members may request a follow-up to an answer. answers will be limited to one minute. rebuttal will be limited to 30 seconds. the debate candidates will answer questions from panelists. from the spokane review, kip hill. anchor whitney ward. and anchor of good morning north west, derek dice. each candidate will have one minute. >> thank you for taking the time to be in all your it is an honor to be involved. i know that people are angry with congress and i hear the frustration. i have tried to turn it into smart solutions. working in a bipartisan fashion, whether it is taking action on

thefires, the passage of able act, that provides for tax-free savings accounts for those with disabilities. or important legislation to counter those that wanted to take away amazing technology for those that have lost their ability to speak. this legislation underscored a larger problem. why is the federal agency making that decision to begin with? i introduced legislation to review and rethink and eliminate programs currently running on autopilot. my goal is to serve the people and restore the voice in our government. >> good evening and thank you for hosting tonight. i have lived in the eastern washington most of my life. i have been married for 41 years. i am a father of four and i have

seven grandchildren. congress has serious issues today with an approval rating of only 9%. the american people are fed up with their ineffectiveness and gridlock. we need new representation, better leadership, and elected officials willing to work more than 112 days of the year. the only way to change that is to change congress. i am qualified and willing to take on this challenge. my goal is not to gain political power. my goal is to make congress work for you. tonight, i hope to gain your trust and prove why we need new representation in congress. >> we start off with their questions. it might seem in a place to -- and on place to start in a

congressional debate but a lot of people is focused at the top of the ticket. who are you voting for in the presidential campaign? >> i would vote for hillary clinton and the reasons are obvious. looking at the rhetoric happening today in the election. some of the rhetoric is promoting racism, bigotry, and you look at the misogynistic attitudes and things from one of the candidates and you just wonder why he can generate so much support. hillary clinton has the ability, the background, the experience to lead this country forward. i think she has proven that. and in been in congress public view for over 30 years. there are concerns with her that her people have, maybe untrustworthiness. but most of that is projected through the media and on tv. i would like to see the facts of that before i will be changing my mind. i will be casting my vote for hillary clinton. >> i will be voting for donald

trump. i believe he's going to bring the positive disruption that we need to see, challenging the status quo and bringing genuine accountability. unfortunately, i see hillary clinton is someone was not trustworthy. -- liberallyrated misled the american people. i don't think she would bring the change to the status quo. ,he believes in top down government knows best approaches that i believe you to be changed. >> there have been reports recently the donald trump may have avoided paying income taxes for decades. this is give you pause? >> i've made it clear that there

are things that donald trump has said and done that i don't agree with. i believe in being very transparent. what i see in him is something that can bring the change we need at the top. i see him as a businessman and knows how to create jobs weird unfortunately in hilly -- hillary clinton, i see someone who is going to continue with the status quo approach to problem solving your >> next question. based on your response to the first question, how are you both prepared to work under a president if your candidate does not win? what can be done to eliminate some much of the partisan gridlock that is cap from getting done -- cap from getting done? >> i lead by example. i am someone that has worked and

looks for opportunities to work across the aisle. i've worked on issues important to eastern washington in a bipartisan way. whether it is the catastrophic wildfires we've been facing. right now, on legislation that will prevent and fund fighting a fire's. bipartisaned on a able act. when it comes to the next president, i believe one of the most important, fundamental issues for us is representative government and ensuring the congress is functioning as an equal branch of government. and functioning in a way that will hold the station accountable no matter who it is. exercise the power of the purse ,nd on behalf of the people make sure accountability is in our government. >> i have concerns with how congress is acting today and how

the administration is being pushed aside. i highly respect the office of the president. i'm willing to work with president trump is that so happens. it is kind of scary, thinking about that in looking at that and seeing how things are treated. especially being a person of color, and how the people of color are treated in today's day and age and how politics is going. i'm able to work across the line. i was required to work with county, city and federal government. we've had many issues. look at congress today and how things of happened, when president obama took his oath of office, and then mitch mcconnell to another over office -- oath of office saying that he was

