OMAHA- Candidates for Nebraska 2nd Congressional District, Sen. Tony Vargas and U.S. Rep. Don Bacon, debated Sunday at KETV's Omaha Studio.
At the debate, Sen. Vargas painted Bacon as a threat to Social Security, women's health care, and Medicare. Vargas pointed out Bacon's support for constitutional amendment H.R. 1011, which would have banned abortion with no exceptions.
Vargas also alleged that Bacon had considered changes to Social Security and Medicare that would essentially "gut" the programs, but Bacon denied this. Rather, Bacon stated that he wanted to "fix" these two social programs so that they last for the people who depend on them.
Bacon also affirmed his support for a federal abortion ban, but claimed that he would be fine with there being exceptions for the life and health of the mother. The congressman went on to say that he understands why an abortion ban wouldn't pass in Congress, but that he would like to support a federal ban after 15 weeks.
Bacon fired back at Vargas for the Senator's vote of support for Nebraska's largest-ever tax relief package, which passed earlier this year. Bacon claimed that Vargas stalled his vote until he knew the package would pass, and then took credit for its passage.
However, Vargas touted his support of a bill reducing taxes on Social Security income, and claimed that Bacon was "upset" because of the Senator's record of balancing budgets and cutting taxes."This is the reason Congressman Bacon is scared," stated Vargas, "I've fought on behalf working families."
Bacon responded, saying, "Tony, I don't get scared or threatened...I served my country for 30 years, while you were in New York City."
Despite their bickering, the candidates found some points of agreement when questions turned to national security. Both candidates believe that there is a great need to invest in helping businesses fend off cyber-attacks. Bacon pointed out his experience in cyber-defense while working in the Air Force, and Vargas claimed that he would make sure Congress adequately funds training and recruitment to protect American computers and networks from ransomware and spying.
When it came to pandemic relief, Bacon said that his earlier support for packages like ARPA was "too much." He stated, "We were coming out of COVID, out of the recession, the economy was firing on all cylinders at that point." Bacon also reiterated his stance that federal spending has increased inflation.
Vargas stated that he believed ARPA helped families and communities in need, and gave Senators Terrell McKinney and Justin Wayne the chance to steer relief funds to North and South Omaha.
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