Leonard Lance

Representative Leonard Lance's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

Full Name:	Leonard Lance
Office:	U.S. House (NJ) - District 7, Republican
First Elected:	11/04/2008
Last Elected:	11/06/2012
Next Election:	2014

Gender:	Male
Family:	Wife: Heidi; 1 Child: Peter
Birth Date:	06/25/1952
Birth Place:	Easton, PA
Home City:	Clinton Township, NJ
Religion:	Roman Catholic

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Leonard Lance refused to tell citizens where he 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-life		Abortion: Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
Vote Smart's Research Cara Townshend. Alternative Press: Congressman Leonard Lance Holds Town Meeting in Westfield, Discusses the Economy, Health Care and National Debt. 10 June 2011. "The organization [Planned Parenthood] provides many needed services. What I have suggested is that there should be a complete separation between an abortion facility and its other services. No federal funding should go [even indirectly] to abortions." (thealternativepress.com) Leonard Lance. Issue Position: Abortion. 1 January 2012. "Congresssman Leonard Leonard Lance has a 100 percent voting record with National Right to Life Committee for his pro-life votes in the 112th Congress. [¦] VOTED THREE TIMES IN SUPPORT OF STUPAK-PITTS AMENDMENT: Congressman Leonard Lance voted three times for the so-called "Stupak-Pitts Amendment" that banned taxpayer funds from being spent on abortion health care coverage. AGAINST PARTIAL-BIRTH ABORTION: As a member of the New Jersey Legislature Congressman Leonard Lance voted to ban partial-birth abortion, and voted to override then-Gov. Christie Whitman's veto of that ban. SUPPORTS PARENTAL NOTIFICATION: As a member of the N.J. State Legislature Congressman Leonard Lance voted in favor of parental notification when a minor tries to obtain an abortion. VOTED FOR PROTECT LIFE ACT: Congressman Leonard Lance cosponsored and voted in favor of the "Protect Life Act" that would have codified the Hyde Amendment and ban the use of any federal money to support abortion services. VOTED FOR PENCE AMENDMENT: Congressman Leonard Lance twice voted in favor of the Pence Amendment to ban federal funds from going to Planned Parenthood. NO TAXPAYER-FUNDED ABORTIONS: Congressman Leonard Lance cosponosored and voted in favor of H.R. 3, the "No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act." Lance opposed efforts to lift the ban of taxpayer-funded abortions in Washington, DC. SUPPORTS CONSCIENCE CLAUSE: Congressman Leonard Lance voted to prohibit federal funding for health centers that discriminate against anti-abortion health care providers. In 2006, as a member of the N.J. State Legislature, Lance voted to allow pharmacists to refuse filling birth control prescriptions based on their religious or philosophical concerns. VOTED AGAINST DISCLOSE ACT: Congressman Leonard Lance voted against the so-called "DISCLOSE Act" that was strongly opposed by pro-life groups." (votesmart.org) Chris Hedges. New York Times: PUBLIC LIVES; Born to State Office, or at Least Reared on It. 3 December 2003. "I have voted for parental notification for abortion, although I am pro-choice.'' (www.nytimes.com) National Right to Life Committee. 04/18/2012. "Leonard Lance supported the interests of the National Right to Life Committee 66 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org) Leonard Lance. HR 3. 112th Congress. Prohibiting Taxpayer Funding of Abortion. Leonard Lance voted Yea on 05/04/2011. (votesmart.org) Family Research Council. 04/18/2012. "Leonard Lance supported the interests of the Family Research Council 75 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org) Planned Parenthood. 04/18/2012. "Leonard Lance supported the interests of Planned Parenthood 33 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org) Leonard Lance. H Amdt 95. 112th Congress. Prohibiting Use of Federal Funds For Planned Parenthood. Leonard Lance voted Yea on 02/18/2011. (votesmart.org) Leonard Lance. H Amdt 509. 111th Congress. Prohibiting Federally Funded Abortion Services. Leonard Lance voted Yea on 11/07/2009. (votesmart.org) NARAL Pro-Choice America. 04/18/2012. "Leonard Lance supported the interests of the NARAL Pro-Choice America 0 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
No		Afghanistan: Do you support United States' combat operations in Afghanistan?
Vote Smart's Research Peace Action. 04/18/2012. "Leonard Lance supported the interests of the Peace Action 25 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org) Peace Action West. 04/18/2012. "Leonard Lance supported the interests of Peace Action West 25 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org) Leonard Lance. Video: League of Women Voters Debate Congressman Lance (R) - Potosnak (D) NJ-7 10-18-10. 19 October 2010. "I agree with our mission in Afghanistan so long as it is exclusively for the purpose of our national security interest. I do not favor nation building and I do not want to stay in Afghanistan forever. The President and the congress will be reviewing this again next summer. I hope there is significant progress so that we can leave Afghanistan at an early date." (youtu.be) John Slevers. Leghighvalleylive.com: Leonard Lance updates constituents on economy, health care. 21 May 2011. "'[The Bin Laden Operation] was a risky operation. I give the president [Obama] credit,' he said, adding that he would like to see U.S. troops withdrawn from Afghanistan by 2012 because he doesn't believe in nation-building. 'I don't want to stay there forever.'" (www.lehighvalleylive.com) Cara Townsend. Alternative Press: Congressman Leonard Lance Holds Town Meeting in Westfield, Discusses the Economy, Health Care and National Debt. 10 June 2011. "We also have 100,000 troops in Afghanistan; that costs the United States 100 billion dollars each year. I do not favor staying in Afghanistan forever. We need to begin removing troops." (thealternativepress.com) Leonard Lance. H Con Res 28. 112th Congress. Removing Troops from Afghanistan. Leonard Lance voted Nay on 03/17/2011. (votesmart.org)
