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Adriano Espaillat's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

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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.

Adriano Espaillat 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.

  • "Abolish the filibuster. Codify Roe V. Wade." (twitter.com)
  • Rated 100% by Planned Parenthood Action Fund (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Today's SCOTUS decision to overrule Roe's essential holding erodes the legitimacy of the Court and our Nation's commitment to the rule of law. It erases decades of protections for women and all people of our nation." (twitter.com)
  • "Social Security has offered Americans security in their retirement for 85 years today. This year, we must recommit ourselves to enhancing this program and protecting it from President Trump’s attempts to defund it. That's why I support #Secure2100 to strengthen it! #SocSec85" (twitter.com)
  • Rated 100% by Alliance for Retired Americans (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Rated 100% by National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Today, marks 30 years since the brutal beating of Rodney King. This evening, I presided over House proceedings as we considered H.R. 1280, the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021." (twitter.com)
  • "Today, on the 2nd commemoration of George Floyd’s wrongful death, @POTUS signed an executive order aimed at transparent and accountable police reform measures. I commend this much needed action and recognize that more work is needed to heal the nation’s soul." (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 1280 "George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021" (votesmart.org)
  • "Rep. Espaillat has voted against all military spending bills" (adrianoespaillat.com)
  • "Throwing billions at defense to ransack our investments in jobs, education, & medical research will leave our nation weakened." (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 2 "Moving Forward Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "Our country needs a massive infrastructure investment. Not just to connect people to work and school, but to create jobs — in my district, and around the country." (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 5376 "Build Back Better Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 1319 "American Rescue Plan Act of 2021" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 266 "Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "Undocumented essential workers have stepped up for America. Now it’s time for Congress to step up for them. I urge my colleagues to include a pathway to citizenship for essential workers in the next COVID-relief bill. #ImmigrantsAreEssential" (twitter.com)
  • "My colleagues and I will soon pass our historic Inflation Reduction Act, taking bold action to bring down the kitchen table costs—from health care premiums, prescription drug costs, and energy prices—Democrats will deliver for American families." (twitter.com)
  • "The Inflation Reduction Act is a historic victory for New York families, my constituents, & our planet: delivering the investments we need to keep down health care costs, reinvigorate American manufacturing and drive our transition to a clean energy economy." (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 5376 “Inflation Reduction Act of 2022” (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 7688 “Consumer Fuel Price Gouging Prevention Act” (votesmart.org)
  • "All I Want for Christmas is for President Biden to cancel student debt." (twitter.com)
  • "Let’s cancel student loan debt and give millions of Americans the relief they need now!" (twitter.com)
  • "Student loan debt threatens the generational well-being of families of color. @POTUS can change this with the stroke of a pen #CancelStudentDebt #RacialEquity" (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 5746 “Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act” (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 4 “John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021” (votesmart.org)
  • "The heroic legacy of the civil rights movement is under attack as states pass strict voter ID laws, gerrymander & purge voter rolls. I’m proud to vote for #HR4, critical legislation that will help stop the most egregious voter suppression tactics. #RestoreTheVote" (twitter.com)
  • "The legacy of the civil rights movement and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. is under attack as states pass strict voter ID laws, gerrymander & purge voter rolls. I’m proud to vote for #HR4 to help stop the most egregious voter suppression tactics. #RestoreTheVote" (twitter.com)
  • "It is our job to listen to young people and help move to a clean energy economy. They’re rising to the challenge to protect their future. It is up to us to rise with them." (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 9 "Climate Action Now Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "When we say clean energy, we mean clean. #NoGas, no oil, no coal – period." (twitter.com)
  • "The United States needs to lead on #ClimateAction. While the President's commitment is a step in the right direction, we must dream bigger. We're the wealthiest nation in the world — and it's time we pay our fair share." (twitter.com)
  • "This is a #ClimateCrisis. Developed countries (greatest polluters) must do more to limit emissions. I introduced the Green Climate Fund Authorization Act to ensure the US is contributing its fair share to lowering global emissions #ActOnClimate" (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 9 "Climate Action Now Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "I'm proud to join @POTUS Biden and leaders today for the administration's historic actions to reduce gun violence in communities around the nation." (twitter.com)
  • Rated 0% by Gun Owners of America (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 1112 "Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2019" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 8 "Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019" (votesmart.org)
