Joe Biden
Historical Details
Position on Issues
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Candidate's Website, 2019
- "Ban the manufacture and sale of assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. Federal law prevents hunters from hunting migratory game birds with more than three shells in their shotgun. That means our federal law does more to protect ducks than children. It's wrong. Joe Biden will enact legislation to once again ban assault weapons. This time, the bans will be designed based on lessons learned from the 1994 bans. For example, the ban on assault weapons will be designed to prevent manufacturers from circumventing the law by making minor changes that don't limit the weapon's lethality. While working to pass this legislation, Biden will also use his executive authority to ban the importation of assault weapons.
- "Regulate possession of existing assault weapons under the National Firearms Act. Currently, the National Firearms Act requires individuals possessing machine-guns, silencers, and short-barreled rifles to undergo a background check and register those weapons with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Due to these requirements, such weapons are rarely used in crimes. As president, Biden will pursue legislation to regulate possession of existing assault weapons under the National Firearms Act.
- "Buy back the assault weapons and high-capacity magazines already in our communities. Biden will also institute a program to buy back weapons of war currently on our streets. This will give individuals who now possess assault weapons or high-capacity magazines two options: sell the weapons to the government, or register them under the National Firearms Act."
No Response
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2023
Do you support abolishing any federal agencies or departments?
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When asked about term limits Biden said, "it’s not a problem if you just vote ‘em out of office!"
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As president Biden issued an executive order prioritizing racial equity. His administration has also supported grants for education programs that cover bias and discrimination.
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Biden opposed a budget proposal that would have converted Medicaid to a block grant system."Did you see the budget that was introduced?" He said. "It cuts $845 billion. Almost a trillion-dollar cut in Medicare. And almost a quarter-billion [cut] ... in Medicaid."
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"The fact of the matter is that, in fact, when people cross the border illegally, it is illegal to do it unless they're seeking asylum. People should have to get in line. That's the problem. And the only reason this particular part of the law is being abused is because of Donald Trump. We should defeat Donald Trump and end this practice."
No Response
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2023
Should the federal government combat inflation by requiring budget cuts to match any new federal spending?
No Response
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2023
Should the federal government combat inflation by capping price increases by large businesses?
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Candidate's Facebook Page, 2017
"Imagine a young girl, age 4 or 5, traveling with her parents into the United States as they make the hard decision to pursue a better life here. Imagine that child growing up as your student, your co-worker, your friend. Because of the president's decision today, she now must live in fear that she will soon be thrown out and sent back to a country she has never known.
"This story speaks to the experience of roughly 800,000 people known as DREAMers here in America today. These children didn't choose to come here, but now many of them are grown with families of their own. They're paying taxes. They've joined the workforce. They went to college. Some of them joined the military. Now, they'll be sent to countries they don't even remember.
"These people are all Americans. So let's be clear: throwing them out is cruel. It is inhumane. And it is not America. Congress and the American people now have an obligation to step up and show our neighbors that they're welcome here, in the only place they've ever called home."
No Response
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2023
Do you support mandatory competency tests for federal candidates over age 75?
No Response
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2023
Should the federal government combat inflation by decreasing tariffs on imports from foreign countries?
For| Read My Position
"'Are you willing to get involved militarily to defend Taiwan if it comes to that?' Biden was asked at a press conference in Tokyo alongside the Japanese prime minister.
"'Yes,' Biden responded. 'That’s the commitment we made.'"
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An Executive Order signed by Biden in 2021 set a goal of making "half of all new vehicles sold in 2030 zero-emissions vehicles, including battery electric, plug-in hybrid electric, or fuel cell electric vehicles."
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Candidate's Website, 2019
"We should defend and build upon the Affordable Care Act to ensure every American has access to quality, affordable health care."
No Response
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2023
Do you support ending China's Permanent Normal Trade Relations status?
Other| Read My Position
Biden has not taken a clear position on qualified immunity for law enforcement. He has urged Congress to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, which includes limits on qualified immunity. In his 2023 State of the Union address he said, "Let’s come together and finish the job on police reform." However, he has never explicitly called for an end to qualified immunity.
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In 2023 the Biden administration proposed a rule that would stop schools from "categorically ban[ning] transgender students from participating on sports teams consistent with their gender identity just because of who they are."
