Meet the candidates for Fort Worth area U.S. Representative, Congressional District 33
Pat Gillespie
Age: 65
Political party: Republican
Campaign website: www.patrickgillespie4congress33.com
Occupation: Entry Writer at UPS Supply Chain Solutions
Education: Huntington High School, Marshall University
Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought): First time running for Elected Office
Please list highlights of your civic involvement: International Olympic Volunteer
Who are your top three campaign contributors?: Self funded
What is the most important distinction between you and your opponent?: I don’t need to pander donors and PACs for millions of dollars to run a political race in a Congressional District which can be driven from end to end in about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Where is all that money going?
What are the three biggest issues in this race?: Invasion at our Southern Border by 4 Million Illegal immigrants and 1 Million Got aways. Plus Human Trafficking and Deadly Drugs Fentanyl flowing over the Southern Border. President Biden and with the help of Democrats like Marc Veasey has made the economy so bad, passing Trillions of dollars of debt; we have inflation at a 40 year high. Making rent higher, Gasoline 44% higher, Eggs 38% higher, Coffee 20.3% higher, Milk 15.6% higher, Electricity 15.2% higher, Meat 8% higher.
What, if anything, can Congress do to reduce inflation or offer relief to Americans struggling to pay the bills? What policies do you support to make energy more affordable?: Any more “free” money to the American Citizens will add to the debt fiasco. Claw back at least the 80 Billion Dollars to hire 87,000 new IRS agents. The United States Congress must overrule President Biden on the domestic energy drilling stoppage. The President is lying to the Citizens when he states the oil companies are not using the oil leases. The Biden administration is not allowing new drilling permits on Federal land or seabeds. Biden killed the XL pipeline and fracking. Stop begging other countries that don’t care about the United States to import oil to the U.S. The Biden administration must be accountable for all the inflation imposed on the American Citizens for his failed policies..
Would you vote for a bill to implement a uniform abortion policy in the U.S.? How late in a pregnancy is abortion acceptable?:The root cause of pregnancy is unprotected sex. I am a man. Most young men are idiots and will not wear a condom because they are uncomfortable and restrictive. Women will need to be proactive and insist on contraception. A condom, vaginal dam, costing about $5 or birth control pills. If a woman is forced to have sex, report the offender. Rape should be a Capital offense. Incest should be a long prison sentence. No, I would not vote for a bill to kill babies in the womb.
Should Congress attempt to overturn President Joe Biden’s plan to cancel portions of college-loan debt? What higher education reform policies do you support?: This is vote buying which is illegal. As Nancy Pelosi has stated, Congress has the power of the purse not the President. President Trump could not give Citizens direct debt relief. President Biden doesn’t have the power to cancel college-loan debt. Americans that didn’t go to college because it was too expensive don’t need to pay for other people’s tuitions in higher income taxes. College tuition is too high and needs to be reduced a lot. If this college-loan debt cancellation still goes through, the Congress will need to take over setting the College tuition rates.
Schoolchildren suffered dramatic learning loss during the COVID pandemic. How can Congress help states and school districts catch them up?:Fund Summer school, tutors, if necessary, the children must repeat the grades.
Should the states be able to enforce federal immigration law? What changes to the U.S. asylum system do you support? What should the priorities of the U.S. immigration system be?:Yes, the states should be able to enforce federal immigration laws because the Federal Government has failed the states and the American People by allowing 4+ Million illegal immigrants and 1+Million got aways into this country since 1/20/2021. The asylum system is gone! Keep the immigrants in Mexico and vet them before allowing them into the United States. The United States has 8 consulates and 1 embassy in Mexico. Not one of the Millions of illegal immigrants used these lawful enclaves to ask for asylum.
What investigations, if any, of federal policy during the pandemic should Congress undertake?: The origins of the COVID. Investigate the “Gain of Function” and send to the DOJ for prosecution anyone involved in changing this virus into a killer.
If these elections result in divided government, how can Republicans and Democrats compromise on these issues — or will Americans have to wait for the 2024 elections to possibly resolve it?: The divided government we have right now must go. The past year and a half show a one-party rule (Democrat) gives us expensive stupid laws that made the United States go from an energy independent country to begging dangerous nations for their oil. Raising the inflation rate from 1.23% to 8.6%. Showing dictators, they can start wars and the United States is weak in leadership.
