What should be the next step in dealing with the situation in Iraq?
Three years ago, the world watched as a treacherous tyrant disregarded United Nation's resolutions and burrowed into the bunkers of Baghdad. Within a short period of time, Coalition Forces dismantled a regime that was built on fear, murders, assassinations, torture, and lies. Today, the despotic dictator stands on trial before the Iraqi people in a courtroom that is a stone's throw from his prison cell. While insurgents continue their attempts to dismantle the progress that the Iraqi people have made, the men and women who serve in the United States Armed Forces, as well as those who now serve with the Coalition Forces, deserve our gratitude and support for their sacrifices and for their valiant efforts on behalf of all of us as we continue to fight the Global War on Terror. We must remain committed to peace and stability in Iraq because our assistance is more crucial than ever. Terrorists seek to disrupt and derail Iraq's sovereign beginnings because a free society in the Middle East is a direct threat to their fundamentalist goals of oppression and intolerance. Iraq has the ability to demonstrate that a free society, tolerant of different religions and beliefs, can bring prosperity to the entire region.
Also, let us not forget Afghanistan. Prior to September 11, Afghanistan offered a sanctuary for terrorists under a brutal Taliban regime that repressed its women, denying them education and publicly executing those who did not obey the Taliban's backward teachings. Since the onset of Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan has made real and substantive progress in rejoining the global community. Afghanistan continues to confront obstacles, but the colossal steps forward that have already been taken should not be underestimated. Today, Afghanistan is approaching a historical presidential election with its women taking their rightful role in rebuilding their nation.
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Did you support or oppose the Dubai ports deal, and what steps have you taken to improve security at our nation's ports?
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I expressed concerns about the sale of a British company that handles the operations of many Americans ports to DP World, a company based in Dubai. The Administration stated that port security would not be directly controlled by DP World, nor would DP World be able to turn operation of the ports over to personnel not otherwise allowed to work in this country. However, I believe that Congress did not have adequate opportunity to review and investigate the security implications of this transaction. That is why, on March 16, 2006, I voted for legislation passed by the House, H.R. 4939, which included a provision to block the port deal. DP World ultimately ceased its attempt to pursue the deal and agreed to sell its U.S. operations to an American company.
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Do you support aid to the Palestinian Authority now that it is controlled by the terrorist group Hamas?
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I believe the Palestinian Authority (PA) should be given NO direct aid at this time. Congressionally-approved funds for the West Bank and Gaza Strip cannot be given directly to the PA. Such funds can be spent by nongovernmental organizations on specific humanitarian projects as needed. This aid includes a number of limitations and conditions. With the recent election victory of the terrorist group Hamas, hopes for restarting the dormant Middle East peace process appear dim. I cosponsored H.R. 4681, legislation that applies even more stringent restrictions on aid to the PA and the extent to which our government can deal with the regime. While I am hopeful peace can be achieved, I will ensure any money going to the Palestinians can only be used better the lives of the Palestinian people -- not to support terrorism.
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What are you doing to reduce the cost of gasoline?
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The high cost of fuel is draining economic growth. I was an original cosponsor of the Energy Policy Act (H.R. 6), and served on the conference committee between the House and Senate. This legislation, which was signed into law in summer 2005, encourages greater domestic production of oil, promotes greater refining capacity in order to bring more oil to market, and increases the gasoline supply by stopping the proliferation of expensive regional boutique fuels. Refining capacity has been reaching critical levels. No new refinery has been built in the U.S. in nearly 30 years. Total current capacity at operating refineries is 17 million barrels per day, while total U.S. demand is nearly 21 million barrels. That is why I also supported, and voted for, the Gasoline for America's Security Act of 2005 (H.R. 3893). This bill, which passed the House on October 7, 2005, but has been stymied by the Senate, will reform cumbersome regulations and encourage yet more refining capacity, while encouraging conservation through carpooling and van pooling.
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What are you doing to encourage the use of alternative and renewable energy?
