http://www.familysecuritymatters.org/publications/detail/new-york-part-ii-of-ii-2014-candidates-for-congress-where-they-stand
POLITICAL PARTY LEGEND:
(D) = Democrat • (R) = Republican • (C) = Conservative • (CNST) = Constitution • (G) = Green • (IP) = Independence Party • (I) = Independent/No Party • (L) = Liberal • (Libt) = Libertarian • (NL) = Natural Law • (RTL) = Right to Life • (SWP) = Socialist Workers • (WF) = Working Families
Note: New York law permits “fusion” candidates (i.e., individuals who
concurrently seek an office as a candidate of more than one party).
To see the actual voting records of all incumbents on other issues such as Foreign Policy, Second Amendment Issues, Homeland Security, and other issues as well as their rankings by special interest groups please use the links followed by two stars (**).
U.S. Senate
Chuck Schumer (D) Next Election in 2016.
Kirsten Gillibrand (D) Next Election in 2018.
United States Congress
District 15
Jose Serrano (D/WF) Incumbent
http://serrano.house.gov/ http://www.ontheissues.org/NY/Jose_Serrano.htm**
Rated +1 by AAI, indicating a mixed Arab/Palestine voting record. (May 2012)
HOT BUTTON ISSUES
HEALTHCARE Throughout his career as a public servant Congressman Serrano has advocated for a healthcare system that provides coverage to all U.S. residents. He has often argued that in the greatest, most powerful nation on earth it is unconscionable to allow those in need to go without coverage–and he was proud to vote in favor of the Affordable Care Act in 2009. His legislative record in the House of Representatives reflects his strong desire to provide services for our most vulnerable communities. To learn more about the Affordable Care Act, please visit /issue/house-health-care-bill-and-you or http://www.healthcare.gov As a supporter of healthcare for all, Congressman Serrano was a co-sponsor of various bills which would set up a universal, single-payer health care system in the United States. Though these bills did not become law, Congressman Serrano fought for its provisions to be in the comprehensive health care reform bill that did pass Congress. Serrano is now working to ensure that its provisions are carried out correctly by the federal government and health care providers, so that Americans are extended affordable coverage as the legislation intended.
ENVIRONMENT Voted against the Keystone XL Pipeline without limiting amendments. Congressman Serrano believes clearing the air and improving the environment is a top priority in the South Bronx. Actively supporting a new, healthy vision for his District, the Congressman has worked for decades on environmental justice issues such as quality parks, breathable air and clean waterways. His view that poor environmental conditions affect the socio-economic conditions of a community have led him to champion environmental justice campaigns that have made the Bronx a better place to live and work.
IMMIGRATION Throughout its history, immigrants have been a critical part of the culture and the economy of the United States. Although, much of the current rhetoric surrounding the immigration debate focuses on the dangers of immigrants, Congressman Serrano thinks that it is important to recognize that the vast majority of immigrants, both those with and those without documents, are merely coming here in search of a better life for themselves and their families. The discussion about immigration should not be confused with the discussion catching criminals, whatever their citizenship or immigration status, and reducing crime. The immigration system in the United States is currently in crisis, with large backlogs of immigrants waiting to enter the country and many undocumented immigrants living and working in the country. Congressman Serrano strongly supports a comprehensive immigration reform to address these issues, one that includes a path to citizenship for the undocumented, increases the number of people who can come legally to work and live in the United States, and is less punitive towards immigrants who have built lives here.
CIVIL RIGHTS In the 111th Congress, Congressman Serrano, along with Congressman Steve Israel and Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez, introduced H.R. 2684, the National Hate Crimes Hotline Act. The legislation would establish a national hotline to increase reporting of hate crimes, incentivize local law enforcement to report hate crime statistics to the Department of Justice, and provide funding to local organizations to increase support services for victims of hate crimes. It is expected that this legislation will be reintroduced in the 112th Congress.
In the 112th Congress, Serrano has cosponsored the Respect for Marriage Act (H.R. 1116), legislation that would repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), and the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (H.R. 1397), which would prevent employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.
No challenger.
District 16
Eliot Engel (D/WF) Incumbent
http://engel.house.gov/ http://www.ontheissues.org/NY/Eliot_Engel.htm**
HOT BUTTON ISSUES
ENERGY Voted against the Keystone XL Pipeline without limiting amendments.
Nuclear Power I am critical of the billions spent to prop up the ailing nuclear power industry. In addition, I have repeatedly demanded the closure of the Indian Point nuclear power plant because experts have deemed it unsafe to New Yorkers. I do not dismiss nuclear power summarily. It does not contribute to global warming and as such, it deserves more research. I am adamant in my demands to close Indian Point because it poses significant problem for the environment, as well as for public health and safety.
Fracking Among the threats to the New York City watershed is hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, which is a process used in almost all oil and natural gas drilling. This process includes using fluids which contain toxic chemicals and are injected at high pressure into underground rock formations. I am an original cosponsor of the Fracturing Responsibility and Awareness of Chemicals (FRAC) Act to regulate the practice of hydraulic fracturing and to protect the quality of New York City’s water supply system. I have also worked to maintain high standards for New York’s drinking water by authorizing and obtaining funds for the New York City Watershed Protection Program. Most recent, I helped secure $945,000 for the New York City Watershed Protection Program.
FOREIGN POLICY I firmly believe that we must stand with our ally, Israel, as it faces a variety of threats and challenges. Today, the most serious danger Israel must confront emanates from Iran. It is simply unacceptable that a country with a history of supporting terrorism and calling for the destruction of Israel could have a nuclear weapon. The Obama Administration has led the international community in imposing crippling sanctions on Teheran, and this process must continue in Congress and around the world until the Iranian regime reverses its nuclear program. While we must not take any actions off the table when it comes to the Iranian nuclear program, we must continue to show the mullah-led regime that continuing its program to build nuclear weapons will only lead to greater isolation.
Further, I am deeply concerned by the dangers of terrorism from Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Israel should not have to live under the constant menace that thousands of unguided rockets could again rain down on the Jewish state. That is why I was the lead Democratic sponsor of a resolution condemning Hamas rocket attacks on Israel and why I have strongly supported American assistance to Israel to expand the effective Iron Dome and other missile defense systems.
