With the November 4 election only one week away, this questionnaire for the candidates for United States Representative of the 1st Congressional District will conclude our series of campaign coverage for 2014.
Incumbent Democrat Suzan DelBene, who was elected in 2012, is facing Republican challenger Pedro Celis. The 1st Congressional District encompasses the majority of Whatcom, Skagit and Snohomish Counties, and also includes a portion of King County. Monroe, Sultan, Gold Bar, Index and Skykomish all fall within the 1st Congressional District.
DelBene has visited Monroe and the greater Sky Valley area frequently. She helped pass out lunches in Sultan this summer at the free lunch program facilitated by Volunteers of America and Food Lifeline, and earlier in the year visited Werner Paddles and took several members of Sultan city staff and the Sky Valley Recreation Group hiking on nearby trails.
Last November, she presented Sultan Mayor Carolyn Eslick with a flag that had been flown over the nation's capitol in Washington, D.C., and on Friday, Oct. 24, DelBene Special Assistant Patrick Hogan was in Skykomish for opening of the new Maloney Creek Trail.
DelBene worked at Microsoft for 12 years, achieving an executive-level leadership role. Additionally, she helped create drugstore.com, and worked as the CEO of a software company called Nimble Technology.
She has a bachelor's degree from Reed College in Portland, Ore., and a Master's in Business Administration from the University of Washington. During a recent presentation at the Monroe Chamber of Commerce lunch, DelBene shared that her family struggled financially, and that, in order to obtain her education, she had to rely on student loans, financial aid and work study programs.
DelBene is focused on issues including passing comprehensive immigration policy, retaining the privacy of American citizens via reigning in the NSA, ensuring access to education and supporting local farmers as a member of the House Agriculture Committee.
Pedro Celis is an immigrant from Monterrey, Mexico, which is located approximately five hours southwest of San Antonio, Texas. He arrived in the United States
with just one bag of clothes and a box of books, and sought to obtain his education. He became an American citizen and eventually achieved a master's degree in mathematics, as well as a Ph.D. in computer science.
During his early career, Celis worked as a technical director for Tandem Computers, a company that has since become a part of Hewlett Packard. He then became employed at Microsoft, where he worked for over 14 years, achieving the level of Distinguished Engineer. He retired from Microsoft in 2012 so that he could focus more on community service.
"I have lived the American dream,GÇ¥ said Celis in a video statement on his website. "But today too many people are discouraged. The American dream does not seem as bright as it once was; moving up the economic ladder has become too hard.GÇ¥
"Government is undermining the American dream with good intentions gone haywire,GÇ¥ he continued. "Washington, D.C. is not working GÇô we need a new direction GÇô and that's why I'm running for Congress.GÇ¥
With the ability to view the immigration process from firsthand experience, Celis advocates on his website for "wide doors and high fencesGÇ¥ when it comes to immigration policy. "Becoming an American citizen is a privilege, not a right, and the proper way to do so is a long and difficult process.GÇ¥
In the media we hear a lot about the current state of politics in Washington, D.C., particularly with the gridlock and the difficulty that Congress has had with getting legislation passed. What can be done to alleviate this?
DelBene: The 1st Congressional District is a very diverse district, both economically and geographically, with many different constituencies and communities. I think we'd all be better off if more members of Congress represented diverse districts such as ours. It means lawmakers have to consider all sides of an issue and realize that getting something done involves listening and compromise, not just rhetoric.
This is the approach I've taken in Congress, and we've made progress on some issues. In a dysfunctional, hyper-partisan Congress I've worked across party lines to get things done. I helped write the Farm Bill to ensure it benefits Washington farmers, specifically securing funding for specialty crops and organic farming GÇô a boost for Western Washington's fruit and vegetable farmers. The Farm Bill also reduces the deficit. Last summer, I successfully worked with a bipartisan coalition to roll back the doubling of student loan interest rates. I also got legislation passed that expands job-training and education programs for food stamp recipients to learn new skills and become self-sufficient. When a portion of the I-5 bridge over the Skagit River collapsed last year, I worked to quickly secure emergency funds to rebuild it. Additionally, I've worked across the aisle on legislation to rein in the NSA and protect our personal privacy. But there is much more we need to do to grow our economy and support working families. If re-elected, I will continue my efforts to expand economic opportunity for all and create jobs.
