Tom Vilsack
Bio | Tom Vilsack is the former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and former Governor of Iowa. He attend Albany Law and practiced law in Albany. |
Status and Position | Former Secretary of Agriculture, Governor of Iowa of White House Executive Branch |
Political Party and Jurisdiction | Democrat, White House Executive Branch |
Elections | Election Jurisdiction | Started Campaign | Campaign Status | Poll Rankings (of the vote) |
| none |
Campaign Financing | For Vilsack's 2008 presidential campaign, his funds were mostly raised from individual contributions (about 90%), with a small amount from self-financing (about 4%) and PAC contributions (about 1%). Source: https://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/summary.php?cycle=2008&cid=N00028933 |
Voting Rights | Vilsack is an advocate for the expansion of voting rights to those who have been served sentences for felony convictions, having made an order in 2005 during his time as governor of Iowa for this very action. Source: https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/voting-rights-restoration-efforts-iowa |
Opinions on Issues
Issues | Stance | Summary |
| Universal Healthcare | For | Vilsack supports the implementation of universal healthcare, however he believes there are ways on funding this system without large tax increases. Source: https://www.ontheissues.org/Cabinet/Tom_Vilsack_Health_Care.htm Vilsack believes the government can work within its budget to provide universal healthcare coverage by incorporating wellness into healthcare and other institutions so that people are better equipped and better cared for "from the moment a child is born." Source: https://www.ontheissues.org/Cabinet/Tom_Vilsack_Health_Care.htm |
| Socialized Healthcare | Nuance | Vilsack supports socialized healthcare measures such as Medicare and Medicaid, however he seeks funding to run these programs from the federal government rather than from the states themselves. He also believes that health insurance companies should be regulated by the government and assessed based on their quality and cost using a "report card" system. Source: https://www.ontheissues.org/Cabinet/Tom_Vilsack_Health_Care.htm |
| Private Healthcare | Nuance | Vilsack has not condemned the practice of private insurance, however he does believe that the current system makes healthcare inaccessible to many Americans, especially the unemployed, and there should be more options for Americans without employer-sponsored healthcare to obtain insurance and receive medically necessary care. Source: https://www.ontheissues.org/Cabinet/Tom_Vilsack_Health_Care.htm |
| LGBT Rights | For | Vilsack supports LGBT equality and expressed this support through his signing of a 2009 Departmental Regulation during his first term as Secretary of Agriculture which created a special emphasis program for LGBT agricultural workers. Source: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/de/about/outreach/sep/?cid=nrcs144p2_024760 The special emphasis program endorsed by Vilsack seeks to increase the employment of LGBT folx for the USDA, expand equal rights and protections, promote opportunities in training and career development, and raise awareness about LGBT issues throughout the USDA. Aside from policies set in motion through the USDA, Vilsack also praised the legalization of gay marriage in Iowa, of which he was formerly governor. Source: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/de/about/outreach/sep/?cid=nrcs144p2_024760, https://www.politico.com/blogs/politico44/2011/12/vilsack-backs-gay-marriage-in-iowa-107672 |
| Taxes | Nuance | Vilsack supports numerous tax reform measures, including tax cuts for the middle-class and the ability of states to determine their own tax revenue policy. Source: https://www.ontheissues.org/Cabinet/Tom_Vilsack_Tax_Reform.htm Vilsack opposes tax cuts to the wealthy and instead advocates for tax cuts for middle-class Americans. He also believes that the states rather than the federal government should have more of a say as to how they raise revenue from taxes. He also opposes a national sales tax, as it would detract from the state and local government's tax base. Source: https://www.ontheissues.org/Cabinet/Tom_Vilsack_Tax_Reform.htm |
