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Byron Donalds' Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

Office:

On The Ballot: Running, Republican for U.S. House (FL) - District 19

Key

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.
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Other or Expanded Principles & Legislative Priorities are entered exactly as candidates submit them. Vote Smart does not edit for misspelled words, punctuation or grammar.

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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 2024.

  • Rated 100% by the National Right to Life Committee (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "I believe, as stated in our Declaration of Independence, that each person is endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights. The first among those is the right to life. Every life is valuable, from conception to natural death, and I will fight to protect the life of every unborn child without exception." (www.byrondonalds.com)
  • "Today, we celebrate 1 yr since the long overdue overturning of Roe v. Wade. This historic ruling gave power to the people & ultimately saved countless lives. I am proud to stand for life & stand with the majority of other nations against the radical policy of abortion on demand." (x.com)
  • Voted against HR 8297: "Ensuring Access to Abortion Act of 2022" (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 0% by the Alliance for Retired Americans (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "There are no considerations AT ALL for reforms to Social Security & Medicare when it comes to the debt ceiling. Dems & the WH are trying to make it about Social Security to scare people. We are talking about reforms to spending through non-defense discretionary dollars!" (x.com)
  • Rated 0% by the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Raising taxes - taking money away from the productive people of America is NEVER the answer because politicians on Capitol Hill don't know how to constrain themselves about spending the people's money." (x.com)
  • "Here are the FACTS about Tax Cuts & Jobs Act: (1) Ending it means HIGHER TAXES on ALL AMERICANS (2) It caused the federal government to generate more revenue than at any point in history (3) Keeping it in place is the best thing we can do for our economy & the American people." (x.com)
  • "Implementing the Fair Tax will restore sovereignty to the individual once again. Implementing the Fair Tax returns the federal government to its true and proper role as a subject to the will of the people. We would see a robust economy as a byproduct of the Fair Tax, as well as sustainable high GDP growth. In route to the long-term vision of the Fair Tax, reducing all tax rates and eliminating loopholes are short-term solutions that will greatly reform our current tax structure. As your representative, I will propose a much needed simplified and flatter tax code that will stimulate private sector investment, promote job creation, sustainable growth in our economy, and individual wealth creation." (www.byrondonalds.com)
  • "It's #TaxDay which is another reminder of why any plan to increase taxes, especially during these difficult economic times, is a bad idea." (x.com)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • "I will always back the Blue & support the hard-working men & women of our law enforcement community. We can NOT get rid of qualified immunity, & we must fully fund our police departments." (x.com)
  • "Eliminating qualified immunity would be disastrous to officers, would cause good officers to leave the field, and would deter Americans from protecting our communities in the future." (x.com)
  • "How to solve the rise in crime in America: ✔️Defend, not defund the police. ✔️Punish those who break the law. ✔️Stop cutting police budgets. ✔️Keep qualified immunity. ✔️Empower struggling neighborhoods with sound economic policy & access to a good education". (x.com)
  • Voted against HR 7120: "George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 2670: "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 8774: "Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2025" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 3746: "Limit, Save, Grow Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "Big government takes away from your ability to determine your own fate & destiny with innovation, hard work & the gifts God gave you." (x.com)
  • "Yesterday, in a @housebudgetGOP committee hearing on the impact of President Biden’s American Rescue Plan, I outlined how this disastrous stimulus package has caused record-high inflation, soaring gas prices, and suffering for the American worker." (x.com)
  • Voted against HR 5376: "Inflation Reduction Act of 2022" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 8294: "Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 4521: "America COMPETES Act of 2022" (votesmart.org)
