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Diana DeGette's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

Office:

On The Ballot: Running, Democratic for U.S. House (CO) - District 1

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.

Diana DeGette 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.

  • "Today we are holding a hearing to highlight the damage being done after #Roe was overturned. Tune in. These are important stories." (x.com)
  • "Abortion bans are being used to deny women health care. And it’s why we must fight to restore Roe nationwide." (x.com)
  • "I am disgusted, heartbroken, and furious that #RoevWade has been overturned. I promise that I will not stand idly by as the fight goes on. Reproductive rights are human rights!" (x.com)
  • "ust one state banning abortion is too many. It’s not enough that it’ll remain legal in blue states – everyone deserves the right to bodily autonomy regardless of residence. We need Roe codified into federal law NOW." (x.com)
  • "This week, I joined progressives in the House to reintroduce Medicare for All. We must boldly proclaim that health care is a human right and we must fight to make that vision a reality for the American people." (x.com)
  • "America's seniors deserve the secure retirement they've earned. I'm proud to be endorsed by the Alliance of Retired Americans. And I'll continue pushing to protect vital programs retirees rely on, like Medicare and Social Security." (x.com)
  • "Do you support expanding federal funding to support entitlement programs such as Social Security and Medicare?" Yes." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of S 610 "Protecting Medicare and American Farmers from Sequester Cuts Act" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Trump is already talking about another round of massive tax cuts for Wall Street and the wealthiest Americans if he’s elected this year. It’s clear who he’s fighting for and who he’ll prioritize as president." (x.com)
  • "In order to balance the budget, do you support an income tax increase on any tax bracket? Yes." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • "I'm co-sponsoring a bill to put an end to qualified immunity. A badge can no longer be a get-out-of-jail-free card. We must hold our law enforcement officers accountable. And NOW." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1280 "George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Do you support increasing defense spending? No." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "The Defense budget already encompasses over half of the discretionary budget. This per portion of spending is out of line with the needs in our nation for education, healthcare, housing, transportation, and other non defense spending priorities." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Last night, I voted to pass a historic $1 trillion infrastructure bill and we secured an agreement to vote on the #BuildBackBetterAct in the coming weeks! These bills represent a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform our nation for the better." (x.com)
  • "Do you support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth? Yes." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "For decades, our nation’s infrastructure was neglected. That changed when we passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to invest billions in rebuilding our crumbling roads, bridges, ports & more." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5376 "Inflation Reduction Act of 2022" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 7301 "Emergency Housing Protections and Relief Act of 2020" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Getting this $13.3 million dollars in funding approved is a big, big win for #CO01 & #Denver. It will help us make more housing available for those experiencing homelessness and make health care services available for those that need them the most. denvercity" status/1504850172836302848 (x.com)
  • "Thousands of Coloradans are experiencing homelessness, which is why I'm partnering with Mayor Hancock to secure $2 million in federal funding to convert the Stay Inn into housing." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 8294 "Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2023" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 4521 "America COMPETES Act of 2022" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5376 "Inflation Reduction Act of 2022" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "One of my top priorities is lowering costs for working families and that's exactly why I proudly voted for the Inflation Reduction Act." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5746 "Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "This fight couldn't be more important, and I'm committed to doing everything I can to expand voting rights for all." (x.com)
  • "The climate crisis is an existential threat to humanity. We’ve taken a great first step with the clean energy investments in The Inflation Reduction Act. Now, we must build on that success and push to go even further." (x.com)
  • "Do you support government funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, geo-thermal)? Yes." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "I believe that the federal government must make a commitment to ensuring that we have net zero carbon emissions no later than 2050." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 9 "Climate Action Now act" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1146 "Arctic Cultural and Coastal Plain Protection Act" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "We must deal with climate change NOW. That's why in addition to our bill to protect millions of acres of public lands, I also reintroduced my bill to reduce methane emissions." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 823 "Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy Act" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Rated 0% by the NRA (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Last week, House Democrats unveiled 3 discharge petitions — a legislative move that we’ll use to try to force a vote on the floor. These bills are all common-sense gun safety legislation that the American people support overwhelmingly." (x.com)
  • "This is why it’s so urgent that we act on gun safety legislation. This issue is only getting worse and lives are on the line. I’ve introduced legislation to directly address rising gun violence and Congress should take up these bills immediately." (x.com)
  • "Yesterday marked 24 years since Columbine and 24 years of inadequate action on gun violence. It’s unacceptable and I’m going to keep pushing until Congress passes meaningful gun safety legislation." (x.com)
  • "This week, I joined progressives in the House to reintroduce Medicare for All. We must boldly proclaim that health care is a human right and we must fight to make that vision a reality for the American people." (x.com)