going to make sure that the president was only a one term president. that is where the gridlock started. >> you can have 30 seconds for a rebuttal. >> i think -- yes. i'm willing to work with whoever is elected president. i will respect the people's decision in that. but i think it is most important the house and the senate on behalf of the people is effective. we restore priorities in the legislative process. that is where i have introduced legislation like the usa act, unauthorized spending that is requiring the review and rethinking, illuminating some programs on autopilot and putting people back in charge of this government. it allows us an opportunity to reimagine some of these programs to meet today's needs. >> it is kind of interesting to hear that she is willing to work

across party lines seeing how congress has been reacting the last few years. the reason they're having to approve a new bill as far as the usa act is because congress has not been doing their job in the past. there are many programs that affect eastern washington that are in that category. if this usa act goes into way, -- play, they will be diminished if congress does not reauthorize them. the affordable care act is part of that, he snapped the program is also part of that. the u.s. admitted 12,000 syrian refugees in 2016, and while many americans welcome people, others worry they have terrorist ties. how do you think the u.s. should act moving forward with these

refugees fleeing violence and terrorism? >> we have been a country of open arms. i do support that. these people are running from very dangerous times in their lives. many of them are leaving because their families have been slaughtered. the united states has a vetting process, i understand it is about 18 months to two years to become a citizen. but we've always been a country with open arms. i think we need to support those people, for them that opportunity. the united states is the place where people can realize your dreams and freedom. that is what we are going to do, to make sure we allow them that opportunity. >> the situation in syria is really heartbreaking. when you look at nearly half the population of syria, they are refugees or fleeing or

disrupted. that weit is important are helping, that we are helping provide assistance to those that are fleeing. i do believe that it is important as we make decisions that we keep the safety and security of this country first and foremost. it is our number one responsibility. i was at a security briefing where the fbi director himself told us that he could not verify that the syrian refugees would meet security requirements. that we did not have a vetting process in place. i have supported legislation that would call for a halt to the syrian refugee program, bringing them to america, until we can ensure that they are vetted in a way that will protect this country. great, but we do have

a vetting process in place that has been in place. some of the rhetoric going on today as far as refusing certain individuals because of their race, religion, or gender sometimes in the united states is something that we need to correct. syrian refugees, many of them are going to be women and children. as i said, we do have a vetting process in place to -- in place. some of the candidates do not inc. that because they want to instill fear in the american people. >> as it relates to the syrian refugees, the fbi director himself said that it would not vet refugees at this time. that we did not have a system in place, and that is why i supported the legislation. i'm supporting temporary facilities so that the women and children in need, they are fleeing some terrible conditions

and it is heartbreaking to see what has happened. but i think we can do it in a way that also ensures that we as a country are making the smart decisions that will ensure our safety. --next question is from cap kip. >> to potential gun control legislation, a recent debate that donald trump said he might be open to the idea of restricting gun sales to terrorism watch lists and it is a thing hillary clinton says she supports. if that type of legislation comes up in congress, do you support it? a would you support legislation to outlaw people from buying guns on terrorism watch lists. >> it is important to think through smart policies and ensure constitutional rights. the terrorism watch list, the rights of individuals need to be respected that end up on that

list. right now it is very unclear as to why you end up on that list and it is unclear as to how you get off of that list. the constitutional right, to take someone's constitutional right away without protecting their constitutional -- to take it away without them having their day in court would be wrong. we are looking at how to ensure that that list is maintained in a way that makes sure they are terrorists before taking action. >> i would support that. i'm a gun owner myself. i have taught egypt might seven -- each of my seven grandchildren on how to operate, maintain safety, and to hunt. i am not going to be taking anyone's guns away. the issue here is many of these

-- is not that many of these people have lost their own constitutional rights. we are not taking away their their guns, they have lost them -- they have lost themselves. you look at the no-fly people and the felons. then taken away their own constitutional rights. >> are you in favor of an assault weapons ban? >> i would be in favor of bringing it back. that was instituted in george bush's times. i would be in favor of koreans dating it -- favor of reinstating it. >> i am also a gun owner.

