Card image cap

Jim Cooper's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

Key

Official Position: Candidate addressed this issue directly by taking the Political Courage Test.
Inferred Position: Candidate refused to address this issue, but Vote Smart inferred this issue based on the candidate's public record, including statements, voting record, and special interest group endorsements.
Unknown Position: Candidate refused to address this issue, or we could not infer an answer for this candidate despite exhaustive research of their public record.
Additional Information: Click on this icon to reveal more information about this candidate's position, from their answers or Vote Smart's research.
Other or Expanded Principles & Legislative Priorities are entered exactly as candidates submit them. Vote Smart does not edit for misspelled words, punctuation or grammar.

Jim Cooper has failed to provide voters with positions on key issues covered by the 2020 Political Courage Test, despite repeated requests from Vote Smart and voters like you.

What is the Political Courage Test?

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 2020.

  • Rated 100% by Planned Parenthood. (votesmart.org)
  • "Voting rights, marriage equality, and the rights of women to make their own health decisions are among the issues that are key to progress in our state and our country." (www.cooperforcongress.com)
  • "The Republican tax plan isn't real reform. It's real pain for Tennesseans. It hurts families and adds $1.5 trillion to the debt. Surely America can do better," Rep. Cooper said. "I agree our current tax code is broken, but Republicans should start from scratch and work with Democrats so we can pass a tax bill that can actually become law." (votesmart.org)
  • "The vast majority of Americans don't like it, and with good reason. Reagan-era tax reform was very different; this Trump bill is not an echo of that reform but a craven Christmas present to the most powerful lobbyists in Washington. Trump promised to help everyday Americans but this bill fails to do that." (votesmart.org)
  • "Medicare is a vital and sacred program, but it's on a fiscally unsustainable course. According to the Social Security and Medicare Actuaries, the Medicare Trust Fund will be exhausted in 2026. We must keep it strong and sustainable for our seniors and for future generations." (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 100% by Alliance for Retired Americans. (votesmart.org)
  • "The new law increases the deficit dramatically, keeps the tax code complicated, prioritizes corporations over people, and even threatens Social Security and Medicare. The vast majority of Americans don’t like it, and with good reason." (twitter.com)
  • Rated 87% by Common Cause. (votesmart.org)
  • Signed a letter stating: "Such a change to the current rules governing political party spending would greatly increase the power of a select group of wealthy donors who are capable of contributing large sums to the political parties. This will send a jarring message to Americans of all political stripes that Washington insiders are rigging the system in favor of powerful moneyed interests." (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1 - For the People Act. (votesmart.org)
  • "House Dems passed the George Floyd #JusticeInPolicing Act 3 weeks ago. Send the message to Trump and Senate Republicans that we need comprehensive police reform NOW." (twitter.com)
  • "The abuse needs to stop! There is no place for police brutality, excessive use of force, and racial profiling, and it is sickening that incidents continue to plague black and brown people in our community." (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 7120 - George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2020. (votesmart.org)
  • "I have voted to strip funding for projects like the F-35 alternate jet engine and the V-22 Osprey that the Defense Department didn't want." (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 16% by Center for Security Policy. (votesmart.org)
  • "We must ensure that our Armed Forces remain one of the finest militaries in the world, while making strategic reductions in defense spending that will not jeopardize our nation's security." (votesmart.org)
  • "Infrastructure is key to Nashville -- and America's -- future. While Congress has been unable to agree on a long-term solution to properly fund our bridges and highways -- many of which are in dire need of repair -- Jim supports and has voted for funding of our critical infrastructure." (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 22 - Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act. (votesmart.org)
  • As the debt continues to grow, we are very concerned that deficit-financed tax cuts with budget gimmicks will increase complexity and compliance burdens for American small and mid-sized businesses. (votesmart.org)
  • "Everyone likes tax cuts, but the Republican tax bill gives most of them to Scrooge, not Bob Cratchit. This bill increases the deficit dramatically, keeps the tax code complicated, prioritizes corporations over people, and even threatens Social Security and Medicare," Rep. Cooper said. "The vast majority of Americans don't like it, and with good reason. Reagan-era tax reform was very different; this Trump bill is not an echo of that reform but a craven Christmas present to the most powerful lobbyists in Washington. Trump promised to help everyday Americans but this bill fails to do that." (votesmart.org)
