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Angus King, Jr.'s Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

Office:

U.S. Senate (ME) - Jr, Independent

On The Ballot: Running, Independent for U.S. Senate (ME) - Jr

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.

Is King voting like he said he would?

Angus King, Jr. has provided voters with clear stances on key issues by responding to the 2018 Political Courage Test.

What is the Political Courage Test?

Maine Congressional Election 2018 Political Courage Test

Abortion

Pro-choice		Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
I believe that abortion should be safe, available, and rare, and I do not believe that the government should interfere in decisions that are made between a woman and her health care provider.

Budget

Unknown Position		In order to balance the budget, do you support an income tax increase on any tax bracket?
Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate’s position.
Unknown Position		In order to balance the budget, do you support reducing defense spending?
Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate’s position.
I believe that we need to pass comprehensive tax reform provides targeted tax relief, increases revenues, and simplifies the tax code. Unfortunately, the tax plan that passed Congress in late 2017 failed to accomplish most of these goals and heavily tilted the benefits of the tax cuts toward the wealthy and corporations. I strongly opposed sequestration, which resulted in across-the-board cuts to defense and non-defense spending. I support making targeted investments in programs that protect our national security while always looking for ways to increase efficiency and cut wasteful or duplicative spending.

Campaign Finance

Yes		Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?
I strongly support reforming our campaign finance laws. I cosponsored the We the People Democracy Reform Act, which would significantly reform campaign finance laws by creating a small donor, public matching funds system for presidential and congressional races; closing disclosure loopholes for outside spending groups; requiring 48-hour disclosure for large contributions to candidates and parties; providing accountability for campaign ads run by outside groups; shutting down individual-candidate Super PACs and strengthens rules prohibiting coordination; establishing a new approach for enforcing campaign finance laws; and strengthening lobbying and revolving door laws.

Economy

Unknown Position		Do you support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
"Tonight, I'm disappointed, and I'm angry, because the American people deserve better. For months, moderates in the Senate reached across the aisle to colleagues -- and friends -- asking them to sit down and work together on a commonsense tax reform bill that supports hardworking Americans and fosters economic growth for businesses in Maine and across the country. In other words: to govern. But instead of digging in and doing the hard work, this Senate has decided to pass a bill that helps the few instead of the many, and shifts a massive financial burden onto our children. Rather than maximize this opportunity to help working Americans and set our nation on a path to further prosperity, this bill pushes through at least $1 trillion in unfunded tax cuts for the wealthy and for corporations. These cuts are not only misguided -- they're downright dangerous, and their effects will be felt by every aspect of our society, from the health of our economy to our national security interests." https://votesmart.org/public-statement/1213447/king-statement-on-senate-passage-of-tax-bill#.W2COOWdyIfI (votesmart.org)
No		Do you support lowering corporate taxes as a means of promoting economic growth?
"Tonight, I'm disappointed, and I'm angry, because the American people deserve better. For months, moderates in the Senate reached across the aisle to colleagues -- and friends -- asking them to sit down and work together on a commonsense tax reform bill that supports hardworking Americans and fosters economic growth for businesses in Maine and across the country. In other words: to govern. But instead of digging in and doing the hard work, this Senate has decided to pass a bill that helps the few instead of the many, and shifts a massive financial burden onto our children. Rather than maximize this opportunity to help working Americans and set our nation on a path to further prosperity, this bill pushes through at least $1 trillion in unfunded tax cuts for the wealthy and for corporations. These cuts are not only misguided -- they're downright dangerous, and their effects will be felt by every aspect of our society, from the health of our economy to our national security interests." https://votesmart.org/public-statement/1213447/king-statement-on-senate-passage-of-tax-bill#.W2COOWdyIfI (votesmart.org)
I have previously supported lowering the corporate tax rate to levels that would make the U.S. competitive with other highly-developed countries - however, I am not convinced that cutting the corporate tax rate to 21%, as the 2017 Republican tax bill did, was fiscally responsible or in line with what was necessary from a competitiveness standpoint.

