Economic stimulus
With recession fears dampening consumer confidence, President Bush is pushing Congress to quickly pass a bill that would infuse the economy with cash for individuals and families and inspire corporate growth through tax breaks.

DEMOCRATS	
Barack Obama
Would pump $75 billion into the economy via tax cuts and direct spending targeted to working families, seniors, homeowners and the unemployed. The plan also includes $45 billion in reserves that can be injected into the economy quickly in the future if the economy continues to deteriorate. Would provide an immediate $250 tax cut for workers and their families and an immediate, temporary $250 bonus to seniors in their Social Security checks. Would provide an additional $250 tax cut to workers and an additional $250 to seniors if the economy continues to worsen. Would extend and expand unemployment insurance.	

REPUBLICANS	
John McCain
Would lower the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 25 percent. Would allow first-year deduction of equipment and technology investments and establish a permanent research and development tax credit equal to 10 percent of wages spent on research and development (R&D).	

Key Senate Votes from 2005 through 2008

Rebates 

February 7, 2008 - The U.S. Senate passes the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 by a vote of 81-16. The bill provides economic stimulus through rebates to individuals and incentives for business investment. 

McCain: Yea
Obama: Did not vote

Housing
Home prices are declining and foreclosure filings are skyrocketing. Several prominent companies that engaged in volatile sub-prime loans have gone bankrupt or have been bought out, while the people they loaned money to are faced with mortgage bills they often cannot pay.

DEMOCRATS	
Barack Obama
Proposes creating a $10 billion fund to help prevent foreclosures, eliminate some taxes and fees for families who must sell and offer counseling to homeowners. Would allow troubled homeowners refinance a loan insured by the Federal Housing Administration. Announced a "credit card bill of rights" to provide disclosure of hidden credit costs. Would provide tax credits to 10 million middle class homeowners who struggle with mortgage costs.	

REPUBLICANS	
John McCain
Give homeowners the chance to have their loan modified, provided they meet certain criteria. Offers of financial assistance to borrowers contingent upon lending reform. Believes a government bailout should only be a last resort.	

Key Senate Votes from 2005 through 2008

Foreclosure Prevention

July 26, 2008 -- During a Saturday session, the U.S. Senate passes -- by a vote of 72-13 -- the American Housing Rescue and Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008. The act provides a backstop for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The two organizations were chartered by the U.S. Congress, Fannie Mae in 1938 and Freddie Mac in 1970, to help Americans buy homes. Neither provide loans to purchasers but do buy mortgages from banks and other lenders. What do fannie and freddie do? The act provides a backstop for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which were chartered by the U.S. Congress to help Americans buy homes. Neither provide loans to purchasers, but buy mortgages from banks and other lenders. What do fannie and freddie do? 

McCain: Did not vote
Obama: Did not vote 

Housing Reform Package 

April 10, 2008 -- The U.S. Senate passes -- by a vote of 84-12 -- a bill to provide housing reform. The bill offers tax breaks to home builders and other businesses suffering during the economic slump and offers incentives to individuals to buy foreclosed properties. 

McCain: Did not vote
Obama: Did not vote 

(Sources: CQ Weekly; U.S. Senate Legislation Database)

Education
The No Child Left Behind Act, which requires public schools to meet test standards to receive federal funding, was signed into law in January 2002 and was the first major legislative victory for the Bush administration. It remains controversial as do measures to provide funds for students who want to choose private schools.

DEMOCRATS	
Barack Obama
Advocates ensuring access to high-quality early childhood education programs and child care opportunities, recruit well-qualified and reward expert, accomplished teachers. Make science and math education a national priority. Reduce the high school dropout rate and empower parents to raise healthy and successful children by taking a greater role in their child's education at home and at school.

No Child Left Behind (NCLB):
Says the overall goal of NCLB "is the right one … but the law has significant flaws that need to be addressed."

Early childhood education:
Proposes investing $10 billion a year to increase the number of children eligible for Early Head Start, increase access to preschool, provide affordable and quality child care and increase coordination across federal, state and local levels. Proposes to increase the child and dependent care tax credit.