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The Energy Policy Act, of which I was an original cosponsor, and a conferee with the Senate, was passed into law in summer 2005. This legislation promotes clean and renewable fuels by providing incentives for clean coal technology, hydrogen fuel cells, and renewable energies such as biomass, wind, solar and hydroelectricity. In addition, it requires greater energy conservation by establishing new mandatory efficiency requirements for federal buildings, and efficiency standards and product labeling for battery chargers, commercial refrigerators, freezers, unit heaters and other household products.
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What is your position on illegal immigration?
I believe that now, more than ever, our immigration policies have national security ramifications. I have and remain committed to opposing all forms of amnesty for those who snuck into our country illegally. That's why I voted for the House Immigration bill, H.R. 4437, the "Border Protection, Anti-terrorism and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005" on December 16, 2005. During the debate on H.R. 4437, I introduced an amendment which prohibits the granting of any immigration-related benefits, such as green cards and work benefits, to any legal alien without first getting a completed background check. Dozens of terrorists, including six of the 9/11 hijackers, were able to move freely throughout our nation because they were provided benefits, such as green cards and work permits, without first getting a complete background check. Although the law required background checks of alien applicants, it did not require that the checks be fully completed before the benefits are handed out. My amendment, which was agreed to by my colleagues by a 420-0 vote, closes that loophole.
Recently, the Senate passed a bill that makes illegal presence a misdemeanor offense, and includes provisions for granting citizenship to those already in the United States illegally. I oppose this bill. I continue to support the House bill because it still contains the strongest provisions on border security and enforcement. This bill that recently passed the Senate will go to conference with Members from both Houses to work out a compromise bill. After this conference, the resulting legislation will again go to both the Senate and the House of Representatives for a final vote. Let me assure you that I will oppose any bill that contains amnesty provisions.
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Stearns' amendment to HR 4437, House Immigration Bill-
Dozens of terrorists, including six of the 9/11 hijackers, were able to move freely throughout our nation because they were provided benefits, such as green cards and work permits, without first getting a complete background check. Although current law requires background checks of alien applicants, the checks do not have to be completed before benefits are handed out. My amendment closes that loophole.
The House approved by a vote of 420 to 0 my amendment to H.R. 4437, the Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act. My amendment will prohibit the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the U.S. Attorney General, and all courts from granting any kind of legal immigration status or benefits to an alien until, at a minimum, the alien's name is first completely checked against a database of criminal records and terrorist watchlists, using the Treasury Enforcement Communications System (TECS) database.
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Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit (Part D)
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The Medicare Prescription Drug and Modernization Act (MMA) updated Medicare by providing a voluntary prescription drug benefit and other reforms. I strongly support the consumer choice that this bill embodies, in which Americans greatly believe: it is the hallmark of our culture. It is only through the free market, not a one-size-fits-all, government-run program, that we can bring costs down and maintain quality, providing low cost pharmaceutical drugs to citizens. And in fact, we are finding that a large majority of seniors who have already enrolled in Part D found the process easier than expected, and they are saving money. A variety of plans are available, giving beneficiaries the advantage of choosing the plan that best meets their needs. While at times the choices may seem overwhelming, I emphasize that help is available. Medicare will tailor a list for your needs and preferences, at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or www.medicare.gov. Further, the State of Florida, through the SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) counseling program of volunteers provides one-on-one beneficiary counseling, at (850) 414-2000. So, many partners are ready and willing to assist.
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Social Security
Social Security is our government's most popular domestic program. Over some seven decades, Social Security has provided retirement security for tens of millions of Americans. Four generations of Americans have relied on the Government to keep the promises it made to them during their working years. As demographics change and costs increase, the challenge we face is ensuring that the Social Security system is strengthened for tomorrow's retirees. Like many, I am concerned with meeting the challenge of longevity and solvency of this important government program.
Why is Social Security Important?
Without Social Security, almost half of seniors would live in poverty. About two out of three seniors rely on Social Security for at least half of their income, and about one in five rely on social Security for all of their income.
My Goals on Social Security:
1. No changes in Social Security benefits for current beneficiaries or near retirees;
2. No payroll tax increases;
3. Return to budget surpluses to extend the long-term solvency of Social Security;
The bottom line - Seniors and near-retirees will receive every penny in Social Security benefits they have earned over a lifetime of hard work.
