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Minnesota House
James Oberstar
(Dem./Farmer/Labor (until 2010), district 8)
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AK: Sullivan(R,incumbent) vs.Gross(I) vs.Blatchford(D)
AL: Jones(D,incumbent) vs.Tuberville(R) vs.Sessions(R) vs.Moore(R) vs.Rogers(D) vs.Merrill(R)
AR: Cotton(R,incumbent) vs.Harrington(L) vs.Whitfield(I) vs.Mahony(D)
AZ: McSally(R,incumbent) vs.Kelly(D)
CO: Gardner(R,incumbent) vs.Hickenlooper(D) vs.Madden(D) vs.Baer(D) vs.Walsh(D) vs.Johnston(D) vs.Romanoff(D) vs.Burnes(D) vs.Williams(D)
DE: Coons(D,incumbent) vs.Scarane(D) vs.Witzke(R) vs.DeMartino(R)
GA-2: Isakson(R,resigned) Loeffler(R,appointed) vs.Collins(R) vs.Tarver(D) vs.Warnock(D) vs.Carter(D) vs.Lieberman(D) vs.Grayson(R) vs.Buckley(L) vs.Stovall(I)
GA-6: Perdue(R,incumbent) vs.Ossoff(D) vs.Tomlinson(D) vs.Terry(D)
IA: Ernst(R,incumbent) vs.Greenfield(D) vs.Graham(D) vs.Mauro(D) vs.Franken(D)
ID: Risch(R,incumbent) vs.Jordan(D) vs.Harris(D)
IL: Durbin(D,incumbent) vs.Curran(R) vs.Stava-Murray(D)
KS: Roberts(R,retiring) vs.Marshall(R) vs.Bollier(D) vs.LaTurner(R) vs.Wagle(R) vs.Kobach(R) vs.Lindstrom(R) vs.Grissom(D)
KY: McConnell(R,incumbent) vs.McGrath(D) vs.Morgan(R) vs.Cox(D) vs.Tobin(D) vs.Booker(D)
LA: Cassidy(R,incumbent) vs.Perkins(D) vs.Pierce(D)
MA: Markey(D,incumbent) vs.O`Connor(R) vs.Ayyadurai(R) vs.Kennedy(D) vs.Liss-Riordan(D)
ME: Collins(R,incumbent) vs.Gideon(D) vs.Sweet(D) vs.Rice(D)
MI: Peters(D,incumbent) vs.James(R) vs.Squier(G)
MN: Smith(D,incumbent) vs.Lewis(R) vs.Overby(G) vs.Carlson(D)
MS: Hyde-Smith(R,incumbent) vs.Espy(D) vs.Bohren(D)
MT: Daines(R,incumbent) vs.Bullock(D) vs.Collins(D) vs.Driscoll(R) vs.Mues(D) vs.Geise(L)
NC: Tillis(R,incumbent) vs.Cunningham(D) vs.E.Smith(D) vs.S.Smith(R) vs.Tucker(R) vs.Mansfield(D)
NE: Sasse(R,incumbent) vs.Janicek(R)
NH: Shaheen(D,incumbent) vs.Messner(R) vs.Martin(D) vs.Bolduc(R) vs.O'Brien(R)
NJ: Booker(D,incumbent) vs.Mehta(R) vs.Singh(R) vs.Meissner(R)
NM: Udall(D,retiring) vs.Lujan(D) vs.Ronchetti(R) vs.Walsh(L) vs.Clarkson(R) vs.Oliver(D) vs.Rich(R)
OK: Inhofe(R,incumbent) vs.Broyles(D) vs.Workman(D)
OR: Merkley(D,incumbent) vs.Perkins(R) vs.Romero(R)
RI: Reed(D,incumbent) vs.Waters(R)
SC: Graham(R,incumbent) vs.Harrison(D) vs.Tinubu(D)
SD: Rounds(R,incumbent) vs.Ahlers(D) vs.Borglum(R)
TN: Alexander(R,retiring) vs.Hagerty(R) vs.Bradshaw(D) vs.Sethi(R) vs.Mackler(D) vs.Crim(R)
TX: Cornyn(R,incumbent) vs.Hegar(D) vs.Hernandez(D) vs.Bell(D) vs.Ramirez(D) vs.West(D)
VA: Warner(D,incumbent) vs.Taylor(R) vs.Gade(R)
WV: Capito(R,incumbent) vs.Swearengin(D) vs.Ojeda(D)
WY: Enzi(R,retiring) vs.Lummis(R) vs.Ben-David(D) vs.Ludwig(D)
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2017 House special elections
(The following members of the 115th Congress are resigning to take Cabinet positions):
Becerra(D-CA-34)
Price(R-GA-6)
Pompeo(R-KS-4)
Zinke(R-MT-0)
Mulvaney(R-SC-5)

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James Oberstar on Abortion
Click here for 14 full quotes on Abortion OR background on Abortion.
