Card image cap

Bryan Caforio's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

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.

Bryan Caforio has refused to provide voters with positions on key issues covered by the 2018 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 2018.

  • "[...] I will always stand up for women's access to healthcare and a woman’s right to choose." (bryancaforio.com)
  • "I will defend women's health and reproductive rights against misguided and misleading Republican attacks." (votesmart.org)
  • "While middle-class Americans are working hard to provide for their families, millionaires and billionaires are benefitting from tax breaks and loopholes. We need to fix this system that unfairly prioritizes wealthy special interests at the expense of the middle class." (www.bryancaforio.com)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • "The disastrous Citizens United Supreme Court decision gives special interests even more influence over our democracy, our economy, and our lawmakers. We now have a corrupt campaign finance system with no accountability. Overturning that awful decision and implementing real campaign finance reform with teeth is one of my top priorities. I strongly support a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United, and I will fight for publicly financed elections, eliminating money from politics, and complete transparency for all political contributions." (www.bryancaforio.com)
  • "We need to invest in our roads, bridges, water infrastructure, and renewable energy sources to stay ahead and create the jobs of the future." (bryancaforio.com)
  • "Instead of giving handouts to big banks and tax breaks to corporations that ship jobs overseas, we need to focus on projects that grow our economy and create jobs right here in the 25th District." (votesmart.org)
  • "While middle-class Americans are working hard to provide for their families, millionaires and billionaires are benefitting from tax breaks and loopholes. We need to fix this system that unfairly prioritizes wealthy special interests at the expense of the middle class." (www.bryancaforio.com)
  • "We must make our public schools a priority by investing in STEAM education, offering advanced vocational training, and reforming our student loan system to make college affordable for everyone. A greater emphasis on apprenticeship and internship programs will ensure that our students are well prepared for the high-tech aerospace jobs that we can support right here in the 25th District." (www.bryancaforio.com)
  • "Moreover, outside of the immediate problem, this environmental disaster underscores our need to transition away from our dependence on fossil fuels to safer and cleaner energy, such as wind and solar. Not only will a more forceful push for clean energy allow us to provide a safer and cleaner environment to our children and grandchildren and protect us from the next big leak, it will also create good jobs for people in our community along the way." (votesmart.org)
  • "We need a representative who believes in science, understands that climate change is a paramount threat to national security, and will stand up to dirty energy companies in order to keep our roads clear from increased trucking traffic congestion, our air breathable, our water drinkable, and our communities safe." (votesmart.org)
  • "If you are too dangerous to board a plane, you should not be allowed to buy a gun. It's Common Sense! #NoFlyNoBuy" (twitter.com)
  • "First, I support expanding background checks and closing loopholes. There is no reason a potential suspected terrorist, stalker, domestic abuser, or person with mental health illness should have access to firearms. I support uniform nationwide waiting periods, which at the very least will save 1,000 lives each year by reducing the number of suicides. Finally, weapons of war have no place in our communities, and I support banning assault weapons, bump stocks, and silencers. Let’s work together to start saving lives today." (www.bryancaforio.com)
  • "Democratic congressional candidate Bryan Caforio says he supports President Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act but thinks it can be improved [...]" (bryancaforio.com)
  • "We need Medicare for All because every American must have access to the high quality and affordable healthcare they deserve." (www.bryancaforio.com)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • "Disappointed in the #SCOTUS DAPA/DACA ruling today. This is why we need leaders committed to #fightforfamilies and strengthen the economy." (twitter.com)
  • "I support the principles of that bipartisan bill, which secured our borders and provided a pathway to citizenship for those who pay their taxes, learn English, and have no criminal background. […] I also strongly support the California DREAM Act" (bryancaforio.com)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • "Vote to authorize the President to take action against ISIS, helping America build an international coalition to destroy ISIS." (votesmart.org)
  • "I'll fight for tough and smart national security policies that will keep Americans safe. I'll vote to take action to defeat ISIS and stop the global spread of terrorism." (bryancaforio.com)
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-choice Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
No In order to balance the budget, do you support reducing defense spending?
Yes In order to balance the budget, do you support an income tax increase on any tax bracket?
I will stop handouts and tax breaks for big banks and corporations to grow our local economy. Instead of giving handouts to big banks and tax breaks to corporations that ship jobs overseas, we need to focus on projects that grow our economy and create jobs right here in the 25th District. It?s time to build an economy that works for everyone, not just the wealthy few.
Yes Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?
No Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?
Yes Do you support alternatives to incarceration for certain non-violent offenders such as mandatory counseling or substance abuse treatment?
Unknown Position Do you support mandatory minimum sentences for non-violent drug offenders?
We must remove minimum sentencing guidelines.
Yes Do you support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
No Do you support lowering taxes as a means of promoting economic growth?
Do you support providing tax incentives to businesses for the purpose of job creation?
Many small businesses and entrepreneurs struggle to access the capital necessary to start and expand their businesses. Inadequate access to capital holds these companies back and harms our economy. We should ease access to capital in a variety of ways, including: Expanding the availability of Small Business Administration (SBA) loans. Encouraging crowdfunding for small businesses to provide access to equity capital. Supporting credit unions and community banks. Incentivize providing loans under $50,000.
Unknown Position Do you generally support requiring states to adopt federal education standards?
All children must have the opportunity to get the skills to succeed in the 21st century economy, not just those whose parents can afford tablets and laptops, or who attend a school in a wealthy zip code that can provides cutting-edge science equipment. We need more teachers trained in the STEM fields and better equipment in classrooms to make sure that every child, regardless of race, gender, or zip code has the chance to thrive in our changing economy. Quite simply, if the money?s not there our schools aren?t going to work as well as they should.
No Do you support building the Keystone XL pipeline?
Yes Do you support government funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, thermal)?
Yes Do you support increased regulations on the hydraulic fracturing ("fracking") industry?
Yes Do you believe that human activity is contributing to climate change?
Yes Do you support the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions?
Yes Do you generally support gun-control legislation?
I�m interested in passing tough gun safety measures that keep guns out of the hands of terrorists.
No Do you support repealing the 2010 Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare")?
It is great that we have more people who have insurance coverage. That?s a benefit. But it is true that costs are far too high. We need to take steps to take steps to bring those costs down. We can get rid of the medical equipment tax and Cadillac tax and allow the government to negotiate drug prices. Those are things we can do to fix Obamacare and keep expanding coverage so that people aren?t going to be left out when something happens and so that the cost will be lower for everyone as we move forward.
No Do you support requiring immigrants who are unlawfully present to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship?
I support the principles of a bipartisan bill that would secure our borders and provide a pathway to citizenship for those who pay their taxes, learn English, and have no criminal background. Passing commonsense, comprehensive legislation would boost our economy and reduce our deficit by upwards of $900 billion. I also strongly support the California DREAM Act, which increases access to college for undocumented immigrants who came here as children and have graduated high school in the US. We should be supporting hard-working children who were brought here as infants and toddlers and have contributed to American society.
Yes Do you support same-sex marriage?
Should the U.S use military force in order to prevent governments hostile to the United States from possessing a nuclear weapon?
Yes Do you support increased American intervention in Iraq and Syria beyond air support?
I'll vote to stop the global spread of terrorism. I will: Vote to authorize the President to take action against ISIS, helping America build an international coalition to destroy ISIS; Make sure that Iran lives up to their end of the bargain and does not secretly build nuclear weapons. Work to disrupt and destroy terrorist financing networks. I'll push new laws to make sure Wall Street and foreign banks are rooting out the flow of dollars to ISIS and other terror groups. Strengthen our domestic intelligence-including stronger ties between the FBI, police, and local communities-so that we're catching homegrown terrorists
No Do you support allowing individuals to divert a portion of their Social Security taxes into personal retirement accounts?
I believe Social Security is the single greatest program in this country?s history - responsible for lifting tens of millions of Americans out of poverty. In Congress, I will work to strengthen and secure this incredible program so that we fulfill our sacred promise to today?s seniors and tomorrow?s retirees.

