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{{Short description|American politician and diplomat (born 1956)}} | |||
{{NPOV}} | |||
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2020}} | |||
{{Future election candidate}} | |||
{{Infobox |
{{Infobox officeholder | ||
| name = Sam Brownback | |||
| nationality=american | |||
| image |
| image = Sam Brownback official photo.jpg | ||
| office = 5th ] | |||
| width=200 | |||
| president = ] | |||
| jr/sr=Senior Senator | |||
| term_start = February 1, 2018 | |||
| state=] | |||
| term_end = January 20, 2021 | |||
| party=] | |||
| predecessor = ] | |||
| term_start=] ]– | |||
| successor = ] | |||
| alongside=Pat Roberts | |||
| order1 = 46th ] | |||
| preceded=] | |||
| lieutenant1 = Jeff Colyer | |||
| succeeded=Incumbent (2011) | |||
| term_start1 = January 10, 2011 | |||
| date of birth={{birth date and age|1956|09|12}} | |||
| term_end1 = January 31, 2018 | |||
| place of birth=], ] | |||
| predecessor1 = ] | |||
| dead=alive | |||
| successor1 = ] | |||
| date of death= | |||
| jr/sr2 = United States Senator | |||
| place of death= | |||
| state2 = ] | |||
| spouse=Mary Brownback | |||
| term_start2 = November 7, 1996 | |||
| religion=] | |||
| term_end2 = January 3, 2011 | |||
| predecessor2 = ] | |||
| successor2 = ] | |||
| state3 = ] | |||
| district3 = {{ushr|KS|2|2nd}} | |||
| term_start3 = January 3, 1995 | |||
| term_end3 = November 7, 1996 | |||
| predecessor3 = ] | |||
| successor3 = ] | |||
| office4 = ] | |||
| governor4 = ]<br />]<br />] | |||
| term_start4 = September 18, 1986 | |||
| term_end4 = July 30, 1993 | |||
| predecessor4 = Harland Priddle<ref name=kansasmemory>{{cite web |title=Harland E. Priddle |url=http://www.kansasmemory.org/item/203655 |website=Kansas Memory |publisher=Kansas Historical Society |access-date=June 11, 2017 |archive-date=March 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322203247/http://www.kansasmemory.org/item/203655 |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
| successor4 = Philip Fishburn<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kansasmemory.org/item/203653|title=Philip A. Fishburn - Kansas Memory|website=www.kansasmemory.org|access-date=January 24, 2018|archive-date=January 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180124005812/http://www.kansasmemory.org/item/203653|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
| birth_name = Samuel Dale Brownback | |||
| birth_date = {{nowrap|{{birth date and age|1956|9|12}}}} | |||
| birth_place = ], U.S. | |||
| death_date = | |||
| death_place = | |||
| party = ] | |||
| spouse = {{marriage|Mary Stauffer|1982}} | |||
| children = 5 | |||
| education = ] (])<br />] (]) | |||
| signature = Sam Brownback Signature.svg | |||
| module = {{Listen|pos=center|embed=yes|filename=Sen. Sam Brownback on the Death of Sen. Robert Byrd.ogg|title=Sam Brownback's voice|type=speech|description=Sam Brownback on the death of his Senate colleague, ]<br/>Recorded June 30, 2010}} | |||
| caption = Official portrait, 2018 | |||
}} | }} | ||
'''Samuel Dale |
'''Samuel Dale Brownback''' (born September 12, 1956) is an American attorney, politician, and diplomat who served as a ] from ] from 1996 to 2011 and as the ] from 2011 to 2018. A member of the ], Brownback also served as the ] during the ] of President ] and was a candidate for the ] for President in ]. | ||
Born in ], Brownback grew up on a family farm in ]. He graduated from ] with a degree in agricultural economics in 1978 and received a ] from the ] in 1982. He worked as an attorney in ], before being appointed Secretary of Agriculture of Kansas in 1986 by ] governor ]. Brownback ] and defeated Carlin in the general election in a landslide. He represented Kansas's 2nd congressional district for a single term before running in a ] for the U.S. Senate seat previously held by ]. He won the election and was reelected by large margins in ] and ]. Brownback ], but withdrew before the ] began and endorsed eventual Republican nominee ].<ref name="rasmussenreports1">{{cite web |title=Election 2010: Kansas Governor – Rasmussen Reports |url=http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2010/election_2010_governor_elections/kansas/election_2010_kansas_governor |publisher=Rasmussenreports.com |access-date=August 23, 2010 |archive-date=March 4, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100304115057/http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2010/election_2010_governor_elections/kansas/election_2010_kansas_governor |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?parm1=183 |title=Election 2010 |publisher=CQ Politics |access-date=August 23, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100825075820/http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?parm1=183 |archive-date=August 25, 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cookpolitical.com/charts/governors/raceratings_2010-02-04_10-04-22.php |title=The Cook Political Report – Charts – 2010 Governors Race Ratings |publisher=Cookpolitical.com |date=February 4, 2010 |access-date=August 23, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101028142644/http://cookpolitical.com/charts/governors/raceratings_2010-02-04_10-04-22.php |archive-date=October 28, 2010 }}</ref> | |||
==Biography== | |||
Born in ] and raised in ], Sam Brownback was born to a farming family of ] descent who settled in Kansas after leaving ] following the ] <ref> </ref>. Brownback was state president of ], and eventually went on to become the national vice president from 1976-1977.<ref>]: </ref> While at ], he was elected student body president and was a member of ]. He received his ] from the ] in 1982. | |||
Brownback declined to run for reelection ], instead running for governor. He was elected governor of Kansas ] and took office in January 2011. As governor, Brownback signed into law one of the largest income tax cuts in Kansas history, known as the ].<ref name="kansas.com">{{cite news |url=http://www.kansas.com/2012/05/24/2346375/kansas-small-business-owners-say.html |date=May 24, 2012 |title=Kansas small-business owners say elimination of income tax is a big help |work=The Wichita Eagle |access-date=May 27, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131230234642/http://www.kansas.com/2012/05/24/2346375/kansas-small-business-owners-say.html |archive-date=December 30, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The tax cuts caused state revenues to fall by hundreds of millions of dollars and created large budget shortfalls.<ref name=fivethirtyeight>{{cite news|last1=Casselman|first1=Ben|last2=Koerth-Baker|first2=Maggie|last3=Barry-Jester|first3=Anna Maria|last4=Cheng|first4=Michelle|title=The Kansas Experiment Is Bad News For Trump's Tax Cuts|url=https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-kansas-experiment-is-bad-news-for-trumps-tax-cuts/|access-date=October 4, 2017|work=]|date=June 9, 2017|archive-date=October 5, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171005051642/https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-kansas-experiment-is-bad-news-for-trumps-tax-cuts/|url-status=live}}</ref> A major budget deficit led to cuts in areas including education and transportation.<ref name="ks_legis_approves_2017_06_06_cjonline_com"> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004034640/http://cjonline.com/news-state-government-local-state/2016-05-02/kansas-legislature-approves-budget-deal-after-lawmakers |date=October 4, 2017 }} May 2, 2016, '']''</ref><ref name="ks_republicans_sour_2017_02_24_the_atlantic"> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004035353/https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2017/02/the-republican-blowback-against-sam-brownback-kansas/517641/ |date=October 4, 2017 }} February 24, 2017, ''The Atlantic''</ref> In a repudiation of the ], in 2013 Brownback turned down a $31.5 million grant from the U.S. ] to set up a public health insurance exchange for Kansas.<ref name="Politico.Com">{{cite web |url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0811/60967.html |title=Kansas returns $31.5M exchange grant – Jason Millman and Kate Nocera |date=August 9, 2011 |publisher=] |access-date=July 23, 2013 |archive-date=November 26, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141126122859/http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0811/60967.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Also in 2013, he signed a bill that blocked tax breaks for abortion providers, banned sex-selection abortions, and declared that life begins at fertilization.<ref name="kansascity.com">{{cite news|title=Brownback signs sweeping anti-abortion bill|url=http://www.kansascity.com/2013/04/19/4191877/kansas-gov-brownback-signs-sweeping.html|access-date=April 25, 2013|agency=]|date=April 19, 2013|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130421160123/http://www.kansascity.com/2013/04/19/4191877/kansas-gov-brownback-signs-sweeping.html|archive-date=April 21, 2013}}</ref> In the run-up to the ], over 100 former and current Kansas Republican officials criticized Brownback's leadership and endorsed his Democratic opponent, ].<ref name="davis_secures_2014_07_15_wichita_eagle"> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171127062617/http://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/article1148593.html |date=November 27, 2017 }} July 15, 2014, '']''</ref><ref name="some_in_kansas_2017_06_06_wsj_com"> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180131092207/https://www.wsj.com/articles/some-in-kansas-gop-break-with-gov-brownback-endorse-democratic-opponent-1405441534 |date=January 31, 2018 }} July 15, 2014, '']''</ref><ref name="nyt-experiment">{{cite news |work= ] |title= Conservative Experiment Faces Revolt in Reliably Red Kansas |date= September 14, 2014 |access-date= September 15, 2014 |url= https://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/15/us/conservative-experiment-faces-revolt-in-reliably-red-kansas.html |first= John |last= Eligon |archive-date= September 15, 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140915125612/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/15/us/conservative-experiment-faces-revolt-in-reliably-red-kansas.html |url-status= live }}</ref> Despite this, Brownback was narrowly reelected.<ref name= closerace> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170728074305/http://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/election/article3565951.html |date=July 28, 2017 }}, '']'', Byron Lowry & Suzanne Perez Tobias, November 4, 2017. Retrieved March 13, 2017.</ref> In June 2017, the Kansas Legislature repealed Brownback's tax cuts, overrode Brownback's veto of the repeal, and enacted tax increases.<ref name="theatlantic_tax_experiment_dead_2017"/> Brownback left office as one of the least popular governors in the country.<ref name="auto">{{Cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/2017/07/27/539825404/kansas-governor-ends-tenure-as-one-of-least-popular-in-country|title=Kansas Governor Ends Tenure As One Of Least Popular In Country|last=Koranda|first=Stephen|date=July 27, 2017|work=]|access-date=March 22, 2019|language=en-US|archive-date=March 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190322180859/https://www.npr.org/2017/07/27/539825404/kansas-governor-ends-tenure-as-one-of-least-popular-in-country|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
After college, Brownback spent a year working as a ]; he hosted a weekly half-hour show. He has commented on the experience: ''"I'd grown up listening to farm broadcasters. Conversation stopped around our table when the broadcaster read the markets. . . .It stirred my interest in ], since what was going on in the ] or ] or ] affected our markets for ] and ]."''<ref> </ref><ref></ref> | |||
On July 26, 2017, the Trump administration announced that Brownback would be nominated as the new ].<ref name="NYTimesRelAmb07262017">{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Mitch |last2=Fortin |first2=Jacey |date=July 26, 2017 |title=Gov. Sam Brownback of Kansas Will Be Nominated as Religious Ambassador |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/26/us/politics/sam-brownback-kansas-ambassador-international-religious-freedom.html?ribbon-ad-idx=4&rref=us&module=Ribbon&version=context®ion=Header&action=click&contentCollection=U.S.&pgtype=article |work=] |location=New York City |access-date=July 27, 2017 |archive-date=August 11, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811105819/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/26/us/politics/sam-brownback-kansas-ambassador-international-religious-freedom.html?ribbon-ad-idx=4&rref=us&module=Ribbon&version=context®ion=Header&action=click&contentCollection=U.S.&pgtype=article |url-status=live }}</ref> Brownback was confirmed in January 2018 in a party-line vote; Vice President ] cast the necessary tie-breaking votes to end a filibuster and to confirm his nomination.<ref name=pends>{{cite news|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/370556-pence-ends-filibuster-on-brownback-nomination/|title=Pence ends filibuster on Brownback nomination|first=Brandon|last=Conradis|date=January 24, 2018|newspaper=]|access-date=January 25, 2018|archive-date=January 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180125024239/http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/370556-pence-ends-filibuster-on-brownback-nomination|url-status=live}}</ref> Brownback resigned as governor of Kansas effective January 31, 2018,<ref name=resigning>{{cite news |url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/kansas-gov-sam-brownback-resigns-to-take-trump-administration-role |title=Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback resigns to take Trump administration role |publisher=] |date=January 25, 2018 |access-date=January 25, 2018 |first=Alex |last=Pappas |archive-date=January 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180125172838/http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/01/25/kansas-gov-sam-brownback-resigns-to-take-trump-administration-role.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and was sworn in as U.S. Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom on February 1, 2018.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://ksnt.com/2018/02/01/brownback-sworn-in-as-u-s-ambassador-at-large-for-international-religious-freedom/|title=Brownback sworn in as U.S. Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom|last=Dulle|first=Brian|date=February 1, 2018|work=KSNT|access-date=August 13, 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=February 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180207013354/http://ksnt.com/2018/02/01/brownback-sworn-in-as-u-s-ambassador-at-large-for-international-religious-freedom/|url-status=live}}</ref> His ambassadorial tenure ended in January 2021. | |||
He was an attorney in ]<ref> </ref> before becoming the Kansas secretary of ] in 1986. In 1990, he was called upon to be a ] for the Class of 1990-1991, detailed to the ]. After serving in that capacity for one year at the ], Brownback returned to Kansas to resume his position as secretary of agriculture and remained in this position until 1993. He was elected to the ] in 1994, but served there for only one term as he decided to enter into the special Senatorial election in November 1996 to replace ], who had resigned his Senate seat during his presidential campaign. | |||
==Early life and education== | |||
He is married to the former ], heiress{{Fact|date=February 2007}} to a ] ] fortune. The couple are the parents of five children (three daughters and two sons). | |||
Sam Brownback was born on September 12, 1956, in ], to Nancy (Cowden) and Glen Robert Brownback.<ref>{{cite web|title=Partial Genealogy of the Brownbacks (of Kansas)|url=http://www.politicalfamilytree.com/samples%20content/members/PDF%20Content/Brownback-KS-1.pdf|website=Political Family Tree|publisher=CLP Research|access-date=June 11, 2017|archive-date=February 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170213190104/http://www.politicalfamilytree.com/samples%20content/members/PDF%20Content/Brownback-KS-1.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=RootsWeb - Samuel Dale Brownback |url=http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~battle/senators/brownback.htm |website=Learning Centers at Ancestry.com |access-date=June 11, 2017 |archive-date=November 9, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109042622/http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~battle/senators/brownback.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> He was raised in a farming family in ]. Some of Brownback's ] ancestors settled in Kansas after leaving ] following the ].<ref name="Weekly">{{cite news |url=http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/012/511umjoo.asp|author=Eastland, Terry|pages=1–3|title=Mr. Compassionate Conservative|work=The Weekly Standard|volume=011|issue=44|date=August 7, 2006 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120703153805/http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/012/511umjoo.asp|archive-date=July 3, 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Throughout his youth, Brownback was involved with the ] (formerly the Future Farmers of America), serving as president of his local and state FFA chapters, and as national FFA vice president from 1976 to 1977.<ref>{{cite web|website=National FFA Organization |url=http://www.ffa.org/about_ffa/html/ffa_formermembers.html |title=Prominent Former Members |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060829035509/http://www.ffa.org/about_ffa/html/ffa_formermembers.html |archive-date=August 29, 2006}}</ref> | |||
After graduating from Prairie View High School, Brownback attended ],<ref>{{cite news|website=K-State Media Relations|publisher=Kansas State University|url=http://www.k-state.edu/media/newsreleases/landonlect/brownbacktext206.html|title=Sam Brownback, U.S. Senator, Kansas, Landon Lecture|date=February 22, 2006|access-date=December 28, 2008|archive-date=July 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170703145022/http://www.k-state.edu/media/newsreleases/landonlect/brownbacktext206.html|url-status=live}}</ref> where was elected student body president and became a member of the ] agricultural fraternity. After graduating from college in 1978 with a degree in Agricultural Economics in 1978,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.brownback.com/|title=Sam Brownback|publisher=brownback.com|access-date=October 7, 2018|archive-date=October 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181008062716/http://www.brownback.com/|url-status=usurped}}</ref> he spent about a year working as a ] for the now-defunct ] farm department, hosting a weekly half-hour show.<ref name="Weekly"/><ref>{{cite news|last1=Kapochunas|first1=Rachel|title=Brownback, Set to Launch GOP White House Bid, Will Fight from the Right|url=https://www.nytimes.com/cq/2007/01/18/cq_2142.html|access-date=June 11, 2017|work=]|date=January 18, 2007|archive-date=February 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170222195525/http://www.nytimes.com/cq/2007/01/18/cq_2142.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Brownback received his ] from the ] in 1982.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Rhodes|first1=Carla|title=Candidate Profile Sam Brownback|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/candidate-profile-sam-brownback/|website=]|date=August 22, 2007|access-date=June 10, 2017|archive-date=July 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170703014536/http://www.cbsnews.com/news/candidate-profile-sam-brownback/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
Raised as a ], Brownback later joined a nondenominational evangelical church, and in 2002 he became ]. He joined the Catholic Church through ] member Father ] in Washington DC<ref>http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/9178374/gods_senator/</ref><ref>http://www.slate.com/id/2069194</ref>. However, Brownback himself is not a member of Opus Dei organization<ref>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/06/AR2006060601616_pf.html</ref>. | |||
== |
==Early career== | ||
Brownback was an attorney in ],<ref name="Weekly"/> before being appointed as ] by ] ] on September 18, 1986.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/310846533/?terms=sam+brownback|title=19 Sep 1986, 25 - The Springfield News-Leader at Newspapers.com|access-date=January 23, 2018|archive-date=October 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010055057/https://www.newspapers.com/image/310846533/?terms=sam+brownback|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/2271301/?terms=But+six+days+after+his+30th+birthday+in+September+1986+Brownback+was+hired+by+the+state+Board+of+Agriculture+as+secretary|title=27 Dec 1994, Page 3 - The Salina Journal at Newspapers.com|access-date=January 23, 2018|archive-date=October 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010055155/https://www.newspapers.com/image/2271301/?terms=But+six+days+after+his+30th+birthday+in+September+1986+Brownback+was+hired+by+the+state+Board+of+Agriculture+as+secretary|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1990, he was accepted into the ] program and detailed to the ] from 1990 to 1991. Brownback returned to Kansas to resume his position as Secretary of Agriculture. He left his post on July 30, 1993.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/981681/?terms=Secretary+of+Agriculture+Sam+Brownback|title=14 Jul 1993, Page 1 - The Salina Journal at Newspapers.com|access-date=January 23, 2018|archive-date=October 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010054945/https://www.newspapers.com/image/981681/?terms=Secretary%20of%20Agriculture%20Sam%20Brownback|url-status=live}}</ref> He was elected to the ] in 1994 and ran in the 1996 ] for the ] seat recently vacated by ].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/08/05/us/race-for-dole-s-senate-seat-provokes-ideological-split.html|title=Race for Dole's Senate Seat Provokes Ideological Split|last=Johnson|first=Dirk|date=August 5, 1996|work=]|access-date=October 4, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=April 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190415190901/https://www.nytimes.com/1996/08/05/us/race-for-dole-s-senate-seat-provokes-ideological-split.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
Senator Brownback replaced ] ] in November 1996, when Senator Dole resigned in the middle of his term to campaign for president. | |||
==U.S. Senator (1996–2011)== | |||
In the primary set up to fill out the remainder or Dole's term, Brownback defeated ] ], a former ], who had been appointed to temporarily fill the Senate seat. In the general election, he defeated ] ] and was elected to a full term in the Senate in 1998. He won re-election in the ] with 69% of the vote, easily defeating his Democratic challenger, Lee Jones, a former ] ] who was considered less than viable, especially after losing the Democratic Primary. | |||
===Elections=== | |||
Brownback is a member of the ], the Senate ] (where he chairs the Subcommittee on ]), the ], and the ], also known as the ]. He is the current Chairman of the Helsinki Commission, which monitors compliance with international agreements reached in cooperation with ]. | |||
] was appointed to fill the seat of U.S. senator ] when Dole resigned in 1996 to campaign for president. Brownback defeated Frahm in the 1996 Republican primary and went on to win the general election against ] Jill Docking.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sam Brownback's Blind Ambition Tour|author=Max Blumenthal|work=The Nation|date=June 20, 2005|url=http://www.thenation.com/article/sam-brownbacks-blind-ambition-tour|access-date=September 27, 2014|archive-date=July 21, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140721100215/http://www.thenation.com/article/sam-brownbacks-blind-ambition-tour|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2001, the Federal Election Commission assessed fines and penalties against Brownback's campaign committee and against his in-laws for improper 1996 campaign contributions.<ref>{{cite web |title=Before the Federal Election Commission in the Matter of Sam Brownback for US Senate Committee and Alan Goesbeck, as treasurer |work=www.fec.gov |url=https://www.fec.gov/files/legal/murs/current/93813.pdf |access-date=October 24, 2017 |archive-date=October 25, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171025074037/https://www.fec.gov/files/legal/murs/current/93813.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> As a result of these improper contributions, the campaign was ordered to pay the government $19,000 and Brownback's in-laws, John and Ruth Stauffer, were ordered to pay a $9,000 civil penalty for improperly funneling contributions through Triad Management Services.<ref>{{cite web|title=Brownback campaign and in-laws penalized|author=Mike Hall|work=The Topeka Capital-Journal|date=December 6, 2002|url=http://cjonline.com/stories/120602/com_brownback.shtml#.We-zy1uPIdU|access-date=October 24, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171025131955/http://cjonline.com/stories/120602/com_brownback.shtml#.We-zy1uPIdU|archive-date=October 25, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> | |||
In 1998, Brownback was elected to a full six-year term, defeating Democrat Paul Feleciano.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.kssos.org/elections/98elec/98elm/98gen1.html |title=Official 1998 Kansas General Election Results |website=kssos.org |access-date=July 24, 2023 |archive-date=April 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409190948/https://www.kssos.org/elections/98elec/98elm/98gen1.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He won reelection in the ] with 69% of the vote, defeating Democratic former lobbyist Lee Jones.<ref>{{cite web|title=THE 2004 ELECTIONS; The Senate|work=]|date=November 4, 2004|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E0DE3DC173CF937A35752C1A9629C8B63|access-date=September 27, 2014|archive-date=October 18, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018153249/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E0DE3DC173CF937A35752C1A9629C8B63|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
Brownback has announced that he would not run for reelection in 2010, in accordance with his support of term limits for members of Congress.{{Fact|date=February 2007}} | |||
Throughout his U.S. Senate career, his principal campaign donors were the ] of ]-based ], who donated more to Brownback than to any other political candidate during this period.<ref name="koch_influence_2014_12_14_wichita_eagle">Lowry, Bryan, {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171006112046/http://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/article4487101.html |date=October 6, 2017 }} December 14, 2014, '']'' October 5, 2017</ref><ref name="demos_highlight_2010_09_19_mclatchydc_com">Helling, Dave, and David Klepper, {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171006062401/http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/article24593650.html |date=October 6, 2017 }} September 19, 2010, '']'' in ] Washington Bureau website, retrieved October 5, 2017</ref> | |||
In 2000, Brownback and Congressman ] lead the effort to enact the ] (TVPA).<ref>Library of Congress: Thomas. House Resolution 3244. </ref> President ] signed the legislation in October 2000. According to ], the stronger enforcement increased the number of U.S. federal ] cases eightfold in the five years after enactment. <ref>Alford, Deann. , ''Christianity Today'', February 21, 2007</ref> | |||
===Tenure=== | |||
According to the ], Senator Brownback has missed over half of the votes on the Senate Floor in the month of January 2007.<ref>http://www.absentcongress.org/kansas_senate_brownback.htm</ref> | |||
] in 2003, shown with ], the Goodwill Ambassador for ], call for bipartisan legislation to reform the treatment of unaccompanied alien minors.]] | |||
Brownback was a member of the ], the ] (where he chaired the Subcommittee on ] when the Republicans were in the majority), the ], and the ], also known as the Helsinki Commission, which he at one time chaired. The Helsinki Commission monitors compliance with international agreements reached in cooperation with ].<ref>{{cite web|title=The World from The Hill: Helsinki panel a model of bipartisanship on foreign policy|work=]|date=November 22, 2010|url=https://thehill.com/news-by-subject/foreign-policy/75823-the-world-from-the-hill-helsinki-panel-a-model-of-bipartisanship-on-foreign-policy/|access-date=September 27, 2014|archive-date=October 18, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018153249/http://thehill.com/news-by-subject/foreign-policy/130289-helsinki-commission-tackles-tough-issues-without-the-partisan-divide|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
