Political positions of Elizabeth Warren

Elizabeth Warren is the senior United States Senator from Massachusetts, a former member of the Republican Party and currently a member of the Democratic Party.

Economics

Jobs

Warren believes that America has both a short-term and a long-term jobs problem. Warren notes that China spends 9% of its GDP on infrastructure, and Europe spends about 5% of GDP, while the US is spending only 2.4% and is looking for cuts.[1] She supports a small tax increase on those making more than $1 million per year to pay for jobs such as rebuilding the roads, bridges, and water systems. She believes that the added money in circulation would help to build the economy as well.[1]

Warren has a long record of working to assist self-employed workers and small businesses. She believes small business owners "need straightforward rules that any small business can deal with" rather than the present situation of "complex regulations that take an army of lawyers to work through." Warren supports making it easier for workers to organize for better wages, for better health care, and for better working conditions.[1]

Warren is in favor of increasing the minimum wage and has argued that if the minimum wage had followed increases in worker productivity in the United States, it would now be at least $22 an hour.[2][3]

Warren has co-sponsored the Reward Work Act of 2018, to reform US labor law and corporate law by guaranteeing the right of employees in listed companies to elect one-third of the board of directors. In August 2018, Warren introduced the Accountable Capitalism Act, which would require 40% employee representation on boards of federal corporations with over $1billion income, and require 75% shareholder and director approval for political donations.

Trade

Warren has criticized former President Barack Obama's support of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, believing that it gives corporations too much power and will negatively affect workers, and that the content of the agreement should not be secret.[4][5][6]

Taxes

Warren supports the Buffett Rule, which would restore the Clinton tax rates on the top income bracket. She believes that the added revenues should be used to make college more affordable and help students pay off their student loans.[7][8]

Energy and the environment

Warren supports investing in renewable energy rather than "hand[ing] out massive tax breaks to [nonrenewable] energy companies that are among the most profitable corporations in the world." She says that "as long as we subsidize dirty sources like oil, gas, and coal, we threaten the air we breathe and the water we drink." She also believes our reliance on oil and gas "...puts us at the mercy of OPEC. We are more likely to prop up foreign dictators or become entangled in wars that are about our energy needs rather than our long-term, strategic interests...Investing in clean energy technology is investing in our health, our environmental security, our national security, and our economic security."[9]

Foreign policy and national security

Afghanistan

Warren claims to oppose continuing the war in Afghanistan and support withdrawing U.S. troops "as quickly as possible, consistent with the safety of our troops and with a transition to Afghan control," a stated position somewhat in conflict with her vote in September 2017 to increase defense spending to $700 billion. This included $640 billion for the Pentagon and an additional $60 billion for military operations in countries such as Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan.[10]

Israel

Warren supports a secure and democratic state of Israel and wants to ensure the security of Israel from external forces such as Iran, Hezbollah, Hamas, and others. Warren states she supports a two state solution, however believes Palestinian application for membership in the UN isn't helpful.[11]

Iran

Warren has stated that Iran is a "significant threat" to the United States and its allies. Warren opposed the scrapping of the nuclear agreement with Iran. [12]

Defense spending

On September 18, 2017 Warren voted for a bill that authorized $700 billion in defense funds. This included $640 billion for the Pentagon and an additional $60 billion for military operations in countries such as Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan. This bill increased military spending by $80 billion, which far surpassed the increase requested by President Trump ($54 billion). There were 8 no votes (against 89 yes votes) and three abstentions, but Warren was not one of them.[13]

Structure of government

Campaign reform

Warren opposed the 2010 U.S. Supreme Court Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission ruling and supports the DISCLOSE Act which would limit the ruling.[14]

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

Warren was an early advocate for the creation of a new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). The bureau was established by the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act signed into law by President Obama in July 2010. In anticipation of the agency's formal opening, for the first year after the bill's signing, she worked on implementation of the bureau as a special assistant to the president. While liberal groups and consumer advocacy groups pushed for Obama to nominate Warren as the agency's permanent director, she was strongly opposed by financial institutions and by Republican members of Congress who believed Warren would be an overly zealous regulator.[15][16][17] Reportedly convinced that Warren could not win Senate confirmation as the bureau's first director,[18] Obama turned to former Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray and in January 2012, over the objections of Republican Senators, appointed Cordray to the post in a "recess appointment".[19][20]

TARP oversight

On November 14, 2008, Warren was appointed by United States Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to chair the five-member Congressional Oversight Panel created to oversee the implementation of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act.[21] The Panel released monthly oversight reports that evaluated the government bailout and related programs.[22] During Warren's tenure, these reports covered foreclosure mitigation, consumer and small business lending, commercial real estate, AIG, bank stress tests, the impact of the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) on the financial markets, government guarantees, the automotive industry, and other topics.[lower-alpha 1]

