Summary
1988: Pence Claimed Raising The Minimum Wage Would Eliminate Jobs. According to the Indianapolis Star, “Sharp supports an increase in the minimum wage, currently at $3.35 an hour. Pence opposes an increase, saying it would be inflationary. Pence referred to a study that concluded that increasing the minimum wage could eliminate 12,000 jobs in the 2nd District by 1992.” [Indianapolis Star, 10/12/88]
July 2006: Pence: “The Minimum Wage Violates Free Market Economics.” According to a Mike Pence press release obtained via Congressional Press Releases, “‘Minimum wage increases raise unemployment among teenagers, minorities and part-time workers. The minimum wage violates fundamental free market economics. It costs jobs, and I cannot support policies that will take jobs from those who need a paycheck the most.” [Congressional Press Releases, 7/29/06]
2007: Pence: “I Believe The Minimum Wage, And This Increase, Is One Of The Most Anti-Minority, Anti-Poor Laws That We Could Bring Into This Congress.” According to a Mike Pence press release obtained via Congressional Press Releases, “‘I believe the minimum wage, and this increase, is one of the most anti-minority, anti-poor laws that we could bring into this Congress.” [Congressional Press Releases, 1/10/07]
2007: Pence: “For Reasons I Don’t Entirely Understand, For Every Increase In The Minimum Wage, African-Americans Have Been Hit The Hardest.” According to a Mike Pence press release obtained via Congressional Press Releases, “‘Minimum wage increases, the unbroken record of our economic history attests, raise unemployment among the young, minorities and part-time workers - the very people that a minimum wage is thought to help. And sadly, for reasons I don’t entirely understand, for every increase in the minimum wage, African- Americans have been hit the hardest with the advent of jobs that are lost with an increase in the minimum wage.’” [Congressional Press Releases, 1/10/07]
| Year | Bill |
| 2006 | House Vote 425, 7/29/06; Congressional Quarterly, 7/29/06; Congressional Actions, H.R. 5970 |
| 2006 | House Vote 313, 6/22/06; Congressional Record, 6/22/06; Congressional Quarterly, 6/22/06 |
| 2007 | House Vote 333, 5/10/07; Congressional Quarterly, 5/9/07; Congressional Quarterly, 5/24/07; Congressional Actions, H.R. 2206 |
| 2007 | House Vote 424, 5/24/07; Congressional Quarterly, 5/24/07; Congressional Actions, H.R. 2206; Congressional Quarterly, 5/24/07 |
| 2007 | House Vote 17, 1/10/07; Congressional Quarterly, 1/10/07; CRS summary of H.R. 2, 1/10/07; 29 U.S.C. Sec. 206, 2006 ed. |
| 2007 | House Vote 276, 5/2/07; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1591; H.R. 1591, 4/26/07; 29 U.S.C. Sec. 206, 2006 ed. |
| 2007 | House Vote 265, 4/25/07; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1591; H.R. 1591, 4/26/07; 29 U.S.C. Sec. 206, 2006 ed. |
| 2007 | House Vote 18, 1/10/07; Congressional Quarterly, 1/10/07; Congressional Actions, H.R. 2 |
Pence Called The Minimum Wage Increase “Excessive.” According to the Congressional Record, Pence stated: “Mr. Speaker, I rise in respectful opposition to H.R. 2, the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007. And I do so understanding that what I do may well be misunderstood by some of my constituents at home and even by some looking on in this debate. But let me say emphatically that a 41 percent increase in the minimum wage that is brought to the well of Congress without providing any relief to small business owners and family farmers is irresponsible and unwise, and it will harm both the wage payer and the wage earner. An excessive increase in the minimum wage will hurt the working poor, Mr. Speaker, and especially those who are trying to begin the American Dream by entering the workforce at entry level jobs.” [Congressional Record, 1/10/07]
2013: Pence Signed Legislation That Prohibited Local Governments From Requiring A Higher Minimum Wage. According to Indiana Statesman: Indiana State University, “In 2013, House Democrats proposed a bill that would bring the minimum wage to $8.25; the vote was firmly set down party lines with each House Republican voting ‘no’ on the measure. Governor Mike Pence made his opposition apparent when he signed into law a bill that prohibits local governments from requiring a higher wage, which prevents any Seattle inspired movement for a higher wage.” [Indiana Statesman: Indiana State University, 9/24/14]
Pence, 2000: “Congress Should Repeal The Davis-Bacon Act That Requires Government To Pay Artificially High Labor Rates For Construction Projects.” According to Mike Pence For Congress, “• Congress should repeal the Davis-Bacon Act that requires government to pay artificially high labor rates for construction projects.” [Mike Pence For Congress via Wayback Machine, 2000]
| Year | Bill |
