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Ro Khanna's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

Office:

On The Ballot: Running, Democratic for U.S. House (CA) - District 17

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Ro Khanna has failed to provide voters with positions on key issues covered by the 2024 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 2024.

  • Signed Letter to Speaker Pelosi: "As proud members of the first pro-choice majority in the House of Representatives, we unequivocally oppose efforts to roll back access to reproductive health services, including abortion, and underscore the role that these essential services continue to play in this global pandemic. While we are grateful for your leadership and work standing against attempts to further restrict abortion access in COVID-19 relief packages, it is critical that we continue to fight to ensure that any future relief packages reject Republican efforts to diminish access to comprehensive reproductive health care. We must ensure that all communities are able to seek the essential and time-sensitive services they need during these difficult times." (None)
  • "Today's Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade strips Americans of their basic freedom and endangers the health and safety of millions. It strips women of the right to make their own decisions about their bodies and their futures. It hits low-income women, women of color, and women living in rural areas particularly hard. It defies not only 50 years of legal precedent, but also the will of the American people." (None)
  • Voted in favor of HR 8297 "Ensuring Access to Abortion Act of 2022" (votesmart.org)
  • "We shouldn't be privatizing Social Security or cutting it at all - we should be expanding it so that all Americans can live and retire with dignity. I'm proud to be a founding member of the Expand Social Security Caucus." (twitter.com)
  • "If the last year proved anything, it is that universal health coverage is not optional: it's urgent," said Rep. Ro Khanna. "We've seen the power in providing unfettered and uncomplicated access to rapid testing, treatment, and vaccination during the COVID-19 pandemic. As the wealthiest nation on earth, we must extend that kind of coverage to the whole of our health care system. That's why I'm proud to reintroduce this critical legislation and give every state in this nation the power to provide coverage for their residents. This is precisely how bold states like California can take the lead in making Medicare for All a reality." (None)
  • "Medicare Advantage' is just private insurance that profits by denying coverage and the name is being used to trick seniors into enrolling. That's not right," said Rep. Khanna. "This bill will prevent these private insurers from labeling themselves as "Medicare' and allow us to focus on strengthening and expanding real Medicare instead." (None)
  • Voted in favor of S 610 "Protecting Medicare and American Farmers from Sequester Cuts Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5377 "Restoring Tax Fairness for States and Localities Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "I believe that through heavy taxes on the middle class, the income disparity has grown tremendously over the past few decades. The recent Republican Tax Cuts and Jobs Act only served to lessen the amount of taxes that the wealthy have to pay. We must first repeal the TCJA, and then increase the amount of taxes wealthier individuals have to pay. Only then would it be acceptable to support an income tax increase on any bracket." (None)
  • "President Biden proposes no tax increases on 99 percent of Americans. This chart illustrates that, with 154 million Americans, not a single American in the 99 percent is going to pay a dime more. In fact, they are getting a tax cut. We are giving them a tax cut with the child tax credit. We are giving them a tax cut with the earned income tax credit. So the obfuscation on the other side to convince 99 percent of Americans that somehow their taxes are going to go up when President Biden is delivering a tax cut for them is just factually false." (None)
  • Voted in favor of HR 7024 "Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024" (votesmart.org)
  • "I believe that through heavy taxes on the middle class, the income disparity has grown tremendously over the past few decades. The recent Republican Tax Cuts and Jobs Act only served to lessen the amount of taxes that the wealthy have to pay. We must first repeal the TCJA, and then increase the amount of taxes wealthier individuals have to pay. Only then would it be acceptable to support an income tax increase on any bracket." (None)
  • "For too long, the ultra-wealthy have gotten away with paying too little in taxes while the working class have paid their tax bills. We need a wealth tax in this country." (x.com)
  • "Time and again, it has been proven by economists that trickle-down economics do not work for economic growth. I believe that corporations must pay their fair share of taxes and not be as heavy reliant on public subsidies." (None)
  • "Mandate online disclosure of interest groups' independent expenditures. The Supreme Court decision, Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, permits corporations, unions, and other organizations to donate unlimited amounts of money as independent expenditures. To give Americans more oversight and to push back against the increasing influence of special interests, Congress should mandate that campaign finance information be made public on a user-friendly online platform. Implementing a government-run platform that standardizes and streamlines campaign finance data will further the public's interest in electoral transparency and accountability. This platform should include data on campaign contributions and independent expenditures from all sources." (None)
  • "Dark money in politics has created an atmosphere where access to elected officials can be bought. As one of the few candidates who does not take any money from corporations or special interest groups, I will continue to fight to keep dark money out of politics." (None)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1 "For the People Act of 2021" (votesmart.org)