Glass-Steagall legislation

Saying, "despite the progress we've made since 2008, the biggest banks continue to threaten our economy," in July 2015 Senator Warren, along with John McCain (R-Ariz.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), and Angus King (I-Me.) re-introduced the 21st Century Glass-Steagall Act, a modern version of the Banking Act of 1933. The legislation is intended to reduce the risk for the American taxpayer in the financial system and decrease the likelihood of a future financial crises.[23]

Presidential conflicts of interest

In January 2017, Warren introduced the Presidential Conflicts of Interest Act to the Senate.[24] This followed her announcement in December 2016 to introduce a piece of legislation to address perceived conflicts of interest held by president-elect Donald Trump.[25][26]

Social issues

Abortion

Warren supports abortion rights and opposes any Supreme Court nominees who "oppose legal abortion".[27]

LGBT rights

Warren supports same-sex marriage and passing the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA).[28]

DREAM Act

Warren supports the passage of the DREAM Act and comprehensive immigration reform.[29]

Gun laws

Warren supports reinstating an extended magazine long rifle weapons ban as well as more rigorous background screenings, including for people who purchase firearms at gun shows, and she opposes limits on the sharing of firearms trace information.[30] On April 17, 2013, she voted to expand background checks for gun purchases.[31]

Marijuana legalization

Warren supports the right of states to legalize marijuana, both for medical and recreational purposes, and introduced the STATES Act during the 115th U.S. Congress to amend the Controlled Substances Act to lift the Federal prohibition of marijuana in states that have passed legislation to legalize it.[32][33][34]

Health care

Warren speaks in favor of single-payer healthcare in 2017

In the 2008 book, Health at Risk, in the chapter Get Sick, Go Broke, Warren wrote that “We approach the health care debates from a single perspective: maintaining the financial stability of families confronting illness or injury. The most obvious solution would be universal single-payer health care.”[35] Warren supported the Affordable Care Act and has opposed Republican efforts to repeal it however in June 2017, she said that Democratic Party should start running on a new national single-payer plan: “President Obama tried to move us forward with health-care coverage by using a conservative model that came from one of the conservative think tanks that had been advanced by a Republican governor in Massachusetts. Now it’s time for the next step. And the next step is single payer.”[36]

In September 2017, Warren said she would support Bernie Sanders' single-payer plan that would expand Medicare to all Americans. Warren said that the plan would guarantee medical care for all at the lowest prices. In a message to her supporters she said, "Health care is a basic human right and it’s time to fight for it."[37]

Education

Warren has frequently expressed concern about the amount of debt college graduates face, and especially so when they are often unable to find employment after graduation. At her senate website she states:

"As I travel all across the Commonwealth, I meet young people who have done everything right: they played by the rules, they worked hard, they finished college, and yet they're finding themselves unemployed, drowning in debt, and in many cases, moving back home with mom and dad. These young people did all we asked of them - and they're getting slammed."

Warren has introduced legislation to reduce the interest rates on student loans. She sees the passage of legislation that would support students as a test of who legislators are working for: "...armies of lawyers and lobbyists to protect tax loopholes for billionaires and profits for the big banks...or those who work hard, play by the rules, and are trying to build a future for themselves and their families?"[38]

In a book authored with her daughter, The Two-Income Trap: Why Middle-Class Parents Are (Still) Going Broke, Warren has expressed support for the concepts of school choice and for vouchers.[39]

