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• 5th Generation Arkansan
• Husband and Father
• Member, Immanuel Baptist
• 14 Year Army JAG Officer |
• Small Businessman
• Iraq War Veteran
• Former Prosecutor
• Big Brother Volunteer |
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We are Exceptional: I am a believer in the concept of American Exceptionalism. I believe our Constitution, our people, our free markets and our workers have allowed our nation to become the world leader both militarily and economically. What makes us exceptional is what makes us free and what has allowed our nation to do so much in such a short period of time.
Different than Europe: Our Republic is different than European democracies, and our strength lies in our differences.
At Risk : Our nation runs the risk of losing our place of primacy due to our runaway deficit spending and growing national debt is financed by foreign powers. The focus of our government should be on reducing the debt. Our nation’s strength has been based on our prosperity. The sooner we get our financial house in order, the stronger our foundation will be and the more durable our position of leadership.
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Yes to Suspending Congressional Pay: Congress ought to pass appropriations (spending) bills on time, every year. When it doesn’t, Member's pay should be suspended until the bills are passed. Congress' now-routine failure to pass spending bills on time leads to massive omnibus legislation that receive little debate on the floor due in part to their massive size, making them an easy target for wasteful earmarks. Congress needs to follow its own rules!
No to Automatic Congressional Pay Raise: The automatic ‘cost of living’ adjustment for Members of Congress is an insult to the struggling families and record long-term jobless in our country. I will not accept the automatic pay raise. I will offer legislation to do away with it and require any increase in compensation to be voted on publicly.
Yes to the 72-hour Rule: Transparency is what Arkansans are demanding from their elected officials, and non-emergency legislation should be posted online, without exception, for public review at least 72 hours prior to a vote. As your congressman, I will support an amendment to the House rules to require a 72-hour online review window for legislation and conference reports.
No to the Congressional Pension : It is a privilege to serve the people of Arkansas in Congress; it is not about earning perks. I will not accept a congressional pension and will only accept the benefits available to all federal employees. American taxpayers already pay too much to fund government; there is no need for them to pay for my life after I return home from serving as a citizen legislator. I will work to pass legislation that brings the congressional pension plan in line with other federal employees.
Yes to Self-Imposed Term Limits: Our Republic was created with ‘citizen legislators’ in mind, not career ones. I will support a Constitutional amendment to limit the terms one can serve in Congress. Furthermore, I pledge to limit myself to 6 terms (or 12 years) in the House.
No to Earmarks: The current earmark process has contributed to the corruption of our system. As your next congressman, I will oppose earmarks and seek reform of the earmark and spending process. Proposed spending projects should undergo a thorough and transparent authorization and appropriations process to determine their worthiness. Federal government spending should be decided on the merits of the project.
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Yes to Frequent Town Halls: I will hold frequent town hall meetings in every county of the Second District to ensure accountability and transparency. I will be accessible to constituents and make an appointment to visit with them where they live instead of asking them to make an appointment with my office.
Yes to Arkansas, Not Party: I will vote for the common sense conservative values that we hold dear in Arkansas – values which are being ignored in Washington. As your next congressman, the voice of Arkansans will be my priority.
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Tax Relief: I believe the best way to get the economy going and create jobs is to put more money in the pockets of taxpayers. Tax relief encourages sustainable economic growth, innovation and job creation.
Empower Families : Ease the tax burden on individuals and families and allow them to make financial decisions based on their own priorities, not those of Washington.
Extend Existing Tax Relief : In a struggling economy, the last thing government needs to do is increase taxes. Taxpayers need to keep their money in their pockets. If tax relief expires at the end of the year, I will fight to reinstate it.
Save Families From The Death Tax: The estate tax, also known as the “death tax,” is set to return in 2011 at a rate of 55%. This will be devastating for families who own farms and small businesses. We work hard for our children and families and should not be handing over half of that future to the government.
Oppose the Value Added Tax: The Value Added Tax (VAT) would be a job-killer and send even more taxpayer money to Washington. I will fight against all efforts to pass the VAT.
Keep Business Competitive: Oppose any taxes that put American business at a competitive disadvantage in the global economy.
