Iowa Press Debates: U.S. Senate

[0:01] ELECTION DAY IS LESS THAN A MONTH AWAY, BUT IOWANS MAY BEGIN CASTING BALLOTS ONE WEEK FROM TODAY. [0:09] WE'LL QUESTION TWO CANDIDATES FOR THE U.S. SENATE, REPUBLICAN ASHLEY HINSON AND DEMOCRAT JOSH TUREK, IN THIS SPECIAL LIVE IOWA PRESS DEBATE. [0:21] FUNDING FOR IOWA PRESS WAS PROVIDED BY FRIENDS, THE IOWA PBS FOUNDATION. [0:29] BOB AND DOREEN SHEPHARD FAMILY, PROUD SUPPORTERS OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING SEEN ONLY ON IOWA PBS. [0:36] BANKING IN IOWA GOES BEYOND TRANSACTIONS. [0:41] BANKS WORK TO HELP PEOPLE AND SMALL BUSINESSES SUCCEED. [0:44] AND IOWA BANKS ARE COMMITTED TO BUILDING CONFIDENT BANKING RELATIONSHIPS. [0:49] IOWA BANKS, YOUR PARTNER THROUGH IT ALL. [0:52] FOR DECADES, IOWA PRESS HAS BROUGHT YOU POLITICAL LEADERS AND NEWSMAKERS FROM ACROSS IOWA AND BEYOND. [1:07] LIVE FROM IOWA PBS STUDIOS IN JOHNSTON, THIS IS A SPECIAL IOWA PRESS DEBATE FEATURING CANDIDATES FOR U.S. SENATE. [1:18] HERE IS MODERATOR KAY HENDERSON. [1:20] YOU GET YOUR GENERAL ELECTION BALLOTS IN IOWA THIS YEAR. [1:25] THE RACE AT THE TOP WILL BE FOR THE U.S. SENATE. [1:28] JONI ERNST IS NOT RUNNING FOR REELECTION. [1:31] TWO CANDIDATES WHO ARE LISTED ON THE BALLOT ARE HERE WITH US TONIGHT. [1:35] LET ME INTRODUCE THEM. [1:37] ASHLEY HINSON IS A REPUBLICAN FROM MARION. [1:40] SHE'S IN HER THIRD TERM IN THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. [1:44] AND JOSH TUREK IS A DEMOCRAT FROM COUNCIL BLUFFS. [1:47] HE'S IN HIS SECOND TERM IN THE IOWA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. [1:50] CANDIDATES, WELCOME. [1:51] GOOD EVENING, KAYNE. [1:52] THANK YOU FOR HAVING US. [1:54] FOR THE NEXT HOUR, WE WILL TALK ABOUT A WIDE RANGE OF ISSUES. [1:57] THERE ARE NO TIME LIMITS, BUT WE HAVE A LOT OF GROUND TO COVER. [2:01] SO WE WILL MOVE THE CONVERSATION ALONG WHEN APPROPRIATE. [2:04] JOINING US AT THE TABLE, STEPHEN GRUBER MILLER, CAPITAL BUREAU CHIEF FOR THE DES MOINE REGISTER. [2:09] AND ERIN MURPHY, DES MOINE BUREAU CHIEF FOR THE GASETTE AND CEDAR RAPIDS. [2:14] THANK YOU, KAY. [2:17] CANDIDATES, THIS WEEK PRESIDENT TRUMP AND GOVERNOR REYNOLDS TOOK EXECUTIVE ACTIONS TO PROVIDE TEMPORARY RELIEF FOR SOARING DIESEL FUEL PRICES. [2:24] ASHLEY HINSON, YOU'VE PROPOSED A DIESEL RELIEF FUND FOR FARMERS AND TRUCKERS. [2:30] WHAT MORE DOES CONGRESS NEED TO DO TO HELP FARMERS AND OTHER FOLKS WITH SOARING DIESEL PRICES? [2:35] I THINK IT GOES BEYOND DIESEL, BUT WE ARE GOING TO TALK ABOUT ALL THOSE ISSUES TONIGHT, SO LET'S GET STARTED. [2:41] THANK YOU, KAY. [2:42] THANK YOU, ERIN. [2:43] THANK YOU, SEVEN, FOR BEING HERE. [2:45] AND JOSH, THANK YOU FOR COMING. [2:46] REPRESENTATIVE TUREK, APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE AS WELL. [2:48] AND YOU TALK ABOUT FARMERS AND HOW WE CAN HELP THEM. [2:51] IT IS ABOUT THEIR BOTTOM LINE AND DOING WHATEVER WE CAN TO REDUCE ENERGY COSTS, INPUT COSTS ACROSS THE BOARD. [2:57] SO I'VE PROPOSED A SEVERAL POINT ENERGY PLAN, DIESEL PRICES BEING AT THE TOP OF MIND THERE. [3:02] SO LOOKING AT THE GAS TAX, WHAT CAN WE DO TO PROVIDE IMMEDIATE RELIEF THERE WHILE STILL HAVING A CONVERSATION ABOUT WHAT THE ROAD USE TAX FUND LOOKS LIKE. [3:10] WHILE PEOPLE ARE GETTING SQUEEZED AT THE PUMP WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE ALSO HAVING A CONVERSATION ABOUT ROADS AND BRIDGES LATER ON AND WE'RE NOT LEAVING THAT BESIDE. [3:17] I THINK IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT AS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT OUR AGRICULTURE COMMUNITY THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT INPUT COSTS. [3:23] SO YOU TALK ABOUT FERTILIZER. [3:24] WHAT CAN WE DO TO LOWER THE COST OF FERTILIZER? [3:26] I ADVOCATED TO THE ADMINISTRATION TO LOWER THE COUNTERVALING DUTIES ON THOSE INPUTS COMING IN FROM AFRICA AND OTHER COUNTRIES SO THAT WE CAN PROVIDE THAT RELIEF RIGHT AWAY. [3:36] AND WE'RE WORKING TO FOCUS ON DOMESTIC PRODUCTION. [3:39] SO THOSE WILL CONTINUE TO BE MY PRIORITIES AS WE WORK TO ADDRESS THE CHALLENGES THAT IOWA FARMERS ARE FACING. [3:44] JOSH DURICK, BOTH YOU AND YOUR OPPONENT HERE HAVE CALLED FOR THE TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF FEDERAL FUEL TAXES, ASHLEY JUST TALKED ABOUT. [3:51] TO HER POINT, WHERE WOULD YOU FIND THE MONEY TO REPLACE THAT REVENUE THAT IS MEANT FOR ROAD PROJECTS IN THE STATE? [3:58] WELL, I THINK IN THE SHORT TERM, THE REAL ISSUE IS THAT IOWANS ARE HURTING AND THEY'RE HURTING UNIQUELY. [4:04] EVERYWHERE THAT I'M GOING, I'M HEARING THE EXACT SAME THING FROM IOWANS. [4:08] I'M HEARING, I'M STRUGGLING TO KEEP FOOD ON THE TABLE. [4:11] I'M STRUGGLING TO PAY MY ELECTRIC BILL. [4:13] I'M STRUGGLING TO KEEP A ROOF ABOVE MY HEAD. [4:15] AND NOW, WITH THIS WAR IN IRAN, I'M STRUGGLING JUST TO KEEP GAS IN MY TANK. [4:20] I CAME OUT RIGHT AWAY AND I SAID, YES, WE NEED A TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF THE GAS TAX, THAT WE NEED TO MAKE A BAN ON EXPORTS OF DIESEL. [4:29] I THINK THAT THAT WOULD PROVIDE SOME IMMEDIATE RELIEF, AND ALSO OPENING UP THE STRATEGIC OIL RESERVES. [4:35] I CAN TELL YOU, EVERYWHERE THAT I'M GOING, WHETHER IT'S FROM FOLKS IN THE URBAN AREAS TALKING ABOUT GAS PRICES, [4:43] OR CERTAINLY WHEN I'M OUT THERE WITH FARMERS, AND ESPECIALLY AT HARVEST TIME, TALKING ABOUT AN ALL-TIME HIGH OF DIESEL. [4:50] THIS IS BECAUSE OF THIS WAR IN IRAN, AND A WAR THAT ASHLEY HINTON HAS VOTED IN FAVOR OF SEVEN TIMES. [4:56] IT IS HURTING IOWANS, AND IT'S HURTING IOWANS IN A UNIQUE WAY, AND WE NEED TO PROVIDE SOME RELIEF TO IOWANS. [5:02] AND WE'RE GOING TO TALK MORE ABOUT THAT. [5:04] YEAH, THAT'S RIGHT. [5:05] YOU MENTIONED THE WAR. [5:06] PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS SAID THE GOAL OF THE WAR IS TO STOP IRAN FROM HAVING A NUCLEAR WEAPON. [5:10] ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT THAT POSSIBILITY? [5:12] AND IF YOU'RE OPPOSING THE WAR, HOW WOULD YOU MAKE SURE THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN? [5:15] WELL, WE CERTAINLY DON'T WANT TO SEE IRAN HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. [5:18] THAT MUCH IS ABSOLUTELY CLEAR. [5:19] I CAN TALK ABOUT THIS ON SOME LEVEL OF PERSONAL EXPERIENCE. [5:23] BOTH OF MY GRANDFATHERS SERVED IN WORLD WAR II IN THE NAVY. [5:29] MY FATHER WENT TO VIETNAM. [5:31] HE SPENT 22 MONTHS IN VIETNAM, ENLISTED THE DAY AFTER HE TURNED 18. [5:36] IT'S BECAUSE OF HIS EXPOSURE TO AGENT ORANGE IN VIETNAM IS THE REASON WHY, [5:40] ULTIMATELY, I ENDED UP WITH MY DISABILITY OF SPINA BIFIDA. [5:43] I'M AN EXAMPLE OF THE GENERATIONAL CONSEQUENCES TO THESE FOREVER WARS THAT WE'RE FINDING OURSELVES INTO. [5:49] AND WHAT HAVE I SEEN FAR TOO OFTEN IN MY LIFETIME? [5:51] I'VE SEEN US SPEND A TRILLION DOLLARS IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN. [5:57] AND HERE WE ARE AGAIN IN ANOTHER FOREVER WAR WITH NO STRATEGY. [6:02] WE'VE SPENT OVER A BILLION DOLLARS IN IRAN FOR WHAT? [6:06] MEANWHILE, WE'RE BEING TOLD HERE IN IOWA WE DON'T HAVE MONEY FOR ROADS AND SCHOOLS AND HOSPITALS [6:10] AND LEAD THE NATION IN FARM FORECLOSURES. [6:12] THIS WAR IN IRAN HAS LED TO GAS PRICES GOING UP IN IOWA MORE THAN ALMOST ANY OTHER STATE. [6:18] WE'RE LOOKING AT DIESEL PRICES BEING AT AN ALL-TIME HIGH AS OUR FARMERS ARE GOING [6:22] INTO HARVESTING TIME AND LEADING TO A FURTHERING INCREASE OF INPUT COST LIKE FERTILIZER. [6:30] AND I'M HEARING FROM FARMERS OVER AND OVER AND OVER TELLING ME, I'M LOOKING AT MY BOTTOM LINE FOR NEXT YEAR. [6:35] THIS IS NOT GOING TO WORK. [6:37] AND SO I THINK WE NEED TO END THIS WAR IN IRAN AND LET'S GET BACK TO DIPLOMACY. [6:41] I CERTAINLY DON'T WANT TO SEE IRAN HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON, BUT WE HAVE TO END THIS WAR. [6:45] AND ONE OF MY PRIMARY GOALS, I'M GOING TO FIGHT TO END THIS WAR IN THE U.S. SENATE DAY ONE. [6:50] ASHLEY HINSON, YOU HAVE SAID THAT THE WAR SHOULD COME TO AN IMMEDIATE AND SUCCESSFUL END. [6:54] HOW DO YOU DEFINE SUCCESSFUL AND IMMEDIATE? [6:56] AND WHY DID YOU VOTE AGAINST A RESOLUTION IN CONGRESS TO CALL FOR THE WAR TO END? [6:59] WE DO NEED TO BRING IT TO AN IMMEDIATE AND SUCCESSFUL END. [7:02] AND TO ME THAT MEANS NOT ALLOWING THEM TO HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON AND MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE WORKING WITH AND [7:07] PROTECTING OUR ALLIES IN THE REGION. [7:09] HERE WE ARE ON OCTOBER 7TH. [7:11] THREE YEARS AGO TODAY WE SAW IRANIAN PROXIES ATTACK ISRAEL AND OUR ALLIES IN THE MIDDLE EAST. [7:16] WE HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT THAT'S WHO THESE PEOPLE ARE. [7:19] THESE ARE IRANIAN TERRORISTS AND THEY HAVE BEEN TERRORIZING AMERICANS FOR DECADES. [7:23] WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE'RE HOLDING THEM ACCOUNTABLE. [7:26] AND EVERY DOLLAR SPENT ABROAD NEEDS TO ADVANCE AMERICAN INTERESTS. [7:29] THAT'S FOR SURE. [7:30] THAT'S WHAT I CARE ABOUT WHEN I'M IN WASHINGTON. [7:32] MY BOTTOM LINE IS PROTECTING THE TAXPAYERS' DOLLARS. [7:34] ALSO AS A MOM, I THINK ABOUT THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO ARE FIGHTING, RIGHT? [7:38] I HAVE A 15-YEAR-OLD AND 13-YEAR-OLD BOY. [7:40] I DON'T WANT THIS TO BE A FOREVER WAR. [7:42] SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE DO EVERYTHING WE CAN. [7:44] I TRUST IN OUR U.S. MILITARY, THE GREATEST FIGHTING FORCE IN THE WORLD, [7:48] TO BRING THIS TO A CLOSE AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. [7:50] BECAUSE