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It's no secret that agriculture has reached a crossroads. There are many concerns in the industry about high expenses and low prices. The farm economy is a lot different today than it was twenty years ago and as farm income decreases, we need to develop markets for our products. Many Montanans are expanding into ethanol production, value-added ventures, specialty crops and producer owned cooperatives in order to remain competitive. This not only helps keep the family farms and ranches productive, but also offers ways in which our children can come back to help carry the family operation into the future.
A visit to any local grocery store demonstrates the value of Montana agriculture. Unfortunately, most of the profit from a loaf of bread or a steak goes to processing facilities outside of Montana, not to the farmer who grew the wheat or the rancher who raised the beef. We need to find ways to process and market our farm products within our own state. There is tremendous potential in farmer-owned cooperatives and value-added facilities. Montana is already seeing the results from a number of these ventures throughout the state.
American agriculture has become more and more dependant on international influences and we have been very successful on the international market considering the high tariffs and taxes American commodities often face. Current World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations are working to bring all countries to a more level playing field, and while there is tremendous potential for Montana ag in foreign countries and trade agreements, we need to be careful about which trade agreements are signed and make sure they are implemented equitably and vigorously enforced so that Montana ranchers are treated fairly.
Agriculture producers face many challenges in the future and as a rancher myself, I will continue to work hard for Montana's farmers and ranchers.
Montanans are rightfully fed up with irresponsible spending, and while some politicians are eager to say they ‘get it’, actions speak louder than words.
I’m constantly working to find ways to reduce spending by eliminating duplicative, wasteful and unnecessary programs. Unfortunately, reduced spending is no easy task and there are many in Washington who believe that we can spend our way to prosperity. That’s why we need bipartisan restraint as much as we need bipartisan action.
Congress must work together to find workable solutions that will get government spending under control and refocus the American economy. We need a budget that provides tax relief for working families, assistance for the unemployed, fiscal discipline and policies that will help Montana’s small businesses.
I support meaningful campaign finance reform, such as full and open disclosure laws, a mandate limiting out-of-state funding for campaigns, and reforms guaranteeing that corporations and unions respect the wishes of their employees and members when using financial resources for political purposes. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues in Congress to enact real campaign finance reform that is consistent with the views and best interests of Montanans.
Though I strongly support reform of our campaign finance laws, I opposed the Shays-Meehan bill when it passed the House because it stripped freedom of speech rights from Montana citizens and advocacy groups like the Farm Bureau and the NRA and instead allows out of state media conglomerates to run amok with no limits and no controls. Simply put, this is a bad bill that protects incumbents and limits the opportunity of non-millionaire, citizen legislators from being elected to Congress. Shays-Meehan is just bad policy -- it's bad for Montanans, it's bad for the public process, and worst of all, it does nothing to reform the gross process of public officials having to raise millions of dollars every year to win re-election. While the intent of this legislation was to eliminate this from the political process, big money donors are exploiting a loophole by contributing to unregulated “527” groups. I support bringing these “so called” 527 groups under the same set of federal campaign finance laws as every other political organization.
The real driving force for economic development in Montana is our people -- the people who are working hard to create a new high-tech industry in Montana, the people who are taking financial risks to start new and innovative businesses which create jobs, and most of all the parents and educators who are developing the bright and talented Montana workforce of the future.
Economic development is a top priority of mine in Congress. Without it, we can't afford the education system our children deserve or the health care we need. A good, secure, well-paying job will fix a great deal of the most common concerns I hear from Montanans.
Of course, it's no secret that Montana needs jobs. Everyone knows we need well-paying career opportunities so that parents can provide for their children and so those same children can stay in the state once they are grown and educated. Everyone agrees on the problem. My job as Montana's representative in Congress is to help implement solutions that will create these new opportunities we need.
We must push forward aggressively with solutions that center around Montana's existing assets. Montana has an abundance of energy, and the ability to produce a great deal more. Our coal and natural gas reserves stretch hundreds of years into the future, and we can turn them into much-needed energy.
Montana is also one of the top agriculture producing states in the country -- it's our number one industry. If we truly want to bring economic development to our state, then we must encourage value-added agriculture, which creates profitable markets for producers and new jobs for folks in rural areas. We must give our farmers the tools to reach up the marketing chain and add value to their raw commodities. We have to help transform our producers from "price-takers" to "price-makers," all the while re-building rural main street.
I also believe that repairing our forests from some of the damage done by the misguided management of the past will create economic development opportunities and help put small-town Montana back on the road to prosperity. A healthy forest means a healthy community.
