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Michael McCaul's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

Office:

On The Ballot: Running, Republican for U.S. House (TX) - District 10

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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.
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Issue Positions

For Presidential and Congressional candidates who refuse to provide voters with their positions, Vote Smart has researched their public records to determine their likely responses. These issue positions are from 2024.

  • Rated 0% by NARAL Pro-Choice America (None)
  • "As a fourth-generation Texan, McCaul is dedicated to preserving Texans’ values in Congress. McCaul is standing up for unborn babies, protecting religious liberty, defending the Second Amendment, and fighting Big Government attempts to try and tell Texans how to run our state" (michaelmccaul.com)
  • "Every life is precious & deserves protection – I am proud to stand for #prolife policies in Congress" (x.com)
  • Rated 100% by National Right to Life Committee (None)
  • Rated 0% by National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare (None)
  • "McCaul's focus is on free market solutions to lower costs, improve access and stop socialized medicine and other proposals that would eliminate employer-provided health insurance. Michael McCaul is deeply committed to protecting Medicare for seniors." (None)
  • Rated 10% by Alliance for Retired Americans (None)
  • "Today marks the first #TaxDay where #YouKeepMore. Thanks to #GOPTaxCuts, Americans will file under a fairer, simpler tax code. Families, small business, and single moms across the nation will enjoy bigger paychecks, new bonuses, and more job opportunities" (x.com)
  • "McCaul believes in lowering taxes on workers and families. He has made it his mission to deliver for small businesses, ranchers, farmers, and manufacturers. McCaul is fighting Joe Biden’s administration every step of the way as it tries to eradicate Texas’ fossil fuel jobs. McCaul is also vigorously opposing the Biden Administration’s reckless, socialist spending spree that is causing massive inflation." (michaelmccaul.com)
  • "Since we passed tax cuts, roughly 3 million workers have already received tax cut bonuses – many of them thousands of dollars per worker." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1: Tax Cuts and Jobs Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 88% by National Tax Limitation Committee (None)
  • "Since we passed tax cuts, roughly 3 million workers have already received tax cut bonuses – many of them thousands of dollars per worker." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1: Tax Cuts and Jobs Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 6% by Common Cause (None)
  • Voted against HR 1 "For the People Act of 2021." (None)
  • "The decision of Democratic cities such as Austin to defund the police has been an utter disaster and threatens our social fabric. McCaul understands our children must grow up in safe communities, and he will always be a bulwark against liberal, soft-on-crime policies." (michaelmccaul.com)
  • "It didn’t used to be like this in Austin. Remember — Austin defunded the police by hundreds of millions of dollars. Now it’s understaffed and police morale is suffering while lawlessness thrives. This is unacceptable. Wake up Austin and back the blue!" (x.com)
  • "Over the last several weeks, our country has grappled with how to best lift up underprivileged communities, hold police accountable and incentivize change at the state and local levels. While the House Democrats put forth a bill, they did not allow any input from their Republican colleagues across the aisle. I am concerned this legislation would undermine our law enforcement officials' ability to serve their community. I believe there is a better and more holistic way to reform. The JUSTICE Act would empower our local police departments to make reforms that best fit their diverse population while also tackling issues like homelessness, mental health, and drug addiction. We will completely miss the mark on reform for our districts if we do not also address these critical issues. It is my hope that during that House leadership can put aside politics so we can put forth a real solution for the American people." (None)
  • Voted against HR 1280 "George Flloyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021." (None)
  • Voted in favor of HR 2670: "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024" (votesmart.org)
  • "Today, @POTUS signed the FY2019 NDAA into law. This legislation fulfills our pledge to rebuild our nation's military. We need to ensure that at a moments notice, our brave men and women have the tools they need to defend our nation." (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 4365: "Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2024" (votesmart.org)
  • "The national debt is over $31 trillion. We can’t afford to hand that down to our children. It’s time to stop the cycle of reckless spending in Washington." (x.com)
  • "Amidst raging inflation caused by government spending, Democrats want to take even more of your money—$1.7 trillion, to be exact—to double down on their broken policies. It's a no from me." (x.com)
