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Tom Rice's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

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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 2022.

  • ""As a father of three, I understand the value of life and the importance of protecting the unborn. This common-sense legislation supported by science and most Americans will ban abortions when a baby can feel pain, and remove us from a list that includes China and North Korea--two countries known for their egregious human rights violations," said Congressman Rice. "I am proud to support this bill."" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Rated 100% by Planned Parenthood Action Fund. (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Signed Letter to Speaker Pelosi: "We write to express our unified opposition to Congressional Democrats' efforts to repeal the Hyde Amendment and other current-law, pro-life appropriations provisions. As part of their pro-abortion crusade, Democrats have taken direct aim at these long-standing, bipartisan protections that generally prevent the federal government from using taxpayer dollars to support abortion procedures. Repealing these pro-life provisions would destroy nearly half a century of bipartisan consensus. Each year since 1976, Congress has included Hyde protections in annually enacted appropriations. No president in American history has ever vetoed an appropriations bill due to its inclusion of the Hyde Amendment." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 36 "Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act." (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 100% by FreedomWorks. (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Similarly, we need a balanced budget to remain competitive. I have supported a balanced budget amendment since I was elected because it is imperative for the future of our country. The inability for Washington to manage its finances is unacceptable. Hardworking American families live on a budget, and we should expect the same from the federal government." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "The Tax Cuts & Jobs Act will bolster our recent trend of economic growth, put more take-home pay back in the pockets of hardworking Americans, and restore opportunity for a generation of Americans. It will grow our middle class, it will reduce income disparity, and it will bring American jobs back. I look forward to the Senate passing this bill and to the President signing this historic legislative achievement into law." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1 "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act." (votesmart.org)
  • "It's clear our current healthcare system is broken and needs reform. Healthcare should be put back in the hands of Americans, not bureaucrats. Rather than a government takeover of the industry, we must open up the markets and allow for increased competition to bring down prices. We need more choice so people can pick a plan that fits their needs, protections so people aren't turned away or faced with the risk of losing coverage, and to preserve Medicare for the 50 million seniors and individuals with disabilities who rely on it for healthcare." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Rated 10% by Alliance for Retired Americans. (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "This legislation brings Medicare policy in line with evidence-based practices, allows seniors with Medicare Part B to have the same access to audiology care provided to many veterans, federal employees, and Medicare Advantage beneficiaries, and will not change audiologists' current scope of practice, supersede state law, or add any new services into the Medicare system." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted against S 610 "Protecting Medicare and American Farmers from Sequester Cuts Act." (votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 1280 "George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021." (votesmart.org)
  • ""Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, broadband access is more essential than ever. Students, workers, businesses, and families are relying on broadband infrastructure to keep them connected. The pandemic has highlighted the digital divide that far too many in our communities have struggled with for decades," said Congressman Rice. "Broadband access in an invaluable resource. I look forward to working with the caucus to improve access across the country."" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • ""To remain a world class economy we must have world class infrastructure. For too long, we have failed to properly maintain existing roads, much less fund new necessary infrastructure. We must work across the aisle, focus on great projects and keep costs low for the American taxpayer," said Congressman Rice. "Infrastructure investment is one of the top needs in my district in South Carolina. I am proud to support the bipartisan Problem Solvers' Caucus Infrastructure Plan,"" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 3684 "Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act." (votesmart.org)
