>>> GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO THIS AZ 2024 SPECIAL EDITION OF ARIZONA HORIZON.

I'M TED SIMONS.

TONIGHT WE FEATURE A DEBATE BETWEEN CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR ARIZONA'S SIXTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, INCUMBENT REPUBLICAN JUAN AND DEMOCRATIC CHALLENGER KIRSTEN ANGLE.

MOST OF TUCSON ALONG WITH PARTS OF PINNAL, GRAHAM AND GREENLY COUNTIES.

CANDIDATES IN TONIGHT'S DEBATE WILL BE GIVEN 90 SECONDS TO REPLY TO QUESTIONS AND THERE WILL BE OPPORTUNITIES FOR REBUTTALS.

LET'S INTRODUCE TONIGHT'S CANDIDATES.

IN ALPHABET CAN ORDER, JUAN SISKAMOTTI AND THE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE IS FORMER STATE LAWMAKER KIRSTEN INGLE, A LAW PROFESSOR AT UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA.

>> WE START WITH JUAN.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I HAVE THE HONOR TO REPRESENT THE DISTRICT WHERE I GREW UP IN IN CONGRESS.

I CAME TO THIS COUNTRY WHEN I WAS 11 YEARS OLD AND IMMIGRATED FROM MEXICO AND BECAME A U.S. CITIZEN IN 2006 AND WAS A UNITED STATES CONGRESSMAN IN 2022, NO OTHER COUNTRY IN THE WORLD WOULD HAVE GRANTED ME THAT OPPORTUNITY.

I BELIEVE IN THE AMERICAN DREAM AND FIGHTING IN OUR COMMUNITY FOR RESULTS.

I'M FOCUSED ON WAKING UP WASHINGTON POLITICIANS AND FRANKLY EVEN SOME LOCAL POLITICIANS ABOUT THE FACT THAT WE DO HAVE AN IMMIGRATION CRISIS.

I WAS RECENTLY RANKED THE MOST BIPARTISAN MEMBER IN CONGRESS IN ARIZONA AND THE MOST EFFECTIVE MEMBER BECAUSE I FOCUS ON WORKING WITH PEOPLE ACROSS THE AISLE.

THAT'S MY RECORD.

MY PHONE HAS NOT YET BEEN RELEASED A DIFFERENT RECORD, ONE THAT IS WAY MORE PARTISAN AND ONE THAT WE NEED TO NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR IN THIS DISTRICT.

WITH THAT, I LOOK FORWARD TO DEBATING TONIGHT IDEAS AND RESULTS ON THE RECORDS, AS WELL.

>> AND NOW THE LATEST FROM KIRSTEN ANGLE.

>> HI, I'M HONORED TO BE REPRESENTING ARIZONA IN CONGRESS.

IT WAS A DREAM COME TRUE TO MOVE HERE 20 YEARS AGO WITH OUR THEN INFANT DAUGHTER.

I'M PROUD TO CALL ARIZONA MY HOME.

I FIRST RAN FOR OFFICE TO FIGHT FOR BETTER SCHOOLS FOR OUR KIDS.

I SERVED AS A THREE-TERM STATE LEGISLATOR FIGHTING FOR THE FREEDOM OF WOMEN TO MAKE THEIR OWN REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHCARE DECISIONS, WORK ACROSS THE AISLE ON CUTTING PRICES, STRENGTHENING OUR WATER FUTURE AND STRENGTHENING OUR ECONOMY.

I'M NOW RUNNING FOR CONGRESS BECAUSE MY OPPONENT, CONGRESSMAN JUAN, HAS FAILED US.

SIDING WITH HIS MEGA -- MAGA PARTY BOSSES IN WASHINGTON D.C. TO RAISE PRICES RESTRICT ABORTION RIGHTS AND REJECT A BIPARTISAN DEAL TO SECURE OUR BORDER.

I HAVE A 19-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER AND AN 88-YEAR-OLD FATHER.

I'M RUNNING FOR THEIR RIGHTS TO HEALTHCARE, FREEDOM TO MAKE THEIR OWN HEALTHCARE DECISIONS FOR ALL ARIZONANS.

>> LET'S GET THINGS STARTED, CONGRESSMAN, WE'LL START WITH YOU.

YOU TALK ABOUT A CRISIS AT THE BORDER AND YOU MENTION THAT THE IMMIGRATION CRISIS IS THE MOST SIGNIFICANT ISSUE FACING THIS DISTRICT.

EXPLAIN PLEASE.

>> TALK TO LAW ENFORCEMENTS AND RANCHERS AND PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THIS REGION.

I GREW UP IN THIS REGION.

AS I MENTIONED, I CAME FROM MEXICO, IMMIGRATED, WENT THROUGH THE ENTIRE SYSTEM, RUN THROUGH THE PROCESS OF IMMIGRATING HERE.

