♪ ♪ ♪ >>> HELLO AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR TONIGHT'S DEBATE BETWEEN THE HOUSE CANDIDATES IN NEBRASKA'S SECOND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

I'M AARON SANDERFORD OF "THE NEBRASKA EXAMINER" AND I WILL BE YOUR MODERATOR FOR THIS EVENT.

THIS DEBATE IS BETWEEN REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN DON BACON AND DEMOCRATIC STATE SENATOR TONY VARGAS.

FOR THE NEXT HOUR, THE CANDIDATES WILL ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM OUR OUTLETS.

BESIDE ME, WE HAVE A PANEL OF JOURNALISTS FROM OUR STUDIO HOST TONIGHT'S DEBATE, "NEBRASKA PUBLIC MEDIA NEWS," "THE OMAHA WORLD HERALD," AND KRBN RURAL RADIO.

EACH OF THE CANDIDATES WILL BE ASKED A SERIES OF QUESTIONS AND BE GIVEN 60 SECONDS TO ANSWER.

IF NECESSARY, WE WILL OFFER 45 SECONDS FOR REBUTTAL.

UNDER THE TERMS OF THE DEBATE, I CAN ASK FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS.

THE CANDIDATES WILL EACH HAVE THREE MINUTES FOR OPENING STATEMENTS.

THE CAMPAIGNS FLIPPED COINS YESTERDAY TO DETERMINE THE ORDER OF ANSWERING.

WE BEGIN WITH REPRESENTATIVE BACON.

>> THANK YOU, AARON.

I WANT TO THANK NEBRASKA PUBLIC MEDIA AND "THE NEBRASKA EXAMINER" FOR HOSTING TONIGHT.

I THANK TONY FOR ENGAGING IN THIS DEBATE.

THE FIRST THING I WANT TO ADDRESS ARE THE KEY ISSUES FACING OUR COUNTRY.

BY FAR, THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE IS THE ECONOMY.

AMERICANS ARE 4.2% POORER TODAY THAN THEY WERE FOUR YEARS AGO.

THAT'S BECAUSE OF INFLATIONARY SPENDING.

$3 TRILLION OF ADDITIONAL SPENDING PUT ON OUR ECONOMY.

MY OPPONENT, TONY VARGAS SUPPORTED ALL $3 TRILLION OF THIS INFLATIONARY SPENDING THAT HURT ALL AMERICANS TO THE TUNE OF 4.2%.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE BORDER.

UNDER THIS PRESIDENT, THE BORDER HAS BEEN FIVE TIMES WORSE THAN THE PREVIOUS PRESIDENT.

FIVE TIMES.

10 MILLION PEOPLE HERE ILLEGALLY.

INNOCENT PEOPLE MURDERED, FENTANYL FLOODING OUR STREETS, 100,000 PEOPLE DIED FROM THAT.

MY OPPONENT, I'VE NEVER HEARD HIM USE THE WORD BORDER EVER UNTIL A MONTH AGO.

HE HAS A NEW WORD IN HIS VOCABULARY BECAUSE HE'S TRYING TO WIN AN ELECTION BUT HE WAS MIA FOR THREE YEARS ON THIS.

I WANNA TALK ABOUT CRIME.

VIOLENT CRIME IS UP IN OUR MAJOR CITIES.

WE HAVE FOLKS LIKE TONY SUPPORTING EARLY PAROLE, MANDATORY MINIMUMS AND LETTING VIOLENT JUVENILE CRIMINALS BACK ON THE STREET.

WHERE WE HAVE SEEN IN OUR CITY TWO INNOCENT PEOPLE MURDERED.

WE MUST DO BETTER.

I'D LIKE TO TALK ABOUT PERFORMANCE.

I'VE BEEN RATED THE MOST EFFECTIVE REPUBLICAN IN THE HOUSE, THIS IS BY UNIVERSITIES, INDEPENDENT PEOPLE, ALSO RATED THE BEST PARTISAN REPUBLICAN IN THE HOUSE, THE SENATE AND GOVERNORS.

HOPING TO MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL I HAVE 31 MEASURES SIGNED INTO LAW TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF OUR 2 MILLION MILITARY AND THEIR FAMILIES.

PAY RAISES TARGETED TO THE JUNIOR ENLISTED, HELPING OUR DORMITORIES AND BARRACKS GETTING FAILING GRADES.

HELPING OUT OUR SPOUSES GET EMPLOYMENT.

I HAD 16 MOVES AND I KNOW THIS FIRSTHAND.

I ALSO NAMED A NEW CYBER SUBCOMMITTEE CHAIRMAN.

WE HAVE TWO BILLS PASSED TO PROTECT AGAINST RUSSIA, CHINA AND IRAN.

LET'S TALK ABOUT LOCALLY.

AND I WAS ABLE TO GET $5 BILLION OF INFRASTRUCTURE MONEY ADDING JOBS IN OUR COMPANY.

$48 MILLION FOR CAMP ASHLAND.

$70 MILLION FOR THE AIRPORT.

THE FIRST RENOVATION IN 40 YEARS.

IT'S GOING TO BE AN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.

THESE THREE TOGETHER CREATED THOUSANDS OF JOBS.

WE HAVE NATURAL GAS PIPELINE INFRASTRUCTURE PUT IN.

REPLACED A 100 YEAR OLD PIPELINE.

WE ALSO HAVE SEWER INFRASTRUCTURE BEING PUT IN SARPY COUNTY, EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS PUT IN SAUNDERS COUNTY.

WE HAVE $11 MILLION FOR NORTH 24th STREET.

WE HAVE $25 MILLION FOR NORTH 30th STREET.

$50 MILLION FOR THE SOUTH O WHERE TONY LIVES FOR MORE HOUSING.

I HAVE DELIVERED.

MY OPPONENT IS ONE OF THE LEAST PRODUCTIVE STATE SENATORS.

TALK TO HIS PEERS THEY'LL TELL YOU.

HE'S BEEN MIA IN PERFORMING AND GETTING THINGS DONE.

SO TONIGHT WE'LL TALK ABOUT THE KEY ISSUES AND WHO ACTUALLY WORKS AND GETS THINGS DONE.

>> THANK YOU, CONGRESSMAN.

SENATOR?

>> SO THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THE EXAMINER AND THE WORLD HERALD, LINCOLN JOURNAL STAR AND NEBRASKA PUBLIC MEDIA FOR SPONSORING THIS.

IT MEANS A LOT FOR DEMOCRACY.

APPRECIATE YOU CONGRESSMAN BACON FOR PARTICIPATING IN THE SECOND OF OUR THIRD DEBATE.

I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE REASON I GOT WHY I GOT INTO PUBLIC SERVICE.

MY PARENTS ARE WORKING CLASS IMMIGRANTS.

THEY CAME TO THIS COUNTRY WITH LITTLE TO NOTHING.

THEY'RE A BIG REASON WHY I GOT INTO PUBLIC SERVICE.

I WATCHED THEM WORK, SACRIFICE AND PERSEVERE.

THEY WORKED ON FACTORY LINES AND UNION JOBS HELPED MY PARENTS.

THIS IS WHY I DECIDED TO BECOME A PUBLIC SCHOOL SCIENCE TEACHER, WHY I DECIDED TO GIVE BACK IN OUR COMMUNITY AND SERVE ON THE OMAHA SCHOOL BOARD TO IMPROVE OUTCOMES FOR KIDS.

WHY I SERVED AS THE LAST EIGHT YEARS AS A NEBRASKA STATE SENATOR.

IN THE LAST EIGHT YEARS I'VE BEEN TRYING TO FOCUS ON THE WORKING CLASS ISSUES THAT FAMILIES ARE FACING.

THIS INCLUDES COST OF LIVING IN OUR ECONOMY.

THIS IS MAKING SURE WE'RE REDUCING THE BURDEN THAT IS ON NEBRASKANS.

CHILD CARE ACTS, FULLY FUNDING EDUCATIONS, THESE ARE THINGS I HAVE WORKED ON AS A MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATURE.

I PASSED MORE THAN 70 BILLS INTO LAW, SERVED AS VICE CHAIR OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD FOR FOUR OF MY EIGHT YEARS AND SIX YEARS I SERVED AS THE VICE CHAIR A MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD AND AS A MEMBER OF THE APPROPRIATIONS BUDGET COMMITTEE NOT ONLY HAVE WE BALANCED THE BUDGETS BUT WE HAD THE LEANEST SPENDING IN GROWTH EVER IN THE LAST 40, 50 YEARS.

AND WHAT REALLY MATTERS IS MY RECORD OF DELIVERING FOR YOU.

I ACTUALLY LOWERED COST.

I VOTED FOR $6 BILLION OF TAX CUTS THAT ACTUALLY PASSED.

I'VE BEEN NAMED THE TAXPAYER DEFENDER.

I VOTED FOR TWO OF THE LARGEST TAX PACKAGES IN STATE HISTORY.

THAT'S MY RECORD.

I VOTED FOR $37 MILLION INCREASE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT FUNDING BECAUSE I WANT TO MAKE SURE OUR COMMUNITIES ARE SAFE.

AND FOR MY DAUGHTER AND MY SON, I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE NOT ONLY PRIORITIZING PUBLIC SAFETY BUT INVESTING IN OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT.

ALSO IT MATTERS WHEN WE HAVE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AND CONGRESSMAN BACON HAS BEEN OUR REPRESENTATIVE THE LAST EIGHT YEARS.

IT MATTERS WHETHER HE'S LIVING UP TO THE IDEALS OF LOWERING YOUR COSTS OF LIVING.

UNFORTUNATELY CONGRESSMAN BACON HAS INCREASED THE COST OF LIVING.

HE'S RAISED THE COST OF HEALTH CARE.

HE SAID YES TO STRIPPING 700,000 NEBRASKANS COVERED FOR PREEXISTING CONDITIONS.

PROJECT 2025 IS A REAL PLAN.

THEY HAVE PLANS FOR CONGRESSMAN BACON BECAUSE HIS DONORS THAT ARE SAME SUPPORTING HIM ARE THE AUTHORS OF PROJECT 2025.

