Card image cap

Ralph Norman, Jr.'s Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

Office:

On The Ballot: Running, Republican for U.S. House (SC) - District 5

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.

Ralph Norman, Jr. 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.

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 2022.

  • Rated 100% by National Right to Life Committee. (votesmart.org)
  • "Thank you @POTUS for standing up for the rights of the unborn and protecting the sanctity of life. #WhyWeMarch #MarchForLife" (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 36 "Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act." (votesmart.org)
  • "Whether a child is still in the womb, if a child is born prematurely or even if a child is born alive following an attempted abortion- they still have a life that is worth protecting. Proud to have voted to pass the #BornAlive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. #ProLife" (twitter.com)
  • Voted against S 610 "Protecting Medicare and American Farmers from Sequester Cuts Act." (votesmart.org)
  • "Whether you call it "Medicare for All" or socialized medicine, some believe that giving the federal government complete control over the financing of our #healthcare would somehow end well for us. It would not." (twitter.com)
  • Rated 5% by Alliance for Retired Americans. (votesmart.org)
  • "To sustain its long-term viability we must have the political courage to raise the retirement age by 2 months and lower benefits for the top 10% of earners." (votesmart.org)
  • "Anything less than mutual appreciation, respect, and accountability between law enforcement and those they serve is completely unacceptable. All ideas should be on the table--EXCEPT for this one. Dissolving police departments is not the answer." (twitter.com)
  • "Earlier today, Democrats BLOCKED debate on this bill. They didn't block a final vote on the legislation, mind you. Instead, this was just a motion to allow Sen. Scott's bill to be debated and amended. 60 votes were required to clear this hurdle, and there are only 53 Republicans in the Senate. Democrats said NO. They could have at least allowed for debates and amendments, while reserving the right to vote against the final product if they weren't satisfied." (www.facebook.com)
  • "Senate Dem's didn't torpedo the JUSTICE Act because of what's in it. They just couldn't tolerate or allow @SenatorTimScott , a Republican, receiving the credit. It's all quite telling..." (twitter.com)
  • Voted against HR 1280 "George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021." (votesmart.org)
  • "While we must be mindful of military spending, the protection of our nation will always be the federal government's most important responsibility." (votesmart.org)
  • "This bill not only provides critical funding for updated equipment and training, it rebuilds our military capabilities to ensure our men and women in uniform are more ready and more equipped for duty for the first time in many years, and -- not to mention -- this bill gave our troops the largest pay raise in 9 years!" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted against S 1605 "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022." (votesmart.org)
  • "Federal spending is dangerously high, as is our national debt. Extraordinarily difficult days lie ahead for the United States if we cannot get this under control." (www.electralphnorman.com)
  • Voted against HR 3684 "Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act." (votesmart.org)
  • "With some exceptions, Ralph believes much of our infrastructure spending is actually better managed by state and local governments." (votesmart.org)
  • "With Tax Reform 2.0 we are keeping the individual and small business tax cuts permanent, promoting family savings, spurring new business innovation. In South Carolina, Tax Reform 2.0 will create jobs, encourage innovation, and provide financial security." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 266 "Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "Although the bill is not perfect, I am supporting its passage in the House. For the good of the nation there must be compromise, particularly in this time of crisis. #CARESact" (twitter.com)
  • "While I disagree with some provisions in this bill, the good far outweighs the bad. It's the right thing to do because Americans need relief and it's about time they get it. #CaresAct" (twitter.com)
  • "We cannot keep printing money and expect inflation to go away." (twitter.com)
  • "Spending $3.5 trillion and expecting it to combat inflation is like throwing gasoline on a fire and hoping it goes out." (twitter.com)
  • "If these spending packages pass, the inflation that will ensue will cripple small businesses." (twitter.com)
  • "In large part, our skyrocketing inflation has been caused by the excessive government stimulus that Ralph has fought against. Compounding the problem is an inadequate response by the Federal Reserve." (www.electralphnorman.com)
  • "If Democrats actually cared about student loan debt they would address the insane cost of higher education first." (twitter.com)
