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Brett Guthrie's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

Office:

On The Ballot: Running, Republican for U.S. House (KY) - District 2

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.
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.

Brett Guthrie has failed to provide voters with positions on key issues covered by the 2024 Political Courage Test, despite repeated requests from Vote Smart and voters like you.

What is the Political Courage Test?

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.

  • "Since Roe v. Wade, it is estimated that we have lost more than 62 million unborn children to abortions. As your representative in Congress, I have cosponsored numerous bills to protect the right of life and will continue to fight for unborn children who do not have a voice." (twitter.com)
  • "The Democrats’ Medicare for All plan will force millions of Americans off of their health care plans and will stifle innovation. I join my @HouseCommerce colleagues in calling for the committee to hold a hearing on this disastrous bill." (twitter.com)
  • "I am a strong supporter of Social Security and Medicare. One of my top priorities in Congress is protecting Medicare and ensuring that seniors have access to high quality health care. I have long been a champion of Medicare Advantage, which offers seniors additional services on top of their traditional Medicare plans. I was proud to lead my colleagues in a bipartisan effort to ensure that seniors in Kentucky can continue to choose Medicare Advantage as an option for their health care." (guthrie.house.gov)
  • "Rated 0% by Alliance for Retired Americans." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "We are here reforming an entitlement program for the first time since the 1990s. It is a very sound, solid way, and a way that preserves and protects the program and prevents the program from imploding on itself within a decade." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "I say without fear of contradiction that everyone who knows Senator Scott knows he is perhaps the most sincere person in Congress. I was proud to cosponsor Senator Scott’s JUSTICE Act in the House.Unfortunately, the JUSTICE Act was blocked by Democrats in the Senate. Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer did not even try to work with Senator Scott to come to a compromise. Speaker Pelosi said that Senate Republicans - led by Senator Tim Scott - has the "murder of George Floyd on its hands." We tried to work with House Democrats, but they wouldn’t allow us to offer amendments to their bill. I am very frustrated." (www.facebook.com)
  • "I do not believe defunding the police, as the bill we voted on tonight does, is the best to way to address police reform. I am a cosponsor of the JUSTICE Act, which would make a number of changes, including banning chokeholds and creating better law enforcement through stronger training and hires to the police force. Reforms that are included in the JUSTICE Act are needed to help rebuild trust between all communities and law enforcement. I hope that we can put partisanship aside and reach an agreement that will rebuild trust in our communities and heal our nation." (guthrie.house.gov)
  • Voted against HR 1280 "George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 3684 "Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "I can't support raising the debt limit to burden generations to come with new debt as Democrats also pursue a reckless $3.5 trillion budget that would lead to the highest sustained federal spending levels our country has ever seen." (twitter.com)
  • Rated 85% by Council for Citizens Against Government Waste (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "I spoke with my friends at the KY Homebuilders Association to provide an update on the work I’m doing in Washington to make housing more affordable during rising inflation for everyday Kentuckians, including cosponsoring the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act." (twitter.com)
  • "I have been a longtime supporter of improving financial literacy for Americans, especially for students and their families. I have supported legislation to help student borrowers better understand their financial obligations by receiving comprehensive counseling services." (guthrie.house.gov)
