Carol Shea-Porter
Historical Details
Position on Issues
For| Read My Position
"I believe that comprehensive immigration reform must secure our borders, enforce current penalties against employers who hire people illegally, and offer a way for undocumented workers to earn citizenship by requiring them to pay taxes, register for legal status, learn English, and pass a background check."
For| Read My Position
"The Citizens United decision is outrageous, and I hope that the Supreme Court reviews and overturns its decision. But until the Court acts, there are steps citizens and politicians can take to fight back against this decision.
"First, Congress can pass a law requiring full disclosure. I was a cosponsor of the DISCLOSE Act, which requires donors to disclose who they are and banned foreign-controlled corporations from putting money in US elections. Second, require companies to give shareholders a vote on political spending. Shareholders do not have the freedom of speech to say no" to the corporate managers right now. Third adopt public financing. The Fair Elections Now Act which I also cosponsored would give candidates public money if they demonstrated voter support for their candidacies. This would free the candidates from dialing for private dollars all the time reduce donor influence on members of Congress and give the people the same voice in choosing a candidate as the wealthy and powerful. The Government by the People Act would allow small contributions from everyday Americans to make a real difference in elections. I cosponsored the Voter Empowerment Act of 2013 and support universal voter registration and oppose all barriers to universal registration.
"Finally I favor re-imposing reasonable limits on campaign spending and contributions by amending the Constitution and empowering Congress and the states to regulate money in elections and also to clarify the authority of Congress and the States to regulate corporations. Congress must be able to regulate corporate donations to candidates and spending and political advertising in elections."
For| Read My Position
"The fact is that the government does have an important role to play in stopping climate change. I support the Clean Power Plan that will fight climate change by cutting carbon pollution from existing power plants by 30% below 2005 baseline levels by 2030. These limits will not only protect our environment, they will also safeguard our health, and spur innovation in the clean energy economy."
For| Read My Position
Candidate's Facebook Page, 2016
"When you attack Planned Parenthood, you're attacking women and men and their access to health care. But right-wing Republicans started the new year with a vote yesterday to defund Planned Parenthood. It's really sad to see these attacks. Planned Parenthood has been supported through the years by both parties, and politicians always used to work together to provide access to people."
Against| Read My Position
"It's up to the states to decide."
For| Read My Position
"Raising the wage is one of the most effective ways to jumpstart our economy and put more money into the pockets of working families. I support an increase to a $15/hour minimum wage, raised in stages. "
Other| Read My Position
"Shea-Porter, of Rochester, said that she supported air strikes aimed at ISIS as well as efforts to strengthen the Kurdish forces resisting ISIS. But, she cautioned against arming the Free Syrian Army in the hope it would join the campaign against ISIS since its leadership has said it would turn its weapons to the campaign to overthrow President Assad of Syria."
Against| Read My Position
Addressing the Keystone XL pipeline, Shea-Porter said, "History has shown that these pipelines are notorious for springing leaks, and middle class American homeowners, farmers, and ranchers stand to lose the most if there is a spill... What's more, there is no evidence that the oil carried by this pipeline would actually improve North American energy independence... In order to create jobs and boost the economy, Congress should stop delaying legislation to address our nation's infrastructure and clean energy needs and pass comprehensive bills now."
For| Read My Position
"To guarantee that all New Hampshire vets can access the full range of medical services available in other states, I introduced a bill in 2008 called the Veterans Health Equity Act. This bill would ensure that veterans in every state have access to either a full-service VA hospital or equivalent in-state private care... While the new VA reform law is a big achievement, and will offer veterans private care, the law says the care will only be available for up to three years. We still need a permanent plan for those who live too far away from a VA center. Congress needs to make access to private care for those veterans permanent."
Other| Read My Position
Shea-Porter has suggested she is open to lowering the corporate tax rate, but only if tax loopholes are closed.
Against| Read My Position
"Americans have a right to make personal medical decisions without government intrusion. This is part of our right to individual privacy."
Against| Read My Position
"The recent string of stories about the National Security Agency collecting massive amounts of information on law-abiding Americans has been shocking, and this bulk collection of data needs to stop."
