Raul Labrador (R), 48 Incumbent First District Representative to Congress Attorney, small business owner
1. There have been a number of influential people that have helped me succeed. At a young age, my mother taught me that I had an obligation to give back in life. I was inspired to run for office to make sure our children had the same opportunities to succeed that I had. There is a generation of Americans that are losing hope in the American Dream. I’m fortunate to have lived this dream and I fight everyday to make sure others have the same opportunity.
2. Prior to being elected I practiced immigration law for 15 years. We currently have a system that incentivizes illegal immigration and makes it difficult for those that seek to come to the United States to work and contribute. During my time practicing law I became an expert in this complex system. I will continue to use this expertise to push for conservative immigration reforms.
3. The two issues that I receive the most feedback on are the national debt and the mismanagement of our public lands by the federal government. Idahoans are wary of a government that is fiscally reckless and what that could mean to their children’s futures. Idahoans have also seen first hand the effects that mismanaged public lands, and have grown frustrated at the federal government depriving Idaho of our natural resources that drive job growth and boost economic activity.
4. Reducing the federal debt has been my top priority since being elected to Congress, and it will remain my top priority. Since being elected to Congress in 2010 I’ve helped reduce the annual budget deficit from $1.4 trillion in 2010 to $450 billion last year. Unfortunately this year that trend has reversed. One of the biggest drivers to our national debt are our entitlement programs. Currently, they will become insolvent in the next decade, which means we won’t be able to keep our promises to our most vulnerable. Small, smart changes now will pay huge dividends down and allow us to get our budget under control. Our elected officials must demonstrate more courage to solve these problems. If we continue to refuse to do the hard work, the only outcome will be economic ruin. I also support making greater use of our natural resources. Idaho should be given an opportunity to prove whether or not we can manage the lands more effectively than the federal government. This is one of the reasons I introduced the Self-Sufficient Community Lands Act, to allow Idaho to assume management responsibilities over a small portion of our federal lands to demonstrate that the state can do a better job. The bill is very narrow and does not transfer ownership, only management of the lands. Like many Idahoans, I believe that we can do a better job managing our lands than a bureaucrat in Washington, D.C., and my bill allows us to show that.
5. As someone who has been lucky enough to live the American Dream, I want to preserve that very same dream for my children and the children of all Idahoans. That will not happen if we continue to let the federal government expand at the rate that it is currently expanding. Tough choices have to be made in Congress, and sometimes that means going against the majority of politicians who are all-too-willing to increase government at the expense of future generations. I am determined to reverse the trend of burgeoning government during my time in Congress, even if it is not popular
6. My typical day in Congress begins around 7am and concludes somewhere between 8pm and 10pm. I start by catching up on the news and preparing for my first round of committee hearings. Most days these hearings begin around 9:30am with a second round taking place around 2pm. During a typical week I will have over 50 meetings, most of which are with Idahoans visiting Washington, D.C. to visit on a range of issues. Scattered throughout the day are floor debates and votes. I will often be meeting with constituents or asking a witness questions in committee when we are notified to report to the House floor to vote.
7. I first ran for Congress in 2010 to fight for Idahoans who felt Washington ignored them. While I have helped push my party to make significant conservative reforms, there is more work to be done. If re-elected I look forward to continuing the fight to stop reckless spending.
8. See my response to no. 3.
9. In the midst of all the talk of gridlock — as well as being often branded as an obstructionist or a member of the party of “no” — there has not been enough talk about my bipartisan work in Congress. This past year, I worked closely with Senators Rand Paul (R) and Cory Booker (D) to introduce meaningful criminal justice reform that will protect our communities and make our criminal justice system fairer. I met with President Obama twice to discuss moving these ideas through Congress. My constituents should know that when it comes to fighting for smaller and more responsible government, I will work with anyone and everyone to make it happen.
10. I am often criticized for voting against legislation that increases spending and expands government. My critics think that these positions create gridlock in Congress. However, legislation was never intended to be easy to pass which is why our Founding Fathers created a system of checks and balances. I have always been willing to work with people on both sides of the aisle if the end result is good legislation. Unfortunately, too many people view “bipartisanship” as just passing anything, even if it’s bad policy.
11. In the midst of a tumultuous presidential race, the biggest way to reform our system of government is not through the executive branch, but through the legislative branch. There is a growing coalition in Congress who understand that positive reform is not only possible but a necessity. With an active and engaged constituency, conservative progress can continue.
12. Every candidate should be asked whether they think it’s ok to continue to vote for budgets that increase our national debt. For me the answer is easy -- no.