  • "People who take out student loans should pay those loans back." (twitter.com)
  • Voted against H.R. 2547 "Comprehensive Debt Collection Improvement Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "It’s not asking too much to verify who you are before casting a ballot. So this bill will require voters to present a valid, state-issued photo ID in order to vote in-person in federal elections. A copy of the voter's photo ID will be required when voting by other means, including absentee by mail. This is not a “poll tax” as some will suggest. Most states, including South Carolina, offer free identification cards to U.S. citizens living in their state. Additionally, this legislation carves out exceptions for citizens who have reasonable impediments to obtaining a photo ID." (norman.house.gov)
  • Voted against H.R. 4 “John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021” (votesmart.org)
  • Voted against H.R. 5746 “Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act” (votesmart.org)
  • "As a strong proponent of renewable energy, I'm excited to co-sponsor the EASE Act. Many constituents in South Carolina's 5th congressional district live in rural areas, and the ability to deliver affordable energy to their homes and businesses is important. This bill will help electric co-operatives with renewable energy storage and microgrid projects to better serve their rural customers and keep up with their growing energy needs." (votesmart.org)
  • "By making these changes, this legislation will help reduce the federal government's costs for renewable energy while meeting clean energy requirements. Additionally, it will help provide better financial stability to renewable energy providers so that they can continue to innovate while creating more jobs in this sector. This is a re-introduction of legislation introduced by Rep. Norman and Rep. Welch in the 115th Congress." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "That is why I support a national energy policy that includes the development of long-term non-oil alternatives, such as ethanol (corn based) and fuel cell (hydrogen-based) technologies. We must act now to ease the strain of high-energy costs on consumers and keep America moving forward." (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1119 - SENSE Act. (votesmart.org)
  • "I have no problem with the President withdrawing from the Paris Agreement, and I intend to vote with my Republican colleagues against H.R. 9 later this week. The U.S. already leads the WORLD in the greenhouse gas reductions. I believe we must continue that leadership and work diligently towards maturing clean and renewable technologies. However, until such time as they can support the majority of our energy needs, I will not vote to jeopardize our nation, economy, or way of life." (www.facebook.com)
  • Rated 100% by Independent Petroleum Association of America. (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Signed Letter to Chairperson Neumayr: "Congress wrote NEPA with the straightforward, significant goal of establishing a review framework "under which man and nature can exist in productive harmony, and fulfill the social, economic, and other requirements of present and future generations of Americans." However, over the years, through misguided regulation, and presidential directive, the NEPA process has strayed from these objectives. Now, unending litigation and mountains of paperwork define a permitting process that stretches along an indefinite timeline." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 9 "Climate Action Now Act." (votesmart.org)
  • "Private citizens have a right to own weapons for the purpose of self-defense, subject to the laws of our nation and their state." (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 92% by National Rifle Association. (votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 1446 "Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2021." (votesmart.org)
  • "Ralph understands the immense responsibility that comes with gun ownership. He also understands the reasons why our 2nd Amendment was ratified." (www.electralphnorman.com)
  • "The fallout from Obamacare was both predictable and avoidable. Americans deserve common sense, competition-based, free-market solutions that will put quality healthcare within reach of us all." (www.electralphnorman.com)
  • "Today's Senate vote is one step closer to keeping our promises to the American ppl. Our healthcare system is broken. #RepealObamacare" (twitter.com)
  • "Whether you call it "Medicare for All" or socialized medicine, some believe that giving the federal government complete control over the financing of our #healthcare would somehow end well for us. It would not." (twitter.com)
  • "Crime rates are rising. We have a crisis at our border. There is labor shortage and inflation concerns are growing by the second. Instead of addressing these problems, today my @GOPoversight friends and I sat through a hearing about increasing paid leave for federal workers." (twitter.com)
  • Voted against H.R. 6201 “Families First Coronavirus Response Act” (votesmart.org)
  • Voted against H.R. 6833 “The Affordable Insulin Now Act” (votesmart.org)
