Issue Position: National Security

Issue Position

As a combat veteran of the war in Afghanistan, national security will be my top priority as a member of Congress. We need a new national security strategy and a defense budget that allows us to implement it. We need leaders in Washington who understand how to protect our interests and those of our allies, as well as America's unique leadership role in the world. While the biggest change will come from electing a conservative as our next Commander-in-Chief, Congress has an important role to play as well. Congress's oversight function is a critical part of the job that is lost on too many people.

For starters, America must complete what we started and defeat global jihadists, ISIS and al-Qaeda. President Obama's half-hearted, inconsistent policy has failed. When elected to Congress, I will aggressively press the next administration for a plan and a budget that will allow us to defeat these jihadist groups.

Most of the Iran debate centers around the Obama Iran Deal. I strongly oppose it and we need a President who agrees and will tear it up on day one. But as a member of Congress, probably the most important issue is the Iran Sanctions Act, due to expire at the end of 2016. These sanctions must be renewed so if Iran is found to be in violation of the nuclear agreement, there are sanctions to "snap back" to. No sanctions? The snap back provision is meaningless.

Putin's Russia continues to act more like the old Soviet Union than a partner for peace and stability. The US must work with our NATO allies to restrain Russian expansionism in Eastern Europe and press them to stop selling sophisticated military equipment to Iran and Syria. Again, while much of the problem stems from a President who misunderstands Russia's intentions and the nature of American power, as a member of Congress I will press for a much more aggressive response to Russian threats to American interests.

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