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Jeff Van Drew's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

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On The Ballot: Running, Republican for U.S. House (NJ) - District 2

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Jeff Van Drew is currently being tested through the 2024 Political Courage Test.

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Issue Positions

For Presidential and Congressional candidates who refuse to provide voters with their positions, Vote Smart has researched their public records to determine their likely responses. These issue positions are from 2022.

  • Rated 100% by National Right to Life Committee. (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Signed Letter to Speaker Pelosi: "We write to express our unified opposition to Congressional Democrats' efforts to repeal the Hyde Amendment and other current-law, pro-life appropriations provisions. As part of their pro-abortion crusade, Democrats have taken direct aim at these long-standing, bipartisan protections that generally prevent the federal government from using taxpayer dollars to support abortion procedures. Repealing these pro-life provisions would destroy nearly half a century of bipartisan consensus. Each year since 1976, Congress has included Hyde protections in annually enacted appropriations. No president in American history has ever vetoed an appropriations bill due to its inclusion of the Hyde Amendment." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 3755 "Women's Health Protection Act of 2021." (votesmart.org)
  • "These programs are a handshake agreement between the federal government and senior citizens that must be honored, and I will not stand for any attempts to undermine this commitment. Paying these benefits today is not enough; we must ensure the long-term solvency for future generations. As Congressman, I pledge to: Fight any attempt to privatize Social Security and Medicare. Enable Medicare to negotiate for lower prescription drug prices. Oppose raising the retirement age and any reductions in cost of living adjustments. Support the wealthy paying more to protect the solvency of Social Security" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Rated 85% by Alliance for Retired Americans. (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1425 "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act." (votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 1 "For the People Act of 2021." (votesmart.org)
  • "We were warned for years about the rise of socialism. Well, here it is, served on a platter, using your money to pay for politicians campaigns. Do you like those robocalls during campaign season? How about the negative TV ads and the mailers? Or how about all of the political stuff that just comes out? Well, your tax dollars are paying for them. And, yes, this is taxpayer dollars, no matter how they tell you otherwise." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Ratred 85% by End Citizens United. (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Rated 85% by End Citizens United. (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 1280 "George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021." (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of S 1605 "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022." (votesmart.org)
  • "The United States Military is the most powerful fighting force in all of human history and Congressman Van Drew believes, like President Reagan, that peace comes through strength and that when America leads, the world is safest." (act.astrongamerica.us)
  • ""As you know, the House passed H.R. 3684, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) with my support," said Congressman Van Drew. "I worked on and read through every page of this legislation. A majority of this bill funds previously existing federal highway projects that need completing, and nearly half includes new funding for highways, bridges, ports, rural broadband, and will provide investments for hard infrastructure projects that are desperately needed not only in South Jersey, but across America. This bill is paid for through previously existing COVID-19 relief funds as well as unused unemployment money from states and includes no social spending and no new taxes on the American people." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 3684 "Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act." (votesmart.org)
  • "As you know, the House passed H.R. 3684, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) with my support," said Congressman Van Drew. "I worked on and read through every page of this legislation. A majority of this bill funds previously existing federal highway projects that need completing, and nearly half includes new funding for highways, bridges, ports, rural broadband, and will provide investments for hard infrastructure projects that are desperately needed not only in South Jersey, but across America. This bill is paid for through previously existing COVID-19 relief funds as well as unused unemployment money from states and includes no social spending and no new taxes on the American people." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • ""Congress and the agencies we oversee must ensure these precious funds go to help those in need, not corporations or institutions that already have access to money," said Congressman Van Drew. "While we still have work to do and further to go, this should provide some temporary assistance to those most in need."" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 266 "Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act." Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act
  • "Congress and the agencies we oversee must ensure these precious funds go to help those in need, not corporations or institutions that already have access to money, said Congressman Van Drew. "While we still have work to do and further to go, this should provide some temporary assistance to those most in need." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 266 "Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act." (votesmart.org)
  • "Don’t let Democrats deceive you with cushy bill titles. The Inflation Reduction Act will actually INCREASE inflation through 2024 and INCREASES taxes by nearly $17 billion on those making less than $200k." (twitter.com)
  • "President Biden signing the Inflation Expansion Act will make our nation almost totally dependent on Communist China for the critical minerals we need to build wind and solar tech. We have these minerals here in America. Yet President Biden refuses to let us mine for them." (twitter.com)
  • Voted against H.R. 5376 “Inflation Reduction Act of 2022” (votesmart.org)
  • Voted against H.R. 4 “John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021” (votesmart.org)
  • Voted against H.R. 5746 “Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act” (votesmart.org)
  • "In the coming months and years as a United States Congressman, I will support pro-growth, pro-jobs energy efficiency and clean energy proposals that reduce carbon pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. We have an opportunity to become a global leader in the clean energy industry, but we have to be smart and strategic about it. We need to protect our environment and make our economy more sustainable so that we can pass on a better world to our grandchildren." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 4447 "Expanding Access to Sustainable Energy Act of 2019." (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 9 "Climate Action Now Act." (votesmart.org)
