Cindy Hyde-Smith in State of Mississippi Archives
On Education:
Supported federal grants to rural charter schools
Q: Use public funding to send children to private schools?Cindy Hyde-Smith: Yes. Supported bill to expand federal grant funding for charter schools in rural areas.
Mike Espy: No. Does not oppose charter or private schools but says public funds should be reserved for public schools.
Source: CampusElect on 2020 Mississippi Senate race
Oct 10, 2020
On Energy & Oil:
Voted to repeal the Clean Power Plan
Q: Consider human-caused climate change a serious threat?Cindy Hyde-Smith: No. Voted to repeal the Clean Power Plan, which established carbon dioxide emission guidelines for existing power plants.
Mike Espy: Yes. "It's beyond time we get serious about tackling climate change and preventing the worst possible effects of the climate crisis."
Source: CampusElect on 2020 Mississippi Senate race
Oct 10, 2020
On Immigration:
No to DACA, breaking immigration laws has consequences
Q: Create path to citizenship for "DACA" participants brought to the U.S. as children?Cindy Hyde-Smith: No. Regarding DACA, says, "there must be consequences for breaking our immigration laws." Supports Trump's plans to build a wall on southwestern
border and to increase funding to enforce U.S. immigration laws.
Mike Espy: Yes. Says they should be allowed to stay in the country "because it is the only place they've ever known." Border wall cost can't be justified.
Source: CampusElect on 2020 Mississippi Senate race
Oct 10, 2020
On Jobs:
Leave wage policies to state and local leaders
Q: Raise federal hourly minimum wage?Cindy Hyde-Smith: No. Says state and local leaders are best suited to determine wage policies.
Mike Espy: Yes. Supports a $15-per-hour minimum wage.
Source: CampusElect on 2020 Mississippi Senate race
Oct 10, 2020
On Government Reform:
Reverse one-size-fits-all rules on livestock haulers
Hyde-Smith has cosponsored legislation to make regulatory changes for livestock haulers, who face strict rules regarding electronic monitoring and hours of service. The Transporting Livestock Across America Safely Act (S.2938) would require the
U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to change its rule mandating rest time for livestock haulers,
which would put livestock at risk during summer and winter months. "The 150-mile limit and mandatory rest time regulations are out of touch with the realities of transporting livestock.
They are another example of the government making the mistake of trying to impose one-size-fits all regulations," said Hyde-Smith, who serves on the Senate Agriculture Committee.
Source: Senate press release on 2020 Mississippi Senate campaign
Jun 27, 2019
On Technology:
Favors regulation of lab grown meat products
Hyde-Smith introduced the Cell-Cultured Meat and Poultry Regulation Act of 2019 that would codify the responsibilities of the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) and the
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) over food products grown in laboratories from animal cell cultures. "Our federal food safety laws need to be updated to address the scientific effort to create imitation meat in laboratories," said
Hyde-Smith. "American consumers deserve to know the food they eat is unadulterated, wholesome, and properly labeled,
and the federal agencies responsible for these guarantees deserve clear direction from Congress over jurisdiction.
Source: News Mississippi NewsMS.FM on 2020 Mississippi Senate race
Apr 14, 2019
On Crime:
Voted for First Step Act, bipartisan criminal justice reform
Hyde-Smith voted in favor of bipartisan criminal justice legislation aimed at reducing inmate recidivism and reforming federal sentencing guidelines. The First Step Act of 2018 (S.3649) would authorize programs to reduce the risk of prisoners committing
new crimes after leaving prison. Hyde-Smith said, "Prisoners, who have a low risk of recidivism, may use this bill to earn an earlier release, but only after meeting criteria that can help them lead productive lives after their incarceration."
Source: Senate press release on 2020 Mississippi Senate campaign
Dec 19, 2018
On Education:
Revise Obama big-government rules on US waters
The EPA has proposed a revised definition of the "Waters of the United States", specifically what waters the federal government can and cannot regulate. "President Trump has made an intensive effort to roll back Obama's big-government regulations, the
worst of which was the Waters of the United States rule," said Hyde-Smith. "That rule was the poster child for overreaching bureaucrats giving the federal government far-reaching powers over individual landowners."
Source: News Mississippi NewsMS.FM on 2020 Mississippi Senate race
Dec 13, 2018
On Principles & Values:
Promoted resolution celebrating Confederacy
Mississippi Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith once promoted a measure that praised a Confederate soldier's effort to "defend his homeland" and pushed a revisionist view of the Civil War. As a state senator in 2007, Hyde-Smith cosponsored a resolution that honored
then-92-year-old Effie Lucille Nicholson Pharr, calling her "the last known living 'Real Daughter' of the Confederacy living in Mississippi."