the a strong believer in second amendment. when it comes to a terror watchlist, think it's important to recognize that a fundamental constitutional right is to ensure your day in court also. we need to make sure we are protecting all of those constitutional rights. >> i agree with that, but as i said, we're not the ones taking their rights away. there taken them away themselves. >> let's go with whitney with the next question. >> what do you think is the federal government's role in trying to ease racial tension we have been hearing so many times about police shootings. do you think it is a call for more de-escalation training? and should there be more oversight at the federal level? >> i think a little less rhetoric about what is going on

today and denying access to the united states by certain religious groups. i think stopping that is a good place to start. some of the problems we have, and people are pushing them out today come ec more and more of it on the street. one of our presidential candidate is talking about that, but congress is not saying that is not ok. they are basically being silent about it. they are talking about the racist attitudes and deporting millions of undocumented hispanics. congress does have a place there , and i think that would be a great place to start working with communities and certain areas you'd i think some cultural sensitivity would be helpful for a lot of them also. i think a person of color could bring that to congress. >> i want to maybe re-ask the

question. when we are talking about the role, doovernment's there is a need for more oversight or training when it comes to police shootings of people of other races? >> certainly. i think they do. states also have a lot of requirement for doing that also. i support the police officers, they have a tough job in united dates in protecting and serving the people. but there are a few the taken to the extreme, and i think you're seeing more and more of that. amount of mass shootings going on, some of the police officer that are killing innocent americans, unarmed americans. , igress does have a role in think congress just in their attitude would display a lot of that. >> when it comes to racial

tensions in the country and how it impacts local law enforcement, i think it is very important -- we cherish as americans, no matter where you come from, you have equal protection. i have talked to local sheriff and local law enforcement. what they tell me is they do need more training. a believing community -- policing. i have supported us taking action. we have a task force in the house that is led by john lewis , who is one of the civil rights leaders of our time. he is a congressman out of georgia. also congressman reichert. they are part of this task force and are meeting regularly and meeting right now, and going rather country to look at what is an appropriate federal

response. think part of the training would be a police force resembling more of the community. allowing more people of color on the police force and working in the communities therein. and some of the cultural training would be helpful, as well. understanding the people they are sworn to protect. and knowing the differences between them. living on a reservation, you are treated completely different when you come off the reservation. that is prevalent in the united states not just with indian people but people of color. >> i think it's also important to highlight the recognition the city of spokane has received. invited to the white house recently to

participate in this discussion. shown as a community, bringing people together, having a conversation and taking action locally. i think those are the type of actions that need to be repeated. >> next question. >> it seems that the affordable care act is here to stay. assuming it is indeed here to stay, what is each of your plans to improve upon it? >> i think it is very important -- i think the debate over health care is going to continue. how do we ensure that everyone in the country has access quality and affordable health care? unfortunately, the promises that were made in the affordable care act are not being seen. people are not able to keep the plan of their choice. you're seeing premiums go up.

what i would like to see is a repeal of the individual and employer mandate and the regulations on the state and to open up states to have a larger marketplace so that individuals and families will have choices for more plans. that would meet their individual needs. right now, we are seeing less choice, less plans and costing more. higher premiums. more co-pays. we need the marketplace to be opened up and expanded. >> i support the affordable care act as it was written originally , and i also said word it somewhat today. i think we need to reinstitute some of the options that work taken out, including the single-payer option and the ability to negotiate with pharmaceutical companies for cheaper drug prices. you mentioned the promises that were aid, those were taken out

when president obama offered the bill to a republican congress so that he could gain the support for the bill so that he could have overwhelming support. itublicans took a shot at and have taken down -- taken all of those provisions out of the bill. i don't believe they would have voted for it otherwise. we have a bill now that is watered down and they really oppose that bill. they voted over 60 times to repeal it. we have 20 million americans that are now insured today. nip 29 more million that still needed. it will be a great help for them. >> i support pre-existing condition language, those up to 26 on their parents plans. i see this as a top-down,

government knows best approach that is limiting choices your one big issue that i've been working on is ensuring we have more providers right here in eastern washington. i'm excited about the new medical school. whether it is providing doctors to go into rural areas come onto the reservation, we need more doctors. that is going to be an area where i continue to work. >> there's been an effort to repeal this bill many times. it has cost the american taxpayers millions of dollars to do that. they need to have a bill in place that will be just as good or better as the affordable care act. after the 60 something odd votes to repeal it, that has not happened. the affordable care act is a lifesaver for many millions of american that live alone the poverty rate. thank you.

