Indiana

State Senators:

Mike Braun (R)

Term Start: January 3, 2019

Full Name: Michael Kent Braun
Date of Birth: March 24, 1954
Birthplace: Jasper, Indiana, U.S.

Early Life and Education: Mike Braun was born in Jasper, Indiana, and grew up in a small-town, working-class family. He attended Jasper High School and later earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from Wabash College in 1976. Braun then pursued an MBA from Harvard Business School, graduating in 1978.

Personal Life: Mike Braun is married to Maureen Braun, and they have four children. The family resides in Jasper, Indiana. Known for his dedication to public service and his practical approach to governance, Braun continues to work towards policies that promote economic prosperity, security, and individual freedom.

Early Career: After completing his education, Braun returned to Indiana and began his career in business. He co-founded Crystal Farms, Inc., a turkey farming business, and later joined his family’s business, Meyer Body Inc., an automotive manufacturing company. In 1981, Braun founded Meyer Distributing, a company specializing in the distribution of automotive aftermarket parts and accessories. Under his leadership, Meyer Distributing grew into a successful nationwide business, providing Braun with extensive experience in business management and economic development.

Political Career:

Indiana House of Representatives: Elected in 2014, Braun served in the Indiana House of Representatives from 2014 to 2017. During his tenure, he focused on issues such as job creation, fiscal responsibility, and education reform. Braun was known for his business-friendly approach and efforts to reduce government regulations.
U.S. Senate: In 2018, Braun ran for the U.S. Senate as a Republican, challenging incumbent Senator Joe Donnelly. He won the election and took office on January 3, 2019. As a senator, Braun has focused on issues such as healthcare reform, economic growth, and fiscal responsibility. He is known for his conservative stance and commitment to limited government and free-market principles.

Committees Assignments:

Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Committee on the Budget
Special Committee on Aging (Ranking)

Legislative Achievements:

Economic Policies: Braun supports free-market economic policies, tax cuts, and deregulation to stimulate economic growth. He advocates for reducing the regulatory burden on businesses to promote job creation and investment.
Healthcare Reform: Braun is a critic of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and advocates for market-based healthcare reforms that increase competition and reduce costs. He supports measures to lower prescription drug prices and improve healthcare transparency.
Fiscal Responsibility: Braun is a strong advocate for fiscal responsibility and balanced budgets. He supports measures to reduce government spending, address the national debt, and implement budget reforms.
Agriculture: Representing a largely agricultural state, Braun supports policies that aid farmers and promote agricultural development. He advocates for reducing regulatory burdens on the agricultural sector and increasing access to international markets for U.S. agricultural products.
Small Business Support: As a former business owner, Braun champions policies that support small businesses, including tax relief, access to capital, and reducing regulatory burdens.

Senator Braun is known for his dedication to economic growth, healthcare reform, fiscal responsibility, agriculture, and small business support. His background in business and public service, along with his experience in the Indiana House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, shape his legislative priorities. He continues to advocate for policies that benefit Hoosiers and the nation.

Committees

Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry: Committee deals with agricultural economics, research, production, and forestry.

Health, Education, Labor & Pensions (HELP): Committee is instrumental in shaping legislation and policy in these critical areas. Its work involves extensive hearings, debates, and collaborations to address pressing health, education, labor, and pension issues.

Budget: Committee plays a central role in shaping the nation’s fiscal policy, ensuring that government spending and revenue collection are managed responsibly and align with economic priorities.

Special Committee on Aging Ranking Member: Committee aims to improve the well-being, health, and financial security of older Americans.

Voting patterns

Senator Braun has a voting record that reflects his commitment to conservative principles, including economic growth, healthcare reform, fiscal responsibility, and support for small businesses.

Key Voting Patterns

Economic Policies:

Tax Cuts and Deregulation: Braun supports tax cuts and reducing regulatory burdens on businesses to stimulate economic growth. He consistently votes for legislation that reduces taxes for individuals and businesses and aims to foster job creation and investment.
Free Market Principles: Braun advocates for free-market economic policies and often votes against measures that he perceives as increasing government intervention in the economy.

