Card image cap

Chellie Pingree's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

Office:

On The Ballot: Running, Democratic for U.S. House (ME) - 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.

Candidates who qualify will be invited to take the 2024 Political Courage Test.

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.

  • "In failing to stand up for its own legal precedent, the U.S. Supreme Court has opened the floodgates for a total rollback of Roe v. Wade. Make no mistake: Texas's law drags us back to a time when women weren't trusted to decide their own future. And already, with a green light from the Supreme Court, governors and legislators in other red states are vowing to enact laws modeled after Texas's, " said Pingree. "The denial of abortion rights anywhere in America is a threat to the health of women everywhere. That's why I proudly cosponsored and voted for the Women's Health Protection Act today. We cannot and will not go back." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Rated 100% by Planned Parenthood. (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 3755 "Women's Health Protection Act of 2021." (votesmart.org)
  • "We cannot compromise on a woman’s absolute right to make decisions about her own health care without intrusion from the federal government. Chellie is committed to protecting Roe v. Wade, an essential piece of Supreme Court precedent that has ensured access to safe abortions for more than forty years." (www.chelliepingree.com)
  • Endorsed by National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare. (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1425 "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act." (votesmart.org)
  • "For far too long, working families have been left behind by policies that have not kept up with their needs, but our current Congress and the Biden Administration are working to finally change that," said Congresswoman Pingree. "The expanded Child Tax Credit is putting more of hardworking families' own money back in their pockets to afford rising costs. Hundreds of dollars in tax cuts for Maine families the week before Thanksgiving means gas in the car for that trip to grandma's house or extra grocery money to get Thanksgiving dinner on the table." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Signed Letter to Secretary Perdue: "I believe that access to food is a fundamental right and am very concerned that this proposed rule will only perpetuate food insecurity in Maine and across the country. My state has learned some difficult lessons as a result of its imposition of the three-month time limit, namely that this policy change does not magically create jobs nor does it reduce food insecurity. I do not want this proposed rule to foreclose the opportunity for Maine or other states to pursue ABAWD waivers in the future." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Rated 90% by End Citizens United. (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1 "For the People Act of 2021." (votesmart.org)
  • "Our elections have been upended by unprecedented dark money spending and scores of voter suppression laws that have exposed the existing cracks in our fragile democracy. Too many voices are being drowned out by powerful interests. We have a clear mandate to strengthen our democratic institutions, starting by cleaning up our elections," said Pingree. "I'm a proud cosponsor of H.R. 1 because the power should be in the hands of the American people. I am thrilled to see these election reforms before the House today, but we must remain vigilant and tear down all barriers to the ballot box. With so many new suppression laws on the horizon, the Senate must pass this essential legislation without delay." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Qualified immunity was created out of thin air by the courts and has allowed police officers to break the law with impunity. All too often the doctrine has been abused by law enforcement to evade consequences for the brutal use of excessive force toward Black Americans. Denying civilians their constitutional rights to shield a police officer from penalties is unjust and has to end," said Congresswoman Pingree. "By eliminating qualified immunity once and for all we can begin to restore trust, accountability, and fairness to our justice system." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1280 "George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021." (votesmart.org)
  • "George Floyd should be alive today. My heart goes out to his loved ones, who have suffered unimaginable loss. This verdict offers small comfort but has demonstrated the overwhelming need for the Senate to pass the Justice in Policing Act NOW." (twitter.com)
  • "Pingree also was able to insure that the bill contains $75 million in funding to maintain and modernize the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard." (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 0% by Center for Security Policy. (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of S 1605 "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022." (votesmart.org)
  • "While this bill isn't perfect, it represents a true bipartisan effort that addresses climate change, promotes racial and gender equality, and stimulates a vibrant economy. Importantly, this legislation authorizes three destroyers in FY22, further protecting BIW workers and ensuring our Navy remains competitive with our adversaries," said Pingree. "I'm proud this bill includes amendments I cosponsored to support Maine's federal civilian shipyard employees." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Today's action by the House begins the hard work of enacting what I believe will be among the most consequential legislation Congress has considered since the Great Society. This watershed bill will provide aid to working families, resources to fight the climate crisis, and tools for job creation and health care access that will remake millions of lives for the better. The American people elected President Biden and this Congress to lift the nation up and give working families a fair shot. We are close to that goal and I will work hard to get this legislation to the President's desk to fulfill our promises." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Transportation accounts for more than 50 percent of Maine's greenhouse gas emissions. Electric vehicles can significantly lower our carbon footprint, but less than 1 percent of vehicles on Maine roads are electric," said Congresswoman Pingree. "The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which I proudly helped pass, is once again delivering for Maine, our environment, and our economy--paving the way for cleaner, easier driving and supporting good-paying union jobs. I remain committed to working with our state and local leaders to ensure that these funds are swiftly deployed to where Maine drivers need them most. The EV revolution is just beginning." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 3684 "Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act." (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5376 "Build Back Better Act." (votesmart.org)
  • "Breaking: The House has passed the CARES Act, which will provide much-needed relief for Maine families from the economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic." (twitter.com)
  • "Today I joined 86 House members in introducing bipartisan legislation to guarantee college students and adult dependents will receive the one-time COVID-19 relief payments authorized by the CARES Act." (www.facebook.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 266 "Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "Tomorrow I am voting for the historic Inflation Reduction Act." (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 5376 “Inflation Reduction Act of 2022” (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 7688 “Consumer Fuel Price Gouging Prevention Act” (votesmart.org)