WE CAN'T HAVE SOMEBODY IN CONGRESS THAT ONLY DOES THE BIDDING OF WHAT PEOPLE TELL THEM TO DO.

THAT'S WHAT THAT CAMPAIGN COMES DOWN TO.

>> THANK YOU SENATOR.

THE FIRST QUESTION COMES FROM NEBRASKA PUBLIC MEDIA CASSIDY ARENA.

>> REPRESENTATIVE BACON YOU HAVE PREVIOUSLY COSPONSORED AN AMENDMENT THAT WOULD HAVE BANNED ABORTION NATIONALLY, CONGRESSMAN BACON.

SENATOR VARGAS YOU ARE ON RECORD CODIFYING THE ABORTION RIGHTS.

HOW WOULD EACH OF YOU ADVANCE YOUR BELIEFS IN CONGRESS IF AT ALL.

CONGRESSMAN BACON WE START WITH YOU?

>> WELL AS A CHRISTIAN AND I THINK I BELIEVE AS MANY PROTESTANTS AND CATHOLIC.

WE WERE CREATED BY GOD IN HIS IMAGE AND CALLED TO HELP DEFEND THE MOST VULNERABLE AMONGST US.

I'M GOING TO SUPPORT THE NEBRASKA LAW, THERE ARE REASONABLE RESTRICTIONS AND EXCEPTIONS FOR HEALTH OF THE MOTHER AND RAPE AND INCEST.

AND THAT'S WHERE THE NEBRASKA VOTERS ARE AT AND I RESPECT THAT AFTER THE DOBBS DECISION.

I THINK IT'S BETTER THAN WHAT WE HAD.

I'M PROUD OF THE WORK TO FIND WHERE THE MOST CONSENSUS WAS AT IN OUR STATE AND I'M GOING TO SUPPORT IT.

I DON'T SUPPORT ABORTION ON DEMAND LIKE TONY VARGAS.

HE WAS ASKED MULTIPLE TIMES WHAT RESTRICTIONS TO TAKE AND HE CAN NEVER NAME A SINGLE RESTRICTION.

I WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU, OUR STATE'S LAW REPLICATES WHAT MOST OF EUROPE HAS.

HIS POSITION, THE RADICAL PRO-ABORTION CHOICE, ONLY SEVEN COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD OF 200 NATIONS SHARE THAT RADICAL POSITION.

SO I WILL -- I'M WHERE THE NEBRASKA VOTE OTHERS ARE AT.

>> THANK YOU CONGRESSMAN.

SENATOR VARGAS SAME QUESTION.

>> WHEN ROE V. WADE ACTUALLY GOT OVERTURNED, THIS WAS AN INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT TIME FOR PEOPLE ACROSS NEBRASKA.

IT WAS A DIFFICULT TIME FOR MY COMMUNITY, FAMILY AND LOOKING AT MY DAUGHTER.

IT WAS THE FIRST TIME I GOT TO SEE MY DAUGHTER AND REALIZE SHE HAS FEWER RIGHTS RIGHT NOW THAN MY WIFE HAS.

IT'S ONE OF THE REASONS WHY MY WORK IN THE LEGISLATURE HAS BEEN PRIORITIZING MAKING SURE WE'RE EXPENDING THE RESOURCES TO HEALTH CARE ACCESS AND IT COMES DOWN TO A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO CHOOSE.

THESE ARE DECISIONS THAT A POLITICIAN, ESPECIALLY DON BACON, SHOULD HAVE NO SAY TELLING WOMEN WHAT THEY CAN AND CANNOT DO WITH THEIR BODIES.

AT WHAT POINT, TONY, DOES THAT ONE, I THINK IT'S BEEN VERY CLEAR THAT THIS IS A FULL ABORTION BAN IN THE CONSTITUTION.

CONGRESSMAN BACON CO-SPONSORED IT AND WAS AN ORIGINAL CO-SPONSOR.

HE CO-SPONSORED IT THREE SEPARATE TIMES.

THE QUESTION I HAVE IS, WHY DID HE CO-SPONSOR IT IN THE FIRST PLACE IF HE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT ALL THE EXCEPTIONS DO AND DON'T DO?

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT OUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS KNOW WHAT THEY'RE SIGNING ONTO.

KNOW THE RESULTS AND THE CONSEQUENCES.

AND THE CONSEQUENCES ARE CLEAR.

THIS WOULD HAVE BANNED ABORTION NATIONWIDE IN THE CONSTITUTION WITH NO EXCEPTIONS FOR THE LIFE OF THE MOTHER OR FOR RAPE OR INSEST.

IT HAS NO CARVEOUTS FOR IVF.

THIS MEANS THAT IF A 10-YEAR-OLD IS RAPED, CONGRESSMAN BACON I WOULD THINK A SCIENCE TEACHER FOR TWO YEARS WOULD KNOW THAT.

>> SENATOR, WOULD YOU LIKE A CHANCE TO REBUT?

>> THANK YOU.

ONE, I THINK IT'S BEEN VERY CLEAR THAT THIS IS A FULL ABORTION BAN IN THE CONSTITUTION.

CONGRESSMAN BACON CO-SPONSORED IT AND WAS AN ORIGINAL CO-SPONSOR.

HE CO-SPONSORED IT THREE SEPARATE TIMES.

THE QUESTION I HAVE IS, WHY DID HE CO-SPONSOR IT IN THE FIRST PLACE IF HE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT ALL THE EXCEPTIONS DO AND DON'T DO?

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT OUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS KNOW WHAT THEY'RE SIGNING ONTO.

KNOW THE RESULTS AND THE CONSEQUENCES.

AND THE CONSEQUENCES ARE CLEAR.

THIS WOULD HAVE BANNED ABORTION NATIONWIDE IN THE CONSTITUTION WITH NO EXCEPTIONS FOR THE LIFE OF THE MOTHER OR FOR RAPE OR INSEST.

IT HAS NO CARVEOUTS FOR IVF.

THIS MEANS THAT IF A 10-YEAR-OLD IS RAPED, CONGRESSMAN BACON BELIEVES THAT THIS 10-YEAR-OLD SHOULD CARRY TO TERM, NO MATTER WHAT.

HE BELIEVES HE KNOWS BETTER THAN WOMEN IN NEBRASKA.

HE BELIEVES HE KNOW BETTER THAN MY DAUGHTER AND MY WIFE.

AND WE'RE GOING STANDING UP TO HIM FOR THIS ACTUAL ELECTION NOVEMBER 5th.

>> AARON, PEOPLE NEED TO READ THE BILL.

IT DOESN'T TALK ABOUT ABORTION AT ALL.

THIS IS ALL CREATIVE WRITING BY TONY.

HE HAS NO ISSUES, THE ECONOMY DOESN'T FAVOR HIM, THE BORDER DOESN'T FAVOR HIM, CRIME DOESN'T FAVOR HIM.

ABORTION IS RANKED VERY LOW WHEN YOU TALK TO VOTERS IN OUR DISTRICT.

AND NOW HE'S TRYING TO CREATE AN ISSUE THAT DOES NOT BELONG.

EVERY SURVEY I'VE EVER FILLED OUT, I SUPPORTED THE LIFE OF THE MOTHER, FOR EXAMPLE.

NOW, AFTER DOBBS, WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT WHERE ARE VOTERS AT?

I'M GOING TO VOTE FOR THE NEBRASKA LAW THAT HAS EXCEPTIONS FOR HEALTH OF THE MOTHER, THAT HAS RAPE AND INCEST AS EXCEPTIONS.

THAT'S MY COMMITMENT TO YOU, THE VOTERS.

DON'T LISTEN TO TONY.

THE GUY IS DECEPTIVE, HE'S NOT BEING HONEST, HE'LL DO ANYTHING TO WIN THE ELECTION.

THAT'S WHAT'S COME ACROSS THE PREVIOUS THREE TO FOUR MONTHS, HE'LL SAY ANYTHING TO WIN.

COULD YOU ALSO READ THE BILL ITSELF?

IT DOESN'T MENTION ABORTION ONCE.

>> SENATOR, OBVIOUSLY, YOUR OPPONENT HAS ARGUED AND DID JUST NOW THAT YOU HAVE NEVER SPECIFIED ANY LIMITS ON ABORTION THAT YOU WOULD BE WILLING TO ACCEPT.

WHAT LIMITS, IF ANY, WOULD YOU EMBRACE ON THE PROCEDURE AND WHY?

>> ULTIMATELY, I BELIEVE WE NEED TO RESTORE ROE V. WADE.

THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING THAT WE CAN DO.

IT'S INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT BECAUSE THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE PUTTING THE HANDS BACK IN THE DECISIONS OF WOMEN.

AND I THINK THIS IS A REALLY BIG DEFINING DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO OF US, BECAUSE WHAT CONGRESSMAN BACON HAS CLEARLY STATED IS, I THINK EITHER HE REGRETS OR DOESN'T UNDERSTAND WHY HE CO-SPONSORED THESE FULL ABORTION BANS IN THE CONSTITUTION.

JOURNALISM, NEWSPAPERS, MEDIA HAVE COVERED THIS BILL AND THE EXACT IMPACTS OF WHAT IT DOES AND DOESN'T DO.

AND SO IT'S VERY CLEAR, CONGRESSMAN BACON HAS VOTED TO ACTUALLY NOT PROTECT ACCESS TO CONTRACEPTION.

AND THIS FULL ABORTION BAN IN THE CONSTITUTION IS HIS RECORD AND HE'S TRYING TO HIDE FROM IT BECAUSE HE KNOWS THAT NEBRASKANS ARE GOING TO HOLD HIM ACCOUNTABLE TO IT.

HE'S OUT OF STEP WITH THEM AND HE IS ONE OF THE MOST EXTREME MEMBERS OF CONGRESS ON ABORTION ACCESS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

OUR NEXT QUESTION COMES FROM "THE EXAMINER" AND DEALS WITH NATIONAL SECURITY.

