On the Issues

Jobs and the Economy

Kentuckians continue to feel the effects of the economic recession, with many still being unable to find work. Creating jobs and getting our economy back on track is my top priority in Washington and I am committed to enacting policies which will spur economic growth and bring new industries to the First Congressional District. To accomplish this goal, we must support small businesses - which create 3 out of every 5 jobs in America - keep taxes low and invest in new energy technologies, which will also create new jobs. We must have federal policies that ensure the U.S. can be competitive in the global marketplace, provide tax incentives and liberalize expensing and depreciation write-offs for capital investments so that businesses can grow and hire more people.

I also believe we need to lower the tax burden on Kentucky families to help spur economic growth. I have consistently voted for letting Kentuckians keep more of their hard earned tax dollars. I want to make the child tax credits for families permanent and end the death tax for those passing on a family farm or small business. With policies like these we can facilitate economic development and bring new businesses to the Commonwealth.

Energy

One of the best ways to spur economic growth and create new jobs is by investing in new energy technologies. Kentucky has long been an energy leader and I have worked to enact policies which utilize resources we have right in our own backyard, including coal, while lowering costs for consumers.

Coal continues to be one of the Commonwealth’s most abundant natural resources. Kentucky generates 92% of its electricity from coal and the industry directly employs more than 17,000 people across the state. Eliminating coal from our nation’s energy portfolio is simply not an option and I will continue to do all that I can to ensure our ability to use this valuable Kentucky resource.

In addition to coal, western Kentucky also harnesses nuclear technologies. The Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant is the government's only uranium enrichment plant and has helped provide for our nation’s energy and defense needs for the past fifty years. The enriched uranium fuel from the Paducah Plant helps power our nation’s commercial nuclear power plants. I have introduced legislation that could help keep the plant in Paducah open and running past its expected closure date. This could help keep Kentuckians working, and also provide for the sale of waste materials that could yield the government billions of dollars in revenue.

Kentucky has also proven itself to be a leader in the development and use of hydropower, biodiesel and ethanol. The First District is home to the state’s only ethanol plant, the Commonwealth Agri Energy Ethanol plant in Hopkinsville. Each year millions of bushels of corn are used to produce over 30 million gallons of ethanol.

President Obama's Administration has tried to enact sweeping climate change regulations which would have a devastating impact on Kentucky’s energy sector. I opposed this proposal because it will not only be a giant blow to the Commonwealth’s coal industry, which employs thousands of people and generates millions of dollars for local economies, but it will force Kentuckians already reeling from the economic recession to foot the bill through higher energy costs. I will continue to fight against the implementation of a cap and trade system and do all that I can to propel our state into becoming the leader in energy development for our nation.

Healthcare

Serving on the House Subcommittee on Health, I have used my position to advocate for policies which will improve access to quality, affordable healthcare and lower the cost of insurance. I was proud to help establish the first Medicare Prescription drug benefit plan for seniors and have supported efforts to help small businesses provide health insurance to their employees. I have also been a strong advocate for the expansion of community health centers as they fill a much-needed gap in the country’s health safety net for low- and middle-income families. For the past five years I have been honored by the National Association of Community Health Centers as a “Distinguished Health Champion” for my efforts to improve health care access to medically underserved populations.

Last year, Congress passed President Obama’s controversial healthcare reform legislation. I opposed this new law for a number of reasons and support repealing many of its provisions. My main concerns about this legislation were over the impact the bill will have on the quality and cost of care Kentuckians receive; how it will affect small businesses owners already hard-hit in the midst of the economic recession; the impact this package will have on the national debt; the cuts to Medicare services; and the negative impact it will have on consumer choice. As a Member of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, I worked hard to make improvements to the bill as it made its way through Congress and introduced “10 Steps to a Healthier America,” a package of proposals which would have increased access to quality healthcare and services while lowering costs for all Americans. Moving forward, I have co-sponsored legislation to repeal the healthcare law and am working to find ways to improve the new policy.

