"Grow the Economy"
America can recover and prosper again with the right economic strategy. Justin rejects the idea popular in Washington that America's best days are behind us and that we must accept decline. Now is the time for leadership and action to renew America's greatness.
The American people know we cannot borrow and spend our way to prosperity. Record deficits and inflationary policies only weaken our economy and endanger our children's future.
Prosperity is possible if we empower Americans to work and succeed with pro-growth economic policies. As your representative in Congress, Justin will fight for solutions that promote job creation in the private sector. His economic plan calls for government spending reductions, a stronger dollar, lower taxes, smarter trade policies, an "All-of-the-Above" energy policy, common sense health care reforms, and actions to reduce the cost of college for American families. To read more about Justin's economic plan, please click here.
"Balance the Budget"
The U.S. faces a government debt crisis caused by years of overspending. Congress needs less spending and more economic growth.
Washington is borrowing fifty cents for every dollar it spends...yet Congress has no plan for a balanced budget. Paying the interest on the debt alone will soon eat one-quarter of tax revenue, forcing the government to ignore its basic functions. Left unchecked, the rising debt will prevent economic recovery, cause serious inflation, and leave taxpayers with an impossible bill. It's time for Congress to face the reality of our debt crisis and put our nation's finances on a sustainable path.
Justin has committed to support substantial cuts in spending, enforceable caps that will put the government on a path to a balanced budget, and a Balanced Budget Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
Justin is also committed to economic growth. Congress must work to improve the business environment in America so that the U.S. economy can grow and create jobs again.
"Repeal and Replace Obamacare"
The American people know we don't need a government takeover to reform our health care system. Every American family deserves access to health care based on a consumer-choice system. You and your doctor — not bureaucrats — should determine your family's medical needs and options. There is time to repeal Obamacare and replace it with low-cost and no-cost reforms that will make health care affordable and accessible to everyone.
Reducing costs is the key to health care reform. We need tort reform to prevent the cost of frivolous lawsuits from being passed on to patients. Reforming the health care system also means using market-based incentives rather than government mandates. Congress should allow small businesses and individuals to purchase health care plans with the same tax breaks enjoyed by large companies. And because competition is good for the consumer, Congress should let families and businesses purchase insurance across state lines.
Losing your job should not mean losing your health care insurance. Congress must make it easier for families to obtain portable health care plans that move with them from job to job and into retirement. Health savings accounts can help cover more American families at a lower cost and should be encouraged.
Congress must do all of the above while also working to keep Medicare solvent for the senior citizens of today and tomorrow.
"All-of-the-Above Energy Policy"
America needs to break its dependence on foreign oil and adopt an "All-of-the-Above" energy policy. This means using the energy resources we have today in a safe and responsible way while investing in future technologies for tomorrow.
Two-thirds of the oil the United States uses — about $700 billion per year — is bought from overseas. This historic transfer of wealth is making foreign countries rich at our expense. America's dependence on foreign oil also makes us susceptible to national security problems.
We need an "All-of-the-Above" energy policy to bring down costs for American families and businesses. This means making use of domestic supplies of energy in a responsible way while the private sector invests in renewable sources of energy, like solar and hydropower.
Justin strongly opposes higher taxes on energy, including "Cap-and-Trade" schemes that drive up the cost of electricity. Unnecessarily restricting the U.S. energy supply will weaken the American economy, delay technological advancements, and perpetuate the country's unhealthy dependence on foreign oil.
"Support our Troops"
The first responsibility of the federal government is to protect its citizens. We must shield Americans from terrorist attacks and other threats to our country. As a veteran and as your representative in Congress, Justin will stop at nothing to back-up our troops deployed in harm's way.
The U.S. must continue the transfer of security responsibilities to the Iraqis and Afghans. Local elections in Afghanistan — like those held in Iraq in 2009 — would facilitate that handoff and help the Afghan government sustain popular support in its fight against the Taliban.
A strong national defense means a right-sized force. Washington should never shortchange our troops in the field because Congress cannot prioritize its spending correctly. America's men and women in uniform deserve 100% of our support, whether Active Duty, Reserve or National Guard.
National security also requires a strong defense industrial base and workforce. Congress needs to ensure that skills and knowledge critical to our defense are not shipped overseas to U.S. competitors. Congress must also close loopholes in the defense acquisition process that have led to the outsourcing of important manufacturing jobs.
"Support a Strong U.S.-Israel Relationship"
Justin supports the important relationship between the United States and the State of Israel. U.S. and Israel citizens share a core set of values that include a commitment to liberty, prosperity and democracy. Israel’s economic and democratic successes are a testament to the strength of this shared value system.
Israel lives under the constant threat of terrorism and external attack. The U.S. has an interest in the long-term success of Israel, our closest ally in the Middle East and the region’s only established democracy. However, the Obama Administration has strained the traditional relationship between these two states. As a Member of Congress, Justin will work to reverse this trend and to strengthen U.S.-Israel ties.
"Honor our Veterans”
George Washington told us that "The willingness of young people to join the military is directly related to the way a country treats its veterans." As a veteran of the war in Afghanistan, Justin is 100% committed to the service members and military families who have sacrificed so much for our country.
Justin knows we must ensure our troops have the resources and support they need to do their mission and come home safely. He is also committed to meeting the needs of military spouses and children, especially during deployments. America must keep its promises to every retired and disabled veteran. Congress should fully fund veteran health care accounts before passing other spending bills.
All military personnel deserve access to the ballot box when deployed overseas in service of our nation. Too many service members are disenfranchised by absentee voting processes that result in uncounted ballots. Justin fought for military voting rights in Connecticut and will do the same in Congress to make the issue a national priority.
"Put Resources in the Classroom"
Justin and his wife Jennie, a former public school teacher, believe we must keep our nation's promise of a quality public education for every child. Justin knows that Connecticut's public school system can work because he and his eight siblings graduated from it.
The federal government is spending more money than ever on elementary and secondary education with little progress to show for it. We must focus our resources on proven educational programs, especially those that impact children when they are young.
Education should focus on the needs of the child. That's why Justin supports policies that put decisions in the hands of parents, teachers and local school districts. He also supports programs that keep educational resources in the classroom instead of bureaucrats' offices.
At the college level, our youth should not be forced to choose between a mountain of debt and a college education. The astronomical cost of tuition is morally and economically wrong. American families deserve policies that bring down tuition costs and stop federal dollars from going to schools that price gouge students.
"Protect our Heritage"
Future generations deserve nothing less than a livable environment. As an Eagle Scout and outdoorsman, Justin has a personal interest in keeping New England's natureways clean and accessible.
The environment is the most public of resources and we must protect it. America needs a strong conservation agenda that limits waste and encourages efficiency. A healthy economy can produce breakthroughs in energy technology that will make the environment even cleaner.
Connecticut’s outdoorsmen are among the best stewards of the environment. Justin will help them preserve the best sporting traditions of our state and country.
"Defend our Rights"
Justin believes the 2nd Amendment is clear that law-abiding citizens have the right to purchase, own and legally use firearms. Justin will defend the 2nd Amendment rights of all law-abiding Americans.
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