Patrick Murray

ECONOMIC GROWTH AND FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY

Our free enterprise system built this great nation. The road to job creation and economic recovery runs through the private sector, not the government. Any family who lives and operates within their own family budget knows that excessive borrowing, spending beyond one’s means and higher taxes do not lead to prosperity. Thus American political and economic success is built around empowering the individual, not the government.

Additionally, our debt is a national security issue. Listen to Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff by clicking here.

As your Congressman, my priorities will be to:

-Pass a Balanced Budget Amendment

• Congress must stop spending money we don’t have.

-Return day-to-day spending to 2008 levels

• In 2008 the deficit was $459 billion (it is now $1.5 trillion); by returning government to 2008 spending levels we can slow the growth of our national debt.

-Require every Federal Dept and Agency to cut 2% from its annual budget for the next 3 years

• This will force the Federal govt to eliminate redundant programs and find savings. The States and the American public is tightening its collective belt; the federal government should do so as well.

-Retain 2001 and 2003 tax cuts for six more years

• A period of high unemployment is no time to raise taxes, and the revenue gained from doing so is modest. Moreover, it penalizes small businesses, the economic engine that will drive our job growth. According to the President’s own forecast, too many of our citizens will be out of work at least until 2016. Keep things as they are until the economy has recovered and then we can debate whether taxes should rise.

-Retain the “death tax” moratorium for six more years

• The death tax was repealed for 2010 but comes back with a vengeance in 2011. This is a mistake, particularly when we are in the throes of a recession. Retain the moratorium for another six years and reassess in 2016.

-Cut the Corporate tax rates by 30%

• At over 39%, the U.S. currently has the 2^nd highest corporate tax rate in the world, and if Japan cuts its rate, which appears likely, we will become “number one” in a very dubious economic category. No wonder so many companies move their operations offshore and overseas. Reducing our corporate tax rate to approximately 25% would put us at least on par with the average of industrialized countries. As a result, the United States would attract business to these shores like bees to honey, dramatically stimulating job opportunity and growth.

-Enact bipartisan entitlement reform

• This is critical. If we continue to ignore this issue, Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid spending will cripple this country. Congress must take responsibility for sensible reforms to ensure these programs are affordable and remain robust for those who need them most. This will not be easy, but it is necessary and it is achievable. Persons of good conscious from both sides of the aisle must come together to find a way forward.

-Eliminate pork-barrel earmarks

• We agree with President Obama that earmarks are an open wound on our budgetary process. They waste $billions each year, force companies to “pay to play,” enrich the politicians who dole them out, and enable otherwise bad legislation to pass.

-Pass a line-item veto

• This will enable presidents to strip away earmarks and riders that are parasites on legislation, costing taxpayers billions annually.

-Enact an immediate 10% pay cut for congress and freeze congressional salaries until the budget is balanced and national debt is being reduced

• While these measures will not result in substantial savings, it is a matter of principle. Congress is substantially responsible for this economic mess, moreover they have abrogated their responsibility by not even bothering to pass a budget this year. Therefore they clearly don’t deserve a pay raise, and they should also tighten their belts and share the pain until we get our spending in line.

HEALTHCARE

We need health care reform in America that empowers individuals and families, reduces costs and improves delivery of services. Currently, the United States spends about $2.5 trillion annually on health care, with the federal government (meaning taxpayers) picking up about one-half of that amount.

As Nancy Pelosi stated: “We have to pass the bill so that you can find out what is in it.” The more we find out the more we see that it is far from what was promised. For example, we now know that healthcare costs to individuals and small business will go up instead of lowering them. We know that it will result in hundreds of billions of dollars in new taxes, that it creates mountains of new bureaucratic requirements and that it will cut about one-half trillion dollars out of Medicare coverage. We know that it limits choices for individual patients and it punishes small businesses. Perhaps most important, we now know that this legislation will not provide universal healthcare coverage, which was the fundamental goal to begin with. Therefore I do not support the healthcare legislation as was passed earlier in this Congress.

As with so many issues in Congress lately, healthcare reform was the result of a highly partisan process. Divisiveness like this does not benefit anyone and is another example of how back-room deals and earmarks corrupt the process resulting in bad legislation. So while the Majority was able to ram thru a bad bill, frankly the Minority has done very little in the past to address this issue in a meaningful way either. It is an example of what is wrong with Washington and why Americans have become so cynical about both political parties and the political “process.”