  • "Inflation is up 8.3%. Food, shelter, and electricity are all up double digits. This is crushing poor families and seniors on fixed income. What are Dems doing today...Celebrating the Inflation Reduction Act (which will increase inflation and electric bills)." (x.com)
  • "Last night, I voted NO on the Democrats’ inFAKEstructure bill that will increase our debt and only dedicate less than 25% of the massive 1.75 TRILLION to America’s real infrastructure needs." (x.com)
  • Voted against HR 7688: "Consumer Fuel Price Gouging Prevention Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "The Supreme Court blocked Biden’s original student loan bailout. Biden knows it’s unconstitutional & violates sep of powers but they're pushing it through again. It's not fair to force those who didn’t go to college to pay for the tuition of others." (x.com)
  • "Only a 1/3 of Americans went to college & obtained student loan debt. By nixing student loan debt, the govt is forcing the 2/3 of Americans who did NOT go to college to pay for the minority that did. When you take out debt in the US, YOU have the responsibility to pay it back." (x.com)
  • Voted against HR 2547: "Comprehensive Debt Collection Improvement Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "Biden just used taxpayer funds to forgive billions of dollars of student loan debt that should've been repaid. Millions of Americans did not attend college. Millions of Americans paid off their student loans. Millions of Americans have no student loans." (x.com)
  • "HR-1 is trash and the worst election law ever crafted. It's a federal takeover of all elections and would allow for voter ID laws to be completely removed from 33 states and would finance federal campaigns with public financing. We must fight back and ensure it never becomes law." (x.com)
  • Voted against HR 5746: "Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 4: "John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021" (votesmart.org)
  • "It took us 20+ years to get it right in Florida, but now we have the strongest, safest, and most sensible voting laws on the books. ✅ Voter ID ✅ Banning ballot harvesting ✅ Signature verification ✅ Early voting ✅ Safe and legal elections!" (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1: "Lower Energy Costs Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "By embracing the Green New Deal they want to unwind energy production–the fabric of our economy. We need fossil fuels but also must embrace nuclear!" (x.com)
  • "This week is Clean Energy Week, & to celebrate, I’ll highlight the importance of nuclear energy as a clean energy source. Nuclear energy is a crucial part of Florida’s energy infrastructure &, in turn, supports our economy in so many ways, including employing 1,800 Floridians." (x.com)
  • "Why are we not allowing more oil exploration in the US and importing oil from Canada? We have all the energy we need in the ground but the radical Left and their Green New Deal agenda is harming our nation causing gas prices to skyrocket. Families are hurting, enough is enough." (x.com)
  • Rated 0% by the League of Conservation Voters
  • "On day 1, Biden killed 11,000 American jobs by canceling the Keystone XL oil pipeline. Not even a year later, the Biden administration is lobbying against sanctions on Russia’s Nord Stream 2 pipeline. This President is destroying American energy independence." (x.com)
  • "The Keystone XL pipeline would have safely transported more than 800,000 barrels of oil daily from our allies in the North, Canada, to U.S. refineries on the Gulf Coast. Instead, Biden would prefer to rely on oil from China and Venezuela." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 6285: "Alaska's Right to Produce Act of 2023" (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 100% by the National Rifle Association (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "The 2nd amendment, your right to bears arms, is just as important as the rest of the Bill of Rights. That is why it is not only our civic duty as elected leaders and representatives, but as Americans to preserve and protect our Second Amendment and the Constitution. I proudly stood against Republican leadership in the Florida Legislature when they infringed upon our rights as Americans and passed gun control into state law. That vote, and others, have earned me the NRA's endorsement. In Congress, you can expect me to defend your Constitutional rights, no matter the cost. Shall not be infringed, means Shall not be infringed!" (www.byrondonalds.com)
  • "Today it is universal background checks, & tomorrow it is the complete banning of firearms across the board. Gun laws like H.R. 8 only unreasonably impact everyday Americans who responsibly own & use firearms, not criminals who by definition do not follow the rules." (x.com)
  • Voted against HR 1112: "Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2021" (votesmart.org)
