Steve Bullock
Historical Details
Position on Issues
For| Read My Position
"I support an assault weapons ban of military-style weapons like the AR-15 and AK-47."
For| Read My Position
"After Parkland, the president called for a ban on bump stocks and placing age limits on who can purchase firearms; let's hold him to his word. While we're at it, let's place greater limits on access to high-capacity magazines and weapons enabling those intent on terror to kill dozens in seconds."
Against| Read My Position
Candidate's Website, 2017
Bullock opposed the American Health Care Act, which created some flexibility on essential health benefits and used a block grant system for Medicaid. A press release from his office states: "Montana Governor Steve Bullock today blasted Republican leaders in Congress after the Congressional Budget Office report confirmed the latest version of the American Health Care Act would have damaging impacts on Montanans and throw the state's fiscal health into jeopardy.
"'The House of Representatives has passed a half-baked and heartless proposal that would increase healthcare costs and throw thousands of Montanans off their insurance,' said Governor Bullock. 'People's lives are on the line. Congress needs to focus on solutions that will increase quality of care and drive down costs for hard-working families across the country instead of giving tax cuts to millionaires and drug companies.'
"If passed in its current form, the American Health Care Act would:
- "Increase the average Montanans' premium and out-of-pocket costs by$4,606.
- "Result in denied coverage or unaffordable prices for 426,400 Montanans with pre-existing conditions.
- "Shift over $3 billion of costs to the state, posing a threat to the fiscal health of the state.
- "331,300 Montanans would be subject to lifetime limits, leaving them vulnerable to caps from insurance companies.
- "Put 77,000 Montanans at risk of losing coverage under Medicaid expansion.
- "Give 2.1% of the wealthiest Montanans tax cuts while 259,000 Montanans would be at risk of losing their coverage or facing increased costs."
Against| Read My Position
"'I would not seek the repeal of criminal penalties for people apprehended crossing the border and who do not seek to claim asylum, but I would reverse the Trump Administration's 'zero-tolerance' policy that led to inhumane family separations and the detention of small children,' Bullock told The Post. 'We've got 100,00 people showing up at the border right now. If we decriminalize entry, if we give free healthcare to everyone, we'll have multiples of that,' Bullock said at the second Democratic debate. 'A sane immigration system needs a sane leader. And we can do that without decriminalizing and providing health care for everyone.'"
For| Read My Position
Bullock signed a letter with ten other governors that states, "We urge you to take immediate action and pass legislation that will provide an opportunity for young adults who are subject to the policy directive issued by President Obama on June 2012; the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (DACA), to remain in the United States before the program fully expires on March 5, 2018.
"The action President Trump has taken to rescind the DACA program is not an answer to our nation's ongoing need for permanent and comprehensive immigration reform. The nearly 800,000 DACA-recipients, who are currently working in the United States or attending a university or college, should not be penalized for the gridlock in Washington that has blocked real solutions from moving forward. They are hard-working individuals who are contributing to their communities, paying taxes, and in, in many cases, even serving in the U.S. military.
Against| Read My Position
Candidate's Website, 2017
Bullock opposed the American Health Care Act, which created some flexibility on essential health benefits and used a block grant system for Medicaid. A press release from his office states: "Montana Governor Steve Bullock today blasted Republican leaders in Congress after the Congressional Budget Office report confirmed the latest version of the American Health Care Act would have damaging impacts on Montanans and throw the state's fiscal health into jeopardy.
"'The House of Representatives has passed a half-baked and heartless proposal that would increase healthcare costs and throw thousands of Montanans off their insurance,' said Governor Bullock. 'People's lives are on the line. Congress needs to focus on solutions that will increase quality of care and drive down costs for hard-working families across the country instead of giving tax cuts to millionaires and drug companies.'
"If passed in its current form, the American Health Care Act would:
- "Increase the average Montanans' premium and out-of-pocket costs by$4,606.
- "Result in denied coverage or unaffordable prices for 426,400 Montanans with pre-existing conditions.
- "Shift over $3 billion of costs to the state, posing a threat to the fiscal health of the state.
- "331,300 Montanans would be subject to lifetime limits, leaving them vulnerable to caps from insurance companies.
- "Put 77,000 Montanans at risk of losing coverage under Medicaid expansion.
