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Bruce Braley

Representative Bruce Braley's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

Bruce Braley
Full Name: Bruce Braley
Office: U.S. House (IA) - District 1, Democratic
First Elected: 11/07/2006
Last Elected: 11/06/2012
Next Election: 2014
Gender: Male
Family: Wife: Carolyn; 3 Children: Lisa, David, Paul
Birth Date: 10/30/1957
Birth Place: Grinnell, IA
Home City: Waterloo, IA
Project Vote Smart does not permit the use of its name or programs in any campaign activity, including advertising, debates, and speeches.
Bruce Braley 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-choice Inferred Answer Abortion: Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation? View Citations

Vote Smart's Research

  • Bruce Braley. HR 3. 112th Congress. Prohibiting Taxpayer Funding of Abortion. Bruce Braley voted Nay on 05/04/2011. (votesmart.org)
  • Family Research Council. 04/18/2012. "Bruce Braley supported the interests of the Family Research Council 0 percent in 2010." (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 Bruce Braley a rating of 100 percent." (votesmart.org)
  • Bruce Braley. Issue Position: Protecting Women's Health Rights. 7 October 2011. “Uphold Roe v. Wade. Bruce supports the Supreme Court's ruling in Roe v. Wade and believes it is settled law … Keep Private Medical Decisions Private. Bruce supports choice because there he believes there are circumstances where women and their physicians should be able to make difficult decisions without government interference. Bruce also believes that the federal government should not criminalize the personal medical decisions made between a woman and her doctor.”
  • Planned Parenthood. 04/18/2012. "Bruce Braley supported the interests of Planned Parenthood 100 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • NARAL Pro-Choice America. 04/18/2012. "Bruce Braley supported the interests of the NARAL Pro-Choice America 100 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • Bruce Braley. H Amdt 509. 111th Congress. Prohibiting Federally Funded Abortion Services. Bruce Braley voted Nay on 11/07/2009. (votesmart.org)
  • Bruce Braley. H Amdt 95. 112th Congress. Prohibiting Use of Federal Funds For Planned Parenthood. Bruce Braley voted Nay on 02/18/2011. (votesmart.org)
  • National Right to Life Committee. 04/18/2012. "Bruce Braley supported the interests of the National Right to Life Committee 0 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • Bruce Braley. Planned Parenthood Endorses Bruce Braley for Congress. 24 May 2006. “I am pleased to have the endorsement of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund. I am committed to protecting a woman's right to privacy and ensuring that the federal government does all it can to make family planning and education accessible.” (votesmart.org)
  • Bruce Braley. No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act. 4 May 2011. “Don't be fooled by this bill. It isn't about funding. It is about preventing women from being able to access comprehensive health care. That is what this bill is about. The debate is about whether politicians sitting in Congress should dictate the personal, private medical decisions of the American people. It aims to impose intrusive government rules on personal medical decisions. The bill's supporters don't want abortion, any abortion, to be legal in the United States, and so they are adding as many bureaucratic rules as they can come up with. This bill would not allow an exception for rape and incest for women in the military and military dependents. […] That's what we're talking about today. And that is the contrast between these two philosophies of the role of government and the personal-private medical decisions of women. And that is why I ask my colleagues to reject this bill.” (votesmart.org)
  • Bruce Braley. Issue Position: Pro-Choice. 14 September 2011. “The ONLY Choice for Pro-Choice Voters. I am the only major pro-choice candidate in the First District race, Democrat or Republican. […] Keep Private Medical Decisions Private. I support choice because there are circumstances where women and their physicians should be able to make that difficult decision without government interference. I also believe that the federal government should not criminalize personal medical decisions between a woman and her doctor.” (votesmart.org)
No Inferred Answer Afghanistan: Do you support United States' combat operations in Afghanistan? View Citations