Celis Campaign: Bipartisanship starts with leadership from the President. Ronald Reagan negotiated and passed significant legislation with a Democratic speaker of the house (Tip O'Neill). Bill Clinton negotiated successfully with a Republican speaker of the house (Newt Gingrich). President Obama has not shown the willingness to negotiate with Congress. It is his way or the highway. The consistent belittling of Republicans on the campaign trail does not lend itself to bipartisanship.
Pedro has been a problem solver and consensus builder his entire life. At Microsoft, he had to work with people with strong and differing opinions but was still able to reach an agreement and bring products to market on time. Pedro will not hesitate to reach across the aisle and will not be another politician that just votes the party line.
Immigration reform is greatly relevant to the 1st Congressional District. What will it take to pass comprehensive immigration policy?
DelBene: Our immigration system is broken and needs reform. Our laws should be realistic and reflect our nation's values. We must have a system that keeps America safe while recognizing the contributions that immigrants have made and continue to make to our nation.
As a member of the Judiciary Committee, I've been fighting to fix our immigration system in order to create American jobs, lower our deficit and provide an earned path to citizenship. I am one of the lead sponsors of bipartisan legislation that secures our borders, respects the rule of law and provides immigrants with a fair chance of achieving the American Dream. This legislation has over 200 cosponsors and I believe if we were allowed to vote on it, that the legislation would pass. For our economy, business owners and families, it's critical that we are given a chance to vote on this important bill.
Additionally, any reform should be comprehensive, not piecemeal. Our immigration system today is complicated and has many interconnected parts, that if we just tweak policy in one narrow area, it will create unintended consequences in other areas. A comprehensive approach is the best way to fix our system so it helps workers, employers and our economy.
Celis Campaign: It will take leadership from the President and the willingness to negotiate from the House and Senate Democrats. Pedro believes that immigration is good for this country but understands that rewarding people for breaking the law sets a dangerous precedent. As long as the Democrats insist on a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants, immigration reform will not pass.
Pedro has said that it is not reasonable or fiscally responsible to deport millions of undocumented immigrants. Pedro has proposed a reasonable solution that enables both parties to meet in the middle. We need to secure the border first and foremost. The American people have been promised a secure border from the time that Ronald Reagan was President but we are still faced with the same problem.
For the illegal immigrants that are here, Pedro is for a yellow card system that gives the illegal immigrants that are here legal status but does not give them a path to citizenship. This is an example of a compromise that would likely pass the House but the Democrats and President refuse to negotiate.
What are some ways that Congress can help to support small businesses in the district, particularly in the Monroe and Sky Valley area?
DelBene: I have consistently heard from small businesses in our district about the challenges they face when seeking capital to maintain and grow their businesses. Access to capital is vital for small businesses, and Congress must do more to ensure that those in Washington state benefit from the Small Business Administration's lending and investment programs, which enables these businesses to create jobs and drive economic growth. I support improving and expanding access to capital for all small businesses, and also have introduced legislation, the Women's Small Business Ownership Act, to increase the flow of capital into small businesses run by women entrepreneurs.
I am working to reform our tax system to make it simpler and fairer, especially for our small business owners. Our roads and bridges are in disrepair. It's time to invest in safety improvements on our heavily traveled rural roads and major corridors, such as Highway 2. I will fight for a long-term transportation bill that will get our region's economy moving. Finally, I strongly believe that Congress must pass legislation like the Marketplace Fairness Act to help level the playing field for our Main Street businesses that are competing with out-of-state online retailers, who currently have an unfair advantage because of a legal loophole.
