Political positions of George W. Bush

George W. Bush's political positions have been expressed in public statements, and through his actions in the executive roles of governor of Texas and president of the United States.

Economic policy

{{see also|Economic policy of the George W. Bush administration}}

=Fiscal policy and taxation=

During his administration, George Bush supported enacting generous tax cuts on the model of Ronald Reagan's supply-side fiscal policies. He believed this would help the economy at large.

=Energy policy=

George Bush supported nuclear power and expanded domestic drilling.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/05/17/us/in-energy-plan-bush-urges-new-drilling-conservation-and-nuclear-power-review.html|title=In energy plan, Bush urges new drilling, conservation and nuclear power review|work=The New York Times|date=May 17, 2001|author=David E. Sanger|author-link=David E. Sanger|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200815201307/https://www.nytimes.com/2001/05/17/us/in-energy-plan-bush-urges-new-drilling-conservation-and-nuclear-power-review.html|archive-date=August 15, 2020|access-date=August 15, 2020|url-status=live}} Bush pledged to work toward reduced reliance on foreign oil by reducing fossil fuel consumption and increasing alternative fuel production.{{Cite web|title=President Bush Delivers State of the Union Address|url=https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2007/01/20070123-2.html|access-date=2023-01-05|website=georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov}} He lifted a ban on offshore drilling in 2008,{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/07/14/bush.offshore/|title=Bush lifts executive ban on offshore oil drilling|access-date=2008-08-03|publisher=CNN|date=July 14, 2008}} saying at the time, "This means that the only thing standing between the American people and these vast oil reserves is action from the U.S. Congress." Bush had said in June 2008, "In the long run, the solution is to reduce demand for oil by promoting alternative energy technologies. My administration has worked with Congress to invest in gas-saving technologies like advanced batteries and hydrogen fuel cells... In the short run, the American economy will continue to rely largely on oil. And that means we need to increase supply, especially here at home. So my administration has repeatedly called on Congress to expand domestic oil production."{{cite web|url=https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2008/06/20080618.html|title=President Bush Discusses Energy|date=June 18, 2008|access-date=2008-08-03|publisher=The White House}}

In 2008, Bush announced that the United States would commit $2 billion towards an international fund to promote clean energy technologies, saying, "along with contributions from other countries, this fund will increase and accelerate the deployment of all forms of cleaner, more efficient technologies in developing nations like India and China, and help leverage substantial private-sector capital by making clean energy projects more financially attractive."{{cite web|url=https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/stateoftheunion/2008/initiatives/text/energy.html|title=Increasing Our Energy Security And Confronting Climate Change|publisher=The White House}}

=Entitlement reform=

Bush supports the privatization of Social Security by allowing individuals to set up personal retirement accounts.{{cite news| url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/nation/president/2004-09-02-bush-social-security_x.htm | work=USA Today | first1=Christine | last1=Dugas | title=Bush renews call for privatization | date=September 3, 2004}} He also supported the expansion of Medicare to cover prescription drugs using private insurance through his Medicare Part D program.{{cite web|url=https://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/11/19/medicare-part-d-republican-budget-busting/|title=Medicare Part D: Republican Budget-Busting|work=The New York Times|author=Bruce Bartlett|date=19 November 2013 |author-link=Bruce Bartlett|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200815234819/https://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/11/19/medicare-part-d-republican-budget-busting/|archive-date=August 15, 2020|access-date=August 15, 2020|url-status=live}}

=Free-market capitalism=

Bush generally supports free-market capitalism, but claims to understand the importance of government involvements in private financial affairs if they are projected to have a negative impact on the economy as a whole. In November 2008, Bush claimed, "Our aim should not be more government. It should be smarter government."Mahnoush H. Arsanjani, et al. (ed.), Looking to the Future, BRILL, 2010, p. 281.

During the beginning of his first term, Bush enacted corporate tax cuts in the hopes that the economy would flourish as a result.{{cite web|url=https://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/bush-tax-cuts.asp|title=Bush Tax Cuts|work=Investopedia|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200816192729/https://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/bush-tax-cuts.asp|archive-date=August 16, 2020|access-date=August 16, 2020|url-status=live}} Later, in 2008, Bush supported major bailout plans for mortgage lenders and auto makers who were facing bankruptcy.{{cite news|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/business/economy-watch/timeline/|title=TIMELINE: Crisis on Wall Street|newspaper=The Washington Post|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130209023436/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/business/economy-watch/timeline/|archive-date=February 9, 2013|access-date=August 16, 2020|url-status=live}} Bush also enacted the first major economic stimulus in the face of an economy on the down-turn, which handed free checks to all private tax-paying citizens.{{cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/02/13/bush.stimulus/|title=Bush signs stimulus bill; rebate checks expected in May|work=CNN|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120722055251/http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/02/13/bush.stimulus/|archive-date=July 22, 2012|access-date=August 16, 2020|url-status=live}}

