>> WELCOME TO THE VPR/VERMONT PBS DEBATE SERIES.

I'M BOB KINZEL OF VERMONT PUBLIC RADIO.

TODAY WE HAVE THE MAJOR PARTY CANDIDATES FOR THE U.S.

HOUSE.

DEMOCRATIC INCUMBENT PETER WELCH AND HIS REPUBLICAN CHALLENGER MIRIAM BERRY.

PETER WELCH WAS FIRST ELECTED TO THE U.S.

HOUSE IN 2006.

HE'S BEEN REELECTED SEX TIMES.

BEFORE SERVES IN THE U.S.

HOUSE HE WAS A MEMBER OF THE VERMONT SENATE DURING TWO DIFFERENT PERIODS BETWEEN 1981 AND 1989 THEN AGAIN BETWEEN 2002 AND 2007.

MIRIAM BERRY HAS SERVED AS A REGISTERED NURSE IN VERMONT FOR THE PAST 25 YEARS.

SHE SAYS SHE IS PASSIONATE ABOUT ELDER CARE, ESPECIALLY THE CARE OF VETERANS.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR BE BEING ON THE PROGRAM TODAY.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> I'LL ASK QUESTIONS OF BOTH OF YOU.

IN THE SECOND ROUND YOU'LL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO ASK EACH OTHER QUESTIONS AND IN THE THIRD GROUND WE HAVE QUESTIONS FROM LISTENERS.

SPRINKLED IN DURING THE PROGRAM WE'LL HAVE SOME LIGHTNING ROUND QUESTIONS WHERE THE ANSWERS SHOULD BE NO MORE THAN TEN SECONDS.

WE'LL CLOSE OUT OUR DEBATE WITH A GENERAL QUESTION FOR EACH OF YOU.

IN THIS FIRST ROUND PLEASE LIMIT YOUR ANSWERS TO NO MORE THAN 60 SECONDS.

IF I HAVE A FOLLOW-UP QUESTION PLEASE LIMIT YOUR QUESTION TO 30 SECONDS.

SO LET'S GET STARTED.

LET'S TALK ABOUT HEALTH CARE.

BY MOST ACCOUNTS, HEALTH CARE COSTS CONTINUE TO SPIRAL OUT OF CONTROL.

IN FACT THE UNITED STATES SPENDS ROUGHLY TWICE AS MUCH PER CAPITA ON HEALTH CARE THAN MOST INDUSTRIALIZED COUNTRIES.

YET HEALTH OUT COMES IN MANY CASES ARE NOT BETTER.

SO WOULD YOU SUPPORT A PLAN GIVING ALL PEOPLE ACCESS TO A PUBLICLY FINANCED SYSTEM, AND IF YOU DO HOW ARE YOU GOING TO PAY FOR IT, OR DOES THE SOLUTION LIE WITH THE CURRENT PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE SYSTEM?

MIRIAM BERRY, WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT HEALTH CARE?

>> FIRST OFF, I DON'T THINK RIGHT NOW WE SHOULD TOUCH MEDICAID AND CHANGE ANYTHING THERE.

I'M OPPOSED TO UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE AS IT'S BEEN PROPOSED BUT I DO SUPPORT ESPECIALLY PREVENTIVE MEDICINE.

IF WE FOCUS ON PREVENTION WE'LL SAVE A LOT OF COSTS IN THE LONG RUN.

I DO BELIEVE THAT PEOPLE SHOULD BE GIVEN A CHOICE FOR THEIR INSURANCE.

FOR EXAMPLE A 20-YEAR-OLD HAS DIFFERENT NEEDS THAN A 50 OR 70-YEAR-OLD.

IT'S WORTH LOOKING INTO INDIVIDUAL LIESING PLANS MORE.

ALSO AS YOU MENTIONED, THANK YOU, THAT VETERANS' NEEDS ARE OUT THERE.

I DON'T THINK THAT ANY VETERAN SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR HEALTH CARE, ESPECIALLY IN OLD AGE, THAT THEY SHOULDN'T HAVE TO JUMP THROUGH THE HOOPS.

FOR EXAMPLE MY DAD WAS NOT WELL ENOUGH TO MAKE IT ALL WAIT TO WHITE RIVER JUNCTION TO ENROLL IN THE VETERAN PROGRAM.

SO I THINK REGARDLESS WE NEED TO LOOK AT THEIR NEEDS IN PARTICULAR.

THANKS FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.

>> SO IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU SUPPORT PRETTY MUCH THE CURRENT SYSTEM THAT WE HAVE.

HOW IS THAT GOING TO CONTROL COSTS ANY BETTER GOING FORWARD THAN IT HAS IN THE PAST?

>> I THINK THAT WE STILL CAN IMPROVE ON CUTTING WASTE AND GETTING RID OF DUPLICATE PROGRAMS.

I DON'T WANT TO CHANGE ANYTHING SO RAPIDLY THAT PEOPLE ARE LEFT WITHOUT ANY SAFETY NET.

>> THANK YOU.

PETER WELCH, IN THE PAST YOU'VE SUPPORTED SWITCHING TO A PUBLICLY FINANCED HEALTH CARE SYSTEM OR AT LEAST GIVING FOLKS THAT OPTION.

WHY DO YOU THINK THIS APPROACH WOULD BE BETTER THAN THE PRIVATE SECTOR MODEL THAT CURRENTLY IS IN PLACE IN MANY PARTS OF THE COUNTRY?

>> THE PRIVATE SECTOR MODEL IS FAILING.

IN A COVID PANDEMIC IT'S AN ESSENTIAL ROLE THAT HEALTH CARE PLACE IN OUR LIVES.

UNDER THE CURRENT SYSTEM WHERE IT'S EMPLOYER BASED WE HAVE ABOUT 5 MILLION PEOPLE WHO LOST THEIR JOBS.

I SUPPORT A UNIVERSAL SYSTEM.

WE'RE ALL IN IT AND WE ALL CONTRIBUTE TO PAYING FOR IT BUT WE ALL ARE ENTITLED TO HAVE BASIC HEALTH CARE SERVICES NEIGHBORHOOD AVAILABLE TO US.

TWO PROGRAMS THAT ARE UNIVERSAL, ONE IS THE VETERANS PROGRAM.

I AGREE WITH MIRIAM THAT OUR VETERANS SHOULD HAVE FULL ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE.

VETERANS' APPROACH IS REALLY GOOD FOR OUR VETERANS.

THE SECOND IS THE MEDICARE PROGRAM WHERE FOLKS OVER 65 ARE UNIVERSALLY ENROLLED INTO THE MEDICARE PROGRAM.

IT'S BEEN A LIFELINE FOR SENIORS.

WHY CAN'T WE HAVE A UNIVERSAL SYSTEM THAT COVERS EVERYBODY FROM CHILDREN TO WORKING ADULTS?

THAT I THINK IS A BETTER WAY FOR US TO GET OUR ARMS AROUND THE ESCALATING COSTS THAT NO ONE CAN AFFORD.

>> PEOPLE MIGHT BE WONDERING HOW YOU'RE GOING TO PAY FOR THIS SYSTEM.

SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS ACKNOWLEDGED THAT NEW TAXES WOULD BE NEEDED, AT THE SAME TIME FOLKS WOULD NO LONGER BE PAYING PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE PREMIUMS.

WOULD THAT BE YOUR APPROACH AND HOW DO YOU ENSURE THAT PEOPLE WON'T PAY MORE IN THE END?

>> WELL, BOTTOM LINE, STARTS WITH WHAT YOU PRESENTED AT THE BEGINNING.

WE PAY THE MOST ALREADY.

WE GET THE LEAST.

IF WE DO THIS RIGHT, AND THIS IS INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT TO DO, THE OVER ALL COST OF HEALTH CARE SHOULD COME DOWN.

WE CAN'T AFFORD TO HAVE IT KEEP GOING UP.

SO THAT'S THE FIRST THING.

