Lee Terry - Political Positions -

Lee R. Terry

Representative Lee R. Terry's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

Full Name:	Lee R. Terry
Office:	U.S. House (NE) - District 2, Republican
First Elected:	1998
Last Elected:	11/06/2012
Next Election:	2014

Gender:	Male
Family:	Wife: Robyn; 3 Children: Nolan, Ryan, Jack
Birth Date:	01/29/1962
Birth Place:	Omaha, NE
Home City:	Omaha, NE
Religion:	Methodist

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Lee Terry refused to tell citizens where he stands on any of the issues addressed in the 2012 Political Courage Test, despite repeated requests from Vote Smart, national media, and prominent political leaders.

What is the Political Courage Test?

Issue Positions

In response to the increasing unwillingness of candidates to answer issue questions, Project Vote Smart has researched Presidential and Congressional candidates' public ecords to determine candidates' likely responses on certain key issues. These issue positions, from the year 2012, are provided below as a courtesy to voters.

Pro-life		Abortion: Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
Vote Smart's Research Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 2000 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "c) Abortions should always be legally available." Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 1998 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "a) Abortions should always be legally available." Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 1998 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Checked SUPPORT for: "h) Prohibit public funding of abortions and public funding of organizations that advocate or perform abortions." Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 1998 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "e) Abortions should always be illegal." Lee Terry. HR 3660. 106th Congress. Ban on Partial-Birth/Late Term Abortion. Lee Terry voted Yea on 04/05/2000. (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. H Amdt 1017. 106th Congress. Abortion Funding Amendment. Lee Terry voted Nay on 07/20/2000. (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. H Amdt 882. 106th Congress. Prison Abortion Funding Amendment. Lee Terry voted Nay on 06/22/2000. (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. H Amdt 722. 106th Congress. Oversea Military Abortions Amendment. Lee Terry voted Nay on 05/18/2000. (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. H Amdt 156. 106th Congress. Overseas Military Abortion Amendment. Lee Terry voted Nay on 06/09/1999. (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 2002 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Checked SUPPORT for: "f) Eliminate public funding for abortions and public funding of organizations that advocate or perform abortions." Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 2002 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "a) Abortions should always be illegal." Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 2000 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "b) Abortions should be illegal when the fetus is viable, with or without life support." Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 2000 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "a) Abortions should always be illegal." Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 2000 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Checked SUPPORT for: "i) Prohibit public funding of abortions and public funding of organizations that advocate or perform abortions." Lee Terry. Issue Position: Support for the Pro-Life Cause. 1 July 2011. "I have always been strongly pro-life and I always will be. This issue goes to the core of our values as a society--protecting those who cannot protect themselves." (votesmart.org) National Organization for Women. 04/18/2012. "On the votes used to calculate its ratings, the National Organization for Women attaches more value to those votes it considers more important. For 2008, the National Organization for Women gave Lee Terry a rating of 19 percent." (votesmart.org) Planned Parenthood. 04/18/2012. "Lee Terry supported the interests of Planned Parenthood 0 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. H Amdt 509. 111th Congress. Prohibiting Federally Funded Abortion Services. Lee Terry voted Yea on 11/07/2009. (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. H Amdt 95. 112th Congress. Prohibiting Use of Federal Funds For Planned Parenthood. Lee Terry voted Yea on 02/18/2011. (votesmart.org) National Right to Life Committee. 04/18/2012. "Lee Terry supported the interests of the National Right to Life Committee 100 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. HR 3. 112th Congress. Prohibiting Taxpayer Funding of Abortion. Lee Terry voted Yea on 05/04/2011. (votesmart.org) NARAL Pro-Choice America. 04/18/2012. "Lee Terry supported the interests of the NARAL Pro-Choice America 0 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. HR 748. 109th Congress. Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act. Lee Terry voted Yea on 04/27/2005. (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. S 403. 110th Congress. Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act. Lee Terry voted Yea on 09/26/2006. (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. HR 6099. 110th Congress. Abortion Pain Bill. Lee Terry voted Yea on 12/06/2006. (votesmart.org) Family Research Council. 04/18/2012. "Lee Terry supported the interests of the Family Research Council 93 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. H AMDT 209. 109th Congress. Overseas Military Facilities Abortion Amendment. Lee Terry voted Nay on 05/25/2005. (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. Issue Position: Abortion. 1 July 2011. "I believe our Constitution protects the rights of all individuals, born and unborn. On April 18, 2007, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the 'Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act,' which I cosponsored and voted for when it was approved in the U.S. House of Representatives. The Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act was signed into law in 2003." (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. Terry: Statement on the One-Year Anniversary of the Health Care Overhaul. 1 July 2011. "'In addition, we are going to work to prohibit taxpayer funding of abortions and provide conscience protections for health care providers. This is not going to be a quick fight, but we are going to get there,' Terry said." (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. Terry Concerned Over Late Term Abortion Plans For Clinic. 11 June 2009. "'It is deeply concerning that Dr. Carhart wants to make our community the center of horrific late term abortions,' said Congressman Terry. 'I believe life begins at conception and I will continue to fight against any legislation that would allow for the destruction of human life.'" (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 2002 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "b) Abortions should always be legally available."
Yes		Afghanistan: Do you support United States' combat operations in Afghanistan?
Vote Smart's Research Lee Terry. Issue Position: National Security & Fighting the War on Terror. 30 May 2012. "Finally, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are a concern for all of us. I've been to Iraq and I get weekly updates on the progress there and in Afghanistan. I do believe if we pulled our troops out today it would create chaos in the Middle East." (www.leeterry.com) Lee Terry. Terry Praises Obama's Decision To Send More Troops To Afghanistan. 18 February 2009. "I believe this is a necessary step and I support President Obama's decision to send more troops to Afghanistan. We must continue to aggressively fight the war on terror and support our troops by giving them all the necessary resources available to complete their challenging mission." (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. Iraq/Afghanistan. 6 July 2011. "President Obama has announced he will send more than 20,000 more troops to Afghanistan. I believe this is a necessary step and I support President Obama's decision to send more troops to Afghanistan. The resurgence of Taliban and Al Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan has made the area increasingly volatile and immediate action is needed to continue to aggressively fight the war on terror." (leeterryforms.house.gov) Lee Terry. Terry Calls For More Troops To Afghanistan. 7 October 2009. "'Today our troops continue the battle of defeating the Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan and denying Al Qaeda a safe haven to carry out their terrorist activities,' said Congressman Terry. 'I appreciate President Obama's willingness to talk with Congressional leaders on a bipartisan basis about the situation in Afghanistan. This is a challenging mission and one the United States must continue to pursue in order to keep our Nation safe.'" (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. H Con Res 28. 112th Congress. Removing Troops from Afghanistan. Lee Terry voted Nay on 03/17/2011. (votesmart.org) Peace Action. 04/18/2012. "Lee Terry supported the interests of the Peace Action 0 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org) Peace Action West. 04/18/2012. "Lee Terry supported the interests of Peace Action West 0 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. Afghanistan Statement. 1 December 2009. "President Obama has made the right decision to increase our ground troops in Afghanistan. We must have a comprehensive plan that includes local tribal leaders and Afghans with assistance from other nations. Our troops must have every resource available to effectively eliminate the Taliban and other terrorists now in control of many parts of the country. To succeed we must show strong military leadership, create jobs for Afghans and provide security to their communities." (votesmart.org)
