This candidate has demonstrated 0% courage during the test.

*Note: This percentage is calculated based on the number of issue areas addressed by the candidate on the Political Courage Test at the conclusion of the testing period. It does not indicate support or lack of support by Project Vote Smart.

In response to the increasing unwillingness of candidates to answer issue questions, Project Vote Smart has researched Congressional candidates' public records to determine candidates' likely responses on certain key issues. These are provided below as a courtesy to voters.

Key:
= Official Position
Candidate had the Political Courage to address this issue directly.
= Inferred Position
Candidate refused to address this issue directly, but Project Vote Smart inferred this issue position based on the candidate's public statements, voting record, and evaluations from special interest groups.
= Unknown Position
Candidate refused to address this issue.
= Project Vote Smart's Research
Click on this icon to reveal more information about this candidate's position.

	Unknown Position	Abortion Issues: Do you consider yourself pro-choice or pro-life?
Vote Smart's Research: NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio. 2005-2006. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Ratings. 21 June 2010. "Based on a point system, with points assigned for actions in support of or in opposition to NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio's position, Stivers received a rating of 0." (votesmart.org) NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio. 2004. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Ratings. 21 June 2010. "Based on a point system, with points assigned for actions in support of or in opposition to NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio's position, Stivers received a rating of 0." (votesmart.org) Hallett, Joe and Jim Siegel. The Columbus Dispatch: Stivers' entry makes 15th the race to watch: State senator's military service, GOP's recent struggles make district unique. 6 November 2007. "Both Kilroy and Stivers support abortion rights, although Stivers said he also supports requiring pregnant teens to get their parents' consent before getting an abortion. He also supports a ban on so-called partial-birth abortions." (www.dispatchpolitics.com) Steve Stivers. 2010. Union County & Galloway 912 Project: Federal Candidate Questionnaire. Responded: "b. Life of the mother;" "c. Health of the mother;" "d. Rape;" "e. Incest," to the question: "4) Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?" (912ohio.com)
	Yes	Budget, Spending, and Tax Issues: Do you support the elimination of the federal estate tax?
Vote Smart's Research: Steve Stivers. 2010. Union County & Galloway 912 Project: Federal Candidate Questionnaire. Checked SUPPORT for: "5) Elimination of the estate tax." (912ohio.com) Steve Stivers. Columbus Dispatch (Columbus, OH): "Congressional Candidates Pitch Tax Relief Plans". 15 April 2008. "Stivers, the Republican candidate, said in an interview later that he would not repeal any tax cuts but would work to eliminate the estate tax. 'To raise the rate on capital gains right now could cause a big problem in the economy,' Stivers said." (votesmart.org) Steve Stivers signed The American Family Business Institute: No Death Tax Pledge. 3 May, 2010. (www.nodeathtax.org)
	No	Budget, Spending, and Tax Issues: Do you support using government funds in an effort to stimulate and improve the economy?
Vote Smart's Research: Steve Stivers. 2010. Union County & Galloway 912 Project: Federal Candidate Questionnaire. Selected STRONGLY AGREE for: "2) Higher government spending retards economic growth by transferring additional resources from the private sector of the economy to government, which uses them less efficiently." (912ohio.com) Steve Stivers. Columbus Dispatch (Columbus, OH): Candidates Differ on Bailouts, Sick Days, Union Cards. 20 September 2008. "Candidates for a central Ohio congressional seat disagreed yesterday on the wisdom of the federal government's bailouts of foundering mortgage lenders, an investment bank and insurance conglomerate. [?] Republican Steve Stivers said the government had to save the mortgage lenders but didn't need to rescue the American International Group insurance conglomerate or the Bear Stearns investment bank. [?] He said he supports competition and free markets, which accounts for his skepticism on the federal bailouts of private businesses. "It's hard to compete with a business that's too big to fail and that government is going to come in and rescue," Stivers said." (votesmart.org) Steve Stivers. Issue Position: Jobs and Economic Security. "To strengthen our economy, we must reduce government over-spending. Runaway deficits and record levels of spending in Congress are choking off capital in our economy and suppressing job creation. [?] We cannot tax our way out of a recession, but we can absolutely prolong it by taking more tax dollars from our workers and out of our economy and sending to the big spenders in Washington." (votesmart.org) Steve Stivers. Issue Position: Jobs. "The government must understand that, in order to be successful, they must stop interfering with the free market. As your congressman I'll stand up for our small businesses, work to put a stop to out-of-control spending, and help create incentives for investment and job creation here at home." (votesmart.org) Steve Stivers. Issue Position: Spending. "While Ohio families are hurting, Congress has kept increasing our national debt limit and thrown money at bailouts and bonuses - they even bought a car company." (votesmart.org) Steve Stivers. NBC - "NBC 4 Congressional Forum Focuses On Economic Questions". 19 September 2008. "The candidates were asked, "How do you feel about the proposed Wall Street bailout? Should the taxpayers foot the bill?" [?] "Part of what the treasury secretary did is something he had to do and that dealt with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac because they're an integral part of our housing market and I think that part unfortunately had to be done. But I think the other bailouts of Bear Stearns and what's happening with AIG creates some real issues around. Area some businesses too big to fail?" said Steve Stivers." (votesmart.org)