  • "Obamacare is a thinly veiled attempt at a government takeover of the health insurance delivery system, ultimately leading to a single-payer socialist system. In order to lower costs in the healthcare market, we must provide healthcare tax benefits and incentives to individuals, all while removing the current tax treatments from businesses. Our federal government must also use the Commerce Clause as fully intended, by opening up the purchase of health insurance across state lines." (www.byrondonalds.com)
  • "Adopting a universal healthcare system in the US would raise costs, limit available care providers, and allow the federal government to have a monopoly on the healthcare industry." (x.com)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • Voted against HR 3: "Lower Drug Costs Now Act of 2019" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 6833: "The Affordable Insulin Now Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "We need to secure our southern border and reform our entry/exit visa system, so we eliminate visa overstays. That is why I supported President Trump and will continue working on building a wall on our southern border and enforce our immigration laws" (www.byrondonalds.com)
  • "Biden systematically broke our border by executive action ON PURPOSE & our nation is OVERRUN. It's time to reinstate Remain in Mexico. It's time to end Catch & Release. It's time to deport MILLIONS of illegals. It's time to pass HR2." (x.com)
  • "Moving forward, border security has to be the #1 priority of our House Republican Conference. We must secure the border." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 2: "Secure the Border Act of 2023" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 6: "American Dream and Promise Act of 2021" (votesmart.org)
  • "A "pathway to citizenship" for illegal immigrants is a rallying call for more illegal immigration. I am NO on amnesty." (x.com)
  • "Biden systematically broke our border by executive action ON PURPOSE & our nation is OVERRUN. It's time to reinstate Remain in Mexico. It's time to end Catch & Release. It's time to deport MILLIONS of illegals. It's time to pass HR2." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 2: "Secure the Border Act of 2023" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 5692: "Ukraine Security Assistance and Oversight Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024" (votesmart.org)
  • "In Congress, I will stand strong against China and Russia as they attempt to expand their sphere of influence, and communism, on the world. Most importantly, I will work to assure America remains the leader of the free world and the voice of liberty across the globe." (www.byrondonalds.com)
  • "We've given over $100B to Ukraine. But we have NO ACCOUNTING of how the money has been spent. What has our money gone to buy? Russia is our adversary. We have agreements to defend Ukraine. But we can't continuously fund an endless war with no plan on how to bring it to a close." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 3033: "Solidify Iran Sanctions Act of 2023" (votesmart.org)
  • "We've given over $100B to Ukraine. But we have NO ACCOUNTING of how the money has been spent. What has our money gone to buy? Russia is our adversary. We have agreements to defend Ukraine. But we can't continuously fund an endless war with no plan on how to bring it to a close." (x.com)
  • "There has been no accountability or outlined mission for US aid to Ukraine.House and Senate Republicans do have a clear mission: SECURE OUR BORDER. It makes NO SENSE to give Ukraine over $200B from the US Treasury while our nation gets overrun by MILLIONS of illegal migrants." (x.com)
  • Voted against HR 5692: "Ukraine Security Assistance and Oversight Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024" (votesmart.org)
  • "There was a time when the Biden admin publicly stated the national security threats posed by TikTok. It is incredibly troubling that the Biden campaign is now ignoring these well-established national security threats." (x.com)
  • "The White House secretly working with Big Tech to censor social media is proof that the Democrats don't want opposing voices to have the ability to speak." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 7521: "Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act" (votesmart.org)
This candidate has responded to a Political Courage Test in a previous election. As a continued effort to provide the American public with factual information on candidates running for public office, these archived responses are made available here.
Pro-life Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
No Do you support United States' combat operations in Afghanistan?
No Do you support a timetable for withdrawal from Afghanistan?
I do not support current combat operations in Afghanistan, because there are no clear objectives for what victory means. If there are no clear objectives we should but our troops in harms way. A public timetable for withdrawal makes no sense. We are advertising to our enemies when we will withdraw so they can simply wait us out.