Unknown Position		Budget: In order to balance the budget, do you support reducing defense spending?
Vote Smart's Research John Slevers. Lehighvalleylive.com: Leonard Lance updates constituents on economy, health care. 21 May 2011. "The military has to be included in cuts to spending." (www.lehighvalleylive.com) Leonard Lance. Lance Votes For Deficit Reduction Plan That Achieves Meaningful Budget Savings Without Undermining National Security. 10 May 2012. "The Sequestration Replacement Reconciliation Act would replace the scheduled 10 percent across-the-board cut in defense spending with sensible spending reductions and reforms that would save about $315 billion over 10 years. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta called the pending military cuts scheduled for Jan. 1, 2013, 'devastating' and predicted they would yield 'the smallest ground force since 1940' and the smallest naval fleet since 1915. [¦] Today's action by the U.S. House protects our Nation's defense and fulfills our commitment to reducing spending and moving the federal government's budget in a more fiscally responsible direction." (lance.house.gov) Leonard Lance. H Amdt 13. 112th Congress. Reducing Navy and Air Force Aircraft Procurement. Leonard Lance voted Nay on 02/15/2011. (votesmart.org) Leonard Lance. HR 1363. 112th Congress. 2011 Department of Defense Budget and Additional Continuing Appropriations. Leonard Lance voted Yea on 04/07/2011. (votesmart.org)
No		Budget: In order to balance the budget, do you support an income tax increase on any tax bracket?
Vote Smart's Research Leonard Lance. Issue Position: Jobs and the Economy. 17 November 2011. "First, let's pass meaningful tax relief for individuals and businesses. This includes renewing the expiring Bush tax cuts. And we should pass additional relief for small businesses to expand and hire." (votesmart.org) John Celock. New Providence Patch. Lance Faces Liberal Leaning Crowd During Westfield Town Hall. 10 June 2011. "If we go back to the pre-Bush levels, we would raise about $3.8 trillion over the next 10 years, $2.8 trillion of which would come from middle class people...About a trillion would come from those with incomes over a quarter million dollars a year. I believe there is virtually no support in the Congress of the United States to raise taxes on middle class people." (newprovidence.patch.com) National Taxpayers Union. 04/18/2012. "Leonard Lance supported reasonable tax and spending policies as defined by the National Taxpayers Union 84 percent of the time in 2010." (votesmart.org) Leonard Lance. Lance: To Create Jobs, Cut Federal Spending and Renew Tax Relief for All. 8 September 2010. "I once again call on President Obama and leaders in Congress to renew the soon-to-expire Bush tax cuts for all taxpayers and bring some much-needed economic certainty forward." (votesmart.org) Leonard Lance. New 12 NJ 7th Dist. Congressional Debate 10-20-10 Challenger Potosnak (D) & Congressman Lance (R). 22 October 2010. "I favor extension of the tax cuts, I favor extension of them for everybody..." (youtu.be) Leonard Lance. The Courier News - District 7 Candidates Differ on How to Resuscitate Economy. 12 October 2008. "To raise taxes in a recession is counterproductive." (votesmart.org) Leonard Lance. Video: League of Women Voters Debate Congressman Lance (R) - Potosnak (D) NJ-7 10-18-10. 19 October 2010. "I would make sure that the tax cuts that were enacted in 20091 and 2003 could continue...I favor continuation of the tax cuts[...at 28:58] Under no circumstances should we be raising taxes on anybody in America" (youtu.be) Leonard Lance. Lance Says Study Shows New Jersey Residents Hurt the most if Bush Tax Cuts Lapse. 3 August 2010. "According to the Tax Foundation, residents living in New Jersey's Fifth, Seventh, Eleventh and Twelfth Congressional Districts would see a sizeable tax increase should Congress allow the Bush tax cut to expire. 'New Jersey's working families and small businesses pay among the highest taxes in the nation. They simply cannot afford a massive federal tax increase,' said Lance. 'Raising taxes on families and small businesses during an economic downturn will undoubtedly lead to a "double dip' recession resulting in further economic hardships for all Americans.'" (votesmart.org)
No		Economy: Do you support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