THE SECOND, WE ALL HAVE TO PAY FOR T. TO SOME EXTENT YOU CAN USE EMPLOYERS, USE PAYROLL DEDUCTIONS, USE ALL OF THE ELEMENTS THAT ARE GOING INTO THE COST OF IT RIGHT NOW, BUT THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT WE HAVE TO BRING THE COST OF HEALTH CARE DOWN.

>> LET'S GO TO QUESTION NUMBER 2.

WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT GLOBAL WARMING.

PETER WELCH, IS GLOBAL WARMING SUCH A SERIOUS THREAT TO THE FUTURE OF THIS PLANET THAT CONGRESS SHOULD IMPOSE STRICT NEW EMISSIONS STANDARDS AND IMPOSE A TAX ON ALL SOURCES OF CARBON TO DISCOURAGE ITS USE?

>> YOU KNOW, THE CARBON TAX IS SOMETHING I DO SUPPORT, BUT REALLY IT'S GOT TO BE MUCH MORE COMPREHENSIVE THAN THAT.

FIRST OF ALL, IT IS A THREAT.

WE HAVE HAD 5 MILLION ACRES IN THE WEST BURNED.

WE HAVE HAD FIVE STORMS AT ONCE IN THE GULF REGION.

WE'RE SEEING A DROUGHT IN VERMONT.

THIS IS AN EXISTENTIAL CRISIS.

THE APPROACH THAT WE SHOULD TAKE IS WHERE EVERY SINGLE THING WE DO IS ABOUT REDUCING CARBON EMISSIONS AND THAT'S EVERYTHING FROM DISCOURAGING THE USE OF FOSSIL FUEL AND ENCOURAGING THE USE OF CLEAN ENERGY.

IT'S ENERGY EFFICIENCY, IT'S GRID TRANSFORMATION.

IT'S GROUNDWATER HEAT PUMPS.

THERE ARE MULTITUDES OF THINGS THAT HAVE TO BE DONE LOCALLY IN ORDER TO GET THE BENEFIT UNIVERSALLY OF REDUCED CARBON EMISSIONS AND I THINK IT'S SOMETHING IF WE FINALLY DO IT WILL NOT ONLY HELP THE PLANET BUT IT WILL CREATE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS IF NOT MILLIONS OF JOBS.

>> WHAT DO YOU SAY TO FOLKS WHO ARGUE THAT A NASCAR BON TAX WILL SEVERELY HURT THE ECONOMY OF THIS COUNTRY AND WILL HAVE A DISPROPORTIONATE IMPACT ON LOWER AND MIDDLE INCOME PEOPLE?

>> THEY ARE RIGHT.

IF IN FACT THE DESIGN ACROSS THE BOARD EVERYBODY HAS TO PAY THIS TAX IT DOESN'T NECESSARILY ACHIEVE THE GOAL.

WE HAVE TO BE VERY, VERY MINDFUL OF THE ECONOMIC BURDENS THAT EVERYDAY PEOPLE FACE.

BOTTOM LINE HERE IS THE CARBON TAX IS JUST ONE IDEA THAT PEOPLE HAVE THAT MIGHT AFFECT THE ABILITY TO REDUCE CARBON EMISSIONS.

THERE'S LOTS OF THINGS THAT I HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THAT ARE ABOUT ENERGY EFFICIENCY, ABOUT PROMOTING ELECTRIC VEHICLES, ABOUT GRID TRANSFORMATION, MANY THINGS THAT HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO HAVE A MUCH MORE SIGNIFICANT IMPACT.

>> MIRIAM BERRY, IS GLOBAL WARMING A MAJOR RISK TO THIS COUNTRY AND TO THIS PLANET AND WOULD YOU SUPPORT A NASCAR BON TAX?

>> I DO NOT SUPPORT A NASCAR BON TAX.

I HAVE COWORKERS THAT SOME OF THEM HAVE TO DRIVE AN HOUR TO GET TO WORK.

I'M TALKING ABOUT NURSING ASSISTANTS, PEOPLE WHO DON'T EARN A LOT OF MONEY TO START WITH.

I THINK THAT FOR EXAMPLE WHAT THEY HAVE DONE IN MONTPELIER FOR -- YEAH.

HURTS PEOPLE WHO ARE TRYING TO GET TO WORK.

WE LIVE IN A RURAL SOCIETY IN VERMONT AND IT'S JUST TOO HARD TO MEET THESE STANDARDS RIGHT NOW.

I THINK THE TIMING IS VERY BAD WITH COVID.

I DON'T THINK ANY VERMONT CITIZEN OR NATIONALLY WE'RE STILL STRUGGLING.

WE'RE STILL MANY PEOPLE OUT OF WORK AND CAN'T AFFORD TAX ACROSS THE BOARD.

THERE ARE STILL MANY DIFFERENT VIEWS ON GLOBAL WARMING ITSELF.

SOME SAY WE HAVE ALL THE POWER TO CONTROL IT.

SOME SAY IT'S HAPPENING BUT WE DON'T HAVE THE POWER, AND SOME ARE STILL NOT CONVINCED.

>> GIVE ME A SENSE OF HOW IMPORTANT YOU THINK THIS ISSUE IS.

>> I THINK RIGHT NOW THAT IT'S NOT AS IMPORTANT AS GETTING OUR COUNTRY ROLLING AGAIN AND GETTING PEOPLE BACK ON THEIR FEET.

>> THANK YOU.

LET'S SWITCH TO IMMIGRATION.

MIRIAM BERRY, RIGHT NOW THERE ARE SEVERAL THOUSAND UNDOCUMENTED WORKERS EMPLOYED IN VERMONT'S DAIRY INDUSTRY AND THEY ARE CONSIDERED A VITAL PART OF THIS INDUSTRY AND MANY PAY TAXES ON THEIR WAGES.

SHOULD THESE WORKERS BE OFFERED A PATH TO CITIZENSHIP OVER A PERIOD OF YEARS?

>> THAT'S A COMPLEX ONE BECAUSE YOU CERTAINLY HAVE PEOPLE WHO HAVE WORKED VERY HARD TO BECOME NATURALIZED CITIZENS THAT HAVE JUMPED THROUGH ALL THE HOOPS THAT ARE REQUIRED FOR CITIZENSHIP.

I THINK THAT IF WE SAY AS OF TODAY WE DON'T GIVE BENEFITS TO UNDOCUMENTED OR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, IF WE STOP TODAY THEN PEOPLE WON'T BE ABLE TO COME IN AND SAY I CAN GET EVERYTHING THAT EVERYBODY ELSE IS GETTING SO LET'S DO THAT, AND THEN, YES, WE CAN LOOK AT THAT BECAUSE CERTAINLY PEOPLE HAVE SET DOWN ROOTS IN VERMONT AND IN THE COUNTRY.

SO IT'S WORTH LET'S SEE WHAT WE CAN DO, BUT HOW TO MAKE THEM CITIZENS, HOW TO MAKE THEM PARTICIPANTS.

>> HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT PRESIDENT TRUMP'S PLAN TO CONSTRUCT A WALL ALONG THE MEXICAN BORDER?

>> I THINK THAT I WOULD STILL LIKE TO SEE THEM PAY FOR IT MORE.

BUT IF IT DOES HELP CONTROL THAT AND KEEP OUR NATION SAFE, THEN THAT'S A GOOD IDEA.

>> PETER WELCH, WOULD YOU SUPPORT A PATH TO CITIZENSHIP FOR THE SEVERAL THOUSAND UNDOCUMENTED WORKERS WHO ARE CURRENTLY EMPLOYED IN THE STATE'S DAIRY INDUSTRY?

>> YES, I WOULD.

I WOULD STRONGLY SUPPORT THAT.

THE FOLKS THAT ARE WORKING ON OUR FARMS ARE REALLY ESSENTIAL TO THE WELL-BEING OF THOSE FARMS.

