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Howard Berman's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

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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.
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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.

Howard Berman refused to tell citizens where he stands on any of the issues addressed in the 2012 Political Courage Test, despite repeated requests from Vote Smart, national media, and prominent political leaders.

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 2012.

  • Howard Berman. H Amdt 95. 112th Congress. Prohibiting Use of Federal Funds For Planned Parenthood. Howard Berman voted Nay on 02/18/2011. (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. HR 6099. 110th Congress. Abortion Pain Bill. Howard Berman voted Nay on 12/06/2006. (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. H Amdt 1017. 106th Congress. Abortion Funding Amendment. Howard Berman voted Did Not Vote on 07/20/2000. (votesmart.org)
  • National Organization for Women. 04/18/2012. "On the votes used to calculate its ratings, the National Organization for Women attaches more value to those votes it considers more important. For 2008, the National Organization for Women gave Howard Berman a rating of 100 percent." (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. H Amdt 156. 106th Congress. Overseas Military Abortion Amendment. Howard Berman voted Yea on 06/09/1999. (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. H AMDT 209. 109th Congress. Overseas Military Facilities Abortion Amendment. Howard Berman voted Yea on 05/25/2005. (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. HR 670. 103th Congress. Abortion Counseling Bill. Howard Berman voted Yea on 03/25/1993. (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. H Amdt 436. 104th Congress. Overseas Military Abortion Amendment. Howard Berman voted Yea on 06/15/1995. (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. H Amdt 509. 111th Congress. Prohibiting Federally Funded Abortion Services. Howard Berman voted Nay on 11/07/2009. (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. HR 748. 109th Congress. Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act. Howard Berman voted Nay on 04/27/2005. (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. H Amdt 722. 106th Congress. Oversea Military Abortions Amendment. Howard Berman voted Yea on 05/18/2000. (votesmart.org)
  • Planned Parenthood. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Endorsements. 04/18/2012. Planned Parenthood endorsed Howard Berman in the 2010 general election. (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. H Amdt 882. 106th Congress. Prison Abortion Funding Amendment. Howard Berman voted Did Not Vote on 06/22/2000. (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. Women Leaders Back Berman for Congress. 2 August 2012. "He is an advocate for women's rights and a steadfast supporter of protecting a woman's ability to make personal decisions with her doctor." (www.howardberman.com)
  • Howard Berman. S 403. 110th Congress. Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act. Howard Berman voted Nay on 09/26/2006. (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. H Amdt 643. 106th Congress. Abortion Private Funding Restoration Amendment. Howard Berman voted Yea on 05/20/1998. (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. HR 3682. 106th Congress. Child Custody Protection Act. Howard Berman voted Nay on 07/15/1998. (votesmart.org)
  • NARAL Pro-Choice America. 04/18/2012. "Howard Berman supported the interests of the NARAL Pro-Choice America 100 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • National Right to Life Committee. 04/18/2012. "Howard Berman supported the interests of the National Right to Life Committee 0 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • Family Research Council. 04/18/2012. "Howard Berman supported the interests of the Family Research Council 0 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. HR 3. 112th Congress. Prohibiting Taxpayer Funding of Abortion. Howard Berman voted Nay on 05/04/2011. (votesmart.org)
  • NARAL Pro-Choice America. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Endorsements. 04/18/2012. NARAL Pro-Choice America endorsed Howard Berman in the 2006 general election. (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. H Amdt 187. 105th Congress. Overseas Military Facilities Abortion Amendment. Howard Berman voted Yea on 06/19/1997. (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. HR 3660. 106th Congress. Ban on Partial-Birth/Late Term Abortion. Howard Berman voted Nay on 04/05/2000. (votesmart.org)
  • Planned Parenthood. 04/18/2012. "Howard Berman supported the interests of Planned Parenthood 100 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. Twitter: @RepHowardBerman. 27 March 2012. "Voted in defense of reproductive choice w/ @HouseJudDems.. #WarOnWomen must end. Let's get back to talking about the economy." (twitter.com)
  • Howard Berman. H Amdt 185. 103th Congress. Hyde Amendment. Howard Berman voted Nay on 06/30/1993. (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. Hearing of the House Foreign Affairs Committee - "Afghanistan and Pakistan: Transition and the Way Forward. 27 October 2007. "In 2009, when the Obama Administration took office, I was very encouraged by the President's commitment to providing sufficient resources to our military forces, diplomats and aid workers in Afghanistan, and to renewing our partnership with the civilian leadership of Pakistan. [¦] Let me touch briefly on transition and reconciliation in Afghanistan. I support the President's decision to withdraw all combat troops by 2014, but we must ensure that the gains made after ten years of fighting will not be lost." (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. H Con Res 28. 112th Congress. Removing Troops from Afghanistan. Howard Berman voted Nay on 03/17/2011. (votesmart.org)
