The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan organization that works to promote political reponsibility through the informed and active participation of citizens in their governemnt. The League does not support or oppose any political party or candidate.
The candidates' answers appear as submitted in reponse to a nonpartisan questionnaire. If answers exceeded the specified word limitation, the additional words were cut where practical, or at the end of the candidate's statement. All candidates were asked the same questions as other candidates running for the same office.
An asterisk (*) denotes incumbents.
The League assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions. This guide was produced by The Sun in cooperation with the League.
GENERAL ELECTION: Tuesday, Nov. 8
, POLLS OPEN: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
U.S. SENATE
Questions asked of candidates for the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, with answers limited to 50 words:
Health Care: Concerning national health care, what are your views and positions on (1) universal coverage, (2) coverage for reproductive health, including prenatal care, family planning, and abortion, (3) financing by employer-employee contributions, and (4) cost controls?
Crime: What is your position on licensing gun owners and registration of guns? What approaches would you advocate for the prevention and control of crime?
Welfare: How would you reform the welfare system to reduce long-term dependence on it without jeopardizing the well-being of children?
Property Compensation: Explain your position on legislation that would expand requirements for government to compensate property owners when the potential use of their property is restricted by government regulations?
U.S. Role Abroad: What should be the role of the U.S. and its military establishment in the world's spreading civil conflicts?
Economy: What should be the Federal government's international economic policies? Should they be related to human rights actions or other aspects of foreign policy?
Issues: What are the most important issues facing our nation and how would you respond to them?
Democrat
Age: 61
Residence: Baltimore City
Education: Advanced degree
Experience: (Work) Law Clerk, Judge Morris Soper; Council of Economic Advisors; Associate, Piper & Marbury; Associate, Venable, Baetjer & Howard. (Political) House of Delegates, 1960-1970; U.S. House of Representatives, 1971-1977; U.S. Senate, 1977-present.
Health Care: We need a health care system with a place in it for all Americans. It should be comprehensive, restrict health care costs, maintain quality of care, emphasize preventive health care, offer coverage of women's health and reproductive services, ensure a level playing field for employers, and guarantee coverage for all citizens.
Crime: I support limiting access to firearms frequently used to commit violent crimes. I co-sponsored the Brady Bill that sets a five-day waiting period for purchasing a handgun. I voted for the assault weapon ban adopted in the Senate crime bill. Major responsibility for law enforcement rests with state and local governments.
Welfare: We must redesign welfare to provide a safety net while also providing people with the skills and services to become productive working members of our society. The objective must be to get people off welfare and into work. This means a disciplined approach to training and education, job opportunities, and child care services.
Property Compensation: The Fifth Amendment to the Constitution protects the rights of private property owners to be compensated for Government taking of private property for public use. Judicial determination of this issue is the time-tested way to provide such protection.
U.S. Role Abroad: Where possible, civil conflicts should be addressed by regional security organizations -- or the United Nations may be the appropriate venue. Our national interests, existing U.S. law and treaties in force, and our ability to achieve the military or political objectives of the operation should be the basis for involvement of U.S. forces.
Economy: To help develop an expanding world economy in which the U.S. plays a leading role; to strengthen our economy XTC we should expand U.S. exports, discourage unfair trading practices and advance sustainable development while promoting respect for human rights and other fundamental democratic principles.
Issues: Economic growth and job expansion, recognizing that the best social program is a job; addressing the budget deficit and the investment shortfall; assuring a tolerant society which respects all its members and provides them the opportunity to develop and contribute; achieving world peace and prosperity.
William Brock
Republican
Age: 63
Residence: Anne Arundel County
Education: B.S.
Experience: (Work) U.S. secretary of labor, 1985-1987; U.S. trade representative, 1981-1984; Member, U.S. Senate, 1970-1976; Chairman, RNC, 1976-1980. (Volunteer) A founder, National Endowment for Democracy. President, National Academy Foundation. (Awards) 1988 Women's Political Caucus.
Health Care: I would approach any reform to health care with great caution and would follow an incremental approach. I would support proposal that would (1) ensure permanent and portable insurance; (2) insist premium deductibility be equal for all to ensure tax fairness; (3) achieve tort reform to ease costs; and (4) allow for medical savings accounts.
Crime: The issue of gun control is really an issue of access. I will seek to expedite the creation of a national electronic point-of-purchase system that would allow us to get an instant response on a prospective gun purchaser's criminal past. We must also press for strict enforcement of...
Welfare: The welfare system does not provide enough inducement to get off welfare and become productive. Welfare should not be based on a formula of cash grants, rather it should be based on developing life skills and encouraging job placement. Thus, it must include education, training, and day care.
Property Compensation: I would support legislation that specifically states how individuals will be compensated when there is a loss of production or property value as a result of government-imposed restrictions. Amendments that outline this reimbursement would save the government not only thousands of dollars but endless hours dealing with individual claims.
U.S. Role Abroad: In terms of national security, our military power should only be used when the United States' vital interests are threatened. For humanitarian situations, we may need to intervene temporarily to relieve suffering when it's within our capacity to do so. The most important "power" in the U.S. is its moral power.
Economy: The U.S. is moving in the right direction in terms of international economic policy with the passage of NAFTA. An effective U.S. senator must bring to the job a balanced understanding of international trade policy issues and the commercial stakes. I have the understanding and will use it to continue to open up markets throughout the world.
Issues: The U.S. is not paying adequate attention to its children. Test scores are no less frightening than juvenile violence. I would argue for a new national commitment based upon the policy that every child can learn, and must be given full opportunity to do so. We must insist on a radical reshaping of educational initiatives....