  • "We need to pass the Justice in Policing Act and end qualified immunity." (x.com)
  • "Black and brown people are entitled to the same justice and safety as everyone else in this country," said Rep. Ro Khanna. "Police officers are tasked with preventing, not inciting, violence in our communities. The PEACE Act is an essential step toward building a culture of community safety that prioritizes de-escalation and communication over lethal tactics. Deadly force should never be the first resort for someone overseeing public safety. Grateful for the support from Chairwoman Karen Bass and Chairman Nadler, and to Senator Harris for introducing the PEACE Act in the Senate. I look forward to working with Rep. Clay, the Congressional Black Caucus, Chairman Nadler, and House Leadership to advance the PEACE Act and other meaningful police reforms to the floor." (None)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1280 "George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 2670 "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024" (votesmart.org)
  • "Eisenhower warned us about the military-industrial complex, and it has only grown larger since then. We must stop entering endless wars, we must withdraw our troops from the Middle-East, and we ought to focus our spending on domestic priorities that have long been ignored due to the emphasis placed on defense spending." (None)
  • Voted against HR 7900 "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 3684 "Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "Time and again, it has been proven by economists that trickle-down economics do not work for economic growth. I believe that corporations must pay their fair share of taxes and not be as heavy reliant on public subsidies." (None)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5376 "Build Back Better Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 7301 "Emergency Housing Protections and Relief Act of 2020" (votesmart.org)
  • "The shortage of affordable housing in Santa Clara County is a persistent problem. As housing prices increase, we need to invest in increasing the number of homes that are affordable for everyone," said Rep. Ro Khanna. "We don't just need tech workers to thrive in Silicon Valley, we need all workers to thrive -- that includes firefighters, teachers, and support workers that are at the core of our community in CA-17. We need more developments like Clarendon Street Apartments and Agrihood Santa Clara. I will keep fighting to pass affordable housing legislation in Congress." (None)
  • Voted in favor of HR 8294 "Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2023" (votesmart.org)
  • "While Big Oil is reporting obscene profits this week, American families are struggling to afford gas at the pump. These companies should not be allowed to profit by exporting gas to other countries while we struggle with increased prices here at home," said Rep. Khanna. "My bill will temporarily restrict exports as long as prices are above the average price in 2019." (None)
  • "I'm glad to see the Build Back Better bill pass the House and am grateful to Speaker Pelosi and President Biden for their leadership. This bill should really be called the Pay Less bill because it will help tackle inflation, give working families a tax cut to help pay for things like groceries and gas, and make childcare and prescription drugs more affordable," said Rep. Khanna. "Everything in the bill is paid for by finally making the wealthiest individuals and giant corporations pay their fair share in taxes. With the Build Back Better bill, Democrats are delivering for the American people." (None)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5376 "Inflation Reduction Act of 2022" (votesmart.org)
  • "Now, as a member of Congress, I've spoken to young people across the country and asked them what Democrats can do to make their lives tangibly better. From San Jose to West Virginia, I hear the same answer: Cancel student debt. President Biden has the authority to do this with the stroke of a pen for borrowers struggling to make ends meet. The more forgiveness, the better. It's time to do it, Mr. President. Canceling student loan debt for working- and middle-class Americans is the right thing to do. No one should be prevented from pursuing higher education because they can't afford the financial burden it poses. Furthermore, it makes economic sense: Relief from student debt would help young people buy homes, build wealth and otherwise grow our economy." (None)
  • "Nearly 40% of student loan borrowers didn't finish their degree and now they're being crushed by debt. Canceling student loan debt would be life-changing. This can't wait, @POTUS." (twitter.com)
  • "Mr. Speaker, there are 45 million Americans waiting on the Supreme Court decision to see if their student loans will be forgiven. Let me be clear: We cannot continue the resolution of student loan payments until we make good on our promise to forgive them. If students are having to pay student loans in September, they will then have less money to spend, and it will hurt us and possibly drive us into a recession. Under the Higher Education Act, the President has the authority, and he should exercise that authority to make sure students aren't repaying their loans come this September, regardless of what the Supreme Court does." (None)
  • "The real objective of the voter fraud strategy was suppression of the votes of minorities to achieve a cynical, partisan political outcome. Researchers from U.C. San Diego and Bucknell University measured the consequences of voter ID laws and found that they have a dramatic and discouraging effect on minority turnout. In primaries in states with strict voter ID laws, Latino turnout decreased by nine points, African-American turnout by 8.6 points and Asian-Americans by 12.5 points. Despite these sobering statistics, courts remain divided on voter ID requirements, creating significant voter confusion. A federal judge has twice struck down Texas' voter ID law because it was "enacted with discriminatory intent" and unfairly burdened hundreds of thousands of Hispanic and African-American voters, given that only two instances of fraudulent voting were found in Texas in the preceding decade out of 20 million votes cast. Conversely, though Wisconsin's voter ID law was invalidated after a finding that it would disproportionately disenfranchise working-class Americans and minorities who could not afford photo IDs, that decision was reversed by a federal appeals court just before the 2016 election, making it difficult for hundreds of thousands of Wisconsinites to vote." (None)
