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Doug Collins' 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.

Doug Collins has failed to provide voters with positions on key issues covered by the 2020 Political Courage Test, despite repeated requests from Vote Smart and voters like you.

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Issue Positions

For Presidential and Congressional candidates who refuse to provide voters with their positions, Vote Smart has researched their public records to determine their likely responses. These issue positions are from 2020.

  • "@SenatorLoeffler has spent over $16 million influencing politicians and elections. Including to radical abortion on demand leftists and anti-Trump Democrats. She was a lobbyist!" (twitter.com)
  • "Throughout my time as an elected official in both the Georgia legislature and in Congress, I have worked tirelessly to fight for and protect the lives of the unborn." (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 4712 - Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 100% by NARAL Right to Life Committee (votesmart.org)
  • "House #budget passage swings open #TaxReform door. Americans want more of their $ to pursue more of their dreams." (twitter.com)
  • "Tax relief helps expand the economy, and we’re seeing that in action in #GA09. We always want to promote free markets and low taxes, and April 17 of this year reminds us that that plan is working. #TaxDay →" (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1 - Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. (votesmart.org)
  • "We made conservative, pro-growth #TaxReform a reality, & the benefits keep coming in. The average tax cut for someone making $36K in #GA09 = $921, & that goes a long way to helping w/ college, music lessons, retirement, or other family priorities." (twitter.com)
  • "Washington has neglected to ensure their long-term survival by letting them operate on autopilot. Today, both Social Security and Medicare are on a road to ruin. Recently, the annual Social Security and Medicare Trustees Report predicted Social Security would be insolvent in 17 years and Medicare in 12. Until the process changes, there is no way for Congress to put in motion a feasible plan to save these programs." (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 9% by Alliance for Retired Americans. (votesmart.org)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • Signed a letter stating: "As you consider the Fiscal Year 2020 defense authorization and appropriation bills, we strongly urge your continued support for the F-35 Lightning II program." (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 100% by Center for Security Policy. (votesmart.org)
  • "The House just passed the #NDAA to authorize a pay raise for troops, increased funding for their training, funding for the Iron Dome, and greater investment in cyber defense. In other words, we recognize the importance of America's military, and we're working to rebuild it." (twitter.com)
  • "The world is rapidly growing more dangerous, and we must ensure our military has every resource necessary to combat the challenges at hand." (votesmart.org)
  • "When it comes to government spending, nothing is ever enough for Speaker Pelosi. She only seems to have a problem spending taxpayer dollars if we’re funding our military or securing our border." (twitter.com)
  • "What the federal government needs to do is stop wastefully spending taxpayer dollars. Plain and simple, we cannot afford to spend money that we do not have." (votesmart.org)
  • "The U.S. has the highest corporate income tax rate in the industrialized world. We must cut this rate to incentivize international businesses to invest in America." (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1 - Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. (votesmart.org)
  • "#WednesdayWisdom: #TaxReform will create jobs for middle America. → AT&T pledges to invest $1B more at home if Tax Cuts & Jobs Act becomes law." (twitter.com)
  • "I'm not sure what Democrats are calling "crumbs," but here's what the millions of dollars businesses are pouring into their employees as a result of tax reform mean to #GA09. #gapol" (twitter.com)
  • "NEW → Today, small businesses can start applying for the Paycheck Protection Program. This #CARESAct program provides forgivable loans to businesses paying their employees during #COVID19." (twitter.com)
  • "American workers, families, small businesses and medical professionals are waiting on Congress to act. But they can’t wait any longer. They need relief NOW. Let’s get this done. #CARESAct" (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5 - Student Success Act. (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 0% by National Education Association. (votesmart.org)
  • "My experience with my own children has shown me that no "one size fits all" education exists, and Washington should not be in the business of trying to create such a system." (votesmart.org)
  • "@POTUS#KeystoneXL approval opens up new possibilities toward energy independence, a stronger American economy, & smart energy options." (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1119 - SENSE Act. (votesmart.org)
  • "Taken together, we fear the Green New Deal would hurt Americans struggling to make ends meet -- the very people it purports to help. Worst of all, it could permanently put the American Dream out of reach for millions of Americans. As the committees to which it has been referred, we have a responsibility to fully understand how the Green New Deal will affect the cost of living and economic mobility of hardworking Americans. We need to get to the facts, the American people deserve answers." (votesmart.org)
  • "America needs an all-of-the-above energy policy that will free our nation from dependence on our enemies. Because of this, I strongly support domestic on and offshore drilling, as well as the expansion of our own natural gas resources. I have also voted for projects such as the Keystone XL Pipeline, which would increase our domestic production and help decrease out of control gas prices." (votesmart.org)
