Center for American Progress Action

RELEASE: ThinkProgress Report Introduces the Extreme Positions of the GOP’s 2010 Freshman Class
Press Release

RELEASE: ThinkProgress Report Introduces the Extreme Positions of the GOP’s 2010 Freshman Class

New Report Details Class’ Extreme Views on Climate Change, Taxes, Immigration, and the Constitution

Following last night’s election, over 100 freshmen Republicans will take their seats in the 112th Congress. These GOPers come from disparate backgrounds, but they are united by their adherence to the extreme wing of conservative ideology.

A new ThinkProgress investigation has found that the incoming GOP freshman class is rife with legislators who not only oppose climate change legislation, but deny that manmade global warming even exists. They are pushing not just to end birthright citizenship, but also demand that the United States reduce the number of legal immigrants.

Here is a snapshot of the GOP Class of 2010’s extremism:

ENVIRONMENT

– 50 percent deny the existence of manmade climate change86 percent are opposed to any climate change legislation that increases government revenue

IMMIGRATION

– 39 percent have already declared their intention to end the 14th Amendment’s guarantee of birthright citizenship32 percent want to reduce legal immigration

TAXES/SPENDING

– 91 percent have sworn to never allow an income tax increase on any individual or business regardless of deficits or war79 percent have pledged to permanently repeal the estate tax48 percent are pushing for a balanced budget amendment

Click here to read the entire post, including details on the extreme positions of each new elected member.

ThinkProgress previously released a separate report, “Extreme Makeover: House Edition,” focusing on the GOP’s would-be chairs of various committees and subcommittees in the House of Representatives. It can be viewed here.

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