  • "The right to vote in this country is sacred, enshrined in the constitution no matter what town you grew up in or race you belong to. Recent elections have provided stark reminders that the kind of voter intimidation legalized in Shelby County v. Holder remains an effective tool in an effort to suppress our right to vote. My CAPAC colleagues and I will continue to work together to restore the Voting Rights Act, ensuring every American can freely exercise their right to vote." (None)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5746 "Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 9 "Climate Action Now Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "As I wrote in an op-ed with former Secretary of State John Kerry, in order to stay competitive in a 21st century economy, we must win the Green race. It has been shown that climate change does play a factor on our economy and in order to stay competitive with China, we must focus on building green infrastructure." (None)
  • "At the same time, we must also commit to the renewable energy economy of the future we desperately require. Only with a moonshot for clean energy can we break free from destructive oil and gas barons who are driving this boom-and-bust cycle and jeopardizing a livable future. We all deserve a greener, cleaner future safe from climate chaos and free from volatile fossil fuels." (None)
  • "We need to stop subsidizing fossil fuel companies. We need this President to keep his promise of no new drilling on public lands. That means no to the Willow project." (None)
  • "Literally, when I was at a town hall with ⁦⁦@chrislhayes & ⁦@AOC on the GND today, Trump signed a permit to start the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline. The difference in visions for our future could not be more stark." (x.com)
  • "The Keystone pipeline spill is just the latest environmental disaster directly related to fossil fuel production. Big oil profits are not worth sacrificing the health of our planet. No more pipelines." (x.com)
  • Voted against HR 21 "Strategic Production Response Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1808 "Assault Weapons Ban of 2022" (votesmart.org)
  • "I support banning AR 15s and a broader assault weapons ban. AR-15's have been used in mass killings such as Sandy Hook, Las Vegas, and Stoneman Douglas. We cannot allow more deaths caused by these dangerous weapons of war." (None)
  • "I support strengthening background checks. The shooter who killed 23 in Sutherland Springs Texas had a domestic violence conviction and had been dishonorably discharged. We need a stronger background check system to prevent weapons from getting into the hands of those who seek to harm others." (None)
  • Voted in favor of S 2938 "Bipartisan Safer Communities Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "The ACA was a step in the right direction, but it does not go far enough in protecting Americans from being bankrupted when they seek out medical treatments. I believe that we must move to a Medicare-for-All system." (None)
  • "I support Medicare for All and remain committed to making it a reality. I supported HR 676, which would guarantee health care for under a single payer system. This would involve removing Big Pharma profits, hospital monopolies and facility fees from the equation, saving nearly $17 trillion in fees." (None)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1425 "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "Truly universal paid sick leave and family and medical leave. Congress must pass Senator Patty Murray's PAID Leave Act, which provides 14 days of paid sick leave and 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave, so essential workers can care for themselves, family members, or dependents, without being required to submit unnecessary paperwork. And we must ensure that President Trump is not allowed to arbitrarily exclude workers to roll back these protections." (None)
  • "I guarantee each of my full-time employees three months paid leave for birth, adoption or family loss. Providing this right to work-family balance should be the minimum standard across our government and for every American." said Rep. Ro Khanna (CA-17). "No employee should be forced to choose between the pursuit of a family and the pursuit of a career. I'm proud to join Representatives Ryan and Haaland in leading by example for federal employees here on Capitol Hill." (None)
  • Voted in favor of HR 6201 "Families First Coronavirus Response Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 3 "Lower Drug Costs Now Act of 2019" (votesmart.org)
  • "I support legislation to allow Medicare to negotiate for more reasonable drug prices. I support legislation that will allow Americans below the age of 65 to buy into Medicare. I am a co-sponsor of HR 3748 which allows Americans to buy into the system, saving them money through reduced fees and premiums." (None)
  • Voted in favor of HR 6833 "The Affordable Insulin Now Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 2 "Secure the Border Act of 2023" (votesmart.org)
  • "I made the point on @FoxNews that we don’t build walls around our homes. We have alarm systems. We need a 21st century tech solution to border security, not a great modern wall." (x.com)
  • Voted against HR 6136 "Border Security and Immigration Reform Act of 2018" (votesmart.org)
  • "Immigration reform is much overdue. There are many undocumented immigrants who simply come here in pursuit of a better life, and we should not punish them for trying to accomplish the American dream. As the son of immigrants, I understand how hard it is to leave your home country, and we should ensure that immigrants who are contributing to our economy are allowed to stay and gain their citizenship." (None)