  • "With passage of major bills like the Inflation Reduction Act, the American Rescue Plan, the PACT Act, and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, @HouseDemocrats + @POTUS have delivered real, life-changing legislation for the American people." (twitter.com)
  • "EXCELLENT NEWS: President Biden’s cancellation of student debt will improve the lives of more than 48 million Americans, including tens of thousands of Mainers!" (twitter.com)
  • "One in eight Americans is in debt for a degree. Student debt is a crisis of economic equity and racial equality. The time has come for across-the-board student debt relief." (twitter.com)
  • Rated 100% by National Education Association (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Waiving $10,000 of student debt and extending the zero-interest payment pause is an important step towards addressing the crisis that has been crushing Americans for decades." (twitter.com)
  • "My friend John Lewis was born 81 years ago today. Congress must honor his life’s work by passing #HR1 to secure the voting rights of all Americans." (twitter.com)
  • "Tomorrow is the 58th anniversary of the #MarchOnWashington. We must honor those who marched and fought for fair #VotingRights by passing BOTH #HR1 and #HR4, which will ensure that everyone has free and fair access to the ballot box." (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 4 “John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021” (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 5746 “Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act” (votesmart.org)
  • "Biomass can be a sustainable, renewable, and affordable energy source. Expanding the biomass tax credit will encourage more Mainers to use this greener form of home heating and spur growth in our forest products industry," said Rep. Pingree. "There is bipartisan support for our bill because it will not only reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, it will boost consumers' wallets, improve our environment, and strengthen Maine's workforce." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Transportation accounts for more than 50 percent of Maine's greenhouse gas emissions. Electric vehicles can significantly lower our carbon footprint, but less than 1 percent of vehicles on Maine roads are electric," said Congresswoman Pingree. "The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which I proudly helped pass, is once again delivering for Maine, our environment, and our economy--paving the way for cleaner, easier driving and supporting good-paying union jobs. I remain committed to working with our state and local leaders to ensure that these funds are swiftly deployed to where Maine drivers need them most. The EV revolution is just beginning." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 4447 "Expanding Access to Sustainable Energy Act of 2019." (votesmart.org)
  • "While measures in this bill will do a lot to get the US on the right track as we grapple with the economic and societal challenges that a necessary rapid transformation to clean energy requires, much work remains ahead to address the climate crisis," said Pingree. "This bill is an important step on a path toward green job creation because it invests millions in workforce training within the clean energy sector, which is a win for Maine's future economic growth." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Maine is already seeing its harmful effects every day--rapidly warming oceans are threatening our economy by causing fish and lobster to migrate while rising sea levels are jeopardizing coastal communities. We cannot ignore America's role and expect our state will remain unscathed by the effects of climate change." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Rated 100% by League of Conservation Voters. (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Signed Letter to Speaker Pelosi: "Support for protecting our coasts from new drilling is backed broadly, as Americans see the environmental impacts of recurring oil spills and the associated greenhouse gas emissions that drive the climate crisis. Currently, more than 390 coastal municipalities have formally opposed drilling off their coastline, as has every governor of a state along the West and East Coasts. Alliances representing more than 50,000 businesses have also expressed their opposition." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 9 - Climate Action Now Act. (votesmart.org)
  • "Gun violence is preventable, and it's shameful that we've failed to enact meaningful reform that would end the epidemic of gun violence. I've supported enhanced background checks for more than a decade, and that's why I'm proud to vote for H.R. 8 and H.R. 1446 today. This is an easy, effective, popular step that will save lives." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Our background check system can't protect the public with so many massive holes in it. We can all agree that certain people should not be allowed to own a firearm because of the risks they present. But we've given them multiple options for skirting the system so they can purchase one with ease," (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 100% by Brady Campaign to End Gun Violence. (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1446 "Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2021." (votesmart.org)
  • "Chellie believes fundamentally that access to affordable high-quality health care is a human right, not a privilege for the wealthy few. If one thing is clear, it’s that the system we use to deliver health care to our citizens in America is broken. Costs continue to spiral out of control, bolstering the bottom lines of insurance companies and drug makers while squeezing household budgets to the breaking point. Too many Americans are one serious diagnosis away from bankruptcy and too many others are forced to defer critical preventive care, often leading to costly emergency room visits and raising costs for everyone. Something has to change, and it has to change now." (www.chelliepingree.com)
  • "The Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) was a major step in the right direction. More people with health insurance means lower costs and better care for everyone. When President Obama left office, the ACA was slowing the rate of health care cost increases and leading to positive patient outcomes. Obamacare made health insurance affordable to low and middle income families, often for the first time. It gave people the freedom to start a business or strike out on their own, knowing they would be able to find quality affordable care." (www.chelliepingree.com)
  • "Ultimately, Chellie believes that the time has come to pass Medicare for All. With a single-payer system, we can address unreasonable out-of-pocket costs and confusing administrative hurdles, and ensure that every American, no matter their age, income level, disability, or health history, can access the care they need when they or their families need it." (www.chelliepingree.com)
  • "77% of workers in Maine would finally gain paid family leave if we pass #BuildBackBetter. Isn’t it time that we join the rest of the world in support of working families?" (twitter.com)
  • "America is, shamefully, the only developed nation that does not provide paid leave for new parents or caregivers, & where people die because they cannot afford life-saving insulin. We must #BuildBackBetter." (twitter.com)
  • "It is an international embarrassment that the United States is the only industrialized nation without a paid family leave policy." (twitter.com)
