Positions

2020

China

How, if at all, should China’s treatment of the Uighurs and the situation in Hong Kong affect broader U.S. policy toward China?

- China’s oppression of the Uighurs including the detention of a massive number in internment camps is a gross violation of their human rights. A fundamental component of American foreign policy must be to promote human rights and democracy. That means having a president who has the moral authority to encourage our allies to share in the job of speaking up and hold China accountable for these human rights violations. We must speak out about any nation’s abuse of its minority populations or infringement upon the civil liberties of its citizens. The U.S.–China relationship is complex and touches security, trade, human rights and climate change. We need to confront China on both human rights and unfair trade practices, while at the same time pursuing our mutual interests on combatting climate change. A foreign policy that prioritizes working with our partners and allies will put pressure on China to improve its treatment of the Uighurs and ensure that it keeps its word to the people of Hong Kong.

Iran

Would you rejoin the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)? What changes to the existing agreement, if any, would you require before agreeing to rejoin the accord?

- Yes. I would rejoin the JCPOA, if it is still an option by January 2021. A nuclear Iran would further destabilize the entire Middle East and we must prevent it. I would work closely with our European allies and collaborate towards our common goal of a non-nuclear Iran and a Middle East that can work toward peace and prosperity without the constant threat of nuclear conflict.

North Korea

Would you sign an agreement with North Korea that entailed partial sanctions relief in exchange for some dismantling of its nuclear weapons program but not full denuclearization?

- Any agreement with North Korea must include credible commitments – and verifiable progress - toward significant reductions in its nuclear weapons arsenal. North Korea is an irresponsible

regime whose nuclear capabilities pose a threat to not only the security of the United States and our allies, but to every nation around the globe. A nuclear North Korea would pose an immediate and existential threat to our security if left unchecked, and that’s why we must work with our regional allies to ensure that this situation is properly monitored and managed. While President Trump has legitimized the Kim regime in North Korea and on the international stage without anything in return, I would work to ensure that North Korea provides more than hollow promises but demonstrates real progress towards denuclearization.

Ukraine

What, if any, steps would you take to counter Russian aggression against Ukraine?

- Russia’s unwarranted and unprovoked aggression against Ukraine demonstrates its lack of regard for the territorial sovereignty of its neighbors and the extent to which it is willing to go to maintain its so-called “sphere of influence.” Such action has set a dangerous precedent for several of our allies in Central and Eastern Europe, and we must work closely with these allies to ensure that they have the necessary military capabilities to deter future Russian aggression. We must coordinate with our NATO allies to ensure there is adequate military preparation and readiness in the case of such an incident, particularly in the Baltic region. Simultaneously, we must also continue, in coordination with our allies and partners, effective sanctions against entities connected to the ongoing occupations of Crimea and the Donbas to make it explicitly clear to Russia that its unlawful infringements of Ukrainian sovereignty is unsustainable and counter to its long-term interests.

Afghanistan

Would you commit to the full withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan by the end of your first term, or would you require certain conditions be met before doing so?

- There are young men and women entering military service this year who weren’t even born on 9/11. We’ve been entangled in the region for too long, and it’s time to reassess our posture. I want our brave servicemembers to come home as soon as possible. The only way to end the Afghan war in a meaningful and lasting way that respects the sacrifices of our service members will be through diplomacy, and I’ll do everything in my power to make that happen by the end of my first term. We must also ensure that this solution would also uphold fundamental human rights, such as women’s rights, and the rights of minorities, and that they will be respected after we depart.

Saudi Arabia

Given the assassination of Jamal Khashoggi and Saudi Arabia’s involvement in the civil war in Yemen, what changes, if any, would you make to U.S. policy toward Saudi Arabia?

- The Trump Administration has not held Saudi Arabia accountable either for the assassination of Jamal Khashoggi or its conduct of the war in Yemen. While the U.S. has important interests in its relationship with Saudi Arabia, it does not serve U.S. interests to allow the Saudis to act with impunity against its own citizens or in Yemen. There needs to be a credible investigation of the murder of Jamal Khashoggi and the U.S. should press the Saudis to improve press freedom and the treatment of journalists. The U.S. should stop its direct support for Saudi Arabia’s reckless war in Yemen, which has resulted in the deaths of thousands of civilians with millions on the verge of starvation. Our priorities must be to facilitate the peace process between the warring parties and to deliver humanitarian aid and relief to the people of Yemen.

Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Do you support a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and, if so, how would you go about trying to achieve it?

- I support a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict which would provide Israel with security and the Palestinian people with a better future. Under the Trump Administration, efforts to reach a two-state solution have reached a standstill as the U.S. negotiating team does not have credibility with both parties. I would use the fresh start of a new Administration to reinvigorate efforts to get Israelis and Palestinians to the negotiating table and consult closely with regional partners whose support would be necessary to implement a final status agreement.

Venezuela

What, if any, additional steps should the United States take to remove Nicolás Maduro from power in Venezuela?

