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Michelle Fischbach's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

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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.

Michelle Fischbach did not provide voters with positions on key issues covered by the 2024 Political Courage Test, despite repeated requests from Vote Smart and voters like you.

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 2024.

  • "Roe put judges in charge of abortion policy, imposing laws legislated by unelected judges that left Americans without a voice. Now, thanks to this Supreme Court, the American people will be able to decide the issue of abortion through their elected officials." (x.com)
  • Rated 0% by Planned Parenthood Action Fund (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Rated 100% by National Right to Life Committee (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Today's SCOTUS decision that presidents are entitled to immunity for official acts is a win in the battle against Biden's weaponized Justice Department. I'm glad to see the court making the right decision for the future of this country." (x.com)
  • Voted against H.R. 7120 "George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021" (votesmart.org)
  • "We must honor our commitment to the brave men and women of our United States military, who make great sacrifices to protect our country and keep America safe. While serving, we must make sure they have the tools they need to complete their mission." (www.fischbachforcongress.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 2670 "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024" (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 100% by Council for Citizens Against Government Waste (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted against H.R. 5376 "Build Back Better Act." (votesmart.org)
  • "I carried the "Zero Based Budgeting" Bill while in the Minnesota State Senate, and brought that same philosophy to Washington, D.C. With Zero Based Budgeting, the budget would start from ZERO rather than the current approach of adjusting up or down from existing spending levels. Each department would need to justify the effectiveness of their programs in order to continue to receive funding for them. We need to understand better, not only for transparency but for accountability, what’s in the sprawling federal budget because Washington has a spending problem." (www.fischbachforcongress.com)
  • Voted in favor of "H.R. 3746 "Limit, Save, Grow Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 8294 "Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related agencies Appropriations Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "We all knew wasteful spending in D.C. would spur inflation. Now that inflation has outpaced wages for 18 months in a row, Dems still don’t have a solution. Republicans have a plan to increase take-home pay through pro-growth tax policies & deregulation." (x.com)
  • Rated 100% by Council for Citizens Against Government Waste (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted against H.R. 4521 "America COMPETES Act of 2022" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted against H.R. 5376 "Build Back Better Act." (votesmart.org)
  • "Biden’s student loan cancellation transfers the fee from those who chose college to the everyday taxpayer, including MILLIONS who don’t have a college education. They should not have to foot the bill for other’s personal choice." (x.com)
  • "Biden’s student loan policy in a nutshell: Force 210 million Americans without student loan debt to foot the bill for 45 million Americans who willingly took on debt for college. #UnfairToAmericans" (x.com)
  • "The Left keeps finding new ways to increase taxes. This month alone they’ve passed another tax-and-spend Green New Deal bill and asked taxpayers to take on the student loans of others. Don’t they realize Americans are struggling just to pay for groceries?" (x.com)
  • "The majority of student loan debt is held by the wealthy, but Biden is forcing struggling Americans to pay their bills. Unbelievable." (x.com)
  • "I'm proud to be an original co-sponsor of the American Confidence in Elections Act, which supports military voters overseas, protects free speech, requires strong voter IDs, and prohibits non-citizen voting." (x.com)
  • Rated 6% by Common Cause (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted against H.R. 4 "John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted against H.R. 5746 "Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 0% by League of Conservation Voters (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "The Left is actively working against the oil and gas industry. We CANNOT abandon the reliable and essential sources of energy we have right here in the United States" (x.com)
  • Rated 100% by American Energy Alliance (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 1 "Lower Energy Costs Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "We must defend our right to keep and bear arms. The United States Constitution is unambiguous: our right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. Period. I will stand up to efforts by the radical left to abolish the Second Amendment and confiscate guns from law-abiding citizens. I will defend the Constitution and vote to protect the right of every lawful gun owner in the United States to keep America free." (www.fischbachforcongress.com)
  • Rated 100% by Gun Owners of America (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Rated 92% by National Rifle Association (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted against H.R. 1808 "Assault Weapons Ban of 2022" (votesmart.org)
  • "We must fix our broken health care system to give American families better access to high-quality, affordable health care plans. Obamacare was a disaster that took important health care choices away from millions of Americans, and has doubled healthcare costs for families, despite its misleading name. I will work to protect the promises we have made to our seniors and pass patient-centered reforms that increase competition and lower costs, without sacrificing protections for individuals with preexisting conditions." (www.fischbachforcongress.com)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • Voted against H.R. 6833 "The Affordable Insulin Now Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "Finishing the border wall is a key component of stopping the flow of illegal immigration and there are stacks and stacks of material at the ready, but Biden refuses to use common sense, and stopped construction. It's negligent and irresponsible and we need a change." (x.com)
  • "We must secure our borders and finish building the southern border wall. I will stand up to efforts by the radical left to abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and promote open borders and sanctuary cities. We need to work with law enforcement officials to restore the rule of law and order, and support ICE agents as they remove unlawful entrants and violent gang members from our county to keep America safe." (www.fischbachforcongress.com)
  • Rated 92% by Federation for American Immigration Reform (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 2 - "Secure the Border Act of 2023" (votesmart.org)
  • "Freeze funding to Iran." (x.com)
  • "Instead of being firm against Iranian-sponsored terrorism, Biden actually freed up $6 billion for them...with no way to control how it's spent! Now we’re seeing the consequences. #StandAgainstIranianTerrorism" (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 7108: "Suspending Normal Trade Relations with Russia and Belarus Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 6968 "Suspending Energy Imports from Russia Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "It is time for the U.S. to stand up and show leadership so our friends in #Ukraine and #Taiwan and those around the world know America is still committed to supporting their freedom." (x.com)
  • Voted against HR 5692 - Ukraine Security Assistance and Oversight Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024 (votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 6833 - Continuing Appropriations and Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023 (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 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)
  • "In order to have a future built on freedom, we need to confront Big Tech and demand fairness: ✅Provide greater privacy & data security protections ✅Equip parents with more tools to keep their kids safe online ✅Stop companies from putting politics ahead of people" (x.com)
  • 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.

