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Michael Cloud's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

Office:

On The Ballot: Running, Republican for U.S. House (TX) - District 27

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Official Position: Candidate addressed this issue directly by taking the Political Courage Test.
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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.

Michael Cloud is currently being tested through the 2024 Political Courage Test.

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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.

  • Voted against HR 3755 "Women's Health Protection Act of 2021." (votesmart.org)
  • "Abortion takes a human life. I am against abortion of any kind. Taxpayers certainly should not fund abortion - or any organization that performs abortions. Roe v. Wade was a monstrous decision, one that invented new rights not found in the Constitution while denying personhood to a most vulnerable class of people. Roe v. Wade should be overturned, and in the meantime, Congress should take all steps possible to limit legal abortions. I would support a constitutional amendment making abortion illegal." (None)
  • Rated 100% by National Right to Life Committee (None)
  • "On January 22, 1973 — in a historic moment of judicial overreach and without legislative action — 9 justices declared abortion a so-called "right" in the case of Roe v. Wade. Since then, 61 million babies have been robbed of the right to life, liberty, & the pursuit of happiness" (x.com)
  • Rated 0% by National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare (None)
  • "Republicans stand for fiscal responsibility—taking care of our obligations, which includes Social Security and Medicare. To be fiscally responsible means not spending money we don’t have on outlandish, woke and wasteful proposals that don’t put people first" (x.com)
  • Voted against S 610 "Protecting Medicare and American Farmers from Sequester Cuts Act." (votesmart.org)
  • In order to balance the budget, do you support an income tax increase on any tax bracket? "No" (None)
  • "By cutting back federal regulations and simplifying our convoluted tax code – we can keep our American economy the best in the world." (www.cloudforcongress.com)
  • "Taxation slows the economy, so we cannot tax our way out of debt; spending must be reduced." (None)
  • Rated 87% by NumbersUSA (None)
  • In order to balance the budget, do you support an income tax increase on any tax bracket? "No" (None)
  • "Biden's budget will increase income taxes to the highest levels since 1986, when the first Top Gun was in theaters. That kind of recklessness will put us on a Highway to the Danger Zone and rampant inflation." (x.com)
  • "Taxation slows the economy, so we cannot tax our way out of debt; spending must be reduced." (None)
  • Rated 87% by NumbersUSA (None)
  • "Past attempts at campaign finance reform have actually worked to protect incumbents, who begin the race with greater name recognition, established connections, and the ability to interact with voters while officially on government business. Contribution/spending limits tend to work against challengers by preventing the amount of spending necessary to build name recognition. Past campaign finance laws have also proven ineffective, simply reorganizing the way money is donated. Disclosure requirements allow voters to make a more informed choice, and reforms might address how disclosure requirements are often circumvented by well-connected or knowledgeable donors." (None)
  • Rated 6% by Common Cause (None)
  • Voted against HR 1 "For the People Act of 2021." (votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 1280 "George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021." (votesmart.org)
  • "Democrats encouraged mass lawlessness and labeled police officers as the enemy. Now we're seeing them targeted at record levels. We must do everything we can to EMPOWER our brave law enforcement officers, never the opposite." (x.com)
  • "Democrats' Defund the Police movement fueled a massive crime wave that plagued our communities. They discouraged local law enforcement and are now pretending to solve the problem they created in the first place. This was their plan all along." (x.com)
  • Voted against HR 2670: "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024" (votesmart.org)
  • "Providing for the common defense is the first and most important legitimate Constitutional responsibility of our federal government. China now has the world’s largest navy. Iran is pursuing nuclear weapons. North Korea is not being kept in check. Now is the time to make the right investments in our military. Michael Cloud is committed to ensuring that the United States’ military has the resources necessary to secure our trade routes, combat threats, deter enemy nations, defend our allies, and protect the life and liberty we hold dear." (www.cloudforcongress.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 4365: "Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2024" (votesmart.org)
  • "Today I voted NO on President Biden’s "Build Back Better" spending bill." (x.com)
  • "It’s a basic duty of Congress to maintain a budget, cut the deficit, and provide a long-term spending plan, and the votes today did not accomplish any of those goals. The people of south Texas didn’t send me to Congress to recklessly spend taxpayer dollars." (x.com)
