Q: Will you support reparations for African-Americans?
CLINTON: We have mental, emotional and psychological reparations to pay first. We have to admit that we haven’t always treated people in our own country fairly. We have some issues that
we have to address when it comes to racial justice right now. I’m willing to work hard to be a strong advocate for Civil Rights and human rights here at home and around the world. I want to do everything I can to make sure that the programs and policies
that have helped generations of African-Americans have a better life in this country continue. I think we should be focused on the present and on the future. We owe an apology to African-Americans for hundreds of years of slavery.
LAZIO: I believe it is time for us to move past the issue of reparations among African-Americans and work for ways in which we can bring more opportunity and better educational opportunities to African-American children.
Source: (X-ref Hillary) Senate debate in Manhattan
Oct 8, 2000
Racial profiling is not needed to keep NYC streets safe
Q: What would you do about racial profiling in NYC?
LAZIO: I don’t think we need federal monitors. The streets of New York are at their safest point ever. Do I believe in racial profiling? No, I do not. As a former prosecutor, I know that
we can do the job without that tool, and we should do the job without that tool. People believe that the quality of life is increasing in New York City because of the partnership that’s been developed between Mayor Giuliani and Governor Pataki.
And they’re going to add one more partner next year in the Senate: Rick Lazio.
CLINTON: I disapprove of racial profiling. I’ve spoken out about the need to rebuild trust between our police who put themselves on the line every single day and the
communities that they’re pledged to protect. I want to go to the Senate to make sure that our police have the resources and tools they need to do the very best job, but I also want to go to make sure that our communities feel safe and protected.
Source: Senate debate in Manhattan
Oct 8, 2000
Racial preferences OK in college admissions
On affirmative action. Lazio voted against a bill that would have prohibited colleges and universities from using racial preferences in admissions.
Source: David Rosenbaum, New York Times
Jun 4, 2000
Ban gays in the military
On Gay rights. Lazio voted to codify the ban on homosexuals in the military.
Source: David Rosenbaum, New York Times
Jun 4, 2000
No gay adoption or marriage; domestic partners OK
Voting record on gay rights issues:
Vote AGAINST allowing adoptions in District of Columbia by gays or other individuals who are not related by blood or marriage. (HR.2587, 7/29/99)
Voted to ALLOW San Francisco’s ordinance requiring organizations that have contracts with the city to provide benefits to unmarried domestic partners. (HR.4194, 7/29/98)
Voted AGAINST allowing states to define “marriage” or “spouse.” (HR.3396, 7/12/96)
Voted AGAINST allowing marriage between members of the same sex in federal law. (HR.3396, 7/12/96)
Voted YES to allow state and local agencies to control school curriculum regarding homosexuality. (HR.91, 3/24/94)
Voted YES for the policy known as ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ regarding homosexuals in the military. (HR.2401, 9/28/93)
Source: Congressional voting record in Vote-Smart.org
Jul 29, 1999
Limit bank info-sharing; but expand federal wiretapping
Voting record on privacy issues:
Voted YES to limiting the ability of financial institutions to provide confidential customer information to unaffiliated third parties. (HR.10, 7/1/99)
Voted IN FAVOR of
expanding the circumstances under which federal authorities can place wiretaps. (HR.3694, 10/7/1998)
Source: Congressional voting record in Vote-Smart.org
Jul 1, 1999
OK: Day of Prayer; religious memorials; monitor persecution
Voting record on issues of race & religion:
Voted IN FAVOR of a National Day of Prayer so the nation will turn away from violence and cultural division (H.Con.Res.94 6/29/99)
Vote NO to allowing States to post a copy of The Ten Commandments
in any State run facility. (HR.1501, 6/17/99)
Voted YES to authorizing religious language to be used in memorials on public grounds that honor a person killed on a public school campus. (HR.1501, 6/16/99)
Vote YES to affirm the Congress’ opposition
to all forms of racism and bigotry. (H.Res.121, 3/23/1999)
Voted YES to create an office within the State Department to monitor religious persecution worldwide and to penalize government agencies through sanctions and to deny visas to those
identified as persecutors. (HR.2431, 5/14/1998)
Voted YES on allowing the public display of the Ten Commandments, including in government offices and courthouses. (H.Con.Res.31, 3/5/97)
Source: Congressional voting record in Vote-Smart.org
Jun 16, 1999
Voted YES on banning gay adoptions in DC.
Vote on an amendment banning adoptions in District of Columbia by gays or other individuals who are not related by blood or marriage.
Reference: Amendment introduced by Largent, R-OK;
Bill HR 2587
; vote number 1999-346
on Jul 29, 1999
Voted YES on Amendment to prohibit burning the US flag.
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States authorizing the Congress to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United States.
Reference: Resolution proposed by Cunningham, R-CA;
Bill HJ.Res.33
; vote number 1999-252
on Jun 24, 1999
Voted NO on ending preferential treatment by race in college admissions.
HR 6, the Higher Education Amendments Act of 1997, would prohibit any post-secondary institution that participates in any program under the Higher Education Act from discriminating or granting any preferential treatment in admission based on race, sex, ethnicity, color or national origin.
Reference: Amendment introduced by Riggs, R-CA.;
Bill HR 6
; vote number 1998-133
on May 6, 1998
Click here for definitions & background information on Civil Rights.
