Card image cap

Gerry Connolly's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

Office:

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.

Gerry Connolly 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.

  • "Abortion is a right, and I’m ready to fight for it." (twitter.com)
  • Rated 100% by NARAL Pro-Choice America. (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "The House has already voted to codify Roe v. Wade, and @POTUS is ready to sign it into law. The Senate needs to act — now." (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 3755 "Women's Health Protection Act of 2021." (votesmart.org)
  • "Abortion is a right, and I’m ready to fight for it." (twitter.com)
  • "The House has already voted to codify Roe v. Wade, and @POTUS is ready to sign it into law. The Senate needs to act — now." (twitter.com)
  • Signed Letter to Secretary Perdue: "Our nation's largest and most effective anti-hunger safety net, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), will be severely impacted by a continued lapse in government funding. Currently, SNAP serves more than 38 million of our most vulnerable people, including millions of children, low-income military veterans, and seniors. Under USDA's present interpretation of the authorizing statute, SNAP must receive an annual appropriation from Congress in order to meet the needs of the program's recipients. Such funding for SNAP benefits has not been allocated beyond the end of this month. Because of this, a continuation of the government shutdown would cripple the program and prevent millions of people from accessing basic food assistance." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of S 610 "Protecting Medicare and American Farmers from Sequester Cuts Act." (votesmart.org)
  • "Gerry Connolly knows how important it is to protect and strengthen Social Security for seniors. Social Security should be a reliable program for all working people in America; it is a promise from the Federal government that workers who pay into it should have access to it when they need it. He opposes any plan to privatize Social Security and put American's retirement plans at financial risk. Congressman Connolly has worked on a bipartisan basis to improve and preserve the Social Security system for our current and future generations." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Rated 97% by Alliance for Retired Americans. (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "80% of Americans support limiting secret money in politics. Its time to overturn Citizens United." (twitter.com)
  • Rated 87% by Common Cause. (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1 "For the People Act of 2021." (votesmart.org)
  • "This #ConstitutionDay, as we celebrate the signing of our founding document, we recommit ourselves to ensuring it lives up to its promise for every American — beginning with a constitutional amendment to reverse Citizens United and return power to actual people, not corporations." (twitter.com)
  • "This #ConstitutionDay, as we celebrate the signing of our founding document, we recommit ourselves to ensuring it lives up to its promise for every American — beginning with a constitutional amendment to reverse Citizens United and return power to actual people, not corporations." (twitter.com)
  • ""America is crying out for an end to the centuries-long scourge of racist police brutality that has stolen so many black lives from our communities. Every community across our country has been touched by this and Congress must step up," said Connolly. "I am proud to support the Justice in Policing Act, which will bring much-needed accountability and transparency to our police system. Our work must continue if we are going to address the racial injustices and inequities that continue to plague our country."" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "The peaceful protests for racial justice last summer compelled a long overdue reckoning for our country to take action to fulfill America's promise of equality no matter the color of your skin. That is why I am proud to cosponsor this proposal to end police brutality and address the systemic racism that has marred American law enforcement for generations. With this legislation, we finally say enough is enough: We've had enough of racial and religious profiling; Enough of no-knock warrants and chokeholds; and Enough of police using military-grade equipment on our American streets." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1280 "George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021." (votesmart.org)
  • "America is crying out for an end to the centuries-long scourge of racist police brutality that has stolen so many black lives from our communities. Every community across our country has been touched by this and Congress must step up," said Connolly. "I am proud to support the Justice in Policing Act, which will bring much-needed accountability and transparency to our police system. Our work must continue if we are going to address the racial injustices and inequities that continue to plague our country." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "I thank the House Armed Services Committee, Chairman Smith, and Ranking Member Thornberry, for including these provisions that will streamline government, protect national security, prevent servicemembers with domestic violence convictions from obtaining firearms, and help our country respond to the coronavirus pandemic," (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "The NDAA before us today falls far short of the House-passed bill that I was proud to support and constitutes an unfortunate missed opportunity to respond to many of the pressing issues facing our country and the world. At the whim of some in the Senate, we have chosen to remain silent rather than hold those who murdered Jamal Khashoggi accountable. We've abdicated our responsibility to improve pandemic preparedness. We've failed to repeal two long-overdue AUMFs. We've watered down sexual assault protections in the military. We've failed to modernize our IT systems whose deficiencies were exposed in the worst pandemic in 100 years. And we've failed to heed the deadly warnings of January 6th by giving the D.C. mayor control over the local National Guard when a violent insurrection occurs within its city boundaries. The House bill did all of that. We are a co-equal branch of government. It's time we act like it and fight for our values." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted against S 1605 "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022." (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 6395 "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021." (votesmart.org)
  • Signed Letter to Speaker Pelosi: "As our Committees allocate funds from the Build Back Better reconciliation bill, we urge you to include at least $30 billion for public transportation from the allotments that have been assigned to the House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) and Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committees. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill passed by the Senate provides $39 billion for public transit. This level is $10 billion less than the original Senate framework agreed to by the White House and the Senate, $71 billion less than President Biden's American Jobs Plan1, and wholly inadequate to meet current needs. The urgency of the climate crisis and the need for a robust economic recovery demand more." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • ""The Infrastructure Law is delivering results for our community. Repairing our bridges will make our community safer, grow our local economy by creating jobs and allowing commerce to move more efficiently, and help us stay connected," said Connolly. The investment announced today is designed to help Virginia repair local bridges that are critical for getting to school and work, moving commerce, and connecting communities. The Infrastructure Law also includes a separate program designed to support larger bridges through a competitive grant program. Details on that program will be announced at a later date." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 3684 "Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act." (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5376 "Build Back Better Act." (votesmart.org)
  • "The Infrastructure Law is delivering results for our community. Repairing our bridges will make our community safer, grow our local economy by creating jobs and allowing commerce to move more efficiently, and help us stay connected," said Connolly. The investment announced today is designed to help Virginia repair local bridges that are critical for getting to school and work, moving commerce, and connecting communities. The Infrastructure Law also includes a separate program designed to support larger bridges through a competitive grant program. Details on that program will be announced at a later date." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 266 "Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "We are in the midst of the worst pandemic in 100 years and America is bleeding. This bill is not perfect. There is much I would add, and there are provisions I would certainly delete. But now is not the time to make the perfect the enemy of the good. We must pass the CARES Act." (twitter.com)
  • "We are providing unprecedented unemployment insurance and a lifeline during this trying time to those who have lost their job. This package provides billions of dollars to hospitals and first responders so that they have the personal protective gear, ventilators, and the medical supplies they need to meet this crisis. Nearly every family will receive a direct payment to help cover rent, or groceries, or just make ends meet. Small businesses will have resources so that they can hopefully remain open and keep their employees on payroll. States and localities will see an infusion of federal investment to cover the challenges they face in providing for our neighbors." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Signed Letter to President Biden: "During the COVID-19 pandemic, the child care industry has faced numerous and steep challenges in their work to adequately serve the population most affected by the pandemic. Families were forced to choose between staying home to care for their children or returning to the workforce and relying on inefficient or scarce alternatives. Furthermore, as inflationary pressures increase and families face rising child care prices, this proposal will allow parents, families, and child care workers to offset part of that burden. The funding will allow those parents who have been unable to rejoin the workforce an opportunity to continue their careers, make sure that their children are adequately cared for, and support the existing child care workforce." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "The #AmericaCOMPETES Act ensures critical tech is produced here in the US, making us less reliant on Chinese products and easing inflation caused by clogged up international supply chains. Despite their tough talk on China and inflation, only one Republican voted for it." (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5376 "Inflation Reduction Act of 2022" (votesmart.org)