Indicate which proposals you support (if any) for balancing the federal budget.In order to balance the budget,

Yes do you support reducing defense spending?
No do you support an income tax increase on any tax bracket?
Yes do you support reducing Medicaid spending?
Yes do you support reducing Medicare spending?
Yes Is balancing the budget a legislative priority?
Defense, Medicaid, and Medicare need to be on the table to help balance the budget, but raising taxes does not raise tax revenue. That is a political game that will do nothing to increase the size of our economy. Economic growth leads to increased government revenue. Balancing the budget will require spending cuts and economic policy to grow the economy. I support lowering the corporate tax rate to 20%, and going to two individual tax rates of 25% and 10%. Then we need real tax reform which is embodied by the Fair Tax.
No Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?
Yes Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?
No Do you support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
No Do you support providing tax incentives to businesses for the purpose of job creation?
No Do you support spending on infrastructure projects for the purpose of job creation?
No Do you support the temporary extension of unemployment benefits?
No Do you support the 2010 temporary extension of tax relief?
Temporary extension of tax relief does not provide the certainty and stability an economy needs to flourish. We need stable tax and economic policy if we ever expect to have job creation take off gaining in America. It is clear that federal spending does not promote viable economic growth. We just have to look at Cash for Clunkers to see a case study in government spending. Government can make markets jump, it can't make markets fly.
No Do you support requiring states to implement education reforms in order to be eligible for competitive federal grants?
Education standards in America have decreased with more federal involvement in education. The best course of action today is returning education control to local school boards so they can design and implement education standards to fit their community. National and statewide policy has no appreciation for the unique abilities for our kids.
Yes Do you support reducing restrictions on offshore energy production?
Offshore drilling is a decision that should be made by coastal communities and the State legislature.
No Do you believe that human activity is contributing to climate change?
No Do you support the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions?
No Do you support restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns?
Yes Do you support repealing the 2010 Affordable Care Act?
No Should individuals be required to purchase health insurance, as mandated in the 2010 Affordable Care Act?
The only way you can lower the cost of care and increase accessibility is to have a dynamic market place for health insurance where everyone buys insurance with their own money. When people spend their own money, they always look for the best product at the lowest possible price. When you spend other people's money (which is how 95% of the healthcare market operates), there is less care and concern for how money is spent and what it is spent on. There has not been a robust health insurance marketplace since before WWII.
Yes Do you support requiring illegal immigrants to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship?
No Do you support allowing illegal immigrants, who were brought to the United States as minors, to pursue citizenship without returning to their country of origin?
Yes Do you support the enforcement of federal immigration law by state and local police?
No Do you support same-sex marriage?
Yes Do you support targeting suspected terrorists outside of official theaters of conflict?
No Should the U.S use military force in order to prevent Iran from possessing a nuclear weapon?
With respect to Iran's nuclear program, currently I do not think that the US should engage militarily. However, this is a subject that requires much analysis and study. Military action may have to be taken, but only after a thorough review of the issue.
Yes Do you support allowing individuals to divert a portion of their Social Security taxes into personal retirement accounts?

SpendingIndicate what federal spending levels (#1-6) you support for the following general categories. Select one number per category; you can use a number more than once.TaxesIndicate what federal tax levels (#1-6) you support for the following general categories. Select one number per category; you can use a number more than once.

Greatly Decrease a) Agriculture
Eliminate b) Arts
Slightly Decrease c) Defense
Eliminate d) Education
Greatly Decrease e) Environment
Slightly Decrease f) Homeland Security
Greatly Decrease g) International aid
Slightly Decrease h) Medical Research
Slightly Decrease i) Scientific Research
Maintain Status j) Space exploration
Greatly Decrease k) United Nations
Slightly Decrease l) Welfare
m) Other or expanded categories
Eliminate a) Capital gains taxes
Eliminate b) Corporate taxes
Eliminate c) Excise taxes (alcohol)
Eliminate d) Excise taxes (cigarettes)
Eliminate e) Excise taxes (transportation fuel)
Eliminate f) Income taxes (low-income families)
Eliminate g) Income taxes (middle-income families)
Eliminate h) Income taxes (high-income families)
Eliminate i) Inheritance taxes
Eliminate j) Payroll taxes
The withholding of taxes and the taxing of income does not respect the value of a person's labor and the reward for production. To permanently unleash our economy, we must change the very nature of taxation, and implement the Fair Tax. We must make the individual the sovereign once again. In route to that goal, we need major tax reform, and that we can begin immediately. We must reduce all tax rates while eliminating loopholes. We need a simplified and much flatter tax code to stimulate private sector investment, job creation, sustainable growth, opportunity, and individual wealth creation.
1. Repeal Obamacare, and replace it with patient centered reforms, where people would purchase their own insurance in a dynamic marketplace. 2. Stabilize tax policy, so our citizens know what tax rates are going forward. This political game about tax policy is great for politicians, but it is unsettling for the American people. Once rates are stabilized begin the hard work to implement the Fair Tax. 3. End baseline budgeting and go to zero-based budgeting. This will cut $9 trillion dollars in future spending. Then we must implement a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution, that ties spending to GDP.

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