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Bob Latta's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

Office:

On The Ballot: Running, Republican for U.S. House (OH) - District 5

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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.

Bob Latta is currently being tested through the 2022 Political Courage Test.

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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.

  • Voted in favor of HR 1 - Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. (votesmart.org)
  • "All we've seen since the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act went into effect is more jobs, more money in Ohioan's paychecks, and more growth for America's small businesses and manufacturers," (votesmart.org)
  • "Passing Tax Reform 2.0 will build on this momentum by making the tax relief for small businesses and individuals permanent while also including new policies to help Americans save or start a business. Ohio families are seeing more money in their pockets, American business are growing, and workers are getting jobs -- let's keep the good news going." (votesmart.org)
  • "So welfare reform, properly understood, is as much a moral imperative as it is an economic necessity. Yes, we want a more affordable welfare system, but we also want inspired, self-reliant citizens, capable of leading productive and happy lives." (jordan.house.gov)
  • "This week, House Democrats introduced Medicare-for-All legislation, a single-payer government-run health care system that would cost $32 trillion and result in massive tax hikes on Ohio families and small businesses. At a time when the economy is soaring, it would be foolish to turn our back on the policies that got us here." (votesmart.org)
  • "Our country is hurting. Improving police officer training & increasing accountability measures is a significant step forward we must take together in order to ensure all Americans are protected under the law. #JUSTICEAct" (twitter.com)
  • "While defense spending is less than 20 percent of the national budget, these cuts disproportionately target 50 percent of the defense budget that, as put by Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, ‘would have a devastating effect’ on our national defense. To further exacerbate this looming threat" (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 100% by Center for Security Policy. (votesmart.org)
  • "With threats continuing to grow around the globe, it's critical that our military has the resources it needs to keep our country safe" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 22 - Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act. (votesmart.org)
  • "#MorningMustRead: @HouseCommerce Republicans are working to close the #digitaldivide. This week @repgregwalden & I announced 26 bills to make meaningful improvements to broadband infrastructure. " (twitter.com)
  • ""One of my most important duties as a representative is protecting taxpayer money for the citizens of Ohio's Fifth Congressional District. Far too often, Washington spends tax dollars recklessly and without regard for the workers, farmers, and small business owners who send their hard-earned money to our nation's capital. I'm proud of my perfect voting record to protect taxpayer money last year, and I'll continue to do what I can to rein in the free spending ways of Congress." (votesmart.org)
  • "Pleased to see advancement of water infrastructure. Last year, House passed the Water Infrastructure Improvement Act, which included provisions I authored to provide communities more flexibility to comply with costly regulations." (twitter.com)
  • "Provisions I authored to help public water systems improve infrastructure and ensure safer drinking water are now heading to @POTUS . The #AmericasWaterInfrastructureAct will help ensure safe, reliable drinking water for Ohioans." (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1 - Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. (votesmart.org)
  • "U.S. businesses are subject to the highest corporate tax rate in the world. However, some of the biggest companies skirt this by utilizing a team of lawyers and accountants to scour the code looking for every tax break. We fix this problem by eliminating tax havens and loopholes companies receive while lowering the overall corporate rate to ensure American businesses aren't at a disadvantage." (votesmart.org)
  • Signed a letter stating: "We appreciate your continued partnership with House lawmakers as Congress works to help American businesses and workers weather the economic crisis brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Through passage of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act and the Paycheck Protection Program and Healthcare Enhancement Act, Congress brought immediate aid to struggling small businesses." (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 266 - Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act. (votesmart.org)
  • Signed a letter stating: "We ask that the Fiscal Year 2015 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Bill include language to restore state decision-making and accountability with respect to state academic content standards....Those decisions whould be made at the state or local level, free from any pressure from the U.S. Department of Education." (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 0% by National Education Association. (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5 - Student Success Act. (votesmart.org)
  • "This resolution encourages an 'All of the Above' approach to energy, aiming to increase domestic production while reducing dependence on foreign supplies, resulting in greater American energy security and keeping American dollars here" (votesmart.org)
  • "This resolution encourages an "All of the Above" approach to energy, aiming to increase domestic production while reducing dependence on foreign supplies, resulting in greater American energy security and keeping American dollars here," said Congressman Latta." (votesmart.org)
  • "More oil is being produced domestically than by any other nation in the world. Our government should be doing everything we can to support all domestic sources of energy development in an effort to achieve full energy security." (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1119 - SENSE Act. (votesmart.org)
  • "Today's energy resolution builds off Congressman Latta's record of supporting an all-of-the-above approach to energy." (votesmart.org)
  • "The Clean Power Plan -- a rebranding of the President's rejected "cap and trade" legislation -- will cost hard working American men and women energy jobs, and will increase electricity bills for Americans of all ages. I supported these resolutions in order to protect jobs, ensure the reliability of our electrical grid, and safeguard Americans from incurring burdensome costs as a result of this Administration's regulatory overreach." (votesmart.org)
  • "Providing more time and flexibility for states to implement the EPA's 2015 standards will lower regulatory costs that harm job creation in our energy, manufacturing, and chemical sectors," said Rep. Bob Latta. "While we all share the goal of clean air, this legislation alleviates the challenges that many states, including Ohio, are facing as they seek to meet the new requirements." (votesmart.org)