  • Voted against H.R. 3 “Lower Drug Costs Now Act of 2019” (votesmart.org)
  • "This bill would help crack down on anti-competitive practices by name-brand drug companies. And it's one of many steps we need to make prescription drugs more affordable in our country." (twitter.com)
  • "All I want for Christmas is cheap gas, a secure border, and a stable economy this year." (twitter.com)
  • "Build the wall and secure our southern border!" (twitter.com)
  • Rated 96% by NumbersUSA. (votesmart.org)
  • "To my Democrat colleagues - I can assure you our southern border is not secure. If you don't believe me, go see it for yourself." (twitter.com)
  • "Our next priority should be to identify the illegal immigrants living inside our borders and remove the laundry list of incentives that encourage them to live here illegally, such as free education, health care, and even welfare. From there we can begin to discuss a no amnesty, guest worker program that allows a limited number of documented workers to be hired if labor shortages exist in a particular industry." (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 96% by NumbersUSA. (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 3003 "No Sanctuary for Criminals Act." (votesmart.org)
  • "We are a nation of immigrants, and lawful immigration provides countless benefits to our nation. In recent years, however, several states have enacted laws and policies that not only aid those who choose to break our immigration laws, but also obstruct federal efforts to keep our nation safe on this front. Granting driver's licenses to illegal immigrants and prohibiting local and state law enforcement agencies from cooperating with federal immigration officials are two of the most egregious examples. This bill will encourage those states to reconsider these policies. Ultimately we have a right and responsibility to know who (and what) comes across our border, but that cannot happen with some states facilitating unlawful immigration," (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 3003 "No Sanctuary for Criminals Act." (votesmart.org)
  • "It is long past time for stronger sanctions on Russia. Putin must be held to account, and the free world must stand in firm opposition to this tyranny." (twitter.com)
  • "NO DEAL OVERNIGHT. North Korea's Yongbyon complex is just one component to Kim Jong Un's nuclear ambitions. Lifting all U.S.-led sanctions in exchange for its closure would not have been a good deal. @realDonaldTrump was right to walk away." (twitter.com)
  • "The #IranDeal was a BAD deal. I thank @POTUS for his decision to withdrawal the U.S. from JCPOA and re-impose sanctions. This deal allowed the Iranian regime to continue their evil ways. We must ensure that Iran never develops/obtains nuclear weapons." (twitter.com)
  • "It is long past time for stronger sanctions on Russia. Putin must be held to account, and the free world must stand in firm opposition to this tyranny. "Please join me in prayer for the Ukrainian people, who are now fighting for their lives, their families, and their country." (norman.house.gov)
  • Voted against H.R. 7691 “Making emergency supplemental appropriations for assistance for the situation in Ukraine for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022, and for other purposes.” (votesmart.org)
  • Voted against S. 3522 “Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2022” (votesmart.org)
  • "We need strength and resolve from the White House now. We cannot assume Russian aggression will be limited to Ukraine." (twitter.com)
  • "Biden said he won’t raise taxes on the middle class but, the money has to come from somewhere. When Dems hike taxes on companies, it WILL be passed along to customers, employees, or investors. In other words, the middle class." (twitter.com)
  • "Instead letting small businesses recover — democrats want to hit them with one of the largest tax hikes we’ve ever seen." (twitter.com)
  • Rated 98% by National Tax Limitation Committee (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 1 “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act” (votesmart.org)
  • Signed a letter stating: "We can further improve economic opportunities for American consumers, workers, and job creators by remaining in NAFTA and modernizing the agreement." (votesmart.org)
  • "Ultimately what the USMCA does is help level the playing field for trade between the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The result will be more than half a million new American jobs, higher wages for our workers, and more opportunities for U.S. businesses. Although there are elements of this agreement that I disagree with -- including and especially Article 19.17, which mirrors CDA Section 230 -- I believe the overall benefits of the USMCA will nevertheless be substantial to our nation. I thank President Trump and his administration for their work in making this a reality." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5430 "United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation 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.
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) regarding abortion.

