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Abigail Spanberger's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

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Abigail Spanberger 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 Planned Parenthood Action Fund. (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "This leaked draft Supreme Court opinion is poised to erase a woman’s right to privacy and reproductive healthcare that has been settled law for nearly a half century. The House has voted to codify Roe v. Wade. The Senate needs to follow suit and pass this bill." (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 3755 "Women's Health Protection Act of 2021." (votesmart.org)
  • "This leaked draft Supreme Court opinion is poised to erase a woman’s right to privacy and reproductive healthcare that has been settled law for nearly a half century. The House has voted to codify Roe v. Wade. The Senate needs to follow suit and pass this bill." (twitter.com)
  • "Many provisions in the Build Back Better framework are critical for the long-term health, safety, and security of our families and our communities. These provisions -- including extending the refundable Child Tax Credit, combatting climate change, and lowering prescription drug costs -- matter to Virginians. The expanded Child Tax Credit has dramatically lowered child hunger rates at dining rooms and kitchen tables across our Commonwealth." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Rated 90% by Alliance for Retired Americans. (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "To this day, we continue to expand on Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. In the past decade, the Affordable Care Act has encouraged states to expand their Medicaid programs. Because of Virginia's expansion in 2018, more than 436,000 Virginians who might otherwise not have health insurance now do. These initiatives have been essential for improving children and families' health and giving older Americans good living standards after a lifetime of work." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1425 "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act." (votesmart.org)
  • "Under the FADE Act, political ads, issue campaigns, and content funded or directed by a foreign principal and intended to influence the American people must be disclosed to the Department of Justice. But too often, this rule does not extend to the world of social media." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "I support efforts to bring greater transparency to campaign finance, overturn the Citizens United decision, and block illegal foreign funds from influencing our elections. During my first term in Congress, I was proud to help introduce and pass the For the People Act, a landmark campaign finance and ethics reform package." (abigailspanberger.com)
  • Rated 80% by Common Cause. (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1 "For the People Act of 2021." (votesmart.org)
  • "The reintroduction of this legislation provides another opportunity for Congress to help rebuild policing in a way that reduces discrimination, confronts a history marked by systemic racism, and engages with local law enforcement officials in a productive and meaningful way. Additionally, this bill would address the unacceptable trend of militarization that we've seen in local police departments across our country -- and it would protect and increase funding for initiatives that strengthen community policing efforts in Central Virginia and across the country. Going forward, we need to keep pressing for legislation that can fix our system, save the lives of unarmed Black men and women, and fight the structural inequities rooted deep within our society." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1280 "George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021." (votesmart.org)
  • "I’ve been proud to serve as a conferee throughout #NDAA negotiations, and I look forward to working with the new administration to build a Defense Department that protects our servicemembers and prepares us for the challenges we face in the weeks, months, and years ahead." (twitter.com)
  • ""Our servicemembers are the most important component of a smart national security strategy, and they deserve the highest level of support we can give them. This bill provides the necessary tools, compensation, and training they need to perform their jobs effectively and to keep our nation safe. Additionally, it secures much-needed assistance for our military families, particularly to address unacceptable housing conditions and contaminated drinking water at some of our military bases," said Spanberger. "I'm also proud to see my bipartisan amendment to combat child pornography included in this bill. These horrific crimes have no place on Defense Department-affiliated networks or anywhere in our country, and it's encouraging to see a strong, bipartisan coalition in the fight against child exploitation and sexual abuse. I'll keep fighting to make sure our amendment is considered by the U.S. Senate--and I'll continue to make sure those who put on the uniform receive the funding, benefits, and support they need."" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of S 1605 "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022." (votesmart.org)
  • "I’ve been proud to serve as a conferee throughout #NDAA negotiations, and I look forward to working with the new administration to build a Defense Department that protects our servicemembers and prepares us for the challenges we face in the weeks, months, and years ahead." (twitter.com)
