Todd Akin (R-Mo.)

Akin also promotes his region's defense industry, particular Boeing that has manufacturing operations in his district.

Social Issues

Akin's religious beliefs have tinged some of his proposed legislation, including bills declaring 2008 as "The National Year of the Bible." He has partnered with churches and synagogues to protect the public display of the Ten Commandments and banned federal courts from ruling on the constitutionality of the Pledge of Allegiance. In 2004, the House passed a version of the Pledge bill protecting the phrase "under God."

Akin and ex-Rep. Gene Taylor (D-Miss.) were the lead signatories of a July 2010 letter expressing disapproval of a potential amendment to the fiscal 2011 defense authorization bill that would allow abortions to be conducted in all military health facilities. The letter was signed by 180 lawmakers and said "Our military facilities should be a place of healing and life-saving. They should not be in the business of destroying the unborn."

Akin has also repeatedly introduced the "Parent's Right to Know Act," which restricts funding to family planning organizations that dispense contraceptives and similar devices without parental consent.

Fiscal Policy

On federal spending, Akin says "more than a mere trimming back on discretionary spending is needed." While Akin sees defense as a "vital, Constitutional responsibility of the federal government," he said many other discretionary spending items are either optional or unconstitutional. He has also called for entitlement program reforms.

While Akin criticized the 2009 stimulus bill for its "whopping price" of $787 billion, he has requested funds allocated by the bill. Responding to why Akin requested funds from a broadband technology program for "underserved, smaller communities throughout Missouri," his spokesman said Akin "thinks it is his responsibility to look at projects based on individual merit." The spokesman explained that the funding request wasn't an endorsement of the total bill.

Health Care

Akin has challenged the 2010 health-care reform bill, saying it is unconstitional. He says individual mandates don't hold up under the Commerce Clause, arguing that the health-care law illegally regulates private behavior.

In 2003, Akin voted against the Republican-backed Medicare prescription drug bill, saying it expands the program without implementing cost controls.

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