[♪] >> GOOD EVENING I'M KHALILAH BROWN-DEAN.

HOST OF DISRUPTED ON CONNECTICUT PUBLIC.

WELCOME TO TONIGHT'S FOURTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT DEBATE LIVE FROM THE DAVID LEVINSON THEATER HERE ON THE CAMPUS OF NORWALK COMMUNITY COLLEGE.

TONIGHT'S DEBATE IS A COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF CONNECTICUT AND CONNECTICUT PUBLIC.

BEFORE I INTRODUCE THE CANDIDATES, LET ME FIRST GO OVER THE TIME FORMAT.

THE FORMAT IS DESIGNED TO ALLOW THE CANDIDATES TIME TO DISCUSS THE ISSUES.

THE ONLY RULE IS THAT THE TOTAL TIME USED BY EACH CANDIDATE BY THE CONCLUSION OF THE DEBATE MUST BE APPROXIMATELY THE SAME.

THE CANDIDATES WILL NOT BE RESTRICTED TO ONE OR TWO-MINUTE RESPONSES.

INSTEAD THEY MAY SPEND AS LITTLE OR AS MUCH TIME THEY FEEL IS APPROPRIATE TO DISCUSS EACH ISSUE.

OUR GOAL IS TO ENCOURAGE DEBATE.

THE CANDIDATES WILL TAKE TURNS BEING THE FIRST TO RESPOND TO A QUESTION.

AND AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE QUESTION PERIOD OF THIS DEBATE, EACH CANDIDATE WILL MAKE A TWO-MINUTE CLOSING STATEMENT.

MEMBERS OF THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS ARE SERVING AS TIMERS FOR THE DEBATES AND THEY WILL KEEP US INFORMED OF THE TIME EXPENDED.

IF A SERIOUS IMBALANCE IN TIME USE OCCURS DURING THE COURSE OF THE DEBATE I WILL CALL IT TO THEIR ATTENTION.

APPLAUSE IS AT THE START AND AT THE END OF TONIGHT'S PROGRAM.

NOW THE CANDIDATES... DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE JIM HIMES.

[APPLAUSE] [CHEERING] >> AND REPUBLICAN NOMINEE, JAYME STEVENSON.

[CHEERING] [APPLAUSE] THE FIRST QUESTION WAS CHOSEN BY A COIN FLIP AND IT GOES TO Mr. HIMES.

I WANT TO START WITH A QUESTION THAT IS HOSPITAL OF MIND FOR MANY VOTERS AND THAT IS THE ECONOMY.

WHAT ACTION SHOULD THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TAKE TO ADDRESS INFLATION?

>> WELL, THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION, Dr. BROWN-DEAN AND LET ME START BY THANKING THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS AND CP PUBLIC FOR SPONSORING TONIGHT'S DEBATE.

THE ECONOMY IS TOP OF MIND.

AND IT IS A CHALLENGING AND CONFUSING MOMENT IN THE ECONOMY RIGHT NOW BECAUSE IF YOU THINK ABOUT WHAT WE'VE BEEN THROUGH IN THE LAST THREE YEARS, WE WENT THROUGH A PANDEMIC THAT NO ONE EVER IMAGINED.

WE LOST 1.1 MILLION AMERICANS.

6.5 MILLION PEOPLE AROUND THE GLOBE AND SHUTDOWN THE GLOBAL ECONOMY TWO YEARS AGO.

THAT HAD NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE.

AND OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST TWO-AND-A-HALF YEARS WE'VE RESTARTED THAT ECONOMY AND THAT RESTART HAS BEEN CHALLENGING.

THE RESTART WAS ASSISTED IN THIS COUNTRY AND OTHERS BY A SUBSTANTIAL PROGRAM OF FEDERAL AID THAT PROVIDED PA PAYCHECK PROTECTION MONEY PROGRAMS TO EVERY SMALL BUSINESS THAT SAVED MUSEUMS AND THEATERS WITH THE SHUTTERED VENUE PROGRAM THAT PROVIDED CASH TO AMERICANS WHO LOST THEIR JOBS, PROVIDED UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE.

AND I COULD GO ON.

HOPEFULLY WE'RE OUT OF THAT.

BUT WE'RE NOT OUT OF IT FROM AN ECONOMIC STANDPOINT.

ECONOMIC GROWTH HAS BEEN STRONG PARTICULARLY IN 2021.

THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IS AT A RECORD LOW IN MODERN TIMES.

BUT AMERICANS ARE STRUGGLING CAN INFLATION EVERY SINGLE DAY.

AT THE GAS PUMP, THE GROCERY STORE, AND THAT IS A RESULT OF THE FACT THAT OUR SUPPLY LINES ARE BADLY DAMAGED.

AND WE'RE NOT BUYING OIL FROM RUSSIA OR IRAN OR VENEZUELA SO GAS PRICES ARE HIGHER.

IT'S HURT FER HURTING AMERICANS EVERYDAY.

AND YOUR QUESTION IS WHAT ARE WE DOING ABOUT IT?

BEFORE WE WOUND UP OUR TERM IN WASHINGTON WE ADDRESSED ONE OF THE BIGGEST COSTS WHICH IS HEALTHCARE COSTS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A GENERATION WE SAID MEDICARE WOULD BE ABLE TO NEGOTIATE DRUG PRICES WITH THE DRUG COMPANIES.

SOMETHING THAT WILL BRING DOWN THE PRICE OF DRUGS FOR OUR SENIOR CITIZENS ON MEDICARE AND PEOPLE AROUND THE COUNTRY.

WE SAID NO AMERICAN WILL PAY MORE THAN $35 FOR A MONTH WORTH OF INSULIN AND SENIOR CITIZENS WILL HAVE THEIR HEALTHCARE EXPENSES CAPPED AT $2,000 A YEAR.

WE'VE DONE OTHER THINGS.

THE PRESIDENT IS RELEASING A MILLION BARRELS OF OIL A DAY FROM THE STRATEGIC PETROLEUM RESERVE.

AMERICANS ARE ABOUT TO LEARN IN FACT IT WAS ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT SOCIAL SECURITY RECIPIENTS WILL SEE AN 8% INCREASE THAT IS THE COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT, 8% INCREASE IN THEIR COST OF LIVING IN THEIR SOCIAL SECURITY PAYMENTS THAT IS $150 A MONTH FOR OUR SENIOR CITIZENS AND FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A LONGTIME THEIR MEDICARE PREMIUMS ARE GOING TO GO DOWN.

WE HAVE WORK TO DO ON INFLATION WOO GOT A NUMBER TODAY THAT IS NOT COMFORTABLE.

IT'S BETTER THAN OUR FELLOW DEMOCRACIES AROUND THE WORLD BUT WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO.

THE FEDERAL RESERVE HAS A LOT OF WORK TO DO THEY ARE RAISING INTEREST RATES THAT'S WHAT THEY DO IN AN INFLATION AREA ENVIRONMENT AND THAT TOO IS CAUSING PAIN FOR PEOPLE WHO WANT MORTGAGES AND THAT HAS TO HAPPEN AND WE NEED TO CONTINUE WHAT WE'VE DONE AROUND HEALTHCARE COSTS AND ENERGY COSTS TO MAKE SURE THAT INFLATION NO LONGER PLAGUES THE AMERICAN PUBLIC.

>> MS. STEVENSON.

>> THANK YOU, GOOD EVENING Dr. BROWN-DEAN IT IS A PLEASURE TO BE HERE AND THANK YOU TO LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS AND CONNECTICUT TELEVISION.

I'M GRATEFUL FOR EVERYBODY WHO IS IN IN-PERSON AND THOSE WATCHING AT HOME TO SEE DEMOCRACY IN ACTION.

FIRST AND IMPORTANTLY, I WANT TO EXPRESS MY CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILIES OF DO MANATEE HAMSY.

THOSE OFFICERS WERE KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY AND I HOPE THAT WE CAN ALL EXTEND OUR PRAYERS AND THOUGHTS TO THEM, THEIR FAMILIES, THEIR COLLEAGUES AND TO OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT ACROSS THIS GREAT STATE.

INFLATION.

THERE'S SO MUCH TO TALK ABOUT HERE.

YOU ASKED THE QUESTION ABOUT WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO TO FIGHT INFLATION.

BUT LET'S TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHY WE'RE HERE RIGHT NOW.

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY MEMORY, MAYBE IN HISTORY, OUR GOVERNMENT CLOSED OUR ECONOMY.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ELECT LEADERS WHO WILL NEVER AGAIN ALLOW GOVERNMENT TO SHUTDOWN OUR ECONOMY AND TO HURT FAMILIES AND SMALL BUSINESSES IN THE WAY THAT THEY'VE BEEN HURT.

WHEN I WAS FIRST SELECTMAN IN THE TOWN OF DERRY AN BEING A LEADER LEADING THROUGH THE GLOBAL PANDEMIC I WOULD DRIVE DOWN THE STREET AND SEE ALL OF OUR SMALL BUSINESSES SHUTTERED.

I COULDN'T BUY A BOOK AT THE BOOKSTORE.

BUT I COULD GO ACROSS THE STREET TO THE LIQUOR STORE AND I COULD DRIVE INTO NORWALK AND SEE THE BOX STORES OPEN.

THIS WAS OUR GOVERNMENT PICKING WINNERS AND LOSERS THAT'S NOT THE JOB OF GOVERNMENT.

SO OUR GOVERNMENT HAS TO STOP BEING REACTIONARY.

IT'S THE OVERSPENDING MY OPPONENT DID NOT MENTION THE FACT THAT WE'VE SPENT TRILLIONS AND TRILLIONS OF DOLLARS OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS IN REACTION TO OUR GOVERNMENT INDUCED ECONOMIC SHUTDOWN AND THAT'S WHAT'S THROWN US INTO THIS INFLATION AREA CONDITION.

SO FIRST AND FOREMORE, WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THE WAY FAMILIES UNDERSTAND HOW TO PRIORITIZE OUR SPENDING.

AND SECOND, WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE TAKING CARE OF THOSE WHO WERE HURT THE MOST.

THE THINGS THAT MY OPPONENT MENTIONED ARE GOING TO TAKE YEARS TO TAKE EFFECT.

THE THINGS THAT WERE IN THE SO-CALLED INFLATION REDUCTION ACT, I THINK EVERYONE AGREES IT'S ANYTHING BUT AN INFLATION REDUCTION ACT IT IS A CLIMATE CHANGE BILL IN ANOTHER NAME.

HE ALSO MENTIONED TAKING OIL FROM OUR STRATEGIC RESERVE TO HELP PEOPLE FEEL LESS PAIN AT THE PUMP.

BUT GUESS WHAT?

WE HAD A HISTORIC HURRICANE HIT THE STATE OF FLORIDA JUST AT THE TIME WHEN WE MIGHT NEED THOSE STRATEGIC RESERVES, SO WE SHOULDN'T BE USING OUR STRATEGIC STOCKPILE TO MINUTE THE MARKETPLACE.

MANIPULATE THE MARKETPLACE.

WITH REGARD TO THE INCREASE IN SOCIAL SECURITY THANK GOODNESS OUR SENIORS WILL SEE AN 8% INCREASE IN THEIR SOCIAL SECURITY BECAUSE INFLATION IS 8.2%.

THEY ARE STILL NOT GOING TO GET AHEAD BUT THEY WILL MARK TIME A LITTLE BIT.

SO WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT GOVERNMENT UNDERSTANDS THEIR PROPER ROLE AND WE CAN NEVER SHUTDOWN OUR ECONOMY AGAIN EVEN THOUGH WE FACED A HISTORIC GLOBAL PANDEMIC.

>> MS. STEVENSON, THE NEXT QUESTION TO YOU AND IT RELATES TO A PART OF THE FIRST QUESTION DO YOU SUPPORT LOWERING THE AGE FOR MEDICARE?

WHY OR WHY NOT?

>> ACTUALLY I DON'T SUPPORT LOWERING THE AGE OF MEDICARE.

I ACTUALLY THINK WE SHOULD LOOK TO INCONSENT DECREE MENTALLY CRAZE THE AGE OF MEDICARE BECAUSE WE SIMPLY CAN'T AFFORD IT.

AMERICA CAN'T AFFORD IT.

AND WE'RE SEEING THAT PEOPLE ARE WORKING LONGER AND LONGER.

I'M ACTUALLY AFRAID THAT NOW WITH THE INFLATION AREA CONDITIONS THAT WE'RE IN RIGHT NOW, PEOPLE THAT MADE A DECISION TO RETIRE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO GO BACK INTO THE WORKFORCE.

NO, I DO NOT SUPPORT LOWERING THE AGE OF MEDICARE.

>> Mr. HIMES?

>> I DO.

I VERY MUCH DO.

THE MEDICARE PROGRAM WHICH COVERS TENS OF MILLIONS OF AMERICANS SENIOR CITIZENS, IS ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR PROGRAMS THAT WE HAVE.

BY AND LARGE SENIORS ARE HAPPY WITH THE MEDICARE PROGRAM AND THE REASON IT'S SMART, BOTH ECONOMIC AND FRANKLY MORAL.

ECONOMICALLY IT'S SMART BECAUSE THE YOUNGER YOU ARE GENERALLY SPEAKING, THE BETTER HEALTHCARE RISK YOU ARE.

AND SO BY BRINGING YOUNGER PEOPLE AT THEIR OWN OPTION OBVIOUSLY IF THEY HAVE HEALTHCARE THROUGH THEIR EMPLOYER GOD BLESS THEM THEY SHOULD STAY WITH THAT.

BUT AT THEIR OPTION YOU'VE LOWERED THE AGE OF THE MEDICARE POPULATION THAT WILL CREATE DOWNWARD PRESSURE ON THE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH MEDICARE.

