Dear Friends,
As another election year starts I appreciate this opportunity to share with you some thoughts. First let me say, I’m grateful for the chance I’ve been given throughout these years to represent you in Congress and ask for your support in my reelection efforts.
Second, I’d like to briefly share with you some of my guiding principles and a record that goes with them.
FIGHTING AGAINST GOVERNMENT TAKEOVERS OUR LIVES & LIVELIHOODS
As a Congressman, I’ve cut taxes and consistently voted for the leanest budgets. I opposed the billion dollar bailouts, the so-called stimulus, TARP and the government takeover of health care. I co-sponsored the Cut, Cap and Balance Act and will continue to fight not just to make the federal government spend less but to also impede its interventions on your lives. I believe the solution to so many of our problems is a return to the Constitutional balance of powers or Federalism for this reason I head the 10th Amendment Task Force.
PROVIDING FOR OUR NATIONAL DEFENSE AND MILITARY INSTALLATIONS
I serve on the Armed Services Committee and am proud to defend our military abroad as well as our installations at home. I’ve helped lead and will continue to help lead the fight against Obama’s cuts to the military, America’s missile defense and our manned-space flight program.
DEVELOPING OUR ECONOMY AND ENERGY RESOURCES
I’ve championed economic and energy independence for America. As former Chair of the Western Caucus and current Chairman of the Public Lands Subcommittee, I am the lead sponsor of the Domestic Jobs, Domestic Energy, and Deficit Reduction Act. I fight for and will continue to fight for a comprehensive all-you-can-create energy strategy.
DEFENDING OUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS
When it comes to defending private property rights and our 2nd Amendment rights, I have the votes and record to match the rhetoric. I’ve stood up against provisions within the Patriot Act and have fought against government trampling on our liberties. (For anyone concerned about NDAA – the annual bill to authorize the military – please know that there
is no new detention authority extended in that act. Section 1021 clearly states it’s not intended to expand the authority of the President and Section 1022 explicitly excludes American citizens from the detention provisions in the bill. I’m happy to share the full text of the bill with anyone who’d like to read the actual sections word-for-word.)
SECURING OUR BORDERS AND REFORMING IMMIGRATION
Our borders must be secured and already established laws must be enforced. That’s the way I believe and that’s the way I vote. I have reintroduced the National Security and Federal Lands Protection Act, which ensures that border security takes priority over environmental regulations on our public lands.
This is but a brief overview, I look forward to sharing additional details on each of these principles over the next couple of months. Please know also that in return I’d like to know your input. As a member of Congress and Candidate, I may not seek or get a lot of attention but that is not my goal. My goal is to be right on the issues and right where I’m needed. I will continue to work as hard as I can to correctly represent you as I seek to make a real difference for you, my friends, as well as all of Utah.
A sincere thanks for your part in that effort.
Rob Bishop