  • "American energy is the cornerstone of American political, military, and economic strength. While Democrat Socialists renew their calls for a “Green New Deal” that will cripple our economy and threaten our way of life, Congressman Van Drew will work with President Trump to ensure America maintains its place as the world leader in oil and natural gas production and a net exporter of natural gas. An energy independent America is a stronger America." (act.astrongamerica.us)
  • "In the coming months and years as a United States Congressman, I will support pro-growth, pro-jobs energy efficiency and clean energy proposals that reduce carbon pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. We have an opportunity to become a global leader in the clean energy industry, but we have to be smart and strategic about it. We need to protect our environment and make our economy more sustainable so that we can pass on a better world to our grandchildren." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • ""It is outrageous that Congress would consider a scheme to financially punish New Jersey taxpayers as a threat against our efforts to block offshore drilling from our shore communities. This is reckless and irresponsible legislation, which violates our state's rights, and I will not stand for it. Already, New Jersey woefully is shortchanged on our return on tax dollars we send to Washington and now, dysfunctional politicians think they can blackmail our residents with punitive fines or put our shore in peril. In the state legislature, I have long led the fight to protect our shore-based economy by standing against offshore drilling and in Congress, Washington will hear loud and clear that this will not happen in South Jersey."" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Rated 82% by League of Conservation Voters. (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "It is outrageous that Congress would consider a scheme to financially punish New Jersey taxpayers as a threat against our efforts to block offshore drilling from our shore communities. This is reckless and irresponsible legislation, which violates our state's rights, and I will not stand for it. Already, New Jersey woefully is shortchanged on our return on tax dollars we send to Washington and now, dysfunctional politicians think they can blackmail our residents with punitive fines or put our shore in peril. In the state legislature, I have long led the fight to protect our shore-based economy by standing against offshore drilling and in Congress, Washington will hear loud and clear that this will not happen in South Jersey." (justfacts.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 2019." (votesmart.org)
  • "I support many commonsense reforms to reduce gun violence, such as banning assault weapons and bump stocks, requiring universal background checks for every gun sale, and strengthening the National Instant Criminal Background Check System by requiring federal and state agencies to keep updated records. Other reforms I stand behind include passing legislation to crack down on illegal gun trafficking, prohibiting any individuals with a mental illness from gaining access to guns, and increasing the prosecution of individuals prohibited from purchasing guns who violate that restriction. I believe that with reforms like these, we can reduce gun violence while keeping American citizens' Second Amendment rights intact." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 1446 "Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2021." (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 987 “MORE Health Education Act” (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 6201 “Families First Coronavirus Response Act” (votesmart.org)
  • Voted against H.R. 6833 “The Affordable Insulin Now Act” (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 3 “Lower Drug Costs Now Act of 2019” (votesmart.org)
  • "Congressman Van Drew believes in strong borders so we know who – and what – is coming in and out of our country. He will continue to fight sanctuary city and state policies that undermine American workers and our public health and safety." (act.astrongamerica.us)
  • "Fentanyl overdoses are now the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18-45. We must secure our southern border. We must empower our law enforcement at the border to uphold the rule of law. We must permanently make fentanyl a schedule-1 drug." (twitter.com)
  • "Let me make this really clear - the border is NOT secure." (twitter.com)
  • "My Republican colleagues and I have a plan to lower inflation, secure our border, restore energy independence, and lower crime rates. We are committed to America" (twitter.com)
  • "America is a place of hope and opportunity where you can work hard, support your family and create a better life. That dream has become increasingly harder to reach because of our broken immigration system, and we need new approaches that are tough, practical, and fair. We need comprehensive reform that must start by strengthening border security and cracking down on employers that knowingly circumvent the law. Additionally, by requiring employers to verify workers we will reduce the hiring of unauthorized workers, increase the accessibility of visas for high-skilled workers, and allow law-abiding immigrant families to come out of the shadows, pay taxes, play by the rules, and earn their citizenship. We need realistic approaches to protect children that came here as minors and grew up identifying as American, and policies that treat them fairly." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 1333 "NO BAN Act." (votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 6 "American Dream and Promise Act of 2021." (votesmart.org)
  • ""On top of the surge in illegal immigrants being encountered at our southern border, there have been over 3,600 arrests of illegal migrants with criminal records. President Biden is not putting the American people first by allowing illegal immigrants to commit violent acts in their home country and then be able to travel freely into the United States. President Biden must wake up and protect our country’s borders."" (vandrewforcongress.com)
  • "On top of the surge in illegal immigrants being encountered at our southern border, there have been over 3,600 arrests of illegal migrants with criminal records. President Biden is not putting the American people first by allowing illegal immigrants to commit violent acts in their home country and then be able to travel freely into the United States. President Biden must wake up and protect our country’s borders." (vandrewforcongress.com)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 6968 “Suspending Energy Imports from Russia Act” (votesmart.org)
  • "We must permanently end Nord Stream 2 to remove Russia’s stranglehold on European energy demands. We must get American energy back to full production and lead the world in energy independence." (twitter.com)
  • "I am proud to stand in solidarity with the people of #Ukraine and strongly condemn Russia’s unprovoked attack" (twitter.com)
  • Voted against H.R. 7691 “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)
  • "Don’t let Democrats deceive you with cushy bill titles. The Inflation Reduction Act will actually INCREASE inflation through 2024 and INCREASES taxes by nearly $17 billion on those making less than $200k." (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5430 "United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act." (votesmart.org)
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.