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"Twenty-two years ago today, as a United States Senator leading the fight for sensible gun violence prevention legislation, I stood in the East Room of the White House and saw the Brady Bill signed into law. Enacting that common sense law was not easy. But we forged a political consensus because Americans were fed up and demanded change. Today, once again, it's time for our political system to catch up with the overwhelming majority of the American people who want background checks, who want to keep assault weapons off our streets and out of the hands of people who have no business firing them, and who simply expect their elected officials to forge consensus and to do the right thing."
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In a 2012 Vice Presidential debate, Biden said, "I do not believe that we have a right to tell other people that -- women they can't control their body. It's a decision between them and their doctor. In my view and the Supreme Court, I'm not going to interfere with that."
Against| Read My Position
In a 2012 Vice Presidential debate, Biden said, "I do not believe that we have a right to tell other people that -- women they can't control their body. It's a decision between them and their doctor. In my view and the Supreme Court, I'm not going to interfere with that."
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For| Read My Position
Candidate's Website, 2019
"Restore federal funding for Planned Parenthood. The Obama-Biden administration fought Republican attacks on funding for Planned Parenthood again and again. As president, Biden will reissue guidance specifying that states cannot refuse Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood and other providers that refer for abortions or provide related information and reverse the Trump Administration's rule preventing Planned Parenthood and certain other family planning programs from obtaining Title X funds."
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"You have 256,000 people right here in Nevada that would be able to have ... 19 weeks of groceries and three months of rent paid, just by raising the minimum wage. It's good for business, good for the economy, good for people."
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Candidate's Website, 2019
"As president, Biden will work to codify Roe v. Wade, and his Justice Department will do everything in its power to stop the rash of state laws that so blatantly violate the constitutional right to an abortion, such as so-called TRAP laws, parental notification requirements, mandatory waiting periods, and ultrasound requirements."
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Candidate's Website, 2019
"Building on his efforts in the Recovery Act, Biden will set a target of reducing the carbon footprint of the U.S. building stock 50% by 2035, creating incentives for deep retrofits that combine appliance electrification, efficiency, and on-site clean power generation. He will work to identify barriers to help offset the upfront cost of building upgrades and put in place a national program to target a package of affordable energy efficiency retrofits in American homes. He will direct the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to make housing for low-income communities more efficient. He will direct the U.S. Department of Energy to redouble efforts to accelerate new efficiency standards for household appliances and equipment. And, he will repair and accelerate the building code process and create a new funding mechanism for states and cities to adopt strict building codes and train builders and inspectors."
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"The idea that we won't do everything to grow the renewables so critical to the future of this country is absolutely absurd. Our grandchildren will look back and ask what we were debating about. The stakes are too high for shortsighted politics and short term decisions."
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Candidate's Website, 2019
"Providing two years of community college or other high-quality training program without debt for any hard-working individual looking to learn and improve their skills to keep up with the changing nature of work. In 2015, President Obama and Vice President Biden proposed to make two years of community college tuition-free for hard-working students. Since then, Vice President Biden and Dr. Biden have championed progress toward this goal, and hundreds of state and local College Promise programs have expanded access to free two-year or four-year college educations. As president, Biden will build on this progress by enacting legislation to ensure that every hard-working individual, including those attending school part-time and DREAMers (young adults who came to U.S. as children), can go to community college for up to two years without having to pay tuition. Individuals will also be able to use these funds to pursue training programs that have a track record of participants completing their programs and securing good jobs. Importantly, this initiative will not just be for recent high school graduates; it will also be available to adults who never had the chance to pursue additional education beyond high school or who need to learn new skills. And, students who do want a bachelor's degree could then transfer to a four-year school, including to Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority-Serving Institutions that play vital roles in their communities. This plan will be a federal-state partnership, with the federal government covering 75% of the cost and states contributing the remaining obligation. The federal government will cover up to 95% of the cost for Indian Tribes operating community colleges serving low-income students."
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Candidate's Website, 2019
"Economic inequality is pulling this country apart. We need stronger labor laws and a tax code that rewards a middle class that's been cut out of decades of economic growth-not just the wealthy, who have gotten too many tax breaks for too long.
- "The first step is reversing President Trump's tax cuts for the super-wealthy and corporations.
- "We need to eliminate special tax breaks that reward special interests.
- "We need to get rid of the capital gains loophole for multi-millionaires. Warren Buffett said it best: he should not pay a lower tax rate than his secretary."