a) Abortions should always be illegal.
b) Abortions should always be legal.
c) Abortions should be legal only within the first trimester of pregnancy.
d) Abortions should be legal when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape.
X e) Abortions should be legal when the life of the woman is endangered.
f) Prohibit public funding of abortions and to organizations that advocate or perform abortions.
g) Other or expanded principles

Using the key, indicate what federal funding levels you support for the following general categories. Select one number per category, you can use a number more than once.Budget Priorities

Slightly Increase a) Agriculture
Greatly Decrease b) Arts
Greatly Increase c) Defense
Maintain Status d) Education
Maintain Status e) Environment
Greatly Increase f) Homeland security
Maintain Status g) International aid
Greatly Increase h) Law enforcement
Slightly Increase i) Medical research
Maintain Status j) National parks
Maintain Status k) Public health services
Slightly Increase l) Scientific research
Maintain Status m) Space exploration programs
Greatly Increase n) Transportation and highway infrastructure
Greatly Decrease o) Welfare
Slightly Increase p) Emergency preparedness
q) Other or expanded categories

Defense Spending

Greatly Increase a) Armed forces personnel training
Greatly Increase b) Intelligence operations
Greatly Increase c) Military hardware
Greatly Increase d) Modernization of weaponry and equipment
Greatly Increase e) National missile defense
Maintain Status f) Pay for active duty personnel
Maintain Status g) Programs to improve troop retention rates
Greatly Increase h) Research and development of new weapons
Greatly Increase i) Troop and equipment readiness
j) Other or expanded categories

Using the key above, indicate what federal tax levels you support for the following general categories. Select one number per category.TaxesIncome Taxes:Family IncomeRetiree IncomeOther Taxes:Deductions/Credits:

Maintain Status a) Less than $25,000
Maintain Status b) $25,000-$75,000
Maintain Status c) $75,000-$150,000
Slightly Increase d) Over $150,000
e) Other or expanded categories
Maintain Status f) Over $40,000
g) Other or expanded categories
Slightly Increase a) Alcohol taxes
Greatly Decrease b) Capital gains taxes
Slightly Increase c) Cigarette taxes
Greatly Decrease d) Corporate taxes
Slightly Decrease e) Gasoline taxes
Eliminate f) Inheritance taxes
g) Other or expanded categories
Greatly Increase a) Charitable contributions
Slightly Increase b) Child tax credit
Slightly Increase c) Earned income tax credit
Slightly Increase d) Medical expense deduction
Maintain Status e) Mortgage deduction
Slightly Decrease f) Student loan credit
g) Other or expanded categories
Yes 4) Do you support the permanent repeal of the federal estate tax?
Yes 5) Do you support making President Bush's tax cuts permanent?
7) Other or expanded principles
1) Cut entitlements 2) Press line item veto 2) Fund fraud rep. plan 3) Eliminate unfunded mandates

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding campaign finance and government reform.

a) Support public taxpayer funding for federal candidates who comply with campaign spending limits.
b) Increase the amount individuals are permitted to contribute to federal campaigns.
c) Prohibit Political Action Committee (PAC) contributions to candidates for federal office.
d) Allow unregulated soft money campaign contributions to political parties or committees.
e) Remove all contribution limits on federal campaigns and parties.
X f) Require Section 527 organizations to register with the Federal Election Commission as Political Action Committees.
No g) Do you support instant run-off voting?
Undecided h) Should Election Day be a national holiday?
Yes i) Do you support a constitutional amendment that would define marriage as a union between a man and woman?
j) Other or expanded principles

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

X a) Support the use of the death penalty for federal crimes.
b) Eliminate the use of the death penalty for federal crimes.
X c) Support programs to provide prison inmates with educational, vocational and job-related skills and job-placement assistance when released.
d) Support programs to provide prison inmates with drug and alcohol addiction treatment.
e) Reduce prison sentences for those who commit non-violent crimes.
f) Require that crimes based on gender, sexual orientation, and disability be prosecuted as federal hate crimes.
X g) Impose stricter penalties for those convicted of corporate crimes.
X h) Minors accused of a violent crime should be prosecuted as adults.
i) Other or expanded principles

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

X a) Support mandatory jail sentences for selling illegal drugs.
b) Expand federally sponsored drug education and drug treatment programs.
c) Decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana.
d) Allow doctors to recommend marijuana to their patients for medicinal purposes.
X e) Increase border security to stop the flow of illegal drugs into the United States.
f) Eliminate federal funding for programs associated with the "war on drugs."
X g) Support a federal law to standardize testing and penalties for steroid use in professional sports.
h) Other or expanded principles

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

X a) Support national standards for and testing of public school students.
X b) Allow parents to use vouchers, (equal opportunity scholarships) to send their children to any public school.
X c) Allow parents to use vouchers, (equal opportunity scholarships) to send their children to any private or religious school.
X d) Allow teachers and professionals to receive authorization and funding to establish charter schools.
X e) Reward teachers with merit pay for working in low-income schools.
f) Increase funding for school capital improvements (e.g. buildings, infrastructure, technology).
g) Support affirmative action in public college admissions.
h) Increase funding of programs such as Pell grants and Stafford loans to help students pay for college.
i) Support federal tax incentives to help families save for college.
j) Other or expanded principles

1) Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding employment.2) Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding affirmative action.

