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Sarah Elfreth's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

Office:

On The Ballot: Running, Democratic for U.S. House (MD) - District 3

Key

Official Position: Candidate addressed this issue directly by taking the Political Courage Test.
Inferred Position: Candidate refused to address this issue, but Vote Smart inferred this issue based on the candidate's public record, including statements, voting record, and special interest group endorsements.
Unknown Position: Candidate refused to address this issue, or we could not infer an answer for this candidate despite exhaustive research of their public record.
Additional Information: Click on this icon to reveal more information about this candidate's position, from their answers or Vote Smart's research.
Other or Expanded Principles & Legislative Priorities are entered exactly as candidates submit them. Vote Smart does not edit for misspelled words, punctuation or grammar.
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Issue Positions

For Presidential and Congressional candidates who refuse to provide voters with their positions, Vote Smart has researched their public records to determine their likely responses. These issue positions are from 2024.

  • "In Congress, Sarah will uphold our values by making Roe v Wade the law of the land again and take on extremists who want to enforce a national abortion ban." (elfrethformaryland.com)
  • "I’m so grateful to @PPFA of Maryland for the critical healthcare they provide our community & their fierce advocacy in protecting choice. The General Assembly stands with you in protecting bodily autonomy and expanding healthcare!" (x.com)
  • "Today is the 51st anniversary of Roe v Wade. For more than a generation - including mine - Roe was the law of the land. When SCOTUS struck it down, they struck at our bodily autonomy & freedom to make family, career, & economic decisions. In Congress, I will fight to restore Roe." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of SB 890 "Expands Protections for Abortion Care" (votesmart.org)
  • "Beyond the sunshine and long weekend, we have so much to be grateful for this Labor Day! Weekends, paid sick leave, pensions, health benefits, an end to child labor, social security, the list goes on and on. Thank you, Labor Movement!" (www.facebook.com)
  • "Three cheers for Maryland! Yesterday, Maryland leaders signed a 5-year contract with the federal government to lift federal restrictions on the Medicare program and enact Maryland's Total Cost of Care All-Payer Model. The first-in-the-nation Maryland Model is designed to provide incentives to hospitals to shift the focus to "keeping people healthy and not making more money when more people are coming into the hospitals." The previous all-payer Model, approved in 2014, saved the state around $500 million. The new Maryland Model is expected to save the state around $1 billion over the next five years. If successful, this model could shape how other states shape their health care system ensuring quality health care for all while also saving Maryland taxpayers billions of dollars." (l.facebook.com)
  • "Among them - and of importance to District 30 - is the "Keep Our Heroes Home Act", legislation I’ve worked on for the last five years in one form or another to expand the existing tax exemption for military retirement income." (www.facebook.com)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • "Good morning from the first Anne Arundel County House delegation meeting! Senator Beidle and I joined our House colleagues to hear from County Executive Steuart Pittman about his priorities on investing in schools, affordable housing, campaign finance reform, and more." (www.facebook.com)
  • "Senator Ben Cardin visited Annapolis today for a poke bowl at the beautiful new Annapolis Market House and a great discussion with voters on everything from addressing sea level rise at the City Dock to campaign finance reform. Thank you for visiting, #MyFriendBen!" (www.facebook.com)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • "In order to help alleviate some of the financial burden that our communities are facing, the new stimulus package provides direct payments to working Americans of up to $1,200 per person, plus $500 per qualifying dependent child under the age of 17." (www.facebook.com)
  • "The new law brings Maryland into best practice with 27 other states and ensures that every Marylander has access to high-speed internet by 2026. The Office will conduct a thorough audit of access, affordability, and speed, work with community partners and local governments, and deploy $300 million in recent Federal stimulus money to help jumpstart this initiative." (www.facebook.com)
  • Voted in favor of HB 1486 "Authorizes a Suspension of the Gas Tax" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HB 2 "Authorizes Subtraction Modification on State Income Tax for Certain Union Dues" (votesmart.org)
  • "Grateful to be a part of The NewDEAL, a group of pragmatic, productive Democrats, and join colleagues from around the nation for our annual Ideas Summit earlier this week in Detroit. Bringing home fresh ideas to tackle transit oriented development, energy storage, affordable housing, and more!" (www.facebook.com)
  • "Great to catch up with AAMC / @LuminisHealthleaders at this morning’s @aaacochamber breakfast and to hear from business leaders about affordable housing, transportation, & education priorities. Excited to continue working with local businesses this session and beyond!" (x.com)
  • "I shared with the group that, although many of us are new, the General Assembly is committed to building the infrastructure - great schools, smart transportation, affordable housing, a healthy Bay - that strengthens our economy and makes Maryland the best place to raise a family." (www.facebook.com)
  • "Proud to add my name as a cosponsor to a number of the Governor’s bills today, including legislation to: invest in affordable housing, increase transparency in permitting, expand support to victims of crimes, & create a Center for Firearm Violence Prevention and Intervention." (x.com)
  • "What’s more: families with young children spend over $1,000 a year on diapers, with that number expected to increase due to recent inflation and supply chain issues. That’s why I was proud to introduce the bipartisan Senate Bill 316 last week, cross-filed with my teammate Delegate Dana Jones in the House, to eliminate the state sales tax for diapers. If passed, this legislation will save Maryland families over $12 million annually." (www.facebook.com)
