She gave the audience at the Courtyard by Marriot hotel a rundown of the goals and accomplishments of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act as well as the annual budget Congress recently passed. It's a huge budget, she conceded, but stressed that it is needed to get the economy back on track as well as lay the groundwork for the country's future success in creating jobs and avoiding more economic woes.

She also emphasized the importance of three priorities in the Obama budget: transitioning toward renewable energy, making strides in health care costs and access and improving education. As a member of the subcommittees on energy, natural resources and healthcare, Capps likely will be highly involved in shaping those policies.

Capps spoke to her beliefs about the importance of renewable energy and creating a green economy and then updated the audience on two energy-related initiatives her committees are working on.

She also addressed the debate over off-shore oil drilling in California, stating her belief that it should not be allowed and urging those who agree to speak up now while the issue is being decided.

As a former nurse, Capps gets passionate about the issue of healthcare. She explained what she sees as a healthcare crisis and talked about the universal access bill the healthcare committee will be working on this year.

During the question and answer portion of the event, Capps was asked about her support of the union-proposed card check legislation, which the Chamber took an official position against that morning. The congresswoman, a co-sponsor of the bill, conceded that she would continue to reassess her position on the issue but said she has long supported workers' rights and supports this legislation as a something that workers have asked for.