|
No to the Congressional Pension: It is a privilege to serve the people of Arkansas in Congress; it is not about earning perks. I will not accept a congressional pension when elected. American taxpayers already pay too much to fund government; there is no need for them to pay for my life after I return home from serving as a citizen legislator. Currently, a Member of Congress is fully vested in the pension plan after five years; I will work to pass legislation that brings the congressional pension plan in line with other federal employees.
Yes to Suspending Congressional Pay: Congress ought to pass appropriations (spending) bills on time, every year. When it doesn’t, Member's pay should be suspended until the bills are passed. Congress' now-routine failure to pass spending bills on time leads to massive omnibus spending bills that get scant debate on the floor due in large part to their size, making them an easy target for wasteful earmarks. Congress needs to follow its own rules!
No to Automatic Congressional Pay Raise: The automatic ‘cost of living’ adjustment for Members of Congress is an insult to the struggling families and record long-term jobless in our country. I will not accept the automatic pay raise. I will offer legislation to do away with it and require any increase in compensation to be voted on publicly.
Yes to the 72-hour Rule: Transparency is what Arkansans are demanding from their elected officials and non-emergency legislation should be posted online for public review at least 72 hours prior to a vote. As your congressman, I will support an amendment to the House rules to require a 72-hour online review window for legislation and conference reports.
Yes to Self-Imposed Term Limits: Our Republic was created with ‘citizen legislators’ in mind, not career ones. I will support a Constitutional amendment to limit the terms one can serve in Congress. Furthermore, I pledge to limit myself to 6 terms (or 12 years) in the House, the duration supported by many in the Tea Party movement.
No to Earmarks: The earmark process has led to the corruption of our system. As your next congressman, I will oppose earmarks. Proposed spending projects should undergo a thorough and transparent authorization and appropriations process to determine their worthiness.
Yes to Frequent Town Halls: I will hold frequent town hall meetings in every county of the Second District to ensure accountability and transparency. I will be accessible to constituents and make an appointment to visit with them where they live instead of asking them to make an appointment with my office.
Yes to Arkansas, Not Party: I will vote for the common sense conservative values that we hold dear in Arkansas – values which are being ignored in Washington. As your next congressman, the voice of Arkansans will be my priority
Return to Top
I believe the best way to get the economy going and create jobs is to put more money in the pockets of taxpayers. Don’t leave it in Washington where it will be spent. There are two components to getting our economy back on track:
Cutting Taxes. Tax relief is the key to sustainable economic growth, innovation and job creation:
Ease the tax burden on individuals and families and allow them to make financial decisions based on their own priorities, not those of Washington.
As a small business owner, I understand the challenges that Arkansas’s small businesses are facing in the current recession. We need to reduce the tax burden and reduce federal mandates on small businesses to fuel innovation and the entrepreneurial spirit of the job creators in our economy.
Oppose the death tax, which can be devastating for families who own farms and small businesses.
Oppose any taxes that put American business at a competitive disadvantage in the global economy.
Controlling Spending. Irresponsible and wasteful government spending will only worsen the current recession and less spending, not more, is critical to the long-term health of our economy:
Stop rewarding corporate irresponsibility by ending taxpayer-funded bailouts.
I pledge to use taxpayer money responsibly and respectfully, and I will work every day to curb Washington spending.
Support efforts to reform entitlement spending which will inevitably lead to increased federal budgets and national debt. Social Security and Medicare are important programs, but commonsense reform is necessary so they are available to future generations.
Return to Top
As a small business owner, I know what it’s like to sign the front of the paycheck, not just the back.
I understand the struggles that small business owners have making ends meet and the burden that federal taxes and regulations can have on business.
I understand that small business has been and should be the primary job creating engine of our economy.
Return to Top
Washington has made a habit of spending money that we don’t have.
Washington needs to be taught the four words, “We can’t afford it!”
The national debt is the greatest threat facing the United States: We can’t fight terrorism, if we can’t field an army. And we can’t field an army if we are bankrupt.
Return to Top
Health care decisions should be made by doctors and their patients.
There is no question that today’s health care system needs reform and the key to that reform is less bureaucracy and more choices for patients.
Our health care system can be improved by:
Promoting free market solutions such as health savings accounts and allowing small businesses and other small groups to pool together to buy insurance.
Reducing government interference by eliminating restrictions such as the prohibition on competition between health insurance companies in different states.
Reducing the cost of malpractice insurance for doctors through tort reform.
