LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - A look at where Republican U.S. Sen. John Boozman and Democratic challenger Conner Eldridge stand on several issues in Arkansas’ U.S. Senate race:
HEALTH CARE
Boozman opposed the Affordable Care Act and has repeatedly voted for its repeal. Eldridge won’t say whether he would have voted for the law, but opposes its repeal and has praised Arkansas’ hybrid Medicaid expansion. Boozman has said some of the people on the hybrid plan could still get coverage through a block-grant program if the Affordable Care Act is repealed. Eldridge has said he wants to see changes made to the federal overhaul, including an end to the medical device tax and increased tax credits for small businesses providing health coverage under the program.
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CRIME/GUNS
Eldridge supports legislation that would let the federal government block many gun sales to known or suspected terrorists, while Boozman voted for a competing measure that would delay the sales for 72 hours but require a court order to block it permanently. Both proposals failed in the Senate earlier this year. Both Boozman and Eldridge oppose banning assault weapons.
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SYRIAN REFUGEES
Eldridge and Boozman both called for a temporary stop of the U.S. accepting Syrian refugees in November, after the deadly attacks in Paris, which eventually were found not to have ties to Syrian refugees. Eldridge said he no longer thinks such a moratorium is necessary, while Boozman still supports the moratorium.
Both have said they disagree with Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump’s call to ban Muslims from entering the country. Eldridge has called for Congress to declare war on the Islamic State group, while Boozman says such a formal declaration isn’t necessary and the president already has the authority he needs.
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TRADE
Eldridge opposes the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the agreement that President Barack Obama negotiated between the United States and 11 Pacific Rim countries. Boozman, who opposes it in its current form, says he wants to see changes made to the deal. Both support ending the United States’ embargo with Cuba.
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MINIMUM WAGE
Eldridge supports raising the federal minimum wage, but has not said what the new minimum should be. Boozman opposes raising the federal minimum wage.
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LGBT ISSUES
Eldridge has said he agreed with the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision last year legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide, while Boozman disagreed with it. Eldridge supports adding sexual orientation and gender identity to federal civil rights law, something that Boozman has opposed.
Both have said they disagree with the Obama administration’s directive that public schools must permit transgender students to use bathrooms and locker rooms consistent with their chosen gender identity.
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ABORTION
Boozman opposes abortion except in cases of rape, incest and threat to the life of the mother. Eldridge says he personally opposes abortion and supports a woman’s right to choose, but also supports banning late-term abortions with exceptions for rape, incest and the life and health of the mother. Boozman voted for legislation banning abortion 20 weeks into a woman’s pregnancy, a restriction Eldridge opposes.
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CAMPAIGN FINANCE
Eldridge supports the DISCLOSE Act, which would require all groups spending more than $10,000 on politics to disclose their donors. He also said he supports amending the U.S. Constitution to overturn the 2010 Supreme Court’s Citizens United ruling that opened the door for unlimited political spending by corporations, unions and other interest groups. Boozman opposes the DISCLOSE and said he agreed with the Citizens United decision.
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Online:
Boozman: www.boozmanforarkansas.com
Eldridge: www.connerforarkansas.com
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