ANY INSURANCE EXECUTIVE WILL TELL YOU LET'S GET YOUNGER PEOPLE INTO THE POOL.

AND THIS IS A POINT OF REAL CONTRAST MY OPPONENT SAYS WE CAN'T AFFORD IT.

MY OPPONENT HASN'T HAD THE EXPERIENCE I HAVE OVER THE MANY YEARS LISTENING TO PEOPLE WHO LOST THEIR JOBS AT AGE 61.

TRY GETTING A JOB AT AGE 61.

TRY GETTING HEALTH INSURANCE AT AGE 61 IT'S TRAGIC, ABSOLUTELY TRAGIC AND I'VE BEEN THROUGH TWO ECONOMIC TRAGEDIES.

I WAS SWORN INTO OFFICE AT THE HIGH OF 2009 WHEN MILLIONS OF AMERICANS LOST THEIR JOB AND A LOT WERE ELDERLY.

THEY HAD NO HOPE FOR HEALTH INSURANCE.

IT'S GOOD ECONOMICS.

IT'S GOOD INSURANCE.

AND I DO BELIEVE THAT A COUNTRY THAT CAN SPEND $800 BILLION A YEAR ON WEAPONS CAN AFFORD TO PROVIDE HEALTHCARE OPTIONS FOR OUR SENIOR CITIZENS.

>> MS. STEVENSON WOULD YOU LIKE TO REBUT?

>> I WOULD.

WHO LOSE THEIR JOBS LATE IN LIFE.

MY FATHER WORKED FOR A STEEL COMPANY IN REDDINGTON, PENNSYLVANIA AND THERE WAS A FACTORY HERE HE USED TO TRAVEL TO.

HE LOST HIS JOB BECAUSE AMERICA OUTPLACED THE STEEL MANUFACTURING TO CHINA IN THE 1980s.

AND HE LOST HIS JOB TWO YEARS BEFORE HE WAS ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE A PENSION.

SO HE HAD NO ASSISTANCE.

HE HAD TO MAKE DUE WITH HIS SOCIAL SECURITY.

MY MOM HAD TO GO BACK TO WORK LATER IN HER LIFE.

AND IT WAS VERY, VERY DIFFICULT.

BUT YOU KNOW, I SAY THAT TO UNDERSCORE THE FACT THAT I DO UNDERSTAND A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THIS.

WE SHOULD HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT HEALTHCARE IN THIS COUNTRY.

AND I HOPE WE HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THAT THIS EVENING BECAUSE THERE'S MANY OTHER THINGS WE NEED TO CONSIDER.

BUT, AGAIN, WE HAVE TO PICK AND CHOOSE AND WE HAVE TO PRIORITIZE OUR SPENDING THE WAY WE DO IN OUR HOUSEHOLDS EVERYDAY.

AND I DON'T THINK THAT AMERICA CAN AFFORD LOWERING THE AGE OF MEDICARE.

>> Mr. HIMES I WANT TO STAY ON THE SAME TOPIC ABOUT HEALTHCARE.

AND THAT QUESTION IS: WHAT SHOULD THE FEDERAL BE DOING TO ADDRESS RISING HEALTHCARE COSTS IN OUR COUNTRY?

>> IT IS A GREAT QUESTION.

AND JUST TO MAKE THE POINT CLEAR ON THE LAST CONVERSATION WE DO NEED TO PICK AND CHOOSE AND I WILL ALWAYS PICK AND CHOOSE TO PROVIDE HEALTHCARE TO OUR ELDERLY POPULATION WHATEVER IT TAKES.

SO YOUR QUESTION IS A GOOD ONE AND IT'S ONE THAT SORT OF INAUGURATED MY ARRIVAL IN THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS.

I HAD NEVER BEEN IN POLITICS BEFORE AND THE FIRST THING I GOT TO DEAL WITH AS THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT.

ENORMOUSLY CONTROVERSIAL.

WE WERE PROMISED BY THE REPUBLICAN PARTY DEATH PANELS THAT WOULD SEND GRANDMA OFF TO AN EARLY GRAVE AND PROMISED COSTS WOULD SPIRAL OUT OF CONTROL.

AND IN FACT WHAT WE KNOW NOW 13 YEARS LATER THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT COVERED 20 MILLION AMERICANS.

20 MILLION AMERICANS WHO OTHERWISE WOULD NOT HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE.

IT'S BECOME DEEPLY PERSONAL TO ME IN THE LAST YEAR-AND-A-HALF, BECAUSE MY WIFE RECEIVED A BREAST CANCER DIAGNOSIS.

AND THERE WAS NOT A DAY THAT DIDN'T GO BY WHY I DIDN'T THANK GOD I'VE GOT HEALTH INSURANCE.

I COULDN'T IMAGINE WHAT IT WOULD BE LIKE TO HAVE THAT KIND OF LIFE-THREATENING MOMENT AND TO THINK THAT YOU COULDN'T SEE THE BEST DOCTORS THAT YOU COULDN'T GO TO THE HOSPITAL YOU COULDN'T BE TREATED AND THAT WAS THE POSITION OF TENS OF MILLIONS OF AMERICANS.

NO MORE.

SO THE CHALLENGE NOW IS HOW DO WE REDUCE COSTS?

AND THERE IS A LOT OF INNOVATION HAPPENING BUT I WILL GO BACK TO WHAT I'VE SAID.

WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS SINCE I'VE BEEN IN CONGRESS.

AND WE DID SOMETHING ABOUT IT TWO MONTHS AGO.

NOW, MRS. STEVENSON IS CORRECT.

IT'S GOING TO TAKE A LITTLE BIT OF TIME TO GET THE DRUG NEGOTIATIONS DONE.

MEDICARE WHICH IS A VERY BIG OPERATION NEEDS TO NEGOTIATE WITH VERY BIG PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES.

WE'RE NOT IN THE BUSINESS OR THE HABIT OF REDUCING THEIR PRICES THAT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN OVERNIGHT.

BUT THANKS TO THE DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS WITHOUT A SINGLE REPUBLICAN VOTE, IT MIGHT NOT BE TOMORROW BUT VERY SOON OUR SENIOR CITIZENS AND OUR POPULATION IN GENERAL BECAUSE OTHER INSURANCE COMPANIES FOLLOW MEDICARE'S LEAD ARE GOING TO SEE LOWER PRESCRIPTION DRUG PRICES THAT IS A HUGE ACCOMPLISHMENT.

WE'RE NOT DONE.

WE'RE NOT DONE.

AGAIN, MY FAMILY HAS SPENT WAY TOO MUCH TIME IN A HEALTHCARE ARENA IN THE LAST YEAR-AND-A-HALF.

WE NEED TO RETHINK THE MODEL.

DOCTORS AND OUR ENTIRE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM GET PAID A LOT OF MONEY TO FIX YOU WHEN YOU'RE BROKEN TO DEAL WITH THE DISEASE.

NOBODY MAKES MONEY FROM KEEPING YOU FROM GETTING THERE.

SO I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THE 21ST CENTURY HEALTHCARE SYSTEM IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE BUT I DO KNOW IT'S GOING TO BE WHEN WE INCENTIVIZE THE MARKET TO KEEP US HEALTHY, MEDICARE WHICH WE'VE TALKED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT ALSO PAYS FOR DIALYSIS, FOR ANY AGED DIABETICS, IT IS A TRAGIC THINGS ON DIALYSIS BECAUSE YOU HAVE DIABETES AND IT'S VERY, VERY HARD ON THE GOVERNMENT'S BUDGET BECAUSE WE PAY FOR IT THROUGH MEDICARE.

A LOT OF THOSE CASES CAN BE PREVENTED THROUGH NUTRITIONAL COUNSELING, KEEPING PEOPLE FROM GETTING TO THE POINT WHERE THEY GET THAT KIND OF DIABETES.

I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM LOOKS LIKE 10 YEARS FROM NOW BUT WE HAVE REORIENT IT TOWARDS KEEPING US HEALTHY AND PAYING A TON OF MONEY WHEN THINGS GO WRONG.

>> THANK YOU.

THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT ALSO SAID THAT YOU WERE GOING TO BE ABLE TO KEEP YOUR DOCTOR AND WE KNOW IT WASN'T TRUE.

MY DAUGHTER 27 YEARS OLD, HEALTHY YOUNG 27-YEAR-OLD PAYS $6,000 A YEAR NOW FOR HER HEALTHCARE THROUGH THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT.

SO FOR MANY IT'S STILL REMAINS UNAFFORDAGE.

BUT I WOULD LIKE TO TALK ABOUT HEALTHCARE IN A MORE HOLISTIC MANNER.

WE NEED TO WORK ON THE HEALTH AND WELLNESS OF THIS COUNTRY NOT FROM A REACTIVE PERSPECTIVE BUT A PREVENTION AND WELLNESS PERSPECTIVE.

AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR MEDICAL SYSTEMS AND OUR INSURANCE COMPANIES ARE PROVIDING INCENTIVES FOR PEOPLE TO BE AS HEALTHY AS THEY CAN BE.

IN CONNECTICUT ALONE, OVER 36% OF OUR RESIDENTS ARE EITHER DIABETIC OR PREDIABETIC AND IT COSTS OVER $4 BILLION A YEAR FOR MEDICAL CARE FOR THOSE PEOPLE.

I'M VERY GLAD THAT MOST PEOPLE HAVE THE SUPPORTS THAT THEY NEED BUT MANY DON'T.

SO WE NEED TO START AT A VERY YOUNG AGE.

WE NEED TO WORK WITH OUR BUREAUCRATIC NETWORK, THE F.D.A.

AND MAKE SURE WE REVISE THE THINGS LIKE THE FOOD PYRAMID WHICH HAVE BEEN COMPLETELY OUT OF WHACK IN RELATION TO WELLNESS SCIENCE FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

AND WE NEED TO TAKE A FRESH OUT OF THE BOX APPROACH.

I BELIEVE THAT WE SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO BUY HEALTH INSURANCE ACROSS STATE LINES.

IF YOU CAN GO GET AN ABORTION ACROSS THE STATE LINE TODAY YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO BUY AN INSURANCE POLICY ACROSS STATE LINES AND THAT WOULD INFUSE THE SYSTEM WITH MORE COMPETITION WHICH ULTIMATELY RAISES THE QUALITY OF SERVICES AND BRINGS DOWN PRICES.

>> FOR THE NEXT QUESTION LET'S GO TO AN ISSUE THAT YOU JUST HINTED TOWARD AND THAT IS EARLIER THIS YEAR, THE U.S. SUPREME COURT REMOVED A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO ABORTION.

DO YOU BELIEVE THAT ABORTION ACCESS SHOULD BE CODIFIED AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL OR DECIDED AT THE STATE LEVEL?

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

YOU KNOW THAT'S A REALLY DIFFICULT DECISION AND ONE THAT'S DEBATED DAILY IN THE MEDIA.

AND WHETHER YOU BELIEVE THAT ROE VS. WADE WAS APPROPRIATELY DECIDED IN 1973, A GENERATION OF WOMEN INCLUDING MYSELF HAVE UNDERSTOOD THAT WE HAD A RIGHT THAT THE SUPREME COURT REVERSED THIS SUMMER.

I AM A FIRM BELIEVER IN A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO CHOOSE HER HEALTHCARE DECISIONS WITH THE SUPPORT OF HER DOCTORS AND HER FAMILY.

AND IF IT SHOULD BE CODIFIED AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL?

I BELIEVE WE NEED TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION.

MY OPPONENT HAS BEEN IN WASHINGTON FOR 14 YEARS.

THERE ARE AT LEAST TWO OCCASIONS WITH THE STRONG DEMOCRAT MAJORITY THAT HE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO CODIFY THE PROTECTIONS OF ROE VS. WADE AND HE CHOSE NOT TO.

I HOPE THAT WHEN I'M IN CONGRESS, I GET TO BE AT THE TABLE TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION.

AS A WOMAN, I UNDERSTAND HOW IMPORTANT IT IS THAT OUR RIGHTS ARE PROTECTED.

>> Mr. HIMES?

>> THERE IS A YIDDISH WORD CUTZPAH.

FUNNY DEFINITION CUTZPAH IS WHEN A CHILD KILLS HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND GOES BEFORE THE JUDGE AND WANTS CLEMENCY BECAUSE HE IS AN ORPHAN.

HUTSZ PA IS A REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE ATTACKING A DEMOCRAT FOR NOT CODIFYING ROE VS. WADE WHEN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, THE REPUBLICAN HAS BEEN ENGAGED IN A TWO-GENERATION, 50-YEAR LONG EFFORT TO REVERSE ROE VS. WADE.

AND THEY SUCCEEDED.

AND THEY ARE NOT DONE.

WE WERE TOLD THIS IS A STATE'S RIGHTS ISSUE.

STATE'S RIGHTS.

THAT WAS PART OF YOUR QUESTION IS IT A STATE'S RIGHT ISSUE?

THAT IS WHAT WE WERE TOLD.

IT WAS ABOUT THREE MINUTES AFTER THE DOBBS VERSUS JACKSON DECISION THAT SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM PUT FORWARD A NATIONAL ABORTION BAN.

WHAT ABOUT STATE'S RIGHTS, SENATOR GRAHAM?

AND BY THE WAY, I REASON I GET ANIMATED ABOUT THIS, APART FROM THE FACT THAT A DEMOCRAT IS BEING ATTACKED BY A REPUBLICAN OVER ROE VS. WADE, THE REASON I GET ANIMATED IS THEY ARE NOT DONE.

THEY ARE NOT DONE.

READ CLARENCE THOMASES CONCURRING OPINION IN DOBBS VERSUS JACKSON.

