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Elections 2006
By Judie Jacobson Rob Simmons stunned the pundits when he defeated incumbent Sam Gejdenson by just 3,000 in 2000 to become the United States Representative from Connecticut’s 2nd congressional district. Since then, despite being in the most Democratic GOP-held seat in the nation, he has fended off challenges from several opponents n including Joe Courtney, who lost to him in 2002. Now, Courtney, a former state legislator, is challenging Simmons once again in a race that is considered a toss up. This week the Ledger continues its look at Connecticut’s congressional races by posing a series of questions on issues of community concern to Rob Simmons and Joe Courtney. Congressional District 2: Incumbent: Rob Simmons (Rep.) On Israel What role should the United States play in the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian terrorist groups, Hezbollah and Hamas, and their "benefactors," Iran and Syria? Rob Simmons: The U.S. position as an honest broker for peace should be maintained and heightened whenever possible. I continue to support a two-state solution and the goals envisioned in the “Road Map for Peace.” In 2003, I was one of only 44 Members of Congress to sign a letter to the President commending him for the release of the Roadmap. However, Hamas and Hezbollah are terrorist groups and should in no way be rewarded for their atrocities. Likewise, support for these groups from the regimes in Iran and Syria should be dealt with harshly. In Congress, I have long supported legislation to impose sanctions on Iran and Syria and deny non-humanitarian U.S. assistance to a Hamas-lead Palestinian Authority (PA). In 2003, I was proud to vote in favor of H.R. 1828, the Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act. This act requires the President to impose penalties on Syria unless it ceases support for international terrorist groups, ends its occupation of Lebanon, ceases the development of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), and has ceased supporting or facilitating terrorist activity in Iraq. I continue to support imposition of these sanctions. Most recently, I was a cosponsor and voted for the Iran Freedom Support Act (HR 282) to renew and strengthen existing sanctions aimed at curtailing funds Iran has available to pursue nuclear weapons. The bill also urges support for democratic forces in Iran and calls for American divestment from foreign companies investing in Iran's petroleum sector. I am also proud to support H.R. 4681, a bill to send a strong but measured message to the Hamas-lead PA. The bill would halt U.S. aid to the terrorist-led PA. It does, however, provide for the delivery of humanitarian assistance and allows support for PA President Abbas. And I supported legislation (HR 5522) punishing Russia for assisting Iran by withholding 60% of any U.S. assistance to the Russian Federation unless it terminates technical assistance to Iran's nuclear and ballistic missiles programs. Joe Courtney: The U.S./Israeli relationship is one based on friendship, democratic values, and common global strategies. It is imperative that the United States Congress support this special bond and strengthen this important relationship. Congress must continue to support full funding for foreign assistance to Israel and the further growth of industry and trade between the two countries. Congress must also take steps to offer Israel the necessary support to ensure that when Israel makes unique sacrifices for their peace and stability, they do not compromise their own national security. America as a nation has learned that if the world stands by and allows one country to be a victim of terrorist attacks, soon all countries will become victims of such violence. A safe and secure State of Israel is of the utmost importance not only to the security of the United States but also to democratic nations across the globe. The United States House of Representatives passed the Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act of 2006, a piece of legislation that I support. This bill reaffirms the United States' commitment to the eventual establishment of a Palestinian state, while recognizing that moving forward will be nearly impossible while the territory is controlled by terrorists. The international community should hold back financial support for the Palestinian Authority, but continue to support, through the responsible international organizations, humanitarian aid delivered directly to the Palestinian people. The Iran Freedom Support Act sends a clear message to the government of Iran that the development of nuclear weapons is not negotiable. The proliferation of nuclear weapons in an already unstable Middle East region is unacceptable and creates an even more difficult environment for negotiations and diplomatic solutions to many of the existing problems in the region. Addressing Iran's financial backing of Hamas and Hezbollah must be part of a comprehensive approach to dealing with the Iranian threat, and must be on the table in any future talks. Both Hezbollah and Hamas are heavily dependent on external financing. The flow of weapons to these organizations must also be stemmed. This means implementing the full range of economic and military sanctions available when a country -- like Iran or Syria - has been placed on the state sponsor of terror list. The US Department of the Treasury and State Department must continue to be vigilant in uncovering and shutting down organizations and