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J.D. Hayworth on Government Reform

Former Republican Representative (AZ-5, 1995-2007)


Voted YES on requiring photo ID for voting in federal elections.

Requires that to vote in federal elections, an individual present a government-issued, current, and valid photo identification. After 2010, that ID must require providing proof of US citizenship as a condition for issuance. An individual who does not present such an ID is permitted to cast a provisional ballot, and then present the required ID within 48 hours. Exempts from this requirement the absentee ballot of any eligible overseas military voter on active duty overseas.

Proponents support voting YES because:

The election system is the bedrock that our Republic is built on and its security and oversight is of paramount concern. Only US citizens have the right to vote in Federal elections, but our current system does not give State election officials the tools they need to ensure that this requirement is being met.

This bill is designed to increase participation by ensuring that each legitimate vote will be counted and not be diluted by fraud. There are many elections in this country every cycle that are decided by just a handful of votes. How can we be certain that these elections, without measures to certify the identity of voters, are not being decided by fraudulent votes?

Opponents support voting NO because:

There is something we can all agree on: only Americans get to vote, and they only get to vote once. But what we are talking about in this bill is disenfranchising many of those Americans. It is already a felony for a non-American to vote. We had hearings and what we found out was that the issue of illegal aliens voting basically does not occur.

The impact of this will disproportionately affect poor people and African Americans, because many are too poor to have a car and they do not have a license. We have no evidence there is a problem. We have ample evidence that this will disenfranchise many Americans. This is the measure to disenfranchise African Americans, Native Americans. It is wrong and we will not stand for it.

Reference: Federal Election Integrity Act; Bill H R 4844 ; vote number 2006-459 on Sep 20, 2006

Voted YES on restricting independent grassroots political committees.

A "527 organization" is a political committee which spends money raised independently of any candidate's campaign committee, in support or opposition of a candidate or in support or opposition of an issue. Well-known examples include MoveOn.org (anti-Bush) and Swift Boat Veterans for Truth (anti-Kerry). Voting YES would regulate 527s as normal political committees, which would greatly restrict their funding, and hence would shift power to candidate committees and party committees. The bill's opponents say:
  • This legislation singles out 527 organizations in an effort to undermine their fundraising and is a direct assault on free speech.
  • This bill would obstruct the efforts of grassroots organizations while doing nothing to address the culture of corruption in Congress.
  • H.R. 513 is an unbalanced measure that favors corporate trade associations over independent advocates. Corporate interests could continue spending unlimited and undisclosed dollars for political purposes while independent organizations would be subject to contribution limits and source restrictions.
  • H.R. 513 also removes all limits on national and state party spending for Congressional candidates in primary or general elections--an unmasked attack on the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act and clear evidence that the true intention in advancing H.R. 513 is not reform, but partisan advantage in political fundraising.
    Reference: Federal Election Campaign Act amendment "527 Reform Act"; Bill H.R.513 ; vote number 2006-088 on Apr 5, 2006

    Voted YES on prohibiting lawsuits about obesity against food providers.

    The Personal Responsibility in Food Consumption Act ("The Cheesburger Bill") would prevent civil liability actions against food manufacturers, marketers, distributors, advertisers, sellers, and trade associations for claims relating to a person's weight gain, obesity, or any health condition associated with weight gain or obesity. A YES vote would:
    Reference: The Cheesburger Bill; Bill HR 554 ; vote number 2005-533 on Oct 19, 2005

    Voted YES on limiting attorney's fees in class action lawsuits.

    Class Action Fairness Act of 2005: Amends the Federal judicial code to specify the calculation of contingent and other attorney's fees in proposed class action settlements that provide for the award of coupons to class members. Allows class members to refuse compliance with settlement agreements or consent decrees absent notice. Prohibits a Federal district court from approving:
    1. a proposed coupon settlement absent a finding that the settlement is fair, reasonable, and adequate;
    2. a proposed settlement involving payments to class counsel that would result in a net monetary loss to class members, absent a finding that the loss is substantially outweighed by nonmonetary benefits; or
    3. a proposed settlement that provides greater sums to some class members solely because they are closer geographically to the court.
    Reference: Bill sponsored by Sen. Chuck Grassley [R, IA]; Bill S.5 ; vote number 2005-038 on Feb 17, 2005

    Voted YES on restricting frivolous lawsuits.

    Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2004: Amends the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure to:
    1. require courts to impose sanctions on attorneys, law firms, or parties who file frivolous lawsuits (currently, sanctions are discretionary);
    2. disallow the withdrawal or correction of pleadings to avoid sanctions;
    3. require courts to award parties prevailing on motions reasonable expenses and attorney's fees, if warranted;
    4. authorize courts to impose sanctions that include reimbursement of a party's reasonable litigation costs in connection with frivolous lawsuits; and
    5. make the discovery phase of litigation subject to sanctions.
    Reference: Bill sponsored by Rep Lamar Smith [R, TX-21]; Bill H.R.4571 ; vote number 2004-450 on Sep 14, 2004

    Voted NO on campaign finance reform banning soft-money contributions.

    Shays-Meehan Campaign Finance Overhaul: Vote to pass a bill that would ban soft money contributions to national political parties but permit up to $10,000 in soft money contributions to state and local parties to help with voter registration and get-out-the-vote drives. The bill would stop issue ads from targeting specific candidates within 30 days of the primary or 60 days of the general election. Additionally, the bill would raise the individual contribution limit from $1,000 to $2,000 per election for House and Senate candidates, both of which would be indexed for inflation.
    Reference: Bill sponsored by Shays, R-CT, and Meehan D-MA; Bill HR 2356 ; vote number 2002-34 on Feb 14, 2002

    Voted YES on banning soft money donations to national political parties.

    Support a ban on soft money donations to national political parties but allow up to $10,000 in soft-money donations to state and local parties for voter registration and get-out-the vote activity.
    Bill HR 2356 ; vote number 2001-228 on Jul 12, 2001

    Voted NO on banning soft money and issue ads.

    Campaign Finance Reform Act to ban "soft money" and impose restrictions on issue advocacy campaigning.
    Reference: Bill sponsored by Shays, R-CT; Bill HR 417 ; vote number 1999-422 on Sep 14, 1999

    Limit federal power, per the 10th Amendment.

    Hayworth adopted the Republican Liberty Caucus Position Statement:

      BE IT RESOLVED that the Republican Liberty Caucus endorses the following [among its] principles:
    1. The power of the federal government should be limited, as per the tenth amendment to the US Constitution.
    2. The US Department of Commerce should be abolished, per the tenth amendment of the US Constitution.
    3. The National Endowment for the Arts should be abolished, per the tenth amendment of the US Constitution.
    4. The National Endowment for the Humanities should be abolished, per the tenth amendment of the US Constitution.
    5. The US Department of Housing and Urban Development should be abolished, per the tenth amendment of the US Constitution.
    6. Subsidies to agricultural and other businesses should be eliminated.
    7. Corporate taxes should be eliminated simultaneously and proportionally with the elimination of subsidies to businesses.
    8. Recommendations by the Grace Commission and the Council for Citizens Against Government Waste (CCAGW) should be reviewed and implemented, where possible, beginning immediately.
    9. Privatization of government assets, management and services should be implemented for cost-effectiveness wherever applicable.
    Source: Republican Liberty Caucus Position Statement 00-RLC1 on Dec 8, 2000

    Unlimited campaign contributions; with full disclosure.

    Hayworth adopted the Republican Liberty Caucus Position Statement:

      The Republican Liberty Caucus endorses the following [among its] principles:
    1. Election campaigns should not be subsidized by tax payers.
    2. No individual should be compelled to support a political candidate he or she does not support. Government should not empower trade unions to collect funds from their members for use as political contributions without their members’ expressed consent.
    3. All limits on campaign contributions should be eliminated.
    4. There should be full and timely public disclosure of all the sources and amounts of all campaign contributions upon their receipt.
    Source: Republican Liberty Caucus Position Statement 00-RLC7 on Dec 8, 2000

    Adhere to 10th Amendment; delegate power to states.

