Bernie Sanders MyOcracy topics and responses

Criminal Justice

Increase the number of police officers working in high-crime communities

• 03/23/2007: Voted YES on reinstating $1.15 billion funding for the COPS Program
• 01/23/2007: Increase funding for "COPS ON THE BEAT" program

  Use of treatment centers for violators of criminal laws targeting drug-use

• 06/22/2000: Voted YES on funding for alternative sentencing instead of more prisons.
• 09/16/1998: Voted NO on subjecting federal employees to random drug tests

Civil Rights

Abortion rights: Women should choose

• 11/13/2013: Ban anti-abortion limitations on abortion services
• 01/06/2009: Focus on preventing pregnancy, plus emergency contraception
• 03/14/2008: Voted NO on defining unborn child as eligible for SCHIP
• 03/13/2008: Voted NO on prohibiting minors crossing state lines for abortion
• 10/18/2007: Voted NO on barring HHS grants to organizations that perform abortions
• 04/27/2005: Voted NO on restricting interstate transport of minors to get abortions
• 02/26/2004: Voted NO on making it a crime to harm a fetus during another crime
• 10/02/2003: Voted NO on banning partial-birth abortion except to save mother`s life
• 04/05/2000: Voted NO on banning partial-birth abortions
• 06/30/1999: Voted NO on barring transporting minors to get an abortion

  Support for gun rights

• 04/02/2009: Voted YES on allowing firearms in checked baggage on Amtrak trains
• 09/06/2007: Voted YES on prohibiting foreign & UN aid that restricts US gun ownership
• 10/20/2005: Voted YES on prohibiting product misuse lawsuits on gun manufacturers
• 04/09/2003: Voted YES on prohibiting suing gunmakers & sellers for gun misuse

  Prohibit workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation

• 03/03/2010: Repeal Don't-Ask-Don't-Tell, and reinstate discharged gays
• 06/24/2009: ENDA: prohibit employment discrimination for gays
• 07/29/1999: Voted NO on banning gay adoptions in DC

  Support marriage rights between same-sex individuals

• 12/31/2006: by the HRC, indicating a pro-gay-rights stance
• 07/18/2006: Voted NO on Constitutionally defining marriage as one-man-one-woman
• 09/30/2004: Voted NO on Constitutional Amendment banning same-sex marriage

  Support for gun control measures

• 04/17/2013: Voted YES on banning high-capacity magazines of over 10 bullets
• 06/18/1999: Voted NO on decreasing gun waiting period from 3 days to 1

Economic Issues

Taxes for wealthier tax payers: More

• 03/22/2012: Minimum tax rate of 30% for those earning over $1 million
• 03/13/2008: Voted YES on increasing tax rate for people earning over $1 million
• 03/13/2008: Voted NO on allowing AMT reduction without budget offset
• 02/13/2008: Voted NO on raising the Death Tax exemption to $5M from $1M
• 03/23/2007: Voted NO on repealing the Alternative Minimum Tax
• 03/21/2007: Voted NO on raising estate tax exemption to $5 million
• 12/31/2006: by the CTJ, indicating support of progressive taxation
• 12/08/2005: Voted NO on retaining reduced taxes on capital gains & dividends
• 04/18/2002: Voted NO on making the Bush tax cuts permanent
• 05/16/2001: Voted NO on Tax cut package of $958 B over 10 years
• 04/04/2001: Voted NO on eliminating the Estate Tax ("death tax")
• 11/11/1999: Reduce the concentration of wealth & wage inequality

  Taxes for large corporations: Increase

• 03/09/2000: Voted NO on $46 billion in tax cuts for small business

  Increase taxes for all tax payers

• 12/31/2003: by NTU, indicating a "Big Spender" on tax votes

  Reduce taxes for middle class tax payers

• 02/08/2001: American People's Dividend: Give $300 to every person

  Implement a flat tax

• 09/23/2004: Voted YES on providing tax relief and simplification

Education Issues

Increase per pupil funding

• 04/11/2013: Sponsored extending subsidized federal student loan rates until 2015
• 09/21/2011: $25B to renovate or repair elementary schools
• 12/31/2003: by the NEA, indicating pro-public education votes
• 03/14/2001: Reduce class size to 18 children in grades 1 to 3

  Oppose school vouchers

• 08/06/1998: Voted NO on allowing vouchers in DC schools
• 11/04/1997: Voted NO on vouchers for private & parochial schools

Environmental Issues

Support cap-and-trade programs to address industrial emissions

• 04/01/2009: Voted NO on requiring full Senate debate and vote on cap-and-trade
• 01/16/2007: Sign on to UN Framework Convention on Climate Change
• 02/10/2005: Establish greenhouse gas tradeable allowances
• 06/26/2000: Voted YES on starting implementation of Kyoto Protocol

  Oppose domestic continental drilling to tap new oil sources

• 11/07/2007: Designate sensitive ANWR area as protected wilderness
• 08/01/2001: Voted YES on prohibiting oil drilling & development in ANWR
• 02/28/2001: Preserve Alaska's ANWR instead of drilling it

  Oppose off-shore drilling to tap new oil sources

• 06/21/2007: Voted YES on removing oil & gas exploration subsidies
• 06/29/2006: Voted YES on keeping moratorium on drilling for oil offshore

  Use tax incentives for wind energy development and use

• 01/17/2007: Set goal of 25% renewable energy by 2025

  Regulate average miles-per-gallon production for consumer vehicles

• 08/01/2001: Voted YES on raising CAFE standards; incentives for alternative fuels

Healthcare Issues

Lower eligibility age for Medicare to increase coverage of older taxpayers

• 04/14/2011: Increase funding for occupational & physical therapy
• 07/15/2008: Voted YES on overriding veto on expansion of Medicare
• 04/07/2008: Preserve access to Medicaid & SCHIP during economic downturn
• 01/31/2001: MEDS Plan: Cover senior Rx under Medicare

  Increase amount of children covered by Medicaid reimbursements for health costs

• 01/29/2009: Voted YES on expanding the Children's Health Insurance Program
• 11/01/2007: Voted YES on adding 2 to 4 million children to SCHIP eligibility

  Establish government-assisted non-profit organizations from which all taxpayers would obtain health insurance

• 12/31/2003: by APHA, indicating a pro-public health record

  Provide single-payer health insurance coverage to all taxpayers direct from government

• 11/11/1999: Make health care a right, not a privilege

Immigration

Provide amnesty for undocumented individuals

• 03/13/2008: Voted YES on continuing federal funds for declared "sanctuary cities"

  Oppose amnesty for undocumented individuals

• 06/28/2007: Voted NO on comprehensive immigration reform

  Increase border security between U.S. and Mexico

• 06/06/2006: Voted YES on preventing tipping off Mexicans about Minuteman Project

  Allow in-state tuition at public universities and colleges for undocumented students

• 05/20/2004: Voted NO on reporting illegal aliens who receive hospital treatment

  Increase the number of work visas granted to foreign workers each year

• 05/22/2007: Voted YES on eliminating the "Y" nonimmigrant guestworker program