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Roscoe Bartlett's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

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Official Position: Candidate addressed this issue directly by taking the Political Courage Test.

Inferred Position: Candidate refused to address this issue, but Vote Smart inferred this issue based on the candidate's public record, including statements, voting record, and special interest group endorsements.

Unknown Position: Candidate refused to address this issue, or we could not infer an answer for this candidate despite exhaustive research of their public record.

Additional Information: Click on this icon to reveal more information about this candidate's position, from their answers or Vote Smart's research.

Other or Expanded Principles & Legislative Priorities are entered exactly as candidates submit them. Vote Smart does not edit for misspelled words, punctuation or grammar.

What else does Bartlett say?

Roscoe Bartlett 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

For Presidential and Congressional candidates who refuse to provide voters with their positions, Vote Smart has researched their public records to determine their likely responses. These issue positions are from 2012.

Pro-life

Abortion: Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?

Pro-life

Unknown Position

Afghanistan: Do you support United States' combat operations in Afghanistan?

Unknown Position

Budget: In order to balance the budget, do you support reducing defense spending?

Budget: In order to balance the budget, do you support an income tax increase on any tax bracket?

Roscoe Bartlett signed the Americans for Tax Reform Taxpayers Protection Pledge. "I pledge to the taxpayers of the state of Alabama 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)
Citizens for Tax Justice. 04/18/2012. "Roscoe Bartlett supported the interests of the Citizens for Tax Justice 17 percent in 2006." (votesmart.org)
Americans for Tax Reform. 04/18/2012. "Roscoe Bartlett supported the interests of the Americans for Tax Reform 90 percent in 2007." (votesmart.org)
National Taxpayers Union. 04/18/2012. "Roscoe Bartlett supported reasonable tax and spending policies as defined by the National Taxpayers Union 86 percent of the time in 2010." (votesmart.org)
Roscoe Bartlett. HR 1836. 107th Congress. Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act, 2001. Roscoe Bartlett voted Yea on 05/16/2001. (votesmart.org)
Roscoe Bartlett. Project Vote Smart: 1998 Maryland Congressional Political Courage Test. Selected "Yes" for: "3) Do you support eliminating the Internal Revenue Service?"
Roscoe Bartlett. Project Vote Smart: 1998 Maryland Congressional Political Courage Test. Selected "Yes" for: "6) Do you support requiring a super-majority vote in both houses of Congress to raise taxes?"

Economy: Do you support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth?

Yes

Economy: Do you support providing tax incentives to businesses for the purpose of job creation?

Yes

Roscoe Bartlett. Project Vote Smart: 1996 Maryland Congressional Political Courage Test. Checked SUPPORT for: "a) Provide tax credits for companies that move job-creating industries into areas with high unemployment."
Roscoe Bartlett. HR 2. 108th Congress. Jobs and Economic Growth bill. Roscoe Bartlett voted Yea on 05/23/2003. (votesmart.org)
Roscoe Bartlett. HR 2488. 106th Congress. Financial Freedom Act of 1999. Roscoe Bartlett voted Yea on 08/05/1999. (votesmart.org)
Roscoe Bartlett. Project Vote Smart: 1998 Maryland Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "a) Provide tax credits for companies that move job-creating industries into areas with high unemployment."

Education: Do you support requiring states to implement education reforms in order to be eligible for competitive federal grants?

Yes

Energy: Do you support reducing restrictions on offshore energy production?

Yes

Roscoe Bartlett. Project Vote Smart: 2004 Maryland Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "h) Support opening a select portion of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for oil exploration."
Roscoe Bartlett. Project Vote Smart: 2010 Maryland Congressional Political Courage Test. Selected "Yes" for: "e) Do you support domestic oil exploration in federally-protected areas?" Environment and Energy Issues Other or expanded principles: "The energy issue is not only a domestic issue but a security issue as well. I advocate policies to support a transition from dependence upon finite fossil fuels, particularly imported oil, to domestic renewable resources. To accomplish this, we need to provide incentives for conservation and energy efficiency and we need to be careful that biofuels do not reduce food supplies. "
Roscoe Bartlett. Project Vote Smart: 2002 Maryland Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "c) Support opening a select portion of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for oil exploration."
Roscoe Bartlett. HR 3534. 112th Congress. Offshore Drilling Regulations and Other Energy Law Amendments. Roscoe Bartlett voted Nay on 07/30/2010. (votesmart.org)
Roscoe Bartlett. H Amdt 773. 112th Congress. Ending Moratorium on Deepwater Drilling Rigs that Meet Certain Safety Standards. Roscoe Bartlett voted Nay on 07/30/2010. (votesmart.org)
Roscoe Bartlett. HR 1230. 112th Congress. Offshore Leasing Act. Roscoe Bartlett voted Yea on 05/05/2011. (votesmart.org)
Roscoe Bartlett. Project Vote Smart: 2004 Maryland Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "f) Support increased development of traditional energy resources (e.g. coal, natural gas, oil)."
Environment America. 04/18/2012. "Roscoe Bartlett supported the interests of Environment America 20 percent in 2009." (votesmart.org)

Environment: Do you support the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions?