College tuition:
Proposes scholarships that will cover four years of undergraduate or two years of graduate teacher education, including high-quality alternative programs for mid-career recruits in exchange for teaching for at least four years in a high-need field or location. Advocates schools dedicated to enabling "teachers to learn from expert practitioners in the field." Says he would provide $1 billion in funding to create mentoring programs for teachers.

Teacher service scholarships:
Proposes an annual $4,000 tuition credit that will cover two-thirds of the tuition of an average public college and make community college completely free in America. Says he would expand the Pell Grant and lower interest rates on the existing federal student loan programs.	

REPUBLICANS	
John McCain
Stated during GOP primary debates: "We need more charter schools. We need vouchers where it's approved by the local, state school boards. We need to have, clearly, home schooling if people want that … We need to reward good teachers and find bad teachers another line of work."

No Child Left Behind (NCLB):
Voted for NCLB. The McCain campaign, on its Web site, states: While NCLB has been invaluable in providing a clear picture of which schools and students are struggling, it is only the beginning of education reform.

Title II Funding:
Proposes devoting 5 percent of Title II funding - a provision of the Higher Education Act passed in 1998 to increase accountability and development of teachers - to states to recruit teachers who graduate in the top 25 percent of their class or participate in alternative teacher recruitment programs. Said he would devote 60 percent of Title II funding for incentive bonuses for high-performing teachers located in challenging environments, teach subjects like math or science, or demonstrate student improvement. Proposes directing the first 35 perfect of Title II funding from federal coffers toward the school so principals and teachers can focus on the specific needs of their schools.

Technology and learning:
Supports expanding virtual learning by reforming the "Enhancing Education Through Technology Program." Said he would target $500 million in current federal funds to build new virtual schools and support the development of online course offerings for students. Said he would allocate $250 million to support states that commit to expanding online education opportunities. Proposes offering $250 million to help students pay for online tutors or enroll in virtual schools. Said low-income students would be eligible to receive up to $4,000 to enroll in an online course, SAT/ACT prep course, credit recovery or tutoring services offered by a virtual provider.	

Environment
Most scientists believe that a rise in the Earth's temperatures is worsened by the effect of greenhouse gases. The debate centers on how much government should regulate industry and whether that will affect climate change or be an expensive boondoggle.

DEMOCRATS	
Barack Obama
Would implement an economy-wide cap-and-trade program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to the level recommended by top scientists. Would make the United States a leader in the global effort to combat climate change by leading anew international global warming partnership. Would establish a National Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) to speed the introduction of low-carbon non-petroleum fuels. Would create a Technology Transfer program within the Department of Energy dedicated to exporting climate-friendly technologies to developing countries. Would offer incentives to maintain forests globally and manage them sustainably. Would develop domestic incentives that reward forest owners, farmers and ranchers when they plant trees, restore grasslands or undertake farming practices that capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.	

REPUBLICANS	
John McCain
Introduced the Climate Stewardship and Innovation Act of 2007 with Sen. Joseph Lieberman (I-CT). The legislation is designed to significantly reduce the nation's greenhouse gases, accomplished through a combination of trading markets and the deployment of advanced technologies. Would propose use of alternative energy sources, including nuclear.

Key Senate Votes from 2005 through 2008

Greenhouse Gases

June 6, 2008 -- The U.S. Senate refuses to limit debate -- by a vote of 48-36 -- on an amendment for a bill that called for the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a program to decrease emissions of greenhouse gases. 

McCain: Did not vote
Obama: Did not vote

Drilling in Alaska's Artic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) 

December 21, 2005 -- The U.S. Senate rejects, by a vote of 56-44, a motion to limit debate on fiscal 2006 Defense spending bill that would open Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas exploration. 

McCain: Yea
Obama: Nay

Global Warming 

June 22, 2005 -- The U.S. Senate rejects -- by a vote of 44-53 -- a motion to table a resolution sponsored by Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) that expressed the opinion of the Senate on climate change legislation. The legislation addresses the need to control the emission of greenhouse gases. The resolution was then adopted by a voice vote. 

