or Login to see your representatives.

Access Candidates' and Representatives' Biographies, Voting Records, Interest Group Ratings, Issue Positions, Public Statements, and Campaign Finances

Simply enter your zip code above to get to all of your candidates and representatives, or enter a name. Then, just click on the person you are interested in, and you can navigate to the categories of information we track for them.

[x] close
Print

Richard L. Hanna

Representative Richard L. Hanna's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

Richard Hanna
Full Name: Richard L. Hanna
Office: U.S. House (NY) - District 22, Republican
First Elected: 11/02/2010
Last Elected: 11/06/2012
Next Election: 2014
Gender: Male
Family: Wife: Kim; 2 Children: Emerson, Grace
Birth Date: 01/25/1951
Birth Place: Utica, NY
Home City: Barneveld, NY
Project Vote Smart does not permit the use of its name or programs in any campaign activity, including advertising, debates, and speeches.
Richard Hanna refused to tell citizens where he stands on any of the issues addressed in the 2012 Political Courage Test, despite repeated requests from Vote Smart, national media, and prominent political leaders.

What is the Political Courage Test?

Issue Positions

In response to the increasing unwillingness of candidates to answer issue questions, Project Vote Smart has researched Presidential and Congressional candidates' public ecords to determine candidates' likely responses on certain key issues. These issue positions, from the year 2012, are provided below as a courtesy to voters.

Pro-choice Inferred Answer Abortion: Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation? View Citations

Vote Smart's Research

  • Richard Hanna. Utica Observer-Daily: 2008 24th Congressional District Candidate Questionnaire. Responded "I support Roe v. Wade and I do not think we need to make any changes in our approach to a woman's right to choose." to the question: "Do you support Roe v. Wade? Are there changes needed in the federal government's approach to abortion law?" (www.uticaod.com)
  • Richard Hanna. HR 3. 112th Congress. Prohibiting Taxpayer Funding of Abortion. Richard Hanna voted Yea on 05/04/2011. (votesmart.org)
  • Richard Hanna. H Amdt 95. 112th Congress. Prohibiting Use of Federal Funds For Planned Parenthood. Richard Hanna voted Nay on 02/18/2011. (votesmart.org)
  • Richard Hanna. Why I Voted No on HR 358. 13 October 2012. "I always support the 'Hyde Amendment,' which prevents appropriated federal funds from being spent on abortion [¦] Throughout my adult life, I have been consistent supporter of women's rights and healthcare organizations Upstate that aid women, especially those most vulnerable in our community. While I personally oppose abortion and oppose it being funded by federal tax dollars, individuals should be free to make that very difficult and personal decision without undue government involvement." (hanna.house.gov)
Unknown Position Unknown Answer Afghanistan: Do you support United States' combat operations in Afghanistan? View Citations

Vote Smart's Research

  • Richard Hanna. Why I voted Yes on HR 5856. 19 July 2012. "Recognizing the progress made by Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and the need to continue our strategic drawdown of forces, this bill decreases current funding for Overseas Contingency Operations by $26.6 billion, or 23 percent." (hanna.house.gov)
  • Richard Hanna. National Security. 10 September 2012. "Now is also the time to bring our conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan to a responsible and successful conclusion, steered by the guidance of military commanders on the ground." (hanna.house.gov)
  • Richard Hanna. H Con Res 28. 112th Congress. Removing Troops from Afghanistan. Richard Hanna voted Nay on 03/17/2011. (votesmart.org)
  • Richard Hanna. Richard Hanna's Full Announcement Speech. 15 May 2008. "The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have shown us that the military gives us the power to conquer countries but not the power to run them. However, we cannot abandon our fight against the ongoing threat of global terrorism or abandon our responsibilities to the people of these two countries." (votesmart.org)
Unknown Position Unknown Answer Budget: In order to balance the budget, do you support reducing defense spending? View Citations

