Trey Gowdy

Representative Trey Gowdy's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

Full Name:	Trey Gowdy
Office:	U.S. House (SC) - District 4, Republican
First Elected:	11/02/2010
Last Elected:	11/06/2012
Next Election:	2014

Gender:	Male
Family:	Wife: Terri; 2 Children: Watson, Abigail
Birth Date:	08/22/1964
Birth Place:	Greenville, SC

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Trey Gowdy 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-life		Abortion: Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
Vote Smart's Research Trey Gowdy. Exciting News. September 14 2010. "This weekend we were fortunate to receive an endorsement from the National Right to Life Committee. In addition, we received a 100% rating by the South Carolina Citizens for Life. This shows our commitment to protecting pre-born children and the medically fragile members of our human family." (www.treygowdy.com) Trey Gowdy. 100%. 24 May 2010. "Great news! SC Citizens for Life has given Trey a 100% rating on their survey for his commitment to protecting life. Trey is committed to protecting pre-born children and the medically fragile members of our human family." (www.treygowdy.com) Trey Gowdy. Issue Position: Sanctity of Life. 26 September 2011. "I am pro-life plus. I believe in the sanctity of life. I also believe the strategy should be broader than waiting for the Supreme Court to revisit Roe v. Wade. We must support crisis pregnancy centers, incentivize adoption, and educate women on preventing pregnancies. We can put our pro-life beliefs into real, tangible action and demonstrate a consistent, unwavering support for the sanctity of life." (votesmart.org) Trey Gowdy. HR 3. 112th Congress. Prohibiting Taxpayer Funding of Abortion. Trey Gowdy voted Yea on 05/04/2011. (votesmart.org) Trey Gowdy. H Amdt 95. 112th Congress. Prohibiting Use of Federal Funds For Planned Parenthood. Trey Gowdy voted Yea on 02/18/2011. (votesmart.org)
Unknown Position		Afghanistan: Do you support United States' combat operations in Afghanistan?
Vote Smart's Research Trey Gowdy. H Con Res 28. 112th Congress. Removing Troops from Afghanistan. Trey Gowdy voted Nay on 03/17/2011. (votesmart.org)
Unknown Position		Budget: In order to balance the budget, do you support reducing defense spending?
Vote Smart's Research Trey Gowdy. HR 1363. 112th Congress. 2011 Department of Defense Budget and Additional Continuing Appropriations. Trey Gowdy voted Yea on 04/07/2011. (votesmart.org) Trey Gowdy. H Amdt 13. 112th Congress. Reducing Navy and Air Force Aircraft Procurement. Trey Gowdy voted Nay on 02/15/2011. (votesmart.org) Trey Gowdy. Congressman Trey Gowdy "We have to much debt" TownHall 24FEB11. 24 February 2011. "Is defense spending on the table? Yes. I would just say this: I don't think it should be the first thing we talk about." (youtu.be) Trey Gowdy. Issue Position: National Defense. "National defense is the preeminent function of Government. We must be prepared to defend ourselves, our allies, and our interests. And we must remember that among the grand resources and treasures of our country, the most precious resource we have is the blood of our sons and daughters in uniform." (www.treygowdy.com)
No		Budget: In order to balance the budget, do you support an income tax increase on any tax bracket?
