On The Right talk’s with 1st District Congressman Rob Wittman

I would like to thank Representative Rob Wittman for answering a few question for me about the current state of the 1st Congressional District, health care and a few other issues. Representative Wittman and his staff were very quick in answering my inquiry for the interview and getting the answers back to me. I would like to thank both Representative Wittman and his staff. You can check out Congressman Wittman’s official House of Representatives website here, his reelection campaign website here, and follow him on Twitter here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. Congressman Wittman, give me a short bio about yourself and what experience you had before being elected as the 1st District’s Representative in Congress.

RW:  As a native Virginian, I have been serving the people of the Commonwealth for more than 20 years, spanning several levels of government, from Montross Town Council to the United States Congress. I won my first campaign for public office in 1986 when I was elected to the Montross Town Council, where I served for 10 years, four of them as Mayor. In 1995, I was elected to the Westmoreland County Board of Supervisors and was elected its Chairman in 2003. In 2005, voters in the 99th Legislative District elected me to the Virginia House of Delegates, where I served until I was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 2007.

Prior to my election to Congress, I spent 26 years working in state government, most recently as Field Director for the Virginia Health Department’s Division of Shellfish Sanitation. Earlier, I worked for many years as an environmental health specialist for local health departments in Virginia’s Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula regions.

My experience and familiarity with our different levels of government have proven invaluable as I represent my constituents in Washington.

2. What 3 issues are the most important to you and why, and how would you go about fixing them?

RW: My number one priority right now is ensuring that jobs and the economy get moving back in the right direction. I have supported a number of bills to jump-start small businesses, which create 70% of the new jobs in our Nation every year. We need to recognize that the Government cannot simply “create” jobs. Instead, we can be effective in paving the way for small businesses and entrepreneurs to grow these jobs and get America working again. The message is clear- America needs jobs, and this is my focus. This involves reigning in the size and rapid growth of a federal government. We cannot continue recklessly spending at this rate without bankrupting this country. Massive deficit spending is adding to our jobless woes, and it must be reigned in. We can help the American entrepreneurial spirit and stimulate job growth by lowering the tax burden on small business owners so they can invest resources in hiring people.

Next, I’m focused on reigning in the size and growth of the federal government. We cannot sustain the current level of deficit spending and expansion of government. Currently the budget deficit stands at nearly 12 trillion dollars and the Congress has obligated an additional 9 trillion dollars in deficit spending. The current deficit holds every man, woman and child accountable for over $38,000 of the national debt. Just this year, there has been over 1.4 trillion dollars in deficit spending out of a 3.8 trillion dollar budget. If we do not tackle this issue now then we will saddle future generations with unmanageable debt and bog down future economic growth.

Lastly, I have and will continue to be an advocate for our fighting forces at home and around the globe. Through my position on the House Armed Service Committee, I’ve focused on putting those that serve first. We need to continue to honor our commitments that we made to these service members and their families when they signed up; including Tricare for Life, providing them the best equipment, and creating opportunities for them to succeed in civilian life once they leave the service. While advocating for our armed services, I continue to be focused on our homeland security. America continues to be at war, and threats from terrorism are very, very real. I strongly believe that we must remain vigilant in the defense of our country, and focus on homeland security, and the men and women in our Armed Forces who keep us safe.

3. How would you describe your political ideology? Conservative, libertarian, moderate, liberal, Regan conservative or other?

RW: I would describe myself as a commonsense Ronald Reagan conservative, meaning that the same every day decisions that families make at their kitchen tables should come to bear at the conference tables of Congress. We need to balance our budgets, not run deficits, and provide opportunities to move ahead while continuing to be a world leader.

The massive growth of the federal government is not only intruding on individuals, but it is imposing restraints on job creation – the very thing we need most in this country. A smaller, effective government that taxes what it needs – not what it wants – is just common sense, and that is where I stand.

4. Who is your favorite Virginia politician and why?

RW: My favorite Virginia public servant is Thomas Jefferson. He was a man who knew that government’s intervention in its citizen’s lives should be limited, while providing for a strong common defense. He was also a strong advocate for personal liberties and a man of deep held convictions. Jefferson feared an overbearing, strong federal government and had a great affinity for the 10th Amendment. He understood the importance of natural resources by sending Lewis and Clark to explore the continent’s interior and having them report on the resources therein.

5. Who is your favorite president and why?

RW:  George Washington was not only our first President, but a Virginian who was born right in my home county of Westmoreland. He was a man who brought our fledgling Nation together and set the example for what every public servant should strive to achieve.

6. What are the biggest issues facing Virginia’s 1st District and how could they be remedied?

RW: Let’s face it – folks are hurting right now. We need jobs, and unfortunately many in Congress are focused on other issues that are not jobs related. My focus has been, and will continue to be on jobs. I get it. That’s why I held a job fair this fall with over 40 employers in attendance.

The First Congressional District has seen its share of economic challenges throughout the past several years. We must be working in every way possible to help small businesses create jobs and grow our economy. A healthy and diverse economy is critical to the well-being of all of my constituents, and I am committed to supporting measures that ease the tax and regulatory burden on business while looking for ways to help them expand and grow.

We have a number of very important issues across the first district. In the lower and upper parts of the district, we must continue working on transportation solutions to get folks to work on time and increase the use of telework centers to take cars off the roads while ensuring our operational security. I will be introducing a telework tax credit bill in December to encourage their expanded use.

Virginia’s transportation challenges have reached a critical mass. When people cannot get to their destinations, it hurts business and impacts our economy. This has a trickle down effect that further impacts our quality of life. It is a major challenge that I am eager to work on with Governor McDonnell. As you know, he has made it a top priority as well.

