Issue Position: Family Values

Issue Position

Families are the bedrock of our society. Strong families tend to make for stable, prosperous communities. A secure family strengthens the social fabric of our nation and provides the best economic support for individuals. Therefore, I support protecting institutions and initiatives that strengthen families.

Support for Marriage:

In the wake of the Supreme Court's ruling in United States v. Windsor striking down portions of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), concerns have been raised that individuals and organizations that promote traditional marriage may be vulnerable. Thus, I have cosponsored H.R. 3133, the Marriage and Religious Freedom Act. Under this act, no individual or institution that defines marriage as between one man and one woman would be denied tax exemption provided under Federal law. It also would prevent the Federal Government from denying any Federal grant, contract, license, certification or similar provisions from individuals or groups based on their belief that marriage is the union of one man and one woman.

Government should not be legislating on the sanctity of marriage. Unfortunately, when government begins to alter the tenets upon which traditional marriage is based, I believe it becomes necessary to prevent the erosion of such values. Thus, I am a cosponsor of H. J. Res. 51, a resolution proposing a Constitutional amendment that defines marriage in the United States as consisting only of the union between a man and a woman.

Marriage is a commitment that requires a lot of work and prayer. As a state senator, I cosponsored a 2008 Illinois law requiring insurance companies to cover treatment from licensed marriage therapists.

Support for Children and Families:

I am pro-life and believe we should defend the sanctity of life from conception to its natural end. I support legislation that protects the lives of the unborn and prevents taxpayer dollars from funding abortions. Regardless of your position on the issue, Americans widely agree that no one should be forced to pay for someone else's abortion. I am a cosponsor of House-passed legislation H.R. 7, the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act, which codifies existing prohibitions, such as the Hyde Amendment, on the use of federal funds to pay for abortions.

I am a cosponsor of the House-passed legislation H.R. 1797, the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, which prohibits abortion past unborn children who are 20 weeks or older, the point at which they can experience pain.

As a state representative, I proposed the Women's Right to Know Act, mandating that prior to getting an abortion, a physician must fully inform a woman of the nature of the abortion and prenatal services available to her.

As a state senator, I championed a policy that the state's role in parent-child relationships should be minimal with limited governmental interference.

I attend Wheaton Bible Church in West Chicago with my family. While in Washington during the week, I'm also a member of the Values Action Team, a member of the Congressional Prayer Caucus, and regularly attend the weekly Congressional Prayer Breakfast. I was recognized by Family Research Council Action and CitizenLink for unwavering support and defense of life and the family with their "True Blue" award.

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