Card image cap

Rodney Davis' 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.
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 2022.

  • "As a pro-life lawmaker, Rodney has supported the Hyde Amendment since coming to Congress. It has been vital to protecting the First Amendment and conscience rights of pro-life Americans and also taxpayers who don’t think their hard-earned tax dollars should fund abortion. Rodney strongly believes Democrats’ attempts to expand taxpayer-funded abortion are wrong and out of step with most Americans’ views on this issue. Rodney will continue to advocate for life and the Hyde Amendment’s continued inclusion in government funding legislation." (electrodney.com)
  • Rared 100% by National Right to Life Committee (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Rodney is proudly pro-life and believes life is worth protecting. Rodney has consistently fought against Democrat attempts to expand taxpayer-funded abortion at the federal level." (electrodney.com)
  • "Rodney is a taxpayer advocate. In Congress, Rodney supported tax reform that lowered income taxes, doubled the standard deduction, expanded child tax credits, and more. According to IRS data, this law saves the average family of 4 earning roughly $78,500 over $2,200 a year in federal income taxes. Rodney is working to make these tax cuts permanent and is fighting Democrat attempts to repeal these tax cuts." (electrodney.com)
  • "The Trump tax cuts have provided real, meaningful tax relief for middle class families and small business. I was proud to work with President Trump & fellow Republicans in Congress to pass the tax cuts in 2017. Now I'm reintroducing legislation to make those tax cuts permanent." (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 1 "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "It was an honor to join law enforcement labor leaders yesterday in Chicago & hear directly from them about the issues their members face. Whether it’s rising violent crime or open hostility from elected officials, the men & women of law enforcement have a tough & dangerous job." (twitter.com)
  • Rated 95% by Center for Security Policy (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of S 1605 "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "We must never allow our military to be defunded, which is what voting No on the NDAA would have done. President Biden and some Democrats in Congress attempted to use this year’s NDAA to cut defense spending and reshape our military according to their progressive worldview." (twitter.com)
  • "Yesterday, I voted for defense spending & against social spending legislation. If some members had their way, they'd defund our military. That's dangerous. I'm glad Republicans stepped up & ensured strong defense spending." (twitter.com)
  • "Inflation isn't a "high-class problem." It affects every American family, and the Biden Administration continues to push policies that will make it worse. The Democrats' $3.5 trillion tax-and-spending binge will push the historic inflation numbers we're seeing even higher." (twitter.com)
  • "Inflation just hit a new, 40-year high, yet President Biden and the Democrats who control Congress are still pushing to raise taxes and increase spending by trillions of dollars. The Democrats are making our country's problems worse, not better." (twitter.com)
  • "Rodney is a strong fiscal conservative who is standing up to the Democrats’ reckless spending habits. In Congress, Rodney opposed the Democrats’ multi-trillion dollar COVID-19 relief spending plan that had nothing to do with fighting the pandemic. The Democrats’ spending plan included personal pet projects for Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s own district and billion-dollar bailouts for states that enacted tough lockdown orders." (electrodney.com)
  • "Today, is not about politics or the legacy of Republicans and Democrats. It's about middle-class Americans who have not seen a tax break in more than 30 years, small businesses who continue to be taxed at a much higher rate than large businesses, and it's about bringing back jobs and investments by corporations who have left this country because we have the highest corporate tax rate in the industrialized world." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 1 "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "In Congress, Rodney opposed the Democrats’ multi-trillion dollar COVID-19 relief spending plan that had nothing to do with fighting the pandemic. The Democrats’ spending plan included personal pet projects for Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s own district and billion-dollar bailouts for states that enacted tough lockdown orders." (electrodney.com)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 266 "Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Advancement Act" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "It was a beautiful morning to visit Radford's Run wind farm in Macon County and see the wind turbines up close. I support an "all of the above" energy policy, including renewable resources like wind energy." (twitter.com)
  • "President Biden’s executive order to halt construction of the Keystone XL pipeline & other environmental policies he’s pursuing will threaten energy & union jobs in IL & across the US." (twitter.com)
  • Rated 84% by American Energy Alliance (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "We can reduce energy prices by completely unleashing the American energy sector, and that includes homegrown biofuels like ethanol. Biden must immediately reinstate year-round E15 and reverse his RFS cuts. Those two actions will significantly increase U.S. energy independence." (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of H. Amdt 585 "Prohibits the Social Cost of Carbon from Being Included in Agency Determinations" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of H Con Res 119 "Expressing the sense of Congress that a carbon tax would be detrimental to the United States Economy" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 806 "Ozone Standards Implementation Act of 2017" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Rated 83% by National Rifle Association (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Rodney is a strong believer in the Second Amendment and the rights of gun owners. He has worked to promote responsible firearm ownership in Congress as well. Rodney has opposed Democrat efforts to limit an American citizen’s right to own firearms." (electrodney.com)
  • "We could create another law that does nothing but infringe on law-abiding citizens’ Second Amendment right or we could create a system that could have stopped the last mass shooting and might stop the next." (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 1628 "American Health Care Act of 2017" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 596 "Repeal of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and Health Care-Related Provisions in the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Rated 83% by Federation for American Immigration Reform (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "This morning, we visited an unfinished 14-mile section of the border wall near Mission, TX, where construction began during the Trump Admin. It's disappointing the Biden Admin. halted construction because border security matters, and it's critical to keeping our country safe." (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 4760 "Securing America's Future Act of 2018" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 6136 "Border Security and Immigration Reform Act of 2018" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 3004 "Kate's Law" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "The rhetoric coming from leaders in both parties today about immigration reform does nothing to advance the kind of reforms that are best for America. Reforming our immigration system is complicated and difficult enough without insensitive comments like these." (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 30003 "No Sanctuary for Criminals Act" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "I support the admin’s new sanctions against #Iran — the world’s leading state sponsor of terror — for testing ballistic missiles." (twitter.com)
  • Rated 95% by Center for Security Policy (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Stopping North Korea from acquiring a nuclear weapon must be a top priority. Crippling their finances will help us achieve that." (twitter.com)
  • "Cleaning up Biden’s mess in Afghanistan is one reason why I voted for the NDAA. The defense bill funds counter-terror ops against Al Qaeda and ISIS-K in Afghanistan. We absolutely cannot allow terrorists to regain a foothold in the country to plan further attacks on Americans." (twitter.com)
  • "President Biden's botched Afghanistan withdrawal led to the deaths of 13 American soldiers and the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. China and Russia are on the march because Biden has been weak on the world stage. He's unwilling to stand with allies or stand up to adversaries." (twitter.com)
  • Rated 95% by Center for Security Policy (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "I’m glad we’re not resulting to tariffs and Mexico is helping with the border crisis. Now it’s time for Congress to pass the USMCA and legislation to deal with the border crisis." (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 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.
The Political Courage Test asks candidates which items they will support if elected. It does not ask them to indicate which items they will oppose. Through extensive research of public polling data, we discovered that voters are more concerned with what candidates would support when elected to office, not what they oppose. If a candidate does not select a response to any part or all of any question, it does not necessarily indicate that the candidate is opposed to that particular item.

