Rick Santorum was the State senator for Pennsylvania and ranked third in Republican Party. He is married with eight children. He is currently a candidate for the 2016 Presidential Election.
On the Issues:
Conservative
Abortion:
- Pushed legislation to protect the unborn. (May 2015)
- Gingrich's abortion stances compared to Santorum's. (Jan 2012)
- States have the right to ban contraception, but shouldn't. (Jan 2012)
- No abortions even in cases of rape; one violence is enough. (Aug 2011)
- I've not only taken the pledge; I've taken the bullets. (Jun 2011)
- FactCheck: Under 1/4 of pregnancies end in abortion, not 1/3. (May 2011)
- FactCheck: No, female suicide & crime not worse under Roe. (Feb 2011)
- Plan B morning-after pill is abortion, and dangerous. (Sep 2006)
- Exception for rape & incest ok, even though they take a life. (Sep 2006)
- Partial birth abortion is not used only for abnormalities. (Apr 2006)
- Scientifically, an embryo is human from moment of conception. (Apr 2006)
- 93% of abortions are post-conception birth control. (Apr 2006)
- Partial birth abortion allows killing baby if only toe is in. (Apr 2006)
- There is no federal right to privacy. (Apr 2003)
- Responsible stem cell research doesn't destroy embryos. (Aug 2001)
- Protect any child born alive from botched abortion. (Jun 2001)
- Partial birth abortion should shock your conscience. (Dec 1995)
- Voted YES on notifying parents of minors who get out-of-state abortions. (Jul 2006)
- Voted NO on $100M to reduce teen pregnancy by education & contraceptives. (Mar 2005)
- Voted YES on criminal penalty for harming unborn fetus during other crime. (Mar 2004)
- Voted YES on banning partial birth abortions except for maternal life. (Mar 2003)
- Voted YES on maintaining ban on Military Base Abortions. (Jun 2000)
- Voted YES on banning human cloning. (Feb 1998)
- Rated 0% by NARAL, indicating a pro-life voting record. (Dec 2003)
- Supports the Pro-life Presidential Leadership Pledge. (Jan 2012)
- Spend-o-meter: publicize costs of spending amendments. (May 2015)
- I opposed the Wall Street bailouts and the auto bailout. (Feb 2012)
- 2005: Fannie & Freddie should create housing affordability. (Jan 2012)
- Newt Gingrich's economic stances compared to Santorum's. (Jan 2012)
- Spend-o-meter: track spending on all Senate amendments. (Jan 2012)
- TARP was biggest government intrusion into private sector. (Oct 2011)
- Govt has averaged 18% of GDP and we're now at 25%. (Aug 2011)
- Audit the Fed; but no gold standard. (Aug 2011)
- Stopping debt ceiling increase is showmanship not leadership. (Aug 2011)
- Voted YES on $40B in reduced federal overall spending. (Dec 2005)
- Voted YES on prioritizing national debt reduction below tax cuts. (Apr 2000)
- Voted YES on 1998 GOP budget. (May 1997)
- Voted YES on Balanced-budget constitutional amendment. (Mar 1997)
- Means testing: reduce benefits for wealthy seniors. (Jan 2012)
- 1994: Proposed raising retirement age, despite unpopularity. (Sep 2011)
- Supports privatization if voluntary. (Sep 2006)
- Switched from raising retirement age to personal accounts. (Sep 2006)
- Guaranteed benefit if over 50; personal account if younger. (Sep 2006)
- No privatization; but voluntary personal retirement accounts. (Sep 2003)
- Raise retirement age? Maybe. Private investment? Yes. (May 2000)
- Social Security needs reform sooner rather than later. (May 2000)
- Let's grow the pie using private market system. (Apr 1998)
- Voted YES on Social Security Lockbox & limiting national debt. (Apr 1999)
- Voted YES on allowing Roth IRAs for retirees. (May 1998)
- Voted YES on allowing personal retirement accounts. (Apr 1998)
- Voted YES on deducting Social Security payments on income taxes. (May 1996)
