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Federal Candidates; General Election; November 2006

For full text of questions, click here.

United States Senate

Name of Candidate: Ben Nelson

Democrat

Abortion

Amending U.S. Constitution to protect the right to life of all prenatal human beings? Support

I would support a human life amendment. I am pro-life.

Using federal funds for abortion? Oppose

I oppose the use of any federal funds for abortion.

Agriculture/Rural Development

Tightening current provisions to set real payment limitations as means of targeting income support to small and moderate-sized family farms and of saving to reinvest in rural development and entrepreneurship? Support

I support payment limitations and believe Nebraska’s farm economy needs these limitations in place. Huge farm payments only go to a small minority of agricultural producers which ultimately hinders the ability of small and medium-sized farms to compete. I also support strong investment in rural development and entrepreneurship programs.

Arms Control/Disarmament

Policy actions to control global proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and to diminish threat of nuclear war?

The danger of nuclear terrorism is a grave threat to U.S. security. I have consistently supported, as a member of the Armed Services Committee, annual authorizations to the Dept. of Energy and the Dept. of Defense for broad non-proliferation activities. Specifically, I have worked to strengthen the Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction Act in order to secure nuclear weapons and weapons-grade materials before terrorists can obtain them. I co-sponsored legislation that repealed certain Congressional restrictions on this program.

Cloning

Enacting ban on cloning processes that create human embryos for any purpose? Support

I support enacting a ban on human cloning.

Death Penalty

Abolishing federal death penalty and replacing it with imprisonment for life without possibility of parole? Oppose

I support the death penalty, and also believe this is a state issue to be handled by the individual states.

Economic Assistance for Families

Providing tax relief to sustain low-income working families above poverty line? Support

I support and have voted for tax relief for low-income, working families, including the refundable child tax credit and the earned income tax credit. I will continue to support these tax credits in the future.

Education

Education-expense tax credits? Oppose

Education vouchers? Oppose

K-12 Scholarship donation tax credits? Checked Support

Nebraska allows for public school choice and I support that option for parents. I do not support using public funds to pay for private schooling in the form of vouchers or tuition tax credits. I support and have voted to continue efforts that help Nebraskans with the high cost of college tuition, including the Hope Scholarship and Lifetime Learning Credit, as well as the 529 College Savings Plan.

Ensuring that eligible students and teachers from private and religiously affiliated schools (K-12) are able to receive the educational benefits and services of federal programs on an equitable basis. Oppose

Certainly all students are entitled to the educational benefits and services mandated under IDEA. However, I do not support diverting additional resources away from our already under funded public education system.

Embryo Research

Providing federal funds for research that destroys human embryos to obtain stem cells? Oppose

I support the position taken by President Bush in August of 2001 that allowed limited federal funding for stem cell lines produced prior to the announcement. Recently, I voted against legislation to expand federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. This legislation was also vetoed by the President.

Foreign Policy

Principles to guide U.S. foreign policy to advance lasting peace in the Middle East?

First there needs to be a commitment to an end to terror. Then we can move toward developing a territorial compromise leading to a two-state solution, based on secure borders for Israel and the establishment of normal relations between Israel and countries in the Arab world. All sides need to commit to respecting human rights and all must support democracy and the rule of law.

Health Care

Public-policy initiatives or alternatives to secure universal access to affordable, quality health care for all persons in U.S.?

I have introduced legislation to lower costs and expand coverage for small businesses. Health care premiums are experiencing double-digit growth annually. My bill helps to address these high costs by allowing small businesses to band together to increase their purchasing power and better negotiate health plans and coverage for their employees, thus lowering costs by as much as 12 percent.

Hunger

Protecting anti-hunger programs from budget cuts? Support

I oppose cuts to food and nutrition programs which serve our fellow Nebraskans. In 2005, I opposed the federal budget in part because of cuts to food and nutrition programs.

Immigration/Refugee Policy

Instituting an earned-legalization program for undocumented immigrants already in this country? Oppose

I believe we must address border security first. I have introduced legislation to strengthen our borders so we can first put a stop to illegal immigration and focus on legal immigration. Only by securing our border first can we then begin to address the issues regarding illegal immigrants already in this country.

Immigration reform as it relates to family unification?

See above.

