Where they stand: A quick look at how Clinton and Trump differ on the issues

Scandals, gaffes, and leaks aside, where do the presidential candidates stand on the policy issues at stake in the 2016 election? 

By now, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have referred to all sorts of issues and a clear stand on many.

Election Day won't settle what gets done over the next four years – that depends on many factors, including whether Republicans hold on to their majorities in the Senate and House of Representatives – but it will determine who gets to try.

The businessman and the former senator and secretary of State have each presented voters with distinct choices and sketched out the opening act for an administration that will engage lawmakers across the policy landscape.

So just where do the Democratic and Republican candidates stand on the issues?

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ABORTION: Nominate Supreme Court justices who support abortion rights?

CLINTON: Yes

TRUMP: No

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CHILD CARE

CLINTON: 12 weeks of government-paid family and medical leave. Double the child tax credit for families with children 4 and younger, to $2,000 per child.

TRUMP: 6 weeks of leave for new mothers, with the government paying wages equivalent to unemployment benefits. New income tax deduction for child care expenses, other tax benefits and a new rebate or tax credit for low-income families.

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CLIMATE CHANGE

CLINTON: $60 billion to switch to cleaner energy. Maintain Obama administration commitment to cut emissions of heat-trapping gasses by up to 30 percent by 2025.

TRUMP: Calls attempts to remedy global warming "a very, very expensive form of tax." Has called global warming a hoax.

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DEBT

CLINTON: Tax increases on wealthy would help pay for programs, but the extra revenue would not go to bringing down the debt.

TRUMP: Promises massive tax cuts and new programs without proposing curbs in current benefit programs; analysts forecast debt would rise more than under Clinton.

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EDUCATION

CLINTON: Universal pre-kindergarten within 10 years, to be achieved by giving money to states.

TRUMP: $20 billion in first year to help states expand school choice.

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EDUCATION-COLLEGE

CLINTON: Government-paid tuition at in-state, public colleges for students from families making less than $85,000. Income threshold to rise to $125,000 by 2021.

TRUMP: Cap student loan payments at 12.5 percent of a borrower's income, with loan forgiveness if they make payments for 15 years.

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ENERGY

CLINTON: Generate enough renewable energy to power every home in US within 10 years. Some support for hydraulic fracturing.

TRUMP: "Unleash American energy" by stripping regulations to allow unfettered production of oil, coal, natural gas, and other sources. Rescind Clean Power Plan, an Obama administration strategy to fight climate change.

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FOREIGN POLICY

CLINTON: Sees international partnerships as essential for using US influence and lessening chances of war.

TRUMP: "America First" policy means alliances and coalitions would not pass muster unless they produced a net benefit to the United States.

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GUNS

CLINTON: Renew ban on assault-type weapons, ensure background checks are completed before a gun sale goes forward, mandate such checks for gun-show sales, and repeal law that shield gun manufacturers from liability.

TRUMP: Nominate Supreme Court justices who favor Second Amendment gun rights; says public safety is enhanced by gun ownership.

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HEALTH CARE

CLINTON: Build on Obama health care law, with federal spending to help with rising out-of-pocket costs. Repeal a tax on generous coverage that was instituted to help pay for the law's benefits.

TRUMP: Repeal the law and replace it. Studies say his plan would make up to 20 million uninsured.

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IMMIGRATION

CLINTON: Provide a path to citizenship, not just legal status, for many people in the country illegally. Expand programs that protect some groups of immigrants from deportation, including those who arrived as children and parents of US citizens or legal permanent residents.

TRUMP: Deport people in the country illegally who have committed serious crimes, build a wall along Mexico border at Mexico's expense. No longer proposing to deport all who are illegally in the United States, but has not proposed steps to give them legal status.

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INFRASTRUCTURE

CLINTON: Spend $250 billion over next five years on public infrastructure and direct an additional $25 billion to a new infrastructure bank to help finance local projects.

TRUMP: Has said he would double Clinton's infrastructure spending, financing with bonds.

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IRAN: Support the deal freezing Iran's nuclear development program in exchange for relief of international sanctions?

CLINTON: Yes

TRUMP: No

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ISLAMIC STATE MILITANTS

CLINTON: Mostly would stay the course from the Obama administration.

TRUMP: Vows relentless bombing; has expressed support for outlawed interrogation techniques.

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JOBS

CLINTON: Spend more on roads, tunnels, and other infrastructure. Make government-paid tuition available to most students, enabling more Americans to qualify for higher-paying jobs.

TRUMP: Cut taxes and regulation to spur hiring. Vows manufacturing revival through restrictive practices on imports and improved business climate.

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MINIMUM WAGE

CLINTON: At least $12 an hour, from the current $7.50.

TRUMP: $10.

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REFUGEES

CLINTON: Expand Syrian refugee program to let in as many as 65,000 over an unspecified time. About 10,000 came in the first year of the program.

TRUMP: Halt the Syrian refugee program; "extreme" vetting of arrivals from places known for extremism.

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SOCIAL SECURITY

CLINTON: Expand benefits for widows and family caregivers, require wealthy people to pay Social Security taxes on more of their income

TRUMP: No cuts to Social Security.

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TAXES

CLINTON: Tax increases for the wealthy, such as minimum 30 percent tax on incomes over $1 million and higher taxes on big inheritances. Little if any change for other taxpayers.

TRUMP: Collapse the seven income tax brackets, which peak at 39.6 percent, into three, with a top rate of 33 percent. Slice corporate income tax and eliminate estate tax. Analysts say the wealthy would benefit disproportionately. Tax Policy Center says middle fifth of taxpayers could save an average of $1,010.

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TRADE

CLINTON: Opposes Trans-Pacific trade deal, after championing the agreement as secretary of State. Mixed record of support and opposition to free trade.

TRUMP: Impose hefty tariffs on countries judged to be trading unfairly, a step that would suppress their exports and increase costs of goods imported into United States. Renegotiate or withdraw from North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Opposes Trans-Pacific trade deal (TPP).

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WALL STREET REGULATION

CLINTON: More.

TRUMP: Less.