ROBERT HURT – 5th DISTRICT

Republican Party

Robert Hurt, a Republican, is the incumbent U.S Representative of Virginia’s 5th congressional District in the House of Representatives. Hurt, 45, is seeking a third term after first being elected in 2011.

Hurt was raised in Chatham, Virginia. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Hampden-Sydney College in 1991 and a law degree from Mississippi College School of Law in 1995. He was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 2001 and served there from 2002 to 2007. Hurt also represented the 19th District in the Senate of Virginia from 2008 to 2010.

One of Hurt’s primary goals in the upcoming election is to reduce federal spending and debt now so that future generations will not have to suffer the consequences. Hurt says that it is important to promote policies that create more jobs, which in turn provide more freedom and opportunity for Americans.

Hurt also wishes to reduce federal regulation of education, private institutions, greenhouse gas emissions and energy. On his website, he blames the federal government for hindering employment opportunities.

“There is no greater priority for us in the 5th District than job creation,” Hurt said. “In order to get our economy back on track, it is vital that the message coming out of Washington be one that fosters an environment of economic certainty. We must remove Washington as a roadblock to job creation. As a Nelson County farmer explained it, the greatest barrier to jobs is the federal government.”

Hurt is a member of the Financial Services Committee, which has jurisdiction over all aspects of the U.S. financial and housing sectors, according to his website. He believes the Committee will be important for moving the nation’s economy forward. He is also the vice chairman of the Capital Markets and Government Sponsored Enterprises
Subcommittee.

He currently resides in Chatham with his wife, Kathy, and three sons, Charles, Clement and John.

Q: Why should a college student vote for you?

A: I am running for reelection because I believe the policies coming out of Washington are leaving the next generation — college students and other young people — a country that is in worse condition than it was given to us by our parents and grandparents. We must change course so we create more freedom and opportunity for all Americans, not less, so young people have access to more jobs, not fewer; so we tackle our spending and debt problems now and not leave the bill to future generations. Federal policies have a profound impact on young people, and it is important that they be aware of how and why these debates matter to them. I am committed to taking on the challenges that will leave this country a more free and prosperous place for future generations.

Q: What, if any, legislation could be considered to give religious institutions, such as Liberty University, the right to be exempt from federal mandates that violate their conscience?

A: I believe that private entities, like Liberty University, should not be forced to adhere to government mandates that violate their religious beliefs. I will continue the effort to repeal the president’s health care law and support legislation that defends religious liberty and Americans’ First Amendment rights.

Q: What plans do you have or support to help alleviate student loan debt while simultaneously ensuring quality higher education?

A: We must adopt policies that will slow the growth of college tuition so students and families can afford the opportunity to pursue higher education. Education is principally a state responsibility, and I support reducing any unnecessary federal mandates that hinder states’ ability to keep tuition costs down. I have also introduced bipartisan legislation that makes it easier for families to save for college. H.R. 3029, the College Savings Enhancement Act, would update current laws to allow state-run prepaid college savings plans the freedom to invest more broadly, enhancing their ability to meet their obligations to the families purchasing their plans and saving for their children’s future.

Q:. What is your position on abortion?

A: I believe that life begins at conception. During my time in Congress, I have voted on a number of occasions to protect life, including voting to permanently prohibit the use of federal funds for abortion.

Q: With the recent spread of terrorism, particularly ISIS, how do you think the U.S. should respond?

A: I believe that ISIL is a direct threat to our national security that must be destroyed, but I have serious objections to the current engagement in which our military is involved because the president has not requested from Congress, as required by the U.S. Constitution, a broader Authorization for Use of Military Force to combat ISIL in Iraq and Syria. The American people and their representatives in Congress must be afforded the opportunity to have an honest and candid debate over what will be necessary to achieve this objective and exactly what will ultimately be required of the American people and our brave men and women in uniform as we embark on this wider military course.

Q: What are your thoughts on the use of executive action?

A: Over the last six years, we have witnessed this president repeatedly disregard the constraints on his constitutional powers and take executive action that goes well beyond what the Constitution permits. Our founders carefully designed a system of checks and balances and separate powers so no one branch could have unchecked authority, but time and time again, this administration has disregarded these safeguards intended to protect the people from an overbearing government. I will continue to hold the executive branch accountable, ensure the rule of law is upheld, and protect individual liberty and freedom.

Q: What are your top three priorities concerning congressional legislation?

A: As unemployment rates in many Fifth District localities remain unacceptably high, I have been laser-focused on making it easier for small businesses to succeed and thrive in our communities. I have proposed and supported a number of bipartisan initiatives to jumpstart our economy.
Washington has embarked on an out of control spending spree that has failed to create jobs or grow the economy and has only led to a national debt of nearly $18 trillion. I have supported several pieces of legislation, including a Balanced Budget Amendment that would cut trillions in government spending so that we can begin to reduce our debt, grow the economy and create jobs.
I believe the president’s health care law must be fully repealed and replaced with market-driven health care reforms rather than government mandates. These mandates are making coverage more expensive, are separating patients from their insurance plans and their doctors, reducing jobs and reducing hours and wages for workers. We should instead adopt reforms that utilize market forces like competition and choice to reduce costs to increase access to care without reducing its quality.

Q: What separates you from other candidates?

A: I deeply appreciate the fact that the seat to which I was elected does not belong to any one person, but instead belongs to the good people of Virginia’s Fifth District. With this in mind, I am asking for your support in the upcomting election so I may continue our important work of promoting policies that restore opportunity, freedom and common sense to a federal government that so often seems disconnected from the people it represents. I humbly ask for the opportunity to continue on our mission to fight for a brighter future for our children and grandchildren.