Vote Smart's Research Leonard Lance. Princeton Packet: Rep. Lance Defends Vote Against Stimulus. 24 February 2009. "I agree that we have to do both and the president's package does contain some tax cuts, and I want to be on the record as saying we have to do both (spending and tax cuts)...I recognize we need to prime the pump, we need to do it in a temporary, timely and targeted fashion, and there is some of that in this bill [American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, H.R. 1]." (votesmart.org) Leonard Lance. Deficit Hits $1 Trillion in June for Second Year. 8 July 2010. "Out of control spending on ObamaCare, bank bailouts, and failed stimulus plans is costing trillions of dollars in borrowing...Our current fiscal path is unsustainable. An aggressive plan is needed to tackle the debt and put our Nation on a glide path toward fiscal restraint and reduced spending. Congress and the President cannot continue spending money that we simply do not have." (votesmart.org) Americans for Prosperity. 04/18/2012. "Leonard Lance supported the interests of the Americans for Prosperity 80 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org) 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 Leonard Lance a rating of 98 percent." (votesmart.org) Leonard Lance. HR 5297. 112th Congress. Small Business Lending Fund and Tax Law Amendments. Leonard Lance voted Nay on 09/23/2010. (votesmart.org) Leonard Lance. Lance: Certainty Needed to Create Jobs and Boost the Economy. 13 September 2010. "Our economy doesn't need more spending. It doesn't need more stimulus spending, more bailouts or more onerous government regulations. What our economy needs is certainty out of Washington." (votesmart.org) Leonard Lance. US National Debt Exceeds $13 Trillion. 26 May 2010. "An aggressive plan is needed to tackle the debt and put our Nation on a glide path toward fiscal restraint and reduced spending. Congress and the President cannot continue spending money that we simply do not have. Yet the majority party in Washington continues to push ahead with an agenda that taxes, spends and borrows -- including a spending extension bill with a price tag of nearly $200 billion in tax increases and deficit spending. We cannot continue this current unsustainable path of spending, deficits and debt." (votesmart.org) Leonard Lance. Lance Says, "We Can Do Better" On Stimulus Package. 28 January 2009. "It was an honor to hear from President Obama on the economic stimulus legislation. It was a sincere, thoughtful and open discussion, and I agree with the President's message of bipartisan inclusiveness in crafting a strong stimulus package. Unfortunately, the House Democratic Leadership has authored a partisan $1.1 trillion spending package that was not developed in a spirit of bipartisanship." (votesmart.org) Leonard Lance. Issue Position: Fiscal Responsibility. 17 November 2011. "I am working hard to stop out-of-control spending and borrowing in Washington. This includes votes against the president's $1 trillion stimulus bill, against the 9,000-earmark omnibus spending bill, against last spring's $350 billion TARP, and against raising the debt ceiling to a record $14.29 trillion." (votesmart.org) Leonard Lance. Lance Reacts To The President's State of The Union Address. 28 January 2010. "I appreciate that the President's speech focused on the economy. However, freezing federal spending at last year's spending levels -- the nation's highest levels in history -- is simply not enough to get our fiscal house in order. It's certainly a step in the right direction, but I'm deeply concerned that the President's spending freeze isn't strong enough. This is especially concerning given the fact that last year the non-defense federal spending increased by an unprecedented 22 percent -- which totaled more than $513 billion and doesn't even include the massive stimulus package." (votesmart.org) Leonard Lance. Lance: Stimulus Anniversary Expensive Lesson In Fiscal Irresponsibility. 17 February 2010. "On Feb. 17, 2009, I joined in bipartisan opposition to a $1 trillion so-called stimulus package that represented the largest single-year increase in federal domestic spending since World War II. Now one year after it became law the stimulus measure cost more than promised, has failed to keep down the unemployment rate and has been riddled with rampant waste, fraud and abuse...Washington must stop attempting to spend its way to a better economy and instead exercise fiscal discipline by cutting spending, reducing our national debt and providing tax relief for all working Americans." (votesmart.org)
Yes		Economy: Do you support providing tax incentives to businesses for the purpose of job creation?
Vote Smart's Research Leonard Lance. Lance: To Create Jobs, Cut Federal Spending and Renew Tax Relief for All. 8 September 2010. "And while I am pleased that the President is reaching across the aisle and embracing targeted tax relief like the 100 percent write-off on capital investments and legislation to make the R&D tax credit permanent, the most urgent economic issue facing small businesses like John's Meat Market is the pending $3.8 trillion tax increase effective January 1, 2011. I once again call on President Obama and leaders in Congress to renew the soon-to-expire Bush tax cuts for all taxpayers and bring some much-needed economic certainty forward." (votesmart.org) Leonard Lance. Lance Hails Passage of 1099 Repeal Legislation. 5 April 2011. "Without congressional action these new requirements impose a huge tax compliance burden on small businesses and individuals alike, forcing them to devote even more resources to the tax preparation process and away from reinvestment and job creation. I am pleased the U.S. Senate acted in a bipartisan capacity and urge President Obama to swiftly sign this measure into law." (votesmart.org) Leonard Lance. Issue Position: Tax Relief and Reform. 