YOU TALK TO THE FARMERS, THE OWNERS WHO HAVE COME TO RELY ON IMMIGRANT BEHAVIOR, LEARN FROM THE FARMERS HOW THEIR ABILITY IN VERY, VERY TOUGH CIRCUMSTANCES TO SUSTAIN THAT FARM WOULD VANISH IF THEY DIDN'T HAVE THOSE WORKERS THEN YOU LISTEN TO THE FARMERS TALK ABOUT THE VALUES OF THESE FOLKS WHO MILK COWS TWO, THREE TIMES A DAY AND SEND THEIR MONEY BACK TO FAMILIES, IN SOME CASES IN MEXICO, YES, I SUPPORT A PATH TO CITIZENSHIP FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PRESIDENT'S PLAN TO BUILD A WALL ALONG THE MEXICAN BORDER?

>> IT'S REALLY TERRIBLE.

NUMBER ONE IT'S NOT AN EFFECTIVE BARRIER.

NUMBER TWO, HE'S RUNNING RUSSIA OVER CONGRESS, QUITE FRANKLY BECAUSE HE DIDN'T GET THE APPROPRIATIONS FROM CONGRESS AND HE'S DIVERTING FUNDS FROM THE MILITARY TO DO THIS.

NEXT IT'S ENVIRONMENTALLY DISASTROUS.

PLACES WHERE THEY ARE TRYING TO BUILD A WALL IS DOING ENORMOUS DAMAGE AND IS HAVING THE PRESIDENT LITERALLY TRY TO USE 'EMMENEMINENT DOMAIN TO TAKE LAM PEOPLE.

IT'S ILLEGAL IN THE WAY HE'S DOING T. FINALLY, THE PRESIDENT'S POLICY AT THE BORDER WHERE I WENT DOWN AND SAW THAT CHILDREN WERE SEPARATED FROM THEIR PARENTS, THAT IS JUST UNCONSCIONABLE SO I'M VERY UPSET ABOUT THIS WALL AND IT'S GOT TO STOP.

>> THANK YOU.

LET'S GO TO OUR LIGHTNING ROUND.

CURRENTLY THE FEDERAL MINIMUM WAGE IS $7.25 AN HOUR.

DO YOU SUPPORT RAISING IT AND IF YOU DO, HOW HIGH SHOULD IT GO?

PETER WELCH.

>> I SUPPORT A $15 MINIMUM WAGE.

>> WOULD YOU PHASE THAT IN OR DO IT IMMEDIATELY.

>> I WOULD PHASE THAT IN.

>> MIRIAM BERRY?

>> NO COMMENT.

>> NO THOUGHTS ABOUT THE MINIMUM WAGE?

>> WELL, I THINK THAT IT'S GOING TO -- IF WE INCREASE THEN IT WILL CAUSE INCREASES IN EVERYBODY'S COST OF LIVING AS WELL.

LET'S LOOK AT VOLUNTEER CULTURE FOR RAISING WAGES.

>> THIS CONCLUDES THE FIRST ROUND OF OUR PROGRAM.

WHEN WE COME BACK THE CANDIDATES WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO ASK EACH OTHER QUESTIONS.

THIS IS THE VPR/VERMONT PBS DEBATE FEATURING THE MAJOR PARTY CANDIDATES FOR THE U.S.

HOUSE REPUBLICAN MIRIAM BERRY AND DEMOCRAT PETER WELCH.

VOTED MOST TRUSTED AMERICAN INSTITUTION.

YOU COME TO US FOR NEWS HOUR, WASHINGTON WEEK AND BBC AMERICA AND YOU WATCH "VERMONT THIS WEEK" FOR THE TOP STORIES IN OUR STATE.

HERE AT VERMONT PBS YOU WILL ALWAYS FIND A DEPENDABLE FORUM FOR CIVIL DIALOGUE.

YOUR DONATION RIGHT NOW ENSURES WE KEEP INDEPENDENT NEWS COVERAGE ON THE AIR AND ONLINE.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR INVESTMENT IN VERMONT PBS.

>> THIS IS THE VPR/VERMONT PBS DEBATE FEATURING THE MAJOR PARTY CANDIDATES FOR THE U.S.

HOUSE.

WITH US TODAY REPUBLICAN MIRIAM BERRY AND DEMOCRAT PETER WELCH.

IN THIS SECOND ROUND THE CANDIDATES WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO ASK EACH OTHER QUESTIONS.

YOUR QUESTIONS SHOULD BE SHORT, PLEASE MAKE SURE THEY ARE QUESTIONS, NOT LONG POLICY STATEMENTS, EACH OF YOU WILL HAVE A MINUTE TO RESPOND AND YOU CAN ASK A FOLLOW-UP QUESTION IF YOU WANT TO.

THAT RESPONSE SHOULD LITTLE BE LIMITED TO A MINUTE.

I FLIPPED A COIN.

MIRIAM BERRY GETS TO ASK THE FIRST QUESTION.

GO RIGHT AHEAD.

>> GOOD MORNING, MR.

WELCH.

IT WAS VERY NICE TO MEET YOU.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT FOR FRONTLINE WORKERS.

I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT.

HERE'S A QUESTION.

IF MR.

BIDEN IS ELECTED WILL YOU MOVE TO INVESTIGATE HUNTER BIDEN'S $3.5 MILLION ACQUISITION FROM MOSCOW?

>> NO.

THAT'S BEEN INVESTIGATED AND IT'S BEEN DEBUNKED.

I WOULDN'T JUST CONTINUE AN INVESTIGATION THAT'S BEEN FULLY DONE AND COMPLETED.

IT'S REALLY BEING USED AS I QUITE SEE IT BY THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN AS AN EFFORT TO DIVERT ATTENTION FROM THE ISSUES THAT BOTH CANDIDATES SHOULD BE ADDRESSING.

BUT ALSO BY THE WAY I WANT TO SAY IT'S VERY NICE TO MEET YOU AS WELL AND I REALLY DO ADMIRE THE WORK THAT YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUES DO ON THE FRONT LINE DURING THIS COVID CRISIS, SO THANK YOU, MIRIAM.

>> IS THERE A FOLLOW-UP QUESTION?

>> IN THE PAST YOU HAVE SAID THAT YOU WOULD IMPEACH MR.

TRUMP AGAIN.

NOW THAT HIS HAS BEEN DEBUNKED WOULD YOU STILL PROCEED WITH IMPEACHMENT?

>> THE DECISION ABOUT THE FUTURE IS IN THE HANDS OF THE AMERICAN VOTERS, AND THAT'S IDEALLY WHO SHOULD BE MAKING THE DECISION.

I SUPPORTEDDED IMPEACHMENT VERY STRONGLY I THOUGHT WHAT HE DID WHEN HE SOLICITED FROM A FOREIGN POWER ASSISTANCE TO INTERFERE IN OUR ELECTION WAS IMPEACHABLE.

THE EVIDENCE SHOWS THAT HE DID.

WE DID IMPEACH THE PRESIDENT IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND I PLAYED A VERY ACTIVE ROLE IN THAT.

HE DESERVED IMPEACHMENT.

EVERYTHING HE HAS DONE SINCE THEN HAS BEEN SHOCKING TO ME.

INCLUDING THE PRETTY CYIZATION OF THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT UNDER ATTORNEY GENERAL BARR.

THIS OUTCOME IS IN THE HANDS OF THE AMERICAN VOTERS.

>> THANK YOU.

PETER WELCH, WHAT IS YOUR FIRST QUESTION?

>> DO YOU INTEND TO SUPPORT DONALD TRUMP GIVEN EVERYTHING-TT TERM?

>> YES, I DO.

HE HAS DONE MORE, KEPT MORE PROMISES, ESPECIALLY FOR PROTECTING RELIGIOUS FREEDOMS.

AND FOR HELPING VETERANS.

CERTAINLY THAT'S BEEN A TREND THAT'S BEEN GOING ALONG THE WAY, BUT HE SUPPORTS THAT.

