Welcome to the Peterson for Congress Web Site
As your representative, I've tried to maintain my independence in Congress. Sometimes that has meant opposing my own party leaders, but for me, the 7th District comes first.
In 1997, my first priority was passing a balanced budget. The "Blue Dog" budget I helped develop provided the framework for the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, which delivered the first "deficit free" federal budget in decades. For the future, a Balanced Budget Amendment of some kind to the U.S. Constitution might be useful, but the most important thing we will need is a fiscally disciplined Congress committed to keeping our nation's budget balanced. We need to put every penny of Social Security off budget, and proceed with regular balanced budgets that include paying off the $8 Trillion dollar federal debt.
In Congress, I intend to continue working for Minnesota farmers on the Agriculture Committee. Along with making sure that we stick to the Balanced Budget Act, I want to maintain a strong public education system, and create more opportunities for post-secondary education. In addition, I will continue working to develop fair trade policies, and ensure access to affordable, quality health care in rural areas.
Here at home, strong rural and agricultural economies require the private and public sectors to work together. I've worked to make sure that federal assistance for agriculture, small business, and economic development partnerships, support this goal. This approach has assisted private sector creation of new businesses and jobs, and we actually have a shortage of workers in some areas, with rising wages as a result.
Peterson for Congress
PO BOX 265
Detroit Lakes, MN 56502
Email pete4con@tekstar.com