New Mexico Voter Guide 2016: US Congress, District 2 Candidates

Representative, US Congress, District 2:

Steve Pearce

Steve Pearce

(Republican)

Does Congress have a responsibility to address the impact of economic insecurity/poverty and racial/ethnic inequities? If so, what action would you support? Please explain.

Part of the problems of inequality and poverty can be traced to a lack of jobs. Good-paying jobs help everyone to succeed. Congress should support a growing economy and programs to reduce poverty. One-size-fits-all and government-knows-best programs have failed. We need programs to aid hard-to-hire employees, combat drug addiction, make housing affordable and improve education.

What changes, if any, would you support in US immigration policy? Please address treatment of undocumented immigrants.

I try to pull both sides together for a complete overhaul of our immigration system. First, secure the border and then reform the laws to ensure all people are treated with respect. I have worked with Democrats to increase Border Patrol training to do exactly this. I oppose amnesty. We need a fair guest worker program that does not hand out entitlements.

What actions, if any, should Congress take to address the influence of money in politics?

I oppose Hillary Clinton’s plan to amend the Constitution to allow politicians to regulate free speech. People are too eager to use the power of government to punish people they disagree with. We should engage in a healthy, strong and respectful discussion of the issues. Government limiting what can be said will not strengthen democracy.

What would you do to ensure that every eligible American’s right to vote is protected?

The right to vote is one of the most scared and cherished liberties in our country. Every citizen should be encouraged to register and cast their legal vote. Every election I encourage all citizens to take advantage of New Mexico’s early and absentee voting laws to increase participation. Recent cyber-attacks on voting computers that may be designed to disrupt the right to vote are concerning.

What would you do to improve health insurance coverage in the U.S.?

Coverage is only part of the problem with health care. Costs and access are important considerations as well. ObamaCare has been a fiasco with people losing their doctors, health plans leaving states and bureaucracy has spiraled. It needs to be repealed and we need a patient-centered approach that controls costs, covers pre-existing conditions and ensures widespread access and coverage for medical care.

Merrie Lee Soules

Merrie Lee Soules

(Democrat)

Does Congress have a responsibility to address the impact of economic insecurity/poverty and racial/ethnic inequities? If so, what action would you support? Please explain.

Our nation was formed partly to “promote the general Welfare.” Government has a role in assuring that all people have the opportunity to lead healthy productive lives. I support a living wage, the right to organize and form Unions, uniform bankruptcy protections, color-blind law enforcement and a progressive tax system. I support available and accessible health care and public education for all.

What changes, if any, would you support in US immigration policy? Please address treatment of undocumented immigrants.

It’s time for Congress to approve a pathway to citizenship for law-abiding immigrants who over years have contributed positively to their communities, and for U.S.-raised children of undocumented immigrants. It’s time to stop holding immigration reform hostage to unrealistic border security objectives. We should provide guaranteed legal counsel to unaccompanied children whose cases are heard in immigration courts.

What actions, if any, should Congress take to address the influence of money in politics?

I support Congressional passage of a Constitutional amendment to overturn the harmful effects of the outrageous Citizens United Supreme Court decision. We must restore the ability to establish campaign spending limits and require full disclosure of funding sources. Our challenge is to restore peoples’ confidence that their government is not for sale.

What would you do to ensure that every eligible American’s right to vote is protected?

I support nationally standardized voter registration protocols and automatic voter registration when someone turns 18 or otherwise becomes eligible to vote. I support increased access to voting through voter convenience centers, early voting, longer voting hours, and absentee ballots. I oppose initiatives like voter ID requirements that seek to restrict access to voting and tend to disproportionately disenfranchise communities of color and communities of poverty.

What would you do to improve health insurance coverage in the U.S.?

I believe health care, like education, should be a right, and therefore available and accessible to all. I would support a public option for health insurance. I would increase the number of doctors and trained health care providers and I would take on the issue of availability and cost of pharmaceuticals as steps to affordable health care coverage.

Jack A McGrann

Jack A McGrann

(Republican, write-in)

Does Congress have a responsibility to address the impact of economic insecurity/poverty and racial/ethnic inequities? If so, what action would you support? Please explain.

Over the past several years the size of the U.S. Federal Government has continued to grow without limits while the Federal debt has nearly doubled. The cost of Federal programs over the next ten years can’t be supported by future tax increases. A plan is needed that will, balance the budget, reduce burdensome regulations, on businesses and repeal laws like Obama care and the Dodd-Frank.

What changes, if any, would you support in US immigration policy? Please address treatment of undocumented immigrants.

The Department of Homeland Security under the supervision of the Obama Administration has failed to enforce the requirements of the U.S. Immigration laws. As it appears that the U.S. Immigration and border security system has failed there are now calls for granting amnesty to millions of unlawful immigrants. This is not the solution to the problem. Enforcing the laws is the solution.

What actions, if any, should Congress take to address the influence of money in politics?

The Federal Election Commission Chairman, David Mason, addressed the House Rules Committee in 2001 when he stated that Congress had approved “Vague Standards” and passed laws that were unenforceable. Subsequently, Congress passed the Campaign Reform Act of 2002. Better accountability and transparency has been established and fundraising activities can be viewed at the Campaign Finance Disclosure Portal online at: www.fec.gov/pindex/shtml.

What would you do to ensure that every eligible American’s right to vote is protected?

The right-to-vote issue was raised by the socialist-democrats as if it was a plot to prevent minorities from voting. To the contrary, there has been an increase in the voter turn out in states like Indiana and Georgia with the strictest voter ID Laws. All states should require proof of citizenship to register to vote and government issued ID should be required to vote.

What would you do to improve health insurance coverage in the U.S.?

The Affordable Care Act (ACA or Obama-care) has failed to reduce costs, improve the level of care, or win the approval of a majority of Americans. Since its implementation, individuals and families have had to suffer with rising costs, loss of existing coverage and a growing bureaucracy that is out of control. Obama-care was barely passed in the first place. It should be repealed!