Marriage

Amending the U.S. Constitution to define marriage as only the union of a man and a woman? Support

I supported and voted for Initiative 416 when it was offered and adopted to the Nebraska Constitution in 2000. I also support the Federal Defense of Marriage Act. Even though I prefer a “state’s rights” resolution to this issue, I support and have voted for a federal constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage.

Minimum Wage

Incrementally raising the Federal minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25? Support

I have voted to increase the federal minimum wage to $7.25 per hour.

Religious Liberty

Exempting faith-based providers of social services and health care from secular laws that would require them to be involved in activities contrary to their religious faith? Support

I have co-sponsored and support the Abortion Non-Discrimination Act that prohibits the federal government and any State or local government that receives federal financial assistance from discriminating against any health care entity because it refuses to provide coverage of, or pay for, induced abortions.

Personal Priorities

Priority public-policy issues to be pursued in upcoming Congress?

1. The 2007 Farm Bill (The Food and Fuel Security Act of 2007)

2. Promotion of ethanol production/reducing dependence on foreign oil

3. Balanced budgeting

The next farm bill should focus on policies modeled after the Conservation Security Program, invest in rural economic development, and include payment limits. I will continue to promote the development of ethanol and other renewable fuels which are critical to America’s future energy needs and can help America break its dependence on foreign oil. Finally, I support and will continue to push for pay-as-you-go balanced budgeting rules that would control spending and reduce the federal deficit.

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Name of Candidate: Pete Ricketts

Republican

Abortion

Amending U.S. Constitution to protect the right to life of all prenatal human beings? Support

We must act to preserve the sanctity of human life and to promote a culture of life from conception until natural death. That means protecting the unborn, infirmed, disabled, elderly, and the dying. I support amending the constitution to protect the right to life of all unborn human beings.

Using federal funds for abortion? Oppose

The United States must promote a culture of life. I do not support the use of federal funds for abortion or abortion-related activity. I believe life begins at conception. I support President Reagan’s vital pro-life Mexico City policy, which denies taxpayer funds to abortion clinics and abortion-related activities overseas.

Agriculture/Rural Development

I support a responsible payment limitation of $250,000. We must serve Nebraska’s current and long-term agricultural interests by expanding opportunities for Nebraska farmers and ranchers; I will work hard to strengthen our rural economy. I support expanded crop insurance, ending the death tax, increasing drought and disaster assistance, and expanding the energy title to promote renewable fuels. I also support agricultural savings accounts to allow producers to save money tax free and receive federal matching funds.

Arms Control/Disarmament

Policy actions to control global proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and to diminish threat of nuclear war?

The United States must not allow rogue states like Iran and North Korea to use weapons of mass destruction against us or the rest of the world. We must help secure Iraq and prevent countries like Iran from exporting terrorism. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church states, “All citizens and governments are obligated to work for the avoidance of war.” Yet, we must defend the citizens of our country and work to protect the lives of the innocent. As Vatican II stated, “it sometimes becomes necessary to use force to obtain the end of justice. This is the right, and the duty of those who have responsibilities for others, such as civil leaders.” (Vatican II, Gaudium et spes 79, 41)

Cloning

Enacting ban on cloning processes that create human embryos for any purpose? Support

I would support legislation to ban the practice of human cloning, including human embryos. I support life-savings research and support adult stem cell research. However, federal dollars should not be used to destroy innocent human life. Federal research dollars should not go to ethically divisive research like destructive embryonic stem cell research or cloning.

Death Penalty

Abolishing federal death penalty and replacing it with imprisonment for life without possibility of parole? Oppose

With regard to the death penalty, I am in agreement with Avery Cardinal Dulles. The State has the right, in principle, to inflict capital punishment in cases where there is no doubt about the gravity of the offense and the guilt of the accused. I believe life without parole must be included as an option of consideration.

Economic Assistance for Families

Providing tax relief to sustain low-income working families above poverty line? Support

I believe people should be able to keep more of the money they earn. Tax cuts support young and working families by allowing them to keep more of their money and make the decisions that are best for them. My tax-cut plan includes making the President’s tax cuts permanent by ending the marriage penalty, increasing the child tax credit, lowering marginal tax rates, fixing the alternative minimum tax, ending the death tax, and streamlining the tax code. Any change to the tax code must continue to provide tax incentives for home ownership, college savings, saving for the future, and a child tax credit, and provide tax incentives that encourage individual responsibility such as individual healthcare tax credits as an alternative to employer-based health insurance.