HE'S THE MOST PRO-LIFE PRESIDENT WE HAVE SEEN IN A LONG TIME.

SO YES, I DO.

>> IS THERE A FOLLOW-UP?

>> WHAT'S YOUR VIEW ABOUT THE TRUMP POLICY THAT HAD FAMILIES SEPARATED, CHILDREN FROM PARENTS, SOMETHING THAT WHEN I WENT DOWN TO THE TEXAS-MEXICO BORDER I OBSERVED AND SAW CHILDREN LITERALLY IN THESE CAGES SEPARATED FROM PARENTS.

WHERE IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF THIS POLICY WHICH I THINK IS QUITE CRUEL THE GOVERNMENT DIDN'T EVEN KNOW WHERE THE PARENTS WERE IN RELATIONSHIP TO THE CHILDREN.

>> WELL, THAT WAS CERTAINLY SEEN IN THE OBAMA ERA AS WELL.

SINGLING OUT A PARTICULAR PRESIDENT, THERE ARE PICTURES OF THE CAGES BACK IN THE OBAMA ERA AS WELL.

SO I STILL SAY IF WE STOP AND WE JUST GET THEM BACK ACROSS INTO THE OTHER COUNTRY THEN WE WON'T HAVE CHILDREN IN CAGES.

LET'S JUST STOP AND HAVE PEOPLE ONLY COME IN LEGALLY.

LEGALLY.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> TIME FOR OUR SECOND ROUND OF CANDIDATE QUESTIONS.

WE'RE GOING TO FLIP THE ORDER AND START WITH PETER WELCH.

>> I WANT TO ASK YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE.

I THINK THAT IS CLEAR AND PRESENT THREAT.

IN YOUR EARLIER COMMENTS IT WASN'T CLEAR TO ME WHAT YOU WOULD DO TO COMBAT CLIMATE CHANGE, SO I WOULD ASK YOU WHAT YOU WOULD DO TO ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE.

>> I THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE A CULTURAL CHANGE IN VERMONT, FOR EXAMPLE WE ARE THE GREEN MOUNTAINS.

THAT'S BOTH BY OUR NAME AND I THINK LITERALLY, ALTHOUGH IT'S CHANGING AND IT'S BEAUTIFUL OUT THERE NOW.

ALSO FIGURATIVELY I THINK VERMONT PEOPLE ARE VERY ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS.

OUR FAMILY COSM POSTED LONG BEFORE IT WAS POPULAR.

BOY, DID WE REDUCE, REUSE AND RECYCLE!

I THINK THAT THAT'S WHAT PEOPLE WANT TO DO AND I THINK PEOPLE WANT TO BE ABLE TO DO THINGS IN THE GREENWAY.

LET'S MAKE IT EASIER FOR PEOPLE TO DO THE RIGHT THING, REBATES FOR PURSUING GREEN ENERGY, FOR EXAMPLE.

I ALSO THINK THAT AS INDIVIDUALS WE NEED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY WHERE WE CAN.

>> IS THERE A FOLLOW-UP?

>> WELL, I AGREE WITH MIRIAM THAT INDIVIDUALS WE SHOULD ALL DO EVERYTHING WE CAN, BUT THERE ALSO HAS TO BE I THINK PUBLIC POLICIES.

FOR INSTANCE DO YOU SUPPORT CONTINUING TO HAVE THE GOVERNMENT SUBSIDIZE ETHANOL PRODUCTION?

>> I THINK ETHANOL WAS A BIT OF A CROCK BECAUSE IN A WAY IT -- WELL, ETHANOL DOES DECREASE GASOLINE ENGINE EFFICIENCY.

IT HAS EFFECTIVELY INCREASED THE COST OF SOME OF OUR GRAINS.

SO I DON'T THINK THAT WE NECESSARILY NEED ETHANOL IN OUR VEHICLES.

I WANT TO DO ALL WE CAN TO ENCOURAGE INNOVATION, FOR EXAMPLE I DON'T HAVE AN ELECTRIC CAR, BUT I GET 40 MILES TO THE GALLON SO THERE'S A LOT OF TECHNOLOGY WE CAN STILL ESTABLISHED.

INNOVATION AND SUPPORTING PEOPLE IN THAT WAY WILL HELP A LOT.

RATHER THAN PENALIZING PEOPLE.

>> I'M WITH YOU ON ETHANOL.

UNFORTUNATELY PRESIDENT TRUMP IS PROVIDING SIGNIFICANT ADDITIONAL SUBSIDIES TO THE ETHANOL INDUSTRY.

BUT I AGREE WITH YOU.

>> MIRIAM BERRY, YOUR SECOND QUESTION FOR PETER WELCH.

>> MR.

WELCH, WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO PROTECT OPPOSING VOICES SUCH AS CONSERVATIVE VOICES?

HOW WOULD YOU CONSIDER YOUR SENSE OF VICTORY OVER AN OPPONENT AS A MORATORIUM AND HOW WOULD YOU SUPPORT CONSERVATIVE VOICES IN VERMONT?

>> WELL, MY JOB AND I THINK MY JOB AS A MEMBER OF CONGRESS, MY JOB AS A CITIZEN, AS A VERMONTER IN THE WAY I TRUE I TO LIVE MY LIFE IS TO RESPECT ALL VOICES.

I HAVE A POINT OF VIEW, YOU HAVE A POINT OF VIEW.

AT TOWN MEETINGS WHERE WE ATTEND, WE SEE OUR NEIGHBORS WITH REALLY DIFFERENT POINTS OF VIEW.

YOU RESPECT THEM.

ONE OF WONDERFUL MEMORIES I HAVE WAS HAVING A TOWN MEETING IN HARTLAND WHERE I WAS LIVING AT THE TIME HAVING AN ARGUMENT WITH SOMEBODY.

IT WAS A HEATED ARGUMENT AND NEXT THING I KNOW THAT PERSON'S COACH MY SON AT LITTLE LEAGUE, RIGHT?

THEY ARE YOUR NEIGHBOR, THEY ARE YOUR FRIEND.

I THINK IN LIFE WE ARE ALWAYS GOING TO BE AROUND PEOPLE WHO DISAGREE, BUT THE JOY OF LIFE CAN BE THAT YOU GET TO SEE THE GOODNESS IN EVERYONE IF YOU JUST TRY TO LISTEN.

SO I THINK THAT'S A VERMONT VALUE, MIRIAM, AND IT'S SOMETHING I THINK ALL OF US CAN BE PROUD OF.

>> I'M GLAD THAT YOU'VE HAD A SIMILAR EXPERIENCE.

WHEN I WAS WORKING NIGHTS WAY BACK WHEN I WAS A -- A LICENSE PRACTICAL NURSE I TOOK CARE OF A FELLOW WHO WAS IN THE LEGISLATURE.

HE SAID THAT IT DIDN'T MATTER WHETHER YOU'RE REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT YOU VOTED FOR YOUR NEIGHBOR BECAUSE YOU KNEW THEM AND KNEW THEY WERE GOOD PERSONS.

SO THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> WE HAVE ONE MORE ROUND OF CANDIDATE QUESTIONS, SO LET'S FLIP IT AGAIN AND START WITH MIRIAM BERRY.

WHAT'S YOUR THIRD QUESTION FOR PETER WELCH?

>> I GET ANOTHER ONE?

[LAUGHTER] WOULD YOU SAY THAT KAMALA HARRIS IS THE VOICE OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY NOW?

SHE HAS REFERRED TO THE HARRIS ADMINISTRATION, FOR EXAMPLE.

>> WELL, SHE'S A PROMINENT VOICE.

SHE CERTAINLY IS.

SHE'S OUR VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE.

RIGHT NOW THE BIGGEST VOICE FOR THE DEMOCRATS OBVIOUSLY IS JOE BIDEN, AND PROBABLY THE SECOND BIGGEST IS VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE KAMALA HARRIS.

ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE IT'S PRESIDENT TRUMP AND VICE PRESIDENT PENCE, SO YES.

I THINK SHE WAS A GOOD SELECTION AS VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE.

SO SHE IS A PROMINENT VOICE IN OUR PARTY.

>> DO YOU HAVE A FOLLOW-UP?

>> NO.

>> PETER WELCH, WHAT'S YOUR THIRD QUESTION?

>> YOU KNOW, WE'RE FACING AFTER THE GEORGE FLOYD HORRIBLE KILLING IN MINNEAPOLIS, WHERE THAT OFFICER KNELT ON HIS NECK FEELING THERE WOULD BE NO CONSEQUENCES FOR THAT.

DO YOU HAVE THOUGHTS ABOUT THE REALITY OF SYSTEMIC RACISM INCLUDING IN VERMONT?

>> I WOULD ARGUE WITH SYSTEMIC RACISM AS A TERM THAT'S SOMETHING THAT'S COME UP AND USED WIDELY.

I THINK THAT IT'S NOT BEEN GOOD THAT WE HAVE SEEN ALL OF THESE -- THE MEDIA JUMPS ON SOMETHING WHICH CERTAINLY THEY SHOULD, BUT HAVING ACTED AS JUDGE AND JURY ALREADY AND MORE INFORMATION IS COMING OUT, FOR EXAMPLE, THAT MR.

FLOYD WAS SKY HIGH ON MEDICINES THAT OR RECREATIONAL DRUGS THAT WOULD HAVE KILLED HIM ANYWAY.

MOVING THAT ASIDE AS FAR AS SYSTEMIC RACISM I THINK YOU NEED TO LOOK AT THE MANY, MANY CITIES WHERE THE VIOLENCE IS AND THEY ARE RUN BY DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP, MAYORS, ET CETERA.

AS FAR AS SYSTEMIC RACISM I THINK THAT, GOLLY, AS A CHRISTIAN I BELIEVE THAT WE ARE ALL MADE IN GOD'S IMAGE, AND WE NEED TO LOOK AT EACH OTHER AS BEAUTIFUL AND VALUABLE AND WORTHY OF RESPECT AND JUSTICE.

SO WE DO NEED TO FOLLOW THE JUSTICE.

>> DO YOU J A FOLLOW-UP?

>> WELL, I AGREE WITH FOLLOWING JUSTICE, BUT THE SUGGESTION THAT THERE WAS ANY LEGITIMACY TO THE ACTION THAT THE OFFICER TOOK BECAUSE MR.

FLOYD MAY HAVE BEEN SKY HIGH AS YOU SAY, I DON'T THINK THAT'S NECESSARILY ESTABLISHED, WE HAVE HAD IN THIS COUNTRY OVER 200 YEARS OF SLAVERY AND THEN 100 YEARS OF JIM CROW WHERE A PERSON WAS TREATED DIFFERENTLY ON THE BASIS OF THE COLOR OF THEIR SKIN.

IT'S HAD AN IMPACT.

MY QUESTION IS, DO YOU HAVE A VIEW ABOUT WHAT HAS HAPPENED AND THE SIGNIFICANCE OF OUR EXPERIENCES AS A RESULT OF SLAVERY AND JIM CROW?

>> THERE CERTAINLY IS A BLACK MARK ON OUR COUNTRY FOR WHAT HAS BEEN ALLOWED IN THE PAST.

I THINK WE NEED TO LOOK AT, FOR EXAMPLE, PLA PLANNED PARENTHOOD.

IF SOMEBODY IS GOING TO PLAY REPARATIONS PLANNED PARENTHOOD 1450.

IF YOU'RE A BLACK FETUS YOU'RE THREE TIMES MORE LIKELY TO BE ABORTED.

THEY PUT THEIR FACILITIES IN THE AREAS WHERE THE BLACK POPULATION IS HIGH.

GO BACK TO MARGARET SANGER APPEARED HER THOUGHTS ABOUT LIMITING BLACK REPRODUCTION.

AS FAR AS -- SORRY, I FEEL QUITE PASSIONATE ABOUT THAT.

I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD DEFUND THE POLICE.

THEY NEED MORE SUPPORT.

I THINK THEY NEED HELP FOR PTSD AND MENTAL HEALTH.

THEY NEED ENOUGH STAFFING AND ENOUGH TRAINING.

TO HELP THEM BE AT THEIR BEST.

>> THANK YOU.

WE HAVE A BUNCH OF QUESTIONS THAT WE WANT TO GET TO DURING THIS DEBATE.

LET'S START OFF WITH DO YOU THINK WE SHOULD ELECT A PRESIDENT BASED ON THE NATIONAL POPULAR VOTE AS OPPOSED TO THE CURRENT SYSTEM OF USING THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE?

PETER WELCH.

>> I DO.

WE ARE HAVING A SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGE WITH ANCIENT INSTITUTIONS THAT ARE GETTING IN THE WAY OF THE DEMOCRACY BEING THE DECIDER.

THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE DOES NOT REPRESENT THE MAJORITY.

PRESIDENT TRUMP WAS ELECTED WITH 3 MILLION FEWER VOTES THAN HIS OPPONENT SO YOU HAVE THIS SITUATION WHERE UNDER A DEMOCRACY THE MAJORITY SHOULD RULE, AND RESPECT MINORITY RIGHTS.

WHAT WE'RE SEEING STARTING TO OCCUR IS THAT THE MINORITY IS IN CONTROL THEN UNDER PRESIDENT TRUMP REALLY ATTEMPTING TO REPRESS MAJORITY RIGHTS.

SO THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE IS ONE MANIFESTATION OF HOW THINGS ARE UPSIDE DOWN AND I WOULD SUPPORT DIRECT POPULAR ELECTION OF OUR PRESIDENTS.

>> DO YOU THINK IT WOULD HURT SMALL STATES?

>> NO, I DON'T.

I THINK IT WOULD HELP AMERICA.

I THINK PART OF WHAT WE HAVE THE GRIDLOCK FRUSTRATING EVERYONE YOU HAVE A DYSFUNCTIONAL STRUCTURES HERE.

YOU HAVE A SENATE WITH SENATOR McCONNELL WHERE HE SAID HIS JOB WHEN PRESIDENT TRUMP WAS ELECTED THE FIRST TIME WAS TO GUARANTEE THAT HE WAS A ONE-TERM PRESIDENT.

WHEN THE VOTERS DECIDE IT'S NOT OUR JOB TO GET IN THE WAY OF GETTING THINGS DONE IT'S OUR JOB TO TRY TO HELP GET THINGS DONE.

YOU HAVE THINGS UPSIDE DOWN IN THE SENATE WHEN YOU HAVE SOMEONE WITH NO RESTRAINT LIKE SENATOR McCONNELL.

I THINK THAT RETURNING TO ESSENTIALLY THE DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLE OF MAJORITY RULE AND MINORITY RIGHTS, REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT, IS HELDY FOR OUR DEMOCRACY.

>> MIRIAM BERRY, WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE ELECTRIC TERRIBLE COLLEGE?

>> I THINK IT NEEDS TO REMAIN.

WE'RE NOT A DEMOCRACY, WE'RE A CONSTITUTIONAL REPUBLIC.

THE FOUNDERS SET UP -- THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE WAS SET UP TO GIVE THE SMALLER STATES A VOICE.

IF YOU LOOK OBVIOUSL AS YOU LOOK AT THE MAP AND WHERE THE VOTES ARE CERTAINLY THE MORE CONCENTRATED AREAS ARE LEANING IN ONE WAY OVER ANOTHER.

BUT WE DO NEED TO KEEP THE ELECTRIC TRORL COLLEGE BECAUSE THAT GIVES BETTER VOICE TO THE STATES THAT HAVE LESS OF A VOICE IN OTHER CASES.

>> WHAT ABOUT MR.

