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Hakeem Jeffries' Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

Office:

On The Ballot: Running, Democratic for U.S. House (NY) - District 8

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.

Hakeem Jeffries 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 8296: "Women's Health Protection Act of 2022" (votesmart.org)
  • "Trump and extreme MAGA Republicans lied about Roe v. Wade and then ended it. Don’t believe anything they have to say on the subject. House Democrats will protect a woman’s freedom to make her own reproductive healthcare decisions." (x.com)
  • Rated 100% by Planned Parenthood Action Fund (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 8297: "Ensuring Access to Abortion Act of 2022" (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 11% by National Taxpayers Union (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "The 2017 GOP Tax Scam exploded the debt by $2,000,000,000,000 (two trillion). 83% of the benefits went to the wealthiest 1%. Any responsible effort to cut the deficit should start by revisiting that extreme MAGA Republican bill." (x.com)
  • "We will deliver millions of good-paying jobs, tax cuts for working families and lower child care, healthcare and housing costs for everyday Americans." (x.com)
  • Voted against HR 1 "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 11% by National Taxpayers Union (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Right-wing extremists stuck Americans with trillions of dollars in debt on failed wars and tax cuts for the super wealthy. We will not be lectured about fiscal responsibility by this crowd." (x.com)
  • "The 2017 GOP Tax Scam exploded the debt by $2,000,000,000,000 (two trillion). 83% of the benefits went to the wealthiest 1%. Any responsible effort to cut the deficit should start by revisiting that extreme MAGA Republican bill." (x.com)
  • Voted against HR 1 "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "As we march forward. Toward a more perfect union. It’s time for the Senate to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act." (x.com)
  • "We are in the midst of a national reckoning on race. The world’s eyes are upon us. Doesn’t matter. The police brutality continues. Congress must pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act immediately." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1280 "George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021." (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 7900: "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 2670: "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 4350: "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 2: "Moving Forward Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "The historic Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act will create millions of good-paying jobs throughout America. Democrats Deliver." (x.com)
  • 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)
  • "House Democrats will continue to fight for higher wages and lower housing costs." (x.com)
  • "House Democrats are committed to building a healthy economy. And bringing down the cost of housing for hardworking American families." (x.com)
  • "The House passed legislation to prevent a government shutdown. We also invest billions to protect affordable housing, combat the climate crisis and support nutrition for women, infants and children. Democrats provided a majority of the votes needed to get it done. Once again." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5376 "Inflation Reduction Act of 2022" (votesmart.org)
  • "Insulin used to cost thousands of dollars per year for many older Americans. Dems passed the Inflation Reduction Act. Now it’s $35 per month." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 7688: "Consumer Fuel Price Gouging Prevention Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "Extreme MAGA Republicans are working overtime to stop us from helping those with student loan debt. Thank you President Biden for your strong and continued commitment to delivering life-changing relief to millions of Americans." (x.com)
  • "President Biden’s Student Loan Debt Relief program is life-changing for millions of Americans. Extreme MAGA Republicans talk about change. Democrats deliver it." (x.com)
  • "Student loan debt now exceeds $1 trillion in this country. The American dream is falling further out of reach for the millennial generation. But Betsy Devos wants to dramatically cut student loan forgiveness programs and slash Pell grant funding. Why is she still around?" (x.com)
  • Rated 100% by National Education Association (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "The Supreme Court has partnered with the GOP to suppress our vote. Congress must respond forcefully by passing HR-1 and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act. Democracy hangs in the balance." (x.com)
  • 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)
  • Rated 94% by Common Cause (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "America is in the midst of a deadly pandemic. House Dems passed legislation this week to expand the ACA and healthcare coverage #ForThePeople. The Trump administration is in court trying to take it away. FACTS." (x.com)
  • "Access to high quality, affordable healthcare is a right that House Democrats will always defend." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1425: "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "Treating all workers with dignity and respect is essential. Living wage. Paid family leave. High quality healthcare. Meaningful pension. House Dems continue this fight #ForThePeople. Happy Labor Day!" (x.com)
  • "Trade deal that benefits American workers. Legislation to lower skyrocketing drug prices. Paid medical family leave for federal employees. Defend Our Democracy. @HouseDemocrats get things done #ForThePeople." (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)
  • "Insulin used to cost thousands of dollars per year for many older Americans. Dems passed the Inflation Reduction Act. Now it’s $35 per month." (x.com)
  • "We were sent to Congress to get things done. Not for the privileged few, but #ForThePeople. We can start by breaking up the pharmaceutical racket. And driving down the high price of life-saving prescription drugs, like Insulin. Let’s. Do. This." (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)
  • "We have reached a bipartisan agreement on border security to fund the government. No phony emergency declaration needed. Don’t threaten another #TrumpShutdown. Just sign the bill. Period. Full stop." (x.com)
  • Rated 14% 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)
  • 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) Abortions should be subject to a mandatory waiting period.
g) Require clinics to give parental notification before performing abortions on minors.
h) Other or expanded principles

State Budget: Indicate what state funding levels (#1-6) you support for the following general categories. Select one level per category, you can use a number more than once.State Taxes: Indicate what state tax levels (#1-6) you support for the following general categories. Select one level per category, you can use a number more than once.

