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Nydia Velázquez's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

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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.
Additional Information: Click on this icon to reveal more information about this candidate's position, from their answers or Vote Smart's research.
Other or Expanded Principles & Legislative Priorities are entered exactly as candidates submit them. Vote Smart does not edit for misspelled words, punctuation or grammar.

Nydia Velázquez did not provide voters with positions on key issues covered by the 2024 Political Courage Test, despite repeated requests from Vote Smart and voters like you.

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Issue Positions

For Presidential and Congressional candidates who refuse to provide voters with their positions, Vote Smart has researched their public records to determine their likely responses. These issue positions are from 2024.

  • "We marched to the Senate to demand they codify Roe because women should be able to make their own health care decisions. We marched because a right-wing court shouldn't be able to take away a fundamental right. We marched because we must never go back— the time to act is NOW." (x.com)
  • Rated 100% by Planned Parenthood Action Fund (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 8296: "Women's Health Protection Act of 2022" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 8297: "Ensuring Access to Abortion Act of 2022" (votesmart.org)
  • "On August 14, 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act into law, lifting millions of our nation’s seniors out of poverty. I stand with @HouseDemocrats in our fight to protect and expand Social Security benefits for those who rely on them." (x.com)
  • Rated 100% by Alliance for Retired Americans (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Rated 100% by National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "It’s Tax Day everyone and as millions of Americans pay their fair share, the ultra-wealthy and corporations are not. For years now, they have paid little to no taxes courtesy of Republican policies. It’s time we fix this broken system and #TaxTheRich." (x.com)
  • "Rather than make the ultra-wealthy pay their fair share, Republicans are fast-tracking a commission to cut your benefits. It’s time to #ScrapTheCap to make the wealthy pay their fair share and protect #SocialSecurity." (x.com)
  • Rated 11% by National Taxpayers Union (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 1 "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "Rather than make the ultra-wealthy pay their fair share, Republicans are fast-tracking a commission to cut your benefits. It’s time to #ScrapTheCap to make the wealthy pay their fair share and protect #SocialSecurity." (x.com)
  • "We shouldn't subsidize fat cats to fly private and destroy our environment. If billionaires want to fly private, they should pay their fair share in taxes. Today, I intro'd a bill with @SenMarkey to make the 1% pay for their pollution to fund environmental justice initiatives." (x.com)
  • Rated 11% by National Taxpayers Union (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 1 "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 89% by Common Cause (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Rated 92% by End Citizens United (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1: "For the People Act of 2021" (votesmart.org)
  • "Proud to receive an "A+" score from End Citizens United for my efforts to strengthen our democracy & reform govt to make it work for the people it serves. I’ll continue to work with my colleagues to make govt more accountable & transparent. @StopBigMoney" (x.com)
  • "Daunte Wright should have woken up this morning. His life was taken too soon because of police violence, an epidemic that will continue without a cure. I urge the Senate to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act to help bring an end to police violence. #BlackLivesMatter" (x.com)
  • "Justice was delivered today. For George Floyd, for his family, and for Black communities across America. This is a significant step in holding police officers accountable, but more needs to be done. I urge the Senate to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1280 "George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021." (votesmart.org)
  • "In addition to adding to an already bloated defense budget, this year's NDAA includes extreme Republican amendments to limit the reproductive and LGBTQ+ rights of our service members. That's why I voted NO!" (x.com)
  • Voted against HR 2670: "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 4365: "Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2024" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted against S 1605: "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022" (votesmart.org)
  • "When @POTUS signed the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we seized a once-in-a-century opportunity to strengthen our nation’s crumbling infrastructure, create millions of good-paying jobs and reconnect communities divided by projects of the past." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1319 "American Rescue Plan Act of 2021" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 2: "Moving Forward Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5376 "Inflation Reduction Act of 2022" (votesmart.org)
  • "Great News: @POTUS has heeded our call and announced the indefinite extension of the FFB Risk-Sharing program. I've fought to protect the program for years, and this extension will help create an estimated 38,000 additional affordable housing units over the next ten years!" (x.com)
  • "NYC & NYS are in the midst of a housing crisis. We desperately need policies like Good Cause eviction and other comprehensive measures to protect New Yorkers. We also need federal protections like my Landlord Accountability Act, which would crack down on dishonest landlords." (x.com)
  • "Today, I visited The Williamsburg Houses in Brooklyn. It is critical that Congress continue to fund affordable housing programs that working families depend on." (x.com)
  • "Americans have paid more for prescription drugs than any major economy for too long. Thanks to @POTUS, we are lowering high drug costs that only serve to benefit Big Pharma’s bank accounts. I was proud to support the Inflation Reduction Act, which helped to make this progress." (x.com)
  • "In 2022, Democrats fought to pass the Inflation Reduction Act to cap insulin at $35/month for Medicare enrollees despite the opposition of every Republican. Now, Big Pharma has followed suit and millions of Americans will pay less for this lifesaving medication." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5376 "Inflation Reduction Act of 2022" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 7688: "Consumer Fuel Price Gouging Prevention Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "Student debt cancellation is legal, just, and necessary. My message to SCOTUS: Listen to the people and protect cancellation." (x.com)
  • "The majority of this student debt falls on the shoulders of Black and Brown students. Canceling student debt would not only provide young people with a better opportunity to succeed, but help to ensure racial justice. We must cancel student debt." (x.com)
  • "This is a significant step that will cancel student debt for more than 30 million Americans! I applaud @POTUS for not letting MAGA Republicans and a radical right-wing SCOTUS stop him from getting Americans the debt relief they deserve" (x.com)
