Doug Jones in State of Alabama Archives

On Technology: Urges Huntsville as HQ for Space Command

On Abortion: I stand with Planned Parenthood

On Abortion: It's a woman's intensely personal decision

Jones: No. It has to be a woman's choice, an "intensely personal decision that only she, in consultation with her God, her doctor, her partner or family " can make. "Having said that, the law for decades has been that late-term procedures are generally restricted except in the case of medical necessity. That's what I support."

Moore: Yes. Every abortion should be illegal, without exceptions.

On Abortion: Voted against bill to ban abortion after 20 weeks

Doug Jones: Voted against bill to ban abortion after 20 weeks, which "could [lead] to a mother's death." Supports "a woman's freedom to choose what happens to her own body." Voted against defunding Planned Parenthood.

Tommy Tuberville: Only exception to save the life of the mother. Favors state law without exceptions for rape or incest. Abortions may be seen in the future as "this generation's holocaust." Planned Parenthood should not receive taxpayer funds.

On Civil Rights: Full equality for women in the workplace

On Civil Rights: Gay son celebrates Jones' swearing in as senator

Carson was "thrilled" with his dad's victory. "We have been overwhelmed by the support of so many people that made this happen. Alabama made a really big statement that unity wins out. I couldn't be prouder of him or my home state," he said.

On Civil Rights: Endorsed of Human Rights Campaign

On Civil Rights: Co-sponsored civil rights protections for LGBTQ people

On Civil Rights: Protecting voting rights shouldn't be partisan issue

On Civil Rights: 2000: Got convictions of two involved in 1963 church bombing

On Corporations: Streamline regulations for small business

On Corporations: Cut corporate tax rates, but not by increasing the deficit

JONES: Well, I've got to be honest with you, that's a 500 page bill. So I haven't had a real chance to look at that and study it, as a lot of people have not, which is one of my biggest concerns about the way things are going up there right now. This seems to be done, plopped into a vote too quickly. What I'm seeing and hearing and just reading about, there's things that I like about it, cutting corporate tax rates, cutting some things for the middle class and increasing the standard deduction. But my biggest concerns are the process and also the fact that it's going to increase the deficit by over a trillion dollars. That causes me great concern. I don't buy into the fact that it's going to grow the economy such that that trillion dollars debt will get wiped out. I think that's a major problem.

On Crime: Former prosecutor supports reform

On Crime: Remove systemic racism in society and law enforcement

Doug Jones: Mostly Yes. "We need to remove the systemic racism in society and in law enforcement." Calls to "defund" are more about reforming police than cutting budgets.

Tommy Tuberville: No. "We gotta get 'em more money" to build "stronger, better, well-trained police departments."

On Drugs: Legalization for medical and recreational use

On Drugs: Take marijuana off federal controlled substances list

Doug Jones: States should decide. Take marijuana off federal controlled substances list.

Tommy Tuberville: No. Medical use is okay. "If we ever put marijuana on our streets legally, it's over."

On Education: Invest in public schools, not private experiments

On Education: Public service & Pell grants to reduce college costs

On Education: Supported integration of his high school in late '60s

On Education: Loan forgiveness in targets jobs and locations

Doug Jones: Unclear. Concerned with the racial gap in student debt, would support forgiveness for work in targeted jobs and locations. Also more apprentice

Tommy Tuberville: No. Opposes free public college and student loan forgiveness. "One person should not be paying off someone else's student loan debts. This doesn't teach responsibility."

On Energy & Oil: Renewables will makes us energy independent

On Energy & Oil: Regulate greenhouse gases & encourage renewables

Jones: Yes. Negative impacts on our planet and health have "not been in dispute for decades." We "must look to regulation and monitoring to slow changes."

Moore: No. Declines to state current position. Has previously said there is "little hard evidence that carbon emissions cause changes to the global climate," and "no constitutional authority for Congress to regulate carbon emissions." Believes limiting emissions would be a crushing economic blow.

Renewable Energy: Support government subsidies for renewable energy

Jones: Yes. Encouraging renewable energy creates jobs, makes us more energy independent; and reverses some negative climate change effects

Moore: Unclear. Foster development of nuclear, solar, wind, and fossil fuels; encourage coal mining and oil drilling; no clear position on subsidies.

On Energy & Oil: Climate change is a scientific reality

Doug Jones: Climate change is a scientific reality. "The consequences of our unchecked use of fossil fuels for our planet and our health have been clear for decades. Period." Invest in renewable energy and conservation, retraining coal miners, and "environmentally friendly" business practices, without "unnecessary and expensive regulations."

Tommy Tuberville: Only God changes climate. The situation "won't change enough in the next 400 years to affect anybody."

On Environment: Coal is the past; must help workers transition

On Environment: Conservationists back Jones

On Families & Children: Supported women accusing opponent of sexual misconduct

On Foreign Policy: Impeachment warranted if withheld Ukraine aid helped Russia

On Free Trade: Free trade is good for Alabama businesses

On Free Trade: Tariffs threaten the state's workers and farmers

On Government Reform: Restore integrity to politics

On Government Reform: Voter ID goes backwards on access to the ballot box

Jones: No. We are "going backwards on access to the ballot box." Supports proactive registration of 18-year-olds, early voting, absentee voting without cost for some voters, and transparent redistricting.

Moore: Unknown

On Gun Control: Supporter of 2nd amendment

On Gun Control: More background checks; raise purchase age to 21

(VIDEO CLIP) JONES: You can't simply demonize the NRA and pro-gun groups. While I know that these groups sometimes take what many, including me, consider extreme positions, they also represent millions of law- abiding gun owners who are concerned that their right to bear arms are at risk.

