After spending nearly three decades practicing medicine in North Texas I have served the constituents of the 26th District since 2003 in the United States House of Representatives.
I currently serve on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, House Rules Committee, and House Budget Committee.
As of the 115th Congress, I am the most senior medical doctor, on both sides of the aisle, serving in the House of Representatives. Because of my medical background, I have been a strong advocate for health care legislation aimed at reducing health care costs, improving choices, reforming liability laws to put the needs of patients first, and ensuring there are enough doctors in the public and private sector to care for America’s patients and veterans. I have voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act over 50 times, and have played an important role in bipartisan efforts to reform the Food and Drug Administration.
Throughout America’s history we have relied on farmers and ranchers to provide us with a wholesome and hearty food supply. We owe our continued prosperity to their dedication, innovation, and resilience. America has the safest, least expensive, and most abundant food supply of any country in the world - we are truly fortunate. Agricultural producers in Texas' 26th District help to carry on this legacy from generation to generation.
I represent three counties in Texas that have a strong legacy of providing for the agriculture needs of our region, state, and nation. The major commodities include:
I am a strong proponent of a balanced federal budget and an advocate for reducing the size of the federal government. To facilitate the return to balanced budgets, Congress has a number of tools at its disposal, including reducing spending, improving government efficiency, budget process reform, and promoting economic growth through tax relief.
Reckless spending is one of the biggest problems currently plaguing our federal government and has contributed to the growing budget deficit. As a fiscal conservative, I will continue to hold the line on the federal deficit by working to restrain discretionary spending. This is critical given the current state of our economy. I will do my best to ensure that Congress exercises fiscal restraint in order to achieve a balanced budget, while still allocating sufficient funding levels to meet the needs of our American communities.
As our nation and our allies continue to combat bad actors around the world that seek to do us harm, we must act wisely, and spend prudently. Fiscal discipline is the hallmark of a free society because it enables individuals to pursue their dreams without the burdensome intrusion of the federal government.
In the past decade, the threats facing our nation have evolved, but the world is no less dangerous than when I first began serving the 26th District of Texas 15 years ago. We still face the possibility of terrorist attacks at home as well as on Americans abroad, nuclear weapons proliferation, localized aggressive acts by nation-states, cyberespionage and attacks, as well as destabilizing domestic conflicts. This requires continued advancement and development of our intelligence agencies and armed services. Since being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, I have worked to ensure the United States maintains the most capable military in the world.
Many troops and civilian personnel stationed abroad include brave soldiers and servants from the 26th District. These patriots, along with other Texans that have served our nation, are making our state proud as they protect the freedoms that are so often targeted.
I believe it is important that we do not lose our resolve against capable and committed enemies, foreign or domestic. The people that wish to do us harm show little, if any, regard for the legal, cultural, and moral structures that we rely on to maintain a society based upon the rule of law and respect for individual rights. I believe that we will prevail over any threat to our homeland just as we have in the past. The American vision of hope is superior to our enemies’ propagation of evil. This is a fight that we cannot win without sacrifice, but we will win.
Our country’s strength is drawn from a robust and healthy free market economy. We have the largest economy of any nation in the world, and I will continue to support policies, like reasonable health care reform and tax reform, which will encourage current and future economic growth.
Reckless spending is one of the biggest problems currently plaguing our federal government and has contributed to the growing budget deficit. As a fiscal conservative, I will continue to restrain discretionary spending. If not controlled, increased spending will place huge debt in the hands of future generations. I will do my best to ensure that Congress exercises fiscal restraint in order to achieve a balanced budget, while still allocating sufficient funding levels to meet the needs of our American communities.
I strongly support fundamental tax reform and believe we need to overhaul the tax code. Each Congress I introduce the Freedom Flat Tax Act, which would simplify our nation's tax code and encourage people to make financial decisions based on common-sense economics.
Without a doubt, small business is the engine that drives our economy. I am committed to promoting our nation's small businesses and reducing the tax and paperwork burdens the federal government places upon them.
Finally, to allow American entrepreneurs to thrive and expand, the government must step out of the way. Burdensome regulations handed down by federal government agencies often slow hiring and hurt the bottom line of many small businesses. I will work to keep the regulatory burden in check, and to let entrepreneurs be the ones to run the economy because they know best.
Education is one of the most important gifts we can give our children, and I have always been a strong supporter of the need for high quality education in all age groups. The next generation must have the skills to find jobs, defend our nation and stimulate the economy. I am proud of the education system in Texas, especially the teachers who commit their lives to fostering the academic growth of our students. As the parent of two teachers and a grandfather, I will work to ensure the growth and progress of our country by giving our students the education they need to succeed in a global economy.
