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Daniel 'Dan' B. Maffei

Representative Daniel 'Dan' B. Maffei's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

Dan Maffei
Full Name: Daniel 'Dan' B. Maffei
Office: U.S. House (NY) - District 24, Democratic, Working Families
First Elected: 11/06/2012
Next Election: 2014
Gender: Male
Family: Wife: Abby
Birth Date: 07/04/1968
Birth Place: Syracuse, NY
Home City: DeWitt, NY
Religion: Catholic
Project Vote Smart does not permit the use of its name or programs in any campaign activity, including advertising, debates, and speeches.
Dan Maffei 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

  • NARAL Pro-Choice America. 04/18/2012. "Dan Maffei supported the interests of the NARAL Pro-Choice America 100 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • Dan Maffei. H Amdt 509. 111th Congress. Prohibiting Federally Funded Abortion Services. Dan Maffei voted Nay on 11/07/2009. (votesmart.org)
  • Family Research Council. 04/18/2012. "Dan Maffei supported the interests of the Family Research Council 0 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • National Right to Life Committee. 04/18/2012. "Dan Maffei supported the interests of the National Right to Life Committee 0 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • NARAL Pro-Choice America. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Endorsements. 04/18/2012. NARAL Pro-Choice America endorsed Dan Maffei in the 2010 general election. (votesmart.org)
  • Planned Parenthood. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Endorsements. 04/18/2012. Planned Parenthood endorsed Dan Maffei in the 2010 general election. (votesmart.org)
  • Planned Parenthood. 04/18/2012. "Dan Maffei supported the interests of Planned Parenthood 100 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
No Inferred Answer Afghanistan: Do you support United States' combat operations in Afghanistan? View Citations

Vote Smart's Research

  • Dan Maffei. Iraq and Afghanistan. 9 October 2012. "The war in Afghanistan is now America's longest war. It was begun with a clear purpose: to remove the Taliban, which harbored Al Qaeda, and eliminate a threat to the security of our country. That mission was completed years ago thanks to the courage and competence of our armed services. Endless nation-building was never our goal, and now we should exit Afghanistan as safely and responsibly as possible." (www.maffeiforcongress.com)
  • Peace Action. 04/18/2012. "Dan Maffei supported the interests of the Peace Action 75 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • Peace Action West. 04/18/2012. "Dan Maffei supported the interests of Peace Action West 75 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • Dan Maffei. Dan Maffei shares his vision for getting Central New York and the nation back on track. 19 August 2012. "Finally, we need to stop nation-building and bring our troops home as quickly and safely as possible." (www.maffeiforcongress.com)
Unknown Position Unknown Answer Budget: In order to balance the budget, do you support reducing defense spending? View Citations

Vote Smart's Research

  • Dan Maffei. The Budget Deficit. 1 January 2012. "Eliminate Wasteful Spending and Give-Aways to Special Interests. Americans of every stripe are demanding accountability and a return to fiscal common sense, which is why I am committed to stand as our sentry over government spending. I will work to end the Republican culture of corruption and eliminate the "back-door" spending, no-bid contracts to Republican cronies such as Haliburton, inflated defense pork projects that do not actually support defense priorities, and special interest tax give-aways such as tax cuts and royalty relief to oil and gas companies at a time of record profits." (votesmart.org)
  • Dan Maffei. Fighting for Central New York Jobs. 17 May 2012. "Hundreds of local workers find their jobs in jeopardy because the House Appropriations Committee "rejected the Pentagon's $400.8 million budget request for a missile defense program that has supported 235 jobs at Lockheed Martin's plant at Electronics Park in Salina." This program is a valuable cooperative effort among a number of allied countries to design more advanced defensive measures [¦] This same program came under threat when I was in office, and we worked hard to make sure it wasn't cut. I spoke repeatedly with the Department of Defense and Secretary McHugh, and we worked closely with the Appropriations Committee to do our best to keep these jobs in Syracuse. Fighting for your district is just part of the job description." (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

  • Dan Maffei. Dan Maffei shares his vision for getting Central New York and the nation back on track. 19 August 2012. "We must cut waste and fraud, but it's also time we ask those making more than $1 million a year to return to their Clinton-era tax rates." (www.maffeiforcongress.com)
  • Dan Maffei. Syracuse.com: Congressional race heats up as Dan Maffei attacks Rep. Ann Marie Buerkle's record. 27 July 2012. "I think the Bush tax cuts should be extended for any income under $1 million [¦] We need to pay down the debt, but we need to do it the right way. Not on the backs of the middle class, by raising taxes on them through the payroll tax hike. Or whether its senior citizens, by making Medicaid a voucher program [¦] But we do need more revenue." (www.syracuse.com)
  • National Taxpayers Union. 04/18/2012. "Dan Maffei supported reasonable tax and spending policies as defined by the National Taxpayers Union 13 percent of the time in 2010." (votesmart.org)
Yes Inferred Answer Economy: Do you support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth? View Citations