Vote Smart's Research Trey Gowdy signed the Americans for Tax Reform Taxpayers Protection Pledge. "I, Trey Gowdy, pledge to the taxpayers of the 4th district of the state of South Carolina 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) Trey Gowdy signed "Contract From America." "Permanently repeal all tax hikes, including those to the income, capital gains, and death taxes, currently scheduled to begin in 2011." (votesmart.org) Trey Gowdy signed the Americans for Tax Reform Taxpayers Protection Pledge. "I,Trey Gowdy, pledge to the taxpayers of the 4th district of the state of South Carolina 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) Trey Gowdy. Letter to Representative Hensarling, Senator Murray, and Members of the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction. 17 November 2011. "It is evident that America has a fiscal crisis because Washington spends too much, not because it taxes too little. According to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office, tax revenues will reach or exceed the historical average of 18 percent of economic output by the end of this decade, even as spending continues to increase at an unsustainable rate. Increasing taxes on Americans would destroy jobs, erase all hope of an economic recovery, and simply serve to feed out-of-control spending in Washington. Thus, as you continue the important task to reach a deficit reduction agreement, we ask that any policies the Joint Select Committee prescribes not increase Americans' tax burden. With current levels of taxation already limiting economic growth, we believe that marginal rates must be maintained or lowered and that repeal of any tax credit or deduction be offset with an equal or greater tax cut. Although there are diverse beliefs toward specific policies that should be included in any deficit reduction plan, we must recognize that increasing the tax burden on American businesses and citizens, especially during a fragile recovery, is irresponsible and dangerous to the health of the United States." (votesmart.org)
No		Economy: Do you support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
Vote Smart's Research Trey Gowdy. What you will and won't find... 6 January 2010. "Congress spent the preponderance of its time last year dealing with spending packages to spur job creation (as if that will ever work), debating cap and trade and other energy taxes, bailing out and then taking over certain automotive industries, and concluded with healthcare 'reform' that increased federal entanglement in medicine. Search as you will and you will find no constitutional basis for any of the aforementioned. " (www.treygowdy.com) Trey Gowdy. Jobs. 26 January 2010. "It should be crystal clear by now that government is not the answer to job creation. Jobs are created by the private sector (in response to demand) and the private sector remains understandably vexed by governmental encroachment and intrusion." (www.treygowdy.com)
Yes		Economy: Do you support providing tax incentives to businesses for the purpose of job creation?
Vote Smart's Research Trey Gowdy. Jobs. 26 January 2010. "Jobs are created by the private sector (in response to demand) and the private sector remains understandably vexed by governmental encroachment and intrusion. Reduce payroll taxes, reduce corporate tax rates, and stop mulling energy taxes and health care taxes. Incentivize productivity, stop punishing success and productivity and give small businesses who are the real job creators a sense of assurance that government will stop bankrolling entitlement programs on their backs. Give the job creators the freedom to create jobs." (www.treygowdy.com) Trey Gowdy. Economy and Jobs. 26 September 2011. "American entrepreneurship spurs economic growth and serves as the driving force for our country's job creation potential. Business small and large are the backbone of our financial strength and we in Congress must do everything we can to galvanize their success. First and foremost we must reduce the tax burden, which stifles job creation and perpetuates the reckless spending mentality emanating from Washington in recent times. By enacting these pro-growth policies, we can incentivize businesses to expand, creating the jobs necessary to facilitate a sustainable economic recovery." (gowdy.house.gov) Trey Gowdy. Issue Position: Economy. 26 September 2011. "We must have an economic environment that nurtures and encourages entrepreneurship. Small business is the engine that drives our economy. Government places too many demands, dictates too many directives, and imposes too many regulations on small business. The tax code should be changed. Capital gains taxes should be reduced to provide an incentive to save and invest. Payroll taxes should be reduced to stem the tide of government using business to collect and implement its costly programs." (votesmart.org)
Unknown Position		Education: Do you support requiring states to implement education reforms in order to be eligible for competitive federal grants?
Vote Smart's Research Trey Gowdy. Issue Position: Education. 26 September 2011. "Education allowed our family to go from a 6th grade education to a medical doctor and a prosecutor. This is the American dream, and it is worth celebrating and fighting for. I believe education is a state and local matter and while the federal government is free to share resources, share success stories of innovation from other states, and free to encourage research and creative experimentation, the decision on how to educate our children is a state and local one." (votesmart.org)
Yes		Energy: Do you support reducing restrictions on offshore energy production?
Vote Smart's Research Trey Gowdy. Letter to the Honorable Barack Obama, President of the United States. 18 February 2011. "In light of this week's announcement that Marine Well Containment Company (MWCC) has completed the initial well containment system, we again request an end to the de facto moratorium and a return to the timely and responsible issuance of offshore drilling permits [¦] Considering these facts, we respectfully request that you end your de facto moratorium and return to approving the full slate of permit applicants that have been submitted and allow this industry to return to work." (votesmart.org) Trey Gowdy. Issue Position: Job Creation. 17 July 2012. "I will take every opportunity to promote our region, recruit new industry and retain the industry we have. The best way a congressman can do that is to oppose excessive government regulations, oppose reckless spending and oppose the constant burdens and directives placed on business by an ever creeping government." (www.treygowdy.com) Trey Gowdy signed "The Contract From America." "Authorize the exploration of proven energy reserves to reduce our dependence on foreign energy sources from unstable countries and reduce regulatory barriers to all other forms of energy creation, lowering prices and creating competition and jobs." (votesmart.org) Trey Gowdy. HR 1230. 112th Congress. Offshore Leasing Act. Trey Gowdy voted Yea on 05/05/2011. (votesmart.org)
No		Environment: Do you support the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions?
