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Michael Franken's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

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.

Michael Franken has provided voters with clear stances on key issues by responding to the 2022 Political Courage Test.

What is the Political Courage Test?

Iowa Congressional Election 2022 Political Courage Test

Abortion

Pro-choice

Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?

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?

Crime

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

Defense

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?
Unknown Position		Do you support the federal government taking action, beyond those of the Federal Reserve, to alleviate inflation?
"The Biden Admin is building an industrial policy focused on America's future clean energy needs in successive infrastructure, CHIPS, and inflation tempering legislation. Our future will thank us." https://twitter.com/FrankenforIowa/status/1557782374674571265?s=20&t=1EmqS9QD6cR4pj5sjloU5w (twitter.com)
I believe that our financial relief should be targeted to ensure that small business owners and local businesses before being offered to multi national corporations.

Education

Unknown Position		Do you support the forgiveness of federal student loan debt?
Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate’s position.
I believe that this is vitally important given the current climate in which states are moving away from inclusive curriculum.

Elections

Unknown Position		Do you support requiring a government-issued identification in order to vote at the polls?
Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate’s position.

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?

Health Care

Yes		Do you support a government-run (single-payer) healthcare program, such as Medicare-for-All?
"Cap the cost of insulin: Cap insulin prices at $35 a month for every American and protect Medicares ability to negotiate for lower drug prices while extending the prices negotiated to private insurance and pharmacies outside of Medicare as well. #IASen" https://twitter.com/FrankenforIowa/status/1575229419081592832?s=20&t=1EmqS9QD6cR4pj5sjloU5w (twitter.com) "High drug prices are putting too many Iowans at risk. Many skip getting needed prescriptions filled, cut their pills in half, or take them less often than required. To drive down the cost, Medicare needs to do what the Veterans Administration does use its national purchasing power to negotiate prices with drug companies. We have a system in place that works. Lets expand it to benefit everyone." https://frankenforiowa.com/issues/ (frankenforiowa.com)
Yes		Do you support expanding paid family AND/OR medical leave opportunities?
"Cap the cost of insulin: Cap insulin prices at $35 a month for every American and protect Medicares ability to negotiate for lower drug prices while extending the prices negotiated to private insurance and pharmacies outside of Medicare as well. #IASen" https://twitter.com/FrankenforIowa/status/1575229419081592832?s=20&t=1EmqS9QD6cR4pj5sjloU5w (twitter.com) "High drug prices are putting too many Iowans at risk. Many skip getting needed prescriptions filled, cut their pills in half, or take them less often than required. To drive down the cost, Medicare needs to do what the Veterans Administration does use its national purchasing power to negotiate prices with drug companies. We have a system in place that works. Lets expand it to benefit everyone." https://frankenforiowa.com/issues/ (frankenforiowa.com)
Yes		Do you support lowering the cost of prescription drugs?
"Cap the cost of insulin: Cap insulin prices at $35 a month for every American and protect Medicares ability to negotiate for lower drug prices while extending the prices negotiated to private insurance and pharmacies outside of Medicare as well. #IASen" https://twitter.com/FrankenforIowa/status/1575229419081592832?s=20&t=1EmqS9QD6cR4pj5sjloU5w (twitter.com) "High drug prices are putting too many Iowans at risk. Many skip getting needed prescriptions filled, cut their pills in half, or take them less often than required. To drive down the cost, Medicare needs to do what the Veterans Administration does use its national purchasing power to negotiate prices with drug companies. We have a system in place that works. Lets expand it to benefit everyone." https://frankenforiowa.com/issues/ (frankenforiowa.com)

Immigration

No		Do you support requiring immigrants who are unlawfully present to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship?
Unknown Position		Do you support increasing security along the southern US border?
Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate’s position.

National Security

Unknown Position		Do you support economic intervention as a means of resolving international conflicts?
Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate’s position.
Unknown Position		Do you support the U.S. providing increased offensive military aid to Ukraine?
Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate’s position.
The United States military should do everything in our power to prevent/reduce the use of weapons of mass destruction worldwide, and when used it should be an international call to action. We should also support humanitarian action, peacekeepers and civil affairs teams to minimize conflict.

Taxes

Unknown Position		Do you support raising taxes, on any income or on any entity, to promote economic growth?
"Cut middle class taxes: Pass a middle-class tax cut that puts more money in the pockets of working families, while reducing the deficit through fair tax reform that ensures the wealthy and large corporations pay their fair share. #IASen" https://twitter.com/FrankenforIowa/status/1575229408444829696?s=20&t=1EmqS9QD6cR4pj5sjloU5w (twitter.com) "We can pay for any additional costs with a simpler and fairer tax system where every American, including the wealthy and big corporations, pays their fair share. The first step is to eliminate the Trump tax cuts that benefit the wealthiest Americans." https://frankenforiowa.com/issues/ (frankenforiowa.com)

Trade

No		Do you generally support removing barriers to international trade (for example: tariffs, quotas, etc.)?
Decisions regarding international trade are complex, especially regarding tariffs. I strongly believe US based development of goods helps to control cost for domestic consumers and protects from international variables that impact the accessibility of goods. We must also show our dedication to upholding worker safety standards, to ensure human rights equity across the globe.

Legislative Priorities

My top priorities will be to address the major challenges facing our country; the attack on women's reproductive rights, climate change and the over inflated impact of corporations on our political systems. To protect women's rights we must codify Roe v. Wade and eliminate the filibuster. Addressing the climate crisis must be a top priority, but also provides an opportunity to invest in good paying clean energy jobs that protects our agriculture, waterways and moves our infrastructure forward.

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