  • "Our servicemembers are the most important component of a smart national security strategy, and they deserve the highest level of support we can give them. This bill provides the necessary tools, compensation, and training they need to perform their jobs effectively and to keep our nation safe. Additionally, it secures much-needed assistance for our military families, particularly to address unacceptable housing conditions and contaminated drinking water at some of our military bases," said Spanberger. "I'm also proud to see my bipartisan amendment to combat child pornography included in this bill. These horrific crimes have no place on Defense Department-affiliated networks or anywhere in our country, and it's encouraging to see a strong, bipartisan coalition in the fight against child exploitation and sexual abuse. I'll keep fighting to make sure our amendment is considered by the U.S. Senate--and I'll continue to make sure those who put on the uniform receive the funding, benefits, and support they need." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "The bipartisan nature of the negotiations behind this bill, as well as the bipartisan momentum we saw in its passage today, demonstrates a focus not on winning political games or settling scores, but instead on delivering long-awaited results for the American people. This bill responds to the concerns of Virginia families, businesses, and communities -- and I hope my colleagues in the House will recognize how support for these physical infrastructure investments transcends ideological barriers." (justfacts.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)
  • "We must find common sense solutions to cut wasteful spending without penalizing hard-working families, seniors, or future generations." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Our strength as a nation comes from the idea that anyone with a good idea can make it happen. This is why I support policies that empower small businesses (the backbone of our economy) to innovate and pursue bold entrepreneurial ventures, and during a time of uncertainty, I strongly support the goals of the Paycheck Protection Program to help businesses eventually return to normal operations." (abigailspanberger.com)
  • "Successfully pushed for commonsense PPP reforms to help Central Virginia restaurants and small businesses cover overhead costs and to cut red tape" (abigailspanberger.com)
  • "The American Rescue Plan Act passed in the House today includes much-needed assistance for vaccine distribution, schools, small businesses, and Virginia families. In response to the financial challenges faced by working parents, the legislation prevents unemployment insurance from expiring in just a few days, provides one-time direct payments to individuals and families, and expands the Child Tax Credit -- so that Virginia families will receive an extra boost as we accelerate the fight against the virus. I'm also encouraged that the American Rescue Plan Act establishes a new Restaurant Revitalization Fund to support family-owned restaurants as they work towards inviting customers back in the coming months. I've directly heard from many Central Virginia restaurant owners about the hardships they've faced throughout the pandemic." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 266 "Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "Inflation requires a response. I want to give thanks to the lawmakers in both parties who've worked on the legislation within this package and who've helped draft a roadmap for our response," said Spanberger at the press conference. "This bill is not about scoring political points-- it's about trying to bring down the cost of living for the American people and putting our ideas on the table. That's a goal that Members of Congress should get behind -- and we urge our colleagues to recognize the merits of the targeted and bipartisan provisions in this package. Hyper-partisanship does nothing to actually respond to inflation, make gas cheaper, or make sure food is in the fridge at an affordable price." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "This legislation will help lower prescription drug costs, reduce healthcare premiums, tackle federal deficits, and strengthen domestic energy production -- including through clean energy jobs. These are key priorities as our economy continues to recover and rebuild. When we deliver results that lower costs for the American people and help them pay the bills, we are investing in our financial security, the economic independence of our nation, and a stronger future for the next generation." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Virginians are getting squeezed by high costs, which is why I’m committed to addressing inflation head on. I’ve prioritized getting products back on our shelves, lowering the costs of consumer goods, and combatting consolidation and price-gouging in several major industries. We cannot ignore this major economic crisis." (abigailspanberger.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5376 "Inflation Reduction Act of 2022" (votesmart.org)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • Voted in favor of HR 5746 "Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 4447 "Expanding Access to Sustainable Energy Act of 2019." (votesmart.org)
