"On this issue, I have influence on both sides of the debate. As someone who is open to a guest worker program but who also voted for and supports securing the border without exception, I have the credibility to help maneuver the legislation through the legislative process. I can assure wavering members on both sides to support border security and enforcement first, while working to help create a verifiable and stable immigration system. In my time in office and through my years on the Judiciary Committee, I have worked extensively on this issue � much more deeply than the sound-bite level, so when the time is ripe to move the issue forward I can advocate the correct direction we should take and solutions that will actually work. For example, because of the years I have spent on this issue I opposed the Senate Comprehensive Immigration Plan last year not out of emotion but out of fact that it was unworkable and bad policy."

6 — Does Congress have any role in providing affordable gasoline to Americans over the next two years? If so, what should Congress do?

"Yes. Congress should get the federal buraucracy out of the way. Congress should:

"1. Stop locking up federal lands and allow for oil shale extraction immediately. There is more oil in shale than in all of the Saudi�s known oil reserves.

"2. Deregulate the building of refineries and allow the President to bypass those regulations that exist today immediately.

"3. Promote the construction of nuclear power plants.

"4. Open ANWR, drilling in the Gulf of Mexico, off the coasts and in the Intermountain West.

"5. Stop subsidizing ethanol immediately.

"6. Institute a "citizen energy" moonshot � a competition to create an alternative to the gasoline engine that is renewable, affordable, and domestic."

7 — It appears now that Republicans will not be in the majority in the U.S. House next year. What can you do to make yourself effective as a member of the minority party?

"My relationships built while in the majority continue to serve Utah in the minority. Since the Democrats gained control of the House in 2006, I have already gained enactment of two major laws to protect the Internet from taxation and help states reduce criminal recidivism. There are many Democrats who were elected last cycle who actually ran as conservatives. Working alongside those conservative Democrats to pass tax cuts, border security measures, and domestic energy legislation is something that can and should be accomplished, regardless of who holds the speakers gavel. I have been able to work with individuals on both sides of the aisle based on my consistent positions over the years in office. I have a proven track record of being honest and direct which serves one well in an institution based on relationships. But although seniority may be viewed as a negative by some, the reality is that seniority provides the knowledge and know-how to succeed and promote principles in times like these. Understanding the process and having a firm set of principles is the way to remain effective in the minority."

8 — Much has been made recently of so-called "spending earmarks" � where a congressman gets funding for specific projects in his district in a budget bill. Do you personally favor or oppose such "earmarks" in spending bills? Will you put "earmarks" into funding bills for the 3rd District?