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Joe Morelle's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

Office:

On The Ballot: Running, Democratic, Working Families for U.S. House (NY) - District 25

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.

Joe Morelle 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.

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 2024.

  • Voted in favor of HR 8297: "Ensuring Access to Abortion Act of 2022" (votesmart.org)
  • "I’m committed to protecting women's fundamental right to reproductive freedom. That's why I voted to pass the Women’s Health Protection Act, which will enshrine the protections of Roe v. Wade into law. #WHPA" (x.com)
  • Rated 100% by Planned Parenthood Action Fund (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 8296: "Women's Health Protection Act of 2022" (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 100% by Alliance for Retired Americans (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Seniors are the fastest growing age group, and it's up to us to ensure they can age with the dignity, safety, and independence they deserve. That means protecting the promise of programs like Medicare and Social Security—no matter what." (x.com)
  • "Social Security and Medicare are critical lifelines for our seniors—ensuring security and peace of mind in retirement. During #OlderAmericansMonth, let’s redouble our commitment to protecting these programs and ensuring everyone can age with dignity and respect." (x.com)
  • Rated 100% by National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "This week, Republicans rammed through legislation to help the wealthiest 1% avoid paying their fair share in taxes—all while increasing the national deficit by $114 billion. I voted no, because working families shouldn't be left to pay the price for corporate greed." (x.com)
  • "Proud to have passed the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act—including provisions I authored to end a harmful tax hike on the manufacturing industry. This is the kind of progress we can achieve when we reach across the aisle and work together to help Americans." (x.com)
  • Rated 7% by National Taxpayers Union (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "This week, Republicans rammed through legislation to help the wealthiest 1% avoid paying their fair share in taxes—all while increasing the national deficit by $114 billion. I voted no, because working families shouldn't be left to pay the price for corporate greed." (x.com)
  • Rated 7% by National Taxpayers Union (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "The time for incremental change has passed. It’s clear we need a cultural paradigm shift and a massive reimaging of public safety protocols—and that starts with the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, which my colleagues and I just passed." (x.com)
  • "In the month following the death of George Floyd, millions of Americans have come together to demand reform and call for change. We are listening, but more than that, we are acting. Today, I'm proud to cast my vote for the historic George Floyd #JusticeinPolicing Act." (x.com)
  • "Our hearts are heavy as we mark the anniversary of George Floyd’s tragic death. In the year since, millions of Americans have come together to demand reform and call for necessary change—and we owe it to the Floyd family to take action." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1280 "George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021." (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 4350: "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 2670: "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 7900: "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 2: "Moving Forward Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1319 "American Rescue Plan Act of 2021" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5376 "Inflation Reduction Act of 2022" (votesmart.org)
  • "Great to meet with Nick, founder of Person Centered Housing Options, and his team to discuss their work to provide safe, supportive housing to those experiencing homelessness. I'm grateful for our partnership and continued work together to strengthen affordable housing in #ROC." (x.com)
  • "Everyone deserves a safe, stable place to call home— but a lack of affordable housing has made this unattainable for too many people. I'm co-sponsoring legislation that would deliver 2 million much-needed affordable housing units for our communities." (x.com)
  • "Great to meet with @HUDNY_NJ Administrator Alicka Ampry-Samuel today to discuss our ongoing work together to expand affordable housing opportunities in Rochester. Grateful for her continued partnership as we remove the barriers preventing too many families from thriving." (x.com)
  • "I’m proud to have secured $300,000 in federal funding for RENEW to help local low-income families make their homes safer, healthier, and more energy-efficient—ultimately building stronger neighborhoods and bringing us one step closer to housing equity." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 7688: "Consumer Fuel Price Gouging Prevention Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "This afternoon, I am headed back to Washington to vote in favor of the Inflation Reduction Act: historic legislation to lower the cost of prescription drugs for seniors, make healthcare more affordable, combat the climate crisis, and cut costs for families when they need it most." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5376 "Inflation Reduction Act of 2022" (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 100% by National Education Association (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Students should not be forced to succumb to debilitating debt in pursuit of a college education. I am proud to support the #CollegeAffordabilityAct and ensure all Americans have the opportunity to achieve their dreams." (x.com)
  • Rated 100% by Common Cause (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5746 "Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 4: "John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021" (votesmart.org)
  • "56 years ago, heroes like John Lewis shed blood on the Edmund Pettus Bridge for the right of all Americans to vote. As that right comes under attack once again, we honored their legacy by passing HR4, the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. #RestoreTheVote" (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1941: "Coastal and Marine Economies Protection Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 0% by American Energy Alliance (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1146: "Arctic Cultural and Coastal Plain Protection Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "Thanks to the #ACA, Millions of New Yorkers who live every day with pre-existing conditions know they are protected and can't be denied the coverage they need to survive. I will always fight to ensure all Americans get the coverage they need and fight to #ProtectOurCare." (x.com)
  • "It's been 10 years since the Patient' Bill of Rights went into effect and we're STILL fighting to protect those essential rights from Donald Trump and his efforts to dismantle the #ACA. Coverage for Americans with pre-existing conditions isn't a bargaining chip—it's a necessity." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1425: "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "As Majority Leader of the New York State Assembly, I helped enact the nation's most comprehensive paid family leave policy—and I've continued the fight in Congress so that we can ease the burden on parents everywhere. It's long past time for #PaidLeave. Let's get it done." (x.com)
  • "As Majority Leader of the NYS Assembly, I helped enact the nation's most comprehensive paid family leave policy—and I've continued the fight in Washington. Stories like this underscore the urgent need for a federal #PaidLeave policy. Let's get it done." (x.com)
  • 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)
  • "Great to meet Isabella from @JDRF and discuss the importance of affordable and accessible insulin. Proud to have helped pass legislation to cap insulin costs at $35/month for Medicare recipients, but Isabella and I agree—it's time we lower the cost of insulin for everyone." (x.com)
  • 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)
  • "This morning, I was proud to speak on the House floor to express my opposition to a senseless, entirely avoidable government shutdown triggered by a potential border wall that is ill-conceived and fails to address the more pressing challenges facing our nation." (x.com)
  • Rated 12% by NumbersUSA (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 5525: "Continuing Appropriations and Border Security Enhancement Act, 2024" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 8030: "Indo-Pacific Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 3033: "Solidify Iran Sanctions Act of 2023" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 6015: "Iran Sanctions Accountability Act of 2023" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 8035: "Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 8035: "Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5692: "Ukraine Security Assistance and Oversight Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 6833: "Continuing Appropriations and Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of S3522: "Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2022" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 7520: "Protecting Americans' Data from Foreign Adversaries Act of 2024" (votesmart.org)
  • "Today, I partnered with law enforcement and local leaders to demand TikTok address their careless lack of content moderation that has led to a spike in theft and violent crime in our community and across the country." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 7521: "Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications 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 to organizations that advocate or perform abortions.
g) Require clinics to give parental notification before performing abortions on minors.
h) 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.

