2014 Minnesota 7th District Congressional Voter Guide

Transcription

1 2014 Minnesota 7th District Congressional Voter Guide

2 The Candidates Representative Collin (D), incumbent State Sen. Torrey (R), challenger

3 2014 Minnesota 7th District Congressional Voter Guide What role would religion play in the candidate s decision making in his or her role as U.S. Representative? C 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? A C INAL SCORE C Key: Candidate s remarks and/or actions toward the Secular Coalition s stances have been: A: Generally or consistently positive. B: Neutral or occasionally positive. C: Mixed, with positive and negative responses. : Generally or consistently hostile or negative. : At the time of publication, the Secular Coalition for America was unable to verify the candidate s position or did not have enough information to rate the candidate. If the SCA 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 Candidate Responses What role would religion play in the candidate s decision making in his or her role as U.S. Representative? C In 2006 Rep. was rated 17% by Americans United for the Separation of Church and State, indicating opposition to church-state separation. 1 At the time of publication, the Secular Coalition for America was unable to verify the candidate s position or did not have enough information to rate the candidate. 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? A Rep. voted twice against the DC opportunity scholarship program and against allowing vouchers for private and parochial schools nationwide. 2 At the time of publication, the Secular Coalition for America was unable to verify the candidate s position or did not have enough information to rate the candidate. Does the candidate support the use of public funding for religiously-affiliated organizations such as faith-based initiatives, to provide services? Rep. voted in favor of HR 592, which made houses of worship eligible for emergency assistance and disaster relief, funds which were not made available to many other secular non-profits. 3 He also voted against treating religious organizations equally for tax breaks and against responsible fatherhood through faith-based organizations. 4 At the time of publication, the Secular Coalition for America was unable to verify the candidate s position or did not have enough information to rate the candidate. 1 Political Groups Ratings, Americans United for the Separation of Church and State. Dec 31, ( 2 Scholarships for Opportunity and Results Act (SOAR); Bill HRes186 ; vote number 11-HV200 on Mar 30, ( 3 ederal Disaster Assistance Nonprofit airness Act of 2013; Bill H.R. 592; vote number 13-HV039 on eb 13, ( 4 Bill HR 7 ; vote number on Jul 19, 2001 ( and Bill sponsored by Johnson, R-CT.; Bill HR 3073 ; vote number on Nov 10, ( C

5 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? Rep. voted in favor of banning gay adoptions in the District of Columbia. 5 He has also twice voted in favor of constitutional amendments defining marriage as between one man and one woman. 6 However, voted in favor of prohibiting job discrimination based on sexual orientation. 7 He also voted twice against allowing nontheist chaplains to join the military s chaplain corps. 8 State Sen. voted against same-sex marriage twice and against a bill providing death rights to domestic partners. 9 5 Amendment introduced by Largent, R-OK; Bill HR 2587; vote number on Jul 29, ( 6 Marriage Protection Amendment; Bill H J RES 88 ; vote number on Jul 18, ( 7 Employment Non-Discrimination Act; Bill HR 3685 ; vote number on Nov 13, ( 8 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, 2013 ( and H.Amdt.169 (Polis) to H.R.1960; vote number 13-HV238 on Jun 14, ( 9 Prohibiting Same-Sex Marriage, Bill S 1308 on May 21, 2011, and Domestic Partner Death Rights, Bill S 341 on May 11, (

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. has voted in favor of and cosponsored multiple bills allowing prayer in public schools, including a constitutional amendment. 10 He also voted against allowing the Courts to decide on God in the Pledge of Allegiance. 11 In 2011 voted in favor of H.Con.Res. 13, reaffirming In God We Trust as the U.S. motto and supporting its public display. 12 At the time of publication, the Secular Coalition for America was unable to verify the candidate s position or did not have enough information to rate the candidate. 10 Bill sponsored by Isakson; Bill H.Con.Res.239; vote number on Nov 15, 2001 ( and H.J.Res HJR78 on May 8, ( 11 Watt Amendment to Pledge Protection Act; Bill H.R. 2389; vote number on Jul 19, ( 12 Reaffirming In God We Trust as the official motto; H.Con.Res.13; vote number 11-HV816 on Nov 1, (

7 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? Rep. has voted in favor of and cosponsored multiple bills restricting reproductive rights and embryonic stem cell research. 13 He also voted in favor of barring the EPA from regulating greenhouse gas emissions. 14 However, has voted in favor of enforcing limits on CO2 global warming pollution and in favor of tax incentives for renewable energy. 15 State Sen. voted in favor of prohibiting grants for groups associated with abortion providers. 16 He also voted against allowing the University of Minnesota to use state funding for human embryonic and stem cell research. 17 voted multiple times against legislation to regulate greenhouse gas emissions No Taxpayer unding for Abortion Act; Bill H.3; vote number 11-HV292 on May 4, 2011 ( and Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act; Bill HR 3 ("irst 100 hours") ; vote number on Jan 11, ( 14 Energy Tax Prevention Act; Bill H. 910; vote number 11-HV249 on Apr 7, ( 15 American Clean Energy and Security Act; Bill H.R. 2454; vote number 2009-H477 on Jun 26, 2009 ( and Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act; Bill H.R. 5351; vote number 08-HR5351 on eb 12, ( 16 Surrogate Mother Regulations, Bill S 2965 on May 12, 2008, and Seifert Amendment: Prohibiting Grants for Groups Associated with Abortion Providers on Apr 1, ( 17 Public unding for Stem Cell Research, Bill S 100 on May 7, ( 18 Repeals Carbon Dioxide Emissions Prohibition, Bill S 86 on May 11, 2011, and Environmental Review Requirements, Bill H 1 on eb 28, (

8 Methodology Candidates were graded only on questions for which the Secular Coalition 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, C or. An "A" grade earned the candidate 3 points, "B" earned 2 points, "C" 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 Coalition 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 = C = =

9 The Secular Coalition 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.C. for ready access to government, activist partners and the media. Our staff lobbies U.S. Congress 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 Camp Quest Council for Secular Humanism reethought Society reedom from Religion oundation Hispanic American reethinkers Humanist Community 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