Finally, essential to any economic development plan is a small business-friendly regulatory and tax structure. We must create an optimal environment in which small businesses can grow and flourish for long-term, sustained economic growth.
As a parent I want my children have the opportunity to live and work and raise their own families in Montana. As your Congressman, I am working to do everything I can to see that all our children have that chance.
I have worked hard for funding increases for several programs that advance educational opportunities in Montana. Through the No Child Left Behind Act we were able to increase funding for after-school programs, safe schools, reading, special education, and to insure the quality of education for disadvantaged children.
One of my top priorities has been special education. Currently, the federal government is short-changing our nation's schools with regard to special education. About twenty-five years ago, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) -- a program created with the goal of seeing that every child has the opportunity to receive a quality public education -- was enacted into law. The federal government promised to pay for the mandated service for special needs students. While states have received funding, it is less than half of what was promised. Because of a lack of funding, IDEA has created a situation in which mandates for special needs children take away from the ability of educators to provide the best quality education for non-special needs children. If IDEA had been fully funded, Montana would receive an additional $37.8 million per year to assist with public education, rather than forcing local taxpayers to pay for the federal mandate.
I am pleased with many of the things we were able to get done in Congress this year, but I view them as a beginning and look forward to continuing my work to make sure that Montana's children continue to receive a great education.
America needs an “all-of-the-above” energy policy that takes advantage of all the domestic energy options we have. To make that happen, our energy security requires a four-part plan: 1) utilizing traditional fuels, including oil, coal and nuclear energy; 2) improving our efficiency by learning to do more with less; 3) developing alternatives like wind, solar, biofuels, geothermal etc.; and 4) investing in technologies that allow us to invent our way into energy independence.
Today, we are more dependent on foreign oil than ever before. In fact, 56-percent of our oil supply comes from foreign sources, which is a 20-percent increase over the 1973 Arab oil embargo levels. The Department of Energy predicts that in less than 20 years, America will rely on foreign countries for nearly 65 percent of our energy needs. This is not only a threat to our economy; it is a threat to our national security.
Unfortunately, our energy problems are not confined to oil production. Despite growing demand, our natural gas production has fallen 14 percent since 1973. Yet, nearly 40-percent of our gas resources in the Rocky Mountains are off-limits to production and most of the submerged lands under federal waters are off-limits to gas leasing until 2012.
While Montana coal supplies 60% of our energy in the state, and much is shipped to other states for their energy needs, federal regulations continue to put up barriers for us to move forward with new developments such as carbon sequestration. By investing in research and technology, clean coal can still be a part of our energy future.
Fortunately, America has the tools to confront these energy problems, and we must use them. We must take steps to increase domestic energy production through access to and exploration of oil and gas prospects, new and expanded energy delivery infrastructure, advanced coal technology, nuclear power, and solar and wind power. We also have to explore alternative renewable fuels, such as ethanol, which burns clean and supplies an important and profitable market for agriculture products.
Ensuring access to affordable, quality health care for all Montanans has always been one of my top priorities in Congress. Because of Montana’s rural nature, access to health services can sometimes be difficult. I support reforms that take into account rural challenges and take steps to reduce health care costs. As the health care debate continues in Congress, I will continue to work with my colleagues on common-sense reforms that fix the flaws in the system without compromising consumer choice or interfering in the decision making process between patients and doctors.
I worked across party lines to expand the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, which was passed in 1997 by a Republican Congress and signed into law by a Democratic President, and helps provide healthcare for as many as 20,000 additional low-income children in Montana. Under another proposal I have worked on, bonafide associations would be allowed to pool their members together – across state lines -- and offer health insurance policies, resulting in the kind of purchasing power and coverage options that large firms can provide for their employees. In addition to making it easier for employers to provide health benefits, Congress must continue to fund programs that serve as a safety net to our vulnerable populations. One way in which Congress has worked to address this is the inclusion of a prescription drug benefit under the Medicare program. While the prescription drug benefit is voluntary, and not the solution for every senior citizen, it does help direct resources to our most needy seniors and ensures that every Medicare beneficiary has options.
While some improvements in the system have been made in past years, we still have a ways to go. I will continue to champion policies that create opportunities for all Montanans to have access to affordable, quality health care.