  • "We've added paid family and medical leave back into the #BuildBackBetterAct. RT if you agree that the US shouldn't be the ONLY industrialized nation in the world that doesn’t guarantee paid leave for workers." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 6201 "Families First Coronavirus Response Act" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Prescription drug prices have had devastating impacts on folks across the country, including here in Colorado. I am committed to holding drug manufacturers accountable and lowering costs for everyday folks." (x.com)
  • "This year, thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, the federal government was finally able to negotiate the price of prescription drugs. This will lower costs and save taxpayers billions." (x.com)
  • "Individuals who are in this county and been productive members of society should be allowed to remain in the U.S while they seek citizenship." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Do you support requiring immigrants who are unlawfully present to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship? No." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1333 "NO BAN Act" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 7520 "Protecting Americans' Data from Foreign Adversaries Act of 2024" (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.
Pro-choice Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
As the Chair of the Pro-Choice Caucus I believe that all women should have access the full range of reproductive healthcare options, including abortion.
Yes In order to balance the budget, do you support an income tax increase on any tax bracket?
Yes Do you support expanding federal funding to support entitlement programs such as Social Security and Medicare?
We must repeal the unjust 2017 tax cut bill, which disproportionately benefited the ultra-rich and large corporations. The Federal government must also ensure that Social Security and Medicare are their for current and future beneficiaries. In order to accomplish this, we need to have a bipartisan conversation immediately about how to secure these trust funds in the future.
Yes Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?
All campaign contributions should be subject to the same level of scrutiny in order to provide transparency into the campaign finance system. I am also a cosponsoring of HR 1, the broad overhaul of campaign finance which has passed the US House and is pending in the Senate.
No Do you support the protection of government officials, including law enforcement officers, from personal liability in civil lawsuits concerning alleged misconduct?
No Do you support increasing defense spending?
The Defense budget already encompasses over half of the discretionary budget. This per portion of spending is out of line with the needs in our nation for education, healthcare, housing, transportation, and other non defense spending priorities.
Yes Do you support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
No Do you support lowering corporate taxes as a means of promoting economic growth?
Yes Do you support providing financial relief to businesses AND/OR corporations negatively impacted by the state of national emergency for COVID-19?
Direct assistance to small businesses and others in hard-hit sectors will be necessary so that they can retain employees during the pandemic as well as have a place for employees to return to when the pandemic has reached a level where it is safe to do so. Additional direct assistance to workers is also needed to ensure that individuals and families re made whole during the pandemic. .
Yes Do you support requiring states to adopt federal education standards?
There should be some level of minimum standards set by the federal government, but the bulk of education policy should be set at the state and local level.
Yes Do you support government funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, geo-thermal)?
Yes Do you support the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions?
I believe that the federal government must make a commitment to ensuring that we have net zero carbon emissions no later than 2050.
Yes Do you generally support gun-control legislation?
I strongly support universal background checks and banning the sale, manufacture or possession of any new military-style assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.
No Do you support repealing the 2010 Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare")?
Yes Do you support requiring businesses to provide paid medical leave during public health crises, such as COVID-19?
Too many workers already feel that they have no choice if they are sick and would be required to take a day without pay to stay home. COVID-19 has thrown light into a dire situation for so many low wage workers who are choosing between their health and a paycheck. Especially now, we cannot afford for those who are sick to risk spreading COVID-19 to those they work with or serve. Congress should provide funding for small businesses to pay their sick workers and those who are quarantined.
No Do you support the construction of a wall along the Mexican border?
No Do you support requiring immigrants who are unlawfully present to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship?
Individuals who are in this county and been productive members of society should be allowed to remain in the U.S while they seek citizenship.
No Should the United States use military force to prevent governments hostile to the U.S. from possessing a weapon of mass destruction (for example: nuclear, biological, chemical)?
Yes Do you support reducing military intervention in Middle East conflicts?
The U.S. has been on a constant war footing since September 11, 2001 and the continued presence of our armed forces in the Middle East is a drain on our military and our economy. Congress and only Congress should authorize the use of military force, and only as a last resort. We cannot continue to allow Presidents of any party to have a free hand with the use of force around the world. We should work with our allies to use diplomatic methods to stop hostile governmentS from obtaining weapons of mass destruction.
Yes Do you generally support removing barriers to international trade (for example: tariffs, quotas, etc.)?
I have long held that Congress has a responsibility to ensure trade deals are consistent with our values and fair to American workers. We must always be seeking to ensure that our trade deals do not result in exporting pollution to other countries or allowing labor practices in partner countries to undercut American jobs. Moving forward I will continue to evaluate any free trade deal that comes before Congress individually and evaluate it based on the impacts to the environment, impacts on workers, and the impacts on the economy.
If I am re-elected, my top three priorities will be advancing policies that support: 1. Access to quality health care including the full range of women's reproductive care. 2. Civil rights for all communities, including passage of comprehensive immigration reform. 3. Environmental justice and fighting climate change.

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