Incentivize math & science teachers. The country's future growth is reliant on jobs that require a mastery of math and science. Yet, schools face a chronic shortage of qualified math and science teachers.
I propose that we increase the pool of talented and qualified teachers by providing scholarships for best and brightest students who commit to becoming math and science teachers in the public schools for five years after graduating.
Source: 2012 House campaign website, betoforcongress.com, "Issues"
Nov 6, 2012
On Energy & Oil:
Tackle climate change: reduce greenhouse gas emissions
I believe that in tackling climate change and the greatest environmental threat we have ever faced, we need to take unprecedented action in building a foundation for a clean energy economy.
Harmful emissions that contribute to climate change also pollute our air and water. Climate change threatens our food supply, our security and the complex ecosystem that sustains humanity.
I will work with other members of the House of Representatives, the Senate and our President in helping our country put together a plan that will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions to the point where they match levels that can be absorbed by
Earth's ecosystems. Educating our fellow Americans about this threat to our quality of life is important to our success, and I will do all I can to make this issue a top priority in Congress.
Source: 2012 House campaign website, betoforcongress.com, "Issues"
Nov 6, 2012
On Free Trade:
Make our international ports modern, efficient and safe
I commit to the following:- I will make our international ports of entry and commerce a priority in order to create more jobs.
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More than $70 billion in U.S./Mexico trade passes through our ports of entry every year. That's 20% of all trade between our two countries.
There are nearly 40,000 jobs in El Paso dependent on that activity. I will work to focus the nation's resources on safely improving the speed and efficiency for this trade, so that we create more jobs and protect the ones that we already have.
Our ports should be modern, efficient and safe instead of points of frustration for business and trade.
Source: 2012 House campaign website, betoforcongress.com, "Issues"
Nov 6, 2012
On Government Reform:
Members of Congress use our tax dollars to get re-elected
The corruption that plagues our community has to stop, but we need reform and new leadership, especially in D.C. where members of Congress use our tax dollars to get re-elected. I will sponsor a bill to set term limits for representatives, so that they
focus on getting the job done instead of the special interests that keep them in office. I will also ensure you have transparent, ethical governance from your Congressional office.- Term limits. Congressional work should be a job, not a lifestyle
or a gravy train paid for with your tax dollars. I support term limits.
- Constituent Support. My local constituent office will focus on your needs, not electioneering. Expect attentive service and great results.
- Accountability and Transparency.
I will hold regular town hall meetings to ensure you have a Congressman you can talk to--not over the phone via expensive, taxpayer-funded telephonic "town halls".
Source: 2012 House campaign website, betoforcongress.com, "Issues"
Nov 6, 2012
On Health Care:
ObamaCare addresses some problems, but needs El Paso focus
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) seeks to address some important problems when it comes to accessing healthcare in this country.
It will provide protection for those with preexisting conditions; it will remove lifetime caps; it will extend coverage for children and young adults up to age 26; and it will attempt to provide for health coverage for everyone in the country.
While these are important issues to address, the act fails to address problems that are specific to El Paso and the border.
As your congressman I will work to make sure that future legislation that carries out the provisions of the PPACA will help, and not hurt, El Paso.
Source: 2012 House campaign website, betoforcongress.com, "Issues"
Nov 6, 2012
On Immigration:
Support the DREAM Act and comprehensive reform
If elected to Congress, I commit to:- Support the DREAM Act: A humanitarian and economically sound bill to pass for our country as a whole, the DREAM Act provides a path to citizenship for a generation of young people who were brought here
as children and only know life in the U.S.
- Comprehensive Immigration Reform: allowing a more flexible visa system that accurately adjusts to our economic and market conditions. Most importantly, I will work to ensure that the people of
El Paso, the ones actually living on the border and dealing with the implementations of immigration & border security policies passed in Washington, have a voice in this very important discussion.
- Through immigration reform, we can empower immigrants
to come to the U.S. legally, discourage the abuse of the visa system, encourage employers to hire legally documented workers, enrich the American presence in the global economy and reduce the exploitation and discrimination of foreign workers.
Source: 2012 House campaign website, betoforcongress.com, "Issues"
Nov 6, 2012
Page last updated: Dec 04, 2018