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Scott Perry's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

Office:

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

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Other or Expanded Principles & Legislative Priorities are entered exactly as candidates submit them. Vote Smart does not edit for misspelled words, punctuation or grammar.

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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 100% by National Right to Life Committee (None)
  • "Humbled and grateful to receive an ‘A+’ legislative rating from @StudentsforLife Action for being a voice for the voiceless and for taking strong actions to protect life in America. #ProLife" (x.com)
  • "Today’s SCOTUS decision is a monumental victory for the unborn, and Constitutionally restores the rights of the States’ and Citizens’ to adjudicate this issue for themselves. #SCOTUS #Roe #ProLife" (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 26: "Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 0% by Alliance for Retired Americans (None)
  • "Expanding access to telehealth for Medicare beneficiaries will help protect America's seniors and high-risk individuals." (x.com)
  • "Let me be clear: We aren’t interested in a shutdown, brinkmanship, or cutting Social Security, Medicare, or Veterans’ benefits - those are already PAID IN FULL. We’re interested in reining in the out-of-control spending & wokeism making American lives miserable." (x.com)
  • Rated 0% by National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare (None)
  • Rated 100% by National Tax Limitation Committee (None)
  • "Great plan, raising taxes during a recession with record inflation. Washington doesn’t have a revenue problem, it has a spending problem." (x.com)
  • "The Tax Cuts & Jobs act has PASSED. We're one step closer to delivering real and meaningful tax relief to millions of Americans. #taxreform" (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1: "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 100% by National Tax Limitation Committee (None)
  • "The Tax Cuts & Jobs act has PASSED. We're one step closer to delivering real and meaningful tax relief to millions of Americans. #taxreform" (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1: "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 0% by End Citizens United (None)
  • Rated 6% by Common Cause (None)
  • 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)
  • "I’m proud to co-sponsor the #JUSTICEAct, to increase police transparency, accountability, and training." (x.com)
  • "The lawlessness and violent mobs sowing chaos in our cities must end. These aren't peaceful protests, and in America, we don’t choose violence to resolve our differences. We must come together on a path forward and support our police in their mission to keep our communities safe." (x.com)
  • "The violent and senseless murder of George Floyd is heartbreaking and infuriating. The Floyd Family deserves justice, and ALL responsible for this atrocity must be held accountable." (x.com)
  • Rated 100% by Center for Security Policy (None)
  • "Our military is being weakened and destroyed - we all know it. Our focus must be readiness, lethality, and merit-based service/promotion. Period." (x.com)
  • "With my support, the House just passed the National Defense Authorization Act conference report for FY19. The compromise between the House and Senate helps ensure that our military has the resources it needs to protect our freedom and our American way of life." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 4365: "Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2024" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 5376: "Inflation Reduction Act of 2022" (votesmart.org)
  • "Great plan, raising taxes during a recession with record inflation. Washington doesn’t have a revenue problem, it has a spending problem." (x.com)
  • "The downgrade of our credit rating is proof positive that the negative economic trajectory caused by spend-thirsty legislators is leading our Nation and the American People to ruin. We MUST change the spending addiction in DC & plot a new course toward fiscal literacy and sanity." (x.com)
  • "A firm NO on the "deal" vote tonight. President Biden is happily sending Americans over yet another fiscal cliff, with far too many swampy Republicans behind the wheel of a "deal" that fails miserably to address the real reason for our debt crisis: SPENDING." (x.com)
  • "Biden suggests we stimulate massive demand for housing without addressing supply. We’re all going to need more money - because those handouts are just going to make home prices higher. #StateOfTheUnion" (x.com)
  • Voted against HR 7301: "Emergency Housing Protections and Relief Act of 2020" (votesmart.org)
  • "Great plan, raising taxes during a recession with record inflation. Washington doesn’t have a revenue problem, it has a spending problem." (x.com)
  • "@HouseGOP wants to work with the other side of the aisle, but demanding more reckless spending that's already causing record #inflation hurts American families and job creators." (x.com)
  • Voted against HR 5376: "Inflation Reduction Act of 2022" (votesmart.org)
  • "The American people are sick and tired of skyrocketing inflation driven by Washington’s out-of-control spending. Tonight’s vote on the Limit, Save & Grow Act is a critical first step in shrinking Washington in order to grow America." (x.com)
  • "We use euphemisms around this town. We call it loan forgiveness. You took out the loan, and we are going to forgive you paying it back using someone else's money. That is not loan forgiveness. That is socialism. Socialism is tyranny. Taking it, like you said, from some hardworking individual--maybe they wanted to go to college and didn't have the opportunity. Maybe they didn't have the opportunity because they didn't have the money, maybe because of their family situation. It doesn't matter. Maybe they chose not to go to college. They chose not to buy something they didn't want to pay for." (None)
  • Signed Letter to Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House - Webster Calls on Pelosi to hold Biden Accountable for Overreach: "On Wednesday, August 24, President Biden announced that he would cancel $10,000 in federal student debt for individual Americans earning $125,000 or less per year or married couples making less than $250,000 a year. In addition, those who receive federal Pell Grants and make less than $125,000 a year would be eligible for total forgiveness of $20,000. Unfortunately, this policy will cost us over $300 billion and establishes a terrible precedent that will drive up the cost of higher education, exacerbating the very problem President Biden pretends to address." (None)
  • Voted against HR 5746: "Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "BIG WIN for Voter ID laws and election integrity handed down by SCOTUS, today. Implementing common sense voter ID laws that ensure safe and secure elections should never be political. #VoterID #ElectionIntegrity" (x.com)
  • Rated 6% by Common Cause (None)