  • Voted NO on expanding research to more embryonic stem cell lines. (Jan 2007)
  • Voted NO on allowing human embryonic stem cell research. (May 2005)
  • Voted YES on restricting interstate transport of minors to get abortions. (Apr 2005)
  • Voted YES on making it a crime to harm a fetus during another crime. (Feb 2004)
  • Voted YES on banning partial-birth abortion except to save mother’s life. (Oct 2003)
  • Voted YES on funding for health providers who don't provide abortion info. (Sep 2002)
  • Voted YES on banning Family Planning funding in US aid abroad. (May 2001)
  • Voted YES on federal crime to harm fetus while committing other crimes. (Apr 2001)
  • Voted YES on banning partial-birth abortions. (Apr 2000)
  • Voted YES on barring transporting minors to get an abortion. (Jun 1999)
  • Rated 0% by NARAL, indicating a pro-life voting record. (Dec 2003)
  • Rated 100% by the NRLC, indicating a pro-life stance. (Dec 2006)
  • Prohibit transporting minors across state lines for abortion. (Jan 2008)
  • Bar funding for abortion under federal Obamacare plans. (Jul 2010)
James Oberstar on Budget & Economy
Click here for 10 full quotes on Budget & Economy OR background on Budget & Economy.
  • Voted YES on $192B additional anti-recession stimulus spending. (Jul 2009)
  • Voted YES on modifying bankruptcy rules to avoid mortgage foreclosures. (Mar 2009)
  • Voted YES on additional $825 billion for economic recovery package. (Jan 2009)
  • Voted YES on monitoring TARP funds to ensure more mortgage relief. (Jan 2009)
  • Voted YES on $15B bailout for GM and Chrysler. (Dec 2008)
  • Voted YES on $60B stimulus package for jobs, infrastructure, & energy. (Sep 2008)
  • Voted YES on defining "energy emergency" on federal gas prices. (Jun 2008)
  • Voted YES on revitalizing severely distressed public housing. (Jan 2008)
  • Voted NO on restricting bankruptcy rules. (Jan 2004)
  • Reform mortgage rules to prevent foreclosure & bankruptcy. (Feb 2008)
James Oberstar on Civil Rights
Click here for 11 full quotes on Civil Rights OR background on Civil Rights.
  • Voted NO on Constitutionally defining marriage as one-man-one-woman. (Jul 2006)
  • Voted NO on making the PATRIOT Act permanent. (Dec 2005)
  • Voted NO on protecting the Pledge of Allegiance. (Sep 2004)
  • Voted NO on constitutional amendment prohibiting flag desecration. (Jun 2003)
  • Voted NO on banning gay adoptions in DC. (Jul 1999)
  • Voted NO on ending preferential treatment by race in college admissions. (May 1998)
  • Constitutional Amendment for equal rights by gender. (Mar 2001)
  • Rated 67% by the ACLU, indicating a mixed civil rights voting record. (Dec 2002)
  • Rated 88% by the HRC, indicating a pro-gay-rights stance. (Dec 2006)
  • Rated 89% by the NAACP, indicating a pro-affirmative-action stance. (Dec 2006)
  • ENDA: prohibit employment discrimination for gays. (Jun 2009)
James Oberstar on Corporations
Click here for 6 full quotes on Corporations OR background on Corporations.
  • Voted YES on letting shareholders vote on executive compensation. (Jul 2009)
  • Voted YES on more funding for nanotechnology R&D and commercialization. (Jul 2009)
  • Voted YES on allowing stockholder voting on executive compensation. (Apr 2007)
  • Voted NO on replacing illegal export tax breaks with $140B in new breaks. (Jun 2004)
  • Voted NO on Bankruptcy Overhaul requiring partial debt repayment. (Mar 2001)
  • Rated 24% by the US COC, indicating an anti-business voting record. (Dec 2003)
James Oberstar on Crime
Click here for 9 full quotes on Crime OR background on Crime.
  • Voted YES on enforcing against anti-gay hate crimes. (Apr 2009)
  • Voted YES on funding for alternative sentencing instead of more prisons. (Jun 2000)
  • Voted NO on more prosecution and sentencing for juvenile crime. (Jun 1999)
  • Voted YES on maintaining right of habeas corpus in Death Penalty Appeals. (Mar 1996)
  • Voted NO on making federal death penalty appeals harder. (Feb 1995)
  • Voted YES on replacing death penalty with life imprisonment. (Apr 1994)
  • Rated 78% by CURE, indicating pro-rehabilitation crime votes. (Dec 2000)
  • More funding and stricter sentencing for hate crimes. (Apr 2001)
  • Require DNA testing for all federal executions. (Mar 2001)
James Oberstar on Drugs
Click here for 5 full quotes on Drugs OR background on Drugs.
  • Voted YES on more funding for Mexico to fight drugs. (Jun 2008)
  • Voted NO on military border patrols to battle drugs & terrorism. (Sep 2001)
  • Voted NO on prohibiting needle exchange & medical marijuana in DC. (Oct 1999)
  • Voted NO on subjecting federal employees to random drug tests. (Sep 1998)
  • Rated +20 by NORML, indicating a pro-drug-reform stance. (Dec 2006)
James Oberstar on Education
Click here for 10 full quotes on Education OR background on Education.
