VoteMatch Responses (Click here for VoteMatch quiz)
VoteMatch Question & Answer (Click on question for explanation and background)	Based on these stances: (Click on topic for excerpt & citation)
Strongly Favors topic 1: Abortion is a woman's unrestricted right (+5 points on Social scale)	Require that all health insurers cover the right of choice: Strongly Favors topic 1 Allow taxpayer-funded family planning clinics: Strongly Favors topic 1 Rated 100% by NARAL, indicating a pro-choice voting record: Strongly Favors topic 1 Expand contraceptive services for low-income women: Favors topic 1 Emergency contraception for rape victims at all hospitals: Favors topic 1 Rated 0% by the NRLC, indicating a pro-choice stance: Strongly Favors topic 1 Provide emergency contraception at military facilities: Favors topic 1 Require pharmacies to fulfill contraceptive prescriptions: Favors topic 1 Protect the reproductive rights of women: Strongly Favors topic 1 Ensure access to and funding for contraception: Favors topic 1 Focus on preventing pregnancy, plus emergency contraception: Favors topic 1 NO on banning federal health coverage that includes abortion: Strongly Favors topic 1 NO on barring transporting minors to get an abortion: Strongly Favors topic 1 NO on banning partial-birth abortions: Favors topic 1 NO on banning Family Planning funding in US aid abroad: Favors topic 1 NO on Unknown roll call for 2001-89: Favors topic 1 NO on funding for health providers who don't provide abortion info: Favors topic 1 NO on banning partial-birth abortion except to save mother’s life: Strongly Favors topic 1 NO on making it a crime to harm a fetus during another crime: Favors topic 1 NO on restricting interstate transport of minors to get abortions: Strongly Favors topic 1 YES on allowing human embryonic stem cell research: Favors topic 1 YES on expanding research to more embryonic stem cell lines: Favors topic 1
Strongly Favors topic 2: Legally require hiring women & minorities (-5 points on Economic scale)	Pay increases for teachers, nurses, and female-majority jobs: Strongly Favors topic 2 Shift from group preferences to economic empowerment of all: Neutral on topic 2 Constitutional Amendment for equal rights by gender: Strongly Favors topic 2 Rated 94% by the NAACP, indicating a pro-affirmative-action stance: Strongly Favors topic 2 Constitutional Amendment for women's equal rights: Strongly Favors topic 2 Re-introduce the Equal Rights Amendment: Strongly Favors topic 2 YES on $84 million in grants for Black and Hispanic colleges: Strongly Favors topic 2
Strongly Favors topic 3: Comfortable with same-sex marriage (+5 points on Social scale)	Backed legalizing same-sex marriage in his state: Strongly Favors topic 3 More funding and stricter sentencing for hate crimes: Strongly Favors topic 3 Rated 100% by the HRC, indicating a pro-gay-rights stance: Strongly Favors topic 3 ENDA: prohibit employment discrimination for gays: Favors topic 3 Repeal Don't-Ask-Don't-Tell, and reinstate discharged gays: Favors topic 3 NO on banning gay adoptions in DC: Favors topic 3 NO on Constitutional Amendment banning same-sex marriage: Strongly Favors topic 3 NO on Constitutionally defining marriage as one-man-one-woman: Strongly Favors topic 3 YES on prohibiting job discrimination based on sexual orientation: Strongly Favors topic 3 YES on enforcing against anti-gay hate crimes: Favors topic 3
Opposes topic 4: Keep God in the public sphere (+2 points on Social scale)	Rated 15% by the Christian Coalition: an anti-Family-Value voting record: Strongly Opposes topic 4 Sex Ed including both abstinence and contraception: Opposes topic 4 TV shows should have explicit viewer advisories: Strongly Favors topic 4 YES on responsible fatherhood via faith-based organizations: Favors topic 4 NO on treating religious organizations equally for tax breaks: Strongly Opposes topic 4 NO on allowing school prayer during the War on Terror: Strongly Opposes topic 4 NO on constitutional amendment prohibiting flag desecration: Opposes topic 4 NO on protecting the Pledge of Allegiance: Opposes topic 4