Reform the Tax Code: The complexities of the current tax code end up costing Americans billions of dollars to comply. We must look at ways to make the tax code simpler, fairer and flatter so Americans are treated equally. I oppose a consumption tax or a national sales tax and believe our main objective must be to reduce both the tax burden and the compliance burden for Americans. We must stop government from picking winners and losers and rewarding special interests through the tax code.
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Rely on Private Sector: Washington must stop its misplaced reliance on government to create jobs. Since the “stimulus” law was enacted, unemployment has risen to nearly 10%. Almost half of the unemployed in this country have been without work for over six months. We must give the tools to the private sector to create jobs.
Do No Harm: The common sense approach to job creation is to first ‘do no harm.’ If a piece of legislation makes it harder for employers to create jobs through higher taxes, more mandates or increased regulation, for example, I will oppose it.
Create Certainty: As a small business owner, I understand the challenges that Arkansas employers face. We need certainty that our tax rates will not skyrocket at the end of this year, or that card check legislation won’t make it easier for unions to organize. How can employers make plans to invest and create jobs when they don’t know what Washington is going to do?
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Small Businesses are the Job Creators: As a small business owner, I understand the struggles that small business owners have making ends meet and the burden that federal taxes and regulations can have. I understand that small business is the primary job-creating engine of our economy.
Tax Rebates or Tax Cuts? Tax rebates are not associated with productivity and are indistinguishable from government spending – they attempt to create purchasing power out of thin air. Cutting marginal tax rates on workers and employers will add to our capacity for growth and give employers the means to create new jobs by increasing the incentive to work, save and invest.
Do Not Pass Card Check : Arkansas is a right to work state with only 4% of its workforce unionized. Small business employers and workers should not be threatened with the prospect of being forced to accept a union with no guarantee of a secret ballot vote. I oppose the Employee Free Choice Act, commonly referred to as “card check,” and believe in maintaining the secret ballot for union elections. I oppose any attempt to end or weaken the use of secret ballots in union elections. I oppose any attempts at forced unionization. It’s bad for business and hurts job creation.
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Lack of Leadership: There has been a lack of leadership in the House of Representatives to restrain runaway spending. Domestic, discretionary spending has increased 84 percent under President Obama.Washington needs to be taught the four words: “We can’t afford it!”
Greatest Threat: The national debt is the greatest threat facing the United States: We can’t fight terrorism if we can’t field an army, and we can’t field an army if we are bankrupt.
Cancel Unused TARP Funds: As your next congressman, I will fight to reign in our spending starting with the remaining unused funds from the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP). Congress should prohibit the Treasury Secretary from entering into any new TARP commitments so we can take the remaining TARP balance and pay down the debt. We must also stop rewarding corporate irresponsibility by ending the practice of taxpayer-funded bailouts.
Cancel Unused Stimulus Funds: The “stimulus” plan has not created the jobs that were promised the American people. In order to reduce the deficit, we should rescind all unobligated “stimulus” money.
Balanced Budget: I will work to pass a Balance Budget Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
Reduce Spending & Size of Government: By returning non-defense discretionary spending to pre-“stimulus” levels, we can save up to $925 billion. We must also trim the size of government by reducing the civilian workforce, exempting the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security and Veterans Affairs, to pre-Obama levels, saving an estimated $35 billion. We can also save $30 billion by freezing the level of Federal civilian pay for one year.
Entitlement Spending: I support efforts to reform entitlement spending which without reform will inevitably lead to increased federal budgets and national debt. Social Security and Medicare are important programs, and common sense reform is necessary so they are available to future generations.
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Preserving Our Promise to Seniors: I am committed to saving social security and keeping the promise America has made to our seniors. As a result, I oppose raising the retirement age for current seniors and raising taxes on our seniors. As your next Congressman, I will lead the effort for common sense, bi-partisan solutions and will work across the aisle to ensure current and future retirees have the security they were promised. I oppose the privatization of Social Security.
Speaker Pelosi’s Medicare Cuts Were Wrong: The Obama-Pelosi health care law cut Medicare by $500 billion and Medicare Advantage by billions. According to recent statistics, over 50,000 Arkansans rely on Medicare Advantage.
