Barton describes himself as "a constant defender of conservative ideals and values". He advocates for deregulation of the electricity and natural gas industries, and serves as vice-chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committees. He denies that manmade carbon emissions have contributed to global warming, is a proponent of the use of fossil fuels, voted in favor of the May 2017 GOP plan to replace Obamacare, supported President Donald Trump's ban on immigration from certain predominantly Muslim nations, and supports the death penalty for persons caught spying. Barton led a successful effort to repeal the oil export ban in the House in 2017. His environmental record of defending industries against tighter pollution controls earned him the nickname "Smokey Joe."