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| Jim McDermott, Democrat (Incumbent) |
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| Candidate: U.S. Representative, District 7 |
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| Jim McDermott |
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| Age: 63 |
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| Residence: Seattle |
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| Occupation: |
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U.S. representative |
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| Education: |
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B.S., Wheaton College; M.D., University of Illinois |
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| Political history: |
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Former state representative, state senator |
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| Endorsements: |
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The Sierra Club, The League of Conservation Voters, Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO |
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| Campaign Web site: www.mcdermottforcongress.com |
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| Campaign theme: |
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National health care, protecting seniors, preserving our environment. |
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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, and yes. |
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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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Timber harvests should be limited to protect endangered species. I have not yet taken a position on the removal of the Snake River dams. I'd like to know more about how much this will cost and the impacts their removal would have both environmentally and fiscally on the region before I take a position on this issue. |
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| 3. |
Should new laws be enacted to prevent businesses from sharing consumers' personal information? |
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The personal information of consumers should be protected, and I will support legislation to that effect. |
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| 4. |
Are the nation's gun laws too restrictive, too lenient or appropriate as they are? |
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A look at the number of gun-related deaths in America will certainly tell you that our gun laws need to be strengthened. |
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| 5. |
Should America be trading with China and/or Cuba? Why? |
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Yes. Not only is trade extremely important to the economy of the Northwest, but also expanding economic opportunities is a way to stimulate a more pluralistic and democratic political process. In turn, I think this will result in a greater respect for human rights and personal liberties. |
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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 support a woman's right to choose. Justices should be appointed with the understanding that they will uphold women's constitutional rights. |
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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 do not support private-school vouchers. |
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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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Federal support for international languages in schools and increased funding for school construction and renovation. I would secure that funding by working with the Superintendent of Public Instruction and with the Ways and Means Committee, of which I am currently a member. |
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| 9. |
What should Congress do to shore up Social Security? |
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I favor using surplus revenues to strengthen Social Security. Additionally, Congress should adopt a proposal that could provide the additional money to keep the current system of inflation-adjusted benefits in place. |
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| 10. |
How would you extend healthcare coverage to more Americans? |
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I have introduced HB 1200, the American Health and Security Act, to create a national health-care system that guarantees universal coverage, verifiable cost control, unrestricted choice of provider, and comprehensive benefits including long-term care. |
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