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Val Demings' Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

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Official Position: Candidate addressed this issue directly by taking the Political Courage Test.
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Other or Expanded Principles & Legislative Priorities are entered exactly as candidates submit them. Vote Smart does not edit for misspelled words, punctuation or grammar.

Val Demings 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.

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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.

  • Rated 100% by NARAL Pro-Choice America (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 8296 "Women's Health Protection Act of 2022" (votesmart.org)
  • "We must work relentlessly to preserve our right to choose and our right to privacy. We must protect Roe v. Wade in federal law. We cannot go back to a time when women were treated as second class citizens who don't have control over our own bodies. Freedom means the ability to live your life as you choose. You have a fundamental, God-given right to your own life, your family, your religion, your circumstances, your privacy, your values, your health, your body. I'm going to fight for that freedom and so will millions of others. This isn't over." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Signed Letter to Governor DeSantis: "We write in regards to waivers for work requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and recertification requirements for Medicaid, SNAP, and TANF beneficiaries.[1] It is unconscionable to limit aid for our most disadvantaged constituents while Florida continues to battle the COVID-19 pandemic. We urge you to reinstate and extend all work requirement and recertification waivers until we are certain that the pandemic no longer threatens Floridians and Florida's economy and until the job market returns to pre-COVID-19 levels." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Signed Letter to Governor Scott: "Medicaid expansion also will reduce the unpaid medical bills owed to hospitals that put pressure on the state budget and our safety net hospitals funded with taxpayer dollars. Refusing to cover working Floridians through Medicaid expansion does not reduce our state's health care costs, it just passes them on through rising premiums and tax hikes. With a third of our state's resources already devoted to health care, the influx of $50 billion in federal funding would safeguard services from the draconian cuts currently under consideration by the state legislature. Medicaid expansion would help the state avoid the rising costs brought by Zika, the opioid crisis and mental health needs." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of S 610 "Protecting Medicare and American Farmers from Sequester Cuts Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 100% by Alliance for Retired Americans (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Last week, @HouseDemocrats voted to pass the most transformational and comprehensive democracy reform legislation in more than four decades. #HR1 will protect our right to vote, expose dark money, empower small donors, and stop wealthy special interests from buying influence." (twitter.com)
  • Rated 87% by Common Cause (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1 "For the People Act of 2021" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1280 "George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 7900 "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023" (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)
  • "I am proud to announce that after a long, tough political fight we have secured new bipartisan investment into Florida's bridges to keep Floridians safe and prevent needless disasters that could claim lives and create huge disruptions to our commutes and economy. This funding will also be a job creation engine, creating thousands of new jobs here in Florida. These projects will help to fix our commutes, supercharge our economy, and get people back to work." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "The inflation we have recently seen is a direct result of our supply chain issues. Today's bipartisan investment in our infrastructure is a direct answer to these problems and will create jobs and reduce costs for Florida families. This is our chance to build the kind of 21st century infrastructure that we need to clean up our economic blockages and get the economy moving smoothly for working families across our state. Our plans will create millions of jobs in new and future industries, restore our global competitiveness, rebuild Florida's crumbing roads and bridges, expand broadband and reduce the cost of internet across our state, keep our children safe from unclean water, protect our air and climate, and support U.S. manufacturing. I'm proud of this bipartisan accomplishment and will keep fighting for Florida families." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Help is on the way. This crisis is something we've never seen before, and we need to do things we've never done before. The American Rescue Plan is the most significant emergency relief legislation in American history. Our plan will save countless lives and put money into the pockets of people who need it most. I am proud to be a part of this transformative effort to save our country from COVID-19 and address the economic crisis that it created. Because of this vote, in the coming weeks the typical family of four in Central Florida could receive $8,800 to help make ends meet during this crisis--more if they have children under six. This is in addition to critical funding to keep Floridians in their homes, save local businesses, stabilize critical health and safety services, and provide opportunities to get back to work and send children to school safely." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 266 "Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "Experts and economists say that the Inflation Reduction Act will save Florida households thousands of dollars. This bill will reduce the cost of prescription drugs, make health insurance more affordable, cap out of pocket costs, reduce your energy bill, reduce the federal deficit, and bring down inflation. As the daughter of a maid and a janitor, every dollar mattered in our household, and I'll always fight to protect working families." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Rep. Demings and the New Democrat Coalition previously released a multipronged Action Plan to Fight Inflation. This plan, the only plan of its type released by Members of Congress, was developed in partnership with economists, policy experts, and administration officials. If implemented, it will put money in the pockets of working families, fix our supply chains so shelves are stocked and factories can run, and reduce costs of gas, groceries, housing, and energy. Rep. Demings helped to pass the America COMPETES Act, a large-scale effort to strengthen America's economy, security, and global leadership; win the economic battle with China; and restore our supply chain and competitiveness. It includes Rep. Val Demings' previously-introduced legislation, the Reclaiming the Solar Supply Chain Act, to restore American leadership in solar power manufacturing. She now serves on the conference committee for the legislation." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5376 "Inflation Reduction Act of 2022" (votesmart.org)
  • "We fought this past year to fix supply chain problems, bring down costs for families, and grow our economy. That’s why I supported the CHIPS Act to invest in American manufacturing, the Ocean Shipping Reform Act to stop price gouging for shipping, and the Inflation Reduction Act." (twitter.com)
  • "Marco Rubio's advice to Floridians struggling with student debt: become a career politician and profit off your position I have a better idea, let's elect someone who will actually show up and fight for Floridians." (twitter.com)
  • Signed Letter to President Biden: "In roughly 35 days, on September 1, 2022, tens of millions of federal student loan borrowers are scheduled to resume payments. Despite repeated reports and surveys concerning whether borrowers will be able to pay,1 we understand the Administration is considering restarting student loan payments at the end of August.2 We write today to urge you to extend the pause on student loan payments, given the numerous economic issues facing borrowers across the nation, as well as administrative actions in process by the Department of Education. For over two years, the Department has provided critical flexibility to millions of federal student loan borrowers by pausing payments, as many have struggled during the COVID-19 pandemic. This much needed pause has helped many borrowers to keep a roof over their heads, secure childcare, and purchase food, health care, and medicine during the course of a pandemic responsible for the deaths of more than 1 million people in the U.S.3 For the first time, many borrowers have had the opportunity to pay down debt, open a savings account, purchase a home, and save for retirement--none of which would have been possible without the payment pause." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 2547 "Comprehensive Debt Collection Improvement Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "There’s nothing more important than our right to vote. But 5 years after Shelby County v. Holder, that right is under attack because of gerrymandering, voter ID laws, voter purges and more. We need action to #RestoreTheVOTE" (twitter.com)
  • "Under the Voting Rights Act, these tactics would have been prevented from becoming law. The Supreme Court's Shelby v. Holder decision gutted the heart of the Voting Rights Act -- preclearance. Preclearance had previously stopped thousands of discriminatory voter suppression laws. Within 24 hours of the Shelby ruling, Texas and North Carolina reinstated voter ID laws, which were later held to be intentionally racially discriminatory. H.R. 4, the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act -- which is based on over a dozen hearings and thousands of pages of documentation led by the Democratic House over two Congresses -- would restore preclearance with a new formula, which is ironclad constitutionally and which will make significant progress to restore the purpose of the VRA: "the banish the blight of racial discrimination in voting." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5746 "Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "Our #BuildBackBetter plan includes an historic boost to renewable energy: stimulating our economy, creating thousands of good new jobs, and putting us back on track to reduce to worst impacts of climate change. Congress must pass it." (twitter.com)