  • Rated 0% by National Education Association (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 2547 "Comprehensive Debt Collection Improvement Act" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Rated 100% by American Energy Alliance (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "As more renewable energy sources come online, we need to ensure that we do not sacrifice our energy independence or hurt Americans with higher energy costs and by destroying jobs." (twitter.com)
  • "I am a member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and believe we need an all-of-the-above energy strategy. We should utilize different types of domestic energy to power our country in a fiscally responsible way that protects American jobs and keeps our grid reliable." (guthrie.house.gov)
  • "I am a member of the Conservative Climate Caucus and think that climate change is a real and serious threat. However, I do not believe that radical solutions proposed in the Democrats’ "Green New Deal" are the solution. The Green New Deal is projected to cost up to $93 trillion over ten years, at an estimated cost of over $60,000 per year per household. I believe that we need innovative and market-based solutions to combat climate change." (guthrie.house.gov)
  • Rated 100% by American Energy Alliance (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "I strongly disagree with Democrat policies that undercut our energy independence and make our country more reliant on foreign oil. Crippling our energy independence leads to Kentuckians paying more for gas and utilities." (guthrie.house.gov)
  • Voted against HR 1 "For the People Act of 2021" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 7910 "Protecting Our Kids Act" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "This year’s NDAA is overall good for the military & Fort Knox, but it's not perfect. I disagree with the red flag provision included. I joined a letter to the House & Senate Armed Services Committees to ask for this to be removed. It erodes service members' 2nd Amendment rights." (twitter.com)
  • Rated 92% by National Rifle Association (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted against S 2938 "Bipartisan Safer Communities Act" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "The Democrats’ Medicare for All plan will force millions of Americans off of their health care plans and will stifle innovation. I join my @HouseCommerce colleagues in calling for the committee to hold a hearing on this disastrous bill." (twitter.com)
  • "While Democrats pursue a single-payer health care system that would raise taxes & end employer-sponsored health coverage, Republicans on the Healthy Future Task Force release solutions to make health care more accessible & affordable without a government takeover of health care." (twitter.com)
  • "Increasing competition for prescription drugs helps drive down costs for patients, and that’s what the Protecting Access to Safe and Effective Medicines Act would do," said Guthrie. "By making a clarification on FDA drug applications, drug companies would no longer be able to game the system and patients will ultimately be able to choose cheaper drug alternatives. I’m pleased to support this bipartisan solution to lower what patients pay for prescription drugs." (guthrie.house.gov)
  • "One of the biggest threats facing our country is the crisis at our southern border. Our immigration system is broken and needs to be fixed. We need to strengthen scanning technology at our ports of entry, hire more personnel, and work to stem the flow of illegal drugs into the U.S. " (guthrie.house.gov)
  • "I was proud to vote for the Protecting our Communities from Failure to Secure the Border Act which prevents radical liberals from housing illegal immigrants on national parks land. We must secure our border and get the situation under control, not ruin our national wonders." (twitter.com)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • Voted in favor of HR 7521 "Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act" (justfacts.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.
The Political Courage Test asks candidates which items they will support if elected. It does not ask them to indicate which items they will oppose. Through extensive research of public polling data, we discovered that voters are more concerned with what candidates would support when elected to office, not what they oppose. If a candidate does not select a response to any part or all of any question, it does not necessarily indicate that the candidate is opposed to that particular item.

