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Mario Diaz-Balart's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

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Official Position: Candidate addressed this issue directly by taking the Political Courage Test.
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Mario Diaz-Balart did not provide voters with positions on key issues covered by the 2022 Political Courage Test, despite repeated requests from Vote Smart and voters like you.

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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 2022.

  • Rated 100% by National Right to Life Committee. (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "SCOTUS overturned decades of wrongful jurisprudence based on the unfounded decision that the U.S. Constitution provides a right to abortion. Legal scholars of varying ideologies have questioned the faulty reasoning of the majority opinion in Roe v. Wade, such as Laurence Tribe, who stated, 'One of the most curious things about Roe is that, behind its own verbal smokescreen, the substantive judgment on which it rests is nowhere to be found.' " (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 36 "Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 10% by Alliance for Retired Americans (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Signed Letter to Administrator Verma: "Medicare Advantage offers affordable, high-quality care coordination, disease management programs, out-of-pocket spending limits, access to community-based programs, additional supplemental benefits such as vision and dental coverage, and often prescription drug coverage for no additional premium. The program also serves vulnerable and underserved populations that have special needs and chronic conditions and provides supports for seniors at critical times of their life. Moreover, as a result of greater flexibility in plan benefit offerings, next year nearly 14 million enrollees will have access to additional telehealth benefits, and an estimated 2.6 million beneficiaries will have access to more supplemental benefits, including adult day care services and in-home support services to help them manage their health. In addition, up to 1.2 million enrollees will have access to new benefits that address social barriers to accessing care such as food assistance, transportation, and home modifications." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted against S 610 "Protecting Medicare and American Farmers from Sequester Cuts Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 0% by Common Cause (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "If signed into law, H.R.1 would legalize ballot harvesting and disregard voter ID laws. It would also mandate that taxpayer dollars be spent on funding political campaigns. The money of hardworking Americans should not be used by politicians to support their campaigns. A thriving democracy depends on much more than just elections-- it requires trust, transparency, and fairness in our election process. Instead of trying to pass a bill that would expand opportunities for corruption and fraud while further diminishing trust in the integrity of the election process, we should focus on working to rebuild and strengthen that trust-- using Florida as an example." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Contrary to what Democratic leadership wants you to believe, this bill isn't "For the People," but rather "For the Politicians." The legislation aims to use the electoral system to achieve a pre-determined result. Ballot harvesting, which for very good reason is illegal in Florida, is permitted in this bill. Participating in our electoral process is a significant part of our democracy yet allowing registrations to go through a system without safeguards can easily result in fraud. It also allows for certain unreported contributions to be matched 6:1 by taxpayer dollars. The money of hardworking Americans should not be siphoned into the campaign coffers of people they may not agree with or are hateful and inciteful individuals, such as the case in a recent election where an anti-Semite ran for local office. This bill, plain and simple, is an invitation for corruption." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • 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)
  • "Last week, Senator Tim Scott and Congressman Pete Stuber introduced the JUSTICE Act, which I am an original cosponsor of. This bill offered real, feasible solutions to increase accountability and transparency in our country's law enforcement agencies. During a floor speech this week, Senator Tim Scott emphasized that he would be willing to take amendment votes on any changes anyone believed necessary. Yet, Senate Democrats refused to even allow the bill to be debated. That is not bipartisanship. Meaningful and real police reform legislation will require work and negotiation from both sides of the aisle. The bill presented today by House Leadership is yet another messaging tactic that actually puts our police officers and community at risk and fails to include any bipartisan provisions." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "I am proud to join my colleagues in voting to support our courageous troops and fiercely protect our national security. The Defense Appropriations bill includes funding to add ships, submarines, and aircraft, strengthening our fleets and military readiness around the world. It also increases funding for base operations, in a continued effort to rebuild our military. Additionally, we fully funded the Defense Health Program, delivering quality care to our troops, military families, and retirees. A 2.6 percent pay increase for our brave servicemen and women is provided in this legislation, the largest pay raise they have received in nine years." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Rated 93% by Center for Security Policy (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 7900 "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023" (votesmart.org)
