Michael’s answers
Their position on each question. ★ = part of their agenda.
Foreign Aidno data
Substantially increase foreign aid as a core tool for reducing global poverty and advancing humanitarian goalsSharply cut or eliminate most foreign aid and focus resources on domestic needs
U.S. Southern Border Securityno data
Shift away from physical barriers and heavy patrols, investing instead in addressing migration's root causes and processing arrivals humanelyPursue maximum enforcement, including large troop deployments and sealing the border against unauthorized entry
Legal Immigration Levelsno data
Substantially expand legal immigration to widen lawful pathwaysCut legal immigration significantly across most categories
Rent Controlno data
Impose strong rent caps that tightly limit annual increases across most rental housingProhibit rent control entirely and let supply and demand set rental prices
U.S. Military Spendingno data
Significantly cut defense spending and redirect funds to domestic and diplomatic prioritiesSubstantially expand defense spending to ensure clear military superiority over rivals
Legalizing Recreational Marijuanano data
Fully legalize, regulate, and tax marijuana nationwide for adult useMaintain the federal ban and enforce it consistently across all states
Death Penaltyno data
Abolish the death penalty in all casesExpand the death penalty and speed up the appeals process to carry out sentences
Same-Sex Marriageinferred · 100%
Same-sex marriage is a fundamental right that should be fully protected and treated identically to other marriagesMarriage should be legally defined as a union between one man and one woman
AnswerSame-sex marriage is a fundamental right that should be fully protected and treated identically to other marriages
AI summary Marriage is a fundamental right that same-sex couples deserve to enjoy, and now they will have the same rights and opportunities that the law grants to Susan [Bennet's spouse] and me. (paraphrased — not a direct quote) source ↗ · as of 2026-09-02 Affirmative Actionno data
Such considerations should be actively used to expand diversity and remedy past discriminationRace and ethnicity should never be considered in admissions or hiring decisions
Privatizing Veteran Healthcareno data
Keep all veteran care within an expanded, fully government-run VA health system and limit outside referralsShift most veteran care to the private sector, with the government primarily paying private providers
Tariffs (General Approach)no data
Eliminate most tariffs to lower prices and expand free tradeApply high tariffs across the board to prioritize domestic manufacturing and economic independence
Balancing Tax Increases vs Spending Cutsinferred · 70%
Close gaps almost entirely by raising taxes, especially on high earners and corporations, with little to no spending reductionClose gaps almost entirely through spending cuts, while reducing taxes wherever possible
AnswerLean mainly on new revenue, paired with limited cuts to lower-priority programs
AI summary Michael also helped pass the Inflation Reduction Act which made crucial investments to confront climate change and make health care more affordable, while reducing the deficit and making the richest corporations finally pay their fair share in taxes. (paraphrased — not a direct quote) source ↗ · as of 2026-09-02 Wealth Taxno data
Yes, levy a broad annual wealth tax with meaningful rates to reduce concentration of wealthNo, an annual wealth tax is unworkable and discourages saving and investment
Government Regulation Overallno data
Expand regulation significantly to protect consumers, workers, and the environment.Sharply cut regulations and require strict cost-benefit limits on new rules.
Government Secrecy vs Transparencyno data
Default to disclosure, classifying only narrow material and declassifying aggressively over timePrioritize secrecy by default, giving agencies wide authority to withhold security-related information
Private School Vouchersno data
Prohibit using public funds for private school tuition and keep money in public schoolsProvide universal vouchers or education savings accounts usable at any school
Universal Healthcareinferred · 80%
Establish a single, government-run health plan that covers everyone and replaces private insuranceRely on the private market and individual choice, with minimal government involvement in coverage
AnswerBuild toward universal coverage by combining expanded public programs with regulated private insurance
AI summary Bennet does favor creating a public option for health insurance that he said would increase competition and lower costs among healthcare providers. (paraphrased — not a direct quote) source ↗ · as of 2026-09-02 Prescription Drug Pricesno data
Have the government set or cap drug prices directly to guarantee affordabilityLeave prices to the market and rely on private negotiation to control costs
Overall Gun Lawsinferred · 70%
Much stricter, with broad new limits on sales, ownership, and firearm typesMuch looser, treating firearm access as a strongly protected right
AnswerSomewhat stricter, adding targeted regulations to current law
AI summary Bennet participated in the Chris Murphy gun control filibuster, demanding that gun laws be changed in the wake of the Orlando nightclub shooting. (paraphrased — not a direct quote) source ↗ · as of 2026-09-02 Abortion (Overall)no data
Legal in all cases as a personal medical decisionIllegal in nearly all cases to protect unborn life
Carbon Taxno data
Adopt a high, rising carbon tax to sharply cut emissions, with rebates to householdsReject any carbon tax and address emissions through innovation rather than pricing
Climate Change (Overall)inferred · 80%
Treat climate change as a top national emergency requiring sweeping, immediate actionMake climate change a low priority and avoid policies that restrict industry or raise costs
AnswerMake climate change a high priority with strong, sustained policy commitments
AI summary Bennet was one of 25 Democratic senators to cosponsor a resolution in response to findings of the Intergovernmental Panel On Climate Change report and National Climate Assessment. (paraphrased — not a direct quote) source ↗ · as of 2026-09-02 Universal Basic Incomeno data
Establish a generous universal basic income large enough to cover basic living costs for everyoneOppose any basic income and rely on work, markets, and private opportunity to support people
Federal Minimum Wageno data
Raise the federal minimum wage substantially and index it to rise with the cost of livingEliminate or freeze the federal minimum wage and let the market set pay
Electoral Collegeno data
Replace the Electoral College with a direct national popular votePreserve the current winner-take-all Electoral College system unchanged
Voter ID Lawsno data
Require no ID; allow voting on signature or affirmation of identityRequire strict government-issued photo ID for all voters with few exceptions
Public Transportation Fundingno data
Dramatically increase public subsidies to expand service and make transit free or nearly free for all ridersMinimize public funding and let transit operate on fares or shift to private operators