| Flat Tax Rate | Against | Vilsack opposes any efforts to give tax cuts to the wealthy and instead advocates for middle-class tax cuts, as well as a more equitable and less-complicated income tax system . Source: https://www.ontheissues.org/Cabinet/Tom_Vilsack_Tax_Reform.htm Vilsack opposes tax cuts to the wealthy and instead advocates for tax cuts for middle-class Americans. He also believes that the states rather than the federal government should have more of a say as to how they raise revenue from taxes. He also opposes a national sales tax, as it would detract from the state and local government's tax base. Source: https://www.ontheissues.org/Cabinet/Tom_Vilsack_Tax_Reform.htm |
| Abortion | For | Vilsack is a supporter of legalized abortion and opposes any law or measure which intends to take away the right of choice, whether explicit or implicit (as he believes is the case with "informed consent"). Source: https://www.ontheissues.org/Cabinet/Tom_Vilsack_Abortion.htm Vilsack has expressed concern that "informed consent" manipulates individuals by giving them fear-mongering and biased information on abortions under the guise of "counseling." He opposes this and other efforts to give individuals "information" before an abortion. He also opposed a measure that aimed to eliminate taxpayer funding of abortions, believing it would interfere with abortion services and individuals' choice to obtain one. Source: https://www.ontheissues.org/Cabinet/Tom_Vilsack_Abortion.htm |
| Gun Control | For | Vilsack does not oppose the legal usage of guns, however he does oppose unregulated legal usage of guns, and advocates for the implementation of "smart gun technologies" to prevent unauthorized persons or those who have been convicted of criminal offenses from using guns. Source: https://www.ontheissues.org/house/Tom_Vilsack_Gun_Control.htm Vilsack is a proponent for "smart gun control technologies," which would allow guns being used by unauthorized people or those who have been convicted of a criminal offense to be disabled or traced. Source: https://www.ontheissues.org/house/Tom_Vilsack_Gun_Control.htm |
| Assisted Suicide | Unknown | No clear stance on issue. Vilsack is a proponent for "smart gun control technologies," which would allow guns being used by unauthorized people or those who have been convicted of a criminal offense to be disabled or traced. Source: https://www.ontheissues.org/house/Tom_Vilsack_Gun_Control.htm |
| Government Interference | Nuance | Vilsack believes that government interference is necessary when it comes to ensuring the rights and protections of the public, however he does believe that the federal government should not overstep its boundaries so as to respect the federalist system and maintain state and local government's rights and jurisdictions. Source: https://www.ontheissues.org/Cabinet/Tom_Vilsack_Health_Care.htm, https://www.ontheissues.org/Cabinet/Tom_Vilsack_Tax_Reform.htm |
| Planned Parenthood | For | Vilsack supports the legalization of abortion services and in the past has endorsed NARAL Pro-Choice . He sees "informed consent" given before abortion procedures as an effort to dissuade individuals from receiving abortions, which he believes interferes with their right to choose. Source: https://www.ontheissues.org/Cabinet/Tom_Vilsack_Abortion.htm |
| Welfare | For | Vilsack has supported numerous welfare measures aimed at expanding economic opportunity and helping people meet their basic needs through government assistance programs. Source: https://www.ontheissues.org/Cabinet/Tom_Vilsack_Welfare_+_Poverty.htm Vilsack signed a resolution supporting LIHEAP, which is a program that seeks to make heating and cooling accessible for low-income households, and as a member of the National Governors Association, has adopted the NGA's support for the Social Services Block Grant (SSBG) and more broadly, access to housing, jobs, and healthcare for socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals. Source: https://www.ontheissues.org/Cabinet/Tom_Vilsack_Welfare_+_Poverty.htm |
| Welfare | For | Vilsack has strongly supported stem cell research, seeing it as a valuable and promising field that may lead to the discovery of cures for numerous chronic diseases. Source: https://wcfcourier.com/news/breaking_news/vilsack-seven-other-governors-urge-passage-of-stem-cell-research/article_51227453-92e3-51e2-aeed-31cfada66175.html |
| Death Penalty | Against | Vilsack has voted against the death penalty, seeing it as unethical, ineffective, and costly. Source: https://www.radioiowa.com/2005/12/02/vilsack-speaks-out-against-death-penalty-again/, https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2015/02/16/iowa-death-penalty-bill/23525627/ Vilsack believes that preventative programs for children and closer monitoring of those who have been convicted of crimes can help to reduce crime and make the community safer, rather than executing someone for their offense. Source: https://www.radioiowa.com/2005/12/02/vilsack-speaks-out-against-death-penalty-again/ |