  • "What’s in Speaker Pelosi’s partisan wishlist: -60+ mentions of cannabis -Preventing state voter ID requirement -$50 million to the EPA for environmental justice grants -Anti-work provisions This is nothing more than a Democrat attempt to advance their left-wing agenda." (twitter.com)
  • "Glad to see the @EPA delaying implementation of #WOTUS rule for 2 yrs while it looks for ways to reduce regulatory burdens. I've advocated for #GA09 farmers, ranchers, and biz that could suffer unnecessarily under this rule, and I welcome the decision from @EPAScottPruitt. #gapol" (twitter.com)
  • Signed a letter stating: "we believe this carbon dioxide regulation whose implementation is legally questionable at best and would do untold harm to the American people and our economy for decades to come." (jeffduncan.house.gov)
  • Rated 92% by National Rifle Association. (votesmart.org)
  • "Democrats aren’t interested in actually stopping gun violence. They’re committed to eroding the #2A rights of law-abiding Americans. Most importantly, Democrats have misled mass violence victims by promoting a bill — H.R. 8 — that would not, will not stop mass violence." (twitter.com)
  • "In Congress, I've worked hard to be a faithful defender of and advocate for Georgians' firearm freedoms." (votesmart.org)
  • "The #MVPAct — unlike most of the bills that have been rammed through the committee this year — would take concrete steps to reduce urban gun violence without infringing on the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Americans." (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1628 - American Health Care Act of 2017. (votesmart.org)
  • "Georgians still suffer under Obamacare, which has narrowed their choice & more than doubled avg premiums on indiv market since 2013." (twitter.com)
  • Rated 0% by American Public Health Association. (votesmart.org)
  • "Some of my colleagues across the aisle believe that the Senate's vote against repealing Obamacare was heroic. I believe it was a failure of process, a process that could have included both houses and both parties in a conference committee." (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 6201 - Families First Coronavirus Response Act. (votesmart.org)
  • "America's security remains the highest priority of Congress and this administration. Today, the House voted to fully fund President Trump's budget request for construction of a border wall and to increase support that troops and veterans have been waiting on for too long." (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 88% by NumbersUSA. (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 88% by NumbersUSA. (votesmart.org)
  • "Executive action granting amnesty to millions of illegals is President Obama taking out his anger on the American people for rejecting his agenda through the due process of elections two weeks ago." (votesmart.org)
  • "The Democrats’ plans for mass amnesty would not only fuel the crisis at the border, it fails to close the loopholes in our immigration system. It will not protect this country. It will not end suffering at the border." (twitter.com)
  • Rated 100% by Center for Security Policy. (votesmart.org)
  • "I have supported increased sanctions against North Korea after their repeated attempts to provoke the West." (votesmart.org)
  • "I support President Trump's decision to withdraw from the folly that is the Iran Deal. I've had grave concerns with the deal from the beginning, and I've long said that a nation that promotes terror internationally and against its own people has no business increasing its nuclear capabilities. America has no place giving this bad actor legitimacy or economic relief through such a defective agreement. Iran must be held accountable, and I believe we can work as a country and with our allies to rein in this rogue nation." (votesmart.org)
  • "Today President Obama gave a speech defending the Iran nuclear deal, orchestrated by his administration. From the beginning, I have been against the deal, which lifts economic sanctions and won't do anything to prevent Iran from building a nuclear weapon in the years to come. This deal makes the whole world less safe, including Israel, a country Iran has repeatedly threatened to destroy. Congress must act as soon as possible to avert an international disaster waiting to happen. #GA09" (www.facebook.com)
  • "President Trump's strategy for South Asia focuses on achieving security for America and stability in Afghanistan within a complex regional context. As an Iraq veteran, I welcome renewed American resolve to defeat terrorism and its enablers so that the world and every person in it enjoys more peace tomorrow than they knew yesterday." (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 100% by Center for Security Policy. (votesmart.org)
  • "This trade deal is a win for American workers and a win for Northeast Georgians. By expanding Americans' access to Canadian and Mexican markets, USMCA will fuel innovation, create more jobs for hardworking Americans, and enable greater global competitiveness. For Northeast Georgians, this agreement will strengthen the poultry industry, opening the door to new markets and hundreds of millions of dollars in added revenue." (votesmart.org)
  • Signed a letter stating: "Because tariffs are taxes that make U.S. businesses less competitive and U.S. consumers poorer, any tariffs that are imposed should be designed to address specific distortions caused by unfair trade practices in a targeted way while minimizing negative consequences on American businesses and consumers." (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.
Pro-life Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
Do you support a timetable for withdrawal from Afghanistan?
Unknown Position Do you support United States' combat operations in Afghanistan?
As someone who has served on the ground in Iraq, I believe the best decisions regarding a withdrawal in Afghanistan should be determined by the commanders and military leaders we have overseas who defend our country day in and day out. I support a timetable that is put in place by these men and women, but I feel we must not allow our enemies to learn of any definite plan.