THE WORLD IS AT WAR, OR ON THE BRINK IN MULTIPLE HOT SPOTS, INCLUDING THE MIDDLE EAST AND EASTERN EUROPE.

WHERE DO YOU STAND ON AMERICAN AIDE TO ISRAEL AND UKRAINE AND WHY?

SENATOR VARGAS, WE BEGIN WITH YOU.

>> I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE CONTINUE TO SUPPORT MILITARY AND HUMANITARIAN AID AND N ALL AID WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT NATIONAL SECURITY THAT HAS TO DO WITH ISRAEL, HAS TO DO WITH UKRAINE.

IN THE LAST DEBATE, IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE AGREED ON.

AND I STILL THINK WE DO.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO BE AN ALLY IN HARD TIMES AND IN GOOD.

AND RIGHT NOW, OUR ALLIES NEED OUR HELP AND SUPPORT.

IT'S THE REASON WHY I STAND BY ISRAEL, IT'S THE REASON WHY WE STAND BY UKRAINE.

WE'RE GOING TO STAND BY THEM WHEN THEY'RE ATTACKED BECAUSE THIS IS THE MOST DIFFICULT TIME NOT ONLY IN THIS PERIOD OF TIME BUT DIFFICULT FOR THEM.

WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY AND I THINK THE RESPONSIBILITY TO BE RESPONSIVE.

WE ALSO HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY TO BE SUPPORTIVE TO THE THINGS THAT THEY NEED.

AND SO THIS IS AN EXACT OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO SAY NATIONAL SECURITY IS IMPORTANT WE ARE GOING TO SPEND THE RESOURCES TO SUPPORT OUR ALLIES AND I'LL SUPPORT ISRAEL AND UKRAINE AND THE REST OF OUR ALLIES ACROSS THE NATION.

>> THANK YOU, SENATOR.

CONGRESSMAN, SAME QUESTION.

AIDE TO UKRAINE AND ISRAEL, WHERE DO YOU STAND AND WHY?

>> I DEPLOYED TO THE MIDDLE EAST FOUR TIMES AS AN AIR FORCE VETERAN.

SO I'VE BEEN IN BAHRAIN, UAE, QATAR, IRAQ, AND I'VE BEEN IN AFGHANISTAN AS WELL.

I ALSO SERVED IN NATO.

SO I UNDERSTAND THE THREATS OF RUSSIA, IRAN, THE PROXY FORCES THAT ARE ATTACKING ISRAEL.

I UNDERSTAND CHINA.

I'VE STUDIED IT MY WHOLE LIFE.

IT'S OUR NATIONAL SECURITY INTEREST THAT UKRAINE REMAIN INDEPENDENT.

FOR IF IT FALLS, MOLDOVA WILL BE NEXT AND THE BALTICS WILL BE THREATENED.

YOU'LL SEE THREATS ALSO WITH GEORGIA.

AND ISRAEL'S OUR BEST ALLY IN THE MIDDLE EAST.

THE ONLY DEMOCRACY.

I WENT IN '15, I DID MISSLE DEFENSE IN ISRAEL AS A COLONEL.

THE MISSILE DEFENSE SYSTEM THAT'S IN PLACE HAS BEEN SHOOTING DOWN 99% OF THE BALLISTIC MISSILES OUT OF IRAN AND YEMEN.

I'M SO PROUD OF THE WORK THAT WE'VE DONE.

I'LL STAND BY ISRAEL.

AND I'VE BEEN VERY CLEAR THAT ANTI-SEMITISM IS NOT BEING AN AMERICAN.

IT'S ANTIETHICAL TO WHAT WE SUPPORT.

IF I HAVE ANY CRITIQUE OF TONY VARGAS, IT'S HE'S BEEN SILENT FOR WAY TOO LONG IN THE DEFENSE OF ISRAEL AND AGAINST ANTI-SEMITISM.

>> WHAT LINES, IF ANY, SHOULD BE DRAWN WITH ISRAEL ON BEHALF OF PALESTINIAN AND LEBANESE CIVILLIANS?

SENATOR VARGAS, CAN YOU START US?

>> ONE, AS A FATHER AND ALSO AS SOMEBODY THAT HAS BEEN IN ELECTED OFFICE FOR THESE LAST EIGHT YEARS, IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE ACTUALLY LOOK AT THESE ISSUES AND WE RESPOND TO WHAT IS NEEDED IN THIS MOMENT OF NATIONAL SECURITY.

I UNDERSTAND THAT THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE ARE HURTING, BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO ME IS THAT THIS END TO THE WAR HAPPENS ON THE TERMS FOR ISRAEL.

THEY WERE THE ONES THAT WERE ATTACKED.

AND THEY WERE ATTACKED ON THE ANNIVERSARY YESTERDAY.

AND SPENDING THE TIME WITH PEOPLE WITHIN THE JEWISH COMMUNITY IN OMAHA REMINDED ME WHY WE HAVE TO STAND UP ON BEHALF OF OUR ALLIES.

IT'S ONE OF THE REASONS WHY I SIGNED ONTO A RESOLUTION RIGHT AWAY UPON THE ATTACKS CONDEMNING ANTI-SEMITISM, STANDING UP FOR ISRAEL'S RIGHT TO EXIST AND SINCE HAVE CONTINUED TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE NOT ONLY SUPPORTED ON THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE BUT ALSO SUPPORTED WITH MILITARY AND AID.

BUT I KNOW THAT ONE THING IS ALSO TRUE.

IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE AND THE ISRAELI PEOPLE TO MAKE SURE WE'RE COMING TO AN END TO THIS WAR.

>> THANK YOU, SENATOR.

CONGRESSMAN, SAME QUESTION, WHAT, IF ANY, LIMITS SHOULD BE PLACED TO PROTECT THE PALESTINIAN CIVILIANS AND THE FOLKS IN LEBANON?

>> WELL, THE FAULT LIES WITH HAMAS.

THEY'RE HIDING IN AMONGST THE MASQUES, THE HOSPITALS, THE SCHOOLS.

FIRST OF ALL, THEY KILLED 1,200 ISRAELIS AND JEWISH PEOPLE, AND THEN THEY HIDE IN PUBLIC PLACES, MAKING IT HARD FOR ISRAEL TO TARGET.

ISRAEL HAS THE OBLIGATION TO TRY TO TARGET JUST HAMAS OR JUST HEZBOLLAH IN LEBANON, BUT WHEN THEY'RE HIDING AMONGST THE PEOPLE IT WAS HARD.

IN THE END IF WE WERE ATTACKED AND WE WERE ON 9/11 IN A SIMILAR WAY, WE WOULD GO IN, TOO, AND TRY TO DESTROY HAMAS AND GAZA.

AND FOR MONTHS, HEZBOLLAH WAS FIRING ROCKETS AT ISRAEL AND ISRAEL HAD THE RIGHT TO TWO IN AND GO AFTER THE HEZBOLLAH LEADERSHIP.

I THINK THE OBLIGATION ON THE MILITARY SIDE IS FOCUS ON MILITARY TARGETS ONLY.

WHEN THEY'RE HIDING AMONGST THE PEOPLE THEY'RE HARD.

ANOTHER AREA OF DISAGREEMENT WITH TONY ON THIS.

HIS OFFICIAL RECORD HE WANTS THE PALESTINIAN CAPITAL TO BE IN JERUSALEM.

THAT IS NOT A LONG-TERM SOLUTION AND WOULD WEAKEN ISRAEL AND PUT THEM IN AN UNTENABLE SITUATION.

I SUPPORT JERUSALEM AS BEING THE UNDIVIDED CAPITAL FOR ISRAEL.

>> SENATOR, DO YOU NEED A HALF SECOND TO RESPOND.

>> THANK YOU.

IT'S CLEESH WE NEED TO SUPPORT ISRAEL.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE'RE SUPPORTING THE MILITARY CAPABILITY, THEIR AID.

THEY ARE DEMOCRACY IN THE REGION IT'S NOT JUST THAT THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO DEFEND THEMSELVES.

IT'S RIGHT NOW THEY ARE BEING ATTACKED.

I'M GOING TO STAND BY ISRAEL NO MATTER WHAT AND WE'LL CONDEMN ANTI-SEMITISM MAKE SURE THERE'S NO CONDITIONS ON THE MILITARY AID THEY RECEIVE.

AND I DO WANT PEACE BUT IT HAS TO BE ON THE TERMS OF ISRAEL, HAS TO MAKE SURE THERE'S AN END TO HAMAS, NEED TO MAKE SURE ALL HOSTAGES ARE RETURNED AND THAT'S SOMETHING I WILL ALWAYS SUPPORT, NO MATTER WHAT.

>> CONGRESSMAN?

>> ASKING ISRAEL TO GIVE JERUSALEM TO THE PALESTINIANS IS NOT STRENGTHENING ISRAEL.

JERUSALEM SHOULD BE THE CAPITAL OF ISRAEL.

FOR HIM TO HAVE THE POSITION THAT ISRAEL WOULD HAVE TO GIVE UP HALF OF JERUSALEM, IT'S NOT BEING PRO-ISRAEL, PROJEWISH, AND IT'S WRONG.

>> NOW WE'LL HEAR A QUESTION ON THE TOPIC OF GUN VIOLENCE.

>> WHAT BACKGROUND CHECK OR MEASURES WOULD YOU SUPPORT, IF ANY?

LET'S START WITH CONGRESSMAN BACON?

>> THE MOST IMPORTANT THING WE CAN DO TO LOWER GUN VIOLENCE IS KEEP VIOLENT CRIMINALS BEHIND BARS TO THE MAX EXTEND THE LAW WILL ALLOW.

WE CAN'T LET PEOPLE OUT EARLY WHO HAVE DONE GUN VIOLENCE AND YOU CAN'T LET JUVENILES OUT THAT ARE VIOLENT THAT TONY VARGAS HAS STOOD FOR THAT LED TO TWO MURDERS.

THE MOST THING TO DO IS KEEP PEOPLE BEHIND BARS TO THE EXTENT THEIR SENTENCE WILL ALLOW.

