Thomas Laehn

Where Laehn stands

Grouped by topic by Vote Book; headings and quoted words are the candidate’s own, with the source under each one. “As reported” items are a news outlet’s description, not an exact quote.

Immigration & border

What changes would you make to the federal immigration enforcement practices to ensure all residents are treated with dignity, civilian’s constitutional rights are protected, and people’s rights to free speech, assembly, and civic participation are not violated?

Congress has wholly abdicated its constitutional duty to oversee our nation's immigration system. The Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment protects the rights of all persons in the United States, regardless of their citizenship status. Congress needs to enact legislation (1) requiring all federal agents to obtain a judicially authorized warrant before entering a person's home; (2) establishing robust procedural guarantees for those subject to enforcement actions, including the right to counsel, the right to a bond hearing, and the right not to be detained indefinitely; and (3) ending third-country deportations.

Education

What will you do to combat the underlying issues driving the inflation rate such as the rising costs of housing, childcare, energy, and groceries?

I will vote (1) to cut off funding for the war in Iran, which is raising fuel prices (and, in turn, increasing costs across the board); (2) to end Trump's debunked protectionist trade policies, to restore Congress's authority over tariffs, and to promote global free trade; and (3) to add a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution, thereby getting congressional spending (and deficit-driven money creation) under control.

Farms & rural

How do you see Congress fulfilling its constitutionally mandated role as a check on the President and Executive Branch’s power and what additional steps will you propose?

Congress isn't fulfilling its constitutionally mandated role as a check on the president; in fact, members of Congress of both parties have wholly abdicated their constitutional responsibilities. Presidents are making war without a declaration of war from Congress, entering into international agreements without Senate ratification, and making laws via executive order. The problem is that members of Congress are content to let the president govern while they focus on raising money, engaging in pork barrel politics, providing constituency service, and - in general - doing the things that will help them get reelected. The only way to fix the constitutional imbalance is to amend the Constitution to subject members of Congress to term limits.

Elections, ethics & government

What are the top three challenges facing our country today and what do you propose to address them?

(1) Corruption. Our constitutional system has been corrupted by unlimited corporate spending in our elections. When I am elected, I will introduce legislation overturning Citizens United. (2) Inflation. We need to end the unconstitutional war in Iran that is raising our gas prices; pass legislation eliminating Trump's tariffs, which are projected to cost Americans an average of $2,500 per family in 2026 alone; and pass a balanced budget amendment to get congressional spending under control. (3) The undeclared war in Iran. When I am elected to the Senate, I will work tirelessly to restore the war making power to the legislative branch and will vote to cut off funding for any war not expressly authorized by Congress.

What three Congressional actions will you support to protect, preserve, and enhance America’s democracy and why?

As a third-party candidate, I am not running against my Democratic and Republican opponents; rather, I am running against the two-party system itself. The two major parties have corrupted our democracy. Every two years, voters are forced to choose between the lesser of two evils, and candidates can avoid responding to the actual needs of their constituents so long as they successfully vilify their opponents. Then, once in office, members of Congress are beholden to the PACs that funded their campaigns. Congress needs (1) to eliminate the privileges they have granted the two major parties (e.g., reduced postage rates); (2) to pass a constitutional amendment subjecting members of Congress to term limits; and (3) to overturn Citizens United.