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Scott Rigell's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

Key

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

Scott Rigell has refused to provide voters with positions on key issues covered by the 2014 Political Courage Test, despite repeated requests.

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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 2014.

  • Scott Rigell. Issue Position: Family Values. 4 October 2011. "It is time we have public servants in Washington who will promote a culture that values life and protects the most vulnerable amongst us, at the beginning of life and at the end. That is why I am proudly pro-life." (votesmart.org)
  • Scott Rigell. H Amdt 95. 112th Congress. Prohibiting Use of Federal Funds For Planned Parenthood. Scott Rigell voted Yea on 02/18/2011. (votesmart.org)
  • Eagle Forum. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Endorsements. 04/18/2012. Eagle Forum endorsed Scott Rigell in the 2010 general election. (votesmart.org)
  • Scott Rigell. HR 3. 112th Congress. Prohibiting Taxpayer Funding of Abortion. Scott Rigell voted Yea on 05/04/2011. (votesmart.org)
  • Scott Rigell. Virginian Pilot - Rigell's Rookie Year: No Triumph, Many Tests. 30 October 2011. "The list of more than 100 bills he has sponsored or co-sponsored reflects many of his campaign promises and sheds more light on his views on abortion. During the campaign, he said he opposed abortion but declined to say whether it should ever be allowed. As a congressman, he has co-sponsored several anti-abortion bills, including a measure that would declare that human life begins at conception and would give a fetus full constitutional rights. He also supports further restrictions on federal funding of family planning organizations that support abortion." (votesmart.org)
  • Scott Rigell. Letter to the Honorable John Boehner Speaker, U.S. House of Representatives and the Honorable Eric Cantor Majority Leader, U.S. House of Representatives. 6 June 2011. "To fundamentally and permanently reform the way that Washington budgets and spends, we must send to the states a Balanced Budget Amendment (BBA) with strong protections against federal tax increases and including a Spending Limitation Amendment (SLA) like the statutory spending caps described above." (votesmart.org)
  • Scott Rigell. The Take Away: Norquist's Tax Pledge Loses a Republican Signer. 9 July 2012. "Grover Norquist is the creator of the 'Taxpayer Protection Pledge.' It's an oath to never vote for any legislation that will raise taxes. More than 270 members of Congress have pledged, and they're all Republican. But now one Republican is taking his John Hancock off the oath. That Republican is Virginia Rep. Scott Rigell. Rep. Rigell instead proposes a new idea. A recent TIME Magazine article called it the 20 percent solution. It involves raising the country's revenues (which includes taxes) to somewhere near 20 percent, and cutting down spending to 20 percent." (rigell.house.gov)
  • Scott Rigell. Rigell Supports Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act. 13 December 2012. "Today Representative Scott Rigell (VA-2) voted for the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act. The Act extends the payroll tax holiday for businesses, continues unemployment benefits for those in need, and provides for a two year extension of the Medicare 'doc fix.' The bill passed the House 234-193 and now goes to the Senate for consideration.' This is a bipartisan compromise that provides relief to the middle class while continuing to create an environment that will allow for job creation,' Rigell said.' This is the best alternative before us right now. Over 90% of the savings come from provisions similar to those the President has already supported. My hope is the Senate and the President will see this and that we'll be able to enact this much-needed relief for Americans.'The bill is fully offset over a 10 year period based on Congressional Budget Office estimates. See the CBO Score of this bill. More about the impact of the 'Middle Class Tax Relief & Job Creation Act': Extends Current Payroll Tax Relief, Protects Social Security -Provides a one year extension of the current payroll tax rate (4.2%), without raising taxes on America's job creators, which will save the average American family $1,000." (votesmart.org)
  • Scott Rigell. Twitter: RepScottRigell. 8 July 2011. "New unemployment numbers for June up to 9.2% Highest rate since December 2010. Administration must cut big spending policies." (twitter.com)
  • Scott Rigell. On the Economy: Obama Still Looking in the Rearview Mirror while America's Job Creators Seek Clarity about the Future. 8 June 2011. "No, Mr. President. America's entrepreneurs and job creators are not looking to the past. They are looking to the future [¦] They see a failed stimulus that has added a trillion dollars to our debt [¦] And they see a mountain of national debt and know that if our leaders can't agree to substantive spending cuts, America's future is at serious risk. Mr. President, you do have a point: uncertainty is the enemy of job creation. But it is YOUR policies that are dragging down the greatest economic engine the world has ever known: the American entrepreneur." (votesmart.org)
  • Scott Rigell. Twitter: RepScottRigell. 31 May 2011. "Feel good about voting NO to a debt limit hike. We must live within our means." (twitter.com)
  • Scott Rigell. Twitter. Paying down our debt is in and of itself a path to job creation. What would youcut from the federal budget?" (twitter.com)
  • Scott Rigell. Congressman Rigell Supports Measure to Reduce Non-Security Spending to FY 2008 Levels. 26 January 2011. "Cutting overall spending back to pre-bailout, pre-stimulus levels will be one of many steps that House Republicans are taking to ensure a path to financial security." (votesmart.org)
