Albert Olszewski in State of Montana Archives

On Free Trade: Governor should be #1 salesperson for agriculture abroad

Olszewski said the fault doesn't lie with Trump, saying instead the challenge is global overproduction and market manipulation. "We're going to find a way that we create an even playing field for our producers so that they are not gamed, especially against the processors," Olszewski said. Olszewski also said he would be "the best salesman for our agriculture."

On Civil Rights: No same-sex marriage

A: Albert Olszewski's answer: No

Q: Should a business be able to deny service to a customer if the request conflicts with the owner's religious beliefs?

A: Albert Olszewski's answer: Yes

On Civil Rights: Don't require pay equity between men & women

A: Albert Olszewski's answer: No

On Civil Rights: No Confederate flags on government property

A: Albert Olszewski's answer: No

On Crime: Supports death penalty

A: Albert Olszewski's answer: Yes

Q: Should terminally ill patients be allowed to end their lives via assisted suicide?

A: Albert Olszewski's answer: No

On Energy & Oil: Supports fracking and offshore oil drilling

A: Albert Olszewski's answer: No

Q: Do you support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources?

A: Albert Olszewski's answer: Yes

Q: Should the U.S. expand offshore oil drilling?

A: Albert Olszewski's answer: Yes

On Government Reform: Term limits set for members of Congress

A: Albert Olszewski's answer: Yes

On Government Reform: Require photo ID to vote

A: Albert Olszewski's answer: Yes

On Principles & Values: References to God on federal buildings is ok

A: Albert Olszewski's answer: No

Q: Should a business be able to deny service to a customer if the request conflicts with the owner's religious beliefs?

A: Albert Olszewski's answer: Yes

On Civil Rights: Allowing 71 genders on birth certificate costs over $100,000

Republicans warned that the reforms would be expensive to implement. Sen. Albert Olszewski claimed that it would cost between $100,000 and $200,000 to update government forms and computer systems. He also argued that DPHHS should have consulted the State Legislature before mandating the changes.

The Montana Family Foundation has begun circulating a petition which alleges that there are "as many as 71 recognized genders with more being added all the time." LGBTQ advocacy groups have denounced SB 10. Should it pass the House, the legislation is likely to be vetoed by Gov. Bullock, who is a Democrat.

On Environment: Let Montanans control state land

• Increase the number of Montanans who are able to make a living and provide for their families through the management of our public lands.
• Increase access to Montana's public lands for Montanans to hunt, fish, and recreate.
• Turn our lands from a liability to a viable asset that produces revenue for our local towns and counties to provide infrastructure and public schools.
• The federal government should look to Montanans to understand our unique needs and on how to manage our lands.

On Abortion: Defend unborn children without exception

On Budget & Economy: For balanced budget instead of intergenerational theft

On Health Care: Repeal and replace Obamacare, with bipartisan approach

1. Immediate healthcare regulation reform.
2. Repeal of the Affordable Care Act.
3. The development of a new healthcare system utilizing a bipartisan approach. Source: 2018 Montana Senatorial website AlForSenate.us Oct 1, 2017

   On War & Peace: War is last resort, but must stand firm

   Our nation faces threats to its safety at many levels. From international conflict with North Korea and Syria, and our war against ISIS, America must remain vigilant and be prepared to defend itself at a moment's notice. Sending our troops into combat should only occur when all other methods of diplomacy have failed. I am committed to provide our troops with all the resources necessary to be successful in times of war and peace. We must stand firm with our allies to defend our freedoms. Source: 2018 Montana Senatorial website AlForSenate.us Oct 1, 2017

   On Abortion: All human life needs to be protected

   I believe in the dignity and value of all human life from conception to natural death, without exception. I have authored original legislation to protect and defend unborn children. I have championed legislation to promote the welfare and safety of our elderly, our disabled, and our families. As your next senator, I will continue to fight for the weak and our most vulnerable. Source: 2018 Montana Senate campaign website AlForSenate.us Aug 8, 2017