We need a better way. We need new leaders in both parties who are willing to work together to find common sense solutions for all Americans instead of pointing fingers and blaming each other. I disagree with the legislation as passed, not because of party affiliation, but because it is bad for American healthcare. I am dedicated and committed to improving our healthcare in America. If we proceed from a pragmatic, patient-centered approach, we can improve or replace the detrimental parts of the new healthcare legislation with provisions that will improve the product and bend down the cost curve.

As your Congressman, my priorities for Healthcare will be:

•    Encourage small business health care plans and allow small businesses to form co-ops in order to increase their purchasing power and reduce their costs; repeal the  bureaucratic provision requiring small businesses to issue an IRS Form 1099 to any vendor exceeding $600 per year; eliminate the requirement that individuals purchase coverage from a limited list of government approved policies/vendors.

•    Force big insurance companies to compete by allowing Americans to buy health insurance plans across state lines, the same way we purchase car insurance.

•    Eliminate pre-existing conditions as a reason to deny coverage; eliminate lifetime caps on coverage; make illegal insurance company practices of terminating coverage for people who become sick.

•    Promote and encourage individual responsibility through the expansion of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs); provide individuals with the same tax advantages as do businesses that provide coverage to their employees; provide for increased portability of coverage.

•    Enact medical malpractice reform to end costly litigation that leads to defensive medicine and rising malpractice costs.  Conservative estimates by the Congressional Budget Office estimate savings of .5% of total health care spending in the United States – a significant savings which would also reduce the deficit.  Other estimates predict more dramatic savings.

•    Work to enact bipartisan entitlement reform to ensure that Medicare and Medicaid remain viable and available.

•    Promote wellness and prevention by incentivizing healthy lifestyle choices. This is perhaps the single most important thing that we as citizens can do as individuals for ourselves and our families. Of the $2.5 trillion per year we spend on healthcare, about $1.5 trillion of that goes to the treatment of Chronic Disease. The big four are: heart disease, stroke, cancer and diabetes.  They account for 81% of hospital admissions; 91% of all prescriptions filled and 76% of all physician visits. Most chronic disease is avoidable. By focusing on three things: diet, exercise and quitting smoking, we could eliminate 80% of heart attacks, strokes and diabetes, and over 40% of cancer.

ENERGY

“And for the sake of our economy, our security, and the future of our planet, I will set a clear goal as president: In 10 years, we will finally end our dependence on oil from the Middle East.”                                                                                  — President Barack Obama

I support President Obama’s goal to wean America off of OPEC oil. Unfortunately after two years in office, the Obama Administration has not really done much toward accomplishing this goal, and there are few members of Congress who have any interest in looking beyond how to get themselves reelected. In fact, presidents and Congress have been talking about this for about 30 years (my opponent Jim Moran has been present for 20 of those years. He is very successful when it comes to getting reelected, but he has done nothing to improve America’s energy situation). I want to help this President accomplish this goal, so we need a plan and we need to get busy.

Here is the situation:

The U.S. uses approximately 21 million barrels of oil per day. Of that amount, 13 million barrels are imported, 5 million barrels of which are from OPEC. Not only is this an unprecedented transference of wealth, it is also a national security issue, as this ends up funding Islamic extremists and renders our energy supply vulnerable to events in the volatile Middle East. To put it slightly differently, we are funding both sides of the war while making us much more vulnerable to events and decisions in the Middle East by hostile regimes such as Iran.
We need a comprehensive national strategy that will accomplish the following:

•    Near Term: Eliminate American reliance on OPEC oil and put us on a glide path to energy self-sufficiency. In 2008, our reliance on foreign oil amounted to over $405 billion leaving our pockets for foreign markets. Think of the massive growth in our economy were we to keep that revenue here. While weaning ourselves from foreign oil, we will be creating jobs here at home, reducing the price of gas at the pump and choking off revenue streams the terrorists rely upon to fund their attacks on us. This is a “win-win” situation regardless of which political party you are in.

•    Long Term: Empower the private sector to develop large scale renewable energy solutions. As Americans who believe in the power of the free market, we have the ability to accomplish anything we set our minds to. However, if we really do care about future generations of Americans, we need to learn to look beyond the next election cycle when it comes to long-term strategic planning. This is particularly true when it comes to alternate sources of energy. It is in U.S. national interests to pursue multiple sources of energy.
As your Congressman my Energy priorities will be:

•    Near Term: Pursue American energy independence from OPEC by maximizing our own oil and gas exploration.  Set annual goals of reducing the number of barrels of oil we import, so that by 2018 (President Obama’s stated goal) we no longer will need to import any OPEC oil. One viable way to do this quickly would be to maximize our own domestic exploration and to increase our use of natural gas. The U.S. has vast natural gas reserves, and gas is both cheaper and burns cleaner than oil.

