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Veterans
We should keep faith with the men and women who have served our country. John Spratt's budgets every year have provided more for veterans health care than the president has requested, funding outpatient clinics in Rock Hill and Sumter, a new drug benefit, and Tricare for Life for retirees. He worked to change “concurrent receipt” and the “survivor benefit offset.” Because of his “fight to preserve this country's commitment to our veterans,” the Disabled American Veterans honored him with the “Veterans First Award.” The American Legion named him an “Unsung Hero.”
Immigration
Whatever we do about immigration, we first have to secure our borders and control who enters our country. John Spratt has voted to double the Border Patrol, to deploy troops on the border, to build an electronic fence and walls, and to increase the number of immigration officials. He has voted for stiffer penalties, for an entrance/exit system to track foreigners here on visas, and for driver¡¦s licenses and Social Security cards that cannot be counterfeited.
Families
Strong nations start with strong families. John voted to give mothers the right to pregnancy leave and parents time off to be with sick children. He stood up to the television networks and pushed through Congress a law requiring TV sets to come with V-chips, so parents can block violent or vulgar programs. He voted for a $1,000 child tax credit and to broaden the Earned Income Credit, boosting the incomes of 52,000 working families in the 5 th District.”
Environment
John believes that we have a right to breathe clean air and drink clean water, and a duty to leave the earth better than we found it. He voted to strengthen the Clean Water and Clean Air Acts, to increase the Land and Water Conservation Fund, and to limit out-of-state hazardous waste. He has fought waste dumps on the state line, acted as a watch dog over clean-up at Savannah River, and been named “Friend of the National Parks.”
Taxes
John Spratt believes that we should broaden the tax base, simplify taxes, and lower rates. He voted to slash tax rates in Tax Reform Act of 1986, and believes the tax code needs another ¡§closet cleaning.¡¨ He negotiated the Tax Relief Act of 1997, which lowered capital gain and estate tax rates. He voted to end the Social Security earnings penalty for those over 65, to ease the marital penalty, to raise the child tax credit, to hike contribution levels for IRAs and 401(k)'s, and to lower estate taxes.
Welfare
Welfare should be more hand-up, and less hand-out. John Spratt sponsored the first bill filed to reform welfare and voted for the welfare reform bill that finally became law. He believes that welfare should help you finish school, find a job, and find child care and transportation, but it has to have limits. If you are able to work, and work is available, you ought to work.
Crime
We cracked down, and crime rates dropped. John Spratt backed the Violent Crime Reduction Act to stiffen penalties for repeat offenders, stop endless appeals, and fund more prison construction. He championed federal aid to put 100,000 more police on the beat, and helped communities across the 5th District win grants placing 148 new community police on patrol.
Government
John believes that government should be a good steward of taxpayers' money. He has run a business and believes government should be run the same way. He has authored dozens of laws to improve the way the Pentagon spends billions on weapons and equipment. The Inspector General saluted his efforts as a “major contribution in the fight against waste, fraud, and abuse.” Money magazine named him one of the top 25 in Congress for “watching your wallet.”
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