Robert Menendez on Abortion

• Judicial nominees must uphold Roe v. Wade. (Sep 2006)
• Kean voted against stem-cell research six times; I didn’t. (Sep 2006)
• I support stem cell research 100%. (Sep 2006)
• Voted NO on defining unborn child as eligible for SCHIP. (Mar 2008)
• Voted NO on prohibiting minors crossing state lines for abortion. (Mar 2008)
• Voted NO on barring HHS grants to organizations that perform abortions. (Oct 2007)
• Voted YES on expanding research to more embryonic stem cell lines. (Apr 2007)
• Voted NO on notifying parents of minors who get out-of-state abortions. (Jul 2006)
• Voted YES on allowing human embryonic stem cell research. (May 2005)
• Voted NO on restricting interstate transport of minors to get abortions. (Apr 2005)
• Voted NO on banning partial-birth abortion except to save mother’s life. (Oct 2003)
• Voted NO on forbidding human cloning for reproduction & medical research. (Feb 2003)
• Voted NO on funding for health providers who don't provide abortion info. (Sep 2002)
• Voted NO on banning Family Planning funding in US aid abroad. (May 2001)
• Voted NO on federal crime to harm fetus while committing other crimes. (Apr 2001)
• Voted NO on banning partial-birth abortions. (Apr 2000)
• Voted NO on barring transporting minors to get an abortion. (Jun 1999)
• Rated 100% by NARAL, indicating a pro-choice voting record. (Dec 2003)
• Sponsored bill for emergency contraception for rape victims. (Sep 2006)
• Rated 0% by the NRLC, indicating a pro-choice stance. (Dec 2006)
• Provide emergency contraception at military facilities. (Apr 2007)
• Ensure access to and funding for contraception. (Feb 2007)

Robert Menendez on Budget & Economy

• Voted NO on paying down federal debt by rating programs' effectiveness. (Mar 2007)
• Voted YES on restricting bankruptcy rules. (Jan 2004)
• Require full disclosure about subprime mortgages. (Dec 2007)
• Reform mortgage rules to prevent foreclosure & bankruptcy. (Feb 2008)

Robert Menendez on Civil Rights

• Support affirmative action in all government contracts. (Sep 2006)
• Supports Amendment banning flag-burning, a uniting symbol. (Sep 2006)
• Supports 1-man-1-woman marriage, but don’t take away rights. (Sep 2006)
• Voted YES on recommending Constitutional ban on flag desecration. (Jun 2006)
• Voted NO on constitutional ban of same-sex marriage. (Jun 2006)
• Voted NO on making the PATRIOT Act permanent. (Dec 2005)
• Voted NO on protecting the Pledge of Allegiance. (Sep 2004)
• Voted YES on constitutional amendment prohibiting flag desecration. (Jun 2003)
• Voted NO on banning gay adoptions in DC. (Jul 1999)
• Voted NO on ending preferential treatment by race in college admissions. (May 1998)
• Supports anti-flag desecration amendment. (Mar 2001)
• Constitutional Amendment for equal rights by gender. (Mar 2001)
• Rated 67% by the ACLU, indicating a mixed civil rights voting record. (Dec 2002)
• Rated 88% by the HRC, indicating a pro-gay-rights stance. (Dec 2006)
• Recognize Juneteenth as historical end of slavery. (Jun 2008)
• Re-introduce the Equal Rights Amendment. (Mar 2007)
• Reinforce anti-discrimination and equal-pay requirements. (Jan 2008)

Robert Menendez on Corporations

• Voted NO on replacing illegal export tax breaks with $140B in new breaks. (Jun 2004)
• Voted YES on Bankruptcy Overhaul requiring partial debt repayment. (Mar 2001)
• Rated 37% by the US COC, indicating a mixed business voting record. (Dec 2003)

Robert Menendez on Crime

• Voted YES on reinstating $1.15 billion funding for the COPS Program. (Mar 2007)
• Voted NO on funding for alternative sentencing instead of more prisons. (Jun 2000)
• Voted NO on more prosecution and sentencing for juvenile crime. (Jun 1999)
• Voted YES on making federal death penalty appeals harder. (Feb 1995)
• Voted NO on replacing death penalty with life imprisonment. (Apr 1994)
• Rated 60% by CURE, indicating mixed votes on rehabilitation. (Dec 2000)
• More funding and stricter sentencing for hate crimes. (Apr 2001)
• Increase funding for "COPS ON THE BEAT" program. (Jan 2007)
• Reduce recidivism by giving offenders a Second Chance. (Mar 2007)
• Stricter sentencing for hate crimes. (Mar 1993)