Strongly Favors topic 5: Expand ObamaCare (-5 points on Economic scale)	Implemented statewide public option within ObamaCare: Strongly Favors topic 5 Medicare for all who want it: opt-in, not mandate: Strongly Favors topic 5 Public option; more access to Medicare by lowering age: Strongly Favors topic 5 Lower eligibility for Medicare; provide public option: Favors topic 5 Take initial steps towards universal health care: Favors topic 5 Establish "report cards" on HMO quality of care: Favors topic 5 Rated 100% by APHA, indicating a pro-public health record: Strongly Favors topic 5 Establish a National Diabetes Coordinator: Favors topic 5 Expand the National Health Service Corps: Strongly Favors topic 5 YES on giving mental health full equity with physical health: Favors topic 5 YES on Veto override: Extend SCHIP to cover 6M more kids: Strongly Favors topic 5 NO on repealing the "Prevention and Public Health" slush fund: Strongly Favors topic 5 NO on the Ryan Budget: Medicare choice, tax & spending cuts: Favors topic 5 NO on establishing tax-exempt Medical Savings Accounts: Favors topic 5 NO on subsidizing private insurance for Medicare Rx drug coverage: Favors topic 5 YES on allowing reimportation of prescription drugs: Favors topic 5 NO on capping damages & setting time limits in medical lawsuits: Favors topic 5 NO on limited prescription drug benefit for Medicare recipients: Favors topic 5 NO on denying non-emergency treatment for lack of Medicare co-pay: Strongly Favors topic 5 YES on requiring negotiated Rx prices for Medicare part D: Favors topic 5 YES on adding 2 to 4 million children to SCHIP eligibility: Favors topic 5 YES on overriding veto on expansion of Medicare: Favors topic 5 YES on expanding the Children's Health Insurance Program: Favors topic 5 YES on regulating tobacco as a drug: Favors topic 5
Neutral on topic 6: Privatize Social Security (0 points on Economic scale)	Create Retirement Savings Accounts: Favors topic 6 Rated 96% by the ARA, indicating a pro-senior voting record: Strongly Opposes topic 6 YES on strengthening the Social Security Lockbox: Opposes topic 6 YES on reducing tax payments on Social Security benefits: Favors topic 6 YES on raising 401(k) limits & making pension plans more portable: Favors topic 6
Strongly Opposes topic 7: Vouchers for school choice (-5 points on Economic scale)	Expand early education with 'birth to 3' preschool program: Strongly Opposes topic 7 Create non-religious charter schools as open alternatives: Strongly Favors topic 7 Prioritize early childhood education: Opposes topic 7 Increase teacher salary to help recruit and retain: Strongly Opposes topic 7 Offer every parent Charter Schools and public school choice: Opposes topic 7 Reduce class size to 18 children in grades 1 to 3: Strongly Opposes topic 7 Rated 100% by the NEA, indicating pro-public education votes: Strongly Opposes topic 7 NO on reauthorizing the DC opportunity scholarship program: Strongly Opposes topic 7 YES on $40B for green public schools: Opposes topic 7
Strongly Opposes topic 8: Fight EPA regulatory over-reach (+5 points on Social scale)	Middle ground solutions aren't going to save our air & water: Strongly Opposes topic 8 Develop new nuclear technologies: Favors topic 8 Explore next-generation advanced nuclear technologies: Favors topic 8 Imperative to save the Southern Resident orcas: Strongly Opposes topic 8 Rated 100% by the LCV, indicating pro-environment votes: Strongly Opposes topic 8 Promote conservation of rare felids & canids: Strongly Opposes topic 8 Make tax deduction permanent for conservation easements: Opposes topic 8 Regulate all dog breeders down to kennels of 50 dogs: Opposes topic 8 Prohibit invasive research on great apes: Strongly Opposes topic 8 Strengthen prohibitions against animal fighting: Strongly Opposes topic 8 Regulating 15 more contaminants under Clean Water Act: Strongly Opposes topic 8 NO on deauthorizing "critical habitat" for endangered species: Strongly Opposes topic 8 YES on environmental education grants for outdoor experiences: Opposes topic 8 YES on protecting free-roaming horses and burros: Opposes topic 8
Opposes topic 9: Stricter punishment reduces crime (+2 points on Social scale)	Mass incarceration comes from school-to-prison pipeline: Opposes topic 9 End the death penalty: Strongly Opposes topic 9 Rated 40% by CURE, indicating mixed votes on rehabilitation: Neutral on topic 9 Require DNA testing for all federal executions: Opposes topic 9 YES on more prosecution and sentencing for juvenile crime: Favors topic 9 YES on funding for alternative sentencing instead of more prisons.: Strongly Opposes topic 9 YES on expanding services for offenders' re-entry into society: Opposes topic 9