Healthcare:

Affordable Care Act (ACA): Braun is a critic of the ACA and has voted to repeal and replace it. He supports market-based healthcare reforms that increase competition, reduce costs, and provide more choices for consumers.
Prescription Drug Prices: Braun supports measures to lower prescription drug prices and increase transparency in drug pricing, aiming to make medications more affordable for Americans.

Fiscal Responsibility:

Balanced Budget: Braun advocates for a balanced federal budget and reducing the national debt. He supports measures to curb government spending and implement fiscal restraint.
Government Spending: Braun prioritizes reducing government spending and often votes against large spending bills that he believes contribute to the national debt.

Agriculture:

Support for Farmers: Representing a largely agricultural state, Braun supports policies that aid farmers and promote agricultural development. He advocates for reducing regulatory burdens on the agricultural sector and increasing access to international markets for U.S. agricultural products.
Farm Bill: Braun supports comprehensive farm bills that provide financial assistance to farmers, promote sustainable farming practices, and enhance rural development.

Small Business:

Small Business Support: As a former business owner, Braun champions policies that support small businesses, including tax relief, access to capital, and reducing regulatory burdens. He votes for legislation aimed at promoting entrepreneurship and small business growth.

Social Issues:

Gun Rights: Braun is a strong proponent of Second Amendment rights and consistently votes against measures that would impose additional restrictions on gun ownership.
Abortion: Braun identifies as pro-life and supports restrictions on abortion. He votes for measures to defund organizations that provide abortion services and supports legislation that protects the rights of the unborn.

Environment and Energy:

Energy Development: Braun supports policies that promote the development of natural resources, including oil, gas, and renewable energy sources. He advocates for energy independence and reducing regulatory barriers to energy production.
Environmental Regulations: While supporting energy development, Braun often votes against stringent environmental regulations that he believes hinder economic growth and energy production.

Senator Braun’s voting record reflects his commitment to conservative principles, emphasizing fiscal responsibility, limited government intervention in healthcare, a strong national defense, and traditional social values. His stance on environmental issues prioritizes economic growth and energy independence while supporting the development of renewable energy sources.

Full Name: Todd Christopher Young
Date of Birth: August 24, 1972
Birthplace: Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA

Early Life and Education: Todd Young was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and raised in Carmel, Indiana. He attended Carmel High School, where he excelled in academics and athletics. Young earned an appointment to the United States Naval Academy, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science in 1995. During his time at the Naval Academy, he was a member of the varsity soccer team and served as president of his class.

Personal Life: Todd Young is married to Jennifer Tucker Young, and they have four children. The family resides in Bloomington, Indiana. Known for his dedication to public service and his commitment to pragmatic governance, Young continues to work towards policies that promote prosperity, security, and opportunity for all Americans.

Early Career: After graduating from the Naval Academy, Young served in the U.S. Marine Corps as an intelligence officer. He was honorably discharged as a Captain in 2000. Following his military service, Young pursued higher education, earning an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business in 2000 and a Juris Doctor from Indiana University Maurer School of Law in 2006.

Young worked as a management consultant at The Heritage Group and as a legislative assistant in the U.S. Senate. He also served as a deputy prosecutor in Orange County, Indiana, before entering politics.

Todd Young (R)

Term Start: January 3, 2017

Political Career:

U.S. House of Representatives: Elected in 2010, Young represented Indiana’s 9th congressional district from 2011 to 2017. During his tenure, he focused on economic policy, healthcare reform, and national security. He was a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, where he worked on tax reform and trade policy.
U.S. Senate: In 2016, Young ran for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by retiring Senator Dan Coats. He won the election and took office on January 3, 2017. As a senator, Young has focused on issues such as national security, economic growth, healthcare, and veterans’ affairs. He is known for his pragmatic approach and commitment to bipartisanship.