  • "I am grateful that the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded this grant to Miami-Dade County. Many buses in the current fleet are older, less efficient models in need of replacement. With this funding, the County will be able to purchase cleaner, more sustainable, and more energy-efficient buses. As Ranking Member of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development subcommittee on Appropriations, I know how important these grants are to communities like Miami-Dade County. I am glad to have been able to allocate $125 million towards this program in my fiscal year 2021 bill, and that the County has been able to reap the rewards of that funding." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Rated 88% by Council for Citizens Against Government Waste (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Throughout my tenure in Congress, I have succeeded in bringing billions of federal dollars for Southern Florida. Serving as Chairman and now Ranking Member of THUD Appropriations, I've been especially involved in bringing federal resources to Miami-Dade to expand and improve our county's transportation system. I have often stated I am in a position to deliver the federal funds should Miami-Dade County ever bring forth a viable transit plan. Thankfully, our local leaders delivered." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 3684 "Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "For the last few months, our country has taken unprecedented measures to address this pandemic while upholding the best interests of the American people. This bill provides immediate relief to those who have lost their jobs, businesses struggling to stay open and keep their employees working, and the thousands of brave healthcare providers at the forefront of this global outbreak. Since I tested positive for COVID19 and remain quarantined, I was not able to vote; however, I would have voted in favor of this bill." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "The Paycheck Protection Program has already saved millions of American jobs and has been crucial for small businesses struggling to stay afloat amid this global pandemic. This legislation should have been passed weeks ago, but House Democratic Leadership chose partisan politics over the best interests of the American people. While I commend the passage of this much-needed assistance, I reiterate that the recipients of these funds should be small businesses and individuals that actually need it. As we continue to battle COVID-19, I will work to ensure that every individual and business gets the support they need, while remaining mindful of the impact excessive spending will have on our future debt." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 266 "Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "It has now become a trend for Washington Democrats to name a bill the absolute opposite of what they claim it accomplishes. According to a study by the University of Pennsylvania, the "Inflation Reduction Act of 2022" will actually worsen inflation over the next two years while increasing taxes for American businesses and families. In the midst of a recession and the highest inflation in 40 years, Democrats want Americans to pay more and continue to earn less to offset the effects of their disastrous policies. You would think by now that Democratic Leadership would have learned that reckless spending fuels inflation, and the ones who bear the brunt of the burden are hardworking Americans." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Taking on billions of dollars in additional, unnecessary debt will worsen and prolong inflation, shift the burden to hardworking American taxpayers, and enable institutions to continue to up-charge tuition costs." (twitter.com)
  • "The Manchin-Biden deal does not reduce inflation. Americans are paying $2 more per gallon on gas since Biden took office. Food, housing prices & rents are UP, hurting American families. It raises taxes on Americans. More reckless spending is not the solution." (twitter.com)
  • Voted against HR 5376 "Inflation Reduction Act of 2022" (votesmart.org)
  • "There is no such thing as “forgiving” or “canceling” debt. Instead, this debt will be transferred from a group of wealthier individuals who were privileged to go to college, to hardworking American taxpayers– many of whom did not take out student loans or already paid them off." (twitter.com)
  • Voted against HT 2547 "Comprehensive Debt Collection Improvement Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 5746 "Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "If signed into law, H.R.1 would legalize ballot harvesting and disregard voter ID laws. It would also mandate that taxpayer dollars be spent on funding political campaigns. The money of hardworking Americans should not be used by politicians to support their campaigns. A thriving democracy depends on much more than just elections-- it requires trust, transparency, and fairness in our election process. Instead of trying to pass a bill that would expand opportunities for corruption and fraud while further diminishing trust in the integrity of the election process, we should focus on working to rebuild and strengthen that trust-- using Florida as an example." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "I am thrilled that President Trump has extended the moratorium on offshore drilling on Florida's Gulf Coast and expanded it to include our Atlantic Coast until 2032. Protecting Florida's coast from offshore drilling is an issue I have fought for since the very beginning, including the 2006 moratorium. This presidential order is welcome news for Florida's tourism, environment, and military readiness. I commend President Trump for his continued work to protect and advance our state." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "On his first day in office, POTUS launched his war on American energy when he killed the Keystone XL pipeline, which would have increased our energy production, created American jobs, and lowered energy and gasoline costs for Americans while decreasing dependence on Russian oil." (twitter.com)
