As part of Pray The Vote, prayer team members and the American people shared what mattered most to them in this coming election. From what we learned in the Vital Signs National Study, we compiled a deep dive look into the top 13 issues.
On each of these, read how each of the candidates responded, in their own words:
Select a topic below to view candidate positions on the subject.
“Sadly, the far left is actively working to erase our God-given rights, shut down faith-based charities, ban religious believers from the public square and silence Americans who believe in the sanctity of life. … We are fighting for those who have no voice…Unborn children have never had a stronger defender in the White House.”
Biden supports repealing the Hyde Amendment because health care is a right that should not be dependent on one’s zip code or income. … Biden will work to codify Roe v. Wade, and his Justice Department will do everything in its power to stop the rash of state laws that so blatantly violate Roe v. Wade. The Biden Plan will restore federal funding for Planned Parenthood…and restore the Affordable Care Act’s contraception mandate in place before the U.S. Supreme Court’s Hobby Lobby decision.
“For my wife and me to stand for life in the public square is a calling, a calling of our convictions, it’s a calling of our faith. We think it is the most pressing moral issue of our time. … educate young people about the unalienable right to life, and the fact that every child is a gift from God.”
“I will always fight for a woman’s right to make a decision over her own body.”
Harris has a strongly pro-abortion rights voting record, including co-sponsoring the Women’s Health Protection Act and supports federal funding for family planning clinics such as Planned Parenthood.
Faithful to the “self-evident” truths enshrined in the Declaration of Independence, we assert the sanctity of human life and affirm that the unborn child has a fundamental individual right to life, which cannot be infringed. … we oppose using public revenues to promote or perform abortion or fund organizations which perform or advocate it and will not fund or subsidize health care which includes abortion coverage. We support the appointment of judges who respect traditional family values and the sanctity of innocent human life.
Democrats believe every woman should be able to access high-quality reproductive health care services, including safe and legal abortion. We oppose and will fight to overturn federal and state laws that create barriers to women’s reproductive health and rights, including by repealing the Hyde Amendment and protecting and codifying the right to reproductive freedom.
“We know that American success is not a foregone conclusion. It must be earned, and it must be won.”
“We had the greatest economy in history, prior to the China virus coming in.” “My administration has fought every day to restore prosperity.”
This is the moment to imagine and build a new American economy for our families and the next generation. An economy where every American enjoys a fair return for their work and an equal chance to get ahead. An economy more vibrant and more powerful precisely because everybody will be cut in on the deal.
“I promise you that we’re never going to stop fighting for working people all across…America.”
“The President and I absolutely believe that while we’re still going through a challenging time, we’re going to see this economy continue to come back. We’re going to support families, and support businesses, to achieve just that. … We’re opening up America again.”
“Joe Biden believes you measure the health and strength of America’s economy based on the health and strength of the American worker and the American family.”
“It’s going to be about our plan to build back our economy and build back better. That’s about the creation of jobs in manufacturing, jobs in the auto industry.”
We are the party of a growing economy that gives everyone a chance in life, an opportunity to learn, work, and realize the prosperity freedom makes possible. Government cannot create prosperity, though government can limit or destroy it.
America deserves an economy that works for everyone—not just the wealthy and the well-connected. But our system has been rigged against the American people. Democrats believe that it is a moral and economic imperative that we support working families by rebuilding the American middle class for the 21st century, making sure this time that everyone can make it and thrive, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, national origin, age, or ZIP code.
President Trump says that widespread voter fraud by mail does exist (in universal mail-in voting).
“They found them in creeks. They found some with the name Trump…just the other day in a waste paper basket.”
“This is all about trying to dissuade people from voting because he’s trying to scare people into thinking it’s not going to be legitimate.”
“Absentee balloting and safely voting on election day—we have every confidence…What the president and I are concerned about is that other states around the country are enacting what’s called universal mail-in voting and allowing people to do what’s called vote harvesting. So they are mailing out ballots to people all across their state that have never been requested and then they’re allowing people to gather up those ballots. We think that would undermine the integrity of our elections.”
“We have seen Donald Trump try to convince the American people that they should question the integrity of our election system.”
Honest elections are the foundation for representative government. … We oppose the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact and any other scheme to abolish or distort the procedures of the Electoral College. We urge state legislatures that have voted for this proposal to rescind their approval.
