Health Insurance/Health Care/Privatization
    I believe that we need a system of universal health care in this country. 47 million people currently lack health insurance and that is unacceptable. In addition to those who lack insurance too many can afford only catastrophic coverage leaving them with no access to preventative care. I support a system of universal health care that offers choice and affordability. Such a program would ensure that those who want insurance can purchase it at a price they can afford while at the same time allowing those happy with their existing coverage to keep it.

Campaign Contributions
    The influence of money in our political system is a serious issue. It is for this reason that as a freshman member of the House I led the bi-partisan campaign finance reform task force along with former Rep. Asa Hutchinson. The Bi-partisan Campaign Finance Reform Act of 2002 has been a good step in the right direction but more must be done.

Global Warming/Alternative Energy
    I consider global warming to be one of the most serious issues facing our nation today. This is why, along with Rep. Henry Waxman, I have introduced the Safe Climate Act. This bill is the most aggressive effort yet in Congress to stop climate change and control carbon dioxide emissions. Unlike other proposals, which just focus on power plants, my legislation would reduce carbon from all major emitters, including power plants, automobiles and large factories. As a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee I have been working to bring immediate changes to curb air pollution and as a Mainer I understand the importance of preserving natural beauty.

National Security/Military Spending
    I have been a consistent critic of President Bush’s nuclear weapons’ policies. During my time on the House Armed Services Committee I was a vocal advocate of shifting money away from the President’s nuclear weapons programs. In 2002, I was an early and vocal critic of the President’s plan to begin deploying several missile defense systems in 2004. I argued that the administration had failed to show that the threat of a ballistic missile attack was serious enough to warrant the 2004 deployment

Transportation
    My top two choices for funding will be greatly influenced by what the PACTS process and the public comment period yields. Given that this process is currently on-going I will reserve judgment until we have had the opportunity to see more public opinion

International Relations
    The Iraq war is a major issue that I hear about as I travel throughout state. Many have loved ones serving or who have served in Iraq. Mainers are ready to bring the Iraq war to a responsible end. To that end I support setting a firm deadline to withdraw our troops from Iraq and force the Iraqis to take responsibility for their country.

    Global competitiveness is a serious issue facing our state. We need to foster an environment in Maine that enables our small businesses to create on a global scale. The current administration has rewarded large corporations for moving American jobs overseas. These policies must stop and we must move toward policies that reward hard work and innovation.

    The high cost of energy. Mainers pay high prices for both gas and heating oil and this year brought more record increases in costs. High fuel costs represent a large part of the middle class squeeze Mainers are currently experiencing. This is why we must reduce are dependence on foreign oil and explore alternative sources of energy.

Mortgage crisis in ME/Banking and lending
    The current credit crunch and the slump in the housing market have left many Mainers struggling with mortgage payments. I recently supported passage of the Forgiveness Debt Relief Act. This legislation will provide much needed tax relief for homeowners whose lenders agree to forgive a portion of their debt. Facing an additional tax burden on so-called ‘phantom income’ when you are already struggling to pay your housing costs is simply unfair.

Gay Marriage
    I cosponsored and voted for the Employment Nondiscrimination Act that passed the House of Representatives last year. I believe that it is extremely important to stand up to discrimination. Before being elected to Congress I served on the Portland City Council, during that time Portland led the state in nondiscrimination practices by banning bias based on sexual orientation for housing, credit and employment.

Living Wages/Jobs in ME/poverty/homelessness
    The Bush administration’s budget policies have been detrimental to many, but none more so than the working poor. As a senior member of the House Budget Committee I have fought against this administration’s reckless budget cuts. Last year I was able to vote for the FY 2008 Transportation-Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Appropriations bill that increased funding for Section 8 Housing Vouchers for the first time in years. I also supported HR 1851, the Section 8 Voucher Reform Act of 2007, which passed overwhelming in the House but stalled in the Senate. Under a new administration, and with a working majority in the United States Senate, I am confident we can enact policies that begin to reverse the damage done by the current administration and its allies in Congress.

College Affordability
    Paying for college has never been more expensive yet the importance of having a college degree has never been more important. My legislation, the Middle Class Opportunity Act, would provide a tax credit of 2,500 per student to help pay for college related expenses. I have also been a strong supporter of increasing Pell Grants and increasing access to federally subsidized student loans.

AIDS Awareness
    I have consistently supported increased funding for HIV and AIDS awareness and prevention – both domestically and internationally.

Fair Trade/Unions Rights
    I opposed Fast Track trade authority in 2002 and was happy to see it expire last year. The current administration has promoted trade policies that have been harmful to both Maine workers and our environment. In Congress I have fought against these policies. In the Senate, I look forward to working with a new administration with a new vision on what our trade policy should be.

Iraq War/Torture
    In 2002, I voted against the resolution to authorize the war because I did not believe that the Bush administration had demonstrated that Iraq posed a direct and urgent threat to the United States. Five years later, it is now past time for a new strategy in Iraq yet our President remains inflexible. I believe that we must set a responsible and firm deadline to withdraw our troops from Iraq. A firm deadline is the only way to force the Iraqis to take responsibility for their country.

Iraq War/Torture
    Yes. I am currently a cosponsor of the Torture Outsourcing Prevention Act.

Presidential Power
    Contrary to the examples of Dick Cheney and President Bush, the executive should not be a monarch. Rather they should lead the country by operating within the confines of the constitution.

Experience that relates to youth
    I grew up in Maine and my wife Diana and I raised our two daughters here so I understand what a special place this is to grow up. Diana and I will soon become grandparents for the first time which makes it even more important to me that we maintain the quality of life that makes Maine a special place to live and raise a family.

Top 3 priorities
    Ending the War in Iraq
    Enacting polices that benefit the middle class and working families
    Enacting meaningful climate change legislation, for example, the Safe Climate Act.
Maine’s commercial fishing industry
    During my work on reauthorization of the Magnusson Stevenson Act in 2006, I fought for and was able to include provisions that strengthened the catch limit by requiring that the limit was set by the scientific and statistical committees based on the best available science.

    I support efforts to help maintain and rebuild healthy fishing stocks and to end over-fishing. I look forward to continuing to work with Maine’s fishing industry on these important goals.

Reproductive Rights
    I have voted against upholding President Bush’s “global gag rule.” I do not believe it is the role of the government to involve itself into private matters between a woman and her doctor.

    I believe we need to provide our teenagers with sound, quality information they need to make responsible decisions. We do not need temporary majorities in the federal government imposing their own morality in our teenager’s classrooms.

Tax and Budget
    I do not support continuing the Bush economic policies that have benefited the ultra-rich at the expense of the middle class. However, I believe that Mainers are taxed too much and that our middle class is struggling. It is for this reason that I have introduced the Middle Class Opportunity Act which provides a number of tax breaks aimed at helping middle class families meet the challenges they are currently facing – such as caring for elderly parents, helping their children pay for college and increasing the child tax credit.