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Sheila Jackson Lee's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

Office:

On The Ballot: Running, Democratic for U.S. House (TX) - District 18

Key

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

Sheila Jackson Lee is currently being tested through the 2024 Political Courage Test.

What is the Political Courage Test?

Issue Positions

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

  • Rated 100% by Planned Parenthood (votesmart.org)
  • "I am leaving the Senate Chamber after standing up for codifying Roe v. Wade, and protecting the reproductive rights of all women in America! I will never give in on the right of every woman to make their own healthcare decisions." (x.com)
  • "The Trump U.S. Supreme Court has finally got their wish by violating precedent and destroying decades of privacy rights for women under the ninth amendment by literally destroying and eliminating the protection of Roe v. Wade for the women of America." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 3755 "Women's Health Protection Act of 2021." (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 100% by Alliance for Retired Americans. (votesmart.org)
  • "Did you know that the average SS monthly benefit is $1,400? That’s why a stronger Social Security that reflects the real expenses seniors face is so important. Today’s announcement of a 2.8% COLA is good news – but let’s do better." (x.com)
  • "Today, I continued my fight for #SocialSecurity by supporting @JohnLarsonCT at the introduction of #socialsecurity2100, a bill to modernize the social safety net" (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of S 610 "Protecting Medicare and American Farmers from Sequester Cuts Act." (votesmart.org)
  • "Why cut taxes for billionaires and blow a hole in the deficit when we still need to rebuild from hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria?" (x.com)
  • "The wealthy don’t need another tax cut – the middle class does. It’s about time that working people get the tax cut they deserve. We need to reward work in this country – not just wealth." (x.com)
  • Rated 11% by FreedomWorks (None)
  • "Today on the Floor, @HouseGOP voted for #GOPBudget to pave the way for tax cuts for the wealthiest 1%. That’s not #FairerTaxes." (x.com)
  • "The same Republican politicians who passed billions and billions in tax cuts for the wealthy are now calling for cuts to nutrition support for families in need. Give me a break." (x.com)
  • "The wealthy don’t need another tax cut – the middle class does. It’s about time that working people get the tax cut they deserve. We need to reward work in this country – not just wealth." (x.com)
  • "Why cut taxes for billionaires and blow a hole in the deficit when we still need to rebuild from hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria?" (x.com)
  • "Protecting democracy starts with passing the For The People Act and the John Robert Lewis Voting Rights Act. #GoodTrouble" (x.com)
  • "Republicans have spent years rewarding wealthy donors & special interests while leaving working families behind. That ends now. We just introduced the #ForThePeople Act – a once-in-a-generation reform bill to clean up corruption in Washington" (x.com)
  • Rated 100% by Common Cause (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1 "For the People Act of 2021" (votesmart.org)
  • "I am here at the White House with President Biden for the historic signing of the police reform Executive Order. Joined by law enforcement, Civil Rights Leaders, Faith Leaders, and members of the George Floyd Family, and other members of all the families that loss of a love one." (x.com)
  • "End the filibuster! Pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021! Enough is Enough!" (x.com)
  • "How much longer will we have to wait for responsible legislation to address the bad behavior that occurs in bad policing. It's important to move forward and pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act out of the United States Senate." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1280 "George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021." (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 7900 "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023." (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 2670: "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of S 1605 "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022." (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 3684 "Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act." (votesmart.org)
  • "Soon the House will vote on final passage of the Inflation Reduction and Budget Reconciliation bill. As a member of the House Budget Committee this is a great win for the State of Texas." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1319 "American Rescue Plan Act of 2021." (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5376 "Inflation Reduction Act of 2022" (votesmart.org)
  • "I want to thank Chairwoman @MaxineWaters for her leadership in fighting for housing for all Americans—especially amongst the most vulnerable members of our communities who’ve been shut out and denied access to fair and affordable housing for far too long." (x.com)
  • "Hosted @secfudge in the district yesterday for her announcement of $2 billion dollars in funding and $45 million specifically for Houston-area affordable housing! The Biden-Harris administration is committed to equitable housing, not only in word, but in action!" (x.com)
  • "President Biden’s Build Back Better framework will bring down costs that have held back families in Texas for decades by cutting taxes and making child care, home care, education, health care, and housing more affordable." (x.com)
  • "The reducing inflation bill that just passed the Senate will be an enormous engine to help these impoverished communities. We have now just blessed America with 21st Century relief for the deadly and destructive consequences of climate change." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5376 "Inflation Reduction Act of 2022" (votesmart.org)
  • "Soon the House will vote on final passage of the Inflation Reduction and Budget Reconciliation bill. As a member of the House Budget Committee this is a great win for the State of Texas." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 3684 "Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act." (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 100% by National Education Association (None)
  • Voted in favor of HR 2547 "Comprehensive Debt Collection Improvement Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1 "For the People Act of 2021" (votesmart.org)
  • "MLK marched, John Lewis bled, President Johnson signed the voting rights act. Now the eyes on history are upon us. We must not squander this moment. It’s time to pass urgent voting rights legislation now!" (x.com)
  • "The Senate must do their job and pass Voting Rights Legislation, now. Our democracy depends on every American exercising their right to vote!" (x.com)
  • Rated 100% by Common Cause (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 4447 "Expanding Access to Sustainable Energy Act of 2019." (votesmart.org)