  • "The fiscal health of our nation is in complete jeopardy. Both parties have failed to produce a balanced budget within a broken system. Congressman Cloud is constantly thinking about our children and grandchildren and the America they will inherit. Without a serious congressional commitment to responsible spending, our country will remain on a path to fiscal ruin." (www.cloudforcongress.com)
  • "The only way we should be raising the debt ceiling is if we’re including significant cuts to spending that will shrink the size of Washington, D.C. This deal simply does not do that." (x.com)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • "The Biden administration's inflation crisis is costing the average American household OVER $5,000 this year. Mass spending and Leftist priorities have damaged our economy and have Americans paying more for just about everything." (x.com)
  • "Out-of-control government spending is spiking inflation to record highs." (x.com)
  • "The politicians telling you that the "Inflation Reduction Act" won't raise taxes also told you: The Border is Secure. Inflation is "transitory". Afghanistan withdrawal was a success Don't believe them." (x.com)
  • "Today, I'm seeking answers regarding the Biden administration's unfair and immoral decision to unilaterally cancel student loan debt. Those who did not go to college or responsibly paid off their loans shouldn't be forced to pay the student debt of others." (x.com)
  • "Today, you’re paying for 87,000 new IRS agents salaries, a war in Ukraine, and Biden’s $400 billion student loan bailout. And every time we talk about finding you some savings, the Left turns on their fear-mongering machine. #TaxDay" (x.com)
  • "We must ensure election integrity." (twitter.com)
  • Rated 6% by Common Cause (None)
  • "The federal government should not be picking winners and losers in our economy and subsidizing people to not work." (www.cloudforcongress.com)
  • "Rather than unleashing American energy, Biden went to Saudi Arabia to beg for oil even though they produce it with much higher carbon emissions. This isn't about combating the "climate crisis." It's about pushing the new Liberal World Order." (x.com)
  • "The Biden climate agenda makes no sense. We produce energy more responsibly and more efficiently than anyone in the world. We should open the spigots here, not look to foreign adversaries and countries who aren't as responsible for our energy needs." (x.com)
  • "The Limit, Save, Grow Act would repeal Biden’s green energy subsidies which are nothing more than a $1.2 trillion bailout for the wealthy, big corporations, and Communist China. It’s time to get our fiscal house in order. Hold the line." (x.com)
  • "The Biden climate agenda makes no sense. We produce energy more responsibly and more efficiently than anyone in the world. We should open the spigots here, not look to foreign adversaries and countries who aren't as responsible for our energy needs." (x.com)
  • "Texas is well-positioned to help put America back on the path of energy independence while also providing our European allies with the crude oil and natural gas they'll need. We must end our reliance on foreign countries and start looking at the solutions here at home." (x.com)
  • "We are blessed as a nation to possess abundant resources. America is more secure when we are not dependent on oil from foreign countries. Our region needs to continue to lead as a major exporter of American energy through our ports, pipelines, and infrastructure." (www.cloudforcongress.com)
  • "He is also a co-sponsor of the "Hearing Protection Act", "Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act", and the "Recreational Lands Self-Defense Act". He is working to protect your inalienable rights and is endorsed by the NRA and Gun Owners of America." (www.cloudforcongress.com)
  • "A federal firearms registry is explicitly banned by law, yet ATF has accumulated and digitized nearly a BILLION gun records. My No REGISTRY Rights Act would dismantle this database to prevent this Administration from continuing to constrain the rights of law-abiding Americans." (x.com)
  • "The Biden administration has a database of nearly a BILLION gun records and has already finalized a rule to rapidly expand it. Congress must pass my bill, the No REGISTRY Rights Act, to eliminate the ATF's gun registry and protect the 2nd Amendment." (x.com)
  • "Our Founding Fathers understood that the only defense against tyranny is an armed citizenry. Michael Cloud is constantly working to protect your right to keep and bear arms. The author of the "Protecting the Right to Keep and Bear Arms Act" – which boasts an endorsement from the NRA and Gun Owners of America – would keep an out-of-control federal government from coopting a national emergency to enact gun control." (www.cloudforcongress.com)
  • "The federal government, when putting the government between you and your doctor, made a wreck of our health insurance system. As a result, Texans are now experiencing skyrocketing premiums with less coverage — resulting in less actual healthcare provided." (www.cloudforcongress.com)
  • "Obamacare must be repealed, and healthcare must be driven by a market-oriented approach that brings down costs and expands access to quality care. Healthcare should be personal, affordable, and portable. Also – Michael Cloud will always fight to keep taxpayer dollars from funding abortion." (www.cloudforcongress.com)
