Bill "Sarge" Sargent
Republican | Texas
Candidate Profile
Leans Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Bill "Sarge" Sargent
Party
Republican
Election Year
2018
Election
Primary
Race
U.S. Rep., Dist.14
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
University of Hawaii, Honolulu, MA, 1973
San Jose State University, San Jose, BS, 1967
Foothill College, Los Altos Hills, AA, 1965
WORK & MILITARY
U.S. Navy, LCDR, 14
U.S. Navy, Enlisted, 6
AFFILIATIONS
Wycliffe Bible Translators, Contributor, Numerous Chrisitian ministries
Contributor, Lighthouse Charity Team, Volunteer
Galveston Citizens Police Association, Volunteer
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
None
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
U.S. Congress, 2012
Race
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
ENDORSEMENTS
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (1)
None Requested
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (4)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations
Republican Women's Organizations
State Republican Party Organizations
Todd Staples
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
Strongly Agree
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
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
Governments should define marriage as between one man and one woman; no other definition of marriage should be legalized or supported with taxpayer or public funds.
Strongly Agree
It is the government’s responsibility to be sure everyone has a livable income.
Strongly Disagree
It is the government’s responsibility to be sure everyone has health insurance.
Strongly Disagree
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which permitted our system of limited government.
Strongly Agree
More restrictive gun control is needed to protect public safety.
Strongly Disagree
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
Additional regulations are needed to prevent climate change.
Strongly Disagree
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.
Strongly Agree
The United States should help defend Israel from attack by its enemies.
Strongly Agree
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments.
Strongly Agree
Islamic law (Sharia) should take precedence over national and state laws where there are Islamic majority communities in the U. S.
Strongly Disagree
Congress should pass a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution.
Strongly Agree
People should be allowed to use public restrooms, showers, and changing rooms based on "gender identity."
No Answer
I support sanctuary cities.
Strongly Disagree
It is OK for Congress to exempt itself from compliance with laws applicable to all citizens.
Strongly Disagree
I support the death penalty.
Agree
Tuition-free public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Disagree
The United States should protect its sovereignty from the United Nations.
Strongly Agree
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Strongly Agree
I voted in these primaries and general elections:
2010 General Election, 2010 Republican Primary, 2012 General Election, 2012 Republican Primary, 2014 General Election, 2014 Republican Primary, 2016 General Election, 2016 Republican Primary
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
When the life of the mother is at stake.
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of radical Islamic terrorism?
Pray! This is a spiritual battle we are engaged in, one that has been around for thousands of years. It needs to be fought one soul at a time. In the meantime we need to be vigilant to identify threats and guard against them. We also need to thoroughly vet immigrants before they are allowed to enter our country.
What in the nature of mankind caused America’s Founders to carefully define, separate, and limit powers in the Constitution?
An understanding of the nature of the human condition, that power can easily corrupt those who lack character, and that government closer to the people is most responsive.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
The Lord is my shepherd. He leads me. He goes before me and prepares the way. My job is to be obedient and to follow Him. I don’t just believe IN Jesus I believe Jesus. I also trust Him. I don’t need to know the steps I will take next week or next year I only need to know the next step He wants me to take and then step out in faith. That is what the priests carrying the arc of the covenant did when they crossed over the Jordan. They needed to step in the water before the Lord made it back up. And all of this is undergirded by my belief that I am a sinner, that Jesus was both human and Devine, that he was without sin and sacrificed his life for my sins and paid the price for them that I might have salvation.
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?
Conservative
Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.
I don’t know if all of this is publicly available but consider this: - I was one of the leaders of the Youth for Goldwater in the San Francisco Bay Area in 1964 - I was a member of Young Americans for Freedom while in college and Vice President of the chapter at Foothill College - I worked for Senator Jesse Helms (R-NC) in 1973 when he first came to Washington, DC - I attended the Foundation for Economic Education courses on economics and the free market when it was under the leadership of Leonard Reed in New York state.
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
First, healthcare is not a responsibility of the federal government except when it involves interstate commerce issues. Second, unless we rely upon a free market, healthcare insurance premiums and deductibles are going to increase while coverage decreases. The answer is to encourage more firms to enter the market place thereby making it more competitive. This will result in more options for people to choose from and a stabilizing of the insurance costs. As a Congressman I will encourage the ability to sell healthcare insurance across state lines while trying to undo President Obama’s mess. Individual action and habits represent one of the most important factors for controlling health care costs. We must create positive environments to wisely direct individuals toward better and more healthy decisions. We did this with tobacco in the 60’s and 70’s.
What role should government play in boosting the economy?
Government needs to reduce the regulatory burden on small and medium-sized businesses. It needs to encourage economic growth by getting out of the way. And it should eliminate the Obamacare employer mandate.
What changes should be made to the tax code?
I for one would like to see the income tax replaced with a consumption tax. This would ensure that everybody has “skin in the game.” In doing this I would exempt from the tax items such as food so that those who are lower wage earners would get some relief from any increase caused by the consumption tax. Whether this can every be accomplished given the current environment in Washington, DC is questionable at best.
What is the best way to bring down unemployment?
We need to make our laws and regulations less burdensome on the business community, especially small and medium-sized companies. We also need to require able bodied welfare recipients to work at least 20-30 hours a week before being eligible to receive welfare benefits. This will encourage welfare recipients to go back into the job market. But unemployment by itself is not enough. We need to foster quality employment with prepared and skilled workers from sources like trade schools. LIT in Beaumont, Texas is just one example of how this can make a difference. Local communities and states must lead in this responsibility. Education is wisely a state and local function not federal.
How would you guarantee Social Security benefits for future generations?
First I would prohibit the use of any money in the Social Security Trust Fund from being used for any purpose except to pay annuity benefits. Second I would consider allowing those paying into Social Security to manage at least part of their own account and funds.
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
I have over 25 years of legislative experience. I worked for two members of Congress (Donald E. Buz Lukens from Ohio and Lou Frey, Jr. from the "Space Coast" of Florida) and then for Senator Jesse Helms from North Carolina. Subsequent to that I worked for twenty years in legislative affairs for at the U.S. Department of Commerce helping get some major pieces of legislation enacted, including the Export Administration Act which is one of the laws upon which the current sanctions of North Korea are based. I also worked with the Texas state legislature in the 2015 and 2017 sessions, getting eight bills introduced and shepherding seven of them (88% ) all the way to enactment. They are now public law in Texas.
E-mail address and phone number for voters to reach you:
bill@sarges.com or http://www.sargeforcongress.com/contactsarge.html
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
I encourage you to visit my website www.sargeforcongress.com to see some of the federal issues of local importance which are not addressed in this questionnaire. Clarifications on some of the questions in the survey above: #2 I don't believe a physical wall is needed for the entire length of the border. Electronic surveillance would be more appropriate in some places. I STRONGLY AGREE we need to secure the border. #4 Marriage is a Biblical covenant between a man, a woman, and the Lord. So ask yourself" Why should the government be involved with marriage in the first place?" #15 I want a balanced budget, but not by increasing taxes, but by reducing spending. I firmly believe that as part of a balanced budget amendment we need to require a 2/3rds vote of both houses in order to raise taxes and borrow funds we don't have. #16 Public Restrooms: The question not clearly stated. If you are saying the gender which the person was born with I would say I certainly AGREE
