Colin Van Ostern

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should the federal government ban certain "military-style" firearms, such as the AR-15?

"For"

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Do you support abolishing any federal agencies or departments?

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Do you support abolishing the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency and redistributing its duties?

"Against"

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Do you support a constitutional amendment limiting terms for U.S. representatives and senators?

"For"

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should the federal government combat inflation by requiring budget cuts to match any new federal spending?

• "Support cutting junk fees and providing more accountability for companies that are rising consumer prices while increasing profits, but do not support broad price-setting by the government; support well-regulated free-market capitalism.
• "Support significantly cutting federal deficits.
• "Do not support raising taxes on small businesses and middle class families, but do support requiring the largest, most profitable companies and individuals to pay their fair share in taxes in order to help cut federal deficits."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should the federal government combat inflation by capping price increases by large businesses?

• "Support cutting junk fees and providing more accountability for companies that are rising consumer prices while increasing profits, but do not support broad price-setting by the government; support well-regulated free-market capitalism.
• "Support significantly cutting federal deficits.
• "Do not support raising taxes on small businesses and middle class families, but do support requiring the largest, most profitable companies and individuals to pay their fair share in taxes in order to help cut federal deficits."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Do you support a law that would allow U.S. officials to turn away migrants seeking asylum when the number of border crossings exceeds a certain number?

"While not perfect, support the bipartisan border security legislation that received significant support in both the US House and US Senate in Spring of 2024 and was then killed for political reasons, in an example of the current dysfunction that we need to fix in Washington."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should the federal government combat inflation by decreasing tariffs on imports from foreign countries?

• "Support cutting junk fees and providing more accountability for companies that are rising consumer prices while increasing profits, but do not support broad price-setting by the government; support well-regulated free-market capitalism.
• "Support significantly cutting federal deficits.
• "Do not support raising taxes on small businesses and middle class families, but do support requiring the largest, most profitable companies and individuals to pay their fair share in taxes in order to help cut federal deficits."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Do you support a federal rule that would oblige automakers to make 50% or more of the vehicles they sell electric?

"Support accelerating the transition to and beyond this goal through tax credits, electrification of government fleets, investment in charging networks, and other means overproduction mandates."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Do you support revising Title IX to limit participation in female sports based on an individual's reproductive biology and genetics at birth?

"Against"

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Do you support an expanded child tax credit that sends monthly payments to middle and low income families?

"For"

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Do you support extending the Trump-backed Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) past 2025?

"I support letting the Trump-tax cuts expire for the ultra-wealthy and large corporations, but will oppose any increases to 2024's tax rates for typical families, including making less than roughly $400,000/year, small businesses, and investments in R&D. I also support considering new targeted tax relief for middle class families."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should the federal government ban some abortions?

"Against"

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should the federal government pass a law guaranteeing the right to choose abortion before fetal viability (generally 24 weeks gestation)?

"Support the Women's Health Protection Act, which proactively establishes a right for health care providers to provide abortion care."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Do you support increasing military aid to Taiwan?

"For"

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Do you support increasing oil and natural gas leases on publicly owned land and water?

"Against"

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should military aid to Israel include a requirement that Israel take certain actions to reduce civilian casualties?

"Supported the bipartisan foreign aid package that included support for both Israel and Ukraine in spring of 2024, which gives the President of the United States broad authority to ensure that all foreign aid is being used consistent with international humanitarian standards, and support the US using a broad range of diplomatic tools to provide humanitarian support and decrease civilian casualties in current war that was instigated by the terrorist attacks of Hamas on October 7, 2024."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should the government legalize marijuana at the federal level?

"For"

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should the federal government reform Social Security by requiring means testing?

"Open to ensuring very high income earners pay their fair share on their marginal income, but have concerns about increasing the current cap for middle class individuals and households at or near the current cap."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should the federal government amend the Affordable Care Act/"Obamacare" by automatically enrolling every citizen in Medicare, replacing most private insurance?

"Not as a mandatory requirement."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should the federal government amend the Affordable Care Act/"Obamacare" by allowing citizens to opt into Medicare if they so choose?

"Yes, as a public option."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should the U.S. government continue to provide military aid to Ukraine (without putting U.S. soldiers on the ground)?

"For"

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Do you support increasing federal enforcement of organized retail crime?

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Do you support presidential action to bar asylum-seekers from staying in the United States before their court date?

"While not perfect, support the bipartisan border security legislation that received significant support in both the US House and US Senate in Spring of 2024 and was then killed for political reasons, in an example of the current dysfunction that we need to fix in Washington."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should the federal government privatize some or all of Social Security?

"Against"

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should the federal government reform social security by raising the cap on income subject to the Social Security tax?

"Open to ensuring very high income earners pay their fair share on their marginal income, but have concerns about increasing the current cap for middle class individuals and households at or near the current cap."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should the federal government reform Social Security by raising the retirement age from today's age of 67?

"Against"

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should the federal government combat inflation by raising taxes to reduce the budget deficit?

• "Support cutting junk fees and providing more accountability for companies that are rising consumer prices while increasing profits, but do not support broad price-setting by the government; support well-regulated free-market capitalism.
• "Support significantly cutting federal deficits.
• "Do not support raising taxes on small businesses and middle class families, but do support requiring the largest, most profitable companies and individuals to pay their fair share in taxes in order to help cut federal deficits."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should the federal government combat inflation by repealing or revising the Jones Act to allow more foreign involvement in shipping between U.S. ports?

• "Support cutting junk fees and providing more accountability for companies that are rising consumer prices while increasing profits, but do not support broad price-setting by the government; support well-regulated free-market capitalism.
• "Support significantly cutting federal deficits.
• "Do not support raising taxes on small businesses and middle class families, but do support requiring the largest, most profitable companies and individuals to pay their fair share in taxes in order to help cut federal deficits."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should Congress revise Section 230, a federal law that shields social media companies from lawsuits over content that appears on their platforms?

"Believe that algorithmically-boosted and similar platform-supported content should have a higher level of regulatory scrutiny than passive platform hosting, and that the well-documented mental health impacts of social media require congressional action, which may include some updates to Section 230."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should the federal government combat inflation by supporting further Federal Reserve interest rate hikes?

"Against"

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should the federal government tax carbon emissions?

"Open to ways to ensure the full cost of energy production that relies on carbon emissions is paid by producers, but have concerns about a tax that would increase costs for consumers."