Pharr's father had been a Confederate soldier in Robert E. Lee's army in the Civil War. The resolution refers to the Civil War as "The War Between the States." It says her father "fought to defend his homeland and contributed to the rebuilding of the
country." It says that with "great pride," Mississippi lawmakers "join the Sons of Confederate Veterans" to honor Pharr. The concurrent resolution was approved by Mississippi's House and Senate.
Source: CNN KFile on 2018 Mississippi Senate race
Nov 26, 2018
On Health Care:
Against ObamaCare; but sought ObamaCare funding
Hyde-Smith said during her debate against Mike Espy, "You know, ObamaCare is the worst thing that happened to us." Hyde-Smith repeated her intent to "end" the law.As a state lawmaker, she produced a report recommending that noted that
Mississippi "had not taken full advantage of more than $22 billion in federal project grant funds made available to states, local governments, and other entities through the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act."
Source: The Intercept on 2020 Mississippi Senate race
Nov 21, 2018
On Drugs:
Mississippi to get $7.5 million to fight opioid abuse
Hyde-Smith announced that Mississippi is in line to receive another $7.5 million in federal funding to address opioid abuse prevention and recovery work initiatives. "This funding will allow Mississippi to more effectively respond to opioid abuse,"
Hyde-Smith said. "These drugs are dangerous and the state is right to focus on overcoming their terrible toll on families and our communities."
Source: Senate press release on 2020 Mississippi Senate campaign
Jun 18, 2018
On Jobs:
Protect our business & jobs in Mississippi agriculture
I have dedicated my career to being a champion for Mississippi agriculture. Being a pro-business conservative for 12 years and having been Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee for the last 8 years, my proven track record shows my dedication as
a true agriculture leader.My family raises beef cattle and operates the local stockyard auction market in Brookhaven. I know what it means to run an agricultural business. Being well aware of regulations by both the state and federal agricultural
departments, I understand the fine line between food safety and sound environmental policies without over-burdensome government regulations.
Agriculture is a driving force in our economy with one in four jobs in Mississippi being agriculture related.
I will do everything in my power to protect the jobs we have and create more agriculture-related jobs by making sure Mississippi has a favorable business climate.
Source: Vote-USA.org on 2020 Mississippi Senate race
Oct 2, 2011
On Abortion:
Prohibit ObamaCare insurance exchange coverage for abortion
SB3214: Health care exchange plans; prohibit use of federal funds to pay for elective abortions in Mississippi.Summary by Center for Reproductive Rights [a pro-choice group]: Mississippi responded to [ObamaCare] by passing a bill
(SB 3214) that bars any insurer from offering insurance coverage for abortion in the state exchange, except when the woman's life is endangered by "a physical disorder, physical illness or physical injury" or in cases of rape or incest.
The legislature was so eager to pass this bill that it circumvented its own bill introduction deadlines and procedural rules to do so.
Legislative outcome: Passed House 75-32-15, Apr/24/10; Passed Senate 47-0-5, Apr/23/10; State Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith voted YES; Signed by Governor Haley Barbour May/25/10
Source: CRR on Mississippi legislative voting record SB3214
May 25, 2010
On Gun Control:
Concealed carry for retired cops, even in public parks
SB2862: Carrying a concealed weapon; revise qualification for retired law enforcement officers and delete prohibition in parks.Summary by National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action [a pro-gun-rights group]:
Senate Bill 2862 allowed retired law enforcement officers to qualify for the ability to carry a concealed firearm without a permit under federal law by gaining certification from the Mississippi Association of Chiefs of Police.
Repeals the current state ban on the possession of firearms in public parks by Mississippi Right-To-Carry permit holders. This change in state law will allow Mississippi permit holders to carry in state parks.
Legislative outcome: Passed House 117-3-2, Mar/3/10; Passed Senate 52-0-0, Mar/23/10; State Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith voted YES; Signed by Governor Haley Barbour Apr/1/10
Source: NRA-ILA on Mississippi legislative voting record SB2862
Apr 23, 2010
On Education:
Opposed restoring budget cuts to Adequate Education Program
SB2688: An act to direct the state fiscal officer to transfer certain sums to the budget contingency fund for the purpose of providing funds to restore a portion of the budget cuts made to certain agencies during fiscal year 2010.Summary by
Jackson Free Press (4/21/10) SB 2688 increased funding for the Mississippi Adequate Education Program formula while Gov. Haley Barbour sought to cut the entire state budget by $79 million, including MAEP.
Veto message from Governor
Haley Barbour: "Senate Bill 2688 virtually guarantees tax increases by future legislatures. Spending now and taxing later is bad fiscal management, and unfair to taxpayers. SB2688 also fails to adequately restore funding for the Department of
Corrections [who] will be forced to release thousands of prisoners to balance its budget."
Legislative outcome:Passed House 106-14-2, 2/11/2010; Passed Senate 26-22-3, 2/18/10; Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith voted NO; Vetoed 2/24/10.
Source: Jackson Free Press on Mississippi voting record SB2688
Feb 18, 2010
Page last updated: Oct 13, 2021