The third Republican presidential debate focused on the country’s economy, and it comes as the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1314 -- the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 -- but foreign policy also dominated the evening.

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, former New York Gov. George Pataki, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum and current South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham participated in the 6 p.m. EDT debate on CNBC from the University of Colorado in Boulder.

Jindal, Pataki and Santorum were quick to speak against H.R. 1314. Pataki, however, said he would still signed the bill into law since it would boost defense and military spending. Graham provided his full support of the bill, also stating the need for greater defense.

Jindal was questioned about his economic stance in his state. He defended that he shrunk the size of Louisiana's government, but Santorum said people should acknowledge the former Pennsylvania senator's work on a federal level at shrinking government size.

On cyber security, Pataki said he would follow Israel's steps and create and agency solely responsible on the issue. He also criticized Clinton's private email use during her tenure as secretary of state, and that she should be disqualified for president.

On taxes, Jindal said he would lower tax rates to three brackets: 25 percent, 10 percent and 2 percent.

"I believe everyone should pay something," said Jindal, adding he will eliminate of all the corporate welfare and reiterated the need to reduce the size of government. He later added, "Stop sending jobs and investments overseas."

Pataki said Wall Street has "blossomed" while Main Street is struggling. He said his tax plan would introduce 5.5 million jobs through the next decade, and acknowledged the bipartisan work he's done as governor of New York.

Graham was confronted if he was in the correct political party due to his stance on recognizing climate change and support of immigration reform. The South Carolina senator said he simply wants to solve the problems facing the country.

"We're not going to deport 11 million people ... but we will deport felons," said Graham, adding he wants to increase legal immigration since the existing workforce will become stagnant in incoming years.

He then criticized Clinton and fellow Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, for saying she was "dead broke" and allegedly having a honeymoon in the Soviet Union, respectively.

"The No. 2 guy went to the Soviet Union on his honeymoon and I don't think he ever came back," said Graham about Sanders.

Santorum, acknowledging low wages and the lowest job participation rate, said Graham supports an immigration plan that would bring in more low-wage workers, which will not improve the U.S. economy.

"The bottom line is we have to make sure that we're not flooding this country with low-wage workers," said Santorum.

Graham said there is a need for more workers, otherwise the companies will leave the U.S.

Pataki said there is a "skills gap." He said "blue-collar work" has to be honored again, and help elevate their skills.

Speaking on paid family leave, and the U.S. being the only developed country to not adopt it, Jindal said he's not in favor of "mandating" that issue.

"The government can't wave a magic wand and make it happen," said Jindal, who reiterated the call to eliminate the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and for the Keystone XL pipeline's construction.

Referencing President Barack Obama, Pataki said the ACA is "the worst law of my lifetime," and said there's "no question Barack Obama inherited an economic disaster in 2009."

In regards to companies merging with bigger companies, such as Walgreens acquiring Rite Aid, Santorum said it is the result of the ACA. Santorum said there was a deliberate attempt by Obama to reduce small health insurance companies.

Once again going on climate change, this time for Pataki, the former New York governor said it is not appropriate to denounce that human activity is a factor. Pataki said the role of the government is to "incentivize" for innovation but not act on its own.

"Too often we question science that everyone accepts," said Pataki, referring to climate change and vaccinations.

On retirement and savings, Graham said Social Security will be saved if he's elected, noting 50 percent of U.S. seniors depend on those checks. He said he would give up some of his own benefits to help others and called for the young people "to work a little longer."

Closing, Graham, becoming emotional, reiterated the need to defend the country and the military. Pataki said he's a Republican who embraces millennials and science and there needs to be a leader to puts aside differences. Santorum said American workers will be on the side of the Republican Party. Jindal said it is the time for conservatives, but it is not a time to elect any Republican, and Clinton would bring the U.S. further into socialism.

__

For the latest updates, follow Latin Post's Politics Editor Michael Oleaga on Twitter: @EditorMikeO or contact via email: m.oleaga@latinpost.com.