Sarah Steelman in The Columbia Daily Tribune

On Education: More competition in college loans; end federal monopoly

Steelman said she would have to take a closer look at the proposal but said she supported more competition in the sector because "the federal government has a monopoly now on student loans."

Brunner didn't answer whether he would support keeping the rates at their lower level but said the whole college finance system needed a "fresh look."

Akin said the government should be out of the student loan market altogether. "America has got the equivalent of the stage three cancer of socialism because the federal government is tampering in all kinds of stuff it has no business tampering in," he said.

On Abortion: Life begins at conception; consider Constitutional Amendment

Brunner and Steelman both said they would want to look at the wording of a proposed amendment before endorsing it while still trying to portray a strong anti-abortion stance, with Steelman saying she does believe life begins at conception and Brunner pledging support to the overthrow of Roe v. Wade.

On Immigration: Take away all the incentives that are attracting illegals

Brunner said he would support allowing citizenship for immigrants who serve in the US military because of their service. But for immigrants who only get a college degree "they need to go to the back of the line."