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Scott Brown'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.
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.

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

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 2014.

  • Scott Brown. Issue: Abortion. 23 June 2011. "While this decision should ultimately be made by the woman in consultation with her doctor, I believe we need to reduce the number of abortions in America. I believe government has the responsibility to regulate in this area and I support parental consent and notification requirements and I oppose partial birth abortion. I also believe there are people of good will on both sides of the issue and we ought to work together to support and promote adoption as an alternative to abortion." (votesmart.org)
  • Scott Brown. Project Vote Smart: 2002 Massachusetts State Legislative Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "f) Eliminate public funding for abortions and public funding of organizations that advocate or perform abortions."
  • Scott Brown. Project Vote Smart: 2000 Massachusetts State Legislative Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "a) Abortions should always be illegal."
  • Scott Brown. Project Vote Smart: 1998 Massachusetts State Legislative Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "g) Prohibit the late-term abortion procedure known as "partial-birth" abortion."
  • Scott Brown. Project Vote Smart: 1998 Massachusetts State Legislative Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "a) Abortions should always be legally available."
  • Scott Brown. Project Vote Smart: 2002 Massachusetts State Legislative Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "a) Abortions should always be illegal."
  • Scott Brown. Project Vote Smart: 2002 Massachusetts State Legislative Political Courage Test. Checked SUPPORT for: "b) Abortions should always be legally available."
  • Scott Brown. Project Vote Smart: 1998 Massachusetts State Legislative Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "e) Abortions should always be illegal."
  • Gary Fields. 2010. Wall Street Journal: So What Is a Scott Brown Republican? 19 January 2010. "On social issues, the GOP candidate supports some abortion rights but opposes partial-birth abortion and believes parental consent should be required for minors seeking abortions." (blogs.wsj.com)
  • National Right to Life Committee. 04/18/2012. "Scott Brown supported the interests of the National Right to Life Committee 100 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • Eagle Forum. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Endorsements. 04/18/2012. Eagle Forum endorsed Scott Brown in the 2010 general election. (votesmart.org)
  • Family Research Council. 04/18/2012. "Scott Brown supported the interests of the Family Research Council 100 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • NARAL Pro-Choice America. 04/18/2012. "Scott Brown supported the interests of the NARAL Pro-Choice America 0 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • Scott Brown. ABC News "This Week" - Transcript. 31 January 2010. "WALTERS: Let's talk about some of your specific views. You are pro-choice, yes? BROWN: Yes [¦] you know, Roe v. Wade is the law of the land, but I think we need to do more to reduce the amount of abortions. And the difference between me and maybe others is that I'm very -- I'm against partial-birth abortions. I'm against federal funding of abortions. And I believe in a strong parental consent notification law. And we should do more for adoptions. WALTERS: But you're still pro-choice? BROWN: Yes, because I feel this issue is best handled between a woman and her doctor and her family." (votesmart.org)
  • "While this decision should ultimately be made by the woman in consultation with her doctor, I believe we need to reduce the number of abortions in America. I believe government has the responsibility to regulate in this area and I support parental consent and notification requirements and I oppose partial birth abortion. I also believe there are people of good will on both sides of the issue and we ought to work together to support and promote adoption as an alternative to abortion." (votesmart.org)
  • National Taxpayers Union. 04/18/2012. "Scott Brown supported reasonable tax and spending policies as defined by the National Taxpayers Union 84 percent of the time in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • Scott Brown signed Americans for Tax Reform: The Taxpayer Protection Pledge. "I pledge to the taxpayers of the state of Massachusetts 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." (www.atr.org)
  • "In the United States Senate, Brown made it a top priority to address waste, fraud and abuse. He supports a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution and believes it will force the federal government to finally get its fiscal house in order. New Hampshire families balance their budgets every day, and it is long past time for Washington to do the same." (votesmart.org)
  • "Scott Brown believes that as a nation we are over-taxed. The American people are spending more on taxes than for their housing, food, and clothing combined. The host of new taxes in Obamacare are a clear example of this rampant taxation. Scott Brown will fight to reduce the tax burden on middle class Americans. He never voted for a tax increase during his years of public service, and he will do everything he can to make sure that Americans can keep more of their hard-earned money." (votesmart.org)
