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Adrian Smith's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

Office:

On The Ballot: Running, Republican for U.S. House (NE) - District 3

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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.
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.
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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.

  • "Life is a miracle that begins at conception. While today’s decision is a win for life, our work does not end here. We must ensure states – which are now rightfully tasked with authority over abortion – have the resources needed to restore a culture that respects & values life." (x.com)
  • "Nothing is more sacred than protecting the innocent life of the unborn. Adrian believes life begins at conception and ends at natural death. Adrian supports and promotes adoption as an alternative to abortion. Adrian is unwavering in his support for pro-life legislation and opposition to taxpayer funding for abortions." (joinadrian.com)
  • Rated 100% by National Right to Life Committee (None)
  • Voted in favor of HR 26: "Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "Some in Washington want to delay the tough choices and move general funds to supplement Social Security without instituting any real reforms, while others have proposed raising taxes to cover the shortfall. I have strong concerns about the regressive nature of payroll tax rates. For many lower income Americans payroll taxes are the biggest tax burden they face. Increasing the Social Security tax rate would hit the working poor the hardest. Lifting the cap on income which is subject to Social Security taxes could fundamentally change the program, while also presenting its own set of new challenges. The cap, which is currently set at $132,900, is already subject to increase based on annual average wage growth. Removing this cap could create a new tier of Social Security benefits for millionaires and billionaires. Alternatively, decoupling taxes and benefits would weaken the widely held view that all Social Security benefits are earned." (None)
  • Rated 0% by Alliance for Retired Americans (None)
  • Rated 0% by National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare (None)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1: "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "Adrian helped write and pass the most sweeping tax reform since Ronald Reagan was President. For Nebraska families the personal exemption doubled, the child tax credit increased and individual tax rates were lowered. For Nebraska agriculture and small business, rates were lowered for pass-through businesses, Section 179 business expensing was expanded, and full deductibility of property taxes on agricultural land as a business expense was extended." (joinadrian.com)
  • "When you look at what we did with tax reform in 2017, we were able to grow the economy, grow wages, and grow revenue to the federal government. We need better policy, not higher taxes and more audits on families and small businesses." (x.com)
  • Rated 90% by National Tax Limitation Committee (None)
  • "Adrian helped write and pass the most sweeping tax reform since Ronald Reagan was President. For Nebraska families the personal exemption doubled, the child tax credit increased and individual tax rates were lowered. For Nebraska agriculture and small business, rates were lowered for pass-through businesses, Section 179 business expensing was expanded, and full deductibility of property taxes on agricultural land as a business expense was extended." (joinadrian.com)
  • "When you look at what we did with tax reform in 2017, we were able to grow the economy, grow wages, and grow revenue to the federal government. We need better policy, not higher taxes and more audits on families and small businesses." (x.com)
  • Rated 90% by National Tax Limitation Committee (None)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1: "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 6% by Common Cause
  • Voted against HR 1: "For the People Act of 2021" (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 0% by End Citizens United (None)
  • "Our nation’s law enforcement officers work every day to keep our communities safe. We owe it to these brave individuals to provide them with the resources necessary to do their jobs both safely and securely across America." (x.com)
  • Voted against HR 1280 "George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021." (votesmart.org)
  • "@HouseGOP will fight to secure the border and uphold the rule of law, reduce crime so Americans can feel safe in their communities, and invest in a strong national defense. A nation that's safe is a key pillar of our #CommitmentToAmerica agenda." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 2670: "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 4365: "Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2024" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 7900: "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023" (votesmart.org)
  • "President Biden and Speaker Pelosi's reckless spending and progressive agenda have gutted our economy." (x.com)
  • "President Biden's stimulus drove inflation & paid Americans to stay home, worsening our supply chain crisis. His policies doubled gas prices. Inflation relief will come when we rein in spending, get Americans back to work, provide regulatory relief & increase domestic energy" (x.com)
  • "Tonight’s votes made clear the so-called infrastructure bill & Democrats’ social spending package are a single $3 trillion package. These bills spend too much, tax too much & put an extreme left-wing agenda over getting Americans back to work and solving our supply chain crisis." (x.com)
  • Voted against HR 5376: "Inflation Reduction Act of 2022" (votesmart.org)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • "Americans everywhere are struggling under #Bidenflation. 11.4 percent more for food than last year. 25.6 percent more for gas. Democrats' Inflation Act made it worse but @HouseGOP is ready to get to work rebuilding our economy." (x.com)
  • "President Biden's stimulus drove inflation & paid Americans to stay home, worsening our supply chain crisis. His policies doubled gas prices. Inflation relief will come when we rein in spending, get Americans back to work, provide regulatory relief & increase domestic energy" (x.com)
  • "The Inflation Act doubled down on decades of failed Democrat economic policies and made #Bidenflation worse. Americans deserve better. It's time for a new direction." (x.com)
  • Voted against HR 5376: "Inflation Reduction Act of 2022" (votesmart.org)
  • "Even Speaker Pelosi said President Biden's student debt transfer scheme couldn't be done without a vote in Congress. This move is irresponsible and does nothing to address high tuition." (x.com)
  • "President Biden’s plan to cancel student debt places the ultimate burden of cost on those who can afford it least." (x.com)
  • "Today’s ruling is a great victory. President Biden’s plan to cancel student debt placed the ultimate burden of cost on those who could afford it least, benefiting the top 60 percent of earners while driving down the value of a college-level or technical education." (x.com)
