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Chris Lee'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.

Chris Lee refused to tell citizens where he stands on any of the issues addressed in the 2010 Political Courage Test, despite repeated requests from Vote Smart, national media, and prominent political leaders.

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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 2010.

  • NARAL Pro-Choice America. 2009. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Ratings. Christopher Lee supported the interests of NARAL Pro-Choice America 0 percent in 2009. (votesmart.org)
  • National Right to Life Committee. 2009. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Ratings. Christopher Lee supported the interests of the National Right to Life Committee 100 percent in 2009. (votesmart.org)
  • Christopher Lee. H Amdt 509 to HR 3962. 111th Congress. An amendment printed in Part C of House Report 111-330 to codify the Hyde Amendment in H.R. 3962. The amendment prohibits federal funds for abortion services in the public option. It also prohibits individuals who receive affordability credits from purchasing a plan that provides elective abortions. However, it allows individuals, both who receive affordability credits and who do not, to separately purchase with their own funds plans that cover elective abortions. It also clarifies that private plans may still offer elective abortions. Christopher Lee voted YES on 7 November 2009. Project Vote Smart Summary: (votesmart.org)
  • National Taxpayers Union. 2009. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Ratings. Christopher Lee supported the interests of the National Taxpayers Union 69 percent in 2009. (votesmart.org)
  • Christopher Lee. Lee Honored By Nonpartisan Senior Citizens Group For Supporting Small Businesses, Family Farms. 8 July 2009. "The Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 repealed the estate tax on small business owners and family farms through the end of 2010. Without action before it expires, the tax rate will jump to 55%. According to a survey by the nonpartisan National Center for Policy Analysis, 51% of businesses would have significant difficulty surviving in the event of an owner's death. Congressman Lee added: "The estate tax is just another way in which the federal government unfairly targets seniors, small businesses and family farms, and I will continue to fight for its permanent repeal." (votesmart.org)
  • Christopher Lee. Congressman Lee Encourages President Obama To Support Bipartisan Economic Growth Legislation. "Congressman Chris Lee (NY-26) today sent a letter to President Barack Obama encouraging his Administration to support bipartisan, pro-growth legislation to create jobs and help turn our economy around. Lee outlined several important pieces of legislation that would have an immediate impact on Western New Yorkers. 'As Members of Congress have begun to discuss their desire for a second large and expensive "stimulus" bill, I encourage President Obama and his Administration to first work Congress to pass these bipartisan bills that will have significant benefit to our economy,' said Congressman Lee. 'I have worked with my Democrat and Republican colleagues in the House to craft meaningful pro-growth, pro-consumer legislation that will spur real job gains. The only place in America solidly on track to meet the Administration's job creation projections is Washington, DC,' said Congressman Lee. 'Americans everywhere are asking "Where are the jobs?" The Administration has the opportunity to support several meaningful measures in the House of Representatives, and I hope they will advocate for these common sense solutions.' With the economy still hurting economy and the desired effects of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act -- the 'stimulus' -- not seen, the time is now to pass pro-growth, pro-jobs legislation." 13 October, 2009. (votesmart.org)
  • Christopher Lee. Lee Encourages Extension Of Initiative To Jumpstart Economy. 23 October 2009. "Congressman Chris Lee (NY-26) recently wrote to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer to request they schedule an immediate vote in the House of Representatives on H.R. 3761, the First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Extension. H.R. 3761 would provide a six-month extension of the existing tax credit using unspent portions of H.R.1, the economic stimulus." (votesmart.org)
