2024 Virginia US Senate Voters Guide

Ban. “I am pro-life.” “Life begins at conception.” “Thrilled” by overturning of Roe v. Wade, for “sending this matter back to the people of Virginia…. In Congress, I will always support life.” “I will not vote for any federal ban on abortion.” It’s not a federal issue; the states should decide.

Legal. “Is fighting… for women” to “make their own health care decisions.” Supports restoring abortion rights and protecting contraception and IVF. Personally follows his “[Catholic] church’s teachings,” but opposes mandating such views on others.

No. Needs “a lot more data about climate change” to be convinced. It’s a “bogeyman.” US should produce oil, natural gas, nuclear power, and wind and solar, but “what happens when the sun doesn’t come out or the wind doesn’t blow?” Opposes the $369 billion climate and clean energy bill.

Yes. “Climate change is an existential threat.” Supported streamlining federal response to climate hazards like “sea level rise, flooding, and extreme heat.” Supported the $369 billion climate and clean energy bill and the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill that would reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“Will support our police officers in every way I can.” Ensure “benefits and care” like “mental health resources… for law enforcement officials.”  Only “a small percentage of [police] don’t follow the rules.”

Secured $45 million to train police in de-escalation. Sponsored a bill expanding disability benefits to police with PTSD. Supports reforming qualified immunity, which protects police officers from liability.

Mostly decrease. “Our economy is hurting because of reckless spending.” “Burdensome regulations… cripple small businesses.” Wants to create 2,500 jobs in rural VA to make 25% of US latex gloves. Opposes outsourcing of jobs to other countries.

Increase. Secured $200 million for affordable housing, high-speed internet access, scientific research, and transportation in VA; bill supports economic growth for underserved communities. Supported the $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill.

Mixed. “Get the political agenda out of the classroom.” “Let’s teach the whole history,” including “the beauty about this country.”

No. Opposes banning books to “whitewash our country’s history.” Ban harassment based on gender identity at schools.

Mostly no. Asks how Biden could get more votes, after not campaigning during the pandemic, than Obama got earlier. About those arrested for the January 6 insurrection: “Set them free”; wants to know “what [is] the due process?”

Yes. On January 6, 2021, said not certifying Biden’s Electoral College win would lead to “massive disenfranchisement” for millions of voters. Drafted a resolution to hold Trump accountable for fomenting “this violent attack on the Capitol.”

Loosen. Opposes regulating oil and gas companies. “[Biden’s] climate polices” and “regulations… have cost Americans thousands of jobs.” Biden forces US dependence on unclean foreign energy.

Tighten. Secured funding for restoration and resiliency projects for coastal VA and the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Opposes fast-track approval for Mountain Valley gas pipeline project, citing “environmental violations.” Opposes drilling off VA coastline.

Loosen. “Gun control has never stopped anyone.” “We’re not going to stop [evil] with gun control.” “The places [with] the most gun violence… have the strictest gun control laws.” “Will always protect the right to self-defense.”

Tighten. Supports “commonsense steps to reduce gun violence,” improving background checks, temporarily removing firearms from people posing a danger to themselves and others, and banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.

Likely decrease. Opposes the Inflation Reduction Act, which has provisions for lowering drug costs for people on Medicare and reducing federal government drug spending. “No one in the United States is like “oh my gosh, I will die if I don’t have health care.’” His main healthcare issue is “rationing” of drugs, in short supply because ingredients are from China and India.

Increase. Highlighted lower drug prices and Medicare insulin capped at $35 as a reason for his support of the Inflation Reduction Act. Supported expanding telehealth, rural health, and mental health care for burnt-out healthcare workers. Opposes cuts to Medicare or Medicaid. Led an effort in the Senate to tackle substance use disorder.

Secure the border. It’s “a humanitarian crisis.” “Finish that border wall.” “Illegal immigrants” are “a smack in the face for all of us who waited patiently.” Calls for “high walls, but wide gates.” The bipartisan border bill is “garbage.” No position found on DACA.

Opposes “mass deportation.” Supported funding for border patrol agents and migrant processing. Address “the root causes of migration.” Supports a DACA path to citizenship. Voted for bipartisan bill to secure the border and fight the fentanyl crisis.

Likely harder. “All it [the bipartisan infrastructure bill] has done is allow for unions to get priority…. We want the right to work.”

Easier. “I know just how important unions are.” Sponsored a bill to expand workers’ rights to organize and collectively bargain.

Limit. Opposes Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion training in the military. It’s “wrong” for his “daughters to have to compete against a man” in sports; will “not allow a man to go to my daughters’ bathrooms.”

Expand. Supported bills protecting LGBTQ people from discrimination and recognizing same-sex marriages. Led a resolution offering an apology to discriminated-against LGBTQ government workers.

Mostly ban. “This is a states’ rights issue…. At the federal level, it needs to be illegal.”

Legal. “It’s time to decriminalize it.” Supported expanding research and protecting banks serving cannabis businesses.

No position found.

Yes. Supported a 2021 bill gradually raising it to $15 by 2025. Sponsored a 2023 bill to raise it to $17 by 2028.

No. Biden’s student loan forgiveness is “unfair,” “a free ride,” “buying votes by selling out America’s future,” and money “that could be used to secure our border or help our homeless veterans.”

Yes. Supports Biden’s student loan forgiveness. Will “keep fighting for more” “relief” for borrowers. Supported student loan forgiveness for public servants. Supports funding to increase Pell Grant amounts.

Lower. Criticizes Biden for not supporting the 2017 Trump tax cuts, which included the major corporate cuts and major tax cuts for the wealthy.

Raise. Opposed the 2017 Trump tax cuts: “The help is all towards people at the top end, and the biggest corporations that don’t really need it.”

Harder. Demands “election integrity.” Supports requiring voter ID. Opposes “early voting for weeks.”

Easier. “The right to vote is not a ‘maybe,’ not a privilege.” Supported bills to “protect the fundamental right to vote” and expand voting access. “Make it easier… to participate.”