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Katherine Clark's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

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Official Position: Candidate addressed this issue directly by taking the Political Courage Test.
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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.

Katherine Clark has failed to provide voters with positions on key issues covered by the 2020 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 2020.

  • "When it comes to ensuring that women get a fair shot, we have to protect a woman's right to make her own health care decisions and her ability to plan for her family and her future. That is why I am proud to stand with my colleagues from the Pro-Choice Caucus in signing the amicus brief to ask our Supreme Court to protect this critical right for women and their families." (votesmart.org)
  • "Glad #SCOTUS has blocked extreme abortion restrictions. All women should have access to safe reproductive care." (twitter.com)
  • "Abortion is (essential, time-sensitive) health care." (twitter.com)
  • "People denied abortion coverage are more likely to be systematically underserved by our health system (WOC, young people, trans & non-binary ppl). After 43 years of Hyde, it’s time to lift the abortion ban once & for all. We all deserve access to care. #BeBoldEndHyde" (twitter.com)
  • "Today, President Obama submitted his fiscal year 2015 budget expanding on our shared vision of opportunity for all. It makes critical invests in infrastructure, job training and early education while closing tax loopholes for wealthy corporations that ship jobs overseas." (votesmart.org)
  • "91 Fortune 500 companies (many which make billions of $$$) paid no federal taxes last year. In sum, the #GOPTaxScam did exactly what it intended: it gave a big break to companies and special interests, and not to American families." (twitter.com)
  • "Instead of listening to the needs and priorities of hardworking families at home, House Republicans chose to draft a backwards budget that hands out billions of dollars in tax breaks to big corporations and the ultra-wealthy. It blocks critical tax breaks for working families in Massachusetts and slashes billions in food assistance for hungry children and the elderly." (votesmart.org)
  • "Wondering who the #GOP is fighting for? Yesterday, they released a budget that balances the massive tax breaks they gave to corporations & billionaires on the backs of middle class families by making cuts to Medicare & Social Security. We have our answer." (twitter.com)
  • Endorsed by National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare. (votesmart.org)
  • "As Speaker Ryan admitted, Republicans will come after Social Security and Medicare next. The system you paid into -- that's supposed to be there when you need it -- will be used to pay for the GOP's tax gift for billionaires." (twitter.com)
  • "Today, almost two-thirds of seniors count on Social Security for most of their income and another one-third for the entirety of it. Equally fundamental to the financial protection of seniors is Medicare, which provides access to health care for 49 million Americans annually.That's why we need to invest more in Social Security." (katherineclark.house.gov)
  • Signed a letter stating: "As members of the U.S. House of Representatives who have called for a constitutional amendment to to limit the corrosive influence of money in our elections, we write to thank you for initiating Senate Judiciary Committee hearings on the recent Supreme Court decisions that have fundamentally undermined American democracy." (votesmart.org)
  • Endorsed by End Citizens United. (votesmart.org)
  • "In Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, the Supreme Court unleashed a tidal wave of unlimited corporate political spending by overturning federal prohibitions on the use of corporate funds for political purposes. This ruling has muted the voices of everyday Americans who do not have the financial resources necessary to compete with unlimited corporate funds. If left unchecked, this tide could fundamentally undermine the fairness of our electoral process. Simply put, we must make clear that corporations are not people, and money is not speech." (votesmart.org)
  • "That is why I have joined with Representative McGovern to push for two constitutional amendments that would overrule Citizens United. The first amendment would explicitly grant Congress the authority to regulate political spending, and the second would clarify that the rights protected by the Constitution are the rights of natural persons, not corporations." (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 7120 - George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2020. (votesmart.org)
  • "For too long, our Black neighbors have been brutalized and killed, their bodies criminalized and their dreams upended, because of the color of their skin. With this bill, we begin to restructure and redefine public safety in America. The Justice in Policing Act will hold police accountable and systematically transform the relationship between law enforcement and our communities. We are changing the culture of policing from warrior to guardian." (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 0% by Center for Security Policy. (votesmart.org)
  • Signed a letter stating: "Preserving the agreement in the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 that required increased spending to be spread evenly between defense spending and non-defense discretionary accounts which have both been harmed by the ongoing sequester;" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 22 - Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act. (votesmart.org)
  • "Our budget reflects our values. Here's just a taste of the cuts in the #TrumpBudget: -$220 bil from SNAP (food support for our neediest families) -$1.5 trillion from Medicaid -$207 bil from student loan programs -$5.4 bil from the @NIH This isn't a budget #ForThePeople." (twitter.com)
  • "Today, President Obama submitted his fiscal year 2015 budget expanding on our shared vision of opportunity for all. It makes critical invests in infrastructure, job training and early education while closing tax loopholes for wealthy corporations that ship jobs overseas." (votesmart.org)
