On The Issues

Iraq:

I believe we need to continue supporting our men and women in uniform and providing them with the resources necessary in order to get them home as soon as their job is finished. Our troops are making great progress in training Iraqi forces, and as soon as the Iraqis are able to stand on their own our troops should begin coming home. However, we must caution against removing our troops too soon, as I believe it would create an increased amount of instability in the region that would make our country and Iraq less secure. This mission has been difficult, and I share the anxiety and heartache when Americans are injured or lose their lives. I believe we should fight this battle where the seeds of terrorism are sown rather than waiting for the fight to come back to our own shores.

Energy:

A national energy policy is extremely important to our nation's future economy and national security. West Virginia, through its coal and natural gas reserves, has the ability to provide for America's energy needs. For too long, the United States has gone without a national energy policy. The time has come to enact a policy that decreases energy prices for every American and creates jobs for West Virginians.

Education:

A quality education is the key to a bright and promising future for all of West Virginia's students. I support legislation that will give parents, teachers, and local school officials in West Virginia increased control over their children's education. The importance of providing our local communities with the resources they need to properly educate our children and prepare them for the work force is immeasurable.

Medicare:

With the recent reforms to Medicare, rural health care providers are being reimbursed at a more equal level ensuring seniors living in rural areas will receive better care. Overall, Medicare coverage has also been updated to keep pace with the needs of today's seniors by including a optional introductory physical exam that will help screen out potential health problems.

Prescription Drugs:

Many of our nation's seniors have benefited from their Medicare coverage. Now seniors have access to the same Medicare they have always known, but today, with more choices. If a senior needs assistance paying for prescription drugs they may want to consider enrolling in the prescription drug benefit that will be added to Medicare starting in 2006. For seniors who need assistance immediately, there will be a Medicare endorsed discount card available to any senior on Medicare that will give up to a 25% discount of prescription costs. In addition, for low-income seniors there is an additional $600 subsidy available to help pay the cost of prescriptions.

Enacting a meaningful prescription drug plan for our seniors has been my top priority. I am pleased that over 340,000 seniors in West Virginia will have access to a prescription drug benefit under Medicare if they need it. Under these new reforms, the seniors that truly need this assistance, over 134,000 low-income seniors in West Virginia, will have access to their prescriptions at a low cost.

Small Business:

Small businesses play a huge role in our country's economy because they create two-thirds to three-quarters of all new jobs. As a member of the House Committee on Small Business, West Virginia's small businesses are one of my top priorities. I believe we must continue to work to alleviate unnecessary burdens on small businesses so they can expand and create new jobs. I co-sponsored the Small Business Paperwork Relief Act of 2002 to streamline and reduce the burden on small businesses.

Cutting Taxes and Creating Jobs:

I want every West Virginian who is looking for a job, to find a job, and to achieve that goal we need to ensure our economy is growing. That is why I have voted for economic stimulus packages in Congress. I support legislation that will stimulate our economy today and provide for long-term growth in the future. That can be accomplished by providing investment incentives for businesses and encouraging entrepreneurship by increasing the amount small businesses can expense. I also want to ensure family businesses can be handed beyond one generation and support the permanent repeal of the Death Tax.

Tort Reform:

Many doctors have left West Virginia because they could no longer afford skyrocketing malpractice insurance rates caused by large lawsuit awards. I want to ensure doctors stay in West Virginia. That is why I cosponsored the HEALTH Act, a tort reform measure to limit non-economic damages to $250,000, which passed in the House of Representatives.

Transportation:

As a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I am constantly looking for ways to improve West Virginia's roads. This is a matter of public safety first, and economic development second. I've met with numerous elected officials, community leaders and concerned West Virginians since I was first elected who have made it very clear to me that West Virginia's roads need improvement. I continue to voice these concerns and advocate on behalf of West Virginians as Congress is drafting the Transportation legislation that will fund construction projects for the near future.

Veterans:

The heroes who fought in our armed forces showed their dedication to our country. Now, we must repay that sacrifice by recognizing their selfless service and improving the quality of life for veterans. I want to eliminate the current offset between military retirement pay and Veterans Administration disability compensation. I firmly believe that retired members of the Armed Forces, who are eligible for disability compensation, should receive both their retirement and disability entitlement .