Mark Pryor 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

Civil Rights

Support for gun rights

• 09/25/2013: Oppose the United Nations' Arms Trade Treaty
• 04/17/2013: Voted NO on banning high-capacity magazines of over 10 bullets
• 04/12/2011: Allow veterans to register unlicensed guns acquired abroad
• 09/06/2007: Voted YES on prohibiting foreign & UN aid that restricts US gun ownership
• 07/29/2005: Voted YES on prohibiting lawsuits against gun manufacturers
• 03/02/2004: Voted YES on banning lawsuits against gun manufacturers for gun violence
• 10/01/2002: No new restrictions; 2nd amendment is vital

  Ban abortions except in limited cases

• 07/25/2006: Voted YES on notifying parents of minors who get out-of-state abortions
• 03/12/2003: Voted YES on banning partial birth abortions except for maternal life
• 11/01/2002: Legal only for incest, rape, or maternal health

  Abortion rights: Women should choose

• 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

  Support marriage rights between same-sex individuals

• 12/31/2006: by the HRC, indicating a pro-gay-rights stance
• 06/07/2006: Voted NO on constitutional ban of same-sex marriage

  Support for gun control measures

• 04/02/2009: Voted NO on allowing firearms in checked baggage on Amtrak trains

Economic Issues

Taxes for wealthier tax payers: More

• 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
• 08/03/2006: Voted NO on supporting permanence of estate tax cuts
• 06/08/2006: Voted NO on permanently repealing the `death tax`
• 05/23/2003: Voted NO on $350 billion in tax breaks over 11 years

  Taxes for wealthier tax payers: Less

• 02/02/2006: Voted YES on retaining reduced taxes on capital gains & dividends
• 11/18/2005: Voted YES on extending the tax cuts on capital gains and dividends

  Increase taxes for all tax payers

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

Education Issues

Increase per pupil funding

• 12/31/2003: by the NEA, indicating pro-public education votes
• 10/01/2002: Increase federal funding; raise teacher salaries

  Limit the authority of public educator unions

• 08/01/2000: Offer every parent Charter Schools and public school choice

  Reduce federal government involvement with public education

• 10/26/2005: Voted YES on $5B for grants to local educational agencies

Environmental Issues

Support cap-and-trade programs to address industrial emissions

• 06/16/2005: Voted YES on reducing oil usage by 40% by 2025 (instead of 5%)
• 08/01/2000: Supports tradable emissions permits for greenhouse gases

  Oppose domestic continental drilling to tap new oil sources

• 11/03/2005: Voted YES on disallowing an oil leasing program in Alaska's ANWR
• 03/16/2005: Voted YES on banning drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

  Oppose off-shore drilling to tap new oil sources

• 06/21/2007: Voted YES on removing oil & gas exploration subsidies

  Oppose cap-and-trade programs to address industrial emissions

• 04/01/2009: Voted YES on requiring full Senate debate and vote on cap-and-trade

Healthcare Issues

Lower eligibility age for Medicare to increase coverage of older taxpayers

• 07/15/2008: Voted YES on overriding veto on expansion of Medicare
• 02/02/2006: Voted YES on expanding enrollment period for Medicare Part D

  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

  Reduce government involvement in the provision of health insurance for taxpayers

• 05/20/2003: Let states make bulk Rx purchases, and other innovations

Immigration

Provide amnesty for undocumented individuals

• 03/13/2008: Voted YES on continuing federal funds for declared "sanctuary cities"
• 05/18/2006: Voted YES on giving Guest Workers a path to citizenship

  Oppose amnesty for undocumented individuals

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

  Increase border security between U.S. and Mexico

• 09/29/2006: Voted YES on building a fence along the Mexican border

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

• 05/18/2006: Voted YES on allowing illegal aliens to participate in Social Security

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

• 05/25/2006: Voted YES on establishing a Guest Worker program