bera took the time to answer questions from attendees at the Rancho Cordova monthly luncheon. Photo by Ornella Rossi

During a question-and-answer session, attendees asked about election laws and homelessness.

Addressing voter identification requirements, Bera said documented cases of voter fraud remain limited and warned that stricter requirements could create barriers for eligible voters.

“I want every qualified American to be able to vote,” Bera said, stating that he believes the SAVE Act is “poorly written bill.”

On homelessness, he said solutions require coordination across levels of government and a focus on underlying causes, including addiction and economic instability.

“From a federal level our job is to try to allocate appropriate resources down to the state, the county and local levels,” he said. “We need to get those folks off the street, but it doesn’t work unless you have wraparound services involved.”

He added that different populations experiencing homelessness require different approaches, rather than a single solution.

Bera closed by returning to a broader message about governance and public trust, emphasizing the role of elected officials in responding to constituents.

“Our job as elected officials is to listen to the people that we serve and then try to step up and meet each other halfway,” Bera said. “We can’t be a divided country if we want to move forward as the great United States of America.”