Vote Smart's Research

  • Richard Hanna. Hanna Supports Legislation to Prevent Defense Cuts. 24 February 2012. "This is a sensible plan to save money over a decade without compromising our commitment to our men and women in the military [¦] This bill would allow us to avoid subjecting our national security to unnecessary risks while still reining in excessive spending. I am hopeful that Congress will consider this important legislation before automatic defense cuts go into effect." (votesmart.org)
  • Richard Hanna. National Security. 10 September 2012. "In a period of enhanced fiscal scrutiny, it is also important that security strategies are conscious of costs. I am committed to strengthening America's defense and security infrastructure, while adhering to increased fiscal responsibility." (hanna.house.gov)
  • Richard Hanna. HR 1363. 112th Congress. 2011 Department of Defense Budget and Additional Continuing Appropriations. Richard Hanna voted Yea on 04/07/2011. (votesmart.org)
  • Richard Hanna. H Amdt 13. 112th Congress. Reducing Navy and Air Force Aircraft Procurement. Richard Hanna voted Nay on 02/15/2011. (votesmart.org)
  • Richard Hanna. Why I voted Yes on H.R. 5872. 18 July 2012. "Under last year's Budget Control Act and the subsequent failure of the 'Super Committee' on debt reduction, we are now faced with across-the-board spending cuts that would result in a 10% cut to the Department of Defense and an 8% cut to non-defense domestic spending programs. Sequestration would severely impact our armed forces and national defense. [¦] I fully understand the catastrophic effects that sequestration would have on our armed forces, veterans, and national defense. That is why I have been working to find a solution to stop the Department of Defense from bearing irrational cuts while still addressing our excessive debt and instituting smarter savings “ including already voting for the Sequester Replacement Reconciliation Act which recently passed the House." (hanna.house.gov)
  • Richard Hanna. Why I Voted Yes on H.R. 1540. 14 December 2011. "Acknowledging that some defense spending has to be cut to comply with the Budget Control Act, the bill provides $19 billion less overall than the amount authorized last year." (hanna.house.gov)
Yes Inferred Answer Budget: In order to balance the budget, do you support an income tax increase on any tax bracket? View Citations

Vote Smart's Research

  • Richard Hanna. Why I Voted Yes on H.Con.Res. 112. 29 March 2012. "Instead of raising taxes for American families and businesses, this budget reforms our tax code to make it simpler, fairer, and more competitive globally. The budget closes special interest loopholes that pick winners and losers among corporations and lobbyists, while lowering rates for individuals and businesses to promote growth." (hanna.house.gov)
  • Mark Weiner. The Post-Standard: Renewing the Bush tax cuts: How Central New York's House members plan to vote. 29 July 2012. "U.S. Rep. Richard Hanna, R-Barneveld, said in an interview that he disagrees with many of his Republican colleagues on the issue, and believes that the tax cuts should be allowed to expire for the wealthiest Americans. But Hanna said if given the choice this week of extending the tax cuts for everyone or nobody, he will vote for the Republican bill. Hanna, a multimillionaire who is among the wealthiest members of Congress, said he disagrees with GOP leaders who argue that a tax hike on the wealthiest will hurt the economy. 'When you give a tax break to someone making more than $1 million per year, it's not like they're going to go out and spend it,' Hanna said. 'They're not going to buy any more planes, boats or cars.'" (www.syracuse.com)
  • Richard Hanna. Issue Position: Neither Party Has it Right. "Neither party has it right. The Democrats want more spending with larger programs. The Republicans want to cut taxes, but have been unwilling to cut spending. Both paths only feed the disease that is killing us." (votesmart.org)
  • Richard Hanna. Your News Now - Tax Cut Debate. 8 August 2012. "'Two hundred and fifty thousand was too low. That doesn't allow small businesses to keep their money in their pocket,' Hanna said. Despite hard lines taken by both sides in this tax cut debate, Hanna, on a tour in Oswego County, says there is still room for compromise. Some democrats are now willing to discuss extending cuts for those earning a million dollars or less, protecting more small businesses. The congressman says he could even back a number lower than a million. But, he says, something has to give. Hanna said, 'You know, pick a number. Somebody is going to have to pay more. If we don't compromise, if we don't seek out solutions that are somewhat unpalatable and yet palatable to both sides, we will fail.'" (votesmart.org)
Unknown Position Unknown Answer Economy: Do you support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth? View Citations

Vote Smart's Research

  • Richard Hanna. Hanna Co-Sponsors Legislation to Aid Small Business. 11 May 2011. "No additional federal spending is necessary for these programs, and there is strong bipartisan support for this legislation because all sides can agree that growing jobs and improving the economy is paramount." (votesmart.org)
  • Richard Hanna. Hanna Votes to Cap Non-Security Spending at 2008 Levels. 25 January 2011. "This Congress isn't just freezing spending, but actually cutting it [¦] The American people have made it clear that they want the federal deficit reduced and that means Washington needs to live within a budget. I fully support these spending cuts." (votesmart.org)
Yes Inferred Answer Economy: Do you support providing tax incentives to businesses for the purpose of job creation? View Citations

Vote Smart's Research

  • Richard Hanna. Hanna Pushes for Small Business Tax Cut. 19 April 2012. "Small businesses in America pay some of the highest tax rates in the world [¦] And the associated regulations are also a barrier to growth. The average tax compliance cost per employee for small businesses is three times the cost for an average large firm. We need to make taxes lower, fairer and more predicable for small businesses. This bill is a good start." (hanna.house.gov)
  • Richard Hanna. Sponsored Legislation. 10 September 2012. "Currently, American businesses pay some of the highest corporate tax rates in the world. In a global economy, we need competitive tax rates that encourage investment and job creation right here in the United States." (hanna.house.gov)
Unknown Position Unknown Answer Education: Do you support requiring states to implement education reforms in order to be eligible for competitive federal grants? View Citations