Guns: Do you support restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns?

Yes

Health Care: Do you support repealing the 2010 Affordable Care Act?

Yes

Immigration: Do you support requiring illegal immigrants to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship?

Yes

Marriage: Do you support same-sex marriage?

Unknown Position

National Security: Do you support targeting suspected terrorists outside of official theaters of conflict?

Unknown Position

Social Security: Do you support allowing individuals to divert a portion of their Social Security taxes into personal retirement accounts?

Unknown Position

This candidate has responded to a Political Courage Test in a previous election. As a continued effort to provide the American public with factual information on candidates running for public office, these archived responses are made available here.

Maryland Congressional Election 2010 Political Courage Test

Abortion Issues

Pro-life		a) Do you consider yourself pro-choice or pro-life?
No		b) Should abortion be legal only within the first trimester of pregnancy?
Yes		c) Should abortion be legal when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape?
Yes		d) Should abortion be legal when the life of the woman is endangered?
Yes		e) Should federal subsidies be prohibited from being used for abortion procedures?
Abortion should only be used in the cases of incest, rape or the life of the mother.

Budget, Spending, and Tax Issues

1) SpendingIndicate what federal funding levels (#1-6) you support for the following general categories. Select one number per category- you can use a number more than once.2) TaxesIndicate what federal tax levels (#1-6) you support for the following general categories. Select one number per category- you can use a number more than once.

Maintain Status		a) Agriculture
Eliminate		b) Arts
Maintain Status		c) Defense
Maintain Status		1) Intelligence operations
Maintain Status		2) Military hardware
Greatly Increase		3) National missile defense
Slightly Increase		4) Salary and benefits for active duty personnel
Greatly Increase		5) Programs to improve troop retention rates
Greatly Increase		6) Research and development of new weapons
Eliminate		d) Education
Maintain Status		e) Environment
Maintain Status		f) Homeland security
Slightly Decrease		g) International aid
Slightly Increase		h) Medical research
Greatly Increase		i) Scientific research
Maintain Status		j) Space exploration
Eliminate		k) United Nations
Eliminate		l) Welfare
Eliminate		a) Alcohol taxes
Eliminate		b) Capital gains taxes
Eliminate		c) Cigarette taxes
Eliminate		d) Corporate taxes
Eliminate		e) Gasoline taxes
Eliminate		f) Income taxes (low-income families)
Eliminate		g) Income taxes (middle-income families)
Eliminate		h) Income taxes (high-income families)
Yes		3) Do you support the elimination of the federal estate tax?
Yes		4) Do you support requiring the federal budget to be balanced each year?
No		5) Do you support using government funds in an effort to stimulate and improve the economy?
		6) Other or expanded principles
Any public discussion on spending must include a discussion about entitlement spending that is why I am a cosponsor (one of only 12 members of Congress) of the only bill before Congress that addresses comprehensive entitlement reform, Road Map for America?s Future, HR 4529. It provides health and retirement security, lifts the debt burden and promotes job creation. While this not a popular bill yet, its remedies will help avert a major debt crisis.
My record in Congress reflects that I support abolishing the current tax code and replacing it with a "Fair" Tax. I would also support replacing the current system with a "Flat" Tax although I prefer the "Fair" Tax system.

Business and Employment Issues

Yes		a) Do you support privatizing elements of Social Security?
Yes		b) Do you support reducing government regulations on the private sector?
No		c) Do you support increasing the federal minimum wage?
Yes		d) Do you support the ability of workers to unionize?
No		e) Do you support federal funding for job-training programs that retrain displaced workers?
Job training programs are best administered on a local level.

Campaign Finance and Government Reform Issues

Yes		a) Do you support increasing the amount individuals are permitted to contribute to federal campaigns?
No		b) Should Congress regulate indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?
Yes		c) Do you support removing all contribution limits on federal campaigns?
No		d) Should candidates for federal office be encouraged to meet voluntary spending limits?
Yes		e) Do you support giving the President the power of the line item veto for items concerning appropriations?
No		f) Do you support limiting the President's ability to define how legislation is applied through the use of signing statements?
Regarding campaign financing, we need full disclosure--complete transparency-- of all the contributions made to a campaign and how campaign monies are being used. The voters then can decide for themselves for whom to vote.

Crime Issues

No		a) Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?
Yes		b) Do you support programs that provide prison inmates with vocational and job-related training and job-placement assistance when released?
Yes		c) Do you support programs that provide prison inmates with substance abuse treatment?
Yes		d) Do you support reduced prison sentences for non-violent offenders?
No		e) Do you support mandatory prison sentences for selling illegal drugs?
While I do not support mandatory sentences, I believe that sentences should not only reflect the crime but also be served. We have a real problem when violent offender are given time off for good behavior and never serve the sentence that they were initially given. Jail time should mean something. We need judges that are willing to revoke parole and send convicted offenders back to prison when they violate their probation agreements. We have a good police force system which is not being backed up by the judicial system.

