2018 Minnesota US Senate #2 Voters Guide

Amy Klobuchar (D) vs Jim Newberger (R)

US Senate | Election | Nov 6, 2018

The Candidates

Amy Klobuchar

Amy Klobuchar

Democrat

Incumbent
Jim Newberger

Jim Newberger

Republican

The Issues

Abortion

Mostly ban or mostly legal?

Amy Klobuchar (D)

Legal. Cosponsored Women’s Health Protection Act of 2015, ensuring continued access to safe, legal abortion.

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Campaign Finance

1. Require political ads & PACs to disclose their largest funders? 2. Oppose decisions like Citizens United, which allows unlimited political donations from corporations & unions?

Amy Klobuchar (D)

Yes to both. Cosponsored DISCLOSE Act, requiring full disclosure of advocacy groups’ campaign contributions. Cosponsored amendment to overturn democracy-threatening decision.

Jim Newberger (R)

Unknown on ads. No to limiting political donations. Opposes regulation of political contributions.

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Climate Change

Consider climate change a serious threat? Limit or tax production of greenhouse gases? Support US participation in Paris Climate Accord despite President Trump’s withdrawal?

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Contraception

Allow employers to withhold contraceptive coverage from employees if disagree with it morally?

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Economy

Support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth?

Jim Newberger (R)

No. Favors spending cuts, except for spending on a border wall & the military.

Support President Trump’s imposition of tariffs on Chinese steel & other products?

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Education

Public support for sending children to private schools?

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Environment

Support cutbacks by Environmental Protection Administration?

Amy Klobuchar (D)

No. Signed letter to Senate leadership protesting EPA cuts.

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Financial Regulation

Support cutbacks of consumer protection such as Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)?

Jim Newberger (R)

Unknown.

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Gun Control

Support more restrictive gun control legislation? Restrict semi-automatic weapons?

Amy Klobuchar (D)

Yes. Supports enhanced background checks & banning assault weapons & high-capacity magazines.

Jim Newberger (R)

No. Opposes all restrictions. Cowrote MN “Constitutional [no-permit] carry” & “stand-your-ground” bills.

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Health Care

Support or repeal Affordable Care Act (ACA), known as Obamacare?

Allow Planned Parenthood to receive public funds for non-abortion health services?

Amy Klobuchar (D)

Yes. Signed letter to Senate leadership supporting continued funding. Voted against defunding.

Require people to work to receive Medicaid?

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Immigration

Support path to citizenship for America’s 11 million illegal immigrants, including “DACA” recipients or “Dreamers,” who grew up in the US?

Amy Klobuchar (D)

Yes. Has worked to continue DACA program. Wanted to create a 13-year accountable path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants already here.

Jim Newberger (R)

No DACA statement. Calls pathway to citizenship “possible,” but supports making illegal immigrants return to home country before applying for citizenship.

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Iran

Support withdrawal from treaty limiting Iran nuclear capability & lifting sanctions?

Amy Klobuchar (D)

No. Don’t leave international agreements & nuclear inspections. Negotiate more comprehensive agreement.

Jim Newberger (R)

Unknown.

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Minimum Wage

Raise the federal minimum wage from current $7.25/hour?

Amy Klobuchar (D)

No current statement but voted in 2007 to increase to current $7.25 level.

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Net Neutrality

Require internet providers to provide equal access to all users?

Amy Klobuchar (D)

Yes. Opposes recent FCC decision to eliminate net neutrality.

Jim Newberger (R)

Unknown.

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President Trump

Response to President Trump policies? % of key votes in support?

Amy Klobuchar (D)

No. Voted with Trump 31% as of October 3, 2018.

Jim Newberger (R)

Yes. “He is doing a great job.” Voting rate not applicable: Has not held federal office.

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Renewable Energy

Support government subsidies for renewable energy?

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Student Debt & Financial Aid

Lower student loan rates, by raising taxes on high earners (Elizabeth Warren proposal)? Raise financial aid?

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Taxes

Raise taxes on corporations and/or high-income individuals to pay for public services? Position on Trump tax cuts?

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Voting Rights

Support stricter voting rules such as voter ID requirements even if they prevent some people from voting?

Amy Klobuchar (D)

No. Signed 2014 amendment to strengthen Voting Rights Act that prohibits racial discrimination in voting. Tried to ban requiring photo IDs that suppress voting. Supports automatically registering voters.

Jim Newberger (R)
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Other senate candidates include Paula Overby (Green) & Dennis Schuller (Legal Marijuana Now). Due to limited space, we can’t include their responses, but encourage you to check out their websites.

guides.vote is a nonpartisan effort to show where candidates stand, with links to credible sources. We do not support or oppose any political party or candidate for office. Vote411.org offers guides to local races.

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Amy Klobuchar

democratic Party

Candidate Image

Jim Newberger

republican Party

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Amy Klobuchar

democratic

Jim Newberger

republican

See guides.vote for online guides with links & sources https://www.amyklobuchar.com/ https://www.jimforussenate.com/
Abortion

Mostly ban or mostly legal?

Legal. Cosponsored Women's Health Protection Act of 2015, ensuring continued access to safe, legal abortion.Ban. Supported bills making it more burdensome to get an abortion. Defines life as starting from conception.
Campaign Finance

1. Require political ads & PACs to disclose their largest funders? 2. Oppose decisions like Citizens United, which allows unlimited political donations from corporations & unions?

