League of Women Voters of New York Education Foundation
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Steve J. Israel
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This is an archive of a past election. See http://www.smartvoter.org/ny/state/ for current information. |
League of Women Voters of New York Education Foundation
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Steve J. Israel
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The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of New York State and asked of all candidates for this office.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).Questions & Answers
1. The American occupation in Iraq continues to be enormously costly in dollars and in lives. What is your position on how our government should proceed?
I support a "1 for 1" plan that would require the administration to certify to Congress the operational capability of Iraqi forces and to re-deploy US forces on a 1:1 basis as Iraqi forces reach full combat capability. This would give the American people a good yardstick to measure the readiness of Iraqi forces and would be an effective tool to hold the administration accountable on a regular basis.2. What is your impression of the roll-out of the Medicare Prescription Drug program so far, and what changes would you propose to make it better?
The roll-out of the Medicare Prescription Drug program has been disappointing. The enrollment process was unbelievably confusing for seniors. The enrollment deadline was unrealistic. And the "doughnut hole" will leave many seniors without prescription drug coverage for a period of time. In Congress, I've been fighting to allow HHS to negotiate prices with pharmaceutical companies, just like the Department of Veterans Affairs, to reduce prices for both seniors and Uncle Sam.3. Where do you stand on the current balance between security and civil rights?
It is incredibly important to strike the right balance between national security and civil rights. Unfortunately, Congress recently reauthorized the USA PATRIOT Act without adding key protections for civil liberties. Specifically, Sections 215 and 206, which deal with electronic records and roving wiretaps, are still in need of improvement. I voted against the reauthorization of the PATRIOT Act because I did not think it struck the appropriate balance between security and civil liberties.
Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.
- Original answers for a published Voters Guide were limited to 50 words and are presented as submitted. Candidates have since been invited to supply answers of any length for the Web.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).
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Created from information supplied by the candidate: October 12, 2006 17:36
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