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Richard Ojeda II's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

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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.

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Richard Ojeda II has provided voters with clear stances on key issues by responding to the 2020 Political Courage Test.

What is the Political Courage Test?

West Virginia Congressional Election 2020 Political Courage Test

Pro-choice Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
I want Free access to all contraceptives. I support Planned Parenthood.
Yes In order to balance the budget, do you support an income tax increase on any tax bracket?
Yes Do you support expanding federal funding to support entitlement programs such as Social Security and Medicare?
I would raise the cap on Social Security.
Yes Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?
I want to overturn Citizens United. Money is NOT Free Speech. I support unions and support their capabilities to endorse and support financially those candidates that best represent the values of those in Unions.
No Do you support increasing defense spending?
We already spend more $$$ that the next ten countries on defense. As a person who has served multiple combat deployments I have seen the cost of fraud, waste and abuse. There are many other issues that need to be addressed in our country.
Yes Do you support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
No Do you support lowering corporate taxes as a means of promoting economic growth?
Its time for us to stop bailing out corporations and start supporting our people. We bail out banks, we bail out Wall Street and we bail out corporations. We do very little for our citizens. I think we need to start finding ways how we can boost our economy by supporting those who spend their money on the economy. The filthy rich put $$ in offshore accounts or mattresses.......The average citizen spends it on the local economy.
Yes Do you support requiring states to adopt federal education standards?
I think we should have a standard that all must meet but we must also stop attacking our educators. I would like to see a national teacher and school service personnel pay scale. Poor states are losing good teachers to the neighboring states because of better pay. When this happens, we find assistant coaches with the responsibility of teaching math, science and Spanish. We must create incentives to give teachers the desire to stay.
Yes Do you support government funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, geo-thermal)?
Yes Do you support the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions?
I come from an energy state and it has turned my state into a colony. They come to our state and grease the pockets of legislators to weaken regulations and lower standards. They have attacked unions and get to the point where they can do as they please (Curent situation in WV). These practices must stop. I would like to push for all lobbyists to wear body cameras while they are on Capitol properties. Politicians are less likely to sell us out if they know the people are watching.
Yes Do you generally support gun-control legislation?
I want to stop those with metal issues from obtaining firearms. If a person has ties to gangs (To include White Supremacy groups they should be denied weapon access. If a person has a record of violence....I want them to also lose their abilities to own firearms.
No Do you support repealing the 2010 Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare")?
No Do you support the construction of a wall along the Mexican border?
No Do you support requiring immigrants who are unlawfully present to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship?
I want to see a pathway to citizenship.
Yes Should the United States use military force to prevent governments hostile to the U.S. from possessing a weapon of mass destruction (for example: nuclear, biological, chemical)?
Yes Do you support reducing military intervention in Middle East conflicts?
We need to stop being the police force for the world. If we must enter another country it should only be as a coalition with other countries and must have an exit strategy. Forever Wars have done nothing but kill and wound our troops, placed severe stressors on our VA system and make contractors filthy rich. We should not be in the business of providing security so contracting companies can make billions.
Yes Do you generally support removing barriers to international trade (for example: tariffs, quotas, etc.)?
As long as trade is fair and the countries we are working with are willing to conduct honest business I have no issues. I do support sanctioning countries that we, as a legislative body agree upon for current and past actions that are seen as illegal, unlawful or immoral.
Overturn Citizens United, Legalize Medical Cannabis, Create opportunities for all citizens to have AFFORDABLE healthcare.

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