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Steven Palazzo's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

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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.
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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 2022.

  • "I am proud to see that Mississippi is leading the nation in the fight to defend the unborn- challenging outdated precedents that strip states of their ability to ban abortion procedures. This case offers a monumental opportunity for the highest court in the land to recognize states' right to defend the unborn. I stand with my colleagues and urge the Supreme Court to stand up for the countless innocent lives at the heart of this case," (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • In the United States over 600,000 babies are killed every year by the barbaric act of abortion. Abortion is wrong, and protecting the rights of the unborn is one of the greatest responsibilities I have as a Member of Congress. I will never stop fighting for the lives of the unborn, and to end the practice of abortion once and for all. As the father of 3 children I believe all life is sacred and life begins at conception. (palazzoforcongress.com)
  • Rated 0% by Planned Parenthood Action Fund (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 36 - Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • As a Certified Public Accountant, I know the importance of fiscal control.The dangerous cycle of spending without considering the cost and asking the American people to bear the burden through higher taxes cannot continue. It is time to stop the spending and reduce the dangerous national debt. As a small business owner who has created jobs, it’s clear to me that higher taxes, out of control spending and an outrageous national debt threaten our future. The government must stop spending money it doesn’t have. We can’t keep kicking the can down the road. (palazzoforcongress.com)
  • "For decades we've seen businesses leave this country, and take American jobs with them. Since my first day in Congress I have called for a tax code that is flatter and fairer, that benefits both small businesses and the middle class. American families and individuals have felt the impact of an outdated and broken tax code directly in their wallets, and that is about to change for the better. We made it our goal this year to provide relief to American families, individuals, and businesses, and today we held true to that promise." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Rated 100% by FreedomWorks. (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 5377 - Restoring Tax Fairness for States and Localities Act - (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Rated 0% by Alliance for Retired Americans. (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted against S 610 - Protecting Medicare and American Farmers from Sequester Cuts Act (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • More and more of our limited resources are being spent on unlimited entitlement programs and reasonable cuts must become a reality. What has our nation become when 29 million Americans depend on the government for assistance to live their lives every day? We must cut back on the way we spend America’s money. I truly believe that Americans are willing to accept cuts if the sacrifice is truly shared and wasteful spending is eliminated. (palazzoforcongress.com)
  • Rated 0% by Common Cause. (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "This bill is nothing more than a power grab attempt by Democrats to federalize elections and strip states of their power to manage elections. Not only does it use taxpayer dollars to fund political campaigns, but it also diminishes the First Amendment and is designed to keep liberals in power." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 1 - For the People Act of 2021 - (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Since coming to Congress I have been a constant advocate for our men and women in uniform, especially our law enforcement. Over the past few years we have seen communities torn apart by violence at the hands of anarrchists and misguided socialists. They have used opportunities for peaceful protest to loot and burn businesses and attack our police. These radical liberals must be met with overwhelming force, we will not allow our communities to be overtaken by liberal socialists dedicated to the destruction of law and order. In Congress I have allocated millions of dollars for local police forces through federal grants and have supported them through legislation to increase penalities and mandatory sentences for those who attack our law enforcement officers. I will always back the blue, to ensure they are always able to return to their families safe and sound after their shift has ended. (palazzoforcongress.com)
  • "The provisions included in the police reform bill were drafted without input from law enforcement officials and Republicans in the House. Democrats' goal to dismantle and defund the police is an extremely dangerous path to take and makes our communities less safe, which is why I would urge them to reconsider such an extreme agenda. I am proud to back America's law enforcement officers and will work to restore funding for their work through my position on the House Appropriations Committee." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1280 - George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021 - (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • I will work to make sure our troops have the tools, equipment and supplies they need to do the mission and come home as soon as possible. This nation needs a strong national defense, but to keep it strong we need a robust economy. That means getting rid of sequestration, which does tremendous damage to our national security. We have been successful in replacing part of the sequester for the next several years, a big victory for our men and women in uniform. (palazzoforcongress.com)
