Card image cap

Pete Ricketts' Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

Office:

On The Ballot: Running, Republican for U.S. Senate (NE) - II

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 2024.

  • "Over 50 million unborn children have been killed by abortion in the U.S. since the U.S. Supreme Court issued their Roe v. Wade decision. In Nebraska, January 22, 2020 will be a Statewide Day of Prayer to end abortion." (x.com)
  • "Roe v. Wade took away the states’ right to regulate abortion and cost millions of babies their lives. Today’s Supreme Court decision restores the rights of the people, and as a result our future generations will have a chance at life." (x.com)
  • Rated 100% by National Right to Life Committee (None)
  • "I'm proposing cutting federal taxes on Social Security so Americans can keep more of their benefits." (x.com)
  • "Social Security benefits should be tax-free. We did it at the state level in Nebraska when I was Governor, we should do it at the federal level. The Social Security Check Tax Cut Act I introduced this week in the Senate helps us get there in a fiscally responsible way." (x.com)
  • Vetoed LB 108: "Expands SNAP Eligibility" (votesmart.org)
  • "It has been 6 years since the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act was enacted into the law. Wages & income grew nationwide. Unemployment dropped to record lows. Americans kept more of their hard-earned money. Pro-growth policies work, Bidenomics doesn’t." (x.com)
  • "Rising costs of living continue to hurt Nebraskans. Despite this, President Biden is tripling down on his failed policies. Just last week, he proposed raising taxes and even more needless spending." (x.com)
  • "Since before he took office, Governor Ricketts has focused on the need for tax relief. In 2022, he worked to pass LB 873 which is the biggest tax relief package in Nebraska history. It provides 12 times more annual tax relief than other tax bill and senior citizens, families, ag producers, and small businesses will all see major tax savings. Since taking office in 2015, Ricketts worked with the Legislature to deliver over $4 billion of property tax relief. LB 873 provides an additional $3.4 billion of overall tax relief to Nebraskans through tax year 2027. When fully implemented, LB 873 will deliver nearly $1 billion of annual tax relief above and beyond what Nebraskans currently receive." (petericketts.com)
  • Signed LB 873: "Reduces Tax Rates" (votesmart.org)
  • "Rising costs of living continue to hurt Nebraskans. Despite this, President Biden is tripling down on his failed policies. Just last week, he proposed raising taxes and even more needless spending." (x.com)
  • "Since before he took office, Governor Ricketts has focused on the need for tax relief. In 2022, he worked to pass LB 873 which is the biggest tax relief package in Nebraska history. It provides 12 times more annual tax relief than other tax bill and senior citizens, families, ag producers, and small businesses will all see major tax savings. Since taking office in 2015, Ricketts worked with the Legislature to deliver over $4 billion of property tax relief. LB 873 provides an additional $3.4 billion of overall tax relief to Nebraskans through tax year 2027. When fully implemented, LB 873 will deliver nearly $1 billion of annual tax relief above and beyond what Nebraskans currently receive." (petericketts.com)
  • "Washington, D.C. should pay for infrastructure with existing resources. No tax increases - people are taxed too much already!" (x.com)
  • Signed LB 873: "Reduces Tax Rates" (votesmart.org)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • "DC's anti-police bill has resulted in hundreds of officers leaving the city's police force. Congress voted to block the bill with bipartisan support – but it was vetoed by the White House. Biden's veto is making our nation's capital less safe." (x.com)
  • "I have seen the video of former Officer Chauvin killing George Floyd, and I am appalled and angry. Events like this break the trust between law enforcement and communities of color. Justice must be served." (x.com)
  • "This is disgusting and vile. Our men and women in blue who put their lives on the line deserve our respect and support. We are a law and order state and will work to stop anti-cop movements that want to defund the police. #BackTheBlue" (x.com)
  • "This year's National Defense Authorization Act is a strong, bipartisan bill that will improve pay for our military, invest in our defense against China, and ensure oversight of aid to Ukraine." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 2670: "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024" (votesmart.org)
