Issues
Economy/Jobs
I support policies that empower the private sector – especially small businesses – to create jobs and spur economic growth. Small businesses are responsible for 70% of America’s jobs, and when government grows – as it has under President Obama and Speaker Pelosi – it crowds out growth in the private sector. We need to cut taxes, reduce government spending, and balance the budget. That will give small business owners the confidence they need to invest, innovate, and expand.
Unfortunately, Congress and the White House have pursued a different agenda. They passed a $787 billion stimulus bill, tripled the federal deficit to $1.4 trillion per year, and starting January 1, 2011, they will implement the largest tax increase in U.S. history. I oppose these “tax, spend, and borrow” policies which have clearly failed. Since January 2009, we have lost 3 million private sector jobs while the government has gained jobs. 15 million Americans are out of work. Unemployment is at its highest level in 30 years.
I will continue to advocate for policies that unleash the power of free minds and free markets; and I will continue to oppose policies that take money out of the hands of hard-working taxpayers to reward the special interests.
National Debt/Government Spending
Like most Americans, I am gravely concerned by the out-of-control spending and borrowing in Washington, D.C., which continues to grow day by day, increasing the debt burden on our children and grandchildren, with no sign of interest by Congress or the White House.
President Obama and Speaker Pelosi said they were going to solve an economic crisis caused by too much spending and borrowing with more spending and borrowing – and the results speak for themselves. Since January 2009, the national debt has grown by $2.5 trillion, and it continues to grow by $5 billion per day – three times the pace of the previous Administration. Today, the national debt is at $13 trillion (or $44,000 per person). And according to the President’s own Budget Director, we are expected to borrow $10 trillion (half of it from other countries, especially China) over the next 10 years. That is unacceptable.
To get our fiscal house in order, I am advocating putting an immediate end to unused stimulus funds (saving $250 billion), returning federal spending to Fiscal Year 2008 levels (saving $350 billion), terminating the Wall Street bailout, and repealing the $1.3 trillion radical health care bill. That will stop the problem from getting worse, but to truly solve the problem, we also need pro-active constitutional reforms. I am a champion for a balanced budget amendment, a line-item veto, and a constitutional amendment to limit government spending to 20% of the U.S. economy (it’s 27% today).
Health Care
I voted against President Obama’s radical health care bill because it increases premiums for working families (10-13% according to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office), raises taxes on small businesses, and cuts Medicare for seniors.
The bill was also too expensive ($1.3 trillion) and it will increase the deficit at a time when government spending is already out of control and the national debt is at $13 trillion.
This bill will also be a job killer. After the bill passed, America’s major corporations filed statements with the government on how the bill’s tax changes would affect their earnings (as they’re required to do by law). Boeing said it would take a $150 million hit. AT&T said it would have to pay $1 billion. The list goes on. All of these companies will be affected.
The Obama-Pelosi bill will also put tremendous strains on our private health care system. Since the bill requires 16 million more people to enroll in Medicaid - and since Medicaid reimburses only slightly more than half of medical costs - that will obviously have a devastating financial impact on doctors and hospitals.
I want to repeal the health care bill and replace it with a better bill based on common-sense, market-based solutions to increase health care access and lower costs for all Americans.
We should allow businesses to pool together to purchase insurance, permit insurance to be sold across state lines, and limit junk lawsuits.
We should also promote healthier lifestyles, deploy new health technologies, and expand access to care in rural areas. That’s what the American people want and deserve.
Agriculture
I was born to a farming family with deep roots in Eastern Washington. Growing up, I worked on the family orchard side by side with my parents and younger brother. Later on, I helped manage the family business. I know first-hand the challenges facing our family farms and ranches.
As a member of Congress, I’ve brought these experiences to our nation’s capital. I was proud to serve as a conferee on the 2007 Farm Bill, which was enacted into law in 2008, representing the interests of Eastern Washington farmers and ranchers. I continue to support policies that expand markets for our farmers, reduce their energy costs, increase their water supply and assure the future vitality of our land. I remain committed to Eastern Washington’s agricultural community.
Energy
The United States is blessed with tremendous energy resources – including the greatest resource of all: The ingenuity of the free American mind. And yet right now, we as a nation import $400 billion of energy every year. Instead of borrowing money from China to buy oil from Saudi Arabia, we should keep those energy dollars here in America for American jobs.
We need a bold, comprehensive energy plan for the 21st century. And the basic principle of that plan should be “more of everything.” We need more oil. More natural gas. More nuclear power. More alternative energies, such as solar, wind, and biofuels. And more energy research.
By investing in American energy and reducing our dangerous dependence on foreign oil, we can lower energy prices and retake control of our economic destiny.
Education
As the first person in my family to graduate from college, I understand the importance of education for opportunity and success. And as a member of the House Education and Labor Committee, I know we cannot afford to have our children graduating without adequate preparation for the future – or worse yet, dropping out. We do a disservice to our youth and hurt our businesses’ ability to compete against an ever more educated global workforce.
There is a growing consensus among parents and teachers that America’s education system is not reaching its potential. I believe the best way to bring our schools into the 21st century is by encouraging high standards and accountability. By measuring results and fostering a climate of excellence, competition, and innovation, we can once again have the best education system in the world – a system that enables all of our sons and daughters to live the American Dream.
National Security
Every day, our survival is threatened by radical Islamic terrorists whose aim is to kill innocent men, women, and children, even at the cost of their own lives. In a post-9/11 world, our most important national security mission must continue to be the elimination of al-Qaeda, especially in their home base of Afghanistan. I support our brave men women in uniform who are risking their lives in Afghanistan to keep America safe.
I am also committed to America’s military families. As the wife of a career Navy man, I understand the nature of their family commitment and the drawbacks that come with it. In 2009, I founded The Congressional Military Family Caucus to build bipartisan support for legislation to help military families. This year alone, we hosted two summits to bring together military spouses and discuss the impact of deployment on military families.
I am also committed to Fairchild Air Force Base, bringing the KC-X tanker to Fairchild, and making sure that Eastern Washington’s veterans get the care they need and deserve.
Values
I am married to Brian Rodgers, a retired Navy Commander, and we are blessed to have a 3-year old son, Cole, and new baby girl, Grace.
As a mom, I have a new perspective on my role as a Member of Congress. I have a renewed passion and determination to protect America’s values - including faith, freedom, opportunity, commitment to family, and personal responsibility.
I am a strong supporter of the traditional family, the pro-life cause, and the Second Amendment.