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Maxine Waters' Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

Office:

On The Ballot: Running, Democratic for U.S. House (CA) - District 43

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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 2024.

  • Voted in favor of HR 8296: "Women's Health Protection Act of 2022" (votesmart.org)
  • "What can we do to protect women? We must all strongly support the Women's Health Protection Act, H.R.3755. This bill codifies Roe v. Wade, and enshrines a Federal right to abortion access and reproductive justice!" (x.com)
  • Rated 100% by Planned Parenthood Action Fund (None)
  • Voted in favor of HR 8297: "Ensuring Access to Abortion Act of 2022" (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 100% by Alliance for Retired Americans (None)
  • "The first #SocialSecurity check was issued 73 years ago today. I will remain committed to protecting this program for future generations." (x.com)
  • "Today marks the 87th anniversary of Social Security. Social Security is the great public policy that eliminated hunger and despair for senior citizens in this country. Social Security must always be protected!" (x.com)
  • Rated 100% by National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare (None)
  • Rated 3% by National Tax Limitation Committee (None)
  • "Many of this crooked President’s supporters are among the most vulnerable beneficiaries of Medicare & Medicaid. Yet, Trump’s budget proposes nearly $1 tr in cuts to ea. of these prgrms to pay tax cuts for the rich. Don’t be tricked. Trump will cut these prgrms if he’s reelected!" (x.com)
  • "The GOP tax scam law is yet another conscious decision by the president and his Republican allies to rig the system in favor of large corporations, GOP donors, special interest groups, and wealthy individuals like Donald Trump himself. However, make no mistake, I will continue to fight against Republican efforts to sell out working families in favor of the rich." (votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 1 "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 3% by National Tax Limitation Committee (None)
  • "Many of this crooked President’s supporters are among the most vulnerable beneficiaries of Medicare & Medicaid. Yet, Trump’s budget proposes nearly $1 tr in cuts to ea. of these prgrms to pay tax cuts for the rich. Don’t be tricked. Trump will cut these prgrms if he’s reelected!" (x.com)
  • "McConnell, if you think you're going to get away with taking from seniors after you have given to the rich, you have another thing coming. We will not allow you to touch #SocialSecurity, #Medicare, or #Medicaid to make up for your wild tax cuts for corporations & the rich." (x.com)
  • Voted against HR 1 "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Signed a letter stating: "Each of these changes would have dramatic implications for our nation's campaign finance system, widening the channels of influence for wealthy and well-connected campaign donors and further exacerbating the flood of undisclosed and unaccountable "secret money" into our political system.[2] Yet, the 115th Congress has not held one hearing, commissioned a single study, nor investigated in any serious way the ramifications of these ill-conceived policy riders. Put simply, it is irresponsible for Congress to advance these campaign finance changes without due deliberation and public debate. As we know all too well, Americans trust in government is nearing an all-time low.[3] Driving this historic mistrust is the public's belief that concentrated money in politics has undue influence on our political system. In fact, a recent survey found that Americans -- from across the political spectrum -- identified money in politics as the number one cause for dysfunction in Washington, D.C. [4] In the face of this reality, it would be unconscionable to exploit the must-pass FY18 omnibus spending agreement to further erode our nation's campaign finance system." (votesmart.org)
  • "This bill improves access to clean and fair elections by establishing automatic voter registration, prohibiting voter roll purges, ending partisan gerrymandering, requiring presidential candidates to release their tax returns, restoring voting rights for the formerly incarcerated, better regulating coordination between super PACs and campaigns, and enhancing federal support for voting system security. With the inclusion of my amendment, which broadens the scope of this bill to more effectively hold bad actors accountable, this bill also makes it illegal for disinformation to threaten voters with criminal, civil, or other legal penalties if they vote." (None)
  • Rated 94% by Common Cause (None)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1: "For the People Act of 2021" (votesmart.org)
  • "Today marks 1 year since George Floyd was murdered. We must always remember the 9+ minutes that Chauvin kneeled on his neck & we must be committed to holding police accountable. George Floyd & others who have met similar fates must not have died in vain. The struggle continues." (x.com)
  • "I rise in support of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, which bans police choke holds, creates a national police misconduct registry, and eliminates qualified immunity, among other needed provisions. I grieved when first watching George Floyd's murder by a cop, and I grieve still over the continued loss of so many Blacks killed by cops. There have been 149 Black men killed at the hands of police since George Floyd's murder. I have been fighting against this police brutality since my first days as a member of the California State Assembly." (None)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1280 "George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021." (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 4350: "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 2670: "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 7900: "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 2: "Moving Forward Act" (votesmart.org)
  • 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)
  • "Pleased about the $15 million in transportation funding for the City of Inglewood.Not happy about the $150 billion for housing removed from the Build Back Better Act, now titled the Inflation Reduction Act. I will keep up the fight to secure safe & affordable housing for everyone" (x.com)
  • "Enough talk about homelessness and a lack of affordable housing! Now is the time to do something about it. Housing IS Infrastructure and there should be no infrastructure bill without it. Are you with me? #HousingIsInfrastructure" (x.com)
  • "If you don’t have a decent home to lay your head in, take a bath, eat a meal with family and friends, a floor to get on your knees in prayer and a neighbor to bike with, you don’t live in America. Housing. Is. Everything." (x.com)
  • "The $2T passed today doesn’t have all the housing & consumer relief that was in my @FSCDems plan, but it was important for Congress to act NOW b/c so many people are struggling. Help is on the way & there’s more to come! We won’t stop until we help all Americans thru this crisis!" (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5376 "Inflation Reduction Act of 2022" (votesmart.org)