  • "McCaul believes in lowering taxes on workers and families. He has made it his mission to deliver for small businesses, ranchers, farmers, and manufacturers. McCaul is fighting Joe Biden’s administration every step of the way as it tries to eradicate Texas’ fossil fuel jobs. McCaul is also vigorously opposing the Biden Administration’s reckless, socialist spending spree that is causing massive inflation." (michaelmccaul.com)
  • Voted against HR 3684 "Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act" (None)
  • "Currently, 80% of U.S. hotel rooms are empty and could be used to help provide immediate housing for domestic violence victims." (x.com)
  • "According to @CDCgov, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 10 men have experienced violence by their partner. That is why I sent a letter to the COVID-19 Task Force and @VP Mike Pence asking funds from the #CARESAct go towards finding housing for victims of domestic violence." (x.com)
  • "Incredible news @IvankaTrump and @TheJusticeDept announced that $35 million in grants will go towards housing and services for #HumanTrafficking survivors. Those who have lived through this real life nightmare need a refuge as they begin to recover." (x.com)
  • "McCaul believes in lowering taxes on workers and families. He has made it his mission to deliver for small businesses, ranchers, farmers, and manufacturers. McCaul is fighting Joe Biden’s administration every step of the way as it tries to eradicate Texas’ fossil fuel jobs. McCaul is also vigorously opposing the Biden Administration’s reckless, socialist spending spree that is causing massive inflation." (michaelmccaul.com)
  • "Amidst raging inflation caused by government spending, Democrats want to take even more of your money—$1.7 trillion, to be exact—to double down on their broken policies. It's a no from me." (x.com)
  • "Under @POTUS, Americans are already facing historic inflation at a 40-year high. Now, soaring gas prices will cost the typical hardworking American household an extra $2,000 a year. This isn’t coincidence. It’s the Biden administration's reckless policies." (x.com)
  • "Once again, @POTUS is taxing hard working Americans by forgiving student loans for families that make 250K. This is reckless spending that will exacerbate inflation, raise the cost of tuition and is a slap in the face to those who worked hard to pay their loans off." (x.com)
  • Rated 0% by National Education Association (None)
  • "McCaul supports efforts to eliminate ballot harvesting and other practices that undermine election integrity and supports photo ID at the polls. McCaul also supports maintaining up-to-date voter rolls." (michaelmccaul.com)
  • Rated 6% by Common Cause (None)
  • "@TheDemocrats are so out-of-touch that the 1st bill they entered this session would federalize elections, weaken voter ID laws & give taxpayer $ to fund political campaigns." (x.com)
  • Rated 100% by American Energy Alliance (None)
  • "Hardworking Americans have been paying for Biden’s anti-energy policies long before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Gas prices are at an all-time high, and instead of shifting the blame on Putin, @POTUS needs to unleash American energy." (x.com)
  • "Today’s oil market news is yet another devastating blow to TX’s resilient oil industry. It’s vital that Congress expeditiously funds the SPR and looks at every other feasible option to alleviate this unprecedented burden." (x.com)
  • "WH politicos have been quick to push OPEC+ to produce more oil instead of supporting domestic production, which would protect U.S. energy independence and create jobs. The Admin could help drive down prices by supporting projects like the Keystone pipeline." (x.com)
  • "President Biden’s energy strategy supports Putin’s Nord Stream 2 more than our own Keystone pipeline. Let that sink in." (x.com)
  • "McCaul believes in lowering taxes on workers and families. He has made it his mission to deliver for small businesses, ranchers, farmers, and manufacturers. McCaul is fighting Joe Biden’s administration every step of the way as it tries to eradicate Texas’ fossil fuel jobs. McCaul is also vigorously opposing the Biden Administration’s reckless, socialist spending spree that is causing massive inflation." (michaelmccaul.com)
  • "Pres. Biden's anti-energy policies have brought us back to the Jimmy Carter days when the US depended on other nations. We should not be dependent on foreign sources of energy, semiconductors, rare earth minerals, or medical supplies—all of which can be made right here at home." (x.com)
  • "WH politicos have been quick to push OPEC+ to produce more oil instead of supporting domestic production, which would protect U.S. energy independence and create jobs. The Admin could help drive down prices by supporting projects like the Keystone pipeline." (x.com)
  • Rated 83% by National Rifle Association (None)
  • "As a fourth-generation Texan, McCaul is dedicated to preserving Texans’ values in Congress. McCaul is standing up for unborn babies, protecting religious liberty, defending the Second Amendment, and fighting Big Government attempts to try and tell Texans how to run our state" (michaelmccaul.com)
