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OnTheIssuesLogo Chris Dodd

Chris Dodd on VoteMatch

Democratic Sr Senator (CT)



VoteMatch Responses
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VoteMatch Question & Answer
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Based on these stances:
(Click on topic for excerpt & citation)
Strongly Favors topic 1:
Abortion is a woman's right
(+5 points on Social scale)
Partial birth abortion ban needs maternal health exception: Strongly Favors topic 1
Conduct stem cell research to help Alzheimers and diabetes: Favors topic 1
Rated 100% by NARAL, indicating a pro-choice voting record: Strongly Favors topic 1
Expand embryonic stem cell research: Favors topic 1
Rated 0% by the NRLC, indicating a pro-choice stance: Strongly Favors topic 1
Ensure access to and funding for contraception: Favors topic 1
NO on prohibiting minors crossing state lines for abortion: Strongly Favors topic 1
NO on defining unborn child as eligible for SCHIP: Favors topic 1
NO on banning partial birth abortions: Strongly Favors topic 1
NO on maintaining ban on Military Base Abortions: Favors topic 1
NO on banning partial birth abortions except for maternal life: Strongly Favors topic 1
NO on criminal penalty for harming unborn fetus during other crime: Favors topic 1
YES on $100M to reduce teen pregnancy by education & contraceptives: Favors topic 1
NO on notifying parents of minors who get out-of-state abortions: Favors topic 1
NO on restricting UN funding for population control policies: Favors topic 1
Strongly Favors topic 2:
Require hiring more women & minorities
(-5 points on Economic scale)
Shame of resegregation has been occurring in our schools: Favors topic 2
Issue a commemorative postage stamp of Rosa Parks: Favors topic 2
Rated 93% by the NAACP, indicating a pro-affirmative-action stance: Strongly Favors topic 2
Recognize Juneteenth as historical end of slavery: Strongly Favors topic 2
Re-introduce the Equal Rights Amendment: Strongly Favors topic 2
Ban discriminatory compensation; allow 2 years to sue: Favors topic 2
Stronger enforcement against gender-based pay discrimination: Favors topic 2
Sponsored bill honoring the 100th anniversary of the NAACP: Favors topic 2
NO on banning affirmative action hiring with federal funds: Strongly Favors topic 2
NO on ending special funding for minority & women-owned business: Strongly Favors topic 2
NO on prohibiting same-sex basic training: Favors topic 2
YES on setting aside 10% of highway funds for minorities & women: Favors topic 2
Strongly Favors topic 3:
Same-sex domestic partnership benefits
(+5 points on Social scale)
Apply Family & Medical Leave Act to same sex couples: Strongly Favors topic 3
Treat same-sex couples equally in all rights except marriage: Favors topic 3
Supports civil unions but opposes gay marriage: Favors topic 3
More funding and stricter sentencing for hate crimes: Strongly Favors topic 3
Rated 100% by the HRC, indicating a pro-gay-rights stance: Strongly Favors topic 3
Provide benefits to domestic partners of Federal employees: Strongly Favors topic 3
YES on prohibiting same-sex marriage: Strongly Opposes topic 3
YES on prohibiting job discrimination by sexual orientation: Strongly Favors topic 3
YES on expanding hate crimes to include sexual orientation: Favors topic 3
YES on adding sexual orientation to definition of hate crimes: Strongly Favors topic 3
Strongly Opposes topic 4:
Teacher-led prayer in public schools
(+5 points on Social scale)
Rated 0% by the Christian Coalition: an anti-family voting record: Strongly Opposes topic 4
Rated 100% by the AU, indicating support of church-state separation: Strongly Opposes topic 4
NO on requiring schools to allow voluntary prayer: Opposes topic 4
NO on $75M for abstinence education: Strongly Opposes topic 4
YES on killing restrictions on violent videos to minors: Opposes topic 4
NO on recommending Constitutional ban on flag desecration: Opposes topic 4
Opposes topic 8:
Death Penalty
(+2 points on Social scale)
Moratorium on death penalty; more DNA testing: Opposes topic 8
Require DNA testing for all federal executions: Opposes topic 8
NO on rejecting racial statistics in death penalty appeals: Opposes topic 8
NO on limiting death penalty appeals: Opposes topic 8
Opposes topic 9:
Mandatory Three Strikes sentencing laws
(+2 points on Social scale)
Reform the current system that locks up two million in jail: Opposes topic 9
Mandatory minimum sentencing has been a disaster: Strongly Opposes topic 9
Rated 75% by CURE, indicating pro-rehabilitation crime votes: Strongly Opposes topic 9
Increase funding for "COPS ON THE BEAT" program: Opposes topic 9
Reduce recidivism by giving offenders a Second Chance: Strongly Opposes topic 9
