and i watch a lot of those kids go through and graduate college and go on to have successful careers of their own and i've had the opportunity to be a part of that through my life and now i actually have the chance to set policies that can make sure that happens for more. >> thank you very much. there is a considerable amount of national attention on this race which is pretty rare for the congressional race in the central valley. c-span is actually going to carry this tomorrow. that says something that this is one but this is one of the few contested races in california congressional districts the voters here two years ago elected republicans represent the 21st congressional district which democrats had a double-digit advantage in the voter registration here in this district and despite what the recent voter surveys say that showed that mr. valadao is ahead

but the democratic party believes that she is a person that can unseat mr. valadao in november so something to think about as we move forward. you have the first question. >> moderator: let's talk about water off the bat. a huge issue we will talk about for a little bit. there is legislation to address the drought in california that has been passed in the house and the senate and those are now in the conference committee. the house bill is offered by you, sir. the senate bill by dianne feinstein. amanda, you've been very critical of the congressman's bill. why is that? >> renteria: congressman valadao wants us to believe that he is the leader on water but there's a couple of issues. first of all, there is zero funding in the bill. when it was first introduced it was totally partisan and in fact

in bakersfield, california, they said it made no sense. senator feinstein, someone you need to make sure we get the water bill -- what i've learned in my time and working in the united states senate is you've got to bring people together and you can't start off partisan. it truly needs to be bringing everyone together. i've had an experience in doing that on the auto industry was having a tough time going through the crisis what i saw and i was a part of is truly bringing people together than making the case why it mattered and that's what we need to do on water. we need to be able to bring the delegation together and show this country that this isn't just a central valley problem but it's a state problem and country problem and the problem because at the end of the day if you are eating food we are a part of this and not enough people know that and i look forward to being able to bring those skills to make sure we actually have a real solution. >> moderator: she says your bill is divided.

>> valadao: is a bipartisan bill that had support from both sides of the aisle. my bill was controversial within to follow but the issue that strikes me is the only part that is controversial is the part that helps people the most. you go to east bakersfield all the way to fresno and all of the communities rely on the current canal. we lost about water because of a lawsuit that was funded by the attorney and went on until the congress finally gave up so they came up to the settlement and we are now seeing that they were bound to the communities. anybody that believes they are divisive if you're going to continue to watch the farmers suffer and go broke and not have water for their households and communities in general, delano is in the process right now of

building more wells to raise the water rate. those are all the things happening because of that lawsuit the lawsuit and my legislation fixes that. if that device is the son to the people that live here and need that water it's completely reasonable. >> moderator: let's be clear if we could. your bill is really not about the funding aspect, as it is about perhaps easing some of the regulations and possibly reforming the policy with respect to the endangered species act. is that what your bill is about and that is what i would assume. >> valadao: the problem i have with washington is the way to solve problems is to throw money at it and to bring some common sense that allows more to bring the west side of the valley into that ridiculous settlement so it can come along the east side and take care of the communities it is a reasonable act and i also have some plans to help address the issues with what is

happening in the delta smelt. so it is a the company's bill that takes care of all sides of the argument in anything that is looked at as divisive as with a challenge to point out specifically what the solution is to fix it and not just the talking points. >> moderator: what don't you answer his question? >> renteria: is about a process when you bring people together at you have to bring them together at the very beginning and that's what i believe. if the congressman's bill could pass, i'm all for it. if it can bring a large swath of democrats and republicans from all sides in all different regions, i'm for it. the congressman valadao's bill has an answer, four years ago when he joined the assembly, or an answer right when he got to the house of representatives, i'd be all for it. the problem is that it's not. it hasn't brought a single drop of water. and when i've gone around and and asked people do you want to

solve this problem, let's do it together, here's how you do it you got to bring people together from the beginning. it's not throwing rocks at one another. and on that note, on that note had any member when i was working on the auto crisis had the congressman from detroit actually thrown rocks at the congressman from some other place in michigan we would be buying cars from china right now. but instead, there were leaders that from the very beginning brought everyone together to solve the problem and that's what we need. >> valadao: yes, i have to make it involved to democrats and yes they voted for it and yes, you talk to democrats here in the valley and they liked this policy. the way you fix problems as you bring your ideas to the table. don't just talk about sitting around the table to bring people together, bring your ideas, show us what you believe and then negotiate and i strongly belief

that is the way that it works in the real world. talking about it in a circle about the feelings or how well we get along that we actually had a bipartisan bill that passed and we are negotiating in the senate now and so there is a room full of both sides of the aisle working together but you have to start with ideas and solutions. my bill does that. >> moderator: i interviewed you a couple of weeks ago and you said you don't care about the little fish. i want to know do you care about the big fish? you're talking about the delta smelt and then causes the pumps to shut down on the delta. do you care about the big fish like the salmon? and i ask that because both the feinstein bill and the valadao bill call for the maximizing water deliveries across the delta through the cross delta canals or channels and to the extent that it could impact migrating patterns which is a pretty big industry in the delta, would you then support that?

