Card image cap

Pramila Jayapal's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

Office:

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.

Pramila Jayapal 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.

  • Endorsed by Planned Parenthood Action Fund (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Pramila is a staunch advocate for a woman’s right to make her own health care decisions. She believes that with Planned Parenthood under attack, now more than ever we must fight for expanded access to women’s health care — including access to abortion care, and expanding preventive care such as mammograms and ovarian cancer screenings. In the State Senate, she helped ensure that women on Medicaid would have access to multiple forms of contraception, so that women could choose what made the most sense for their medical needs." (www.pramilaforcongress.com)
  • "The Senate is minutes away from filibustering abortion rights. We will not give up this fight. We must codify Roe." (twitter.com)
  • Voted against HR 36 "Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "It’s time for a health care system that is focused on patients, not profits; a system that recognizes health care is a right, not a privilege for the wealthy. We must ensure that everyone in our country has comprehensive, quality health care no matter their income, race, gender or zip code. It’s time for Medicare for All” (www.pramilaforcongress.com)
  • "At the heart of our society is an intrinsic understanding that we are only as good as how we treat the most vulnerable amongst us. That’s why we must protect Social Security and Medicare and ensure that our health care system is focused on patients, not profits. We must guarantee that everyone in our country has access to quality health care and a secure retirement no matter their income, race, gender or zip code... In yet just another example of the rich getting richer on the back of working Americans, currently someone making millions of dollars a year contributes the same amount of money to Social Security as someone making $118,500 a year. In Congress, Pramila is fighting to end this inequity by supporting legislation to lift the income cap on Social Security so that everyone pays the same percentage of their income into Social Security. In addition, Pramila believes that we need to invest where there is the greatest need and supports reducing benefits for high-income earners who have greater financial security and do not often rely on Social Security benefits in retirement... In Washington, nearly 20% of the people will be 65 or older by 2030 and by 2060, the population of people who are 85 or older will more than triple. That’s why in the State Senate, Pramila worked with her colleagues to fund a study to look at long-term care solutions for Washington’s growing senior population. She is continuing that work in Congress to ensure we are properly investing in the programs that will take care of America’s seniors for generations to come... Pramila is working to reform the funding formula for Social Security benefits so that the annual cost of living adjustments are more reflective of senior spending patterns rather than simply inflation."
  • Rated 100% by National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Social Security was signed into law 85 years ago today. Since then, it has lifted more Americans out of poverty than any other government program. But today, it's under attack—once again threatened by dangerous cuts. We must not only protect Social Security, we must expand it. I'm fully committed to doing just that, and I hope you'll join me." (www.facebook.com)
  • Co-sponsored HR 1 "For the People Act of 2021" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • “The Supreme Court decision in Citizens United vs. the F.E.C. has allowed billionaires and special interests to spend unlimited and untraceable amounts of money in our elections. It’s stripped away all accountability and transparency and given corporations and the wealthy far too much political power. We must stop ‘dark money’ from ruining our democracy... As a longtime community organizer, Pramila believes in the power of the grassroots and the people to enact real change, but she’s seen the stifling effect “dark money” has had on the ability of everyday citizens to make their voices heard. That’s why in the State Senate, Pramila spearheaded a letter to Congress, signed by all members of the Democratic caucus, calling on them to overturn Citizens United... Pramila knows that campaign finance reform at the state level is only the beginning and that nationally our system is still rigged for corporations and the wealthy. In Congress, Pramila supports a Constitutional Amendment to reverse the Supreme Court’s decision, returning power to Congress and the states to regulate campaign finance, and giving each of us an equal voice in our democracy. She is a strong supporter of City of Seattle's Democracy Voucher program.” (www.pramilaforcongress.com)
  • Rated 87% by Common Cause (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Our people-first campaign is counting on grassroots supporters like you to keep Pramila in Congress, where she’ll continue boldly fighting to... end Big Money's influence in our government" (www.pramilaforcongress.com)
  • "As a member of the Judiciary Committee, I'm working on urgent legislative efforts to stop police brutality, end the militarization of law enforcement, and finally get rid of qualified immunity." (www.facebook.com)