  • Voted against HR 4: "John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021" (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 0% by League of Conservation Voters (None)
  • "Radical environmentalists in the Sierra Club are shutting down grid capacity - and now, more power lines will have to go through PA to keep the lights on in Baltimore. The Biden administration must walk away from these destructive green policies." (x.com)
  • "What we’re facing isn’t a climate crisis. It’s an energy reliability and affordability crisis caused by Joe Biden’s socialist green new deal policies. He wants to cut domestic energy production while forcing us to go to unreliable solar and wind energy. #StateoftheUnion" (x.com)
  • Voted against HR 4447: "Expanding Access to Sustainable Energy Act of 2019" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1: "Lower Energy Costs Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "What we’re facing isn’t a climate crisis. It’s an energy reliability and affordability crisis caused by Joe Biden’s socialist green new deal policies. He wants to cut domestic energy production while forcing us to go to unreliable solar and wind energy. #StateoftheUnion" (x.com)
  • Rated 100% by American Energy Alliance (None)
  • Voted in favor of HR 21: "Strategic Production Response Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 1446: "Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2021" (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 92% by National Rifle Association (None)
  • Voted against HR 8: "Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 1425: "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "Preserving Medicare by joining a bi-partisan effort to protect the Medicare Advantage Program, which provides coverage for 20 million Americans. At a time when radical socialists are calling for "Medicare for All" (which is actually "Medicare for None") and socialized government healthcare, we must stand up for our Seniors and the benefits they've earned." (None)
  • "The Affordable Care Act (ACA) was supposed to reduce healthcare costs and provide greater healthcare options; it failed. Everyone should have access to affordable health insurance, which is why I supported repealing of the ACA and replacing it with a healthcare system that covers pre-existing conditions, reduces the cost of prescription drugs and allows individuals and their doctors to make healthcare decisions, not insurance companies and the government." (patriotsforperry.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 6201: "Families First Coronavirus Response Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 5378: "Lower Costs, More Transparency Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "The Left caused the increase in insulin pricing when they created a monopoly through a special deal to pass Obamacare. Now they fix the price above what new market entrants can actually produce it for. The private sector was set to fix this without government price fixing. #SOTU" (x.com)
  • Voted against HR 3: "Lower Drug Costs Now Act of 2019" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 6833: "The Affordable Insulin Now Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 2: "Secure the Border Act of 2023" (votesmart.org)
  • "Want to drive down fentanyl deaths? SECURE THE BORDER" (x.com)
  • Rated 91% by NumbersUSA (None)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5525: "Continuing Appropriations and Border Security Enhancement Act, 2024" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 1333: "NO BAN Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "I heard firsthand the heartbreak from Angel Families - those who lost their children or siblings to crimes committed by illegal immigrants. Their grief is REAL and very much preventable. I applaud their courage. We deserve the right to feel secure in our own Nation." (x.com)
  • Rated 91% by NumbersUSA (None)
  • Voted against HR 6: "American Dream and Promise Act of 2021" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 6968: "Suspending Energy Imports from Russia Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 340: "Hamas International Financing Prevention Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 6126: "Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 7108: "Suspending Normal Trade Relations with Russia and Belarus Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "It’s now even clearer that Democrat wins are American losses. The proposed "border bill" not only fails to even remotely address our national crisis, but pays for Ukraine to secure its border. I repeat: Democrats won’t secure OUR borders, but will secure Ukraine’s." (x.com)
  • Voted against HR 5692: "Ukraine Security Assistance and Oversight Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 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)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
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.
Pro-life Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
I believe we should be a nation that supprts and protects the value of life on every level. I make exceptions for the life of the mother and incest and rape cases. I am supportive of community health centers for those less fortunate, however, I do not support using taxpayer funding for an organization that reports annually hundreds of millions in profit and who's primary mission is providing abortion.
No In order to balance the budget, do you support reducing defense spending?
No In order to balance the budget, do you support an income tax increase on any tax bracket?
Defense spending requires constant oversight and adjustment tied to strategic goals to ensure efficiency. When considering a balanced budget, mandatory spending far and away eclipses Defense spending which amounts to half of all discretionary spending. We will not be able to afford the military or any other discretionary spending if we don't deal with mandatory spending as soon as possible. At some point in the near future mandatory spending will overtake discretionary spending completely. We mathematically cannot balance the budget even if we ended all defense spending.
Yes Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?
I support a transparent environment regarding campaign contributions from corporations and unions. The environment must also be fair and consistent for all participating. I don't believe the playing field is currently level and that the majority of cries for fairness and transparency favor one side.
Yes Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?
Yes Do you support alternatives to incarceration for certain non-violent offenders such as mandatory counseling or substance abuse treatment?
Yes Do you support mandatory minimum sentences for non-violent drug offenders?
Violent criminals are not innocent as are the unborn. As both a deterrent and justice for the family of the victims it is both appropriate and justified for the most violent criminals in our society. Incarceration for for substance abuse by non-violent offenders is not always optimal or effective and we should seek and implement alternative measures where appropriate. While there is some belief that mandatory minimums are incarcerating non-violent drug offenders unduely, more often, federal drug offenses are associated with violence and it is often appropriate to ensure public safety is maintained by ensuring violent offenders are incarcerated.