Strongly Opposes topic 10: Absolute right to gun ownership (-5 points on Economic scale)	Lost seat over assault weapons bill; confront NRA again: Strongly Opposes topic 10 Acted for common-sense gun-safety where Congress won't: Strongly Opposes topic 10 Arming teachers with guns is ridiculous: Opposes topic 10 Pass common-sense gun laws: Strongly Opposes topic 10 Gun violence is a public health crisis: Strongly Opposes topic 10 Prevent unauthorized firearm use with "smart gun" technology: Opposes topic 10 Rated F by the NRA, indicating a pro-gun control voting record: Strongly Opposes topic 10 NO on decreasing gun waiting period from 3 days to 1: Strongly Opposes topic 10 NO on prohibiting suing gunmakers & sellers for gun misuse: Strongly Opposes topic 10 NO on prohibiting product misuse lawsuits on gun manufacturers: Strongly Opposes topic 10
Favors topic 11: Higher taxes on the wealthy (-3 points on Economic scale)	Illegal immigration not a national emergency: Favors topic 11 Rated 24% by NTU, indicating a "Big Spender" on tax votes: Strongly Favors topic 11 Rated 100% by the CTJ, indicating support of progressive taxation: Strongly Favors topic 11 YES on eliminating the "marriage penalty": Opposes topic 11 YES on $46 billion in tax cuts for small business: Opposes topic 11 NO on Tax cut package of $958 B over 10 years: Favors topic 11 NO on reducing Marriage Tax by $399B over 10 years: Favors topic 11 NO on eliminating the Estate Tax ("death tax"): Favors topic 11 NO on making the Bush tax cuts permanent: Strongly Favors topic 11 NO on providing tax relief and simplification: Strongly Favors topic 11 NO on retaining reduced taxes on capital gains & dividends: Strongly Favors topic 11 YES on paying for AMT relief by closing offshore business loopholes: Strongly Favors topic 11 YES on extending AMT exemptions to avoid hitting middle-income: Opposes topic 11
Strongly Favors topic 12: Pathway to citizenship for illegal aliens (+5 points on Social scale)	No additional funding for Southern Border wall: Strongly Favors topic 12 First governor to oppose Trump's heinous Muslim ban: Favors topic 12 More hearing officers to process asylum cases: Strongly Favors topic 12 Against Muslim ban; not afraid of diversity: Favors topic 12 Choose greatness instead of stoking fear among immigrants: Strongly Favors topic 12 Scholarships for DREAMers: Strongly Favors topic 12 Stand up proudly for DREAMers: Strongly Favors topic 12 Rated 0% by FAIR, indicating a voting record loosening immigration: Strongly Favors topic 12 Rated 0% by USBC, indicating an open-border stance: Strongly Favors topic 12 YES on extending Immigrant Residency rules: Favors topic 12 NO on reporting illegal aliens who receive hospital treatment: Strongly Favors topic 12 NO on preventing tipping off Mexicans about Minuteman Project: Strongly Favors topic 12 NO on building a fence along the Mexican border: Strongly Favors topic 12
Favors topic 13: Support & expand free trade (+2 points on Economic scale)	Demand changes to post-NAFTA agreement USMCA: Opposes topic 13 Foreign trade & strong workforce are inextricably linked: Favors topic 13 Build a rule-based global trading system: Favors topic 13 Rated 50% by CATO, indicating a mixed record on trade issues: Neutral on topic 13 Impose tariffs against countries which manipulate currency: Opposes topic 13 Reauthorize the Ex-Im Bank: Favors topic 13 Support long-term reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank: Strongly Favors topic 13 Promote fair trade restricting Canadian wheat: Opposes topic 13 Rated 63% by the USAE, indicating a mixed record on trade: Neutral on topic 13 YES on Permanent Normal Trade Relations with China: Strongly Favors topic 13 NO on withdrawing from the WTO: Strongly Favors topic 13 YES on implementing US-Singapore free trade agreement: Strongly Favors topic 13 YES on implementing free trade agreement with Chile: Strongly Favors topic 13 YES on implementing US-Australia Free Trade Agreement: Favors topic 13 YES on end offshore tax havens and promote small business: Opposes topic 13 NO on implementing CAFTA, Central America Free Trade: Strongly Opposes topic 13 YES on assisting workers who lose jobs due to globalization: Opposes topic 13 YES on promoting free trade with Peru: Favors topic 13