  • Rated 100% by American Energy Alliance (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 4447 "Expanding Access to Sustainable Energy Act of 2019" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 9 "Climate Action Now Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "I am thrilled that President Trump has extended the moratorium on offshore drilling on Florida's Gulf Coast and expanded it to include our Atlantic Coast until 2032. Protecting Florida's coast from offshore drilling is an issue I have fought for since the very beginning, including the 2006 moratorium. This presidential order is welcome news for Florida's tourism, environment, and military readiness. I commend President Trump for his continued work to protect and advance our state." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Rated 94% by Independent Petroleum Association of America (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Every year, thousands of convicted felons, fugitives, and others who are barred from owning a weapon attempt to purchase one by lying on their background checks, yet local law enforcement is rarely alerted of these acts," said Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart. "This bipartisan, commonsense bill increases protections for our communities and provides our law enforcement officers with the tools needed to prevent weapons from falling into the wrong hands. I am proud to join Reps. Quigley, Fitzpatrick, and Swalwell in introducing this critical piece of legislation and I urge House Leadership to swiftly bring this bill to the Floor for a vote." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Throughout my time in Congress, I have worked and fought against gun violence and crime in all its manifestations. I have also prioritized improving school safety, supporting effective mental health services, and expanding critical information sharing. Additionally, I introduced a bipartisan bill that would help states enforce laws against individuals who attempt to purchase firearms but have no legal right to do so. Unfortunately, despite all these bipartisan attempts to address gun violence, House Democratic Leadership--to no one's surprise--has chosen to advance radical, strictly political gun control legislation that not only restricts law-abiding citizens' Second Amendment rights but also fails to prevent gun violence or ensure the safety of all Americans. As Ronald Reagan wisely said, 'We must reject the idea that every time a law's broken, society is guilty rather than the lawbreaker...' " (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 38 "Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 8 "Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted against S 2938 "Bipartisan Safer Communities Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 1425 "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "Tax reform gave Starbucks a ??jolt??. This morning, the company announced $120M in employee wage increases, will be awarding shares to hourly employees, and is expanding sick and parental paid leave." (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 6201 "Families First Coronavirus Response Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 3 "Lower Drug Costs Now Act of 2019" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 6833 "The Affordable Insulin Now Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "And if you believe that the United States has the right--no, the obligation--to determine who comes in and who leaves, this is, then, also the best and, potentially, last shot to get those three things done. So, again, a lot of rhetoric, but this bill does three things: It allows Dreamers to stay here and allows them to become part of society forever and with pathways to citizenship; it stops, legislatively, the separation of minors from their parents on the border; and it secures the border. That is what this bill does. Everything else, Mr. Speaker, is cheap rhetoric." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Let's be clear. The expected influx of border crossings if title 42 ended is not just a humanitarian crisis, which it is. It is a national security crisis, as well. The cartels will once again use the increased flow as a distraction to continue to bring in record amounts of narcotics such as fentanyl. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on the previous question so that we can bring up H.R. 471, the PAUSE Act, to help give our border agents the tools that they need in order to achieve operational control of the border." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "The United States has the responsibility to determine who and what goes through its borders. There are numerous issues that are problematic and remain unsolved. We must modernize our visa system so that American business owners have the power to lawfully hire employees for job vacancies that are hard to fill. Modernizing our visa system also allows us to better track who is traveling through our borders. We must find a solution to the more than 11 million undocumented individuals who are living in the shadows, and that solution must be reasonable and humane. Lastly, a bipartisan solution to immigration reform must bolster the economy and respect the rule of law of this great nation." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 6136 "Border Security and Immigration Reform Act of 2018" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 3004 "Kate's Law" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 3003 "No Sanctuary for Criminals Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "I am pleased that the individuals who benefit from DACA are still protected, but as I've repeatedly said, both sides have been playing politics for far too long on this issue, and it's time to come up with a permanent solution for those who are here at no fault of their own. I reiterate my willingness to work with anyone and everyone on a bipartisan, bicameral solution that provides a path toward permanence, while also adhering to the rule of law. DREAMERS, who are here at no fault of their own, and have not violated US laws, deserve to be here legally, freely, and with certainty." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "While I have not seen details of President Biden's proposal, immigration reform has been a top legislative priority for me in Congress. As I have continuously stated, we must reach a commonsense solution that secures our borders, bolsters the economy, modernizes our visa system, offers a permanent and humane solution to those living in the shadows, and faithfully adheres to the Rule of Law. I am fully committed to working with the Biden Administration and my colleagues from both sides of the aisle to fix our broken immigration system once and for all." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 3003 "No Sanctuary for Criminals Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 3004 "Kate's Law" (votesmart.org)
  • "As the Ukrainian government has stated, sanctions on Russia must include sanctions on Rosneft and all of Russia's petroleum industry, as well as its ejection from SWIFT. Russia's unilateral and malicious decision to plunge Europe into war requires crushing sanctions from every freedom-loving country. Russian aggression against its neighbors must be stopped." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "I'm outraged that the Biden Admin has decided to weaken sanctions and prop up the oppressive #Cuban regime. While hundreds of political prisoners, including children, languish in Cuban prisons, the Biden Administration is looking for ways to keep their oppressors in power." (twitter.com)
  • "Putin’s unprovoked war on #Ukraine requires unrelenting, comprehensive, and concerted action, including sanctions against all aspects of the Russian economy until Putin completely and unconditionally withdraws the Russian military from Ukraine." (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 6968 "Suspending Energy Imports from Russia Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "I was honored to hear from President @ZelenskyyUa, who is heroically leading his people’s fight for freedom on the current status of Putin’s war on #Ukraine. The U.S. must work with our NATO allies to provide Ukraine with additional weapons, including fighter planes." (twitter.com)
  • "On that same note, this legislation also includes nearly $14 billion in emergency aid for Ukraine. These dollars will provide critical military, economic, and humanitarian assistance to help counter Russian aggression." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of S 3522 "Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2022" (votesmart.org)
  • "But to keep that momentum, we need to pass tax reform. It will lead to a sustained, strong economy. It will lower the tax burden to our families. It will lead to increased wages for families, for the middle class, for individuals, for the first time in such a long time, allowing the American people to keep more of their hard-earned money. It will make small, medium, and large-sized businesses more competitive, so they can create millions of additional jobs here in the United States. This legislation will allow us to do real tax reform to get the economy going, to keep the economy growing, to get the American people working again. This is an essential part, so I would urge for everyone's support." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Today's report is an indicator of the success of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Individuals continue to enter the job market, walking away from dependence and poverty and finding themselves self-sufficient and independent. Thanks to tax reform and its effect on our economy, the unemployment rate is the lowest it has been in over 18 years. With this quarter's GDP forecast to expand at above 4 percent, the American people are confident in our bustling economy and the pro-growth policies I am proud to champion with my House Republican colleagues. It is clear that Democratic proposals to raise taxes would hurt the American people and reverse these gains." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1 "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Signed Letter to Ambassador Lighthizer: "We write today to urge you to insist on the inclusion of agricultural products in upcoming trade negotiations with the European Union (EU). As you know, agriculture is the source of a great number of trade barriers and irritants in the U.S.-EU trading relationship. Thus, an agreement with the EU that does not address trade in agriculture would be, in our eyes, unacceptable." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Signed Letter to Secretary Perdue: "This belligerent economic behavior by the Chinese government has the potential to significantly reduce the market share of Florida's spiny lobster in the Asian marketplace, and could have a ripple affect across our state's economy. We are concerned about the long-term future of Florida's spiny lobster fishery and the ability of our fishermen to earn a living. Florida's fishermen have been harmed by the tariffs imposed on lobster from the United States. As such, we respectfully request their inclusion in the relief program." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "#USMCA is a major improvement over NAFTA’s outdated, ineffective provisions. Not only does it modernize our trade relationship with our North American neighbors, but it also promotes economic growth & innovation." (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5430 "United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act" (votesmart.org)

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