  • "Americans need Congress and the President to prevent a default. We must also get this administration’s runaway spending under control. House Republicans passed a bill to address both spending and default. Senate Republicans support them." (x.com)
  • "I’m fighting Biden’s overregulation & reckless spending, working to fix bad government with Proven Nebraska Solutions, and holding the federal government accountable for failing at its job of keeping Americans safe." (x.com)
  • "Rising costs of living continue to hurt Nebraskans. Despite this, President Biden is tripling down on his failed policies. Just last week, he proposed raising taxes and even more needless spending." (x.com)
  • "While Americans are still struggling with rising costs of living, President Biden wants to raise taxes on hardworking Americans to fund the same kind of reckless spending spree that landed us in this inflation mess in the first place." (x.com)
  • "It is always great to have Nebraskans in Washington! Met with the Southeast Nebraska Development District and talked about ways to provide more affordable housing options to Nebraskans." (x.com)
  • "We’ve passed significant funding for projects in North & South Omaha for economic development, housing, financial literacy efforts, and crime prevention. These investments will have an impact on these communities for generations to come." (x.com)
  • "Inflation cost Nebraskans an extra $11,550 in 2023 for the same goods and services. The Biden administration's reckless spending caused inflation to skyrocket – and prices remain high. #Bidenomics is hurting Nebraskans." (x.com)
  • "Rising costs of living continue to hurt Nebraskans. Despite this, President Biden is tripling down on his failed policies. Just last week, he proposed raising taxes and even more needless spending. The trillions of dollars he’s blown through these past two years caused this never-ending inflation. Hard-working Americans are struggling. Necessities are costing hundreds of extra dollars a month. We cannot keep adding fuel to this already raging fire." (x.com)
  • "The Biden administration's trillion-dollar spending bills have led to unaffordable prices. Inflation is still too high – and wages aren't keeping up. Nebraskans can't afford #Bidenomics." (x.com)
  • "While Americans are still struggling with rising costs of living, President Biden wants to raise taxes on hardworking Americans to fund the same kind of reckless spending spree that landed us in this inflation mess in the first place." (x.com)
  • "Joe Biden continues pushing his unfair and illegal plan to transfer student loan debt onto taxpayers. As both governor and Senator, I've fought against this unconstitutional plan and I will continue leading the fight on behalf of working Nebraskans." (x.com)
  • "The top 20% of earning households hold $3 in student debt for every $1 held by the bottom quintile, generating a lopsided reality where the wealthy benefit at the expense of the working. Simply put, @POTUS's plan rewards the rich and punishes the poor" (x.com)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • "Make no mistake: The cancelation of the #KeystoneXL pipeline will only make America more dependent on overseas oil. President Joe Biden needs to stop doing the bidding of far left Green New Deal activists!" (x.com)
  • "The Biden Administration continues to push radical environmental policies straight from the Green New Deal at the expense of American energy security. OPEC’s cuts in production show just how vulnerable Biden’s war on domestic energy has left us." (x.com)
  • "This is the economy you get when you have a President who consistently imposes a radical green agenda and progressive policies over the needs of the American people. #Bidenflation" (x.com)
  • Rated 0% by League of Conservation Voters (None)
  • "Here in America, @POTUS must not let its pursuit of green policies get in the way of our ability to produce oil and gas at a rate that meets demand – in America and abroad. He can start by reinstating the permit for the Keystone XL pipeline." (x.com)
  • "Make no mistake: The cancelation of the #KeystoneXL pipeline will only make America more dependent on overseas oil. President Joe Biden needs to stop doing the bidding of far left Green New Deal activists!" (x.com)
  • "Under the Biden Admin, gas prices have nearly doubled. These prices are not the "Putin Price Hike". Putin did not cancel the Keystone XL or end drilling n federal land. Biden did that. And we've been feeling pain at the pump ever since" (x.com)
