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Banyas' 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.

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Banyas has provided voters with clear stances on key issues by responding to the 2018 Political Courage Test.

What is the Political Courage Test?

Tennessee Congressional Election 2018 Political Courage Test

Pro-life Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
If the mother's life is at risk, the choice is between her and her doctor. I have been a nurse to children born from rape and incest. The children born of rape did not know the circumstances of their conception, so they were perfectly, happy, healthy children. The children born of incest had birth defects, yet, if they were killed one second after birth, it would be murder. What difference does it make in the womb? I'm asked: What about women's rights? 1/2 of babies born are female. What about their future women's rights? Abortion is not a contraception choice.
No In order to balance the budget, do you support an income tax increase on any tax bracket?
No In order to balance the budget, do you support reducing defense spending?
We can pay for Space Force, the proposed 6th branch of the military, needed to protect our satellites and grids, by reducing military bases throughout the world. As of January 2018, the U.S. had 800 formal military bases in 80 countries. We can reduce those base numbers and shift money within the defense, without increasing spending. I do not believe we can have a Space Force if we reduce defense spending.
Yes Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?
I am opposed to the Federal Election Commission legally permitting incumbents to have reelection campaign parties, in which each person can donate $25,000, but new candidates can only receive $2700 per person. Unfair! Just another reason for term limits.
No Do you support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
Yes Do you support lowering corporate taxes as a means of promoting economic growth?
Lowering corporate taxes should include a tax credit for offering apprenticeship programs or training so that the company does not use H1-B visas to hire foreign workers. Hire U.S. citizens first, when they can do the job! Hiring U.S. citizens before foreign workers promotes our economic growth!
No Do you support requiring states to adopt federal education standards?
I am for abolishing the Department of Education. The most recent Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) results, from 2015, placed the U.S. an unimpressive 38th out of 71 countries in math and 24th in science. With those results, let the states take over education of their youth and lessen our national debt. Fire the Department of Education and their Common Core!
Yes Do you support government funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, thermal)?
Yes Do you support the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions?
Yes, climate change is happening, but I think climate change will happen whether or not humans are on earth. There was an Ice Age. Climate change happens on other planets. Nevertheless, federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions can help the environment for humanity, flora, and fauna and, possibly, slow down climate change. Keep in mind, we only have recorded temperatures for the last 150 years. I support President Trump in pulling out of the Paris Climate Accord. Greenhouse emissions are down in the U.S. due to innovation and ingenuity, not by joining a global pact, with their associated fees.
No Do you generally support gun-control legislation?
I lean toward not focusing on gun legislation, but, on gun safety. I want to protect our Constitutional rights to bear and keep arms. I have used my gun to protect myself. I want increased school safety. If a teacher is willing to take on the responsibility of being armed, I think he or she should be allowed to carry. Schools as "gun-free" zones are not smart. The federal government and every state should all be on one background system that works together. I am opposed to the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty or "Small Arms Treaty".
Yes Do you support repealing the 2010 Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare")?
Yes Do you support the construction of a wall along the Mexican border?
Yes Do you support requiring immigrants who are unlawfully present to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship?
1) Reform immigration law. End DACA. Defund sanctuary cities. Stop chain immigration. No asylum request obtained by illegally entering the U.S. Asylum seekers should go to the first safe embassy on their journey or to a U.S. port of entry. Also, I want other Central and South American countries to take asylum seekers. AARP lists 5 top foreign retirement locations for U.S. citizens as Mexico, Panama, Ecuador, Costa Rica, and Columbia. If those countries have safe havens, safe enough for U.S. citizens, they are safe enough for asylum seekers. 2) Stop catch and release. 3) Outlaw sanctuary cities.
No Do you support the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes?
I support marijuana used for medicinal purposes only.
Yes Should the United States use military force in order to prevent governments hostile to the U.S. from possessing a nuclear weapon?
No Do you support increased American intervention in Middle Eastern conflicts beyond air support?
I support protecting Israel, in air support, intelligence, and Naval operations.
1) Immigration reform. End DACA. Defund sanctuary cities. Stop chain immigration. Asylum law needs reform. 2) I want term limits for Congress to lessen lobbyists' influence. Also, I can not bear hearing Congress give themselves raises or avoid taking the healthcare they vote in for the people! Who can do this, but business owners and Congress is not owned by Congress. Congress is owned by the People! 3) I want to incentivize training or apprenticeships for our citizens to fill the jobs going to foreigners on H1-B visas. The new sales tax from internet sales could pay for this training.

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