Indicate which proposals you support (if any) for balancing the federal budget.In order to balance the budget,

No do you support reducing defense spending?
No do you support an income tax increase on any tax bracket?
do you support reducing Medicaid spending?
do you support reducing Medicare spending?
Yes Is balancing the budget a legislative priority?
Our country is swimming in debt, and we must do something about that now to protect the futures of our children and grandchildren. I believe we must put everything on the table in regards to cutting spending. Our entitlement programs are a huge factor in our debt crisis; therefore, I believe Medicare and Medicaid need to undergo significant reforms in an effort to put our country back on track.
Unknown Position Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?
I do believe there is room for reform and increased transparency inside the election process, especially on the national level.
Yes Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?
No Do you support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
Yes Do you support providing tax incentives to businesses for the purpose of job creation?
No Do you support spending on infrastructure projects for the purpose of job creation?
No Do you support the temporary extension of unemployment benefits?
Yes Do you support the 2010 temporary extension of tax relief?
I was proud to vote in favor of HB 868 in the Georgia General Assembly this past legislative session. This bill created tax incentives for businesses, which directly encouraged Baxter International to build a manufacturing plant on Georgia soil -- creating 1,500 new jobs and pumping $1 billion in our state economy. Washington needs to take notes from Georgia, and do it everything it came to promote American entrepreneurship and private industry growth.
No Do you support requiring states to implement education reforms in order to be eligible for competitive federal grants?
I do not think it is the job of the federal government to require anything of the state concerning education. The more localized the control, the better. States should have control over their education system in order to promote competition amongst individual states, and implement better educational practices overall.
Yes Do you support reducing restrictions on offshore energy production?
No Do you believe that human activity is contributing to climate change?
No Do you support the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions?
We already have laws on the books that support regulations on greenhouse gas. I would have to review what future laws would be put on the books before I would sign on to more. Additionally, I have signed on to the No Climate Tax Pledge authored by Americans for Prosperity. This gives my vow I will oppose any legislation associated with climate change that implements a net increase in government revenue.
No Do you support restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns?
I have always been a strong supporter of our Second Amendment rights, both in my personal life and during my six years in the Georgia General Assembly. Furthermore, I have received the endorsement of the National Rifle Association for my candidacy in this race.
Yes Do you support repealing the 2010 Affordable Care Act?
No Should individuals be required to purchase health insurance, as mandated in the 2010 Affordable Care Act?
Yes Do you support requiring illegal immigrants to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship?
Do you support allowing illegal immigrants, who were brought to the United States as minors, to pursue citizenship without returning to their country of origin?
Do you support the enforcement of federal immigration law by state and local police?
I was proud to vote in favor of Georgia's toughest immigration law, the Illegal Immigration Reform and Enforcement Act of 2011. This legislation cracked down on Georgia's illegal immigration problem while simultaneously removing the financial burden from the taxpayers. The federal government has an obligation to streamline our immigration process in order to take control of this problem, until then the states must pursue whatever course of action they deem necessary.
No Do you support same-sex marriage?
I have never and will never support anything but marriage between one man and one woman.
Should the U.S use military force in order to prevent Iran from possessing a nuclear weapon?
Unknown Position Do you support targeting suspected terrorists outside of official theaters of conflict?
I believe Iran is an imminent threat to the United States and also one of our greatest friends, Israel. Protecting our citizenry from any threat -- foreign or domestic -- is an obligation the federal government must uphold; however, it should do so without violating the basic rights every member of our citizenry has been granted under the Constitution.
Yes Do you support allowing individuals to divert a portion of their Social Security taxes into personal retirement accounts?

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.

a) Agriculture
b) Arts
c) Defense
d) Education
e) Environment
f) Homeland Security
g) International aid
h) Medical Research
i) Scientific Research
j) Space exploration
Eliminate k) United Nations
l) Welfare
m) Other or expanded categories
Greatly Decrease a) Capital gains taxes
Greatly Decrease b) Corporate taxes
c) Excise taxes (alcohol)
d) Excise taxes (cigarettes)
e) Excise taxes (transportation fuel)
f) Income taxes (low-income families)
g) Income taxes (middle-income families)
h) Income taxes (high-income families)
i) Inheritance taxes
j) Payroll taxes
It's time the federal government stop taxing American productivity and growth. We need comprehensive tax reform which creates a system that everyone can understand and participate in. As we have it now, only about half of our citizenry is paying taxes to support the other half. We must eliminate this substantial problem, and I believe the best way to do that is a complete revamp of our current tax code.
I will work hard toward repealing the Affordable Care Act. This one action can eliminate cumbersome regulations that hamper private industry growth, save federal funds and CREATE JOBS. Another legislative priority of mine will be greatly reducing federal spending and instituting a balanced budget. I have done just that in the Georgia General Assembly in cutting $5 billion from our state budget in the past 6 years, all the while balancing our state budget. Once we get our spending under control we can begin to cut back on the deficit we are leaving our future generations.

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