This is a KSPS PBS Election Special A debate featuring candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives from Washington's Fifth District.

Hello and thank you for joining us.

I'm Kristi Gorenson.

KSPS is pleased to bring you this debate featuring the candidates running for the U .

S. House of Representatives from Washington's fifth District Let me introduce the candidates for the job.

Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers is a native of Kettle Falls, Washington, a six term state legislator.

She was first elected to Congress in 2004.

Cathy currently serves as the Republican leader on the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

She's seeking her 10th term in office.

Natasha Hill grew up in Spokane and attended Rogers High School, the University of Washington and Southwestern Law School.

As an attorney, she practices civil litigation focusing on business and entertainment, employment and family law.

Natasha is also a licensed real estate broker.

Welcome to you both.

Thank you.

For this debate, The candidates will answer questions from to Spokane journalists.

Kip Hill is a reporter for the Spokesman Review and Daniel Walters is senior investigative reporter for The Inlander.

Before we began to want to go over some of the debate rules for our viewers, these rules were agreed to by the candidates.

The panel may ask the same question to each candidate, or they can direct the question to just one The Panelist may request a follow up to an answer.

Candidates will have one minute to answer questions and 30 seconds for rebuttals.

Candidates will have one minute for closing statements.

So let's begin a coin flip determined that Mrs McMorris Rodgers will take the first question and Daniel is going to start us off.

This is a question for both candidates, but Um, you know, in recent years, we've seen more and more candidates for office on both sides of the aisle and both primary engine or elections refused to agree to the debates.

But you're both here.

Why did you decide to show up today?

Well I decided to show up because I think that the battle of ideas is really important and having these debates as an opportunity to Have a forum or we can Probably address some of the most important issues that are facing the people of eastern Washington.

It's an opportunity for people to be able to see both the candidates what we stand for what we are advocating as the as the, um congressman as the elected representative for the people of Eastern Washington .

I do make it a priority to get around Eastern Washington, too.

Listen to people to hear what's on their minds.

Hold the town halls.

Uh huh.

And then Take that and actually.

Listen, but then also lead on their behalf.

The debates are, I think pretty fundamental to our form of government.

It's what I think people have come to expect.

And I applaud Natasha for stepping up to run for office and being here today and participating in this battle of ideas.

It's pretty fundamental to our form of government.

This helps Thank you.

Yeah I have very happy to be here today to show up and answer questions.

I've had an opportunity in this campaign as a first time candidate to get around the fifth Congressional district to meet with folks and really hear from them personally , You know what their interests are, what their priorities are what their concerns are, Um, and that's something we need a lot more of these debates are an opportunity to hear your candidate's answer Questions directly.

So you know where they stand on the issues, and I think there needs to be clarity on a lot of issues.

There's a lot of people I've talked to who do.

Don't feel That they're getting direct answers.

And even when there are town halls, and so I think again, this debate is an opportunity where both candidates are there to kind of challenge each other on positions and, Yeah, this is part of our democracy.

Part of what we need to do to get people excited about voting to feel informed that they can make these decisions because everybody out there who's eligible to vote.

Can be informed and has the ability to weigh in on what they want as far as representation, So I'm hoping we can answer their questions and give them that information.

They need to vote this November.

Thank you, Miss Hill, You'll take the stick next question.

And that's for me, and I actually have a question first for you, Miss Hill, and then I'll have a question for Mr McMorris, Rodgers, and it's about the issue of abortion.

Um and obviously that was thrown onto the ballot and continue to be on the ballot because of the decision the Supreme Court made earlier this year, Miss Hill, do you should the federal government imposed any limits on abortion?

And if show, if so, what should those limits be?

Um you know, ultimately what we need to be listening to his health care providers and the decisions that majority of Americans want and what we've heard is a majority of Americans and definitely here in Washington state want to protect safe legal access to abortion.

It's a healthcare procedure.

It's and we can't have just a one size fits all rules.

We also cannot have politicians substituting their own personal ideas and beliefs for medical professionals and for individuals who are in the best position.

To make decisions about what happens to their own bodies.

Our government does not have a place in making decisions about what happens to our inside of our bodies, especially whether we're talking abortion or vaccines.

What the Supreme Court did this summer to me as an attorney who has practiced over 15 years and spent over six figures and racked up a lot of debt for this degree, was a slap in the face to my education in terms of what we're taught to uphold legal precedent to uphold established law.

We have now rolled back rights and I never excited.

Did ever about rolling back rights.

We should be expanding rights.

That's what our constitution is about.

And that will include more people across our country.

Thank you.

Uh follow up there any specific week restrictions or anything you would look at in terms of viability of the fetus was definitely an abortion.

I would support legislation that would codify Roe v. Wade similar to what we have in this state.

I would add to that that our current representative has has announced that she's willing to support a federal ban.

But that flies in the face of exactly what the Supreme Court said, which is we should leave it to the states.

Our states decided and we should not have a representative who is ruling willing to go against state law and what the people of her state once simply because it doesn't fit with their own personal ideologies and beliefs.

We're bottle from Mrs McMorris Rodgers.

Yes, absolutely.

Well I what I've supported in Congress and the decision.

The Dobbs decision was a pretty narrow decision that said that there wasn't a constitutional right to abortion and left it up to the elected representatives to be making this this, uh, this decision.

What I've supported in Congress is supporting Protecting life after 20 weeks, Uh, bill to ban partial birth abortion.

I've always stood for no taxpayer funding of abortion .

I believe we should be fostering an environment where no woman feels like an abortion is our only option.

All right.

Thank you.

Um I have another question for Mrs McMorris Rodgers.

And do you believe should they federal government allows states to ban abortions even in cases of rape and incest like we've seen in Missouri and Ohio.

Like what The what The Dobbs decision said, was that it was up to the elected representatives to be making that decision.