I KNOW THAT WELL, AND I KNOW THE IMPORTANCE OF TRAINING CONGRESS IN OUR REGION.

THESE ARE IMPORTANT THINGS, HOWEVER THE CRISIS WE'RE SEEING HAS TO DO WITH THE OPEN BORDER POLICY THAT THIS ADMINISTRATION IN THE WHITE HOUSE HAS SUPPORTED AND SOMETHING THAT MS.

ANGLE HAS ALSO SUPPORTED.

THESE ARE THE KINDS OF THINGS IS THAT THAT HAVE BROUGHT US TO THIS.

THIS IS A VERY ALARMING STATISTIC, SO WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS MAKE SURE WE SECURE OUR BORDER WITH THAT TRADE GETS ENHANCED AS WELL, THE IMMIGRATION SYSTEM CAN WORK BETTER.

I TELL YOU THIS, THIS IS WHAT I HEAR FROM MY CONSTITUENTS AS THE NUMBER 1 ISSUE, SAFETY ON THE BORDER IS THE TOP ISSUE, NOT ONLY FOR THE DISTRICT BUT FOR THE COUNTRY, AS WELL.

>> ALL RIGHT, MS. ENGEL, RESPOND PLEASE.

>> I'D BE THE FIRST TO SAY THAT NEITHER PARTY HAS DONE A GOOD JOB ON THE BORDER TRUMP FAMOUSLY SEPARATED FAMILIES, PUT MIGRANT KIDS IN CAGES.

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION WAS VERY LATE TO THE TABLE.

YES, WE MUST SECURE THE BEARD, AND THAT WILL TAKE RESOURCES, BOOTS ON THE GROUND, STOPPING THE FENTENYL THAT'S COMING IN.

HALF THE FENTENYL IN THE UNITED STATES COMES ACROSS THE SOUTHERN BORDER, AND STOPPING HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

MY POKE ENTER, REPRESENTATIVE CISCOMANI HAD AN OPPORTUNITY IN MAKING REAL PROGRESS IN DOING SOMETHING ABOUT IT, AND HE REJECTED THAT.

HE REJECTED THE BIPARTISAN BEARD SECURITY DEAL THAT WOULD HAVE PUT ALL OF THESE RESOURCES INTO FIXING THIS PROBLEM.

HE DID IT JUST TWO DAYS AFTER THE DEAL WAS ANNOUNCED, A WEEK AFTER PRESIDENT TRUMP CAME OUT AGAINST IT.

HE REJECTED IT FOR POLITICAL REASONS, TO PLEASE HIS PARTY BOSSES, AND YET, WE WANT SOMEBODY WITH SOLUTIONS.

I WILL WORK FOR SOLUTIONS, BIPARTISAN SOLUTIONS.

THIS WAS A DEAL THAT WE HAVEN'T SEEN FOR DECADES, TO SOLVE OUR ISSUES ON THE BORDER, AND HE REJECTED IT.

>> OKAY.

CONGRESSMAN, WHY DID YOU VOTE NO ON THE BIPARTISAN PLAN?

>> FIRST LET ME SAY THAT THAT'S A VERY DIFFERENT QUESTION THAT SHE GAVE YOU NOT TOO LONG AGO WHEN YOU ASKED HER IF THERE WAS AN IMMIGRATION CRISIS, AND SHE SAID NO.

NOW SHE'S TRYING PEDAL IT BACK AND TALK ABOUT THE DEAL.

LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING ABOUT THE BIPARTISAN -- THE MOST BIPARTISAN THING ABOUT THAT IMMIGRATION PACKAGE OVER IN THE SENATE WAS ACTUALLY THE OPPOSITION TO IT.

HOWELL HIMSELF CAME OUT AGAINST IT.

I'M NOT SURE IF YOU THINK IT WAS THE CALL FROM TRUMP TO LET HIM KNOW HOW TO VOTE ON THAT OR HOW TO TAKE A STAND ON THAT.

YOU KNOW, THE OPPOSITION ON THIS WAS BROUGHT.

I'LL TELL YOU WHY I OPPOSED IT AND SPOKE AGAINST IT.

IT'S MY JOB TO BE COMMENT ON LEGISLATION THAT IS MOVING THROUGH.

THERE WERE IMPORTANT ELEMENTS IN THERE THAT I LIKED AND COULD HAVE SUPPORTED.

HOWEVER, THE BILL DIDN'T MAKE IT OUT OF THE SENATE, SO WE NEVER GOT AN OPPORTUNITY ACTUALLY WORK ON IT.

I WOULD HAVE LOVED TO WORK ON IT, BUT I'LL TELL YOU THIS, TED, ONE OF THE MAIN ASPECTS THAT I WOULD LIKE HER TO RESPOND TO IS THIS SETTING A LIMIT OF 5,000 PEOPLE TO CROSS ILLEGALLY BEFORE THE LAW WAS BEING ENFORCED.

THAT'S 150,000 A MONTH.

