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Matt Doheny's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

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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.

Matt Doheny has refused to provide voters with positions on key issues covered by the 2014 Political Courage Test, despite repeated requests. Matt Doheny is still welcome to submit the test at any time.

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 2012.

  • " And I believe in the sanctity of family. And I believe in individual's choice. Hopefully it will be the right one. But look: At the end of the day, as you're congressman I'll never vote to provide government funding of abortion. I'll be an adamant stalwart against partial birth abortion. And we'll have basic sensible restrictions, including parental notification." (www.watertowndailytimes.com)
  • Matt Doheny. Video: NY-23 GOP candidates on same-sex marriage, abortion. 29 March 2010. "Q: What are your views on abortion and what are your views on same sex marriage? A: For the first trimester, I believe in a woman's right to choose, but look, in terms of what does that mean, number one I am squarely one hundred percent against any government funding of abortion whatsoever, number two I'm one hundred percent squarely against any partial birth abortion whatsoever, and finally I believe in all kinds of restrictions, not the least of which is parental notification." (www.youtube.com)
  • 2012 PCT (votesmart.org)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • Matt Doheny. Post Star: 2012 Candidate Questions: Doheny and Greene. 13 June 2012. Responded "Programs can be culled and brought into the 21st Century but this across the board, you know, almost a trillion dollars in two different chunks, is something that I'm against." [3:41]. (m.poststar.com)
  • Matt Doheny. On Defense “ and the National Defense Authorization Act. 09 Feburary 2012. "I believe, as our Founding Fathers did, that one of the federal government's top priorities is to provide for the common defense. Congress must shrink the size of government, but I feel strongly that a $1 trillion cut to defense spending is inappropriate and dangerous. President Obama's decision to abandon our nation's long-held two-war strategy will result in reductions of more than 100,000 well-trained troops, while leaving us insufficiently prepared for potential attacks." (doheny4congress.com)
  • Matt Doheny. Facebook: Timeline. 1 May 2012. "Matt reminded listeners that they have a clear choice this November - they can vote for less government, lower taxes and less regulation...or they can keep the guy who is helping to overspend $4 billion a day." (www.facebook.com)
  • Matt Doheny. Prescription Pad: Ten Ways to Help the Construction & Manufacturing Industry Right Now. 20 August 2012. "Since 70 percent of manufacturers pay income taxes at individual rates, we must also keep tax rates for all income levels stable “ and do so for a period of several years." (doheny4congress.com)
  • Matt Doheny. Doheny Discusses Buffet Rule. 19 April 2012. "And when you look at the underlying merits of the rule, most economists believe that on an annual basis -- not the overall debt but the deficits that we run yearly -- this is going to be a less than 1 percent reduction of our deficit that we run here in the United States. Less than 1 percent. I'm in favor of coming up with a flat, fair and simple tax code -- a tax code that will remove complexity, that will remove uncertainty, that's going to stop business people from making noneconomic decisions because of the tax code. And it's going to get the lobbyists and all the other people who want certain advantages from our government and our taxpayers out of the way. And most important it will stop government from picking winners and losers. Unfortunately what my opponent doesn't understand is that, look, if you want less of something you tax it. If you tax job creators, guess what? You're going to get less job creation. Owens does not understand that, and I do." (poststar.com)
  • Matt Doheny. Facebook: Timeline. 7 September 2012. "Our opponent has already told voters that "ultimately, we do need to raise taxes." Let's not give him the chance to follow through on that promise." (www.facebook.com)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • "It is time to terminate federal bailouts and allow the spirit of small business people and entrepreneurs to be unleashed." (votesmart.org)
  • Matt Doheny. Doheny: America At a Crossroads. 24 January 2012. "While we stand at the crossroads, I offer a different direction. The answer is not, as the president suggests, in government taxing more so that it can take an expanded role in our lives. Look no farther than stimulus plans that didn't stimulate, bailouts that fell flat and cronyism, such as in the case of Solyndra, that traded taxpayer dollars for political points." (www.doheny4congress.com)
  • Matt Doheny. Twitter: @Doheny4Congress. 9 October 2012. "We need someone who will cut spending & encourage private sector jobs." (twitter.com)
  • Matt Doheny. Video: Doheny Announces Bid For Congress. 21 September 2011. "You just can't pour water on a seed and say, 'Hey, here's the job tree.' You have to go ahead and create the conditions that let entrepreneurs to go out and take the risk; to form capital and go out and hire the new people; to establish and grow businesses. That's the benchmark of how we have to define the debate. It's about growth that leads to jobs. Unfortunately, the President's proposal comes down to a stimulus, part 2." [1:22] (www.wwnytv.com)