  • "We have critical, unfinished transportation projects in our district and possibilities to enhance our infrastructure to entice new business and make our district competitive. My number one infrastructure focus for the 7th District is the construction of Interstate 73. I-73 will traverse Marlboro, Dillon, and Marion counties -- some of the most impoverished in our state -- and end in Horry County. It will make each of these counties and the surrounding areas more attractive to industry and bring thousands of much-needed jobs. I've always been an advocate for necessary infrastructure repairs and investment and will continue to work diligently on I-73 and other infrastructure needs in our district to ensure that they given the attention they deserve by the federal government." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Rated 100% by FreedomWorks. (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Signed Letter to Secretary Yellen: "As you know, recent changes to U.S. domestic and international tax policy just began taking effect after the enactment of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). TCJA changed our tax system for the better, moving the United States toward a modern, territorial international tax system. Since TCJA's enactment, we have seen an abrupt halt in corporate inversions and a measurable return of investment to the United States. Instead of building on the demonstrated success of the 2017 tax reform, the Administration is proposing to burden American firms with a new set of international obligations." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1 "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act." (votesmart.org)
  • Signed Letter to Secretary Mnuchin: "H.R. 748, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, was signed into law with our support on March 27, 2020, enacting essential lifelines for struggling businesses. It is critical SBA ensure CARES Act programs, especially PPP, can be used to support our rural hospitals and clinics. We have heard concerns SBA is interpreting the CARES Act language in a way which would preclude rural hospitals and RHCs whose facilities are owned or operated in some way by a district or municipality which they serve from being eligible for certain assistance, despite often receiving no direct funding from these government entities." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "The coronavirus pandemic is impacting every American. As we continue to safely reopen, business owners will have to take unprecedented measures to protect their employees and patrons. Keeping Americans safe while getting back to work is a top priority. It's important we reconnect workers to jobs and prevent more business closures. Our healthy workplace tax credit will support businesses as they reopen by incentivizing them to take extra precautions to protect the health of patrons and employees." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 266 "Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 0% by National Education Association. (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "School choice is about ensuring every child receives an education that fits their needs and will allow them to achieve their goals. Palm Charter High School in Conway is an excellent example of the benefits of school choice! #NationalSchoolChoiceWeek" (twitter.com)
  • Signed Letter to Secretary Cardona: "It is time for Washington to come together in a bipartisan manner to strengthen the civics education and the study of American history in schools. This rule would implement partisan and divisive radical propaganda in the curriculum. The American people do not want to be further divided. This proposed rule incites distrust and deepens the political divide. We urge you to reconsider it and work to unite our divided nation around a positive, shared vision for the future." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Energy made and moved in America creates jobs, lowers the cost of gas and electricity for low-income Americans, and makes America more competitive on the world stage. During a time of economic recovery, destroying more than 11,000 potential jobs and increasing our reliance on other countries is a monumental mistake. We cannot let the Biden Administration destroy the livelihoods of hardworking Americans," (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Rated 95% by American Energy Alliance. (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • ""The E-QUIP Act is an important step to further simplifying the tax code for real estate owners and incentivizing investment in more efficient energy technology. The bill will lead to lower energy costs and reduced greenhouse gas emissions while also spurring construction, design, and maintenance jobs," said Congressman Tom Rice. "This keeps the United States competitive on the global stage and enables us to reach our full energy potential. I am grateful to Congressman Brad Schneider for working with me on this important, bipartisan legislation."" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 4447 "Expanding Access to Sustainable Energy Act of 2019." (votesmart.org)
  • "I am opposed to offshore drilling and seismic testing in South Carolina. I have worked with Governor McMaster and other members of our federal delegation to write the Administration and met repeatedly with the Secretary of the Interior to oppose drilling off the coast of South Carolina. I am thrilled that our efforts were successful. I applaud President Trump's decision to withdraw from the disposition and extend the moratorium on offshore drilling in South Carolina. Our coast is critical to South Carolina's tourism economy and our way of life. The tourism industry generates $24 billion every year for South Carolina." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Rated 97% by Independent Petroleum Association of America. (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Signed Letter to Chairperson Neumayr: "Congress wrote NEPA with the straightforward, significant goal of establishing a review framework "under which man and nature can exist in productive harmony, and fulfill the social, economic, and other requirements of present and future generations of Americans." However, over the years, through misguided regulation, and presidential directive, the NEPA process has strayed from these objectives. Now, unending litigation and mountains of paperwork define a permitting process that stretches along an indefinite timeline." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 9 "Climate Action Now Act." (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 92% by National Rifle Association (NRA). (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • ""There is no reason for law-abiding American gun owners to be subjected to this kind of overreach by the federal government," said Congressman Rice. "This bill would restore privacy for American gun owners and reverse the groundwork laid in the creation of a federal firearms registry."" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 1446 "Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2021." (votesmart.org)