Vote Smart's Research Trey Gowdy. Trey Gowdy, 4th District Candidate. 11 August 2011. "No on Cap and Trade, no on any carbon tax [¦] Those who seek to punish carbon emissions, those who seek to tax it, restrict it, have been woefully inadequate, have totally failed, at convincing the people they seek to serve, and correspondingly seek to tax, that the temperature is rising, that it is man-made, that it is caused by CO2 admissions, that if we wanted to fix it we could, and that doing so while China and India are not doing so is in the best American interest. They have utterly failed at carrying their burden of proof." (youtu.be) Trey Gowdy. HR 910. 112th Congress. Energy Tax Prevention Act. Trey Gowdy voted Yea on 04/07/2011. (votesmart.org) Trey Gowdy. What you will and won't find... 6 January 2010. "Congress spent the preponderance of its time last year dealing with spending packages to spur job creation (as if that will ever work), debating cap and trade and other energy taxes, bailing out and then taking over certain automotive industries, and concluded with healthcare 'reform' that increased federal entanglement in medicine. Search as you will and you will find no constitutional basis for any of the aforementioned. " (www.treygowdy.com)
No		Guns: Do you support restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns?
Vote Smart's Research Trey Gowdy. Issue Position: Second Amendment. 1 January 2011. "The rights of law abiding citizens to keep and bear arms, guaranteed in the second amendment, should be given the same deference as the other liberties protected by the Bill of Rights. The founders had the foresight and wisdom to guarantee this fundamental right, and it is our duty as members of Congress to uphold the constitution. As a former federal prosecutor, I strongly believe we must staunchly defend all of the freedoms granted by the constitution, not pick and choose based on political motivations." (votesmart.org) Trey Gowdy. Issue Position: 2nd Amendment. 1 January 2012. "The 2nd Amendment was written and ratified by the same people who wrote and ratified the other constitutional amendments liberals find sacrosanct. As a former federal prosecutor who worked on firearms cases, I can assure you there are sufficient federal laws existing in place to provide for community safety and security. The rights of law abiding citizens to bear arms should always be protected." (votesmart.org) Trey Gowdy. Issues. 26 September 2011. "The 2nd Amendment was written and ratified by the same people who wrote and ratified the other constitutional amendments liberals find sacrosanct. As a former federal prosecutor who worked on firearms cases, I can assure you there are sufficient federal laws existing in place to provide for community safety and security. The rights of law abiding citizens to bear arms should always be protected." (www.treygowdy.com) Trey Gowdy. Rep. Trey Gowdy on National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity. 13 September 2011. "The notion that more gun laws are gonna stop people- 922G is not gonna stop somebody whose hell-bent on getting a gun and shooting someone [¦] the notion that we need more laws has been debunked both statistically and anecdotally, to be honest." (youtu.be) National Rifle Association. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Endorsements. 04/18/2012. National Rifle Association endorsed Trey Gowdy in the 2010 general election. (votesmart.org)
Yes		Health Care: Do you support repealing the 2010 Affordable Care Act?
