Chris Christie in PBS News Hour
On Abortion:
Ban abortions after 20 weeks, with exceptions
Self-described as "pro-life," Christie supports a Congressional bill to ban abortions starting 20 weeks after fertility, allowing for exceptions if the pregnancy is caused by rape or incest or if the life of the mother is in danger.
Prior to 1995, the governor described his position as "pro-choice." Christie says he changed position after hearing his daughter's fetal heartbeat.
Source: PBS News Hour "2016 Candidate Stands" series
Jun 30, 2015
On Civil Rights:
Disagree with Supreme Court, but gay marriage is law of land
Christie said he disagreed with the majority Supreme Court decision to legalize gay marriage in all 50 states, but that he respects the ruling as "the law of the land."
In the past, the governor favored civil unions but not same-sex marriage. He dropped New Jersey's challenge to a court decision legalizing gay marriage in 2013.
Source: PBS News Hour "2016 Candidate Stands" series
Jun 30, 2015
On Education:
Signed NJ onto Common Core but now regrets it
In February, Christie said he regrets signing onto Common Core as New Jersey governor because of the way the program was implemented. He said that local and state governments need more control over standards.
In 2013, he touted his decision to sign on to Common Core as part of President Obama's Race to the Top initiative.In March, Christie filed to renew his state's waiver giving it more flexibility in how it implements No Child Left Behind requirements.
Source: PBS News Hour "2016 Candidate Stands" series
Jun 30, 2015
On Energy & Oil:
Anthropogenic climate change is real; but build Keystone XL
Climate Change: Climate change is real and at least partially man-made. Approve the Keystone Pipeline. Skeptical of cap and trade.In May, Christie told a crowd in Keene, New Hampshire, that he believes climate change is real and caused at least in
part by human activity. Previously, at a November 2010 town hall, the governor said he was not convinced about the role of mankind and needed more scientific proof. He opposes cap and trade--in 2011, Christie scrapped a regional cap and trade initiative
that would have capped carbon dioxide emissions across 10 states.
On energy policy, Christie would approve the Keystone-XL Pipeline and has three times vetoed legislation geared to limit fracking. He signed a bill to expand renewable energy in
New Jersey by bringing wind turbines to the state's coastline. A regulatory panel appointed by Christie has since blocked installation and there is debate over whether the governor still supports the idea.
Source: PBS News Hour "2016 Candidate Stands" series
Jun 30, 2015
On Gun Control:
Include mental health records in gun background checks
Christie wants mental health records included in background checks at the time of gun purchases. The governor vetoed a ban on a powerful model of assault weapon after originally advocating for the ban in the aftermath of mass shootings in Newtown, Connec
Source: PBS News Hour "2016 Candidate Stands" series
Jun 30, 2015
On Immigration:
No pathway to citizenship, but college tuition for illegals
Christie said in May that he opposes a path to citizenship for immigrants in the country illegally. He did not publicly support or oppose the Senate's bipartisan comprehensive reform bill in 2013. Christie would not answer questions on the topic of
immigration at an appearance last summer, nor in a 2013 appearance on ABC's This Week.Christie signed the New Jersey Dream Act, also known as the Tuition Equality Act, in December 2013, allowing undocumented students to pay in-state tuition rates
Source: PBS News Hour "2016 Candidate Stands" series
Jun 30, 2015
On Social Security:
National entitlements reform package including means-testing
Christie has proposed a national entitlements reform package. His plan would include means testing for wealthy seniors so that Americans making more than $80,000 a year would get lower Social Security benefits & would pay more for Medicare health plans.
Starting in 2022, the governor would gradually raise the full retirement age for Social Security to 69, from the current age of 67 for people born after 1960. He would raise Medicare eligibility more slowly, setting it at 69 years old by the year 2064.
Source: PBS News Hour "2016 Candidate Stands" series
Jun 30, 2015
On Tax Reform:
Simplify tax code to three brackets, with highest at 28%
In May, Christie argued he can raise Americans' incomes and increase economic growth by simplifying the tax code to three individual income tax rates, with the highest rate set at 28 percent.
He would also cut the corporate tax code from 35 percent to 25 percent.He told state lawmakers in February that he would not raise taxes to help solve New Jersey's budget crisis.
Source: PBS News Hour "2016 Candidate Stands" series
Jun 30, 2015
On War & Peace:
Be ready to send American troops to fight ISIL
Christie said in May that the president should stop all negotiations with Iran. In April, Christie said any nuclear pact with Iran would be a mistake.
On Israel, Christie has criticized President Obama's treatment of Israel during his tenure as president. In 2014, he apologized for using the term "occupied territories" to refer to West Bank.
In April, Christie said that the U.S. must be ready to send American troops to fight Islamic State. In May, Christie criticized President Obama's handling of
U.S. defense policy and said he would expand the American military. Christie said that invading Iraq in 2003 was the wrong choice, knowing what we know today
Source: PBS News Hour "2016 Candidate Stands" series
Jun 30, 2015
Page last updated: Dec 07, 2018