Political positions of Joe Biden
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Joe Biden is a six-term United States Senator. He is the senior senator from the U.S. state of Delaware. He has served in the Senate since 1973 and made his third run for president in 2008 election as a Democrat.
Biden is considered liberal, with a 77.5 percent liberal voting record in 2006 and lifetime score of 76.8 percent, according to a Washington Post analysis.[1] The following are the Political positions of Joe Biden on an assortment of issues.
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[edit] Social issues
Joe Biden believes that the Roe v. Wade decision should remain intact. He is quoted as saying, "The best policy for our country on the question of abortion is a policy of Government neutrality. Put another way: I do not believe that the government should be involved in making judgments on whether a woman can, or should have an abortion, or – if she chooses to do so – in paying for that abortion."[2]
He voted in favor of a 1999 bill to ban in most circumstances "partial birth abortion"[2] and on the 2003 Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act.[3] Biden has defended these votes as recently as April 2007.[4] He has also stated his opposition to federal funding of abortions.[5]
He has joined with Democrats in voting against parental notification and a ban on abortions on military bases. Biden's record on abortion is generally favorable towards the practice receiving a 100% rating from NARAL Pro-Choice America in four of the last five years, although he received a 36% in 2003. If elected President, Biden has pledged that he would appoint Supreme Court justices that share his beliefs.[6] He has also stated his opposition to the Mexico City Policy, and voted in favor of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act in 1994. Biden supports federal funding for stem cell research and voted to expand development and voted against a 1998 ban on cloning.
Biden voted in favor of the Defense of Marriage Act[7] and against the Federal Marriage Amendment.[8] He supports states rights to establish civil unions and favors adding sexual orientation to the criteria for a hate crime.[9][10]
Biden favors diverting drug offenders out of the nation's prison system. He is against making stricter laws for drug offenses but helped in the creation of a Drug Czar. He voted against restrictions on children obtaining violent videos but supports funding for the Boys and Girls Clubs in underprivileged areas.
[edit] Domestic issues
[edit] Crime
Joe Biden has been given a 71% approval rating from Coalition on Urban Renewal and Education (CURE) indicating a pro-rehab record on crime. He voted in support of funding for the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program but voted against limiting death penalty appeals indicating his opposition to the death penalty. He voted for heavier punishments for hate crimes and supports a Federal Bureau of Investigation registry for sex offenders.
Joe Biden is the author of the most innovative and far-reaching criminal justice proposals in recent history including the Violence Against Women Act which established that national domestic violence hotline and the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act which was responsible for putting more than 100,000 police officers on the streets. Joe Biden has fought to protect support for state and local law enforcement. But the Bush administration and Republicans in Congress slashed billions in federal assistance for state and local law enforcement and completely eliminated the COPS hiring program. Cities have been forced to reduce the size of their police forces. Joe Biden predicted crime rates would go up because of these cuts - and they did. The most recent reports from the Federal Bureau of Investigation show the largest increase in violent crime in 15 years. Joe Biden's priority is restoring the nearly $2 billion dollars that has been cut from state and local law enforcement. http://www.joebiden.com/issues/
[edit] Education
Biden received a 91% voting record from the National Education Association (NEA) showing a pro-teacher union voting record. He supports abstinence education, is against student vouchers and voluntary prayer in schools. He voted in favor of Educational Savings Accounts. In regards to the No Child Left Behind Act Biden stated,
Classrooms are too big; we need smaller classrooms, period. A lot of teachers are going to be retiring. We need a program where we attract the best and brightest students coming out of our colleges to be teachers, and pay them.[11]
He voted in favor of the Act in 2001, but has subsequently called that vote "a mistake."[12] He feels that the program is underfunding the education system.
Joe Biden believes that every American should have access to higher education. In order to compete in a global economy the American workforce has to protect its edge in education. A college degree is more valuable than ever - and more expensive. As a parent, Joe Biden knows how tuition costs drain family savings. He would expand help for families by increasing the tax deduction for tuition payments. He would expand Pell grants to cover the average tuition at public colleges for low income families. Joe Biden believes that high school students should be engaged in planning and saving for college earlier in their careers so that students in their senior year are not overwhelmed by the process of applying to college and figuring out how to pay for it. He would expand national service programs to high school students so that they can earn money for college by participating in public service while they are in high school Over the past two decades we have made incredible strides in updating our education system. Fifteen years ago it would have been hard to imagine students linked through a high-tech video and high-speed internet network to other students and teachers across the country or teachers interacting with parents via email. New technology holds promise for our education system that we're only beginning to discover. But nothing is more essential than quality educators and engaged parents. Joe Biden believes that to fulfill the promise to leave no child behind we have to direct adequate resources to update schools, reduce class size and school size, reward quality educators, and improve teacher pay http://www.joebiden.com/issues/
[edit] Energy
Biden opposes drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and supports governmental funding to find new energy sources.
Biden believes action must be taken on global warming. He supports the creation of a new treaty on climate change that would require emissions reductions from developing countries such as Brazil, India, China, and Mexico. He has also stated his support for investment in technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as well as the creation of a "cap and trade" system. Biden supports the promotion of renewable energy, including ethanol and other biodiesel fuels.