IT FOUND A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO MARRIAGE EQUALITY CONNECTICUT VERSUS GRISWOLD.

MY GRANDPARENTS GENERATION THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO BIRTH CONTROL.

LOVING CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO INTERRACIAL MARRIAGE THOMAS SAYS THOSE ARE ALL ON THE TABLE.

I HAVE NEVER SEEN THE LIFETIME OF A ROLLBACK OF RIGHTS.

BECAUSE THE SUPREME OVER 250 YEARS OF AMERICAN HISTORY HAS GENERALLY, NOT ALWAYS, BUT GENERALLY BEEN IN THE BUSINESS OF GRANTING AMERICANS MORE RIGHTS.

NOW THEY ARE IN THE BUSINESS BECAUSE THERE WAS A 50-YEAR LONG EFFORT LEAD BY PEOPLE LIKE LEONARD LEO AND ALL THE RIGHT-WING THINK TANKS TO BRING ROE VS. WADE TO AN END AND THAT SUCCEEDED AND THEY ARE NOT DONE.

AND THIS IS NOT A DIFFICULT DECISION.

IF WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IS THE GOVERNMENT'S ROLE IN THIS, MY OPPONENT SAID IT IS A DIFFICULT DECISION.

NO FOR US IT IS NOT A DIFFICULT DECISION DECISION.

THIS IS THE DECISION IN ANY CIRCUMSTANCE FOR A WOMAN TO MAKE.

AND FOR THAT WOMAN IT IS A DIFFICULT DECISION AND I WILL SAY IT RIGHT NOW.

I RESPECT PROFOUNDLY AND I KNOW LOTS OF PEOPLE WHO OPPOSE ABORTION AND I DON'T HAVE A GOOD ARGUMENT I KNOW RELIGIOUS CATHOLICS WHO SAY EXPLAIN WHY I SHOULD BE COMFORTABLE WITH ABORTION.

IT IS A PROFOUNDLY DIFFICULT ISSUE FOR THE WOMAN INVOLVED AND THAT'S WHY JAYME STEVENSON, JIM HIMES AND LINDSEY GRAHAM HAVE NO BUSINESS IN THAT DECISION.

>> WOULD YOU LIKE TO RESPOND?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND, YES, I DO HAVE HUTSZ PA, THANK YOU VERY MUCH -- CUTZPAH, THANK YOU, JIM.

THIS IS WHY YOU HAVE TO ELECT ME AS A REPUBLICAN BECAUSE I HAVE A COMMON SENSE APPROACH TO WOMEN'S RIGHTS.

IT'S CRITICALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE HIRE PEOPLE LIKE ME AS A REPUBLICAN TO GO TO WASHINGTON TO HELP MODERATE THOSE OPINIONS THAT JIM WAS TALKING ABOUT.

BUT I THINK JIM'S FEAR MONGERING HERE.

BECAUSE I WANT YOU TO ALSO KNOW THAT I HAVE SIGNED THE RESPECT FOR MARRIAGE ACT I THINK EVERYONE SHOULD BE ABLE TO LOVE WHO THEY LOVE AND MARRY WHO THEY MARRY.

AND I'VE ALSO BEEN ENDORSED BY THE LOG CABIN REPUBLICANS IN SUPPORT OF GAY MARRIAGE.

SO IF YOU'RE LOOKING TO MAKE A CHANGE IN WASHINGTON WHICH IS EXACTLY WHY I'M STANDING HERE ON THIS STAGE TONIGHT, YOU START BY ELECTING REPUBLICANS THAT HAVE COMMON SENSE AND WHO UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF THESE ISSUES.

AND TRUTH BE TOLD, AS A WOMAN, I KNOW THESE ISSUES.

I'M PASSIONATE ABOUT THESE ISSUES.

I HAVE FOUR DAUGHTERS WHO ARE ALSO PASSIONATE ABOUT THESE ISSUES.

SO I REALLY LOOK FORWARD TO BEING AT THE TABLE IN WASHINGTON WHEN WE DISCUSS THESE THINGS AND TALK ABOUT WHETHER THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHOULD CODIFY ROE VS. WADE PROTECTIONS.

>> Mr. HIMES -- >> CAN I RESPOND.

>> CAN I REMIND OUR AUDIENCE OUR GOAL IS TO GET TO AS MANY QUESTIONS AS WE CAN.

SO PLEASE RESERVE YOUR APPLAUSE TO THE END.

>> I JUST WANTED TO SAY, I REALLY ADMIRE MRS. STEVENSON'S WILLINGNESS AS A REPUBLICAN TO SAY SHE SUPPORTS A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO CHOOSE.

I'VE REPRESENTED A MODERATE DISTRICT FOR A LONGTIME.

I'VE TRIED TO DO IT IN AN INDEPENDENT AND THOUGHTFUL WAY AD I KNOW HOW HARD THAT IS.

SOMETIMES YOU TAKE A LOT OF INCOMING FROM YOUR OWN TEAM.

I RESPECT AND ADMIRE MRS. STEVENSON FOR SAYING SHE WILL STAND UP FOR A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO CHOOSE.

BUT MAKE NO MISTAKE, MAKE NO MISTAKE AT ALL, IF MRS. STEVENSON IS IN A REPUBLICAN MAJORITY IN THE HOUSE, MAYBE, MAYBE SHE WILL BE A DISSENTING VOTE BUT MAKE NO MISTAKE, IF LINDSEY GRAHAM'S LEGISLATION FOR A NATIONAL ABORTION BAN PASSES THE SENATE IT WILL PASS THE HOUSE.

AND WE WILL HAVE A NATIONAL BAN ON ABORTION.

>> LET'S GO TO THE NEXT QUESTION AND THAT IS ABOUT GUN SAFETY.

WHAT SHOULD THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DO TO ADDRESS THE BALANCE BETWEEN PUBLIC SAFETY AND THE SECOND AMENDMENT?

>> IT'S WHAT THE FEDERAL SHOULD DO IT'S ALSO WHAT THE FEDERAL DID DO.

ONE OF THE THINGS I'M PROUD OF IN THIS LAST TWO YEARS IS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A GENERATION, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PASSED BIPARTISAN GUN SAFETY LEGISLATION.

THE BIPARTISAN SAFE COMMUNITIES ACT.

IN MY OPINION, IT IS A LONG WAY FROM WHERE WE NEED TO GO, BECAUSE IT DIDN'T INCLUDE UNIVERSAL BACKGROUND CHECK SUPPORTED BY 99% OF AMERICANS AND WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET IT THROUGH.

IT DIDN'T INCLUDE ANY ASSAULT RIFLE BAN WHICH I UNDERSTAND IS COMPLICATED BUT IT'S SOMETHING THAT MRS. STEVENSON SAID WE NEED TO KEEP TALKING ABOUT.

BUT IT DID TIGHTEN UP RULES FOR THE ACQUISITION OF FIREARMS AND EXTENDED A POLICY WE'VE EMPLOYED HERE WHICH IS RED FLAG LAWS THAT USED TO BE THAT YOU COULD HAVE YOUR WEAPONS TEMPORARILY TAKEN AWAY FROM YOU IF YOU WERE MARRIED TO SOMEBODY WHO WAS ACTING -- MARRIED TO SOMEBODY WHO COULD BE A VICTIM OF VIOLENCE WE EXPANDED THAT TO INCLUDE ANYBODY IN INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP, A BOYFRIEND GIRL FRIEND RULE.

IT'S WHAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS DONE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A GENERATION.

BUT I THINK THERE IS A LONG WAY TO GO YET.

AND IT'S NOT JUST AGAIN WE GET INTO THE ARGUMENT ARE YOU PRO GUN OR ANTIGUN.

I AM A SUPPORTER OF SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS I SWEAR TO UPHOLD THE CONSTITUTION INCLUDING THE SECOND AMENDMENT I'M SWORN TO UPHOLD AND I BELIEVE IN THE SECOND AMENDMENT BUT I ALSO BELIEVE LIKE EVERY OTHER COUNTRY WE CAN PRESERVE THE GUN RIGHTS AND TAKE THE CARNAGE THAT IS KILLING TENS OF THOUSANDS OF AMERICANS EVERY SINGLE YEAR DOWN TO THE LEVELS OF OTHER DEMOCRACIES.

SO WE HAVE MADE REAL PROGRESS ON A BIPARTISAN BASIS, AGAIN I WAS AMAZED WE GOT BIPARTISAN GUN SAFETY LEGISLATION DONE.

AND CONNECTICUT POINTS THE WAY.

CONNECTICUT HAS SHOWN THAT YOU CAN CONSISTENT WITH THE RIGHTS OF LAWFUL GUN OWNERS PUT IN PLACE SAFETY REGULATIONS WHICH BRING DOWN THE LEVEL OF VIOLENCE.

>> MS. STEVENSON >> YES.

THANK YOU.

THERE'S NOT MUCH DAYLIGHT BETWEEN JIM AND I ON THIS ISSUE.

AND AGAIN, I BREAK WITH MY PARTY ON THIS.

I DO BELIEVE IN COMMON SENSE GUN LEGISLATION.

I ACTUALLY HAVE MY PISTOL PERMIT AND WHEN I GOT MY PERMIT I HAD TO TAKE A CLASS, I HAD TO HAVE MY FINGERS PRINTED AND I HAD TO HAVE A BACKGROUND CHECK.

I AM OK WITH THAT.

TO MAKE SURE THAT ONLY THE PEOPLE THAT UNDERSTAND ABOUT WEAPONS ARE ALLOWED TO HAVE WEAPONS IN HER HANDS.

I REALLY DO.

AND WE CAN HAVE THAT CONVERSATION ABOUT MILITARY GRADE WEAPONS AND WHO SHOULD AND SHOULDN'T HAVE THOSE.

I THINK CONNECTICUT HAS DONE A VERY GOOD JOB.

THERE WAS NO CHOICE FOR THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT AFTER THE HORRORS AT SANDY HOOK.

JIM TALKS ABOUT OTHER COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD.

WELL, THE UNITED STATES IS THE ONLY COUNTRY WITH A CONSTITUTION AS STRONG AND WONDERFUL AS OURS THAT HAS AT ITS FOUNDATION INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS AND PERSONAL LIBERTIES.

SO WE HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT THE SECOND AMENDMENT IS VERY IMPORTANT.

WHAT'S LOST IN THE CONVERSATION, THOUGH, ON GUN SAFETY IS THE FACT THAT OUR COUNTRY IS LITTERED WITH ILLEGAL GUNS AND NOW WE HAVE THE PROBLEM OF 3D PRINTED GUNS AND GHOST GUNS.

VERY, VERY DIFFICULT TO ENFORCE.

I APPLAUD THE WORK THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS DONE RECENTLY ON GUN LEGISLATION.

AND I THINK IT'S VERY INTERESTING THAT THEY ARE TRYING TO REACH INTO THE MENTAL HEALTH RECORDS OF YOUNGER PEOPLE THAT ARE LOOKING TO BUY WEAPONS.

BUT I NEED TO UNDERSTAND IF THAT OVERSTEPS HIPA LAWS IN ANYWAY.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE AREN'T STIGMATIZED FOR REACHING OUT FOR MENTAL HEALTHCARE SERVICES.

SO IT'S SOMETHING THAT I NEED TO DO A LITTLE BIT MORE RESEARCH ABOUT.

BUT I THINK WHAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS DONE IS REPRESENTATIVE OF WHAT MOST AMERICANS AND WHAT I ALSO BELIEVE IS THE RIGHT WAY TO GO WITH GUN SAFETY.

IMMIGRATION.

A MAJOR CONCERN FOR MANY VOTERS.

MASSACHUSETTS STEVENSON THIS QUESTION STARTS WITH YOU, WHAT ACTION SHOULD CONGRESS TAKE TO ADDRESS THE NEED FOR COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM?

>> THANK YOU THIS IS A GREAT QUESTION.

I UNDERSTAND WHYMY GRANTS WANT TO -- MY GRANTS WANT TO COME INTO THE UNITED STATES.

WE'RE ALL MIGRANTS.

THIS IS THE GREATEST COUNTRY ON THE FACE OF THE EARTH.

BUT WE MUST HAVE SUSTAINABLE, LEGAL IMMIGRATION.

RIGHT NOW IN SPITE OF WHAT YOU MIGHT READ IN THE MEDIA WE DO NOT HAVE A CLOSED BORDER.

OUR BORDERS ARE OPEN.

WE HAVE FOUR MILLION PEOPLE THAT HAVE COME INTO THIS COUNTRY ILLEGALLY SINCE THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION BEGAN.

AND WITH THOSE MIGRANTS ARE SEX TRAFFICKERS AND ENOUGH FENTANYL TO KILL EVERY MAN, WOMEN AND CHILD IN THE UNITED STATES.

I DON'T HEAR MY OPPONENT AND HIS LEADERSHIP TALKING ABOUT THESE SERIOUS ISSUES RELATED TO IMMIGRATION.

WE NEED TO DEVELOP A SUSTAINABLE LEGAL IMMIGRATION SYSTEM.

I WELCOME MIGRANTS TO COME HERE.

THEY WILL BE ADDITIVE TO OUR GENERATIONS.

BUT RIGHT NOW, WE ARE IN CRISIS MODE WITH OUR BORDER PROBLEMS AND I THINK MY OPPONENT HAS BEEN ABSENT ON THAT ISSUE SO I LOOK FORWARD TO HIS ANSWER.

>> Mr. HIMES?

>> I AGREE WITH JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING MRS. STEVENSON SAID.

WE NEED SECURE BORDERS.

THEY ARE NOT AS SECURE AS THEY SHOULD BE.