  • Rated 100% by National Education Association (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "John Lewis dedicated his life to ensuring every American had the right to vote. Today, the House will consider the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. Congress needs to fulfil its duty to preserve our democracy for all, and continue the work John Lewis started." (x.com)
  • Rated 89% by Common Cause (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 4: "John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5746 "Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "Clean energy & power investments reduce household costs & create a more sustainable future. Over $540M in #BipartisanInfrastructureLaw funding is helping families save, making our power grid more resilient, & improving efficiency across NYS!" (x.com)
  • "One year ago, Democrats delivered the largest investment in clean energy in history. We empowered Medicare to negotiate drug prices and we secured lower health care costs. And we did it by making rich corporations finally start to pay their fair share. #InflationReductionAct" (x.com)
  • Rated 94% by League of Conservation Voters (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 9: "Climate Action Now Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1146: "Arctic Cultural and Coastal Plain Protection Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "When @realDonaldTrump and Republicans in Congress passed their #GOPTaxScam for the rich in 2017, they opened the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas drilling. Today @HouseDemocrats and I are voting to #ProtectTheArctic instead of selling it to Big Oil. #ANWR" (x.com)
  • Rated 0% by American Energy Alliance (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1941: "Coastal and Marine Economies Protection Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "Before the pandemic, nearly 30 million Americans were uninsured – but even with insurance, millions more can’t afford their co-pays and deductibles. That is unacceptable. It’s time for #MedicareForAll." (x.com)
  • "I’ve said this a hundred times before: Health care is a human right. A universal health care system would guarantee that right. Let’s pass #MedicareForAll." (x.com)
  • "President Biden’s Executive Order will provide health care coverage to 200,000 people and lower premiums for millions. This is a good step forward to expand health care to more working families across this country. We’re not done yet, we must pass #MedicareForAll" (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1425: "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "Paid leave is a racial justice issue. Women of color have carried us through this pandemic, at home and on the front lines. We won't be able to survive another public health crisis without building the protections they deserve. #WeDemandMore" (x.com)
  • "To truly honor #WomensHistoryMonth history, we must keep fighting for women today. That means pushing to protect abortion rights, invest in child care, deliver paid leave for all, achieve pay equity and so much more." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 6201 "Families First Coronavirus Response Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "Americans have paid more for prescription drugs than any major economy for too long. Thanks to @POTUS, we are lowering high drug costs that only serve to benefit Big Pharma’s bank accounts. I was proud to support the Inflation Reduction Act, which helped to make this progress." (x.com)
  • "In 2022, Democrats fought to pass the Inflation Reduction Act to cap insulin at $35/month for Medicare enrollees despite the opposition of every Republican. Now, Big Pharma has followed suit and millions of Americans will pay less for this lifesaving medication." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 3 "Lower Drug Costs Now Act of 2019" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 6833 "The Affordable Insulin Now Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "H.R. 2 is cruel, extreme, and xenophobic bill that was derived from MAGA Republicans.The policies in this bill would only exacerbate the extreme suffering occurring at the southern border. We need to pass real, comprehensive immigration reform and not this radical bill." (x.com)
  • Rated 7% by NumbersUSA (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 2: "Secure the Border Act of 2023" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 5525: "Continuing Appropriations and Border Security Enhancement Act, 2024" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 3033: "Solidify Iran Sanctions Act of 2023" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 6015: "Iran Sanctions Accountability Act of 2023" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 8030: "Indo-Pacific Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 8035: "Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5692: "Ukraine Security Assistance and Oversight Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 6833: "Continuing Appropriations and Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 8035: "Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of S3522: "Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2022" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 7520: "Protecting Americans' Data from Foreign Adversaries Act of 2024" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 7521: "Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act" (votesmart.org)
This candidate has responded to a Political Courage Test in a previous election. As a continued effort to provide the American public with factual information on candidates running for public office, these archived responses are made available here.
Pro-choice Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
Yes In order to balance the budget, do you support reducing defense spending?
Yes In order to balance the budget, do you support an income tax increase on any tax bracket?
I support a tax increase on the wealthiest individuals.
Yes Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?
No Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?
Yes Do you support alternatives to incarceration for certain non-violent offenders such as mandatory counseling or substance abuse treatment?
No Do you support mandatory minimum sentences for non-violent drug offenders?
Yes Do you support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
Yes Do you support lowering taxes as a means of promoting economic growth?
Yes Do you support providing tax incentives to businesses for the purpose of job creation?
I support investment in infrastructure to promote job creation and I support providing tax relief to low and middle class working families and small businesses.
Unknown Position Do you generally support requiring states to adopt federal education standards?
No Do you support building the Keystone XL pipeline?
Yes Do you support government funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, thermal)?
Yes Do you support increased regulations on the hydraulic fracturing ("fracking") industry?
Yes Do you believe that human activity is contributing to climate change?
Yes Do you support the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions?
Yes Do you generally support gun-control legislation?
No Do you support repealing the 2010 Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare")?
No Do you support requiring immigrants who are unlawfully present to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship?
Yes Do you support same-sex marriage?
No Should the U.S use military force in order to prevent governments hostile to the United States from possessing a nuclear weapon?
Unknown Position Do you support increased American intervention in Iraq and Syria beyond air support?
Yes Do you support allowing individuals to divert a portion of their Social Security taxes into personal retirement accounts?

