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Betty McCollum's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

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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.

Betty McCollum did not provide voters with positions on key issues covered by the 2024 Political Courage Test, despite repeated requests from Vote Smart and voters like you.

What is the Political Courage Test?

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.

  • "51 years ago today, Roe v. Wade affirmed the right to abortion for Americans. Then Trump appointed extremists to our nation’s highest court, who have overturned this ruling and taken our nation backwards." (x.com)
  • "Democrats are defending our fundamental freedoms. Access to birth control, abortion, and fertility services must be protected. I’m fighting to protect your reproductive rights." (x.com)
  • Rated 100% by NARAL Pro-Choice America (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 8297: "Ensuring Access to Abortion Act of 2022" (votesmart.org)
  • "Protecting Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid for seniors and people with disabilities is always a priority as long as Republicans continue to threaten earned benefit programs." (www.mccollumforcongress.com)
  • "Receiving life-saving medical treatment should not drive a person into poverty. I am a proud co-sponsor of Medicare For All and I strongly believe healthcare as a fundamental right should be enshrined into the U.S. Constitution." (www.mccollumforcongress.com)
  • "Strengthening the Affordable Care Act, expanding federal Medicare and Medicaid programs, protecting women’s reproductive rights, and working to build a system of universal health coverage are some of the steps Congress must take to ensure that the American people have the assurance and stability they deserve when it comes to receiving health care." (www.mccollumforcongress.com)
  • Rated 100% by the Alliance for Retired Americans (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 1: "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act" (2017) (votesmart.org)
  • "America's working families deserve a raise. But Trump is now rumored to be considering yet another tax cut for the 1%. Trump and the GOP would rather help out their rich buddies donors than struggling Americans." (x.com)
  • "The 2017 Trump-Republican tax cuts did not receive one Democratic vote. Republicans passed this tax cut that will add at least $1.5 trillion to the national debt while giving millionaires and billionaires the overwhelming benefit. These unnecessary tax cuts have stimulated income inequality while adding $164 billion to the 2018 federal budget deficit." (www.mccollumforcongress.com)
  • Voted against HR 6760: "Protecting Family and Small Business Tax Cuts Act of 2018" (votesmart.org)
  • "@POTUS' Billionaire Minimum Income Tax proposal was introduced as a bill in the House today, and I'm a cosponsor. Making sure billionaires pay their fair share would bring in the resources allowing us to invest in priorities like fighting climate change." (x.com)
  • "Most Americans contribute to Social Security all year long, but millionaires & billionaires stop paying in after just two months (today)! It’s time we #ScrapTheCap and make sure everyone pays their fair share." (x.com)
  • "My top priorities include using my position on the House Appropriations Committee to ensure that federal funding and policies benefit the families, businesses, non-profits, higher-education institutions, and units of government here in the East Metro." (www.mccollumforcongress.com)
  • "One of the ways the Inflation Reduction Act is paying for itself is through holding deadbeat millionaires accountable. More than $160 million has already been recovered! This is money owed to the American people to address our priorities." (x.com)
  • "The American people should decide our elections. Not big corporations. Not mega-wealthy donors. Not special interest groups. That's why I support a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United." (x.com)
  • "Without limits on campaign spending, the voices of a select few influence our elections & compromise the ability of the American people to choose our leaders. We need to restore our democracy & end #CitizensUnited." (x.com)
  • Rated 100% by Common Cause (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1: "For the People Act of 2021" (votesmart.org)
  • "Betty has a long history of fighting for social justice, environmental justice, and against civil rights/human rights abuses. She supports Justice Department funding to investigate and take action against states and local jurisdictions where there is evidence of violations of civil rights and/or voting rights." (www.mccollumforcongress.com)
  • "George Floyd is one of many – too many – lives lost to police brutality. We need a comprehensive approach to root out systemic racism, establish accountability, & build trust between law enforcement & our communities." (x.com)
  • "The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2020: Reforms qualified immunity for law enforcement, Prohibitions on racial profiling, Bans no-knock warrants, Bans chokeholds, Establishes a national registry of police misconduct" (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 7120: "George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021" (votesmart.org)
  • "I commend this effort from Secretary Esper to follow the science & address PFAS contamination on military bases. Ensuring the safety of our service members, their families, & surrounding communities is critically important." (x.com)
  • "My defense appropriations bill contains critical funding that will support our service members and confront the climate crisis. This budget eliminates inefficiencies to save taxpayer dollars, all while keeping our country strong and secure." (x.com)
  • "This afternoon @AppropsDems will hear from the @USArmy on their budget request. As threats to our national security continue to evolve, we must ensure our Soldiers have the resources & capacity to protect Americans at home & abroad." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of 2670: "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024" (votesmart.org)
  • "By passing historic investments in the form of stimulus checks, food security programs, additional unemployment insurance, expanded child tax credits and more, Democrats are delivering #ForThePeople." (x.com)
  • "My top priorities include using my position on the House Appropriations Committee to ensure that federal funding and policies benefit the families, businesses, non-profits, higher-education institutions, and units of government here in the East Metro." (www.mccollumforcongress.com)
