This weeks Catholic Politician Profile - Joe Biden

Joe Biden (D) Senator - Delaware

Voted YES on banning partial birth abortions. (Oct 1999)
Rated 36% by NARAL, indicating a mixed voting record on abortion. (Dec 2003)
Voted YES on $100M to reduce teen pregnancy by education . (2005)
Voted YES on Balanced-budget constitutional amendment. (Mar 1997)
Voted YES on prohibiting same-sex marriage. (Sep 1996)
Voted YES on welfare block grants. (Aug 1996)
Fully fund AmeriCorps. (Jun 2003)
Rated 89% by the ARA, indicating a pro-senior voting record. (Dec 2003)
Voted YES on raising the minimum wage to $7.25 rather than $6.25. (Mar 2005)
Voted NO on killing an increase in the minimum wage. (Nov 1999)
Rated 100% by the AFL-CIO, indicating a pro-union voting record. (Dec 2003)
Voted YES on establishing a Guest Worker program. (May 2006)
Rated 100% by APHA, indicating a pro-public health record. (Dec 2003)
Rated F by the NRA, indicating a pro-gun control voting record. (Dec 2003)
Voted NO on implementing CAFTA for Central America free-trade. (Jul 2005)
Multi-year commitment to Africa for food & medicine. (Apr 2001)
Rated 95% by the LCV, indicating pro-environment votes. (Dec 2003)
Voted YES on banning drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. (Mar 2005)
Rated 91% by the NEA, indicating pro-public education votes. (Dec 2003)
Voted YES on $75M for abstinence education. (Jul 1996)
Voted for Iraq war in 2002, but now a war critic. (Nov 2006)

100% Rating by NETWORK on issues related to Catholic Social Teaching.

Is Senator Biden serving according to the Principles of Catholic Social Teaching and the Gospel Message?

Respect for the dignity of each individual person: YES
The common good: YES
Health and future of the planet: YES
The dignity of work: YES
Care for those who are poor and vulnerable: YES
The dignity of all creation: YES
Human rights: YES

While he initially voted yes for the war in Iraq, Senator Biden has been a strong advocate against the war and is leading the charge in the Senate to block further escalation of the unjust conflict. Although he has a mixed record on the abortion question, it is clear that he favors realistic legislation that would empower women to make other choices thus keeping their babies. There are things we can do to help the unborn right now - like expand health care coverage, education, adoption programs, ease the economic burdens on working families, and address endemic problems of greed, violence, sex, corruption, and materialism in our society. Thankfully Senator Biden is in the Senate to work on such issues.

Final Rating: Good Catholic Politician.