and if so, where would that place you in the environmental army of the, the area can democrats, the party who are staunchly opposed to any intrusion on the endangered species act which is? >> renteria: when i talk about coming to the table to have a discussion, it is actually actionable. it's not just talk and it's not just feelings. it's truly saying how did you solve a problem and i have been a part of doing that. so, i would like to mention that. now, on the big fish and the little fish, i actually am not worried about either of them and that is -- when i think about this, it's the wrong question. the right question is who can get it done, who can actually make sure that we can have a real solution here? i have no allegiance to any fishes, which a lot of people like to say. i believe in having solutions. it's what i've done. it's with my experience has been and i know that we can do if we have the right kind of leaders who can bring people together and that is what i've done and i will do it again.

>> valadao: there is a chapter in my bill that actually helps protect the fish. the large mouth bass were an endangered species introduced in the delta and continue today to eat baby salmon and the delta smelt. so for those of you that are actually concerned, should actually like my bill because we do address, we do bring a solution to the table and we say here is how we are going to fix it. we have this fish that is evasive and isn't native to the delta that's been introduced for recreational purposes it hopes to address the issue. again, the solution on the table that we can talk about that makes sense and actually solves problems. >> ok we are going to go to break, but i have to ask you both yes or no answer here, do you favor the california water wax valadao: yes. renteria: on the first one to do so, yes. >> moderator: we are going to take a break and come back to immigration after this break. ♪

>> moderator: welcome back here on the 21st congressional debate. we have congressman david valadao and amanda renteria joining. thanks for being here. we appreciate it. we asked our viewers to say upon on your mind. we got an e-mail and joy asks in regards to illegal immigration, i am a middle-class single woman and i'm tired of the amount of taxes i pay to watch some of it going to benefits given to illegal immigrants. i would like to know what the word illegal means to you. we will start with you. >> valadao: means that someone came to the country without documents and it is pretty clear the problem that we face today is that we do have an immigration system that needs to be fixed and again, we've come out and worked on the issue one of the few that know how to work across the aisle to make sure that the result is a system that works and is fair and a border that is secure and a system that

is fair for all of the american workers out there so that they are not worried about someone undercutting them. but at the same time in an agricultural committee, you have to make sure you have a system that works. and we suffered for years because back in the 60s, the program that was here was taken away. and we have never had a replacement for it and we need to come up with a system that works. so, we are going to continue to work to find systems that can work for our agriculture and our nation. >> it means that there is no legal basis for your place here and the problem is we have an immigration system that has been broken for a while. we need a system and congress that works to pass the legislation. and i tellcher here the story. when i was a teacher, i had a student that come up and said,

it does not matter if i graduate. as a teacher, i said, i need you to graduate. he said, here is the problem. step of every day is a being deported to a country i do not know. when you think about that as a teacher and you think about that impact and when you look across, it affects every single person in the classroom, our entire district, actually the entire country. there are two problems on this issue, one he voted against the california dream act. taking hope from those kids and going to college because it's so hard ago. the second is when there was that moment to sign for immigration reform, to vote on immigration reform bill, he chose not to sign. and when you think of that and you think of the affect and impact it has on our community, businesses and families, it's just that someone i can trust on immigration reform.

>> would you like to respond? >> valadao: yes. h.r. 15 has my name on the bill. what she's talking to is the political game that was done and democrats continue to do that in washington with the petition. at the end of the day everything that happens with immigration has to be done at the federal level. what happened in sacramento two, three, four years ago doesn't matter. what happens today is the federal government does its job to make sure we pass a system that works. i've been one of the leaders on the issue, one of the ones that is approached by both sides of the aisle. leadership trust me on this issue and the democrats are willing to work with me as a year ago when one of the members of congress, probably i don't get along with a whole lot just because of what his politics are at, but on immigration we do really well. he came there and did a town hall in the district for me to talk with immigration and how we can work together on this issue. it's impressive because not very many places can you point to an example of a democrat coming to republican's district and saying good things about them. that happen in my case because i am right on this issue and it's an issue we can work across the

aisle. >> the house majority leader supports a step-by-step process. you have parted ways with him and a number of this gop colleagues when it comes to securing the border first. where do you find fault with that approach? >> valadao: i don't have a problem with those securing the border first. the legislation i signed onto has a component that starts with border security. the step-by-step approach is just because they want to take each chapter on itself which is fine but my problem is where to start taking those steps. i've been putting pressure leadership. we will walk through and make sure we continue to put pressure so we can finally take that first step.

