Luke Messer in 2018 IN Senate race

On Social Security: Use Social Security to restrict aid to illegal immigrants

Billions of dollars in refundable tax credits are paid to immigrants through a loophole. Child Tax Credits can be claimed without a Social Security Number by using an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, which is issued to individuals regardless of immigration status. To close this senseless loophole and protect U.S. taxpayers, I filed legislation that would require individuals to have a Social Security Number valid for employment before they can claim the Child Tax Credit. Source: The Star Press on 2018 Indiana Senatorial race Oct 28, 2017

On Social Security: Let retirees earn more

We're working on legislation that would double the allowance for those who happen to receive Social Security. Essentially, if you take Social Security and you hit the earnings imitations, then you're taxed on that. Right now, we have a workforce shortage, we need to encourage people to stay in the workforce as long as they want to. To me, it's a commonsense way to help grow the economy and to encourage people to stay active. Source: The Star Press on 2018 Indiana Senate race Sep 21, 2017

On Tax Reform: Tax cuts should lead to growth

I believe the American people deserve a pay raise and one of the clearest ways to do that is major tax reform. The best way to make sure it doesn't (add to the deficit) is to pass a tax plan that leads to significant economic growth. I am leery of the sort of Washington talk about "paid for" tax cuts because in my experience, the only tax cuts that have been paid for are tax cuts that lead to dramatic economic growth. Source: The Star Press on 2018 Indiana Senate race Sep 21, 2017

On War & Peace: Get tough with North Korea

America cannot accept North Korea having the capability of bringing nuclear weapons to our shores. We must make the hard choices that it will take to ensure that result. We need to make it clear that it is not OK to do business with North Korea. [We] could look at broader efforts such as a full oil embargo of North Korea, which would require international cooperation, and we need to look at military options, too, which starts first and foremost with further development in missile defense. Source: The Star Press on 2018 Indiana Senate race Sep 21, 2017

On Free Trade: Free trade pacts haven't led to free trade

On fair trade: "You farmers know the difference between 'free' trade and 'fair' trade because you see it everyday," Messer said. "We need trade and it leads to prosperity but there are flaws in the way we've conducted trade policy the last few decades." Many of the agreements in place haven't been enforced, which has left many foreign markets closed to U.S. goods, he explained. Some of the most protectionist policies around the world are ag policies. Source: Connersville News Examiner on 2018 Indiana Senatorial race Mar 13, 2016

On Health Care: ObamaCare bad for middle class

We need to keep our promise to repeal ObamaCare... and the number one reason we need to keep that promise is because ObamaCare has been bad for middle class families. Source: Facebook posting on 2018 Indiana Senate race Oct 3, 2010

The above quotations are from 2018 Indiana Senate race: debates and news coverage. Click here for other excerpts from 2018 Indiana Senate race: debates and news coverage. Click here for other excerpts by Luke Messer. Click here for a profile of Luke Messer.
*Luke Messer on other issues:*
Abortion Budget/Economy Civil Rights Corporations Crime Drugs Education Energy/Oil Environment Families Foreign Policy Free Trade	Govt. Reform Gun Control Health Care Homeland Security Immigration Jobs Principles Social Security Tax Reform Technology War/Peace Welfare
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Page last updated: Dec 11, 2018