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Mark Critz's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

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Official Position: Candidate addressed this issue directly by taking the Political Courage Test.
Inferred Position: Candidate refused to address this issue, but Vote Smart inferred this issue based on the candidate's public record, including statements, voting record, and special interest group endorsements.
Unknown Position: Candidate refused to address this issue, or we could not infer an answer for this candidate despite exhaustive research of their public record.
Additional Information: Click on this icon to reveal more information about this candidate's position, from their answers or Vote Smart's research.
Other or Expanded Principles & Legislative Priorities are entered exactly as candidates submit them. Vote Smart does not edit for misspelled words, punctuation or grammar.

Mark Critz refused to tell citizens where he stands on any of the issues addressed in the 2012 Political Courage Test, despite repeated requests from Vote Smart, national media, and prominent political leaders.

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Issue Positions

For Presidential and Congressional candidates who refuse to provide voters with their positions, Vote Smart has researched their public records to determine their likely responses. These issue positions are from 2012.

  • Mark Critz. HR 3. 112th Congress. Prohibiting Taxpayer Funding of Abortion. Mark Critz voted Yea on 05/04/2011. (votesmart.org)
  • Mark Critz. Issue Position: Protecting Western Pennsylvania Values. 27 October 2011. "Mark is pro-life and opposes taxpayer funding of abortion. In Congress, Mark will fight for policies that stand up for the sanctity of life." (votesmart.org)
  • Mark Critz. H Amdt 95. 112th Congress. Prohibiting Use of Federal Funds For Planned Parenthood. Mark Critz voted Nay on 02/18/2011. (votesmart.org)
  • Family Research Council. 04/18/2012. "Mark Critz supported the interests of the Family Research Council 66 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • Planned Parenthood. 04/18/2012. "Mark Critz supported the interests of Planned Parenthood 0 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • National Right to Life Committee. 04/18/2012. "Mark Critz supported the interests of the National Right to Life Committee 100 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • Peace Action West. 04/18/2012. "Mark Critz supported the interests of Peace Action West 17 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • Peace Action. 04/18/2012. "Mark Critz supported the interests of the Peace Action 17 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • Mark Critz. H Con Res 28. 112th Congress. Removing Troops from Afghanistan. Mark Critz voted Nay on 03/17/2011. (votesmart.org)
  • Mark Critz. Letter to the Honorable Robert Gates, Secretary of Defense, U.S. Department of Defense. 30 September 2010. "Recently Secretary Gates announced broad plans to reduce costs in the Department of Defense and re-appropriate those savings throughout the Department. As part of this plan, the Secretary announced three longer term projects and eight initiatives that he plans to begin implementing immediately. These eight initiatives have the ability to affect the Department, its ability to effectively fulfill its mission, and the security of the nation. A decision of this magnitude should not be made without careful reflection, supported by rigorous analysis. We have been told by the Department that the Secretary had several meetings and reviewed these decisions carefully. However, it seems clear that this decision did not carefully consider the national defense implications of such a change, nor is the decision substantiated with any sort of calculation of the direct and indirect costs to our national defense structure. In addition, no information has been provided by the Department to demonstrate any level of analysis, either financial or strategic, to determine what risks are being introduced into our national security strategy and how we are to mitigate these new risks." (votesmart.org)
  • Mark Critz. HR 1363. 112th Congress. 2011 Department of Defense Budget and Additional Continuing Appropriations. Mark Critz voted Nay on 04/07/2011. (votesmart.org)
  • Mark Critz. H Amdt 13. 112th Congress. Reducing Navy and Air Force Aircraft Procurement. Mark Critz voted Nay on 02/15/2011. (votesmart.org)
