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| Jennifer Dunn, Republican (Incumbent) |
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| Candidate: U.S. Representative, District 8 |
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| Jennifer Dunn |
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| Age: 59 |
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| Residence: Bellevue |
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| Occupation: |
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U.S. representative |
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| Education: |
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B.A. in English literature, Stanford University |
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| Political history: |
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U.S. representative, 1992-present; former chairwoman, state Republican Party |
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| Endorsements: |
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National Federation of Independent Businesses, Washington State Farm Bureau, U.S. Chamber of Commerce |
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| Campaign Web site: www.jdunn.org |
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| Campaign theme: No response. |
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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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Yes, Congress should act to make prescription-drug coverage more affordable and available to all seniors. I support legislation to establish a voluntary prescription-drug benefit that gives seniors greater choice to select a plan that meets their needs. Low-income seniors will receive coverage to pay for premiums and out-of-pocket expenses. Furthermore, all seniors will be protected against high drug costs. |
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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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We can protect endangered salmon without removing the dams. As we move forward on the recovery of listed species, it is important that we support peer-reviewed scientific solutions that provide for long-term recovery, and equally factor in the social and economic needs of the region. Local solutions backed by federal dollars continue to provide the most successful solutions to species recovery. |
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| 3. |
Should new laws be enacted to prevent businesses from sharing consumers' personal information? |
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Yes, we can achieve a balance that protects personal information without hindering businesses. I support legislation that strengthens privacy laws by enabling consumers to choose not to allow banks and financial institutions to share confidential information. All businesses should be required to disclose their privacy policies in clear terms to the public. |
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| 4. |
Are the nation's gun laws too restrictive, too lenient or appropriate as they are? |
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I support law-abiding citizens' Second Amendment rights. I believe that to keep our communities safer we must focus our attention on enforcing existing laws as a deterrent to crime. I support common-sense safety measures to keep guns and assault weapons out of the hands of young people and others who shouldn't have them, extend the instant background check to gun shows and require that safety devices be sold with all handguns. |
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| 5. |
Should America be trading with China and/or Cuba? Why? |
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Congress should permanently normalize our trading relationship with Cuba and ease sanctions on U.S. food and medicine. I do not believe in unfettered trade with Cuba, however, since Castro deprives his people of freedom of emigration and the right of personal liberty. China, while far from perfect, has made considerable strides toward economic and social reform over the last 20 years. With nearly one in three jobs in Washington state dependent on trade, we must continue to spread democracy through free and fair trade with China. |
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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 do not believe that government should be involved in this difficult personal decision. The choice should be made by the woman who has to live with the consequences of her decision. Federal funding for abortion is not appropriate, however. The president should appoint justices who will uphold the rule of law and the freedoms guaranteed in the Constitution. There should be no litmus test. |
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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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I am a strong proponent of improving public schools while ensuring that parents have the right to determine where their child attends school. For some parents, a voucher program is the only way that their child can be assured a safe, productive learning environment. I also support education savings accounts and charter schools because they strengthen opportunities for families and communities to ensure that no child is left behind. |
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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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Investing in the transportation infrastructure of the Puget Sound region is vital to our quality of life and our economic well-being. Our trade-dependent economy requires the safe and efficient movement of goods. In addition, we must act to reduce traffic congestion in order to improve the quality of life for our residents. I have consistently worked with others in Congress to ensure that Washington state gets its fair share of federal transportation funding. |
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| 9. |
What should Congress do to shore up Social Security? |
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Congress should move thoughtfully yet expeditiously on a long-term solution to Social Security following these principles: we must keep our promise to seniors and near retirees that Social Security as they know it will be there for them all; all of the surplus must be locked away in the trust fund; we must rule out tax increases; and younger workers should be given the option of diverting a portion of their payroll tax into a personal account they can control. |
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| 10. |
How would you extend healthcare coverage to more Americans? |
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To extend quality, affordable health-care coverage, I support legislation that allows small businesses to pool together and purchase health care for their employees at discounted rates now available only to larger companies. Self-employed individuals and individuals whose employers do not provide insurance should be able to deduct 100 percent of their health-insurance premiums from their taxes. This will greatly benefit women, who are starting businesses at twice the rate of men. |
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