  • Voted YES on $40B for green public schools. (May 2009)
  • Voted YES on allowing Courts to decide on "God" in Pledge of Allegiance. (Jul 2006)
  • Voted YES on $84 million in grants for Black and Hispanic colleges. (Mar 2006)
  • Voted NO on allowing school prayer during the War on Terror. (Nov 2001)
  • Voted YES on requiring states to test students. (May 2001)
  • Voted NO on allowing vouchers in DC schools. (Aug 1998)
  • Voted NO on vouchers for private & parochial schools. (Nov 1997)
  • Voted NO on giving federal aid only to schools allowing voluntary prayer. (Mar 1994)
  • Rated 100% by the NEA, indicating pro-public education votes. (Dec 2003)
  • Make employee educational assistance tax-deductible. (Jan 1993)
James Oberstar on Energy & Oil
Click here for 15 full quotes on Energy & Oil OR background on Energy & Oil.
  • Voted YES on enforcing limits on CO2 global warming pollution. (Jun 2009)
  • Voted YES on tax credits for renewable electricity, with PAYGO offsets. (Sep 2008)
  • Voted YES on tax incentives for energy production and conservation. (May 2008)
  • Voted YES on tax incentives for renewable energy. (Feb 2008)
  • Voted YES on investing in homegrown biofuel. (Aug 2007)
  • Voted YES on criminalizing oil cartels like OPEC. (May 2007)
  • Voted YES on removing oil & gas exploration subsidies. (Jan 2007)
  • Voted NO on keeping moratorium on drilling for oil offshore. (Jun 2006)
  • Voted NO on authorizing construction of new oil refineries. (Oct 2005)
  • Voted NO on passage of the Bush Administration national energy policy. (Jun 2004)
  • Voted NO on implementing Bush-Cheney national energy policy. (Nov 2003)
  • Voted YES on raising CAFE standards; incentives for alternative fuels. (Aug 2001)
  • Voted NO on prohibiting oil drilling & development in ANWR. (Aug 2001)
  • Voted YES on starting implementation of Kyoto Protocol. (Jun 2000)
  • Rated 100% by the CAF, indicating support for energy independence. (Dec 2006)
James Oberstar on Environment
Click here for 13 full quotes on Environment OR background on Environment.
  • Voted YES on $2 billion more for Cash for Clunkers program. (Jul 2009)
  • Voted YES on protecting free-roaming horses and burros. (Jul 2009)
  • Voted YES on environmental education grants for outdoor experiences. (Sep 2008)
  • Voted YES on $9.7B for Amtrak improvements and operation thru 2013. (Jun 2008)
  • Voted YES on increasing AMTRAK funding by adding $214M to $900M. (Jun 2006)
  • Voted YES on barring website promoting Yucca Mountain nuclear waste dump. (May 2006)
  • Voted NO on deauthorizing "critical habitat" for endangered species. (Sep 2005)
  • Voted YES on speeding up approval of forest thinning projects. (Nov 2003)
  • Reduce liability for hazardous waste cleanup. (May 2001)
  • Rated 65% by the LCV, indicating a mixed record on environment. (Dec 2003)
  • Inter-state compact for Great Lakes water resources. (Jul 2008)
  • Strengthen prohibitions against animal fighting. (Jan 2007)
  • Fund projects for international conservation of cranes. (Jan 2009)
James Oberstar on Families & Children
Click here for 5 full quotes on Families & Children OR background on Families & Children.
  • Voted YES on four weeks of paid parental leave for federal employees. (Jun 2009)
  • Voted NO on establishing nationwide AMBER alert system for missing kids. (Apr 2003)
  • Voted NO on reducing Marriage Tax by $399B over 10 years. (Mar 2001)
  • Rated 33% by the Christian Coalition: an anti-family voting record. (Dec 2003)
  • Call for a White House Conference on Children and Youth. (Mar 2008)
James Oberstar on Foreign Policy
Click here for 13 full quotes on Foreign Policy OR background on Foreign Policy.
  • Voted YES on supporting democratic institutions in Pakistan. (Jun 2009)
  • Voted NO on cooperating with India as a nuclear power. (Sep 2008)
  • Voted NO on reforming the UN by restricting US funding. (Jun 2005)
  • Voted YES on keeping Cuba travel ban until political prisoners released. (Jul 2001)
  • Voted NO on withholding $244M in UN Back Payments until US seat restored. (May 2001)
  • Voted YES on $156M to IMF for 3rd-world debt reduction. (Jul 2000)
  • Voted NO on Permanent Normal Trade Relations with China. (May 2000)
  • Voted YES on $15.2 billion for foreign operations. (Nov 1999)
  • Member of the Congressional Human Rights Caucus. (Jan 2001)
  • Multi-year commitment to Africa for food & medicine. (Apr 2001)
  • Allow travel between the United States and Cuba. (Feb 2009)
  • Ease the Israeli blockade on Gaza. (Jan 2010)
  • Commitment to unbreakable U.S.-Israel bond. (Mar 2010)
James Oberstar on Free Trade
Click here for 10 full quotes on Free Trade OR background on Free Trade.
