Zach Womer answers key questions | News, Sports, Vacancies

Zach Womer

LOCK HAVEN — Newcomer Zach Womer is hoping to unseat longtime incumbent Republican Congressman Glenn “GT” Thompson during the upcoming general election on Nov. 5.

The Express asked Womer 10 questions about various issues facing Pennsylvania’s 15th Congressional District and the nation. His answers are given in full below.

The Express also reached out to Thompson with the same questions but received no response.

Question: What key policy areas will shape your legislative agenda and how will you advocate for Pennsylvanians in Washington?

Womer: I think the biggest problem our country faces in Washington is corruption. There are many examples of high bipartisan approval of some programs that are not even brought up for a vote due to the enormous influence spread in the District of Columbia. In particular, the anti-corruption legislation itself enjoys broad bipartisan approval. Measures such as overturning the Supreme Court’s Citizens United v. FEC decision, which allowed unlimited corporate contributions to political campaigns. This measure enjoys universal support, but the politicians who are recipients of such funds do not intend to eradicate this corruption. To advance an agenda that will help the working class, we must first root out the corruption that is so rampant in the District of Columbia. force American companies to produce products and goods in the United States. In addition, I would also like to break up the monopoly trusts that exist in most industries in the United States. We haven’t seen a concerted effort to undermine trust since Theodore Roosevelt, and we have to do it now.

Question: As a candidate for Congress, how do you plan to approach the certification of Pennsylvania’s electoral votes after the presidential election? Will you consider objections and what factors will determine your decision?

Womer: Unless I am provided with credible evidence of fraud, I would certify the election results in Pennsylvania.

Q: How will you work to make healthcare more affordable and accessible across the country?

Womer: There are at least two major issues in healthcare that impact access and affordability. In rural areas, our hospitals depend on the subsidy for Medicare-dependent hospitals and the low-volume adjustment; Both of these programs expire on October 1, 2024. The 15th District is home to three such hospitals and has failed to secure expanded programs. I would recommend making both programs permanent. Another major problem is the inability of “not-for-profit” hospitals to operate as not-for-profit organizations. In an era where we are seeing increased public investment in health care, hospital groups are closing more hospitals than ever. This was seen throughout the 15th District with full or partial closures in Lock Haven, Philipsburg, St. Marys and at the county line in Sunbury. What needs to happen is that “non-profit” health care providers demand greater oversight of their operations. When you have a nonprofit organization like UPMC that has 40 employees making over $1 million while laying off people, closing rural hospitals, and leasing out $50 million worth of private jets, it is clear that UPMC is not living up to its responsibilities as a nonprofit healthcare system. If these organizations want to use our tax dollars and maintain their tax-exempt status, we must oblige them to provide assistance. Without it, these hospital networks can continue to exploit our public investments to become richer while leaving many rural Americans without access to healthcare.

Question: How will you combat mass shootings and gun violence?

Womer: If anyone had a perfect answer to this question, it would be resolved because no one in this country wants these events to happen. I believe we have a serious youth mental health crisis, most often manifested in incredibly high rates of juvenile suicide, but in extreme cases manifested in horrific acts such as school shootings. It would be my prerogative to increase mental health resources for schools so that minors get the help they need long before one of these events occurs.

Question: What is your position on social programs such as Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, and how do you plan to ensure their sustainability for future generations?

Womer: All three of the programs mentioned are among the greatest anti-poverty programs enacted in the history of the world. The economic viability of these programs has been severely damaged by tax cuts for the wealthy since the Reagan administration. The litany of tax cuts for the rich that we have seen since 1981 has resulted in these programs being underfunded. We’ve been told that tax cuts pay for themselves, but that’s never been true. All economic analysis of previous tax cuts points to significant revenue losses. I believe we should raise taxes on those making more than $400,000 a year because the current revenue streams will not only make these programs insolvent, but will also continue to inflate our national debt. I will also fight any attempt to raise the retirement age as a means of addressing these shortcomings.

Question: What is your position on immigration reform and how do you propose to secure the US borders?

Womer: Illegal immigration is a problem in our country. The only people who benefit from illegal immigration are the businesses that seek to take advantage of these people. Working class Americans suffer from illegal immigration as their wages are driven down and immigrants themselves are taken advantage of as they are more likely to be excluded from United States labor laws. Clearly, we need to invest in stronger border security, and we need to increase funding so more judges can process asylum claims. Without this, we will have huge numbers of asylum seekers waiting in processing centres, costing our country even more money.

Question: How do you plan to balance national security interests with humanitarian issues, especially with regard to ongoing conflicts such as the Russian-Ukrainian war and the Israel-Hamas conflict in the Gaza Strip?

Womer: As a methodologist, I am firmly committed to the principle of anti-conflict. My goal will always be to reduce conflict throughout the world. In the case of Russia and Ukraine, we are witnessing a protracted war that appears no closer to resolution. I believe the best we can do is try to push both countries to the negotiating table and reduce the human cost of the war as much as possible. Regarding Israel and Hamas, I believe it is in the interests of the United States to bring the conflict to an end through a ceasefire. This is a difficult situation because both sides are determined to be adamant. However, a solution has not been impossible in the past, and we must continue to work towards a solution that will end the war.

Question: What is your position on reproductive rights and abortion?

Womer: I believe that restoring Roe v. Wade would be the best policy to allow women to make free decisions with their health care providers. I don’t see the issue as one of personal morality, but rather one of respect for the law, allowing people to make their own decisions.

Q: In recent years, LGBTQ+ rights have become a major topic in the state and country. What is your position on this issue and the legislation that has been considered at various levels of government?

Womer: I’m much more libertarian in these areas. I believe that people should be able to live their lives as they see fit. I find no excuse for the government to dictate how people should live.

Question: What reforms do you think are needed in the federal tax system?

Womer: I believe the rich should pay their fair share. Warren Buffett, one of the richest men in the United States, has constantly stated that he doesn’t even bother to take advantage of the tax loopholes he has because he already pays such a low rate compared to the rest of the world. He said he had no problem sending the check in full. It is quite unfortunate that there are many people in our country who have become wealthy from government dollars through government contracts, but the wealth provided by those dollars is taxed at a lower rate than the average working class American. It’s easy to oppose raising taxes, even on the wealthy, but a tax cowardice regime has left a huge federal deficit and vulnerabilities to some of our nation’s most important programs. We must increase taxes on the rich if we hope to continue the prosperity we have come to expect from the United States.