HEALTHCARE Rep. Engel: Obamacare Works for New Yorkers – 02/26/14 – The New York State Department of Health says over a half-a-million New Yorkers have signed up for health coverage through the exchange, and 70 percent of enrollees were previously uninsured. “The Affordable Care Act is clearly benefitting uninsured New Yorkers. Nationwide, 4 million Americans have signed up for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act, which points to the strength of President Obama’s landmark legislation,” said Congressman Eliot Engel, a senior member of the House Subcommittee on Health. “Unfortunately, Republicans have voted an astonishing 49 times to repeal the Affordable Care Act. It’s time to stop playing politics with healthcare. We need to work together to strengthen the law so that even more Americans have access to quality, cost-efficient health care.” New York is on track to meet or exceed its enrollment goal of 1.1 million people by the end of 2016.
No challenger
District 17
Nita Lowey (D/IP/WF) Incumbent
http://www.loweyforcongress.com/ http://lowey.house.gov/about-nita/
http://www.ontheissues.org/NY/Nita_Lowey.htm**
Rated -2 by AAI, indicating anti-Arab anti-Palestine voting record. (May 2012)
ENERGY Voted against the Keystone XL Pipeline without limiting amendments.
Energy Independence Our nation’s dependence on oil, including exports from some of the most volatile regions of the world, hurts our national security, economic security, and environment. That is why Congresswoman Lowey believes it is vital to reduce fossil fuel consumption and develop alternative new, clean, and advanced energy sources.
Decreasing Fossil Fuel Consumption Congresswoman Lowey supports efforts to decrease U.S. consumption of oil and fossil fuels through:
Higher fuel efficiency standards for cars and trucks;
Cutting greenhouse gas emissions from the manufacturing sector; and
Energy-efficient building and retro-fitting to reduce the energy required to heat and cool homes, offices, and other buildings.
Developing Clean Energy Sources Congresswoman Lowey also supports aggressive investment in clean energy sources that would reduce our dependence on foreign oil, create millions of green jobs, and protect our environment from greenhouse gases and other toxic emissions. Congresswoman Lowey has supported legislation that would invest billions of dollars to develop reliable wind, solar and biofuel energy sources; advanced batteries manufacturing; and efficient energy transmission.
HEALTHCARE The Affordable Care Act The increasing cost of medical care is unsustainable for American families, businesses, and our government. That is why Congress and the Administration reformed our nation’s health insurance system to make high-quality care more accessible and affordable.
The Affordable Care Act, signed into law in 2010, is helping New York by:
Providing new benefits and lowering costs for three million New York Medicare beneficiaries, including closing the prescription drug “donut hole.
Protecting against unreasonable insurance rate increases, lifetime limits on coverage, and denials of care to children because of pre-existing conditions.
Reducing health care costs for families and businesses through affordable insurance exchanges.
Enabling nearly 160,000 New York young adults to stay on their parents’ health plan until their 26th birthday.
Preventing illness and promoting health through free preventive care and investments in community health centers.
Chris Day (R/C) Challenger
http://voteforday.com/
Chris Day was born and raised in New City. After graduating from Clarkstown North High School, Chris spent two years at SUNY Rockland Community College in its MTS Honors Program, volunteering time in student government and other various service-related activities. After graduating, he transferred to Yale University where he completed his BA in Political Science – the first in his family to earn a four year degree. While at Yale, Chris was active in the Yale Political Union, helped organize the Army ROTC company for the southern tier of Connecticut (serving as its first cadet commander), and spent a month-long rotation with the 1-15 Artillery at Camp Hovey, South Korea. For his academic performance, military leadership, and community service, Chris was named a Distinguished Military Graduate. Upon graduation, Chris was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the US Army Infantry and stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia for training. While at Fort Benning, he completed the Infantry Officer Basic Course, Airborne School, and Ranger School, an intense 62 day course widely acknowledged as the military’s premier leadership school. After completing his training, Chris was stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina as a Platoon Leader with F Company, 51st Infantry (Long Range Surveillance), and immediately deployed to FOB Sykes in Tal Afar, Iraq to join the unit there. He spent just over two months with the unit in Iraq participating in surveillance and reconnaissance missions in the area between Mosul and the Syrian border.
Upon returning to Fort Bragg, he transferred to the 4-73 Cavalry (Reconnaissance, Surveillance, & Target Acquisition) of the 82nd Airborne Division, deploying to the Farah Province of Afghanistan as a Platoon Leader. He spent a year in Afghanistan, leading troops through combat and extreme deprivation in varied environments from the mountains of Bala Murghab along the Turkmenistan border to the arid deserts of Shewan and Bala Baluk. Towards the end of the deployment, Chris was promoted to Senior Logistics Officer and was responsible for supervising all logistical and readiness matters for the 461 Soldier, 135 vehicle Squadron, with equipment valued in excess of $125 million spread across seven Forward Operating Bases in Afghanistan, and upon returning from Afghanistan he was promoted to the rank of Captain. He earned 17 awards and decorations, including the Bronze Star, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, and Ranger Tab.
HOT BUTTON ISSUES
TAXES AND GOVERNMENT REFORM Westchester and Rockland need a political outsider who will fight for fair taxes and governmental reform, not a long-time insider who has supported every tax increase for years, is one of the top recipients of privately funded travel, double-dips on a government pension, and has refused to implement real reform – favoring instead to try and balance the budget on the backs of our veterans.
HEALTHCARE We need to fix the obviously broken parts of Obamacare and add the things it missed – like tort reform and cross-border competition for insurance – or things are only going to get worse. To pretend that it is working fine or to stubbornly insist on trashing everything is to just be blindly partisan. People are suffering due to this law and its implementation and they need help, not empty rhetoric.
STOP COMMON CORE Teachers hate it; parents hate it; students hate it. Conservatives who like local control hate it and liberals who don’t like excessive testing hate it. Congress must help the states by unlinking all Federal education dollars from Common Core standards. We need a leader in Washington who will speak out on this issue and take control of the battle on behalf of the people it most affects.
IRAN AND ISRAEL Chris has implemented foreign policy & knows it’s not about talking a good game – it’s hard and dangerous work. Our Congresswoman’s appeasement of Iran, a country that provided weapons used to kill our own Soldiers, will only create a nuclear threat to us and our ally Israel.