Vote Smart's Research

  • Dan Maffei. HR 5297. 112th Congress. Small Business Lending Fund and Tax Law Amendments. Dan Maffei voted Yea on 09/23/2010. (votesmart.org)
  • Mike McAndrew. Syracuse.com: Congressional race heats up as Dan Maffei attacks Rep. Ann Marie Buerkle's record. 27 July 2012. "He said President Barack Obama's $787 billion stimulus program did not stimulate the economy enough because the United States did not borrow and spend enough. 'The problem was we didn't keep going. Mainly, we didn't do enough in the infrastructure area. Route 81 is already falling down,' Maffei said. 'They're doing the minimum they can to make sure it's safe. Wouldn't it be better to go ahead and figure out what we're going to do and get that done and spend the money now instead of continuing a Band-Aid approach on it?'" (www.syracuse.com)
  • Dan Maffei. Facebook: Wall. 27 January 2012. "Rebuilding our nation's crumbling roads and bridges is hugely important to keeping commerce flowing and giving our farms, professionals and businesses access to markets. However, we also need to be looking to the future, and making decisions on new investments in infrastructure that will serve our economy for generations. Here in Central New York, we must decide on the future of I-81, we must improve Hancock Airport, and we must lay the groundwork to bring real high speed rail to our communities. These projects will put people to work today, and they will drive the growth of our economy for generations to come. For too long we have been putting off these hard decisions. Every year of delay costs American jobs, and prolongs our recovery from this recession. The President and Congress must work together this year to pass a bill that serves American families today, and provides a strong foundation for our children's economy." (www.facebook.com)
  • 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 Dan Maffei a rating of 6 percent." (votesmart.org)
  • Americans for Prosperity. 04/18/2012. "Dan Maffei supported the interests of the Americans for Prosperity 0 percent in 2010." (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

  • Dan Maffei. Jobs. 11 September 2012. "To get our economy back on track, we've got to create an environment that makes it easier for small businesses to create jobs. That means cutting pointless regulations and red tape wherever we can, and providing smart tax incentives for those small businesses that create new jobs." (www.maffeiforcongress.com)
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

  • Dan Maffei. Education. 1 January 2012. "Working to Provide Resources for Educational Achievement and Success. The No Child Left Behind Act called for improved accountability for teachers and schools in an effort to improve academic performance. Sadly, Republicans in Congress have failed to follow through on the law's promises, short-changing schools by failing to fund the law by nearly $27 billion over three years. Dan Maffei strongly believes in the value of an effective partnership that holds schools and educators accountable for achievement goals while being equally firm with a government that should be responsible for delivering on its commitments." (votesmart.org)
No Inferred Answer Energy: Do you support reducing restrictions on offshore energy production? View Citations

Vote Smart's Research

  • Dan Maffei. H Amdt 773. 112th Congress. Ending Moratorium on Deepwater Drilling Rigs that Meet Certain Safety Standards. Dan Maffei voted Nay on 07/30/2010. (votesmart.org)
  • Jim Terreri. Rochester Democrat and Chronicle - Western New York Political Races Reflect National Trend. 29 October 2012. "Sweetland supports expanded drilling, while Maffei said he would not support one until he was convinced expanded drilling would help consumers, not only oil companies." (votesmart.org)
  • Dan Maffei. Exxon Mobil Announces Biggest Quarterly Profit Ever. 31 July 2008. "My opponent has complained that we need to provide easier access to protected areas so Big Oil can drill without having to invest too much. I think the profits Exxon posted today prove they have more than enough to spend on research and development, and they don't need anymore favors from Washington D.C." (votesmart.org)
  • Dan Maffei. HR 3534. 112th Congress. Offshore Drilling Regulations and Other Energy Law Amendments. Dan Maffei voted Yea on 07/30/2010. (votesmart.org)
  • Environment America. 04/18/2012. "Dan Maffei supported the interests of Environment America 100 percent in 2009." (votesmart.org)
Yes Inferred Answer Environment: Do you support the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions? View Citations