	No	Business and Employment Issues: Do you support privatizing elements of Social Security?
Vote Smart's Research: Steve Stivers. NBC - "NBC 4, AARP 15th Congressional District Debate". 17 September 2008. Responded: "[?] While I'm opposed to privatization of the system I think President Bush was wrong on that. I think we have to work together and stop politicalizing social security and Congress has to stop spending the money in the social security trust fund. [?] We need to bring everything in the system and make sure we keep the promises we have made. Promises made need to be promises kept. [?]" to the question: "My name is Ron. I'm one of your Western Constituents from Union County. The solvency of the social security system has been mentions and the question of the solvency. What would you do to bring new revenue into the system?" (votesmart.org) Steve Stivers. Issue Position: Social Security. "The Social Security System is vital to our nation's seniors, and we must make certain that promises we made to seniors are promises kept. It is therefore imperative that that the system that has served the retirement and health needs of Americans so well for so many generations will be there for the next generation. [?] I opposed the President's Social Security plan. But I also know that it is reckless and irresponsible to ignore the issue - we cannot possibly begin to address the problems the system faces if we refuse to acknowledge that there is a problem. And every day we delay action on protecting Social Security, the more difficult finding a solution becomes. Most of all, it will take political courage and bipartisanship to ensure that the system that has served Americans so well for many generations will be there for the next generation." (votesmart.org)
	Unknown Position	Crime Issues: Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?
Despite exhaustive research, Project Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
	Unknown Position	Education Issues: Do you support federal education standards and testing requirements for K-12 students?
Vote Smart's Research: Steve Stivers. NBC - "NBC 4, AARP 15th Congressional District Debate". 17 September 2008. "I think Congress needs to deal with the job training education programs. People are in unemployment not receiving job training. Kids come out of K-12 are not ready for jobs of today and tomorrow." (votesmart.org) Steve Stivers. 2010. Union County & Galloway 912 Project: Federal Candidate Questionnaire. Responded: "This is a hard question, because only four Departments perform Constitutional roles. (State, Defense, Justice & Treasury), so you could eliminate the Departments of Agriculture, Education, Interior, Housing and Urban Development, Transportation, Energy and others to return to a constitutionally pure government," to the question: "4. Name one or more federal departments or programs that you would introduce legislation to phase out or eliminate. Explain your position." (912ohio.com)
	Unknown Position	Environment and Energy Issues: Do you support enacting environmental regulations aimed at reducing the effects of climate change?
Vote Smart's Research: Steve Stivers. Issue Position: Energy Security and Independence Plan. "Improving Conservation: "We must not only address our nation's energy supply issues - we must also be vigilant to reduce energy demands in this country. My plan calls for increasing the miles per gallon (mpg) standard by 12 mpg on every car and truck in America over 6 years." (votesmart.org) Steve Stivers signed the Americans For Prosperity: No Climate Tax Pledge. 2010. (www.noclimatetax.com) Steve Stivers. 2010. Union County & Galloway 912 Project: Federal Candidate Questionnaire. Selected DISAGREE for: "4) Man-made global warming is a scientific fact and immediate action to lower CO2 emissions is necessary to prevent an environmental catastrophe." (912ohio.com) O'Connell, Brian. Republicans Aim to Turn the Buckeye Seat Red. 30 April 2010. "Speaking about cap-and-trade, Stivers attacked its effects on the Midwest, 'It's a big wealth transfer ... 93 percent of our power in Ohio is powered by coal power plants. It would transfer the wealth from places here out to the coasts where they have hydroelectric, nuclear power, and other power. And it would raise our electricity rates by over 50 percent.'" (spectator.org) Steve Stivers. Issue Position: Energy. "Congress has been working to pass their version of an energy plan (cap and trade), but the American people should not be fooled. What Congress has passed amounts to another tax on families and another job killer in our communities, especially here in Ohio. Our country cannot afford a direct hit to our domestic energy industry and Ohio families cannot afford higher electric bills." (votesmart.org)
	No	Gun Issues: Do you support restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns?
