Bennie Thompson's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)
Office:
- U.S. House (MS) - District 2, Democratic
On The Ballot: Running, Democratic for U.S. House (MS) - District 2
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.
Bennie Thompson is currently being tested through the 2024 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 2024.
- Voted in favor of HR 8296 "Women's Health Protection Act of 2022" (None)
- "Congressman Bennie Thompson statement on Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe. V Wade: A woman's fundamental health decisions are her own to make, in consultation with her doctor and her loved ones-not be dictated by politicians." (twitter.com)
- Rated 100% by Planned Parenthood Action Fund (None)
- Voted against HR 26 "Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act" (None)
- Rated 100% by National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare (NCPSM) (None)
- "Republicans are trying to cut Social Security and Medicare! House Democrats are working for everyday Americans." (twitter.com)
- "WE WILL NOT CUT SOCIAL SECURITY. WE WILL NOT CUT MEDICARE." (twitter.com)
- Rated 98% by Alliance for Retired Americans (None)
- Voted against HR 6760 "Protecting Family and Small Business Tax Cuts Act of 2018" (None)
- Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
- Voted in favor of HR 1280 "George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021" (None)
- "Happy to see the George Floyd bill pass in the House. We will continue to do our part." (twitter.com)
- "May this verdict be a step forward in the fight for equity and justice for all. May the family of George Floyd be at peace with the juryâs decision." (twitter.com)
- Voted in favor of HR 7120 "George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2020" (None)
- Voted in favor of HR 7900 "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023" (None)
- Voted in favor of HR 2670 "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024" (None)
- Voted in favor of HR 6395 "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021" (None)
- Voted in favor of S 1605 "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022" (None)
- Voted in favor of HR 3684 "Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act" (None)
- "The American Recovery and Reinvestment act ("Recovery Act") is creating jobs and strengthening the economy. It is making a real difference for families, providing new resources to local governments and business, and helping to end the economic free fall that has gripped the country for more than 18 months." (benniethompson.house.gov)
- Voted in favor of HR 2 "Moving Forward Act" (None)
- Homeland Prep News "I am pleased that the White House and Congressional leaders recognize the need for strategic investments in our national security infrastructure to protect the country from the wide range of threats we face, including cyberattacks, domestic terrorism, and climate change. Enactment of the Build Back Better Act will help fortify our cybersecurity posture to defend both government and critical infrastructure networks and make them more resilient. It includes $500 million in new investments to help accelerate the transition of State and local government networks to the .gov domain, for States to improve their ability to hire network defenders, and to modernize our approach to securing Federal networks and growing the cyber workforce. It also increases the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Securityâs ability to help critical infrastructure operators defend industrial control systems, including through the Cybersentry program." (homelandprepnews.com)
- Voted in favor of HR 7688 "Consumer Fuel Price Gouging Prevention Act" (None)
- "Today, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law â one of the most significant laws in recent history." (twitter.com)
- Voted against HR 347 "Reduce Exacerbated Inflation Negatively Impacting the Nation Act" (None)
- "I find the Supreme Courtâs decision to halt President Bidenâs student loan forgiveness plan extremely disappointing. The burden of student debt poses a serious obstacle to students and their families who are attempting to improve their lives and create better futures." (twitter.com)
- Voted in favor of HR 2547 "Comprehensive Debt Collection Improvement Act" (None)
- "Instead of bailing out corporations, why not cancel student loan debt? Tell me your thoughts." (twitter.com)
- "Voting rights are fundamental because they secure all other rights. It remains a core priority of the civil rights community for federal lawmakers to meet this moment & pass legislation to restore & strengthen the Voting Rights Act & safeguard our elections. #RestoreTheVRA #VRA57" (twitter.com)
