John Delaney

The Democrats have a big field of candidates running for President in 2020. Each of them brings their own unique strengths to the table in a bid to take our country in a very different direction than the one we’re on today.

But as we well know from 2016, the media (and especially social media) gets fixated on non-substantial issues that take up all the oxygen. Plus, they don’t give the candidates the same treatment or the same amount of airtime.

In order to help voters get to know the Democratic candidates, I’ve gathered quotes and information about what the candidates have said or done in regards to the 7 issues that midterm voters identified as the most important. I hope that these guides serve as a helpful starting point for you as you look into which candidates (or how many candidates!) you are interested in supporting in their bid to become our next President.

Today, let’s get to know John Delaney!

Career Highlights

✦ Former U.S. Representative (Maryland, 6th district), 2013-2019
✦ Entrepreneur, Co-Founder of Health Care Financial Partners and CapitalSource

Healthcare

Medicare for All: “Delaney envisions creating a government health care program for all Americans under the age of 65, after which they could enroll in Medicare. The plan would enshrine healthcare as a right for all Americans while still allowing people the choice of buying into the private market. Delaney opposes “Medicare for All,” saying that Medicare works and should be left alone. In Congress, he was a vocal supporter of the Affordable Care Act and was open to adding a public option, as well as expanding Medicare for people over the age of 55.” Source 

Pro-Choice: “Delaney identifies as pro-choice … and voted for legislation to fund organizations like Planned Parenthood.” Source

Prescription Drugs: “The U.S. should approach pharmaceutical prices as companies in the private sector approach buying goods, by using their purchasing power as leverage to negotiate down on costs.” Source

Mental Health: “Delaney released a plan Wednesday morning he said would provide more mental health services to Americans. … Under his plan, the federal government would help pay for more mental health professionals in schools, jails and prisons and increase Medicare reimbursement rates — what doctors are paid to see Medicare recipients.” Source

Climate Change

Paris Climate Accord: “I would re-enter the Paris Agreement and make the U.S. a global leader in climate policy and new energy technology. With a carbon tax and an investment in negative emissions technology, we can reduce emissions by 40 percent by 2030 and can be at net-zero carbon by 2050.” Source 

Green New Deal: “He voiced support for, “the energy behind the Green New Deal,” but opposition to the resolution itself.” Source 

Climate Policy: “We can’t compete in a 21st century economy with a 20th century energy policy. We need to develop a national energy policy focused on two goals: 1) becoming a global leader in domestic energy production and alternative energy technology and 2) properly responding to climate change. For this reason, I am proud to be a member of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition.” Source

Carbon Tax: “Last November, Delaney co-sponsored a bipartisan bill that looked to impose an initial $15-per-ton carbon “fee” on fossil fuel producers, processors and importers.” Source 

Environmental Record: Delaney has a 93% lifetime rating from the League of Conservation Voters, based on his voting record in Congress.  Source

Civil Rights

LGBTQ Rights: “In Congress, he consistently voted to strengthen anti-LGBTQ discrimination laws.” Source

Women’s Rights: “It is time to acknowledge the simple fact that women’s rights are human rights, and we must use this approach as we address the pressing issues facing women today.” Delaney supports protecting the “fundamental rights” of women and ensuring that women are treated equally in American society. He also champions working to support women in the developing world. He believes that critical elements needed to accomplish this include healthcare, reproductive justice, workplace fairness, working to end domestic violence, and supporting international aid programs. Source

Equal Rights Amendment: “In June 2013 Delaney sponsored legislation which would remove the deadline for ratification of the ERA.” Source

Marriage Equality: Delaney “has been on record as a supporter of same-sex marriage since August 2012.” Source

Transgender Rights: “Delaney opposed Trump’s decision to ban transgender members in the military.” Source 

Disability Rights: Delaney introduced the “Medical Leave for Disabled Veterans Act, which significantly shortens the required period of employment for a disabled veteran to have access to medical leave through the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).” Source

Criminal Justice Reform: “John Delaney on Thursday announced a 13-point proposal on criminal justice, including ending cash bail and increasing funding for body cameras and community policing, as part of a broader policy plan aimed at black America.” Source

Gun Reform

Gun Reform: “Delaney considers the top-three gun control priorities to be passing legislation for universal background checks, limiting the availability of “certain high-powered, military-style assault weapons” and passing a national red flag law.” Source 

