Jim Walz's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)
Key
Official Position: Candidate addressed this issue directly by taking the Political Courage Test.
Inferred Position: Candidate refused to address this issue, but Vote Smart inferred this issue based on the candidate's public record, including statements, voting record, and special interest group endorsements.
Unknown Position: Candidate refused to address this issue, or we could not infer an answer for this candidate despite exhaustive research of their public record.
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Jim Walz has provided voters with clear stances on key issues by responding to the 2018 Political Courage Test.
Illinois Congressional Election 2018 Political Courage Test
| Pro-choice | Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation? | ||
| I support reproductive health and the rights of individuals to make the best decisions for themselves. I believe this is an area where privacy rights should be protected and favor the individual and the decisions made with their doctor. | |||
| Yes | In order to balance the budget, do you support an income tax increase on any tax bracket? | ||
| Yes | In order to balance the budget, do you support reducing defense spending? | ||
| I propose an effective tax plan that works for all Americans to reduce the burden on working families and promote fairness. My plan simplifies existing tax rates, cuts taxes on small businesses, and helps reduce the cost of tax compliance. My plan reduces the marginal income tax rates for the middle class, while asking the wealthy to pay slightly more. I advocate for smart choices to be made in defense spending to reduce catastrophic redundancies in Sequestration that kills jobs and resources, while limiting other unnecessary purchases to better support our military readiness and enlisted service members. | |||
| Yes | Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions? | ||
| I have actively opposed the Citizens United decision and the corrupting influences of money in our political system. I have led by example through bi-partisan ballot initiatives to denounce the SCOTUS ruling and I refuse to accept contributions from Dark money PACs or corporations. | |||
| Yes | Do you support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth? | ||
| No | Do you support lowering corporate taxes as a means of promoting economic growth? | ||
| Subsidies paid to fossil fuel companies while they earn record profits is counterproductive. Instead, I believe the 98% of small businesses, that are our job creators, deserve a level playing field. I advocate for them and seek an end to monopolies that dominate entire industries, raising costs and stiffing completion. I propose tax cuts for small businesses and investments in sustainable energy field for the jobs of today and tomorrow. | |||
| Yes | Do you support requiring states to adopt federal education standards? | ||
| I believe a basic standard of education is vital for the future of our citizens and helps make sure all Americans have the tools to succeed. Illinois now currently pays more in federal taxes than we get back, due, in part to the states that are not able to support themselves. Taking on the vital responsibility of educating students is not only a state issue, but in our national best interests. | |||
| Yes | Do you support government funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, thermal)? | ||
| Yes | Do you support the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions? | ||
| This is a cornerstone issue of my platform and my work today - as a champion of combating global climate change, I seek to invest in the tools needed to combat its effects while helping create jobs in the new green economy. I support companies in Illinois that are already fighting to create good jobs, but feel they lack the support of legislators. I am not funded by fossil fuel interests and will work to make sure our scientists, students, and engineers have the support they need to move us forward. Repealing the solar tariff is a good first step. | |||
| Yes | Do you generally support gun-control legislation? | ||
| I am an advocate of gun-owner rights while addressing our crime problem in straw purchase sales and would expand access to a national database for citizens to lawfully purchase guns and prevent illegal straw purchase sales. I oppose the repeal of mental health restrictions and the "boyfriend" loophole for violent offenders. I will work to end the vicious cycle of for-profit prisons and the failed war on drugs policies geared toward mass incarceration and put a focus on creating jobs and supporting small business ownership and education. | |||
| No | Do you support repealing the 2010 Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare")? | ||
| Ending access to coverage for millions is contrary to my support for a national healthcare program through Medicare for All/Single Payer for all Americans. I propose negotiating drug prices to save over $100 billion a year and close the donut hole for seniors; allowing the importation of drugs at globally sourced pricing to end the gouging of Americans consumers; support the legalization of marijuana to treat PTSD and chronic pain instead of using highly addictive opioid drugs; expanding coverage for mental health services and treatment for the whole person while also evaluating mandatory minimum sentencing guidelines for drug offenses. | |||
| No | Do you support the construction of a wall along the Mexican border? | ||
| No | Do you support requiring immigrants who are unlawfully present to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship? | ||
| I recognize that we are a nation of immigrants and support a path to citizenship for our law-abiding neighbors who are already paying taxes and contributing to our communities. I support DREAMers and recognizes that the current immigration system unfairly burdens families while giving preferential treatment to the wealthy, regardless of their country of origin. I support holding illegal employers responsible and enacting a migrant work visa program as a humanitarian means to help protect workers. | |||
| Yes | Do you support the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes? | ||
| I support ending the federal prohibition on marijuana and industrial hemp. This provides free market protections for business owners who comply with heavily regulated sales; invest in communities through simple banking practices and future investments. In addition, the medical uses have proven successful in treating conditions previously only addressed through expensive and often addictive pharmaceuticals. Industrial hemp is a vital tool in a sustainable energy package, providing for the manufacture of biodegradable materials and other products that currently require toxic fossil fuels. | |||
| No | Should the United States use military force in order to prevent governments hostile to the U.S. from possessing a nuclear weapon? | ||
| No | Do you support increased American intervention in Middle Eastern conflicts beyond air support? | ||
| Diplomacy and building a coalition of equals is a vital first step. The threat of North Korea is being mitigated through direct efforts from China and South Korea with the U.S. in a secondary role. I would require an Authorization of Military Force with detail and specific objectives so that we are not once again sidestepping the process. State Department is now in shambles, ambassador posts are unfilled and our presence at the UN is now scorned. We must rebuild diplomatic ranks, strengthen ties with allies and uphold protection treaties. | |||
| Fixing our rigged economy must be a priority to protect our shrinking middle class and create a path forward for others to achieve the American Dream without crushing debt from education costs and illness. Consumer protections and reigning in Wall Street must be part of the equation to help create stability in our economy. Enact a national healthcare program through Medicare for All and immediately lowering the age of eligibility for Medicare to 55. Advance a serious national effort to combat the effects of global climate change while creating jobs and building the necessary infrastructure we need to compete globally. |
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