YES on mandatory prison terms for crimes involving firearms: Strongly Favors topic 9
YES on $1.15 billion per year to continue the COPS program: Opposes topic 9
YES on reinstating $1.15 billion funding for the COPS Program: Opposes topic 9
Strongly Opposes topic 10:
Absolute right to gun ownership
(-5 points on Economic scale)
NO on maintaining current law: guns sold without trigger locks: Strongly Opposes topic 10
NO on loosening license & background checks at gun shows: Opposes topic 10
YES on background checks at gun shows: Strongly Opposes topic 10
NO on banning lawsuits against gun manufacturers for gun violence: Strongly Opposes topic 10
NO on prohibiting lawsuits against gun manufacturers: Strongly Opposes topic 10
NO on allowing firearms in checked baggage on Amtrak trains: Opposes topic 10
Favors topic 5:
More federal funding for health coverage
(-3 points on Economic scale)
Let states make bulk Rx purchases, and other innovations: Opposes topic 5
Rated 100% by APHA, indicating a pro-public health record: Strongly Favors topic 5
Expand the National Health Service Corps: Strongly Favors topic 5
NO on allowing tribal Indians to opt out of federal healthcare: Strongly Favors topic 5
NO on means-testing to determine Medicare Part D premium: Favors topic 5
YES on blocking medical savings acounts: Favors topic 5
YES on Medicare means-testing: Opposes topic 5
NO on limiting self-employment health deduction: Favors topic 5
YES on including prescription drugs under Medicare: Favors topic 5
NO on funding GOP version of Medicare prescription drug benefit: Favors topic 5
YES on $40 billion per year for limited Medicare prescription drug benefit: Favors topic 5
YES on increasing Medicaid rebate for producing generics: Favors topic 5
YES on negotiating bulk purchases for Medicare prescription drug: Strongly Favors topic 5
YES on expanding enrollment period for Medicare Part D: Favors topic 5
NO on limiting medical liability lawsuits to $250,000: Opposes topic 5
YES on requiring negotiated Rx prices for Medicare part D: Favors topic 5
YES on overriding veto on expansion of Medicare: Favors topic 5
YES on expanding the Children's Health Insurance Program: Favors topic 5
YES on regulating tobacco as a drug: Favors topic 5
Strongly Opposes topic 6:
Privatize Social Security
(-5 points on Economic scale)
No privatization; but raise earning cap over $97,000: Strongly Opposes topic 6
Rated 90% by the ARA, indicating a pro-senior voting record: Strongly Opposes topic 6
NO on deducting Social Security payments on income taxes: Opposes topic 6
NO on allowing Roth IRAs for retirees: Opposes topic 6
NO on allowing personal retirement accounts: Opposes topic 6
NO on establishing reserve funds & pre-funding for Social Security: Opposes topic 6
Strongly Opposes topic 7:
Parents choose schools via vouchers
(-5 points on Economic scale)
Reform No Child Left Behind to invest in failing schools: Opposes topic 7
Rated 82% by the NEA, indicating pro-public education votes: Strongly Opposes topic 7
NO on school vouchers in DC: Strongly Opposes topic 7
NO on education savings accounts: Opposes topic 7
NO on allowing more flexibility in federal school rules: Strongly Opposes topic 7
NO on Educational Savings Accounts: Opposes topic 7
YES on funding smaller classes instead of private tutors: Opposes topic 7
YES on funding student testing instead of private tutors: Opposes topic 7
YES on $5B for grants to local educational agencies: Opposes topic 7
Strongly Favors topic 18:
Replace coal & oil with alternatives
(-5 points on Economic scale)
Advocate a corporate carbon tax: Strongly Favors topic 18
80% reduction in CO2 by the year 2080: Strongly Favors topic 18
Raise standard to 50 mpg by 2017; make federal fleet hybrids: Strongly Favors topic 18
Impose corporate carbon tax; need price incentives for GHGs: Strongly Favors topic 18
Carbon tax of $50B/year to make alternatives competitive: Strongly Favors topic 18
Rated 84% by the LCV, indicating pro-environment votes: Strongly Favors topic 18
Keep efficient air conditioner rule to conserve energy: Strongly Favors topic 18
Rated 100% by the CAF, indicating support for energy independence: Favors topic 18
Sign on to UN Framework Convention on Climate Change: Strongly Favors topic 18
Designate sensitive ANWR area as protected wilderness: Favors topic 18
YES on do not require ethanol in gasoline: Opposes topic 18
YES on reducing funds for road-building in National Forests: Favors topic 18
NO on defunding renewable and solar energy: Strongly Favors topic 18
YES on ending discussion of CAFE fuel efficiency standards: Opposes topic 18
NO on preserving budget for ANWR oil drilling: Favors topic 18