THAT'S UNREALISTIC.

THAT SHOULDN'T BE THE CASE.

THAT'S WHAT THE BILL CONTINUED.

I WAS HOPING TO FIX IT IN THE HOUSE, BUT WE NEVER GOT A CHANCE TO SEE IT.

SO FOR HER TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO SAY THAT WE KILL THAT BILL, THAT BILL WAS KILLED IN THE SENATE BY SENATORS FROM BOTH PARTIES.

>> BUT WAS IT NOT A START, WAS IT NOT SOMETHING TO GET STARTED ON AS OPPOSED TO SOMETHING -- AND AGAIN, THE APPEARANCE WAS, DONALD TRUMP SAID KILL IT, I DON'T WANT TO GIVE JOE BIDEN THE VICTORY, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT'S KILLED.

YOU UNDERSTAND THOSE APPEARANCES.

>> WELL, I UNDERSTAND THE APPEARANCE OF DEMOCRATS COMING OUT AGAINST IT, AS WELL.

THIS WAS -- THIS HAD BIPARTISAN OPPOSITION MORE THAN BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

>> LET ME SAY SOMETHING HERE -- >>> HOLD ON, PLEASE.

>> CAN YOU IT BY THE RESULT OF WHAT HAPPENED IN THE SENATE ON THIS BILL.

THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED.

IT HAD BROAD OPPOSITION ON BOTH SIDES.

IS IT A GOOD START?

HEY, LEGISLATION MOVES THROUGH, IT CHANGES, IT GETS AMENDED, GOES FROM ONE CHAMBER TO THE OTHER.

I NEVER GOT A CHANCE TO WORK ON IT IN THE HOUSE.

>> PLEASE.

>> THE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FOR THIS BILL WAS AMAZING AND IMMENSE.

IT WAS A DEAL THAT WAS NEGOTIATED BY ONE OF THE MOST CONSERVATIVE MEMBERS OF THE SENATE, SENATOR LANGFORD, BY KIRSTEN CINEMA AS AN INDEPENDENT AND BY A DEMOCRAT.

IT WAS SUPPORTED BY THE BORDER PATROL UNION.

IT HAD MONEY FOR BOOTS ON THE GROUND, THOUSANDS OF NEW CUSTOMS AND BORDER PATROL AGENTS.

IT HAD MONEY FOR SCAMMERS SO -- SCANNERS SO THAT WE COULD SCAN EVERY SINGLE TRUCK THAT COMES ACROSS THE BORDER FOR FENTENYL, THAT IS HARMING OUR COMMUNITIES.

NOT JUST EVERY 1 IN 20.

AND IT HAD ALSO MONEY FOR ED DETENTION AND QUICK PROCESSING OF MIGRANT SO THAT THE BORDER PATROL ENFORCEMENT CAN WORK ON THEIR JOB OF FIGHTING THE CARTELS AND PROTECTING THE BORDER RATHER THAN PROCESSING THE LARGE NUMBER OF MIGRANTS WHO COME TO OUR BORDER.

>> YOU MADE A STATEMENT THAT THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION WAS LATE TO THE PARTY AS FAR AS THIS ISSUE IS CONCERNED.

SOME WOULD ARGUE THAT THEY'RE STILL NOT AT THE PARTY.

HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO THAT ARGUMENT?

AND FOR THOSE WHO SAY -- WHO BLAME THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION FOR A BROKEN IMMIGRATION SYSTEM, HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO THAT?

>> TED, I'M RUNNING FOR CONGRESS, AND WE'RE HERE WITH A CONGRESSIONAL DEBATE.

WE HAVE A MEMBER OF CONGRESS WHO'S REPRESENTING A BORDER DISTRICT WHO HAS MADE THE BORDER SECURITY HIS TOP ISSUE HE GETS HANDED ON SILVER PLATTER A BIPARTISAN DEAL TO MAKE IMMENSE PROGRESS ON A TOP ISSUE TO ALL OF THIS DISTRICT AND HE REJECT IT IS.

HE REJECT IT IS DAYS AFTER TRUMP COMES OUT AGAINST IT.

IT IS AN OBVIOUS POLITICAL PLOY.

HE WANTS PHOTO OPS ON THE BORDER.

AND NOT ACTUALLY SOLVING THE PROBLEM.

>> PLEASE.

>> SPEAKING OF LATE TO THE PARTY, KIRSTEN ENGEL IS LATE TO THIS PARTY, FINALLY ACKNOWLEDGING THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE AT THE BORDER BUT SHE STILL HASN'T ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THERE'S A REAL CRISIS AT THE BORDER CREATED BY THE POLICY SHE ONCE SUPPORTED WHEN SHE WAS IN OFFICE.

THE REALITY THIS DEAL, OF THIS BILL MOVING THROUGH THE SENATE, THAT IT HAD SOME GOOD ASPECTS TO IT, AND I CAN ACKNOWLEDGE THAT.

