Issues

Economy – I have always believed that our obligations to current and future generations of Americans require fiscal responsibility and a commitment to broad-based economic prosperity. We must work together to balance the budget and reduce our national debt, so that debt payments do not undermine our children’s economic prospects. We must focus on creating quality jobs and maintaining domestic production of our nation’s vital needs, while providing quality education to prepare our children to thrive in a global economy.

Education – As a former chemistry teacher, I believe that education is a lifelong activity that is essential not only to improving the lives of individuals, but to improving the health, security and prosperity of our communities. The federal government plays an important role in expanding educational opportunities. Early childhood educational resources are a key to sustained educational achievement, so I have always supported programs such as Head Start. In addition, I support Pell grants, college tuition tax deductions, and student loan interest rate cuts, because every American deserves access to higher education.

Energy – Energy costs are a growing burden on family budgets, while energy production poses an increasing threat to our environment. As a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy & Water, I am proud to support a strong national investment in programs promoting research and development of clean and renewable energy technologies. The government must lead the way in promoting energy efficiency and environmentally-sound practices, but the responsibility for reducing our consumption of fossil fuels must be shared by all Americans.

Healthcare – Millions of Americans cannot afford the comprehensive health insurance they need to receive quality preventative health care in addition to emergency care. The employer-based insurance system our nation relies on excludes many workers and their families, strains small businesses, and no longer meets our nation’s needs. For that reason, I have long advocated for universal comprehensive health coverage and have co-sponsored legislation to create a universal and comprehensive health care insurance system in the last three Congresses. Until that goal is achieved, I will continue to support incremental change, such as expansion of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program.

Housing – The housing downturn has had a devastating impact on many American families and communities; and the related economic fallout threatens our nation’s financial system. It is in our national interest for the Federal government to get involved; creating stability that bolsters our economy and benefits us all. For this reason, I support legislation that will stabilize home prices, jump-start stagnant credit markets, and give incentives for lenders to write down certain troubled sub-prime mortgages to affordable fixed-rate loans.

Immigration – I support comprehensive immigration reform that protects our nation’s sovereignty and security through effective immigration and border controls, while being fair to the immigrants whose labor has long supported our economy, and retaining our proud heritage as a nation built on the hard work and aspirations of immigrants seeking a better life. I have co-sponsored the bipartisan Security Through Regularized Immigration and Vibrant Economy (STRIVE) Act, H.R. 1645, in the current session of Congress. This legislation is a carefully negotiated compromise between many interested parties and includes provisions to strengthen border and interior enforcement, reform the visa system, create a new worker program, and provide an earned path to legalization for undocumented immigrants.

Iraq War – I believe that the violence and instability in Iraq today is based in sectarian conflict which cannot be resolved by U.S. military force. The Iraqi people must forge their own future. Therefore, I have repeatedly voted to end our occupation of Iraq and bring our troops home. While frustrated that repeated efforts by the House to prevent further Iraq war funding and deployments have been thwarted by the Presidential veto and the inability of the closely-divided Senate to secure the votes necessary to restrict funding, I remain committed to a U.S. withdrawal from Iraq as soon as practicable.

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