In 2000, Brownback and Congressman ] led the effort to enact the Trafficking Victims Protection Act.<ref>Library of Congress: Thomas. House Resolution 3244. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080918124642/http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c106:H.R.3244.ENR: |date=September 18, 2008 }}</ref> ] signed the legislation in October 2000. According to '']'', the stronger enforcement increased the number of U.S. federal ] cases eightfold in the five years after enactment.<ref>Alford, Deann. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070223040430/http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2007/march/13.30.html |date=February 23, 2007 }}, ''Christianity Today'', February 21, 2007</ref> | |||
==Views== | |||
Brownback told '']'' that he had also moved from mainline ] to ], and that in 1994 he became involved with ] or The Fellowship, a deliberately low profile network of mostly Christian conservative activists and politicians. | |||
By August 12, 2007, in the ], Brownback had missed 123 votes due to campaigning (39.7 percent)–surpassed only by ] (]) of ] who due to a critical illness had missed 100% of the votes of the 110th Session, and ] (R) of ] with 149 votes missed due to campaigning (48.1 percent).<ref>Washington Post. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090208175306/http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/110/senate/vote-missers/ |date=February 8, 2009 }}, August 12, 2007</ref> | |||
Brownback defines himself as a ]. He cites former Senator ] as a model.<ref>Sharlet, Jeff. , ''Rolling Stone'', January 25, 2006.</ref> He is strongly ], having referred to the number of ]s in the United States since '']'' as "a ]."<ref>MSNBC: , ] ]</ref> Columnist ] quoted Brownback: ''And he says the youngest voters, ages 18 to 25, are the most pro-life cohort. They were born, he (Brownback) says, when abortion rates were highest, so 'many of them feel they're the survivors of a holocaust: one in four of their compatriots are not here.' Actually, almost one in three: the abortion rate peaked in 1983 at 30.4 percent.''<ref>MSNBC: , ] ]</ref> | |||
In 2006, Brownback blocked a confirmation vote on a ] federal appeals court nominee from Michigan, judge ]. He objected to her joining the bench solely because she attended a same-sex commitment ceremony in Massachusetts in 2002 that involved a next-door neighbor who was a close childhood friend of Neff's daughters. Brownback's action blocked confirmation votes on an entire slate of appointments that had been approved by a bipartisan group of senators.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222220258/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/19/washington/19judge.html |date=December 22, 2017 }}, '']'', Neil A. Lewis, December 19, 2006. Retrieved December 22, 2017.</ref> In July 2007, Brownback lifted the block that had prevented the vote, and the Senate confirmed Neff by an 83–4 vote.<ref name=Neff /> Brownback was joined in opposition by just three other conservatives, then-Senators ], ], and ].<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222220216/https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=110&session=1&vote=00240 |date=December 22, 2017 }}, '']'', July 9, 2007. Retrieved December 22, 2017.</ref> | |||
Brownback was a co-sponsor of the ], which would have limited the power of federal courts to rule on church/state issues. The legislation had little chance of passing, but it served to rally support from religious conservatives. Brownback told ''Rolling Stone'' that he chairs the Senate Values Action Team, an off-the-record weekly meeting of representatives from religious conservative organizations. | |||
In the mid-1990s, Brownback hired ] as his chief legislative director. Ryan later became a ], vice-presidential candidate, and ].<ref name="ks_gov_brownback_2017_01_29_charlotte_observer">Wise, Lindsay ], and Scott Canon, ''],'' in {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171006111823/http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/nation-world/national/article129459654.html |date=October 6, 2017 }} January 29, 2017, '']'', retrieved October 5, 2017.</ref> | |||
Brownback is an opponent of ] and other legislation favored by ] organizations. He is in favor of an amendment to the Constitution banning not just same-sex marriage but ].{{Fact|date=February 2007}} | |||
===CREW complaints=== | |||
He favors teaching ] in public school science classes via the ] approach: | |||
{{update section|date=July 2023}} | |||
{{quotation|''There's intelligence involved in the overall of creation. . .I don't think we're really at the point of teaching this in the classroom. I think what we passed in the U.S. Senate in 2002 is really what we should be doing, and that is that you teach the controversy, you teach what is fact is fact, and what is theory is theory, and you move from that proceedings, rather than from teaching some sort of different thought. And this, I really think that's the area we should concentrate on at the present time, is teaching the controversy.''<ref> CNN Larry King Live, August 23, 2005.</ref>| | |||
In 2009, ] (CREW) filed an ethics complaint over a fundraising letter signed by Brownback for a conservative Catholic group which they alleged violated Senate rules by mimicking official Senate letterhead.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171223215837/https://www.politico.com/story/2009/02/crew-files-brownback-complaint-019348 |date=December 23, 2017 }}, '']'', Glenn Thrush, February 26, 2009. Retrieved December 23, 2017.</ref> The letter had targeted five senators for being both Catholic and pro-choice: ], ], ], ], and ].<ref name="hutch2009"> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171223215726/http://www.hutchnews.com/d3a2a563-f8c1-5513-b95a-efc918eef5f0.html |date=December 23, 2017 }}, '']'', February 27, 2009. Retrieved December 23, 2017.</ref> A spokesman said Brownback had asked the group to stop sending the letter even before the complaint was filed.<ref name="hutch2009"/> | |||
Senator Sam Brownback| | |||
''Larry King Live, CNN, August 23, 2005''}} | |||
In 2010, CREW lodged an ethics complaint claiming a possible violation of the Senate's gifts rule by four senators and four congressmembers. The congressmembers lived in a $1.8 million Washington, D.C. townhouse<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180114021055/https://www.alternet.org/story/146285/ethics_complaint_leveled_at_right-wing_congressional_members_of_shadowy_christian_group |date=January 14, 2018 }}, '']'', Adele M. Stan, April 2, 2010. Retrieved January 13, 2018.</ref> owned by ], Inc., which was in turn owned by Christian-advocacy group ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.courthousenews.com/2010/04/02/26108.htm|title=Courthouse News Service |website=www.courthousenews.com|access-date=January 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161006030708/http://www.courthousenews.com/2010/04/02/26108.htm|archive-date=October 6, 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2010/04/living-in-c-street-house-ethics-violation/|title=Is Living in the C Street House An Ethics Violation?|access-date=January 23, 2018|archive-date=January 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111224131/http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2010/04/living-in-c-street-house-ethics-violation/|url-status=live}}</ref> CREW alleged that the property was being leased exclusively to congressional members, including Brownback, and that the tenants were paying rent that was below market value.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cjonline.com/news-legislature/2010-04-06/moran-explains-c-street-living|title=Moran explains C-Street living|access-date=January 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180112042410/http://cjonline.com/news-legislature/2010-04-06/moran-explains-c-street-living|archive-date=January 12, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> Senator ]'s spokesman asserted that the rents charged were fair.<ref name="weeklystandard1">{{cite web|url=http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/bogus-ethics-complaint-targets-coburn-demint-brownback|title=Bogus Ethics Complaint Targets Coburn, DeMint, Brownback|work=The Weekly Standard|date=April 2, 2010|access-date=August 23, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100406161058/http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/bogus-ethics-complaint-targets-coburn-demint-brownback|archive-date=April 6, 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://cjonline.com/news/state/2010-04-01/brownback_faces_ethics_complaint|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170826140828/http://cjonline.com/news/state/2010-04-01/brownback_faces_ethics_complaint|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 26, 2017|title=The Topeka Capital-Journal|date=August 26, 2017|access-date=January 23, 2018}}</ref> | |||
===Committees=== | |||
* ''']''' | |||
** ] (Ranking Member) | |||
** ] | |||
** ] | |||
** ] | |||
** ] | |||
** ] | |||
* ''']''' | |||
** ] | |||
** ] | |||
** ] | |||
** ] | |||
* ''']''' | |||
** ] | |||
** ] | |||
** ] (Ranking Member) | |||
*''']''' | |||
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==2008 presidential campaign== | |||
{{Main|Sam Brownback 2008 presidential campaign}} | |||
{{Further|2008 United States presidential election}}] campaign headquarters in ]]] | |||
On December 4, 2006, Brownback formed an ], the first step toward a presidential candidacy.<ref name="favorite"> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070102112730/http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/12/04/brownback.2008.ap/index.html |date=January 2, 2007 }} by ]. ], December 4, 2006.</ref> In reporting on his potential candidacy, ''CNN'' and ''The Washington Post'' called Brownback a "favorite" of the religious right;<ref name="favorite" /><ref name="auto1">{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/06/AR2007010600230_pf.html |title=Brownback to Move on Presidential Bid |last=Sidoti |first=Liz |newspaper=] |date=January 6, 2007 |access-date=July 24, 2023 |archive-date=August 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230822072604/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/06/AR2007010600230_pf.html |url-status=live }}</ref> '']'' called him "God's senator" in 2006.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/sam-brownback-gods-senator-883564/|title=God's Senator|magazine=]|last=Sharlet|first=Jeff|date=February 9, 2006|access-date=July 24, 2023|archive-date=July 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230724211129/https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/sam-brownback-gods-senator-883564/|url-status=live}}</ref> His views placed him in the socially conservative wing of the Republican Party, and he stressed his ] as well. "I am an economic, a fiscal, a social and a compassionate conservative", he said in December 2006.<ref name="auto1"/> | |||
On January 20, 2007, in Topeka, Brownback announced that he was running for ] in ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=2774442 |title=Brownback to Move on Presidential Bid |access-date=August 11, 2007 |date=January 6, 2007 |publisher=] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080411134803/http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=2774442 |archive-date=April 11, 2008 }}</ref> On February 22, 2007, a poll conducted by ] held that three percent of likely primary voters would support Brownback.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.yahoo.com/s/rasmussen/20070221/pl_rasmussen/gopprimary20070221_1|title=news.yahoo.com|accessdate=September 10, 2023}}</ref> | |||
]|date=June 7, 2006|archive-date=April 15, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120415082508/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/06/AR2006060601616_pf.html|url-status=live}}</ref>]] | |||
On August 11, 2007, Brownback finished third in the ] with 15.3% of all votes cast.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2015/02/09/is_the_ames_straw_poll_useless_125535.html|title=Is the Ames Straw Poll Useless? {{!}} RealClearPolitics|access-date=October 19, 2016|archive-date=February 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170213190019/http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2015/02/09/is_the_ames_straw_poll_useless_125535.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Fundraising and visits to his website declined dramatically after this event, as many supporters had predicted Brownback would do much better,<ref name="ks_loses_patience_cbs_news"> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161023035017/http://www.cbsnews.com/news/kansas-loses-patience-governor-sam-brownback-tax-cuts/ |date=October 23, 2016 }} ''CBS News,'' retrieved November 11, 2016</ref> and speculation began that the candidate was considering withdrawing from the campaign. This sentiment increased after his lackluster performance in the GOP presidential debate of September 5, broadcast from ] by ].<ref>{{cite news |first=Lisa |last=Wangsness |title=Romney trounces GOP field in Iowa straw poll |url=https://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2007/08/12/romney_trounces_gop_field_in_iowa_straw_poll/ |work=] |date=August 12, 2007 |access-date=August 21, 2007 |archive-date=November 19, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081119030052/http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2007/08/12/romney_trounces_gop_field_in_iowa_straw_poll/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He dropped out of the race on October 18, 2007, citing a lack of funds.<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071022025030/http://www.kansascity.com/news/politics/story/325073.html|date=October 22, 2007}}</ref> Brownback formally announced his decision on October 19.<ref name="withdrew"> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071020150305/http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/politics/national/stories/102007dnnatbrownback.1d7a7ce.html |date=October 20, 2007 }} ''Dallas Morning News'' October 19, 2007. Retrieved October 20, 2007.</ref> He later endorsed ] for president.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/sam-brownback-endorses-john-mccain |publisher=] |title=Sam Brownback Endorses John McCain |date=November 7, 2007 |access-date=November 12, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019004852/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,308960,00.html |archive-date=October 19, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
==Governor of Kansas (2011–2018)== | |||
] Commanding General present a medallion to a child whose father died serving in ].]] | |||
===Elections=== | |||
====2010 gubernatorial election==== | |||
{{Main|2010 Kansas gubernatorial election}} | |||
In 2008, Brownback acknowledged he was considering ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2008/sep/04/brownback_considering_gubernatorial_run_2010/|title=Brownback considering gubernatorial run in 2010|publisher=Lawrence Journal World and News|access-date=December 7, 2008|archive-date=December 11, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211053217/http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2008/sep/04/brownback_considering_gubernatorial_run_2010/|url-status=live}}</ref> In January 2009, Brownback officially filed the paperwork to run for governor.<ref name=kc>{{cite web |url=http://primebuzz.kcstar.com/?q=node/16188 |title=Prime Buzz |publisher=Primebuzz.kcstar.com |access-date=August 23, 2010 |archive-date=August 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230822072604/https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/?q=node/22169 |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
His principal Senate-career campaign donors, the ] (and their ]), again backed Brownback's campaign.<ref name="koch_influence_2014_12_14_wichita_eagle" /> | |||
Polling agency ] found that Brownback led his then-likely Democratic opponent, ], by 31 points in May 2010.<ref name="rasmussenreports1"/><ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100306132134/http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/kansas/election_2010_kansas_senate |date=March 6, 2010 }}, Rasmussen Reports, March 3, 2010.</ref> | |||
On June 1, 2010, Brownback named Kansas state senator ] as his running mate.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100605031546/http://www.kansas.com/2010/06/02/1340122/brownback-ticket-gains-surgeon.html |date=June 5, 2010 }}, ''Wichita Eagle'', June 2, 2010.</ref> | |||
On November 2, 2010, Brownback defeated Holland, winning 63% of the vote.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kansas|work=]|year=2010|url=http://elections.nytimes.com/2010/results/kansas|access-date=October 19, 2014|archive-date=September 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160907161024/http://elections.nytimes.com/2010/results/kansas|url-status=live}}</ref> He succeeded Governor ], who was sworn in after former governor ] resigned from her position and became U.S. Secretary of ] in 2009.<ref>{{cite news|last=Goldstein|first=David|author2=Klepper, David|title=Sebelius sworn in to Cabinet, Parkinson becomes Kansas governor|publisher=The Kansas City Star|date=April 28, 2009 |url=http://www.kansascity.com/105/story/1168432.html|access-date=October 19, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090430183737/http://www.kansascity.com/105/story/1168432.html |archive-date=April 30, 2009}}</ref> | |||
====2014 gubernatorial election==== | |||
{{main|2014 Kansas gubernatorial election}} | |||
In October 2013, Kansas state representative ], the Democratic minority leader of the ], announced he would challenge Brownback in the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kansascity.com/2013/09/17/4487708/democrat-davis-enters-kan-governor.html|title=Democrat Paul Davis enters Kansas governor race|access-date=January 24, 2018|archive-date=February 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222142322/http://www.kansascity.com/2013/09/17/4487708/democrat-davis-enters-kan-governor.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
In July 2014, more than 100 current and former Kansas Republican officials (including former state party chairmen, Kansas Senate presidents, Kansas House speakers, and majority leaders) endorsed Democrat Davis over Republican Brownback,<ref name="davis_secures_2014_07_15_wichita_eagle" /><ref name="some_in_kansas_2017_06_06_wsj_com" /> citing concern over Brownback's deep cuts in education and other government services, as well as the tax cuts that had left the state with a major deficit.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Pianin|first1=Eric|title=Brownback Feeling Big Political Backlash to Tax Cuts in Kansas|url=http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Articles/2014/07/16/Brownback-Feeling-Big-Political-Backlash-Tax-Cuts-Kansas|work=The Fiscal Times|access-date=July 17, 2014|date=July 16, 2014|quote=In a startling rebuke to the governor, more than 100 Kansas Republican officials endorsed Davis on Tuesday, a rarity in statewide races and a wakeup call for Brownback, an arch-conservative on economic and social issues, and a former U.S. senator. The defectors said they are as concerned about cuts in education and other government services as well as the tax cuts that have left the state with a major hole in its budget.|archive-date=July 18, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140718104639/http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Articles/2014/07/16/Brownback-Feeling-Big-Political-Backlash-Tax-Cuts-Kansas|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
Tim Keck, chief of staff of Brownback's running mate, Lt. Governor ], unearthed and publicized a 1998 police report showing that Davis, 26 and unmarried at the time, had been briefly detained during the raid of a strip club. Davis was found to have no involvement in the cause for the raid, and was quickly allowed to leave.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170316025123/http://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/article2250432.html |date=March 16, 2017 }}, '']'', Dion Lefler, September 20, 2014. Retrieved March 15, 2017.</ref> Responding to criticism of Keck's involvement in the campaign, Brownback spokesman John Milburn commented that it was legal to use taxpayer-paid staff to campaign. Media law experts expressed amazement when they learned that the Montgomery County's sheriff released non-public investigative files from 1998 in response to a mere request. Brownback's campaign capitalized on the 16-year-old incident.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170316113115/http://www.salon.com/2014/09/26/brownbacks_strip_club_obsession_gop_governor_basing_his_campaign_on_a_lap_dance/ |date=March 16, 2017 }}, Simon Maloy, September 26, 2017. Retrieved March 15, 2017.</ref><ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180728041607/http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2014/oct/04/closed-law-enforcement-records-become-public-sling/ |date=July 28, 2018 }}, '']'', October 4, 2014. Retrieved March 15, 2017.</ref> | |||
Brownback was reelected with a plurality, defeating Davis by a 3.69% margin (50%-46%).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2014/governor/ks/kansas_governor_brownback_vs_davis-4146.html |title=Election 2014 – Kansas Governor – Brownback vs. Davis |publisher=RealClearPolitics |access-date=April 9, 2015 |archive-date=March 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150324010805/http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2014/governor/ks/kansas_governor_brownback_vs_davis-4146.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name= closerace/><ref>{{cite web|title=Kansas Secretary of State 2014 General Election Official Vote Totals|url=http://www.kssos.org/elections/14elec/2014%20General%20Election%20Official%20Results.pdf|access-date=March 13, 2017|archive-date=December 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161230082200/http://kssos.org/elections/14elec/2014%20General%20Election%20Official%20Results.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
===Tenure=== | |||
Brownback took office in January 2011, in the early years of national recovery from the ]. Also in 2011, Republicans resumed control of the Kansas House of Representatives with their largest majority in half a century. Most Republicans in the Kansas Legislature were members of the ] who shared Brownback's conservative views.<ref name="tea_party_tenets_2011_12_21_washpost">Gowen, Annie, {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170817170144/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/in-kansas-gov-sam-brownback-puts-tea-party-tenets-into-action-with-sharp-cuts/2011/11/02/gIQAkbnOAP_story.html |date=August 17, 2017 }} December 21, 2011 '']'' retrieved October 6, 2017</ref> | |||
Two of Brownback's major stated goals were to reduce taxes and to increase spending on education.<ref name=NYTM>{{cite news|author1=Chris Suellentrop|title=The Kansas Experiment|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/09/magazine/the-kansas-experiment.html|access-date=August 6, 2015|work=The New York Times Magazine|date=August 6, 2015|quote=He is modest in demeanor, flat almost to the point of dullness.|archive-date=August 5, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150805233327/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/09/magazine/the-kansas-experiment.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
By April 2012, Brownback had an approval rating of 34 percent according to a Survey USA Poll.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cjonline.com/news/2012-04-28/brownback-numbers-plunge-agenda-emerges |title=Brownback: Numbers plunge as agenda emerges |work=The Topeka Capital Journal |access-date=January 16, 2012 |archive-date=April 30, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120430104750/http://cjonline.com/news/2012-04-28/brownback-numbers-plunge-agenda-emerges |url-status=live }}</ref> A Republican polling company found his approval rating to be 51 percent in May 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cjonline.com/news/state/2012-05-02/gop-pollster-points-brownbacks-popularity |title=GOP Pollster points to Brownback's popularity |work=The Topeka Capital Journal |access-date=January 16, 2012 |archive-date=May 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120505145732/http://cjonline.com/news/state/2012-05-02/gop-pollster-points-brownbacks-popularity |url-status=live }}</ref> In November 2015, Brownback had an approval rating of 26 percent according to a Morning Consult poll, the lowest among all governors in the United States.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/prairie-politics/article45615459.html |title=Poll: Brownback most unpopular governor in the nation |work=The Wichita Eagle |access-date=March 23, 2016 |archive-date=March 11, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311175852/http://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/prairie-politics/article45615459.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Three separate polls between November 2015 and September 2016 ranked Brownback as the nation's least-popular governor<ref name="most_unpopular_2015_11_24_kc_biz_journ"> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201123164755/https://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/blog/morning_call/2015/11/sam-brownback-most-unpopular-usa-goveror.html |date=November 23, 2020 }} November 24, 2015, ''Kansas City Business Journal''</ref><ref name="least_popular_2015_05_12_wichita_eagle"> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004040037/http://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/article77258832.html |date=October 4, 2017 }} May 12, 2016, '']''</ref><ref name="new_poll_2016_09_20_cjonline_com"> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170316025140/http://cjonline.com/news-state-government-local-state/2016-09-20/new-poll-ranks-gov-sam-brownback-nations-least-popular |date=March 16, 2017 }} September 20, 2016, '']''</ref>—a September 2016 poll showing an approval rating of 23%.<ref name="brownback_might_not_2017_03_the_atlantic"> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170313130650/https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2017/03/sam-brownback-might-not-be-governing-kansas-much-longer/519165/ |date=March 13, 2017 }}, '']'' (AP), Russell Berman, March 10, 2017. Retrieved March 13, 2017.</ref><ref name="CarpenterTCJ09202016"> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170316025140/http://cjonline.com/news-state-government-local-state/2016-09-20/new-poll-ranks-gov-sam-brownback-nations-least-popular |date=March 16, 2017 }}, '']'', Tim Carpenter, September 20, 2016. Retrieved March 15, 2017.</ref> In the state elections of 2016—seen largely as a referendum on Brownback's policies and administration—Brownback's supporters in the legislature suffered major defeats.<ref name="conservative_lawmakers_ousted_2016_08_03_wsj"> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004084924/https://www.wsj.com/articles/conservative-lawmakers-ousted-in-kansas-election-1470226094 |date=October 4, 2017 }} August 3, 2016, '']''</ref><ref name="ks_republicans_sour_2017_02_24_the_atlantic" /><ref name="kansas_voters_rebuke_2016_11_12_wichita_eagle">Flentje, Ed, Prof. of Public Administration (]), former Kansas secretary of administration to Republican governor ], {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004035808/http://www.kansas.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/article114270433.html |date=October 4, 2017 }} November 12, 2016, '']''</ref> In 2017 after a protracted battle,<ref name="ks_republicans_sour_2017_02_24_the_atlantic" /> the new Kansas Legislature overrode Brownback's vetoes, voting to repeal his tax cuts and enact tax increases.<ref name="ks_lawmakers_override_2017_06_06_wichita_eagle"> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190407093406/https://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/article154684809.html |date=April 7, 2019 }} June 6, 2017, '']''</ref><ref name="senate_house_override_2017_06_06_cjonline_com"> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004035601/http://cjonline.com/news/state-government/2017-06-06/senate-house-narrowly-override-gov-sam-brownback-s-veto-12-billion |date=October 4, 2017 }} June 6, 2017, ''],'' (also at {{Dead link|date=August 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }})</ref><ref name="lawmakers_override_2017_06_06_kwch_tv"> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004035823/http://www.kwch.com/content/news/Bill-raising-taxes-delivered-to-Kansas-governor-426826281.html |date=October 4, 2017 }} June 6, 2017, ] ''Eyewitness News''</ref><ref name="ks_econ_outlook_2017_06_11_cjonline_com"> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004034850/http://cjonline.com/news/state-government/2017-06-08/kansas-economic-outlook-shifting-reversal-brownback-tax-policy |date=October 4, 2017 }} June 11, 2017, '']''</ref> | |||
Brownback, who had a 66% disapproval rating after the repeal of his signature law,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://morningconsult.com/governor-approval-ratings-july-2017/|title=America's Most and Least Popular Governors — July 2017|last=Easley|first=Cameron|date=July 18, 2017|work=Morning Consult|access-date=March 22, 2019|language=en-US|archive-date=October 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171018032653/https://morningconsult.com/governor-approval-ratings-july-2017/|url-status=live}}</ref> left office in 2018 as one of the least popular governors in the country.<ref name="auto"/> | |||
