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Tammy Baldwin

Senator Tammy Baldwin's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

Tammy Baldwin
Full Name: Tammy Baldwin
Office: U.S. Senate (WI) - Jr, Democratic
First Elected: 11/06/2012
Next Election: 2018
Gender: Female
Family: Partner: Lauren Azar
Birth Date: 02/11/1962
Birth Place: Madison, WI
Home City: Madison, WI
Project Vote Smart does not permit the use of its name or programs in any campaign activity, including advertising, debates, and speeches.
Tammy Baldwin refused to tell citizens where she stands on any of the issues addressed in the 2012 Political Courage Test, despite repeated requests from Vote Smart, national media, and prominent political leaders.

What is the Political Courage Test?

Issue Positions

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

Pro-choice Inferred Answer Abortion: Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation? View Citations

Vote Smart's Research

  • Planned Parenthood. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Endorsements. 04/18/2012. Planned Parenthood endorsed Tammy Baldwin in the 2010 general election. (votesmart.org)
  • Tammy Baldwin. HR 3. 112th Congress. Prohibiting Taxpayer Funding of Abortion. Tammy Baldwin voted Nay on 05/04/2011. (votesmart.org)
  • Family Research Council. 04/18/2012. "Tammy Baldwin supported the interests of the Family Research Council 0 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • Tammy Baldwin. H Amdt 722. 106th Congress. Oversea Military Abortions Amendment. Tammy Baldwin voted Yea on 05/18/2000. (votesmart.org)
  • Tammy Baldwin. HR 748. 109th Congress. Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act. Tammy Baldwin voted Nay on 04/27/2005. (votesmart.org)
  • Tammy Baldwin. H AMDT 209. 109th Congress. Overseas Military Facilities Abortion Amendment. Tammy Baldwin voted Yea on 05/25/2005. (votesmart.org)
  • Tammy Baldwin. HR 3660. 106th Congress. Ban on Partial-Birth/Late Term Abortion. Tammy Baldwin voted Nay on 04/05/2000. (votesmart.org)
  • National Right to Life Committee. 04/18/2012. "Tammy Baldwin supported the interests of the National Right to Life Committee 0 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • Tammy Baldwin. H Amdt 156. 106th Congress. Overseas Military Abortion Amendment. Tammy Baldwin voted Yea on 06/09/1999. (votesmart.org)
  • NARAL Pro-Choice America. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Endorsements. 04/18/2012. NARAL Pro-Choice America endorsed Tammy Baldwin in the 2006 general election. (votesmart.org)
  • National Organization for Women. 04/18/2012. "On the votes used to calculate its ratings, the National Organization for Women attaches more value to those votes it considers more important. For 2008, the National Organization for Women gave Tammy Baldwin a rating of 100 percent." (votesmart.org)
  • Tammy Baldwin. H Amdt 95. 112th Congress. Prohibiting Use of Federal Funds For Planned Parenthood. Tammy Baldwin voted Nay on 02/18/2011. (votesmart.org)
  • Tammy Baldwin. HR 6099. 110th Congress. Abortion Pain Bill. Tammy Baldwin voted Nay on 12/06/2006. (votesmart.org)
  • Tammy Baldwin. H Amdt 1017. 106th Congress. Abortion Funding Amendment. Tammy Baldwin voted Yea on 07/20/2000. (votesmart.org)
  • Tammy Baldwin. H Amdt 509. 111th Congress. Prohibiting Federally Funded Abortion Services. Tammy Baldwin voted Nay on 11/07/2009. (votesmart.org)
  • Tammy Baldwin. H Amdt 882. 106th Congress. Prison Abortion Funding Amendment. Tammy Baldwin voted Yea on 06/22/2000. (votesmart.org)
  • Planned Parenthood. 04/18/2012. "Tammy Baldwin supported the interests of Planned Parenthood 100 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • National Women's Political Caucus. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Endorsements. 04/18/2012. National Women's Political Caucus endorsed Tammy Baldwin in the 2006 general election. (votesmart.org)
  • Tammy Baldwin. S 403. 110th Congress. Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act. Tammy Baldwin voted Nay on 09/26/2006. (votesmart.org)
  • National Women's Political Caucus. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Endorsements. 04/18/2012. National Women's Political Caucus endorsed Tammy Baldwin in the 2002 general election. (votesmart.org)
  • NARAL Pro-Choice America. 04/18/2012. "Tammy Baldwin supported the interests of the NARAL Pro-Choice America 100 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
No Inferred Answer Afghanistan: Do you support United States' combat operations in Afghanistan? View Citations

