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Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

Office:

U.S. House (FL) - District 20, Democratic

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.

Is Cherfilus-McCormick voting like she said she would?

Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick has provided voters with clear stances on key issues by responding to the 2022 Political Courage Test.

What is the Political Courage Test?

Florida Congressional Election 2022 Political Courage Test

Abortion

Pro-choice		Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
I support a woman's right choice and I strongly believe in solidifying Roe legislatively after it's removal by the Supreme Court.

Budget

Yes

Do you support expanding federal funding to support social safety net programs such as Social Security and Medicare?

Campaign Finance

Yes		Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations,unions, and individuals?
Giant corporations shouldn't run our democracy, the people should.

Crime

Yes

Do you support the protection of government officials, including law enforcement officers, from personal liability in civil lawsuits concerning alleged misconduct?

Defense

Yes

Do you support increasing defense spending?

Economy

Yes		Do you support federal spending 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?
Yes		Do you support the federal government taking action, beyond those of the Federal Reserve, to alleviate inflation?
"Another Transformative Bill. The Inflation Reduction Act will lower families kitchen table costs, create millions of good-paying jobs, delivering the most significant action on climate in history, and dramatically reduce the deficit. Let's get this done." https://twitter.com/CongresswomanSC/status/1558181204914044931?s=20&t=wDdr6HXOBDumWE9BjtG94g (twitter.com) "@HouseDemocrats are waging an all-out fight against global inflation and working to lower costs for American families. No country is better positioned than America to bring down inflation, without giving up all of the economic gains we have made over the last 18 months." https://twitter.com/CongresswomanSC/status/1545547031577493504?s=20&t=wDdr6HXOBDumWE9BjtG94g (twitter.com) Signed Letter to Leader Schumer: "During the COVID-19 pandemic, the child care industry has faced numerous and steep challenges in their work to adequately serve the population most affected by the pandemic. Families were forced to choose between staying home to care for their children or returning to the workforce and relying on inefficient or scarce alternatives. Furthermore, as inflationary pressures increase and families face rising child care prices, this proposal will allow parents, families, and child care workers to offset part of that burden. The funding will allow those parents who have been unable to rejoin the workforce an opportunity to continue their careers, make sure that their children are adequately cared for, and support the existing child care workforce." https://justfacts.votesmart.org/public-statement/1621683/letter-to-chuck-schumer-senate-majority-leader-and-nancy-pelosi-speaker-of-the-house-making-bold-investments-in-affordable-child-care-for-families (justfacts.votesmart.org) Voted in favor of HR 5376 "Inflation Reduction Act of 2022" https://votesmart.org/bill/31958/87785/182285/inflation-reduction-act-of-2022#87785 (votesmart.org)
During the economic crisis, it is important to support businesses in order to save jobs in the middle class that will be lost due to the failing economy at the time.

Education

Yes		Do you support the forgiveness of federal student loan debt?
Signed Letter to President 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.10 Black students in particular borrow more to attend college, borrow more often while they are in school, and have a harder time paying their debt off than their white peers.11 They are more than three times as likely to go into default within four years on their federal loans as white borrowers12 and face wage garnishment, tax refund withholding, and federal benefit offsets. 13 While Latino borrowers often have lower loan balances than their white peers, they are more likely to struggle in repaying their loans, and have some of the lowest post-education earnings among all racial or ethnic groups." https://justfacts.votesmart.org/public-statement/1610814/letter-to-joseph-r-biden-jr-president-of-the-united-states-extend-the-payment-pause-and-cancel-student-debt (justfacts.votesmart.org) Signed Letter to President Biden: "In roughly 35 days, on September 1, 2022, tens of millions of federal student loan borrowers are scheduled to resume payments. Despite repeated reports and surveys concerning whether borrowers will be able to pay,1 we understand the Administration is considering restarting student loan payments at the end of August.2 We write today to urge you to extend the pause on student loan payments, given the numerous economic issues facing borrowers across the nation, as well as administrative actions in process by the Department of Education. For over two years, the Department has provided critical flexibility to millions of federal student loan borrowers by pausing payments, as many have struggled during the COVID-19 pandemic. This much needed pause has helped many borrowers to keep a roof over their heads, secure childcare, and purchase food, health care, and medicine during the course of a pandemic responsible for the deaths of more than 1 million people in the U.S.3 For the first time, many borrowers have had the opportunity to pay down debt, open a savings account, purchase a home, and save for retirement--none of which would have been possible without the payment pause." https://justfacts.votesmart.org/public-statement/1624006/letter-to-joseph-biden-president-of-the-united-states-and-miguel-cardona-secretary-of-education-urging-biden-administration-to-extend-student-loan-payment-pause (justfacts.votesmart.org)

Elections

Unknown Position		Do you support requiring a government-issued identification in order to vote at the polls?
"We will not standby while our voting rights are under attack by the far-right. Congress must pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act." https://www.sheilafordistrict20.com/copy-of-contact (www.sheilafordistrict20.com)

Energy and Environment

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?