  • "Just signed LB 902 into law to help protect gun rights in Nebraska!" (x.com)
  • "Nebraska is a pro-Second Amendment state. I signed LB 236 to strengthen gun rights in Nebraska. Thank you to the senators who support this important #2A bill!" (x.com)
  • "The White House and U.S. Congress have announced their intention to pursue measures that would infringe on the right to keep and bear arms. Nebraska will stand up against federal overreach and attempts to regulate gun ownership and use in the Good Life." (x.com)
  • Rated 92% by National Rifle Association (None)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • "Any border legislation must force Biden to secure our border, stop his mass parole of illegal aliens, and end the national security and humanitarian crisis he created." (x.com)
  • "Every single year that Biden has been in office, the Border crisis has continued to get worse. Record numbers of crossings each month. Yesterday, I introduced a comprehensive Border Package in order to get this under control." (x.com)
  • "When President Biden took office, he reversed successful policies of the Trump administration and has created a humanitarian crisis at our southern border." (x.com)
  • Rated 98% by NumbersUSA (None)
  • "Every state is now a border state, the influx of illegal aliens and deadly drugs are hurting livelihoods and killing innocent people. If addressing this crisis isn’t our job in the United States Senate, I don’t know what is." (x.com)
  • "More people than the entire population of Lincoln tried to cross our border illegally in December. Biden could end this insanity today if he wanted to! He won’t though because Democrats just want more votes to fill the sanctuary states and cities Americans are fleeing." (x.com)
  • "Sanctuary states and cities that refuse to enforce the law make Americans less safe. Adding incentives for cooperation with ICE will get dangerous criminals off our streets. These two bills would bring needed accountability to those who facilitate illegal immigration and bring justice for the victims of sanctuary policies." (x.com)
  • Rated 98% by NumbersUSA (None)
  • "America cannot let Putin’s invasion of Ukraine go unchecked. We need to issue a swift response that will isolate Russia like we did during the Cold War. Direct sanctions will make it clear that the free world will not tolerate global aggressors." (x.com)
  • "Attended this year’s NATO conference w/ my colleagues to ensure our allies pay their share & reiterate we must work together to combat the growing threats of our adversaries. We are arming Ukraine to fight Russia so we don’t have to. A strong, effective NATO is essential." (x.com)
  • "The Biden Administration’s appeasement-first foreign policy is making America and our allies around the world less safe. We must not bail out a regime that murders its own, supports Russia’s war on Ukraine, and funds terrorist attacks abroad." (x.com)
  • "Attended this year’s NATO conference w/ my colleagues to ensure our allies pay their share & reiterate we must work together to combat the growing threats of our adversaries. We are arming Ukraine to fight Russia so we don’t have to. A strong, effective NATO is essential." (x.com)
  • "Vladimir Putin is a dictator. Dictators don't stop unless you defeat them. If Putin wins in Ukraine, he will continue his warpath until American lives are in harm's way. We can't let that happen." (x.com)
  • "I was the first governor to ban TikTok on state devices because allowing our adversaries to access Americans' data is a serious national security threat. It's time for the Senate to act on this bill blocking TikTok from operating in the US under their CCP-aligned parent company." (x.com)
  • "In 2020, we banned Tik Tok from state-owned devices in NE. We’ve long known that the CCP can pull Americans’ data from the app. And it’s become increasingly clear they are doing just that. Glad to see other states & Congress taking similar action." (x.com)
  • "The CCP's spy app Tiktok is suddenly pushing Osama Bid Laden's decades-old terrorist propaganda on Americans. It's appalling anyone would believe these anti-semitic, anti-American lies." (x.com)
  • "To maintain the security of data owned by the State of Nebraska, and to safeguard against the intrusive cyber activities of China’s communist government, we’ve made the decision to ban TikTok on State devices." (x.com)
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) regarding abortion.