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.
c) Abortions should be legal only when the pregnancy resulted from incest, rape, or when the life of the woman is endangered.
X d) Abortions should be legal only when the life of the woman is endangered.
e) Abortions should always be illegal.
f) Abortions should be limited by waiting periods and parental notification requirements.
g) Should Minnesota government funding be provided to clinics and medical facilities that provide abortion services?

Please indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding affirmative action and civil rights in Minnesota.

a) The Minnesota government should prosecute cases of discrimination in the public and private sectors.
b) The Minnesota government should provide no affirmative action programs.
No c) Do you believe that the Minnesota government should recognize same-sex marriages?

Please indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding children & family issues in Minnesota.

a) Increase state funding for programs to prevent teen pregnancy.
X b) Provide tax credits for businesses that provide child care for their employees.
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 Minnesota.

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" for violent criminals so they serve their full sentences with no chance of parole.
d) Institute the death penalty in Minnesota.
e) Oppose the death penalty.
f) Implement penalties other than incarceration for certain non-violent offenders.
X g) Require mandatory life sentences for third-time, violent felons.
X h) Support the current law which requires that communities be informed 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 sentences.
j) Decriminalize the possession and private use of certain illegal drugs such as marijuana.
k) Strengthen penalties and sentences associated with drug-related crimes.
l) Implement chain gangs in which prison inmates work together in chained work groups.
m) Support laws requiring restitution to crime victims at the personal expense of the criminal.
X n) Implement restrictions on living conditions of state prison inmates (e.g. no weight rooms, no smoking, no frivolous lawsuits).
X o) Require inmates to help pay for their health care services.

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

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 juvenile first-time felons.
X c) Increase state funding for local community centers and other social agencies in areas with at-risk youth.
d) Support state government funding of programs for at-risk youth such as guaranteed college loans and job training and placement.
e) Increase state funding for mentor programs that pair troubled juveniles with qualified college and graduate students.

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

a) Increase state funds for improving the state's transportation system, including major roadways, railways and airports.
b) Provide low interest loans and tax credits for expanding, start-up, or relocating businesses.
c) Expand legalized gambling (either state lottery, slot machines or video gambling).
X d) Reduce state government regulations on the private sector.
e) Remove state government controls or caps from wages, prices, rents, profits, production and interest rates.
f) Support limits on cash damages in lawsuits against businesses and professionals for product liability or malpractice.
g) Increase state funding for programs to re-train unemployed workers.

Please indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding Minnesota's 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.
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).
e) Support continuation of charter schools where teachers and other 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) Provide state funding for programs which increase Minnesota students' access to the Internet and other telecommunications networks.
k) Require periodic competency testing for private and public school teachers.
l) Increase state funds for higher education.

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

a) Enact tougher environmental standards to encourage the sale of cleaner burning fuels throughout Minnesota.
X b) Support "self-audit" legislation which creates incentives for polluting industries to audit themselves and clean up pollution.
X c) Require a cost/benefit analysis be completed on 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 the use of privately owned land.
e) Continue to provide funding for recycling programs in Minnesota.
f) Request flexibility from the federal government in enforcing and funding federal environmental regulations.
X g) Suspend Minnesota's participation in unfunded, federally mandated environmental protection legislation.
h) Maintain minimum environmental quality as mandated by current federal regulations.
X i) Support recent modifications to the Wetlands Conservation Act which provide greater flexibility in fulfilling former requirements for wetlands replacement.

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

Yes 1) State Senators
Yes 2) State Representatives
Yes 3) Governor
Yes b) Do you support amending the US Constitution to require an annual balanced federal budget?
No c) Do you support requiring limits on individual contributions to state legislative candidates?
Undecided d) Do you support requiring limits on PAC contributions to state legislative candidates?
Undecided e) Do you support the current ban on corporate contributions to state legislative candidates?
Yes f) Do you support requiring full and timely disclosure of campaign finance information?
No g) Do you support imposing spending limits on state level 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 federal 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.
f) Allow law-abiding citizens to carry concealed firearms.

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

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 Minnesota 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.
e) Limit the amount of damages that can be awarded in medical malpractice lawsuits.
f) Provide tax credits or state-funded vouchers to assist the working poor in receiving health insurance.
g) Support legislation requiring health insurance providers to cover certain medical services (e.g. 48 hr. hospital stay for mothers after childbirth).

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

Eliminate a) Abortion
b) Affirmative Action
c) Agriculture
d) AIDS Programs
e) Education
f) Environment
g) Health Care
h) Law Enforcement
Slightly Decrease i) Welfare

Please indicate the changes you support (if any) concerning Minnesota's tax levels. Select one option only.

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

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

X a) Provide child care services to welfare recipients who work or attend school.
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 welfare benefits.
e) Limit the welfare benefits given to recipients if they have additional children.
X 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.
Explain what your two main legislative priorities will be if elected to the Minnesota State Legislature. If any of your priorities will require additional government funding, explain how you intend to obtain the additional funding.

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