McCain: Nay
Obama: Nay 

(Sources: CQ Weekly; U.S. Senate Legislation Database) 

Healthcare
Democratic and Republican presidential hopefuls propose solutions to deal with one of the most critical issues facing millions of Americans.

DEMOCRATS	
Barack Obama
Would create a national health insurance program for individuals who do not have employer-provided health care and who do not qualify for other existing federal programs. Does not mandate individual coverage for all Americans, but requires coverage for all children. Allows individuals below age 25 to be covered through their parents' plans.

Allows individuals to choose between the new public insurance program and private insurance plans that meet certain coverage standards. The Obama campaign Web site says the coverage would have benefits similar to those offered to Congress through the Federal Employees Benefits Program. Plan would expand eligibility for Medicaid and State's Children's Health Insurance Program.

Offer an income-based federal subsidy for people who don't get insurance from an employer or qualify for government plans like Medicaid.

Obama estimates the cost at between $50 billion and $65 billion, to be paid for by eliminating Bush tax cuts for those earning over $250,000.

Regarding employer contributions toward healthcare costs, the Obama Web site states: "Employers that do not offer or make a meaningful contribution to the cost of quality health coverage for their employees will be required to contribute a percentage of payroll toward the costs of the national plan." The plan calls for small businesses to be exempt from the requirement and some could receive a tax credit that helps reduce healthcare costs, according to the Web site.

Says states can continue to experiment with health care plans as long as they meet the minimum standards of the national plan.

Proposes investing $10 billion a year during the next five years to implement standards-based electronic health information systems, which would include electronic health records.

Would allow Americans to purchase medicines from other developed countries if the drugs are safe and prices are lower than outside the United States. Says he would repeal the ban that prevents the U.S. from negotiating with drug companies.	

REPUBLICANS	
John McCain
Opposes federally mandated universal coverage. Believes competition will improve the quality of health insurance.

Supports health care tax dividends for low-income Americans, medical malpractice reform, improving electronic record-keeping, expanding health savings accounts, and encouraging small businesses to band together to negotiate lower rates with health care providers

McCain campaign Web site states, "Families should be able to purchase health insurance nationwide, across state lines, and their policy should follow them from job to job."

Says he would reform the tax code to offer choices beyond employee-based health insurance coverage. Under the plan, every family would receive a direct refundable tax credit for $2,500 for individuals and $5,000 for families.

Says he would work with governors to develop a "best practice model" that states can follow. The plan would "reflect the best experience of the states to ensure these patients have access to health coverage."

Would increase awareness and promote the use of existing children's health insurance programs while expanding community health centers.

Says he would foster greater competition in the drug markets "through safe re-importation of drugs and faster production of generic drugs."

Says he would promote the rapid deployment of 21st century information systems and technology that allows doctors to practice across state lines.

Says on Web site that he would "pass medical liability reform that eliminates lawsuits directed at doctors who follow clinical guidelines and adhere to safety protocols."

Co-sponsored Combating Autism Act of 2006 and worked to ensure its enactment.	

Iraq
The Iraq war looms as, perhaps, the most important foreign policy issue during the 2008 election. With thousands of U.S. troops stationed there and sectarian violence always threatening to engulf the country, candidates will have to grapple with the day-to-day events taking place more than 6,000 miles away.

DEMOCRATS	
Barack Obama
Opposed use of military force in Iraq. In October 2002, when he was an Illinois state senator, Obama said, "I know that invasion of Iraq without a clear rationale and without strong international support will only fan the flames of the Middle East and encourage the worst rather than best impulses in the Arab world and strengthen the recruitment arm of al Qaeda. I am not opposed to all wars; I am opposed to dumb wars." Voted for war spending bill that would have withdrawn most U.S. troops by March 2008. Had once called for troop withdrawal to begin by the end of 2006.

On withdrawal
Would redeploy U.S. troops at a pace of one to two brigades a month. The Obama campaign says the proposed schedule would remove them from Iraq within 16 months and be complete by summer 2010.

Would maintain residual force to perform specific missions in Iraq, like targeting remnants of al Qaeda, protecting U.S. service members and diplomats, and supporting Iraq's security forces.