17 November 2011. "On health care, his opposition to the new law was due in large part to the fact that the bill included $570 billion in new tax increases, including tax increases on New Jersey's small businesses, working families, hospitals, senior citizens and medical device makers. In fact, there are so many new taxes that federal analysts estimate that up to 16,500 new Internal Revenue Service (IRS) agents will be needed to collect, examine and audit new tax information mandated on families and small businesses by the new health care law." (votesmart.org) Leonard Lance. In Support of Small Business. 20 July 2010. "We discussed the state of the economy and how New Jersey's job creators are in dire need of free market solutions that will help them create jobs. Instead, Congress has put forth job-killing policies that include higher taxes, unchecked spending, and new health care mandates that continue to put a drag on small businesses across the Nation.[...] I urge my colleagues to help small businesses across the Nation and cosponsor H.R. 5554." (votesmart.org) Leonard Lance. The Asbury Park Press: Congressman Lance wants federal R&D tax credit made permanent. 7 April 2011. "I believe the R&D tax credit would contribute more to economic recovery and job creation if it were permanent, more generous and covered a wider variety of R&D." (votesmart.org)
No		Education: Do you support requiring states to implement education reforms in order to be eligible for competitive federal grants?
Vote Smart's Research John Celock. Cranford Patch: Potosnak, Lance Spar in First Debate. 19 October 2010. "Lance spent most of his time explaining his belief that education policy is best left to state governments and noting that he believed the education bill was not properly funded by the federal government." (cranford.patch.com) Leonard Lance. Video: League of Women Voters Debate Congressman Lance (R) - Potosnak (D) NJ-7 10-18-10. 19 October 2010. "Primary responsibility for K-12 education is reposed locally, in school districts across New Jersey and across America...the federal responsibility is not as great, roughly 9 in every ten dollars regarding education K-12 is from local and state sources. I do believe, however, there is a role for the federal government, particularly next year we will have to reauthorize the No Child Left Behind act...there is the belief, and I share this, that we need high standards for every student and as we renew the No Child Left Behind I think we have to insist on high standards...I think that we have to make sure that No Child Left Behind is parent centered, it's the parents across America who know best to how to educate their children. We have to work with school boards and we have to let teachers teach. In my discussions with teachers across New Jersey they are concerned that the current No Child Left Behind does not really permit them to teach, rather they have to teach to a test and so I think that has to be reformed. I also favor charter schools, which are of course public schools, and I think we should encourage that." (youtu.be)
Yes		Energy: Do you support reducing restrictions on offshore energy production?
Vote Smart's Research Cara Townshend. Alternative Press: Congressman Leonard Lance Holds Town Meeting in Westfield, Discusses the Economy, Health Care and National Debt. 10 June 2011. "I have voted to develop further resources domestically. We should be drilling off the Gulf of Mexico." (thealternativepress.com) Leonard Lance. Letter to the Honorable Barack Obama, President of the United States. 1 March 2011. "We respectfully ask that you direct DOI and BOEM to remove the barriers to the safe exploration and production of our domestic energy resources that are vital to all Americans and to our energy security by bringing immediate and very concrete clarity for offshore permitting and require DOI and BOEM to immediately hasten the approval of permits for safe offshore drilling." (votesmart.org) Leonard Lance. Politicker NJ - "Lance runs on the Eisenhower model of conservatism". 21 May 2008. "I have put out a five-point plan for energy independence that includes higher cafÃ© standards, more drilling in this country - but no, not in ANWR (Arctic National Wildlife Reserve), and greater tax credits for energy efficiency." (votesmart.org) Leonard Lance. HR 3534. 112th Congress. Offshore Drilling Regulations and Other Energy Law Amendments. Leonard Lance voted Nay on 07/30/2010. (votesmart.org) Leonard Lance. Issue Position: Energy Independence. 17 November 2011. "We must reduce our dependence on foreign oil by exploring domestic sources of energy in an environmentally safe way and building new refineries." (votesmart.org) Leonard Lance. H Amdt 773. 112th Congress. Ending Moratorium on Deepwater Drilling Rigs that Meet Certain Safety Standards. Leonard Lance voted Nay on 07/30/2010. (votesmart.org) Leonard Lance. HR 1230. 112th Congress. Offshore Leasing Act. Leonard Lance voted Yea on 05/05/2011. (votesmart.org) Environment America. 04/18/2012. "Leonard Lance supported the interests of Environment America 67 percent in 2009." (votesmart.org)
Yes		Environment: Do you support the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions?
