League of Women Voters election survey: Pete Sessions, candidate for U.S. House Rep. - District 32

by Staff of of League of Women Voters

The League of Women Voters of Dallas sent a questionnaire to every candidate running for public office in Dallas County. The election on November 4th features a number of local races to decide state and national Senate and House of Representatives seats.

The responses of Rep. Pete Sessions (R), who is running for re-election for the U.S. House of Representatives - District 32 seat, appear below. Sessions is running against Eric Roberson (D) and Alex Bischoff (L).

LWV: Please describe the training and experience that qualify you for this office.

Sessions: Before being elected to Congress, I worked as a senior manager in the telecommunications industry. This private sector experience gives me the common-sense and competitive perspective that our federal government needs to solve the pressing challenges of creating new American jobs and lowering the price of gasoline.

LWV: What reforms would you propose to the U.S. healthcare system to control costs, improve the quality of care and expand access to healthcare to uninsured Americans?

Sessions: I support making health care expenses (including health insurance premiums) tax deductible – up to $5,000 per year for individuals and $15,000 for families. This provides health care security to small businesses by allowing owners to pay for health care costs using “pre-tax” dollars, and to employees by ensuring coverage portability during a job transition. We lead the world in health technology and pharmaceutical research. We should build on that strength to improve our system.

LWV: Do you support a timetable for the withdrawal of American forces from Iraq?

Sessions: U.S. military operations in Iraq depend as much on the actions of our enemy as on the capabilities of our armed forces. Unfortunately, our military cannot simply impose a timetable for victory. In fact, attempting to do so may be counterproductive to the universal desire to bring our brave servicemen and women home from Iraq as soon as possible. Our recent success in Iraq shows that victory can be achieved – soon.

LWV: How do you propose to reduce the number of undocumented immigrants currently living in the U.S., while also meeting the increased need of American agriculture and small business for workers?

Sessions: We must secure our borders before adopting other immigration reforms. Only by first stemming the flow of illegal immigrants can we effectively deal with how best to manage a legal immigrant workforce. As part of my focus on an “enforcement-first” strategy, I have led the effort to deport illegal immigrants who are convicted of crimes. After we strengthen the system, we can adequately address the number of those entering the nation legally to work.

LWV: The U.S. Highway Trust Fund is expected to go into deficit next year. Congress is reluctant to raise the federal gas tax. How should America pay for its massive infrastructure needs related to roads and bridges?

Sessions: Additional appropriations will fill any temporary gap in the highway trust fund. However, the term “deficit” should be used carefully: while it may receive less than was once expected, it’s still collecting over $30 billion annually. This will fund many important infrastructure projects – like the Trinity River bridges for Dallas included in the trust fund’s planned expenditures. Reforms like allowing non-union construction companies to bid on projects will extend the fund even further.

LWV: What source do you think represents the greatest opportunity to achieve energy independence? How can the federal government best advance its development?

Sessions: America can achieve energy independence by using less energy and finding more sources. We can do this through allowing exploration in the Outer Continental Shelf and the 2,000-acre portion of the almost 20-million-acre Arctic Energy Slope. I also favor conservation, reasonable fuel mileage standards and the extension of tax breaks for wind and solar power. Federal research grants can also help make coal-burning power plants clean sources of energy.

LWV: What other issue do you believe will be most pressing in the next session of Congress, and what is your position on this issue?

Sessions: Passed by the House in 2007, “Card Check” would end secret-ballot elections for employees deciding whether or not to join labor unions. The bill, which I voted against, would implement a process vulnerable to coercion; organizers could contact workers multiple times to “check” their cards. Once a majority of workers sign, the law forces a business to recognize the union. Card Check would bring the failed model of labor union domination to Texas business.

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