Lindsey Graham in PBS News Hour
On Abortion:
Pro-life, with exceptions for rape, incest, & maternal life
Graham would ban most abortions at 20 weeks. Graham defines himself as "pro-life" on abortion and sponsored a
Senate bill to ban abortions 20 weeks after fertilization. He would make exceptions for cases of rape, incest or to save the life of the mother.
Source: PBS News Hour "2016 Candidate Stands" series
Jun 1, 2015
On Civil Rights:
Accept the Supreme Court ruling to allow gay marriage
Graham says the nation should accept the Supreme Court decision on gay marriage. Speaking to the Boston Herald Radio in May,
Graham said he personally believes in traditional marriage," but that America must be ready to move on following the decision of the Supreme Court on the issue.
Source: PBS News Hour "2016 Candidate Stands" series
Jun 1, 2015
On Energy & Oil:
Combat climate change without harming the economy
Graham sees climate change as a real event and believes it is at least partially man-made. In 2010, he worked with then-Senator John Kerry and energy companies to try and craft a market system that set some limits on carbon emissions.
Following the BP oil spill, those talks fell apart, but Graham still supports the general idea. Graham has called for a debate among Republicans on how to combat climate change without harming the economy.
Source: PBS News Hour "2016 Candidate Stands" series
Jun 1, 2015
On Foreign Policy:
Work with Iran to fight ISIS, but no to Iranian nuclear deal
A member of the Senate Armed Services, Graham has strongly opposed the framework nuclear deal currently under negotiation between the Obama administration and the government in Tehran. The senator wants full, anytime access for international inspectors
to Iranian facilities and insists that Iran pledge that it will not attempt to destroy Israel. Graham has defended Israel's actions in the West Bank and accused the Obama administration of adding to tension with the Jewish state.Known as a strong
proponent of the use of American military force, Graham proposes sending 10,000 U.S. troops to fight Islamic State. He believes the U.S. ultimately will have no choice but to send more combat troops to the region. He has long advocated the use
of airstrikes, applauding the White House for attacks it approved in September. Graham said in 2014 that the U.S. should work with Iran to coordinate the fight against Islamic State and to keep Iraq stable.
Source: PBS News Hour "2016 Candidate Stands" series
Jun 1, 2015
On Government Reform:
Constitutional amendment to limit spending by super PACs
Graham would reform campaign finance laws, and allow Congress to limit spending. A supporter of the McCain-Feingold campaign finance law in 2002,
Graham told New Hampshire TV station WMUR that as president he would push for a Constitutional amendment to allow Congress to limit spending by super PACs and others.
Source: PBS News Hour "2016 Candidate Stands" series
Jun 1, 2015
On Gun Control:
Opposed expanding background checks, except for mentally ill
Graham would allow access to assault weapons and larger magazine clips, but limit access for the mentally ill. Graham is an advocate for gun access and has opposed several gun control proposals in the Senate, including a ban on assault weapons, a
limit on how many rounds can go in a magazine and an expansion of background checks. In 2013--in the wake of the Sandy Hook shootings--he sponsored a bill that would have limited the ability of people with a history of mental illness to purchase guns.
Source: PBS News Hour "2016 Candidate Stands" series
Jun 1, 2015
On Tax Reform:
Increase revenues to reduce national debt
Graham would move toward a flat tax; his plan is to increase revenue, potentially including taxes, to help balance the budget.A deficit hawk, Graham believes the national debt has ballooned to the degree that spending cuts alone cannot address it and
Republicans must put revenue increases on the table.
On tax reform, he has advocated for a flat income tax rate which would be the same across incomes, allowing deductions for home ownership, charitable giving or taxpayers living on fixed incomes.
Source: PBS News Hour "2016 Candidate Stands" series
Jun 1, 2015
Page last updated: Dec 07, 2018