Vote Smart's Research

  • Bruce Braley. Braley Statement on Afghan IG Report. 20 July 2011. “This report is very troubling and it underscores the need for us to get out of Afghanistan now. We're blindly spending billions in Afghanistan while our own economy is teetering between an anemic recovery and the brink of a default. I've called for a true accounting of the cost of the war in Afghanistan since I came to Congress. Now, after almost a decade in Afghanistan, thousands of lives lost and billions of dollars misspent, it's clear that the cost is too high. We need to end this quagmire immediately.” (votesmart.org)
  • Bruce Braley. Letter to The Honorable Barack H. Obama, President of the United States. 21 June 2011. “Dear Mr. President, We urge a significant and sizable reduction of U.S. military forces in Afghanistan beginning July 2011. With Osama bin Laden killed and Al Qaeda largely driven from Afghanistan, it is time to accelerate the transfer of security responsibilities to the Government of Afghanistan and to reduce the U.S. military footprint there. […] The American public is weary of a war with no end in sight, and we call upon you to bring the longest war in our nation's history to a close. Beginning in July of this year, we urge a swift, significant and sizable drawdown of U.S. troops from Afghanistan.” (votesmart.org)
  • Bruce Braley. Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2010. 27 July 2010. “I have long advocated a responsible withdrawal from Afghanistan and believe that the continued funding of these wars outside of the appropriations process without a plan in place for withdrawal is reckless and wasteful. I firmly believe that Congress must require a responsible exit strategy from Afghanistan and work to ensure that the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq remains on track.” (votesmart.org)
  • Peace Action West. 04/18/2012. "Bruce Braley supported the interests of Peace Action West 43 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • Peace Action. 04/18/2012. "Bruce Braley supported the interests of the Peace Action 43 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • Bruce Braley. H Con Res 28. 112th Congress. Removing Troops from Afghanistan. Bruce Braley voted Nay on 03/17/2011. (votesmart.org)
  • Bruce Braley. Letter to Co-Chairs and Members of the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction. 21 September 2011. “Congress and the American people have entrusted you with a great responsibility - ensuring the economic well-being of our nation and the creation of jobs. This is no simple task and will require both bold decisions and fair compromises. We understand that you will consider many options when it comes to reaching the benchmarks set by Congress. But too often, when it has come time to reduce spending, the most vulnerable - the working poor and the middle class - have been asked to bear most of the sacrifice. Fortunately, there are other alternatives. To generate much-needed savings, we strongly urged you to examine the costs of the ongoing wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. To date, the wars have cost our taxpayers at least $2.3 trillion, with an additional $884 billion in future costs for veterans and their families. This adds up to a total of at least $3.2 trillion. By ending the wars and paying for a safe, orderly, and responsible redeployment of troops from both Afghanistan and Iraq, we can go a long way toward meeting our fiscal challenges.” (votesmart.org)
  • Bruce Braley. Braley "True Cost of War" Amendment Passes House. 25 May 2011. “In the last 10 years, Congress has appropriated over a trillion dollars for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and most recently in Libya. But what we don't account for in that figure is the more than 5,800 U.S. Service members who've been killed in the line of duty in Afghanistan and Iraq. Or the more than 40,000 who've been wounded and who will spend the rest of their lives treating injuries like PTSD, severe burns and amputated limbs. […] With our neighbors currently deployed to Afghanistan with the Iowa National Guard, these wars are incredibly personal for me and the people of my district. I've met with dozens of my constituents -- young men and women and their families -- who have sacrificed a great deal in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. And when I meet injured soldiers and I see the hardships -- physical and financial -- that they and their families will endure for the rest of their lives, it becomes crystal clear that the true cost of the war is not being accurately reported.” (votesmart.org)
  • Bruce Braley. Braley Calls for Immediate Withdrawal of U.S. Combat Troops from Afghanistan. 26 May 2011. “I believe the time has come for us to begin an immediate withdrawal of our combat troops from Afghanistan -- with the goal of having them home by the end of 2011. This isn't a decision I came to lightly, but one that I have struggled with for some time. Our justifications for going into Afghanistan are no longer valid, and meanwhile, the costs -- both human and financial -- of continuing this war are just too high.” (votesmart.org)
  • Bruce Braley. Braley Statement On President Obama's Speech. 2 December 2009. “In September, I sent a bipartisan letter to President Obama outlining many of my concerns about the situation in Afghanistan and stating my strong belief that we should not commit more troops to Afghanistan without a clearly defined exit strategy. As the Iowa National Guard prepares to deploy more than 3,000 soldiers to Afghanistan, we owe it to them and their families to have a comprehensive strategy that addresses fundamental military, political and economic challenges in Afghanistan and the surrounding region.” (votesmart.org)
  • Bruce Braley. Braley Statement on President Obama's Afghanistan Speech. 23 June 2011. "Last night, the President laid out his vision for withdrawal from Afghanistan. I don't agree with his plan. It's time for our troops to start coming home now -- and to be out of Afghanistan fully by the end of this year. Afghan security forces must be able stand up and take control of their country, Bin Laden is gone and America simply can't afford this war anymore. We've spent a decade in Afghanistan, and our country has paid tremendous costs: the lives of our young men and women, the sacrifice of our military families and the crippling budget deficits that will burden our children and grandchildren. It's time for our brave troops to come home." (votesmart.org)
Yes Inferred Answer Budget: In order to balance the budget, do you support reducing defense spending? View Citations

