Candidates for US Representative were invited to respond to these questions. Answers were not edited in any way, except to truncate for length.
BIOGRAPHY:
Member of Congress (2003-Present) Committee Assignments: Ways and Means; Oversight and Government Reform; Vice Chairman Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus, Co-Chairman, Chesapeake Bay Watershed Task Force, Maryland State Senate, 1994-2002; Maryland House of Delegates, 1990-1994; Senior Advisor on Federal Affairs, Maryland Governor (1988-1990).
IMMIGRATION:
We must strengthen border security, interior enforcement and prevent illegal immigration. Support overall approach (though not every provision) of the McCain-Kennedy bill to address issue of existing undocumented individuals and the comprehensive strategy outlined by President Bush. Fix our legal immigration system to end huge backlogs.
US MILITARY:
We must maintain a strong defense while recognizing that our security depends not only on the might of our military, but the power of our example. We must restore our credibility and moral standing. Our security is strengthened through our ability to cooperate, on common goals with others, whenever possible.
DEFICIT:
The new Congress has provided fiscal discipline by implementing a “pay as you go” system to require that ongoing expenditures or revenue losses be offset. While the Bush Administration refused to pay for much need relief from the Alternative Minimum Tax, the pay-go rule has helped restore fiscal responsibility.
HEALTH CARE:
The lack of health coverage for 46 million people is unacceptable. I support universal health care coverage. I am sponsoring legislation to expand the Children’s Health Insurance Program, allow earlier buy-in to Medicare, create a small business plan modeled after federal employees’ health system, and provide for mental health parity.
ENVIRONMENT:
We can grow our economy and protect our environment. Indeed, by investing in renewable energy sources and energy efficient technologies, implementing a Renewable Electricity Portfolio standard, and developing a cap and trade system for carbon emissions, we can create jobs, reverse global warming and reduce our dependence on foreign oil.
CIVIL RIGHTS:
We can protect our national security without sacrificing our freedoms and civil rights. We must preserve the right of habeas corpus, adhere to the Geneva Convention, prevent racial profiling, and modernize the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act without abandoning independent court review of electronic surveillance.