  • Christopher Lee. Op-Ed: More Government Spending Isn't What Western New Yorkers Need. 18 February 2010. "One year ago, leaders in Washington said they could prevent unemployment from exceeding 8 percent and create jobs immediately. So they asked taxpayers for $787 billion to spend on an economic "stimulus" bill. One year after the "stimulus" became law, America is $787 billion more in debt to China and other foreign countries, national unemployment is at 10 percent, approximately 3 million more Americans have lost their jobs, and the federal government has grown to unprecedented levels, all while Western New York communities and families outside of Washington have continued to struggle. In fact, the only city in our entire country that saw any significant job growth in the year since the "stimulus" bill passed was the center of government -- Washington, DC. One year later, it is clear this spending plan did not work." (votesmart.org)
  • Christopher Lee. Op-Ed: Restoring Fiscal Responsibility. 19 December 2009. "Just a few weeks ago, for the first time in our nation's history, our national debt climbed to more than $12 trillion. Instead of immediately trying to cut spending, leaders in Congress chose to push through legislation that will raise the amount of money our government can borrow by an additional $300 billion. What's even more shocking is that this new $300 billion line of credit will only sustain spending for another two months. This is money that is borrowed from other countries, mainly China, and that must be eventually repaid by future generations of Americans. I voted against this debt limit increase because Washington's spending habits must change. I've also written to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and President Barack Obama to encourage them to support many of the bipartisan, pro-growth, pro-consumer pieces of economic growth legislation I have helped author. These are meaningful proposals that will help grow our economy, increase the number of jobs in Western New York, and not saddle future generations with massive levels of debt. View them at my website: chrislee.house.gov. We cannot tax, spend and borrow our way to prosperity, nor can we mortgage our children's future to help fund new government bureaucracies. I will continue to work towards reducing government spending first and foremost so we do not to pass on more debt to our children and grandchildren. It should be a bipartisan goal to make the recent debt limit increase our last." (votesmart.org)
  • Christopher Lee. Issue Position: Jobs. "Western New Yorkers are no strangers to tough times, and with persistently high unemployment, they are right to demand action from their elected officials. As a businessman, not a politician, I am committed to bringing the common sense experience of America's small businesses and entrepreneurs to Washington to help create jobs in Western New York. Unfortunately, through my first term in Washington we have seen economic policies that place further burdens on U.S. small businesses and manufacturers and tie their hands behind their backs. Whether its record deficits, higher taxes or new mandates, small business owners and manufacturers do not have the level playing field and the tools they need to compete in a global economy and create jobs here at home. Washington politicians are great at talking about creating jobs here in the U.S. and then doing everything they can to prevent that from happening. On the other hand, I'm focused on real solutions to create jobs in Western New York: - I crafted a detailed 5-point plan to reform our tax code, improve job training, crack down on job-killing lawsuit abuse, eliminate red tape and level the playing field for U.S. manufacturers so we can strengthen manufacturing in Western New York and put people back to work. - I introduced bipartisan legislation to quadruple the small business start-up deduction. Since small businesses are the backbone of our economy, we should help entrepreneurs and risk-takers grow and create jobs - I am supporting legislation to help stop unfair currency manipulation by countries like China. Such unfair and unlawful currency manipulation creates an unlevel playing field and hurts U.S. manufacturing. We have a world-class workforce, excellent educational institutions and a work ethic second to none. If given a level playing field and freed from high taxes and onerous red-tape, Western New York workers and small businesses can compete against anyone and create jobs. And both Washington and Albany should be working to help them do just that. I will continue to fight for workers, small businesses and manufacturers in Western New York so they can create good-paying jobs here at home." (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.
