Craig Washington

Representative Craig Washington of Texas demonstrated a liberal economic stance, prioritizing social welfare and domestic job protection over large-scale federal projects and free trade. He notably voted against funding for the superconducting super collider and a space station, even though these initiatives would have brought federal dollars and jobs to his district, arguing that resources should instead be directed towards education, healthcare, and social services. Furthermore, Washington opposed the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), contending it would lead to job outsourcing from his district. His focus consistently remained on addressing urban poverty and supporting programs that directly benefited working families, often to the dismay of local business owners.
Source: WASHINGTON, Craig Anthony | US House of Representatives: History, Art & Archives

Representative Craig Washington of Texas demonstrated a liberal stance on education, consistently advocating for federal resources to be directed towards improving educational opportunities. He notably argued that funding for large federal projects, such such as the superconducting super collider and a space station, would be better utilized for education, healthcare, and social services in his district. More recently, he criticized the lack of federal allocations for education in his former district, framing it as a failure of representation. While he supported civil rights advancements, he also critiqued liberal orthodoxy on affirmative action, favoring merit-based reforms over quotas, indicating a nuanced approach to equity in education. His overall focus remained on robust public investment in education.
Source: Craig Washington

Representative Craig Washington of Texas demonstrated a liberal leaning on energy policy by prioritizing social welfare over large-scale federal energy projects. He notably voted against continued funding for the Department of Energy’s superconducting super collider in 1993, a project that would have brought significant federal investment and jobs to East Texas. Washington argued that these federal funds would be better allocated to improve education, healthcare, and social services. His stance reflected a preference for directing public resources towards direct social benefits rather than major industrial or scientific infrastructure, even when such projects had local economic advantages.
Source: WASHINGTON, Craig Anthony | US House of Representatives: History, Art & Archives

Representative Craig Washington of Texas demonstrated a liberal stance on foreign relations, particularly concerning military engagement. He notably voted against deploying U.S. troops to Kuwait in 1991, advocating instead for a formal declaration of war if military action was truly warranted. Furthermore, upon the troops' return, Washington opposed authorizing a celebration of their victory, emphasizing that critical domestic economic issues, such as urban poverty, should take precedence. This approach underscores a prioritization of social welfare and a cautious, non-interventionist perspective on foreign military interventions.
Source: WASHINGTON, Craig Anthony | US House of Representatives: History, Art & Archives

Representative Craig Washington of Texas demonstrated a liberal stance on government dependency, consistently advocating for federal resources to directly support social welfare programs. He notably argued that federal funding for large-scale projects, such as the superconducting super collider, would be better utilized to improve education, healthcare, and other social services. Washington also criticized the lack of federal allocations for his district, emphasizing that without proper representation, his constituents were deprived of essential funds for infrastructure, education, healthcare, and disaster recovery. His perspective highlighted a strong belief in the government's responsibility to provide for the needs of its citizens, especially the underserved.
Source: WASHINGTON, Craig Anthony | US House of Representatives: History, Art & Archives

Representative Craig Washington of Texas exhibited a liberal stance on national security, particularly concerning military engagement. He notably voted against deploying U.S. troops to Kuwait in 1991, advocating instead for a formal declaration of war if military action was truly warranted. Furthermore, upon the troops' return, Washington opposed authorizing a celebration of their victory, emphasizing that critical domestic economic issues, such as urban poverty, should take precedence. This approach underscores a prioritization of social welfare and a cautious, non-interventionist perspective on foreign military interventions.
Source: WASHINGTON, Craig Anthony | US House of Representatives: History, Art & Archives