Card image cap

Jim Gerlach's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

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.

Jim Gerlach refused to tell citizens where he stands on any of the issues addressed in the 2012 Political Courage Test, despite repeated requests from Vote Smart, national media, and prominent political leaders.

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 2012.

  • Jim Gerlach. H Amdt 95. 112th Congress. Prohibiting Use of Federal Funds For Planned Parenthood. Jim Gerlach voted Yea on 02/18/2011. (votesmart.org)
  • Jim Gerlach. H AMDT 209. 109th Congress. Overseas Military Facilities Abortion Amendment. Jim Gerlach voted Nay on 05/25/2005. (votesmart.org)
  • Eagle Forum. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Endorsements. 04/18/2012. Eagle Forum endorsed Jim Gerlach in the 2012 general election. (votesmart.org)
  • Jim Gerlach. HR 748. 109th Congress. Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act. Jim Gerlach voted Yea on 04/27/2005. (votesmart.org)
  • Jim Gerlach. S 403. 110th Congress. Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act. Jim Gerlach voted Yea on 09/26/2006. (votesmart.org)
  • Jim Gerlach. HR 3. 112th Congress. Prohibiting Taxpayer Funding of Abortion. Jim Gerlach voted Yea on 05/04/2011. (votesmart.org)
  • Jim Gerlach. H Amdt 509. 111th Congress. Prohibiting Federally Funded Abortion Services. Jim Gerlach voted Yea on 11/07/2009. (votesmart.org)
  • NARAL Pro-Choice America. 04/18/2012. "Jim Gerlach supported the interests of the NARAL Pro-Choice America 0 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • National Organization for Women. 04/18/2012. "On the votes used to calculate its ratings, the National Organization for Women attaches more value to those votes it considers more important. For 2008, the National Organization for Women gave Jim Gerlach a rating of 75 percent." (votesmart.org)
  • Family Research Council. 04/18/2012. "Jim Gerlach supported the interests of the Family Research Council 87 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • Jim Gerlach. HR 6099. 110th Congress. Abortion Pain Bill. Jim Gerlach voted Yea on 12/06/2006. (votesmart.org)
  • National Right to Life Committee. 04/18/2012. "Jim Gerlach supported the interests of the National Right to Life Committee 100 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • Planned Parenthood. 04/18/2012. "Jim Gerlach supported the interests of Planned Parenthood 0 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • Jim Gerlach. H Con Res 28. 112th Congress. Removing Troops from Afghanistan. Jim Gerlach voted Nay on 03/17/2011. (votesmart.org)
  • Peace Action West. 04/18/2012. "Jim Gerlach supported the interests of Peace Action West 13 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • Peace Action. 04/18/2012. "Jim Gerlach supported the interests of the Peace Action 13 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • Jim Gerlach. Gerlach Statement on President's Decision To Send More Troops Into Afghanistan. 1 December 2009. "I support the President's decision to send more American troops into Afghanistan and certainly hope that our nation's strategy continues to be based on the recommendations of military commanders rather than political pressure from liberal interest groups." (votesmart.org)
  • Jim Gerlach. Gerlach Statement on Troop Reductions in Afghanistan. 22 June 2011. "The President correctly noted that even though a portion of our American forces will be coming home, we are not retreating from our central mission of crippling al-Qaida and preventing Afghanistan from becoming a terrorist safe haven where radicals can launch attacks against America and our allies." (votesmart.org)
  • Jim Gerlach. Gerlach Supports Allowing Troops To Complete Mission In Afghanistan. 10 March 2010. "I supported President Obama's decision to send 30,000 additional troops to ensure success in Afghanistan, and commend the commander-in-chief for relying on advice from General Stanley McChrystal and other military leaders rather than liberal interest groups." (votesmart.org)
  • Jim Gerlach. HR 3222. 110th Congress. Department of Defense Appropriations, Fiscal Year 2008. Jim Gerlach voted Yea on 08/05/2007. (votesmart.org)
  • Jim Gerlach. HR 1363. 112th Congress. 2011 Department of Defense Budget and Additional Continuing Appropriations. Jim Gerlach voted Yea on 04/07/2011. (votesmart.org)
  • Jim Gerlach. Gerlach Supports Agreement that will Result in Historic Spending Cuts and Meet Obligations to our Troops. 9 April 2011. "Eliminating wasteful Washington spending and erasing crippling budget deficits are critical to creating jobs and getting our country moving forward. The historic spending cuts contained in this agreement represent a responsible first step toward ending the borrowing and spending binge of the last two years. This agreement also means that our brave men and women in the military who are getting their jobs done in Iraq, Afghanistan and other parts of the world will not miss a paycheck. Our work is not finished. I look forward to enacting real solutions for eliminating unnecessary spending and creating an environment where job creators here in the 6th District can hire workers and thrive." votesmart.org/public-statement/603545.