Committee Assignments:

Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Committee on Finance
Committee on Foreign Relations
Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship

Legislative Achievements:

Economic Policies: Young supports free-market economic policies, tax cuts, and deregulation to stimulate economic growth. He has worked on legislation aimed at reducing the regulatory burden on businesses and promoting job creation.
Healthcare Reform: Young is a critic of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and advocates for market-based healthcare reforms that increase competition and reduce costs. He supports measures to lower prescription drug prices and improve healthcare transparency.
National Security: Young is a strong advocate for national security and military readiness. He supports increased defense spending and measures to enhance cybersecurity and counter global threats.
Veterans’ Affairs: As a former Marine, Young is dedicated to supporting veterans and their families. He has worked on legislation to improve healthcare, education, and job opportunities for veterans, ensuring they receive the benefits and support they deserve.
Education: Young advocates for education policies that increase access to quality education and vocational training. He supports measures to reduce student loan debt and increase funding for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education.

Senator Young is known for his dedication to economic growth, healthcare reform, national security, veterans’ affairs, and education. His background in the military, business, and law, along with his extensive experience in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, shape his legislative priorities. He continues to advocate for policies that benefit Hoosiers and the nation.

Committees

Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Committee plays a vital role in shaping policies that impact economic development, technological innovation, transportation systems, and scientific advancements within a country or region.

Finance: Committee plays a crucial role in shaping the economic direction of a country or region by influencing fiscal and monetary policies that impact individuals, businesses, and governments.

Foreign Relations: Committee plays a crucial role in shaping U.S. foreign policy, providing a check on the executive branch’s conduct of international relations, and ensuring that America’s global engagements reflect the values and interests of its citizens

Small Business and Entrepreneurship: Committee plays a crucial role in advocating for the needs of small businesses, promoting entrepreneurship, and creating an environment conducive to small business success and economic growth.

Voting patterns

Senator Young has a voting record that reflects his commitment to conservative principles, including economic growth, healthcare reform, national security, and veterans’ affairs.

Key Voting Patterns:

Economic Policies:

Tax Cuts and Deregulation: Young supports tax cuts and reducing regulatory burdens on businesses to stimulate economic growth. He voted in favor of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, which aimed to reduce taxes for individuals and businesses and foster job creation and investment.
Free Market Principles: Young advocates for free-market economic policies and often votes against measures that he perceives as increasing government intervention in the economy.

Healthcare:

Affordable Care Act (ACA): Young is a critic of the ACA and has voted to repeal and replace it. He supports market-based healthcare reforms that increase competition, reduce costs, and provide more choices for consumers.
Prescription Drug Prices: Young supports measures to lower prescription drug prices and increase transparency in drug pricing, aiming to make medications more affordable for Americans.

National Security:

Defense Spending: Young is a strong advocate for robust defense spending to ensure military readiness and national security. He consistently votes for the National Defense Authorization Act and other defense-related bills.
Foreign Policy: As a member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, Young supports a proactive foreign policy. He votes for measures that strengthen U.S. alliances, counter adversaries like China and Russia, and promote human rights worldwide.

Veterans’ Affairs:

Support for Veterans: As a former Marine, Young is dedicated to supporting veterans and their families. He votes for legislation to improve healthcare, education, and job opportunities for veterans, ensuring they receive the benefits and support they deserve.
Veterans’ Healthcare: Young supports measures to improve the Veterans Affairs healthcare system, increase funding for veterans’ healthcare services, and reduce wait times for medical appointments.

Education:

School Choice and Education Reform: Young advocates for education policies that increase access to quality education and vocational training. He supports school choice initiatives, measures to reduce student loan debt, and increased funding for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education.
Higher Education: Young supports policies aimed at making higher education more affordable and accessible. He votes for measures that provide financial aid and support for students pursuing higher education.

Social Issues:

Gun Rights: Young is a strong proponent of Second Amendment rights and consistently votes against measures that would impose additional restrictions on gun ownership.
Abortion: Young identifies as pro-life and supports restrictions on abortion. He votes for measures to defund organizations that provide abortion services and supports legislation that protects the rights of the unborn.

Fiscal Responsibility:

Balanced Budget: Young advocates for a balanced federal budget and reducing the national debt. He supports measures to curb government spending and implement fiscal restraint.
Debt and Deficit: He supports efforts to address the national debt and reduce the federal deficit through spending cuts and budget reforms.

Senator Young’s voting record reflects his commitment to conservative principles, emphasizing fiscal responsibility, limited government intervention in healthcare, a strong national defense, and traditional social values. His stance on environmental issues prioritizes economic growth and energy independence while supporting the development of renewable energy sources.