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Do you support the Fair Tax Act?
I am committed to reducing the burden on taxpayers and I want a new system that is simpler and fairer. One of the proposals I support is H.R. 25, the FairTax Act of 2005. The FairTax would be a single tax of about 23 percent on all new goods and services paid (collected) at the point of final purchase. Designed to be revenue-neutral, the tax would be determined by how much would be needed to match what is collected under the current federal tax system. H.R. 25 would replace the present 55,000 pages of the Federal Tax Code with 133 pages. More importantly, H.R. 25 eliminates individual income taxes, corporate taxes, payroll taxes, self-employment taxes, capital gains taxes, and death taxes. This simple measure replaces all of those taxes with a single personal consumption tax. Removing the current tax disincentives for savings and investments would mean greater economic development and lower interest rates. That translates into new jobs, new industries, and new opportunities. Also, the 50 million foreign visitors we receive each year will pay this federal tax on their purchases.
As far as fairness is concerned, the wealthy buy more goods and services, so they will pay more in taxes. Each month, consumers would receive a rebate based on an annualized amount to prevent the poor from being "taxed" on their purchases of essential items such as food, clothing, and medicine. The rebate is designed to reimburse low-income families for the costs of the consumption tax.
Not only does this enhance simplicity and fairness, it eliminates the massive expense in time and money in complying with the current tax code. Today, it costs individuals and businesses in America $500 billion a year to pay $2 trillion in taxes.
Without withholdings, the American people will receive every cent of their paychecks, pensions, and Social Security benefits. As for supporting Social Security, H.R. 25 eliminates the payroll tax and replaces those funds, dollar for dollar, from the consumption tax collected.
I see the current tax code as cumbersome, expensive, and a deterrent to economic growth. The FairTax would replace these deficiencies with a simple system that fully funds our government, and Social Security and Medicare programs, while eliminating taxes on wages, investments, and savings. Above all, I believe that we should stop amending and rewriting the current tax code, and replace it with a system that reflects the realities of the 21st century.
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What is your position on our veterans?
As an Air Force veteran myself, I have an appreciation for our veterans and the sacrifices they have made, and continue to make. I have been a leading advocate for increasing funding for the VA. For years, I pushed for establishing a VA cemetery in the Jacksonville area, and my proposal was finally enacted leading to a new VA cemetery set to open in 2009. I actively support the VA's Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services (CARES) plan, which calls for a new Regional Health Care Facility in Marion County and expansion of the VA Hospital in Gainesville.
I was Chairman of the Veterans Health Subcommittee from 1997 to 2000; Vice Chairman from 2001 to 2002; and Vice Chairman again since 2005. My Veterans Millennium Health Care & Benefits Act, H.R. 2116, was signed into law in 1999. Those health provisions have improved access to long-term care for disabled veterans and expanded 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 that I authored, were combined with other veteran legislation and enacted as S. 1402. The health-care personnel provisions contained in that Act guarantees 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. I also succeeded in getting VA health clinics placed in Ocala and Leesburg. In September 2005, the House passed my resolution commemorating the 60th Anniversary of V-J Day.
I am a long-standing leader in advocating and voting for generous funding for veterans' earned benefits. Most recently, the FY 2007 Appropriations (HR 5385) for the VA continues this commitment. Overall, HR 5385 funds $77.9 billion for the VA in total. Specifically for health, this includes $25.4 billion for medical care - an 11.5% increase over the 2006 enacted level. This does not include the President's proposed fee increases (co-pays and deductibles). Also, HR 5385 funds $160.7 million (a 2.74% increase) for the National Cemetery Administration (NCA), which will fund the upcoming Jacksonville National Cemetery. Finally, there is sufficient funding for medical care construction through CARES to ensure that the VA can put facilities and services where veterans live. This is especially relevant to this district, where an addition to the VA Malcom Randall Medical Center in Gainesville, and a new multi-specialty clinic in Summerfield have been authorized for construction in the near future previously mentioned.
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