Birthdate⁄Place: December 27, 1968 in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania Residence: Silver Spring, Maryland Family: Wife, Lori, Certified Public Accountant. Daughters, Alaina (9) and Chloe (6). Sons, Brennan (8) and Avery (4) Education: Diplomate, American Board of Ophthalmology, Ophthalmology Residency and Chief Resident, Medical University of South Carolina; Internship, National Naval Medical Center; M.P.A., Marist College; J.D., University of Maryland School of Law; M.D., Uniformed Services University School of Medicine; B.S., Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh Professional: Ophthalmic Surgeon; Attorney (South Carolina, District of Columbia); Commander, U.S. Navy Reserves; ‘‘Marine One” Flight Surgeon, Presidential Helicopter Squadron Community: Volunteer Eye Surgeon, Ghana, Africa and Israel; Medical and Legal Volunteer, Hurricane Katrina Relief Effort; Clearfield County Planning Commission (Pennsylvania); American Red Cross Chapter Chair (Pennsylvania); Medical Mission to Guyana, South America Key Issues: National Security, Immigration, Health Care, Economy, Fiscal Responsibility, Governmental Reform, Education, and Employment Web Site: www.stevehudson2008.com E-mail: steve@ stevehudson2008.com Link to federal campaign finance database

Congress, Dist. 8

Steve James Hudson (R)

I would have voted "NO" on both bills. The bailout package was rushed through Congress without reasonable forethought. Now that the government has inappropriately intervened, stocks are tumbling and global financial markets have become increasingly unstable, all at the taxpayers' expense to the tune of $700 billion and probably more.

Q. Is the bailout package a slippery slope? Can we expect other industries to need/request similar massive help and, if that's the case, how should the government respond?

Absolutely. As we've seen with companies like AIG, companies act irresponsibly and know that they can count on a bailout. Once the bailout comes, they start acting irresponsibly again. Other industries will certainly follow the path down easy street. Congress is the bad parent in this situation. There should have been proper oversight, but there was none, because campaign coffers were growing from Fannie and Freddie contributions during the housing bubble. The political corruption is widespread. Congress should admit their mistake, issue a public apology to the American people, repeal the bailout, and look at other alternatives like forbearance, net worth certificates, and regulatory capital to stabilize financial markets and the housing industry.

Q. Some, like Sen. Cardin, have called for a Manhattan Project-type effort to address the nation's energy needs and to get the U.S. off foreign oil? What do you believe should be done?

I support limited offshore drilling and natural gas as a bridge from foreign oil to alternative and renewable energy. We must start building infrastructure for solar and wind now, which will create jobs and reduce the record unemployment rate.

Q. What are your top three priorities for the next two years, if elected?

1. National Security. National Security is paramount to our freedom. Recent provocation of U.S. Naval vessels by Iranian speedboats in the Strait of Hormuz, turmoil in Pakistan, the threat of nuclear proliferation, and the potential for terrorists to enter our Country and attack us on our own soil highlight the need for the strongest possible National Defense and high-tech solutions for 21st century warfare.

2. Immigration Reform. We need to secure our borders immediately, not only for security, but to expand opportunities and resources for legal residents.

3. Health Care. Medicare and Social Security are ticking time bombs, and our Nation’s health and welfare are at stake. If I am fortunate enough to earn your trust and become your Representative, I will work hard to improve access to and quality of medical care for the people in our District and for all Americans. We should explore free market solutions for meeting the growing needs of our retirees. We need to save primary care medicine and focus on disease prevention. Reducing poverty and improving education, job training, and housing can dramatically reduce the cost of chronic illness and simultaneously revive our economy.

Q. How would you rate the performance of the House of Representatives: excellent, good, fair or poor? Why?

Poor. Our current leaders in Congress have failed to move this Country forward. They have stopped listening and are instead focused on political maneuvering and re-election. Our Country’s greatness is not because of politicians; it’s because of the communities and people they represent.

Q. Do you have a timeline on when the U.S. should pull out of Iraq?

I oppose timelines for U.S. withdrawal from Iraq. As our new strategies continue to work and peace settles, we should gradually return control to the Iraqis and re-deploy U.S. forces according to the advice of our military commanders on the ground. Very recently, U.S. Generals determined that Anbar Province, a historical hotspot for insurgency, will be returned to Iraqi control in March 2008. We are winning in Iraq.