   On Corporations: Federal regulations get in the way of small business

   As an independent orthopedic surgeon, federal regulations were making it increasingly difficult for him to care for his patients. He realized similar burdensome regulations were making it just as difficult for his patients to care for and provide for their families. Source: 2018 Montana Senate campaign website AlForSenate.us Aug 8, 2017

   On Health Care: Repeal and replace Obamacare with bipartisan approach

   As a physician and a legislator, my strategy for reforming our healthcare system consists of three parts:
   • Immediate healthcare regulation reform.
   • Repeal of the Affordable Care Act.
   • The development of a new healthcare system
   • utilizing a bipartisan approach.
   Source: 2018 Montana Senate campaign website AlForSenate.us Aug 8, 2017

   On Homeland Security: Champion a veterans' healthcare system

   As a veteran and a prior military physician, I will champion a veterans' healthcare system that focuses on the expedited treatment of our wounded warriors and transition our veterans' routine medical needs to their local community healthcare systems. Source: 2018 Montana Senate campaign website AlForSenate.us Aug 8, 2017

   On Homeland Security: Give our military the resources they need

   I am committed to provide our troops with all the resources necessary to be successful in times of war and peace. We must stand firm with our allies around the world in order to defend our freedoms with our allies around the world in order to defend our freedoms. Source: 2018 Montana Senate campaign website AlForSenate.us Aug 8, 2017

   On War & Peace: When possible, we need to keep our troops out of harm's way

   Sending our military into harm's way is the gravest decision any senator can make. Our nation faces threats to its safety at many levels. From international conflict with North Korea and Syria, and our war against ISIS, America must remain vigilant and be prepared to defend itself at a moment's notice. As a military physician trained to treat the casualties of war, I understand the true human costs of engaging in any type of military conflict. Sending our troops into combat should only occur when all other methods of diplomacy have failed. Source: 2018 Montana Senate campaign website AlForSenate.us Aug 8, 2017

   On Drugs: Class 1 narcotics like marijuana should not be legal

   Q: What is your opinion on the recreational use of marijuana?

   A: I have voted against any recreational vote on marijuana. It's a class 1 narcotic and it's illegal across the country."

   Source: KGVO Newstalk Facebook posting on 2018 Montana Senate race Apr 28, 2017

   On War & Peace: Balance diplomacy with waging war as a last resort

   Q: What is your foreign policy?

   A: Force is legitimate but it should definitely be something we use only when there's no other resort. Nothing else is left for us to work with. So balancing diplomacy with the waging of war is something that I take very seriously.

   Source: KGVO Newstalk Facebook posting on 2018 Montana Senate race Apr 28, 2017

   On Abortion: Prohibit abortions after the fetus is 24 weeks

   Among the bills proposed by Olszewski include Senate Bill 282, which was amended in the House and passed third reading in the Senate. It prohibits abortions after the fetus is 24 weeks and violations are a felony. He said the bill ensures that a woman in late pregnancy who has a life-threatening health condition that forces her to terminate her pregnancy does so with the safest medical procedures available and have the ability to save the life of the child and herself. Source: Great Falls Tribune on Montana voting record SB 282 Apr 11, 2017

   On Health Care: Halt expansion of Medicaid; halt ObamaCare unfunded mandates

   While Olszewski remains opposed to ObamaCare and voted against Montana's expansion of Medicaid last session, he said Republican efforts in Congress to replace the federal health-care law with the American Health Care Act--a measure lawmakers ultimately withdrew--were misguided.

   "The intent was good but it missed the mark," he said. "It didn't do anything to touch the very complex network of regulations. What is killing me as an independent business owner are the regulations and unfunded mandates."

   Source: Flathead Beacon on 2018 Montana Senate race Apr 11, 2017

   On Health Care: ObamaCare is imploding; shore up healthcare system

   Olszewski said, "Health care is in a struggle to decide what it's going to do in the 21st Century," he said. "Private health insurance is very unstable. And we're really at an area where ObamaCare is imploding. What we need to do is, we need to find a way to shore up, or fix the health-care system, so it doesn't collapse around us."

