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Tom Carper on Corporations

Democratic Sr Senator (DE)

 


22-year history of pro-business support of banking lobby

[When opposing a cap on credit card interest rates in 1987], Carper said that young college graduates and the working poor would not be able to access credit if interest rates were capped. It rehashed a perennial claim from banking industry supporters: You have to let banks gouge their customers, because how else will customers obtain vital services?

Against an alliance of Banking Committee Democrats and pro-business Republicans, the amendment failed. It took two decades for a federal interest rate cap to be debated again, as part of credit card reform legislation called the CARD Act. This time, Sen. Bernie Sanders would fail to overcome the power of the banking lobby. Among the 60 senators voting no was the senior member from Delaware: Tom Carper. It was still, 22 years later, premature.

For nearly 40 years, banks have found a reliable ally in Carper. Carper has taken the side of the industry in virtually every policy debate over that period.

Source: The Intercept on 2018 Delaware Senate race , Aug 22, 2018

Roadmap for deficit reduction should raise corporate taxes

Carper said President Barack Obama has created a roadmap for deficit reduction, which includes raising tax rates on corporations. He said the president's proposal has earned bipartisan support. "This is a good roadmap; we should do it," Carper said.

Carper said a comprehensive deficit reduction plan would demonstrate fiscal responsibility. The government does not create jobs, Carper said; it creates a nurturing environment where businesses can thrive.

Source: Cape Gazette on 2012 Delaware Senate debate , Oct 19, 2012

Rated 70% by the US COC, indicating a pro-business voting record.

Carper scores 70% by US Chamber of Commerce on business policy

Whether you own a business, represent one, lead a corporate office, or manage an association, the Chamber of Commerce of the United States of AmericaSM provides you with a voice of experience and influence in Washington, D.C., and around the globe.

Our members include businesses of all sizes and sectors—from large Fortune 500 companies to home-based, one-person operations. In fact, 96% of our membership encompasses businesses with fewer than 100 employees.

Mission Statement:

`To advance human progress through an economic, political and social system based on individual freedom, incentive, initiative, opportunity, and responsibility.`
The ratings are based on the votes the organization considered most important; the numbers reflect the percentage of time the representative voted the organization`s preferred position.
Source: COC website 03n-COC on Dec 31, 2003

Rated 71% by UFCW, indicating a mixed management/labor voting record.

Carper scores 71% by UFCW on labor-management issues

The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) is North America`s Neighborhood Union--1.3 million members with UFCW locals in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and Canada. Our members work in supermarkets, drug stores, retail stores, meatpacking and meat processing plants, food processing plants, and manufacturing workers who make everything from fertilizer to shoes. We number over 60,000 strong with 25,000 workers in chemical production and 20,000 who work in garment and textile industries.

    The UFCW Senate scorecard is based on these key votes:
  1. American Jobs Act (+)
  2. Balanced Budget Amendment (-)
  3. Rejecting Cut, Cap, and Balance (+)
  4. Repeal Health Care Law (-)
  5. Sen. Am. 14 Wicker Am. to S 223, excluding unionization at TSA (-)
  6. Sen. Am. 740 McCain Am. to HR 2112, defunding TAA (-)
  7. Trade Adjustment Assistance Extension Act (TAA) (+)
Source: UFCW website 12-UFCW-S on May 2, 2012

Regulatory relief for smaller banks stimulates growth.

Carper voted YEA Banking Bill

Congressional Summary:

Supporting press release from Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN-6): This legislation will foster economic growth by providing relief to Main Street, tailor regulations for better efficacy, and most importantly it will empower individual Americans and give them more opportunity.

Opposing statement on ProPublica.org from Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY-5): The bill includes many provisions I support: minority-owned banks and credit unions in underserved communities have legitimate regulatory burden concerns. Unfortunately, exempting mortgage disclosures enacted to detect discriminatory practices will only assist the Trump Administration in its overall effort to curtail important civil rights regulations. I simply cannot vote for any proposal that would help this Administration chip away at laws that I and my colleagues worked so hard to enact and preserve.

Legislative outcome: Passed House 258-159-10 on May 22, 2018(Roll call 216); Passed Senate 67-31-2 on March 14, 2018(Roll call 54); Signed by President Trump. May 24, 2018

Source: Congressional vote 16-S2155 on Mar 14, 2018

Reducing tax rates balloons federal deficit & cuts programs.

Carper voted NAY Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

Summary by GovTrack.US: (Nov 16, 2017)

Case for voting YES by Heritage Foundation (12/19/17):This is the most sweeping update to the US tax code in more than 30 years. The bill would lower taxes on businesses and individuals and unleash higher wages, more jobs, and untold opportunity through a larger and more dynamic economy. The bill includes many pro-growth features, including a deep reduction in the corporate tax rate, a scaled-back state and local tax deduction, full expensing for five years, and lower individual tax rates.

Case for voting NO by Sierra Club (11/16/17): Republicans have passed a deeply regressive tax plan that will result in painful cuts to core domestic programs, to give billionaires and corporate polluters tax cuts while making American families pay the price. Among the worst provisions:

  • This plan balloons the federal deficit by over $1.5 trillion. Cutting taxes for the rich now means cuts to the federal budget and entitlements later.
  • The bill hampers the booming clean energy economy by ending tax credits for the purchase of electric vehicles and for wind and solar energy.
  • The bill opens up the Arctic Refuge to drilling, a thinly veiled giveaway to the fossil fuel industry.

    Legislative outcome: Passed House, 224-201-7, roll call #699 on 12/20; passed Senate 51-48-1, roll call #323 on 12/20; signed by Pres. Trump on 12/22.

    Source: Congressional vote 17-HR1 on Nov 16, 2017

    Bankruptcy reform: prevent inappropriate Chapter 7 filings.

    Carper adopted a letter to House leaders from 4 Governors:

    Our economy has been setting the right kind of records in the 1990s in terms of real economic growth, low inflation, declining welfare rolls, and falling unemployment rates. During the same period, however, personal bankruptcy filings have repeatedly set the wrong kind of records, reaching new highs each of the last three years. Governors accordingly support revising federal bankruptcy laws to curb the increasing number of bankruptcy filings in our nation and to stem abuses of the bankruptcy system.

    Specifically, Governors support efforts to prevent debtors from filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy in lieu of Chapter 13 when they are financially capable of repaying part or all of their unsecured debts. We also encourage Congress to place the highest possible priority on payment of domestic support obligations in bankruptcy proceedings. Preservation of states’ existing rights to determine their own standards dealing with homestead exemptions is another important provision that needs to be included in any bankruptcy legislation that Congress passes this year.

    Source: National Governor's Association letter to Congress 99-NGA30 on May 5, 1999

    Other candidates on Corporations: Tom Carper on other issues:
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