  • "The EPA’s own data indicates adherence to current regulations is already working to reduce ozone. Without allowing sufficient time for counties to implement the current ozone requirements, the EPA has moved the goalposts in the middle of the game, and created what could be the most costly regulation in history. This rule would essentially create a nation of nonattainment counties, and effectively stifle any future investment or economic growth in these regions," said Rep. Latta. "I represent a district with nearly 60,000 manufacturing jobs. These hardworking men and women - in businesses both small and large - should not be faced with the choice of complying with EPA regulations or staying in business. We can protect our environment and protect our economy through commonsense policies like the CASE Act. This new rule accomplishes neither of these goals." (latta.house.gov)
  • "The President has once again used executive order to circumvent the will of the American people. Make no mistake; these actions are yet another attempt by this administration to attack the 2nd Amendment, and the rights of responsible gun owners across the country." (votesmart.org)
  • "Like many midnight rules promulgated at the end of the Obama Administration, this one should never have seen the light of day," said Latta. "In fact, this regulation is flat-out discriminatory. There is absolutely no evidence that this rule makes us any safer, and it's blatantly unconstitutional. The Congressional Review Act was put in place for the purpose of eliminating regulations like this one, and this vote upholds Second Amendment rights for all Ohioans." (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1628 - American Health Care Act of 2017. (votesmart.org)
  • "In addition, it provides reconciliation instructions that will fully repeal Obamacare and promote access to patient-centered health care reform." (votesmart.org)
  • "Our health care system desperately needs rescuing from the disaster that is Obamacare, and that's why I voted to pass the American Health Care Act and provide much needed relief for Ohioans." (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 6201 - Families First Coronavirus Response Act. (votesmart.org)
  • "I join the President's call to my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to find areas of agreement where can get things done for the country. With a government shutdown once again on the horizon, it's time for Democratic leadership to come to table and negotiate a funding bill that finally secures our nation's borders." (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 100% by Federation for American Immigration Reform. (votesmart.org)
  • "In December, we made a promise to the American people that we would do everything in our power to stop the President's unconstitutional actions on amnesty" (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 100% by Federation for American Immigration Reform. (votesmart.org)
  • "With Tehran receiving $150 billion in sanctions relief, the only certainty in this deal is the revitalization of a regime dedicated to opposing the liberties and values shared by freedom loving people across the globe. These new found funds will inevitably go towards the regime's efforts to build ICBM missiles, the continued funding of terrorism, and an expansion of activities that threaten the United States and our Middle East partners. The ramifications of allowing a nuclear Iran not only pose a clear and present danger to the United States and Israel, but create a global threat that alters the landscape of the Middle East and beyond." (votesmart.org)
  • "President Trump made that decision today to withdraw from the JCPOA and reinstate sanctions on Tehran. I support this action. We need a solution that prevents Iran from having a pathway to nuclear weapons and holds them accountable for their destabilizing actions." (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 100% by Center for Security Policy. (votesmart.org)
  • "The three nations addressed by this legislation have flaunted international laws and each is a threat to stability around the globe," said Latta. "Russia’s cyber attacks and support for the Assad regime in Syria needs to be met with additional sanctions to curb their flagrant behavior. At the same time, North Korea's advancement of their nuclear weapons program poses a grave threat to the United States and our ally, South Korea, and Iran steadfastly violates U.N. resolutions regarding ballistic missiles. It goes without saying that all three regimes also have atrocious human rights records. We need to hit these countries where it hurts -- in their pocketbook -- and provide American leadership at a time when the world desperately needs it." (votesmart.org)
  • "Iran is the largest state sponsor of terror, and the Iranian regime has a destabilizing effect on the Middle East," said Latta. "It's essential we make clear that financially supporting the bad behavior of the Iranian government will not be tolerated. While the Trump Administration reviews the Iran deal, these two pieces of bipartisan legislation will hold the ayatollahs accountable and protect U.S. financial institutions by shining a light on the regime's financial backing." (votesmart.org)
  • ""President Obama's Iran Nuclear Deal was flawed from the very start. Without getting much of anything in return, Iran was given access to billions of dollars, sanctions relief, and the ability to kickstart their nuclear program after only ten years. Their behavior has not improved because of this agreement, and in many ways, it has gotten worse. They've been a destabilizing force in the region, playing a large role in civil wars in Syria and Yemen that have cost hundreds of thousands of lives. They are still the world's largest state sponsor of terrorism." (votesmart.org)
  • "Qasem Soleimani has the blood of hundreds of American soldiers on his hands and his evil knows no bounds...Iran needs to stop this pattern of hostility, brutality, and corruption immediately. Their destabilizing actions in the region must come to end." (twitter.com)
  • Signed a letter stating "We write today as Members of the Congressional Steel Caucus to encourage you to fully utilize all of the trade enforcement tools provided to you by Congress to address the illegal trade practices of foreign steel producers." (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 0% by Public Citizen. (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.
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 the 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.
e) Abortions should be limited by waiting periods and parental notification requirements.
X f) Ohio 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 Ohio

a) Ohio government should prosecute cases of discrimination in the public and private sector.
b) Ohio government should provide no affirmative action programs.
c) Ohio government should add sexual orientation to Ohio's anti-discrimination laws.
d) Ohio government should not add sexual orientation to Ohio's anti-discrimination laws.