Indicate which principles you support (if any) concerning abortion.

a) Abortions should always be legally available.
b) Abortions should be legal only within the first trimester of pregnancy.
X c) Abortions should be legal only when pregnancy resulted from incest, rape, or when the life of the woman is endangered.
d) Abortions should be legal only when the life of the woman is endangered.
e) Abortions should always be illegal.
X f) Abortions should be limited by waiting periods and parental notification requirements.
X g) Prohibit the late-term abortion procedure known as "partial-birth" abortion.
h) Support "buffer zones" by requiring demonstrators to stay at least 15 feet away from abortion clinic doorways and driveways.
i) Other
No j) Should Kentucky government funding be provided to clinics and medical facilities that provide abortion services?

Indicate the principles you support (if any) concerning affirmative action. State government agencies should take race and sex into account in the following sectors:

Undecided a) College and university admissions
No b) Public employment
No c) State contracting
d) Other

Indicate which principles you support (if any) to address crime.

X a) Increase state funds for construction of state prisons and for hiring of additional prison staff.
X b) Support contracting with private sector firms to manage medium security prisons.
X c) End parole for repeat violent felons.
X d) Expand the use of the death penalty for additional circumstances relating to murder.
e) Oppose the death penalty.
X f) Implement penalties other than incarceration for certain non-violent offenders.
X g) Inform communities when a convicted sex offender moves into the community.
h) Increase state funds for programs which rehabilitate and educate inmates during and after their prison sentences.
i) Decriminalize the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes.
X j) Strengthen penalties and sentences for drug-related crimes.
X k) Strengthen penalties and sentences for sex offenders.
X l) Lower the limit defining drunk driving to .08 blood alcohol content.
X m) Prosecute juveniles who commit murder or other serious violent crimes as adults.
X n) Increase pay for police officers.
o) Other
Undecided p) Do you support the Racial Justice Act, which allows accused killers to seek review of whether race played a role in their death penalty prosecution?

Indicate which principles you support (if any) concerning the economy and employment.

X a) Provide low interest loans and tax credits for starting, expanding, or relocating businesses.
X b) Reduce state government regulations on the private sector in order to encourage investment and economic expansion.
X c) Support limits on cash damages in lawsuits against businesses and professionals for product liability or malpractice.
X d) Increase funding for state job-training programs that retrain displaced workers or teach skills needed in today's job market.
e) Support collective bargaining for public employees.
f) Implement a deposit on beverage bottles and cans.
g) Increase the weight limit on coal trucks.
h) Other

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding education.

X a) Increase state funds for professional development of public school teachers and administrators.
X b) Encourage private or corporate investment in public school programs.
X c) Provide parents with state-funded vouchers to send their children to any participating school (public, private, religious).
X d) Favor charter schools where independent groups receive state authorization and funding to establish new schools.
X e) Support sex education programs which stress abstinence.
f) Support sex education programs which stress safe sexual practices.
X g) Increase state funds for school construction and facility maintenance.
X h) Increase state funds for hiring of additional teachers.
X i) Endorse voluntary prayer in public schools.
X j) Support additional funding for a literacy research center and literacy intervention programs in elementary schools.
k) Other
Yes l) Do you support requiring students to take a statewide exam (CATS) and provide financial rewards or penalties to schools based on the results?

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding the environment and energy.

a) Require the use of cleaner burning fuels in order to prevent pollution.
X b) Support "self-audit" legislation which creates incentives for industries to audit themselves and clean up pollution.
X c) Require a cost/benefit analysis to determine the economic impact of proposed environmental regulations before they are implemented.
X d) Require the state to fully compensate citizens when environmental regulations limit uses on privately owned land.
e) Provide funding for recycling programs in Kentucky.
X f) Request added flexibility from the federal government in enforcing and funding federal environmental regulations.
X g) Suspend participation in unfunded, federally mandated environmental protection legislation.
X h) Restructure the electric utility industry to allow consumers to choose their power company.
i) Block new mining permits for coal companies controlled by other companies that have violated environmental regulations.
j) Support stricter regulations on large scale hog production.
k) Other
Yes l) State environmental regulations should not be stricter than federal law.
No m) Do you support the Kentucky Forest Conservation Act that requires logger training and the use of certain techniques to reduce erosion?

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding government reform.c) Do you support current limits on the following types of contributions to state legislative candidates?

No a) Do you support amending the Kentucky Constitution to limit the number of terms of State Senators and Representatives?
Yes b) Do you support the current law which limits the number of terms the Governor can serve? (2, 4-year terms)
No 1) Individual
No 2) PAC
No 3) Corporate
Yes d) Do you support requiring full and timely disclosure of campaign finance information?
No e) Do you support imposing spending limits on state level political campaigns?
No f) Do you support partial funding from state taxes for state level political campaigns?
Yes g) Would you vote to ratify an amendment to the U.S. Constitution requiring an annual balanced federal budget?
Undecided h) Would you support an amendment to the Kentucky Constitution requiring the legislature to meet every year?
i) Other

Indicate which principles you support (if any) concerning gun issues.

a) Ban the sale or transfer of all forms of semi-automatic weapons.
b) Increase state restrictions on the purchase and possession of firearms.
c) Maintain state restrictions on the purchase and possession of firearms.
X d) Favor allowing citizens to carry concealed firearms.
e) Require manufacturers to provide child-safety locks with firearms.
f) Other

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding health issues.

