National defense is the most critical function of the federal government, as provided in the United States Constitution. The full force of our Armed Forces should be used when we are faced with genuine threats to our safety, such as active foreign aggression or invasion.

The exclusive power of Congress to declare war must be respected, and executive reactions to imminent dangers must not be allowed to drag on without the express authorization of Congress.

As a Senator, it will be my duty to make sure that perceived threats are actually a danger to our life, liberty, or sovereignty before voting to send American troops into harm’s way.

Even as we maintain our national defense, we must protect our civil liberties. The Founding Fathers warned of a Federal Government bent on usurping the power, rights, and privacy of its States and citizens.

In the last eleven years, the Federal Government has expanded the scope of its power at an alarming rate, while blatantly ignoring the Constitution.

I strongly oppose big-government initiatives like the Patriot Act, SOPA, CISPA, and the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for FY 2012. The 2012 NDAA allowed the President to indefinitely detain anyone on U.S. soil, including American citizens, without charge or trial on the mere accusation that they are “associated” with terrorists.

As a Senator, I will seek to reassert the rights and privileges of the 50 states and over 300 million Americans. Dystopian, police-state laws like the NDAA run contrary to everything our country stands for.

The Federal Government must return to its constitutionally enumerated powers and preserve our inalienable rights.

I believe that America can successfully protect itself against potential terrorists without sacrificing civil liberties. I reject the premise that the Federal Government must be given a blank check in the name of national security.

America can prosper, preserve personal liberty, and repel national security threats without intruding into the personal lives of its citizens.