- Rated 10% by the ARA, indicating an anti-senior voting record. (Dec 2003)
- I would never attend a same-sex wedding. (Apr 2015)
- Push for religious liberty in workplace, but not anti-gay. (Apr 2015)
- Santorum side-by-side against Gingrich, Paul & Romney. (Mar 2012)
- I agree with hearing gay ideas but disagree with some. (Jan 2012)
- Marriage is a federal issue; we need one definition, not 50. (Jan 2012)
- Right to gay sex implies right to bigamy, incest, & adultery. (Jan 2012)
- No polygamy; no gay marriage. (Aug 2011)
- Repeal Don't-Ask-Don't-Tell; punish behavior. (Jun 2011)
- Same-sex marriage is unprecedented social revolution. (Apr 2006)
- Marriage Protection Amendment is last resort, but needed. (Apr 2006)
- Affirmative program for minority business-building. (Apr 2006)
- Leave marriage definition to state legislatures & the people. (Jul 2004)
- Same-sex marriage takes us away from purpose of marriage. (Jul 2004)
- Homosexual orientation ok; but homosexual act are sodomy. (Apr 2003)
- Voted YES on recommending Constitutional ban on flag desecration. (Jun 2006)
- Voted YES on constitutional ban of same-sex marriage. (Jun 2006)
- Voted NO on adding sexual orientation to definition of hate crimes. (Jun 2002)
- Voted YES on loosening restrictions on cell phone wiretapping. (Oct 2001)
- Voted NO on expanding hate crimes to include sexual orientation. (Jun 2000)
- Voted NO on setting aside 10% of highway funds for minorities & women. (Mar 1998)
- Voted NO on ending special funding for minority & women-owned business. (Oct 1997)
- Voted YES on prohibiting same-sex marriage. (Sep 1996)
- Voted NO on prohibiting job discrimination by sexual orientation. (Sep 1996)
- Voted YES on Amendment to prohibit flag burning. (Dec 1995)
- Voted NO on banning affirmative action hiring with federal funds. (Jul 1995)
- Supports anti-flag desecration amendment. (Mar 2001)
- Rated 25% by the ACLU, indicating an anti-civil rights voting record. (Dec 2002)
- Issue a commemorative postage stamp of Rosa Parks. (Dec 2005)
- Lifetime A+ rating with the NRA; despite trigger lock vote. (Jan 2012)
- Voted YES on prohibiting lawsuits against gun manufacturers. (Jul 2005)
- Voted NO on banning lawsuits against gun manufacturers for gun violence. (Mar 2004)
- Voted NO on background checks at gun shows. (May 1999)
- Voted YES on more penalties for gun & drug violations. (May 1999)
- Voted YES on loosening license & background checks at gun shows. (May 1999)
- Voted YES on maintaining current law: guns sold without trigger locks. (Jul 1998)
- Smoked pot in college, but knew it was wrong. (Mar 2011)
- Kids living with married parents less likely to use drugs. (Apr 2006)
- Bigger drug problem since welfare state started. (Jul 1996)
- Voted YES on increasing penalties for drug offenses. (Nov 1999)
- Voted YES on spending international development funds on drug control. (Jul 1996)
- Reform education; only 30% get college degrees. (Jan 2015)
- 2006: college for all; 2012: college for all is snobbish. (Feb 2012)
- I should not have voted for No Child Left Behind. (Jan 2012)
- Our education system doesn't serve the customer. (Sep 2011)
- 2001: Keep Department of Education; 2012: it's unnecessary. (Jun 2011)
- One-time $500 contribution to every low-income child. (Apr 2006)
- Rich people already have school choice; give it to the poor. (Apr 2006)
- 1990s: School uniforms happen to be a good idea. (Apr 2006)
- Family, religion, and schools: most fundamental institutions. (Apr 2006)
- Comprehensive sex ed has no impact on pregnancy or STD rates. (Apr 2006)
- Home-schooled six children with wife Karen. (Apr 2006)
- Multiculturalism insists we teach about comic books. (Apr 2006)
- Expose kids to legitimate debate of evolution & creationism. (Mar 2005)