Education

Education-expense tax credits? Support

Education vouchers? Support

K-12 Scholarship donation tax credits? Support

I believe that choice and local control are the keys to quality education and I oppose No Child Left Behind. If elected I will support school vouchers. Local control is the key to strong public schools. Our national bureaucracy has weighed heavily on standardized testing. I support Nebraska’s localized testing system and believe it should be an option for schools across the United States. Decisions should be made by the people living within local school districts and I will work for legislation that implements these types of reforms. Opportunities in education are best created through school choice and parental involvement. I am proud to sit on the board of Children’s Scholarship Fund, which enables low-income children to have choices in education through scholarships.

I support equitable access only through a voucher program. I believe that K-12 education decisions and options are best made at the local level. When decisions are left up to parents and teachers, not the federal government, our children benefit the most.

Embryo Research

Providing federal funds for research that destroys human embryos to obtain stem cells? Oppose

I believe that life begins at conception. I oppose embryonic stem cell research and federal funding of embryonic stem cell research. We must protect innocent human life in all stages from conception until natural death. We must encourage the public to become educated on the differences between adult stem cell research and embryonic stem cell research. Adult stem cell research does not require the destruction of a human embryo and has proven itself valuable.

Foreign Policy

Principles to guide U.S. foreign policy to advance lasting peace in the Middle East?

We must not allow Iraq to become a haven for terrorists. “Injustice, excessive economic or social inequities, envy, distrust, and pride raging among men and nations constantly threaten peace and cause wars.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2317). To leave Iraq before the people can govern themselves and its security forces are ready to stand up on their own would only pose another terrorist threat to the United States and endanger innocent people in the Middle East. We must help secure Iraq and prevent countries like Iran from exporting terrorism. As Americans we must remember to hold ourselves to higher standards.

Health Care

Public-policy initiatives or alternatives to secure universal access to affordable, quality health care for all persons in U.S.?

I believe that we must reform the healthcare system in this country; it is broken. “Everyone should be concerned to create and support institutions that improve the condition of human life.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1926). We must allow small businesses to pool together to purchase health insurance. I support health savings accounts and healthcare tax credits to allow more people, including those with low incomes, to obtain health insurance. It is also vital that we pass medical malpractice tort reform so that we can end frivolous lawsuits and allow doctors to attend to their patients. Healthcare must be affordable and accessible for everyone.

Hunger

Protecting anti-hunger programs from budget cuts?

We must prioritize our spending in Washington to make sure that those who truly need assistance are receiving their fair share. Working to end corruption in these programs would be a top priority for me if elected. We must have an economic safety net for the needy, but it must be a fiscally responsible safety net.

Immigration/Refugee Policy

Instituting an earned-legalization program for undocumented immigrants already in this country?

America has a rich and generous history as a country founded and grown by immigrants. Immigrants throughout history have assimilated into and contributed to American culture. We need to review our entire immigration process to ensure that our policies are meeting the needs of America. Our policies need to allow us to enforce our laws, secure our borders, and protect our national security interests. It is critical that our laws do not penalize persons who seek to follow the rules to gain citizenship and that our citizenship process does not provide a disincentive to follow the law. I do not support amnesty. We must hold people accountable for breaking the law. We also need a verifiable temporary worker program. Please visit my website, www.petericketts.com to read my Border Security Plan.

Immigration reform as it relates to family unification?

It is important for families to stay together to remain strong. Yet justice demands that we need to hold people accountable for breaking the law. I support family unification as it applies to spouses and children, with a limited hardship exemption for extended family. I support a plan that would require illegal immigrants to “self-deport” to their countries of origin to gain legal temporary worker status through “Ellis-Island Centers.” These agencies are required to confirm employment, facilitate criminal background checks, and conduct public health screenings of all applicants.

Marriage

Amending the U.S. Constitution to define marriage as only the union of a man and a woman? Support

I believe marriage is between one man and one woman. I am concerned about judicial attempts to preempt the rights of the states on this issue. I support a federal marriage amendment.

Minimum Wage

Incrementally raising the Federal minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25?