Against| Read My Position
"Asked about the Republican president's decision to raise tariffs to 25 percent on $200 billion worth of Chinese good, Biden said 'that the only people paying the price are farmers and working people right now.'
"Biden spoke soon after China's finance ministry announced that in response to the president's moves -- it was raising tariffs on a wide swath of American goods and products from 10 percent up to 20-25 percent. The latest action by Beijing will hike tariffs on some $60 billion in American goods.
"'The president has done nothing but increase the tariffs, the debt, and the trade deficit. The way we have to proceed is we have to have our allies with us. It's not just us. We have to keep the world together,' Biden emphasized as he argued that both organized labor and U.S. allies should 'at the table' in negotiations with Beijing."
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Candidate's Website, 2019
"Our nation's infrastructure is literally crumbling. It is unacceptable that one in five miles of our highways are in 'poor condition,' that tens of millions of Americans lack access to high-speed broadband, and that our public schools have repeatedly earned a D+ grade from the American Society of Civil Engineers. We are the world's richest nation, but rank just 10th in the overall quality of our infrastructure, according to the World Economic Forum.
"During his 2016 presidential campaign, President Trump said he'd change that. He has been promising an infrastructure plan since his earliest days in office and keeps holding 'Infrastructure Weeks' - but has failed to actually deliver results. Instead, Trump has focused on privatizing construction projects to benefit his wealthy friends, leaving communities across the country suffering and our nation falling behind.
Biden will revitalize America's infrastructure and make us more competitive with the rest of the world, while also creating and sustaining quality, middle-class jobs at home. Every one of Biden's investments in infrastructure will further the following three goals:
Create good, union jobs that expand the middle class. ...
Build resilient infrastructure and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. ...
Revitalize communities in every corner of the country so that no one is left behind."
Other| Read My Position
Biden paused leases to drill on public land in 2021, but that was challenged in court. The Biden administration has since opened up some leases as part of the Inflation Reduction Act. The Administration has also proposed new leasing rates that face criticism from the oil industry.
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Candidate's Website, 2019
"President Trump has repeatedly failed our veterans and ignored this sacred obligation. From the outrage of deporting undocumented veterans without checking their record of military service, to allowing his wealthy Mar-a-Lago friends to drive veterans policy, to pursuing policies designed to privatize and dismantle the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Trump neither understands nor respects the idea of 'duty, honor, country' that inspires our brave military members to serve and imbues our veterans with pride. ...
During the Obama-Biden Administration, we improved access to health care offerings for veterans in their communities, but there is still more work to do. Private sector points of care were designed to provide care to veterans when it was faster, closer, or offered superior services for a particular veteran's needs. We must ensure that health care purchased in the community actually improves access and convenience and does not compromise the health of our veterans. President Biden will establish the right balance of VA care and purchased care, region by region, based on veteran needs, existing VA capacity, and availability of market alternatives."
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"Today, Senator Feinstein, with whom I worked with to pass the last Assault Weapons Ban in 1994, has once again introduced an Assault Weapons and High-Capacity Magazine Ban in the Senate, as well as legislation raising the age to purchase them to 21. These measures have been cosponsored by Senators Murphy, Blumenthal, and others. In the 10 years that the Assault Weapons Ban was on the books, mass shootings went down. After Republicans let the law expire in 2004 and those weapons were allowed to be sold again, mass shootings tripled.
"I urge both chambers of Congress to act quickly and deliver this Assault Weapons Ban to my desk."
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For| Read My Position
Candidate's Website, 2019
"Decriminalize the use of cannabis and automatically expunge all prior cannabis use convictions. Biden believes no one should be in jail because of cannabis use. As president, he will decriminalize cannabis use and automatically expunge prior convictions. And, he will support the legalization of cannabis for medical purposes, leave decisions regarding legalization for recreational use up to the states, and reschedule cannabis as a schedule II drug so researchers can study its positive and negative impacts."
Against| Read My Position
Candidate's Website, 2019
"Social Security is one of our nation's great public policy successes, in large part due to the fact that participation in the program is shared across almost all workers. Efforts to privatize the program - such as an approach suggested under the Bush Administration - will undermine the program's solvency, while putting at risk individuals' income in retirement. Similarly, proposals to make the program 'means-tested' - so that only low-income retirees workers receive benefits - jeopardizes the program's universal nature and key role as the bedrock of American retirement. Ultimately, the success of Social Security is largely due to the fact that almost all Americans can rely on the program to make their retirement more secure."