  • Scott Brown. Brown Offers Bill To Break Logjam On Funding For State Programs Without Raising Taxes Or Increasing National Debt. 30 June 2010. "Last week, I opposed a big spending bill because it called for nearly $60 billion in tax increases and more than $33 billion deficit spending. I said no to this bill because the federal government is clearly addicted to debt and wants to raise taxes on Americans during a time when we can least afford it. This bill was defeated in a bipartisan manner. There are some programs in that legislation that are important to Massachusetts during this economic crisis -- the summer jobs program for young people, unemployment insurance extensions for those still looking for work in this tough economy, as well as additional assistance to the states, known as FMAP -- but we need to find a way to pay for them. My compromise bill uses unspent stimulus funds and cuts wasteful and unnecessary spending in other areas to pay for these important programs. Believe it or not, there is about $37 billion in stimulus money just sitting in a Washington slush fund when it should be put to good use immediately." (votesmart.org)
  • Scott Brown. FOX News "Hannity" - Transcript. 21 February 2011. "BROWN: I've said right from the beginning that I'm disappointed in the budget and he should have shown leadership when it comes to working with entitlement reform and focusing on jobs and the economy. I've been beating that drum for the last year. When they are talking about everything but the economy, I'm talking about jobs and moving our country forward. HANNITY: Go back to when he said if we don't pass the stimulus, we face a catastrophe. BROWN: I would have voted against that." (votesmart.org)
  • Scott Brown. Issue Position: Controlling The Federal Deficit And Reducing The National Debt. 14 December 2009. "Senator Brown is opposed to a second stimulus if it simply adds more spending without adding to employment. The first stimulus bill did not work. The push for a second spending stimulus is an admission that the first stimulus was a failure in creating jobs. Senator Brown believes that lawmakers should go back and recapture the stimulus dollars that have not been spent and either put them toward the deficit, or immediately spend them on infrastructure. He continues to believe that the best way to create jobs is with an across-the-board tax cut for businesses and families." (votesmart.org)
  • Scott Brown. KennedySeat.com - Kennedyseat.com Meets The Candidates: Exclusive Email Interview With Scott Brown. 19 October 2009. "I would say the economy is the number one issue. Unfortunately, the stimulus bill ended up stimulating the government and not the economy. In Massachusetts, we now have the highest unemployment since the 1970s. As a U.S senator, I would make sure further efforts to stimulate the economy are directly tied to job growth and don't end up increasing the size of government." (votesmart.org)
  • Scott Brown. Republican Senators Offer Commonsense Amendment to Pay for Critical Small Business Legislation. 30 March 2011. "U.S. Senators Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine), John Thune (R-South Dakota), Marco Rubio (R-Florida), Jerry Moran (R-Kansas), Scott Brown (R-Massachusetts), Mike Enzi (R-Wyoming) and David Vitter (R-Louisiana) today introduced an amendment to the SBIR/STTR Reauthorization Act, which the Senate is currently debating, to pay for any cost associated with the current legislation by rescinding unspent, unobligated stimulus funds. [...] 'This common-sense step will allow us to reauthorize SBIR while also moving forward to tackle our spending problem. 'We have identified millions in unused stimulus funds that could be used immediately to allow small businesses to stay in business and grow. I am pleased to co-sponsor this amendment to rein in spending while supporting the economic engines critical to our recovery--small businesses.'" (votesmart.org)
  • Scott Brown. Scott Brown Primary Election Night Remarks. 8 December 2009. "I believe failure should be admitted in Washington, and not repeated. It's time to admit that while the nearly trillion-dollar stimulus had the best of intentions, it failed to create one new job. We shouldn't make the mistake of passing yet another stimulus that adds to the debt and does nothing for American workers." (votesmart.org)
  • Scott Brown. News. Brown outlines initiatives with aim to reduce government spending. 1 March 2011. "U.S. Senator Scott Brown outlined this morning several initiatives he said would reduce government spending, increase transparency and reduce waste. Brown's plans include: [...] To tackle the debt, Brown said he believes that 'we should change the way we budget and spend “ putting a system in place that helps the federal government prioritize what we really need, while eliminating what we can live without and balancing the budget.' On February 1st, Brown sent a letter to the Budget Committee calling for 'responsible budget reform.' The letter asked Budget Committee leaders to ensure that priorities are established before the Senate holds any vote to increase the nation's debt limit. Brown is a co-sponsor of the Reduce Unnecessary Spending Act to give the president additional tools, such as a constitutional line-item veto procedure, 'to eliminate the kind of reckless spending that sticks taxpayers with the bill for congressional pork,' he said." (www.scottbrown.com)
