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Stephen Lynch's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

Office:

On The Ballot: Running, Democratic for U.S. House (MA) - District 8

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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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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.

  • "If the Supreme Court is to remain a credible arbiter of Constitutional law, I strongly believe that Roe v. Wade must remain the law of the land." (x.com)
  • Rated 100% by NARAL Pro-Choice America in 2021 (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Rated 100% by Planned Parenthood Action Fund in 2023-24 (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 26 "Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act" in 2023 (www.stephenflynch.com)
  • "Congressman Lynch believes that America must remain true to its commitment to care for its seniors. Programs such as Medicare and Social Security are a vital lifeline for many of our elderly and they must be protected. He has long supported efforts to ensure that these programs remain stable and solvent for generations to come and will continue to push back against any scheme to undercut them." (lynch.house.gov)
  • "Congressman Lynch was a cosponsor of the Social Security Expansion Act.." (lynch.house.gov)
  • Rated 100% by National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare in 2021-22 (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of S 610 "Protecting Medicare and American Farmers from Sequester Cuts Act" in 2021 (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Congressman Lynch will continue to fight for policies that will make our economy work for everyone, not just the wealthy few." (lynch.house.gov)
  • Rated 6% by The Club for Growth in 2022 (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "As a Member of the Committee on Oversight and Accountability, Congressman Lynch continues to examine and advance efforts to reform our criminal justice system and address racial disparities in healthcare, housing, education employment, and other areas. He is an original sponsor of comprehensive legislation introduced by Congressional Black Caucus Chair Karen Bass, the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, to reform our civil rights and policing laws and proudly voted in support of H.R. 7120 on the House Floor." (lynch.house.gov)
  • "Joining constituents throughout the 8th District, he has stood with residents to fight against racism. And in Washington, he is an original co-sponsor of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act introduced by the Congressional Black Caucus to reform our civil rights and policing laws." (www.stephenflynch.com)
  • "We discussed how this bill increases accountability and places a national ban on chokeholds and no-knock warrants." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1280 "George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "1/3 Last night the House passed the FY22 National Defense Authorization Act, which will provide historic benefits for our service members and their families and strengthen our national security. The #NDAA would increase the pay and improve housing for U.S. service members..." (x.com)
  • "This week the House passed the National Defense Authorization Act for FY2022 which would authorize funding to help improve the lives of U.S. Service members & their families, strengthen our national security & invest in emerging technologies to modernize our defense institutions." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 2670 "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 7900 "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "This week the House passed the bipartisan H.R. 2119, Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act (FVPSA) to reauthorize this critical law that will enhance federal investments to address family violence." (x.com)
  • Rated 7% by Council for Citizens Against Government Waste in 2022 (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 2811 "Limit, Save, Grow Act" in 2023 (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 3684 "Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act" in 2021 (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Don’t forget to complete the #2020Census at by Sept. 30th to help our communities obtain the healthcare, transportation, schools and affordable housing that they need. #BeCounted" (my2020census.gov)
  • "It will also expand access to affordable housing, create millions of good paying jobs and advance environmental justice by investing in a clean energy economy. This is a win for all of America." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 7301 "Emergency Housing Protections and Relief Act of 2020" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 8294 "Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2023" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "The Inflation Reduction Act provides $60B to help accelerate U.S. manufacturing of clean energy transportation technologies such as electric vehicles, batteries, and over $3B for the U.S. Postal Service to purchase zero-emission vehicles." (x.com)
  • Rated 7% by Council for Citizens Against Government Waste in 2022 (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 4521 "America COMPETES Act of 2022" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5376 "Inflation Reduction Act of 2022" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "He is a proud co-sponsor of the Employer Participation in Repayment Act which helps to address the student loan debt crisis by encouraging employees to offer student loan assistance as a tax-exempt benefit for employees in order to help pay down their debt." (www.stephenflynch.com)
  • "In Congress, Stephen has co-sponsored legislation to increase Pell Grant awards, revise student loan repayments with an income based plan, expand public service loan forgiveness and increase college access." (www.stephenflynch.com)
  • Rated 100% by National Education Association in 2023-24 (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 2547 "Comprehensive Debt Collection Improvement Act" in 2021 (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "We have seen several states enact voting discrimination practices in recent years and #HR4 will help prevent future voting suppression and ensure every American voter has full access to the ballot box." (x.com)