INCREASING THE INCREDIBLE FEAR FOR ASYLUM SEEKERS, THERE ARE THINGS WE COULD GET BEHIND.

SPEAKING OF BORDER PATROL, THEY ENDORSED ME IN THIS RACE AND BECAUSE THEY KNOW I HAVE THE BACKS OF THE BORDER PATROL AGENTS THAT WORK HARD EVERY DAY.

I'VE BEEN ABANDONED BY THE POLICY THAT KIRSTEN ENGEL HAS BEEN SUPPORTING FOR FAR TOO LONG.

SO THAT BILL NOT MAKING OUT OF THE SENATE AND US NOT HAVING AN OPPORTUNITY TO WORK ON IT IN THE HOUSE IS SOMETHING THAT WAS UNFORTUNATE AND NOW WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE SITUATION EVEN LONGER BECAUSE THIS ADMINISTRATION HASN'T HAD THE GUTS TO WORK AND SOLVE THIS CRISIS THEY CREATED AND THAT KIRSTEN ENGEL SUPPORTED AS SHE WAS CHANTING "FOUR MORE YEARS FOR BIDEN" ON VIDEO.

>> ABORTION IS A MAJOR TOPIC, IMMIGRATION IS A MAJOR TOPIC.

SHOULD CONGRESS ACT IN ANY WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM REGARDING ABORTION?

>> THE ANSWER TO THAT IS YES.

THIS IS A TOP ISSUE.

IT IS AN ISSUE OF THE FREEDOM OF WOMEN, MYSELF, MY DAUGHTER, MILLIONS OF WOMEN, TO MAKE THEIR OWN HEALTHCARE DECISIONS.

THIS IS NOT A POLITICAL ISSUE.

THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT WOMEN SHOULD BE ABLE TO MAKE WITH THEIR DOCTOR AND WITH THEIR FAMILY.

IT'S A PERSONAL ISSUE.

IT'S A HEALTHCARE ISSUE, AND I WILL GO TO CONGRESS TO FIGHT FOR ABORTION RIGHTS, TO RESTORE THE RIGHTS THAT WOMEN HAVE HAD FOR 50 YEARS UNDER ROE VERSUS WADE.

THIS IS IN TOTAL CONTRAST TO MY OPPONENT, WHO CHEERED THE REPEAL OF ROE VERSUS WADE, AND IN CONGRESS HAS REPEATEDLY VOTED TO RESTRICT ABORTION.

HE'S VOTED TO RESTRICT MEDICATION ABORTION, WHICH IS THE SAFEST FORM OF ABORTION USED IN 60% OF ABORTIONS, USING FDA APPROVED DRUGS, TAKING THAT AWAY REALLY HURTS OUR WOMEN IN OUR RURAL AREAS.

HE'S EVEN VOTED TO RESTRICT REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHCARE OVERACTIVE SERVICE MEMBERS, AND PERHAPS WE SHOULDN'T BE SURPRISED.

MR. CISCOMAN HAS BEEN A LONG-TERM MEMBER OF THE PATRIOT ACADEMY.

HE WAS ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR 15 YEARS, A CHRISTIAN NATIONALIST GROUP WITH EXTREMIST VIEWS THAT DOES NOT BELIEVE IN THE SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE AND WANTS TO REWRITE THE CONSTITUTION AND BAN ABORTION.

HE IS ACTUALLY PUTTING THE POSITIONS OF THIS PATRIOT ACADEMY INTO WALLA IN HIS POSITION IN CONGRESS.

>> CONGRESSMAN.

>> YOU KNOW, THIS ISSUE OF ABORTION IS SOMETHING THAT IS ON THE BALLOT, IT'S SOMETHING THAT VOTERS IN ARIZONA WILL GET AN OPPORTUNITY DECIDE ON.

THIS IS A VERY PERMANENT ISSUE.

I WILL NEVER DO ANYTHING TO JEOPARDIZE A WOMAN'S HEALTH.

AND THE REALITY IS THAT KIRSTEN EVEN AND HER ALLIES HAVE BEEN LYING ABOUT MY POSITION ON THIS FOR A LONG TIME, INCLUDING JUST A FEW SECONDS AGO.

THE REALITY IS THAT MY POSITION IS THAT I DO NOT SUPPORT A FEDERAL BAN ON ABORTION.

AND I'LL SAY THAT HERE CLEAR AGAIN.

I'VE BEEN CLEAR ON THIS BEFORE.

I SUPPORT EXCEPTIONS FOR RAPE OR INCEST, OF COURSE FOR THE LIFE OF THE MOTHER.

I SUPPORT IVF, AND I'VE BEEN VERY VOCAL ON THIS IN CONGRESS, TO GIVE ACCESS TO WOMEN AND FAMILIES THAT WANT TO CONTINUE TO GROW THEIR FAMILIES.