Strongly Opposes topic 14: Support American Exceptionalism (-5 points on Economic scale)	I'm proud to be first governor to accept Syrian refugees: Opposes topic 14 Welcome Syrian refugees: Opposes topic 14 Washington state welcomes Syrian refugees: Strongly Opposes topic 14 Allow travel between the United States and Cuba: Opposes topic 14 YES on Veto override: Congressional oversight of CIA interrogations: Opposes topic 14 YES on requiring FISA warrants for wiretaps in US, but not abroad: Strongly Opposes topic 14 NO on withholding $244M in UN Back Payments until US seat restored: Strongly Opposes topic 14 NO on reforming the UN by restricting US funding: Strongly Opposes topic 14 NO on continuing intelligence gathering without civil oversight: Opposes topic 14 NO on removing need for FISA warrant for wiretapping abroad: Strongly Opposes topic 14
Favors topic 15: Expand the military (-3 points on Social scale)	Rated 89% by SANE, indicating a pro-peace voting record: Strongly Opposes topic 15 YES on $266 billion Defense Appropriations bill: Favors topic 15 YES on deploying SDI: Favors topic 15 YES on emergency $78B for war in Iraq & Afghanistan: Strongly Favors topic 15 YES on continuing military recruitment on college campuses: Favors topic 15 YES on restricting no-bid defense contracts: Strongly Opposes topic 15
Strongly Favors topic 16: Make voter registration easier (+5 points on Social scale)	Supports National Popular Vote Interstate Compact: Favors topic 16 Statehood for DC & Puerto Rico; they deserve representation: Strongly Favors topic 16 Access to Democracy package: no barriers to suppress voting: Strongly Favors topic 16 Favors automatic voter registration: Strongly Favors topic 16 Ban stock trading based on Congressional insider knowledge: Strongly Favors topic 16 Require full disclosure of independent campaign expenditures: Strongly Favors topic 16 YES on banning soft money and issue ads: Favors topic 16 NO on banning soft money donations to national political parties: Opposes topic 16 YES on campaign finance reform banning soft-money contributions: Favors topic 16 NO on restricting independent grassroots political committees: Favors topic 16 YES on requiring lobbyist disclosure of bundled donations: Strongly Favors topic 16
Strongly Favors topic 17: Avoid foreign entanglements (+5 points on Social scale)	We need a president to stand up against drums of war: Strongly Favors topic 17 Bring the troops home from post-9-11 wars: Strongly Favors topic 17 Opposed war in Iraq; opposed use of torture: Favors topic 17 Progressive Internationalism: globalize with US pre-eminence: Favors topic 17 Boycott & sanctions against Iran for terrorism & nukes: Opposes topic 17 YES on removing US armed forces from Afghanistan: Strongly Favors topic 17 NO on banning armed forces in Libya without Congressional approval: Opposes topic 17 NO on authorizing military force in Iraq: Strongly Favors topic 17 NO on declaring Iraq part of War on Terror with no exit date: Strongly Favors topic 17 YES on redeploying US troops out of Iraq starting in 90 days: Strongly Favors topic 17 YES on investigating Bush impeachment for lying about Iraq: Favors topic 17
Strongly Favors topic 18: Prioritize green energy (-5 points on Economic scale)	Climate change must be top priority; no middle ground: Strongly Favors topic 18 Ban fracking: Favors topic 18 Plan: $9 trillion investment, transition from coal: Strongly Favors topic 18 Ready to support anyone who adopts his climate change plan: Strongly Favors topic 18 Takes a more aggressive stance against fossil fuel companies: Strongly Favors topic 18 America ready to be inspired to pursue clean energy: Strongly Favors topic 18 Filibuster is preventing climate change legislation: Favors topic 18 Signs first human composting bill into law: Strongly Favors topic 18 Dramatically increase federal clean energy R&D investment: Favors topic 18 Keep options open, including research on nuclear energy: Strongly Favors topic 18 Research nuclear energy; many problems unsolved: Opposes topic 18 We're the optimists: can invent and create solutions: Strongly Favors topic 18 Requires major rebuilding of America, means new jobs: Strongly Favors topic 18 Supports oil refinery (plus biofuel) along Columbia River: Opposes topic 18 We've got to do stop using coal in ten