>> renteria: on what i should like to respond to really important things that were said. here in california the dream act doesn't matter, is incredibly scary. we can't get those kids back. i know how hard it is to go to college, and to not have that kind of financial aid to get you there, for a lot of families in this district that's everything. for a lot of families that's the only way off the economic ladder. and it does matter, congressman. it does matter. trust me. also when we talk about people making promises to the communities here and saying i'll do everything i can, that means signing even though it might get your friends upset come that means signing are immigration reform. it's not a political stunt when you're showing the community you care about them. and so i will certainly work on immigration reform. >> moderator: do you think -- you don't think he's done enough, the congressman when it comes to influencing the people on this side of the aisle. >> renteria: and the proof is in the result. how many friends has the congressman brought on to sign this bill?

he talks about working on it but i don't see it and it's one of the reasons why the fresno bee commented on he is more interested in his leadership, his partisan politics than leadership and was on really understand the needs of the constituents. >> valadao: the funny thing about this is this is i signed onto that, i was attacked from the left. i was attacked from the right and i knew i was going to get attacked from the right by some people would look about politics and want to work across the aisle. a lot of the supporters came out and did as, protests and a lot of different things and that shows the rest of the congress, the ones were considering, the ones right there, no. if i'm going to jump and they're not going to work with me. there's no reason to go down this path. it's too bad because this is a real issue. i am one of the guys in the forefront of this and in the fight to make sure it has to get done right. it has to get done for the right reasons. not because of a campaign issue

but because it's the right thing to do and it has to be done right and it has to be done through the legislative process credit for immigration is a political football that's been kicked back and forth all through this election cycle by both sides of the aisle. let me see if i can nail you down on a timeline. what you do first? some say we have to secure the border first in order to prevent another wave of immigration without a secure border, another wave of immigration that would come upon us as we open the doors to a path to citizenship, or amnesty as some people would call it. so where do we start? what is your timeline, amanda renteria, for a conference approach to immigration of what comes first? securing the border, defining the legalization process and the path to citizenship for what?

>> renteria: this is why h.r. 15, the bipartisan bill done in the senate, i think this is why it's so important to pass it because you people working on this for decades, got to do the timing exactly right. when you read the bill and you look at all the different steps from securing the border to paying penalties to making sure you have the appropriate place in line, that's what is so important to keep this package. i talk about this often. when we did the farm bill if you did crop versus crop or you said we will do this program for these guys first and then we'll do that, it would fall apart. the beauty of this bill and the reason what it needs to pass and needs to pass out is because everyone is together. everyone is together except for we don't have a leader who can go out and get more friends to sign on, that can get more people, that can be effective in making sure people understand what's going on the ground with our families, with our economy and with our businesses. that's what i look for to doing. >> moderator: congressman, to take a break but you want to respond?

>> valadao: is a clearly defined bill. it was change the force introduced in house but again it still has a common set in place i do believe or suggest be the first spot where we start but i also believe fixing our visas and a guest worker programs have to be second to make sure those work. and then at the end we will have to go into the last step. >> moderator: we are back with each candidate right after this. ♪ >> moderator: and welcome back. you're watching a live debate between the two candidates for the 21st congressional district here in the south valley. we have a viewer question what the start of the segment with that comes from gary corbell and and he asks --

i'm going to start with you, amanda renteria, because you talked extensively during this campaign about building coalitions. give us some specifics. renteria: well, i said this on the campaign trail. it starts right now. it starts during this campaign, and i had a camera phone into a church while i went down the aisle and knelt down to pray. and i said wait a second, we've got to have alliance. this is going beyond the line. we've got to respect each other. what i expected was for my opponent to say yet, that is crossing the line. but what you didn't get is tough. that's the way it is. you've got to start it now. so part of this is making sure that right now we stop this. the other piece to it is a part of a steering committee in the

senate, bipartisan group. we got together to talk about different issues. sometimes it was hanging out just to get to know each other. that's what i want to do. that's the kind of group and the kind folks i know i can get together to work with. the next thing is it's really important just like it was in the farm bill. when you see there's an opportunity or an issue to work across the aisle or to say hey, let's get together and talk about it. i've had the experience of doing that with ag committee members to cover the opportunity to work across the aisle already. so for me this isn't a new thing. this is what you got to do and what i look forward to doing. >> moderator: david valadao, you express the polarized nature of

our congress. what specifically would you do to improve the climate? valadao: will be been doing, groups like the group i'm part of, but the group of his freshman get together every so often to make sure we do talk coming together to make sure we agree on some issues are we talk through some issues. specific example of something that's happened, farm bill. that's a great one because we passed the farm but one of their and it hadn't been passed in seven years. while we were debating there was a really tough portion of it that we struggled with. i get along really well with the ranking member, and that rank in the midst the highest ranking member on the other side of the aisle of the minority party. so a democrat but the most powerful democrat on house ag committee. a gentleman from minnesota. when it came to some most controversial portions he asked me to come up on the floor. he introduced me on c-span on camera and says this is the guy

