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George Allen on Government Reform

Republican Senate Challenger

 


Sexual orientation not a factor in judges' qualifications

Allen distanced himself from the rest of the field on whether a homosexual could serve as a judge. All four denounced activist judges, but only Allen said a person's sexual orientation should not be a factor in determining qualification for the bench. "Judges when I look at them, I look at what are their qualifications," Allen said. "Sexual orientation is not a criteria for disqualifying."

But he declined to say whether he supported the successful effort by state Del. Bob Marshall, another Senate candidate, to block a gay Richmond prosecutor from a district judgeship earlier this month. "It's funny, I didn't hear an answer from our colleague," Marshall said. "I've already done it. You've seen it in the papers. It's quite easy to stand here and say you will do and not do things."

Source: Washington Examiner on 2012 Virginia Senate debate , May 25, 2012

Judges shouldn't invent law or impose their political views

The General Assembly blocked a gay judicial nominee's appointment to the bench: veteran prosecutor Tracy Thorne-Begland, who came out as gay as a naval officer 20 years ago. [Opponents say he] was unfit for the bench because he had challenged the military's ban on gays openly serving in the military, and lives with a partner.

George Allen sought to align himself with Gov. Robert McDonnell, who objected to anti-gay discrimination in principle but refused to take a position on whether it had played a role in Thorne-Begland's rejection. "I agree with Gov. McDonnell that judicial qualifications, not sexual orientation, should be the criteria for judicial selection," Allen's statement said. "Decisions on judges should be merit-based selections based on a person's skill, judicial temperament, and fidelity to the Constitution and laws--judges should apply the law, not invent it or impose their own political views."

A spokesman for Tim Kaine has equated Thorne-Begland's rejection to discriminat

Source: Washington Post on 2012 Virginia Senate debate , May 21, 2012

Curb spending by passing a line-item veto

Radtke railed against Allen's time in Washington from 2001 to 2007 and blaming him for deficit spending. "We cannot return a politician like George Allen who voted for trillions of dollars in spending and spent our children's money," Radtke said. "We need someone who is going to focus on cutting spending in these serious times."

Allen didn't respond to any of his opponents attacks personally. Instead, he defended his term by pointing out proposals to curb spending by supporting a line-item veto, and introducing a balanced budget amendment. He said the economy was out of control "because of the overspending, over-regulating big government policies of President Obama, Tim Kaine and the Washington liberals."

Source: Hampton Roads Daily Press on 2012 VA Senate debate , May 11, 2012

Supports line-item veto & balanced budget amendment

Radtke railed against Allen's time in Washington from 2001 to 2007 and blaming him for deficit spending. "We cannot return a politician like George Allen who voted for trillions of dollars in spending and spent our children's money," Radtke said. "We need someone who is going to focus on cutting spending in these serious times."

Allen didn't respond to any of his opponents attacks personally. Instead, he defended his term by pointing out proposals to curb spending by supporting a line-item veto, and introducing a balanced budget amendment. He said the economy was out of control "because of the overspending, over-regulating . big government policies of President Obama, Tim Kaine and the Washington liberals."

Source: Hampton Roads Daily Press on 2012 VA Senate debate , May 11, 2012

No activist judges who oppose God in Pledge of Allegiance

The confirmation of judicial appointments to the U.S. Supreme Court and other federal courts is one of the most crucial decisions made by our United States Senator, and one that will have a long-lasting impact on Virginia families, individuals and businesses. In recent years, we have seen activist judges act as if they were legislators by striking down Parental Notification and Partial Birth abortion laws, declaring that the Pledge of Allegiance violates the Constitution because of the phrase, "one nation, under God", and undermining our private property rights by allowing eminent domain to be used for the purpose of deriving more tax revenues. In the near future, we are likely to see cases involving same-sex marriage and attempts to invalidate Marriage Amendments approved by the States.
Source: 2012 Senate campaign website, www.georgeallen.com, "Issues" , Jul 22, 2011

Voted YES on allowing some lobbyist gifts to Congress.

A motion to table (kill) an amendment to clarify the application of the gift rule to lobbyists. Voting NAY would define employees of lobbying companies as registered lobbyists and therefore subject to the gift ban. Voting YEA would apply the gift ban only to specific people who registered as lobbyists.
Reference: Feingold Amendment to Legislative Transparency and Accountability Act; Bill S.Amdt.2962 to S.2349 ; vote number 2006-080 on Mar 29, 2006

Voted NO on establishing the Senate Office of Public Integrity.

An amendment to establish the Senate Office of Public Integrity. Voting YEA would establish the new office, and voting NAY would keep ethics investigations within the existing Senate Ethics Committee.
Reference: Collins Amendment to Legislative Transparency and Accountability Act; Bill S.Amdt.3176 to S.2349 ; vote number 2006-077 on Mar 28, 2006

Voted NO on banning "soft money" contributions and restricting issue ads.

Vote on passage of H.R. 2356; Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 (Shays-Meehan bill, House equivalent of McCain-Feingoldf bill). Vote to 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 HR.2356 ; vote number 2002-54 on Mar 20, 2002

Voted YES on require photo ID (not just signature) for voter registration.

Motion to Table Schumer Amdt. No. 2937; To permit the use of a signature or personal mark for the purpose of verifying the identity of voters who register by mail, and for other purposes. Voting Yes would kill the amendment. The amendment would allow a signature to identify voters who register by mail, instead of requiring showing photo identification or other proof of residence before being allowed to vote.
Reference: Bill S.565 ; vote number 2002-38 on Feb 27, 2002

Voted NO on banning campaign donations from unions & corporations.

Vote to ban soft money donations to political parties and forbid corporate general funds and union general funds from being spent on issue ads. The bill would increase the individual contribution limit to candidates from $1,000 to $2,000.
Reference: Bill S.27 ; vote number 2001-64 on Apr 2, 2001

Identify constitutionality in every new congressional bill.

Allen 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.

Allen 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.

Allen 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

Other candidates on Government Reform: George Allen on other issues:
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George W. Bush (R,2001-2009)
V.P.Dick Cheney
Bill Clinton (D,1993-2001)
V.P.Al Gore
George Bush Sr. (R,1989-1993)
Ronald Reagan (R,1981-1989)
Jimmy Carter (D,1977-1981)
Gerald Ford (R,1974-1977)
Richard Nixon (R,1969-1974)
Lyndon Johnson (D,1963-1969)
John F. Kennedy (D,1961-1963)
Dwight Eisenhower (R,1953-1961)
Harry_S_TrumanHarry S Truman(D,1945-1953)

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Page last updated: Oct 27, 2021