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A Leader
Republican Leader on the Telecommunications and the Internet Subcommittee, Energy and Commerce Committee
Stearns is committed to removing the barriers that limit the growth of the telecom industry, fostering new services and products for consumers. He also is overseeing the transition to digital broadcasts while ensuring that consumers are provided with a converter box if they do not have a digital television.
Veterans Affairs Committee - Deputy Republican Leader (Current) and Chairman of the Veterans Health Subcommittee (2000 - 1997)
Through his efforts, a new Patient Tower is being built at the Gainesville VA Medical Hospital to increase patient privacy with the first floor housing new clinics. In addition, he secured a new Regional VA Health Care Facility that is being built in South Marion County.
For years, Stearns advocated a new VA cemetery to serve those in northeast Florida. His provision was signed into law and this new cemetery is opening in Jacksonville.
While Chairman of the Veterans Health Subcommittee, his bill, H.R. 2116, the Veterans Millennium Health Care & Benefits Act, was signed into law. This measure improves access to long-term care for disabled veterans and expands the obligation of the VA in providing alternatives to nursing home care. Provisions from his bill, H.R. 5109, the Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel Act, were enacted as part of S. 1402. His provisions guarantee yearly pay increases for VA health care personnel and increase the rate of special pay for dentists and pharmacists working at the VA. These pay reforms are vital to retaining qualified health care professionals.
Chairman of the Commerce, Trade & Consumer Protection Subcommittee (2007-2001), Energy and Commerce Committee
Stearns led the effort to develop the Do-Not-Call list to block unwanted commercial solicitations over the phone. In addition, he rewrote legislation adopted by the House preventing Spyware, software that tracks a person's computer use without their knowledge.
As Chairman, Stearns carefully examined trade agreements and negotiations, especially concerning the protection of intellectual property rights, an area in which the United States is the world's leader. He also pushed for legislation to prevent identity theft and to promote online security.
Co-founded and Co-chairman
U.S. Air Force Caucus, Congressional Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Caucus, Congressional Cystic Fibrosis Caucus, American Quarter Horse Caucus, and Asthma Awareness Caucus.
Working for a Better America
Immigration
A member of the House Immigration Reform Caucus, Stearns is working to secure our borders and enforce our laws. He is a cosponsor of the SAVE Act to provide immigration reform by securing America's borders, clarifying and enforcing existing laws, and enabling a practical employer verification program.
He supports building fences and other physical barriers to prevent illegal immigration, while enlarging the number of agents patrolling our borders. By a vote of 420-0, the House adopted the Stearns amendment to H.R. 4337, the Border Protection, Antiterrorism and Illegal Immigration Control Act. His amendment prohibited the granting of any immigration-related benefits, such as green cards and work benefits, to any legal alien without first getting a complete background check.
An advocate of making English the official language, Stearns believes that a common language will help unify our citizens.
Stearns has received an "A" rating from Americans for Better Immigration and the "A for English" Award from U.S. English, Inc.
Budget and Taxes
Stearns is a fiscal conservative, committed to limiting the growth in federal spending and to preserving tax relief for all Americans. He opposed the budget proposal put forward by the Congressional leadership that provides for new taxes and large increases in domestic spending. Stearns is one of only 48 House members recognized in 2007 by the National Taxpayers Union with an "A" rating for his consistent record on fiscal responsibility.
Stearns supported tax relief enacted in 2001 and 2003, but many of these provisions are expiring. He is working to make these expiring provisions permanent.
Energy
Our nation's dependence on oil, most of it imported, is a national security and economic threat. Stearns strongly believes that America must produce more energy domestically, deploy our technology to develop or expand the use of clean and alternative fuels, and increase conservation. That is why he serves on the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus.
Stearns joined in offering a package of legislation that would unlock more of America for energy development. Among these bills is one opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) in Alaska to drilling as a means to access the estimated 10-16 billion barrels of oil there, enough to replace U.S. imports from Saudi Arabia. Another would promote the use of coal in an environmentally sensitive manner because the U.S. has a 250-year supply of coal at the current rate of use. In addition, he supports a bill that would repeal the ban on developing western shale oil, which could provide up to two trillion barrels of oil.
Veterans
As a veteran, Stearns is a stalwart advocate for his fellow former servicemembers. Stearns offered H.R. 3646, the Veterans Effective Training Job Opportunities and Benefits Study Act (VET JOBS Act). This bill would direct the VA Secretary and the Labor Secretary to post on the VA website the results of a joint study on the greatest employment needs in various job markets across the country as a means to help veterans identify the best training to pursue.