that understands this issue knows how to work through it with all of us and wanting to speak on this issue. when you have that, a public forum, national tv coming democrat coming out and saying this is the guy who knows this issue, understands this issue but also going to work with us to get it done. so it was a pretty awesome expense to have because there is a lot of opportunity to do that type of thing. but a lot of other groups out there i'm a part of where we get together regularly for breakfast and talk through issued. >> moderator: that is a good question. congressman valadao, the fresno bee's editorial last week cannot last week endorsed amanda renteria saying you have fallen short ending dates of your constituents. not to go back on the immigration but the bee have pointed out your failure to deliver on immigration reform bill. does that bother you? >> valadao: not really but i went to the interview and yes, they are not friendly to a lot of times they're getting pretty harsh on us a lot of different issues but is too bad because i didn't have one of the guys could does reach across the

aisle and get things done and work and try to prove to them that this is important to us and have democrats about the stuff and work with democrats to get those done, even through the whole process of what happened in washington to all the legislation. 387 now sitting in the senate, the vast majority of those are very bipartisan we support from both sides of the aisle and, in fact, a lot of the amendments that are offered in the bills that are passing through, the house has more amendments offered by one single democrat member and every single partisan or every single republican in the senate combined. we've been very bipartisan. we've done a very good job and they chose to ignore it. there's not much we can do about that. >> renteria: the fresno bee actually endorsed him last go around. because he said he's going to go to work across the aisle and get things done. i think the reality is, and you can see it, you've got to be effective. i know, i know the congressman is trying, but the issue is can he get it done? can he be effective? that's the question. that was a lot of the question that the fresno bee was working on really asking, did something

like the shutdown, did that affect us? the congressman voted for the shutdown. was effective in bringing more people to immigration reform so to pass? you can't. i don't know, i played sports and either the ball goes in or it doesn't. in this case i think what they saw is the inability to be effective in that role and how much we need someone here to really solve these problems. tranfourteen agenda government shutdown. i think if people -- >> moderator: if people read both camps persuasive they can get confusing time to time because i believe your camp said, and i can he voted for the shutdown. i'm reading your press ways, congressman cummings is devoted to keep the government going. who is telling the truth? >> valadao: i say read the bill. the facts are right there. don't read the press releases but the actual linkage but there's no such bill ever passed to shut down the government. is just a political attack.

we are sent to washington where we're asked to go fight for our constituents. it was a lot going on in washington and they wanted us to do our jobs. we offered, 20 or 30 different bills introduced and passed with a bipartisan support. harry reid chose not to. it's sad because they're still 300 some bills sitting on his desk today and he's chose not to them. it's frustrating because when we come back to her district, our district want us to fight for than, say what did you do for us on obamacare? my insurance rates are going up. what are you doing to fix that? when we introduce those bills and put them on the table and the president chose to ignore and chose not to be part of it and harry reid chose to ignore everything, it's truly sad because that's not what washington was meant to work. and anything, the senate when you look at the situation we face today continues to be on the senate shoulders because it opportunity is there to fix it.

with issues throughout the guy with good piece of legislation the big difference for us here. senator harry reid just sits on the. that's why the polling shows they will publish the senate majority this year because they failed to do anything really. >> moderator: ms. renteria? >> i think that's a way of saying he voted or was for the shutdown. and when you do look at any of the different, you can look out there, look at the votes, look at what happened to a lot of employees and people, veterans et cetera were all screaming please open up the government again. this isn't what leaders are supposed to do. that's not what's supposed to happen. we are supposed to have some people that stand and say let's come together, let's make it work again. the reason what i was disappointed to see the congressman be supportive of the shutdown is because there's no other district make us more affected than us. this is an incredibly tough district. we have veterans, folks, seniors, folks who really do need to make sure that the governmengovernmen t is working. the fact that you can shut it down really isn't any of the values of the central valley has.

what we do is we work hard everyday to make sure that people have a job, to make sure businesses are working. this is something that truly did hurt our small businesses across the district. >> moderator: congressman? >> valadao: it's just a political attack. it's sad because there was a lot of effort made, a lot of bipartisan vote effort to attack me, she's attacking have the democrats who voted for the same bill to fund the, and to make sure our priorities are there. it's too bad because there are people who want to fix the problem. we were one of them and we did our best to make sure but again it was just a sad day for this country because of the partisan politics. >> a couple weeks ago, i was writing questions up for the debate ended september 29, the night of september 28, 1 of the rarely check by the national debt. i got on the web and i look at the national debt clock. it was alarming really. in one minute the national debt increased by roughly $1.1 million in one minute. as of tonight at the base uninsured hasn't slowed yet, it's jumped about $11 billion