Vote Smart's Research

  • Peace Action. 04/18/2012. "Tammy Baldwin supported the interests of the Peace Action 100 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • Peace Action West. 04/18/2012. "Tammy Baldwin supported the interests of Peace Action West 100 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • Tammy Baldwin. H Con Res 28. 112th Congress. Removing Troops from Afghanistan. Tammy Baldwin voted Yea on 03/17/2011. (votesmart.org)
Yes Inferred Answer Budget: In order to balance the budget, do you support reducing defense spending? View Citations

Vote Smart's Research

  • Tammy Baldwin. Issue Position: Foreign Policy, Trade, & Defense - Defense Spending. 18 April 2012. "I believe that current U.S. defense policy reflects misplaced priorities, wrong choices, excessive spending, and a failure to make hard choices. I am also concerned that Congress has failed to assert any meaningful oversight over the war in Iraq which has been mismanaged from the very beginning. [¦] Not only is our current defense budget a record, it is also nearly as large as the defense budgets of every other country in the world combined." (votesmart.org)
  • Tammy Baldwin. HR 4986. 110th Congress. Defense Authorizations Bill. Tammy Baldwin voted Nay on 01/16/2008. (votesmart.org)
  • Tammy Baldwin. H Amdt 13. 112th Congress. Reducing Navy and Air Force Aircraft Procurement. Tammy Baldwin voted Yea on 02/15/2011. (votesmart.org)
  • Tammy Baldwin. HR 4939. 110th Congress. Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2006. Tammy Baldwin voted Nay on 06/13/2006. (votesmart.org)
  • Tammy Baldwin. HR 5010. 108th Congress. Department of Defense Appropriations, Fiscal Year 2003. Tammy Baldwin voted Yea on 10/10/2002. (votesmart.org)
  • Tammy Baldwin. HR 1363. 112th Congress. 2011 Department of Defense Budget and Additional Continuing Appropriations. Tammy Baldwin voted Nay on 04/07/2011. (votesmart.org)
  • Tammy Baldwin. Letter to the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform. 13 October 2010. "As the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform continues its work of reviewing and recommending an appropriate set of responses to our nation's mid- and long-term fiscal challenges, we write to urge in the strongest terms that the final Commission report include among its recommendations substantial reductions in projected levels of future spending by the Department of Defense. Given the size of our deficit and debt problems as well as the political challenges and policy controversies involved in implementing any solutions to them, it is clear to us that cutting the military budget must be a part of any visible proposal." (votesmart.org)
  • Tammy Baldwin. National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006. 25 May 2005. "The F/A-22 Raptor is the most expensive fighter ever built. Originally budgeted at $96 billion for 648 planes, it is now going to cost us $68 billion for 178 planes. Because of changing capabilities, the planes are now estimated to cost $258 million each, five times the cost of the F-15 and F-16 that they are replacing. This year, we are going to spend $3.8 billion for 24 planes while spending another $480 million for research and development. We have a plane that is way over budget and whose mission is unclear. The answer to this dilemma is to end the program, not spend more." (votesmart.org)
  • Tammy Baldwin. Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011. 15 February 2011. "Mr. Chairman, my amendment restores Community Health Center funding, but I pay for it with a commensurate cut in wasteful defense spending. I said at the outset we need to be smart if we are to cut spending without compromising our jobs, our economic recovery, and our future." (votesmart.org)
  • Tammy Baldwin. Issue Position: Defense Spending. 18 April 2012. "I take very seriously my oath of office that obligates me to provide for the protection of the American people. Ensuring our common defense is critical, but like other federal government programs, we are bound to ensure that each dollar is spent wisely. There are many elements of the defense budget that consume massive budgetary resources but provide little return in terms of security. Protecting America requires a broad vision of national security that includes diplomacy, foreign assistance, economic development, intelligence, and immigration policy. Particularly after more than seven years of war, I believe that U.S. defense policy should reflect sensible spending, clear priorities, and genuine oversight over the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan." (votesmart.org)
  • Tammy Baldwin. HR 3222. 110th Congress. Department of Defense Appropriations, Fiscal Year 2008. Tammy Baldwin voted Nay on 08/05/2007. (votesmart.org)
  • Tammy Baldwin. HR 5631. 110th Congress. Department Defense Appropriations Act, FY 2007. Tammy Baldwin voted Nay on 09/26/2006. (votesmart.org)
  • Tammy Baldwin. HR 5631. 110th Congress. Defense Department FY2007 Appropriations Bill. Tammy Baldwin voted Nay on 06/20/2006. (votesmart.org)
  • Tammy Baldwin. HR 2642. 110th Congress. Funding for Operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Tammy Baldwin voted Nay on 06/19/2008. (votesmart.org)
  • Tammy Baldwin. HR 4200. 108th Congress. Defense Department FY2005 Authorization Bill. Tammy Baldwin voted Nay on 05/20/2004. (votesmart.org)
  • Tammy Baldwin. HR 2561. 106th Congress. Defense Department Appropriations bill, FY2000. Tammy Baldwin voted Nay on 07/22/1999. (votesmart.org)
Yes Inferred Answer Budget: In order to balance the budget, do you support an income tax increase on any tax bracket? View Citations

