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Joe Garcia'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.

Joe Garcia has refused to provide voters with positions on key issues covered by the 2016 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 2016.

  • "Judicial Discretion: Our country currently jails more people than any other country in the world. Over 50% of our federal prison population is incarcerated on drug offenses, many of them serving decades in prison for minor drug offenses. By strengthening the court's judicial discretion powers, a judges can pass down sentences that fit the crime. Adopting sensible sentencing practices will reduce the burden placed on the penal system and tax payers, while also letting people get back to work once they have paid their dues." (votesmart.org)
  • "The Florida Keys are one of a kind and we have a responsibility to protect them. Updating antiquated wastewater treatment systems in the Florida Keys is one of the most important steps we can take toward preserving our environment and sustaining our economy" (votesmart.org)
  • "Joe supports the president's American Jobs Act as a starting point to spur growth in America's middle class and small business community, but also believes we must do more, including investing in education, research, and infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, and modern transportation systems like light and high speed rail." (votesmart.org)
  • "Joe fully supports tax cuts for middle-class and poor families." (votesmart.org)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • "I believe the development of energy infrastructure, such as Keystone XL, is critical in this country." (votesmart.org)
  • Voted against H.R.5682 "To Approve the Keystone XL Pipeline" (votesmart.org)
  • "Congressman Garcia is also committed to advancing a comprehensive national energy strategy that promotes our nation's energy independence, reduces our dependence on foreign oil, and invests in clean energy. The time is now to start making smart decisions about how our nation speeds the transition to more sustainable sources of energy in order to protect our environment for future generations." (votesmart.org)
  • "Joe opposes offshore oil-drilling and fracking, and will fight to strengthen EPA laws that prevent environmental damage." (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of H.Amdt.507 "Specifies the Authority of the Secretary of Interior on the Regulation of Methane Emissions" (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 10% by Gun Owners of America (votesmart.org)
  • "In Congress, the special interest gun-lobby, the NRA awarded Joe Garcia a grade of "F", and Joe could not have been prouder. Republicans in Congress today have done nothing to stop gun violence, and even refused to consider a law to prevent people on the suspected terrorist no-fly list from buying guns. Joe will fight to expand background checks, stop the sale of large capacity magazines, and bring sanity back to our gun laws." (votesmart.org)
  • "A strong, affordable healthcare system is crucial for the well-being of the American people. Joe supports the president's Affordable Healthcare Act which provides tens of millions of Americans to have access to healthcare. There are many benefits in this legislation, including eliminating the negative effects of pre-existing conditions on eligibility, allowing children and young adults to stay on their parent's healthcare until age 26, increasing rebates on prescription medicine, and requiring insurers to spend 85% of their money on providing actual care." (votesmart.org)
  • "More than 50% of our small businesses in South Florida are owned by immigrants. Passing comprehensive immigration reform means more people can start small businesses and grow our economy. When anti-immigrant Republicans blocked his bill, Joe worked closely with President Obama on Executive Actions to implement elements of his bill that would protect families from cruel deportations. In Congress, Joe will work to make the President's actions permanent." (votesmart.org)
  • "I'm thrilled to see Florida join the growing number of states that uphold equality and recognize the right for same-sex couples to marry, regardless of who you are or who you love." (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 100% by Human Rights Campaign (votesmart.org)
  • "The growing influence of ISIL stands to completely destabilize the region and poses a very real threat to American interests at home and abroad. The brutal, publicized murders of two Americans, one a fellow South Floridian, showed the world the extent of their inhumanity. ISIL must be dealt with decisive action and a coordinated, comprehensive response by the United States, the Iraqi government, regional partners, and the international community." (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 70% by Alliance for Retired Americans (votesmart.org)
  • "We should strengthen Social Security and Medicare, not weaken it. Joe Garcia will fight Republican proposals to privatize these programs, and make sure that we don't balance the budget on the backs of seniors." (votesmart.org)

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