WELCH'S ARGUMENT THAT THERE OUGHT TO BE A NATIONAL POPULAR VOTE AND WHOEVER WINS SHOULD BE ELECTED PRESIDENT?

>> I DISAGREE BECAUSE THAT'S NOT THE WAY IT WAS SET UP.

>> THANK YOU.

LET'S LOOK AT ANOTHER QUESTION AND TALK ABOUT THE ROE VERSUS WADE DECISION BY THE SUPREME COURT.

THAT'S A DECISION THAT COULD BE CHANGED IN THE COMING MONTHS OR YEARS.

WHAT ARE YOU THOUGHTS ABOUT THAT LANDMARK ABORTION DECISION?

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE IT OVERTURNED?

MIRIAM BERRY.

>> YES, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT OVERTURNED, BUT RIGHT NOW WE HAVE -- IT WAS RETURNED TO THE STATES, THE DECISIONS ABOUT APPORTION.

WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT IS IT'S TREATED LIKE ANY OTHER MEDICAL PROCEDURE WITH TRUE INFORMED CONSENT OF THE RISKS AND IMPACTS.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE FOR EXAMPLE THAT IF SOMEBODY HAS BEEN GIVEN AN ORAL ABORTION AGENT THEY NEED TO BE IN THE HOSPITAL BECAUSE TERRIBLE THINGS CAN HAPPEN.

I THINK THAT ANY ABORTION PROVIDER NEEDS TO HAVE ADMITTING PRIVILEGES TO A HOSPITAL SO THAT IF THERE IS SOMETHING THAT GOES WRONG WE CAN PROTECT THAT WOMAN.

I THINK THAT WHEN A CHILD SURVIVES AN ABORTION WE NEED TO TAKE CARE OF THAT CHILD.

PART OF WHAT THE ARGUMENT IS IS A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO CHOOSE, BUT DEPENDING ON WHAT YOUR BELIEF IS WHETHER THE CHILD IS A CHILD WHEN BORN OR THE CHILD FROM ONE EXCEPTION IS A HUMAN BEING, THOSE OF US WHO BELIEVE A CHILD IS HUMAN FROM CONCEPTION WE SAY THERE'S MORE THAN ONE PERSON INVOLVED.

THAT THERE'S THE WOMAN, THE FATHER AND THE CHILD TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THEIR RIGHTS.

>> THANK YOU.

PETER WELCH.

>> I THINK IT WOULD BE REALLY A DISASTER.

QUITE A CATASTROPHE IF ROE VERSUS WADE WERE OVERTURNED AND WOMEN LOST THEIR RIGHT TO REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM.

SO I THINK THAT IS VERY MUCH A THREAT WITH THE BALANCE OF THE SUPREME COURT NOW BEING CHANGED.

SO I DO SUPPORT ROE VERSUS WADE.

I THINK IT'S BEEN EXTREMELY IMPORTANT THAT WOMEN HAVE THEIR OWN ABILITY TO MAKE DECISIONS.

>> THIS CONCLUDES THE SECOND ROUND OF OUR PROGRAM.

WHEN WE COME BACK WE'LL HAVE MORE QUESTIONS FOR THE CANDIDATES.

THIS IS THE VPR/VERMONT PBS U.S.

HOUSE DEBATE.

CHOICES WHEN IT COMES TO TELEVISION AND STREAMING.

BUT YOU KNOW THAT VERMONT PBS IS DIFFERENT.

NOWHERE ELSE WILL YOU FIND THE LOCAL STORYTELLING YOU FINDS HERE.

NOWHERE ELSE CAN YOU WATCH MR.

KRIS AND FRIENDS, OUR EMMY NOMINATED CHILDREN'S SHOW.

JOIN US AND SHARE AMERICA'S MOST TRUSTED INSTITUTION FOR 16 CONSECUTIVE YEARS.

IF YOU WATCH, PLEASE SUPPORT US BY DONATING RIGHT NOW.

>> THIS IS THE VPR/VERMONT PBS DEBATE FEATURING THE MAJOR PARTY CANDIDATES FOR U.S.

HOUSE.

WITH US REPUBLICAN MIRIAM BERRY AND ALSO DEMOCRAT PETER WELCH.

WE HAVE THIS QUESTION FROM FEN, AN 11th GRADE SCOONT AT BRATTLEBORO HIGH SCHOOL.

IN YOUR PERSONAL OPINION, WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PROBLEM OUR STATE HAS RIGHT NOW?

MIRIAM BERRY.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR QUESTION.

ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS VERMONT IS FACING NOW IS GETTING YOU FOLKS BACK TO SCHOOL, GETTING INTO A REGULAR PATTERN WHERE YOU CAN SEE YOUR FRIENDS AGAIN AND SOCIALIZE AND HAVE FACE TO FACE TIME WITH YOUR TEACHERS.

I THINK THAT'S A GOOD THING.

I REALLY WOULD LIKE TO SEE YOU KIDS BE ABLE TO GET BACK AND DO WHAT'S IMPORTANT AND GET BACK TO LEARNING IN A WAY THAT YOU'RE USED TO ALREADY.

IF YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR THEM.

THANK YOU.

>> PETER WELCH.

>> WELL, I AGREE WITH MIRIAM ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF KIDS BEING ABLE TO GET SAFELY BACK TO SCHOOL.

THAT REALLY, REALLY MATTERS.

IN VERMONT THE BIG CHALLENGE FOR US IS THE BIG CHALLENGE WE'RE FACING IN AMERICA, TO GET ON TOP OF THAT VIRUS.

VERMONT OF COURSE IS DOING A REALLY GOOD JOB BUT THE THREAT CONTINUES TO BE THERE.

BUT AS VERMONT'S REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS I THINK THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE THAT WE FACE IN VERMONT AND IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY, THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE WE FACE IS THE RESTORATION OF DEMOCRATIC NORMS.

WHAT I'M SEEING HERE WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP IS THAT HE HAS CAST ASIDE THOSE RESTRAINTS THAT ARE SO ESSENTIAL IN A PRESIDENT THAT WE HAVE ENJOYED WHETHER IT WAS A REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENT.

BUT WHEN WE HAVE A PRESIDENT WHO IS ACTING LIKE HE DID IN THAT SPECTACLE IN THE DEBATE LAST NIGHT WHERE HE'S HAVING HIS ATTORNEY GENERAL BRING DOWN THE HAMMER ON ADVERSARIES OF THE PRESIDENT, EVEN WHILE HE'S HAVING THAT ATTORNEY GENERAL DO SPECIAL FAVORS FOR HIS FRIENDS, PRETTY CYIZATION OF THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT, WE NEED TO RESTORE DEMOCRATIC NORMS.

IT'S ESSENTIAL FOR VERMONT AND OUR COUNTRY.

>> THANK YOU.

WE ALSO GOT THIS QUESTION.

HOW SERIOUS IS THE ISSUE OF INCOME INEQUALITY IN THIS COUNTRY?

THE GROWING GAP BETWEEN THE VERY WEALTHY AND THOSE WITH LOWER INCOMES AND IS IT A PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY GOVERNMENT OR NOT?

PETER WELCH.

>> IT'S A CORE ISSUE.

IT'S A HUGE PROBLEM.

THE WHOLE AWESOME HISTORY OF OUR COUNTRY HAS BEEN WRAPPED UP IN THE CAPACITY OF PARENTS TO HAVE SOME CONFIDENCE THAT THEY WERE GOING TO HELP CREATE A COUNTRY THAT LEFT THEIR CHILDREN BETTER OFF AND WITH MORE OPPORTUNITIES.

SO THAT'S BEEN A SOURCE OF PRIDE AND A SOURCE OF HARD WORK BY AMERICANS FOR GENERATIONS.

