Chris Cannon answers Deseret Morning News questionnaire

Current deficits are the result of several factors — including overspending by Congress and the demands of our national security in a post-9/11 world. However, deficits do not result from the American people being "undertaxed." To the contrary, a robust and growing economy is essential to deficit reduction, and making recently enacted tax cuts permanent is critical to that economic growth. Congress must reform its budgeting process — an effort in which I am engaged — in order to get spending under control. We cannot tax our way to prosperity or even to a balanced budget. Remember, we don't tax rich people. There is no tax on wealth, we tax income and consumption, which come from hardworking people who are trying to become rich — the same people who create jobs.

8. What is the one personal trait/characteristic that you want voters to know about you and why is that important in this race?

I look at what is going to be important 10 years from now. Too often, government is reactive. Looking to the future and the opportunities it holds for our young people and our state is a trait I believe is very important, both in this election and in the way I represent the people of the 3rd District.

9. As you know, having Hill Air Force Base closed would be a great blow to Utah's economy. What will you do specifically to help keep the base open?

Keeping a robust and active Hill Air Force Base is obviously critical to our state, and the effort to accomplish that has many facets. As the Air Force itself has said, the Utah Test and Training Range is an "irreplaceable part of the nation's defense infrastructure." Likewise, the UTTR is an essential factor in any decisions regarding the future of Hill AFB. That is why I have co-sponsored the Utah Test and Training Range Protection Act (HR2909) to ensure continued unfettered military access to the range despite the presence of existing wilderness or Wilderness Study Areas. Similarly, working with other members of the congressional delegation and with state officials, I have made it clear that I will do whatever is necessary to ensure that we are providing the infrastructure, the community support and the resources that are needed to protect Hill from closure or mission reduction.

10. Wilderness has become the black hole of Utah/federal politics. While a few state inholdings have been traded out for other federal lands which can now be developed, what will you do to move the wilderness issue forward?