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| See guides.vote for online guides with links & sources | http://www.mattformontana.com/ | http://www.jontester.com/ |
Abortion
Mostly ban or mostly legal? | Ban. “I do not believe in abortion. I do not believe that you should provide for any exceptions.” | Legal. Opposed post-20 week ban. Sponsored bill prohibiting medically unnecessary requirements on abortion services. |
Campaign Finance
Require political ads to disclose their largest funders? Positon on Citizens United decision, allowing unlimited political donations from corporations & unions? | No. Voted against state bill requiring independent groups to reveal how money they contribute to election campaigns is being used & where it’s coming from. Supports Supreme Court’s Citizens United ruling as protecting freedom of speech. | Yes. Introduced Spotlight Act, requiring political nonprofits to disclose donors. “Dark money is a threat to our democracy… I will do everything I can to defend Montanans from this shadowy behavior.” Opposed Citizens United ruling. |
Climate Change
Consider climate change a critical issue? | No. “The climate does change. The question is how much impact do humans have on it & how much impact can we have on it by dramatically imposing draconian restrictions on our businesses.” | Yes. Climate change is real & human activity significantly contributes. “The rest of the world is together on this… We’ve got an incredible opportunity to create jobs & lead the world in clean technology.” |
Courts
Support Judge Kavanaugh nomination? | Yes. "One of the most qualified” Supreme Court nominees, “a proven record of upholding our Constitution.” | Undecided as of September 12. “We’re going to be reviewing the transcript of the judiciary hearing pretty hard.” |
Economy
Support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth? | No. Cut government & return money in tax cuts. | Yes. 2008 stimulus was necessary. Need to invest more in infrastructure. |
Education
Provide vouchers to send children to private schools with public money? | Yes. "Critical…if we are going to see improvement in our education system." | No. Privatization of public schools feeds destruction of democracy. |
Gay Rights
Support gay marriage? | No. “Support traditional marriage as being between one man & one woman.” | Yes. “All couples should have the same rights to happiness & protections under the law that my wife Sharla & I enjoy." |
Gun Control
Support more restrictive gun control legislation? Restrict semi-automatic weapons? | No. Second Amendment rights are non-negotiable. Mass shootings all involve mental illness & sites where guns have been banned. | Backs Second Amendment rights, but would consider “background checks, banning bump stocks & making sure our databases are talking to one another." |
Health Care
Support or Repeal Affordable Care Act (ACA), known as Obamacare? Position on Medicaid expansion to subsidize low-income participants? | Repeal. “I won’t give up on repealing & replacing Obamacare.” Can replace while keeping affordability & protecting pre-existing conditions with high-risk pools. Voted against MT Medicaid expansion. | Support. Not perfect, but has helped rural hospitals & health centers, provided families with coverage, & stopped big insurance companies from denying folks coverage. Supports Medicaid expansion. |
Immigration
Support "DACA" recipients or "Dreamers," who grew up here after being brought here as children? Earned path to citizenship for other illegal immigrants? | No. Opposes DACA & path to citizenship. Rule of law has been ignored & illegal immigrants allowed to flow freely into this country without consequence. | Rejected 2010 Dream Act. Criticized Trump ending DACA. Supported bipartisan bill with increased border security, visa rule tightening & earned path to citizenship. |
Iran
Support withdrawal from treaty limiting Iran nuclear capability while lifting sanctions? | Yes. | No. Supports treaty as “only option” to prevent nuclear weapons development. |
Marijuana
Legalize or decriminalize marijuana? | Supports medical marijuana. State should determine recreational use. | Supports medical use. Feds need to respect vote. Hesitant about full legalization, but alcohol arguably worse. |
Minimum Wage
Raise the federal minimum wage from $7.25/hr to $10.10 hr? | No. Called Obama’s proposal to do this “ridiculous.” | Yes. Would “help thousands of Montanans make ends meet.” |
Net Neutrality
Require internet providers to provide equal access to all users? | No public statements found. | Yes. “Repealing Net Neutrality handed our Internet to large corporations.” Decision “hurts commerce, small business, education, & healthcare.” |
President Trump
Response to President Trump’s actions & policies? | “Stand with President Trump to advance his agenda & Put Montana First Again.” | Willing to work with Trump on specific bills. "I’m glad that the president has signed 16 of my bills into law.” Voted with Trump 38% of time. |
Renewable Energy
Support government support for renewable energy? | No. Renewable power is a "grand idea" but government shouldn’t subsidize. | Yes. Supports tax credits, expedited permitting, utility renewable mandates, & carbon capture credits for coal plants. |
Social Security
Consider partial or full privatization options? | Yes. Let younger Americans invest privately instead of paying in. | No. Opposes any plan to privatize. |
Student Debt & Financial Aid
Lower student loan rates, while increasing high-earner taxes (Elizabeth Warren bill)? | No. “Move the federal government out of the funding that takes place for the colleges & universities.” | Yes. Voted for Warren bill. Also supports restoring year-round Pell Grants, & supporting Perkins Loans. |
Taxes
Support President Trump’s tax cuts? | Yes. “Bigger paychecks & more jobs for Montanans… This is your money & you should be deciding how to invest or spend it—not the government.” | “Disastrous.” “Need reform for hardworking Montanans, not a handout for jet-owners paid for by our kids & grandkids.” |
Voting Rights
Support stricter voting rules even if they prevent some people from voting? | Yes. Voted to repeal same-day voter registration. Require government-issued photo identification to vote. | Unclear on photo ID. Introduced bill to ensure Native American voting access. |
