Iraq
Cantwell: Voted for war; opposes more troops, permanent bases; voted for resolution seeking increased Iraqi control of security, phased troop withdrawal; does not rule out partitioning Iraq
McGavick: Calls for creating a special congressional panel to craft military, diplomatic options; says Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld should resign; does not rule out partitioning Iraq
North Korea
Cantwell: Supports U.N. sanctions, six-nation talks, direct negotiations with North Korea
McGavick: Supports U.N. sanctions, six-nation talks, opposes direct negotiations
Immigration Reform
Cantwell: Voted for Senate bill with guest worker program, citizenship path for illegals in country; wrote amendments for more border patrol agents, surveillance drones; voted against fence on southern border
McGavick: Backs Senate bill with guest worker program, citizenship path for illegals in country; supports building fence
No Child Left Behind
Cantwell: Supports
McGavick: Supports
Health care
Cantwell: Backs Medicare prescription drug plan reform; voted against liability reform proposals
McGavick: Says too soon to decide if Medicare drug plan needs reform; backs liability reform
Stem cell research
Cantwell: Voted for federal funding
McGavick: Supports federal funding
Federal spending
Cantwell: Backs “pay as you go,” requiring tax cuts to be offset with spending reduction; seeks curbs in last-minute earmarks
McGavick: Calls for freeze in federal spending except for defense and homeland security, reduced federal work force; opposes last-minute earmarks
Abortion
Cantwell: Supports abortion without restrictions; opposes late-term abortion ban; opposes parental consent requirement; supports federal funding of abortions for indigent women
McGavick: Supports abortion with restrictions; supports ban on partial-birth abortion; supports parental consent; opposes federal funding for abortions
Social Security
Cantwell: Opposes private or personal investment accounts
McGavick: Proposes government managed private accounts for younger workers; wants wealthy seniors to voluntarily give back checks
Estate tax
Cantwell: Supports exempting family farms, businesses, estates worth up to $100 million
McGavick: Opposes
Same-sex marriage
Cantwell: Backs civil unions; opposes constitutional ban
McGavick: Supports constitutional ban if courts continue to redefine marriage
Homeland Security
Cantwell: Voted for Patriot Act, against its reauthorization; voted against the military tribunal law
McGavick: Supports both Patriot Acts, military tribunal law
Flag protection
Cantwell: Voted against constitutional amendment banning desecration.
McGavick: Supports constitutional amendment
Assault weapons ban
Cantwell: Supports
McGavick: Opposes
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