  • "That is why I believe we need to keep taxes low so our economy can thrive; I believe we need to reform and reduce regulations that are making it more difficult for our small businesses and families to survive and prosper; I believe we need to get our spending under control and ending the practice of passing budgets that leave us with staggering amounts of debt and a bloated government; I believe we need to address the looming entitlement crisis; and I believe we need to replace and reform the recently passed health care bill in a sensible, free-market manner. " (votesmart.org)
  • Matt Doheny. Prescription Pad: Ten Ways to Help the Construction & Manufacturing Industry Right Now. 20 August 2012. "Our corporate tax was established in the 19th century, long before we faced considerable competition from foreign countries. In a global economy, our ability to attract and retain jobs is severely hampered by our 35 percent federal tax rate. It's the highest in the world “ and that figure doesn't include New York's own 7.1 percent add-on rate. Since 1996, the average corporate rate in Europe dropped 14 percent. The countries represented in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development have an average corporate rate of 25 percent. In order to compete, we must drop our rate to that level “ or below. A Miliken Institute analysis concludes that more than 2 million American jobs would be created by 2019 if the corporate rate were lowered to 25 percent." (doheny4congress.com)
  • "I support measures that mandate accountability, but we all know that local school districts know best how to teach our next generation. I will work hard so that schools have flexibility to teach our children in the best manner and get them ready to compete in the national and international economy." (votesmart.org)
  • " On the federal level, Congress is expected to debate No Child Left Behind Act this year. This law has some reforms I favor while in other areas it falls short. Debate will probably focus on a variety of topics, including the impact of testing on students, funding authorization amounts, and education for disabled students. I support measures that mandate accountability, but we all know that local school districts know best how to teach our next generation. I will work hard so that schools have flexibility to teach our children in the best manner and get them ready to compete in the national and international economy." (votesmart.org)
  • Matt Doheny. Radio: Congressional Corner with Matt Doheny “ Part 2. 23 August 2012. "Q: Would you vote to decapitate the Department of Education in Washington? A:No, I would not. Certainly there needs to be fundamental change, you know I'm a businessman, you know I turn around companies, like theres no question the Department of Education needs some retooling, no question about that, we maybe need to have less interference from Washington." [5:00]. (wamc.org)
  • Matt Doheny. Issue Position: Education. "As a proud graduate of public school -- Alexandria Central School -- I understand the importance of public education and what it means for the futures and opportunities of our young people in the 23rd Congressional District. I will be an advocate to make sure we have students that are ready for the global economy and ready to compete in their chosen field. On the federal level, Congress is expected to debate No Child Left Behind Act this year. This law has some reforms I favor while in other areas it falls short. Debate will probably focus on a variety of topics, including the impact of testing on students, funding authorization amounts, and education for disabled students. I support measures that mandate accountability, but we all know that local school districts know best how to teach our next generation. I will work hard so that schools have flexibility to teach our children in the best manner and get them ready to compete in the national and international economy." (votesmart.org)
  • Matt Doheny. Prescription Pad: Six Ways to Help the Tourism Industry Right Now. 05 August 2012. "We must take advantage of untapped resources in the continental United States, offshore and in Alaska. We cannot stand in the way of projects like Keystone XL that can move crude oil from friendly countries to our refineries and distribution centers." (doheny4congress.com)
  • Matt Doheny. Prescription Pad: Ten Ways to Help the Construction & Manufacturing Industry Right Now. 20 August 2012. "In addition, Matt will advocate for the United States to expand drilling in the Outer Continental Shelf for increased access to oil and gas reserves." (doheny4congress.com)
  • Matt Doheny. Video: NY-23 GOP Candidates on Card Check, Cap & Trade, and Tea Party. 30 March 2010. "Cap and trade is nothing more than a national energy tax. It goes back to the central theme that these people who are running our country want to control your lives [¦] It's not going to make it better [¦] And Matt Doheny will never vote for that." (youtu.be)
  • Matt Doheny. Prescription Pad: Four Ways to Help the Agriculture Industry Right Now. 13 July 2012. "Other times, farmers say, the EPA is solely attempting to expand its power so that the government, not the landowner, controls every waterway and air source on the farm. Democratic Rep. Bill Owens put power-hungry, unelected bureaucrats ahead of farmers when he supported the Environmental Protection Agency's bid to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. (Roll Call #249, 4/7/11). EPA has estimated that each permit would cost $23,000, which means licensing alone would cost agriculture more than $866 million. The American Farm Bureau, meanwhile, has said the EPA plan will result in higher prices for supplies, meaning less profit for farmers, fewer jobs available on farms and more expensive food for American families. Matt Doheny supports the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act, which would require Congress to take an up-or-down vote on any regulation that would have an annual economic impact of $100 million or more. This takes final decisions on rulemaking out of the hands of unelected bureaucrats and back into the hands of Congress, which has a constitutional responsibility for creating laws. Not every regulation is bad, but the REINS Act will ensure that only truly necessary regulations are implemented. Our current congressman voted against the REINS Act." (doheny4congress.com)
