RUTHFULLY YOURS

• Rated +1 by AAI, indicating a mixed Arab/Palestine voting record. (May 2012)
• Vigorous support for State of Israel against Hamas in Gaza. (Nov 2012)

http://www.ontheissues.org/senate/Chris_Coons.htm  **

http://www.coons.senate.gov/

HOT BUTTON ISSUES

ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT

Supported Keystone XL Pipeline

Supporting clean energy solutions. Senator Coons believes we must invest in an all-of-the-above energy strategy that includes clean energy solutions such as wind, solar, and biofuels that do not put the environment at risk. As we invest in growing a 21st century advanced manufacturing economy, we must focus as well on incentivizing clean energy manufacturing, of which Delaware is already an early leader. 

Preparing for climate change. Climate change is one of the most important challenges facing our nation. To mitigate its impact, Senator Coons believes that we must act quickly to reduce the amount of global warming gases released into the atmosphere. At the same time, we must ensure that our efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions provide opportunities for economic growth and do not stifle investment, innovation, and job creation. As we seek to reduce our carbon footprint, we must press our global competitors to do the same. As the lowest-lying state in the country, Delaware also needs to prepare for and adapt to the consequences of climate change that local communities are already experiencing, such as rising sea levels and more extreme weather events. We must continue taking steps to strengthen our resilience and reduce the costly impacts of droughts, storms, and flooding in our communities.

FOREIGN POLICY    Defending freedom, democracy, and security in the Middle East.  Senator Coons believes the U.S. must play a leadership role partnering with people seeking freedom and democracy around the world, including in the Middle East.  He deeply values our strong and abiding partnership with Israel, and believes the U.S. must do everything in its power to defend U.S. security interests in the region.  He is focused on ensuring Iran does not develop a nuclear weapon capability, and defending the Syrian people against the unconscionable onslaught of violence perpetrated by the Assad regime.

Supporting nuclear security, non-proliferation, and strategic arms reduction. Senator Coons knows that one of the most significant security threats facing the United States the spread of nuclear weapons, technology, and material. This is why he supported the ratification of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) with Russia during his first weeks in the Senate, and continues to support nuclear non-proliferation and global strategic arms reduction efforts.

HEALTHCARE   Improving the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The health reform law expanded coverage opportunities for millions of Americans. The Supreme Court affirmed this important step forward, protecting provisions that are vital to many Americans, including those with pre-existing conditions. There are, however, still ways we can improve upon this law. That is why earlier this year, Chris joined Senator Pryor in introducing the Church Health Plan Act to close a loophole that could result in church-run health plans being penalized because they are not deemed qualified health plans under the Affordable Care Act. Chris will continue looking closely at its implementation and work with his colleagues to make beneficial changes.

Protecting reproductive rights. Chris believes that decisions about a woman’s health, including issues surrounding pregnancy, should be left to her and her doctor. Abortion should remain safe and legal for women regardless of their financial means.  He supports Roe v. Wade and supports restoring the original rights expressed in the decision before legislation and courts began eroding them.

Note: No Challengers have filed yet

Tom Carper (D) Next Election 2018

Congressman At Large:

John Carney (D) Incumbent

http://johncarney.house.gov/

http://www.ontheissues.org/house/John_Carney.htm**

HOT BUTTON ISSUES

HEALTHCARE  One of the biggest challenges we confront as a state and nation is the ever increasing cost of healthcare.  During my years in public service, I have heard from thousands of Delaware families and small businesses whose stories illustrate the need for serious changes to our healthcare system.  We must tackle this problem from many angles. This means creating better health outcomes and reducing duplicative care by using electronic medical records. It means ensuring that more Delawareans have access to nutritious foods, and rooting out the waste and fraud that costs Medicare billions of dollars each year.  In addition, we must find ways to implement the systemic changes necessary to bring down the overall cost of healthcare, which is rising much faster than inflation. The Affordable Care Act was an important first step in improving access to care and quality of care for more Americans, but there is still work to be done.

Voted against a rule that would eliminate his exemption from ObamaCare

Voted against repeal of  tax on artificial legs, arms and hands.  Wounded veterans are now required to pay a special tax on artificial limbs lost in  combat.

ENERGY 

Voted against the Keystone Pipeline

I have worked so hard to protect the environment throughout my career in public service, including leading the opposition against oil and gas drilling off Delaware’s coast. Instead, we should focus on alternative energy technologies, which will allow us to address the serious challenges of climate change, improve the sustainability of our land and waters, and reduce our dependence on oil. By focusing our efforts on clean energy and innovation, we can improve U.S. competitiveness in rapidly growing industries and create thousands of jobs for Delawareans, while moving toward greater energy security.

• Developing offshore wind: Offshore wind will create jobs, reduce pollution, and move our nation toward energy independence.  Delaware remains positioned as an important partner in this industry due to the potential wind assets from our coast, our skilled manufacturers and workforce, and the leading research being conducted at our colleges and universities.
•  I am a proud supporter of an offshore wind tax credit that incentivizes entrepreneurs to locate their companies in the U.S., creating jobs in our communities and attracting investment from other businesses that build component parts for the wind turbines located in the Atlantic Ocean off Delaware’s shores.

Rose  Izzo  (R) Challenger

http://www.roseizzoforcongress.com/