THE CHIEF OF POLICE OF OMAHA TALKED TO HIM PERSONALLY HE SAID THE MOST IMPORTANT THING WE CAN DO IS GO AFTER STRAW PURCHASES, SOMEONE BUYS A GUN FOR SOMEONE THAT'S NOT ALLOWED TO OWN ONE BY LAW AND GIVES IT TO THEM AND THEN THE FELON GOES OUT AND COMMITS A CRIME WITH THE GUN.

TOO FEW TIMES ARE THE PEOPLE WHO BUY THE GUN HELD ACCOUNTABLE.

IT'S MY LEGISLATION THAT SUPPORTS GOING AFTER THE STRAW PURCHASES.

AND WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE'RE PROSECUTING THEM TO THE FULL EXTENT POSSIBLE.

>> SENATOR, SAME QUESTION, GUN VIOLENCE, WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

>> ONE, I THINK WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE'RE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE.

WE NEED BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION THAT WILL MAKE SURE OUR COMMUNITIES ARE SAFER FROM GUN VIOLENCE.

I FIND IT INCREDIBLY FRUSTRATING ON BEHALF OF THE VOTERS AND CONSTITUENTS OF THIS DISTRICT WHEN WE HEAR CONGRESSMAN BACON RESPOND AND HE VOTED AGAINST THE MOST BIPARTISAN GUN SAFETY, GUN VIOLENCE MEASURE THAT WE HAVE SEEN IN DECADES.

ACTUALLY, 29 OF HIS REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES CAME ACROSS THE AISLE TO SUPPORT IT.

BUT CONGRESSMAN BACON VOTED NO AGAINST IT.

VOTING NO AGAINST THE FUNDING FOR MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTS.

WHEN IT ACTUALLY MATTERS THE MOST HE'S VOTING AGAINST THE INTEREST OF PUBLIC SAFE ANY OUR COMMUNITIES FROM GUN VIOLENCE AND LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTUALLY SUPPORTED THIS ISSUE.

I THINK OUR COMMUNITIES NEED TO BE SAFER.

IT'S ONE OF THE REASONS I SUPPORTED $37 MILLION FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT.

BUT UNFORTUNATELY, CONGRESSMAN BACON ALSO SUPPORTED DEFUNDING THE POLICE AND VOTED FOR 30,000 OFFICERS' FUNDING TO BE ELIMINATED.

>> THANK YOU, CONGRESSMAN WOULD YOU LIKE TO RESPOND?

>> THAT'S BALONEY.

TONY IS RUNNING A CAMPAIGN ON DECEPTION.

THINKS THE VOTERS AREN'T SMART ENOUGH TO FIGURE IT OUT.

WHY IS IT 100% OF THE OMAHA POLICE VOTED TO ENDORSE ME, NOT A SINGLE ONE VOTED FOR TONY?

BECAUSE HE'S BEEN DANGEROUS.

HIS LEGISLATION IS DANGEROUS FOR OMAHA ALLOWING VIOLENT JUVENILES BACK ON THE STREET AFTER FIVE ARRESTS.

DINT VOTE FOR THE SO-CALLED BILL THAT HE TALKED ABOUT YOU HAVE TO HAVE A RED FLAG LAW THAT HAS DUE PROCESS.

YOU CAN'T SAY I'M GOING TO TAKE YOUR GUN AWAY.

WE SAW IT AT THE VA, PEOPLE CAME IN FOR FINANCIAL COUNSELLING AND PEOPLE LIKE TONY TOOK THEIR GUN AWAY FOR FINANCIAL COUNSELLING.

RED FLAG LAWS HAVE TO HAVE PROTECTIONS AND DUE PROCESS.

100% OF THE COPS IN OMAHA VOTED TO ENDORSE ME, NOT A SINGLE ONE FOR TONY VARGAS.

THEY KNOW WHO HE IS.

>> SENATOR, A QUICK RESPONSE?

>> THANK YOU.

ONE I WANT TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE ARE ENCOURAGED THAT WE KEEP DEBATES CIVIL.

REALLY CONCERNING TO ME AND FRUSTRATING ON BEHALF OF THE TAXPAYERS AND VOTERS THAT CONGRESSMAN BACON WOULD NOT ONLY MAKE SO MANY GENERALIZATIONS BUT ALSO FOR THE COLLEAGUES THAT CAME ACROSS THE AISLE IN CONGRESS THAT VOTED FOR COMMON SENSE GUN SAFETY LEGISLATION THEY WERE INCREDIBLY BRAVE REPUBLICANS THAT PUT PEOPLE FIRST.

IT'S NO SURPRISE CONGRESSMAN BACON RECEIVED $80,000 FROM THE NRA.

THEY ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN ACTUALLY PASSING ACTUAL LEGISLATION TO MAKE OUR COMMUNITIES SAFER FROM GUN VIOLENCE.

I THINK THAT IS AN ULTIMATELY WHAT MATTERS WHEN WE'RE VOTING THIS NOVEMBER 5th.

>> THANK YOU, SENATOR.

CONGRESSMAN, A QUICK RESPONSE?

>> YOU KNOW WHAT'S MORE IMPORTANT?

THE 755 POLICE THAT LOOK TO ME TO HAVE THEIR BACK.

THEY KNOW TONY PROTESTED THEM SUMMER OF 2020.

THESE ARE THE PROTESTERS THAT THREW ROCKS AT YOU ARE POLICE.

THERE WERE MORE POLICE INJURED IN THOSE RIGHTS THAN INJURED JANUARY 6th IN WASHINGTON D.C.

THEY KNOW WHO HAVE THEIR BACKS.

I PUT COPS -- I'M WITH OUR NEIGHBORS WHO ARE COPS.

THOSE WHO DEFEND US ON OUR WORST DAYS.

TONY VARGAS WAS PROTESTING THEM WITH PEOPLE THROWING ROCKS AT THEM AND THEN BLAMED THE POLICE FOR THE VIOLENCE.

I SAW A POLICEWOMAN WITH BRUISES UP AND DOWN HER ARMS.

TONY YOU OWE THE POLICE AN APOLOGY FOR HOW YOU TREATED THEM.

WHY NOT GO TO MINNEAPOLIS AND PROTEST THAT'S WHERE THE MURDER WAS COMMITTED.

BUT YOU PROTESTED OUR COPS, OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS AND NEIGHBORS THAT WAS WRONG.

>> SENATOR, OBVIOUSLY A LITTLE TIME TO RESPOND.

>> THANK YOU.

CONGRESSMAN BACON, I'M GOING TO TRY TO REMIND YOU AGAIN, ESPECIALLY AS A TEACHER, FOR SOMEBODY THAT BREATHES CIVILITY, YOU ARE NOT DEMONSTRATING THAT RIGHT NOW.

WHAT I THINK MATTERS IS I VOTE Z FOR $37 MILLION IN LAW ENFORCEMENT FUNDSING.

THE ACCUSATIONS AND MISCHARACTERIZATIONS THAT YOU ARE PUSHING FORWARDS RIGHT NOW WE NEEDS TO CALL THEM OUT AND I'M CALLING THEM OUT.

YOU DID VOTE TO DEFUNDS THE POLICE YOU VOTED AGAINST FUNDSING FOR 30,000 FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND WHEN LAW ENFORCEMENT DOES SUPPORT THINGS THAT KEEP OUR COMMUNITY SAFER LIKE BORDER SECURITY OR BIPARTISAN GUN SAFETY LEGISLATION.

YOU VOTED AGAINST THESE MEASURES AGAINST LAW ENFORCEMENT'S WISHES.

MAKING OUR COMMUNITIES LESS SAFE.

>> NOW WE MOVE TO A QUESTION FROM DAVE SCHROEDER DEALING WITH HEALTH CARE.

>> WORKFORCE SHORTAGES AMONG LEVELS OF HEALTH CARE OFFICIALS IMPACT THE ABILITY OF CARE ACROSS THE NATION WITH IMPACTS ON UNDER SERVED AND RURAL COMMUNITIES.

WHAT POLICIES WOULD HELP INCENTIVIZE THE NEXT GENERATION OF NURSES, DOCTORS AND OTHER HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS.

SENATOR VARGAS START US OFF.

>> WE HAVE TO DO MORE TO ADDRESS OUR ECONOMIC IMPACT ACROSS THE STATE.

ONE OF THE REASONS WHY I WORKED ON BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION TO MAKE SURE WE'RE INVESTING IN RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

THIS INCLUDES RURAL WORKFORCE HOUSING INITIATIVES MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO INVEST IN THE HOUSING NEEDED FOR OUR FUTURE WORKFORCE.

ALSO THE REASON I WORKED ON RURAL HEALTH CARE DEVELOPMENT.

THE CARNEY HEALTH CARE COMPLEX WAS AS A RESULT OF THE WORK THAT I ALSO WORKED ON WITH MANY SENATORS TO MAKE SURE WE'RE SECURING FUNDING TO INVEST THE NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS IN RURAL NEBRASKA.

THIS IS ALSO THE REASON WHY I VOTED FOR $6 BILLION WORTH OF TAX RELIEF.

WHEN WE'RE ABLE TO ACTUALLY CUT COSTS HAVE THE LEANEST BUDGETS IN THESE LAST SEVERAL DECADES AS A MEMBER OF THE APPROPRIATIONS BUDGET COMMITTEE I BELIEVE WE SHOULD GIVE THAT MONEY BACK TO TAXPAYERS.

THAT'S TO SPUR DEVELOPMENT ACROSS THE STATE AND RURAL NEBRASKA AND ONE OF THE REASONS I BELIEVE WE HAVE A RECORD TO SOLVE THIS ISSUE.

>>ING CONGRESSMAN?

>> LET'S TAKE ON THE TAX RELIEF UP FRONT AND COME BACK TO THE QUESTION.

IT WAS HIS BILL THAT WANTED TO TAKE US FROM THE 29th TO THE 5th HIGHEST INCOME TAX.

IT WAS HIS BILL.

$500 MILLION TAX INCREASE.

HE WAS GOING TO MAKE IT THE WORST TAX STATES IN OUR COUNTRY.

