Issues

Agriculture

For Kentucky's Second Congressional District, agriculture is the backbone of our communities. Many residents depend upon agriculture to make a living, and those who don't are still touched indirectly by it in their local economies. The farms of the Second District are diverse in size and crops. As Kentucky's leading producer of cattle and dairy products, the Second District is also one of the nation's top producers of tobacco. Farmers are essential to the continued vitality of the Second District and are important caretakers of our natural resources.

Economic Development

After faltering due to an unprecedented combination of the terrorist attacks, recession, and corporate scandals, economic indicators are showing significant improvements. Positive data continues to be reported for home sales, unemployment and overall job growth even in light of on-going and impending financial obligations to fight terror abroad and restore and revitalize the Gulf Coast.  The tax cuts my colleagues on the Ways and Means Committee and I have worked on have helped grow the economy.

Education

President Bush has made education reform the cornerstone of his administration. His plan will increase accountability, reduce the federal bureaucracy, allow more flexibility of federal dollars going to local school districts and empower parents.

I am pleased that No Child Left Behind has given local districts greater input when it comes to deciding how the federal dollars they receive are spent. In addition, children trapped in failing public schools will be able to escape these conditions and attend other public schools or charter schools.

Energy

The rise in gas prices has been a stark reminder of the need for a strong energy agenda here in Congress.  We must not only explore options for increased petroleum sources such as ANWR and offshore drilling, but we must think outside the box and devote significant resources to developing alternative and renewable fuels.  There are varied factors contributing to the current rise in energy prices, and the potential solutions are equally as diverse.  I strongly believe that we must move our nation toward a path of energy independence as quickly as possible.

Family Values

As a former Chair of the House Family Caucus, a member of the Pro-Life Caucus, and a member of the House's Values Action Team, I am committed to a pro-family agenda and the promotion of value-based initiatives.

Foreign Affairs

Securing the United States is the number one priority of our government. Congress is working to protect homeland and foreign intrestes from threats whether from terrorists or rogue countries abroad.

Healthcare

The Ways and Means Committee, of which I am a member, has jurisdiction over many areas of health care, including Medicare. This has allowed me to be directly involved in numerous legislative proposals seeking to improve health care for all Americans.

Immigration

Today America is seeing unprecedented levels of illegal immigration. This trend shows serious flaws in our current system, and I am very pleased that Speaker Dennis Hastert has made it clear that immigration reform will be a critical priority for Congress in the coming months.

Justice

There is a growing tendency of federal courts to inject ideology into their decisions instead of applying the law. Recent decisions that chip away at our religious heritage are especially troubling.

National Security

Natural Resources

Social Security

Social Security is a $400 billion program that directly impacts nearly every American each month, through either payroll taxes paid by workers or for retirement or disability benefit checks. Social Security provides essential income security for over 45 million Americans of all ages. Without it, many people would live in poverty.

Technology

Congress is working to update the telecommunications law to better fit modern technology. The initial law that passed in 1996, addressed issues that were important then but with a decade of remarkable new innovation has grown outmoded for optimum future technology growth. Congress is looking to produce a new bill that will encourage the development of new technologies such as Wireless development, Universal Service, Voice over Internet Protocol and the role for the regulators at the FCC.

Transportation

Every several years, Congress must pass legislation to authorize the nation's federal highway, public transportation, highway safety, and motor carrier programs. On August 10, 2005, President Bush signed into law H.R. 3, the Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (TEA-LU).

Veterans

Congressional Leadership has made veterans issues a top priority, and I strongly believe our record speaks for itself. The federal budget for veterans programs and services has risen from $48 billion in 2001, when the President took office, to more than $68 billion in 2005. This is a $20 billion increase, an unprecedented 42% growth over five years. Veterans medical care funding has risen 46% in five years, from $19.3 billion in the FY 2001 budget to approximately $30 billion in FY 2005.