And we've seen states take different positions .

It's really it's really up to the states to be making those decisions.

You know, I at the federal level I laid out what I have supported.

I think that we want to stay focused on a culture that Protects life and supports a woman and a child at every stage of life.

Uh and I've I've supported legislation to protect life after 20 weeks what the radical position is Being promoted that passed the House of Representatives under Speaker Pelosi and every Democrat, but well, not everyone, but one Voted for was abortion up until birth for any reason.

Sex race disability, including those with Down syndrome.

That's the radical position right now being promoted that passed the House of Representatives in Congress.

Specifically related to rape or incest, though, are there Specific provisions and exemptions that you think should be In a federal law supported, uh, in the in the pain capable bill that passed, which was, um , limiting abortion after 20 weeks.

There were exceptions for rating, rape and incest.

My goal is to protect as many lives as possible and to make sure that women and Children feel like they are supported it every stage of life and that women don't feel like the only option is abortion.

There is amazing.

It's a It's just amazing what medical technology is providing for people today and I think that we should be celebrating what's happening, Prenatally the fact that we can And now do surgery period prenatally for heart conditions or for spina bifida, where Children babies that were born.

Previously wouldn't be able to walk.

Now We can do surgeries prenatally, Let's let's focus on Celebrating life.

What's what technology has provided and protect as many lives as possible.

Still you do have a 32nd rebuttal If you like.

Yes please.

You know, I think it's concerning that all our current representative can do is tell us what she's already done, which we already know instead of what she would be doing in the event in the event that becomes up as a bill, right?

So now we don't have an answer to the question on whether she would support exceptions for rape or incest, which is a pretty direct question and easy one to answer.

I would absolutely support those exceptions.

And what we're also hearing is that we can't have just one size fits all.

You're not in the room with these individuals with medical providers.

You don't know their health health outcomes and that varies based on individual reasons.

And so our government coming in and making decisions without deferring to medical experts and the people and the best decision, uh, position to make those decisions concerning.

All right, Thank you.

Ah Mrs McMorris Rodgers.

You'll take this next question.

Yeah this um this question is just for, um Kathleen Morris Rogers.

After January January 6th right at the Capitol, you wrote a message lamenting what had happened on both sides of the political discourse, including a section saying that Trump supporters like you had turned a blind eye to arrogant, prideful and bowling behavior from the former president.

Do you believe you personally turn that blind eye Trump's behavior?

And if so, how have you changed your approach to Trump?

In the year and a half since.

Well I did make that statement on January 6th.

That was a dark day in our nation's history.

It was un American.

What happened at the Capitol on January 6th and President Trump .

I felt that he had crossed crossed the line.

Um I made a decision that day to uphold the vote of the Electoral college to certify the vote of the electoral College.

I believe that the election Ah That there were questions that had been raised that Needed to be answered in order that people would have Confidence in our elections, and that is where I have continued to say that we need to be willing to answer these questions.

Republicans and Democrats have concerns about election integrity and the peaceful transfer of power is contingent upon that and I've gone to work to be a representative.

That Will build trust and in representative government.

I just I wanted to ask about you personally.

Do you believe you personally turned a blind eye to Trump's Arrogant, prideful and bullying behavior.

And if so, how?

Well I think, um , on that day we saw I think I was I was referring to Just the approach that he had taken at different times.

Um and that had stirred up Um people in our country, but I think that The what The actions that happened that day were We're driven by people who believed that there were election procedure that had changed leading up to the November election, and that questions had not been answered .

And so I. I made the decision to uphold the electoral College .

I believe that President Biden is a legitimate president.

But I also believe that in order to ensure election integrity that we need to be willing to answer questions and get to the bottom of election integrity that both Republicans and Democrats want Um, to see that?

I guess I still haven't.

I just still don't I still haven't gotten the question answered about have you?

Do you believe you personally turned a blind eye to his behavior?

Ah I made I made that statement and Ah!

I called out the president for being, um , arrogant at times and treating people disrespectfully and I had made statements along the way and I called him out where I thought it was important to do so I have.

I have called him out where I thought it was important to do so.

Right I Miss Hill.

You have 30 seconds If you like to use it.

Um, well again, we need some direct answers here, right?

If you're going to turn a blind eye, and you haven't changed behavior since then, then it can be expected that you're going to continue to do so and not own it.

What we did here is that she did not condone some of his behavior.

But she didn't call out fraud.

She didn't call out lies.

She didn't call out the disparaging, you know, vulnerable communities, Um, To the extent that we need a representative to do that, in a region where we have so much division and extremism That you have to stand up.

You cannot just sit by and be silent and to turn a blind eye when our democracy is at stake, and to perpetuate these lies up until there's a violent act.

There was no proof who I don't know what questions were talking about that need answered, Um, if I could just finish quickly, But these questions need to be defined so that they can be your time is up.

Let's move on.

You do have 30 seconds if you like.

Mrs McMorris, Rodgers.

What happened on been very clear that what happened on January 6th was unacceptable.

I made the statement that day.

There's other examples when I have made statements when I felt like President Trump crossed the line , and I stood up for what I thought was right, and I will continue to do so.

Alright, Miss Hill, You'll take this next question.

Yeah This is during the 2020 racial justice protest .

You said that police were created to return people escaping from slavery back to slave masters, and also that police officers quote are complicit in the worst gang this country has ever seen.

What would you tell a police officer considering voting for you?

Um I've actually talked to several several officers and I consider quite a few friends.

I even had one of my dare.

Officers DJ one of my events, Officer Gordon Grant.

I am not unwilling to have conversations with folks.

But there's got to be accountability.

None of us want to see what happened to George Floyd ever happen again.

When an officer commits misconduct there needs to be accountability.

There also needs to be a reckoning and a recognition of the history of law enforcement in our country.

