CD4 debate: Healthcare, economy, Middle East conflicts discussed

U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-Hot Springs, and his opponent Democrat Risie Howard of Pine Bluff agreed on some key issues but were diametrically opposed on others during their Fourth Congressional district, PBS Arkansas debate on Thursday (Oct. 10).

If elected, Howard said she would support and protect the Affordable Care Act, commonly referred to as Obamacare. About one in three Arkansans are on Medicaid and it was expanded through the act. If the act were repealed, something that former President Donald Trump has suggested if he’s re-elected, many would be without health insurance, she said.

Westerman said he wouldn’t vote to repeal the act, but the Medicaid expansion is driving up federal and state debts. He supports the Fair Care Act, legislation that fixes some of the problems with the act, but he didn’t give any specifics.

War in the Middle East continues to rage between Israel and two terror groups, Hamas and Hezbollah which often serves as a proxy for the state of Iran. Israel must be given the autonomy and aid it needs to win this war. Hamas is responsible for every single death on both sides of the conflict.

“Israel is an island of democracy in a sea of terrorism,” he said.

Howard agreed that the U.S. needs to support Israel. However, she thinks a resolution needs to be found soon to end the bloodshed. She thinks if Vice President Kamala Harris is elected the conflict will end much sooner.

“We need a ceasefire … violence is never the solution,” she said.

The two sparred over recent economic metrics.

Inflation is down, GDP growth has been robust, consumer confidence is up and job growth has been steady and President Joe Biden and Harris deserve credit, Howard said. She noted that military veteran unemployment is at an all-time low.

Westerman admitted that some of the metrics have improved but it doesn’t tell the complete story, he said. Inflation, for instance, is across the board down but in some specific sectors such as the food sector, prices have not gone down as quickly. He noted that several key input costs for farmers, such as nitrogen fertilizer remain high.

Trump has repeatedly claimed that the 2020 election was stolen from him and both Howard and Westerman disagree with the former president.

Howard said that if it were stolen why did he call officials in Georgia and ask them “to find 11,000 votes?” Westerman noted that he voted to certify Biden’s win in that election and he didn’t vote to impeach Trump after the Capitol riots on January 6 because he thought it was a “witch hunt” by the Democrats.

The former president has repeatedly said that Jan. 6 was a “beautiful day,” and he has promised to pardon many, if not all, who were criminally convicted.

“It was not a proud day. It was not a beautiful day,” Westerman said.

The congressman said he hasn’t followed the cases of those criminally charged closely, and he thinks most who went to the capitol that day did so with good intentions, but those with malicious intent should be punished and not pardoned.

Howard agreed. She said Jan. 6 was one of the worst days in U.S. history. She thinks the event could fuel a Democratic tidal wave when the election is held Nov. 5.

“There is no need for extremism,” she said.

On the subject of abortion, Howard said she is personally pro-life but has always supported a pro-choice platform. She said that if elected, she would support a federal law protecting abortion rights.

Westerman said he is fervently pro-life, and the life of the child needs to be considered in almost every instance. When asked if there should be exceptions for rape and incest, he noted that those are a very small percentage of abortions performed and never directly answered the question.

Both candidates said they support the Second Amendment, which gives citizens the right to bear arms. Howard said one way to curb gun violence is to focus on mental health issues in the country. Westerman said that during these shootings too much attention is paid to the gun and not enough to the criminals that are taking people’s lives.