  • Peace Action. 04/18/2012. "Howard Berman supported the interests of the Peace Action 38 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • Peace Action West. 04/18/2012. "Howard Berman supported the interests of Peace Action West 38 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. Afghanistan War Powers Resolution. 17 March 2011. "I do think and share my concerns, well articulated by the ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, that it is not responsible to demand a complete withdrawal of our troops from Afghanistan by the end of the year without regard to the consequence of our withdrawal. [¦] Notwithstanding all that, I won't support a call for a full withdrawal until we give the President's strategy additional time, at least through the spring, to show results or, without a responsible withdrawal strategy, to ensure gains made thus far will not be lost." (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. Berman Supports President's Assistance Plan for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Urges Congressional Support for Overall International Affairs Budget. 27 March 2009. "Howard L. Berman, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, today voiced strong support for President Obama's plan to boost civilian assistance efforts in Afghanistan and Pakistan. 'For far too long, we have failed to provide adequate funding for the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development, the civilian national security and stabilization agencies that will be at the forefront of our efforts in Afghanistan. 'President Obama rightly noted that it will take a substantial increase in civilian assistance to ensure lasting stability in Afghanistan. As the President said, this civilian effort should not be short-changed; it is an investment that will pay dividends for years to come in greater security for the United States and the world.'" (www.house.gov)
  • Howard Berman. Expressing Sense Of The house Regarding September 11, 2001. 9 September 2009. "Mr. Speaker, none of us will forget what happened 8 years ago. We will always remember the victims of 9/11 and the loved ones who survived them. We will always honor the first responders who lost their lives that day and those in uniform at home and abroad who risk their lives today and every day to defend America. [¦] We will continue to promote our founding principles of freedom and equality and ensure that the lives lost in pursuit of our ideals are never forgotten." (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. Rep. Berman's Remarks on House Commemoration of September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attacks. 11 September 2008. "Resolution honors the nation's first responders, U.S. armed forces, dedicated diplomats and other government officers and employees who keep this nation safe. [¦] It expresses gratitude to the leaders and citizens of other countries who assisted, supported, and stood by the United States in the aftermath of the attacks; and it honors the nation's first responders, armed forces and others whose valiant efforts did credit to their country, and who continue to help keep us safe. [¦] Al Qaeda remains a serious threat to the United States. In particular, the Al Qaeda leadership that was responsible for ordering the attacks on September 11th has been reconstituted in the tribal areas of Pakistan. From that safe haven, they continue to pose a danger to the world and increasingly threaten our troops in Afghanistan." (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. Rep. Howard Berman Statement on Bin Laden's Death. 1 May 2011. "Osama Bin Laden was an enemy of the United States and the free world, and his death represents a great success in the long fight against terror. Tonight we owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to the brave men and women of our armed forces and our entire intelligence community. Still, the fight against extremism must continue. We now face diffuse, decentralized threats around the world, and we must intensify our efforts if we are to make certain the extremism Bin Laden represented is ultimately defeated." (democrats.foreignaffairs.house.gov)
  • Howard Berman. Video: Afghanistan war debate begins in Congress. 10 March 2010. "Our troops are fighting a complex nexus of terrorist organization which threaten the stability of the Afghan government, and they have demonstrated their ability to strike our homeland. If we withdraw from Afghanistan before the government there is capable of providing a basic level of security for its own people we face the prospect that the Talibans once again will take the reins of power in Kabul and provided safe haven to Al Qaeda. That would be a national security disaster." (youtu.be)
  • Howard Berman. HR 4200. 108th Congress. Defense Department FY2005 Authorization Bill. Howard Berman voted Yea on 05/20/2004. (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. H Amdt 13. 112th Congress. Reducing Navy and Air Force Aircraft Procurement. Howard Berman voted Yea on 02/15/2011. (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. HR 2561. 106th Congress. Defense Department Appropriations bill, FY2000. Howard Berman voted Yea on 07/22/1999. (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. HR 5010. 108th Congress. Department of Defense Appropriations, Fiscal Year 2003. Howard Berman voted Yea on 10/10/2002. (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. HR 3222. 110th Congress. Department of Defense Appropriations, Fiscal Year 2008. Howard Berman voted Yea on 08/05/2007. (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. HR 2642. 110th Congress. Funding for Operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Howard Berman voted Yea on 06/19/2008. (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. HR 1363. 112th Congress. 2011 Department of Defense Budget and Additional Continuing Appropriations. Howard Berman voted Nay on 04/07/2011. (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. HR 5631. 110th Congress. Defense Department FY2007 Appropriations Bill. Howard Berman voted Yea on 06/20/2006. (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. HR 5631. 110th Congress. Department Defense Appropriations Act, FY 2007. Howard Berman voted Yea on 09/26/2006. (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. HR 4939. 110th Congress. Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2006. Howard Berman voted Yea on 06/13/2006. (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. HR 4986. 110th Congress. Defense Authorizations Bill. Howard Berman voted Yea on 01/16/2008. (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. A New Direction: Progress for the American People. 14 August 2012. "Recently signed into law: [¦] MILITARY PROCUREMENT REFORM, to crack down on Pentagon waste and cost overruns, which GAO says amount to $296 billion just for the 96 largest weapons systems, by dramatically beefing up oversight of weapons acquisition, promoting greater use of competition, and curbing conflicts of interest." (www.house.gov)