  • "Since the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law took effect two years ago, $5.7 billion in funding has been announced for 338 projects in Minnesota to improve roads, bridges, water infrastructure, public transit—real investments that improve people’s lives." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 2: "Moving Forward Act" (2020) (votesmart.org)
  • "I helped bring federal resources to Minnesota to help people stay in their homes as the pandemic took its toll. But sustained investments are needed to provide housing stability for folks in our community." (x.com)
  • "I joined local leaders this morning to celebrate our community receiving #AmericanRescuePlan funds to help residents with the most need access safe and affordable housing. These federal dollars will help us take a critical step in recovering from this crisis" (x.com)
  • "This #FairHousingMonth, we celebrate 54 years of the Fair Housing Act – but in order to make #FairHousing a reality, we must invest in housing infrastructure so everyone has access to safe & affordable housing in their community." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 7301: "Emergency Housing Protections and Releif Act of 2020" (votesmart.org)
  • "@HouseDemocrats are taking action on gas prices. We passed the Consumer Fuel Price Gouging Prevention Act—standing with the 87% of Americans who want to crack down on price gouging & excessive price increases by oil companies that result in higher gas prices at the pump." (x.com)
  • "The Inflation Reduction Act contained dedicated funding for recouping unpaid taxes from delinquent millionaires, and it’s working! Half a billion dollars has now been recovered by the IRS—revenue that belongs to American taxpayers. Democrats are delivering for America." (x.com)
  • "Today I’ll vote to pass the #AmericaCOMPETES Act to address challenges like fixing supply chain issues, expanding economic opportunity, & strengthening the middle class." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5376: "Build Back Better Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "Despite the Supreme Court blocking President Biden’s historic student loan debt relief plan, the administration has still found ways to provide 4 million borrowers with nearly $144 billion in debt cancellation. This is incredible progress." (x.com)
  • "I stand with those rallying today as the Biden administration argues its case for debt relief in front of SCOTUS. The plan helps working- & middle-class folks the most: 90% of the relief going to out-of-school borrowers will go to those earning less than $75K. #CancelStudentDebt" (x.com)
  • "Some good news: Around 200,000 former students who attended schools that defrauded them will have $6 billion in federal loans canceled by the Biden administration." (x.com)
  • Rated 100% by the National Education Association (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "I met with The League of Women Voters of St. Paul. We discussed passing the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, which I have supported since its introduction in 2021. It is past time to ensure that everyone has equal access to the right to vote!" (x.com)
  • "Under the false pretenses of the Big Lie, Republicans across the country are doing everything they can to pass suppressive Voter ID laws, purge voter rolls, and undermine faith in our elections." (x.com)
  • Rated 100% by Common Cause (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 4: "John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021" (votesmart.org)
  • "19% of MN’s energy comes from wind power, and it can play a big role in our nation’s post-pandemic economic recovery – holding promise for green jobs, renewable energy to fight #climatechange, and improving our critical infrastructure." (x.com)
  • "Current regulations make it easier for polluters to poison our air, water, and public lands. policies, created and supported by the Trump Administration, is endangering the health of tens of millions of Americans. The Republican’s complete abandonment of U.S. leadership over previous administrations in combating climate change must be reversed by Democrats and every American who believes in science. I am a proud co-sponsor of the Green New Deal and I will work to ban copper-sulfide mining in the Rainy River watershed to ensure the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is protected forever." (www.mccollumforcongress.com)
  • "I voted no on the GOP’s energy bills this week that do nothing to help the American people—but a lot to benefit big polluters & oil companies. House Republicans put #PollutersOverPeople to the detriment of our environment & our public health." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 4447: "Expanding Access to Sustainable Energy Act of 2019" (2020) (votesmart.org)
  • "Current regulations make it easier for polluters to poison our air, water, and public lands. policies, created and supported by the Trump Administration, is endangering the health of tens of millions of Americans. The Republican’s complete abandonment of U.S. leadership over previous administrations in combating climate change must be reversed by Democrats and every American who believes in science. I am a proud co-sponsor of the Green New Deal and I will work to ban copper-sulfide mining in the Rainy River watershed to ensure the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is protected forever." (www.mccollumforcongress.com)
  • "The lame duck Trump admin is rushing to conduct an oil lease sale in the Arctic Refuge. Drilling in #ANWR is not worth the risk to the environment, to Indigenous Peoples, to endangered species, or to the climate." (x.com)
  • Rated 100% by the Sustainable Politician Project (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1146: "Artic Cultural and Coastal Plain Protection Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "Despite dozens of mass shootings, Republicans continue to protect guns rather than the American people. The lack of legislative action to appropriately regulate firearms is an issue that demands immediate attention in the new Congress. I support banning assault weapons, requiring background checks for all gun purchases, banning the sale of high capacity magazines, and a prohibition on the federal transfer of military weapons to police departments. It is time for citizens concerned about gun safety and responsible gun owners to stand together to demand action that will keep our families and communities safe from senseless and lethal gun violence." (www.mccollumforcongress.com)
  • "I've signed the discharge petition for H.R. 3018, to create a federal Red Flag law & keep guns out of the hands of people who are a threat to themselves or others. This law is already saving lives in MN. I call on my Republican colleagues to join me in signing this petition." (x.com)
