Chris Van Hollen MyOcracy topics and responses

Criminal Justice

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

• 01/23/2007: Increase funding for "COPS ON THE BEAT" program

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

• 01/29/2008: Allow rehabilitated drug convicts get student loans

Civil Rights

Abortion rights: Women should choose

• 11/13/2013: Ban anti-abortion limitations on abortion services
• 05/04/2011: Voted NO on banning federal health coverage that includes abortion
• 01/06/2009: Focus on preventing pregnancy, plus emergency contraception
• 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

  Support for gun control measures

• 01/03/2013: Ban "fire sale" of firearms after delicensing closure
• 01/03/2013: Ban large-capacity ammunition
• 01/03/2013: Stricter regulation on gun show firearm sales
• 05/07/2009: Close the Gun Show Loophole; restrict show sales
• 10/20/2005: Voted NO on prohibiting product misuse lawsuits on gun manufacturers
• 04/09/2003: Voted NO 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
• 04/02/2009: Voted YES on enforcing against anti-gay hate crimes
• 11/13/2007: Voted YES on prohibiting job discrimination based on sexual orientation

  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

Economic Issues

Taxes for wealthier tax payers: More

• 12/31/2006: by the CTJ, indicating support of progressive taxation
• 12/08/2005: Voted NO on retaining reduced taxes on capital gains & dividends

  Taxes for large corporations: Increase

• 04/15/2013: Sponsored enforcing against corporate offshore tax haven banking

  Increase taxes for all tax payers

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

  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
• 12/31/2003: by the NEA, indicating pro-public education votes

  Oppose school vouchers

• 03/30/2011: Voted NO on reauthorizing the DC opportunity scholarship program

Environmental Issues

Oppose off-shore drilling to tap new oil sources

• 05/12/2011: Voted NO on opening Outer Continental Shelf to oil drilling
• 01/18/2007: Voted YES on removing oil & gas exploration subsidies
• 06/29/2006: Voted YES on keeping moratorium on drilling for oil offshore

  Support cap-and-trade programs to address industrial emissions

• 06/26/2009: Voted YES on enforcing limits on CO2 global warming pollution
• 02/10/2005: Establish greenhouse gas tradeable allowances

  Use tax incentives to promote efficient energy production and conservation

• 05/21/2008: Voted YES on tax incentives for energy production and conservation

  Use tax incentives for wind energy development and use

• 09/26/2008: Voted YES on tax credits for renewable electricity, with PAYGO offsets

  Increase tax incentives for solar energy development and use

• 02/12/2008: Voted YES on tax incentives for renewable energy

Healthcare Issues

Increase amount of children covered by Medicaid reimbursements for health costs

• 01/14/2009: Voted YES on expanding the Children's Health Insurance Program
• 01/23/2008: Voted YES on Veto override: Extend SCHIP to cover 6M more kids
• 10/25/2007: 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

  Lower eligibility age for Medicare to increase coverage of older taxpayers

• 07/15/2008: Voted YES on overriding veto on expansion of Medicare

Immigration

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

• 09/14/2012: Allow more visas for STEM college graduates