  • Scott Brown. Senator Scott Brown Introduces Payroll Tax Cut Amendment. 3 March 2010. "The best way to revive our economy and spur job creation is by returning money directly to the American people so they can save and put money back into the economy. More than one year after the failed stimulus package, families are still hurting and their hard earned tax dollars are sitting unused in a stimulus slush fund in Washington. Workers need relief right now, and as long as this government continues its binge spending of taxpayer money, I will continue to do everything possible to make sure hardworking employees and entrepreneurs get it back." (votesmart.org)
  • Scott Brown. Senator Scott Brown's December 2010 E-Newsletter. 16 December 2010. "The first thing I did in the Senate was to introduce legislation to cut payroll taxes for employees and pay for this initiative by rescinding unobligated stimulus funding." (votesmart.org)
  • Americans for Prosperity. 04/18/2012. "Scott Brown supported the interests of the Americans for Prosperity 0 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • The Club for Growth. 04/18/2012. "On the votes used to calculate its ratings, The Club for Growth attaches more value to those votes it considers more important. For 2010, The Club for Growth gave Scott Brown a rating of 62 percent." (votesmart.org)
  • "Washington has a spending addiction, and it must stop. The national debt recently passed the $17 trillion mark, and if left unchecked, this type of government spending threatens the stability of our country.In the United States Senate, Brown made it a top priority to address waste, fraud and abuse. He supports a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution and believes it will force the federal government to finally get its fiscal house in order. New Hampshire families balance their budgets every day, and it is long past time for Washington to do the same." (votesmart.org)
  • 2002 PCT (votesmart.org)
  • Scott Brown. Kerry, Brown, Entire Ma Delegation: Massachusetts Wins Race To The Top Competition. 24 August 2010. "Senators John Kerry and Scott Brown, together with the entire Massachusetts Congressional Delegation today announced that Massachusetts has won the U.S. Department of Education's Race to the Top Competition. Massachusetts was one of 18 states to advance to the second round and is among ten winning applicants. [...] 'I'm pleased to see that Massachusetts is being recognized for being a national leader in education. Though I have concerns about Massachusetts adopting the Common Core Standards, I'm confident this funding will enable the Commonwealth to close achievement gaps and increase the ability of our students to compete on a global scale,' said Senator Scott Brown." (votesmart.org)
  • Scott Brown. Letter to The Honorable Arne Duncan. 1 June 2010. "Senators John Kerry and Scott Brown, together with the entire Massachusetts Congressional Delegation today wrote to U.S. Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan urging him to consider Massachusetts' strong commitment to high educational standards when reviewing the state's Phase 2 application to the Race to the Top fund. [...] 'I'm pleased to join this bipartisan effort to ensure that Massachusetts is recognized and not punished for its academic excellence. Race to the Top will play an important role in continuing our state's successful effort to provide a quality education for our youth,' said Senator Brown." (votesmart.org)
  • Scott Brown. Lieberman, Brown, Landrieu Introduce STELLAR Student Act. 12 April 2011. "U.S. Senators Joe Lieberman (I-CT), Scott Brown (R-MA) and Mary Landrieu (D-LA) introduced the Securing Teacher Effectiveness, Leaders, Learning, and Results Act (STELLAR Student Act). This educational reform legislation directs states to implement teacher evaluation systems based on actual measures of teacher effectiveness. [...] The STELLAR Student Act would: [...] Tie Title 1 funding to teacher and principal evaluations that incorporate multiple measures, relying predominantly on measures of student academic growth and achievement, as well as classroom performance." (votesmart.org)
  • Scott Brown. Project Vote Smart: 2002 Massachusetts State Legislative Political Courage Test. Checked SUPPORT for: "a) Support national standards and testing of public school students."
  • Scott Brown. News. Viewpoint: STELLAR Student Act Bill Would Bring Out Best In Teachers Springfield Republican. 27 June 2011. "That's why this week, I am joining with two of my Senate colleagues, Mary Landrieu, D-La, and Joseph Lieberman, I-Conn., to introduce the STELLAR Student Act, a measure that encourages states to evaluate their teachers and keep the best ones in the classroom. We are putting partisanship aside and teaming up to do something to improve teacher quality in our public schools. Forty-six states have budget deficits that total in the billions. As a result, education funds are on the chopping block. Without an evaluation system in place, this results in most schools adhering to a 'last in, first out' policy that has resulted in non-tenured teachers being dismissed first - even though they might be the most effective teachers - while tenured teachers are safe regardless of their effectiveness." (www.scottbrown.com)
