1. If Roe v. Wade is overturned, what is your position on providing legal protection for unborn children from the moment of conception?
SUPPORT
SUPPORT
1a. If support, what exceptions, if any, would you require?
a) would not require exceptions
b) life of the mother
c) life of the mother, rape, and incest
B - life of the mother
I would not vote against otherwise pro-life legislation if it also included exceptions for rape and incest.
B - life of the mother
If the U.S. Supreme Court were to overturn Roe v. Wade and the issue was returned to the states, and if the PA General Assembly passed an abortion bill, that bill would contain exceptions for rape, for incest, and for the life of the mother. I would strongly support that bill because it would have the effect of reducing the number of abortions in PA.
2. What is your position on research that involves destroying live human embryos to obtain their cells for experimentation (embryonic stem cell research)?
OPPOSE
I do support adult stem cell research and introduced the Alternative Pluripotent Stem Cell Research and Enhancement Act to find other alternatives.
OPPOSE
I will strongly support increased funding for research on umbilical and placenta stem cells, adult stem cells, and other forms of stem cell research that do not harm the embryo.
3. What is your position on suspending all federal executions?
OPPOSE
I have supported the death penalty in very limited circumstances, with strict enforcement of due process rights, ensuring that innocent individuals are not subjected to this ultimate penalty.
OPPOSE
I support the death penalty for heinous crimes. But I support federal legislation that provides access to relevant DNA evidence.
4. What is your position on a constitutional amendment that defines marriage as a union between one man and one woman?
SUPPORT
OPPOSE
Marriage can only be between a man and a woman. I believe PA State law is clear on that. And I do not believe Washington should take this decision away from state legislatures. I understand that many good people support this amendment because of their legitimate concern about protecting the definition of marriage. Yet far too many in Washington are using this amendment to divide our nation for political gain. I will not be a part of such efforts.
4a. If support, which constitution should be amended?
a.) U.S. Constitution
b.) PA Constitution
c.) Both
C - both U.S. and PA Constitutions
I strongly believe in defending traditional marriage and have spoken on the Senate floor in support of this measure.
N/A
5. What is your position on expanding the federal school voucher program (e.g. the Washington, DC voucher program) to other jurisdictions to further study its effects on at-risk children?
SUPPORT
OPPOSE
I was educated in Catholic schools. I taught at a Catholic school. My girls attend Catholic schools, but I cannot support any program that drains money from public schools.
6. What is your position on providing a tax credit to businesses that donate to scholarship organizations that provide scholarships for low-income students at private schools in grades kindergarten through 12?
SUPPORT
I have introduced a bill that would turn the PA EITC program into a federal law.
OPPOSE
Same as above. Tax credits would drain revenue for public education.
7. What is your position on legislation that forces Catholic health care providers to provide, pay for or refer for services contrary to their conscience and moral teachings?
OPPOSE
I introduced the Abortion Non-Discrimination Act to address this problem.
OPPOSE
I am for exemptions that provide adequate provision for individuals to get care elsewhere.
8. What is your position on mandating employers and health insurance plans, regardless of their religious beliefs or moral convictions, to cover contraceptives in their prescription plans for employees?
OPPOSE
I also oppose the FDA's recent decision to sell the "Morning-After Pill" over-the-counter, while my opponent favors it and calls for it to be "widely available."
SUPPORT
I do not believe that employers should be able to deny their employees coverage for legal contraceptive services, especially since those services are proven to significantly reduce abortion rates in this country.
9. What is your position on comprehensive immigration reform efforts (such as the McCain/Kennedy proposal) which outline steps for undocumented workers to earn US citizenship or legalization?
OPPOSE
Unlike my opponent, I oppose amnesty. I believe we must first secure our borders, so I introduced the Border Security First Act.
SUPPORT
I would have voted for this bill over doing nothing at all. However, as I have said, the bill is not perfect. My top priority is to pass legislation that emphasizes border security and punishment for employers who hire illegal immigrants. And I will never support efforts to criminalize priests, nuns, and lay workers for trying to help immigrants.
10. What is your position on comprehensive health care reform efforts that include providing coverage for immigrants?
SUPPORT
I support patient-centered proposals to expand access to quality and affordable health care for all Americans, not increasing dependency on government programs. I do not support providing government benefits to illegal immigrants who do not pay taxes.
DID NOT INDICATE
My priority is to expand health care coverage and reduce the cost of health care for children and working families. I oppose efforts by some to deny health care access for legal immigrants.
11. What is your position on cuts or program changes to Medicare and Medicaid that restrict access to health care for low income citizens?
OPPOSE
I strongly support efforts to reform Medicare and Medicaid to root out fraud, waste, and abuse so that our hard-earned tax dollars are spent on services for those that need them the most.
OPPOSE
If elected to the U.S. Senate, I would be strongly supportive of a number of other initiatives of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, including: protecting Social Security, especially for individuals and families whose resources are already very limited; environmental protection, especially as it affects children's health; increasing the minimum wage; expanding children's health insurance; supporting child care initiatives, including the Family and Medical leave law; and supporting children's health and nutrition programs including food stamps and WIC.