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Patty Murray's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

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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.
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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.

Patty Murray 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.

  • Rated 100% by Planned Parenthood Action Fund (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "The right to abortion is about to be stripped away from millions of people. @SenWarren and I led Senate Democrats in urging @POTUS to take urgent, bold action to make it as easy as possible for people to get an abortion." (twitter.com)
  • Voted against S 311 "Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted against S 3275 "Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "With nearly a trillion dollars cut from Medicare & Medicaid, Republican budget cuts programs that support families #middleclasseconomics" (twitter.com)
  • "I’ll keep fighting to protect Social Security from Republicans’ continued attempts to gut the program and pull the rug out from under everyone who is counting on the benefits they were promised." (twitter.com)
  • Rated 100% by National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "The federal gov't should investigate these tragic deaths to ensure accountability & justice. Institutions that stand in the way must be reformed. Laws that protect police from prosecution or accountability for senseless killings should be repealed. These steps are only a start." (twitter.com)
  • "My bill would stop President Trump's abuse of executive power by:giving back the $3.6B Trump stole from military projects, prohibiting military money from being used for Trump's wall, requiring Congressional approval before allowing military funds to be redirected" (twitter.com)
  • Rated 100% by Council for a Livable World (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of S 1605 "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Rated 11% by Council for Citizens Against Government Waste (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Senator Murray has worked aggressively to help Washington state recover, create jobs and remain competitive for economic growth and new industries. Senator Murray has supported investments in education, health care, energy diversification, transportation and job training that will help spur job creation today and help pave the way for growth long-term." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 133 "Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Working families in Washington state and across the country are counting on us to pass the #BuildBackBetter budget so we can truly come back from this pandemic stronger and fairer." (twitter.com)
  • "As senior senator for Washington state, where the first positive COVID-19 case in the United States was identified, Patty raised the alarm early in the other Washington to push the Trump Administration and Congress to take the pandemic seriously. She fought daily for relief that would tackle the public health crisis and put workers, families, and local economies first, including developing and distributing vaccines, helping schools respond to the crisis and re-open safely, supporting small businesses, and helping families with paid leave, child care, and direct payments. She’s made clear that we can’t just go back to “normal” when normal wasn’t working for so many families in the first place, and is fighting for policies that lift up all workers and families, like a $15 minimum wage, expanded collective bargaining rights, paid leave and child care for everyone who needs it, and bold efforts to lower the cost of higher education and ensure quality health care is a right, not a privilege, across the country." (pattymurray.com)
  • "I hear constantly from people in WA that they want Congress to pass a substantive relief bill that does what’s necessary to address the health & economic impacts of this pandemic—which is why I'll keep trying to get Republicans to work with Democrats & take this virus seriously." (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1319 "American Rescue Plan Act of 2021" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 748 "Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of Inflation Reduction Act HR 5376 - (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "The Inflation Reduction Act isn’t just going to save Washington state families money on health care—it's going to save lives." - (twitter.com)
  • "It’s hard to overstate how badly the student debt crisis has strained borrowers and families across the country. I hear from people in Washington state all the time about how student debt has been holding them back—preventing them from starting families, buying homes, and all too often, from simply making ends meet. That’s why, for months, I’ve been calling on President Biden to deliver relief for borrowers and families across the country. Finally, real relief is here." (www.murray.senate.gov)
  • "Over 175k public servants have now had $10B in student debt forgiven thanks to a Biden admin waiver helping them get the relief they were too long denied..." - (twitter.com)
  • "The College Affordability bill she introduced in congress last week would expand student aid and other provisions. Several students shared how their lives are being affected by crushing student debt." - (www.yaktrinews.com)
  • "Mr. Duncan was on the wrong side of these rights in the infamous Hobby Lobby case, fighting for intolerant bathroom bans against transgender people, and defending the discriminatory Voter ID law in North Carolina which SCOTUS struck down." - (twitter.com)
  • "Standards for Voter Identification: Promotes voter confidence and access by requiring a uniform national standard for states that require identification for in-person voting, and allowing voters to present a broad set of identification cards and documents in hard copy and digital form. States that do not have a voter identification requirement would not be required to make any changes." - (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Democrats have proposed bold climate action to lower harmful emissions, increase our use of clean renewable energy, and so much more. It’s going to help us build a better future—one that report after report says is slipping away from us. Time to act." (twitter.com)
  • "From clean energy tax credits and incentives to the creation of a Civilian Climate Corps, the #BuildBackBetter framework will mobilize our entire country to take bold steps on climate action and cut emissions in a meaningful way." (twitter.com)
  • Rated 100% by Environment America (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Democrats have proposed bold climate action to lower harmful emissions, increase our use of clean renewable energy, and so much more. It’s going to help us build a better future—one that report after report says is slipping away from us. Time to act." (twitter.com)
