Colleen Hanabusa exhibits a somewhat conservative leaning on criminal justice, primarily characterized by a "tough-on-crime" stance. This is strongly indicated by her 85% rating from the National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO), which typically aligns with policies that prioritize law enforcement, stricter penalties, and public safety. This high rating suggests a consistent record of supporting measures favored by police organizations, reflecting a traditional approach to maintaining order and deterring crime through robust enforcement. Her emphasis appears to be on strengthening the capabilities and authority of law enforcement.
Source: Colleen Hanabusa on the Issues Colleen Hanabusa demonstrates a liberal-leaning economic stance, favoring increased government intervention and social welfare programs. She supports raising the minimum wage, expanding lending to credit unions for small businesses, and opposes flat-rate federal taxes, preferring increased tax rates on wealthy individuals. Hanabusa voted against prioritizing spending during debt limit negotiations and supports increasing the debt ceiling, indicating a preference for stimulus-based economic recovery over strict market-led approaches. Her economic philosophy emphasizes worker protections, with a 100% pro-labor voting record and support for policies that aim to reduce economic inequality.
Source: Colleen Hanabusa on the Issues Colleen Hanabusa demonstrates a strongly liberal stance on education, consistently advocating for robust public funding and accessibility. She emphasizes supporting public education and teachers, making college affordable, and increasing scholarships and Pell Grants for students. Her commitment to these principles is evident in her vote against reauthorizing the DC opportunity scholarship program, a measure often associated with school choice and conservative education reform. This record highlights her belief in comprehensive government investment in educational institutions and student support from early childhood through higher education.
Source: Colleen Hanabusa on the Issues Colleen Hanabusa generally demonstrates a liberal stance on energy policy, strongly advocating for the utilization of Hawaii's diverse sustainable assets, including solar, wind, and wave power. She has consistently voted against measures that would expand fossil fuel extraction, such as opening the Outer Continental Shelf to oil drilling, and has supported the EPA's authority to regulate greenhouse gases. While prioritizing green initiatives, her approach also includes pragmatic considerations, such as her openness to liquefied natural gas as a bridge fuel, reflecting a balanced view on transitioning to a fully renewable energy system.
Source: Colleen Hanabusa on the Issues Colleen Hanabusa demonstrates a liberal-leaning stance on foreign relations, emphasizing international alliances and a firm approach to adversarial nations. She co-sponsored a resolution affirming the U.S. commitment to NATO and condemning President Trump's handling of Russia's aggression and election interference, highlighting a belief in multilateralism and democratic values. While supporting robust national security through votes for defense authorization and sanctions against countries like Iran, Russia, and North Korea, her overall approach prioritizes strategic engagement, particularly advocating for the U.S. foreign policy "pivot" to the Asia-Pacific region. This blend suggests a pragmatic liberal internationalist perspective.
Source: Colleen Hanabusa | Congress.Gov | Library of Congress Colleen Hanabusa demonstrates a strongly liberal stance on government dependency, consistently advocating for robust government intervention and social safety nets. She firmly supports programs like Social Security and Medicare, viewing them as vital benefits earned by hardworking Americans. Her belief that "Government is not business" and that "Only government can do that" when people need help underscores her conviction that the government has a primary role in providing support and services, including addressing homelessness and economic recovery through federal funds and sustained spending. This approach indicates a willingness to foster reliance on government to ensure citizen well-being.
Source: Colleen Hanabusa: “You Don’t Need Someone Who Needs Training Wheels” - Honolulu Civil Beat Colleen Hanabusa demonstrates a strongly liberal stance on healthcare, consistently supporting the Affordable Care Act and opposing attempts to repeal or undermine it. She views healthcare as a critical issue for Americans, emphasizing the importance of affordable health insurance and protecting benefits for citizens. Hanabusa voted against the Ryan Budget's Medicare changes and supports expanding healthcare coverage, believing the ACA was a significant step forward in joining other industrialized nations in providing comprehensive healthcare access. Her voting record and statements indicate a commitment to maintaining and improving public healthcare systems.
Source: Hanabusa: Health Care Debate Isn’t Over - Honolulu Civil Beat Colleen Hanabusa demonstrates a strongly liberal stance on immigration, consistently advocating for more inclusive policies. She supports a pathway to citizenship for undocumented individuals and has called for allowing more visas for STEM college graduates. Her legislative actions include sponsoring the Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act, which aimed to exempt certain children of Filipino World War II veterans from immigrant visa limitations. Furthermore, she voted against measures that would prohibit administrative amnesty, indicating a preference for broader legal status options. These positions highlight her commitment to expanding immigration avenues and supporting immigrant communities.
Source: Colleen Hanabusa on the Issues Colleen Hanabusa demonstrates a nuanced approach to national security, balancing military support with cautious oversight. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, she emphasizes fiscal responsibility while ensuring troop safety and equipment readiness. She supports strategic military evaluations, seeking to distinguish between effective and outdated security programs. Hanabusa advocates for a balanced approach to defense, voting for National Defense Authorization Acts while also expressing concerns about excessive military spending and foreign interventions. Her stance reflects a pragmatic, measured perspective on national security that prioritizes strategic assessment and troop welfare.
Source: Vote Smart - Facts For All Colleen Hanabusa demonstrates a strongly liberal stance on reducing the budget deficit, prioritizing government spending and social programs over fiscal austerity. She notably voted against a Balanced Budget Amendment, which aimed to constitutionally require Congress to balance the nation's budget, indicating a preference for flexibility in federal spending rather than strict fiscal limits. Furthermore, she supported increasing the debt limit and opposed tax cuts for the wealthy, viewing them as detrimental to critical priorities like Social Security and Medicare. Her approach suggests a belief that economic stability and social welfare are best achieved through robust government investment, even if it means accumulating debt.
Source: Hirono, Hanabusa Say ‘No’ to Balanced Budget Amendment > Hawaii Free Press Colleen Hanabusa demonstrates a liberal stance on drug policy, moving away from the traditional "war on drugs" approach. She advocates for states to determine marijuana legality, indicating a preference for localized control and reduced federal intervention in drug enforcement. Furthermore, she supports exempting industrial hemp from marijuana laws and opposes the notion of marijuana as a gateway drug. These positions reflect a more progressive view that favors decriminalization or legalization efforts and a shift towards policies that prioritize state autonomy and economic opportunities over strict prohibition.
Source: Colleen Hanabusa on the Issues
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