“I am strongly opposed to H.R. 800, the so-called Employee Free Choice Act of 2007. Not only is the bill’s title deceptive, the enactment of such an ill-conceived legislative measure would be a gross deception to the hard working Americans who would fall victim to it.” (Sen. John McCain, Congressional Record, June 26, 2007.)

General

Sen. McCain is a fiscal conservative who focuses on national security and immigration issues. At times, Sen. McCain operates as a maverick within his own party.

Positions on Legislation

Sen. McCain was among 16 Republicans to back the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) in 1993. However, Sen. McCain has questioned Democratic proposals to expand the FMLA on the ground that such proposals constitute an “unfunded liability” for businesses. McCain has consistently opposed increases in the minimum wage.        

As indicated above, Sen. McCain strongly opposes the Employee Free Choice Act of 2007, which would require employers to recognize bargaining units. … Sen. McCain also opposes the Employee Non-Discrimination Act, which he believes could “open a floodgate of litigation.”

For many years, Sen. McCain has advocated a guest worker program in the United States, as well as a path to citizenship for undocumented workers already here. After the failure of the most recent immigration reform bill, which he sponsored, Sen. McCain now says that he “got the message” and will secure the border first before moving onto any kind of employment-related immigration changes.

In the healthcare area, Sen. McCain focuses on reducing costs as the solution for more affordable care, using market mechanisms and competition as well as a renewed focus on preventative medicine. Sen. McCain would allow states to experiment with alternative forms of access and insurance. Sen. McCain also advocates expanding insurance coverage through tax incentives rather than expanding government programs. Sen. McCain also seeks to rely upon wireless and paperless technology innovation to save money and lives.