IF WE'RE SERIOUS ABOUT TAKING THIS ISSUE OFF THE TABLE WE'LL DO OTHER THINGS, TOO.

THAT I SUSPECT MRS. STEVENSON WOULD PROBABLY AGREE WITH ME ON.

THE REASON PEOPLE COME HERE IS BECAUSE OF THE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES IF YOU CAN MAKE $2 A DAY IN HONDURAS OR SUFFERING BRUTAL VIOLENCE FROM GANGS IN HONDURAS OR EL SALVADOR THAT IS QUITE AN INCENTIVE TO COME HERE.

SO IF WE'RE SERIOUS ABOUT THIS WE'LL FIND WAYS TO MAKE ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN THAT ANYBODY WHO IS WORKING IN THIS COUNTRY IS EN TIGHT HEELED TO DO SO SO.

IF YOU TAKE AWAY THAT INCENTIVE YOU WILL TAKE AWAY ALL OF THAT FLOW.

I'M SORRY WE DON'T TALK ABOUT THAT MORE.

IF WE ARE GOING TO BE SERIOUS ABOUT THIS, TOO, WE SHOULD DO SOMETHING WE HAVE DONE AS A COUNTRY WHICH IS HELP OUR NEIGHBORS.

LISTEN TO THE STORIES OF PEOPLE WHO ARE SEEKING REFUGE AT THE SOUTHERN BORDER.

PARENTS SO DESPERATE THEY WOULD SEND THEIR SEVEN AND EIGHT-YEAR-OLDS THROUGH MEXICO A JOURNEY NONE OF US WOULD WANT TO MAKE BECAUSE THE SITUATION AT HOME IS THAT BAD.

WE SHOULD INVEST IN SAFETY AND INVEST IN DEVELOPMENTS SO PEOPLE DON'T HAVE THAT BRUTAL INCENTIVE TO COME HERE.

THE ONE AREA I WILL DISAGREE A LITTLE BIT WITH MRS. STEVENSON IS JUST WRAPPING IT UP IN ILLEGAL MIGRATION.

FENTANYL IS ABOUT AS SERIOUS AN ISSUE AS WE HAVE IN THIS COUNTRY.

YOU CAN LOOK IT UP ON YOUR IPHONES, FENTANYL COMES IN CHINESE PRECURSORS MIXED IN MEXICO IT IS A CVP90% OF FENTANYL COMES IN THROUGH LEGAL PORTS OF ENTRY STASHED IN TRUCKS AND THAT SORT OF THINGS.

I AGREE WITH EVERYTHING THAT MRS. STEVENSON BUT IF WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT FENTANYL LET'S BE HONEST HOW IT'S GETTING IN AND HOW WE CAN HELP SOLVE THAT PROBLEM.

>> WOULD YOU LIKE TO RESPOND?

>> THE DRUG CARTELS ARE IN CHARGE OF THE BORDER AND WE NEED TO GIVE EVERY SUPPORT THAT WE CAN TO BORDER PATROL AN THE D.E.A.

SO THAT THEY CAN ACTUALLY DO THEIR JOBS INSTEAD OF MANAGING THE TREMENDOUS OIFERRED BURDEN OF THE FLOW OF MIGRANTS INTO THIS COUNTRY.

I THINK THAT'S PART OF THE PROBLEM.

OUR D.E.A.

DOES A GREAT JOB BUT RIGHT NOW THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO DO THEIR JOBS.

ALONG WITH THE FLOW OF FENTANYL INTO THIS COUNTRY, WE HAVE KNOWN TERRORISTS ON THE WATCH LIST THAT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO COME THROUGH OUR BORDERS.

SO OUR OPEN BORDERS POSE A TREMENDOUS DOMESTIC RISK TO THE UNITED STATES.

YOU KNOW, I AGREE WITH Mr. HIMES THAT THE UNITED STATES SHOULD BE A GOOD PARTNER AND HELP OUR PARTNERS.

I ABSOLUTELY BELIEVE THAT TO BE TRUE.

YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT BUILDING STRONG RELATIONSHIPS WITH SOUTH AMERICA AND OUR CANADIAN PARTNERS WILL BE VERY BENEFICIAL TO THE UNITED STATES.

BUT A COUNTRY WITHOUT A BORDER IS NOT A COUNTRY.

AND WE HAVE TO IMMEDIATELY SOLVE THE CRISIS OF THE OPEN BORDER.

AND NO, I'M NOT NECESSARILY TALKING ABOUT WALLS.

BUT MAYBE I AM TALKING ABOUT WALLS IN THE PLACES WHERE THAT MAKES SENSE AND WHERE OUR BORDER PATROL CAN'T REALLY GET TO THOSE AREAS.

WE SHOULD NOT ACCEPT THE HUMANITARIAN CRISIS OF BABIES DYING IN THE RIO GRANDE RIVER.

THAT'S NOT OK TO ME.

SO I REALLY LOOK FORWARD AS YOUR NEXT CONGRESSWOMAN TO DEMANDING THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PUT IN PLACE SUSTAINABLE LEGAL IMMIGRATION SYSTEM.

>> AGAIN, I WOULD REMIND OUR AUDIENCE TO PLEASE HOLD YOUR APPLAUSE.

Mr. HIMES LET'S MOVE ON TO THE TOPIC OF EDUCATION.

WHAT IN YOUR VIEW SHOULD THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT BE DOING TO HELP REDUCE THE COSTS OF HIGHER EDUCATION?

>> WE ARE STANDING IN HALF THE ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION.

AND LET ME EXPLAIN THAT.

THERE IS A LOT TO TALK ABOUT HERE.

AS I THINK MOST OF OUR AUDIENCE WILL KNOW.

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HELPS IN EDUCATION THROUGH PELL GRANTS WHICH PROVIDE $6500 TO STUDENTS ASPIRING TO SECONDARY EDUCATION WHO MEET INCOME LIMITS WHO ARE LIVING GENERALLY IN POVERTY THROUGH STUDENT LOANS GUARANTEED STUDENT LOANS AND THAT'S KIND OF IT.

OUR INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING WHICH YOU'RE LOOKING AT A GUY WHO IS IN YEAR SEVEN OF PAYING TUITION HAVE BEEN RAISING THEIR PRICES EVERY YEAR 10% ARE CREATING A HUGE PROBLEM AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DOESN'T HAVE A LOT OF LEVERAGE.

MAYBE THE GOVERNMENT HAS LEVERAGE OVER UCONN AND THE STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEMS BUT WE DON'T HAVE LEVERAGE OVER PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN THERE'S NOT SOMETHING WE CAN DO.

WHICH BRINGS ME BACK TO NORWALK COMMUNITY COLLEGE.

ONE OF THE THINGS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS MADE A MISTAKE ON IS THE EMPHASIS ON FOUR-YEAR COLLEGE.

I THINK BOTH OF US HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY AT A FOUR YEAR COLLEGE BUT HALF OF AMERICANS DON'T DO THAT AND FOR TOO LONG WE HAVE BEEN OBSESSED WITH FOUR YEAR UNIVERSITIES IGNORING THE REMARKABLE TRAINING THAT CAN HAPPEN IN PROGRAMS IN AREAS LIKE HEALTHCARE, NURSING, HVAC, THE SKILLS THAT YOU CAN'T EXPORT.

THOSE JOBS WILL NOT BE LOST.

AND THOSE JOBS GET TRAINED RIGHT HERE AT NORWALK COMMUNITY COLLEGE.

AND IN BRIDGEPORT.

ONE OF THE THINGS I'M PROUDEST OF AS MY TENURE I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DELIVER MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO HOOS TONIC'S ADVANCED MANUFACTURING PROGRAM.

THEY ARE TAKING HIGH SCHOOL KIDS AND THEY ARE TEACHING THEM HOW TO BE MANUFACTURERS WHICH IF ANYBODY THINKS THAT MANUFACTURE SOMETHING WHAT IT WAS 50 YEARS AGO, NO.

THIS IS COMPUTERS.

THIS IS CAT CAM DRIVEN HIGH TECH STUFF.

AND AT THE HOUSTONNIC COMMUNITY COLLEGE THEY ARE TAKING HIGH SCHOOL AND THE KIDS GET JOBS BUILDING BLACKHAWK HELICOPTERS MAKING MIDDLE CLASS WAGES.

AND SO I THINK WE NEED TO FOCUS A LOT MORE ON THE COMMUNITY COLLEGES ON THE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS THAT GIVE YOUNG PEOPLE FOR WHOM UNIVERSITY IS NOT NECESSARILY THE RIGHT THING THE ABILITY TO BE FIRMLY IN THE MIDDLE CLASS KNOWING THEIR JOBS ARE NOT AT RISK OF BEING EXPORTED ABROAD.

>> MRS. STEVENSON TO YOU?

>> YES, I TOO, KNOW A LITTLE SOMETHING ABOUT COLLEGE TUITIONS.

MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE PUT FIVE OF OUR CHILDREN THROUGH COLLEGE.

AND I WILL AGREE WITH Mr. HIMES THAT FOUR-YEAR COLLEGE IS NOT FOR EVERYBODY AND WE REALLY NEED TO ALLOW STUDENTS TO UNDERSTAND THE OTHER OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO THEM IN TERMS OF THE TRADES AND MANUFACTURING.

AND A MORE WELL DIVERSIFIED ECONOMY HERE IN CONNECTICUT.

I THINK WILL HELP BRING THAT PROCESS ALONG.

AND I'M GRATEFUL FOR THE WORK THAT HAS BEEN DONE TO HELP STUDENTS CONNECT WITH HIGH-TECH MANUFACTURING JOBS.

BUT YOUR QUESTION WAS ABOUT THE COST OF HIGHER EDUCATION.

SO AS I LOOK AT IT, THE SYSTEM ITSELF IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE HIGH COST OF HIGHER EDUCATION.

THE FEDERAL STUDENT LOAN PROGRAM WHERE THE LOAN DOLLARS DON'T ACTUALLY FLOW INTO THE POCKETS OF BORROWERS THEY GO DIRECTLY TO THE FOUR-YEAR INSTITUTIONS SO THERE IS NO INCENTIVE FOR FOUR-YEAR INSTITUTIONS TO KEEP THEIR PRICES AT A REASONABLE AND AFFORDABLE LEVEL FOR STUDENTS.

WE SAW RECENTLY IN A LEAD UP TO THIS MIDTERM ELECTION, THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION WANTING TO FORGIVE STUDENT LOANS.

WELL, YOU KNOW, FOR ME, WHO HAS WORKED VERY HARD TO PAY OFF MY OWN STUDENT LOANS WITH THE HELP OF MY HUSBAND.

AND TO PAY FOR MY CHILDREN'S COLLEGE AND WHEN I THINK ABOUT ALL OF THE VETERANS AND OUR MILITARY SERVICE PEOPLE WHO HAD TO EARN THEIR EDUCATION IN THE MILITARY LITERALLY PUTTING THEIR LIFE ON THE LINE TO GET THEIR HIGHER EDUCATION, I THINK IT IS A SLAP IN THE FACE TO PEOPLE LIKE OUR VETERANS THAT THIS ADMINISTRATION IS JUST GOING TO FORGIVE STUDENT LOANS.

WHY SHOULD A BUS DRIVER IN BRIDGEPORT PAY FOR FOUR-YEAR COLLEGE LOAN FOR A LAWYER IN GREENWICH?

IT DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE TO ME.

BUT Mr. HIMES IS RIGHT.

THIS IS WE ARE HERE AT NORWALK COMMUNITY COLLEGE WHICH IS AN AMAZING INSTITUTION AND THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN NOR WALK HIGH SCHOOL AND NORWALK COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND THE P TECH PROGRAM THESE ARE ALL REALLY POSITIVE INNOVATIVE WAYS FOR KIDS TO GET GREAT EDUCATION, TO GET COLLEGE CREDITS WHILE THEY ARE STILL IN HIGH SCHOOL AND YOU KNOW IF I COULD HAVE SOMETHING ON MY WISH LIST IT WOULD BE FOR THOSE FOUR-YEAR INSTITUTIONS TO ALLOW STUDENTS TO MATRICULATE THROUGH THEIR EDUCATION IN A LOT LESS THAN FOUR YEARS.

>> Mr. HIMES WOULD YOU LIKE TO RESPOND?

>> NO.

I THINK THAT IS FINE.

>> LET'S MOVE ON TO OUR NEXT QUESTION.

AS THE DAYS SEEM TO GET COOLER MANY PEOPLE ARE RAISING QUESTIONS ABOUT ENERGY COSTS.

AND SO MRS. STEVENSON THAT FIRST QUESTION GOES TO YOU WHAT SHOULD THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DO TO LOWER ENERGY COSTS?

>> THEY SHOULD IMMEDIATELY IGNITE THE POWER OF THE FOSSIL FUEL INDUSTRY HERE IN THE UNITED STATES.

WE HAVE ALL OF THE ENERGY THAT WE NEED RIGHT HERE WITHIN OUR OWN BORDERS.

I'M OLD ENOUGH TO REMEMBER WHEN WE BECAME ENERGY INDEPENDENT AND THAT WAS A BIG DEAL.

THAT WAS A PROUD MOMENT FOR THE UNITED STATES BECAUSE ENERGY INDEPENDENCE IS ALSO DOMESTIC SECURITY.

SO WE NEED TO UNLEASH OUR OIL AND GAS RESERVES SO THAT WE CAN HELP OUR RESIDENTS PAY LESS AT THE GAS PUMP AND WHEN THEY ARE PUTTING FUEL IN THEIR OIL TANKS.

I'VE TALKED TO A NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE GOTTEN STAGGERING BILLS AS THEY ARE JUST FILLING UP THEIR FURNACES FOR THE WINTER SEASON.