next question. >> let's talk about another issue that hits people's pocketbooks. minimum wage. washington state has one of the highest minimum wages in the country. congress would have the authority to raise the federal minimum wage. does that need to happen? >> it certainly does need to happen. people working 40 hours a week should not be in poverty. wage is 15 -- $15 per hour, and in some cases that is still low. i would be before that -- behind that. if you take a look at history salariesaises or how have increase for certain individuals, ceos salaries have increased hugely and if the minimum wage had kept up according to that and the cost

of living, minimum wage would be around $22 per hour. if you take a look at that, for andmily of two, husband rights, and able to afford rent on a two-bedroom apartment, they would have to be making about $14.87 per hour. if they have children, that number has to know up -- go up. so $15 will be right at that limit. >> do you think businesses in spokane would be able to support a $22 per hour minimum wage? >> not right now, no. they would have to work up to that. those people that are living below the minimum wage area, they did not go out in the their money somewhere else. they spend their money locally.

that would bring money back to these businesses. they maybe paying a little bit higher salary, but they will regain that with the business they are providing. >> when it comes to raising the federal minimum wage, i believe that is best left at the local and state level. when you look at the cost of living, i think you should be taken into consideration. we need to be focused on job creation. on providing opportunity for people to have more and better paying jobs. is way more than a paycheck, it gives you purpose and dignity. we need more jobs. >> what you think of the $22 per hour mark? is that too high? >> i have significant concerns about the impact that would have.

rebuttal.do a 32nd as i said, that would be too high right now, we can go back to that and make it affordable for the american people. live lowany people who the federal poverty related. many of them are children. they cannot afford sometimes food on their table because of the low wages. naturally, we need to up that. would told the economy in local areas. >> the way you create jobs and more opportunities is not by more mandate and the where -- requirements. we want more jobs, we need more training. as i travel around eastern washington and hear from employers, family businesses,

farmers -- one big issue is the workforce and the training that we need so they can meet the workforce needs. 85% of the jobs will need some kind of post secondary. that is the way you get the workforce and create more opportunities and better paying jobs. >> my question has to do with immigration. i want to make it clear it is separate from the syrian refugee issue we were discussing earlier. donald trump has stated on multiple occasions that he intends to build a wall at the mexican border. how do you think the federal government needs to be handling the millions of undocumented immigrants who are already here , whether they are from mexico or elsewhere? >> i believe we need to fix a broken immigration system. i supported building a wall. i supported legislation years

ago to get the building of a fence and making sure that we are safe and secure. there are other steps in fixing the immigration process. i think it begins with border i think we also need it workable program. right here in washington state, we don't have enough people coming to help with agriculture. microsoft, that visa. 40% of those that are here undocumented overstayed their visa. we need visa reform. for those who are here undocumented, week can set up criteria. if they meet this criteria, they can get in line. opponent talksy about the immigration reform

bill. the house would not allow on the floor for a vote. you can speculate reasons why. but in that, it had an ability for people, undocumented immigrants, it gave them a pathway to citizenship. they are calling it amnesty, which is scaring the heck out of the american people, which isn't right. the role is not to build a big, beautiful wall or two send many people out of the united states. many of those would be the children who are citizens of the united states, because they were born here. that will split families up. but donald trump will deport those citizens also. that will have a devastating effect on those young people. and i understand that because i