- Voted in favor of HR 601 "Providing for consideration of (H.R. 4) John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act; providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to (H.R. 3684) Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act; and providing for the adoption of the concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 14); and for other purpose" (None)
- Voted in favor of HR 5746 "Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act" (None)
- Voted in favor of HR 4 "John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021" (None)
- "To create the next generation of clean energy jobs, make our nation more secure and reduce the pollution that causes global warming, Congressman Thompson and Congressional Democrats are committed to investing in our nation's clean energy future. By investing in renewable sources of energy and funding research on the next clean technology breakthroughs, Democrats are fighting to not only increase our national security by reducing our dependence on foreign oil, but create jobs right here in America." (benniethompson.house.gov)
- Did not vote on HR 9 "Climate Action Now Act" (None)
- Voted in favor of HR 4447 "Expanding Access to Sustainable Energy Act of 2019" (None)
- Voted against HR 1 "Lower Energy Costs Act" (None)
- "To create the next generation of clean energy jobs, make our nation more secure and reduce the pollution that causes global warming, Congressman Thompson and Congressional Democrats are committed to investing in our nation's clean energy future. By investing in renewable sources of energy and funding research on the next clean technology breakthroughs, Democrats are fighting to not only increase our national security by reducing our dependence on foreign oil, but create jobs right here in America." (benniethompson.house.gov)
- "Mississippi continues to face tremendous challenges as we confront our health care needs. In fact, all twenty-three counties in the Second District are medically under-served and many citizens are unable to afford health coverage. To help address these challenges Democrats introduce the Affordable Care Act of 2010 to improve the quality of health care and insurance coverage for 315,000 residents. The law extends coverage to 95,000 uninsured residents and allows 16,500 residents with preexisting conditions to obtain coverage just in Mississippi's Second District alone." (benniethompson.house.gov)
- "Congressman Thompson and Democrats believe that too often, insurance companies put insurance company bureaucrats between you and your doctor. The Affordable Care Act cracks down on some of the most egregious practices of the insurance industry while providing the stability and the flexibility that families and businesses need to make the choices that work best for them." (benniethompson.house.gov)
- "Health reform has been the Obama Administration's top domestic priority, driven by concerns about the growing ranks of the uninsured and the unsustainable growth in spending on health care and health insurance. A major goal of the Affordable Care Act of 2010 â the health insurance reform legislation President Obama signed into law on March 23, 2010 â is to put American consumers back in charge of their health coverage and care. Improving access to care and controlling rising costs were seen to require changes to both the financing and delivery of health care. Insurance companies often leave patients without coverage when they need it the most, causing them to put off needed care, compromising their health and driving up the cost of care when they get it." (benniethompson.house.gov)
- "In the first few days of the 112thCongress, with less than eight hours of debate, The House of Representatives voted to chip away at a concrete policy that took more than eighteen months to put together. With the people of the Second District in mind, Congressman Thompson cast a vote against a repeal of the Affordable Care Act." (benniethompson.house.gov)
- Voted in favor of HR 6201 "Families First Coronavirus Response Act" (None)
- Voted in favor of HR 3 "Lower Drug Costs Now Act of 2019" (None)
- "@HouseDemocrats have been fighting nonstop to lower costs for American families. This week, we are passing the #InflationReductionAct â a historic bill to lower health care costs, cut prescription drug prices, and lower the cost of energy." (twitter.com)
- "PASSED! The #InflationReductionAct â a historic bill to lower health care costs, cut prescription drug prices, and lower the cost of energy â will soon be heading to the Presidentâs desk!" (twitter.com)
- Voted in favor of HR 5378 "Lower Costs, More Transparency Act" (None)
- Voted against HR 5525 "Continuing Appropriations and Border Security Enhancement Act, 2024" (None)
- Voted against HR 2 "Secure the Border Act of 2023" (None)
- Voted against HR 5283 "Protecting our Communities from Failure to Secure the Border Act" (None)