Please indicate which principles you support (if any) concerning abortion.

a) Abortions should always be legally available.
b) Abortions should be legally available when the procedure is completed within the first trimester of pregnancy.
X c) Abortions should be legal only when the pregnancy resulted from incest, rape, or if the life of the woman is endangered.
d) Abortions should always be illegal.
X e) Abortions should be limited by waiting periods and parental notification requirements.
X f) Illinois government funding should not be provided to clinics and medical facilities that provide abortion services.

Please indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding affirmative action in Illinois.

a) Illinois government should prosecute cases of discrimination in the public and private sector.
X b) Illinois government should provide no affirmative action programs.
c) Amend the Minority and Female Business Enterprise Act to assist business owners in obtaining state contracts.
d) Illinois government should add sexual orientation to Illinois' anti-discrimination laws.
X e) Illinois government should not add sexual orientation to Illinois' anti-discrimination laws.
f) Do you believe that Illinois government should recognize same-sex marriages?

Indicate what changes you support (if any) concerning levels of funding for the following categories. Select one number only.

Eliminate a) Abortion
Eliminate b) Affirmative Action
Slightly Increase c) Agriculture
Greatly Increase d) Education
Maintain Status e) Environment
Greatly Increase f) Health Care
Greatly Increase g) Law Enforcement
Greatly Decrease h) Welfare

Please indicate which principles you support (if any) to address child and family-related issues in Illinois.

a) Increase state funding for programs to prevent teen pregnancy.
X b) Provide tax credits for businesses that provide child care for their employees.
X c) Deny or suspend state-issued permits and licenses to parents who are delinquent in paying court-ordered child support.
d) Reduce child abuse and neglect by providing state funding to combat poverty.
X e) Reduce child abuse and neglect by placing abused or neglected children in orphanages.