  • "It’s crazy that most of the rest of the world ensures paid family leave, but the U.S. still doesn’t. I’ve co-sponsored the #FAMILYAct (H.R. 947) so that every American has the ability to start a family or care for a sick loved one w/o fear of losing his or her job. #mepolitics" (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 6833 “The Affordable Insulin Now Act” (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 3 “Lower Drug Costs Now Act of 2019” (votesmart.org)
  • "One of the biggest sources of pressure on household budgets, especially for seniors, is the unconscionable cost of prescription drugs. There’s simply no way that people living on a fixed income can keep up with the prices of medications that seem to increase month after month. Chellie has the courage to take on the big drug companies and to fight for consumers. She believes the federal government should use its considerable buying power to negotiate for Medicare patients. And she’s a introduced legislation to ensure that consumers can import their prescriptions from Canada if they choose, where drugs can cost much less than they do in the US." (www.chelliepingree.com)
  • "The Inflation Reduction Act will cap seniors’ out-of-pocket spending for prescription drugs at $2,000 per year. That's just one reason why I am voting yes!" (twitter.com)
  • "It is an abuse of power for Pres. Trump to declare a nat'l emergency b/c he failed to fulfill his campaign promise of Mexico paying for his multi-billion $ border boondoggle. If he cares about border security, he will continue to work w/Congress through the FY2020 budget process" (twitter.com)
  • "Just voted for a new bipartisan package to re-open the government, pay our federal workers, and provide $1.6 billion for key border security initiatives. This is the TENTH time that the House has voted to #endtheshutdown. #mepolitics" (twitter.com)
  • Rated 0% by NumbersUSA (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "#TrumpBudget cuts critical programs in order to build an unnecessary multi-billion-$$ border wall. Who's paying for it? Hint: not Mexico." (twitter.com)
  • "America is a nation of immigrants, and few of us can trace our ancestry to this land. DACA has been integral in allowing the more than 640,0000 Dreamers to live, work, and thrive here. They don't just call America home--it is their home, and in many cases, it's the only one they remember," said Pingree. "I was relieved last June when the Supreme Court decided to allow Dreamers to stay, but I know Congress must step up and codify this decision. I proudly voted today for the American Dream and Promise Act, which will extend the opportunity of citizenship to so many essential members of our communities--our neighbors, coworkers, family, and friends." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "The Muslim Ban only served to stoke xenophobia and senselessly cut thousands of Americans off from their loved ones abroad. Former President Trump's egregious, bigoted executive action was rightfully rescinded by President Biden on his first day in office," said Pingree, an original cosponsor of the NO BAN Act. "However, we need protections to make sure no future president acts in such a discriminatory and overreaching way again. In passing the NO BAN Act, the House is reaffirming Congress' role in the system of checks and balances. This bill promotes a return to more compassionate immigration policy that welcomes immigrants and refugees." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1333 "NO BAN Act." (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 6 "American Dream and Promise Act of 2021." (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1333 "NO BAN Act." (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 6 "American Dream and Promise Act of 2021." (votesmart.org)
  • "I've cosponsored this bill b/c despite overwhelming sanctions already imposed on Russia, Putin continues to wage an unjust war on the people of Ukraine. We must cut Russia off from its main source of cash-flow and make investments in cleaner renewable energy technologies NOW." (twitter.com)
  • "President Biden’s new imposition of overwhelming sanctions on Russia is merited. Vladimir Putin, his circle of oligarch enablers, and the Russian economy must be punished for invading the sovereign democracy of Ukraine." (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 6968 “Suspending Energy Imports from Russia Act” (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 7691 “Making emergency supplemental appropriations for assistance for the situation in Ukraine for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022, and for other purposes.” (votesmart.org)
  • "As Maine photojournalist @MGSphotojournal illustrates in these heart wrenching photos, the humanitarian crisis due to Russia’s illegal war on Ukraine demands immediate and continued support from the US and our allies. Tonight, the House once again delivered with $40B in aid" (twitter.com)
  • "@POTUS quickly answered @ZelenskyyUa’s urgent plea to Congress today. With this new pledge, the $13.6 billion in humanitarian and military aid Congress secured last week, and the severe sanctions imposed on Russia, the US has made it clear we stand firmly behind Ukraine" (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 7691 “Making emergency supplemental appropriations for assistance for the situation in Ukraine for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022, and for other purposes.” (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of S. 3522 “Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2022” (votesmart.org)
  • "#BuildBackBetter is about tax fairness – the bill will make billionaires and corporations pay their rightful share while giving middle-class taxpayers the economic relief they’ve long needed." (twitter.com)
  • "Democrats introduced a historic bill to lower Rx costs, invest in climate solutions, + make the wealthiest finally pay their fair share. How did Republicans react? They blocked health care for combat veterans. The GOP’s only goal is to stop progress no matter who it hurts." (twitter.com)
  • Rated 8% by National Tax Limitation Committee (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "The #BuildBackBetter plan will provide one of the biggest middle class tax cuts in history and we will pay for it by making the super wealthy finally pay their fair share." (twitter.com)
  • Rated 100% by Public Citizen. (votesmart.org)
  • "USMCA also ignores the reality of the climate crisis and does not hold global polluters to account. It's foolishly shortsighted to not even mention the words "climate change' in this major trade agreement. This omission will have major implications for Maine, which breathes the prevailing winds from the west and already has the highest rates of asthma in the nation. Our state is also grappling with the fastest warming waters in the world and rising sea levels. Without environmental protection in the agreement, the climate crisis will only accelerate and irreversibly damage Maine." (votesmart.org)
  • Voted against 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.
X d) Abortions should be legal when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape.
X e) Abortions should be legal when the life of the woman is endangered.
X f) Dilation and extraction or "partial-birth" abortion procedures should be legal.
g) Medicare, Medicaid, and federal subsidies should be prohibited from being used on abortion procedures.
I have always firmly believed in a woman?s right to choose and during my career have had a number of opportunities to protect and expand a woman?s right to make her own healthcare decisions. My votes in the Maine Senate make my convictions clear, but I also was a leader both in the dialogue and fight on this issue, including sponsoring the ?contraceptive equity? bill in Maine ? one of the first to pass in the country and cosponsoring successful legislation to codify Roe v. Wade.