- Venezuela has gone from one of the most prosperous countries in Latin America to one of the poorest due to decades of governmental incompetence, corruption, and indifference towards the suffering of its own people. Maduro is a dictator whose regime has lost legitimacy in the eyes of both the Venezuelan people and the world. His corruption and abuse of human rights are completely unacceptable. The U.S. must support Juan Guaido´ as the Provisional President of Venezuela and his National Assembly colleagues as they advance a constitutional transition that includes new elections and the restoration of democracy in Venezuela. As part of that support, the U.S. must work closely with our allies and partners to apply diplomatic and economic pressure on the Maduro regime in order to facilitate that transition.

Africa

By 2050, Africa will account for 25 percent of the world’s population according to projections by the United Nations. What are the implications of this demographic change for the United States, and how should we adjust our policies to anticipate them?

- Many African nations are still embroiled in poverty, sectarian violence, and the inability to provide basic services to its citizens. Africa is also the continent with the largest youth population on the planet. The U.S. must provide African nations with the tools they need to meet this impending demographic challenge. The U.S. should work to foster entrepreneurship programs and encourage the growth of locally-owned and operated businesses to ensure that there will be employment opportunities available come 2050. Additionally, the U.S. should encourage governments across the continent to make the necessary reforms in sectors such as governance and the rule of law, so that their countries can be stable places for foreign direct investment and to increase the economic opportunities of a quarter of the world’s future population.

Trade

1. Under what circumstances, if any, would you support the United States joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), formerly the Trans-Pacific Partnership?

- I will not sign any free trade agreement that doesn’t require high labor standards, leverage improved environmental conservation, and that isn’t accompanied by significant efforts to ensure that American workers are not left behind. By those standards, I would not have entered the TPP as it was originally written. If the agreement were improved, I would consider joining the CPTPP under the right circumstances. Before joining the CPTPP, I would seek enforceable environmental and labor standards. Additionally, joining an effective CPTPP has the potential to be an important element of a comprehensive U.S. strategy for pushing back against growing Chinese influence in the Asia-Pacific region and globally.

Climate

How would you discourage the proliferation of coal-fired power plants in developing countries?

- The more important thing we need to do is return to the Paris Agreement so we can be part of the international elements of climate change solutions. We simply can’t lead if we are not a part of the Agreement.

The World Bank has predicted that 143 million people would be internally displaced without action, just in sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and South Asia. Building more coal plants in these countries is not the answer. Instead we must work with the IPCC and other multi-lateral organizations to promote international investments in energy production that are balanced with carbon capture and re-use, re-forestation, and other strategies that will bring other nations toward our shared priority of carbon-neutrality by 2050 at the latest.

Fifty years ago, American ingenuity put a man on the moon – a feat no other country has matched. Today, America can and will lead the way in solving the challenge of climate change. In my administration, Commerce, Energy, State, and the Export-Import Bank all will play a larger role globally in helping other countries to consider and adopt U.S.-engineered carbon-free energy technologies.

U.S. Foreign Policy

What has been the greatest foreign policy accomplishment of the United States since World War II? What has been the biggest mistake?

- The greatest foreign policy accomplishment of the United States since World War II has been the construction of the post-war liberal world order through our establishment of a system of alliances and institutions. It was this U.S.-led order that facilitated a peaceful end to the Cold War and created an international economic system that has led to unprecedented flourishing.This system has proven its resilience over the past 70 years and has been an indispensable tool for ensuring global peace and prosperity. As President, I will continue to invest in this system and work closely with our allies to further its legacy.

The greatest mistake of American foreign policy since the end of WWII has been the Iraq War. This conflict was started based on the nai¨ve belief that the U.S. could overthrow a regime in the Middle East and democracy would naturally ensue. Rather than a stable democratic regime in Iraq, this war produced a massive amount of instability in an already volatile region. This conflict, which was initiated without all but one of our allies, was doomed from the start. The U.S. sacrificed over a trillion dollars and over 4,500 lives for virtually nothing in return. As President, I will ensure that we work closely with our allies and not take such drastic and unnecessary unilateral actions.

Presidential Election 2020 Political Courage Test

Abortion

1. Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
- Pro-choice

2. Other or expanded principles
- The most basic human right is the freedom to decide what does or does not happen to your body. Today, this basic right is under threat for American women. As president, Steve will fight to make sure women have the right to make their own healthcare decisions. This means rolling back the loopholes that Donald Trump has given to businesses that want to determine their employees' choices about birth control, and re-funding Title IX. It also means codifying Roe v. Wade and nominating judges who will stand up for women's healthcare rights.

Budget

1. In order to balance the budget, do you support an income tax increase on any tax bracket?
- Yes

2. Do you support expanding federal funding to support entitlement programs such as Social Security and Medicare?
- Yes

3. Other or expanded principles
- Social security and Medicare are vital parts of the safety net that we need to protect. In the face of Republican threats to cut Social Security to pay for their massive tax cuts to the rich, we need to strengthen Social Security and improve opportunities for Americans to save for retirement. I also support expanding Medicare as part of my plan to ensure that every American has access to affordable, quality healthcare.