Speaker Pelosi’s Agenda Threatens Social Security and Medicare: Out-of-control spending by Speaker Pelosi’s Congress is threatening the future of Social Security and Medicare.
Medicare Fraud Costs Taxpayers Billion: Medicare waste, fraud and abuse results in billions and billions of lost taxpayer dollars. We must use common sense solutions like credit card technology to address the estimated $60 billion lost annually to Medicare fraud.
We Must Preserve Seniors Access to Their Doctors: Year after year Congress fails to address Medicare reimbursement formula for doctors. As a result, more and more doctors refuse to accept Medicare are patients, resulting in less access to the physicians seniors want to see. We must create a fair, equitable, common sense and long-term fix to the Medicare payment system.
Economic Security Is Important to Seniors: Seniors are a critical part of our workforce and a vibrant and job-creating economy is important to seniors. The quicker we get the private sector creating jobs, the sooner more seniors can get back to work.
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Repeal and Replace: In March, Speaker Pelosi and her allies in Congress ignored the will of the American people by passing an over-reaching, trillion-dollar health care bill that will result in more debt, more spending and more government involvement in our lives. In January, I signed a pledge to repeal the health care bill, replacing it with real reforms that will lead to lower costs without growing the reach of government into our lives.
Reform is Necessary: There is no question our health care system needs reform. The key to that reform is less bureaucracy, more choices for patients and the guarantee that health care decisions will be made by doctors and their patients – not government bureaucrats.
Free Market Solutions: Our health care system can be improved by promoting free market solutions such as health savings accounts, allowing small businesses and other small groups to pool together to buy insurance and allow interstate competition for health insurance portability. I am opposed to government run health care, often referred to as the single-payer option. We should also encourage uniformity of forms and administrative procedures for insurance companies to make the health care system more efficient, thereby saving money.
Common Sense Solutions: We must allow individuals with pre-existing health conditions access to insurance and tort reform to reduce the cost of malpractice insurance doctors pay and pass the cost on to patients.
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Critical to Future: Energy independence is critical to both our national security and our economic future. We must make use of America’s known energy sources and encourage exploration and resource development.
Oppose Cap and Trade: The cap and trade energy tax would cripple natural resource development in Arkansas, kill thousands of Arkansas jobs and impose an energy tax on consumers. It is bad legislation, and I oppose it.
Alternative Energy: I support development of alternative energy sources as well as more efficient use of existing energy sources such as natural gas, nuclear, coal and oil. I believe America’s long-term energy independence will be a combination of current and emerging technologies.
Hold Companies Accountable: I believe BP should pay all costs associated with the disaster in the Gulf of Mexico and that the current 20-year-old liability cap should be raised.
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High-Quality Care: We owe veterans honor, gratitude and respect. And we owe veterans the highest quality health care and benefits. I support providing all the necessary funding to care for our veterans, especially those who are older and disabled.
A Lack of Veterans in Congress: As an Iraq War veteran, the grandson of a World War I veteran and a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion, I have a first-hand appreciation of the courage, sacrifice and service of veterans past and present. Sadly, the voice of veterans in Congress continues to get weaker as only 22% of our representatives have any military experience.
Military Understanding Needed: Arkansas’s Second District is home to over 70,000 veterans and thousands of active military, Guardsmen and Reserve. I believe our next congressman needs to understand military life and what it means to wear our nation’s uniform.
‘Leave No One Behind’: I am a firm believer in the tradition of “Leave no one behind.” Sadly, one million of our brothers and sisters are being left behind by the Veterans Administration in the form of backlogged claims. This is unacceptable. I will fight to reduce the backlog and do all I can to fulfill the debt we owe our veterans and their families.
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Vigilance: America must remain vigilant to the threat posed by terrorists and support measures to keep Americans safe, such as monitoring terrorist communications.
Winning in Afghanistan: We must win the war in Afghanistan. Moreover, we have an obligation to leave Afghanistan stable and in a position to govern themselves. The war in Afghanistan represents the front line of our war on terrorism.
Iraq: I served in Iraq and believe we have an obligation to leave the country in a position to govern itself. The March 7 parliamentary elections are proof that the 2007 surge was both a military and political success. I will fight to ensure our remaining troops have all the tools and support they need so they are properly equipped and can do their job safely and effectively.