THE FACT THAT KIRSTEN ENGEL CONTINUES TO LIE ABOUT THIS AND ABOUT MY RECORD ON THIS IS ASTOUNDING.

IT'S IN PAR WITH THE REST OF HER CAMPAIGN ATTACKING FOR THINGS THAT ARE COMPLETELY GRASPING FOR STRAWS, AS YOU HEARD AT THE END OF HER RESPONSE, REGARDING ANYTHING ELSE OUT THERE THAT SHE'S TRYING TO BRING INTO THE CAMPAIGN, ANYTHING TO STAY AWAY FROM THE ISSUES, ANYTHING TO STAY AWAY FROM ACTUALLY TALKING BUT WHAT REALLY MATTERS IN THE DISTRICT IS THE POLICY THAT WE NEED DISCUSS.

>> DID YOU CHEER HE THE REVOKEMENT OF ROE V. WADE.

>> I'VE ALWAYS SAID THAT I BELIEVE THE ABORTION ISSUE BELONGS TO THE STATES AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE SEEING RIGHT NOW.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE SUPREME COURT'S DECISION WHICH BASICALLY SAYS LET THE STATES DECIDE?

>> TED, THIS IS A FUNDAMENTAL ISSUE OF FREEDOM OF WOMEN TO MAKE THEIR OWN HEALTHCARE DECISIONS.

WE DON'T TELL MEN ABOUT THEIR HEALTHCARE DECISIONS.

OH, LEAVE IT TO THE STATES.

MR. CISCOMANI HAS SUPPORTED THE ARIZONA LAW ON THIS TODAY.

HE SAYS THAT HE SUPPORTS EXCEPTIONS, BUT UNDER ARIZONA LAW TODAY, THERE IS NO EXCEPTION FOR RAPE OR INCEST.

IMAGINE THAT.

IMAGINE A WOMAN WHO IS STATIONED HERE AT DAVIS IN OUR VERY OWN DISTRICT, SHE MIGHT BE SEXUALLY ASSAULTED OR RAPED.

SHE HAS NO RECOURSE, SHE HAS NO ABILITY TO HAVE AN ABORTION HERE IN ARIZONA BECAUSE THERE IS A BAN.

THERE'S NO EXCEPTION, EVEN FOR RAPE OR INCEST.

AND ACTUALLY HE WROTE IT IN CONGRESS THAT SHE SHOULD NOT GET ANY HELP FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

SO HE IS EXTREME.

HE BELONGS TO AN EXTREME ORGANIZATION, A GROUP THAT ADHERES TO A BAN ON ABORTION, THAT WAS THE POSITION OF THE PATRIOT ACADEMY OF WHICH HE SAID NOTHING IN HIS LIFE HAS GIVEN A CLEARER DIRECTION THAN THE PATRIOT ACADEMY.

SO HE'S TRYING TO RUN AWAY FROM HIS RECORD, BUT IT'S VERY CLEAR, YOU CANNOT TRUST YOUR REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS WITH THIS CONGRESSMAN.

>> SHOULD THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, SHOULD CONGRESS DO SOMETHING TO PROTECT AGAINST THE SITUATIONS THAT WERE DESCRIBED HERE BY MS. ENGEL?

>> WE ALWAYS WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE PROTECT WOMEN AND ANYONE THROUGHOUT THAT IS A VICTIM OF A CRIME.

ABSOLUTELY, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS A ROLE IN PROTECTING ANYONE THAT IS BEING TARGETED, AS BEING ABUSED, THAT THE SLAW BEING BROKEN AGAINST THAT PERSON.

WHAT I SAID THAT I OPPOSE A FEDERAL BAN.

AND LET ME SAY AGAIN.

I SUPPORT THE EXCEPTIONS FOR RAPE, FOR INCEST, AND OF COURSE FOR THE LIFE OF THE MOTHER.

THAT IS UNFORTUNATELY NOT IN THE CURRENT 15-WEEK LAW OF ARIZONA AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED.

I'VE SAID THAT HERE, AND I WANT TO CONTINUE TO MAKE THAT VERY CLEAR.

>> OKAY.

REAL QUICKLY, THIS PATRIOT ACADEMY THING, WHAT'S THIS ALL ABOUT?

>> THIS IS MY OPPONENT GRASPING AT STRAWS, TRYING TO MAKE SOMETHING OUT OF NOTHING.

AND THIS IS -- AGAIN, WHEN YOU WENT -- WHEN YOU CAN'T WIN ON THE DISCUSSION OF REAL ISSUES YOU'RE GOING TO DIVERT TO MISTAKES AND TRY TO GO BACK AND PULL AT SOMETHING -- YOU'RE GOING TO DIVERT TO POLITICS.

YOU KNOW, YOU'RE GOING TO GRASP AT THE TACTICS THAT ARE FROM THE GROUPS THAT SHE BELONGS TO.

