John Fetterman, Democrat, Candidate for U.S. Senate
What is your position on abortion policy?
The right to an abortion is non-negotiable, period. Women should have control over their own bodies and their own lives. I support eliminating the filibuster to pass a bill like the Women’s Health Protection Act to codify the right to an abortion into law. My opponent has called all abortions “murder” and indicated that he does not support abortion rights — he has even said he doesn’t support exemptions in cases of rape or incest.
What is your position on voting administration? (ex: mail-in ballots, drop boxes, voter ID, etc.)
I have been vocally supportive of legislation in Congress that would strengthen our democracy and expand voting rights, including the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, the For the People Act, and the Freedom to Vote Act. It’s crucial that we make it easier for people to vote and knock down the restrictions designed to reduce turnout. We should also work to eliminate dark money in politics and increase donor and lobbyist transparency.
What are your positions on economic policy and job creation (ex: inflation reduction, taxes, regulations, etc.)?
As prices soar and families get ripped off, people are struggling across Pennsylvania. We need real solutions that will fight inflation and bring down costs. I recently released my plan for working Pennsylvanians that will do just that by making more stuff in America (and right here in Pennsylvania), bringing jobs back home, cracking down on huge corporations that are price gouging, cutting taxes for working people, and slashing “out of pocket” healthcare costs. These critical policies aren’t Democratic or Republican solutions — they’re pro-America, and pro-worker solutions.
What is your position on climate change and environmental policy?
I’m proud to say I have never taken a dime from the fossil fuel industry, and I never will. Republicans need to get real about climate change, and Democrats need to get real about our energy needs. We can’t just abandon the people who keep our energy grid running, and tell them to go learn how to code. That’s why I don’t support a fracking moratorium in Pennsylvania. This idea that we have to choose between jobs and a clean environment is wrong. We must uphold the union way of life for workers across Pennsylvania in a responsible way.
What is your position on immigration policy?
It is no secret our immigration system is broken. We need a system that is strong, secure, and humane. In the Senate, I would support investments that go towards keeping our borders strong and preventing the flow of illegal drugs into our country. We also must work to ensure that our immigration system is humane. I support commonsense immigration reforms that will restore our country’s legacy as a nation built by immigrants. In the Senate, I will work to modernize our visa system and asylum programs so that they can’t be exploited by bad actors. I will also fight for a pathway to citizenship for frontline workers, small business owners, and young people who have only known this country as their home.
What is your position on LGBTQ rights? (ex: marriage, adoption, sports participation)
When it comes to LGBTQIA+ rights, I have always been very clear where I stand – in favor of Equal Protection Under The Law. I was the first elected official in the state to perform a marriage for a gay couple, even before marriage equality laws were passed. I will proudly defend these rights in Washington, DC.
What is your position on criminal justice reform?
I believe in the power of a second chance, and for years, I have advocated for reforms to our too often unforgiving and vindictive justice system. As Lieutenant Governor, I have fought hard for second chances for deserving Pennsylvanians and to free the wrongfully convicted through my work as Chair of the Board of Pardons. As Pennsylvania’s next senator, I will fight for a criminal legal system where everyone is equal in the eyes of the law. I will work to make sure that serious crimes receive serious punishment, while also alleviating the burdens placed on prosecutors and judges by focusing on effective diversion programs for nonviolent offenders, and prioritizing sentencing reform.
What is your position on gun ownership policy?
True public safety must include ending the tragedy of mass shootings in this country. The United States is the only country that sees this level of mass shootings, and we have the power to end it. I’m a gun owner, and I’ve been around guns my whole life. I want what an overwhelming majority of Americans, including the majority of gun owners, want – which is common sense gun safety measures. We need universal background checks, red flag laws, and more proactive efforts to get illegal guns off our streets. This is personal for me, and every time we delay real action, we’re only counting down the hours until the next tragedy. Enough.
Is there anything else you'd like to add?