- Teach about disagreements in biological evolution theories. (Jun 2001)
- Kids are trapped without choice in the public schools. (Jun 2001)
- More teachers & more funding just means more of the same. (Apr 1998)
- Voted NO on $52M for "21st century community learning centers". (Oct 2005)
- Voted NO on $5B for grants to local educational agencies. (Oct 2005)
- Voted NO on shifting $11B from corporate tax loopholes to education. (Mar 2005)
- Voted NO on funding smaller classes instead of private tutors. (May 2001)
- Voted NO on funding student testing instead of private tutors. (May 2001)
- Voted NO on spending $448B of tax cut on education & debt reduction. (Apr 2001)
- Voted YES on Educational Savings Accounts. (Mar 2000)
- Voted YES on allowing more flexibility in federal school rules. (Mar 1999)
- Voted YES on education savings accounts. (Jun 1998)
- Voted YES on school vouchers in DC. (Sep 1997)
- Voted YES on $75M for abstinence education. (Jul 1996)
- Voted YES on giving federal aid only to schools allowing voluntary prayer. (Mar 1994)
- Rated 27% by the NEA, indicating anti-public education votes. (Dec 2003)
- Make employee educational assistance tax-deductible. (Jan 1993)
- Nothing the US could do will affect global warming. (Jan 2015)
- Out of office, I stayed in the fray to defeat cap-and-trade. (Jan 2012)
- No federal energy help needed; we did it on Marcellus Shale. (Nov 2011)
- Sagging economy caused by stop sign on oil drilling. (Jun 2011)
- Voted NO on disallowing an oil leasing program in Alaska's ANWR. (Nov 2005)
- Voted YES on $3.1B for emergency oil assistance for hurricane-hit areas. (Oct 2005)
- Voted NO on reducing oil usage by 40% by 2025 (instead of 5%). (Jun 2005)
- Voted NO on banning drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. (Mar 2005)
- Voted YES on Bush Administration Energy Policy. (Jul 2003)
- Voted YES on targeting 100,000 hydrogen-powered vehicles by 2010. (Jun 2003)
- Voted NO on removing consideration of drilling ANWR from budget bill. (Mar 2003)
- Voted YES on drilling ANWR on national security grounds. (Apr 2002)
- Voted YES on terminating CAFE standards within 15 months. (Mar 2002)
- Voted YES on preserving budget for ANWR oil drilling. (Apr 2000)
- Voted NO on ending discussion of CAFE fuel efficiency standards. (Sep 1999)
- Voted YES on defunding renewable and solar energy. (Jun 1999)
- Voted YES on approving a nuclear waste repository. (Apr 1997)
- Ethanol mandate brings jobs & energy independence. (Mar 2015)
- Nature is a subtle web of intricate connections. (Apr 2006)
- Voted NO on including oil & gas smokestacks in mercury regulations. (Sep 2005)
- Voted YES on confirming Gale Norton as Secretary of Interior. (Jan 2001)
- Voted YES on more funding for forest roads and fish habitat. (Sep 1999)
- Voted NO on transportation demo projects. (Mar 1998)
- Voted NO on reducing funds for road-building in National Forests. (Sep 1997)
- Rated 0% by the LCV, indicating anti-environment votes. (Dec 2003)
- Book "Bella's Gift" about their special-needs youngest child. (May 2015)
- Patriot Voices: online community to restore American dream. (May 2015)
- Strong families help produce a strong economy. (May 2015)
- Marriage disappears where government dependency is highest. (Aug 2012)
- Severely disabled daughter is still life worth living. (Aug 2012)
- Contraception for teens helps fix fracturing families. (Feb 2012)
- Address breakdown of American family from bully pulpit. (Jan 2012)
- Gay adoption is a state issue; no federal ban. (Jan 2012)
- Promote the family as economic anchor point. (Dec 2011)
- Poverty rate 5% with two parents; 30% with one parent. (Oct 2011)
- No-Fault Freedom: doing whatever we want damages society. (Apr 2006)