'']'' was named a finalist in the Public Service category for a ] due to its series entitled "Why, so secret, Kansas?" The ''Star'' reported that Kansas's already-secretive state government had only grown worse under Brownback.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article209025559.html|title=The Star honored by Pulitzer Prizes as finalist in public service|work=kansascity|access-date=August 13, 2018|language=en|archive-date=June 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180625142844/http://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article209025559.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pulitzer.org/prize-winners-by-year/2018|title=2018 Pulitzer Prizes|website=Pulitzer|language=en|access-date=January 23, 2020|archive-date=January 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200120062921/https://www.pulitzer.org/prize-winners-by-year/2018|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
====Legislative agenda==== | |||
Brownback proposed fundamental tax reform to encourage investment and generate wealth while creating new jobs. Consistent with those objectives, he also proposed structural reforms to the state's largest budget items, school finance,<ref>{{cite web |last=Wistrom |first=Brent |url=http://www.kansas.com/2011/11/09/2095722/brownback-plan-could-change-how.html |title=Brownback plan could change how schools are funded | Wichita Eagle |publisher=Kansas.com |date=November 9, 2011 |access-date=July 23, 2013 |archive-date=October 31, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131031065924/http://www.kansas.com/2011/11/09/2095722/brownback-plan-could-change-how.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> ],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kaiserhealthnews.org/Stories/2011/November/08/kansas-medicaid-managed-care-brownback-kancare.aspx |title=Kansas Announces Sweeping Medicaid Restructuring |publisher=Kaiser Health News |date=November 8, 2011 |access-date=July 23, 2013 |archive-date=March 26, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130326060645/http://www.kaiserhealthnews.org/Stories/2011/November/08/kansas-medicaid-managed-care-brownback-kancare.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> and Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS), which have unfunded liabilities of $8.3 billion.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kansas.com/2011/11/04/2089413/83-billion-question.html |title=$8.3 billion question | Wichita Eagle |publisher=Kansas.com |date=November 4, 2011 |access-date=July 23, 2013 |archive-date=October 31, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131031070832/http://www.kansas.com/2011/11/04/2089413/83-billion-question.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Brownback sought to follow a "] model", passing conservative social and economic policies.<ref name=NYT>{{cite news|last=Eligon|first=John|title=Brownback Leads Kansas in Sharp Right Turn|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/14/us/politics/brownback-leads-kansas-in-sharp-right-turn.html|access-date=February 15, 2014|newspaper=]|date=February 13, 2014|archive-date=February 15, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140215025859/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/14/us/politics/brownback-leads-kansas-in-sharp-right-turn.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
====Taxes==== | |||
{{main|Kansas experiment}} | |||
As governor, Brownback initiated what he called a "red-state experiment"—dramatic cuts in income tax rates intended to bring economic growth.<ref name=NPR>{{cite news|last1=Mclean|first1=Jim|title=Trump's Tax Plan Has Echoes Of The Kansas Tax Cut Experiment|url=https://www.npr.org/2017/09/30/554506190/trump-s-tax-plan-has-echoes-of-the-kansas-tax-cut-experiment|access-date=October 4, 2017|publisher=]|date=September 30, 2017|archive-date=October 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171003233829/http://www.npr.org/2017/09/30/554506190/trump-s-tax-plan-has-echoes-of-the-kansas-tax-cut-experiment|url-status=live}}</ref> In May 2012, Brownback signed into law one of the largest income tax cuts in Kansas' history<ref name="kansas.com"/>—the nation's largest state income tax cut (in percentage) since the 1990s.<ref name="kansas_tries_2014_04_17_bloomberg_bizweek">Coy, Peter, {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171006112335/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2014-04-17/kansas-governor-brownbacks-lab-for-steep-tax-and-budget-cuts |date=October 6, 2017 }} April 17, 2014, Bloomberg '']'' retrieved October 5, 2017</ref> Brownback described the tax cuts as a live experiment: {{cquote| taxes, you need to get your overall rates down, and you need to get your social manipulation out of it, in my estimation, to create growth. We'll see how it works. We'll have a real live experiment.<ref name=ljworld.experiment>{{cite web |title=Brownback gets heat for 'real live experiment' comment on tax cuts |url=http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2012/jun/19/brownback-gets-heat-real-live-experiment-comment-t/ |publisher=Lawrence Journal World |access-date=October 28, 2014 |archive-date=November 10, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141110182638/http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2012/jun/19/brownback-gets-heat-real-live-experiment-comment-t/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="this_is_whats_the_matter_2014_09_29_new_republic">Judis, John B., {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171003075039/https://newrepublic.com/article/119574/sam-brownbacks-conservative-utopia-kansas-has-become-hell |date=October 3, 2017 }} September 29, 2014, ''],'' retrieved October 5, 2017</ref><ref name="kansas_tries_2014_04_17_bloomberg_bizweek" />}} | |||
The legislation was crafted with help from his Budget Director (former ] political consultant Steven Anderson);<ref name="koch_influence_2014_12_14_wichita_eagle" /><ref name="demos_highlight_2010_09_19_mclatchydc_com" /><ref name="budget_director_2013_09_06_ljworld_com" /><ref name="former_budget_dir_2013_09_07_ap_cjonline_com" /><ref name="this_is_whats_the_matter_2014_09_29_new_republic" /> the Koch-sponsored ] (ALEC);<ref>Abouhalkah, Yael T, {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171006162552/http://www.kansascity.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/yael-t-abouhalkah/article649505.html |date=October 6, 2017 }} June 30, 2014 '']'', retrieved October 6, 2017</ref> and ], a popular ] economist and former economic adviser for President ].<ref name="tea_party_tenets_2011_12_21_washpost" /><ref name="crash_and_burn_2017_06_07_forbes"> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171006163042/https://www.forbes.com/sites/beltway/2017/06/07/the-great-kansas-tax-cut-experiment-crashes-and-burns/#227c1aab5508 |date=October 6, 2017 }} June 7, 2017, '']'' retrieved October 6, 2017</ref> | |||
The law eliminated non-wage income taxes for the owners of 191,000 businesses, and cut individuals' income tax rates.<ref name=KAKE.signs/> The first phase of his cuts reduced the top Kansas income-tax rate from 6.45 percent down to 4.9 percent, and immediately eliminated income tax on business profits from ] and ] passed through to individuals.<ref name="kansas_tries_2014_04_17_bloomberg_bizweek" /> The ] cuts would provide {{USD}}231 million in tax reductions in its first year, growing to {{USD}}934 million after six years.<ref name=KAKE.signs/> A forecast from the Legislature's research staff indicated that a budget shortfall will emerge by 2014 and will grow to nearly {{USD}}2.5 billion by July 2018.<ref name=KAKE.signs>{{cite web|title=Brownback Signs Tax Cuts Law In Statehouse Ceremony |url=http://www.kake.com/home/headlines/Brownback_To_Sign_Tax_Cuts_In_Statehouse_Ceremony_152569155.html|publisher=KAKE News |access-date=October 29, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141029213649/http://www.kake.com/home/headlines/Brownback_To_Sign_Tax_Cuts_In_Statehouse_Ceremony_152569155.html|archive-date=October 29, 2014}}</ref> The cuts were based on model legislation published by the ] (ALEC).<ref name="ljworld"/><ref name="Pilkington"/> | |||
In a May 2014 '']'' op-ed entitled "A Midwest Renaissance Rooted in the Reagan Formula", Brownback compared his tax policies with those of ]. Brownback anticipated a "prosperous future" for Kansas, Oklahoma and Missouri because they had enacted policies based on economic principles that Reagan laid out in 1964.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Brownback|first1=Sam|title=A Midwest Renaissance Rooted in the Reagan Formula|newspaper=]|date=May 28, 2014|url=https://online.wsj.com/articles/sam-brownback-a-midwest-renaissance-rooted-in-the-reagan-formula-1401317548|access-date=October 28, 2014|archive-date=April 21, 2018|archive-url=https://archive.today/20180421174159/https://www.wsj.com/articles/sam-brownback-a-midwest-renaissance-rooted-in-the-reagan-formula-1401317548|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="this_is_whats_the_matter_2014_09_29_new_republic" /> | |||
The act was criticized by law professor Martin B. Dickinson of Kansas University for shifting the tax burden from wealthy Kansans to low- and moderate-income workers,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2012/may/27/kansas-tax-act-most-regressive-nation/ |date=May 24, 2012 |title=Kansas tax act most regressive in nation |work=The Lawrence Journal-World |access-date=May 27, 2012 |archive-date=May 28, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120528010439/http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2012/may/27/kansas-tax-act-most-regressive-nation/ |url-status=live }}</ref> with the top income tax rate dropping by 25%.<ref name=MPeters>{{cite news|last1=Peters|first1=Mark|title=Sam Brownback's Tax-Cut Push Puts Kansas Out on Its Own|url=https://online.wsj.com/articles/sam-brownbacks-tax-cut-push-puts-kansas-out-on-its-own-1402448126|access-date=June 13, 2014|work=]|date=June 10, 2014|archive-date=July 7, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140707052404/http://online.wsj.com/articles/sam-brownbacks-tax-cut-push-puts-kansas-out-on-its-own-1402448126|url-status=live}}</ref> Under Brownback, Kansas also lowered the sales tax and eliminated a tax on small businesses.<ref name=MPeters/> The tax cuts helped contribute to ] downgrading of the state's bond rating in 2014.<ref name=SKraske>{{cite news|last1=Kraske|first1=Steve|title=Gov. Sam Brownback suffers a political brownout|url=http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/article348571/Gov.-Sam-Brownback-suffers-a-political-brownout.html|access-date=June 13, 2014|work=The Kansas City Star|date=May 2, 2014|archive-date=July 4, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140704225708/http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/article348571/Gov.-Sam-Brownback-suffers-a-political-brownout.html|url-status=live}}</ref> They also contributed to the S&P Ratings' credit downgrade from AA+ to AA in August 2014 due to a budget that analysts described as structurally unbalanced.<ref>{{cite news|title=S&P downgrades Kansas in another blow to Brownback tax cuts|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/usa-kansas-ratings-idUSL2N0QC1MO20140806|work=]|date=August 6, 2014|access-date=August 7, 2014|archive-date=January 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160106034251/http://www.reuters.com/article/usa-kansas-ratings-idUSL2N0QC1MO20140806|url-status=live}}</ref> As of June 2014, the state had fallen far short of projected tax collections, receiving $369 million instead of the planned-for $651 million.<ref name="Josh Barro">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/29/upshot/kansas-tax-cut-leaves-brownback-with-less-money.html |title=Yes, if You Cut Taxes, You Get Less Tax Revenue |author=Josh Barro |date=June 27, 2014 |work=] |access-date=September 2, 2014 |archive-date=September 19, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140919130936/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/29/upshot/kansas-tax-cut-leaves-brownback-with-less-money.html |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
The tax cuts and their effect on the economy of Kansas received considerable criticism in the media. Critics of the tax cuts included ] of the '']'', the editorial board of '']'', '']'', and Bloomberg '']''.<ref name="kansas_tries_2014_04_17_bloomberg_bizweek" /> '']'' described Brownback's policies as "too far to the right".<ref name="Josh Barro"/><ref>{{cite news|last1=Eligonsept|first1=John|title=Conservative Experiment Faces Revolt in Reliably Red Kansas|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/15/us/conservative-experiment-faces-revolt-in-reliably-red-kansas.html|work=]|access-date=October 28, 2014|date=September 14, 2014|archive-date=October 8, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141008113202/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/15/us/conservative-experiment-faces-revolt-in-reliably-red-kansas.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Hiltzik|first1=Michael|title=How Tea Party tax cuts are turning Kansas into a smoking ruin|url=https://www.latimes.com/business/hiltzik/la-fi-mh-kansas-a-smoking-ruin-20140709-column.html|work=]|access-date=October 27, 2014|date=July 9, 2014|archive-date=November 6, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141106005423/http://www.latimes.com/business/hiltzik/la-fi-mh-kansas-a-smoking-ruin-20140709-column.html|url-status=live}}</ref> ] of ] defended the tax cuts as a model for the nation.<ref>{{cite web|title=Norquist defends tax cuts despite Brownback woes in Kansas|url=https://thehill.com/policy/finance/218449-norquist-defends-tax-cuts-despite-brownback-woes/|work=]|date=September 21, 2014|access-date=October 29, 2014|archive-date=October 28, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028173937/http://thehill.com/policy/finance/218449-norquist-defends-tax-cuts-despite-brownback-woes|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
In February 2017, a bi-partisan coalition presented a bill that would repeal most of Brownback's tax overhaul to make up for the budget shortfall.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Berman |first1=Russell |title=How Sam Brownback's Kansas Tax-Cut Experiment Went Wrong |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2017/02/the-republican-blowback-against-sam-brownback-kansas/517641/ |website=The Atlantic |language=en |date=24 February 2017}}</ref> The Senate passed SB 30 (38–0, with 2 not voting) on February 2, 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.kslegislature.org/li_2018/b2017_18/measures/vote_view/je_20170202151108_929405/|title=Bills and Resolutions | Kansas State Legislature|website=www.kslegislature.org|access-date=July 24, 2023|archive-date=April 6, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406033516/http://www.kslegislature.org/li_2018/b2017_18/measures/vote_view/je_20170202151108_929405/|url-status=live}}</ref> The House passed SB 30 as amended (123–2) on February 22, 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.kslegislature.org/li_2018/b2017_18/measures/vote_view/je_20170222103940_182851/|title=Bills and Resolutions | Kansas State Legislature|website=www.kslegislature.org|access-date=July 24, 2023|archive-date=July 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230724201823/http://www.kslegislature.org/li_2018/b2017_18/measures/vote_view/je_20170222103940_182851/|url-status=live}}</ref> The Conference Committee Report was adopted by both the House (69–52) and Senate (26–14) on June 5, 2017. On June 6, 2017, the bill was sent to Brownback for signature, but he vetoed the bill. Later in the day both the House and Senate voted to override the veto.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.kslegislature.org/li_2018/b2017_18/measures/sb30/|title=SB 30 | Bills and Resolutions | Kansas State Legislature|website=www.kslegislature.org|access-date=July 24, 2023|archive-date=July 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230724201824/http://www.kslegislature.org/li_2018/b2017_18/measures/sb30/|url-status=live}}</ref> Senate Bill 30 repealed most of the tax cuts which had taken effect in January 2013. | |||
Brownback's tax overhaul was described in a June 2017 article in '']'' as the United States' "most aggressive experiment in conservative economic policy".<ref name="theatlantic_tax_experiment_dead_2017">{{cite news |work=The Atlantic |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2017/06/kansass-conservative-tax-experiment-is-dead/529551/ |title=The Death of Kansas's Conservative Experiment |date=June 7, 2017 |access-date=June 7, 2017 |first=Russell |last=Berman |archive-date=June 12, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170612210830/https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2017/06/kansass-conservative-tax-experiment-is-dead/529551/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The drastic tax cuts had "threatened the viability of schools and infrastructure" in Kansas.<ref name="theatlantic_tax_experiment_dead_2017"/> | |||
{{Cquote|The Brownback experiment didn't work. We saw that loud and clear.<ref name="theatlantic_tax_experiment_dead_2017"/><br />{{emdash}}Heidi Holliday, executive director of the Kansas Center for Economic Growth 2017}} | |||
====Education==== | |||
In April 2014, Brownback signed a controversial school finance bill that eliminated mandatory due process hearings, which were previously required to fire experienced teachers. According to the '']'': {{cquote|The bill also allows school districts to hire unlicensed teachers for science and math classes. And it creates a tax break for corporations that donate to private school scholarship funds.<ref>{{cite web|last=Lowry|first=Bryan|title=Brownback signs school finance bill|url=http://www.kansascity.com/2014/04/21/4973115/brownback-to-sign-school-finance.html|publisher=Kansas City Star|access-date=April 22, 2014|archive-date=April 23, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140423221919/http://www.kansascity.com/2014/04/21/4973115/brownback-to-sign-school-finance.html|url-status=live}}</ref>}} The resulting cuts in funding caused districts to shut down the school year early.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/kansas-school-districts-close-early-after-tax-cut-experiment |title=Kansas school districts to close early after tax cut 'experiment' |last1=Lee |first1=Trymaine |date=April 4, 2015 |publisher=]|access-date=April 5, 2015 |archive-date=April 5, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150405064606/http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/kansas-school-districts-close-early-after-tax-cut-experiment |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
====Economy==== | |||
According to the ], during the period from 2008 to 2018 (Brownback was governor from 2011 to 2018), Kansas averaged an annual GDP growth rate of 0.9% -- exactly half the national average.<ref name="kc_economy_2019_11_12_kcstar"> ''],'' retrieved August 28, 2023</ref> During that same period — when national employment increased and wages rose — job growth in Wichita (Kansas' largest city, and hometown of Brownback's principal funders, the ]) dropped 3.2%, and the city's average annual wages stagnated.<ref name="two_cities_latimes">Brown, Corie: July 1, 2020, '']''; part of a 5-part series, retrieved August 28, 2023</ref> | |||
In 2015, the job growth rate in Kansas was 0.8 percent, among the lowest rate in America with only "10,900 total nonfarm jobs" added that year.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bls.gov/web/laus/statewide_otm_oty_change.htm |title=Change in total nonfarm employment by state, over-the-month and over-the-year, seasonally adjusted |publisher=Bls.gov |access-date=February 26, 2017 |archive-date=February 27, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170227233121/https://www.bls.gov/web/laus/statewide_otm_oty_change.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="kansascity_2015">{{citation |url=http://www.kansascity.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/yael-t-abouhalkah/article47176275.html |author=Yael T. Abouhalkah |title=Kansas has low but misleading unemployment rate under Gov. Sam Brownback |date=November 30, 2015 |access-date=February 26, 2017 |archive-date=February 27, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170227150112/http://www.kansascity.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/yael-t-abouhalkah/article47176275.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Kansas had a $350 million budget shortfall in February 2017.<ref name="WP_2017_revolt">{{citation |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2017/02/22/republicans-real-live-experiment-with-kansass-economy-survives-a-revolt-from-their-own-party/ |title=Republicans' 'real-live experiment' with Kansas's economy survives a revolt from their own party |newspaper=] |author=Max Ehrenfreund |date=February 22, 2017 |access-date=February 25, 2017 |archive-date=February 24, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170224133856/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2017/02/22/republicans-real-live-experiment-with-kansass-economy-survives-a-revolt-from-their-own-party/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In February 2017, S&P downgraded Kansas' credit rating to AA−.<ref name="NYT_S&P_ratings_2017">{{citation |title=Kansas Lawmakers Uphold Governor's Veto of Tax Increases |author=Alan Blinder |url=https://nyti.ms/2lwNatr |newspaper=]|date=February 22, 2017 |access-date=February 25, 2017 |archive-date=February 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210220153324/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/22/us/kansas-governor-sam-brownback-tax-veto.html?smid=pl-share |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
Despite Kansas' major role in the aerospace,<ref name="brookings">Muro, Mark and Bruce Katz: September 2010, Metropolitan Policy Program, ], retrieved August 28, 2023</ref><ref name="clusters_wichita_hbs_edu">] (]): circa 2012 (undated), ], retrieved August 28, 2023</ref><ref name="aerospace_engineers_bls_gov"> in "17-2011 Aerospace Engineers," "Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2022," '' Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics,'' ], retrieved August 28, 2023</ref> telecommunications<ref name="top10telecom_2017_mbaskool">, MBASkool.com, retrieved August 28, 2023; (includes Kansas-headquartered Sprint, and largely-Kansas-based CenturyLink)</ref><ref name="fred_kc_stlouisfed_org"> July 2023, FRED Economic Data, ], retrieved August 28, 2023</ref> and GPS technology<ref name="gps_report_grandviewresearch"> Report ID: GVR-2-68038-473-4, ''Global Positioning Systems Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Deployment, By Application (Aviation, Marine, Surveying, Location-Based Services, Road), And Segment Forecasts, 2018 - 2025,'' Grand View Research, retrieved August 28, 2023 (which cites Kansas-based Garmin, Ltd. among the industry leaders)</ref> industries,<ref name="overview_2018_kansascommerce">{{cite web |url = http://www.kansascommerce.com/index.aspx?nid=483#A |title = Kansas Department of Commerce—Official Website—Economic Overview Charts |publisher = Kansascommerce.com |access-date = April 4, 2018 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171215091244/http://www.kansascommerce.com/index.aspx?NID=483#A |archive-date = December 15, 2017}}</ref> a 2019 report from the KC Tech Council reported that Kansas growth in tech jobs ranked next-to-last in the nation — losing 220 tech jobs between 2017 and 2018 (Brownback's final year as governor), according to the ] — while over 40 other states grew tech employment.<ref name="kc_economy_2019_11_12_kcstar" /> Despite slowing the rates of decline following the ], 59% of telecommunications jobs in the Kansas City telecommunications industry<ref name="fred_kc_stlouisfed_org" /> — and 600 jobs in Wichita's (aerospace-dominated<ref name="brookings" /><ref name="clusters_wichita_hbs_edu" />) manufacturing industry<ref name="fred_wichita_mfg_stlouisfed_org"> (WICH620MFG), July 2023, FRED Economic Data, ], retrieved August 28, 2023</ref> — were lost during the Brownback administration. | |||
By the last year of the Brownback administration, 2018, Kansas had the second-highest ] rate increase in the nation (after New York) — a decade-high rate for the state.<ref name="farm_bankruptcies_2018_fb_org"> February 12, 2019, ], retrieved August 29, 2023</ref> | |||
====Health care==== | |||
In August 2011, over the objections of Republican Kansas Insurance Commissioner ],<ref name="this_is_whats_the_matter_2014_09_29_new_republic" /> Brownback announced he was declining a $31.5 million grant from the ] to set up an insurance exchange as part of the federal health care reform law.<ref>{{cite web|title=Brownback: Send back $31.5M federal grant|work=The Capital-Journal|date=August 9, 2011|url=http://cjonline.com/news/2011-08-09/brownback-send-back-315m-federal-grant|access-date=October 24, 2014|archive-date=October 31, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141031214757/http://cjonline.com/news/2011-08-09/brownback-send-back-315m-federal-grant|url-status=live}}</ref> In May 2011, Brownback had directed the state's insurance commissioner to slow the implementation timeline for the exchange development. Upon announcing the refusal of the budgeted grant money for the state, his office stated: {{cquote|There is much uncertainty surrounding the ability of the federal government to meet its already budgeted future spending obligations. Every state should be preparing for fewer federal resources, not more. To deal with that reality Kansas needs to maintain maximum flexibility. That requires freeing Kansas from the strings attached to the Early Innovator Grant.<ref name="Politico.Com"/>}} The move was unanimously supported by the delegates of the state party central committee at its August 2011 meeting, but a '']'' editorial criticized Brownback for turning down the grant which could have helped ease the state's own budget: {{cquote|Instead of letting Kansas design its own model program for an online computer exchange to help people choose among health insurance providers, Mr. Brownback's rebuff increases the likelihood that the state must design one at its own expense or see federal officials create an exchange, as required under the new law.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/15/opinion/gov-brownbacks-selective-budget-worries.html |date=August 14, 2011 |title=Gov. Brownback's Selective Budget Worries |work=] |access-date=February 12, 2017 |archive-date=June 24, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624105333/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/15/opinion/gov-brownbacks-selective-budget-worries.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="this_is_whats_the_matter_2014_09_29_new_republic" />}} | |||
Brownback also signed into law the Health Care Freedom Act, based on model legislation published by the ] (ALEC).<ref name=ljworld>{{cite news|url=http://www2.ljworld.com/weblogs/capitol-report/2013/dec/17/brownback-says-perception-of-alec-influe/|title=Brownback says perception of ALEC influence is 'overblown'|newspaper=]|date=December 17, 2013|first=Scott|last=Rothschild|access-date=October 21, 2014|archive-date=December 17, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141217083515/http://www2.ljworld.com/weblogs/capitol-report/2013/dec/17/brownback-says-perception-of-alec-influe/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Pilkington">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/nov/20/obamacare-alec-republican-legislators|title=Obamacare faces new threat at state level from corporate interest group Alec|date=November 20, 2013|work=]|first=Ed|last=Pilkington|access-date=December 16, 2016|archive-date=February 23, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170223045752/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/nov/20/obamacare-alec-republican-legislators|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
====Abortion==== | |||
] (CPAC) in ] on February 27, 2015]] | |||
Brownback signed three ] bills in 2011. In April 2011, he signed a bill banning abortion after 21 weeks, and a bill requiring that a doctor get a parent's notarized signature before providing an abortion to a minor.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-abortion-kansas/kansas-governor-sam-brownback-signs-bills-restricting-abortion-idUSTRE73B7XL20110412|title=Kansas Governor Sam Brownback signs bills restricting abortion|date=April 12, 2011|access-date=January 23, 2018|newspaper=]|last1=Murphy|first1=Kevin}}</ref> In May 2011, Brownback approved a bill prohibiting insurance companies from offering abortion coverage as part of general health plans unless the procedure is necessary to save a woman's life. The law also prohibits any health-insurance exchange in Kansas established under the federal Affordable Care Act from offering coverage for abortions other than to save a woman's life.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www2.ljworld.com/news/2011/may/26/brownback-criticized-signing-abortion-bill-opponen/|title=Brownback criticized for signing abortion bill that opponents say will hurt women who get impregnated after being raped|access-date=July 24, 2023|archive-date=July 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230724201825/https://www2.ljworld.com/news/2011/may/26/brownback-criticized-signing-abortion-bill-opponen/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