  • Voted in favor of HB 1486 "Authorizes a Suspension of the Gas Tax" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • Voted in favor of SB 781 "Expands Offshore Wind Energy Production" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Like the sign says: Earn green by learning green. Great to tour @ibew24renew training facility today to learn how the union is preparing workers for jobs in the green economy. Proud to work with IBEW and @AFLCIO on the Brighter Tomorrow Act to expand solar & green jobs!" (x.com)
  • "Maryland can’t reach our ambitious & critical renewable energy goals without strategic, thoughtful, & targeted incentives. SB959 helps us get there!☀️" (x.com)
  • "The Whole Watershed Act & the Brighter Tomorrow Act: two major @MDLCV priorities I’m proud to sponsor this session! They take a creative, strategic approach to reaching out Chesapeake Bay restoration goals & our renewable energy goals. 24 days to go!" (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of SB 528 "Requires State to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Maryland Matters described Sarah as "one of the leading environmentalists in the legislature," and she will continue to fight on Capitol Hill to restore the Chesapeake Bay and to make communities more resilient to climate change." (elfrethformaryland.com)
  • "...the General Assembly will continue to make progress on commonsense gun safety measures to do just that - from banning 3D printed guns, to closing the loopholes on the transfer of guns, to keeping guns out of the hands of children and those who threaten violence..." (www.facebook.com)
  • "50 days until the election! We’re working hard to reach every voter in the 3rd District with our message of defending abortion access and fighting the epidemic of gun violence. Read more about our campaign (and juggling Senate responsibilities!):" (x.com)
  • "Grateful to get to spend a few minutes today with the incredible @MomsDemand- MD! Thank you for your tireless, passionate advocacy for commonsense solutions to make our communities safe from gun violence!" (x.com)
  • Rated 0% by National Rifle Association (NRA) (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "In Congress, she will fight to expand access to childcare, to protect and expand the Affordable Care Act, and to increase investment in federal installations in and around the third district." (elfrethformaryland.com)
  • Voted in favor of HB 959 "Establishes Permanence of Certain Consumer Protections Under the Affordable Care Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "Beyond the sunshine and long weekend, we have so much to be grateful for this Labor Day! Weekends, paid sick leave, pensions, health benefits, an end to child labor, social security, the list goes on and on. Thank you, Labor Movement!" (www.facebook.com)
  • "Happy Labor Day! This long holiday weekend (and all weekends!), paid family leave, pensions, a living wage, and much more are brought to us by the Labor Movement! As your Senator - and the daughter of two Union members - I'm proud to work with and be endorsed by Labor groups across Maryland. Please join me in thanking and supporting all those who organize on behalf of all Americans!" (www.facebook.com)
  • "Rallied tonight with legislators, health care providers, business owners & workers to urge #MDGA to pass a strong & equitable #PaidLeave policy for Maryland workers. It's #TimeToCareMD! Thank you to bill sponsors Antonio Hayes Kris Valderrama and Chair Ct Wilson!" (www.facebook.com)
  • "Together we will invest in critical prenatal care, address period poverty, advance ideas like paid family leave to keep women in the workforce, and more." (www.facebook.com)
  • "A few highlights from what we heard: combatting climate change by investing in clean energy jobs, keeping down the cost of prescription drugs, and preventing gun violence in our communities. We look forward to being your voice in the State House in January!" (www.facebook.com)
  • "And there are so many issues important to Marylanders that need a strong voice in Congress: being a champion of our greatest natural resource and economic engine, the Chesapeake Bay, supporting federal installations and military bases and the families that rely on them, and focusing on the kitchen table issues like affordable childcare and lowering the cost of prescription drugs." (www.facebook.com)
  • "Strategies to best clean our streams and waterways, reducing the cost of prescription drugs, and supporting small businesses: just a few of the issues we discussed as Sunday’s meet & greet in Edgewater. This campaign started in living rooms having these same conversations - and I’m so proud that we’ve carried on the tradition with just 43 days left. Special thanks to Clare and Jack for hosting the discussion!" (www.facebook.com)
  • Voted in favor of HB 279 "Establishes a Prescription Drug Affordability Board" (votesmart.org)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • Voted in favor of SB 218 "Extends the Earned Income Tax Credit to Undocumented Immigrants" (votesmart.org)
  • "Our bill to divest Maryland’s pension system from Russian assets = Unanimous in the Senate —> Unanimous in the House —> to the Governor’s desk. The bill protects our State retirees AND ensures we stand in solidarity with the people of #Ukraine. Hat tip to my partner on the Bill & all things pensions, Delegate Brooke Lierman!" (www.facebook.com)
  • "The Senate just unanimously passed SB1005, our emergency bill directing Maryland’s pension system to divest from Russian assets. The bill protects our State retirees AND ensures we stand in solidarity with the people of #Ukraine. Hat tip to my partners on the Bill, Senator Craig Zucker & Delegate Brooke Lierman!" (www.facebook.com)
  • Voted in favor of SB 1005 "Requires Retirement and Pension System to Divest from Russia" (votesmart.org)
  • "Kudos to the organizers of today’s EDC Stands with Ukraine benefit to help our allies abroad!" (www.facebook.com)
  • "Our bill to divest Maryland’s pension system from Russian assets = Unanimous in the Senate —> Unanimous in the House —> to the Governor’s desk. The bill protects our State retirees AND ensures we stand in solidarity with the people of #Ukraine. Hat tip to my partner on the Bill & all things pensions, Delegate Brooke Lierman!" (www.facebook.com)
  • "The Senate just unanimously passed SB1005, our emergency bill directing Maryland’s pension system to divest from Russian assets. The bill protects our State retirees AND ensures we stand in solidarity with the people of #Ukraine. Hat tip to my partners on the Bill, Senator Craig Zucker & Delegate Brooke Lierman!" (www.facebook.com)
  • "There are a lot of reasons our community is special, but our ability to show up & support neighbors - either next door or across the world - who need support is something else. Kudos to everyone who organized and supported last week’s Stand with Ukraine Fundraiser at Homestead Gardens!" (www.facebook.com)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.

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