I am concerned about the potential harm illegal immigration poses to our economy and our security. I believe it’s important to be clear that illegal immigration, not legal immigration, is the problem. From the time America was founded we’ve been a nation of immigrants. Unfortunately, there are almost 12 million people residing in the U.S. today that are doing so illegally, and every state is hurt by illegal immigration.
Illegal immigration undermines our economy. From education to healthcare to increased incarceration, illegal immigration costs the Federal Treasury $45 billion annually - costs that are subsidized by honest taxpayers in each and every state.
In a post 9/11 world, securing our nation has taken on new meaning. That’s why I’ve voted to increase border security. I’ve also voted to allocate more resources, including some use of the military, to the border areas to attempt to stem the rate of illegal immigrants into the country. I’ve voted to build a fence on the southern border to assist local communities. In addition, I’ve voted to allow local law enforcement to have a role in protecting our country by ending the dangerous "catch and release" policies of the past.
I oppose granting amnesty to those who are here illegally. I oppose any action that rewards a violation of law with citizenship to our great nation. It’s an insult to the millions of legal immigrants that work hard and play by the rules.
When terrorists struck America they wanted to create an atmosphere of fear - and they have failed. America will not surrender our freedom to travel or our way of life.
A strong, capable and modern military is the foundation of the peace we enjoy today and hope to extend for future generations. The military of the present must be better supported and respected. The right choices must be made to renew the bond of trust between the President and the military, protect America with an effective national missile defense, and create a military capable of meeting the challenges of the21st Century.
American Indians are an important part of the history, culture, and values of Montana. With seven reservations and 13 different tribes spanning our state, Native American culture adds a unique identity to our state.
As Montana’s Congressman, I am constantly looking for new ways to provide better services to Montana’s Indian Reservations. Healthcare, law enforcement, housing, and water are only a few of the services that need improving, and I will continue to work hard to make sure these improvements happen.
Congress must also continue to work in a government-to-government fashion with Tribal governments, building upon existing resources to increase services and self-sufficiency for tribal members across the state.
With all of the issues Congress is facing, it’s crucial we ensure Montana’s Native American heritage has a voice in Washington, D.C. That is why I joined the House Native American Caucus. Through this organization, I can better understand what is needed in Indian Country and do all I can to help facilitate a better future for Native Americans. I’ve also advocated for the creation of an Indian Affairs Committee, similar to what exists in the Senate, which will ensure the issues facing our state’s seven reservations get the attention they deserve.
The high cost of prescription drugs in the United States continues to burden many Americans, and particularly senior citizens. I supported adding prescription drugs to Medicare because no senior should ever have to choose between purchasing food or lifesaving medications.
Sometimes seniors ask me why so many prescription drug plans have been made available under Medicare Part D as there are more 500 prescription drug plans nationwide and over 40 plans in Montana alone. The answer is that we want to provide seniors with choices. One goal of the Medicare Modernization Act was to give seniors enough options to ensure they can find plans which cover their drugs and allow them to continue to use their local pharmacies.
So far, choice and competition among plans is working. Beneficiary premiums are now expected to average $25 per month, down from prior estimates of $37 per month. A one-size-fits-all approach would be a disservice to seniors who rely on prescription drugs, which is why there is an array of benefits, premiums, co-pays, deductibles, and drug lists.
The launch of this benefit was the largest government program shift since the creation of Medicare in 1967. There have been some glitches in the start-up process, but the Department of Health and Human Service and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid are working to address these problems. As your Congressman I will continue to work to ensure that Montana seniors have access to the prescription drugs they need.
The health and preservation of America's treasure -- our natural resources -- must be a priority when developing management policies. It is important to preserve our public lands for a variety of uses, including recreation. But as we look to the future, we face difficult choices. How do we meet the demand for resources, yet retain the aesthetic beauty of the land? How do we expand our tax base to meet the ever-increasing needs for good schools, hospitals, roads and services without harming our environment?
How do we balance the wants of recreationists, miners, loggers, developers and conservationists? These are tough questions and we must work together to solve them.
Clearly, environmental protection and economic opportunity are interrelated. We must improve the management of our country's natural resources. I believe that we have time-tested, environmentally sound technologies for harvesting the resources of our lands, without degrading the integrity of the environment. I also believe we can be stewards of our resources without halting economic development.
I intend to play a key role in developing policies affecting land use. I want the departments and agencies that are responsible for our lands to develop long term plans for managing our nation's resources. I want to bring together the various conservation and business groups to find common ground on the competing interests of our land and water. And I want to see that Montanans have a strong voice in determining the correct course of action. It's our home and our voices must be heard.
