Candidate questionnaire: Jo Ann Emerson

NAME: Jo Ann Emerson

AGE: 61 years old

PLACE OF BIRTH: Washington, DC

SPOUSE, CHILDREN'S NAMES:

Married to Ron Gladney, children Victoria and Katharine, five step-daughters, one step-son, three beautiful grandchildren

EDUCATION:

B.A. Political Science, Ohio Wesleyan University

OCCUPATION:

U.S. Representative, Eighth Congressional District of Missouri

EMPLOYER:

The people of the Eighth Congressional District of Missouri

BUSINESSES OWNED, ALL OR PART: N/A

PUBLIC OFFICES HELD OR SOUGHT; GIVE DATES:

U.S. Representative, Eighth Congressional District of Missouri, 1996-2012

WEBSITE: www.joannemerson.com

THE FEDERAL BUDGET IS THE DOMINATING ISSUE IN AMERICAN POLITICS TODAY. HOW DO YOU PROPOSE TO TACKLE THE BUDGET DEFICIT?

End the regulatory burden that is stifling our U.S. economy and killing American jobs. Everywhere we turn, big government is interfering in our lives and the local economy, especially in energy-intense manufacturing and agricultural sectors. A healthy economy with low taxes can easily fund our carefully-chosen priorities. At the same time, we must seriously restrict spending. I've cut billions from the president's budgets in legislation I've fought to get enacted into law.

WOULD YOU SUPPORT STEPS TO REPEAL HEALTH CARE REFORMS?

I voted NO on ObamaCare twice and 25 times to repeal it. Now, repeal is urgently needed to stop $500 billion in Medicare cuts and $630 billion in new taxes, prevent bureaucrats from taking over healthcare decisions, protect patient privacy and restore individual rights (20 million Americans would be forced OUT of health insurance). We need real cost savings, private market solutions and focus on rural medicine. I'm against ObamaCare, and for commonsense solutions.

WOULD YOU SUPPORT ANY TAX INCREASE TO HELP FIX THE BUDGET DEFICIT?

No. Tax increases don't reduce deficits; they encourage governments to spend more money.

NOW THAT THE WAR IN IRAQ IS OVER AND AFGHANISTAN IS WINDING DOWN, WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE AMERICAN MILITARY'S ROLE IN TODAY'S WORLD?

Americans in uniform are heroes. We must not put them in harm's way without total confidence that military action is the only way to protect vital American interests. Two of my step-children served in Iraq. It's nerve-wracking as a parent. But many families in Southern Missouri know that hardship, several have experienced tragic loss. We have to honor their sacrifices and our proud tradition of military service by eternal vigilance against enemies of freedom.

CLOSING REMARKS:

Representing our Eighth District has been the most humbling experience of my professional life. The next session of Congress will be historic: create new private-sector jobs, get our economy going again, stop bureaucratic over-regulation, repeal and replace ObamaCare, increase domestic energy supplies, reform the tax code, safeguard our American rights and freedoms. I'm proud to represent us, and I am excited to start work on this list of priorities for Southern Missouri.