Unknown Position		Budget: In order to balance the budget, do you support reducing defense spending?
Vote Smart's Research Lee Terry. HR 2561. 106th Congress. Defense Department Appropriations bill, FY2000. Lee Terry voted Yea on 07/22/1999. (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. Omaha World-Herald: No Leaders in Budget Dance. 28 March 2011. "The Midlands lawmakers are, however, united on one front: All say everything, including defense spending, should be discussed. 'No sacred cows,' said Rep. Lee Terry, a Republican from Omaha." (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. HR 1363. 112th Congress. 2011 Department of Defense Budget and Additional Continuing Appropriations. Lee Terry voted Yea on 04/07/2011. (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. H Amdt 13. 112th Congress. Reducing Navy and Air Force Aircraft Procurement. Lee Terry voted Nay on 02/15/2011. (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. HR 2642. 110th Congress. Funding for Operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Lee Terry voted Yea on 06/19/2008. (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. HR 4986. 110th Congress. Defense Authorizations Bill. Lee Terry voted Yea on 01/16/2008. (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. HR 3222. 110th Congress. Department of Defense Appropriations, Fiscal Year 2008. Lee Terry voted Yea on 08/05/2007. (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. HR 5631. 110th Congress. Department Defense Appropriations Act, FY 2007. Lee Terry voted Yea on 09/26/2006. (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. HR 5631. 110th Congress. Defense Department FY2007 Appropriations Bill. Lee Terry voted Yea on 06/20/2006. (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. HR 4939. 110th Congress. Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2006. Lee Terry voted Yea on 06/13/2006. (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. HR 4200. 108th Congress. Defense Department FY2005 Authorization Bill. Lee Terry voted Yea on 05/20/2004. (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. HR 5010. 108th Congress. Department of Defense Appropriations, Fiscal Year 2003. Lee Terry voted Yea on 10/10/2002. (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005. 19 May 2004. "Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4200, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005. This legislation supports our troops with $422 billion for national defense and an additional $25 billion for operations in Iraq. Funding for national missile defense and combat capability would increase. Special emphasis on protective equipment such as body armor and heavily-armored Humvees would also help our soldiers return safely to their families." (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 2000 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Selected "High Priority" for: "Indicate your priorities for spending any anticipated federal budget surplus. a) Defense" Lee Terry. Terry Statement on the Passage of the Republican House Budget. 29 March 2012. ""The budget that House Republicans have passed establishes national priorities, and funds them accordingly. It enacts entitlement reform to Medicare and Social Security that gives individuals more control over their retirement options and preserves those programs for future generations. It also sustains defense spending, and alters the tax code to be more effective and fair. It is my hope that the president and the Senate will put aside their party politics, and join House Republicans to advance this budget and do what is right for the American people," Terry said." (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. Terry Votes To Increase Defense Funding. 25 June 2009. "Today Congressman Lee Terry (R-NE) voted to support our men and women in uniform and reject the agendas of radical groups that terrorize our world. Congressman Terry voted in favor of the Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010, H.R. 2647. The bill includes funds to support military operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and the war on terror. 'As long as terrorists have declared war on the United States and the world we must continue our fight against these savage extremists,' said Congressman Terry. 'Earlier this year President Obama announced that he is sending more troops to Afghanistan. This is a necessary step and I support the President in the fight against terror.'" (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. War Supplemental. 15 May 2008. "Today Congressman Lee Terry (R-NE) continued his strong stand in support our troops by voting for the war funding amendment to the War Supplemental Bill. This amendment provides $162.5 billion for military activity in Iraq and Afghanistan through summer, 2009.Y56 'Every single day our troops put their life on the line for our freedom. We owe them a lifetime of gratitude. We must give our military every resource it needs. Terrorists have declared war not just on the United States, but on anyone who does not share their radical religious doctrine. This money will be wisely used to fight the war on terror. When our mission is complete we can then begin the process of a gradual withdrawal of our troops from Iraq.'" (votesmart.org)
No		Budget: In order to balance the budget, do you support an income tax increase on any tax bracket?
Vote Smart's Research Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 1998 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Selected "Yes" for: "6) Do you support requiring a super-majority vote in both houses of Congress to raise taxes?" Tsyver, Robynn. Omaha World-Herald: Rep. Lee Terry gets an earful. 29 April 2011. "'I want to look at the revenue side in addition to the spending side,' said Connie Kollasch, 64, an independent voter from Omaha. Terry countered that he opposed raising taxes in a tough economy." (www.omaha.com) Americans for Tax Reform. 04/18/2012. "Lee Terry supported the interests of the Americans for Tax Reform 95 percent in 2007." (votesmart.org) Citizens for Tax Justice. 04/18/2012. "Lee Terry supported the interests of the Citizens for Tax Justice 0 percent in 2006." (votesmart.org) National Taxpayers Union. 04/18/2012. "Lee Terry supported reasonable tax and spending policies as defined by the National Taxpayers Union 85 percent of the time in 2010." (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. HR 1836. 107th Congress. Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act, 2001. Lee Terry voted Yea on 05/16/2001. (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. HR 2488. 106th Congress. Financial Freedom Act of 1999. Lee Terry voted Yea on 08/05/1999. (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. Congressman Terry Says No to Nightmare of a Budget. 5 June 2008. "More spending, more taxes and zero reform, that's not a budget, that's a nightmare. This budget includes tax increases on married couples, children and small businesses. The American people deserve better. At a time when most people are already feeling pain at the pump, higher grocery prices and increasing medical bills the last thing they need is to be taxed even more. I for one will not stand for it." (votesmart.org) Lee Terry signed the Americans for Tax Reform Taxpayers Protection Pledge. "I will: ONE, oppose any and all efforts to increase the marginal income tax rate for individuals and business; and TWO, oppose any net reduction or elimination of deductions and credits, unless matched dollar for dollar by further reducing tax rates." (atr.org) Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 1998 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Selected "No" for: "3) Do you support eliminating the Internal Revenue Service?" Lee Terry signed the Americans for Tax Reform Taxpayers Protection Pledge. "I, _____, pledge to the taxpayers of the (____ district of the) state of ______ and to the American people that I will: ONE, oppose any and all efforts to increase the marginal income tax rate for individuals and business; and TWO, oppose any net reduction or elimination of deductions and credits, unless matched dollar for dollar by further reducing tax rates." (atr.org) Lee Terry. Creating New Private Sector Jobs and Getting Our Economy Moving Again. 8 July 2011. "The heart of the approach has been to reduce and lower income tax rates for everyone who pays taxes. The package also encourages saving and investment by taxing capital gains and dividends at a lower rate. This creates pools of capital which, in turn, are invested in the private sector economy to increase efficiency, investment and growth. This is precisely the wrong time to increase taxes. As an alternative, I propose that we simply extend and keep in place the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts that I was proud to support when they were enacted into law." (www.leeterry.com)
