Brad Schneider: Candidate Profile

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Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioQA Bio City: DeerfieldWebsite: www.schneiderforcongress.comOffice sought: 10th District U.S. Representative Age: 53Family: Julie Dann Schneider, Wife Adam Schneider, Son Daniel Schneider, SonOccupation: Represenative (IL-10), U.S. House of RepresenativesEducation: BA in Industrial Engineering, Northwestern University MBA, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern UniversityCivic involvement: Rep. Schneider has deep roots in the community, including longtime service with one of the largest non-profit institutions in the state, the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago. He is also a member of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs.Elected offices held: U.S. Congressman.Questions Answers Many Americans see gridlock as the greatest problem facing Washington today, and public opinions are at historic lows regarding the job their Senators and congressmen are doing. Specifically, what will you do to make Congress more productive and effective?So many important issues have been hindered by partisanship and gridlock in Congress, and the middle class and small businesses are paying the price. There's no better example than last year's unnecessary, reckless government shutdown. I returned my pay during the shutdown, because in the real world, people don't get paid if they don't do their jobs. Sadly, gridlock is blocking progress on so many issues--immigration reform, tax reform and reducing gun violence. And when Republicans blocked progress on unemployment insurance, I fought to force a vote. I'll continue working to break through the gridlock to move our nation forward. I'm dedicated to working with anyone who has an open mind, good ideas and a willingness to work together. Only by working together can we ensure that the American promise, that each successive generation will have a more prosperous and secure future than the last, continues.What immigration policies do you support? Where, if at all, do you see room for compromise to produce an effective policy on immigration? How will these policies have an impact in your district?Our current immigration system is broken and holding back our economic potential. Deficiencies in the legal immigration process coupled with imperfect border security have resulted in an unprecedented amount of illegal immigration. There are more than 11 million undocumented immigrants living within our borders, functioning in a shadow economy that disregards their personal integrity and disadvantages American workers. It's essential that we enact comprehensive immigration reform. I strongly support the bipartisan immigration measure passed last year by the Senate, and I helped introduce the House version of the bill. I also strongly support the DREAM Act. I believe we must provide undocumented students who graduate from U.S. high schools the opportunity to further their education, develop their talents and skills, and pursue the American dream rather than work anyone from any background can work hard and succeed.How do you assess the state of the federal budget? Do you see a need for changes in how revenue is produced or in spending priorities? What specific changes do you consider necessary regarding federal tax policy and practice?Our debt is out of control and we must make cuts, but not all cuts are wise. That's why I opposed the Ryan Budget that flies in the face of our nation's values. We can reduce spending in ways that don't put the greatest burden on our most vulnerable--the middle class, students and seniors. We must continue investing in our future-- in innovation, infrastructure and education. Small businesses and working families know how to do more with less, and Congress should learn the same. That's why I voted for legislation that suspends Congress's pay if they fail to pass a budget. And why I was pleased to support the first bipartisan budget passed by Congress in years. We also need comprehensive tax reform that broadens the tax base, lowers our corporate rates, closes loopholes, reduces the tax burden on middle class families and addresses the needs of small business.How would you work to produce a stable, affordable, effective federal health care policy? What shortcomings do you see in the Affordable Care Act, and how do you propose addressing them? If you favor scrapping the Act altogether, what do you propose as an alternative?While not perfect, the Affordable Care Act represents a step forward in providing health care to millions of Americans. Still, our health care system is a long-term challenge requiring long-term solutions. Instead of more partisan attempts to repeal ACA, we must focus on working to improve what's working, fix what's not and rethink what's not fixable. That's why I helped introduce legislation to repeal the medical device tax that hinders medical innovation and voted to give businesses and individuals additional time to select the plan right for them. These are just some examples of important changes Congress should be working on. Unfortunately, Republicans repeatedly wasted taxpayer time and money, even shut down the government, in efforts to repeal ACA. We simply cannot afford this kind of dysfunction. I have consistently voted against repeal and will continue to focus on working with my colleagues to find ways to improve the law.What can be done at the federal level to aid Illinois' economy and your district in particular?We must restore confidence of small and medium-sized businesses so they start hiring again. As a member of the Small Business Committee, I'm working to support manufacturing, promote innovation, help startups succeed, and improve the skills and capabilities of our workforce. Congress must also work to provide businesses with long-term certainty, which is why last year I supported a bipartisan budget, the first in nearly three years. And we must rethink and rebuild our nation's infrastructure so we can provide the foundation our businesses need to grow and thrive. It's estimated that 70 percent of our nation's roads and bridges are in subpar condition. Investments in roads, rails and ports, in smart electrical grids and expanded wireless access are all investments the lead to more prosperity and security for our nation. We need to stop kicking issues down the road and starting working together to move our country forward.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?I've been a life-long supporter of the U.S.-Israel relationship. I first visited Israel in 1983 and have returned more than a dozen times. I know there's no more important strategic partner for the U.S. in the Middle East than Israel. My position on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs provides me the opportunity to be a leading voice, advocating for a strong U.S.-Israel partnership, fulfilling my commitment to ensuring that this relationship remains strong, steadfast and secure. In particular, I introduced, and the House unanimously passed, legislation to enhance Israel's qualitative military advantage over those that seek to do her harm. I also introduced and helped pass legislation that enacts tougher sanctions on Hezbollah, a terrorist organization that threatens U.S. interests and allies like Israel. I've been a leader in the effort to prevent Iran from achieving a nuclear capability, including helping introduce and pass tougher sanctions legislation.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.John Lewis, a civil rights hero, who for more than 50 years lived true to his values and worked tirelessly to make our nation better.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?I remember my grandma saying that you have two ears and one mouth, use them in proportion.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would go back to summer camp and climb Pikes Peak with my cabin group. I never should have doubted my abilities.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?I most enjoyed classes where the answers to the questions were challenging and complex. Reflecting back, it was actually the teachers that made the difference.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?I dropped off our son at college with " 3 rules": Always do yourself proud; Don't do stupid things; Call home every Friday.