Against| Read My Position
Candidate's Website, 2019
Biden's plan for health insurance reform includes a public option alongside private insurance."If your insurance company isn't doing right by you, you should have another, better choice. Whether you're covered through your employer, buying your insurance on your own, or going without coverage altogether, the Biden Plan will give you the choice to purchase a public health insurance option like Medicare. As in Medicare, the Biden public option will reduce costs for patients by negotiating lower prices from hospitals and other health care providers. It also will better coordinate among all of a patient's doctors to improve the efficacy and quality of their care, and cover primary care without any co-payments. And it will bring relief to small businesses struggling to afford coverage for their employees."
For| Read My Position
Candidate's Website, 2019
"If your insurance company isn't doing right by you, you should have another, better choice. Whether you're covered through your employer, buying your insurance on your own, or going without coverage altogether, the Biden Plan will give you the choice to purchase a public health insurance option like Medicare. As in Medicare, the Biden public option will reduce costs for patients by negotiating lower prices from hospitals and other health care providers. It also will better coordinate among all of a patient's doctors to improve the efficacy and quality of their care, and cover primary care without any co-payments. And it will bring relief to small businesses struggling to afford coverage for their employees."
Other| Read My Position
Biden has harshly criticized the Trump adminstration's immigration policy, including the attempt to tie the DREAM Act (granting citizenship to immigrants brought illegally to the U.S. as children) to border wall funding. However, in 2006 Biden supported a border fence, and said, "I voted unlike most Democrats - and some of you won't like it - I voted for 700 miles of fence. People are driving across that border with tons, tons - hear me - tons of everything from byproducts for methamphetamine to cocaine to heroin. And it's all coming up through corrupt Mexico."
Against| Read My Position
"'The [Biden] administration is not considering military action in Mexico,' National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said. 'Designating these cartels as foreign terrorist organizations would not grant us any additional authorities that we don’t already have.' Instead, Watson said the administration hopes to work with Congress on modernizing the Customs and Border Protection's technologies and making fentanyl a Schedule I drug, which would impose the strictest regulations on its production and distribution."
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"Our commitment to Ukraine’s independence is unwavering and enduring. That’s why the United States and other G7 nations issued a joint declaration in Lithuania last month pledging to help Ukraine maintain armed forces capable of deterring Russian aggression in years to come, a declaration which over 25 nations have now joined. Together with our partners in Europe, we are supporting Ukraine in their fight for freedom now and we will help them over the long term."
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In 2022 Biden proposed a new wealth tax that would require households worth over $100 million to pay a 20% tax on their income and unrealized capital gains.
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"Biden also commented on the second US-North Korea summit, which broke down on Thursday in Vietnam without an agreement between Trump and the North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un, over what sanctions would be lifted for what degree of North Korea's denuclearization.
"The former vice president said that 'hard, hard, hard and consistent diplomacy' was required for tough negotiations but added that 'the president did the right thing by walking away.'
"'But diplomacy matters; preparation matters,' he continued. 'The president treats everything like it's a real-estate deal.'
"He characterized the first summit between Trump and Kim, last year in Singapore, where the two signed a four-point agreement calling for peace on the Korean peninsula and the denuclearization of North Korea, as a 'great gift' to Kim.
"'He was legitimized,' Biden said, according to the Journal Star. 'This guy is a thug.'"
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"'Did you see that Ron DeSantis said that if he became president he would pardon Trump?' Doocy asked. 'Where are you on the idea of presidents pardoning Trump?'
"Biden chuckled, waved and walked away.
"'I’ll see you guys,' he said over his shoulder. 'Great question.'"
For| Read My Position
"For decades, Big Pharma fought to block Medicare from directly negotiating lower drug prices for seniors and other Medicare beneficiaries, while nearly three in ten Americans struggle to afford their medications because of cost. President Biden and Congressional Democrats finally beat Big Pharma and allowed Medicare to directly negotiate lower drug prices by passing the Inflation Reduction Act – despite zero Republicans voting in favor of the bill."