Vote Smart's Research

  • Bruce Braley. Letter to Members of the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction. 13 October 2011. "You have a unique opportunity to bring our defense spending in line with our legitimate national defense needs while getting our nation on the path to a balanced budget free of deficit. As former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates noted last year, paraphrasing President Dwight D. Eisenhower, "The United States should spend as much as necessary on national defense, but not one penny more. [...] The June 2010 report of the Sustainable Defense Task Force detailed proposals to reduce our nuclear stockpile substantially, realizing savings of over $100 billion without compromising our national security.[1] The report proposed over $960 billion in defense department savings over the next decade. [...] Bringing our defense spending in line with our legitimate security needs must be considered along with other measures to regain our economic footing." (votesmart.org)
  • Bruce Braley. The Voter Guide: 2012 US Representative District 1. Responded “We can achieve enormous cost savings by immediately bringing our troops home from Afghanistan and reducing our military presence in Europe and other parts around the world. We should work to eliminate waste from our defense procurement programs and take steps to prevent the large cost overruns and fabrication issues that we continue to see in programs like the F-35 fighter and Littoral Combat Ship. We should keep our promises to our servicemembers, veterans, and their families by protecting their pay and benefits. Military facilities like Rock Island Arsenal and the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant are both highly efficient and important to their communities, and I will fight to protect these facilities and the jobs associated with them” to the question “What approach would you take to military spending cuts? How will you balance the needs and economic interests of local communities in this process?” (c3.thevoterguide.org)
  • Bruce Braley. HR 1363. 112th Congress. 2011 Department of Defense Budget and Additional Continuing Appropriations. Bruce Braley voted Nay on 04/07/2011. (votesmart.org)
  • Bruce Braley. H Amdt 13. 112th Congress. Reducing Navy and Air Force Aircraft Procurement. Bruce Braley voted Yea on 02/15/2011. (votesmart.org)
  • Bruce Braley. HR 2642. 110th Congress. Funding for Operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Bruce Braley voted Nay on 06/19/2008. (votesmart.org)
  • Bruce Braley. HR 4986. 110th Congress. Defense Authorizations Bill. Bruce Braley voted Yea on 01/16/2008. (votesmart.org)
  • Bruce Braley. HR 3222. 110th Congress. Department of Defense Appropriations, Fiscal Year 2008. Bruce Braley voted Yea on 08/05/2007. (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

  • Bruce Braley. The Voter Guide: 2012 US Representative District 1. Responded “When a CEO’s secretary pays a higher tax rate than her boss, it’s a sign our tax code is seriously flawed. When Iowans need to spend hours navigating confusing instructions written in legalese just to file their taxes on time, it’s a problem. Generally speaking, our tax code should be simplified and made fairer for middle class families. At a time of massive deficits, millionaires simply should not be paying less taxes than middle class families. The middle class can’t afford to shoulder the burden alone” to the question “What changes would you support making to the tax codes? Would you support a basic minimum tax for multinational companies? Why or why not?” (c3.thevoterguide.org)
  • Bruce Braley. The Voter Guide: 2012 US Representative District 1. Responded “Yes. I agree with Warren Buffet that it's time for our government to get serious about shared sacrifice. No millionaire or billionaire should pay a lower tax rate than his or her secretary. Congress must get serious about reducing the deficit and become better stewards of taxpayers’ dollars, but the middle class should not be the only one footing the bill. I have worked hard to restore fiscal discipline to the United States government and reverse the spending that did occur over the last decade that sent our nation into debt, but I recognize that cuts alone are not sufficient to get us out of this hole. I am a cosponsor of the Fairness in Taxation Act that would create new tax brackets for millionaires and billionaires. The bill also taxes capital gains and dividend income at ordinary income rates for those making more than one million dollars per year. While wages for working class families remain flat, the rich keep getting richer. They should pay their fair share to help reduce our massive budget deficit” to the question “Would you favor higher tax rates for millionaires? Why or why not?” (c3.thevoterguide.org)
  • Americans for Tax Reform. 04/18/2012. "Bruce Braley supported the interests of the Americans for Tax Reform 0 percent in 2007." (votesmart.org)
  • National Taxpayers Union. 04/18/2012. "Bruce Braley supported reasonable tax and spending policies as defined by the National Taxpayers Union 4 percent of the time in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • Bruce Braley. Braley, DeLauro Introduce Legislation to Strengthen Middle Class. 10 May 2012. “Restore Fairness to the Tax Code and Ensuring Fiscal Responsibility. Our current tax system is unfair, too complex and keeps us on a path of perennial deficits. The Rebuild America Act takes action to level the playing field for all Americans. The bill includes the Buffet Rule, ends tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas and makes Wall Street take responsibility for their irresponsible actions that led to the 2008 financial collapse. Crucially, the Rebuild America Act protects the pensions that workers are counting on to get through retirement by encouraging employers to continue to provide pensions and creating additional protections for people whose pension is a casualty of bankruptcy.” (votesmart.org)
  • Bruce Braley. Defining Choices for the Middle Class. 30 November 2010. “Standing in our way are Republicans who are holding the middle class hostage in favor of giving added tax breaks to millionaires and billionaires, even though these bonus tax breaks would add $700 billion to the national deficit. So what is at stake? These middle class tax cuts will provide 98 percent of Americans who face a tax increase on January 1 the much needed relief that they deserve. For the typical middle class family, that means the loss of $2,000 next year. The Republican demands would mean that those making more than $1 million a year would receive an average of $100,000 annually, and the middle class would be saddled with $700 billion in new debt to pay for multimillion-dollar tax cuts for billionaires. In tough times like these, millionaires should be giving charity, not getting it, and that is the choice that the American people should be demanding that we make.” (votesmart.org)
  • Bruce Braley. Letter to Chairman Hensarling and Chairwoman Murray, Co- Chairs of the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction. 8 November 2011. “As you work to craft a comprehensive deficit reduction plan, we believe you should incorporate reasonable spending cuts and ask the wealthiest Americans and most profitable corporations to pay their fair share.” (votesmart.org)
Yes Inferred Answer Economy: Do you support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth? View Citations