Please indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding abortion.

a) Abortions should always be legally available.
X b) Abortions should be legally available when the procedure is completed within the first trimester of pregnancy.
c) Abortions should be legal only when the pregnancy resulted from incest, rape or when the life of the woman is endangered.
d) Abortions should be legal only when the life of the woman is endangered.
e) Abortions should always be illegal.
X f) Abortions should be limited by waiting periods and parental notification requirements.
No g) Should New Jersey government funding be provided to clinics and medical facilities that provide abortion services?
Yes h) Do you support a state ban on the partial-birth abortion procedure?
If yes, should a ban include an exception when the health of the woman is endangered?
Yes should a ban include an exception when the life of the woman is endangered?
i) Other

Please indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding affirmative action in New Jersey.

X a) The New Jersey government should prosecute cases of discrimination in the public and private sectors.
b) The New Jersey government should consider race and sex in making hiring, contracting and admissions decisions.
c) The New Jersey government should discontinue affirmative action programs.
d) Other

Please indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding auto insurance reform in New Jersey.

X a) Support more aggressive prosecution of insurance fraud through the hiring of additional fraud investigators.
X b) Create an elected, as opposed to appointed, Insurance Commissioner.
X c) Support a continued freeze on insurance rates.
X d) Reduce insurance premiums.
X e) Reduce or eliminate insurance company surcharges.
X f) Support policies that give consumers a greater choice of insurance companies, plans and rates.
X g) Reinstate the Office of Public Advocate.
h) Eliminate the no-fault insurance program.
i) Other

Please indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding children & family issues in New Jersey.

X a) Increase state funding for programs to prevent teen pregnancy.
X b) Provide tax credits for businesses that provide child care for their employees.
X c) Deny or suspend state-issued permits and licenses to parents who are delinquent in paying court-ordered child support.
No d) Do you believe that the New Jersey government should recognize same-sex marriages?
e) Other

Please indicate which principles you support (if any) to address crime in New Jersey.

X a) Increase state funds for construction of state prisons and for hiring of additional prison staff.
X b) Expand and promote "community policing" programs.
X c) Support "truth in sentencing" for violent criminals so they serve their full sentences with no chance of parole.
d) Expand the use of the death penalty for additional circumstances relating to murder.
e) Oppose the death penalty.
f) Implement penalties other than incarceration for certain non-violent offenders.
X g) Continue to impose mandatory life sentences for third-time, violent felons.
X h) Inform communities when a convicted sex offender moves into the community.
i) Increase state funds for programs which rehabilitate and educate inmates during and after their prison sentences.
j) Decriminalize the possession and private use of certain illegal drugs such as marijuana.
X k) Strengthen penalties and sentences associated with drug-related crimes.
X l) Implement chain gangs in which prison inmates work together in chained work groups.
m) Other

Please indicate which principles you support (if any) to address juvenile crime in New Jersey.

X a) Prosecute juveniles who commit murder or other serious violent crimes as adults.
b) Expand the death penalty to apply to 16 and 17-year-olds who commit murder.
X c) Provide state funding for military-style "boot-camps" for juvenile first-time felons.
X d) Increase state funding for community centers and other social agencies in areas with at-risk youth.
X e) Support state government funding of programs for at-risk youth such as guaranteed college loans and job training and placement.
f) Other

Please indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding New Jersey's economic development.

X a) Increase state funds for improving the state's transportation system, including major roadways, railways and airports.
X b) Provide low interest loans and tax credits for expanding, starting or relocating businesses.
c) Expand legalized gambling (e.g., casino gambling, slot machines, Keno).
X d) Reduce state government regulations on the private sector.
e) Remove state government controls or caps from wages, prices, rents, profits, production and interest rates.
X f) Support limits on cash damages in lawsuits against businesses and professionals for product liability or malpractice.
X g) Increase state funding for programs to re-train unemployed workers.
h) Other

Please indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding New Jersey's education system.