  • Co-sponsored HR 1280 "George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "No more delays. No more excuses. The Senate must act. Mitch McConnell must finally bring this urgent legislation to a vote. The Justice in Policing Act is a bold, urgent, necessary first step towards real, transformative justice. It not only bans chokeholds and no-knock warrants, but it establishes a public police misconduct registry. It ends qualified immunity and racial profiling by law enforcement. It also ends the militarization of law enforcement and increases accountability and transparency measures across the board. Finally, so critically important, it invests in Black and brown communities to reimagine what policing should look like so everyone is safe." (www.facebook.com)
  • "Pramila has worked to reform the policing system in Seattle—serving on police accountability panels and helping lead the coalition that brought the US Department of Justice in to Seattle to investigate the Seattle Police Department for biased policing. She is continuing to fight to demilitarize our police forces, provide strong oversight on use of force, train officers on de-escalation, and address the culture of racism that permeates too many of our institutions, including our police force. Pramila is a strong supporter of De-Escalate Washington's Initiative 940 to reform Washington's deadly force statute and invest in de-escalation training for our police." (www.pramilaforcongress.com)
  • Voted against HR 6395 "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted against S 1605 "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "We do not need to raise the defense budget by another $31 billion. It's time to make investments into our communities — not into a defense budget that is already larger than the next 11 countries combined." (www.facebook.com)
  • "We spend $1.95 billion EVERY SINGLE DAY on defense spending. Meanwhile, our roads and bridges are literally crumbling. It’s time to cut the Pentagon budget and invest in our communities." (www.facebook.com)
  • "For decades we’ve put off badly needed repairs to our nation’s infrastructure, resulting in crumbling bridges, overcrowded transit systems, and dangerously outdated electric grids, all while millions of skilled American workers remain unemployed. That’s why in Congress Pramila is supporting efforts to invest in our nation’s infrastructure, to put people back to work and make the long overdue improvements to our seaports, bridges, interstates, mass transit and energy platforms that serve as the backbone of our economy. In Washington's 7th District, she is a pushing to fully fund repairs and improvements to the Ballard Locks - the most heavily-trafficked locks in the country - as well as robust funding to keep the construction of Sound Transit's light rail extensions on schedule." (www.pramilaforcongress.com)
  • Rated 6% by Council for Citizens Against Government Waste (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "The House of Representatives just voted to successfully pass H.R. 2, the Moving Forward Act. I was proud to support this deeply necessary investment in our country’s infrastructure. The legislation invests in roads and highways, ferry and rail programs, and bridges across America. It is especially important as we work to ensure that our community has the resources necessary to repair or rebuild the West Seattle Bridge. Additionally, this legislation addresses climate change and works to reduce the environmental impacts of our infrastructure systems. With our communities and our state in mind, I fought for improvements to this legislation. I'm happy to share that five of my amendments—from those focused on environmental justice to those enabling the federal government to better address homelessness—were successfully added to the Moving Forward Act before today’s final vote. While today's legislation passed the House, I won't stop fighting to ensure we make these critical investments in infrastructure. I'm urging the Senate to immediately do the same. Let's rebuild America together." (www.facebook.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 133 "Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 266 "Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "The third #COVID19 relief package we passed: Expands unemployment insurance benefits. Puts $$$ directly into the pockets of working people & families. Provides emergency grants & forgivable loans to small businesses & nonprofits. Infuses $$$ into our health care system" (www.facebook.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1319 "American Rescue Plan Act of 2021" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Yesterday's devastating new unemployment numbers, today's dismal job numbers, and our record number of COVID cases only highlight the urgent need for robust relief. We need to put money in people's pockets—and we need to do so now. At a minimum, any relief package should... deliver urgent aid to businesses in the form of grants" (www.facebook.com)
  • "The Inflation Reduction Act will bring down costs for families across this country and create 9 million new jobs. Democrats are delivering for the people!" - (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 5376 Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (votesmart.org)
  • "It's time: Cancel student loan debt." (twitter.com)