  • Jim Gerlach. Gerlach Calls on President to Level with Troops, Their Families and the American Public About Looming Defense Cuts. 18 July 2012. "I am extremely concerned that indiscriminately slashing funds used to train and provide our military with the very best weaponry and equipment they need to keep our country safe would have catastrophic consequences. It is my hope that we will work together to find a responsible and financially sound solution for avoiding these steep reductions." (votesmart.org)
  • Jim Gerlach. HR 5631. 110th Congress. Department Defense Appropriations Act, FY 2007. Jim Gerlach voted Yea on 09/26/2006. (votesmart.org)
  • Jim Gerlach. HR 4986. 110th Congress. Defense Authorizations Bill. Jim Gerlach voted Yea on 01/16/2008. (votesmart.org)
  • Jim Gerlach. HR 4200. 108th Congress. Defense Department FY2005 Authorization Bill. Jim Gerlach voted Yea on 05/20/2004. (votesmart.org)
  • Jim Gerlach. H Amdt 13. 112th Congress. Reducing Navy and Air Force Aircraft Procurement. Jim Gerlach voted Nay on 02/15/2011. (votesmart.org)
  • Jim Gerlach. HR 5631. 110th Congress. Defense Department FY2007 Appropriations Bill. Jim Gerlach voted Yea on 06/20/2006. (votesmart.org)
  • Jim Gerlach. HR 4939. 110th Congress. Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2006. Jim Gerlach voted Yea on 06/13/2006. (votesmart.org)
  • Jim Gerlach. HR 2642. 110th Congress. Funding for Operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Jim Gerlach voted Yea on 06/19/2008. (votesmart.org)
  • Citizens for Tax Justice. 04/18/2012. "Jim Gerlach supported the interests of the Citizens for Tax Justice 0 percent in 2006." (votesmart.org)
  • Americans for Tax Reform. 04/18/2012. "Jim Gerlach supported the interests of the Americans for Tax Reform 55 percent in 2007." (votesmart.org)
  • National Taxpayers Union. 04/18/2012. "Jim Gerlach supported reasonable tax and spending policies as defined by the National Taxpayers Union 68 percent of the time in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • Jim Gerlach signed the Americans for Tax Reform Taxpayers Protection Pledge. "I, _____, pledge to the taxpayers of the (____ district of the) state of ______ and to the American people that I will: ONE, oppose any and all efforts to increase the marginal income tax rate for individuals and business; and TWO, oppose any net reduction or elimination of deductions and credits, unless matched dollar for dollar by further reducing tax rates." (atr.org)
  • Jim Gerlach. Issue Position: Taxes and Spending. 25 October 2011. "With projections of Washington running annual $1 trillion deficits, and government actuaries claiming the current path is 'unsustainable,' Congress must look to end the spending addiction and put America on a stable fiscal path." (votesmart.org)
  • Jim Gerlach. Gerlach Supports Eliminating Wasteful Washington Spending, Ending Reckless Borrowing. 19 July 2011. "I supported the Cut, Cap and Balance legislation because constituents in my District and across the country are demanding that Washington live within its means and stop the spending-driven debt crisis forcing us to borrow 40 cents of every dollar the federal government spends." (votesmart.org)
  • The Club for Growth. 04/18/2012. "On the votes used to calculate its ratings, The Club for Growth attaches more value to those votes it considers more important. For 2010, The Club for Growth gave Jim Gerlach a rating of 62 percent." (votesmart.org)
  • Jim Gerlach. HR 5297. 112th Congress. Small Business Lending Fund and Tax Law Amendments. Jim Gerlach voted Nay on 09/23/2010. (votesmart.org)
  • Americans for Prosperity. 04/18/2012. "Jim Gerlach supported the interests of the Americans for Prosperity 90 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • Jim Gerlach. HR 1424. 110th Congress. Financial Asset Purchase Authority and Tax Law Amendments. Jim Gerlach voted Yea on 10/03/2008. (votesmart.org)
  • Jim Gerlach. Gerlach Votes To End Bailouts, Repay Taxpayers. 11 December 2009. "Enough is enough. We need to end this bailout program, and start working on fiscally responsible plans for creating jobs and getting credit flowing again." (votesmart.org)
  • Jim Gerlach. $825 Billion Spending Plan Raises Questions. 26 January 2009. "We have a responsibility to families, business owners and future generations to make prudent choices in how we spend taxpayer dollars so that we can positively impact the economy rather than simply engaging in reckless spending." (votesmart.org)