Vote Smart's Research

  • Bruce Braley. Braley Statement on Passage of Afghanistan Supplemental Including "Cash for Clunkers" Program. 1 July 2009. "I applaud the inclusion of my "Cash for Clunkers" program, which will provide a needed boost to the economy. This common-sense idea will reduce emissions and save American jobs by jumpstarting the auto industry. Today's bill will get the 'Cash for Clunkers' program moving so families and American workers will soon see these important benefits." (votesmart.org)
  • Bruce Braley. “'Cash For Clunkers' Worked And Worked Well For Iowa". 6 January 2010. “'Cash for Clunkers' was a wildly successful program that strengthened the economy, reduced our dependence on foreign oil and most importantly, helped middle class families save money. Hundreds of thousands of people took advantage of the program, strengthening small businesses around the country and giving a strong and sudden much-needed boost to the economy in Iowa.” (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 Bruce Braley a rating of 0 percent." (votesmart.org)
  • Americans for Prosperity. 04/18/2012. "Bruce Braley supported the interests of the Americans for Prosperity 0 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • Bruce Braley. HR 1424. 110th Congress. Financial Asset Purchase Authority and Tax Law Amendments. Bruce Braley voted Yea on 10/03/2008. (votesmart.org)
  • Bruce Braley. HR 5297. 112th Congress. Small Business Lending Fund and Tax Law Amendments. Bruce Braley voted Yea on 09/23/2010. (votesmart.org)
  • Bruce Braley. Braley Praises Enactment of Economic Stimulus Bill. 13 March 2008. “The enactment of the economic stimulus package will bring much-needed relief to working families in Iowa. I'm proud that Republicans, Democrats, and the President were able to work together to get this critical legislation passed into law. The tax rebates provided in the economic stimulus bill will put money in the hands of the working families who need it most and provide a boost to the American economy.” (votesmart.org)
  • Bruce Braley. Braley Statement on 2011 Spending Bill. 14 April 2011. “This job-killing spending bill is bad for Iowa, period. It kills jobs and threatens programs that are crucial to Iowa's economic growth. While I support some of the cuts in this legislation, and have previously voted for hundreds of billions in spending cuts, I have serious concerns with the increase in funding for unexplained military operations, while simultaneously cutting job-training programs. American taxpayers should not be forced to sacrifice important programs here at home while covering the bill for a third undefined, military conflict overseas." (votesmart.org)
  • Bruce Braley. Braley Statement on Iowa Bridges Ranking Third Worst in US. 19 October 2011. "We can create jobs in the short-term and make a lasting boost to economic growth - not to mention keeping Iowans safe - by investing in new highways and proper maintenance of our bridges and roads. We spent billions rebuilding Iraq and Afghanistan -- it's irresponsible not to make the same investment here at home." (votesmart.org)
  • Bruce Braley. Issue Position: Creating Jobs and Strengthening our Economy. 19 September 2011. “[...] We need to continue fighting to promote policies that will put the interests of America's Main Street families ahead of Wall Street's corporate interests. This year, Congress passed the most significant financial reform bill since the Great Depression […] The Recovery Act invested in American infrastructure jobs. It provided critical funding to help communities maintain necessary services, like keeping police on their beats and garbage off our streets. And it also gave 98 percent of American families an automatic payroll tax cut through the Making Work Pay tax credit. To encourage job creation on America's Main Streets, we need to continue passing legislation to strengthen our small businesses and manufacturing economy[...]” (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