Now that the initial $403 million has been allocated for the Panther Island Project, what other local projects could benefit from federal funding?: Add more Opportunity Zones to train our fellow Citizens in marketable jobs.
Marc Veasey
Age: 51
Political party: Democrat
Campaign website: www.marcveasey.com
Occupation: Member of Congress
Education: B.S. Mass Communications
Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought): Texas State House in 2004, District 95 – an area now part of the 33rd Congressional District. Served for 8 years as a member of the Texas State House, where I served in several leadership positions including Democratic Whip and Chair of the Democratic Caucus.
Please list highlights of your civic involvement: Our country is going through unprecedented times, and the American people are looking to their elected leaders for information and relief. I take pride in the work Congress has done to advance multiple stimulus packages that give relief to American families and workers by bolstering access to unemployment benefits, Coronavirus testing, funding for state and local governments, and offering critical support for rental assistance.
Who are your top three campaign contributors?: Vaughn Vennerberg, Jim Finley, Tori Adams & Jim DuBose
What is the most important distinction between you and your opponent?: During my nearly 10 years in Congress, I have used my position to create jobs, expand affordable and accessible health care, bolster our infrastructure in North Texas, protect voting rights, fight for comprehensive immigration reform, and helped my constituents access critical COVID-19 relief and resources. I also have the opportunity to serve on the Energy and Commerce and House Armed Services Committee. I use these positions to deliver critical resources to our state, given Texas’ dominance in the Energy sector and the number of service members and defense companies that call North Texas home. I also am proud of the work I’ve done with the Biden-Harris Administration to secure $403 million in new funding for the Trinity River Project. I also joined my colleagues to recently pass the Inflation Reduction Act – monumental legislation that lowers costs for families, creates good-paying jobs for workers, and grows the economy from the bottom up and the middle out.
What are the three biggest issues in this race?: 1. Rising costs are a huge issue for working families, which is why Democrats in Congress worked with President Biden to get the Inflation Reduction Act signed into law. It reduces inflationary pressures on the economy and makes life more affordable. 2. Because the Republican Party and their supermajority on the Supreme Court, American women have been robbed of their right to access essential health care. My Democratic colleagues and I are working around the clock to reverse the impacts of this negative decision. 3. I will do whatever it takes to restore the Voting Rights Act. As the chair of the Congressional Voting Rights Caucus, I consider my duty to protect the voices of the American people. In the face of the global pandemic, I believe mail-in ballot and voter ID laws should be repealed--because we must ensure Americans do not have to choose between their safety or making their voice heard at the ballot box. I also support measures that would make Election Day a national holiday.
What, if anything, can Congress do to reduce inflation or offer relief to Americans struggling to pay the bills? What policies do you support to make energy more affordable?: Rising costs are a huge issue for working families across Texas, which is why Democrats in Congress worked with President Biden to get the Inflation Reduction Act signed into law. The historic legislation that I proudly support reduces inflationary pressures on the economy and makes life more affordable while making crucial investments in our energy security as Americans have faced higher gas prices from the war in Ukraine. The bill cuts the cost of living, lowers the Federal deficit, and strengthens the American economy in the short and long run. It will also create thousands of jobs for the American people while ensuring taxes are not raised on Americans earning less than $400,000 annually. The Inflation Reduction Act will accelerate many of the cleaner energy sources that will be crucial to helping us achieve our climate goals and reduce other pollutants so we can all have cleaner air to breathe and more sterile water to drink.
Would you vote for a bill to implement a uniform abortion policy in the U.S.? How late in a pregnancy is abortion acceptable?: I have always advocated for affordable and accessible health care, including the right to access a safe abortion. Unfortunately, on June 24, 2022, the Republican-controlled Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to abortion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization and emboldened Republican politicians and hostile state legislatures. Democrats in Congress are fighting against these far right-wing decisions by advancing legislation that will allow abortion and protect health care. I joined my colleagues in passing the Women’s Health Protection Act (WHPA), which creates a federal safeguard against abortion bans and restrictions, protecting the right to provide and access abortion across the country. We also voted on the Ensuring Access to Abortion Act, which reaffirms the constitutional right to travel and prohibits interference with the provision, access, or assistance of abortion across state lines.