have been taken away from my family. i understand the devastation that can happen to you. moderator: representative? rep. mcmorris-rodgers: the solution does have to thin include border security. i think it is unfortunate, the politics that have been played with this issue. this issue needs to be addressed. it will take republicans and democrats working together on that. i am someone who is proven. i am able to work across the aisle to find the common ground. i am focused on getting results. moderator: does that include the "deportation force," which has been touted by many in the republican party? rep. mcmorris-rodgers: i have not supported deporting those that are undocumented. kootas, youmr. pa can have 30 seconds. mr. pakootas: there has been no reversal and talks against

deportation as far as the republican party behind him. billhere is an immigration put together bipartisan latly by republicans and democrats. my opponents sai she would support that, but she has not. the leadership she is a part of has not allow the on the table to bring that up for a vote. moderator: moving onto the next question, from derek. and mr. pakootas, you will answer this one. spokane project was meant to build another casino. there needs to be additional protection? and if so, why? mr. pakootas: idle think so. this process went through a cumbersome and environmental impact statement.

it was approved by the department of defense. in those many letters from past generals that supported the project, they said there was no concern with the project going forward. i do support the project. i do support economic development in the area. i do support the people who have said the project will not be detrimental. well, i don't want to get into personal options because it has been weighing on my mind because we are a sovereign nation and we have been battling that forever. this is something that the spokane tribe has the right to do. they should not be denied. moderator: representative? rep. mcmorris-rodgers: like you said, the that air force base is

the largest employer in washington. the role of the community in remaining sure that fish t fairchild remains strong is important. the city of spokane donated the property. we have taken action that should protect both current missions, and future missions. i would not say there were no concerns. the air force said they were neutral. but they made a long list of mitigation requirements. my concern -- i support the efforts and is applaud their efforts to create economic opportunities for their citizens. i have a stated very clearly that my concerns relate to this particular location. and i have met with the tribe an others, seeking

additional location because i am concerned about the impact on current and future missions. the training of the tankers go right over the proposed site. many every day would be flying over the proposed site, and i believe that would have a longer-term impact on fairchild. mr. pakootas: the environmental impact statement was cleared of all of those concerns. as i said, it passed generals and colonels at fairchild air force base. letters were written, saying there were no concerns, that it was ok, that some of those concerns out there are not viable. hasn'tsay that that happened, it is written in the record. moderator: 30 seconds. rep. mcmorris-rodgers: fairchild, we need to make sure we are making decisions that will protect both current and future missions. this particular location i believe is of concern.

i would have preferred to have seen a different site located. fairchild and the leadership of the military, right now it is a tanker base. the mission of that base changes through the years. airi would hate to see the force decide they are just going to move those tankers someplace else, or the other missions they were going to bring to fairchild they are not going to do because of complaints by could be filed against them in the future. moderator: representative mcmorris rodgers you will answer this one first. >> i would like to ask a specific question to you and then i will move on to mr. pakootas. this has to do particularly with veterans affairs. i wanted to ask about your legislation you proposed this summer. you said we would improve care for veterans. it pushes low income out of the v.a. system with no promises of retaining quality care.

how would you respond to that criticism? rep. mcmorris-rodgers: first of all, i would say it is a draft bill and we are seeking input. my goal is to get the v.a. focused on the veterans. day, 20 to 30 calls every regarding veterans having trouble getting care, and they are heartbreaking stories. unfortunately, the v.a. too often is not focused on the veterans. even in something as simple as scheduling an appointment. i have proposed self scheduling for veterans, like many people do in private offices across the country, doctors offices where you can schedule online or by using an app. you aredraft bill referring to is a larger effort, it is a restructuring of the culture at the v.a. the v.a. does some things really well. for those things they do well, let's continue them and make

them the center of excellence as a relates to mental health and ptsd. but veterans should have the theon of seeking care in community, not being asked to travel to seattle or portland when they could get it right here in spokane. we can do better. that is the conversation i want to have. moderator: since this is a candidate specific question, we will not do a rebuttal. i believe kip has another candidate specific question. moderator: it is on veteran affairs, mr. pakootas. there was a proposal from the representative. what experience do you have in the area of health care for veterans and what specific policies would you change for the v.a.? mr. pakootas: i am not a veteran myself, but i have family members that are veterans. my grandfather is a korean war vet. will people do not understand is this will be privatizing the veterans administration. the veterans administration