And it doesn't mean we can't fix things doesn't mean we're going to get rid of them.

We need law enforcement for safety.

We also need other first responders and other social service programs to meet the needs of our community to keep them safe and to keep our communities safe.

So what I would say to any officers, look , you know, if you look at the history that was what started enforcement it was to return property that included slaves that included other things, too.

But that was part and parcel and we've ended up with this hodgepodge podge across our nation and we haven't done is built system as accountability and discipline into these agencies.

Every agency hasn't lawyers have it.

Doctors have it .

We are held responsible.

When we engage in misconduct.

I can lose my license and my ability to earn money for my family.

And so it just means that nobody is above the law, and we all have to be held to the same standard.

All right, Mrs McMorris Rodgers .

You will take this next question.

Okay Absolutely.

30 seconds.

I think this is the kind of rhetoric that is making our community less safe and Natasha has repeatedly called for the defunding of the place and she did call the police.

The biggest gang in this nation.

That's the kind of rhetoric that is making it hard to recruit.

It's impacting morale and ultimately leading to our communities being less safe.

Are are the men and women who put on the uniform?

Keep our community safe.

Every day are a pillar in our community, and the large large majority of them are are really helping Keep us safe.

Public safety is a big concern for everybody that part I think we agree on across the aisle.

But when it comes to the history and the lack of discipline and accountability in our systems, I have not personally called for anything.

I am a citizen.

I'm a constituent in your district.

Congresswoman How could I call for defunding the police?

I don't have the ability to do that.

And the Democrats haven't done that either.

We've been allocating more money because crime has gone up since covid both violent crime and property crime.

But we're not addressing all the issues are Congresswoman just voted against, uh, funding for mental health services for students.

We need substance abuse treatment programs.

We need all these other things to keep our communities safe.

But I have not called for anything.

Those were statements made in my individual capacity at a protest and rally on behalf of black lives matter, which is not the Democratic platform or my campaign platform.

Thank you.

Mrs McMorris, Rodgers.

Uh, The Democrats and Natasha have called for defunding the police .

Uh it's and I have supported more more support yet Well, even even in Congress, there are Efforts to defund the police members that are calling for defunding the place.

There was a bill that passed just recently that would send in mental health counselors to the scene rather than sending in a law enforcement officer.

Governor Inslee has tied the hands of law enforcement so that they cannot pursue the Republicans are calling for and I support more law enforcement officers more training.

I voted for more training.

I voted to Ah, give the law enforcement officers that the training and the support that they need to do their jobs and keep us safe.

Right last 30 seconds we make.

We have to just draw this distinction, which is between rhetoric and facts, and the facts are not that anyone has called for defunding the police and we have allocated more funding towards that to blame.

Individuals means that you're not taking responsibility for your position and your representation.

And so ultimately we have this division and we've got to move past it.

We've got to be able to work together.

I think everybody agrees.

We need accountability and transparency and all of these systems and nobody is above that.

The Republican Art is no longer the party of law and order, and we saw that during the January 6th insurrection.

Thank you both Miss Hill.

You'll take this next question first.

Yes Um, this, uh , continuing on the question of election integrity?

Um some prominent Democrats, Miss Hills beginning to suggest that state level actions by the GOP should cause voters to question the outcome of the 2022 elections.

Are you concerned that Republicans will try to steal upcoming elections?

My concern with election integrity goes back to our democracy.

This is something that again I've studied and I really need to impress upon the fact that the most important thing we have whether Republican whether we're Democrat is democracy In this country.

We have a constitution that protects protects our individual rights and freedoms.

But the only way it works is if we have trust in our election systems, and we have a really solid system here in Washington state.

And what we've seen, especially from what's come out of the January 6th investigations is that even with the flaws in the system, there wasn't enough there to overturn or change the outcome.

And for somebody to object to certifying the election to change their mind, but not take any steps thereafter to make sure that we're securing our elections to make sure that they're protected and instead of politicizing an issue We're politicizing elect election integrity in our democracy, which is absolutely necessary where the beacon of hope across our country were assisting Ukraine and fighting against an authoritarian government.

And we cannot let her let our guard down here at home.

Not after what we've seen on the attack on our capital.

Mrs McMorris, McMorris Rodgers.

I believe that election integrity is fundamental to our form of government to every person having the confidence that their vote counts, and that accounts equally.

This is critical to the peaceful transfer of power.

Every election is dependent upon people having trust and confidence in our elections.

I have supported legislation at the federal level The, UM.

The American confidence in Elections Act that would Bring in voter identification that would allow us to clean up the voter rolls there.

There were election procedure that was changed, leading up to the November elections in 2020, without state legislatures changing election law that created a lot of questions, and I don't think that we need to be.

We should be afraid to ask the questions that people have around election integrity.

Republicans Democrats , independents, We all want to have Confidence in these elections and taking taking these steps to do so.

I don't believe we should be federalizing elections, so that would be dangerous.

This hill 30 seconds.

Why?

I think we can all say we're confident here in Washington state with our election, integrity and the outcome that we've seen.

We're getting Democrats and Republicans elected here in Washington state without issue and it's concerning that again.

We're going back to undefined questions that with the answers are not satisfying.

You know, there were I believe about 60 cases brought regarding the 2020 election to establish some kind.

A fraud that would change the outcome and even when those were rejected and didn't pass muster, we still have Republicans like our current congresswoman who won't accept that and still believes that there is something there.

So we're now we're not trusting our court systems and our judicial system.

And so that's really frustrating to see because then it means we're not holding folks accountable.

Mrs McMorris Rodgers?

Yes Um, I'm referring to questions around election procedure that were changed, leading up to the 2020 election without state legislatures.

Uh states that won't move to 100% voting by mail or allowed for ballots to be counted after Election Day without changing state law at the state level.

