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Katherine Clark's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

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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.

Katherine Clark did not provide voters with positions on key issues covered by the 2022 Political Courage Test, despite repeated requests from Vote Smart and voters like you.

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 2022.

  • "5 Supreme Court Justices, appointed by Presidents who lost the popular vote & confirmed by 50 Senators who represent less than half the country, are poised to overturn #Roe, despite the fact that Americans in every single state support the right to abortion. #AbolishTheFilibuster" (twitter.com)
  • Rated 100% by Planned Parenthood Action Fund (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "There is nothing spookier this season then having the fate of abortion rights lie in the hands of the Supreme Court. It’s time to codify Roe v. Wade and protect reproductive freedom." (twitter.com)
  • "This is devastating. Overturning #Roe would create a second class of citizens & make the dystopian horrors of forced pregnancy a reality, especially for low-income women. But that is exactly the goal: to take away our rights, agency, and humanity. We will not go quietly." (twitter.com)
  • "If they can afford to buy Twitter, they can afford to pay their fair share in taxes. RT if you’re ready for @potus’ Billionaire Minimum Income Tax." (twitter.com)
  • "In a year when everyday Americans experienced so much loss, billionaires got $1.8 trillion richer. It’s time for those at the top to pay their fair share and for working families to receive one of the biggest tax cuts in U.S. history. This is how we #BuildBackBetter." (twitter.com)
  • "Teachers and firefighters pay their fair share in taxes. So should billionaires. That's the #BidenBudget." (twitter.com)
  • Rated 100% by Alliance for Retired Americans (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Rated 100% by National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Social Security ensures Americans can retire with dignity—that’s why I’m a proud founding member of the #ExpandSocialSecurity Caucus." (twitter.com)
  • "Campaign finance reform is at the center of it all. We have to make sure we are working for you and not special interests, and there’s a disconnect. We just need the political will and courage to shake things up." (twitter.com)
  • Rated 87% by Common Cause (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 1 "For the People Act of 2021" (votesmart.org)
  • "Ending qualified immunity means that Black Americans can receive justice after traumatic moments like these. Our neighbors should not be harassed for simply being themselves. We need #JusticeInPolicing now!" (twitter.com)
  • "Our policing laws have traumatized Black communities and shielded law enforcement. That's not justice. That's unchecked power. The #JusticeinPolicingAct removes qualified immunity for police officers so that when they do wrong they're held accountable." (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 1280 "George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021" (votesmart.org)
  • "Trump’s #InfrastructureScam fails to address the biggest obstacle to rebuilding our crumbling roads and bridges: adequate funding. Let's invest in good jobs and make our roads and bridges safer—without making cash-strapped communities foot the bill." (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 2 "Moving Forward Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 5376 "Build Back Better Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "We need to invest in people. #BuildBackBetter" (twitter.com)
  • "Just last year 55 of the largest corporations paid ZERO dollars in federal income taxes on over $40 billion of profits. It’s time for the wealthy and well-connected to pay their fair share and for working families to get a fair shake." (twitter.com)
  • "The American people pay their fair share in taxes. It's long past time for corporations to do the same." (twitter.com)
  • "You pay your taxes. Billionaires and mega-corporations should too." (twitter.com)
  • "Restaurants are hubs of culture and community. They keep us fed, create jobs, and brighten up our main streets. It’s up to us to stand up for them and their dedicated workers. We must replenish the Restaurant Revitalization Fund." (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 1319 "American Rescue Plan Act of 2021" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 266 "Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "Public education is the bedrock of our democracy. In partnership with @SecCardona, we’re working to create an education budget that puts young people on a path toward success by strengthening early education, expanding access to mental health services & valuing our LGBTQ+ kids." (twitter.com)
  • Rated 100% by National Education Association (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "This bill improves on the deeply flawed No Child Left Behind by empowering teachers and protecting resources for schools in underserved communities. It ensures accountability and equality of access while reducing reliance on high stakes tests. It supports critical trauma-informed education for students living with toxic stress and violence. For the first time, we have a bill that invests in early learning with Preschool Development Grants. While not perfect, this legislation brings us closer to our fundamental promise to every child -- that every child gets a fair shot at their dream." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Rated 100% by League of Conservation Voters (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 4447 "Expanding Access to Sustainable Energy Act of 2019" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 9 "Climate Action Now Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "We need to stop stalling and immediately get serious about clean energy solutions. Our future depends on it." (twitter.com)