  • Bruce Braley. House Passes Braley Tax Credit For Small Businesses. 4 March 2010. “Braley's language in the HIRE Act provides small business owners with greater incentives to hire workers for long-term positions, providing $1,000 in additional tax incentives for businesses that retain employees for 52 consecutive weeks. The payroll tax cut provides greater incentive for employers to move quickly to hire new workers because the credit expires at the end of the year. The sooner employees are hired, the more time small business owners have to benefit from the credit.” (votesmart.org)
  • Bruce Braley. 1st Congressional District Contenders Braley and Lange. 8 October 2010. “It provided a lot of incentives for people to go hire people and put them back to work. The Hire Act that president Obama signed into law this year included my Back to Work Act which does exactly what you should do, provides incentives to employers, tax breaks, they don't have to pay Social Security withholding if they hire someone who has been unemployed for 60 days. Then if they keep them on their payroll for up to a year they get another $1000 tax break.” (www.iptv.org)
  • Bruce Braley. Braley Statement on President’s Jobs Address. 8 September 2011. “I’m proud that tonight, Jan Heister of Peosta, Iowa and owner of Premier Tool, joined First Lady Michelle Obama during the speech. In February 2010, I introduced the Back to Work Act, which provides tax incentives to businesses to hire unemployed workers and my provisions passed into law in March 2010. Since that time, over 100,000 Iowans were hired using this tax incentive, and some of these workers were hired at Jan’s company, Premier Tool […] Focusing on strengthening the middle class – what makes America great – is exactly what we need to be doing to get our economy back on track. Now, it’s time Congress gets to work on these ideas so Iowans can get back to work.” (braley.house.gov)
  • Bruce Braley. The Voter Guide: 2012 US Representative District 1. Responded “I consider it one of my most important legislative accomplishments when a small business tax credit I introduced to spur hiring as part of my Back to Work Act became law. The bill provides a payroll tax cut to small businesses that hire previously unemployed workers. Over 100,000 Iowans were hired using this business tax credit. In addition, Iowa businesses are now receiving a tax credit to hire veterans and the members of our Iowa National Guard who returned from Afghanistan without a job. This is real progress through targeted tax cuts -- and these new jobs have contributed to our economic recovery” to the question “What additional measures do you think are necessary to spur economic recovery? How would you manage the deficit – do you favor tax increases or spending reductions?” (c3.thevoterguide.org)
  • Bruce Braley. Issue Position: Creating Jobs and Strengthening our Economy. 19 September 2011. “[...] We need to continue fighting to promote policies that will put the interests of America's Main Street families ahead of Wall Street's corporate interests. This year, Congress passed the most significant financial reform bill since the Great Depression […] The Recovery Act invested in American infrastructure jobs. It provided critical funding to help communities maintain necessary services, like keeping police on their beats and garbage off our streets. And it also gave 98 percent of American families an automatic payroll tax cut through the Making Work Pay tax credit. To encourage job creation on America's Main Streets, we need to continue passing legislation to strengthen our small businesses and manufacturing economy[...]” (votesmart.org)
  • Bruce Braley. Issue Position: Keeping Taxes Low for Small Businesses and Middle Class Families. 19 September 2011. “In the past two years, I've supported numerous tax cuts that keep costs low for middle class families and small businesses--those who are impacted most by a bad economy and rising expenses. In fact, America's middle class families paid the lowest tax rate in 2009 than they have since the 1950s. In March, a tax cut I introduced was signed into law, giving businesses a break from paying their share of payroll taxes if they hire previously unemployed workers. Between February and June 2010, Iowa businesses had hired 53,733 new workers and American businesses had hired 5.6 million workers who qualified for this tax credit. As part of the Recovery Act, 98 percent of American families received a payroll tax cut that was immediately put back into their paychecks. We passed legislation providing $40 billion in tax credits for small businesses to help them offer health insurance to their employees. All told, we've passed more than $800 billion in tax cuts for families, small businesses and communities in the past two years. As we continue to work our way out of the greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression, we need to keep taxes low for middle class families, while also making sure that we're giving companies greater incentive to create jobs here in America, rather than shipping our jobs overseas.” (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

  • Bruce Braley. Issues: Education. 22 June 2012. “Congress needs to provide more flexibility to states in determining school and student progress. We need to end policies that one-dimensionally require teachers to simply teach students to pass a test. We should also work to increase investments in our schools and ensure that those investments are utilized in a smart way. […] I also believe in education reform that rewards success instead of punishing those who are struggling, and full funding of incentives to improve the education of our children. It’s long past time we passed education reform that meets these goals, provides teachers the support and respect they deserve, and ensures that the success and improvement of our children is the top priority of our education system.” (braley.house.gov)
No Inferred Answer Energy: Do you support reducing restrictions on offshore energy production? View Citations

Vote Smart's Research

  • Bruce Braley. We Have to Hold BP Accountable For the American People. 15 June 2010. “Mr. Speaker, a week ago I was in Chalmette, Louisiana, for a field hearing on the BP Deepwater Horizon oil disaster. We heard compelling testimony from people whose lives have been devastated, including two of the widows who lost their husbands on that explosion on the rig. We also flew out over the site of that disaster, and as they opened up the rear hatch on the plane, you could see the burn-off from the relief wells being drilled, and you could smell the overpowering stench of oil coming off the water. […] Well, our friends on the other side like to take a position that government should be hands off when it comes to business development, and BP is teaching us that we can't afford to let businesses misrepresent to this country what they're planning to do the way BP did when they knew that there was a 99 percent chance of a blowout during the 40-year period of this lease and still got a waiver from any deep, intensive environmental impact analysis before that well was explored. […] This is what happens when we stay hands off and don't keep people accountable for their conduct.” (votesmart.org)
  • Bruce Braley. Letter to Interior Secretary Salazar. 8 February 2012. “On behalf of the undersigned members of Congress, we write to comment on your administration's proposed 2012-2017 Outer Continental Shelf Oil (OCS) and Gas Leasing Program. Our comments focus specifically on three geographic regions: the Atlantic, the Pacific and the Arctic Oceans. While we are pleased to see that no oil and gas development will occur in the Atlantic or Pacific, we urge caution against too quickly moving forward with additional leasing in the Arctic, which this plan in its current form will do. […] * DOI must prioritize protections for important ecological and subsistence use areas based on adequate science that ensures the Arctic Ocean and its wildlife and people are protected. * DOI must adopt new regulations on spill response and planning standards.” (votesmart.org)
  • Environment America. 04/18/2012. "Bruce Braley supported the interests of Environment America 80 percent in 2009." (votesmart.org)
  • Bruce Braley. Braley to Visit Gulf Coast, Tour Areas Affected by BP Oil Spill. 4 June 2010. “Congressman Bruce Braley (D-Iowa) will travel to the Gulf Coast Sunday to tour affected areas and participate in a Congressional field hearing on the BP oil spill. The hearing, entitled "Local Impact of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill" will examine the effects of the disaster on communities and the environment in the Gulf Coast region. "The oil spill in the Gulf Coast has had a tragic and disastrous impact on people's lives, the environment and the economy," Braley said. "As we work to learn more about what caused this, the worst environmental disaster in American history, and to develop preventive measures, it's important we see the damage firsthand to learn the full extent of this crisis." (braley.house.gov)
  • Bruce Braley. Big Oil: Use it or Lose it. 25 June 2008. “Now the President has suggested opening up the Outer Continental Shelf to drilling even though 80 percent of the oil available there is already open to leasing. Why would we give Big Oil access to more of our land and waters if they refuse to drill on the 68 million acres they have now? If President Bush believes that drilling is the answer, why isn't he demanding that Big Oil use the land they already have?” (votesmart.org)
  • Bruce Braley. H Amdt 773. 112th Congress. Ending Moratorium on Deepwater Drilling Rigs that Meet Certain Safety Standards. Bruce Braley voted Yea on 07/30/2010. (votesmart.org)
  • Bruce Braley. HR 3534. 112th Congress. Offshore Drilling Regulations and Other Energy Law Amendments. Bruce Braley voted Yea on 07/30/2010. (votesmart.org)
  • Bruce Braley. HR 1230. 112th Congress. Offshore Leasing Act. Bruce Braley voted Nay on 05/05/2011. (votesmart.org)
Yes Inferred Answer Environment: Do you support the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions? View Citations

