John McCain was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1982 through the state of Arizona. During his tenure as a Representative, McCain fought to disband the wastefulness of spending done by the Government, and attempted to strengthen the armed forces. In 1986, McCain became part of the United States Senate after serving two terms as a U.S. Representative. During his nearly two-decade reign as Senator, McCain has continuously tried to improve the technicality of lobbyists writing legislation and Washington wasting the money of taxpayers. Because of his successes within the Senate, McCain was reelected in 1992, 1998 and 2004; his term will end on January 11, 2011.
Immigration: “I have said in hundreds of hours of debate on the Senate floor, we reward no one for illegal behavior They have to pay fines. They have to take the naturalization. About two million people here in this country who have come illegally, have committed crimes here in America, and they have to be deported immediately.” (Meet the Press: 2008 “Meet the Candidates” series, January 6, 2008)
Wants to certify borders are secure first; then allow a guest worker program
Deport any illegal immigrant who has committed crimes within the United States
Immigration reform is a must to endure national security
Abortion: “I think the respect and commitment to the rights of the unborn is something I’ve fought for, and it has a lot to do with national security. Because it says very much what kind of a country we are and our respect for human life, whether it be here in the US or anyplace else in the world. So I think it is connected.” (2007 Iowa Straw Poll Debate, August 5, 2007)
Opposes partial-birth abortions and public financing
Supports federal funding of embryonic stem-cell research
Believes Roe v. Wade should be overturned, but would make the exceptions of women who were victims of rape, incest or if the mother’s health is in jeopardy, to obtain an abortion
Iraq War: “Right next door in Kuwait, we have military bases. We have troops in South Korea & Bosnia. It’s not a matter of American troop presence, it’s a matter of American casualties. And I believe that by next November, I can show the American people significant more progress & significant withdrawals. We have to succeed there.” (Meet the Press: 2008 “Meet the Candidates” series, January 27, 2008)
Believes Iraq is the forefront in the war against al-Qaeda
States that surge in Iraq is working and to let it continue until it has succeeded
Strategy would be to defeat al-Qaeda and limit the influence of Iran
Economy: “I have been a consistent fighter to restrain spending and to cut taxes.” (2008 GOP debate in Boca Raton Florida, January 24, 2008)
Stop out-of-control spending in effort to avoid recession
Use veto power to reduce Government spending
Favors reforming insurance to cover violent weather patterns
Health Care: “And unlike the Democrats, I’m going to preserve that quality of health care, and at the same time stop the inflation & the skyrocketing costs of health care.” (2007 Republican primary debate on Univision December 9, 2007)
Give individuals $2,500 refundable tax credits for health care
Control health costs so that manufacturer’s will stay competitive
Preserve the quality of health care by individual responsibility