State of Utah Archives: on Homeland Security


Allen Glines: Seek to end homelessness among veterans

Source: 2021 Utah Senate campaign website AllenGlines.com Jul 21, 2021

Craig Bowden: Full audit of military, then many cuts

Q: Do you agree or disagree with the statement, "Expand the military"?

A: No.

Q: How about the opposite: Would you cut the military? By how much?

A: I would cut. The first thing I would like to do is a full audit. Anything that doesn't meet the "smell test" (think $500 toilet seats and $100 hammers), would be the first cut. I would also take failed programs and cut those (F-35 that cannot compete with the F-16, ships that break down after 15 minutes, etc.). R&D would need to be justified with a need, not just because a company wants to get a contract. The Pentagon, and more so, the boots on the ground, would be who I would listen to as far as what the mission for defense is required.

Source: OnTheIssues follow-up with 2018 Utah Senate candidate Mar 1, 2018

John Curtis: Make sure military has tools they need

The most important role of the federal government is to provide for national defense. As the threats evolve into more sophisticated terrorist and cyber attacks, we must be vigilant. Let's ensure that we have the people and technology in place to stay ahead of our enemies. Let's be sure that our military men and women have the tools and freedom they need to do their job, and that they have the resources and care that they need to reintegrate into their lives when they come home.
Source: 2017 Utah House campaign website JohnCurtis.org Aug 17, 2017

Jonathan Johnson: Endorse Ted Cruz as strong champion for national defense

Jonathan Johnson, Republican candidate for Governor endorses Republican candidate for President Ted Cruz in the following statement: "I believe Ted Cruz is a man of principle and a man of his word. He has proven that he willing to stand up to cronyism within government and do what is right, even when it is not popular. Ted will make the right decision on critical Supreme Court appointments, he will be a strong champion for national defense, he will reform our broken tax code, and he will transfer Utah's public lands back to rightful state ownership. As Utah's next Governor, I plan on being an effective fighter for limited government, localized decision making and transformational improvements in Utah's education system. I look forward to working with Ted to make these top priorities a reality for Utah and the nation."
Source: 2016 Utah gubernatorial campaign website HireJJ.com Mar 3, 2016

Jonathan Johnson: I know plight of refugees; but no Syrians

Statement Regarding Utah Accepting Refugees: "I know the plight of refugees. I have three cousins who were Vietnamese refugees in the 1970's. I've seen how their lives were changed by American generosity. I've seen the meaningful contribution they make to America. However, we don't want ISIS terrorists coming here under the guise of refugee status. Utah should immediately suspend the acceptance of Syrian refugees until we are sure the screening process works. Utahns are extremely compassionate and generous people, but the Governor needs to ensure refugees coming to Utah are not a danger to Utahns."
Source: 2016 Utah gubernatorial campaign website HireJJ.com Mar 3, 2016

Mike Lee: Don't let important PATRIOT Act provisions expire

More than four years ago, Congress passed the Patriot Sunsets Extension Act of 2011: key provisions of our nation's counterterrorism surveillance programs are set to expire this June 1.

That is why I worked diligently on a bipartisan and bicameral basis to produce the USA Freedom Act. As with any legislation, the USA Freedom Act is not perfect. It does end the bulk collection of phone records and other data by our nation's intelligence agencies, but it also represents compromises by the intelligence community and civil libertarians.

These programs are set to expire on June 1. I do understand that many of my colleagues, especially on the Republican side of the aisle, have very honest and substantive problems with the USA Freedom Act. Unfortunately, that debate may no longer be possible before these programs expire. The best way forward now is for the Senate to quickly pass the USA Freedom Act as-is and go back later to make any changes.

Source: Mike Lee editorial in Wash. Post for 2016 Utah Senate race May 29, 2015

Mia Love: Cut $758B from federal budget but don't touch defense

Love's budget plan would trim $758.6 billion from the federal budget, although that includes $212 billion in long-term savings from capping Medicaid growth and $87 billion from repealing the Affordable Care Act. It wouldn't touch the Defense Department, an area Love said she needs to understand better before recommending cuts.

Love's Democratic opponent, Jim Matheson, has endorsed the budget blueprint put forward last year by the Simpson-Bowles deficit commission. That plan calls for $200 billion in cuts to departments, including defense; controls on Medicare and Social Security growth; cuts to farm subsidies and a 10 percent reduction in the federal workforce--which Love also endorses.

Her blueprint draws heavily on the work of the Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank based in Washington. The director of the group's downsizing project applauds anyone "who has the guts" to provide details on the budget cuts they support.

