Issues That Matter


Pro-Life

I have worked to protect the most innocent and defenseless among us and am proud to receive the Ohio Right to Life's endorsement. I'm a cosponsor of the Right to Life Act, the Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act and have repeatedly fought against using tax dollars for abortions. I strongly believe in the importance of protecting the sanctity of human life. I have a 100 percent pro-life voting record throughout my service in public office.


Health Care

I voted against the government takeover of our health care system. While we all want health care reform, at a cost of $1.2 trillion, the health care bill as passed was not the reform we needed which increase the cost of healthcare and increased taxes on families and small businesses. Instead, we should have been focused on lowering the cost of health care, to make it more affordable for our working families. We could have done this with national medical malpractice reform, implement Health Information Technology, expanding Health Savings Accounts and allowing small businesses to band together, across state lines, to offer health care to their employees.


Fiscal Responsibility

In my first year in Congress I have worked to fight the wasteful Washington spending, borrowing and debt. I voted NO on the bailouts, NO on the "stimulus" spending bill, NO on cap and trade and NO on the government takeover of our health care. I will continue fighting for lower taxes and limited government because I believe that you know best how to invest your money, NOT the government knows best.


Second Amendment

I strongly support our second amendment and will continue to fight for gun rights and owners. I believe that law-abiding citizens should have the right to own and carry firearms and am proud to have received endorsements from the National Rifle Association (NRA) and Ohio Buckeye Firearms Association. I support: concealed carry rights, affirming the right to use a firearm to protect one's family and home and providing amnesty for veterans to register firearms. I oppose needless regulations on gun owners.


Veterans

I salute the patriotism of our veterans and those currently serving in the military that fight to protect our interests at home and abroad. I will continue to support protecting veterans' benefits and retirement. It has been a priority for my office to ensure our veterans have access to the benefits they have earned through their service to our nation.


Transparency

Washington needs to change the way it does business. That is why I held multiple press conferences demanding more transparency and openness in the way Congress operates. Both the "stimulus" bill and significant parts of the "cap and trade" bill were pushed through for a vote without Members of Congress, or the American people, having the chance to read the bills. That is why I signed onto legislation requiring that all bills be available online – at least 72 hours before a vote – and require committees to put bill text online within 24 hours of adoption.


Budget

I support amending the Constitution to require Congress and the President to balance the budget every year. It's a simple rule that families, and most states follow: do not spend more money than you have. Congress must be fiscally responsible and stay within its fiscal means, stop wasteful spending, reckless borrowing and running up an out of control debt. Unfortunately, we now have a $12.8 trillion national debt. That comes to $41,000 per American. As the father of three, I believe it's profoundly unfair to pass on such a burden to our children and grandchildren.


Energy

I support a comprehensive approach to making our nation more energy independent. We rely far too much on the whims of OPEC nations that dictate price. I firmly believe we should be tapping the significant oil and natural gas reserves off our coasts, as well as investing in renewable technologies. Furthermore, I strongly oppose Speaker Pelosi's so-called "cap and trade" scheme that would impose a national energy tax on Americans – a tax that would hit coal states, like Ohio, the hardest.


Small Businesses

Small businesses are the backbone of our nation's economy. They account for about 70 percent of new jobs and are America's innovators. Congress should be encouraging them to expand and hire more people by cutting taxes and easing burdensome regulations. It's also important to ensure that small businesses have access to the credit they need to grow.


Taxes

Despite what President Obama says, the American people are overtaxed. History has shown time and again that when taxes are reduced, revenue to the Treasury increases and the economy grows. We must make the current tax cuts permanent. We must eliminate the "death" tax and marriage penalty tax. I am also a co-sponsor of legislation to reform the current tax code.


Homeland Security

As a member of the House Homeland Security, I understand how critically important protecting our nation from terrorist threats is. Terrorists should not be treated like common criminals. They should be treated as the enemy combatants they are and not afforded constitutional rights. I oppose shutting down Guantanamo Bay and bringing these terrorists to American soil.