Issues
Economic Security
“A living wage in a stable job is the key to feeling and being safe in our community. I’ll fight every day in Washington to bring every cent to our community through business investment, local government partnerships, direct funding and jobs, jobs, jobs.” – Scott Galvin
Florida’s 17th District is weathering an economic hurricane of declining home values, shrinking local government budgets and soaring unemployment.
President Barack Obama and Congressman Kendrick Meek deserve credit for passing the United States Economic Recovery Act to direct much needed federal resources to our community.
According to the United States Recovery website (www.Recovery.gov) the 17th Congressional District has received approximately $244 million in recovery funding creating or saving more than 200 jobs.
That’s good but not good enough.
As your Congressman, Scott Galvin will continue to fight for our share of federal dollars. Not just through the federal recovery program (stimulus) but through every possible avenue to create and sustain jobs in our community.
As an elected member of the North Miami City Council since 1999, Scott Galvin understands that budget cuts by local governments have real consequences on families.
As your Congressman, Scott Galvin will work to make sure local governments – including our local school districts and Miami-Dade and Broward Counties – have the funding they need to avoid job losses in tough economic times.
National Security
“National security should be the top priority of every Congressman. Every American is proud of our men and women in uniform and we can’t do enough to thank and support them. In Washington, I’ll keep on eye on the excess but spare no expense to support our soldiers.” — Scott Galvin
With American soldiers in danger in two foreign lands, President Obama has the right idea – help Iraq and Afghanistan stand on their own.
As your Congressman, Scott Galvin will keep pressure on the White House to bring our combat troops home from overseas as soon as possible. At the same time, Scott Galvin will support the Commander-in-Chief in making strategic decisions about future investments in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Throughout most of our history, military service was more than a career option of last resort – it was a first choice of countless Americans. Unfortunately, military service has lost its appeal as a career choice in part because of the low pay, strain on families and lack of long-term post-service support.
As your Congressman, Scott Galvin will fight to make sure we invest as much in our soldiers as we do in our failing banks and automakers. The Department of Veteran’s Affairs should have more than the money it needs to serve each and every American who honorably served in uniform. Military pay and pensions should increase.
As your Congressman, Scott Galvin won’t just spend money on the military. He is committed to protecting our tax dollars by cautiously reviewing and asking tough questions about the most expensive and unproven military programs.
Israel, Iran and the “Middle East”
“The United States must remain a strong ally of Israel while advocating for an honest path to long-term stability and increasing the pressure on Iran and other threats in the region.” — Scott Galvin.
It is in America’s vital interest for the United States and Israel to maintain their friendship and “special relationship.” The relationship between Israel and the United States is strong and unshakable, based on historic bonds, common values, strategic interests and a shared vision for a peaceful and pluralistic future.
Since the reestablishment of the State of Israel in 1948, the state has been under constant threat from its neighbors and other states in the region. Israel has consistently demonstrated its willingness to make sacrifices in its pursuit of peace resulting in peace agreements with Egypt and Jordan.
Israel’s government is on record supporting a two state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict. The United States can play an important role in mediating talks that bring about agreements between the parties, but a lasting peace requires the parties to reach mutual agreements without solutions being imposed by the United States or other third parties.
As your Congressman, Scott Galvin will support these efforts as well as the ten (10) year Memorandum of Understanding entered into by the United States and Israel and signed by President Bush and Prime Minister Olmert.
The funds under this agreement are largely used to purchase military equipment manufactured in the United States by American companies and help insure Israel’s defense and provide for the expression of American interest throughout the region.
In addition, the economic stability of the State of Israel is a key component of our relationship, and as your Congressman, Scott Galvin will support, should the Israeli government request it in the future, direct economic aid.
The Iranian government, whose leadership violates international law by denying the Holocaust and threatening to wipe Israel off the map, is a threat not only to Israel, but to the United States and the rest of the western world. In the past, the Iranian government has used terrorist proxies such as Hezbollah and Hamas for attacks on foreign soil. Its possession of nuclear material or weapons could threaten the American homeland utilizing similar terrorist proxies.
The U.S. must act, with urgency and determination, to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons capacity.
As your Congressman, Scott Galvin will support current and previous legislation as well as international efforts to contain Iran as well as the Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act.
Health Care
“I support the approved national health care plan because it represents progress, not because I see it as a solution. Like many progressives, I wanted more reform faster. I would have liked anything that would have moved us closer to a uniform, rational national health care system. I think improvement is not only possible but necessary. Health care is right, not a privilege.
Many of the questions I’ve heard on the campaign trail come from the elderly or those with existing conditions – people for whom medical care is a part of daily life. They are scared and have questions. We need to establish ‘education’ hot lines where people can call and ask questions.”
-Scott Galvin
