Leahy: The Citizens United decision was a strike at the core of our democracy with few other decisions having such a negative impact on our political process. I advocated for campaign finance reform before the Citizens United decision. As Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee and on the heels of the disastrous McCutcheon decision, I led the debate for a Constitutional Amendment to rein in the influence of billionaires and make it clear that corporations are NOT people. I fully intend to continue to lead this fight if I am re-elected to the US Senate. Continuing to fight the influence of big money in politics by championing a constitutional amendment to declare once and for all that corporations are not people and overturn the devastating Citizens United Supreme Court decision.
Partnering with the Vermont Economic Development Authority, we created an emergency low interest loan program that got credit of up to $100,000 to crippled job creators within days. More than 340 businesses and farms were granted loans, totaling $15.3 million. With liquidity, Vermont ingenuity and hard work, miracle after miracle happened as business after business reopened.
The lesson for Vermont government in helping to grow jobs in Vermont is simple: Getting credit to entrepreneurs when they need it most grows prosperity and grows jobs. In fact, there is nothing standing in the way of Vermont's job creators that cannot be made right by a partnership with state government and expedited risk credit for businesses when others won't lend.
I'm already hearing some resistance to the idea. I understand this is not how we've always done things. But, for the life of me, I cannot see how we can stand by the status quo, knowing the workforce challenges we face. For years, we have all heard from employers who cannot fill positions. They are pleading for more qualified workers. At the same time, we all know Vermonters who cannot find jobs, or who work two or three jobs to make ends meet.
In this new Agency, we will literally put those in state government who help Vermonters find jobs shoulder-to-shoulder with those helping businesses create jobs.
A: I am seeking to serve Vermonters, Vermont, and the United States of America. I am deeply concerned with the direction our Country is going and I have the character, experience, leadership and performance to change the course for a better future.
Q: Background?
A: I served 22 years on active duty in the Army worldwide. I have served in government positions and for 16 years as a defense contractor supporting our military. I have been successful in highly competitive business environments, growing jobs for technology and services businesses. I have an MBA from Temple University, a graduate certificate from Georgetown University and completed the Army Command and General Staff College. I have worked with 20+ allies in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the Persian Gulf; extensively across US Federal/State/Local Government agencies; and for small and large businesses including Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and Bowhead (an Alaska Native Corporation).
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| 2024 Presidential contenders on Corporations: | |||
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Candidates for President & Vice-President:
V.P.Kamala Harris (D-CA) Robert F. Kennedy Jr.(I-CA) Chase Oliver(L-GA) Dr.Jill Stein(D-MA) Former Pres.Donald Trump(R-FL) Sen.J.D.Vance(R-OH) Gov.Tim Walz(D-MN) Dr.Cornel West(I-NJ) |
2024 presidential primary contenders:
Pres.Joe_Biden(D-DE) N.D.Gov.Doug Burgum(R) N.J.Gov.Chris_Christie(R) Fla.Gov.Ron_DeSantis(R) S.C.Gov.Nikki_Haley(R) Ark.Gov.Asa_Hutchinson(R) Former V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN) U.S.Rep.Dean_Phillips(D-MN) Vivek_Ramaswamy(R-OH) S.C.Sen.Tim_Scott(R) | ||
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