Jobs and the Economy

Millions of Americans are out of work and looking for jobs. Businesses trying to grow face the barriers of skyrocketing employee benefit costs and unnecessary delays caused by the government. If a business can overcome these barriers they must then overcome the hurdles of cumbersome regulations and an overly complex tax code which causes way too much uncertainty for a business to start, expand, or create new jobs. I will work to ease these burdens and fight for a simpler tax code to stabilize the economic environment and create the climate necessary for businesses to succeed.

National Debt

America’s debt isn’t just an economic problem, it’s a national security problem as well. We’re leaving future generations with trillions of dollars owed to foreign governments. We must rein in the federal government’s bad habits, cut wasteful spending, and institute meaningful reform to reduce our debt.

Healthcare

Expanding the role of the federal government in healthcare coverage is the wrong approach. Individuals need to have more choices when it comes to their healthcare coverage in order to lower costs. We must do more to incentivize providers to expand healthcare accessibility to those in need.

National Security

As a member of Congress, I will refuse to compromise on our national security. There is no more vital a role of the federal government than keeping our citizens safe. We must make sure that our military commanders have the tools and funding they need to do their job and keep our soldiers the best-equipped fighting force in the world. Our government must also make sure that we live up to our commitments to our troops, their families, and our veterans.

Energy

In order to reach energy independence, we must encourage market-driven renewable energy and expand domestic production of traditional energy like coal, gas and oil. I do not support “cap and trade”-type programs that serve to drive up costs for small businesses and consumers with questionable environmental benefits.

Education

A top-notch education system is critical to the economic future of our country. My wife, Sandi, is an elementary education teacher and PTA President and I teach at a local college. I am a product of Delaware’s public school system and all three of our children attend public schools here in Delaware. I believe parents need to have choices in education to find the best option for their children and that the top-down mandates from the federal government have done little to improve the quality in our local schools. As an engineering graduate of the University of Delaware, I’m particularly concerned about our math and science education. We must have a renewed emphasis on math and science as we compete on the global stage in the 21st century.