  • Voted against H.R. 6201 "Families First Coronavirus Response Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted against H.R. 3 "Lower Drug Costs Now Act of 2019" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted against H.R. 6833 "The Affordable Insulin Now Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "To provide the good men and women of the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) with a force multiplier, the border wall, particularly in the Rio Grande Valley, should be completed. This enables CBP to direct their compassion and professionalism on hot spots where cartels focus on trafficking humans and drugs. Congress should cut cane along the Rio Grande to help CBP prevent cartels from hiding." (www.cloudforcongress.com)
  • "Congress should also declare certain cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations and increase the number of CBP personnel on the border to ensure operational control of the border rests in our hands." (www.cloudforcongress.com)
  • "The first step in any immigration policy must be border security and enforcement, and Congress should pursue an all of the above approach. We should build a wall where it makes sense to build a wall. But a wall alone will not secure the border. A solution should include an increased border patrol presence, helicopters, fencing, cameras, sensors, and unmanned aerial vehicles. The U.S. Coast Guard must have adequate funding to prevent illegal immigration over water. Congress should cut federal funds to sanctuary cities that ban law enforcement from enforcing immigration laws." (None)
  • "With an "A" rating from NumbersUSA, Michael Cloud has led in Congress on highlighting the humanitarian and national security crisis on the border – connecting the dots between the cartels, human trafficking, and loopholes in our immigration system." (www.cloudforcongress.com)
  • "The first step in any immigration policy must be border security and enforcement, and Congress should pursue an all of the above approach. We should build a wall where it makes sense to build a wall. But a wall alone will not secure the border. A solution should include an increased border patrol presence, helicopters, fencing, cameras, sensors, and unmanned aerial vehicles. The U.S. Coast Guard must have adequate funding to prevent illegal immigration over water. Congress should cut federal funds to sanctuary cities that ban law enforcement from enforcing immigration laws." (None)
  • "The Biden Administration is enforcing the reinstated "Remain in Mexico" policy with the same energy and efficiency as a petulant child not wanting to do their chores. We must secure our border to end this national security and humanitarian disaster." (x.com)
  • Do you support requiring immigrants who are unlawfully present to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship? "Yes" (None)
  • Voted in favor of HR 340: "Hamas International Financing Prevention Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 6968 "Suspending Energy Imports from Russia Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 7108: "Suspending Normal Trade Relations with Russia and Belarus Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 5692: "Ukraine Security Assistance and Oversight Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024" (votesmart.org)
  • "The Biden Admin has ignored a year-long invasion at our southern border but is considering risking the lives of U.S. soldiers to protect Ukraine's border? Ukraine is thousands of miles away. Drugs, crime, and cartels enter our own backyard every day." (x.com)
  • "Today, you’re paying for 87,000 new IRS agents salaries, a war in Ukraine, and Biden’s $400 billion student loan bailout. And every time we talk about finding you some savings, the Left turns on their fear-mongering machine. #TaxDay" (x.com)
  • Voted against HR 6833: "Continuing Appropriations and Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023" (votesmart.org)
  • "Today I led members of the GOP Big Tech task force in a letter to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg regarding our concerns about violent cartels using the Facebook platform to aid in human trafficking and illegal immigration." (x.com)
  • "As we work to mitigate COVID-19, we must be careful to ensure our constitutional rights are preserved. Joined my @freedomcaucus colleagues in signing this letter to @POTUS encouraging individual privacy protections be respected — even by Big Tech — and especially in a crisis" (x.com)
  • "A bill, "You Own the Data Act (YODA)" Congressman Michael Cloud introduced. Accountable, big tech must be." (x.com)
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?
Abortion takes a human life. I am against abortion of any kind. Taxpayers certainly should not fund abortion - or any organization that performs abortions. Roe v. Wade was a monstrous decision, one that invented new rights not found in the Constitution while denying personhood to a most vulnerable class of people. Roe v. Wade should be overturned, and in the meantime, Congress should take all steps possible to limit legal abortions. I would support a constitutional amendment making abortion illegal.
No In order to balance the budget, do you support an income tax increase on any tax bracket?
No In order to balance the budget, do you support reducing defense spending?
