Republican House candidates cite economic, security issues

For Jeremiah Ellison of Grand Island, the lack of financial accountability in Washington, D.C., and the resulting economic mess have motivated him to run for Congress from Nebraska's 3rd District.

"What's troubling me the most is that it doesn't seem that anybody is really planning for leaving a good future for our children," said Ellison, who is challenging U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith in the Republican primary on May 13.

Smith, a Gering native, is seeking his second term in Congress.

Smith serves on the Agriculture Committee, Budget Committee, Science and Technology Committee and Natural Resources Committee. He also serves as an assistant Republican whip.

Smith supports U.S. efforts in Iraq, Afghanistan and throughout the world in the struggle against terrorism.

"I support our troops and their mission," Smith said. "In the last year, I have voted more than 40 times in support of our men and women in uniform and their mission and to give our military leaders the support needed to get the job done."

While Smith is concerned about the economic cost and loss of life from the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, he said, "The cost of doing nothing would be even higher for our country.

"Following through on our commitment to Iraq and Afghanistan is one of the most important investments we will make to secure the blessings of liberty for our children and grandchildren," Smith said.

But with the cost of the war in Iraq at more than $500 billion, Ellison said, he doesn't want the United States stuck in a long-term commitment where the U.S. "just protects them indefinitely."

Ellison believes the war spending hurts U.S. funding for such important domestic priorities as infrastructure repair.

On the issue of health care, Smith said his goal is to address access and affordability while implementing long-term solutions that promote fiscal and individual responsibility.

As the cost of health care continues to rise, Smith said, so does the importance of a strong Medicare program. But he said Medicare has not kept pace with advances in health care, and patients need more choices to find the best treatments and providers.

Smith has also worked to ensure the viability of the State Children's Health Insurance Program by co-sponsoring the SCHIP Expansion Act of 2007. It would allocate $5 billion a year and provide a $1.5 billion shortfall fund to sustain SCHIP without new taxes.

"Such provisions ultimately fail practitioners, consumers and the children they claim to help," he said.

Ellison believes that, when it comes to tackling the nation's health care problems, more dollars need to be returned to taxpayers so they can better handle their health concerns.

"The country has become a great burden on the backs of the people today," Ellison said. "We are feeling the economic stresses from those policies, while we are in so much debt that it's going to be orders of magnitude greater for the next generation."

Another issue of concern for Ellison is immigration.

"While I like to see immigration reform, it really comes as an insult to us that we are still struggling through the immigration process and that Washington is holding up the olive branch to illegal immigrants as the first step to immigration reform," he said.

While immigration is important to America's labor needs, Ellison said, that would not be accomplished by granting amnesty to the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants in the United States.

"The trouble with immigration starts with the troubles of bureaucracy that surrounds it," he said. "And this issue has merged with the Department of Homeland Security, which has been criticized as ’the most sluggish and terrible bureaucracy' we have seen yet."

Smith said illegal immigration is a serious threat to the nation's security.

For Smith, the answer to curtail illegal immigration is to "maintain secure and firm control of our borders and our ports of entry."

"We must know who is entering our country and make sure those who would do us harm are caught, prosecuted and deported," he said.

Smith opposes proposals that undermine immigration laws and reward illegal actions.

Smith is a member of the House Immigration Reform Caucus, which encourages legal and timely immigration.

Ellison, who has lived in Grand Island most of his life, is a computer programer for J.C. Doyle Ltd. He and his wife, Enny, have a 20-month-old daughter, Shamira.

This is the first time Ellison has sought public office.

Another motivation for him to run is the need for good leadership in Washington, D.C.

"We didn't have anybody stepping up to run," Ellison said. "I would have liked more people to vote for so we could have a wider selection and find someone worth electing."

During his term in Congress, Smith has earned numerous awards from a diverse group of organizations:

-- The Constituent Communication Award from National Write Your Congressman, honoring his efforts in maintaining open communications with his district.

-- The Golden Triangle Award for support and dedication to family farmers from the Nebraska Farmers Union.

-- Certificate of Appreciation from the Disabled American Veterans.

-- The Medicare Choices Leadership Award for his work in strengthening seniors' health care.