Lawrence Gaughan's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)
Key
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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Lawrence Gaughan has refused to provide voters with positions on key issues covered by the 2014 Political Courage Test, despite repeated requests.
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 2014.
- "Women should have a right to choose what they do or don't do to their bodies." (votesmart.org)
- "We have run up too much debt and put it all on the backs of the working people who are paying close to .33 cents for every dollar they make at their job. Meanwhile the billionaires and corporations are often paying no tax at all. A flat tax is not the solution. My opponent, Robert Hurt has consistently sided with big money when it comes to taxes and regulation. He has not supported tax benefits for same sex couples. He has voted against higher tax rates for the top earners, despite the impact on our national debt. We need a tax code that is simplified and streamlined, but I will not vote for any tax cuts for those making over 250,000 dollars a year, and I will definitely not support a flat tax scheme such as the one proposed by the republicans." (www.gaughanforcongress.com)
- "As your representative in the U.S. House, I would make it my number one priority to level the playing field. I would propose increasing the minimum wage to twelve dollars an hour. I would vote for any legislation that would bring back jobs in construction, manufacturing and production. I would support investments in education, and healthcare to enable us to hire more teachers and nurses right here in our district. Also, when we encourage the growth of public and private sector union labor, our economy does better and our middle class thrives. Our country did not become the greatest nation on earth without the hard work of farmers, factory workers, and skilled labor. While government can never be the answer to all of our problems, it can provide solutions to some of them." (votesmart.org)
- "Our public schools have gone through some ups and downs since the time I was a student. We have areas that need to be fixed such as reducing class size, raising teacher pay, and completing the transition from "No Child Left Behind". We need to make sure our schools are preparing our children for college or a good trade industry. " (votesmart.org)
- "I would make sure we enforce regulations that will keep your community clean and prosperous." (votesmart.org)
- "When big industry or power corporations hurt our environment, it can have a devastating effect on our local economy. As your congressional representative, I would vote for sensible regulations. I would side with the people and not with crony capitalism. I would make sure we enforce regulations that will keep your community clean and prosperous." (votesmart.org)
- "When big industry or power corporations hurt our environment, it can have a devastating effect on our local economy. As your congressional representative, I would vote for sensible regulations. I would side with the people and not with crony capitalism. I would make sure we enforce regulations that will keep your community clean and prosperous." (votesmart.org)
- "I would certainly support the bi-partisan proposal for background checks, and do not consider that a slippery-slope. I would propose or vote for any common sense, widely accepted legislation that keeps guns out of the hand of criminals, terrorists, or the mentally ill." (votesmart.org)
- "Repeal of the ACA (or the failure of states to fully implement the law) has cost lives and jobs. We need to continue to move forward with implementation and make adjustments as needed." (votesmart.org)
- "I support the Dream Act and H.R. 15, I would urge an immediate vote. I have personally seen and known many immigrant families who, despite being undocumented, are otherwise good law abiding, tax paying people. The children who are raised here by these loving families need to have the same fair and affordable access to education and other rights and freedoms. I have met and worked with people from many different cultures and appreciate the positive impact that diversity has had on our nation. It is this diversity that makes us Americans." (votesmart.org)
- "Our brothers and sisters in the LGBT community should have the right to marry and enjoy the same benefits as straight couples." (votesmart.org)
- "We have strayed from our constitution when it comes to the defense of our nation and declaration of war. I was opposed to the war in Iraq for many reasons. The enormous price paid by our brave men and women as well as the huge financial debt that we incurred was not necessary. Republicans in Congress continue to defer those costs on our military personnel and our veterans through the sequester and other austerity measures." (votesmart.org)
- I have recently gone on record as saying that Congress should hold a straight up and down vote on airstrikes against ISIS in Syria and Iraq. Last night, before departing from Washington for their two month vacation, many members of Congress (including my Republican opponent, Mr. Hurt) showed that they do not have the courage to put this important issue on the floor for a clean vote. (www.facebook.com)
- Endorsed by The Alliance for Retired Americans (retiredamericanspaf.org)
- "I am honored to receive the endorsement of the Alliance for Retired Americans:The Alliance for Retired Americans, representing more than 4.3 million retirees, older Americans, and community activists including more than 52,668 members in Virginia endorses your candidacy for the United States House of Representatives from District 5 of Virginia.Your positions demonstrate a strong commitment to improve the quality of life for older Americans. Your leadership on issues such as preserving and protecting Social Security and Medicare from privatization and benefit cuts ensures these programs will be around for current and future generations. In addition, our members support your candidacy because of your belief in the need to provide more affordable health care for older Americans, as well as the need forstronger retirement and pension security, and quality long term care.The Alliance for Retired Americans believes that your election to the House of Representatives will enhance the quality of life for older Americans." (www.facebook.com)
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