  • "Give DREAMers legal status right away. In 2012 President Obama implemented a deferred action program, which offered a two-year reprieve from the threat of deportation to young adults. That's a band-aid measure on an issue that is affecting millions of hardworking and law biding residents of this country. Congress needs to give young adults the ability to quickly receive provisional legal status, allowing them to live and work freely in this country, and streamline the process of applying for a green card, permanent legal residency, and finally citizenship." (None)
  • Voted in favor of HR 6 "American Dream and Promise Act of 2021" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 4695 "Protect Against Conflict by Turkey (PACT) Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "At the Munich Security Conference, the United States, Ukraine, and our allies reaffirmed our commitment to defend Ukraine's sovereignty. We are united against Putin and his oligarchs and I support the severe and immediate sanctions President Biden announced today to isolate Russia from the global financial system." (None)
  • Voted in favor of HR 6968 "Suspending Energy Imports from Russia Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5692 "Ukraine Security Assistance and Oversight Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024" (votesmart.org)
  • "Well, Russia should not underestimate the United States' resolve. They should just look at the votes we had over the last week on giving aid to Ukraine. I Voted in favor of those bills every single time. It was about 300 plus members of the House were for Ukraine aid, about 100 or so were not. And the Senate is overwhelmingly for it. So we're going to get the aid to Ukraine. But, you know, this is going to be a big question in the 2024 presidential election." (None)
  • Voted in favor of S 3522 "Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2022" (votesmart.org)
  • "Social media companies must monitor and flag posts from minors inciting violence and report them to law enforcement." (x.com)
  • "I want to talk about the commonsense reforms on guns, but as a representative of Silicon Valley, I feel I also have a duty to talk about some of the role of social media in this massacre." (None)
  • "Frankly, Congress has been asleep at the wheel too long on regulating social media and protecting kids online. This needs to get done. It has bipartisan support and we need to get legislation to @POTUS's desk." (x.com)
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?
The attack on Roe v. Wade is simply dangerous. Legal abortion provides a safe, regulated space where women will be able to have the procedure done properly.
No 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?
I believe that through heavy taxes on the middle class, the income disparity has grown tremendously over the past few decades. The recent Republican Tax Cuts and Jobs Act only served to lessen the amount of taxes that the wealthy have to pay. We must first repeal the TCJA, and then increase the amount of taxes wealthier individuals have to pay. Only then would it be acceptable to support an income tax increase on any bracket.
Yes Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?
Dark money in politics has created an atmosphere where access to elected officials can be bought. As one of the few candidates who does not take any money from corporations or special interest groups, I will continue to fight to keep dark money out of politics.
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?
Eisenhower warned us about the military-industrial complex, and it has only grown larger since then. We must stop entering endless wars, we must withdraw our troops from the Middle-East, and we ought to focus our spending on domestic priorities that have long been ignored due to the emphasis placed on 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?
Time and again, it has been proven by economists that trickle-down economics do not work for economic growth. I believe that corporations must pay their fair share of taxes and not be as heavy reliant on public subsidies.
Yes Do you support requiring states to adopt federal education standards?
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?
As I wrote in an op-ed with former Secretary of State John Kerry, in order to stay competitive in a 21st century economy, we must win the Green race. It has been shown that climate change does play a factor on our economy and in order to stay competitive with China, we must focus on building green infrastructure.
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?
The ACA was a step in the right direction, but it does not go far enough in protecting Americans from being bankrupted when they seek out medical treatments. I believe that we must move to a Medicare-for-All system.
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?
Immigration reform is much overdue. There are many undocumented immigrants who simply come here in pursuit of a better life, and we should not punish them for trying to accomplish the American dream. As the son of immigrants, I understand how hard it is to leave your home country, and we should ensure that immigrants who are contributing to our economy are allowed to stay and gain their 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?
We must work to find a diplomatic resolution to conflicts in the Middle East. We have spent far too much time and have lost far too many American lives fighting in the Middle-East. We must be vigilant in stopping ourselves from getting drawn into any future armed conflicts in the region.
Yes Do you generally support removing barriers to international trade (for example: tariffs, quotas, etc.)?
As Silicon Valley's representative to Congress, I have worked to bring tech jobs to rural areas of the country that were previously left behind by the digital revolution. I have also worked to prevent future involvement in armed military conflicts and curb the executive branch from unilaterally engaging in military conflicts without congressional approval. I also authored a bill giving states greater authority to expand health coverage and move towards a universal healthcare system, pacing the way for Medicare-for-All.

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