  • "I am passionate about improving the quality of our public schools. Accountability and high standards are paramount. I support choice through charter schools, as well as the MCAS exam as a graduation requirement. I have worked to ensure that all children have access to a quality education. I am a strong advocate for the METCO program, which provides lower income students with broader educational opportunities." (votesmart.org)
  • "U.S. Senator Scott Brown (R-MA) issued the following statement after voting in support of the Keystone XL pipeline:"Today, I supported moving forward with the Keystone Pipeline, a project that will create thousands of new jobs, reduce gas prices in the Northeast, and help free us from dependence on Middle East oil. In doing so, the Keystone project strengthens American economic and national security." (votesmart.org)
  • Winslow Townson. Time: Senator-Elect Scott Brown. 19 January 2010. "In 2008, he voted in favor of Massachusetts joining the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, a pact among northeastern states requiring power plants to reduce emissions or to buy carbon credits. He now says he would vote against the initiative as well as a federal cap-and-trade bill." (www.time.com)
  • Scott Brown. Boston Herald - League Pollutes Public Discourse. 4 May 2011. "I cast every vote in the Senate thinking first of how it will affect the people back home. I believe one of our most solemn responsibilities is to protect children, and ensure that their future is bright and prosperous. [...] That is why I voted to stop the Environmental Protection Agency from regulating carbon dioxide as a way to end-run the decision by Congress to reject the massive cap-and-trade bill. I feared that cap and trade would have dramatically raised energy prices and cost jobs in Massachusetts and throughout the country." (votesmart.org)
  • Scott Brown. Brown Visits Small Business, Criticizes Cap And Trade. 15 December 2009. "Small businesses create the jobs that will help to lift our country out of its two-year recession. With the economy on the brink, this is no time for a cap and trade proposal that will increase energy costs and kill jobs. Cap and trade is anti-jobs and anti-growth." (votesmart.org)
  • Scott Brown. Issue Position: Energy & Environment. 23 June 2011. "I oppose a national cap and trade program because of the higher costs that families and businesses would incur." (votesmart.org)
  • Scott Brown. KennedySeat.com - Kennedyseat.com Meets The Candidates: Exclusive Email Interview With Scott Brown. 19 October 2009. "I also oppose cap and trade, which is essentially an energy tax on the American people." (votesmart.org)
  • Scott Brown. Scott Brown Primary Election Night Remarks. 8 December 2009. "I want to see a cleaner environment, and the way to get there is through a comprehensive approach. That would be by the development of new energy sources that are not powered only by fossil fuels. That means conservation, in addition to the development of more wind, solar, hydroelectric and - yes - more nuclear power. One thing I will not do, however, is support a cap and trade program that will cause energy prices to spike and chase businesses out of Massachusetts and cost individual families more money just to heat their homes and turn on their lights. The cap and trade bill moving its way through Congress will kill jobs at a time when our economy is on the brink. To me that is unacceptable." (votesmart.org)
  • League of Conservation Voters. 04/18/2012. "Scott Brown supported the interests of the League of Conservation Voters 0 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • Scott Brown. S J Res 26. 112th Congress. Statement of Opposition to EPA Greenhouse Gas Rule. Scott Brown voted Yea on 06/10/2010. (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 100% by Environment America (votesmart.org)
  • Scott Brown. Issue: Gun Issues. 23 June 2011. "I support the Second Amendment and believe that citizens have the right to keep and bear arms as a basic constitutional liberty. I support safe and responsible gun ownership." (votesmart.org)
  • Scott Brown. Project Vote Smart: 2002 Massachusetts State Legislative Political Courage Test. Checked SUPPORT for: "e) Allow citizens to carry concealed guns."
  • Scott Brown. Project Vote Smart: 2000 Massachusetts State Legislative Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "a) Ban the sale or transfer of semi-automatic guns, except those used for hunting."
  • Scott Brown. Project Vote Smart: 2002 Massachusetts State Legislative Political Courage Test. Checked SUPPORT for: "g) Require background checks on gun sales between private citizens at gun shows."
  • Scott Brown. Project Vote Smart: 2002 Massachusetts State Legislative Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "a) Ban the sale or transfer of semi-automatic guns, except those used for hunting."
  • Scott Brown. Project Vote Smart: 2002 Massachusetts State Legislative Political Courage Test. Checked SUPPORT for: "h) Require a license for gun possession."
  • Scott Brown. Project Vote Smart: 2000 Massachusetts State Legislative Political Courage Test. Checked SUPPORT for: "e) Allow citizens to carry concealed guns."