since september 28, just 10 days. it doesn't bode well for our children or grandchildren. ms. renteria, you have hammered congressman valadao for voting on paul ryan's budget, balanced budget bill last year. explain your criticism. >> renteria: you can't balance a budget on the backs of our seniors. ending medicare as we know it is not the way to go. cutting social security is not the way to go. cutting education funding is not the way to go. what you can do -- >> and everyone has got to skin in the game. what do you say to that? >> renteria: to protect our seniors and it's by our kids. the way you get out of debt because people have jobs. jet programs policies to say what kind of jobs compactly best in the right places? then you do things like i was a part of on the farm bill where you got $23 billion. the way we did that is we took a good hard look at what are the duplicative programs what's

working, what's not working. it was hard, tst me. it was hard to make sure we're cutting the kinds of programs and making them better but with less. we can do that. you just need some leadership. we've done it before who's been in the room who has been able to actually bring it down. i studied business. that's what i did at harvard. i went the business route. undergrad was economic. we can do this. we need to do this. when i look across the board the are a ton of different areas we can do it. you can look across the board whether it's over corporate loopholes, shipping jobs overseas. there's a number of different things but you need leadership. that's what i look forward to doing. >> moderator: mr. valadao? >> valadao: as a freshman, i was shocked to know that the house or the senate hadn't moved or hadn't passed a budget in quite a few congresses. so when we finally came into office and started to look at the numbers and do the math, we decide hey, why do we pass the budget?

paul ryan was part of the budget before. the senate chose to ignore it. they don't want to talk about the numbers. we have to realize that we have to sit down and work together. because yes, social security is important but it's just as important for the retiree today as it is for my kids as he is paying to for his life to make sure it's there for him. yes, we have to make sure the programs are solvent. today they're struggling for it. when we sit down, we bring solutions to the table. we make sure they work that we negotiate. for the first time and i want to say five, six years, i think the number is two-thirds of the members of congress have never seen appropriations process moved through. now i'm on the appropriations committee. we've passed an appropriations bill and pass an appropriations process so we can fund government the right way with new priorities instead of just the c.r. that has been happening for the last quite a few years.

is truly a sad case but it's good that we finally took over and we are now passing that and we have a budget. we have numbers and said they want to take opportunity to take shots at it. we are trying to make sure social security, medicare, all of the different programs are there for the next generation. not just today. >> moderator: we will take another break really quick but after the break we're talking minimum wage. stick around. we will be right back. ♪ >> moderator: welcome back. you're looking, watching our live debate between the two candidates for the 21st congressional district here in central california, amanda renteria and david valadao. we have a viewer question. we want to start off this segment with. she asks -- the state of california is now transition into. they call for more critical

thinking in the testing process. if not, which help get it out of california? so how many years did you teach school? >> renteria: a year. >> moderator: so you were teaching, core curriculum. >> renteria: i did not. >> moderator: what do you think of it today? >> renteria: my sister's been achieved in the valley a couple decades. my younger sister as well as in education and my mom was secretary of the school for many years but as i said, education is the way that it really was able to have the kind of opportunities i've had in my life. you know, common core is new and everyone is starting to talk about it.

in my opinion is we've got to give it more time to understand it. that does mean you can go right into testing immediately. we really need to listen to the teachers on the ground. one of the things i respect is how hard it is to figure out how you inspire and motivate each one of these kids, and really i think common core was an idea to kind of come is there any way of thinking? when i was in selma i was talking to couple of kindergarten teachers and they were talking about it's a new way, we're interested in seeing how it goes, and when asked are you for it or against it? what should i be thinking about? they said, take a little more time to give it a little more time. we appreciate the idea that people are trying to think through it because we do need to figure out education in this country. at the same time, not ready for testing. let's see what this looks like first. >> moderator: less memorization-based and more about critical thinking on your feet. what do do you think about common core? >> valadao: i am the father of three young children i spent a lot of time at my children's school and i've been all of the district talking to different teachers about this issue and this is a tough one. because our schools are failing. something has to happen. something has to change.

common core is new, it was brought up and there are somethings in i do like. i like the freedom of the teachers. we have a lot of great teachers in the value been a good job making sure the kids have the best stuff and for them to read. you do the stories of some of the textbooks abroad and our horrible. math is one i struggle with because some of the kids are really struggling with the math and how it applies in the real world. i have banker friends i was talking to a parent-teacher conference and his promise to me was, this is why do do for a living and a conflicted with his math. this is a problem. we do have to look it over. because it's not ready for prime time i would say we have to pull some back on them outside but as for critical thinking supplicant i think their summer opportunities and a conflicted start thinking differently. >> moderator: let's talk about the minimum wage. it's $9 an hour in california. and about a year and have to go up to 10. is that sufficient in your opinion? >> valadao: i think the system in place that is sufficient. >> moderator: do you think $10 an hour is sufficient?

