Congress 2010: State Senator Robert Hurt

What is your stance on health care? Would you support the repeal of the new healthcare law?

I believe that the government takeover of health care should be repealed and replaced. Our health care system needs real reform based on market oriented solutions that maintain our quality of care and truly reduce costs. Instead of trying to salvage a bad piece of legislation that the majority of Americans didn’t want and that fundamentally alters our health care system, a better alternative is starting over based on commonsense reforms where broad consensus already exists.

How do you plan to help small businesses succeed?

I believe that small businesses are the engine of our economy. I am proud to have the endorsement of the National Federation of Independent Business and U.S. Chamber of Commerce. I will help small businesses succeed by fighting for lower taxes, reducing unnecessary regulations, and limiting the role of government where it doesn’t belong in our free enterprise.

How do you stand on keeping the Bush tax cuts that are scheduled to end January 2011? Would you support extending the Bush tax cuts beyond January 2010?

I support making all of the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts permanent. In this time of economic uncertainty, it would be irresponsible to raise taxes on anyone. The problem in Washington is not too little revenue; the problem in Washington is too much spending. In order to reduce the federal deficit, we must cutting spending within a framework of a balanced budget. Only the federal government would equate a tax cut for the people to a spending increase in Washington, D.C.

How do you feel about the new research showing that the recession has been over for some time? How do you plan to help those who are still feeling its effects?

Unemployment remains at over 20 percent in some areas of the 5th District and we have lost over 11,000 jobs since the stimulus was passed. In order to achieve a sustainable economic recovery, we must have people in Washington committed to creating a climate of certainty by lowering taxes, reducing unnecessary regulations, and reining in government spending so that our small businesses are able to invest and hire again. Only then we will see our economy truly improve for the people of the 5th District.

How do you use the Constitution in your decision making process? What role should government take in citizens’ lives?

The Constitution is the basis of my decision making. I believe we need to return our country to the founding principles set out by our Founders: limited government, free enterprise, and individual liberty.

Would you support legislation that would reverse and/or challenge the abortion decision in Roe v. Wade?

I am pro-life and I support reversing Roe v. Wade.

What specific plans do you have to increase employment?

The private sector, not the government, creates jobs. I will work to lower taxes and reduce regulations for family businesses and farms, allowing our employers to keep more of what they make. The worst barrier to job creation in America is the United States Congress. The job-killing policies enacted by Congress – out-of-control spending and borrowing, tax increases, the government takeover of health care, and Cap-and-Trade – have led to economic uncertainty and crippling our job creators. We will not see any kind of recovery until there is a new Congress in place and the federal government spends less, balances its budget, and lives within its means.

What would you like college students to know about you?

I would like college students to know how important this election is. It is the most critical election of our life time and it is vital that we send people to Washington committed to lowering taxes, reining in government spending, and reducing the size and scope of the federal government. For the sake of your futures and the generations that follow, it’s imperative that we make the right kind of change on November 2nd.