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James Oberstar on VoteMatch

 



VoteMatch Responses
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VoteMatch Question & Answer
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Based on these stances:
(Click on topic for excerpt & citation)
Strongly Opposes topic 1:
Abortion is a woman's right
(-5 points on Social scale)
Rated 0% by NARAL, indicating a pro-life voting record: Strongly Opposes topic 1
Rated 100% by the NRLC, indicating a pro-life stance: Strongly Opposes topic 1
Prohibit transporting minors across state lines for abortion: Opposes topic 1
Bar funding for abortion under federal Obamacare plans: Opposes topic 1
YES on barring transporting minors to get an abortion: Strongly Opposes topic 1
YES on banning partial-birth abortions: Opposes topic 1
YES on banning Family Planning funding in US aid abroad: Opposes topic 1
YES on federal crime to harm fetus while committing other crimes: Opposes topic 1
YES on funding for health providers who don't provide abortion info: Opposes topic 1
YES on banning partial-birth abortion except to save mother’s life: Strongly Opposes topic 1
YES on making it a crime to harm a fetus during another crime: Opposes topic 1
YES on restricting interstate transport of minors to get abortions: Strongly Opposes topic 1
NO on allowing human embryonic stem cell research: Opposes topic 1
NO on expanding research to more embryonic stem cell lines: Opposes topic 1
Strongly Favors topic 2:
Require hiring more women & minorities
(-5 points on Economic scale)
Constitutional Amendment for equal rights by gender: Strongly Favors topic 2
Rated 89% by the NAACP, indicating a pro-affirmative-action stance: Strongly Favors topic 2
Ban discriminatory compensation; allow 2 years to sue: Favors topic 2
Stronger enforcement against gender-based pay discrimination: Favors topic 2
NO on ending preferential treatment by race in college admissions: Favors topic 2
YES on $84 million in grants for Black and Hispanic colleges: Strongly Favors topic 2
Strongly Favors topic 3:
Same-sex domestic partnership benefits
(+5 points on Social scale)
More funding and stricter sentencing for hate crimes: Strongly Favors topic 3
Rated 88% 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 Constitutionally defining marriage as one-man-one-woman: Strongly Favors topic 3
YES on enforcing against anti-gay hate crimes: Favors topic 3
Strongly Opposes topic 4:
Teacher-led prayer in public schools
(+5 points on Social scale)
Rated 33% by the Christian Coalition: an anti-family voting record: Strongly Opposes topic 4
Rated 83% by the AU, indicating support of church-state separation: Strongly Opposes topic 4
NO on giving federal aid only to schools allowing voluntary prayer: 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
YES on allowing Courts to decide on "God" in Pledge of Allegiance: Opposes topic 4
Strongly Opposes topic 8:
Death Penalty
(+5 points on Social scale)
Require DNA testing for all federal executions: Opposes topic 8
YES on replacing death penalty with life imprisonment: Strongly Opposes topic 8
NO on making federal death penalty appeals harder: Strongly Opposes topic 8
YES on maintaining right of habeas corpus in Death Penalty Appeals: Opposes topic 8
Strongly Opposes topic 9:
Mandatory Three Strikes sentencing laws
(+5 points on Social scale)
Rated 78% by CURE, indicating pro-rehabilitation crime votes: Strongly Opposes topic 9
NO on more prosecution and sentencing for juvenile crime: Opposes topic 9
YES on funding for alternative sentencing instead of more prisons.: Strongly Opposes topic 9
Opposes topic 10:
Absolute right to gun ownership
(-3 points on Economic scale)
Rated A by the NRA, indicating a pro-gun rights voting record: Strongly Favors topic 10
Teach kids Eddie Eagle GunSafe's lifesaving message: Favors 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
Strongly Favors topic 5:
More federal funding for health coverage
(-5 points on Economic scale)
Rated 88% by APHA, indicating a pro-public health record: 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 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
Strongly Opposes topic 6:
Privatize Social Security
(-5 points on Economic scale)
Changing Social Security disproportionately affects women: Opposes topic 6
Reject proposals for private saving accounts: Strongly Opposes topic 6
Rated 100% by the ARA, indicating a pro-senior voting record: Strongly Opposes topic 6
No severe changes; no privatization: Strongly Opposes topic 6
Reject privatization; don't raise the retirement age: Strongly Opposes topic 6
YES on strengthening the Social Security Lockbox: Opposes topic 6
NO on reducing tax payments on Social Security benefits: Opposes topic 6
NO on raising 401(k) limits & making pension plans more portable: Opposes topic 6
Strongly Opposes topic 7:
Parents choose schools via vouchers
(-5 points on Economic scale)
Rated 100% by the NEA, indicating pro-public education votes: Strongly Opposes topic 7
