Texas Congressional Election 2018 Political Courage Test

Abortion

1. Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
- Pro-life

2. Other or expanded principles
- I believe every life lost to abortion, 55,000 per year in Texas alone, is a tragedy. Abortionshould not be legal at any stage.

Budget

1. In order to balance the budget, do you support an income tax increase on any tax bracket?
- No

2. In order to balance the budget, do you support reducing defense spending?
- No

3. Other or expanded principles
- There is room for efficiency which could lead to a reduction in spending, but budgets should not be cut across the board without reason.

Campaign Finance

1. Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?
- Yes

2. Other or expanded principles
- Political contributions by unions should not be permitted if any affiliated union or association dues are collected via payroll deduction by a taxpayer-funded government entity.

Economy

1. Do you support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
- No

2. Do you support lowering corporate taxes as a means of promoting economic growth?
- Yes

3. Other or expanded principles
- I first ran for the Texas Legislature in 2010 because high taxes were making it harder for me to provide for my family, and I succeeded in cutting the margins tax by 25% and adding a $1 million exemption and deduction. I am still frustrated by the disregard the federal government has shown for our tax dollars and our constitutional rights.

Education

1. Do you support requiring states to adopt federal education standards?
- No

2. Other or expanded principles
- Federal mandates, especially unfunded mandates, tie the hands of our educators and keep them from spending their time and energy doing what they do best: teaching our children. For example, I have worked tirelessly in the Texas Leigslature to roll back burdensome regulations and reduce standardized testing because I believe that those closest to our students (their teachers, parents, and locally elected officials) can make the best decision for their future.

Energy & Environment

1. Do you support government funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, thermal)?
- No

2. Do you support the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions?
- No

3. Other or expanded principles
- While I am an advocate for cleaner air and water, bloated environmental programs have burdened the taxpayers of our country for too long, hurting families who are already struggling to make ends meet the most. I believe the innovation of the private market is the best solution, not to mention that state officials, who are closest to their communities, know best how to encourage responsible environmental practices and will advocate for increased local control of environmental policy.

Guns

1. Do you generally support gun-control legislation?
- No

2. Other or expanded principles
- Our Second Amendment guarantees our right to keep and bear arms. It's as simple as that. I am proud to have been named Legislator of the Year by the Texas State Rifle Association and to one of only two candidates with an A rating, the highest rating, from the National Rifle Association. I will continue working to defend the Second Amendment in Congress.

Health Care

1. Do you support repealing the 2010 Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare")?
- Yes

2. Other or expanded principles
- We must repeal Obamacare and burdensome regulations that drive up the cost of health care. Unleashing the power of the free market, innovation, and personal responsibility by getting government out of the way will ultimately benefit the most Americans.

Immigration

1. Do you support the construction of a wall along the Mexican border?
- Yes

2. Do you support requiring immigrants who are unlawfully present to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship?
- Yes

3. Other or expanded principles
- I would support an exception for those who have joined our military forces or have been adopted by U.S. citizens.

Marijuana

1. Do you support the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes?
- No

2. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

National Security

1. Should the United States use military force in order to prevent governments hostile to the U.S. from possessing a nuclear weapon?
- Yes

2. Do you support increased American intervention in Middle Eastern conflicts beyond air support?
- Yes

3. Other or expanded principles
- Our most important ally in the Middle East is Israel. We must continue to stand with Israel. In the Texas Legislature I authored anti-BDS legislation to show that Texas stands with Israel. We must take the fight to those who wish to do us harm rather than waiting for them to bring the fight to us.

Administrative Priorities

Please explain in a total of 100 words or less, your top two or three priorities if elected. If they require additional funding for implementation, please explain how you would obtain this funding.
- My mission statement is to Make America Like Texas. The formula for good government is simple, and we do it right in Texas. The three keys are a balanced budget, low taxes, and limited government. Put simply, Texas works. There is a reason well over a million people have moved to the Lone Star State since 2010: to get a taste of the unparalleled liberty and prosperity our state has to offer. Texas works, and I am running for Congress to take my experience improving the fiscally conservative Texas model to the place that needs it most: Washington, D.C.