  • Howard Berman. Howard Berman Rejects House Republican Budget on Foreign Affairs Priorities. 20 March 2012. "The Ryan budget fails to recognize that diplomacy and development are essential to protecting our national security, alongside defense. In his own words, Chairman Ryan sets up a choice: ˜decline as a world power vs. renewed American leadership.' But by viewing the choice exclusively in terms of military spending, he cuts the very resources that would make strong and effective U.S. international leadership a reality." (democrats.foreignaffairs.house.gov)
  • Howard Berman. Rep. Berman Votes To Create Hundreds Of Thousands Of Jobs This Year. 4 March 2010. "Through the Recovery Act, 95% of working Americans continue to see the benefit of one of the largest tax cuts in history in every paycheck. 'My bottom line is creating jobs,' said Rep. Berman. 'We need to get as many Americans back to work as quickly as possible. And we need to do it in a way that gives middle-class families a chance to succeed again. This bill is an important step in our efforts to rebuild our economy.'" (votesmart.org)
  • National Taxpayers Union. 04/18/2012. "Howard Berman supported reasonable tax and spending policies as defined by the National Taxpayers Union 6 percent of the time in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. HR 1836. 107th Congress. Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act, 2001. Howard Berman voted Nay on 05/16/2001. (votesmart.org)
  • Americans for Tax Reform. 04/18/2012. "Howard Berman supported the interests of the Americans for Tax Reform 5 percent in 2007." (votesmart.org)
  • Citizens for Tax Justice. 04/18/2012. "Howard Berman supported the interests of the Citizens for Tax Justice 100 percent in 2006." (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. Rep. Berman Backs Bipartisan Economic Stimulus Plan. 29 January 2009. "Rep. Howard Berman today joined an overwhelming bipartisan majority in the House of Representatives in support of the Recovery Rebates and Economic Stimulus for the American People Act. The legislation will help stimulate the economy, providing tax rebates to 13,300,000 households in California. Congress is determined to move quickly, so that families could receive tax rebates of up to $1,200 per couple, plus $300 per child, as early as mid-May. 'Families in the 28th Congressional District are struggling just to make ends meet, and the economic downturn is only making things worse,' said Berman. 'I'm proud of how Democrats, Republicans and the Bush Administration worked together to craft a plan that will give the economy a much-needed boost, and deliver to families the relief they need right now.' The bill passed today provides a recovery rebate to 117 million families, including 35 million families who work but make too little to pay income taxes and 13 million senior citizens. The broad-based stimulus package will provide tax relief of up to $600 per individual and $1,200 per married couple, plus an additional $300 per child. All told, the bill is estimated to provide an average tax rebate of $887 to California families, save them a total of 11.8 billion across the state, and create new jobs. The legislation also includes tax cuts for small businesses. The bipartisan plan doubles the amount small businesses can immediately write off their taxes for capital investments, and encourages investments in new equipment. Additionally, the plan offers immediate tax relief for all businesses to invest in new plants and equipment by speeding up depreciation provisions, so that firms can write off an additional 50 percent for investments purchased in 2008. 'Small businesses power our economy in California,' noted Berman. 'This bipartisan bill gives these businesses incentive to expand their operations, hire new workers and help our economy get back on track.'" (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. Rep. Berman Votes To Create Hundreds Of Thousands Of Jobs This Year. 4 March 2010. "'This builds on the Recovery Act and our ongoing efforts to create jobs and put our economy on sound footing for the future,' said Rep. Berman. 'I will continue to work to build on the successful start of the 405 carpool lane - funded in part by stimulus money I worked to secure - to bring jobs and infrastructure improvements to our district.'" (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. Rep. Berman Votes to Pass Long-term Economic Plan for America. 29 April 2009. "Today, Rep. Berman voted in favor of a long-term economic plan that puts America on a path towards renewed prosperity and growth.'The plan cuts taxes, cuts the deficit, puts restraints on spending and makes targeted investments in health care, energy and education that will grow the economy and create jobs. [¦] 'This plan will make America stronger and give our people more tools to achieve prosperity.'" (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. Congressman Howard Berman Supports 11th Hour Debt Deal. 1 August 2011. "This is not to say I agreed completely with the final plan. I would have preferred to have voted in support of a balanced approach that included a mix of spending cuts and revenue increases -- an approach that helped turn the deficit into a budget surplus in the 1990s under President Clinton." (votesmart.org)