I KNOW PEOPLE ARE GETTING SQUEEZED. [7:52] SO WHY VOTE AGAINST THE RESOLUTION? [7:54] I DON'T THINK WE NEED ANOTHER RESOLUTION. [7:56] AND I CERTAINLY DON'T WANT TO SEE THE PRESIDENT NOT BE ABLE TO DO AN ORDERLY END TO THIS WAR. [8:00] YOU LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENED WHEN PRESIDENT BIDEN DID THE WITHDRAWAL HASTILY OUT OF AFGHANISTAN, [8:05] AND WE LOST 13 SERVICE MEMBERS, INCLUDING AN IOWAN AT ABBYGATE. [8:09] WE DON'T NEED TO LOSE ANOTHER IOWAN. [8:11] I'VE SAT WITH THE GRIEVING FAMILIES FROM HERE IN IOWA WHO HAVE LOST THEIR LOVED ONES. [8:15] I'VE BEEN TO DOVER TO WELCOME THOSE FAMILIES AS THEY WERE CLAIMING THE REMAINS OF THEIR LOVED ONES. [8:20] SO I'VE SAT WITH THEM AND CRIED WITH THEM, AND I DON'T WANT THAT TO HAPPEN TO ANOTHER FAMILY. [8:24] CANADA IS ONE OF IOWA'S LARGEST TRADING PARTNERS. [8:29] IN AUGUST PRESIDENT TRUMP IMPOSED 50% TARIFTS ON SOME CANADIAN PRODUCTS. [8:34] ASHLEY HINSON, STARTING WITH YOU. [8:36] WHAT DO YOU SAY TO IOWANS WHO ARE CONCERNED ABOUT ERODING THAT RELATIONSHIP THAT IOWA HAS BUILT WITH CANADA? [8:43] WE ABSOLUTELY NEED A GREAT TRADE RELATIONSHIP WITH CANADA, WITH MEXICO, [8:48] WHOEVER WILL OPEN THEIR MARKETS TO US, WE NEED MORE MARKETS AND WE NEED MORE OPPORTUNITY. [8:53] WHAT WE DON'T NEED IS AN UNLEVEL PLAYING FIELD, AND CANADA SHOULD NOT HAVE WALKED AWAY FROM THAT DEAL. [8:58] I'VE BEEN ON THE CHINA SELECT COMMITTEE FOR SEVERAL YEARS IN WASHINGTON, D.C., [9:02] AND I THINK WHAT'S IMPORTANT ABOUT THE WORK WE'RE DOING IS WE ARE ACTUALLY HOLDING BAD TRADE PARTNERS ACCOUNTABLE [9:07] WHEN THEY ARE BREAKING THE RULES AND NOT PLAYING FAIR. [9:10] CHINA BEING ONE OF THE WORST OBVIOUSLY AT THIS, BUT THEY HAVE BEEN USING CANADIAN COMPANIES [9:15] TO GET STEAL INTO THE UNITED STATES, CHEATING AND NOT PAYING WHAT THEY SHOULD TO ACCESS OUR MARKETS. [9:20] SO I HAVE A BILL THAT I GOT PASSED THROUGH THE HOUSE, THE PROTECTING AMERICAN INDUSTRY [9:24] AND LABOR LEGISLATION THAT WOULD GIVE THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES [9:28] TO BE ABLE TO ACTUALLY GO AFTER THESE BAD ACTORS. THAT'S WHAT WE SHOULD BE DOING. [9:32] WE SHOULD BE NEGOTIATING AND GETTING THEM TO THE TABLE TO GET BETTER DEALS AND MORE ACCESS TO MARKETS, [9:37] AND WE SHOULD BE HOLDING THE BAD ACTORS ACCOUNTABLE AT THE SAME TIME. [9:40] JOSH TUREK, LAST WEEK THERE WAS A SPECIAL SESSION AT THE IOWA LEGISLATURE. [9:44] YOU JOINED 74 OTHER MEMBERS OF THE IOWA HOUSE AND SUPPORTED A PACKAGE OF INCENTIVES [9:50] FOR A PROPOSED STEEL MILL IN SOUTHEAST IOWA. [9:53] PRESIDENT TRUMP AND IOWA REPUBLICANS SAY THAT PLANT IS ONLY POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF HIS TARIFF POLICIES. [9:59] DO YOU AGREE WITH THAT? [10:00] NO, BUT I'LL TELL YOU WHAT, I WAS PROUD TO VOTE IN FAVOR OF THIS. [10:05] I MEAN, WE ARE A STATE THAT IS UNIQUELY HERDING. [10:07] WE'RE ONE OF THREE STATES SEEING OUR ECONOMY CONTRACT. [10:10] WE CERTAINLY NEED THE JOBS. [10:12] AND I THINK THAT THIS PLANT COULD HONESTLY BE TRANSFORMATIVE. [10:15] YOU'RE LOOKING AT 1,700 IOWA JOBS, AND I THINK WE NEED TO BRING BACK MANUFACTURING. [10:21] ON TOP OF THAT, YOU'RE LOOKING AT 6,000 TO 7,000 CONSTRUCTION WORKERS. [10:26] AND THIS IS ONE OF THOSE PROJECTS THAT REALLY CAN TRANSFORM A REGION AND CAN TRANSFORM A STATE. [10:32] AND SO I WAS PROUD TO BE ABLE TO VOTE FOR THIS. [10:35] BECAUSE WE NEED THE JOBS HERE IN IOWA, AND WE NEED THE MANUFACTURING JOBS HERE. [10:39] WHAT'S YOUR VIEW OF THE PRESIDENT'S APPROACH TO TARIFFS? [10:42] I'LL TELL YOU THIS. [10:44] AS I'VE BEEN TRAVELING THE STATE, I THINK THAT I'VE LEARNED ONE THING IN 400 DAYS AND GOING TO ALL 99 COUNTIES. [10:49] THAT IS THAT THE TARIFFS AND THE WAR IN IRAN HAS HURT IOWA MORE THAN ANY OTHER STATE. [10:55] OUR FARMERS NEED, MORE THAN ANY OTHER GROUP, NEED OPEN TRADE, NEED OPEN MARKETS. [11:00] AND WHAT THE TARIFFS HAVE DONE IS IT'S LED TO A DECIMATION OF MARKETS. [11:06] YOU LOOK AT THE ADMINISTRATION GIVING 20 BILLION DOLLARS TO ARGENTINA. [11:10] MEANWHILE, THE CHINESE ARE BUYING THEIR SOYBEAN FARMERS. [11:12] WHAT ABOUT OUR IOWA SOYBEAN FARMERS? [11:14] AGAINST OUR PRIMARY TRADING PARTNERS, CANADA, MEXICO, AND CHINA. [11:20] AND THE TARIFFS HAVE REALLY, REALLY HURT IOWANS. [11:25] WE CERTAINLY NEED STRATEGIC TARIFFS AND TARIFFS TO PROTECT AMERICAN JOBS AND TO PROTECT AMERICAN MANUFACTURING, [11:33] BUT NOT OFF THE BACKS OF THE AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY AND NOT OFF THE BACKS OF SMALL FAMILY FARMS. [11:37] WE LEAD THE NATION IN FARM FORECLOSURES NOW HERE IN IOWA. [11:41] AND ASHLEY HINSON HAS VOTED FIVE TIMES IN FAVOR OF CONTINUING THESE CHAOTIC TARIFFS AND SEVEN TIMES IN FAVOR OF THIS WAR IN IRAN. [11:49] BOTH HAVE HURT IOWA, I BELIEVE, MORE THAN ANY OTHER STATE. [11:52] MAY I RESPOND TO THAT REALLY QUICK? [11:54] I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT MY OPPONENT DECIDED NOT TO SHOW UP FOR WORK 58% OF THE TIME THIS YEAR [11:59] ON POLICIES THAT COULD HAVE HELPED TO SUPPORT IOWANS AND IOWA FARMERS, INCLUDING THE IOWA FARM BILL, [12:04] CHOSE TO NOT SHOW UP TO VOTE FOR THAT BILL. [12:06] I'M SHOWING UP IN WASHINGTON, D.C. TO MAKE SURE WE'RE ADVOCATING FOR PRIORITIES LIKE THE FARM BILL, [12:11] GETTING THAT ACROSS THE FINISH LINE TO HELP SUPPORT OUR FARMERS WITH THE SAFETY AND SECURITY NETS THAT THEY NEED. [12:16] POLICIES LIKE YEARROUND E15, WHICH I WAS ABLE TO WORK WITH MY COLLEAGUES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE [12:21] IN A BIPARTISAN WAY TO GET ACROSS THE FINISH LINE. [12:24] SO I'M SHOWING UP EVERY DAY. [12:25] I'M ALSO TRAVELING ALL 99 COUNTIES OF THE STATE HEARING DIRECTLY FROM FARMERS ABOUT WHAT THEY NEED. [12:30] THAT'S WHY I'M ADVOCATING ON FERTILIZER POLICY, NOT JUST ON DUTIES AND TARIFFS, BUT ON DOMESTIC MANUFACTURING. [12:35] I VOTED FOR THE WORKING FAMILIES TAX CUT BILL, WHICH MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR MANY OF THESE INVESTMENTS, [12:40] INCLUDING THIS STEEL MILL WITH 1,700 JOBS, PAYING $49 AN HOUR TO COME TO OUR STATE. [12:46] BECAUSE WE'RE ABLE TO BE MORE COMPETITIVE AND BRING THOSE JOBS HOME, WE CAN HELP SUPPORT AGRICULTURE AND WE CAN SUPPORT DOMESTIC MANUFACTURING. [12:53] MANY IOWANS ARE LEARNING ABOUT BOTH OF YOU BY TURNING ON THEIR TELEVISION SETS. [13:00] SHE JUST MENTIONED AN AD THAT'S RUNNING, MENTIONING YOU MISSING VOTES IN THE IOWA HOUSE. [13:06] TO VOTERS WHO SEE THAT AND HAVE CONCERNS, WHAT'S YOUR ANSWER? [13:09] MY ANSWER WOULD BE THAT I'M INDEPENDENTLY RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF THE MOST BIPARTISAN, AS ONE OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE. [13:15] I'VE GONE UP TO THE IOWA LEGISLATURE AND I HAVE WORKED FOR BILLS TO ACTUALLY HELP AVERAGE EVERYDAY IOWANS, [13:22] A LIVABLE WAGE, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE, DRINKABLE WATER, ADDRESSING THE CANCER CRISIS, [13:28] FUNCTIONING PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND ADDRESSING CORRUPTION LIKE CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM. [13:34] NOW YOU TAKE THAT VERSUS ASHLEY HINSON, SHE IS THE LEAST BIPARTISAN MEMBER OF THE IOWA DELEGATION. [13:41] SHE'S MISSED 193 VOTES HERSELF. [13:44] AND WHEN SHE'S BEEN UP IN D.C., SHE HAS VOTED IN FAVOR OF CUTS TO HEALTH CARE IN A STATE WITH A HEALTH CARE CRISIS AND A CANCER CRISIS, [13:51] 110,000 IOWANS HAVING THEIR HEALTH CARE PULLED AWAY, FOOD ASSISTANCE TO POOR FAMILIES, SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION, [13:58] JUST TO GIVE TAX BREAKS TO BILLIONAIRES. [14:00] AND, ADDITIONALLY, FIVE TIMES IN FAVOR OF THE TARIFFS THAT HAVE DECIMATED RULE COMMUNITIES AND FARMERS AND SEVEN TIMES VOTED IN FAVOR OF THIS WAR [14:08] IN IRAN, WHICH HAS LED TO INCREASE IN GAS PRICES, DIESEL PRICES AT AN ALL-TIME HIGH AND FERTILIZER PRICES. [14:15] IOWANS WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER OFF HAD SHE NOT BEEN UP THERE IN D.C. VOTING. [14:18] WELL, LET ME RESPOND. [14:19] YES, HE WAS ONE OF THE MOST ABSENT AND HE WAS ONE OF THE MOST LIBERAL WHEN HE DID SHOW UP TO VOTE. [14:24] IT'S VERY CLEAR 42% OF THE TIME, IF THAT'S ALL YOU'RE SHOWING UP TO VOTE, YOU'RE NOT GETTING A PROMOTION, YOU'RE GETTING FIRED. [14:30] THAT'S TWO OUT OF EVERY FIVE DAYS OF WORK. [14:32] I THINK EVERY SINGLE IOWAN KNOWS IF YOU'RE ONLY SHOWING UP THAT MUCH, YOU'RE NOT GETTING TO STAY AT WORK. [14:37] YOU LOOK AT HIS RECORD, HE SUPPORTED POLICIES WHEN HE DID SHOW UP TO HELP SUPPORT ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS IN THIS COUNTRY, [14:43] LETTING TAXPAYER DOLLARS GO TO BENEFITS FOR ILLEGALS. [14:46] HE VOTED TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR POLITICIANS TO RAISE YOUR TAXES HERE IN IOWA. [14:50] THERE'S A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT THAT'S GOING TO BE ON THE BALLOT. [14:53] SO WHEN HE IS SHOWING UP TO VOTE, IT'S WRONG FOR IOWA. [14:56] HE'S TOO LIBERAL FOR THIS STATE. [14:58] THAT IS ABSOLUTELY, THAT'S FUNDAMENTALLY INCORRECT. [15:00] ACTUALLY, IN THE IOWA LEGISLATURE, I'VE VOTED WITH REPUBLICANS TO REDUCE PEOPLE'S TAXES. [15:04] I ALSO VOTED WITH REPUBLICANS ON REDUCING PROPERTY TAX. [15:08] MEANWHILE, ASHLEY HINSON HAS GONE UP TO D.C. AND VOTED FOR TAX BREAKS TO BILLIONAIRES [15:12] WHILE CUTTING HEALTH CARE AND FOOD ASSISTANCE. [15:14] ALSO, CLEARLY, I AM THE THIRD MOST BIPARTISAN MEMBER OF THE IOWA LEGISLATURE. [15:18] OVER 700 TIMES VOTED WITH REPUBLICANS. [15:20] VERY PROUD