Bartlett has called for the closure of the Guantanamo Bay detention facility. Following a March 2010 visit to the base, Lisa Wright, Bartlett's spokeswoman, said that Bartlett "believes that keeping Guantanamo open inflicts more harm on United States national security and our ability to defeat terrorist organizations such as al-Qaeda." Bartlett does believe a substitute prison should be in place before the site is shuttered.

Bartlett has also come out against reauthorizing the USA Patriot Act, on grounds that he is "unwilling to support broad-ranging new powers without checks and balances that could forever erode our citizens' civil liberties under our Constitution."

Bartlett had pushed for an investigation into the FBI's handling of the 2001 anthrax attacks, which were initially pinned on a military researcher based in Bartlett's district.

In February 2011, a National Research Council committee announced that the FBI's conclusions in the case were not entirely supported by science. "What I find most troubling is that the Academies noted that the FBI failed to investigate and rule out other possible sources. I believe that this report validates criticism that the FBI was not warranted in their aggressive pressure targeting researchers at America's finest biodefense laboratory," Bartlett said about the Fort Detrick facility at which the anthrax strain is believed to be created.

Stem-Cell Research

An anti-abortion rights Republican, Bartlett wants to find a way to use stem cells for medical means without destroying embryos. In 2006, Bartlett opposed a bill expanding research on embryonic stem cells (vetoed by President Bush) while supporting a failed bill that would have funded research exclusively on adult stem cells.

After President Obama's March 2009 executive order allowed federal funding for embryonic stem-cell research, Bartlett released a statement saying he opposed the decision, instead pushing to "pursue non-destructive ethical embryonic stem-cell research."

The Economy

Bartlett voted against both versions of the fall 2008 $700 billion financial bailout. Though he supported parts of the final package, including increasing Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation coverage and shifts in the alternative minimum tax, he said the package put too much burden on taxpayers. In response to the bailout, he introduced a 2008 bill that would have the FDIC insure an unlimited amount of money. The bill garnered no co-sponsors.

Bartlett was the only "no" vote in the Maryland House delegation against the $787 billion economic stimulus that was enacted in February 2009. He claimed the package fulfilled "the wish of liberals to expand government spending and control over Americans' lives and their hard-earned money."

Energy

Bartlett has been a proponent of energy-policy reforms that would address climate change, though has generally opposed measures that would add potential costs to American businesses.

In June 2009, Bartlett opposed a bill that would've set up a cap-and-trade system on carbon emissions, saying he couldn't vote for a "tax increase." While Bartlett acknowledges that the usage of fossil fuels has affected climate change, he said engergy policy should focus on weaning the U.S. from dependence on foreign oil instead.

Bartlett has also called for federal funding to form a national smart-power grid to help protect it against potential attacks or solar storms.

Health-Care Reform

Bartlett's opposition to the 2010 health-care reform bill included criticism that it would threaten health-care programs for members of the military and their families.

Show less