Tom Carper 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

  Legal age for prosecution as an adult: Decrease

• 08/05/1999: Tougher juvenile crime penalties; but let states set them

Civil Rights

Support for gun control measures

• 04/17/2013: Voted YES on banning high-capacity magazines of over 10 bullets
• 01/22/2013: Ban large-capacity ammunition
• 05/07/2009: Close the Gun Show Loophole; restrict show sales
• 04/02/2009: Voted NO on allowing firearms in checked baggage on Amtrak trains
• 07/29/2005: Voted NO on prohibiting lawsuits against gun manufacturers
• 03/02/2004: Voted NO on banning lawsuits against gun manufacturers for gun violence
• 09/19/2000: Opposes absolute right to gun ownership

  Abortion rights: Women should choose

• 10/19/2012: Fund Planned Parenthood; contraception reduces abortion
• 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

  Prohibit workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation

• 10/19/2012: Let state legislatures decide who can get married
• 10/17/2012: Repeal the Defense of Marriage Act
• 03/03/2010: Repeal Don't-Ask-Don't-Tell, and reinstate discharged gays
• 06/11/2002: Voted YES on adding sexual orientation to definition of hate crimes

  Support marriage rights between same-sex individuals

• 10/19/2012: Repeal DOMA; it's unconstitutional
• 06/07/2006: Voted NO on constitutional ban of same-sex marriage
• 09/19/2000: Supports "Sexual orientation protected by civil rights laws"

  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

  Support for gun rights

• 09/06/2007: Voted YES on prohibiting foreign & UN aid that restricts US gun ownership

Economic Issues

Taxes for wealthier tax payers: More

• 10/19/2012: If immigrants stay out of trouble, they can stay
• 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
• 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
• 09/19/2000: Opposes making income tax flatter & lower
• 08/24/2000: Criticizes `Splurging Away` Surplus
• 08/02/2000: Remove marriage tax & estate tax; but no $1.9T tax cut

  Taxes for wealthier tax payers: Less

• 10/17/2012: Broaden the base of taxable income by removing deductions
• 03/13/2008: Voted NO on increasing tax rate for people earning over $1 million
• 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
• 08/02/2000: Likes cutting taxes, but fairly and sustainably

  Taxes for large corporations: Increase

• 10/19/2012: Roadmap for deficit reduction should raise corporate taxes

  Reduce taxes for small businesses

• 12/31/2003: by the US COC, indicating a pro-business voting record

  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
• 04/04/2001: Voted YES on spending $448B of tax cut on education & debt reduction
• 08/09/2000: Public school choice OK

  Support school vouchers

• 10/20/2006: Introduce market forces into our schools

  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

  Oppose school vouchers

• 09/19/2000: Opposes parents choosing schools via vouchers

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
• 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

  Eliminate tax incentives and/or subsidies to the fossil fuel industry

• 09/19/2000: Supports spending resources to stop Global Warming
• 05/19/2000: More funding for Amtrak`s high-speed rail

  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

  Use tax incentives to promote efficient energy production and conservation

• 03/19/2004: Keep efficient air conditioner rule to conserve energy

  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

• 08/15/2000: Kyoto Treaty must include reductions by all countries

  Invest in the creation and further development of mass transit systems

• 07/02/1999: Maintain federal funds for transit funding above 12.5% cap

  Consumer tax credits for the purchase of hybrid or electric vehicles

• 03/29/2007: Fund nanomaterial research project for car batteries

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
• 03/13/2008: Voted YES on means-testing to determine Medicare Part D premium
• 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

  Require all taxpayers to obtain full-coverage health insurance

• 01/21/1999: Universal coverage for children is within our grasp

  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"
• 06/28/2007: Voted YES on comprehensive immigration reform
• 05/18/2006: Voted YES on giving Guest Workers a path to citizenship

  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