BUT I WILL ALSO SAY THAT WE NEED TO DO THAT AT THE SAME TIME THAT WE ARE MAKING COMMITMENTS AND WORKING TOWARD A CLEANER ENERGY FUTURE.

MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE NEVER BEEN TRENDY BUT I WILL TELL YOU THAT WE PUT SOLAR PANELS ON OUR HOUSE BACK IN 2006.

AND IT WAS A GREAT THING FOR US.

IT OFFSETS 25% OF OUR ELECTRICITY COSTS.

THANK GOODNESS BECAUSE CONNECTICUT HAS THE HIGHEST ELECTRICITY RATES IN THE COUNTRY.

UNFORTUNATELY, WE HAVE RIGHT OVER TO OUR WEST WE HAVE VAST RESERVES OF NATURAL GAS THAT WE CAN'T GET FROM THERE TO HERE.

BECAUSE OF POLITICAL POSTURING AND THE UNWILLINGNESS TO BUILD PIPELINES TO GET THAT.

SO CONNECTICUT AND NEW ENGLAND IS REALLY AN ENERGY DESERT.

I BELIEVE IN AN ALL OF THE ABOVE APPROACH TO SOLVING OUR ENERGY ISSUES.

AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE INVESTING IN INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES, HYDROGEN, CLEAN AND MODULAR NUCLEAR.

AN ALL OF THE ABOVE INFLUENCE TO SOLVING THE REALLY SERIOUS ENERGY PROBLEM WE'RE HAVING RIGHT NOW.

>> Mr. HIMES?

>> I THINK THE QUESTION WAS IT'S COLD OUTSIDE WHAT CAN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DO TO HELP PAY FOR ENERGY COSTS?

I CAN TELL YOU WE ARE DOING SOMETHING.

RGHT BEFORE I LEFT WASHINGTON WE PASSED A CONTINUING RESOLUTION TO KEEP THE BUDGET UP AND RUNNING TO KEEP THE GOVERNMENT UP AND RUNNING AND WE INCLUDED $1 BILLION FOR LIE HEAP IS A PROGRAM THAT IS IMPORTANT IN NEW ENGLAND BECAUSE WE'RE COLD HERE IN NEW ENGLAND.

AND THAT IS MONEY THAT PROVIDES FOR LOWER INCOME PEOPLE HELP TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY DON'T GO COLD IN THE WINTERTIME.

AND I ONCE AGAIN FIND MYSELF AGREEING WITH A LOT OF WHAT MRS. STEVENSON SAID.

I MIGHT NOT PUT CLIMATE CHANGE AS AN AFTERTHOUGHT.

I MIGHT SAY THAT WHILE WE DO NEED ALL OF THE ABOVE ENERGY TODAY AND IN FACT WE HAVE ALL OF THE ABOVE ENERGY TODAY 40% OF CONNECTICUT'S ELECTRICITY IS FROM THE MILL STONE NUCLEAR PLANT AND WE GET A LOT FROM NATURAL GAS AND 15% FROM SUSTAINABLES.

AGAIN, IT'S NOT JUST WHAT WE SHOULD DO IT'S WHAT WE DID.

YOU HEARD MRS. STEVENSON DISPARAGE THE DPLATION REDUCTION ACT FOR BEING JUST A CLIMATE CHANGE BILL AND IT'S NOT TRUE BECAUSE WE TALKED ABOUT THE MEDICARE CHANGES.

OK MAYBE IT IS JUST A CLIMATE CHANGE BILL.

FOR THE THING THAT IS PERHAPS MOST EXOWE ESSENTIAL A THREAT TO THE PLANET I'M NOT SURE I WOULD CHARACTERIZE THE BILL THAT WAY BUT I WILL TELL YOU THAT THE BILL ENCAPSULATED THE CONCEPT OF ALL OF THE ABOVE.

IT SAID FOR EVERY WIND GENERATION PROJECT THERE WILL BE A NATURAL GAS OR OIL LISA PROVED.

ONE TO ONE.

IT HAD MONEY TO EXPAND THE USE OF MODULAR NUCLEAR REACTORS.

MILL STONE IS A MASSIVE REACTOR THAT PROVIDES 40% TO CONNECTICUT.

THEY CAN BE BUILT AND PROVIDE POWER TO A CITY.

THAT BILL CONTAINED HELP FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THOSE THINGS.

SO, YES, ALL OF THE ABOVE.

AND I GENERALLY SUPPORTED PRECISELY THAT.

BUT MAKE NO MISTAKE, THE NEXT TIME RUSSIA INVADES UKRAINE OR THERE IS AN IRAN, I DON'T WANT THE REST OF THE WORLD HOSTAGE TO DICTATORS THAT ARE PEDESTRIAN DELLING OIL AND THE LONG RUN SOLUTION IS DEVELOPING CLEAN AND SUSTAINABLE ENERGY HERE IN THE UNITED STATES.

>> Mr. HIMES THE NEXT QUESTION IS BROADER THAN THE POLICY ISSUES WE'VE DISCUSSED THUS FAR BECAUSE THERE IS A PERVASIVE SENSE OF DIVISION AND HOSTILITY HERE IN THE UNITED STATES.

WHAT ARE YOU PROPOSED TO HELP BRING THE AMERICAN PEOPLE TOGETHER AROUND OUR COMMON INTERESTS?

>> I WAS IN THE CHAMBER ON JANUARY 6TH WHEN THE CAPITOL WAS ATTACKED.

BY INSURRECTIONISTS WHO BRUTALIZED POLICE OFFICERS, BROKE WINDOWS, AND IF ANY OF YOU HAD A CHANCE TO WATCH THE VIDEO FROM TODAY'S HEARING, DES SENDED IN THE CAPITOL IN A MURDEROUS RAGE, LOOKING TO KILL MIKE PENCE.

THAT IS MAYBE THE SECOND MOST PAINFUL MEMORY FOR ME OF THIS POLITICAL POLARIZATION WE FIND OURSELVES IN.

THE MOST PAINFUL MEMORY, QUITE FRANKLY, IS THAT AFTER THEY SWEPT THE CAPITOL OF THOSE PEOPLE AFTER THEY CLEANED UP THE FECES THAT THEY HAD SPREAD IN THE CORE OF OUR DEMOCRACY AFTER THEY CLEANED UP THE BROKEN GLASS, THE MAJORITY OF MY REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES MANY OF WHOM I CONSIDER FRIENDS WENT BACK INTO THE CHAMBER AT 11:00 P.M. AND VOTED TO OVERTURN THE RESULTS OF THE ELECTIN.

SO I HAVE TWO THOUGHTS TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION.

NUMBER ONE AND I TRY TO MODEL THIS WE GOT TO GET AWAY FROM THIS CONCEPT IF YOU DISAGREE, YOU'RE A TRAITOR, YOU ARE UNAMERICAN.

I TELL HIGH SCHOOL KIDS WHO COME TO THE CAPITOL IT'S HARD BUT EMBRACE THE FIGHT THAT WE HAVE.

BECAUSE OUR SYSTEM IS STRONG BECAUSE WE HAVE DIFFERENT POINTS OF VIEW.

YOU CAN GO TO PLACES WHERE THERE IS NO DEBATE.

GO TO CHINA, IRAN, NORTH KOREA THERE IS NO DEBATE THERE.

WE ARE STRONG BECAUSE WE HAVE THAT DEBATE.

IF WE ALLOW OURSELVES AND I CAN MODEL THIS, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT'S ALL OF YOU.

IF YOU WAKE UP TOMORROW MORNING, AND YOU ARE A DEMOCRAT AND YOU HATE THE FACT THAT YOUR DAUGHTER MAY MARRY A REPUBLICAN WHICH IS A THING NOW.

OR SLIDING INTO THE PLACE WHERE 40% OF AMERICANS LIVE TODAY, THAT MAYB VIOLENCE IS OK, THERE'S NOTHING WE CAN DO TO FIX THAT.

DEMOCRACY RELIES ON THE RESPONSIBILITY OF ITS CITIZENS.

AND SO THERE'S LOTS OF OTHER PROBLEMS.

SOCIAL MEDIA IS A NEW THING AND A PROFOUND IRRITANT.

SOCIAL MEDIA HAS ALGORITHMICLY FIGURED OUT HOW TO ENRAGE THAT AND THAT IS A HARD PROBLEM.

I THINK MRS. STEVENSON'S PARTY, POLLS SHOW THAT 60% OF REPUBLICANS DO NOT BELIEVE THAT JOE BIDEN IS A LEGITIMATELY ELECTED PRESIDENT.

I'VE HEARD MRS. STEVENSON SAY THAT HE IS.

BUT 60% OF REPUBLICANS DOES NOT BELIEVE HE IS THE PRESIDENT.

AND THAT NEEDS TO CHANGE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> JANUARY 6TH WAS A DARK DAY IN OUR COUNTRY.

AND I DON'T CONDONE ANYTHING THAT HAPPENED THAT DAY.

I WANT TO BE ON THE RECORD AS SAYING THAT.

PARTY DIVISIVENESS, THOUGH, I THINK WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS LOOK AT THE ROOT CAUSES OF WHY WHAT HAPPENED ON JANUARY 6 ACTUALLY HAPPENED.

HALF OF OUR COUNTRY IS FEELING DISENFRANCHISED.

AND SO IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF LEADERS LIKE MYSELF AND Mr. HIMES AND ALL OF OUR COLLEAGUES TO ROLE MODEL CIVILITY.

I'VE DONE THAT FOR 12 YEARS.

AS DAIRY AN'S ELECT MAN, 12 YEARS ON THE BOARD BLESSED TO SERVE AS ELECTED BY MY BIPARTISAN PEERS TO CHAIR OUR REGIONAL COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS.

THE STATE'S MUNICIPAL INSURANCE AGENCY.

AND VICE PRESIDENT OF CCM.

IT'S MY EXPERIENCE OF BEING A BIPARTISAN LEADER IS EXACTLY WHAT WE NEED IN WASHINGTON TO BRING THE POLITICAL TEMPERATURE DOWN.

AND I AGREE WITH Mr. HIMES THAT SOCIAL MEDIA IS TEARING APART THE FABRIC OF OUR COMMUNITIES.

I KNOW WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE HERE TONIGHT FROM MY TOWN.

AND I THINK THAT THEY WILL AGREE WITH ME THAT THERE IS A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE NO LONGER FRIENDS WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY BECAUSE OF THE THINGS THAT PEOPLE SAY ON SOCIAL MEDIA THAT THEY WOULD NOT OTHERWISE SAY IF THEY WERE IN THE PRESENCE OF SOMEONE.

SO AND TRUTHFULLY AS A MOM, OUR KIDS ARE WATCHING.

THEY ARE WATCHING OUR BEHAVIOR AND WE NEED TO ROLE MODEL CIVILITY.

SO IT IS MY PLEDGE TO CONTINUE WORKING IN THE WAY I ALWAYS HAVE, RESPECTFUL, OPEN HEART, OPEN MIND, IN A BIPARTISAN WAY AND IF I CAN BRING THAT TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES, I WILL BE VERY HONORED TO BE ABLE TO DO SO.

>> MRS. STEVENSON THE NEXT QUESTION IS ABOUT NATIONAL SECURITY.

SO WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE MOST PRESSING NATIONAL SECURITY ISSUE FACING THE U.S. AND HOW SHOULD THE U.S.

ADDRESS THAT THREAT?

>> UNFORTUNATELY, I THINK OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS, THE WORLD SEES WEAKNESS IN THE UNITED STATES.

AND I'M GOING TO TAKE A MOMENT AND TALK ABOUT THE VERY DAY THAT I DECIDED TO RUN FOR CONGRESS.

AND THAT WAS AUGUST 26, 2021.

WHEN I WATCHED THE INCREDIBLE, VERY CONCERNING WAY THAT OUR PRESIDENT DECIDED TO WITHDRAW OUR TROOPS FROM AFGHANISTAN AFTER 20 YEARS.

TO MEET THIS ARBITRARY GOAL OF THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF 9/11.

A DAY THAT I KNOW FOR Mr. HIMES AND MYSELF AND EVERYBODY HERE IN SOUTHWESTERN CONNECTICUT IS A DAY THAT WE WILL NEVER FORGET.

BUT IT WAS ON THAT DAY ON AUGUST 26TH WHEN WE WATCHED PEOPLE FALLING FROM PLANES, WHEN WE LEFT AMERICAN CITIZENS AND OUR ALLIES BEHIND, AND 13 BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN LOST THEIR LIVES THAT DAY IN A RUSH TO LEAVE THAT COUNTRY AGAINST THE ADVICE OF MILITARY LEADERS.

THAT SET OFF A CHAIN REACTION OF EVENTS AROUND THE WORLD SHOWING AMERICA'S WEAKNESS.

EMBOLDENED VLADIMIR PUTIN.

Mr. HIMES SITS ON THE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE HOPEFULLY HE KNEW WHEN HE SAW THAT RUSSIA WAS SURROUNDING UKRAINE GETTING READY TO ATTACK, IT EMBOLDENED THE LEADER OF CHINA.

MAKING AGGRESSIONS AGAINST TAIWAN.

AND CERTAINLY HAS EMBOLDENED NORTH KOREA NOW SENDING MISSILES OVER JAPAN ALMOST EVERYDAY.

WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS RETURN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TO A PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH POLICY MENTALITY.

WE'RE IN A VERY DANGEROUS AND PRECARIOUS POSITION RIGHT NOW.

WE SHOULD NEVER BE NEGOTIATING WITH OUR FOES FOR OIL.

I DON'T KNOW WHY WE'RE DOING THAT ANYWAY BECAUSE WE HAVE EVERYTHING WE NEED HERE.