a) Abortions should always be illegal.
b) Abortions should always be legal.
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.
e) Abortions should be legal when the life of the woman is endangered.
X f) Prohibit public funding of abortions and to organizations that advocate or perform abortions.
I am a pro-life Republican. I believe life begins at conception and ends at natural death. I oppose all abortions under the principle of double effect. I have been endorsed by Nebraska Right to Life and Nebraskans United for Life.

Using the key, indicate what federal funding levels you support for the following general categories. Select one number per category, you can use a number more than once.Budget Priorities

Maintain Status a) Agriculture
Slightly Decrease b) Arts
Maintain Status c) Defense
Maintain Status d) Education
Slightly Decrease e) Environment
Maintain Status f) Homeland security
Slightly Decrease g) International aid
Maintain Status h) Law enforcement
Maintain Status i) Medical research
Maintain Status j) National parks
Maintain Status k) Public health services
Maintain Status l) Scientific research
Maintain Status m) Space exploration programs
Maintain Status n) Transportation and highway infrastructure
Slightly Decrease o) Welfare
Maintain Status p) Emergency preparedness
q) Other or expanded categories

Defense Spending

Maintain Status a) Armed forces personnel training
Greatly Increase b) Intelligence operations
Maintain Status c) Military hardware
Maintain Status d) Modernization of weaponry and equipment
Maintain Status e) National missile defense
Slightly Increase f) Pay for active duty personnel
Maintain Status g) Programs to improve troop retention rates
Maintain Status h) Research and development of new weapons
Maintain Status i) Troop and equipment readiness
j) Other or expanded categories

Using the key above, indicate what federal tax levels you support for the following general categories. Select one number per category.TaxesIncome Taxes:Family IncomeRetiree IncomeOther Taxes:Deductions/Credits:

Slightly Decrease a) Less than $25,000
Slightly Decrease b) $25,000-$75,000
Slightly Decrease c) $75,000-$150,000
Slightly Decrease d) Over $150,000
e) Other or expanded categories
Slightly Decrease f) Over $40,000
g) Other or expanded categories
Slightly Increase a) Alcohol taxes
Slightly Decrease b) Capital gains taxes
Slightly Increase c) Cigarette taxes
Maintain Status d) Corporate taxes
Maintain Status e) Gasoline taxes
Eliminate f) Inheritance taxes
g) Other or expanded categories
Maintain Status a) Charitable contributions
Slightly Increase b) Child tax credit
Maintain Status c) Earned income tax credit
Maintain Status d) Medical expense deduction
Maintain Status e) Mortgage deduction
Maintain Status f) Student loan credit
g) Other or expanded categories
Yes 4) Do you support the permanent repeal of the federal estate tax?
Yes 5) Do you support making President Bush's tax cuts permanent?
7) Other or expanded principles
I believe our spending system is broken and must be reformed. As a fiscal conservative, I will vote for meaningful cuts in spending and support bills that eliminate or limit the earmarking process. I will also support bills that limit the scope of legislation so that projects irrelevant to the bill's objective cannot be added. I support new legislation to end special interest spending, a renewed commitment to enforceable spending caps, and a line-item veto.

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding campaign finance and government reform.

a) Support public taxpayer funding for federal candidates who comply with campaign spending limits.
b) Increase the amount individuals are permitted to contribute to federal campaigns.
c) Prohibit Political Action Committee (PAC) contributions to candidates for federal office.
d) Allow unregulated soft money campaign contributions to political parties or committees.
e) Remove all contribution limits on federal campaigns and parties.
X f) Require Section 527 organizations to register with the Federal Election Commission as Political Action Committees.
No g) Do you support instant run-off voting?
No h) Should Election Day be a national holiday?
Yes i) Do you support a constitutional amendment that would define marriage as a union between a man and woman?
j) Other or expanded principles

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

X a) Support the use of the death penalty for federal crimes.
b) Eliminate the use of the death penalty for federal crimes.
c) Support programs to provide prison inmates with educational, vocational and job-related skills and job-placement assistance when released.
X d) Support programs to provide prison inmates with drug and alcohol addiction treatment.
e) Reduce prison sentences for those who commit non-violent crimes.
f) Require that crimes based on gender, sexual orientation, and disability be prosecuted as federal hate crimes.
g) Impose stricter penalties for those convicted of corporate crimes.
h) Minors accused of a violent crime should be prosecuted as adults.
Faith-based or other non-profit programs to rehabilitate offenders with education, vocational and job related skills, and job placement assistance.

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

X a) Support mandatory jail sentences for selling illegal drugs.
b) Expand federally sponsored drug education and drug treatment programs.
c) Decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana.
d) Allow doctors to recommend marijuana to their patients for medicinal purposes.
X e) Increase border security to stop the flow of illegal drugs into the United States.
f) Eliminate federal funding for programs associated with the "war on drugs."
g) Support a federal law to standardize testing and penalties for steroid use in professional sports.
h) Other or expanded principles

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

a) Support national standards for and testing of public school students.
X b) Allow parents to use vouchers, (equal opportunity scholarships) to send their children to any public school.
X c) Allow parents to use vouchers, (equal opportunity scholarships) to send their children to any private or religious school.
X d) Allow teachers and professionals to receive authorization and funding to establish charter schools.
X e) Reward teachers with merit pay for working in low-income schools.
f) Increase funding for school capital improvements (e.g. buildings, infrastructure, technology).
g) Support affirmative action in public college admissions.
h) Increase funding of programs such as Pell grants and Stafford loans to help students pay for college.
X i) Support federal tax incentives to help families save for college.
j) Other or expanded principles

1) Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding employment.2) Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding affirmative action.

a) Increase funding for national job-training programs that re-train displaced workers or teach skills needed in today's job market.
X b) Reduce government regulation of the private sector in order to encourage investment and economic expansion.
X c) Provide tax credits or grants to businesses that offer child care services to employees.
d) Encourage employers to offer flex-time scheduling, comp-time, and unpaid leave for family emergencies.
e) Eliminate all federal programs designed to reduce unemployment.
f) Increase the federal minimum wage.
g) Support the right of workers to strike without fear of being permanently replaced.
h) Include sexual orientation in federal anti-discrimination laws.
i) Other or expanded principles
a) The federal government should consider race and gender in government contracting decisions.
b) The federal government should discontinue affirmative action programs.
c) The federal government should continue affirmative action programs.
Affirmative action has made us aware of the inequities in our society. We should review ways to modernize this policy.

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

a) Strengthen the regulation and enforcement of the Clean Water Act.
b) Strengthen the regulation and enforcement of the Clean Air Act.
c) Support Clear Skies Act to reduce power plant emissions by setting a national cap on pollutants.
X d) Require states to compensate citizens when environmental regulations limit uses of privately-owned land.
e) Relax logging restrictions on federal lands.
f) Relax standards on federal lands to allow increased recreational usage.
X g) Support increased development of traditional energy resources (e.g. coal, natural gas, oil).
h) Strengthen emission controls and fuel efficiency standards on all gasoline and diesel-powered engines, including cars, trucks, and sport utility vehicles.
X i) Support opening a portion of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for oil exploration.
X j) Encourage further development and use of alternative fuels to reduce pollution.
X k) Support the use of ethanol as an alternative fuel.
X l) Allow energy producers to trade pollution credits.
m) Support the Kyoto Protocol to limit global warming.
n) Other or expanded principles

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

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

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

a) Providing health care is not a responsibility of the federal government.
b) Implement a universal health care program to guarantee coverage to all Americans regardless of income.
c) Expand eligibility for tax-free medical savings accounts.
X d) Establish limits on the amount of punitive damages awarded in medical malpractice lawsuits.
e) Support expanding prescription drug coverage under Medicare.
X f) Offer tax credits to individuals and small businesses to offset the cost of insurance coverage.
X g) Support automatic enrollment of children in federal health care programs such as CHIP and Medicaid.
h) Support stem cell research on existing lines of stem cells.
i) Allow laboratories to create new lines of stem cells for additional research.
I support expanding health savings accounts. I am opposed to embryonic stem cell research and human cloning.

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

a) Decrease the number of legal immigrants allowed into the country.
X b) Establish English as the official national language.
c) Support a temporary worker program that would enable illegal immigrants to work in the United States legally.
d) Relax restrictions barring legal immigrants from using government funded social programs (e.g. public housing, food stamps).
e) Support amnesty for illegal immigrants already working in the United States.
Our first priority is to secure the border. We must leverage technology, enforce our laws, and give employers tools to know who is legal. I oppose amnesty, but would support a compromise solution that holds illegal immigrants accountable.

International AidIndicate which principles you support (if any) regarding United States economic assistance.

X a) Aid should be granted to countries when extraordinary circumstances cause disaster and threaten civilian lives.
X b) Aid should be granted to countries when it is in the security interests of the United States.
c) Aid should be eliminated for any nation with documented human rights abuses.
d) International Aid programs should be scaled back and eventually eliminated.
e) Other or expanded principles

International Policy1) Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding the Middle East.2) Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding Central and East Asia.3) Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding the United Nations.

