Presidential Candidate Stances
Where do the top three presidential candidates stand on the issues?
Adapted from USA Today
Abortion
Biden/Harris
Biden/Harris support access to abortion and aims to restore Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 decision that was overturned by the Supreme Court in 2022. They have made protecting access to mifepristone, known as the abortion pill, a priority, as it faces challenges before the Supreme Court. Vice President Kamala Harris has actively campaigned to safeguard abortion, becoming the first vice president to visit an abortion clinic and speaking out against an Arizona Supreme Court decision that upheld a 160-year-old abortion ban. They also praised Ohio voters for approving a 2023 constitutional amendment to protect abortion.
Trump
Trump argues that abortion laws should be determined by individual states rather than the federal government. This position has disappointed some abortion opponents, especially his caution to Republicans about supporting overly restrictive national bans. While he has criticized six-week bans enacted in several states, he has not detailed what alternative measures he would support. He advocates for abortion laws to include exceptions for rape, incest, and certain medical emergencies. Trump appointed three of the six key Supreme Court justices who voted to overturn Roe v. Wade.
RFK
Kennedy's position on abortion has been somewhat ambiguous during his campaign. At the Iowa State Fair in summer 2023, the independent presidential candidate indicated he would support a federal abortion ban after the first three months of pregnancy. However, he later retracted these comments, with his campaign clarifying that Kennedy supports a woman's right to choose and does not endorse legislation banning abortion. He previously told USA TODAY that he believes the government should not dictate personal decisions about one's body and that women should have control over their choices during the first three months of pregnancy.
Immigration
Biden/Harris
Biden/Harris are under significant pressure from governors and mayors nationwide to address the issue of undocumented immigrants in the U.S. They supported a bipartisan border security bill negotiated in the Senate, which aimed to limit daily crossings at the southern border and add additional funding to Israel and Ukraine, but the bill failed to pass Congress. They stated their goal has been a "safe, orderly, and humane immigration system,". Although they promised during the 2020 presidential campaign not to continue building Trump's signature border wall, additional sections of the wall have been constructed using funds allocated during Trump's administration.
Trump
Trump has pledged to implement the largest deportation and border enforcement programs in U.S. history, making border security a central issue throughout his political career. He has indicated plans to build on his previous policies by directing law enforcement and the National Guard to deport millions of undocumented immigrants. During his presidency, Trump famously promised to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, though this goal was not fully realized while he was in office but vows to complete it if given a second term.
RFK
Kennedy sees the situation at the southern border as a humanitarian crisis. If elected, he aims to secure the border with the objective of halting illegal immigration while also expanding the lawful immigration system in the U.S. His immigration policy prioritizes gaining control of the border first, followed by collaborating with other countries to manage migration flows. Kennedy also plans to invest in and enhance immigration infrastructure, including increasing funding for services such as courts and border agencies to better handle asylum cases.
Healthcare
Biden/Harris
Expanding healthcare coverage under the Affordable Care Act and lowering prescription drug costs are key promises in Biden/Harris’ second presidential campaign. They have emphasized that healthcare should be a right, not a privilege. They successfully secured Medicare’s ability to negotiate prices for certain drugs for seniors and to cap their annual costs at $2,000, including medications for heart diseases, autoimmune conditions, and more. They aim to extend these policies to all Americans. Additionally, they have proposed reforms to private Medicare plans to improve access for seniors and suggested investing $12 billion to enhance underfunded research in women’s health.
Trump
Trump attempted to repeal the healthcare law enacted by his predecessor, former President Barack Obama, but was unsuccessful. He now states that he aims to improve and reduce the cost of the law rather than repeal it, though he has not provided a specific plan. During his presidency, he signed legislation to increase funding for substance use disorder treatment in response to the opioid epidemic and declared the opioid crisis a public health emergency in 2017. On the campaign trail, Trump has focused more on combating the spread of fentanyl in the U.S. and targeting drug cartels in Mexico.
