About Joe CunninghamJoe Cunningham for CongressJC4C_2db9db9c-9a62-11e8-acfd-d9b7b0e6e336Joe CunninghamI’m a new father. Husband. South Carolinian. Ocean Engineer. Attorney. And Democrat. In that order, too. You can count on me to always stand up for what is right, even if that means standing up to my own party when they’re wrong. Politics has simply become a game of “us versus them” and I’m running because I’m tired of that game. In my life, I’ve learned that if you want to get things done, you have to work with one another, not against one another. As an ocean engineer, complex problems could not be solved by one person alone - it took teams working together and listening to one another. As a practicing attorney, I know the same is true in the field of law. Our country can have a healthy exchange of ideas and reach solutions without sacrificing our values and morals. While our political system may be broken, our country is not. I’m cut from the middle class, grew up the youngest of five boys and put myself through college and law school. My wife and I recently became parents and we face the same mounting challenges that most Americans do. I’m running to confront them, though. I’m running to put my neighbors and my community first - to be a true representative and not simply a rubber stamp on anyone’s agenda. I’m running because I believe our country deserves better than what it has at this moment. I’m running because our kids and the next generation deserve better, too. And I’d be forever grateful if you stood with me._2db9dcf0-9a62-11e8-acfd-d9b7b0e6e336To be a true representative and not simply a rubber stamp on anyone's agenda_2db9dd86-9a62-11e8-acfd-d9b7b0e6e336Offshore DrillingProtect our beaches and make sure offshore drilling never occurs_2db9de12-9a62-11e8-acfd-d9b7b0e6e3361NO Offshore Drilling -- Offshore drilling and seismic testing would be devastating to our environment and our economy. As an ocean engineer, I know firsthand how destructive drilling for oil -- and even just testing for oil -- can be to a coastline. That’s the last thing we need here in the Lowcountry. I’ve been very clear about my opposition to drilling from day one of this campaign, while my opponent said she supported President Trump’s decision to lift the ban on offshore drilling. We must protect our beaches and make sure we NEVER drill offshore._2db9de9e-9a62-11e8-acfd-d9b7b0e6e336CorruptionEnd D.C. corruption_2db9df2a-9a62-11e8-acfd-d9b7b0e6e3362D.C. is full of corrupt politicians and broken promises. I believe there should be term limits for all members of Congress and that D.C. should be controlled by voters and not by special interests.Term LimitationLimit myself to three terms in Congress_2db9dfb6-9a62-11e8-acfd-d9b7b0e6e3362.1This is why I’ve pledged to limit myself to three terms in Congress ...Campaign FundingRefuse to accept funding from PACs or special interest groups_2db9e074-9a62-11e8-acfd-d9b7b0e6e3362.2and why I have not taken ONE dime from any PACs or special interest groups. D.C. should serve the people and it’s the people I want to serve.TroopsSupport our troops_2db9e10a-9a62-11e8-acfd-d9b7b0e6e3363TroopsMy father proudly served his country in the Vietnam War and was lucky enough to return home safely. Too many of our country’s heroes are less fortunate. For me, supporting our troops means:EquipmentEquip soldiers with proper equipment on the battlefield_2db9e1a0-9a62-11e8-acfd-d9b7b0e6e3363.1SoldiersFirst, the promise we have made to our soldiers is to always have their back. That begins with equipping them with proper equipment on the battlefield. It extends to providing them with support during conflicts.CareProvide soldiers with the care they need -- both physically and mentally -- upon their return home_2db9e236-9a62-11e8-acfd-d9b7b0e6e3363.2SoldiersAnd it continues with providing them with the care they need -- both physically and mentally -- upon their return home.Veterans Affairs DepartmentStrengthen the Veterans Affairs Department_2db9e2cc-9a62-11e8-acfd-d9b7b0e6e3363.3Veterans Affairs DepartmentWe should work to strengthen the Veterans Affairs Department by cutting red tape and reducing inconvenient