2014 Illinois 3rd Congressional District Voter Guide

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Tracy Moore
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1 2014 Illinois 3rd ongressional District Voter Guide

2 The andidates Representative Daniel Lipinksi (D), incumbent Sharon (R), challenger

3 2014 Illinois 3rd ongressional District Voter Guide What role would religion play in the candidate s decision making in his or her role as U.S. Representative? Does the candidate support a science based curriculum in public schools and reject the use of public funding of religious schools or religiously-based curriculums? Does the candidate support the use of public funding for religiously-affiliated organizations such as faith-based initiatives, to provide services? Does the candidate support social policies that do not discriminate based on religion, such as marriage equality, and non-discrimination in adoption policies, the military and hiring practices at faith based organizations receiving public funds? Does the candidate believe government sanctioned religious symbolism is appropriate? (Examples including prayer in legislative sessions and public schools, religious symbols on government property.) Does the candidate support scientifically based regulations including science surrounding reproduction, climate change, embryonic stem cell research, and cloning, and reject abstinence-only sex education? INAL SORE Key: andidate s remarks and/or actions toward the Secular oalition s stances have been: A: Generally or consistently positive. B: Neutral or occasionally positive. : Mixed, with positive and negative responses. : Generally or consistently hostile or negative. : At the time of publication, the Secular oalition for America was unable to verify the candidate s position or did not have enough information to rate the candidate. If the SA was unable to find a candidate s stance on at least four of the six questions, the candidate was given a final score of. The above chart is based on the topics and individual public candidate responses in the following sections.

4 Individual andidate Responses What role would religion play in the candidate s decision making in his or her role as U.S. Representative? Rep. was rated 40% by the Americans United for Separation of hurch and state, indicating a mixed record on church-state separation. 1 He also has sponsored multiple House resolutions celebrating National atholic Schools Week. 2 At the time of publication, the Secular oalition for America was unable to verify the Does the candidate support a science based curriculum in public schools and reject the use of public funding of religious schools or religiously-based curriculums? cosponsored HR 718, which allocated $110 million annually for grants to abstinence-only education programs. 3 He also voted for HR 471, which created the D Opportunity Scholarship program that took public funds away from public schools and gave them to private schools, 82% of which were religiously-affiliated. 4 On his website, states that he supports STEM education and innovation in schools at all levels. 5 At the time of publication, the Secular oalition for America was unable to verify the 1 Political Group Ratings, Americans United for the Separation of hurch and State. Dec 31, House loor speech by Daniel, eb 5, Abstinence Education Reallocation Act of 2013; Bill HR718; 13-H718 on eb 14, Scholarships for Opportunity and Results Act; Bill H.R.471; 11-HV204 on Mar 30, Subcommittee hairman to Promote Innovation, STEM Education, and Job reation in the NS Reauthorization, ongressman Daniel, eb 3, Daniel s House website accessed Jun 15, 2014.

5 Does the candidate support the use of public funding for religiously-affiliated organizations such as faithbased initiatives, to provide services? voted in favor of HR 592, which made houses of worship eligible for emergency assistance and disaster relief from the federal government, funds which were not made available to many other secular non-profits. 6 At the time of publication, the Secular oalition for America was unable to verify the Does the candidate support social policies that do not discriminate based on religion, such as marriage equality, and non-discrimination in adoption policies, the military and hiring practices at faith based organizations receiving public funds? Lipinksi voted twice against allowing non-theist chaplains in the military s chaplain corps. 7 He also has voted against prohibiting job discrimination based on sexual orientation 8 and stated during a House floor speech that he has always opposed government recognition of gay marriages and continue to do so. 9 At the time of publication, the Secular oalition for America was unable to verify the 6 ederal Disaster Assistance Nonprofit airness Act of 2013; Bill H.592; vote 13-HV039 on eb 13, Amendment prohibits the use of funds to appoint chaplains without an endorsing agency; H.Amdt.375 (leming) to H.R.2397; vote number 13-HV392 on Jul 23, and H.Amdt.169 (Polis) to H.R.1960; vote number 13-HV238 on Jun 14, Employment Non-Discrimination Act; Bill HR3685; vote number on Nov 13, House loor speech by Daniel Lipinksi, July 18, 2006.