ON TOP OF THAT, WHEN WE WERE TALKING ABOUT REFUNDS FOR THE PROPERTY TAX.

YOU KNOW HOW TONY VARGAS VOTED?

HE SKIPPED THAT VOTE.

THAT'S 20% OF THE TIME HE DOESN'T VOTE.

WHY DIDN'T HE VOTE FOR THAT?

NOW I SUPPORT HELPING OUT FOLKS WHO ARE COMING TO OUR COUNTRY SAY FROM COUNTRIES THAT THEY HAVE THEIR NURSING DEGREE OR DOCTOR, THEY WANT TO GO TO AREAS THAT ARE UNDER SERVED THERE ARE THINGS WE CAN DO TO INCENTIVIZE DOCTORS TO SERVE IN OUR COUNTRY AND IMPROVE THE CARE THAT EVERYONE GETS.

>> SENATOR A CHANCE TO REBUT.

>> I VOTED FOR $6 MILLION OF TAXES THAT PASSED.

PUTTING MONEY BACK IN YOUR POCKETS.

WAS NAMED THE TAXPAYER DEFENDER BECAUSE OF IT AND VOTED FOR TWO OF THE LARGEST TAX PROPERTY TAXES IN STATE HISTORY.

IT MATTERS WHEN CONGRESSMAN BACON SHOWS UP.

WHEN HE SHOWS UP, HE FAILS TO SOLVE A BORDER SECURITY PROBLEM THAT IS ACTUALLY FACING OUR NATION.

WHEN DONALD TRUMP TELLS HIM NOT TO BRING FORWARD A SOLUTION THAT'S GOING TO CREATE SAFETY AT OUR BORDERS AND ACTUALLY CRACKDOWN ON FENTANYL AND TRAFFICKING, HE DOES NOTHING TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE ON THAT BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION.

WHEN IT COMES TO KEEPING OUR COMMUNITIES SAFE FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT THAT'S BACKING BILLS THAT MAKES OUR COMMUNITIES SAFER FOR ADDRESSING GUN VIOLENCE HE IS NOWHERE TO BE FOUND.

WHEN IT MATTERS WHEN HE SHOWS UP, HE VOTES TO INCREASE TAXES ON WORKING CLASS FAMILIES, INCREASE PRESCRIPTION DRUG COSTS, INSURANCE COSTS AND THIS IS NOT ONLY AN ISSUE THAT MATTERS WE'LL HOLD HIM ACCOUNTABLE NOVEMBER 5th.

>> THANK YOU, CONGRESSMAN -- >> THIS IS HOGWASH.

LET'S TALK ABOUT VOTING FOR THE TAX RELIEF.

HIS PEERS, REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS SAY HE OPPOSES THIS AND THEN AT THE END PIVOTS WHEN HE KNOWS IT'S GOING TO PASS.

THERE'S SUCH LITTLE TRUST WITH HIS PEERS.

HE SAYS HE'S A TAX DEFENDER, ONE TIME OUT OF EIGHT YEARS, 12 1/2% THAT'S A TERRIBLE RECORD.

I HAVE NEVER VOTED TO INCREASE TAXES ON THE MIDDLE CLASS.

IN FACT, THE 2017 TAX LAW CUT TAXES FOR THOSE EARNING $50,000 BY 20%.

AND THOSE EARNING $100,000 IT CUT THEIR TAXES BY 16%.

UNFORTUNATELY HE WANTS TO REMOVE THE 2017 TAX LAW NOT EXTEND IT.

I THINK IT'S NEEDED FOR THE MIDDLE CLASS BUT ALSO THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY TO HAVE A COMPETITIVE TAX CODE WHERE AMERICA CAN WIN AND OUT COMPETE OTHER COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD AND HE WANTS TO TAKE US BACK TO THE 35% BUSINESS TAX RATE WHICH IS RIDICULOUS.

>> WE'LL HAVE MORE QUESTIONS ON THIS TOPIC, SOON.

IF YOU ARE JUST JOINING US, WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF A DEBATE BETWEEN REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE DON BACON AND DEMOCRATIC STATE SENATOR, TONY VARGAS THE TWO CANDIDATES ARE VYING TO REPRESENT NEBRASKA'S SECOND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

NOW ANOTHER QUESTION FROM THE EXAMINER.

THIS ON TAXES AND SPENDING.

BOTH OF YOU HAVE CAMPAIGNED AS TAX CUTTERS SHOULD THE TRUMP TAX CUTS BE EXTENDED?

WHY OR WHY NOT?

CONGRESSMAN BACON LEAD US OFF.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

IT CREATED THE BEST ECONOMIC GROWTH IN 40 YEARS.

WAGES INCREASED PRIOR TO COVID.

AND BECAUSE PEOPLE EARNING $50,000 THEY DID GET 20% TAX BREAK, MORE MONEY TO SPEND ON THEIR FAMILY.

PEOPLE EARNING 100,000 GOT A 16% TAX RATE.

WE TOOK FROM ONE OF THE HIGHEST IN THE WORLD AND LOWERED IT TO 21%, THE WORLD'S AVERAGE.

I WANT OUR COUNTRY TO BE ON A LEVEL PLAYING GROUND SO WE CAN WIN AND OUT COMPETE OTHER COUNTRIES.

WE TOOK SMALL BUSINESS TAX TAXES AND LOWERED THEM BY 20%.

HELPED ENCOURAGE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AND HELPED IF COMPANIES WANTED TO GROW WE GAVE THEM TAX INCENTIVES TO ADD TO THEIR PLANTS.

IT WAS A GOOD BILL AND IT WAS MY LEADERSHIP THAT WAS ABLE TO GET THE SOLAR POWER TAX DEDUCTION BACK IN AS WELL AS THE WIND POWER TAX DEDUCTION PUT BACK IN THAT'S BEEN CRITICAL FOR NEBRASKA.

>> SENATOR, SAME QUESTION.

TRUMP TAX CUTS WOULD YOU EXTEND THEM?

>> ONE, I THINK THE WORK THAT I'VE DONE IN THE LEGISLATURE TO CUT TAXES BY $6 BILLION AND VOTED FOR THE BILLS THAT DID THIS, I THINK MATTERS.

MY RECORD OF WORKING TO MAKE SURE WE ARE BALANCING BUDGETS REDUCING OUR COSTS AND SPENDING MATTERS FOR WHAT WE SHOULD BE DOING IN CONGRESS.

WE TALK ABOUT THIS TRUMP TAX SCHEME THAT GAVE AN OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF THE ACTUAL TAX RELIEF WENT TO BILLIONAIRES AND MULTI-MILLIONAIRES.

THE ULTRA WEALTHY.

I THINK THAT MATTERS.

I THINK IT MATTERS BECAUSE THAT'S NOT REPRESENTATIVE OF WHAT EVERYDAY NEBRASKANS ARE.

IT'S NOT REPRESENTATIVE OF MY FAMILY BUT SOUNDS LIKE IT'S VERY REPRESENTATIVE OF CONGRESSMAN BACON.

IT SOUNDS LIKE MORE IMPORTANT TO NEBRASKANS IS WHETHER OR NOT BELOWER THE COST OF LIVING, REDUCE OUR TAX BURDEN.

WE SHOULD FOCUS ON A MIDDLE CLASS TAX CUT NOT WHAT CONGRESSMAN BACON AND TRUMP WANT TO DO, WHICH IS CONTINUE TO GIVE TAX GIVEAWAYS TO ULTRA WEALTHY BILLIONAIRES AND MULTI-MILLIONAIRES.

THAT'S WHAT MATTERS WHO'S GOING TO STAND UP TO THE WORKING MIDDLE CLASS.

>> A QUICK RESPONSE?

>> WORKED IN A TIRE FACTORY AT 20 YEARS OLD.

I WAS A DISHWASHER FOUR YEARS OF MY COLLEGE.

I WAS THE OLDEST OF NINE ON A FARM.

I JOINED THE AIR FORCE AT 21.

I WAS A SECOND LIEUTENANT AND HAD TO WORK MY WAY ALL THE WAY UP TO BRIGADIER GENERAL.

I KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO WORK IN THE MIDDLE CLASS.

I WORKED IN THE FACTORIES, HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION CREWS.

I HAD TO PAY MY WAY THROUGH COLLEGE WITH SOME HELP FROM MY PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS BUT THEY MADE ME WORK WITH TWO DIFFERENT JOBS IN THE SUMMER AND IN SCHOOL ONE JOB.

MY PARENTS TAUGHT ME A WORK ETHIC THAT SERVED ME WELL IN THE AIR FORCE, WORKED THROUGH FIVE DIFFERENT COMMANDS TO COMMAND TWO OF THE LARGEST WINGS IN THE AIR FORCE, I WAS THE MAYOR OF 55,000 IN GERMANY.

AND IT WAS TREATING PEOPLE RIGHT AND WORK EITHIC.

>> MY WIFE AND I ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO MAKE ENDS MEET.

MY PARENTS WORKED ON FACTORY LINES, VERY PROUD UNION WORKERS.

BUT I ALSO THINK IT MATTERS WHEN CONGRESSMAN BACON SHOWS UP, HE VOTES TO INCREASE TAXES ON MIDDLE CLASS FAMILIES AND HE'S TALKED ABOUT THIS TRUMP TAX SCHEME WHEN AIL IT DID WAS PUT MORE MONEY IN THE POCKETS OF WEALTHY BILLIONAIRES AND MULTI-MILLIONAIRES.

I KNOW THAT'S NOT YOU.

THAT'S THE REASON WHY I'M TRYING TO FIGHT FOR YOU.

THE REASON WHY I VOTED FOR THE ACTUAL TAX CUTS THAT MAKE THE MIDDLE CLASS GO STRONGER.

BUT WHEN CONGRESSMAN BACON IS VOTING FOR THESE TAX CUTS HE'S MAKING IT HARDER FOR YOU TO SAFE BECAUSE DONALD TRUMP IS FOCUSED ON GIVING MORE TO THE ULTRA WEALTHY AND CONGRESSMAN BACON IS DOING WHAT HE'S TOLD.

