Rick Perry in PBS News Hour
On Abortion:
Require hearing fetal heartbeat & one-day waiting period
Where Rick Perry stands on key issues: Abortion:- Ban abortion after 20 weeks, with an exception for life of the mother.
- Require sonograms before allowing abortion.
As governor, Perry signed a Texas law banning abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy, allowing exceptions to protect the life of the mother or if the fetus suffers from a "severe abnormality."
The conservative politician believes life begins at conception and has said that he would ban all abortions, except in cases where the mother's life is in danger. He has supported tougher restrictions on abortion clinics and a
Texas law requiring that women see a sonogram, hear the fetus' heartbeat and wait a day before they can obtain an abortion.
Source: PBS News Hour "2016 Candidate Stands" series
Jun 3, 2015
On Budget & Economy:
Cap federal spending at 18% of GDP
Where Rick Perry stands on key issues: Budget:- Cap federal spending at 18 percent of GDP.
- Pass a Constitutional amendment to require a balanced budget.
- Balance the budget within a decade.
While running for president in 2011, Perry's long
term budget proposal included capping federal spending at 18 percent of Gross Domestic Product and passing a Constitutional Amendment requiring a balanced federal budget. In that 2011 proposal, Perry pledged to balance the U.S. budget by the year 2020.
Source: PBS News Hour "2016 Candidate Stands" series
Jun 3, 2015
On Civil Rights:
Supported anti-sodomy laws; opposes gay marriage
Perry personally opposes gay marriage and argues that states should determine for themselves how to define marriage. Asked in April whether he would attend a hypothetical gay wedding, he answered, "probably."
On homosexuality, Perry has supported anti-sodomy laws. In his book, "Fed Up!" he disagreed with the landmark Supreme Court decision which ruled such laws unconstitutional.
Source: PBS News Hour "2016 Candidate Stands" series
Jun 3, 2015
On Education:
Supported Texas dropping out of Common Core
Where Rick Perry stands on key issues: Education:- Close the Department of Education.
- Opposes any federal education standards.
Opposed to federal involvement in education policy, Perry would close the Department of Education.
He has strongly criticized the Common Core education standards, supporting his state education system's decision to drop out of the interstate group overseeing the program.
As Texas governor, the conservative lawmaker chose not to apply for millions in the federal Race to the Top program because he believed it would impose too many federal mandates on his state.
In his 2010 book, "Fed Up!" he criticized the No Child Left Behind program. In an official press release as governor, Perry indicated he was grateful for the funding increase that came from the program.
Source: PBS News Hour "2016 Candidate Stands" series
Jun 3, 2015
On Energy & Oil:
Sued EPA for regulating carbon emissions
Where Rick Perry stands on key issues: Climate change and energy:- Temperatures change naturally.
- Science has not proven that current changes are permanent or man-made.
On the campaign trail in 2011, Perry said that global warming is an unproven scientific theory and that climate change has existed since the earth was formed.
The former governor has been an ardent opponent of Environmental Protection Agency regulations aimed at cutting carbon emissions and sued the agency on the issue in 2010.
The Texan advocates for fewer restrictions on oil and gas drilling and has said that there is little proof that hydrofracking pollutes ground water.
Source: PBS News Hour "2016 Candidate Stands" series
Jun 3, 2015
On Foreign Policy:
Two-state solution in Israel is not realistic now
Where Rick Perry stands on key issues: Iran and Israel:- Block or invalidate any nuclear deal with Iran.
- A two-state solution in Israel is not realistic now.
- Send U.S. ground troops to fight Islamic State. Increase airstrikes.
Perry announced that as president he would invalidate any nuclear deal the Obama administration reaches with Iran. He believes the current deal would allow Iran to build a nuclear weapon in the future.
Writing on Facebook, he argued that sanctions against Iran should not be lifted until Congress agrees.
Perry said he would like to see a two-state solution to tensions between Israel and Palestinians but that he does not think that is realistic now. He has expressed strong support of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Source: PBS News Hour "2016 Candidate Stands" series
Jun 3, 2015
On Social Security:
Personal accounts for younger workers
Where Rick Perry stands on key issues: Entitlements:- Social Security may not be Constitutional.
- Consider raising retirement age and lowering benefits for the wealthy.
- States should be allowed to opt out.
The three-term governor questions the legality of the Social Security program. In "Fed Up!" Perry argues that the program is a Ponzi scheme and that the 1937 Supreme Court was wrong to rule that it is Constitutional.
To reform the program, the White House hopeful has said he is open to making changes for future recipients, including raising the retirement age and reducing benefits for the wealthy. Perry has also proposed partially privatizing the
system by creating personal accounts for younger workers. The states-rights advocate would also allow each state the ability to opt out of Social Security and instead implement their own state or regional program.
Source: PBS News Hour "2016 Candidate Stands" series
Jun 3, 2015
Page last updated: Dec 07, 2018