Robert Menendez on Drugs

• Review current marijuana laws for cases of incurable disease. (Sep 2006)
• Voted NO on military border patrols to battle drugs & terrorism. (Sep 2001)
• Voted NO on prohibiting needle exchange & medical marijuana in DC. (Oct 1999)
• Voted NO on subjecting federal employees to random drug tests. (Sep 1998)

Robert Menendez on Education

• Reducing duplication is no solution for education problems. (Sep 2006)
• Educational Savings Accounts are only for the wealthy. (Sep 2006)
• Democrats pushed college tuition tax deductions. (Sep 2006)
• Voted YES on additional $10.2B for federal education & HHS projects. (Oct 2007)
• Voted NO on allowing school prayer during the War on Terror. (Nov 2001)
• Voted YES on requiring states to test students. (May 2001)
• Voted NO on allowing vouchers in DC schools. (Aug 1998)
• Voted NO on giving federal aid only to schools allowing voluntary prayer. (Mar 1994)
• Rated 100% by the NEA, indicating pro-public education votes. (Dec 2003)

Robert Menendez on Energy & Oil

• Past due time to ratify the Kyoto Protocol. (Sep 2006)
• Voted YES on tax incentives for energy production and conservation. (Jun 2008)
• Voted YES on addressing CO2 emissions without considering India & China. (May 2008)
• Voted YES on removing oil & gas exploration subsidies. (Jun 2007)
• Voted YES on making oil-producing and exporting cartels illegal. (Jun 2007)
• Voted YES on factoring global warming into federal project planning. (May 2007)
• Voted NO on authorizing construction of new oil refineries. (Oct 2005)
• Voted NO on passage of the Bush Administration national energy policy. (Jun 2004)
• Voted NO on implementing Bush-Cheney national energy policy. (Nov 2003)
• Voted YES on raising CAFE standards; incentives for alternative fuels. (Aug 2001)
• Voted YES on prohibiting oil drilling & development in ANWR. (Aug 2001)
• Voted YES on starting implementation of Kyoto Protocol. (Jun 2000)
• Preserve Alaska's ANWR instead of drilling it. (Feb 2001)
• Establish greenhouse gas tradeable allowances. (Feb 2005)
• Sign on to UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. (Jan 2007)
• Designate sensitive ANWR area as protected wilderness. (Nov 2007)
• Set goal of 25% renewable energy by 2025. (Jan 2007)
• Let states define stricter-than-federal emission standards. (Jan 2008)
• Gas tax holiday for the summer. (Apr 2008)

Robert Menendez on Environment

• Supports the Polluter Pays Principle. (Sep 2006)
• Voted NO on prohibiting eminent domain for use as parks or grazing land. (Dec 2007)
• Voted NO on deauthorizing "critical habitat" for endangered species. (Sep 2005)
• Voted NO on speeding up approval of forest thinning projects. (Nov 2003)
• Remove PCBs from Hudson River by dredging 200 miles. (Apr 2001)
• Rated 95% by the LCV, indicating pro-environment votes. (Dec 2003)
• Health impact assessments for environmental health. (Apr 2006)
• Grants for beach water pollution under Clean Water Act. (Apr 2008)
• Strengthen prohibitions against animal fighting. (Jan 2007)

Robert Menendez on Families & Children

• Voted YES on establishing nationwide AMBER alert system for missing kids. (Apr 2003)
• Voted NO on reducing Marriage Tax by $399B over 10 years. (Mar 2001)
• Member of the Missing & Exploited Children's Caucus. (Jan 2001)
• Rated 15% by the Christian Coalition: an anti-family voting record. (Dec 2003)

Robert Menendez on Foreign Policy

• International sanctions against nuclear program in Iran. (Sep 2006)
• Voted NO on deterring foreign arms transfers to China. (Jul 2005)
• Voted NO on reforming the UN by restricting US funding. (Jun 2005)
• Voted NO on keeping Cuba travel ban until political prisoners released. (Jul 2001)
• Voted YES on withholding $244M in UN Back Payments until US seat restored. (May 2001)
• Voted YES on $156M to IMF for 3rd-world debt reduction. (Jul 2000)
• Voted NO on Permanent Normal Trade Relations with China. (May 2000)
• Voted YES on $15.2 billion for foreign operations. (Nov 1999)
• Member of the Congressional Human Rights Caucus. (Jan 2001)
• Implement Darfur Peace Agreement with UN peacekeeping force. (Feb 2008)
• Acknowledge the Armenian Genocide of the early 1900s. (Mar 2007)
• Condemn violence by Chinese government in Tibet. (Apr 2008)