  • Signed Letter to Governor DeSantis: "Florida should set meaningful goals for renewable power generation and energy efficiency to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save consumers money, and then transition to modern power purchase agreements like reverse auctions which provide competition and energy storage to boost the various regions of the state. While most other states have set targets for renewable energy and efficiency, Florida has not. Florida is far behind other states and the investor-owned electric utilities (IOUs) have been roadblocks to progress for decades." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 4447 "Expanding Access to Sustainable Energy Act of 2019" (votesmart.org)
  • "We don’t see winter for too long here in Florida, but when we do, we need reliable heat. Reducing at home energy costs and the new renewable energy tax credits we passed will reduce household costs." (twitter.com)
  • Rated 97% by League of Conservation Voters (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Signed Letter to Governor DeSantis: "Florida should set meaningful goals for renewable power generation and energy efficiency to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save consumers money, and then transition to modern power purchase agreements like reverse auctions which provide competition and energy storage to boost the various regions of the state. While most other states have set targets for renewable energy and efficiency, Florida has not. Florida is far behind other states and the investor-owned electric utilities (IOUs) have been roadblocks to progress for decades." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Signed Letter to President Trump: "As of May 24, 2017, one hundred forty-seven parties of the one hundred ninety-five signatories to the Paris Agreement have ratified, accepted, or approved the Paris Agreement, including the United States. The Paris Agreement creates a framework for nations to pledge to decrease their greenhouse gas emissions. Further, the agreement recognizes climate change as a concern of humankind, which effect human health, food sustainability, and economic development. A large majority of scientists and governments acknowledge that stabilizing the concentration of greenhouse gases and avoiding further climate degradation will require a unified plan by all major emitters. This is an opportunity for the United States to expand and lead in new low-carbon energy technologies." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 9 "Climate Action Now Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "I carried a gun for 27 years as a law enforcement officer. I'm a gun owner today. Getting guns out of the hands of dangerous people will protect our children. Gun violence is not inevitable. The shootings that take the lives of our children every day are a policy choice, one that we can change. Today each member of the Judiciary Committee will choose between our children or the gun lobby. The gun lobby and their pawns want you to give up, to feel hopeless. I am here to tell you that there is always hope for a better, safer future." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Rated 0% by National Rifle Association (NRA) (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 7910 "Protecting Our Kids Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "We must do everything within our power to stop innocent people from being gunned down in innocent places. This legislation is not enough but it is something. Any elected official who cares about protecting our communities should support this legislation. Instead, many will shamefully vote to allow stalkers, domestic abusers, and violent criminals to continue putting our communities in harm's way." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Ten years ago today, the #AffordableCareAct was signed into law. Today, #Obamacare covers over 20 million Americans, and protects over 133 million Americans with pre-existing conditions. This administration is trying to dismantle those protections. We won’t let them." (twitter.com)
  • "The whole point of Obamacare/the Affordable Care Act was to make healthcare more affordable and to cover people with pre-existing conditions. For the GOP to spend eight years trying to repeal it and now pretend they didn't is absurd. #ProtectOurCare" (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1425 "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "It's long past time we guarantee the basic workplace standard of paid sick days. We work in the greatest country on earth and we must learn from the lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic. Forcing sick people to go to work harms all of us, including our businesses and our economy. I am proud to join Rep. DeLauro and Senator Murray on this important legislation." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "No one should be one missed paycheck or sick day away from financial disaster. Minimum wage increases and universal paid leave will give families security." (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 6201 "Families First Coronavirus Response Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "Build Back Better would significantly reduce health care costs, including reducing your premium by up to $800 per year, giving Medicare the power to cover hearing for the first time ever, covering hundreds of thousands of Floridians for the first time, giving Medicare new powers to negotiate down the cost of prescription drugs, and adding new out of pocket caps for prescription drugs, saving Floridians thousands of dollars." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Rep. Demings previously voted for H.R. 3, a bill to lower prescription drug costs for American families, and to cover dental, vision, and hearing services under Medicare for the first time." (justfacts.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)