BUT WHAT WE'RE SEEING WITH INCOME INEQUALITY IS THAT THE OPPORTUNITIES ARE SHRINKING AND THAT KIDS ARE GETTING OUT OF SCHOOL WITH HUGE DEBT, CAN'T GET A FIRST JOB, WHERE PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT IN THE INFORMATION AGE ECONOMY THAT ARE DOING REALLY GOOD TRYING TO DO REALLY GOOD WORK IN OTHER WAYS DON'T HAVE A WAY OF GETTING A RAISE.

IN THE LAST 30 YEARS, MANY AMERICANS HAVE NOT HAD A RAISE.

EVEN AS WE HAVE SEEN THIS GARGANTUAN EXPLOSION OF WEMENT AT THE VERY TOP.

GOVERNMENT POLICY MAKES A DIFFERENT ON CHILD CARE, ON HEALTH CARE, ON WORKER TRAINING.

THIS IS SOMETHING WHERE THERE HAS TO BE RESPONSIBLE PUBLIC POLICY.

THAT'S WHAT OUR POLITICAL SYSTEM SHOULD BE DELIVERING.

>> THANK YOU.

MIRIAM BERRY.

>> IT IS A HUGE ISSUE, AND LET'S LOOK AT WHO IS RUNNING MONOPOLIES RIGHT NOW.

LET'S LOOK AT BIG TECH, LOOK AT BIG MEDIA.

LET'S INVESTIGATE AND LOOK AT HOW WE CAN HELP THE FOLKS IN THE MIDDLE, HOW WE CAN HELP BRING UP THE FOLKS THAT ARE IN THE LOWER INCOME LEVELS.

DEFINITELY LET'S DO SOMETHING ON THAT.

LOOKING AT EVIDENCE BASED RESEARCH, LET'S LOOK AT OTHER COUNTRIES WHERE THEY HAVE SUCCEEDED AND WHERE THEY HAVEN'T.

>> LET ME ASK YOU A MORE PERSONAL COMPANY.

QUESTION.

>> WHAT DECISION AS AN ADULT WAS THE WORST DECISION YOU HAVE MADE AND WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM IT.

MIRIAM BERRY?

>> I HAVE PROBABLY MADE A BUNCH MUCH BAD DECISIONS.

THE WORST DECISION -- CAN WE GET BACK TO ME?

[LAUGHTER] I HAVE LEARNED A LOT EVEN ON SMALL BAD DECISIONS.

>> I'M LOOKING FOR SOMETHING THAT YOU LEARNED SOMETHING FROM, THAT WAS AN IMPORTANT LIFE LESSON FOR YOU.

>> I'M GOING TO HAVE TO PASS ON THAT ONE.

I DO DEFINITELY LEARN FROM MY MISTAKES BUT I CAN'T THINK OF SOMETHING THAT'S EVEN REMOTELY ENTERTAINING.

>> PETER WELCH, DO YOU HAVE A THOUGHT?

>> I'M A LITTLE BIT LIKE MIRIAM BECAUSE WHEN YOU ASKED THAT QUESTION I WAS TRYING TO THINK OF SOMETHING SPECIFIC.

BUT DECISIONS ABOUT WHETHER YOU TAKE A CASE OR YOU RUN FOR OFFICE OR THINGS THAT ARE INSTRUMENTAL IN YOUR LIFE, YOU CAN SECOND GUESS THOSE AND WONDER WHETHER YOU COULD HAVE DONE IT A DIFFERENT WAY.

BUT ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS WHERE I FIND THAT I DON'T RESPOND AND DON'T LISTEN AND CAN SENSE THAT I HAVE HURT OR DISRESPECTED SOMEBODY, I ALWAYS FEEL BAD AFTER THAT.

SO IT'S A DAY-TO-DAY LIFE APPROACH THAT YOU HAVE TO TAKE.

WHAT I HAVE LEARNED IS THAT LISTENING IS BETTER THAN TALKING AND, YES IS MUCH BETTER THAN NO GENERALLY.

ANY TIME YOU GET AN OPPORTUNITY TO HELP USUALLY MAKES YOU FEEL MUCH BETTER.

>> LET'S LOOK AT LEGISLATION BEING CONSIDERED IN THE U.S.

HOUSE NOW.

THAT WOULD LEGALIZE THE USE AND SALE OF MARIJUANA.

BACKERS SAY IT'S NEEDED BECAUSE THE CURRENT PROHIBITION SIMPLY ISN'T WORKING.

WOULD YOU SUPPORT THIS, PETER WELCH?

>> YES.

IT'S TIME.

THE FACT THAT WE HAVE TREATED MARIJUANA AS A SCHEDULE 2 DRUG, WHERE IT IS NOT EVEN ALLOWED FEDERALLY FOR HEALTH CARE REASONS, I THINK IT IS TIME TO LEGALIZE MARIJUANA.

>> AND PETER WELCH, WHAT DO YOU SAY TO FOLKS WHO SAY WE ALREADY HAVE SOME LEGALIZED DRUGS, WHY DO WE NEED ANOTHER?

>> WELL, THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM SHOULD BE ABOUT WHERE THERE'S CRIMINAL CONDUCT.

IF MARIJUANA IS WIDELY -- IT CAN BE ABUSED.

JUST LIKE ALCOHOL CAN BE ABUSED.

JUST LIKE THE RIGHT TO DRIVE A CAR CAN BE ABUSED WHEN YOU SPEED AND ENDANGER OTHER PEOPLE.

BUT THE STUDIES INDICATE THAT MARIJUANA DOES NOT HAVE CHARACTERISTICS SIMILAR TO SOME OF THE HARDER, MORE DANGEROUS DRUGS.

SO CITIZENS WANT IT, CITIZENS HAVE TO BE RESPONSIBLE IN USING IT AND I THINK IT MAKES SENSE TO MAKE IT LEGAL.

>> MIRIAM BERRY, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA?

>> I THINK MEDICAL MARIJUANA IS A CONCEPT THAT CERTAINLY CAN HELP PEOPLE, FOR EXAMPLE FOR TERMINAL PAIN WHEN SOMEBODY IS DYING.

FOR ACROSS THE BOARD MEDICAL -- JUST MARIJUANA BEING DECRIMINALIZED, RIGHT NOW WE'RE BEING TOLD THAT THAT'S GOING TO RAISE TAX MONIES, FOR EXAMPLE, BUT WE HAVE SEEN THAT QUITE OFTEN RATHER THAN PAYING TAXES PEOPLE WILL GO AROUND IT AND HAVE BLACK MARKET OR UNAUTHORIZED SALES OF MARIJUANA.

SO I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THAT'S GOING TO NECESSARILY BE A GREAT REVENUE RAISER FOR EITHER VERMONT OR THE UNITED STATES.

I THINK THAT WE STILL NEED A WAY TO MEASURE EFFECTIVELY AT THE TIME WHETHER MARIJUANA IS IN SOMEBODY'S SYSTEM IF THERE'S A TRAFFIC OR DRIVING PROBLEM.

ALSO WITH MEDICAL MARIJUANA WHAT WE HAVE ACTUALLY EXPERIENCED IN OUR FACILITY OR IN A PREVIOUS FACILITY, DOESN'T MATTER, THAT SOMEBODY ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA STILL BECAUSE IT'S SMOKED, FOR EXAMPLE, CAN'T BE DONE IN A NURSING FACILITY SETTING SO WE NEED TO GET SOME CONSISTENCY.

>> MIRIAM BERRY, WHAT DO YOU SAY TO FOLKS WHO FEEL THE CURRENT PROHIBITION JUST ISN'T WORKING?

>> IT'S PROBABLY NOT WORKING.

>> SHOULD IT BE CHANGED?

>> I DON'T THINK THAT BECAUSE SOMETHING ISN'T BEING EFFECTIVELY ENFORCED IS A REASON TO JUST GET RID OF THE LAW.

>> THANK YOU.

LET'S GO TO OUR LIGHTNING ROUND QUESTIONS.

SEE HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT SOME OF THESE ISSUES.

