Ted Cruz in 2018 TX Senate race

On Immigration: Enforce the law but also keep families together

CRUZ: Well listen, this is something we should all come together on. When it comes to family separation, everyone should agree. The right place for kids to be is with their parents.

Q: Will you say, "Mr. President, this isn't the right policy"?

CRUZ: I've been very clear to the president. We need to enforce the law but we should also keep families together.

On Abortion: No exceptions for rape or incest; de-fund Planned Parenthood

Ted Cruz (R): Ban. No exceptions for rape or incest. "Horrible as that crime is, I don't believe it's the child's fault."

Beto O'Rourke (D): Legal. Ensure abortions are rare, but trust women to make their own decisions without government interference.

Q: Employers can withhold contraceptive coverage if disagree?

Ted Cruz (R): Yes. Proposed bill to allow that.

Beto O'Rourke (D): No. Discriminates by ignoring contraception's role in women's health.

Q: Let Planned Parenthood get public funds for non-abortion care?

Ted Cruz (R): No. Was willing to risk a government shutdown in in order to defund.

Beto O'Rourke (D): Yes. Provide important preventive services, esp. for low-income families.

On Budget & Economy: Choose individual liberty over more & more spending

Ted Cruz (R): No. Choice between more & more spending & individual liberty.

Beto O'Rourke (D): Yes. Supports investment in areas like infrastructure & education.

On Corporations: Free businesses from the CFPB's regulatory blockades

Ted Cruz (R): Yes. Abolish CFPB. "Free consumers & small businesses from the CFPB's regulatory blockades. which stunt economic growth."

Beto O'Rourke (D): No. "Protecting consumers from predatory financial behavior & this country from another economic meltdown, should transcend politics."

On Drugs: Opposed to marijuana legalization, but let states choose

Ted Cruz (R): Personally opposed to legalization, but states should choose for themselves.

Beto O'Rourke (D): Yes. Long-time legalization advocate. Sponsored bill to end federal prohibition.

On Education: Private school vouchers is civil rights issue of our time

Ted Cruz (R): Yes. Called "civil rights issue of our time." Introduced bill to allow tax deduction for costs of private & religious schools.

Beto O'Rourke (D): No. It funnels public school $ into private schools. "Ted Cruz's private school give-away will cost taxpayers $500 million to subsidize wealthy."

On Energy & Oil: Paris Accord destroys $3 trillion in American GDP by 2040

Ted Cruz (R): No. Doesn't believe it's real. Says data disproving it is being ignored as liberals want government power over economy, energy sector & all aspects of our lives.

Beto O'Rourke (D): Yes. "Crucial now more than ever that US & world leaders act urgently to address" it. Climate change increases droughts, wildfires, hurricanes, & other disasters.

Q: Climate Change: Limit or tax production of greenhouse gases? Support US participation in Paris Climate Accord despite President Trump's withdrawal?

Ted Cruz (R): Opposes regulating greenhouse gases. Paris Accord "would have destroyed $3 trillion in American GDP & killed 6.5 million industrial sector jobs by 2040."

Beto O'Rourke (D): Limit greenhouse gases. "Need to take unprecedented action" in building clean energy economy. Opposes withdrawing from Paris Accord.

On Environment: EPA ran amok under Obama

Ted Cruz (R): No statement found, but opposed Obama EPA's Clean Power Plan & said EPA ran amok under Obama.

Beto O'Rourke (D): No. Ensure EPA's funding & independence "to exercise oversight of those harming the environment."

On Families & Children: Amendment to define marriage as between man & a woman

Ted Cruz (R): No. Sponsored amendment to define marriage as between man & a woman.

Beto O'Rourke (D): Yes.

On Free Trade: Supports tariffs; opposes bailouts to those hurt by them

Ted Cruz (R): No. Also opposed federal aid given to TX farmers hurt by trade retaliation.

Beto O'Rourke (D): No. They "will devastate our state, businesses, & economy."

On Government Reform: Disclosing campaign spending violates free speech

Ted Cruz (R): No. Opposes DISCLOSE Act, as it raises "grave constitutional concern for speech protected by the First Amendment." Supports Citizens United as aid to 1st Amendment free speech protections.

Beto O'Rourke (D): Yes. Co-sponsored DISCLOSE Act to "shine light on the unlimited, secret spending flooding American elections," including foreign influence. Supreme Court should end Citizens United.

On Government Reform: Political gerrymandering is legitimate, unless racial

Ted Cruz (R): No. Political gerrymandering is legitimate, though not racial gerrymandering.

Beto O'Rourke (D): Yes. "Empower communities by making sure voters can pick their representatives, not the other way."

On Gun Control: Led fight not to ban assault weapons

Ted Cruz (R): No. Led fight not to ban assault weapons. Calls gun control efforts "tiresome."

Beto O'Rourke (D): Yes. Supports universal background checks & banning assault-style weapons.

On Health Care: ObamaCare caused millions to lose their jobs

Ted Cruz (R): Absolutely repeal. Caused millions to lose their jobs, be forced into part-time work, lose health insurance & doctors & pay skyrocketing premiums.

Beto O'Rourke (D): Keep but improve, including public option. Repeal would reduce healthcare access & benefits, make health insurance less affordable.

On Immigration: No path to citizenship to DREAMers or anyone else

Ted Cruz (R): No. End DACA. No path to citizenship to Dreamers or anyone else who violates immigration laws.

Beto O'Rourke (D): Protect Dreamers. "As American as my kids. & have done everything we've asked of them." Supports earned path to citizenship for millions here illegally.

On Jobs: Raising minimum wage costs jobs for the most vulnerable

Ted Cruz (R): No. "Raising the minimum wage would cost jobs for the most vulnerable."

Beto O'Rourke (D): Yes. Supports increasing to $15/hr.

On Technology: Net neutrality puts government in charge of internet

Ted Cruz (R): No. Net neutrality puts government in charge of pricing, products & services.

Beto O'Rourke (D): Yes. Rolling back net neutrality hurts democracy, the arts & innovation.

On War & Peace: Nuke treaty didn't sufficiently rein in Iran's nuke program

Ted Cruz (R): Yes. Applauded withdrawal, saying agreement didn't sufficiently rein in Iran's nuclear program.

Beto O'Rourke (D): No. Agreement, while imperfect, was "best path to keep Iran from having nuclear weapons."

On War & Peace: SWIFT: commit to maintain ongoing sanctions against Iran

The senators said such action will drain the Iranian regime's resources and signal America's commitment to maintaining ongoing sanctions. The lawmakers wrote in an Aug. 22 letter to the Treasury Secretary, "We understand that Iran's leaders are working with American adversaries, and reportedly even with some allies, to circumvent these sanctions."

Fifteen senators joined in signing the letter, which was led by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX). Specifically, the lawmakers requested any necessary steps to guarantee the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT), an international banking messaging system that connects financial institutions around the world, disconnects the Central Bank of Iran and all other designated Iranian financial institutions.

On Gun Control: Purpose of Second Amendment is protection against tyranny

It may be tempting to write off Walsh's latest proclamation. But this sentiment--that a Donald Trump loss might justify the violent overthrow of a Hillary Clinton administration--is a longtime GOP talking point. The NRA has longed peddled the "insurrectionist" theory of the Second Amendment, arguing that the right to bear arms was intended to protect citizens against a tyrannical ruler.

This insurrectionist theory has gained a foothold in the Republican Party. During his campaign for the presidential nomination, Texas Republican Ted Cruz asserted that the Second Amendment provides "a Constitutional right to protect your children, your family, your home, our lives, and to serve as the ultimate check against governmental tyranny--for the protection of liberty."