    Hayworth signed the Tenth Amendment Pledge:

      As a public office holder, or a candidate for public office, I promise that, as long as I hold office:
    1. My votes will always be in favor of the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of this State. Every issue. Every time. No exceptions. No excuses.
    2. I do, and will continue to, oppose any and all efforts by the federal government to act beyond its Constitutional authority.
    3. I will proactively introduce and support measures designed to adhere to the Tenth Amendment and preserve, to their fullest extent, the powers of the People in my district, and of the legislators and administrations of my State.
    4. I will introduce, sponsor and support a resolution affirming the sovereignty of the People of each State under the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.
    5. I will introduce, sponsor, and support legislation that seeks to repeal laws and regulations that are outside the scope of the powers delegated by the people to the federal government.
    6. I will introduce, sponsor and support legislation that provides such relief as is necessary and proper to provide fair redress to the citizens of my State in response to actions by the federal government which exceeds its Constitutional authority.
    7. Whenever I vote in favor of a new federal power, I will always make public my justification for it within the confines of the enumerated powers of the Constitution.
    8. I will only vote in favor of a bill that I have thoroughly read, considered and understood.
    9. I will be accountable to voters. Upon request, I will make public every vote I cast while in office.
    10. I will keep this pledge public, and will provide a link on my website which directs constituents to the text of this pledge.
      Source: The Tenth Amendment Pledge 10-10th-GR on Jul 4, 2010

      Repeal any federal health care takeover.

      Hayworth signed Citizens Against Government Waste's "No Pork Pledge"

      Despite congressional reforms over the past several years to reduce pork barreling and increase earmark accountability and transparency, earmarks continue to figure prominently as the "currency of corruption" on Capitol Hill, undermining the federal budgetary process and our democratic system of government. In an effort to encourage more members of Congress and candidates for office to kick the earmarking habit, CCAGW has launched a new no-gimmicks, anti-pork pledge.

        By signing CCAGW’s No Pork Pledge, incumbents and candidates vow not to request any pork-barrel earmark, which is defined as meeting one of the following criteria:
      • Requested by only one chamber of Congress
      • Not specifically authorized
      • Not competitively awarded
      • Not requested by the President
      • Greatly exceeds the President’s budget request or the previous year’s funding
      • Not the subject of congressional hearings
      • Serves only a local or special interest
      Source: Citizens Against Government Waste's "No Pork Pledge" 10-CAGW on Aug 12, 2010

      Identify constitutionality in every new congressional bill.

      Hayworth signed the Contract From America

      The Contract from America, clause 1. Protect the Constitution:

      Require each bill to identify the specific provision of the Constitution that gives Congress the power to do what the bill does.

      Source: The Contract From America 10-CFA01 on Jul 8, 2010

      Audit federal agencies, to reform or eliminate them.

      Hayworth signed the Contract From America

      The Contract from America, clause 5. Restore Fiscal Responsibility & Constitutionally Limited Government in Washington:

      Create a Blue Ribbon taskforce that engages in a complete audit of federal agencies and programs, assessing their Constitutionality,

      Source: The Contract From America 10-CFA05 on Jul 8, 2010

      Moratorium on all earmarks until budget is balanced.

      Hayworth signed the Contract From America

      The Contract from America, clause 9. Stop the Pork:

      Place a moratorium on all earmarks until the budget is balanced, and then require a 2/3 majority to pass any earmark.

      Source: The Contract From America 10-CFA09 on Jul 8, 2010

      Limit punitive damages; term limits on Congress.

      Hayworth signed the Contract with America:

      [As part of the Contract with America, within 100 days we pledge to bring to the House Floor the following bills]:

      The Common Sense Legal Reforms Act:
      “Loser pays” laws, reasonable limits on punitive damages, and reform of product liability laws to stem the endless tide of litigation.
      The Citizen Legislature Act:A first-ever vote on term limits to replace career politicians with citizen legislators.
      Source: Contract with America 93-CWA11 on Sep 27, 1994

      Government is too big, too intrusive, too easy with money.

      Hayworth signed the Contract with America:

      This year’s election offers the chance, after four decades of one-party control, to bring to the House a new majority that will transform the way Congress works. That historic change would be the end of government that is too big, too intrusive, and too easy with the public’s money. It can be the beginning of a Congress that respects the values and shares the faith of the American family.

      Like Lincoln, our first Republican president, we intend to act “with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right.” To restore accountability to Congress. To end its cycle of scandal and disgrace. To make us all proud again of the way free people govern themselves.