paperwork requirements. Government bureaucracy should not be an obstacle to treatment or receiving benefits that veterans have earned from their service.TransitioningHelp transition soldiers back into the civilian life_2db9e362-9a62-11e8-acfd-d9b7b0e6e3363.4Transitioning SoldiersSecondly, supporting our troops means helping transition soldiers back into the civilian life. Unemployment, homelessness and mental health struggles should not be something our veterans are tackling alone. Helping soldiers gain employment or start their own businesses needs to be a priority. We also know that Post-Traumatic Stress and suicide is higher among our heroes; we need to make sure they get the care they deserve.HealthcareReduce the cost of healthcare_2db9e40c-9a62-11e8-acfd-d9b7b0e6e3364I believe that healthcare is a right, not a privilege. No one in America should go bankrupt because they get sick. In the United States, no one should forego necessary or preventative care because they are unable to afford it. After going through the medical uncertainties of my wife’s pregnancy and the arrival of my son, I understand how stressful -- both emotionally and financially -- the increasing cost of healthcare can be. In times when your family members are at their most vulnerable, we shouldn’t have to focus on the costs.Medication PricesNegotiate with drug companies to lower medication prices for people on Medicare_2db9e4a2-9a62-11e8-acfd-d9b7b0e6e3364.1Medicare RecipientsDrug CompaniesOne of the many ways we can improve our current healthcare system is by encouraging the federal government to negotiate with drug companies to lower medication prices for people on Medicare, similar to how the Veterans Affairs Department does.Tax BreaksAllow middle class families to qualify for tax breaks to reduce their healthcare costs_2db9e542-9a62-11e8-acfd-d9b7b0e6e3364.2Middle Class FamiliesAnother possibility is allowing more middle class families to qualify for tax breaks to reduce their healthcare costs.Age RequirementLower the Medicare age requirement from 65 to 55_2db9e5f6-9a62-11e8-acfd-d9b7b0e6e3364.3We should also explore lowering the Medicare age requirement from 65 to 55 over the course of ten yearsEconomy_2db9e696-9a62-11e8-acfd-d9b7b0e6e3365VolvoMercedes-BenzBoeingLowcountry ResidentsMany incredible companies, such as Volvo, Mercedes-Benz and Boeing, employ tens of thousands of Lowcountry residents. However, all of those jobs are at risk now because of this administration’s unnecessary job-killing tariffs. Volvo alone has stated that 4,000 potential South Carolina employees are at major risk of job loss. These tariffs are dangerous and could be catastrophic for Lowcountry families. In Congress, I will vote to overturn these tariffs. I also support Congressman Mark Sanford’s bill to give Congress more oversight authority in approving future tariffs.TariffsOverturn the administration's tariffs._2db9e740-9a62-11e8-acfd-d9b7b0e6e3365.1Tariff OversightGive Congress more oversight authority in approving future tariffs_2db9e7f4-9a62-11e8-acfd-d9b7b0e6e3365.2EnvironmentConserve the Environment_2db9e8a8-9a62-11e8-acfd-d9b7b0e6e3366As an Eagle Scout, I spent many weekends in the great outdoors, camping and hiking. Being near the ocean, fishing and diving are my favorite hobbies. It was my love of marine environment that led me to study ocean engineering, where I could be near the water and preserve it for future generations to enjoy. In the Lowcountry, our natural resources provide a high quality of life for citizens, as well as drive the local economy.EnergyInvest in clean energy_2db9e952-9a62-11e8-acfd-d9b7b0e6e3366.1I believe climate change is the single greatest non-military threat to our nation—especially living in a coastal region, where we see the impacts of rising sea levels and harsh storm systems firsthand. I believe this challenge presents an opportunity to invest in clean energy that promotes job growth and eliminates dirty energy sources, like drilling off our coast for oil, once and for all.EconomyCreate a high tech, green economy_2db9ea10-9a62-11e8-acfd-d9b7b0e6e3366.2Let’s focus on renewable sources like solar and wind to create a