  • Rated 100% by the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 7910: "Protecting Our Kids Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "Health care is a human right—not a privilege. Far too often, people delay or skip seeking care because of the cost. I’m a cosponsor of the #MedicareForAll Act, introduced this week, which expands access to care for everyone & meets the needs of Tribal Nations & veterans." (x.com)
  • "Receiving life-saving medical treatment should not drive a person into poverty. I am a proud co-sponsor of Medicare For All and I strongly believe healthcare as a fundamental right should be enshrined into the U.S. Constitution." (www.mccollumforcongress.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1425: "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "As a cosponsor of Medicare for All (H.R. 1976) and a strong supporter of single payer universal healthcare, I have always fought to protect Medicare and Social Security from being privatized. The ongoing CMS "direct contracting" pilot program has the appearance of a privatization scheme and should be terminated. My focus is and will always be to expand healthcare access, protect the patient, and save taxpayers money." (www.mccollumforcongress.com)
  • "On today’s Paid Leave National Day of Action, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to pass a paid family & medical leave policy that lifts up all American workers and families." (x.com)
  • "It’s time the rest of the nation follows Minnesota’s lead and pass paid family & medical leave! Everyone should be able to care for the people they love without worrying about losing their jobs." (x.com)
  • "The Senate has now passed the Families First Act, legislation that will soon be signed into law by the president. It will provide free #COVID19 testing, paid sick leave for workers, and food security for vulnerable populations." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 6201: "Families First Coronavirus Response Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "Millions of Americans are struggling to keep up with the rapidly rising cost of prescription drugs. This week, Democrats are working #ForThePeople on a legislative fix to stop drug companies from gaming the system." (x.com)
  • "Rx costs have skyrocketed in recent years. The price of insulin has increased 197% over the past decade, despite little change to the drug’s formula. This week, I’m voting for #HR3, the House's plan to reduce the cost of insulin & other prescription drugs." (x.com)
  • "The leading cause of bankruptcy in America is medical debt. Skyrocketing prescription drug costs, legal threats to the ACA, and rising premiums are only making this problem worse." (www.mccollumforcongress.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 6833: "The Affordable Insulin Now Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "Instead of wasting money on @realDonaldTrump's immoral & wasteful border wall, we should focus on real priorities." (x.com)
  • "The Trump admin’s anti-immigrant agenda is cruel & counterproductive. @AppropsDems' FY21 Homeland Security bill rejects more funding for Border Patrol & ensures no funds can be diverted to Pres. Trump’s border wall." (x.com)
  • Voted against HR 2: "Secure the Border Act of 2023" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 4760: "Securing America's Future Act of 2018" (votesmart.org)
  • "Congress must pass comprehensive immigration reform that includes a path to citizenship. I support the DREAM Act for DACA recipients and I want to see all individuals eligible for Temporary Protected Status to have TPS extended. I am outraged at the previous administration’s reduction in refugee resettlement to the U.S. and policies like incarcerating asylum seekers and separating children from parents is something I completely reject. It should be federal policy for the U.S. to resettle no less than 75,000 refugees per year. " (www.mccollumforcongress.com)
  • "Congress needs to act to create a pathway to citizenship that keeps immigrant families and communities strong, safe, and contributing to our society." (x.com)
  • "Our immigration system should center humanity, due process, and compassion, rather than cruelty. It’s time to end the criminalization of immigrants. We need a #NewWayForward." (x.com)
  • Voted against HR 2: "Secure the Border Act of 2023" (votesmart.org)
  • "When it comes to imposing sanctions, you have to be optimistic they will work & prepared if they don’t. I strongly support the Biden admin's new sanctions on Russian institutions & oligarchy. We stand united with our allies in condemning the infringement of Ukraine’s sovereignty." (x.com)
  • "we remain committed to working with our NATO allies and our fellow democracies in the region to provide assistance, enforce severe sanctions, and support Ukrainian civilians fleeing the war." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5692: "Ukraine Security Assistance and Oversight Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 7108: "Suspending Normal Trade Relations with Russia and Belarus Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "The situation in Ukraine is desperate. We must continue to help the Ukrainian people defend their freedom. If we fail to step up now, Putin will continue his aggression—putting global democracy & our NATO allies at risk." (x.com)
  • "We also met with a group of women Ukrainian soldiers advocating for what they need to fight and care for the wounded amid Putin’s ongoing deadly invasion. I stand with you all in your fight to defend Ukraine’s freedom." (x.com)
  • "we remain committed to working with our NATO allies and our fellow democracies in the region to provide assistance, enforce severe sanctions, and support Ukrainian civilians fleeing the war." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5692: "Ukraine Security Assistance and Oversight Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024" (votesmart.org)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
This candidate has responded to a Political Courage Test in a previous election. As a continued effort to provide the American public with factual information on candidates running for public office, these archived responses are made available here.
The Political Courage Test asks candidates which items they will support if elected. It does not ask them to indicate which items they will oppose. Through extensive research of public polling data, we discovered that voters are more concerned with what candidates would support when elected to office, not what they oppose. If a candidate does not select a response to any part or all of any question, it does not necessarily indicate that the candidate is opposed to that particular item.

