Patrick Morrisey in 2018 WV Senate race
On Abortion:
Overturn Roe v Wade; stop the pro-abortion agenda
Q: Abortion: Mostly ban or mostly legal?Joe Manchin (D): Mostly ban. Lifelong abortion opponent, but recognizes that Americans are divided on this. Voted for bill prohibiting abortions after 20 weeks & opposes any public funding.
Patrick Morrisey
(R): Ban. Overturn Roe v Wade, stop "the pro-abortion agenda" in Congress & legislate nationwide restrictions similar to WV's.
Q: Allow employers to withhold contraceptive coverage from employees if disagree with it morally?
Joe Manchin (D): Yes.
Voted for bill to reverse ACA mandate for contraceptive coverage in order to safeguard religious liberty.
Patrick Morrisey (R): Yes. Strong advocate for religious liberty.
Q: Allow Planned Parenthood to receive public funds for non-abortion health
services?
Joe Manchin (D): Yes. No abortion funding, but committed to "helping women get vital health services, like cancer screenings & preventive care."
Patrick Morrisey (R): No. "Has opposed all taxpayer funding of Planned Parenthood."
Source: 2018 CampusElect Issue Guide on West Virginia Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
On Energy & Oil:
Led states suing to overturn Obama Clean Power Plan
Q: Consider climate change a critical threat?Joe Manchin (D): Yes. "I believe climate change is real, & that the more than 7 billion people living on this Earth have contributed to its warming,"
Patrick Morrisey (R):
No. "There are many factors involved in the evolution of the earth's temperature."
Q: Limit or tax production of greenhouse gases? Support renewable energy?
Joe Manchin (D):
No to regulating greenhouse gases: "No one is going to stop using fossil [fuels] for a long time." But required WV utilities to get 25% of energy from renewable sources by 2025.
Patrick Morrisey (R): No to regulating greenhouse gases.
Led states suing to overturn Obama Clean Power Plan. Opposed renewable energy mandate in ad against a primary opponent.
Source: 2018 CampusElect Issue Guide on West Virginia Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
On Families & Children:
Disappointed with legalization of gay marriage
Q: Support gay miarriage?Joe Manchin (D): Opposes personally, but accepts as settled law.
Patrick Morrisey (R): No. "Disappointed" with legalization.
Source: 2018 CampusElect Issue Guide on West Virginia Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
On Free Trade:
Supports tariffs on China to gain negotiating leverage
Q: Support President Trump's imposition of tariffs on Chinese steel & other products?Joe Manchin (D): Yes. Supports the tariffs 100%. Historically, trade deals have not been good for WV.
Patrick Morrisey (R): Milder support: "The President is.trying to gain a little negotiating leverage. That's not a bad thing."
Source: 2018 CampusElect Issue Guide on West Virginia Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
On Gun Control:
Keep Washington liberal gun grabbers off our guns
Q: Support more restrictive gun control legislation? Restrict semi-automatic weapons?Joe Manchin (D): Opposes restrictions in most areas. Opposed banning semi-automatic weapons, but supports background
checks for gun show or internet sales.
Patrick Morrisey (R): No. Will keep hands of "gun grabbers" & "Washington liberals" off of American guns. A+ rating from NRA.
Source: 2018 CampusElect Issue Guide on West Virginia Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
On Health Care:
Sued to end coverage of preexisting conditions
Q: Support or Repeal Affordable Care Act (ACA), known as ObamaCare?Joe Manchin (D): Needs improvement, but supports its preventive care, protections for pre-existing conditions, costs of prescription drugs, & support to fight opioid epidemic.
Unacceptable to go back to when 250,000 West Virginians went without healthcare.
Patrick Morrisey (R): Repeal. Joined lawsuit that would end coverage of preexisting conditions. ACA has "utterly failed our country & West Virginia,"
causing higher insurance premiums, & leading businesses to drop health care coverage altogether.
Q: Should the Federal government support miners' pensions & health care when companies go bankrupt?
Joe Manchin (D):
Yes. Spearheaded bill to fund health care benefits & pensions for union miners.
Patrick Morrisey (R): No statement found.
Source: 2018 CampusElect Issue Guide on West Virginia Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
On Immigration:
Lax immigration laws pose a security risk to our homeland
Q: Support DREAM Act (DACA), allowing "Dreamers" who arrived illegally as children, to achieve legal status if meet certain conditions?Joe Manchin (D): Yes. Member of bipartisan group who proposed legislation to give Dreamers path to citizenship
while allocating $25 billion for border security.
Patrick Morrisey (R): No. "Lax immigration laws pose a security risk to our homeland." Joined lawsuit against DACA, calling it an unlawful, unilateral Obama action.
Source: 2018 CampusElect Issue Guide on West Virginia Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
On Social Security:
Reforms to keep Social Security & Medicare solvent
Q: Support full or partial privatization of Social Security?Joe Manchin (D): No. Supports expansion.
Patrick Morrisey (R):
Unclear. "Consider reforms to keep Social Security & Medicare solvent," but "not make changes that would negatively impact retirees."
