State of Texas Archives: on Homeland Security
David Dewhurst:
No blanket cuts to military, but trim back some spending
Both candidates said they wouldn't authorize blanket cuts to the U.S. defense budget to balance the federal budget--but agreed there were areas where even military spending could be trimmed back. They also agreed on the need to expand
energy exploration, with Cruz saying, "unless you are a blithering idiot, that's the right thing to say."
Source: San Francisco Chronicle on 2012 Texas Senate debates
Jun 22, 2012
Elizabeth Ames Jones:
Maintain strong modern military to face dangerous challenges
National defense is a core function of the Federal Government. We must maintain a military capable of meeting the dangerous challenges facing the United States around the globe. Defense must always be a top priority for any Senator from Texas.
A strong, modern military is imperative to keeping Americans safe. I am committed to ensuring that the men and women defending this nation are provided with the resources, equipment and services they need and deserve.
Source: 2012 Senate campaign website, www.jonesfortexas.com
Jul 17, 2011
Jon Roland:
Treat terrorists as pirates; military tribunals ok
Q: Do you support using military tribunals to try suspected terrorists when ordinary civilian courts are deemed inappropriate or impractical? A: Yes. [We should] restore the constitutional militia system. “Terrorists” should be handled as “pirates.”
A: No.
Q: Do you support the creation of a federal identification card system?
A: No.
Source: Texas Congressional Election 2008 Political Courage Test
May 2, 2008
Jon Roland:
More SDI funding & more state homeland security funding
Q: Do you support long-term use of National Guard troops to supplement the armed forces in assignments overseas? A: No.
A: Yes.
Q: Should the federal government increase funding to states and cities for homeland security?
A: Yes.
Q: Should the United States expand its missile defense shield?
A: Yes.
Source: Texas Congressional Election 2008 Political Courage Test
May 2, 2008
Rick Noriega:
Warrantless phone-tapping abandons the Constitution
Q: Would you have voted for the recent amendments to FISA that eliminated the need for a warrant to tap the phones of Americans who talk to foreigners?A: No. John Cornyn and the Congress abandoned the Constitution in removing supervision of the
FISA Court over surveillance of communications. We have seen more and more authority switch to the executive branch. There must be checks and balances. There must be judicial review of surveillance and FISA to protect American civil liberties.
Source: Democracy for Texas Questionnaire Response
Mar 1, 2008
Barack Obama:
Unacceptable to have veterans drive 250 miles to a hospital
The incredible burden that has been placed on the American people, starting with military families, and the fact that we still are not doing right by our veterans, that we still don’t honor their service, that there are still homeless veterans, that we
still don’t screen properly for post-traumatic stress disorder and make sure that they’re getting mental services that they need, that we are still having veterans in south Texas have to drive 250 miles to access a veterans hospital. That’s unacceptable.
Source: 2008 Democratic debate at University of Texas in Austin
Feb 21, 2008
George W. Bush:
US military is key to preserving world peace
Outside of America’s borders the world is a freer and safer place [than when we grew up]. We must always remember the importance of a strong military, a strong United States of America, to preserve world peace.
Source: Powell Lecture Series, Texas A&M Univ.
Apr 6, 1998
Page last updated: Jan 31, 2013