SpendingIndicate what federal spending levels (#1-6) you support for the following general categories. Select one number per category; you can use a number more than once.TaxesIndicate what federal tax levels (#1-6) you support for the following general categories. Select one number per category; you can use a number more than once.

Maintain Status a) Agriculture
Greatly Increase b) Arts
Slightly Decrease c) Defense
Greatly Increase d) Education
Greatly Increase e) Environment
Maintain Status f) Homeland Security
Maintain Status g) International aid
Greatly Increase h) Medical Research
Slightly Increase i) Scientific Research
Maintain Status j) Space exploration
k) United Nations
Slightly Increase l) Welfare
m) Other or expanded categories
Maintain Status a) Capital gains taxes
Slightly Decrease b) Corporate taxes
Greatly Decrease c) Small business taxes
Slightly Increase d) Excise taxes (alcohol)
Slightly Increase e) Excise taxes (cigarettes)
Maintain Status f) Excise taxes (transportation fuel)
Greatly Decrease g) Income taxes (low-income families)
Greatly Decrease h) Income taxes (middle-income families)
Greatly Increase i) Income taxes (high-income families)
Slightly Increase j) Inheritance taxes
Maintain Status k) Payroll taxes
l) Other or expanded categories
New York City faces an unprecedented challenge in affordable housing. The federal government must increase funding for public housing and develop public-private partnerships to increase middle class housing. We need to recognize the contributions immigrants make to our country, and stop demonizing those seeking a better opportunity. I support common sense reform that keep families together. We need to raise the national minimum wage to a living wage. We need to demand that our trading partners respect workers and the environment as part of any trade agreement. We need to support our small businesses, which drive job creation.

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