Vote Smart's Research Environment America. 04/18/2012. "Leonard Lance supported the interests of Environment America 67 percent in 2009." (votesmart.org) Leonard Lance. Video: League of Women Voters Debate Congressman Lance (R) - Potosnak (D) NJ-7 10-18-10. 19 October 2010. "Neighboring states like Pennsylvania and Ohio, they get most of their electricity from coal, and coal tends to be dirty and we have to move in the direction of cleaner coal, and we certainly have to move in my judgment in the direction of nuclear power..." (youtu.be) Sierra Club. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Endorsements. 04/18/2012. Sierra Club endorsed Leonard Lance in the 2010 general election. (votesmart.org) Leonard Lance. HR 910. 112th Congress. Energy Tax Prevention Act. Leonard Lance voted Yea on 04/07/2011. (votesmart.org) League of Conservation Voters. 04/18/2012. "Leonard Lance supported the interests of the League of Conservation Voters 40 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org) Leonard Lance. HR 2454. 111th Congress. Energy and Environmental Law Amendments ("Cap and Trade"). Leonard Lance voted Yea on 06/26/2009. (votesmart.org) Leonard Lance. Lance Votes For Energy Independence. 26 June 2009. "New Jersey serves as a national model for its investments in new, clean energy technologies that have reduced greenhouse gas emissions and created thousands of jobs. I heard from a number of New Jersey's leading businesses that firmly believe today's legislation would strengthen our state economy through innovative and sustainable job creation. It is time for other states to follow New Jersey's leadership and do their share to set limits on greenhouse gas emissions and accelerate development of low-carbon energy sources and green jobs." (votesmart.org)
No		Guns: Do you support restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns?
Vote Smart's Research Gun Owners of America. 04/18/2012. "In 2010 Gun Owners of America gave Leonard Lance a grade of 73." (votesmart.org) Leonard Lance. Video: League of Women Voters Debate Congressman Lance (R ) - Potosnak (D) NJ-7 10-18-10. 19 October 2010. "The semi-automatic weapon ban should be decided state by state. I think this is classically a state issue [¦] I do not believe this is really at its heart a congressional matter. There is something however that is congressional in nature and that is whether there should be the fundamental right to own a weapon if you are of age and if you do not have a criminal background, and that case went to the Supreme Court of the United States [¦] I am firmly of the belief that if you are law abiding, if you have no criminal background, if you are of age you should be able to have a weapon and I am pleased that the Supreme Court of the United States has reached that fundamental decision. This was what was really meant by the 1st amendment. Is it merely for a militia or is based upon a personal right, and I believe fundamentally that this is a personal right." (youtu.be) Leonard Lance. Issue Position: Second Amendment. 1 January 2012. "Rest assured, as your Congressman I will continue to work to protect and preserve our constitutional right to keep and bear arms." -- Congressman Leonard Lance 100 percent NRA voting record in Congress. Member of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus. Opposes renewing the federal assault weapons ban. Voted to fully repeal the National Parks gun ban. Voted for H.R. 822, the "National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act." Voted against funding national gun registry database. Voted to protect gun owners and collectors from excessive government restrictions and regulations. Signed an amicus curiae, or "friend of the court," brief supporting Second Amendment rights and opposing City of Chicago's gun ban. Voted against the so-called DISCLOSE Act that would put onerous restrictions on First Amendment rights of free speech by requiring groups like the NRA and Gun Owners of America to disclose its membership lists to the federal elections agency." (votesmart.org)
Yes		Health Care: Do you support repealing the 2010 Affordable Care Act?
Vote Smart's Research Leonard Lance. Lance Says: "I Told Ya So". 23 April 2010. "Now more than ever we need to work to repeal this misguided and unaffordable measure and replace it with common-sense health care solutions that lower the cost of health insurance -- not expand the size of government. Real reforms that lower health care costs without higher taxes, cuts to Medicare and employer-sponsored coverage or growing government: The kind of fiscally responsible health care reform the American people deserve." (votesmart.org) Leonard Lance. HR 2. 112th Congress. Repealing the Health Care Bill. Leonard Lance voted Yea on 01/19/2011. (votesmart.org) Leonard Lance. Lance Poised to Vote to Repeal Costly Health Care Law. 19 January 2011. "Failure to repeal the health care law will add an additional $700 billion to our national deficit in the next 10 years. However, we can work together to enact common-sense health care solutions that lower health care costs without raising taxes or adding to our national debt." (votesmart.org) Leonard Lance. Democrats Reject Effort to Repeal Obamacare Health Insurance Mandate. 16 June 2010. "The vote to repeal the individual mandate is the first salvo in the effort to repeal the unaffordable ObamaCare and replace it with fiscally responsible health care solutions that lower the cost of health insurance." (votesmart.org) American Public Health Association. 