Issues

America’s alliance relationships should be a means for advancing U.S. interests, not an end in themselves. The United States should maintain friendly relationships with its allies and partners, while recognizing where U.S. interests do and do not overlap.

Growing American energy production is making the Middle East less strategically important for the United States than in decades past. U.S. missions in countries like Iraq and Syria are disconnected from our core security interests and allow our enemies to more easily target our troops. Given extensive US over-the-horizon counterterrorism targeting capabilities, policymakers should focus limited U.S. defense resources on greater priorities outside of the Middle East.

Our $37 trillion (and growing!) national debt is the greatest long-term threat to America’s safety and prosperity. Excessive debt hurts America’s long-term strength by stagnating our economy and limiting our ability to react to serious threats to our vital national interests. We need to safeguard America’s financial future through comprehensive budgeting reforms.

Economic growth is the foundation of American prosperity at home and strength abroad. Through a tax code and regulatory system that promotes growth, the United States can remain internationally competitive and economically capable of defending its vital interests.

Access to cheap and abundant energy is the bedrock of American prosperity at home. U.S. energy abundance also builds American strength abroad by offering a reliable supply source for our allies and partners while reducing dependence on volatile regions like the Middle East.

Caring for “him who shall have borne the battle” is a solemn national obligation that is crucial for the future of our all-volunteer military. Though previous legislation that promised timely, quality care, too many veterans remain trapped in a failing system due to the VA’s deliberate efforts to limit treatment choices. Our nation committed to caring for veterans, not to protecting bureaucracies—we should put veterans first by empowering them to seek the treatment choices that best meet their health needs.

Those entrusted to care for our veterans must be held to the highest standards. Unfortunately, the VA struggles to discipline or remove employees that perform their roles poorly or who are found guilty of misconduct. This environment harms veterans and undermines VA culture at the expense of dedicated staff. Through legislation and oversight, Congress should ensure that VA leadership restores an internal culture of accountability.