Source: 2018 CampusElect Issue Guide on West Virginia Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
On Tax Reform:
Trump tax cuts mean West Virginians receive bonuses & raises
Q: Support President Trump's tax cuts?Joe Manchin (D): No. "The corporations get the greatest cuts, the wealthiest get the greatest benefits.The people that get the least amount.are the people that needed it the most"
Patrick Morrisey (R): Yes. "As a result, West Virginia families are seeing more money in their pockets, unemployment rates continue to drop, & many hardworking West Virginians are receiving bonuses & pay raises."
Source: 2018 CampusElect Issue Guide on West Virginia Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
On Technology:
Supports infrastructure investment
Q: Support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth?Joe Manchin (D): Yes. Supports infrastructure investment.
Patrick Morrisey (R): Yes. Supports infrastructure investment.
Source: 2018 CampusElect Issue Guide on West Virginia Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
On War & Peace:
Withdraw from Iranian nuclear treaty
Q: Iran: Support Trump's withdrawal from treaty limiting Iran's nuclear capability?Joe Manchin (D): Yes.
Patrick Morrisey (R): Yes.
Source: 2018 CampusElect Issue Guide on West Virginia Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
On Crime:
More funding, more equipment, more hiring for state police
- @MorriseyWV on Feb 15: WV badly erred when it failed to fund state police trooper classes. While that is now being remedied in the short term (thank you) the broader crisis regarding lack of enforcement personnel needs to be addressed.
I call on the Speaker to focus on this and help save lives.
- @MorriseyWV on Feb 15: WV isn't doing enough to stop drug abuse. It's time @wvlegislature agrees to an enforcement surge and equips
State Police, prosecutors, and AG with more investigators, prosecutors, and troopers. No midnight highway patrols to go after drug dealers?
It's literally criminal. #wvag
- @MorriseyWV on Feb 17: It may be a very busy week for the AG's office enforcing the laws of our state. I urge everyone to follow the law--no one is above the law. Do the right thing!
Source: Twitter posting on 2018 West Virginia Senate race
Feb 18, 2018
On Environment:
EPA exceeds its authority on Clean Water & Cross-State Air
Morrisey has filed many amicus briefs challenging the EPA:- American Farm Bureau v. EPA: On Sept. 13, 2013, the US District Court said that the EPA had the authority under the Clean Water Act to impose a total maximum daily load (TMDL) standard
for pollutants. This is contrary to the argument by Morrisey's amicus brief which said that the "EPA's overreach in the Chesapeake Bay TMDL infringes states' traditional rights the Clean Water Act intended to protect."
- Mingo Logan Coal v. EPA:
On March 24, 2014, the Supreme Court rejected the argument in Morrisey's brief which said that the "EPA unlawfully vetoed permits issued by the US Army Corps of Engineers."
- Homer City v. EPA: On April 29, 2014, the Supreme Court said the EPA's Cross-
State Air Pollution Rule was a cost-effective allocation of emission reductions among upwind States. The Court rejected Morrisey's brief which claimed that the "EPA exceeded its authority when it promulgated the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule."
Source: Wikipedia on 2018 West Virginia Senate race
Feb 18, 2018
On Drugs:
Fight opioid epidemic with criminal prosecutions & education
West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey announced the rollout of his second "Kids Kick Opioids" public service announcement contest."Our last contest was a reminder that some of the youngest victims of the opioid epidemic can be found in
classrooms across West Virginia," Attorney General Morrisey said. "By addressing the negative consequences of drug use now, we hope to deter the continued growth of this crisis and provide a better future for these children."
Nearly 900 West Virginians lost their lives to a drug overdose in 2016, many of which were opioid related. Reversing this trend has been a top priority for Attorney General Patrick Morrisey. He has fought the epidemic on multiple fronts with criminal
prosecutions, increased funding, civil litigation, multi-state initiatives, new technology, engagement with the faith-based community and education.
Source: Mineral Daily News Tribune on 2018 West Virginia Senate race
Feb 16, 2018
On Energy & Oil:
Fought against clean power rules
The Senate Conservatives Fund on Wednesday endorsed West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey's bid for the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate.The group cited the way Morrisey fought against the Obama administration's clean power rules
and defended the nation's immigration laws.
"Patrick Morrisey is a full-spectrum conservative who will fight for limited government, economic freedom, and personal responsibility in the US Senate," said the president of the Senate Conservatives Fund
Source: Washington Times on 2018 West Virginia Senate race
Jan 24, 2018
On Abortion:
Overturn Roe v. Wade
One hundred percent pro-life, Morrisey's advocacy helped lead to passage of the Pain-Capable law in West Virginia. Morrisey believes that government has a duty to protect innocent life and supports overturning Roe v. Wade.
He opposes taxpayer funding for Planned Parenthood, and has pushed the state legislature and Congress to end funding to this organization.