  • "Methane is a dangerous greenhouse gas 84x more powerful than carbon dioxide. Today, we ended Trump's deregulation of methane — because tackling #climatechange must be at the top of our agenda. #CutMethane #BuildBackBetter #ClimateAction" (twitter.com)
  • Rated 100% by League of Conservation Voters (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "The #BuildBackBetterAct is going to lower energy bills AND carbon emissions. Good for our economy and good for our planet — let’s get it done." (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 9 "Climate Action Now Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "As a mom, as a Congresswoman, and as an American, I refuse to accept inaction when it comes to the fight against gun violence. Will you join me in calling for Republican action? #EndGunViolence #GunViolenceAwarenessMonth" (twitter.com)
  • Rated 100% by Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 1446 "Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2021" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 8 "Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021" (votesmart.org)
  • "#ACA IS HERE TO STAY! Now, let’s go bigger and bolder." (twitter.com)
  • "Because of the #ACA, being a woman is no longer a pre-existing condition. 11 yrs after passage, we celebrate women's access to expanded maternity care, contraception & much more. We've come a long way and we're not turning back now. #AffordableCareAct #ProtectOurCare" (twitter.com)
  • "#Update: Most Americans want the GOP to work w/ Democrats to improve #ACA, and to stop drafting secret bills that sabotage their healthcare." (twitter.com)
  • "Child care. Paid Leave. Pay equity. Raising the minimum wage. That's how we recover and rebuild an economy that works for everyone, especially the women and women of color who are feeling the most economic pain from the pandemic. That's our path forward." (twitter.com)
  • "Every worker and family should have access to paid leave. It's about dignity and respect, not profits over people. End of discussion." (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 6201 "Families First Coronavirus Response Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "Democrats are very serious about border security. But we are not willing to spend $5 bil on a wall that isn’t supported by facts or a plan." (twitter.com)
  • "President Trump needs to start listening to the American people and working with Congress on real solutions -- instead of obsessing over his ridiculous wall. #FakeEmergency" (twitter.com)
  • "The #NationalEmergency is a sham. The wall was never about security. It's a political applause line the President uses to stoke anti-immigrant sentiment. While his moral authority has always been in question, he is now violating Article 1 of the Constitution. #FakeTrumpEmergency" (twitter.com)
  • "7 yrs ago #DACA gave #Dreamers who serve in our military, teach in our schools & attend our universities a pathway to citizenship. In June, @HouseDemocrats passed the #DreamAndPromiseAct. It's time for the Senate to act & ensure that the doors of opportunity are open to all." (twitter.com)
  • "#Dreamers were brought to this country as kids and know no other home. #TPS recipients deserve permanent status. Congress has a responsibility to those who call this country home yet lack a pathway to citizenship." (twitter.com)
  • "Three-fourths of undocumented immigrants in the labor force are classified as essential. They could also contribute $149 BILLION in spending power each year if they became US citizens. Citizenship isn’t just a moral issue; it’s an economic one. #ImmigrantsSustainUS #WeAreHome" (twitter.com)
  • "7 yrs ago #DACA gave #Dreamers who serve in our military, teach in our schools & attend our universities a pathway to citizenship. In June, @HouseDemocrats passed the #DreamAndPromiseAct. It's time for the Senate to act & ensure that the doors of opportunity are open to all." (twitter.com)
  • "#Dreamers were brought to this country as kids and know no other home. #TPS recipients deserve permanent status. Congress has a responsibility to those who call this country home yet lack a pathway to citizenship." (twitter.com)
  • Rated 0% by NumbersUSA (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Three-fourths of undocumented immigrants in the labor force are classified as essential. They could also contribute $149 BILLION in spending power each year if they became US citizens. Citizenship isn’t just a moral issue; it’s an economic one. #ImmigrantsSustainUS #WeAreHome" (twitter.com)
  • "Too many Americans, like my sons, have never known an America that wasn’t engaged in war. That has to stop. Today, I voted to #StopEndlessWar and protect US lives by limiting the President’s military actions regarding Iran and rescinding the 2002 #AUMF. #NoWarwithIran" (twitter.com)
  • Rated 0% by Center for Security Policy (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 256 "To Repeal the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of S J Res 37 "Directing the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities in the Republic of Yemen that have not been authroized by Congress" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 5430 "United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "We need thoughtful discussion and dialogue when it comes to trade - not policy by #tweet" (twitter.com)
  • Rated 100% by Public Citizen (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 8351 "Formula Act" (votesmart.org)
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.
The Political Courage Test asks candidates which items they will support if elected. It does not ask them to indicate which items they will oppose. Through extensive research of public polling data, we discovered that voters are more concerned with what candidates would support when elected to office, not what they oppose. If a candidate does not select a response to any part or all of any question, it does not necessarily indicate that the candidate is opposed to that particular item.

