League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
	Santa Clara, San Mateo, Santa Cruz Counties, CA November 4, 2014 Election
	Candidates Answer Questions on the Issues United States Representative; District 18

The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of California Education Fund and asked of all candidates for this office.     See below for questions on Economy and Jobs, Health Care, Energy Policy, National Security, Immigration Reform Click on a name for candidate information.   See also more information about this contest. 1. In this time of high unemployment and budget deficits, what are the most important steps that should be taken to improve our nation’s economy and sustain job creation? Answer from Anna G. Eshoo: Invest in America's domestic infrastructure: rebuild roads, bridges and public facilities, including broadband. Raise the minimum wage to $10.10/hour. Initiate regulatory reform. Explore innovative reforms, such as increasing the flexibility of states to use valuable unemployment insurance funds for programs that best support job-seekers. Easier access to capital for small businesses. Expand scientific/bio-medical research. 2. What, if any, changes should be made to federal health care policies or programs? Answer from Anna G. Eshoo: As Baby Boomers grow closer to retirement, they will be in greater need of health care. We must find ways to expand the medical workforce. I support increasing the number of Graduate Medical Education slots funded by Medicare and the Children's Health Graduate Medical Education. An important fix to the ACA would be to change formulas from "one size fits all" to a regionalized average salary for a family of four. 3. What are your priorities with respect to our nation’s energy policy? Answer from Anna G. Eshoo: I strongly support energy policies that will create 21st century clean energy industries that are essential for our country's economic, national security, and environmental future. Continuing R&D for alternative energy. I've pushed for investments. For example, $2 billion in competitive grants to develop the next generation of batteries. 4. What, if any, changes should be made with respect to our nation’s security, including our national defense or anti-terrorism measures? Answer from Anna G. Eshoo: Eliminate our dependence on foreign oil. Ensure that our international aid programs are effective in building strong local economies that produce quality standards of living which can lead to a decrease in violence and mass migration. 5. What is your position on the issue of immigration reform? What, if any, changes to legislation or policy would you support? Answer from Anna G. Eshoo: I support a comprehensive overhaul of our immigration laws. The necessary changes would include providing a timely pathway to citizenship; modernizing our visa programs for both high-skilled and agricultural workers; building on recent successes in securing our borders; and holding employers accountable for employing undocumented workers. Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' statements are presented as submitted. References to opponents are not permitted. The order of the candidates is random and changes daily. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page.