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Patrick 'Pat' Meehan

Representative Patrick 'Pat' Meehan's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

Pat Meehan
Full Name: Patrick 'Pat' Meehan
Office: U.S. House (PA) - District 7, Republican
First Elected: 11/02/2010
Last Elected: 11/06/2012
Next Election: 2014
Gender: Male
Family: Wife: Carolyn; 3 Children: Patrick, Jack, Colin
Birth Date: 10/20/1955
Birth Place: Cheltenham, PA
Home City: Drexel Hill, PA
Project Vote Smart does not permit the use of its name or programs in any campaign activity, including advertising, debates, and speeches.
Pat Meehan 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.

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

Vote Smart's Research

  • Pat Meehan. H Amdt 95. 112th Congress. Prohibiting Use of Federal Funds For Planned Parenthood. Pat Meehan voted Yea on 02/18/2011. (votesmart.org)
  • Eagle Forum. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Endorsements. 04/18/2012. Eagle Forum endorsed Pat Meehan in the 2010 general election. (votesmart.org)
  • Eagle Forum. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Endorsements. 04/18/2012. Eagle Forum endorsed Pat Meehan in the 2012 general election. (votesmart.org)
  • Pat Meehan. HR 3. 112th Congress. Prohibiting Taxpayer Funding of Abortion. Pat Meehan voted Yea on 05/04/2011. (votesmart.org)
Yes Inferred Answer Afghanistan: Do you support United States' combat operations in Afghanistan? View Citations

Vote Smart's Research

  • Pat Meehan. Issue Position: Defense and National Security. 1 January 2011. "The War in Afghanistan is the front line on the War on Terror; and eliminating al-Qaeda training camps and safe havens is directly connected to our safety and security here at home. I am fully supportive of U.S. Military efforts being undertaken to accomplish these goals. We must support our troops and support their mission. I am committed to providing them with the best equipment, training, and resources available to ensure their success on the battlefield." (votesmart.org)
  • Pat Meehan. H Con Res 28. 112th Congress. Removing Troops from Afghanistan. Pat Meehan voted Nay on 03/17/2011. (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

  • Pat Meehan. Meehan Hails V-22 Use in bin Laden Raid. 4 August 2011. "Earlier this year, Congressman Meehan played an integral role in securing a provision in the Department of Defense Appropriations Act of 2012 that supports funding for the Osprey Program. Meehan also led an effort to support the V-22 during Congressional debate of H.R.1, the Full Year Continuing Appropriations Act when two amendments were offered which would have cut funding for the Osprey. Also this year, Meehan toured and met with employees at the Boeing facility in Ridley Township, which manufactures part of the V-22." (votesmart.org)
  • Pat Meehan. H Amdt 13. 112th Congress. Reducing Navy and Air Force Aircraft Procurement. Pat Meehan voted Nay on 02/15/2011. (votesmart.org)
  • Pat Meehan. HR 1363. 112th Congress. 2011 Department of Defense Budget and Additional Continuing Appropriations. Pat Meehan voted Yea on 04/07/2011. (votesmart.org)
  • Pat Meehan. Meehan Blocks Attempt to Eliminate V-22 Osprey Program. 17 May 2012. "'I'm proud to once again stand up for the V-22 program and the Pennsylvania workers who make it possible,' said Meehan. 'Our military commanders and troops on the ground rely on the V-22. Major studies from both government and industry show that the V-22 is more operationally effective and cost efficient than any helicopter alternative. The Osprey brings effectiveness to our troops and value to taxpayers. I want to thank Congressman Brady and the entire Pennsylvania delegation for their support in this effort.' [¦] Since coming to Congress, Meehan has successfully led the effort to secure continued funding for the Osprey program and fight back attempts to eliminate the program." (votesmart.org)
No 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

  • Pat Meehan signed the Americans for Tax Reform Taxpayers Protection Pledge. "I, Pat Meehan, pledge to the taxpayers of the 7th district of the state of Pennsylvania and to the American people that I will: ONE, oppose any and all efforts to increase the marginal income tax rate for individuals and business; and TWO, oppose any net reduction or elimination of deductions and credits, unless matched dollar for dollar by further reducing tax rates." (atr.org)
No Inferred Answer Economy: Do you support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth? View Citations

