League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Santa Clara, San Mateo, Santa Cruz Counties, CA June 5, 2012 Election
	Anna G. Eshoo Answers Questions Candidate for United States Representative; District 18

The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of California Education Fund and asked of all candidates for this office.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

1. In this time of high unemployment, what are the most important steps that should be taken to improve our nation’s economy?

In these difficult economic times, my top priorities are creating American jobs, preventing further erosion of our housing market, and spurring economic growth to ease the burden faced by millions of hard-working Americans. While our recovery is moving forward, I think we need to take a number of important steps, such as enhancing America's domestic infrastructure and economic competitiveness, strengthening local education systems, initiating important regulatory reform, and exploring innovative reforms, such as increasing the flexibility of states to use valuable unemployment insurance funds for programs that best support job-seekers.

2. How should the federal budget deficit be addressed, now and into the future? How should budget priorities for defense and domestic programs be adjusted?

Congress has already reduced projected deficits by more than $1 trillion through discretionary cuts for 2011 and 2012 and enacting tight spending limits for the next nine years. I support the House Democratic budget to further reduce the deficit with policies that balance spending cuts with increased revenue. It would eliminate corporate tax loopholes, frivolous subsidies to large energy and agricultural companies, and wasteful defense spending. I do not, however, support slashing programs which support our seniors, feed the hungry, or sustain America's global security and leadership. I believe it is imperative that we do not balance the budget squarely on the backs of those who are least fortunate. As such, I do not support cuts to Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, or nutritional assistance programs. I'll continue to fight for smart, effective programs that serve society's least fortunate.

3. What are your priorities with respect to our nation’s energy policy? Should there be an emphasis on clean energy and reducing carbon emissions, and/or on reducing our dependence on foreign sources?

I strongly support energy policies that will create 21st century clean energy industries that are essential for our country's economic, national security, and environmental future. I was a proud supporter of The American Clean Energy and Security Act, a comprehensive approach to protect consumers, promote research and development, and deploy clean energy technologies in the U.S. The goals of this bill focus on creating green jobs, and it moves us closer to a sustainable and secure energy future. It would also save consumers hundreds of billions of dollars in energy costs, and cut global warming pollution 80% by 2050.

4. What, if any, changes should be made to federal health care policies or programs?

The historic Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is an extraordinary achievement for our country and I'm very proud to have been part of the effort. Our economy could not sustain the rising costs of healthcare, or the tens of millions of Americans who had fallen through the cracks and left without any insurance whatsoever.

Health reform expands coverage, increases services covered by insurance, and reigns in skyrocketing healthcare costs. The non-partisan Congressional Budget projects the law will save $210 billion over the next ten years, and more than $1 trillion over twenty years.

As research, technology and market conditions evolve, Congress must evaluate how the health care system is serving Americans. I will continue to advance research and seek ways to increase the medical workforce, including increasing the number of Graduate Medical Education slots funded by Medicare and the Children's Health Graduate Medical Education.

5. What, if any, changes should be made to federal rules on campaign financing?

I am extremely disappointed in the Supreme Court's decision in the Citizens United case on campaign finance laws. I've been a vocal supporter of campaign finance reform since before I was elected to Congress. By allowing corporations unlimited access to their wallets, the Supreme Court has undermined the principle of the "will of the people" in favor of the "will of the corporation." Throughout my political career I've worked to stem this influence and I'v consistently supported measures to limit the effects of corporate money on campaigns. I am currently a cosponsor of the Fair Elections Now Act and the "Let the People Decide" Clean Campaign Act. In the past, I've cosponsored the Independent Commission on Campaign Finance Reform Act, the American Political Reform Act, and the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (known as McCain-Feingold). I've also launched an effort to require greater political disclosure from companies who do business with the federal government. I'm proud that the Consolidated Appropriations Act, legislation that the House passed on December 23, 2011 and which the President signed into law, contains language allowing the President to move forward with an executive order requiring federal contract recipients to disclose their political campaign contributions. This measure would bring about increased transparency, clarity, and fairness in the federal contracting process. I've repeatedly called on the President to act quickly on this matter, and I hope he will do so.

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' statements are presented as submitted. References to opponents are not permitted.

Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: May 30, 2012 22:36
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