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

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

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

X 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.

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

a) Increase state funds for construction of state prisons and for hiring of additional prison staff.
X b) Expand and promote "community policing" programs.
X c) Support "truth in sentencing" legislation for violent criminals so they serve their full sentences with no chance of 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 offenders.
X g) Require mandatory life sentences for third time, violent felons.
X h) Inform communities when a convicted sex offender moves into the community.
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.
l) Implement chain gangs in which prison inmates work together in chained work groups.

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

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.
X c) Increase state funding for community centers and other social agencies in areas with at-risk youth.
X d) Support state government funding of programs for at-risk youth such as guaranteed college loans and job training and placement.
X e) Support mandatory curfews for minors in high crime areas.

Please indicate which principles you support (if any) concerning Ohio's 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. riverboat casinos).
X d) Reduce state government regulations on the private sector.
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) Require a cost/benefit analysis of all state laws and regulations to determine their economic impact.
i) Create state-funded incentives for housing development in rural and urban areas.
j) Support the use of state funding for the construction of sports stadiums and arenas in Ohio.
X k) Oppose the use of state funding for the construction of sports stadiums and arenas in Ohio.

Please indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding Ohio's public education system.

a) Increase state funds for professional development and salaries of public school faculty.
X 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) Implement charter schools where teachers and other professionals get state authorization and funding to establish schools.
X 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.
X h) Support sex education programs which stress abstinence.
i) Support sex education programs which stress safe sexual practices.
j) Fund public school education in Ohio by increases in state taxes rather than by using local property taxes.
X k) Provide state funding for programs which increase student access to the Internet and other telecommunications networks.
l) Increase state funding for school building improvement and maintenance.
m) Support allocating more state education funding to Ohio's lowest-wealth districts and less to the highest-wealth districts.
X n) Restrict driving privileges and/or sports participation of students with poor academic performance.
o) Support Ohio schools' participation in "Goals 2000", the federal program which establishes academic standards.

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

a) Enact tougher environmental standards to encourage the sale of cleaner burning fuels throughout Ohio.
X b) Support "self-audit" legislation which creates incentives for polluting industries to clean up pollution.
X c) Require a cost/benefit analysis be completed to determine the economic impact of proposed environmental regulations before they are 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 Ohio.
X f) Request flexibility from the federal government in enforcing and funding environmental regulations.
X g) Suspend Ohio's participation in unfunded, federally mandated environmental protection legislation.
X h) Maintain minimum environmental quality as mandated by current federal regulations.
X i) Support "right to know" laws for workers exposed to hazardous substances.
X j) Support legislation which would require polluting industries to pay for environmental cleanup.
k) Support construction of a facility in Ohio to house low-level radioactive waste from Ohio and five other states.
l) Support and enforce fuel price cap legislation.
X m) Provide state funding for programs that reward farmers for conserving soil and using minimal fertilizers and pesticides.

a) Do you support the current law which limits the terms of the following Ohio officials?

Yes 1) State Senators and Representatives (8 years)
Yes 2) Governors (two 4 year terms)
Yes 3) Certain elected statewide officials (e.g. Attorney General, Secretary of State) (two 4 year terms)
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?
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?
Yes i) Do you support decentralizing some state agencies to outside Columbus?

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 firearms.
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.
X g) Support legislation which would ban guns in school zones.

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

X a) Expand state funding for pre-natal and infant care programs available in the state, including immunizations.
X b) Provide tax incentives to assist small businesses in providing health care to their employees.
c) Ensure that Ohio citizens have access to basic health care through managed care, insurance reforms, or state funded care where necessary.
X 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.
X f) Request a waiver from the federal government to provide Medicaid services through privately operated insurance systems.
X g) Provide state financial assistance to seniors who wish to remain at home as an alternative to a nursing home.
X h) Allow citizens to open tax-free medical savings accounts to be taxed if used for other than medical purposes.
X i) Continue trend toward removing most medical services (except long term/nursing home care) from state regulation.
j) Encourage local health departments to distribute condoms as a preventive measure against AIDS.
X k) Create incentives that increase the supply and retention of health professionals in rural areas and inner cities.

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

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

Please indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding Ohio's 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 until they become self-sufficient.
X c) Require that able-bodied 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 welfare benefits.
e) Limit the welfare benefits given to recipients if they have additional children.
f) Provide two-parent families living in poverty the same welfare benefits as one-parent families.
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.
i) Support "Communities of Opportunity" program in which the state of Ohio would subsidize employers who hire welfare recipients.
When I am elected to the Ohio Senate, two of my goals will be further reform of the Bureau of Workers Compensation and tort reform. Both areas are critical to retaining and attracting businesses to Ohio.

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