No		Economy: Do you support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
Vote Smart's Research Lee Terry. GOP Congressional candidates says a 'positive attitude' about jobs is needed. 6 July 2011. "Congressman Lee Terry is seeking another term in the U.S. House. Terry was first elected as Second District Congressman in 1998. He says both Congress and the administration must have a positive attitude about job creation and end certain policies. 'The stimulus package, cap and trade, the health care bill all creates a level of uncertainty that's ruining our ability to create jobs,' he says. Terry says support for manufacturing is critical to job creation. He says controlling spending and the national debt will also encourage employers to create more jobs." (www.leeterry.com) Americans for Prosperity. 04/18/2012. "Lee Terry supported the interests of the Americans for Prosperity 100 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. Issue Position: Get the Economy Going Again. 6 July 2011. "Reduce government spending and the national debt. More and more economists believe our nation's economic trajectory is not sustainable. I agree with this." (votesmart.org) The Club for Growth. 04/18/2012. "On the votes used to calculate its ratings, The Club for Growth attaches more value to those votes it considers more important. For 2010, The Club for Growth gave Lee Terry a rating of 79 percent." (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. Issue Position: Putting People Before Politics. 6 July 2011. "Lee Terry supports policies that will motivate the private sector to reinvest and create real, long-term jobs. The federal stimulus program, on the other hand, is spending another $800 billion we don't have to expand government -- the wrong strategy for long-term growth. As part of this, Lee has voted to terminate the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP) and use the remaining funds to reduce the national debt." (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. HR 1424. 110th Congress. Financial Asset Purchase Authority and Tax Law Amendments. Lee Terry voted Yea on 10/03/2008. (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. HR 5297. 112th Congress. Small Business Lending Fund and Tax Law Amendments. Lee Terry voted Nay on 09/23/2010. (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. Terry Comments on Economic Stimulus Tax Rebate Checks. 29 April 2008. "These checks put money back in the pockets of hard working middle class families when they need it most. Many Nebraskans are feeling the pinch of higher gas prices, increasing food costs and skyrocketing medical bills. This stimulus plan is more than just the rebate checks, it also gives businesses incentives to grow and add more jobs at a critical time in the slow down of the U.S. economy. These steps, and a commitment not to raise taxes are what we need to get the economy moving again," (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 2000 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Selected "Yes" for: "2) Would you support enforcing the spending limits agreed to in 1997 by the President and Congress to balance the budget?" Walton, Don. Lincoln Journal Star: Lee Terry Says Issue Is Spending. 10 July 2010. "'Runaway federal expenditures and ballooning budget deficits stifle job creation,' Terry says, and endanger America's future. 'Spending, especially during the last two years, is just out of control,' he says. 'That's the issue.'" (journalstar.com)
Yes		Economy: Do you support providing tax incentives to businesses for the purpose of job creation?
Vote Smart's Research Lee Terry. Terry Comments on Debt Limits and Unemployment Benefit Numbers. 21 January 2010. "It is clear to me the stimulus plan hasn't worked and Congress must work in a bipartisan matter on meaningful legislation that creates jobs and creates incentives for businesses to grow and expand." (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. Terry Comments on Growth Rate, Jobs. 29 January 2010. "I am fully committed to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to enact legislation that will create jobs and increase incentives for businesses to grow and expand." (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. Bloating Government Not The Answer To Economic Woes. 28 January 2009. "Once again this bill was sold as the only answer to our nation's economic crisis. This bill bloats government and piles on to our already suffocating national debt. To get our country out of the current economic catastrophe we must boost business incentives and create jobs immediately." (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. Terry Comments on December Unemployment Numbers. 8 January 2010. "Instead of imposing more regulation and uncertainty into their lives, we must work to provide tax breaks and incentives for business growth and development. Until we make a commitment to do this, business owners and families alike will continue to struggle. Congress should spend 2010 working on bipartisan legislation that will pull us out of this recession." (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. Terry Comments on Economic Stimulus Tax Rebate Checks. 29 April 2008. "These checks put money back in the pockets of hard working middle class families when they need it most. Many Nebraskans are feeling the pinch of higher gas prices, increasing food costs and skyrocketing medical bills. This stimulus plan is more than just the rebate checks, it also gives businesses incentives to grow and add more jobs at a critical time in the slow down of the U.S. economy. These steps, and a commitment not to raise taxes are what we need to get the economy moving again," (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. HR 2488. 106th Congress. Financial Freedom Act of 1999. Lee Terry voted Yea on 08/05/1999. (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. HR 2. 108th Congress. Jobs and Economic Growth bill. Lee Terry voted Yea on 05/23/2003. (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 1998 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Checked SUPPORT for: "a) Provide tax credits for companies that move job-creating industries into areas with high unemployment." Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 2000 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Checked SUPPORT for: "a) Provide tax credits for companies that move job-creating industries into areas with high unemployment."
No		Education: Do you support requiring states to implement education reforms in order to be eligible for competitive federal grants?