Other| Read My Position
Opposes tax on internet sales
Against| Read My Position
"Without Social Security, families would have to make devastating decisions about living arrangements, health care, education, transportation, etc., as they tried to divide resources between the young and the old. Also, reducing future benefits or privatizing Social Security would not be a shared sacrifice. As former White House Press Secretary Dee Dee Myers wrote in Vanity Fair, 'The top 1% of Americans now take home nearly a quarter of all income and control more than 40% of the country's wealth-roughly the same as the bottom 90%.' Not exactly shared sacrifice. Therefore we must stop Paul Ryan and Republican politicians from dismantling this program."
Against| Read My Position
"Shea-Porter said she would not increase the Social Security retirement age for young workers."
Against| Read My Position
"I voted for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to bring coverage to millions of uninsured and underinsured Americans. Fifty million had no insurance, so the Affordable Care Act has filled in the gap, while also prohibiting the abuses of private insurers. Since passage of the ACA, 90% of Americans now have health insurance. Expanded Medicaid uses federal funds from the ACA to treat people with addiction to drugs such as opioids and heroin, and mental illness, as well as covering long-term nursing home care."
For| Read My Position
"I helped pass the Dodd-Frank financial reform law, which, while not perfect, corrected fundamental flaws in our financial system to try to prevent a future crisis."
Against| Read My Position
Opposes right-to-work.
Other| Read My Position
"The student debt crisis has hit our state hard. New Hampshire students graduate with an average of $33,410 in debt-the second-worst in the nation. I was an original cosponsor of the Bank on Students Emergency Loan Refinancing Act, which would treat student loans like any other loan by allowing refinancing. Back in 2010, I helped write and pass the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act, which switched wasteful subsidized private loans over to direct loans, taking out the middleman and making loans more affordable and secure.
"But to keep students from having to take out huge loans in the first place, we need to control the cost of college. I've always been a strong advocate for Pell grants. The House passed my amendment that ended up increasing Pell grant funding."
Against| Read My Position
Candidate's Facebook Page, 2015
"This trade agreement should be voted down. As the Ranking Member on House Ways and Means Committee says, 'Our economic security today is critical to our national security.'"
Voting Record
H J Res 2 (2018)
Constitutional amendment requiring the federal government to balance the budget each year.
S 756 (2018)
Makes various reforms to the criminal justice system, such as mandating de-escalation training for correctional officers, improving feminine hygiene for prisoners, and adding more leniency to sentences for non-violent offenders.
HR 2851 (2018)
Outlaws some synthetic drugs and gives the Attorney General power to more quickly add synthetic drugs to the lists of banned substances
HR 695 (2018)
Defense budget bill for 2018, which increases defense spending.
S 2155 (2018)
Eases some of the financial regulations of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.
HR 6311 (2018)
Expands access and use of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and allows all individuals to buy catastrophic plans (renamed “copper” plans) on the health insurance market.
HR 6760 (2018)
Makes permanent various tax cuts passed as part of the "Trump tax plan"
S 139 (2018)
Extends so-called "section 702" surveillance by the NSA under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.
HR 620 (2018)
Amends the Americans with Disabilities Act so that the anyone filing a lawsuit must first give the business or person an opportunity to fix the alleged discrimination.
HR 6136 (2018)
Immigration reform bill backed by Speaker Paul Ryan, which provides for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), provides $25 billion for border security, and establishes a merit-based visa program.
HR 6756 (2018)
Increases tax deductions for new businesses.
HR 195 (2018)
Stopped a federal government shutdown by funding the government through February 8, 2018. This bill also extends the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for six years. This bill does not include an extension of the immigration program Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) or any other immigration-related policy.
HR 2 (2018)
"Farm bill" that authorizes a variety of agriculutral programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The final version of this bill did not include stricter work requirements for SNAP, as originally proposed. The bill also legalizes industrial hemp.
HR 4909 (2018)
Sets aside $50 million for various school safety improvements, such as threat assessment systems and anonymous reporting systems.
HR 5698 (2018)
Categorize crimes against law enforcement as hate crimes
HR 184 (2018)
Permanently repeals the medical device tax.HR 36 (2017)
Bans abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy.HR 1628 (2017)
"American Health Care Act" that repeals parts of the Affordable Care Act (also known as "Obamacare") and revises many health care laws. For example, this bill would cap Medicaid funding, repeal various insurance coverage requirements, and replace the requirement to buy health insurance with a penalty the next time you get insurance if you allow your coverage to lapse.
