Baumgartner Issues & Policy
Energy Security
America’s overdependence on foreign oil hurts our economy and endangers our troops. It distorts our foreign policy and forces us to do business with some of the world’s worst tyrants. An America with abundant and diverse energy supplies will both make the whole world more secure and help good jobs here at home.
Balancing the Budget
America’s growing national debt threatens our prosperity and unfairly endangers the future freedoms of our children and grandchildren. In the last twelve years, America’s national debt has doubled to nearly 15 trillion dollars. Irresponsible politicians in Washington, D.C. have staggered from one crisis to the next. We must have a balanced budget, now.
Creating Jobs
A good job, along with the ability to own your own business, are essential parts of the American Dream. In the last twelve years, Washington State’s unemployment rate has doubled. Today, nearly one in five persons is looking for work or underemployed. We must let business create jobs without government red tape slowing growth and distorting capital markets.
Restoring Our Freedom
Thomas Jefferson said that the God who gave us life gave us liberty. The Constitution does not grant us those freedoms, which we are born with, but it is meant to restrain government from trampling them. There is no more important job for a U.S. Senator than ensuring those promises made in the Constitution are kept in the Congress.
Military and Veterans
President Abraham Lincoln implored us “to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow, and his orphan” and this is a commitment I take seriously after having worked alongside so many of our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is time to end the wars and adopt a smarter foreign policy.
Protecting Seniors
Social Security and Medicare are vital programs to ensure every American has a measure of comfort in their retirement years. As we reform these systems to secure their future for our children, we must ensure that we do not betray the promises made to our parents and grandparents.
Ensuring Quality Education
Education is the key to a good life and a prosperous nation. Tomorrow’s aerospace engineers, programmers, teachers and foresters are in public schools and colleges today. Our investment in these young people is key to our strength as a nation.
Affordable Health Care
America needs health care reform that improves coverage and controls cost. I believe Obamacare must be replaced by a system that allows more competition and flexibility for states, while still expanding access and providing safe guards for the most vulnerable.