A Kansas budget passed with Brownback's approval in 2011 blocked ] of Kansas and Mid-Missouri from receiving family planning funds from the state. The funding amounted to about $330,000 a year.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kansascity.com/2011/08/18/3085231/planned-parenthood-may-push-to.html|title=Planned Parenthood may push to get funds from Kansas|access-date=January 23, 2018}}</ref> A judge has blocked the budget provision, ordered Kansas to begin funding the organization again, and agreed with Planned Parenthood that it was being unfairly targeted.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kansascity.com/2011/08/18/3085231/planned-parenthood-may-push-to.html|title=Judge blocks de-funding of Planned Parenthood in Kansas|access-date=January 23, 2018}}</ref> In response, the state filed an appeal seeking to overturn the judge's decision.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://jurist.org/paperchase/2011/08/kansas-appeals-order-to-block-law-defunding-planned-parenthood.php|title=JURIST - Kansas appeals order to block law defunding Planned Parenthood|website=jurist.org|access-date=January 23, 2018|archive-date=October 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171006162553/http://www.jurist.org/paperchase/2011/08/kansas-appeals-order-to-block-law-defunding-planned-parenthood.php|url-status=live}}</ref> Brownback has defended anti-abortion laws in Kansas, including the Planned Parenthood defunding. "You can't know for sure what all comes out of that afterwards, but it was the will of the Legislature and the people of the state of Kansas", Brownback said.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2011/aug/18/judge-refuses-stay-pending-appeal-order-preventing/?kansas_legislature |title=Judge refuses to stay, pending appeal, order preventing Kansas from diverting funds from Planned Parenthood |website=LJWorld.com |access-date=January 23, 2018 |archive-date=July 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180728041530/http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2011/aug/18/judge-refuses-stay-pending-appeal-order-preventing/?kansas_legislature |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
In May 2012, Brownback signed the Health Care Rights of Conscience Act, which "will allow pharmacists to refuse to provide drugs they believe might cause an abortion".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.kansascity.com/2012/05/15/3611028/kansas-gov-brownback-signs-act.html#storylink=cpy |access-date=May 27, 2012 |title=Kansas Gov. Brownback signs act allowing pharmacists to refuse to dispense abortion drugs |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523184728/http://www.kansascity.com/2012/05/15/3611028/kansas-gov-brownback-signs-act.html#storylink=cpy |archive-date=May 23, 2012 }}</ref> | |||
In April 2013, Brownback signed a bill that blocked tax breaks for abortion providers, banned sex-selection abortions and declared that life begins at fertilization. The law notes that any rights conferred by it are subject to limits set forth in applicable U.S. Supreme Court decisions.<ref name="kansascity.com"/> | |||
On April 7, 2015, Brownback signed The Unborn Child Protection From Dismemberment Abortion Act, which bans the most common technique used for second-trimester abortions. Kansas became the first state to ban the procedure.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150416115750/http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2015_16/measures/documents/sb95_01_0000.pdf |date=April 16, 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/08/us/kansas-bans-common-second-trimester-abortion-procedure.html|title=Kansas Limits Abortion Method, Opening a New Line of Attack|first1=Erik|last1=Eckholm|first2=Frances|last2=Robles|newspaper=]|date=April 7, 2015|access-date=January 23, 2018|archive-date=February 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216041007/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/08/us/kansas-bans-common-second-trimester-abortion-procedure.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
====Prayer rally==== | |||
Brownback attended Texas governor ]'s prayer event in August 2011. Aside from Gov. Perry himself, Brownback was the only U.S. governor who attended.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://midwestdemocracyproject.org/blogs/entries/brownback-attends-rick-perry-prayer-event-texas/|title=Brownback attends Rick Perry prayer event in Texas | Midwest Democracy Project|date=November 20, 2011|access-date=June 19, 2018|archive-date=November 20, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111120180517/http://midwestdemocracyproject.org/blogs/entries/brownback-attends-rick-perry-prayer-event-texas/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0811/60801.html|title=Brownback joins Perry on stage|website=]|access-date=January 23, 2018|archive-date=June 26, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130626101031/http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0811/60801.html|url-status=live}}</ref> About 22,000 people attended the rally, and Brownback and Perry were the only elected officials to speak.<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120127154623/http://articles.kwch.com/2011-08-06/governor-brownback_29860202 |date=January 27, 2012 }}</ref> Brownback's participation in the rally resulted in some controversy, and editorials published in '']'' and '']'' expressed disappointment.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.winfieldcourier.com/articles/2011/08/04/opinion/a_little_extra/doc4e3b4fb2b3a6d929370100.txt |access-date=August 11, 2011 |title=Stay home, Sam |archive-date=August 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230822072555/https://www.ctnewsonline.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.kansascity.com/2011/08/07/3056883/commentary-sam-brownbacks-prayer.html |date=August 7, 2011 |access-date=August 12, 2011 |title=Commentary: Sam Brownback's prayer day vacation }}{{dead link|date=March 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> | |||
==U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom== | |||
] in 2018]] | |||
] | |||
===Nomination and confirmation=== | |||
In March 2017, it was reported that Brownback was being considered by President ] to be appointed either as his ] in Rome,<ref>Lowry, Byron. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170611130442/http://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article137265678.html |date=June 11, 2017 }}, '']'', March 8, 2017. Retrieved May 23, 2017.</ref> or as the ] in Washington, DC.<ref>Lowry, Byron. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170523000105/http://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article151397482.html |date=May 23, 2017 }}, '']'', May 19, 2017. Retrieved May 23, 2017.</ref> On July 26, 2017, the White House issued a statement that Brownback would be nominated as the new U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom.<ref name="NYTimesRelAmb07262017"/> As a senator in 1998, Brownback sponsored the legislation that first created the ] (USCIRF).<ref name=pends /> | |||
Due to his positions and actions on Islam and LGBT issues, Brownback's nomination was criticized by figures such as Rabbi Moti Rieber, the executive director of Kansas Interfaith Action,<ref name=become/> Robert McCaw, director of government affairs for the ] (CAIR),<ref name="newsweek"> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171202203203/http://www.newsweek.com/islam-and-america-president-donald-trump-american-muslims-643370 |date=December 2, 2017 }}, '']'', Conor Gaffey, July 28, 2017. Retrieved November 2, 2017.</ref> as well as the ].<ref name=ACLU> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191020050341/https://www.stltoday.com/lifestyles/faith-and-values/faith-facts-about-sam-brownback-political-champion-of-religious-freedom/article_e618d2b1-9d35-5ca2-926c-9f7a1879472e.html |date=October 20, 2019 }}, '']'' ''Religion News Service'', Adelle Banks, July 29, 2017. Retrieved December 22, 2017.</ref> | |||
As of the end of the 2017 session, Brownback's Ambassadorial nomination had not come up for a confirmation vote. As it failed to receive unanimous support for it to carry over to 2018 for approval, it required renomination to come to a vote.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171228054449/http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2017/dec/22/brownbacks-nomination-set-return-white-house/ |date=December 28, 2017 }}, Lawrence '']'' (AP) December 22, 2017. Retrieved December 27, 2017.</ref> He was renominated on January 8, 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/presidential-actions/nominations-sent-senate-today-2/|title=Nominations Sent to the Senate Today|date=January 8, 2018|via=]|work=]|access-date=January 23, 2018|archive-date=January 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120202530/https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/presidential-actions/nominations-sent-senate-today-2/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
On January 24, 2018, the Senate voted along party lines, 49–49, with two Republicans absent, to advance his nomination to the floor, with Vice President ] casting the ] to end the Democrats' filibuster. With the Senate again locked at 49–49 later that day, Pence again cast the tie-breaking vote, confirming the nomination.<ref name="pends"/> On January 25, Brownback submitted his resignation as governor. Brownback's resignation was effective January 31, 2018, on which date Lieutenant Governor ] was sworn in as governor.<ref name="resigning"/><ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130202617/http://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article196606739.html |date=January 30, 2018 }}, '']'', Brian Lowry, January 25, 2018. Retrieved January 29, 2018.</ref> | |||
===Tenure=== | |||
Brownback was sworn in on February 1, 2018.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wise |first1=Lindsay |last2=Kumar |first2=Anita |title=Pence Jokes About His Two Tie-Breaking Votes as Brownback is Sworn in as Ambassador |url=http://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article197934314.html |date=February 1, 2018 |work=] |access-date=March 17, 2018 |archive-date=March 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180318122245/http://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article197934314.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Redisch |first1=Steve |title=Brownback: Myanmar Conducting 'Religious Cleansing' of Rohingya |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/brownback-myanmar-conducting-religious-cleansing-of-rohingya/4278699.html |date=March 3, 2018 |publisher=] |access-date=March 17, 2018 |archive-date=March 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180318120431/https://www.voanews.com/a/brownback-myanmar-conducting-religious-cleansing-of-rohingya/4278699.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last1=Brian | first1=Dulle | title=Brownback Sworn in as U.S. Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom | url=http://www.ksnt.com/news/brownback-sworn-in-as-u-s-ambassador-at-large-for-international-religious-freedom/1011524798 | date=February 1, 2018 | publisher=] | access-date=May 5, 2018 | archive-date=May 6, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180506112324/http://www.ksnt.com/news/brownback-sworn-in-as-u-s-ambassador-at-large-for-international-religious-freedom/1011524798 | url-status=live }}</ref> He became the first Catholic to serve in the role.<ref name=become> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171202102803/http://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/article164075087.html |date=December 2, 2017 }}, '']'', Katherine Burgess and Jonathan Shorman, July 28, 2017. Retrieved November 2, 2017.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kshb.com/news/state/kansas/senate-confirms-kansas-gov-sam-brownback-to-position-in-trump-administration|title=Senate confirms Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback to position in Trump administration|date=January 24, 2018|access-date=January 24, 2018|archive-date=January 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180125021106/https://www.kshb.com/news/state/kansas/senate-confirms-kansas-gov-sam-brownback-to-position-in-trump-administration|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
] and several 'survivors of religious persecution' including ] on July 17, 2019]] | |||
In July 2018, Brownback reportedly lobbied the UK government over the treatment of far-right British activist ].<ref>{{cite web | last1=Hosenball | first1=Mark | title=Trump's Ambassador Lobbied Britain on Behalf of Jailed Right-Wing Activist Tommy Robinson | url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-britain-robinson/trumps-ambassador-lobbied-britain-on-behalf-of-jailed-right-wing-activist-tommy-robinson-idUSKBN1K331J | date=July 13, 2018 | publisher=] | access-date=August 7, 2018 | archive-date=July 24, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180724110026/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-britain-robinson/trumps-ambassador-lobbied-britain-on-behalf-of-jailed-right-wing-activist-tommy-robinson-idUSKBN1K331J | url-status=live }}</ref> Arizona Republican representative ] and five other congressmen invited Robinson to speak to United States Congress on November 14, 2018, on a trip sponsored by the U.S.-based, ]. He was expected to get visa approval by the State Department despite his criminal convictions and use of fraudulent passports to enter and depart the U.S.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026003913/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/tommy-robinson-jail-free-congress-us-republican-event-trump-visa-washington-speech-gosar-a8601866.html |date=October 26, 2018 }}, '']'', Lizzie Dearden, October 25, 2018. Retrieved November 5, 2018.</ref> | |||
Brownback's tenure as ambassador ended on January 20, 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kwch.com/2021/01/21/pompeo-brownback-conclude-terms-in-trump-administration/|title=Pompeo, Brownback conclude terms in Trump administration|first=Matt|last=Heilman|date=January 21, 2021|website=www.kwch.com|access-date=July 24, 2023|archive-date=July 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230724200942/https://www.kwch.com/2021/01/21/pompeo-brownback-conclude-terms-in-trump-administration/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
=== Issues === | |||
Brownback promoted religious freedom as a means of promoting individual and economic flourishing and reducing terrorism and other types of religion-related violence.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.deseretnews.com/article/900068525/us-religious-freedom-ambassador-sam-brownback.html|title=Can America's religious freedom ambassador save the world?|last=Dallas|first=Kelsey|date=May 1, 2019|website=DeseretNews.com|language=en|access-date=August 2, 2019|archive-date=June 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190611001735/https://www.deseretnews.com/article/900068525/us-religious-freedom-ambassador-sam-brownback.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> | |||
Brownback repeatedly condemned China's record on religious freedom, saying, "China is at war with faith. It is a war they will not win".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fcchk.org/china-on-the-wrong-side-of-history-in-its-religious-persecution-says-u-s-ambassador/|title=China 'on the wrong side of history' in its religious persecution, says U.S. ambassador|date=March 8, 2019|website=The Foreign Correspondents' Club, Hong Kong {{!}} FCC|language=en-GB|access-date=August 2, 2019|archive-date=August 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190802150630/https://www.fcchk.org/china-on-the-wrong-side-of-history-in-its-religious-persecution-says-u-s-ambassador/|url-status=live}}</ref> He highlighted China's ], Tibetan ], ] practitioners, and Chinese ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hk.usconsulate.gov/n-2019030801/|title=Remarks on Religious Freedom {{!}} U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong & Macau|date=March 8, 2019|website=U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong & Macau|language=en-US|access-date=August 2, 2019|archive-date=August 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190802150625/https://hk.usconsulate.gov/n-2019030801/|url-status=dead}}</ref> In remarks made at the ], Brownback strongly condemned the ] where more than one million Uyghurs are reported to have been detained.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://webtv.un.org/watch/international-religious-freedom-a-new-era-for-advocacy-in-response-to-a-new-age-of-challenges-and-threats/6009008748001/?term=|title=International Religious Freedom: A New Era for Advocacy in Response to a New Age of Challenges and Threats|website=United Nations Web TV|language=en|access-date=August 2, 2019|archive-date=August 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190829063446/http://webtv.un.org/watch/international-religious-freedom-a-new-era-for-advocacy-in-response-to-a-new-age-of-challenges-and-threats/6009008748001/?term=|url-status=live}}</ref> On July 13, 2020, Brownback, along with three other U.S. politicians, was ] by the Chinese government for "interfering in China’s internal affairs" through their condemnation of human rights abuses in ].<ref>{{Cite news |date=13 July 2020 |title=U.S. declares many of China’s maritime claims ‘unlawful’ as Beijing imposes sanctions on U.S. senators |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/china-imposes-sanctions-on-us-senators-rubio-cruz-over-xinjiang-advocacy/2020/07/13/b169b104-c4d8-11ea-a825-8722004e4150_story.html |access-date=29 December 2024 |work=]}}</ref> | |||
In his first trip as Ambassador, Brownback traveled to ] to meet with ] from ] at the ] near ], Bangladesh. Brownback stated that the accounts of violence he heard were as bad as anything he had ever seen, including in his visits to ], Sudan in 2004.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blogs.state.gov/stories/2018/05/11/en/reflections-my-visit-rohingya-refugees|title=Reflections on My Visit with Rohingya Refugees|last=Brownback|first=Samuel D.|date=May 11, 2018|website=DipNote|language=en|access-date=August 2, 2019|archive-date=August 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190802150639/https://blogs.state.gov/stories/2018/05/11/en/reflections-my-visit-rohingya-refugees|url-status=live}}</ref> Following the trip, the State Department highlighted Myanmar's intensification of violence against its ethnic minorities.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/29/world/asia/state-department-religious-freedom-myanmar.html|title=Myanmar Is Intensifying Violence Against Ethnic Minorities, U.S. Says|last=Harris|first=Gardiner|date=May 29, 2018|work=]|access-date=August 2, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=August 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190802150628/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/29/world/asia/state-department-religious-freedom-myanmar.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In the 2017 International Religious Freedom Report, the State Department described the violence against the Rohingya that forced an estimated 688,000 people to flee Myanmar as "ethnic cleansing."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2017-report-on-international-religious-freedom/burma/|title=2017 Report on International Religious Freedom: Burma|website=United States Department of State|language=en-US|access-date=August 2, 2019|archive-date=July 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722113126/https://www.state.gov/reports/2017-report-on-international-religious-freedom/burma/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
At the 2020 Ministerial to Advance Freedom of Religion or Belief in ], Brownback spoke about COVID-19's effect on freedom of religion.<ref name="poland_ministerial">{{cite web |title=Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom or Belief |url=https://www.gov.pl/web/diplomacy/schedule |publisher=Government of Poland |access-date=November 20, 2020 |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116135104/https://www.gov.pl/web/diplomacy/schedule |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
==Positions== | |||
===Abortion=== | |||
Brownback opposes abortion.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2014/01/wichita-kansas-governor-sam-brownback-equates-abortion-slavery-state-of-the-state-102252|title=Kansas gov equates abortion, slavery|agency=]|date=January 15, 2014|website=]|access-date=July 24, 2023|archive-date=July 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230724034947/https://www.politico.com/story/2014/01/wichita-kansas-governor-sam-brownback-equates-abortion-slavery-state-of-the-state-102252|url-status=live}}</ref> He was personally anti-abortion though politically pro-choice during his early career.<ref>"Politics Attracted Brownback Early," ''Kansas City Star'', October 27, 1996.</ref> In 2007, Brownback said that he saw abortion "as the lead moral issue of our day, just like slavery was the lead moral issue 150 years ago."<ref>Pulliam, Sarah. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071020031735/http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2007/octoberweb-only/142-42.0.html |date=October 20, 2007 }}, ''Christianity Today'', October 18, 2007.</ref> On May 3, 2007, when asked his opinion of repealing '']'', Brownback said, "It would be a glorious day of human liberty and freedom."<ref>, NBC News, May 3, 2007.</ref> | |||
In 2007, Brownback said he "could support a pro-choice nominee" to the presidency because "this is a big coalition party."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna18478985|title=California Republican debate transcript|website=]|date=May 4, 2007|access-date=January 23, 2018|archive-date=April 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180423075403/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/18478985/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
===Arts=== | |||
In May 2011, Brownback eliminated by executive order and then vetoed government funding for the Kansas Arts Commission in response to state defiance of his executive order, making Kansas the first state to de-fund its arts commission.<ref name="latimesblogs.latimes.com">{{cite web|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/culturemonster/2011/05/kansas-governor-eliminates-states-arts-funding.html|title=Kansas governor eliminates state's arts funding|date=May 31, 2011|access-date=January 23, 2018|archive-date=September 17, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110917083221/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/culturemonster/2011/05/kansas-governor-eliminates-states-arts-funding.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The ] informed Kansas that without a viable state arts agency, it would not receive a planned $700,000 federal grant.<ref name=foundation>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/02/arts/kansas-and-other-states-cut-arts-funds.html|title=Kansas and Other States Cut Arts Funds|first=Robin|last=Pogrebin|newspaper=]|date=August 1, 2011|access-date=January 23, 2018|archive-date=August 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180816223442/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/02/arts/kansas-and-other-states-cut-arts-funds.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Brownback has said he believes private donations should fund arts and culture in the state. He created the Kansas Arts Foundation, an organization dedicated to private fundraising to make up the gap created by state budget cuts.<ref name=foundation/><ref>{{cite web |last=Hudnall |first=David |url=http://www.pitch.com/kansascity/sam-brownbacks-crusade-against-the-kansas-arts-commission/Content?oid=2448163 |title=Sam Brownback's crusade against the Kansas Arts Commission | Interview |publisher=The Pitch |access-date=July 23, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011060623/http://www.pitch.com/kansascity/sam-brownbacks-crusade-against-the-kansas-arts-commission/Content?oid=2448163 |archive-date=October 11, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> | |||
===Capital punishment=== | |||
Brownback said in an interview: "I am not a supporter of a ], other than in cases where we cannot protect the society and have other lives at stake."<ref name=DS>], David Shankbone, '']'', October 11, 2007.</ref> In a speech on the ], he questioned the current use of the death penalty as potentially incongruent with the notion of a "]", and suggested it be employed in a more limited fashion.<ref>Sentencing Law and Policy (Blog by Douglas A. Berman): {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061111175019/http://sentencing.typepad.com/sentencing_law_and_policy/2006/02/senator_brownba.html |date=November 11, 2006 }}, February 3, 2006</ref> | |||
===Darfur=== | |||
Brownback visited refugee camps in ] in 2004 and returned to write a resolution labeling the ] as ], and has been active on attempting to increase U.S. efforts to resolve the situation short of military intervention.<ref>]: {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080726052041/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/26/AR2005122600547.html |date=July 26, 2008 }}, page A25, December 27, 2005.</ref> He is an endorser of the ], which called him a "champion of Darfur" in its Darfur scorecard, primarily for his early advocacy of the ].<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090108065945/http://darfurscores.org/champions-of-darfur |date=January 8, 2009 }}, operated by the ], site. Retrieved August 21, 2006</ref> | |||
===Economic issues=== | |||
] | |||
As governor he urged a flattening of the income tax to spur economic growth in Kansas. In December 2005, Brownback advocated using Washington, DC, as a laboratory for a ].<ref>]: {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051202043637/http://www.nysun.com/article/23696 |date=December 2, 2005 }}, November 30, 2005</ref><ref>DCist: | |||
, December 2, 2005 {{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> | |||
===Evolution=== | |||
Brownback has stated that he is a devout believer in a higher power and rejects ] as an exclusive explanation for the development over time of new species from older ones.<ref>{{cite web |author=Peter Wagenet and Kevin Wang – Zeit Studios |url=http://www.uncommondescent.com/intelligent-design/sam-brownback-on-evolution/ |title=Sam Brownback on Evolution |publisher=Uncommon Descent |date=May 31, 2007 |access-date=August 23, 2010 |archive-date=April 27, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100427144755/http://www.uncommondescent.com/intelligent-design/sam-brownback-on-evolution/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Brownback favors giving teachers the freedom to use ] to critique evolutionary theory as part of the ] approach: | |||
{{blockquote|There's intelligence involved in the overall of creation ... I don't think we're really at the point of teaching this in the classroom. I think what we passed in the U.S. Senate in 2002 the Santorum Amendment is really what we should be doing, and that is that you teach the controversy, you teach what is fact is fact, and what is theory is theory, and you move from that proceedings, rather than from teaching some sort of different thought. And this, I really think that's the area we should concentrate on at the present time, is teaching the controversy.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230822073608/https://transcripts.cnn.com/show/lkl/date/2005-08-23/segment/01 |date=August 22, 2023 }} CNN Larry King Live, August 23, 2005.</ref>|Senator Sam Brownback|''Larry King Live'', CNN, August 23, 2005}} | |||
Brownback spoke out against the denial of tenure at ] to astronomer ], a proponent of ], saying "such an assault on academic freedom does not bode well for the advancement of true science."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.brownback.com/|title=Brownback Alarmed by Tenure Denial in Iowa|date=May 21, 2007|website=Brownback for President|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070523193354/http://www.brownback.com/|archive-date=May 23, 2007|url-status=usurped}}</ref> | |||
===Health care=== | |||