X a) Provide tax incentives to small businesses that provide health care to their employees.
b) Ensure that citizens have access to basic health care, through managed care, insurance reforms, or state funded care where necessary.
c) Support the Kentucky Children's Health Insurance Program (KCHIP) that provides access to health care for uninsured children.
d) Use state funds to continue some Medicaid coverage for legal immigrants.
e) Limit the amount of damages that can be awarded in medical malpractice lawsuits.
f) Guaranteeing medical care to all citizens is not a responsibility of state government.
g) Support state-funded incentives that increase the supply and retention of health professionals in rural areas.
h) Other
i) Do you support the current law that allows insurers to charge more for people with poor health?
j) Do you support the current law that allows insurers not to provide coverage for people with certain conditions such as AIDS, strokes and cancer?
k) Do you support recent changes to the Medicaid program that brought it under a managed care system?

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding social issues.

a) Increase state funding for programs to prevent teen pregnancy.
X b) Provide tax credits for businesses that provide child care for their employees.
c) Increase state funds to provide child care to children in low-income working families.
X d) Deny or suspend state-issued permits and licenses to parents who are delinquent in paying court-ordered child support.
e) Favor banning smoking in public places.
f) Increase state funding for Head Start in order to serve additional children and/or increase services from a half to a full day.
g) Increase state funding for community centers and other social agencies in areas with at-risk youth.
h) Support state funding of programs for at-risk youth such as guaranteed college loans and job training and placement.
i) Other
No j) Do you believe that the Kentucky government should include sexual orientation in Kentucky's anti-discrimination laws?
No k) Do you believe that the Kentucky government should recognize same-sex marriages?

Indicate the funding levels you will support for the following general categories. Select one level only.

Maintain Status a) Agriculture
Slightly Increase b) Education (K-12)
Slightly Increase c) Education (Higher)
Maintain Status d) Environment
Maintain Status e) Health care
Slightly Increase f) Law enforcement
Maintain Status g) Transportation infrastructure (highways, roads, bridges)
Greatly Decrease h) Welfare
i) Other

Indicate the tax levels you will support. Select one level only.

Maintain Status a) Alcohol taxes
Greatly Decrease b) Capital gains taxes
Maintain Status c) Cigarette taxes
Maintain Status d) Corporate taxes
Maintain Status e) Gas taxes
Greatly Decrease f) Income taxes (incomes below $75,000)
Greatly Decrease g) Income taxes (incomes above $75,000)
Slightly Decrease h) Property taxes
Slightly Decrease i) Sales taxes
j) Other
Yes k) Do you support a flat tax structure for state income taxes?
Yes l) Do you support the proposed constitutional amendment allowing the Kentucky legislature to change or eliminate taxes on personal property?

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding welfare.

X a) Maintain the current time limits on welfare benefits.
X b) Require able-bodied recipients to participate in work activities in order to receive benefits.
c) Increase employment and job training programs for welfare recipients.
X d) Provide tax incentives to businesses that hire welfare recipients.
e) Provide child care for welfare recipients who work.
f) Increase access to public transportation for welfare recipients who work.
X g) Allow welfare recipients to remain eligible for benefits while saving money for education, starting a business, or buying a home.
X h) Limit benefits given to recipients if they have additional children while on welfare.
i) Eliminate government-funded welfare programs.
j) Other
1. A "K-R" (kindergarten through Retirement) education system that educates our children, prepares our young adults for careers, and provides opportunities for adults to train for better jobs. 2. Reduce taxation, regulation, and litigation so that Kentucky will have a better business climate.

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