  • Scott Brown. Project Vote Smart: 1998 Massachusetts State Legislative Political Courage Test. Checked SUPPORT for: "f) Favor allowing citizens to carry concealed firearms."
  • Scott Brown. Project Vote Smart: 2000 Massachusetts State Legislative Political Courage Test. Checked SUPPORT for: "f) Require manufacturers to provide child-safety locks on guns."
  • Scott Brown. Boston.com: Scott Brown says he won't support federal gun crackdown. 14 January 2011. "I'm not in favor of doing any additional federal regulations relating to any type of weapons or federal gun changes. I feel it should be left up to the states." (www.boston.com)
  • Gun Owners of America. 04/18/2012. "In 2010 Gun Owners of America gave Scott Brown a grade of 73." (votesmart.org)
  • "I support the Second Amendment and believe that citizens have the right to keep and bear arms as a basic constitutional liberty. I support safe and responsible gun ownership." (votesmart.org)
  • Scott Brown. S Amdt 13. 112th Congress. Repealing the Federal Health Care Law. Scott Brown voted Yea on 02/02/2011. (votesmart.org)
  • American Public Health Association. 04/18/2012. "Scott Brown supported the interests of the American Public Health Association 20 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • "I believe that all Americans deserve health care coverage, but that we shouldn't have to create a new government insurance program to provide it. I support strengthening the existing private market system. In Massachusetts, I support the 2006 healthcare law that expanded coverage, but I believe the Deval Patrick administration must do more to contain the costs of the Commonwealth Care subsidy program." (votesmart.org)
  • "The people of New Hampshire take pride in individual liberty and freedom. Obamacare demolishes both. It is bad for New Hampshire and bad for America. Granite Staters are already suffering from higher premiums, fewer options, and canceled plans, forcing them to find new doctors and drive farther distances for treatment. Of the state's 26 hospitals, 10 have been excluded from the only plan that is currently offered. Obamacare is also hurting economic growth and causing uncertainty for businesses. Next January, businesses will be forced to offer health insurance to their employees or face penalties. In the Senate, Scott Brown fought to repeal Obamacare in its entirety. Senator Shaheen cast the tie-breaking vote to pass Obamacare into law and stands by the President's law, despite the hardships it has created for Granite Staters." (votesmart.org)
  • Scott Brown. Brown: Harvard Has Its Priorities Upside Down. 23 September 2010. "I am extremely disappointed to learn of Harvard University's decision to continue to ban ROTC from its campus. It is incomprehensible to me that Harvard does not allow ROTC to use its facilities, but welcomes students who are in this country illegally. Harvard President Faust has been lobbying on Capitol Hill in support of the DREAM Act, which would grant legal status to illegal immigrants attending college. Harvard has its priorities upside down. They should embrace young people who want to serve their country at a time of war, rather than promoting a plan that provides amnesty to students who are in this country illegally." (votesmart.org)
  • Scott Brown. Issue Position: Immigration. 1 January 2011. "We are a nation of immigrants who have built and strengthened our country through the pursuit of the American dream. I have always been a strong proponent of legal immigration and we should immediately streamline the process for those who are seeking citizenship through legal and proper channels. It is also true that we have always been and must remain a nation of laws. We must secure our borders as this is vital to our national security and the safety of all Americans. I believe government should not adopt policies that encourage illegal immigration. I have opposed proposals that include amnesty or access taxpayer-funded benefits for those who are in this country illegally." (votesmart.org)
  • Scott Brown. Scott Brown Statement On Deval Patrick's Report On Illegal Immigrants. 17 November 2009. "We all recognize our strength as a nation is built on the immigrant experience in America. I welcome legal immigration to this country. However, we are also a nation of laws and government should not adopt policies that encourage illegal immigration. Providing driver's licenses and in-state tuition to illegal immigrant families will act as a magnet in drawing more people here in violation of the law and it will impose new costs on taxpayers. Government should strictly enforce the law, not ignore it with a wink and a nod or, even worse, pass laws that condone illegal behavior." (votesmart.org)
  • Scott Brown. State House News Service: As Vote Nears, Brown Praises Obama Work On Tax Bill. 13 December 2010. "Brown also said he would oppose passage of the DREAM Act in the Senate if it came to a vote this week, calling the bill 'backdoor amnesty.' The bill, which is supported by Gov. Deval Patrick, provides a path to citizenship, through college or military service, for immigrants brought to this country illegally. It passed the U.S House last week. [...] 'I think it's backdoor amnesty and I'm not in favor of it,' Brown told reporters." (votesmart.org)