institutions that serve as nodes of financing and money laundering for terrorism. On Iraq Do you support President Bush's strategy in Iraq or would you advocate setting a specific timetable for withdrawal of U.S. troops? Rob Simmons: I support a phased timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq. I do not support a date certain for withdrawal, because that would put our troops at a disadvantage against the enemy. Based on my trips to the theater and my experience in Vietnam, I believe that we have reached a “tipping point” in Iraq, and that our extended presence will only make matters worse. We have trained over 300,000 Iraqi security forces since 2003. We need to increase the integration of American soldiers into Iraqi security forces for on-the-job-training while accelerating the drawdown of U.S. troops that began earlier this year. Joe Courtney: The Bush Administration's headlong rush into war in March 2003 has been the biggest foreign policy disaster in a generation. The war in Iraq was justified with inaccurate and misleading intelligence, was conducted with inadequate troop strength and no exit plan, and has left our country isolated in the world with our military stretched to the breaking point. We are spending $250 million a day of borrowed money with no end in sight, and we get nothing but mindless slogans such as "Stay the Course" as a policy from George Bush and Rob Simmons. As a candidate I have spoken out against the Administration's mistakes and mismanagement, calling for Donald Rumsfeld's removal beginning in September of 2005, and highlighting the shameful, craven support this Congress and Rob Simmons have given to Bush's war in Iraq. The continuing disaster on the ground in Iraq is the direct result of the incompetence of the Bush Administration and the failure of Rob Simmons and the Republican Congress to ask any serious questions, investigate, and demand results. The Iraqis must be made to understand that the United States has no intention of babysitting a civil war. I believe that 2007 should be a year of transition in Iraq and a year in which we begin to see some of our American troops returning home. Senator Dodd, in a speech at Providence College, agrees that the people of Iraq should be able to take over their own nation alleviating the United States' role in the country over the course of the next 18 months. The people of Iraq need to take control of their country, and this election is about the American people taking control of theirs. The truth is that the solution in Iraq must be an Iraqi one, not an American one. We have our part to play, but the Iraqi people and their political leaders must seize the opportunity given them by the American people. Our patience is not unlimited, and electing a new Congress on November 7, 2006 will send a loud and clear message that the days of Donald Rumsfeld's arrogant incompetence are coming to an end and that our system of checks and balances will work to change course in Iraq. Subhead On Energy What should the U.S. and its citizens be doing to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and the use of fossil fuels? Rob Simmons: To reduce our dependence on foreign oil, the United States should be focusing on renewable sources of energy. Last year, I voted for an energy bill that does just that by providing more than $3 billion in investment for hydrogen and fuel-cell research technology that will allow Connecticut to continue to be on the cutting edge of alternative fuel development and maintain its reputation as the “fuel-cell capital of the world.” The bill also includes $325 million over the next four years for state energy conservation programs, $5.4 billion for renewable energy research and development, $4.8 billion to develop “clean coal” technology that will significantly reduce pollution emissions and $200 million for the “Clean Cities” program to provide grants to state and local governments to acquire alternative-fueled vehicles. As a member of the Congressional Renewable Energy Caucus, I know how important these dollars are. I also support several pieces of legislation important to our nation’s energy independence including H.R. 6203, the “Alternative Energy Research and Development Act,” which would authorize research and development and technology demonstration activities at the Department of Energy (DOE) to develop advanced, clean energy technologies such as hydrogen, wind, solar and biodiesel, and H.R. 4409, the “Fuel Choices for American Security Act” that offers a viable blueprint to independence by helping transform the nation's transportation sector into a 21st Century model. It presents a new energy strategy which strengthens current supply, increases conservation efforts, and embraces new fuel choices. Each of us can help the process by making simple changes to conserve energy in our own homes. Using Energy Star products and being conscientious energy users will go a long way in reducing our nation’s use of fossil fuels. Joe Courtney: First and foremost the multi-billion dollar subsidies that were given to the oil industry by my opponent and the Republican Congress must be repealed. Taxpayer dollars should not be used to subsidize an industry that has posted the largest profits in the history of modern commerce. By investing just a portion of this money in clean energy and the research of 'green' technology we can begin to chart a path towards energy independence. We should modestly increase fuel efficiency standards for our cars and trucks and invest energy savings in