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Lindsey Graham on Corporations

Republican Sr Senator; previously Representative (SC-3)

 


AdWatch: Hero of the taxpayer & guardian of small business

Graham is touting his conservative bona fides on economic issues in a new ad campaign: "He's been a 'hero of the taxpayer,' the 'taxpayers' friend' and a 'guardian of small business.' He was ranked as a top five Senate budget-cutter by National Taxpayers Union Foundation," a narrator says in his new TV ad. "He opposed ObamaCare from day one, voted to repeal it and introduced legislation giving states the option to opt out. Sen. Lindsey Graham: A conservative leader who gets things done."
Source: The Hill e-zine AdWatch on 2014 South Carolina Senate race , Mar 3, 2014

1997: Created trucking logistics company with 100 employees

In 1997 I was working very hard and had been successful as a salesman in the trucking brokerage industry when I made the decision to forge ahead and start my own business. That year I incorporated On Time Transportation and On Time Trucking in Roebuck, South Carolina: On Time Trucking was a brokerage while On Time Transportation was a nationwide logistics company specializing in volume LTL (less-than-truckload) shipments.

With a lot of hard work, the business grew substantially. In less than six years we were grossing in excess of $10 million and running scores of trucks to all parts of the continental US. At the peak of the business I was able to create jobs for over 100 people.

I can testify to the mind-boggling costs of government regulations. Naturally, we also had to hire accountants & lawyers, just to keep compliant with 48 different state-regulators, the Federal government (particularly the IRS and Interstate Commerce Commission), all the while fending off the Teamsters union.

Source: Lee Bright OpEd on 2014 South Carolina Senate race , Jan 1, 2014

Voted NO on repealing tax subsidy for companies which move US jobs offshore.

Amendment to repeal the tax subsidy for certain domestic companies which move manufacturing operations and American jobs offshore.
Reference: Tax Subsidy for Domestic Companies Amendment; Bill S AMDT 210 to S Con Res 18 ; vote number 2005-63 on Mar 17, 2005

Voted YES on reforming bankruptcy to include means-testing & restrictions.

Amends Federal bankruptcy law to revamp guidelines governing dismissal or conversion of a Chapter 7 liquidation (complete relief in bankruptcy) to one under either Chapter 11 (Reorganization) or Chapter 13 (Adjustment of Debts of an Individual with Regular Income). Voting YES would:
Reference: Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005; Bill S 256 ; vote number 2005-44 on Mar 10, 2005

Voted YES on Bankruptcy Overhaul requiring partial debt repayment.

Vote to pass a bill that would make it easier for courts to change debtors from Chapter 7 bankruptcy, which allows most debts to be dismissed, to Chapter 13, which requires a repayment plan.
Reference: Bill sponsored by Gekas, R-PA; Bill HR 333 ; vote number 2001-25 on Mar 1, 2001

Rated 83% by the US COC, indicating a pro-business voting record.

Graham scores 83% by US Chamber of Commerce on business policy

Whether you own a business, represent one, lead a corporate office, or manage an association, the Chamber of Commerce of the United States of AmericaSM provides you with a voice of experience and influence in Washington, D.C., and around the globe.

Our members include businesses of all sizes and sectors—from large Fortune 500 companies to home-based, one-person operations. In fact, 96% of our membership encompasses businesses with fewer than 100 employees.

Mission Statement:

"To advance human progress through an economic, political and social system based on individual freedom, incentive, initiative, opportunity, and responsibility."
The ratings are based on the votes the organization considered most important; the numbers reflect the percentage of time the representative voted the organization's preferred position.
Source: COC website 03n-COC on Dec 31, 2003

Rated 14% by UFCW, indicating a pro-management voting record.

Graham scores 14% by UFCW on labor-management issues

The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) is North America's Neighborhood Union--1.3 million members with UFCW locals in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and Canada. Our members work in supermarkets, drug stores, retail stores, meatpacking and meat processing plants, food processing plants, and manufacturing workers who make everything from fertilizer to shoes. We number over 60,000 strong with 25,000 workers in chemical production and 20,000 who work in garment and textile industries.

    The UFCW Senate scorecard is based on these key votes:
  1. American Jobs Act (+)
  2. Balanced Budget Amendment (-)
  3. Rejecting Cut, Cap, and Balance (+)
  4. Repeal Health Care Law (-)
  5. Sen. Am. 14 Wicker Am. to S 223, excluding unionization at TSA (-)
  6. Sen. Am. 740 McCain Am. to HR 2112, defunding TAA (-)
  7. Trade Adjustment Assistance Extension Act (TAA) (+)
Source: UFCW website 12-UFCW-S on May 2, 2012

Regulatory relief for smaller banks stimulates growth.

Graham voted YEA Banking Bill

Congressional Summary:

Supporting press release from Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN-6): This legislation will foster economic growth by providing relief to Main Street, tailor regulations for better efficacy, and most importantly it will empower individual Americans and give them more opportunity.

Opposing statement on ProPublica.org from Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY-5): The bill includes many provisions I support: minority-owned banks and credit unions in underserved communities have legitimate regulatory burden concerns. Unfortunately, exempting mortgage disclosures enacted to detect discriminatory practices will only assist the Trump Administration in its overall effort to curtail important civil rights regulations. I simply cannot vote for any proposal that would help this Administration chip away at laws that I and my colleagues worked so hard to enact and preserve.

Legislative outcome: Passed House 258-159-10 on May 22, 2018(Roll call 216); Passed Senate 67-31-2 on March 14, 2018(Roll call 54); Signed by President Trump. May 24, 2018

Source: Congressional vote 16-S2155 on Mar 14, 2018

Reduce corporate tax rates from 35% to 21% to create jobs.

Graham voted YEA Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

Summary by GovTrack.US: (Nov 16, 2017)

Case for voting YES by Heritage Foundation (12/19/17):This is the most sweeping update to the US tax code in more than 30 years. The bill would lower taxes on businesses and individuals and unleash higher wages, more jobs, and untold opportunity through a larger and more dynamic economy. The bill includes many pro-growth features, including a deep reduction in the corporate tax rate, a scaled-back state and local tax deduction, full expensing for five years, and lower individual tax rates.

Case for voting NO by Sierra Club (11/16/17): Republicans have passed a deeply regressive tax plan that will result in painful cuts to core domestic programs, to give billionaires and corporate polluters tax cuts while making American families pay the price. Among the worst provisions:

  • This plan balloons the federal deficit by over $1.5 trillion. Cutting taxes for the rich now means cuts to the federal budget and entitlements later.
  • The bill hampers the booming clean energy economy by ending tax credits for the purchase of electric vehicles and for wind and solar energy.
  • The bill opens up the Arctic Refuge to drilling, a thinly veiled giveaway to the fossil fuel industry.

    Legislative outcome: Passed House, 224-201-7, roll call #699 on 12/20; passed Senate 51-48-1, roll call #323 on 12/20; signed by Pres. Trump on 12/22.

    Source: Congressional vote 17-HR1 on Nov 16, 2017

    End the Death Tax, according to CC survey.

    Graham supports the Christian Coalition survey question on the Death Tax

    The Christian Coalition inferred whether candidates agree or disagree with the statement, 'Permanent Elimination of the "Death Tax" ?' Self-description by Christian Coalition of America: "These guides help give voters a clear understanding of where candidates stand on important pro-family issues" for all Senate and Presidential candidates.

    Source: CC Survey 20CC-11B on Sep 10, 2020

    Other candidates on Corporations: Lindsey Graham on other issues:
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    Page last updated: Dec 26, 2021