Campaign Finance

1. Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?
- Yes

2. Other or expanded principles
- I have spent my career fighting dark money in politics, and will continue to do so as President. I will sign several executive orders on day one of my presidency: to require any 501(c)4 or 501(c)6 organization that supports a political candidate or organization to disclose all contributions over $5,000, to require existing federal government contractors, and for those applying for federal contracts, to disclose all of their political spending, and require the public filing of a corporate tax returns and public listing of corporate officers for any corporation engaged in political contributions or spending.

Defense

1. Do you support increasing defense spending?
- Yes

2. Other or expanded principles
- The president's most important job is to protect America, but that means providing for the defense of our country in a smart and responsible way. This means cutting existing programs that build outdated machinery our military does not need - and openly says it does not want - and focusing spending on next-generation technology to prepare for the battles of the 21st century.

Economy

1. Do you support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
- Yes

2. Do you support lowering corporate taxes as a means of promoting economic growth?
- No

3. Other or expanded principles
- While the wealthy have seen an economic recovery, many people who go to work every day are facing diminishing opportunities. I believe we must make sure every American who works hard has a fair shot at success. That means ensuring the opportunities that come from a great education and job training offer reliable and affordable healthcare and retirement security. That is why I will work to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour.

Education

1. Do you support requiring states to adopt federal education standards?
- Yes

2. Other or expanded principles
- I believe that the government, schools, and private industry can work together to provide educational paths for all types of careers that will support a strong middle class. That is why I would provide free tuition for community college attendance, expand and improve public service student loan repayment programs so young people can afford to go to college and give back to their country, and invest in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

Energy & Environment

1. Do you support government funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, geo-thermal)?
- Yes

2. Do you support the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions?
- Yes

3. Other or expanded principles
- Climate change is the defining challenge of our time. That is why I will rejoin the Paris Agreement on day one, require every federal agency to develop a plan to reduce carbon emissions each year of my administration, aggressively expand clean energy like solar and wind power and energy conservation efforts, reverse Trump's weakening of automobile fuel efficiency standards, direct the Departments of Interior and Agriculture to achieve net-zero emissions on our public lands by 2030, and take on the energy industry and stop dark money groups.

Guns

1. Do you generally support gun-control legislation?
- Yes

2. Other or expanded principles
- When I was growing up the NRA was a gun safety and hunting organization. Now it's a dark money political organization driving Americans further apart. We need to take immediate action to address gun safety as a public health issue. I support requiring background checks, using red flag laws to disarm people who pose a risk to themselves or others, getting rid of straw purchases, closing the boyfriend loophole, funding research on gun violence, stopping the sale of assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, safe storage, and launching a national gun buy-back program.

Health Care

1. Do you support repealing the 2010 Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare")?
- No

2. Other or expanded principles
- The greatest strides we have made on healthcare since Medicaid and Medicare in our country was Obamacare. I want to build on that, not start all over. That is why I support a public option to ensure that all Americans have access to healthcare. I support expanding Medicare to states that haven't done so yet, ending surprise billing, and automatically enrolling families who are Medicaid eligible or eligible for a 100% cost subsidy on the ACA exchange. I also will bring down the cost of prescription medicines by negotiating drug prices and taking on the pharmaceutical industry.

Immigration

1. Do you support the construction of a wall along the Mexican border?
- No

2. Do you support requiring immigrants who are unlawfully present to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship?
- No

3. Other or expanded principles
- America's greatest strength is the promise of freedom and opportunity. Almost all of our families have been immigrants at one point, coming here in search of a better life. Immigrants today are no different, escaping violence or persecution. At the same time, we need to make sure our borders are secure. I will work with Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform that grants DREAMers citizenship and provides a pathway to legal status and ultimately citizenship. I will ensure families remain together until their claims have been adjudicated, and use the right mix of people and technology to support the CBP.

National Security

1. 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

2. Do you support reducing military intervention in Middle East conflicts?
- Yes

3. Other or expanded principles
- There are young men and women entering military service this year who weren't even born on 9/11. We've been entangled in the region for too long, and it's time to reassess our posture. I want our brave servicemembers to come home as soon as possible, and I'll do everything in my power, including through diplomacy and working with our allies, to make that happen by the end of my first term. We must also ensure that this solution upholds fundamental human rights, such as women's rights and the rights of minorities, and that they will be respected after we depart.

Trade

1. Do you generally support removing barriers to international trade (for example: tariffs, quotas, etc.)?
- Yes

2. Other or expanded principles
- First, we need to stop tweeting tariffs, trade policy, and insults towards world leaders. As President, I would work to remove tariffs and pass trade deals that benefit all Americans. Trade deals would have to acknowledge the impacts on American workers, provide significant funding for retraining of impacted workers, and include strong labor and environmental protections for all parties.

Administrative Priorities

Please explain in a total of 100 words or less, your top two or three priorities if elected. If they require additional funding for implementation, please explain how you would obtain this funding.
- Our top priority has to be getting corrupt money and influence out of our politics. Washington has been so thoroughly corrupted by Dark Money that it has been unable to tackle our biggest challenges. If we have a hope of solving climate change, addressing income inequality, and making our communities safer from gun violence, we need to fix this first. I would also prioritize rebuilding the institutions of trust in our representative democracy and America's standing in the world. Much damage has been done under Trump, but it is not irreparable yet.