  • Signed letter to Joseph Biden: “Canceling student debt is one of the most powerful ways to address racial and economic equity issues. The student loan system mirrors many of the inequalities that plague American society and widens the racial wealth gap,” wrote the lawmakers. “Student debt cancellation must be one of the key actions in your comprehensive approach to advance equity as our nation works to rebuild a stronger and more equitable economy.” - (jayapal.house.gov)
  • Signed letter to Joseph Biden: "“Given the fast-approaching deadline for borrowers to resume payments, your administration must act as quickly as possible to extend the pause and make clear to the American public your intention to cancel a meaningful amount of student debt. We look forward to supporting your administration in getting it done,” wrote the lawmakers." - (jayapal.house.gov)
  • "As a State Senator, Pramila took her passion for voting rights further by writing and introducing SB 6379, legislation that would automatically register eligible voters -- increasing voter rolls, reducing paperwork and streamlining the registration process. Pramila was also a key supporter of The Washington Voting Rights Act that empowers local municipalities to change their method of election to ensure all people have an equal opportunity to elect the candidate of their choice." - (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Free and open elections are the foundation of a healthy democracy. Unfortunately restrictive voter ID laws, voter roll purges, and cuts to early voting and polling place locations across this country are stripping away our right to vote--disproportionately hurting minority communities, the elderly, students and people with disabilities. We as a country should be making it easier, not harder to exercise our right to vote." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Rated 100% by League of Conservation Voters (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "She is a proud co-sponsor of the "100 by '50" Act, which lays out a road map to achieve 100 percent renewable energy by 2050, including a just transition for workers in the fossil fuel industry. Pramila understands the dire consequences any further delay will have on our environment, public health, and local fishing and tourism industries... In Congress, Pramila is pushing for a clean energy economy that invests in alternative energies, like solar and wind power, and put an end to toxic fracking and deep water drilling that threatens our environment. She supports research and development of next-generation technologies that curb greenhouse gas emissions and improve our health while promoting economic growth and protecting our most vulnerable communities." (www.pramilaforcongress.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 9 "Climate Action Now Act" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "We can generate $3 trillion to invest in Covid relief, education, infrastructure, clean energy, and so much more — and all it will take is making the ultra-wealthy finally pay their fair share." (www.facebook.com)
  • Rated 96% by Environment America (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Pramila is standing up to climate change deniers in Congress and fighting for immediate action on climate change — pushing to reduce carbon emissions in the U.S. and around the world...She supports research and development of next-generation technologies that curb greenhouse gas emissions and improve our health while promoting economic growth and protecting our most vulnerable communities." (www.pramilaforcongress.com)
  • "The House Democrats’ Climate Crisis Action Plan is a critical step towards solving the climate crisis as we build a clean energy economy that values workers, focuses on environmental justice, and puts us on a path towards zero carbon emissions." (www.facebook.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 9 "Climate Action Now Act" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Co-sponsored HR 1446 "Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2021" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "I believe in comprehensive and common sense gun reform that increases the threshold of responsibility that comes with owning a gun. This is why I co-introduced a bipartisan bill which would raise the minimum age requirement from 18 to 21 for gun buyers purchasing any firearm. Other solutions that would keep guns out of the wrong hands include requiring universal background checks for every purchase, an idea supported by over 80 percent of gun owners, closing gun sales loopholes, enacting protections that make sure those with severe mental illnesses do not have access to guns, and ensuring guns are locked and secure where children won’t access them... New technology has drastically evolved many products since the 2nd amendment was enacted in 1791. Yet, while we have updated our laws to protect us from faster cars, such as requiring airbags and seatbelts, Congress is severely neglecting its responsibility to protect men, women, and children from new gun technology. Enough is enough -- it’s time to ban large capacity, semi-automatic assault weapons and bump stocks." (www.pramilaforcongress.com)
  • "Over the long weekend, 141 people across our country lost their lives to gun violence. Another 332 were injured. The Senate cannot wait any longer. It's time to FINALLY pass gun safety reforms and save lives." (www.facebook.com)