District 18
Sean Patrick Maloney (D/IP/WF) Incumbent
http://www.seanmaloney.com/ http://www.ontheissues.org/NY/Sean_Maloney.htm**
HOT BUTTON ISSUES
ENERGY Voted for construction of the Keystone XL pipeline without limiting amendments. I will fight to protect our environment, sustain our natural resources, and keep our communities safe for generations to come. Establishing more affordable, reliable and sustainable energy solutions will create new jobs and industry in the Hudson Valley. Over the last few years, New York families have faced dramatically rising gas prices. I am committed to supporting efforts to promote energy independence in order to help lower the price at the pump. A comprehensive energy plan must include both short-term and long-term energy solutions in order to reduce our reliance on foreign resources. We can use a mix of traditional fossil fuel sources while expanding domestic resources and investing in innovative renewable technologies that will allow us to have more secure, affordable energy.
HEALTHCARE Supports the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) and opposes all efforts to repeal or defund.
Nan Hayworth M.D. (R/C/IP) Challenger Former Congresswoman District 18 defeated in 2012
http://www.nanhayworth.com/ http://www.ontheissues.org/NY/Nan_Hayworth.htm**
Rated -3 by AAI, indicating anti-Arab anti-Palestine voting record. (May 2012)
HOT BUTTON ISSUES
HEALTHCARE As a doctor who cared for patients in our Hudson Valley for nearly 20 years, I know how important it is to have health insurance that you can afford and that provides the coverage you need. You should be able to see the doctors you trust, and to go to the hospital that you prefer. I firmly believe that in the United States of America, no one should go broke just because they are sick. The goals of the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, are right. But the law is wrong. Under Obamacare, our neighbors throughout the Hudson Valley are losing the affordable policies they like, only to find that the replacement policies cost thousands of dollars more. Even though we were told we’d be able to keep our doctors, we’re actually finding that our doctors and our hospitals are no longer available in the new policies we are forced to buy. It’s time to replace Obamacare with a sensible health care plan that works. My plan would take power from the bureaucrats and insurance companies, and give it back to you and your doctors, where it belongs. Four key points:
Encourage every American to have their own tax-protected health savings account: personal, portable, and permanent.
Give you insurance choices that make sense and lower your costs by allowing insurers to compete from all across the country.
Reform the tort system to reduce the cost of defensive medicine.
Empower Americans to buy health insurance that fits their individual and family needs.
As a doctor, a mother, and a long-time resident of the Hudson Valley, I’m ready to lead the effort to give you – and not the bureaucrats – the power to determine how you live and raise your family.
WASHINGTON IS THE PROBLEM As someone who has lived in the Hudson Valley for nearly 30 years, I cherish its beauty and the wonderful people who live here, those who work hard at their jobs, the entrepreneurs, the small business owners, those who have defended our country, and those who keep our communities safe, those who give of their time and energy to make a better life for our kids and our neighbors who need a helping hand. So it’s very sad to know that more than 3 million people have moved out of New York in the past 10 years.
Why? We struggle under the second highest state and local tax burden in America, and the highest property taxes. We have the highest energy costs and the heaviest regulations. That’s why employers are leaving and the good-paying jobs are going with them. Even worse, the federal government is also working against us. Washington has driven up the cost of our health insurance through Obamacare, making it impossible for many of our local employers to hire more workers, or to keep the ones they have at full-time status instead of reducing their hours to part-time status.
Washington’s insiders and lobbyists have rigged the tax code with loopholes and special favors at the expense of the middle class and small businesses. They’ve siphoned billions from the federal treasury to reward their friends and crony capitalists at the expense of doing what is right by the middle class and small business. Bureaucrats in Washington have just hiked the cost of electricity here in our Hudson Valley, increasing the misery for middle class and small businesses, putting New York at even more of a competitive disadvantage with the rest of the country. Our children and our schools are struggling under the rigid and incomprehensible mandates of Common Core because the central planners in Washington are convinced they know how to better educate our children than we do.
Government bureaucracies don’t create jobs. They empower themselves at our expense. I’m running for Congress to return the power to you.
District 19
Chris Gibson (R/C/IP) Incumbent
http://www.chrisgibsonforcongress.com/ http://gibson.house.gov/
http://www.ontheissues.org/NY/Chris_Gibson.htm**
Rated -1 by AAI, indicating a mixed Arab/Palestine voting record. (May 2012)
HOT BUTTON ISSUES
ENERGY Voted for construction of the Keystone XL pipeline without limiting amendments. High energy costs remain a financial burden for families and small businesses in upstate New York. I support a comprehensive approach to energy independence. I believe in an approach that relies on increase domestic production of energy as well as smart, targeted investments in things like biomass and solar. Our region has the potential to be a leader is clean and renewable technology. As we have already seen, high-tech jobs that relate to energy can have a home in the upstate New York. I have introduced several pieces of bipartisan legislation addressing the high cost of energy. From energy storage technology to investments in nanotechnology, I will continue to be an advocate for technology and industries that are striving to drive down costs. I have also opposed several regulations that have the potential to hurt jobs by increasing energy costs.
HEALTHCARE Since I first ran for Congress in 2010, I have heard time and time again from my constituents across Upstate New York that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is not the answer to these broadly supported goals of lowering costs and expanding access to quality health care. As we have seen across Upstate NY, costs continue to rise at alarming and unsustainable rates, driving down access. In fact, as we get closer to full ACA implementation, the concerns I hear from small business owners and constituents of all ages have increased. These include concerns about tax increases, rising premiums, changing or dropped coverage, giving more power to un-elected officials in Washington, and many other issues. Additionally, many of the fundamental provisions of the law have either proved unworkable or have not been established, leading to what Republicans and Democrats alike have called an impending train wreck.
Sadly, this bill also did not prevent the looming insolvency of the Medicare program. I believe we need to make structural changes to this program to preserve it for future generations. Inaction will end Medicare as we know it. The ACA not only made cuts to Medicare programs, such as the popular Medicare Advantage plan, but it failed to control the explosive costs that will put the entire program in jeopardy within a decade. Failing to address the costs of Medicare will also make it extremely difficult to control health care costs in the broader health care market. It is for that reason that I have for the course of my career supported the full repeal of the Affordable Care Act. Additionally, since I have been a Member of Congress, we have repealed individual provisions of the bill, including Section 1099 of the law – which included a burdensome paperwork mandate on small businesses – that was signed into law. We also signed into law a provision blocking the IRS from hiring 16,500 enforcement agents and defunded billions of dollars in discretionary funding and some of the “slush fund” accounts in the bill.
