Family Values

Our nation was founded by individuals who held strong religious and moral convictions.  The freedoms we enjoy now can be traced back to those convictions, including the fact that our rights as individuals, including the right to life, come not from any government, but rather from our Creator himself, and that the purpose of government is to protect those rights.

Since then, strong religious and moral convictions have been pervasive parts of American life, touching our homes, our schools, our work and our government.  Phrases such as "one nation, under God" and "in God we trust" are not just catchy slogans.  They are indicators of the extensive role that religious expression had played in the growth of the American nation.

While we need to be tolerant of those who do not share these beliefs, we must also make sure that the values held by communities, churches, and families are not infringed upon.  I will continue to work to protect the traditional values that have made America strong for over 200 years.

Actions

• I am a member of the Congressional Pro Life Caucus and the Congressional Prayer Caucus.

• I support H.R. 374, the Life at Conception Act, which declares that the right to life guaranteed by the Constitution is vested in each human being at all stages of life.

• I support H.R. 3, the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act, which prohibits the expenditure of federal funds for any abortion and prohibits federal funds from being used for any health benefits coverage that includes coverage of abortion.

• I support H.R. 2299, the Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act, which amends the federal criminal code to prohibit transporting a minor across a state line to obtain an abortion without the written consent of the minor’s parents.

• I support H.R. 217, the Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act, which prohibits the federal government from providing any federal family planning assistance to an entity unless the entity certifies that it will not perform, and will not provide any funds to any other entity that performs, an abortion.

• I support of H.R. 361, the Abortion Non-Discrimination Act, which prohibits discrimination against doctors, hospitals or health plans which refuse to provide abortions.

• I support of H.Con.Res. 13, which reaffirms “In God We Trust” as the official motto of the U.S. and supports and encourages the public display of the national motto in all public buildings, public schools and other government institutions.

• I support H.Res. 253, which affirms the rich spiritual and religious history of our Nation’s founding and subsequent history and expresses support for designation of the first week in May as “America’s Spiritual Heritage Week” for the appreciation of and education on America’s history of religious faith.

• The new health care law and its implementing regulations contain a laundry list of provisions that limit the Constitutional rights of Americans. That is why I support the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act (H.R. 1179), which allows providers of health plans to deny coverage of services or procedures that violate the providers’ religious beliefs.

• I support H.R. 3828, the Military Religious Freedom Protection Act, which prohibits a military chaplain from being directed, ordered, or required to perform any ceremony, service, or function - including a same-sex marriage ceremony - that is contrary to the conscience, moral principles, or religious beliefs of the chaplain or the chaplain's faith group