Georgian voters will vote for a second election cycle in the race for a back-to-back U.S. Senate seat. Here’s where the leading contenders stand on some of the issues.
Abortion
Warnock
The outgoing US senator is a strong proponent of abortion rights and has called for the Supreme Court’s decision to be overturned Roe vs. Wade “a departure from our American ideals to recognize and protect basic rights.” He signed legislation at the federal level that would create legal protections for people crossing state lines to receive abortion care.
Walker
At the start of his campaign, Republican Herschel Walker said he was opposed to abortion without exception in cases of rape, incest or if the life of the mother is in danger. He has previously said he agrees with the Supreme Court’s decision to allow states to pass their own abortion laws, but also said he supports a proposal by federal Republicans that would ban most abortions after 15 weeks.
But during the debate against his opponent in Savannah, he backtracked and said he supported Georgia’s 2019 law that bans most abortions for around six weeks.
Economy
Warnock
Warnock signed sweeping Democratic spending bills, including COVID-19 relief bills such as the US bailout and Build Back Better legislation and the massive $1 trillion infrastructure bill. dollars. The Democrat also worked to address supply chain issues by securing millions of dollars in funding for the Port of Savannah and a new inland port in Hall County.
During the election campaign, he is also touting a jobs and competition bill that invests in the STEM workforce and semiconductor manufacturing that will benefit companies like Kia.
Walker
Throughout his 2022 campaign, Walker criticized Democrats at the federal level for high gas prices, inflation and excessive government spending, but offered no clear economic policy solutions.
Health care
Warnock
While in Congress, Warnock championed and won the passage of several health care initiatives, including efforts to reduce prescription drug costs for the elderly and eliminate certain out-of-pocket drug costs for some Medicare beneficiaries. . He is a leading spokesperson for an initiative to cap the cost of insulin at $35 for Georgians with diabetes. During his first term, he also introduced legislation to address Georgia’s maternal mortality crisis.
During his re-election bid, Warnock continued to focus heavily on the potential benefits of full Medicaid expansion for Georgians. He failed to create a federal workaround program for uninsured Americans in states like Georgia that chose not to expand the program under the Affordable Care Act.
Walker
Walker said he adamantly opposes the full expansion of Medicaid, but offered no alternative health policies.
Pistols
Warnock
During his first term, Warnock backed federal moves to institute additional gun restrictions following shocking mass shootings this year at Robb Elementary School in Texas and a Buffalo New York grocery store. The Democrat voted in favor of important bipartisan gun legislation that improves background checks, closes the so-called “boyfriend loophole” and creates criminal penalties for gun trafficking. The bill also encourages states to create their own “red flag” laws and invests millions of dollars in mental health supports.
Warnock is also a co-sponsor of a measure that would ban large-capacity, military-style firearms.
Walker
The Republican is a supporter of Second Amendment rights.
Right to vote
Warnock
Although the right to vote was a cornerstone of the US senator’s first-term 2020 campaign, there has been little movement on the issue in Congress. Warnock was a strong advocate for the protection of federal voting rights and urged his colleagues to pass laws such as the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Advancing Voting Rights Act. But Senate Republicans managed to block any move through the use of the filibuster.
Walker
Walker said he would oppose federal voting rights protections, including the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.
Veterans
Warnock
The freshman senator introduced several bills to address issues facing veterans and military families. He lobbied for increased health and safety in veterans’ homes by introducing the Veterans Care Enhancement Act and securing funding to support homeless Georgia veterans. Warnock also outlined a plan to extend veterans’ benefits to surviving Gold Star spouses who remarry.
Walker
Walker called for additional federal investment in the military.
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