  • "Thank you @POTUS for delivering on your promise of student loan forgiveness. This historic action of canceling debt for so many Virginians and Americans will make a positive impact. Democrats will continue fighting for the middle and working class." (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5746 "Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "Congressman Connolly is leading the fight to stop and reverse climate change. He is the co-chairman of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Caucus, the largest caucus in the House dedicated to the environment. Through this role, he has advocated for investing in clean and renewable energy, and successfully passed the largest investment in clean energy ever. Congressman Connolly supported the Paris Climate Agreement, Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, the Clean Power Plan, and many more progressive environmental policies." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 4447 "Expanding Access to Sustainable Energy Act of 2019." (votesmart.org)
  • Signed Letter to Chair Chatterjee: ""The order threatens to preempt state policies that choose the energy generation mix within their borders. Under the Federal Power Act (FPA), states have the authority to support the resource mix of their choice. Indeed, most states in PJM require utilities to source some of their energy needs from zero-emission energy resources, including wind, solar, and nuclear power plants. However, the new FERC order broadly defines "state subsidies" to subject nearly all of these resources to a minimum bid in the market, called the Minimum Offer Price Rule (MOPR). In effect, this broad definition appears to sweep in nearly all state policies developed to date to encourage deployment of energy technologies, namely renewable portfolio standards, energy efficiency resource standards, renewable energy certificate markets, clean energy standards, and any state-legislated or mandated tax incentives that are in place for any power generation technology (nuclear, fossil fuel or renewables)." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Signed Letter to Chair Chatterjee: "“The order threatens to preempt state policies that choose the energy generation mix within their borders. Under the Federal Power Act (FPA), states have the authority to support the resource mix of their choice. Indeed, most states in PJM require utilities to source some of their energy needs from zero-emission energy resources, including wind, solar, and nuclear power plants. However, the new FERC order broadly defines “state subsidies” to subject nearly all of these resources to a minimum bid in the market, called the Minimum Offer Price Rule (MOPR). In effect, this broad definition appears to sweep in nearly all state policies developed to date to encourage deployment of energy technologies, namely renewable portfolio standards, energy efficiency resource standards, renewable energy certificate markets, clean energy standards, and any state-legislated or mandated tax incentives that are in place for any power generation technology (nuclear, fossil fuel or renewables)." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Signed Letter to Administrator Regan: "We commend EPA for proposing strong rules to reduce methane and other harmful air pollution from both new and existing oil and natural gas facilities across the country and offer our comments. EPA's proposal strengthens and modernizes rules adopted in 2016 for new and modified oil and gas facilities and builds upon the bipartisan Congressional Review Act resolution (H.J.Res.34, S.J.Res.14), enacted by Congress and signed by the President, with support from the oil and gas industry and electric utilities, to restore federal methane protections and regulation of oil and gas operations. Further, the proposal is historic as it applies methane reduction requirements to the hundreds of thousands of existing wells constructed prior to 2016. Altogether this proposal will help the Biden administration meet its commitment to tackle the climate crisis, achieve a 50-52 percent reduction from 2005 levels in economy-wide net greenhouse gas pollution in 2030, and maintain U.S. leadership on the Global Methane Pledge to reduce the world's methane emissions 30% from 2020 levels by 2030." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "The health impacts of climate change are already being felt, and they are devastating. I’m proud to support smart climate actions to reduce pollution now and prepare communities for climate change-related health harms. #ClimateIsHealth" (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 9 "Climate Action Now Act." (votesmart.org)
  • "The health impacts of climate change are already being felt, and they are devastating. I’m proud to support smart climate actions to reduce pollution now and prepare communities for climate change-related health harms. #ClimateIsHealth" (twitter.com)
