Tom Emmer:
Top priority: If elected, what is your top priority for the 2017 Congress?
My priority is bringing Midwest values to Washington and enacting policies that benefit Main Street Minnesota. I hear the frustration of the time and money spent following unnecessary regulations. With the federal government’s regulatory burdens now surpassing $1.8 trillion, the average Minnesota family bears nearly $15,000 in regulatory costs each and every year! We must get government out of the way while working to hold the rule makers accountable and bring the power of lawmaking back to Congress. Minnesota’s economy relies on trade, commerce and the ability of businesses to move their products to local and international markets. It is crucial to enact policies and provide funding that reduce congestion and enhance economic development so we can keep Minnesotans moving. We need to strengthen our security check system and require the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI to conduct a background investigation before any application for refugee admission is approved. I have led the fight to formalize a declaration of war against ISIS to authorize the President to take the necessary action and have the proper resources to defeat our enemies. I will work to keep Americans secure at home and abroad.
Why are you running for office?
I am running for office because of my seven children. I want to work to ensure their future is better – and safer – than it was when we found it. Just like I want to work toward a better future for all Minnesotans. I am running to rein in government spending and waste, reduce tax burdens and unnecessary regulations, and to remove the federal government’s overreach into our daily lives.
Foreign affairs: Is the United States tough enough in its foreign policy with regard to its response to terrorism? Are additional measures warranted? Be specific.
For eight years, we’ve had a President with a “lead from behind” mentality leading to a more dangerous nation – so no, we most certainly have not been tough enough with regards to terrorism.. We have drawn red-lines and not followed through, we have made dangerous deals, lifted sanctions and paid ransom to the largest state sponsor of terror, and failed to secure our refugee admittance process.
I voted for the SAFE Act which would halt any refugees coming from war torn areas until we implement a system of unanimous certification to fully ensure terrorist are not able to take advantage of our refugee system.
ISIS has declared war on us and it is time for us to do the same. I introduced a Declaration of War against the Islamic State. Our Founding Fathers wanted there to be one Commander in Chief, not 436, which is why it is necessary for us to give the President any and all tools at his/her disposal to eradicate the world of this evil.
The number one role of the federal government is to protect our citizens. This why we must continue to take steps both at home and abroad to fight terrorism.
Health care: Health care costs have increased under the Affordable Care Act, and it remains unpopular with many Americans. Would you vote to abolish the Act? Barring that, are there specific reforms you would support?
It is clear that Obamacare has been an absolutely disaster and Minnesota is proof of that. There have been issues with the website, individuals losing their doctors, premiums increasing by more than 50%, and overall, Minnesotans being forced to pay more for less coverage. It is clear real reform is needed. Almost every interaction with a Minnesota family or small business owner includes a story of lost or reduced coverage, outrageous premium hikes, or being forced to lay off employees because the costs and compliance are too much.
During my first term in Congress, I did vote to repeal Obamacare. But, I’ve also been vocal about the fact that we need to work toward a real solution. We need to put the American people back in charge of their health care. We should encourage small businesses and individuals to work together across state lines. And we should allow a person’s insurance to stick with them rather than with their job. Most importantly, we need to take the politics out of this and work together as one Congress to find a true fix.
Education: What role should the federal government play in ensuring that U.S. graduates can compete in the global economy? Are there specific measures that you advocate?
I don’t think the federal government should play a role in our education system. Today, we see an incredibly high level of federal involvement, but the outcome for our students is getting worse. We see an increase in the achievement gap and Minnesotan children left behind.
As the father of seven children, it’s fair to say my wife Jacquie and I have had a lot of interaction with Minnesota’s public school system.
I fully believe our country’s education system should be as diverse and individual-oriented as the people it serves. The decisions made in our education system need to be done closer to home by the parents, the teachers, and the community leaders who know their children better than Washington bureaucrats.
We also need to clear the way for new and innovative teaching tools that provide every student a tailored approach to learning. Minnesota is home to excellent public, private, magnet, charter and online schools that give children with many different types of learning needs the ability to exceed.
By tailoring our education system on the local level rather than by federal mandate, we will be ensuring that Minnesota students graduate with the tools to compete in the global economy.
Energy: Do you support current restrictions on domestic oil and natural gas production, or would you like to see them reduced or increased?
Like all Minnesotans, I believe it is necessary to protect our land, lakes and streams for future generations. But, we also need to protect our energy interests and reduce our dependence on foreign oil. This is why I am a firm believer in an all-of-the-above energy policy.
We need to work to find a responsible energy solution that helps rather than hurts Minnesota families and business owners. During my first term, I have taken numerous votes to address the rising cost of energy by working to reduce the regulations and taxes placed on the energy industry. With the harsh winters that we face, it’s crucial that Minnesotans are able to keep warm without paying an arm and a leg.
I’m also a strong support of the Keystone and Sandpiper Pipelines. These pipelines will bring real jobs and revenue to our state and country, all while making us more energy independent.
Debt: Federal entitlements are the main drivers of rising U.S. debt. What specific steps can be taken to keep programs such as Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid solvent and still serve those individuals in need?
