Elissa Slotkin in 2018 House MI elections


On Energy & Oil: Need a climate change bill that's specific & result-oriented

"Listen, I think we all believe that we need to take aggressive steps to mitigate the effects of climate change," said Slotkin, D-Holly. "But I think when you have something like the Green New Deal, which tends to be about big, bold ideas, instead of specifics, and then adds in other controversial topics like universal health care, and a guaranteed job for all Americans, it makes it less likely that it will pass, not more." "And I want something that is result-oriented."
Source: Detroit Free Press on 2018 Congressional MI-8 election Mar 29, 2019

On Technology: Real federal dollars for infrastructure on roads and water

Q: Is there an accomplishment you have to have--other than health care--in order to earn reelection?

REP.-ELECT ELISSA SLOTKIN: Yeah, we have to move on infrastructure and not just talk about it but actually put money behind it. In Michigan we need once in a generation investment in our infrastructure. Our roads but our water. I live 15 minutes from Flint, Michigan. We have a water issue going on in our state. So, that's a place I think we have real bipartisan opportunity. People have talked the talk and now we need to walk the walk with real federal dollars.

Q: There's all these investigations [of Trump]-will they cloud the big picture on substance?

SLOTKIN: If we can't provide for people and help their pocketbook or their kids, we do not deserve their vote. So we can walk and chew gum, right? We can protect American values and hold accountability for the executive branch. But if we can't do things on health care and infrastructure, we're going to lose people. Especially in the Midwest.

Source: Meet the Press 2018 interviews for Congress MI-8 election Nov 11, 2018

On Free Trade: Discipline China on trade, without hurting American business

Q: Do Pres. Trump's tariffs on China help or hurt?

A: I just don't believe we should be getting into a trade war. We should take strong disciplinary measures against China, without starting a full-fledged trade war that hurts American businesses. So I would prefer we learn the lessons of history. That doesn't mean we let them get away with what they're doing, which is manipulating the global system. But I think there are plenty of other ways that we can punish the Chinese without punishing Americans.

Source: The Oakland Press on 2018 Congressional MI-8 election Oct 22, 2018

On Homeland Security: Supports vets wage bump; but cut Pentagon budget elsewhere

I think that it's important that we keep faith with our veterans. Particularly, a pay increase, to me, is a positive thing. But I will also be honest that it's not that the Pentagon doesn't have places in its budget that it couldn't cut. I know that from the inside. I'm intimately aware of the Pentagon's budget. It needs a full audit, and we need to cut costs wherever we can, just like we do at every agency.
Source: The Oakland Press on 2018 Congressional MI-8 election Oct 22, 2018

On Tax Reform: Make tax bill more equitable, and eliminate loopholes

You do not spend on new things without explaining how you're going to pay for it. So for me, I'm all for tax reform. But I would go and revisit that tax bill, make it a bit more equitable and a bit more fair, particularly on the massive tax breaks that were given to big mega corporations; closing the loopholes so that we don't have companies taking their business offshore and paying no penalty for that; and helping to bring in more revenue into the country with a better and equitable tax bill.
Source: The Oakland Press on 2018 Congressional MI-8 election Oct 22, 2018

On Social Security: Medicare & Social Security: pillars of retirement security

Just like Social Security, Medicare is a pillar of retirement security and needs to be there for retirees now and in the future. If elected, no one will work harder than I will to defend it. But Rep. Mike Bishop and his allies are running baseless attack ads against me about my Medicare position. I'm glad to see another article laying out the facts. Hope you'll take a minute to read and share this new piece about the most recent attack ad.
Source: Facebook posting on 2018 Congressional MI-8 election Oct 16, 2018

On Government Reform: Doesn't accept corporate contributions to her campaign

Key messages: Slotkin emphasized her service in the CIA and said her work for the George W. Bush and Barack Obama national security teams proved she could work across party lines to serve the district's best interest.

Slotkin said she was not beholden to Democratic leaders or corporate special interests. She said she would not support Nancy Pelosi as House Democratic leader or accept corporate contributions to her campaign.

Source: Ballotpedia 2018 Congress MI-8 Key Message election analysis Oct 9, 2018

On Health Care: Support ObamaCare's coverage of pre-existing conditions

Key messages: Slotkin highlighted [GOP opponent Mike] Bishop's support for the House Republican plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. She said her mother's death from ovarian cancer made her dedicated to ensuring coverage of pre-existing conditions and that the Republican plan would have prevented this.
Source: Ballotpedia 2018 Congress MI-8 Key Message election analysis Oct 9, 2018

On Education: Earn-while-you-learn at community colleges

Q: What federal policies do you support to help members of all strata of the American public improve their economic positions?

Elissa Slotkin: Between stagnant wages and rising prices, it's become harder to get ahead. And the very American idea that if you work 40 hours a week and play by the rules, you'll do well and your kids will do better is out of grasp for too many. It doesn't have to be this way; we have vacancies in cyber jobs, advanced manufacturing, and skilled trades. We need to make sure our schools are preparing kids for these jobs. In Congress, I will work to provide federal support for earn-while-you-learn programs at local universities and community colleges to make sure businesses are hiring Michiganders for the best jobs in the state.

Source: League of Women Voters Q&A on 2018 Congress MI-8 election Sep 9, 2018

On Environment: Protecting our Great Lakes must be a top priority

Q: What policies do you support to meet U.S. energy needs while protecting our water, air and land for current and future generations? Explain how those actions or policies would affect the future of the Great Lakes.