Indicate which principles you support (if any) concerning abortion.

a) Abortions should always be illegal.
X b) Abortions should always be legally available.
X c) Abortions should be legal only within the first trimester of pregnancy.
d) Abortions should be legal when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape.
e) Abortions should be legal when the life of the woman is endangered.
f) Eliminate public funding for abortions and public funding of organizations that advocate or perform abortions.
g) Other or expanded principles

Budgetary PrioritiesUsing the key below, indicate what levels of federal funding you support for the following general categories. Select one number per category.

Slightly Decrease Funding a) Agricultural
Maintain Funding Status b) Arts
Maintain Funding Status c) Defense
Slightly Increase Funding d) Education
Maintain Funding Status e) Environmental
Maintain Funding Status f) International Aid
Maintain Funding Status g) Law Enforcement
Maintain Funding Status h) Medical Research
Slightly Decrease Funding i) National Aeronautical Space Administration (NASA)
Maintain Funding Status j) National Parks
Slightly Increase Funding k) Public Health Services
Maintain Funding Status l) Scientific Research
Slightly Increase Funding m) Terrorism Prevention
Slightly Increase Funding n) Transportation and Highway Infrastructure
Maintain Funding Status o) Welfare
p) Other or expanded categories

Defense SpendingUsing the key below, indicate what levels of federal funding you support for the following categories. Select one number per category.