  • "More green energy is coming to Sunnyside! The Sunnyside Solar Project will convert a former landfill into the largest urban solar farm in the country. Houston is moving forward" (x.com)
  • Rated 0% by American Energy Alliance (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 9 "Climate Action Now Act." (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 4447 "Expanding Access to Sustainable Energy Act of 2019." (votesmart.org)
  • "The oil and gas industry claims that offshore drilling is safer than it has ever been. The 14-year-long oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico proves otherwise. #ProtectOurCoast" (x.com)
  • Rated 0% by American Energy Alliance (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 9 "Climate Action Now Act." (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1112 "Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2021." (votesmart.org)
  • "The final gavel and victory for the first gun bills passed and on to House Floor in 30 years! A ban on Assault weapons and lifting ban on Gun Manufacturers being sued by victims of the bloodshed created by their guns!" (x.com)
  • "We must ban assault weapons, pass universal background checks, and pass the Kimberly Vaughan Safe Storage Act to prevent and stop the scourge of gun violence and mass shootings!" (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of S 2938 "Bipartisan Safer Communities Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "Today, Members of Congress went from the Capitol to the Supreme Court to let all opponents of the ACA know that we must protect affordable, quality healthcare for all Americans" (x.com)
  • "This is what happens when a visionary president cares enough to work with a committed and empathetic Congress to address the real issues facing the American people. The Republicans have NO vision whether it is for Obamacare (ACA) or Medicare for all--they are denying health coverage to the most vulnerable American families and Americans with pre-existing conditions. Vote for this bill." (None)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1425 "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "Access to #paidleave shouldn’t depend on where you live or work. We need national #paidleave!" (x.com)
  • "On today’s Paid Leave National Day of Action, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to pass a paid family and medical leave policy that would lift up all American workers and families. Let’s make history together. #PaidLeaveforAll" (x.com)
  • "This is why I am proud to support the FAMILY Act. This bill addresses the need for a national paid leave that will allow people to receive a portion of their pay when the demands of family necessitate leave from work. Permitting this would unquestionably result in significant benefits for their families, business and our economy. If enacted into law, this bill would establish a national paid leave insurance program; provide eligible employees with up to 12 weeks of partial income to address their own serious health condition, including pregnancy or childbirth; to deal with the serious health condition of a parent, spouse, domestic partner or child; to care for a new child" (None)
  • Voted in favor of HR 6201 "Families First Coronavirus Response Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "This is what more than 300 #bipartisan bills that we’ve passed in the House looks like. Bills to promote equal pay, end gun violence, lower prescription drug costs and protect our system of elections, bills that remain on the desk of @senatemajldr. Its time for the Senate to act!" (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 3 "Lower Drug Costs Now Act of 2019" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 6833 "The Affordable Insulin Now Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "Speaker Nancy Pelosi is correct--a border wall is immoral and ineffective. Democrats remain committed to border security in the form of increased personnel and resources--a border wall is not supported or effective." (None)
  • "Democrats have long supported border security that is both strong & smart, like: - hiring more border security personnel - technology such as cameras and radar systems to improve situational awareness - certain kinds of border infrastructure where it makes sense #NielsenHearing" (twitter.com)
  • "I’m all for smart border security – but Trump’s wall isn’t that. It’s inffective. It’s wasteful. And the way he’s going about trying to get it is hurting American families. #EndTheShutdown" (x.com)
  • "We MUST protect our Dreamers, who contribute greatly to this nation. At tomorrow’s SOTU, I will have as my special guest Cesar Espinosa, a Dreamer from Houston. The president MUST listen to the stories of Dreamers & support a pathway to citizenship. #iKneel #RepJacksonLee" (x.com)
  • "I was proud to stand and join @speakerpelosi and our nation's #Dreamers as we unveil #HR6 the Dream and the Promise Act" (x.com)
  • "It is important to protect our #DACA recipients, our nation's #Dreamers and those who are #TPS recipients - we must pass #HR6 - the Dream and Promise Act" (x.com)
  • "With the devastating conditions around the Haitian migrants at the Southern Border, I am calling on the immediate suspension of Title 42." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 7108: "Suspending Normal Trade Relations with Russia and Belarus Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5691: "Making emergency supplemental appropriations for assistance for the situation in Ukraine for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022, and for other purposes." (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 6968: "Suspending Energy Imports from Russia Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of S 3522 "Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2022" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5691: "Making emergency supplemental appropriations for assistance for the situation in Ukraine for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022, and for other purposes." (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of S 3522 "Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2022" (votesmart.org)
  • "The House voted to move this legislation forward and to help save Ukraine. I also raised my voice in debate on the House floor to fund Ukraine and defeat Putin!" (x.com)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
This candidate has responded to a Political Courage Test in a previous election. As a continued effort to provide the American public with factual information on candidates running for public office, these archived responses are made available here.
The Political Courage Test asks candidates which items they will support if elected. It does not ask them to indicate which items they will oppose. Through extensive research of public polling data, we discovered that voters are more concerned with what candidates would support when elected to office, not what they oppose. If a candidate does not select a response to any part or all of any question, it does not necessarily indicate that the candidate is opposed to that particular item.