  • "The top 1% dodge $175,000,000,000 in taxes every year. But sure, tell me we can’t afford a living wage, a Green New Deal, or Medicare for All." (twitter.com)
  • "Don't tell me you're “pro-life” if you’re against Medicare for All." (twitter.com)
  • "Medicare for All isn’t radical. The richest country on Earth letting its citizens die because they can’t afford healthcare is what’s radical." (twitter.com)
  • "Today is Medicare and Medicaid's 56th birthday! But as we celebrate this anniversary, we have to remember: Healthcare is a right, not a privilege. We have a duty to ensure every American has access to quality, affordable healthcare — it's time for Medicare for All." (twitter.com)
  • "Far too much is at stake for our nation's politics to ignore the needs of women. We need a President that prioritizes #paidleave, #paidsickdays, and #childcare to help working moms during this unprecedented crisis." (twitter.com)
  • "I remain committed to ensuring that these self employed contractors, consultants & farmers have the same access to paid leave and the other protections ppl receive" (twitter.com)
  • "The Senate has passed the #FamiliesFirst Coronavirus Response Act on a bipartisan basis, ensuring paid sick leave, free testing for the virus, food security assistance and much more. This bill will help many Americans get relief and we urge Trump to sign the bill now!" (twitter.com)
  • "Wondering #WhatWomenWant on Valentine's Day? How about #equalpay, health care, paid family leave & child care!" (twitter.com)
  • "It’s about damn time we cut the cost of prescription drugs. #SOTU" (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 3 “Lower Drug Costs Now Act of 2019” (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 6833 “The Affordable Insulin Now Act” (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 1% by NumbersUSA (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Rep. Espaillat co-sponsored bills to defund and shut down ICE and require body cameras to be worn at all times." (adrianoespaillat.com)
  • "Rep. Espaillat has fought against deportations, using his office to help immigrants stay in the United States and keep families together." (adrianoespaillat.com)
  • "Immigrant communities around the country have waited too long — and we need to deliver. That's why we're calling on Senate leadership to ensure that a pathway to citizenship is included in the Build Back Better Act." (twitter.com)
  • Rated 1% by NumbersUSA (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Undocumented essential workers have stepped up for America. Now it’s time for Congress to step up for them. I urge my colleagues to include a pathway to citizenship for essential workers in the next COVID-relief bill. #ImmigrantsAreEssential" (twitter.com)
  • "Immigrant communities around the country have waited too long — and we need to deliver. That's why we're calling on Senate leadership to ensure that a pathway to citizenship is included in the Build Back Better Act." (twitter.com)
  • "Undocumented essential workers have stepped up for America. Now it’s time for Congress to step up for them. I urge my colleagues to include a pathway to citizenship for essential workers in the next COVID-relief bill. #ImmigrantsAreEssential" (twitter.com)
  • "Following #Syria airstrike, U.S. & International community must unite in our stance to stiffen sanctions against the barbaric Assad regime." (twitter.com)
  • "Let me be clear: The U.S. and our allies must apply full and unrestricted sanctions against Vladimir Putin and the Russian government." (twitter.com)
  • "@realDonaldTrump sold out our Kurdish partners at Erdogan's behest, then responded to Turkey’s attack on the Kurds—not with tough sanctions but by hosting #Erdogan at WH. #POTUS constantly proves he's more loyal to dictators than our allies #Disgraceful" (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 7691 “Making emergency supplemental appropriations for assistance for the situation in Ukraine for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022, and for other purposes.” (votesmart.org)
  • "I condemn Putin’s blatant assault on the freedom and security of Ukraine, a sovereign, independent nation. We must seek unity where Putin seeks to divide, and we must speak the truth to disinformation — working with our allies to hold Putin and his government accountable." (twitter.com)
  • "Putin has waged an immoral and unprovoked war on Ukraine — and we must hold him accountable for the pain and suffering he's afflicted on the Ukrainian people. He and the cronies around him must be tried for war crimes." (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 7691 “Making emergency supplemental appropriations for assistance for the situation in Ukraine for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022, and for other purposes.” (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of S. 3522 “Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2022” (votesmart.org)
  • "If multibillionaires have enough money to launch themselves into space, they can afford to pay their fair share in taxes. Tax the rich." (twitter.com)
  • Rated 5% by National Tax Limitation Committee (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "This morning with @USProgressives getting ready to vote for the Inflation Reduction Act. The #InflationReductionAct doesn't raise taxes on families but it does make sure wealthy corporations finally pay their fair share." (twitter.com)
  • "The #DominicanRepublic has been providing aluminum products to help rebuild #PuertoRico – a tariff of this significance could dangerously impact these efforts! #TrumpTariffs" (twitter.com)
  • Voted against H.R. 5430 “United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act” (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 8351 “Formula Act” (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.
The Political Courage Test asks candidates which items they will support if elected. It does not ask them to indicate which items they will oppose. Through extensive research of public polling data, we discovered that voters are more concerned with what candidates would support when elected to office, not what they oppose. If a candidate does not select a response to any part or all of any question, it does not necessarily indicate that the candidate is opposed to that particular item.