HR 3697 (2017)
Allows the federal government to deport an immigrant suspected of gang involvement, even if the immigrant came to the U.S. legally and has not been convicted of a crime.
HR 1101 (2017)
Allows small businesses to join association health plans across state lines, outside state insurance regulations.
HR 7 (2017)
Prohibits federal funding of abortion, including health insurance subsidized by the Affordable Care Act (also known as "Obamacare").
HR 1215 (2017)
Caps damages for "emotional distress, suffering, and mental anguish" in medical malpractice lawsuits.HR 806 (2017)
Slows down implementation of ozone standards and the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).
HR 1430 (2017)
Requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to only use data from studies that are publicly available and can be reproduced.
HR 1259 (2017)
Makes it easier to fire, demote, or suspend an employee of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
HR 1431 (2017)
Changes the makeup of the Scientific Advisory Board for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), opening the board to more public input and industry stakeholders and limiting scientists who might use their own research to advise the EPA.
HR 998 (2017)
Establishes a commission to review and recommend the repeal of rules to lower the cost of regulation.
HR 3922 (2017)
Extends funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), cuts funding for the Prevention and Public Health Fund, and makes some other changes to CHIP and Medicare (such as increasing Medicare premiums for higher income beneficiaries).HR 78 (2017)
Increases economic analysis requirements for any proposed regulation from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
HR 26 (2017)
Greatly increases congressional oversight of rules and regulations adopted by federal agencies.
HR 3003 (2017)
Strengthens laws against "sanctuary cities," for example withholding federal grants from any city that does not cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
HR 115 (2017)
Adds the killing or attempted killing of a state or local law enforcement officer or first responder - not just a federal law enforcement officer - to the list of aggravating factors justifying the death penalty in a federal case.
HR 10 (2017)
Rolls back many of the financial regulations 2010 Dodd-Frank Act.
HR 1 (2017)
Reduces the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%, reduces the individual income tax rate for high earners from 39.6% to 37%, increases the income threshold to qualify for the alternative minimum tax, and repeals the mandate to purchase health insurance.HR 1370 (2017)
Stopped a federal government shutdown by funding the government through January 19, 2018.S Con Res 3 (2017)
Sets the federal budget. This bill also establishes rules that pave the way for a repeal of the Affordable Care Act, also known as "Obamacare."
HR 1181 (2017)
Prohibits the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from sending the name of an individual to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System unless a judge determines that the individual is a danger to themselves or others.
H J Res 43 (2017)
Allows states to withhold federal funding for Planned Parenthood.
S 114 (2017)
Continues the Veterans Choice Program, which pays for veterans to use private health care providers instead of the VA.
H Amdt 261 (2017)
Increases funding for the Navy to address contamination from PFCs.
H J Res 42 (2017)
Effectively allows states to drug test anybody claiming unemployment benefits or food stamps.
S J Res 34 (2017)
Overtuns a rule from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that requires all internet browsing and app usage data be subject to the same privacy requirements as private personal information. The FCC rule is stricter than previous regulations, which had various privacy requirements depending on the sensitivity of the online information.
