State of Indiana Archives: on Homeland Security


Mike Braun: We need increased military to protect our interests abroad

From North Korea to Russia, despots and dictators are increasing instability and danger throughout the world. To combat the rising tide of uncertainty, a strong American military is needed more than ever before. Mike Braun supports making sure our troops have the tools and equipment they need to protect America's interests abroad and defeat ISIS terrorists where they live.
Source: 2018 Indiana Senate campaign website MikeBraunForIndiana.com May 3, 2018

Andrew Straw: We spend too much on the military now

Q: Do you agree or disagree with the statement, "Expand the military"?

A: Oppose. We spend too much on the military now. This money should be shifted to scientific and medical research. Family of veterans should be compensated and given full health coverage when they are poisoned by bases, such as happened with Camp LeJeune, NC, and other military bases.

Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Indiana Senate candidate Feb 28, 2018

Mike Braun: North Korea & Russian dangers require strong US military

From North Korea to Russia, despots and dictators are increasing instability and danger throughout the world. To combat the rising tide of uncertainty, a strong American military is needed more than ever before. Mike Braun supports making sure our troops have the tools and equipment they need to protect America's interests abroad and defeat ISIS terrorists where they live.
Source: 2018 Indiana Senate campaign website MikeBraunForIndiana.com Feb 3, 2018

Mark Hurt: Increase high tech weapons

Hurt would like to see targeted and strategic increased spending on technologically advanced military weapons systems, and believes issues such as border security on both northern and southern borders should include the expansion of the use of sensors and satellite technologies, now in use in Israel, which can better defend those areas from tunnels and provide surveillance for meandering rivers which flow miles in and miles from the fluid U.S. border.
Source: 2018 Indiana Senatorial website MarkHurt.com Oct 15, 2017

Todd Rokita: Project American power around the world to deter aggression

Our soldiers need to be well-prepared to deter, and if necessary, destroy all enemies, whether they threaten us at home or abroad. We need a Navy and Air Force capable of projecting American power around the world to deter aggression. However, we should be as selective as possible before engaging on foreign ground knowing that when we do we will not be leaving for a very long time if history is any guide.
Source: 2018 Indiana Senatorial website ToddRokita.com Oct 1, 2017

Mark Hurt: Could support transgender military ban

About Trump's executive order banning transgender people from the military, Hurt said he will support the ban if Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and others determine the presence of transgender military troops "negatively impacts our military preparedness, our military readiness." "I have no problem with the recommendation" to ban transgender military members, added Hurt, noting that he originally supported the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy when Bill Clinton was president.
Source: The Kokomo Tribune on 2018 Indiana Senate race Sep 1, 2017

Mark Hurt: Strategic increased spending on military weapons systems

Hurt spoke strongly about the need for more active duty military personnel, a better focus and enhanced resources for reservists and National Guardsmen, and unwavering support for veterans who have served the United States.

Hurt would like to see targeted and strategic increased spending on technologically advanced military weapons systems, and believes issues such as border security on both northern and southern borders should include the expansion of the use of sensors and satellite technologies, now in use in Israel, which can better defend those areas from tunnels and provide surveillance for meandering rivers which flow miles in and miles from the fluid U.S. border.

Source: 2018 Indiana Senate race website, MarkHurt.org Mar 3, 2017

Mark Hurt: Work with countries like Russia & comprehensively fight ISIS

Hurt, who earned a Master Degree focused on international relations from Baylor University, noted that America must maintain peace through strength & work with countries like Russia, in a more comprehensive and targeted plan to fight against terrorism.

He envisions our having a unique opportunity to work with such countries to eliminate ISIS in the Middle East and Northern Africa. Hurt encourages renegotiation of the Iranian Nuclear Agreement that is not a treaty under US or international law.

Source: 2018 Indiana Senate race website, MarkHurt.org Mar 3, 2017

Jim Banks: Rebuild American greatness; make our military mighty again

A strong national defense is a deterrent to those who seek to do us and our allies harm, yet the current administration in Washington has done more to weaken our military and our reputation of might & strength than any administration in modern history. Jim Banks is uniquely qualified to serve as our next Congressman and work toward rebuilding American greatness at home and abroad, making our military mighty again and projecting strength rather than weakness to our enemies.

As our national defense becomes increasingly reliant on the reserves and the guard to supplant the full-time military, policymakers who understand the toll that additional reliance takes on their personnel, their families and their employers are critical if rational policy decisions can be expected from Washington, D.C.

