Editing Chris Shays (section)

==Voting record==
Shays is a moderate Republican.<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=How Greenwich Republicans Learned to Love Trump|url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2020/05/11/how-greenwich-republicans-learned-to-love-trump|last=Osnos|first=Evan|magazine=The New Yorker|date=April 30, 2020|language=en|access-date=2020-05-12}}</ref><ref name="USNewsMay" /> From 1990 onward, Shays voted with the Republican majority 76.8% of the time, voted with the Democratic majority 57.9% of the time and missed 2.5% of the votes.<ref>{{cite web|title=US Congressman Christopher Shays|url=http://www.thepoliticalguide.com/Profiles/House/Connecticut/Christopher_Shays|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130322164623/http://www.thepoliticalguide.com/Profiles/House/Connecticut/Christopher_Shays/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=March 22, 2013|work=Th Political Guide|access-date=28 January 2012}}</ref> A ''[[U.S. News & World Report]]'' analysis of Shays' voting record found that he is a [[Moderate (politics)|moderate]], having voted historically more often with [[Modern liberalism in the United States|liberals]] than with [[Conservatism in the United States|conservatives]], although it noted he voted with Congressional Republicans 80% of the time in 2002.<ref name=USNewsMay>Halloran, Liz. [https://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/060529/29shays.htm One Fierce Nor'easter.] ''[[U.S. News & World Report]]'' May 29, 2006.</ref>

Shays is labeled by his supporters as a "maverick"<ref name=Maverick>Keating, Christopher. "Rep. Shays Facing His Toughest Race in 17 Years; Incumbent's Maverick Image Concerns Fellow Republicans". ''[[Hartford Courant]]''. Sep 13, 2004. pg. B.1</ref> and "independent thinker", while conservative detractors regard him as a RINO ("[[Republican In Name Only]]").<ref name=OutofStep>Buck, Rinker. [http://www.courant.com/news/local/northeast/hc-ne-shays0611,0,2874612.story?coll=hc-northeast-top Out Of Step.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060919075439/http://www.courant.com/news/local/northeast/hc-ne-shays0611%2C0%2C2874612.story?coll=hc-northeast-top |date=2006-09-19 }} ''[[The Hartford Courant]]'' June 11, 2006.</ref> He and [[Marty Meehan]] were the lead sponsors of the House version of the [[Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act]], which President [[George W. Bush]] signed into law in 2002.<ref>{{Cite web |title=H.R.2356 - 107th Congress (2001-2002): Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 {{!}} Congress.gov {{!}} Library of Congress |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/107th-congress/house-bill/2356 |access-date=2023-06-05 |website=[[Congress.gov]]}}</ref> Shays is [[pro-choice]] on [[abortion]] but voted for the [[Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act]]. Shays was endorsed by the [[Brady Campaign]] for his support for [[gun control]] and was one of only six Republicans to vote against banning lawsuits against gun manufacturers and distributors in 2005.<ref>Project VoteSmart. [http://www.vote-smart.org/issue_rating_category.php?can_id=H0681103&type=category&category=Gun%20Issues Representative Christopher H. Shays (CT): Gun Issues.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061012051238/http://www.vote-smart.org/issue_rating_category.php?can_id=H0681103&type=category&category=Gun%20Issues |date=2006-10-12 }} Retrieved October 9, 2005.</ref> Despite having voted in favor of the [[Defense of Marriage Act]] in 1996, Shays voted against the [[Federal Marriage Amendment]] in both 2004 and 2006 that would constitutionally ban [[Same-sex marriage in the United States|same-sex marriage]], and co-sponsored a bill to overturn the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy that prohibited [[LGBT]] troops from serving openly. He was one of the few Republicans to oppose amending the [[United States Constitution|Constitution]] to ban flag-burning. In 1999 he was one of 20 Republicans to vote against an ultimately failed bill to ban physician-assisted suicide. Shays has long been known for environmental regulations,<ref name=Issues>Congressman Christopher Shays. [https://web.archive.org/web/20061028223426/http://www.house.gov/shays/issues/index.htm On The Issues.] Archive of House.gov from October 28, 2006.</ref> and was endorsed in the past by the [[League of Conservation Voters]].<ref>D'Arcy, Janice. 4th District House Race Gains Attention. ''[[Hartford Courant]]'' July 15, 2004. pg. A.17</ref> He also advocates humane treatment of animals<ref>Congressman Christopher Shays.[http://www.house.gov/shays/issues/animal/index.htm On the Issues: Animal Welfare.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061012052212/http://www.house.gov/shays/issues/animal/index.htm |date=2006-10-12 }} House.gov. Retrieved October 9, 2006.</ref> and ending discrimination in the workplace.<ref>Barr, Stephen. "House Bill Would Offer Domestic Partner Benefits to Unmarried Workers". ''[[The Washington Post]]''. July 18, 2005. pg. B.02</ref> Shays was also one of only four Republicans to vote against all four articles of impeachment against President [[Bill Clinton]].

