Last week, DavidNYC solicited nominations for the Orange to Blue program. In his post, he included a questionnaire asking about a variety of issues that are important to this community.
I wanted to take some time this morning to sit down and answer your questions--so you can find my completed questionnaire after the jump.
I hope this gives you greater insight as to what I have done--and will continue to do--on behalf of the people of this great country.
Do you support:
a) A public health insurance option, offered by the federal government and tied to Medicare reimbursement rates plus 5% (H.R. 3200 223, as introduced in the House)?
b) The Public Option Act (H.R. 4789), which would allow all citizens to buy into Medicare?
Yes to both questions. I have been a strong supporter of the Public Option and believe that it represents a way to achieve additional cost-savings and robust competition in the health care system.
I supported the House health care bill which included a public option and would support efforts to add it to the health care exchanges created by the new law.
Do you support the Employee Free Choice Act (H.R. 1409/S. 560), including the provision known as "card check"?
Yes. I have co-sponsored this legislation in the House and I will continue to support it as a member of the Senate.
Do you support a repeal of the policy known as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (10 U.S.C. 654)?
I support repealing the unjust Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy. Additionally, I co-sponsored repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act, and I proudly support marriage equality.
Do you agree that any immigration reform bill should:
a) Contain a meaningful path to citizenship - one that does not include overly-punitive fines or a touchback requirement - for law-abiding undocumented immigrants currently in the United States;
b) Ensure that expanded legal permanent immigration, rather than expansion of temporary worker programs, serves as the United States' primary external answer to workforce shortages; and
c) Ensure that any non-agricultural temporary worker programs maintain current caps on the total number of non-agricultural temporary worker visas issued, and also include a meaningful prevailing wage requirement keyed to the Service Contract Act and Davis-Bacon Act?
I believe that comprehensive immigration reform is badly needed. I pledge that I will never demagogue on this complex and emotionally charged issue. In general, I supported the direction of the McCain-Kennedy legislation.
Do you think Congress should act to suspend regulation of greenhouse gas emissions by the Environmental Protection Agency?
I believe that Congress must take action to combat global warming. As such, I have supported efforts to invest in clean energy and support efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
If elected to the House, do you pledge not to join the Blue Dog Coalition?
New Hampshire needs independent leadership in the Senate to break through partisan gridlock and get things done. I value my independence and have always voted based on New Hampshire values and New Hampshire common sense.
I am not a Blue Dog member in the House.
If elected to the Senate, do you pledge to restore majority rule to the Senate and work/vote to end the filibuster?
Partisan gridlock and obstruction do not serve the people of New Hampshire or the nation as a whole. I support efforts to reform Senate rules to put that body back to work for the American people.
Several proposals have been put forth, such as one offered by Senator Shaheen, that reform the filibuster without replacing it entirely. I believe this approach is a needed step towards ending the unprecedented obstruction being offered by Senate Republicans.
Thank you all so much for your consideration. And, if you have the time, please feel free to visit my website to learn more about my record of standing up against the special interests and for the American people.