=Immigration=

During his Presidency, Bush supported a temporary-worker program to create a legal path for foreign workers to come into the United States. He opposes amnesty for those that are already in the country illegally, although he says he does not support deporting people that are already here. He has also put a strong emphasis on secure borders and more support for border patrol. {{cite news| url=https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2006/05/20060515-8.html | work=George W. Bush White House Archives | title=President Bush Addresses the Nation on Immigration Reform | date=May 15, 2006}}

=Trade=

Bush is a supporter of free trade, calling on nations to embrace free trade.{{cite news| url=http://www.boston.com/news/world/asia/articles/2008/11/23/bush_promotes_free_trade_at_asia_pacific_summit_in_peru/ | work=The Boston Globe | title=Bush promotes free trade at Asia-Pacific summit in Peru | first=Patrick J. | last=McDonnell | date=November 23, 2008}}

=Health care=

Bush supports a free-market health care system, and opposes a universal health plan.

In 2004, Bush planned a health care program that he said would cover as many as 10 million people who lack health insurance at a cost of $102 billion over the next decade.{{cite news| url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A21929-2004Aug21.html | newspaper=The Washington Post | title=Bush Health Care Plan Seems to Fall Short | first=Ceci | last=Connolly | date=August 22, 2004 | access-date=May 22, 2010}}

Foreign policy

{{see also|Foreign policy of the George W. Bush administration|Bush Doctrine}}

=Iraq War=

On March 19, 2003, Bush ordered an invasion of Iraq, launching the Iraq War. That night, he addressed the nation, stating that his decision to invade Iraq served "to disarm Iraq, to free its people and to defend the world from grave danger".{{cite press release

| title = President Bush Addresses the Nation

| publisher = Office of the Press Secretary

| date = 2003-03-19

| url = https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2003/03/20030319-17.html

| access-date = 2008-11-20}}

The United States and its allies charged that

Saddam Hussein's government possessed weapons of mass destruction (WMD), and thus posed a serious and imminent threat to the security of the United States and its coalition allies.Center for American Progress (January 29, 2004) [http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/kfiles/b24970.html "In Their Own Words: Iraq's 'Imminent' Threat"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120625071155/http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/kfiles/b24970.html |date=2012-06-25 }} americanprogress.org{{Cite web|title=Sen. Nelson on the Purported Iraqi UAV Threat to America|url=https://irp.fas.org/congress/2004_cr/s012804b.html|access-date=2023-01-05|website=irp.fas.org}} This assessment was supported by the U.K. intelligence services, but not by other countries such as France, Russia and Germany. After the war, extensive searches and investigations revealed that the claimed "weapons of mass destruction" never existed; this was confirmed by the findings reported by multiple international and national commissions.{{cite news|title=Britain Releases Pre-Iraq War Dossier Used by Tony Blair|publisher=Associated Press via Foxnews.com|date=2008-02-18|url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/britain-releases-pre-iraq-war-dossier-used-by-tony-blair }}{{cite news|last=Bernstein|first=Richard|author2=Michael R. Gordon|title=German help on Iraq lasted months|publisher=International Herald Tribune|date=2006-03-02|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/03/02/news/germany.php }}{{cite news|last=Dougherty|first=Jill|title=Russia 'warned U.S. about Saddam'|publisher=CNN|date=2004-06-18|url=http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/europe/06/18/russia.warning/ }}

=''Axis of evil''=

In his 2002 State of the Union Address, Bush declared the nations of North Korea, Iran, and Iraq, as well as "their terrorist allies", part of the axis of evil for their alleged support of terrorism.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/onpolitics/transcripts/sou012902.htm|title=Text of President Bush's 2002 State of the Union Address|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=January 29, 2002|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200403220239/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/onpolitics/transcripts/sou012902.htm|archive-date=April 3, 2020|access-date=August 17, 2020|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.c-span.org/video/?168239-1/2002-state-union-address|title=2002 State of the Union Address|work=C-SPAN|date=January 29, 2002}}