Vote Smart's Research

  • Tammy Baldwin. Statement on House Passage of Republican Budget. 15 April 2011. "This is a sad day for America. Today, House Republicans unilaterally voted to end Medicare as we know it. Republicans voted for a plan that would significantly increase seniors' healthcare costs and reduce their benefits in order to give millionaires and billionaires trillions of dollars in tax cuts. They voted to cut funding for education and seniors in nursing homes to give tax subsidies to Big Oil and tax incentives to corporations that ship jobs overseas. The question before us is not whether to reduce the nation's debt, but how. Democrats believe in shared sacrifice and responsibility; Republicans do not. Their answer is to take from the middle class to give to the rich. This is unconscionable, and, I believe, un-American." (votesmart.org)
  • Tammy Baldwin. Warren Buffett Endorses Whitehouse's "Buffett Rule" Legislation. 22 February 2012. "I'm proud to be working with Senator Whitehouse on legislation that will help level the playing field between middle class families and the wealthiest Americans. For too long, millionaires and billionaires have avoided paying their fair share in taxes. Warren Buffett's endorsement of the Paying a Fair Share Act underscores its value to our economy and to working families who haven't gotten a fair deal." (votesmart.org)
  • Tammy Baldwin. HR 1836. 107th Congress. Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act, 2001. Tammy Baldwin voted Nay on 05/16/2001. (votesmart.org)
  • Tammy Baldwin. Letter to John Boehner, Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, Minority Leader of the House, Eric Cantor, Majority Leader of the House, Steny Hoyer, Minority Whip of the House. 9 April 2012. "Our current tax code has been influenced by powerful special interests and includes loopholes and special provisions that allow approximately a quarter of all millionaires to pay lower effective tax rates than middle class families. The Paying a Fair Share Act offers a first step in strengthening our middle class and rebuilding our economy with a commitment to shared responsibility. The bill would also offset the deficit by tens of billions of dollars." (votesmart.org)
  • Tammy Baldwin. Issue Position: Budget and Economy - Tax Relief. 18 April 2012. "That tax relief bill--which became law in early 2001-- left out millions of Americans who pay payroll taxes, but not income taxes, while giving over 38% of the total tax relief to those with incomes in the top 1%--people with a minimum annual income of over $373,000. The average income of people in the top 1% is over $1.1 million per year. The proposal gave the very wealthiest Americans more than their fair share of relief, while shortchanging those with lower incomes." (votesmart.org)
  • Tammy Baldwin. Shared Fiscal Responsibility. 7 February 2012. "Yesterday, I introduced Paying a Fair Share Act, H.R. 3903, which would make the 'Buffett rule' law and ensure that middle class workers do not pay higher tax rates than those earning more than $1 million a year. I invite my colleagues to join me in taking this commonsense first step to strengthen middle class families and rebuild our economy with a commitment to shared responsibility." (votesmart.org)
  • Citizens for Tax Justice. 04/18/2012. "Tammy Baldwin supported the interests of the Citizens for Tax Justice 100 percent in 2006." (votesmart.org)
  • Americans for Tax Reform. 04/18/2012. "Tammy Baldwin supported the interests of the Americans for Tax Reform 0 percent in 2007." (votesmart.org)
  • National Taxpayers Union. 04/18/2012. "Tammy Baldwin supported reasonable tax and spending policies as defined by the National Taxpayers Union 6 percent of the time in 2010." (votesmart.org)
Yes Inferred Answer Economy: Do you support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth? View Citations