I believe it's very important in representative government that the elected representatives make those decisions.

Democrats also have had had raised questions about election in A gritty, We shouldn't be afraid to be.

Focus on what's going to really ensure that Republicans, Democrats and independents all have confidence that our elections are fair and secure.

You may have 30 seconds .

Yes And I just want to add that I You know, I do believe this should be something controlled by the states.

And again.

We have our current congresswoman who signed on to overturn the electors and other states in order to push this big lie for the 2020 election, which again there was just no substance there.

There was no basis for her to push that all the way up until the day before the insurrection and then changed her mind.

Part of that call to action for people to come out and protest that day was their belief in this lie.

And as a representative, we have to be responsible about what are facts what can be established and language And so I think that is a standard that we have to hold all representatives to final 30 seconds.

Okay well, it's a It's a lie to say that I believe in the big lie.

What happened on November in November of 2020 raised a lot of questions.

There was election procedures that were changed in state after state without the elected representatives, making those changes and what I supported was having the court having the judges look at those changes that were made.

That's our form of government.

I completely opposed the efforts by the Democrats at the national level to federalize the elections.

I believe that the states are going to, um are the places that elections will be most secure, and those decisions need to be kept at the state level.

Thank you to you both.

Mrs McMorris Rodgers.

You'll take this next question.

First question.

You anticipated my question, Congresswoman, you stated at that town hall that you quote don't believe the big lie as such unquote, referring to that belief that we've talked about that is really repeatedly been thrown out of courts that the 2020 election was not one by Joe Biden.

I wonder if you would tell me.

What part of that idea That the 2020 election was froggy fraudulent.

Don't you agree with Um, I believe the big lie is those who are advocating or saying that the election was stolen.

So when I say that, I don't believe I don't believe the election was stolen.

What I have concerns about and I have articulated is that election procedure was changed in several states leading up to the election under the public health emergency.

Individuals not state legislators, not the elected representatives of the people change election procedure, and I believe that it was appropriate for the courts to review those questions.

It was appropriate for Republicans to have those to get answers to those questions, and I would note that in years past, Democrats have been saying that elections are not fair, and they're concerned about suppression of votes.

Uh, Every We all agree Republicans, Democrats, independents, We all agree that we need to have these , um secure fair elections and having this discussion, uh, is part of getting questions answered, and um and satisfying people so that there is that confidence moving forward.

Brazil.

What we really need and what we haven't had, unfortunately, is a representative to stand up and contest these fraud claims and big lie.

We now have auditors running here in the state of Washington, claiming that it could be happening here, too.

Although I've had hard pressed to get that articulated in a way that I can even follow and understand the reality is that's what a representative does you stand up for What's right.

We know that Kathy is not in a position to do that, or Excuse me.

Congresswoman is not in a position to do that.

Because when you stand up for what's right and you ask for accountability and a thorough investigation, you get kicked out of your party on the Republican side, and we've seen that.

And it's unfortunate because now we can't trust that our current representatives is going to be able to do the work we need, which is to make sure that we have that integrity in our elections that we have somebody who's going to stand up when somebody's challenging democracy without any proof without any substance.

If you can't pass in a court of law, that's our justice system.

I agree with you on that.

And so when those claims failed time and time again, and it continued to be perpetuated, and it has continued to be perpetuated first time we haven't seen a peaceful transfer of power.

So while there may have been complaints about procedure and process and some issues of fraud , um or or security issues with our elections in the past, every Democratic leader that we've had hasn't has been willing to engage in transfer power.

Our current representative is continuing to support this past President so again, no change in behavior.

Thank you.

Ah Mrs McMorris writers.

You can have a 32nd rebuttal if you like.

All right.

Moving on Miss Hill.

You'll take this next question.

Okay, Um So, um.

Did President Joe Biden make the right decision to pull out of Afghanistan?

And if so, did he execute that pull out well?

You know, these issues are huge, right and we were not prepared obviously to go in and start in the beginning of this war, and we've learned a lot.

I know the term is being used now, the forever war.

In terms of at some point, we have to have an end game.

Otherwise we're just leaving folks in jeopardy.

So I do support that policy.

I do believe that we have to be really cautious and thoughtful.

How we enter these disputes between other nations and what our role is.

Obviously we still have obligations.

We have treaties.

We have our allies and we To make sure that these things are being made in the best decision of what works Best for folks here in America.

Obviously we don't want to strain resources.

We don't want to put ourselves in a dispute.

Um But in terms of providing support, making sure our troops can come home that we can end this conflict, the biggest issue that I see and the one thing that I would change is we didn't have a plan for the folks we left behind that served with us that are currently being targeted, and that raises safety concerns.

So while while we were pulling out is a good thing, there's definitely things we could do better and could have done better to ensure safety for those communities as well.

Thank you, Mrs McMorris, Rodgers.

I thought it was just it was just terrible.

What happened in Afghanistan?

We have we Republicans and Democrats have wanted to bring home our troops from Afghanistan.

But there clearly wasn't a plan and the fact that Americans were left behind allies were left behind.

Just broke my heart.

I thought it was completely unacceptable.

I do not understand why the president chose to, uh, give up Bagram Air Force base and released terrorists and other prisoners that had been held there that are now making their way across the southern border.

I think it was very dangerous.

What happened?

And along with that, he turned over turned over, Um Hundreds of billions of dollars worth of strategic minerals now in Afghanistan that China is going to control and Russia will have control of those strategic minerals that are very at the very time when American needs a strategic minerals.

It's important to our defense is important to our energy.

And so it was a complete failure by our president.

Unfortunately, All right, Mrs McMorris Rodgers.

You'll take this next question First.

It's a sort of a follow up on that.

Another 129 house co sponsors of the Afghan Adjustment Act, which would make it easier for Afghans who risked their lives.

