America is currently in an energy crisis. With gas prices reaching record levels, I am fighting every day in Congress to bring Oklahoma families and businesses much needed common sense relief from the high energy prices they are facing.

I support an “all of the above” solution to put American on a path to energy security - including development and expansion of American-made energy, greater conservation, and increased use of alternative and renewable energy sources.

As a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, I am committed to finding a common sense solution to meet our nation’s growing energy needs. I know that high energy prices are a burden for America’s families and I am dedicated to increasing domestic energy to help achieve our nation’s domestic energy security.

Immigration

Immigration

Our nation’s immigration policy is broken. There are currently 12 to 20 million illegal aliens in our nation and I do not support rewarding them with amnesty. As a member of the House Immigration Reform Caucus, I am working to strengthen the security of our nation’s borders because I truly believe that border security is national security. By fully constructing a double layer border fence, hiring and training additional border patrol agents and utilizing technology along the border, our nation can achieve operational control of our southern border.

I am also working hard to keep our communities safe from criminal illegal aliens. I worked tirelessly for over a year to secure the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office enrollment and training in the highly competitive U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s 287(g) immigration program. Prior to the implementation of this critical program, there was no Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) presence within a two hour drive of Tulsa. Last September, 28 Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office deputies graduated from the 287(g) program as fully trained federal immigration officers. Their training has paid off, as they have been able to help crack down on the growing criminal illegal alien population in Tulsa and throughout Eastern Oklahoma.

This month, I was proud to announce the opening of an ICE office in Tulsa. This office will keep us safe.

Economic Security

High gas prices, rising food costs and a tough economy are a challenge for all of us right now. However, Oklahomans are strong, filled with resolve and will persevere during even the most trying economic times. As we work through this rough economic period, it is important that American families are able to keep as much of their hard earned tax money as possible with tax credits and incentives and no tax increases. Unfortunately, Congressional Democrats are misplacing the priorities of Americans by voting for job-killing tax increases on our nation's families and small businesses, and passing legislation containing the largest tax increase in American history.
America's small businesses employ 52 percent of all workers in America and are responsible for 75 percent of all new hires each year. A vital part of our nation's labor market and a major contributor to our economy, I continually support legislation that fosters the growth of such businesses through tax relief, regulatory modifications, health care reforms and limited regulation.



A catalyst for economic growth in our country, tax increases cannot come at the expense of America's small businesses. American taxpayers and small businesses alike thrived with the tax relief passed in 2001 and 2003. It is time to make these tax cuts permanent. Ultimately, 100 percent of Americans will feel the effects of this massive tax increase if these tax cut provisions are not extended beyond the 2011 expiration date.