DEFENSE Given our trying economic times, Americans are being forced to make very difficult budgetary decisions. This includes the federal government, particularly given our over $16.5 trillion dollar national debt and $1.3 trillion average annual federal deficit. We must make tough choices to cut spending, and thus it is imperative that every dollar we spend be utilized most effectively. As a 24 year veteran of the United States Army, since I’ve been in Congress, I’ve worked with my colleagues on the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) to implement meaningful improvements to our Department of Defense. HASC authorizes military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, and Veterans Affairs policy with the annual passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). In each annual defense authorization, I have worked to expand the applications of defense nanotechnology, close the gap between a service member’s transitions between military to civilian life, protect civil liberties, and reform the way the Department of Defense conducts quadrennial reviews of its operation.
A focus of mine has been to put a stop to the idea that the more we spend on defense, the safer we will be. It is imperative that in a time when we are looking for ways to be more fiscally responsible, we ensure the military absorbs an appropriate portion of the reduction. This can be done through national security establishment reform that will in fact make our nation more secure. While the FY2013 NDAA slows the rate of growth in spending, I still believe that there is more that can be done – which is why I voted to cut almost $1 billion in spending during committee consideration.
Sean Eldridge (D/WF) Challenger
HOT BUTTON ISSUES
ENVIRONMENT Sean is a strong advocate for protecting our environment and the incredible natural resources in our region. As a board member of Scenic Hudson, he helped lead the charge to prepare communities in the Hudson Valley for climate change and sea level rise. In Congress, Sean will fight for environmental protection and greater action to prevent climate change, and he will support conservation programs and investments in renewable energy that are critical to our region.
WOMEN’S HEALTH AND EQUAL PAY As an advocate for Planned Parenthood in the Hudson Valley, Sean has worked to protect women’s health and reproductive freedom. In Congress, Sean will continue to support women’s health and Planned Parenthood, and he will fight to ensure that women receive equal pay for equal work.
MARRIAGE EQUALITY Sean was a leader in the fight for marriage equality in New York State and the successful effort to repeal federal discrimination against same-sex couples and their families. In Congress, Sean will continue to protect our Constitution, our freedoms, and our right to privacy. He will work to ensure that every American receives equal protection under the law and that no one is fired from their job or denied housing because of who they are or who they love.
HEALTHCARE Sean believes access to quality, affordable health care is a basic right of every American. He will work to fix and improve our nation’s health care laws in order to lower costs, hold insurance companies accountable, reduce the burden on small businesses, and ensure that affordable health care is available to every family.
District 20
Paul Tonko (D/IP/WF) Incumbent
http://www.paultonko.com/node http://tonko.house.gov/
http://www.ontheissues.org/NY/Paul_Tonko.htm**
Rated +2 by AAI, indicating pro-Arab pro-Palestine voting record. (May 2012)
HOT BUTTON ISSUES
ENERGY Voted against the Keystone XL Pipeline without limiting amendments.
Develop new energy policies that end our dependence on foreign oil and create good-paying green-collar jobs As a nationally recognized expert on energy reform, Paul is leading the charge for green-collar jobs. He supports innovative solutions to our energy crisis that will end our nation’s dependence on foreign oil while facilitating competitive economic growth. Paul is forging a new direction for energy independence and more efficient energy use, including promoting tax incentives for clean energy and conservation. He supports ending subsidies for big oil, increasing fuel efficiency standards, expanding access to affordable public transportation and creating a carbon cap and trade program to reduce greenhouse emissions and encourage innovation.
HEALTHCARE Supports Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) Affordable and accessible health care not only improves quality of life, it makes businesses in the United States more competitive internationally. Paul believes that seniors should be able to afford prescription drugs without filing for bankruptcy, young adults should be able to stay on their parents plan, and individuals shouldn’t be dropped from their insurance coverage because they get sick or have a pre-existing condition. Paul is also strong advocate in Congress for mental health parity, after having sponsored a similar measure while serving in the New York State Assembly called “Timothy’s Law.”
IMMIGRATION As the grandson of immigrants, Paul knows the value and work ethic that serve as the bedrock of the American Dream. He also knows the scope of the current problem, with over 12 million undocumented immigrants currently living in the United States. That is why Paul is an advocate of comprehensive immigration reform that protects our borders, respects human rights, and meets our economic needs, particularly in Upstate New York’s agriculture sector where many farmers lack sufficient quantity and quality of migrant work during peak harvest seasons.
Jim Fischer (R/C) Challenger
http://fischerforcongress.com/
HOT BUTTON ISSUES
HEALTH CARE While a small percentage of previously uninsured individuals have gained health care through Obama care, a far greater number of middle class families and small businesses have been hurt by it, as has our national and local economy. Jim is glad that some have been helped, but he understands the pain of those who have been hurt, because he too lost his high quality, affordable insurance policy, due to the requirements of the ACA. Jim will support efforts to revamp Obama care with common sense, market oriented reforms that will provide real choice and increased competition by allowing families and businesses to shop across state lines, pursue tort reform to reduce frivolous lawsuits, allow individuals to deduct health care premiums from their taxes as businesses can and keep popular provisions of the ACA such as protection for those with pre-existing conditions, and the ability for young adults to stay on their family’s plan. Jim will work with members of both parties to come up with solutions that work for all Americans, and do not damage our economy and health care system as Obama care has.
ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT Affordable energy from domestic sources should be our objective. Families and businesses around the Capital region struggle from increasing heating fuel, electric, and gas prices while their incomes remain stagnant. As a nation we remain dependent upon foreign sources for our energy while we have vast quantities of natural gas available to us through the use of safe, clean extraction technology. Jim supports exploration and safe extraction of our natural resources while ensuring we protect our water supplies and environment. We must follow an “All of the Above” policy that encourages clean, safe energy from all sources: solar, natural gas, wind, clean coal, and nuclear. We have a responsibility to provide for our energy needs and economic development while having reasonable protections for our environment.
Here in upstate New York we have a special appreciation for the environment. The Capital Region is home to, and surrounded by, some of the most beautiful geography in the US, if not the world. Jim believes we are called to be stewards of the environment. We have a responsibility to hand down a country to our children that is at least as healthy as what we grew up with. In Jim’s lifetime, he has witnessed our waterways being cleaned up and turned from industrial sewers to recreational oases. We must continue to build on these successes while achieving a balance with our need for economic progress. Economic progress is not contrary to environment protection. We must balance these responsibilities to provide future generations with the same opportunities for prosperity and enjoyment of our environment as we have had.