| Mandatory Prison Sentence | Nuance | Vilsack has granted clemency and considered for clemency numerous individuals during his time as Iowa's governor, as he believes wrongful convictions should be considered and reversed and has been an advocate for the expansion of civil rights to those who have been convicted of a crime. Source: https://qconline.com/news/iowa/eighty-six-inmates-in-line-for-clemency-consideration/article_7d23eb1f-83f4-5bc5-ae85-dcaf88e3bea3.html |
| Military Spending | For | In the past, Vilsack has voiced support for the war in Iraq and called on the repeal of tax cuts for the wealthy to raise revenue for the military budget. Source: https://siouxcityjournal.com/news/state-and-regional/vilsack-calls-for-sacrifice-in-war-on-terror/article_0156283b-4c37-5278-994a-676bd699dc3c.html |
| War on Terrorism | For | Vilsack is a supporter of the War on Terror, seeing it as an essential national security measure. He advocates for higher taxation of the wealthy to raise revenue for the war. Source: https://siouxcityjournal.com/news/state-and-regional/vilsack-calls-for-sacrifice-in-war-on-terror/article_0156283b-4c37-5278-994a-676bd699dc3c.html |
| Foreign Policy International Interaction | For | Vilsack supports cooperative, mutual relations with other countries, especially when it comes to agricultural trade with Asia and providing aid to other countries. Source: https://www.cfr.org/event/conversation-tom-vilsack, http://www.issues2000.org/Governor/Tom_Vilsack_Foreign_Policy.htm Vilsack sees America as having the potential to use its food surplus to address global food insecurity and give aid and welfare to other countries in other forms as well, such as through jobs and education. Source: http://www.issues2000.org/Governor/Tom_Vilsack_Foreign_Policy.htm |
| United Nations power | For | Vilsack approves of the United Nations and has been an active participant through an address he gave in 2010 at the UN Climate Change Conference in which he spoke on global actions to combat climate change. Source: https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2010/12/09/secretary-vilsack-announces-new-steps-address-climate-change |
| Nationalism | Unknown | No clear stance on issue. |
| Free Markets | Nuance | Vilsack is a strong advocate that the federal government does not overstep its place in the economy, however he does support government intervention in the economy when there are circumstances that require oversight and regulation, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Source: https://www.ontheissues.org/Cabinet/Tom_Vilsack_Budget_+_Economy.htm, https://www.agweek.com/opinion/2093556-agriculture-secretary-tom-vilsack-budget-maintains-farm-safety-net Vilsack supports the free-market system, however he also believes certain measures such as increasing taxation for the rich to fund the war in Iraq and putting payment caps on farm subsidies in light of the economic strain caused by the COVID-19 pandemic are practical government interventions that prioritize safety and well-being. Source: https://www.ontheissues.org/Cabinet/Tom_Vilsack_Budget_+_Economy.htm, https://www.agweek.com/opinion/2093556-agriculture-secretary-tom-vilsack-budget-maintains-farm-safety-net |
| Brexit | Against | Vilsack is concerned about the Brexit deal and its implications for agricultural trade agreements with the EU and UK. Source: https://brownfieldagnews.com/news/vilsack-concerned-about-brexit/ |
| Affirmative Action | For | As the head of Secretary of the USDA, Vilsack is a proponent of diversifying the agricultural sector and expanding job opportunities to BIPOC and the LGBTQ community. Source: https://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/15000-biden-vilsack-emphasize-racial-equity, https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/de/about/outreach/sep/?cid=nrcs144p2_024760 |
| Government Spending | Nuance | Vilsack supports government spending when it comes to issues such as the War on Terror and social services/welfare, however he supports raising revenue through the increased taxation of the wealthy rather than the working class. Source: https://www.ontheissues.org/Cabinet/Tom_Vilsack_Tax_Reform.htm |