(END VIDEO) Q: What's your message to everyone we saw march last week who say that the NRA has had a stranglehold on Congress?

JONES: There is some truth to that. And those millions of kids around the country also represent a point of view that we have to do something to stem the tide of gun deaths in this country.

Q: So, what does that mean right now?

JONES: Well, we took a step, that the CDC can start doing some investigation and studies about gun violence. I think we can find that common ground. We can do more on background checks. I'd like to see the age limit of 21 for all semi-automatic weapons. We can have those kind of dialogues.

On Gun Control: No assault weapons ban at this time

JONES: I'm not sure I can go that far just yet. We've got to get done what I think can be done right now. Let's reach across and within our own party to do those things that we can do, and that to me is where I want to focus. I really don't believe that a gun ban is feasible right. And I think that there are things that can be done, that we need to look at.

On Gun Control: Enforce current laws; no new restrictions

Jones: No. Prioritize enforcement of current laws and improvements to background check system to prevent criminals and terrorists from getting guns while avoiding errors that keep law-abiding citizens from getting them.

Moore: No. Opposes expanding registration checks, calling them equivalent to national gun registration. Opposes bans on "assault weapons" and high-capacity magazines.

On Gun Control: Ban bump stocks; waiting period for semi-automatic weapons

Doug Jones: "An avid hunter." But wants ban on bump stocks, waiting period to buy a semi-automatic weapon, and laws to boost school safety and strengthen background checks.

Tommy Tuberville: Opposes "any form of gun control. They are not taking my guns. They want to take your guns away so they can control you."

On Health Care: Fix, don't end, ObamaCare

1. All Americans deserve the right to quality, affordable healthcare.
2. No American should be unable to make ends meet from out-of-control medical bills.
3. Pre-existing conditions should never be a reason to deny care or make care unaffordable.
4. Preventative care should be a foundation of our health care system. It is inefficient and dangerous for Americans to rely on the emergency room to treat preventable illness.

On Immigration: Dreamers should be allowed to stay

On Immigration: Opposes funding a border wall; supports comprehensive reform

JONES: I have said before that I opposed the building of a wall. I think that's an expense that the taxpayers just don't have to incur because I do think you can increase border security without having to go to the incredible expense of building that wall, at least the figures that I've seen. I do support the DACA program and would love to see that extended. I hope there can be some bipartisan efforts reached to do that. Immigration has been one of the toughest political footballs going on up there right now and we've had bills in the past that just fell by the wayside because of politics. If there's comprehensive immigration, I think it's going to be very complicated. But it's something that I would love to look at.

On Immigration: Options for work permits & earned path to citizenship

Jones: Yes. Will support legislative action to ensure its continuation.

Moore: No. Considers DACA an illegal governmental order, and believes the program should be ended.

Immigration: Should America's 11 million undocumented residents have options for long-term work permits or an earned path to citizenship?

Jones: Yes. Supports both options.

Moore: No. Opposes both options.

On Jobs: Supports a "living wage"

On Jobs: Supports a federal living wage

Jones: Yes. Strongly supports a federal "living wage" and equal pay for equal work.

Moore: No

On Principles & Values: Democrat willing to find common ground with Republicans

(VIDEO CLIP) JONES: We've tried to make sure that this campaign was about finding common ground and reaching across and actually getting things done for the people.

(END VIDEO) Q: Where do you see an opportunity to find common ground and work with a Republican Congress and President Trump?

JONES: I think there's an opportunity at every turn. It doesn't matter what the issue is, there's always the opportunity to find common ground. And I hope to have that voice. I said on election night that I hope this is a message not to just Republicans that we've got a Democrat who's willing to reach across the aisle. I hope it's a message to Democrats to try to find that common ground. It's one of those things where you've got to reach across, you've got to try.

On Principles & Values: I am going to be the kind of senator the people can talk to

(VIDEO CLIP) MOORE: Today, we'll no longer recognize the universal truth that God is the author of our life and liberty. Abortion, sodomy and materialism have taken the place of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

(END VIDEO) Q: Do you think that Roy Moore is hurting Alabama by continuing this contest?

JONES: Well, I just have quit trying to figure out what Judge Moore means when he says things like that. I don't find it in the mainstream of America. I certainly don't even find it in the mainstream of Alabama. I think it's time to move on. And I think he is hurting the people of this state. I have told folks and I want to try to represent everyone. I'm not going to be a senator in which people are going to agree with 100% of the time, but I am going to be the kind of senator the people can talk to, that we can reason with.

On Principles & Values: Christians take care of people, without discriminating

On Tax Reform: End tax cuts & loopholes for wealthy

On Tax Reform: Led bipartisan effort to repeal "military widow's tax"

The so-called widow's tax is related to two military spouse survivor benefits. The survivor's benefit plan is basically a life insurance policy that families pay into and in the event of a death, receive monthly payments. If a military member dies in combat or with a cause related to a service injury or illness, the surviving spouse will get monthly payments from the dependency and compensation fund. If a widow gets both, the benefit plan payments are cut each month--by the amount they get from the compensation fund.

On Technology: Improve infrastructure while creating jobs, like new Deal

Jones: Yes. New Deal "advancements were the result of U.S. government investments in the people of Alabama to improve the infrastructure of the state while creating jobs and improving our standard of living."

Moore: No. "Lower taxes, smaller government, and less spending will reduce the deficit and enable economic growth and a truly "stimulated" economy."