NONPARTISAN CANDIDATE GUIDE: 2018 NORTH CAROLINA CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT #13

Abortion: Mostly ban or mostly legal?

Budd – Ban. Life begins at conception. Supports ban after 20 weeks. Voted to permanently ban the use of federal funds for abortion or health coverage that includes abortions.

Manning – Legal. Opposes legislation chipping away at family planning, imposing unnecessary regulations on doctors, & having government intrude “between a woman & her doctor.” 

 

Campaign Finance: Strengthen campaign donation disclosure rules? Stand on Citizens United decision, allowing unlimited political donations from corporations and unions?

Budd – No stand found. “There does seem to be a lot of money in politics. I wish it wasn’t this way but it is.”

Manning – Yes. Strengthen disclosure rules on who funds ads & donates to campaigns.  Reverse Citizens United. Isn’t taking corporate PAC money.

 

Climate Change: Consider climate change a serious threat? Stand on remedying it?

Budd – No. Does not see “clear evidence” that “man contributes” to climate change.  Believes a carbon tax would hurt United States economy.

Manning – Yes. “We have seen rising temperatures & storms in North Carolina. It’s long past time to take steps to alleviate the impacts of climate change.” Incentivize companies to shift toward more sustainable & cleaner power supplies.

 

Economy: Support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth?

Budd – No. Lower taxes to promote economic growth.

Manning – Yes. Invest in “infrastructure to improve our transportation system, increase economic growth.”

 

Economy: Support Trump’s imposition of tariffs on Chinese steel and other products?

Budd – Yes. Current tariffs are meant only as an effort to lead to trade reciprocity.

Manning – No stand found on tariffs. Need “trade deals that are fair, strengthen our economy, & protect our workers.“

 

Education: Help parents send their children to private schools with public money?

Budd – Likely yes. “Parents should have an opportunity to educate their child in the best public, private, or homeschool environment.”

Manning – No specific stand. Says will fight to “ensure every child goes to a great public school regardless of their zip code.”

 

Elections: Support nonpartisan redistricting to address charges of partisan gerrymandering?

Budd – No. “Redistricting is a state issue & each state should handle it as they see fit. I don’t think that any commission would be inherently independent.”

Manning – Yes. “Tired of politicians rigging the system by drawing unfair & unconstitutional voting districts.”

 

Environment: Support cutbacks in Environmental Protection Administration?

Budd – Yes. Voted to cut EPA funding by $1.9 billion. Also to cut specific EPA enforcement funds.

Manning – Likely no. “North Carolina families must have clean water to drink & clean air to breathe…When companies break the rules, children & families get sick.“

 

Financial Regulation: Cut back Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)?

Budd – Yes. Voted to repeal federal CFPB rules imposing limits on payday lending. And on how much credit card companies could charge merchants.

Manning – Opposes repeal of CFPB payday lending rule. Says payday lenders charge over 300% interest.

 

Gay Marriage: Support gay marriage?

Budd – No. “Defend marriage as an institution of one man & one woman.”

Manning – Yes. “All our citizens deserve equality under the law no matter their race, gender, or sexual orientation.”

 

Gun Control: Support more restrictive gun control legislation?

Budd – No. “Law-abiding citizens are not the problem.” Improve services for the mentally ill & properly enforce current background check laws.

Manning – Some. Grew up with guns, but would expand background checks on gun purchasers, prohibit bump stocks, & improve mental health screening.

 

Healthcare: Support or Repeal Affordable Care Act (ACA), known as Obamacare?

Budd – Voted for Repeal. “Obamacare has failed millions of Americans – our premiums have gone up & we have lost access to our doctors.”

Manning – Support & fix.  “If you make insurance for people with preexisting conditions so expensive it’s out of reach, you are not protecting people with preexisting conditions.“ Let Medicare negotiate prescription drug prices.

 

Healthcare: Let Planned Parenthood receive public funds for non-abortion health care?

Budd – No. Voted to defund Planned Parenthood completely.

Manning – Likely yes. Endorsed by Planned Parenthood Action Fund.

 

Immigration: Support path to citizenship for “DACA” recipients or “Dreamers,” who were brought here illegally as children?

Budd – Maybe. First crack down on sanctuary cities, end diversity visa lottery & chain migration & build border wall. Then could let DACA recipients stay, but no mention of path to citizenship.

Manning – Yes. “We need commonsense immigration reform that will secure our borders, create a pathway for Dreamers, & strengthen North Carolina & our country’s economy.”

 

Minimum Wage: Raise the federal minimum wage above $7.25?

Budd – Likely no. Failed to support most recent proposed increase. Voted to prohibit prevailing wage mandate.

Manning – No specific stand. “We need a strong economy that offers jobs that pay a living wage.”

 

Net Neutrality: Require internet providers to provide equal access to all users?

Budd – No. Endorsed repeal.

Manning – Yes. Supports net neutrality.

 

President Trump:  Percentage of votes supporting President Trump’s positions?

Budd – Voted with Trump 90% of time, as of Oct 10.

Manning – N/A

 

Renewable Energy: Support government subsidies for renewable energy?

Budd – Unclear. General preference for purely market solutions & critical ratings from environmental groups, but no specific stand.

Manning – Yes. “Ensure North Carolina continues its leadership in renewable energy technology.” Support companies shifting toward more sustainable energy.

 

Student Debt: Refinance student loans at lower rates? Increase federal student financial aid, like Pell Grants?

Budd – No stand found. “If [students are] going to be in college, we need to make sure that they understand the debt that they’re taking on.”

Manning – Yes. Let students refinance for best possible rate. Expand Pell grants so won’t have to borrow as much. Wrong that so overburdened by debt that they can never see getting out from under.

 

Taxes: Support President Trump’s tax cuts?

Budd – Yes. “Means hard-working Americans across the nation get to keep more of their money…  jobs coming back from overseas…. bonuses and salary increases for workers.”

Manning – No. Exploded the national debt & put Social Security at risk. “Imagine what they could have done if their priority had been middle-class families…instead of big corporations & the ultra-wealthy.”

 

Voting Rules: Support stricter voting rules, even if they limit access?

Budd – No stand found.

Manning – No. Supports same-day & automatic registration, restoring Voting Rights Act.