Robert Menendez on Free Trade

• Voted YES on promoting free trade with Peru. (Dec 2007)
• Voted NO on free trade agreement with Oman. (Jun 2006)
• Voted NO on implementing CAFTA, Central America Free Trade. (Jul 2005)
• Voted YES on implementing US-Australia Free Trade Agreement. (Jul 2004)
• Voted NO on implementing US-Singapore free trade agreement. (Jul 2003)
• Voted YES on implementing free trade agreement with Chile. (Jul 2003)
• Voted NO on withdrawing from the WTO. (Jun 2000)
• Voted NO on 'Fast Track' authority for trade agreements. (Sep 1998)
• Rated 28% by CATO, indicating a pro-fair trade voting record. (Dec 2002)
• Extend trade restrictions on Burma to promote democracy. (Jun 2007)

Robert Menendez on Government Reform

• Keep the Senate filibuster rules, to encourage debate. (Sep 2006)
• Allow dual-office holding for politicians, if voters choose. (Sep 2006)
• Voted YES on granting the District of Columbia a seat in Congress. (Sep 2007)
• Voted NO on requiring photo ID to vote in federal elections. (Jul 2007)
• Voted NO on allowing some lobbyist gifts to Congress. (Mar 2006)
• Voted YES on establishing the Senate Office of Public Integrity. (Mar 2006)
• Voted YES on prohibiting lawsuits about obesity against food providers. (Oct 2005)
• Voted NO on limiting attorney's fees in class action lawsuits. (Feb 2005)
• Voted NO on restricting frivolous lawsuits. (Sep 2004)
• Voted YES on campaign finance reform banning soft-money contributions. (Feb 2002)
• Voted NO on banning soft money donations to national political parties. (Jul 2001)
• Voted YES on banning soft money and issue ads. (Sep 1999)
• Keep campaign soft money; allow legal resident contributions. (Jun 2001)
• Establish the United States Public Service Academy. (Mar 2007)
• Prohibit voter intimidation in federal elections. (Mar 2007)
• Prohibit 'voter caging' which intimidates minority voting. (Nov 2007)

Robert Menendez on Gun Control

• Additional controls on handguns and rifles. (Sep 2006)
• Voted NO on prohibiting foreign & UN aid that restricts US gun ownership. (Sep 2007)
• Voted NO on prohibiting product misuse lawsuits on gun manufacturers. (Oct 2005)
• Voted NO on prohibiting suing gunmakers & sellers for gun misuse. (Apr 2003)
• Voted NO on decreasing gun waiting period from 3 days to 1. (Jun 1999)
• Rated F by the NRA, indicating a pro-gun control voting record. (Dec 2003)

Robert Menendez on Health Care

• Don’t choose between filling prescriptions and refrigerator. (Sep 2006)
• Additional taxes on wealthiest 1%, for medical coverage. (Sep 2006)
• Don’t force choice of filling prescriptions or refrigerator. (Sep 2006)
• Shift from disease-based to prevention-based system. (Sep 2006)
• Voted NO on means-testing to determine Medicare Part D premium. (Mar 2008)
• Voted NO on allowing tribal Indians to opt out of federal healthcare. (Feb 2008)
• Voted YES on adding 2 to 4 million children to SCHIP eligibility. (Nov 2007)
• Voted YES on requiring negotiated Rx prices for Medicare part D. (Apr 2007)
• Voted NO on limiting medical liability lawsuits to $250,000. (May 2006)
• Voted YES on expanding enrollment period for Medicare Part D. (Feb 2006)
• Voted NO on limiting medical malpractice lawsuits to $250,000 damages. (May 2004)
• Voted NO on limited prescription drug benefit for Medicare recipients. (Nov 2003)
• Voted NO on allowing reimportation of prescription drugs. (Jul 2003)
• Voted NO on small business associations for buying health insurance. (Jun 2003)
• Voted NO on capping damages & setting time limits in medical lawsuits. (Mar 2003)
• Voted NO on allowing suing HMOs, but under federal rules & limited award. (Aug 2001)
• Voted NO on subsidizing private insurance for Medicare Rx drug coverage. (Jun 2000)
• Voted NO on banning physician-assisted suicide. (Oct 1999)
• Voted NO on establishing tax-exempt Medical Savings Accounts. (Oct 1999)
• Rated 89% by APHA, indicating a pro-public health record. (Dec 2003)
• Improve services for people with autism & their families. (Apr 2007)
• Establish a national childhood cancer database. (Mar 2007)
• Preserve access to Medicaid & SCHIP during economic downturn. (Apr 2008)

