Growing Our Economy
John McHugh has always been a leader in strengthening our economy and growing jobs for New York. That’s why he has worked hard to cut taxes for hard working families and support our region's small businesses.

Congressman McHugh supported the third-largest tax cut in history because he knows the best way to create jobs and grow the economy is to put money back in the hands of hard-working Americans. This tax cut has increased the child tax credit, reduced the capital gains tax and created over 1.5 million jobs.

He has also been a leader in support of New York’s small businesses. His efforts have expanded small business tax credits, lowered taxes, and helped to cut government regulation for business owners. Congressman McHugh will continue his pro-business agenda so that our economy continues to grow.

Congressman McHugh is widely recognized as a strong supporter and advocate for America’s farmers. Our farmers are essential to our nation’s future, and so John McHugh has worked to extend tax credits to agricultural producers to help level the playing field, as well as expanded grant initiatives to help farmers to obtain the latest intenet and computer technology.  He has also worked to pass the National Dairy Equity Act, to establish a minimum price for fluid milk, assisting farmers in times of low prices.
Taxes
Federal tax revenues come directly from the people. Thus, they should be used carefully and wisely and no more should be taken than is absolutely necessary. When the government allows people to keep more of what they work hard to earn, our entire economy benefits in the form of increased savings and investment. Very simply, when the government takes less from the people, they have more money to save, invest, donate, and spend.  Congressman McHugh firmly believes that the American people make better spending decisions than Washington politicians. He has consistently supported tax cuts and supported efforts to reform the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT). 

Additionally, Congressman McHugh does not believe death should be a taxable event that forces families to sell farms and businesses that their deceased beloved has spent his or her entire life building and paying taxes on to federal, state, and local governments. 

Finally, he believes that the tax code is too complex and burdensome; in an effort to reduce that complexity and burden, Congressman McHugh authored legislation that would allow Americans to take a standard deduction for their home office expenses.
Energy
Congressman McHugh believes that our Upstate economy has relied primarily on traditional forms of energy for too long.  He believes that it is imperative that the focus continue to shift to developing and strengthening alternative forms of energy in order to spur greater economic development in Northern and Central New York communities.  

Congressman McHugh also believes that Congress should continue to provide tax breaks and grants for renewable energy production.  He has demonstrated a long record of supporting such projects, whether it is job creation opportunities at Northeast Biofuels' corn ethanol production facility in Fulton, investment in a cellulosic ethanol facility in Lyonsdale, his efforts to secure federal funding for a renewable energy technology center at SUNY Morrisville, or his support for homeowners who want to “get off the grid” by providing them tax breaks.
 
Healthcare Reform
John McHugh knows we must do more to extend access to healthcare for New York's seniors and families. He has fought hard to make sure we not only have access to the best technology and care, but also to strengthen Medicare. Congressman McHugh supported the first ever prescription drug benefit in Medicare as a voluntary option to help the control the cost of medicine for our nation's seniors. His efforts have also helped to modernize the Medicare system, because no senior should ever have to choose between putting food on the table or buying their medication.

Along with providing prescription drug coverage, this legislation also included a rural relief package to financially support our region's rural hospitals, nursing homes, medical providers and personnel, and Medicare beneficiaries because of the unique challenges our rural region faces to provide quality health care that is accessible and affordable.

Congressman McHugh also knows that the spiraling cost of healthcare is a top concern for both individuals and businesses. He believes we need innovative reforms to our nation's healthcare system to address the needs of the uninsured, provide better long term care and to protect our families in case of a job change, a job loss, or if emergency care is necessary. He believes that we must cut the red tape in our system so that medical decisions are made by doctors and their patients, not insurance companies. Congressman McHugh also is strongly committed to supporting our region's hospitals and health care providers, and supports the re-importation of prescription drugs into the U.S. as long as they meet strict safety standards.
Congressman McHugh  understands that access to affordable and quality health care is essential to the residents of Northern and Central New York.  As such, he remains committed to doing what he can to ensure that individuals and families have access to quality health care.  In addtion to the direct services they provide, health care facilities are major employers in our area, and he has consistently worked to help them secure the resources they need to enhance the care they offer.  Congressman McHugh also fully understands the challenges that are faced in the recruitment and retention of physicians and the impact that low federal and state federal reimbursement policies have on those  efforts, as well as on our health care infrastructure as a  whole.
A Quality Education
Congressman McHugh is one of our nation's leading advocates on making sure our children have the quality education they deserve. He has worked to bring control of our children's futures back into the hands of teachers and parents through the No Child Left Behind Act, while also working to modernize schools and send education money directly to the classrooms. Congressman McHugh's efforts have also led to freeing funds that would have gone to pay for bonds for other educational needs, and he has been a strong supporter of Head Start funding, as well as early reading programs for our state.

John McHugh has worked to give people better access to higher education opportunities and to support our institutes of higher learning. He remains committed to strengthening our education system because a quality education is the greatest gift we can give our children.
 
Labor and Workforce Issues
Congressman McHugh believes that American men and women have the right to organize collectively to bargain with their employers to ensure fair wages are paid and that workplaces are safe. McHugh also believes that the federal government has not only the right but also the responsibility to take action when necessary to improve worker compensation and safety.   Thus, he has supported legislation to provide and protect the right of workers to collectively bargain and has supported legislation to increase the federal minimum wage. Congressman McHugh has also authored legislation that would require companies to give greater notice to workers and elected officicals before plant closures and layoffs and would hold noncompliant companies accountable.
National Security
Our men and women of the armed forces are fighting on the front lines to make sure our communities here remain safe and secure. Congressman McHugh believes that our brave soldiers should get the best equipment and technology available to protect them on the battlefield and to bring them back to their families safely. 

As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, McHugh has worked hard to ensure that our service men and women get this training and support. And, as Chairman of the Committee's Military Personnel Subcommittee, he is the leading advocate for the military's personnel, compensation, health care, and quality of life. McHugh will work hard to ensure we win the Global War on Terror and that our troops return home safely to their families.

Congressman McHugh also understands that it is vital that we protect our communities. That’s why he voted to establish the Department of Homeland Security and for new laws to help fight the War on Terror. He also has worked to secure our ports and border crossings, to safeguard our nation's technology and also to support our region's First Responders.

John McHugh has been a staunch defender and supporter of Ft. Drum, home of the 10th Mountain Division and the most frequently deployed division in the United States Army. Not only is this facility of critical importance to our nation, but it also is a significant contributor to the economy of Northern New York. He will always work to make sure these men and women have adequate facilities, training and support to carry out their mission. 
Agriculture
The dairy industry is one of the cornerstones of the 23rd Congressional District’s economy. Thus, Congressman McHugh has long worked to ensure that our farmers are paid fairly for the dairy products and other goods they produce. In fact, I was one of the architects of the Northeastern Compact and its successor, the Milk Income Loss Compensation (MILC) Program, which was recently enhanced in the Farm Bill. Additionally, I worked to ensure that the most recent Farm Bill included other provisions and programs, such as the Specialty Crop Block Program and the Environmental Quality Incentive Program, that will benefit Northern and Central New York Farmers.