Adam Kinzinger

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See recent video below of Adam Kinzinger talking about the issues.

• Kinzinger looks back, looks forward

On the Record

What should the U.S. do about Iran and its nuclear program?

There is little doubt Iran is near obtaining a nuclear weapon. The threat of a nuclear-armed Iran would be devastating to the security of the U.S. and our allies. While President Obama appears resigned to the fact that Iran will obtain a nuclear weapon, our ally Israel is not ready to concede. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President of Iran, has made clear their goal is to “wipe Israel from the face of the earth.” Iran is transferring weapon technology to Hezbollah, which is used in its war against Israel. It is quite possible that Iranian nuclear weapons would be transferred to Hezbollah and other terrorist organizations in the region. All available options must be on the table when deciding how to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Current global sanctions on Iran will increasingly isolate the Iranian regime, but more must be done.

Americans are fed up with gridlock in Washington. Will you be willing to reach across the aisle and work on compromise with members of the opposite party to resolve this country's many issues?

Republicans and Democrats have fundamentally different opinions on how best to get Americans back to work and revive our economy. These ideological differences have resulted in the gridlock we’ve seen for the past year in Washington. When I was elected in 2010, I knew it would be difficult to reduce spending and remove government barriers to job creation in a divided government. By taking a stand, the conversation in Washington has changed from how much we should spend to how much we should cut. Both sides need to do a better job of working together to find common ground, and I’ve been just as frustrated by the gridlock as anyone else. However, the problems our country presently faces arose because too many members of Congress, for decades now, have gone along to get along. I’m happy to compromise, so long as we’re not compromising our nation’s future.

Should the federal government continue to give subsidies and/or tax breaks to the farming, oil and gas and other major industries? Why or why not?

The reform of 1986 achieved great things by cleaning out all kinds of dubious deductions, credits, favors and the like. Since those reforms, Congress has inserted hundreds of different tax preferences, creating a complicated tax code that rewards those with close ties to Washington. I support tax reform that will remove or reduce tax advantages in all sectors while lowering the base rate for everyone. The tax code should be designed to extract the revenue we need to operate this country with the least amount of pain, in terms of foregone growth, that we can get. For too long, the government has been in the business of picking winners and losers. If you are popular, you get special breaks; if you are not, you pay more.

Outside of jobs and the federal deficit, what are the one or two most important issues in the 16th Congressional District, and how do you plan to address them?

The newly drawn 16th District of Illinois will be one of the most energy intensive districts in the country, if not the most. From nuclear to hydropower, the 16th District will produce much of the energy that powers the Midwest, particularly the large manufacturers here. I’m proud to be a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee where we are working to find solutions that increase the supply of American made energy in all forms and reduce prices for Americans. With simpler regulations, America can become more energy independent while also protecting the environment and health of our citizens. Presently, the surplus of natural gas that has been found in pockets of shale deposits across the country (including Illinois) is reshaping the energy market in the U.S. and providing a boom to many Illinois manufacturers due to the low price of energy.

There have been a lot of ideas floating around Washington, D.C., to save Social Security. Raising the eligibility age. Increasing the Social Security tax on employers and employees. Privatization. What do you think should be done to make Social Security solvent decades into the future? Or are you of the opinion that Social Security should be phased out?

I do not believe it is fair to change the rules for those currently receiving Social Security benefits or nearing retirement as some members propose. The government made a promise to our nation’s seniors and that promise should be kept. It is necessary, however, to modify Social Security for younger generations, like myself, if we are to ensure the program’s long-term viability. I think many people in my generation do not expect Social Security to be available to them when they reach retirement. Before we can begin discussing how to save Social Security, we all must agree that there is a problem. When both parties are ready to work toward a solution, it will be much easier to discuss the various proposals that have been floated.

What are you committed to doing, if elected, to reduce the federal deficit and force Congress to pass only balanced budgets each year?

By 2020, Medicare/Medicaid spending will be one fourth of federal spending. These escalating healthcare costs are the biggest driver of debt and must be dealt with in a responsible manner. In 2010, healthcare costs rose by more than 7 percent, compared to an approximate 1 percent increase for other goods and services. This is putting enormous pressure on Medicare and Medicaid. Absent action, Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security will soon grow to consume every dollar of revenue that the government raises in taxes. On the Energy and Commerce Committee, I support reducing waste in Medicare by changing how Medicare investigates and controls fraud. Much like credit card companies use complex computer algorithms to detect unusual spending patterns (and possible fraud) in real time, industry specialists believe the same technology can be applied to Medicare.

Most everyone agrees that job growth, particularly in the private sector, is critical to turning the American economy around. What should Congress do to help spur job growth?

If you listen to small business owners, the creators of most private sector jobs, they will tell you exactly what needs to be done. In the past year, I’ve heard resoundingly from small business owners that taxes are too high and government regulations are too burdensome. I take that to heart and have been working in Congress to reduce the regulatory impact on small businesses. Last February, I heard directly from businesses that would be impacted by the EPA’s new Boiler MACT rules. I was told the standards were not achievable or the cost was so high that the manufacturing would be sent overseas where environmental regulations don’t exist. I lead the effort in sending the EPA the message that these new rules need to be rewritten. Not long after my letter was sent, the EPA rewrote the rules so that businesses could fairly compete.

Why are you running for Congress?

Following the attacks on our country on September 11, 2001, I made the decision to join the military. For the last ten years, I’ve been honored to serve our nation as a pilot in the Air Force and Air National Guard. Throughout my time in the military I have seen first-hand that we live in the greatest country in the world, one that is worth fighting for. I made the decision to run for Congress because I realized that America needs some defending on the inside. On November 2, 2010, Americans spoke loud and clear when they elected 87 new Republican freshmen colleagues into office. My freshmen class has provided a crucially important check and balance on the excesses of the Obama Administration, but we also hold our fellow Republican colleagues accountable to maintain their core conservative principles, as after many years in Washington, some forgot why they were elected in the first place.

Will you be willing to reach across the aisle to and work on compromise with members of the opposite party to address this country’s many issues?

Both sides need to do a better job of working together to find common ground, and I’ve been just as frustrated by the gridlock as anyone else. The problems our country faces arose because too many members of Congress, for decades now, have advocated for the status quo.  I’m happy to compromise, so long as we’re not compromising our nation’s future.   Presently, I’m excited to work with a Democrat member from Illinois on a manufacturing reform proposal that aims to strengthen manufacturing in the U.S.  I will continue seeking out opportunities to reach across the aisle and find common ground.

How can you guarantee you will equally represent all portions of the 16th District?

I believe that an elected official must be available to the public to hear and address their concerns, no matter how tough the issue may be. When I am not on congressional business or on military duty, I am in my district talking with voters. I have visited every county and have held town halls throughout my current district and the new 16th district – just as I have always down as a Member of Congress. My office makes constituents our top priority which is why we have held more than 30 town hall meetings and over 75 traveling office hours.