NO on terminating CAFE standards within 15 months: Strongly Favors topic 18
YES on targeting 100,000 hydrogen-powered vehicles by 2010: Strongly Favors topic 18
YES on removing consideration of drilling ANWR from budget bill: Favors topic 18
YES on reducing oil usage by 40% by 2025 (instead of 5%): Strongly Favors topic 18
YES on disallowing an oil leasing program in Alaska's ANWR: Strongly Favors topic 18
YES on banning drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge: Favors topic 18
YES on factoring global warming into federal project planning: Favors topic 18
YES on removing oil & gas exploration subsidies: Strongly Favors topic 18
YES on addressing CO2 emissions without considering India & China: Favors topic 18
YES on tax incentives for energy production and conservation: Strongly Favors topic 18
NO on requiring full Senate debate and vote on cap-and-trade: Favors topic 18
NO on protecting middle-income taxpayers from a national energy tax: Favors topic 18
YES on $2 billion more for Cash for Clunkers program: Favors topic 18
Strongly Opposes topic 19:
Drug use is immoral: enforce laws against it
(+5 points on Social scale)
Reduce sentencing disparity for crack cocaine retroactively: Favors topic 19
Allow medical marijuana; and allow decriminalization too: Strongly Opposes topic 19
Decriminalize marijuana but don’t legalize it: Opposes topic 19
Eliminate distinction between crack cocaine & powder cocaine: Strongly Opposes topic 19
No drug tests for welfare recipients: Opposes topic 19
End harsher sentencing for crack vs. powder cocaine: Opposes topic 19
NO on spending international development funds on drug control: Strongly Opposes topic 19
NO on increasing penalties for drug offenses: Opposes topic 19
Opposes topic 20:
Allow churches to provide welfare services
(-3 points on Economic scale)
Talk more about faith in the public sector: Favors topic 20
YES on welfare overhaul: Favors topic 20
NO on allowing state welfare waivers: Opposes topic 20
YES on eliminating block grants for food stamps: Opposes topic 20
NO on welfare block grants: Opposes topic 20
Strongly Favors topic 11:
Make taxes more progressive
(-5 points on Economic scale)
Rated 15% by NTU, indicating a "Big Spender" on tax votes: Strongly Favors topic 11
Rated 100% by the CTJ, indicating support of progressive taxation: Strongly Favors topic 11
NO on raising the Death Tax exemption to $5M from $1M: Strongly Favors topic 11
YES on increasing tax rate for people earning over $1 million: Strongly Favors topic 11
NO on allowing AMT reduction without budget offset: Favors topic 11
YES on Internet sales tax moratorium: Opposes topic 11
NO on requiring super-majority for raising taxes: Favors topic 11
NO on eliminating the 'marriage penalty': Favors topic 11
NO on prioritizing national debt reduction below tax cuts: Favors topic 11
YES on reducing marriage penalty instead of cutting top tax rates: Favors topic 11
YES on spending $448B of tax cut on education & debt reduction: Favors topic 11
NO on $350 billion in tax breaks over 11 years: Strongly Favors topic 11
NO on extending the tax cuts on capital gains and dividends: Strongly Favors topic 11
YES on $47B for military by repealing capital gains tax cut: Favors topic 11
NO on retaining reduced taxes on capital gains & dividends: Strongly Favors topic 11
NO on permanently repealing the `death tax`: Strongly Favors topic 11
NO on supporting permanence of estate tax cuts: Strongly Favors topic 11
NO on repealing the Alternative Minimum Tax: Strongly Favors topic 11
Favors topic 12:
Illegal immigrants earn citizenship
(+2 points on Social scale)
Oppose granting driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants: Opposes topic 12
Driver’s licenses ought not be given to illegal immigrants: Opposes topic 12
Mexico is a neighbor and ally, but supported border wall: Opposes topic 12
Sanctuary cities ok to deal with millions here already: Strongly Favors topic 12
Rated 8% by USBC, indicating an open-border stance: Strongly Favors topic 12
YES on continuing federal funds for declared "sanctuary cities": Strongly Favors topic 12
NO on limit welfare for immigrants: Strongly Favors topic 12
YES on visas for skilled workers: Favors topic 12
NO on allowing more foreign workers into the US for farm work: Opposes topic 12
YES on allowing illegal aliens to participate in Social Security: Strongly Favors topic 12
YES on giving Guest Workers a path to citizenship: Strongly Favors topic 12
YES on establishing a Guest Worker program: Favors topic 12
YES on building a fence along the Mexican border: Strongly Opposes topic 12
YES on comprehensive immigration reform: Strongly Favors topic 12
Opposes topic 13:
Support & expand free trade
(-3 points on Economic scale)