  • Federation for American Immigration Reform. 04/18/2012. "Scott Brown supported the interests of the Federation for American Immigration Reform 100 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • The Associated Press. MassLive.com: U. S. Sen. Scott Brown says immigration reform should focus on economy. 12 November 2010. "During his campaign for Senate, Brown said he would push for restrictions on illegal immigration. He also recently called a proposal to give some illegal immigrant students a pathway to citizenship through college or military service 'amnesty.'" (www.masslive.com)
  • "Scott Brown believes we are a nation of immigrants, but we are also a nation of laws and those laws must be observed. Scott supports fixing the legal immigration system in a way that encourages students, high-skilled workers, and entrepreneurs from around the world to come and pursue the American dream. He believes, however, that amnesty is wrong. It undermines the law, and is a disservice to the millions of immigrants who are following the law and playing by the rules." (votesmart.org)
  • Scott Brown. Boston Globe - GOP's Rising Star: Party Sees Signs Of Hope In Wrentham's Scott Brown. 4 January 2009. "'I have the same position as President-elect Obama and yet I'm viewed as the poster boy for the gay marriage issue,' said Brown, who would support civil unions. Besides, he said, the issue is settled in this state. 'We've moved on. The number one issue is the economy right now.'" (votesmart.org)
  • Scott Brown. Issue: Marriage. 23 June 2011. "I believe marriage is between a man and a woman. States should be free to make their own laws in this area, so long as they reflect the people's will as expressed through them directly, or as expressed through their elected representatives." (votesmart.org)
  • Human Rights Campaign. 04/18/2012. "Scott Brown supported the interests of the Human Rights Campaign 33 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • American Family Association. 04/18/2012. "Scott Brown supported the interests of the American Family Association 100 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • Eagle Forum. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Endorsements. 04/18/2012. Eagle Forum endorsed Scott Brown in the 2010 general election. (votesmart.org)
  • "I believe marriage is between a man and a woman. States should be free to make their own laws in this area, so long as they reflect the people's will as expressed through them directly, or as expressed through their elected representatives." (votesmart.org)
  • Scott Brown. Issue Position: Terrorism. 1 January 2011. "I believe that terrorism is not a political issue; it is a national security issue. To win the war against terrorism, we must be able to quickly adapt to ever-changing terrorist tactics. Congress and the Administration must work together in a bipartisan fashion to continue support for all elements of national security, to increase information sharing and collective security efforts around the globe, and to expand vital law enforcement partnerships. Our Constitution and laws exist to protect this nation -- they do not grant rights and privileges to enemies in wartime. In dealing with terrorists, our tax dollars should pay for weapons to stop them, not lawyers to defend them." (votesmart.org)
  • Scott Brown. Altimire, Dent, Lieberman, Scott Brown Introduce Enemy Expatriation Act. 12 October 2011 "In recent years, foreign terrorist organizations, like al Qaida, have shown they remain determined to kill American citizens and bring violence to our homeland. We continue to defend our nation against shadowy extremist enemies whose tactics are ever-changing and evolving, but their goal of destroying our way of life remains the same [¦] It is critical to our homeland security that we adjust and adapt our defense measures to keep terrorism out of our country. This bi-partisan legislation we are offering today closes a loophole on an existing 70-year-old law to better reflect the unique challenges of today's war against violent extremists, both at home and abroad." (votesmart.org)
  • "...We need to keep our country safe by stopping these American ISIS fighters from re-entering the country.” (www.scottbrown.com)
  • Scott Brown. YOUR STORY - Senator Scott Brown's E-Newsletter for August 23, 2011. 23 August 2011. "Many of you also shared your concerns about the future of important programs like Medicare and Social Security. I share these concerns, and believe that we should take great care not to do anything to these programs that would impact current beneficiaries. That is why earlier this year I voted against the Ryan budget proposal. However, I believe we must act now to ensure that Medicare and Social Security are around for future generations." (www.scottbrown.senate.gov)
  • 31% 2012 Lifetime score Alliance for Retired Americans (votesmart.org)
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.
The Political Courage Test asks candidates which items they will support if elected. It does not ask them to indicate which items they will oppose. Through extensive research of public polling data, we discovered that voters are more concerned with what candidates would support when elected to office, not what they oppose. If a candidate does not select a response to any part or all of any question, it does not necessarily indicate that the candidate is opposed to that particular item.