•    Long Term: Incentivize the private sector to invest in and develop the technology and infrastructure necessary to maximize our use of wind, solar and nuclear energy. Also, incentivize homeowners and the owners of commercial buildings to upgrade their insulation and other energy saving options.  Set national goals of gradually increasing our energy supply from clean sources. For example, in 2008, nuclear power accounted for about 20% of the total net electricity generated in the United States. By contrast, France currently generates over 75% of its energy from nuclear power. We should strive to build an average of two new nuclear power plants every year here in the U.S. Also, we only get about 2% of our energy from solar and wind. We should pursue these renewable sources on a larger scale. As our ability to employ these sources increases we can concurrently reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.

U.S. NATIONAL SECURITY INTERESTS

The federal government’s highest priority should be to ensure the safety of American citizens. It is essential that we maintain a strong and credible defense in order to protect our national interests and those of our allies. Additionally, our government must be vigilant and take threats to our national security seriously. It is therefore reckless and irrational that the Obama Administration, aided and abetted by Nancy Pelosi and Jim Moran, has apparently reverted to a pre-9/11 mentality when dealing with Islamist terrorists who are bent on the indiscriminate killing of American citizens. The terrorists are at war with us; we would do well to understand that and act accordingly.

The United States is in the midst of a conflict with the forces of violent Islamist extremists that deplore our freedoms and are bent on the destruction of our way of life. We must ensure that our troops in Afghanistan and Iraq have the personnel and equipment they need to accomplish the missions they have been given. While Obama rightly decided to send additional troops to Afghanistan, he simultaneously signaled to our enemies that we will be leaving in a year or so. Jim Moran would have us abandon Afghanistan altogether. Our troops also need to know they have the full support of the American people for whom they are fighting, and that our elected officials have the stomach to pursue this conflict to a successful conclusion.

Nuclear proliferation is another national security concern. The Iranian regime’s determination to acquire nuclear weapons is a burgeoning global threat. A nuclear-armed Iran would fundamentally alter the security calculus of the Middle East, would be a major threat to U.S. national security interests and an existential threat to Israel. Put differently, the prospect of a nuclear-armed Iran is a clear and present danger to world peace. Many brave Iranians have taken to the streets of Teheran, facing the brutal repression of a powerful regime that had little regard for its own citizens. The Obama Administration continues to remain virtually silent as Iranian security forces attack protestors and arrest their leaders. Past presidential administrations from Reagan to Clinton spoke with a loud and clear voice of support for protest movements like Solidarity in Poland and Otpor in Yugoslavia. These historic movements and their leaders helped to overthrow oppressive regimes and establish democratic governments. The Obama Administration’s silence amounts to tacit support of an oppressive Iranian regime that considers the U.S. the “Great Satan” and is bent on the destruction of Israel.

U.S. – ISRAEL RELATIONS

The United States and Israel: An unshakable bond

The bipartisan connection between the United States and Israel is forged on common beliefs in the timeless principles of the rule of law, representative government, human rights, freedom of speech and religion and free markets. We also share a common vision for a peaceful world. As an Army veteran, I know peace comes through strength—and peace in the Middle East can only come when Israel’s adversaries realize that our alliance is unbreakable. To that end, I strongly support the March 2010 Hoyer-Cantor letter reaffirming the “unbreakable bond that exists between our country and the State of Israel.”

Israel: an oasis of democracy and free markets

Israel stands as the solitary democracy in the Middle East. Like America, she has enjoyed peaceful transitions of authority since her inception, despite being surrounded by adversaries bent on her destruction. With an open society and free markets, Israel is at the forefront in the technology and medicine industries. I am proud that the Commonwealth of Virginia maintains a vibrant business relationship with Israel in the fields of technology, defense and education. As a congressman from Virginia I will seek to expand opportunities for both sides.

Israel’s right to self-defense and confronting Hezbollah and Hamas

Hamas and Hezbollah constitute a significant threat to Israel and to American interests. Both entities, enabled by strong Iranian backing, continue to deny Israel’s right to exist and call for the destruction of Israel as a State. As long as this remains the case, it is highly unlikely that there will be any significant progress in the Middle East Peace Process, and Israeli citizens will continue to face the potential for terrorist attacks. That is why I will always defend Israel’s right to self-defense, support continued robust foreign aid to Israel, and encourage a robust military-to-military relationship.