  • The Club for Growth. 04/18/2012. "On the votes used to calculate its ratings, The Club for Growth attaches more value to those votes it considers more important. For 2010, The Club for Growth gave Howard Berman a rating of 0 percent." (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. HR 5297. 112th Congress. Small Business Lending Fund and Tax Law Amendments. Howard Berman voted Yea on 09/23/2010. (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. HR 1424. 110th Congress. Financial Asset Purchase Authority and Tax Law Amendments. Howard Berman voted Yea on 10/03/2008. (votesmart.org)
  • Americans for Prosperity. 04/18/2012. "Howard Berman supported the interests of the Americans for Prosperity 0 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. Berman Hails Bipartisan Victory for College Students, Prevents Doubling of Student Loan Rates. 29 June 2012. "U.S. Rep. Howard Berman issued the following statement after the Senate and House approved a bipartisan Surface Transportation Authorization Bill that prevents college student loan interest rates from doubling and creates or saves nearly three million transportation and construction jobs. [¦] 'For Los Angeles, this legislation is a major step forward for the Mayor's "30-10" Plan accelerating construction of transit programs in ten years. In our city and throughout our neighborhoods, transportation jobs translate into economic growth and these efforts must continue.'" (www.house.gov)
  • Howard Berman. Rep. Berman Backs Bipartisan Economic Stimulus Plan. 29 January 2009. "The legislation also includes tax cuts for small businesses. The bipartisan plan doubles the amount small businesses can immediately write off their taxes for capital investments, and encourages investments in new equipment. Additionally, the plan offers immediate tax relief for all businesses to invest in new plants and equipment by speeding up depreciation provisions, so that firms can write off an additional 50 percent for investments purchased in 2008. 'Small businesses power our economy in California,' noted Berman. 'This bipartisan bill gives these businesses incentive to expand their operations, hire new workers and help our economy get back on track.'" (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. HR 2488. 106th Congress. Financial Freedom Act of 1999. Howard Berman voted Nay on 08/05/1999. (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. HR 2. 108th Congress. Jobs and Economic Growth bill. Howard Berman voted Nay on 05/23/2003. (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. Rep. Berman Votes To Extend Unemployment Insurance Benefits, Homebuyers' Tax Credit, Business Tax Relief To Stimulate Local Economy. 5 November 2009. "This legislation takes important, immediate steps to help stabilize our small businesses and strengthen our housing market. These efforts are crucial to growing our economy and putting it back on sound footing." (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. Facebook: Notes. 15 April 2010. "There are a lot of provisions that focus on small businesses and following this briefing, my hope is that you will be better informed about the tax incentives, credit stimulus elements, loan programs, procurement opportunities and job creation. And, here's the most important fact you will learn: small businesses must be proactive to benefit from these incentives. [¦] By and large, these reforms will make it possible for small businesses to offer coverage comparable to that of larger firms, enabling you to recruit and retain talented workers." (www.facebook.com)
  • Howard Berman. Issue position: Jobs and the Economy. 24 February 2012. "Small businesses face special problems compared with large businesses: they have tighter profit margins and less room for mistakes, they have less access to credit markets and, even with excellent credit records, many are not getting the loans they need. [¦] So he has cosponsored legislation to increase lending to small businesses, including expanding the ability of credit unions to make small business member loans, and he's supported Small Business Administration lending programs." (www.howardberman.com)
  • Howard Berman. Rep. Berman Outlines Good News For Small Businesses On Health Reform Tax Credit. 17 May 2010. "This is good news for the small businesses in California, which under health reform can get tax credits to cover 35% of the small business's premium costs this year, and 50% beginning in 2014. These businesses are not required to provide health insurance, but many want to in order to retain and recruit good workers. Today, the IRS made it clear that affordable coverage for small businesses is a top priority, and that we will work hard to make sure reform is working for them." (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. Rep. Berman Votes To Create Hundreds Of Thousands Of Jobs This Year. 4 March 2010. "'My number one priority is putting Angelinos back to work,' said Rep. Berman. 'This legislation will help us create hundreds of thousands of jobs this year, and it's fully paid for to make sure that we do not leave the bill for these investments for the next generation.' The HIRE Act includes a payroll tax holiday for businesses that hire unemployed workers, to create some 300,000 jobs, and an income tax credit of $1,000 for businesses that retain these employees. It also includes tax cuts to help small businesses invest, expand, and hire more workers." (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. Rep. Berman Votes To Create Jobs, Provide Emergency Relief For Americans Looking For Work. 16 December 2009. "The bill includes several key initiatives to help America's small businesses create jobs by expanding the federal guarantee for banks that lend to small businesses and eliminating fees on Small Business Administration (SBA) loans. Making small business loans more accessible and affordable can spur the creation of thousands of jobs." (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. HR 1804. 