Where Do They Stand? Governor Tim Walz (D-MN) and Senator JD Vance (R-OH)

This comparison between the Vice-Presidential candidates Governor Tim Walz (D-MN) and Senator JD Vance (R-OH) highlights the stark contrast in their policies.

Illegal Immigration Crisis

Walz:

• Signed initiatives into law allowing illegal immigrants to apply for driver’s licenses, creating a pathway for them to vote.
• Made it legal to give free tuition to illegal aliens at state universities.
• Enrolled illegal aliens in the state’s free healthcare program for low-income residents.

Vance:

• Opposes granting amnesty to illegal aliens, asserting that it undermines the rule of law and incentivizes more illegal immigration.
• Supports mass deportations of illegal immigrants, focusing first on violent criminals and individuals who undermine American labor by working illegally.
• Co-sponsored the No Community Development Block Grants for Sanctuary Cities Act, which cuts federal housing funds to cities that don't comply with immigration enforcement. He argues that cities supporting illegal immigration shouldn't receive taxpayer dollars as they undermine national security.

Economic Prosperity

Walz:

• As governor, he has one of the most progressive tax records in the country:
  • Spent away the state’s $18 billion surplus.
  • Signed legislation that will increase taxes in Minnesota by $10 billion over the next four years.

Vance:

• Advocates for using federal tools like tariffs and subsidies to revitalize and protect key American industries, which will lead to creating jobs and boosting the economy.
  • By supporting tariffs, he believes we are protecting the American worker from foreign competition, revitalizing domestic production.
• Supporter of the historic Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that lowered the annual inflation below 2% during the Trump Administration

Crime Surge

Walz:

• Waited three days to call in the National Guard during the 2020 riots, allowing Minneapolis to be overrun and set on fire.
• Supported a bill promoting alternatives to traditional policing.

Vance:

• Co-sponsored the Back the Blue Act of 2023, which increases penalties for assaulting law enforcement.
• Supports funding and supporting police to combat rising crime, particularly in cities affected by civil unrest.

Energy Independence

Walz:

• Committed Minnesota’s utility companies to drawing 100% of their electricity from renewable sources by 2040 as part of an effort to eliminate fossil fuels.\

Vance:

• Advocated for increased oil and gas production in Ohio.
• Opposed Green New Deal energy policies that raised prices.
• Supported legislation preventing the president from favoring specific energy sources.
• Defended Americans’ right to choose their energy sources.

Educational Freedom

Walz:

• Deprioritized school choice for all students in favor of funding failing public schools.
• Opposed 2021 proposal to make Education Savings Accounts available to most Minnesota families.

Vance:

• Co-sponsoring the Educational Choice for Children Act, the first federal school choice bill to pass out of committee.
• Recently said, “School choice actually is necessary to give parents the ability to give their kids a good education.”

Protecting the Unborn 

Walz:

• At least 5 babies died in Minnesota following botched abortions.
• Instead of changing the law to protect babies born alive following abortions, he changed the rules so hospitals did not have to report the number of babies allowed to die following failed abortions.
• Removed nearly all restrictions on abortion.
  • Eliminated the requirement that later-term abortions be performed in hospitals, putting women at risk.
  • Removed the requirement that both parents of minors be notified before undergoing an abortion.

Vance:

• Says abortion should be left up to the states to decide.
  

Transgender Policy 

Walz:

• Made Minnesota a sanctuary state for transgender policies.
• Signed a law that overrules parents’ objections and out-of-state court orders relating to minors seeking transgender surgeries.

Vance:

• Introduced the Protect Children’s Innocence Act to prohibit minors not old enough to vote or consume alcohol from undergoing life-altering gender mutilation, transgender surgeries, or receiving puberty blockers and hormone therapy.