OF THAT. [15:22] AND THE SECOND TO WORST ATTENDANCE RECORD DIDN'T SHOW UP. [15:24] I'M PROUD OF MY RECORD IN VOTING FOR PROVIDING TAX RELIEF TO MIDDLE CLASS FAMILIES. [15:28] THE WORKING FAMILIES TAX CUT PROVIDED FOR NO TAX ON TIPS, NO TAX ON OVERTIME, REDUCED TAX ON SOCIAL SECURITY FOR OUR SENIORS, [15:35] TAX CERTAINTY FOR OUR SMALL BUSINESSES. [15:37] YOU TALK ABOUT OUR MAIN STREETS THAT NEED TO KNOW THAT THEY CAN MAKE CRITICAL INVESTMENTS IN HIRING NEW PEOPLE AND GROWING THEIR BUSINESSES. [15:44] THAT'S WHAT I'VE SUPPORTED IN WASHINGTON, D.C. AND I HAVE A PROUD RECORD OF 99% OF THE TIME THIS YEAR I SHOWED UP ON THE FLOOR WHEN HE WAS ONLY SHOWING UP 42% OF THE TIME. [15:52] SPEAKING OF CAMPAIGN ADS, IOWANS ARE SEEING A CAMPAIGN AD ABOUT YOU SAYING YOU'VE GOTTEN WEALTHIER WHILE YOU'RE IN OFFICE. [15:58] WHAT'S YOUR RESPONSE TO IOWANS WHO SEE THAT AND HAVE CONCERNS? [16:02] MORE LIBERAL LIES FROM LIBERAL ALLIES OF JOSH TUREK. [16:06] LOOK, MY HUSBAND BUILT A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS THAT HE SOLD IN 2021. [16:12] I MADE THE DECISION AS WELL WHEN I GOT TO CONGRESS BECAUSE I DO THINK WE NEED TO CLEAN UP WASHINGTON, D.C. [16:17] WE HAD A CONVERSATION ABOUT IT. [16:19] WE DECIDED TO SELL OUR INDIVIDUAL STOCKS RIGHT AWAY IN 2021. [16:23] SO WE MADE IT VERY CLEAR THAT I WANT IOWANS TO KNOW THE DECISIONS THAT I'M MAKING IN WASHINGTON, D.C. [16:28] HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THE INSIDE INFORMATION I MIGHT BE GETTING AS A PUBLIC SERVANT. [16:33] IT'S WHY I HAVE VOTED TO BAN STOCK TRADING FOR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AND LED ON THE INITIATIVE [16:38] TO MAKE SURE THAT CONGRESSMEN AND WOMEN AND SENATORS CANNOT BE BETTING ON PREDICTION MARKETS EITHER. [16:43] THAT'S KIND OF THE NEW FRONTIER THAT WE'RE DEALING WITH RIGHT NOW. [16:46] SO THE ONLY REASON THAT IS NOT LAW RIGHT NOW, THE BAN ON STOCK TRADING, IS BECAUSE CHUCK SCHUMER AND THE DEMOCRATS [16:51] IN THE SENATE BLOCKED IT FROM COMING TO THE FLOOR. [16:53] CAN I RESPOND TO THAT QUICKLY? [16:55] THE REALITY IS, IS THAT IN JUST SIX YEARS OF BEING UP IN D.C., ASHLEY HINSON IS UP TO 15 TIMES MORE [17:02] WEALTHY, STILL OWNS UP TO $5 MILLION OF PRIVATE STOCK, EVEN THOUGH SHE SAID SHE WAS GOING TO SELL EVERYTHING. [17:08] SHE'S TAKEN $50,000 OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS, EVEN THOUGH SHE'S A MULTI-MILLIONAIRE, TO GIVE HERSELF A LUXURY D.C. APARTMENT [17:15] AND HAS HAD HER HUSBAND OPERATING AS A SHADOW LOBBYIST. [17:18] THIS IS THE CORRUPTION THAT WE HAVE TO ADDRESS. [17:20] THIS IS WHAT I WANT TO GO UP TO D.C. TO ADDRESS. [17:22] TWO THINGS, ONE, WE NEED TO HAVE CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM, BECAUSE WE'VE GOT TO GET THE DARK MONEY OUT OF POLITICS. [17:27] I WANT TO SPONSOR A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO OVERTURN CITIZENS UNITED, BECAUSE WE CAN HAVE OLIGARCHY OR WE CAN HAVE DEMOCRACY, BUT WE CANN'T HAVE BOTH. [17:34] WE'VE GOT TO GET THE DARK MONEY OUT OF POLITICS. [17:36] AND, SECONDLY, I WANT TO GO UP THERE AND FIGHT FOR TERM LIMITS, TO BAN MEMBERS OF CONGRESS FROM OWNING AND TRADING STOCKS. [17:40] I DON'T OWN ANY STOCKS, SO NO ONE HAS TO WORRY ABOUT THAT WITH ME. [17:45] AND ALSO PUTTING IN A PROVISION TO MANDATE THAT MEMBERS OF CONGRESS HAVE TO HOST AT LEAST ONE ANNUAL TOWN HALL IN PERSON. [17:53] BECAUSE SOMEONE LIKE ASHLEY HINSON, AS SHE'S BEEN RUNNING FOR U.S. SENATE, HAS NOT HAD ONE IN-PERSON TOWN HALL. [17:58] I DID 47 TOWN HALLS DURING MY TIME IN CONGRESS. [18:01] SO YOU ALL AT THIS TABLE HAVE COVERED MANY OF THEM AND UNDERSTAND CLEARLY THAT I AM A TRANSPARENT AND ACCESSIBLE REPRESENTATIVE. [18:08] MY HUSBAND IS NOT A LOBBYIST. [18:10] HE'S AN INSURANCE AGENT. [18:11] HE WORKS IN OUR BASEMENT. [18:12] HE'S STILL WORKING AT HOME TONIGHT WHILE HE'S HOME WITH OUR KIDS, OUR TEENAGE BOYS WHO ARE 15 AND 13. [18:17] AND I'M GLAD, JOSH, THAT YOU BROUGHT UP THE PER DIEM, BECAUSE THERE IS A PROGRAM FOR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS. [18:23] ALL MEMBERS CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT TO TAKE A DAILY PER DIEM. [18:26] FOR DAYS WE ARE IN SESSION. [18:28] THAT'S THE ONLY DAY YOU CAN ACTUALLY TAKE IT. [18:30] AND I USE THAT. [18:31] YOU CAN USE IT FOR A HOTEL OR YOUR APARTMENT. [18:34] SO I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT MY OPPONENT, WHO DID NOT SHOW UP TO WORK, STILL TOOK THE FULL PER DIEM HERE IN IOWA. [18:41] THE SAME PROGRAM THAT EXISTS FOR LAWMAKERS HERE. [18:43] SO YOU TOOK THE PER DIEM, YOU STOLE FROM TAXPAYERS, YOU SHOULD REFUND THAT MONEY. [18:48] AARON, LET'S MOVE ON. [18:49] WE'VE GOT A LOT WE WANT TO GET TO. [18:51] WE WANT TO ASK YOU BOTH ABOUT THE 2025 SPENDING AND TAX POLICY BILL THAT WAS KNOWN AT THE [18:56] TIME AS THE ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL. [18:58] JOSH TURK, YOU'VE SAID THAT YOU BELIEVE THAT THAT BILL SHOULD BE REPEALED. [19:02] SOME OF THE PROVISIONS IN IT ARE TEMPORARY AND WILL EXPIRE AT THE END OF 2028. [19:07] WHICH OF THOSE ELEMENTS WOULD YOU VOTE TO MAINTAIN, IF ANY, AND WHICH WOULD YOU ALLOW TO EXPIRE? [19:12] YEAH, CERTAINLY, WHEN YOU PUT TOGETHER ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL, AS IT'S CALLED, [19:15] YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A HANDFUL OF THINGS THAT I ACTUALLY AM IN FAVOR OF. [19:19] I'VE SAID THAT AND I'VE BEEN OPEN ABOUT IT. [19:21] I AGREE WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP THAT WE NEED TO GET PRIVATE EQUITY OUT OF HOUSING, [19:25] SOMETHING I'VE FOUGHT FOR IN ALL OF MY TIME IN THE IOWA LEGISLATURE, [19:28] BECAUSE THE AVERAGE AGE OF A FIRST-TIME HOME BUYER NOW IN THIS COUNTRY IS 40 YEARS OLD. [19:32] I BELIEVE THAT WE SHOULD HAVE NO TAX ON TIPS, NO TAX ON OVERTIME, NO TAX ON SOCIAL SECURITY. [19:38] BUT WHAT WE SAW WITH THE OBBB IS WE SAW HUGE CUTS TO MEDICAID AND TO FOOD ASSISTANCE [19:47] JUST TO GIVE TAX BREAKS TO BILLIONAIRES. [19:49] HERE IN IOWA, AND WE ARE ALREADY BASICALLY DEAD LAST FOR EVERY SINGLE HEALTH CARE METRICS, [19:54] OBGYNS, MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS, MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTS, HOSPITAL QUALITY. [19:59] JUST SINCE ASHLEY HINSON'S GONE UP TO D.C. SIX YEARS, [20:02] WE HAVE CLOSED 842 HEALTH CARE ENTITIES IN THE STATE. [20:06] YOU GO AND YOU SPEAK TO THE CEOS OF THE RURAL HOSPITALS, THEY WILL TELL YOU MEDICAID IS THEIR LIFE BLOOD. [20:13] SHE VOTED FOR 110,000 IOWANS TO LOSE THEIR HEALTH CARE IN A STATE WITH A CANCER CRISIS AND A HEALTH CARE CRISIS. [20:22] AND WITH THE ACA SUBSIDIES, 119,000 IOWANS SEEING THEIR HEALTH CARE PREMIUMS DOUBLE OR TRIPLE. [20:29] I THINK THAT THAT IS FUNDAMENTALLY WRONG. [20:31] I WANT TO FIGHT FOR EVERY SINGLE IOWAN TO HAVE AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE HEALTH CARE. [20:35] AND SHE DID THAT ALL JUST TO GIVE TAX BREAKS TO BILLIONAIRES. [20:40] I THINK THAT THAT'S BACKWARDS AND WRONG. [20:42] ASHLEY HINSON, AND I WILL TELL YOU THAT YOU'RE GOING TO GET QUESTIONS ON HEALTH CARE COMING UP TOO. [20:46] SO, BUT FEEL FREE TO RESPOND HOW YOU'D LIKE, BUT JUST WANTED YOU TO KNOW THAT. [20:51] BACK ON THE ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL, THE LAW CONTAINS TAX PROVISIONS THAT YOU HAVE CELEBRATED, INCLUDING THE TAXES ON TIPS AND OVERTIME REPEALING. [21:01] IT ALSO INCLUDES TAX REDUCTIONS FOR THE WEALTHIEST AMERICANS. [21:04] I WANTED TO ASK YOU WHY THOSE SPECIFIC TAX CUTS WERE NEEDED, ESPECIALLY AT A TIME WHEN THE NATIONAL DEBT IS SO HIGH, $40 TRILLION. [21:12] WELL, 60% OF THE RELIEF FROM THAT BILL WAS TARGETED AND TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF BY THE MIDDLE CLASS. [21:17] SO THAT WAS OUR ENTIRE INTENT WAS TO DIRECT THOSE TAX CUTS AT THE MIDDLE CLASS. [21:21] OUR SMALL BUSINESSES, AGAIN, THE DEDUCTIONS THAT OUR SMALL BUSINESSES CAN USE TO INVEST IN CAPITAL AND MAKE THOSE DECISIONS. [21:28] MANUFACTURING LIKE THE PLANT WE'RE BRINGING TO IOWA WITH 1,700 NEW GOOD-PAYING JOBS. [21:33] ALL OF THAT IS POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF WHAT WAS INCLUDED IN THE WORKING FAMILIES TAX CUTS. [21:37] MY OPPONENT DID NOT SHOW UP FOR THE VOTE TO DEPLOY THE $50 BILLION, 200 MILLION PLUS OF THAT FROM THE RURAL HEALTH TRANSFORMATION FUND HERE IN IOWA. [21:46] SO YOU TALK ABOUT ACTUALLY BEING THERE TO SHOW UP TO SUPPORT RURAL HEALTH CARE. [21:50] I WORKED TO MAKE SURE THAT FUNDING WAS THERE TO MAKE SURE OUR RURAL HOSPITALS AND OUR RURAL ENTITIES COULD STAY OPEN. [21:56] AND YOU LOOK AT PROVIDERS, THEY ARE ALREADY RECRUITING PROVIDERS. [21:59] JUST LAST WEEK, I WAS ABLE TO DO A TOWN HALL IN PROTIVEN, SMALL COMMUNITY IN MY DISTRICT. [22:04] HOWARD COUNTY JUST NORTH OF THERE IS USING THOSE RURAL HEALTH TRANSFORMATION FUND DOLLARS TO RECRUIT NOT ONLY A NURSE MIDWIFE BUT A NEW PA. [22:12] THEY TOLD ME THAT JUST LAST WEEK. [22:13] SO THOSE DOLLARS ARE ACTUALLY DEPLOYED AND ARE MAKING SURE IOWANS CAN ACCESS HEALTH CARE. [22:18] LET'S TALK ABOUT MEDICAID. [22:19] IT IS ONE OF THE HIGHEST ENROLLED PROGRAMS IN THE COUNTRY AND WE MAY BE TALKING MORE ABOUT THIS. [22:24] BUT YOU LOOK AT WHO SHOULD BE GETTING MEDICAID, WE WANT IT TO BE THERE FOR OUR WORKING POOR, PEOPLE WHO HAVE A LITTLE SKIN IN THE GAME. [22:31] WHAT WE DID WAS MAKE SURE THAT THERE ARE SOME COMMON SENSE WORK REQUIREMENTS SO THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE GAMING THE SYSTEM AREN'T GETTING THESE BENEFITS AND