  • Signed Letter to Chairman Chatterjee: "Under the Federal Power Act (FPA), states have the authority to support the resource mix of their choice. Indeed, most states in PJM require utilities to source some of their energy needs from zero-emission energy resources, including wind, solar, and nuclear power plants. However, the new FERC order broadly defines "state subsidies" to subject nearly all of these resources to a minimum bid in the market, called the Minimum Offer Price Rule (MOPR). In effect, this broad definition appears to sweep in nearly all state policies developed to date to encourage deployment of energy technologies, namely renewable portfolio standards, energy efficiency resource standards, renewable energy certificate markets, clean energy standards, and any state-legislated or mandated tax incentives that are in place for any power generation technology (nuclear, fossil fuel or renewables)." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Signed Letter to Speaker Pelosi: "These outlined policies would go a long way in providing planning certainty for clean energy investments, furthering the advancement of clean energy across the country, and helping us strive towards and ultimately beyond our Paris Agreement commitments. In addition, these policies, along with others that ensure strong labor standards and incentives for domestic manufacturing, can help ensure American leadership in clean energy technology, drive domestic manufacturing, and the support the creation and maintenance of good American jobs in the next generation of technology. With only a decade to take transformative action, we can’t miss a single opportunity to pass pro-active climate policies." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Signed Letter to Chairman Chatterjee: "Under the Federal Power Act (FPA), states have the authority to support the resource mix of their choice. Indeed, most states in PJM require utilities to source some of their energy needs from zero-emission energy resources, including wind, solar, and nuclear power plants. However, the new FERC order broadly defines “state subsidies” to subject nearly all of these resources to a minimum bid in the market, called the Minimum Offer Price Rule (MOPR). In effect, this broad definition appears to sweep in nearly all state policies developed to date to encourage deployment of energy technologies, namely renewable portfolio standards, energy efficiency resource standards, renewable energy certificate markets, clean energy standards, and any state-legislated or mandated tax incentives that are in place for any power generation technology (nuclear, fossil fuel or renewables)." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Signed Letter to Speaker Pelosi: “These outlined policies would go a long way in providing planning certainty for clean energy investments, furthering the advancement of clean energy across the country, and helping us strive towards and ultimately beyond our Paris Agreement commitments. In addition, these policies, along with others that ensure strong labor standards and incentives for domestic manufacturing, can help ensure American leadership in clean energy technology, drive domestic manufacturing, and the support the creation and maintenance of good American jobs in the next generation of technology. With only a decade to take transformative action, we can’t miss a single opportunity to pass pro-active climate policies.” (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Rated 96% by League of Conservation Voters. (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Signed Letter to Administrator Regan: "One third of the warming from greenhouse gasses occurring today is due to human-caused emissions of methane. In the U.S., the oil and natural gas industry is the largest industrial source of methane emissions, emitting more methane than the total greenhouse gas emissions of 164 other countries combined. In addition to methane pollution, oil and natural gas operations also emit smog-forming volatile organic compounds and toxic air pollutants, such as benzene, that harm public health. The proposed rules would reduce 41 million tons of methane emissions from 2023 to 2035, avoid 12 million tons of smog-forming VOC pollution, and 480,000 tons of air toxics pollution through 2035. In 2030 alone, the rules are expected to reduce methane emissions from sources covered in the proposal by 74 percent compared to 2005." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 9 "Climate Action Now Act." (votesmart.org)
  • "Voted to pass the Climate Action Now Act, which would keep the United States in the Paris Climate Agreement and require an evidence-based strategy for reducing U.S. emission levels" (abigailspanberger.com)
  • "I support responsible gun ownership, but the ever-increasing number of Americans who die each day requires that we take action.Addressing gun violence and protecting lives should not be a political issue; it is a public safety issue. I support background checks for all firearm purchases, regardless of where or from whom the purchases are made. States that require background checks for all purchases have fewer suicides by gun, fewer law enforcement officers shot and killed, and fewer women killed by an intimate partner. Ninety four percent of Americans support background checks for all firearms purchases, as well as the Law Enforcement Partnership to Prevent Gun Violence and the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Rated 0% by National Rifle Association (NRA). (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "The Bipartisan Background Checks Act does not change the qualifications for a firearm purchase, but it requires that our current background check standard apply to all purchases. By closing this loophole, we are taking a responsible step to make sure those already prohibited from possessing a firearm -- like terrorists and criminals -- cannot circumvent our current system by attending a gun show or shopping online. I was also glad to see the House pass legislation to close the Charleston loophole, because murderers like Dylann Roof should not be allowed to carry a weapon of deadly force, simply because a background check took a few extra days to process. There isn't a one-size-fits-all solution for preventing all gun violence from taking place, but these bills are critical first steps in making our communities safer and providing law enforcement with the tools they need." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1446 "Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2021." (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of S 2938 "Bipartisan Safer Communities Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1425 "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Signed Letter to President Biden: “Furthermore, we cannot ignore the economic benefits of paid leave. Enacting paid leave also means that families will continue to earn some income at the very time when they need it most – when a family is growing or a member is sick and needs medical care. Workers will be able to continue to earn a portion of their wages, allowing them to continue to meet their basic needs and pay bills before returning to work. Moreover, lack of paid leave has meant that workers lose an estimated $22.5 billion in wages each year when that could have been used to keep a family afloat and spent in local economies." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Virginia workers should not be forced to choose between tending to health and family needs and their financial security. If robust paid family leave is included in the final Build Back Better Act, hundreds of thousands of Virginians could benefit." (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 6201 "Families First Coronavirus Response Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "I'm proud to be a cosponsor of the Lower Drug Costs Now Act, and today's passage brings us one step closer to combating relentless price increases in our communities. I've long pushed to give Medicare the power to negotiate for lower prices, and this bill delivers that commonsense provision. Our bill also cracks down on drug companies' abusive practices, and it would help reverse decades of unfair price hikes on medications to treat widespread conditions like diabetes, breast cancer, and arthritis. American families shouldn't be paying tens of thousands of dollars more for identical medications compared to other industrialized countries, and I urge the U.S. Senate to take up this legislation now." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "The Inflation Reduction Act will lower prescription drug costs for Virginia seniors by finally giving Medicare the power to negotiate the price of certain prescription drugs -- a provision Spanberger has long fought to move forward. Additionally, the legislation will strengthen Medicare drug coverage by capping seniors' out-of-pocket prescription costs at $2,000 per year. And for the more than 74,000 diabetic Virginians enrolled in Medicare, the legislation will put a cap of $35 per month on the cost of insulin." (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 understand the security threats we face, and I know we can secure our borders and points of entry without breaking from American values or tearing families apart. I will advocate for border security policies that use cutting edge technology, together with trained officers and physical infrastructure to ensure our nation's security at our borders and points of entry.As a former federal agent, I oppose any efforts to create safe havens for violent criminals. Our immigration system is broken, and both parties continue to play politics instead of working together to fix the problem." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Urged the Biden Administration to delay lifting Title 42 until a comprehensive plan is in place to address the security and humanitarian crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border." (abigailspanberger.com)
  • "I am committed to finding real, bipartisan solutions to fix our immigration system, and I will work with anyone to create a proposal for immigration reform that ensures border security, takes into account the needs of our workforce, respects our values and history, gives certainty to DACA recipients, and creates an earned pathway to legal status for undocumented immigrants currently living here as long as they abide by the law, work hard, and pay taxes." (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)
  • "We cannot fix our broken immigration system or address the current and future crisis if we aren’t prioritizing real, comprehensive solutions to the root causes of the crisis and the real needs for reforms within the system." (twitter.com)
  • 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)
  • "We cannot fix our broken immigration system or address the current and future crisis if we aren’t prioritizing real, comprehensive solutions to the root causes of the crisis and the real needs for reforms within the system." (twitter.com)