  • Scott Rigell. Rigell Response to State of the Union Address. 26 January 2011. "We are fulfilling our pledge to end Washington's spending spree and we will continue to make the tough but necessary decisions needed to put America back on a path to job creation and fiscal responsibility." (votesmart.org)
  • Scott Rigell. Daily Press: Now it's up to Virginia. 3 July 2012. "On first blush, Friday's news that Virginia has obtained a waiver from the controversial No Child Left Behind (NCLB) law is a welcome relief. Schools in the commonwealth will no longer face sanctions for failing to ensure that students meet unwieldy and arbitrary proficiency measures for reading and math performance. Although intended as a vehicle for nationwide school improvement, NCLB's unrealistic federal requirements that school districts demonstrate "Adequate Yearly Progress" and obtain grade-level proficiency by 2014 have been largely ineffective. The waiver gives states the option of developing their own measures to shore up failing schools.But before Virginia celebrates its release from NCLB's bondage, it is important to consider what the state has undertaken. The problem of struggling schools and lagging test scores isn't going away. In assuming responsibility for school improvement, the Virginia Department of Education must develop a workable alternative to measuring school success. Most of all, it is imperative that Virginia not give up on its poorest performing schools. The waiver frees the state from the "burden" of having to offer transfers and tutoring for students in failing schools. Districts may instead address performance problems in the bottom 15 percent of schools by implementing state-approved interventions. But lack of choice should not be taken lightly. While students from middle-class and primarily white families are often in a better position to move out of a failing school or enroll in a private school, lower-income students, often from minority families, often do not have these options. The right to transfer affords the chance to attend a non-failing school now, instead of waiting until much-needed interventions are put into place. While aggressive improvements are essential to long-term success of struggling schools, keeping students imprisoned there during what are hoped to be transition years should not be part of the solution. Expanding, not limiting, options for choice will fuel healthy competition in our schools instead of perpetuating the hopelessness that too often accompanies attending a failing school. Whatever the results of the waiver might be, one thing is certain. By implementing its own measures of content standards and assessments, Virginia will no longer be able to blame failing school performance on No Child Left Behind. Ultimately it doesn't matter what yardstick is applied, what programs are implemented and what labels are championed. What matters is whether our students are learning what they need to become successful, well-employed citizens of a nation that is competing in a global economy." (rigell.house.gov)
  • Scott Rigell. HR 910. 112th Congress. Energy Tax Prevention Act. Scott Rigell voted Yea on 04/07/2011. (votesmart.org)
  • Scott Rigell. Americans for Prosperity: No Climate Tax. 15 April 2012. "I, Scott Rigell, pledge to the taxpayers of the State of Virginia and to the American people that I will oppose any legislation relating to climate change that includes a net increase in government revenue." (votesmart.org)
  • Scott Rigell. Top 10 Job-Destroying Regulations. 29 August 2010. "Top 10 Job-Destroying Regulations. Courtesy of the House Majority Leader, Eric Cantor...¢Greenhouse Gas (Winter): The EPA's upcoming greenhouse gas new source performance standards (NSPS) will affect new and existing oil, natural gas, and coal-fired power plants, as well as oil refineries, nationwide. While the impact on the economy and jobs are likely to be severe, the rules are quickly moving forward, once again revealing the Administration's disregard for the consequences of their policies on our jobs crisis. Again, I expect Chairman Upton and the Energy and Commerce Committee to move swiftly in the coming months to protect American jobs and consumers." (rigell.house.gov)
  • Scott Rigell. Issue Position: 2nd Amendment. 4 October 2011. "Our Constitution was founded on principles of individual liberty and limited government. The right of Americans to own firearms is confirmed by the Second Amendment. Gun control serves only to penalize law-abiding citizens, not criminals. In states where firearm ownership regulations have been enacted there is no evidence that it has proven effective in reducing violent crime. Federal licensing of law-abiding gun owners and national gun registration would violate our Second Amendment rights. Gun ownership is responsible citizenship, enabling Americans to defend themselves, their property, and our communities." (votesmart.org)
  • Scott Rigell. Blog: Statement on UN Arms Trade Treaty. 16 July 2012. "Congressman Rigell does not support any treaty that abridges constitutional gun ownership rights in the United States. Tens of millions of Americans own and use guns for personal safety, recreation, hunting, and other lawful activities. The Second Amendment clearly establishes not just the right of Americans to own firearms, but the responsibility of the federal government to actively protect that right." (rigell.house.gov)
  • Scott Rigell. Bearing Drift: Stellar First Year for Rigell. 26 January 2012. "Rigell is true to the Second Amendment by supporting law-abiding citizens to retain their Constitutional rights across state lines." (www.rigell.house.gov)
  • Scott Rigell. House Approves JOBS Act to Spur Entrepreneurship and Small Business Growth.8 March 2012. "To truly boost job creation and certainty in America we must continue to pursue American energy independence and repeal the Affordable Care Act that is putting such a strain on American businesses and our federal budget." (www.votesmart.org)