- Voted against HR 957 "Denouncing the Biden administration's open-borders policies, condemning the national security and public safety crisis along the southwest border, and urging President Biden to end his administration's open-borders policies." (None)
- Voted in favor of HR 6968 "Suspending Energy Imports from Russia Act" (None)
- Voted against HR 3774 "Stop Harboring Iranian Petroleum (SHIP) Act" (None)
- Voted in favor of HR 340 "Hamas International Financing Prevention Act" (None)
- Voted in favor of HR 7108 "Suspending Normal Trade Relations with Russia and Belarus Act" (None)
- Voted in favor of HR 6833 "Continuing Appropriations and Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023" (None)
- "Our allies are counting on us to protect democracy and help innocent civilians. The quicker Republicans can thaw out the chaos presented in Congress, the quicker Demorcats can begin the bipartisan journey to help Israel, Ukraine, the government funding." (twitter.com)
- "Today, we welcomed President Zelenskyy in the U.S. Congress. He received a standing ovation with a round of applause. We will continue to stand with Ukraine!" (twitter.com)
- Voted in favor of HR 5692 "Ukraine Security Assistance and Oversight Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024" (None)
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-life | a) Do you consider yourself pro-choice or pro-life? | ||
| Yes | b) Should abortion be legal only within the first trimester of pregnancy? | ||
| Yes | c) Should abortion be legal when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape? | ||
| Yes | d) Should abortion be legal when the life of the woman is endangered? | ||
| No | e) Should federal subsidies be prohibited from being used for abortion procedures? | ||
| f) Other or expanded principles | |||
1) SpendingIndicate what federal funding levels (#1-6) you support for the following general categories. Select one number per category- you can use a number more than once.2) TaxesIndicate what federal tax levels (#1-6) you support for the following general categories. Select one number per category- you can use a number more than once.
| Maintain Status | a) Agriculture | ||
| Maintain Status | b) Arts | ||
| Maintain Status | c) Defense | ||
| Slightly Increase | 1) Intelligence operations | ||
| Maintain Status | 2) Military hardware | ||
| Maintain Status | 3) National missile defense | ||
| Slightly Increase | 4) Salary and benefits for active duty personnel | ||
| Maintain Status | 5) Programs to improve troop retention rates | ||
| Maintain Status | 6) Research and development of new weapons | ||
| Greatly Increase | d) Education | ||
| Slightly Increase | e) Environment | ||
| Greatly Increase | f) Homeland security | ||
| Maintain Status | g) International aid | ||
| Greatly Increase | h) Medical research | ||
| Greatly Increase | i) Scientific research | ||
| Slightly Decrease | j) Space exploration | ||
| Maintain Status | k) United Nations | ||
| Greatly Increase | l) Welfare | ||
| m) Other or expanded categories | |||
| Maintain Status | a) Alcohol taxes | ||
| Maintain Status | b) Capital gains taxes | ||
| Maintain Status | c) Cigarette taxes | ||
| Maintain Status | d) Corporate taxes | ||
| Slightly Decrease | e) Gasoline taxes | ||
| Maintain Status | f) Income taxes (low-income families) | ||
| Slightly Decrease | g) Income taxes (middle-income families) | ||
| Slightly Increase | h) Income taxes (high-income families) | ||
| i) Other or expanded categories | |||
| No | 3) Do you support the elimination of the federal estate tax? | ||
| Yes | 4) Do you support requiring the federal budget to be balanced each year? | ||
| Yes | 5) Do you support using government funds in an effort to stimulate and improve the economy? | ||
| 6) Other or expanded principles | |||
| No | a) Do you support privatizing elements of Social Security? | ||
| No | b) Do you support reducing government regulations on the private sector? | ||
| Yes | c) Do you support increasing the federal minimum wage? | ||
| Yes | d) Do you support the ability of workers to unionize? | ||
| Yes | e) Do you support federal funding for job-training programs that retrain displaced workers? | ||
| f) Other or expanded principles | |||
| Yes | a) Do you support increasing the amount individuals are permitted to contribute to federal campaigns? | ||
| Yes | b) Should Congress regulate indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions? | ||
| No | c) Do you support removing all contribution limits on federal campaigns? | ||
| Yes | d) Should candidates for federal office be encouraged to meet voluntary spending limits? | ||
| No | e) Do you support giving the President the power of the line item veto for items concerning appropriations? | ||
| No | f) Do you support limiting the President's ability to define how legislation is applied through the use of signing statements? | ||
| g) Other or expanded principles | |||