Maintain Funding Status a) Armed Forces personnel training
Maintain Funding Status b) Covert intelligence operations
Maintain Funding Status c) Military hardware
Slightly Increase Funding d) Pay for active duty personnel
Slightly Decrease Funding e) National Missile Defense Program
Maintain Funding Status f) Programs to improve military retention rates
Slightly Decrease Funding g) Research and development of new weapons
Slightly Increase Funding h) Troop and equipment readiness
i) Other or expanded categories

TaxesUsing the key below, indicate what levels you support concerning taxes, deductions, and tax credits in the following categories. Select one number per tax.Income Taxes - Family IncomeIncome Taxes - Retiree IncomeOther TaxesDeductions/Credits

Maintain Status a) Less than $25,000
Slightly Decrease b) $25,000 - $75,000
Slightly Decrease c) $75,000 - $150,000
Maintain Status d) Over $150,000
e) Other or expanded categories
Maintain Status f) Over $40, 000
g) Other or expanded categories
Maintain Status a) Alcohol taxes
Slightly Decrease b) Capital gains taxes
Maintain Status c) Cigarette taxes
Maintain Status d) Corporate taxes
Maintain Status e) Gasoline taxes
Slightly Decrease f) Inheritance taxes
g) Other or expanded categories
Maintain Status a) Charitable deductions
Slightly Increase b) Medical expense deductions
Maintain Status c) Mortgage deductions
Slightly Increase d) Child tax credit
Maintain Status e) Earned income tax credit
Slightly Increase f) Student loan tax credit
g) Other or expanded categories

Taxes

No 2) Should a married couple filing jointly pay the same taxes as if they were an unmarried couple filing separately?
No 3) Would you use Social Security surpluses to balance the budget?
4) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding campaign finance and governmental reform issues.

X a) Support public taxpayer funding for congressional candidates who comply with campaign spending limits.
b) Increase the amount individuals are permitted to contribute to federal campaigns.
c) Prohibit Political Action Committee (PAC) contributions to candidates for federal office.
X d) Provide free or low-cost television advertising to candidates who agree to voluntary campaign spending limits.
X e) Ban unregulated soft money campaign contributions to political parties or committees.
X f) Prohibit non-U.S. citizens from making soft money contributions to national parties or party committees.
X g) Require full disclosure of funding sources of issue advocacy commercials which appear within 60 days of an election.
h) Remove all contribution limits to federal candidates and parties.
X i) Require congressional candidates to raise over half of their campaign money from their home state.
j) Require that unions give members the option of not having membership dues used for political purposes.
Yes k) Support the federal government mandate that creates national voting system standards.
No l) Do you support amending the Constitution to limit the number of terms that members of Congress can serve?
No m) Do you support voting on-line?
n) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) to address crime.

X a) Eliminate the use of the death penalty for federal crimes.
b) Increase spending to build more federal prisons.
X c) Impose "truth in sentencing" for violent criminals so they serve full sentences with no chance of parole.
X d) Support programs to provide prison inmates with vocational and job-related skills and job-placement assistance when released.
X e) Support programs to provide prison inmates with drug and alcohol addiction treatment.
X f) Increase funding for community policing programs.
X g) Implement penalties other than incarceration for certain non-violent offenders.
X h) Require that crimes based on gender, sexual orientation, and disability be prosecuted as federal hate crimes.
X i) Enforcement of civil rights should primarily be the responsibility of the federal government.
j) Minors accused of a violent crime should be prosecuted as adults.
X k) Support programs that provide job training and placement services for at-risk youth.
X l) Other or expanded principles
Enforcement of civil rights should be left to the judge and should be looked at on a case by case basis.

Indicate which principles you support (if any) concerning illegal drugs.

a) Increase penalties for selling illegal drugs.
b) Support mandatory jail sentences for selling illegal drugs.
X c) Expand federally sponsored drug education and drug treatment programs.
X d) Decriminalize the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes.
X e) Increase border security to stop the flow of illegal drugs into the U.S.
f) Eliminate federal funding for programs associated with the "war on drugs."
g) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) concerning education.

a) Support national standards and testing of public school students.
b) Allow parents to use vouchers (equal opportunity scholarships) to send their children to any publicly-funded school.
c) Allow parents to use vouchers (equal opportunity scholarships) to send their children to any participating school: public, private or religious.
X d) Support charter schools where teachers and professionals receive authorization and funding to establish new schools.
X e) Increase funding for block grants to states to help them hire additional teachers.
f) Support teacher testing and reward teachers with merit pay.
X g) Increase funding for computers and computer training in public schools.
X h) Increase funding for school capital improvements (e.g. buildings and infrastructure).
i) Eliminate restrictions on federal education funding, giving educators or local school districts more flexibility to design and implement their programs.
X j) Increase funding of programs such as Pell grants and Stafford loans to help students pay for college.
X k) Support federal tax incentives to help families save for college.
l) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding employment and affirmative action.