Please indicate which principles you support (if any) to address crime in Illinois.

X a) Increase state funds for construction of state prisons and hiring of additional prison staff.
X b) Expand and promote "community policing" programs.
X c) Continue to enforce "truth in sentencing" for violent criminals so they serve their full sentences without parole.
X d) Expand the use of the death penalty for additional circumstances relating to murder.
e) Oppose the death penalty.
X f) Implement penalties other than incarceration for certain non-violent offenses.
X g) Require mandatory life sentences for third-time, violent felons.
X h) Inform communities when a convicted sex offender moves into the community.
X i) Increase state funds for programs which rehabilitate and educate inmates during and after their prison sentence.
j) Decriminalize the possession and private use of certain illegal drugs such as marijuana.
X k) Strengthen penalties and sentences associated with drug-related crimes.
X l) Implement chain gangs, in which prison inmates work together in chained work groups.
X m) Limit the number of appeals allowed for inmates on death row.
X n) Implement "enterprise zones" in high crime communities to promote job-creating industries in those areas.
X o) Support laws requiring restitution to crime victims at the personal expense of the criminal.

Please indicate which principles you support (if any) to address juvenile crime in Illinois.

X a) Prosecute juveniles who commit murder or other serious, violent crimes as adults.
X b) Provide state funding for military-style "boot-camps" for first-time juvenile felons.
c) Increase state funding for community centers and other social agencies in areas with at-risk youth.
d) Support state funding of programs for at-risk youth such as guaranteed college loans and job training and placement.
X e) Impose mandatory curfews for minors in high crime areas.
f) Allow courts to hold parents accountable for a minor child who possesses a firearm.

Please indicate which principles you support (if any) concerning Illinois' economic development.

X a) Increase state funds for improving the state's transportation system, including major roadways, railways and airports.
X b) Provide low-interest loans and tax credits for expanding, start-up or relocating businesses.
c) Expand legalized gambling (e.g. slot machines, video gambling).
X d) Reduce state government regulations on the private sector.
X e) Remove state governmental controls or caps from wages, prices, rents, profits, production, and interest rates.
X f) Support limits on cash damages in lawsuits against businesses and professionals for product liability or malpractice.
X g) Increase state funding for programs to re-train unemployed workers.
X h) Initiate cost/benefit analysis of all Illinois laws and regulations to determine their economic impact.
i) Fund construction of a third metropolitan airport in the Chicago area.
X j) Change the current Workers' Compensation Law by limiting the amount of damages for which a business may be liable to employees.
k) Support the use of state funding for the construction of sports stadiums and arenas in Illinois.

Please indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding Illinois' education system.

a) Increase state funds for professional development and salaries of public school faculty.
b) Endorse teacher-led voluntary school prayer in public schools.
X c) Encourage private or corporate investment in certain public school programs.
X d) Provide parents with state-funded vouchers to send their children to any participating school (public, private, religious, technical).
X e) Support "charter schools" where teachers/professionals receive state authorization and funding to establish new schools.
f) Require the use of state-wide achievement standards for all state public schools.
X g) Emphasize local control of education as long as the school district meets state health and safety standards.
h) Support sex education programs which stress abstinence.
i) Support sex education programs which stress safe sexual practices.
j) Fund public school education in Illinois by increasing state income taxes and decreasing local property taxes.
X k) Provide state funding for programs which increase Illinois students' access to the Internet and other telecommunications networks.
l) Increase state funding for school security (e.g. metal detectors, truancy officers).
m) Amend the Illinois Constitution to allow the state to fund at least 50% of costs related to Illinois public schools.

Please indicate which principles you support (if any) concerning Illinois' environment and natural resources.

a) Enact tougher environmental standards to encourage the sale of cleaner burning fuels throughout Illinois.
X b) Support "self-audit" legislation which creates immunity incentives for polluting industries to clean up pollution.
X c) Require a cost/benefit analysis on the economic impact of any environmental regulation before it is implemented.
X d) Require the state to reimburse citizens when state-sponsored environmental regulations limit use of privately owned land.
X e) Provide funding for recycling programs in Illinois.
X f) Request flexibility from the federal government in enforcing and funding federal environmental regulations.
X g) Suspend Illinois' participation in unfunded, federally mandated environmental protection legislation.
h) Maintain minimum environmental quality as mandated by current federal regulations.
X i) Support "right to know" information being made available to communities exposed to hazardous substances.
j) Support continuing Illinois' status as a host state for commercial low-level radioactive waste disposal.
X k) Oppose continuing Illinois' status as a host state for commercial low-level radioactive waste disposal.

a) Would you support amending the Illinois Constitution to limit the terms of the following Illinois officials?

