Asa Hutchinson
Historical Details
Position on Issues
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Hutchinson has not identified specific federal departments he might abolish, but in his campaign announcement speech he said, "Too often, our businesses and families are held back by a federal bureaucracy that is out of control, heavy-handed, and wasteful. As President, I will reduce the federal civilian workforce by 10%!"
No Response
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2023
Do you support a constitutional amendment limiting terms for U.S. representatives and senators?
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It's unclear if Hutchinson would support a ban on "divisive concepts" in schools, but he has dealt with related legislation at the state level. In 2021 Hutchinson allowed an Arkansas bill that bans state agencies from teaching "divisive concepts" to become law without his signature. He said, "The bill does not address any problem that exists, and the paperwork and manpower requirements are unnecessary."
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Candidate's Website, 2023
"Restore discipline by reducing federal government size, cutting spending, balancing the budget, and lowering the deficit to tame inflation."
No Response
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2023
Should the federal government combat inflation by capping price increases by large businesses?
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"Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, 72, on Tuesday said there was no need for more restrictions on voters’ choices.
"The U.S. Constitution lays out requirements to hold the office of President of the United States, so let’s stick with that,' Hutchinson, who is considering a run for president, said in a statement to POLITICO. 'Additionally, there is a mental acuity test every time a candidate stands before voters in a town-hall setting, a diner on the campaign trail, or on a voter’s door step.'"
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Hutchinson has not said he would lower tariffs, but he opposes most tariff increases. In 2023 he wrote, "I certainly agree that America needs fair trade as well as free trade. But fair trade should be achieved through targeted tariffs like we have done with China, rather than by across the board 10% tariff tax on all incoming goods to the U.S. Such blunt and misguided policies only serve to punish American consumers and producers. We need more global markets open to our Iowa farmers, not closing down markets abroad."
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"Asked whether there were any circumstances under which he would support military action, he told The Times: 'Armed conflict with China is not in the interest of any nation. I will leverage regional alliances and rebuild the U.S. military, including bolstering the naval fleet, as a means of deterrence to ensure peace and stability in the region.'
"But of defending Taiwan, he added: “I acknowledge that safeguarding America’s vital interests may necessitate a more confrontational approach with China. Ultimately, I am committed to doing what is necessary to protect the security of the United States and maintaining open sea lanes in international waters.'"
No Response
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2023
Do you support a federal rule that would oblige automakers to make 50% or more of the vehicles they sell electric?
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As governor of Arkansas, Hutchinson prioritized good trade relations with China. For example, in 2018 the AP reported, "Gov. Asa Hutchinson says Arkansas has attracted a significant amount of foreign investment and that he wants to 'keep it on target.' The expedition to China would take place before the end of the year. ... The first term governor who is seeking re-election says he is hoping for a quick solution to the threat of rising tariffs between the U.S. and China, and is also eager to safeguard economic ties with Mexico and Canada."
On his 2024 campaign website under a section titled "Strong on China," Hutchinson states he will, "Promote responsible decoupling in key industries and technologies, encourage the reshoring of manufacturing capabilities to the U.S., and bolster relationships with Indo-Pacific allies through trade agreements and strategically appropriate mutual defense pacts."
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"'This law simply says that female athletes should not have to compete in a sport against a student of the male sex when the sport is designed for women’s competition,' Hutchinson said in a statement released by his office. 'As I have stated previously, I agree with the intention of this law. This will help promote and maintain fairness in women’s sporting events.'"
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"I would support the restrictions, and I would advocate for the exceptions of the life of the mother and the cases of rape and incest. I believe that’s where the American public is. I don't think anything will come out of Congress without those exceptions. And I certainly would sign a pro-life bill, but I would expect those exceptions to be in place."
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"As governor in 2021, Hutchinson signed a near-total abortion ban into law that did not include exceptions for rape and incest. He told CNN at the time that he signed the measure because he hoped the US Supreme Court would eventually take up the legislation and overturn the Roe v. Wade ruling that had legalized abortion nationwide."
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Candidate's Website, 2023
"Embrace an 'all-of-the-above' policy by reversing restrictions on pipeline construction and drilling, removing barriers to nuclear power, and ending the war on fossil fuels."
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Hutchinson said he is open to a "conversation" about raising the minimum age to purchase "AR-15-style weapons."