Would commit $2 billion toward an international effort to support the more than 4 million displaced Iraqis.  Would make it clear that the United States seeks no permanent bases in Iraq.  Would pursue diplomatic effort to reach a comprehensive compact on the stability of Iraq and the region, including Iran and Syria. Compact would aim to secure Iraq's borders, keep neighboring countries from meddling inside Iraq, isolate al Qaeda, support reconciliation among Iraq's sectarian groups and provide financial support for Iraq's reconstruction and development.

The surge
Opposed January 2007 "troop surge." In July, Obama said, "I have acknowledged repeatedly that the fact that we put more troops in there helped to quell the violence. The question is whether or not my position, in suggesting that we need to begin a phased withdrawal, we should have begun it earlier, whether that position that I took was a mistake. And I do not believe it was, because I continue to believe that the only way for us to stabilize the situation in Iraq -- I believed it then, and I believe it now -- is for the parties to arrive at a set of political accommodations."	

REPUBLICANS	
John McCain
Voted in 2002 for use of military force in Iraq. Supported Bush veto of war spending bill that would have withdrawn most U.S. troops by March 2008. Was one of the earliest proponents of sending additional American troops to Iraq.

On withdrawal
Does not believe in setting a withdrawal timetable. During a July interview, McCain said, "anything is a good timetable that is dictated by conditions on the ground. Anything is good. But the timetable is dictated not by an artificial date but by the conditions on the ground."

States on campaign Web site, "I do not want to keep our troops in Iraq a minute longer than necessary to secure our interests there. Our goal is an Iraq that can stand on its own as a democratic ally and a responsible force for peace in its neighborhood. Our goal is an Iraq that no longer needs American troops."

During a May speech that projected the state of the world after his first term, McCain said, "By January 2013, America has welcomed home most of the servicemen and women who have sacrificed terribly so that America might be secure in her freedom. The Iraq war has been won. Iraq is a functioning democracy, although still suffering from the lingering effects of decades of tyranny and centuries of sectarian tension. Violence still occurs, but it is spasmodic and much reduced."

Believes that the United Nations should play a role in supporting provincial governments' elections in late 2008 and the national government elections in 2009.  Believes that economic progress is essential to sustaining security gains in Iraq. States that international community should bolster proven microfinance programs to spur local-level entrepreneurship throughout the country. Also believes that Iraq's neighbors should promote regional stability by directly investing the fruits of their oil exports in Iraq.

The surge
Supported January 2007 "troop surge" and was one of the earliest proponents of the strategy. Stated in July campaign speech, "all the polls said the "surge" was unpopular. ...I chose to support the new counterinsurgency strategy backed by additional troops, which I had advocated since 2003, after my first trip to Iraq. ... Today, the effects of the new strategy are obvious. The surge has succeeded, and we are, at long last, finally winning this war.”	

Immigration
The battle over illegal immigration promises to rage on until Election Day and beyond.

DEMOCRATS	
Barack Obama
Supported Bush-backed immigration reform legislation, which would have increased funding and improved border security technology, improved enforcement of existing laws, and provided a legal path to citizenship for some illegal immigrants. Voted to authorize construction of a 700-mile fence along the U.S.-Mexican border.	

REPUBLICANS	
John McCain
Co-sponsored Bush-backed immigration reform legislation, which would have increased funding and improved border security technology, improved enforcement of existing laws, and provided a legal path to citizenship for some illegal immigrants. Voted to authorize construction of a 700-mile fence along the U.S.-Mexican border.	

Key Senate Votes from 2005 through 2008

Immigration Overhaul

June 28, 2007 -- U.S. Senate refuses -- by a vote of 46-53 -- to limit debate on bill that would overhaul U.S. immigration policy. The bill was intended to increase border security and provide a path toward legal status for many illegal residents. 

McCain: Did not vote
Obama: Nay

Immigration Overhaul 

May 25, 2006 -- The U.S. Senate passes -- by a vote of 62-36 -- a bill to provide for comprehensive immigration reform, including a guest-worker program and a path to citizenship for millions of illegal immigrants. 

McCain: Yea
Obama: Yea 

(Sources: CQ Weekly; U.S. Senate Legislation Database)