Source: Robert Gehrke in Salt Lake Tribune (Utah), "Million/billion" Sep 6, 2012

Orrin Hatch: I fight every year to save Hill Air Force Base

Liljenquist went after Hatch for saying he saves Hill Air Force Base year after year from losing jobs or being relocated, calling it the "politics of fear."

"To suggest that one man, Orrin Hatch, stands between Hill Air Force Base and oblivion is ridiculous," he said.

Hatch said Liljenquist doesn't know what he's talking about. Hill, he said, is targeted every year and that he and former Sen. Jake Garn and former Rep. Jim Hansen always had to fight for it. "I don't believe it's all me," he said

Source: KSL Radio coverage of 2012 Utah Senate debates Jun 16, 2012

Dan Liljenquist: Evaluate waste, fraud and abuse in defense spending

The biggest threat to our national security is that we borrow every penny of our defense spending. The federal government is now cutting defense by 12% while at the same time, the federal budget is growing by 24%. Defense is another core function of the federal government and must be a priority, but we must also use a critical eye when evaluating waste, fraud and abuse in defense spending.
Source: 2012 Senate campaign website, danforutah.com May 24, 2012

Mike Lee: Keep "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" for troop morale

The military's policy is a lumbering dinosaur being kept alive by Senate members who support Don't Ask, Don't Tell. Sadly, two of those dinosaurs are Utah Senate hopefuls, Scott Bradley and Mike Lee. During a recent debate with Democratic candidate Sam Granato, Lee said that his campaign's "panel of military advisors" said DADT was necessary for troop morale. Who these advisors are or why they think homophobia makes the military run smoother is anyone's guess.
Source: Q-Salt-Lake (GLBT news) coverage of 2010 Utah Senate debate Sep 30, 2010

Sam Granato: Repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"; an affront to gay soldiers

Granato and Lee disagreed about how to handle illegal immigration, gays in the military, radioactive waste disposal in Utah and how to save Social Security.

Lee supported continuing the "don't ask, don't tell policy" banning gays from openly serving in the military. Granato called for a repeal, saying many gays now serve honorably and the policy is an affront to them.

Source: Salt Lake Tribune coverage of 2010 Utah Senate debate Sep 17, 2010

Gary Herbert: Pay tribute to those answering the nation's call to serve

I pay tribute to the many Utahns who have answered the nation's call to serve. Whether it's as a soldier in Afghanistan, a Utah National Guardsman in Iraq, or a humanitarian volunteer in Haiti or Ambassador Jon and Mary Kaye Huntsman in the People's Republic of China, we give them all our heartfelt thanks.
Source: Utah 2010 State of the State Address Jan 26, 2010

  • The above quotations are from State of Utah Politicians: Archives.
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2020 Presidential contenders on Homeland Security:
  Democrats running for President:
Sen.Michael Bennet (D-CO)
V.P.Joe Biden (D-DE)
Mayor Mike Bloomberg (I-NYC)
Gov.Steve Bullock (D-MT)
Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D-IN)
Sen.Cory Booker (D-NJ)
Secy.Julian Castro (D-TX)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Rep.John Delaney (D-MD)
Rep.Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI)
Sen.Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
Gov.Deval Patrick (D-MA)
Sen.Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
CEO Tom Steyer (D-CA)
Sen.Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)
Marianne Williamson (D-CA)
CEO Andrew Yang (D-NY)

2020 Third Party Candidates:
Rep.Justin Amash (L-MI)
CEO Don Blankenship (C-WV)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Howie Hawkins (G-NY)
Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM)
Howard Schultz(I-WA)
Gov.Jesse Ventura (I-MN)
Republicans running for President:
Sen.Ted Cruz(R-TX)
Gov.Larry Hogan (R-MD)
Gov.John Kasich(R-OH)
V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN)
Gov.Mark Sanford (R-SC)
Pres.Donald Trump(R-NY)
Rep.Joe Walsh (R-IL)
Gov.Bill Weld(R-MA & L-NY)

2020 Withdrawn Democratic Candidates:
Sen.Stacey Abrams (D-GA)
Mayor Bill de Blasio (D-NYC)
Sen.Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
Sen.Mike Gravel (D-AK)
Sen.Kamala Harris (D-CA)
Gov.John Hickenlooper (D-CO)
Gov.Jay Inslee (D-WA)
Mayor Wayne Messam (D-FL)
Rep.Seth Moulton (D-MA)
Rep.Beto O`Rourke (D-TX)
Rep.Tim Ryan (D-CA)
Adm.Joe Sestak (D-PA)
Rep.Eric Swalwell (D-CA)
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Page last updated: Oct 14, 2021