Indicate what federal funding levels (#1-6) you support for the following general categories. Select one number per category, you can use a number more than once.1) Budget Priorities2) Defense Spending3) TaxesIndicate what federal tax levels (#1-6) you support for the following general categories. Select one number per category, you can use a number more than once.Family Income TaxesOther TaxesDeductions/Credits

a) Agriculture
Slightly Increase b) Arts
c) Defense
Greatly Increase d) Education
Greatly Increase e) Environment
Slightly Increase f) FEMA
Slightly Increase g) Homeland security
h) International aid
i) Law enforcement (Federal)
j) Law enforcement (State)
Greatly Increase k) Medical research
Slightly Increase l) National parks
Greatly Increase m) Public health services
Slightly Increase n) Scientific research
Slightly Increase o) Space exploration programs
Slightly Increase p) Transportation and highway infrastructure
Maintain Status q) United Nations
r) Welfare
Slightly Increase a) Armed forces personnel training
Maintain Status b) Intelligence operations
c) Military hardware
d) Modernization of weaponry and equipment
Eliminate e) National missile defense
f) Pay for active duty personnel
g) Programs to improve troop retention rates
h) Research and development of new weapons
Slightly Increase i) Troop and equipment readiness
Slightly Decrease a) Less than $12,000
Slightly Decrease b) $12,001-$40,000
Slightly Decrease c) $40,001-$100,000
Maintain Status d) $100,001-$180,000
Slightly Increase e) $180,001-$350,000
Greatly Increase f) $350,001 and above
g) Other or expanded categories
Maintain Status a) Alcohol taxes
Slightly Increase b) Capital gains taxes
Slightly Increase c) Cigarette taxes
Slightly Increase d) Corporate taxes
Maintain Status e) Gasoline taxes
Slightly Increase f) Inheritance taxes
Slightly Increase a) Charitable contribution deduction
Slightly Increase b) Child tax credit
Slightly Increase c) Earned income tax credit
Slightly Increase d) Medical expense deduction
Maintain Status e) Mortgage deduction
Slightly Increase f) Student loan credit
g) Other or expanded categories
No 4) Do you support the permanent repeal of the federal estate tax?
No 5) Do you support requiring the federal budget to be balanced each year?
6) Other or expanded principles
The categories that are blank are very broad and include some areas where I would support cuts and some areas where I would support increases.
I believe that we should devote more resources to taking care of veterans once they've returned home. Veterans should be able get the care they need without having to fight for it.
Much needs to be done to our tax structure -- including a repeal of the Bush tax cuts for the highest income Americans, higher capital gains taxes on investment income, and closing tax loopholes for private equity and hedge funds. We should restrict government contracts to American-based corporations and clarify rules on tax shelters so they cannot be used strictly for tax avoidance. At the same time, tax cuts should be focused on areas that will help working families -- with credits that support access to higher education, child care costs, and tax policies that do not punish wage earner.