  • Voted YES on assisting workers who lose jobs due to globalization. (Oct 2007)
  • Voted NO on implementing CAFTA, Central America Free Trade. (Jul 2005)
  • Voted NO on implementing US-Australia Free Trade Agreement. (Jul 2004)
  • Voted NO on implementing US-Singapore free trade agreement. (Jul 2003)
  • Voted NO on implementing free trade agreement with Chile. (Jul 2003)
  • Voted YES on withdrawing from the WTO. (Jun 2000)
  • Voted NO on 'Fast Track' authority for trade agreements. (Sep 1998)
  • End economic protectionism: let dairy compacts expire . (Aug 2001)
  • Rated 39% by CATO, indicating a mixed record on trade issues. (Dec 2002)
  • Review free trade agreements biennially for rights violation. (Jun 2009)
James Oberstar on Government Reform
Click here for 13 full quotes on Government Reform OR background on Government Reform.
  • Voted YES on Senate pay raise. (Jun 2009)
  • Voted YES on granting Washington DC an Electoral vote & vote in Congress. (Apr 2007)
  • Voted YES on protecting whistleblowers from employer recrimination. (Mar 2007)
  • Voted NO on requiring photo ID for voting in federal elections. (Sep 2006)
  • Voted NO on restricting independent grassroots political committees. (Apr 2006)
  • Voted NO on prohibiting lawsuits about obesity against food providers. (Oct 2005)
  • Voted NO on limiting attorney's fees in class action lawsuits. (Feb 2005)
  • Voted NO on restricting frivolous lawsuits. (Sep 2004)
  • Voted YES on campaign finance reform banning soft-money contributions. (Feb 2002)
  • Voted NO on banning soft money donations to national political parties. (Jul 2001)
  • Voted YES on banning soft money and issue ads. (Sep 1999)
  • Allow same-day voter registration on election day. (Jan 2001)
  • Subject independent 527s to rules for political committees. (Feb 2005)
James Oberstar on Gun Control
Click here for 5 full quotes on Gun Control OR background on Gun Control.
  • Voted NO on prohibiting product misuse lawsuits on gun manufacturers. (Oct 2005)
  • Voted NO on prohibiting suing gunmakers & sellers for gun misuse. (Apr 2003)
  • Voted NO on decreasing gun waiting period from 3 days to 1. (Jun 1999)
  • Rated A by the NRA, indicating a pro-gun rights voting record. (Dec 2003)
  • Teach kids Eddie Eagle GunSafe's lifesaving message. (May 2010)
James Oberstar on Health Care
Click here for 20 full quotes on Health Care OR background on Health Care.
  • Voted YES on regulating tobacco as a drug. (Apr 2009)
  • Voted YES on expanding the Children's Health Insurance Program. (Jan 2009)
  • Voted YES on overriding veto on expansion of Medicare. (Jul 2008)
  • Voted YES on giving mental health full equity with physical health. (Mar 2008)
  • Voted YES on Veto override: Extend SCHIP to cover 6M more kids. (Jan 2008)
  • Voted YES on adding 2 to 4 million children to SCHIP eligibility. (Oct 2007)
  • Voted YES on requiring negotiated Rx prices for Medicare part D. (Jan 2007)
  • Voted NO on denying non-emergency treatment for lack of Medicare co-pay. (Feb 2006)
  • Voted NO on limiting medical malpractice lawsuits to $250,000 damages. (May 2004)
  • Voted NO on limited prescription drug benefit for Medicare recipients. (Nov 2003)
  • Voted YES on allowing reimportation of prescription drugs. (Jul 2003)
  • Voted NO on small business associations for buying health insurance. (Jun 2003)
  • Voted NO on capping damages & setting time limits in medical lawsuits. (Mar 2003)
  • Voted NO on allowing suing HMOs, but under federal rules & limited award. (Aug 2001)
  • Voted NO on subsidizing private insurance for Medicare Rx drug coverage. (Jun 2000)
  • Voted YES on banning physician-assisted suicide. (Oct 1999)
  • Voted NO on establishing tax-exempt Medical Savings Accounts. (Oct 1999)
  • Rated 88% by APHA, indicating a pro-public health record. (Dec 2003)
  • Improve services for people with autism & their families. (Apr 2007)
  • Establish a national childhood cancer database. (Mar 2007)
James Oberstar on Homeland Security
Click here for 18 full quotes on Homeland Security OR background on Homeland Security.