Should Congress attempt to overturn President Joe Biden’s plan to cancel portions of college-loan debt? What higher education reform policies do you support?: Americans in every corner of our nation are facing crushing student debt. Earlier this year, President Biden fulfilled a promise to provide targeted student debt relief to working and middle-class families–a move that I very much support. His move helped create breathing room for borrowers as they prepare to resume following the COVID-19 pandemic. And let me be clear a post-high school education should be a ticket to the middle class. But the cost of college has skyrocketed, and too many borrowers can’t afford to buy a home, start a business, or save for retirement, which is why this move is critical. I think Congress should be working alongside the Administration, not overturning this landmark decision that will make a real difference for current and future students. Under President Biden’s proposed changes, the average borrower will save over $1,000 per year on loan payments, and the typical borrower will see their loan payments cut in half.
Schoolchildren suffered dramatic learning loss during the COVID pandemic. How can Congress help states and school districts catch them up?: Last year, the sweeping American Rescue Plan was signed into law that helped schools and communities to secure funds to help combat the impacts that COVID-19 has had on students, schools, and educators. The legislation also catalyzed addressing preexisting gaps in the education system. It allowed schools to stay open and helped them keep teaching children and get back on their feet, which helped close many of the divides and helped get us back up to speed. The plan also dedicated an additional $8 billion to states and school districts to meet the needs of specific student populations, including over $3 billion for students with disabilities and $800 million for children and youth experiencing homelessness. We are helping states and schools catch up by ensuring the American Rescue Plan funds continue to be properly distributed and help these districts across the country.
Should the states be able to enforce federal immigration law? What changes to the U.S. asylum system do you support? What should the priorities of the U.S. immigration system be?: I recognize the importance of having a fair, effective, and common-sense immigration system in our country. As an original co-sponsor of numerous immigration-related bills, including the American Dream and Promise Act to shield Dreamers and TPS holders from deportation and create an opportunity for permanent legal status, H.R. 15, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act, bipartisan legislation that Rep. Joe Garcia introduced in the 113th Congress, I am committed to working across the aisle to bring the 11 million undocumented immigrants out of the shadows. I also believe asylum laws should be reformed, so I joined Rep. Veronica Escobar to introduce the Notario Victim Relief Act to allow immigrants to seek legal asylum status, permanent residency, or protected temporary stay after falling victim to fraudulent legal representation.
What investigations, if any, of federal policy during the pandemic should Congress undertake?: I serve one of the lowest-income districts in our country, where many constituents struggle to access affordable health care--especially as we are amid a global health pandemic. Thousands of Texans could access health coverage if Governor Abbott allows our state to expand Medicaid. That is why I introduced legislation expanding Medicaid coverage within the fourteen states that have yet to accept Medicaid Expansion under the Affordable Care Act, a move that could help my district overcome one of the largest challenges we face. The House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis also launched an investigation into the economic impact of the pandemic. Credit reporting failures indicated that the major credit bureaus significantly decreased their responsiveness to consumer complaints and disputes regarding errors in consumer credit reports. We should also ensure that those who wrongfully applied for and obtained coronavirus aid under fraudulent pretenses are brought to justice.
If these elections result in divided government, how can Republicans and Democrats compromise on these issues — or will Americans have to wait for the 2024 elections to possibly resolve it?: Polarization is at some of the highest levels we’ve seen in our history, but anyone who is paying attention can tell that the partisan divide is not symmetric. The Republican party is now controlled by radicals well outside the American mainstream who engage in conspiratorial thinking, refuse to believe in the results of free and fair elections, and disrespect the rule of law. The violence we saw on January 6th, 2021, directly resulted from Republican leaders lying to the public. Without accountability or consequences, I fear the violence of that day will only be repeated. The years I served in the Texas legislature before Congress have taught me the value of having strong relationships across the aisle. I have carried those lessons to Washington, where I have worked across party lines while I was in the minority and the majority.
Now that the initial $403 million has been allocated for the Panther Island Project, what other local projects could benefit from federal funding?: Anyone who has ever spent time driving across the metroplex knows how bad our traffic issues are. The need for better, more convenient modes of transportation is clear. In addition to finishing the buildout of critical highway infrastructure, we must invest in other modes of mass transportation that ease the burden on our roads and reduce traffic. Beyond transportation, we must upgrade our electric grid if we hope to avoid another tragedy, as we saw in February of 2021. Investments in transmission infrastructure and weatherizing certain power-generating stations are critical.
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