As the federal government continues to be actively involved in our education system, the simple fact is that parents can make better choices about their children's education than the U.S. Department of Education in Washington, DC. I believe the availability of school choice will both provide students with more access to better schools and also induce public schools to improve as a result of competition. It is for this reason that I support local control over education. I firmly believe that state governments, local school boards, teachers, parents, and students must be the ones that set the agenda for education, and they must have the responsibility of controlling the money.
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I believe energy conservation and efficiency can help us to reduce our oil consumption, but until alternative energy sources, such as hydrogen, are up and running, we must ensure that our policies encourage domestic production of traditional sources as well. As a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, I will continue to push for energy policies that will ensure energy is safe and affordable and keeps jobs in America. |
I believe that the institution of marriage is a legal and moral bond between a man and a woman. I have therefore supported several efforts in the House of Representatives to define marriage as the union of a man and a woman, and make any state law defining it in any other way unconstitutional.
I do not support the use of abortion. Prior to serving in Congress, I was an obstetrician/gynecologist for over 25 years and delivered over 3,000 babies during my years in practice. I wrote the bylaws at the Medical Center of Lewisville and two Denton County surgery centers prohibiting abortions from being performed on the premises. Having dedicated my life to a pro-life obstetrics practice, I believe that the United States Constitution is very clear when it guarantees a right to life.
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Federal law gives food manufacturers, distributors, and retailers the basic responsibility for assuring that foods are wholesome, safe, and handled under sanitary conditions. A number of federal agencies, cooperating with state, local, and international entities, play a major role in regulating food quality and safety under these laws. The combined efforts of the food industry and the regulatory agencies often are credited with making the U.S. food supply among the safest in the world. |
As the world’s foremost democracy, it is incumbent upon the United States to support democracies and democratic principles wherever they may exist. This requires a commitment to a strong national defense that is capable of intervening to protect freedom only when the evidence for action is stark. I proudly support the efforts of furthering democracy in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as finding a resolution to the years-long civil war ravaging Syria. I also am supportive of ensuring North Korea remains nuclear-free, arms-free, and moves from a dictatorship to a democracy.
I am philosophically a supporter of free trade. Trade promotes United States leadership, economic growth, and job creation. It helps alleviate poverty and builds stronger and more prosperous neighbors and partners, improving economic conditions both at home and abroad. By creating economic opportunities, we give individuals the freedom to choose employers offering better pay and better working conditions.
However, I believe it is paramount that we enforce the trade agreements that we already have in place. We must make sure that all parties are playing by the rules set during the negotiation process. In addition, I will continue to scrutinize all new trade agreement proposals.
I believe that the number one issue facing the federal government is the federal budget, which has ballooned out of control. I support sensible, common sense measures to keep the federal budget in check.
One of Congress’ primary functions is to oversee the executive branch’s actions, and review agency regulations to ensure they are following the laws passed by Congress. This is an essential core to the notion of Separation of Powers. As a member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, I take my responsibility to oversee the executive branch seriously, and have called for greater transparency at the Departments of Health and Human Services, Energy, and Commerce, as well as at the Environmental Protection Agency, and will be following their implementation of recent legislation closely.
As a doctor for over 25 years serving the people of North Texas, I know how important health care is to each individual. Now, serving as your United States Congressman, I am committed to reforming our health care system to make it more affordable and accessible. My seat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee has allowed me to work toward those goals.
In 2009, at the start of the 111th Session of Congress, I founded the Congressional Health Care Caucus, which I chair. This organization educates and provides information to Members of Congress and their staff on pertinent issues related to health care and health care reform. To learn more about the caucus, events I've hosted, and other information, please visit the Congressional Health Care Caucus website.
Health care reform has been and continues to be my number one priority as a Member of Congress. In 2010, President Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act into law. This massive government overhaul of our health care system creates more taxes, will increase costs, provides less access, and massively expands government bureaucracy.
I wholeheartedly support repealing the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and replacing it with legislation that is aimed at reducing health care costs, improving choices, reforming liability laws to put the needs of patients first, and ensuring there are enough doctors to care for America’s patients. I believe we can accomplish these goals by empowering patients and doctors, instead of turning more control over to the federal government, and I will continue to push for the right kind of reforms.