Iran: Under no circumstances should Iran be allowed nuclear weapons. In order to prevent this from occurring, all options should be considered.
Israel: America has no greater ally than Israel. We were the first nation to recognize Israel as a country and our unique bond is based on a core set of values that includes democracy, individual freedoms and entrepreneurship. I steadfastly support Israel’s right to defend itself against attack. I also support continued aid and security assistance to Israel.
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Free and Fair Trade: I support free trade provided that there is a level playing field between the U.S. and other countries, including basic labor and environmental standards.
Implement the Pending Trade Agreements: Increasing exports just one percent would create hundreds of thousands of jobs. The USITC estimates an increase in exports if the pending trade agreements are implemented. By failing to act on these agreements, the Congress and the President are preventing job creation. We must pass the Panamanian, Korean and Columbian Free Trade Agreements sooner rather than later. In 2008, the value of Arkansas exports to South Korea was $133 million. Implementation of these agreements will result in increased opportunities for Arkansas.
Making Arkansas ‘Business Friendly’: The federal and state governments should work together to make America more business-friendly to companies considering moving their operations abroad and to foreign companies considering a move to Arkansas.
Immigration
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Secure the Border: Our borders are not secure because of the federal government has failed its responsibilities. Any attempt at immigration reform must start with securing the border. The unsecured U.S. border is first and foremost a national security issue and should be treated that way.
No Amnesty: I support a fair and commonsense approach to immigration reform that gives priority to those who have followed the rules and waited their turn to become American citizens. I oppose amnesty for illegal immigrants – we should not reward lawbreakers. Also, I oppose college scholarships for illegal aliens.
Expand E-Verify: We should enforce current immigration laws on illegal immigrants and the employers who hire them. As such, employers should be empowered to determine the legal status of their workers in a quick and accurate manner. The E-Verify system should be expanded and funded.
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Protecting the Future: I owe it to my children to be a responsible steward of our environment and natural resources. I support common sense solutions to environmental questions that address long-term concerns while not putting American businesses at a competitive disadvantage in the global economy.
Energy Jobs: In order to create new jobs in the energy sector and become an energy efficient nation, we must allow entrepreneurs to be creative and innovate. We do not need additional big-government mandates. We need a comprehensive energy policy that allows employers to create new jobs while promoting efficiency through alternative energy and natural resources.
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Homegrown Values: The values I learned growing up in Arkansas are the values I will take with me to Washington. The importance of family and the sanctity of life are fundamental principles that guide me as a husband and a father.
Pro-Life: I am pro-life. I am against abortion with the exceptions of rape, incest and life of the mother. I support a ban on partial-birth abortion. I believe we should encourage adoption.
Responsible Fathers: Fathers must take responsibility for their children. It is wrong to abandon women and children without support.
Traditional Marriage: I believe marriage should be between one man and one woman. I strongly support the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) which allows Arkansas to have its traditional marriage law on the books. I will oppose any effort to repeal DOMA.
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Adherence to the Constitution: Our rights as citizens must be defended. The federal government should not infringe on matters that are reserved to the states. Judges should interpret the law, not legislate from the bench.
The Second Amendment: I am a soldier, gun owner and 10+ year member of the National Rifle Association. I salute the recent decision of the Supreme Court in McDonald v. Chicago. The Court made clear what many of us have long believed: the Second Amendment applies to state and local governments, not just the federal government.
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Accountability: Every education decision we make should be with one constituency in mind: the students. I believe we should demand accountability to ensure that students are learning the necessary skills to be successful in the future.
Parental Choice: Parents should have the means to determine how their children are educated and where their children go to school. I support vouchers and other innovative educational options such as magnet and charter schools so parents can be able to move their children from a failing school.
Home Schooling: I fully support the rights of parents to home school their kids.
Teacher Pay: I support merit-based pay for public school teachers to reward those who excel at teaching our children.
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Safer Communities: Keeping our communities safe is one of the basic functions of government, and as a former prosecutor I understand the need for a tough but fair criminal justice system.
Trained & Funded: There is no substitute for well-trained and properly financed law enforcement and first responders.
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