  • Mark Critz. Critz: Six-Month Continuing Resolution Restricts Air Force Restructuring Plans. 12 September 2012. "'Congress has made it clear that the Air Force's unilateral restructuring decisions didn't take into account the widespread impact on our overall military readiness and on our local communities,' said Congressman Critz, a Member of the House Armed Services Committee who fought to have similar restrictions included in the Fiscal Year 2013 National Defense Authorization Act. 'I'm pleased that this Continuing Resolution restricts the Defense Department from shuttering Pittsburgh's 911th Airlift Wing and the 258th Air Traffic Control Squadron in Johnstown, as well as preventing the retiring of any KC-135 aircraft from the 171st Air Refueling Wing of the Pennsylvania National Guard. This six-month pause will allow the Department to more fully examine the Air Force's proposals, while the entire western Pennsylvania Congressional Delegation continues the fight to demonstrate our region's strategic importance and proud history of military service.'" (votesmart.org)
  • National Taxpayers Union. 04/18/2012. "Mark Critz supported reasonable tax and spending policies as defined by the National Taxpayers Union 15 percent of the time in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • Alyssa Choiniere. Daily American: Rep. Mark Critz stresses importance of bipartisan efforts in Congress. 3 October 2012. "He answered a question regarding the renewal of Bush administration tax cuts by saying the tax cuts at a time of war were a problem for the economy. "We can't cut our way out of this issue," he said." (www.dailyamerican.com)
  • Mark Critz. Critz Statement on Republican Sequestration Bill. 14 September 2012. "Replacing sequestration with the Ryan Budget would be a complete disaster for Pennsylvania's seniors and families. Congress needs to stop the political games and roll up our sleeves and get to work on a balanced approach to reduce our deficit, protect the middle class, and strengthen our economy." (votesmart.org)
  • Mark Critz. Critz: Republican Budget is Disastrous for Economy, Middle Class Families, and Seniors. 29 March 2012. "Today, House Republicans passed another budget that destroys jobs and ends the Medicare guarantee for our nation's seniors -- all the while giving tax breaks to millionaires and billionaires. Republicans are cleverly disguising this budget as what's best for the country, when the truth is this budget is disastrous for our nation's economy, middle class families and our seniors." (votesmart.org)
  • Mark Critz. Letter to The Honorable Barack H. Obama, President of the United States. 21 June 2011. "The current cut in Social Security contributions must be allowed to expire as scheduled. History instructs that any tax cut is politically difficult to terminate. As you know, although the Bush tax cuts were only supposed to last ten years, the debate of today is centered on whether to permanently extend most or permanently extend all of the Bush tax cuts. We are greatly concerned that a permanent extension of the 2011 payroll tax cut would double Social Security's long-range shortfall and make long-term solutions nearly impossible." (votesmart.org)
  • The Club for Growth. 04/18/2012. "On the votes used to calculate its ratings, The Club for Growth attaches more value to those votes it considers more important. For 2010, The Club for Growth gave Mark Critz a rating of 21 percent." (votesmart.org)
  • Mark Critz. HR 5297. 112th Congress. Small Business Lending Fund and Tax Law Amendments. Mark Critz voted Yea on 09/23/2010. (votesmart.org)
  • Americans for Prosperity. 04/18/2012. "Mark Critz supported the interests of the Americans for Prosperity 25 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • Mark Critz. Issue Position: Jobs and the Economy. 1 January 2011. "In the wake of what many believe was the worst U.S. financial crisis since the Great Depression, our national debt has climbed to extraordinary levels not seen before. It is critical that we begin to control our spending by prioritizing expenses and exercising fiscal restraint. Although everyone is anxious to restore our financial stability, we must recognize that our current economic state was not created overnight. It will take time, cooperation, and a fiscally sound legislative agenda to stabilize and rebuild our economy." (votesmart.org)
  • Mark Critz. Critz Returns 5% of Budget to Pay Down National Debt. 28 December 2010. "The American people want the U.S. Government to reverse its spending habits and pay down the national debt, and I'm happy that incoming Speaker Boehner will implement my idea of cutting spending within Congress." (votesmart.org)
  • Mark Critz. Issue Position: Protecting Western Pennsylvania Values. 27 October 2011. "Mark knows that families have to live within their means, and he thinks it's time that Congress starts doing the same. That's why he is committed to reducing the deficit and thinks Congress should start by tightening its own belt." (votesmart.org)
  • Mark Critz. Statement on House Passage of Debt Ceiling Vote. 1 August 2011. "Republicans have succeeded once again at holding our country's economy hostage. At the end of the day, we were presented with two options: default on our nation's ability to pay its bills and risk catastrophic economic failure, or, swallow a "deal" that cuts government spending and further weakens our ability to create jobs and economic development." (votesmart.org)