Vote Smart's Research Lee Terry. Issue Position: Education. 7 July 2011. "One of the things we have to do now is reform No Child Left Behind. Our education system needs accountable methods to measure student and teacher achievement. This accountability needs to start with the state school districts and parents. If the power to make important decisions involving education is made through local administrators and parents, accountability systems would be easier to implement and follow up on." (www.leeterry.com) Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 2002 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "a) Support national standards and testing of public school students." Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 2002 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Checked SUPPORT for: "i) Eliminate restrictions on federal education funding, giving educators or local school districts more flexibility to design and implement their programs." Lee Terry. Issue Position: Education. 30 May 2012. "It is time to reduce the size and scope of the federal role in education. We need to encourage innovation and flexibility, and not stand in the way of new ideas. Instead of the usual one-size-fits all approach that has been the standard operating procedure in the past, the House Education & Workforce Committee will aim to advance a series of targeted reform bills, designed to address the challenges facing the nation's education system." (leeterry.house.gov) Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 2000 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Checked SUPPORT for: "g) Promote education flexibility by giving federal funds, in the form of block grants, to the states to spend it as they see fit." Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 2000 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Checked SUPPORT for: "l) Eliminate restrictions on federal education funding, giving educators or local school districts more flexibility to design and implement their programs." Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 2000 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "a) Support national standards and testing of public school students." Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 1998 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Selected "Local" for: "Indicate which level of government that should have primary responsibility for the following services. Select one level only. c) Education" Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 1998 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "a) Support national standards and testing in reading and math." Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 1998 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Selected "Greatly Decrease" for: "1) Indicate what levels of federal funding you support for the following categories. Select one number (level) only. c) Education (K-12)" Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 1998 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Checked SUPPORT for: "g) Give all federal education funding to states in the form of block grants and allow them to spend it as they see fit." Lee Terry. Terry Announces NCLB Reform to Support Nebraska Educators. 11 July 2007. "This bill adopts the recommendations of our Nebraska educators to allow greater flexibility and local control. Nebraska has some of the best schools in the nation, but the federal government should support and recognize their excellent work with increased flexibility." (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. In Support of the Fair Funding for Schools Act. 18 December 2007. "Impact Aid is the most efficient education program because money is wired directly from the Department of Education to the school's bank accounts, avoiding administrative costs at the State level. There are no strings attached to the money and local schools can use it in any way the school board sees fit. In the past this money has been used for such necessities as construction, salaries and supplies. As a leading member and co-chair of the House Impact Aid Coalition and the father of children receiving a public education, I understand the importance of this money to schools in my district and districts across the country." (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. HR 2300. 106th Congress. Academic Achievement for All Act. Lee Terry voted Yea on 10/21/1999. (votesmart.org)
Yes		Energy: Do you support reducing restrictions on offshore energy production?
Vote Smart's Research Lee Terry. Terry Calls For Further U.S. Energy Development. 7 July 2011. "The Federal government's inability to issue viable permits to drill offshore Alaska has long kept resources and domestic jobs from the American people. Though the EPA has testified before Energy and Commerce that there is no human health risk, Alaskans and Americans are still waiting for new energy resources, six years and counting." (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. HR 1230. 112th Congress. Offshore Leasing Act. Lee Terry voted Yea on 05/05/2011. (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. Terry Comments On President Obama's Offshore Drilling Plan. 31 March 2010. "Congressman Lee Terry, who sits on the Energy and Commerce Committee, made the following comments following President Obama's announcement to open up a small amount of offshore drilling: 'This is a gesture in the right direction, but we must be more aggressive in developing more of our own oil and gas resources and moving toward continental exploration. We can't afford to be so dependent on OPEC oil. This is a good first step, but it needs to be bolder.'" (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 2002 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Checked SUPPORT for: "c) Support opening a select portion of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for oil exploration." Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding America's environment and natural resources. Other or expanded principles: "increase fuel efficiency of cars & SUV. berth weight buses review. Not a corporate average with one of two large classes of vehicles as determined by NTSHA. " Lee Terry. Terry Backs Legislation Ending Offshore Drilling Ban. 11 May 2011. "The offshore oil bans by this Administration have directly undermined American energy production and have done nothing to reduce our reliance on foreign sources of oil. If anything, they've done the opposite. These two bills -- both of which passed with the support of like-minded Democrats -- send the message that it is time to move forward by increasing our American energy production." (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. Release of Strategic Petroleum Reserve Misguided. 7 July 2011. "This reserve is meant to be used in the event of a national emergency or catastrophe. Rather than tap into our strategic reserves, we need to take immediate action to develop North American resources through offshore exploration in the Gulf of Mexico and Alaska, expediting the permitting process for drilling in the continental U.S., and expedite a decision on the Keystone Pipeline project," (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. Jobs and Energy Permitting Act of 2011. 22 June 2011. "The Federal Government's inability to issue viable permits to drill offshore Alaska is keeping resources and domestic jobs from the American people. The Gardner bill, H.R. 2021, aims to eliminate the uncertainty and confusion that has delayed oil exploration in deep sea Alaskan Outer Continental Shelf, and I hope my colleagues will support this bill." (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. Houses Passes Bill Restarting Offshore Leasing. 4 May 2011. "Skyrocketing fuel prices are a drag on our economy and a threat to families' pocket books. With many Americans paying $4.00 a gallon of gasoline, Congress needs to do everything we can to open American energy resources. By safely extracting these offshore areas, we will have access to billions of barrels of oil and trillions cubic feet of natural gas. Until we increase American energy production, we will be ever more reliant on foreign sources of energy." (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. Energy Plan. 11 June 2008. "The reality is if we bring all of our resources together, yes, conservation, yes, alternative fuels, and open up the resources that we have right here in America offshore where there is a moratorium that Congress can lift, a moratorium that was imposed by Congress on shale oil that can be lifted by Congress, and in Alaska where Congress can lift that moratorium, if we combine all of those resources, we can be free of OPEC. It is time for a real energy policy where we free our resources for American-made energy." (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. H Amdt 773. 112th Congress. Ending Moratorium on Deepwater Drilling Rigs that Meet Certain Safety Standards. Lee Terry voted Nay on 07/30/2010. (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. HR 3534. 112th Congress. Offshore Drilling Regulations and Other Energy Law Amendments. Lee Terry voted Nay on 07/30/2010. (votesmart.org) Environment America. 04/18/2012. "Lee Terry supported the interests of Environment America 27 percent in 2009." (votesmart.org)
No		Environment: Do you support the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions?