PEOPLE WHO ARE ILLEGAL ARE NOT GETTING THESE BENEFITS. [22:41] MY OPPONENT, JOSH TUREK, WANTS TO UNDO THE ENTIRE WORKING FAMILIES TAX CUT BILL ON DAY ONE. [22:46] HE HAS SAID IT. [22:47] AND THAT WOULD IMMEDIATELY MEAN ALL OF THOSE ILLEGALS WHO WE HAVE KICKED OFF MEDICAID WOULD BE BACK ON IT. [22:52] HE SUPPORTS TAXPAYER BENEFITS GOING TO ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS. [22:55] THAT IS INCORRECT. [22:56] I VOTED AGAINST MEDICAID CUTS. [22:58] AND AGAIN, TALKING ABOUT $50 BILLION GOING, WE LOST $130 BILLION. [23:02] AND I'M OUT THERE. [23:03] ACTUALLY JUST TWO DAYS AGO, I ENDED UP GETTING TOGETHER WITH A GROUP OF FAMILIES FOR DISABLED INDIVIDUALS. [23:08] OUR MEDICAID SYSTEM IS ALREADY SO FUNDAMENTALLY BROKEN. [23:11] WE'RE 49TH FOR MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT. [23:13] WE HAVE 27,000 DISABLED IOWANS RIGHT NOW THAT ARE ON MEDICAID WAITLIST. [23:19] WHEN YOU MAKE THESE CUTS TO MEDICAID, IT IS LESS SERVICES, LESS SUPPORTS AND MORE CLOSURES. [23:24] AGAIN, JUST SINCE ASHLEY HINSON'S GONE TO D.C., 842 HEALTH CARE ENTITIES HAVE CLOSED. [23:30] AND IN THE LAST 10 YEARS, WE'VE CLOSED 160 RULE AND INDEPENDENT PHARMACIES BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF ACTION ON PBM REFORM. [23:38] IOWANS DESERVE TO HAVE AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE HEALTH CARE. [23:41] I WILL NOT VOTE TO MAKE CUTS TO HEALTH CARE. [23:44] I WILL ENSURE THAT IOWANS HAVE ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE. [23:46] STEPHEN? [23:47] I APPRECIATE YOU BOTH STARTING THE CONVERSATION ON MEDICAID. [23:49] THE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL DOES CUT MEDICAID SPENDING CLOSE TO A TRILLION DOLLARS OVER A DECADE. [23:54] YOU MENTIONED THE RURAL HEALTH TRANSFORMATION FUND. [23:56] THAT PUT SOME MONEY BACK INTO RURAL HEALTH. [23:58] BUT THE REALITY IS FEWER PEOPLE ON MEDICAID MEANS THERE WILL BE LESS MONEY GOING TO HOSPITALS AND MORE MONEY THAT THEY PAY TO TREAT PEOPLE WHO ARE UNINSURED. [24:06] SO WHAT ELSE CAN YOU DO TO HELP HOSPITALS THAT ARE STRUGGLING FINANCIALLY AS A RESULT OF THIS? [24:11] YES, WELL, THAT'S WHY THINGS LIKE TAKING ON BIG HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANIES ARE ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL. [24:16] AS I'VE BEEN TRAVELING AROUND THE STATE ON MY 99 COUNTY TOUR, I'VE HEARD DIRECTLY FROM LOCAL PROVIDERS ABOUT ALL OF THE CHALLENGES THEY FACE IN CHASING ADMINISTRATIVE CLAIMS. [24:25] SO THE DENIALS OF CARE, THE DELAYS IN CARE, THE CHALLENGES AROUND PRE-AUTHORIZATIONS. [24:30] SO I'VE INTRODUCED LEGISLATION, THE HEALTH INSURANCE TRANSPARENCY FOR PATIENTS ACT, THAT WOULD TARGET THESE BIG HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANIES SO WE CAN LOWER COSTS RIGHT AT THE SITE OF THE PATIENT VISIT, RIGHT, AND MAKE SURE PHYSICIANS HAVE MORE TIME WITH PATIENTS. [24:42] WE TALK ABOUT PBM REFORM. [24:44] WE ACTUALLY WERE ABLE TO GET SOME PROVISIONS INCLUDED IN THE APPROPRIATIONS BILL EARLIER THIS YEAR, BUT I KNOW THERE'S MORE TO DO THERE TO HOLD THESE SHADY MIDDLEMEN ACCOUNTABLE FOR WHAT THEY'VE DONE. [24:54] THEY'RE DRIVING UP PRICES FOR PEOPLE EVERY SINGLE DAY IN RURAL IOWA, SO MAKING SURE WE'RE SUPPORTING CONTINUED PBM REFORM. [25:00] I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH SENATOR GRASSLEY TO GET THAT DONE. [25:03] AND THEN YOU TALK ABOUT HOW DO WE LASER-TARGET RESOURCES DIRECTLY TO RURAL IOWA. [25:08] I JUST INTRODUCED A BILL THAT WOULD TAKE MONEY FROM THE TOBACCO TAXES THAT ARE COMING INTO THE COUNTRY AND DEPLOY THOSE DIRECTLY TO HELP WITH RESEARCH FOR CANCER, SPECIFICALLY PEDIATRIC CANCER AND ALSO RARE CANCER. [25:21] SO WE ARE TRYING TO MAKE SURE WE'RE DIRECTING THE RESOURCES EXACTLY WHERE THEY NEED TO GO SO WE CAN BETTER RECRUIT PROVIDERS AND CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THE BEST CARE POSSIBLE NO MATTER WHAT YOUR ZIP CODE IS. [25:31] JOSH TUREK, MEDICAID EVEN BEFORE THE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL WAS A GROWING SHARE OF STATE BUDGETS. [25:37] BEYOND REPEALING THAT BILL, WHAT ELSE CAN YOU DO TO HELP KEEP THOSE COSTS FROM GROWING AND TAKING UP TOO MUCH OF THE STATE BUDGETS? [25:44] WELL, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE CAN DO, AND IT'S MORE OF A STATE ISSUE THAN IT IS FEDERAL, BUT, YOU KNOW, I ENTERED INTO POLITICS JUST FOUR YEARS AGO BECAUSE OF THE PRIVATIZATION OF MEDICAID AND WHAT WE WERE SEEING. [25:53] I WAS ASSESSING AND PROVIDING MOBILITY DEVICES, POWER WHEELCHAIRS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH PROGRESSIVE CONDITIONS LIKE MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY AND ALS. [26:02] AND SINCE THE PRIVATIZATION OF MEDICAID, WE WERE SEEING A 1000% INCREASE IN DENIAL RATE. [26:07] I THOUGHT THAT THAT WAS FUNDAMENTALLY WRONG. [26:09] THERE'S A LOT THAT WE CAN DO. [26:10] WE CERTAINLY NEED A FULLY FUNDED MEDICARE, MEDICAID. [26:13] WE NEED TO. [26:14] I AGREE WITH ACTUALLY REPRESENTATIVE HINSON ON THIS ISSUE. [26:17] WE NEED TO PUT GUARDRAILS ON INSURANCE COMPANIES. [26:19] I CAN TELL YOU A STORY THAT NEARLY THE DAY THAT I LAUNCHED MY CAMPAIGN, MY SISTER WAS DIAGNOSED WITH STAGE 2 BREAST CANCER. [26:26] SHE HAS PRIVATE INSURANCE. [26:28] AND HER PRIVATE INSURANCE SAID, BECAUSE YOU HAVE STAGE 2, NOT STAGE 3 OR STAGE 4, WE WILL NOT COVER THE PET SCAN TO SEE IF THE CANCER SPREAD TO OTHER PARTS OF YOUR BODY. [26:36] THAT IS FUNDAMENTALLY WRONG. [26:38] DOCTORS SHOULD BE DECIDING CARE, NOT INSURANCE COMPANIES. [26:41] SO THERE IS A LOT WE CAN DO ON THIS. [26:46] IT IS LIKELY THE NEXT IOWAN WHO IS ELECTED TO SERVE IN THE U.S. SENATE WILL BE MAKING DECISIONS ABOUT SOCIAL SECURITY. [26:52] THE SOCIAL SECURITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES SAYS IN SIX YEARS, SOCIAL SECURITY WILL ONLY BE ABLE TO PAY 78% OF BENEFITS. [27:01] JOSH TUREK, WE'LL START WITH YOU. [27:03] HOW WOULD YOU ENSURE THE SOLVENCY OF SOCIAL SECURITY? [27:08] WELL, FIRST, I'LL SAY THAT SOCIAL SECURITY IS ONE OF THE GREATEST EXAMPLES OF A SUCCESSFUL SOCIAL SAFETY NET IN THIS COUNTRY. [27:14] PRE-SOCIAL SECURITY, YOU HAD NEARLY 70% OF OUR SENIORS AND ELDERLY IN THIS COUNTRY LIVING IN ABJECT POVERTY. [27:21] IT IS AN EARNED BENEFIT. [27:23] MANY SENIORS LIKE ME STARTED WORKING EARLY ON, 12, 14 YEARS OLD. [27:28] THIS IS AN EARNED BENEFIT. [27:29] AND THE VERY BEST WAY TO KEEP SOCIAL SECURITY SOLVANT IS BY TAKING OFF THE CAP. [27:36] I THINK THAT IT IS FUNDAMENTALLY WRONG THAT YOU HAVE EVERY SINGLE TEACHER AND POLICE OFFICER AND FIREFIGHTER [27:44] THAT IS PAYING PAYROLL TAX AND SOCIAL SECURITY TAX YEAR ROUND. [27:49] MEANWHILE, YOU'VE GOT FOLKS LIKE ELON MUSK AND BILL GATES AND JEFF BEZOS THAT ARE PAYING JUST FOR THE FIRST FEW MINUTES OF THE YEAR. [27:55] THE BEST WAY WE CAN KEEP THIS SOLVANT IS BY TAKING OFF THE CAP. [27:59] BUT I'LL SAY THAT MY OPPONENT, ASHLEY HINSON, HAS FLOATED THE IDEA OF RAISING THE AGE OF SOCIAL SECURITY. [28:06] SHE HAS SUPPORTED CUTS TO THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION, WHICH EVEN LED TO THE CLOSURE OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION INTO CORA. [28:14] SHE VOTED AGAINST CAPS ON THINGS LIKE INSULIN AT $35 AND EVEN AGAINST MEDICAID, MEDICARE NEGOTIATING DRUG COST. [28:22] 10% SUPPORT SCORE AMONGST SENIORS. [28:26] I HAVE NOT VOTED FOR CUTS TO SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS AND I WILL NOT SUPPORT CUTS TO SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS. [28:31] THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE FOR OUR SENIORS AND IT IS A PROMISE WE NEED TO KEEP TO THEM. [28:35] AND WHAT FRUSTRATES ME AND I THINK EVERYBODY WATCHING TONIGHT IS THE CONSTANT FEAR MONGERING AROUND SOCIAL SECURITY. [28:41] WE NEED A GROWN-UP U.S. SENATOR WHO IS WILLING TO WORK ACROSS THE AISLE TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT WHAT IT'S GOING TO TAKE TO MAKE SURE WE KEEP IT SOLVENT. [28:49] BECAUSE RAISING THE CAP IS NOT GOING TO TAKE CARE OF THE ENTIRE GAP. [28:53] THAT'S JUST THE REALITY OF IT. [28:54] THE WAY THE PROGRAM IS SET UP, IT'S NOT GOING TO FIX ALL THE PROBLEMS. [28:57] SO WHAT I'VE ADVOCATED FOR AND WHAT I WOULD SUPPORT TO TAKE THE POLITICS OUT OF IT, AND WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THIS BEFORE ON THIS VERY PROGRAM, [29:04] LET'S SET UP A BIPARTISAN COMMISSION THAT DOES THE TOUGH WORK OF MAKING THE DECISIONS ABOUT WHAT WE NEED TO DO SO THAT WE CAN HAVE IT PRESENTED TO CONGRESS, [29:11] YES OR NO VOTE AND LET'S SOLVE THIS FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE FOR GOOD BECAUSE I AGREE WE NEED TO HAVE IT AROUND FOR DECADES TO COME FOR OUR SENIORS. [29:18] YOU MENTIONED BEING AT THIS TABLE TWO YEARS AGO AND TALKING ABOUT THIS VERY COMMISSION. [29:22] YOU ALSO SAID ALL OPTIONS SHOULD BE ON THE TABLE. [29:24] WHAT ARE THOSE OPTIONS? [29:25] I THINK WE NEED TO HAVE THE DISCUSSION BECAUSE IT'S A TOUGH QUESTION TO ANSWER. [29:29] AND I THINK ABOUT WHERE I AM AT IN MY LIFE. [29:31] I THINK WE NEED TO HAVE A SERIOUS CONVERSATION ABOUT, AS A PART OF THIS, HOW YOUNG PEOPLE ARE SAVING MONEY. [29:36] AS YOU LOOK AT PLANNING FOR RETIREMENT, I THINK MY DAD AND I HAD THIS DISCUSSION WHEN I WAS IN SIXTH GRADE [29:43] LOOKING AT A LEDGER BOOK AND TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW ARE WE GOING TO MAKE SURE YOU'RE SET UP FOR YOUR LIFE. [29:48] I LITERALLY HAD THOSE DISCUSSIONS IN MY HOUSEHOLD SO THAT WE COULD HARNESS THE POWER OF