=Homeland security=

After the attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, President Bush founded the Cabinet Department of Homeland Security. He initially opposed it,{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/sep/16/abolish-the-department-of-homeland-security/|title=RITTGERS: Abolish the Department of Homeland Security|work=The Washington Times|date=September 16, 2011|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200817171744/https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/sep/16/abolish-the-department-of-homeland-security/|archive-date=August 17, 2020|access-date=August 17, 2020|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2020/07/department-homeland-security-portland-border-patrol.html|title=Break Up the Department of Homeland Security|work=Slate|author=Fred Kaplan|author-link=Fred Kaplan (journalist)|date=July 22, 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200817172053/https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2020/07/department-homeland-security-portland-border-patrol.html|archive-date=August 17, 2020|access-date=August 17, 2020|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.govtech.com/e-government/Bush-to-Sign-Homeland-Security-Bill.html|title=Bush to Sign Homeland Security Bill|work=Government Technology|date=November 25, 2002|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200817172059/https://www.govtech.com/e-government/Bush-to-Sign-Homeland-Security-Bill.html|archive-date=August 17, 2020|access-date=August 17, 2020|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://home.ubalt.edu/tmitch/641/homeland.htm|title=Bush signs Homeland Security law|work=University of Baltimore|date=November 26, 2002|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200817172130/https://home.ubalt.edu/tmitch/641/homeland.htm|archive-date=August 17, 2020|access-date=August 17, 2020|url-status=live}} arguing that the department placed an unnecessary bureaucratic burden on the U.S. government. Bush changed his mind in June 2002, approving of the proposal; however, its creation was delayed due to disagreements in Congress over labor protection and the role of trade unions in the department.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2002/10/03/talks-on-homeland-security-bill-delayed/f824bfc3-47bb-47a0-8943-3d9d990381a5/|title=Talks on Homeland Security Bill Delayed|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=October 3, 2002|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200817181505/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2002/10/03/talks-on-homeland-security-bill-delayed/f824bfc3-47bb-47a0-8943-3d9d990381a5/|archive-date=August 17, 2020|access-date=August 17, 2020|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-nov-13-na-cong13-story.html|title=Bush's Security Bill Foes Give Up|work=Los Angeles Times|date=November 13, 2002|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200817183949/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-nov-13-na-cong13-story.html|archive-date=August 17, 2020|access-date=August 17, 2020|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.govexec.com/defense/2002/11/bush-gop-leaders-prevail-on-homeland-bill-labor-rules/12898/|title=Bush, GOP leaders prevail on homeland bill labor rules|work=Government Executive|date=November 13, 2002|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200817181740/https://www.govexec.com/defense/2002/11/bush-gop-leaders-prevail-on-homeland-bill-labor-rules/12898/|archive-date=August 17, 2020|access-date=August 17, 2020|url-status=live}} The department was created on November 25, following the passage of the Homeland Security Act.

Civil liberties

=Anti-terrorism and domestic surveillance=

Bush is a supporter of anti-terrorist surveillance and information-gathering methods.{{cite news|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/nation/specials/attacked/transcripts/bushtext_102601.html|title=Text: Bush Signs Anti-Terrorism Legislation|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=October 25, 2001|archive-url=https://archive.today/20131221124808/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/nation/specials/attacked/transcripts/bushtext_102601.html|archive-date=December 21, 2013|access-date=August 17, 2020|url-status=live}} In 2001, he signed into law the Patriot Act, a piece of anti-terrorism regulation that remained in place until its expiration in March of 2020.

=Habeas corpus=

The November 13, 2001, Presidential Military Order gave the President of the United States the power to detain suspects, suspected of connection to terrorists or terrorism as an unlawful combatant. As such, it was asserted that a person could be held indefinitely without charges being filed against him or her, without a court hearing, and without entitlement to a legal consultant. Many legal and constitutional scholars contended that these provisions were in direct opposition to habeas corpus and the United States Bill of Rights.{{Citation needed|date=November 2008}}