Vote Smart's Research Environment America. 04/18/2012. "Lee Terry supported the interests of Environment America 27 percent in 2009." (votesmart.org) League of Conservation Voters. 04/18/2012. "Lee Terry supported the interests of the League of Conservation Voters 10 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. HR 910. 112th Congress. Energy Tax Prevention Act. Lee Terry voted Yea on 04/07/2011. (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. HR 2454. 111th Congress. Energy and Environmental Law Amendments ("Cap and Trade"). Lee Terry voted Nay on 06/26/2009. (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. A Massive Tax Increase Coming to All Americans. 26 June 2009. "'Today is a sad day for all Americans,' said Congressman Terry. 'Today's legislation means energy costs for Nebraskans will increase by $74 million dollars in 2012 and increase to $410 million by 2030. This massive increase will be a tremendous hardship on businesses, farmers and families. This bill is not a serious attempt to reduce carbon dioxide, rather it is a tax bill telling businesses they can still emit CO2 as long as they pay the government for this privilege. This would be called extortion under other circumstances. We do need to take sensible and affordable steps to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases. My all of the above energy plan includes increasing conservation efforts, developing new alternative energy and accessing gas and oil in Alaska. My plan lowers greenhouse gases and puts our country on the path to energy independence.'" (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. Several of Congressman Terry's provisions included in Energy Bill. 18 December 2007. "This bill is a clear victory for the American people. It saves consumers money at the gas pump, reduces our reliance on foreign oil and reduces greenhouse gases, all without sacrificing vehicle utility and affordability. This bill gives the American people what they want---more miles per gallon." (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. Statement By Congressman Lee Terry On The Waxman-Markey Cap And Tax bill (H.R. 2998). 26 June 2009. "While there is still vigorous debate over the amount of the human contribution to global warming, it seems clear that man has played a role. I believe that we have a moral obligation to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and use clean, reliable, affordable sources of energy. But we must balance this moral obligation with an equal obligation we have to our constituents to do this in a manner that preserves our nation's economic competitiveness and jobs for Americans. The Cap and Tax bill before us today is exactly that - an attempt to collect more money from Americans through indirect taxation; it is not a serious attempt to reduce carbon dioxide or other GHG emissions. The basic message of Cap and Tax bill is that 'you can still emit CO2 as long as long as you pay the government for this privilege.' This would be called extortion under other circumstances. Tony Soprano would be proud." (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. Terry Disappointed in Senate EPA Vote. 10 June 2010. "'Today's Senate vote was the wrong decision that will lead to more government regulation into environmental issues,' said Congressman Terry. 'We must clean up our environment, but not at the expense of giving the EPA overreaching powers without the approval of Congress. Our country needs a comprehensive energy reform policy that includes developing alternative energy sources, opening up resources in the United States and increasing our conservation efforts. An 'all of the above' plan will put our country on the path to energy independence, but if we continue to give free rein to government agencies, we will not reach that goal.'" (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 1998 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "k) Adhere to the United Nations treaty regarding global climate change." Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 1998 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "g) Strengthen emission controls on all gasoline or diesel powered engines, including cars and trucks." Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 1998 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "j) Impose stricter national air quality standards." Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 1998 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "i) Promote the selling of pollution credits between nations to encourage industries to decrease pollution levels." Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 2000 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "j) Reduce current federal regulations on the environment." Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 2000 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "h) Promote the selling of pollution credits between nations to encourage industries to decrease pollution levels." Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 2000 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Checked SUPPORT for: "b) Strengthen the regulation and enforcement of the Clean Air Act." Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding America's environment and natural resources. Other or expanded principles: "Encourage Development of Brownfields Through Legal Liability Reform For New Polluters" Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 2000 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Checked SUPPORT for: "c) Reduce government regulation of the private sector in order to encourage investment and economic expansion." Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 2000 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "g) Strengthen emission controls on all gasoline or diesel-powered engines, including cars, trucks, and sport utility vehicles." Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 2002 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "d) Support the U.S. re-entering the current Kyoto treaty process to limit global warming." Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 2002 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "g) Strengthen emission controls on all gasoline or diesel-powered engines, including cars, trucks, and sport utility vehicles."
Yes		Guns: Do you support restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns?
Vote Smart's Research Lee Terry. HR 2122. 106th Congress. Mandatory Gun Show Background Check Act. Lee Terry voted Yea on 06/18/1999. (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. S 397. 109th Congress. Firearms Manufacturers Protection Bill. Lee Terry voted Yea on 10/20/2005. (votesmart.org) Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. 04/18/2012. "Lee Terry supported the interests of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence 0 percent from 1988-2003 (Senate) or 1991-2003 (House)." (votesmart.org) Gun Owners of America. 04/18/2012. "In 2010 Gun Owners of America gave Lee Terry a grade of 73." (votesmart.org) National Rifle Association. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Endorsements. 04/18/2012. National Rifle Association endorsed Lee Terry in the 2010 general election. (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. HR 6842. 110th Congress. Repealing Portions of the D.C. Firearm Ban. Lee Terry voted Yea on 09/17/2008. (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. H AMDT 1156. 110th Congress. Trigger Lock Amendment. Lee Terry voted Yea on 06/28/2006. (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. U.S. Supreme Court Gun Ruling. 26 June 2008. "'The Supreme Court made the absolute right decision today. I am glad they resolved the issue that law-abiding citizens have the right to possess firearms for self-defense purposes. The District of Columbia gun law was far too restrictive and the Court decided correctly that it violated the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution,' said Congressman Lee Terry." (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 1998 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Checked SUPPORT for: "e) Repeal federal restrictions on the purchase and possession of firearms by law-abiding citizens." Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 1998 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "b) Increase federal restrictions on the purchase and possession of firearms." Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 1998 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "c) Maintain federal restrictions on the purchase and possession of firearms." Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 1998 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "a) Ban the sale or transfer of all forms of semi-automatic weapons." Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 1998 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "d) Ease federal restrictions on the purchase and possession of firearms." Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 1998 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Checked SUPPORT for: "f) Favor allowing citizens to carry concealed firearms." Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 2000 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "c) Ease federal restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns." Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 2000 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "f) Require manufacturers to provide child-safety locks on guns." Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 2000 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Checked SUPPORT for: "i) Raise the minimum age for ownership of handguns from 18 to 21." Indicate which principles you support (if any) concerning gun issues. Other or expanded principles: "Mandatory Jail Time for felons in Possession of firearm" Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 2000 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "d) Repeal federal restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns." Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 2000 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Checked SUPPORT for: "j) Require background checks of gun buyers at gun shows." Indicate which principles you support (if any) concerning gun issues. Other or expanded principles: "Mandatory Jail Time for felons in Possession of firearm" Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 2000 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "a) Ban the sale or transfer of semi-automatic guns, except those used for hunting." Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 2000 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Checked SUPPORT for: "b) Maintain and strengthen the enforcement of existing federal restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns." Indicate which principles you support (if any) concerning gun issues. Other or expanded principles: "Mandatory Jail Time for felons in Possession of firearm" Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 2000 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "e) Allow citizens to carry concealed guns." Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 2000 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "k) Require a license for gun possession." Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 2002 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Checked SUPPORT for: "b) Maintain and strengthen the enforcement of existing federal restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns." Indicate which principles you support (if any) concerning gun issues. Other or expanded principles: "mandatory jail time for felons in possession of a firearm." Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 2002 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Checked SUPPORT for: "i) Raise the minimum age for ownership of handguns from 18 to 21." Indicate which principles you support (if any) concerning gun issues. Other or expanded principles: "mandatory jail time for felons in possession of a firearm." Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 2002 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "a) Ban the sale or transfer of semi-automatic guns, except those used for hunting." Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 2002 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "e) Allow citizens to carry concealed guns." Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 2002 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "h) Require a license for gun possession." Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 2002 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "d) Repeal federal restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns." Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 2002 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "c) Ease federal restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns." Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 2002 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Checked SUPPORT for: "g) Require background checks on gun sales between private citizens at gun shows." Indicate which principles you support (if any) concerning gun issues. Other or expanded principles: "mandatory jail time for felons in possession of a firearm."
Yes		Health Care: Do you support repealing the 2010 Affordable Care Act?
Vote Smart's Research American Public Health Association. 04/18/2012. "Lee Terry supported the interests of the American Public Health Association 20 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. HR 2. 112th Congress. Repealing the Health Care Bill. Lee Terry voted Yea on 01/19/2011. (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. Repealing the Job-Killing Health Care Law Act. 19 January 2011. "Mr. Speaker, I embrace this opportunity to repeal this trillion-dollar tragedy. That's the cost of it over 6 years; yet in order to make their numbers work so they can come here and argue that this is deficit neutral, they only have benefits for 6 years. It's full of gimmicks like that. The reality is that it's raising taxes to the amount of $569 billion. That is a job killer. And it hurts senior health care by taking $523 billion out of Medicare over the next 10 years and puts bureaucrats in charge of your health care. That's wrong. That's a tragedy." (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. Terry Statement on the One-Year Anniversary of the Health Care Overhaul. 23 March 2011. "One year ago today, President Obama signed this misguided overhaul into law. Since then, two federal judges have found the individual mandate unconstitutional and, in January, the House voted to repeal this law with bipartisan support. I am working with my colleagues on the House Energy and Commerce Committee to improve the nation's health care system -- including lowering premiums through increased competition, providing the States greater flexibility to administer Medicaid programs, and eliminating duplicative government programs and waste. In addition, we are going to work to prohibit taxpayer funding of abortions and provide conscience protections for health care providers. This is not going to be a quick fight, but we are going to get there." (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 1998 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Checked SUPPORT for: "a) The federal government has no responsibility in providing health care." Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 1998 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "b) Implement a universal health care program to guarantee coverage to all Americans regardless of income." Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 2000 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "a) Providing health care is not a responsibility of the federal government." Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 2000 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "b) Implement a universal health care program to guarantee coverage to all Americans regardless of income." Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 2002 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "a) Providing health care is not a responsibility of the federal government." Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 2002 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "b) Implement a universal health care program to guarantee coverage to all Americans regardless of income."
No		Immigration: Do you support requiring illegal immigrants to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship?
Vote Smart's Research Lee Terry. Immigration. 6 July 2011. "Once the borders are secure from illegal immigrants we must reform our current, archaic immigration laws. We must develop sensible, labor-based non-amnesty guest worker programs." (leeterry.house.gov) Federation for American Immigration Reform. 04/18/2012. "Lee Terry supported the interests of the Federation for American Immigration Reform 100 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org) National Latino Congreso/William C. Velásquez Institute. 04/18/2012. "Lee Terry supported the interests of National Latino Congreso/William C. Velásquez Institute 17 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. HR 5281. 112th Congress. DREAM Act. Lee Terry voted Nay on 12/08/2010. (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. HR 4437. 109th Congress. Border Security Bill. Lee Terry voted Yea on 12/16/2005. (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. Issue Position: Illegal Immigration. 6 July 2011. "Revise the current immigration law to allow more non-US citizens to temporarily work as guests in the United States legally. This program would allow manual workers to enter the United States to fill temporary employment needs. Once the job is complete, they must return home." (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. Issue Position: Immigration. 