retrofitting businesses and factories. My opponent has voted for Bush's Energy Policy five times while in Congress and has taken more than $60,000 from the oil industry to fund his campaign. It's clear that if Rob Simmons is re-elected he will do nothing to address our dependence on foreign sources of fuel. I would have opposed the Bush Energy Plan, including the provisions that took away the State of Connecticut's permitting rights for the Broadwater Energy LNG terminal in Long Island Sound. This terminal is not a bridge to energy independence and puts the sensitive environment of Long Island Sound and the safety of those who live near the shore at risk. When elected I will fight to prevent this installation from being constructed. Recently, I was honored with the endorsement of the Sierra Club - both the national and Connecticut chapters. They recognize that I have a long history of protecting the sensitive environment of eastern Connecticut and will continue this work in Washington, ensuring that our state remains a safe and healthy place to raise a family. On Abortion Where do you stand on the issue of abortion? Would you be in favor of the overturning of Roe v Wade by the Supreme Court? Rob Simmons: Since coming to Congress, I have fully supported the rights delineated by Roe v. Wade and maintained a strong pro-choice record. I also strongly support programs that can reduce the number of abortions worldwide -- including domestic and international family planning programs, age-appropriate education programs and increased availability of adoptive services. However, my support for Roe v. Wade will never waver. Joe Courtney: I am a staunch supporter of a woman's right to choose and would be against efforts to curtail or overturn the rights accorded by the court decision of Roe vs. Wade. On school vouchers What is your position on publicly funded private school vouchers? Why? Rob Simmons: I am opposed to federal school voucher programs, and I have consistently voted against including such programs in District of Columbia and Hurricane Katrina relief appropriations legislation. I believe public schools are the cornerstone of our education system. Since coming to Congress, I have worked with members on both sides of the aisle to make strengthening Connecticut's public education a top priority. I will continue to fight for increases in education spending, stronger incentives to recruit highly qualified teachers, increased resources for special education and protections for important early childhood programs like Head Start. Joe Courtney: I am opposed to publicly funded vouchers and believe that we should instead provide our public schools the tools they need to ensure that every child has the chance to succeed. This means reversing the irresponsible multi-billion dollar cuts to education that the Republican Congress and my opponent supported in May - at exactly the same time Connecticut's school systems were putting together their budgets for the coming academic year. Even before this irresponsible budget vote, the towns of the Second Congressional District lost nearly two million dollars in Title I funding, the largest source of funding for No Child Left Behind. These federal cuts further squeeze municipal budgets and force taxpayers to take on a larger portion of local education costs. On affirmative action What is your position on the issue of affirmative action? Rob Simmons: I believe affirmative action should be used on a need-based criteria and not a nationwide federal mandate. Institutions with affirmative action policies should set goals and timetables for increased diversity n and use recruitment, set-asides and preference as ways of achieving those goals. If affirmative action is successful, it will not need to go on indefinitely. Joe Courtney: Despite significant gains in my lifetime, the reality is that we still live in a nation with different degrees of social and economic opportunity that are unfortunately often determined by race, background, and gender. It is important that we eliminate discrimination of any type, prevent new forms of discrimination, and identify and fix hidden biases. I believe that public institutions in each state should continue to utilize those measures they feel most appropriate to improve equality of opportunities and enhance diversity, which has been shown to lead to powerful results. On church and state Do you think religious symbols have a place in public schools or on display on local, state or federally-owned property? Rob Simmons: I am a strong supporter of our Constitutional freedom of religion and have voted to protect individuals’ rights to worship freely and celebrate their faith as they wish. For example, in the past I have voted to protect the rights of veteran’s groups to use religious symbols at memorial or commemoration events. I do not, however, condone or support overt government sponsorship or promotion of any specific religion over another. Joe Courtney: I believe that the separation of church and state, as set forth in the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, is a fundamental pillar of our civil liberties. As a church-going American I honor people's commitments to their individual faiths, but as an attorney I understand the importance of maintaining clear legal boundaries. I am opposed to the government endorsement of any particular religion and will oppose any legislation that violates the important religious freedoms protected in the Constitution. |
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