Education

No		Do you support requiring states to adopt federal education standards?
The federal government's investment in K-12 education is relatively limited in comparison to what state and local governments provide. Because of this, I believe that the appropriate role for the federal government is not to mandate specific curriculum standards, but to provide guardrails to ensure that all students - including students with disabilities, English language learners, and low-income students - have access to high-quality public education. I think the federal government can be a partner in education and is in the best position to fund and disseminate research on what works best in providing high-quality education to our students.

Energy & Environment

Yes		Do you support government funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, thermal)?
Yes		Do you support the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions?

Guns

Yes		Do you generally support gun-control legislation?
"Too many communities across our nation have been gripped by the pain and trauma of mass shootings," said Senator King. "Many of these mass shootings were perpetrated by killers who displayed warning signs of emotional or mental distress, and were still able to purchase a gun. That is simply unacceptable. We need to pursue proactive approaches to save lives, while still protecting the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding gun-owners -- and that starts with trying to intervene early with those who have shown the potential to harm themselves or others." https://votesmart.org/public-statement/1240543/collins-king-support-bipartisan-red-flag-bill#.W2CPqWdyIfI (votesmart.org) "Maine has one of the highest rates of gun ownership in the country and one of the lowest rates of gun violence - the current laws in Maine support Second Amendment rights while still being reasonable. For example: while I was governor I backed a law that prevents someone from getting a permit to carry a concealed weapon if they are under a protective order as a result of domestic violence. That's not gun control, that's common sense." https://votesmart.org/candidate/political-courage-test/22381/angus-king-jr/#.W2CRvmdyIfI (votesmart.org) "Over the course of the past few months I've been talking to advocates on both sides of the issue. My highest priority in weighing their respective arguments has always been to find a solution that is effective and enforceable. That's why today I voted in favor of a sensible, compromise background check amendment crafted by Senators Manchin and Toomey. That's also why I voted in favor of Senators Collins' and Leahy's measure to strengthen penalties for gun trafficking and straw purchases, which I cosponsored. That's why I supported a measure that would limit magazine clips to ten rounds. All of these are common-sense provisions that would not only have an immediate impact on reducing gun violence, but that are also supported by a majority of Senators! Instead, today, a minority of Senators prevented their passage and, simply put, it's unconscionable." https://votesmart.org/public-statement/780205/king-statement-on-gun-control-votes#.W2CQQmdyIfI (votesmart.org)
I believe that while we cannot guarantee complete safety through legislation, we can take steps to curb gun violence while respecting the Second Amendment rights and the rights of law-abiding gun owners. I think that Congress should act to address the mass shootings and gun violence that have become all-too-common. To that end, I support measures to expand background checks, cut down on gun trafficking, ban bump stocks, and limit magazine capacity.

Health Care

Do you support repealing the 2010 Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare")?