  • Jim Gerlach. Gerlach Helps House Pass Historic Cuts in Wasteful Washington Spending. 14 April 2011. "We are slamming the brakes on the runaway train of massive spending increases and unsustainable debt. Everyone understands that government must work better with less money. Families, seniors and small business owners in the 6th District are making tough decisions, and they expect their government to do the same." (votesmart.org)
  • Jim Gerlach. Gerlach Helps House Take Major Step Toward Reining in Federal Spending. 26 January 2011. "Insisting that the federal government live within its means is critical to helping revive the jobs market and preventing even more debt from being piled on to our children and grandchildren. We really do not have a choice." (votesmart.org)
  • Jim Gerlach. Gerlach Opposes Tax Hikes, Runaway Spending. 2 April 2009. "Families across America are working harder to stretch their paychecks and eliminate frivolous spending while waiting for the economy to rebound. Washington needs to do the same." (votesmart.org)
  • Jim Gerlach. Gerlach Supports Agreement that will Result in Historic Spending Cuts and Meet Obligations to our Troops. 9 April 2011. "Eliminating wasteful Washington spending and erasing crippling budget deficits are critical to creating jobs and getting our country moving forward. The historic spending cuts contained in this agreement represent a responsible first step toward ending the borrowing and spending binge of the last two years." (votesmart.org)
  • Jim Gerlach. Gerlach Votes for Plan to Avoid Default, Enact Real Solutions for Eliminating Wasteful Washington Spending. 29 July 2011. "This legislation requires any increase in the debt ceiling be balanced by corresponding spending cuts greater than the borrowing limit increase. This is responsible reform that ends the cycle of limitless borrowing and reckless spending." (votesmart.org)
  • Jim Gerlach. Gerlach Working to Create Jobs, Bolster Small Business. 17 June 2010. "The only thing we have to show for trillion-dollar spending packages and other big-government gimmicks enacted during the last 18 months are record budget deficits that will hamper future generations of entrepreneurs and small business owners and stifle private investment." (votesmart.org)
  • Jim Gerlach. Gerlach rejects President Obama's request to increase debt limit without any real solutions for controlling spending. 31 May 2011. "Tonight, we let everyone know Washington cannot get away with that kind of reckless spending and that Congress will resist any attempt to raise the debt limit without real solutions for controlling spending." (votesmart.org)
  • Jim Gerlach. Issue Position: Lower Taxes and Less Waste. 25 October 2011. "I will continue to fight the billions of dollars every year in waste and fraud to reduce government spending." (votesmart.org)
  • Jim Gerlach. HR 2. 108th Congress. Jobs and Economic Growth bill. Jim Gerlach voted Yea on 05/23/2003. (votesmart.org)
  • Jim Gerlach. Issue Position: Education. 1 January 2011. "All parents should be able to send their children to schools with well-qualified teachers that deliver a quality education to all students. Holding schools accountable and challenging students to reach their maximum potential must be the cornerstones of our nation's education policy. The desire to achieve both of those goals led to adoption of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 - the signature federal law that set standards for students from kindergarten through high school. While Congressman Gerlach believes the law has resulted in significant progress in student achievement, he supports giving principals, teachers and school boards additional resources to achieve the higher standards the law demands. Specifically, Congressman Gerlach is working with his colleagues to pass legislation that would: 1) increase funding for remedial services; 2) remove the current requirement to merge assessment scores of special education students with non-special education students in determining a school's Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP); and 3) end the requirement to merge assessment scores of students with limited English proficiency with language proficient students in determining a school's AYP." (votesmart.org)