Partnering with the United States military to bring their relatives here.

You haven't signed on.

Why not have to take a look at that Bill Daniel.

I certainly have supported and helped get a lot of the Afghan allies.

I've met with interpreters.

I met with those from Afghanistan.

They're now living here in eastern Washington and Spokane that helped us and to hear their stories.

It's just completely heartbreaking.

What's going on with their families that were left behind in Afghanistan that are Being tortured that are being uh or living in hiding, and I have supported more funding to support the Afghan people that helped us interpreters and others and help them get to America, So I'll have to take a lot.

Look at that specific.

Bill.

Were you aware of that bill at this point, Okay.

Alright let's move on.

Would you like to respond?

Um, you know when it comes to the aid that we provide, especially again pulling out of disputes like this.

It doesn't need to be thoughtful and well thought out, and we also have to make sure that we are also not contributing to ongoing conflict .

We still have a responsibility going forward, So I'm also going to take a look at that bill.

I have some serious concerns about How we're treating folks, especially if we are bringing them here into our country so that they have good experiences and outcomes, and we know that there has been a lot around, you know, Muslim hate other groups as well.

And someone folks come into our region.

We want to make sure that we're treating them well.

Thank you, Miss.

Will you take this next question first?

Yes I like to ask about Ukraine because obviously we kind of get a foreign policy measure going here.

There's been, um, In a recent interview, The House Minority leader, Kevin McCarthy , said that a public Republican run Congress will not offer quote a blank check unquote to Ukraine for aid.

And this question is actually for both of you.

Um do you believe that potential financial assistance to Ukraine to continue to fight should include deeper discussion about what America can afford moving forward?

I mean, I think any financial decisions we're making as a country.

We have to give that the level of attention and, uh and get the experts together.

So we know what we're signing up for again.

We need to have that long term plan.

I don't see that we're writing blank checks.

I think what I did see and what I can definitely compliment as an effort that was bipartisan to support Ukraine in this, um you know, invasion which now looks like a full on war from Russia, and we have to push back against these threats.

Russia's a threat to our democracy as well.

They haven't you know, made attempts to interfere in our elections and so There is an interest their self interest there, but we want to make sure that again.

We have a long term plan that we can get as much support behind something as possible.

We're going into foreign territory.

It's better if we have the more of us together, and I know that unifying our parties isn't always Possible, but I think what we've seen already that it is and that we can get to a solution that our elected officials are Congress members can support because our president and this administration they're going to need that support.

Whichever direction we take, so I'm hopeful.

And same question for Morris Rogers.

Perhaps our leader, Kevin McCarthy may be referring to a number of black blank checks that seemed to have been signed by Congress this in the last few months, in particular, just records amounts of spending trillions of dollars worth of spending by this Congress that are that is driving the inflation and the rising cost of living that people are experiencing here in Eastern Washington, increased gas prices, increased food prices every time we go to the grocery store.

And there needs to be.

Congress needs to do our work to provide the oversight the accountability to ensure that every dollar is being spent in the way that it was intended.

Um I supported the $40 billion to Ukraine.

I believe in Ukraine's fight for self determination and independence.

I am appalled that President Putin has Gone into Ukraine, and I believe that we have an obligation to protect Ukraine.

They gave up the third largest nuclear arsenal, uh, in exchange for commitment that we would help protect them against Putin's aggression, and he I don't believe he's going to stop with you at Ukraine, and so I'm proud of what they're doing to protect independence.

Right miss Hilly of a 32nd rebuttal.

Um you know, again, going back to what we need from Congress as we need.

We need to unify around these issues.

Um and make sure that we're focusing on what our long term commitment is what it is going to cost.

You know, these are real dollars, and as our congresswoman mentioned with inflation, and they're not things that we're going to just solve here in this country because gas prices for example, we can't blame.

One administration has been in office for two years.

When we're talking about a global market.

We're also seeing those you know.

Price gouging and record profits by oil companies.

Those are your donors, congresswoman, so I would expect that you can have some influence there, and I would really encourage that.

If I may ask.

Prices were $2.32 a gallon on day one when President Biden was inaugurated, and they've gone up ever since, and this administration instead of unleashing American energy, that is the cleanest that is has led the world in bringing down carbon emissions.

This administration has gone to OPEC , Venezuela dictator in Venezuela and others to ask them to produce more.

Rather than really looking at American energy production so important to our economy to our standing in the world and ultimately to bringing down gas prices here in the United States for hardworking Americans.

Alright Last rebuttal for Miss Hill.

You know, the blame game is not going to get us anywhere because we've had other prices skyrocket with the prior administration decisions and obviously we had low gas prices we subsidize.

Those are taxpayer dollars subsidized those and then they turned around and made record profits off of us and the only people who are not contesting this and making an issue over the record profits since the pandemic 95% Over what they were making before the pandemic they're making now and there's nothing to be said about that.

I've seen your commercials, Congresswoman and you're right there at the pump, making sure they make that money And so we needed were behind the gun.

We should have been investing in alternative energy.

And, uh, you know, 18 years ago, when you were elected Mrs McMorris Rogers, you have a final 30 seconds.

Well The rush to renewables as promoted by My competitor here, as well as the Democrats is, is not the future that I would like California where they have rolling blackouts.

We just had to send 17,000 megawatts of energy produced by the four lower snake River dams to California just a couple of weeks ago, a future that is built upon supply chains that are controlled by China.

The wind machines and solar panels and Ah electric vehicles controlled by China is not the future that I want for the United States of America.

Alright We like to move on journalists who different topic .

Yeah well, I mean, we'll probably come back because you know, spend forever.

There's a lot.

There's a lot there with you guys like hit a lot of topics, which is great.

So I have a question, though, for both candidates and who are we starting with?

I will start with Mrs McMorris Rodgers.