  • "Congressman Connolly is proud of his "F" rating from the NRA and frequently joins in vigils and protests at the NRA headquarters, which is in his Congressional district. He held an open town hall in the wake of the Parkland shooting with high school students from his district. He also marched in the streets of Washington and met with students and parents from all over the country at the March for Our Lives in pursuit of gun reform and policy change. Congressman Connolly supports reinstating the Assaults Weapons Ban, universal background checks before purchasing a gun, and closing the gun show loophole. Connolly will continue pushing to keep guns out of the wrong hands and protect our children." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Rated 100% by Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "This bill does that. I talk about the ABCs of gun control. A, reinstate the Assault Weapons Ban; B, universal background checks; and C, closing the gun show loophole. Those three practical measures will save lives. And because I support ABC, I get an F every year from the NRA, and I am proud of that grade every year." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1446 "Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2021." (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of S 2938 "Bipartisan Safer Communities Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "He is proud to have been an original supporter and consistent defender of the Affordable Care Act, which has lowered costs and expanded health care access to millions of Americans, many of whom would not have insurance otherwise." (gerryconnolly.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1425 "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "It’s time to catch up with the rest of the world. It’s time for paid leave in America. #BuildBackBetter" (twitter.com)
  • Signed Letter to President Biden: “Furthermore, we cannot ignore the economic benefits of paid leave. Enacting paid leave also means that families will continue to earn some income at the very time when they need it most – when a family is growing or a member is sick and needs medical care. Workers will be able to continue to earn a portion of their wages, allowing them to continue to meet their basic needs and pay bills before returning to work. Moreover, lack of paid leave has meant that workers lose an estimated $22.5 billion in wages each year when that could have been used to keep a family afloat and spent in local economies." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 6201 "Families First Coronavirus Response Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 3 "Lower Drug Costs Now Act of 2019" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 6833 "The Affordable Insulin Now Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "On the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, Congressman Connolly has supported investigations into pharmaceutical company price gouging, including the ridiculous 500% increases on the cost of EpiPens in 2016 and the $750 per pill crimes of Martin Shkreli. Through oversight, reform, and competition, prescription drug prices will become more affordable." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Democrats will continue to pass bipartisan appropriations bills to reopen the government and invest in border security. I hope Mitch McConnell can see himself to supporting either these bills or a CR to reopen government." (twitter.com)
  • "Congressman Connolly has been a vocal advocate for Dreamers. He supported the Deferred Action on Childhood Arrivals program that gave these young people assurances they could come out of the shadows and no longer needed to fear deportation. He opposed the Trump administration's attempt to end DACA and has joined in multiple bipartisan efforts to enshrine it into permanent law. Programs such as DACA have been vital for the future of these children, but we need to take the next step to make sure they have had the opportunity to work, attend school, and become American citizens. In Virginia there are more than 12,000 DREAMers and Gerry is committed to protecting them and their families from any separation or deportation. President Trump demonizes immigrants. Congressman Connolly knows them personally, and knows they are hardworking, talented people who should be given a chance to fulfill their American Dream. These immigrant children deserve their rightful place in the only country they know." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Since its creation in 2012, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program has given nearly 800,000 DREAMers the opportunity to work and attend school. In Virginia, we have more than 12,000 DREAMers and they have contributed more than $711.4 million to our annual GDP. These young, hardworking DREAMers are contributing to our communities, creating jobs, serving our military, teaching our children, and caring for our family members. Ending DACA is a moral outrage and we must protect this program. That is why I am offering an amendment to protect these DREAMers from deportation by prohibiting DHS from using information submitted through the DACA program to initiate removal proceedings." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1333 "NO BAN Act." (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 6 "American Dream and Promise Act of 2021." (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1333 "NO BAN Act." (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 6 "American Dream and Promise Act of 2021." (votesmart.org)
  • "In Georgia's occupied regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, Russia has fomented unrest, aided separatist movements, and committed serious human rights abuses, including ongoing detentions and killings. Russian forces continue to harass civilian communities along the administrative boundary line and impede the right of return of internally displaced persons. The Georgia Support Act bolsters Georgia's territorial integrity by authorizing sanctions against those responsible for or complicit in human rights violations in these occupied territories." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "President Biden has provided Ukraine with over $1 billion in defense assistance so far. He has rallied the free world in a way we haven’t seen in many years — crippling Russia’s economy, and Putin’s own assets, with devastating and unprecedented sanctions.Thank you, @POTUS." (twitter.com)
