T
calling for strong responses on things like the
right of Israel to defend itself against attacks
from Gaza and support for Israel in its battle
with Hamas. For example, I have called on
the administration to withhold foreign aid to
the Palestinians as long as the terrorist group
Hamas is involved.
he Detroit Jewish News sent
Democratic incumbent U.S.
Sen. Debbie Stabenow and her
Republican challenger, Pete Hoekstra, identi-
cal questions to which they submitted the
answers via email. Their responses are below.
Jewish News: What is your position on
the Affordable Care Act? If you support it,
how would you work to implement it? If not,
would you try to fix it or work to repeal it?
Stabenow: It is critical that the cost of
health insurance be reduced for families and
businesses. Creating a way for families to be
able to find affordable insurance is essential
both for them as well as for other taxpayers
who are currently forced to pay for overuse
and inappropriate use of emergency rooms
by those who do not have insurance. I fought
to make sure the healthcare law cut taxes for
small businesses, guaranteed preventative
care for women and lowered prescription
drug prices for seniors.
I am very willing to look at how the law is
implemented and to fix anything that does
not work. For example, when the IRS pro-
posed a new "1099 reporting requirement"
that would have tied Michigan businesses up
in red tape, I led the effort that repealed that
part of the law.
Sen. Debbie Stabenow
Hoekstra: We need to repeal "Obamacare"
and replace it with common-sense reforms
based on free-market principles. I have
released a Solutions Policy Paper that out-
lines reforms to improve affordability and
access to health care.
Common-sense solutions include
Association Health Plans, expanding Health
Savings Accounts, selling health insurance
across state lines, reforming medical mal-
practice laws, creating pre-existing condition
high-risk pools and allowing tax credits for
individuals to purchase insurance.
Stabenow: The administration has taken
a very firm stance against Iran's nuclear pro-
gram, and I believe the new sanctions that I
co-sponsored and we passed in a bipartisan
way through Congress are having a signifi-
cant impact.
I have repeatedly taken action to urge the
administration to increase sanctions and to
stand with Israel against Iran's nuclear ambi-
tions. There is no greater threat to America
or to Israel than a nuclear Iran. I sent a letter
to President Obama urging the United States
to force Iran to comply with international
resolutions and to cease their production of
nuclear materials. I called on the president
to step up sanctions if these conditions are
not met.
I have also co-sponsored legislation,
which President Obama signed into law, to
increase cooperation with Israel on joint
missile defense, homeland security, energy,
intelligence and cyber security. I am also a
co-sponsor of a resolution indicating that we
should not take any options off the table if
Iran's nuclear ambitions cannot be contained
and if our tough new economic sanctions fail
to work.
Jewish News: Are you satisfied with the
Obama administration's efforts to prevent
Iran from getting nuclear weapons? If so,
why? If not, what specific actions would you
advise?
Hoekstra: When I served in Congress,
I was chair of the House Permanent Select
Committee on Intelligence. Just last month I
traveled to Israel and met with high-ranking
government officials and national security
Pete Hoekstra
experts for an assessment of developments in
the Middle East. The trip followed increased
tensions following the Arab Spring, a terror-
ist attack in Libya that killed four Americans
and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's
speech at the United Nations on Iran.
My conclusion is that the current admin-
istration is failing to connect the dots on
the threats that exist in the Middle East
and has not had a consistent foreign policy.
Our greatest ally in the Middle East wants
America to be America again as the Middle
East becomes more unstable. We need to
show our enemies our strength and leave
no option off the table to prevent Iran from
obtaining a nuclear weapon.
Jewish News: Do you agree with the admin-
istration's efforts to bring about peace
between Israel and its neighbors? If so,
why? If not, what specific actions would you
advise?
Stabenow: This administration has made
it clear that Israel has a right to defend itself
from destructive regimes like Iran and that
all options are on the table to stop Iran from
developing nuclear capability — political,
diplomatic, economic and military.
I have joined many of my colleagues in
co-sponsoring resolutions and co-signing
letters to the administration affirming the
United State's strong support of Israel, and
Hoekstra: No, President Obama has not
done enough to bring about peace with Israel
and its neighbors. This administration has
been silent on hard-hitting issues like the
Iranian nuclear program and threats from
extremist militant groups in the region.
Threats toward Israel should not be tolerated
by the United States, and our president has
failed to take a stand on this critical issue and
continues to signal to Israel's enemies weak-
ness in our friendship.
Jewish News: Is the administration on the
right course regarding Iraq, Afghanistan,
the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt and the
turmoil in the region? If so, why? If not, what
specific actions would you advise?
Stabenow: Recent events in the Middle
East are extremely delicate and very danger-
ous. I have been in contact with Secretary [of
State] Hillary Clinton directly about the situ-
ation that has arisen from the Arab Spring.
As these countries struggle to transition to
democracy, it is more important than ever
that America take a leadership role.
The brutal murder of our ambassador
to Libya and two other embassy staff is an
unspeakable tragedy. It should not be treated
as political fodder. I am reminded of a for-
mer Republican senator from Michigan,
Arthur Vandenberg, who coined the phrase,
"politics stops at the water's edge'." We must
stand united against acts of terrorism around
the globe.
Hoekstra: The complacency to allow the
Muslim Brotherhood to gain positions of
power in government during the Arab Spring
will have negative ramifications in the region
for the future as they are a radical, jihadist
The Choice on page 56
October 25 • 2012
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