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding abortion.

a) Abortions should always be illegal.
X b) Abortions should always be legal.
c) Abortions should be legal only within the first trimester of pregnancy.
d) Abortions should be legal when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape.
e) Abortions should be legal when the life of the woman is endangered.
f) Prohibit public funding of abortions and of organizations that advocate or perform abortions.
g) Other or expanded principles

State Budget: Indicate the funding levels (#1-6) you will support for the following general categories. Select one level per category.State Taxes: Indicate the tax levels (#1-6) you will support. Select one level per tax.

Greatly Increase a) Education (Higher)
Greatly Increase b) Education (K-12)
Slightly Increase c) Environment
Greatly Increase d) Health care
Slightly Increase e) Law enforcement
Slightly Increase f) Transportation and highway infrastructure
Slightly Increase g) Welfare
h) Other or expanded categories
Maintain Status a) Alcohol taxes
Maintain Status b) Capital gains taxes
Slightly Increase c) Cigarette taxes
Slightly Increase d) Corporate taxes
Maintain Status e) Estate taxes
Slightly Decrease f) Gasoline taxes
Maintain Status g) Income taxes (incomes below $75,000)
Maintain Status h) Income taxes (incomes above $75,000)
Slightly Decrease i) Property taxes
Slightly Increase j) Sales taxes
Maintain Status k) Vehicle taxes
l) Other or expanded categories
m) Should Internet sales be taxed?
n) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding campaign finance and government reform.c) Do you support limiting the following types of contributions to state legislative and gubernatorial candidates?Auto Insurance Reform: Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding auto insurance reform.

a) Do you support limiting the number of terms for Massachusetts governors?
No b) Do you support limiting the number of terms for Massachusetts state senators and representatives?
Yes 1) Individual
Yes 2) PAC
Yes 3) Corporate
Yes 4) Political Parties
Yes d) Do you support requiring full and timely disclosure of campaign finance information?
Yes e) Do you support imposing spending limits on state level political campaigns?
Yes f) Do you support adopting statewide standards for counting, verifying, and ensuring accuracy of votes?
Yes g) Do you support prohibiting the reporting of media exit polling results until all polling locations in Massachusetts are closed?
Yes h) Should Massachusetts recognize civil unions between same-sex couples?
No i) Should Massachusetts restrict marriage to a union only between a man and a woman?
Yes j) Do you support allowing out-of-state same-sex couples to marry in Massachusetts?
k) Other or expanded principles
X a) Distribute high-risk drivers evenly among auto insurance providers.
X b) Increase the investigation and prosecution of auto insurance fraud.
X c) Support increased competition between auto insurance providers in Massachusetts.
X d) Reduce subsidies paid by good drivers to offset rate increases for bad drivers.
e) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding crime.

a) Increase state funds for construction of state prisons and for hiring of additional prison staff.
b) Implement the death penalty in Massachusetts.
X c) Support programs to provide prison inmates with vocational and job-related skills and job-placement assistance when released.
d) End parole for repeat violent offenders.
X e) Implement penalties other than incarceration for certain non-violent offenders.
f) Decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana.
g) Strengthen penalties and sentences for drug-related crimes.
h) Minors accused of a violent crime should be prosecuted as adults.
X i) Increase state funding for community centers and other social agencies in areas with at-risk youth.
X j) Increase funding for state and local emergency agencies to prevent and to respond to terrorist attacks.
k) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding education.