THE SIERRA CLUB LEGAL FUND AND OTHER GROUPS THAT WANT TO ABOLISH ICE, THAT WANT TO DEFUND THE POLICE.

SHE'S ON VIDEO ACTUALLY SAYING THAT SHE IS OKAY WITH DEFUNDING THE POLICE, AND THAT'S WHERE SHE THINKS WE SHOULD GO.

HER ORGANIZATION THAT SHE BELONGS TO, THAT'S WHAT THEY OPENLY PROMOTE, PROFANITIES AGAINST BORDER PATROL, AS WELL.

THIS IS ALL ATTACK PARTICULAR TO DISTRACT FROM WHAT SHE REALLY SUPPORTS.

>> LET'S GET A RESPONSE TO THAT.

>> THERE'S NO TRUTH TO THAT.

I HAVE ALWAYS SUPPORTED FUNDING THE POLICE.

MY PHONE HAS NOT YET BEEN RELEASED BEEN TAKING A VIDEO AND CHOPPING IT UP SO IT SOUNDS LIKE I DON'T.

AND THE ARIZONA LEGISLATURE, I VOTED REPEATEDLY TO FUND THE POLICE.

IT'S KIND OF INCREDIBLE TO HEAR THIS FROM CONGRESSMAN CISCOMANI SINCE HE VOTED FOR SOME DRACONIAN BUDGET BILLS THAT WOULD HAVE CUT UP TO 30,000 LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS.

SO HE'S NO FRIEND OF THE POLICE.

I'VE ACTUALLY VOTED TO SUPPORT THEM, TO FUND THEM.

I MEET WITH THEM, AND HE'S JUST PERVERTED MY RECORD.

>> ANY AND EVERY POLICE LAW ENFORCEMENT ORGANIZATION THAT HAS ENDORSED IN THIS RACE, THEY'VE ALL ENDORSED ME.

THERE'S A REASON FOR THAT.

THEY KNOW WHO REALLY HAS THEIR BACK.

THEY KNOW WHO REALLY IS SUPPORTING THE POLICY THAT FUND THE POLICE, THAT BACK THEM UP, AND WHO HAS MADE A CAREER OUT OF DEFUNDING THEM NATIONALLY ACTING AGAINST THEIR BEST INTEREST.

WHY DO YOU THINK THAT NO POLICE ORGANIZATION OUT, THERE INCLUDING THE BORDER PATROL COUNCIL, HAS ENDORSED KIRSTEN ENGEL.

THEY KNOW THEY NEED TO TAKE HER AT HER WORD BECAUSE SHE HAS ACTUALLY DONE EXACTLY WHAT SHE HAS SAID REGARDING DEFUNDING THE POLICE.

>> LAST WORD ON THIS.

>> I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU CAN ACCUSE ME OF DEFUNDING THE POLICE WHEN I VOTED TO FUND THE POLICE, AND I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT.

I SUPPLIES BEEN A VICTIM OF ASSAULT, A VICTIM OF A CRIME, AND THERE WAS NO -- NO BETTER SIGHT THAN THE SIGHT OF THAT PATROL CAR COMING AFTER I HAD THAT ASSAULT.

SO I KNOW WHAT IT MEANS TO BE UNSAFE.

I KNOW WHAT IT MEANS TO HAVE GOOD LAW ENFORCEMENT AND VOTED TO FUND IT.

>> CONGRESSWOMAN WATER IN ARIZONA, WHAT CAN YOU DO ON CAPITOL HILL TO HELP ENSURE THE STABILITY OF WATER IN ARIZONA.

>> THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE, AND I'M PROUD TO SAY THAT ARIZONA HAS A HISTORIC TRACK RECORD OF HAVING BIPARTISAN WORK AROUND WATER.

THIS IS WHERE I'VE SEEN REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS PUT THEIR POLITICS ASIDE TO WORK ON AN ISSUE THAT CAN BE LONG TERM FOR OUR DISTRICT AND FOR THE ENTIRE STATE.

I AM THE CO-CHAIR OF THE BIPARTISAN COLORADO RIVER CAUCUS.

THIS IS AN IMPORTANT CAUCUS IN CONGRESS THAT WORKS WITH DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE HAVING THE RIGHT CONVERSATIONS AROUND WATER.

I RECENTLY INTRODUCED A BILL THAT GIVES THE PROPER ALLOCATION OF WATER RESOURCES FOR THREE TRIBES UP NORTH WITH THE NAVAJO NATION, AND TWO OTHERS.

I'VE BEEN THE CHAMPION ON THIS, WORKING ON THESE ISSUES, AND IN OUR DISTRICT THE WATER CONVERSATION IS VERY DIVERSE.