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • Christopher Lee. HR 2454. 111th Congress. To create clean energy jobs, achieve energy independence, reduce global warming pollution and transition to a clean energy economy. Christopher Lee voted NO on 26 June 2009. Project Vote Smart Summary: (votesmart.org)
  • Environment America. 2009. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Ratings. Christopher Lee supported the interests of Environment America 17 percent in 2009. (votesmart.org)
  • Chris Lee. Issue Position: Energy. "However, we must make sure when striving for this goal that we do not burden the consumers, manufacturers, or small business owners in this country with skyrocketing costs or job killing mandates. That's why Chris has fought to stop job-killing "cap-and-trade" national energy tax legislation, a measure that even President Obama has said will cause electricity prices to "necessarily skyrocket." We should be working to lower energy costs, not raise them. We should work toward common sense measures to ensure clean air and water for this and future generations, and our focus should be on taking steps to reduce harmful emissions through clean, reliable, and affordable energy policies." (www.chrisleeforcongress.com)
  • Christopher Lee. Issue Position: Energy. "We simply cannot go another 30 years without a comprehensive energy policy, which is why when I am elected to Congress I will fight to: - Lessen our dependence on foreign oil by increasing American made energy through exploration; - Promote new, clean, reliable sources of energy; - Encourage conservation, and; - Increase investment in research funding for alternative energy." (votesmart.org)
  • Gun Owners of America. 2010. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Ratings. In 2010 Gun Owners of America gave Christopher Lee a grade of A. (votesmart.org)
  • American Public Health Association. 2009. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Ratings. Christopher Lee supported the interests of the American Public Health Association 50 percent in 2009. (votesmart.org)
  • Christopher Lee. HR 3962. 111th Congress. To provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending, and for other purposes. Christopher Lee voted NO on 7 November 2009. Project Vote Smart Summary: (votesmart.org)
  • Christopher Lee. Issue Position: Healthcare. "Congress needs to develop a market-based approach that ensures access to affordable healthcare for all Western New Yorkers. We must all look at ways to lower the cost of healthcare through medical malpractice lawsuit reform and increasing healthcare IT development." (votesmart.org)
  • Christopher Lee. Lee: Reforms Needed To Ensure Every American Has Access To Quality, Affordable Health Insurance. 30 June 2009. "The lawmaker discussed his support for initiatives that expand coverage and lower costs while protecting the doctor-patient relationship. These solutions include providing incentives for small businesses to cover their employees, accelerating investments in health IT, and enacting meaningful medical liability reform." (votesmart.org)
  • National Latino Congreso. 2007-2010. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Ratings. Christopher Lee supported the interests of the National Latino Congreso 50 percent in 2007-2010. (votesmart.org)
  • Christopher Lee. HR 4899. 111th Congress. Supplemental Appropriations Act. Christopher Lee voted NO on Limiting Afghanistan Military Funding to Withdrawal and Other Specified Purposes on 1 July 2010. Project Vote Smart Summary: (votesmart.org)
  • Christopher Lee. HR 4899. 111th Congress. Supplemental Appropriations Act. Christopher Lee voted NO on Requiring Timetable for Withdrawal from Afghanistan on 1 July 2010. Project Vote Smart Summary: (votesmart.org)
  • Peace Action West. 2009. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Ratings. Christopher Lee supported the interests of Peace Action West 8 percent in 2009. (votesmart.org)
  • Chrisopher Lee. Buffalo News: Lee Returns From Afghan Trip, Airs Support For Troop Increase. 3 November 2009. "Rep. Chris Lee, R-Clarence, returned Monday from a two-day trip to Afghanistan with other lawmakers, and he said the trip made him more inclined to support an increase in U. S. troops there. 'I was very impressed with the people I met,' Lee said. 'And there was an overall push, not only from those in charge but from those soldiers on the ground, that they felt that if they had more support, they could have a successful mission.' An American success in Afghanistan is important not just to prevent terrorism, but to make sure that the Taliban's influence does not overwhelm Pakistan, the nuclear-armed nation next door, Lee said. 'As goes Afghanistan, so goes the region,' he said. Lee -- part of a bipartisan six-member congressional delegation -- visited Kabul and Kandahar, the war-torn country's two largest cities, along with several U. S. military facilities and the village of Nawa. The lawmakers met with Brig. Gen. Lawrence D. Nicholson, commander of the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, as well as other military leaders. Lee also met with troops from the Buffalo area as well as Scott Dempsey, a U. S. Agency for International Development official from Amherst. Lee said Nicholson provided the best answer for why U. S. troops have been in Afghanistan for eight years without routing the Taliban, the ultraconservative Islamist sect that once harbored al-Qaida. According to Nicholson, 'We set up a variety of outposts, so we were basically covering a very small area geographically and not getting out and fully engaging the countryside and eliminating the Taliban,' Lee said. Calling that a flawed strategy, Lee added: 'The only way we're going to get it done, and be successful, is to have more troops and get fully engaged out in the countryside.'" (votesmart.org)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.

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