National Debt

As many Kentuckians know, the U.S. currently faces the largest federal debt in our nation’s history. This kind of debt poses serious threats to our economy, national security and our place as the world leader. While this will involve making some tough choices, I believe the federal government must scale back its spending across the board, adopt Pay-As-You-Go rules that cannot be waived and adopt a two-year budget cycle.

I voted against the $700 billion Wall Street Bailout, the $787 billion stimulus bill, the $300 billion takeover of the mortgage industry and other wasteful Washington spending passed through the House of Representatives. I have also introduced legislation to ensure Congress pays for any new programs it approves. In addition, I have championed efforts to make Congress operate on a two year budget cycle, authorizing federal programs one year and the next year appropriating money for these programs. This will force Congress to take a second look at all federal programs and only fund those which are truly deserving.

Immigration

Illegal immigration has become one of the greatest challenges facing our nation. With an estimated 11 million undocumented individuals currently living in the United States, and thousands more crossing the border unlawfully every week, there is little doubt that current efforts to curb illegal immigration are simply not working.

I am committed to cracking down on illegal immigration and securing our borders. This is a national problem that must be addressed on a federal level. The U.S. needs to not only better enforce its current immigration laws, but update them to address the ever-changing threats to the nation’s borders, security and economy. I have long been a supporter of immigration reform and am a cosponsor of the SAVE Act, which is a common sense plan to drastically curb illegal immigration in America by emphasizing border security, employer verification and interior enforcement.

National Defense

I am proud to represent the thousands of soldiers, and their families, stationed at Fort Campbell, base for the 101st Airborne Division, the 160th Special Operations Aviation Command, and the 5th Special Forces Group. I am committed to ensuring our brave men and women in uniform have the funding and resources they need to complete our missions abroad and protect Americans here at home.

I have been pleased to help secure nearly $1 billion in military approrpriations for our troops serving at Fort Campbell. More than $90 million of this funding has been used for critical military construction and family housing projects at Fort Campbell and millions more for weapons programs to enhance the military readiness of soldiers at the base. I have consistently voted to increase defense spending to include significant pay increases and benefits for active-duty and retired military members. I will continue to use my position in Congress to provide all that is necessary for the military personnel stationed in the First Congressional District.

Agriculture

Kentucky’s agriculture industry continues to be the backbone of the Commonwealth’s economy. I recognize the invaluable role farmers play in feeding our nation and the world. Farmers only account for 2% of the American population, but each one grows enough food to feed 144 other people. I am committed to doing all that I can to ensure the success of Kentucky farmers and have consistently supported policies which help producers flourish.

The Farm Bill is an important safety net for Kentucky farmers and in 2008 I was one of only 16 Republicans who supported the reauthorization of the bill. The Farm Bill is set to be reauthorized in 2012 and debate has already begun about how to proceed. Given the unpredictable nature of agriculture production, we must make certain there is some system of federal involvement in risk management, commodity programs, and disaster assistance to ensure the continued domestic production of food and fiber.

Veterans

Our nation owes our veterans a debt of gratitude we can never fully repay. We owe them quality medical care, accessible education and a guarantee that their sacrifices were not made in vain. I have worked to increase and improve benefits for our nation’s veterans and the veterans’ budget has increased 94% since I have come to Congress.

I was proud to help establish four outpatient clinics for veterans in the First District to ensure veterans have easy access to quality medical care. I also worked to increase the mileage reimbursement for veterans forced to drive long distances to VA hospitals for their healthcare. I was pleased to support a 21st Century G.I. bill that provides $62.8 billion over the next decade to expand the educational benefits the United States offers to the brave men and women who have served since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The new education program the bill establishes provides up to 36 months in lump-sum tuition payments equal to the highest in-state tuition rate in each state, a monthly housing stipend and a $1,000 annual payment for books and supplies.