Vote Smart's Research

  • Pat Meehan. Blog: Cut Capital Gains Tax to Spur Investment. 13 October 2010. "Months after the Democrats' stimulus bill became law, unemployment still hovers near 10% and businesses are reluctant to hire. Clearly, the Democrats' economic policies are not working." (votesmart.org)
  • Pat Meehan. Guest Column: The Time for a Balanced Budget Amendment is Now. 20 July 2011. "Our country's debt has been growing at a dangerously rapid pace. We cannot continue on this path of massive borrowing and runaway spending." (votesmart.org)
  • Dan Kristie. Daily Local News - GOP Hopefuls Speak at Forum. 8 September 2010. "Meehan, an Upper Darby resident who is running for the open 7th Congressional District seat, criticized the federal government's stimulus programs and said that business-friendly tax policies are crucial to repairing the economy." (votesmart.org)
  • Pat Meehan. Meehan Praises Bipartisan Agreement on Debt Limit, Spending Reforms. 1 August 2011. "I believe that the Obama-Boehner-Reid agreement -- although not perfect -- is a serious and substantive effort to rein in our out-of-control spending and establish long-term deficit savings." (votesmart.org)
  • Pat Meehan. S&P Downgrade. 14 August 2011. "Over the last several months, I have worked together with my colleagues in the House to put the brakes on federal spending and enact serious, substantive reforms to the way the federal government spends taxpayer dollars." (votesmart.org)
  • Pat Meehan. Weekly Republican Address: Rep. Pat Meehan on Republicans' Plan for America's Job Creators. 4 February 2012. "Another jobs bill in the works is an energy and infrastructure plan that will support the creation of more than one million private-sector jobs -- not by wasting your money on pork-barrel projects and so-called "stimulus" spending, but by removing government barriers that are getting in the way of American job growth. This marks a sea change from the way things were done in the past by both parties, who stuffed highway bills with earmarks, many of which only drained resources from urgent projects that have a direct connection to economic growth." (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

  • Pat Meehan. Blog: Cut Capital Gains Tax to Spur Investment. 13 October 2010. "I recently explained in detail the first of my policy proposals, and I'd like to continue today by explaining the second point on my Roadmap to Economic Recovery: a reduction of the capital gains tax to incentivize investment, particularly for investments into start-ups [¦] We need to encourage investment into our economy, and by reducing the capital gains tax rate, we can incentivize investment by making the potential return on an investment more lucrative and freeing up more capital to be invested. Specifically, we need to provide incentives for investors to risk their capital during the earliest stages of a new company's development. Reducing the tax rate on these sorts of investments will help drive capital into these startups." (votesmart.org)
  • Pat Meehan. Meehan Hears Concerns of Local Small Business Women. 20 April 2012. "U.S. Rep. Patrick Meehan (PA-07) today joined a group of small business women from around the region to listen to the issues they are facing as small business owners. The discussion also centered on legislation passed by the House of Representatives yesterday, the Small Business Tax Cut Act of 2012, a bill to help small business owners retain more capital, invest in their businesses and create more jobs [¦] 'Today we brought together a diverse group of small business owners - a restaurant, a staffing company, a few in the health care field -- but what they each have in common is that their businesses are in need of the Small Business Tax Cut and with it they will be able to grow and hire new workers,' said Meehan." (votesmart.org)
  • Pat Meehan. Pat Discusses Roadmap to Economic Recovery. 23 September 2010. "Meehan cited seven specific proposals he supports that will help put the nation back on the path to economic recovery: [¦] Reduce the capital gains tax to encourage investment, particularly on investments made during the start up phase of a business [¦] Provide tax credits for businesses hiring their first or second employee [¦] Encourage investment in America by reducing the corporate tax rate by 15%. The corporate tax rate in America is the highest among the OECD industrialized countries. By reducing the tax rate 15%, to the OECD average, we can begin to bring jobs home [¦] Extend all tax relief from the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts. Now is not the time to be raising taxes on individuals or the businesses we rely on to create jobs. We need to maintain current tax levels for all Americans and small businesses. These are the same small businesses that provide the best opportunity for job growth needed to emerge from this recession." (votesmart.org)
  • Pat Meehan. Jump Start for Job Creators. 23 October 2011. "Last week, I introduced bipartisan legislation called the Jump Start for Job Creators Act. Small businesses are responsible for two-thirds of the nation's annual job growth. Yet today, many are sitting on the sidelines. In fact, new business startups have slowed to their lowest level in nearly a generation. Under current law, the maximum deduction for small business start-up expenses is limited to $5,000 if the total start-up expenses are less than $50,000. What I want to do is allow start-ups to expense their deductions up front at a higher rate. My bill will increase the maximum deduction to $20,000 over a longer period of time, and increase the ceiling for start-up expenses to $75,000" (votesmart.org)
  • Dan Kristie. Daily Local News - GOP Hopefuls Speak at Forum. 8 September 2010. "Meehan, an Upper Darby resident who is running for the open 7th Congressional District seat, criticized the federal government's stimulus programs and said that business-friendly tax policies are crucial to repairing the economy. 'I'm promoting the idea that a big part of (economic recovery) is favorable tax policy,' Meehan said." (votesmart.org)
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