Vote Smart's Research

  • The Club for Growth. 04/18/2012. "On the votes used to calculate its ratings, The Club for Growth attaches more value to those votes it considers more important. For 2010, The Club for Growth gave Tammy Baldwin a rating of 0 percent." (votesmart.org)
  • Tammy Baldwin. HR 5297. 112th Congress. Small Business Lending Fund and Tax Law Amendments. Tammy Baldwin voted Yea on 09/23/2010. (votesmart.org)
  • Americans for Prosperity. 04/18/2012. "Tammy Baldwin supported the interests of the Americans for Prosperity 0 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • Tammy Baldwin. HR 1424. 110th Congress. Financial Asset Purchase Authority and Tax Law Amendments. Tammy Baldwin voted Yea on 10/03/2008. (votesmart.org)
Yes Inferred Answer Economy: Do you support providing tax incentives to businesses for the purpose of job creation? View Citations

Vote Smart's Research

  • Tammy Baldwin. Issue Position: Economy and Jobs. 16 April 2012. "My work to create jobs has focused on investing to rebuild our crumbling infrastructure, expanding access to credit for small business, providing targeted tax credits to promote job creation and ending incentives for companies to ship jobs overseas. I have also worked to help businesses in south central Wisconsin access resources from the federal government to increase their exports and create jobs here at home." (votesmart.org)
  • Tammy Baldwin. HR 2. 108th Congress. Jobs and Economic Growth bill. Tammy Baldwin voted Nay on 05/23/2003. (votesmart.org)
  • Tammy Baldwin. HR 2488. 106th Congress. Financial Freedom Act of 1999. Tammy Baldwin voted Nay on 08/05/1999. (votesmart.org)
  • Tammy Baldwin. Baldwin Backs Responsible Budget Alternative. 29 March 2012. "The Democratic Budget alternative included investments in infrastructure, tax credits for job creation, and initiatives to promote the hiring of teachers, first responders, and veterans that will create hundreds of thousands of jobs. It would have invested in expanding life-saving medical research, strengthening innovative manufacturing, and reducing our dependence on foreign oil. [¦] 'I supported a budget that cuts government spending without hurting Wisconsin's middle class. Today we are spending $2 billion a day in Afghanistan. Our Democratic Budget would end our involvement there and redirect those resources to bring down our nation's deficit.'" (votesmart.org)
  • Tammy Baldwin. House Passes Jobs Creation Bill. 4 March 2010. "The Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment (HIRE) Act (H.R. 2847) approved today in the House by a vote of 217 to 201 will establish a payroll tax holiday for businesses that hire unemployed workers and provides an additional $1,000 income tax credit for every new employee retained for 52 weeks. The bill also allows small business to double the amount of their immediate write-off for capital investment and purchases of new equipment made in 2010. Economists project the measures will result in the creation of more than 300,000 new jobs. 'Putting Wisconsinites back to work is my number one priority. I am using every tool available to put Wisconsinites back to work now. Today's measure marks another step forward, but I won't be satisfied until all Americans who are seeking a job can find one.'" (votesmart.org)
Unknown Position Unknown Answer Education: Do you support requiring states to implement education reforms in order to be eligible for competitive federal grants? View Citations

Vote Smart's Research

  • Tammy Baldwin. Issue Position: Education. 18 April 2012. "Federal support for education, including fulfillment of the federal commitment to fund 40% of the cost of special education under the IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act), is essential. [¦] In addition, we must ensure that children are taught by high quality teachers. Unfortunately, our schools continue to have trouble recruiting and retaining quality educators. By increasing teacher pay and investing in innovative strategies to help teachers improve student outcomes, we will increase the quality of public education throughout our country." (votesmart.org)
  • Tammy Baldwin. Issue Position: K-12 Education and No Child Left Behind (NCLB). 18 April 2012. "Every child is entitled to a high quality, public education. This principle is so deeply held in Wisconsin that it is written into our state's constitution. I believe it is absolutely essential that the federal government be a partner with state and local governments, to provide the resources necessary to ensure that every child in this country has access to a complete and competitive education, from the cradle through career. The years before a child reaches kindergarten are among the most critical in his or her life. By providing support and resources early on, our youngest children will be prepared to succeed later in their educational career." (votesmart.org)
  • Tammy Baldwin. HR 2300. 106th Congress. Academic Achievement for All Act. Tammy Baldwin voted Nay on 10/21/1999. (votesmart.org)
No Inferred Answer Energy: Do you support reducing restrictions on offshore energy production? View Citations