In April 2005, he broke with most of his party over House Majority Leader [[Tom DeLay]]'s alleged ethics violations. January 2011, DeLay was convicted of money laundering and sentenced to three years in prison but was freed on bail while appealing his conviction. His comments in 2005 made Shays the first Republican to say DeLay should step down from the Majority Leader post. He fought to maintain the Republican Party rule that requires an indicted leader to step down — the rule that ultimately resulted in Tom DeLay's resignation. Shays stated that he should resign, saying, "Tom's conduct is hurting the Republican Party, is hurting this Republican majority and it is hurting any Republican who is up for re-election."<ref>[[Associated Press]]. [https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna7453969 Pressure builds on DeLay.] ''[[NBC News]]'' April 11, 2005.</ref>

Shays is a member of or supported by the [[Republican Main Street Partnership]],<ref>OnTheIssues.org. [http://www.issues2000.org/House/Christopher_Shays_Principles_+_Values.htm Christopher Shays on Principles & Values.] Retrieved October 10, 2006.</ref> The [[Republican Majority for Choice]],<ref>[http://www.shaysforcongress.org/Endorsements/default.aspx Christopher Shays Endorsements.] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061101203407/http://www.shaysforcongress.org/Endorsements/default.aspx |date=November 1, 2006 }} Retrieved October 10, 2006.</ref> [[Republicans for Environmental Protection]],<ref>Congressman Christopher Shays. [http://www.house.gov/shays/news/2006/june/juneglobalwarming.htm Shays, Leader on Environmental Issues, Comments on Global Warming Report.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061002003536/http://www.house.gov/shays/news/2006/june/juneglobalwarming.htm |date=2006-10-02 }} Retrieved October 10, 2006.</ref> It's My Party Too,<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20061117155717/http://www.mypartytoo.com/advisory_board/Chris_Shays/ Advisory Board — Christopher Shays.]}} Retrieved October 10, 2006.</ref> and the [[Congressional Wildlife Refuge Caucus]].

===Views on Iraq===
Shays voted in favor of the 2003 congressional resolution authorizing the use of force in Iraq. In 2003, he was the first U.S. Congressman to visit [[Iraq]] after the outbreak of war and he has traveled to Iraq 21 times overall, more than any other U.S. legislator.<ref>Associated Press "Rep. Shays Calls for Iraq Withdrawal Time Frame" 24 August 2006</ref><ref>http://www.wartimecontracting.gov/index.php/about/commissioners/shays Wartimecontracting.gov</ref>