I oppose raising the minimum wage as a stand alone bill because it hurts the people it seeks to help. An increase in the minimum wage is an obstacle for businesses to hire more people and to invest in benefits and training. However I have publicly stated that I would support an increase in the minimum wage as a part of a package as in the case of the so-called “Trifecta Bill”. The “Trifecta Bill” combined increasing the minimum wage with incentives for small businesses to help manage their increased costs as well as raising the minimums on the death tax.

Religious Liberty

Exempting faith-based providers of social services and health care from secular laws that would require them to be involved in activities contrary to their religious faith? Support

Freedom of religion is one of the principles we as Americans hold most dear. I do not believe that faith-based providers should be punished for attempting to serve their communities and neighbors. I would oppose forcing faith-based providers to follow laws which require them to act against their religious principles.

Personal Priorities

Priority public-policy issues to be pursued in upcoming Congress?

1. Make the President’s tax cuts permanent and control federal spending.

2. Secure our border and reform immigration.

3. Expand opportunities for farmers and ranchers.

These are issues that affect all Nebraskans. As your United States Senator, I will work to end frivolous spending in Washington, protect innocent citizens by supporting the war on terror, provide meaningful disaster and drought relief for Nebraska farmers, and create a culture that works to respect and protect life and encourages personal responsibility. The Catholic Church clearly states the importance of participation in society and government. “The common good consists of three essential elements: respect for and promotion of the fundamental rights of person; prosperity, or the development of the spiritual and temporal goods of society; the peace and security of the group and of its members.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1925) We need change in Washington. We can’t continue politics-as-usual.

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Federal Candidates

United States House of Representatives

District 1

Jeff Fortenberry

Republican

Abortion

Amending U.S. Constitution to protect the right to life of all prenatal human beings? Support

Please see attached legislation that I either spearheaded or supported in Congress regarding the issue of abortion and the dignity of human life. (Referenced list on file at the Nebraska Catholic Conference.)

Using federal funds for abortion? Oppose

I voted against (H.AMDT. 293 to H.R. 2862). This amendment attempted to overturn restrictions on U.S. funding to the UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund). The UNFPA supports China’s population control program, which relies on coerced abortions.

Agriculture/Rural Development

I introduced legislation to strengthen existing farm payment limitations by closing loopholes that allow abuse. This legislation would help level the playing field for farm families facing competition from larger operations collecting the lion’s share of government payments.

Arms Control/Disarmament

Policy actions to control global proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and to diminish threat of nuclear war?

As a member of the House International Relations Committee, I have sought policies to help other governments sustain just and civil societies that promote fundamental human rights in order to diminish the risk of international conflict. Recently I successfully amended a civil nuclear cooperation agreement between the United States and India. My amendment provided for strengthened Congressional oversight to ensure that the U.S. would not be unintentionally complicit in the growth of India’s nuclear weapons capability. The U.S. must be a leader in WMD nonproliferation efforts around the world.

Cloning

Enacting ban on cloning processes that create human embryos for any purpose? Support

I co-sponsored the Human Cloning Prohibition Act of 2005 (H.R. 1357) which amends the federal criminal code to prohibit any person or entity from knowingly performing or attempting to perform human cloning, participating in such an attempt, or receiving or shipping embryonic materials produced by human cloning.

Death Penalty

Abolishing federal death penalty and replacing it with imprisonment for life without possibility of parole? Oppose

I would be open to the possibility of the death penalty in cases where a heinous criminal remains an ongoing danger to society.

Economic Assistance for Families

Providing tax relief to sustain low-income working families above poverty line? Support

I co-sponsored the Parent’s Tax Relief Act of 2005 (H.R. 3080) which amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to increase tax benefits for parents with children.

Education

Education-expense tax credits? Support

Education vouchers? No response.

K-12 Scholarship donation tax credits? Support

I believe parents are the primary educators of their children. I also believe that educational choice is an important part of public-policy discussions.

Government should recognize the important contributions that both public and private schools bring to society. The federal government has an obligation to help all schools, specifically in the area of special education, reach their potential.

Embryo Research

Providing federal funds for research that destroys human embryos to obtain stem cells? Oppose

I co-sponsored the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act of 2005 (H.R. 2520). This act provides funding for the collection and maintenance of human cord blood stem cells for the treatment of patients and research, avoiding the ethically divisive issues of the destruction of human embryos. Cord blood is removed in a painless and safe procedure from a baby’s umbilical cord after birth. The stem cells collected from cord blood can treat the same diseases as bone marrow with significantly less rejection. This act was passed by the House on May 24, 2005.