Education Issues

No		a) Do you support federal education standards and testing requirements for K-12 students?
No		b) Do you support federal funding for universal pre-K programs?
No		c) Do you support federal funding for charter schools?
No		d) Do you support federal funding for K-12 school vouchers?
No		e) Do you support the federal government providing college students with financial aid?
Education is best and more efficiently administered on a local level with parents and teachers being the primary decision makers. Federal one size fits all programs waste money and target resources where they may not be needed.

Environment and Energy Issues

No		a) Do you support enacting environmental regulations aimed at reducing the effects of climate change?
No		b) Do you support international emissions targets aimed at reducing the effects of climate change?
No		c) Do you support allowing energy producers to trade carbon credits under a "cap and trade" system?
Yes		d) Do you support strengthening fuel efficiency standards on all gasoline and diesel-powered engines, including cars, trucks, and sport utility vehicles?
Yes		e) Do you support domestic oil exploration in federally-protected areas?
Yes		f) Do you support federal funding for the development of alternative energy?
Yes		g) Do you support the development of nuclear reactors?
The energy issue is not only a domestic issue but a security issue as well. I advocate policies to support a transition from dependence upon finite fossil fuels, particularly imported oil, to domestic renewable resources. To accomplish this, we need to provide incentives for conservation and energy efficiency and we need to be careful that biofuels do not reduce food supplies.

Gun Issues

No		a) Do you support restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns?
Yes		b) Do you believe that the Second Amendment guarantees the right of individual citizens to own guns?
Yes		c) Do you support allowing individuals to carry concealed guns?
No		d) Do you support a ban on assault rifles?
Law abiding citizens have a Constitutional right to "keep and bear Arms."

Health Issues

No		a) Do you support a publicly-administered health insurance option?
Yes		b) Do you support expanding access to health care through commercial health insurance reform?
Yes		c) Should the federal government expand eligibility for tax-free medical savings accounts?
Yes		d) Do you support monetary limits on damages that can be collected in malpractice lawsuits?
Yes		e) Do you support relaxing regulations on the importation of prescription drugs?
I did not vote for the Obama Health Care Law and I support repealing it. Regarding D- I support punitive limits on damages.

Immigration Issues

No		a) Do you support a pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants?
No		b) Do you support decreasing the number of legal immigrants allowed into the country?
Yes		c) Do you support establishing English as the official national language?
Yes		d) Do you support the enforcement of federal immigration laws by state and local police?
By "pathway to citizenship" I believe you mean amnesty and I oppose amnesty. Bad behavior should not be rewarded. Regarding C, my voting record reflects that I support establishing English as the official national language. Regarding D, I have assisted our local Sheriff with the establishment of 287g program --the only one in the state.

International Policy Issues

Yes		a) Do you support United States military action in Afghanistan?
Yes		b) Do you support increasing military assistance for Afghanistan?
Yes		c) Do you support increasing economic development assistance for Afghanistan?
Yes		d) Should the United States continue to strike suspected terrorist targets in Pakistan?
Yes		e) Do you support granting aid to countries when it is in the security interests of the United States?
Yes		f) Should the United States support the creation of a Palestinian state?
Yes		g) Do you support increasing sanctions on Iran if it continues to defy United Nations mandates?
Yes		h) Do you support the withdrawal of United States troops from Iraq?
Yes		i) Do you support the United States' involvement in free trade agreements?
I would like to qualify my answers to a, b, and c. I support the mission in Afghanistan to the extent that we are focused on defeating those that mean our country harm. My job in Congress is to ensure that the troops have the necessary weapons and equipment. Any increases in military assistance should be focused on our troops and any economic development assistance must be tied to our goals.

Social Issues

Yes		a) Should marriage only be between one man and one woman?
No		b) Do you support allowing openly-gay men and women to serve in the United States military?
Yes		c) Do you support federal funding for embryonic stem cell research?
Yes		d) Should the federal government end affirmative action programs?
Regarding question "C", I support embryonic stem cell research only when it does not destroy the embryo. I have a PhD in Human Physiology and I know it can be done. Medical innovation should not involve destroying life.

Legislative Priorities

My priorities are 1-maintaining our second to none defense, 2- formulating energy policies that address our dependence on finite fossil fuels, and 3- passing legislation which addresses our national debt, such as the Road Map for America's Future. My first two priorities depend on investments in basic research and development. To paraphrase Calvin Coolidge, America's business is business. Our country's economic engine depends on innovation. Innovation depends on our preeminence in the sciences which we cannot afford to lose. Any government incentives in basic research and development would be repaid by the economic gains we as a country would reap.

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What else does Bartlett say?

Roscoe Bartlett's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

Key

Issue Positions

This candidate has responded to a Political Courage Test in a previous election. As a continued effort to provide the American public with factual information on candidates running for public office, these archived responses are made available here.

Abortion Issues

Budget, Spending, and Tax Issues

Business and Employment Issues

Campaign Finance and Government Reform Issues

Crime Issues

Education Issues

Environment and Energy Issues

Gun Issues

Health Issues

Immigration Issues

International Policy Issues

Social Issues

Legislative Priorities

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