Marcy's Priorities
Jobs, Costs & the Economy
Strengthening our economy is Marcy Kaptur’s top priority. Unfair trade agreements, corporate politicians, Wall Street recklessness, and tax breaks for large corporations that ship our jobs to China and Mexico have decimated America’s middle-class, especially in Northwest Ohio. Marcy isn’t afraid to stand up to Democrats in Congress to defend Ohio. She is fighting to bring jobs home, take away tax breaks from companies that ship jobs overseas, and for tariffs that protect Ohio-based factories and companies.
Marcy believes that if you’re willing to work hard, then you shouldn’t need a four-year college degree to get a good-paying job. That’s why she is a strong supporter of job training and technical skills programs, and secured funding for a local training program to prepare workers to get good-paying jobs in the changing economy that don’t require college
degrees.
Marcy believes we must have an economy that works for working people at all ages. She has fought to protect Social Security and Medicare from cuts and privatization, because working people have spent years paying into the system and they deserve to be covered. She has and will continue to fight to lower the costs of healthcare, prescription drugs, and groceries, while working to create high-wage jobs and make life easier for all.
Immigration & Our Border
Marcy believes in secure borders and legal immigration. She has voted to improve and expand border security, to hire more than 10,000 border agents, and to enable military presence at the border if needed. Marcy believes in deploying cutting-edge technology to monitor crossings, and has voted to deliver resources necessary to our Customs and Border Patrol agents. Just as the answer is not separating children from parents at the border, Marcy knows an orderly approach that prioritizes the security of the United States must be put in place. She’s voted to lock up drug traffickers bringing fentanyl into our communities. She’s fought for comprehensive immigration reform, and the 2024 plan negotiated in the Senate by Republican James Lankford. Marcy knows that this issue is not a Democrat or Republican problem, it’s an American problem that would be solved if we work together.
Energy, Infrastructure & Housing
As chair of the Energy and Water subcommittee on Appropriations, Marcy believes we need an “all of the above” energy policy. Whether it’s solar, wind, geo-thermal, or biofuels, our region can lead us into a 21st century energy future not dependent on foreign oil or renewable manufacturers, while also fostering American energy independence and bringing down emissions to combat climate change. Additionally, we need a new mindset that recognizes that our homes are an important part of our nation’s infrastructure. Marcy is a champion of weatherization programs that increase home energy efficiency and bring down costs for citizens who need it most. A one-size-fits all approach to housing will not work – some communities need new housing to bring down the cost of homeownership. Others have housing stock that must be rehabilitated after years of neglect following the 2008 financial crisis. Marcy is a leader in efforts to increase the supply of affordable housing, while reducing the dangers of lead in legacy homes. She has introduced the Restoring Communities Left Behind Act to invest in both urban and rural communities that have seen disinvestment over the years.
Women's Reproductive Rights
A woman’s health decisions must be between a woman and her doctor, not out-of-touch lawmakers. Marcy opposes a national abortion ban, especially a ban that would not make exceptions for rape, incest or life of the mother. Marcy knows that the criminalization of reproductive healthcare must be fought in every instance.
Agriculture & Nutrition
Marcy has been a passionate supporter of American agriculture her entire life. She knows the value of rich soil, and values the knowledge and wisdom of self-sustaining communities. This passion has manifested itself in a commitment to policies that support small farmers, lead to environmental best practices, and create economic opportunities in a changing world. The road to a healthy Lake Erie is not paved with the punishment of family farmers struggling to get by. Solutions to help families maintain farming traditions, as well as prevent the consolidation of farms and spread of absentee owners who aren’t invested in our communities must be found through consensus. Additionally, supporting urban agriculture and the rehabilitation of urban ecosystems and natural resources is an urgent priority for the 21st century.
Veterans
Marcy Kaptur has made support for America’s veterans a central pillar of her service. In 2022, she helped pass the PACT Act, marking the largest expansion of benefits and services for veterans in more than 30 years. She’s secured funding for new state-of-the-art V.A.clinics across northern Ohio. She helped lead an effort to save the 180th Fighter Wing in Toledo when it was threatened to be closed and delivered massive federal support to construction of new base facilities and an expanded mission for the unit.
Marcy led the nearly two decade effort to build the National World War II Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. resulting in a fitting tribute to the sacrifices of those who fought tyranny and oppression. The Memorial is now one of the most visited sites in Washington, D.C. a fitting tribute to our Greatest Generation. The idea came from Berkey, Ohio constituent Roger Durbin. In 2004 at its unveiling, Mr. Durbin was posthumously honored for his inspiration.
Defense & Foreign Affairs
Marcy Kaptur is a strong supporter of modern defense systems and equipment for our armed forces and supports Northern Ohio’s legacy as a leader in the nation’s defense industrial base. She has spearheaded major federal investments at Ohio’s defense bases including northern Ohio’s National Guard and Reserve assets such as the 180 TFW and Ottawa County’s Camp Perry. These investments resulted in our Guard bases ranking among the most modern, energy efficient bases in the U.S. Marcy is a strong believer that Congress, and not the president alone, must have a voice in defense actions. She voted against authorizing President Bush’s Iraq war powers. We must engage with allies to advance liberty and improve quality of life around the world.
Great Lakes
The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative brings vital funding to protect our most precious natural resources, but much work remains to be done. When the initiative was threatened to be zeroed out, Marcy worked in a bipartisan manner to restore it – and the promise of clean, fresh water for our region. The fight to stop harmful algal blooms and invasive species could not be more important to our region. Whether it’s the water we drink, our fishing and tourism industries, or the importance of preserving the beauty of our coast, the stakes of a healthy Lake Erie are clear.
Wall Street
Wall Street has a serious accountability problem. Whether it was subprime lending, predatory lending practices, big banks selling mortgage securities without due diligence, or speculators betting on failure, greed has been allowed to warp our economy and put millions of hard-working Americans at risk. The Dodd-Frank legislation more than a decade ago did not go far enough. Commercial banking has not been separated from investment banking. Our financial institutions are still “too big to fail”. Our credit rating agencies have not been regulated. Community banks face too many hurdles to compete. Marcy has proposed the Return to Prudent Banking Act, which would reinstate the provisions of the Glass-Steagall Act to address these issues and more. This is also an issue of accountability – those who engage in financial crimes must face an equipped justice system. Marcy proposed and supported passage of the Financial Crisis Investigation Act which authorized the hiring of 1,000 agents and forensic experts to investigate financial crimes.
Campaign Finance
Campaign spending has skyrocketed in the years following the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision. Billionaires and corporations are now free to pump millions of dollars into our elections without accountability. Without campaign finance reform, Democracy is at risk. Marcy Kaptur knows we must reign in special interests and has supported legislation to repeal Citizens United, to limit spending in elections, and to improve access to the ballot for candidates. Our elections cannot be up for sale to the highest bidder. Liberty requires safeguards on the influence of money in governance and elections.