I believe that abortion is the unjustified taking of a human life. I feel the entire abortion debate is a very sensitive issue that hinges on the question of when life begins. Unfortunately, some people in our country today doubt the full humanity of an unborn child. I am against abortion except in the case of rape, incest, or life of the mother.
I support efforts in Congress to prohibit federal funding of abortions and family planning, experimentation on aborted fetuses, partial-birth abortions, and federal funding for so-called family planning groups that promote abortion.
It is essential that we meet our obligations not only to America's senior citizens, but also to tomorrow's generation of retirees. Seniors have paid into the Social Security system their entire lives. We must honor our promise to them, while retaining that promise for the future.
Although the Social Security system is now running surpluses, its board of trustees projects that the trust funds will be depleted by 2037. By 2025 the number of people age 65 and over is expected to grow by at least 75 percent, while the number of workers coming into the workforce is expected to grow at only 13 percent.
I was an original cosponsor of the Social Security and Medicare Lock-Box Act, which passed the House on February 13th, 2001. This bill preserves the Social Security surplus. For 30 years, Social Security surpluses have been used to mask spending increases in programs unrelated to Social Security. Surpluses in the Social Security Trust Funds will total $2.6 trillion over the next 10 years.
These surpluses will be saved for Social Security reform and will be used to reduce debt held by the public until Social Security reform is enacted.
In addition to preserving Social Security, Congress must add a responsible prescription drug benefit to Medicare. The rising cost of prescription drugs has put an enormous burden on our most vulnerable population. We need to make sure our seniors don't have to choose between paying for food and paying for life-saving medication.
I am committed to preserving the benefits that seniors in America have counted on their whole lives, and preserving these benefits into the future.
For more information on prescription drugs, please see the section on that issue above.
I look forward to making sure that Montana's roads are enhanced and taken care of. I am a former member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and, now, as a member of the Appropriations Committee, I continue to work hard to ensure that funding for roads and highways is sufficient.
Amtrak is a very important part of Montana’s transportation economy and infrastructure, and I strongly support funding for the Empire Builder route through northern Montana. Amtrak service along the hi-line connects a number of Montana communities that would otherwise be isolated from public transportation. The Empire Builder service in Montana has as many as 500,000 people traveling on it annually. Amtrak accounts for over $3.2 million in annual wages for the Montana economy, while direct spending by Amtrak travelers in Montana is estimated at over $5.3 million annually.
While I am concerned about continued funding for rail service along Montana's hi-line, Amtrak passenger rail service needs to be restructured in order to improve passenger service throughout the United States. I will work hard to ensure that Montana’s passenger rail service is maintained through any re-structuring process. I’m committed to working with my fellow House members and Amtrak to develop a long-term plan that will ensure the safe and efficient service this nation's rail passengers deserve.
I voted to make America's system of airline security stronger, more aggressive and more reliable. The aviation security bill that was signed into law creates a uniform, consistent security system at our nation's airports. It also provides for federal marshals on commercial flights, increased security in all areas of airports and jets, comprehensive screening of every checked bag on all commercial flights, allows the Department of Transportation the ability to authorize guns for use by airline pilots if properly trained, and greatly increases cockpit security.
Montana's veterans and military retirees have played an important role in making our nation great. Through their sacrifices, America has triumphed, remained a free and vibrant nation, and helped others obtain their own freedom. I firmly believe we cannot thank our veterans and retirees enough for putting their lives on the line when America's security demanded it. The promises our government made to those who have pledged to serve honorably and faithfully in the military should be kept.
I support legislation that would end the deduction of VA survivor benefits from Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuities. This policy adversely harms the families of military personnel killed on active duty and retired personnel who die as a result of a service-connected injury. If a soldier is killed while serving their country, the surviving spouse should not lose compensation and benefits due to a flawed government policy.
I support legislation that would make it easier for veterans complete their educations using the GI Bill. I sponsored legislation that will provide veterans who attend college online with the same quality benefits that veterans who attend brick and mortar institutions receive. I also support changes to the GI Bill that allow veterans to transfer their education benefits to a spouse or child so that the whole family may benefit from the veteran’s service. It is critical that we provide our veterans with the training and education to enter a 21st Century workforce, and that goal can only be accomplished by creating an equitable and flexible system.
Ensuring quality health care for our veterans must be one of our highest priorities. As I review each piece of legislation that comes before me, I do it from the perspective of expanding veterans' rights and medical services, with an emphasis on increasing access to medical services in our rural areas.
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