Against| Read My Position
Candidate's Website, 2019
"Social Security is one of our nation's great public policy successes, in large part due to the fact that participation in the program is shared across almost all workers. Efforts to privatize the program - such as an approach suggested under the Bush Administration - will undermine the program's solvency, while putting at risk individuals' income in retirement. Similarly, proposals to make the program 'means-tested' - so that only low-income retirees workers receive benefits - jeopardizes the program's universal nature and key role as the bedrock of American retirement. Ultimately, the success of Social Security is largely due to the fact that almost all Americans can rely on the program to make their retirement more secure."
For| Read My Position
Candidate's Website, 2019
"The Biden Plan will put the program on a path to long-term solvency by asking Americans with especially high wages to pay the same taxes on those earnings that middle-class families pay."
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Other, 2007
At a 2007 Democratic primary debate at Dartmouth College, Biden answered the following questions:
Q: "Would you raise the cap for Social Security tax above the current level of the first $97,500 worth of income?"
Biden: "The answer is yes. The truth is, you're either going to cut benefits or you're going to go ahead and raise taxes above the first $97,000."
Q: "Would you also, considering now life expectancy is 78, consider gradually raising the retirement age?"
Biden: "Well, we did that once, I supported that. That's what got it solvent to 2041. By simply raising the cap, you can solve the problem."
For| Read My Position
In 2022 Biden proposed a new wealth tax that would require households worth over $100 million to pay a 20% tax on their income and unrealized capital gains.
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For| Read My Position
"The President will continue to be a strong advocate for the Jones Act and its mandate that only U.S.-flag vessels carry cargo between U.S. ports, which supports American production and America’s workers. With the signing of the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act, the Jones Act has also been affirmed as an opportunity to invest in America’s workers as we build offshore renewable energy, in line with the President’s goals to build our clean energy future here in America."
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For| Read My Position
"'The international community must continue to stand as one against Russian coercion and aggression,' Biden told reporters, standing alongside Poroshenko, in remarks which did not include reference to Trump by name.
"'The Crimea-related sanctions against Russia must remain in place until Russia returns full control to the people of Ukraine.'"
For| Read My Position
In 2022 Biden announced a plan "to cancel $10,000 of student debt for low- to middle-income borrowers." The U.S. Supreme Court struck down that plan. Since then Biden has announced alternative student debt relief programs.
"My Administration has worked hard to secure the largest increases to Pell Grants in a decade, fixed broken loan programs such as Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and created a new income-driven repayment plan that will cut undergraduate loan payments in half and bring monthly payments to zero for low-income borrowers. And, when the Supreme Court made the wrong decision, I immediately announced a new plan to open an alternative path to relief for as many borrowers as possible, as soon as possible."
For| Read My Position
Candidate's Website, 2019
"More than halve payments on undergraduate federal student loans by simplifying and increasing the generosity of today's income-based repayment program. Under the Biden plan, individuals making $25,000 or less per year will not owe any payments on their undergraduate federal student loans and also won't accrue any interest on those loans. Everyone else will pay 5% of their discretionary income (income minus taxes and essential spending like housing and food) over $25,000 toward their loans. This plan will save millions of Americans thousands of dollars a year. After 20 years, the remainder of the loans for people who have responsibly made payments through the program will be 100% forgiven. Individuals with new and existing loans will all be automatically enrolled in the income-based repayment program, with the opportunity to opt out if they wish. In addition to relieving some of the burden of student debt, this will enable graduates to pursue careers in public service and other fields without high levels of compensation. Biden will also change the tax code so that debt forgiven through the income-based repayment plan won't be taxed. Americans shouldn't have to take out a loan to pay their taxes when they finally are free from their student loans."
No Response
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2023
Should the federal government combat inflation by supporting further Federal Reserve interest rate hikes?
Other| Read My Position
When asked by Rolling Stone about implementing a carbon tax in 2013, Biden said, "You should be attacking the carbon emissions, period, and whether it's cap-and-trade or carbon tax or whatever, that's the realm in which we should be playing. ... The truth is, right now, ... we know [a carbon tax] will go nowhere. Look, one of the things we are doing, and the president is asking me to kind of get ahead of here, is that we have a real chance, both in this hemisphere and with China, to enter into joint ventures on renewable energy and on cleaner-burning natural gas."
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"Talk of a 'better deal' is an illusion. It took years of sanctions pressure, painstaking diplomacy, and the full support of the international community to achieve that goal. We have none of that in place today."
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Candidate's Twitter Feed, 2017
"Climate change is an existential threat to our future-staying in #ParisAgreement is the best way to protect our children & global leadership"