[We] will strengthen our democracy by guaranteeing that every American’s vote is protected. We will make it a priority to pass legislation that restores and strengthens the Voting Rights Act, and ensure the Department of Justice challenges state laws that make it harder for Americans to vote. We will make voting easier and more accessible for all Americans by supporting automatic voter registration, same-day voter registration, early voting, and universal vote-from-home and vote-by-mail options.
“We’re strongly defending Medicare and Social Security, and we always will. We’ll always protect our senior citizens and everybody against preexisting conditions. … My administration will never waiver in our relentless commitment to keep America’s seniors safe.”
He will protect and strengthen Medicare as we know it and ensure quality, affordable health care for all older Americans. … The Biden plan will put Social Security on a path to long-run solvency…will strengthen benefits for the most vulnerable older Americans—including widows and widowers, lifelong workers with low monthly benefits, and old-age beneficiaries who may have exhausted their other savings.
“About Social Security, we’re going to meet our obligations to our seniors. That’s it. We’ve said we’re going to meet the obligations of Medicare. … We’re going to reform government programs so we can meet the obligations of Social Security and Medicare.”
“We need to expand Social Security and provide our seniors and other beneficiaries of this vital program with greater dignity and peace of mind.”
Impose no changes for persons currently 55 or older. Give others the option of traditional Medicare or transition to a premium support model designed to strengthen patient choice. … Advance responsible policies to strengthen retirement security.
We will take a holistic approach to the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) programs that are essential for millions of Americans with disabilities by increasing SSI benefits, eliminating waiting periods for SSDI, and eliminating the “benefit cliff” for SSDI benefits. … And improve access to home- and community-based care for people with disabilities and older Americans.
The President’s 2021 budget funds national priorities that this administration believes are vital for the security and prosperity of the American people…The budget proposes…commonsense mandatory savers, such as universal work requirement for Medicaid, TANF housing, and food stamps. This will ensure that we are helping to life able-bodied adults off of a cycle of dependency and onto a ladder of economic opportunity.
In laying out his Build Back Better agenda, Biden has announced bold investments — in infrastructure, innovation, manufacturing, education, housing, clean energy, federal procurement, and small businesses.
“The real long-term solution to the fiscal challenges in Washington D.C. is making sure that the budget of every American is growing… once we get this economy rolling, we’re going to continue to hold Congress to account.”
“I’m not trying to upend and blow up systems. I’m not trying to start a revolution. I am not a socialist” but “capitalism assumes that everyone is starting on the same base and then people will compete and the best will rise. The majority of people aren’t starting on the same base, and we’ve got to lift people up and in particular working people.”
The federal fiscal burden threatens the security, liberty, and independence of our nation. … The Republican path to fiscal sanity and economic expansion begins with a constitutional requirement for a federal balanced budget. … Only a constitutional safeguard such as this can prevent deficits from mounting to government default.
No direct discussion, but many programs require higher-levels of government investment.
“My vision for a healthcare system puts patients first, families first and most importantly America first.”
“We live in the richest country in history and yet we do not guarantee this most basic human right. Everyone living in America should get the health care they need regardless of their employment status or ability to pay.”
“We remain optimistic. Our scientists remain optimistic. We believe we will have one or more vaccine before the end of the year…In seven short months, we are in seven clinical trials. … Joe Biden said no miracle is coming, but America is in the miracle business.”
“I’m not going to take away people’s choice about having a public or private plan. I am going to give people a transition that allows folks like organized labor to actually renegotiate their contract.”
Any honest agenda for improving healthcare must start with repeal of the dishonestly named Affordable Care Act of 2019: Obamacare. … Consumer choice is the most powerful factor in healthcare reform.
Democrats have fought to achieve universal health care for a century. … Democrats will keep up the fight until all Americans can access secure, affordable, high-quality health insurance—because as Democrats, we fundamentally believe health care is a right for all, not a privilege for the few.
President Trump has focused mainly on creating a merit-based, or high-skill immigration system, and looks to continue the immigration agenda that has been a mainstay of his administration.
“This will be a wall with a very big, very beautiful door, because we want the legals to come back into the country.”
