U.S. House of Representatives.   Term is two years; there is no limit on number of terms a person can serve. Salary is $165,200 in 2006; it may be higher in 2007 if Congress allows automatic cost of living adjustments to take effect.  Retirement and health benefits are identical to those for other Federal employees.  Barbara Cubin (R) is the incumbent, seeking her seventh term.  Challengers are Thomas R. Rankin (Libertarian Party) and Gary Trauner (D).
 
Biographical Information:

 

Barbara Cubin (R):  I am a Republican serving my sixth term representing Wyoming in Congress. I am the first woman in Wyoming history to serve in the U.S. House. In the 109th Congress, I serve as Vice Chair of the House Resources Committee. I am also a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee. A fifth-generation Wyoming resident, I was raised in Casper. My husband Dr. Fritz Cubin and I have two sons: Bill and his wife Jessica, and Eric; both graduates of the UW. By Bill and Jessica, I have a granddaughter Reagan and a grandson Will.

 

Thomas Rankin (L):  I was born in Ellwood City PA in 1949, and have attended Eastern Wyoming Community College and Casper College.  I was on active duty over five years in the USAF; two years active in the Air National Guard.  I was an AmeriCorps volunteer one year, and have been appointed to the Governor’s Council on Vocational Rehabilitation.  In 1994 I was awarded “Wyoming Young Farmer/Rancher of the Year” and in 200l “Voc Rehab Entrepreneur of the Year”.  I’m a grandson of William L. Rankin, a Captain in the Revolutionary War, and I have two sons, Casey (32) and Cody (25).

 

Gary Trauner (D):  Gary Trauner, 47, is a husband, father, businessman, community volunteer, and elected official living in Wilson, Wyoming. Seventeen years ago, he and his wife Terry chose Wyoming as the place they wanted to live and raise a family; they are now proud parents of two young boys - ages 13 and 7. Gary graduated from Colgate University and obtained a Masters of Business Administration degree from NYU. Terry, Gary’s wife of seventeen years, is an entrepreneur and co-owner of a growing Wyoming-based small business. Gary believes the biggest problem in national government is blind allegiance to party on both sides.
 
Should Congress enact a provision to tie the Federal minimum wage to an inflation or price index? Why?
 

Barbara Cubin (R):  I’ve always had concerns about raising the federal minimum wage because of its potential negative consequences for Wyoming’s driving economic force – small business.  A federally mandated raise in the minimum wage restricts small businesses’ options.  Unless there are overwhelming benefits to Wyoming and our small business community, like the recently approved US House passed tax extenders package, I would not support a measure that would have a negative impact on our State’s growing economy.

 

Thomas Rankin (L): No. The law of supply and demand is dictating the minimum wage without any government intervention.

 

 

Gary Trauner (D):  Yes, it is the right thing to do.  The minimum wage has not been raised since 1997, and now stands at its lowest level, in real terms, since 1955.  Workers earning the national minimum wage with a family of three are about $6,000 below the annual poverty line.  We should ensure that the lowest paid among us at least keep pace with inflation (especially when Congress’ pay is indexed, resulting in a 23% increase since 1997).
 
Our ventures in Afghanistan and Iraq are costing billions annually.  How do you propose to pay for them without adversely affecting domestic programs?
 

Barbara Cubin (R):  Economic security is synonymous with national security.  Some may criticize the U.S. for prosecuting the war on terror, but the potential cost of further, more devastating attacks on the nation, our treasury, and our ability to fund domestic programs is unthinkable.  Our economy has a remarkable ability to rebound from disasters like 9/11, but recovery takes time.  I choose not to sit idly by for a storm of terrorism that our economy could not weather. 

 

Thomas Rankin (L): We must set a one year time frame for troop withdrawal. Then we start down sizing government. First on the list is the FDA followed by the FCC.

 

Gary Trauner (D):  Congress has created this problem – it irresponsibly ran up trillions of dollars of debt while cutting taxes during a time of war for the first time ever in the history of this country.  We can’t responsibly wage war without making sacrifices. It’s time for a change.  I will be a Representative who will be a fiscal watchdog, working to reduce domestic pork, unnecessary programs and corrupt congressional spending while getting back to responsibly funding our government.