- Shotgun marriage wasn't all that bad in some cases. (Apr 2006)
- Pre-marital cohabitation makes 50% more chance of divorce. (Apr 2006)
- Covenant Marriage: do whatever it takes to keep together. (Apr 2006)
- Automatically awarding custody to moms celebrates sexism. (Jul 2005)
- Church scandals caused by "right to privacy lifestyle". (Apr 2003)
- Voted YES on killing restrictions on violent videos to minors. (May 1999)
- Successfully pushed bipartisan national security legislation. (Jan 2015)
- Stand up for our friends in Latin America, not leftists. (Jan 2012)
- Keep embargo on Cuba--the heart of cancer in Latin America. (Jan 2012)
- Self-determination on statehood for Puerto Rico. (Jan 2012)
- Iran's theocracy encourages use of nuclear weapons. (Jan 2012)
- JFK-Khrushchev negotiations failed; Obama's will fail too. (Nov 2011)
- Assassinate Iranian & North Korean nuclear scientists. (Oct 2011)
- Deal with Musharraf in Pakistan in advance of trouble. (Sep 2011)
- No apologies for past American interventions in Iran. (Aug 2011)
- Voted YES on enlarging NATO to include Eastern Europe. (May 2002)
- Voted NO on killing a bill for trade sanctions if China sells weapons. (Sep 2000)
- Voted YES on capping foreign aid at only $12.7 billion. (Oct 1999)
- Voted NO on limiting the President's power to impose economic sanctions. (Jul 1998)
- Voted NO on limiting NATO expansion to only Poland, Hungary & Czech. (Apr 1998)
- Voted YES on $17.9 billion to IMF. (Mar 1998)
- Voted YES on Strengthening of the trade embargo against Cuba. (Mar 1996)
- I'm for making US more competitive than China. (Oct 2011)
- 1993: Voted against NAFTA because it hurt PA industries. (Jun 2011)
- Voted YES on free trade agreement with Oman. (Jun 2006)
- Voted YES on implementing CAFTA for Central America free-trade. (Jul 2005)
- Voted YES on establishing free trade between US & Singapore. (Jul 2003)
- Voted YES on establishing free trade between the US and Chile. (Jul 2003)
- Voted YES on extending free trade to Andean nations. (May 2002)
- Voted YES on granting normal trade relations status to Vietnam. (Oct 2001)
- Voted YES on removing common goods from national security export rules. (Sep 2001)
- Voted YES on permanent normal trade relations with China. (Sep 2000)
- Voted YES on expanding trade to the third world. (May 2000)
- Voted YES on renewing 'fast track' presidential trade authority. (Nov 1997)
- Voted YES on imposing trade sanctions on Japan for closed market. (May 1995)
- Rated 100% by CATO, indicating a pro-free trade voting record. (Dec 2002)
On Government Reform:
- 1990s "Gang of Seven": exposed congressional scandals. (May 2015)
- Censure & lawsuit for too many executive actions. (Nov 2014)
- Line-item veto needed; spending transparency until then. (Feb 2012)
- Endorsed Arlen Specter to assure conservative Supreme Court. (Feb 2012)
- Overturn & freeze all Obama regulations in process. (Jul 2011)
- DC doesn't work; ratify the Balanced Budget Amendment. (Jul 2011)
- 1997: In-state campaign donation cap $4K; out-of-state $1K. (Jun 2011)
- Campaign finance should be purely voluntary. (Oct 1997)
- Voted YES on allowing some lobbyist gifts to Congress. (Mar 2006)
- Voted NO on establishing the Senate Office of Public Integrity. (Mar 2006)
- Voted NO on banning "soft money" contributions and restricting issue ads. (Mar 2002)
- Voted YES on require photo ID (not just signature) for voter registration. (Feb 2002)
- Voted NO on banning campaign donations from unions & corporations. (Apr 2001)
- Voted YES on funding for National Endowment for the Arts. (Aug 1999)
- Voted NO on favoring 1997 McCain-Feingold overhaul of campaign finance. (Oct 1997)
- Voted YES on Approving the presidential line-item veto. (Mar 1996)
