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Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's Issue Positions (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.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez 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.

  • "Overturning Roe and outlawing abortions will never make them go away. It only makes them more dangerous, especially for the poor + marginalized. People will die because of this decision. And we will never stop until abortion rights are restored in the United States of America." (twitter.com)
  • "Protect Roe. Abolish Hyde." (twitter.com)
  • Rated 100% by Planned Parenthood Action Fund (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Republicans promised to overturn Roe v Wade, and they have. Democrats can either abolish the filibuster and expand the court, or do nothing as millions of peoples’ bodies, rights, and lives are sacrificed for far-right minority rule. This shouldn’t be a difficult decision." (twitter.com)
  • "Together we will undo the damage of Citizen’s United." (twitter.com)
  • Rated 80% by Common Cause (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 1 "For the People Act of 2021" (votesmart.org)
  • "We have a plan 4 publicly funded elections and repealing #CitizensUnited, which opened the floodgates of corruption in gov. It ends with us." (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 1280 "George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021" (votesmart.org)
  • "We need systemic change: ending qualified immunity, changing budget priorities, investing in communities harmed by overpolicing, and more. The solutions are out there. We must act on them." (twitter.com)
  • "#GeorgeFloyd should be alive. Instead, he was killed as he begged police for his life. The impunity of police violence is a systemic problem we must face to save lives. Police brutality is now a leading cause of death for young Black men in the US. The status quo is killing us." (twitter.com)
  • "Daily reminder: the GOP tax cut & military budget INCREASE (which wasn’t even asked for) could have paid for healthcare for every American AND free public college. The next time someone asks, “How are we going to pay for that?” Tell them we already have." (twitter.com)
  • "Ever notice how “deficit hawks” vote for record-high defense spending, yet claim bills that help people & challenge lobbyists are “too much?” ‘22 Defense Bill = $768 billion/yr Build Back Better = $350B/yr Guess which got rubber stamped & which gets deemed a “spending problem” (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 2 "Moving Forward Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 5376 "Build Back Better Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "Happy to announce creation of a US Civilian Climate Corps is now in the Build Back Better Act. Estimated to create 300k+ public jobs w/ Dept of Labor + Americorps to combat the climate crisis & enviro injustices." (twitter.com)
  • "Now is the time to create millions of good jobs building out the infrastructure and clean energy necessary to save our planet for future generations. For our economy, our planet, and our future, we need a #GreenNewDeal." (twitter.com)
  • "COVID relief needs to directly help everyday people. People need stimulus checks & UI." (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 1319 "American Rescue Plan Act of 2021" (votesmart.org)
  • "Congress just passed the COVID relief bill & it’s heading to Biden’s desk!" (twitter.com)
  • "If you are worried about inflation, it’s important to understand why it’s happening: supply chain, labor, and healthcare complications. We can address these issues by investing in infrastructure, wages, healthcare &benefits. AKA signing BBB/BIF into law as absolute, bare minimum" (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)
  • "Things were bad for me, so they should stay bad for everyone else” is not a good argument against debt cancellation - student, medical, or otherwise. #CancelStudentDebt" (twitter.com)
  • "Additionally, the Senate blockages make Biden’s unwillingness to act on student loan debt- something he can do *without* Congress but hasn’t yet- all the more glaring. #CancelStudentDebt is 1 of the few, rare opportunities Biden has to go big w/o the Senate. He needs to take it." (twitter.com)
  • "Now would be a great time to cancel student loan debt, take significant climate action, and pass voting rights" (twitter.com)
  • "The fact that Biden has the power to provide student debt relief to millions, had to be forced into extending the eviction moratorium,& has yet to aggressively campaign against the filibuster shows us he has more power than he’s using. It’s time to take off the gloves & govern." (twitter.com)
  • "Some of the aspects of Jim Crow / voter ID laws apply. Citizenship isn’t always easy to prove, especially in poor areas. Think about it: if you were stopped on the street without your license, how would you prove your citizenship?" (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 4 “John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021” (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 5746 “Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act” (votesmart.org)
  • "Fossil fuels are in long-term structural decline. This along w/ low interest rates means it‘s the right time to create millions of jobs transitioning to renewable and clean energy. A key opportunity." (twitter.com)
  • "Now is the time to create millions of good jobs building out the infrastructure and clean energy necessary to save our planet for future generations. For our economy, our planet, and our future, we need a #GreenNewDeal." (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 9 "Climate Action Now Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 96% by League of Conservation Voters (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Now is the time to create millions of good jobs building out the infrastructure and clean energy necessary to save our planet for future generations. For our economy, our planet, and our future, we need a #GreenNewDeal." (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 9 "Climate Action Now Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "We must draw down carbon by 2030 to stave off climate disaster on levels yet unseen." (twitter.com)
  • Rated 96% by League of Conservation Voters (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)
  • "We can no longer bear to see gun violence & mass shootings continue as a norm in America. How many deaths to gun violence could have been preventable with responsible gun safety laws? How many children would still have their mothers? Enough. It’s way past time we act." (twitter.com)
  • Rated 8% by Gun Owners of America (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "And as we continue the fight for #MedicareForAll nationally, did you know that progressives established a key step for M4A here at home & across NYC? It’s true! Guaranteed healthcare is now available to uninsured NYC residents. It’s called NYC Care" (twitter.com)
  • "Every single swing-seat House Democrat who endorsed #MedicareForAll won re-election or is on track to win re-election.Every. Single. One." (twitter.com)
