Our schools and teachers would be less vulnerable to the federal education bureaucracy, however, if we had a more secure nonfederal educational funding base. I've been working to consolidate Utah's School and Institutional Trust Lands in order to create the opportunity to generate greater revenue. This sometimes requires congressional action to facilitate land exchanges with the federal government that would consolidate the trust lands. Currently, Utah's trust fund totals approximately $500 million. New Mexico, in contrast, has a trust fund of over $7 billion. As a senior member of the House Committee on Resources and as chairman of the Western Caucus, I will be pressing forward to accomplish land exchanges to establish the precedent necessary to make greater funding available for Utah's schools.

12. There is no federal term limit laws for congressmen. Are you willing to say now that you will limit your own terms in the U.S. House? If so, how long before you would retire and not seek re-election?

No. In the absence of a law applying to all states, and as long as seniority in the House of Representatives is as important to Utah as it is, I will not penalize our citizens by arbitrarily limiting my own term of service. I have often stated that I will continue to serve for as long as I am increasing my influence on behalf of those I represent.

13. The above questions are aimed at finding out where you stand; why voters should pick you. Can you give us one (or more) reasons why voters should not pick your opponent? For example, does he lack experience, education, vision, does he bring conflicts of interest or is he too closely associated with a minority wing of your party, is he more likely to lose the final election, etc.?

I prefer to think that the voters will choose on the basis of my accomplishments, my hopes for Utah and the leadership I am providing on behalf of the 3rd District. This election is really about who can provide the most effective voice for our values, our priorities and our needs as Utahns. I believe I have demonstrated that kind of effectiveness.

16. Health-care costs are spiraling upward. How should Congress go about helping Utahns and Americans fix the system? Are health-savings accounts the answer?

Health savings accounts are an extraordinarily important step toward solving the primary problem with rising health-care costs: the lack of any direct link between patient and doctor or hospital. We have too many government agencies and insurance mandates, with their incomprehensible paperwork, in the process now. We also need to reform the malpractice lawsuit system, which is driving doctors out of some specialties and encouraging wasteful and expensive treatment in too many cases. And doctors move to organize to efficiently and effectively serve people so families will want HSAs.