  • Rated 0% by Gun Owners of America (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "I am thrilled to share the announcement that we will have our second hearing on Medicare For All next week in the House Ways and Means Committee. I would like to thank Chairman Neal for taking this historic, progressive step in the fight to ensure quality, affordable health care for everyone. The momentum behind Medicare For All continues to grow. We have now had hearings in the Rules and Budget committees on Medicare For All and single-payer options, and cosponsors for my bill are increasing every week – including our most recent endorsement from Assistant Speaker Ben Ray Lujan. Across the country, advocates and activists are continuing to push for what the American people want, and I look forward to working with my colleagues in the majority to make this dream a reality for everyone." (jayapal.house.gov)
  • "If there's one thing we've learned from the pandemic, it's that it makes no sense to tie health care to employment. It's time to ensure everyone can access care. It's time for Medicare for All." (twitter.com)
  • "Medicare for All will save lives by ensuring health care is a right, and not a privilege by ensuring every person has access to quality health care. Medicare for All promises to streamline our fragmented health care system, and expand and improve coverage for every American. Study after study finds that it will lower overall health care costs." (jayapal.house.gov)
  • "Today, U.S. Representatives Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) and Debbie Dingell (D-MI) issued the following statement marking one year since the two stood with dozens of colleagues and a diverse coalition of universal, single-payer health care advocates and introduced H.R. 1384, the Medicare for All Act of 2019. Earlier today, Jayapal and Dingell joined U.S. Representatives Ilhan Omar (D-MI), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), and Yvette Clarke (D-NY) and Social Security Works to celebrate the historic progress the Medicare for All movement has made over the last year—and to highlight the importance of the bill in the fight for racial justice." - (jayapal.house.gov)
  • "This is great and a hard fought victory for workers—showing the power of unions! It does beg the question of why ANY worker should be without paid sick leave in the first place. We need paid sick leave for EVERY worker." - (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 5376 Build Back Better Bill - (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Paid leave. Child care. Climate action. Dental. Vision. Hearing. Affordable Housing. Lower prescription drug costs. We can do all of this and more by passing a big and bold Jobs and Families Plan." (twitter.com)
  • "U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Co-Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) and a member of the House Education and Labor Committee, applauded the passage of the improved H.R. 3, the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act." - (jayapal.house.gov)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 5376 Build Back Better - (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "As a result, the best path forward is this legislation, which would end ICE and transfer its critical functions to other executive agencies." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "U.S. Representative Earl Blumenauer (OR-03) today joined U.S. Representatives Mark Pocan (WI-02), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) and Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) in introducing the Establishing a Humane Immigration Enforcement System Act. The legislation would convene a commission of experts to provide a roadmap for Congress to implement a humane immigration enforcement system that upholds the dignity of all individuals, which includes terminating the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE) within one year of enactment." - (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 3003 "No Sanctuary for Criminals Act" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Dreamers are Americans. Dreamers are home. It was such a beautiful opportunity to meet with DACA recipients who are Fasting for Freedom as we continue fighting to provide a roadmap to citizenship for essential workers, TPS recipients, and Dreamers" (www.facebook.com)
  • "Our immigration policies should reflect our values of family, human dignity and work. In Congress, Pramila is working to pass just and humane immigration reform that provides legalization and a path to citizenship for 11 million undocumented immigrants, reunites families, protects immigrant workers on the job, and fully embraces the contributions that immigrants make to our society. She introduced the Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act, which would phase out the use of for-profit immigrant prisons and drastically overhaul the nation's immigrant incarceration system to eliminate human rights violations." (www.pramilaforcongress.com)
  • "The Trump administration's latest attack on sanctuary cities is nothing more than political posturing based on alternative facts. The vast majority of these cities follow the law cited by Attorney General to justify his crackdown. The idea that more welcoming policies make these cities less safe is absolutely ridiculous. The government's own data shows that the crime rate is lower in sanctuary jurisdictions than their non-sanctuary counterparts." (www.facebook.com)
