Leadership: As Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee's Commerce, Trade & Consumer Protection Subcommittee, Stearns is working to expand consumer protection by enhancing cyber-security, consumer privacy, spyware control, and international trade agreements dealing with telecommunication service agreements. In addition, he is Co-Chairman and Co-Founder of the U.S. Air Force Caucus, leading a congressional delegation to Iraq in 2005 [Link]; Co-Chairman and Co-Founder of the Congressional Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Caucus (since 2004) [Link]; Co-Chairman and Co-Founder of the Congressional Cystic Fibrosis Caucus (since 2006) [Link]; and he is Vice Chairman of the Veterans Health Subcommittee.
Budget: Through continued pro-growth economic policies and spending restraint, the President's budget aims to keep us on track to meet the goal of cutting the deficit in half by 2009. The budget holds the growth of overall discretionary spending below inflation and again proposes to reduce non-security discretionary spending below the previous year's level. Further, the budget recommends termination or reduction of 141 programs that are not getting results or not fulfilling essential priorities, for a proposed savings of $14.7 billion, building on last year's success, in which savings of $6.5 billion were achieved in 89 of the President's proposals. The President requests that Congress give him a Constitutional line-item veto, with savings to be used for deficit reduction. Stearns has delivered here, by introducing a resolution proposing a Constitutional amendment for a line-item veto. Finally, the President's budget projects the deficit will decline from its projected 2004 peak of 4.5 percent of GDP ($521 billion) down to 1.4 percent ($208 billion) in 2009, cutting it in half and well below the 40-year historical average deficit of 2.3 percent. Stearns is committed to controlling the growth in federal spending so that revenues will catch up with expenditures, returning us to budget surpluses.
Commerce: President Bush signed Stearns' legislation curbing frivolous lawsuits against the firearms industry into law in October 2005. Currently, Stearns is working in his Commerce, Trade & Consumer Protection Subcommittee on legislation to protect consumers' personal information and to prevent identity theft. In addition, the House approved the legislation he amended to combat the abuse of spyware, which is software that allows a third party to monitor the computer use of individuals without their knowledge. He is also looking carefully at international trade agreements to ensure that America's intellectual property rights and competitive advantage in high tech products and services are protected. The full Committee approved his legislation addressing the use of illegal steroids in professional sports, which contributes to steroid abuse among students in high school and lower schools. In the 108th Congress, he pushed efforts to control email spam and supported creation of the "Do-Not-Call" list. In the 108th Congress, President Bush signed the "Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers" Act, which Stearns' shepherded through his Subcommittee, ensuring that consumers must receive a paper copy of their prescription so they can shop competitively for their lenses.
Stearns is active through the Telecommunications Subcommittee in reforming antiquated laws that hinder the development and expansion of new products and services.
Veterans Affairs: Stearns is a leading advocate for increasing funding for the VA. For years, Stearns pushed for establishing a VA cemetery in the Jacksonville area, and his proposal was enacted leading to a new VA cemetery set to open in 2009. Stearns actively supports the VA's CARES plan, which calls for a new Regional Health Care Facility in Marion County and expansion of the VA Hospital in Gainesville.
He was Chairman of the Veterans Health Subcommittee from 1997 to 2000 and Vice Chairman from 2001 to 2002, and Vice Chairman again since 2005. His Veterans Millennium Health Care & Benefits Act, H.R. 2116, was signed into law in 1999. The health provisions will improve access to long-term care for disabled veterans and expand the VA's obligation to provide alternatives to nursing home care. In 2000, the provisions from H.R. 5109, the Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel Act authored by Stearns, were combined with other veterans proposals and enacted as S. 1402. The health-care personnel provisions guarantee annual pay raises for VA nurses, revises and increases the rates of special pay for VA dentists, and includes pharmacists among those exempt from special salary caps. He succeeded in placing VA health clinics in Ocala and Leesburg. In September 2005, the House passed Stearns' resolution commemorating the 60th Anniversary of V-J (Victory in Japan) Day.
Helping Older Americans: Stearns voted to reform Medicare with a voluntary prescription drug benefit, one that gives beneficiaries choices in meeting their health care needs. Also, in both Medicare and Medicaid bills, Stearns' legislation has been recently signed into law to expand choices for beneficiaries with disabilities (Cash & Counseling program). He is also committed to the long-term solvency of the Social Security system and supports using Social Security dollars only to pay benefits. Earlier in his tenure, he led the effort to overturn regulations limiting senior's only housing and pushed for additional funding and programs to meet the medical needs of seniors.