  • "Unfortunately, much of the recent debate in Washington has focused on deep cuts that reduce the deficit at the expense of investments designed to generate economic opportunity for all." (votesmart.org)
  • "Instead of listening to the needs and priorities of hardworking families at home, House Republicans chose to draft a backwards budget that hands out billions of dollars in tax breaks to big corporations and the ultra-wealthy. It blocks critical tax breaks for working families in Massachusetts and slashes billions in food assistance for hungry children and the elderly." (votesmart.org)
  • "91 Fortune 500 companies (many which make billions of $$$) paid no federal taxes last year. In sum, the #GOPTaxScam did exactly what it intended: it gave a big break to companies and special interests, and not to American families." (twitter.com)
  • "Don't fall for the bait and switch Republicans are ramming through Congress right now. Average Americans will be forced to pay billions for the Republicans' tax gift to corporate America. You should know what's in this" (twitter.com)
  • "Today, President Obama submitted his fiscal year 2015 budget expanding on our shared vision of opportunity for all. It makes critical invests in infrastructure, job training and early education while closing tax loopholes for wealthy corporations that ship jobs overseas." (votesmart.org)
  • "Our #childcare system is at its breaking point and too many providers are struggling to access crucial small business funds like #PPP. @SenWarren and I teamed up to demand the SBA and Treasury act now to support these vital businesses." (twitter.com)
  • "Americans are facing a public health crisis that poses an unprecedented threat to the health and safety of our communities. Right now, hospitals are struggling to care for those in need and the pandemic has brought schools, businesses, and entire states, including the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, to a standstill," said Congresswoman Clark. "American families are calling for help. Today, the House of Representatives voted to bring them critical relief and offer them a lifeline. To those on the frontlines of this national emergency, please know that we see you, we appreciate your sacrifice, and we will keep fighting to bring you the help that you need to get through this crisis." (votesmart.org)
  • "Through the #CARESAct, grants are available to support operating expenses at museums, libraries, and other nonprofit organizations across #MA impacted by COVID-19." (twitter.com)
  • Rated 100% by National Education Association. (votesmart.org)
  • "A much needed fix to No Child Left Behind. I'm honored to serve on the education committee 2 fight for our students." (twitter.com)
  • "As a member of Congress, I’ve worked to ensure our federal laws better reflect the input and needs of local communities. In 2015, I worked with my colleagues to revise the outdated law known as No Child Left Behind, replacing it with a new federal K-12 policy that provided much-needed flexibility to local educators." (katherineclark.house.gov)
  • "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." (votesmart.org)
  • Signed a letter stating: "we write to express our support for the President's budget request of $2.898 billion for the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) and its critical programs that partner the federal government with industry, academia, and research facilities to secure america's energy future." (votesmart.org)
  • "We need to stop stalling and immediately get serious about clean energy solutions. Our future depends on it." (twitter.com)
  • "Therefore, we in the House Safe Climate Caucus have been committed bringing forward solutions to climate change in the U.S. Congress that include phasing out fossil fuel consumption and replacing it with renewable energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and assisting the poor both in our country and abroad in transitioning to a clean economy. We hope that more members of Congress, from both sides of the aisle, will join us in this effort." (votesmart.org)
  • "One of the most straightforward investments we can make in supporting a clean and healthy environment for the future is in renewable energy technology, which is why I support legislation to incentivize the development of alternative energy sources, like offshore wind technology. Simultaneously, we must also stop incentivizing the production of fossil fuels and impose a price on pollution that accurately reflects its cost to society." (katherineclark.house.gov)
  • Voted in favor of HR 9 - Climate Action Now Act. (votesmart.org)
  • "I am proud to have supported a range of important policies designed to combat this threat, including the Green New Deal resolution, the Clean Power Plan, increased federal funding for climate research, and building partnerships to design smarter, better climate and ocean monitoring technology." (katherineclark.house.gov)
  • "Newsflash, @EPAAWheeler: Greenhouse gas emissions are one of the leading causes of #climatechange. Rolling back these regulations in an outdated effort to revive coal will cost us clean water & air & the viability of future generations. #DirtyPowerScam" (twitter.com)
  • Signed a letter stating: "We write in strong opposition to the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) recent proposal to revise the 2016 Methane Waste Prevention rule. The proposed revisions sacrifice public health, will increase climate changing emissions, and deny American taxpayers royalties from natural resources they own for negligible or uncertain private gains. Experience with state level regulations and BLM's own analysis demonstrate that BLM's concerns about the negative impact of the 2016 Methane Waste Prevention rule are misplaced." (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1112 - Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2019. (votesmart.org)
  • "At minimum, we should ensure that deadly weapons are not sold to suspected terrorists. With a mass shooting every week, it is unconscionable that Congress would stand by and do nothing. I would hope that at least some of my Republican colleagues would summon the courage to stand up for the security of American families and force a vote to keep guns out of the hands of suspected terrorists." (votesmart.org)