Foreign Policy

Principles to guide U.S. foreign policy to advance lasting peace in the Middle East?

U.S. foreign policy must build just civil societies that promote fundamental rights and diminish the prospects for strife. The Untied States continues to have a unique opportunity in the world to help encourage political stability, the rule of law, economic development, religious freedom, and social progress. As a member of the House International Relations Committee and its subcommittee on the Middle East and Central Asia, I have the privilege of addressing these challenges facing our nation.

Health Care

Public-policy initiatives or alternatives to secure universal access to affordable, quality health care for all persons in U.S.?

Escalating healthcare costs are a major factor in government growth and a significant cost issue for small business and families. Bringing advanced information technologies, prevention strategies, and market-based reforms such as Health Savings Accounts will help save lives and save money.

Hunger

Protecting anti-hunger programs from budget cuts?

We must balance fiscal responsibility with attentiveness to the nutrition needs of the most vulnerable in society. America produces an abundance of food. We can continue to find efficient ways to distribute surplus food and the values of good nutrition to the disadvantaged poor. When the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (a USDA program that delivers food to low-income seniors and families) was proposed for elimination earlier this year, I joined a bi-partisan group of colleagues to prevent the proposed elimination and to adequately fund the program.

Immigration/Refugee Policy

Instituting an earned-legalization program for undocumented immigrants already in this country? Oppose

Government policy must be fair. Policy that rewards circumventing the law, no matter how noble the intention, is problematic and undermines the ability to be generous to those in need. Last year I supported the Border Protection, Antiterrorism and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005. This bill establishes increased border security, creates an employment eligibility verification system, and provides for fines against unscrupulous businesses that exploit the poor and vulnerable.

Immigration reform as it relates to family unification?

Border security and stopping illegal entry should be the first priority of immigration reform. Policies accounting for humanitarian exceptions for those truly deserving can be considered and should be part of a review of current immigration policy.

Marriage

Amending the U.S. Constitution to define marriage as only the union of a man and a woman? Support

Minimum Wage

Incrementally raising the Federal minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25?

Earlier this year I supported a House of Representatives proposal to increase the minimum wage from $5.15 per hour to $7.25 per hour, which would be the first increase in the minimum wage in nine years. At the same time, I support provisions that help small businesses bear the costs of a mandated wage increase through good tax policy to offset the impact on job growth.

Religious Liberty

Exempting faith-based providers of social services and health care from secular laws that would require them to be involved in activities contrary to their religious faith? Support

Personal Priorities

Priority public-policy issues to be pursued in upcoming Congress?

1. Continuing work to strengthen national security, including the enactment of

border security measures.

2. Growing renewable energy production and furthering Nebraska’s national

Leadership role in this regard.

3. Crafting a 2007 Farm Bill that offers farmers profitable new opportunities

consistent with good land stewardship and rural life.

All efforts are under girded by this simple fact: The strength of our nation depends on the strength of families and communities. Supporting family life and culture is at the core of our work.

Maxine B. Moul

Democrat

Candidate did not respond.

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United States House of Representatives

District 2

Name of Candidate: Jim Esch

Democrat

Abortion

Amending U.S. Constitution to protect the right to life of all prenatal human beings? Support

Using federal funds for abortion? Oppose

Agriculture/Rural Development

Arms Control/Disarmament

Policy actions to control global proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and to diminish threat of nuclear war?

Diplomatic negotiations should be the first option pursued. We also need to hold our security agencies accountable for accurate information. I also agree that we need to work to consistently decrease the world’s nuclear arsenal.

Cloning

Enacting ban on cloning processes that create human embryos for any purpose? Support

Death Penalty

Abolishing federal death penalty and replacing it with imprisonment for life without possibility of parole? Support

Holding a consistent ethic of life includes opposition to capital punishment and euthanasia.

Economic Assistance for Families

Providing tax relief to sustain low-income working families above poverty line? Support

Education

Education-expense tax credits? Oppose

Education vouchers? Oppose

K-12 Scholarship donation tax credits? Support

Continuing programs such as the Hope Scholarship and lifetime learning credit are necessary to help families meet the continuously rising costs of higher education.