Encouraging insurance companies to reduce inefficiencies by streamlining administrative procedures.
Allow individuals with pre-existing health conditions access to health insurance.
The United States should not move toward a European or Canadian style health care system which rations health care.
Health care reform should not be funded with Medicare cuts.
Rep. Snyder voted for Speaker Pelosi’s health care bill which will move the United States closer to government run health care, will increase the national debt, decrease quality and do nothing to control costs.
In 2010, we cannot afford to elect another Congressman who sides with Speaker Pelosi. We must elect someone who will work for us, not against us.
Return to Top
Energy independence is critical to both our national security and our economic future.
The cap and trade energy tax would cripple natural resource development in Arkansas, kill thousands of Arkansas jobs, and impose an energy tax on consumers. It’s bad legislation, and I oppose it.
We must make use of America’s known energy sources and encourage exploration and resource development.
I support development of alternative energy sources as well as more efficient use of existing energy sources such as natural gas, nuclear, coal and oil. I believe America’s long-term energy independence will be a combination of current and emerging technologies.
Rep. Snyder voted against offshore drilling, drilling in ANWR, building new oil refineries and voted for the cap and trade energy tax. I oppose cap and trade legislation and believe we should encourage resource development and drilling wherever possible. In order to become energy independent, we must elect a representative who will vote for Arkansas – not with Speaker Pelosi.
Return to Top
I oppose the Employee Free Choice Act commonly referred to as “card check” and believe in maintaining the secret ballot for union elections.
I oppose any attempt to end secret ballots in voting to form a union.
I oppose any attempts at forced unionization. It’s bad for business and hurts job creation.
An end to secret ballots could lead to intimidation of employees opposed to unionization.
Return to Top
As an Iraq War veteran, the grandson of a World War I veteran and a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), I have a first-hand appreciation of the courage, sacrifice and service of veterans past and present.
We owe veterans honor, gratitude and respect. And we owe veterans the highest quality health care and benefits.
I support providing the all necessary funding to care for our veterans, especially those who are older and disabled.
Return to Top
I served in Iraq and believe we have an obligation to leave both Iraq and Afghanistan stable and in a position to govern themselves. We must win the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
I will fight to ensure that our Armed Forces receive all necessary funding so they are properly equipped and can do their job safely and effectively.
America must remain vigilant to the threat posed by terrorists and support measures to keep Americans safe, such as monitoring terrorist communications.
Return to Top
I support free trade provided that there is a level playing field between the U.S. and other countries, including basic labor and environmental standards.
The federal and state governments should also work together to make the U.S. more business-friendly to companies considering moving their operations abroad and to foreign companies considering a move here.
Return to Top
I owe it to my child and family to be a responsible steward of our environment and natural resources.
I support commonsense solutions to environmental questions that address long-term concerns while not putting American businesses at a competitive disadvantage in the global economy.
Return to Top
The values I learned growing up in Arkansas are the values I will take with me to Washington. The importance of family and the sanctity of life are fundamental principles that guide me as a husband and a father.
I am pro-life.
I believe we should encourage adoption.
Fathers must take responsibility for their children. It is wrong to abandon women and children without support.
I support the Defense of Marriage Act.
Return to Top
Any attempt at immigration reform must start with securing the border. The unsecured U.S. border is first and foremost a national security issue and should be treated that way.
I support a fair and commonsense approach to immigration reform that gives priority to those who have followed the rules and waited their turn to become American citizens. I oppose amnesty for illegal immigrants
Reform must also include a system for employers to verify citizenship of prospective employees.
Return to Top
Keeping our communities safe is one of the basic functions of government, and as a former prosecutor I understand the need for a tough but fair criminal justice system.
There is no substitute for well-trained and properly financed law enforcement and first responders.
Return to Top
I believe the Second Amendment is an individual right, not a collective one.
I am a soldier, gun owner and 10+ year member of the National Rifle Association.
Return to Top
My top priority, if elected, will be to represent you, the people of Arkansas, and keep Arkansas first.
I support increased transparency in the appropriations process so that you know how Washington is spending your money.
Return to Top
Give parents the freedom to choose how their children are educated and where their children go to school.
I support vouchers and other innovative educational options such as magnet and charter schools so parents can afford to move their children from failing schools.
I fully support the rights of parents to home school their kids.
I support merit-based pay for public school teachers to reward those who excel at teaching our children.
I believe we should demand accountability to ensure that students are learning.
Return to Top |