a) Support national standards and testing of public school students.
b) Provide parents with state-funded vouchers to send their children to any public school.
c) Provide parents with state-funded vouchers to send their children to any private or religious school.
X d) Increase state funds for school capital improvements (e.g. buildings and infrastructure).
X e) Increase state funds for hiring additional teachers.
f) Support teacher testing and reward with merit pay.
g) Endorse voluntary prayer in public schools.
h) Require public schools to administer high school exit exams.
X i) Provide state funding to increase teacher salaries.
X j) Increase funding for Head Start programs.
X k) Provide state funding for tax incentives and financial aid to help make college more affordable.
l) Offer free public college tuition to the top quarter of Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System scorers.
X m) Support sexual education programs that include information on abstinence, contraceptives, and HIV/STD prevention methods.
n) Support abstinence-only sexual education programs.
o) Other or expanded principles

Employment: Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding employment.Affirmative Action: Should race, ethnicity or gender be taken into account in state agencies' decisions on:

X a) Increase funding for state job-training programs that re-train displaced workers and teach skills needed in today's job market.
b) Increase the number of weeks an individual must work in order to be eligible for unemployment benefits.
c) Reduce the number of weeks that individuals are eligible for unemployment benefits.
d) Reduce state government regulations on the private sector in order to encourage investment and economic expansion.
X e) Provide low interest loans and tax credits for starting, expanding, or relocating businesses.
X f) Provide tax credits for businesses that provide child care for children in low-income working families.
X g) Increase state funds to provide child care for children in low-income working families.
X h) Include sexual orientation in Massachusetts's anti-discrimination laws.
X i) Increase the state minimum wage.
j) Other or expanded principles
Yes a) Public employment
Yes b) State college and university admissions
Yes c) State contracting
d) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding the environment and energy.

X a) Promote increased use of alternative fuel technology.
X b) Support increased production of traditional domestic energy sources (e.g. coal, natural gas, and oil).
X c) Use state funds to clean up former industrial and commercial sites that are contaminated, unused, or abandoned.
X d) Support funding for open space preservation.
X e) Enact environmental regulations even if they are stricter than federal law.
f) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding guns.

a) Maintain and strengthen the enforcement of existing state restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns.
b) Ease state restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns.
c) Repeal state restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns.
d) Allow citizens to carry concealed guns.
X e) Require manufacturers to provide child-safety locks on guns.
X f) Require background checks on gun sales between private citizens at gun shows.
X g) Support current licensing requirements for gun possession.
h) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding health.

X a) Ensure that citizens have access to basic health care through managed care, insurance reforms, or state-funded care where necessary.
b) Transfer more existing Medicaid recipients into managed care programs.
c) Limit the amount of punitive damages that can be awarded in medical malpractice lawsuits.
X d) Support patients' right to sue their HMOs.
X e) Support patients' right to appeal to an administrative board of specialists when services are denied.
f) Guaranteed medical care to all citizens is not a responsibility of state government.
g) Legalize physician assisted suicide in Massachusetts.
h) Allow doctors to prescribe marijuana to their patients for medicinal purposes.
i) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding welfare and poverty.

a) Support increased work requirements for able-bodied welfare recipients.
X b) Increase funding for employment and job training programs for welfare recipients.
X c) Increase access to public transportation for welfare recipients who work.
d) Support current limits on benefits given to recipients if they have additional children while on welfare.
e) Redirect welfare funding to faith-based and community-based private organizations.
X f) Use federal TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families) funds to extend health and child care subsidies to the working poor.
g) Support marriage promotion programs for welfare recipients.
h) Eliminate government-funded welfare programs.
X i) Increase funding for affordable housing programs.
j) Other or expanded principles
Please explain in a total of 75 words or less, your top two or three priorities if elected. If they require additional funding for implementation, please explain how you would obtain this funding.

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