X a) Increase state funds for professional development and salaries of public school faculty.
b) Endorse teacher-led voluntary school prayer in public schools.
X c) Encourage private or corporate investment in certain public school programs.
d) Provide parents with state-funded vouchers to send their children to any participating school (public, private, religious, technical).
X e) Support continuation of charter schools where teachers and other professionals receive state authorization and funding to establish new schools.
X f) Require the use of state-wide achievement standards for all state public schools.
g) Emphasize local control of education as long as the school district meets state health and safety standards.
X h) Support sex education programs which stress abstinence.
X i) Support sex education programs which stress safe sexual practices.
X j) Offer financial incentives to encourage school districts to consolidate.
Endorse moment of silence in public schools.

Please indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding New Jersey's environment and natural resources.

a) Support tougher environmental standards in order to encourage the sale of cleaner-burning fuels throughout New Jersey.
b) Support tougher auto emission inspection standards.
c) Support "self-audit" legislation which creates incentives for polluting industries to audit themselves and clean up pollution.
d) Require a cost/benefit analysis be completed to determine the economic impact of proposed environmental regulations before they are implemented.
e) Require the state to reimburse citizens when state-sponsored environmental regulations limit the use of privately-owned land.
X f) Provide funding for recycling programs in New Jersey.
X g) Request flexibility from the federal government in enforcing and funding federal environmental regulations.
h) Suspend New Jersey's participation in unfunded, federally mandated environmental protection legislation.
i) Maintain environmental quality standards equal to, but not exceeding, those mandated by current federal regulations.
j) Other
a) Do you support amending the New Jersey Constitution to limit the terms of New Jersey's State Senators and Assemblymembers?
If yes, limit:
Yes b) Do you support amending the U.S. Constitution to require an annual balanced federal budget?
Yes c) Do you support stricter limits on individual contributions to state legislative candidates?
Yes d) Do you support stricter limits on PAC contributions to state legislative candidates?
Yes e) Do you support stricter limits on corporate and union contributions to state legislative candidates?
Yes f) Do you support requiring full and timely disclosure of campaign finance information?
Yes g) Do you support imposing spending limits on state level political campaigns?
h) Do you support partial funding from state taxes for state level political campaigns?
i) Other

Please indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding gun issues.

a) Increase state restrictions on the purchase and possession of firearms.
b) Maintain all state registration procedures and state restrictions on possession of firearms.
c) Ease state procedures and restrictions on the purchase and registration of firearms.
d) Repeal all state bans and measures that restrict law-abiding citizens from obtaining firearms.
e) Allow law-abiding citizens to carry concealed firearms.
f) Other

Please indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding New Jersey's health care system.

X a) Expand state funding for pre-natal and infant care programs available in the state, including immunizations.
X b) Provide tax incentives to assist small businesses in providing health care to their employees.
c) Ensure that New Jersey's citizens have access to basic health care through managed care, insurance reforms or state-funded care where necessary.
d) Guaranteeing medical care to all citizens is not a responsibility of state government.
e) Limit the amount of damages that can be awarded in medical malpractice lawsuits.
f) Other

Indicate what changes you support (if any) regarding levels of funding for the following categories.

a) Abortion
b) Affirmative Action
c) AIDS Programs
d) Education
e) Environment
f) Health Care
g) Law Enforcement
h) Welfare
No i) Do you support turning over more state functions to the private sector?
j) Other

Please indicate the changes you will support (if any) regarding New Jersey's tax levels.

a) Alcohol Taxes
b) Business Taxes
c) Capital Gains Taxes
d) Cigarette Taxes
e) Income Taxes (incomes less than $75,000)
f) Income Taxes (incomes greater than $75,000)
g) Property Taxes
h) Sales Taxes
i) State Fees
No j) Do you support a flat tax structure for state income taxes?
k) Other

Please indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding New Jersey's welfare system.

X a) Provide childcare services to welfare recipients who work or attend school.
b) Allow welfare recipients to work and still receive state-funded health care and child care (if needed) until they become self-sufficient.
X c) Require that able-bodied welfare recipients receive job training, attend school, or work in order to receive welfare benefits.
X d) Require that unwed mothers under the age of 18 attend school and live with a parent or guardian (if possible) to receive welfare benefits.
X e) Limit welfare benefits given to recipients who have additional children.
f) Provide two-parent families living in poverty the same welfare benefits as one-parent families.
g) Eliminate government-funded welfare and advocate privately-funded assistance to people in need.
X h) Support a two-year limit on welfare benefits for recipients who are able to work.
i) Other
I'll work with both parties to lower car insurance rates. My plan forces everyone to the table -- and requires three rate-lowering options. If the state won't decide, then the public should vote on a solution. Campaigns could be productive if candidates took responsibility for advertisements, as I'm doing.

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