Guns

Yes		Do you generally support gun-control legislation?
We need to solve the gun crisis in the United States. There are too many senseless deaths because of the lack of gun control, even in basic terms such as stronger background checks.

Health Care

Yes		Do you support a government-run (single-payer) healthcare program, such as Medicare-for-All?
"This legislation will ensure that Floridians with diabetes pay no more than $35 for their lifesaving insulin each month. My constituents in Florida's 20th Congressional District feel the effects of rising out-of-pocket costs for their insulin. This bill provides them with appropriate relief at a time when families are struggling to make ends meet." https://justfacts.votesmart.org/public-statement/1594336/access-to-lifesaving-medication (justfacts.votesmart.org) Voted in favor of HR 6833 "The Affordable Insulin Now Act" https://votesmart.org/bill/32480/84891/182285/the-affordable-insulin-now-act#84891 (votesmart.org)
Yes		Do you support expanding paid family AND/OR medical leave opportunities?
"This legislation will ensure that Floridians with diabetes pay no more than $35 for their lifesaving insulin each month. My constituents in Florida's 20th Congressional District feel the effects of rising out-of-pocket costs for their insulin. This bill provides them with appropriate relief at a time when families are struggling to make ends meet." https://justfacts.votesmart.org/public-statement/1594336/access-to-lifesaving-medication (justfacts.votesmart.org) Voted in favor of HR 6833 "The Affordable Insulin Now Act" https://votesmart.org/bill/32480/84891/182285/the-affordable-insulin-now-act#84891 (votesmart.org)
Yes		Do you support lowering the cost of prescription drugs?
"This legislation will ensure that Floridians with diabetes pay no more than $35 for their lifesaving insulin each month. My constituents in Florida's 20th Congressional District feel the effects of rising out-of-pocket costs for their insulin. This bill provides them with appropriate relief at a time when families are struggling to make ends meet." https://justfacts.votesmart.org/public-statement/1594336/access-to-lifesaving-medication (justfacts.votesmart.org) Voted in favor of HR 6833 "The Affordable Insulin Now Act" https://votesmart.org/bill/32480/84891/182285/the-affordable-insulin-now-act#84891 (votesmart.org)

Immigration

Unknown Position		Do you support increasing security along the southern US border?
"Our immigration policy is unsustainable, inhumane, and counterproductive. It's time for Congress to pass a sustainable long term bill, creating a clear Pathway to Citizenship." https://www.sheilafordistrict20.com/copy-of-contact (www.sheilafordistrict20.com)
No		Do you support requiring immigrants who are unlawfully present to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship?
"Our immigration policy is unsustainable, inhumane, and counterproductive. It's time for Congress to pass a sustainable long term bill, creating a clear Pathway to Citizenship." https://www.sheilafordistrict20.com/copy-of-contact (www.sheilafordistrict20.com)

National Security

Unknown Position		Do you support economic intervention as a means of resolving international conflicts?
"This week, the House will further support Ukraine with: ?Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act: to help the U.S. send weapons & supplies to Ukraine more efficiently ?Asset Seizure for Ukraine Reconstruction Act: to seize & sell assets of Putins cronies to help Ukraine" https://twitter.com/CongresswomanSC/status/1519678144646721538?s=20&t=wDdr6HXOBDumWE9BjtG94g (twitter.com) Voted in favor of S 3522 "Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2022" https://votesmart.org/bill/32588/85238/182285/ukraine-democracy-defense-lend-lease-act-of-2022#85238 (votesmart.org)
Yes		Do you support the U.S. providing increased offensive military aid to Ukraine?
"This week, the House will further support Ukraine with: ?Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act: to help the U.S. send weapons & supplies to Ukraine more efficiently ?Asset Seizure for Ukraine Reconstruction Act: to seize & sell assets of Putins cronies to help Ukraine" https://twitter.com/CongresswomanSC/status/1519678144646721538?s=20&t=wDdr6HXOBDumWE9BjtG94g (twitter.com) Voted in favor of S 3522 "Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2022" https://votesmart.org/bill/32588/85238/182285/ukraine-democracy-defense-lend-lease-act-of-2022#85238 (votesmart.org)

Taxes

Unknown Position		Do you support raising taxes, on any income or on any entity, to promote economic growth?
"Big corporations have spent decades exploiting the system to avoid paying their fair share in taxes. The #InflationReductionAct will crack down on wealthy tax cheats and use that money to lower costs for families." https://twitter.com/CongresswomanSC/status/1557429011055316993?s=20&t=wDdr6HXOBDumWE9BjtG94g (twitter.com)

Trade

Yes		Do you generally support removing barriers to international trade (for example: tariffs, quotas, etc.)?
It's neither a yes nor a no, it is a case-by-case basis.

Legislative Priorities

Continue to push for the $1,000 a month, strongly advocate for the passage of the For The People Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, and the expansion of the Affordable Care Act.

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