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| Heidi Behrens-Benedict, Democrat |
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| Candidate: U.S. Representative, District 8 |
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| Heidi Behrens-Benedict |
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| Age: 52 |
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| Residence: Bellevue |
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| Occupation: |
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Small-business owner |
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| Education: |
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B.A., interior design, Washington State University |
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| Political history: |
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Candidate for U.S. representative, 1998 |
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| Endorsements: |
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The Sierra Club, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, Handgun Control |
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| Campaign Web site: www.heidiforcongress.com |
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| Campaign theme: |
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Heidi Behrens-Benedict is one of us. |
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| 1. |
Should Congress act to lower the cost of prescription drugs? If so, should Congress create a Medicare drug benefit? |
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It is difficult for our seniors to understand why the same drugs cost substantially less in Canada. Many seniors find the cost of prescription drugs a financial burden. People should not have to choose between food and medicine. We need a prescription-drug benefit as part of Medicare coverage. |
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| 2. |
Should the Snake River dams be torn down and timber harvests limited to protect endangered species? |
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Let's stop thinking of salmon as commodities and recognize their cultural importance. Wild salmon are a vital part of our vibrant environment. We have destroyed their runs and jeopardized their survival. We need to put their health first, honor our treaties and breach the dams piping in water for irrigation. |
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| 3. |
Should new laws be enacted to prevent businesses from sharing consumers' personal information? |
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Privacy is a major issue of the electronic age. As people realize their personal information is more and more being shared by banks, insurance companies and large employers without their approval and being used in corporate decision making, people will turn to Congress for laws to put citizens' privacy first. |
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| 4. |
Are the nation's gun laws too restrictive, too lenient or appropriate as they are? |
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The National Rifle Association blocks all attempts to enact moderate gun laws. Meaningful campaign-finance reform will stem their influence on Congress. I will vote to close the gun-show loophole, require safety locks with purchase and hold gun owners responsible should an unsecured gun be used by a child. |
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| 5. |
Should America be trading with China and/or Cuba? Why? |
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America should be trading with China and Cuba. We can influence environmental and human-rights policies if we are dealing with them. These countries are undergoing major changes. They have less control over their citizens' access to information and as a result we have more influence. We need to be involved. |
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| 6. |
Do you favor or oppose access to abortion? Should the president appoint justices who oppose abortion rights? |
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I favor access to abortion. The views of appointees to the Supreme Court are never fully known. I hope the president will appoint justices whose past decisions appear to support full reproductive freedom, including access to abortion. |
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| 7. |
Should the government pay to give school vouchers to parents who choose to send their children to private schools? |
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No. Public education is the cornerstone of American free society. The federal government should focus on upgrading schools, hiring additional teachers to lower class sizes and forgive student loans for students who pursue teaching. |
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| 8. |
Is there any project in Washington that deserves more federal support? How would you secure that funding? |
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A well-integrated system of mass transportation that moves people and freight quickly, easily and economically throughout the region will enhance our quality of life. In Congress, I will work to secure additional funding as needed to enhance that system. |
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| 9. |
What should Congress do to shore up Social Security? |
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Social Security and Medicare are unbreakable covenants with our seniors. Congress has an obligation not to squander this opportunity. I will use the projected budget surplus to ensure the solvency of Social Security. Any surplus remaining should be used to pay down the national debt, ensuring long-term lower interest rates. |
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| 10. |
How would you extend healthcare coverage to more Americans? |
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With more than 40 million people uninsured, the federal government has a role in the health of its citizens. We need a variety of elements, such as, allowing self-employed individuals to write off their insurance premiums; subsidizing insurance coverage for employees working at minimum wage and providing health insurance for children under 5. |
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