  • "If we're serious about cutting carbon emissions, we need to be electrifying everything—from school buses, to ferries, and more. I'm fighting to do exactly that in the #BuildBackBetter budget." (twitter.com)
  • "Proud to see WA lead the way to help defend our environment against yet another senseless attack from the Trump Administration—we’ve worked hard in our state to clean up air pollution, & this move from Trump's @EPA rolls back years of progress." (twitter.com)
  • Rated 100% by Environment America (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Rated 100% by Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "This framework represents progress--and contains real measures that can help save lives. It's not everything we need to end gun violence, so I will continue to fight and press for commonsense gun safety reforms like universal background checks and an assault weapons ban. But I have said I would work with anyone to pass anything that may keep our families safe from gun violence, and I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to get this framework passed and then I'll keep fighting to do more." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "We must pass common-sense gun reforms like: universal background checks, an assault weapons ban, red flag laws to keep guns away from people who might be a threat to themselves or others. These are policies the majority of Americans support, & we desperately need to pass." (twitter.com)
  • "While I’m fighting alongside Democrats to make child care affordable and expand paid leave, Republicans are actively opposing our plans—all while pushing a federal abortion ban to force women to give birth. They claim they’re the party that supports families—they’re not." (twitter.com)
  • "Standards for Voter Identification: Promotes voter confidence and access by requiring a uniform national standard for states that require identification for in-person voting, and allowing voters to present a broad set of identification cards and documents in hard copy and digital form. States that do not have a voter identification requirement would not be required to make any changes." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "RT if you support passing the Inflation Reduction Act and letting Medicare negotiate lower prescription drug costs." (twitter.com)
  • "Today’s passage ensures that seniors in Washington state will be able to stop worrying about falling into the ‘donut hole’ and not being able to afford the prescription drugs they need to stay healthy,” said Senator Patty Murray. “Health insurance reform is going to help families and small business owners in Washington state in so many way starting this year. Today’s passage is just one more step toward lower premiums, more choices, and the health care security and stability our families deserve." (www.murray.senate.gov)
  • "Proud to join my Senate colleagues in introducing the #RAIDERAct, which will prevent Pres Trump from using military and disaster response funds to construct his wall along the southern border. If the president takes such a step, it would be an un-American abuse of power." (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of S 744 - Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "One year ago, President Trump & AG Sessions made the decision to pull the rug out from under 800,000 DREAMers by ending the #DACA program. Today, let’s recommit to continuing to fight to protect DREAMers & all those who call America home." (twitter.com)
  • Rated 0% by Federation for American Immigration Reform (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted against S 2193 "Stop Illegal Reentry Act" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted against S Amdt 1948 "Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act (Toomey Amendment)" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "One year ago, President Trump & AG Sessions made the decision to pull the rug out from under 800,000 DREAMers by ending the #DACA program. Today, let’s recommit to continuing to fight to protect DREAMers & all those who call America home." (twitter.com)
  • Voted against S 2193 "Stop Illegal Reentry Act" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted against S Amdt 1948 "Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act (Toomey Amendment)" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "The bottom-line is that we can’t shortchange our communities or our allies—especially in the middle of crises when lives are at stake. Communities across our country need tests, treatments, and vaccines to defend the hard-won progress we have made against COVID-19 and to keep people safe and healthy. And the people of Ukraine desperately need military supplies to end this terrible war and get badly-needed humanitarian relief to support those still in Ukraine and the families who have been forced to flee and leave everything behind. These resources are about our economy, the health of our families, our national security, and our moral obligation to stand up for fundamental human rights—I’ll be fighting to get this funding over the finish line however I can to protect families here at home and in Ukraine.” (www.murray.senate.gov)
  • "$600 million in Defense Production Act funding for faster missile production and expanded domestic capacity of strategic and critical minerals." (www.murray.senate.gov)
  • Voted yes on HR 7691 - Making emergency supplemental appropriations for assistance for the situation in Ukraine for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022, and for other purposes. (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "We've got to get additional support to Ukraine quickly. The people of Ukraine desperately need military supplies to end this terrible war and humanitarian relief to support those still in Ukraine and the families who have been forced to flee." (twitter.com)
  • "The RT if you agree that there's no reason a multi-billion dollar corporation should pay less in taxes than a teacher, firefighter, or nurse in my hometown of Bothell. The Inflation Reduction Act will finally help level the playing field. Reduction Act will finally help level the playing field." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 5376: Inflation Reduction Act (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Rated 0% by Public Citizen (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "This editorial from @SeattleTimes hits the nail on the head: as one of the nation’s most trade-dependent states, WA families & businesses could pay a hefty price from President Trump’s reckless announcement imposing broad new tariffs." (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5430 "United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act" (justfacts.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.