Yes a) Should the United States continue to provide leadership in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process?
Yes b) Should the United States support the creation of a Palestinian state?
No c) Should the United States withdraw its troops from Iraq?
No d) Should the United States send more troops to Iraq?
f) Other or expanded principles
Yes a) Should the United States use diplomatic and economic pressure to encourage North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons program?
Undecided b) Should the United States use military force to dismantle the North Korean nuclear weapons program?
Yes c) Should the United States remove the North Korean government from power?
No d) Should the United States increase financial support to Afghanistan?
No e) Should the United States increase military support to Afghanistan?
No a) Should the United States maintain its financial support of the United Nations?
Yes b) Should the United States decrease its financial support of the United Nations?
Yes c) Should the United States commit troops to United Nations peacekeeping missions?
d) Other or expanded principles
Yes 4) Should the United States lift the travel ban to Cuba?
Undecided 5) Should the United States increase its financial support to Colombia to combat "the war on drugs?"
No 6) Should aid to African nations for AIDS prevention programs fund distribution of contraceptives?
Yes 7) Should aid to African nations for AIDS prevention programs fund abstinence education?
8) Other or expanded principles
We are winning in Iraq. We should return home when our mission is complete and the Iraqis can defend themselves. The United States has an opportunity to encourage democracy and free-market economies in the Middle East. I support our men and women in uniform; and support withdrawing when we have accomplished our goals. We should exit when our commanders and troops on the ground believe that it is time to come home -- not before.
Foreign policy is more complicated than just a yes or no answer. U. S foreign policy should include the disarmament of North Korea and assisting the Afghans in their right to self determination.

International TradeIndicate which principles you support (if any) regarding international trade.

Yes 1) Do you support the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)?
Yes 2) Do you support the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA)?
Yes 3) Do you support the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT)?
Yes 4) Do you support continued U.S. membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO)?
No 5) Should a nation's human rights record affect its normal trade relations (most favored nation) status with the United States?
No 6) Do you support the trade embargo against Cuba?
Yes 7) Should trade agreements include provisions to address environmental concerns and to protect workers' rights?
8) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding national security.

Yes a) Do you support using military tribunals to try suspected terrorists when ordinary civilian courts are deemed inappropriate or impractical?
Yes b) Should the United States grant law enforcement agencies greater discretion to read mail and email, tap phones, and conduct random searches to prevent future terrorist attacks?
Yes c) Should the United States hold foreign states accountable for terrorists who operate in their country?
Yes d) Should the federal government increase funding to states and cities for homeland security?
Yes e) Do you support the prohibition of torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment of prisoners in U.S. custody?
Yes f) Do you support a policy of pre-emptive military strikes against countries deemed to be a threat to U.S. national security?
Our military option should be our last option.

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding Social Security.

X a) Allow workers to invest a portion of their payroll tax in private accounts which they manage themselves.
X b) Allow workers to invest a portion of their payroll tax in private accounts managed by private firms contracted by the government.
X c) Invest a portion of Social Security assets collectively in stocks and bonds instead of United States Treasury securities.
d) Increase the payroll tax to better finance Social Security in its current form.
e) Lower the annual cost-of-living increases.
X f) Raise the retirement age for individual eligibility to receive full Social Security benefits.
Private accounts are part of the solution; any change should not affect people 45 and older.

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding technology and communication.

a) Collect taxes on commercial Internet transactions.
X b) Continue the moratorium on Internet taxation.
c) Implement government regulation of Internet content.
d) Support government mandates to curtail violent and sexual content on television.
X e) Support strict penalties for Internet crimes (e.g. hacking, identity theft, worms/viruses).
X f) Support legislation to detail how personal information can be collected and used on the Internet.
g) Regulating the Internet is not a responsibility of the federal government.
The Federal government should be able to prevent the internet from being used to commit crimes, but we should avoid over regulation

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

a) Require welfare recipients to spend at least 40 hours a week in a combination of work and training programs.
b) Increase funding for child care programs.
X c) Continue to give states and local governments flexibility in and responsibility for welfare programs through federal block grants.
X d) Direct federal poverty aid through religious, community-based, or other non-profit organizations.
e) Abolish all federal welfare programs.
f) Support housing assistance for welfare recipients.
g) Other or expanded principles
Federal spending and agriculture will be top priorities for me if elected United States Senator. I support new legislation to end special interest spending, a renewed commitment to enforceable spending caps, and a line-item veto. Agriculture is vital to Nebraska and the nation. I hope to serve on the Agriculture Committee and would support the expansion of ethanol production and other bio-fuels. We must also work for a common sense safety net for producers.

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

arrow_upward