years: Strongly Favors topic 18 We need to address climate change for our grandchildren: Strongly Favors topic 18 We're the first generation to feel sting of climate change: Strongly Favors topic 18 Plan for 100% clean energy by 2030: Strongly Favors topic 18 Rejoin Paris Climate Agreement on Day 1: Strongly Favors topic 18 Carbon savings from investments, not carbon tax: Opposes topic 18 Decarbonize economy; fund transition for coal/oil workers: Strongly Favors topic 18 No "silver bullet" for climate: "silver buckshot" instead: Favors topic 18 The real costs of climate change comes from doing nothing: Strongly Favors topic 18 Fighting climate change crucial, and profitable: Strongly Favors topic 18 We are last generation that can do something about climate: Strongly Favors topic 18 Fighting climate change must be top goal of next president: Strongly Favors topic 18 Supported renewable portfolio; supports Green New Deal: Strongly Favors topic 18 Clean energy means jobs: Strongly Favors topic 18 Decade-long track record on climate change: Strongly Favors topic 18 Climate change threatens environment & national security: Strongly Favors topic 18 Spur green R&D; restrict power plants and emissions: Strongly Favors topic 18 Establish solar-cell; expand use of electric ferries: Strongly Favors topic 18 Supports carbon tax: Strongly Favors topic 18 I see climate change already affecting Washingtonians: Strongly Favors topic 18 I cannot consciously accept the dangers of climate change: Favors topic 18 Mixed score on "350 Action's 2020 Climate Test": Favors topic 18 Supports tradable emissions permits for greenhouse gases: Favors topic 18 Preserve Alaska's ANWR instead of drilling it: Favors topic 18 Establish greenhouse gas tradeable allowances: Strongly Favors topic 18 Rated 100% by the CAF, indicating support for energy independence: Favors topic 18 Extend through 2016 the renewable energy tax credit: Strongly Favors topic 18 Set goal of 25% renewable energy by 2025: Strongly Favors topic 18 Let states define stricter-than-federal emission standards: Strongly Favors topic 18 YES on tax incentives for renewable energy: Strongly Favors topic 18 NO on barring EPA from regulating greenhouse gases: Favors topic 18 NO on opening Outer Continental Shelf to oil drilling: Strongly Favors topic 18 YES on starting implementation of Kyoto Protocol: Strongly Favors topic 18 YES on raising CAFE standards; incentives for alternative fuels: Strongly Favors topic 18 YES on prohibiting oil drilling & development in ANWR: Strongly Favors topic 18 NO on authorizing construction of new oil refineries: Strongly Favors topic 18 NO on scheduling permitting for new oil refinieries: Strongly Favors topic 18 YES on keeping moratorium on drilling for oil offshore: Strongly Favors topic 18 YES on removing oil & gas exploration subsidies: Strongly Favors topic 18 YES on investing in homegrown biofuel: Strongly Favors topic 18 YES on criminalizing oil cartels like OPEC: Favors topic 18 YES on tax incentives for energy production and conservation: Strongly Favors topic 18 YES on tax credits for renewable electricity, with PAYGO offsets: Favors topic 18 YES on enforcing limits on CO2 global warming pollution: Favors topic 18 YES on $2 billion more for Cash for Clunkers program: Favors topic 18
Strongly Opposes topic 19: Marijuana is a gateway drug (+5 points on Social scale)	I pardoned thousands of people with drug crimes: Strongly Opposes topic 19 Opposed marijuana legalization; now sees it as success: Opposes topic 19 Rated +20 by NORML, indicating a pro-drug-reform stance: Strongly Opposes topic 19 Rated 75% by NORML, indicating a pro-legalization stance: Strongly Opposes topic 19 Rated B- by NORML, indicating a pro-drug-reform stance: Strongly Opposes topic 19 NO on prohibiting needle exchange & medical marijuana in DC: Strongly Opposes topic 19 NO on military border patrols to battle drugs & terrorism: Strongly Opposes topic 19 YES on more funding for Mexico to fight drugs: Favors topic 19
Strongly Favors topic 20: Stimulus better than market-led recovery (-5 points on Economic scale)	Leading state in job growth & personal-income growth: Strongly Favors topic 20 YES on $60B stimulus package for jobs, infrastructure, & energy: Strongly Favors topic 20 YES on $192B additional anti-recession stimulus spending: Strongly Favors topic 20