IMMIGRATION America is a nation of immigrants. We are a compassionate people who welcome others from around the globe, while expecting that they will follow our laws and contribute to society. Our immigration system is broken. While some wait years to become citizens and spend thousands of dollars following legal procedures, others are coming into our country illegally. Those who have subverted the law should not be rewarded with citizenship, without having paid a penalty and going to the back of the line. That is a matter of simple fairness to those who have followed the rules. Jim will collaborate with others in Congress to support immigration reform that secures our borders, and upholds laws, while providing adequate legal immigration to meet our economic needs, while remaining compassionate to all.
District 21
Bill Owens (D) Retiring in 2014.
Owens is a Democrat who voted for the Keystone XL Pipeline without limiting amendments.
Aaron Woolf (D/WF) Challenger
http://woolfforcongress.com/
HOT BUTTON ISSUES
FOREIGN POLICY AND FORT DRUM America has long been a leader on the world stage, standing for democracy and stability. Our allies depend on us to be there for them in times of need. Aaron believes America must continue to strengthen those partnerships – including our longstanding commitment to Israel – and work with allies around the world to defeat terrorist elements around the globe. In that same way we must prevent bad actors like Iran from arming themselves with nuclear weapons, and contain others like North Korea to keep those weapons out of the hands of terrorists. As we emerge from over a decade spent fighting two wars overseas, it’s time to give our military men and women an opportunity to rest and reset. The North Country played a tremendous role over the last decade at war, with Fort Drum and the 10th Mountain Division earning the distinction as one of the most deployed divisions in the Armed Forces.
As Congressman, Aaron believes his job is to help strengthen Fort Drum by encouraging smart growth, new missions, and greater support for base operations. With soldiers living off post, their children attending local schools, and their spouses working in the community, the installation has become an integral part of the North Country. There is work ahead to protect Fort Drum from cuts as the Army shrinks its force. But the 10th Mountain Division is precisely the agile, well-trained, and rapidly-deployable force the military is calling for. Aaron will work with local leaders to help tell that story in Washington to cement Fort Drum’s place in the North Country.
ENVIRONMENT AND SPORTMEN’S RIGHTS Here in the Adirondacks, the environment is a tremendous resource. Aaron believes we need policies that put that resource to work. We must also be mindful of the need to conserve America’s natural treasures for future generations to enjoy. Our region is home to some of the most scenic rivers, lakes, and mountains, and that’s big business in our area. The visitors who come to ski, kayak, hunt, and enjoy other activities support local small businesses in a big way. It’s essential that the health of those natural resources is preserved so they remain a source of local enjoyment, a destination for visitors, and a key economic driver for our communities. Since first coming to the North County in 1968, Aaron’s experience in the Adirondacks have framed Aaron’s view of the world. As a lifetime outdoorsman, Aaron has engaged with all the Adirondacks have to offer and this has created a sense of responsibility and stewardship for our region’s resources. He’s a strong supporter of the Second Amendment – especially in a region that so many responsible gun owners call home. Aaron believes law-abiding citizens should have the right to own a firearm – without infringement from the government – plain and simple. For that reason Aaron does not support New York’s “SAFE Act.”
HEALTHCARE The Affordable Care Act needs to be fixed. As an example, we must eliminate the medical device excise tax. In a field where America leads the world, we should not be punishing success and innovation. But we cannot afford to return to the past. Young adults should not return to being uninsured while they are trying to start their careers, individuals with pre-existing conditions should never have to go unprotected ever again, women should never have to pay a higher premium than men simply because of their gender, and those with serious life-threatening illnesses, like cancer, should not face bankruptcy as a result of their treatment.
Elise Stefanik (R/C) Challenger
http://eliseforcongress.com/
HOT BUTTON ISSUES
REGULATORY AND TAX BURDENS Reduce the out-of-control tax and regulatory burdens facing small businesses by reforming the tax code to be flatter and fairer The U.S. tax code is over 3 million words and over 85,000 pages long. Each year Americans spend billions of hours and hundreds of billions of dollars just trying to comply with it. What if small businesses and hardworking families could use that money, time and energy to buy a house, grow their business, save for the future, or hire an additional employee? Elise will work to pursue fundamental tax reform, make it flatter and fairer for everyone, close special-interest loop holes, and eliminate burdensome regulations that hinder job growth and family savings.
HEALTHCARE Repeal Obamacare and replace it with common sense solutions to lower health care costs and improve quality and access Families and small businesses in the North Country want health care that works for them and fits their specific needs. Instead, Obamacare has caused premiums to rise, coverage plans to be dropped, and small businesses to cut employees and reduce shifts and work hours. This is not the way to reform health care to improve quality and increase access. My family’s business lost our health care plan as a result of Obamacare, and we are now forced to pay more for less coverage. To lower costs and improve care, Elise believes we need to repeal Obamacare and replace with common sense solutions; including to allow Upstate families and businesses to shop for insurance across state lines; pursue real tort reform; fight the waste, fraud and abuse that costs our health care system billions each year; protect those with pre-existing conditions by funding state-level high-risk pools; and allow individuals and families to purchase insurance on the same tax-advantaged basis as businesses.
ENERGY Affordable energy means ‘all of the above’ Energy costs are often times the highest expenses for a family or business in Upstate New York. Gas for the car, heating bills for home or the office – these costs add up quickly. The federal government often places unnecessary mandates and regulations on energy suppliers and development. However, America is home to vast supplies of energy that if fully utilized will supply a growing nation and fuel our economy into the future. Elise supports a national energy policy that increases American-made energy, reduces our dependency on foreign oil, protects the environment, and brings down energy costs for New Yorkers.
Expanding energy exploration and drilling for oil and natural gas where it can be reached; utilizing alternative energy sources like solar and wind; developing more clean-coal and nuclear energy; and keeping government mandates and taxes low on energy suppliers and developers – these are critical components of an American-made ‘All of the Above’ energy policy.