COMPOUNDING. [29:52] SO WE NEED TO BE HAVING A CONVERSATION SIMULTANEOUSLY TO ALL SOLUTIONS ON THE TABLE TO MAKE SURE THAT IT CAN STAY SOLVENT [29:58] WHILE WE'RE ALSO TALKING ABOUT HOW DO WE GET MORE YOUNG PEOPLE TO SAVE. [30:02] THE TRUMP ACCOUNTS, WHICH SET UP OUR YOUNG PEOPLE FOR SUCCESS, NOW EVERY YOUNG PERSON IS ENROLLED IN THOSE. [30:06] SO WE'RE GOING TO TAKE SOME PRESSURE OFF ON THE YOUNG END. [30:08] WE ALSO NEED TO BE TALKING ABOUT MILLENNIALS SAVING MONEY. [30:11] MILLENNIALS ARE THE WORST GROUP OF SAVERS IN THE COUNTRY RIGHT NOW AND HAVE THE LEAST AMOUNT OF SAVINGS. [30:15] SO THOSE ARE WAYS WHERE I THINK WE CAN HELP HAVE A BIGGER CONVERSATION AROUND SAVING IN GENERAL, PLANNING FOR RETIREMENT, [30:20] AND MAKING SURE WE'RE ALL ABLE TO EXPERIENCE A ROBUST RETIREMENT. [30:24] JOSH TUREK, SEN. CHUCK GRASSLEY HAS OFTEN SAID RAISING THE CAP WILL NOT SOLVE THE SOCIAL SECURITY ISSUE. [30:31] WHAT OTHER IDEAS DO YOU HAVE? [30:33] IT'S A LEGITIMATE STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, THOUGH. [30:35] I MEAN, THE REALITY IS, IS THAT WE'VE GOT THIS WEALTH DIVIDE AND WE'VE GOT TAX AVOIDANCE. [30:39] AND WHAT WE'VE SEEN FROM PEOPLE LIKE REPRESENTATIVE HINSON IS GOING UP THERE AND ONLY LOOKING OUT FOR THE BILLIONAIRES. [30:45] I REALIZE THAT IT'S NOT A COMPLETE FIX, BUT I PROMISE YOU IT'S GOING TO MOVE THINGS SIGNIFICANTLY IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. [30:51] AGAIN, I THINK THAT IT'S WRONG AND EVERY IOWAN THAT I'VE SPOKEN TO AS I'VE BEEN GOING AROUND THIS STATE [30:56] RECOGNIZES THAT FOR TEACHERS AND POLICE OFFICERS AND NURSES TO BE PAYING YEAR ROUND INTO SOCIAL SECURITY, [31:02] MEANWHILE YOU'VE GOT THESE HANDFUL OF BILLIONAIRES THAT ARE JUST PAYING FOR THE FIRST FEW MINUTES OF THE YEAR, THAT IS WRONG. [31:08] LET'S MAKE SURE THAT BILLIONAIRES AND LARGE CORPORATIONS ARE PAYING THEIR FAIR SHARE. [31:12] THAT WILL MOVE THE NEEDLE IN A VERY SERIOUS WAY TO KEEP SOCIAL SECURITY SOLVANT. [31:16] AGAIN, THIS IS AN EARNED BENEFIT AND 700,000 IOWAN SENIORS DESERVE TO HAVE THIS EARNED BENEFIT. [31:21] THE ONLY THING I'M HEARING FROM HIM IS THAT THE ONLY SOLUTION TO EVERYTHING IS TO RAISE TAXES. [31:25] AND I'M GLAD YOU BROUGHT UP TEACHERS AND FIREFIGHTERS AND FIRST RESPONDERS, [31:29] BECAUSE I WAS ABLE TO GET THE SOCIAL SECURITY FAIRNESS ACT ACROSS THE FINISH LINE IN THE HOUSE, [31:33] A BILL THAT MAKES SURE THAT THESE FIRST RESPONDERS AND CLASSROOM FOLKS ARE ACTUALLY ABLE TO GET THE BENEFITS THAT ARE ODE TO THEM. [31:40] SO I'VE WORKED ACROSS THE AISLE TO MAKE SURE WE WERE GETTING THAT DONE. [31:43] DO BOTH OF YOU THINK THAT RAISING THE RETIREMENT AGE IS, I GUESS, DECREASING THE BENEFITS FOR POTENTIAL BENEFICIARIES, ASHLEY HANSEN? [31:52] IF YOU'RE 20 YEARS OLD, IT'S A VERY DIFFERENT CONVERSATION THAN IF YOU'RE AT RETIREMENT AGE IS WHAT I WOULD SAY AS I THINK ABOUT THAT. [31:59] I'M NOT IN FAVOR OF RAISING THE RETIREMENT AGE. [32:02] MOVE ON, ASHLEY HANSEN, YOU HAVE PUSHED FOR INCLUSION OF YOUR SAVE OUR BACON ACT IN THE FARM BILL, [32:09] BUT AS OF NOW, NOT ALL OF YOUR FELLOW REPUBLICANS ARE ON BOARD. [32:12] IT WAS INCLUDED IN THE VERSION THAT WAS ADVANCED IN THE SENATE. [32:16] IS IT ESSENTIAL TO YOU, ASHLEY HANSEN, THAT THE PROVISION BE INCLUDED IN THE BILL'S FINAL VERSION IN THE FARM BILL? [32:24] I THINK IT'S CRITICAL FOR IOWA AGRICULTURE. [32:26] I'VE WORKED ACROSS THE ALT TO MAKE SURE WE GOT THAT FARM BILL THROUGH THE HOUSE. [32:29] IT WAS BIPARTISAN AS IT CAME OUT OF THE HOUSE. [32:31] AND I'M FRUSTRATED THAT THE SENATE HASN'T BEEN ABLE TO GET THAT INCLUDED. [32:35] YOU LOOK AT WHAT THE OVERREACH HAS DONE TO THE AGRICULTURE COMMUNITY, [32:38] WHETHER IT'S ENVIRONMENTAL OVERREACH OR, IN THIS CASE, REGULATORY OVERREACH, [32:42] WHERE CALIFORNIA IS TRYING TO TELL OUR PRODUCERS HOW TO RAISE OUR HOGS HERE IN IOWA. [32:46] OUR FARMERS KNOW BETTER THAN ANYONE ELSE HOW TO RAISE HEALTHY ANIMALS. [32:51] AND SO THAT'S WHY I'VE PUSHED SO HARD TO GET THIS SAVE OUR BACON ACT INCLUDED. [32:55] IT DOES STAND UP FOR THE SMALL FAMILY FARMER AND TELLS CALIFORNIA, [32:58] HEY, YOU CAN REGULATE YOUR OWN PRODUCERS, BUT YOU CAN'T TELL IOWA HOW TO DO OUR JOB. [33:02] OUR FARMERS FEED AND FUEL THE WORLD THE BEST IN THE WORLD. [33:05] AND SO THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO SEE, MAKE SURE WE GET IT IN THE FARM BILL. [33:08] AND I'M WORKING ACROSS THE AISLE AND ACROSS THE ROTUNDA TO MAKE SURE WE GET THAT BILL DONE BY THE END OF THE YEAR. [33:13] SO IF THAT COMES BACK FROM THE SENATE WITHOUT THAT PROVISION IN THERE, WHAT'S YOUR VOTE ON THAT BILL? [33:18] I'M STILL GOING TO SUPPORT A FARM BILL. [33:20] THAT'S GOING TO BE MY PRIORITY IS MAKING SURE WE GET THAT ACROSS THE FINISH LINE. [33:24] THERE'S A LOT OF GOOD POLICY IN THERE, INCLUDING ON FERTILIZER AND ANIMAL RESEARCH, [33:29] AND BIOSECURITY, WHICH IS ANOTHER CONVERSATION WE NEED TO HAVE ABOUT HOW DO WE SET OURSELVES UP [33:34] SO THAT WE CAN PUSH BACK ON MAYBE CHALLENGES WITH AFRICAN SWINE FEVER AND OTHER ISSUES [33:39] THAT MAY BE AFFECTING AVIAN INFLUENZA, FOR EXAMPLE. [33:42] SO THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS IN THE FARM BILL THAT WE NEED TO GET ACROSS THE FINISH LINE. [33:46] AND IT'S UNFORTUNATE THAT EVERY DEMOCRAT IN THE SENATE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE VOTED NO. [33:51] AND IT'S UNFORTUNATE THAT MY OPPONENT DID NOT SHOW UP. [33:53] JOSH TURK DID NOT SHOW UP TO VOTE FOR THE IOWA FARM BILL THIS YEAR TO STAND UP FOR IOWA FARMERS. [33:58] JOSH TURK, DEMOCRATS HAVE REFUSED TO SUPPORT THE FEDERAL FARM BILL OVER NEW RULES [34:02] THAT REQUIRE STATES TO PAY 75% OF ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS FOR SNAP. [34:07] I BELIEVE YOU'VE SAID THAT YOU WOULD HAVE VOTED FOR IT. WHY IS THAT? [34:10] I WOULD HAVE VOTED FOR IT BECAUSE I DON'T THINK THAT WE SHOULD LET PERFECTION STAND IN THE WAY OF PROGRESS. [34:16] AND AS I'VE BEEN TRAVELING AROUND THE STATE FOR THE LAST 400 YEARS, [34:19] I HAVE RUN INTO FARMER AFTER FARMER AFTER FARMER TELLING ME THAT THIS HAS BEEN ONE GUT PUNCH AFTER ANOTHER [34:25] FROM THE MONEY GOING TO ARGENTINA SO THE CHINESE CAN BUY THEIRS, [34:31] TO THE TARIFFS THAT ACTUALLY VOTED IN FAVOR OF FIVE TIMES, [34:33] TO THE WAR IN IRAN THAT'S LEADING TO DIESEL PRICES. [34:35] I'M HEARING FARMERS SAYING, JOSH, I AM WORRIED THAT I AM NOT GOING TO BE HERE. [34:40] CENTURY FARMERS ARE SAYING, I'M GOING TO END UP IN FORECLOSURES. [34:43] AND SO, YEAH, I WOULD HAVE VOTED IN FAVOR OF THAT. [34:48] BUT WHAT IF WE REALLY WANT TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE FOR FARMERS? [34:51] I THINK THAT THAT FARM BILL NEEDS TO CONTAIN YEAR-ROUND E-15. [34:56] I THINK THAT IT NEEDS TO CONTAIN MANDATORY OF COUNTRY OF ORIGIN LABELING ON BEEF AND ON PORK. [35:01] WE HAVE LABELING ON EVERYTHING, INCLUDING OUR CLOTHES. [35:04] IOWANS AND AMERICANS SHOULD KNOW WHERE THEIR BEEF AND WHERE THEIR PORK IS COMING FROM. [35:08] WE SHOULD HAVE A FEDERAL RIGHT TO REPAIR, [35:10] SOMETHING I'VE WORKED VERY HARD ON IN THE IOWA LEGISLATURE. [35:13] FARMERS SHOULD BE ABLE TO REPAIR THEIR EQUIPMENT IN A TIMELY MANNER. [35:16] AND WE SHOULD REPEAL THESE CHAOTIC TARIFS THAT ARE DECIMATING. [35:19] AND IN THE U.S. SENATE, I WILL WORK TO PASS A FARM BILL AND HAVE A PROVISION IN PLACE [35:23] THAT CONGRESS CANNOT ADJOURN WITHOUT PASSING A FARM BILL. [35:26] LET'S PASS A FARM BILL. [35:27] IF I WAS THERE IN THE SENATE RIGHT NOW, I WOULD WORK ACROSS THE AISLE AND I WOULD VOTE IN FAVOR OF IT. [35:31] I WANT TO TALK ABOUT IMMIGRATION FOR A LITTLE BIT. [35:34] JOSH TUREK, DEMOCRATS HAVE PUSHED REFORMS TO ICE THIS YEAR, [35:37] INCLUDING BODY CAMERAS, A USE OF FORCE POLICY AND OTHER THINGS. [35:41] DURING THE PRIMARY, YOU SAID YOU WOULDN'T VOTE FOR ANY DHS FUNDING WITHOUT THOSE REFORMS IN PLACE. [35:47] IS THAT STILL YOUR POSITION? [35:48] YEAH, THAT IS MY POSITION. [35:49] I THINK THAT WE CAN HAVE A COUPLE THINGS BE TRUE AT THE SAME TIME. [35:53] FIRST, WE NEED TO HAVE SAFE AND SECURE BORDERS. [35:55] AND I WENT DOWN TO LAREDO. [35:57] I SAW THE BORDER. [35:58] I SAW THAT WE STILL HAVE FAR MORE TO DO TO ADDRESS DRUGS COMING ACROSS, [36:03] TO ADDRESS FENTANYL, AND TO ADDRESS HUMAN TRAFFICKING. [36:06] I'M THE ONLY ONE UP ON THIS STAGE THAT HAS ACTUALLY WORKED ACROSS THE AISLE TO ADDRESS IMMIGRATION. [36:12] I WAS ONE OF THREE DEMOCRATS TO VOTE WITH REPUBLICANS, [36:16] BECAUSE IF YOU HAVE COME HERE ILLEGALLY AND YOU HAVE COMMITTED VIOLENT CRIMES, [36:19] YOU SHOULD NO LONGER BE HERE. [36:21] BUT AT THE SAME TIME, I THINK WE CAN RECOGNIZE THAT WE NEED TO HAVE A PATHWAY TO EARNED CITIZENSHIP [36:28] FOR THOSE THAT HAVE COME HERE ILLEGALLY. [36:30] AND I DO THINK THAT WE, YOU KNOW, I THINK WE CAN ALL AGREE THAT WE DON'T WANT TO SEE AMERICANS SHOT IN THE STREET. [36:35] SO I THINK SOME COMMON SENSE REFORMS, I'M A COMMON SENSE PRAYED POPULIST, [36:39] SOME COMMON SENSE REFORMS WOULD BE IN ORDER. [36:41] WELL, HIS POLICIES ARE TOO LIBERAL AND HIS VOTING RECORD SHOWS IT. [36:44] AND HE HAS SAID PUBLICLY THAT HE SUPPORTS THE DIGNITY ACT, WHICH WOULD ALLOW FOR BASIC AMNESTY. [36:50] AND YOU TALK ABOUT CRIMINAL ILLEGALS BEING DEPORTED FROM THIS COUNTRY, THAT SHOULD BE OUR PRIORITY. [36:55] BUT THAT POLICY WOULD ALLOW FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN CONVICTED OF DRUNK DRIVING, [36:59] PEOPLE LIKE THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT WHO HIT AND KILLED SARAH ROOT IN IOWAN HERE JUST