  • Voted NO on removing need for FISA warrant for wiretapping abroad. (Aug 2007)
  • Voted YES on restricting no-bid defense contracts. (Mar 2007)
  • Voted NO on allowing electronic surveillance without a warrant. (Sep 2006)
  • Voted NO on continuing intelligence gathering without civil oversight. (Apr 2006)
  • Voted NO on federalizing rules for driver licenses to hinder terrorists. (Feb 2005)
  • Voted NO on continuing military recruitment on college campuses. (Feb 2005)
  • Voted NO on supporting new position of Director of National Intelligence. (Dec 2004)
  • Voted NO on adopting the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. (Oct 2004)
  • Voted NO on permitting commercial airline pilots to carry guns. (Jul 2002)
  • Voted NO on $266 billion Defense Appropriations bill. (Jul 1999)
  • Voted NO on deploying SDI. (Mar 1999)
  • End the use of anti-personnel mines. (Mar 2001)
  • Rated 89% by SANE, indicating a pro-peace voting record. (Dec 2003)
  • Establish a Department of Peace and Nonviolence. (Feb 2007)
  • Extend reserve retirement pay parity back to 9/11. (Dec 2007)
  • Appoint chiropractors as commissioned officers. (Apr 2008)
  • Repeal Don't-Ask-Don't-Tell, and reinstate discharged gays. (Mar 2010)
  • Address abuses of electronic monitoring in the workplace. (Apr 1993)
James Oberstar on Immigration
Click here for 5 full quotes on Immigration OR background on Immigration.
  • Voted NO on building a fence along the Mexican border. (Sep 2006)
  • Voted YES on extending Immigrant Residency rules. (May 2001)
  • Voted NO on more immigrant visas for skilled workers. (Sep 1998)
  • Rated 0% by FAIR, indicating a voting record loosening immigration. (Dec 2003)
  • Rated 0% by USBC, indicating an open-border stance. (Dec 2006)
James Oberstar on Jobs
Click here for 12 full quotes on Jobs OR background on Jobs.
  • Voted YES on extending unemployment benefits from 39 weeks to 59 weeks. (Oct 2008)
  • Voted YES on overriding presidential veto of Farm Bill. (Jun 2008)
  • Voted YES on restricting employer interference in union organizing. (Mar 2007)
  • Voted YES on increasing minimum wage to $7.25. (Jan 2007)
  • Voted NO on end offshore tax havens and promote small business. (Oct 2004)
  • Voted NO on $167B over 10 years for farm price supports. (Oct 2001)
  • Voted NO on zero-funding OSHA's Ergonomics Rules instead of $4.5B. (Mar 2001)
  • Rated 100% by the AFL-CIO, indicating a pro-union voting record. (Dec 2003)
  • Allow an Air Traffic Controller's Union. (Jan 2006)
  • Form unions by card-check instead of secret ballot. (Mar 2009)
  • Ban discriminatory compensation; allow 2 years to sue. (Jan 2009)
  • Stronger enforcement against gender-based pay discrimination. (Jan 2009)
James Oberstar on Principles & Values
Click here for 2 full quotes on Principles & Values OR background on Principles & Values.
  • Religious affiliation: Catholic. (Nov 2000)
  • Rated 83% by the AU, indicating support of church-state separation. (Dec 2006)
James Oberstar on Social Security
Click here for 8 full quotes on Social Security OR background on Social Security.
  • Voted NO on raising 401(k) limits & making pension plans more portable. (May 2001)
  • Voted NO on reducing tax payments on Social Security benefits. (Jul 2000)
  • Voted YES on strengthening the Social Security Lockbox. (May 1999)
  • Changing Social Security disproportionately affects women. (May 2001)
  • Reject proposals for private saving accounts. (May 2002)
  • Rated 100% by the ARA, indicating a pro-senior voting record. (Dec 2003)
  • No severe changes; no privatization. (Feb 2010)
  • Reject privatization; don't raise the retirement age. (Aug 2010)
James Oberstar on Tax Reform
Click here for 14 full quotes on Tax Reform OR background on Tax Reform.
  • Voted YES on extending AMT exemptions to avoid hitting middle-income. (Jun 2008)
  • Voted YES on paying for AMT relief by closing offshore business loopholes. (Dec 2007)
  • Voted NO on retaining reduced taxes on capital gains & dividends. (Dec 2005)
  • Voted NO on providing tax relief and simplification. (Sep 2004)
  • Voted NO on making permanent an increase in the child tax credit. (May 2004)
  • Voted NO on permanently eliminating the marriage penalty. (Apr 2004)
  • Voted NO on making the Bush tax cuts permanent. (Apr 2002)
  • Voted NO on $99 B economic stimulus: capital gains & income tax cuts. (Oct 2001)
  • Voted NO on Tax cut package of $958 B over 10 years. (May 2001)
  • Voted NO on eliminating the Estate Tax ("death tax"). (Apr 2001)
  • Voted NO on eliminating the "marriage penalty". (Jul 2000)
  • Voted NO on $46 billion in tax cuts for small business. (Mar 2000)
  • Rated 26% by NTU, indicating a "Big Spender" on tax votes. (Dec 2003)
  • Rated 100% by the CTJ, indicating support of progressive taxation. (Dec 2006)
James Oberstar on Technology
Click here for 9 full quotes on Technology OR background on Technology.
