Response:

My top priority is to reduce the size and cost of the federal government. We simply must apply the same fiscal discipline most Americans and 37 states adhere to in balancing their budget every year. A balanced budget amendment ensuring Congress cannot spend more than it takes in each year is an important first step. Smaller government is the key to jump-starting the economy and creating real jobs. When we empower Americans with their own money, the economy will flourish, people will prosper and our country will be returned to greatness.

Response:

The United States is a country of immigrants, and I hope it will always remain that way. In order for that to happen, we need our immigrants to enter through the front door. Congress must secure the southern border, enforce existing laws prohibiting employers from knowingly hiring illegal immigrants, and clarify the original intent of the Fourteenth Amendment's birthright-citizenship clause.

Our country needs a system that is consistent, orderly, and adheres to laws already in place. It's no longer acceptable to stand idly by and do nothing while people disobey the law, only to be rewarded for their actions by living here illegally without consequence.

I oppose granting amnesty to individuals currently residing in the U.S. illegally. There are people all over the world going through the process to immigrate legally, and rewarding those who have bypassed the system would be unfair and inconsistent.

Response:

I do not support President Obama's health care legislation. Health care reform must never give the federal government the authority to force Americans to buy health insurance or overburden small businesses, which would ultimately contribute to job losses. We need to enact tort reform, reform the tax code to encourage competition in the health-insurance arena, and authorize insurance companies to sell policies across state lines, all of which will encourage competition and naturally drive down costs.

It is essential that we work to defund and repeal Obamacare. The real solution to our current health care challenge is found in less federal involvement in the process, not more.

Response:

Washington's attempt to jump-start our economy with trillions of dollars in bailouts and stimulus packages—not to mention an increased regulatory burden—has only deepened the downturn. Such reckless decisions have put us close to $15 trillion in debt, and have prevented businesses from expanding, investing and hiring. We must reduce unnecessary regulations and thereby provide certainty for businesses and individuals willing to invest in our economy. My role will include calling for a balanced budget amendment to get federal spending under control, along with lower taxes for businesses and hard-working Americans. I would also propose significantly reducing or eliminating the capital gains tax. This will create greater certainty for investors who will then provide the increased capital needed by small businesses to expand and flourish.

Shrinking the size and cost of government and returning more money to the people will naturally stimulate the economy, encourage investment, create jobs and get consumers spending again. I firmly believe that Ronald Reagan was right when he said, "Government is not the solution to our problems. Government is the problem."

Response:

Utah's beauty draws in visitors from all around the world. It is a treasure not only to those who live here, but to those who travel far and wide to enjoy its majesty. It?s important that we make the best use of our land here in Utah—economically and otherwise—while taking steps to ensure that such use does not unduly degrade the environment.

No country on earth has better, more thorough, or more consistently followed environmental laws than the United States of America. As long as that remains true, efforts to produce oil, gas, and other natural resources here will continue to be far more environmentally responsible than corresponding activities carried out elsewhere. For that reason, a true commitment to protecting the environment should compel us to develop America?s abundant energy resources more aggressively, and in a manner consistent with the rigorous environmental laws already on the books.

Response:

In light of the federal government's limited role—and especially considering the enormous debt we have accumulated at the federal level—Congress has no business either funding or attempting to prohibit embryonic stem cell research.

Response:

Working with other political parties is essential. We may not agree on every issue, but only by working together can we accomplish all that needs to be done to get America back on the path to greatness and economic prosperity. My commitment to principles of federalism—which focuses first and foremost on identifying important distinctions between state and federal power—should appeal to people at every end of the political spectrum. Many hotly contested issues become more manageable when they are addressed at the appropriate level.

Response:

It is critical that our country remain fully prepared when it comes to matters of national defense. America needs a robust defense system that includes a safe, reliable, effective nuclear deterrent. We need to remain focused on modernizing and testing our existing weapons-delivery systems, and on eventually developing new weapons. I do not believe that there is currently a need for any nuclear detonation testing, either underground or otherwise. We must, however, retain the option to resume safe, limited, underground detonation testing—free of any treaty-based restrictions—should a legitimate, unavoidable military need to do so arise.

Response:

The answer to that question will vary based on the topic at hand. I like to seek advice from a wide range of subject-matter experts and everyday people so that I gain insight from those close to and most familiar with each issue. I also believe in gaining insight from opposing points of view in order to avoid any "group think" or "made-in-a-vacuum" decisions. I enjoy debating and exploring all sides of each issue and will encourage rigorous discussion with colleagues and staff.

Response:

I have an open mind. I don't have all the answers to every problem our country might face over the next six years, so I will attach a high value to gaining insight from others in an effort to find solutions. This is a crucial trait for anyone serving in Washington, and I plan on keeping an open mind when determining what's best for the people of Utah, and for the entire country.