Source: 2018 West Virginia Senatorial website PatrickMorrisey.com
Oct 1, 2017
On Crime:
Tougher sentences for drug kingpins
Morrisey created the state's first ever substance abuse fighting unit, and his office reached the largest settlement with pharmaceutical distributors in the state's history. He also ramped up the state's educational efforts to fight substance abuse. He w
Source: 2018 West Virginia Senatorial website PatrickMorrisey.com
Oct 1, 2017
On Environment:
Led coalition against "Clean Power Plan"
Since becoming Attorney General, Morrisey has assembled a long list of conservative accomplishments. He quickly developed a reputation as a "go-to" leader against President Obama's unlawful and radical agenda.
He led a 27-state coalition in securing an unprecedented win against Obama's EPA and his so-called "Clean Power Plan" at the U.S. Supreme Court, saving many coal miners' jobs.
Source: 2018 West Virginia Senatorial website PatrickMorrisey.com
Oct 1, 2017
On Foreign Policy:
America must assert its interests
Maintaining a strong national defense is essential to preserving American exceptionalism and freedom. The world is growing increasingly dangerous, and our security interests must focus on pressing threats,
including, but not limited to, eliminating ISIS and stopping the development of the North Korea and Iran nuclear programs.
Source: 2018 West Virginia Senatorial website PatrickMorrisey.com
Oct 1, 2017
On Gun Control:
Fights the "gun grabbers"
A strong defender of the Second Amendment, Morrisey has earned A+ ratings from the NRA and the West Virginia Citizen's Defense League.
He has secured dozens of gun reciprocity agreements with other states to expand West Virginians' rights, and he took on the gun grabbers in court.
Source: 2018 West Virginia Senatorial website PatrickMorrisey.com
Oct 1, 2017
On Immigration:
Aggressive efforts against illegal immigration
The country's lax immigration laws pose a security risk to our homeland. Morrisey successfully filed suit against the Obama amnesty program and opposes sanctuary cities. He believes we need a comprehensive plan to tackle illegal immigration and
protect our country, including more aggressive efforts to track the flow of visitors; building a wall; establishing more thorough vetting of security risks, and pushing greater coordination between law enforcement agencies.
Source: 2018 West Virginia Senatorial website PatrickMorrisey.com
Oct 1, 2017
On Tax Reform:
Favors a flat tax
The current tax system is riddled with loopholes that rewards politically connected corporations at the expense of hardworking taxpayers and small business owners.
A simpler, flatter tax system will kick-start economic growth and empower entrepreneurs to create new businesses and hire new employees.
Source: 2018 West Virginia Senatorial website PatrickMorrisey.com
Oct 1, 2017
On Technology:
Improving infrastructure a must
Morrisey believes West Virginia must continue to invest in its infrastructure to meet the needs of its citizens and businesses. For West Virginia to reach its potential,
it must improve its roads, bridges, dams, and high-speed internet capacity. As U.S. Senator, he will promote the state and encourage new private sector companies to locate here.
Source: 2018 West Virginia Senatorial website PatrickMorrisey.com
Oct 1, 2017
On Drugs:
Opioids: we're losing a generation of people to despair
The battle against opioids in West Virginia -- the state with the country's highest rate of fatal overdoses -- is being fought on many fronts."What's happening in West Virginia right now is that we're losing a generation of people to despair," said
Patrick Morrisey, West Virginia's attorney general.
In the last five months Morrisey has implemented new statewide prescription guidelines. He's moved forward with a lawsuit he inherited from his predecessor against eleven major drug distributors.
But the fight against opioids in West Virginia is complex, as one look at
Morrisey's career path makes plain [because as a private lawyer, he lobbied for pharmaceutical distributors].
Source: CBS News on 2018 West Virginia Senate race
Jun 2, 2016
On Health Care:
Was lobbyist for pharmaceutical distributors; wife still is
The fight against [prescription pill over-distribution] is complex, as one look at Morrisey's career path makes plain: "In my past practice I was the co-chair of a large healthcare pharmaceutical practice. I had worked on Capitol Hill before. So I've
done a lot of compliance work, regulatory work," Morrisey said.We asked, "From 2010-12 were you lobbying on behalf of pharmaceutical distributors?"
"Well I was a private lawyer and we did do some lobbying work," Morrisey explained.
As a lobbyist,
Morrisey was paid $250,000 to represent a pharmaceutical trade group funded by some of the same distributors WV is now suing. He also took more than $8,000 in political contributions from Cardinal Health, a defendant in one of the state's lawsuits. The
WV bar was concerned enough about a potential conflict to launch an investigation. Morrisey says he is now "permanently screened" from the case. That didn't end the questions. Morrisey's wife is a lobbyist. One of her biggest clients? Cardinal Health.
Source: CBS News on 2018 West Virginia Senate race
Jun 2, 2016
On Civil Rights:
Disappointed with gay marriage legalization
Morrisey was against the ruling saying he was "very disappointed" and that the decision was no surprise to him. "States should be able to define marriage, that's always been my position," said Morrisey. "At the end of the day,
you cannot deprive people the opportunity to debate issues themselves. Having unelected judges usurp the people's voice is really problematic."
Source: W.V. Metro News on 2018 West Virginia Senate race
Jun 26, 2015
Page last updated: Jan 03, 2020