Restrictions: Delaney supports restrictions on gun purchases. Source

Reciprocity: “In December 2017, Delaney voted in opposition to concealed carry reciprocity.” Source 

Arming Teachers: Delaney was a signatory on a letter to Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, opposing the proposal that federal education funds be spent on purchasing guns for teachers. Source

Voting Rights

Voter Registration: “He also supports automatic voter registration and same day registration.” Source

Gerrymandering: “In his presidential stump-speeches, Delaney has reportedly adopted gerrymandering and campaign finance reform two of the key concerns he wishes to address.” Source

Restoring the Voting Rights Act: “John supports the Voting Rights Advancement Act, which would require that states with a history of violating voting rights get approval from the Department of Justice before making any changes to election procedures or voting requirements.” Source 

Expanding Voting Rights: “As a congressman, Delaney introduced the Open Our Democracy Act, legislation aimed at ending gerrymandering and establishing Election Day as a federal holiday.” Source 

Economic Inequality

Taxes: “A year ago, he wrote a letter urging Trump to raise the corporate tax rate from 21 percent to 23 percent in order to fund a $200 billion infrastructure package. In Congress, he strongly opposed the tax reform bill passed by Republicans in 2017 (which lowered the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent).” Source 

Philosophy: “I’m a big believer in the private economy and market forces, but I also believe there’s a role for government in setting the rules of the road and helping take care of the most vulnerable.” Source

Minimum Wage: “He supports raising the federal minimum wage to $15.” Source 

Equal Pay: “During his three terms representing Maryland in the House, Delaney co-sponsored the Paycheck Fairness Act, the Equal Rights Amendment and the FAMILY Act. He has frequently tweeted about his support for pay equity, and in 2015 he posted a photo of himself holding a sign that read ‘equal pay for equal work is a core American value.'” Source

Job Training: “The way you deal with automation is by upgrading people’s skills so they can get the jobs of the future. National Service helps in that regard because it kind of gives kids a gap year where they have an opportunity get some skills and better position themselves to get some additional education and training.” Source

Automation: “While in Congress, Delaney founded the AI (Artificial Intelligence) caucus and authored legislation to create an advisory committee on AI’s impact in the workforce. He has called for policies that seek to address job loss due to AI and automation.” Source

Foreign Affairs

Russia: “Delaney considered the Russian military intervention in the Republic of Ukraine to be an affront to what he viewed as the United States’ national values of democracy, sovereignty, and the rule of law. He also considered it to be a threat to civilian lives. In 2014 Delaney voiced his support to implement sanctions against Russia in response to their regional actions, as well as new initiatives to sell American natural gas to Europe as a way of stopping Russia’s regional influence.” Source 

North Korea: “While I have been supportive of the President’s decision to engage in dialogue with North Korea, this decision to undercut his own officials underscores his erratic and unstable behavior.  Nuclear weapons remain the most significant short-term risk to the world and the American people deserve a steady and disciplined hand negotiating the denuclearization of North Korea. President Trump is not that person.” Source

China: “The former CEO has criticized China for intellectual property theft and supports building a global alliance to pressure China to open its markets. He commended the president for taking China seriously as a global threat, but opposes the administration’s tariffs, which Delaney argues hurt American farmers and curtail job growth.” Source

Iran: “Delaney has been critical of Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. Delaney considers Trump’s decision to be squandered opportunity to the United States to work with allies in preventing proliferation. Delaney believes that Trump’s decision heightened the risk of Iran obtaining nuclear weapons or initiating a military conflict.” Source

Saudi Arabia: “Delaney strongly supports the Senate vote declaring Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman responsible for the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Delaney has also praised the Senate’s decision to withdraw military aid from Saudi forces fighting in Yemen.” Source

Legislative Record (includes enacted legislation & bills sponsored): John Delaney

Campaign website: Delaney: Focus on the Future

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Check out all of our 7 Issues Guides: Kamala Harris, Amy Klobuchar, Julian Castro, Elizabeth Warren, Cory Booker, Pete Buttigieg, Kirsten Gillibrand, Jay Inslee, John Hickenlooper, Beto O’Rourke, Bernie Sanders, John Delaney, Joe Biden, Eric Swalwell

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Categories: 2020 Candidates

Tags: 2020 Democratic candidates, 2020 Democratic primary, 2020 presidential election, civil rights, climate change, economic inequality, featured, foreign affairs, gun reform, healthcare, John Delaney, voting rights