  • Rated 6% by Common Cause
  • Voted against HR 4: "John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 5746: "Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "We don’t have to choose between being good stewards of the environment & prosperity. Unfortunately, the $350 billion on Green New Deal priorities in the Inflation Act will only exacerbate the energy & supply chain crises Americans are facing." (x.com)
  • "We must unleash American energy, lower prices & strengthen our supply chains so families aren't facing skyrocketing energy prices and struggling to afford essentials like gas and groceries. That is why I strongly support H.R. 1, @SteveScalise's Lower Energy Costs Act." (x.com)
  • Rated 0% by League of Conservation Voters (None)
  • Voted against HR 4447: "Expanding Access to Sustainable Energy Act of 2019" (votesmart.org)
  • "We must unleash American energy, lower prices & strengthen our supply chains so families aren't facing skyrocketing energy prices and struggling to afford essentials like gas and groceries. That is why I strongly support H.R. 1, @SteveScalise's Lower Energy Costs Act." (x.com)
  • Rated 100% by American Energy Alliance (None)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1: "Lower Energy Costs Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 21: "Strategic Production Response Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "Adrian supports the Second Amendment and opposes Democrat attempts to impose new gun control measures on the American people. Firearms — whether for hunting, sporting, collecting, or self-defense — are part of our heritage and culture in rural Nebraska. Adrian is a lifetime member of the NRA and proud to earn their endorsement." (joinadrian.com)
  • Rated 92% by National Rifle Association (None)
  • Voted against HR 1446: "Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2021" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 8: "Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021" (votesmart.org)
  • "Proposals have been put forth demanding raising taxes on Social Security, gasoline, firearms, carbon emissions, and today with health care. Not only does Medicare for All blow a $32 trillion hole in the federal budget, it also represents a dire risk for rural providers. This proposal would exacerbate the current health care provider shortage we see in rural communities. Rural America deserves better." (None)
  • "The Affordable Care Act (ACA) -- also known as Obamacare -- is ten years old. However, with ten years of hindsight, it is clear the ACA has been anything but affordable for Nebraska families. In the Third District, insurance on the ACA exchange often costs upwards of $30,000 for a family when you include annual premiums and deductible. Despite the ACA raising health insurance rates instead of lowering them, this week Speaker Pelosi brought a new ACA expansion bill (H.R. 1425) before the House of Representatives. The insurance scheme developed by the ACA does not work -- rather than effectively lowering costs, its mandates have spiked insurance rates for those who have to pay for coverage out of pocket. In fact, rather than truly address the forces driving health costs, more than half of House Democrats would prefer to enact Medicare for All -- a bill they have cosponsored to initiate a full-scale government takeover of our nation's health care system with a $32 trillion price tag." (None)
  • Voted against HR 1425: "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 6201: "Families First Coronavirus Response Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "Today in a @WaysandMeansGOP hearing on the Democrats’ paid family leave proposal, I expressed concern the costs of the program will outweigh the benefits for most middle class families, particularly farmers and ranchers." (x.com)
  • "H.R. 1425 would not only pour more money into subsidies and bureaucracy to paper over Obamacare's failures, it would also implement government mandated drug price controls, and punish states which chose not to expand Medicaid. What we really need are reforms which give Americans more control over their care and increased competition to bring more affordable coverage. With an ongoing, worldwide pandemic, we also need pharmaceutical innovations -- new vaccines and medicines -- more than ever. Instead, H.R. 1425 would institute government price-fixing which has been repeatedly proven to reduce future innovation. This means fewer medical breakthroughs, and fewer new cures. If the government stifles innovation, taxpayers will be on the hook for the slow and expensive development of urgently needed new vaccines or cures." (None)
  • 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 5378: "Lower Costs, More Transparency Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "Nations have borders for a reason. America has lost control of the Southern Border resulting in record illegal immigration. Adrian voted to build the wall and give the U.S. Border Patrol the resources needed to secure the border and stop the inflow of drugs and criminals. Adrian believes the federal government must return to the border policies that were working before being recklessly reversed by the Biden administration." (joinadrian.com)
  • Rated 91% by Federation for American Immigration Reform (None)
  • Voted in favor of HR 2: "Secure the Border Act of 2023" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5525: "Continuing Appropriations and Border Security Enhancement Act, 2024" (votesmart.org)
  • "Because of his unwillingness to fulfill his constitutional duty to enforce U.S. law and protect Americans, I will again vote in favor of a resolution to impeach Sec. Mayorkas on the House floor this week." (x.com)
  • "President Trump is correct -- the DACA program violated the separation of powers established by our Constitution and should never have been created through executive action. This and many other aspects of our broken immigration system, such as border security, have gone too long without being addressed. Congress and the President must come together to create strong, permanent immigration policies rooted in the rule of law." (None)
  • Rated 91% by Federation for American Immigration Reform (None)
  • Voted against HR 6: "American Dream and Promise Act of 2021" (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 6968: "Suspending Energy Imports from Russia Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 7108: "Suspending Normal Trade Relations with Russia and Belarus Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "I support Ukraine as they defend their sovereignty against Vladimir Putin’s evil and reprehensible invasion. We cannot allow this sort of behavior to go unchecked and must stand in solidarity with Ukrainians and against the message it sends other aggressors around the world." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5692: "Ukraine Security Assistance and Oversight Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of 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 in favor of S 3522: "Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2022" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 7521: "Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications 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.