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

a) Abortions should always be illegal.
X b) Abortions should always be legal.
c) Abortions should be legal only within the first trimester of pregnancy.
X 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.
f) Prohibit the dilation and extraction procedure, also known as "partial-birth" abortion.
g) Prohibit public funding of abortions and of organizations that advocate or perform abortions.
h) Other or expanded principles

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

Maintain Status a) Agriculture
Maintain Status b) Arts
Maintain Status c) Defense
Greatly Increase d) Education
Maintain Status e) Environment
Slightly Increase f) Homeland security
Slightly Increase g) International aid
Greatly Increase h) Law enforcement
Slightly Increase i) Medical research
Maintain Status j) National parks
Slightly Increase k) Public health services
Slightly Increase l) Scientific research
Slightly Increase m) Space exploration programs
Maintain Status n) Transportation and highway infrastructure
Slightly Increase o) Welfare
p) Other or expanded categories

Defense Spending

Maintain Status a) Armed Forces personnel training
Slightly Increase b) Intelligence operations
Maintain Status c) Military hardware
Slightly Increase d) Modernization of weaponry and equipment
Slightly Increase e) National missile defense
Maintain Status f) Pay for active duty personnel
Maintain Status g) Programs to improve troop retention rates
Maintain Status h) Research and development of new weapons
Maintain Status i) Troop and equipment readiness
j) Other or expanded categories

Using the key above, indicate what federal tax levels you support for the following general categories. Select one number per category.TaxesIncome Taxes:Family IncomeRetiree IncomeOther Taxes:Deductions/Credits:

