On The Issues

Defense and National Security

I am proud to support Georgia’s exemplary military installations, which play a critical role in keeping America safe at home and abroad. The terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, changed our nation forever, and I believe America must remain vigilant and prepared to defend itself against a wide variety of threats. It is important now more than ever that we protect our homeland by continuing our efforts against terrorism and fighting for freedom around the world.

Economy

The United States remains the greatest country in the world but there is no doubt we are facing difficult economic times right now. We are in a serious recession and we must be willing to tackle it by putting aside partisan politics and sticking to the core principles of our founding fathers of a free market and limited government. I believe many of our problems can be traced back to the housing market and that is where our recovery must start. We must get to the root of the problem, rather than addressing only the symptoms.

Energy and Cap-and-Trade

It is in the geopolitical and environmental interests of the United States to reduce our dependence on imported foreign oil. The United States must develop a balanced national energy policy that increases and diversifies our country’s energy supply in environmentally and economically friendly ways.

Federal Spending

We must take immediate steps to end the reckless spending that is threatening the future of our nation. We need to review federally funded programs on a regular basis and get rid of the ones that aren’t producing results for the American taxpayers. We must stop spending money on projects that by anybody’s definition are projects that shouldn’t be funded with tax dollars. Congress must become better stewards of the taxpayers’ money.

Health Care

I recognize the frustrations many Americans have with the current cost and delivery of health care. As a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, as well as a former small business owner, I am particularly aware of the problems our nation faces regarding health care and am sensitive to the struggles hard-working Americans face when trying to gain access to adequate and affordable health care.

Immigration and Border Security

I have always drawn a clear distinction between legal and illegal immigration, those people who come to our country legally should be welcomed. At the same time, the defense of our nation begins with securing our borders and ending the opportunity for illegal entry. I support a comprehensive border security plan to combat illegal immigration, drug and alien smuggling and violent activity on the southwest border. I do not believe in offering amnesty or any special pathway to citizenship for individuals who are here illegally, and I believe that immigrants should pursue citizenship by getting in line and complying with the same rules that are already in place for any other immigrants.

Jobs and the Workplace

As a businessman who has worked with hundreds of employees over more than 30 years, I have and will continue to work to ensure full and fair enforcement of all the employment laws designed to protect American workers. At the same time, it is imperative we don’t overburden America’s entrepreneurs and small businesses with job-killing, European-style employer mandates.

Throughout my time in the Senate, it has been my privilege to serve as the senior Republican on the Employment and Workplace Safety Subcommittee, a key Subcommittee of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee. The Subcommittee has jurisdiction over a variety of laws governing the workplace, including the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the National Labor Relations Act, and the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act.

Preserving Our Environment

From Georgia’s Appalachian Mountains to her ‘Golden Isles’ and the rivers, forests and farmland in between, our state is blessed with many vital natural resources. I am committed to ensuring our natural resources are maintained through conservation, smart growth and environmentally sound technology.

Social Values

Our social morals and values define us as human beings and as a nation. As a life-long Methodist, the grandson of Swedish immigrants, a father, a grandfather and a Sunday School teacher of 30 years, I hold my values and the true importance of our nation’s many freedoms very close to my heart.

Veterans

Veterans fought to protect our freedoms and ensure our way of life and one of my top priorities is to make sure America takes care of the veterans who have dedicated their lives to serving our country. I am proud to serve on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee to help ensure that we honor the promises our government has made to our veterans.

Protecting Second Amendment Rights

I support the Second Amendment right of all law-abiding citizens to defend themselves and their families. One of our most cherished freedoms as Americans is our right to keep and bear arms, and we must never let anyone threaten it.

Lowering Taxes and Reforming Our Tax System

Taxpayer dollars are best left in the hands of the people who earned them. Lowering taxes and reforming our tax structure are vital steps to stimulate our economy and expand our job base.