X a) Increase funding for national job-training programs that re-train displaced workers or teach skills needed in today's job market.
X b) Reduce government regulation of the private sector in order to encourage investment and economic expansion.
X c) Provide tax credits or grants to businesses that offer child care services to employees.
d) Encourage employers to offer flex-time scheduling, comp-time, and unpaid leave for family emergencies.
e) Eliminate all federal programs designed to reduce unemployment.
f) Increase the federal minimum wage.
g) Support the right of workers to strike without fear of being permanently replaced.
h) Include sexual orientation in federal anti-discrimination laws.
i) Other or expanded principles
a) The federal government should consider race and gender in government contracting decisions.
X b) The federal government should discontinue affirmative action programs.
c) The federal government should continue affirmative action programs.
d) Other or expanded principles

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

a) Strengthen the regulation and enforcement of the Clean Water Act.
b) Strengthen the regulation and enforcement of the Clean Air Act.
c) Support Clear Skies Act to reduce power plant emissions by setting a national cap on pollutants.
X d) Require states to compensate citizens when environmental regulations limit uses of privately-owned land.
X e) Relax logging restrictions on federal lands.
X f) Relax standards on federal lands to allow increased recreational usage.
X g) Support increased development of traditional energy resources (e.g. coal, natural gas, oil).
X h) Strengthen emission controls and fuel efficiency standards on all gasoline and diesel-powered engines, including cars, trucks, and sport utility vehicles.
X i) Support opening a portion of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for oil exploration.
X j) Encourage further development and use of alternative fuels to reduce pollution.
X k) Support the use of ethanol as an alternative fuel.
l) Allow energy producers to trade pollution credits.
m) Support the Kyoto Protocol to limit global warming.
n) Other or expanded principles

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

a) Reauthorize the ban on the sale or transfer of semi-automatic guns, except those used for hunting.
b) Maintain and strengthen the current level of enforcement of existing federal restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns.
X c) Ease federal restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns.
d) Repeal federal restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns.
e) Allow citizens to carry concealed guns.
X f) Require background checks on gun sales between private citizens at gun shows.
g) Require a license for gun possession.
h) Other or expanded principles

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

a) Providing health care is not a responsibility of the federal government.
b) Implement a universal health care program to guarantee coverage to all Americans regardless of income.
X c) Expand eligibility for tax-free medical savings accounts.
X d) Establish limits on the amount of punitive damages awarded in medical malpractice lawsuits.
e) Support expanding prescription drug coverage under Medicare.
X f) Offer tax credits to individuals and small businesses to offset the cost of insurance coverage.
g) Support automatic enrollment of children in federal health care programs such as CHIP and Medicaid.
X h) Support stem cell research on existing lines of stem cells.
i) Allow laboratories to create new lines of stem cells for additional research.
j) Other or expanded principles

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

X a) Decrease the number of legal immigrants allowed into the country.
X b) Establish English as the official national language.
X c) Support a temporary worker program that would enable illegal immigrants to work in the United States legally.
d) Relax restrictions barring legal immigrants from using government funded social programs (e.g. public housing, food stamps).
e) Support amnesty for illegal immigrants already working in the United States.
f) Other or expanded principles

International AidIndicate which principles you support (if any) regarding United States economic assistance.

a) Aid should be granted to countries when extraordinary circumstances cause disaster and threaten civilian lives.
X b) Aid should be granted to countries when it is in the security interests of the United States.
c) Aid should be eliminated for any nation with documented human rights abuses.
d) International Aid programs should be scaled back and eventually eliminated.
e) Other or expanded principles

International Policy1) Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding the Middle East.2) Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding Central and East Asia.3) Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding the United Nations.