Vote Smart's Research

  • Sierra Club. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Endorsements. 04/18/2012. Sierra Club endorsed Bruce Braley in the 2010 general election. (votesmart.org)
  • Sierra Club. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Endorsements. 04/18/2012. Sierra Club endorsed Bruce Braley in the 2012 general election. (votesmart.org)
  • Environment America. 04/18/2012. "Bruce Braley supported the interests of Environment America 80 percent in 2009." (votesmart.org)
  • League of Conservation Voters. 04/18/2012. "Bruce Braley supported the interests of the League of Conservation Voters 100 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • Bruce Braley. HR 910. 112th Congress. Energy Tax Prevention Act. Bruce Braley voted Nay on 04/07/2011. (votesmart.org)
  • Bruce Braley. HR 2454. 111th Congress. Energy and Environmental Law Amendments ("Cap and Trade"). Bruce Braley voted Yea on 06/26/2009. (votesmart.org)
  • Bruce Braley. Twitter: @BruceBraley. 29 December 2011. “Irrefutable proof of global warming: 59 degrees in Iowa less than a week before the Iowa Caucuses. Golfers out today at Byrnes Park” (twitter.com)
  • Bruce Braley. Braley Fights to Save Iowa Jobs, Ethanol Industry. 16 February 2011. “Today, Congressman Bruce Braley (IA-01) offered an amendment to save thousands of Iowa jobs supported by the ethanol industry. Rep. Braley introduced the amendment to safeguard the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program and to make sure fuel standards could be properly set for 2012. […] 'The RFS promotes clean, renewable, homegrown fuel and boosts American security by reducing our dependence on foreign oil. The Republican budget continuing resolution puts the RFS program at risk by preventing the Environmental Protection Agency from setting renewable fuel standards for 2012.'” (votesmart.org)
  • Bruce Braley. Braley Introduces Legislation to Help Consumers While Improving the Environment and Preserving Jobs. 4 March 2009. "The CARS Act will save American jobs, boost our economy, and decrease our dependence on foreign oil," Braley said. "This bill will achieve many goals: consumers will get a break to purchase more fuel-efficient vehicles; we will all benefit from a reduction of greenhouse gases; and we will save American jobs by jumpstarting the auto industry. We can get our country moving in the right direction while helping American manufacturers and investing new, fuel-efficient cars and trucks." (votesmart.org)
  • Bruce Braley. Braley Opening Statement at Energy and Commerce Markup on American Clean Energy and Security Act . 30 May 2009. “Addressing climate change and energy independence are two of the greatest challenges facing us. I know it's taken a lot of work and consensus to try to come up with language that balances the needs of individuals and businesses, and I am pleased that you have brought so many people to the table from diverse industries and interest groups to put together this legislation. […] "The bill also includes language that I introduced with Congressman Peter Welch to establish the Retrofit for Energy and Environmental Performance (REEP) Program, which sets energy and environmental building retrofit policies for both residential and commercial buildings and can have a huge impact on reducing energy bills and greenhouse gas emissions.” (votesmart.org)
Unknown Position Unknown Answer Guns: Do you support restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns? View Citations

Vote Smart's Research

  • Gun Owners of America. 04/18/2012. "In 2010 Gun Owners of America gave Bruce Braley a grade of 18." (votesmart.org)
  • Bruce Braley. HR 6842. 110th Congress. Repealing Portions of the D.C. Firearm Ban. Bruce Braley voted Nay on 09/17/2008. (votesmart.org)
No Inferred Answer Health Care: Do you support repealing the 2010 Affordable Care Act? View Citations

