Paul Van Dam answers Deseret Morning News questionnaire

4. Do you favor or oppose allowing U.S. citizens to buy prescription drugs from other countries, like Canada. If not, what can be done to quickly reduce the cost of prescription medicines in the United States?

With the cost of prescription drugs soaring, we need to do something immediately to lower those costs. Allowing U.S. citizens to purchase drugs from Canada would help lower those costs, but that alone does not solve the problem. I am in favor of legislation that would allow for reimportation of prescription drugs, and that would empower the federal government to negotiate for lower prices on behalf of the tens of millions already insured through Medicare, the VA, Medicaid, and the Federal Government Employee Benefit Plan. This would deliver even better benefits to Utahns, at a fraction of the cost of programs like the new Medicare Drug Benefit.

5. Knowing what you do today, would you support the Iraqi war? How much longer should U.S. troops be in Iraq? At this time, do you favor or oppose spending as much money as President Bush requests on the war? Should military operations in Iraq be considered part of the "war on terror"?

The question of whether or not we should have gone to war in Iraq is moot. The fact is, whether or not any of us supported going to war, we are there, and we need to be successful in building a safe and stable Iraq. At this point, we need to develop a realistic plan to rebuild the infrastructure, make Iraq secure and independent, and bring our troops home as quickly as possible. Regardless of one's feelings about the war, we should all support the brave men and women of our armed services and their families. That support must include making sure they have the resources and equipment they need while they are defending our nation at home and abroad.

6. What is your position on nuclear weapons testing? Under what circumstances should they be conducted, if at all?