6 Does the candidate believe government sanctioned religious symbolism is appropriate? (Examples including prayer in legislative sessions and public schools, religious symbols on government property.) Rep. voted against denying jurisdiction to any federal court, and appellate jurisdiction to the Supreme ourt, to hear or decide any question pertaining to the interpretation of the Pledge of Allegiance or its validity under the onstitution. 10 However, he cosponsored H.on.Res. 13, Reaffirming In God We Trust as the official motto of the United States and supporting and encouraging the public display of the national motto in all public buildings, public schools, and other government institutions. 11 At the time of publication, the Secular oalition for America was unable to verify the Does the candidate support scientifically based regulations including science surrounding reproduction, climate change, embryonic stem cell research, and cloning, and reject abstinence-only sex education? voted yes on HR 7, prohibiting federally funded abortion services, 12 and sponsored HR 940, which would amend the Affordable are Act to protect rights of conscience and allow for religious exemptions for businesses from penalties for having health insurance plans that do not cover abortion and contraceptive services 13. In 2006 he was rated 100% by the National Right to Life ommittee, indicating a pro-life stance. 14 also has voted against easing restrictions on stem cell research multiple times. 15 At the time of publication, the Secular oalition for America was unable to verify the candidate s position or did not have enough information to rate the candidate 10 Watt amendment to Pledge Protection Act; Bill HR2389; vote number on Jul 19, Reaffirming In God We Trust as the official motto; Bill H.on.Res.13; 11-HV816 on Nov 1, No Taxpayer unding for Abortion Act; Bill H.R.7; 14-HV030 on Jan 28, Health are onscience Rights Act; Bill H.R.940; 13-H.940 on Mar 4, Political Group Ratings, National Right to Life ommittee. Dec 31, Stem ell Research Enhancement Act; Bill HR3 ( irst 100 hours); vote number on Jan 11, 2007.

7 Methodology andidates were graded only on questions for which the Secular oalition was able to identify the candidates' position either through statements or previous actions. or each response, the candidates were given a grade of A, B, or. An "A" grade earned the candidate 3 points, "B" earned 2 points, "" earned 1 point and an earned 0 points. An average of the candidates' grades for each question were averaged for each section. Grades of "" indicate that the Secular oalition was unable to identify the candidate's position on the given topic. The section averages were then averaged for the total score. grades were not factored into the candidate's score. Averages were compiled on the following scale: A = B = = =

The Secular oalition for America is a 501(c)(4) advocacy organization whose purpose is to amplify the diverse and growing voice of the nontheistic community in the United States.

8 The Secular oalition for America is a 501(c)(4) advocacy organization whose purpose is to amplify the diverse and growing voice of the nontheistic community in the United States. We are located in Washington, D.. for ready access to government, activist partners and the media. Our staff lobbies U.S. ongress on issues of special concern to our constituency. Our member organizations are established 501(c)(3) nonprofits who serve atheists, agnostics, humanists, freethinkers and other nontheistic Americans. Their purpose in founding the coalition was to formalize a cooperative structure for visible, unified activism to improve the civic situation of citizens with a naturalistic worldview. A number of additional organizations have endorsed our mission statement. Member Organizations American Atheists American Ethical Union American Humanist Association Atheist Alliance of America Black Nonbelievers amp Quest ouncil for Secular Humanism reethought Society reedom from Religion oundation Hispanic American reethinkers Humanist ommunity at Harvard Institute for Humanist Studies Military Association of Atheists and reethinkers Recovering from Religion Richard Dawkins oundation for Reason and Science (US) Secular Student Alliance Society for Humanistic Judaism The UU Humanists

2014 Alabama 7th District Congressional Voter Guide

2014 Alabama 7th District Congressional Voter Guide 2014 Alabama 7th District ongressional Voter Guide The andidates Representative Terri (D), incumbent, running unopposed 2014 Alabama 7th District ongressional Voter Guide What role would religion play