From 2003 until August 24, 2006, Shays was a "stalwart supporter" of the [[War in Iraq]], and of a continued U.S. military presence there.<ref name=Hernandez>Hernandez, Raymond. [https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F10914FC355A0C728FDDA10894DE404482 Congressman Shifts to Favor Iraq Timetable.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070515185827/http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F10914FC355A0C728FDDA10894DE404482 |date=2007-05-15 }} ''[[The New York Times]]'' August 31, 2006.</ref><ref>"Since U.S. forces attacked in 2003, Rep. Christopher Shays, a moderate Republican from Connecticut's liberal 4th District, has been a stalwart defender of the Iraq war. 'I've been carrying the bucket when it comes to the war,' Shays said in September. But facing an antiwar Democratic opponent in a tough midterm election race, Shays is starting to express reservations. " The Nation; Republicans in Blue States Rethink Iraq; Some conservative defenders of the war, facing opinion polls and antiwar challengers in November, are now talking withdrawal, Los Angeles Times, August 26, 2006 Saturday, Home Edition, Main News; National Desk; Part A; Pg. 12, 931 words, Johanna Neuman, Times Staff Writer, Washington</ref> Shays has faced a continued political challenge to his views in a district where recent polls show a solid majority of voters disapprove of the 2003 US decision to invade Iraq.<ref>University of Connecticut CSRA poll. [http://news.uconn.edu/2006/October/rel06086.html Shays Leads Farrell in Connecticut's 4th District.] October 2, 2006.</ref>
[[File:Connecticut Congressman Visits Iraq DVIDS33764.jpg|thumbnail|Shays visited troops in Iraq 21 times between 2003 and 2009]]

On April 10, 2003, Shays told the ''[[Connecticut Post]]'' that "'The successes to date are extraordinary. The war plan has been nearly flawless. Now we need to make sure the peace plan rises to the same level,' Shays said. 'If we are able to help them form a government quickly, we will be viewed as liberators. If we are there too long, we will be viewed basically as conquerors.'" <ref>Urban, Peter "Great progress,' but caution urged." Connecticut Post. April 10, 2003. "Rep. Christopher Shays, R-4, said the fall of Baghdad is 'obviously a healthy sign' but also cautioned that American and coalition forces are still at risk and the task of establishing a permanent peace remains. 'The successes to date are extraordinary. The war plan has been nearly flawless. Now we need to make sure the peace plan rises to the same level,' Shays said. 'If we are able to help them form a government quickly, we will be viewed as liberators. If we are there too long, we will be viewed basically as conquerors.'"</ref> On August 19, 2004, Shays told reporters, "We're on the right track now."<ref>"I think he [The President] has to be willing to be very candid about the mistakes we made in Iraq [to be reelected], disbanding the army, the military and the police, having — not having the State Department not being more culturally sensitive. But we're on the right track now. And, you know, you're allowed to make a few mistakes when you make these big decisions.
"Al-Sadr Standoff; Bush Prepping for Convention; Interview With Congressman Christopher Shays, CNN, News from [[CNN]] 12:00, August 19, 2004 Thursday, Transcript # 081901CN.V95, News; Domestic, International, 7438 words, Don Shepperd, Christopher Shays, Robin Wright, Jeffrey Gettleman, Wolf Blitzer, Matthew Chance, Elaine Quijano, Christopher Darden</ref> On June 24, 2005, Shays said "We've seen amazing progress [in Iraq]."<ref>President Bush to Address Nation, CNN, Show: Inside Politics  3:30 PM EST, June 24, 2005 Friday, News; International, 8635 words, Dana Bash, Suzanne Malveaux, Kristy Feig, Jamie McIntyre, Abbi Tatton, Jacki Schechner, Bill Schneider</ref> On July 27, 2005, Shays said on a local radio program that he was optimistic about the future of Iraq, and that he opposed any timetable for troop withdrawal.<ref>Video Monitoring Services of America SHOW: The Brad Davis Show July 27, 2005, Wednesday 08:00–10:00 ET Network: WDRC-AM MediumEDIUM: Radio TYPE: Local Radio</ref> On June 11, 2006 Shays told the ''[[Hartford Courant]]'' that his position on the war was a matter of principle and he was not going to stop talking about it.<ref name=OutofStep/>