Include labor, environmental & health in trade deals: Opposes topic 13
Ban the outsourcing of jobs: Opposes topic 13
Rated 17% by CATO, indicating a pro-fair trade voting record: Strongly Opposes topic 13
YES on renewing 'fast track' presidential trade authority: Favors topic 13
YES on permanent normal trade relations with China: Strongly Favors topic 13
YES on expanding trade to the third world: Favors topic 13
YES on removing common goods from national security export rules: Favors topic 13
YES on granting normal trade relations status to Vietnam: Favors topic 13
NO on extending free trade to Andean nations: Strongly Opposes topic 13
NO on establishing free trade between US & Singapore: Opposes topic 13
NO on establishing free trade between the US and Chile: Opposes topic 13
NO on implementing CAFTA for Central America free-trade: Strongly Opposes topic 13
NO on free trade agreement with Oman: Strongly Opposes topic 13
Opposes topic 15:
Expand the armed forces
(+2 points on Social scale)
Star Wars program is wrong priority for 21st century: Opposes topic 15
Voted for 20 pay increases for the military: Favors topic 15
Rated 100% by SANE, indicating a pro-peace voting record: Strongly Opposes topic 15
Sponsored bill for Iraq budget to be part of defense budget: Opposes topic 15
NO on 1996 Defense Appropriations: Opposes topic 15
NO on considering deploying NMD, and amending ABM Treaty: Opposes topic 15
NO on favoring 36 vetoed military projects: Strongly Opposes topic 15
NO on allowing another round of military base closures: Favors topic 15
NO on military pay raise of 4.8%: Strongly Opposes topic 15
YES on deploying National Missile Defense ASAP: Strongly Favors topic 15
YES on requiring on-budget funding for Iraq, not emergency funding: Opposes topic 15
YES on limiting soldiers' deployment to 12 months: Opposes topic 15
Favors topic 16:
Stricter limits on political campaign funds
(-3 points on Economic scale)
Supports public campaign finance, despite personal history: Favors topic 16
Prohibit 'voter caging' which intimidates minority voting: Favors topic 16
Repeal automatic Congressional pay raises: Favors topic 16
YES on favoring 1997 McCain-Feingold overhaul of campaign finance: Favors topic 16
YES on banning campaign donations from unions & corporations: Favors topic 16
YES on banning "soft money" contributions and restricting issue ads: Favors topic 16
NO on establishing the Senate Office of Public Integrity: Opposes topic 16
YES on allowing some lobbyist gifts to Congress: Strongly Opposes topic 16
Strongly Favors topic 14:
The Patriot Act harms civil liberties
(+5 points on Social scale)
National security is more important than human rights: Opposes topic 14
Co-sponsored “Restoring the Constitution Act” to ban torture: Strongly Favors topic 14
Deeply troubling to legalize secret interrogation: Strongly Favors topic 14
Maintain Geneva Conventions; keep restrictions on torture: Strongly Favors topic 14
Restore habeas corpus for detainees in the War on Terror: Favors topic 14
YES on requiring FISA court warrant to monitor US-to-foreign calls: Strongly Favors topic 14
YES on reauthorizing the PATRIOT Act: Opposes topic 14
YES on preserving habeas corpus for Guantanamo detainees: Strongly Favors topic 14
YES on requiring CIA reports on detainees & interrogation methods: Strongly Favors topic 14
NO on removing need for FISA warrant for wiretapping abroad: Strongly Favors topic 14
Favors topic 17:
US out of Iraq
(+2 points on Social scale)
Cut off the funding spigot for Iraq in one year: Strongly Favors topic 17
More foreign languages courses and exchange students: Favors topic 17
Require Congress' approval before military action in Iran: Favors topic 17
NO on redeploying troops out of Iraq by July 2007: Strongly Opposes topic 17
YES on redeploying US troops out of Iraq by March 2008: Strongly Favors topic 17

Other candidates' VoteMatch: Chris Dodd on the issues:
Frontrunners:
GOP: Sen.John McCain
Democrat: Sen.Hillary Clinton
Democrat: Sen.Barack Obama

GOP V.P. Possibilities:
Mayor Rudy Giuliani(NYC)
Gov.Mike Huckabee(AR)
Sen.Joe Lieberman(CT)
Gov.Mitt Romney(MA)
Gov. Mark Sanford(SC)

Third Parties:
Libertarian: Rep.Bob Barr
Libertarian: Sen.Mike Gravel
Constitution: Amb.Alan Keyes
Liberation: Gloria La Riva
Green: Rep.Cynthia McKinney
Socialist: Brian Moore
Independent: Ralph Nader
Libertarian: Rep.Ron Paul
Abortion
Budget/Economy
Civil Rights
Corporations
Crime
Drugs
Education
Energy/Oil
Environment
Families/Children
Foreign Policy
Free Trade
Govt. Reform
Gun Control
Health Care
Homeland Security
Immigration
Infrastructure/Technology
Jobs
Principles/Values
Social Security
Tax Reform
War/Iraq/Mideast
Welfare/Poverty

Page last updated: Feb 07, 2010