Vote Smart's Research

  • Bruce Braley. Braley Opposes Deficit Increase, Health Care Repeal. 07 January 2011. “This repeal effort is an irresponsible, partisan ploy. The new majority campaigned on balancing the budget and getting our deficit under control, but their very first legislative initiative would blow a huge hole in our deficit.” (votesmart.org)
  • American Public Health Association. 04/18/2012. "Bruce Braley supported the interests of the American Public Health Association 100 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • Bruce Braley. HR 2. 112th Congress. Repealing the Health Care Bill. Bruce Braley voted Nay on 01/19/2011. (votesmart.org)
  • Bruce Braley. 1st Congressional District Contenders Braley and Lange. 8 October 2010. “No, I wouldn't vote to repeal anything that is in the bill because the bill together is what is necessary to reduce the number of people without healthcare coverage because, Dean, the healthcare system we had was broken and republicans did nothing to fix it.” (www.iptv.org)
  • Bruce Braley. Repealing the Job-Killing Health Care Law Act. 18 January 2011. “Now, when you talk about repealing this bill, I'll tell you why it is not a good deal for Tucker Wright. Because even though our friends talk about wanting to fix some of the problems that they now think are important, the first thing that's going to happen to Tucker Wright and his family as soon as this bill is repealed is his family will get a rescision letter from their insurance company because they will no longer be required to provide insurance for this young boy because he has preexisting conditions. That's why this bill is a bad idea, and that's why I urge you to vote 'no' and think about Tucker Wright.” (votesmart.org)
  • Bruce Braley. Braley Opposes Health Care Repeal. 19 January 2011. “Congressman Bruce Braley (IA-01) voted against the Republican bill to repeal the health care reform law […] 'The health care law, and the Republicans' effort to repeal it, has a human face. My nephew was finally able to take a new job, knowing his four-year-old son Tucker won't be dropped from his new health plan because of a liver cancer diagnosis. That's just one family. There are millions like them in Iowa and across the country.'” (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

  • Federation for American Immigration Reform. 04/18/2012. "Bruce Braley supported the interests of the Federation for American Immigration Reform 0 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • National Latino Congreso/William C. Velásquez Institute. 04/18/2012. "Bruce Braley supported the interests of National Latino Congreso/William C. Velásquez Institute 60 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • Bruce Braley. HR 5281. 112th Congress. DREAM Act. Bruce Braley voted Yea on 12/08/2010. (votesmart.org)
  • Dar Danielson. Radio Iowa: Congressman Braley supports president’s immigration policy. 22 June 2012. “Iowa Congressman Bruce Braley, a Democrat from Waterloo, says he backs the president’s recent executive order on immigration which would end the practice of deporting younger illegal immigrants who have led generally law-abiding lives. Braley says we need to have 'an open and honest debate about the realities of the immigration policies that we have,' and that’s why he’s supported things like the 'Dream Act' in the past. 'Young people who’re brought to this country through no fault of their own, who go to school here, who work here and are part of our existing economy, should be given the opportunity to do what we do every year in this country. Which is, give people an opportunity to demonstrate that they are going to do the right thing, be productive members of society, and give them the chance to pursue the American dream,' Braley says.” (www.radioiowa.com)
  • Bruce Braley. Issue Position: Dealing With Immigration. 14 September 2011. “No Amnesty. Bruce believes that undocumented workers should not be granted amnesty. Tough, punitive fines need to be assessed to immigrants to reflect the fact that they are in the country illegally.” (votesmart.org)
Yes Inferred Answer Marriage: Do you support same-sex marriage? View Citations