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.

Maintain Status a) Agriculture
Maintain Status b) Arts
Slightly Increase c) Defense
Greatly Increase d) Education
Greatly Increase e) Environment
Slightly Increase f) Homeland Security
Maintain Status g) International aid
Maintain Status h) Medical Research
Slightly Increase i) Scientific Research
Slightly Increase j) Space exploration
Maintain Status k) United Nations
Maintain Status l) Welfare
m) Other or expanded categories
Slightly Increase a) Capital gains taxes
Slightly Increase b) Corporate taxes
Maintain Status c) Small business taxes
Slightly Increase d) Excise taxes (alcohol)
Slightly Increase e) Excise taxes (cigarettes)
Maintain Status f) Excise taxes (transportation fuel)
Maintain Status g) Income taxes (low-income families)
Maintain Status h) Income taxes (middle-income families)
Slightly Increase i) Income taxes (high-income families)
Slightly Increase j) Inheritance taxes
Maintain Status k) Payroll taxes
l) Other or expanded categories
(1) Focusing on bringing jobs to our community and building an economy that works for everyone, not just the wealthy few; (2) Passing comprehensive immigration reform that includes pathway to citizenship; (3) Strengthening and securing Social Security and Medicare; and (4) Increasing education funding, including for community colleges and vocational training.

Vote Smart does not permit the use of its name or programs in any campaign activity, including advertising, debates, and speeches.

arrow_upward