Vote Smart's Research

  • Tammy Baldwin. HR 3534. 112th Congress. Offshore Drilling Regulations and Other Energy Law Amendments. Tammy Baldwin voted Yea on 07/30/2010. (votesmart.org)
  • Tammy Baldwin. Conference Report on H.R. 6, Energy Policy Act of 2005. 28 July 2005. "I also support the provision that will permanently ban oil and gas drilling in the Great Lakes. The Great Lakes are among our Nation's most valuable natural treasures and I believe they should not be threatened by potential oil spills or have their beauty or recreational appeal tainted by massive oil rigs. Furthermore, I applaud conferees for not including a provision that would open up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for oil and natural gas production and exploration. Destroying one of America's most pristine wilderness areas for a few months of oil is not the long-term answer to reducing our-dependence on foreign nations for oil." (votesmart.org)
  • Tammy Baldwin. Issue Position: Energy and Environment. 16 April 2012. "I am concerned that drilling in the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) or the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) will threaten some of our nation's most pristine wilderness. ANWR is home to caribou, a sanctuary for hundreds of species of birds and waterfowl, and home to 260 Inupiat natives. Further, drilling in the OCS exposes our air, water, and wildlife to the potential oil and gas spills, pollution, and land damage." (votesmart.org)
  • Tammy Baldwin. HR 1230. 112th Congress. Offshore Leasing Act. Tammy Baldwin voted Nay on 05/05/2011. (votesmart.org)
  • Tammy Baldwin. H Amdt 773. 112th Congress. Ending Moratorium on Deepwater Drilling Rigs that Meet Certain Safety Standards. Tammy Baldwin voted Yea on 07/30/2010. (votesmart.org)
  • Environment America. 04/18/2012. "Tammy Baldwin supported the interests of Environment America 100 percent in 2009." (votesmart.org)
Yes Inferred Answer Environment: Do you support the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions? View Citations

Vote Smart's Research

  • Tammy Baldwin. HR 2454. 111th Congress. Energy and Environmental Law Amendments ("Cap and Trade"). Tammy Baldwin voted Yea on 06/26/2009. (votesmart.org)
  • League of Conservation Voters. 04/18/2012. "Tammy Baldwin supported the interests of the League of Conservation Voters 90 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • Tammy Baldwin. HR 910. 112th Congress. Energy Tax Prevention Act. Tammy Baldwin voted Nay on 04/07/2011. (votesmart.org)
  • Sierra Club. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Endorsements. 04/18/2012. Sierra Club endorsed Tammy Baldwin in the 2010 general election. (votesmart.org)
  • Environment America. 04/18/2012. "Tammy Baldwin supported the interests of Environment America 100 percent in 2009." (votesmart.org)
  • Sierra Club. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Endorsements. 04/18/2012. Sierra Club endorsed Tammy Baldwin in the 2006 general election. (votesmart.org)
  • Sierra Club. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Endorsements. 04/18/2012. Sierra Club endorsed Tammy Baldwin in the 2002 general election. (votesmart.org)
  • Sierra Club. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Endorsements. 04/18/2012. Sierra Club endorsed Tammy Baldwin in the 2004 general election. (votesmart.org)
Yes Inferred Answer Guns: Do you support restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns? View Citations

Vote Smart's Research

  • Tammy Baldwin. S 397. 109th Congress. Firearms Manufacturers Protection Bill. Tammy Baldwin voted Nay on 10/20/2005. (votesmart.org)
  • Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Endorsements. 04/18/2012. Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence endorsed Tammy Baldwin in the 2008 general election. (votesmart.org)
  • Tammy Baldwin. H AMDT 1156. 110th Congress. Trigger Lock Amendment. Tammy Baldwin voted Nay on 06/28/2006. (votesmart.org)
  • Gun Owners of America. 04/18/2012. "In 2010 Gun Owners of America gave Tammy Baldwin a grade of 18." (votesmart.org)
  • Tammy Baldwin. HR 6842. 110th Congress. Repealing Portions of the D.C. Firearm Ban. Tammy Baldwin voted Nay on 09/17/2008. (votesmart.org)
  • Tammy Baldwin. HR 2122. 106th Congress. Mandatory Gun Show Background Check Act. Tammy Baldwin voted Nay on 06/18/1999. (votesmart.org)
  • Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. 04/18/2012. "Tammy Baldwin supported the interests of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence 100 percent from 1988-2003 (Senate) or 1991-2003 (House)." (votesmart.org)
No Inferred Answer Health Care: Do you support repealing the 2010 Affordable Care Act? View Citations