Slightly Increase a) Education (Higher)
Slightly Increase b) Education (K-12)
Maintain Status c) Emergency preparedness
Maintain Status d) Environment
Slightly Decrease e) Health care
Slightly Increase f) Law enforcement
Slightly Increase g) Transportation and highway infrastructure
Maintain Status h) Welfare
Slightly Increase a) Alcohol taxes
Slightly Decrease b) Capital gains taxes
Slightly Increase c) Cigarette taxes
Slightly Decrease d) Corporate taxes
Slightly Decrease e) Gasoline taxes
Slightly Decrease f) Income taxes (incomes below $75,000)
Maintain Status g) Income taxes (incomes above $75,000)
Maintain Status h) Sales taxes
Maintain Status i) Vehicle taxes
Yes k) Should the state sales taxes be extended to Internet sales?
No l) Should accounts such as a “rainy day” fund be used to balance the state budget?
m) Should fee increases be used to balance the state budget?
Yes n) Should the New York Legislature list discretionary spending item by item in the budget?
Greatly decrease: Medicaid Greatly increase: Economic Development
Greatly decrease: property taxes
New York must reform its existing tax code to promote entrepreneurship and pro-growth business investment. We must reduce reliance on borrowing. "Rainy day" funds should be used for emergencies.

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 candidates?

No a) Do you support limiting the number of terms for New York governors?
No b) Do you support limiting the number of terms for New York 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?
No g) Do you support prohibiting media exit polling of voters until all polling locations in New York are closed?
Yes h) Should New York recognize civil unions between same-sex couples?
i) Describe what you believe must be done to complete rebuilding efforts near Ground Zero in New York City. Please use forty (40) words or less.
j) Other or expanded principles

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

a) Increase state funds for construction of state prisons and hiring of additional prison staff.
b) Support the death penalty in New York.
c) Support programs to provide prison inmates with vocational and job-related skills and job-placement assistance when released.
X d) End parole for repeat violent offenders.
X e) Implement penalties other than incarceration for certain non-violent offenders.
f) Strengthen penalties and sentences for drug-related crimes.
g) Minors accused of a violent crime should be prosecuted as adults.
X h) Require that crimes based on race, ethnic background, religious belief, sex, age, disability, or sexual orientation be prosecuted as hate crimes.
X i) Increase state funding for community centers and other social agencies in areas with at-risk youth.
X j) Eliminate the statute of limitations for criminal sex cases.
k) Eliminate the statute of limitations for civil lawsuits seeking damages in sex cases.
X l) Support the restriction of the sale of products used to make methamphetamine (e.g. tablets containing pseudophedrine, ephedrine and phenylpropanolamine).
m) Other or expanded principles

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

X a) Support national standards and testing of public school students.
X 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 funds for hiring additional teachers.
f) Support teacher testing and reward with merit pay.
g) Endorse voluntary prayer in public schools.
h) Support requiring public schools to administer high school exit exams.
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.
X l) Support sexual education programs that include information on abstinence, contraceptives, and HIV/STD prevention methods.
m) Support abstinence-only sexual education programs.
Education level of a state or region's workforce is a crucial factor in generating economic growth. We must invest in workforce training of our current as well as future workforce.

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 retrain displaced workers and teach skills needed in today’s job market.
X b) Reduce state government regulations on the private sector in order to encourage investment and economic expansion.
X c) Provide low interest loans and tax credits for starting, expanding, or relocating businesses.
X d) Provide tax credits for businesses that provide child care for children in low-income working families.
X e) Increase state funds to provide child care for children in low-income working families.
X f) Support the inclusion of sexual orientation in New York's anti-discrimination laws.
X g) Increase the state minimum wage.
h) 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.
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) Increase funding for improvements to New York's power generating and transmission facilities.
X e) Support funding for open space preservation.
f) Enact environmental regulations even if they are stricter than federal law.
g) Other or expanded principles

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

X 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 background checks on gun sales between private citizens at gun shows.
X f) Require a license for gun possession.
g) 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.
X b) Transfer current 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.
e) Guaranteed medical care to all citizens is not a responsibility of state government.
f) Legalize physician assisted suicide in New York.
X g) Allow doctors to prescribe marijuana to their patients for medicinal purposes.
g.) Under strict regulations

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

X 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) Redirect welfare funding to faith-based and community-based private organizations.
X e) Use federal TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families) funds to extend health and child care subsidies to the working poor.
f) Support marriage promotion programs for welfare recipients.
g) Eliminate government-funded welfare programs.
h) 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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