Born
May 1, 1953 in Denver.
Experience
United States House of Representatives, 2006-present; Colorado state Senate, 1994-2002; Finance Chair, Jefferson County Democrats.
Education
BA, University of Colorado, 1975; JD, University of Colorado School of Law, 1978.
Family
Wife, Deana; three daughters. |
What makes you more qualified than your opponent?
My family and I have deep roots in the 7th Congressional District and I have lived in Jefferson County my whole life. I went to Jefferson County public schools, and so did my three daughters. My father also owned a construction business in the 7th Congressional District. The people of the district know me and my family and I know them. I feel that I continue to bring a wide range of personal and professional life experience that is of value to the voters of the 7th CD and the country as we end our addiction to foreign oil, take care of our veterans as we responsibly end the war in Iraq, and rebuild America’s economy. Since my time in the State Senate, I have a proud record of reaching across the aisle to move Colorado forward and I’m proud to have the support of Democrats, Republicans and Independents. For the past 20 years I have been a champion of renewable energy. During my first term in the U.S. House of Representatives, I was successful in passing bipartisan legislation to encourage energy efficiency practices and just last month, the full House of Representatives passed my G.R.E.E.N. (Green Resources for Energy Efficient Neighborhoods) Act, which would promote green housing and energy efficiency practices within the financial services community. I believe that we need to end the war in Iraq that is costing America $10 to $12 billion a month and take care of our veterans. I am proud that the House and Senate passed my legislation creating Epilepsy Centers of Excellence in the VA Healthcare system with broad bipartisan support. These Centers of Excellence will conduct treatment and research for our returning veterans who often develop epilepsy after suffering brain injuries in order to give them the best care possible. And finally, because of my experience as an attorney and my knowledge of business and finance, I serve on the Financial Services Committee. I am focused on establishing a responsible plan that stabilizes the financial markets, protects taxpayers, punishes wrongdoers and restores some regulation of the financial markets that President Bush ignored for eight years leading to our current financial crisis.
Would you support an expanded guest worker program and how would it work?
I support the bipartisan efforts to expand our guest worker program. We need more visas in our agriculture and tourism industries here in Colorado. The number of visas, particularly H2b, is not keeping up with the demands of the market and it’s hurting the economy. During my Government in the Grocery meetings, I have heard from several small-business owners who can’t hire enough seasonal workers due to inadequate visas and are afraid of going out of business. These people want to hire people legally and can’t. Small businesses are going under due to this problem, and that isn’t right.
Should Congress permit increased off-shore drilling? In the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge?
In September, I voted to expand off shore drilling on all coasts 100 miles off shore with a state opt-in from 50 to 100 miles out. Therefore, I do not believe we need to open up ANWR to oil exploration. Furthermore, I voted to accelerate annual lease sales in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska (NRPA), which has more estimated oil than ANWR, can be brought to market sooner and is close to the existing pipeline. But all of this needs to be done alongside an aggressive push for renewable energy because we cannot drill ourselves out of this problem. Moreover, the moratorium for off-shore drilling was allowed to expire.
Should Congress provide the requested $50 billion in low-cost loans to the auto industry for retooling and development of fuel-efficient cars?
Congress should provide loan assistance to the auto industry to upgrade and retool its plants to produce energy efficient and alternative fuel types of cars, vans and trucks. The request by the industry is a loan of $25 billion. That money is to be used to help increase fuel efficiency (since a gallon saved is a gallon earned), and produce vehicles which run on natural gas, bio-fuels, electricity, hydrogen and other types of energy not even contemplated today. By developing vehicles that use less fuel or competing types of fuels the US will reduce and I hope break its dependence on foreign oil.
What’s your assessment of recent Supreme Court picks Samuel Alito and John Roberts?
We have only seen a snapshot of their decisions so far. I have concerns about Justice Roberts’ and Alito’s impact upon the laws of America, how America governs itself and the individual rights of each of us.
How best should the U.S. government protect Americans from dangerous foreign imported food, drugs and other products?
We need to properly fund the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and the Consumer Protection Agency and give them the tools they need to retain staff and expand when needed. An example of this would be the proposed FDA national consolidation and closure of the lab in the Denver Federal Center in Lakewood in 2007. Together with my colleagues in Congress, we successfully fought to keep the Lakewood office open. Recent imported food, drug and toy scares reinforce the need to strengthen import standards and the testing process. By bolstering the FDA and other regulatory agencies, we can help to prevent future harm to our citizens. Foreign companies who do not uphold American safety standards need to have their import privileges revoked or suspended.
Should the U.S. government make it more difficult for American businesses to “outsource” jobs?
Yes. Not only has President Bush turned his back on the hardworking Americans and cut taxes for the wealthiest 1 percent of Americans, he has also rewarded companies who ship jobs overseas with tax breaks — this is something that must end.
How would you reform the Department of Education or would you recommend Congress abolish it?
I would not support Congress abolishing the Department of Education. I would repeal No Child Left Behind or at least revamp and fund the program appropriately. Accountability in our public schools is a good thing, but I feel to date No Child Left Behind has not achieved its original goals.
Do you support a constitutional amendment to bar homosexual marriage? Why?
I do not support a constitutional amendment to bar homosexual marriage. In my opinion, allowing committed partners the same benefits and legal status as others does not threaten traditional marriage. A compromise solution would be to pass a domestic partnership bill. There are more important issues confronting this nation like the economy, energy independence and the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Is global warming primarily caused by human activity and should reducing greenhouse gas emissions be a priority for Congress?
I believe human activity has affected global warming. The scientific evidence demonstrating the shrinkage of the ice caps and more and more violent extreme weather continues to mount. I carried the GREEN Act because energy efficiency and renewable sources of energy are good for national security, good for the climate, and good for jobs, as well as good for managing utility costs. The reason my bill was good for the climate was because reduced energy consumption or renewable sources of energy such as solar wind or geothermal reduce or eliminate smoke or other carbon emissions into the atmosphere. |
Who is your hero?
My father, Len Perlmutter
Are you a dog or a cat person?
I am a dog person but cat lovers need to know the American Humane Society endorsed me! I have a golden retriever, Tucker. My daughters have a golden retriever named Charlie and pug/beagle mix named Winston.
What food do you hate most?
Raw onions
The book you’d most like to read next?
Whatever is the newest Tom Clancy novel.
The movie that made you laugh out loud the most?
“A Fish Called Wanda” or “Raising Arizona.”
The “one food” you would want stuck on a deserted island?
Barbecue ribs
The person you wish would run for U.S. president?
I think Senator Obama is the best candidate running for president, but I hope one of my daughters goes for it in a couple of decades.
What personal feat are you most proud of?
Raising my three daughters.
What one question would you love to have answered and by whom?
No answer.
Where do you recommend people from out of town eat?
240 Union or La Cueva. |