Brownback opposes government-funded elective abortions in accordance with the ]. He has been a strong supporter of legislation to establish a national childhood cancer database and an increase in funding for autism research.<ref name="ontheissues.org">{{cite web |url=http://www.ontheissues.org/senate/sam_brownback.htm |title=Sam Brownback on the Issues |publisher=Ontheissues.org |access-date=August 23, 2010 |archive-date=June 13, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170613225159/http://ontheissues.org/Senate/Sam_Brownback.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>{{better source needed|date=August 2023}} Brownback supports negotiating bulk discounts on Medicare drug benefits to reduce prices. In 2007, Senators Brownback and ] (]-]) sponsored an amendment to the ] Amendments Act of 2007. The amendment created a prize as an incentive for companies to invest in new drugs and vaccines for neglected tropical diseases. It awards a transferable "]" to any company that obtains approval for a treatment for a neglected tropical disease.<ref>{{cite web |title=U.S. Senators Introduce Legislation To Encourage R&D Aimed At Neglected Pediatric Diseases |url=https://www.kff.org/news-summary/u-s-senators-introduce-legislation-to-encourage-rd-aimed-at-neglected-pediatric-diseases/ |website=KFF}}</ref> The prize was initially proposed by ] faculty Henry Grabowski, Jeffrey Moe, and David Ridley in their 2006 ''Health Affairs'' paper: "Developing Drugs for Developing Countries."<ref>{{Cite journal |url=http://content.healthaffairs.org/cgi/content/abstract/25/2/313 |title=Developing Drugs For Developing Countries – Ridley et al. 25 (2): 313 – Health Affairs |date=2006 |doi=10.1377/hlthaff.25.2.313 |pmid=16522573 |access-date=April 25, 2008 |archive-date=August 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230822073612/https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/abs/10.1377/hlthaff.25.2.313 |url-status=live |last1=Ridley |first1=D. B. |last2=Grabowski |first2=H. G. |last3=Moe |first3=J. L. |journal=Health Affairs |volume=25 |issue=2 |pages=313–324 |hdl=10161/7017 |hdl-access=free }}</ref> | |||
Brownback has supported a bill that would introduce ] to the U.S. ] industry,<ref>PR Newswire: {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061109093320/http://www.hiremedical.com/c/medical/newsdetailx/10132.htm |date=November 9, 2006 }}, July 12, 2005</ref> as well as a bill which would require the disclosure of ] payment rate information.<ref>U.S. Senator Sam Brownback press release: {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060428022941/http://brownback.senate.gov/pressapp/record.cfm?id=253714 |date=April 28, 2006 }}, April 7, 2006</ref> | |||
On December 16, 2006, Brownback gave an interview to the '']'', stating: "We can get to this goal of eliminating deaths by ] in ten years."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.christianpost.com/article/20061216/24283_Brownback_Addresses_Christian_Radio_Members,_Touts_FDA_Move.htm |title=Brownback Addresses Christian Radio Members, Touts FDA Move |work=Christian Post |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070620230129/http://www.christianpost.com/article/20061216/24283_Brownback_Addresses_Christian_Radio_Members,_Touts_FDA_Move.htm |date=December 16, 2006 |archive-date=June 20, 2007 |access-date=May 10, 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref> | |||
===Immigration=== | |||
==== Senate record ==== | |||
Brownback had a Senate voting record that has tended to support higher legal immigration levels<ref>{{cite web|url=http://grades.betterimmigration.com/testgrades.php3?District=KS&VIPID=317|title=Immigration-Reduction Grades - NumbersUSA - For Lower Immigration Levels|website=grades.betterimmigration.com|access-date=January 23, 2018|archive-date=January 7, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100107050946/http://grades.betterimmigration.com/testgrades.php3?District=KS&VIPID=317|url-status=dead}}</ref> and strong refugee protection. Brownback was cosponsor of a 2005 bill of ] and ]'s which would have created a legal path to citizenship for millions of ] already present.<ref name="immbill2005">{{cite web |title =Democrats are flocking to McCain's immigration bill |url =http://thehill.com/campaign-2008/democrats-are-flocking-to-mccains-immigration-bill-2005-08-17.html |access-date =June 21, 2007 |archive-date =August 25, 2007 |archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20070825202707/http://thehill.com/campaign-2008/democrats-are-flocking-to-mccains-immigration-bill-2005-08-17.html |url-status =dead }}</ref> On June 26, 2007, Brownback voted in favor of S. 1639, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:s.01639:|title=Search Results – Thomas (Library of Congress)|access-date=January 23, 2018|archive-date=October 18, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018153249/http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:s.01639:|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=110&session=1&vote=00228|title=U.S. Senate: U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 110th Congress - 1st Session|website=www.senate.gov|access-date=January 23, 2018|archive-date=October 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171018060924/https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=110&session=1&vote=00228|url-status=live}}</ref> Brownback supports increasing numbers of legal immigrants, building a fence on Mexican border, and the reform bill "if enforced." | |||
While he initially supported giving guest workers a path to citizenship, Brownback eventually voted "Nay" on June 28, 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=110&session=1&vote=00235|title=U.S. Senate: U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 110th Congress - 1st Session|website=www.senate.gov|access-date=January 23, 2018|archive-date=December 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171230043655/https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=110&session=1&vote=00235|url-status=live}}</ref> Brownback has said that he supports immigration reform because the ] says to welcome the stranger.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/10/28/on-the-road-a-week-with-values-voters/ |work=] |title=On the Road: A Week With 'Values' Voters |first=Michael |last=Luo |date=October 28, 2007 |access-date=May 23, 2010 |archive-date=November 19, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101119110347/http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/10/28/on-the-road-a-week-with-values-voters/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
==== Record as governor ==== | |||
On April 25, 2016, Brownback issued executive orders barring state agencies from facilitating ] and other majority-Muslim countries, in concert with the federal ] (ORR). He maintained they presented security risks, and his decision entirely removed Kansas from the program. The ORR served notice that it would instead work directly with local refugee resettlement organizations. Kansas was the first state to withdraw from the federal refugee resettlement program.<ref name="newsweek" /> | |||
As a result of Brownback's action, Kansas lost about $2.2 million annually that had been provided to support resettlement agencies. The state had been working with three such agencies, among them Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas, in making appropriate placements. In the seven months preceding his order, 354 refugees were resettled in Kansas, with 13 Syrians placed in the Wichita or Kansas City areas in the previous 16 months. Representative ] from Wichita called Brownback's announcement "a distraction", intended solely for political purposes, as Kansas faced a $290 million budget deficit.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729013339/http://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article73945807.html |date=July 29, 2017 }}, '']'', Edward M. Eveld, April 26, 2016. Retrieved July 28, 2017.</ref> | |||
===Iraq=== | |||
While believing there is no inherent ] in the ], he expresses disapproval of ]'s assertions on the legality of the ].<ref>]: , ] ]</ref> In accordance with his ] beliefs (after he converted in 2002), he has, however, taken a moderate approach to ]. In a speech on the ], he questioned the current use of the ] as potentially incongruent with the notion of a ], and suggesting for its employment in a more limited fashion.<ref>Sentencing Law and Policy (Blog by Douglas A. Berman): , ] ]</ref> | |||
]]] | |||
Brownback supported a political surge coupled with the military surge of 2007 in ] and opposed the Democratic Party's strategy of timed withdrawal: | |||
{{blockquote|It does mean that there must be bipartisan agreement for our military commitment on Iraq. We cannot fight a war with the support of only one political party. And it does mean that the parties in Iraq – Sunni, Shi'a and Kurds – must get to a political agreement, to a political equilibrium. I think most people agree that a cut and run strategy does not serve our interest at all, nor those of the world, nor those of the region, nor those of the Iraqi people. So I invite my colleagues, all around, particularly on the other side of the aisle, to indicate what level of commitment they can support.<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070131223044/http://brownback.senate.gov/pressapp/record.cfm?id=267618 |date=January 31, 2007 }}</ref>| | |||
Senator Brownback has stated that he opposes President Bush's proposed ] troop surge in ] and the Democrats so-called "cut and run" strategy: | |||
{{Quotation| | |||
It does mean that there must be bipartisan agreement for our military commitment on Iraq. We cannot fight a war with the support of only one political party. And it does mean that the parties in Iraq--], ] and ]--must get to a political agreement, to a political equilibrium. I think most people agree that a ] strategy does not serve our interest at all, nor those of the world, nor those of the region, nor those of the Iraqi people. So I invite my colleagues, all around, particularly on the other side of the aisle, to indicate what level of commitment they can support.''"<ref></ref>| | |||
Senator Sam Brownback| | Senator Sam Brownback| | ||
U.S. Senate floor speech, January 16, 2007}} | |||
In May 2007, Brownback stated: "We have not lost war; we can win by pulling together". He voted Yes on authorizing use of military force against Iraq, voted No on requiring on-budget funding for Iraq, not emergency funding and voted No on redeploying troops out of Iraq by July 2007.<ref name="ontheissues">{{cite web|url=http://www.ontheissues.org/Sam_Brownback.htm|title=Sam Brownback On the Issues|access-date=September 1, 2007|publisher=ontheissues.org|archive-date=August 23, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070823103230/http://www.ontheissues.org/Sam_Brownback.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> He has also condemned anti-Muslim bigotry in name of anti-terrorism.<ref name="ontheissues.org"/> | |||
According to an ] report by reporter Laurie Kellman<ref>{{cite news | |||
| last = Kellman | |||
| first = Laurie | |||
| title = Bush Veto Expected for Stem Cell Bill | |||
| language = English | |||
| publisher = Associated Press | |||
| date = ] | |||
| url = http://www.technewsworld.com/story/51852.html | |||
| accessdate = 2006-08-23 }}</ref>, "Brownback appeared with three children adopted from ] clinics" to coincide with a Senate debate over the to show his support for the bill and ] and to demonstrate his belief that these children and others like them, conceived through ] fertilization, may not exist today if as embryos they were used in ]. The ] refers to children conceived through the adopted in vitro process as "]."<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.rfcnet.org/news/default.asp?action=detail&article=307 | title=LEGISLATIVE UPDATE - WEEK ENDING ] ]; STEM CELLS AND SNOWFLAKE BABIES | publisher=] | date=] ] | accessdate=2006-08-29}}</ref> The term, as proponents explain, is an extension of the idea that the embryos are "frozen and unique," and in that way are similar to ]s.<ref>>{{cite web | url=http://www.rfcnet.org/news/default.asp?action=detail&article=307 | title=LEGISLATIVE UPDATE - WEEK ENDING ] ]; STEM CELLS AND SNOWFLAKE BABIES | publisher=] | date=] ] | accessdate=2006-08-29}}</ref> Brownback supports the use of ] for research and treatment, instead of embryonic stem cells and was one of the sponsors of the bill in the Senate.<ref>The New York Sun: , ] ]</ref> | |||
On June 7, 2007, Brownback voted against the ] when that bill came up for a vote in the Senate Judiciary Committee, on which Brownback sits.<ref>], June 7, 2007.</ref> (The bill was passed out of the committee by a vote of 11 to 8.)<ref>{{cite web |last1=Melber |first1=Ari |title=Senate Begins Real Push on Habeas Corpus |url=http://www.thenation.com/blogs/campaignmatters?bid=45&pid=203303 |website=www.thenation.com |publisher=] |access-date=8 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070609164444/http://www.thenation.com/blogs/campaignmatters?bid=45&pid=203303 |archive-date=June 9, 2007 |language=en |date=2007-06-07}}</ref> The bill aims to restore ] rights revoked by the ].<ref>{{cite news|last=Kellman |first=Laurie |title=Bush Veto Expected for Stem Cell Bill |agency=] |date=July 18, 2006 |url=http://www.technewsworld.com/story/51852.html |access-date=August 23, 2006 }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> | |||
Brownback visited refugee camps in ] in 2004 and returned to write a resolution labeling the ] as ], and has been active on attempting to increase U.S. efforts to resolve the situation.<ref> ]: , page A25, ] ].</ref> He is an endorser of the ], which called him a "champion of Darfur" in its Darfur scorecard, primarily for his early advocacy of the ].<ref>, operated by the ], site accessed ] ]</ref> | |||
===Israel and the Palestinian Territories=== | |||
After the ], he worked with Senator ] on legislation that imposed stricter entry standards at the borders of the United States. Brownback worked with Congressman ] to help win placement of the ] Museum on the ] in ]. | |||
] Policy Conference]] | |||
In October 2007, Brownback announced his support for ] designed by ], then-chairman of ]'s far-right-wing ]/] (NU/NRP) alliance.<ref name="forward.com">{{cite web |last=Brostoff |first=Marissa |url=http://www.forward.com/articles/11794/ |title=Far Right Israelis Get Boost From Senator – The Jewish Daily Forward |publisher=Forward.com |date=October 10, 2007 |access-date=August 23, 2010 |archive-date=July 22, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722130506/http://www.forward.com/articles/11794/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Elon's positions included dismantling the ] and ] and rejecting a ]. The plan calls for the complete annexation of the ] by Israel, and the deportation of its massive majority Arab population to a new Palestinian state to be created within present-day Jordan, against that latter country's historic opposition.<ref name="forward.com" /> | |||
===LGBT issues=== | |||
Brownback is also trying to introduce ] to the US ] industry,<ref>PR Newswire: , ] ]</ref> as well as a bill which would require the disclosure of ] payment rate information.<ref>US Senator Sam Brownback press release: , ] ]</ref> | |||
In 1996, as a member of the House of Representatives, Brownback voted for the ], which defined marriage for purposes of federal law as the union between a man and a woman.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/104-1996/h316|title=H.R. 3396 (104th): Defense of Marriage Act -- House Vote #316 -- Jul 12, 1996|website=GovTrack.us|access-date=January 24, 2018|archive-date=October 21, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171021140443/https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/104-1996/h316|url-status=live}}</ref> Brownback has stated that he believes ] to be immoral as a violation of both Catholic doctrine<ref name="WP-Pace">{{cite news |last=Hananel |first=Sam |title=Brownback Supports Pace's Remark on Gays |newspaper=] |agency=] |date=March 5, 2007 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/15/AR2007031501113.html |access-date=March 1, 2011 |archive-date=February 7, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110207102152/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/15/AR2007031501113.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and ].<ref name="RS-Sharlet">{{cite news |last=Sharlet |first=Jeff |author-link=Jeff Sharlet (writer) |title=God's Senator |magazine=] |location=New York |date=January 25, 2006 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/9178374/gods_senator/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060207014424/http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/9178374/gods_senator/ |archive-date=February 7, 2006 |url-status=dead |access-date=March 1, 2011}}</ref> He has voted against ], receiving zeros in four of the last five scorecards as a U.S. senator from the ].<ref name="HRC-107">{{cite web |title=Congressional Scorecard for the 107th Congress |year=2002 |url=http://www.hrc.org/documents/2002scorecard.pdf |publisher=Human Rights Campaign, Inc |page=8 |access-date=March 1, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101115064115/http://www.hrc.org/documents/2002scorecard.pdf |archive-date=November 15, 2010 }}</ref><ref name="HRC-108">{{cite web |title=Congressional Scorecard for the 108th Congress |year=2004 |url=http://www.hrc.org/documents/2004ScoreCard.pdf |publisher=Human Rights Campaign, Inc |page=16 |access-date=March 1, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101115064101/http://www.hrc.org/documents/2004ScoreCard.pdf |archive-date=November 15, 2010 }}</ref><ref name="HRC-109">{{cite web|title=Congressional Scorecard for the 109th Congress |year=2006 |url=http://www.hrc.org/documents/HRCscorecard2006.pdf |publisher=Human Rights Campaign, Inc |page=15 |access-date=March 1, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101115064050/http://www.hrc.org/documents/HRCscorecard2006.pdf |archive-date=November 15, 2010 }}</ref><ref name="HRC-110">{{cite web |title=Congressional Scorecard for the 110th Congress |year=2008 |url=http://www.hrc.org/documents/Congress_Scorecard-110th.pdf |publisher=Human Rights Campaign, Inc |page=20 |access-date=March 1, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101123191130/https://www.hrc.org/documents/Congress_Scorecard-110th.pdf |archive-date=November 23, 2010 }}</ref><ref name="HRC-111">{{cite web |title=Congressional Scorecard for the 111th Congress |date=February 23, 2011 |url=http://www.hrc.org/documents/111thCongressional_Scorecard.pdf |publisher=Human Rights Campaign, Inc |page=20 |access-date=March 1, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110227111602/https://www.hrc.org/documents/111thCongressional_Scorecard.pdf |archive-date=February 27, 2011 }}</ref> He opposes both ] and same-sex ]s.<ref name="RS-Sharlet"/> He opposes adding sexual orientation and ] to federal ] laws.<ref name="RS-Sharlet"/><ref name="LJW-hatecrime">{{cite news |last=Rothschild |first=Scott |title=Brownback, Roberts, Moran, Tiahrt cite hate crimes provision in voting against military funding bill |newspaper=The Lawrence Journal-World |date=October 26, 2009 |url=http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2009/oct/26/brownback-roberts-moran-tiahrt-cite-hate-crimes-pr/ |access-date=March 1, 2011 |archive-date=August 6, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110806094651/http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2009/oct/26/brownback-roberts-moran-tiahrt-cite-hate-crimes-pr/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He has declined to state a position on ],<ref name="ABC-gayadoption">{{cite news |last=Stephanopoulos |first=George |author-link=George Stephanopoulos |title=Brownback Joins Crowded Presidential Race |work=This Week |date=January 22, 2007 |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=2811101 |publisher=] |access-date=March 4, 2011 |archive-date=June 28, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628211511/http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=2811101 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="AmericaBlog-gayadoption">{{cite news |last=Aravosis |first=John |author-link=John Aravosis |title=Conservative GOP prez candidate, Sam Brownback, refuses to take position on gay adoption |work=AMERICAblog |date=January 21, 2007 |url=http://www.americablog.com/2007/01/conservative-gop-prez-candidate-sam.html |access-date=March 4, 2011 |archive-date=July 7, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707130747/http://www.americablog.com/2007/01/conservative-gop-prez-candidate-sam.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> although a candidate for chair of the ] claims he was blackballed by political operatives affiliated with Brownback for not opposing homosexual adoption.<ref name="KCC-Sutherland">{{cite news |last=Sutherland |first=Dwight |title=Sutherland: Up On 'Brownback Mountain' or 'I Just Wish I Knew How to Quit You |work=KC Confidential |date=August 16, 2013 |url=http://www.kcconfidential.com/2013/08/16/sutherland-up-on-brownback-mountain-or-i-just-wish-i-knew-how-to-quit-you/ |access-date=August 20, 2013 |archive-date=December 2, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202233447/http://www.kcconfidential.com/2013/08/16/sutherland-up-on-brownback-mountain-or-i-just-wish-i-knew-how-to-quit-you/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Brownback supported "],"<ref name="WEBlog-DADT">{{cite news |last=Holman |first=Rhonda |title=Kansans in Congress clinging to 'don't ask, don't tell' |series=WE Blog |date=December 5, 2010 |url=http://blogs.kansas.com/weblog/2010/12/kansans-in-congress-clinging-to-dont-ask-dont-tell/ |work=The Wichita Eagle |access-date=March 1, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713134409/http://blogs.kansas.com/weblog/2010/12/kansans-in-congress-clinging-to-dont-ask-dont-tell/ |archive-date=July 13, 2011 }}</ref> the U.S. government's ban on openly homosexual people in the military. Brownback has associated with organizations such as the ]<ref name="FRC-SPLC">{{cite web|title=FRC, Members of Congress, Governors, and Conservative Leaders Release Open Letter Calling for Civil Debate, End to Character Assassination|url=http://www.frc.org/get.cfm?i=PR10L07|publisher=Family Research Council|date=December 15, 2010|access-date=June 9, 2011|archive-date=August 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230822073610/https://www.frc.org/advanced-search|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=RWW-FRC-SPLC>{{cite web|title=Dozens of GOP Leaders Declare Solidarity With Those Who Want To See Homosexuality Outlawed|url=http://www.rightwingwatch.org/content/dozens-gop-leaders-declare-solidarity-those-who-want-see-homosexuality-outlawed|work=Right Wing Watch|publisher=People for the American Way|date=December 15, 2010|access-date=June 9, 2011|archive-date=July 25, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725175451/http://www.rightwingwatch.org/content/dozens-gop-leaders-declare-solidarity-those-who-want-see-homosexuality-outlawed|url-status=live}}</ref> and ].<ref name=TCJ-Response>{{cite news|title=Brownback responds to Perry's call to pray|url=http://cjonline.com/news/2011-06-07/brownback-responds-perrys-call-pray|access-date=June 9, 2011|newspaper=Topeka Capital-Journal|date=June 7, 2011|agency=]|archive-date=June 9, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110609153057/http://cjonline.com/news/2011-06-07/brownback-responds-perrys-call-pray|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=NYT-Response>{{cite news|last=Fernandez|first=Manny|title=Texas Governor Draws Criticism on Prayer Event|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/12/us/politics/12prayer.html|access-date=June 12, 2011|newspaper=]|date=June 11, 2011|author2=Eckholm, Erik|page=A31|archive-date=June 14, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110614214318/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/12/us/politics/12prayer.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
In 2003, Brownback worked with ] and ] to introduce a Senate bill containing the ], a proposed amendment to the United States Constitution that would federally prohibit same-sex marriage in the United States.<ref name="NYT-FMA">{{cite news |last=Seelye |first=Katharine Q. |title=Conservatives Mobilize Against Ruling on Gay Marriage |newspaper=] |date=November 20, 2003 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/11/20/national/20CONS.html |access-date=July 15, 2013 |archive-date=January 24, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140124064543/http://www.nytimes.com/2003/11/20/national/20CONS.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Salon-FMA">{{cite news |last=Grieve |first=Tim |title=Lining up to fight 'the forces of evil' |newspaper=] |date=November 19, 2003 |url=http://www.salon.com/2003/11/20/marriage_20/ |access-date=July 15, 2013 |archive-date=July 15, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715032749/http://www.salon.com/2003/11/20/marriage_20/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="WT-FMA">{{cite news |last=McCaslin |first=John |title=Inside the Beltway: Redefining Bliss |newspaper=The Washington Times |date=November 26, 2003 |url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2003/nov/26/20031126-110943-6790r/ |access-date=July 15, 2013 |archive-date=June 10, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610193405/http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2003/nov/26/20031126-110943-6790r/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Brownback-FMA">{{cite press release |last=Brownback |first=Sam |title=Brownback Statement on Federal Marriage Amendment |date=September 17, 2003 |url=http://brownback.senate.gov/record.cfm?id=211715 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031019014820/http://brownback.senate.gov/record.cfm?id=211715 |archive-date=October 19, 2003 |access-date=July 15, 2013}}</ref> The bill was a response to '']'', the Massachusetts state court decision finding that same-sex couples had the right to marry in Massachusetts.<ref name="NYT-FMA" /><ref name="Salon-FMA" /><ref name="WT-FMA" /> In reaction to the ''Goodridge'' decision, Brownback stated that same-sex marriage threatened the health of American families and culture.<ref name="LJW-FMA">{{cite news |last=Hanna |first=John |title=Kline, Brownback vow to fight same-sex marriage |newspaper=The Lawrence Journal-World |agency=] |date=November 19, 2003 |url=http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2003/nov/19/kline_brownback_vow/ |access-date=July 15, 2013 |archive-date=June 11, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150611035633/http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2003/nov/19/kline_brownback_vow/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
In December 2005, Brownback advocated using ] as a "laboratory" for a ]. He stated, "that making D.C. a test case would, with limited potential for negative impact, provide valuable data about the effects of a flat tax that would prove helpful in determining whether it should be applied nationwide."<ref> ]: , ] ]</ref> Some residents of the District believe that the proposed system of taxation would seem to only further what many believe to be the District's ]. DC mayor ] said "Leaving aside the merits of this proposal, we continue to resist any efforts on the part of any member of Congress to impose rules and regulations on the people of the District."<ref>DCist: | |||
, ] ]</ref> | |||
In 2006, Brownback blocked the confirmation of federal judicial nominee ] because she had attended a same-sex commitment ceremony.<ref name="NYT-Neff">{{cite news|last=Lewis|first=Neil A.|title=Senator Removes His Block on Federal Court Nominee|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/19/washington/19judge.html|access-date=October 1, 2011|newspaper=]|date=December 19, 2006|archive-date=December 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222220258/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/19/washington/19judge.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="WSJ-Neff">{{cite news|last=Lattman|first=Peter|title=Amid Criticism, Brownback Lifts Block on Judicial Nominee|series=The Wall Street Journal Law Blog|url=https://blogs.wsj.com/law/2006/12/19/amid-criticism-brownback-lifts-block-on-judicial-nominee/|work=]|access-date=October 1, 2011|date=December 19, 2006|archive-date=March 24, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324133732/http://blogs.wsj.com/law/2006/12/19/amid-criticism-brownback-lifts-block-on-judicial-nominee/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="WP-Neff">{{cite news|last=Dvorak|first=Todd|title=Brownback Wants to Re-Question Nominee|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/19/AR2006121900645.html|access-date=October 1, 2011|newspaper=]|agency=]|date=December 19, 2006|archive-date=October 18, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018153249/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/19/AR2006121900645.html|url-status=live}}</ref> At first, he agreed to lift the block only if Neff would recuse herself from all cases involving same-sex unions. Brownback later dropped his opposition.<ref name="NYT-Neff"/><ref name="WSJ-Neff"/><ref name="WP-Neff"/> Neff was nominated to the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan by President ] on March 19, 2007, to a seat vacated ] and was confirmed by a vote of 83-4 by the ] on July 9, 2007. She received her commission on August 6, 2007.<ref name=Neff> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171223042513/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-congress-judge/senate-rejects-brownbacks-concerns-about-judge-idUSN0931175220070709 |date=December 23, 2017 }}, '']'', July 9, 2007. Retrieved December 22, 2017.</ref> | |||