Robert Menendez on Homeland Security

• Battle terror without sacrificing our ideals. (Oct 2006)
• Combat terrorism within court oversight to protect rights. (Sep 2006)
• Punish terrorists within Geneva Convention. (Sep 2006)
• Voted NO on cutting $221M in benefits to Filipinos who served in WWII US Army. (Apr 2008)
• Voted YES on requiring FISA court warrant to monitor US-to-foreign calls. (Feb 2008)
• Voted NO on removing need for FISA warrant for wiretapping abroad. (Aug 2007)
• Voted YES on limiting soldiers' deployment to 12 months. (Jul 2007)
• Voted YES on implementing the 9/11 Commission report. (Mar 2007)
• Voted YES on preserving habeas corpus for Guantanamo detainees. (Sep 2006)
• Voted YES on requiring CIA reports on detainees & interrogation methods. (Sep 2006)
• Voted YES on reauthorizing the PATRIOT Act. (Mar 2006)
• Voted NO on federalizing rules for driver licenses to hinder terrorists. (Feb 2005)
• Voted YES on continuing military recruitment on college campuses. (Feb 2005)
• Voted YES on supporting new position of Director of National Intelligence. (Dec 2004)
• Voted NO on adopting the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. (Oct 2004)
• Voted YES on emergency $78B for war in Iraq & Afghanistan. (Apr 2003)
• Voted NO on permitting commercial airline pilots to carry guns. (Jul 2002)
• Voted YES on $266 billion Defense Appropriations bill. (Jul 1999)
• Voted YES on deploying SDI. (Mar 1999)
• Stopping Vieques bombing range good; sooner is better. (Jun 2001)
• Rated 89% by SANE, indicating a pro-peace voting record. (Dec 2003)
• Sponsored bill giving higher priority to rail security. (Jul 2005)
• Apply habeas corpus to Guantanamo detainees. (Jul 2007)
• Restore habeas corpus for detainees in the War on Terror. (Jun 2007)
• Establish global strategy to defeat al Qaeda. (Feb 2008)

Robert Menendez on Immigration

• Enforcement-only means largest deportation in history. (Sep 2006)
• Voted YES on continuing federal funds for declared "sanctuary cities". (Mar 2008)
• Voted YES on comprehensive immigration reform. (Jun 2007)
• Voted NO on declaring English as the official language of the US government. (Jun 2007)
• Voted NO on eliminating the "Y" nonimmigrant guestworker program. (May 2007)
• Voted NO on building a fence along the Mexican border. (Sep 2006)
• Voted YES on establishing a Guest Worker program. (May 2006)
• Voted YES on allowing illegal aliens to participate in Social Security. (May 2006)
• Voted YES on giving Guest Workers a path to citizenship. (May 2006)
• Voted NO on reporting illegal aliens who receive hospital treatment. (May 2004)
• Voted YES on extending Immigrant Residency rules. (May 2001)
• Voted YES on more immigrant visas for skilled workers. (Sep 1998)
• Rated 0% by FAIR, indicating a voting record loosening immigration. (Dec 2003)
• Rated 0% by USBC, indicating an open-border stance. (Dec 2006)

Robert Menendez on Jobs

• Voted YES on overriding presidential veto of Farm Bill. (Jun 2008)
• Voted NO on terminating legal challenges to English-only job rules. (Mar 2008)
• Voted YES on limiting farm subsidies to people earning under $750,000. (Dec 2007)
• Voted YES on restricting employer interference in union organizing. (Jun 2007)
• Voted YES on increasing minimum wage to $7.25. (Feb 2007)
• Voted NO on end offshore tax havens and promote small business. (Oct 2004)
• Voted NO on $167B over 10 years for farm price supports. (Oct 2001)
• Voted NO on zero-funding OSHA's Ergonomics Rules instead of $4.5B. (Mar 2001)
• Rated 93% by the AFL-CIO, indicating a pro-union voting record. (Dec 2003)
• Allow an Air Traffic Controller's Union. (Jan 2006)
• Extend unemployment compensation during recession. (Jan 2008)

