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Voters’ Guide to the Ninth District Race


Candidate questions

1) To what extent do you support marriage rights for all Americans regardless of sexual orientation?

2) Regarding the question of abortion, how will you protect a woman’s right to choose?

3) Where do you stand on the current embargo of Cuba?

4) Do you support any reform of the current system of free trade — the World Trade Organization, for example, or the International Monetary Fund?

5) What is the proper US role in the Middle East conflict?

6) How can the federal government best engage young people — many of whom are alienated and indifferent to politics — and bring them into the system?

7) Where do you stand on the issue of reparations for slavery?

Cheryl Jacques

1) I fully support marriage rights and equal rights for all Americans. At the state level I have led the effort in the Senate to oppose the anti-family legislation known as the Defense of Marriage Act, and served as chief Senate sponsor of the 1995 improvements to the Hate Crimes Law. As a member of Congress, I would support repeal of the federal Defense of Marriage Act, and I would fight for passage of a tougher hate-crimes law, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, and other measures to promote equality and civil rights.

2) I am the only candidate in this race with a consistently pro-choice voting record. I am the chief Senate sponsor of the Freedom of Choice Act, and I served as a leading co-sponsor of the Clinic Access Law and the Buffer Zones Law. As a pro-choice leader, I am proud to have the endorsements of NARAL [National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League], Planned Parenthood, and EMILY’s List. I will continue to protect a woman’s right to choose in Congress by opposing Bush-administration attempts to limit this fundamental right, and by opposing such measures as the gag rule on international family-planning funds.

3) I support steps to normalize the United States’ relationship with Cuba. Much has changed in the world, and our policy towards Cuba must be updated to reflect current circumstances. Prior to my campaign for Congress I met with leaders from the Latino community, and I am sensitive to the concerns that exist about US foreign policy toward Cuba and the rest of Latin America. I am proud to have been endorsed by many of these leaders, including State Representatives Jarrett Barrios and Cheryl Rivera. I will work closely with Latino leaders to address issues of concern to the Latino community.

4) Enhancement of international trade is essential to the strength of the Massachusetts economy, particularly given our leadership role in the high-technology industry. When negotiating international trade agreements, I would fight to ensure that there are provisions to protect worker rights, human rights, and the environment. Such conditions are in the best interests of both the United States and our trading partners, as they will promote democratic principles abroad, while preventing unfair competition and the loss of US jobs [to] overseas [countries]. We cannot expect our workers to compete on a level playing field against child labor or slave labor abroad.

5) The United States must maintain its clear support for Israel as our partner in democracy, while continuing to serve as an honest broker to keep all parties at the table and seek peace through negotiation. I visited Israel, and came away from the experience with a deep appreciation for the importance of the US-Israel relationship. I have worked closely with the Jewish community, and was honored to be named the Jewish Community Relations Council’s Legislator of the Year in 2000. Maintaining peace in the Middle East must be one of our nation’s chief foreign-policy priorities.

6) Over the past nine years I have welcomed more than 300 interns to work in my Senate office. Many of these interns later sought careers in government, and I am proud of their many contributions. I have worked closely with the Young Democrats, a partnership that resulted in passage of the toughest gun-control law in the country, the Student Loan Tax Cut, and the state Motor Voter Law. If we want young people to get involved, we must be willing to address issues that concern them, such as education, gun control, and protecting a woman’s right to choose.

7) Our nation’s history of slavery is shameful, and the inequities that persist remain one of our society’s greatest challenges. I will fight tirelessly to eliminate those inequities, and work closely with the Black Caucus to examine the issue of reparations and make a difference on civil rights and economic justice. I have worked closely with African-American colleagues including Dianne Wilkerson and Gloria Fox, and Haitian-American representative Marie St. Fleur, and I am proud to carry their endorsements in this campaign. I will continue to promote opportunity for all through improved public education, affordable housing, and economic development.

 

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Issue Date: September 6 - 13, 2001






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