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding abortion.

a) Abortions should always be illegal.
X b) Abortions should always be legal.
c) Abortions should be legal only within the first trimester of pregnancy.
X d) Abortions should be legal when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape.
X e) Abortions should be legal when the life of the woman is endangered.
f) Prohibit public funding of abortions and of organizations that advocate or perform abortions.
X g) Authorize pharmacists and nurses to dispense emergency contraception (“morning-after” pill).
h) Other or expanded principles

State Budget: Indicate the funding levels (#1-6) you will support for the following general categories. Select one level per category.State Taxes: Indicate the tax levels (#1-6) you will support. Select one level per tax.

Greatly Increase a) Education (Higher)
Greatly Increase b) Education (K-12)
Slightly Increase c) Environment
Slightly Increase d) Health care
Greatly Increase e) Law enforcement
Maintain Status f) Transportation and highway infrastructure
Maintain Status g) Welfare
h) Other or expanded categories
Yes i) Should the Assembly adopt a contingency budget when a budget is not approved for the new fiscal year?
j) Other or expanded principles
Greatly Increase a) Alcohol taxes
Maintain Status b) Capital gains taxes
Greatly Increase c) Cigarette taxes
Maintain Status d) Corporate taxes
Slightly Increase e) Estate taxes
Greatly Decrease f) Gasoline taxes
Slightly Decrease g) Income taxes (incomes below $75,000)
Greatly Increase h) Income taxes (incomes above $75,000)
Maintain Status i) Property taxes
Eliminate j) Sales taxes
Greatly Decrease k) Vehicle taxes
l) Other or expanded categories
Yes m) Should Internet sales be taxed?
n) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding campaign finance and government reform.c) Do you support limiting the following types of contributions to state legislative and gubernatorial candidates?

No a) Do you support limiting the number of terms for New York governors?
No b) Do you support limiting the number of terms for New York state senators and representatives?
Yes 1) Individual
Yes 2) PAC
Yes 3) Corporate
Yes 4) Political Parties
Yes d) Do you support requiring full and timely disclosure of campaign finance information?
Yes e) Do you support imposing spending limits on state level political campaigns?
Yes f) Do you support adopting statewide standards for counting, verifying, and ensuring accuracy of votes?
Yes g) Do you support prohibiting the reporting of media exit polling results until all polling locations in New York are closed?
Yes h) Should New York recognize civil unions between same-sex couples?
Undecided i) Should New York restrict marriage to a union only between a man and a woman?
j) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding crime.Drug Law Issues: Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding drug laws in New York.

a) Increase state funds for construction of state prisons and for hiring of additional prison staff.
b) Support the death penalty in New York.
X c) Support programs to provide prison inmates with vocational and job-related skills and job-placement assistance when released.
d) End parole for repeat violent offenders.
e) Minors accused of a violent crime should be prosecuted as adults.
X f) Increase state funding for community centers and other social agencies in areas with at-risk youth.
X g) Increase funding for state and local emergency agencies to prevent and to respond to terrorist attacks.
h) Allow prosecutors to try an accused terrorist based solely on the testimony of an accomplice.
i) Let prosecutors get a single warrant to tap every telephone used by a suspected terrorist.
j) Prevent judges from tossing terror evidence out of court if the authorities seized it in good faith under a warrant that later proved defective.
X k) Give prosecutors the right to obtain state tax information about suspected terrorists.
l) Other or expanded principles
a) Strengthen penalties and sentences for drug-related crimes.
X b) Strengthen penalties for those convicted of distributing drugs while armed.
X c) Strengthen penalties for those convicted of distributing drugs to, or with the aid of, minors.
X d) Send first time non-violent drug offenders to rehabilitation treatment centers, not correctional facilities.
e) Decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana.
X f) Expand the degree of judicial discretion in drug law sentencing.
g) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding education.Education Funding Issues: Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding education funding.