04/18/2012. "Leonard Lance supported the interests of the American Public Health Association 0 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org) Leonard Lance. US National Debt Exceeds $13 Trillion. 26 May 2010. "Out of control spending on ObamaCare, bank bailouts, and failed stimulus plans is costing trillions of dollars in borrowing." (votesmart.org) Leonard Lance. Lance Unveils Job Creation Proposals. 18 May 2011. "As a member of the Health Subcommittee I am committed to repealing the health care law and replacing it with common-sense, fiscally responsible reforms that will lower health care costs, expand access and protect jobs." (votesmart.org) Leonard Lance. Issue Position: Provide Quality Accessible Healthcare. 17 November 2011. "Leonard Lance favors common-sense health care reforms that don't raise taxes and don't insert the government into the doctor-patient relationship. Lance supports fiscally responsible reforms that reduce costs and expand coverage without raising taxes or rationing care. Lance opposes the Pelosi health care bill because it raises individual and business taxes, reduces funding for Medicare, and costs over $1.055 trillion." (votesmart.org)
Yes		Immigration: Do you support requiring illegal immigrants to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship?
Vote Smart's Research Leonard Lance. HR 5281. 112th Congress. DREAM Act. Leonard Lance voted Nay on 12/08/2010. (votesmart.org) Federation for American Immigration Reform. 04/18/2012. "Leonard Lance supported the interests of the Federation for American Immigration Reform 100 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org) National Latino Congreso/William C. Velásquez Institute. 04/18/2012. "Leonard Lance supported the interests of National Latino Congreso/William C. Velásquez Institute 0 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org) Leonard Lance. Video: League of Women Voters Debate Congressman Lance (R) - Potosnak (D) NJ-7 10-18-10. 19 October 2010. "When we do attack comprehensive immigration reform, after securing our borders, and after making sure business does not hire those who are not here legally, I certainly favor putting those at the top of the line, first in line those who obey the rules and who are patiently waiting." (youtu.be) Leonard Lance. Issue Position: Issues. 17 November 2011. "Leonard knows we need to get serious about securing our borders. He supports stronger security on our borders, both north and south, and wants to hold those accountable who break our laws. Leonard vehemently opposes any plan for amnesty." (votesmart.org) Leonard Lance. Issue Position: Immigration. 17 November 2011. "I oppose granting amnesty to millions of illegal immigrants because it is unfair to those who have entered our country legally and an affront to the laws that we have established governing immigration and citizenship. This includes ensuring that illegal immigrants are not covered under any federal health care reform measure." (votesmart.org)
No		Marriage: Do you support same-sex marriage?
Vote Smart's Research Leonard Lance. HR 2965. 112th Congress. Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act. Leonard Lance voted Nay on 12/15/2010. (votesmart.org) Human Rights Campaign. 04/18/2012. "Leonard Lance supported the interests of the Human Rights Campaign 31 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org) American Family Association. 04/18/2012. "Leonard Lance supported the interests of the American Family Association 72 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org) Leonard Lance. Princeton Packet - "GOP seat in 7th Congressional District threatened." 15 August 2008. "I actually believe marriage is an institution between a man and a woman." (votesmart.org)
Unknown Position		National Security: Do you support targeting suspected terrorists outside of official theaters of conflict?
Vote Smart's Research Despite exhaustive research, Project Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
No		Social Security: Do you support allowing individuals to divert a portion of their Social Security taxes into personal retirement accounts?
Vote Smart's Research Leonard Lance. Lance Displays Firm Grasp of Issues Important to Central Jersey Voters. 14 October 2008. "Leonard Lance didn't support Bush's Social Security plan. He never has. Lance opposes privatizing Social Security. Lance opposed Senate Resolution No. 94 because it was silent on the issues of raising the retirement age and increasing taxes on Social Security recipients - two policies Lance adamantly opposes." (votesmart.org) Leonard Lance. Issue Position: Protect Social Security and Medicare. 17 November 2011. "Leonard Lance is committed to protecting Social Security for the future. He knows we need a bipartisan plan to protect the program for future generations. Leonard opposes increasing Social Security taxes, and he will fight to stop Congress from raiding Social Security and Medicare funds." (votesmart.org) Leanord Lance. Video: News 12 NJ 7th Dist. Congressional Debate 10-20-10 Challenger Potosnak (D) & Congressman Lance (R). 22 October 2010. "I favor protection of Social Security and of Medicare. They're sacred trusts to the American people. I do not favor privatization of either of those programs. Social security act was passed in 1935, it has been without doubt the single most important program domestically in this country." (youtu.be)