  • "Turkey's unilateral, offensive military actions in Northern Syria are truly horrifying, and President Erdogan is creating yet another humanitarian crisis in his own backyard. These major sanctions against President Erdogan and his regime would make clear that our country stands with our Kurdish allies and that we strongly disavow ongoing attacks that could endanger Kurdish civilians, empower former ISIS fighters, and create opportunities for Syria, Russia, and Iran to take advantage of this situation," (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 6968 "Suspending Energy Imports from Russia Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "We must be united in condemning Putin's war, an act of aggression that serves only the irrational self-interest of one man. In the hours and days ahead, he must feel the sting of unprecedented sanctions from the United States and our partners around the world. Additionally, Kremlin officials, Russia's globe-travelling oligarchs, and Members of the Duma must also be held accountable for this reckless push to reestablish the borders of the Soviet Union. They should be powerfully confronted for their decision to inflict pain on the innocent people of Ukraine." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "While recent sanctions from the United States and our partners have substantially crippled the Ruble, targeting Russia's energy sector would be one of the most effective ways to crater Russia's petrostate economy. In doing so, our bipartisan bill would help make clear our unrelenting support for the Ukrainian people. In the days ahead, I hope we can bring this legislation to the floor for a vote, while also taking concrete steps to prevent additional price impacts on consumers here at home -- including making sure we are reducing barriers for increased domestic energy production." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "And Spanberger has been firm in her belief that the United States must provide military aid to the Government of Ukraine during this moment of crisis in Europe. Last week, she cosponsored the bipartisan Ukraine Lend-Lease Act, which would authorize the President to lend or lease military equipment of the Government of Ukraine to bolster its defensive capabilities. Additionally, the bill would streamline the processes to provide defense equipment and material support to Ukraine in its fight to protect its independence." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "I JUST voted with a bipartisan majority to supply Ukraine with the artillery, radar systems, and weapons required to push Russia back. The people of Ukraine are not giving up the fight to preserve their sovereignty — and the United States must not yield in our support." (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 7691 "Making emergency supplemental appropriations for assistance for the situation in Ukraine for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022, and for other purposes." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of S 3522 "Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2022" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 5377 "Restoring Tax Fairness for States and Localities Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "We need comprehensive tax reform, but what Congress just passed is not it. We need tax reform that makes our tax system simpler and more fair, and strengthens our middle class. Congress must also work across party lines to address our nation's debt and deficit issues. We can't keep adding hundreds of billions of dollars to our debt each year." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • ""Central Virginia businesses, farms, and manufacturers have waited patiently for this day to arrive. Since coming to the U.S. House, I've repeatedly heard business owners and workers describe the clear economic need for expanded export markets in Canada and Mexico. And just last week, I shared their views with Vice President Pence," said Spanberger. "Today, I'm encouraged that the administration and House negotiators have been able to work out an agreement with all three countries that will bring greater long-term trade stability to the Commonwealth's economy. Now, we need to focus on receiving implementing legislation from the administration and advancing it to the floor of the U.S. House--and I'll keep pressing all players involved until that happens."" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5430 "United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act." (votesmart.org)
  • "Central Virginia businesses, farms, and manufacturers have waited patiently for this day to arrive. Since coming to the U.S. House, I've repeatedly heard business owners and workers describe the clear economic need for expanded export markets in Canada and Mexico. And just last week, I shared their views with Vice President Pence," said Spanberger. "Today, I'm encouraged that the administration and House negotiators have been able to work out an agreement with all three countries that will bring greater long-term trade stability to the Commonwealth's economy. Now, we need to focus on receiving implementing legislation from the administration and advancing it to the floor of the U.S. House--and I'll keep pressing all players involved until that happens." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Led the effort pushing the Biden administration to invoke the Defense Production Act and lower tariffs on foreign baby formula when the baby formula crisis emerged — and led a bipartisan bill requiring that baby formula manufacturers notify the FDA about potential disruptions." (abigailspanberger.com)

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