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Joe Walsh on Homeland Security

Republican presidential primary challenger (former IL Rep.)

 


Take seriously the dangers of Islamic terrorism

While Walsh has taken few stances on counterterrorism policy, he has spoken often of the dangers of Islamic terrorism, which he feels policymakers have not taken seriously enough.

Walsh previously accused the Barack Obama administration of skewing intelligence to downplay the threat posed by terrorist groups such as al-Qaeda and the self-proclaimed Islamic State.

He has opposed readmitting into the United States former citizens who renounced their citizenship to join terrorist groups.

Source: Council on Foreign Relations on 2020 presidential hopefuls , Dec 24, 2019

Supports military service for gays and transgendered

[On LGBT rights]: I use the power of my public profile to go at the issue and talk about the issue and try to find common ground on the issue. I'm a big supporter of anybody--gay, lesbian, straight, or transgender--serving in the military. This is one of those issues though where when you've got strong minded people on one side or another side pushing it too hard for the American people, instead of trying to find an area of compromise--for instance, being able to use whatever washroom facilities or shower facilities according to the sex that you identify as. Fine. People in America should have that freedom to be able to do that. But we've got to think about the people sitting in high school situations--students, 17 and 18 year olds--who may be uncomfortable with that. So it's finding the common ground.
Source: Business Insider 2019 GOP presidential primary debate , Sep 24, 2019

Cut $8.9B from defense bill, and supported 3% more

The FY12 Department of Defense Appropriations bill funds the Department of Defense and represents a cut of $8.9 billion from the President's budget request.

"Today I was proud to vote to ensure that our troops have the resources they need to defend American families and our great nation. This bill is also an important step in bringing Washington's spending problem under control. For the first time in 20 years, the House has passed a Department of Defense Appropriations bill that is significantly lower than the President's budget request. While I unconditionally support our troops, I thought it was imperative to cut some of the bloat out of the President's request. In fact, during the amendment process I also supported several amendments that would have made further cuts to defense spending, including one that would have made an additional 3% cut across the board. Unfortunately, these amendments did not pass, but I will continue to support hard spending cuts and fiscal responsibility."

Source: 2011 House press release by 2020 presidential hopefuls , Jul 8, 2011

Keep prisoners at Guantanamo; try them in military tribunals

Q. Should the Guantanamo Bay detention facility be closed?

A. Guantanamo Bay should not be closed and the prisoners there should not be transferred to the United States and specifically not to the state of Illinois. The individuals being held there are enemy combatants and should be tried in military tribunals, not civilian courts.

Source: Chicago Tribune Editorial board questionnaire responses , Feb 2, 2010

All provisions of the Patriot Act should be renewed

Q. Some provisions of the Patriot Act will expire at the end of this year. Should these provisions be renewed?

A. All provisions of the Patriot Act due to expire at the end of the year should be renewed, including all wiretapping and provisions allowin subpoenas of all personal, medical and financial records without informing the person being investigated. I do not believe Congress should place any restrictions on the use of the Patriot Act and interfere with the President's execution of the war.

Source: Chicago Tribune Editorial board questionnaire responses , Feb 2, 2010

Voted YES on extending the PATRIOT Act's roving wiretaps.

    Congressional Summary: To prohibit Federal funding of National Public Radio and the use of Federal funds to acquire radio content, including:
  1. broadcasting, transmitting, and programming over noncommercial educational radio broadcast stations
  2. cooperating with foreign broadcasting networks
  3. assisting and supporting noncommercial educational radio broadcasting
  4. paying dues to such organizations
  5. or acquiring radio programs for public broadcast.

Proponent's Argument for voting Yes:
[Rep. Blackburn, R-TN]: This bill gets the Federal Government--and Federal taxpayers--out of the business of buying radio programming they do not agree with. This is a bill that is long overdue. Regardless of what you think of NPR, its programming or statements by its management, the time has come to cut the umbilical cord from the taxpayer support that has become as predictable as an entitlement program. Much has changed in the media landscape since the wiretaps, to seek certain business records, and to gather intelligence on lone terrorists who are not affiliated with a known terrorist group. The Patriot Act works. It has proved effective in preventing terrorist attacks and protecting Americans. To let these provisions expire would leave every American less safe.

Opponent's Argument for voting No:
[Rep. Conyers, D-MI]: Section 215 of the Patriot Act allows a secret FISA court to authorize our government to collect business records or anything else, requiring that a person or business produce virtually any type record. We didn't think that that was right then. We don't think it's right now. This provision is contrary to traditional notions of search and seizure which require the government to show reasonable suspicion or probable cause before undertaking an investigation that infringes upon a person's privacy. And so I urge a "no" vote on the extension of these expiring provisions.

Reference: FISA Sunsets Extension Act; Bill H.514 ; vote number 11-HV066 on Feb 17, 2011

Member of House Committee on Homeland Security.

Walsh is a member of the House Committee on Homeland Security

The House Committee on Homeland Security conducts oversight and handles legislation related to the security of the United States. The committee may amend, approve, or table (kill) homeland security related bills. It also has the power to hold hearings, conduct investigations, and subpoena witnesses. Additionally, the committee has authorization and policy oversight responsibilities over the Department of Homeland Security.

The committee organized itself into six subcommittees, with each focusing on different aspects of security:

Source: U.S. House of Representatives website, www.house.gov 11-HC-HSC on Feb 3, 2011

Other candidates on Homeland Security: Joe Walsh on other issues:
2020 Presidential Democratic Primary Candidates:
V.P.Joe Biden (D-DE)
Mayor Mike Bloomberg (I-NYC)
Gov.Steve Bullock (D-MT)
Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D-IN)
Rep.Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI)
Sen.Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
Gov.Deval Patrick (D-MA)
Sen.Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
Sen.Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)

2020 GOP and Independent Candidates:
Rep.Justin Amash (Libertarian-MI)
CEO Don Blankenship (C-WV)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Howie Hawkins (Green-NY)
Gov.Larry Hogan (R-MD)
Gov.John Kasich (R-OH)
V.P.Mike Pence (R-IN)
Gov.Mark Sanford (R-SC)
CEO Howard Schultz (I-WA)
Pres.Donald Trump (R-NY)
Gov.Jesse Ventura (I-MN)
V.C.Arvin Vohra (Libertarian-MD)
Rep.Joe Walsh (R-IL)
Gov.Bill Weld (L-NY,R-MA)
Abortion
Budget/Economy
Civil Rights
Corporations
Crime
Drugs
Education
Energy/Oil
Environment
Families/Children
Foreign Policy
Free Trade
Govt. Reform
Gun Control
Health Care
Homeland Security
Immigration
Infrastructure/Technology
Jobs
Principles/Values
Social Security
Tax Reform
War/Iraq/Mideast
Welfare/Poverty

External Links about Joe Walsh:
Wikipedia
Ballotpedia

2020 Withdrawn Democratic Candidates:
State Rep.Stacey Abrams (D-GA)
Sen.Michael Bennet (D-CO)
Sen.Cory Booker (D-NJ)
Secy.Julian Castro (D-TX)
Mayor Bill de Blasio (D-NYC)
Rep.John Delaney (D-MD)
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)
CEO Tom Steyer (D-CA)
Rep.Eric Swalwell (D-CA)
Marianne Williamson (D-CA)
CEO Andrew Yang (D-NY)





Page last updated: Feb 25, 2020