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Hakeem Jeffries' Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

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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.

Hakeem Jeffries did not provide voters with positions on key issues covered by the 2022 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 2022.

  • Rated 100% by Planned Parenthood Action Fund (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "The radical right Supreme Court majority callously ended Roe v. Wade. Extreme Republicans will now criminalize a woman’s freedom to make her own healthcare decisions throughout America. We will never surrender." (twitter.com)
  • "House Dems will restore Roe v. Wade and protect reproductive freedom. Extreme Republicans will criminalize abortion on a federal level. That’s the difference between us and them." (twitter.com)
  • "Reckless Republican agenda will end Roe v. Wade protection. We must #StopKavanaugh in the Senate. Defend a woman’s right to choose in the House. And always stand strong #ForThePeople throughout America" (twitter.com)
  • Rated 100% by National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Dropped by a bustling Senior Center earlier today. We will always defend Social Security & Medicare. No. Matter. What. It. Takes." (twitter.com)
  • Rated 100% by Alliance for Retired Americans (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Republicans are so extreme they have promised to end Social Security in five years. We will stop them." (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 1 "For the People Act of 2021" (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 87% by Common Cause (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Moscow Mitch fights for the privileged few #CitizensUnited. Speaker Pelosi fights #ForThePeople." (twitter.com)
  • "Passing the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act into law is essential." (twitter.com)
  • "The House just PASSED the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act with Bipartisan support. Honored to have delivered the closing argument during debate. To those seeking change throughout America. We hear you. We see you. We are you." (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 1280 "George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021" (votesmart.org)
  • "As a member of the House Judiciary Committee and the Bi-Partisan Task Force on Overcriminalization, Hakeem is committed to fixing the institutional flaws in the criminal justice system. In the wake of recent tragedies involving law enforcement and communities of color, he is fully dedicated to transforming pervasive public discontent into legislative action." (hakeemjeffries.com)
  • Voted in favor of S 1605 "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022" (votesmart.org)
  • "The Build Back Better Act will create economic opportunity in every single zip code." (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 2 "Moving Forward Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 5376 "Build Back Better Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "Hakeem’s foremost priority since his arrival in Congress has been to create well-paying jobs for working and middle-class New Yorkers. Through his work on the House Budget Committee and House Judiciary Committee, he has been an active supporter of legislation to spur innovation, grow the economy and help small businesses succeed." (hakeemjeffries.com)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 1319 "American Rescue Plan Act of 2021" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 266 "Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "We will work with reasonable Republicans to provide comprehensive COVID-19 relief. That’s bipartisanship." (twitter.com)
  • "We will pass a comprehensive COVID-19 relief package. And Mitch McConnell doesn’t have the votes to stop us." (twitter.com)
  • "House Republican leaders are actually rooting for a recession. Meanwhile. The Biden economy produced another strong month of job creation. Our work to combat inflation and lower costs for everyday Americans continues." (twitter.com)
  • "The Inflation Reduction Act is another transformative bill. Brought to you by your friendly neighborhood Democratic Party. It’s a big effing deal." (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 4521 “America COMPETES Act of 2022” (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 5376 “Inflation Reduction Act of 2022” (votesmart.org)
  • "Gas prices have declined for ten consecutive weeks. Historic legislation to confront the climate crisis is the law of the land. And crushing student loan debt is being forgiven." (twitter.com)
  • Rated 100% by National Education Association (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Student loan debt now exceeds $1 trillion in this country. The American dream is falling further out of reach for the millennial generation. But Betsy Devos wants to dramatically cut student loan forgiveness programs and slash Pell grant funding. Why is she still around?" (twitter.com)
  • "Congress must pass the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act this year. And we cannot let the filibuster block it." (twitter.com)
  • Rated 87% by Common Cause (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 4 “John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021” (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 5746 “Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act” (votesmart.org)
  • "Congress must address the climate crisis. This month. With the fierce urgency of now." (twitter.com)