No Do you support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
Yes Do you support lowering taxes as a means of promoting economic growth?
Yes Do you support providing tax incentives to businesses for the purpose of job creation?
Government spending in general is usually influenced at some point with the selfish desires of those who promote them or influence them. In the end, they usually distort the competitive market and are counterproductive to the economy and consumers. The government should endeavor to tax only as much as absolutely necessary and leave as much of earnings as possible with those who have earned it. This simple mindset ensures an entrepreneurial spirit that encourages individual risk/reward and robust economic growth based on the free market. I support lower taxes both for individuals and businesses wherever possible.
No Do you generally support requiring states to adopt federal education standards?
I am supportive of a federal education safety net for states or districts that fail to provide a successful education. Education was never meant to be handled at the federal level and has become too costly and politically motivated. Education is best handled at the local and state level where citizen input/management and competitive forces can have the greatest impact to ensure quality education at affordable tax rates can be ensured. The focus needs to remain on the education of the children and not on the special interests of federal regulators or profit centerd organizations.
Yes Do you support building the Keystone XL pipeline?
No Do you support government funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, thermal)?
No Do you support increased regulations on the hydraulic fracturing ("fracking") industry?
The reality is that modern society is based on our utilization of energy. We have been misled in the past regarding energy shortages and we should be skeptical of those claims again. Technology and the competitive market have led to more efficient, more affordable and cleaner uses of fossil fuels - we should be happy to use them while continuing to pursue renewable energy sources at competitive market rates. We should not restrict ourselves regarding renewables but consider all, including hydroelectric and we should also consider the consequences of a strong economy based on advancements in dealing with foreign adversaries.
Yes Do you believe that human activity is contributing to climate change?
Yes Do you support the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions?
Of course human activity contributes to climate change. The question is to what extent are we contributing and what can/should we do about it. We must base our policy on facts, not opinions or public pressure from international organizations or nations that do not have our best interests in mind. The science is not settled on this issue and there is justification to question some of the motives of the interest organizations/individuals that demand policy changes. We should pursue a policy based in fact and one that ensures the clean, responsible operation of industry and government, devoid of profiteering interests.
No Do you generally support gun-control legislation?
We currently have numerous laws on the books regarding firearms and while they often restrict the law-abiding unduly, criminals using firearms are not dealt with adequately because the laws are not enforced with vigor. In too many cases, the social narrative does not comport with the facts. Less than 1% of firearms are purchased at gun shows while 77% of criminals get their guns on the street. Some seek to ban so called "assault rifles" in response to sensational mass shooting incidents, meanwhile, they account for less than 2% of weapons crimes overall.
No Do you support repealing the 2010 Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare")?
While I accept that the Supreme Court deemed the law constitutional, I believe it went out of its way to do so defining the law as a tax as opposed to the original and appropriate argument. I do not believe the government has the constitutional right to force citizens to purchase healthcare coverage under penalty of fine/taxation. While I oppose it for constitutional and economic reasons, the correct method of redress is via legislation repealing it and replacing it with a patient centered, competitive market based approach that puts patients and practitioners in charge of individual health care choices.
Yes Do you support requiring immigrants who are unlawfully present to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship?
Immigrants who thwarted the law and entered the United States without permission or came lawfully and chose to overstay their visa have violated the law. While some advocate for an open border and wish to ignore or do away with this law, I believe it is harmful to our nation and its legitimate citizens. A nation which does not control its borders cannot protect its sovereignty or the economic and physical security of its citizens. the first priority must be to control our borders and to reform an archaic immigration system that encourages lawbreaking, discourages lawfulness and is ineffective.
No Do you support same-sex marriage?
I support marriage as originally defined. I support equal rights for all individuals and couples under the law without discrimination whatsoever. The government has no business determining who or what love is and should not endeavor to infringe on the rights of individuals based on faith or relationship in this regard.
Yes Do you support increased American intervention in Iraq and Syria beyond air support?
Yes Should the U.S use military force in order to prevent governments hostile to the United States from possessing a nuclear weapon?
Because of the policy failures over the last 8 years that have created unprecedented instability, mass refugee flows and spread radical Islamist terrorism worldwide, I believe America must ensure its interests of security and commerce are protected. I advocate for the creation and administration of regional safe zones to manage refugee flows and the spread of terrorism while diplomatic and military solutions with like minded allies are employed to promote and establish security in the region. Nuclear threats are of such import that America cannot wait and hope. We must ensure our enemies cannot use the capability to strike us.
Yes Do you support allowing individuals to divert a portion of their Social Security taxes into personal retirement accounts?
The social security system we have paid for is going bankrupt. Based on the current path, in approximately 15 years or less the SS trust fund will be completely out of money and that portion of income those who paid in are relying on for retirement will be gone. We must consider all viable options sooner than later to ensure the solvency of the system so that we will be able to honor the promise that was made to each ciitizen who has lawfully paid into the system over the course of their lifetime.