6 July 2011. "We must revise our current laws to allow legal and secure immigration. I am disappointed that the House bill did not contain a sensible, nonamnesty guest-worker provision. We have the opportunity to take the lead on this aspect of immigration policy and it would be a mistake to ignore it. A good guest-worker statute recognizes that folks from around the world desire to work in the to earn good wages and to help their families, and these workers add to the value of our country and its economy. A guest-worker statute should ensure that the guest-worker is not a criminal, is not associated with a terrorist organization, is healthy and has an employer-sponsor. The employer must have some responsibility to actually hire this person for the entire duration of the worker's time in the and notify the proper agency if the worker changes or leaves the employer. As the great nation we are, we should welcome those who want to contribute and not accept those who refuse to live under our rule of law." (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 1998 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Checked SUPPORT for: "f) Children of illegal immigrants, born in the United States, should not automatically receive U.S. citizenship." Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 2000 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Checked SUPPORT for: "f) Grant U.S. citizenship to children born in the US only if their parents immigrated legally." Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 2000 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "e) Prohibit states from passing laws that deny human services (medical care, education) to illegal immigrants or their children." Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 2002 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "g) Allow legalization for certain illegal immigrants working in the U.S."
No		Marriage: Do you support same-sex marriage?
Vote Smart's Research Lee Terry. On Gay Marriage. 13 April 2008. "The government should not be defining religious sacrament. People can be married as long as they want to according to government standards. I don't think that's what the church preaches - I think the church teaches a lifetime commitment. It is already illegal for gay marriage to take place in the state and I don't think the state should be getting involved in my personal religious beliefs." (youtu.be) American Civil Liberties Union. 04/18/2012. "Lee Terry supported the interests of the American Civil Liberties Union 9 percent in 2006." (votesmart.org) Human Rights Campaign. 04/18/2012. "Lee Terry supported the interests of the Human Rights Campaign 0 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org) Traditional Values Coalition. 04/18/2012. "Lee Terry supported the interests of the Traditional Values Coalition 85 percent in 2006" (votesmart.org) American Family Association. 04/18/2012. "Lee Terry supported the interests of the American Family Association 88 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org) Family Research Council. 04/18/2012. "Lee Terry supported the interests of the Family Research Council 85 percent in 2006." (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. HR 2965. 112th Congress. Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act. Lee Terry voted Nay on 12/15/2010. (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. HR 3685. 110th Congress. Sexual Orientation Employment Nondiscrimination Act (ENDA). Lee Terry voted Nay on 11/07/2007. (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. H J Res 88. 110th Congress. Same-Sex Marriage Resolution. Lee Terry voted Yea on 07/18/2006. (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. Marriage Protection Amendment. 18 July 2006. "Mr. Speaker, the American people want the Marriage Protection Amendment to be approved. Their will is clearly reflected through the overwhelming majorities voting for marriage protection initiatives in the states. We have a responsibility to children and families nationwide to send a clear message today that marriage will be upheld and protected. We also have a sacred duty to future generations to preserve marriage as the fundamental building block of society." (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. The Gate Way: Q&A With Lee Terry. 26 September 2006. "I have voted twice to allow the states to decide on same-sex marriage. I personally believe marriage is between a man and a woman, and the state should have the right to decide." (votesmart.org) Joseph Morton. Associated Press: Nelson still opposes same-sex marriage "Rep. Lee Terry said he opposes gay marriage but said he trusts states to make their own decisions on the issue. "If Massachusetts thinks it's appropriate, we shouldn't have the authority to stop them," Terry said." (www.omaha.com)
Unknown Position		National Security: Do you support targeting suspected terrorists outside of official theaters of conflict?
Vote Smart's Research Lee Terry. Terry Supports Obama's Intelligence Reforms. 6 January 2010. "We must fight terrorists with every resource available to us. The current system used to track terrorists did not work on Christmas Day and I support President Obama's intelligence system reforms. I believe these changes are necessary to make our country a safer place to live and work." (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. Message from the Senate. 15 January 2006. "We can and we must improve our intelligence and military capabilities to ultimately eradicate terrorism worldwide. This war has not been waged perfectly, but it has in arguably succeeded in preventing additional terrorist attacks on U.S. soil, protecting American lives and liberty, and forcing terrorists to spend their time running rather than plotting additional ways to murder innocent citizens and spread darkness and destruction." (votesmart.org)
Yes		Social Security: Do you support allowing individuals to divert a portion of their Social Security taxes into personal retirement accounts?
Vote Smart's Research Lee Terry. Issue Position: Entitlement Reform. 30 May 2012. "I've heard from several seniors who are worried about their future. They are worried about their Social Security and Medicare. We need to make sure these programs are secure for our seniors, yet modernize the systems so they are efficient." (votesmart.org) Omaha World Herald: Esch Says Don't Privatize Social Security. 14 August 2008. "I have a strong record of protecting Social Security," Terry said today in a statement. "I want to ensure that benefits will be there for retirees who need them in the future. That's why I support having a national discussion on this issue. All options should be on the table for consideration, including private accounts." (votesmart.org) Alliance for Retired Americans. 04/18/2012. "Lee Terry supported the interests of the Alliance for Retired Americans 50 percent in 2008." (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. Issue Position: Social Security. 7 July 2011. "We must tackle these problems today. In past sessions of Congress, I have co-sponsored legislation that would allow on a voluntary basis - but not require - workers to establish private retirement accounts, while also growing the Social Security trust fund. I also believe that any changes must address the issue of solvency first." (votesmart.org) Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 1998 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Checked SUPPORT for: "a) Allow workers to invest a portion of their payroll tax in private accounts which they manage." Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 1998 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "b) Allow workers to invest a portion of their payroll tax in private accounts which are managed by the government." Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 2000 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "b) Allow workers to invest a portion of their payroll tax in private accounts managed by private firms contracted by the government." Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 2000 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Checked SUPPORT for: "a) Allow workers to invest a portion of their payroll tax in private accounts which they manage themselves." Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 2002 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Checked SUPPORT for: "b) Allow workers to invest a portion of their payroll tax in private accounts managed by private firms contracted by the government." Lee Terry. Project Vote Smart: 2002 Nebraska Congressional Political Courage Test. Checked SUPPORT for: "a) Allow workers to invest a portion of their payroll tax in private accounts which they manage themselves." Lee Terry. Terry Statement on the Passage of the Republican House Budget. 29 March 2012. "The budget that House Republicans have passed establishes national priorities, and funds them accordingly. It enacts entitlement reform to Medicare and Social Security that gives individuals more control over their retirement options and preserves those programs for future generations. It also sustains defense spending, and alters the tax code to be more effective and fair. It is my hope that the president and the Senate will put aside their party politics, and join House Republicans to advance this budget and do what is right for the American people." (votesmart.org)