Immigration

No		Do you support the construction of a wall along the Mexican border?
No		Do you support requiring immigrants who are unlawfully present to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship?
"The young men and women who qualify for deferred action have spent the majority of their lives in the United States -- coming here as children at no fault of their own -- and have worked hard to be active members of society. They pay taxes, look after their loved ones, contribute to their communities, and support our economy," said Senator King. "I am encouraged that members of Congress in both Houses, on both sides of the aisle are concerned about the status of DACA recipients in our country, and hope that we can harness that energy to pass this bipartisan legislation. These young people want so much to be a part of our nation, where they go to school, work, live and call home. The Graham-Durbin bill gives Dreamers the chance to continue contributing to our country, while also substantially increasing border security. The agreement would allow us to protect our border, and protect the American ideals of hard work and self-determination -- I hope the Senate will act on it quickly." https://votesmart.org/public-statement/1219047/senators-collins-king-join-bipartisan-group-of-senators-in-support-of-legislative-solution-for-daca#.W2CTp2dyIfI (votesmart.org) "Those protected under DACA came here as children with their parents -- at no fault of their own -- and have been here for years and years. In that time, they've worked to provide for their families, pay taxes, and contribute to the American economy. While I am disappointed the Administration has chosen to rescind this program, I am hopeful that Congress will take this opportunity to work together and find a long-term legislative solution that reflects our country's values and supports driven young people looking to work and live in the country they call home." https://votesmart.org/public-statement/1197385/king-statement-on-administrations-daca-announcement#.W2CT9GdyIfI (votesmart.org) Do you support requiring illegal immigrants to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship? "No" https://votesmart.org/candidate/political-courage-test/22381/angus-king-jr/#.W2CRvmdyIfI (votesmart.org)
I support comprehensive reform to our nation's immigration system, and I voted in favor of the bipartisan comprehensive immigration bill before the Senate in 2013. I believe we need to take smart steps to secure our nation's borders while taking steps to provide long-term certainty for the millions of people - including many young people who were brought here as children. I support well-reasoned efforts to increase border security, but I don't think building a wall is the most effective way to get there.

Marijuana

Unknown Position		Do you support the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes?
Signed letter stating: "As you know, this past election saw eight states vote to allow or expand some form of legal marijuana use, bringing the grand total to 29 states and jurisdictions in the United States. Yet, in these states, the majority of legal marijuana businesses, and businesses that provide services to them, are all but barred from participating in the financial system. As a result, many legal businesses are forced to operate in cash, which jeopardizes community safety, limits economic growth, and greatly expands the opportunity for tax fraud. We urge you to issue further guidance to financial institutions on their ability to provide services, specifically to indirect businesses that do nothing more than provide services to the state-sanctioned marijuana industry." https://votesmart.org/public-statement/1155227/letter-to-jamal-el-hindi-acting-director-of-financial-crimes-enforcement-network-guidance-on-banking-service-for-vendors-working-with-legal-marijuana-businesses#.W2CUOGdyIfI (votesmart.org) Signed letter stating: "With tens of millions of Americans soon gaining legal access to marijuana under state laws, new guidance is necessary in order to allow banks to enhance the availability of financial services for indirect businesses that service the marijuana industry." https://votesmart.org/public-statement/1155227/letter-to-jamal-el-hindi-acting-director-of-financial-crimes-enforcement-network-guidance-on-banking-service-for-vendors-working-with-legal-marijuana-businesses#.W2CUOGdyIfI (votesmart.org)
As Maine and other states have legalized marijuana use, I believe the federal government should give states the ability to make policy based on the wishes of their citizens. Attorney General Sessions has made concerning statements about increased enforcement of federal marijuana policy in states where marijuana is legal, a departure from the prior administration's policy. This ambiguity highlights the fact that a clearer solution is needed to bring certainty to businesses that are technically violating federal law. In the meantime, it would be improper for the federal government to interfere with state laws on this issue.

National Security

Unknown Position		Should the United States use military force in order to prevent governments hostile to the U.S. from possessing a nuclear weapon?
Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate’s position.
Unknown Position		Do you support increased American intervention in Middle Eastern conflicts beyond air support?
Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate’s position.
I believe that using a diplomatic approach, backed by a military deterrent, is preferable to preventive military conflict. While I don't support a preemptive military strike of hostile regimes seeking a nuclear weapon, containment of such regimes does require making them understand that attacks on their neighbors will result in the U.S. deploying military force to defeat such aggression. For too long, the U.S. has used the 2001 and 2002 AUMFs to engage in warfare beyond the extent those authorities intended. I believe that Congress should instead fulfill its constitutional duty to update war authorizations in response to current conflicts.

Administrative Priorities

1. Increasing prevention and treatment options for individuals struggling with opioid use. 2. Protecting and expanding access to affordable healthcare. 3. Working on rebuilding Maine?s rural economy through expanding broadband, workforce development, research and development, and avoiding the impacts of climate change.

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