Thank you for visiting my Issues Page. I hope you find this page informative and helpful as you learn more about my record and where I stand on important issues facing our country. Should you have further questions, please don't hesitate to call my office at (513) 481-9998.
One of the biggest reasons our economy remains stagnant and real job creation has yet to happen is the overwhelming amount of uncertainty facing small business owners. They are uncertain if the job-killing Cap and Trade legislation will pass, they are uncertain as to exactly how the government takeover of healthcare will affect their business, and they are uncertain if they'll be hit with massive tax increases next year.
As the former Ranking Member on the Committee on Small Business, I know we must end the uncertainty and start pushing common-sense policies to spur innovation, development and job creation. Cut the red tape. Lower our taxes. Stop the out-of-control spending. Let's get our economy moving in the right direction.
There is no question that our health care system needs to be reformed. Costs continue to rise and far too many are unable to purchase coverage for their families, but that didn't require a complete takeover of our current system. I support repealing the massive healthcare power-grab by the federal government and replacing it with measures that would ensure that American families have access to affordable and quality care—this can be done without breaking the bank.
When I previously served in Congress, I authored legislation called the "Healthcare Insurance Affordability Act." This would provide every American the ability to deduct 100 percent of the cost of their health insurance premiums.
America must move towards energy independence in a manner that does not threaten the environment, or kill job creation. The Cap and Trade legislation Steve Driehaus supported is an expensive new energy tax on every American, and it's a job killer. During my time in Congress, I was a co-sponsor of the "The American Energy Act" and this legislation would increase the supply of domestic energy, promote energy efficiency, spur investment and advances in renewable energy, and work to drive down energy costs for consumers. When I return to Congress, I will push for similar legislation so America can finally become energy independent.
I believe the federal government should have to operate in a fiscally responsible manner, just as most American families and small businesses do. The money being spent by the government is your money. During his time in Congress, Steve Driehaus voted for the wasteful "stimulus" bill, and a budget for 2010 that dug us $1.2 trillion deeper into debt. And if that wasn't enough, the Pelosi/Reid Congress even failed to pass a budget at all for 2011. This was the first time since 1974 that the House failed to produce a budget-- allowing Democrats to continue their out-of-control spending spree.
Steve Driehaus has been such a big spender in Washington that the non-partisan watchdog group Citizens Against Government Waste recently scored Driehaus at an abysmal 11% for his record on spending. I had a lifetime score of 97%. We deserve better.
I will fight for a balanced budget resolution when I return to Congress and will oppose, as I did before, wasteful government spending bills.
Social Security provides critical benefits to more than 50 million Americans and I firmly believe that these benefits must be protected. That is why I am against the privatization of Social Security as well as any cuts to our Social Security program. Unfortunately, the Democrats' big-spending agenda is threatening the solvency of our Social Security system. In 2009, the Social Security trustees predicted that Social Security would start paying out more in benefits than it collects in taxes in 2016. Though this is a grim forecast, cutting benefits is not an option that I would support.
One of the biggest problems is that the money taken out of a person's paycheck for Social Security is spent by Congress on other things. That's why I co-sponsored the "Social Security Preservation Act" which would have required that every penny taken out of a person's paycheck for Social Security, could only be used for Social Security, and nothing else.
Steve Driehaus promised us he was a "moderate." He has been anything but moderate, voting with Nancy Pelosi, the most liberal Speaker in our nation's history, over 94% of the time. I will always put the needs of the people I represent above partisan politics. In fact, National Journal said I was "...willing to split from my party and willing to take political risks for principle." In contrast, Politico called Steve Driehaus "a reliable backer of party leadership."
We can never do enough to repay the sacrifices made by the brave men and women who served in our country’s armed forces. As a grateful nation, we must do everything in our power to ensure that these men and women are receiving the care and resources they need. That is why when I was in Congress, I was a strong supporter of legislation and funding efforts that would ensure veterans will have access to medical care, education and financial services.
Too many of our veterans today are having trouble finding jobs. That is why I cosponsored the Post 9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act, which fully covers the cost of education at any public or private school. This bill ensures that veterans will be able to receive a quality education so that they will be able to become successful and active members of our work force. I also introduced the Veterans Disability Benefit Claims Modernization Act, which would ensure that disabled veterans would be able to receive benefits in a timely and efficient manner.
If I have the opportunity to serve as your Congressman again, I plan on remaining a strong, vocal advocate for veterans and am looking forward to working with them again.