        On the first day of the 104th Congress, the new Republican majority will immediately pass the following major reforms, aimed at restoring the faith and trust of the American people in their government:
      1. Require all laws that apply to the rest of the country also apply equally to the Congress;
      2. Select a major independent auditing firm to conduct a comprehensive audit of Congress for waste, fraud, and abuse;
      3. Cut the number of House committees, and cut committee staff by one-third;
      4. Limit the terms of all committee chairs;
      5. Ban the casting of proxy votes in committee;
      6. Require committee meetings to be open to the public;
      7. Require a three-fifths majority vote to pass a tax increase
      8. Guarantee an honest accounting of our federal budget by implementing zero baseline budgeting.
      Source: Contract with America 93-CWA2 on Sep 27, 1994

      2010 Governor, House and Senate candidates on Government Reform: J.D. Hayworth on other issues:
      AZ Gubernatorial:
      Jan Brewer
      AZ Senatorial:
      John McCain
      Jon Kyl

      Dem. Freshmen
      in 112th Congress:

      AL-7:Terri Sewell
      CA-33:Karen Bass
      DE-0:John Carney
      FL-17:Frederica Wilson
      HI-1:Colleen Hanabusa
      LA-2:Cedric Richmond
      MA-10:Bill Keating
      MI-13:Hansen Clarke
      RI-1:David Cicilline
      GOP Freshmen
      in 112th Congress:

      AL-2:Martha Roby
      AL-5:Mo Brooks
      AZ-1:Paul Gosar
      AZ-3:Ben Quayle
      AZ-5:David Schweikert
      AR-1:Rick Crawford
      AR-2:Tim Griffin
      AR-3:Steve Womack
      CA-19:Jeff Denham
      CO-3:Scott Tipton
      CO-4:Cory Gardner
      FL-12:Dennis Ross
      FL-2:Steve Southerland
      FL-21:Mario Diaz-Balart
      FL-22:Allen West
      FL-24:Sandy Adams
      FL-25:David Rivera
      FL-5:Rich Nugent
      FL-8:Dan Webster
      GA-2:Mike Keown
      GA-7:Rob Woodall
      GA-8:Austin Scott
      ID-1:Raul Labrador
      IL-8:Joe Walsh
      IL-10:Bob Dold
      IL-11:Adam Kinzinger
      IL-14:Randy Hultgren
      IL-17:Bobby Schilling
      IL-8:Joe Walsh
      IN-3:Marlin Stutzman
      IN-4:Todd Rokita
      IN-8:Larry Bucshon
      IN-9:Todd Young
      KS-1:Tim Huelskamp
      KS-3:Kevin Yoder
      KS-5:Mike Pompeo
      LA-3:Jeff Landry
      MD-1:Andy Harris
      MI-1:Dan Benishek
      MI-2:Bill Huizenga
      MI-3:Justin Amash
      MI-7:Tim Walberg
      MN-8:Chip Cravaack
      MO-4:Vicky Hartzler
      MO-7:Billy Long
      MS-1:Alan Nunnelee
      MS-4:Steven Palazzo
      GOP Freshmen
      in 111th Congress:

      NC-2:Renee Ellmers
      ND-0:Rick Berg
      NH-2:Charlie Bass
      NH-1:Frank Guinta
      NJ-3:Jon Runyan
      NM-2:Steve Pearce
      NV-3:Joe Heck
      NY-13:Michael Grimm
      NY-19:Nan Hayworth
      NY-20:Chris Gibson
      NY-24:Richard Hanna
      NY-25:Ann Marie Buerkle
      NY-29:Tom Reed
      OH-1:Steve Chabot
      OH-15:Steve Stivers
      OH-16:Jim Renacci
      OH-18:Bob Gibbs
      OH-6:Bill Johnson
      OK-5:James Lankford
      PA-10:Tom Marino
      PA-11:Lou Barletta
      PA-3:Mike Kelly
      PA-7:Patrick Meehan
      PA-8:Mike Fitzpatrick
      SC-1:Tim Scott
      SC-3:Jeff Duncan
      SC-4:Trey Gowdy
      SC-5:Mick Mulvaney
      SD-0:Kristi Noem
      TN-3:Chuck Fleischmann
      TN-4:Scott DesJarlais
      TN-6:Diane Black
      TN-8:Stephen Fincher
      TX-17:Bill Flores
      TX-23:Quico Canseco
      TX-27:Blake Farenthold
      VA-2:Scott Rigell
      VA-5:Robert Hurt
      VA-9:Morgan Griffith
      WA-3:Jaime Herrera
      WI-7:Sean Duffy
      WI-8:Reid Ribble
      WV-1:David McKinley
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      Page last updated: Mar 09, 2011