Many politicians will declare the ambiguous claim of pro-family. Therefore, I will clearly define what I mean when I say, “I am pro-family.”

 The first responsibility of our government is to protect its citizens. A strong national defense, supported by dollars-not platitudes, keeps our enemies on foreign shores, not ours. A well-equipped and stoutly staffed border patrol keeps terrorists and the drug cartels off our streets. Stalwart federal law enforcement supported by adequate federal corrections facilities identifies and prosecutes criminals and keeps them behind bars. All of these cannot happen without appropriated federal funding. Well wishes, Congressional visits with lots of pictured handshakes, and flowery thank you speeches do nothing. As your Congressman, I recognize there are bad people in the world that will do harm to your family if given the chance. I will put your right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness first. That is done with adequate funding, transparently appropriated on a federal budget. Furthermore, I will never legislate away your civil right to protect yourself and your family. The Second Amendment in The Bill of Rights guarantees this to every American citizen.

 Congress has the duty of protecting our prosperity. That is pro-family.

 Practical energy policy, such as opening the Keystone Pipeline and expanded domestic drilling bring down gas prices. Hydraulic fracturing to access shale reserves brings down our home heating bills. Tax breaks for families who invest in solar and wind home units will offset the investment costs. All of these put money back into your family’s budget. All of these energy policies require no taxpayer revenue, merely Congressional approval for the private sector to pursue them. As your Congressman, I will put Families ahead of green energy lobbyists. I will fight to ensure American families receive this vital legislation.

 Lower taxation keeps revenue here in our community. If you are on the top, middle, or bottom of the economic scale, you will keep more of your hard earned money. You are free to invest it and grow more jobs in our community, spend it and therefore create more jobs in our community, save it, or give it away. As your Congressman, I will never forget it is your money, not the government’s. As your Congressman, I will fight for lower taxes to keep your money in your household not in a federal bureaucrat’s coffers.

Finally, I will never accept the arrogance that thinks it is the responsibility of the federal government to define to you what is a family. It is not a defined power of the Congress. Furthermore, it is unwise to attempt to federally legislate compulsory family values. Conversely, I will oppose any attempt to replace the family, your church, or your culture with the federal government. There is no more certain way to ensure our Nation’s and our family’s decline. The Declaration of Independence guarantees your protection of your God-given right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Additionally, I will not allow any foreign power or body, such as the United Nations, to define it or attempt to replace it either.

 Strong national defense and law enforcement, protection of American prosperity, and an uncompromising commitment to American liberty and sovereignty are what I mean by pro-family.