Sherrod Brown in 2024 OH Senate race

On Crime: Provide police with de-escalation training

Criminal Justice : How to ensure effectiveness and fairness in law enforcement?
• Sherrod Brown (D): Would give officers the "resources, training, and support they need." Sponsored bills to provide police with de-escalation training, and to end racial profiling, ban chokeholds and no-knock warrants, and improve community relations. "Has worked...to increase diversity in the justice system."
• Bernie Moreno (R): "Empower local law enforcement." Would maintain policies that protect police from civil lawsuits around use of excessive force. "Will always support law and order." "Demoralizing the police" is the goal of "the radical left."

On Drugs: FEND Off Fentanyl Act: stop flow from China & Mexico

Last year, we included the FEND Off Fentanyl Act in the annual defense authorization bill. But this hasn't become law yet, because of politicians in the House playing politics. The FEND Off Fentanyl Act was not the only Committee priority that the House blocked.

On Technology: Export controls: deny China access to U.S. technology

Addressing these threats from the Chinese government, and improving our domestic capability to compete with China, have been a top priority of this Committee. Five years ago, we updated the laws that govern our export control and inbound investment screening programs. Export controls can be used to deny China and others access to U.S. technology that they could use to undermine our national security. We have made export controls a central feature of our national security and foreign policy.

On Drugs: Supports banking access for those in the marijuana industry

NORML Politician Info: rated A
• SUMMARY: DECRIMINALIZE MEDICAL USE. Holds office U.S. Senate; Candidate in race for US Senate on Tuesday, November 5, 2024

• Biography: Senator Sherrod Brown is most outspoken about cannabis banking and supports banking access for those in the marijuana industry. Senator Sherrod Brown presided over the first committee vote on SAFER Banking in the Senate in September 2023, where the bill was approved, and was vocal about casting an early vote in favor of issue 1 (To legalize adult-use cannabis).

• Comments: "Cannabis banking is just one part of the necessary conversation about marijuana policy," said Brown, a Cleveland Democrat. "There is still much work to be done to acknowledge and mend the damage done by the war on drugs, work to make sure everyone – including our veterans – has access to the medicine they need and allow medical and scientific research on cannabis." (September 27, 2023).

On Abortion: Restore Roe v. Wade abortion protection

Abortion: Ban or legal?
• Sherrod Brown (D): Legal. Supports "abortion access for all women." "Ohioans...don't want politicians interfering in their personal medical decisions." Would restore the Roe v. Wade abortion protections.
• Bernie Moreno (R): Ban. In 2022 was "absolutely pro-life, no exceptions." "Abortion is the murder of an innocent baby." In 2024 said he supports "reasonable exceptions."

On Civil Rights: Ban discrimination on sexual orientation & gender identity

LGBT Rights : Limit or expand LGBTQ rights?
• Sherrod Brown (D): Expand. Sponsored a bill prohibiting discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Voted to federally protect same-sex marriages. "My commitment to the LGBTQ community hasn't wavered."
• Bernie Moreno (R): Limit. In 2014 supported the "Gay Games" in Ohio, calling them a "chance ... to celebrate diversity." In 2021 said he wasn't familiar with his company's support for an Ohio bill banning LGBTQ discrimination. In 2024 lists his endorsement by Ohio Value Voters, an organization that opposes same-sex marriage, saying "Homosexual couples embrace an ancient sin."

On Corporations: Invest in our small businesses and American manufacturing

Economy: Decrease or increase government investment in, and regulation of, the economy?
• Sherrod Brown (D): Increase. Supported $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill. "We need to create jobs, invest in our small businesses and American manufacturing, and raise wages and benefits."
• Bernie Moreno (R): Decrease. Wants to "massively reduce anti-growth regulations, cut government spending, and end inflation," and "allow free markets to work."

On Education: Cancel student debt: NOW is the time

Student Financial Aid : Support lowering interest on student loans and/or forgiving them?
• Sherrod Brown (D): Yes. Urged Biden to cancel student debt: "NOW is the time." Opposed an effort to block suspension of and forgiveness of student loan payments.
• Bernie Moreno (R): No. Reposted a video on X mocking student loan forgiveness that ends with: "Tell Congress, stop Biden's bailout for rich kids."