Notes

  1. ↑ All reports and videos are available online at cop.senate.gov.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Jobs and the Economy". Elizabeth Warren U.S. Senate. Retrieved 28 July 2015.
  2. ↑ Chumley, Cheryl K. (March 18, 2013). "Take it to the bank: Sen. Elizabeth Warren wants to raise minimum wage to $22 per hour". Washington Times. Retrieved January 22, 2014.
  3. ↑ Wing, Nick (March 18, 2013). "Elizabeth Warren: Minimum Wage Would Be $22 An Hour If It Had Kept Up With Productivity". Huffington Post. Retrieved January 22, 2014.
  4. ↑ http://www.politico.com/story/2015/04/obama-elizabeth-warren-is-wrong-on-trade-117204.html?ml=ri
  5. ↑ http://thehill.com/policy/finance/trade/239695-warren-lashes-back-at-obama-on-trade
  6. ↑ http://www.politico.com/story/2015/02/elizabeth-warren-target-trans-pacific-trade-deals-115561.html
  7. ↑ Rowley, Jim (6 May 2014). "Warren Seeks Pairing Student-Loan Relief, Buffett Rule". Retrieved 26 July 2015.
  8. ↑ "Support the Buffett Rule". /elizabethwarren.com. 2012. Retrieved December 25, 2012.
  9. ↑ "Energy and the Environment". Elizabeth Warren for Senate. Retrieved 26 July 2015.
  10. ↑ https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=115&session=1&vote=00199. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  11. ↑ "The U.S.-Israel Relationship and Middle East Peace". Elizabeth Warren for Senate. Retrieved July 21, 2014.
  12. ↑ "Statement from Senator Warren on Iran Nuclear Agreement". Elizabeth Warren US Senate. Oct 5, 2017.
  13. ↑ https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=115&session=1&vote=00199. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  14. ↑ "Elizabeth Warren supports DISCLOSE Act to limit Supreme Court's Citizens United decision; Scott Brown calls it 'cynical political ploy'". masslive.com. July 13, 2012. Retrieved December 25, 2012.
  15. ↑ Andrew, Suzanna (November 2011). "The Woman Who Knew Too Much". Vanity Fair. Retrieved September 22, 2012.
  16. ↑ Wyatt, Edward (July 4, 2011). "An Agency Builder, but Not Yet Its Leader". The New York Times. Retrieved September 22, 2012.
  17. ↑ Rosenthal, Andres (December 8, 2011). "Lousy Filibusters: Richard Cordray Edition". The New York Times.
  18. ↑ Katharine K. Seelye, A New Senator, Known Nationally and Sometimes Feared The New York Times November 10, 2012
  19. ↑ Cooper, Helene (2012-01-04). "Defying Republicans, Obama to Name Cordray as Consumer Agency Chief". The New York Times. Retrieved 2012-06-09.
  20. ↑ Goodnough, Abby. "Times Topics: Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection". The New York Times.
  21. ↑ Host: Terry Gross (December 11, 2008). "What Does $700 Billion Buy Taxpayers?". Fresh Air from WHYY. National Public Radio. Retrieved December 12, 2008.
  22. ↑ Kantor, Jodi (March 25, 2010). "Behind Consumer Agency Idea, a Tireless Advocate". The New York Times.
  23. ↑ "Senators Warren, McCain, Cantwell and King Introduce 21st Century Glass- Steagall Act". Elizabeth Warren U.S. Senator for Massachusetts. 7 July 2015. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
  24. ↑ "All Bill Information (Except Text) for S.65 - A bill to address financial conflicts of interest of the President and Vice President". Retrieved 10 January 2017.
  25. ↑ "Donald Trump faces impeachment if new conflicts of interest bill passed". The Independent. 16 December 2016. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
  26. ↑ Elizabeth Warren (16 December 2016). "Elizabeth Warren on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 10 January 2017.
  27. ↑ "2012 Massachusetts Senate Debate". ontheissues.org. 2012. Retrieved December 25, 2012.
  28. ↑ "EXCLUSIVE: Elizabeth Warren pledges to lead on LGBT rights". washingtonblade.com. March 21, 2012. Retrieved December 25, 2012.
  29. ↑ "Immigration". Elizabeth Warren for Senate. 2012. Retrieved December 25, 2012.
  30. ↑ "Senate rivals divided on guns". boston.com. July 27, 2012. Retrieved December 25, 2012.
  31. ↑ "U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 113th Congress – 1st Session". Legislation & Records. United States Senate. Retrieved 2013-07-30.
  32. ↑ Wise, Justin (2018-06-07). "Senators introduce bipartisan bill to protect state laws on marijuana". TheHill. Retrieved 2018-08-24.
  33. ↑ "Senator Warren on weed legalization: 'The federal government should just back off'". Retrieved 2018-08-27.
  34. ↑ "Sens. Warren And Gardner On Why Marijuana Policy Should Be Left To States". WBUR. June 14, 2018. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
  35. ↑ "Factcheck: Does Elizabeth Warren support single-payerhealthcare?". masslive.com. June 29, 2012. Retrieved December 29, 2012.
  36. ↑ Breiner, Andrew. "Elizabeth Warren: 'The next step is single-payer' health care". The Seattle Times. Retrieved June 29, 2017.
  37. ↑ McGrane, Victoria (2017-09-07). "Warren backs Sanders' single-payer health care plan". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2017-09-08.
  38. ↑ "Bank on Students". Elizabeth Warren for Senate. 10 May 2014. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
  39. ↑ The Two-Income Trap: Why Middle-Class Parents Are (Still) Going Broke. Basic Books, New York City, 2003. Pages 34-36.
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