  • " I will promote and encourage energy conservation" (votesmart.org)
  • "In Central New York, the Adirondacks and in the North Country, we know that protecting the environment is critical to both our economy and to our very survival. However, the House of Representatives last year passed the so called "Cap & Trade" bill that seeks to limit carbon dioxide and other pollution. Under the basic terms of the bill, Democrats want to force companies who emit pollution to buy permits to release more pollution than what they are allotted. Those who emit less can sell their unused allotment to others who emit more. Such a Cap & Trade system has been tried overseas, and the result has not been positive: little to no effect on CO2 emissions, while having a negative impact on the economy. China, Mexico, India and other rapidly developing nations would be the true winners if Cap & Trade would ever become law. They can continue to pollute without restriction, while U.S. companies get hit with a tax. That tax will ultimately fall to us -- the consumer. Any family that uses a typical amount of energy would find themselves paying over $2,000 or more in energy bills each year. It doesn't make sense as a businessman and it makes no sense for the families of the 23rd Congressional District" (votesmart.org)
  • Matt Doheny. Video: Thom Hallock Interviews Matt Doheny (PBS Vote 2012). 29 August 2012. "No one believes in guns rights in the Second Amendment more than I do. If you don't own a gun, you should [¦] If [Democrats] are re-elected, you're going back to times with the Brady bill and all those other things that the NRA fights tooth and nail on." (youtu.be)
  • Matt Doheny. Video: capitaltonight.com Matt Doheny. 20 August 2010. "I am 100 percent against gun control." (youtu.be)
  • Matt Doheny. Radio: Congressional Corner with Matt Doheny “ Part 2. 23 August 2012. "Q: Gun control? A: I am against gun control. I deeply believe in our hard-earned 2nd amendment." [7:25]. (wamc.org)
  • Matt Doheny was rated 86% by National Rifle Association (Candidate Positions on Gun Rights) "The NRA Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) is NRA's political action committee. The NRA-PVF ranks political candidates - irrespective of party affiliation - based on voting records, public statements and their responses to an NRA-PVF questionnaire." In 2008, NRA-PVF was involved in 271 campaigns for the U.S. House and Senate, winning in 230 of those races (85%). NRA-PVF also endorsed thousands of state legislative candidates that same year and achieved an 84% success rate in those elections. NRA resources in the 2008 elections were more widely deployed in more critical battles than ever before. Millions of dollars were spent on direct campaign donations, independent campaign expenditures and on mobilizing the most aggressive grassroots operation in NRA history. In 2009 and '10, NRA-ILA has continued to build upon that grassroots organization with programs that work to effectively communicate with NRA members and others. NRA relies on a very simple premise: when provided with the facts, the nation's elected officials will recognize that "gun control" schemes are an infringement on the Second Amendment and a proven failure in fighting crime. The importance of this premise lies in the knowledge that, as one U.S. Congressman put it: 'The gun lobby is people.'" (votesmart.org)
  • "I am a believer in the Second Amendment and as a member of the National Rifle Association, I am a firm believer in our right to bear arms. The Heller decision from the U.S. Supreme Court ratified the basic understanding we have in Upstate New York, that we all have the Constitutional right to bear arms. Hopefully this term the Supreme Court again -- in the McDonald v. City of Chicago case -- will ensure that this fundamental right we have extends to the individual states as well" (votesmart.org)
  • Matt Doheny. Prescription Pad: Ten Ways to Help the Construction & Manufacturing Industry Right Now. 20 August 2012. "Repeal ObamaCare: Two years after President Obama's signature health care reform, premiums continue to rise for both individuals and businesses. Those costs divert financial resources away from new innovation, capital improvements and job growth. It's increasingly clear that ObamaCare's toxic prescription of tax increases and new federal spending will not reduce costs “ and so a repeal is necessary. We must then replace it with some common sense ideas outlined in Matt's health care prescription “ increasing competition by allowing purchasing across state lines, tort reform, making plans portable and increased commitment to health savings accounts." (doheny4congress.com)
  • Matt Doheny. Statement Regarding Supreme Court Ruling on Obamacare. 28 June 2012. "ObamaCare has convinced job creators to stand on the sidelines, which has lead to our jobless recovery and kept our economy teetering on the brink of another recession. Americans know this bill is bad for our country. We must repeal this bill and that's what I'll do to put America back to work." (doheny4congress.com)
  • "The Supreme Court's recent declaration that ObamaCare is a massive tax increase should have caused my opponent to reconsider his allegiance to President Obama's deeply flawed reform," said Doheny, the Republican, Conservative and Independence candidate. "Instead, our current congressman voted to protect a bill that will impact seniors by cutting Medicare by more than $500 billion, and raise $525 billion in additional taxes, penalties and fees. If that wasn't bad enough, the government is going to tax anyone who doesn't get insurance -- and 75 percent of those households affected by this tax make $120,000 or less.This law is a nightmare for working families," Doheny concluded. "Premiums continue to rise. People are losing the insurance they like. Jobs are being lost. That's why I'm committed to repealing this unworkable law and replacing it with a common-sense measures that will cut costs while putting the patient first." (votesmart.org)