Key

: Official Position: Candidate had the Political Courage to address this issue directly.
: Inferred Position: Candidate refused to address this issue directly, but Project Vote Smart inferred this issue position based on the candidate's public statements, voting record, and evaluations from special interest groups.
: Unknown Position: Candidate refused to address this issue.
: Project Vote Smart's Research: Click on this icon to reveal more information about this candidate's position.

Other or Expanded Principles & Legislative Priorities are entered exactly as the candidate has submitted it. Project Vote Smart does not edit for misspelled words, punctuation or grammar.

New Jersey State Legislative Election 2007 National Political Awareness Test

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.

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Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding abortion.
	a) Abortions should always be illegal.
	b) Abortions should always be legal.
	c) Abortions should be legal only within the first trimester of pregnancy.
X	d) Abortions should be legal when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape.
X	e) Abortions should be legal when the life of the woman is endangered.
	f) Prohibit public funding of abortions and to organizations that advocate or perform abortions.
X	g) Require clinics to give parental notification before performing abortions on minors.
	h) Other or expanded principles

State Budget: Indicate the funding levels (#1-6) you will support for the following general categories. Select one level per category.
Slightly Increase	a) Education (Higher)
Slightly Increase	b) Education (K-12)
Slightly Increase	c) Emergency preparedness
Slightly Increase	d) Environment
Slightly Increase	e) Health care
Slightly Increase	f) Law enforcement
Slightly Increase	g) Transportation and highway infrastructure
Greatly Decrease	h) Welfare
	i) Other or expanded categories

State Taxes: Indicate the tax levels (#1-6) you will support. Select one level per tax.
Maintain Status	a) Alcohol taxes
Greatly Decrease	b) Capital gains taxes
Slightly Decrease	c) Cigarette taxes
Greatly Decrease	d) Corporate taxes
Maintain Status	e) Gasoline taxes
Maintain Status	f) Income taxes (incomes below $75,000)
Greatly Decrease	g) Income taxes (incomes above $75,000)
Greatly Decrease	h) Property taxes
Slightly Decrease	i) Sales taxes
Maintain Status	j) Vehicle taxes
	k) Other or expanded categories

No	l) Should the state sales taxes be extended to Internet sales?
No	m) Should accounts such as a "rainy day" fund be used to balance the state budget?
No	n) Should fee increases be used to balance the state budget?
No	o) Do you support leasing the New Jersey Turnpike to a private company to help reduce the state's debt?
	p) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding campaign finance and government reform.
Yes	a) Do you support the current limit of terms for New Jersey governors?
No	b) Do you support limiting the number of terms for New Jersey state senators and representatives?
c) Do you support limiting the following types of contributions to state legislative candidates?
Yes	1) Individual
Yes	2) PAC
Yes	3) Corporate
Yes	4) Political Parties
Yes	d) Do you support requiring full and timely disclosure of campaign finance information?
Yes	e) Do you support imposing spending limits on state level political campaigns?
Yes	f) Do you support adopting statewide standards for counting, verifying and ensuring accuracy of votes?
Yes	g) Do you support prohibiting media exit polling of voters until all polling locations in New Jersey are closed?
Undecided	h) Should New Jersey continue to recognize civil unions between same-sex couples?
No	i) Should New Jersey recognize marriages between same-sex couples?
Undecided	j) Do you support a New Jersey constitutional amendment defining marriage as between one man and one woman?
No	k) Do you support the New Jersey state government using eminent domain to seize private property for the purpose of private development?
	l) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding crime.
X	a) Increase state funds for construction of state prisons and hiring of additional prison staff.
X	b) Support the death penalty in New Jersey.
X	c) Support programs to provide prison inmates with vocational and job-related skills and job-placement assistance when released.
X	d) End parole for repeat violent offenders.
	e) Implement penalties other than incarceration for certain non-violent offenders.
	f) Decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana.
X	g) Strengthen penalties and sentences for drug-related crimes.
X	h) Minors accused of a violent crime should be prosecuted as adults.
X	i) Require that crimes based on race, ethnic background, religious belief, sex, age, disability, or sexual orientation be prosecuted as hate crimes.
X	j) Increase state funding for community centers and other social agencies in areas with at-risk youth.
X	k) Strengthen sex-offender laws.
X	l) Support the restriction of the sale of products used to make methamphetamine (e.g. tablets containing pseudophedrine, ephedrine and phenylpropanolamine).
	m) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding education.
X	a) Support national standards and testing of public school students.
	b) Provide parents with state-funded vouchers to send their children to any public school.
	c) Provide parents with state-funded vouchers to send their children to any private or religious school.
X	d) Increase state funds for school capital improvements (e.g. buildings and infrastructure).
X	e) Increase funds for hiring additional teachers.
X	f) Support teacher testing and reward with merit pay.
	g) Endorse voluntary prayer in public schools.
X	h) Support requiring public schools to administer high school exit exams.
X	i) Provide state funding to increase teacher salaries.
X	j) Increase funding for Head Start programs.
X	k) Provide state funding for tax incentives and financial aid to help make college more affordable.
	l) Support sexual education programs that include information on abstinence, contraceptives, and HIV/STD prevention methods.
	m) Support abstinence-only sexual education programs.
	n) Other or expanded principles
I favor a voucher pilot program in an urban setting for any private or religious school; I favor permitting a minute of silence. The type of sexual education programs should be determined by local school boards.