A FEW YEARS AGO, [37:05] THAT WOULD ALLOW THAT PERSON TO STAY. [37:07] WE NEED TO BE DEPORTING THESE DANGEROUS CRIMINAL ILLEGALS. [37:09] AND JOSH TUREK WOULD NOT ONLY RAISE YOUR TAXES, BUT HE WOULD USE IT TO FUND BENEFITS FOR ILLEGALS. [37:14] AND HERE'S THE REALITY ON THIS ISSUE IS THAT ASHLEY HINSON ABSOLUTELY HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE FOR [37:20] A BIPARTISAN BILL THAT WOULD HAVE ADDRESSED THIS, LIKE COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM. [37:25] AND SHE CHOSE TO PLAY POLITICAL GAMES. [37:27] I MEAN, THIS WAS A BILL THAT WAS IN THAT WAS ENDORSED BY THE BORDER PATROL CALLED ONE OF THE MOST ROBUST, [37:33] ONE OF THE MOST CONSERVATIVE, AND DECIDED TO PLAY POLITICAL GAMES, INSTEAD OF VOTING FOR IT. [37:39] I ACTED AT THE STATE LEVEL BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE OF D.C., BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE OF PEOPLE LIKE ASHLEY HINSON. [37:44] MY VOTING RECORD IS CLEAR. [37:47] I WAS ONE OF THREE DEMOCRATS, AND I TOOK A LOT OF HEAT FOR IT IN THE PRIMARY, BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT WE NEED TO HAVE SAFE AND SECURE BORDERS. [37:54] SHE TALKS ABOUT THE DIGNITY ACT. [37:56] THAT IS SPONSORED BY REPRESENTATIVE NUNN. [37:58] YOU ALSO HAVE REPRESENTATIVE MILLER MEAKS AND REPRESENTATIVE FEENSTRA THAT ARE OUT THERE TALKING ABOUT THE AG WORKERS BILL. [38:04] WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT IS WE CAN HAVE SAFE AND SECURE BORDERS, AND WE NEED TO HAVE A PATHWAY TO EARN CITIZENSHIP FOR THOSE THAT HAVE COME HERE LEGALLY. [38:12] WHAT DO YOU DO WITH ALL THE ILLEGALS? [38:14] THAT IS WHAT HE IS SUPPORTING. [38:15] I WILL SAY THIS, THE BILL HE WAS REFERENCING A FEW YEARS AGO, THAT BILL WOULD HAVE LET UNCAPPED NUMBERS COME ACROSS OUR SOUTHERN BORDER. [38:22] AND AT THE TIME WE HAD RAMPANT ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION FLOWING ACROSS OUR SOUTHERN BORDER. [38:26] I WAS ALSO AT THE SOUTHERN BORDER. [38:28] I THINK WE HAD A VERY DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE BECAUSE I WAS THERE WHEN PRESIDENT BIDEN HAD CONTROL OVER THE SOUTHERN BORDER AND DEPOCRATS HAD CONTROL OF CONGRESS. [38:35] AND WHAT DID THEY DO? [38:36] THEY OPENED UP THE SPIGOT AT OUR SOUTHERN BORDER. [38:38] WHAT DID ALL THAT ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION DO TO OUR COUNTRY? [38:41] IT DROVE UP HOUSING PRICES. [38:42] YOU TALK ABOUT AFFORDABILITY. [38:43] IT DROVE UP COMPETITION FOR HOUSING PRICES. [38:45] IT DROVE UP COMPETITION FOR HOUSING PRICES. [38:47] AND SO THAT WAS A DIRECT IMPACT ON IOWANS. [38:49] IT ALLOWED DANGEROUS FENTANYL INTO OUR COMMUNITIES. [38:52] DANGEROUS DRUGS THAT KILLED AMERICANS. [38:54] WE HAVE NOW SEALED OFF THE BORDER. [38:56] THAT JUST TOOK ABOUT SIX MONTHS TO GET THAT DONE. [38:59] AND NOW WE HAVE ZERO CROSSINGS HAPPENING AT OUR SOUTHERN BORDER. [39:01] SO WHO DO YOU TRUST TO FIX THE PROBLEM? [39:03] THE ARSONISTS? [39:04] THE PEOPLE WHO STARTED THE FIRE? [39:05] OR THE PEOPLE WHO ARE CLEANING UP THE MESS? [39:07] CERTAINLY, I WAS THE ONE THAT WAS STARTING THE FIRE. [39:09] AND I'VE BEEN VERY, VERY CLEAR AND UNEQUIVOCAL ON THIS ISSUE. [39:11] AND PEOPLE CAN'T EVEN SEE I'M RUNNING TELEVISION ADS ON IT. [39:14] I BELIEVE THAT WE NEED TO HAVE SAFE AND SECURE BORDERS. [39:16] AND I WANT TO ENSURE THAT EVERY IOWAN AND EVERY AMERICAN HAS SAFE AND SECURE BORDERS AND SAFE COMMUNITIES. [39:21] AND I'M WILLING TO WORK WITH ANYONE, INCLUDING PRESIDENT TRUMP, ON THIS ISSUE. [39:24] YOU TRASHED THE PRESIDENT DURING THE PRIMARY AND NOW YOU'RE DOING ADS SAYING YOU'RE GOING TO WORK WITH HIM. [39:28] IT'S A TALE OF TWO TURRICS. [39:30] WE CAN MOVE ON. [39:31] ASHLEE HINSON, I DO WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT. [39:33] PRESIDENT TRUMP SAID IN 2024 THAT ICE WOULD FOCUS ON THE WORST OF THE WORST. [39:37] WE HAVE SEEN ARRESTS OF PEOPLE WITH CRIMINAL RECORDS AS WELL AS PEOPLE WITHOUT CRIMINAL RECORDS. [39:42] AND AS WAS MENTIONED TONIGHT, AMERICANS HAVE BEEN SHOT BY IMMIGRATION AGENTS. [39:46] DO YOU THINK ICE IS FOCUSING ON THE WORST OF THE WORST? [39:48] ICE DOES NEED TO FOCUS ON THE WORST OF THE WORST. [39:50] AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHY I'VE SUPPORTED FUNDING TO MAKE SURE THEY DO HAVE BODY CAMERAS [39:54] AND THAT WE'RE HOLDING THESE AGENTS ACCOUNTABLE AS THEY DO THEIR JOBS. [39:57] BUT THEY NEED TO BE ABLE TO DO THEIR JOBS IN OUR COMMUNITIES. [40:00] AND THE REASON WE HAVE A RELATIVELY EASY PROCESS HERE IN IOWA IS BECAUSE OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT [40:06] CAN COOPERATE EFFICIENTLY WITH ICE. [40:08] THAT'S LEGISLATION THAT I SUPPORTED BACK WHEN I WAS IN THE STATE HOUSE. [40:11] AND NOW I'M SUPPORTING THE FUNDING TO MAKE SURE THEY CAN GO INTO OUR COMMUNITIES SAFELY [40:15] AND WORK WITH LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT. [40:17] JOSH TUREK VOTED TO MAKE IT HARDER FOR OUR SHERIFFS IN SANCUARY CITIES IF THEY WANT TO [40:22] TO NOT COMPLY WITH IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT. [40:25] I THINK THAT'S WRONG. [40:26] I DO THINK WE NEED TO BE PRIORITIZING THE WORST OF THE WORST. [40:29] BUT DEMOCRATS IN CONGRESS SHUT DOWN THESE AGENCIES, INCLUDING NOT JUST CBP AND IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS [40:35] ENFORCEMENT, BUT TSA, THE COAST GUARD, OTHER REALLY, REALLY IMPORTANT AGENCIES LIKE THE SECRET SERVICE [40:41] THAT KEEP OUR DIGNITARIES PROTECTED. [40:43] THEY VOTED TO SHUT THAT DOWN. [40:45] AND MY OPPONENT TONIGHT SAID ON THE RECORD THAT HE WOULD CONTINUE TO UPHOLD THAT VOTE. [40:49] WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ON TO ANOTHER SUBJECT HERE. [40:53] LET'S TALK ABOUT TECH AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE. [40:58] LAST WEEK THE SENATE FAILED TO PASS A BILL ABOUT DATA CENTERS THAT YOU HAD VOTED FOR. [41:03] AND TECH EXECUTIVES HAVE RAISED SOME VERY SERIOUS CONCERNS ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE. [41:09] SO, ASHLEY HINSON, WHAT IS THE RISK OF CONGRESS JUST DOING NOTHING? [41:14] IT'S A HUGE RISK AND I HEAR FROM SO MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE CONCERNED ABOUT AI. [41:19] WE HAD THIS CONVERSATION ACTUALLY AROUND OUR KITCHEN TABLE NOT THAT LONG AGO. [41:24] MOSTLY IN THE CONTEXT OF WHAT JOBS ARE GOING TO EXIST GOING FORWARD. [41:27] BECAUSE I HAVE A 15-YEAR-OLD KID WHO WAS THINKING ABOUT, HEY, I WANT TO MAYBE BE AN ARCHITECT. [41:31] IS THAT JOB EVEN GOING TO BE THERE? [41:33] BECAUSE IS AI GOING TO COME ALONG AND TAKE MY JOB? [41:35] AND SO WE'RE HAVING A LOT OF THOSE CONVERSATIONS. [41:37] BUT YOU TALK ABOUT THE SAFEGUARDS THAT NEED TO BE IN PLACE. [41:40] IT IS ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL THAT WE CAN DEVELOP AI AND IT'S NOT CHINA THAT'S WINNING THE FIGHT. [41:45] BUT WE NEED TO HAVE SOME COMMON SENSE SAFEGUARDS ON THERE. [41:47] SO WHETHER IT'S PROTECTING OUR KIDS FROM AI-GENERATED PORNOGRAPHY, [41:52] WHETHER IT'S MAKING SURE THAT AS THESE AI MODELS ADVANCE THAT THEY CAN'T HACK INTO OUR CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE, [41:58] THAT'S A KEY PROPONENT. [41:59] AND THEN I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT OBVIOUSLY WE'RE HAVING CONVERSATIONS AROUND DATA CENTERS AND WHAT'S RIGHT FOR OUR COMMUNITIES. [42:05] THAT'S WHY THE RATE PAYER PROTECTION ELEMENT OF WHAT WE PASSED THROUGH THE HOUSE A FEW WEEKS AGO, [42:10] I WAS PROUD TO VOTE FOR THAT BECAUSE WHILE WE HAVE TO HAVE PLACES TO STORE OUR DATA, WE HAVE TO DO THIS RIGHT [42:15] AND WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE RATE PAYERS ARE NOT ON THE HOOK FOR INCREASED UTILITY RATES. [42:19] JOSH, TREK, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS? [42:21] WELL, AI IS GOING TO FUNDAMENTALLY TRANSFORM THE SOCIETY. [42:24] THE QUESTION IS, IS IT GOING TO BENEFIT ALL OF US OR IS THIS GOING TO BE A CONTINUATION OF CONSOLIDATION OF WEALTH AND POWER INTO THE HANDS OF A FEW? [42:33] AND THERE ARE SOME VERY, VERY SERIOUS, I MEAN, HONESTLY, SOME OF THE MOST TROUBLING CONVERSATIONS THAT I'VE HAD IN RUNNING IN MEETING WITH AI FOLKS IS IT IS GOING TO FUNDAMENTALLY TRANSFORM SOCIETY. [42:45] THE REALITY IS WE CANNOT TRUST SOMEBODY LIKE ASHLEY HINSON WHO HAS SUPPORTED $50 BILLION IN TAX BREAKS GOING TO THESE TECH COMPANIES. [42:54] I AGREE WE SHOULD NOT CEDE THE GROUND TO CHINA. [42:57] BUT THE REALITY IS WE'VE GOT TO HAVE PROTECTIONS TO JOBS, TO CHILDREN, TO DATA SECURITY, AND CERTAINLY TO ELECTIONS. [43:04] I MEAN, MY GOD, THERE'S AI VIDEOS OF ME OUT THERE WALKING AROUND. [43:08] IT'S RIDICULOUS. [43:09] AND CERTAINLY, I DON'T KNOW IF WE'RE GOING TO GO INTO DATA CENTERS, BUT I'M ABSOLUTELY IN FAVOR OF SOME REGULATIONS ON DATA CENTERS, SOMETHING I HEAR ABOUT EVERYWHERE I'M GOING ALL ACROSS IOWA. [43:19] AND I THINK, ONE, WE NEED TO HAVE NO MORE TAX BREAKS TO THESE CORPORATIONS, PAY THEIR FAIR SHARE. [43:25] SECONDLY, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THESE DATA CENTERS ARE NOT DRIVING UP THE ENERGY RATES TO THE END USER. [43:31] AND THIRDLY, AND MAYBE MOST IMPORTANTLY, IN A STATE WHERE WE HAVE A WATER QUALITY CRISIS THAT IS LEADING TO A CANCER CRISIS, [43:39] WE NEED TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE NOT USING AND ABUSING OUR NATURAL RESOURCES LIKE OUR WATER. [43:43] I THINK THEY SHOULD BE MANDATED TO BE ON A CLOSED-LOOP CIRCUIT, WHICH CAN REDUCE WATER