- Voted NO on banning more types of Congressional gifts. (Jul 1995)
- ObamaCare wasted $500M setting up 4 failed state exchanges. (May 2014)
- Obamacare will crush economic freedom. (Feb 2012)
- Give Medicare same options and opt-out as Congress. (Jan 2012)
- Promote Health Savings Accounts as market-based solution. (Jan 2012)
- Liberal states won't waive ObamaCare; we must repeal it. (Oct 2011)
- Private sector insurance works, even for Medicare. (Sep 2011)
- Mandatory inoculations of children is wrong. (Sep 2011)
- If we let states mandate insurance, sterilization is ok too. (Aug 2011)
- First Executive Order: suspend ObamaCare. (Jul 2011)
- 2006: Targeted by trial lawyers for his malpractice reform. (Jun 2011)
- Little or no benefit from negotiating Medicare Rx prices. (Sep 2006)
- Sex outside of monogamy has consequences of STDs & abortion. (Jul 2005)
- Voted YES on limiting medical liability lawsuits to $250,000. (May 2006)
- Voted NO on expanding enrollment period for Medicare Part D. (Feb 2006)
- Voted NO on increasing Medicaid rebate for producing generics. (Nov 2005)
- Voted NO on negotiating bulk purchases for Medicare prescription drug. (Mar 2005)
- Voted NO on $40 billion per year for limited Medicare prescription drug benefit. (Jun 2003)
- Voted NO on allowing reimportation of Rx drugs from Canada. (Jul 2002)
- Voted NO on allowing patients to sue HMOs & collect punitive damages. (Jun 2001)
- Voted YES on funding GOP version of Medicare prescription drug benefit. (Apr 2001)
- Voted NO on including prescription drugs under Medicare. (Jun 2000)
- Voted YES on limiting self-employment health deduction. (Jul 1999)
- Voted NO on increasing tobacco restrictions. (Jun 1998)
- Voted YES on Medicare means-testing. (Jun 1997)
- Voted NO on blocking medical savings acounts. (Apr 1996)
- Rated 0% by APHA, indicating a anti-public health voting record. (Dec 2003)
- Getting out facts about Benghazi makes hearings successful. (May 2014)
- Privacy is in 4th amendment, but Patriot Act is ok. (Jan 2012)
- Confront virulent threat of radical Islam. (Jan 2012)
- Giving money to Iran rebels is not enough. (Nov 2011)
- Don't cut one penny out of defense spending. (Oct 2011)
- Removing Don't-Ask injects social experiment into military. (Sep 2011)
- Department of Homeland Security fixed an internal mess. (Sep 2011)
- Cut waste in DOD, but don't cut defense budget. (Jul 2011)
- Terrorism is an asymmetric threat; we need worldwide bases. (Jun 2011)
- Waterboarding gets useful info, like on Osama bin Laden. (May 2011)
- We need to spend money to study the EMP threat. (Aug 2009)
- War against Islamic fascism will be won or lost in America. (Sep 2006)
- Invest in our armed services' fundamental mission. (Aug 1995)
Defense Spending
- There are good earmarks, like Osprey military program. (Feb 2012)
- Voted NO on preserving habeas corpus for Guantanamo detainees. (Sep 2006)
- Voted NO on requiring CIA reports on detainees & interrogation methods. (Sep 2006)
- Voted YES on reauthorizing the PATRIOT Act. (Mar 2006)
- Voted YES on extending the PATRIOT Act's wiretap provision. (Dec 2005)
- Voted NO on restricting business with entities linked to terrorism. (Jul 2005)
- Voted NO on restoring $565M for states' and ports' first responders. (Mar 2005)
- Voted NO on adopting the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. (Oct 1999)
- Voted YES on allowing another round of military base closures. (May 1999)
- Voted YES on cutting nuclear weapons below START levels. (May 1999)
- Voted YES on deploying National Missile Defense ASAP. (Mar 1999)
- Voted YES on military pay raise of 4.8%. (Feb 1999)
- Voted YES on prohibiting same-sex basic training. (Jun 1998)
- Voted YES on favoring 36 vetoed military projects. (Oct 1997)
