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Timothy Kennedy's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

Office:

On The Ballot: Running, Democratic, Working Families for U.S. House (NY) - District 26

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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.
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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.

  • "The Supreme Court’s dangerous Dobbs decision overturning Roe v. Wade is having negative ramifications across the country. States are criminalizing reproductive healthcare, including the ability for some to receive in vitro fertilization (IVF). In Albany, Senator Kennedy voted to enshrine abortion rights in state law and women’s equality in the New York State Constitution. As a Congressman, he will fight against a national abortion ban and work to codify Roe v. Wade in federal law." (kennedyforuscongress.com)
  • Rated 100% by Planned Parenthood Empire State (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of S 348: "Appropriates Funding to Support Abortion Centers and Reproductive Freedom" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of S 9079: "Expands Legal Protections for Abortion Providers" (votesmart.org)
  • "Senator Kennedy comes from a healthcare background, working with children and seniors as an Occupational Therapist. He believes that healthcare is a right – not a privilege for the wealthy. In Congress, he will fight against rollbacks to the Affordable Care Act, protect and expand Medicare, and work to make prescription drugs more affordable." (kennedyforuscongress.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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • "As a Member of Congress, Tim will focus on the kitchen table issues that affect families back home – fighting inflation and the affordability crisis" (kennedyforuscongress.com)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • "The insurrection on January 6, 2021, showed how fragile our democracy can be. Senator Kennedy has worked to expand voting rights and election reforms in the State Senate and will continue to make protecting our democracy a priority in Congress. He will support the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and fight against extremist attempts to undermine our elections through voter disenfranchisement and misinformation. He will also fight to defend democracy and democratic values abroad, including supporting our allies in Ukraine and across the globe." (kennedyforuscongress.com)
  • Voted in favor of S 8783: "Authorizes Voters to Request Absentee Ballots Immediately" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of S 8806: "Establishes Automatic Voter Registration" (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 100% by Climate Cabinet Action (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of S 4378: "Requires Fossil Fuel Plants to Submit a Renewable Energy Plan" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of S 6218: "Authorizes the Connection of Offshore Wind Farms to the State Power Grid on Long Island" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of S 6599: "Increases Renewable Energy Goals" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of S 2316: "Prohibits Offshore Drilling" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of S 4378: "Requires Fossil Fuel Plants to Submit a Renewable Energy Plan" (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 7% by National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of S 14A: "Prohibits the Sale of Ghost Guns" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of S 9113: "Expands Red Flag Law Relating to Potentially Violent Individuals" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of S 9458: "Requires License for Possession of Semi-Automatic Firearm" (votesmart.org)
  • "Senator Kennedy comes from a healthcare background, working with children and seniors as an Occupational Therapist. He believes that healthcare is a right – not a privilege for the wealthy. In Congress, he will fight against rollbacks to the Affordable Care Act, protect and expand Medicare, and work to make prescription drugs more affordable." (kennedyforuscongress.com)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • "Senator Kennedy comes from a healthcare background, working with children and seniors as an Occupational Therapist. He believes that healthcare is a right – not a privilege for the wealthy. In Congress, he will fight against rollbacks to the Affordable Care Act, protect and expand Medicare, and work to make prescription drugs more affordable." (kennedyforuscongress.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 4786: "Reduces the Costs of Prescription Drugs and Repeals Cost-Sharing for Insulin" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of S 1413: "Limits Out of Pocket Cost for Insulin to $30 for a 30 Day Supply" (votesmart.org)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • Voted against HR 7343: "Detain and Deport Illegal Aliens Who Assault Cops Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of A 3675: "Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of S 2237: "Extends Healthcare Coverage for Undocumented Individuals" (votesmart.org)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • "The insurrection on January 6, 2021, showed how fragile our democracy can be. Senator Kennedy has worked to expand voting rights and election reforms in the State Senate and will continue to make protecting our democracy a priority in Congress. He will support the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and fight against extremist attempts to undermine our elections through voter disenfranchisement and misinformation. He will also fight to defend democracy and democratic values abroad, including supporting our allies in Ukraine and across the globe." (kennedyforuscongress.com)
  • 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.
Pro-choice a) Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
Yes b) Should abortion be legal when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape?
No c) Do you support the prohibition of public funds for organizations that perform abortions?
d) Other or expanded principles:

1) Budget Stabilization:Indicate which proposals you support (if any) for balancing New York 's budget.

No a) Reducing state employee salaries AND/OR pensions?
No b) Instituting mandatory furloughs AND/OR layoffs for state employees?
No c) Reducing benefits for Medicaid recipients?
No d) An income tax increase on any tax bracket?
e) Other or expanded principles:
Yes a) Do you support any limits on campaign contributions to state candidates?
Yes b) Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?
Yes c) Do you support the use of an independent AND/OR bipartisan commission for redistricting?
No d) Do you support requiring a government-issued photo identification in order to vote at the polls?
e) Other or expanded principles:
No a) Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?
Yes b) Do you support the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes?
No c) Should a minor accused of a violent crime be prosecuted as an adult?
No d) Do you support the enforcement of federal immigration laws by state and local police?
Yes e) Do you support replacing the cash bail system with a supervised release system for misdemeanor charges?
f) Other or expanded principles:
Yes a) Do you support state government spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
Yes b) Do you support lowering state taxes as a means of promoting economic growth?
Yes c) Do you support reducing state government regulations on the private sector?
Yes d) Do you support expanding access to unemployment benefits?
No e) Do you support requiring welfare applicants to pass a drug test in order to receive benefits?
Yes f) Do you support an increase of the minimum wage of New York ?
g) Other or expanded principles:
No a) Do you support adopting federal education standards in New York ?
No b) Do you support state funding for charter schools?
Yes c) Should immigrants unlawfully present in the United States who graduate from New York high schools be eligible for in-state tuition at public universities?
No d) Should students' standardized test scores be used to evaluate teacher performance?
e) Other or expanded principles:
Yes a) Do you support state funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, thermal)?
Yes b) Do you support state government regulations of greenhouse gas emissions?
Yes c) Do you support increasing state funding for clean drinking water initiatives?
d) Other or expanded principles:
Yes a) Do you generally support gun-control legislation?
Yes b) Should background checks be required on gun sales between private citizens at gun shows?
No c) Should teachers be allowed to bring guns into the classroom?
Yes d) Should a license be required for gun ownership?
e) Other or expanded principles:
Yes a) Should the state government increase funding for treatment facilities to combat opioid abuse?
Yes b) Do you support Medicaid expansion through New York 's health care programs?
Yes c) Do you support requiring individuals to purchase health care insurance?
d) Do you support legislation that grants citizens the right to choose to die through euthanasia?
e) Do you support eliminating religious exemptions for vaccinations?
I am still reviewing euthanasia legislation, as well as religious exemptions for vaccinations.
Yes a) Do you support the inclusion of sexual orientation in New York 's anti-discrimination laws?
Yes b) Do you support the inclusion of gender identity in New York 's anti-discrimination laws?
Yes c) Do you support greater efforts by New York state government in closing the pay gap between men and women?
Yes d) Should New York permit localities to adopt "Sanctuary City" immigration policies?
e) Other or expanded principles:
Further job training programs, increased childcare coverage, and increased education spending.

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