Joe Biden believes that domestic energy policy is at the center of our foreign policy and economic policy. Most of the world's oil is concentrated in nations that are either hostile to American interests or vulnerable to political upheaval and terrorism. Our oil dependence undercuts the advance of freedom and limits our options and influence around the world because oil rich countries pursuing policies we oppose can stand up to us and undermine the resolve of our allies. Profits from the sale of oil help fuel the fundamentalism we are fighting. High energy prices hurt business' bottom line. Joe Biden's first priority is energy security. He believes we can strengthen security by reducing our oil consumption by increasing fuel efficiency, transitioning to farm-grown fuels like ethanol and biodiesel, and expanding the use of renewable energy. But we cannot stop there. Joe Biden would make a substantial national commitment by dramatically increasing investment in energy and climate change research and technology so that that United States becomes the world leader in developing and exporting alternative energy. [3]
[edit] Gun control
Biden was given an F by the National Rifle Association (NRA) showing a pro-gun control voting record. He supports reinstating a Federal ban on semi-automatic firearms and voted no against prohibition of lawsuits against gun manufacturers.
[edit] Immigration
Biden supported President George W. Bush's Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill. He supports guest-worker visas, and the building of a wall along the border. He voted to provide Social Security to illegal immigrants and supports a path to citizenship.
[edit] Homeland security
Biden supported the PATRIOT Act but voted to limit wiretapping on the bill. He supports implementing the 9/11 Commission's recommendations to fight terrorists but voted to preserve habeas corpus rights to the alleged terrorists serving in Guantanamo Bay. In the 1990s he voted in favor of 36 vetoed military projects and supports efforts to prevent nuclear proliferation. He was given a 60% approval rating from the American Civil Liberties Union reflecting a mixed voting record on civil rights issues. During a debate on November 15, 2007 Biden clarified the factuality of the PATRIOT Act and his continued support for it and his opposition to racial profiling. [13]
There is nothing in the Patriot Act that allows profiling. Let's get that straight. Nothing in the Patriot Act allows profiling, number one. You're profiled illegally. I have voted against and worked with legislation with many people on this stage to stop profiling. That's number one. It did not. It's not because of the Patriot Act. It's a convenient thing to talk about, number one.
[edit] Economic issues
Biden is against the Bush administration's tax cuts and would "take back one year of the tax cuts for Americans who make over a million dollars a year, and put this money in a dedicated Homeland Security and Public Safety Trust Fund to implement the 9/11 Commission recommendations and invest in law enforcement."[14] Biden supports a balanced budget amendment.
Biden was given a 32% approval rating from the United States Chamber of Commerce. He favors taking burdens off corporations to prevent outsourcing. He voted yes on repealing tax subsidies for companies that outsource jobs and yes on restrictions on personal bankruptcy.
Biden cites high health care and energy costs as two major threats to the prosperty of American businesses, and believes that addressing these issues will improve American economic competitiveness.[15] Biden was given a 100% approval rating from AFL-CIO indicating a heavily pro-union voting record. Biden was given a 42% approval rating from the Cato Institute, revealing a mixed record on free trade. He opposed the Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) but supports normalizing relations with China, Vietnam and the Andean nations. He opposes free trade agreements with Oman, Singapore, and Chile.
Biden was given a 100% approval rating from the American Public Health Association (APHA). He supports funding for health care to allow all people access. Biden is opposed to the privatization of Social Security and was given an 89% approval rating from the Alliance for Retired Americans (ARA), reflecting a pro-senior citizen voting record. Voted in support of welfare block grants and supports welfare reform.
To protect jobs, compete in a global economy and strengthen families Joe Biden believes the next President must first address two things: energy security and health care. This is not our father's economy - America now competes in a global economy. The price of energy is set by the global marketplace. Developing our own sources of energy aren't enough to protect us from high prices that cost businesses and families -- we must invest in using energy more efficiently and become the leader in energy innovation. By 2008, the average Fortune 500 company will spend as much on health care as it will make in profit. In other countries their competitors will not have to bear these costs. Joe Biden believes America will continue to dominate the global economy by putting energy security and health care reform at the top of the agenda http://www.joebiden.com/issues/
[edit] Foreign policy
[edit] Iraq
Biden voted in favor of the invasions of Afghanistan in 2001 and Iraq in 2003. He has since said that he believes it was a mistake to support the Iraq war because it has been mismanaged by the Bush Administration. He supports a five-step plan to obtain victory and remove troops from Iraq.
In November 2006, Biden and Leslie Gelb, President Emeritus of the Council on Foreign Relations, released a comprehensive strategy to end sectarian violence in Iraq. Rather than continuing the present approach or withdrawing, the plan calls for "a third way": federalizing Iraq and giving Kurds, Shiites, and Sunnis "breathing room" in their own regions. [17] The key points include:
1. Giving Iraq's major groups a measure of autonomy in their own regions. A central government would be left in charge of interests such as defending the borders and distributing oil revenues.
