The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) releases a document before each presidential election to help Catholics prepare to vote. The document (Link: "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship") lists 47 issues that Catholics should consider when they vote.
Below you will find a chart with all 47 issues and the current political beliefs of the two major presidential candidates.
The following guide will be used:
Please Note:
Below you will find a chart with all 47 issues and the current political beliefs of the two major presidential candidates.
The following guide will be used:
- Aligns: The view of this candidate aligns with Church teaching
- Does Not Align: The view of this candidate does not align with Church teaching
- Inconclusive: There is evidence for both answers, or there is not enough evidence
- Changed: The view of this candidate has changed
Please Note:
- The "Links" include direct quotes from the candidates or their administration. We do not support the political biases of these websites.
- This guide is not endorsed by or formally affiliated with the USCCB.
- This guide is only a starting point for your discernment. The claims of "Aligns," "Does not Align," and "inconclusive" are opinions based on primary sources.
Here Are the Issues:
The Dignity of the Human Person
Promoting Peace
The Issues |
Biden |
Trump |
Avoid War and Promote Peace |
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Reject the use of Torture |
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Against the Preventative Use of Military Force |
Does not Align Link 1 |
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Work to Reverse the Spread of Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Weapons |
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Against the Direct and Intentional Targeting of Noncombatants in War or Terrorist Attacks |
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Promotes the Reallocation of Resources from Armed Conflict to the Urgent Needs of the Poor |
Aligns Link 1 |
Marriage & Family Life
The Issues |
Biden |
Trump |
Supporting a definition of marriage that is defined, recognized, and protected as a lifelong commitment between a man and a woman |
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Valuing, Protecting, and Nurturing Children |
Aligns Link 1 |
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Just Wages |
Religious Freedom
Preferential Option for the Poor & Economic Justice
The Issues |
Biden |
Trump |
Jobs for all who can work (Federal Jobs Guarantee) |
Does not Align Link 1 |
|
Removing Barriers to Equal Pay & Unemployment for Women |
Aligns Link 1 |
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Right of Workers to Choose whether to Organize, Join a Union, and Bargain Collectively |
Does not Align Link 1 |
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Welfare Policy and the Reduction of Poverty |
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Improving the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credits |
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Recognition and Support to Faith Based Groups |
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Social Security |
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Renewed Commitment to Affordable Housing |
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Agriculture Policy and Food Security for all to Dispel Hunger |
Health Care
Migration
The Issues |
Biden |
Trump |
Broad and Fair Legalization Program with a Path to Citizenship |
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Family Reunification Policies |
Does not Align Link 1 |
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Access to legal Protections, which include Due Process Procedures |
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Refuge for those fleeing persecution and violence (Asylum) |
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Policies to address the root causes of migration |
Catholic Education
Promoting Justice & Countering Violence
The Issues |
Biden |
Trump |
Reforming the Broken Criminal Justice System (Remedial rather than punitive) |
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Supporting Reasonable Restrictions on Access to Assault Weapons and Handguns |
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Opposing the use of the Death Penalty |
Combat Unjust Discrimination
The Issues |
Biden |
Trump |
Combat any Unjust Discrimination Based on Religion |
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Combat Sexism |
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Combat any Unjust Discrimination Based on Disabling Condition |
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Combat any Unjust Discrimination Based on Age (Ageism) |
Inconclusive No Sources |
Inconclusive Link 1 |
Combat Racism |
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Combat any Unjust Discrimination Based on Ethnicity |
Care for Our Common Home
Communications, Media, and Culture
Global Solidarity
The Issues |
Biden |
Trump |
Alleviation of Global Poverty through increased development aid |
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Equitable Trade Policies |
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Political and Financial support to the United Nations Programs and Reforms |
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Actively pursue comprehensive negotiations between Israel and Palestine that ensures security for Israel and a viable state for Palestinians. |