>> THANK YOU.

TOOK LOOKING AT THE TOPIC OF WINNER TAKE ALL.

A QUESTION FROM CASSIDY.

>> BOTH OF YOU HAVE ARGUED DIFFERENT AND PARTISAN SIDES ON HOW NEBRASKA SHOULD HANDLE VOTES IN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS WHAT IS YOUR SUPPORTING A REPUBLICAN BACKED CHANGE OF WINNER TAKE ALL OR A DEMOCRATIC GOAL OF WHAT SOME CALL A BLUE DOT.

START WITH SENATOR VARGAS.

>> ONE I DON'T THINK THIS IS ABOUT PARTISANSHIP.

I THINK THIS IS ABOUT EARNING THE SUPPORT OF NEBRASKA'S SECOND DISTRICT.

WE ARE REALLY UNIQUE HERE IN NEBRASKA.

PROUD TO BE PART OF SOMEONE RAISED IN ELECTED OFFICE AND PUBLIC SERVICE I LEARNED HOW TO GET THINGS DONE, WORK ACROSS THE AISLE.

IT'S WHY I'VE BEEN ELECTED TO LEADERSHIP, WHY I'VE BEEN A MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD SIX OF MY LAST EIGHT YEARS.

BUT I THINK IT MATTERS THAT REPUBLICANS, DEMOCRATS AND INDEPENDENTS IN THIS DISTRICT SUPPORT YOU HAVING TO FIGHT TO EARN THE VOTE OF NEBRASKA'S SECOND DISTRICT VOTERS.

TRUMP WON THIS DISTRICT IN 2016, BIDEN WON IT IN 2020.

I THINK WHAT'S REALLY CONCERNING TO ME IS WHEN CONGRESSMAN BACON SAYS HE CARES ABOUT DEMOCRACY, BUT SIGNED ONTO A LETTER TWO MONTHS BEFORE A MAJOR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION SAYING HE SUPPORTS REPEALING WINNER TAKE ALL BECAUSE DONALD TRUMP ASKED HIM TO AND IS REWARDED WITH HIS ENDORSEMENT IN TWO WEEKS.

>> CONGRESSMAN?

>> THAT LAST PART ALL MADE UP AGAIN.

HE NEEDS TO BE FACT CHECKED.

I HOPE THE MEDIA SHOWS THE SUBSTANCE, RIGHT.

HE DOESN'T HAVE ANY SUBSTANCE.

IT'S A BUNCH OF PLATITUDES WITH NO MEAT BEHIND IT.

NOW I SUPPORT -- I WOULD HOPE THAT EVERY STATE WOULD DO LIKE NEBRASKA I THINK IT WOULD BE A BETTER SYSTEM.

I THINK IT WOULD GET THE PRESIDENT NOMINEES OUT TO THE DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE COUNTRY MORE THAN IT IS TODAY.

I THINK IT WOULD HELP HIM GET THE PARTS OF CALIFORNIA THEY ORDINARILY WOULDN'T GO OR NEW YORK OR MAYBE TEXAS.

IT WOULD BE BETTER FOR DEMOCRACY.

HOWEVER WE ONLY HAVE TWO STATES DOING THIS, THIS CREATES DISTORTIONS IN THE FINAL RESULTS.

AND TONY IS ALL ABOUT THE MONEY.

VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS HAS SPENT $21 MILLION HERE AND PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS SPENT ZERO.

IT REMINDS ME OF TONY TAKING $60,000 FROM A DARK MONEY GROUP.

AND WHY DID HE DO THAT?

IT WAS FOR PERSONAL EXPENSES AND IT'S UNDER INVESTIGATION.

>> THANK YOU, CONGRESSMAN.

SENATOR, REBUTTAL?

>> ONE, I CARE ABOUT DEMOCRACY, FOR NEBRASKA'S SECOND DISTRICT VOTERS.

WHAT YOU HEARD UNFORTUNATELY WHICH IS INCREDIBLY CONCERNING ON BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE IN THIS DISTRICT IS CONGRESSMAN BACON DIDN'T RESPOND TO WHY HE SIGNED ON TO A LETTER GIVING UP OUR ELECTORAL INDEPENDENCE TWO MONTHS BEFORE A MAJOR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

IF HE CARED ABOUT THE INDEPENDENCE HE WOULDN'T HAVE SIGNED ONTO THE LETTER BUT IT'S INTERESTING TO ME WITHIN TWO WEEKS HE EARNED DONALD TRUMP'S ENDORSEMENT.

DONALD TRUMP WANTED TO UNDERMINE THIS ELECTION.

HE'S BEEN FIGHTING FOR IT.

HE'S BEEN VERY, VERY CLEAR.

BUT WHAT I'M FIGHTING FOR IS YOU.

THAT'S WHY I VOTED FOR $6 BILLION WORTH OF TEXAS TEXASS AND ALSO THE REASON WHY I WANT TO LOWER YOUR COSTS.

BUT DON BACON HAS RECEIVED MORE THAN $6 MILLION FROM SPECIAL INTEREST IN HIS ENTIRE CAREER.

IT'S NO SURPRISE THIS IS WHY HE VOTES AGAINST COMMON SENSE GUN SAFETY LAWS, VOTED TO RAISE YOUR TAXES, VOTED TO RAISE YOUR HEALTH CARE COSTS AND PREMIUMS.

AND WE GET TO VOTE HIM OUT ON NOVEMBER 5th.

>> CONGRESSMAN WOULD YOU LIKE TO ANSWER ABOUT THE LETTER?

>> HE LIKES IT BECAUSE IT BRINGS $21 MILLION FOR HIM AND HIS SIDE OF THE TICKET.

IT'S A CASH COW IF YOU'RE A DEMOCRAT.

I THINK WE'D BE BETTER OFF IF EVERY DISTRICT DID AS WE DID, IT WOULD LEVEL OUT, BE FAIR.

WHEN TONY LIVED IN NEW YORK CITY, DID HE ASK FOR NEW YORK TO GO BY DISTRICT.

IT'S A WINNER TAKE ALL THERE?

WE WOULD HAVE WON THE LAST ELECTION FIVE OR SIX VOTES OUT OF THAT.

DOES HE WANT CALIFORNIA TO GO BY DISTRICT.

THIS IS A BIPARTISAN POSITION HE HAS WHEN IT'S ALL SAID AND DONE BECAUSE IT'S A HUGE CASH COW FOR HIS SIDE OF THE AISLE AND HELPS THE DEMOCRATS UP AND DOWN THE TICKET.

AGAIN I'LL COME BACK AND SAY I WISHED EVERY DISTRICT OR EVERY STATE DID AS WE DID, IT WOULD BE BETTER.

>> THANK YOU, CONGRESSMAN.

AARON WITH THE WORLD HERALD WILL ASK THE NEXT QUESTION ON THE TOPIC OF ELECTION SECURITY.

>> WHAT STEPS, IF ANY, SHOULD BE TAKEN TO HELP MORE AMERICANS BELIEVE THEIR ELECTIONS ARE SECURE AND PROVIDE A PEACEFUL TRANSFER OF POWER.

START WITH CONGRESSMAN BACON?

>> I'M ONE OF SIX REPUBLICANS WHO SIGNED ONTO A LETTER SAYING I'M GOING TO RESPECT THE RESULTS OF THE ELECTIONS.

ONCE ALL THE COURT STUFF IS FIGURED OUT WE'LL RESPECT WHAT THE GOVERNORS SIGN ONTO THEIR ELECTORAL STATES.

I STUDIED THE LAW OF 1879 THAT CREATED THE CONGRESSIONAL REVIEW AND I KNOW THAT IN THE LAST 2020 ELECTION WHEN THE GOVERNORS PROVIDED ONE SLATE, THAT THAT WAS OUR OBLIGATION TO SUPPORT.

NOW EVERY STATE HAS THEIR OWN ELECTION LAWS SO VOTERS IN EACH OF THOSE STATES NEED TO BE ENGAGED AND MAKE THINGS BETTER IF THEY SEE A PROBLEM.

I FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH NEBRASKA'S ELECTION LAWS.

I THINK THEY'RE SECURE.

I DO LIKE THE ID REQUIREMENT.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE ID FOR ALMOST EVERYTHING.

I THINK IT WOULD REDUCE SOME FRAUD.

IT MAKES IT LESS LIKELY.

BUT I THINK THE NEBRASKA ELECTIONS ARE SECURE.

I THINK LEADERS ON BOTH SIDES HAVE TO STAND UP TO IT.

FOR EXAMPLE WE HAVE A CONGRESSMAN FROM MARYLAND A DEMOCRAT SAYING HE'S NOT GOING TO CERTIFY THE ELECTIONS NO MATTER WHAT, NO MATTER IF TRUMP GETS ELECTED.

I DON'T THINK THAT'S RIGHT.

>> SENATOR, SAME QUESTION, WHAT COULD HELP RESTORE FAITH IN THE ELECTIONS?

>> ELECTION SECURITY IS CRITICAL.

WE WERE FUNDING THE WORK DONE BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO MODERNIZE OUR ELECTIONS, ENFORCE THEM, MAKE SURE THEY WERE BETTER SUPPORTED TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE THE DATA AND TECHNOLOGY TO DO SO.

BUT ALSO THINK IT MATTERS WHAT WE ARE SEEING RIGHT NOW IN WASHINGTON.

MATTERS WHEN WE HAVE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES THAT REFUSE TO ACCEPT THE ELECTIONS AND THE RESULTS.

DONALD TRUMP LOST THE ELECTION.

AND WHEN HE LOST THE ELECTION, WE DID NOT HAVE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS LIKE DON BACON THAT STEPPED UP AND HELD HIM ACCOUNTABLE TO ACCEPTING THESE ELECTIONS.

IT'S ENCOURAGING THAT WE HAVE EVERYBODY AND THE BAR SHOULD BE -- WE SHOULD ALL ACCEPT THE ELECTIONS NO MATTER WHAT.

