The federal deficit
This country faces a large structural deficit that will endure even after economic recovery comes. Only cutting future spending could mean sizable reductions in Medicare, Medicaid, and other domestic programs. Raising revenue will mean that some taxpayers will have to pay more. Please outline your favored approach on long-term deficit reduction.
Democrat
Reducing the deficit will require both spending cuts and increased revenue. There is simply no other way to responsibly reduce the deficit.
The Bush tax cuts are set to expire at the end of this year. I support extending those tax cuts for most Americans, but believe that they should be allowed to expire on the highest earners.
Health care and contraception
As part of the Affordable Care Act, church-affiliated universities, hospitals, and charities do not have to provide or pay for contraception as part of the preventive health services mandate of the law. Instead, coverage could be offered to women directly by their employers’ insurance companies, “with no role for religious employers who oppose contraception.” Do you agree with this provision? Why or why not?
Democrat
It is important to respect and protect freedom of conscience.
That said, when religious institutions act in the public sphere, supporting, for example, universities and hospitals open to all, they themselves incur responsibilities to respect the beliefs of others.
This compromise is not perfect, but seems reasonable.
The Affordable Care Act
Which other specific provisions of the Affordable Care Act would you vote to retain and which would you vote to eliminate?
Democrat
The Affordable Care Act is more than 1,000 pages in length. Many of its provisions have not yet taken effect, and others are still being implemented.
As its intended and unintended consequences become apparent, I anticipate many opportunities to improve it. I voted for the ACA and support many of its provisions.
For example, I would retain provisions preventing insurance companies from denying coverage based on a pre-existing condition and allowing young people to remain on their parents' insurance for a longer period of time.
I would eliminate other provisions, such as the medical device tax and the Independent Payment Advisory Board, which places decisions on Medicare reimbursement in the hands of presidential appointees.
Illegal immigration
The Obama administration has stopped deporting young illegal immigrants who entered the US as children if they meet certain requirements. Do you agree with this policy? What is your specific plan for dealing with illegal immigration to the US as well as illegal immigrants who are already here?
Democrat
I voted for the Dream Act and I support the actions that the administration took regarding young people who entered the United States as children without documentation.
I support comprehensive immigration reform, including a pathway to citizenship for most undocumented immigrants of long residence and good moral character.
We must remain a land of opportunity and we should encourage foreign students who have earned advanced degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) subjects to remain here.
True comprehensive reform must also include provisions strengthening our borders.
Gun violence
The latest gun tragedy, in Aurora, Colorado, has reminded us yet again that this nation suffers periodic episodes where multiple innocent people are killed by mentally unstable gunmen who have managed to get their hands on an array of guns and ammunition. Can you describe what, if anything, you would favor in an attempt to reduce gun-related violence?
Democrat
I support the prohibition of individual ownership of assault weapons, automatic weapons, and large ammunition clips.
Congress should renew the Federal Assault Weapons Ban and eliminate the loophole that allows people to make purchases at gun shows without a background check.
Climate change
Do you believe, as most climatologists do, that the climate is changing and the weather therefore becoming more extreme, largely as the result of human carbon pollution? If yes, what measures would you support to address it?
Democrat
Yes, I do believe that human actions affect climate change.
I support research and development of alternative energy.
I also favor investment in mass transit that will encourage more commuters to leave their cars at home.
Syria
Under what circumstances, if any, would you favor having the U.S. intervene militarily in the situation in Syria?
Democrat
I would not support military intervention in Syria at this time.
We should work with our allies, especially Turkey, to protect refugees.
I would provide non-lethal assistance to insurgents and coordinate international pressure on the regime.
The Israeli-Palestinian dispute
Do you believe Israel’s construction of settlements in territories occupied in the 1967 Six-Day War (specifically, the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights) is legal or illegal? Do you believe that Israel should have political and administrative control over the entire city of Jerusalem, or should the Arab sections be given to the proposed Palestinian state?
Democrat
I support a two-state solution and hope to see two democratic countries co-existing in peace.
The boundaries of Israel and Palestine and the status of Jerusalem must be settled in negotiations between the parties.