Security: The United States is a nation built by immigrants. Immigration has always been a part of the history of our country and it should proceed in a lawful way. The security of our borders and security of our citizens should be first and foremost with regard to all immigration and border security policy. In light of the terrorist activities our country and its citizens have experienced, it is more important than ever to examine the current and proposed immigration policies. They should be evaluated first in terms of our public’s safety and then with regard to any economic considerations. Blanket amnesty for illegal immigrants is not appropriate. Extended Statement >>> Public Safety and Victim’s Rights: It is the first duty of government to protect and to provide a safe environment to live and work. Congressman Poe’s 22-years experience as a criminal court judge gave him first-hand knowledge of the tragedies of crime victims in our community. Too many courts have excused criminal conduct rather than hold criminals accountable under the rule of law. One of the first accomplishments of Congressman Poe in the 109th Congress was founding the Congressional Victim’s Rights Caucus to advocate on behalf of victims of crime in Congress. Poe felt it was important for victims of crime to have a voice in Washington. Congressman Poe’s first bill as a U.S. Congressman was the Child Predator Act of 2005 (H.R. 1355). This bill creates a National Sex Offender Registry to track sex offenders across state lines, helps close loopholes in current sex offender notification requirements and includes a Training and Technology Amendment to provide law enforcement with the funding and latest technologies to deal with internet crimes against children. All measures of Poe’s Child Predator Act of 2005 were incorporated into the Child Safety Act of 2005 which was passed by the House this year. Terrorism: Congressman Poe supports our men and women in uniform as we continue to deal with the real threat of terrorism in a post 9/11 world and believes it is important to turn the governing of Iraq to Iraqi Security Forces as soon as they are able to take over the responsibility. Congressman Poe serves on the Terrorism Subcommittee of the International Relations Committee and believes the United States should secure its borders and pursue all potential threats. Poe supports making our national defense second to none - both in manpower and intelligence. Health Care: Congressman Poe believes every American should have the right to affordable healthcare and the freedom to choose their own doctor, and that we must look for ways to continue to bring quality healthcare to our citizens while helping to ease the burden of it’s ever rising costs. We have the best healthcare in the world but more and more Americans cannot afford it or the ever increasing insurance premiums. Congressman Poe believes the system should be doctor­patient driven and there are too many bureaucrats in the health care system that do not heal anyone, which can drive up the cost of healthcare. We must continue to look for ways to continue to bring quality healthcare to our citizens while helping to ease the burden of the ever-rising costs. Social Security: Congressman Poe is committed to securing the future of Social Security to guarantee seniors receive the benefits they have paid into the system. The government must stop robbing the Social Security Trust Fund to pay for other programs. Extended Statement >>> Taxes: Congressman Poe supports replacing the IRS and the current federal income tax system with a fairer and simpler tax system. The current income tax system cost Americans hundreds of millions of dollars a year just to administer. Congressman Poe believes in debating the merits of the Fair Tax on the House floor and taking serious steps to improve our tax system. Extended Statement >>> Economy: Ted Poe supports limited government and lower taxes. President Bush’s tax cuts, which are set to expire in 2010, should be made permanent. Working families in our country deserve to keep more of their money. Additionally, we must move to a simpler and fairer tax structure. The consumption tax should be considered. Extended Statement >>> Energy: Ted Poe believes the United States must become more independent with regards to our energy resources. This independence requires greater exploration for oil and gas within our own borders, as well as development of alternative fuels. Extended Statement >>> Education: Congressman Poe supports returning control of our children's education to those who know their needs the best - parents and our local educators. Our children are the future of our country and our education system must prepare our youth to compete in the global economy in which we find ourselves in the 21st Century. One of Congressman Poe’s first actions as a member of the House was to form the “Congressional District 2 Education Task Force” to bring together educators, parents, students, administrators and local community leaders to address education issues. Extended Statement >>> Israel: Congressman Poe feels Israel is a strong ally of the United States. He supports economic and military assistance to Israel and opposes any Middle East peace plan that weakens the security of Israel. Having had the opportunity to visit Israel personally, Congressman Poe knows first hand the importance of a free and safe state of Israel. For over fifty-five years since 1948, the United States has maintained a close partnership with the state of Israel based on our shared values of freedom, democracy, security, rule of law, and Judeo-Christian principles. This relationship has endured the cataclysmic effects of war and terrorism. In fact, today the relationship between Israel and the United States has never been stronger. Congressman Poe feels a strong and vibrant U.S. - Israeli partnership is the bedrock principle of U.S. foreign policy. Ted Poe is a staunch supporter of the U.S. - Israeli relationship and a strong voice for our most important friend in the Middle East, Israel. In 1988, Congressman Poe had the pleasure of touring Israel and saw first hand some of the joint issues facing Israel and the U.S. Extended Statement >>> Judicial Branch: Congressman Poe supports limiting the power and authority of federal judges to impose their social agenda on this country. He feels this year’s Kelo vs. City of New London Supreme Court Ruling has far reaching effects on eminent domain laws. Congressman Poe cosponsored several pieces of legislation expressing disapproval of this decision and protecting private property rights. Congressman Poe also supports the introduction of legislation to hold judges accountable by requiring them to be reconfirmed by the Senate every 10-15 years. Extended Statement >>> Marriage Protection: Congressman Poe believes in the definition of marriage as a union between a man and a woman. No exceptions. He would support a Constitutional amendment if that's what was necessary to preserve the sanctity of this union. Extended Statement >>> Pro-Life: Congressman Poe is pro-life. The only exception is to save the life of the mother. Congressman Poe opposes government funding for abortion or abortion clinics and also opposes partial-birth abortions. Religious Freedom: Congressman Poe feels the separation of church and state has been taken to extremes in certain cases. The U.S. Constitution says the Federal government cannot impose state-endorsed religion on its citizens, but religion is under attack in the United States. With lawsuits being filed against a state lawmaker for mentioning religion from the floor of the legislature and the constitutionality of the Pledge of Allegiance being questioned in the courtroom of an activist judge, Congressman Poe believes our nation needs to stand stong and defend our religious heritage in the United States. These efforts have less to do with the separation of church and state and more to do with an effort to remove religious influences from American society. Congressman Poe fully supports voluntary prayer in schools as well as efforts to preserve this nation’s religious heritage - such as displays of the Ten Commandments or other religious symbols on public property. Second Amendment: As a member of the NRA and the Texas State Rifle Association, Congressman Poe staunchly supports the 2nd Amendment and is a strong advocate of its protection. Congressman Poe believes the Right to Bear Arms is as important as any other right in the Constitution. It is an individual right. It is not just a right for states to form militias or National Guard units. Poe has received an “A” rating from the National Rifle Association for his “commitment to defending the rights of law abiding gun owners and sportsmen,” according to Charles Cunningham, Director of NRA Federal Affairs.