BUT WHEN CONGRESSMAN BACON RECEIVES AN ENDORSEMENT FROM AN ELECTION DENIER THAT IS LEADING AS A SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE AND PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE I THINK THAT MATTERS.

>> THANK YOU, SENATOR.

A QUICK REBUTTAL?

>> I VOTED TO CERTIFY, THE BIPARTISAN COMMISSION ONE OF THE REASONS WHY THE FORMER PRESIDENT CAME OUT AND CAMPAIGNED AGAINST ME.

I'M AN INDEPENDENT VOICE I DO WHAT I THINK IS RIGHT.

I HAVE TO POINT OUT WITH TONY, I DIDN'T AGREE WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP'S STATEMENTS, WAS HE THERE WHEN HILLARY CLINTON TRIED TO BLAME TRUMP'S VICTORY ON RUSSIAN COLLUSION WHICH LATER MUELLER THE INVESTIGATOR SAID THERE WAS NO COLLUSION BETWEEN THE FORMER PRESIDENT AND THE RUSSIANS.

BUT OUR ELECTIONS HAVE BEEN UNDER ATTACK.

I VOTED TO CERTIFY AND I'LL VOTE TO CERTIFY IN -- I DID VOTE TO CERTIFY IN 2016.

WE NEED PEOPLE WHO ARE AMERICANS BEFORE THEY'RE DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS WHEN IT COMES TO ELECTIONS AND I'VE BEEN THAT GUY.

>> SENATOR, A QUICK -- >> CONGRESSMAN, DEMOCRACY MATTERS WHEN WE DON'T STAND UP TO INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE UNDERMINING IT, WE'RE SELLING OUT NEBRASKANS.

WHEN YOU SIGNED ONTO THE LETTER GIVING UP OUR ELECTORAL INDEPENDENCE FOR OUR VOTES YOU TOLD ME THAT NEBRASKANS DON'T MATTER.

IT'S DONALD TRUMP'S APPROVAL, FALLING IN LINE WITH WHAT HE ASKED YOU TO DO AND BEING REWARDED WITH HIS ENDORSEMENT BECAUSE STAYING IN POWER SOUNDS LIKE IT'S MORE IMPORTANT TO YOU THAN IT IS STANDING UP FOR THE DEMOCRACY AND INDEPENDENCE OF OUR DISTRICT.

>> THANK YOU, GENTLEMEN.

DAVE SCHROEDER WILL ASK THE NEXT QUESTION ABOUT AGRICULTURAL POLICY.

>> WORK ON THE NEXT FARM BILL CONTINUES IN CONGRESS BUT WHAT PARTICULAR PROVISIONS IN THE MEASURE WILL YOU FIGHT TO MAINTAIN AND WHAT WILL YOU ADD TO IT, IF ANYTHING, TO THE BILL?

SENATOR VARGAS LET'S START WITH YOU.

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, MY WORK IN THE LEGISLATURE HAS BEEN MAKING SURE WE'RE INVESTING IN OUR AG SECTOR.

MAKING SURE WE ARE SUPPORTING RURAL DEVELOPMENT, THE WORKFORCE IS THERE, WHY WHEN WE WORKED ON INCENTIVE PACKAGES IT WASN'T JUST FOR URBAN NEBRASKA IT WAS ALSO FOR RURAL NEBRASKA.

I THINK IT MATTERS WHAT'S HAPPENED THE LAST FEW YEARS.

WHEN CONGRESSMAN BACON AND I WERE DEBATING TWO YEARS AGO HE TALKED ABOUT THIS CONGRESS GETTING ALL THE SOLUTIONS PASSED AND GETTING THINGS DONE.

BUT UNFORTUNATELY THIS IS THE MOST INEFFECTIVE CONGRESS THAT WE HAVE SEEN IN ANY OF OUR LIFETIMES.

THEY PASSED THE FEWEST NUMBER OF BILLS.

THEY HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO ACTUALLY PASS THE BUDGET AND THE WAY WE'VE SEEN IN PAST GENERATIONS.

AS A RESULT WHEN WE DON'T AUTHORIZE OR ACTUALLY WORK ON THE FARM BILL, IT'S NEBRASKANS THAT SUFFER, IT'S AG SECTOR THAT SUFFERS, IT'S CHILDREN AND FAMILIES THAT SUFFER.

THIS IS HIS LEADERSHIP AND THIS CONGRESS THAT ASKED TO BE IN CHARGE.

AND I BELIEVE WE NEED TO HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE THIS NOVEMBER 5th.

>> SENATOR, CAN YOU -- CONGRESSMAN CAN YOU ANSWER THE SAME QUESTION?

>> I HELPED WRITE 10% OF THE BILL.

I'M ON THE AG COMMITTEE I VOLUNTEERED TO BE THERE.

ALSO TRADE PROMOTION, THE FIRST PRESIDENT SINCE JIMMY CARTER GOT A TRADE BILL.

IT'S SAD WHEN PRESIDENT TRUMP LEFT AND PRESIDENT BIDEN CAME IN WE HAD A SLIGHT TRADE SURPLUS IN AGRICULTURE NOW WE HAVE A $42 BILLION DEFICIT.

WE DON'T HAVE A PRESIDENT OR ADMINISTRATION ADVOCATING FOR TRADE.

I SAID WE WANT TO DOUBLE TRADE PROMOTION IN THE FARM BILL AND WE GOT IT.

I HAVE OTHER MEASURES IN THERE, SUCH AS CYBER SECURITY FOR FARMERS AND AG BUSINESSES AND ALSO GETTING AN ACCOUNTING ON HOW MUCH FOREIGN FARMLAND IS BEING BOUGHT.

SO I'VE BEEN ONE OF THE LEADERS IN CONGRESS.

BY THE WAY, HE FAILS TO MENTION THAT DEMOCRATS ARE RUNNING THE SENATE.

THEY HAVEN'T GOT A FARM BILL OUT OF COMMITTEE.

THEY PASSED ZERO APPROPRIATIONS.

WE HAVE DONE MORE IN THE HOUSE THAN THEY HAVE IN THE SENATE.

BUT I'LL CLOSE WITH THIS.

I HAVE TEN BILLS PASSED OUT OF THE HOUSE.

>> THANK YOU, CONGRESSMAN.

THE NEXT QUESTION COMES FROM ME AND FOCUSES ON IMMIGRATION.

BOTH OF YOU SAY YOU WANT TO IMPROVE BORDER SECURITY BUT WHAT ABOUT THE 12 TO 14 MILLION PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY WITHOUT DOCUMENTATION.

DO YOU BELIEVE AS FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP SUGGESTED THAT THESE INDIVIDUALS SHOULD BE DEPORTED OR GIVEN A PATH TO CITIZENSHIP.

>> WE HAVE TO SECURE THE BORDER TO HAVE 10 MILLION PEOPLE COME HERE UNDER THIS ADMINISTRATION.

FIVE TIMES THE NUMBER ROUGHLY THAT THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION HAD.

ALL THE LAWS ARE IN PLACE TO DO IT BUT HE CHOOSES NOT TO DO SO.

I THINK THAT'S BECAUSE THERE'S A LACK OF TRUST IN THE AMERICAN PEOPLE THAT THE PRESIDENT WILL WANT TO TRY TO SECURE THE BORDER.

IT'S HARD TO GO DOWN THE NEXT PATH WHAT DO YOU DO WITH THE PEOPLE HERE LIVING IN THE SHADOWS?

I AM WORKING WITH FOUR DEMOCRATS AND THREE OTHER REPUBLICANS TO TRY TO FIND SOME BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION THAT WILL HELP US SECURE THE BORDER AND ALSO FIND A PATHWAY NOT TO CITIZENSHIP BUT FOR THOSE WHO ARE WORKING AND WHO ARE CONTRIBUTING TO FIND SOME KIND OF PERMANENT STATUS SO THEY CAN CONTINUE TO WORK AND BE LEGAL.

MAYBE THEIR KIDS WILL BECOME CITIZENS.

BUT THOSE WHO ARE CRIMINALS WE HAVE 13,900 WHO HAVE BEEN CONVICTED OF MURDER, THEY CANNOT STAY IN OUR COUNTRY.

THERE SHOULD BE A PATH BY THE WAY FOR THOSE WITH A LEGAL STATUS BUT NOT A CITIZEN.

>> SENATOR, SAME QUESTION?

>> WE HAVE TO SECURE OUR BORDERS.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE DOING EVERYTHING WE POSSIBLY CAN TO ADDRESS THIS FLOW OF FENTANYL IN OUR COMMUNITIES, ADDRESS THE TRAFFICKING THAT'S HAPPENING.

I'M THE PRODUCT OF AN IMMIGRATION SYSTEM.

MY PARENTS WERE IMMIGRANTS.

THEY WORKED, THEY PAID TAXES.

AND IT'S THE REASON WHY I WAS ABLE TO HAVE THE PIECE OF THE AMERICAN DREAM.

IT'S ALSO WHY I'VE BEEN FIGHTING FOR IT BECAUSE I BELIEVE IN THIS COUNTRY RIGHT NOW AN URGENT ISSUE IS ADDRESSING THE BORDER AND NOT BECAUSE OF POLITICS.

BECAUSE DEMOCRATS ARE FINDING THE WAY TO COMPROMISE ON THIS ISSUE.

CASE IN POINT THERE WAS A U.S.

SENATOR IN THE SENATE THAT BROUGHT FORWARD ONE OF THE TOUGHEST BORDER BILLS IN ANY OF OUR GENERATIONS.

IN COMPROMISE AND MADE WORK WITH THE DEMOCRATS.

AND THE ONLY REASON THAT BILL ISN'T ACTUALLY BROUGHT TO THE HOUSE OR MEMBERS LIKE DON BACON DIDN'T BRING THAT SAME BILL THAT WOULD HAVE PASSED IS BECAUSE DONALD TRUMP TOLD THEM NOT TO.

SO WE NEED TO SEND REAL PROBLEM SOLVE ES TO CONGRESS TO GET THINGS DONE TO SETTLE THE ISSUE.

>> CONGRESSMAN, QUICK REBUTTAL?

>> TONY MENTIONS FENTANYL.