X a) Increase funding for national job-training programs that re-train displaced workers or teach skills needed in today's job market.
b) Reduce government regulation of the private sector in order to encourage investment and economic expansion.
X c) Establish empowerment zones in areas with large numbers of unemployed people.
X d) Provide tax credits for businesses that provide child care for their employees.
X e) Encourage employers to offer flex-time scheduling, comp-time, and unpaid leave for family emergencies.
f) Eliminate any federal programs designed to reduce unemployment.
X g) Increase the federal minimum wage.
X h) Considering race and gender in government contracting decisions is appropriate for the federal government.
X i) Include sexual orientation in federal anti-discrimination laws.
X j) Continue federal affirmative action programs.
k) Discontinue federal affirmative action programs.
l) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding America's environment and natural resources.

X a) Strengthen the regulation and enforcement of the Clean Water Act.
X b) Strengthen the regulation and enforcement of the Clean Air Act.
c) Support opening a select portion of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for oil exploration.
X d) Support the U.S. re-entering the current Kyoto treaty process to limit global warming.
X e) Require states to fully compensate citizens when environmental regulations limit uses of privately owned land.
X f) Promote increased use of alternative fuel technology.
X g) Strengthen emission controls on all gasoline or diesel-powered engines, including cars, trucks, and sport utility vehicles.
X h) Provide tax credits for state and local bonds to preserve open spaces, build parks, improve water quality and redevelop brownfields.
X i) Support the National Forest Protection and Restoration Act prohibiting commercial logging in our national forests.
X j) Provide states and local communities with more flexibility to address their respective environmental problems.
k) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) concerning gun issues.

X a) Ban the sale or transfer of semi-automatic guns, except those used for hunting.
X b) Maintain and strengthen the enforcement of existing federal restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns.
c) Ease federal restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns.
d) Repeal federal restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns.
e) Allow citizens to carry concealed guns.
X f) Require manufacturers to provide child-safety locks on guns.
X g) Require background checks on gun sales between private citizens at gun shows.
X h) Require a license for gun possession.
X i) Raise the minimum age for ownership of handguns from 18 to 21.
X j) Other or expanded principles
Requirement for a license for hand guns should be enforced as well.

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding health issues.

a) Providing health care is not a responsibility of the federal government.
b) Implement a universal health care program to guarantee coverage to all Americans regardless of income.
X c) Support a Patient's Bill of Rights to define and enforce the rights of insured patients, including greater access to specialists and emergency rooms, wider choice of health care providers, and appeal mechanisms when claims are denied.
X d) Support a Patient's Bill of Rights which includes the right to sue when claims are denied.
X e) Support a Patient's Bill of Rights which includes the right to appeal to an administrative board of specialists when services are denied.
X f) Support legislation to provide prescription drug coverage under Medicare.
X g) Increase research funding of the human genome to find cures for diseases such as cancer, AIDS/HIV, Alzheimer's, and heart disease.
X h) Increase federal funding for training health workers to recognize and respond to the release of biological agents.
X i) Prohibit the procedure of cloning human embryos.
X j) Other or expanded principles
I support stem cell research

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding immigration.

a) Decrease the number of legal immigrants allowed into the country.
X b) Provide extra federal aid to states with higher numbers of immigrants for necessary medical and social services.
X c) Prohibit states from passing laws that deny human services (medical care, education) to illegal immigrants or their children.
d) Increase the immigration quota for computer scientists and other information technology workers.
e) Establish English as the official U.S. language.
X f) Collect fingerprint data from all U.S. visa applicants which would be accessible to all federal immigration-related agencies.
X g) Allow legalization for certain illegal immigrants working in the U.S.
h) Other or expanded principles

International AidIndicate which principles (if any) you support regarding U. S. economic assistance.

