Walz advocated for the legalization of recreational cannabis as governor of Minnesota.[74][75][76] As a candidate for governor in 2017, he said: “We have an opportunity in Minnesota to replace the current failed policy with one that creates tax revenue, grows jobs, builds opportunities for Minnesotans, protects Minnesota kids, and trusts adults to make personal decisions based on their personal freedoms.”[77] In 2022, he proposed the creation of a Cannabis Management Office to develop and implement the “regulatory framework for adult-use cannabis” in Minnesota.[78][79] On May 30, 2023, he signed into law House File 100 to legalize recreational cannabis in Minnesota, which went into effect on August 1, 2023.[80][81]
Economic issues
During the economic crisis in 2008, Walz repeatedly spoke out against using taxpayer money to bail out financial institutions; in late September, he voted against the $700 billion TARP bill, which purchased troubled assets from these institutions.[82] Walz released a statement after the bill’s passage, saying, “The bill we voted on today passes the buck when it comes to recouping the losses taxpayers might suffer. I also regret that this bill does not do enough to help average homeowners, or provide sufficient oversight of Wall Street.”[83] For the same reasons, in December 2008, he voted against the bill that offered $14 billion in government loans to bail out the country’s large automobile manufacturers.[84] In June 2009 Walz introduced a bipartisan resolution calling on the federal government to “relinquish its temporary ownership interests in the General Motors Company and the Chrysler Group, LLC, as soon as possible” and stated that the government must not be involved in those companies’ management decisions.[85]
Despite his votes against bailout bills that loaned taxpayer money to large banks and auto manufacturers, Walz did vote with his Democratic colleagues to support the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. As a member of the House Transportation Committee, Walz saw the stimulus bill as an opportunity to work “with his congressional colleagues to make job creation through investment in public infrastructure like roads, bridges and clean energy the cornerstone of the economic recovery plan”.[86] Walz has focused heavily on job and economic issues important to his southern Minnesota district, which has a mix of larger employers like the Mayo Clinic along with small businesses and agricultural interests. In July 2009, he voted for the Enhancing Small Business Research and Innovation Act, which he described as “part of our long-term economic blueprint to spur job creation by encouraging America’s entrepreneurs to innovate toward breakthrough technological advancements”.[87][88] Walz also urged assistance for hog and dairy farmers who struggled with lower prices for their commodities in 2008 and 2009.[89]
Education
Walz was a public school teacher for 20 years. He opposes using merit pay for teachers.[90] Voting in favor of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Walz pointed to its strong provisions in support of public school buildings.[91][92] He is on record supporting legislation to lower tuition costs.[93] In a February 12, 2009 speech, he said that the most important thing to do “to ensure a solid base for [America’s] economic future … is to provide the best education possible for [American] children.”[94] Walz has received strong backing for these policies from many interest groups, including the National Education Association, the American Association of University Women and the National Association of Elementary School Principals.[95]
Guns
While in Congress, Walz was a strong supporter of gun rights and was endorsed by the NRA Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) multiple times, receiving an A grade from the organization.[96][97] Following the Parkland high school shooting in 2018, he denounced the NRA in a Star Tribune opinion piece, and announced that he would donate the equivalent of all of the campaign contributions the NRA-PVF had given him—$18,000—to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund.[98] As governor, Walz expressed support for gun regulation.[99] In 2023, he signed into law a public safety bill that establishes universal background checks and red-flag laws in Minnesota.[100]
LGBT rights
Walz supports LGBTQ rights, including federal anti-discrimination laws on the basis of sexual orientation.[90] In a 2009 speech, he called for an end to the Don’t ask, don’t tell policy. Walz voted in favor of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act and the Sexual Orientation Employment Nondiscrimination Act. In 2007, he received a 90% grade from the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest LGBT rights organization.[42] In 2011, Walz announced his support for the Respect for Marriage Act.[101] As governor, Walz has signed a number of bills that support the LGBTQ community. In 2023, he signed a bill that banned the practice of conversion therapy and another that protected gender-affirming care in Minnesota.[102]
Israel–Hamas war
Walz condemned Hamas’s October 7 attacks in Israel and ordered flags to be lowered to half mast in the following days. After the 2024 Minnesota Democratic presidential primary, in which 19% of voters cast “uncommitted” ballots, Walz took a sympathetic view toward those doing so to protest President Biden’s handling of the war in Gaza, calling them “civically engaged”.
Of the protests against U.S. funding of the war in Gaza, Walz said: “This issue is a humanitarian crisis. They have every right to be heard… These folks are asking for a change in course, they’re asking for more pressure to be put on… You can hold competing things: that Israel has the right to defend itself, and the atrocities of October 7 are unacceptable, but Palestinian civilians being caught in this… has got to end.” Walz also said he supports a ceasefire in Gaza.[103]
Veterans’ issues
Having served 24 years in the Army National Guard, as a freshman in Congress Walz was given a rare third committee membership when he was assigned to the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.[104] Walz has championed enhanced veterans benefits since taking office in 2007. In May of that year, the House unanimously passed his “Traumatic Brain Injuries Center Act” to set up five centers around the nation to study traumatic brain injuries and develop improved models for caring for veterans suffering from such injuries.[105]
Walz also supported the GI Bill of 2008, which expanded education benefits for veterans and in some cases allowed them to transfer education benefits to family members.[106] In 2009, Walz gave the keynote address at the American Legion National Convention in Louisville. He spoke about the need for the VA and Department of Defense to work together to make sure that returning service men and women “do not fall through the cracks when they transition to civilian life”.[107]
Walz was the lead House sponsor of the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act, which directs the Veterans Administration to report on veteran mental health care and suicide prevention programs. It also gives the VA permission to provide incentives to psychiatrists who agree to join the VA medical system.[108]
Women’s issues
Walz supports abortion rights,[90] and has a 100% rating from Planned Parenthood.[42] The National Right to Life Committee gave him a rating of zero.[42] In early 2009, Walz voted for the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act.[109]