  • Scott Rigell. HR 2. 112th Congress. Repealing the Health Care Bill. Scott Rigell voted Yea on 01/19/2011. (votesmart.org)
  • Scott Rigell. Issue Position: Health Care. 4 October 2011. "One of my first votes in the 112th Congress was to repeal the Health Care Law. By repealing this law, we will have the opportunity to focus on the challenging issues facing our health care system while implementing market based solutions." (votesmart.org)
  • Scott Rigell. Facebook: Wall. 14 March 2012. "According to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office, the healthcare reform law is now estimated to cost $1.76 trillion dollars over the next decade rather than the $940 billion forecast when it was signed into law. This is almost DOUBLE the projected amount and reminds us why we need to repeal and replace this expensive and burdensome piece of legislation." (www.facebook.com)
  • Scott Rigell. Rigell Response to State of the Union Address. 26 January 2011. "Each week of the 112th Congress, I have joined my Republican colleagues in passing bills that reduce federal spending, including voting to repeal the Health Care Law, which would reduce spending by $2.6 trillion, cutting Congress' own budgets by 5 percent, and rolling back government funding to the pre-bailout, pre-stimulus 2008 levels." (votesmart.org)
  • Scott Rigel. NumbersUSA: 2010 NumbersUSA Congressional Candidate Survey. Responded "Yes" to the question: "Do you OPPOSE offering the officially estimated 11 million people illegally in the U.S long-term work permits and/or a path to citizenship (whether through a blanket amnesty or an "earned legalization" or other form)?" (www.numbersusa.com)
  • Scott Rigel signed Hampton Roads Tea Party: A Pledge from Scott Rigell to the People of the Second Congressional District. 26 August 2010. "To fight against any measure that subverts U.S. sovereignty, whether through trade, currency, environmental causes, the United Nations, immigration amnesty, or under the guise of human rights." (voices.washingtonpost.com)
  • Scott Rigell. Issue Position: Family Values. 4 October 2011. "Over the last decade we have seen an assault on the institution of marriage and our core family values. In 2006, I was proud to have joined a majority of Virginians as we voted to protect traditional marriage in our state Constitution." (votesmart.org)
  • Eagle Forum. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Endorsements. 04/18/2012. Eagle Forum endorsed Scott Rigell in the 2010 general election. (votesmart.org)
  • Scott Rigell. 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. In April, a memo from the Navy Chief of Chaplains issued new guidance to ignore federal law, which was temporarily suspended. On September 30, 2011 the General Counsel of the Department of Defense (DoD) released a second memorandum stating that in connection with the repeal of "Don't Ask Don't Tell" (DADT), the "use of the DoD real property and facilities for private functions, including religious and other ceremonies, should be made on a sexual-orientation neutral basis." This statement is nothing more than a reissuing of the original April guidance. Rather than using the term "marriage," the Department of Defense has merely written the guidance broadly in an attempt to avoid questions about whether its policy is in violation of DOMA. The application, however, of this new policy will undoubtedly violate DOMA. 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. When the House of Representatives passed the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in April, the Akin and Hartzler amendments were adopted which clarify that federal employees and federal property can only be used to support marriages in a manner consistent with DOMA. We recognize the National Defense Authorization Act is well underway and needed funds for our troops should be expedited without delay. However, we respectfully request that an amendment similar to that passed by the House be included to ensure that this administration follow the law as written and comply with DOMA. It is not the place of any citizen of this country to pick and choose which laws will be obeyed. We expect citizens sworn to defend those laws to set the example in their application." (votesmart.org)
  • Scott Rigell. Twitter: RepScottRigell. 23 June 2011. "'The enemy is highly mobile. Need a lighter footprint in Afgh. as soon as we reasonably can; focus on terrorists here they are now.' (stf)." (twitter.com)
  • Scott Rigell. Politico “ Did Obama lose Congress on Libya? 22 March 2011. "I'm surprised more conservatives aren't speaking out about this issue. American lives were not at risk in Libya at the time, and Libya was not a material threat to the United States or its territory, and it's difficult." (votesmart.org)
  • Scott Rigell. Scott Rigell Gives Command Performance at Second Congressional Debate. 8 September 2010. "Now more than ever, we need proven leadership in Washington. If I have the high privilege to represent the people of the Second District, I will work tirelessly to create jobs and a strong economy that will generate the tax revenues needed to improve our schools, strengthen social security, and meet the deep obligation we have to the men and women who proudly serve in our military." (votesmart.org)
  • Scott Rigell. Issue Position: Protecting Social Security. 3 August 2012. "We have a solemn obligation to every American to protect Social Security and ensure it is viable for current and future generations. Social Security is a promise made to, and earned by, every American worker -- and promises made must be kept by our federal government. Our solemn obligation to seniors means we must not cut the Social Security benefits they receive or move to privatize their Social Security." (votesmart.org)

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