Brownback has attempted to curb the abuse sometimes suffered by ]s in the United States at the hands of their American spouses as a lead sponsor of the controversial International Marriage Broker Regulation Act of 2005 and by frequently speaking out against the industry.<ref>]: Mail Order Nightmares </ref> | |||
In April 2011, Brownback began work on a Kansas government program to promote marriage, in part through grants to faith-based and secular social service organizations.<ref name=TCJ-HMI>{{cite news|last=Carpenter|first=Tim|title=Brownback program promotes marriage|url=http://cjonline.com/news/2011-07-02/brownback-program-promotes-marriage|access-date=July 3, 2011|newspaper=The Topeka Capital-Journal|date=July 2, 2011|archive-date=July 6, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706035248/http://cjonline.com/news/2011-07-02/brownback-program-promotes-marriage|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=LJW-HMI>{{cite news|last=Rothschild|first=Scott|title=Gov. Brownback, SRS secretary discussing marriage initiatives|url=http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2011/apr/07/gov-brownback-srs-secretary-discussing-marriage-in/|access-date=July 3, 2011|newspaper=The Lawrence Journal-World|date=April 7, 2011|archive-date=April 14, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110414113155/http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2011/apr/07/gov-brownback-srs-secretary-discussing-marriage-in/|url-status=live}}</ref> In June 2011, the administration revised contract expectations for social work organizations to promote married mother-father families.<ref name=SJ-HMI1>{{cite news|title=SRS history replete with major changes|url=http://www.salina.com/news/story/seniors062111|access-date=October 24, 2011|newspaper=The Salina Journal|date=June 21, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120403071454/http://www.salina.com/news/story/seniors062111|archive-date=April 3, 2012}}</ref><ref name=SJ-HMI2>{{cite news|last=Fiedler|first=Gordon D.|title=Kansas SRS secretary visits Salina|url=http://www.saljournal.com/news/story/Siedlecki-tour|access-date=October 24, 2011|newspaper=The Salina Journal|date=June 22, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120501141642/http://www.saljournal.com/news/story/Siedlecki-tour|archive-date=May 1, 2012}}</ref> It explained the change as benefiting children.<ref name=SJ-HMI1/><ref name=SJ-HMI2/> | |||
On ], ], Brownback introduced a ] called the ] (S.3935), which would regulate the rating system of ]. | |||
In January 2012, Brownback did not include Kansas's ] in a list of unenforced and outdated laws that the legislature should repeal.<ref name=TCJ-Repeal>{{cite news|last=Carpenter|first=Tim|title=State 'repealer' lists 51 objections|url=http://cjonline.com/news/2012-01-20/state-repealer-lists-51-objections|access-date=February 19, 2012|newspaper=The Topeka Capital-Journal|date=January 20, 2012|archive-date=February 17, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120217055637/http://cjonline.com/news/2012-01-20/state-repealer-lists-51-objections|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=LJW-Repeal>{{cite news |last=Rothschild |first=Scott |title=51 measures proposed for repeal, but not law criminalizing gay sex |url=http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2012/jan/20/51-measures-proposed-repeal-not-law-criminalizing-/ |access-date=February 19, 2012 |newspaper=The Lawrence Journal-World |date=January 20, 2012 |archive-date=January 24, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120124023846/http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2012/jan/20/51-measures-proposed-repeal-not-law-criminalizing-/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=WE-Repeal>{{cite news|title=Kansas governor plans to seek repeal of some regulations, laws|url=http://www.kansas.com/2012/01/20/2182945/kansas-governor-plans-to-seek.html|access-date=February 19, 2012|newspaper=The Wichita Eagle|agency=]|date=January 20, 2012|archive-date=February 22, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222164041/http://www.kansas.com/2012/01/20/2182945/kansas-governor-plans-to-seek.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=NYT-Repeal>{{cite news|last=Sulzberger|first=A. G.|title=Kansas Law on Sodomy Stays on Books Despite a Cull|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/21/us/sodomy-law-remains-official-in-kansas.html|access-date=January 20, 2012|newspaper=]|date=February 14, 2012|archive-date=January 22, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120122074721/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/21/us/sodomy-law-remains-official-in-kansas.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Gay rights advocates had asked his administration to recommend its repeal because the law has been unenforceable since the Supreme Court's '']'' decision in 2003.<ref name=TCJ-Repeal/><ref name=LJW-Repeal/><ref name=WE-Repeal/><ref name=NYT-Repeal/><ref name=LJW-Repeal-Ask>{{cite news|last=Rothschild|first=Scott|title=Kansas Equality Coalition seeks repeal of homosexual sex law|url=http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2011/nov/27/kansas-equality-coalition-seeks-repeal-homosexual-/|access-date=February 19, 2012|newspaper=The Lawrence Journal-World|date=November 27, 2011|archive-date=January 30, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120130111719/http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2011/nov/27/kansas-equality-coalition-seeks-repeal-homosexual-/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
On ], 2006, ] ] signed into law the ] sponsored by Brownback, a former broadcaster himself, and endorsed by ] ] of ] who authored a similar bill in the ]. The new law stiffens the penalties for each violation of the Act. The ] will be able to impose fines in the amount of $325,000 for each violation by each station, which violates ] standards. The legislation raises the fine by a tenfold increase.<ref>Combs, Roberta. , ''Washington Weekly Review'', June 17, 2006</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Bill Number S. 193 | work=Broadcast Decency Enforcement Act of 2005 (Introduced in Senate) from Congressional THOMAS DB| url=http://www.congress.org/congressorg/bill.xc?billnum=S.193&congress=109 | accessdate=April 11 | accessyear=2005 }}</ref> | |||
In February 2012, the Brownback administration supported a religious freedom bill that would have stopped cities, school districts, universities, and executive agencies from having nondiscrimination laws or policies that covered sexual orientation or gender identity.<ref name=TCJ-HB2260>{{cite news|last=Carpenter|first=Tim|title=Religious freedom bill evokes contrary views|url=http://cjonline.com/news/2012-02-14/religious-freedom-bill-evokes-contrary-views|access-date=February 19, 2012|newspaper=The Topeka Capital-Journal|date=February 14, 2012|archive-date=February 18, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120218032859/http://cjonline.com/news/2012-02-14/religious-freedom-bill-evokes-contrary-views|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=LJW-HB2260>{{cite news|last=Rothschild|first=Scott|title=Brownback administration supports bill that critics say could invalidate Lawrence anti-discrimination ordinance|url=http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2012/feb/14/brownback-administration-supports-bill-critics-say/|access-date=February 19, 2012|newspaper=The Lawrence Journal-World|date=February 14, 2012|archive-date=February 18, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120218030954/http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2012/feb/14/brownback-administration-supports-bill-critics-say/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=WE-HB2260>{{cite news|last=Brownlee|first=Phillip|title=Religious-liberty bill really about discrimination|url=http://blogs.kansas.com/weblog/2012/02/religious-liberty-bill-really-about-discrimination/|work=WE Blog|access-date=February 19, 2012|publisher=The Wichita Eagle|date=February 13, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120723032342/http://blogs.kansas.com/weblog/2012/02/religious-liberty-bill-really-about-discrimination/|archive-date=July 23, 2012}}</ref> | |||
==2008 Presidential campaign== | |||
On ] ], Brownback formed an exploratory committee, thus taking the first steps toward candidacy. He has announced his Presidential bid as of ] ] on his website.<ref> by ]. ], ] ].</ref> His expressed views position him in the social conservative wing of the Republican party. He has also stressed his fiscal conservatism. "I am an economic, a fiscal, a social and a compassionate conservative," he said in December 2006.<ref>http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/01/06/ap3304345.html</ref> | |||
In 2013, after oral arguments in '']'', the U.S. Supreme Court case striking down part of the ], Brownback publicly reaffirmed his opposition to same-sex marriage.<ref name="CJ-Windsor">{{cite news |last=Hanna |first=John |title=Brownback reaffirms opposition to gay marriage |newspaper=The Topeka Capital-Journal |agency=] |date=March 29, 2013 |url=http://cjonline.com/news/2013-03-29/brownback-reaffirms-opposition-gay-marriage |access-date=July 15, 2013 |archive-date=October 20, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020102037/http://cjonline.com/news/2013-03-29/brownback-reaffirms-opposition-gay-marriage |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
On ] ], in Topeka, Brownback announced that he was running for ] in ].<ref>http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=2774442</ref> If elected President in 2008, Brownback will have been a United States Senator for 12 years, equivalent to two full terms as senator. | |||
In 2014, the U.S. Supreme Court denied petitions to review several federal appellate decisions overturning state bans on same-sex marriage.<ref name="SCOTUS-Kitchen-NYT">{{cite news|last=Liptak|first=Adam|title=Supreme Court Hands Gay Marriage a Tacit Victory|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/07/us/denying-review-justices-clear-way-for-gay-marriage-in-5-states.html|access-date=October 6, 2014|work=]|date=October 6, 2014|archive-date=October 6, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006193126/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/07/us/denying-review-justices-clear-way-for-gay-marriage-in-5-states.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="SCOTUS-Kitchen-WP">{{cite news |last=Barnes |first=Robert |title=Supreme Court declines to review same-sex marriage cases |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/courts_law/supreme-court-declines-to-review-same-sex-marriage-cases/2014/10/06/ee822848-4d5e-11e4-babe-e91da079cb8a_story.html |access-date=October 6, 2014 |newspaper=] |date=October 6, 2014 |archive-date=October 6, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006144937/http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/courts_law/supreme-court-declines-to-review-same-sex-marriage-cases/2014/10/06/ee822848-4d5e-11e4-babe-e91da079cb8a_story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The court's actions favored repeal of Kansas's ban on same-sex marriage because two of the appeals ('']'' and '']'') originated in the ], which includes Kansas.<ref name="SCOTUS-Kitchen-NYT"/><ref name="SCOTUS-Kitchen-WP"/> In response, Brownback defended Kansas's same-sex marriage ban as being supported by a majority of Kansas voters and criticized "activist judges" for "overruling" the people of Kansas.<ref name="SCOTUS-Kitchen-TCJ">{{cite news|last=Van Dyke|first=Aly|title=Gay couple denied marriage license in Shawnee County, could become plaintiffs|url=http://cjonline.com/news/2014-10-06/gay-couple-denied-marriage-license-shawnee-county-could-become-plaintiffs|access-date=October 6, 2014|work=The Topeka Capital-Journal|date=October 6, 2014|archive-date=October 9, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141009070139/http://cjonline.com/news/2014-10-06/gay-couple-denied-marriage-license-shawnee-county-could-become-plaintiffs|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="SCOTUS-Kitchen-LJW">{{cite news|last=Hancock|first=Peter|title=Rulings give Kansas couples hope for same-sex marriages|url=http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2014/oct/06/same-sex-marriage-rulings-may-apply-kansas/|access-date=October 6, 2014|publisher=The Lawrence Journal-World|date=October 6, 2014|archive-date=October 8, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141008050158/http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2014/oct/06/same-sex-marriage-rulings-may-apply-kansas/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="SCOTUS-Kitchen-LJW2">{{cite news|last=Hanna|first=John|title=Brownback: Kansas should defend gay marriage ban|url=http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2014/oct/07/brownback-kansas-should-defend-gay-marriage-ban/|access-date=October 7, 2014|newspaper=The Lawrence Journal-World|agency=Associated Press|date=October 7, 2014|archive-date=October 8, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141008134733/http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2014/oct/07/brownback-kansas-should-defend-gay-marriage-ban/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
On ] 2007, a poll conducted by ] held that 3% of likely primary voters would support Brownback. This is compared with 33% for New York City Mayor ]. <ref>http://news.yahoo.com/s/rasmussen/20070221/pl_rasmussen/gopprimary20070221_1</ref> | |||
On February 10, 2015, Brownback issued an executive order rescinding protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender state workers that was put into place by then-Gov. Kathleen Sebelius eight years previously.<ref name="LGBT-Protections">{{cite news|last=Lowry|first=Bryan|title=Brownback rescinds protected-class status for LGBT state workers in Kansas|url=http://www.kansascity.com/news/government-politics/article9694028.html|access-date=February 10, 2015|newspaper=The Kansas City Star|date=February 10, 2015|archive-date=February 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150211004828/http://www.kansascity.com/news/government-politics/article9694028.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The ACLU generally characterized his actions as being "religious freedom to discriminate."<ref name=ACLU /> | |||
Brownback's close advisors for his presidential bid, as listed by the ] <ref> by ]. ].com , ] ].</ref> are David Kensinger, a political consultant who is a former executive director of ] and former Brownback chief of staff; Rob Wasinger, Brownback's chief of staff in 2005; and Paul Wilson, a media consultant with Wilson Grand Communications. Also listed as "playing a key role" was ], founder of ]. Also mentioned as a member of Brownback's exploratory committee is ], former ].<ref>Matt Stearns & David Goldstein, , ''Sam Brownback forms exploratory committee,'' December 5, 2006</ref> | |||
===Stem cell research=== | |||
Reverend Schenck, president of Faith and Action in the Nation's Capital, has called Brownback the "gold standard" for a viable, fundamentalist presidential candidate, citing his views on ], ], and ]. <ref>http://www.speroforum.com/site/article.asp?idarticle=8058</ref> | |||
Brownback supports ] and ]. Brownback appeared with three children adopted from ] clinics to coincide with a Senate debate over the Cord Blood Stem Cell Act of 2005<ref>{{cite web |url=http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c109:S.681.IS: |title=Bill Text – 109th Congress (2005–2006) – THOMAS (Library of Congress) |publisher=Thomas.loc.gov |date=March 17, 2005 |access-date=August 23, 2010 |archive-date=October 18, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018153249/http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c109:S.681.IS: |url-status=dead }}</ref>{{better source needed|date=July 2023}} to show his support for the bill and adult stem cell research. | |||
===Other issues=== | |||
On June 15, 2006, President George W. Bush signed into law the ] sponsored by Brownback, a former broadcaster himself. The new law stiffened the penalties for each violation of the Act. The ] will be able to impose fines in the amount of $325,000 for each violation by each station that violates ] standards. The legislation raised the fine by tenfold.<ref>Combs, Roberta. , ''Washington Weekly Review'', June 17, 2006 {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061207014653/http://www.cc.org/content.cfm?id=338 |date=December 7, 2006 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Bill Number S. 193 |work=Broadcast Decency Enforcement Act of 2005 (Introduced in Senate) from Congressional THOMAS DB |url=http://www.congress.org/congressorg/bill.xc?billnum=S.193&congress=109 |access-date=April 11, 2005 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050916182346/http://www.congress.org/congressorg/bill.xc?billnum=S.193&congress=109 |archive-date=September 16, 2005 }}</ref>{{better source needed|date=July 2023}} | |||
On September 3, 1997, Meredith O'Rourke, an employee of Kansas firm Triad Management Services, was ] by the Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs regarding her activities and observations while providing services for the company relative to fund raising and advertising for Brownback. The deposition claims that Triad circumvented existing campaign finance laws by channeling donations through Triad, and also bypassed the campaign law with Triad running 'issue ads' during Brownback's first campaign for the Senate.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rainbowtel.net/~bryants/abbmodep_all_scans.htm|title=Anybody But Brownback: The Triad/O'Rourke Deposition, full text|website=www.rainbowtel.net|access-date=January 23, 2018|archive-date=January 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180124071012/http://www.rainbowtel.net/~bryants/abbmodep_all_scans.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/special/campfin/stories/cf121297.htm |newspaper=] |date=January 31, 1999 |access-date=May 23, 2010 |title=Funds Consultant Helped Senator Behind Scenes |archive-date=August 30, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080830013513/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/special/campfin/stories/cf121297.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
Brownback has said he does not believe there is an inherent ] in the ]. He has, however, expressed disapproval of ]'s assertions on the legality of the ].<ref>]: {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215122515/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/08/AR2006020801989.html |date=December 15, 2018 }}, February 9, 2006</ref> | |||
Brownback introduced into the Senate a resolution (Senate Joint Resolution 4) calling for the United States to apologize for past mistreatment of ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:s.j.res.00004:|title=THOMAS, Library of Congress entry on Senate Joint Resolution 4|access-date=January 23, 2018|archive-date=October 18, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018153249/http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:s.j.res.00004:|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>. Press release, May 11, 2007 {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070530230633/http://brownback.senate.gov/pressapp/record.cfm?id=274116 |date=May 30, 2007 }}</ref><ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120915123515/http://www.indian.senate.gov/news/pressreleases/pr-10-07-09.cfm |date=September 15, 2012 }} Press release, October 7, 2009</ref> | |||
].]] | |||
Brownback was responsible for introducing the Senate's version of a bill that would successfully establish the ].<ref>]:https://web.archive.org/web/20170216134746/https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/museums/for-rep-john-lewis-african-american-museum-was-a-recurring-dream/2016/06/28/fc05c81c-34b6-11e6-95c0-2a6873031302_story.html,</ref> | |||
Brownback has advocated for ] between the United States and Armenia, citing the need to defend the country from aggression by ].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brownback |first=Sam |date=September 25, 2023 |title=120,000 Reasons U.S. Must Act to Save Christians in Armenia |url=https://dcjournal.com/120000-reasons-u-s-must-act-to-save-christians-in-armenia/ |access-date=April 26, 2024 |website=DC Journal |publisher=InsideSources}}</ref> In a 2023 '']'' opinion piece, the former ambassador called for ] to also support Armenia due to the two nations' shared backgrounds as ] nations populated by ethnic groups that have been the victims of genocides despite ].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Brownback |first=Sam |date=October 2, 2023 |title=Armenia and Israel, the Middle East's last Judeo-Christian nations |url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2023/oct/2/armenia-and-israel-middle-easts-last-judeo-christi/ |access-date=April 26, 2024 |work=The Washington Times}}</ref> On April 24, 2024, Brownback called for ] against Azerbaijan and that the United States "can’t let a repeat of 1915 happen again on our watch" at an ] rally in front of the White House.<ref>{{Cite web |last=ANCA |date=2024-04-25 |title=Amb. Brownback calls on Biden administration to save Armenia from imminent Turkish invasion |url=https://armenianweekly.com/2024/04/25/amb-brownback-calls-on-biden-administration-to-save-armenia-from-imminent-turkish-invasion/ |access-date=2024-04-26 |website=The Armenian Weekly |language=en-US}}</ref> | |||
==Relationship with Koch family== | |||
Throughout his Senate career, Brownback's principal campaign donors were the politically influential libertarian ] of Kansas, and their enterprises, including Kansas-based ]—and Brownback was one of the candidates most-heavily funded by the Kochs' campaign donations. Over the course of his political career, they donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to his campaigns.<ref name="koch_influence_2014_12_14_wichita_eagle" /><ref name="demos_highlight_2010_09_19_mclatchydc_com" /><ref name="this_is_whats_the_matter_2014_09_29_new_republic" /><ref name="kansas_tries_2014_04_17_bloomberg_bizweek" /><ref name="tea_party_tenets_2011_12_21_washpost" /> | |||
Brownback's signature tax and regulatory policies coincide tightly with the Kochs' position on those issues.<ref name="koch_influence_2014_12_14_wichita_eagle" /><ref name="demos_highlight_2010_09_19_mclatchydc_com" /> It was crafted with the assistance of the Koch-backed ] (ALEC) and Brownback's first Budget Director, Steve Anderson. Anderson was a former Koch employee who previously worked at the Kochs' principal political organization, the libertarian think-tank ] (AFP), developing a "model budget" for Kansas, until his appointment as Brownback's first budget director. Anderson remained Brownback's budget director for three years, before returning to a Koch-linked ], the ].<ref name="budget_director_2013_09_06_ljworld_com">Rothschild, Scott, {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150902070537/http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2013/sep/06/brownbacks-former-budget-director-anderson-will-co/ |date=September 2, 2015 }} September 6, 2013, '']'' retrieved October 5, 2017</ref><ref name="former_budget_dir_2013_09_07_ap_cjonline_com">], {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171006113032/http://cjonline.com/news-legislature-state/2013-09-07/former-kansas-budget-director-work-kansas-policy-institute |date=October 6, 2017 }} September 13, 2013, ''];'' also at , September 9, 2013, ], ]; retrieved October 5, 2017</ref><ref name="this_is_whats_the_matter_2014_09_29_new_republic" /> | |||
Brownback also hired the wife of a Koch-enterprise executive as his spokesperson.<ref name="tea_party_tenets_2011_12_21_washpost" /> | |||
Brownback, however, has denied that the Kochs have an undue influence in Kansas government,<ref name="koch_influence_2014_12_14_wichita_eagle" /> and analysts have noted key differences between Brownback and the Kochs in two of Brownback's main gubernatorial policy areas: | |||
* social issues: (on abortion, Brownback is pro-life, the Kochs pro-choice; Brownback opposes various ] rights, the libertarian Kochs accept them);<ref name="koch_influence_2014_12_14_wichita_eagle" /><ref name="this_is_whats_the_matter_2014_09_29_new_republic" /> and | |||
* renewable energy standards for Kansas, which promote renewable energy (supported by Brownback; opposed by the Kochs, whose chief business is the fossil-fuel industry).<ref name="koch_influence_2014_12_14_wichita_eagle" /><ref name="this_is_whats_the_matter_2014_09_29_new_republic" /> | |||
==Personal life== | |||
] | |||
Brownback is married to the former Mary Stauffer, whose family owned and operated ] until its sale in 1995.<ref>] Archives, {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013201221/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=990CE3DA1438F935A25755C0A963958260 |date=October 13, 2007 }}, Published: June 16, 1995</ref> They have five children: Abby, Andy, Elizabeth, Mark, and Jenna. Two of their children are adopted.<ref>{{usurped|1=}}</ref> A former ], Brownback converted to Catholicism<ref name="kansas_tries_2014_04_17_bloomberg_bizweek" /> in 2002 and is associated with the conservative denominational organization, ].<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171223042659/http://kcur.org/post/god-politics-and-sam-brownbacks-kansas#stream/0 |date=December 23, 2017 }}, '']'', Laura Zeigler, June 21, 2012. Retrieved December 22, 2017.</ref> In 2017, Brownback stated that he sometimes attends an evangelical church with his family.<ref>{{cite news|title=America's point-man on religious liberty is contentious|url=http://www.economist.com/blogs/erasmus/2017/07/freedom-s-many-meanings|access-date=July 31, 2017|newspaper=]|date=July 30, 2017|archive-date=July 31, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731032310/http://www.economist.com/blogs/erasmus/2017/07/freedom-s-many-meanings|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
==Electoral history== | |||
===U.S. House of Representatives=== | |||
{| class="wikitable" | |||
! colspan="4" |1994 Kansas's 2nd congressional district Republican primary election results | |||
|- | |||
|'''Party''' | |||
|'''Candidate''' | |||
|'''Votes''' | |||
|'''%''' | |||
|- | |||
|'''Republican''' | |||
|'''Sam Brownback''' | |||
|'''35,415''' | |||
|'''48.3''' | |||
|- | |||
|Republican | |||
|Bob Bennie | |||
|26,008 | |||
|35.5 | |||
|- | |||
|Republican | |||
|Joe Hume | |||
|11,872 | |||
|16.2 | |||
|- | |||
| colspan="2" |'''Total votes''' | |||
|'''73,295''' | |||
|'''100.0''' | |||
|} | |||
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:0.5em; font-size:95%;" | |||
|+ Results, 1994 {{ushr|Kansas|2|}} elections:<ref name="clerkresults">{{cite web|url=http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/index.html |title=Election Statistics |access-date=January 10, 2008 |publisher=Office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071226190314/http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/index.html |archive-date=December 26, 2007 }}</ref> | |||
!|Year | |||
! | |||
!|Democratic | |||
!|Votes | |||
!|Pct | |||
! | |||
!|Republican | |||
!|Votes | |||
!|Pct | |||
! | |||
!|Overall turnout | |||
|- | |||
|] | |||
| | |||
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |] | |||
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |71,025 | |||
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |34.4% | |||
| | |||
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |'''Sam Brownback''' | |||
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |'''135,725''' | |||
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |'''65.6%''' | |||
| | |||
| style="text-align:right;"|206,750 | |||
{{s-end}} | |||
===U.S. Senator=== | |||
{{Refbegin}} | |||
{{Refend}} | |||
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:0.5em; font-size:95%;" | |||
|+]: Republican primary results | |||
!|Year | |||
! | |||
!|Incumbent | |||
!|Votes | |||
!|Pct | |||
! | |||
!|Challenger | |||
!|Votes | |||
!|Pct | |||
! | |||
!|Challenger | |||
!|Votes | |||
!|Pct | |||
! | |||
!|Overall turnout | |||
|- | |||
|] | |||
| | |||
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |Sheila Frahm (incumbent) | |||
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |142,487 | |||
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |41.6% | |||
| | |||
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |'''Sam Brownback''' | |||
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |'''187,914''' | |||
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |'''54.8%''' | |||
| | |||
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |Christina Campbell-Cline | |||
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |12,378 | |||
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |3.6% | |||
| | |||
| style="text-align:right;"|342,779 | |||
{{s-end}} | |||
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:0.5em; font-size:95%;" | |||
|+]: general election results | |||
!|Year | |||
! | |||
!|Democratic | |||
!|Votes | |||
!|Pct | |||