  • Rated 100% by Center for Security Policy. (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "The number one responsibility of the U.S. Congress is to provide for national defense." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of S 1605 - National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 - National Key Vote (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Investing in America's infrastructure is critical to the success of our nation and our great state. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, securing funding for opportunities like these RAISE grants remains a top priority. This is the third consecutive year South Mississippi has received highly competitive federal investments in local infrastructure improvement projects. These improvements are imperative to expanding our growing tourism industry, supporting the new businesses calling South Mississippi home, and creating safe evacuation routes from severe weather. These brick-and-mortar improvements are the kind of infrastructure that Mississippians want and need," (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • More and more of our limited resources are being spent on unlimited entitlement programs and reasonable cuts must become a reality. What has our nation become when 29 million Americans depend on the government for assistance to live their lives every day? We must cut back on the way we spend America’s money. I truly believe that Americans are willing to accept cuts if the sacrifice is truly shared and wasteful spending is eliminated. (palazzoforcongress.com)
  • Voted against HR 3684 "Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act." (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 100% by FreedomWorks. (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • As a Certified Public Accountant, I know the importance of fiscal control.The dangerous cycle of spending without considering the cost and asking the American people to bear the burden through higher taxes cannot continue. It is time to stop the spending and reduce the dangerous national debt. As a small business owner who has created jobs, it’s clear to me that higher taxes, out of control spending and an outrageous national debt threaten our future. The government must stop spending money it doesn’t have. We can’t keep kicking the can down the road. (palazzoforcongress.com)
  • "This bill will also bring companies back to America, creating more jobs and bigger paychecks.Currently our corporate tax rate is higher than any other industrialized country, which helps explain why so many businesses have packed their bags and taken OUR jobs to other countries.The tax reform legislation passed today reduces the corporate tax rate and encourages businesses to bring their companies back to America." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1 "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act." (votesmart.org)
  • "The United States must be adequately prepared to respond to further spread of the coronavirus. This funding provides strong support to procure resources for our local public health authorities who are our frontline responders. While there are no confirmed cases in the state of Mississippi, we want to make sure we are proactively planning and prepared for all scenarios." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 266 - Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • I support #SchoolChoiceStudents should have the power to choose what education options best fits their needs. (twitter.com)
  • Parents, teachers, and local school boards should lead the efforts to improve the education of our children, not the federal government. Education is best left in the hands of those that know the specific needs of each student. Congress should adopt responsible legislation that will empower the states to play a more active role in a child's education. (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Rated 0% by National Education Association (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • But the Second Amendment is more than just hunting and fishing it’s a part of our way of life.Any retreat or surrender of our liberties is a subversion of the Constitution and the principles established by the founders of our nation.The National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act – Allows people with a concealed firearm permit to carry a concealed firearm in any state that offers such permits. RESTORE Act – Ensures the long-term restoration of Mississippi’s natural resources, fisheries and coastal wetlands including the economic health of coastal communities adversely affected by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill by establishing a trust fund paid for with Clean Water Act fines. Protecting Gun Owners in Bankruptcy Act – Allowing guns to be exempt from estate in bankruptcy. (palazzoforcongress.com)
  • Rated 92% by National Rifle Association (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted no on HR 1446 - Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2021 - National Key Vote (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • I agree with @realDonaldTrump we must act decisively to protect the American people from the collapse of Obamacare. (twitter.com)
  • Now is the time to REPEAL ObamaCare. That is why I've become a co-sponsor for the ObamaCare Repeal Act. (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1628 "American Health Care Act of 2017." (votesmart.org)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • Rated 93% with NumbersUSA (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • So far, Biden has -Stopped construction of the border wall - threatening safety of Americans and our national security -Rejoined the Paris Climate Accord - jeopardizing 2.7 million American jobs. (twitter.com)
  • The scourge of illegal immigration is one of the biggest issues facing us today. Under President Trump, the "Remain in Mexico Policy" and the Construction of a Border Wall were working as a deterent to illegal entry into our country. Today we continue to recieve report after report of the millions of illegal immigrants who cross our borders annually and the dangerous drugs, weapons and gang activity that they bring with them. As a member of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee and the House American Security Task Force, I am dedicated to stopping illegal immigration and rooting out the evil that it brings. Border Security is National Security! (palazzoforcongress.com)