With Social Security payments not keeping pace with cost of living increases, we have to help people keep more their retirement funds. That’s why I introduced the Retirement Inflation Protection Act. This will help seniors protect their assets from capital gains taxes caused by inflation. If this bill becomes law, seniors would be able to keep more of their hard earned money for retirement, which is why the Association of Mature American Citizens has endorsed this legislation.
Transportation: What role should the federal government play in funding state and local transportation infrastructure? Be specific.
Transportation is one of my top priorities, and I have worked closely with our county commissioners, mayors and state elected officials on this during my first term.
Whether it’s Minnesotans trying to get to their cabins or businesses trying to move their goods and services, frustration with transportation infrastructure is one of the most common complaints I hear.
Today, Minnesota only keeps 70 cents of every dollar we send to Washington through the gas tax. That is money out of the pockets of Minnesota taxpayers that is not being spent in our state.
Like many things, we must bring more control back to the states. That is why I voted for the FAST Act, which is a five year transportation reauthorization bill. This would give Minnesotans more control over how our money is spent and prioritizes federal dollars for projects like I-94 and Hwy 10.
A good relationship between the federal and state governments is imperative in transportation funding so that we can work to reduce congestion, encourage economic development and quite literally get Minnesotans moving again.
Economy: What steps do you support to stimulate the growth of jobs?
This country was built on the backs of entrepreneurs and people of all walks of life in search of the American Dream. However, today, workforce participation is at historic lows, our economy is growing at a dismal rate and we have watched as the United States has become the regulation nation drowning the entrepreneurial spirit rather than encouraging it.
Not only is this unnecessary red-tape stifling innovation and killing the pursuit of the American Dream, but these burdensome regulations are often imposed by Washington bureaucrats and not be elected officials. This is why I support – and have voted for – rolling back the regulations and reducing the tax burdens Minnesota job creators are facing today.
That’s why I introduced the CREATE Jobs Act to help make American corporations competitive in an international market again by making our corporate tax rate in line with other western countries. The Tax Foundation believes that a 20% corporate tax reduction would bring 600,000 new jobs to our economy getting Americans back to work again. People come from all over the world to explore the American Dream and it is our job to pass legislation to make that dream a reality.
Agriculture: agricultural leaders fear that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will use perceived authority under the Clean Water Act provision Waters of the United States to invoke practices and requirements on private farm land, which could alter future crop production practices and livestock grazing. Do you support the provision? Why or why not?
Between the Clean Power Plan and the Waters of the U.S., we have witnessed even more overreach from this Administration.
Minnesota farmers are the backbones of our economy, and we must work to protect them. Thankfully, the Court system has blocked this disastrous rule for now, but I am committed to working to ensure that any rule of this sort is a sensible rule that will provide clarity rather than confusion for our nation’s farmers.
Immigration: Do America’s immigration laws need to be changed? What should be the tenets of any immigration reform legislation?
We are a law and order country, and it is crucial that we enforce the laws we have on the books today. We should be targeted with our immigration policies, making sure we follow the law and best serve the people of the United States. There are visa and immigration systems in place so that anyone wanting to come to this great nation can do so - legally.
In fact, last year I introduced a bill with Congresswoman Meng which would work to address the current backlog of our J-1 Visas. Currently, men and women ready to fulfil their medical residency by working in some of our rural and underserved hospitals are unable to do so because of significant delays. By improving oversight, we will be able to not only allow these doctors the ability to work in America, but some of our communities that desperately need good medical help will benefit as well.
Foreign trade: Should the Trans-Pacific Partnership be ratified? Be specific in your reasons.
Trade is one of my top priorities and has been since joining Congress, but I believe it needs to be done in a transparent and accountable manner. I worked hard to pass Trade Promotion Authority to ensure all Americans, not just elected officials in a secret room, can read the text of Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) or any trade deal before it is voted on.
At this point, TPP has not been introduced in Congress, so I am taking the time to read the text while meeting with my constituents and industry folks to hear if they support or oppose this trade deal. Once it is introduced and I have finished reading it, I will make the decision whether TPP is what is best for Minnesota or not.
Other issues: Are there other issues you want to address?
Briefly summarize your personal background and qualifications.
I grew up in Minnesota and graduated college from University of Alaska-Fairbanks and from law school at William Mitchell College of Law. I settled down with my beautiful wife Jacquie and focused on raising our seven children and building a business.
When I first decided to run for City Council, it was because I wanted to ensure the future of my children was better than it was. I served on two city councils and then ran for the Minnesota legislature, where I served from 2004-2010. I took a break from public service to host a radio show before running for Congress in 2014.
During my prior public service and throughout my first term in Congress, I pledged to be accessible and available to all Minnesotans, to work tirelessly to rein in spending and reduce regulation, and most importantly, to defend and honor our nation’s Constitution.
During my first term, we have taken pride in ensuring that anyone with a question, comment or suggestion would have the ability to ask me personally. After all, this seat does not belong to me – it belongs to the people of Minnesota. That is why we held 22 town halls in the last 22 months and have made certain to meet with Minnesotans from all walks of life to hear what is important to those we represent.