By Roger McKinney
Globe Staff Writer
BAXTER SPRINGS, Kan. —
U.S. Rep Lynn Jenkins, R-Kan., told Baxter Springs residents on Monday she hopes Republicans can regain control of the House and repeal the health care reform law.
She addressed questions from eight residents at Cafe on the Route for her Congress to Kansas Tour.
She said a Republican plan would address health care costs without a government takeover of health care.
Jenkins also said she supports Arizona’s immigration law, which requires police to check documents of those suspected of being illegal immigrants during encounters, including traffic stops.
“It’s very disappointing this issue wasn’t dealt with at the federal level,” Jenkins said. “It’s a security issue. It’s an economic issue. We need to secure our border.”
She didn’t respond when residents Esther and Clyde Bond challenged President Barack Obama’s citizenship and said he is a Muslim. She said Republicans are focused on policy issues.
“That’s the way we will change America,” Jenkins said.
Jenkins said allowing the Bush tax cuts to expire would be an economic disaster. President Obama has said he would allow the tax cuts to expire for those making more than $250,000.
She was asked by a reporter if the tax cuts are contributing to the national debt.
“We don’t have a revenue problem,” she said. “We have a spending problem.”
Girard Democrat Cheryl Hudspeth is challenging Jenkins in the November election. She said by phone that Jenkins isn’t serious about reducing the budget deficit.
“Who is she working for, the 2 percent of people who make more than $250,000 a year, or the other 98 percent?” Hudspeth said.
For more on this story, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Joplin Globe or subscribe to the Globe’s E-edition.