- "Give 2.1% of the wealthiest Montanans tax cuts while 259,000 Montanans would be at risk of losing their coverage or facing increased costs."
For| Read My Position
"Let's focus on what works. Most gun owners are law abiding, yet too often guns get into the wrong hands. That's why the first step ought to be universal background checks and cracking down on straw purchases of guns."
Against| Read My Position
In 2017 Bullock vetoed SB 329, which would prohibit abortion 20 weeks after fertilization. His veto letter stated: "As a father, husband, and son, I stand firmly opposed to restrictions on a woman's ability to make deeply personal medical decisions in consultation with her medical provider, family members, and spiritual leaders. Montana's elected officials have no business substituting their personal beliefs for the sound medical judgment of our healthcare professionals or the deeply personal medical decisions of their constituents."
For| Read My Position
Bullock signed a letter from the Democratic Governors Association opposing a Trump administration rule that would threaten Title X funding for Planned Parenthood. The letter stated in part: "For more than 40 years, Title X has been an important partnership between the federal government and states that has been supported by Democrats and Republicans alike. This dangerous proposal would upend decades of bipartisan cooperation, taking away women's healthcare through trusted medical providers like Planned Parenthood and eroding their access to comprehensive, medically accurate information. We strongly urge you to reconsider this plan, which is nothing more than a domestic 'gag rule' that poses serious risks to women's health."
For| Read My Position
Candidate's Website, 2019
"Raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour recognizing some regions may need to go higher. As a private citizen, Steve led the successful effort to raise the minimum wage in Montana (and tie it to inflation) and he'll push to raise it nationally because too many Americans, especially women and people of color, aren't getting paid an honest day's wage for a hard day's work."
For| Read My Position
Candidate's Website, 2019
"Invest in efficient infrastructure and homes, which can reduce carbon pollution by at least 20%."
For| Read My Position
Candidate's Website, 2019
"Throughout his tenure, Governor Bullock has expanded incentives for renewable power, including the opportunities for job creation associated with Montana's legacy of hydroelectric power. After legislative efforts were levied to unravel this job creating law, Governor Bullock successfully protected Montana's Renewable Portfolio Standard."
For| Read My Position
"Provide free tuition for community college attendance.
- This would require Congressional funding"
For| Read My Position
"We can and must do more to build a more progressive tax system that ensures all Americans pay their fair share. We can do that without pursuing a policy that many have pointed out is largely unenforceable," Bullock told The Post. "As president, I'll build a fair tax code by closing loopholes, raising corporate and capital gains tax rates, and restructuring tax brackets."
Against| Read My Position
Candidate's Twitter Feed, 2019
"These tariffs are ineffective, hurting our economy, and affecting the livelihood of American farmers. The trade war needs to end."
For| Read My Position
Candidate's Facebook Page, 2017
Throughout his time as governor, Bullock has advocated for more infrastructure spending. In 2017 he said, "Today I called on the legislature to do the right thing by finding a long-term funding solution that ensures Montana does not fall into an infrastructure crisis. If the legislature does not come up with a solution, it would be an unprecedented failure for our economy and hard-working, middle-class families who depend on good-paying construction jobs. Let's roll up our sleeves and get to work."
Against| Read My Position
"President Trump has tried to privatize the VA, which would lead to longer wait times for veterans to access care and higher costs for taxpayers. In contrast, Steve will work to fully fund and staff the VA network so that veterans can have access to health care."
For| Read My Position
"After Parkland, the president called for a ban on bump stocks and placing age limits on who can purchase firearms; let's hold him to his word. While we're at it, let's place greater limits on access to high-capacity magazines and weapons enabling those intent on terror to kill dozens in seconds."
Other| Read My Position
"I think it should be a state by state decision, like we've taken some great strides on medical marijuana in Montana but the federal government needs to get out of the way."
Against| Read My Position
"Every working American who pays into Social Security has earned the benefit and deserves to be eligible for full benefits."
Against| Read My Position
"About 156 million Americans are enrolled in employer-sponsored health insurance plans. Moving immediately to a Medicare for All system would both undermine existing employer sponsored health care, upset a significant portion of the economy, and result in significant payroll tax increases for working Americans to cover Medicare for All."