  • Jim Gerlach. Gerlach Pledges Support to America's Children. 30 January 2007. "Improve the No Child Left Behind Act to give my school districts better measures for student and school performance, and the support needed to close the achievement gap." (votesmart.org)
  • Jim Gerlach. HR 3534. 112th Congress. Offshore Drilling Regulations and Other Energy Law Amendments. Jim Gerlach voted Nay on 07/30/2010. (votesmart.org)
  • Jim Gerlach. HR 1230. 112th Congress. Offshore Leasing Act. Jim Gerlach voted Yea on 05/05/2011. (votesmart.org)
  • Jim Gerlach. H Amdt 773. 112th Congress. Ending Moratorium on Deepwater Drilling Rigs that Meet Certain Safety Standards. Jim Gerlach voted Nay on 07/30/2010. (votesmart.org)
  • Environment America. 04/18/2012. "Jim Gerlach supported the interests of Environment America 60 percent in 2009." (votesmart.org)
  • League of Conservation Voters. 04/18/2012. "Jim Gerlach supported the interests of the League of Conservation Voters 30 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • Environment America. 04/18/2012. "Jim Gerlach supported the interests of Environment America 60 percent in 2009." (votesmart.org)
  • Jim Gerlach. HR 2454. 111th Congress. Energy and Environmental Law Amendments ("Cap and Trade"). Jim Gerlach voted Nay on 06/26/2009. (votesmart.org)
  • Jim Gerlach. HR 910. 112th Congress. Energy Tax Prevention Act. Jim Gerlach voted Yea on 04/07/2011. (votesmart.org)
  • Jim Gerlach. HR 6842. 110th Congress. Repealing Portions of the D.C. Firearm Ban. Jim Gerlach voted Yea on 09/17/2008. (votesmart.org)
  • Gun Owners of America. 04/18/2012. "In 2010 Gun Owners of America gave Jim Gerlach a grade of 82." (votesmart.org)
  • Jim Gerlach. S 397. 109th Congress. Firearms Manufacturers Protection Bill. Jim Gerlach voted Yea on 10/20/2005. (votesmart.org)
  • National Rifle Association. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Endorsements. 04/18/2012. National Rifle Association endorsed Jim Gerlach in the 2010 general election. (votesmart.org)
  • Jim Gerlach. H AMDT 1156. 110th Congress. Trigger Lock Amendment. Jim Gerlach voted Did Not Vote on 06/28/2006. (votesmart.org)
  • Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. 04/18/2012. "Jim Gerlach supported the interests of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence 0 percent from 1988-2003 (Senate) or 1991-2003 (House)." (votesmart.org)
  • Jim Gerlach. Daily Local News - Moment of Silence for Victims; Gerlach Makes Appearance. 10 January 2011. "In terms of gun laws and regulations, Gerlach said additional information regarding Saturday's event [the assassination attempt on Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords] needs to be revealed before action should be taken. 'Nothing I've heard at this point would indicate a necessity to change the law,' he said. However, Gerlach said there are legitimate concerns among people regarding the mental state and criminal background of those who possess firearms. He also said much information indicates the shooter had a disturbed nature." (votesmart.org)
  • American Public Health Association. 04/18/2012. "Jim Gerlach supported the interests of the American Public Health Association 20 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • Jim Gerlach. HR 2. 112th Congress. Repealing the Health Care Bill. Jim Gerlach voted Yea on 01/19/2011. (votesmart.org)
  • Americans for Legal Immigration. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Endorsements. 04/18/2012. Americans for Legal Immigration endorsed Jim Gerlach in the 2010 general election. (votesmart.org)
  • Jim Gerlach. Issue Position: Secure Borders. 26 September 2012. "Jim Gerlach does not support rewarding illegal behavior with US citizenship, and opposes efforts to grant amnesty to illegal immigrants. Recent estimates found that amnesty for illegal immigrants would cost $2.6 trillion over the next 25-30 years by adding a severe financial burden to Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and other taxpayer subsidized programs." (votesmart.org)
  • Americans for Legal Immigration. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Endorsements. 04/18/2012. Americans for Legal Immigration endorsed Jim Gerlach in the 2012 general election. (votesmart.org)
  • Jim Gerlach. HR 4437. 109th Congress. Border Security Bill. Jim Gerlach voted Yea on 12/16/2005. (votesmart.org)
