Cynthia McKinney in Green Party 2008 Presidential Candidate Questionnaire

On Abortion: Consistent supporter of reproductive rights

A: In 1999, I supported funding contraception and UN family planning. I voted NO to oppose banning partial-birth abortions. In 2001, I voted NO on banning Family Planning funding in US aid abroad and NO on a new federal crime for harming a fetus while committing other crimes. In 2005, I voted NO on restricting interstate transport of minors to get abortions.

On Abortion: Supports human embryonic stem cell research

A: In May 2005 I voted to support human embryonic stem cell research.

On Civil Rights: Keep affirmative action in college admissions

A: I have supported Federal funding and contracting preferences (in Georgia and in Congress) for women and minority owned businesses. I supported passage of the Violence Against Women Act. I have long advocated for reparations for the descendants of enslaved Africans. I opposed efforts to end Affirmative Action in college admissions.

On Civil Rights: Supports gay adoptions

A: I supported the Equal Rights Amendment. I opposed efforts to ban gay adoptions in Washington DC.

On Corporations: US companies abide by environment & labor standards overseas

A: I authored the No Tax Breaks for Runaway Plants bill in Congress that would take tax breaks away from corporations that moved their plants overseas. I authored the TRUTH Act, which required disclosure of the whereabouts of subsidiaries of US corporations operating overseass. I authored the Corporate Responsibility Act to force US corporations operating overseas to abide by US environmental & labor standards.

On Crime: Replace death penalty with life imprisonment

A: In 1994, I voted to replace the death penalty with life imprisonment in the Federal Criminal Statutes. In 1995 I voted in opposition to making federal death penalty appeals more difficult. In 2001, I voted to support a moratorium on the death penalty; and for funding for DNA testing; as well as to require DNA testing prior to any federal executions.

On Drugs: Legalize medical marijuana & needle exchanges

A: In 1999, I voted to oppose prohibiting needle exchange and medical marijuana in the District of Columbia. In September 2001, (in the early days following the 9-11- 2001 attacks) I voted in opposition to military border patrols to battle drugs & terrorism.

On Energy & Oil: Declare US carbon-free and nuclear-free

A: The situation is now quite clear. The United States can no longer hide its truculence under the mask of weather fluctuations or unclear science. Islands are disappearing; indigenous ways of life are threatened; indeed the world as we know it is at risk if the US continues to do nothing. Therefore, a drastic cut in emissions is necessary. This can be accomplished by using the tax code to incentivize behavior. From retrofitting buildings, demanding new standards for all new construction, utilizing existing technologies and developing new ones, to subsidizing infrastructure rehabilitation, not only can the US reverse its deadly inaction, but it can become a world-class leader. The US could declare itself carbon and nuclear free. It has not. The urgency of the situation has been made clear by many popular articles and films. The next step is to create the political will to change course.

On Energy & Oil: Implement Kyoto; raise CAFE; oppose drilling ANWR

A: In 2000, I voted to begin implementation of the Kyoto Protocol. In 2001, I voted to support raising CAFE standards; and to provide incentives for alternative fuels, as well as in support of regulating wholesale electricity & gas prices. I have consistently opposed oil exploration in the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge, and in 2001 supported permanently preserving Alaska’s ANWR.

On Foreign Policy: Close the School of the Americas

A: In 1999, I voted yes on a measure to prohibit an invasion of Kosovo. I consistently supported (with my votes and my co-sponsorship) the closing of the School of the Americas in Ft. Benning Georgia.

On Foreign Policy: Targeted by AIPAC for opposing Israeli occupation

A: I was targeted by AIPAC and others for my opposition to the Israeli occupation of and genocidal policies toward Palestine.

On Free Trade: No Fast Track; no MFN for China; no WTO; no CAFTA

A: In 1998, I voted no on giving the Clinton Administration ‘Fast Track’ authority for trade agreements. In 1999, I voted to oppose Most Favored Nation status for China; and to condition trade with China on an improved human rights record. In 2000, I voted yes to support U.S. withdrawal from the World Trade Organization. In 2005, I voted in opposition to implementing Central America Free Trade Agreement.

On Government Reform: Long been a supporter of publicly financed elections

A: I sponsored the Voter Choice Act in Congress, which would have provided for the use of ranked choice voting in Congressional elections. I fought to defend and reauthorize the Voting Rights Act. I have long been a supporter of publicly financed elections. I have advocated same-day voter registration. I voted in opposition to requiring photo ID for voting in federal elections.

On Health Care: Supports single-payer universal health care

A: In Congress, I was a cosponsor of every bill to create a national system for universal access to health care under a single payer model.

On Homeland Security: Maintain habeas corpus; oppose Patriot Act

A: In 1996, I voted to maintain the right of habeas corpus in Death Penalty Appeals. I opposed the Patriot Act and its re-authorization.

On Immigration: No skilled worker visas; but no border fence either

A: In 1998, I voted NO on issuing more immigrant visas for skilled workers. In 2001, I voted YES on extending Immigrant Residency rules. In 2006 I voted NO on building a fence along the Mexican border.

On Jobs: Authored a living wage bill

A: I authored a living wage bill in the 109th Congress.

On Principles & Values: Running to institutionalize Green Party & Ten Key Values

A: I am entering this process because I believe a successful Green Party campaign can do the following:

• Institutionalize the Green Party as a meaningful, effective, and permanent part of the United States’ political landscape;
• Popularize and grow the Green Party as an electoral/social vehicle to unite people across socio-economic lines that are often used to divide;
• Recognize and publicize the internationalization of problems facing average households across our nation;
• Inject radical common sense solutions into our national political debate; and
• Positively affect public policy to improve our quality of life with justice for all.

On War & Peace: Cut funding for wars in Afghanistan and Iraq

A: In 2006, I voted no on declaring Iraq part of War on Terror with no exit date. I consistently opposed every regular and supplemental appropriation meant to fund the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. I have participated in International War Crimes Tribunals (in Brussels, Spain and Malaysia) designed to bring to justice the Bush-Cheney administration.