Indicate which principles you support (if any) concerning abortion.

a) Abortions should always be illegal.
b) Abortions should always be legally available.
c) Abortions should be legal only within the first trimester of pregnancy.
d) Abortions should be legal when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape.
X e) Abortions should be legal when the life of the woman is endangered.
X f) Eliminate public funding for abortions and public funding of organizations that advocate or perform abortions.
g) Other or expanded principles

State Budget: Indicate the funding levels you will support for the following general categories.State Taxes: Indicate the tax levels you will support.

Slightly Decrease Funding a) Education (Higher)
Maintain Funding Status b) Education (K-12)
Maintain Funding Status c) Environment
Maintain Funding Status d) Health care
Maintain Funding Status e) Law enforcement
Maintain Funding Status f) Transportation and Highway infrastructure
Maintain Funding Status g) Welfare
h) Other or expanded categories
Maintain Status a) Alcohol taxes
Slightly Decrease b) Capital gains taxes
Maintain Status c) Cigarette taxes
Maintain Status d) Corporate taxes
Maintain Status e) Gasoline taxes
Maintain Status f) Income taxes (incomes below $75,000)
Maintain Status g) Income taxes (incomes above $75,000)
Slightly Decrease h) Inheritance taxes
Greatly Decrease i) Property taxes
Maintain Status j) Sales taxes
Maintain Status k) Vehicle taxes
l) Other or expanded categories
Undecided m) Should Nebraska expand the sales tax on services?
No n) Should Internet sales be taxed?
o) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding campaign finance and government reform.c) Do you support limiting the following types of contributions to state legislative and gubernatorial candidates?

Yes a) Do you support the current two term eight year limit for Nebraska governors?
Undecided b) Do you support the current two term eight year limit for Nebraska state legislators?
No 1) Individual
Yes 2) PAC
Yes 3) Corporate
Undecided 4) Political Parties
Yes d) Do you support requiring full and timely disclosure of campaign finance information?
No e) Do you support imposing spending limits on state level political campaigns?
No f) Do you support partial funding from state taxes for state level political campaigns?
No g) Do you support voting on-line?
Yes h) Do you support adopting statewide standards for counting, verifying, and ensuring accuracy of votes?
Yes i) Do you support prohibiting media exit polling of voters until all polling locations in Nebraska are closed?
No j) Do you support allowing Native American tribes to have casinos on reservations?
No k) Do you support allowing video gaming machines in Nebraska?
No l) Should Nebraska recognize civil unions between same-sex couples?
Yes m) Should Nebraska restrict marriage to a union only between a man and a woman?
n) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) to address crime.

