Robert Dold: 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: KenilworthWebsite: www.doldforcongress.comTwitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: 10th Congressional District Age: 46Family: Danielle Dold - WifeHarper Dold - Daughter Bobby Dold - Son Honor Dold - DaughterOccupation: IL 10th District Congressman and small business ownerEducation: Like his father, Bob graduated from New Trier High School, and after high school, Bob continued a family tradition by earning a BA from Denison University. Bob went on to earn a law degree from Indiana University, where he was selected by his classmates to give the commencement address, and an MBA from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management.Civic involvement: I have served as the scoutmaster for Troop 13 Senior Scouts over the past 15 years - the same troop where I became an Eagle Scout. I also volunteer my time as a board member for the Northeast Illinois Council for the Boy Scouts of America and serve on the board for the Boys Girls Club of Lake County. These organizations have had a profound impact on my life; their ideals of integrity, personal responsibility and community leadership guide me as an individual and as a public servant.Elected offices held: IL 10th District Congressman (2010-2012)Questions Answers How will you work to make Congress more productive and effective? What actions are needed to produce a healthy federal budget? Specifically, what changes do you advocate regarding how revenue is produced or what our spending priorities are? In particular, what effect does current policy have on your district and what changes, if any, are needed?I take tremendous pride in the fact that I've consistently been ranked among the most bipartisan, independent and effective Members of Congress. In congress, I've worked hard to bring people together and advance proposals that make a difference in our local community. Among the successes have been bipartisan bills signed into law to improve education, spur small business and manufacturing growth, promote medical research, protect seniors from Medicare cuts, and ensure the first long-term transportation and infrastructure bill in over a decade. I am particularly proud of my work to combat prescription drug and heroin abuse. In February, I introduced a proposal called Lali's Law, in memory of Alex Laliberte from Buffalo Grove who overdosed and passed away at the age of 20. The bill expands access to an overdose antidote called naloxone, which has saved nearly 100 lives in Lake County. President Obama signed Lali's Law 5 months after introduction, and it is a testament to what we can accomplish when we set aside partisanship and work for the people we represent.As a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, I believe that reforming our tax code is essential to growing our economy and expanding opportunity for all Americans. I will continue to advocate for a tax reform blueprint that I helped put forward in June. As a fiscal conservative, I believe in balanced budgets and fiscal discipline, which is why I have supported budgets in the House that restore both and address our long-term debt challenges.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 affect your district?Our immigration system continues to be broken, which is why I believe that we need to enact meaningful reforms that address border security, interior enforcement, our guest worker program, high-skilled immigrants, the priorities of American workers, and undocumented immigrants already here. First and foremost, we must secure operational control over our borders so that we know who is entering our country. This is about our national security: in addition to the threat of international terror, our porous borders are being exploited by smugglers engaging in human, drug and weapons trafficking. Our legal immigration process must be reformed to be more fair and efficient. I introduced the Startup Act, which provides a green card to foreign students who graduate with an advanced degree in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) fields from American universities. These American-educated, high-skilled individuals should put their skill set to use in the United States to help grow our economy.I do not believe that deporting 12 million people is a reasonable or feasible option. Instead, I believe that individuals who were brought here illegally as children, have since demonstrated good moral conduct, and who have a degree, served in our military, or are gainfully employed should have the opportunity for earned legal status. We also must consider the importance of keeping families together.Advancing bipartisan solutions is the only way we can secure our borders and realize the economic growth that comes with fixing our complex, and oftentimes counterproductive, immigration rules.What should be the top priorities in Congress related to the Affordable Care Act? If you want changes, what specifically do you recommend? If you want the act entirely eliminated, please address these questions: Is that politically feasible? If it proves infeasible, where do you see the potential for compromise? If it is eliminated, what would you replace it with, if anything?The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is the product of a very one-sided process that did not allow the law to be refined and perfected. It is a perfect example of what happens when bitter partisan politics supplants the cause of good public policy.Healthcare is something that we all need. As I have said all along, the ACA sought to address access to insurance, but it did not address cost or quality. Sadly, we are now seeing that skyrocketing costs on premiums and deductibles, along with increasingly narrowed insurance networks, threaten the basic premise of access to insurance and keeping your doctor. In Illinois, and specifically Lake County, people are paying more and getting less. That said, taking show votes that have no chance of impacting public policy is not productive and does nothing to actually solve the serious problems facing American families and seniors. Further, an automatic refusal to make meaningful fixes to the ACA's underlying flaws only fails to acknowledge the reality that, for thousands of 10th District families, healthcare options