The election results of last November made it abundantly clear that the American people were unhappy with the way in which their federal government was being run.  While Congress certainly gave the citizens ample reason to be dissatisfied, it's now time for us to roll up our sleeves, get back on track, and do the work that the American people expect and deserve.  I think the two most important priorities we must embrace are keeping our economy strong and waging-and winning-the War on Terror.

As we look toward the future of the 110th Congress, we must keep in mind the policies that have guided our nation into one of the strongest economic eras in its history.  As your Representative in Congress, I will continue to work hard to promote policies that will secure our future economic security by keeping taxes low and spending in check.

This week President Bush submitted a plan to balance the budget over the next five years without raising taxes.  In order to maintain the successful pro-growth policies that have kept our economy strong, it is important to allow American families to keep more of their own hard-earned money.  Since the tax cuts took effect in 2003, more than 7.4 million jobs have been created-more than in the European Union and Japan combined.  Our economy has now added jobs for 41 straight months, paychecks are growing, and the unemployment rate remains low at 4.6 percent.  Because of this economic progress and Congress' efforts to hold the line on domestic spending, we were able to cut the deficit in half three years ahead of schedule.  It is important for us to continue on this path.

The proposed budget makes it clear that the President's top priority is America's safety and security.  In order to continue protecting our homeland by successfully waging the Global War on Terror, it is critical that we provide the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security with the funding they need to complete their respective missions. This budget ensures our troops have the tools and resources necessary to win the War on Terror.  While investing in our nation's top priorities, this budget proposal restrains spending elsewhere by focusing resources on effective programs, reducing wasteful spending, and addressing the long-term challenge of the unsustainable growth in spending for entitlement programs.

Any balanced budget plan will require tough choices.  The President's plan calls for the American government to continue spending taxpayer dollars wisely.  While there are portions of the budget with which I will disagree, I strongly support the approach to keeping taxes low, America's military strong, and entitlements under control.

Please know that as your Congressman, I will continue to support common-sense, conservative policies that will help secure economic prosperity and national security.  The American people should expect no less.

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