  • "If we had a universal system, the huge sums we pay for their insurance could just go into their pocket in form of potentially $1000s in raises. The answer can’t continue to be subsidizing the ACA more & more as premiums go up & up. It’s single payer healthcare: Medicare for All." (twitter.com)
  • "We need #MedicareForAll." (twitter.com)
  • "I used to work in the food industry. I can’t tell you how many times the people who handle your food - who are already overworked & underpaid - show up sick to work because our country refuses to guarantee healthcare or paid sick leave." (twitter.com)
  • "This is not the time for half measures. We need to take dramatic action now to stave off the worst public health & economic affects. That includes making moves on paid leave, debt relief, waiving work req’s, guaranteeing healthcare, UBI, detention relief(pretrial, elderly, imm)" (twitter.com)
  • "We need to help vulnerable people & small biz now w/ paid leave, extended unemployment, UBI, Medicaid expansion,&mortgage suspensions." (twitter.com)
  • "You deserve paid sick leave, and any multi-billion dollar corporation telling you they “can’t afford it” is wrong." (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)
  • "Abolishing ICE isn’t a radical thing to do, it’s a humane thing to do." (twitter.com)
  • "Gotta love how the same folks who tolerate+ acquiesce to building a medieval wall along the entire US southern border as a (non-evidence based) solution for a “crisis” that doesn’t exist are now suddenly concerned that pursuing a nat’l response to climate change is “unrealistic.” (twitter.com)
  • "What if instead of sending 5k troops to the border, we had sent 5k caseworkers to review + process visa applications? In addition to averting moral crisis, it also would‘ve saved enormous amt of resources. But we don’t talk about the financial recklessness of GOP admins, do we?" (twitter.com)
  • "Activists have put everything on the line to gain the rights we’re thankful for today. These youth are fighting for DREAMers. And we fight for DACA + TPS recipients in step." (twitter.com)
  • "This is a big deal. Standing with all our TPS neighbors today. Stay strong - we will keep fighting for a path to citizenship for all families who’ve built beautiful lives & contributed to our communities to make a home." (twitter.com)
  • "Trump is going after #DACA next. Many US children don't even know they're undocumented. It's time to pass the #DreamAct once and for all." (twitter.com)
  • "Activists have put everything on the line to gain the rights we’re thankful for today. These youth are fighting for DREAMers. And we fight for DACA + TPS recipients in step." (twitter.com)
  • Rated 1% by NumbersUSA (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "This is a big deal. Standing with all our TPS neighbors today. Stay strong - we will keep fighting for a path to citizenship for all families who’ve built beautiful lives & contributed to our communities to make a home." (twitter.com)
  • "Trump is going after #DACA next. Many US children don't even know they're undocumented. It's time to pass the #DreamAct once and for all." (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 6968 “Suspending Energy Imports from Russia Act” (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 7108 "Suspending Normal trade Relations With Russia and Belarus Act" (votesmart.org)
  • 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 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)
  • Rated 17% by National Taxpayers Union (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Oh, and by the way: Tax the Rich." (twitter.com)
  • "Anyways, Tax the Rich" (twitter.com)
  • "Republicans put more strings and means-testing on single parents and struggling mom + pops than they do on multibillion dollar corporations that don’t pay taxes." (twitter.com)
  • "One of the bad faith critiques of climate action is “what about other countries?” Trade deals like the USMCA are 1 of our best opportunities to secure hard commitments on global emission drops.The USMCA lasts *years* & makes ZERO reduction commitments." (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.
Pro-choice Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
Yes In order to balance the budget, do you support an income tax increase on any tax bracket?
Yes Do you support expanding federal funding to support entitlement programs such as Social Security and Medicare?
Supports a top rate of 70% on incomes over $10 million.
Yes Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?
No Do you support the protection of government officials, including law enforcement officers, from personal liability in civil lawsuits concerning alleged misconduct?
No Do you support increasing defense spending?
Yes Do you support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
No Do you support lowering corporate taxes as a means of promoting economic growth?
Yes Do you support providing financial relief to businesses AND/OR corporations negatively impacted by the state of national emergency for COVID-19?
Support for providing financial relief to businesses AND/OR corporations negatively impacted by the state of national emergency for COVID-19, as long as funds are intentionally disbursed to the intended recipient. I do not support small business financial relief that winds up in the hands of Ruth's Chris Steak House and Shake Shack.
Yes Do you support requiring states to adopt federal education standards?
Yes, but in this push, we can't talk about creating standards without talking about increasing education funding, increasing infrastructure funding, and increasing community programs near schools. Education is one of, if not the, most important part about social change.
Yes Do you support government funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, geo-thermal)?
Yes Do you support the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions?
Yes Do you generally support gun-control legislation?
No Do you support repealing the 2010 Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare")?
Yes Do you support requiring businesses to provide paid medical leave during public health crises, such as COVID-19?
No Do you support the construction of a wall along the Mexican border?
No Do you support requiring immigrants who are unlawfully present to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship?
No Should the United States use military force to prevent governments hostile to the U.S. from possessing a weapon of mass destruction (for example: nuclear, biological, chemical)?
Yes Do you support reducing military intervention in Middle East conflicts?
Unknown Position Do you generally support removing barriers to international trade (for example: tariffs, quotas, etc.)?
Our trade policies need to put workers and the environment front and center.
1) Medicare For All Our broken healthcare system made this novel coronavirus exceptionally crippling. As we begin to reopen, we have to ask ourselves what our new normal should look like. If you lose your job, you shouldn't lose your healthcare too. And if you get sick, you shouldn't be put under a mountain of debt. Medicare for All guarantees healthcare to everyone, curbs costs, and improves long-term health. 2)Creating Public Safety Instead of investing in mass incarceration, we need to invest in community and invest in the most vulnerable members of our society.

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