  • "I do not support amnesty in any form." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Rated 93% with NumbersUSA (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • The scourge of illegal immigration is one of the biggest issues facing us today. Under President Trump, the "Remain in Mexico Policy" and the Construction of a Border Wall were working as a deterent to illegal entry into our country. Today we continue to recieve report after report of the millions of illegal immigrants who cross our borders annually and the dangerous drugs, weapons and gang activity that they bring with them. As a member of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee and the House American Security Task Force, I am dedicated to stopping illegal immigration and rooting out the evil that it brings. Border Security is National Security! (palazzoforcongress.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 3003 "No Sanctuary for Criminals Act." (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 550 "No War Against Iran Act." (votesmart.org)
  • I support our troops on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan and around the world. It’s wrong to play politics with the troops, and we’ve all seen the consequences of these decisions paid out in American lives. It often seemsthat our fighting men and women are led by a Commander In Chief who is AWOL, "Absent, With Out Leadership." The enemies of the United States have been presented with a view of our nation that makes us look mean-spirited. They have been told that we are a nation of bullies, wimps and cowards. They’ve heard these messages straight from our own Commander-In-Chief. (palazzoforcongress.com)
  • Voted against HR 256 - To Repeal the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Signed Letter to President Trump: "Pockets of ungoverned space have allowed terrorist groups, such as ISIS, Al-Qaeda, and their affiliates, to keep parts of Syria in their stranglehold. These groups' ability to recruit, propagandize, and grow is alarming. Though their main purpose now may be to fight inside Syria, they retain the ability and will to plan and implement attacks against Western targets, our allies and partners, and the U.S. homeland. The United States has an interest in preventing these terrorist organizations from solidifying their foothold in the Middle East, which they would undoubtedly use to further destabilize the region, thereby undermining American interests." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • I support our troops on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan and around the world. It’s wrong to play politics with the troops, and we’ve all seen the consequences of these decisions paid out in American lives. It often seemsthat our fighting men and women are led by a Commander In Chief who is AWOL, "Absent, With Out Leadership." The enemies of the United States have been presented with a view of our nation that makes us look mean-spirited. They have been told that we are a nation of bullies, wimps and cowards. They’ve heard these messages straight from our own Commander-In-Chief. (palazzoforcongress.com)
  • "Passing the USMCA is long overdue but is a welcomed upgrade to our outdated North American Free Trade Agreement. Exports from Mississippi totaled $3.4 billion in 2018 and the USMCA will only increase our state's export numbers. Free trade with our North American trading partners is vital to Mississippi manufacturers, farmers, and small businesses. We are paving the way for greater economic prosperity in the United States." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Rated 0% by Public Citizen (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "The agreement to move forward with the USMCA is a win for American workers. President Trump deserves total praise for spearheading the United States' demands in this trade agreement and carrying it across the finish line. It's unfortunate that Pelosi stalled the job creation and continued economic progress over her pursuit to impeach the President, but a win is a win. Nevertheless, the American people deserve this trade deal and I am proud to say that Congress will deliver on that promise." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5430 - United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act - (justfacts.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?
No In order to balance the budget, do you support an income tax increase on any tax bracket?
No In order to balance the budget, do you support reducing defense spending?
The number one responsibility of the U.S. Congress is to provide for national defense.
No Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?
Yes Do you support lowering corporate taxes as a means of promoting economic growth?
Unknown Position Do you support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
No Do you support requiring states to adopt federal education standards?
No Do you support government funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, thermal)?
Unknown Position Do you support the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions?
No Do you generally support gun-control legislation?
Yes Do you support repealing the 2010 Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare")?
Yes Do you support the construction of a wall along the Mexican border?
Yes Do you support requiring immigrants who are unlawfully present to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship?
I do not support amnesty in any form.
No Do you support the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes?
Unknown Position Should the United States use military force in order to prevent governments hostile to the U.S. from possessing a nuclear weapon?
Unknown Position Do you support increased American intervention in Middle Eastern conflicts beyond air support?
Please explain in a total of 100 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.

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