SO PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH IS THE POLICY THAT I SUPPORT AND I LOOK FORWARD TO CASTING MY VOTES IN THAT WAY AS YOUR NEXT CONGRESSWOMAN.

>> Mr. HIMES?

>> I'M WONDERING IF I'VE LIVED IN THE SAME COUNTRY AS MRS. STEVENSON FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS.

WE CAN COME BACK TO AFGHANISTAN WHAT SENDS A SIGNAL OF WEAKNESS TO THE WORLD?

WHEN THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES STANDS NEXT TO VLADIMIR PUTIN AND SAID I DON'T BELIEVE MY OWN C.I.A.

I BELIEVE THIS GUY A MURDERER, A DICTATOR AND PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP SAID I DON'T BELIEVE THE C.I.A.

I BELIEVE VLADIMIR PUTIN.

YOU KNOW WHAT SENDS A SIGNAL OF WEAKNESS WHEN THAT PRESIDENT IS ON THE PHONE WITH A 21ST CENTURY PRESIDENT HERO, PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY OF UKRAINE AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES SAYS I WILL SEND YOU THE WEAPONS BUT I WANT YOU TO DO ME A FAVOR AND THAT FAVOR IS TO SEND DIRT ON HIS POLITICAL OPPONENT.

TELL ME WHAT IS MORE WEAK AND CRIMINAL THAN THAT?

YOU KNOW WHAT SENDS A SIGNAL OF WEAKNESS THE WORST PERSON ON THE PLANET IS THE DICTATOR AND LEADER OF NORTH KOREA.

WHEN THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES SENDS HIS WORDS NOT MINE, LOVE LETTERS.

WHEN THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES SAYS THAT NATO IS A BUNCH OF LACK EARTHS THEY DON'T DO ANYTHING AND THEY DON'T PAY THEIR BILLS THAT WEAKNESS.

WHAT HAS JOE BIDEN DONE LET'S COME BACK TO AFGHANISTAN BECAUSE AFGHANISTAN WAS A TRAGEDY ALL AROUND.

BUT IF YOU THINK THAT IS PURE JOE BIDEN WE WILL LOOK INTO THAT.

LET ME TELL YOU WHAT STRENGTH IS.

WHEN WE SEE SOMETHING THAT WE NEVER IMAGINE WE WOULD SEE IN THE 21ST CENTURY A EUROPEAN POWER DOING AN UNPROVOKED INVASION OF ANOTHER EUROPEAN POWER WHEN RUSSIANS CROSSED THE BORDER INTO UKRAINE IT WAS JOE BIDEN WHO RESCUED NATO OUT OF THE ASH HEAP THAT DONALD TRUMP LEFT IT IN AND IS FIGHTING THE MOST REMARKABLE BATTLE OF OUR LIFETIMES.

CREDIT GOES TO THE UKRAINIANS AND THE UNITED STATES AND THE NATO ALLIES.

THERE IS NO WAY THAT YOU LOOK INTO THE WORLD TODAY AND I LOOK AT THE WORLD IN SPECIFIC WAYS THERE IS NO WAY YOU CAN LOOK AT THE WORLD TODAY AND SAY WE ARE NOT A LOT STRONGER AND A LOT MORE RESPECTED THAN WE WERE UNDER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP.

LET'S SPEND A MINUTE ON AFGHANISTAN.

ABSOLUTE TRAGEDY.

I'VE BEEN THERE EVERY TIME I GO I'M TOLD THAT WITH TWO MORE YEARS WE CAN TURN THIS AFTERNOON.

WE NEVER TURN TO DO AROUND.

JOE BIDEN DOES BEAR RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CHAOS THAT LED TO THE LOSS OF LIFE ON THE 13TH.

REMEMBER WHY IT HAPPENED.

IT HAPPENED BECAUSE PRESIDENT TRUMP SIGNED A DEAL WITH THE TALIBAN THAT SAID WE'RE OUT OF HERE.

AND IN EXCHANGE ALL YOU GOT TO DO IS NOT HOST TERRORISTS THAT WAS DONALD TRUMP DEAL.

THE ART OF THE DEAL WE'RE OUT OF HERE.

MONTHS BEFORE PRESIDENT BIDEN WITHDREW THE TROOPS.

JUST DON'T HOST TERRORISTS.

TWO MONTHS AGO, THE UNITED STATES KILLED PROBABLY THE MOST NOTORIOUS TERRORIST IN THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION.

THE LEADER OF AL-QAEDA.

JOE BIDEN BEARS PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE THE BUCK STOPS ON THE DESK.

BUT THAT DEAL STRUCK A YEAR Stevenson, would you like to respond?

I think there's a lot of what Mr. Himes said that we're going to agree to disagree with.

You know, I look at that that disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan, and I can only think about the people that served in that war for 20 years.

The families who lost loved ones who are probably saying today, what was it all worth?

And the fact that today al Qaeda and Taliban are more empowered than ever and they have United States military equipment and communications equipment in their hands.

As we go toward our last questions for the debate.

I want to turn back to domestic affairs and think about transportation and infrastructure.

Mr. Himes, what would you do as a member of Congress to ensure that Connecticut gets its fair share of federal infrastructure funding?

Well, the first thing I would do again, and we keep returning to this theme is something that we already did.

Which is perhaps the biggest investment in American infrastructure since Dwight David Eisenhower built the interstate highway system in the 1950s.

We heard about an infrastructure deal for four years.

Didn't happen.

We got it done.

Biggest investment in our infrastructure since World War Two.

That's a big, big step.

And this is a smart investment, the way.

Yes, it's bridges and tunnels.

We're rebuilding the Walk Bridge.

It's build bridges and tunnels and trains and everything.

It's also.

Wiring America with broadband.

We learned during COVID how important it is for every household to have access to broadband.

$65 billion will be made available in an echo of the Depression, where we decided that every American would have electricity.

We've decided that every American would have access to the broadband services and the opportunity that comes with it.

So what is what is the what is the trick about getting it here?

It doesn't hurt to have the chairwoman of the Appropriations Committee right next door in in the adjoining congressional district.

But the.

These funds are, by and large, distributed, formulaic.

That means that they get distributed by population.

Otherwise, they are competition grants.

And I'm really happy to say that we've been able to deliver on an awful lot of that stuff.

I made reference to the Walk Bridge.

We rebuilt.

We're here in Norwalk.

Take a walk, by the way, because now you can do it.

Take a walk through Washington Village used to be one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Norwalk.

Now it's beautiful.

Mixed income, mixed mixed use retail.

It's a beautiful neighborhood that we were able to rebuild with federal funds.

So a big part maybe the big part of my job, because transportation infrastructure is so critical to this part of Connecticut, is making sure that we get the resources that we need to keep the economic lifeblood of our region flowing.

Ms.. Stephenson Yes.

Thank you.

People may not know that.

Connecticut sends the most amount of taxpayer dollars to Washington and we get back the least.

We are dead last in the country for federal transfers back in to the state of Connecticut.

Infrastructure is critically important.

I know a little something about this is chairman of the western connecticut council of governments.

We were responsible for managing the flow of federal dollars into our district for all kinds of transportation projects.

And I'll tell you that because of government regulations, infrastructure projects take too long and they're too expensive.

I'd like to also point out that Mr. Himes voted against the opportunity to use excess COVID dollars on infrastructure.

So, you know, I think we need to be in a where we hire a representative who's always going to be putting the incredible transportation needs of this state above all other special interests.

A good example of how things are working for us here in Connecticut regarding transportation.

Mr. Himes talks about the Walk Bridge, and that's a very high profile project.

But I want to talk about the Congress Street Bridge.

Kind of made for this debate, isn't it, Jim?

The Congress Street Bridge is a bridge in Bridgeport.

It was a movable bridge and it broke 25 years ago.

The bridge actually cuts off the east side of Bridgeport from the downtown.

There's good work being done in the downtown of Bridgeport.

Lots of building redevelopment.

The east end of Bridgeport is blight.

There's drug dealing.

And businesses can't thrive because they're literally cut off from the downtown of Bridgeport.

There's been fits and starts wit our federal representatives over the years.

Actually, Mr. Himes campaigned on this back in 2008, the Congress Street Bridge.

Congress Street Bridge is still broken.

So when I get to Congress, not only am I going to make sure Connecticut gets its fair share, but I'm going to make sure that I shepherd those projects in a way to make sure that your investment, your taxpayer investment actually gets those projects done because the people of Bridgeport can't wait another 25 years to fix the Congress Street Bridge.

Thank you both.

And at this time, we will move to the two minute closing statements from each of our candidates.

Mr. Himes, since you started with the questions, you may start with your closing remarks.

Thank you, Dr. Brown.

Dean and thank you again to the sponsor of the debate and all of you for attending.

I've tried for some time now to represent this district in the way it deserves be represented independently, thoughtfully, willing to listen to anybody.

I've done dozens and dozens of town hall meetings.

Years ago, the Ridgefield Republican Party invited me to come address them and my staff said no.

And I said yes.

I'm going to talk to everybody.

I'm going to represent everybody I hope to have the chance to continue to do that in these troubled times.

And look, these times are as complicated and as strange as you can imagine.

The media is out of control.

Twitter, Facebook, Rachel MADDOW, Sean HANNITY and stuff.

There's only one thing that matters in this job, which is what have you done for the people of the United States, for the people of Connecticut, for the people of the fourth Congressional District.

Look at the record.

Look at what Mrs. Stevenson's team did when they controlled the Congress of the United States.

In the four years of the Trump administration, they had one legislative achievement, one they passed a tax cut plan, the blow.

It blew a $2 trillion hole in the budget and delivered 83% of its benefit to the top 1% of the population in terms of income and to corporations.

And by the way, they raised all your taxes because they took away the deduction for state and local taxes.

One achievement.

What else did they do?

They are going to Roe v Wade.

And thirdly, and we talked a little bit about this.

Think about think about the way that period ended.

Think about the fact and to a great credit, Mrs. Stevenson is not one of them, bu half the Republicans running for Congress today are election deniers.

That's the record.

So what's my record?

Infrastructure.

The CHIPS Act for semiconductors Bipartisan gun safety.

Health care improvements.

The biggest investment ever in climate change.

Cut away the noise.

That's the record, and I could not be more excited to continue that record.

Going to stand up for the people of this district, to stand up for women and to stand up for our democracy.

Thank you, Ms. Stephenson.

Thank you.

I'm glad Mr. Himes brought up the state and local tax deductions.

He had two opportunities recently to fight to reinstate those tax deductions for the people of southwestern Connecticut.

And he didn't do it.

But here during my campaign, I spent a great deal of time in our cities and towns, and I've seen firsthand the devastation that Mr. Himes failed leadership has caused.

While Jim's been focused on doing the bidding of his party leaders Our bridges and roads have been neglected.

Public housing for the elderly and disabled is in disrepair.

Residents are often even held hostage in their apartments because of broken elevators at the Strathfield house in Bridgeport.

And I've talked to the homeless individuals who gather every weekend under the John Street Bridge just to get a hot meal from caring volunteers.

Connecticut is dead last in getting our taxpayers back from Washington.

In fact, we were the lowest recipient of COVID relief funding in the country.

Jim has squandered his 14 years in office and lost his ability to work with anyone who doesn't agree with him.

Just look at his Twitter feed.

His votes have resulted in out of control inflation, rising crime, fentanyl deaths and energy dependance on our enemies.

During my ten years as Darien's first selectman, through hurricanes, floods and a global pandemic, Jim Himes never once reached out to me to see if we were okay.

Not once.

It's time for real change.

I'm a leader who understands how the economy works and will focus on bringing good paying jobs and more of your hard earned money back here Receiving the Independent Party nomination reflects my record of working across the aisle and my willingness to stand up to my party when you need me to .

It's time to elect a congresswom who will be a champion for our children, our families and our small businesse I'll prioritize great education, the health of our children, safe streets, and a strong and secure nation.

As a woman and a mother.

I actually know what a woman is and why it's so important to protect women's rights in the doctor's office, the locker room and the boardroom.

Positive change will never happen by electing the same person and expecting a different result Ms.. Stephenson If I could interrupt, because we're now over time and I want to be fair.

Thank you.

Each of you have gotten.

Thank you both.

Thank you for watching.

Connecticut Public and the League of Women Voters of Connecticut's debate series.

But don't change the channel just yet.

Connecticut Public's Frankie Graziano is standing by with your post-debate coverage.

Our next debate will take place next Tuesday, October 18th, between the candidates for secretary of the state in Connecticut, Walter Smith.

Randolph will be your host live from the University of Hartford.

And if you have a question that you'd like to ask the candidates head over to ctpublic.org/vote I'm Khalilah Brown-Dean.

Have a great evening.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ Inside the David Levinson Theater in Norwalk, Connecticut.

♪ THE SITE OF THE FOURTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT DEBATE BETWEEN THE INCUMBENT DEMOCRAT JIM HIMES AND THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE JAMIE STEPHENSON FOR CONNECTICUT PUBLIC, THE CANDIDATES DID HAVE SOME AGREEMENT ON SOME OF THE STEVENSON IT IS A MORE AN ISSUE OF DEMOCRATIC OVER SPENDING.

I WILL START BY TALKING TO REPRESENTATIVE FOR REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE JAMIE STEPHENSON, ROWHICH NAAH WHITE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US, WHO WHICH, ROWHICH NAAH.

I WANT TO SAY A GET ACROSS SHE THINKS THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE DEMOCRATS?

>> OH, ABSOLUTELY.

