Oregon Congressional Election 2018 Political Courage Test

Abortion

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

2. Other or expanded principles
- All citizens have the right to make private health decisions without government interference.

Budget

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

2. In order to balance the budget, do you support reducing defense spending?
- Unknown Position

3. Other or expanded principles
- Americans need a fair-share tax system capable of funding Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare, and veterans? services. I opposed the $1.5 trillion tax giveaway Congress gave to major corporations and wealthy individuals last year. Congress must provide better fiscal leadership addressing our country?s pressing domestic needs while providing for a robust national defense. Too many Americans are struggling to make ends meet, including in my rural district where poverty is widespread. I will ensure our brave servicemen and women in uniform have every resource they need and insist on full funding of veterans? services caring for those who have served us.

Campaign Finance

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

2. Other or expanded principles
- Americans have a right to know who funds political campaigns and advertisements. I am committed to campaign finance reform and believe in eliminating the undue influence of foreign governments and big corporations on our elections.

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
- Federal spending on our crumbling infrastructure will create significant economic opportunities for businesses, workers and families in my rural district as well as improve our quality of life. Expanded federal investments in communication, energy, health care, transportation and water infrastructure are central to my platform of building stronger communities and promoting economic innovation. My focus will be ensuring that rural communities are included in these investments. Americans need a fair-share tax system capable of funding Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare, and veterans? services. I opposed the $1.5 trillion tax giveaway that Congress gave to major corporations and wealthy individuals last year.

Education

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

2. Other or expanded principles
- Local school boards and states have primary responsibility for educating our children. The role of the federal government is to provide resources and ensure equal access to education. I support full funding of Head Start programs to give children get the early literacy foundation they need to succeed in school, full funding of trade schools and community colleges to prepare students for successful careers, and exchange of public service for college or trade school education.

Energy & Environment

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

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

3. Other or expanded principles
- Federal investment in renewable energy is central to my platform of building stronger communities, promoting business innovation, and creating economic opportunities for hard working Americans. I strongly support clean energy jobs and tax incentives to grow clean energy businesses. Climate change is a contributor to major wildfires in my rural district and science-based solutions must include significant and fair reductions of greenhouse gas emissions across all sectors. I firmly believe that we can lead the world in renewable energy innovation and development to build a thriving economy and ensure a quality environment.

Guns

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

2. Other or expanded principles
- I support our Constitution and the Second Amendment. Guns are part of my district's rural culture. Growing up, hunting put food on my family?s table. I am committed to the safety of our communities and believe we can develop workable solutions by finding common ground. I propose School Safety Grants providing resources so school districts decide how best to meet community needs, from installing security equipment to hiring counselors and ensuring children can thrive. Improved access and affordability for physical and mental health services will provide care for post-traumatic stress, addiction, and other root causes of family and social violence.

Health Care

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

2. Other or expanded principles
- I support keeping the requirement that health insurance must cover pre-existing conditions. My opponent wrote the bill passed by the U.S. House that revoked coverage of pre-existing conditions, which even the President called ?mean.? I am committed to reducing health system costs and ensuring universal and affordable access to the full range of physical and mental health care services.

Immigration

1. Do you support the construction of a wall along the Mexican border?
- Unknown Position

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
- We need robust border security. I support funding our Border Patrol for hiring and training agents, surveillance, strategic fencing, patrols, and citizen engagement. China?s Great Wall didn?t work for them and won?t for us. We need partnerships to address root causes. Agriculture in my district is dependent on migrant workers. We need immigration reform to protect families and our economy. People should undergo the review locally, and leave if they don?t qualify. I respect those who contribute to our communities, pay taxes, and serve in our military. Dreamers have already undergone a review process and should be granted permanent status.

Marijuana

1. Do you support the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes?
- Unknown Position

2. Other or expanded principles
- States determine the legality of marijuana for recreational use, but I oppose classification of marijuana by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency as a Schedule One narcotic because it deprives legitimate businesses and agricultural producers in my district of access to vital banking, finance and insurance services.

National Security

1. Should the United States use military force in order to prevent governments hostile to the U.S. from possessing a nuclear weapon?
- Unknown Position

2. Do you support increased American intervention in Middle Eastern conflicts beyond air support?
- Unknown Position

3. Other or expanded principles
- My experience rebuilding post-war societies in Bosnia and Kosovo showed me that even if war is sometimes necessary, it always must be a last resort of American foreign policy. Crucially, we must care for our veterans after their service to the nation is done. After 17 years of occupation in Afghanistan there still is no possibility of strategic victory, and many of our servicemen and women are serving fourth or more tours of duty without adequate healthcare when they return. America must remain engaged to foster peace in the world mindful that we cannot police every regional dispute.

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.
- I support long-term, fiscally-responsible federal planning for national health, safety, education and a thriving economy.