WE HAVE FROM AG, WE HAVE FARMING, MINING, URBAN DEVELOPMENT, MANUFACTURING, A LOT OF GROWTH IN OUR ENTIRE DISTRICT, AND HAVING THE CONVERSATION AROUND WATER AND ALSO THE PROJECTS THAT I'VE BEEN ABLE TO BRING BACK FOR FUNDING FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, THE COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING, MANY OF THEM HAVE -- ACTUALLY, THE MAJORITY OF THEM HAVE GONE TO ROADS AND WATER INFRASTRUCTURE AS WELL.

>> AND WATER STABILITY, WATER SECURITY?

WHAT WOULD YOU DO ON CAPITOL HILL?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

FIRST OF ALL, IT WOULD BE GUIDED BY THE PRINCIPAL OF ARIZONA WATER FOR ARIZONANS.

AND WE HAVE NOT SEEN THAT PRINCIPLE BE GUIDING OUR POLICYMAKERS.

MY OPPONENT'S BOSS, FAMOUSLY, ALLOWED A SAWED ARABIAN -- SAUDIA ARABIAN LARGE AGRICULTURAL BUSINESS ENTITY COMING IN AND HAS BEEN PUMPING BILLIONS OF GALLONS OF WATER, SOMETHING THAT THE GOVERNOR AND ATTORNEY GENERAL HAVE HAD TO ADDRESS.

THIS WAS A TOP ISSUE FOR ME IN THE LEGISLATURE, WORKING ON THE DROUGHT CONTINGENCY PLAN AND GROUND WATER BILLS, CAPITALIZING ON MY BACKGROUND AS AN ENVIRONMENTAL ATTORNEY.

SO THERE'S SO MANY THINGS THAT WE NEED TO DO, STARTING WITH MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE USING EVERY DROP OF WATER, REUSING THAT WATER, PUTTING IN THE INFRASTRUCTURE.

YOU KNOW, WHAT WE DON'T WANT TO DO IS TO BE BRINGING IN FOREIGN CORPORATIONS, OUT-OF-STATE CORPORATIONS TO PUMP OUR WELLS DRY AND CONGRESSMAN CISCOMANI HAS ACCEPTED CAMPAIGN DON'T NATIONS FROM THE LOBBYISTS OF THOSE SAUDIIA RAINIA COMPANIES.

>> -- SAWED RAINIAL COMPANIES.

>> WELL, WE HAVE TO PROTECT OUR WATER.

WHEN IT'S ABOUT PROTECTING OUR WATER, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE HAVE THE COLORADO RIVER NEGOTIATIONS COMING UP AGAIN NEXT YEAR, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE A SEAT AT THE TABLE AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE PROTECT WATER FOR ALL OF THE DIFFERENT INTERESTS I JUST MENTIONED REGARDING OUR DISTRICT.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT WHAT MINING HAS DONE WITH THE WATER RESOURCEFULNESS AND RECYCLING, WHEN YOU LOOK AT DRIP IRRIGATION IN OUR AG COMMUNITY, THESE ARE ALL THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN SAVING WATER, BUT ALSO REPRODUCING IT AND ALLOWING TO US COVER MORE GROUND WITH THE WATER THAT WE HAVE.

>> SPECIFICALLY, CONGRESSMAN, THE IDEA OF FOREIGN CORPORATIONS COMING IN AND SPUMPING OUT OUR WATER -- PUMPING OUT OUR WATER, THAT'S A CONTROVERSIAL TOPIC AROUND ARIZONA AND CERTAINLY IN YOUR DISTRICT.

DO YOU SUPPORT FOREIGN CORPORATIONS BEING ABLE TO DO THAT?

>> I SUPPORT FOR ARIZONA WATER TO BE USED BY ARIZONANS.

I SUPPORT THE GENERATIONAL FARM OWNERS THAT ARE FIGHTING TO KEEP THEIR FARMS, THAT THEY'RE HAVING TROUBLE FOR THAT, NOT ONLY FOR THE WATER, BUT ACTUALLY FOR THE BURNING SOME REGULATIONS OF THE GOVERNMENT AND EVERYTHING THAT GOES IN THERE THAT IT SEEMS THAT THERE'S A SYSTEM TO BE ABLE TO HARM THEM.

I WAS WITH THE WESTERN GROWERS ASSOCIATION THIS MORNING TALKING ABOUT THIS VERY ISSUE AND LABOR ISSUES AS WELL.

WATER IS CERTAINLY A POINT THIS AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE PROTECT IT FOR OUR FARMERS, OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR GROWTH, AS WELL.

>> IS IT BEING PROTECTED FOR OUR FARMERS AND OUR COMMUNITY AS SOON AS.

>> IT'S NOT.

IT SIMPLY IS NOT.

I HAVEN'T SEEN CONGRESSMAN CISCOMANI DO ANYTHING ON THIS ISSUE, AND WE DO HAVE THESE LARGE CORPORATIONS THAT ARE LITERALLY PUMPING THE GROUND WATER DRY.

WE NEED TO PROTECT THEM.

WE ALSO CAN BE DOING THINGS IN CONGRESS.