Elissa Slotkin: Protecting our Great Lakes, inland waters, and drinking water must be a top priority. As a former national security analyst, I believe we need to think of environmental security the way we do about homeland security: it's about the safety of our kids. If elected, I would help reinvigorate the Great Lakes caucus; push for a comprehensive, ten-year environmental plan for Michigan; and work to manage and mitigate the impact of warming temperatures. Line 5 is decades old, it gets shut down when the waves are too high, and enormous concerns have been raised by Republicans and Democrats--it should be shut down immediately.

Source: League of Women Voters Q&A on 2018 Congress MI-8 election Sep 9, 2018

On Government Reform: We should be making it easier to legally vote, not harder

Q: What federal policies do you support regarding campaign funding and voting rights?

Elissa Slotkin: Political gerrymandering and our current campaign finance laws are two of the clearest factors contributing to political dysfunction today. Much of this can be traced back to the U.S. Supreme Court decision that allowed corporate money to flood into our system through political action committees (PACs). That's why I made a commitment to not accept corporate PAC money, and if elected, I will work on campaign finance reform legislation within my first year in Congress. Voting rights are fundamental to our democracy. We should be making it easier to legally vote, not harder. This should never be a partisan issue.

Source: League of Women Voters Q&A on 2018 Congress MI-8 election Sep 9, 2018

On Health Care: Buy-in to Medicare; then negotiate drug prices

Q: What are your concerns and plans regarding U.S. health care policies and programs, including those affecting maternal and child health?

Elissa Slotkin: Healthcare is our generational challenge to fix. It's also a personal issue for me: my mom died of ovarian cancer after struggling with healthcare her whole life due to her pre-existing condition of breast cancer. While the Affordable Care Act made important strides, it desperately needs reform. One thing I would do is push to create a buy-in to Medicare, which would bring down costs for individuals and provide relief to businesses. The government should have the authority to negotiate drug prices under Medicare, and we must work to curb the predatory price increases we've seen on EpiPens, insulin, and other drugs.

Source: League of Women Voters Q&A on 2018 Congress MI-8 election Sep 9, 2018

On Immigration: Path to citizenship for DREAMers; then comprehensive reform

Q: What are your concerns and plans regarding U.S. immigration policy?

Elissa Slotkin: I believe that immigration is a moral, economic, and national security issue--and right now our immigration system isn't working for anyone. Our elected representatives have failed to address the public outcry for reform. We need to buckle down and pass comprehensive legislation that brings in workers when we need their specific skills; provides a pathway to citizenship to DREAMers; increases border security; and provides safe-haven, as we have since the Founding Fathers, for refugees escaping death in their home countries. And once we pass a comprehensive law, we need to rigorously enforce it.

Source: League of Women Voters Q&A on 2018 Congress MI-8 election Sep 9, 2018

On Technology: Laser-focus on fixing crumbling roads & water infrastructure

Q: PRIORITIES: What are your top three national legislative priorities and how would you address them?

A: I have spent my career protecting our country, and my goal, if elected, is to protect our livelihood here in Michigan. To do that, we must be laser-focused on the issues that impact our pocketbooks and our kids: lowering the cost of healthcare and prescription drugs and fixing our crumbling roads and water infrastructure. But beyond the issues, I have made it a priority to bring a true sense of public service back to our Congress. In my three tours in Iraq, I was never asked about my political party. The only thing that mattered was the mission. I commit to bringing that same mission-focus to Congress.

Source: League of Women Voters Q&A on 2018 Congress MI-8 election Sep 9, 2018

On Gun Control: Believes in the Second Amendment but with background checks

Her family owned guns, and in Iraq she carried a Glock and an M4. She said she believes in the Second Amendment. "That said, I believe that it is clear we need additional comprehensive background checks. Closing all the loopholes so you can't avoid a background check--and making sure we are laser focused so that domestic abusers, terrorists on the terrorist watch list and mentally ill people cannot get them," she said.
Source: Yahoo News (yahoo.com) on 2018 Congressional MI-8 election Jun 9, 2018

On War & Peace: Since Iraq war, Congress has failed to update the 2001 AUMF

"Unfortunately, since the Iraq war, we've seen little action on the part of our elected representatives to truly demand that authority, and to seek to update the authorization of military force (AUMF). Our soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines serving in combat zones today are still largely operating under the 2001 AUMF, aimed at al-Qaeda, because our Congress has backed away from their responsibilities.
Source: Yahoo News (yahoo.com) on 2018 Congressional MI-8 election Jun 9, 2018

On Civil Rights: Important LGBTQ progress must be defended and advanced

[The Human Rights Campaign announced], "We proudly endorse Slotkin's candidacy to represent Michigan's 8th Congressional District, and look forward to working with another pro-equality voice in Congress."

Said Slotkin, "The issue of LQBTQ equality is deeply personal for me: my mother came out in the 1980's and was in a committed same-sex relationship prior to her passing away. There have been important advances for the LGBTQ community in my lifetime, but that progress must be defended--and advanced,"

Source: HRC 2018 endorsements in Congressional MI-8 election Jan 23, 2018

The above quotations are from News coverage of `Blue Wave` 2018 House races in Michigan.
Click here for other excerpts from News coverage of `Blue Wave` 2018 House races in Michigan.
Click here for other excerpts by Elissa Slotkin.
Click here for a profile of Elissa Slotkin.
Please consider a donation to OnTheIssues.org!
Click for details -- or send donations to:
1770 Mass Ave. #630, Cambridge MA 02140
E-mail: submit@OnTheIssues.org
(We rely on your support!)

Page last updated: Dec 01, 2021