HE PUSHED LEGISLATION THAT GOT RID OF THE MANDATORY MINIMUMS FOR FENTANYL.

THIS IS A DRUG THAT'S KILLING OVER 100,000 PEOPLE A YEAR.

AND ONE OF HIS PROPOSALS, ONE OF HIS PRIORITIES WAS TO GET RID OF MANDATORY MINIMUMS FOR ALL SERIOUS DRUG OFFENDERS MOST PEOPLE IN OMAHA DON'T THINK -- IT WON'T MAKE OUR STREETS SAFER LIKE HE DID BY TRYING TO GET VIOLENT JUVENILES BACK ON THE STREET WHEN WE CAN'T HOLD THEM AND THEY CONTRIBUTED VIOLENT CRIMES.

TONY CONTRIBUTED TO A VIOLENT SITUATION THERE.

SO AGAIN, WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE SAFETY OF OUR STREETS, TONY HAS BEEN ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE ISSUE WHETHER IT'S DRUG, DRUG PUSHING OR WHETHER IT'S VIOLENT JUVENILES WHO COMMIT A CRIME, TWO MURDERS COMMITTED BECAUSE OUR POLICE SAY THEY CAN'T HOLD THEM BECAUSE OF TONY'S AMENDMENT.

MEET THE PAROL BOARD TWO YEARS EARLY IS NOT RIGHT.

>> SENATOR?

LOOK, I VOTED FOR $37 MILLION INCREASE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT FUNDING.

I HAVE TWO KIDS.

MY DAUGHTER AND MY SON, AVA AND LUCA.

I CARE ABOUT OUR PUBLIC SAFETY.

IT'S WHY I INVESTED IN THE LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING CENTER AT THE STATE LEVEL AND WHY I FOUGHT FOR PENSIONS AND DEATH BENEFITS OF OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT.

BUT IT'S ALSO CONCERNING WHEN CONGRESSMAN BACON VOTED AGAINST FUNDING FOR 30,000 FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT.

AND LOCAL FUNDING FOR OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT AS WELL.

VOTING TO DEFUND THE POLICE, VOTING TO TAKEAWAY THE OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITIES MORE SAFE.

AND THE LIES THAT HE IS SAYING ABOUT THESE BILLS HE'S REFERENCING WHICH ARE BIPARTISAN BILLS.

BIPARTISAN BILLS, MANY OF WHICH REPUBLICANS AND EVEN REPUBLICAN GOVERNORS SUPPORTED BECAUSE WE CAN FIND COMMON SENSE LEGISLATION TO ACTUALLY ADDRESS OUR COMMUNITY SAFETY AND BETTER INVEST IN LAW ENFORCEMENT.

AND THAT'S MY RECORD AND THAT'S WHAT I'M GOING TO CONTINUE TO DO IN CONGRESS.

>> THANK YOU.

CONGRESSMAN?

>> TWO INNOCENT PEOPLE MURDERED BECAUSE OF JUVENILES ARRESTED FIVE TIMES IS NOT COMMON SENSE.

AGAIN, IT'S BALONEY ABOUT THE CUTS TO THE POLICE.

WHY WOULD 100% OF OMAHA'S POLICE DEPARTMENT 100% VOTE TO ENDORSE ME AND NOT A SINGLE ONE FOR TONY?

BECAUSE THEY KNOW WHO HE IS, WHAT HE STANDS FOR.

I HAVE THE SUPPORT OF THE FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE AS WELL.

THESE PEOPLE ARE NOT SUPPORTING ME IF I'M MAKING CUTS TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

THEY KNOW I HAD THEIR BACK.

THEY KNOW WHAT TONY STANDS FOR, A LIBERAL WHEN IT COMES TO CRIME.

ANOTHER EXAMPLE, BUS DRIVERS ARE GETTING BEAT UP.

I SUPPORT LEGISLATION INCREASING PENALTIES FOR PEOPLE BEATING UP ON OUR BUS DRIVERS.

TONY DOESN'T SUPPORT THAT.

I'M GOING TO STAND WITH THE BUS DRIVER NOT THE CRIMINAL.

>> WE NEED TO MOVE ON NOW TO CLOSING STATEMENTS.

EACH OF YOU WILL HAVE TWO MINUTES AND WE START WITH SENATOR VARGAS.

>> THANK YOU.

YOU'RE NOT THE PRODUCT OF A WORKING CLASS FAMILY, MY PARENTS CAME TO THIS COUNTRY BECAUSE THEY BELIEVED IN THE AMERICAN DREAM AND FOUGHT FOR IT.

THEY WANTED TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR ME AND MY BROTHERS TO BE ABLE TO HAVE A DIFFERENT LIFE.

THAT'S THE REASON WHY I BECAME A PUBLIC SCHOOL SCIENCE TEACHER, IT'S THE REASON WHY I BECAME A SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER AND A STATE SENATOR BECAUSE I WANTED TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR WORKING CLASS FAMILIES RIGHT NOW IN THE MIDDLE CLASS TO GROW.

IT'S ALSO WHY I VOTED FOR $6 BILLION WORTH OF TAX RELIEF.

WHY I INVESTED IN JOBS.

WHY I INVESTED IN LOWERING THE COST OF HEALTH CARE.

ALSO WHY I PRIORITIZE MAKING OUR COMMUNITY SAFER BY VOTING FOR $37 MILLION IN LAW ENFORCEMENT FUNDING.

IT'S ALSO WHY I HAVE BEEN NAMED A TAXPAYER DEFENDER BY A CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATION.

BUT I ALSO THINK IT MATTERS WHEN CONGRESSMAN BACON HAS SHOWN UP THESE LAST EIGHT YEARS.

THESE LAST EIGHT YEARS INCREASING COST FOR NEBRASKANS, INCREASING TAXES, VOTING HELL YES TO TAKE AWAY 700,000 NEBRASKANS PREEXISTING CONDITION COVERAGE.

DOING EVERYTHING HE CAN ON BEHALF OF TRUMP, HIS PARTY, AND WHAT IS CLEAR EVEN PROJECT 2025 RIGHT NOW WHICH HE REFUSES TO ACCEPT, WE CAN'T AFFORD TO HAVE CONGRESSMAN BACON BACK IN OFFICE WHEN HE WON'T STAND UP TO PEOPLE IN HIS PARTY, HE WON'T STAND UP TO DONALD TRUMP AND IT'S BEEN MADE VERY CLEAR AND THE SAME DONORS OF PROJECT 2025 ARE SUPPORTING HIS CAMPAIGN, ARE THE AUTHORS OF THIS DOCUMENT.

IT'S CLEAR CONGRESSMAN BACON IS PRIORITIZING THE $6 MILLION OF SPECIAL INTEREST HE'S RECEIVED IN DONATIONS.

TRUMP AND HIS PARTY, THE NEBRASKANS, BUT I WANT TO WORK FOR YOU AND I'M ASKING YOU, I'M ASKING FOR YOUR SUPPORT THIS FALL, NOVEMBER 5th.

>> THANK YOU, SENATOR.

CONGRESSMAN?

>> THANK YOU, AARON.

I APPRECIATE THE DEBATE TONIGHT.

I WAS THE MOST EFFECTIVE REPUBLICAN IN THE HOUSE.

WE HAD THE MOST BIPARTISAN REPUBLICAN HOUSE SENATE WITH THE GOVERNORS BY THE COMMON GROUND COMMITTEE, THEIR ACADEMICS.

THAT'S THE PROOF.

YOU LOOK AT TONY'S HIGHLY PARTISAN STATEMENTS THEY'RE MADE UP.

I CHALLENGE OUR SMART CITIZENS TO DO THE RESEARCH YOURSELF.

I TALKED ABOUT RESULTS TONIGHT, THE $5 BILLION IN INFRASTRUCTURE WE BROUGHT HERE.

I TALKED ABOUT THE BILLS HE'S ON THE WRONG SIDE OF, THE ISSUES HE'S ON THE WRONG SIDE OF.

AND I WILL MOVE US IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

I WANT TO TALK ABOUT EXPERIENCE.

HE TAUGHT SCHOOL FOR TWO YEARS.

I LOVE OUR SCHOOLTEACHERS I'VE COME IN CONTACT WITH THIS MANY OF THEM.

THAT'S HIS EXPERIENCE.

I SERVED NEARLY 30 YEARS IN THE AIR FORCE.

I SERVED IN THE MIDDLE EAST, MANY COUNTRIES, IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN.

I SERVED IN NATO.

I WORKED WITH NUCLEAR WEAPONS.

I LIVED ON FOUR CONTINENTS.

I KNOW THE THREATS OF RUSSIA, CHINA, IRAN, I STUDIED THEM MY ENTIRE ADULT LIFE.

WHO DO YOU WANT AT THE TABLE MAKING DECISIONS ON OUR NATIONAL SECURITY?

HIM OR I?

I THINK EXPERIENCE COUNTS.

AND ON TOP OF THAT, I WORK HARD.

HE TALKS ABOUT TAKING ORDERS.

I SERVED MY COUNTRY FOR 30 YEARS.

I ALWAYS PUT MY COUNTRY FIRST.

HAS HE?

HE HAS NOT.

WE CAN DO MUCH BETTER THAN THE EMPTY ACCUSATIONS THAT HAVE NO VALIDITY TO THEM LIKE MIDDLE CLASS TAX CUTS I SUPPORTED TAX CUTS TO THE MIDDLE CLASS IN 2017.

I SUPPORT KEEPING THEM AND I SUPPORTED EVEN ON THE HEALTH CARE BILL IT HAD PREEXISTING CONDITIONS ASSURED.

I WAS ONE OF 12 REPUBLICANS WHO VOTED TO CAP INSULIN.

SO WE GO STATEMENT BY STATEMENT I ASK FOR YOUR VOTE TONIGHT AND I'M HONORED TO SERVE THE PEOPLE IN THIS DISTRICT AND I'VE GIVEN IT MY BEST.

>> THANK YOU, CONGRESSMAN.

AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

WE HOPE YOU VOTE AND HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.