Vote Smart's Research: Steve Stivers. S.B. 184. 127th Ohio General Assembly. Lethal Force Against Intruders. Project Vote Smart Summary: Introduced on 28 May 2008. Steve Stivers was a CO-SPONSOR. (votesmart.org) Steve Stivers. 2010. Union County & Galloway 912 Project: Federal Candidate Questionnaire. Selected YES for: "3) Will you uphold the 2nd amendment right of private citizens to keep and bear arms?" (912ohio.com) National Rifle Association. 2010. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Endorsements. 21 June 2010. The National Rifle Association endorsed Steve Stivers in the 2010 general election. (votesmart.org) National Rifle Association. 2004. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Ratings. 21 June 2010. "Based on lifetime voting records on gun issues and the results of a questionnaire sent to all state legislative candidates in 2004, the National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund assigned Stivers a grade of A- (with grades ranging from a high of A+ to a low of F)." (votesmart.org) National Rifle Association. 2010. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Ratings. 6 July 2010. "In 2010 National Rifle Association gave Representative Stivers a grade of A, in its scorecard for candidates seeking office in 2010." () Steve Stivers. Issue Position: Second Amendment. "I am and will continue to be a strong defender of our Second Amendment rights afforded to us in the US Constitution. [?] As your next Congressman I will defend the US Constitution and the right of the people to keep and bear arms." (votesmart.org)
	No	Health Issues: Do you support a publicly-administered health insurance option?
Vote Smart's Research: Steve Stivers. Issue Position: Healthcare. "I do not support the efforts by Congress to create a one-size-fits-all, government-run health care system. Americans should be free to choose their doctors and their treatment options." (www.votesmart.org) Steve Stivers. Issue Position: Jobs and Economic Security. "To secure our economy, we must also reform health care and reduce energy costs. The spiraling cost of health insurance is the number one impediment to small businesses wishing to hire more workers, and many workers cannot switch jobs out of fear of losing their health insurance. In Congress, I will work to reduce health care costs, increase access to health care, and improve health care quality and efficiency through proven reforms and innovation." (votesmart.org) Steve Stivers. Issue Position: Health Care Security. "My plan to reform America's health care system is predicated on three principles: increasing access to health care for all Americans, lowering costs for patients and throughout the system, and improving quality of care through innovation. However, we must retain our private market health care system. I oppose creating a Canadian-style, government run system." (votesmart.org) Steve Stivers. 2010. Union County & Galloway 912 Project: Federal Candidate Questionnaire. Responded: "Oppose - Pelosi's healthcare reform. Instead of expanding a broken system, I would fix the system first with a bill that includes: 1. Eliminate Pre-existing Conditions; 2. Pass Tort Reform to reduce the cost of defensive medicine; 3. Require Price Transparency so that consumers will know what healthcare really costs - this reform will help market-driven solutions like Health Savings Accounts bring price competition to the healthcare marketplace; 4. Allow small business to band together to have the buying power of big business; 5. Allow health insurance to be sold across state linesto increase competition; 6. Give people an incentive in their own health by mandating discounts for healthy behavior; and 7. Expand high risk pools," to the question: "Name on recent legislation which you supported and one which you opposed. Explain your position." (912ohio.com)
	Unknown Position	Immigration Issues: Do you support a pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants?
Despite exhaustive research, Project Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
	Yes	International Policy Issues: Do you support United States military action in Afghanistan?
Vote Smart's Research: Steve Stivers. Issue Position: National Defense. "I support giving General McChrystal the troops he requested in Afghanistan. Moreover, I believe our men and women in uniform must have at their disposal the tools necessary to do their jobs when called to duty and they should have the resources available to support them when they return home." (votesmart.org) O'Connell, Brian. Republicans Aim to Turn the Buckeye Seat Red. 30 April 2010. "A Bronze Star recipient and Iraq War veteran, Stivers praised the president's decision to send additional troops to Afghanistan, but expressed concern over the new nuclear policy." (spectator.org) Steve Stivers. 2010. Union County & Galloway 912 Project: Federal Candidate Questionnaire. Responded: "c. Add up to 40,000 troops as requested by General McChrystal;" "d. Additional Air power, drones, & special forces," to the question: "5) What should be the US policy in Afghanistan?" (912ohio.com)
	Unknown Position	Social Issues: Should marriage only be between one man and one woman?
Vote Smart's Research: Welsh-Huggins, Andrew. The Bryan Times (Bryan, OH): Businesses are concerned by same-sex marriage ban. 23 January, 2004. "The bill, passed 18-15 Wednesday by the GOP-controlled Ohio Senate, puts into law that same-sex marriages would be "against the strong public policy of the state." The bill also prohibits state employees from getting marital benefits spelled out in state law for their unmarried partners, whether homosexual or heterosexual. [?] Ted Adams, a lobbyist for Columbus-based Limited Brands Inc., called Sen. Steve Stivers on Wednesday morning with concerns about the bill's effect on hiring. Stivers, a Columbus Republican, broke party ranks to oppose the bill. "If we are going to make a broad public policy statement, they had a problem with that," he said." (news.google.com)

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