Embryo Research

Providing federal funds for research that destroys human embryos to obtain stem cells?

Stem cell research can improve the lives of hundreds of thousands of people. I oppose the creation of embryos solely for harvesting stem cells. I support expanded research on stem cells derived from frozen embryos slated for destruction. No life is saved by discarding theses embryos, but many lives could be saved if research on these lines was expanded.

Foreign Policy

Principles to guide U.S. foreign policy to advance lasting peace in the Middle East?

We need to establish further international support to help find and dismantle terrorist organizations. At the same time we cannot remain as an occupation force in Iraq. I have called for re-deployment of troops from Iraq.

Health Care

Public-policy initiatives or alternatives to secure universal access to affordable, quality health care for all persons in U.S.?

Promoting preventative care and wellness initiatives. We can no longer ignore the millions of Americans who remain uninsured and unprotected. We need to look at establishing a national core benefit package.

Hunger

Protecting anti-hunger programs from budget cuts? Support

Immigration/Refugee Policy

Instituting an earned-legalization program for undocumented immigrants already in this country? Support

We also need to enforce the labor laws on businesses that exploit illegal immigrants. In 1998, nearly 1,000 businesses were fined for this activity. In 2004, that number dropped to four. We also need to secure our borders and points of commerce.

Immigration reform as it relates to family unification?

The foundation of the family is built into American culture. We need to support family unification. We support the expansion of visas in current quotas to reduce family visa backlogs.

Marriage

Amending the U.S. Constitution to define marriage as only the union of a man and a woman? Oppose

I believe that marriage is between a man and a woman. However, I oppose a constitutional amendment that takes away from each state’s ability to fashion its own laws on the secular institution of marriage.

Minimum Wage

Incrementally raising the Federal minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25? Support

This is long overdue. As a congressman I would block any raise to government officials until the minimum wage is raised.

Religious Liberty

Exempting faith-based providers of social services and health care from secular laws that would require them to be involved in activities contrary to their religious faith?

Support

Personal Priorities

Priority public-policy issues to be pursued in upcoming Congress?

1. Our occupation in Iraq

2. Increasing the minimum wage

3. Lessening our dependence on fossil fuels and moving to renewable sources of energy

I have also made a commitment to neither solicit donations nor accept unsolicited donations from any special interest group. Winning an election can only be as honorable as the way in which the victory was achieved. When I vote in Congress, my allegiance will be to the people of Nebraska, not special interest groups.

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Name of Candidate: Lee Terry

Republican

Abortion

Amending U.S. Constitution to protect the right to life of all prenatal human beings? Support

Using federal funds for abortion? Oppose

Agriculture/Rural Development

Arms Control/Disarmament

Policy actions to control global proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and to diminish threat of nuclear war?

U.S. must bring to bear all diplomatic, economic (excluding emergency food and medical aid as possible), and military options if necessary to promote peace, security and stability around the world. Maintain strong national defense as deterrent to attack, and enhance volunteer and charitable efforts to aid poor and help rebuild endangered economies worldwide, promoting moral strength of U.S. and helping countries to become self-sustaining.

Cloning

Enacting ban on cloning processes that create human embryos for any purpose? Support

Have co-sponsored and voted for the Human Cloning Prohibition Act in House of Representatives.

Death Penalty

Abolishing federal death penalty and replacing it with imprisonment for life without possibility of parole? Oppose

Death penalty is appropriate in certain murder offenses.

Economic Assistance for Families

Providing tax relief to sustain low-income working families above poverty line? Support

Introduced H.R. 3399 to make permanent the welfare-to-work credit; co-sponsor of H.R. 3317 to make permanent the child tax credit.

Education

Education-expense tax credits? Support

Education vouchers? Support

K-12 Scholarship donation tax credits? Support

Ensuring that eligible students and teachers from private and religiously affiliated schools (K-12) are able to receive the educational benefits and services of federal programs on an equitable basis

IDEA funding should cover private or public services as needed to help disabled students, and private schools assisting public school students relocated due to natural disaster or other emergency situations.

Embryo Research

Providing federal funds for research that destroys human embryos to obtain stem cells? Oppose

Remain morally and ethically opposed to human embryo research; support further research of existing adult stem cells.

Foreign Policy

Principles to guide U.S. foreign policy to advance lasting peace in the Middle East?

