The Indiana lawmaker voted against a February 2007 resolution denouncing President Bush's decision to increase troop levels in Iraq by 20,000 soldiers. Souder gave a floor speech saying he didn't "believe that the surge will succeed" and "the President does need to understand that opposition to the surge is not just among Democrats, it is even among his strongest supporters."

War on Drugs

In 1998, Souder criticized the Clinton administration, saying illegal drug use would dramatically decline if the administration shirked its "half-hearted message against drugs" and "approached the problem as if it were fighting a war."

Souder was the original sponsor of a 1998 law that bannefor financial aid for those convicted of possessing or selling illegal drugs.

Four years later, facing criticism that the provisions penalized low-incomeoffenders and minor marijuana users, Souder urged the Education Department to apply the law only in cases when laws are broken while the offender is in college, but the department said they couldn't change the policy without new legislation. In 2005, the law was softened to allow students to regain their right to tuition aid a year after the offense occurred.

Souder has opposed legalizing medical marijuana. As the chairman of the House Drug Policy subcommittee, Souder made statements in support of a 2005 U.S.Supreme Court ruling that said a change in federal laws would have to be approved by Congress.

In 2005, Souder sponsored legislation that sought to restrict sales of cold medicine that could be used in the manufacturing of methamphetamine. It became law in 2006 after it was attached to the USA Patriot Act reauthorization bill.

The Economy

During the 1990s, Souder was a member of the Renewal Alliance, a group of GOP lawmakers who endorsed a dollar-for-dollar tax credit for donations to anti-poverty efforts.

Souder voted in favor of both versions of the $700 billion financial bailout bill in fall 2008, claiming without bolstering financial capital, there would've been a meltdown in lending.

Like all other GOP representatives, Souder voted against the February 2009 economic stimulus plan, saying giving businesses more incentives to invest and increasing tax cuts would have been a better option over just relying on government spending.

Souder, whose district has a heavy auto industry presence, was one of 32 representatives who voted to provide bailout funds to General Motors and Chrysler in December 2008. The Senate rejected the measure, with the auto companies receiving loans from the financial bailout package before going bankrupt and restructuring in 2009.

Homeland Security

In a 2006 speech, Souder said the U.S. must take greater measures to secure its borders before effective discussions on the status of illegal immigrants could occur.

Souder has supported making the presence of illegal immigrants in the U.S. a criminal offense and has endorsed upgrading physical barriers on the U.S.-Mexican border.

Show less