>> valadao: yes. it really is something that has be decided the state level. when you look at minimum wage, a state has the responsibility to a smaller group of people in the federal government. and when you look at a state like california when we include communities like san francisco or l.a. with high housing costs or even the central valley, i have friends of mine who moved to oklahoma or other states. they sell a house here and the cost of living and some of the states it's a much different situation. we want to make sure that our nation is competitive and every status opportunity. what was passed at the state level i think is plenty sufficient and it's a good start. i think the focus is the on how we can create great jobs. we have real opportunities with solar production and there are somethings that helping bring new and good jobs to people here

so we are not so focus on what is the minimum of what the maximum can be. >> moderator: ms. renteria, is it sufficient? >> renteria: the key question unanswered that is if people have a working, if they're working, i the still living in poverty? if they are working, i'm having to stand in community food banks? if the answer is yes, they're working still standing in those lines, and then there's something wrong with what we are paying a working wage. i said this several times but i think we actually do need to raise the federal minimum wage. and the reason is because right now california is at a disadvantage with our neighboring states. so when a congressman says folks moved to oklahoma or to another place, the problem is, is right now california does have a higher wage than a lot of the shiny places to we need to make sure that all across the country people can work and not live in poverty when they are working. i think it's a micro but important point that a the congress but and i have disagreed on several times now in a lot of our debates is a deeply the federal minimum wage needs to go up and he doesn't. >> moderator: let's see if we can keep our answers concise and

do the same with my questions. high-speed rail, for it or against it? >> valadao: very much against it. the project has been a disaster since the beginning. the time back in 2010 when i was running for the assembly. i spent a lot of time up in sacramento on the assembly budget committee, watched the numbers comes spent plenty of time with her board and it's a disaster from the ground up. when you spend time talking to people out in the district, i was talking to a couple at a restaurant. they told the their story about how they work out a bishop in the back of the house. a fabricator, a welder and they are now being ran over by the high-speed rail. what they're going to be offered is never going to cover the investment. you have a family who was the biggest investment from their home, bishop, their business, their whole livelihood is going to be undercut and they will be left with nothing. this project needs to be shut down for a lot of different reasons, but no money for it. it doesn't make sense. the plan doesn't work and it's hurting people in the valley without a real good glimmer of hope.

>> renteria: at the moment, i think the high-speed rail isn't what the voters voted on. i think the costs are not what i don't expect them to be. having said that when i go in the district and talk to folks i get questions are people am which is where are the jobs going to come from? is this a place where jobs could have come from? what i often say is, if this rail does come, you can trust me there will be fighting those jobs are here in the 21st district. part of the difference between the congressman and i is he's really been hitting this project pretty hard and saying it's a complete disaster. i don't disagree with where it is now but at the end of the day, we have to have the kind of tone where we're going to work together if this thing is coming. let's be a part of the discussion to make sure the jobs are here. to make sure the jobs are in places where 50% unemployment rate, or you look throughout this district and you look at where the jobs are. the folks on the ground are

asking about it, they are concerned. they say this thing is coming through are you going to bring people here to do these jobs? and get scared about that idea. i disagree with where it is now but it becomes, i will fight to make sure those jobs are here >> we will give each one of you an opportunity really quick and ask a quick question and then try for a 30-second answer. congressman, we'll start with you. what question would you for your opponent? >> valadao: the natural resource defense council, a radical group of bay area lawyers sued central valley farmers and commits and force millions of acre-feet of water in the ocean. just a few months ago the national resource defense council hosted a fundraiser for my opponent in the bay area. will you, yes or no, return the contribution from this extreme group? >> renteria: congressman, this is a political stunt, and i think everyone knows that. everyone -- everyone knows this, and including anyone i've ever talked to. my family lives here.

am i going to take their water, away? of course not. the idea that you would even tried to go there is pretty i think it was .008 -- so many different donations. i appreciate everybody supporting us but at the end of the day, we actually have to work with are going to solve these problems. we really do. and the idea, the idea that all of a sudden this is a problem when, you, honestly if you look at where money comes from for my opponent, special interest that goes to my opponent, i think there's a lot of questions. no one is going to fight harder here for water. i know how to do it. no question.es or

>> i have no idea when it happened. how young were we? got to bet to, with working with everyone. central valley, the water that passed brought everyone together. devised of relationships with people you need to do everything you can on water, we are done. >> you have about a minute before closing statements. and you probably want to ask him a question. >> i do. >> moderator: about 30 seconds. >> renteria: i worked really hard. and when you look at the -- one of the big debates, and my opponent actually voted to cut $20 billion in food stamps while at the same time his own farm took a lot of subsidies. it's about public-service.