  • Voted YES on delaying digital TV conversion by four months. (Mar 2009)
  • Voted NO on retroactive immunity for telecoms' warrantless surveillance. (Jun 2008)
  • Voted YES on establishing "network neutrality" (non-tiered Internet). (Jun 2006)
  • Voted YES on increasing fines for indecent broadcasting. (Feb 2005)
  • Voted NO on promoting commercial human space flight industry. (Nov 2004)
  • Voted NO on banning Internet gambling by credit card. (Jun 2003)
  • Voted NO on allowing telephone monopolies to offer Internet access. (Feb 2002)
  • Facilitate nationwide 2-1-1 phone line for human services. (Jan 2007)
  • No performance royalties for radio music. (Mar 2009)
James Oberstar on War & Peace
Click here for 7 full quotes on War & Peace OR background on War & Peace.
  • Voted YES on investigating Bush impeachment for lying about Iraq. (Jun 2008)
  • Voted YES on redeploying US troops out of Iraq starting in 90 days. (May 2007)
  • Voted NO on declaring Iraq part of War on Terror with no exit date. (Jun 2006)
  • Voted NO on approving removal of Saddam & valiant service of US troops. (Mar 2004)
  • Voted NO on authorizing military force in Iraq. (Oct 2002)
  • Voted NO on disallowing the invasion of Kosovo. (May 1999)
  • Member of the Out-of-Iraq Congressional Caucus. (Jan 2007)
James Oberstar on Welfare & Poverty
Click here for 9 full quotes on Welfare & Poverty OR background on Welfare & Poverty.
  • Voted YES on instituting National Service as a new social invention. (Mar 2009)
  • Voted YES on providing $70 million for Section 8 Housing vouchers. (Jun 2006)
  • Voted NO on promoting work and marriage among TANF recipients. (Feb 2003)
  • Voted NO on treating religious organizations equally for tax breaks. (Jul 2001)
  • Voted YES on responsible fatherhood via faith-based organizations. (Nov 1999)
  • Increase the earned income tax credit. (Jan 1993)
  • Fully fund Head Start; Job Corps; and WIC food program. (Apr 1993)
  • Develop a strategy to eliminate extreme global poverty. (Dec 2007)
  • Public jobs on community-based public interest projects. (Dec 2009)


VoteMatch Responses
(Click here for VoteMatch quiz)
VoteMatch Question & Answer
(Click on question for explanation and background)
Based on these stances:
(Click on topic for excerpt & citation)
Strongly Opposes topic 1:
Abortion is a woman's right
(-5 points on Social scale)
Rated 0% by NARAL, indicating a pro-life voting record: Strongly Opposes topic 1
Rated 100% by the NRLC, indicating a pro-life stance: Strongly Opposes topic 1
Prohibit transporting minors across state lines for abortion: Opposes topic 1
Bar funding for abortion under federal Obamacare plans: Opposes topic 1
YES on barring transporting minors to get an abortion: Strongly Opposes topic 1
YES on banning partial-birth abortions: Opposes topic 1
YES on banning Family Planning funding in US aid abroad: Opposes topic 1
YES on federal crime to harm fetus while committing other crimes: Opposes topic 1
YES on funding for health providers who don't provide abortion info: Opposes topic 1
YES on banning partial-birth abortion except to save mother’s life: Strongly Opposes topic 1
YES on making it a crime to harm a fetus during another crime: Opposes topic 1
YES on restricting interstate transport of minors to get abortions: Strongly Opposes topic 1
NO on allowing human embryonic stem cell research: Opposes topic 1
NO on expanding research to more embryonic stem cell lines: Opposes topic 1
Strongly Favors topic 2:
Require hiring more women & minorities
(-5 points on Economic scale)
Constitutional Amendment for equal rights by gender: Strongly Favors topic 2
Rated 89% by the NAACP, indicating a pro-affirmative-action stance: 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
NO on ending preferential treatment by race in college admissions: Favors topic 2
YES on $84 million in grants for Black and Hispanic colleges: Strongly Favors topic 2
Strongly Favors topic 3:
Same-sex domestic partnership benefits
(+5 points on Social scale)
More funding and stricter sentencing for hate crimes: Strongly Favors topic 3
Rated 88% by the HRC, indicating a pro-gay-rights stance: Strongly Favors topic 3
ENDA: prohibit employment discrimination for gays: Favors topic 3
Repeal Don't-Ask-Don't-Tell, and reinstate discharged gays: Favors topic 3
NO on banning gay adoptions in DC.: Favors topic 3
NO on Constitutionally defining marriage as one-man-one-woman: Strongly Favors topic 3
YES on enforcing against anti-gay hate crimes: Favors topic 3
Strongly Opposes topic 4:
Teacher-led prayer in public schools
(+5 points on Social scale)
Rated 33% by the Christian Coalition: an anti-family voting record: Strongly Opposes topic 4
Rated 83% by the AU, indicating support of church-state separation: Strongly Opposes topic 4
NO on giving federal aid only to schools allowing voluntary prayer: Strongly Opposes topic 4
NO on allowing school prayer during the War on Terror: Strongly Opposes topic 4
NO on constitutional amendment prohibiting flag desecration: Opposes topic 4
NO on protecting the Pledge of Allegiance: Opposes topic 4