Greatly Decrease a) Less than $25,000
Slightly Decrease b) $25,000-$75,000
Slightly Decrease c) $75,000-$150,000
Maintain Status d) Over $150,000
e) Other or expanded categories
Maintain Status f) Over $40,000
g) Other or expanded categories
Slightly Increase a) Alcohol taxes
Slightly Increase b) Capital gains taxes
Slightly Increase c) Cigarette taxes
Slightly Increase d) Corporate taxes
Slightly Increase e) Gasoline taxes
Slightly Increase f) Inheritance taxes
g) Other or expanded categories
Maintain Status a) Charitable contributions
Slightly Increase b) Child tax credit
Slightly Increase c) Earned income tax credit
Maintain Status d) Medical expense deduction
Maintain Status e) Mortgage deduction
Slightly Increase f) Student loan credit
g) Other or expanded categories
Yes 4) Do you support permanent repeal of the federal estate tax?
Undecided 5) Do you support eliminating taxes on dividends paid to individual investors?
No 6) Should a married couple filing jointly pay the same taxes as if they were an unmarried couple filing separately?
7) Other or expanded principles

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

X a) Support public taxpayer funding for federal candidates who comply with campaign spending limits.
b) Increase the amount individuals are permitted to contribute to federal campaigns.
c) Prohibit Political Action Committee (PAC) contributions to candidates for federal office.
d) Allow unregulated soft money campaign contributions to political parties or committees.
e) Allow ads paid for by soft money that support or attack a candidate for federal office.
X f) Allow issue advocacy commercials by corporations, labor unions, and non-profit groups which appear within 60 days of a general election and within 30 days of a primary election.
g) Remove all contribution limits on federal campaigns and parties.
h) Do you support instant run-off voting (IRV)?
i) Should Election Day be a national holiday?
j) Should same-sex couples be allowed to form civil unions?
k) Should marriage be restricted to a union only between a man and a woman?
l) Other or expanded principles

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

X a) Support the use of the death penalty for federal crimes.
b) Eliminate the use of the death penalty for federal crimes.
X c) Impose "truth in sentencing" for violent criminals so they serve full sentences with no chance of parole.
X d) Support programs to provide prison inmates with vocational and job-related skills and job-placement assistance when released.
X e) Support programs to provide prison inmates with drug and alcohol addiction treatment.
X f) Reduce prison sentences for those who commit non-violent crimes.
g) Support additional criminal penalties if a fetus is killed in the commission of a federal crime against a pregnant woman.
h) Require that crimes based on gender, sexual orientation, and disability be prosecuted as federal hate crimes.
X i) Support programs that provide job training and placement services for at-risk youth.
j) Impose stricter penalties for those convicted of white-collar crimes.
X k) Enforcement of civil rights should primarily be the responsibility of the federal government.
l) Minors accused of a violent crime should be prosecuted as adults.
m) Other or expanded principles

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

X a) Support mandatory jail sentences for selling illegal drugs.
X b) Expand federally sponsored drug education and drug treatment programs.
X c) Decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana.
X d) Allow doctors to prescribe marijuana to their patients for medicinal purposes.
X e) Increase border security to stop the flow of illegal drugs into the United States.
f) Eliminate federal funding for programs associated with the "war on drugs."
g) Other or expanded principles

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

X a) Support national standards for and testing of public school students.
b) Allow parents to use vouchers (equal opportunity scholarships) to send their children to any public school.
c) Allow parents to use vouchers (equal opportunity scholarships) to send their children to any private or religious school.
d) Allow teachers and professionals to receive authorization and funding to establish charter schools.
e) Increase funding for block grants to states to aid in the hiring of additional teachers.
f) Support teacher testing and reward teachers with merit pay.
g) Increase funding for school capital improvements (e.g. buildings, infrastructure, technology).
h) Support granting states limited control over Head Start programs.
i) Support changing the mission of Head Start to emphasize improving the math and reading skills of disadvantaged children.
j) Providing education is not a responsibility of the federal government.
X k) Support affirmative action in public college admissions.
X l) Increase funding of programs such as Pell grants and Stafford loans to help students pay for college.
m) Support federal tax incentives to help families save for college.
n) Other or expanded principles

1) Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding employment.2) Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding affirmative action.

a) Increase funding for national job-training programs that re-train displaced workers or teach skills needed in today's job market.
b) Reduce government regulation of the private sector in order to encourage investment and economic expansion.
c) Provide tax credits or grants to businesses that offer child care services to employees.
X d) Encourage employers to offer flex-time scheduling, comp-time, and unpaid leave for family emergencies.
e) Eliminate all federal programs designed to reduce unemployment.
X f) Increase the federal minimum wage.
X g) Support the right of workers to strike without fear of being permanently replaced.
h) Allow workers to sell company stock and to diversify their company retirement funds into other investment options.
i) Other or expanded principles
a) The federal government should consider race and gender in government contracting decisions.
b) The federal government should discontinue affirmative action programs.
X c) The federal government should continue affirmative action programs.
X d) Include sexual orientation in federal anti-discrimination laws.
e) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding the environment and energy.

X a) Strengthen the regulation and enforcement of the Clean Water Act.
X b) Strengthen the regulation and enforcement of the Clean Air Act.
c) Require states to compensate citizens when environmental regulations limit uses of privately-owned land.
d) Relax logging restrictions on federal lands.
e) Relax standards on federal lands to allow increased recreational usage.
X f) Support increased development of traditional energy resources (e.g. coal, natural gas, oil).
g) Strengthen emission controls and fuel efficiency standards on all gasoline and diesel-powered engines, including cars, trucks, and sport utility vehicles.
h) Support opening a select portion of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for oil exploration.
i) Encourage further development and use of alternative fuels to reduce pollution.
j) Support the use of ethanol as an alternative fuel.
k) Allow energy producers to trade pollution credits.
l) Support the U.S. re-entering the Kyoto treaty process to limit global warming.
m) Other or expanded principles

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

X a) Renew the ban on the sale or transfer of semi-automatic guns, except those used for hunting.
b) Maintain and strengthen the current level of enforcement of existing federal restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns.
c) Ease federal restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns.
X 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.
X h) Require a license for gun possession.
i) Establish a national database of ballistic "fingerprints" to track guns used in criminal activities.
j) Support legislation that would protect manufacturers, distributors, dealers, and importers of firearms from civil lawsuits by crime victims.
k) Other or expanded principles

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

a) Providing health care is not a responsibility of the federal government.
X 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 which includes appeal mechanisms when claims are denied.
X d) Support a Patient's Bill of Rights which includes the right to sue when claims are denied.
e) Expand eligibility for tax-free medical savings accounts.
f) Establish limits on the amount of punitive damages awarded in medical malpractice lawsuits.
X g) Support expanding prescription drug coverage under Medicare.
h) Support expanding prescription drug coverage under private managed care plans.
i) Offer tax credits to individuals and small businesses to offset the cost of insurance coverage.
X j) Support automatic enrollment of children in federal health care programs such as CHIP and Medicaid.
k) Allow 55-65 year-olds to buy into Medicare.
l) Support stem cell research on existing lines of stem cells.
m) Allow laboratories to create new lines of stem cells for additional research.
n) 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) Establish English as the official national language.
X c) Increase the number of visas issued for agricultural workers.
X d) Relax restrictions barring legal immigrants from using social programs (e.g. public housing, food stamps).
X e) Support amnesty for certain illegal immigrants who already reside in the United States.
f) Support the detention of asylum seekers from countries known to sponsor terrorism.
g) Other or expanded principles

International AidIndicate which principles you support (if any) regarding United States economic assistance.