  • Rated 100% by League of Conservation Voters (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 9 "Climate Action Now Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 100% by Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "The most comprehensive gun violence prevention and mental health support legislation in the last 30 years is now the law of the land. House Dems will not rest until we end the gun violence epidemic once and for all. (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 1446 "Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2021" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 8 "Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021" (votesmart.org)
  • "America is in the midst of a deadly pandemic. House Dems passed legislation this week to expand the ACA and healthcare coverage #ForThePeople.The Trump administration is in court trying to take it away. FACTS." (twitter.com)
  • "House GOP should abandon 7 yr obsession with repealing ACA. Once and for all. Then. We can talk #ProtectOurCare" (twitter.com)
  • "Supremes will hear another challenge to the Affordable Care Act. Trump is obsessed with taking away your healthcare. House Dems are committed to strengthening the ACA and protecting more than 100 mil Americans w/ preexisting conditions. We will prevail again." (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 1425 “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act” (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 6201 “Families First Coronavirus Response Act” (votesmart.org)
  • "Free Coronavirus testing for everyone. Paid emergency sick leave. Unemployment benefits for displaced workers. Strengthened food security. Increased Medicaid support for states and localities. House Dems will deliver #ForThePeople." (twitter.com)
  • "Treating all workers with dignity and respect is essential. Living wage. Paid family leave. High quality healthcare. Meaningful pension. House Dems continue this fight #ForThePeople." (twitter.com)
  • "Dems are closer than ever to lowering the high price of life-saving prescription drugs. #PeopleOverPolitics" (twitter.com)
  • "It’s time to lower the high price of life-saving prescription drugs." (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 3 “Lower Drug Costs Now Act of 2019” (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 6833 “The Affordable Insulin Now Act” (votesmart.org)
  • "Democrats won't support the medieval border wall from the so-called president. IT'S. NOT. GOING. ANYWHERE." (twitter.com)
  • "Just blasted so and so for unconstitutional medieval border wall declaration. It’s a phony, fraudulent and fake national emergency. Not. In. Our. House." (twitter.com)
  • Rated 1% by NumbersUSA (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "We are not paying a $5 billion ransom note for your medieval border wall. And nothing you just said will change that cold, hard reality. Not happening. Get. Over. It." (twitter.com)
  • Rated 1% by NumbersUSA (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Supreme Court blocks Trump from ending DACA. DREAMers are #HereToStay. FACTS." (twitter.com)
  • "This one is NOT complicated donald. Renew the DACA program. NOW" (twitter.com)
  • "Supreme Court blocks Trump from ending DACA. DREAMers are #HereToStay. FACTS." (twitter.com)
  • "This one is NOT complicated donald. Renew the DACA program. NOW" (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 6968 “Suspending Energy Imports from Russia Act” (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 7108 "Suspending Normal Trade Relations With Russia and Belarus" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 7691 “Making emergency supplemental appropriations for assistance for the situation in Ukraine for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022, and for other purposes.” (votesmart.org)
  • "An attack on any democracy is an attack on every democracy. America and the international community must stand strongly behind Ukraine." (twitter.com)
  • "The House will vote today to provide more than $13 billion in humanitarian, economic and defense assistance to Ukraine." (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 7691 “Making emergency supplemental appropriations for assistance for the situation in Ukraine for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022, and for other purposes.” (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of S. 3522 “Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2022” (votesmart.org)
  • "Back in Washington to continue the fight to pass the #BuildBackBetter Act. The wealthy, well-off and well-connected must pay their fair share." (twitter.com)
  • "GOP Tax Scam exploded the debt by $2,000,000,000,000 (two trillion). 83 percent of the benefits went to the wealthiest one percent. Remember that this week when Republicans lecture us about fiscal responsibility." (twitter.com)
  • "President Biden’s American Rescue Plan has passed the House. We will not be lectured on fiscal responsibility by those who supported the $2,000,0000,000,000 (two trillion) GOP Tax Scam." (twitter.com)
  • Rated 5% by National Tax Limitation Committee (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "The Trump Economy: Record National Debt + Sluggish Wage Growth + Reckless Tariffs = Likely Recession." (twitter.com)
  • "Trump Tariffs are destroying good-paying Jobs left and right throughout Blue Collar America. When is enough enough?" (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 5430 "United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act" (votesmart.org)
This candidate has responded to a Political Courage Test in a previous election. As a continued effort to provide the American public with factual information on candidates running for public office, these archived responses are made available here.
The Political Courage Test asks candidates which items they will support if elected. It does not ask them to indicate which items they will oppose. Through extensive research of public polling data, we discovered that voters are more concerned with what candidates would support when elected to office, not what they oppose. If a candidate does not select a response to any part or all of any question, it does not necessarily indicate that the candidate is opposed to that particular item.