  • Pat Meehan. Issue Position: Education. 1 January 2011. "Access and affordability have been the two most significant concerns facing Congress in the field of education. Federal input and oversight of primary and secondary education is implemented through the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). These bills represent policies aimed at ensuring high quality education resources are available for all. During the 112th Congress, we will be working to reauthorize and amend NCLB in such a way that our students and teachers will be equipped to meet, achieve and exceed proficiency standards in their grade-level." (votesmart.org)
Yes Inferred Answer Energy: Do you support reducing restrictions on offshore energy production? View Citations

Vote Smart's Research

  • Pat Meehan. HR 1230. 112th Congress. Offshore Leasing Act. Pat Meehan 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

  • Pat Meehan. HR 910. 112th Congress. Energy Tax Prevention Act. Pat Meehan 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

  • National Rifle Association. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Endorsements. 04/18/2012. National Rifle Association endorsed Pat Meehan in the 2010 general election. (votesmart.org)
Yes Inferred Answer Health Care: Do you support repealing the 2010 Affordable Care Act? View Citations

Vote Smart's Research

  • Pat Meehan. HR 2. 112th Congress. Repealing the Health Care Bill. Pat Meehan 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.
No Inferred Answer Marriage: Do you support same-sex marriage? View Citations

Vote Smart's Research

  • Pat Meehan. Video: PA-7 First Debate 2010, Part 3. 20 August 2010. "Marriage is a thing “ it's a family thing between a man and a woman. But the civil union issue “ the legislature will vote on it." (www.youtube.com)
  • Eagle Forum. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Endorsements. 04/18/2012. Eagle Forum endorsed Pat Meehan in the 2012 general election. (votesmart.org)
  • Eagle Forum. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Endorsements. 04/18/2012. Eagle Forum endorsed Pat Meehan in the 2010 general election. (votesmart.org)
Unknown Position Unknown Answer National Security: Do you support targeting suspected terrorists outside of official theaters of conflict? View Citations

Vote Smart's Research

  • Pat Meehan. Threat to the U.S. Homeland Emanating from Pakistan. 3 May 2011. "In the last 48 hours--at the direction of President Obama and as a result of the incredible work of the U.S. military, intelligence community, and law enforcement, al Qaeda leader and 9/11 mastermind Osama bin Laden was killed by U.S. forces deep inside of Pakistan. This is a critical blow to al Qaeda and the ideology of militant Islam. It is a victory for the United States and our allies around the world. As President Obama stated, the world is a safer, more secure place as a result of bin Laden's death. I commend President Obama and his national security team for the planning, execution of this mission, and for taking the enormous risk to eliminate bin Laden. The Nation is grateful for his leadership. We are also deeply grateful to the men who carried out the mission; their dedication, professionalism, and sacrifice exemplify the best of our fighting forces." (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

  • Pat Meehan. Facebook: Wall. 22 August 2012. "I was honored to receive the 2012 Standing Up for Seniors Award from RetireSafe and United Way. Standing up for our seniors is one of my highest priorities in Congress so it truly is an honor to receive this recognition. During my time in Congress, I have fought to protect and preserve Medicare and Social Security, make prescription drugs safer and more affordable, and protect seniors' benefits. I will continue working every day to stand up for Pennsylvania seniors." (www.facebook.com)
  • Pat Meehan. 1 January 2012. Issue Position: Seniors. "Pat Meehan knows that Social Security and Medicare are a critical part of an individual's retirement and they are promises that the federal government needs to keep. That is why Pat opposes efforts to privatize Social Security or raise the retirement age. Individuals have paid into these programs with hard earned tax dollars over the course of their careers so that they can have peace of mind that they will be taken care of when they are no longer able to work." (votesmart.org)
  • Pat Meehan. Meehan Opposes Raising Social Security Retirement Age. August 6, 2010. "While we need to strengthen Social Security and shore up its financing, raising the retirement age and privatization are bad ideas." (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.

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