Ahead of the June primary election, the Southern California News Group compiled a list of questions to pose to the candidates who wish to represent you. You can find the full questionnaire below. Questionnaires may have been edited for spelling, grammar, length and, in some instances, to remove hate speech and offensive language.
Name: Bill Brough
Current job title: Government Relations Consultant
Age: 59
Political party affiliation: Republican
Incumbent: No
Other political positions held: State Assemblyman, Dana Point Councilman, Presidential Appointee
City where you reside: Dana Point
Campaign website or social media: www.BillBrough.org
From voter ID to war powers and from immigration to tariffs, Congress has tackled many issues over the past year. What do you, though, see as the top three issues impacting Californians, and what specifically could you do as a lawmaker to address these issues? (Please answer in 250 words or less, and keep your response to future proposals.)
Reducing prices of groceries and gas, housing and healthcare, and energy and education is my top priority. Prices in Orange County are way too high. These problems have been caused by California politicians, not Washington, and the years of progressive policies of high taxes, regulations, and mandates. We are losing the California dream. Those on fixed incomes struggle due to higher costs and future generations cannot afford to live in the communities where they were raised.
Speaking of voter ID, the president has implored Congress to approve legislation that would require people to show proof of citizenship in order to vote. What role do you believe the federal government plays in telling states how to conduct their own elections, as dictated by the U.S. Constitution? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)
You need to show ID to rent a car, board a plane, or check into a hotel room. Voting is one of the most sacred rights. ID and proof of citizenship should be required.
What, in your opinion, should the federal government focus on when it comes to immigration policy? For example, do you place a priority on border security, visas for high-skilled workers, refuge for asylum seekers, etc., and why? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)
I wrote an outline in 2012 called Ellis Island II. The US did immigration well for a century. We should return to the tenets of Ellis Island that facilitated millions of immigrants, like my ancestors, to legally enter the country rather than the chaos of open borders and lawlessness that allowed millions to enter the country without vetting.
It’s been over a year since Gov. Gavin Newsom asked the federal government for supplemental disaster aid to help Southern California communities rebuild after the devastating Palisades and Eaton wildfires, but neither President Donald Trump nor Congress has acted. What would you do to push for the funding, besides writing letters to the Trump administration or the leaders of Congress? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)
Maybe if Gov. Newsom would stop attacking and criticizing the President as he travels the globe, California might get disaster relief funds. Gov. Newsom should take a page out of the New York City mayor’s playbook and work with the President to get results for his constituents.
On the other hand, Gov. Newsom touts California as “the fourth-largest economy in the world.” If things are so great in California, why does he need federal money? California’s government response to the wildfire disaster has been a total and complete failure. Decades of bad policy related to our forests, water, and our power grid have led to this. And Californians pay the price. Only a few hundred permits have been issued to rebuild their homes after 14 months.
Do you support a ban or restriction on congressional lawmakers and their families from buying or selling individual stocks? Why or why not? And what would you propose to ensure lawmakers aren’t using their positions to engage in insider trading? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)
Yes.
Do you support stronger regulations on pollution and carbon emissions? If so, how would you ensure those regulations aren’t overly burdensome on small businesses or lower-income families? And if not, how do you propose lawmakers protect the environment and curtail the impacts of climate change? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)
California has some of the strictest environmental regulations in the world. The war on fossil fuels costs low-income families greatly as they commute many miles to work. And it makes our goods more expensive, delivered to stores by diesel-powered trucks.
Even before Iran, California gas prices are the highest in the nation, more than Hawaii, which has to tanker everything to the islands. Oil literally comes out of the ground in California. We should be self-sufficient on all forms of energy to lower the cost for Californians.
Democratic elected officials continue to force Californians into all-electric, where California has the second-highest electricity rates of any state in the nation. This is a crushing burden for small businesses and low-income families.
For example, CalPers has invested $53 billion in “climate investments.” The 2020 fire season alone wiped out 18 years of climate gains. Wildfire is a major contributor to environmental pollutants, and the core problem goes unaddressed by California Democratic leaders and the environmental community.
President Donald Trump has significantly increased spending for the U.S. Department of Defense. Would you, as a member of Congress, approve additional dollars for the military if the president were to ask for more funding? How would you ensure that any military spending does not end up putting the American people or national security in harm’s way? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)
I strongly support funding our military, our servicemembers, their families, and our great veterans. They deserve the best equipment, pay, and benefits available. However, I would not support a blank check. The Administration and Department of War will have to justify the ask for additional monies and the national security strategy behind the request.
Under what specific circumstances do you believe the U.S. should engage in a war? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)
The Constitution gives Congress the power to declare war. There have been no war declarations since World War II. And the U.S. has engaged in many major military conflicts, such as Korea, Vietnam, Gulf War, Afghanistan, and Iraq, without a formal congressional declaration of war.
Do you believe a president should seek congressional approval before engaging in military action overseas? Why, or why not? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)
The Constitution gives the President the powers of Commander-in-Chief. Whether or not you believe the War Powers Act is constitutional, it provides that the President must come to Congress after 60 days. Congress has not declared war since World War II.
Congress, in theory, is supposed to serve as a check on the president through budgetary, legislative and oversight powers. Do you believe Congress has fulfilled that obligation during the past two administrations, with one being a Democrat and the other a Republican? Why or why not? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)
The Constitution gives Congress the power of the purse and oversight of the executive branch. I do not believe the last two administrations are a good example. All but 2019 and 2020 of President Trump’s first term, the Congress has been the same party as the President and generally had the same agenda. Under President Biden, the Congress rubber-stamped the COVID spending, Inflation Act, etc., And in this Congress, the Republican majority has passed President Trump’s priorities.
However, I fear the abuse of oversight powers as were prosecuted at President Trump and his officials, like raiding the President’s home and spying on officials like General Flynn, who just received a $1.2 million payout from the Department of Justice due to their activities. Let’s solve problems to make people’s everyday lives better.
Governments around the world are increasingly considering an age ban or other restrictions on social media use among young people, citing mental health and other concerns. Should Congress adopt such restrictions? If so, what specific restrictions do you propose? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)
Parents should play the lead role in this. And the platforms need to have safeguards to ensure inappropriate content is not targeting children. The Trump Administration identified the Chinese platform TikTok as a threat and led the deal to have an American tech company oversee the algorithm. There are safeguards in place for movies e.g., PG-13, etc., and television show content. Safeguards should exist for social media.
Statistically, violent crime rates in California are on the decline, yet residents still don’t feel safe or at ease in their communities. How do you see your role in Congress in addressing the underlying issues that make Californians feel unsafe in their own neighborhoods? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)
Many things caused this. Proposition 47 in 2014 reduced several felonies to misdemeanors, including drug possession and petty theft if the amount was under $950. You see the results as grocery and drug stores locked up many items. Guns, power tools, and Amazon box thefts are all under $950.
“Defund the police” efforts eroded community confidence in our law enforcement. We need to fully support the men and women of law enforcement, who are on the front lines keeping us safe.
Thankfully, Proposition 36 passing in November 2024 reversed some of Proposition 47 leniencies. Proposition 36 addressed repeat offenders and stricter penalties for drug and theft offenses. Bad California policies like closing prisons, releasing inmates, crime networks, catch and release, and no cash bail also contribute to feeling less safe.
There are term limits to serve in the California Legislature, but none to serve in Congress. Would you advocate for term limits for House members? Why or why not? If you support term limits, how many years maximum should a House member be allowed to serve? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)
I support term limits. Ten years should be the limit. You need to get settled, then several terms in the middle to actually get things done for your constituents.
What’s a hidden talent you have? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)
I like to cook, when I have time.