Vote Smart's Research

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

Vote Smart's Research

  • Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Endorsements. 04/18/2012. Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence endorsed Dan Maffei in the 2010 general election. (votesmart.org)
  • Dan Maffei. Video: Congressional Q & A: Schumer, Maffei on Gun Control 4/13/09. 13 April 2009. "Q: Specifically, Congressman Maffei, one of them asks, 'What position does Congressman Maffei hold on the 2nd amendment?' Maffei: Well, I support the 2nd Amendment, of course. It's part of the Constitution [¦] And it's very important to protect all our Constitutional rights. That's one of the reasons I'm not for more gun control. I do think reasonable regulations “ as the Supreme Court said last year, it can be regulated just as free speech can be regulated “ so you have to do that, and you have to enforce those regulations. And if we do that, I think that'll lower gun crimes, but I definitely have to protect the 2nd Amendment. That's part of my oath [¦] Q: Some of the people that wrote in said they're law-abiding citizens and there are proposals right now to restrict the 2nd Amendment. They're saying the serial numbers on ammunition, restrictions on the amount of ammunition. Where do both of you stand on this proposed bill? [¦] Maffei: I'm actually still weighing the bill, so I'd appreciate if the person who wrote you the question writes to me; I'd like to know what they think [¦] I do agree with Senator Schumer, though, on Binghamton. You know, sometimes a senseless crime is just a senseless crime. I don't know if anything could have prevented that. It seemed like the perpetrator there was just irrational and he would've figured out some way to get weapons." [0:27] (www.9wsyr.com)
  • Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Endorsements. 04/18/2012. Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence endorsed Dan Maffei in the 2008 general election. (votesmart.org)
No Inferred Answer Health Care: Do you support repealing the 2010 Affordable Care Act? View Citations

Vote Smart's Research

  • American Public Health Association. 04/18/2012. "Dan Maffei supported the interests of the American Public Health Association 100 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • Dan Maffei. Facebook: Wall. 28 June 2012. "Now that the Supreme Court has ruled, Congress needs to focus on getting our economy back on track. It is important that insurance companies are held accountable by prohibiting them from denying coverage for those with pre-existing conditions. But for too many Central New Yorkers and small businesses, health care is still unaffordable. It is essential to the future of our middle class that we work together to hold down costs for the middle-class and our small businesses so that they can grow and hire workers -- to get our economy moving in the right direction." (www.facebook.com)
  • Robert Harding. Auburn Citizen: Maffei: Buerkle, House GOP should focus on economy, not repealing 'Obamacare'. 26 July 2012. "Maffei says instead of trying to repeal the Affordable Care Act, Republicans should work with Democrats to improve the health care law. 'Maybe they might want to consider working with Democrats to improve the things that need to be improved and work together to both improve health care, but also get to the economy and the ever-important jobs creation agenda that they are not getting to in the meantime,' he said." (auburnpub.com)
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

  • Dan Maffei. HR 5281. 112th Congress. DREAM Act. Dan Maffei voted Yea on 12/08/2010. (votesmart.org)
  • Federation for American Immigration Reform. 04/18/2012. "Dan Maffei supported the interests of the Federation for American Immigration Reform 33 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • National Latino Congreso/William C. Velásquez Institute. 04/18/2012. "Dan Maffei supported the interests of National Latino Congreso/William C. Velásquez Institute 75 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
Yes Inferred Answer Marriage: Do you support same-sex marriage? View Citations

Vote Smart's Research

  • Human Rights Campaign. 04/18/2012. "Dan Maffei supported the interests of the Human Rights Campaign 100 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • Dan Maffei. HR 2965. 112th Congress. Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act. Dan Maffei voted Yea on 12/15/2010. (votesmart.org)
  • Dan Maffei. Facebook: Wall. 9 May 2012. "I applaud the President for his statement today, every American deserves equal rights, including those rights associated with marriage. I am pleased that the President has followed New York State's example, and that we already recognize these rights. While we still have a long way to go, it is great to have the support of the President." (www.facebook.com)
  • American Family Association. 04/18/2012. "Dan Maffei supported the interests of the American Family Association 0 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
Unknown Position Unknown Answer National Security: Do you support targeting suspected terrorists outside of official theaters of conflict? View Citations

Vote Smart's Research

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

Vote Smart's Research

  • Dan Maffei. Retirement Security. 11 September 2012. "Social Security and Medicare are essential to the retirement security of Americans, and must be preserved and strengthened for future generations. I will oppose any and all attempts to privatize or weaken these programs." (www.maffeiforcongress.com)

Key

Candidate Answer

Official Position: Candidate had the Political Courage to address this issue directly.

Inferred Answer

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 Answer

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.

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