high tech, green economy that preserves our natural resources for many years to come.Voting RightsFight for fair access to the voting booth and work to ensure everyone’s voice is being fairly represented_2db9eac4-9a62-11e8-acfd-d9b7b0e6e3367Our democracy is under attack by politicians who are deliberately making it harder for people to vote. I will fight for fair access to the voting booth and work to ensure everyone’s voice is being fairly represented.Voter RegistrationImplement automatic voter registration_2db9eb78-9a62-11e8-acfd-d9b7b0e6e3367.1I believe we can improve our current system by implementing automatic voter registration. When you turn 18, you’re immediately registered to vote.GerrymanderingEnd partisan gerrymandering_2db9ec40-9a62-11e8-acfd-d9b7b0e6e3367.2We also need to end partisan gerrymandering in this country so voters are choosing their politicians, not the other way around.Women’s HealthKeep the government out of intimate healthcare decisions between a woman and her doctor_2db9ecf4-9a62-11e8-acfd-d9b7b0e6e3368WomenDoctorsThroughout the past year I have spent countless hours in OB’s offices with my wife, Amanda, in anticipation of our son, Boone. And in those nine months, something became very clear to me: those doctor offices are small and there is no room for anyone other than a woman, a doctor, and a supportive spouse. In Congress, I will fight to keep the government out of intimate healthcare decisions between a woman and her doctor, and I will oppose efforts to defund Planned Parenthood and other women’s health resources.Planned ParenthoodOppose efforts to defund Planned Parenthood and other women’s health resources._2db9edb2-9a62-11e8-acfd-d9b7b0e6e3368.1Planned ParenthoodWomen’s EqualitySupport policies that advance women’s equality in the workplace_2db9ee84-9a62-11e8-acfd-d9b7b0e6e3369WomenEqual Pay for Equal Work -- Beyond healthcare, I will always support policies that advance women’s equality in the workplace.Wage GapSupport efforts to close the gender wage gap_2db9ef4c-9a62-11e8-acfd-d9b7b0e6e3369.1WomenIn South Carolina, women make less than 80% of what men do for the exact same work. This is unacceptable. I will always support efforts to close the gender wage gap once and for all: equal pay for equal work should not be controversial.Equal ProtectionEqual Protection Under The Law_2db9f014-9a62-11e8-acfd-d9b7b0e6e33610I believe in equal protection under the law for everyone, no matter who you are, or who you love. We have made so much progress towards equality under the law and in our society as a whole, but there is still much that we can do to improve the climate for our LGBTQ community.Equality ActProhibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity_2db9f0f0-9a62-11e8-acfd-d9b7b0e6e33610.1Let’s pass the Equality Act and prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity with regard to employment, housing, credit, education, public spaces and services, federally funded programs, and jury service -- so that everyone can participate equally in all aspects of American life.Second AmendmentSupport the Second Amendment and common sense gun safety measures_2db9f1b8-9a62-11e8-acfd-d9b7b0e6e33611I support the Second Amendment and common sense gun safety measures. I own a firearm and have my concealed carry license.FirearmsEnsure firearms do not fall into the hands of criminals, convicted felons or the mentally ill_2db9f280-9a62-11e8-acfd-d9b7b0e6e33611.1CriminalsConvicted FelonsMentally Ill PersonsAs a community, we should work together to ensure firearms do not fall into the hands of criminals, convicted felons or the mentally ill.Background ChecksSupport strong background checks_2db9f38e-9a62-11e8-acfd-d9b7b0e6e33611.2I support strong background checks and closing the Charleston loophole.Bump StocksBan bump stocks_2db9f46a-9a62-11e8-acfd-d9b7b0e6e33611.3Bump stocks should be banned and assault weapons should be reserved for our military - not for private citizens.Assault WeaponsReserve assault weapons for our military - not for private citizens_2db9f532-9a62-11e8-acfd-d9b7b0e6e33611.42018-08-07https://www.joecunninghamforcongress.com/OwenAmburOwen.Ambur@verizon.net