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding campaign finance and government reform.

a) Support increasing the amount individuals are permitted to contribute to federal campaigns.
b) Prohibit Political Action Committee (PAC) contributions to candidates for federal office.
c) Allow unregulated soft money campaign contributions to political parties or committees.
d) Remove all contribution limits on federal campaigns and parties.
e) Support prohibiting ads containing candidates' name that are paid for by third parties from airing 60 days before a primary and 30 days before a general federal election.
X f) Support instant run-off voting (IRV).
X g) Support designating Election Day as a national holiday.
h) Support giving the President the power of the line item veto for items concerning appropriations.
X i) Support limiting the President's use of signing statements in order to prevent an alternative interpretation of the bill.
X j) Support a federal shield law to protect reporter-source privilege.
I support public financing of elections ? known as ?Clean Elections? here in Maine ? as they best way to develop and alternative way to finance campaigns for state and federal office and finally get big money out of politics.

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

a) Support the use of the death penalty for federal crimes.
X b) Eliminate the use of the death penalty for federal crimes.
X c) Support programs to provide prison inmates with vocational and job-related skills and job-placement assistance when released.
X d) Support programs to provide prison inmates with drug and alcohol addiction treatment.
X e) Reduce prison sentences for those who commit non-violent crimes.
f) Support mandatory jail sentences for selling illegal drugs.
X g) Support strict penalties for internet crime (e.g. hacking, identity theft, worms/viruses).
X h) Require that crimes based on sexual orientation be prosecuted as federal hate crimes.
i) Other or expanded principles