THERE'S A FARM BILL THAT RIGHT NOW IS PENDING, WHICH I HAVEN'T SEEN THE CONGRESSMAN DO ANY KIND OF ACTION THAT'S GOT ALL KINDS OF PROGRAMS TO ENABLE FARMERS TO CONSERVE THEIR WATER AND USE THE BEST TECHNOLOGY IN DOING SO, AND I WAS JUST TALKING TO THE FARMERS ABOUT THAT IN COACH CHI COUNTY LAST WEEK.

>> YOU KNOW WHAT, WE ARE OUT OF TIME, I WOULD HAVE LOVED TO GO ON A LITTLE FARTHER WITH IT.

SO MUCH FURTHER WE COULD GO, BUT WE GOTTA STOP RIGHT NOW FOR CLOSING STATEMENTS.

AND CANDIDATES, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

STARTING OUT WITH CLOSING STATEMENTS, CONGRESSMAN JUAN CISCOMANI.

>> SERVING AS THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS IMAGINE HAS BEEN THE GREATEST HONOR OF MY LIFE [ SPEAKING SPANISH ] I'M AN GAME, HISPANIC REPUBLICAN THAT -- I'M AN IMMIGRANT, HISPANIC REPUBLICAN THAT GREW UP IN PIMA COUNTY.

MY WHOLE LIFE PEOPLE HAVE TRIED TO PUT ME IN THE BOX, EVEN BY LYING AS YOU SAW TODAY HERE.

BUT I'M A STRONG BELIEVER THAT HAVING STRONG CONVICTIONS AND VALUES DON'T PREVENT ME FROM LISTENING TO PEOPLE THAT I DON'T AGREE WITH, AND MEETING WITH THEM, AND EVEN LEARNING FROM THEM, AS WELL, THAT'S WHAT I PROMISE YOU AS YOUR UNITED STATES CONGRESSMAN.

AND LISTEN, I KNOW TIMES ARE TOUGH.

I GET IT.

YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT TO BELIEVE AND WHO TO TRUST OUT THERE, BUT I'LL TELL YOU THIS, OFFER RE-ELECT ME, I WILL CONTINUE, JUST LIKE I AM RIGHT NOW -- I WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR THE VALUES THAT MAKE OUR COMMUNITY SUCH A SPECIAL PLACE, SO I HUMBLY ASK FOR YOUR VOTE.

>> AND NOW THE CLOSING STATEMENT FROM KIRSTEN ENGEL.

>> WELL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR LISTENING TO THIS DEBATE, AND I THINK CAN YOU A PRETTY CLEAR CONTRAST BETWEEN MYSELF AND REPRESENTATIVE CISCOMANI.

I'M GOING TO GO TO CONGRESS TO PROTECT YOUR REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHCARE DECISIONS, TO PROTECT WOMEN'S RIGHTS TO MAKE THEIR OWN HEALTHCARE DECISIONS WITH THEIR DOCTOR AND WITH THEIR FAMILY.

MY OPPONENT WILL RESTRICT -- HE WILL CONTINUE TO VOTE TO RESTRICT YOUR HEALTHCARE RIGHTS IN THIS REGARD.

I WILL WORK TO PROTECT OUR BORDER, TO SECURE OUR BORDER, TO EMBRACE BIPARTISAN SOLUTIONS THAT WILL PUT THE RESOURCES INTO PROTECTING THE BORDER.

HE'S GONNA KEEP IT A POLITICAL ISSUE, SO THAT HE CAN CONTINUE TO TAKE PHOTO OPS ON THE BORDER.

I'M GOING TO WORK ON WATER ISSUES, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, BRINGING DOWN PRICES BY GOING AFTER PRICE GOUGERS, AND HE'S GONNA CONTINUE TO EMBRACE HIS EXTREMIST VIEWS BROUGHT TO HIM BY THE PATRIOT ACADEMY THAT HE WAS SUCH AN IMPORTANT MEMBER OF.

SO THANK YOU SO MUCH.

WOULD LOVE TO HAVE YOUR VOTE.

I LOVE TO BE THE LAW PROFESSOR WHO DOES HER DAMN HOMEWORK FOR YOU.

>> THANK YOU MS.

EVEN ENGEL, THANK YOU.

>> AND CONGRESSMAN THANK YOU VERY MUCH AS WELL.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING TONIGHT'S DEBATE.

OUR NEXT ARIZONA AZ MORE ADVISE SON DEBATE WILL BE THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 12th AS WE HEAR ABOUT THE CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR MARICOPA COUNTY SHERIFF.

YOU CAN WATCH ALL OF OUR SHOWS LIVE ON ARIZONA PBS.ORG OR STREAMED LIVE ON YOUTUBE AND FACEBOOK.

THAT'S IT FOR NOW.

I'M TED SIMONS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

YOU HAVE A GREAT EVENING.