Now more than ever, as America faces the threat of terrorism, we must ensure that our borders are secure. We must do everything we can to protect our country from threats by those who wish to do us harm while simultaneously protecting the constitutional rights of citizens. As a member of the House Immigration Reform Caucus, I have been working with my colleagues to address the problems in our current policy. I strongly oppose any proposal to grant amnesty to illegal aliens. Today, there are nearly 11 million illegal aliens in the United States. At this critical juncture, we need to improve enforcement of our immigration laws and support provisions that make the legal immigration process viable.
I am committed to reducing illegal immigration into our country, and promoting legal immigration. I support more limited and verifiable forms of immigration. Throughout our history, immigrants have made important scientific, cultural and political contributions to the United States. I believe immigration policy must ensure that the contributions of law-abiding individuals are not eclipsed by the negative impact that illegal immigration may have on our country.
I believe strongly that the U.S. Constitution provides citizens and the states with certain protections from federal intrusion, and have used this belief as the basis for many of my decisions as a representative to the U.S. Congress. Free speech rights, the right to bear Arms, the protections from warrantless searches and seizures by the government all must be protected, not just by U.S. courts, but by all representatives of the government.
The Patriot Act put a tremendous amount of effort into protecting our homeland from terrorists. With these new protections came a number of new policies that were seen by some as an infringement on our civil rights. The Patriot Act gave law enforcement authorities and the intelligence community the flexibility they need to pursue terrorists and bring them to justice. It was intended to do so while continuing to protect the constitutional rights of our citizens. The Patriot Act allows law enforcement to use many of the same tools that have been used to fight organized crime and drug dealers to fight terrorists. Specifically, the Patriot Act allows law enforcement to conduct surveillance against more crimes of terror, such as the use of chemical weapons and other weapons of mass destruction, allows Federal agents to follow sophisticated terrorists trained to evade detection, and allows law enforcement to conduct investigations without tipping off terrorists.
With regards to eminent domain, our Fifth Amendment rights are stated clearly in the Constitution - private property cannot be taken for public use, without just compensation.
Millions of seniors today rely on Social Security to supplement their retirement income and Medicare to provide them with access to health care. Both programs are critical to millions in our nation and to many in Texas. Because of the vital benefits of these two programs, we must approach any proposed changes to these programs with great care and forethought.
I am concerned about the solvency of our Social Security and entitlement programs. Any proposed change must guarantee that current and future retirees receive the benefits to which they are entitled. Strains on the whole Social Security system mean it is “broken” in its current form. Something must be done to account for the burden of retirees on the horizon.
Medicare is expected to nearly double its share of the nation’s economy by 2030, crowding out other federal spending and economic activity. To deal with this problem, we should first reform Medicare to eliminate the billions in waste, fraud, and abuse. Then, we should work to include new treatments that save money and provide better care and make sure reimbursement rates are fair and accurate, eliminating overpayment but also ensuring payment that accounts for true costs.
I am committed to ensuring the security of hard-earned benefits for both of these important programs for both current and future retirees. Their contributions and trust in the program must not be compromised by cutting the aid many depend on in old age. The right way forward does not betray the trust or security of taxpayers when they are most vulnerable.
The 26th District of Texas is growing at a very quick pace. Building and maintaining a strong transportation infrastructure is vital to the economic development of North Texas. For this reason, I have made transportation one of my main priorities as I serve you in Congress. I will continue to work to ensure that other roads within my district receive the attention needed to better provide for a more efficient transportation system. Roads in Cooke County need attention, as well as Highway 380 in Denton to the Wise County line. In Tarrant County, we must continue to work on Rosedale Avenue in Southeast Fort Worth and Loop 820 in the Northeast.
I will continue to work to ensure that our District receives federal assistance to address our infrastructure needs, such as improving Interstate 35 and State Highway 183, developing intermodal facilities, and expanding DFW Airport and surrounding municipal airports. The logjam at Tower 55 prevents headaches and dangers that must be addressed. I have requested funding assistance to expedite the planning and construction of specific highways and transit projects to improve the lives of citizens, business owners, and those transporting goods through the district. We cannot sit by letting funds slip to other states when our roads must stay competitive with other major cities.
I am grateful to the men and women who have fought and continue to fight so that we may exercise our freedoms on a daily basis. Our troops make unimaginable sacrifices for their fellow Americans. They leave their homes and families to ensure the safety and freedom of the American people, many of whom they will never meet. They have upheld our values of liberty, justice and self-determination.
For our troops serving around the world, and those transitioning back into civilian life, our commitment to them only grows. Taking care of them, and their families, is a responsibility we must take seriously and work to uphold. As we welcome home new generations of veterans, we must ensure that these programs are in place and being properly managed to afford our troops every opportunity for a smooth transition back to their lives here at home. These men and women fought for our freedom, and now we must for them.