Vote Smart's Research

  • Tammy Baldwin. Repealing the Job-Killing Health Care Law Act. 19 January 2011. "Under repeal, 147,000 young adults in Wisconsin would stand to lose their insurance coverage through their parents' health care plans. And once again, people would be discriminated against because of preexisting conditions. And 46,000 Wisconsin seniors would face higher prescription drug costs. I urge my colleagues to oppose this measure." (votesmart.org)
  • Tammy Baldwin. Issue Position: Health Care “ Health Care Reform. 20 September 2011. "Ensuring access to health care for all Americans is the goal that brought me to Congress, and the cause that keeps me here. I helped to pass [the Affordable Care Act] that will take an enormous step toward delivering on that promise. We are not done; and I will continue to work tirelessly to make sure we make our system fair and equitable for every American. But I am proud of the health care reform legislation we passed." (votesmart.org)
  • Tammy Baldwin. Issue Position: Medicare. 20 September 2011. "I am proud of the steps we are taking to reduce fraud, waste and abuse in Medicare. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that every $1 invested to fight fraud yields approximately $1.75 in savings. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) provides $700 million over the next decade in new funds to fight fraud -- an investment that will come back to the taxpayers with interest." (votesmart.org)
  • Tammy Baldwin. Recognizing Children's Mental Health Awareness Day. 3 May 2011. "In 2008, only 11 percent of Wisconsin children living with serious mental health disorders received any public mental health services, less than one third the rate for adults. However, not all hope is lost. At the federal level, the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act includes numerous provisions that will help diagnose, treat, and support children with mental illness and their families." (votesmart.org)
  • Tammy Baldwin. Affordable Health Care For America Act. 7 November 2009. "Today, we convene to debate and advance legislation that delivers meaningful insurance reform, outlawing outrageous insurance abuses, lowering costs, and extending coverage to all. I will cast my vote today on behalf of the people in Wisconsin and millions throughout America who have said enough is enough. Today, we declare with conviction: every American deserves health care, and every American shall have it." (votesmart.org)
  • Tammy Baldwin. Statement On Passing The Affordable Health Care For America Act. 7 November 2009. "This is an historic moment for our nation. House passage of H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act, marks the first step toward ensuring health care for all Americans. I truly believe that we'll look back years from now and view the passage of this Act to be as significant as the passage of the Social Security Act in 1935 and the Medicare and Medicaid Act in1965." (votesmart.org)
  • Tammy Baldwin. Statement on Today's Federal Court Ruling on Health Care Reform. 31 January 2011. "This is not the first, nor will it be the last, challenge to the health care reform law that will, ultimately, be decided by the Supreme Court. I am confident that, when all is said and done, the constitutionality of the health care reform law will be affirmed." (votesmart.org)
  • Tammy Baldwin. HR 2. 112th Congress. Repealing the Health Care Bill. Tammy Baldwin voted Nay on 01/19/2011. (votesmart.org)
  • American Public Health Association. 04/18/2012. "Tammy Baldwin supported the interests of the American Public Health Association 100 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
No Inferred Answer Immigration: Do you support requiring illegal immigrants to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship? View Citations

Vote Smart's Research

  • National Latino Congreso/William C. Velásquez Institute. 04/18/2012. "Tammy Baldwin supported the interests of National Latino Congreso/William C. Velásquez Institute 100 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • Tammy Baldwin. HR 4437. 109th Congress. Border Security Bill. Tammy Baldwin voted Nay on 12/16/2005. (votesmart.org)
  • Federation for American Immigration Reform. 04/18/2012. "Tammy Baldwin supported the interests of the Federation for American Immigration Reform 0 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • Tammy Baldwin. HR 5281. 112th Congress. DREAM Act. Tammy Baldwin voted Yea on 12/08/2010. (votesmart.org)
Yes Inferred Answer Marriage: Do you support same-sex marriage? View Citations