104th Congress. Goals 2000: Educate America Act. Howard Berman voted Yea on 03/23/1994. (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. HR 2300. 106th Congress. Academic Achievement for All Act. Howard Berman voted Nay on 10/21/1999. (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. A Call for $23 Billion Teacher Jobs Fund. 1 May 2010. "Without action from Congress, we're setting up our children and schools for a major crisis. We only have one chance to educate tomorrow's innovators, engineers and entrepreneurs and the key to our economy -- our children! That's why we support a $23 billion teacher jobs fund - for our children's sake and for the sake of a stronger American economy." (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. Issue position: Education. 1 January 2011. "[I] Cosponsored the Keep our PACT Act, legislation that would require Congress to fulfill its commitment to education by fully funding both Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (No Child Left Behind) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). [¦] [I] Signed a letter to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger clarifying that Recovery education funding must be used to prevent teacher layoffs and improve education reform efforts, not to fill state budget gaps in other areas." (www.house.gov)
  • Howard Berman. Issue position: Education. 24 February 2012. "Howard is opposed to deep cuts in education because although they may provide some short-term fiscal relief, they are certain to hurt long-term growth. [¦] Funding for local schools is a critical component of a successful school system." (www.howardberman.com)
  • Howard Berman. HR 1230. 112th Congress. Offshore Leasing Act. Howard Berman voted Nay on 05/05/2011. (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. H Amdt 773. 112th Congress. Ending Moratorium on Deepwater Drilling Rigs that Meet Certain Safety Standards. Howard Berman voted Yea on 07/30/2010. (votesmart.org)
  • Environment America. 04/18/2012. "Howard Berman supported the interests of Environment America 100 percent in 2009." (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. HR 3534. 112th Congress. Offshore Drilling Regulations and Other Energy Law Amendments. Howard Berman voted Yea on 07/30/2010. (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. Issue position: The Environment. 24 February 2012. "Howard strongly supports efforts to protect California's coastline, including opposing oil and gas lease sales and off-shore oil drilling along California's coastline." (www.howardberman.com)
  • Howard Berman. Rep. Berman Fights to Invest in Renewable Energy, Stop Giveaways for Big Oil. 18 January 2007. "Repealing extraneous tax breaks and subsidies to profit-rich oil companies and reinvesting these taxpayer funds in cutting-edge alternative energy technologies is a critical first step toward a path to energy independence. Spurring the development of clean renewable energy and alternative fuels by investing in American ingenuity will create good-paying jobs and a more secure America. [¦] Democrats are committed to a new direction - a long-term approach to reducing our dependence on foreign oil. In last year's State of the Union speech, President Bush promised to end our addiction to oil. Today, Democrats are taking a bipartisan step toward that goal by investing in clean renewable energy and alternative fuels, including cellulosic ethanol, and other cutting-edge technologies. We hope to work with the President to fulfill this crucial promise for the future of America." (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. Facebook: Notes. BP oil spill--Congressional Response Update. 28 June 2010. "Congressional Democrats and I have continued to move legislation and conduct oversight regarding the BP/Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. [¦] I am a cosponsor of the West Coast Ocean Protection Act, H.R. 5213, which would prohibit oil leases off the coast of California, Oregon, or Washington." (www.facebook.com)
  • Howard Berman. Berman, Committee Members Examine Link Between High Oil Prices and U.S. National Security. 22 May 2008. "Americans are literally paying for our country's reliance on imported oil. Global prices reached another record high yesterday and the cost at the pump is worsening. We meet today to examine a potential hidden cost: the impact of our country's oil addiction on our foreign policy and energy security." (votesmart.org)
  • Sierra Club. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Endorsements. 04/18/2012. Sierra Club endorsed Howard Berman in the 2004 general election. (votesmart.org)
  • Sierra Club. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Endorsements. 04/18/2012. Sierra Club endorsed Howard Berman in the 2010 general election. (votesmart.org)
  • Environment America. 04/18/2012. "Howard Berman supported the interests of Environment America 100 percent in 2009." (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. HR 2454. 111th Congress. Energy and Environmental Law Amendments ("Cap and Trade"). Howard Berman voted Yea on 06/26/2009. (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. HR 910. 112th Congress. Energy Tax Prevention Act. Howard Berman voted Nay on 04/07/2011. (votesmart.org)
  • Sierra Club. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Endorsements. 04/18/2012. Sierra Club endorsed Howard Berman in the 2002 general election. (votesmart.org)
  • League of Conservation Voters. 04/18/2012. "Howard Berman supported the interests of the League of Conservation Voters 90 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. A response from Congressman Howard Berman. 27 February 2012. "In addition to defending the vital work of the EPA, we need to continue to push for comprehensive environmental legislation that builds on the work of the Clean Air Act. Last Congress, I was proud to support the American Clean Energy and Security Act, which would have put America on the path of sustainable energy growth and cut green house gas emissions." (greenwave.posterous.com)
