The federal government must live within its means. We cannot be all things to all people.

• Federal Budget. The federal budget has nearly doubled in ten short years. This is unacceptable and unsustainable. I am committed to dramatically reduce the size and scope of the federal budget.
• Line Item Veto. I support giving the President a line item veto to provide a check against pork barrel spending.
• Earmarks. I advocate taking control of the budget process in a way that forces representatives to be accountable for the expenditures they approve. Revamping the earmarking process is a top priority.  In April 2008 I signed a pledge to support earmark reform.  For details, click here.
Federal Bureaucracy. I believe the federal government has expanded far beyond its proper role. I will vote to repeal unnecessary and ineffective programs and departments.
• Taxpayer Protection Pledge. I have signed the taxpayer protection pledge.  Tax increases are not the solution to our budget woes. We must reduce spending.
• Campaign Spending. I am proud of the way I have run my campaigns. It reflects my fiscally conservative philosophy. I stick to a budget. I don’t go into debt. I don’t pay for polls to tell me what messages you want to hear.   I spend money only on necessities and I know how and when to say no.  And unlike my opponents, I don't spend donated money on free lunches for delegates.