  • "As the next Congressman of the 23rd Congressional District, I will work to repeal and replace the health care bill passed recently by Congress." (votesmart.org)
  • Matt Doheny. Video: NY-23 GOP Candidates on Immigration. 25 March 2010. "We cannot have amnesty in this country. Illegal means illegal. They broke the law [¦] Amnesty will not work [¦] You have to go ahead and enforce the laws." (youtu.be)
  • Matt Doheny. WRVO Public Media: Interview: Republican Matt Doheny, candidate for 21st Congressional district. Responded "[...] it's unfortunate that our president just goes ahead and plays politics, four months before an election when he could have actually dealt with immigration in a wholesale bipartisan fashion over the past three and a half years, and just chose to duck it. Certainly people like myself, don't want to go ahead and give and reward people who are here illegally, and just loosely we think that amnesty is not the answer, we tried that, and it didn't work as a country. But by the same token I'm a business person, Catherine. I understand what the labor market needs are here, whether you're a dairy farmer or a tourist business, all over this 21st district. You need to make sure you have the right type of labor to make sure you continue to be profitable and continue on as a business" to the question "[...] How would you describe your stance on social issues such as immigration, current discussion on contraceptive funding, that sort of thing?" (wrvo.org)
  • "And whether the issue is immigration in particular, which has seen a lot of press in the last week, it's unfortunate that our president just goes ahead and plays politics, four months before an election when he could have actually dealt with immigration in a wholesale bipartisan fashion over the past three and a half years, and just chose to duck it. Certainly people like myself, don't want to go ahead and give and reward people who are here illegally, and just loosely we think that amnesty is not the answer, we tried that, and it didn't work as a country. " (wrvo.org)
  • Matt Doheny. Video: NY-23 GOP candidates on same-sex marriage, abortion. 29 March 2010. "Q: What are your views on abortion and what are your views on same sex marriage? A:When it comes to same-sex or gay marriage I also believe that it's squarely and only between a man and a woman and without question there's no need for anything other than a man and a woman to be recognized as marriage anywhere within the United States." (www.youtube.com)
  • Matt Doheny. Video: capitaltonight.com Matt Doheny (8/20/2010). 20 August 2010. "I believe marriage is between a man and a woman." (youtu.be)
  • Matt Doheny. Radio: Congressional Corner with Matt Doheny “ Part 2. 23 August 2012. "Q: Same Sex Marriage? A:Here in New York State, that issue has been settled. I mean it's the law here in New York state, that Same-Sex marriage is the law, and thats what we need to deal with and go forward from it." [1:36]. (wamc.org)
  • "When it comes to same-sex or gay marriage, I also believe that it's squarely and only between a man and a woman and without question, there's no need for anything other than a man and a woman to be recognized as marriage anywhere in this United States." (www.watertowndailytimes.com)
  • We must remain vigilant in our defense of freedom and democracy, and I believe we need to stand by our international allies who assist us and continue to fight the terrorist threats. We must have the strongest, most robust defense in the world, including nuclear deterrents." (votesmart.org)
  • Matt Doheny. Radio: Congressional Corner with Matt Doheny “ Part 1. 23 August 2012. "Q: So, if in fact the Republican Conference, I put the question to you again, comes up with, 'give the insurance companies their cut', because thats the way I think it's playing out, and let them run the social security program, letting people privatize and make their own programs, financial programs, would you vote against them for doing that? A: I think you're putting the cart before the horse. Right now we have a solvency problem. Privatization does not address the solvency problem." [4:23]. (wamc.org)
  • "I will work and help to solve the severe problems that lie ahead if we do not reform our entitlements -- Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. These programs are almost 60% of our budget each year and simply can't be left unaddressed and grow infinitely. The people of Upstate New York demand serious curbs in federal spending and want true, fundamental reform in entitlement programs to avoid the oncoming fiscal train wreck. Simply put, no organization or people have ever borrowed and spent their way into prosperity." (votesmart.org)
This candidate has responded to a Political Courage Test in a previous election. As a continued effort to provide the American public with factual information on candidates running for public office, these archived responses are made available here.
Pro-life Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
Yes Do you support United States' combat operations in Afghanistan?
No Do you support a timetable for withdrawal from Afghanistan?
I certainly believe that it's time to turn over security of Afghanistan to the Afghanis. It's time for the Afghani people to control their own fate and provide their own security. However, I do not believe we should announce to the world - a group that includes people who are enemies - exactly what our plans are. I believe that any decision on when to leave should be done in consultation with our military leaders on the ground.