  • "The Inflation Reduction Act is great. It will improve healthcare, reduce the cost of prescription meds, help with climate change & make corporations pay their fair share of taxes. Unfortunately, it does nothing to deal with the housing crisis in this country. The fight continues." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 7688: "Consumer Fuel Price Gouging Prevention Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 100% by National Education Association (None)
  • "Yesterday, @hasanminhaj joined @FSCDems for the first ever Committee hearing on the #studentloandebtcrisis & this is only the beginning. We’re going to keep fighting on behalf of the millions of young people who are saddled with student loan debt. Too much #hassleforatassel!" (x.com)
  • "I am so happy that President Biden issued an executive order forgiving certain student loan debt. All of the harmed students should apply before December 31st, 2023. This will be life-changing for many students who are overburdened with student loan debt." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5746 "Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "The Trump party is at it again. They just won't quit! Voter suppression is the name of their game. They passed strict voter id laws in PA, AR, WI & NC, stole ballots in NC & changed the rules in WI & MI. Is this what Trump's make America great again mantra is all about?" (x.com)
  • Rated 94% by Common Cause (None)
  • Voted in favor of HR 4: "John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 4447: "Expanding Access to Sustainable Energy Act of 2019" (votesmart.org)
  • "ENVIRONMENT: Donald Trump's budget cuts funding for the Environmental Protection Agency by 26 percent in fiscal year 2019. It cuts clean air programs by 46 percent and cuts $1.3 billion from energy efficiency and renewable energy, while simultaneously increasing fossil fuel energy research and development by more than $80 million. It also completely eliminates the Chemical Safety Board, which investigates serious chemical accidents and is currently investigating an explosion at the Torrance Refinery in my congressional district." (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 92% by League of Conservation Voters (None)
  • Voted in favor of HR 9: "Climate Action Now Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1146: "Arctic Cultural and Coastal Plain Protection Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "rump’s decision to open up the entire Atlantic & Pacific coasts to offshore oil drilling is an appalling giveaway to his wealthy friends in the oil & gas industry. This dangerous decision will put our ocean ecosystems at risk of devastating water pollution & oil spills." (x.com)
  • Rated 0% by American Energy Alliance (None)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1941: "Coastal and Marine Economies Protection Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1446: "Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2021" (votesmart.org)
  • "Trump, you called the El Paso shooting an act of cowardice. Trump, you're the coward. You could use the bully pulpit to stop these horrific mass shootings, but you continue racist attacks on Americans. We can't let Senate off the hook. Pass the gun bill! Congress, we can do more!" (x.com)
  • Rated 0% by Gun Owners of America (None)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1808: "Assault Weapons Ban of 2022" (votesmart.org)
  • "Furthermore, the Republican proposal lays the groundwork for another cruel attempt to repeal the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), which would strip health coverage from millions of Americans.[1]" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1425: "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 6201 "Families First Coronavirus Response Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "Celebrating Labor Day? Let’s celebrate by using our collective influence to make work pay livable wages to every worker. No less than $20 per hour, paid leave, unemployment insurance, healthcare, pension plans, and RESPECT!" (x.com)
  • "Forty percent of #COVID19 deaths are the elderly in nursing homes. I’m demanding more tests & PPE for workers & patients, higher wages, and 2-weeks paid leave for nursing home workers. Both workers & patients are dying! This is America! We can do better than this!" (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)
  • Voted against HR 5525: "Continuing Appropriations and Border Security Enhancement Act, 2024" (votesmart.org)
  • "This budget blueprint illustrates that Trump is more concerned with threatening the world with another nuclear arms race and sinking billions into a border wall than ensuring that all Americans have a home, good schools, access to affordable health care, and the financial security to retire" (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 14% by NumbersUSA (None)
  • Voted against HR 2: "Secure the Border Act of 2023" (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 14% by NumbersUSA (None)
  • "Biden finally spoke up about the horrendous mistreatment of Haitians at the border. This admin owes us answers as to how & when it will stop the deportations & allow Haitians their legal right to petition for entry into the U.S. We cannot sweep this under the rug! We want action!" (x.com)
  • "Trump DHS proposal to rip mothers from their children at s. border is inhumane & unacceptable. We resist all efforts to break up families!" (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 6: "American Dream and Promise Act of 2021" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 6968: "Suspending Energy Imports from Russia Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "No doubt about it. Putin has invaded The Ukraine. Thanks to Biden for the serious sanctions imposed on Russian sovereign debt and thanks to Germany for imposing critical sanctions by suspending the certification of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. Putin must be stopped." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5692: "Ukraine Security Assistance and Oversight Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 7108: "Suspending Normal Trade Relations with Russia and Belarus Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 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 HR 5692: "Ukraine Security Assistance and Oversight Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 6833: "Continuing Appropriations and Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of S3522: "Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2022" (votesmart.org)
  • "Facebook wants to launch a #BigTechTakeover when it continues to serve as #PutinsPlatform to attack our democracy. Clearly the company can’t be trusted. Today I’m using my gavel on @FSCDems to hold the CEO of Facebook accountable." (x.com)
  • "Facebook let Russia manipulate voters and put Trump in the White House. Now they want to create their own currency? With no regulations? And run it out of Switzerland? We need to stop this now! @FSCDems" (x.com)
  • "Misuse! Manipulation! Discrimination! Criminal Activity! Just a few of Facebook’s egregious offenses & now they have the nerve to launch a #BigTechTakeover in the form of a currency that could rival the U.S. Dollar?! Is it 10 o'clock yet? Mr. Zuckerberg & I have a lot to discuss." (x.com)
  • "No one is above the law including Mark Zuckerberg. Facebook has allowed election interference, released private data, violated civil rights laws, among other offenses & now they’re trying to launch a #BigTechTakover by creating this mysterious #ZuckBuck? Not on my watch! @FSCDems" (x.com)

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