America’s farms and ranches are experiencing some of the worst conditions since the early part of the last century, as rising expenses, industry consolidation and increasing global competition are driving family farms out of business. Our farmers and ranchers provide the safest, most abundant and affordable food supply in the world and they deserve policies that allow them to continue the work they love and that preserve the rural lifestyle that brought countless families to eastern Oklahoma in the first place. Our farmers and ranchers need relief from a complex federal tax code that - in the case of the estate tax - has forced some to give up farms that have been in their families for generations. They need fair trade agreements that level the playing field at a time when our country is importing an increasing percentage of its food. And they need common-sense reforms to environmental laws that respect the rights of private property owners.

Immigration

Our country is in urgent need of a new immigration policy. We need common-sense laws that will crack down on illegal immigration and protect our nation from those who wish us harm. In the post-9/11 world, protecting our borders must be a top priority. As we know all too well, not all who cross our borders want to share in the American dream. And if we do not know who is coming into our country, we cannot keep our homeland safe. Border security is first and foremost a matter of national security.
But illegal immigration is also about economic security. While America has always been a welcoming nation, illegal immigration creates an underclass of workers who provide unfair competition with the many hardworking Americans who are struggling just to make ends meet. As a result, undocumented workers have driven down wages, benefits and working conditions for all workers.

Amnesty has been proposed for some or all of the estimated 11 million illegal immigrants already in the United States. I believe this sends the wrong signal. Immigration reform should reflect a commitment to enforcement, not reward those who break the rules. We can't just give people a pass because it's the easy thing to do. It will weaken our entire immigration system and undermine our ability to enforce the law.

Sportsmen

"As an avid hunter, outdoorsman and vice chairman of the Congressional Sportsmen Caucus, Dan Boren knows how important the outdoors are to Oklahomans. After taking his first deer at the age of nine, Dan knew hunting would become a lifelong pursuit. That's why promoting outdoor conservation and protecting access to public hunting lands are top priorities for him in Congress.

"Often overlooked, the economic impact of hunting and fishing in Oklahoma is substantial. Oklahomans spend more than $300 million on these activities each year - a significant boost to businesses big and small across the state. In order to maintain and grow this sector of our economy we have to manage our wildlife populations responsibly and promote outdoor conservation.

"Unfortunately, our traditions and heritage are under constant attack in Washington. Many in Congress don't understand gun ownership as a matter of safety and security, and of culture. Whether for self-protection, hunting or sport, gun ownership is a way of life for many Eastern Oklahomans. As a life member of the NRA and a member of its board of directors, I have an uncompromising belief in the Second Amendment for law-abiding hunters and gun owners.

"To protect these rights for every American, I support a number of initiatives defending the Second Amendment and eliminating some of the most onerous existing limitations on gun ownership. Contrary to the claims of gun control advocates, gun ownership is not the source of America's gun-related crime problem. Gun-related crime should be met with stiffer penalties for criminals and should not be a factor used to punish responsible gun owners."