Indicate which principles you support (if any) concerning abortion.

a) Abortions should always be illegal.
X b) Abortions should always be legally available.
c) Abortions should be legal only within the first trimester of pregnancy.
X d) Abortions should be legal when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape.
X e) Abortions should be legal when the life of the woman is endangered.
f) Eliminate public funding for abortions and public funding of organizations that advocate or perform abortions.
g) Other or expanded principles

State Budget: Indicate the funding levels you will support for the following general categories.State Taxes: Indicate the tax levels you will support.

Maintain Funding Status a) Education (Higher)
Maintain Funding Status b) Education (K-12)
Maintain Funding Status c) Environment
Maintain Funding Status d) Health care
Maintain Funding Status e) Law enforcement
Maintain Funding Status f) Transportation and Highway infrastructure
Maintain Funding Status g) Welfare
Greatly Decrease a) Alcohol taxes
Greatly Decrease b) Capital gains taxes
Greatly Decrease c) Cigarette taxes
Greatly Decrease d) Corporate taxes
Greatly Decrease e) Gasoline taxes
Greatly Decrease f) Income taxes (incomes below $75,000)
Greatly Decrease g) Income taxes (incomes above $75,000)
Greatly Decrease h) Inheritance taxes
Greatly Decrease i) Property taxes
Greatly Decrease j) Sales taxes
Greatly Decrease k) Vehicle taxes
Greatly Decrease l) Other or expanded categories
No m) Should Internet sales be taxed?
No n) Do you support freezing the state income tax rollback?
No o) Do you support abolishing the state income tax?
p) Other or expanded principles
Due to budget limitations in MA.
less taxes = more spending =more revenue

