Jim Bridenstine in Congressional 2012 Political Courage Test

On Crime: Swift capital punishment saves lives

A: Yes. When used appropriately, swift capital punishment deters violent crimes and saves lives. Capital punishment for certain heinous crimes is consistent with the high intrinsic value of human life.

On Education: No federal standards; local control & spending

A: No. I support funding of education at the local level. The federal government should not be in the business of funding education or setting standards for the states to meet. Each state should oversee its own educational institutions. American citizens should not send money to Washington, DC to have it redistributed as the federal Department of Education deems appropriate.

On Energy & Oil: No credible evidence that CO2 affects global climate

A: No. The Earth's climate has always varied substantially as demonstrated by pre-industrial human records and natural evidence. There is no doubt that human activity can change local conditions, but on a global scale natural processes including variations in solar output and ocean currents control climatic conditions. There is no credible scientific evidence that greenhouse gas atmospheric concentrations, including carbon dioxide, affect global climate. I oppose regulating greenhouse gases. Doing so will significantly increase energy prices and keep more people in poverty.

On Government Reform: First Amendment includes campaign spending

A: No. The First Amendment prohibits any infringement on free speech. People have the right to spend their own money as they wish to support political campaigns. Corporations and unions should be able to make direct and indirect contributions to campaigns. However, those contributions and the identities of the entities receiving them must be disclosed. No corporate or union funds derived from union dues or other payments compulsory as a condition of employment should be eligible as a source of direct or indirect campaign contributions.

On Homeland Security: Smart defense reductions; don't jeopardize national security

A: Yes.

Q: Do you support an income tax increase on any tax bracket?

A: No.

Q: Do you support reducing Medicaid spending?

A: Yes.

Q: Do you support reducing Medicare spending?

A: Yes.

Q: Is balancing the budget a legislative priority?

A: Yes. We must balance our national budget. Our debt is unsustainable, jeopardizing our ability to attract capital needed to expand our economy and create jobs. Politicians often get re-elected by making promises which can't be kept. However, retired people and those nearing retirement have counted upon these promises. Therefore, people 55 or older should be protected from benefit reductions. I support smart reductions in defense spending that don't jeopardize national security.

On Immigration: Secure the borders to stop movement of narcotics and slaves

A: No.

Q: Do you support the enforcement of federal immigration law by state and local police?

A: Yes. The laws of the US must be enforced unless they are changed by legislative process. We must secure the borders of the United States so that illegal movement of persons, narcotics, slaves and weapons across the border is stopped.

On Social Security: Give younger people option of personal retirement accounts

A: Yes. The Social Security system is on an unsustainable financial trajectory. Funds people have paid into the Social Security "trust fund" have be raided to support government spending and replaced by IOUs. For people 55 and older the current social security system should be preserved and deliver the benefits people were promised and planned to receive. However, younger people should have the option of opting out of the social security system and assuming the risk of diverting social security taxes (up to 100%) into personal retirement accounts.

On Tax Reform: High taxes inhibit economic growth and job creation

A: No.

Q: Do you support the temporary extension of unemployment benefits?

A: No.

Q: Do you support the 2010 temporary extension of tax relief?

A: Yes. Private capital investment drives economic growth and job creation. Free markets weed out businesses the public is unwilling to support but money-losing, government-supported businesses can and do persist indefinitely. The federal government has nothing at risk when it "invests" tax payer money. When offering subsidies, tax incentives and loan guarantees the government inappropriately chooses winners and losers. The Obama Administration's economic policies have inhibited recovery from the recession that began in 2007. I support extension of the 2010 tax relief and making the tax cuts permanent because high taxes inhibit economic growth and job creation.

On War & Peace: Don't set timetables for withdrawal from any conflict

A: Yes.

Q: Do you support a timetable for withdrawal from Afghanistan?

A: No. Afghanistan has historically been a haven for Islamic terrorists planning attacks on the U.S. and its allies. I support intelligence gathering and counter-terrorist operations as necessary to protect the national security of the United States. I do not support setting timetables for withdrawal from any conflict. Setting a deadline communicates to our enemies how long it will take to outlast us and essentially ensures defeat for the United States.

On War & Peace: Military force OK to prevent Iranian nukes

A: Yes. Terrorists should have no safe havens where they may organize and prepare for attacks against the United States, its armed forces and American citizens living or traveling abroad. U.S. military commanders need rules of engagement that allow them to immediately and appropriately respond to threats. Iranian nuclear weapons would further destabilize the Middle East and pose a threat to the entire world. The U.S. and its allies should use military force as needed to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons capability for its own use or for equipping terrorists.