X a) Aid should be granted to countries when extraordinary circumstances cause disaster and threaten civilian lives.
X b) Aid should be granted to countries when it is in the security interests of the U. S.
X c) Aid should be granted to countries that are close allies of the U. S. and in need of financial/military assistance.
d) Aid should be eliminated for any nation with documented human rights abuses.
e) Aid programs should be scaled back and eventually eliminated except for extraordinary circumstances.
f) Other or expanded principles

International PolicyIndicate which principles you support (if any) regarding the Middle East.Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding the United States-United Nations relationship.

X a) The U.S. should take military action against Iraq only as part of an international effort.
b) The U.S. should end the economic embargo against Iraq.
c) The U.S. should not continue to play a prominent leadership role in the peace process between Israel and the Palestine Authority.
X d) The U.S. should support the formation of a Palestinian state.
e) Other or expanded principles
a) The U.S. should participate in United Nations peacekeeping missions only when vital U.S. interests are involved.
b) The U.S. should not commit military troops to United Nations peacekeeping missions.
c) The U.S. should withdraw completely from the United Nations.
d) Other or expanded principles
Yes 3) Should the U.S. have full diplomatic relations with Cuba?
Yes 4) Should the U.S. recognize and extend full diplomatic relations to Taiwan?
No 5) Should the U.S. increase its financial support to Colombia for the "war on drugs?"
Yes 6) Do you support the cooperative threat reduction programs with Russia to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons? ___ Yes ___ No ___ Undecided
No 7) Do you support the recent withdrawal of the U.S. from the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) treaty in order to deploy a national missile defense system?
Yes 8) Should the U.S. hold nations accountable for terrorists who operate from their country?
9) Other or expanded principles

International Trade

No 1) Do you support the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)?
Yes 2) Do you support the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT)?
Yes 3) Do you support continued U.S. membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO)?
Yes 4) Do you support China becoming a member of the World Trade Organization?
Yes 5) Should a nation's human rights record affect its normal trade relations (most favored nation) trading status with the United States? ___ Yes ___ No ___ Undecided
No 6) Should the President have "fast-track" authority to negotiate trade agreements?
No 7) Do you support the trade embargo against Cuba?
8) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding national security.

No 1. Do you support the President using military tribunals to try terrorist suspects when the President deems ordinary civil courts to be inappropriate or impractical?
Yes 2. Should the U.S. adopt higher qualification rules for student visa applications from nations known to sponsor terrorism?
No 3. Should law enforcement agencies be granted greater discretion to read mail and email, tap phones, and conduct random searches to prevent future terrorist attacks?
Yes 4. Should federal law enforcement agencies share intelligence data with local law enforcement agencies?
Yes 5. Should the federal government provide states with funding for homeland security?
6. Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding Social Security.

a) Allow workers to invest a portion of their payroll tax in private accounts which they manage themselves.
b) Allow workers to invest a portion of their payroll tax in private accounts managed by private firms contracted by the government.
c) The federal government should invest a portion of Social Security's assets collectively in stocks and bonds instead of U.S. Treasury securities.
d) Increase the payroll tax to better finance Social Security in its current form.
e) Lower Social Security's annual cost-of-living increases.
X f) Support a "lock box" measure, limiting Congress's ability to spend Social Security and Medicare surpluses on any other federal programs except Social Security and Medicare, until each program's long-term solvency is guaranteed.
g) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding technology.

a) Continue the moratorium on Internet sales taxes.
b) Implement regulation of Internet content by the federal government.
c) Regulation of the Internet should not be controlled by the federal government.
d) Support government mandates to curtail violent and sexual content on television.
e) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding poverty and the welfare system.

X a) Support housing assistance for welfare recipients.
X b) Provide homeless families with apartment vouchers they can use to defray the cost of an apartment.
X c) Continue to give states and local governments responsibility for welfare programs through TANF block grants.
X d) Maintain current welfare-to-work requirements in order for states to qualify for block grants.
X e) Restore food stamp programs to legal immigrants.
f) Transfer homeless housing programs to states through block grants.
X g) Provide continued Medicaid benefits for those welfare recipients who have moved from welfare to work.
h) Require states to return any unused welfare block grant funding to the federal government.
i) Direct federal poverty aid through religious, community-based, or other non-profit organizations.
X j) Provide states with additional funding for Medicaid programs to alleviate increasing state budget deficits.
k) Other or expanded principles
In a total of seventy-five (75) words or less, please explain what your top two or three priorities will be if elected. Please explain how you would obtain any additional funding needed to implement these priorities.

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