  • "As one of the NDAA conferees, I am proud to join my colleagues in protecting the second amendment rights of our U.S. military servicemembers by asking for the full removal of the "red flag" provision in the NDAA." (x.com)
  • Voted against HR 1446 "Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2021." (None)
  • "McCaul's focus is on free market solutions to lower costs, improve access and stop socialized medicine and other proposals that would eliminate employer-provided health insurance. Michael McCaul is deeply committed to protecting Medicare for seniors." (None)
  • "Instead of pushing Medicare for All to force 150 million citizens off employer-based health insurance, I propose that we start where we can find common ground. Let's protect people with pre-existing conditions & bring down the price of prescription drugs." (twitter.com)
  • "New findings reveal a majority of employers think Medicare for All will increase the cost of healthcare AND hurt the quality of care. 40% of employers believe Medicare for All will actually leave Americans with less access to healthcare." (twitter.com)
  • "Texans, whether they are uninsured or insured, should have access to free #coronavirus testing during this national health emergency. In addition, during this crisis, paid emergency and sick leave is a necessary step for all of those either sick or quarantined." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 6201 "Families First Coronavirus Response Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 6833 "The Affordable Insulin Now Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "Instead of pushing Medicare for All to force 150 million citizens off employer-based health insurance, I propose that we start where we can find common ground. Let's protect people with pre-existing conditions & bring down the price of prescription drugs." (twitter.com)
  • Voted against HR 3 "Lower Drug Costs Now Act of 2019" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5378: "Lower Costs, More Transparency Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "Proud to have voted for the Secure the Border Act to help stop the Biden administration's border crisis." (x.com)
  • "As Chairman of Homeland Security, McCaul worked with President Trump to build the wall and opposes amnesty for illegal immigrants. Now, McCaul is working to hold President Biden accountable for the open borders disaster his policies have created." (michaelmccaul.com)
  • "Last month alone, nearly 2k lbs of fentanyl—enough to kill more than 400 million people—was seized at our southern border. The Biden admin's failure to secure our border has empowered & given free reign to criminal enterprises, putting every American at risk. It's unacceptable." (x.com)
  • Rated 89% by NumbersUSA (None)
  • "We’ve seen more than 7 million migrant encounters since President Biden took office. What we need are significant policy changes — not more money to facilitate the processing of illegal immigrants." (x.com)
  • "As Chairman of Homeland Security, McCaul worked with President Trump to build the wall and opposes amnesty for illegal immigrants. Now, McCaul is working to hold President Biden accountable for the open borders disaster his policies have created." (michaelmccaul.com)
  • "The Remain in Mexico policy successfully limited illegal entries into the U.S. — until President Biden dismantled it on his first day in office. I talked with @KXAN_News about how we can get back to a reasonable asylum process and a secure border." (x.com)
  • Rated 89% by NumbersUSA (None)
  • Voted in favor of HR 4695 "Protect Against Conflict by Turkey (PACT) Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "The Biden administration’s decision to waive sanctions to facilitate the transfer of $6 billion in funds for Iran is naïve, if not downright disingenuous. I am introducing a bill to put secondary sanctions on the Doha bank and freeze that money — not temporarily, but forever." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 340: "Hamas International Financing Prevention Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 6968 "Suspending Energy Imports from Russia Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5692: "Ukraine Security Assistance and Oversight Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5691: "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 in favor of S 3522: "Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2022" (votesmart.org)
  • "Why is the Biden admin allowing an app controlled by the Chinese Communist Party to infiltrate the minds of our children & grandchildren? TikTok's propaganda about evil terrorists like Osama bin Laden shows exactly why Congress must pass my bill to ban this dangerous app." (x.com)
  • "Biden officials agree TikTok is a threat - so why aren’t Democrats joining Republicans to ban it?" (x.com)
  • "TikTok is a spy balloon in your phone, where the CCP can push propaganda and capture users' data and keystrokes. My bill gives the president the legal authority to ban it for the sake of our national security." (x.com)
  • "TikTok is the Chinese Communist Party's backdoor into American phones. @TAMU and @UTAustin made the right decision in blocking it on campus Wi-Fi." (x.com)

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