Yes a) Should the United States continue to provide leadership in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process?
Undecided b) Should the United States support the creation of a Palestinian state?
No c) Should the United States withdraw its troops from Iraq?
Yes d) Should the United States send more troops to Iraq?
e) Discuss your proposals for an exit strategy in Iraq. (75 words or less. Please use an attached page if the space below is not adequate.)
f) Other or expanded principles
Yes a) Should the United States use diplomatic and economic pressure to encourage North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons program?
b) Should the United States use military force to dismantle the North Korean nuclear weapons program?
c) Should the United States remove the North Korean government from power?
d) Should the United States increase financial support to Afghanistan?
e) Should the United States increase military support to Afghanistan?
f) Other or expanded principles
No a) Should the United States maintain its financial support of the United Nations?
Yes b) Should the United States decrease its financial support of the United Nations?
No c) Should the United States commit troops to United Nations peacekeeping missions?
d) Other or expanded principles
Undecided 4) Should the United States lift the travel ban to Cuba?
Undecided 5) Should the United States increase its financial support to Colombia to combat "the war on drugs?"
Yes 6) Should aid to African nations for AIDS prevention programs fund distribution of contraceptives?
Yes 7) Should aid to African nations for AIDS prevention programs fund abstinence education?
8) Other or expanded principles

International TradeIndicate which principles you support (if any) regarding international trade.

Yes 1) Do you support the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)?
Yes 2) Do you support the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA)?
Undecided 3) Do you support the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT)?
Yes 4) Do you support continued U.S. membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO)?
Yes 5) Should a nation's human rights record affect its normal trade relations (most favored nation) status with the United States?
Yes 6) Do you support the trade embargo against Cuba?
Yes 7) Should trade agreements include provisions to address environmental concerns and to protect workers' rights?
8) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding national security.

a) Do you support using military tribunals to try suspected terrorists when ordinary civilian courts are deemed inappropriate or impractical?
Yes b) Should the United States grant law enforcement agencies greater discretion to read mail and email, tap phones, and conduct random searches to prevent future terrorist attacks?
Yes c) Should the United States hold foreign states accountable for terrorists who operate in their country?
Yes d) Should the federal government increase funding to states and cities for homeland security?
Yes e) Do you support the prohibition of torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment of prisoners in U.S. custody?
Yes f) Do you support a policy of pre-emptive military strikes against countries deemed to be a threat to U.S. national security?
g) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding Social Security.

X a) Allow workers to invest a portion of their payroll tax in private accounts which they manage themselves.
b) Allow workers to invest a portion of their payroll tax in private accounts managed by private firms contracted by the government.
c) Invest a portion of Social Security assets collectively in stocks and bonds instead of United States Treasury securities.
d) Increase the payroll tax to better finance Social Security in its current form.
e) Lower the annual cost-of-living increases.
f) Raise the retirement age for individual eligibility to receive full Social Security benefits.
g) Other of expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding technology and communication.

a) Collect taxes on commercial Internet transactions.
X b) Continue the moratorium on Internet taxation.
c) Implement government regulation of Internet content.
d) Support government mandates to curtail violent and sexual content on television.
X e) Support strict penalties for Internet crimes (e.g. hacking, identity theft, worms/viruses).
f) Support legislation to detail how personal information can be collected and used on the Internet.
g) Regulating the Internet is not a responsibility of the federal government.
h) Other or expanded principles

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

X a) Require welfare recipients to spend at least 40 hours a week in a combination of work and training programs.
b) Increase funding for child care programs.
c) Continue to give states and local governments flexibility in and responsibility for welfare programs through federal block grants.
d) Direct federal poverty aid through religious, community-based, or other non-profit organizations.
e) Abolish all federal welfare programs.
f) Support housing assistance for welfare recipients.
g) Other or expanded principles
On an attached page, disk, or via email, please explain in a total of 75 words or less, your top two or three priorities if elected. If they require additional funding for implementation, please explain how you would obtain this funding.

Vote Smart does not permit the use of its name or programs in any campaign activity, including advertising, debates, and speeches.

arrow_upward