a) Increase state funds for construction of state prisons and for hiring of additional prison staff.
X b) Support contracting with private sector firms to build and/or manage state prisons.
c) Oppose the use of the death penalty in Nebraska.
X d) Support programs to provide prison inmates with vocational and job-related skills and job-placement assistance when released.
X e) End parole for repeat violent offenders.
X f) Implement penalties other than incarceration for certain non-violent offenders.
g) Decriminalize the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes.
h) Strengthen penalties and sentences for drug-related crimes.
X i) Support the .08 blood-alcohol-content limit defining drunk driving.
X j) Minors accused of a violent crime should be prosecuted as adults.
k) Require that crimes based on gender, sexual orientation, or disability be prosecuted as hate crimes.
X l) Ban the use of racial profiling by law enforcement officers.
m) Increase state funding for community centers and other social agencies in areas with at-risk youth.
n) Increase state funding for additional security of critical infrastructure against terrorist attacks.
X o) Require that sex offenders register with local police in every county where they live, work, or go to school.
p) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding education.

a) Support national standards and testing of public school students.
b) Provide parents with state-funded vouchers to send their children to any participating school (public, private, religious).
c) Increase state funds for school capital improvements (e.g. buildings and infrastructure).
d) Increase state funds for hiring additional teachers.
e) Support teacher testing and reward teachers with merit pay.
f) Support displaying the Ten Commandments in public schools.
g) Endorse teacher-led voluntary prayer in public schools.
h) Require public schools to administer high school exit exams.
i) Provide state funding to increase teacher salaries.
j) Increase state funding to expand Head Start programs.
k) Provide state funding for tax incentives and financial aid to help make college more affordable.
l) Support age-appropriate sexual education programs that teach about abstinence, contraceptives, and HIV/STD prevention methods.
X m) Support abstinence-only sexual education programs.
n) Other or expanded principles

Employment: Indicate which principles you support (if any) concerning employment.Affirmative Action: Should race, ethnicity, or gender be taken into account in state agencies' decisions on:

a) Increase funding for state job-training programs that re-train displaced workers or teach skills needed in today's job market.
b) Reduce state government regulations on the private sector to encourage investment and economic expansion.
X c) Provide low interest loans and tax credits for starting, expanding, or relocating businesses.
X d) Provide tax credits for businesses that provide child care for their employees.
e) Increase state funds to provide child care for children of low-income working families.
f) Prohibit employment discrimination based on sexual orientation.
g) Other or expanded principles
No a) College and university admissions
No b) Public employment
No c) State contracting
d) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding the environment and energy.

X a) Promote increased use of alternative fuel technology.
X b) Use state funds to clean up former industrial and commercial sites that are contaminated, unused, or abandoned.
Undecided c) Do you support state funding for open space preservation?
Undecided d) Should state environmental regulations be stricter than federal law?
e) Other or expanded principles

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

a) Ban the sale or transfer of semi-automatic guns, except those used for hunting.
b) Maintain and strengthen the enforcement of existing state restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns.
c) Ease state restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns.
d) Repeal state restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns.
X e) Allow citizens to carry concealed guns.
f) Require manufacturers to provide child-safety locks on guns.
g) Require background checks on gun sales between private citizens at gun shows.
h) Require a license for gun possession.
i) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding health issues.

X a) Ensure that citizens have access to basic health care through managed care, insurance reforms, or state funded care where necessary.
X b) Transfer more existing Medicaid recipients into managed care programs.
c) Reduce the amount the state pays to pharmacies for filling Medicaid patients' prescriptions.
X d) Limit the amount of damages that can be awarded in medical malpractice lawsuits.
e) Support patients' right to sue their HMOs.
f) Support patients' right to appeal to an administrative board of specialists when services are denied by their HMO.
g) Guaranteed medical care to all citizens is not a responsibility of state government.
h) Legalize physician-assisted suicide in Nebraska.
i) Increase state funding for training health workers to recognize and respond to the release of biological agents.
j) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding welfare.

X a) Support current time limits on welfare benefits.
b) Increase employment and job training programs for welfare recipients.
X c) Provide tax incentives to businesses that hire welfare recipients.
X d) Provide child care for welfare recipients who work.
e) Increase access to public transportation for welfare recipients who work.
f) Eliminate government-funded welfare programs.
X g) Redirect welfare funding to faith-based and community-based private organizations.
h) Use federal TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families) funds to expand state services to include the working poor.
i) Other or expanded principles
Economic opportunity is vital to government. Without the driving forces of economic development, government has no ability to maintain the "safety net" that is important to citizens in need of government services. I hope to continue my efforts in the area of affordable housing and public safety. Economic development works best at the local level.

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