HR 3522 (2014)
Allowing insurance companies to continue to sell group market coverage outside the online health insurance exchange
HR 3361 (2014)
Amends the requirements for conducting electronic surveillance
HR 7 (2014)
Prohibits federal funds from being used for an abortion or health benefits if the plan includes coverage of an abortion
H Con Res 96 (2014)
Appropriates funds for fiscal year 2015, specifies budgetary limits for fiscal years 2016 through 2024, and repeals the Affordable Care Act
H Amdt 671 (2014)
Prohibits the use of funds from being used to implement certain climate reports and assessments
H Amdt 675 (2014)
Prohibits the use of funds for the operation of Guantanamo Bay after December 31, 2016
HR 4899 (2014)
Expanding oil and gas production on federal lands
HR 5230 (2014)
Additional appropriations for immigration enforcement and deportation, particularly related to the influx of undocumented children at the Mexico/U.S. border
HR 2575 (2014)
Increases the number of hours from 30 to 40 that an employee is required to work per week in order to be considered a full-time employee for the purpose of employer-sponsored health care coverage
HR 5682 (2014)
Approving the Keystone XL Pipeline
H Res 676 (2014)
Authorizing the Speaker of the House to sue the President regarding implementation of the Affordable Care Act (known as "Obamacare")
HR 3865 (2014)
Prohibits the IRS from using regulations that were in effect January 1, 2010 regarding tax-exempt 501(c)(4) "social welfare" organizations that participate in politics
H Amdt 917 (2014)
Prohibits the U.S. from providing weapons in Syria
H Amdt 783 (2014)
Reduces appropriations to Amtrak
HR 3301 (2014)
Requires the Secretary of Commerce to approve any pipeline application pending approval unless such approval would not be in United States national security interests
HR 3826 (2014)
Requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to base carbon emissions standards on technology that has been in use for at least 1 year
HR 3973 (2014)
Requires the Attorney General to submit a report to Congress that states the reasoning for any instance in which the Attorney General establishes a policy that refrains from enforcing a federal law
HR 3547 (2014)
Appropriates funds for fiscal year 2014
S 540 (2014)
Temporary debt limit extension
H Amdt 585 (2014)
Prohibits the social cost of carbon from being used in an environmental review or decision-making process of a regulatory agency
H Amdt 1040 (2014)
Prohibits spending for certain climate change assessments
H Amdt 748 (2014)
Prohibits federal agencies from preventing states from authorizing the use of medical marijuana
HR 4118 (2014)
Delays the implementation of penalties for individuals who do not have health insurance
HR 4438 (2014)
Repeals the termination date of the research tax credit
HR 5272 (2014)
Prohibits any federal agency from authorizing an undocumented/illegal immigrant staying in the U.S.
H Amdt 1079 (2014)
Prohibits bonuses for IRS employees
H Amdt 908 (2014)
Prohibits U.S. combat operations in Iraq
H Amdt 680 (2014)
Repeals the authorization for the President to use force against nations or groups that harbor or aide terrorists
HR 624 (2013)
Allows the government to access more information on internet traffic from technology and manufacturing companies
HR 1406 (2013)
Allows employers to offer comp time instead of time-and-a-half pay for overtime
H Amdt 231 (2013)
Allows states to apply federal welfare work requirements to SNAP (food stamps)
HR 1582 (2013)
Creates new reporting requirements for the EPA, delaying new EPA rules
HR 2231 (2013)
Expands offshore drilling
HR 325 (2013)
Freezes pay for U.S. Representatives until the budget is passed; also temporarily increases the debt ceiling
HR 3 (2013)
Approves the Keystone XL pipeline
HR 1911 (2013)
Matches the Stafford Direct Student Loan rates to the 10-year Treasury note rather than using a fixed rate
H Con Res 25 (2013)
House budget written by Paul Ryan, including strict budget cuts and simplification of the tax code
HR 1797 (2013)
Prohibits abortions after 20 weeks
HR 1900 (2013)
Requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to make decisions on natural gas pipeline applications within one year
S 47 (2013)
Reauthorizes the “Violence Against Women Act”HR 933 (2013)
A temporary budget to prevent a federal government shutdown
HR 3811 (2013)
"Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to notify within 2 days any individual whose personal information is stolen or unlawfully accessed through the federal health care exchange"
HR 2728 (2013)
Prohibits the enforcement of federal regulations on "fracking" (hydraulic fracturing) if a state already has regulations in place
HR 3350 (2013)
Allows insurance plans effective Jan. 1, 2013 or earlier to continue regardless of Affordable Care Act regulations
HR 273 (2013)
Continues the pay freeze for federal employees that started in 2011
H J Res 59 (2013)
Continues the 2013 budget and delays the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (known as 'Obamacare')
HR 2668 (2013)
Delays the individual health insurance mandate and employer health insurance mandate
HR 2775 (2013)
Extends the current budget and raise the debt ceiling until early 2014
HR 3361 (2013)
Requires a report regarding consumer interactions with the federal healthcare exchange website to be made available to the public
H Amdt 176 (2013)
Restores $20.5 billion to SNAP (food stamps)