SHE HAS BEEN TALKING TO FOLKS UP AND DOWN THE COASTLINE ON THE TOUR HAING THIS CONVERSATION WITH EVERYBODY FROM SENIORS AND RETIREES TO THE DINER OWNERS THEMSELVES AND I AM HOPING THAT JIM HEARD IT LOUD AND CLEAR AND I KNOW FOR SURE EVERYONE WE MEET ON THE TRAIL HEARS IT.

>> FOR TEN YEARS, JAMIE STEPHENSON WAS THE FIRST ELECTED WOMAN IN DAIRY END, SO THERE IS ONE THING ABOUT PEOPLE KNOW YOU IN THAT MUNICIPALITY BUT DO YOU THINK TONIGHT SHE WAS ABLE TO GET HERSELF, HER BRAND OF POLITICS OUT TO OTHER PEOPLE IN THE DISTRICT IN TOWNS LIKE NORWALK?

>> I THINK SHE WAS.

I THINK SHE HAS BEEN WORKING AT IT A LOT HARDER AND A LOT MORE VISIBLE.

WHAT PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE ABOUT JAMIE SHE ALWAYS HAS BEEN THERE AND SHE HAS BEEN ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, AND BEEN ON THE BOARD FOR LIBERATION PROGRAM.

SHE IS ON THE BOARD FOR STANFORD EMS SO NOW SHE IS ACTUALLY PUSHING HERSELF FORWARD SO IT IS REALLY FUN TO SEE HER SHINE REALLY FUN TO SEE HER SHINE AND BE OUT IN THE 0 TOWN LIKE THIS.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, ROWINA.

>> AND NEXT IS A REPRESENTATIVE FOR CONGRESSMAN JIM HIMES, FRANCESCA, ANOTHER ITALIAN LIKE MYSELF:YOU KNOW ME AS FRANKIE BUT WHATEVER.

I HAVE TO ASK YOU, WE HAD A FUN MOMENT TONIGHT, OBVIOUSLY I THINK CANDIDATES DID AGREE ON ABORTION BUT IT IS WHERE CANDIDATE -- EXCUSE ME CONGRESSMAN HYPES WAS ABLE I GUESS CALL OUT JAMIE STEVENSON AND SAY SHE HAD SOME HUTZPAH FOR SAYING A DEMOCRAT MIGHT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR SOME OF THE THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING WITH ABORTION.

WHAT WAS YOUR TAKE ON THAT SITUATION?

DO YOU THINK MAYBE CONGRESSMAN HIMES WAS, COULD HAVE BEEN SEEN AS HAVING FUN THERE FROM SOME PEOPLE WATCHING IN ATTENDANCE?

>> IT IS NOT A GOOD TIME IF YOU ARE NOT HAVING FUN BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY THINGS ARE PRETTY CLEAR WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT ABORTION, YOU ARE FOR WOMEN'S RIGHTS AND AGAINST THEM AND JIM HIMES IS FOR THEM, THE END.

>> JIM HIMES THE INCUMBENT 14 YEARS AGO TO GET THIS SEAT BEAT CHRIS YATES DO YOU EVER GET WORRIED HERE AS WE GET ABOUT A MONTH OR SO FROM THE ELECTION IT COULD TURN THE OTHER WAY AND THIS COULD SORT OF BE A SWING DISTRICT?

THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION, I THINK THE VOTERS NOTE WHO JIM HYPES.

>> IS THEY KNOW HE IS DELIVERING FOR THE COMMUNITY AND AT THE END OF THE DAY FRANKIE THIS IS A MOMENT FOR CLARITY AND PRAGMATIC LEADERS WHO UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEMS WE FACE BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY KNOW HOW TO ADDRESS THEM AND JIM HIMES WAS THE ONLY PERSON ON THAT STAGE TONIGHT WHO COULD DO BOTH.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

I APPRECIATE IT VERY MUCH.

>> >> JONATHAN, I HOPE YOU WERE LISTENING TO THAT CONVERSATION, I JUST HAVE TO ASK YOU FROM TALKING ABOUT THAT, YOU KNOW A% LOT ABOUT THIS DISTRICT ..

I HAVE TO ASK YOU, DO YOU THINK THIS COULD BE THE FOURTH DISTRICT, IT, DO YOU THINK IT COULD BE UP FOR GRABS?

>> IT IS USUALLY -- A FIGHT AND SHOULD BE A CONSIDERATION BECAUSE OF THE DEMOGRAPHICS HERE, MOST IMPORTANTLY, FRANKIE AS YOU ALREADY KNOW THE MAJORITY OF VOTERS HERE AREN'T AFFILIATED SO IT COULD SWING EASILY EITHER WAY, IF ANYTHING THE PANDEMIC THE NUMBERS HAVE INCREASED OF UNAFFILIATED VOTERS YOU CAN'T TAKE FOR GRANTED THE BASE, ESPECIALLY IF NEW YORK HAS BEEN A RECENT TRANSPLANT BECAUSE OF COVID.

>> JONATHAN WHARTON THE ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF URBAN AFFAIRS AND POLITICAL SCIENCE AT SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT STATE UNIVERSITY AND YOU GUYS KNOW MY NEXT GUESS, THE MODERATOR TONIGHT WHO DID SUCH A GREAT JOB TONIGHT.

>> DELILAH BROWN DEAN.

[APPLAUSE] >> OH YOU ARE GETTING A CLAP.

THAT MEANS WE HAVE A NICE AUDIENCE.

YOU DESERVE IT.

JONATHAN ANSWERED THE FIRST QUESTION I WANT TO MOVE ON ONLY BECAUSE WE TALKED ABOUT THESE CANDIDATES BEING GENERALLY IN AGREEMENT, IS THAT SOMETHING YOU FELT TONIGHT WHEN YOU WERE SITTING BEHIND THE DESK?

>> I FELT FRANKIE WAS, THESE TWO CANDIDATES MODEL WHAT WE SEE, NEED TO SEE MORE OF IN THIS COUNTRY AND THAT IS CIVILITY AND WE CAN DISAGREE BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY IF WE SPEND SO MUCH TIME ON ONE LIERS AND JABS YOU DO A DISSERVICE TO THE PEOPLE OF THIS STATE AND OF THIS COUNTRY AND SO THERE WASN'T A LOT OF ROOM BETWEEN THEM ON SOME OF THE KEY ISSUES BUT IT IS ALSO CLEAR ABOUT WHAT EITHER CANDIDATE WILL HAVE TO DO WHEN THEY HAVE TO ALIGN WITH THEIR PARTY IN CONGRESS .. THAT IS THE KEY THING TO WATCH BETWEEN THE TWO.

>> ABORTION AND A PERSON'S RIGHT TO REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS IS SUCH A SERIOUS ISSUE AND YOU SEE ME LAUGHING ABOUT IT A SECOND AGO WITH FRANCESCA BUT IT WAS SUCH A MOMENT IN THIS DEBATE THEY ARE GENERALLY IN AGREEMENT ON SOMETHING AND YOU HAVE JIM HIMES BEING SORT OF INCREDULOUS AT THAT TIME THAT JAMIE STEPHEN STOP WAS ASKING WHETHER OR NOT IT WAS THE DEMOCRATS' FAULT FOR NOT BEING ABLE TO CODIFY ROE VERSUS WADE, SO WHEN YOU ARE SITTING THERE AND HEAR THAT, WHAT WAS YOUR REACTION I GUESS TO THAT GENERAL -- THAT GENERAL STATEMENT AND DO YOU THINK I GUESS CONGRESSMAN HIMES REACTED WELL MUST HAVE TO WHAT JAMIE STEVENSON SAID THERE?

>> I THINK AT THE CORE OF THIS, FRANKIE, IS WHETHER WE TALK ABOUT DEMOCRATS OR REPUBLICANS WHAT IS REALLY KEY HERE IS THIS ISSUE OF FEDERALISM, WILL THIS BE AN ISSUE THAT GOES BACK TO FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, GOES BACK TO THE SUPREME COURT OR WILL WE DECIDE ON A STATE-BY-STATE BASIS?

AND WHAT IS AT STAKE THERE, RIGHT, WHEN YOU HAVE DIFFERENT PEOPLE CONTROLLING LEGISLATURES ACROSS THE STATES AND WHAT THAT MAY LOOK LIKE AFTER THIS MIDTERM ELECTION SO WHILE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT TWO CANDIDATES FOR CONGRESS WE ALSO HAVE TO LOOK AT SOME OF THE STATE RACES ACROSS THE COUNTRY THAT WILL BE AFFECTED BY WHAT CONGRES DECIDES TO DO OAR NOT DO.

>> JONATHAN, IN CONNECTICUT YOU ARE HEARING THAT A LOT OF THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES HERE ESPECIALLY OR FEDERAL OFFICE ARE SUPPORTIVE OF ABORTION BUT JAMIE STEVENSON GOES A LITTLE BIT FURTHER, RIGHT?

SHE CALLS HERSELF I GUESS LOOKING AT HER WEBSITE, I DON'T I DON'T KNOW IF SHE WROTE THIS OR SOMEONE ELSE BUT SHE CALLS HERSELF A SOCIAL LIBERAL, DO YOU THINK SHE WAS ABLE TO SHOW VOTERS IN THIS DISTRICT SHE IS CERTAINLY SUPPORTIVE OF ABORTION AND PRETTY MUCH GOES ALL THE WAY DA?

>> THEY # SHE MADE THAT KNOWN AND SHE HAS HAD A RECORD FOR YEARS AND PRONOUNCED ABOUT THIS AND PEOPLE FORGET SHE WAS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR CANDIDATE TOO FOUR YEARS AGO SO SHE MADE VOTERS AWARE OF THIS EARLY ON, IT WASN'T SURPRISING BUT IT WAS INTERESTING TO HEAR THE DEBATE AND BRING OUT THE REALITIES THERE ARE, THEY ARE SIMILAR ON THIS STANCE.

>> DISAGREEMENTS, WE HAD ONE ON THE ROOT CAUSE OF INFLATION, I WILL ASK YOU ABOUT THAT, JONATHAN AND WE HEARD OF COURSE THAT SHE THOUGHT IT WAS JAMIE STEVENSON SAID SHE HAD DRIVEN UP AND DOWN DAIRY AND HAD SEEN THE GOVERNMENT IN HER OPINION IN TERMS OF COVID SHUTDOWNS HAD PICKED AND CHOSEN WINNERS AND BLAMED OVER SPENDING BY THE DEMOCRATS ON INFLATION AND ON THE OTHER SIDE YOU SAY CONGRESSMAN BLAMING PEOPLE GETTING SICK FROM INFLATION -- >> WHAT WAS YOUR TAKE AWAY FROM THE WHOLE CONVERSATION.

>> I WAS SURPRISED, MENTION EARLY ON SHE HIT THAT HOME AND MOSTLY BECAUSE SHE HAS BEEN A SELECTMAN SO SHE KNOWS THIS FIRSTHAND AND IT WAS AN ISSUE AT THE TIME IN TERMS OF, YOU KNOW, WHAT SHOULD COGOVERNMENT DO TO RESPOND TO THIS?

BUT IN TRUTH WE SAW THIS AT ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT.

THE GOVERNMENT DIDN'T QUITE KNOW HOW T RESPOND ONE WAY OR THE OTHER, WHETHER AT THE STATE, LOCAL OR FEDERAL LEVEL.

IT WAS AN UNUSUAL TIME SO IT WAS REALLY UNUNPRECEDENTEDDED.

>> I FELT LIKE AT THE END THE ISSUES STARTED TO TURN UP A LITTLE BIT BECAUSE WE HAD JANUARY 6TH A QUESTION YOU ASKED ABOUT AND CONDUCT FROM REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS AT THAT POINT AND THEN WE TALKED ABOUT NATIONAL SECURITY AND THAT'S WHERE THE TWO WENT AT IT A LITTLE BIT AND I GUESS YOU COULD SAY THAT JAMIE STEVENSON THINKS THIS COUNTRY IS IN A MUCH WEAKER POSITION AND YOU WOULD HEAR CONGRESSMAN HIMES SAY THAT IT IS DONALD TRUMP'S FAULT WE ARE IN THIS POSITION AND HAVING A WEAKENED POSITION IN DIPLOMACY.

WHAT WAS YOUR TAKE AWAY WHEN WATCHING THAT?

>> I THINK WHAT I TOOK AWAY WAS THAT THE UNITED STATES IS VULNERABLE BUT THE DISAGREEMENT IS ABOUT THE SOURCE OF THAT VULNERABILITY.

THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE WHO WOULD SAY THERE ARE DOMESTIC THREATS TO OUR SAFETY AND TO OUR SECURITY AND OTHERS WHO SEE THAT AS EXTERNAL.

AND I THINK THAT WHAT WE HAVE SEEN OVER THE LAST REALLY 20 YEARS IN THIS COUNTRY IS THAT IT CAN'T BE AN EITHER OR AND I WOULD HAVE LIKED TO HEAR MORE FROM THE CANDIDATES ABOUT THOSE EXTERNAL AND A INTERNAL THREATS AND WHAT WE DO COLLECTIVELY.

>> I HAVE TO ASK YOU A FOLLOW-UP HERE BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE A NATIONAL SECURITY, MORE LIKE A CYBER SECURITY TOO IS JIM HIMES' WHEELHOUSE, DO YOU THINK HE SHOWED A FORM STRONG ENOUGH AT THAT POINT TO I GUESS HIS ANECDOTE ABOUT TRUMP SOME OF THE THINGS HE WAS SAYING ABOUT NORTH NORTH KOREA, DUKE HE SHOWED STRONG MUST HAVE TO POTENTIAL VOTERS?