He will take urgent action to undo Trump’s damage and reclaim America’s values; modernize America’s immigration system; welcome immigrants in our communities; reassert America’s commitment to asylum-seekers and refugees; tackle the root causes of irregulate migration; and implement effective border screening.
“Every day we don’t secure our border, we’re allowing the crisis to worsen – more lives to be endangered, more people to be exploited and more drugs to flow into our country.”
“Because I was a prosecutor for many years, including the Attorney General of California, I specialize in trans-national criminal organizations. That wall ain’t gonna stop them.”
In 2019, she unveiled an immigration plan that would remove the threat of deportation from undocumented immigrants via executive action and expand deferred action immigration programs.
Our country is the natural home for those who come in search of freedom and justice. … Our immigration system must protect American working families and their wages, for citizens and legal immigrants alike, in a way that will improve the economy. … We support building a wall along our southern border and protecting all ports of entry. … Because “sanctuary cities” violate federal law and endanger their own citizens, they should not be eligible for federal funding.
Democrats believe the United States should be a beacon of hope for those who are suffering violence and injustice, which is why we will protect and expand the existing asylum system and other humanitarian protections. … We will reinstate, expand and streamline protections for Dreamers and the parents of American citizen children to keep families together. … Even as we work to reverse the enormous damage caused by the Trump Administration, we are determined to build a 21st century immigration system that embodies our values, expands economic opportunity for all Americans, and enhances our global competitiveness.
“I promised to restore law and order to our country, and our federal law enforcement agencies are following through on that pledge. We will spare no resource in fighting so that every American child can grow up free from violence and fear.”
“I believe in law and order with justice where people get treated fairly.”
“Under President Trump, we will stand with those who stand on the thin blue line… we’re not going to defund the police—not now, not ever.”
“Let’s deal with the issues that face America, including the need to invest in the health and well being of communities, as well as requiring accountability for people who break the rules and break the law.“
We commit ourselves, as individuals and as a party, to the rule of law and the pursuit of justice.
Democrats believe in bringing the American people together, not stoking division and distrust… Healing the soul of America means facing up to the deepest inequities in our society.
President Trump has promoted policies that support and empower working parents… creation of a plan for nationwide paid family leave… will ask Congress to support school choice in order to support working parents.
“I am absolutely comfortable with the fact that men marrying men, women marrying women, and heterosexual men and women marrying one another are entitled to the same exact rights, all the civil rights, all the civil liberties.”
“There’s no institution in the life of this nation more important than the family… The family is the nucleus of our civilization. We’re in the middle of a comeback of the American family.”
“My mother instilled in my sister, Maya, and me the values that would chart the course of our lives. She taught us to put family first—the family you’re born into and the family you choose—but to also see a world beyond ourselves.”
Foremost among those institutions is the American family. It Is the foundation of civil society, and the cornerstone of the family is natural marriage, the union of one man and one woman. Its daily lessons—cooperation, patience, mutual respect, responsibility, self-reliance—are fundamental to the order and progress of our Republic. Strong families, depending upon God and one another, advance the cause of liberty by lessening the need for government in our daily lives.
The United States is alone among advanced economies in guaranteeing neither paid sick leave nor paid family leave for all workers. This puts excessive burdens on working families, and especially working mothers. … Democrats will implement paid sick days and high-quality, comprehensive and inclusive paid family and medical leave. … Finding and paying for high-quality child care is an emotional, logistical, and financial tightrope for too many parents, and that needs to change. Democrats will make major investments sin quality, affordable child care.
“With three years of record military investment, our country has rejected a future of American decline and embraced our destiny of American dominance. Together, we’re protecting our people, our values, our traditions and our glorious American Flag.”
President Biden will inspire a future generation of Americans to volunteer for military service by ensuring we fulfill our obligations to the generations who have already answered the call to serve our country and by supporting the well-being of all military families.
“The men and women of the Department of Defense have pioneered some of the most groundbreaking discoveries in our armed forces that literally have revolutionized our national defense in times of need. We must do our part to make bold breakthroughs, strengthen America’s industrial base, and deliver the cutting-edge warfighting capabilities faster than our adversaries could ever imagine.”
“Our service members put their lives on the line for all of us, and they deserve the very best. … I could not vote for a bill that provides backdoor funding for Trump’s border wall, clears a pathway to testing a nuclear weapon for the first time in decades, and does not adequately address the scourge of sexual assault in the military.”
