Alan Grayson

Alan Grayson was a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives, representing the 8th district of the State of Florida from 2009 to 2011.

War in Iraq
Alan Grayson supports ending the war in Iraq as soon as possible without endangering the troops. He believes that it is important to leave Iraq for various reasons and that if there had been no involvement in Iraq, more resources could have been allocated to finding Osama Bin Laden. Grayson oppposes the war on a economic basis as well, saying that half the money spent in Iraq could have gone to providing healthcare for Americans, and other important domestic issues. Grayson is the prosecuting attorney in five fraud cases against contractors in Iraq, and has testified before Congress about fraud in Iraq.

Energy and Environmental Policy
Grayson supports promoting higher fuel efficiency standards, rewards to companies that create energy sources that are clean and renewable, banning drilling for oil off Florida coasts and supports ending tax breaks to oil companies. He also believes in ensuring that federal energy research is conducted by independent scientists.

Grayson also supports a renewable electricity standard of 15% by 2020 a law mandating biodegradable consumer packages. He supports the signing of a new global climate change treaty and capping and reducing greenhouse gas pollution and carbon emissions.

Economy and Jobs
Grayson supports providing tax breaks for middle-class and working-class families, raising the minimum wage, and strengthening labor laws. He also supports providing universal health care for all Americans, increasing federal financial aid to make college more affordable, making sure than there is job-training and re-training available to those who need it, and providing paid vacations and sick leave for all Americans who are working. On the Wall Street bailout, Grayson said the following on his campaign website, "'We are often reminded that we live in a free market system. That certainly does not mean that the taxpayers are the suckers of last resort. It seems as though the free market's 'invisible hand' has been balled into a fist, and that fist is about to punch you and me in the face'."

Healthcare
Grayson supports providing quality health care for all Americans at prices that are fair and affordable and increasing federal funding for stem cell research. Grayson also believes that the lack of health insurance for many people is not just a financial issue, but a moral issue, and that people have the right to quality, affordable health care for people and their families.

Education
On his campaign website, Grayson said the following about education: "'We need to treat education like the investment in our future that it is, and not as an expense to begrudgingly pay. No matter where a child lives or what his or her family's background is, every child deserves this investment.'" He said he will ensure that schools are given more resources and support fully funding any federal education requirements, such as No Child Left Behind. He also supports increasing federal funding for electives, including art, music, and drama, promote stronger math and science education, increase funding for early education programs, increase funding for college financial aid programs. Grayson also supports pay increases and training for teachers, especially for those who teach in the neediest areas.

Bio
Grayson was born March 13, 1958 in Bronx, N.Y. He and his wife, Lolita, have five children. He received his bachelor's degree from Harvard College. He then earned a law degree from Harvard Law School as well as a master's degree in public policy from Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government. Later, Grayson was the founder and President of IDT Corp. He first ran for Florida's Eighth Congressional District in 2006, but he lost in the Democratic primary.

2008 elections
Grayson was the Democratic nominee seeking to challenge Rep. Ric Keller (R-Fla.) in the 2008 congressional elections. He won in primary elections which took place on August 26, 2008 and went on to defeat Keller in the November 4 general election.

Money in politics
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Committees in the 110th Congress (2007-2008)
Grayson will be assigned committees if and when he is elected to Congress.

External resources

 * 2008 Race Tracker page on Florida's 8th Congressional District
 * Official Alan Grayson for Congress website

External articles

 * Rachel Kapochunas, "Fall Hotbeds in Florida Produced Close Primaries Tuesday",CQ Politics, August 27, 2008
 * The people verses the Profiteers - Vanity Fair
 * The Great Iraq Swindle - Rolling Stone
 * US Rebuffed Food Fraud Case - Wall Street Journal
 * Food Fraud in the War Zone? - CBS