Vote Smart's Research

  • Human Rights Campaign. 04/18/2012. "Bruce Braley supported the interests of the Human Rights Campaign 91 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • American Family Association. 04/18/2012. "Bruce Braley supported the interests of the American Family Association 0 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • Bruce Braley. HR 2965. 112th Congress. Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act. Bruce Braley voted Yea on 12/15/2010. (votesmart.org)
  • Bruce Braley. HR 3685. 110th Congress. Sexual Orientation Employment Nondiscrimination Act (ENDA). Bruce Braley voted Did Not Vote on 11/07/2007. (votesmart.org)
  • Bruce Braley. Braley's Statement on Gay Marriage Decision. 3 April 2009. “While Iowans will disagree over today’s historic Supreme Court ruling, it’s important to remember that we’re all neighbors. The Court unanimously found that gay couples are entitled to equal protection under the Iowa Constitution. This ruling marks a big change in how our state defines marriage, which is both unsettling to many Iowans and welcome to many others. Either way, we must come together as Iowans to resolve our differences on this divisive issue and ensure that no Iowan is discriminated against because of race, creed, sex, or sexual orientation.” (www.kcrg.com)
  • Des Moines Register. 16 June 2012. “On family, Braley excoriated GOP opposition to same-sex marriage, arguing that it undermined strong families. He noted University of Iowa student Zach Wahls’ testimony to the state Legislature in 2011 about the values he learned from his parents, a same-sex couple.” (www.desmoinesregister.com)
  • Bruce Braley. Pelosi, Nadler, 130 House Members File Amicus Brief on Federal Case Against DOMA. 10 July 2012. “Heightened scrutiny applies: the brief agrees with Justice Department's position that lesbians and gay men are an identifiable minority group that lack sufficient political power to obtain the consistent and favorable treatment of lawmakers; as a result, they need the protection that heightened judicial review provides. Congress's treatment of gay men and lesbians illustrates that this group has been unable to prevent harmful laws or achieve desired policy results that directly impact their lives. Gay men and lesbians are a historically disfavored minority that has often been targeted for legislative action based on stereotypes and bias, making it inappropriate for courts to grant laws like DOMA the same presumption of validity afforded to most acts of Congress. Instead, laws that single out gay men and lesbians for harm warrant judicial skepticism and heightened review. This requires the government to show that Section 3 serves a significant federal interest, and even BLAG seems to concede that it loses under this standard. Even under rational basis as applied by the Supreme Court in cases where the rights of a minority are at stake, Section 3 is unconstitutional. Section 3 does not achieve, but undermines, the actual interests served by the programs that take marital status into account, and denying recognition to couples who already are married under state law does not rationally serve any of the reasons relied upon by Congress in 1996 or created in response to this litigation.” (votesmart.org)
  • Bruce Braley. Thank President Obama for Supporting Marriage Equality. “In an interview with ABC News, President Obama publicly endorsed marriage equality, saying 'same-sex couples should be able to get married.' Thank President Obama today for supporting marriage equality and same-sex marriage!” (www.brucebraley.com)
Yes Inferred Answer National Security: Do you support targeting suspected terrorists outside of official theaters of conflict? View Citations

Vote Smart's Research

  • Bruce Braley. Letter to The Honorable Barack H. Obama, President of the United States. 21 June 2011. “International terrorist networks remain a grave threat to the United States, as Al Qaeda affiliates now have a significant presence in countries like Yemen, Somalia, and Pakistan. But maintaining anywhere near 100,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan is not an effective means of combating a global and decentralized enemy.” (www.votesmart.org)
  • Mike Wiser. Globe Gazette: Iowa Rep. Braley backs assassination decision. 30 September 2011. “Braley made the comment during a taping of the 'Iowa Press' program Friday, within hours of the strike in Yemen that killed Senior Al Qaeda leader Anwar al-Awlaki and Al Qaeda magazine editor Samir Khan. 'In this particular case, given the history of these individuals, they got what they deserved,' Braley said. He called the Predator kills 'a good example' of 'targeted, direct strikes that don’t require us to spend billions of dollars on outdated weapons systems that, quite frankly, we can’t afford in this economy.'” (globegazette.com)
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

  • Alliance for Retired Americans. 04/18/2012. "Bruce Braley supported the interests of the Alliance for Retired Americans 100 percent in 2008." (votesmart.org)
  • Bruce Braley signed Progressive Change Campaign Committee: Social Security Protectors. "Social Security belongs to the people who have worked hard all their lives and contributed to it. Social Security is a promise that must not be broken. We need to strengthen Social Security, not cut it. That is why I oppose any cuts to Social Security benefits, including increasing the retirement age. I also oppose any effort to privatize Social Security, in whole or in part." (socialsecurityprotectors.com)
  • Bruce Braley. Braley Tours District, Discusses Protecting Social Security, Retirement Security. 21 September 2006. "If elected to Congress, I will fight for Iowa seniors and oppose risky Social Security privatization schemes that put guaranteed benefits at risk. I oppose cutting guaranteed benefits to seniors who rely on fixed incomes to get by." (votesmart.org)
  • Bruce Braley. Braley Statement on 75th Anniversary of Social Security. 13 August 2010. “Social Security has worked for 75 years and I am committed to working with my colleagues to ensure this critical program remains strong and solvent for years to come. Five years ago, President Bush and Washington Republicans sought to privatize Social Security and take away this safety net that keeps our seniors off the street. This legislation would have helped Wall Street, not Main Street. But with the help of the American people, Democrats made sure Washington Republicans did not succeed.” (votesmart.org)
  • Bruce Braley. Des Moines Register Poll Shows Braley Leads Whalen by 7 Percent. 17 September 2010. "'Clearly, Iowans are ready for a new direction,' Braley said. 'Clearly the false, negative personal attacks launched by my opponent have had no effect on this race. Eastern Iowans know that I will stand up in Congress to raise the minimum wage and protect Social Security from risky privatization schemes. I will be a strong, independent voice to bring change to Washington.'" (votesmart.org)
  • Bruce Braley. Braley Working Towards Balanced Economic Recovery Package; Outlines Guiding Principles. 3 October 2008. “I believe taxpayer money should not be gambled. That is why I have opposed privatizing social security and that is why I oppose a Wall Street bailout with no strings attached. I would like to see a realistic plan to recoup any losses to taxpayers, before hundreds of billions of taxpayer dollars are spent and encourage private investments with our public money.” (votesmart.org)

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