RFK
Kennedy has faced criticism for claiming a link between vaccines and autism. He has been criticized, including being banned from Instagram, for opposing governmental COVID-19 restrictions. He founded the Children’s Health Defense, a nonprofit organization known for its anti-vaccine messaging. Kennedy advocates for reducing chronic disease rates in children and has stated that he would not seek reelection if he has not made significant progress in lowering disease rates among children by the end of his potential first term.
Foreign Policy
Biden/Harris
The Israel-Hamas war has tested the Biden/Harris foreign policy and domestic support, as young voters have protested across campuses against the situation in Gaza. They have reaffirmed Washington's support for Israel while working to achieve a temporary cease-fire and increase humanitarian aid for Palestinians. In 2024, they faced challenges but succeeded in securing additional support from Congress for both Israel and Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. They also reiterated U.S. support for NATO. Critics of the president often highlight the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan, a situation the Biden administration has acknowledged could have been managed better.
Trump
As he did in 2016, Trump is promoting an "America First" agenda that is skeptical of free trade and international alliances, including NATO. He also seeks to reduce U.S. defense commitments, raising questions about continued aid to Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. He has criticized the actions of China and Iran. He has vowed to support Israel in its conflict with Hamas but has also expressed criticism of Israeli leaders.
RFK
Kennedy's foreign policy aims to withdraw troops, reduce national debt incurred from conflicts, and end what he terms proxy wars. Regarding Ukraine, Kennedy seeks to alleviate the suffering of the Ukrainian people by supporting their defense efforts but advocates for a diplomatic resolution to achieve peace and return U.S. resources. For instance, Kennedy has questioned whether current American involvement in Ukraine is genuinely aiding the Ukrainian people or merely using them as a "pawn to weaken Russia."
Economy
Biden/Harris
Biden/Harris believe that strengthening the U.S. economy is best achieved by focusing on the middle class and working from the bottom up. Their economic plan includes the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, aimed at pandemic recovery, as well as funding for major infrastructure and climate initiatives. They have proposed increasing the minimum corporate tax rate from 15% to 21% and restoring a previous version of the Child Tax Credit. Additionally, Biden/Harris wants to make the healthcare tax credit permanent and provide new home buyers with a $400 monthly tax credit for two years to reduce mortgage costs. Republicans argue that Biden’s policies have contributed to rising inflation, which has strained household budgets, and claim that his regulatory measures are hampering economic growth.
Trump
Trump receives strong approval from voters for his handling of the economy. A Wall Street Journal poll in March indicated that a majority of voters trust him more than Biden to reduce inflation, a major economic concern. In 2017, Trump and the Republicans passed a $1.5 trillion tax overhaul set to expire in 2025. He has criticized the rising federal debt. Additionally, Trump has been more skeptical of free trade initiatives and agreements compared to some of his Republican counterparts, even initiating a trade war with China during his term.
RFK
Kennedy argues that Americans need a president focused on their personal economic well-being rather than on war or Wall Street interests. He contends that the current economic system makes expenses unaffordable for many Americans. Kennedy advocates for prosecuting companies that engage in union-busting to allow labor groups to organize and negotiate fair wages. He proposes raising the minimum wage to $15, expanding free childcare programs, and reducing housing costs by $1,000 per family. Additionally, Kennedy suggests cutting some military expenditures, prohibiting corporate bailouts, and implementing other measures to support his economic platform.
Education
Biden/Harris
One of Biden/Harris’ key priorities in the White House has been addressing student loan debt. Despite legal challenges, the administration announced that alternative measures by his Education Department have provided $160 billion in debt relief to nearly 4.6 million borrowers as of May 2024. In K-12 education, Biden/Harris criticized book bans in school libraries and condemned Florida legislation, often referred to as the "Don't Say Gay" bill, which restricts instruction on gender identity and sexuality from kindergarten to third grade.