are simply getting worse and more limited. That's why I have been encouraging both sides to break from their stalemated positions and advance bipartisan reforms and healthcare fixes that can pass both chambers of Congress and receive the president's signature. While I do not support each proposal included in the "A Better Way" healthcare plan, I believe it advances a number of positive ideas for structural changes to improve our healthcare system.What military or diplomatic roles should the United States play to promote peace and stability in the Mideast? Under what circumstances should we have military forces actively operating?A top priority of mine will always be protecting the security of all American citizens to ensure our nation remains safe and free. We can only do this if we maintain a strong national defense and provide clear global leadership.Our current strategy against ISIS has proven woefully inadequate. We've seen the consequences of an increasingly sophisticated ISIS that directs and inspires attacks against the U.S. and our allies. If all we do is stick with the same strategy, we'll continue to get more of the same results. That's why I have advocated for a comprehensive plan to destroy ISIS and believe that military decisions must be based on achieving our national security goals.The nuclear agreement with Iran was a historic mistake, which is why I have strongly and consistently opposed its implementation. Far from stopping Iran's nuclear pursuit, this agreement has emboldened Iran's dangerous behavior and fueled greater instability in the region, particularly in Syria. The agreement preserves Iran's path to a nuclear weapon and still suffers from the same, fatal flaws it did a year ago. The 10th District deserves a representative who can be trusted to understand that this agreement will haunt America's national security for generations if we continue to implement it.Our national security is directly tied to the strength of Israel. Rather than create daylight between our nations, we must truly be dedicated to working with our Israeli partners to overcome the many historic challenges in the Middle East.Will you uphold the international climate change treaty? If not, what alternative steps would you advocate? If so, what steps will you take to meet U.S. obligations under the accord?As an avid outdoorsman and father of three young children, I know firsthand why we must all work to strengthen environmental conservation programs and keep our air and waterways clean. I care deeply about protecting our environment, and I am committed to preserving our many local and national outdoor treasures, especially Lake Michigan.I believe that climate change is happening and that human activities are contributing to these changes. As a member of the bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus, I understand the critical importance of ensuring bipartisan support for environmental protections and have been proud to reach across the aisle and lead on a number of initiatives. I helped introduce a resolution recognizing the consequences of climate change. I have also repeatedly broken from my party, voting against proposals that sought to weaken Clean Air Act regulations and block the EPA's Clean Power Plan. I was one of two members of my party in the House to vote this way.The Paris Agreement is an important step as the world confronts the need to take action on climate change. I do not believe that any one nation can solve climate change on its own; therefore, international agreements are necessary to reduce carbon emissions on a global scale. I will continue to support measures that reduce carbon emissions in both the near- and long-term, while also looking to encourage America's unique position as a world leader in technology and energy innovation.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?I am running to continue representing the 10th District because the stakes are too high to fall back on ineffective leadership, partisan politics and empty rhetoric. My track record as one of the most independent and bipartisan Members of Congress proves that I will work tirelessly, with both Democrats and Republicans, to tackle the difficult issues we face. Over the past two years, we have broken through the gridlock to make progress in some important areas, but there is still much more to be done.We need to focus on expanding opportunity for everyone in our community. This means taking on the big challenges like helping lift individuals out of poverty, controlling our national debt, passing immigration reform, reducing gun violence, serving our veterans, improving local schools, and addressing student loan debt. I have introduced and supported numerous bills to address these issues, and I will continue to advocate for them.While I am proud of my effectiveness in Congress, I also know that families in the 10th District cannot afford to wait for Washington. That's why I have partnered with local leaders and community organizations to host five job fairs, hold more than 900 events, recruit new businesses that have created hundreds of jobs and more. Moreover, legislation we have passed-such as Lali's Law and increased funding for North Chicago schools-was introduced because of people in our community.In short, I am running to continue providing bipartisan, effective leadership that amplifies the independent voice of our district.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is an inspiring leader. It was a tremendous honor to escort him as he entered the House chamber last year.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?My parents always taught us that integrity determines your identity. That lesson has guided both my personal and professional life.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I wish I had pursued military service, but I am deeply honored to serve our country through public service in Congress.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?My favorite subject was history. In public policy, understanding our history is critical to ensuring we don't repeat the same mistakes of previous generations.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?The most important piece of advice I've tried to impart on my three children is to be flexible because life always has variables.