  • Mark Critz. Critz Praises Tax Cuts and Loans for Small Businesses; Congress passes legislation to spur economic growth and create new jobs. 23 September 2010. "Congressman Mark S. Critz (PA-12) voted today to spur economic development and create new jobs by encouraging the growth of American small businesses. The Small Business Jobs Act increases much-needed lending to millions of small businesses, and offers eight new tax incentives to companies, so that they may expand, hire, and fuel our economy. It also keeps jobs in America by closing tax loopholes that reward corporations that ship jobs overseas."Small businesses are the backbone of our economy," said Critz. 'We owe it to them to ensure that they have a business environment that helps them to grow and to create new jobs.'" (votesmart.org)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • Mark Critz. Issue Position: Protecting and Creating Western Pennsylvania Energy Jobs. 27 October 2011. "Mark is committed to protecting the coal industry and the Western Pennsylvania jobs that go with it, and as energy prices continue to rise, believes that we must also have an immediate strategy that includes expanding domestic drilling." (votesmart.org)
  • Mark Critz. H Amdt 773. 112th Congress. Ending Moratorium on Deepwater Drilling Rigs that Meet Certain Safety Standards. Mark Critz voted Yea on 07/30/2010. (votesmart.org)
  • Mark Critz. HR 1230. 112th Congress. Offshore Leasing Act. Mark Critz voted Yea on 05/05/2011. (votesmart.org)
  • Mark Critz. Open Letter to Constituents. 8 September 2011. "This bipartisan legislation would develop our offshore oil and gas resources and use this tax revenue to invest in renewable energy programs, energy efficiency/conservation projects, and increase the use of alternative fuel vehicles." (votesmart.org)
  • Mark Critz. HR 3534. 112th Congress. Offshore Drilling Regulations and Other Energy Law Amendments. Mark Critz voted Yea on 07/30/2010. (votesmart.org)
  • Mark Critz. HR 910. 112th Congress. Energy Tax Prevention Act. Mark Critz voted Yea on 04/07/2011. (votesmart.org)
  • League of Conservation Voters. 04/18/2012. "Mark Critz supported the interests of the League of Conservation Voters 67 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • National Rifle Association. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Endorsements. 04/18/2012. National Rifle Association endorsed Mark Critz in the 2010 general election. (votesmart.org)
  • Mark Critz. Issue Position: Gun Owners' Rights. 1 January 2011. "I am a strong supporter of the Second Amendment and a Life Member of the NRA. I believe that the right to bear arms is a right that should be enjoyed by all law-abiding citizens of our great country. In the 112th Congress, I was the primary Democratic cosponsor of H.R. 1181, the Protecting Gun Owners in Bankruptcy Act of 2011. This important bipartisan piece of legislation amends federal bankruptcy law to add $3,000 worth of personal firearms to the list of permissible exemptions during bankruptcy proceedings." (votesmart.org)
  • Mark Critz. Issue Position: Protecting Western Pennsylvania Values. 27 October 2011. "Mark understands that the basic rights guaranteed under the 2nd Amendment should not be infringed upon with unnecessary restrictions. Mark believes that sportsmen, hunters, and citizens concerned for their personal safety are guaranteed the right to keep and bear arms. In Congress, Mark will oppose any effort to weaken this right guaranteed to us in the Constitution." (votesmart.org)
  • Mark Critz. Reps. Griffin and Critz Introduce the Protecting Gun Owners in Bankruptcy Act. 13 April 2011. "As a strong supporter of the Second Amendment, I believe all people, including those in bankruptcy, have a constitutional right to purchase and retain firearms." (votesmart.org)
  • Mark Critz. Second Amendment. 25 September 2012. "Growing up in Western Pennsylvania, I understand that the basic rights guaranteed under the 2nd Amendment should not be infringed upon with unnecessary restrictions. I believe that sportsmen, hunters, and citizens concerned for their personal safety are guaranteed the right to keep and bear arms. In Congress, I oppose any effort to weaken this right guaranteed to us in the Constitution." (votesmart.org)
  • Mark Critz. Twitter: critz4congress. 4 October 2010. "I'm proud to be endorsed [by] the National Rifle Association. I will fight to protect the 2nd Amendment." (twitter.com)
  • Mark Critz. Critz Statement on the Passage of Health Care Reform. 22 March 2010. "While this bill represents significant progress in reforming our broken healthcare system, there were flaws that would've kept me from supporting it. This bill was too expensive, particularly because the $940 billion price tag didn't include the Medicare doctor fix that would prevent reimbursement cuts to physicians who treat Medicare beneficiaries." (votesmart.org)