YES on allowing Courts to decide on "God" in Pledge of Allegiance: Opposes topic 4
Strongly Opposes topic 8:
Death Penalty
(+5 points on Social scale)
Require DNA testing for all federal executions: Opposes topic 8
YES on replacing death penalty with life imprisonment: Strongly Opposes topic 8
NO on making federal death penalty appeals harder: Strongly Opposes topic 8
YES on maintaining right of habeas corpus in Death Penalty Appeals: Opposes topic 8
Strongly Opposes topic 9:
Mandatory Three Strikes sentencing laws
(+5 points on Social scale)
Rated 78% by CURE, indicating pro-rehabilitation crime votes: Strongly Opposes topic 9
NO on more prosecution and sentencing for juvenile crime: Opposes topic 9
YES on funding for alternative sentencing instead of more prisons.: Strongly Opposes topic 9
Opposes topic 10:
Absolute right to gun ownership
(-3 points on Economic scale)
Rated A by the NRA, indicating a pro-gun rights voting record: Strongly Favors topic 10
Teach kids Eddie Eagle GunSafe's lifesaving message: Favors topic 10
NO on decreasing gun waiting period from 3 days to 1: Strongly Opposes topic 10
NO on prohibiting suing gunmakers & sellers for gun misuse: Strongly Opposes topic 10
NO on prohibiting product misuse lawsuits on gun manufacturers: Strongly Opposes topic 10
Strongly Favors topic 5:
More federal funding for health coverage
(-5 points on Economic scale)
Rated 88% by APHA, indicating a pro-public health record: Strongly Favors topic 5
YES on giving mental health full equity with physical health: Favors topic 5
YES on Veto override: Extend SCHIP to cover 6M more kids: Strongly Favors topic 5
NO on establishing tax-exempt Medical Savings Accounts: Favors topic 5
NO on subsidizing private insurance for Medicare Rx drug coverage: Favors topic 5
YES on allowing reimportation of prescription drugs: Favors topic 5
NO on capping damages & setting time limits in medical lawsuits: Favors topic 5
NO on limited prescription drug benefit for Medicare recipients: Favors topic 5
NO on denying non-emergency treatment for lack of Medicare co-pay: Strongly Favors topic 5
YES on requiring negotiated Rx prices for Medicare part D: Favors topic 5
YES on adding 2 to 4 million children to SCHIP eligibility: 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)
Changing Social Security disproportionately affects women: Opposes topic 6
Reject proposals for private saving accounts: Strongly Opposes topic 6
Rated 100% by the ARA, indicating a pro-senior voting record: Strongly Opposes topic 6
No severe changes; no privatization: Strongly Opposes topic 6
Reject privatization; don't raise the retirement age: Strongly Opposes topic 6
YES on strengthening the Social Security Lockbox: Opposes topic 6
NO on reducing tax payments on Social Security benefits: Opposes topic 6
NO on raising 401(k) limits & making pension plans more portable: Opposes topic 6
Strongly Opposes topic 7:
Parents choose schools via vouchers
(-5 points on Economic scale)
Rated 100% by the NEA, indicating pro-public education votes: Strongly Opposes topic 7
NO on vouchers for private & parochial schools: Strongly Opposes topic 7
NO on allowing vouchers in DC schools: Opposes topic 7
YES on environmental education grants for outdoor experiences: Opposes topic 7
YES on $40B for green public schools: Opposes topic 7
Favors topic 18:
Replace coal & oil with alternatives
(-3 points on Economic scale)
Reduce liability for hazardous waste cleanup: Opposes topic 18
Rated 65% by the LCV, indicating a mixed record on environment: Neutral on topic 18
Rated 100% by the CAF, indicating support for energy independence: Favors topic 18
YES on tax incentives for renewable energy: Strongly Favors topic 18
YES on starting implementation of Kyoto Protocol: Strongly Favors topic 18
YES on raising CAFE standards; incentives for alternative fuels: Strongly Favors topic 18
NO on prohibiting oil drilling & development in ANWR: Strongly Opposes topic 18
NO on authorizing construction of new oil refineries: Strongly Favors topic 18
NO on keeping moratorium on drilling for oil offshore: Strongly Opposes topic 18
YES on removing oil & gas exploration subsidies: Strongly Favors topic 18
YES on investing in homegrown biofuel: Strongly Favors topic 18
YES on criminalizing oil cartels like OPEC: Favors topic 18
YES on tax incentives for energy production and conservation: Strongly Favors topic 18
YES on tax credits for renewable electricity, with PAYGO offsets: Favors topic 18
YES on enforcing limits on CO2 global warming pollution: 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)
Rated +20 by NORML, indicating a pro-drug-reform stance: Strongly Opposes topic 19
NO on subjecting federal employees to random drug tests: Strongly Opposes topic 19
NO on prohibiting needle exchange & medical marijuana in DC: Strongly Opposes topic 19
NO on military border patrols to battle drugs & terrorism: Strongly Opposes topic 19
YES on more funding for Mexico to fight drugs: Favors topic 19
Opposes topic 20:
Allow churches to provide welfare services
(-3 points on Economic scale)
Increase the earned income tax credit: Opposes topic 20
