Final answer:
Cultural conservatives in the Republican Party have focused on issues such as outlawing abortion, ending affirmative action, opposing gay and lesbian rights, and advocating for traditional family values. While they have seen some legislative attempts, most socially conservative measures have not been fully enacted. Their priorities also include reducing government spending and lowering taxes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The influential cultural conservatives in the Republican Party have traditionally supported a number of key priorities. These conservatives have sought the discontinuation of policies like affirmative action, the outlawing of abortion, the stopping of the movement for gay and lesbian rights, and the return to “traditional” family values. This last point is a rhetoric that suggests male authority over women and children constitutes a natural order that was believed to have been subverted since the 1960s by women's rights and the New Left.
In their efforts to enact these priorities, conservative Christians were particularly focused on outlawing abortion. However, despite their loyalty and support for the Republican ascendency, many within the party avoided the controversial issue, leaving these constituents feeling somewhat betrayed. Similarly, while laws banning flag-burning passed the House of Representatives, they were defeated in the Senate and such displays remained protected under the Bill of Rights.
Fiscally, conservative thinkers and politicians have aimed to reduce government spending on social programs, lower corporate and capital gains taxes, and promote their causes through organizations like the Heritage Foundation. In summary, the conservative agenda has been to reduce the size and influence of the federal government, implement a more consistent conservative policy, and safeguard what they view as traditional American values.