! | |||
!|Republican | |||
!|Votes | |||
!|Pct | |||
! | |||
!|Reform | |||
!|Votes | |||
!|Pct | |||
! | |||
!|Overall turnout | |||
|- | |||
|] | |||
| | |||
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |Jill Docking | |||
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |461,344 | |||
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |43.3% | |||
| | |||
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |'''Sam Brownback''' | |||
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |'''574,021''' | |||
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |'''53.9%''' | |||
| | |||
|{{Party shading/ReformUSA}} |Donald R. Klaassen | |||
|{{Party shading/ReformUSA}} align="right" |29,351 | |||
|{{Party shading/ReformUSA}} |2.8% | |||
| | |||
| style="text-align:right;"|1,064,716 | |||
{{s-end}} | |||
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:0.5em; font-size:95%;" | |||
|+ ]: results 1998–2004<ref name="clerkresults" /> | |||
!|Year | |||
! | |||
!|Democratic | |||
!|Votes | |||
!|Pct | |||
! | |||
!|Republican | |||
!|Votes | |||
!|Pct | |||
! | |||
!|Libertarian | |||
!|Votes | |||
!|Pct | |||
! | |||
!|Reform | |||
!|Votes | |||
!|Pct | |||
! | |||
!|Overall turnout | |||
|- | |||
|] | |||
| | |||
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |{{nowrap|]}} | |||
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |229,718 | |||
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |31.6% | |||
| | |||
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |'''Sam Brownback''' '''(incumbent)''' | |||
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |'''474,639''' | |||
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |'''65.3%''' | |||
| | |||
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |Tom Oyler | |||
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} align="right" |11,545 | |||
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} align="right" |1.6% | |||
| | |||
|{{Party shading/ReformUSA}} |Alvin Bauman | |||
|{{Party shading/ReformUSA}} align="right" |11,334 | |||
|{{Party shading/ReformUSA}} align="right" |1.6% | |||
| | |||
| style="text-align:right;"|727,236 | |||
|- | |||
|] | |||
| | |||
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |] | |||
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |310,337 | |||
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |27.5% | |||
| | |||
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |'''Sam Brownback''' '''(incumbent)''' | |||
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |'''780,863''' | |||
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |'''69.2%''' | |||
| | |||
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |{{nowrap|Steven A.}} Rosile | |||
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} align="right" |21,842 | |||
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} align="right" |1.9% | |||
| | |||
|{{Party shading/ReformUSA}} |George Cook | |||
|{{Party shading/ReformUSA}} align="right" |15,980 | |||
|{{Party shading/ReformUSA}} align="right" |1.4% | |||
| | |||
| style="text-align:right;"|1,129,022 | |||
{{s-end}} | |||
===Governor of Kansas=== | |||
{| class="wikitable" | |||
! colspan="4" |]: Republican primary result | |||
|- | |||
|'''Party''' | |||
|'''Candidate''' | |||
|'''Votes''' | |||
|'''%''' | |||
|- | |||
|'''Republican''' | |||
|'''Sam Brownback''' | |||
|'''263,920''' | |||
|'''82.1''' | |||
|- | |||
|Republican | |||
|Joan Heffington | |||
|57,160 | |||
|17.8 | |||
|- | |||
| colspan="2" |'''Total votes''' | |||
|'''321,080''' | |||
|'''100.0''' | |||
|} | |||
{{Election box begin no change | |||
| title = 2010 Kansas gubernatorial election<ref name="General">{{cite web|url=http://www.kssos.org/ent/kssos_ent.html#0040|title=Kansas 2010 General Election November 2, 2010 Unofficial Results|work=Kansas Secretary of State|date=November 2, 2010|access-date=November 11, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160803122206/http://www.kssos.org/ent/kssos_ent.html#0040|archive-date=August 3, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> | |||
}} | |||
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change | |||
| candidate = Sam Brownback – Jeff Colyer | |||
| party = Republican Party (United States) | |||
| votes = 530,760 | |||
| percentage = 63.28 | |||
}} | |||
{{Election box candidate with party link no change | |||
| candidate = Tom Holland – Kelly Kultala | |||
| party = Democratic Party (United States) | |||
| votes = 270,166 | |||
| percentage = 32.21 | |||
}} | |||
{{Election box candidate with party link no change | |||
| candidate = Andrew Gray – Stacey Davis | |||
| party = Libertarian Party (United States) | |||
| votes = 22,460 | |||
| percentage = 2.68 | |||
}} | |||
{{Election box candidate with party link no change | |||
| candidate = Ken Cannon – Dan Faubion | |||
| party = Reform Party (United States) | |||
| votes = 15,397 | |||
| percentage = 1.84 | |||
}} | |||
{{Election box total no change | |||
| votes = 838,790 | |||
| percentage = 100.0 | |||
}} | |||
{{Election box gain with party link no change | |||
| winner = Republican Party (United States) | |||
| loser = Democratic Party (United States) | |||
}} | |||
{{Election box end}} | |||
{| class="wikitable" | |||
! colspan="4" |]: Republican primary result | |||
|- | |||
|'''Party''' | |||
|'''Candidate''' | |||
|'''Votes''' | |||
|'''%''' | |||
|- | |||
|'''Republican''' | |||
|'''Sam Brownback''' '''(incumbent)''' | |||
|'''166,687''' | |||
|'''63.2''' | |||
|- | |||
|Republican | |||
|Jennifer Winn | |||
|96,907 | |||
|36.7 | |||
|- | |||
| colspan="2" |'''Total votes''' | |||
|'''263,594''' | |||
|'''100.0''' | |||
|} | |||
{{Election box begin no change | |||
|title=2014 Kansas gubernatorial election<ref>{{cite web|title=Kansas Secretary of State 2014 General Election Official Vote Totals|url=http://www.kssos.org/elections/14elec/2014%20General%20Election%20Official%20Results.pdf|access-date=December 14, 2014|archive-date=December 15, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141215065550/http://www.kssos.org/elections/14elec/2014%20General%20Election%20Official%20Results.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
}} | |||
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change | |||
|candidate = Sam Brownback (incumbent) – Jeff Colyer (incumbent) | |||
|party = Republican Party (United States) | |||
|votes = 433,196 | |||
|percentage = 49.82 | |||
}} | |||
{{Election box candidate with party link no change | |||
|candidate = Paul Davis – Jill Docking | |||
|party = Democratic Party (United States) | |||
|votes = 401,100 | |||
|percentage = 46.13 | |||
}} | |||
{{Election box candidate with party link no change | |||
|candidate = Keen A. Umbehr – Josh Umbehr | |||
|party = Libertarian Party (United States) | |||
|votes = 35,206 | |||
|percentage = 4.05 | |||
}} | |||
{{Election box total no change | |||
| votes = 869,502 | |||
| percentage = 100.00 | |||
}}{{Election box end}} | |||
==See also== | |||
* ] | |||
* '']'' | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{ |
{{Reflist}} | ||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
{{ |
{{Commons}} | ||
* official government website (archived) | |||
'''Official''' | |||
* {{usurped|1=}} | |||
* | |||
* | |||
* official website | |||
* {{ |
* {{C-SPAN|5197}} | ||
:{{CongLinks|congbio=B000953|fec=S6KS00122}} | |||
:* at the FEC | |||
:* | |||
* | |||
* {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171223215903/https://www.citizensforethics.org/press-release/ethics-complaint-against-sam-brownback-for-misleading-fundraising/ |date=December 23, 2017 }} | |||
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Latest revision as of 18:14, 4 January 2025
American politician and diplomat (born 1956)
Sam Brownback | |
---|---|
Official portrait, 2018 | |
5th United States Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom | |
In office February 1, 2018 – January 20, 2021 | |
President | Donald Trump |
Preceded by | David Saperstein |
Succeeded by | Rashad Hussain |
46th Governor of Kansas | |
In office January 10, 2011 – January 31, 2018 | |
Lieutenant | Jeff Colyer |
Preceded by | Mark Parkinson |
Succeeded by | Jeff Colyer |
United States Senator from Kansas | |
In office November 7, 1996 – January 3, 2011 | |
Preceded by | Sheila Frahm |
Succeeded by | Jerry Moran |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Kansas's 2nd district | |
In office January 3, 1995 – November 7, 1996 | |
Preceded by | Jim Slattery |
Succeeded by | Jim Ryun |
Secretary of Agriculture of Kansas | |
In office September 18, 1986 – July 30, 1993 | |
Governor | John W. Carlin Mike Hayden Joan Finney |
Preceded by | Harland Priddle |
Succeeded by | Philip Fishburn |
Personal details | |
Born | Samuel Dale Brownback (1956-09-12) September 12, 1956 (age 68) Garnett, Kansas, U.S. |
Political party | Republican |
Spouse |
Mary Stauffer (m. 1982) |
Children | 5 |
Education | Kansas State University (BA) University of Kansas (JD) |
Signature | |
Sam Brownback's voice
Sam Brownback on the death of his Senate colleague, Robert Byrd Recorded June 30, 2010 | |
Samuel Dale Brownback (born September 12, 1956) is an American attorney, politician, and diplomat who served as a United States senator from Kansas from 1996 to 2011 and as the 46th governor of Kansas from 2011 to 2018. A member of the Republican Party, Brownback also served as the United States Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom during the administration of President Donald Trump and was a candidate for the Republican nomination for President in 2008.
Born in Garnett, Kansas, Brownback grew up on a family farm in Parker, Kansas. He graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in agricultural economics in 1978 and received a J.D. from the University of Kansas in 1982. He worked as an attorney in Manhattan, Kansas, before being appointed Secretary of Agriculture of Kansas in 1986 by Democratic governor John W. Carlin. Brownback ran for Congress in 1994 and defeated Carlin in the general election in a landslide. He represented Kansas's 2nd congressional district for a single term before running in a 1996 special election for the U.S. Senate seat previously held by Bob Dole. He won the election and was reelected by large margins in 1998 and 2004. Brownback ran for president in 2008, but withdrew before the primaries began and endorsed eventual Republican nominee John McCain.
Brownback declined to run for reelection in 2010, instead running for governor. He was elected governor of Kansas in 2010 and took office in January 2011. As governor, Brownback signed into law one of the largest income tax cuts in Kansas history, known as the Kansas experiment. The tax cuts caused state revenues to fall by hundreds of millions of dollars and created large budget shortfalls. A major budget deficit led to cuts in areas including education and transportation. In a repudiation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, in 2013 Brownback turned down a $31.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to set up a public health insurance exchange for Kansas. Also in 2013, he signed a bill that blocked tax breaks for abortion providers, banned sex-selection abortions, and declared that life begins at fertilization. In the run-up to the 2014 gubernatorial election, over 100 former and current Kansas Republican officials criticized Brownback's leadership and endorsed his Democratic opponent, Paul Davis. Despite this, Brownback was narrowly reelected. In June 2017, the Kansas Legislature repealed Brownback's tax cuts, overrode Brownback's veto of the repeal, and enacted tax increases. Brownback left office as one of the least popular governors in the country.
On July 26, 2017, the Trump administration announced that Brownback would be nominated as the new U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom. Brownback was confirmed in January 2018 in a party-line vote; Vice President Mike Pence cast the necessary tie-breaking votes to end a filibuster and to confirm his nomination. Brownback resigned as governor of Kansas effective January 31, 2018, and was sworn in as U.S. Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom on February 1, 2018. His ambassadorial tenure ended in January 2021.
Early life and education
Sam Brownback was born on September 12, 1956, in Garnett, Kansas, to Nancy (Cowden) and Glen Robert Brownback. He was raised in a farming family in Parker, Kansas. Some of Brownback's German-American ancestors settled in Kansas after leaving Pennsylvania following the Civil War. Throughout his youth, Brownback was involved with the FFA (formerly the Future Farmers of America), serving as president of his local and state FFA chapters, and as national FFA vice president from 1976 to 1977.
After graduating from Prairie View High School, Brownback attended Kansas State University, where was elected student body president and became a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho agricultural fraternity. After graduating from college in 1978 with a degree in Agricultural Economics in 1978, he spent about a year working as a radio broadcaster for the now-defunct KSAC farm department, hosting a weekly half-hour show. Brownback received his J.D. from the University of Kansas in 1982.
Early career
Brownback was an attorney in Manhattan, Kansas, before being appointed as Kansas Secretary of Agriculture by Governor John W. Carlin on September 18, 1986. In 1990, he was accepted into the White House Fellow program and detailed to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative from 1990 to 1991. Brownback returned to Kansas to resume his position as Secretary of Agriculture. He left his post on July 30, 1993. He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1994 and ran in the 1996 special election for the U.S. Senate seat recently vacated by Bob Dole.
U.S. Senator (1996–2011)
Elections
Sheila Frahm was appointed to fill the seat of U.S. senator Bob Dole when Dole resigned in 1996 to campaign for president. Brownback defeated Frahm in the 1996 Republican primary and went on to win the general election against Democrat Jill Docking. In 2001, the Federal Election Commission assessed fines and penalties against Brownback's campaign committee and against his in-laws for improper 1996 campaign contributions. As a result of these improper contributions, the campaign was ordered to pay the government $19,000 and Brownback's in-laws, John and Ruth Stauffer, were ordered to pay a $9,000 civil penalty for improperly funneling contributions through Triad Management Services.
In 1998, Brownback was elected to a full six-year term, defeating Democrat Paul Feleciano. He won reelection in the 2004 Senate election with 69% of the vote, defeating Democratic former lobbyist Lee Jones.
Throughout his U.S. Senate career, his principal campaign donors were the Koch brothers of Wichita-based Koch Industries, who donated more to Brownback than to any other political candidate during this period.
Tenure
Brownback was a member of the Judiciary Committee, the Appropriations Committee (where he chaired the Subcommittee on District of Columbia when the Republicans were in the majority), the Joint Economic Committee, and the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the Helsinki Commission, which he at one time chaired. The Helsinki Commission monitors compliance with international agreements reached in cooperation with Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
In 2000, Brownback and Congressman Chris Smith led the effort to enact the Trafficking Victims Protection Act. President Clinton signed the legislation in October 2000. According to Christianity Today, the stronger enforcement increased the number of U.S. federal trafficking cases eightfold in the five years after enactment.
By August 12, 2007, in the 110th Session of Congress, Brownback had missed 123 votes due to campaigning (39.7 percent)–surpassed only by Tim Johnson (D) of South Dakota who due to a critical illness had missed 100% of the votes of the 110th Session, and John McCain (R) of Arizona with 149 votes missed due to campaigning (48.1 percent).
In 2006, Brownback blocked a confirmation vote on a George W. Bush federal appeals court nominee from Michigan, judge Janet T. Neff. He objected to her joining the bench solely because she attended a same-sex commitment ceremony in Massachusetts in 2002 that involved a next-door neighbor who was a close childhood friend of Neff's daughters. Brownback's action blocked confirmation votes on an entire slate of appointments that had been approved by a bipartisan group of senators. In July 2007, Brownback lifted the block that had prevented the vote, and the Senate confirmed Neff by an 83–4 vote. Brownback was joined in opposition by just three other conservatives, then-Senators Jim Bunning, Jon Kyl, and Mel Martinez.
In the mid-1990s, Brownback hired Paul Ryan as his chief legislative director. Ryan later became a member of Congress, vice-presidential candidate, and Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.
CREW complaints
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In 2009, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) filed an ethics complaint over a fundraising letter signed by Brownback for a conservative Catholic group which they alleged violated Senate rules by mimicking official Senate letterhead. The letter had targeted five senators for being both Catholic and pro-choice: Maria Cantwell, John Kerry, Robert Menendez, Barbara Mikulski, and Patty Murray. A spokesman said Brownback had asked the group to stop sending the letter even before the complaint was filed.
In 2010, CREW lodged an ethics complaint claiming a possible violation of the Senate's gifts rule by four senators and four congressmembers. The congressmembers lived in a $1.8 million Washington, D.C. townhouse owned by C Street Center, Inc., which was in turn owned by Christian-advocacy group The Fellowship. CREW alleged that the property was being leased exclusively to congressional members, including Brownback, and that the tenants were paying rent that was below market value. Senator Tom Coburn's spokesman asserted that the rents charged were fair.
Committees
- Committee on Appropriations
- Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies (Ranking Member)
- Subcommittee on Defense
- Subcommittee on Homeland Security
- Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies
- Subcommittee on the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs
- Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies
- Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
- Committee on Foreign Relations
- Special Committee on Aging
- Joint Economic Committee
- Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe
2008 presidential campaign
Main article: Sam Brownback 2008 presidential campaign Further information: 2008 United States presidential electionOn December 4, 2006, Brownback formed an exploratory committee, the first step toward a presidential candidacy. In reporting on his potential candidacy, CNN and The Washington Post called Brownback a "favorite" of the religious right; Rolling Stone called him "God's senator" in 2006. His views placed him in the socially conservative wing of the Republican Party, and he stressed his fiscal conservatism as well. "I am an economic, a fiscal, a social and a compassionate conservative", he said in December 2006.
On January 20, 2007, in Topeka, Brownback announced that he was running for president in 2008. On February 22, 2007, a poll conducted by Rasmussen Reports held that three percent of likely primary voters would support Brownback.
On August 11, 2007, Brownback finished third in the Ames Straw Poll with 15.3% of all votes cast. Fundraising and visits to his website declined dramatically after this event, as many supporters had predicted Brownback would do much better, and speculation began that the candidate was considering withdrawing from the campaign. This sentiment increased after his lackluster performance in the GOP presidential debate of September 5, broadcast from New Hampshire by Fox News Channel. He dropped out of the race on October 18, 2007, citing a lack of funds. Brownback formally announced his decision on October 19. He later endorsed John McCain for president.
Governor of Kansas (2011–2018)
Elections
2010 gubernatorial election
Main article: 2010 Kansas gubernatorial electionIn 2008, Brownback acknowledged he was considering running for governor in 2010. In January 2009, Brownback officially filed the paperwork to run for governor.
His principal Senate-career campaign donors, the Koch brothers (and their Koch Industries), again backed Brownback's campaign.
Polling agency Rasmussen Reports found that Brownback led his then-likely Democratic opponent, Tom Holland, by 31 points in May 2010.
On June 1, 2010, Brownback named Kansas state senator Jeff Colyer as his running mate.
On November 2, 2010, Brownback defeated Holland, winning 63% of the vote. He succeeded Governor Mark Parkinson, who was sworn in after former governor Kathleen Sebelius resigned from her position and became U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services in 2009.
2014 gubernatorial election
Main article: 2014 Kansas gubernatorial electionIn October 2013, Kansas state representative Paul Davis, the Democratic minority leader of the Kansas House of Representatives, announced he would challenge Brownback in the 2014 Kansas gubernatorial election.
In July 2014, more than 100 current and former Kansas Republican officials (including former state party chairmen, Kansas Senate presidents, Kansas House speakers, and majority leaders) endorsed Democrat Davis over Republican Brownback, citing concern over Brownback's deep cuts in education and other government services, as well as the tax cuts that had left the state with a major deficit.
Tim Keck, chief of staff of Brownback's running mate, Lt. Governor Jeff Colyer, unearthed and publicized a 1998 police report showing that Davis, 26 and unmarried at the time, had been briefly detained during the raid of a strip club. Davis was found to have no involvement in the cause for the raid, and was quickly allowed to leave. Responding to criticism of Keck's involvement in the campaign, Brownback spokesman John Milburn commented that it was legal to use taxpayer-paid staff to campaign. Media law experts expressed amazement when they learned that the Montgomery County's sheriff released non-public investigative files from 1998 in response to a mere request. Brownback's campaign capitalized on the 16-year-old incident.
Brownback was reelected with a plurality, defeating Davis by a 3.69% margin (50%-46%).
Tenure
Brownback took office in January 2011, in the early years of national recovery from the Great Recession. Also in 2011, Republicans resumed control of the Kansas House of Representatives with their largest majority in half a century. Most Republicans in the Kansas Legislature were members of the Tea Party movement who shared Brownback's conservative views.
Two of Brownback's major stated goals were to reduce taxes and to increase spending on education.
By April 2012, Brownback had an approval rating of 34 percent according to a Survey USA Poll. A Republican polling company found his approval rating to be 51 percent in May 2012. In November 2015, Brownback had an approval rating of 26 percent according to a Morning Consult poll, the lowest among all governors in the United States. Three separate polls between November 2015 and September 2016 ranked Brownback as the nation's least-popular governor—a September 2016 poll showing an approval rating of 23%. In the state elections of 2016—seen largely as a referendum on Brownback's policies and administration—Brownback's supporters in the legislature suffered major defeats. In 2017 after a protracted battle, the new Kansas Legislature overrode Brownback's vetoes, voting to repeal his tax cuts and enact tax increases.
Brownback, who had a 66% disapproval rating after the repeal of his signature law, left office in 2018 as one of the least popular governors in the country.
The Kansas City Star was named a finalist in the Public Service category for a 2018 Pulitzer Prize due to its series entitled "Why, so secret, Kansas?" The Star reported that Kansas's already-secretive state government had only grown worse under Brownback.
Legislative agenda
Brownback proposed fundamental tax reform to encourage investment and generate wealth while creating new jobs. Consistent with those objectives, he also proposed structural reforms to the state's largest budget items, school finance, Medicaid, and Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS), which have unfunded liabilities of $8.3 billion. Brownback sought to follow a "red state model", passing conservative social and economic policies.
Taxes
Main article: Kansas experimentAs governor, Brownback initiated what he called a "red-state experiment"—dramatic cuts in income tax rates intended to bring economic growth. In May 2012, Brownback signed into law one of the largest income tax cuts in Kansas' history—the nation's largest state income tax cut (in percentage) since the 1990s. Brownback described the tax cuts as a live experiment:
taxes, you need to get your overall rates down, and you need to get your social manipulation out of it, in my estimation, to create growth. We'll see how it works. We'll have a real live experiment.
The legislation was crafted with help from his Budget Director (former Koch brothers political consultant Steven Anderson); the Koch-sponsored American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC); and Arthur Laffer, a popular supply-side economist and former economic adviser for President Ronald Reagan.
The law eliminated non-wage income taxes for the owners of 191,000 businesses, and cut individuals' income tax rates. The first phase of his cuts reduced the top Kansas income-tax rate from 6.45 percent down to 4.9 percent, and immediately eliminated income tax on business profits from partnerships and limited liability corporations passed through to individuals. The income tax cuts would provide US$231 million in tax reductions in its first year, growing to US$934 million after six years. A forecast from the Legislature's research staff indicated that a budget shortfall will emerge by 2014 and will grow to nearly US$2.5 billion by July 2018. The cuts were based on model legislation published by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC).
In a May 2014 Wall Street Journal op-ed entitled "A Midwest Renaissance Rooted in the Reagan Formula", Brownback compared his tax policies with those of Ronald Reagan. Brownback anticipated a "prosperous future" for Kansas, Oklahoma and Missouri because they had enacted policies based on economic principles that Reagan laid out in 1964.
The act was criticized by law professor Martin B. Dickinson of Kansas University for shifting the tax burden from wealthy Kansans to low- and moderate-income workers, with the top income tax rate dropping by 25%. Under Brownback, Kansas also lowered the sales tax and eliminated a tax on small businesses. The tax cuts helped contribute to Moody's downgrading of the state's bond rating in 2014. They also contributed to the S&P Ratings' credit downgrade from AA+ to AA in August 2014 due to a budget that analysts described as structurally unbalanced. As of June 2014, the state had fallen far short of projected tax collections, receiving $369 million instead of the planned-for $651 million.
The tax cuts and their effect on the economy of Kansas received considerable criticism in the media. Critics of the tax cuts included Michael Hiltzik of the Los Angeles Times, the editorial board of The Washington Post, The New Republic, and Bloomberg Businessweek. The New York Times described Brownback's policies as "too far to the right". Grover Norquist of Americans for Tax Reform defended the tax cuts as a model for the nation.
In February 2017, a bi-partisan coalition presented a bill that would repeal most of Brownback's tax overhaul to make up for the budget shortfall. The Senate passed SB 30 (38–0, with 2 not voting) on February 2, 2017. The House passed SB 30 as amended (123–2) on February 22, 2017. The Conference Committee Report was adopted by both the House (69–52) and Senate (26–14) on June 5, 2017. On June 6, 2017, the bill was sent to Brownback for signature, but he vetoed the bill. Later in the day both the House and Senate voted to override the veto. Senate Bill 30 repealed most of the tax cuts which had taken effect in January 2013.
Brownback's tax overhaul was described in a June 2017 article in The Atlantic as the United States' "most aggressive experiment in conservative economic policy". The drastic tax cuts had "threatened the viability of schools and infrastructure" in Kansas.
The Brownback experiment didn't work. We saw that loud and clear.
—Heidi Holliday, executive director of the Kansas Center for Economic Growth 2017
Education
In April 2014, Brownback signed a controversial school finance bill that eliminated mandatory due process hearings, which were previously required to fire experienced teachers. According to the Kansas City Star:
The bill also allows school districts to hire unlicensed teachers for science and math classes. And it creates a tax break for corporations that donate to private school scholarship funds.