needs to be fully funded to meet the needs of our veterans, which it is not today. it has been reducing. they have been concerned about the administration itself and some of the mismanagement or the misallocation of funds. so, what has been happening is they have been revisiting the services for the veterans and in certain areas because they cannot afford that. rather than do that, we should fully fund the needs of the veterans and go in and take a look at the administration and fix it, not complain about it. and not threaten the administration about privatizing and providing additional services for the veterans. that is not going to happen. i think history shows also that privatizing federal government responsibilities costs the federal government and the taxpayers even more. moderator: can i request a rebuttal from both of them on this? moderator: we will do a 32nd rebuttal for both of you.

rep. mcmorris-rodgers: i have supported record funding for the v.a. the veterans administration budget has more than doubled by the time i have been in congress. it is not a funding issue. despite the additional dollars, billions of dollars, the v.a. is not a system focused on the veteran. the simple thing of self scheduling, they won't do. i had a veteran yesterday in my office, who because of paperwork, could not get in to see the v.a. and he was having heart issues. these are heartbreaking stories. we should not be afraid of having a conversation about how we can deliver care. it is not privatizing the v.a. the v.a. does something good, we are going to protect that. but it is allowing options for veterans that are desperately needed right here. moderator: mr. pakootas. mr. pakootas: i put together a

veterans advisory committee and we meet once a month and my office here in spokane. we go over many of these concerns and the lack of resources available to our veterans and the closing down. if you remember a, the day after the 2014 election, the 24 hour emergency services closed up. the veterans hospital. now it is a 12 hour emergency service. you have to have your emergencies between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. we are also concerned about how those resources are delivered out there. we talked about setting schedules and appointments. i have a member that has been on the phone trying to schedule an appointment for her husband for many days now. and she gets on the phone and they say, we will get somebody to help you in a little while. i couple minutes later, "push number one to

maintain your place in line." and that continues on. wife.as the veteran's moderator: you need to wrap it up. mr. pakootas: thank you. moderator: can i have another? mr. pakootas: we have done our rebuttal. moderator: whitney, you have the next question and representative mcmorris rodgers, you will answer this first. in 2014, we saw catastrophic wildfires. than15, we lost more one million acres. experts have said the land is not being managed properly and not at necessary levels to prevent his catastrophic wildfires that have devastated communities and left hundreds of people homeless. we have. all heard the talk about needing to do more. however, at this point, what will it take to actually do more and better fund these preventative measures that could

prevent these fires and end the cycle of fire borrowing? moderator: this is a very big issue for eastern washington. rep. mcmorris-rodgers: the catastrophic fires are very devastating. they have a huge impact on a lot of people in eastern washington. both with how we fund the fighting of these fires, as well as the condition of these forests need to be addressed. right now i am on the energy commerce committee. i introduced legislation that would introduce both how we fund and prevent fires going forward. that passed in the house about a year ago, and it is now in the conference committee. i am working alongside senator maria cantwell. i am hoping we will get legislation that will address how we prevent these fires going forward. if people understood the condition of these forests, they would be outraged. one out of three acres of the

u.s. forest service is diseased, bug infested, dying trees. we need to be taking action so we do have healthy trees and that will help prevent these fires. moderator: mr. pakootas. mr. pakootas: forest fire prevention is something union tribes have been dealing with for many years. and healthy management for us deters that. the tribe has the very first integrated resource management plan in the nation. we put that together almost 15 forestso, managing our to a sustainable level. that has prevented much of our forests from being burned down. the u.s. forest service north of the reservation, there is usually a fire. by the time it hits the reservation, it has gone underground. our tempers managed properly. you will not have those devastating fires. i getting back to properly funding also the fire service

and the wildfire situation, president obama requested funds to fight wildfires, not only to fight them, but to get in front of them to make sure we are fully equipped. the money did not happen for the wildfire situation. moderator: representative? rep. mcmorris-rodgers: congress did take action one year ago to fully fund the firefighting. have, i am very excited that right here in eastern washington, the million acre forest, i initiated and we finally got approved, the a to z project, which is allowing for longer-term contracts. the private sector can go on and help with the management to get andront of these fires, take action to make sure we have healthy trees. my goal is that this will be a model that will be repeated across the country.