  • "The world must stand united. Allies and all responsible nations and institutions must now implement the comprehensive package of massive, crippling and sustained sanctions and consequences which our parliaments fully support. We fully support the decisions the Alliance has taken to further strengthen NATO's deterrence, defense and reassurance posture, and Allies must now prepare to reinforce this posture as the situation dictates." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 6968 "Suspending Energy Imports from Russia Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "Last night, the House voted to approve $40 billion in vital aid to the people and defenders of Ukraine. Thanks to President Biden, America has led the free world in responding with unity and resolve to Russia’s brutality. We will always #StandWithUkraine?" (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 7691 "Making emergency supplemental appropriations for assistance for the situation in Ukraine for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022, and for other purposes." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of S 3522 "Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2022" (votesmart.org)
  • "I cannot support the plan before us today because it explodes the annual deficit and hurts Northern Virginia families in order to provide a massive windfall to the top 1 percent of earners. The bill increases the deficit to the tune of $1.5 trillion over ten years. The nonpartisan Joint Committee on Taxation found that Republicans are asking the American people to stomach a massive deficit increase on the hope and prayer that these tax cuts will pay for themselves." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Signed Letter to Speaker Pelosi: "The SALT cap is terrible tax policy: it upends a long tradition of fiscal federalism; it erodes incentives for home ownership and charitable contributions; it seeks to punish and defund state and local governments that pursue progressive policies, and it imposes a significant marriage penalty. Furthermore, the impact of this tax hike has not been random. It was deliberately aimed at districts like ours, where voters have chosen to fund with their taxes better schools, health care, transit, parks, and social services. Many of us earned the trust of voters last year because we promised to do everything in our power to restore the SALT deduction. The Democratic House majority would be far smaller and possibly non-existent if not for the promise we made. It is time to keep that promise. H.R. 5377 offers a balanced, fiscally responsible way to do so." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 1 "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5377 "Restoring Tax Fairness for States and Localities Act" (votesmart.org)
  • ""As Co-Chairs of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus, we welcome President Tsai's decision to revise Taiwan's restrictions on U.S. pork and beef imports that have long impeded trade negotiations between our two countries," the members said. "In the face of an aggressive People's Republic of China, we believe that such an agreement is increasingly important for the national and technological security of both the United States and Taiwan. We are eager to capitalize on the momentum this announcement has generated, and hope that Ambassador Lighthizer will reciprocate this gesture of goodwill by working toward beginning negotiations on a trade agreement with our longstanding ally, Taiwan."" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Signed Letter to Ambassador Lighthizer: "We write in strong support of your determination to ensure U.S. rights and interests are upheld at the World Trade Organization (WTO) in the Large Civil Aircraft Dispute with the European Union (EU). We appreciate your work to implement a thoughtful strategy that protects American interests and all the American workers harmed by illegal EU subsidies. We are disappointed that the EU continues to refuse to remove its illegal subsidies, and we encourage you to continue seeking a suitable outcome with the EU that will eliminate these subsidies and resolve this longstanding trade dispute. In the meantime, as you consider modifications to the related retaliation list in order to maintain pressure on the EU, we urge you to make changes that include taking a targeted approach and removing duties on food and drink products as that industry is struggling during the current pandemic." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5430 "United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act." (votesmart.org)
  • "As Co-Chairs of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus, we welcome President Tsai's decision to revise Taiwan's restrictions on U.S. pork and beef imports that have long impeded trade negotiations between our two countries," the members said. "In the face of an aggressive People's Republic of China, we believe that such an agreement is increasingly important for the national and technological security of both the United States and Taiwan. We are eager to capitalize on the momentum this announcement has generated, and hope that Ambassador Lighthizer will reciprocate this gesture of goodwill by working toward beginning negotiations on a trade agreement with our longstanding ally, Taiwan." (justfacts.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