   [Olszewski opposed the unsuccessful Republican efforts in Congress to replace ObamaCare with the American Health Care Act as well-intended but "misguided".]

   Source: KTVQ on 2018 Montana Senate race Apr 11, 2017

   On Foreign Policy: Ban use of Shariah law and other foreign laws in courts

   Gov. Bullock vetoed a bill that would have banned Sharia and other foreign laws from being used in Montana courts. Bullock said he was disturbed that the ban could have been seen as an "endorsement for anti-Muslim sentiments and activity."

   "It cannot be seriously denied that the bill is drawn from 'Sharia law bans' that have been tried in other states. The intent of these bills is to target a particular religion and group of people for disfavored treatment," Bullock said, adding that the proposal could add to the "nationwide surge in hate crimes."

   "I don't see how affirming our Constitution does that. I disagree with him," said Sen. Keith Regier (R-Kalispell). He and other backers argued that the measure aimed merely to declare support for U.S. and Montana law. They rejected contentions that the bill was anti-Islamic or xenophobic.

   Legislative Outcome: Passed House 3/21, 56-43-1; passed Senate 2/3, 27-21-1; Sen. Olszewski voted YES; vetoed by Governor Bullock, 4/6/2017

   Source: The Missoulian on Montana voting record SB.97 Feb 3, 2017

   On Immigration: State immigration enforcement is not discrimination

   The plaintiff's attorney said the people of Montana have no business creating enforcement schemes, and that the law is "discriminatory" against "immigrants." We soundly reject this and declare that it is wrong to place the interests of people who enter our country and state illegally over the rights and interests of lawful taxpayers, citizens, voters and working families. Source: The Missoulian on 2018 Montana Senatorial race Jun 2, 2016

   On Abortion: Voted YES that insurers have plans with and without abortion

   Gov. Bullock rejected a bill by Sen.C.Smith that would have required health insurers that offer coverage plans that include elective abortions to also provide a reciprocal plan that does not cover elective abortions. Bullock said the proposal could leave women without coverage options necessary for unforeseen events. "SB 349 would create additional administrative burdens and costs for insurance companies," Bullock wrote.

   Legislative Summary: An act requiring an issuer who offers health insurance coverage that includes elective abortion coverage to also sell health insurance coverage that does not include elective abortion coverage.

   Governor's Veto Message: I stand firmly opposed to restrictions on a woman's ability to make deeply personal medical decisions in consultation with her medical provider, family members, and spiritual leaders.

   Rep. Olszewski voted YEA on April 11, 2015; vote was 54-42-4

   Source: Great Falls Tribune on Montana voting records for SB 349 Apr 30, 2015

   On Health Care: Voted NO on insuring the working poor with federal dollars

   Gov. Bullock in State of the State speech said, "Rep. Noonan and I are proposing a uniquely Montana plan--based upon the popular Healthy Montana Kids Plan--that will extend coverage to tens of thousands of Montanans. The Healthy Montana Plan will bring our federal dollars back to Montana, to cover those without insurance.

   Rep. Olszewski voted NAY on Committee Report vote, March 10, 2015 (bill failed 41-59-0)

   HB 249 Legislative Summary: A bill for an act entitled: "an act creating the Healthy Montana Act to expand health care coverage to additional individuals and improve access to health care services; establishing a health care coverage program to provide certain low-income Montanans with access to health care services using Medicaid funds and an arrangement with a third-party administrator; providing support for health care delivery across Montana; and establishing a special revenue account.

   Source: laws.leg.mt.gov on 2015 Montana voting records: HB 249 Jan 28, 2015

   On Families & Children: I will always support America's traditional values

   I support life at all stages, traditional marriage and believe that the moral degradation of our society through government intervention is a blatant attack on our future. I will always support legislation that restores America's traditional values. Source: 2014 MT State Senate campaign website MattForMontana.com Nov 1, 2014

   The above quotations are from State of Montana Politicians: Archives. Click here for other excerpts from State of Montana Politicians: Archives. Click here for other excerpts by Albert Olszewski. Click here for a profile of Albert Olszewski.

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   Page last updated: Oct 13, 2021