the wildfire funding she was talking about was not near enough to meet the actual leads. once the amount is taken out of budget, forest service they will dip into the rest of the forest service budget, diminishing the amount of . forestnt the u.s service can do on the properties. so, properly funded will be the future. the funding did not happen before the wildfire season. it happened during the wildfire season. moderator: thank you. representative mcmorris rodgers? rep. mcmorris-rodgers: if you think about the economy in eastern washington, what happens in these national forests is a driver of the economy. whether it is boise, 449 degrees or 49 degrees north. so, i believe in local control

and i am excited about the a to z project. i think we should be encouraging these types of models that allow us to go in and take the appropriate action. moderator: representative mcmorris rodgers he will have this question. >> let's move onto farmlands now. agriculture remains the lifeblood of this district, but many farmers are becoming increasingly frustrated with new regulations passed by the fda. how will you fight to keep these farmers to maintain their livelihoods and create more jobs in the agriculture industry? rep. mcmorris-rodgers: agriculture is the number one industry in houston washington. my family owned an orchard in kettle falls. i worked alongside my brother and parents, picking cherries and peaches and apricots. i am thankful for that experience. we need to make sure we are protecting agriculture, family farms especially.

we have great, diverse crops here in houston washington. one of the biggest challenges they face of the top-down regulations coming out of washington dc, coming out of federal agencies right now. it is the number one issue. i believe there needs to be more accountability with these regulations. when it comes to what the policy is going to be, that should be voted on by the elected representative. whether it is epa regulations are fda regulations, or these other agencies writing regulations, both policy decisions and how we manage land, water, air should be debated by the elected representatives. mr. pakootas: these regulations are put in place to protect these people. speaking with some of the farmers during some of my travels, some of the smaller farmers are being eaten up by the larger farmers and some of the larger corporations in on

monsantos. those regulations are developed to protect the smaller farmers. climate change is also a huge problem for them, too. this summer, they have lost about 50% of their value in their wheat during the month of july. a bushel of wheat was going to be about $4.15. after they harvested it, the price went down about $2.15. that was not even at a breakeven level. them are many concerns and the regulations, are in some ways, to protect those individuals. the smaller family farmers are being gobbled up by the larger farmers. moderator: thank you. representative mcmorris rodgers you can have 30 seconds. rep. mcmorris-rodgers: i am meeting, just last month i met with the farmers of eastern washington to talk about falling numbers. we tried to get usda crop

insurance to make some changes, so they would not be as negatively impacted. but i go back, just more fundamentally to who is deciding what the policy is going to be? and for a country who cherishes representative government, the rule of law, these decisions should be made by the elected representatives, rather than the record regulations coming out of the administration. this is not just him across. republican and democrat administrations have been making too many of these decisions by rule. moderator: mr. pakootas? mr. pakootas: that is interesting. the record regulations coming out of the democratic administration. if you look back at history, you can see that when many of the government functions are growing is when republicans are in charge. the government growth during that period in time, i do know why.

many regulations are also written during that time. am in for the, i was representative actually being able to vote for those regulations. you are representing those people in that district. moderator: this will be the last question and we are going to limit your answers to 30 seconds. we are also not going to allow rebuttals for this last question. kip? >> this is the second time you two have faced off. what, if anything, is different during this campaign, as compared to two years ago? mr. pakootas: recognition has been a great help. in 2014, we had about 214 volunteers and today, we have a little over 800 volunteers working on my campaign spread out through the entire district. name recognition is basically what a lot of people cast their vote for.