American commitment to Israel

Israel is an island of stability in a volatile region. This comes from the will and tenacity of Israeli citizens, backed by American aid. The 2007 Security Assistance MOU allows Israel to maintain a strong military deterrent against Iranian-backed Hamas and Hezbollah, as well as other hostile neighbors. This MOU codifies the United States’ long-term commitment to Israel’s security and will continue to provide the Jewish State with the means of self defense for the foreseeable future. I will continue to support a robust security assistance program to Israel.

A robust military-to-military relationship

Having been a Defense Attaché in numerous countries, I appreciate the value of our strong military-to-military relationship with Israel. This, along with other cooperative efforts such as intelligence sharing and the joint development of defense technologies, strengthens our capacity to protect United States interests at home and abroad. This is a classic “win-win” solution for both sides.

Iran: the center of gravity

The Iranian regime’s determination to acquire nuclear weapons is a significant threat to international stability. Under President Ahmadinejad’s leadership, Iran has demonstrated increasingly threatening behavior and rhetoric toward Israel and the United States. A nuclear-armed Iran amounts to an existential threat to Israel. Moreover, a nuclear-armed Iran will likely lead to a nuclear arms race in the Middle East. The powers that be in Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey are not likely to sit idly by next to a nuclear-armed Iran. In short, the prospect of a nuclear-armed Iran is a danger to world stability and peace. The United States must develop a clear strategy to confront this threat, utilizing all of our instruments of national power to coerce the Iranian regime to stop its irrational behavior. We also need to ensure that we shore up our relations with our allies, particularly Israel, who stands directly in Iran’s crosshairs as well as being surrounded by Iranian-supported Hamas and Hezbollah.

Jerusalem

I support the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995.

The United States and Israel: strategic partners with mutual interests

Israel is America’s strongest ally and strategic partner in the Middle East and the U.S.-Israeli alliance is a cornerstone of American foreign policy. As a member of Congress representing Virginia’s 8^th District, I will be an active and vocal participant in support of a strong bipartisan pro-Israel coalition, and will ensure that Israel continues to receive the support necessary to provide for its own self-defense.

EDUCATION

Education is the key to America’s future security and prosperity. Thomas Jefferson of Virginia, our third President and father of the University of Virginia said: “If the children are untaught, their ignorance and vices will in future life cost us much dearer in their consequences, than it would have done, in their correction, by a good education.”

We are an incentive-driven nation; let’s focus on programs that reward students, teachers and schools for hard work and superior performance, but also hold teachers and administrators accountable when they should be. Money for education should go to teachers, students and schools, with administrative costs kept to an absolute minimum. Ultimately, it should be left up to the individual states, as much as possible, to minimize federal oversight and regulation.

I support the expansion of Charter Schools in Virginia. This kind of stance requires returning authority to the states and allowing parents to have the power to choose safe, quality education for their children from among a variety of choices. The parents of 190,000 school children are using scholarships and vouchers to send their children to private schools. This has been made possible by tax credits for tuition and for donations that fund scholarships. Millions of children are also taking advantage of other school-choice policies such as public-school choice, charter schools, virtual education, and homeschooling.

Education is about the future of our community as an educated, thriving and prosperous part of a better Virginia and nation as whole. A well-educated work force will attract new business to our area; let’s invest in our country’s future by strengthening our schools and rewarding outstanding teachers.

Governor Bob McDonnell and I agree on the issue of higher education. I believe that we need to make higher education more affordable and more accessible to all Virginians. The Governor and I agree on the plans to restructure the system for affordability and employability. We also agree on targeting science and technology, especially here in Northern Virginia. I also believe that Public-Private sector partnerships structured to drive economic development are vitally important. As your Congressman, I will support the Governor and work to make this a reality in the 8th District.

Specifically, I will fight to:

• Reform major federal programs like Title I and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to allow states to let parents choose the right school for their child and let federal funding follow the child
• Restore state and local control in education by offering an alternative to No Child Left Behind (NCLB)
• Reauthorize and expand the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program as an example to the nation of what works
• Strengthen private-school choice
• Support the lift of caps on charter schools and pass strong charter-school laws, that allows for multi-authorization, autonomy, and limited restrictions on charter growth
• Expand other public-school-choice options
• Expand online learning opportunities
• Create and expand education savings options for parents