| 2012 | House Vote 486, 7/18/12; Congressional Quarterly, 7/18/12; Congressional Actions, H.R. 5856 |
| 2012 | House Vote 338, 6/6/12; Congressional Quarterly, 6/6/12; Congressional Actions, H.R. 5325 |
| 2011 | House Vote 585, 7/15/11; Congressional Quarterly, 7/15/11; Congressional Actions, H.R. 2354 |
| 2011 | House Vote 144, 2/19/11; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1; Congressional Quarterly, 2/19/11; Congressional Quarterly, 2/18/11 |
1990: Pence Was “Categorically Opposed” To The Family And Medical Leave Act. According to the Daily Journal, “The Family and medical Leave Act requires business with 50 or more employees to offer non-paid leave of up to 12 weeks a year when a child is born or adopted, or when the worker or the worker’s spouse, child or parent is ill and can provide a doctor’s certification. With Sharp voting with the majority, the measure passed the House 237-187 two weeks ago, and a similar measure awaits Senate action. The White House, meanwhile, has threatened a veto. […] Greenwood attorney Mike Pence, a Republican running against Sharp in the November election, agreed that business matters should be left to business people. ‘My first reaction is that I support these types of programs when they originate with the employers and employees of this country. But I am categorically opposed to the worst-managed body in the world attempting to manage business from Washington, D.C.,’ he said. ‘You cannot add more red tape, you cannot increase overhead, you cannot burden American business without commensurate negative reactions, namely loss in quantity and quality of jobs,’ Pence added. To him, the potential effects of congressionally mandated benefits are as easy to understand as one of the simplest laws of physics. ‘Whatever action you get from Washington you get an equal and opposite reaction in business.’” [Daily Journal, 5/24/90]
Pence Opposed Family Leave; Said “It Is A Classic Example Of How Democrats Find A Way To Intrude On The Efforts Of Americans To Conduct Their Own Business In The Best Way They See Fit.” According to the Indianapolis Star, “On the matter of family leave, however, it is Pence who accused Sharp of supporting an intrusive government. ‘It is a classic example of how Democrats find a way to intrude on the efforts of Americans to conduct their own business in the best way they see fit,’ Pence said. Family leave was passed earlier this year by both house of Congress but was vetoed by President Bush. It would have offered employees up to 12 weeks on unpaid leave a year for family medical emergencies. The measure applied to businesses with 50 or more employees. […] ‘I saw my father give two months of paid leave to a guy so he could go through an alcohol rehabilitation program,’ Pence said. ‘The government didn’t tell him to do that.’” [Indianapolis Star, 9/9/90]
2009: Pence Voted Against Granting Federal Employees Paid Leave For Up To Four Weeks To Care For Newborn Or Newly Adopted Children. In June 2009, Pence voted against a bill that would have “grant[ed] federal employees paid leave for up to four weeks to care for newborn or newly adopted children. Employees could [have] use[ed] accrued annual or sick leave for parental leave. It would [have] clarify[ied] that employees would not be required to first use annual or sick leave before paid parental leave is available. The bill would [have given] the director of the Office of Personnel Management the authority to increase the amount of paid parental leave available to federal employees to eight weeks if the director deems it necessary. It would [have] extend[ed] paid family leave benefits to employees of Congress, the Government Accountability Office and the Library of Congress.” The House passed the bill by a vote of 258 to 154. The Senate took no substantive action. [House Vote 310, 6/4/09; Congressional Quarterly, 6/4/09; Congressional Actions, H.R. 626]
Pence Said Right To Work Legislation Would Help Indiana. According to Palladium-Item, “Pence said the law would to do two things: Better position Indiana to compete for new investment and have a greater impact on existing businesses that have a national profile, those that are already located in Indiana but have other facilities in right to work states. The legislation won’t solve all of Indiana’s job creation problems, he said. ‘This is not a panacea,’ Pence said. ‘It would just remove a barrier to growth, but we still need to look for vision and leadership to take Indiana to the four corners of the world.’” [Palladium-Item, 1/18/12]
