It only encourages "tax and spend" liberals to spend more. The only way to cut a deficit is to control spending. In each of the past two sessions, I have voted for amendments which would have tightened our budget. Unfortunately, liberals from both parties united to defeat the reduction amendments. In addition, one of my first votes was to cut taxes. We control spending and the growth of government when we let Americans keep more of their hard-earned dollars. I do support making the Bush tax cuts permanent. If we do nothing, as the minority party suggests, it will result in the second largest tax increase in history and hurt small business and middle and low income people the most. Finally, I have also tried to live the concept of frugality, by saving and returning almost 10 percent of my allotted office budget to the U.S. treasury and voting against Congressional pay increases.

8) As you know, having Hill AFB closed would be a significant blow to Utah's economy, especially in the 1st District. What will you specifically do to help keep the base open?

I am grateful to serve on the House Armed Services Committee that has specific jurisdiction over the BRAC process. I am proud that in the past two years I have been in a position to help secure funding for programs at Hill and our other installations. I have also worked and will continue to work with our delegation and the Utah Defense Alliance to make sure the Pentagon is using accurate information and knows the great story Utah and its military-related work force have to tell. We also should not be merely defensive. We will explore ways to expand military projects for Utah.

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

Though it has received limited coverage in the local media, I'm very proud that a bill of mine, HR2909, was the first bill in two years designating wilderness to unanimously pass the House this year. The bill, which creates wilderness in Utah's west desert, is designed to protect the Utah Test and Training Range from encroachments. If enacted, it would block the most significant encroachment, the proposal by the Goshutes to store high level nuclear waste above ground. I'm pleased, in moving this legislation through the process, that we've been able to involve all interested parties, including various environmental groups. I'm grateful for their support on this military encroachment bill.

10) Do you favor or oppose No Child Left Behind? If you don't favor it, would you support plain repeal? Short of that, how can it be fixed?