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"The President, in his announced policy on marijuana, has waived the flag of surrender in the fight to save lives from drug abuse and has adopted all the talking points of the drug legalizers. The Department of Justice should not issue blanket pardons but each case should be looked at individually. As Governor I have issued hundreds of pardons to those who have been convicted of drug offenses. But in this time of rising crime, there should be a clear record of law-abiding conduct before pardons are issued.
"In terms of rescheduling marijuana, the president is ignoring the science that is behind the different categories of drugs. While his proposal sounds good, this is a step that has not been taken by the Obama Administration or the Trump Administration. Biden is simply playing election-year politics and sacrificing our national interest to win votes."
No Response
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2023
Should the federal government reform Social Security by requiring means testing?
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Candidate's Twitter Feed, 2023
"Asa has secured the border before, he has the experience to get the job done and keep Americans safe. We have to stop the flow of fentanyl and hold the cartels accountable for the destruction of our country. Finish the wall, stand with Border Patrol, and reform asylum NOW."
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"On the debate stage Wednesday, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) opposed the unilateral use of U.S. military or police force in Mexico, harkening back to his experience as head of the Drug Enforcement Administration.
"'We cannot be successful against the cartel unless we bring in Mexico as a partner. We have to use economic pressure to accomplish that,” said Hutchinson, though he added that López Obrador “has not been helpful.'"
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"I believe the United States' leadership is important in supporting Ukraine and bringing the European allies together to help us to oppose Russia and their aggression. Sure, we need to have accountable funds, we need to have audits, we need to have controls over it, but it is really important that we support them. And both Governor DeSantis and former president Trump have diminished that support."
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Candidate's Twitter Feed, 2021
"The Biden Administration's plan to tax unrealized capital gains would mean the government can levy a tax on you before you even make a profit on a sale. It's a bad idea even if it's limited to the very wealthy because it take money away from job creation. This idea won't end with the wealthy."
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"No candidate for president should be discussing specific use of the pardon power in individual cases. President Trump is entitled to a trial on the grand jury indictment, and the trial of the case and the determination of guilt or innocence should not be undermined by candidates promising to pardon Trump. As president, anyone seeking a pardon would have to pursue clemency through the Department of Justice Office of Pardons, and it would be handled just like any other case.
"As president, I would approach the pardon power with the utmost respect for our constitutional values, just as I did during my tenure as governor of Arkansas, where I used it to ensure fairness in some cases and provide mercy in others."
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"While it’s essential to find ways to alleviate the financial burden on Americans, the Inflation Reduction Act’s Medicare negotiations approach is constitutionally precarious and risks unintended consequences that could stifle research and innovation."
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Hutchinson has support privatizing Social Security in the past, but when he was challenged on that position in 2014, he did not clearly state support. Instead Hutchinson said, "I have always supported a strong Social Security system, and I have fought hard for our senior citizens, and I will continue to do so as governor."
No Response
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2023
Should the federal government reform social security by raising the cap on income subject to the Social Security tax?
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"We have got to protect Social Security and Medicare. When you look at the long-term concerns about it, we have got to bring in more workers. We have got to be able to make some changes, probably, but it shouldn't be lowering their retirement age for all of the workers, because you think about the difference between somebody like me, who's worked at a white-collar job, I have been a lawyer, I have been in public service, vs. somebody who's worked in a factory.
"I don't think that lifting their retirement age, whenever their body can wear out on some of those tough manual labor jobs, is the right way."
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Candidate's Website, 2023
"Cut taxes and reduce regulations to boost the private sector and enhance wages for American workers."
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"And that's what's great about Iowa and New Hampshire. They're ready for questions. And so, you know, I had an event and someone raise their hand and say, what's your position on the Jones Act? And I hadn't thought about the Jones Act since I was in law school. It has to do with admiralty law. And I said I might have to get back with you on that one."
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Candidate's Twitter Feed, 2022
"Broad student loan 'forgiveness' is a misuse of executive authority. Shifting the burden from those who willingly took out a loan to all taxpayers is inconsistent with the American ideal of personal responsibility and will further discourage those who took a different path, including work or lower-cost schools. If President Biden wanted to provide relief to Americans with student loan debts, he could work to permanently lower interest rates instead of across-the-board forgiveness. 'Forgiving' student loan debts will reward high-cost schools and add to the inflated cost of higher education."
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"Long-shot Republican presidential contender Asa Hutchinson said he would replace Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell because the central bank chief has damaged the US economy by aggressively raising interest rates."
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