2012: Pence Supported Indiana’s Right-To-Work Law. According to Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, “Gregg expressed little confidence in Indiana’s new right-to-work law, which he opposed. ‘Indiana tried this once, in the 1950s, and we found that it did not work then,’ Gregg said. ‘I believe the same will be the case now.’ PENCE supported the law. ‘Making Indiana the 23rd right-to-work state is a victory for economic freedom and Hoosier workers. I believe that ensuring freedom in the workplace will make Indiana an even better place to do business and help create new jobs for Hoosiers.’” [Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, 9/23/12]
Pence Told High-Dollar Donors He Would “Stake His Election” On “Right-To-Work” Legislation. According to The Associated Press State & Local Wire, “Pence contributors may have the best idea right now of the agenda he would push as governor. Pence has been sparing on policy details on the campaign trail thus far, but he has told supporters at high-dollar fundraisers in Washington he will ‘stake his election’ on ‘right-to-work’ legislation. Pence says he has long supported ‘right to work’ but is waiting to see what Indiana lawmakers do next year before saying what his plans are.” [Associated Press State & Local Wire, 11/18/11]
Pence: "I've Always Supported Right-To-Work Measures That No Employee Should Be Forced To Join A Union Or Pay Dues As A Condition Of Employment.” According to Palladium-Item, “‘I’ve always supported right-to-work measures that no employee should be forced to join a union or pay dues as a condition of employment,’ Pence said. ‘It should be their choice.’” [Palladium-Item, 1/18/12]
Pence On Right To Work: “Personal Freedom Is The Primary Issue. ... I Don’t Think You Should Be Required To Join A Union Or Any Organization As A Condition Of Your Employment.” According to The Courier-Times, “Mike Pence on Right to Work: […] ‘Personal freedom is the primary issue. ... I don’t think you should be required to join a union or any organization as a condition of your employment.’” [Courier-Times, 1/7/12]
2003: Pence Effectively Voted To Make It Easier For Employers To Reclassify Current Workers As Exempt From Overtime Pay. In July 2003, Pence effectively voted against an amendment that according to Congressional Quarterly, would have “block[ed] the use of funds for the Labor Department to implement a March 31 proposal that would make it easier for employers to reclassify some workers as ‘executive, administrative or professional employees,’ exempt from overtime pay.” The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 210 to 213. [House Vote 351, 7/10/03; Congressional Quarterly, 7/10/03; Congressional Actions, H.R. 2660]
2004: Pence Voted To Enable Companies To Reduce Contributions To Their Defined-Benefit Pension Plans. In April 2004, Pence voted for a bill that, according to Congressional Quarterly, “would allow companies to reduce contributions to their pension plans by temporarily altering the formula used to calculate whether those contributions are sufficient to cover liabilities. The new formula would use a rate based on yields on a corporate bond index. The bill also would ease funding rules for about 4 percent of multi-employer pension plans, giving them a grace period to account for losses.” The House adopted the conference report on the bill by a vote of 336 to 69. After the Senate also agreed to the conference report, the bill was sent to the president, who signed it into law. [House Vote 117, 4/2/04; Congressional Quarterly, 4/2/04; Congressional Actions, H.R. 3108]
2004: Pence Voted Against Allowing Many More Pension Plans To Reduce Their Contributions To Employees’ Pensions. In April 2004, Pence voted against changes to a conference reported pension bill that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “allow[ed] 20 percent of multi-employer pension plans to reduce contributions to their plans, an increase from about 4 percent.” The vote was on a motion to recommit the conference report to the conference committee with instructions that it be reported back to the House with the specified changes. The House rejected the motion by a vote of 195 to 217. [House Vote 116, 4/2/04; Congressional Quarterly, 4/2/04; Congressional Actions, H.R. 3108]
2005: Pence Voted Against Authorizing $2.1 Billion In Grants To Improve The U.S. Manufacturing Sector’s Competitiveness; Bill Would Have Funded A Program That Funds Vocational And Technical Training Programs And A Program That Links Small Manufactures With Non-Profits That Provide Technical Services. In September 2005, Pence voted against legislation that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “authorize[d] $2.1 billion in fiscal 2006 through 2008 for activities designed to improve the competitiveness of the U.S. manufacturing sector, including grant programs, scientific research, and education. The bill would [have] authorize[d] $1.3 billion in fiscal 2006 through 2008 for laboratory activities and technical research run by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). It would [have] authorize[d] $345 million in fiscal 2006 through 2008 for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership program. As amended, it would [have] authorize[d] $3 million for NIST to conduct a study on the effects of Hurricane Katrina on buildings for new building standards and codes.” The vote was on the legislation. The House passed the bill by a vote of 394 to 24. The bill died in the Senate. [House Vote 485, 9/21/05; Congressional Quarterly, 9/21/05; Congressional Actions, H.R. 250]