Celis Campaign: Reducing taxes, reining in the EPA and reducing the regulatory burden on businesses will give a major boost to the economy of Monroe area. The recent ruling by the EPA to expand the definition of navigable waters to be able to regulate irrigation ditches and ponds formed from heavy storms is hurting Washington's farmers.
There are numerous businesses that are visited by the EPA and Washington Department of Ecology up to four times a year. The costs of getting ready for these inspections and complying with ridiculous regulations prevent businesses from hiring and increasing wages for current employees.
Numerous businesses in the district have been forced to add environmental surcharges to their invoices in order to cover the cost of their regulatory compliance costs.
A boat manufacturer that Pedro visited recently told Pedro that 10% of their revenues go towards regulatory costs. This is unacceptable. They are paying environmental fees that do not even apply to their business.
The city of Sultan has been working assiduously to promote recreation and tourism throughout the greater Sky Valley region. With grant opportunities somewhat limited due to Washington being the only state without a tourism budget, are there some things that can be accomplished at a federal level to help support this endeavor?
DelBene: What makes living in the 1st Congressional District so special is the natural environment that surrounds us. We are home to some of the nation's most beautiful forests, mountains and waterways. Here in the Northwest, we have a unique opportunity to protect our environment in a way that will also spur economic growth. Our lands and natural resources provide us with spectacular outdoor recreational opportunities, especially in places like Sultan, Monroe and throughout the Sky Valley Region. From hiking and fishing to mountain biking, hunting and winter sports, outdoor recreation is an important part of our region's economy, employing 227,000 people and generating $22.5 billion in consumer spending every year in our state. The jobs created from outdoor recreation range from outdoor touring companies to the retail clerks at our local fishing and tackle stores. We also have companies such as Werner Paddles in Sultan that manufacture equipment used by people around the world. These businesses depend on outdoor recreation to succeed, and are an important part of ensuring we can sustain and grow manufacturing jobs here at home.
That is why I've sponsored several bills to protect lands and help grow our economy. I am an original cosponsor of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Additions and the Pratt and Middle Fork Snoqualmie Rivers Protection Act. I also introduced GÇô and helped pass GÇô legislation that saved the historic fire lookout on Green Mountain inside the Glacier Peak Wilderness. It would have been removed if Congress didn't act. In addition to legislation that protects our natural resources, we must actively maintain our outdoor spaces and access to them. It is crucial that we invest in our existing parks, waterways and trails. Preserving access to these public lands helps support tourism and recreation that boost the regional economy and local businesses.
Celis Campaign: The Monroe and Sky Valley region is one of the most beautiful areas in the entire country. Pedro has enjoyed hiking and biking in the area. While Pedro wishes that he could say that he would fight to acquire funding for a tourism budget for the city of Sultan, it simply is not possible considering the Federal Government faces a nearly $18 trillion dollar debt.
If we do not make serious decisions about our out of control spending then we will never balance our budget. The CBO estimates that our interest payments, as a percentage of our federal outlays, are set to increase to almost 12 percent of our federal budget by 2018. This will threaten all Federal programs including vital programs like Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare. Protecting these essential programs that many Washingtonians rely on will be a top priority of Pedro's if he is elected.
What are your top three priorities going into the next legislative session?
DelBene:
Creating Jobs and Building an Economy that works for everyone: Jobs and the economy are the most pressing concerns of people in the 1st Congressional District and across the country. I know firsthand what it is like to struggle financially growing up and how much a job can be a source of economic stability and health as well as a source of personal pride. I'll fight every day for policies that help Washingtonians get ahead: better schools, ensuring equal pay for equal work, job-creating investments in infrastructure and I'll support our seniors by protecting Social Security and Medicare. Additionally, to grow our economy, reduce our deficit and help millions of working families, we must fix our broken immigration system.