On October 11, 2006, at a debate Shays sparked outrage from critics with comments about the ''[[Abu Ghraib torture and prisoner abuse]]'' scandal. "Now I've seen what happened in Abu Ghraib, and Abu Ghraib was not torture. It was outrageous, outrageous involvement of National Guard troops from [Maryland] who were involved in a sex ring and they took pictures of soldiers who were naked, and they did other things that were just outrageous. But it wasn't torture."<ref name=Abu_Ghraib>Shays stands by controversial comment about Abu Ghraib prison.[http://www.connpost.com/news/ci_4492921 ConnPost.com]{{dead link|date=August 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

Upon returning from an August 2006 Iraq trip, Shays became the first Congressional Republican to call for a timetable for withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq.<ref name=Hernandez/> Shays said he was still a supporter of the war, but supported a timetable in order to "encourage some political will on the part of Iraqis".<ref name=Asthana>Asthana, Anushka. [https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/24/AR2006082401631.html Shays Urges Iraq Withdrawal.] ''[[The Washington Post]]'' August 25, 2006; Page A03.</ref>

Shays has staunchly disputed media claims that he has flip-flopped his position on Iraq.<ref name=Clift>Clift, Eleanor "Will Voters Buy Shays's Iraq Reversal?" Newsweek. September 16, 2006.</ref> "I am not distancing myself from the President," he told the Los Angeles Times on August 25, 2006.<ref>"I'm not distancing myself from the president," he [Shays] said. "I believe this is a war we have to win. The people fighting this war are doing the Lord's work." The Nation; Republicans in Blue States Rethink Iraq; Some conservative defenders of the war, facing opinion polls and antiwar challengers in November, are now talking withdrawal, Los Angeles Times, August 26, 2006 Saturday, Home Edition, Main NewsA; National Desk; Part A; Pg. 12, 931 words, Johanna Neuman, Times Staff Writer, Washington</ref> That same day, he told other reporters, "I totally support the war," and Shays supported the President's decision to deploy more than 20,000 additional United States combat troops to Iraq on February 17, 2007, when he voted in favor of the surge.<ref>"Rep. Christopher Shays (R), Connecticut: Let me just be very clear.

First, I totally support the war in Iraq. I believe we have to be engaged militarily, economically, politically 100 percent. I believe it would be an absolutely outrage if we left Iraq right now or prematurely. We would simply — I'm getting talk — people are talking in the background, guys." Iran Nuclear Showdown; War on 'Fascism'; Interview With Congressman Christopher Shays; Storms Strike Both Coasts; New Therapy Promising for Skin Cancer, CNN, Show: The Situation Room 5:00 PM EST, August 31, 2006 Thursday, News; International, 7482 words, John King, Aneesh Raman, Suzanne Malveaux, Jack Cafferty, Zain Verjee, Reynolds Wolf, Anderson Burns, Sanjay Gupta, Jacki Schechner</ref>

On February 16, 2007, Shays voted against H. Con. Res. 63 (which disapproved of increasing troop levels in Iraq),<ref>[http://clerk.house.gov/cgi-bin/vote.asp?year=2007&rollnumber=99 House.gov]</ref> claiming that "The resolution sends the wrong message to the President, to our troops, and to our enemies" <ref>[http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getpage.cgi?dbname=2007_record&page=H1637&position=all GPO.gov]</ref>
On July 13, 2007 Shays called on Congress to approve withdrawing virtually all American troops from Iraq by December 2008. "I believe we need a timeline. I believe the president's wrong," said Shays. Shays' latest plan marks the first time he has specified dates.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.courant.com/2012/07/14/shays-battling-big-money-long-odds/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120723000046/http://articles.courant.com/2012-07-14/news/hc-shays-gop-0715-20120714_1_democrat-jim-himes-linda-mcmahon-larry-king-live|url-status=live|title=Shays Battling Big Money, Long Odds - Hartford Courant|date=July 23, 2012|archive-date=July 23, 2012|website=archive.is|access-date=January 13, 2019}}</ref> On April 13, 2008, Shays defended President Bush's Iraq policy to a town meeting in his home district, telling them, "I support the President on Iraq."<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://archive.today/20090501142830/http://www.acorn-online.com/news/publish/weston/Environment-energy-initiatives-are-important_printer.shtml Acorn-online.com]}}</ref>