Support President’s Roadmap to Peace Initiative in Middle East; support broader international support for war against terror.

Health Care

Public-policy initiatives or alternatives to secure universal access to affordable, quality health care for all persons in U.S.?

Support Patient Bill of Rights; co-sponsor of legislation to permit individuals who purchase health care coverage to receive tax deduction like businesses; support health savings accounts and expansion of community health care centers.

Hunger

Protecting anti-hunger programs from budget cuts? Support

Support protecting these programs to the greatest possible extent while also supporting needed reforms to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse in some government assistance programs, and setting standards for self-sufficiency in the long-term, as possible. Across-the-board budget cuts also affect all government programs yearly, but greatest possible effort should be made to support key assistance for needy families.

Immigration/Refugee Policy

Instituting an earned-legalization program for undocumented immigrants already in this country? Oppose

We should first secure all of our borders and ports of entry to we know who and why someone is entering our country. Then we can develop a workable guest-worker program.

Immigration reform as it relates to family unification?

Strong support for reuniting immigrant families to the largest possible extent. However, in fairness to all immigrants, those who have entered our country illegally may be asked to return to their home countries for a time to re-enter through a fair and legal U.S. citizenship process.

Marriage

Amending the U.S. Constitution to define marriage as only the union of a man and a woman? Support

Minimum Wage

Incrementally raising the Federal minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25? Oppose

I support worker training, building skills necessary for workers to earn higher wages in order to sustain and support their families.

Religious Liberty

Exempting faith-based providers of social services and health care from secular laws that would require them to be involved in activities contrary to their religious faith? Support

Personal Priorities

Priority public-policy issues to be pursued in upcoming Congress?

1. Secure our country from terrorists.

2. Energy independence using ethanol, bio-diesel and hydrogen fuel cells

3. Positioning our country to compete in the global economy

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United States House of Representatives

District 3

Name of Candidate: Scott Kleeb

Democrat

Candidate did not respond.

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Name of Candidate: Adrian Smith

Republican

Abortion

Amending U.S. Constitution to protect the right to life of all prenatal human beings? Support

Using federal funds for abortion? Oppose

Agriculture/Rural Development

Arms Control/Disarmament

Policy actions to control global proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and to diminish threat of nuclear war?

I will support tighter restrictions to nuclear proliferation and multilateral efforts to monitor and disarm those that wish to expand the nuclear threat. I also support the Missile Defense System to help protect America at its borders.

Cloning

Enacting ban on cloning processes that create human embryos for any purpose? Support

I introduced the Nebraska legislative bill to ban human cloning.

Death Penalty

Abolishing federal death penalty and replacing it with imprisonment for life without possibility of parole? Oppose

Economic Assistance for Families

Providing tax relief to sustain low-income working families above poverty line? Support

Education

Education-expense tax credits? Support

Education vouchers? Support, limited

K-12 Scholarship donation tax credits? Support

Embryo Research

Providing federal funds for research that destroys human embryos to obtain stem cells? Oppose

Foreign Policy

Principles to guide U.S. foreign policy to advance lasting peace in the Middle East?

I support Israel and its right to exist. I also support a strong dialogue with Middle Eastern nations in the hopes that this will lead to a lasting peace.

Health Care

Public-policy initiatives or alternatives to secure universal access to affordable, quality health care for all persons in U.S.?

We need a greater supply of health care workers. Greater competition will reduce costs, provide more flexibility in our system, and bring patients closer to the decision making process.

Hunger

Protecting anti-hunger programs from budget cuts? Support

Immigration/Refugee Policy

Instituting an earned-legalization program for undocumented immigrants already in this country? Oppose

Immigration reform as it relates to family unification?

We should not encourage illegal immigration. We should promote/expect legal entry into our country.

Marriage

Amending the U.S. Constitution to define marriage as only the union of a man and a woman? Support

Minimum Wage

Incrementally raising the Federal minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25? Oppose

I am willing to look at a compromise that would bring benefits to small business through tax and/or regulatory relief

Religious Liberty

Exempting faith-based providers of social services and health care from secular laws that would require them to be involved in activities contrary to their religious faith? Support

Personal Priorities

Priority public-policy issues to be pursued in upcoming Congress?

1. Agriculture

2. Tax Reform

3. Immigration

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