[We] continue to support American military superiority which has been the cornerstone of a strategy that seeks to deter aggression or defeat those who threaten our vital national security interests. We owe it to the American people and to those who fight our wars that we remain the strongest military on earth and be prepared to defeat any adversary under any circumstances on any battlefield, including land, air, sea, or cyber.
Our military is—and must be—the most effective fighting force in the world. To keep it that way, we need to bring our forever wars to a responsible end, nationalize our defense budget, invest in the forces and technologies of the future, repair civil-military relations, and strengthen our covenant with service members, veterans, and military families.
“Each of you has the power to change hearts, transform lives, and change your country’s destinies. … So together, let us resolve to use our power, our resources, and our voices, not just for ourselves but for our people, to lift their burdens, to raise their hopes and to empower their dreams. To protect their families, their communities and their futures.”
“The United States must lead not just with the example of power, but with the power of our example.”
“I believe that to reflect humility is to approach leadership every day as a learner and a listener. …. I urge you to be servant leaders, driven by a calling to support and to serve others—not by selfish ambition—as the animating force of your career.”
“Anyone who claims to be a leader must speak like a leader. That means speaking with integrity and truth.”
The Republican Party has and will continue to enthusiastically support the President’s America-First agenda.
In every region and on every issue, American security and interests are at greater peril—and our rivals at greater advantage—than four years ago. Democrats believe four more years of Donald Trump will damage our influence beyond repair.
“The fake news media is not my enemy, it is the enemy of the American People!”
“To question the actual legitimacy of a free press is one of the most dangerous things out there. The degree that we depart and denigrate our institutions and the fourth estate, I think we really, honest to god, honest to god, weaken our ability for self-government. … We undermine it and become weaker and not stronger.”
“The media has tried to scare the American people every step of the way, and these grim predictions of a second wave are no different. The truth is, whatever the media says, our whole-of-America approach has been a success. … That’s a cause for celebration, not the media’s fear mongering.”
“We will hold social media platforms accountable for the hate infiltrating their platforms, because they have a responsibility to help fight against this threat to our democracy. And if you profit off of hate—if you act as a megaphone for misinformation or cyberwarfare, if you don’t police your platforms—we are going to hold you accountable as a community.”
Freedom of speech includes the right to devote resources to whatever cause or candidate one supports. We oppose any restrictions or conditions that would discourage citizens from participating in the public square or limit their ability to promote their ideas. … [We] support free-market approaches to free speech unregulated by government.
The free press is essential to our free democracy. [We will] ensure that the news and information projected around the world by the federal government meets the highest standards of fact-based and unbiased journalism… and will reinstate and strengthen media ownership rules and direct federal antitrust agencies to investigate the economic impacts of mergers in the media industry.
“Our Founders understood that no right is more fundamental to a peaceful, prosperous, and virtuous society than the right to follow one’s religious convictions.”
“I am a practicing Catholic. I believe faith is a gift. And the first obligation we all have is, ‘Love your God,’ the second one is, ‘Love our neighbor as yourself.’ … Treat people with dignity. Everyone’s entitled to dignity, that’s a basic tenet in my household.”
“We believe in religious freedom and also the power of faith. As Vice President of the United States, I stand for the freedom of religion that animated the American founding and is enshrined in our Bill of Rights. … On a personal level, my faith in Jesus Christ has brought meaning and purpose to me and my family every day of my life.”
“Rights to the free exercise of religious beliefs, whether created by statute or by the Constitution, likewise protect the development and expression of an “inner sanctum” of personal religious faith. Free-exercise rights have thus also been understood as personal, relating only to individual believers and to a limited class of associations comprising or representing them.”
We pledge to defend the religious beliefs and rights of conscience of all Americans and to safeguard religious institutions against government control. … We support the right of people to conduct their businesses in accordance with their religious beliefs, and condemn public officials who have proposed boycotts against businesses that support traditional marriage. … We support the public display of the Ten Commandments.
Religious freedom is a core American value. Democrats will protect the rights of each American for the free exercise of his or her own religion. … We reject the Trump Administration’s use of broad religious exemptions to allow businesses, medical providers, social service agencies, and others to discriminate.