today, people are going to joe is.otas moderator: thank you. representative mcmorris rodgers. rep. mcmorris-rodgers: i think this political climate has just been very different this year. the anger and frustration that i hear as i am having conversations with kathy townhall throughout eastern washington, and really impressing upon them that i share that frustration and i am turning that into ways to be a problem solver, and to get results. and i believe that i am smarter today about how to get that done. that is part of the reason i am running for reelection. moderator: so, that will be our last question and it is time now for the closing statements. before the debate, we flipped a coin, and representative mcmorris rodgers, you will go

first. rep. mcmorris-rodgers: let me just say thank you again. and thank you to joe. i think it is an important discussion we have had today. it is my honor to represent this district in congress. it is my goal as i move forward to continue to serve the people of eastern washington, be your voice in the people's house, and to restore the people's voice i n our government. that is what i believe is most important right now. that is why i have introduced the usa act, which will restore people's voice. i am also grateful to those who have served in our military. the veterans i have the honor of representing. my husband is a veteran. i spend a lot of time with our veterans. and i don't think there is anything more important for those who have served our country, that they get the care that they need. i am committed to both making sure they have the funding, a

structure, and a culture that is committed to ensuring our veterans are cared for and i ask for your continued support. moderator: thank you. rep. mcmorris-rodgers: thank you ksbs for hosting us. i appreciate your involvement in our government and our democracy. made something that has been lacking for the last two decades, a leader. i will represent your interests in washington dc, not corporate interest, or party interest. my opponent and i stand in contrast. you have a choice. i am not wealthy, but i do have 30 years of experience in business and understand how government works also. i value cooperation and collaboration. i come from a culture that believes we have the responsibility and duty to leave

this planet in better shape for our children. it has been too long since we have had a voice in washington dc. you deserve better. god willing, that is exactly what will happen november 8. i humbly ask for your vote and the privilege to represent you and your voice in washington dc. moderator: thank you to both of you. that will do it for tonight's debate coverage. thank you to the panelists. the general election is november 8. telecommute dropped off at public libraries in spokane. there is also a drop-off box at the sta plaza. ballots can be deposited at the elections office anytime at 1033 west gardner, but will not be accepted after 8:00 p.m. on election day. thank you for watching.

good night. >> our look at state races continues tuesday at seven a con p.m. eastern. live on c-span, pat mccrory faces brea faces roy cooper. then, republican bill cole and democratic challenger is this man jim justice debate in the governor race. asd on c-span 3, brad at hberg faces off. at theebates are live club eastern on the c-span networks. c-span's live coverage of the third debate between hillary clinton and donald trump on wednesday, october 19. the coverage starts at 7:30. tha at 8:30 and

the debate is at 9:30 that. and watch of debate live, or on-demand using your desktop, phone, or tablet at www.c-span.org. listen to live coverage of the debate on your phone with the free c-span radio app. downloaded from the app store, or google play. >> c-span's "washington journal," live every day with news and policy issues that impact you. coming up tuesday morning, the latest developments of the presidential campaign following the second debate. he also look at -- we will also look at key senate and house races. we also look at the media bias during this presidential cycle and media matters for the american president. live,ngton journal," beginning at 7:00 a.m. eastern on tuesday morning. join the discussion.

as the nation elects a new president in november, will america have its first foreign adams?rst lady since learn more about the influence of america's presidential office. now available in paperback, airst ladies" gives readers look into every first lady from american history. this is a companion to c-span's well regarded biography series and features interviews with of the nation's leading historians. andffer brief biographies archival photos from their lives . paperback is," in now available at your favorite bookseller, and also as an e-book. >> now, live from arizona, a debate between five term senator and armed services chair john

mccain and democratic challenger, representative ann kirkpatrick. pbs and the "arizona republic" host this debate. >> good evening and welcome to this special u.s. senate 2016 election debate between john mccain and ann kirkpatrick. this is a joint effort brought to you by arizona pbs and the arizona republic. i am ted simons and joining me to moderate this debate is yvonne wingett sanchez. we are broadcasting to you live in