Yes to both. Cosponsored DISCLOSE Act, requiring full disclosure of advocacy groups’ campaign contributions. Cosponsored amendment to overturn democracy-threatening decision.Unknown on ads. No to limiting political donations. Opposes regulation of political contributions.
Climate Change

Consider climate change a serious threat? Limit or tax production of greenhouse gases? Support US participation in Paris Climate Accord despite President Trump’s withdrawal?

Yes to all 3. Voted for 2015 amendment that “climate change is real & human activity contributes.” Urged Trump administration to rejoin Climate Accord. Supports comprehensive approach.No to all 3. Believes climate change isn’t manmade. “The number one factor is the sun.” Opposes regulating greenhouse gas emissions. Against rejoining Accord.
Contraception

Allow employers to withhold contraceptive coverage from employees if disagree with it morally?

No. Co-introduced legislation to rescind Trump policy of letting employers withhold coverage for birth control.Unknown.
Courts

Support Judge Kavanaugh nomination to Supreme Court?

No. Concerned re: allegations & positions on healthcare, separation of powers, consumer protection & net neutrality.Yes. He will “uphold the constitution as it was written… The Court will be greatly improved with” him.
Economy

Support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth?

Yes—particularly spending on improving infrastructure & rural broadband.No. Favors spending cuts, except for spending on a border wall & the military.
Education

Public support for sending children to private schools?

No. Voted against plan to reauthorize Washington DC’s school voucher plan.Says vouchers are a “possibility.”
Environment

Support cutbacks by Environmental Protection Administration?

No. Signed letter to Senate leadership protesting EPA cuts.Yes. Will fight EPA regulatory overreach & objects to many EPA regulations.
Financial Regulation

Support cutbacks of consumer protection such as Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)?

No. Helped to create CFPB, and has defended it since.  Unknown.
Gay Rights

Support gay marriage?

Yes. Cosponsored bill to repeal Defense of Marriage Act. Supreme Court’s 2015 decision reversing it is “a true victory.” No. Voted against MN’s 2013 marriage equality bill. Still opposes same-sex marriage.
Gun Control

Support more restrictive gun control legislation? Restrict semi-automatic weapons?

Yes. Supports enhanced background checks & banning assault weapons & high-capacity magazines.No. Opposes all restrictions. Cowrote MN “Constitutional [no-permit] carry” & “stand-your-ground” bills.
Health Care

Support or repeal Affordable Care Act (ACA), known as Obamacare?

Support. ACA has brought healthcare into reach for many. Improve, don’t repeal.Repeal. “End Obamacare entirely & go back to a free market system.”
Immigration

Support path to citizenship for America’s 11 million illegal immigrants, including "DACA" recipients or "Dreamers," who grew up in the US?

Yes. Has worked to continue DACA program. Wanted to create a 13-year accountable path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants already here.No DACA statement. Calls pathway to citizenship “possible,” but supports making illegal immigrants return to home country before applying for citizenship.
Iran

Support withdrawal from treaty limiting Iran nuclear capability & lifting sanctions?

No. Don’t leave international agreements & nuclear inspections. Negotiate more comprehensive agreement.Unknown.
Marijuana

Legalize or decriminalize marijuana?

Supports MN medical marijuana law: States should make their own decisions on recreational marijuana. Cosponsored bill to stop federal interference.No. Opposes legalization for recreational use, seeing marijuana as a gateway drug. Voted against medical in MN in 2014.
Minimum Wage

Raise the federal minimum wage from current $7.25/hour?

No current statement but voted in 2007 to increase to current $7.25 level.Voted against 2014 MN bill to raise state minimum wage to $7.75 over 3 years.
Net Neutrality

Require internet providers to provide equal access to all users?

Yes. Opposes recent FCC decision to eliminate net neutrality.Unknown.
President Trump

Response to President Trump policies? % of key votes in support?

No. Voted with Trump 31% as of October 3, 2018.Yes. “He is doing a great job.” Voting rate not applicable: Has not held federal office.
Renewable Energy

Support government subsidies for renewable energy?

Yes. Would expand incentives for investment in renewable energy sources.No. Strongly supports “affordable” coal-based energy, no priority to green energy.
Student Debt & Financial Aid

Lower student loan rates, by raising taxes on high earners (Elizabeth Warren proposal)? Raise financial aid?

Yes. Supports Warren proposal. Cosponsored bill to extend subsidized federal student loan rates.Unknown about federal financial aid, but supported MN bill for tax credits for student loans & 529 college savings plans.
Taxes

Raise taxes on corporations and/or high-income individuals to pay for public services? Position on Trump tax cuts?

Yes. Voted in 2008 to restore pre-2001 top income tax rate. Opposed Trump plan’s tax cuts for the wealthy, which increased national debt.No. Opposes higher taxes on the wealthy & wants to lower corporate taxes to promote economic growth.
Voting Rights

Support stricter voting rules such as voter ID requirements even if they prevent some people from voting?

No. Signed 2014 amendment to strengthen Voting Rights Act that prohibits racial discrimination in voting. Tried to ban requiring photo IDs that suppress voting. Supports automatically registering voters.No. 2018 survey response was “There is no need to make voter registration easier.”

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