IMMIGRATION Securing our Borders, Addressing a Broken Immigration System
A nation of immigrants, a nation of laws Elise does not support amnesty of any kind for immigrants who have broken the law and entered the country illegally. The first step in fixing our broken immigration system must involve making our borders secure and ensuring law enforcement has the tools and resources they need to keep us safe. America is a nation of immigrants, but is also a nation of laws. But our immigration system is currently broken and doing nothing amounts to de facto amnesty. The more than 11 million illegal immigrants currently living in the United States are doing so outside the law. On the other hand, immigrants trying to do so legally can wait more than 15 years in some cases to obtain legal citizenship. Our system penalizes those who follow the law and rewards those who do not. The North Country has a unique understanding of immigration not only due to our proximity to the Canadian border, but also because of the needs of our local farmers and agriculture businesses, as well as students attending New York universities using student visas. Elise will work in Washington towards an immigration system that upholds the law and keeps Americans safe, while also encouraging economic growth in New York.
District 22
Richard Hanna (R/IP) Incumbent
http://www.richardhannaforcongress.com/home/ http://hanna.house.gov/
http://www.ontheissues.org/NY/Richard_Hanna.htm**
Rated -1 by AAI, indicating a mixed Arab/Palestine voting record. (May 2012)
Voted for construction of Keystone XL Pipeline without limiting amendments.
Opposes government run healthcare.
Claudia Tenney (C) Challenger
http://claudiatenney.com/
HOT BUTTON ISSUES
THE CONSTITUTION Our Founding Fathers envisioned a government guided by laws, not ruled by men. They designed a system with constitutional checks on power of politicians and I hold their legacy to be sacred. We must return to constitutional governance and limited government. Too often politicians at the federal level empower federal bureaucrats over local communities and families. I will fight every intrusion into local and state rights and insist on a return to system where the rights of the people are paramount as set forth in the Tenth Amendment.
HEALTHCARE President Obama’s healthcare law is destroying jobs and livelihoods across New York State. I will fight to see it is defunded, repealed and replaced with a system that focuses on patient choice and greater accountability. We need to empower patients and doctors to make decisions, instead of the top-down government knows best model that defines Obamacare. No one should have to buy a government mandated product they don’t want or need. The entire Obamacare experience is an indictment of a corrupt DC culture that seeks to dictate how we care for ourselves and our loved ones. I have voted to against the implementation of Obamacare in New York State and unlike my opponent, will never vote to fund Obamacare when I am in Congress. It is a failed system that should be replaced as soon as possible and defunded so that it can wreak no more havoc on our healthcare system.
NATIONAL SECURITY AND ARMED SERVICES As a proud Marine Mom, I take very seriously the sacrifices made by our men and women in uniform and will fully fund their needs. It is our Constitutional duty to provide for the National Defense and I will work to see that we provide the resources and means for our military to carry out their mission and achieve victory wherever and whenever they are asked to put their lives on the line. Under the Obama Administration, our national security has been sacrificed time and time again. Weakness does not bring peace, and we can only live in a peaceful world when our enemies know we will do what we say and our allies trust us to stand up for them when necessary.
DEBT, DEFICIT AND THE BUDGET Our federal government has grown too large, too intrusive and too burdensome. The number one reason for this is that the federal government has strayed far from our Founder’s intent of limited, efficient and representative government. We must rein in spending and balance our budget now, not tomorrow or in some distant future. Like every family in the 22nd District, Congress must live within its means and spend less than what it takes in and return all those savings to taxpayers. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) identified over $100 billion in waste and fraud across the giant federal bureaucracy every year – that is unacceptable while we are piling up debt our children and grandchildren will have to pay back. We should never raise the debt ceiling, and unlike my opponent who twice voted to raise the debt ceiling without spending cuts, until we reform the bureaucracy and cut spending. I will work to right-size the federal bureaucracy and cut wasteful and unnecessary spending. In Congress, I will work to reform and reduce our entitlement culture including budget-busting Obamacare.
IMMIGRATION We are a nation of immigrants and our immigration system is broken. It’s a real shame that hardworking aspiring Americans wait in line for years to even get a hearing while millions of others break our laws. I do not support amnesty or endorse law-breaking in our immigration system. Millions of Americans are out of work and politicians in Washington, like my opponent, want to bring in millions more to take high-paying, high tech jobs we desperately need here and for our American citizens. We can and will reform our system without rewarding law-breaking, encouraging more illegal immigration, or displacing hardworking Americans from jobs.
District 23
Tom Reed (R/C/IP) Incumbent
http://www.tomreedforcongress.com/ http://www.ontheissues.org/NY/Tom_Reed.htm**
Rated -2 by AAI, indicating a anti-Arab anti-Palestine voting record. (May 2012)
HOT BUTTON ISSUES
HEALTHCARE
Repeal & replace Obamacare. (Nov 2010)
Voted YES on the Ryan Budget: Medicare choice, tax & spending cuts. (Apr 2011)
Voted YES on repealing the “Prevention and Public Health” slush fund. (Apr 2011)
Repeal the Job-Killing Health Care Law. (Jan 2011)
Remove all funding from the 2010 national healthcare law. (Jan 2011)
ENERGY
Voted for construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline without limiting amendments.
Wean us from foreign oil with domestic natural gas. (Nov 2010)
Voted YES on opening Outer Continental Shelf to oil drilling. (May 2011)
Voted YES on barring EPA from regulating greenhouse gases. (Apr 2011)
Signed the No Climate Tax Pledge by AFP. (Nov 2010)
Voted to stop EPA from over-regulating people out of work. (Oct 2011)
Martha Robertson (D/WF) Challenger
http://marthaforny.com/
HOT BUTTON ISSUES
ENERGY Clean Energy & Environment – Martha knows that our region will be best served by strengthening our existing economic drivers including agriculture, tourism, and small businesses. She believes that we can harness our own power while creating permanent, local jobs through innovative renewable energy, efficiency, and clean tech investments and development.
FRACKING IS NOT THE SOLUTION High volume hydraulic fracturing with horizontal drilling for natural gas – fracking – is a relatively new technology that has become the environmental issue of the decade, and much of the 23rd Congressional District is at the center of the debate. People have educated themselves, organized, and turned out to voice their opinions on both sides of this complex issue. “Fracking is a whole new ball game. The technology is only a few years old and we’re just beginning to truly understand its full breadth and scope. It has become clear that its impacts are much more intrusive than those associated with conventional drilling. I have been active in this debate for years, carefully reviewing studies about potential benefits, potential negative impacts, and the science around whether it can be done safely. “Fracking has been touted as a potential source of energy and jobs in our region. The truth is that the potential benefits have been vastly overstated, the costs are too great, and it cannot be done safely. Most of the jobs fracking would create are temporary and go to out-of-state workers. The profits go to multinational corporations that want to export the gas to China where they can sell it for five times as much. Meanwhile, mounting scientific evidence shows that fracking cannot be done without jeopardizing our drinking water and aquifers, our air, our local jobs and existing industries, our health, and even our way of life. Emerging science indicates that far from being a ‘cleaner fuel’ as the industry advertises, natural gas from fracking is in fact very destructive for the climate.”