  • Howard Berman. Issue Position: Environment. 1 January 2012. "* Global Warming I strongly support goals that promote the reduction of greenhouse gases, the development of renewable energy sources, and the encouragement of tighter fuel economy standards. I am a cosponsor of the Climate Stewardship Act, bipartisan legislation that would limit the combined global emissions of major polluters in the electricity, industrial, commercial, and transportation supply sectors at 2000 levels by 2010. It would create a trading market for allowances to emit global warming gases, harnessing market forces to locate the most cost-effective ways to reduce greenhouse gases and creating positive incentives for steps such as storing carbon in farm soils and improving fuel economy in cars." (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. Issue position: The Environment. 24 February 2012. "Howard supports robust enforcement of the country's key environmental protection laws, including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Environmental Species Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, Toxic Substances Control Act, and Superfund." (www.howardberman.com)
  • Howard Berman. Rep. Berman Supports New Energy Independence Plan. 4 August 2007. "The bills also work to make America a world leader in the fight to end global warming and protect our planet. The efficiency provisions in this bill alone will reduce emissions by as much as 10.4 billion tons through 2030 -- more than the annual emissions of all of the cars on the road in America today. [¦] 'Congress cannot shy away from the fight to curb global warming,' added Berman. 'Our legislation addresses this issue head on and helps make the United States a world leader in the effort to stop global warming and preserve our planet.'" (votesmart.org)
  • Gun Owners of America. 04/18/2012. "In 2010 Gun Owners of America gave Howard Berman a grade of 9." (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. HR 6842. 110th Congress. Repealing Portions of the D.C. Firearm Ban. Howard Berman voted Nay on 09/17/2008. (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. Issue Position: Environment and Energy. 1 January 2012. "* Fought against an amendment to allow loaded guns in national parks." (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. Issue position: Crime. 1 January 2011. "[I] Supported the "Brady bill" ban on assault weapons and many other bills to keep guns out of the hands of criminals." (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. S 397. 109th Congress. Firearms Manufacturers Protection Bill. Howard Berman voted Nay on 10/20/2005. (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. H Amdt 390. 103th Congress. Instant Background Checks for Gun Purchase Amendment. Howard Berman voted Nay on 11/10/1993. (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. HR 1025. 103th Congress. Brady Handgun Bill. Howard Berman voted Yea on 11/10/1993. (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. HR 125. 104th Congress. Gun Ban Repeal Act of 1995. Howard Berman voted Nay on 03/22/1996. (votesmart.org)
  • Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Endorsements. 04/18/2012. Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence endorsed Howard Berman in the 2008 general election. (votesmart.org)
  • Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. 04/18/2012. "Howard Berman supported the interests of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence 95 percent from 1988-2003 (Senate) or 1991-2003 (House)." (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. H AMDT 1156. 110th Congress. Trigger Lock Amendment. Howard Berman voted Nay on 06/28/2006. (votesmart.org)
  • Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Endorsements. 04/18/2012. Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence endorsed Howard Berman in the 2010 general election. (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. HR 2122. 106th Congress. Mandatory Gun Show Background Check Act. Howard Berman voted Did Not Vote on 06/18/1999. (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. HR 4296. 104th Congress. Regulation of Semi-Automatic Assault Weapons. Howard Berman voted Yea on 05/05/1994. (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. HR 2. 112th Congress. Repealing the Health Care Bill. Howard Berman voted Nay on 01/19/2011. (votesmart.org)
  • American Public Health Association. 04/18/2012. "Howard Berman supported the interests of the American Public Health Association 100 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. Facebook: Notes. 17 March 2010. "I voted for the Affordable Health Care for America Act, H.R. 3962, legislation that passed the House of Representatives on November 7, 2009 by a vote of 220-215." (www.facebook.com)
  • Howard Berman. Facebook: Notes. Congressman Berman Votes to Pass Historic Health Insurance Reform Bill in House of Representatives. 19 November 2009. "I voted for the Affordable Health Care for America Act. [¦] This bill will expand coverage by creating a public option insurance plan; prohibit all health insurance companies from discriminating based on patients' preexisting conditions; eliminate lifetime caps on benefit spending; and address disparities for ethnic minorities, women, children, and the poor. [¦] Throughout my career in Congress, I have supported expanding access to health insurance coverage, and I am pleased that the House has taken action on major reform." (www.facebook.com)
  • Howard Berman. Health Insurance Reform Resources Page. 27 February 2012. "Many of you have contacted me to share your thoughts on health insurance reform. On March 21st, I voted for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, H.R. 3590, which passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 219 “ 212 and was sent to President Obama to be signed into law. I also voted for the Health and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, which makes important improvements to the health bill and includes key investments in education. This historic package of legislation will make drastically-needed reforms to our nation's broken health care system, expanding coverage to an additional 32 million Americans." (www.house.gov)