  • Mark Critz. HR 2. 112th Congress. Repealing the Health Care Bill. Mark Critz voted Nay on 01/19/2011. (votesmart.org)
  • American Public Health Association. 04/18/2012. "Mark Critz supported the interests of the American Public Health Association 100 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • Mark Critz. Issue Position: Health Care. 27 October 2011. "I opposed the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the new health care law, when it was first introduced. There are provisions within the law that I do support [¦] That being said, I also believe that there are provisions that must be amended." (votesmart.org)
  • Mark Critz. Critz Statement on Health Care Repeal Vote. 11 July 2012. "I opposed the healthcare bill when it passed and I voted to get rid of the individual mandate and the tax on medical devices. I oppose on the Independent Payment Advisory Board -- an unelected board of bureaucrats that could cut Medicare benefits. But, as I've said before, it would be wrong and irresponsible for Congress to go backwards and allow insurance companies to deny coverage to those with pre-existing conditions, to kick young adults off their parents' health insurance plans, or to re-open the "doughnut hole' which will force seniors to pay more for medicine. Let's stop the political games and start working together to fix this law and pass legislation that will create jobs." (votesmart.org)
  • Mark Critz. Critz Statement on the Supreme Court Healthcare Ruling. 28 June 2012. "I disagree with the Supreme Court's decision on the individual mandate, which is why I voted to repeal it -- and it is still my opinion that Congress should act swiftly to repeal the tax on medical devices, and the Independent Payment Advisory Board -- an unelected board of bureaucrats who could cut benefits for seniors on Medicare. I opposed the healthcare bill when it passed, but it would be wrong and irresponsible for Congress to go backwards and allow insurance companies to deny coverage to those with pre-existing conditions, to kick young adults off their parents' health insurance plans, or to re-open the "doughnut hole' which will force seniors to pay more for medicine." (votesmart.org)
  • Mark Critz. Letter to Honorable Barack Obama. 19 July 2011. "Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, we took measures to lower health care costs without cutting benefits or increasing cost-sharing requirement. While we can make more improvements, we must not abandon that commitment." (votesmart.org)
  • Federation for American Immigration Reform. 04/18/2012. "Mark Critz supported the interests of the Federation for American Immigration Reform 100 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • Mark Critz. HR 5281. 112th Congress. DREAM Act. Mark Critz voted Nay on 12/08/2010. (votesmart.org)
  • Mark Critz. Issue Position: Immigration. 1 January 2011. "I believe that we must secure our borders to prevent the inflow of those who are not willing to comply with these laws. I also feel strongly that illegal immigrants should not be permitted to circumvent our citizenship process ahead of those who are following the proper procedures." (votesmart.org)
  • Human Rights Campaign. 04/18/2012. "Mark Critz supported the interests of the Human Rights Campaign 0 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • Mark Critz. HR 2965. 112th Congress. Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act. Mark Critz voted Nay on 12/15/2010. (votesmart.org)
  • American Family Association. 04/18/2012. "Mark Critz supported the interests of the American Family Association 50 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • Mark Critz. Critz Statement on the Death of Osama bin Laden. 2 May 2011. "The death of Osama bin Laden is a significant victory in our fight against al-Qaeda, and a true testament to the skill and determination of our military and intelligence communities. While this achievement provides some comfort to the families and friends who lost loved ones because of his horrific terrorist attacks, we must understand and recognize that the threat of terrorism still exists, and that our nation's fight against it will continue." (votesmart.org)
  • Mark Critz signed Progressive Change Campaign Committee: Social Security Protectors. "Social Security belongs to the people who have worked hard all their lives and contributed to it. Social Security is a promise that must not be broken. We need to strengthen Social Security, not cut it. That is why I oppose any cuts to Social Security benefits, including increasing the retirement age. I also oppose any effort to privatize Social Security, in whole or in part." (socialsecurityprotectors.com)

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