2. Guaranteeing Sunnis — who have no oil rights — a proportionate share of oil revenue and reintegrating those who have not fought against Coalition forces.
3. Increase, not end, reconstruction assistance but insist that Arab Gulf states fund it and tie it to the creation of a jobs program and to the protection of minority rights.
4. Initiate a diplomatic offensive to enlist the support of the major powers and neighboring countries for a political settlement in Iraq and create an Oversight Contact Group to enforce regional commitments.
5. Begin the phased redeployment of U.S. forces in 2007 and withdraw most of them by 2008, leaving a small follow-on force for security and policing actions. The plan named as The Biden-Brownback Resolution passed on the Senate floor 75-23 on September 25th, 2007, including 26 Republican votes.
[edit] Africa
Biden favors an American deployment of troops to Sudan in order to end the genocide in Darfur. He believes that the mission can be accomplished with 2,500 troops.
If we should be surging forces anywhere, it is to Afghanistan. That country is not lost, but it is on the brink of a major comeback by the Taliban, Al Qaeda, warlords and drug traffickers. Our necessary investment in blood and treasure risks being squandered -- we need an infusion of military and economic assistance and a plan to wean that country away from drugs. This administration rightly called what's going on in Darfur genocide, but it has failed to match its words with deeds. Joe Biden has been calling for NATO to declare and police a "No Fly Zone" over Darfur; for an international peacekeeping mission we should impose if Khartoum says no; and serious sanctions against the regime which is aiding and abetting the slaughter of innocents. http://www.joebiden.com/issues/
Biden is opposed to American financing of abstinence only programs to combat HIV-AIDS in Africa. In 2007, he cosponsored the HIV Prevention Act which would end President Bush's mandate that 1/3 of all funds be earmarked to abstinence only programs.
[edit] Israel
Biden is highly supportive of Israel and favors a two-state solution to the Palestinian Conflict. He stated that "the Arab nations have known that there is no daylight between us and Israel." Biden sponsored the Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act of 2006 which set forth the means for achieving a two-state solution in Palestine.
[edit] North Korea
Biden favors open dialogue with North Korea and describes them as a "paper tiger" unable to directly cause harm to America. However, in June, he called the situation one of the "the three most important things that the next president is going to have to deal with", along with Iran and Iraq.
[edit] Iran
Biden favors direct diplomacy with Iran but supports strategically placed sanctions on the regime if it does not comply with American demands. He stated, "we should complement this pressure by presenting a detailed, positive vision for U.S.-Iran relations if Iran does the right thing." In 2007 Biden voted against a measure to declare the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps a terrorist organization.
[edit] Cuba
Biden strongly opposes the Fidel Castro regime in Cuba and supports the continuation of the trade embargo as well as the democratization of the island after the dictator's death. In 2006, Biden stated, "We should be putting together a plan as to how we are going to play a positive role in moving that country, after the Castros are gone, to—more toward democratization and liberalization in their society."
[edit] References
- Joe Biden on the Issues. 2008 Presidential Candidates. On the Issues. Retrieved on 2007-07-26.
- Joe Biden - democratic candidate 2008
- Iraq: A way forward
- Joe Biden's opinions - whereIstand.com
[edit] Notes
- ^ Mirror, Mirror on the Wall - Who's the Most Liberal of Them All? - The Fix
- ^ U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 106th Congress – 1st Session. United States Senate. Retrieved on 2007-07-26.
- ^ Roll Call Vote No. 402 Tally. C-SPAN: Congress Guide – Key Votes. C-SPAN. Retrieved on 2007-07-26.
- ^ Transcript of interview on "Meet the Press" with Tim Russert. NBC News. Retrieved on 2007-08-02.
- ^ Statement in US Senate, June 25, 1992.. Congressional Record. United States Senate. Retrieved on 2007-08-02.
- ^ Senator Joe Biden. NARAL Pro-Choice America. Retrieved on 2007-08-02.
- ^ U.S. Senate: Legislation & Records Home > Votes > Roll Call Vote
- ^ U.S. Senate: Legislation & Records Home > Votes > Roll Call Vote
- ^ Delaware's Joe Biden | Issues
- ^ Candidates dance at civil unions: Dems shy of marriage; GOP jumps to right. Concord Monitor and New Hampshire Patriot (2007-04-21). Retrieved on 2008-02-17.
- ^ Joe Biden on Education. On the Issues. Retrieved on 2007-07-26.
- ^ "Part I: CNN/YouTube Democratic presidential debate transcript", CNN Election Center 2008, CNN, July 24, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-07-26.
- ^ Democratic Debate Transcript, Las Vegas, Nevada - Council on Foreign Relations
- ^ "Joe Biden for President", Joe Biden for President., joebiden.com, August 2, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-08-02.
- ^ "Joe Biden for President: Issues”", Joe Biden for President., joebiden.com, August 2, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-08-02.
- ^ Joseph R. Biden, Jr. - Council on Foreign Relations
- ^ Iraq, A Way Forward [1]
