

Pete Sessions
Republican | Texas
Candidate Profile*
Leans Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Pete Sessions
Party
Republican
Election Year
2020
Election
Republican Primary Runoff
Race
U.S. Rep., Dist. 17
Incumbent
No
EDUCATION
Southwestern, Georgetown, Political Science, 1978
WORK & MILITARY
(Candidate did not provide)
AFFILIATIONS
National Center for Policy Analysis, Vice-President, National Republican Congressional Committee
Chairman, Boy Scouts of America, Eagle Scout and Scout Master
Northeast Dallas Chamber of Commerce, Chairman, White Rock Council of the Boy Scout of America
District Chairman, East Dallas YMCA, Board Member
First Methodist Church - Waco, Member
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
United States Congressman, 22
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
Race
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
2017-18
100%
2015-16
100%
2013-14
100%
2017-18
100%, 100% (cum.)â€
2018
100%
2017-2018
100%
2017-18
100%
2018
76%, 94% (cum.)â€
2018
89%
2017-18
B+
2018
59%, 82% (cum.)â€
2017
74%, 79% (cum.)â€
2017-18
78%
2017-18
72%, 69% (cum.)â€
2015-16
66%
2018
55% (cum.)â€
2017-18
|100%
2015-16
|100%
2013-14
|100%
2017-18
|100%, 100% (cum.)â€
2018
|100%
2017-2018
|100%
2017-18
|100%
2018
|76%, 94% (cum.)â€
2018
|89%
2017-18
|B+
2018
|59%, 82% (cum.)â€
2017
|74%, 79% (cum.)â€
2017-18
|78%
2017-18
|72%, 69% (cum.)â€
2015-16
|66%
2018
|55% (cum.)â€
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
2018
C
2019
23%
2017-18
9%
2017
3%, 6% (cum.)â€
2018
10%, 5% (cum.)â€
2018
4%
2018
3%, 2% (cum.)â€
2017
0%, 1% (cum.)â€
2017
0%
2017-18
0%
2017-18
0%
2017-18
0%
2018
0%
2017
0%
2018
0%
2018
|C
2019
|23%
2017
|3%, 6% (cum.)â€
2018
|10%, 5% (cum.)â€
2018
|4%
2018
|3%, 2% (cum.)â€
2017
|0%, 1% (cum.)â€
2017
|0%
2017-18
|0%
2017-18
|0%
2017-18
|0%
2017
|0%
2018
|0%
ENDORSEMENTS*
CONSERVATIVE (5)
*George Hindman
*Laurie McReynolds
*National Rifle Association (NRA) PVF
*Scott Bland
*Todd Kent
OTHER (1)
*Associated General Contractors of America Political Action Committee
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (142)
Adrian Smith (2006)
Andrew 'Andy' Tobin (2014)
Ann Wagner (2013)
Barbara Comstock (2014)
Bill Shuster (2016)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (159)
21st Century Majority Fund (2008)
Abraham Lincoln PAC (2018)
America First Action (2018)
American Principles (2014)
American Revival PAC (2018)
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (1)
ActBlue (2018)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (10)
ActBlue (2018)
Airline Pilots Association (2018)
American Maritime Officers (2018)
Association of Professional Flight Attendants (2017)
Democratic Governors' Association (2006)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
Strongly Agree
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds or grants from federal, state, or local governments.
Strongly Agree
I support the Born Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, which requires health care providers to provide life-saving treatment for infants who survive an attempted abortion.
Strongly Agree
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
As the parent of a child with Down Syndrome, I believe all life is precious and valuable. Adoption is always an option for those who have unwanted pregnancies.
ECONOMY
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has a livable income.
Strongly Disagree
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
How would you guarantee Social Security benefits for future generations?
We need to recognize that life expectancy has risen 26% since social security was first implemented. I support a system that allows private retirement accounts and guarantees annual interest.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
The first test is to look at programs or cost centers in the federal government that increase greater than the annual growth rate. We must also eliminate programs which don't have a work requirement for individuals.
Under what circumstances should taxpayers help pay off existing student loans?
Students must take full responsibility for their loans. These loans should be administered by a free-market system, not by the federal government. Current law is unacceptable and is, in my opinion, fraudulent.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Governments should not discriminate against individuals, organizations or small businesses because of their belief that marriage is only a union of one man and one woman.
Strongly Agree
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.
Strongly Agree
I promise to protect the freedom of Christians to share the Gospel and to practice Biblical principles.
Yes
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
The role of government is not to deny or impede my choice or expression of my religious beliefs.
HEALTHCARE
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has health insurance.
Strongly Disagree
I support the elimination of private healthcare insurance.
Strongly Disagree
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
We need a replacement for Obamacare that is free market based, similar to the plan I supported in 2017, the American Health Care Act (HR 1628). This plan was passed by the House and narrowly defeated in the Senate. It was supported by over 600 physicians.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Strongly Agree
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of radical Islamic terrorism?
We should limit and deny access to a country or people who would not fulfill or maintain a proper relationship in support of the United States.
IMMIGRATION
I am in favor of construction of a wall and other necessary infrastructure on our border that gives complete control over entering and exiting the United States.
Strongly Agree
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) should be abolished.
Strongly Disagree
State and federal funds should be denied to any public or private entity, including but not limited to sanctuary cities, that are not in compliance with immigration laws.
Strongly Agree
Employers should be required to use E-verify to confirm the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States.
Strongly Agree
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Skilled workers who do not live off of government benefits and who support US values and goals.
EDUCATION
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Disagree
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Strongly Agree
I support adding sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression as protected classes in non-discrimination laws.
Strongly Disagree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I attend church on a weekly basis and strongly believe in prayer and Judeo-Christian values. I support prayer in schools, religious freedom, and school vouchers for religious institutions.
ABOUT YOU
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and immigration, which of the following best describes you overall?
Very Conservative
Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.
As a twenty-two year member of Congress from the TX-5th CD and TX-32nd CD, I have maintained a 100% pro-life record, 100% NFIB scorecard, and a lifetime NRA "A" rating.
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
No.
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
I am a conservative Republican. My hero is Ronald Reagan and I strongly support President Trump. Leadership should start in the legislative branch, which should be the body of government that solves problems instead of passing the buck to existing administrations.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Mandatory minimum sentencing should be required and enforced for violent crimes.
Strongly Agree
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
I oppose any restrictions or rules on legal gun owners.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
I support BDS (boycott, divestment, and sanction) against Israel if they refuse to allow the creation of a Palestinian state.
Strongly Disagree
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Strongly Disagree
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Strongly Disagree
The Electoral College should be abolished.
Strongly Disagree
In priority order, what three areas of legislation do you propose to author or sponsor if elected?
First, budget limits on government spending. Second, increased border security. Third, repeal of Obamacare and its replacement with a free-market system.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
All violent acts, whether racially motivated or not, are a threat to our security and must be punished to the maximum extent under the law. Our constitution guarantees equal protection for all individuals, no matter their race or religion.
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