Key

: Official Position: Candidate had the Political Courage to address this issue directly.
: Inferred Position: Candidate refused to address this issue directly, but Project Vote Smart inferred this issue position based on the candidate's public statements, voting record, and evaluations from special interest groups.
: Unknown Position: Candidate refused to address this issue.
: Project Vote Smart's Research: Click on this icon to reveal more information about this candidate's position.

Other or Expanded Principles & Legislative Priorities are entered exactly as the candidate has submitted it. Project Vote Smart does not edit for misspelled words, punctuation or grammar.

Congressional Election 2002 National Political Awareness Test

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.

(+) Expand All (–) Collapse All

Indicate which principles you support (if any) concerning abortion.
	a) Abortions should always be illegal.
	b) Abortions should always be legally available.
	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.
X	e) Abortions should be legal when the life of the woman is endangered.
X	f) Eliminate public funding for abortions and public funding of organizations that advocate or perform abortions.
	g) Other or expanded principles

Budgetary Priorities
Using the key below, indicate what levels of federal funding you support for the following general categories. Select one number per category.
Maintain Funding Status	a) Agricultural
Greatly Decrease Funding	b) Arts
Slightly Increase Funding	c) Defense
Slightly Increase Funding	d) Education
Maintain Funding Status	e) Environmental
Slightly Decrease Funding	f) International Aid
Slightly Increase Funding	g) Law Enforcement
Slightly Increase Funding	h) Medical Research
Maintain Funding Status	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
Greatly Increase Funding	m) Terrorism Prevention
Maintain Funding Status	n) Transportation and Highway Infrastructure
Maintain Funding Status	o) Welfare
	p) Other or expanded categories

Defense Spending
Using the key below, indicate what levels of federal funding you support for the following categories. Select one number per category.
Slightly Increase Funding	a) Armed Forces personnel training
Slightly Increase Funding	b) Covert intelligence operations
Maintain Funding Status	c) Military hardware
Slightly Increase Funding	d) Pay for active duty personnel
Greatly Increase Funding	e) National Missile Defense Program
Slightly Increase Funding	f) Programs to improve military retention rates
Greatly Increase Funding	g) Research and development of new weapons
Greatly Increase Funding	h) Troop and equipment readiness
	i) Other or expanded categories

Taxes
Using 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 Income
Slightly Decrease	a) Less than $25,000
Slightly Decrease	b) $25,000 - $75,000
Slightly Decrease	c) $75,000 - $150,000
Slightly Decrease	d) Over $150,000
	e) Other or expanded categories

Income Taxes - Retiree Income
Slightly Decrease	f) Over $40, 000
Eliminate	g) Other or expanded categories
Repeal 1993 Tax on Social Security
Other Taxes
Slightly Decrease	a) Alcohol taxes
Slightly Decrease	b) Capital gains taxes
Maintain Status	c) Cigarette taxes
Maintain Status	d) Corporate taxes
Maintain Status	e) Gasoline taxes
Eliminate	f) Inheritance taxes
	g) Other or expanded categories

Deductions/Credits
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
Maintain Status	f) Student loan tax credit
	g) Other or expanded categories

Taxes
Yes	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
Should have Constitutional Amendment to balance budget without using social security

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding campaign finance and governmental reform issues.
	a) Support public taxpayer funding for congressional candidates who comply with campaign spending limits.
X	b) Increase the amount individuals are permitted to contribute to federal campaigns.
	c) Prohibit Political Action Committee (PAC) contributions to candidates for federal office.
	d) Provide free or low-cost television advertising to candidates who agree to voluntary campaign spending limits.
	e) Ban unregulated soft money campaign contributions to political parties or committees.
	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.
No	k) Support the federal government mandate that creates national voting system standards.
Yes	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?
X	n) Other or expanded principles
Soft money to National Parties should be limited as are individual hard Dollars to Candidates and P.A.C. Contributions.

Indicate which principles you support (if any) to address crime.
	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.
	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.
	f) Increase funding for community policing programs.
	g) Implement penalties other than incarceration for certain non-violent offenders.
	h) Require that crimes based on gender, sexual orientation, and disability be prosecuted as federal hate crimes.
	i) Enforcement of civil rights should primarily be the responsibility of the federal government.
X	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.
	l) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) concerning illegal drugs.
	a) Increase penalties for selling illegal drugs.
X	b) Support mandatory jail sentences for selling illegal drugs.
X	c) Expand federally sponsored drug education and drug treatment programs.
	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.
X	f) Support teacher testing and reward teachers with merit pay.
	g) Increase funding for computers and computer training in public schools.
	h) Increase funding for school capital improvements (e.g. buildings and infrastructure).
X	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.
X	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.
	g) Increase the federal minimum wage.
	h) Considering race and gender in government contracting decisions is appropriate for the federal government.
	i) Include sexual orientation in federal anti-discrimination laws.
	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.
X	c) Support opening a select portion of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for oil exploration.
	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.
	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.
	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.
X	k) Other or expanded principles
increase fuel efficiency of cars & SUV. berth weight buses review. Not a corporate average with one of two large classes of vehicles as determined by NTSHA.

Indicate which principles you support (if any) concerning gun issues.
	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.
	f) Require manufacturers to provide child-safety locks on guns.
X	g) Require background checks on gun sales between private citizens at gun shows.
	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
mandatory jail time for felons in possession of a firearm.

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.
	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.
	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.
	j) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding immigration.
	a) Decrease the number of legal immigrants allowed into the country.
	b) Provide extra federal aid to states with higher numbers of immigrants for necessary medical and social services.
	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.
	g) Allow legalization for certain illegal immigrants working in the U.S.
	h) Other or expanded principles

International Aid
Indicate which principles (if any) you support regarding U. S. economic assistance.
	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.
	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 Policy
Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding the Middle East.
	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
Iraq desires destruction of two states, USA & Israel. In order to protect ourselves a unilateral campaign may be necessary.
Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding the United States-United Nations relationship.
X	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?
Yes	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
Yes	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
Yes	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?
No	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
Yes	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.
Yes	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.
X	a) Allow workers to invest a portion of their payroll tax in private accounts which they manage themselves.
X	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.
	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.
	e) Restore food stamp programs to legal immigrants.
X	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.
X	h) Require states to return any unused welfare block grant funding to the federal government.
X	i) Direct federal poverty aid through religious, community-based, or other non-profit organizations.
	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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Lee R. Terry

Representative Lee R. Terry's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

Issue Positions

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Key

Congressional Election 2002 National Political Awareness Test

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

Budgetary Priorities

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

Defense Spending

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

Taxes

Using 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 Income

Income Taxes - Retiree Income

Other Taxes

Deductions/Credits

Taxes

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

International Aid

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

International Policy

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding the Middle East.

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

International Trade

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

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

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

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

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