Source: 2016 Indiana House campaign website JimBanks.us Nov 8, 2016

Eddie Melton: Ensure access to veterans' resources and benefits

Source: Ballotpedia.org Connection: 2020 Indiana Governor race Nov 1, 2016

John Gregg: Increase federal vet benefits by 10%, plus state services

Source: 2016 Indiana governor campaign website GreggForGovernor.com Aug 31, 2016

Mike Pence: Supported expanding benefits and opportunities for veterans

Pence signed more than a dozen bills he says will expand benefits and opportunities for Indiana's military servicemembers and veterans. [One veteran's spokesperson], who led the Indiana National Guard for 11 years, says he's particularly pleased with one that expands the Military Family Relief Fund. That program was originally created to help post-9/11 veterans pay food, housing, utility, transportation and medical bills. Umbarger says the legislation extends that help to all veterans.
Source: WFYI news "Pence Signs 13 Bills," 2016 Indiana Governor race Mar 22, 2016

Eric Holcomb: Peace through strength, not peace through hope

I support peace through strength and believe that doctrine will make America safer, stronger and freer. In fact, when I served in the United States Navy we had a president who pursued that strategy, put together a coalition of willing nations to justly halt a territorial grab in the heart of the Middle East and brought a swift conclusion to Desert Storm.

Today, we aren't so fortunate to have that type of leadership. From Russia to Iran to ISIS, our current foreign policy is focused on peace through hope. Our commander-in-chief is more interested, it seems, in polishing his Nobel Peace Prize than providing American leadership around the globe, and the void has been filled by others with ill intentions. In order to combat these threats, we must attract, train and equip the best fighting force the world will ever know and honor our commitment to the veterans who already have given so much.

Source: Holcomb's Kokomo Tribune OpEd on 2016 Indiana Senate race Jul 9, 2015

Richard Lugar: So-authored nuclear nonproliferation program 20 years ago

A majority of the debate questions focused more on foreign policy and national security--Lugar's specialty as ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He frequently touted his nuclear nonproliferation program-- co-authored 20 years ago with then-Sen. Sam Nunn (a Democrat)--the Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction (CTR) nonproliferation program following the Cold War.
Source: RealClearPoitics.com coverage of 2012 Indiana Senate debates Apr 12, 2012

Joe Donnelly: Focus on fiscal discipline and strong national security

In 2006, Donnelly was elected to U.S. Congress to represent Indiana's 2nd District. He is currently serving his third term after being reelected in 2008 and 2010. He is a member of the Blue Dog Coalition which promotes a moderate agenda that includes fiscal discipline and strong national security. Joe also serves on two important committees that help meet the diverse needs of Indiana's 2nd District: Financial Services and Veteran's Affairs.
Source: 2012 Senate campaign website www.joeforindiana.com, "Issues" Jul 16, 2011

Mike Pence: Use military tribunals to try suspected terrorists

Q: Do you support using military tribunals to try suspected terrorists when ordinary civilian courts are deemed inappropriate or impractical?

A: Yes.

Q: Should law enforcement agencies have greater discretion to monitor domestic communications, to prevent future terrorist attacks?

A: "Greater discretion" is too broad in determining the balance between civil liberties and national security. Specifics are necessary.

Q: Do you support pre-emptive military strikes against countries deemed to be a threat to United States national security?

A: Again, the question on pre-emptive strikes cannot be answered without addressing the nature of the "threat".

Source: Congressional Indiana 2008 Political Courage Test Nov 1, 2008

  • The above quotations are from State of Indiana Politicians: Archives.
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2020 Presidential contenders on Homeland Security:
  Democrats running for President:
Sen.Michael Bennet (D-CO)
V.P.Joe Biden (D-DE)
Mayor Mike Bloomberg (I-NYC)
Gov.Steve Bullock (D-MT)
Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D-IN)
Sen.Cory Booker (D-NJ)
Secy.Julian Castro (D-TX)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Rep.John Delaney (D-MD)
Rep.Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI)
Sen.Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
Gov.Deval Patrick (D-MA)
Sen.Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
CEO Tom Steyer (D-CA)
Sen.Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)
Marianne Williamson (D-CA)
CEO Andrew Yang (D-NY)

2020 Third Party Candidates:
Rep.Justin Amash (L-MI)
CEO Don Blankenship (C-WV)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Howie Hawkins (G-NY)
Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM)
Howard Schultz(I-WA)
Gov.Jesse Ventura (I-MN)
Republicans running for President:
Sen.Ted Cruz(R-TX)
Gov.Larry Hogan (R-MD)
Gov.John Kasich(R-OH)
V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN)
Gov.Mark Sanford (R-SC)
Pres.Donald Trump(R-NY)
Rep.Joe Walsh (R-IL)
Gov.Bill Weld(R-MA & L-NY)

2020 Withdrawn Democratic Candidates:
Sen.Stacey Abrams (D-GA)
Mayor Bill de Blasio (D-NYC)
Sen.Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
Sen.Mike Gravel (D-AK)
Sen.Kamala Harris (D-CA)
Gov.John Hickenlooper (D-CO)
Gov.Jay Inslee (D-WA)
Mayor Wayne Messam (D-FL)
Rep.Seth Moulton (D-MA)
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