2009: Pence Voted Against The 2009 Economic Stimulus Package, Which Provided $787 Billion In Tax Cuts And New Spending. In February 2009, Pence voted against the 2009 economic stimulus package, known as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. According to Congressional Quarterly, “the bill […] provide[d] an estimated $787.2 billion in tax cuts and spending increases to stimulate the economy, plus provisions to prevent the alternative minimum tax from applying to millions of additional taxpayers in 2009 and to increase the ceiling on federal borrowing by $789 billion to $12.104 trillion. The tax provisions, estimated to cost $211.8 billion through 2019, [] include[d] extending current accelerated depreciation allowances for businesses, suspending taxes on the first $2,400 of unemployment benefits per recipient for 2009, and expanding a number of other individual tax credits, including the first-time homebuyer tax credit to $8,000. Mandatory spending increases, expected to cost $267 billion through 2019, include[d] an extension of unemployment and welfare benefits, Medicaid payments to states, health insurance assistance for individuals and grants for health information technology. Discretionary spending, estimated at $308.3 billion through 2019 and include[d] grants to state and local schools and funds for public housing, transportation and nutrition assistance.” The House agreed to the conference report by a vote of 246 to 183. Subsequently, the Senate also agreed to the conference report; the bill was then sent to the president, who signed it into law. [House Vote 70, 2/13/09; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1; Congressional Quarterly, 2/13/09]
2009: Pence Voted Against The House Version Of President Obama’s Economic Stimulus Package, Which Included $819 Billion In Tax Cuts And New Spending On Transportation, Infrastructure And Energy Efficiency Projects. In January 2009, Pence voted against the House version of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act – President Obama’s economic stimulus plan – which, according to Congressional Quarterly, “would [have] provide[d] $819.5 billion in tax cuts and new spending through fiscal 2019 to stimulate the economy. Appropriations and other spending in the bill would [have] yield[ed] estimated outlays of $637.3 billion. The total includes upgrades to transportation, infrastructure, construction, health care programs, education and housing assistance, and energy efficiency projects. The bill also includes $274.6 billion in tax benefits for individuals and businesses.” The House passed the bill by a vote of 244 to 188. The bill was subsequently merged with the Senate’s version in a conference committee, and the resulting final legislation passed both houses and was signed into law. [House Vote 46, 1/28/09; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1; Congressional Quarterly, 1/28/09]
2008: Pence Voted Against $14 Billion Auto Bailout. In December 2008, Pence voted against a bill that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “allow[ed] up to $14 billion in loans to eligible domestic automakers. One or more presidentially appointed administrators would [have been] empowered to bring together auto companies, unions, creditors and others to negotiate long-term restructuring plans, which auto companies would have [had] to submit by March 31, 2009. Administrators could [have] recall[ed] the loans if they [did] not approve the plans. Companies getting loans would have [had] to submit any planned investment or transaction of $100 million or more for review. Loan interest rates would [have been] set at 5 percent for the first five years and 9 percent each subsequent year. The bill would [have given] the government warrants in each participating company worth at 20 percent of the loan’s value, and the option of obtaining up to 20 percent in non-voting stock in the company. It also would [have] prohibit[ed] loan recipients from giving bonuses to its 25 most highly-compensated employees while the loan was outstanding.” The House passed the bill by a vote of 237 to 170; however, the Senate took no substantive action on the measure. [House Vote 690, 12/10/08; Congressional Quarterly, 12/10/08; Congressional Actions, H.R. 7321]