Okay great .

Um, does the federal government need to do anything about Big social media giants like Facebook and Twitter.

And if so, what?

I do believe that we need to take action.

Um Facebook, Twitter.

Big Tech enjoys immunity, legal immunity that was granted them by the telecommunications Act of 1996 section, 2 30.

They've grown very large, very wealthy, and I believe that we need to take action to protect individuals.

Privacy and I have worked for three years on legislation that we passed out of the committee overwhelming support despite Speaker Pelosi's opposition, uh California wants to again have control but it would protect individuals.

Privacy would protect the personal data for Children under under the age of 17 from being used for advertising purposes, it would give you the right to know what's being collected.

I also am concerned about the, um big tech that is Blocking conservative speech.

And this is I believe in the importance of free speech.

The battle of ideas that takes place on these platforms and we need we need to ensure that that that takes place on these social media platforms this hill I definitely believe we need accountability for all companies, right Social Media, no exception.

Obviously new media means we've got to figure out how to conform our existing laws to new technology , and we're always a little bit behind on that.

And that's something.

I really appreciate being a lawyer that we've always are catching up to current.

When it comes to our laws.

The laws aren't always in place when we need them, But we can get them there.

And that's really encouraging.

Obviously, the 1996 act, which It's something that you know in should have been addressed right And that's something our congresswoman could speak to, because she's been in office for 18 years, so in terms of being behind the gun in terms of accountability and making sure like our policies and procedures are keeping up the statement about, you know, blocking conservative speech.

We have laws and block illegal speech.

Everything beyond that.

You know, we have a first Amendment right?

To be protected .

But if your speeches inciting violence, and it's hate speech and platforms want to regulate against that, because they don't want their businesses to be used to further promote and divide and that extremism again I go back to wire congresswoman is not more adamant about speaking out against this extremism.

We've had so many hate groups pop up and threats of violence in this community.

It can't be tolerated.

It is clear that big tech has become more focused on controlling political speech or the narrative that they want to promote.

They shut down any mention of Covid 19, for example , being originated at the Wuhan lab potential of weight leak.

They didn't want that to be out there, so they blocked that content.

But while while there's still allowing drug dealers to sell fentanyl online, the stories right here in Spokane of individuals that have lost their lives, buying one pill online.

And not knowing what they bought.

That's what big text should be focused on, Uh, to protect our Children as well as us in general.

Thank you miss him.

Um I agree on safety and protection but using, um, are using social media companies.

A surveillance tools is not the way that goes against our freedoms In terms of our constitutional principles.

We should definitely not be allowing that and then to bring it back to fentanyl.

I mean, this has been an issue that's over a decade long.

The spikes were over a decade ago like we're seeing them again, and it's definitely on the radar, but we've been fighting against pharmaceutical companies dumping opioids into our communities, which has led to the increase in fentanyl usage.

And that's something that our congresswoman has had over a decade to address but is now politicized this issue during her campaign with her commercials, exploiting family trauma.

30 seconds.

The fact of the matter is we have record amounts of fentanyl.

Fentanyl analog is now different.

Parts of fentanyl coming across the border, ultimately from China and destroying innocent lives, and it's being and the legislation to halt fentanyl is being blocked today in Congress by Democrats that believe that the prison sentences are going to be too harsh for drug traffickers and cartels that are bringing the fentanyl into our country is the number one killer of 18 to 45 year olds today.

Ah 2000 overdoses every day.

We need to act to make sure that it's an illegal substance.

Right.

Final 30 seconds, Miss filled The issue with how we're going to deal with this fentanyl issue really comes back to how we going to do the same failed policy and procedure of the drug, the war on drugs.

Are we going to come up with something that's going to be effective and not just criminalized users?

So there's real concerns and Kathy, their congresswoman, There's people in our community who have these substance abuse issues.

If we just lock them up, there's going to be a revolving door.

And that's not good for law enforcement.

That's not good for our communities.

These are not long term solutions to just Continue failed policy from a war on drugs.

We've got to think of different solutions, and I think that includes investments in substance abuse treatment in mental health services so people can get what they need together to get off these drugs on their own and return to society.

And I have I have supported.

I have supported bipartisan legislation to so to provide more resources for mental health to help with substance abuse leading in Congress on this, but that you cannot ignore the deaths, the record suicides, overdoses that are taking place today.

Because the Democrats in Congress are blocking legislation that would make fentanyl analog illegal.

We have rainbow colored fentanyl now in the United States of America, targeting our kids, and they will not listed as an illegal substance.

Right Just a final comment, which is we've got to legislate in Crete policy based on facts and not just fearmongering.

What That wasn't a solution based response in terms of how do we deal with it?

What is the solution?

If we schedule it one way That doesn't change the fact that it's continuing to come into our country And these problems did not start two years ago.

They've been ongoing for over a decade, and we need a representative who's going to do more and push progress forward so that we're not continuing to see these deaths.

What could I?

Yes.

Final 30 seconds for this question.

It certainly hasn't helped that the Biden administration has refused to secure the border.

We have an open border today that has resulted in record amount of fentanyl that is coming across the border.

It is ultimately coming from China.

Fentanyl analogs are very destructive.

But along with that we have child traffickers.

We have Terrorists.

No people on the known terrorist watch list that are coming across the border because this administration has refused to secure the border.

All right.

Thank you.

Mr You'll take this next question first for me, and it's for both of you as well.

And I'd like to shift gears a little bit.

Make sure we address the issues that are going on at the Viva Here in Spokane, Um, in response to concerns about patient care, the Department of Veteran affairs said earlier this month it will postpone the further release of a digital record system that was first deployed here in Spokane has been linked to dozens of cases of harm.

Including at least one potential death.

My question is the V A says it will work to make the system better.

Do you believe at this point that that digital record system should be abandoned?