=Gun policy=

Although generally an opponent of gun control, Bush has shown support for certain gun-restrictive policies.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/08/28/us/bush-usually-opponent-of-gun-control-backs-2-restrictions-proposed-in-congress.html|title=Bush, Usually Opponent of Gun Control, Backs 2 Restrictions Proposed in Congress|work=The New York Times|date=August 28, 1999|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200818201548/https://www.nytimes.com/1999/08/28/us/bush-usually-opponent-of-gun-control-backs-2-restrictions-proposed-in-congress.html|archive-date=August 18, 2020|access-date=August 18, 2020|url-status=live}} Following a shooting spree in Atlanta in July 1999, Bush announced his support for a ban on high-capacity magazines and an increase of the legal age for firearms from 18 to 21, calling these "reasonable measures."{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/88e350c67f3b57dcd263c5e8182c986d|title=Bush Backs Some Gun Control|work=Associated Press|date=August 28, 1999|archive-url=https://archive.today/20201006084411/https://apnews.com/article/88e350c67f3b57dcd263c5e8182c986d|archive-date=October 6, 2020|access-date=August 18, 2020|url-status=live}} As governor of Texas, Bush initiated a program to provide Texas handgun owners with free trigger locks in May 2000, and pledged to push for the initiative on a nationwide scale if elected president.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/05/13/us/2000-campaign-gun-issue-bush-offers-texas-handgun-owners-free-trigger-locks.html|title=THE 2000 CAMPAIGN: THE GUN ISSUE; Bush Offers Texas Handgun Owners Free Trigger Locks|work=The New York Times|date=May 13, 2000|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200817220431/https://www.nytimes.com/2000/05/13/us/2000-campaign-gun-issue-bush-offers-texas-handgun-owners-free-trigger-locks.html|archive-date=August 17, 2020|access-date=August 18, 2020|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/2000/05/12/Bush-to-provide-free-gun-locks/5311958104000/|title=Bush to provide free gun locks|work=United Press International|date=May 12, 2000|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200817220708/https://www.upi.com/Archives/2000/05/12/Bush-to-provide-free-gun-locks/5311958104000/|archive-date=August 17, 2020|access-date=August 18, 2020|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-may-13-mn-29605-story.html|title=Bush Announces Free Gun Trigger Lock Program|work=Los Angeles Times|date=May 13, 2000|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200818221454/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-may-13-mn-29605-story.html|archive-date=August 18, 2020|access-date=August 18, 2020|url-status=live}} In 2003, Bush declared that he would seek a renewal of the Federal Assault Weapons Ban which was due to expire the following year,{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/08/us/irking-nra-bush-supports-the-ban-on-assault-weapons.html|title=Irking N.R.A., Bush Supports The Ban on Assault Weapons|work=The New York Times|date=May 8, 2003|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200818182949/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/08/us/irking-nra-bush-supports-the-ban-on-assault-weapons.html|archive-date=August 18, 2020|access-date=August 18, 2020|url-status=live}} however it was later reported that he had "seemed disinclined" to push for it in Congress.{{cite news |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/why-did-the-assault-weapons-ban-expire-2012-12|title=How Congress Screwed Up And Let The Assault Weapons Ban Expire|work=Business Insider|date=December 16, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121217160607/https://www.businessinsider.com/why-did-the-assault-weapons-ban-expire-2012-12 |archive-date=December 17, 2012}} Bush signed into law the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act in October 2005.{{cite web|url=https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2005/10/20051026-1.html|title=Statement on S. 397, the "Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act"|publisher=The White House|date=October 26, 2005}}

Social policy

=Education: No Child Left Behind=

President Bush proposed the No Child Left Behind Act on January 23, 2001, just three days after his first inauguration. It was coauthored by Representatives John Boehner (R-OH) and George Miller (D-CA) and Senators Edward "Ted" Kennedy (D-MA) and Judd Gregg (R-NH). The United States House of Representatives passed the bill on May 23, 2001 (voting 384–45), and the United States Senate passed it on June 14, 2001 (voting 91–8). President Bush signed it into law on January 8, 2002.

=Abortion=

Bush maintains a strong anti-abortion and pro-life stance, consistently opposing abortion while supporting parental notification for minor girls who want abortions, the Mexico City Policy, a ban on intact dilation and extraction (commonly known as partial-birth abortion), adoption tax credits, and the Unborn Victims of Violence Act.{{Cite web|title=George W. Bush on the Issues|url=https://www.ontheissues.org/george_w__bush.htm|access-date=2023-01-05|website=www.ontheissues.org}} Running for Congress in 1978, Bush had said that the decision to have an abortion should be a woman's personal decision, but he declared that he was anti-abortion in 1994.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thenation.com/article/bushs-abortion-flip-flop/|title=Bush's Abortion Flip-Flop? {{!}} The Nation|last=Corn|first=David|journal=The Nation|access-date=2018-12-03|language=en-US|issn=0027-8378}}

