Political Views
A leading centrist Democrat, Tauscher was the chairwoman of the New Democrat Coalition, a caucus of moderate Democrats in the House. She also served as vice-chairwoman of the Democratic Leadership Council from 2001 to 2005. Tauscher became a target of liberal activists after the Democrats took back control of the House of Representatives in 2006, but is strongly supported by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer. She warned her Democratic colleagues that "getting the majority and running over the left cliff is what our Republican opponents would dearly love." Her politically moderate ideology has been dubbed by TIME Magazine as "Tauscherism."
Tauscher has received a 11% lifetime rating from the American Conservative Union, and a 95% rating for her 2008 voting record from Americans for Democratic Action. Based upon her voting record and statements, OnTheIssues.org has described her as a "Hard-Core Liberal."
She supports universal health care and, in particular, covering uninsured children through the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). She also supports scaling back the estate tax, tightening bankruptcy rules, and expanding free trade.
Read more about this topic: Ellen Tauscher
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