Stearns also wants to expand and update the educational benefits for the veterans of the 21st century. He supports two bills to modernize the GI Bill, including the new House companion bill to Senator Webb's legislation. These measures also would increase the amount available to veterans for their education.
In addition, he voted to require the VA to cover the cost of emergency care that veterans receive at non-VA facilities, to increase the cost of living adjustment (COLA) for disabled veterans, and to authorize funding for new VA construction projects, including the new Patient Tower at the Gainesville VA hospital.
Stearns also succeeded in having new VA outpatient clinics in Leesburg and in Ocala, and, most recently, a new Regional Health Care facility that is being opened in south Marion County.
Serving Florida
Stearns has successfully secured support for crucial programs at the University of Florida, Central Florida Community College, Santa Fe Community College, and other institutions.
Earlier in his tenure, Stearns helped to ensure seniors-only housing and to bring the "Weed & Seed" program to several Florida communities to fund law enforcement programs.
His efforts have yielded funding for Camp Blanding, the premier training ground for the Florida National Guard, and for development at the Cecil Commerce Center, which had been a military facility closed during budget cutbacks.
Accessibility
Stearns lives in Ocala and regularly meets with constituents in his three district offices. In addition, he has held over 500 town meetings throughout the district where the public can ask questions and make comments.
Awards
The Economy
Guardian of Small Business 2008-06-04 -- National Federation of Independent Business
Spirit of Innovation Award 2008 -- Telecommunications Industry Association
Spirit of Enterprise Award 2008-00 -- U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Taxpayers' Friend Award 2007-04 -- National Taxpayers Union
Eagle Award 2007 -- Association of Building Contractors
Friend of Farm Bureau 2007-06 -- American Farm Bureau Federation
Hero of the Taxpayer 2006-2001 -- Americans for Tax Reform
Friend of the Shareholders Award 2006-04-02-00 -- American Shareholders Association
Protector of Property Rights 2006-04-02-00 -- Property Rights Alliance
Small Business Champion 2006 -- Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council
Jefferson Award 2006 - 1992 -- International Food Distributors Association
Guardian of Worker Freedom 2006 -- Alliance for Worker Freedom
Tax Fighter Award 2006-04 -- National Tax-Limitation Committee
Honor Role 2006 -- Southern Economic Development Council
Veterans & National/Border Security
"A in English" Award 2008 - U.S. English, Inc.
Inducted into U.S. Border Control's Hall of Fame 2006 & 100 Percent Rating -- U.S. Border Control
A+ Career Rating on Immigration 2006 -- Americans for Better Immigration
Citizens Flag Alliance 2003 -- American Legion
W. Stuart Symington Award 2001 -- Air Force Association
George "Buck" Gillespie Congressional Award 2001 -- Blinded American Veterans Foundation
Congressional Laurel 2000 -- Armed Forces Journal
Pro-Family
True Blue Award 2007-02 -- Family Research Council & Focus on the Family
Friend of the Family Award 2000-1989 -- Christian Coalition
Mayor's Blue Ribbon Task Force on Drugs -- City of Ocala
Senior Citizens
Medicare Choices Leadership Award 2007 -- The Coalition for Medicare Choices
Friend of Senior Citizens Award 2006 – 60/Plus Association
Senior Guardian Medal of Honor 2004 -- Seniors Coalition
Franklin Award 2004 – 60/Plus Association
Friend of Senior Citizens 2003 – 60/Plus Association
Super Friend of Seniors 2000 and Guardian of Seniors' Rights 105th-103rd Congress -- 60/Plus Association
Legislative Achievement Award 2000 -- The Seniors Coalition
100 Percent Rating 2000 -- United Seniors Association
Congress
Golden Mouse Award 2007 - Congressional Management Foundation (Top rating for congressional web sites).
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BACKGROUND
Education:
Woodrow Wilson High School
Washington, DC
George Washington University
Washington, DC
B.S. - Electrical Engineering
Distinguished Military Graduate
Air Force ROTC
Military Service:
Captain, United States Air Force
Recipient of the Air Force
Commendation Medal for
Meritorious Service as an
Aerospace Engineer in Satellite
Reconnaissance
Employment Positions:
Data Control Systems, Inc.
CBS, Inc.
Kutola Advertising Agency
Images 70/Wilson Height Welch
Stearns House, Inc.
Career Before Congress:
Small Business Owner
Residence:
Ocala
 
Family:
Married to Joan Moore
Children: Douglas, Emily, Scott,
Bundy and Amy
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