Vote Smart's Research

  • Richard Hanna. Hearing of the House Education & The Workforce Committee - "Reviving our Economy: The Role of Higher Education in Job Growth and Development". 22 March 2011. "This is an official hearing of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. This is the committee in Congress through which reforms to the No Child Left Behind law are proposed and oversight of initiatives such as Race to the Top occurs. Although we are living in difficult economic times, I am of the opinion that we now have a unique opportunity to reinvent how we educate our people -- and do it more affordably and with more accountability." (votesmart.org)
Yes Inferred Answer Energy: Do you support reducing restrictions on offshore energy production? View Citations

Vote Smart's Research

  • Richard Hanna. HR 1230. 112th Congress. Offshore Leasing Act. Richard Hanna voted Yea on 05/05/2011. (votesmart.org)
No Inferred Answer Environment: Do you support the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions? View Citations

Vote Smart's Research

  • Richard Hanna. HR 910. 112th Congress. Energy Tax Prevention Act. Richard Hanna voted Yea on 04/07/2011. (votesmart.org)
Unknown Position Unknown Answer Guns: Do you support restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns? View Citations

Vote Smart's Research

  • Richard Hanna. NRA Victory Fund Endorses Hanna. 22 June 2012. "The Second Amendment is a fundamental American right that I am working to protect. Here in upstate New York, the responsible use of firearms means good manufacturing jobs, hunting and sporting opportunities and self-protection. I will continue to stand up for our law-abiding citizens, businesses, hunters and outdoors enthusiasts." (www.richardhannaforcongress.com)
  • Richard Hanna. Why I voted Yes on H.R. 822. 12 October 2012. "I voted Yes on H.R. 822, the National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act, of which I am a co-sponsor. This bill allows an individual with a valid state-issued concealed firearm permit to carry in any other state that issues concealed firearm permits, or that does not prohibit the carrying of concealed firearms for lawful purposes. Instead, the bill requires states to recognize each others' permits, in a similar manner to how they recognize drivers' licenses. Importantly, H.R. 822 does not change state laws regulating how concealed firearms are carried within any state. All state, federal, and local laws regarding carrying a concealed handgun that would apply to a resident of a state will also apply in equal force to a non-resident." (hanna.house.gov)
Yes Inferred Answer Health Care: Do you support repealing the 2010 Affordable Care Act? View Citations

Vote Smart's Research

  • Richard Hanna. HR 2. 112th Congress. Repealing the Health Care Bill. Richard Hanna voted Yea on 01/19/2011. (votesmart.org)
Unknown Position Unknown Answer Immigration: Do you support requiring illegal immigrants to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship? View Citations

Vote Smart's Research

  • Despite exhaustive research, Project Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
Unknown Position Unknown Answer Marriage: Do you support same-sex marriage? View Citations

Vote Smart's Research
Unknown Position Unknown Answer National Security: Do you support targeting suspected terrorists outside of official theaters of conflict? View Citations

Vote Smart's Research

  • Richard Hanna. Hanna Statement on Death of Osama Bin Laden. 2 May 2011. "No matter how long it takes, America has proven that it will pursue justice at all costs. The war against al Qaeda will go on. This is a great moment for our country, but it is also powerful warning to those who intend to carry on the fight against freedom. We will find you because liberty and justice always prevails." (votesmart.org)
No Inferred Answer Social Security: Do you support allowing individuals to divert a portion of their Social Security taxes into personal retirement accounts? View Citations

Vote Smart's Research

  • Richard Hanna. Issue Position: Social Security. 1 November 2011. "Privatization is not, and will never be, an option." (votesmart.org)

Key

Candidate Answer

Official Position: Candidate had the Political Courage to address this issue directly.

Inferred Answer

Inferred Position: Candidate refused to address this issue directly, but Project Vote Smart inferred this issue position based on the candidate's public statements, voting record, and evaluations from special interest groups.

Unknown Answer

Unknown Position: Candidate refused to address this issue.

Project Vote Smart's Research: Click on this icon to reveal more information about this candidate's position.

Other or Expanded Principles & Legislative Priorities are entered exactly as the candidate has submitted it. Project Vote Smart does not edit for misspelled words, punctuation or grammar.

About Project Vote Smart

Help Us If You Can

Media & Communications

Education

For Candidates

One Common Ground, Philipsburg, MT 59858 Hotline: 888-Vote-Smart (888-868-3762)
All content © 1992 - 2013 Project Vote Smart unless otherwise attributed - Privacy Policy - Legislative demographic data provided by Aristotle International, Inc. Mobile Version

Back to top