  • "There are a number of common sense measures that we can implement to address gun violence and keep our communities safe. I have cosponsored legislation to strengthen background checks, fight gun trafficking, increase protections for victims of domestic violence, among other efforts. Most basically, Congress must authorize research on gun violence so we can better understand the impact of this epidemic on our country." (katherineclark.house.gov)
  • Rated 0% by National Rifle Association. (votesmart.org)
  • "Repealing #ACA with no replacement would increase uninsured by 32 million. #JointSession" (twitter.com)
  • "Accessible, affordable health care is essential to every family, but the #GOP has voted more than 70x to repeal the #ACA and eliminate basic provisions like protections for #preexistingconditions. It's time to get back to an agenda that's #ForThePeople." (twitter.com)
  • "In the years since, the ACA has made important strides in providing healthcare to all Americans; millions of young adults have gained healthcare through their parents’ insurance and three million seniors have received a discount on their prescription drugs. Unfortunately, these important healthcare advances are under attack. The Trump administration has fought to undermine protections for people with pre-existing conditions." (katherineclark.house.gov)
  • "We are back here using valuable legislative time to make a doomed attempt to repeal the Affordable Care Act." (votesmart.org)
  • "Great that Paul Ryan wants to spend time w/ family. Shame that #GOP won't support paid family leave to ensure other parents can do the same." (twitter.com)
  • "After a 4 day delay, the Senate just passed the @HouseDemocrats' #FamiliesFirst Act providing: Free testing 4 all, Expanded unemployment benefits, Expanded paid leave, Food assistance. It must be signed into law now. Families can't wait." (twitter.com)
  • "Good morning, last night the House passed the #FamiliesFirst Act to provide free testing, paid family leave, unemployment benefits & more. The Senate must act swiftly so families can access these resources." (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 6201 - Families First Coronavirus Response Act. (votesmart.org)
  • "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)
  • "Despite these important gains, I still cannot support this bill. Republicans have once again failed to work with Democrats to find a bipartisan solution to protect our Dreamers. Meanwhile, while just a tiny fraction of Trump's request, funding for an unnecessary border wall was authorized. This is a moral failing, and leaves me with no choice but to vote against this bill." (votesmart.org)
  • "Ds and Rs came together to protect the Constitution from a power grab. 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)
  • "Trump’s funding his vanity project in the midst of this health and economic disaster. 1/2 a BILLION dollars for 17 miles of wall. This is money that should be going to testing, our health care systems, small businesses & those who’ve lost their jobs." (twitter.com)
  • "Regardless of your immigration status, it’s important to #KnowYourRights. There are several steps you can take to ensure that you and your family are prepared. #KeepFamiliesTogether" (twitter.com)
  • "From #MA5 to our nation’s capital and across the country, Americans are taking to the streets to stand in solidarity with immigrant families until they are reunited. #FamiliesBelongTogether" (twitter.com)
  • "President Obama's plan to make changes to our immigration policy is necessary, legal, and consistent with recent Presidential precedent. The President's plan will allow millions of families to work legally, stay united, and be protected from physical harm and discrimination." (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 6 - American Dream and Promise Act of 2019. (votesmart.org)
  • Signed a letter stating: "As you beging your Administration, we respectfully urge you to preserve the important agreement negotiated with Iran regarding its nuclear enrichment program. This deal has made the United States, Israel, and the world a safer place." (votesmart.org)
  • "I believe the JCPOA is in best interest of US, Israel & the world & support agreement to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran" (twitter.com)
  • Rated 0% by Center for Security Policy. (votesmart.org)
  • "The number one responsibility of the President is to protect our nation's security. Instead, President Trump's announcement to unilaterally withdraw from the Iran nuclear agreement has put the United States in danger. By walking away, Trump has abandoned our allies with whom we negotiated the deal, undermined our credibility, weakened our position at the negotiating table, and threatened the security of our nation, our allies in the Middle East, and our partners. This decision was made without regard to facts or merit. He has no plan on how to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon or curtail its ballistic missile program--all on the eve of nuclear negotiations with North Korea. Trump's reckless behavior is threatening the security and prosperity of the American people." (votesmart.org)
  • Signed a letter stating: "We support your restraint to date in resisting the calls for a "quick" and "easy" military intervention, and for your commitment not to send combat troops back into Iraq." (votesmart.org)
  • "Peace in the region and a lasting two state solution will not be achieved by military force. The US must restore cuts in aid to the Palestinian people, use the full force of our diplomacy to restart peace negotiations, and end the suffering of the people of #Gaza." (twitter.com)
  • Rated 0% by Center for Security Policy. (votesmart.org)
  • "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 100% by Public Citizen. (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5430 - United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation 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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