ESCONDIDO ---- Rep. Brian Bilbray, R-Escondido, tackled subjects from government spending to illegal immigration at a forum Thursday night sponsored by the San Diego North Economic Development Council.

The Republican congressman said he proposed a bill requiring lawmakers to attach their names to spending items that benefit their districts, known as earmarks. He said he is also proposing to require a more secure Social Security card that job applicants would have to show employers before being hired.

A bout 60 people attended the forum at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido. Bilbray is running a re-election campaign against his Democratic challenger, Francine Busby of Cardiff. Busby supporters said they were concerned because they were not invited to participate in the forum. Gary Knight, president of the San Diego North Economic Development Council, said the event was not intended to be a campaign debate. He said the forum was originally set for August, but had to be postponed because of a change in the congressman's schedule.

"This was not intended to be a political debate or forum," Knight said. "It's coincidental that it's coming up against the election. Our design was to have our congressman from our district come in and speak to the business community about what's going on in congress."

The hourlong forum began with a 30-minute address followed by a question-and-answer period that Knight moderated.

During his speech, Bilbray said that in order for the U.S. to keep its budget under control, the federal government needs to keep spending in check.

"What I'm proposing to do, and what I've done, is put together three basic proposals and put them in a bill that will finally open the budget process," Bilbray said.

The bill, which he called the Budget and Transparency Act of 2006, would require lawmakers to put their names to earmarks, prohibit adding last-minute earmarks and implement a two-year budget cycle.

"Not only would a two-year budget cycle reduce the time at the trough ... by 50 percent, but it totally changes the mind-set ... to do the right, responsible thing," he said. "Seventy-five percent of our time in Washington is taken up arguing about money rather than talking about good governance."

Bilbray, who previously represented the a South Bay district in Congress, defeated Busby by 4 percentage points in the June runoff to determine who would fill the 50th Congressional District seat.

The special election was called because of the resignation and imprisonment of former Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham, who pleaded guilty to bribery and tax evasion charges.

During his speech, Bilbray said illegal immigration is a problem "we can't ignore." He said most illegal immigrants are attracted to the United States by employers willing to offer them work.

"We have to start on the premise that no one is rewarded for breaking the law. I don't care if it's the immigrant or the employer," Bilbray said.

He said a tamper-proof Social Security card with bioelectric information should be required to work in the country. Then, the government could drastically increase penalties for hiring illegal immigrants.

After the question-and-answer session, a small group of people peppered the congressman with questions about the war in Iraq and legal rights under tougher new anti-terrorism measures recently signed by the president.

"Mr. Bilbray, you're 'Mr. Stay the Course' aren't you?" asked John Gordon, a San Diego resident. "Read the newspaper, Brian. You got a big perception problem. You don't know what's going on in this country."

Bilbray answered: "The fact is, there is a tough situation, and we need to take care of it, and there is no easy answer.