DO YOU SUPPORT HAVING TERM LIMITS FOR MEMBERS OF THE U.S.

HOUSE AND U.S.

SENATE?

WOULD THAT BE HELPFUL, WOULD THAT HELP END SOME OF THE GRIDLOCK, MIRIAM BERRY?

>> I DON'T SUPPORT TERM LIMITS EVEN THOUGH I'M NOT IN FAVOR OF CAREER POLITICIANS CONTINUING ON AND ON AND ONTO, BUT IT'S THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OR DISTRICT THAT KEEP ELECTING SOMEBODY.

EVEN IF I DON'T LIKE THAT NANCY PELOSI KEEPS GETTING REELECTED IT'S NOT MY CHOICE.

AS AN INCUMBENT YOU HAVE A WHOLE LOT OF EXTRA PUSH THAT IT'S NOT CONSTITUTIONAL AT THIS POINT.

>> PETER WELCH, HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT TERM LIMITS?

>> WELL, I HAVE TO SAY I AGREE WITH MIRIAM.

[LAUGHTER] I DO.

IT'S REALLY UP TO THE VOTERS.

THE ISSUE OF GRIDLOCK, I DON'T BELIEVE IT WOULD BE ADDRESSED BY TERM LIMITS.

IN FACT, THERE'S A HUGE TURNOVER IN THE HOUSE.

I CAME 14 YEARS AGO, BUT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE MOVED ON, SOME VOTED OUT OF OFFICE, MANY OF MY DEMOCRATIC COLLEAGUES WERE, A NUMBER THAT DECIDED TO RETIRE.

IT'S BEEN REALLY SUBSTANTIAL IN TERMS OF THE TURNOVER.

SO THE CAREER POLITICIANS ARE ACTUALLY A LOT FEWER THAN PEOPLE THINK.

BUT THERE'S OTHER CHALLENGES TO THE GRIDLOCK.

PART OF THIS GRIDLOCK REALLY DOES REFLECT THE ENORMOUS DIVISION IN THE COUNTRY, WHERE WE DON'T HAVE THE VERMONT WAY OF TRYING TO WORK OUT DIFFERENCES.

I THINK THE AMOUNT OF MONEY IN POLITICS, BILLIONS AND BILLIONS AND BILLIONS OF DOLLARS, IS REALLY MAKING IT FRUSTRATING FOR CITIZENS TO FEEL THEY HAVE ACCESS AND INFLUENCE.

>> ONE FINAL SHORT QUESTION FOR BOTH OF YOU, WOULD YOU SUPPORT A PLAN TO PROVIDE STUDENTS AT PUBLIC COLLEGES WITH FREE TUITION IF THEY AGREED TO WORK AND LIVE IN A STATE FOR A FIVE-YEAR PERIOD AFTERWARDS?

PETER WELCH.

>> YES.

>> AND MIRIAM BERRY, HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THAT?

>> JUST A QUESTION.

WHO ARE YOU PROPOSING WOULD PAY FOR THAT?

WOULD THAT BE THE STATES?

>> IT WOULD BE A FEDERAL PROGRAM.

>> THEN NO, I DON'T.

I THINK THAT SOMETHING BETTER TO DO WOULD BE IF FORGIVENESS OF LOANS IF THEY MEET THE NEEDS OF SOCIETY AT THE TIME, FOR EXAMPLE THERE ARE PROGRAMS EXISTING RIGHT NOW WHERE THERE'S LOAN FORGIVENESS FOR NURSES.

>> THANK YOU BOTH.

HERE'S OUR FINAL QUESTION IN OUR PROGRAM TODAY.

TELL VOTERS WHY YOU THINK YOUR ELECTION AS VERMONT'S SOLE MEMBER OF THE U.S.

HOUSE WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THEIR LIVES.

PLEASE LIMIT YOUR ANSWERS TO 60 SECONDS.

MIRIAM BERRY.

>> I BELIEVE THAT THE INTENT OF THE FOUNDERS WAS FOR CONGRESS PEOPLE TO HAVE A LIMITED TIME, THAT THEY COME NSERVE TWO OR FOUR YEARS, WHATEVER, WHILE THE NEEDS ARE BEING MET THAT THEY INTENDED FOR CITIZENS TO BE PART OF THE GOVERNMENT.

I THINK THAT AS A CITIZEN, AS SOMEBODY WHO HAS WORKED AS A NURSE AND SERVED VERMONTERS IN THAT CAPACITY FOR YEARS AND YEARS THAT I CERTAINLY KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO HAVE TO PAY THE BILLS.

WHAT IT'S LIKE ACTUALLY TO HAVE HAD LANDLORD KNOCKING ON MY DOOR.

I KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO DECIDE WHICH BILLADO WE ACTUALLY PAY THIS WEEK.

I KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO STRUGGLE AND I ALSO KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO PURSUE A GOAL AND ACHIEVE IT.

I WENT FROM A NURSING ASSISTANT TO A LICENSED NURSE TO A REGISTERED NURSE, AND I GOT MY R.N.

WHILE WORKING FULL-TIME.

I THINK THAT SOMEBODY WHO IS NOT A CAREER POLITICIAN KNOWS, AND I UNDERSTAND A LOT MORE RIGHT NOW IN THE HERE AND NOW AND I CAN BRING THAT TO WASHINGTON AND I WILL SERVE VERMONTERS THAT WAY.

>> THANK YOU.

PETER WELCH.

>> WELL, IT'S AN INCREDIBLE HONOR TO SERVE VERMONT IN CONGRESS.

MY GOAL IS TO CONTINUE BRINGING WHAT I SAY IS THE VERMONT WAY OF CIVILITY, RESPECT, HARD WORK TO CONGRESS.

REPRESENT THOSE VALUES.

IT'S MORE NECESSARY THAN EVER.

EVERY DAY THAT I'M IN VERMONT TALKING TO PEOPLE LIKE SHANNON HILL, TRYING TO HANG ON WITH THE FAMILY FARM, OR SEAN McMANN IN WINOOSKI HOPING SCHOOLS SAFELY, DOING SUCH GOOD WORK, YOU GO TO VERMONTER AFTER VERMONTER, STRUGGLING TO DEAL WITH THE ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES OF COVID, TO BE IN A POSITION WHERE I CAN BE THEIR VOICE, TO GET AID BACK TO VERMONT SO THAT THEY CAN GET THROUGH TO THE OTHER SIDE OF COVID, THAT'S A SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY.

I THINK YOU AND I BOTH LIKE TO SERVE.

THAT'S WHY I SAID I ADMIRE YOUR FRONT LINE SERVICE.

BUT IT'S A SPECIAL, SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY AND I FEEL VERY PRIVILEGED TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO IT AND REALLY HAVE A STRONG DESIRE TO CONTINUE.

>> THANK YOU BOTH.

THIS CONCLUDES THE VPR/VERMONT PBS DEBATE FEATURING THE MAJOR PARTY CANDIDATES FOR THE U.S.

HOUSE, REPUBLICAN MIRIAM BERRY AND DEMOCRAT PETER WELCH.

MANY THANKS TO BOTH OF YOU FOR BEING WITH US TODAY.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

IT'S BEEN A PRIVILEGE.

>> JUST A REMINDER THAT EARLY VOTING IS NOW UNDERSTAND WAY IN VERMONT.

ALL ACTIVE REGISTERED VOTERS WILL BE SENT A BALLOT AND SOME OF THESE HAVE ALREADY BEEN SENT OUT.

AND VOTERS CAN MAIL THE BALLOTS BACK TO THEIR TOWN CLERKS.

THEY CAN DROP THEM OFF IN PERSON AT THEIR LOCAL CLERK'S OFFICE OR BRING THE BALLOT WITH THEM WHEN THEY VOTE IN PERSON ON ELECTION DAY ITSELF.

THE IMPORTANT THING IS TO VOTE.

I'M BOB KINZEL.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.