  • Howard Berman. Letter to Speaker Boehner. 1 November 2011. "We write with deep concern about the inclusion of policy riders in FY2012 appropriations legislation. As you know, there is longstanding precedent not to use appropriations bills to enact major changes in national policy, and the bills being reported from Appropriations subcommittees this year violate that precedent. [¦] While not all policy riders are objectionable, many of those included this year are not only controversial but blatantly partisan. Included riders would block the implementation of the Affordable Care Act." (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. Letter to The Honorable Barack H. Obama, President of the United States. 8 July 2011. "We made a commitment to states to support them as a part of the Affordable Care Act in the expansion of healthcare to all Americans. This includes expansion of Medicaid to nearly 17 million new individuals over the next decade. We established incentives for states to find the uninsured made newly eligible for the program by covering their full cost initially and 90% permanently. This proposal would retreat on that promise and undermine the health reform effort that we together worked so hard to achieve." (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. Meet Diane from Valley Village Rep. Berman Cites Her Story As One Reason to Oppose Repealing Health Care Reform. 19 January 2011. "In the statement, Mr. Berman cited a letter he received from Diane, a constituent from Valley Village, whose family is already being helped by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. 'Diane's story, and the thousands like it that have been sent to me, is proof the health care law is making a positive difference in the lives of residents across the San Fernando Valley,' said Congressman Howard Berman. 'Repealing this critical law would not only give power back to the insurance companies to deny care, it would also place people like Diane back into a constant state of uncertainty where families are one illness or one accident away from financial ruin. This is simply not acceptable.'" (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. HR 5281. 112th Congress. DREAM Act. Howard Berman voted Yea on 12/08/2010. (votesmart.org)
  • National Latino Congreso/William C. Velásquez Institute. 04/18/2012. "Howard Berman supported the interests of National Latino Congreso/William C. Velásquez Institute 100 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. HR 4437. 109th Congress. Border Security Bill. Howard Berman voted Nay on 12/16/2005. (votesmart.org)
  • Federation for American Immigration Reform. 04/18/2012. "Howard Berman supported the interests of the Federation for American Immigration Reform 0 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005. 16 December 2005. "Why the FBI is just choosing the cases our congressional offices do, to hold back on providing information and denying immigration benefits, I do not know. [¦] The FBI was totally unable to give any clearance to the people who were coming in. Huge numbers of people were held, detained and kept overnight over a weekend thinking they were just going to file a registration form because the FBI could not get the clearance. That is a scandalous way to treated a number of people who came here as refugees fleeing the tyranny of the ayatollah because our bureaucracy failed to provide the answers." (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. Congressman Howard Berman Introduces DREAM Act 2011. 11 May 2011. "The legislation, which was approved by the US House of Representatives last year, provides qualifying young immigrants the opportunity to earn citizenship and pursue their dreams of positively contributing to America's economy and security. [¦] Last year when the DREAM Act passed in the House of Representatives we got closer than ever to finally removing the obstacles in our broken immigration system that prevent bright, young students here in America from pursuing higher education, serving in the military, seeking legitimate employment, and achieving American citizenship." (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. Kolbe & Berman to Offer Guest Worker Amendment. 9 December 2005. "'If we don't pass comprehensive immigration reform, we are conning the American people who have a legitimate right to be angry over the federal government's inability to solve this problem,' said Rep. Berman. 'The Kolbe-Berman amendment fills the gaping hole in the Sensenbrenner bill in a logical, realistic way that will reduce border crossings.' The Kolbe-Berman amendment maintains the enforcement and security provisions in the Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act. [¦] The provisions added include: [¦] Creates a public-private foundation under the USCIS Office of Citizenship to support programs that promote citizenship and to fund civics and English language instruction for immigrants." (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. Letter to Janet Napolitano, Secretary, Homeland Security and Eric H. Holder, Jr., Attorney General. 27 September 2011. "We applaud the August 18, 2011 announcement that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) plans to close many low-priority immigration deportation proceedings. We especially commend DHS for stating that it will consider the family ties of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people as a factor in determining cases that merit relief from deportation, including for gay and lesbian foreign nationals who are the spouses and partners of U.S. citizens and permanent residents." (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. Berman Speaks Out Against The HALT Act. 14 July 2011. "Yesterday, Mr. Smith introduced the HALT Act, a bill that he claims will take away President Obama's ability to offer a 'backdoor amnesty'. [¦] The fact is that it is only in the absence of real reform that Presidents have used the tools and powers of the executive branch to inject some modicum of fairness and humanity into this broken system."