  • Voted against HR 3003 "No Sanctuary for Criminals Act" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "And abroad, this legislation will allocate billions for humanitarian and economic aid, security assistance for Ukraine, and other countries affected by the influx of refugees. The Ukrainian people are suffering a horrible tragedy at the hands of Russia – and we must take every step possible to assist in refugee resettlement and provide humanitarian aid." - (jayapal.house.gov)
  • "U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) issued the following statement after voting to pass the Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) budget through the House of Representatives, which includes $730 billion in non-defense funding as well as $13.6 billion to support Ukraine. Tonight, I was proud to vote yes on critical legislation that will make massive investments in our communities, our country, and everyone suffering in Ukraine because of Vladimir Putin’s baseless and illegal aggression." (jayapal.house.gov)
  • "Reps. Pramila Jayapal and Barbara Lee, two top members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, implored the Biden administration on Wednesday to urgently pursue a diplomatic outcome in Ukraine, warning that "there is no military solution" to surging tensions with Russia." - (www.salon.com)
  • "That’s got Congressional Progressive Caucus chair Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) and Representative Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), who chairs the CPC’s Peace and Security Taskforce, worried that US officials are sending messages that could undermine prospects for a peaceful resolution to the crisis. “We have significant concerns that new troop deployments, sweeping and indiscriminate sanctions, and a flood of hundreds of millions of dollars in lethal weapons will only raise tensions and increase the chance of miscalculation. Russia’s strategy is to inflame tensions; the United States and NATO must not play into this strategy,” said Jayapal and Lee in a statement issued Wednesday." - (www.thenation.com)
  • "Unless you make more than $400,000/year, the Inflation Reduction Act won't raise your taxes a cent. But corporations will FINALLY pay their fair share. Let's get this done." (twitter.com)
  • "WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal released the following statement in response to House passage of the Republican tax bill that raises taxes on middle class families while giving tax breaks to large corporations and the wealthy: 'The GOP tax scam bill is an all-out war on any idea of opportunity in this country. It’s a massive tax break for the ultra-wealthy on the backs of middle class families. It’s outrageous that Republicans in the House voted to pass this love letter to their largest donors and corporations." (jayapal.house.gov)
  • "NAFTA led to the loss of over 900,000 American jobs. As the USMCA deal develops, we should focus on the needs of workers everywhere. This means improved wages, strong protections for labor and the environment, and enforcing a trade agreement that meets the needs of people first." (www.facebook.com)
  • Voted against HR 5430 "United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Washington has a long history with trade, and it’s critical to our economy, but corporate giveaways hidden into trade deals like the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) do nothing to protect good paying jobs here are home. In Congress, Pramila is standing up to these backroom deals and make sure workers are helping negotiate fair trade deals that protect workers here and abroad - including pushing for a NAFTA renegotiation process that benefits workers. The question is not are we for or against trade. The question is how do we structure trade deals that are actually beneficial to workers here and around the world and beneficial to our environment? In our trade pacts, Pramila is pushing to support domestic contractors in government procurement, stronger labor and environmental standards, and eliminate dispute resolution provisions that favor corporations and allow them to run roughshod over environmental and safety regulations." (www.pramilaforcongress.com)
  • "We can no more stop trade than we can stop migration. The question isn't whether we are for or against trade. It is, how do we create trade deals that are beneficial to our workers and our environment? How do we create fair trade that doesn't exclusively prioritize the profit interests of large corporations above everything else? Pramila comes to this issue through the lenses of international development and immigration, including her experiences traveling the world with the global health organization PATH and organizing broad progressive coalitions with OneAmerica. NAFTA exacerbated wealth inequality and undermined Mexico's economy, driving migration northward. U.S. and Mexican workers lost out. We should fight for good globalization, including a transparent renegotiation of NAFTA, with seats at the table for all, that lifts up working families everywhere. Immigration and job creation are not at odds. Labor and the environment are not at odds. It's not about whose jobs - it's about more and better jobs." (www.pramilaforcongress.com)

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

arrow_upward