Energy Independence

There is no single issue that is having a greater impact on our family budgets, our nations economy, and our national security than our dependence on foreign oil. America currently consumes 20 million barrels of foreign oil per day, 70% of of which is for automobiles. America must move towards greater energy independence. We must invest in clean energy; this includes the next generation of biofuels and development of commercial scale renewable energy. We need to double our efforts in science and research funding for energy projects that include biomass, solar and wind resources. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), in 20 years, wind can generate 20% of the U.S. electricity supply. It would reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 25% while creating half a million new American jobs.

We must continue to find new ways to: reduce carbon emissions; develop cleaner coal technology, and digital smart grids that could be used not only in America but also throughout the world. We must support and provide incentives to the development of more fuel-efficient vehicles, hybrid vehicles, and transportation that uses alternatives to gasoline. A mass transportation system for Utah County is critical in reducing congestion throughout the county and providing citizens with an alternative form or transportation.

I support developing oil shale in Utah. Here in the west we are sitting on 1.8 trillion barrels of oil from oil shale. We can ease our dependence on foreign oil while creating jobs at home.

Improving Education

No Child Left Behind has failed and must be repealed. I support hiring and retaining more qualified teachers with higher wages. Nearly 30% of first year teachers will leave the profession. Elevating teachers pay and giving them the necessary resources will improve teacher retention. I support expanding access to Pre-School, building more schools, and providing students at under-performing schools with the resources they need to succeed. It is unacceptable that America has one of the highest high school drop-out rates in the industrialized world. We must reduce class sizes so that teachers can better focus on the needs of each individual student. Investing in our schools is one of the best investments this country can make.

In just the past five years, college tuition has increased by 40%. The average college graduate has accumulated $19,000 in student loan debt. More funding needs to be available to those students who wish to get degrees in much-needed fields like Education, Engineering, Math, Nursing and Science. I support providing a tuition tax credit for college students, increasing Pell grants and simplifying student aid for all college students.

My Education Solution

1. Repeal No Child Left Behind.
2. Prioritize Math and Science education.
3. Invest in after school and outreach programs.
4. Increase pay for teachers.
5. Make college affordable for every American.

Supporting our Veterans and Military Families

We have a moral obligation to take care of the men, women, and families of those who defend this country. In this time of extended tours of duty, college has become increasingly important for military families. It is a credit to our nation that the new GI Bill passed with overwhelming bipartisan support.

The VA has already seen over 200,000 veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan. It is our obligation to guarantee quality health care for service men and women and every generation of veterans. I will fight for mandatory VA funding and ensure that returning troops have access to the education and opportunities to succeed in civilian life. Our veterans must know that we will take care of them as they take care of us.

I am committed to ensuring we provide adequate protection in the battlefield, and I will work to change our defense priorities from wasting billions of dollars in overpayment and unaccountable needless spending to contractors overseas, to funding our troops in the field and ensuring them the support they deserve when they come home.

Immigration Reform

I believe that America must have more border agents and must utilize new technology to prevent the flow of illegal immigrants across our borders. Addressing the root cause of illegal immigration begins with cracking down on employers who knowingly hire illegal workers and encourage lawbreaking. We must ensure that employers comply with the laws against hiring and exploiting undocumented workers. I support the implementation of an employer verification system that is universal, accurate, and will not discriminate.

Any discussion of immigration must include NAFTA. The North American Free Trade Agreement has been a disaster for the working class of both the U.S. and Mexico. A study by the Economic Policy Institute found that over 1 million U.S. jobs were lost as a result of NAFTA. In Mexico, 1.3 million farm workers lost their jobs in the same period. This has led to a wave of illegal immigrants looking for work in the U.S. Reforming unfair trade policies spawned by measures like NAFTA will stimulate job growth on both sides of the border and encourage illegal immigrants to return home.

5 points on illegal immigration that I will address in Congress:

1. Stop illegal immigrants at the border.
2. Improve the ability to identify and track illegal immigrants through technology.
3. Remove incentives to enter our country illegally by punishing employers who hire undocumented workers.
4. Bring undocumented immigrants out of the shadows and permit those who are in good standing to pay a fine, learn English, and get in line to become legal US citizens.
5. Work with nations, like Mexico, to find a solution that will stem the flow of illegal immigrants on both sides of the border.

Real Security for America

The first responsibility of our government is the security of every American. The best way to keep America safe in a post 9/11 world is through a strong national security strategy that strengthens our allies, and addresses the threat posed by our enemies. We must implement the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission and fulfill the commitments made by Congress in the 9/11 bill. We must protect our ports and our borders and help local communities in case of terrorist threats and natural disasters.

Health Care

Access to quality, affordable health care is necessary for the well being of America. We must address the needs of the 46 million uninsured Americans and strengthen Medicare. I support funding new research into cures for diseases, and giving patients the ability to challenge the decisions of health insurers. We must address these critical issues and meet the pressing health care concerns of our nation. I am proud to stand with Orrin Hatch in support of the State Childrens Health Insurance Plan (SCHIP) which will provide medical insurance to 10 million children who would otherwise have no access to quality health care.

Between the programs creation in 1997 and 2005, the number of uninsured children in America was reduced by 33 percent. Today, over 6 million children benefit from SCHIP. In 2006, on average 35,000 Utah children were provided health care.

Gun Ownership

I am committed to upholding the U.S. Constitution. As a firm believer in the 2nd amendment I support the rights of all Americans to bear arms.

A Cleaner Utah

Utah deserves a Representative in Washington who will support America in being a world leader in pollution control. I support raising fuel economy standards for all vehicles and improving energy efficiency in public buildings, such as offices and schools. Switching to clean fuel requires hundreds of thousands of new workers. Currently, the environmental industry employs over five million Americans. Together, we can clean the environment while creating new job opportunities.