before your question, did you have a question? >> why? >> valadao: that is one of the things. you are in a position because you have employees on your farm, family to worry about. when you make decisions on your business you have to do everything to be competitive you have to make sure that you do everything possible for those employees and families to have a job. and so when i got into congress and instead of through our money after the issue, that was one of the first things we went after the get rid of. they're bad for the marketplace and not just for our economy can afford. have minute each for closing statements. >> renteria: thank you for being here today. one of the things that you saw

tonight, the pretty big difference between congressman valadao and i of throughout this campaign. for the most part it has been about attacking who i am and where i come from, or who he thinks i am, but at the end of the day here is why i am doing this. this has always been about public service. it is why i started as a teacher. and today it still is of a public service because doing what we do is all about helping others, and i look forward to your vote. i know we can do so much better here. and now we can be effective. fad the opportunity to represent this district for the last two years. with differentck groups and advocate for agriculture, sitting across the table from people in washington who seem to believe or know agriculture.out it is a sad situation. there are people who are a mile

wide and one inch deep. i work for a living. i have always been out on the farm and talking with people. andnt to go to washington my experience that i bring to the table is important. when you look at the opportunity to create jobs, you want someone who has done it will stop i look forward to having your vote and i will continue to work really hard for the valley. >> thank you. we appreciate that. that is all we have time for. do not forget to vote. isyou want to, the deadline october 20. you need to post mark or send it electronically by the 20th of october. >> make it informed. and storiesormation on the issues, go to our website. you will be able to watch the debate on our website.

in fresno, thank you for being with us tonight. good night. [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. visit ncicap.org] a second debate was held in the arkansas senate race between mark pryor and tom cotton. race is listed as a tossup. the candidates were asked if they ever bucked their own party in congress. i did not support that. congressman condit. bear in mind that, when we reopen the government, we were

part of the group in the senate that brokered that and it was important in the senate. we got the government back "up i have to give a lot of credit to susan collins. said, i have ideas. that was the beginning. we got the government open again. in of the things that people washington know is that i always try to work bipartisan. that is leadership for arkansas. it is something you all know about. it is my trademark, if you will. it is what people in washington know and i continue to work with republicans. i always will. >> mark pryor says that he goes bipartisan stuff that is true, if you vote with barack obama 93%. time and time, he has put barack obama over the deciding interest of arkansas.

that standing up to big spenders in washington is an example. earlier this year, we passed a bill that broke through spending caps will stop -- spending caps. republicans tried to balance the budget on the back of veterans. they extended the spending caps out nine years. big spenders in congress cannot have spending discipline for nine months and i do not think they can nine years out. it keeps with the record of rubberstamping the obama agenda. voted againstve your party. which of the 93% of the votes that you cast for barack obama did? you say you what's i mentioned a few of a times -- of the times. ie reason was because

represent you. i am not here to oppose or support a president. i represent you and i take that seriously. the people who watch the senate have ranks may -- and people as one of the most independent senators in washington. i am independent because i listen to you. once the last rebuttal for you will stop when have you voted against the party line. >> i did not hear any instances of the senator voting against barack obama. he only does it when obama gives him permission. innd every other congressman arkansas voted for the bills to keep the government open. it is senator pryor who voted against the people of arkansas. in the end, there were two provisions. senators and congressmen had to follow obamacare and you did not have to pay a tax if you could

not afford the plan. i guess the congressman and senators that you should have -- they should have special perks. >> we are bringing you more than 100 debates will stop stay in touch with our coverage and follow us on twitter. like us at facebook. onup next, a discussion u.s.-russian relations. talks about u.s.-afghanistan relations. richard norton smith.

the sponsors of this evening at's program. , the mccormick company. [applause] mccormick is a wonderful supporter of the council. many of you know. also, one of the most loyal and strong trustees. [applause] third, lockheed martin. [applause]

our topic tonight, as you all know, is the state of u.s.-russian relations. in or mislead important question. there is friction and danger. in the long run, because of the wharton's the relationship has to international stability. certainly, we have a foreign-policy which, for years, has rested on accommodation and the desire that great nations get along well. the united states has wished to have russia have its place in the sun. the definition of place is open to question. nevertheless, that is the endeavor and continues to be. there areyou know,

real frictions. europeentered on eastern and the ukraine, in particular. the issue of that place in the withhould be commensurate russia's strong role in the economy of the world and its military power. the definition of the place is open and has caused great friction. we are very fortunate to have the ambassador with us this evening to address the status of that relationship. the ambassador was good enough to speak to the council when he became the ambassador in 2009. is ame of you remember, he graduate of the mass now -- institute and graduated from the ussr academy

of foreign trade. in diplomatic career began 1977 and included being on the delegation to the united nations adds to the u.s. embassy. he spent a decade in the foreign rectory as the deputy for international organizations and as the deputy director of international scientific and technological group. thirdly, he was at the ministry and was the director of security affairs and disarmament. prior to that, he went to belgium. he was the ambassador. while there, he was representative to nato.