1. Which of the following tax measures, if any, will you support if elected to the Congress in 1992?

Reducing the capital gains tax rate on profits from the sale of stocks, bonds and real estate.
Permitting tax-free withdrawals from IRAs in limited circumstances.
Providing some kind of middle-class tax break.
Increasing the income taxes of those with incomes over $100,000.
Providing a tax credit for first-time home buyers.
Repealing luxury taxes on limited items.
Providing a temporary investment tax credit.
X Other
Supporting a tax policy that ensures that all levels are paying their fair share of the tax burden.

Please evaluate the following general program areas and indicate the level of federal funding that you will support if you are elected to Congress.

Keep Spending The Same Health Care
Keep Spending The Same Unemployment
Increase Spending AIDS Research
Increase Spending Environment
Keep Spending The Same Defense
Increase Spending Education
Increase Spending National Debt Payments
Keep Spending The Same Drugs

If you are elected to Congress, how will you confront the issue of the national debt?

X Reduce governmental defense spending.
Reduce governmental domestic spending.
Raise personal income taxes for all citizens.
Raise personal income taxes for citizens with incomes over $100,000.
Raise corporate taxes.
Do nothing at the present time.
X Other
Re-examine social programs and fight for a long-term econmic plan that puts people back to work.

Which of the following measures designed to address the issue of unemployment do you support or oppose?

Support Extending unemployment compensation further.
Strongly Support Federal support of job retraining programs.
Strongly Support Federal grants to states for creating jobs in inner cities.
Oppose Mandating workfare for welfare recipients.
Oppose Minimizing governmental intervention and letting the market take a more natural course.
Strongly Support Federal investment in America's infrastructure.
Other

Which of the following policies, if any, should be pursued by the federal government in the area of the United States/Japenese trade?

Restricting the overall volume of goods entering the United States from Japan.
Imposing tariffs on goods entering the United States from Japan.
Requiring Japan to eliminate its trade surplus with the United States over a period of five years.
Requiring reciprocal trade agreements between the United States and Japan based on equal dollar values.
Imposing no restrictions on trade between the United States and Japan.
X Other
Working on breaking down illegal trade barriers in Japan.

Which of the following defense proposals do you support or oppose?

Support Reduction of the number of American military troops.
Oppose Continued funding of the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI).

Do you consider the fact that many Americans do not have health insurance to be a problem, and if so, please note which of the following proposals you favor?

Elimination of private insurance in favor of a program administered and paid for by the federal government and run by the states, similar to the health care system in Canada.
Offering tax incentives to all small employers in return for guaranteed health insurance coverage of all employees and their families.
Implementation of a "play or pay" program where employers must enroll their employees and families in a basic health plan or contribute to a public fund that will provide health care for everyone without coverage.
Creation of a fund designed to provide health insurance to the unemployed and supported by additional tax levies on large employers.
A system of tax credits and vouchers to provide health insurance for the working poor and people of moderate income.
No reform necessary at this time.
X Other
Implement federal oversight of health care system, w/strict cost-containment mechanisms, while increasing access and maintaining choice of...

If elected to Congress, which of the following proposals designed to change our nations' public education system will you support?

X Increased federal funding.
Increased state and local funding.
X Improved teacher recruitment and training.
National curricula and standards.
X Smaller classes.
Increased national testing.
A "choice" or "vouchers" program.
No major changes are necessary at this time.
X Other
Use the Department of Education as aresource center for local school districts.

If elected to Congress, how will you confront the War on Drugs?"

X Provide federal funds to educate people about the dangers of drugs.
X Provide federal funds to help drug addicts overcome their addictions.
X Work with foreign governments to stop the export of drugs to this country.
Impose mandatory federal jail sentences for drug dealers.
Impose mandatory federal jail sentences for drug users.
Legalize the possession and use of drugs.
Other

What is your opinion on the following environmental proposals?

Strongly Oppose Opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil exploration.
Strongly Oppose Amending the Clean Water Act's section on wetlands to provide landowners with greater rights.
Strongly Support Reauthorization of The Endangered Species Act in its current form.

Please indicate which of the following positions you support or oppose.

Strongly Oppose Parental or spousal notification prior to permitting an abortion.
Strongly Oppose Abortion should be illegal in all circumstances.
Strongly Support Federally funded abortions should be permitted.
Support Women should be able to get abortions if they want no matter what the reason.
Strongly Oppose Abortion should be legal only in limited circumstances, for example, when the life of the mother is endangered or in the case of rape or incest.

Which of the following anti-crime measures do you support or oppose?

Strongly Oppose Expansion of the number of federal crimes punishable by death.
Strongly Support A mandatory waiting period before the purchase of a handgun.
Support Increased federal spending for state and local police programs.
Strongly Support A ban on the sale and possession of assault-style semiautomatic weapons.
Oppose A limitation on habeas corpus appeals for death row inmates.
Other

['Whare are your two top priorities if elected to the Congress?']

Implementing a long-term economic strategy to provide jobs and reduce the $4 trillion debt. we must shift R&D funding from military to civilian technologies to stimulate economic growth and investment in infrastructure, manufacturing, and job training. We must finally have a national education policy. I advocate reducing the military budget by at leats an additional $100 billion over the next five years and dividing the funds between the deficit reduction and investment in a long-term economic plan.
THe federal government must implement health care reform. I will work to provide strict cost-containment mechanisms and increase access. At leats $200 billion a year is spent on excessive administrative costs and unnecessary procedures--this must be eliminated. A federal plan must include freedom for consumers to choose their physician, hospital, and other health care providers. Health care decisions must be taken out of the hands of insurance companies and returned to individuals and their health care providers.

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