=Death penalty=

Bush supports the death penalty. As Governor of Texas, he allowed 152 executions.{{cite web |url=http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/stat/executedoffenders.htm |title=Executed Offenders |access-date=2006-11-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061108150222/http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/stat/executedoffenders.htm |archive-date=2006-11-08 }} He commuted the sentence of one prisoner on death row, Henry Lee Lucas, on June 15, 1998.{{cite web |url=http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/stat/permanentout.htm |title=Offenders No Longer on Death Row |access-date=2010-08-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100725204053/http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/stat/permanentout.htm |archive-date=2010-07-25 }}

=Environment=

{{see also|Climate change policy of the George W. Bush administration}}

Bush opposed the Kyoto Protocol, saying that the treaty neglected and exempted 80 percent of the world's population{{cite web|url=https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2001/03/20010314.html|title=Letter from the President to Senators Hagel, Helms, Craig, and Roberts|publisher=Office of the Press Secretary|date=March 13, 2001}} and would have cost tens of billions of dollars per year.{{cite web|url=http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/kyoto/economic.htm|title=Summary of the Kyoto Report—Assessment of Economic Impacts|publisher=Energy Information Administration|date=July 16, 2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110523060852/http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/kyoto/economic.htm|archive-date=May 23, 2011}} Bush announced the Clear Skies Act of 2003,{{cite web|url=https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2002/02/clearskies.html|title=Executive Summary—The Clear Skies Initiative|publisher=The White House|date=February 14, 2002|access-date=2008-09-01}} aimed at amending the Clean Air Act to reduce air pollution through the use of emissions trading programs. The initiative was introduced to Congress, but failed to make it out of committee.

Bush has said that global warming is real{{cite news|title=Interview with President Bush|work=White House Transcript|publisher=Politico|date=2008-05-13|access-date=2008-05-14|quote=Q. Mr. President, for the record, is global warming real? A. Yes, it is real, sure is.|url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0508/10316_Page3.html}} and has noted that it is a serious problem, but he asserts there is a "debate over whether it's manmade or naturally caused".{{cite web|url=https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2006/06/20060626-2.html|title=Press Conference|publisher=The White House|date=June 26, 2006|access-date=2008-09-01}} He announced plans to reaffirm the United States' commitment to work with major economies, and, through the United Nations, to complete an international agreement that will slow, stop, and eventually reverse the growth of greenhouse gases; he stated, "this agreement will be effective only if it includes commitments by every major economy and gives none a free ride."{{cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,23125585-401,00.html |title=State of the Union:Bush fights for spotlight |author=Reuters/AFP |date=January 29, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080718172320/http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,23125585-401,00.html |archive-date=July 18, 2008 }}

=LGBT issues=

Bush opposed same-sex marriage. During his 2004 reelection campaign, he called for an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would ban same-sex marriage in the United States but allow for the possibility of civil unions on the state level.{{cite news| url=http://articles.cnn.com/2004-02-24/politics/elec04.prez.bush.marriage_1_single-state-or-city-marriage-rights-marriage-licenses?_s=PM:ALLPOLITICS | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101011103300/http://articles.cnn.com/2004-02-24/politics/elec04.prez.bush.marriage_1_single-state-or-city-marriage-rights-marriage-licenses?_s=PM:ALLPOLITICS | url-status=dead | archive-date=October 11, 2010 | work=CNN | title=Bush amendment proposal prompts strong reaction | date=February 25, 2004}} He also stated in the famous Wead tapes that he would not "kick gays" and worried his refusal to do so might upset his evangelical supporters, and that "I think it is bad for Republicans to be kicking gays."{{Cite news|last=Kirkpatrick|first=David D.|date=2005-02-20|title=In Secretly Taped Conversations, Glimpses of the Future President|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/20/politics/in-secretly-taped-conversations-glimpses-of-the-future-president.html|access-date=2023-01-05|issn=0362-4331}}

=Prayer in public schools=

Bush supported "voluntary, student-led prayer" but not "teacher-led prayers."[http://www.religioustolerance.org/ps_pra4.htm Positions of the Republican and Democratic party on public school prayer]

=Stem cell research=

Bush opposes federal funding for research relating to newly derived embryonic stem cell lines. He supports federal funding for research on pre-existing embryonic stem cell lines.{{Cite book|title=Decision Points|last=Bush|first=George W.|publisher=Crown Publishers|year=2010|isbn=978-0-307-59061-9|location=New York|pages=[https://archive.org/details/decisionpoints00geor/page/117 117–19]|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/decisionpoints00geor/page/117}}