| Yes | a) Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes? | ||
| Yes | b) Do you support programs that provide prison inmates with vocational and job-related training and job-placement assistance when released? | ||
| Yes | c) Do you support programs that provide prison inmates with substance abuse treatment? | ||
| Yes | d) Do you support reduced prison sentences for non-violent offenders? | ||
| Yes | e) Do you support mandatory prison sentences for selling illegal drugs? | ||
| f) Other or expanded principles | |||
| No | a) Do you support federal education standards and testing requirements for K-12 students? | ||
| Yes | b) Do you support federal funding for universal pre-K programs? | ||
| No | c) Do you support federal funding for charter schools? | ||
| No | d) Do you support federal funding for K-12 school vouchers? | ||
| Yes | e) Do you support the federal government providing college students with financial aid? | ||
| f) Other or expanded principles | |||
| Yes | a) Do you support enacting environmental regulations aimed at reducing the effects of climate change? | ||
| Yes | b) Do you support international emissions targets aimed at reducing the effects of climate change? | ||
| Yes | c) Do you support allowing energy producers to trade carbon credits under a "cap and trade" system? | ||
| Yes | d) Do you support strengthening fuel efficiency standards on all gasoline and diesel-powered engines, including cars, trucks, and sport utility vehicles? | ||
| No | e) Do you support domestic oil exploration in federally-protected areas? | ||
| Yes | f) Do you support federal funding for the development of alternative energy? | ||
| Yes | g) Do you support the development of nuclear reactors? | ||
| h) Other or expanded principles | |||
| Yes | a) Do you support restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns? | ||
| Yes | b) Do you believe that the Second Amendment guarantees the right of individual citizens to own guns? | ||
| No | c) Do you support allowing individuals to carry concealed guns? | ||
| Yes | d) Do you support a ban on assault rifles? | ||
| e) Other or expanded principles | |||
| Yes | a) Do you support a publicly-administered health insurance option? | ||
| Yes | b) Do you support expanding access to health care through commercial health insurance reform? | ||
| Yes | c) Should the federal government expand eligibility for tax-free medical savings accounts? | ||
| No | d) Do you support monetary limits on damages that can be collected in malpractice lawsuits? | ||
| Yes | e) Do you support relaxing regulations on the importation of prescription drugs? | ||
| f) Other or expanded principles | |||
| Yes | a) Do you support a pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants? | ||
| Yes | b) Do you support decreasing the number of legal immigrants allowed into the country? | ||
| Yes | c) Do you support establishing English as the official national language? | ||
| Yes | d) Do you support the enforcement of federal immigration laws by state and local police? | ||
| e) Other or expanded principles | |||
| Yes | a) Do you support United States military action in Afghanistan? | ||
| Yes | b) Do you support increasing military assistance for Afghanistan? | ||
| Yes | c) Do you support increasing economic development assistance for Afghanistan? | ||
| Yes | d) Should the United States continue to strike suspected terrorist targets in Pakistan? | ||
| Yes | e) Do you support granting aid to countries when it is in the security interests of the United States? | ||
| Yes | f) Should the United States support the creation of a Palestinian state? | ||
| Yes | g) Do you support increasing sanctions on Iran if it continues to defy United Nations mandates? | ||
| Yes | h) Do you support the withdrawal of United States troops from Iraq? | ||
| No | i) Do you support the United States' involvement in free trade agreements? | ||
| j) Other or expanded principles | |||
| Yes | a) Should marriage only be between one man and one woman? | ||
| Yes | b) Do you support allowing openly-gay men and women to serve in the United States military? | ||
| Yes | c) Do you support federal funding for embryonic stem cell research? | ||
| No | d) Should the federal government end affirmative action programs? | ||
| e) Other or expanded principles | |||
| Priorities for emphasis in my next term relate to economic development. I plan to concentrate on measures designed to strengthen the economy, provide economic incentives to stimulate growth in employment opportunities and to propose legislation designed to provide safety nets for employers, as well as employees. I envision accomplishing these priorities without the need for additional funds. Reevaluating current methodology and refocusing monies already budgeted for economic development should suffice. |
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