>> I THINK WHEN YOU ARE IN A DEBATE AND HAVE TO THINK QUICKLY ON YOUR FEET AND HAVE TO RESPOND AND ANTICIPATE WHAT YOUR OPPONENT MAY SAY AND WHAT THE GO-TO MAY BE, BECAUSE NEITHER CANDIDATE TALKED ABOUT CYBER SECURITY, WHICH IS THIS THREAT THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO EVEN THINK ABOUT HAND-TO-HAND COMBAT ANYMORE, BECAUSE SOMEONE WITH A WIFI CONNECTION AND A COMPUTER CAN SHUT DOWN LOCAL GOVERNMENT, HIJACK PEOPLE'S BANK ACCOUNTS AND MAKE ALL OF US VULNERABLE.

SO MY HOPE AGAIN IS THAT AS VOTERS WOULD, BUT ALSO AS CANDIDATES AND LEADERS WE STOP THINKING ABOUT THESE THINGS IN SILO POSITIONS AND THINK TOGETHER AND THINK COLLECTIVELY, WHAT DO WE DO TO PREPARE FOR THE NEXT PANDEMIC FOR THE NEXT THREAT AND THE NEXT CHALLENGE CAN?

WE KNOW IT IS COMING.

>> THE NEXT DISRUPTION?

>> WE KNOW THE NEXT DISRUPTON, WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAYS, JUST SAYING, WE KNOW IT IS COMING BUT WHAT DO WE LEARN FROM WHAT WE HAVE BEEN THROUGH SO THAT WE CAN GET THROUGH THESE THINGS ON THE OTHER END?

>> I KNOW WHY PEOPLE LISTEN AND WATCH DISRUPTIVE BECAUSE I YOU JUST FEEL IT, YOU FEEL SO POWERFUL ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND THE NEXT DISRUPTION COMING AND THAT COMES ACROSS HERE ON THE STAGE.

AT THE END, WE HEARD ABOUT TRANSPORTATION, JONATHAN IS JAB MANAGER HE A LITTLE BIT BECAUSE HE IS LIKE THIS IS WHAT YOU WANT TO HEAR ABOUT.

>> EXACTLY.

>> WE HAD A DEBATE WITH LARSON AND LASER CANDIDATES IN THE FIRST DISTRICT TALKING ABOUT TRANSPORTATION AND JOHN LARSON SAID SOMETHING ABOUT HOW 91 AND IN NEW ENLAND AND I AM STANDING THERE THINKING HAVE YOU EVER DRIVEN ON ROUTE SEVEN OR 95 -- >> OR BARRETT PARKWAY RIGHT WHERE THEY MEET HERE IN DARI END.

>> SO TRANSPORTATION IS SO IMPORTANT IN THIS DISTRICT, RIGHT, JONATHAN?

I IMAGINE THAT'S SOMETHING IN THIS AUDIENCE CARE ABOUT.

>> NOT TO MENTION, PUBLIC TRANSIT THERE ARE ALWAYS CONCERNS IN THIS DISTRICT AND GOD KNOWS WELL I USED TO WORK FOR CONGRESSMAN'S CHASE OFFICE AND IT WAS AN ONGOING ISSUE AND STILL IS, AND EVEN VARIOUS LINES EXTEND BEYOND THE MAINLINE IT IS AN ONGOING SAGA AND NO ONE ADDRESSING IT, CERTAINLY MORE MONEY CAN BE MENTIONED WHICH OBVIOUSLY YOU HEARD FROM CONGRESSMAN HIMES BUT THERE HAS BEEN TO BE A BIGGER BOLDER PLAN AND WHAT DO YOU DO WITH ALL OF THE BUS LINES THAT EXECT IT IS A BIG ISSUE AND CAN'T BE PURELY FEDERAL AND HAS TO BE SOMETHING MORE CENTRALIZED AND LOCAL.

>> FOLLOWING IS A BREAKING NEWS REPORTER FOR CONNECTICUT PUBLIC THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS IT HAS BEEN HARD TO THOUGH WHERE THE STATE IS IN TERMS OF WHICH HORSE THEY ARE SUPPORTING OR WHICH DOG IN THE FIGHT THEY ARE SUPPORTING AT FIRST IT WAS BASICALLY TOLLS ESSENTIALLY, AND 30-30 PLAN AND THEN CT 2030 AND NOW IT IS THIS TIME FOR CT THING WHERE I GUESS IT IS A BIT MORE REASONABLE WHERE THEY ARE SAYING WE CAN TRY TO CUT IT DOWN TO 30 MINUTES FROM NEW HAVEN TO STANFORD, 30 MINUTES STANFORD TO GRAND CENTRAL, EXCUSE ME 30 MINUTES STANFORD TO GRAND CENTRAL AND OF COURSE NEW HAVEN TO STANFORD IS 30 MINUTES, RIGHT?

SO THAT IS THE MORE REASONABLE PLAN, I GUESS.

BUT DID YOU HEAR A PLAN OUT OF THE CANDIDATES TONIGHT?

DID YOU HEAR ANYTHING ON TRANSPORTATION THAT YOU COULD LATCH ON TO THAT MAYBE COULD GET US OUT OF THIS TRANSPORTATION MESS WE ARE IN?

THIS IS THE TRANSPORTATION HUB HERE.

>> YES.

I THINK WHOEVER FIGURES THAT OUT, FRANKLY, WON'T JUST WIN ELECTED OFFICE BUT COULD PROBABLY GET A MACARTHUR GENIUS GRANT.

>> THEY WERE HANDING THOSE OUT.

>> THEY WERE HANDING THEM OUT, WONDERFUL.

BUT ACCESS TO RELIABLE TRANSPORTATION IS ABOUT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, WHERE COMPANIES ARE, HOW PEOPLE CAN GET TO THE JOBS THAT THEY NEED TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE COMMUNITY, CONTRIBUTE TO THE STATE.

IT IS ALSO ABOUT ACCESS TO HOUSING.

WHERE PEOPLE LIVE SO THEY CAN GET TO THEIR JOBS AND THAT IS WHAT I THINK I WANTED TO HEAR MORE OF, ABOUT HOW THESE THINGS ARE CONNECTED AND ALSO THE PARTNERSHIP THAT WILL BE NEEDED.

YES, YOU ARE AN ELECTED MEMBER OF THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS.

WHOEVER WINS IN THIS MIDTERM BUT YOU WILL HAVE TO WORK WITH CONNECTICUT LEADERS TO PRIORITIZE, TO FUND AND TO WORK TOGETHER TO ACTUALLY DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS ISSUE.

>> IN THE END, THOUGH, FRANKIE, TO BE FAIR THE CONGRESSMAN DID BRING UP -- DEVELOPMENT AND BROUGHT UP EXAMPLES WHICH IS GREAT TO HEAR.

AT THE SAME TIME WE ALSO HEARD FROM THE FIRST SELECT WOMAN TOO, SHE MENTIONED, YOU KNOW, THIS WHOLE CONCERNS CONCERNING BRIDGEPORT AND WHAT TO DO DO REDEVELOP IT, I HAVE BEEN WAITING TO HEAR MORE AND MORE TO HEAR ABOUT THAT.

>> THE BRIDGE TO CONGRESS AS WAS STATED IN THE CAMPAIGN, CALLS IT AND THEY HAD A VERY EFFECTIVE VIDEO THEY HAD WITH JAMIE WALKING NEAR THAT BRIDGE AND THERE IS LIKE A DROIN SHOT AND EVERYTHING LIKE THAT.

THAT HAS BEEN A BIG THING WE TALK ABOUT TRANSPORTATION AND I AM GOING TO MOVE AWAY FROM THIS DEBATE SHORTLY BECAUSE I WANT TO TALK ABOUT MORE GENERAL ITEMS BUT BEFORE WE DO, FINAL THOUGHTS ON TONIGHT'S DEBATE?

>> IT WAS BATTLE OF THE CENTRISTS SO MAYBE THAT IS PART OF THE RIGHT REASON, IT WAS PRETTY CIVIL FOR MOST PART YOU HEARD A LOT OF MR. AND MRS. AND THE TITLES GOING BACK AND FORTH AND PLEASANTRIES BUT AS YOU SAID EARLIER IT WAS EITHER THE TRUMP FACTOR OR HOWS HOW WASN'T QUITE LIKE HIM BUT PART OF THE PARTY THAT IS.

>> THERE HAS TO BE A PATHWAY TO DIFFERENTIATE THE CANDIDATES BUT I WAS GLAD TO HEAR THEIR STANCES AND PRONOUNCED ABOUT IT BUT CERTAINLY TWO VERY DIFFERENT PERSONALITIES WHICH SHOULDN'T BE SHOCKING THAT'S WHAT WE ARE VOTING FOR AND THERE IS THE FOURTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> I THINK ONE OF THE SIMILARITIES IS THEY ARE BOTH POLICY WONKS THEY BOTH HAVE FIGURED OUT NOT JUST I HAVE AN IDEA BUT WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO MAKE THAT IDEA INTO POLICY AND INTO REALITY?

AND I THINK VOTERS WANT TO KNOW THAT SOMEONE DOESN'T JUST WANT TO TELL THEM WHAT THEY WANT TO HEAR BUT ACTUALLY HAS THAT PARTICIPATES OF KNOWING WHAT IT TAKES.

AND SO THEY WERE ABLE TO GET INTO THE WEEDS A LITTLE BIT AND THEN STILL PULL BACK AND GO 0 TO THIS SORT OF NATIONAL ISSUES THAT DRAW PEOPLE OUT.

WE HEARD THAT A LOT TONIGHT AND IT WILL BE INTERESTING AS THE DAYS GOES BY, THE WEEKS LEADING UP TO THE ELECTION IF WE HEAR MORE OF THAT OR HEAR MORE OF SORT OF DIVISION AND TRYING TO MAKE IT CLEAR WHERE PEOPLE STAND.

S JUST A COUPLE OF MINUTES LEFT AND WE ARE JUST GOING TO MOVE ON TO ONE OTHER RACE AND TALK ABOUT THE GUBERNATORIAL RACE.

>> YOU HAD TO BRING IT UP TONIGHT.

>> I DIDN'T PREPARE YOU GUYS FOR THESE QUESTIONS BUT I WAS KIND OF COMPLAINING TO KELILAH ABOUT THIS, WE ARE INTO BREAKING NEWS AND TRYING TO SEE IF THERE IS A JUVENILE CRIME PROBLEM IN THE STATE BECAUSE WE HEAR SO MUCH ABOUT IT AND I REALLY HAVEN'T HEARD AS MUCH OF WHERE THE PROBLEM IS OR AT LEAST WHERE THE NUMBERS ARE BUT I AM WATCHING A COMMERCIAL WITH GOVERNOR LAMONT THE OTHER DAY AND HE IS TALKING ABOUT ADDRESSING THE ROOT CAUSES OF JUVENILE CRIME, I GUESS MY QUESTION FOR YOU, QUESTION LILA IS WHAT I ..

ALWAYS ASK CANDIDATES IS THERE A JUVENILE CRIME PROBLEM IN CONNECTICUT?

>> I THINK IT DEPENDS ON HOW YOU DEFINE A CRIME PROBLEM IN CONNECTICUT.

AND I ALSO THINK ABOUT THE WAYS IN WHICH THE DATA SHOWS THAT, NO, THERE HAVE NOT BEEN THOSE KIND OF SPIKES THAT OFTEN ARE USED AS A POLITICAL DOG WHISTLE, BUT WHAT IT ALSO MEANS IS THAT PEOPLE ARE WILLING TO NOT ADDRESS THE REAL ROOT CHALLENGES, THE REAL CHALLENGES THAT YOUNG PEOPLE IN OUR STATE FACE, AND WHEN YOU STATE THOSE YOUNG PEOPLE AND THEN TALK ABOUT THE FUTURE OF OUR STATE, HOW THEN DO WE KEEP PEOPLE HERE BECAUSE THEY FEEL LIKE THERE IS AN INVESTMENT?

SO I AM DISAPPOINTED BY THAT DOG WHISTLE, I UNDERSTAND WHY IT IS USED BECAUSE IT IS QUITE EFFECTIVE, RIGHT?

YOU ARE ALWAYS ONE INCIDENT AWAY FROM PEOPLE SAYING SEE I TOLD YOU SO, YOU SHOULD HAVE DONE SOMETHING MORE DIFFICULT.

I DON'T KNOW IF THAT WILL SERVE OUR STATE WELL.

>> I HAVE A MITT MINUTE LEFT AND WANT TO FOLLOW UP ON IT.

THAT IS WHAT I WAS ENCOMPASS I WAS A LITTLE SURPRISED I WON'T HAVE YOU RESPOND YOU ONLY HAVE 20 SECONDS TO SAY -- TO THE SAUDI GOVERNMENT, CAME UP RECENTLY AND A LOT OF HEAT ON THE GUBERNATORIAL REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE RIGHT NOW FOR -- >> BOTH CANDIDATES HAVE FINANCIAL MATTERS, RIGHT?

WE CAN'T IGNORE ALSO THE TIES OF THE LAMONTS TOO, SO YOU ARE GOING TO SEE THIS WITH MILLIONAIRE CANDIDATES, IT IS INEVITABLE, IT IS UNFORTUNATE BUT THE NATURE OF OUR POLITICS HERE IN CONNECTICUT RIGHT NOW.

>> I WISH WE COULD TALK MORE ABOUT THE NATURE OF POLITICS IN CONNECTICUT.

I HAD A GREAT DISCUSSION WITH YOU GUYS.

DR. BROWN AND WHARTON AND THE NEXT TIME YOU ARE GOING TO SEE US YOU WILL SEE US TUESDAY NIGHT, OCTOBER 18TH FROM HARTFORD, IT IS GOING TO BE THE SECRETARY OF THE STATE DEBATE.

THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH FOR JOINING US, I AM FRANKIE FOR CONNECTICUT PUBLIC.

GOOD NIGHT.

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