  • Rated 89% by Common Cause in 2022 (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 4 "John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5746 "Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act" in 2022 (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Congressman Lynch has always been an active partner in the effort to protect our nation’s air, water, and environment. Now more than ever, it is crucial for Congress to take drastic measures to protect the environment and ensure its success for future generations to come." (lynch.house.gov)
  • Rated 0% by American Energy Alliance in 2023-24 (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Rated 100% by League of Conservation Voters in 2023 (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 1 "Lower Energy Costs Act" in 2023 (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Rated 0% by American Energy Alliance in 2023-24 (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Rated 100% by League of Conservation Voters in 2023 (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 1 "Lower Energy Costs Act" in 2023 (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Congressman Lynch believes America needs to have a long-term plan for reducing dependence on foreign oil, pursuing alternatives to fossil fuels, and improving efficiency across the entire energy spectrum. During his tenure in the House, Congressman Lynch has supported this "all of the above" energy policy." (lynch.house.gov)
  • "As a member of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, Stephen is committed to working with his colleagues to find common sense solutions to prevent gun violence. Stephen supports universal background checks to cover all firearms purchases – including those made at gun shows, through classified ads and on the internet and extending the initial F.B.I. background check review period from three to ten days. In addition, he believes that individuals on the No-Fly list and those with temporary restraining orders filed against them for domestic abuse should not be allowed to purchase a firearm." (www.stephenflynch.com)
  • Rated 0% by Gun Owners of America in 2023 (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Rated 0% by National Rifle Association in 2022 (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1808 "Assault Weapons Ban of 2022" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Congressman Lynch believes that these programs must be improved and strengthened in order to reach our goals of providing coverage while reducing the overall costs of healthcare." (lynch.house.gov)
  • "The Congressman is committed to protecting the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and building upon it to reform and improve it in order to ensure that more Americans are covered." (lynch.house.gov)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1425 "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act" in 2020 (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Stephen has stood up in Congress to fight for gender equity, supporting legislation to address sexual harrassment and discrimination, to ensure equal pay for equal work, to improve paid family and medical leave and stregthen laws to combat viloence against women." (www.stephenflynch.com)
  • "Strong worker protections and fair labor practices created America’s middle class which in turn became the workforce that made America great. Congressman Lynch will continue to support policies that protect our workforce and will provide opportunity and stability for all Americans." (lynch.house.gov)
  • Voted in favor of HR 6201 "Families First Coronavirus Response Act" in 2020 (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "(1/3) Glad to see H.R. 987, the Strengthening Health Care and Lowering Prescription Drug Costs Act, pass the House today, which included two of my amendments. The surging costs of drugs are causing millions of Americans to struggle to survive" (x.com)
  • "I am pleased to announce the House passed #HR3, the Elijah E. Cummings #LowerDrugCosts Now Act, which will help bring down the cost of prescription drugs for all Americans by allowing Medicare to negotiate directly with drug companies." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 3 "Lower Drug Costs Now Act of 2019" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 6833 "The Affordable Insulin Now Act" in 2022 (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Russia must be held accountable for their use of chemical weapons and the delay of imposed sanctions effectively diminishes our condemnation of such events." (x.com)
  • "The #PACTAct would impose targeted financial sanctions that wouldn't be lifted until Turkey withdraws from northern Syria, prohibit all arms transfers that Turkey could use in Syria & provide a plan to ensure all ISIS detainees & families held in Syria remain under proper custody" (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 6968 "Suspending Energy Imports from Russia Act" in 2022 (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 8034 "Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "I led a bipartisan congressional delegation to Eastern Europe and the Ukrainian border last week to send a clear, unambiguous message to our allies and partners: the United States stands with them and the people of Ukraine at this pivotal moment in history." (x.com)
  • "Yesterday I spoke on the House Floor to urge House Republican leadership to immediately pass legislation to provide critical aid to Ukraine before it is too late. The Ukrainian people have been courageously defending their democracy and independence for over two years..." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5692 "Ukraine Security Assistance and Oversight Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 8035 "Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Based in Beijing and subject to China’s new National Security Law TikTok is required to fully cooperate with China’s government, putting TikTok’s American users’ data at risk from being exploited by China." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 7520 "Protecting Americans' Data from Foreign Adversaries Act of 2024" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 7521 "Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act" in 2024 (justfacts.votesmart.org)

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