Marsha Blackburn in 2018 TN Senate race

On Drugs: Stiffer penalties for deceptively trafficking in fentanyl

"What fentanyl has done to Tennesseans, families & communities is just devastating, and those criminals responsible for distributing these drugs must face serious penalties. Addressing the opioid crisis requires a multifaceted approach from officials at the local, state and national levels. [Let's] combat the tragic reality of opioid addiction and to hold drug traffickers accountable for their dangerous conduct," said Blackburn.

Dealers who intentionally misrepresent their product as a non-fentanyl substance would face a 20-year sentence. If the dealers intentionally included fentanyl to cause death--to increase the reputation of their product's potency--then the offense becomes death penalty eligible.

On Abortion: Ban abortion; ban public funds for Planned Parenthood

Marsha Blackburn (R): Ban. Multiple votes to ban or restrict. Also ban Planned Parenthood receiving public funds for non-abortion health services.

Phil Bredesen (D): Legal, but hasn't made high priority.

On Budget & Economy: Across-the-board federal spending cuts

Marsha Blackburn (R): Likely no. Has supported across-the-board federal spending cuts.

Phil Bredesen (D): Yes. Empower TVA to help bring rural broadband internet access "just as they did with electricity."

Q: Address debt and deficit?

Blackburn: Promote "balanced budget; cut bureaucracy," and "across-the-board spending cuts."

Bredesen: "Pay for corporate tax cuts by closing loopholes."

On Civil Rights: Let people of faith withhold services to gay couples

Marsha Blackburn (R): Yes. "People of faith should be free to practice their beliefs."

Phil Bredesen (D): No. Gay people should not be subjected to indignities when seeking goods and services in an open market.

On Drugs: Don't loosen federal regulations marijuana

Marsha Blackburn (R): No. Has voted against loosening federal regulations.

Phil Bredesen (D): Unclear on legalization but "federal government should give states the rights to make those decisions."

On Education: Supports vouchers for private schools

Marsha Blackburn (R): Yes, has voted for vouchers.

Phil Bredesen (D): No. Supports charter schools but "not wild about vouchers."

On Education: Don't lower student loan interest

Marsha Blackburn (R): No. Voted against earlier proposal to refinance student loans.

Phil Bredesen (D): Some level of support. "I'm someone who went to school with student loans, but they were much lower interest than these student loans & longer pay-out times."

Q: Should federal student financial aid, like Pell Grants, be increased?

Marsha Blackburn (R): Unknown.

Phil Bredesen (D): Unclear, but earlier pushed for free community college tuition.

On Energy & Oil: Climate change isn't settled; withdraw from Paris Accord

Marsha Blackburn (R): No. "The science around it is not a settled science." Applauded withdrawal from Paris Climate agreement.

Phil Bredesen (D): Yes. "It's a serious issue." Supported US moving toward 25% renewable energy by 2025, although thought Obama's Clean Energy Plan should have been passed by Congress, not regulation.

Q: Support government subsidies for renewable energy?

Marsha Blackburn (R): No. Has voted no on related bills. Considers it inappropriate intervention in the economy.

Phil Bredesen (D): Yes. Early advocate of developing this sector. "It seems beyond dispute that `green energy' will be an area of vast importance and growth."

On Environment: Cut budget of Environmental Protection Administration

Marsha Blackburn (R): Yes. Has voted to cut budget. Also proposed merging with Dept of Energy and cutting budget.

Phil Bredesen (D): No specific stand, but enacted major environmental regulations as governor.

On Free Trade: Trump's tariifs are a bad deal for Tennesseans

Marsha Blackburn (R): Still considering but "increasingly concerned these tariffs are a bad deal for Tennesseans."

Phil Bredesen (D): No. "The same as a new tax on Tennesseans."

On Gun Control: Get background checks working, but no other gun regulations

Marsha Blackburn (R): No. Has opposed most gun regulations. But wants background check system to work properly and record appropriate red flags.

Phil Bredesen (D): Some. Against banning semi-automatic weapons, but close gun show loophole, ban bump stocks and tighten background checks.

On Health Care: Health savings accounts instead of ObamaCare

Marsha Blackburn (R): Repeal. Support health savings accounts, Association Health Plans and purchases across state lines.

Phil Bredesen (D): Initially critical, but now supports with fixes: "Stabilize what we have." On Medicare for All, might support some initial baseline coverage, then add or adjust from there.

Q: Require people to work to receive Medicaid?

Blackburn: Give states option to require this.

Bredesen: No stand found.

On Immigration: No amnesty for DREAMers; it makes illegal immigration surge

Marsha Blackburn (R): No. Deal with compassionately but DACA "offered the false hope of amnesty that led to a surge of illegal immigration."

Phil Bredesen (D): Yes. "Deporting them back to a country that's not theirs and they don't know would be a terrible un-American kind of thing to do."

Q: Support path to citizenship for America's 11 million illegal immigrants?

Marsha Blackburn (R): "No amnesty. We cannot have individuals get in the queue before others who have been going through the legal immigration process. Period."

Phil Bredesen (D): Maybe. "Need to control borders," but if "willing to learn English and pay their taxes and not have convictions for serious crimes. some sort of a path to become permanent residents and possibly citizens."

On Jobs: Minimum wage is a federal mandate; let competition decide

Marsha Blackburn (R): No. "A growing and competitive economy -- not Washington mandates -- will create an environment where companies compete.through better wages."

Phil Bredesen (D): Yes. Should at least keep pace with inflation. "Federal level is far more effective, as it avoids driving jobs from one community or state to another."

On Tax Reform: Support President Trump's tax cuts

Marsha Blackburn (R): Yes. "People can keep more of the money they earn throughout their lives."

Phil Bredesen (D): No. "They threw a few crumbs to the middle class to give these huge breaks to wealthier people and corporations."

On Technology: Opposes Net Neutrality; it's government-controlled internet

Marsha Blackburn (R): No. "Tennesseans do not want government-controlled internet."

Phil Bredesen (D): Yes. "Should guarantee equal access for everyone."

On War & Peace: Iran nuke deal puts future security in jeopardy

Marsha Blackburn (R): Yes. "A terrible deal that will put in jeopardy the safety, security and stability of generations to come."

Phil Bredesen (D): Unknown.

On Government Reform: Require presidential candidates to show birth certificates

On Homeland Security: Supported military spending bills in Congress

• Voted Yea on: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (HR 5515). Bill Passed (351-66) on May 24, 2018.
• Voted Yea on: Make America Secure Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 3219). Bill Passed (235-192) on July 27, 2017. Proposed appropriations for defense, military construction, Veterans Affairs, the Legislative Branch, energy and water development, and for other purposes for the fiscal year ending on September 30, 2018.
• Voted Yea on: Intelligence Authorization Act for FY2018 (HR 3180). Bill Failed (241-163) on July 24, 2017. Proposed authorizing intelligence activities, the Community Management Account, and the CIA Retirement and Disability System.
• Voted Yea on: Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2017 (HR 1301). Bill passed (371-48) on March 8, 2017. The $577.9 billion fiscal year 2017 defense spending bill proposed $516.1 billion in base budget funding and $61.8 billion for Overseas Contingency Operations/ Global War on Terrorism funding.