| Charter Schools | Nuance | Although he has not addressed the topic himself, Vilsack has signed a manifesto declaring his agreement that charter schools as well as public schools should be accessible educational options for children. Source: https://www.ontheissues.org/Governor/Tom_Vilsack_Education.htm |
| Common Core | Unknown | No clear stance on issue. |
| Clean Energy | For | Vilsack is a strong advocate for the increased use of renewable energy sources to reduce the effects of climate change and has spoken on the topic within the USDA as well as the United Nations' Climate Change Conference. Source: https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2011/04/29/secretary-vilsack-talks-about-building-clean-energy-economy-equity, https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2010/05/05/clean-energy-economy-forum-secretary-vilsack, https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2011/04/29/secretary-vilsack-talks-about-building-clean-energy-economy-equity Vilsack is an advocate for sustainable farming practices to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and produce sustainable bioenergy. He sees climate change as an environmental justice issue and aims to expand educational and economic opportunities surrounding sustainable agriculture to marginalized communities. Source: https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2011/04/29/secretary-vilsack-talks-about-building-clean-energy-economy-equity, https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2010/05/05/clean-energy-economy-forum-secretary-vilsack, https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2011/04/29/secretary-vilsack-talks-about-building-clean-energy-economy-equity |
| Religious Freedom | Unknown | No clear stance on issue. |
| Separation of Church and State | Unknown | No clear stance on issue. |
| Slavery Reparations | For | Vilsack supports a diversified agricultural labor force and opposes discrimination in USDA funding and access to resources. He outlined his response to how the Black Lives Matter movement relates to the agricultural sector in an article for the Chicago Tribune and actionable steps agricultural officials can take to fight discrimination and ensure justice for Black farmers. Source: https://www.chicagotribune.com/opinion/commentary/ct-opinion-usda-black-farmers-glickman-vilsack-20200814-ihqacef37bbdjhmlr4bzc6txny-story.html |
| Border Control | Nuance | Vilsack supports pathways to citizenships for undocumented workers, however he also supports the border control measures outlined by Obama in his Immigration Accountability Executive Action. Source: https://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/4642-vilsack-says-immigration-reform-critical-for-future-of-food-supply The executive order supported by Vilsack cracks down on illegal immigration at the border, but also acknowledges that workers and families should be given pathways to citizenship and not treated the same as undocumented criminals. Source: https://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/4642-vilsack-says-immigration-reform-critical-for-future-of-food-supply, https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2014/11/20/fact-sheet-immigration-accountability-executive-action |
| Passenger Profiling | Against | Vilsack has not directly addressed the issue of passenger profiling, however he has expressed opposition to racially discriminatory actions in general and supports affirmative action and reparations. Source: https://www.chicagotribune.com/opinion/commentary/ct-opinion-usda-black-farmers-glickman-vilsack-20200814-ihqacef37bbdjhmlr4bzc6txny-story.html, https://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/15000-biden-vilsack-emphasize-racial-equity, https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/de/about/outreach/sep/?cid=nrcs144p2_024760 |
| DACA | Unknown | No clear stance on issue. |
| Sanctuary Cities | Unknown | No clear stance on issue. |
| Legalizing Marijuana | Nuance | Vilsack has showed support for hemp growers and crops, however it is unknown whether he supports the legalization of marijuana for recreational and/or medicinal use. He sees hemp as a valuable and profitable crop that should be encouraged and increased in production. Source: https://www.hempgrower.com/article/hemp-advocates-welcome-tom-vilsack-nomination-ag-secretary-biden-harris/, https://technical420.com/cannabis-article/cannabis-industry-receives-support-from-clinton-and-agriculture-secretary-vilsack/ |