NO on vouchers for private & parochial schools: Strongly Opposes topic 7
NO on allowing vouchers in DC schools: Opposes topic 7
YES on environmental education grants for outdoor experiences: Opposes topic 7
YES on $40B for green public schools: Opposes topic 7
Favors topic 18:
Replace coal & oil with alternatives
(-3 points on Economic scale)
Reduce liability for hazardous waste cleanup: Opposes topic 18
Rated 65% by the LCV, indicating a mixed record on environment: Neutral on topic 18
Rated 100% by the CAF, indicating support for energy independence: Favors topic 18
YES on tax incentives for renewable energy: 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
NO on prohibiting oil drilling & development in ANWR: Strongly Opposes topic 18
NO on authorizing construction of new oil refineries: Strongly Favors topic 18
NO on keeping moratorium on drilling for oil offshore: Strongly Opposes 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:
Drug use is immoral: enforce laws against it
(+5 points on Social scale)
Rated +20 by NORML, indicating a pro-drug-reform stance: Strongly Opposes topic 19
NO on subjecting federal employees to random drug tests: 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
Opposes topic 20:
Allow churches to provide welfare services
(-3 points on Economic scale)
Increase the earned income tax credit: Opposes topic 20
Fully fund Head Start; Job Corps; and WIC food program: Opposes topic 20
Public jobs on community-based public interest projects: Favors topic 20
YES on responsible fatherhood via faith-based organizations: Favors topic 20
NO on treating religious organizations equally for tax breaks: Strongly Opposes topic 20
YES on instituting National Service as a new social invention: Opposes topic 20
Strongly Favors topic 11:
Make taxes more progressive
(-5 points on Economic scale)
Rated 26% 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
Make employee educational assistance tax-deductible: Favors topic 11
NO on eliminating the "marriage penalty": Favors topic 11
NO on $46 billion in tax cuts for small business: Favors 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:
Illegal immigrants earn citizenship
(+5 points on Social scale)
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
NO on more immigrant visas for skilled workers: Opposes topic 12
YES on extending Immigrant Residency rules: Favors topic 12
NO on building a fence along the Mexican border: Strongly Favors topic 12
Strongly Opposes topic 13:
Support & expand free trade
(-5 points on Economic scale)
End economic protectionism: let dairy compacts expire : Strongly Favors topic 13
Rated 39% by CATO, indicating a mixed record on trade issues: Neutral on topic 13
Review free trade agreements biennially for rights violation: Strongly Opposes topic 13
NO on 'Fast Track' authority for trade agreements: Strongly Opposes topic 13
NO on Permanent Normal Trade Relations with China: Strongly Opposes topic 13
YES on withdrawing from the WTO: Strongly Opposes topic 13
NO on implementing US-Singapore free trade agreement: Strongly Opposes topic 13
NO on implementing free trade agreement with Chile: Strongly Opposes topic 13
NO on implementing US-Australia Free Trade Agreement: Opposes topic 13
NO on end offshore tax havens and promote small business: Favors 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
Strongly Opposes topic 15:
Expand the armed forces
(+5 points on Social scale)
Rated 89% by SANE, indicating a pro-peace voting record: Strongly Opposes topic 15
Establish a Department of Peace and Nonviolence: Strongly Opposes topic 15
Extend reserve retirement pay parity back to 9/11: Favors topic 15
NO on $266 billion Defense Appropriations bill: Opposes topic 15
NO on deploying SDI: Opposes topic 15
NO on continuing military recruitment on college campuses: Opposes topic 15
YES on restricting no-bid defense contracts: Strongly Opposes topic 15
Favors topic 16:
Stricter limits on political campaign funds
(-3 points on Economic scale)
Subject independent 527s to rules for political committees: 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
Strongly Favors topic 14:
The Patriot Act harms civil liberties
(+5 points on Social scale)
Address abuses of electronic monitoring in the workplace: Strongly Favors topic 14
NO on making the PATRIOT Act permanent: Strongly Favors topic 14
NO on continuing intelligence gathering without civil oversight: Strongly Favors topic 14
NO on allowing electronic surveillance without a warrant: Strongly Favors topic 14
NO on removing need for FISA warrant for wiretapping abroad: Strongly Favors topic 14
NO on retroactive immunity for telecoms' warrantless surveillance: Favors topic 14
Strongly Favors topic 17:
US out of Iraq & Afghanistan
(+5 points on Social scale)
Multi-year commitment to Africa for food & medicine: Strongly Favors topic 17
Member of the Out-of-Iraq Congressional Caucus: Strongly Favors 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