  • "I recently voted to hire more officers and agents for case processing and border security, and I am fighting for more as we work to resolve staffing shortages. As a police chief I learned this: having enough staff is critical. I know that America is up to this challenge." (twitter.com)
  • "I will continue working to reopen the government and restore pay to America’s hardworking federal employees. I will also continue working for smart, effective, and compassionate border security." (twitter.com)
  • "For ten years, #DACA has protected many of the #Dreamers who entered the United States as children. They are our neighbors, teachers, small business owners, scientists, nurses, doctors, neighbors, friends, and family. Today I'm calling once again for permanent protections." (twitter.com)
  • Signed Letter to Leader McConnell: "Eight years ago, following bipartisan requests from Congress, President Obama used his legal authority to establish DACA. DACA provides temporary protection from deportation on an individualized basis to immigrants who arrived in the United States as children if they register with the government, pay a fee, and pass criminal and national security background checks. The young people who are eligible for DACA, known as Dreamers, are American in every way except for their immigration status. More than 800,000 Dreamers have come forward and received DACA. DACA has unleashed the full potential of Dreamers, who are contributing to our country as soldiers, nurses, teachers, and small business owners, and in many other ways." (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)
  • "President Zelenskyy has exemplified the courage and determination of the Ukrainian people and it was an honor to hear from him this morning. America must always stand for freedom and democracy, which is why last week I voted for military and humanitarian aid for Ukraine. Though we have forced historically strong sanctions on Vladimir Putin and his corrupt regime, they must be stronger. I've led efforts to target Putin personally in Congress and I again call for additional sanctions to target all of Putin's political allies, cripple his personal wealth and hold him responsible for this unforgivable war of conquest." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Rep. Demings has also led efforts to target Putin and his oligarchs with additional sanctions and seize their assets in Florida and overseas, building from her previous work on legislation to investigate and expose Putin's illicit financial networks." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "The sanctions against the Russian banks, oligarchs, and high-tech industry announced today are a powerful blow against Russia, effectively gutting their financial sector and cutting them off from massive sectors of the global economy. We are sending an unmistakable message: if you throw the world into conflict, you no longer have the privilege of engaging with the world as a legitimate business partner. We should also utilize the information we gained from the passage of my legislation to investigate Putin's finances, and implement staggering personal sanctions against his own assets." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 6968 "Suspending Energy Imports from Russia Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "The people of Ukraine are our friends and we must help. Last week I voted to pass critical funding for weapons and humanitarian aid for Ukraine. While some in Congress voted no, I am glad to say that this vital support passed and is on its way." (twitter.com)
  • "This week I voted to provide Ukraine with additional support. Russia continues to pose a threat to the U.S., and our allies around the world. I will continue to vote in support of the Ukrainian people." (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of S 2938 "Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2022" (votesmart.org)
  • "Ensuring fair taxes will help reduce the deficit by over $1 trillion over the next decade. Those at the top shouldn’t pay a lower rate than teachers and janitors – that’s simply unfair." (twitter.com)
  • "The solution to combating rising inflation is simple: cut middle class taxes and lower costs on essentials like health care, senior care, child care, and education." (twitter.com)
  • Voted against HR 1 "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "When I voted for the #BuildBackBetter Act, I voted for a future with lower middle class taxes and lower costs for working families here in Florida." (twitter.com)
  • "I just voted to remove tariff restrictions that limit imports of baby formula supplies. It’s important that this year’s shortage not repeat itself. America’s supply chains must work for America’s families." (twitter.com)
  • "This deal is not perfect, but after Democrats in Congress negotiated numerous substantial changes to the unacceptable initial draft, I will support it. America's workers and businesses can create endless opportunities when they are able to complete on an even playing field. However, increased economic output must translate to real quality of life gains for Americans. USMCA includes important new mechanisms to lower the cost of prescription drugs, defend the environment, and strengthen worker rights." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5430 "United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act" (votesmart.org)

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