  • Federation for American Immigration Reform. 04/18/2012. "Jim Gerlach supported the interests of the Federation for American Immigration Reform 100 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • Jim Gerlach. HR 5281. 112th Congress. DREAM Act. Jim Gerlach voted Nay on 12/08/2010. (votesmart.org)
  • National Latino Congreso/William C. Velásquez Institute. 04/18/2012. "Jim Gerlach supported the interests of National Latino Congreso/William C. Velásquez Institute 14 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • Jim Gerlach. Gerlach Backs Small and Seasonal Businesses Act. 1 April 2008. "The bipartisan measure sponsored by Congressman Bart Stupak (D-MI) would allow landscapers, hotels and other small, seasonal businesses to continue hiring workers with H-2B visas who have entered this country legally [¦] However, Speaker Pelosi has bottled up the legislation in hopes of pressuring Congress to vote on bills granting amnesty to foreign workers who ignore the nation's immigration laws." (votesmart.org)
  • Jim Gerlach. Issue Position: Illegal Immigration. 1 January 2012. "Granting amnesty to 10-15 million illegal immigrants rewards those who broke our laws and would bankrupt and ruin Social Security and Medicare. Congressman Gerlach opposes any plan that grants amnesty. The Social Security Administration has estimated an amnesty program would cost Social Security alone over $500 billion more." (votesmart.org)
  • Jim Gerlach. HR 2965. 112th Congress. Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act. Jim Gerlach voted Nay on 12/15/2010. (votesmart.org)
  • Family Research Council. 04/18/2012. "Jim Gerlach supported the interests of the Family Research Council 57 percent in 2006." (votesmart.org)
  • Jim Gerlach. HR 3685. 110th Congress. Sexual Orientation Employment Nondiscrimination Act (ENDA). Jim Gerlach voted Yea on 11/07/2007. (votesmart.org)
  • Jim Gerlach. H J Res 88. 110th Congress. Same-Sex Marriage Resolution. Jim Gerlach voted Nay on 07/18/2006. (votesmart.org)
  • American Family Association. 04/18/2012. "Jim Gerlach supported the interests of the American Family Association 82 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • Traditional Values Coalition. 04/18/2012. "Jim Gerlach supported the interests of the Traditional Values Coalition 71 percent in 2006" (votesmart.org)
  • American Civil Liberties Union. 04/18/2012. "Jim Gerlach supported the interests of the American Civil Liberties Union 29 percent in 2006." (votesmart.org)
  • Eagle Forum. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Endorsements. 04/18/2012. Eagle Forum endorsed Jim Gerlach in the 2012 general election. (votesmart.org)
  • Human Rights Campaign. 04/18/2012. "Jim Gerlach supported the interests of the Human Rights Campaign 20 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • Jim Gerlach. Gerlach Statement on the U.S. Military's Successful Mission in Bringing Terrorist Osama bin Laden to Justice. 2 May 2011. "The success of this mission is a testament to the perseverance and professionalism of the courageous men and women serving and protecting our country in the military and intelligence operations. Every American should be proud of this accomplishment. It represents a significant victory in our constant battle against radical terrorists. Osama bin Laden has been held accountable for ruthlessly plotting the slaughter of nearly 3,000 of our friends and neighbors on Sept. 11, 2001 and several lethal attacks on U.S. troops and our allies. He was a calculating and callous terrorist whose victims came from all walks of life, religious faiths and nationalities." (votesmart.org)
  • Alliance for Retired Americans. 04/18/2012. "Jim Gerlach supported the interests of the Alliance for Retired Americans 90 percent in 2008." (votesmart.org)
  • Jim Gerlach. Issue Position: Seniors and Social Security. 25 October 2011. "Creating private [social security] accounts would have pulled funding from today's beneficiaries, and put a significant dent in the availability of those funds during the current recession." (votesmart.org)
  • Jim Gerlach. Issue Position: Seniors. 1 January 2012. "Jim has always opposed privatizing Social Security and has sponsored legislation to segregate the funds that are pulled from workers' paychecks over the course of their entire working lives, and make them inaccessible to politicians and a growing urge for government to spend more." (votesmart.org)

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

arrow_upward