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

a) Abortions should always be illegal.
X b) Abortions should always be legal.
c) Abortions should be legal only within the first trimester of pregnancy.
d) Abortions should be legal when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape.
e) Abortions should be legal when the life of the woman is endangered.
f) Abortions should be subject to a mandatory waiting period.
g) Require clinics to give parental notification before performing abortions on minors.
h) Other or expanded principles

State Budget: Indicate what state funding levels (#1-6) you support for the following general categories. Select one level per category, you can use a number more than once.State Taxes: Indicate what state tax levels (#1-6) you support for the following general categories. Select one level per category, you can use a number more than once.

Greatly Increase a) Education (Higher)
Greatly Increase b) Education (K-12)
Slightly Increase c) Emergency preparedness
Slightly Increase d) Environment
Greatly Increase e) Health care
Slightly Increase f) Law enforcement
Slightly Increase g) Transportation and highway infrastructure
Greatly Increase h) Welfare
i) Other or expanded categories
Maintain Status a) Alcohol taxes
Slightly Increase b) Cigarette taxes
Greatly Increase c) Corporate taxes
Maintain Status d) Gasoline taxes
Maintain Status e) Income taxes (incomes below $75,000)
Maintain Status f) Income taxes (incomes above $75,000)
Slightly Decrease g) Sales taxes
Slightly Decrease h) Vehicle taxes
i) Other or expanded categories
No 1) Should there be a cap on school district property taxes?
No 2) Should state sales taxes be extended to Internet sales?
No 3) Should accounts such as a "rainy day" fund be used to balance the state budget?
No 4) Should fee increases be used to balance the state budget?
Yes 5) Do you support raising the income tax for those making $1,000,000 or more?
6) Other or expanded principles

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?

a) Do you support limiting the number of terms for New York governors?
No b) Do you support limiting the number of terms for New York state senators and assemblymembers?
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?
f) Should New York participate in the federal REAL ID program?
g) Other or expanded principles

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

a) Increase state funds for construction of state prisons and hiring of additional prison staff.
b) Establish the death penalty in New York.
X c) Support programs to provide prison inmates with vocational and job-related skills and job-placement assistance when released.
X d) Implement penalties other than incarceration for certain non-violent offenders.
e) Minors accused of a violent crime should be prosecuted as adults.
f) Support state and local law enforcement officials enforcing federal immigration laws.
X g) Support hate crime legislation.
h) Other or expanded principles

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

X a) Support state funding of universal pre-K programs.
b) Support federal education standards and testing requirements for K-12 students (No Child Left Behind).
X c) Support state education standards and testing requirements for K-12 students.
d) Support requiring public schools to administer high school exit exams.
e) Allow parents to use vouchers to send their children to any public school.
f) Allow parents to use vouchers to send their children to any private or religious school.
X g) Provide state funding to increase teacher salaries.
h) Support using a merit pay system for teachers.
X i) Provide state funding for tax incentives and financial aid to help make college more affordable.
X j) Support allowing illegal immigrant high school graduates of New York to pay in-state tuition at public universities.
k) Other or expanded principles

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

X a) Increase funding for state job-training programs that re-train displaced workers and teach skills needed in today's job market.
b) Reduce state government regulations on the private sector.
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.
X e) Increase state funds to provide child care for children in low-income working families.
X f) Include gender identity in New York's anti-discrimination laws.
X g) Increase the state minimum wage.
X h) Support laws that prevent employers from dismissing employees at will.
i) Support financial punishments for those who knowingly employ illegal immigrants.
j) Support increased work requirements for able-bodied welfare recipients.
X k) Increase funding for employment and job training programs for welfare recipients.
l) 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.
X b) Support increased production of traditional domestic energy sources (e.g. coal, natural gas, oil, etc).
X c) Support providing financial incentives to farms that produce biofuel crops.
X d) Use state funds to clean up former industrial and commercial sites that are contaminated, unused, or abandoned.
e) Support funding for improvements to New York's power generating and transmission facilities.
X f) Support funding for open space preservation.
X g) Limit carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases linked to global warming.
X h) Enact environmental regulations even if they are stricter than federal law.
i) Other or expanded principles

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

Yes a) Should background checks be required on gun sales between private citizens at gun shows?
No b) Should citizens be allowed to carry concealed guns?
Yes c) Should a license be required for gun possession?
d) Do you support current levels of enforcement of existing state restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns?
e) Do you support current state restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns?
f) 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) Guaranteed medical care to all citizens is not a responsibility of state government.
c) Limit the amount of damages that can be awarded in medical malpractice lawsuits.
X d) Allow patients to sue their HMOs.
X e) Require hospitals and labs to release reports on infections that are a risk to public health, while not compromising patient confidentiality.
f) Legalize physician assisted suicide in New York.
X g) Support allowing doctors to prescribe marijuana to their patients for medicinal purposes.
h) Other or expanded principles

['Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding social issues.', 'Legislative Priorities']

Yes a) Should New York recognize civil unions between same-sex couples?
Yes b) Should same-sex couples be allowed to marry?
Yes c) Should New York provide state-level spousal rights to same-sex couples?
d) Do you support a moment of silence in public schools?
No e) Do you support voluntary prayer in public schools?
Yes f) Do you support sexual education programs that include information on abstinence, contraceptives, and HIV/STD prevention methods?
No g) Do you support abstinence-only sexual education programs?
Yes h) Should the state government consider race and gender in state government contracting and hiring decisions?
Yes i) Do you support affirmative action in public college admissions?
Yes j) Should New York continue affirmative action programs?
Yes k) Do you support state funding of stem cell research?
Yes l) Do you support state funding of embryonic stem cell research?
No m) Do you support allowing pharmacists who conscientiously object to emergency contraception to refuse to dispense it?
n) Other or expanded principles
If re-elected, I will continue my fight for affordable housing in my district, as well as throughout New York City and New York State. We need to increase the quality of schools in our state and to ensure fair elections, we need comprehensive electoral reform.

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