  • "It is important that Congress acted quickly so we can help people and businesses who are struggling. Now the administration needs to get the money out the door fast to help everyone through this crisis." (twitter.com)
  • Rated 0% by American Energy Alliance. (votesmart.org)
  • "With old-fashioned American innovation and ingenuity, I believe that we can find new, clean solutions for the 21st century." (votesmart.org)
  • "My advocacy of cap-and-trade goes back to 1990, when I helped craft an amendment to the Clean Air Act that dramatically reduced acid rain. Every nation must take drastic measures to reduce pollution and address climate change; it's time Congress stopped dragging its feet." (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 82% by League of Conservation Voters. (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 9 - Climate Action Now Act. (votesmart.org)
  • "Nashville woke up to devastating news. We mourn the innocent victims and thank our brave first responders," Rep. Cooper said. "Many will say now is not the time to discuss change. But now IS the time. We can and must do everything possible to prevent these tragedies and keep Americans safe. That starts with restricting widespread civilian access to military-grade assault weapons." (votesmart.org)
  • Signed a letter stating: "Gun violence has affected constituents in every Congressional district, and as their representatives, Members of Congress deserve the opportunity to vote on bills that would address this epidemic." (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1112 - Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2019. (votesmart.org)
  • "Jim teaches health policy at Vanderbilt, and voted for President Obama's health care law. He believes that all Tennesseans should have the same access to health coverage that he and his family have." (www.cooperforcongress.com)
  • "The Affordable Care Act isn't perfect, and it doesn't solve all our health care problems, but it's an important first step." (votesmart.org)
  • "We need to improve Obamacare, but those who voted for the reconciliation bill were hoping for a presidential veto." (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 6201 - Families First Coronavirus Response Act. (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 22% by NumbersUSA. (votesmart.org)
  • ""There are better, cheaper ways to secure our borders than by spending $5 billion on a longer wall on our Southern border, when we already have 700+ miles of wall," Rep. Cooper said." (votesmart.org)
  • "In 2010, I voted for the DREAM Act which also a part of the Senate proposal, because I believe that those young people who are willing to serve in our military and get an education should be encouraged to pursue the American dream of citizenship. They came to America through no fault of their own; many are now top students, hard workers and brave soldiers. America needs their talent." (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 22% by NumbersUSA. (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 6 - American Dream and Promise Act of 2019. (votesmart.org)
  • "I believe that a world without nuclear weapons is safer for everyone. However, we cannot underestimate the importance of the nuclear triad in preventing conflicts. Nuclear deterrence has been and will continue to be critical to securing the U.S. from a nuclear attack." (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 16% by Center for Security Policy. (votesmart.org)
  • Signed a letter stating: "Rather than using reckless rhetoric and sending muddled messages to our allies, the U.S. should pursue a comprehensive strategy toward North Korea that consists of economic pressure, strong and steady diplomacy, and credible deterrence and defense." (votesmart.org)
  • "The Iran deal was much better than President Trump thinks. He is making a big mistake by withdrawing from it. This will further isolate America from our allies and provoke even more trouble in the Middle East." (twitter.com)
  • Rated 16% by Center for Security Policy. (votesmart.org)
  • "The president’s decision to remove US troops from Syria didn’t just betray our Kurdish allies; it has made America less safe. Russia has now occupied a former US airbase giving Putin a foothold in a strategic region of the Middle East." (twitter.com)
  • "I'm glad House Democrats were able to improve the USMCA, which passed the House today. The USMCA will ensure free and open trade with two of our biggest partners, Canada and Mexico, and will undoubtedly benefit Tennesseans for years to come." (twitter.com)
  • "Nobody wins in trade wars. Other countries need to be held accountable for unfair trade. But using tariffs to pressure our partners into better behavior rarely works. Tennesseans will be the ones who get hurt." (twitter.com)
  • "President Trump’s plan to impose additional tariffs on Chinese goods is foolish. Tennessee has been hit especially hard by Trump’s last round of tariffs and our state’s economy will suffer even more when these are implemented. No one wins in a trade war." (twitter.com)
  • Rated 20% by Public Citizen. (votesmart.org)

Vote Smart does not permit the use of its name or programs in any campaign activity, including advertising, debates, and speeches.

arrow_upward