Republican Candidate: Marco Rubio

Marco Antonio Rubio is the junior United States Senator from Florida, serving since January 2011. He is married with four children, and currently a candidate for President of the United States.

On The Issues:

Conservative

On Abortion:

• Consensus that life begins at conception; so no abortion. (May 2014)
• I believe in protecting life but I'm not a chauvinist. (Mar 2013)
• Pro-life, but understands that woman's right is the law. (Jun 2012)
• Expand birth control exemption for faith-based organizations. (Jun 2012)
• Opposed Sotomayor nomination based on her Roe support. (Jun 2012)
• No right to privacy, that resulted in the Roe v. Wade. (Feb 2010)
• Require ultrasounds before performing abortions. (Feb 2010)
• Voted against funding stem cell research. (Apr 2006)
• Opposes both federal abortion funding & judicial activism. (Aug 2010)
• Supports prohibiting human embryonic stem cell research. (Aug 2010)
• Supports giving legal protection to unborn children. (Sep 2010)
• Prohibit federal funding for abortion. (May 2011) 

On The Economy:

• Tax, borrow, & spend is not the way out of the recession. (Feb 2013)
• Real problem is $1T deficit each year since 2009. (Feb 2013)
• Oppose Obama stimulus package; it's bad for America. (Mar 2010)
• Support balanced budget amendment and line-item veto. (Feb 2010)
• Demand a Balanced Budget amendment. (Jul 2010)
• Limit federal spending growth to per-capita inflation rate. (Jul 2010)
• Supports the Cut-Cap-and-Balance Pledge. (Jan 2012)
• Disapprove of increasing the debt limit. (Jan 2012)
• Audit the Federal Reserve & its actions on mortgage loans. (Feb 2013) 

On Social Security:

• Benefits have to be less generous to save Social Security. (Jun 2012)
• Raise retirement age for those now under 55. (Apr 2010)
• Tough choices include raising retirement age & reducing COLA. (Mar 2010)
• Hard choices for people under 40, to avoid runaway growth. (Mar 2010)
• Keep raising the retirement age on the table. (Mar 2010)
• Keep cost-of-living adjustment on the table. (Mar 2010)
• Rated 7% by ARA, indicating a pro-privatization stance. (Jan 2013) 

On Civil Rights:

• Opposes Paycheck Fairness: don't require equal pay for women. (Apr 2014)
• Balance gay anti-discrimination with religious rights. (Mar 2014)
• Defining marriage does not demean a class of people. (Jun 2013)
• I believe in historical marriage, but ok if states redefine. (Jun 2013)
• Leave gay marriage to states, but keep DOMA. (Mar 2013)
• Voted NO on reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act. (Feb 2013)
• Supports Amendment to prevent same sex marriage. (Aug 2010)
• Opposes Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). (Sep 2010) 

On Gun Control:

• New gun laws are ineffective, so don't pass them. (Apr 2013)
• Has a concealed weapon permit, but does not carry a weapon. (Apr 2013)
• Deal with gun violence, but do it constitutionally. (Feb 2013)
• As Speaker, failed to push law allowing guns at work. (Jun 2012)
• 2nd Amendment is a cornerstone of our democracy. (Feb 2010)
• Voted NO on banning high-capacity magazines of over 10 bullets. (Apr 2013)
• Opposes restrictions on the right to bear arms. (Aug 2010)
• Rated B+ by the NRA, indicating a pro-gun rights voting record. (Aug 2010)
• Oppose the United Nations' Arms Trade Treaty. (Sep 2013) 

On Drugs:

• There is no responsible way to recreationally use marijuana. (May 2014)
• Enforce federal laws even where states have legalized pot. (May 2014)
• No responsible way to recreationally use marijuana. (May 2014)
• Enforce federal law even in states with legal pot. (May 2014)
• 1987: Brother-in-law imprisoned for drug conviction. (Jun 2012)
• 1986 brother-in-law's drug bust unexamined until 2011. (Jun 2012)
• Brother-in-law's trial prosecuted by House member's spouse. (Jun 2012)
• Teach students skills to avoid gangs, violence, & drugs. (Nov 2006) 

On Education:

• Private lenders get percentage of student's income. (Feb 2015)
• Professor of political science at Florida International U. (Feb 2015)
• Outdated educational systems must be updated to meet needs. (Jan 2015)
• The poor benefit most from parental choice in education. (Jan 2015)
• Turn over Head Start to states. (Jan 2014)
• Give parents chance to send kids to school of their choice. (Feb 2013)
• Give info to students on costs & benefits of student loans. (Feb 2013)
• Became serious college student after football injury. (Jun 2012)
• 1999: Pushed for early education for at-risk children. (Jun 2012)
• Silent on voluntary school prayer. (Jun 2012)
• Presided over $2.3B cut to Florida public education. (Jun 2012)
• Supports No-Child-Left-Behind Opportunity Scholarships. (Nov 2010)
• Voted for more scholarships for private schools. (Apr 2007)
• Incentivize foreign language curriculum in elementary school. (Nov 2006)
• Prepare students for the Global Marketplace. (Nov 2006)
• More options for student and parent choice in education. (Nov 2006)
• Integrate competition principles into education marketplace. (Nov 2006)
• A+ Plan for Education: charters and choice. (Nov 2006)
• 2+2 System: AA degree guarantees admission to university. (Nov 2006)
• $4,500 voucher saves state $10,000 in per-student cost. (Nov 2006)
• Private partnerships for provision of school services. (Nov 2006)
• Supports less federal & more local control of education. (Sep 2010) 

On Energy and Oil:

• Climate is always changing; it's not from human activity. (May 2014)
• Human activity is not causing climate change. (May 2014)
• Our government can't control the weather. (Feb 2013)
• Grow our energy industry, not "clean energy" like Solyndra. (Feb 2013)
• I dislike cap-&-trade, but it is inevitable as national law. (Jun 2012)
• Cap-and-trade scheme destroys jobs. (Feb 2010)
• Explore ANWR & outer continental shelf. (Feb 2010)
• Tax incentives for energy-efficient appliances. (Nov 2006)
• Loans to public institutions for energy efficiency. (Nov 2006)
• Florida has obvious advantages in solar energy. (Nov 2006)
• Let hybrid drivers use HOV lanes & discount parking. (Nov 2006)
• Voted YES on barring EPA from regulating greenhouse gases. (Apr 2011)
• Signed the No Climate Tax Pledge by AFP. (Nov 2010)
• Cap-and-trade has no impact on global temperatures. (Jul 2010)
• Explore proven energy reserves & keep energy prices low. (Jul 2010)
• Opposes passage of Cap-and-Trade energy legislation. (Sep 2010)
• Let states lease energy rights on federal lands. (Jun 2013) 

On The Environment:

• Fix environment with free market, not government mandates. (Feb 2014)
• State-run insurance carriers mean more taxpayer subsidies. (Jun 2012)
• Partner with private companies for transportation system. (Nov 2006)
• Hurricane Savings Accounts for homeowners' insurance. (Nov 2006)
• Utilize toll revenues to widen & improve expressways. (Nov 2006)
• Increase funding for making homes hurricane-resistant. (Nov 2006)
• Voted NO on protecting ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes ecosystems. (May 2013)
• Rated 20% by HSLF, indicating an anti-animal welfare voting record. (Jan 2012)
• No EPA permits required for forest road runoff. (Jul 2013) 

On Families and Children:

• The "success sequence"--education and kids after marriage. (Jan 2015)
• Answers lie with family and our faith, not politicians. (Feb 2013)
• Better life means your kids accomplish what you never could. (Aug 2012)
• Elian Gonzalez should stay in US & father should join him. (Jun 2012)
• Even single mothers see their hopes & dreams in firstborn. (Jun 2012)
• Improve state-provided services for kids with disabilities. (Jun 2012)
• Hip-hop fan; "Ignore their politics & just enjoy the music". (Jun 2012)
• No gay couples as foster parents; no social experimentation. (Jun 2012)
• We need a long-term commitment to Afghanistan. (Apr 2012)
• Parental notification for social networking website use. (Nov 2006)
• Halt illegal activities at strip clubs & porn websites. (Nov 2006)
• Increase $20M in tax credits for G-rated and PG-rated films. (Nov 2006) 

On Foreign Policy:

• We've neglected Latin American democracies & our alliances. (Apr 2015)
• I have a clear strategic vision of America's role in world. (Feb 2015)
• Obama has no ISIS policy to avoid upsetting Iran. (Feb 2015)
• North Korea is a criminal syndicate, not a government. (Dec 2014)
• Our policy should lead to more liberty for the Cuban people. (Dec 2014)
• Cuba must improve on human rights for engagement to continue. (Dec 2014)
• Engagement with Vietnam & China has not led to freedom. (Dec 2014)
• Cuba embargo was designed to protect American companies. (Dec 2014)
• Provide more assistance to Jordan, to prepare against ISIS. (Jun 2014)
• Stay involved against ISIS or Iran becomes regional hegemon. (Jun 2014)
• Press freedom is a universal human right, especially in Cuba. (May 2014)
• Tough sanctions against Russia for Ukraine aggression. (May 2014)
• Only America can stand up to world totalitarianism. (Mar 2014)
• Putin wants to reconstitute Russian power & Russian prestige. (Mar 2014)
• The Russian government is a government of liars. (Mar 2014)
• The China Dream is to surpass America as world leader. (Mar 2013)
• Build relations with Mexico for trade & oil, not just border. (Nov 2012)
• Che Guevara reviled by Cuban exiles; I want no association. (Jun 2012)
• America is exceptional: nation blessed by God with resources. (Jun 2012)
• Prefer coalitions but don't over-rely on global institutions. (Apr 2012)
• America needs a foreign policy of engaging abroad. (Apr 2012)
• Military action should be on the table in Iran & Syria. (Apr 2012)
• Promote democracy via engagement abroad. (Sep 2011)
• Foreign aid spreads positive influence around the world. (Sep 2011)
• Rated -2 by AAI, indicating a anti-Arab anti-Palestine voting record. (May 2012)
• Vigorous support for State of Israel against Hamas in Gaza. (Nov 2012)
• Sponsored funding and supplying the Syrian rebels. (Mar 2013) 

On Free-Trade:

• Develop policies that embrace reality of globalization. (Jan 2015)
• Trade with Cuba won't translate into political freedom. (Dec 2014)
• Continue reducing barriers to free and fair trade. (Aug 2010) 

On Government Reform:

• Conservatives must show they have real solutions to poverty. (Jan 2015)
• Government has a role, but it is not giving poor money. (Jan 2015)
• More government breeds complicated rules & holds us back. (Feb 2013)
• Choose more freedom instead of more government. (Aug 2012)
• Accused of using campaign funds for personal expenses. (Jun 2012)
• Used earmarks early in legislative career, then stopped cold. (Jun 2012)
• 2003: Anonymous contributors; 2004: backed down & disclosed. (Jun 2012)
• $400,000 for Members-only House lunchroom kept out lobbyists. (Jun 2012)
• Constitutional term limit amendment for Members of Congress. (Feb 2012)
• America is greatest country; but not our government. (Jan 2012)
• Reduce paid petition business in citizen initiative process. (Nov 2006)
• Texas Sunset Review abolished 47 agencies; do same in FL. (Nov 2006)
• Early FL primary forces diversity into presidential process. (Nov 2006)
• Closer regulation of petition verification process. (Nov 2006)
• Allow transferring surplus campaign funds to other campaigns. (May 2006)
• Identify constitutionality in every new congressional bill. (Jul 2010)
• Audit federal agencies, to reform or eliminate them. (Jul 2010)
• Moratorium on all earmarks until budget is balanced. (Jul 2010)
• Ban stock trading based on Congressional insider knowledge. (Nov 2011)
• Prohibit IRS audits targeting Tea Party political groups. (Feb 2014) 

On Healthcare:

• All kids should get vaccinated, with medical exceptions. (Feb 2015)
• ObamaCare stifles entrepreneurship with regulation. (Jan 2015)
• World Health Organization can't combat Ebola; only US can. (Oct 2014)
• Ban visas from Ebola-stricken countries; target the source. (Oct 2014)
• Medicaid expansion fails because funded only for a few years. (Jan 2014)
• FactCheck: ObamaCare is not now forcing loss of insurance. (Feb 2013)
• Expand mental health centers; address violence at its source. (Feb 2013)
• Backed out of Race for the Cure over abortion funding fight. (Sep 2012)
• Medicare's hospice care let my father die with dignity. (Jun 2012)
• Expand prescription benefits to low-income seniors. (Jun 2012)
• Provide alternatives to employer-based insurance system. (Mar 2010)
• Launch a marketplace of affordable health insurance. (Nov 2006)
• Capitated managed-care systems achieve better value. (Nov 2006)
• Voted YES on the Ryan Budget: Medicare choice, tax & spending cuts. (May 2011)
• Opposes government-run healthcare. (Aug 2010)
• Defund, repeal, & replace federal care with free market. (Jul 2010)
• Repeal any federal health care takeover. (Jul 2010) 

On Homeland Secuity:

• Defense spending is most important federal obligation. (Mar 2015)
• Modernize military to be used 10 years in the future. (Mar 2015)
• We need coherent interrogation policy, & keep it classified. (Dec 2014)
• We need NSA intel to fight emerging terrorist threats. (Nov 2014)
• Increased military investment demonstrates leadership. (Sep 2014)
• ISIL's goal is to drive us out of the region. (Sep 2014)
• ISIL is a threat because many members have US passports. (Sep 2014)
• ISIS is a more serious threat than al Qaeda. (Jun 2014)
• No one has been held accountable for Benghazi. (May 2014)
• World is a better place when America is the strongest nation. (Feb 2013)
• 9/11 about people who hate what America stands for. (Sep 2012)
• Safer place when America is strongest country in the world. (Aug 2010)
• No greater risk than radical Islamic terrorists. (Aug 2010)
• Islamic terrorists want to impose their view of the world. (Feb 2010)
• No evidence to change policy of don't ask, don't tell. (Feb 2010)
• Voted YES on extending the PATRIOT Act's roving wiretaps. (Feb 2011)
• Supports banning homosexuals in the military. (Aug 2010)
• Sponsored opposing the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty. (Mar 2013) 

On Immigration:

• Deal with border & future immigrants BEFORE any amnesty. (Feb 2015)
• Modernize immigration to win global competition for talent. (Sep 2014)
• Human trafficking law & deferred action caused border crisis. (Aug 2014)
• FactCheck: No MarcoPhones, and no executive DREAMers either. (Apr 2014)
• Give kids of illegal immigrants in-state tuition rates. (Jan 2014)
• Border control: 90% apprehension and 100% surveillance. (Apr 2013)
• Not amnesty: 15-year wait, plus fee, minus federal benefits. (Apr 2013)
• Green cards after 10 years; secure border; & e-Verify. (Apr 2013)
• Compare reform to existing situation of 11 million illegals. (Apr 2013)
• Immigration is a human issue AND a law & order issue. (Mar 2013)
• Leave immigration to feds; 50 sets of laws is worse. (Jun 2012)
• English is de facto official language; let's recognize that. (Jun 2012)
• AZ anti-immigrant law demands papers like "police state". (Jun 2012)
• OpEd: Claimed falsely that parents fled Castro in 1959. (Jun 2012)
• Legal status, but not citizenship, to migrant's children. (Jun 2012)
• GOP DREAM Act: visas for going to college or military. (Apr 2012)
• AZ law may unreasonably single out some citizens. (Apr 2010)
• Don't count illegal immigrants in the 2010 census. (Apr 2010)
• Allow children of illegals to pay in-state college tuition. (Mar 2010)
• No amnesty in any form, not even back-of-the-line. (Mar 2010)
• Oppose amnesty in any reform. (Feb 2010)
• Opposes granting amnesty to illegal immigrants. (Sep 2010)
• Supports full implementation of current border security laws. (Sep 2010) 

On Jobs:

• Give wage subsidies rather than raise minimum wage. (Jan 2015)
• Ok to extend unemployment if it's paid for. (Jan 2014)
• Grow the middle class; don't grow the government. (Feb 2013)
• 1984: Enthusiastic union activist during dad's strike. (Jun 2012)
• Oppose card check & Employee Free Choice Act. (Feb 2010) 

On War and Peace:
 
 

• ISIS plan: US air support for Sunni forces on the ground. (Feb 2015)
• Confront and defeat ISIL now, or we will have to do so later. (Sep 2014)
• Airstrikes in Syria and Iraq to target ISIL. (Sep 2014)
• Airstrikes to topple Syrian government are counterproductive. (Sep 2014)
• Stay involved in Iraq to fight ISIS, not for nation-building. (Jun 2014)
• Timetable in Afghanistan emboldened Taliban to wait us out. (Jan 2014)
• Lack of long-term US status in Iraq opens it for al Qaeda. (Jan 2014)
• Assist Iraqi government in fighting ISIL. (Jan 2014)
• Equip and train non-jihadist Syrians to topple Assad. (Aug 2013)
• Syria: arm rebels last year; now just work with some. (Jun 2013)
• New Iranian leader is more moderate but still supports nukes. (Jun 2013)
• Goal for Korea: denuclearize the peninsula and to unify it. (Apr 2013)
• Supports intervention in Libya & tougher sanctions on Syria. (Sep 2011)
• 2007 troop surge was the right thing to do. (Aug 2010)
• Opposes timetable for troop withdrawal from Afghanistan. (Sep 2010)
• Iranian nuclear weapons: prevention instead of containment. (May 2012)
• Sponsored shutting down Iranian foreign reserves. (May 2013) 

And there we are...

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