Fiscal Discipline
Simply put, our nation is on an unsustainable fiscal path. The federal government has run three consecutive $1 trillion-plus deficits, and our national debt now stands in excess of $15 trillion – which is more than $127,000 per American household. Under current projections of the federal budget, without reforms, by the end of the decade we will be spending almost $1 trillion to pay the interest on our nation’s debt ALONE, which is larger than the entire budget of the Department of Defense. In fact, our debt is roughly as large as the entire U.S. economy, which is approximately $15 trillion... More
Financial Services
I am privileged to be a member of the House Financial Services Committee, which has jurisdiction over the nation’s banking, insurance, housing, and securities industries. The issues that the Committee handles are of prime importance right now, as our nation’s financial system continues to struggle in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis... More
Economy and Job Creation
The American free enterprise system is the envy of the world. Our economy has become the greatest ever seen on the face of the planet because the Constitution gave our forefathers the freedom to roll up their sleeves, work hard, and enjoy the fruits of their success with little to no interference from the federal government... More
Taxes
Since World War II, as a share of the economy, federal revenues have averaged between 18% and 19%. While the 2008 economic crisis and its lingering effects have lowered that level over the past several years, projections have that number returning to its historical level in the near future and holding steady thereafter... More
Veterans' Affairs
Perhaps no other group of Americans has contributed as much to our country as the veterans who have served and fought in our military. It is not by coincidence or accident that we enjoy the freedoms we have today - it is because of the sacrifices our veterans have made throughout our history... More
Defense
I am honored to represent a large portion of San Antonio, or as some call it, “Military City U.S.A.” The United States military is undoubtedly the greatest in history – and the strength of our military is itself a means for peace around the world. During a time of fiscal belt tightening in Washington and around the country, we must remember that we have a Constitutional responsibility to defend our nation... More
2nd Amendment
I strongly believe that the right to keep and bear arms is a fundamental right of every law-abiding American citizen. It is a guarantee against an arbitrary government and is a safeguard against tyranny and preserves a right of self defense. As a conservative I believe it is imperative to the future of our Republic that we protect our rights as they were intended by the Founding Fathers. These rights were written down as a safeguard against a federal government that could grow too powerful and infringe upon the rights of the American people.
Trade
The American workforce is the strongest and most able in the world. However, 97% of the world’s consumers live outside the US. That is why I support trade policies that seek to open new markets abroad for American products and services... More
Family & Faith Issues
As a devout Catholic and father of three children, I strongly support the role family and faith play in our lives and communities. The United States was founded on the conviction that all of man's individual liberties and freedoms were granted to us by our Creator. I firmly believe that this unique cornerstone in our country should both be preserved and encouraged. That is why I have been fighting in Congress to preserve the role that faith and the traditional family model have in our country.
Life
When I took the oath of office, I vowed to defend the rights of all Americans, especially those who cannot stand up for themselves. As a devout Catholic and father of three children, I ardently oppose the destruction of innocent human life. I strongly believe that life begins at conception and that innocent lives must be protected. Our Founding Fathers believed that all Americans have certain unalienable rights, including life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, and that these rights must be protected.
Border Security
Texas’ 23rd Congressional District contains nearly 800 miles of U.S.-Mexico border. That is why it has been one of my top priorities in Congress to ensure that our border with Mexico is secure... More
Transportation
Recognizing that our nation's highways are critical to our national infrastructure, Congress created the Highway Trust Fund as part of the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 to provide a dedicated source of funding for highway infrastructure. This commitment to building a first-class transportation infrastructure system has been one of the bedrocks upon which our nation’s economic successes have been built... More
Energy
Our dependence on foreign energy is a threat to both our economic security and our national security. Economic growth and job creation in the United States, as well as the safety of our families, is in the hands of foreign nations like Hugo Chavez’ Venezuela. Do we want the economic and national security of the United States dependent on people like Hugo Chavez? More
Agriculture
It is vital to the interests of the nation that we continue to have an abundant and stable supply of domestically produced food and fiber. Our nation is already depending on foreign nations – many who do not like us – for energy. We certainly don’t want to become dependent on other nations for our food and fiber... More
Labor
I support the rights of Americans to voluntarily join a union, free from coercion and intimidation. However, I also support states like Texas and South Carolina who choose to be “right-to-work” states and limit the powers with which unions operate and wield their influence... More
Science, Tech, & NASA
The United States must maintain its preeminence in space exploration, innovation, and research. In order to achieve this, I believe we must embrace new programs and technologies in order to remain on the cutting edge... More
Education
Our children’s education is very important to our nation’s future. I firmly believe that the decisions regarding our children's education are best made by their parents, not the federal government... More
Health Care
There is no doubt that we need to reform health care in America. Any health reforms must ensure that you can get the health care you need, when you need it, and at a price you can afford. Health care should be less expensive, of higher quality, and more accessible. However, I do not believe President Obama’s government takeover of health care is the solution... More
Medicare and Social Security
I firmly believe that every American has a right to a safe and secure retirement and that Social Security and Medicare play a critical role in guaranteeing this safety and security for many Americans. Unfortunately, both of these programs are headed down a path towards bankruptcy that will lead to their destruction without reform... More
Environment
As Americans, we have been blessed with a land that is rich in both resources and natural beauty. Our nation has been able to grow into the economic superpower that we are today because of our access to abundant resources, like coal, oil and gas, gold, and timber. However, our land has also given us beautiful places, like Yellowstone National Park and Big Bend National Park, where Americans and people from all over the world can marvel at the natural beauty of the American landscape... More
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