On Energy & Oil: Aggressive action to combat climate change

Climate Change : Should climate change be a top priority?
• Sherrod Brown (D): Yes. Supports taking "aggressive action to combat climate change." Supports increasing renewable and clean energy jobs. Voted to fund $369 billion in climate and clean energy initiatives. Voted for $1.2 trillion in infrastructure, part of which reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
• Bernie Moreno (R): No. Would increase domestic coal, natural gas, and oil production. "We need to unleash American energy." Opposed funding $369 billion in climate and clean energy initiatives. Opposes incentives for solar, wind, and electric vehicle industries.

On Environment: Environmental stewardship is an ongoing responsibility

Environment : Loosen or tighten environmental regulations?
• Sherrod Brown (D): Tighten. Is "taking on corporate polluters." "Environmental stewardship is an ongoing responsibility." Praised requiring companies to disclose greenhouse gas emission information. Introduced a bill to clean and protect the Great Lakes.
• Bernie Moreno (R): Loosen. Calls for "permits for new drilling" of oil. Opposes "this Green New Deal."

On Government Reform: Expand early voting & voting by mail

Voting Rules : Make voting harder or easier?
• Sherrod Brown (D): Easier. Supported expanding early voting, voting by mail, and same-day registration. "Make it (voting) as easy as possible."
• Bernie Moreno (R): Likely harder. Criticized Democrats for fighting against "voter ID laws." Called for "election integrity.... Easy to vote, hard to cheat."

On Gun Control: Funding for crisis intervention; disarm domestic abusers

Gun Laws : Loosen or tighten gun regulation?
• Sherrod Brown (D): Tighten. Calls for "commonsense gun legislation." Supported legislation expanding background checks, increasing funds for crisis intervention, and disarming domestic abusers. Sponsored a bill banning assault weapons.
• Bernie Moreno (R): Loosen. "I'm an absolutist on the Second Amendment." Opposes all gun restrictions.

On Health Care: Cap insulin at $35; reduce drug costs for Medicare

Health Care : Increase or decrease government support for health care?
• Sherrod Brown (D): Increase. "No family should ever be one emergency room visit away from financial disaster... I refused to accept Congressional health insurance until Congress passed the Affordable Care Act." Voted to cap the cost of insulin at $35 and reduce drug costs for Medicare participants.
• Bernie Moreno (R): Mostly decrease. Opposes the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. Said it "had zero to do with affordability." Supports letting "the markets work" to lower costs. "We waste enormous, enormous sums of money on healthcare."

On Immigration: Resources for Border Patrol agents; expedite asylum process

Immigration: How to handle immigration and the border? Support a path to citizenship for "DACA" participants brought to the US as children?Sherrod Brown (D): Supports increased border security and additional resources to better support of Border Patrol agents, expedite the asylum process, and keep fentanyl out of the country. Supports providing "certainty for Dreamers," DACA participants.
• Bernie Moreno (R): Supports "legal immigration," finishing "the wall," and deporting "anyone here illegally." In 2016 called for a pathway to residency for people brought to this country as children. In 2024 says the illegal immigrant "invasion of our border" has changed that.

On Jobs: Introduced PRO Act: protect workers' right to unionize

Labor : Make it easier or harder for unions to organize?
• Sherrod Brown (D): Easier. Joined the picket line with striking UAW workers. Introduced the PRO Act to protect workers' right to unionize. Introduced a bill protecting U.S. Senate staff's rights to organize.
• Bernie Moreno (R): Mostly harder. "Some private sector unions are good at creating high-paying jobs," but sees the UAW as "holding car companies hostage."

On Tax Reform: Billionaires need to start paying their fair share

Raise or lower taxes on corporations and wealthier individuals?
• Sherrod Brown (D): Raise. "Too many workers pay more in taxes than our country's wealthiest billionaires. Billionaires need to start paying their fair share." Opposed a 2017 $1.5 trillion tax bill to lower corporate and top-bracket tax rates.
• Bernie Moreno (R): Lower. Supports making permanent the Trump tax cuts. Pledged never to raise taxes.