  • Howard Berman. Letter To The Honorable President Obama, Majority Leader Reid, Speaker Pelosi, Chairman Schumer, And Chairwoman Lofgren. 9 February 2010. "Currently, U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents may sponsor their spouses (and other immediate family members) for immigration purposes. But, same-sex partners committed to spending their lives together are not recognized as "families" under U.S. immigration law and thus do not have this same right. As a result, tens of thousands of binational families are either already living separately, face imminent separation, or have left the U.S. entirely in order to remain together. This is unacceptable, and we believe comprehensive immigration reform legislation must include a strong family reunification component inclusive of LGBT families." (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. Pelosi, Nadler, 130 House Members File Amicus Brief on Federal Case Against DOMA. 10 July 2012. "But a clearly stated purpose and effect of this law was to disapprove of and disadvantage lesbians and gay men; this distinguishes DOMA from a routine act of Congress. Where, as here, Congress classifies persons, denying an entire class of citizens the rights that are afforded others, the Supreme Court has applied rational basis review to invalidate those laws. None of the reasons provided by Congress in 1996 or created in response to litigation rationally serve a legitimate federal interest." (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. HR 2965. 112th Congress. Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act. Howard Berman voted Yea on 12/15/2010. (votesmart.org)
  • American Family Association. 04/18/2012. "Howard Berman supported the interests of the American Family Association 0 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • Human Rights Campaign. 04/18/2012. "Howard Berman supported the interests of the Human Rights Campaign 100 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. HR 3685. 110th Congress. Sexual Orientation Employment Nondiscrimination Act (ENDA). Howard Berman voted Yea on 11/07/2007. (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. H J Res 88. 110th Congress. Same-Sex Marriage Resolution. Howard Berman voted Nay on 07/18/2006. (votesmart.org)
  • American Civil Liberties Union. 04/18/2012. "Howard Berman supported the interests of the American Civil Liberties Union 100 percent in 2006." (votesmart.org)
  • Family Research Council. 04/18/2012. "Howard Berman supported the interests of the Family Research Council 0 percent in 2006." (votesmart.org)
  • Traditional Values Coalition. 04/18/2012. "Howard Berman supported the interests of the Traditional Values Coalition 14 percent in 2006" (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. Facebook: Wall. 6 October 2011. "Did you know that same-sex couples who are legally married under California law are not given clear guidance from the IRS on filing their Federal taxes? [¦] This is unfair, these couples are simply trying to do the right thing. I joined my colleagues in sending a letter to the Commissioner of the IRS asking them to review their current system and correct these inequities." (www.facebook.com)
  • Howard Berman. Rep. Berman Opposes Move to Write Discrimination Into the Constitution. 19 July 2006. "Rep. Howard Berman voted against the Federal Marriage Amendment. [¦] 'The Federal Marriage Amendment would have written discrimination into our founding document. The fact that there are even more votes against the amendment this time around goes to show that more and more people have come to understand this.'" (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. Hearing of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs - "New Beginnings: Foreign Policy Priorities in the Obama Administration". 22 April 2009. "The United States has an enormous stake in the stability and security of Pakistan. We can't allow al Qaeda or any other terrorist group that threatens our national security to operate with impunity in the tribal regions." (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. Hearing Of The House Committee On Foreign Affairs - "U.S. Strategy In Afghanistan -- Part II". 10 December 2009. "The President and his team have made it very clear that our efforts to degrade the Taliban and defeat al Qaeda cannot stop at the Durand Line. Indeed, nearly all of the jihadi groups operating in Pakistan and Afghanistan -- al Qaeda, the Pakistani Taliban, the Afghan Taliban, the Haqqani network, LET, and others -- have joined together in an extended terrorist network that shares the same goals, including destabilizing Afghanistan and destroying the Pakistani state." (votesmart.org)
  • Alliance for Retired Americans. 04/18/2012. "Howard Berman supported the interests of the Alliance for Retired Americans 100 percent in 2008." (votesmart.org)
  • Howard Berman. New Calculator Shows Dangerous Cost of Privitizing Social Security. 7 March 2005. "U.S. Rep. Howard Berman today expressed concern over proposals to privatize Social Security and unveiled a new feature on his website designed to demonstrate how much the people of California could lose under privatization. The GOP privatization proposal means benefit cuts of up to 46 percent in the years to come. Rep. Berman's new calculator will help people in California learn how this plan will affect them. According to the Center on Economic and Policy Research, under current proposals being considered to privatize Social Security, an average worker in their early 20s entering the workforce today would loose an estimated $152,000 in benefits over their lifetime. Rep. Berman's Social Security calculator compares annual benefits under the current Social Security program with that of benefits under the plan favored by President Bush and most Congressional Republicans to privatize the system. The web calculator determines expected losses in Social Security benefits based on individuals' age and annual income. Expected outcomes are based on inflation rates as suggested by the Congressional Budget Office's (CBO) economic assumptions. 'Social Security is facing a challenge, not a crisis,' said Rep. Berman. 'There are many people in our district alone who rely on Social Security benefits. These are not just retired Americans, but also people with disability and those who have lost a parent. Instead of privatizing and enacting a plan that will gamble benefits in the stock market we should be working on a plan to make Social Security solvent for the long term.'" (votesmart.org)

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