Three of the four candidates running to represent Maine in the U.S. Senate took to the stage Monday night for their first televised debate.
Sen. Angus King, an independent who has held his seat since 2013, faced off against Democrat David Costello and Republican Demi Kozunas on key issues including reproductive rights, the cost of living and immigration. The discussion was sponsored by WGME and the Bangor Daily News.
Although the candidates differed on many topics, they found common ground on reproductive rights. All three agreed that reproductive decisions should be left to the people and their doctors and should not depend on where in the country they live.
Mr. King and Mr. Costello specifically said they would like to see Roe v. Wade become law. Kozonas described herself as pro-choice, but said she would also like to see adoption laws strengthened and fetal viability discussed.
Candidates also agreed that more should be done to go a step further and help families and their children, especially with the high cost of child care. Mr Costello said he would also like to see universal preschool and aftercare.
All three candidates also acknowledged that Maine is feeling the strain of the state’s low housing supply.
However, not all issues were agreed upon.
immigration and borders
All candidates acknowledged that the country’s immigration system is broken, but agreed on what should be done about it.
Kozonas said he visited the border and called it a “humanitarian crisis.” Kuzunas, the daughter of immigrants, said the U.S. should close its southern border and “open it up to legal immigration.”
“The people who come to the border are not illegal aliens,” Dr. King said. “They are asylum seekers.”
But in his view, asylum standards at the border are too low and the asylum process is being abused. To qualify for asylum, you must be able to prove that you have been persecuted or threatened because of your race, religion, social group, or political opinion.
Costello said he wants a more comprehensive approach to immigration reform. He specifically mentioned more aid for people brought to the country illegally as children by their families, commonly referred to as “Dreamers,” under a proposal that never passed Congress called the DREAM Act.
“If there’s one area where we’re likely to see significant bipartisan support, it’s having a credible bill to address our broken immigration system,” Costello said.
living expenses
Citing the importance of the economy to many voters this year, candidates were asked whether they felt the economy was better off than it was four to six years ago.
Mr Costello said that while he was personally in a better position, the economy was all about supply and demand and many people were still feeling the effects of supply chain disruptions caused by the pandemic.
King emphasized the difference between economic indicators showing improvement, such as slowing inflation and low unemployment, and the reality of people still paying $4 for a gallon of milk at the grocery store.
“I don’t think people are feeling it in their daily lives,” King said of the economic recovery.
Kozonas blamed high government spending and said people were still suffering, especially with soaring housing and energy prices.
social security
King’s priority is to address the expected shortfall that could lead to cuts in Social Security benefits within about a decade. He said the federal government typically waits until the last minute to address these types of issues, so he wants to find a solution while there are several options.
King said he doesn’t want to cut benefits or raise the retirement age, but that what he supports is “saving Social Security.”
Kozonas said he doesn’t want to raise the retirement age, but wants all options to be considered to ensure America fulfills its promise to seniors.
Costello said the impending Social Security cliff is an “unnecessary political football” because Democrats won’t allow the program to be disbanded. As a solution, he said he would like to eliminate the cap on taxable income so that people are taxed on all their wages, not just the $168,600 contribution limit in 2024.
filibuster reform
Under Senate rules, only a simple majority is required to pass a bill, but most bills require a supermajority of 60 votes to complete consideration and move to a vote. Candidates were asked whether they would support abolishing the rule, commonly known as the filibuster, under any circumstances.
Dr. King once argued for reform to protect voting rights, but his years in the Senate have taught him that things come around and he no longer supports abolishing the filibuster. said. Kozunas agreed to keep it as a mechanism to encourage more bipartisan efforts.
King also said he supports a “dialogue filibuster” that would require debate on the Senate floor.
Costello called the U.S. Senate “one of the most undemocratic institutions in the world” and said he would abolish the filibuster.
time limit
Now 80 years old, Dr. King was asked what he would say to people concerned about his age.
The former governor said everyone ages differently, but he feels he still has the energy and dedication to serve in Congress. If not, he said he would never run again, adding, “There are easier ways to make a living.”
Both Mr. Kozunas and Mr. Costello said they wanted a fresh perspective on Washington, but they didn’t take issue with King’s age. Instead, both men spoke out in favor of term limits.
Kozonas has pledged to serve only two terms if elected. Mr. Costello emphasized the creation of a bipartisan commission to examine government programs and policies for people over 80.
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