Michael Enzi in State of Wyoming Archives
On Civil Rights:
We need civility for gays; not more laws
Sen. Mike Enzi told a group of high school students last week that it's fine to be a member of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer community--but if you're too open about it, don't be surprised if you get picked on. Enzi was speaking to
students at Greybull High School when a student asked him what he was doing to support LGBTQ people in Wyoming. The Greybull Standard published a rough transcript of the event:Q: How do you plan to help Wyoming live up to its name as 'The Equality
State' for the LGBT community?
A: Everything can't be done by law. What we need to have is a little civility between people. We always say that in Wyoming you can be just about anything you want to be, as long as you don't push it in somebody's face.
I know a guy who wears a tutu and goes to bars on Friday night and is always surprised that he gets in fights. Well, he kind of asks for it. That's the way that he winds up with that kind of problem. The biggest thing that we need is civility.
Source: Huffington Post on 2018 Wyoming Gubernatorial race
Apr 25, 2017
On Environment:
Bring Abandoned Mine Lands funding back to the state
Mike has brought Abandoned Mine Lands funding back to the state, money that is rightfully owed to Wyoming by the federal government. Returning these dollars to the state of Wyoming helps fund our local schools and infrastructure while keeping taxes low.
He has been a champion of the industries that keep Wyoming prosperous and employed: the first responsibility of any Senator who wants to create jobs is to make sure the federal government doesn't impede economic development.
Source: Vote-USA.org on 2014 Wyoming Senate incumbents
Oct 26, 2014
On Immigration:
Abandon comprehensive reform; focus on guest workers
Candidates for the U.S. Senate tangled over a discussion of immigration. The candidates differed on the end goals of immigration reform. Incumbent Sen. Mike
Enzi said the issue stems from comprehensive reform. "We need to talk about a guest worker program in our country," Enzi said. "Right now, we bring them to our country, train them in our colleges, and then we send them back home.
The problem with immigration is we keep trying to get it done comprehensively."Enzi said that in the last attempt at comprehensive reform, six years ago,
President Barack Obama led the charge to defeat that reform in his role as an Illinois senator. He said that ultimately the act fell on a dispute over a guest worker program.
Source: Casper Star-Tribune on 2014 Wyoming Senate race
Aug 14, 2014
On Budget & Economy:
Penny plan: cut spending 1% a year; balanced budget by 2017
Enzi's campaign sent a press release calling on Wyomingites to support his penny plan bill by signing their names on the website PennyPlanSolution.com. Enzi has introduced and supported the penny plan in the past. This year, Enzi introduced the bill June
19. It was referred to the Senate Budget Committee, where it awaits consideration.Charlie Hardy, Enzi's Democratic opponent, said the penny plan represents laziness. Some programs should be cut more than 1%, and others need more funding, he said.
Hardy believes that programs benefiting veterans, senior citizens and children should receive more attention.
A campaign spokeswoman for Enzi said the national debt is $17.5 trillion, or $55,000 for each US citizen. The penny plan is one in a series of
steps to put the country on a fiscally responsible path, she said. "If Congress fails to make those tough decisions, then automatic cuts would be imposed to meet the 1% overall reduction."
Source: Casper Star-Tribune on 2014 Wyoming Senate race
Jul 9, 2014
On Abortion:
100% rating from the National Right to Life Committee
Q: You have started running your first TV ad of the campaign; here's a clip:CHENEY: "When I was 12 years old, my dad ran for Congress and we campaigned together as a family all across Wyoming. I'm running for the United States
Senate because it's time for a new generation of leaders to step up to the plate."
Q: You say in that ad it's time for a new generation. But let's look at Mike Enzi's record. He has a 93% lifetime rating from the American Conservative Union,
100% from the National Right to Life Committee, and an A-plus from the NRA. Is there something wrong with that record? Or are you just saying that at age 69, he is too old?
CHENEY: It's not about age. He's been here for 18 years; when you're
in a position like that, it's not enough just to say, "You know what, I'm going to go along and get along. I'm going to continue business as usual here in Washington." You've got to demonstrate results.
Source: Fox News Sunday: AdWatch on 2014 Wyoming Senate debate
Nov 17, 2013
On Principles & Values:
FactCheck: Gets higher percent from PACs than any Senator
Dick Cheney says Mike Enzi is "getting about 84% of his campaign funds from Washington-based PACs. That's more than any senator of either party." Dick Cheney was helping his daughter by attacking her political rival on national TV. Is the attack true?
Though Liz Cheney has previously said her father wouldn't be campaigning for her, the former V.P. took the opportunity to accuse Enzi; however, we ran into trouble with Cheney's term "Washington-based PAC." In the Senate campaign cycle beginning in 2009,
Enzi raised $1.64 million, with $1.19 million, or 73%, coming from PACs. Liz Cheney's campaign said they got to 84% by including a $74,463 transfer to the campaign from a joint fundraising committee, as well as $826,000 given to Enzi's leadership
PAC from other political groups.
Using either figure, Enzi's percentage of PAC money is higher than any other senator--by quite a bit actually. The next closest received 66% of his donations from PACs.
So we rate Dick Cheney said as Mostly True.
Source: PolitiFact FactCheck on 2014 Wyoming Senate race
Oct 27, 2013
On Budget & Economy:
Voted for a one-year moratorium on Congressional earmarks
In an effort to stop irresponsible spending, I voted for an amendment during the budget debate this year to place a one-year moratorium on Congressional earmarks. A year off from the frenzy of free funds would be a breath of fresh air for
Congress and for constituents like you who demand to know what is being funded with their money & why. Controlling spending and promoting more efficient use of government funding is only part of properly managing our budget during difficult fiscal times.
Source: 2008 Senate campaign website, www.enziforwyoming.com
Aug 12, 2008
On Health Care:
Support mental health parity legislation
Comprehensive mental health parity legislation is needed to ensure greater health insurance parity for persons with mental illness. The Senate bill I’ve been working on builds on a 1996 Mental Health Parity law by requiring health insurance plans that
offer mental health coverage to provide that coverage on par with financial & treatment coverage offered for other physical illness. It does not mandate that group plans must provide any mental health coverage. I support mental health parity legislation.
Source: 2008 Senate campaign website, www.enziforwyoming.com
Aug 12, 2008
On Immigration:
Voted in favor of the Secure Fence Act
I am concerned about the cost of illegal immigration on our cities and counties, especially in the areas of health care and education. I am an original member of the Border Security and Enforcement First Caucus, a group that brings together
like-minded conservative senators to advocate for increases in border security and interior enforcement. I voted in favor the Secure Fence Act. Hundreds of miles of secure fence have been built since then and more is under construction.
Source: 2008 Senate campaign website, www.enziforwyoming.com
Aug 12, 2008
Page last updated: Oct 14, 2021