Suzanne Kosmas

Suzanne Kosmas was a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives, representing the 24th district of the State of Florida from 2009 to 2011.

Balanced Budget
Kosmas says she will work to reduce wasteful spending and create accountability.

Iraq War
Kosmas supports removing American troops from Iraq.

Ethics Reform
Kosmas says on her campaign website that she is committed to real ethics reform. She says she will support increasing the amount of disclosure and transparency required for members of Congress and lobbyists, extending the lobbying ban on former members of Congress to five years, forcing lobbyists to publicly disclose the legislators they are lobbying and what legislation they were trying to influence and creating an independent agency to oversee and enforce lobbying rules and ethics. Kosmas has also made personal commitments to increasing transparency, she vows to never accept a pay raise while in Congress (she would send money back to the Treasury), never lobby after she has left Congress, post her daily schedule, earmark requests and votes on her Congressional website.

Education
Kosmas supports giving teachers and schools the proper funding, and tools necessary. She also believes that creating accountability and flexibility is important in developing the best possible education system, as well as having federal government work with local government and schools to create plans that work.

Taxes
To alleviate the taxes on the middle class, Kosmas supports closing loopholes and tax breaks for corporations that outsource jobs.

Energy
Kosmas supports having consistent investment in sustainable energy alternatives,especially in research and development that will lower gas prices and increase energy independence.

Social Security
Kosmas does not support privitization of Social Security, and says she will oppose any plan that does.

Healthcare
In order to fix the healthcare system, Kosmas says she will work to ensure that there is accessible, high quality care for all Americans. She says she would support investing more in children's healthcare, creating a better prescription drug plan, and lowering costs. Kosmas also supports funding stem cell research.

Veterans
Kosmas supports the following policies to help veterans and their families: amending the Service Member's Relief Act to protect veterans from eviction and foreclosure on their homes, fully funding all veterans' services, ensuring all veterans are screened upon return for PTSD and traumatic brain injuries,and extending the time that veterans can seek mental health services for free from 2 years to 5 years. She also supports raising military pay, and an additional bonus for all service members held after their enlistment period. She also pledges to ensure that funding is available for soldiers to get the proper equipment, including additional mine resistant, ambush-protected vehicles.

Bio
Kosmas was born February 25, 1944. She was elected to the Florida State House of Representatives in 1996 and was re-elected three times before being term-limited. She graduated from Stetson University in 1998. Since 1979, she has owned a rental property company. Kosmas has four children and nine grandchildren.

2008 elections
Kosmas won the Democratic nomination to challenge Rep. Tom Feeney (R-Fla.) in the 2008 congressional elections. . Kosmas defeated incumbent Tom Feeney in November 2008 general elections.

Money in politics
cid=N00029370&amp;cycle=2008

Committees in the 110th Congress (2007-2008)
Kosmas was assigned to House Committee on Financial Services.

External resources

 * 2008 Race Tracker page on Florida's 24th Congressional District
 * Official Suzanne Kosmas for Congress website