SpendingIndicate what federal spending levels (#1-6) you support for the following general categories. Select one number per category; you can use a number more than once.TaxesIndicate what federal tax levels (#1-6) you support for the following general categories. Select one number per category; you can use a number more than once.

Maintain Status a) Agriculture
Greatly Decrease b) Arts
Slightly Increase c) Defense
Greatly Decrease d) Education
Greatly Decrease e) Environment
Maintain Status f) Homeland Security
Maintain Status g) International aid
Slightly Increase h) Medical Research
Slightly Decrease i) Scientific Research
Slightly Decrease j) Space exploration
Greatly Decrease k) United Nations
Greatly Decrease l) Welfare
m) Other or expanded categories
Slightly Decrease a) Capital gains taxes
Slightly Decrease b) Corporate taxes
Slightly Decrease c) Small business taxes
Maintain Status d) Excise taxes (alcohol)
Maintain Status e) Excise taxes (cigarettes)
Maintain Status f) Excise taxes (transportation fuel)
Slightly Decrease g) Income taxes (low-income families)
Slightly Decrease h) Income taxes (middle-income families)
Slightly Decrease i) Income taxes (high-income families)
Eliminate j) Inheritance taxes
Slightly Decrease k) Payroll taxes
l) Other or expanded categories
Passage and ratification of the balanced budget amendment. Spending way beyond our means for an extended period of time has not only created a chronic economic crisis, but has negative national security implications. Immigration enforcement and reform - we must control our borders and have an updated and agile policy that support America's economic, security, cultural and compassionate priorities and needs. Entitlement reform - Social Security, Medicare, Medicade and other off-budget programs are going bankrupt and are bankrupting our nation. They must be reformed as soon as possible to ensure we honor our obligations and remain a prosperous nation.

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