CONSUMPTION, [43:48] SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 70% AND 90%. [43:50] AND THAT'S A FEDERAL LAW YOU'RE ADVOCATING? [43:52] THAT'S CORRECT. [43:53] WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO A FEDERAL LAW OF THAT NATURE? [43:56] YEAH, I THINK ABSOLUTELY DATA CENTERS SHOULD NOT BE GETTING TAX BREAKS. [43:59] I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS AT THE LOCAL LEVEL. [44:03] AND I THINK THERE IS A RIGHT WAY AND A WRONG WAY TO DO IT. [44:06] AND IF A COMMUNITY WANTS TO HIT PAUSE, IT SHOULD BE UP TO THEM ABOUT WHAT'S RIGHT FOR THEIR COMMUNITY [44:10] SO THEY CAN HAVE SAFE INVESTMENT IN THEIR COMMUNITY. [44:13] THAT'S WHY, AGAIN, WE TALK ABOUT UTILITY RATES. [44:16] IT WAS ONE OF THE BIGGEST CONCERNS THAT I HEAR. [44:18] AND THEN AGAIN, WATER. [44:19] IF YOU'RE WANTING TO TURN ON YOUR SPIGOT AND KNOW THAT THERE'S SAFE DRINKING WATER THERE, [44:23] THAT'S WHY I'VE BROUGHT BACK MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF INVESTMENT INTO THE DISTRICT [44:27] TO WATER QUALITY AND WATER INFRASTRUCTURE SO THAT IOWANS KNOW THAT THEY HAVE SAFE DRINKING WATER. [44:32] AND THAT'S WHY I SUPPORTED THE RATE PAYER PROTECTION BILL THROUGH THE HOUSE, [44:35] BECAUSE WE NEED TO PROTECT PEOPLE FROM RATE INCREASES. [44:37] SHE ALSO VOTED FOUR TIMES IN FAVOR OF CUTS AND DEREGULATIONS TO THE CLEAN WATER ACT, [44:43] ALSO TAKEN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FROM CHINESE COMPANIES AND TRIED TO PROVIDE THEM IMMUNITY. [44:48] THAT IS NOT THE WAY TO ADDRESS THE WATER QUALITY CRISIS THAT WE'RE SEEING IN IOWA. [44:51] THAT'S A LIE. [44:52] YOU KNOW, MY FAMILY DRINKS THE SAME WATER THAT EVERYBODY ELSE DOES IN THIS STATE, [44:55] SO OF COURSE I CARE ABOUT WATER QUALITY. [44:57] AND WHAT I DON'T WANT IS DUPLICATIVE EPA PROCESS WHERE THEY'RE TARGETING OUR FARMERS EVERY SINGLE DAY. [45:02] AND I THINK THAT'S AT THE HEART OF EVERYTHING THAT I'VE SUPPORTED IS ABOUT IMPROVING PROCESS AND PERMITTING REFORM, [45:08] BUT DOING SO IN A WAY THAT WILL NOT SACRIFICE WATER QUALITY IS IMPORTANT TO ME BECAUSE MY FAMILY IS ALSO IMPACTED BY THIS. [45:15] AND IF WE TALK ABOUT CANCER, CANCER DOES IMPACT SO MANY FAMILIES IN IOWA. [45:19] I KNOW, JOSH, YOU TALKED ABOUT YOUR SISTER AND I'M SORRY FOR HER DIAGNOSIS. [45:23] I'VE LOST TWO ANTS AND MY GRANDMOTHER TO CANCER, YOU KNOW, SO THIS IS PERSONAL TO ME AS WELL. [45:28] SO WE ABSOLUTELY NEED TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF WHAT'S CAUSING THE CANCER CRISIS. [45:32] IT'S UNREASONABLE TO ME THAT WE ARE NUMBER TWO IN THE COUNTRY AND WE ABSOLUTELY NEED TO TAKE ACTION ON IT. [45:39] AGAIN, THAT'S WHY I'VE MADE CRITICAL INVESTMENTS IN TRYING TO GET THAT CANCER RESEARCH DOLLARS TO OUR NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH, [45:45] PLACES LIKE THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA, AND PEDIATRIC CANCERS AND RARE CANCERS AS WELL. [45:49] ERIN? [45:50] BOTH OF YOU HAVE TALKED ABOUT, DURING THIS CAMPAIGN, ABOUT YOUR WILLINGNESS TO WORK ACROSS THE AISLE. [45:55] JOSH TUREK, START WITH YOU. [45:57] ANOTHER SIDE OF BIPARTISANSHIP COULD ALSO MEAN PUSHING BACK AGAINST YOUR OWN PARTY. [46:01] YEAH. [46:02] HOW CAN VOTERS EXPECT YOU TO DO THAT? [46:04] BECAUSE I'VE DONE IT. [46:05] AGAIN, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I'M THE MOST PROUD OF IS INDEPENDENTLY RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF THE MOST BIPARTISAN, AS ONE OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE. [46:13] WHEN I JOINED THE IOWA LEGISLATURE, I WAS TOLD, JOSH, YOU'LL NEVER GET A SUBCOMMITTEE, YOU'LL NEVER GET A COMMITTEE, YOU'LL CERTAINLY NEVER GET ANYTHING SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR. [46:21] AND I SAID, NO, I REFUSE. WE CAN COME UP HERE AND HAVE A MONKEY PUSH THE RED BUTTON OVER AND OVER. [46:26] AND SO, I DID THE HARD WORK BEHIND THE SCENES, AND I BUILT STRANGE BEDFELLOWS. [46:31] I BUILT RELATIONSHIPS ACROSS THE ISLE WHERE I WOULD SAY, LOOK, MAYBE WE DISAGREE ON 90%, 95% OF POLICY, BUT WE AGREE ON THIS. [46:38] AND WE CAN DO SOME GOOD THINGS HERE. [46:40] BECAUSE, HONESTLY, I BELIEVE MORE THAN EVEN REPUBLICAN VERSUS DEMOCRAT, WHAT IOWANS WANT IS THEY WANT SOMEONE THAT IS GOING TO GO UP AND WORK HARD TO PROVIDE SOLUTIONS TO PEOPLE [46:52] PROBLEMS THROUGH BIPARTISAN POLICY. [46:55] I SAY ALL THE TIME, I DON'T EVEN LOVE POLITICS. [46:57] A LOT OF THIS, I'M SURE YOU, I MEAN, WE DON'T LOVE SEEING THE NEGATIVE TELEVISION ADS ALL THE TIME, BUT I LOVE POLICY. [47:02] I LOVE BEING ABLE TO GET UP THERE EVERY SINGLE DAY AND WORK TO SOLVE PEOPLE'S PROBLEMS. [47:07] BECAUSE, EVERYWHERE I'M GOING, I'M SEEING IOWANS THAT ARE HURTING. [47:10] I'VE BEEN THERE. [47:11] I GREW UP IN A WORKING-CLASS FAMILY AND A WORKING-CLASS COMMUNITY. [47:14] WENT TO THE GOODWILL FOR A CLOSE, SHARED CLOSE, HAD 21 SURGERIES BY THE AGE OF 12. [47:18] I KNOW WHAT THAT STRUGGLE IS, IOWANS ARE HURTING AND THEY DESERVE TO HAVE SOMEBODY THAT'S GOING TO GO UP THERE AND FIGHT FOR THEM. [47:23] ASHLEY HINSON, WHEN YOU ANNOUNCED FOR THIS ELECTION, YOU SAID YOU WERE RUNNING TO BE PRESIDENT TRUMP'S TOP ALLY IN CONGRESS. [47:29] HOW CAN YOU DO THAT AND BE BIPARTISAN? [47:32] IT'S REALLY EASY. [47:33] YOU WORK WITH THE PERSON WHO'S GOING TO SIGN THE BILLS, NO MATTER WHO THAT PERSON IS, ON THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO YOUR STATE, AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT I'VE DONE. [47:39] I'M IN THE TOP 20% OF BIPARTISAN LAWMAKERS IN CONGRESS, AND I'VE DELIVERED UNDER BOTH PRESIDENTS. [47:46] UNDER PRESIDENT BIDEN, I WAS IN THE OVAL OFFICE WHEN I HAD MY BILL ON VETERANS' MENTAL HEALTH BEING SIGNED INTO LAW, AND MY STILL BIRTH PREVENTION BILL TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE SUPPORTING HEALTHY PREGNANCIES AND HEALTHY MOMS. [47:57] THOSE ARE TWO EXAMPLES OF THINGS THAT I GOT ACROSS THE FINISH LINE, SIGNED BY PRESIDENT BIDEN. [48:02] AND THEN I'LL BE PRESIDENT TRUMP'S ALLY WHEN IT IS IMPORTANT FOR IOWA, BUT I WILL PUSH BACK ON HIM. [48:07] HE KNOWS THIS BECAUSE I TALK TO HIM REGULARLY ON THINGS THAT ARE WRONG FOR OUR STATE, AND THAT'S TRUE NO MATTER WHO'S IN THE WHITE HOUSE. [48:13] THAT'S TRUE NO MATTER WHO IS GOVERNING AND WHO HAS THE GAVEL. [48:16] SO HOPEFULLY IT'S NOT CHUCK SCHUMER, BUT IF IT'S CHUCK SCHUMER, I'LL WORK WITH HIM. [48:20] I GOT THINGS ACROSS THE LINE WITH NANCY PELOSI AS SPEAKER, SO I THINK THAT SHOWS THAT I CAN WORK WITH ANYONE. [48:27] THIS MAY END UP BEING THE MOST EXPENSIVE RACE IN IOWA HISTORY. [48:31] WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THE ADS SEVERAL TIMES TONIGHT, AND IT'S EASIER THAN EVER FOR POLITICAL PARTIES AND OUTSIDE GROUPS TO SPEND MONEY ON ADVERTISEMENTS. [48:38] ASHLEY HINSTON, IS IT TIME FOR CONGRESS TO DO SOMETHING TO PUT SOME LIMITS ON THIS SPENDING? [48:43] WELL, I HATE HOW MUCH MONEY IS BEING SPENT ON THESE RACES, ABSOLUTELY. [48:46] AND I THINK TRANSPARENCY IS ALWAYS THE BEST ANSWER. [48:49] THAT'S WHAT I ALWAYS ADVOCATE FOR. [48:50] SO IF THERE'S A PLACE FOR US TO HAVE MORE TRANSPARENCY, THAT'S IMPORTANT. [48:57] THAT HE WAS NOT TAKING CORPORATE PAC MONEY, BUT THAT'S A LIE. [49:00] YOU TALK ABOUT TRANSPARENCY, HE IS BASICALLY TAKING LAUNDRED CORPORATE PAC MONEY THROUGH THE $40 MILLION THAT'S BEING SPENT TO SUPPORT HIS RACE. [49:08] AND JUST TODAY I THINK THERE WAS A NEW INVESTMENT OF, I CALL THEM THE FAKE MEAT PEOPLE, WHO HE VOTED TO ALLOW FAKE MEAT TO BE SOLD IN OUR SCHOOLS, UNDERMINING AMERICAN FARMERS. [49:18] BUT THESE PEOPLE CAME IN WITH SEVERAL MILLION-DOLLAR INVESTMENT OF DARK MONEY, CORPORATE PAC MONEY TO SUPPORT HIM. [49:23] SO I THINK THIS GOES BOTH WAYS, AND WE NEED ACCOUNTABILITY AND WE NEED TRANSPARENCY. [49:27] YEAH, JOSH TUREK, I WANTED TO ASK YOU ABOUT YOUR PLEDGE. [49:31] YOUR OPPONENT JUST MENTIONED YOU HAD A PLEDGE NOT TO ACCEPT CORPORATE PAC MONEY, BUT THERE WAS OUTSIDE SPENDING ON YOUR BEHALF IN THE PRIMARY. [49:37] SO WHAT DOES THAT PLEDGE MEAN IF THESE OUTSIDE GROUPS CAN STILL COME IN AND SPEND ON YOUR BEHALF? [49:42] YEAH, UNFORTUNATELY, THIS IS WHY WE NEED TO HAVE CAMPAIGN FINANCE FOR THEM. [49:46] I HAVE NOT TAKEN ANY CORPORATE PAC MONEY, NOR WILL I, AS SHE HAS TAKEN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN CORPORATE PAC MONEY. [49:51] LOOK, THE REALITY IS, WE HAVE A CORRUPTION CRISIS IN THIS COUNTRY, AND IT IS LEADING TO AN AFFORDABILITY CRISIS. [49:57] AND THAT CORRUPTION CRISIS IS BECAUSE WE ARE SENDING PEOPLE TO D.C., LIKE ASHLEY HINSON, THAT HAVE USED HER POSITION OF POWER TO BECOME 15 TIMES MORE WEALTHY, [50:05] AS SHE IS VOTING FOR CUTS TO HEALTH CARE, FOOD ASSISTANCE AND THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION JUST TO GIVE TAX BREAKS TO BILLIONAIRES. [50:11] I HAVE MADE ONE OF THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITIES IN THIS RACE THAT WE HAVE TO ADDRESS CORRUPTION, CORRUPTION IN TWO WAYS. [50:17] ONE, I WANT TO FIGHT TO OVERTURN CITIZENS UNITED, BECAUSE WE CAN HAVE OLIGARCHY, WE CAN HAVE DEMOCRATICY, WE CANNOT HAVE BOTH. [50:24] WE HAVE OUTSIZED INFLUENCE FROM BILLIONAIRES AND LARGE CORPORATIONS. [50:27] SHE IS TALKING ABOUT MONEY COMING IN, OVER $85 MILLION COMING IN TO SUPPORT HER OUTSIDE MONEY, SUPER PAC MONEY, [50:34] FOR NEGATIVE TELEVISION ADS. [50:36] I ALSO WANT TO GO UP THERE AND ROOT OUT THESE ISSUES. [50:40] I'M IN FAVOR OF TERM LIMITS. [50:41] I'M IN FAVOR OF BANNING MEMBERS OF CONGRESS FROM OWNING AND TRADING STOCKS AND THE SUPREME COURT, [50:47] BECAUSE