District 24
Dan Maffei (D/WF) Incumbent
http://www.maffeiforcongress.com/ http://maffei.house.gov/
http://www.ontheissues.org/NY/Dan_Maffei.htm**
HOT BUTTON ISSUES
ENVIRONMENT Voted against the Keystone XL Pipeline without limiting amendments. Central New York has a beautiful landscape with lakes, rivers, mountains and forests that are essential to making our region one of the truly great places in America to raise a family. Just as we look after our family, we must protect our environment, and push towards energy independence by supporting solutions that move America to a renewable energy economy.
Here in Central New York we have universities, companies and public-private partnerships in the forefront of clean, sustainable and renewable energy research and development that can reduce and eliminate the production of the greenhouse gases that research has shown to cause climate change. We need to foster investment in important research and development with a smart energy plan that nurtures our growing industries, brings good jobs to Central New York, and helps these technologies become commercial and environmental successes.
Locally, our clean air and water are a valuable resource that will help move our economy forward for years to come. Our many farms, orchards and vineyards, as well as our year-round tourism and outdoor recreation industries depend on a healthy environment to survive. We should never put these valuable resources in jeopardy for any fleeting, short-term gain. I support the New York State moratorium on fracking and strongly support adequate regulations on fracking. I’m proud to be a co-sponsor of the FRAC Act, which would require that fracking is regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act and require companies to disclose the chemicals used in fracking. We must ensure chemicals from fracking are fully disclosed so people know what is going into the ground.
HEALTHCARE Increasing Access to Healthcare – I voted for the Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare) and remain committed to seeing our new system succeed. But the law is far from perfect. While there are important elements – like preventing insurance companies form denying coverage of pre-existing conditions, lowering costs for small business, making sure coverage can never be taken away, and allowing young men and women to stay on their parents’ plans until they are 26 – we need to continue to work to make health care more affordable for middle class families. Members of Congress shouldn’t receive special treatment for their health care or other benefits. That’s why I voted to make Members of Congress enter the same health care exchanges that millions of Americans across the country are entering. I also voted to force Members to forgo the employer subsidy for health care. Like many families in Central New York, I purchased my health insurance in the New York State health care exchange set up through the Affordable Care Act. I am paying the full amount out of pocket for my health care plan.
WOMEN’S ISSUES I have always been a strong supporter of women’s rights and have continued to stand up for critical issues like access to reproductive care, the Violence Against Women Act, and pay equality. I am pro-choice and will always support a woman’s fundamental right to make her own health care decisions. I have continued to support legislation and laws that would ensure women have access to reproductive health care. I’m a cosponsor of the Violence Against Women Act, which provides resources to local communities to combat sexual and domestic violence. I also cosponsored the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and the Paycheck Fairness Act to help ensure women receive equal pay for equal work. When women succeed, our families, and our country succeeds.
John Katko (R/C/IP) Challenger
http://www.johnkatkoforcongress.com/
HOT BUTTON ISSUES
HEALTHCARE We need real, workable health care reform that allows Americans to choose and control their own insurance coverage. It must be patient-centered first and foremost, with decision-making controlled by the patient and his or her medical professionals, not bureaucrats and politicians. Reform should be based on the free market and always protect consumer choice. It should encourage employers to provide portable health benefits and allow plans to be sold across state lines. Reform should always assist those who need help, protect those with pre-existing conditions, allow young adults the opportunity to remain on a parent’s plan, and preserve the right of conscience. And John believes that future reform must better address America’s mental health needs. Obamacare’s disastrous online rollout highlights just how unaffordable it is for some, unpopular it is for many, and increasingly unworkable it is for all. It undermines the doctor-patient relationship, centralizes control, and increases individual costs while reducing choice and desired coverage for too many. And Obamacare’s overall impact on the Central New York economy – from significant cutbacks hitting our region’s hospitals due to reduced reimbursements to unjust taxes on local companies – hurts area employers and employees alike.
ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT The United States must continue efforts toward achieving energy independence, including a focus on developing renewable sources and accessing more North American energy. As a part of that, consumers must be allowed to make free market choices, and new technology should not be forced upon them. Most importantly, Central New Yorkers need relief from ever-rising energy rates. New York State faces a very important decision on the issue of hydro-fracking. John believes that federal efforts to impact fracking appear redundant. More federal red tape is not what is needed, and the fracking issue should be left to the states. Like so many other New Yorkers, John looks forward to reviewing the science and findings in Governor Cuomo’s upcoming report. As a lover of the Finger Lakes and recognizing the importance of our clean water resources, John agrees that this is a decision not to be taken lightly. If science proves that fracking can safely extract natural gas resources with limited impact on the environment and our vistas, the economic benefits for parts of Upstate New York in desperate need of an infusion of investment and job creation are hard to ignore.
IMMIGRATION America needs a realistic approach to immigration that is tough, fair and practical – tough in terms of better enforcement and border security; fair meaning that taxpayers should not have to shoulder unfair burdens; and practical so that any reform effectively addresses the problem and restores the rule of law. Most importantly, John will only support immigration reforms that protect and enhance the Central New York economy, with special consideration to needed work visas and agricultural interests.
District 25
Louise Slaughter (D/WF) Incumbent
http://www.votelouise.com/ http://www.louise.house.gov/
http://www.ontheissues.org/NY/Louise_Slaughter.htm**
Rated +1 by AAI, indicating a mixed Arab/Palestine voting record. (May 2012)
HOT BUTTON ISSUES
HEALTHCARE Louise was a strong supporter of the Affordable Care & Patient Protection Act and as Chairwoman of the Rules Committee, had a key role in the bill’s passage. The health care reform bill has improved the lives of seniors, young adults, small businesses, and many others in Western New York and has taken power away from insurance companies and given it to patients and doctors. Unfortunately, Republicans in Washington — many of whom are in the pockets of the insurance industry — are hell-bent on repealing the law and returning us to a time when insurance companies could discriminate against those with pre-existing conditions, charge women more for coverage just for being a woman, and force young adults off of their parents’ insurance plans, leaving them defenseless against accident or illness.