Trump
Trump has proposed closing the U.S. Department of Education, advocating for state control over education and increased parental involvement in schools. While education is not a primary focus of his campaign, he has taken clear positions on cultural issues affecting education. He supports banning biological males from competing in women’s sports and has praised Supreme Court rulings against affirmative action in higher education. Additionally, Trump has criticized Biden's efforts to cancel student loan debt, commending the Supreme Court in 2023 for striking down parts of Biden's plan, which he deemed unfair to those who have repaid their loans.
RFK
Kennedy has outlined several proposals for reducing student loan debt. His platform includes allowing students to refinance their loans at lower interest rates to reduce monthly payments. He is also advocating for Congress to pass legislation to eliminate interest on both new and existing student loans. Kennedy proposes shifting the responsibility for loan defaults from loan institutions and banks to the schools themselves, aiming to incentivize universities to lower tuition costs. Furthermore, he supports expanding higher education opportunities in trades such as electricians, plumbers, and mechanics, and seeks to explore funding opportunities for students pursuing these careers.
Crime and Policing
Biden/Harris
Biden/Harris have consistently expressed belief in the importance of safer American communities while advocating for accountability in policing. They have distanced themselves from calls to "defund the police," and although the administration has acknowledged rising crime rates in some areas, they have highlighted FBI data showing an overall decline in violent crime. To combat mass shootings and gun violence, they have frequently urged Congress to reinstate a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines and to implement universal background checks. Their 2023 budget proposal to lawmakers included increased funding for law enforcement to address gun violence.
Trump
Trump is emphasizing public safety concerns, particularly focusing on crimes committed by undocumented immigrants, as a key aspect of his campaign. He advocates for increased powers for police and argues that Democratic policies are contributing to crime waves in major cities. During his presidency, Trump signed the First Step Act into law, which expanded early-release programs for certain offenders and reduced some mandatory minimum sentences. He also issued several high-profile pardons and commutations, collaborating with Kim Kardashian on some initiatives.
RFK
Kennedy's campaign emphasizes "transforming" the police rather than defunding them. He aims to incentivize police to prevent violence and minimize unnecessary arrests. His platform includes training officers in de-escalation techniques and mediation skills, as well as establishing partnerships with local organizations to foster a non-adversarial relationship with the public. Kennedy's approach focuses on directing police efforts toward serious crimes rather than targeting a broader range of individuals.
Climate Change
Biden/Harris
Biden/Harris have expressed concerns about the risks of denying the impacts of climate change, stating it could lead to a dangerous future for Americans. They introduced the American Climate Corps to train young people to address the climate crisis. They set a national goal to cut greenhouse gas emissions by half by 2030 and aims for the American power sector to be 100% carbon-pollution-free by 2035. To support these goals, they announced $7 billion in solar power grants for low-income individuals and have promoted the use of electric vehicles. The administration also imposed new restrictions on drilling and mining in Alaska's wilderness and issued regulations requiring coal-fired power plants to reduce emissions by 90% by 2032.
Trump
Trump has consistently opposed many climate change policies, maintaining this stance since his time in the White House. During his presidency, he withdrew the United States from the Paris Agreement, which the Biden administration rejoined upon taking office. Trump believes that advocates of climate change are harming the nation's energy industry. As president, he reduced numerous environmental regulations and often downplayed the global impacts of climate change. He has promised to boost domestic oil and gas production and has expressed opposition to existing government subsidies for wind power development.
RFK
Kennedy worked as an environmental lawyer for over 20 years, advocating for clean water, environmental protection, and human rights. His campaign's environmental policies aim to redirect agricultural subsidies toward more sustainable practices. He has proposed incentivizing industries to adopt clean energy sources to reduce toxic waste, industrial poisons, and pesticides. Additionally, Kennedy wants to minimize corporate influence on federal agencies such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration to enhance their focus on environmental protection.