Employment: Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding employment.
X	a) Increase funding for state job-training programs that retrain displaced workers and teach skills needed in today's job market.
X	b) Reduce state government regulations on the private sector in order to encourage investment and economic expansion.
X	c) Provide low interest loans and tax credits for starting, expanding, or relocating businesses.
X	d) Provide tax credits for businesses that provide child care for children in low-income working families.
	e) Increase state funds to provide child care for children in low-income working families.
X	f) Support the inclusion of sexual orientation in New Jersey's anti-discrimination laws.
X	g) Increase the state minimum wage.
	h) Other or expanded principles
The minimum wage increase should include a training wage, which would be lower, for teenagers.
Affirmative Action: Should race, ethnicity or gender be taken into account in state agencies' decisions on:
No	a) Public employment
No	b) State college and university admissions
No	c) State contracting
	d) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding the environment and energy.
X	a) Promote increased use of alternative fuel technology.
	b) Support increased production of traditional domestic energy sources (e.g. coal, natural gas, and oil).
X	c) Use state funds to clean up former industrial and commercial sites that are contaminated, unused, or abandoned.
X	d) Increase funding for improvements to New Jersey's power generating and transmission facilities.
X	e) Support funding for open space preservation.
X	f) Enact environmental regulations even if they are stricter than federal law.
	g) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding guns.
X	a) Maintain and strengthen the enforcement of existing state restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns.
	b) Ease state restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns.
	c) Repeal state restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns.
	d) Allow citizens to carry concealed guns.
	e) Require background checks on gun sales between private citizens at gun shows.
X	f) Require a license for gun possession.
	g) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding health.
X	a) Ensure that citizens have access to basic health care through managed care, insurance reforms, or state-funded care where necessary.
	b) Transfer current Medicaid recipients into managed care programs.
	c) Limit the amount of punitive damages that can be awarded in medical malpractice lawsuits.
	d) Support patients' right to sue their HMOs.
	e) Guaranteed medical care to all citizens is not a responsibility of state government.
	f) Legalize physician assisted suicide in New Jersey.
	g) Allow doctors to prescribe marijuana to their patients for medicinal purposes.
	h) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding welfare.
X	a) Support increased work requirements for able-bodied welfare recipients.
X	b) Increase funding for employment and job training programs for welfare recipients.
	c) Increase access to public transportation for welfare recipients who work.
X	d) Redirect welfare funding to faith-based and community-based private organizations.
X	e) Use federal TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families) funds to extend health and child care subsidies to the working poor.
	f) Support marriage promotion programs for welfare recipients.
	g) Eliminate government-funded welfare programs.
	h) Other or expanded principles

	Please explain in a total of 75 words or less, your top two or three priorities if elected. If they require additional funding for implementation, please explain how you would obtain this funding.

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Leonard Lance

Representative Leonard Lance's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

Issue Positions

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Key

New Jersey State Legislative Election 2007 National Political Awareness Test

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

State Budget: Indicate the funding levels (#1-6) you will support for the following general categories. Select one level per category.

State Taxes: Indicate the tax levels (#1-6) you will support. Select one level per tax.

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

c) Do you support limiting the following types of contributions to state legislative candidates?

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

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

Employment: Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding employment.

Affirmative Action: Should race, ethnicity or gender be taken into account in state agencies' decisions on:

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

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

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

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

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