Greatly Increase a) Education (Higher)
Greatly Increase b) Education (K-12)
Slightly Increase c) Emergency preparedness
Slightly Increase d) Environment
Greatly Increase e) Health care
Slightly Increase f) Law enforcement
Slightly Increase g) Transportation and highway infrastructure
Greatly Increase h) Welfare
i) Other or expanded categories
Maintain Status a) Alcohol taxes
Slightly Increase b) Cigarette taxes
Greatly Increase c) Corporate taxes
Maintain Status d) Gasoline taxes
Maintain Status e) Income taxes (incomes below $75,000)
Maintain Status f) Income taxes (incomes above $75,000)
Slightly Decrease g) Sales taxes
Slightly Decrease h) Vehicle taxes
i) Other or expanded categories
No 1) Should there be a cap on school district property taxes?
No 2) Should state sales taxes be extended to Internet sales?
No 3) Should accounts such as a "rainy day" fund be used to balance the state budget?
No 4) Should fee increases be used to balance the state budget?
Yes 5) Do you support raising the income tax for those making $1,000,000 or more?
6) 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 candidates?

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 assemblymembers?
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?
f) Should New York participate in the federal REAL ID program?
g) 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) Establish the death penalty in New York.
X c) Support programs to provide prison inmates with vocational and job-related skills and job-placement assistance when released.
X d) Implement penalties other than incarceration for certain non-violent offenders.
e) Minors accused of a violent crime should be prosecuted as adults.
f) Support state and local law enforcement officials enforcing federal immigration laws.
X g) Support hate crime legislation.
h) Other or expanded principles

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

X a) Support state funding of universal pre-K programs.
b) Support federal education standards and testing requirements for K-12 students (No Child Left Behind).
X c) Support state education standards and testing requirements for K-12 students.
d) Support requiring public schools to administer high school exit exams.
e) Allow parents to use vouchers to send their children to any public school.
f) Allow parents to use vouchers to send their children to any private or religious school.
X g) Provide state funding to increase teacher salaries.
h) Support using a merit pay system for teachers.
X i) Provide state funding for tax incentives and financial aid to help make college more affordable.
X j) Support allowing illegal immigrant high school graduates of New York to pay in-state tuition at public universities.
k) Other or expanded principles

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

X a) Increase funding for state job-training programs that re-train displaced workers and teach skills needed in today's job market.
b) Reduce state government regulations on the private sector.
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) Include gender identity in New York's anti-discrimination laws.
X g) Increase the state minimum wage.
X h) Support laws that prevent employers from dismissing employees at will.
i) Support financial punishments for those who knowingly employ illegal immigrants.
j) Support increased work requirements for able-bodied welfare recipients.
X k) Increase funding for employment and job training programs for welfare recipients.
l) 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, oil, etc).
X c) Support providing financial incentives to farms that produce biofuel crops.
X d) Use state funds to clean up former industrial and commercial sites that are contaminated, unused, or abandoned.
e) Support funding for improvements to New York's power generating and transmission facilities.
X f) Support funding for open space preservation.
X g) Limit carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases linked to global warming.
X h) Enact environmental regulations even if they are stricter than federal law.
i) Other or expanded principles

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

Yes a) Should background checks be required on gun sales between private citizens at gun shows?
No b) Should citizens be allowed to carry concealed guns?
Yes c) Should a license be required for gun possession?
d) Do you support current levels of enforcement of existing state restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns?
e) Do you support current state restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns?
f) 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) Guaranteed medical care to all citizens is not a responsibility of state government.
c) Limit the amount of damages that can be awarded in medical malpractice lawsuits.
X d) Allow patients to sue their HMOs.
X e) Require hospitals and labs to release reports on infections that are a risk to public health, while not compromising patient confidentiality.
f) Legalize physician assisted suicide in New York.
X g) Support allowing doctors to prescribe marijuana to their patients for medicinal purposes.
h) Other or expanded principles

['Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding social issues.', 'Legislative Priorities']

Yes a) Should New York recognize civil unions between same-sex couples?
Yes b) Should same-sex couples be allowed to marry?
Yes c) Should New York provide state-level spousal rights to same-sex couples?
d) Do you support a moment of silence in public schools?
No e) Do you support voluntary prayer in public schools?
Yes f) Do you support sexual education programs that include information on abstinence, contraceptives, and HIV/STD prevention methods?
No g) Do you support abstinence-only sexual education programs?
Yes h) Should the state government consider race and gender in state government contracting and hiring decisions?
Yes i) Do you support affirmative action in public college admissions?
Yes j) Should New York continue affirmative action programs?
Yes k) Do you support state funding of stem cell research?
Yes l) Do you support state funding of embryonic stem cell research?
No m) Do you support allowing pharmacists who conscientiously object to emergency contraception to refuse to dispense it?
n) Other or expanded principles
If re-elected, I will continue my fight for affordable housing in my district, as well as throughout New York City and New York State. We need to increase the quality of schools in our state and to ensure fair elections, we need comprehensive electoral reform.

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