Vote Smart's Research Trey Gowdy. Conservative Health Care Reform. 30 July 2009. "There are alternatives to government-controlled health care including alternatives proposed by our own Senator Jim DeMint. Rather than vilifying Senator DeMint for having the courage to ask tough questions and demand truthful answers, the Obama administration would do well to consider how we can solve the issues of cost containment and access without scuttling the best health care system in the world and increasing the national debt by an extra trillion dollars." (www.treygowdy.com) Trey Gowdy. Free-Market Solutions Can Work. 7 December 2009. "Congress is on the precipice of overhauling our health-care system. Lay aside that an institution with a historically low public approval rating (Congress) is insistent on dismantling an institution with high approval ratings (most Americans rate their level of satisfaction with health care as high or very high) [¦] Surely an economy built on free market ideals should exhaust market solutions before embarking on a system of statist medicine proven inefficient and costly in other countries." (www.treygowdy.com) Trey Gowdy. Health Care Waivers Opening Statement. 15 March 2011. "Many in this room, including myself, fundamentally oppose the health care legislation passed last year. We have serious concerns with federal mandates being on individual citizens and massive new government spending programs in such an austere fisca environment." (youtu.be) Trey Gowdy. What you will and won't find... 6 January 2010. "Congress spent the preponderance of its time last year dealing with spending packages to spur job creation (as if that will ever work), debating cap and trade and other energy taxes, bailing out and then taking over certain automotive industries, and concluded with healthcare 'reform' that increased federal entanglement in medicine. Search as you will and you will find no constitutional basis for any of the aforementioned. " (www.treygowdy.com) Trey Gowdy. HR 2. 112th Congress. Repealing the Health Care Bill. Trey Gowdy voted Yea on 01/19/2011. (votesmart.org) Trey Gowdy. Gowdy Votes to Repeal Obamacare. "Reforming our nation's healthcare system is much needed and long overdue. But the healthcare takeover is replete with burdensome taxes and regulations, increases the size and scope of the federal government and contravenes the letter and spirit of the Constitution. Repealing this legislation, however, is not the end of the road. I look forward to addressing the substantial healthcare issues facing our country in a truly transparent manner with market driven solutions, not government centric mandates. Real problems persist, especially in regards to pre-existing conditions, and we must implement meaningful reforms which are conducive to job growth and honor the Constitution." (votesmart.org) Trey Gowdy. Repealing the Job-Killing Health Care Law Act. 19 January 2011. "Mr. Speaker, the Constitution of the United States has limits. Surely one of those limits must be that Congress cannot compel a private citizen to engage in a private commercial transaction [¦] I am from the upstate of South Carolina; and every time I go home, I hear about the need for health reform and about the fear that people have with respect to preexisting conditions; but I support a solution that is patient centered and not government centered. I support a solution that is affordable and not generational embezzlement, and I support a solution that is consistent with the Constitution." (votesmart.org)
Unknown Position		Immigration: Do you support requiring illegal immigrants to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship?
Vote Smart's Research Nathan Pippenger. The New Republic: On Immigration, Congress Should Quit Whining And Look in the Mirror. 19 July 2012. "Gowdy used his time to criticize the White House's recent DREAM directive and challenge Napolitano on the administration's use of prosecutorial discretion"its choice to de-prioritize certain immigration cases, like those of DREAMers." (www.tnr.com)
Unknown Position		Marriage: Do you support same-sex marriage?
Vote Smart's Research Trey Gowdy. Letter to Majority Leader Harry Reid and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. 2 November 2011. "As you know, the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) was passed by Congress with bipartisan support and signed into law by President Clinton in 1996. The law of the land is the federal government defines marriage as between one man and one woman. Unfortunately, the Department of Defense seems intent on circumventing this law [¦] This clear and deliberate violation of established U.S. law sets a dangerous precedent. DOMA makes clear that for purposes of the federal government, marriage is defined as between one man and one woman. The use of federal property or federal employees to perform anything but opposite-sex ceremonies is a clear contravention of the law." (www.votesmart.org)
Unknown Position		National Security: Do you support targeting suspected terrorists outside of official theaters of conflict?
Vote Smart's Research Trey Gowdy. Stop Giving Terrorists American Rights. 22 November 2009. "Our nation's war against terrorist forces that are bound and determined to attack our way of life is nothing close to crime-fighting. It's a war, a global war, and while non-traditional compared to wars the United States has fought in the past, doesn't make it any less dangerous than previous conflicts. Indeed, it's potentially more dangerous and difficult to wage. If we're going to win this struggle and our future demands that we do; we absolutely cannot give up our decided intelligence advantage in trying to break up, stop and ultimately shut down terrorist networks. Giving suspected terrorists the same considerations as the common criminal does exactly that." (www.treygowdy.com)
Unknown Position		Social Security: Do you support allowing individuals to divert a portion of their Social Security taxes into personal retirement accounts?
Vote Smart's Research Despite exhaustive research, Project Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.

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