Robert Menendez on Principles & Values

• Voted with Democratic Party 95.7% of 325 votes. (Sep 2007)
• Chosen as Corzine’s successor after long political career. (Dec 2005)
• Appointed by governor-elect Jon Corzine to fill Senate seat. (Dec 2005)
• American Dream is about keeping promise to other generations. (Dec 2005)
• Priorities: affordable health care & college, and fair taxes. (Dec 2005)
• America needs unity to face challenges of globalization. (Dec 2005)
• Voted NO on confirming Samuel Alito as Supreme Court Justice. (Jan 2006)
• Religious affiliation: Catholic. (Nov 2000)
• Member of Congressional Hispanic Caucus. (Jan 2001)
• Rated 100% by the AU, indicating support of church-state separation. (Dec 2006)

Robert Menendez on Social Security

• At forefront of fighting privatizing our “sacred compact”. (Sep 2006)
• Opposes privatization and fought Bush’s privatization scheme. (Sep 2006)
• Against privatization; but says Kean has voted for it. (Sep 2006)
• Voted NO on establishing reserve funds & pre-funding for Social Security. (Mar 2007)
• Voted YES on raising 401(k) limits & making pension plans more portable. (May 2001)
• Voted NO on reducing tax payments on Social Security benefits. (Jul 2000)
• Voted YES on strengthening the Social Security Lockbox. (May 1999)
• Reject proposals for private saving accounts. (May 2002)
• Rated 90% by the ARA, indicating a pro-senior voting record. (Dec 2003)

Robert Menendez on Tax Reform

• Repealing the estate Tax only benefits the wealthiest 1%. (Sep 2006)
• Voted YES on increasing tax rate for people earning over $1 million. (Mar 2008)
• Voted NO on allowing AMT reduction without budget offset. (Mar 2008)
• Voted NO on raising the Death Tax exemption to $5M from $1M. (Feb 2008)
• Voted NO on repealing the Alternative Minimum Tax. (Mar 2007)
• Voted NO on raising estate tax exemption to $5 million. (Mar 2007)
• Voted NO on supporting permanence of estate tax cuts. (Aug 2006)
• Voted NO on permanently repealing the `death tax`. (Jun 2006)
• Voted YES on $47B for military by repealing capital gains tax cut. (Feb 2006)
• Voted YES on retaining reduced taxes on capital gains & dividends. (Feb 2006)
• Voted NO on retaining reduced taxes on capital gains & dividends. (Dec 2005)
• Voted NO on providing tax relief and simplification. (Sep 2004)
• Voted NO on permanently eliminating the marriage penalty. (Apr 2004)
• Voted NO on making the Bush tax cuts permanent. (Apr 2002)
• Voted NO on $99 B economic stimulus: capital gains & income tax cuts. (Oct 2001)
• Voted NO on Tax cut package of $958 B over 10 years. (May 2001)
• Voted NO on eliminating the Estate Tax ("death tax"). (Apr 2001)
• Voted NO on eliminating the "marriage penalty". (Jul 2000)
• Voted NO on $46 billion in tax cuts for small business. (Mar 2000)
• Rated 24% by NTU, indicating a "Big Spender" on tax votes. (Dec 2003)
• Rated 100% by the CTJ, indicating support of progressive taxation. (Dec 2006)

Robert Menendez on War & Peace

• Biggest mistake in Iraq was going there in the first place. (Sep 2006)
• Iraq is a war of choice; based on misleading & false threats. (Sep 2006)
• Opposes the war in Iraq. (Dec 2005)
• Only votes for war that he’d send his own kids to fight. (Dec 2005)
• The administration manipulated justifications for Iraq war. (Dec 2005)
• Voted YES on redeploying non-essential US troops out of Iraq in 9 months. (Dec 2007)
• Voted YES on designating Iran's Revolutionary Guards as terrorists. (Sep 2007)
• Voted YES on redeploying US troops out of Iraq by March 2008. (Mar 2007)
• Voted YES on redeploying troops out of Iraq by July 2007. (Jun 2006)
• Voted YES on approving removal of Saddam & valiant service of US troops. (Mar 2004)
• Voted NO on authorizing military force in Iraq. (Oct 2002)
• Voted NO on disallowing the invasion of Kosovo. (May 1999)
• Deploy UN multinational peacekeeping force in Darfur. (Jul 2007)

Robert Menendez on Welfare & Poverty

• Voted NO on promoting work and marriage among TANF recipients. (Feb 2003)
• Voted NO on treating religious organizations equally for tax breaks. (Jul 2001)
• Voted YES on responsible fatherhood via faith-based organizations. (Nov 1999)
• Increase the earned income tax credit. (Jan 1993)
• Develop a strategy to eliminate extreme global poverty. (Dec 2007)