In Congress, I was a relentless advocate for fiscal responsibility. Ann Kirkpatrick More Quotes by Ann Kirkpatrick More Quotes From Ann Kirkpatrick I believe we must protect Medicares guaranteed benefit, and I will oppose any effort to dismantle Medicare and turn it into a voucher system. Ann Kirkpatrick benefits effort believe By boosting oversight and accountability, we can empower the VA in its core mission of helping the men and women who have served our country. Ann Kirkpatrick accountability men country I will not support efforts that kill jobs in my district and lack provisions for responsibly transitioning us toward a clean-energy economy. Ann Kirkpatrick effort support jobs Gabby Giffords was a mentor of mine in the state Legislature and also in Congress. Ann Kirkpatrick mentor legislature states I have always been an independent voice for the folks in my district. Ann Kirkpatrick folks independent voice When millions of Americans are tightening their belts, folks have the right to expect their elected officials to do the same. Ann Kirkpatrick elected-officials belts folks The EPA's [Clean Power Plan] is another example of Washington's lack of understanding when it comes to rural and Western energy issues. I oppose this new rule because it hurts my district, which has four coal-fired plants that power Arizona's big cities, small towns, businesses and residences. These plants also provide good-paying jobs in our tribal and rural regions. Ann Kirkpatrick cities hurt jobs Both my mothers family and my fathers family go back almost a hundred years in the district. I was born in the district, raised in the district, raised my family in the district. And so thats the way I see myself. Ann Kirkpatrick mother father years I grew up in rural Arizona. My dad ran a general store. I grew up learning to do more with less. And I have been saying, you know, Washington needs to do the same. Ann Kirkpatrick arizona dad grew-up I grew up learning to do more with less. Ann Kirkpatrick grew grew-up The Navajo Generating Station in Page, for example, employs hundreds of people, mostly Native Americans, and provides nearly all of the power for the Central Arizona Project. That means our entire state has a big stake in the energy production and economic stability of these plants. Ann Kirkpatrick native-american mean people We need to find a balance between protecting our local economies while pursuing the longer-term goal of producing clean, affordable and reliable power. Ann Kirkpatrick balance goal needs They say the path for Democrats flipping the house runs through this district so it’s a very, very key district nationally and we’re getting a lot of national attention because of that. Ann Kirkpatrick politics I believe the private sector and small businesses drive our economy, and that means the federal government should work to ensure the private sector is as robust as possible. Ann Kirkpatrick drive government work believe Yes, I introduced the congressional pay cut bill, cutting our salaries by five percent. And I think we have to lead by example. Ann Kirkpatrick lead-by-example i-think lead think In 2010, I proposed that Congress take its first pay cut in 77 years, and my effort had bipartisan support. And as part of leading by example, I returned 5 percent of my paycheck every month to pay down the debt. Ann Kirkpatrick down debt effort support I sincerely thank the many people who have reached out in support after my accident last week. The fall was serious, but with physical therapy I will fully recover, i do, however, have another challenge I must face, which was the underlying cause of my fall. Beginning next week, I will receive treatment that I have struggled to ask for, to treat my alcohol dependence. Ann Kirkpatrick I am finally seeking this help after struggling to do so in the past, and I am ready to admit that I, like countless other Americans, suffer from this disease. Ann Kirkpatrick Hard work and determination — which have brought me success in life — have not been enough to win this battle. Other than being a wife, mother, and grandmother, the most important job in the world to me is representing my fellow Arizonans. I know I must get better in order to do my best in each of these roles. Ann Kirkpatrick
