Ron Wyden MyOcracy topics and responses

Criminal Justice

Increase the number of local prosecutors

• 04/17/1996: Voted YES on limiting death penalty appeals
• 02/08/1995: Voted YES on making federal death penalty appeals harder
• 04/14/1994: Voted NO on replacing death penalty with life imprisonment

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

• 03/23/2007: Voted YES on reinstating $1.15 billion funding for the COPS Program
• 05/20/1999: Voted YES on $1.15 billion per year to continue the COPS program

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

• 11/10/1999: Voted NO on increasing penalties for drug offenses

Civil Rights

Abortion rights: Women should choose

• 11/13/2013: Ban anti-abortion limitations on abortion services
• 08/11/2010: Supports both federal abortion funding & judicial activism
• 01/06/2009: Focus on preventing pregnancy, plus emergency contraception
• 03/14/2008: Voted NO on defining unborn child as eligible for SCHIP
• 03/13/2008: Voted NO on prohibiting minors crossing state lines for abortion
• 10/18/2007: Voted NO on barring HHS grants to organizations that perform abortions
• 07/25/2006: Voted NO on notifying parents of minors who get out-of-state abortions
• 03/25/2004: Voted NO on criminal penalty for harming unborn fetus during other crime
• 03/12/2003: Voted NO on banning partial birth abortions except for maternal life
• 06/20/2000: Voted NO on maintaining ban on Military Base Abortions

  Support for gun control measures

• 04/17/2013: Voted YES on banning high-capacity magazines of over 10 bullets
• 08/11/2010: by the NRA, indicating a pro-gun control voting record
• 05/07/2009: Close the Gun Show Loophole; restrict show sales
• 04/02/2009: Voted NO on allowing firearms in checked baggage on Amtrak trains
• 07/29/2005: Voted NO on prohibiting lawsuits against gun manufacturers
• 03/02/2004: Voted NO on banning lawsuits against gun manufacturers for gun violence
• 05/20/1999: Voted YES on background checks at gun shows
• 05/11/1999: Voted NO on loosening license & background checks at gun shows

  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
• 06/11/2002: Voted YES on adding sexual orientation to definition of hate crimes
• 06/20/2000: Voted YES on expanding hate crimes to include sexual orientation
• 09/10/1996: Voted YES on prohibiting job discrimination by sexual orientation

  Support marriage rights between same-sex individuals

• 12/31/2006: by the HRC, indicating a pro-gay-rights stance
• 06/07/2006: Voted NO on constitutional ban of same-sex marriage
• 09/10/1996: Voted NO on prohibiting same-sex marriage

  Support for gun rights

• 09/06/2007: Voted YES on prohibiting foreign & UN aid that restricts US gun ownership

Economic Issues

Taxes for wealthier tax payers: More

• 03/13/2008: Voted NO on allowing AMT reduction without budget offset
• 02/13/2008: Voted NO on raising the Death Tax exemption to $5M from $1M
• 03/23/2007: Voted NO on repealing the Alternative Minimum Tax
• 03/21/2007: Voted NO on raising estate tax exemption to $5 million
• 12/31/2006: by the CTJ, indicating support of progressive taxation
• 08/03/2006: Voted NO on supporting permanence of estate tax cuts
• 06/08/2006: Voted NO on permanently repealing the `death tax`
• 02/02/2006: Voted NO on retaining reduced taxes on capital gains & dividends
• 11/18/2005: Voted NO on extending the tax cuts on capital gains and dividends
• 05/23/2003: Voted NO on $350 billion in tax breaks over 11 years

  Increase taxes for all tax payers

• 08/11/2010: Supports more federal taxes & keeping marriage penalty
• 12/31/2003: by NTU, indicating a "Big Spender" on tax votes

  Taxes for wealthier tax payers: Less

• 03/13/2008: Voted NO on increasing tax rate for people earning over $1 million
• 04/02/1998: Voted YES on requiring super-majority for raising taxes

  Invest money in more public projects to improve infrastructure

• 01/22/2013: Strengthen infrastructure, including rail, dams, & Internet

Education Issues

Increase per pupil funding

• 09/21/2011: $25B to renovate or repair elementary schools
• 12/31/2003: by the NEA, indicating pro-public education votes
• 04/04/2001: Voted YES on spending $448B of tax cut on education & debt reduction
• 03/09/1999: Voted NO on allowing more flexibility in federal school rules

  Oppose school vouchers

• 08/11/2010: Opposes education vouchers for public or private school
• 03/02/2000: Voted NO on Educational Savings Accounts
• 06/24/1998: Voted NO on education savings accounts
• 09/30/1997: Voted NO on school vouchers in DC

  Reduce federal government involvement with public education

• 10/26/2005: Voted YES on $5B for grants to local educational agencies

Environmental Issues

Oppose domestic continental drilling to tap new oil sources

• 11/07/2007: Designate sensitive ANWR area as protected wilderness
• 11/03/2005: Voted YES on disallowing an oil leasing program in Alaska's ANWR
• 03/16/2005: Voted YES on banning drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
• 04/06/2000: Voted NO on preserving budget for ANWR oil drilling

  Support cap-and-trade programs to address industrial emissions

• 04/01/2009: Voted NO on requiring full Senate debate and vote on cap-and-trade
• 06/16/2005: Voted YES on reducing oil usage by 40% by 2025 (instead of 5%)

  Use tax incentives to promote efficient energy production and conservation

• 03/19/2004: Keep efficient air conditioner rule to conserve energy

  Oppose off-shore drilling to tap new oil sources

• 06/21/2007: Voted YES on removing oil & gas exploration subsidies

  Use tax incentives for wind energy development and use

• 01/17/2007: Set goal of 25% renewable energy by 2025

  Increase tax incentives for solar energy development and use

• 06/16/1999: Voted NO on defunding renewable and solar energy

  Regulate average miles-per-gallon production for consumer vehicles

• 03/13/2002: Voted NO on terminating CAFE standards within 15 months

Healthcare Issues

Lower eligibility age for Medicare to increase coverage of older taxpayers

• 07/15/2008: Voted YES on overriding veto on expansion of Medicare
• 04/07/2008: Preserve access to Medicaid & SCHIP during economic downturn
• 02/02/2006: Voted YES on expanding enrollment period for Medicare Part D

  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
• 04/18/1996: Voted YES on blocking medical savings acounts

  Reduce government involvement in the provision of health insurance for taxpayers

• 05/20/2003: Let states make bulk Rx purchases, and other innovations

  Provide single-payer health insurance coverage to all taxpayers direct from government

• 08/11/2010: Supports government-run healthcare

  Increase amount of children covered by Medicaid reimbursements for health costs

• 01/29/2009: Voted YES on expanding the Children's Health Insurance Program

Immigration

Provide amnesty for undocumented individuals

• 03/13/2008: Voted YES on continuing federal funds for declared "sanctuary cities"
• 06/28/2007: Voted YES on comprehensive immigration reform
• 05/18/2006: Voted YES on giving Guest Workers a path to citizenship

  Increase the number of work visas granted to foreign workers each year

• 05/25/2006: Voted YES on establishing a Guest Worker program
• 07/23/1998: Voted YES on allowing more foreign workers into the US for farm work
• 05/18/1998: Voted YES on visas for skilled workers

  Allow in-state tuition at public universities and colleges for undocumented students

• 05/18/2006: Voted YES on allowing illegal aliens to participate in Social Security
• 06/24/1997: Voted NO on limit welfare for immigrants

  Increase border security between U.S. and Mexico

• 09/29/2006: Voted YES on building a fence along the Mexican border