Um you know, I think there needs to be oversight at every level.

You know, this really comes back to accountability.

So when we're contracting with folks, and we're rolling out new programs we need to make sure and then we need to be accountable for it.

If there are mistakes if there's harm caused and we and we have to have that we also have to be looking who are contracting with and make sure there's no self interest special interests behind that as well.

I've talked to several folks, We're not even several.

I've talked to lots of folks across our district who are relying on those services who are already complaining about the ability to get appointments to even access.

Um you know, setting up an appointment because we're having issues with our rural broadband.

This comes back to investments in infrastructure and really supporting the whole group that we say we care about.

If we care about vets, then we're going to have to make sure that they have quality access to care that is affordable.

That's accessible to them that they can get to and we've got a big district.

And so this V, A medical center here in Spokane is serving a huge constituency and I think it's really important that we are putting their needs first.

And we're listening to these folks.

Um and the healthcare needs they have.

We also have to make sure that they are covered and those are issues.

Use that came up here recently that our congresswoman voted against when it came to the pact act and extending benefits.

Mrs McMorris Rodgers have been sounding the alarm for months on the new electronic health record that was rolled out in the middle of the pandemic.

I I've heard from hundreds of veterans that have had concerns either not just scheduling appointments, but concerns with the, uh, prescriptions.

I got mixed up or loud tests that got lost.

Ah, In addition, um The staff felt like they have had a lack of training just just recently, just the last couple of weeks of V. A deputy secretary called to let me know that he was that they are putting a halt to the further rollout of the electronic health record.

Uh and they said he was notifying 41,500 veterans who may have been harmed.

I felt like I believe that the V A has not been transparent about the impact of this new health record and right here in eastern Washington veterans that, uh, how have been severely harmed because of the way it was rolled out, and oftentimes, once they get to provider at the V A.

They're very pleased and they appreciate the care and they believe that they have very good care.

But This is a very unfortunate situation.

30 seconds.

In addition in terms of investments in infrastructure and making sure that the care is actually covering the needs of our veterans, that's something we really got to look into.

And I was mentioning the pact act in terms of the exposure to toxic burn pits where we saw at the state of the union, Our congresswoman with two other congresswoman, you know, heckling during that moment when we're talking about something this serious about the care that our veterans who went to war and sacrificed so much already.

In addition, though, we've got But , you know, we mentioned Afghanistan earlier in terms of extending benefits to pill grants for citizens here who have lost family members in war.

Again the whole person.

We cannot just be focusing on one issue.

We've got to make sure that we're taking care of these folks all the way around.

I We'll always make it a priority to support those who have put on the uniform and to make sure that they get the care that they need.

The Via should be rolling out the red carpet and too often, it's a It's a very difficult bureaucracy for them to work through to get the to get actual care that they need my I we, we help hundreds of veterans work through that process.

We have cases that are open all the time and the V A needs to be held accountable to making sure that veterans do not get lost in the system that we're rolling out the red carpet and making sure that they get the care that they need.

Right Final 30 seconds.

I do want to sure and I like I said, talk to tons of veterans across our district.

I do want to sure, folks that I will stand up and protect benefits extend extend benefits at all costs because I understand what the sacrifice is for our democracy, which is on the ballot this November, the first time I actually met Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers was at the V, A Medical center last November, right after I announced Um and I was there with my girl.

My daughter's Girl Scout troop handing out cookies and, you know, doing the work And I think if you spent more time with these folks, you'd have a better appreciation, you know, coming through to take photos and do the news and leave.

There's a lot of opportunity that's missed in terms of hearing what the stories are now, especially after covid and how important it is that they have this access and resources and that it extends to every harm that's been caused by their service.

Yes.

It's uh it's always been my priority to make sure that I am at But that was on Veterans Day.

I attended several events on Veterans Day to express appreciation to those who put on the uniform.

Throughout eastern Washington, acknowledging their service, thanking them for them served their service and, uh, going out to the vet center.

We have the number one vet center here in eastern Washington.

I'm so grateful for those who who are dedicated to making sure that our veterans get the care that they need and I'm I'm part of that helping everyday our veterans.

Thank you, Mrs McMorris Rodgers.

You'll take this next question first.

For years.

Democrats were the ones that were leading the skepticism , criticism of the Federal Bureau of Investigation since 2017 with the kind of the conflict that's come in between the FBI and Trump have had more and more criticism for Republicans.

So should we have fund the FBI?

And if not how, if at all, should we reform it?

This is for both candidates.

The FBI is the is the highest law enforcement agency in the United States of America.

I believe it is important that we have confidence in the FBI.

And there are many, many great Americans, men and women that are serving in the FBI.

I think that there's been some Questions raised recently around, um political Or potential abuse of power by the FBI and Congress needs to do oversight to make sure that the FBI is upholding the mission and the integrity of being the local , the highest law enforcement agency in the country.

I have.

I have not called for de funding the FBI.

I believe that they need our support, and but we do need to do the oversight to make sure that they are on mission.

Thank you, Miss L?

Yeah Um, it was very interesting to hear the you know the contradiction right of defund the FBI after all of the backlash for black lives matter, using the tagline to fund the police, which, when you look into their platform, it talks about reallocation.

It doesn't talk about abolishment or getting rid of law enforcement and so to see the Republican party who stands or says they stand for law and order, um, you know, throw the FBI under the bus.

When what they were asking for was to hold someone accountable for misconduct.

That's very different than the call for defend the police, which says Hold police officers accountable for misconduct.

We're asking for that.

And if we don't get that we want a reallocation of resources here were saying Don't hold this guy accountable.

Let him get away with it because we don't want to know what it exposes.

This comes back to accountability at every level and building that into every system, And I don't believe that we should substitute our judgment as policymakers as lawmakers for what are courts need to decide if there's been misconduct?