2009: Pence Voted Against Allowing Bailout Funds To Be Used To Help The Auto Industry. In January 2009, Pence voted against a bill that, according to Congressional Quarterly, would have “authorize[d] the Treasury to provide assistance to domestic automobile manufacturers under the program.” The vote was on the House bill TARP Reform and Accountability Act of 2009 which also contained limits on executive pay for TARP recipients. The House passed the bill by a vote of 260 to 166. The bill was then sent to the Senate, which took no substantive action on it. [House Vote 26, 1/21/09; Congressional Quarterly, 1/21/09; Congressional Actions, H.R. 384]
2009: Pence Voted Against Providing A 65 Percent Federal Health Insurance Subsidy For Up To 9 Months For Workers Who Were Involuntarily Terminated After September 1, 2008. In February 2009, Pence voted against the final version of the 2009 economic stimulus package, known as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. According to Congressional Quarterly, the legislation, among other provisions, “provide[d] for a 65% federal subsidy for health insurance premiums under COBRA for up to nine months for workers (and their families) who have been involuntarily terminated. The House-passed bill would have provided such assistance for up to one year. To qualify for premium assistance, a worker must have been involuntarily terminated between Sept. 1, 2008 and Dec. 31, 2009. The Joint Committee on Taxation estimates that this provision would help 7 million people maintain their health insurance, and would cost an estimated $24.7 billion.” The House agreed to the conference report by a vote of 246 to 183. Subsequently, the Senate also agreed to the conference report; the bill was then sent to the president, who signed it into law. [House Vote 70, 2/13/09; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1; Congressional Quarterly, 2/13/09]
| Year | Bill |
| 2013 | House Vote 655, 1/1/13; Congressional Actions, H.R. 6726; CRS Summary of H.R. 6726, 1/1/13 |
| 2012 | House Vote 151, 3/16/12; House Budget Committee, 5/20/12; Congressional Actions, H.Con.Res. 112 |
| 2011 | House Vote 133, 2/19/11; Congressional Quarterly, 2/19/11; Congressional Actions, H.R.1 |
| 2011 | House Vote 277, 4/15/11; House Budget Committee, 4/5/11 |
2010: Pence Voted Against Require Congress To Abide By The ‘Buy America Act.’ In September 2010, Pence voted against legislation that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “clarif[ied] that the Buy American Act, which requires the purchase of domestically produced goods for public use by government entities, applies to products purchased for use by the legislative branch. The bill also would [have] establish[ed] additional restrictions for products bearing a congressional seal.” The vote was on the legislation. The House adopted the bill by a vote of 371 to 36. The Senate took no substantive action. [House Vote 521, 9/15/10; Congressional Quarterly, 9/15/10; Congressional Actions, H.R. 2039]
2004: Pence Voted Against Requiring The Commerce Department To Study The Effects Of Outsourcing And Make Policy Recommendations Based On The Findings. In July 2004, Pence effectively voted against an amendment that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “require[d] the Commerce Department to complete an independent study on the outsourcing of U.S. jobs and provide policy recommendations based on these findings.” The vote was on a motion to recommit the underlying bill – which authorized an interagency committee for coordinating federal manufacturing research and development – with instructions to report back it with the specified amendment. The House rejected the motion by a vote of 171 to 193. [House Vote 358, 7/9/04; Congressional Actions, H.R. 3598; Congressional Quarterly, 7/9/04; Congressional Record, 7/9/04; Congressional Quarterly, 7/5/04]
2010: Pence Voted Against Closing Corporate Tax Loopholes That Democrats Said Helped Companies That Had Shipped Jobs Overseas, In Order To Pay For $26 Billion To Help States Prevent Teacher Layoffs And Fund Medicaid. In August 2010, Pence voted against a bill that, according to Congressional Quarterly, “would provide $16.1 billion to extend increased Medicaid assistance to states and $10 billion in funding for states to create or retain teachers’ jobs. The costs would be offset by changing foreign tax provisions, ending increased food stamp benefits beginning in April 2014 and rescinding previously enacted spending.” The vote was on a motion to concur with the Senate amendment to the bill. The House agreed to the motion by a vote of 247 to 161; the bill was then sent to the president, who signed it into law. [House Vote 518, 8/10/10; Congressional Quarterly, 8/10/10; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1586]