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding campaign finance and government reform.c) Do you support limiting the following types of contributions to state legislative and gubernatorial candidates?

No a) Do you support limiting the number of terms for Massachusetts governors?
Yes b) Do you support limiting the number of terms for Massachusetts state senators and representatives?
No 1) Individual
No 2) PAC
No 3) Corporate
No 4) Political Parties
Yes d) Do you support requiring full and timely disclosure of campaign finance information?
Undecided e) Do you support using state tax revenue to fund the Clean Elections public financing law?
No f) Do you support voting on-line?
Yes g) Do you support adopting statewide standards for counting, verifying and ensuring accuracy of votes?
Undecided h) Do you support prohibiting the reporting of media exit polling results until all polling locations in Massachusetts are closed?
Yes i) Do you support lowering the Chapter 40B requirement for town affordable housing stock?
No j) Should Massachusetts recognize civil unions between same-sex couples?
Yes k) Should Massachusetts restrict marriage to a union only between a man and a woman?
c-1.c-2,c-3,c-4 agree with present law

Indicate which principles you support (if any) to address crime.

X a) Increase state funds for construction of state prisons and for hiring of additional prison staff.
b) Support contracting with private sector firms to build and/or manage state prisons.
X c) Implement the use of the death penalty in Massachusetts.
X d) Support programs to provide prison inmates with vocational and job-related skills and job-placement assistance when released.
X e) Support charging inmates fees for prison services in Massachusetts.
X f) End parole for repeat violent offenders.
X g) Implement penalties other than incarceration for certain non-violent offenders.
h) Decriminalize the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes.
X i) Strengthen penalties and sentences for drug-related crimes.
j) Minors accused of a violent crime should be prosecuted as adults.
k) Require that crimes based on gender, sexual orientation or disability be prosecuted as hate crimes.
l) Ban the use of racial profiling by law enforcement officers.
m) Increase state funding for community centers and other social agencies in areas with at-risk youth.
X n) Increase state funding for additional security of critical infrastructure against terrorist attacks.
o) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding education.

X a) Support national standards and testing of public school students.
X b) Provide parents with state-funded vouchers to send their children to any participating school (public, private, religious).
X c) Increase state funds for school capital improvements (e.g. buildings and infrastructure).
X d) Increase state funds for hiring additional teachers.
X e) Support teacher testing and reward teachers with merit pay.
f) Support displaying the Ten Commandments in public schools.
g) Endorse teacher-led voluntary prayer in public schools.
X h) Support requiring public high school students pass the MCAS to graduate.
X i) Limit bilingual education to one-year immersion programs.
X j) Provide state funding to increase teacher salaries.
X k) Provide state funding for full-day kindergarten programs.
X l) Increase state funding to expand Head Start programs.
X m) Provide state funding for tax incentives and financial aid to help make college more affordable.
X n) Support age-appropriate sexual education programs that teach about abstinence, contraceptives and HIV/STD prevention methods.
o) Support abstinence-only sexual education programs.
p) Other or expanded principles

Employment: Indicate which principles you support (if any) concerning employment.Affirmative Action: Should race, ethnicity or gender be taken into account in state agencies' decisions on:

X a) Increase funding for state job-training programs that re-train displaced workers or teach skills needed in today's job market.
X b) Reduce state government regulations on the private sector to encourage investment and economic expansion.
X c) Provide low interest loans and tax credits for starting, expanding or relocating businesses.
X d) Provide tax credits for businesses that provide child care for their employees.
e) Increase state funds to provide child care for children of low-income working families.
f) Other or expanded principles
No a) College and university admissions
No b) Public employment
No c) State contracting
d) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding the environment and energy.

X a) Promote increased use of alternative fuel technology.
X b) Use state funds to clean up former industrial and commercial sites that are contaminated, unused or abandoned.
Yes c) Do you support state funding for open space preservation?
No d) Should state environmental regulations be stricter than federal law?
e) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) concerning gun issues.

a) Ban the sale or transfer of semi-automatic guns, except those used for hunting.
b) Maintain and strengthen the enforcement of existing state restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns.
c) Ease state restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns.
d) Repeal state restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns.
X e) Allow citizens to carry concealed guns.
X f) Require manufacturers to provide child-safety locks on guns.
X g) Require background checks on gun sales between private citizens at gun shows.
X h) Require a license for gun possession.
i) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding health issues.

X a) Ensure that citizens have access to basic health care through managed care, insurance reforms or state-funded care where necessary.
b) Reduce the amount Massachusetts pays to pharmacies for filling Medicaid patients' prescriptions.
c) Transfer more existing Medicaid recipients into managed care programs.
d) Limit the amount of damages that can be awarded in medical malpractice lawsuits.
X e) Support patients' right to sue their HMOs.
X f) Support patients' right to appeal to an administrative board of specialists when services are denied by their HMO.
g) Guaranteed medical care to all citizens is not a responsibility of state government.
h) Legalize physician-assisted suicide in Massachusetts.
X i) Increase state funding for training health workers to recognize and respond to the release of biological agents.
j) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding welfare.

a) Increase state funding for homeless programs.
X b) Support current time limits on welfare benefits.
X c) Increase employment and job training programs for welfare recipients.
X d) Provide tax incentives to businesses that hire welfare recipients.
e) Provide child care for welfare recipients who work.
f) Increase access to public transportation for welfare recipients who work.
g) Eliminate government-funded welfare programs.
h) Redirect welfare funding to faith-based and community-based private organizations.
i) Use federal TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families) funds to expand state services to include the working poor.
j) Other or expanded principles
In a total of seventy-five (75) words or less, please explain what your two main legislative priorities will be if elected. Please explain how you would obtain any additional government funding needed to implement these priorities.

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