following that, he became the deputy minister of foreign affairs. he came to the united states as the ambassador of the russian federation. it is a great treasure -- pleasure to present you his excellency. [applause] >> thank you. thank you very much for the generous presentation. it is a real pleasure to be back. i think that when i came to the united states in my current position, it was one of my first public appearances here in this room. i still remember how interesting somewhat surprising to me it was. i came to work in the united states in 2008, immediately

after the war that georgia aunched against salvos such ossetia. relations were not good, to put it mildly. thatted to make sure relations develop in the right direction. i spoke here in march, i think. it was the beginning of the reset. it was not announced yet. it was kind of boiling. later on it there were a lot of expectations that russia and the united states can build a truly significant and positive relations from where they had been in different and positive directions. improved --sador

and relations improved, i have to confess that i do not have anything to report to you. unfortunately, the state of our relations today -- and it is unfortunate -- is not exactly what we wanted. and, there are a number of reasons. -- before i speak to the reasons, i would like to give you a brief picture as to where we are. currently, russia and the united states are still partners in a and a numbergrams areas that are important, regardless of the difficulties

that we have on other issues. just today, there was another meeting between the ministers of foreign affairs. i have not seen the full briefing on the meeting. , it wass i understand serious and productive. i think that both sides agree there were challenges, irrespective of the other difficulties we have to face together. other terrorism and the is the problems that exist in the middle east. including isis. it is something we have to work on. that there are a number of other things that we are still working and one ismple that goes unnoticed

the space station. friends have the help of russian space boosters. to astronauts,k there is quality relations that we would like to have at some point. it is honest partnership. equal partnership. it is very respectful and it is something that brings people human-to-human basis. at the same time, the challenges that have existed in the past exist today. proliferation of weapons of mass disruption and we can work on those issues in parallel or together.

still ait is substantial effort that we are mounting and will be mounting and concerts. i would like to add to this that russians and the united states are members of the security council. whenever we cooperate and work together, the international tomunity has a better chance win over the challenges we all face, rather than when we work against each other. if you go to a number of , antries and speak to them majority of them would say that we want you to be on the same page. we want you to work on the current issues. we all face the same problems. ,nternational terrorism

, ebola.hnic we also have pretty significant -- >> louder? you should have told me earlier. i am not going to repeat everything i said. i will try to do my best. so, what i am suggesting is that the challenges that we all face, together with a number of other at some point, in the past, i sat with my friends and drew a list of challenges that russia and the united states face together. and, the challenges, as i

andated, are very important i also had things that could support and i always believed they are not as important to the well-being of russia or the united states. at the same time, what we sold was russian and american relations being haunted by stereotypes of the cold war and, unfortunately, we have any number of events that happened in previous years. they made the relations more difficult. some would suggest that our differences happened in the that is not the case.

came earlier. that wewant to remember had significant differences in syria. at that time, the secretary of to call for putting russia in isolation because it was not supporting the view of the united states. we also saw the rising number of rise afterf russia the elections in russia. with due respect to your views, we have our own political life that we are proud of and, we sometimes understand better than people in other countries outside of russia. saw significant worsening of atmospherics in

relations with canceling's of with the snowden unfair. that was something we did not solicit. it was not something we were not recognizing. we saw a gentleman come in transit to russia on his way from hong kong to somewhere. his flight was canceled -- his passport was canceled when he was in the airport. puta single company would him on a flight further. we had a problem. the united states wanted him delivered to the government of the united states. at the same time, the united totes never agreed with us have an agreement that would allow such things to happen between us. it was a conscious decision by the united states and several

administrations. because, you still provide safe haven for a number of people who are sought after by russia for law enforcement. so, you see what is happening and, now, the ukraine. ukraine is a very difficult to manyd it is painful russians. especially if you take into account how much we are all intertwined. we are products of the same intellectually, ethnically, we are so close to and so intertwined. you can hardly find a family and russia that is not have relatives in the ukraine and vice versa. i am one of those. we certainly see what happened in the ukraine with a lot of

pain. time, what isme most important in russia-america is finding ourselves on different sides of history. the united states always wanted to stay on the right side of history. the newsupported government that came to power. as we say in russia, on the andlders of nationals pro-fascist forces. i am not suggesting that people in the government are harboring the same views.

in thes happening country was not acceptable, if you are talking about the country that is seeking european association and professing the the west and european values. what has happened in the ukraine was absolutely against anything that would be compatible with the goal of the ukraine becoming a country sharing and supporting european values. even today, we see that happening and there is a reminder every day of how difficult things are in this country and is going to be difficult for a significant time. then was the government came by force to powe