Issue Position: Strengthening the Economy

Issue Position

Jobs for Virginians
Strengthening our economy is one of my top priorities in Congress: I support creating an environment for growth to get folks back to work and to encourage our job creators. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and create over 70% of the new jobs in this country every year. We need to cut the bureaucratic red-tape that stifles growth and innovation. That's why I cosponsored and voted for the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act (H.R.367) which requires Congress to pass and the President to sign a joint resolution of approval before any new major regulation (greater than $100 million or more in impacts on the U.S. economy) may take effect.

I am an advocate for domestic energy exploration including natural gas and oil, in addition to increased conservation, and alternative energy sources such as wind, solar, hydro, biomass, geothermal, and nuclear energy. The expansion of all energy sources will create high paying jobs in Virginia. Virginia has the opportunity to develop offshore energy in an environmentally friendly manner and lead the nation in improving our energy security while creating thousands of jobs. I understand that protecting our national security is linked with achieving energy independence. I am a lead cosponsor of the Offshore Energy and Jobs Act (H.R. 2231) which requires the Secretary of Interior to develop a new 5-year oil and gas leasing program that focuses on areas with the greatest potential resources and meets production goals that align with U.S. need. The bill also requires the Secretary to conduct three specific Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) lease sales in Virginia. I also voted for the Federal Lands Jobs and Energy Security Act (H.R. 1965) which is aimed at expanding onshore energy production, streamlining permitting processes, and reducing red tape.

Reining in Out-of-Control Spending
I am fighting to hold the line on out-of-control spending. We simply cannot afford to keep spending at the current rate, placing the burden on our children and grandchildren. That's why I have voted against every "clean" debt ceiling increase that did not include spending cuts or budget reforms. Most recently I voted against S. 540, which increased the debt limit through March 2015.

I support and have cosponsored legislation that proposes a balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution (H.J.Res.1 and H.J.Res.2). I believe that the federal government should have to budget just like American families who have to make ends meet. I also support legislation (H.R. 879, the Biennial Budgeting and Appropriations Act) that would move Congress to a biennial budgeting and appropriations process instead of an annual appropriations by requiring (1) biennial (currently annual) budget resolutions, (2) biennial appropriations Acts, and (3) biennial government strategic and performance plans. I also support greater accountability by federal agencies for their spending. That is why I am a cosponsor of legislation (H.R. 239, the Zero-based Budgeting Ensures Responsible Oversight (ZERO) Act) which calls for zero-based budgeting. This would require the annual baseline budget of each federal agency to be assumed to be zero and that each proposed expenditure to be justified as if it were a new expenditure.

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