Political positions of Brian Schweitzer

Abortion

The National Abortion Rights Action League (NARAL) has described Schweitzer as "pro-choice." In the 2004 National Political Awareness Test, Schweitzer said he supported upholding "the Supreme Court's decision that protects a woman's right to choose and make private health decisions with her doctor." In 2011, as governor of Montana, he vetoed a bill enacted by the state legislature that would have criminalized abortion.

Defense and foreign policy

Schweitzer has said he opposed the Iraq War and believes the United States should not be the "world's policeman." Schweitzer has called for the United States to pursue a more moderate agenda in the Middle East, stating that the government of Iran is motivated to pursue nuclear weapons partly as a result of U.S. cooperation with Saudi Arabia.

Schweitzer has occasionally criticized the foreign policy of the Barack Obama administration and its members, describing the president as being "okay transferring them [taxpayer funds] into the military-industrial complex's pockets," and characterizing Obama as similar to Woodrow Wilson whom he derisively called "the last really big Democratic corporatist." During a series of speeches in 2013, CNN reported that Schweitzer "repeatedly chided" U.S. Senate Democrats, implicitly including former Senator Hillary Clinton, for supporting the Iraq war resolution and called on Democrats to "keep the Iraq war vote in mind" when nominating a presidential candidate in 2016.

Domestic surveillance

Schweitzer has characterized National Security Agency domestic surveillance programs as "illegal" and has called for clemency for accused whistleblower Edward Snowden.

Marijuana

As governor of Montana, Schweitzer vetoed legislation that would have repealed Montana's 2004 legalization of medicinal marijuana by dramatically setting the bill's numeric designation on fire in front of the capitol with a branding iron cast with the word "VETO."

Energy and environment

Schweitzer has been strongly supportive of the proposed Keystone XL pipeline project, which is opposed by environmentalists and some Democrats. In 2012 Schweitzer said, in reference to members of the Congress who oppose the project that, "these jackasses that are complaining about the Keystone pipeline in Washington, D.C., one year ago wouldn't have even known where the Keystone was." At the same time he criticized Republicans for only taking up support of the project after it gained media attention. Schweitzer has also advocated expanding domestic coal production and exports.

Schweitzer has said he supports energy independence but opposes what he describes as a "single-answer proposition" reliant on increased oil drilling. During the 2008 Democratic National Convention, Schweitzer said "we can't simply drill our way to energy independence." He has said he supports efforts to transition 25-percent of the U.S.' energy production to renewable sources by the year 2025.

Gun laws

Schweitzer has been an outspoken opponent of firearms regulation and has summarized his position on gun control as "you control yours, I'll control mine." Asked in 2006 how many firearms he personally owns he said "more than I need, but less than I want." As governor of Montana, Schweitzer displayed a firearm in his office, despite a weapons ban on the grounds of the Montana State Capitol.

In 2008 Schweitzer received an "A" rating from the National Rifle Association. While governor of Montana, in 2011, Schweitzer signed into law several pieces of legislation described by the NRA as "pro-gun bills," legalizing the use of a flash suppressor and restricting the authority of the state game department to regulate the types of ammunition used in hunting. Schweitzer did, however, veto a bill that would have allowed concealed carry of firearms without a permit.

Healthcare

Schweitzer has stated his opposition to the Obama administration's Affordable Care Act, describing it as a "corporatist" policy. In a 2014 interview with MSNBC, Schweitzer said, "I suppose I’m a Democrat, and I ought to roll over like a fat dog and get scratched by the pharmaceutical and insurance companies because, gee, we have to apologize for so-called Obamacare. I’m not going to apologize a damn bit.” Schweitzer has said that, instead of "Obamacare," he supports expanding Medicare eligibility to all persons, instead of only those 65 years of age and older as under the current system. Under his proposal, persons not eligible for private health insurance would be able to pay to enroll in Medicare. He has presented his plan as a simpler alternative to "Obamacare," saying it could "fit on the back of an envelope."

During his time as governor of Montana, he moved to implement a form of single payer health insurance on a state level but was unable to make significant headway.

Same-sex marriage

Schweitzer has been guarded in comments on the issue of same-sex marriage to the point that even close observers have been unclear on his opinion. When asked directly by a reporter from The Daily Beast in 2013 as to his position on the issue, Schweitzer responded "I believe that two people who love each other ought to be legally married ... given the opportunity to support people of the same gender getting married, I do."

Taxation

Schweitzer has said he opposes proposals to replace the current U.S. income tax with a flat tax.