Q. How should the government pay for the War on Terror and is it working?

The War on Terror is working. We have not been attacked since September 11th, 2001, and many plots have been disrupted. The United States must maintain a proactive stance against terrorism and religious fundamentalism. We live in a new age, and freedom now has a greater price. If Congress haphazardly underfunds the Global War on Terror, recent gains would be erased, terrorism would reorganize, and the brave, heroic efforts of U.S. Servicemen and Women who died defending our freedom would be dishonored. Paying for the war starts with setting priorities and redistributing resources. For starters, pork-barrel spending should be eliminated, and inefficient or outdated federal programs should be streamlined or eliminated from the budget. If we set our priorities and control wasteful spending, we can continue the fight against terrorism.

Q. Would you make any changes to the way the Department of Homeland Security is run?

DHS is a traditional bureaucracy that is plagued by inefficiency. One reason for this inefficiency is that DHS has a huge information advantage over elected officials, and it exploits its knowledge to produce a budget that is too big and results that are inadequate. I would like to see improved transparency of DHS and better control over bureaucratic behavior. If elected officials are well informed, they can check flagrant spending and poor performance.

Q. What should be done to reform Social Security, Medicare?

The ratio of wage earners to retirees is declining. That means that more seniors are drawing federal benefits and younger workers are paying less into Social Security and Medicare. We should focus on new job growth, including tax incentives for small businesses. Increasing the delayed retirement credit would encourage seniors to stay in the workforce longer if they choose. Both federal programs could be supplemented by tax-friendly private savings accounts that allow consumers to plan for their retirement and cover their health care costs.

Q. Should SCHIP be expanded? If yes, how would you pay for an expansion? If no, how would you ensure that people who need health and dental care get it?

SCHIP is for children. Therefore, all adults should be excluded from the program. It is important to provide coverage for kids who need it, but we should avoid government expansion in health care. President Bush recently signed legislation that extends SCHIP for current enrollees until March 2009. Children’s health is a critical issue, and it is worthy of further discussion to find common ground and provide the greatest benefit.

Q. What is your position on the death penalty?

I support the death penalty for qualifying crimes.

Q. What is your position on abortion?

I am pro-life.

Q. Do you support same-sex marriage?

No. I believe that traditional marriage is between a man and a woman. The vast majority of states, except for Massachusetts, legally define marriage between a man and a woman.

Q. Do you support the federal No Child Left Behind law?

I support limited federal involvement in education. Standards-based initiatives such as No Child Left Behind are of questionable effectiveness because one size does not fit all. Some kids may, in fact, be left behind because they cannot conform to rigid standards. Parents, teachers, and school boards are in the best position to understand and meet the specific needs of each student and should be given more options in shaping child development and education. My kids attend public school, and my wife and I are committed to their continuing education, both at home and in life.

Q. What, if anything, should be done to assist homeowners at risk of losing their homes because of adjustable rate loans?

First and foremost, subprime borrowers should be better educated about the risks associated with adjustable rate mortgages. Measures can be taken to protect disadvantaged homeowners who are at risk of defaulting, including freezing interest rates and federal mortgage assistance. The Senate recently and overwhelmingly passed bipartisan legislation that allows homeowners with ballooning interest rates to refinance into federally backed loans.

Q. Should slots be allowed in Prince George’s County? Should there be any form of gambling at National Harbor?

I am opposed to the expansion of gambling in the State of Maryland. There are negative social costs that exceed potential revenue. Gambling is addictive, and it can wreck families and spur crime.

Q. Who should bear the costs of the changes wrought by BRAC?

DoD’s cost estimates to implement recommendations from the 2005 BRAC Round have increased dramatically, from $21 billion to $31 billion, for the 6-year completion phase. Most of these costs are related to new military construction instead of renovating existing facilities. While spending has increased, savings from BRAC-related projects have decreased and are not expected to offset costs until the year 2017. I support U.S. Military transformation to meet the complex security needs of the 21st Century, but DoD expenditures, like all other federal spending, must be made more efficiently.

Q. What state transportation projects are a priority and how should we pay for them?

Maryland should focus on improving the quality and use of public transportation to reduce our dependency on oil and safeguard the environment. I would support federal funding for public transportation projects if they are shown to be cost effective alternatives to provide better, faster, environmentally-friendly service in the corridor for people who rely on public transportation.