Along the coast line, we need to continue supporting our watermen and as well as our efforts to clean up the Chesapeake Bay. I have been working with Governor Kaine as well as in Congress to provide relief for our watermen following the blue crab fishery disaster declaration. Also, my Chesapeake Bay Accountability and Recovery Act passed Congress by a vote of 415-1. This bill will ensure good government accounting principles while following successful models used to cleanup the Florida Everglades and the Great Lakes.

In the lower portion of our District I have been an advocate for continuing to homeport our nuclear carriers at Norfolk and have worked across the aisle in support of the shipbuilding industry in Newport News.

Finally, the whole district has been impacted by our challenging economic times, and it goes without saying that I will oppose tax increases that are already being proposed for the coming year.

7. Give me a list of bills you have sponsored or co-sponsored in the current term?

RW:  A complete list of my sponsored or cosponsored bills (there are hundreds) can be found at http://thomas.loc.gov, but a few highlights of my sponsored and co-sponsored legislation include efforts to clean up our environment, address our transportation problems, help our veterans, balance the budget and advance education:

• H.R.274: To impose certain limitations on the receipt of out-of-State municipal solid waste and for other purposes.

• H.R.457: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to restore the Secretary of the Treasury’s obligation to invest the balance of the Highway Trust Fund in United States interest-bearing obligations.

• H.R.1053: The Chesapeake Bay Accountability and Recovery Act.

• H.R.3433: To amend the North American Wetlands Conservation Act to establish requirements regarding the non-Federal share payment to the costs of wetlands conservation projects in Canada that are funded under that Act, and for other purposes.

• HR 456: To allow service disabled veterans eligibility under the section 8a business development program

• H.J. Res 1: Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States

• HR 1313 To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 so that any local educational agency receiving funding under part A of title I of such Act or public charter school is eligible for a Troops to Teachers participant.

• H.R.1526: To aid and support pediatric involvement in reading and education.

8. How do you feel the United States health care should be reformed? Do you agree with the Democrats’ big government takeover, if not why?

RW: Clearly there is a widespread consensus on both sides of the aisle that our current system is expensive and needs reform; we are simply on an unsustainable path. However, when overhauling something that comprises 1/5 of our economy, we need as much agreement as possible from both sides of the aisle. I would propose breaking the process into several bills that focus on tort reform, allowing those with preexisting conditions to purchase affordable insurance, allowing the purchase of insurance across state lines, and creating incentives for the chronically uninsured to be able to afford insurance.

What I do not support is the federal government’s takeover of healthcare, which is a key component of current plans. This option would drastically alter Americans access to their current insurance by creating a government system with unfair advantages that will eventually put private insurance out of business.

We must provide solutions to the current problems with our health care insurance and delivery systems that reduce costs to patients, maintain the elements of the current system that are working and not create a burden on small businesses. The current health care reform bills before Congress are seen by many members on both sides of the aisle as not achieving these objectives.

9. Do you think Bob McDonnell’s win in Virginia and Chris Christie’s win in New Jersey is a sign of the voters being fed up with big government policies?

RW: Over the past decade here in the Commonwealth, we have seen voters become more independent with their votes. I think the voters in Virginia and New Jersey realize the same things voters across the Nation are starting to realize: government spending is out of control and unsustainable. The taxing, borrowing and spending of today are destroying our tomorrows. As voters struggle to balance their budgets and avoid unnecessary debt, they are asking themselves why governments are not doing the same thing. This was reflected at the ballot box.

I also believe that people across America have been very clear in letting elected officials know that we need jobs. Yet many of those elected seem to be focusing on other policy agendas. The voters had the final say in November.

Our Nation needs to get back to the business of creating jobs and opportunities for every American to succeed.

10. Why should voters of the 1st District reelect you to another term?

RW: For over 20 years as a public servant and certainly since December 2007 as a Member of Congress, citizens of the Commonwealth have come to know me as a hardworking and tireless advocate for the commonsense approach to good government.

I have been successful in moving legislation through Congress and representing the interests of my constituents. Through my committee positions, I have been able to put the district first, and concentrate on local issues while using my positions in Congress to benefit Virginia.

Even though my party is in the minority, I am able to reach across party lines and work in a bi-partisan manner, as demonstrated by the passage of my Chesapeake Bay Accountability and Recovery Act, which moved through the House on a vote of 415-1. I have also sought to bring community wide consensus on issues by forming district-wide advisory councils on issues like healthcare, historic preservation, small business development, education, and faith based initiatives. I am a strong believer that the best ideas for progress and reform in our Government come from outside Washington, and I will continue to encourage and listen to new ideas from outside the beltway.

I have tackled issues head on, like transportation, supporting our fisheries industry along the Bay, and supporting and empowering our servicemen and women and their families.

I have a clear vision for this district – one with job growth that allows families peace of mind and stability, reliable transportation that compliments a strong economy, improvements to our health care system that benefit all while protecting current insurance coverage, a first rate public school system, opportunities for our veterans who are in such large numbers in Virginia’s first district, and a fair tax rate that does not burden Virginia families. I have been extremely honored to serve as your Representative in Congress and would be humbled to continue to do so.

11. Will you and Congressman Randy Forbes, continue to try to get legislation passed that requires all bills show where in the United States Constitution, they are allowed?

RW:  I am currently a cosponsor of H.R. 450 the Enumerated Powers Act. I and many other in Congress continue to believe that it is simply good government and demonstrates accountability to know where and how the powers of legislating are granted to us by the Constitution. I will continue to be an advocate for its passage.

12. What are some things you like to do when you are not working in Congress or working on your campaign for reelection?

RW: Whenever I get a chance I enjoy spending time outdoors hunting and fishing with my family and my four Labrador Retrievers. I’ve always been an avid outdoorsman and I cannot think of a better place to enjoy those pursuits than at home in Virginia’s First Congressional District.