Education: Education is critical for the long-term success of our families and the economy. I will continue my efforts to make college more affordable, such as stopping the doubling of student loan interest rates last year. In addition to the $200 million I secured in new job-training funds, we must do more to support employee training and expand apprenticeships to ensure we have a trained workforce that can step into the new jobs being created today and in the future. I am committed to ensuring that every child has access to a quality education and supporting early learning programs and our K-12 schools.
Passing a Responsible, Long-term Budget: Budgeting thirty or sixty days at a time is the worst and most expensive way to do it. To build the foundation for long-term economic growth, we must craft a responsible and long-term budget that reduces the deficit and focuses on job-creating investments. We must simplify and reform our tax code. This means closing unnecessary tax breaks for special interests and ensuring that everyone pays their fair share. We must make smart funding decisions based on what gives us the best return on investment such as in infrastructure, basic research and education GÇô all proven job creating investments.
Celis Campaign:
1. Balanced Budget Amendment- Our nearly $18 trillion dollar debt is a monumental threat to our economic future, national security, and all federal programs. We have seen with even the most insignificant legislation that Congress rarely gets anything done unless there is a crisis. This why we need a function that will force Congress to address their out of control spending. Congress will not even act to cut the programs listed in Tom Coburn's "Wastebook.GÇ¥ If Congress cannot cut egregious waste then how can we expect Congress to ever cut spending without something like a Balanced Budget Amendment?
2. Immigration reform- Our immigration crisis embodies what is wrong with Congress and this administration. The President will not act to secure our border despite imminent threats such as ISIL and the spread of Ebola. We need to control who comes in and out of our country. No sovereign country allows their borders to be so porous.
Pedro believes that legal immigration is good for this country. Immigrants have been a vital part of our nation's history. They are job and wealth creators. We need to secure the border first and foremost. We need to expand the number of both guest worker permits and H1B visas.
In order to truly have a secure border, we need to deal with the illegal immigrants that are here so that we can have a strong everify system that severely punishes companies that hire illegal immigrants.
Pedro proposes a yellow card system for the undocumented immigrants that are here. Those that have been here at least eight of the last ten years should be granted a yellow card after paying taxes, learning American history, and learning English. The yellow card would NOT be a path to citizenship. Yellow card recipients would not get any sort of an advantage in acquiring a green card. There are millions of people that have done everything right and are waiting their turn to become U.S. citizens. It would be unfair to allow the undocumented immigrants to get ahead of those that have followed the rules. Illegal immigrants should not be rewarded for breaking the law.
Passing immigration reform will enable the United States to secure the border and will allow the U.S. to have total control of who enters and exits the country. This is essential.
3. Tax reform- The Tax Foundation ranks the United States 32 out of 34 of the industrialized countries in tax competitiveness. Our tax environment is leading to companies fleeing the United States, taking jobs and their tax revenue with them. Our tax environment is also preventing economic growth and is reducing Americans take home pay.
Our tax code is rife with economic distortions that enable Washington, D.C. to pick winners and losers. Big business can afford to lobby Congress for their tax break or tax loophole but small business can't. We need to level the playing field so that all industries and businesses play by the same rules.
Pedro supports tax reform that lowers rates and limits deductions. Pedro is disappointed that Dave Camp's reasonable tax reform proposal did not reach the house floor this year. According the Joint Tax Committee, Dave Camp's tax reform bill would have increased federal tax receipts by over $700 billion over the next decade and would have provided much needed economic growth. Republicans need to get behind pro-growth reform instead of worry about the effects on reelection prospects.
Does Suzan DelBene support Dave Camp's tax reform proposal? It would limit deductions and lower the corporate tax rate to 25%. It is time for Suzan DelBene to stop hiding behind focus group tested rhetoric and back up her words. If she truly supports "comprehensive tax reformGÇ¥ then she should enthusiastically support Dave Camp's tax reform proposal. We need leaders in Congress, not followers.
For more information about Suzan DelBene, please visit her website at http://www.delbeneforcongress.com/ or http://delbene.house.gov/. For more information about Pedro Celis, please visit: https://pedroforcongress.com/meet-pedro-celis/.
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