  • "#AHCA includes a blanket repeal of harmful Obamacare taxes that drove up health care costs across the board" (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1628 "American Health Care Act of 2017." (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 6201 "Families First Coronavirus Response Act." (votesmart.org)
  • ""Our broken immigration system has caused a crisis on our southern border. After spending months claiming the crisis was "manufactured," at least Democratic leadership now admits that the record number of migrants attempting to cross into our country, completely overwhelming our system, is a crisis. I'm traveling to the border today to see what's happening firsthand, and I'm disappointed that the Democrats who were invited on this trip did not attend," said Congressman Rice. "No more band-aids: we need to come together to address the root causes of this crisis now."" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Rated 89% by NumbersUSA. (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Signed Letter to Secretary Mayorkas: "The decision to halt construction of the border wall system, the attempt to suspend deportations, and the decision to suspend enrolling aliens in the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) all send a message to aliens that the Biden Administration is not serious about border security or enforcing our immigration laws. These actions, coupled with Democrats' repeated talk of amnesty, will be a magnet for illegal immigration and will encourage aliens to place their safety in the hands of criminal organizations to try and reach the United States. This is not good for the aliens or the United States." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Our Asylum system is already backlogged with nearly one million cases. The No Asylum for Criminals Act would codify and strengthen Trump Administration reforms to the asylum system by disqualifying criminals from eligibility. It is increasingly necessary to stem the tide of illegal entry and to stop rewarding unlawful behavior." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Rated 89% by NumbersUSA. (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 3003 "No Sanctuary for Criminals Act." (votesmart.org)
  • "I believe the first step toward solving the illegal immigration problem is securing our borders. I strongly oppose "sanctuary cities," which seek to defy immigration law and provide harbor for illegals. Immigrants who wish to live and work here must enter our great country the same way others have in previous generations—by following the law." (www.tomrice.com)
  • "The Iran Deal was flawed from the start- it failed to curb Iran nuclear ambitions and enriched the regime's ability to fund terrorist proxy groups, falling far short of its primary goal of preventing nuclear weapon development in Iran. Together with our allies, we must ensure the regime's destabilization efforts no longer go unchecked, and that Iran never has a path to a nuclear weapon. I applaud President Trump for standing up against Iran and for the American people by withdrawing from this bad deal, and I look forward to working with this Administration to hold Iran accountable for their unacceptable actions." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 550 "No War Against Iran Act." (votesmart.org)
  • Signed Letter to President Trump: "At a time of grave insecurity in the Middle East, we are deeply concerned about the role that terrorist and extremist groups and U.S. adversaries continue to play, particularly in Syria. As some of our closest allies in the region are being threatened, American leadership and support are as crucial as ever. To this end, we recommend several specific steps to advance our regional security priorities, including assisting our ally, Israel, in defending itself in the face of growing threats, including on its northern border." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 256 "To Repeal the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted against H J Res 37 "Directing the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities in the Republic of Yemen that have not been authorized by Congress" (votesmart.org)
  • "I believe American workers can compete with anyone if the playing field is level, and USMCA levels the playing field in North America. USMCA is a major boost for our economy and a huge win for workers, farmers, businesses, and families. USMCA, now entered into force, means new jobs and a stronger economy for South Carolina and all of America." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "The nameplate on my desk says jobs, jobs, jobs and that's exactly what the USMCA will bring. For far too long, America was willing to accept trade agreements that were tilted against American workers. These unfair agreements are one of the primary reasons that the American middle class has stagnated for decades until the election of President Donald Trump. This new agreement will bring new jobs to America, raise wages, and accelerate the growth of our economy. With this agreement, President Trump is doing what is right and what is fair for America. I am proud to have voted in favor of it." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5430 "United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act." (votesmart.org)

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