Abortion In December 2014, Brattin proposed legislation that would require women seeking
abortions in Missouri to obtain written consent from the father of the fetus, except in cases of "legitimate rape." Brattin cited his own recent
vasectomy as his inspiration for the legislation.
Drones In 2025, Brattin sponsored legislation to ban law enforcement agencies from purchasing Chinese drones. Representatives from the Law Enforcement Drone Association and first responder groups opposed the bill. Testimonies ranged from accusations that the bill serves lobbyists for American drone manufacturers to detailed explanations on the security measures for drone operations.
Education In 2013, Brattin sponsored legislation that would afford equal treatment in textbooks for
intelligent design and
evolution. In January 2017, Brattin proposed a bill to end
tenure in public universities in Missouri. The bill would also "require public colleges to publish estimated costs of degrees, employment opportunities expected for graduates, average salaries of previous graduates, and a summary of the job market, among other things."
Election In 2025, Brattin sponsored a bill to increase
Secretary of State authority in crafting ballot language. The previous year, a judge struck down
Jay Ashcroft's description of a voter-initiated petition following a lawsuit from the drafters.
The Labor Tribune described the bill as the "Let Politicians Lie Act."
Free speech In 2015, in response to a protest by the University of Missouri football team related to campus discrimination, Brattin proposed a bill that would strip a college athlete of their scholarship if the athlete "calls, incites, supports or participates in any strike or concerted refusal to play a scheduled game." In 2021, the state senator proposed a bill that would target unlawful assemblies, including the use of deadly force against protesters on private property.
Homosexuality In 2017, Brattin made a statement on the Missouri House floor that "When you look at the tenets of religion, of the Bible, of the Qur’an, of other religions, there is a distinction between homosexuality and just being a human being."
The Kansas City Star called his position intolerant and said in an editorial, "The statement, made on the Missouri House floor, was deplorable. It betrayed a stunning lack of understanding of theology and self-government: The Constitution protects all Americans from the tyranny of any single faith-based approach to secular law."
Medicaid In 2024, Brattin participated in a 25 hour filibuster of taxes necessary to fund
Medicaid, citing his concerns about abortion, which is already illegal in Missouri. Republicans
Lincoln Hough and
Mike Parson described the act as "pathetic political gamesmanship" and "deliberate dysfunction."
Paid sick leave In 2025, Brattin gave testimony against a
voter initiative for guaranteed paid
sick leave passed the previous year. In his speech, he argued against
direct democracy, saying that voters did not have "skin in the game" or understand business bottom line.
Religious freedom In 2025, Brattin interrupted a minister's testimony and cut time to other religious leaders who described a bill requiring the display of the
Ten Commandments in schools as government overreach.
Stadium funding In 2025, Brattin voted in favor of $1.5 billion in tax incentives for the Kansas City stadium deal. The vote was opposed by current and former members of the Missouri Freedom Caucus, who criticized the deal as a “handout to billionaire sports team owners.” Brattin's vote was secured based on an added provision related to local property taxes. Brattin stepped down as chair of the Freedom Caucus a few days after.
Welfare In February 2015, Brattin introduced Missouri House Bill 813, reading "A recipient of supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits shall not use such benefits to purchase cookies, chips, energy drinks, soft drinks, seafood, or steak." == Defamation lawsuit ==