Indicate which proposals you support (if any) for balancing the federal budget.In order to balance the budget,

Yes do you support reducing defense spending?
No do you support an income tax increase on any tax bracket?
do you support reducing Medicaid spending?
No do you support reducing Medicare spending?
Yes Is balancing the budget a legislative priority?
Yes Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?
I would always err on the side of disclosure. But you have to be careful on chilling free speech rights. We want people to be part of the political process and not be intimidated and feel they cannot exercise their First Amendment right. If we're going to expand the regulation governing reporting of donations, we need to find a threshold. If corporations and unions were required to disclose all donations - no matter how small - it would be a bureaucratic nightmare.
Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?
Yes Do you support spending on infrastructure projects for the purpose of job creation?
No Do you support the temporary extension of unemployment benefits?
Yes Do you support the 2010 temporary extension of tax relief?
No Do you support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
Yes Do you support providing tax incentives to businesses for the purpose of job creation?
Yes Do you support requiring states to implement education reforms in order to be eligible for competitive federal grants?
Yes Do you support reducing restrictions on offshore energy production?
Do you believe that human activity is contributing to climate change?
No Do you support the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions?
No Do you support restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns?
Yes Do you support repealing the 2010 Affordable Care Act?
No Should individuals be required to purchase health insurance, as mandated in the 2010 Affordable Care Act?
Do you support allowing illegal immigrants, who were brought to the United States as minors, to pursue citizenship without returning to their country of origin?
Do you support the enforcement of federal immigration law by state and local police?
Yes Do you support requiring illegal immigrants to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship?
No Do you support same-sex marriage?
I personally believe that marriage is between one man and one woman. But I recognize that the New York state Legislature is ultimately the body that will decide this issue for residents in my district. I believe in civil unions. At the end of the day, people should have the same economic rights and benefits that anyone else does. I just don't want to mandate that other states around the country have to live with what New Yorkers or people in other states have to live with.
Should the U.S use military force in order to prevent Iran from possessing a nuclear weapon?
Yes Do you support targeting suspected terrorists outside of official theaters of conflict?
No Do you support allowing individuals to divert a portion of their Social Security taxes into personal retirement accounts?

SpendingIndicate what federal spending levels (#1-6) you support for the following general categories. Select one number per category; you can use a number more than once.TaxesIndicate what federal tax levels (#1-6) you support for the following general categories. Select one number per category; you can use a number more than once.

a) Agriculture
b) Arts
c) Defense
d) Education
e) Environment
f) Homeland Security
g) International aid
h) Medical Research
i) Scientific Research
j) Space exploration
k) United Nations
l) Welfare
m) Other or expanded categories
Slightly Decrease a) Capital gains taxes
Slightly Decrease b) Corporate taxes
c) Excise taxes (alcohol)
d) Excise taxes (cigarettes)
Greatly Decrease e) Excise taxes (transportation fuel)
Maintain Status f) Income taxes (low-income families)
Maintain Status g) Income taxes (middle-income families)
Maintain Status h) Income taxes (high-income families)
Eliminate i) Inheritance taxes
Maintain Status j) Payroll taxes
k) Other or expanded categories
Please explain in a total of 100 words or less, your top two or three priorities if elected. If they require additional funding for implementation, please explain how you would obtain this funding.

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