CHOICE AND WOMEN’S FREEDOMS Louise was first elected to Congress thanks in part to both Republican and Democratic women who wanted a strong voice in Washington. 26 years later, Louise is still fighting for equal pay, equal access to healthcare and equal protections under the law. A long time champion of women’s rights, Louise has never backed down when it comes to ensuring women a fair playing field. Louise has a long line of victories in fighting for women. Since she has been in office, she has:
Co-authored the Violence Against Women Act, to empower women to pursue justice in cases of domestic and sexual violence
Led the charge to create the Office of Research on Women’s Health at the National Institute of Health. Prior to its creation, all research was conducted on white males, even for diseases like breast cancer and cervical cancer.
Served as co-chair of the Pro-Choice Caucus, fighting at every chance to protect the rights of women to choose
Introduced legislation to provide equal rights to women serving in our nation’s military, making sure they receive the specialized care they need while protecting our country
From protecting Planned Parenthood to ensuring that women were treated fairly under healthcare laws, Louise proudly serves at the front lines in order to protect the hard-won freedoms and protections women enjoy today.
ENERGY
Voted NO on opening Outer Continental Shelf to oil drilling. (May 2011)
Voted NO on barring EPA from regulating greenhouse gases. (Apr 2011)
Voted NO on construction of the Keystone XL pipeline without limiting amendments.
Mark Assini (R/C) Challenger
http://www.markassiniforcongress.com/
My professional background includes experience as a financial analyst, cost accountant and marketing manager. Right now, I am the Gates Town Supervisor, a position I have held since 2010 and one that has allowed me to give back to my community-a community that has given me so much.
I am seeking election to the United States Congress to bring common sense ideas to Washington, D.C., to work for the people as our founding fathers envisioned, and to put people before politics and results before partisanship. America is still the land of opportunity, the most free and dynamic nation on earth. We have had more individuals choose to come to our shores than to any other country-averaging more than 1 million legal immigrants a year since 2000-proof that America is still viewed around the world as “a shining city on a hill.” We have our problems, but nothing we can’t fix. There is no challenge we cannot overcome if we work together. We are still the masters of our destiny. We are Americans. We can fix this. We can do it together.
District 26
Brian Higgins (D/WF) Incumbent
http://www.higginsforcongress.com/ http://higgins.house.gov/
http://www.ontheissues.org/NY/Brian_Higgins.htm**
Rated -1 by AAI, indicating a mixed Arab/Palestine voting record. (May 2012)
HOT BUTTON ISSUES
HEALTHCARE Strong support for Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) Starting October 1, the new health care law will allow Americans who do not have health insurance provided by their employer to purchase health insurance through their state’s online marketplace. These new online marketplaces, or health care exchanges, provide Americans looking for coverage the ability to shop among affordable choices, explained in easy-to-understand language.
ENERGY Voted against construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline without limiting amendments. Over 100 years ago Western New York learned how to turn water into energy. Hydropower spurred incredible job growth in our region and revolutionized manufacturing. Brian believes that we can learn from our history and that by reducing our dependence on foreign oil and innovating with clean energy technologies made right here in America we can power our homes, businesses, and nation’s infrastructure systems in a way that sustains us for the next 100 years. Brian has consistently fought on behalf of Western New York families to keep the economic benefits of the Niagara Power Project in Western New York. He has also fought against harmful speculative trading practices that drive up the price of gasoline and increase big oil profits. In both Western New York and Washington, DC, Brian has helped to preserve HEAP funding for struggling seniors and families, who should never have to make the choice between heating their homes and putting food on the table.
Statement by Congressman Brian Higgins on the Potential Solar Panel Plant in Buffalo – Jun 17, 2014 Press Release – Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) released the following statement regarding the announcement by the company SolarCity of its intention to open “one of the largest solar panel production plants in the world,” creating over 1,000 new jobs at the RiverBend clean energy and technology hub in Buffalo.
Kathy Weppner (R/C) Challenger
http://www.weppnerforcongress.com/
HOT BUTTON ISSUES
HEALTHCARE “You have to pass the bill to find out what’s in it”. Now the real-life consequences of Obamacare are known; cancer centers refusing their patients’ insurance, millions of Americans lost the policies they liked and trusted, you can’t (“necessarily”) keep your doctor, premiums skyrocketed for millions, and lower medical payments reduced thousands of medical field jobs, Obamacare mandates created thousands of job cuts. “Full-time” jobs are now redefined as 30 hours thus, reductions in real-world full-time positions and finally, a website disaster that endangered the private information of taxpayers. Phase II is coming but delayed by HSS edict until after the fall elections, ensuring that Americans have to wait “to find out” what else “is in it”. “Health care reform” looks more like an insurance redistribution Ponzi scheme complete with progressive math that does not add up.
I support many of the common sense options that were ignored while drafting Obamacare; the ability to buy insurance across state lines, genuine tort reform for states, incentives for Health Savings Accounts and tax deductible medical expenses. We must allow citizens to take control of their own health decisions. Citizens, not the government, should be able to decide what they need in their policy. True health care reform must be based on real science, real math and market forces. We must remove politics and prioritize the limited dollars by focusing on illness rather than social theories and social engineering.
FOREIGN POLICY AND NATIONAL DEFENSE The most critical roles of government are upholding the Constitution; protecting America and its citizens with strong national defense. Our Founding Fathers knew that our country would face challenges and they understood that foreign enemies would be a constant threat. The Founders understood the importance of establishing the president as Commander in Chief just as they purposefully established a checks and balance system to prevent Kingdom rule. They ensured both caution and consensus by drafting a Constitution provision permitting Congress alone to declare war. I believe there is no greater duty for a Congressman than a decision on war. However, the importance of that duty to decide war must be accompanied by the responsibility to ensure that our troops are always in a standing-ready position. Congress must provide national security budgets that supply all the tools necessary for our armed forces to answer the call of duty. I believe that a strong National Defense requires the obligation to provide for the needs of all Veterans when they return from duty.
National Defense and Foreign Policy without teeth is just a bunch of nice sounding words. Presidents are too often confronted by unforeseen security risks however we cannot continue the recent pattern of our leaders being surprised by our enemies’ lack of civility or cooperation. Our economy is struggling, our debt is increasing and there are limited US dollars to spe