We have a system for that.

It's our judicial system, and I believe that's the right place for these issues to go and not be decided by politicians who don't have that expertise and Not always will have all the facts.

Alright missile.

You'll take this next question first.

I'd like to and that's for me.

And it will be for both of you.

Report issued by the Biden administration to the end of last month found that the removal of the four lower snake River dams was a quote centerpiece action to restoring fish populations in the waterways.

Do you support the eventual removal of the dams?

You know, this question has come up across our district and being a first time candidate.

It's been great to really learn and hear from all sides, and I think that's what's most important.

We have to hear from all stakeholders.

We can't just side with one side of the industry because those are the folks who are given us money and his interests were looking out for we've got to consider everybody ultimately, in this environment when it comes to our wildlife and our fish and our lands.

These are resources that we all share in now.

Some dams are different than others.

And some provide hydroelectric power.

You know, the irrigation system are barging.

We become reliant on this, And so that's a reality.

We have to deal with what we haven't seen as long term solutions, and I think that's because there's a lack of folks working together at the federal and state level, and I think having a new representative could really help push push progress forward.

One way or the other.

We need an answer to this, but we need to have all stakeholders at the table.

Make sure we're not hitting blind spots, making sure we're at seeing what impacts are going to be made.

But those investments in the infrastructure for this long term solution.

It's not going to happen tomorrow.

It's going to happen next year.

Two years from now, this is gonna be a long term solution, and we're going to be needing to work on the federal and state level together.

Mrs McMorris Rodgers.

The I support.

The four Laura sneaker for dams are part of the larger Colombia Snake River system.

They are critical infrastructure to our economy.

This system transformed this region into what it is today.

They provide low cost hydropower , barging up and down the river so important to agriculture irrigation That made us the number one.

Or one of the most topics agriculture regions in the country.

And this is this is critical infrastructure.

The part of the reason the Dems were put into.

It was because of the flooding and in Portland's and lives that were lost at that time.

This is this is so important and I and we shouldn't ignore that millions of dollars have gone into making sure that these dams are transparent to fish.

Fish runs are improving.

And we have fish ladders.

Um that are a part of that, But we also need to look at what's going on in the oceans.

We know the predict predation at the mouth of the Columbia River that are contributing to the cycles of fish runs, But the fish runs up and down the West Coast are largely in in sync, and I think it suggests that the ocean is having a greater impact.

Thank you.

Mr Salmon runs 30 seconds.

You know, in terms of really embracing science, and, um, you know, just the technology that we have and what we can do, really having a better understanding The reality is once we get that solution.

It's going to cost a lot of money.

But it's costing a lot of money right now without a solution, and I think the public needs to be very much aware that we're still spending millions and millions of dollars whether that's to cover the cost to our tribes for not restoring the salmon population and not keeping up with treaties and agreements, so there's costs on both sides.

It's really about getting everyone to the table.

Focus on a long term term solution, making sure we understand what the impact is both ways and funding that Right .

30 seconds Final 30 seconds Following the sciences is acknowledging that the fish runs are improving that we the investments that we have made are making a difference in the fish being able to get through the four Lord Snake River dams.

You know, I'm really dismayed that the governor governor Inslee, and the Democrats continue to allow for the city of Seattle to dump Millions of gallons of raw sewage into Puget Sound toxins and Puget Sound that are absolutely harming salmon runs salmon runs that are important to the orcas.

We need to.

We need to be.

We need to be acknowledging what's really let's let's focus on what's actually going to restore salmon runs.

That's what I'm about getting results.

Alright we are out of time.

It is time now for closing statements and Mrs McMorris Rodgers, you will go first.

You have one minute.

Well, thank you.

I have deep roots in eastern Washington, and I know I know that our story is one about hard work and commitment, and it's a story of my grandma's great grandmother, who headed out on the Oregon trail with her twin sons fleeing an abusive husband in search of a better life, and that's what she found here, and that's the same pioneering spirit that I bring to Congress.

These are these are challenging times that we're facing.

Right now.

We have 40 year high inflation families are struggling to make Meet.

We have violent crime and our communities have become less safe.

We have fentanyl and other dangerous drugs that are taking the lives of the innocent And unfortunately, the Democrats do not have a plan to solve these problems.

The Republicans do.

And on day one.

We will we will build an economy that is strong , a nation that is safe future that's built on freedom and a government that is accountable.

That's my commitment to you.

I'm Cathy McMorris, Rodgers and I'm I'm here today to ask for your vote.

Thank you.

Thank you.

I'm fourth generation of my family to grow up here in eastern Washington.

I'm raising my family here and I am deeply deeply invested in this region.

I ran because I want to make this fifth Congressional district the best it can be.

I want to push back against this divide and conquer strategy that we're seeing from Republicans with the extremism.

It's time for somebody to stand up to speak out and represent for those who've been overlooked and underrepresented communities that I come from.

For far too long.

Our congresswoman has had 18 years in this seat, but she's been And she's been a politician since 1994.

This is a career politician.

This is somebody who is out of touch with the reality is people here in our district Because she doesn't show up.

She doesn't listen.

She has her, You know very hard to access town halls, people that she doesn't want to show up and respond to And so it's self selected.

We've really got to get back to what's important.

And so I'm running to bring a new hope to this region.

I will absolutely partner with law enforcement.

I will partner with first responders, our educators, our health community.

So we have the best solution is possible and I will continue to expand rights, not roll them back.

So we have to fight fights that we've already fought and won.

It's time to move forward.

It's time for progress for Eastern Washington and a representative who will fight for people here.

Thank you.

Well that'll do it for this debate are thanks to each of the candidates as well to our journalists, Kip Hill and Daniel Walters.

This debate and other election specials can be found online at our website.

KSPS.org For all of us at KSPS Thank you for watching.