Jimmy Lee Tillman II: 2022 candidate for U.S. Senate

Bio

Party: Republican

Office sought: U.S. Senate

City: Chicago

Age: 53

Occupation: Publisher and Author

Previous offices held: (Candidate did not answer)

Q&A

What needs to be done to get Congress to work constructively, whether that be senators and representatives of both parties working with each other or Congress itself working with the president?

The Senate is the key to uniting America. Whether by a bipartisan agreement or presidential cooperation, Congress must commit itself to policies and initiatives that put Americans first over their political parties or personal agendas.

Do you support continuing the filibuster?

Yes. In the U.S. Senate rules, it is required to have a supermajority to end debate before a simple majority can pass a bill. The filibuster gives the minority more influence and encourages discussion and consensus. The Founders designed our system of government to provide checks and balances between the three branches. The filibuster provides extended debate, precisely what the Senate was created to do.

What is your position on changing voter access?

S1 is the bill that changes voter access. I am against S1 because, under this bill, the federal government will be transferred massive amounts of election-related powers from local governments. This 'poison chalice' bill will interfere with local governments and their citizens' ability to participate in the political process, secure the integrity of elections, determine voter qualifications, ensure the accuracy of voter registration rolls, and establish the congressional district boundary lines for elections. I am against this attempt to create shady electoral practices that push and permit lousy behavior, like fake voter registrations, ballot harvesting, double voting, and ineligible voting.

Do you recognize that the election of Joe Biden as president in 2020 was legitimate and fair? If not, why?

I am from Chicago, familiar with how elections are stolen. I believe that they stole the election from my mother in 2007 and myself against Bobby Rush.

What, if anything, should Congress do to prevent another violent attack such as the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the Capitol?

Congress should ensure that the Sergeant-at-Arms is informed of all threats and can plan accordingly.

What do you see as the most important issues to address regarding immigration reform? If you oppose funding for a wall, what steps do you support to try to control illegal immigration?

We must return to an immigration and border security policy that is America First. To implement effective immigration reform, we must promote legal immigration, stop illegal immigration, and secure our border from drugs, human trafficking, and the cartels that operate on both sides. We must also restore the Trump's administration Remain in Mexico program and the safe third country requirements and agreements. We must return to building the border wall. We should enforce existing immigration laws, including deportations, stop welcoming and admitting unaccompanied children into the U.S., and end "catch-and-release Additionally, we should also keep in place Title 42 until COVID is no longer a global pandemic threat and increase employment verification to make sure employers hire only work-authorized employees.

What do you consider America's role in world affairs? In particular, what should our role be regarding current points of tension involving Russia/Ukraine, the future of Taiwan or other threats of Chinese expansionism and the Middle East?

As the world watches the horrors of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia, a bipartisan group of Washington pols is exploring the idea of increased sanctions on Russian energy. While I agree this strategic tool is necessary to curb Putin, we must apply them carefully as they may cut both ways. It is essential to weigh all the effects as we move forward with sanctions because multiple energy sources - natural gas, coal, oil, uranium, and enrichment services, have different market dynamics and pressure points.

Russia and Iran are taking full advantage of America's weak leadership under the Biden administration. With the cockeyed return to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), mostly known as the Iran nuclear deal, Russia seizes power in the Iran nuclear negotiations making the current sanctions toothless. This power grab is a bold attempt by Russia to blow off the sanctions and exploit America's failing foreign policies. Iran uses this to its advantage while creating a huge political problem in America.

In Taiwan, we must support Taiwan's participation in international organizations like INTERPOL and the WHO and launch negotiations for a free-trade agreement with Taiwan and also begin a comprehensive bilateral economic dialogue. We must approve necessary transfers of U.S. technology to assist Taiwan in building its diesel-electric submarines and continue to sell them the weapons needed to stop Chinese aggression.

We must defend American economic interests from the many threats posed by China, such as intellectual property theft and espionage. At the same time, we continue supporting the strength and credibility of our regional alliances and working with our allies and trading partners to build collective action addressing economic challenges. America must also help preserve Hong Kong and Taiwan against Communist China's economic and political freedom threats.

In the Middle East, we must prevent ISIS, al-Qaida, and other terrorist groups from creating sanctuaries in Syria and Iraq. We must hold Baghdad accountable for containing and marginalizing the political influence of pro-Iranian militias. We have to prevent Yemen from becoming a terrorist haven or Iranian ally by supporting the Arab coalition's efforts to roll back the Houthi coup and support Egypt's fight against Islamist terrorist groups.

Do you acknowledge humans' role in causing climate change? What steps should government be taking to address the issue?

Even as global CO2 emissions have gotten higher, warming has leveled out. Most scientists would agree that the Earth has experienced some warming over the past century, but there is very little agreement on how much is caused by human activity or if warming is even harmful. Congress should pursue practical policies to drive innovation and advances in environmental protection. The most significant improvements in clean energy use and energy efficiency have not come about because of government command and control. Instead, these advances have unfolded due to deregulation, open markets, and greater degrees of dynamic trade.

Please define your position on health care reform, especially as it relates to the Affordable Care Act.

We need to find a way to deliver these services that will be cost-effective and serve the most people. Health care reform should include moving the resources and regulatory control to the states, guaranteeing protections for the poor and those with preexisting conditions, and giving individuals more affordable health plan options. The ACA has failed to reduce insurance costs, increase choice, or bend the cost curve down because it depends on a centralized, top-down approach insulated from the real-life problems most Americans face in health care.