For| Read My Position
"I believe that we can increase access and affordability by providing a public option for Americans who want to buy into government insurance which will also ensure competition in the private market; allowing the federal government to negotiate drug prices and bring down the costs of prescription drugs; automatically enrolling Medicaid eligible people in Medicaid; and ending surprise billing and out of network charges."
Against| Read My Position
Candidate's Twitter Feed, 2019
"For the cost of the emergency declaration to 'build the wall' we could give every single member of the active duty military a $6,000 raise. OR invest in our students, teachers and underfunded schools by increasing the federal education budget by 12%."
Against| Read My Position
Candidate's Facebook Page, 2015
"Since being signed into law 80 years ago, social security has provided protection for generations of Americans. It is not only a responsible economic policy, it is also a promise to the men and women who helped build our state and nation - a promise that if you work hard and play by the rules, you will have certainty rather than struggle in your senior years. It is a promise that I will fight to keep for future generations and resist any efforts to shortchange the middle-class workers who have lived up to their end of the bargain."
For| Read My Position
"Social Security should be funded primarily through payroll taxes, where employers and employees share in providing for this important tool. It will be necessary to consider supplemental revenue for Social Security, as we have done for Medicare.
"But we need other revenue sources to shore up the program's funding. That is why I would also bolster Social Security by assessing payroll tax on income - not solely wages - above $250,000 (as is now done with Medicare). The additional revenue will extend the life of the Trust Fund and allow for a 'bump up' in payments for the poorest beneficiaries."
Against| Read My Position
"I do not support raising the retirement age. For working folks, especially those who make a living in manufacturing and other industrial careers, extending their working careers is simply not realistic."
For| Read My Position
"Russia's unwarranted and unprovoked aggression against Ukraine demonstrates its lack of regard for the territorial sovereignty of its neighbors and the extent to which it is willing to go to maintain its so-called 'sphere of influence.' Such action has set a dangerous precedent for several of our allies in Central and Eastern Europe, and we must work closely with these allies to ensure that they have the necessary military capabilities to deter future Russian aggression. We must coordinate with our NATO allies to ensure there is adequate military preparation and readiness in the case of such an incident, particularly in the Baltic region. Simultaneously, we must also continue, in coordination with our allies and partners, effective sanctions against entities connected to the ongoing occupations of Crimea and the Donbas to make it explicitly clear to Russia that its unlawful infringements of Ukrainian sovereignty is unsustainable and counter to its long-term interests."
Other| Read My Position
"Allow employers to contribute up to $5,250 per year to an employee's student loan repayments tax-free -- and allow employees to receive these contributions without having to pay income tax on this benefit.
"Reclaim federal management over student loan initiation, lower interest rates, and allow for refinancing if interest rates drop.
"Steve will direct the Federal Student Aid (FSA) office of the Department of Education to reclaim federal management over student loan initiation.
"Direct the FSA office to offer improved repayment programs.
"Provide tax credits to employers who help their employees pay off educational debt and eliminate the treatment of student loan payments by employers as income. This would require Congressional approval.
"Treat workforce investments in employees as an asset rather than an expense to incentivize companies to develop their employee's skills. This would require Congressional approval.
"Expand and improve public service student loan repayment programs so young people can afford to go to college and give back to their country."
Other| Read My Position
"His campaign said he was open to the idea."
Against| Read My Position
"I would rejoin the JCPOA, if it is still an option by January 2021. A nuclear Iran would further destabilize the entire Middle East and we must prevent it."
Against| Read My Position
"Montana Governor Steve Bullock today issued an executive order to join the U.S. Climate Alliance. In his announcement, he stated, 'Climate change is already impacting our way of life and our economy. How we choose to respond to the changes around us offers a pivotal opportunity to both safeguard our traditional strengths and diversify and grow new opportunities for our future. Like all difficult issues we tackle here in Montana, I know we can find a path forward by getting together, rolling up our sleeves, and focusing on the values we share in common.'
"His announcement comes on the heels of the two-year anniversary of the U.S. Climate Alliance, formed on June 1, 2017 in response to President Trump's announced intent to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Agreement. With Montana as its newest member, the Alliance represents 55 percent of the U.S. population, an $11.7 trillion economy, and 40 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. The climate and clean energy policies of Alliance states have created over 1.7 million renewable energy and energy efficiency jobs, equivalent to over 60 percent of all clean energy jobs in the United States."