a) Support national standards and testing of public school students.
b) Provide parents with state-funded vouchers to send their children to any public school.
c) Provide parents with state-funded vouchers to send their children to any private or religious school.
X d) Increase state funds for school capital improvements (e.g. buildings and infrastructure).
X e) Increase state funds for hiring additional teachers.
X f) Support teacher testing and reward with merit pay.
g) Endorse voluntary prayer in public schools.
h) Require public schools to administer high school exit exams.
X i) Provide state funding to increase teacher salaries.
X j) Increase funding for Head Start programs.
X k) Provide state funding for tax incentives and financial aid to help make college more affordable.
X l) Support sexual education programs that include information on abstinence, contraceptives, and HIV/STD prevention methods.
m) Support abstinence-only sexual education programs.
n) Other or expanded principles
X a) Schools should be funded equally by state funds and local property taxes.
b) Schools should be funded primarily by local property taxes.
c) Schools should be funded primarily by state funds.
d) Funds from affluent school districts should be redirected to meet the needs of poorer districts.
e) New York should increase the number of video lottery machines to help pay for education.
f) Other or expanded principles

Employment: Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding employment.Affirmative Action: Should race, ethnicity, or gender be taken into account in state agencies’ decisions on:

X a) Increase funding for state job-training programs that re-train displaced workers and teach skills needed in today’s job market.
b) Reduce state government regulations on the private sector in order to encourage investment and economic expansion.
X c) Provide low interest loans and tax credits for starting, expanding, or relocating businesses.
X d) Provide tax credits for businesses that provide child care for children in low-income working families.
X e) Increase state funds to provide child care for children in low-income working families.
X f) Increase the state minimum wage.
g) Other or expanded principles
Yes a) Public employment
Yes b) State college and university admissions
Yes c) State contracting
d) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding the environment and energy.

X a) Promote increased use of alternative fuel technology.
b) Support increased production of traditional domestic energy sources (e.g. coal, natural gas, and oil).
X c) Use state funds to clean up former industrial and commercial sites that are contaminated, unused, or abandoned.
X d) Support funding for open space preservation.
X e) Enact environmental regulations even if they are stricter than federal law.
f) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding guns.

X a) Maintain and strengthen the enforcement of existing state restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns.
b) Ease state restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns.
c) Repeal state restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns.
d) Allow citizens to carry concealed guns.
X e) Require manufacturers to provide child-safety locks on guns.
X f) Require background checks on gun sales between private citizens at gun shows.
X g) Support current licensing requirements for gun possession.
X h) Ban .50-caliber rifles.
i) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding health.Medicaid Funding Issues: Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding Medicaid funding.

X a) Ensure that citizens have access to basic health care through managed care, insurance reforms, or state-funded care where necessary.
X b) Require insurance companies to provide mental health services at parity with physical health services.
c) Limit the amount of punitive damages that can be awarded in medical malpractice lawsuits.
X d) Support patients' right to sue their HMOs.
X e) Support patients' right to appeal to an administrative board of specialists when services are denied.
f) Guaranteed medical care to all citizens is not a responsibility of state government.
g) Legalize physician assisted suicide in New York.
h) Allow doctors to prescribe marijuana to their patients for medicinal purposes.
i) Other or expanded principles
X a) Funding for Medicaid should come primarily from the state government.
b) Funding for Medicaid should come exclusively from the state government.
X c) Funding for Medicaid should come from both the state and county governments.
d) Shift long-term care Medicaid payments currently made by individual counties to the state.
e) Cap every county’s portion of Medicaid payments at present levels.
f) Create a preferred drug list to reduce Medicaid costs.
g) Transfer more existing Medicaid recipients into managed care programs.
h) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding welfare and poverty.

a) Support increased work requirements for able-bodied welfare recipients.
b) Increase funding for employment and job training programs for welfare recipients.
c) Increase access to public transportation for welfare recipients who work.
d) Limit benefits given to recipients if they have additional children while on welfare.
e) Redirect welfare funding to faith-based and community-based private organizations.
f) Use federal TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families) funds to extend health and child care subsidies to the working poor.
g) Support marriage promotion programs for welfare recipients.
h) Eliminate government-funded welfare programs.
i) Other or expanded principles
Please explain in a total of 75 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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