- Voted YES on banning chemical weapons. (Apr 1997)
- Voted YES on considering deploying NMD, and amending ABM Treaty. (Jun 1996)
- Voted YES on 1996 Defense Appropriations. (Sep 1995)
- Rated 0% by SANE, indicating a pro-military voting record. (Dec 2003)
On Immigration:
- Focus on skilled immigrants; now most are unskilled. (Jan 2015)
- Amnesty to unskilled illegals makes worker wages stagnate. (Nov 2014)
- My grandfather immigrated for American Dream, not benefits. (Aug 2012)
- We need immigration; but we need respect of the law. (Jan 2012)
- Welcome legal immigrants as part of made-in-America plan. (Nov 2011)
- No in-state tuition for illegal immigrants. (Sep 2011)
- Finish the border fence; make English the official language. (Sep 2011)
- No tricks like 1986; secure the border first. (Sep 2011)
- No promises & no government benefits to immigrants. (Sep 2011)
- No benefits for illegal immigrants. (Jun 2011)
- Voted YES on building a fence along the Mexican border. (Sep 2006)
- Voted NO on establishing a Guest Worker program. (May 2006)
- Voted NO on allowing illegal aliens to participate in Social Security. (May 2006)
- Voted NO on giving Guest Workers a path to citizenship. (May 2006)
- Voted YES on allowing more foreign workers into the US for farm work. (Jul 1998)
- Voted YES on visas for skilled workers. (May 1998)
- Voted YES on limit welfare for immigrants. (Jun 1997)
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On War and Peace:
- We cannot allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon. (May 2015)
- Obama left Iraq because it was politically popular to do so. (Jan 2014)
- Unclear which side in Syria used chemical weapons. (Aug 2013)
- Stay in Afghanistan until security of our country is secure. (Jan 2012)
- Iranian people admire us; Iranian leaders are evil. (Jan 2012)
- Afghanistan victory means Taliban is neutered, not wiped out. (Nov 2011)
- Work with Israel to take out Iranian nukes by force. (Nov 2011)
- We need 20,000 troops to stay in Iraq to achieve victory. (Sep 2011)
- We're tying one hand behind our backs; change Afghan rules. (Sep 2011)
- Jihadists want to kill us for what we are. (Sep 2011)
- No isolationism on Libya; but Obama did it wrong. (Sep 2011)
- We should withdraw from Afghanistan more slowly. (Aug 2011)
- Iran has been at war with us since 1979. (Aug 2011)
- Iran must be confronted to stop them from getting nukes. (Aug 2011)
- No national security at stake in Libya. (Jul 2011)
- Iraq: We have a great game plan, and Rumsfeld does fine job. (Sep 2006)
- War in Iraq is one front in war on Islamic fascism. (Sep 2006)
- Iran is at the heart of the Iraq war. (Sep 2006)
- Saddam had no new WMDs, but did have old WMDs. (Sep 2006)
- Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11, but still a necessary war. (Sep 2006)
- My Iraq plan, and my opponent’s plan, is same as Bush’s. (Sep 2006)
- Needed exit strategy & objective in Kosovo, but not in Iraq. (Sep 2006)
- Sanctions against Iran, despite Administration disagreement. (Sep 2006)
- Threat posed by Saddam is like drunk driver's threat to all. (Oct 2002)
- Voted NO on redeploying troops out of Iraq by July 2007. (Jun 2006)
- Voted NO on investigating contract awards in Iraq & Afghanistan. (Nov 2005)
- Voted NO on requiring on-budget funding for Iraq, not emergency funding. (Apr 2005)
- Voted YES on $86 billion for military operations in Iraq & Afghanistan. (Oct 2003)
- Voted YES on authorizing use of military force against Iraq. (Oct 2002)
- Voted YES on allowing all necessary force in Kosovo. (May 1999)
- Voted NO on authorizing air strikes in Kosovo. (Mar 1999)
- Voted YES on ending the Bosnian arms embargo. (Jul 1995)
- Move the US Embassy to Jerusalem. (Nov 1995)
Next up: George Pataki