X a) Aid should be granted to countries when extraordinary circumstances cause disaster and threaten civilian lives.
b) Aid should be granted to countries when it is in the security interests of the United States.
c) Aid should be eliminated for any nation with documented human rights abuses.
d) Aid programs should be scaled back and eventually eliminated.
e) Other or expanded principles

International Policy1) Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding the Middle East.2) Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding Central and East Asia.3) Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding the United Nations.

a) Should the United States continue to provide leadership in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process?
b) Should the United States support the creation of a Palestinian state?
Yes c) Should the United States withdraw its troops from Iraq?
d) Discuss your proposals for the reconstruction of Iraq. What funding sources would you use to implement these proposals? (75 words or less. Please use an attached page if the space below is not adequate.)
e) Other or expanded principles
a) Should the United States use diplomatic and economic pressure to encourage North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons program?
b) Should the United States use military force to destroy the North Korean nuclear weapons program?
c) Should the United States remove the North Korean government from power?
Yes d) Should the United States increase financial support to Afghanistan?
Yes e) Should the United States increase military support to Afghanistan?
f) Other or expanded principles
Yes a) Should the United States maintain its financial support of the United Nations?
No b) Should the United States decrease its financial support of the United Nations?
c) Should the United States commit troops to United Nations peacekeeping missions?
d) Other or expanded principles
4) Should the United States lift the travel ban to Cuba?
5) Should the United States increase its financial support to Colombia to combat "the war on drugs"?
Yes 6) Should aid to African nations for AIDS prevention programs fund distribution of contraceptives?
7) Should aid to African nations for AIDS prevention fund abstinence education?
8) Other or expanded principles

International TradeIndicate which principles you support (if any) regarding 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)?
Undecided 4) Should a nation's human rights record affect its normal trade relations (most favored nation) status with the United States?
Undecided 5) Do you support the trade embargo against Cuba?
Yes 6) Should trade agreements include provisions to address environmental concerns and to protect workers' rights?
7) Other or expanded principles

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

No a) Do you support using military tribunals to try suspected terrorists when ordinary civilian courts are deemed inappropriate or impractical?
Yes b) Should the United States adopt stricter rules for student visa applications from nations known to sponsor terrorism?
Undecided c) Should the United States grant law enforcement agencies greater discretion to read mail and email, tap phones, and conduct random searches to prevent future terrorist attacks?
Yes d) Should the United States hold foreign states accountable for terrorists who operate in their country?
Undecided e) Should the federal government increase funding to states and cities for homeland security?
No f) Do you support a policy of pre-emptive strikes against countries deemed to be a threat to national security?
g) Other or expanded principles

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

a) Allow workers to invest a portion of their payroll tax in private accounts which they manage themselves.
b) Allow workers to invest a portion of their payroll tax in private accounts managed by private firms contracted by the government.
c) Invest a portion of Social Security assets collectively in stocks and bonds instead of United States Treasury securities.
d) Increase the payroll tax to better finance Social Security in its current form.
X e) Lower the annual cost-of-living increases.
f) Raise the retirement age for when individuals are eligible to receive full Social Security benefits.
g) Other of expanded principles

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

X a) Collect taxes on commercial Internet transactions.
X b) Continue the moratorium on Internet taxation.
X c) Implement regulation of Internet content.
X d) Support government mandates to curtail violent and sexual content on television.
X e) Support strict penalties for Internet crimes (e.g. hacking, identity theft, worms/viruses).
X f) Support legislation to detail how personal information can be collected and used on the Internet.
g) Regulating the Internet is not a responsibility of the federal government.
X h) Impose regulations on "spam" emails.
i) Other or expanded principles

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

a) Require welfare recipients to spend at least 40 hours a week in a combination of work and training programs.
X b) Increase funding for child care programs.
X c) Continue to give states and local governments flexibility in and responsibility for welfare programs through federal block grants.
d) Direct federal poverty aid through religious, community-based, or other non-profit organizations.
e) Abolish all federal welfare programs.
X f) Support housing assistance for low-income families.
g) Other or expanded principles
On an attached page, disk, or via email, please explain in a total of 75 words or less, your top two or three priorities if elected. If they require additional funding for implementation, please explain how you would obtain this funding.

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