Fully fund Head Start; Job Corps; and WIC food program: Opposes topic 20
Public jobs on community-based public interest projects: Favors topic 20
YES on responsible fatherhood via faith-based organizations: Favors topic 20
NO on treating religious organizations equally for tax breaks: Strongly Opposes topic 20
YES on instituting National Service as a new social invention: Opposes topic 20
Strongly Favors topic 11:
Make taxes more progressive
(-5 points on Economic scale)
Rated 26% 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
Make employee educational assistance tax-deductible: Favors topic 11
NO on eliminating the "marriage penalty": Favors topic 11
NO on $46 billion in tax cuts for small business: Favors topic 11
NO on Tax cut package of $958 B over 10 years: Favors topic 11
NO on reducing Marriage Tax by $399B over 10 years: Favors topic 11
NO on eliminating the Estate Tax ("death tax"): Favors topic 11
NO on making the Bush tax cuts permanent: Strongly Favors topic 11
NO on providing tax relief and simplification: Strongly Favors topic 11
NO on retaining reduced taxes on capital gains & dividends: Strongly Favors topic 11
YES on paying for AMT relief by closing offshore business loopholes: Strongly Favors topic 11
YES on extending AMT exemptions to avoid hitting middle-income: Opposes topic 11
Strongly Favors topic 12:
Illegal immigrants earn citizenship
(+5 points on Social scale)
Rated 0% by FAIR, indicating a voting record loosening immigration: Strongly Favors topic 12
Rated 0% by USBC, indicating an open-border stance: Strongly Favors topic 12
NO on more immigrant visas for skilled workers: Opposes topic 12
YES on extending Immigrant Residency rules: Favors topic 12
NO on building a fence along the Mexican border: Strongly Favors topic 12
Strongly Opposes topic 13:
Support & expand free trade
(-5 points on Economic scale)
End economic protectionism: let dairy compacts expire : Strongly Favors topic 13
Rated 39% by CATO, indicating a mixed record on trade issues: Neutral on topic 13
Review free trade agreements biennially for rights violation: Strongly Opposes topic 13
NO on 'Fast Track' authority for trade agreements: Strongly Opposes topic 13
NO on Permanent Normal Trade Relations with China: Strongly Opposes topic 13
YES on withdrawing from the WTO: Strongly Opposes topic 13
NO on implementing US-Singapore free trade agreement: Strongly Opposes topic 13
NO on implementing free trade agreement with Chile: Strongly Opposes topic 13
NO on implementing US-Australia Free Trade Agreement: Opposes topic 13
NO on end offshore tax havens and promote small business: Favors topic 13
NO on implementing CAFTA, Central America Free Trade: Strongly Opposes topic 13
YES on assisting workers who lose jobs due to globalization: Opposes topic 13
Strongly Opposes topic 15:
Expand the armed forces
(+5 points on Social scale)
Rated 89% by SANE, indicating a pro-peace voting record: Strongly Opposes topic 15
Establish a Department of Peace and Nonviolence: Strongly Opposes topic 15
Extend reserve retirement pay parity back to 9/11: Favors topic 15
NO on $266 billion Defense Appropriations bill: Opposes topic 15
NO on deploying SDI: Opposes topic 15
NO on continuing military recruitment on college campuses: Opposes topic 15
YES on restricting no-bid defense contracts: Strongly Opposes topic 15
Favors topic 16:
Stricter limits on political campaign funds
(-3 points on Economic scale)
Subject independent 527s to rules for political committees: Strongly Favors topic 16
YES on banning soft money and issue ads: Favors topic 16
NO on banning soft money donations to national political parties: Opposes topic 16
YES on campaign finance reform banning soft-money contributions: Favors topic 16
NO on restricting independent grassroots political committees: Favors topic 16
Strongly Favors topic 14:
The Patriot Act harms civil liberties
(+5 points on Social scale)
Address abuses of electronic monitoring in the workplace: Strongly Favors topic 14
NO on making the PATRIOT Act permanent: Strongly Favors topic 14
NO on continuing intelligence gathering without civil oversight: Strongly Favors topic 14
NO on allowing electronic surveillance without a warrant: Strongly Favors topic 14
NO on removing need for FISA warrant for wiretapping abroad: Strongly Favors topic 14
NO on retroactive immunity for telecoms' warrantless surveillance: Favors topic 14
Strongly Favors topic 17:
US out of Iraq & Afghanistan
(+5 points on Social scale)
Multi-year commitment to Africa for food & medicine: Strongly Favors topic 17
Member of the Out-of-Iraq Congressional Caucus: Strongly Favors topic 17
NO on authorizing military force in Iraq: Strongly Favors topic 17
NO on declaring Iraq part of War on Terror with no exit date: Strongly Favors topic 17
YES on redeploying US troops out of Iraq starting in 90 days: Strongly Favors topic 17
YES on investigating Bush impeachment for lying about Iraq: Favors topic 17

James Oberstar is a Hard-Core Liberal.
Click here for explanation of political philosophy.
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