PEOPLE LIKE ASHLEY HINSON SHOULDN'T BE ABLE TO USE HER POSITION OF POWER TO BECOME 15 TIMES MORE WEALTHY, [50:52] AND ALSO HAVING A PROVISION TO MANDATE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS TO HAVE AT LEAST ONE ANNUAL TOWN HALL PER YEAR, [50:58] BECAUSE IN THE WHOLE ENTIRE YEAR OF RUNNING FOR THE U.S. SENATE, SHE HAS NOT HAD ONE ANNUAL TOWN HALL. [51:03] IOWANS DESERVE BETTER. [51:05] THEY DESERVE SOMEONE TO GO UP THERE AND ADDRESS THIS CORRUPTION CRISIS, [51:08] BECAUSE IT'S BEING PAID FOR OFF THE BACKS OF THE AVERAGE IOWAN, MIDDLE CLASS FAMILIES LIKE MINE. [51:13] WELL, IT'S ONE THING TO VOTE LIKE AN EAST COAST LIBERAL. [51:16] IT'S ANOTHER TO LIE LIKE I'M IN. [51:17] I JUST TALKED ABOUT MY FAMILY MAKING THE CHOICE TO SELL OUR PUBLICLY TRADED STOCKS. [51:23] I WAS VERY CLEAR ABOUT THAT, BECAUSE, AGAIN, THE BEST SEAT IN CONGRESS SHOULDN'T BE ONE THAT'S ON WALL STREET. [51:28] SO I WAS LEADING BY EXAMPLE THERE. [51:30] I'VE INTRODUCED LEGISLATION TO HOLD PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE, MAKING SURE THAT THEY CAN'T GO TURN AROUND AND LEAVE THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH AND TURN AROUND AND LOBBY THEIR FRIENDS. [51:38] SO WE DO NEED TO CLEAN UP WASHINGTON. [51:40] BUT MY OPPONENT, JOSH TUREK, IS MISREPRESENTING HIS NOT TAKING CORPORATE PAC MONEY, BECAUSE IT BASICALLY IS LEGALIZED MONEY LAUNDERING. [51:47] IF HE'S TAKING THIS MONEY IN SUPPORT OF HIS CAMPAIGNS, YOU SHOULD TELL THEM TO JUST TAKE THE AD DOWN RIGHT NOW. [51:52] IF YOU DON'T WANT TO TAKE THAT CORPORATE PAC MONEY, BECAUSE THAT'S HOW IT FLOWS. [51:55] IT FLOWS THROUGH PEOPLE LIKE CHUCK SCHUMER, RIGHT TO SUPPORT YOU. [51:58] YOU BOTH HAVE TALKED ABOUT TERM LIMITS. [52:01] JOSH TUREK, I'LL START WITH YOU. [52:03] THE REASON THAT WE'RE HAVING THIS CONVERSATION PERHAPS IS BECAUSE JONI ERNST HAS ADHERED TO HER TWO-TERM LIMIT. [52:09] YOU'VE SAID YOU SUPPORT TERM LIMITS. [52:12] WHAT IS YOUR TERM LIMIT AND WOULD YOU ADHERE TO IT IF THERE'S NOT A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT FORCING YOU TO DO SO? [52:18] ABSOLUTELY WILL ADHERE TO IT. [52:20] I ALSO AM GOING TO, I GIVE MY PLEDGE NOW TO DO THE FULL GRASSLEY, ALL 99 COUNTIES EACH YEAR, [52:26] BECAUSE I THINK THAT IOWANS DESERVE TO BE ABLE TO HAVE A SENATOR THAT IS GOING TO SHOW UP AND HEAR FROM THEM. [52:32] I MEAN, I HAVE LEARNED SO MUCH IN THIS PROCESS AND THIS 400 DAYS OF DOING TOWN HALL AFTER TOWN HALL, [52:37] GOING OUT THERE AND TALKING WITH FOLKS. [52:39] SO I THINK THERE'S TWO WAYS WE CAN DO IT. [52:41] IT'S BASED ON HOW MANY TERMS YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE SENATE. [52:44] IF IT'S GOING TO BE THREE TERMS IN THE SENATE, 18 YEARS, THEN YOU MAKE IT 14 YEARS IN CONGRESS. [52:49] OR IF YOU WANT TO MAKE IT TWO TERMS, 12 YEARS, YOU CAN DO TWO YEARS IN CONGRESS. [52:53] I ALSO THINK THAT WE SHOULD HAVE TERM LIMITS FOR THE SUPREME COURT. [52:56] AND THAT CAN BE 20 YEARS OR 25 YEARS. [52:58] BUT I THINK THAT IT'S TIME TO ROTATE THE CROPS. [53:01] YOU THINK ABOUT SENATOR GRASSLEY, AND HE'S EVEN TALKED ABOUT THE NEED FOR TERM LIMITS. [53:05] HE HAS BEEN A SENATOR AS LONG AS I'VE BEEN ALIVE. [53:08] HE'S BEEN INVOLVED IN REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT SINCE 1958. [53:11] THAT IS THE EISENHIRE ADMINISTRATION. [53:13] WE NEED TO HAVE TERM LIMITS. [53:15] ASHLEY HINSON, DO YOU SUPPORT TERM LIMITS? [53:17] I THINK IF WE CAN COME TO AGREEMENT ON THEM, I WOULD SUPPORT THAT ON THE FLOOR. [53:20] WHAT I DON'T WANT TO SEE HAPPEN IS IOWA LOSE ITS STATURE. [53:23] AND THAT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE GOOD STANDING IN THE SENATE SO THAT WE CAN GET THINGS WE NEED DONE FOR OUR STATE. [53:29] AND SO IF THERE'S A TERM LIMIT BILL THAT COMES TO THE FLOOR, I'LL ABSOLUTELY SUPPORT IT. [53:33] AND I DO WANT TO EVENTUALLY RETIRE AND SPEND TIME WITH MY HUSBAND AND MY KIDS AT SOME POINT TOO. [53:38] BUT I THINK THAT YOU TALK ABOUT HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO HAVE GOOD REPRESENTATIVES. [53:42] IOWANS KNOW HOW TO VET CANDIDATES VERY, VERY WELL. [53:45] AND IN MY CONGRESSIONAL SEAT RIGHT NOW, THERE HAVE BEEN FOUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS SINCE 2014. [53:49] SO I WOULD SAY THE TWO-YEAR TERM LIMITING THAT'S HAPPENING BY VOTERS IS WORKING VERY WELL. [53:56] WE'RE DOWN TO OUR LAST COUPLE MINUTES ALREADY. [53:58] ASHLEY HINSON, PRESIDENT TRUMP IS SENDING SOME AMERICANS $500 AFFORDABLE CARE ACT REFUND CHECKS, [54:04] MAKING MAJOR WHITE HOUSE RENOVATIONS, AND NOW PROMISING $5,000 CHECKS IF REPUBLICANS WIN MAJORITIES IN THIS ELECTION. [54:11] ALL WITHOUT CONGRESSIONAL ACTION. [54:15] HAS CONGRESS ABDICATED ITS BUDGETING AND OVERSIGHT RESPONSIBILITIES? [54:21] WELL, SPEAKING AS SOMEONE WHO SERVES ON THE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE RIGHT NOW, [54:24] I CARE VERY DEEPLY ABOUT ARTICLE ONE OF THE CONSTITUTION, WHICH IS MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE THE POWER OF THE PURSE. [54:30] WHEN THEY HAVE PROPOSED BUDGET REQUESTS THAT WERE UNREASONABLE, WE AS APPROPRIATORS, BOTH REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS, PUSH BACK ON THAT. [54:36] WE PASS OUR OWN BILLS. [54:38] I THINK WE NEED BETTER REGULAR ORDER IN WASHINGTON, D.C. [54:41] AND I DO WANT TO SEE WASHINGTON, D.C. [54:43] RUN A LOT MORE LIKE THE STATE OF IOWA, WHERE WE HAVE TO LIVE BETTER WITHIN OUR MEANS. [54:47] WE SHOULD HAVE TO TIGHTEN OUR BUDGETS IF THINGS ARE TOUGH, WHICH IS WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW. [54:51] I HAVE VOTED FOR A LOT OF THOSE REFORMS TO BE HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON, MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE ACTUALLY SPENDING APPROPRIATELY [54:57] AND BRINGING BACK INVESTMENTS TO OUR STATE LIKE I HAVE DONE. [55:00] $140 MILLION IN INVESTMENTS IN MY CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT ALONE FOR WATER QUALITY, HEALTH CARE AND FOR OUR FARMERS. [55:07] SO I THINK THERE'S A WAY TO DO IT WHERE YOU CAN HAVE GOOD REGULAR ORDER BUT STILL BE RESPECTFUL OF THE PROCESS FOR TAXPAYERS. [55:13] WELL, IN OUR LAST MINUTE, JOSH TUREK, PRESIDENT TRUMP SAYS IF DEMOCRATS TAKE THE HOUSE MAJORITY, HE BELIEVES THEY WILL IMPEACH HIM AGAIN. [55:20] DO YOU BELIEVE PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS COMMITTED ANY IMPEACHABLE OFFENSES? [55:24] I HAVE NO INTEREST IN LOOKING AT IMPEACHMENT. [55:27] I THINK THAT WE NEED TO LOOK FORWARD, NOT BACK. [55:30] MY FULL INTENTION IS TO GO OUT THERE AND TO WORK ON POLICY THAT IS GOING TO BENEFIT EVERYDAY IOWANS, [55:36] BECAUSE EVERYWHERE THAT I'M GOING, ALL ACROSS THIS STATE, I'M HEARING FROM IOWANS SAYING, [55:40] I'M STRUGGLING JUST TO KEEP FOOD ON THE TABLE, A ROOF ABOVE MY HEAD, PAY MY ELECTRIC BILL AND PAY MY GAS BILL. [55:46] AND, AGAIN, THAT IS BECAUSE OF ASHLEY HINSON VOTING FIVE TIMES IN FAVOR OF THESE CAOCK TARIFFS, SEVEN TIMES IN FAVOR OF THIS WAR. [55:54] IOWANS OUT THERE, WHEN YOU'RE STRUGGLING AT THE PUMP, THAT IS BECAUSE OF ASHLEY HINSON SEVEN TIMES TO VOTE FOR THE WAR. [55:59] FARMERS, AS YOU'RE OUT THERE IN HARVESTING SEASON, WHEN YOU'RE WHAT YOU'RE PAYING, ALL-TIME HIGH ON DIESEL, [56:04] THAT IS BECAUSE OF HER VOTING SEVEN TIMES IN FAVOR OF THE WAR. [56:07] I WILL GO UP THERE AND FIGHT FOR IOWANS, NOT FOR BILLIONAIRES AND LARGE CORPORATIONS. [56:11] I'M DELIVERING AND FIGHTING FOR IOWANS EVERY SINGLE DAY BECAUSE I'M A WORKING MOM. [56:15] I UNDERSTAND WHAT FAMILIES ARE FACING, BEEN THROUGH MANY OF THOSE CHALLENGES, WRITTEN THE DAYCARE CHECKS. [56:20] I UNDERSTAND IT IS IMPORTANT TO STAND UP FOR IOWA TAXPAYERS TO MAKE SURE RURAL AMERICA HAS A SEAT AT THE TABLE [56:25] AND THAT WE HAVE A SAFE AND SEER COUNTRY. [56:27] SO MY PLEDGE TO IOWANS TONIGHT, IF YOU ELECT ME AS YOUR NEXT UNITED STATES SENATOR, I WILL CONTINUE TO STAND UP FOR YOUR PRIORITIES AND TELL YOUR STORIES [56:34] BECAUSE I'M A WORKING MOM MYSELF. [56:36] THANKS TO BOTH OF YOU CANDIDATES FOR BEING HERE AND SHARING YOUR VIEWS WITH VOTERS. [56:41] THANK YOU. [56:42] THANKS FOR HAVING US. [56:43] THIS IS THE FIRST OF FOUR IOWA PRESS DEBATES ON IOWA PBS THIS MONTH. [56:48] TOMORROW, OCTOBER 8, CANDIDATES FOR U.S. HOUSE FROM IOWA'S SECOND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT WILL BE HERE. [56:53] NEXT WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, WE'LL QUESTION U.S. HOUSE CANDIDATES FOR THE 4TH DISTRICT. [56:58] THEN ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, A DEBATE HERE BETWEEN THE TWO CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR. [57:03] ALL OF THE IOWA PRESS DEBATES ARE LIVE AT 7 P.M. ON STATEWIDE IOWA PBS AND STREAMING ONLINE. [57:09] THE OTHER STATEWIDE ELECTED CANDIDATES ARE SCHEDULED TO APPEAR ON OUR WEEKLY IOWA PRESS SHOW ON THE WEEKEND UNTIL 11 ELECTION DAY THIS WEEK. [57:19] THE CANDIDATES FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL. [57:22] FOR EVERYONE HERE AT IOWA PBS, THANKS FOR WATCHING THIS EVENING. [57:26] FUNDING FOR IOWA PRESS WAS PROVIDED BY FRIENDS, THE IOWA PBS FOUNDATION. [57:39] THE BOB AND DOREEN SHEPHARD FAMILY, PROUD SUPPORTERS OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING SEEN ONLY ON IOWA PBS. [57:48] BANKING IN IOWA GOES BEYOND TRANSACTIONS. [57:53] BANKS WORK TO HELP PEOPLE AND SMALL BUSINESSES SUCCEED. [57:56] AND IOWA BANKS ARE COMMITTED TO BUILDING CONFIDENT BANKING RELATIONSHIPS. [58:01] IOWA BANKS, YOUR PARTNER THROUGH IT ALL.