The resulting cuts in funding caused districts to shut down the school year early.
Economy
According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, during the period from 2008 to 2018 (Brownback was governor from 2011 to 2018), Kansas averaged an annual GDP growth rate of 0.9% -- exactly half the national average. During that same period — when national employment increased and wages rose — job growth in Wichita (Kansas' largest city, and hometown of Brownback's principal funders, the Koch family) dropped 3.2%, and the city's average annual wages stagnated.
In 2015, the job growth rate in Kansas was 0.8 percent, among the lowest rate in America with only "10,900 total nonfarm jobs" added that year. Kansas had a $350 million budget shortfall in February 2017. In February 2017, S&P downgraded Kansas' credit rating to AA−.
Despite Kansas' major role in the aerospace, telecommunications and GPS technology industries, a 2019 report from the KC Tech Council reported that Kansas growth in tech jobs ranked next-to-last in the nation — losing 220 tech jobs between 2017 and 2018 (Brownback's final year as governor), according to the Computing Technology Industry Association — while over 40 other states grew tech employment. Despite slowing the rates of decline following the Great Recession, 59% of telecommunications jobs in the Kansas City telecommunications industry — and 600 jobs in Wichita's (aerospace-dominated) manufacturing industry — were lost during the Brownback administration.
By the last year of the Brownback administration, 2018, Kansas had the second-highest farm-bankruptcy rate increase in the nation (after New York) — a decade-high rate for the state.
Health care
In August 2011, over the objections of Republican Kansas Insurance Commissioner Sandy Praeger, Brownback announced he was declining a $31.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to set up an insurance exchange as part of the federal health care reform law. In May 2011, Brownback had directed the state's insurance commissioner to slow the implementation timeline for the exchange development. Upon announcing the refusal of the budgeted grant money for the state, his office stated:
There is much uncertainty surrounding the ability of the federal government to meet its already budgeted future spending obligations. Every state should be preparing for fewer federal resources, not more. To deal with that reality Kansas needs to maintain maximum flexibility. That requires freeing Kansas from the strings attached to the Early Innovator Grant.
The move was unanimously supported by the delegates of the state party central committee at its August 2011 meeting, but a New York Times editorial criticized Brownback for turning down the grant which could have helped ease the state's own budget:
Instead of letting Kansas design its own model program for an online computer exchange to help people choose among health insurance providers, Mr. Brownback's rebuff increases the likelihood that the state must design one at its own expense or see federal officials create an exchange, as required under the new law.
Brownback also signed into law the Health Care Freedom Act, based on model legislation published by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC).
Abortion
Brownback signed three anti-abortion bills in 2011. In April 2011, he signed a bill banning abortion after 21 weeks, and a bill requiring that a doctor get a parent's notarized signature before providing an abortion to a minor. In May 2011, Brownback approved a bill prohibiting insurance companies from offering abortion coverage as part of general health plans unless the procedure is necessary to save a woman's life. The law also prohibits any health-insurance exchange in Kansas established under the federal Affordable Care Act from offering coverage for abortions other than to save a woman's life.
A Kansas budget passed with Brownback's approval in 2011 blocked Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri from receiving family planning funds from the state. The funding amounted to about $330,000 a year. A judge has blocked the budget provision, ordered Kansas to begin funding the organization again, and agreed with Planned Parenthood that it was being unfairly targeted. In response, the state filed an appeal seeking to overturn the judge's decision. Brownback has defended anti-abortion laws in Kansas, including the Planned Parenthood defunding. "You can't know for sure what all comes out of that afterwards, but it was the will of the Legislature and the people of the state of Kansas", Brownback said.
In May 2012, Brownback signed the Health Care Rights of Conscience Act, which "will allow pharmacists to refuse to provide drugs they believe might cause an abortion".
In April 2013, Brownback signed a bill that blocked tax breaks for abortion providers, banned sex-selection abortions and declared that life begins at fertilization. The law notes that any rights conferred by it are subject to limits set forth in applicable U.S. Supreme Court decisions.
On April 7, 2015, Brownback signed The Unborn Child Protection From Dismemberment Abortion Act, which bans the most common technique used for second-trimester abortions. Kansas became the first state to ban the procedure.
Prayer rally
Brownback attended Texas governor Rick Perry's prayer event in August 2011. Aside from Gov. Perry himself, Brownback was the only U.S. governor who attended. About 22,000 people attended the rally, and Brownback and Perry were the only elected officials to speak. Brownback's participation in the rally resulted in some controversy, and editorials published in The Winfield Daily Courier and The Kansas City Star expressed disappointment.
U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom
Nomination and confirmation
In March 2017, it was reported that Brownback was being considered by President Donald Trump to be appointed either as his U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. for Food and Agriculture in Rome, or as the U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom in Washington, DC. On July 26, 2017, the White House issued a statement that Brownback would be nominated as the new U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom. As a senator in 1998, Brownback sponsored the legislation that first created the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF).
Due to his positions and actions on Islam and LGBT issues, Brownback's nomination was criticized by figures such as Rabbi Moti Rieber, the executive director of Kansas Interfaith Action, Robert McCaw, director of government affairs for the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), as well as the American Civil Liberties Union.
As of the end of the 2017 session, Brownback's Ambassadorial nomination had not come up for a confirmation vote. As it failed to receive unanimous support for it to carry over to 2018 for approval, it required renomination to come to a vote. He was renominated on January 8, 2018.
On January 24, 2018, the Senate voted along party lines, 49–49, with two Republicans absent, to advance his nomination to the floor, with Vice President Mike Pence casting the tie-breaking vote to end the Democrats' filibuster. With the Senate again locked at 49–49 later that day, Pence again cast the tie-breaking vote, confirming the nomination. On January 25, Brownback submitted his resignation as governor. Brownback's resignation was effective January 31, 2018, on which date Lieutenant Governor Jeff Colyer was sworn in as governor.
Tenure
Brownback was sworn in on February 1, 2018. He became the first Catholic to serve in the role.
In July 2018, Brownback reportedly lobbied the UK government over the treatment of far-right British activist Tommy Robinson. Arizona Republican representative Paul Gosar and five other congressmen invited Robinson to speak to United States Congress on November 14, 2018, on a trip sponsored by the U.S.-based, Middle East Forum. He was expected to get visa approval by the State Department despite his criminal convictions and use of fraudulent passports to enter and depart the U.S.
Brownback's tenure as ambassador ended on January 20, 2021.
Issues
Brownback promoted religious freedom as a means of promoting individual and economic flourishing and reducing terrorism and other types of religion-related violence.
Brownback repeatedly condemned China's record on religious freedom, saying, "China is at war with faith. It is a war they will not win". He highlighted China's persecution of Uyghurs, Tibetan Buddhists, Falun Gong practitioners, and Chinese Christians. In remarks made at the United Nations, Brownback strongly condemned the Xinjiang internment camps where more than one million Uyghurs are reported to have been detained. On July 13, 2020, Brownback, along with three other U.S. politicians, was sanctioned by the Chinese government for "interfering in China’s internal affairs" through their condemnation of human rights abuses in Xinjiang.
In his first trip as Ambassador, Brownback traveled to Bangladesh to meet with Rohingya refugees from Myanmar at the Kutupalong refugee camp near Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. Brownback stated that the accounts of violence he heard were as bad as anything he had ever seen, including in his visits to Darfur, Sudan in 2004. Following the trip, the State Department highlighted Myanmar's intensification of violence against its ethnic minorities. In the 2017 International Religious Freedom Report, the State Department described the violence against the Rohingya that forced an estimated 688,000 people to flee Myanmar as "ethnic cleansing."
At the 2020 Ministerial to Advance Freedom of Religion or Belief in Poland, Brownback spoke about COVID-19's effect on freedom of religion.
Positions
Abortion
Brownback opposes abortion. He was personally anti-abortion though politically pro-choice during his early career. In 2007, Brownback said that he saw abortion "as the lead moral issue of our day, just like slavery was the lead moral issue 150 years ago." On May 3, 2007, when asked his opinion of repealing Roe v. Wade, Brownback said, "It would be a glorious day of human liberty and freedom."
In 2007, Brownback said he "could support a pro-choice nominee" to the presidency because "this is a big coalition party."
Arts
In May 2011, Brownback eliminated by executive order and then vetoed government funding for the Kansas Arts Commission in response to state defiance of his executive order, making Kansas the first state to de-fund its arts commission. The National Endowment for the Arts informed Kansas that without a viable state arts agency, it would not receive a planned $700,000 federal grant. Brownback has said he believes private donations should fund arts and culture in the state. He created the Kansas Arts Foundation, an organization dedicated to private fundraising to make up the gap created by state budget cuts.
Capital punishment
Brownback said in an interview: "I am not a supporter of a death penalty, other than in cases where we cannot protect the society and have other lives at stake." In a speech on the Senate Judiciary Committee, he questioned the current use of the death penalty as potentially incongruent with the notion of a "culture of life", and suggested it be employed in a more limited fashion.
Darfur
Brownback visited refugee camps in Sudan in 2004 and returned to write a resolution labeling the Darfur conflict as genocide, and has been active on attempting to increase U.S. efforts to resolve the situation short of military intervention. He is an endorser of the Genocide Intervention Network, which called him a "champion of Darfur" in its Darfur scorecard, primarily for his early advocacy of the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act.
Economic issues
As governor he urged a flattening of the income tax to spur economic growth in Kansas. In December 2005, Brownback advocated using Washington, DC, as a laboratory for a flat tax.
Evolution
Brownback has stated that he is a devout believer in a higher power and rejects macroevolution as an exclusive explanation for the development over time of new species from older ones. Brownback favors giving teachers the freedom to use intelligent design to critique evolutionary theory as part of the Teach the Controversy approach:
There's intelligence involved in the overall of creation ... I don't think we're really at the point of teaching this in the classroom. I think what we passed in the U.S. Senate in 2002 the Santorum Amendment is really what we should be doing, and that is that you teach the controversy, you teach what is fact is fact, and what is theory is theory, and you move from that proceedings, rather than from teaching some sort of different thought. And this, I really think that's the area we should concentrate on at the present time, is teaching the controversy.
— Senator Sam Brownback, Larry King Live, CNN, August 23, 2005
Brownback spoke out against the denial of tenure at Iowa State University to astronomer Guillermo Gonzalez, a proponent of intelligent design, saying "such an assault on academic freedom does not bode well for the advancement of true science."
Health care
Brownback opposes government-funded elective abortions in accordance with the Hyde Amendment. He has been a strong supporter of legislation to establish a national childhood cancer database and an increase in funding for autism research. Brownback supports negotiating bulk discounts on Medicare drug benefits to reduce prices. In 2007, Senators Brownback and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) sponsored an amendment to the Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act of 2007. The amendment created a prize as an incentive for companies to invest in new drugs and vaccines for neglected tropical diseases. It awards a transferable "Priority Review Voucher" to any company that obtains approval for a treatment for a neglected tropical disease. The prize was initially proposed by Duke University faculty Henry Grabowski, Jeffrey Moe, and David Ridley in their 2006 Health Affairs paper: "Developing Drugs for Developing Countries."
Brownback has supported a bill that would introduce price transparency to the U.S. health care industry, as well as a bill which would require the disclosure of Medicare payment rate information.
On December 16, 2006, Brownback gave an interview to the Christian Post, stating: "We can get to this goal of eliminating deaths by cancer in ten years."
Immigration
Senate record
Brownback had a Senate voting record that has tended to support higher legal immigration levels and strong refugee protection. Brownback was cosponsor of a 2005 bill of Ted Kennedy and John McCain's which would have created a legal path to citizenship for millions of illegal immigrants already present. On June 26, 2007, Brownback voted in favor of S. 1639, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act. Brownback supports increasing numbers of legal immigrants, building a fence on Mexican border, and the reform bill "if enforced." While he initially supported giving guest workers a path to citizenship, Brownback eventually voted "Nay" on June 28, 2007. Brownback has said that he supports immigration reform because the Bible says to welcome the stranger.
Record as governor
On April 25, 2016, Brownback issued executive orders barring state agencies from facilitating refugee resettlement from Syria and other majority-Muslim countries, in concert with the federal Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). He maintained they presented security risks, and his decision entirely removed Kansas from the program. The ORR served notice that it would instead work directly with local refugee resettlement organizations. Kansas was the first state to withdraw from the federal refugee resettlement program.
As a result of Brownback's action, Kansas lost about $2.2 million annually that had been provided to support resettlement agencies. The state had been working with three such agencies, among them Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas, in making appropriate placements. In the seven months preceding his order, 354 refugees were resettled in Kansas, with 13 Syrians placed in the Wichita or Kansas City areas in the previous 16 months. Representative Jim Ward from Wichita called Brownback's announcement "a distraction", intended solely for political purposes, as Kansas faced a $290 million budget deficit.
Iraq
Brownback supported a political surge coupled with the military surge of 2007 in Iraq and opposed the Democratic Party's strategy of timed withdrawal:
It does mean that there must be bipartisan agreement for our military commitment on Iraq. We cannot fight a war with the support of only one political party. And it does mean that the parties in Iraq – Sunni, Shi'a and Kurds – must get to a political agreement, to a political equilibrium. I think most people agree that a cut and run strategy does not serve our interest at all, nor those of the world, nor those of the region, nor those of the Iraqi people. So I invite my colleagues, all around, particularly on the other side of the aisle, to indicate what level of commitment they can support.
— Senator Sam Brownback, U.S. Senate floor speech, January 16, 2007
In May 2007, Brownback stated: "We have not lost war; we can win by pulling together". He voted Yes on authorizing use of military force against Iraq, voted No on requiring on-budget funding for Iraq, not emergency funding and voted No on redeploying troops out of Iraq by July 2007. He has also condemned anti-Muslim bigotry in name of anti-terrorism.
On June 7, 2007, Brownback voted against the Habeas Corpus Restoration Act of 2007 when that bill came up for a vote in the Senate Judiciary Committee, on which Brownback sits. (The bill was passed out of the committee by a vote of 11 to 8.) The bill aims to restore habeas corpus rights revoked by the Military Commissions Act of 2006.
Israel and the Palestinian Territories
In October 2007, Brownback announced his support for a plan designed by Benny Elon, then-chairman of Israel's far-right-wing National Union/National Religious Party (NU/NRP) alliance. Elon's positions included dismantling the Palestinian National Authority and Hamas and rejecting a two-state solution. The plan calls for the complete annexation of the West Bank by Israel, and the deportation of its massive majority Arab population to a new Palestinian state to be created within present-day Jordan, against that latter country's historic opposition.
LGBT issues
In 1996, as a member of the House of Representatives, Brownback voted for the Defense of Marriage Act, which defined marriage for purposes of federal law as the union between a man and a woman. Brownback has stated that he believes homosexuality to be immoral as a violation of both Catholic doctrine and natural law. He has voted against gay rights, receiving zeros in four of the last five scorecards as a U.S. senator from the Human Rights Campaign. He opposes both same-sex marriage and same-sex civil unions. He opposes adding sexual orientation and gender identity to federal hate crime laws. He has declined to state a position on homosexual adoption, although a candidate for chair of the Kansas Republican Party claims he was blackballed by political operatives affiliated with Brownback for not opposing homosexual adoption. Brownback supported "don't ask, don't tell," the U.S. government's ban on openly homosexual people in the military. Brownback has associated with organizations such as the Family Research Council and American Family Association.
In 2003, Brownback worked with Alliance for Marriage and Traditional Values Coalition to introduce a Senate bill containing the Federal Marriage Amendment, a proposed amendment to the United States Constitution that would federally prohibit same-sex marriage in the United States. The bill was a response to Goodridge v. Department of Public Health, the Massachusetts state court decision finding that same-sex couples had the right to marry in Massachusetts. In reaction to the Goodridge decision, Brownback stated that same-sex marriage threatened the health of American families and culture.
In 2006, Brownback blocked the confirmation of federal judicial nominee Janet T. Neff because she had attended a same-sex commitment ceremony. At first, he agreed to lift the block only if Neff would recuse herself from all cases involving same-sex unions. Brownback later dropped his opposition. Neff was nominated to the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan by President George W. Bush on March 19, 2007, to a seat vacated David McKeague and was confirmed by a vote of 83-4 by the Senate on July 9, 2007. She received her commission on August 6, 2007.
In April 2011, Brownback began work on a Kansas government program to promote marriage, in part through grants to faith-based and secular social service organizations. In June 2011, the administration revised contract expectations for social work organizations to promote married mother-father families. It explained the change as benefiting children.
In January 2012, Brownback did not include Kansas's sodomy law in a list of unenforced and outdated laws that the legislature should repeal. Gay rights advocates had asked his administration to recommend its repeal because the law has been unenforceable since the Supreme Court's Lawrence v. Texas decision in 2003.
In February 2012, the Brownback administration supported a religious freedom bill that would have stopped cities, school districts, universities, and executive agencies from having nondiscrimination laws or policies that covered sexual orientation or gender identity.
In 2013, after oral arguments in United States v. Windsor, the U.S. Supreme Court case striking down part of the Defense of Marriage Act, Brownback publicly reaffirmed his opposition to same-sex marriage.
In 2014, the U.S. Supreme Court denied petitions to review several federal appellate decisions overturning state bans on same-sex marriage. The court's actions favored repeal of Kansas's ban on same-sex marriage because two of the appeals (Kitchen v. Herbert and Bishop v. Oklahoma) originated in the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, which includes Kansas. In response, Brownback defended Kansas's same-sex marriage ban as being supported by a majority of Kansas voters and criticized "activist judges" for "overruling" the people of Kansas.
On February 10, 2015, Brownback issued an executive order rescinding protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender state workers that was put into place by then-Gov. Kathleen Sebelius eight years previously. The ACLU generally characterized his actions as being "religious freedom to discriminate."
Stem cell research
Brownback supports adult stem cell research and cord blood stem cells. Brownback appeared with three children adopted from in vitro fertilization clinics to coincide with a Senate debate over the Cord Blood Stem Cell Act of 2005 to show his support for the bill and adult stem cell research.
Other issues
On June 15, 2006, President George W. Bush signed into law the Broadcast Decency Enforcement Act of 2005 sponsored by Brownback, a former broadcaster himself. The new law stiffened the penalties for each violation of the Act. The Federal Communications Commission will be able to impose fines in the amount of $325,000 for each violation by each station that violates decency standards. The legislation raised the fine by tenfold.
On September 3, 1997, Meredith O'Rourke, an employee of Kansas firm Triad Management Services, was deposed by the Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs regarding her activities and observations while providing services for the company relative to fund raising and advertising for Brownback. The deposition claims that Triad circumvented existing campaign finance laws by channeling donations through Triad, and also bypassed the campaign law with Triad running 'issue ads' during Brownback's first campaign for the Senate.
Brownback has said he does not believe there is an inherent right to privacy in the U.S. Constitution. He has, however, expressed disapproval of George W. Bush's assertions on the legality of the NSA wiretapping program.
Brownback introduced into the Senate a resolution (Senate Joint Resolution 4) calling for the United States to apologize for past mistreatment of Native Americans.
Brownback was responsible for introducing the Senate's version of a bill that would successfully establish the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Brownback has advocated for closer relations between the United States and Armenia, citing the need to defend the country from aggression by Azerbaijan. In a 2023 Washington Times opinion piece, the former ambassador called for Israel to also support Armenia due to the two nations' shared backgrounds as Judeo-Christian nations populated by ethnic groups that have been the victims of genocides despite geopolitical tensions. On April 24, 2024, Brownback called for sanctions against Azerbaijan and that the United States "can’t let a repeat of 1915 happen again on our watch" at an Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day rally in front of the White House.
Relationship with Koch family
Throughout his Senate career, Brownback's principal campaign donors were the politically influential libertarian Koch brothers of Kansas, and their enterprises, including Kansas-based Koch Industries—and Brownback was one of the candidates most-heavily funded by the Kochs' campaign donations. Over the course of his political career, they donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to his campaigns.
Brownback's signature tax and regulatory policies coincide tightly with the Kochs' position on those issues. It was crafted with the assistance of the Koch-backed American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) and Brownback's first Budget Director, Steve Anderson. Anderson was a former Koch employee who previously worked at the Kochs' principal political organization, the libertarian think-tank Americans for Prosperity (AFP), developing a "model budget" for Kansas, until his appointment as Brownback's first budget director. Anderson remained Brownback's budget director for three years, before returning to a Koch-linked think tank, the Kansas Policy Institute.
Brownback also hired the wife of a Koch-enterprise executive as his spokesperson.
Brownback, however, has denied that the Kochs have an undue influence in Kansas government, and analysts have noted key differences between Brownback and the Kochs in two of Brownback's main gubernatorial policy areas:
- social issues: (on abortion, Brownback is pro-life, the Kochs pro-choice; Brownback opposes various LGBT rights, the libertarian Kochs accept them); and
- renewable energy standards for Kansas, which promote renewable energy (supported by Brownback; opposed by the Kochs, whose chief business is the fossil-fuel industry).
Personal life
Brownback is married to the former Mary Stauffer, whose family owned and operated Stauffer Communications until its sale in 1995. They have five children: Abby, Andy, Elizabeth, Mark, and Jenna. Two of their children are adopted. A former evangelical Christian, Brownback converted to Catholicism in 2002 and is associated with the conservative denominational organization, Opus Dei. In 2017, Brownback stated that he sometimes attends an evangelical church with his family.
Electoral history
U.S. House of Representatives
1994 Kansas's 2nd congressional district Republican primary election results | |||
---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
Republican | Sam Brownback | 35,415 | 48.3 |
Republican | Bob Bennie | 26,008 | 35.5 |
Republican | Joe Hume | 11,872 | 16.2 |
Total votes | 73,295 | 100.0 |
Year | Democratic | Votes | Pct | Republican | Votes | Pct | Overall turnout | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1994 | John W. Carlin | 71,025 | 34.4% | Sam Brownback | 135,725 | 65.6% | 206,750 |
U.S. Senator
Year | Incumbent | Votes | Pct | Challenger | Votes | Pct | Challenger | Votes | Pct | Overall turnout | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1996 | Sheila Frahm (incumbent) | 142,487 | 41.6% | Sam Brownback | 187,914 | 54.8% | Christina Campbell-Cline | 12,378 | 3.6% | 342,779 |
Year | Democratic | Votes | Pct | Republican | Votes | Pct | Reform | Votes | Pct | Overall turnout | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1996 | Jill Docking | 461,344 | 43.3% | Sam Brownback | 574,021 | 53.9% | Donald R. Klaassen | 29,351 | 2.8% | 1,064,716 |
Year | Democratic | Votes | Pct | Republican | Votes | Pct | Libertarian | Votes | Pct | Reform | Votes | Pct | Overall turnout | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1998 | Paul Feleciano | 229,718 | 31.6% | Sam Brownback (incumbent) | 474,639 | 65.3% | Tom Oyler | 11,545 | 1.6% | Alvin Bauman | 11,334 | 1.6% | 727,236 | |||||
2004 | Lee Jones | 310,337 | 27.5% | Sam Brownback (incumbent) | 780,863 | 69.2% | Steven A. Rosile | 21,842 | 1.9% | George Cook | 15,980 | 1.4% | 1,129,022 |
Governor of Kansas
2010 Kansas gubernatorial election: Republican primary result | |||
---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
Republican | Sam Brownback | 263,920 | 82.1 |
Republican | Joan Heffington | 57,160 | 17.8 |
Total votes | 321,080 | 100.0 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Sam Brownback – Jeff Colyer | 530,760 | 63.28 | |
Democratic | Tom Holland – Kelly Kultala | 270,166 | 32.21 | |
Libertarian | Andrew Gray – Stacey Davis | 22,460 | 2.68 | |
Reform | Ken Cannon – Dan Faubion | 15,397 | 1.84 | |
Total votes | 838,790 | 100.0 | ||
Republican gain from Democratic |
2014 Kansas gubernatorial election: Republican primary result | |||
---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
Republican | Sam Brownback (incumbent) | 166,687 | 63.2 |
Republican | Jennifer Winn | 96,907 | 36.7 |
Total votes | 263,594 | 100.0 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Sam Brownback (incumbent) – Jeff Colyer (incumbent) | 433,196 | 49.82 | |
Democratic | Paul Davis – Jill Docking | 401,100 | 46.13 | |
Libertarian | Keen A. Umbehr – Josh Umbehr | 35,206 | 4.05 | |
Total votes | 869,502 | 100.00 |
See also
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External links
- Governor Sam Brownback official government website (archived)
- Sam Brownback for Governor
- Genealogy of Sam Brownback
- Appearances on C-SPAN
- Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
- Review of Brownback's book by OnTheIssues.org
- Ethics complaint against Sam Brownback Archived December 23, 2017, at the Wayback Machine
- Publications concerning Kansas Governor Brownback's administration available via the KGI Online Library
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