The United States has acquired an enormous national debt due to excessive government spending, leading many to label our situation the most predictable national crisis in history. This debt will lead to higher living costs and slower wage growth and reduce our future flexibility in spending decisions. The crisis is avoidable, but it will take leaders with the courage to make hard choices. The first condition necessary for bringing down the debt is economic growth. Taxation slows the economy, so we cannot tax our way out of debt; spending must be reduced.
No Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?
Past attempts at campaign finance reform have actually worked to protect incumbents, who begin the race with greater name recognition, established connections, and the ability to interact with voters while officially on government business. Contribution/spending limits tend to work against challengers by preventing the amount of spending necessary to build name recognition. Past campaign finance laws have also proven ineffective, simply reorganizing the way money is donated. Disclosure requirements allow voters to make a more informed choice, and reforms might address how disclosure requirements are often circumvented by well-connected or knowledgeable donors.
No Do you support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
Yes Do you support lowering corporate taxes as a means of promoting economic growth?
The United States has acquired an enormous national debt due to excessive government spending, leading many to label our situation the most predictable national crisis in history. This debt will lead to higher living costs and slower wage growth and reduce our future flexibility in spending decisions. The crisis is avoidable, but it will take leaders with the courage to make hard choices. The first condition necessary for bringing down the debt is economic growth. Taxation slows the economy, so we cannot tax our way out of debt; spending must be reduced.
No Do you support requiring states to adopt federal education standards?
Education is a decision best made by parents and at the local level.
No Do you support government funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, thermal)?
No Do you support the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions?
I will work to reduce federal spending and roll back regulations holding back our economy.
No Do you generally support gun-control legislation?
The right to keep and bear arms is essential to a free society; it allows citizens to defend themselves not only from others but also from tyranny. Americans are safer today from gun crime than at any time since the 1960s. The Supreme Court should recognize the right of citizens to carry arms nationwide. Neither federal nor state/local governments may impose any requirement making the process of acquiring arms burdensome.
Yes Do you support repealing the 2010 Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare")?
I would push for laws repealing Obamacare and work to lower the cost of healthcare by bringing back market-based principles and getting the federal government out of health care decisions.
Yes Do you support the construction of a wall along the Mexican border?
Yes Do you support requiring immigrants who are unlawfully present to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship?
The first step in any immigration policy must be border security and enforcement, and Congress should pursue an all of the above approach. We should build a wall where it makes sense to build a wall. But a wall alone will not secure the border. A solution should include an increased border patrol presence, helicopters, fencing, cameras, sensors, and unmanned aerial vehicles. The U.S. Coast Guard must have adequate funding to prevent illegal immigration over water. Congress should cut federal funds to sanctuary cities that ban law enforcement from enforcing immigration laws.
No Do you support the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes?
Legalization of marijuana is a state issue, and I would not vote to dictate drug policy to states at the federal level.
Yes Should the United States use military force in order to prevent governments hostile to the U.S. from possessing a nuclear weapon?
No Do you support increased American intervention in Middle Eastern conflicts beyond air support?
The United States must maintain peace through strength and have a strong, ready military. The United States must be ready and willing to go to war in defense of our vital national interests. But while we must always be prepared for war, diplomatic resolutions are preferable. In addition to the human and financial toll, war has historically resulted in the expansion of government power. Additionally, we must ensure that our brave service men and women return home to receive the first-class quality healthcare they have earned.
My overarching priority is changing the culture of corruption in Washington. One area where this culture has taken root is federal spending; our government has demonstrated an unwillingness to make hard choices. I will fight to get spending under control so we do not pass on this crushing debt to our children and grandchildren. A second priority would be securing the border and enforcing immigration law. A third priority would be protecting individual liberties, such as the 2nd Amendment and religious liberty, from a federal government that often shows little regard for our God-given rights affirmed in the Constitution.

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