Other candidates' VoteMatch: James Oberstar on the issues:
MN Gubernatorial:
Mark Dayton
MN Senatorial:
Al Franken
Amy Klobuchar

Dem. Freshmen
in 112th Congress:

AL-7:Terri Sewell
CA-33:Karen Bass
DE-0:John Carney
FL-17:Frederica Wilson
HI-1:Colleen Hanabusa
LA-2:Cedric Richmond
MA-10:Bill Keating
MI-13:Hansen Clarke
RI-1:David Cicilline
GOP Freshmen
in 112th Congress:

AL-2:Martha Roby
AL-5:Mo Brooks
AZ-1:Paul Gosar
AZ-3:Ben Quayle
AZ-5:David Schweikert
AR-1:Rick Crawford
AR-2:Tim Griffin
AR-3:Steve Womack
CA-19:Jeff Denham
CO-3:Scott Tipton
CO-4:Cory Gardner
FL-12:Dennis Ross
FL-2:Steve Southerland
FL-21:Mario Diaz-Balart
FL-22:Allen West
FL-24:Sandy Adams
FL-25:David Rivera
FL-5:Rich Nugent
FL-8:Dan Webster
GA-2:Mike Keown
GA-7:Rob Woodall
GA-8:Austin Scott
ID-1:Raul Labrador
IL-8:Joe Walsh
IL-10:Bob Dold
IL-11:Adam Kinzinger
IL-14:Randy Hultgren
IL-17:Bobby Schilling
IL-8:Joe Walsh
IN-3:Marlin Stutzman
IN-4:Todd Rokita
IN-8:Larry Bucshon
IN-9:Todd Young
KS-1:Tim Huelskamp
KS-3:Kevin Yoder
KS-5:Mike Pompeo
LA-3:Jeff Landry
MD-1:Andy Harris
MI-1:Dan Benishek
MI-2:Bill Huizenga
MI-3:Justin Amash
MI-7:Tim Walberg
MN-8:Chip Cravaack
MO-4:Vicky Hartzler
MO-7:Billy Long
MS-1:Alan Nunnelee
MS-4:Steven Palazzo
GOP Freshmen
in 111th Congress:

NC-2:Renee Ellmers
ND-0:Rick Berg
NH-2:Charlie Bass
NH-1:Frank Guinta
NJ-3:Jon Runyan
NM-2:Steve Pearce
NV-3:Joe Heck
NY-13:Michael Grimm
NY-19:Nan Hayworth
NY-20:Chris Gibson
NY-24:Richard Hanna
NY-25:Ann Marie Buerkle
NY-29:Tom Reed
OH-1:Steve Chabot
OH-15:Steve Stivers
OH-16:Jim Renacci
OH-18:Bob Gibbs
OH-6:Bill Johnson
OK-5:James Lankford
PA-10:Tom Marino
PA-11:Lou Barletta
PA-3:Mike Kelly
PA-7:Patrick Meehan
PA-8:Mike Fitzpatrick
SC-1:Tim Scott
SC-3:Jeff Duncan
SC-4:Trey Gowdy
SC-5:Mick Mulvaney
SD-0:Kristi Noem
TN-3:Chuck Fleischmann
TN-4:Scott DesJarlais
TN-6:Diane Black
TN-8:Stephen Fincher
TX-17:Bill Flores
TX-23:Quico Canseco
TX-27:Blake Farenthold
VA-2:Scott Rigell
VA-5:Robert Hurt
VA-9:Morgan Griffith
WA-3:Jaime Herrera
WI-7:Sean Duffy
WI-8:Reid Ribble
WV-1:David McKinley
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Health Care
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Immigration
Jobs
Principles
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Tax Reform
Technology
War/Peace
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Main Page
Profile
MN politicians

Contact info:
Email Contact Form:
http://wwwc.house.gov/oberstar/zipauth.htm
Fax Number:
202-225-6211
Mailing Address:
Rayburn HOB 2365, Washington, DC 20515
Official Website:
http://oberstar.house.gov
Phone number:
(202) 225-6211

Page last updated: Mar 07, 2011