Card image cap

Ruben Villarreal'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.

Vote Smart did not send the Political Courage Test to this office, or election status. Please call our Voter's Research Hotline at 1-888-VOTE SMART (1-888-868-3762) for more information.

What is the Political Courage Test?

Texas Congressional Election 2016 Political Courage Test

Pro-life Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
No In order to balance the budget, do you support reducing defense spending?
No In order to balance the budget, do you support an income tax increase on any tax bracket?
Yes Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?
I support regulations so that every dollar is transparent.
Yes Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?
Yes Do you support alternatives to incarceration for certain non-violent offenders such as mandatory counseling or substance abuse treatment?
Yes Do you support mandatory minimum sentences for non-violent drug offenders?
No Do you support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
Yes Do you support lowering taxes as a means of promoting economic growth?
Yes Do you support providing tax incentives to businesses for the purpose of job creation?
Unknown Position Do you generally support requiring states to adopt federal education standards?
I believe that we need to provide each State the monies to create optimal educational opportunities for students.
Yes Do you support building the Keystone XL pipeline?
Yes Do you support government funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, thermal)?
No Do you support increased regulations on the hydraulic fracturing ("fracking") industry?
No Do you believe that human activity is contributing to climate change?
No Do you support the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions?
No Do you generally support gun-control legislation?
Our second amendment right is guaranteed to the constitution.
Yes Do you support repealing the 2010 Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare")?
It is flawed legislation punctuated by misrepresentation and lies.
Unknown Position Do you support requiring immigrants who are unlawfully present to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship?
If you are a new detainee yes. If you are an undocumented immigrant already immersed in our country for a number of years then provisions must be made in the law to allow these people to come out of the shadows and be productive members of this nation. I believe it should ONLY be a path to legal status. Not citizenship.
Yes Do you support same-sex marriage?
The Supreme Court has made a decision on this issue and we as citizens of this great nation must stand by our supreme law and constitution.
Yes Should the U.S use military force in order to prevent governments hostile to the United States from possessing a nuclear weapon?
Unknown Position Do you support increased American intervention in Iraq and Syria beyond air support?
Yes Do you support allowing individuals to divert a portion of their Social Security taxes into personal retirement accounts?

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

Slightly Increase a) Agriculture
Greatly Decrease b) Arts
Greatly Increase c) Defense
Slightly Increase d) Education
Maintain Status e) Environment
Greatly Increase f) Homeland Security
Slightly Decrease g) International aid
Maintain Status h) Medical Research
Maintain Status i) Scientific Research
Slightly Increase j) Space exploration
Greatly Decrease k) United Nations
Greatly Decrease l) Welfare
Maintain Status a) Capital gains taxes
Slightly Decrease b) Corporate taxes
Greatly Decrease c) Small business taxes
Maintain Status d) Excise taxes (alcohol)
Maintain Status e) Excise taxes (cigarettes)
Slightly Decrease f) Excise taxes (transportation fuel)
Greatly Decrease g) Income taxes (low-income families)
Slightly Decrease h) Income taxes (middle-income families)
Slightly Decrease i) Income taxes (high-income families)
Eliminate j) Inheritance taxes
Eliminate k) Payroll taxes
We need incentive programs to encourage people to work and give them a hand up... Not a hand out.
I will advocate for a flat tax program and eliminate the IRS.
Border Security is my top priority. I would fund this by eliminating the Iran Nuclear deal and use the 150 million dollars assigned to this deal for securing our borders and keeping our nation safe! Small Government is a big priority. I want to shrink the federal government and expand the influence and reach of State Government as per our 10 amendment of the Constitution. We need to cut taxes and scale back regulations so as to empower the business community to prosper and create jobs.

Vote Smart does not permit the use of its name or programs in any campaign activity, including advertising, debates, and speeches.

arrow_upward