Yes 1) State Senators and Representatives
Yes 2) Governors
Yes b) Do you support amending the U.S. Constitution to require an annual balanced federal budget?
Yes c) Do you support requiring limits on individual contributions to state legislative candidates?
Yes d) Do you support requiring limits on PAC contributions to state legislative candidates?
Yes e) Do you support requiring limits on corporate contributions to state legislative candidates?
Yes f) Do you support requiring full and timely disclosure of campaign finance information?
Yes g) Do you support imposing spending limits on political campaigns?
No h) Do you support partial funding from state taxes for state level political campaigns?

Please indicate which principles you support (if any) concerning gun issues.

a) Support expanding the nationwide ban on the public sale of assault weapons to include all forms of semi-automatic weapons.
b) Increase state restrictions on the purchase and possession of firearms.
c) Maintain all state registration procedures and state restrictions on possessing firearms.
X d) Ease state procedures and restrictions on the purchase and registration of a firearm.
X e) Repeal all state bans and measures that restrict law-abiding citizens from obtaining firearms.
X f) Allow law-abiding citizens to carry concealed firearms that are legally owned and registered.

Please indicate which principles you support (if any) concerning Illinois' health care system.

X a) Expand funding for pre-natal and infant care programs available in the state, including immunizations.
X b) Provide tax incentives to small businesses which provide health care to their employees.
c) Ensure that Illinois citizens have access to basic health care through managed care, insurance reforms, or state-funded care where necessary.
d) Guaranteeing medical care to all citizens is not a responsibility of state government.
X e) Limit the amount of damages that can be awarded in medical malpractice lawsuits.
f) Convert Illinois' Medicaid program to a system of Medicaid-funded managed health care.
g) Continue tax on Illinois hospitals and nursing homes to help fund health care for the poor.
h) Support programs in schools and workplaces which provide Illinois residents with AIDS/HIV prevention information.
X i) Support legislation requiring health insurance providers to provide certain medical services (e.g. coverage for a 2 day hospital stay after childbirth).
X j) Enact legislation which allows citizens and small employers to pool their health insurance purchasing power.
X k) Enact legislation which assures Illinois workers will have portable health insurance if they lose their jobs.

Please indicate the changes you will support (if any) concerning Illinois' tax levels for the following categories.

Maintain Status a) Alcohol Taxes
Slightly Decrease b) Business Taxes
Eliminate c) Capital Gains
Maintain Status d) Income Taxes (incomes less than $75,000)
Maintain Status e) Income Taxes (incomes greater than $75,000)
Greatly Decrease f) Property Taxes
Maintain Status g) Sales Taxes
Maintain Status h) State Fees
Yes i) Do you support a flat tax structure for state income taxes?
Yes j) Do you support expanding property tax caps to all Illinois counties?

Please indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding Illinois' welfare system.

a) Provide child care services to welfare recipients who work or attend school.
X b) Allow welfare recipients to work and still receive state-funded health care and child care (if needed) until they become self-sufficient.
X c) Require that able-bodied welfare recipients receive job training, attend school, or work in order to receive welfare benefits.
X d) Require that unwed mothers under the age of 18 attend school and live with a parent or guardian (if possible) to receive benefits.
X e) Limit the benefits given to welfare recipients if they have additional children.
f) Provide two-parent families living in poverty the same welfare benefits as one-parent families.
X g) Eliminate government funded welfare and advocate privately funded assistance to people in need.
X h) Impose a two-year limit on welfare benefits for recipients who are able to work.
X i) Require mothers age 18 and under to complete high school through mandatory "Learnfare" program.
X j) Continue "Earnfare" as a voluntary program in which food stamps recipients work to earn money and pay off food stamps.
X k) Make "Earnfare" a mandatory program for parents who are delinquent in paying court-ordered support.
X l) Require mothers to identify their child(ren)'s father in order to receive welfare benefits.
X m) AFDC benefits for families with children in grades 1-6 should be tied to these children's attendance in school.
I will develop a jobs plan to attract job opportunities and promote economic growth, creating a district with an attractive and prosperous business climate. I intend to be available 24 hours a day, and hold regular meetings throughout the district with local leaders and citizens.

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

arrow_upward