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

X a) Support the federal government funding universal pre-K programs.
X b) Allow parents to use vouchers to send their children to any public school.
c) Allow parents to use vouchers to send their children to any private or religious school.
d) Allow teachers and professionals to receive federal funding to establish charter or magnet schools.
X e) Increase funding for the Pell Grant program.
X f) Decrease interest rates of Stafford Loans.
X g) Support federal tax incentives to help families save for college.
X h) Ban university financial aid officers from owning stock in or accepting gifts from student loan lenders.
X i) Require universities to disclose financial relationships with lenders.
j) Support federal education standards and testing requirements for K-12 students (No Child Left Behind).
k) Eliminate all federal education standards and testing requirements for K-12 students (No Child Left Behind).
l) Other or expanded principles

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

X a) Increase funding for national job-training programs that retrain displaced workers or teach skills needed in today’s job market.
b) Reduce government regulation of the private sector.
X c) Encourage employers to offer child care services, flex-time scheduling, comp-time, and unpaid leave for family emergencies.
X d) Increase the federal minimum wage.
X e) Support the right of workers to unionize.
f) Eliminate all federal programs designed to reduce unemployment.
X g) Include sexual orientation in federal anti-discrimination laws.
X h) Include gender identity in federal anti-discrimination laws.
i) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding the environment and energy.

X a) Strengthen the regulation and enforcement of the Clean Water Act.
X b) Strengthen the regulation and enforcement of the Clean Air Act.
c) Support increased development of traditional energy resources (e.g. coal, natural gas, oil).
X d) Strengthen emission controls on all gasoline and diesel-powered engines, including cars, trucks, and sport utility vehicles.
X e) Strengthen fuel efficiency standards on all gasoline and diesel-powered engines, including cars, trucks, and sport utility vehicles.
f) Support domestic oil exploration in areas that are currently restricted.
X g) Encourage further development and use of alternative fuels.
h) Support the use of ethanol as an alternative fuel.
i) Support research and development of nuclear reactors as an alternative energy source.
X j) Allow energy producers to trade pollution credits under "cap and trade" laws.
X k) Support international mandatory emission targets to limit global warming.
X l) Support international voluntary emission targets to limit global warming.
m) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding guns.On (c) and (d), indicate what levels (#1-6) you support for the following categories.

a) Allow individuals to carry concealed guns.
b) Ban the sale, ownership or possession of handguns except by law enforcement and other government officials.
Greatly Increase c) Enforcement of existing restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns.
Slightly Increase d) Restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns.
e) Other or expanded principles

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

X a) Implement a universal healthcare program to guarantee coverage to all Americans, regardless of income.
b) Expand eligibility for tax-free medical savings accounts.
X c) Allow the importation of prescription drugs into the United States.
X d) Support expanding prescription drug coverage under Medicare.
X e) Offer tax credits to individuals and small businesses to offset the cost of insurance coverage.
X f) Support expanding child healthcare programs.
g) Providing healthcare is not a responsibility of the federal government.
h) Other or expanded principles

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

a) Decrease the number of legal immigrants allowed into the country.
b) Establish English as the official national language.
c) Support a temporary worker program.
X d) Support harsher financial punishments for those who knowingly employ illegal immigrants.
e) Support amnesty for illegal immigrants already working in the United States.
f) Illegal immigrants should have to return to their countries of origin before being considered for citizenship.
X g) Illegal immigrants should be given a pathway to citizenship.
h) Support merit-based visas over family-based visas.
i) Other or expanded principles

International AidIndicate which principles you support (if any) regarding international aid.International PolicyIndicate which principles you support (if any) regarding international policy.International TradeIndicate which principles you support (if any) regarding international trade.