Vote Smart's Research

  • Tammy Baldwin. Letter to John A. Boehner, Speaker of the House. 26 March 2012. "As we noted in our previous letters of April 4, 2011 and September 26, 2011, we have long believed that DOMA is unconstitutional. There simply is no legitimate federal interest served by denying married same-sex couples the federal responsibilities and rights that other married couples receive, and the harm caused to these families is unjustifiable. Two federal courts have agreed, and it is no longer credible to claim that the law is not constitutionally suspect." (votesmart.org)
  • Tammy Baldwin. Pelosi, 132 House Members File Amicus Brief in Landmark Court Challenge to DOMA. 2 November 2011. "In 1996 when DOMA was enacted, lesbians and gay men could not marry anywhere in the world. At that time, Congress acted with regrettable haste and without respect for its longstanding practice of respecting state marriages for purposes of federal law. That practice had served Congress interests in promoting stability and security for American families; it was a mistake to abandon it. Congress has no legitimate federal interest that is rationally served by treating married gay and lesbian couples as unmarried for all federal purposes. Section 3 is unconstitutional and should be struck down." (votesmart.org)
  • Tammy Baldwin. Letter To The Honorable President Obama, Majority Leader Reid, Speaker Pelosi, Chairman Schumer, And Chairwoman Lofgren. 9 February 2010. "Currently, U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents may sponsor their spouses (and other immediate family members) for immigration purposes. But, same-sex partners committed to spending their lives together are not recognized as "families" under U.S. immigration law and thus do not have this same right. As a result, tens of thousands of binational families are either already living separately, face imminent separation, or have left the U.S. entirely in order to remain together. This is unacceptable, and we believe comprehensive immigration reform legislation must include a strong family reunification component inclusive of LGBT families." (votesmart.org)
  • American Family Association. 04/18/2012. "Tammy Baldwin supported the interests of the American Family Association 0 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • Tammy Baldwin. H J Res 88. 110th Congress. Same-Sex Marriage Resolution. Tammy Baldwin voted Nay on 07/18/2006. (votesmart.org)
  • Tammy Baldwin. HR 2965. 112th Congress. Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act. Tammy Baldwin voted Yea on 12/15/2010. (votesmart.org)
  • American Civil Liberties Union. 04/18/2012. "Tammy Baldwin supported the interests of the American Civil Liberties Union 95 percent in 2006." (votesmart.org)
  • Family Research Council. 04/18/2012. "Tammy Baldwin supported the interests of the Family Research Council 0 percent in 2006." (votesmart.org)
  • Human Rights Campaign. 04/18/2012. "Tammy Baldwin supported the interests of the Human Rights Campaign 100 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • Tammy Baldwin. HR 3685. 110th Congress. Sexual Orientation Employment Nondiscrimination Act (ENDA). Tammy Baldwin voted Yea on 11/07/2007. (votesmart.org)
  • Gay & Lesbian Political Victory Fund. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Endorsements. 04/18/2012. Gay & Lesbian Political Victory Fund endorsed Tammy Baldwin in the 2012 general election. (votesmart.org)
  • Traditional Values Coalition. 04/18/2012. "Tammy Baldwin supported the interests of the Traditional Values Coalition 14 percent in 2006" (votesmart.org)
  • Charlotte Robinson. Huffington Post: Obama, McCain Differ Greatly on Gay Rights, An Interview With Congresswoman Baldwin. 21 October 2008. "The decision of the Connecticut Supreme Court to recognize the constitutionality of same-sex marriages under its state constitution is another sure step in our nation's march toward full equality. I applaud the Connecticut Justices who cited the decision written by U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Marshall in 1819 in the case of McCulloch v. Maryland that the Constitution must adapt to changing times. Indeed, we are in a period of monumental change and slowly, but surely, gay and lesbian Americans are achieving the equal status they deserve." (votesmart.org)
  • Tammy Baldwin. Baldwin Statement on DOMA. 23 February 2011. "I welcome the news that the Department of Justice will not be defending the Defense of Marriage Act in two important cases in New England. This represents a real shift in Department of Justice policy and is one step toward the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act. Some people wonder what difference this makes. Today in the U.S., there are five states plus the District of Columbia that issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. That means there are thousands of same-sex couples across the U.S. with valid marriage licenses who are being discriminated against at the national level because of the Defense of Marriage Act. So today, we have one small, but very significant, step in the ultimate effort to either see the Defense of Marriage Act repealed by an act of Congress or declared unconstitutional by a court in the United States. This is progress and I'm delighted with the Attorney General's choice." (votesmart.org)
  • Tammy Baldwin. Issue Position: Civil Rights “ Marriage Equality. 15 September 2011. "I believe in full marriage equality for gays and lesbians." (votesmart.org)
  • Tammy Baldwin. Marriage Protection Amendment. July 18 2006. "The Constitution is for expanding rights, opportunities and aspirations. I want to see the day when I can protect my family, my life partner of 10 years, through the same laws and with the same obligations, responsibilities and rights as can straight Americans. These are my aspirations, both as an American and as a Member of Congress, to see the Constitution that I have sworn to support and protect illuminating a path to justice and equality for more and more Americans. The amendment we are debating today would do just the opposite. Why would we amend the U.S. Constitution to say that one group of Americans, gay and lesbian Americans, can no longer petition their government for redress of grievances? A healthy and a vibrant debate on same-sex marriage is occurring throughout this Nation at this very time in break rooms, in dining rooms, in church basements. Don't cut it off. It is what democracy is all about." (votesmart.org)
  • Tammy Baldwin. Statement on Judge Tauro's Ruling Striking Down Part of the Defense of Marriage Act. 9 July 2010. "There is no legal basis for discrimination against same-sex couples. The right of same-sex couples to marry with the same protections, benefits, and obligations as straight couples may, ultimately, be decided by the Supreme Court." (votesmart.org)
  • Tammy Baldwin. Statement on the President Signing Memorandum on Federal Benefits and Non-Discrimination. 17 June 2009. "LGBT Americans yearn for full equality. After last week's U.S. Department of Justice filing seeking to dismiss a challenge to the federal Defense of Marriage Act, many in the LGBT community, myself included, were profoundly disappointed. After that disappointment, I was heartened to hear the President make a strong case today for the repeal of DOMA." (votesmart.org)
Unknown Position Unknown Answer National Security: Do you support targeting suspected terrorists outside of official theaters of conflict? View Citations