Looking Out for Schoolchildren: In the 108th Congress, President Bush signed into law Stearns' Asthmatic Schoolchildren Treatment and Education Act (ASTHMA), encouraging children's right to carry their inhalers on their person. And, in the 109th, the House passed Stearns' amendment funding training for Head Start Employees to provide for the unique needs of children with disabilities and their families.
Serving Florida: Stearns is leading an effort to give Florida permanent control over its offshore resources after current moratoria on offshore drilling expire. He has championed programs at Central Florida Community College in Ocala, Santa Fe Community College in Gainesville, and the University of Florida in Gainesville, and obtained funding for these schools to expand and enhance their programs.
After years of controversy, he forged a consensus among state, local, and federal officials to return the Cross Florida Canal Lands to the state of Florida, resulting in a 77,000-acre greenway and $32 million in repayments to six Florida counties
As the representative for Cecil Field, Stearns actively promotes the expansion of commercial activities at the former base. He is instrumental in gaining grants for converting Cecil and for training students in the Jacksonville area in aviation technology. He also worked with the U.S. Attorney General to bring the Federal "Weed & Seed" program, which funds community-based efforts to combat crime and poverty, to several Florida cities.
Accessibility: He is extremely accessible to constituents. Returning to his home in Ocala often, he has held more than 450 town meetings across North Central Florida.
Protecting our Nation's Heritage: Stearns has successfully led efforts to bring into Fort King, Florida, a prominent site in the Second Seminole Indian War, into the National Park Service system. In the 109th Congress, Stearns is working with the relevant Committees that authorize and appropriate spending in the Department of Interior to move Fort King along in the process towards this stage of federal honor.
Awards:
Economic:
Taxpayers' Friend Award 2006-03
National Taxpayers Union
Spirit of Enterprise Award 2005
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Award for Manufacturing Legislative Excellence 2005
National Association of Manufacturers
Taxpayer Hero 2005-2001, 2000-1995, 1992-90
Council of Citizens Against Government Waste
Friend of the Shareholders Award 2004
American Shareholders Association
Guardian of Small Business 2004
National Federation of Independent Business
Small Business Advocate 2004
Small Business Survival Committee
Spirit of Enterprise Award 1989-2003
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Privacy Leadership Award 2003
Intl. Association of Privacy Professionals
Guardian of Small Business 101st-107th Congress
National Federation of Independent Business
Golden Bulldog Award 1989-2000
Watchdogs of the Treasury
Seniors:
Senior Guardian Medal of Honor 2004
Seniors Coalition
Franklin Award 2004
60/Plus Association
Friend of Senior Citizens 2003
60/Plus Association
Super Friend of Seniors 2000
Guardian of Seniors’ Rights 103rd-105th Congress
60/Plus Association
Legislative Achievement Award 2000
The Seniors Coalition
100 Percent Rating 2000
United Seniors Association
National Security:
Citizens Flag Alliance 2003
American Legion
W. Stuart Symington Award 2001
Air Force Association
George “Buck” Gillespie Congressional Award 2001
Blinded American Veterans Foundation
Congressional Laurel 2000
Armed Forces Journal
Charles Dick Medal of Merit 1998
National Guard Association of the United States
Peace Through Strength Victory Leadership Award
Coalition for International Security
Special Citation 1998
U.S. Air Force Association
National Security Leadership Award 101st-103rd Congress
American Security Council
Health:
Safety Net Award for Congressional Leadership 2006
The National Association on Public Hospitals & Health Systems
Visionary Award 2005
American Academy of Ophthalmology
Mothers' Choice Award 2005
Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics
Medal of Honor 2005, 2003, 2001, 2000, 1999
U.S. Oncology
Public Service Award
American Heart Association
Family:
True Blue Award 2002
Family Research Council
Friend of the Family Award 1989-2001
Christian Coalition
Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Task Force on Drugs
City of Ocala
Committee Assignments:
Energy and Commerce:
Chairman, Commerce, Trade & Consumer Protection Subcommittee
Vice Chairman, Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet
Oversight & Investigations Subcommittee
Veterans Affairs:
Former Chairman, Health Subcommittee
House Policy Subcommittee
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BACKGROUND
Education:
Woodrow Wilson High School
Washington, DC
George Washington University
Washington, DC
B.S. - Electrical Engineering
Distinguished Military Graduate
Air Force ROTC
Military Service:
Captain, United States Air Force
Recipient of the Air Force
Commendation Medal for
Meritorious Service as an
Aerospace Engineer in Satellite
Reconnaissance
Employment Positions:
Data Control Systems, Inc.
CBS, Inc.
Kutola Advertising Agency
Images 70/Wilson Height Welch
Stearns House, Inc.
Career Before Congress:
Small Business Owner
Residence:
Ocala
Family:
Married to Joan Moore
Children: Douglas, Bundy
and Scott
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