X a) Support the United States granting aid to countries when extraordinary circumstances cause disaster and threaten civilian lives.
X b) Support the United States granting aid to countries when it is in the security interests of the United States.
c) Eliminate United States aid for any nation with documented human rights abuses.
d) Aid granted by the United States should be scaled back and eventually eliminated.
e) Other or expanded principles
Yes a) Should the United States continue to provide leadership in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process?
Yes b) Should the United States support the creation of a Palestinian state?
Undecided c) Should the United States impose greater international sanctions on Iran if it continues to defy United Nations mandates?
Undecided d) Should the United States support the Lebanese government against insurgent forces?
No e) Should the United States maintain its troop levels in Iraq?
Yes f) Should the United States withdraw its troops from Iraq?
Yes h) Should the United States apply greater economic and diplomatic sanctions against North Korea if it fails to abide by its agreement to suspend its nuclear program?
Yes i) Should the United States increase financial support for Afghanistan?
Yes j) Should the United States increase military support for Afghanistan?
Yes k) Should the United States trade nuclear fuel to India for civilian purposes?
No l) Should the United States decrease financial support for Pakistan?
Undecided m) Should the United States decrease military support for Pakistan?
Yes n) Should the United States be involved in bringing an end to the violence in Darfur, Sudan?
Yes o) Should the United States be involved in bringing an end to the violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo?
Yes p) Should the United States provide economic and military support to the Transitional Government of Somalia?
Yes q) Should the United States use sanctions to encourage the government of Zimbabwe to end its human rights abuses?
Undecided r) Should the United States support the creation of an independent nation of Kosovo?
s) Other or expanded principles
Undecided a) Do you support the United States imposing economic sanctions on China?
No b) Do you support the United States imposing trade sanctions on Venezuela?
No c) Do you support the United States involvement in free trade agreements?
Undecided d) Do you support the United States involvement in intergovernmental organizations dedicated to trade?
I support a responsible plan to end war in Iraq and have worked with national security and military experts on this plan. We need to end the war responsibly and begin to bring the troops home in a safe and orderly manner. If the administration refuses to make plans for immediate withdrawal, Congress must stop funding the war. We can't continue to squander resources on the war - leaving will be complicated but staying continues the loss of soldiers, Iraqi citizens, and scarce resources - our presence is an obstacle to the Iraqis progress and an excuse for continued violence.
We need to revisit NAFTA and other international trade agreements. After more than a decade of NAFTA, we have lost millions of manufacturing jobs, we have an ever-increasing trade deficit and wages have stagnated. I am not opposed to international trade agreements, but I don't think we should sacrifice the advances we have made in this country ? in terms of labor rights, environmental and safety standards ? in the name of increased global trade, particularly when the trade agreements when have entered into have had such a negative effect on many local communities and our national economic picture.

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding national security.

No a) Do you support using military tribunals to try suspected terrorists when ordinary civilian courts are deemed inappropriate or impractical?
No b) Should law enforcement agencies have greater discretion to monitor domestic communications, to prevent future terrorist attacks?
Yes c) Should the United States hold foreign states accountable for terrorists who operate in their country?
Yes d) Should the federal government increase funding to states and cities for homeland security?
No e) Do you support pre-emptive military strikes against countries deemed to be a threat to United States national security?
No f) Do you support the creation of a federal identification card system?
No g) Do you support long-term use of National Guard troops to supplement the armed forces in assignments overseas?
No h) Should the United States expand its missile defense shield?
i) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding social issues.

Yes a) Should same-sex couples be allowed to marry?
No b) Do you support a federal constitutional amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman?
Yes c) Do you support federal funding for research on existing embryonic stem cell lines?
Yes d) Do you support federal funding to create lines of stem cells from new embryos?
Yes e) Should the federal government consider race and gender in government contracting decisions?
Yes f) Should the federal government continue affirmative action programs?
Undecided g) Should the federal government regulate internet gambling?
h) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding Social Security.

a) Allow workers to invest a portion of their payroll tax in private accounts that they manage themselves.
b) Ensure the viability of Social Security by increasing the payroll tax.
c) Decrease benefits paid to retirees.
X d) Support proportional increases of Social Security benefits based on the cost of living index.
e) Raise the retirement age for individual eligibility to receive full Social Security benefits.
I support repealing the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) of the Social Security Act. Maine is one of a handful of states impacted, and in Congress I would work with Members of Congress from the other 14 states to make sure this is corrected for the people who are penalized.

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

a) Require welfare recipients to spend at least 40 hours a week in a combination of work and training programs.
X b) Continue to give states and local governments flexibility in and responsibility for welfare programs through federal block grants.
X c) Support housing assistance for welfare recipients.
d) Abolish all federal welfare programs.
As Senate Majority Leader, I championed Maine?s ?Parents As Scholars? program that allows Maine?s working poor to attend college, get better jobs and change their lives. ?Parents of Scholars? participants are among our best success stories of government empowering women and families and making them a vital part of the economy.
More than anything else over the past year, the conversation in Maine has been about ending the war, expanding access to health care as well as and our increasingly troubled economy and the challenges we face with global warming and our environment. My top priorities are to guarantee healthcare for all, end the war in Iraq and create U.S. jobs with good wages and benefits.

Vote Smart does not permit the use of its name or programs in any campaign activity, including advertising, debates, and speeches.

arrow_upward