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  • Despite exhaustive research, Project Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
No Inferred Answer Social Security: Do you support allowing individuals to divert a portion of their Social Security taxes into personal retirement accounts? View Citations

Vote Smart's Research

  • Tammy Baldwin. Baldwin Response to State of the Union Address. 2 February 2005. "The President's desire to create private accounts will seriously weaken this time-tested program, add an additional $2 trillion to the national debt, and place future retirees at risk of poverty if their investments fail to perform." (votesmart.org)
  • Tammy Baldwin. Defending Social Security. 8 March 2005. "Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening to draw attention to some of the hundreds of letters that I receive every week from constituents who are outraged or frightened by the President's plan to privatize Social Security. [¦] I would like to thank all of my colleagues who joined me here tonight in giving voice to these very real, very human stories. These are real letters from real people, and privatization would have a real and ultimately negative effect on their lives." (votesmart.org)
  • Tammy Baldwin. Issue Position: Social Security “ Privatization. 18 April 2012. "Those who work their entire adult lives, invest well, and are able to retire when their investments are doing well, will benefit greatly from private investment accounts. However, many Americans will fare far worse with private investment accounts than they would with traditional Social Security. Among those who would be harmed are: those who retire during a market downswing; those who do not invest their resources well; those (disproportionately women) who interrupt their earning years to raise children; and those with disabilities who may have significant periods of unemployment or may have to stop working years before typical retirement age. In addition, the future of disability and survivors' benefits would be in jeopardy if individual investment accounts are created. We must ensure that people who are unable to work due to physical or mental impairment, and families who have lost loved ones who were their primary means of support, have guaranteed assistance when they need it most." (votesmart.org)
  • Tammy Baldwin. Issue Position: Social Security. 18 April 2012. "I strongly oppose efforts to privatize Social Security, which would gambling retirement security in risky investments and result in cuts to benefits and risk of total loss. Unlike other forms of retirement savings, Social Security has no investment risk, is protected against inflation, and provides a guaranteed monthly income." (votesmart.org)
  • Tammy Baldwin. Social Security Reflects Wisconsin Values. 31 January 2005. "Those who seek to privatize Social Security have sought to portray the program as unaffordable, unsustainable, and facing an imminent financial crisis. A close look at the facts reveals otherwise. [¦] If current workers are allowed to divert money out of the Social Security contract and into private accounts, there will not be enough revenue to pay benefits to current beneficiaries and, without raising taxes, the government would be forced to borrow that money, raising the deficit to an estimated $2 trillion. This would create a crisis." (votesmart.org)
  • Alliance for Retired Americans. 04/18/2012. "Tammy Baldwin supported the interests of the Alliance for Retired Americans 100 percent in 2008." (votesmart.org)

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