>> WELCOME TO THE VERMONT PUBLIC GENERAL ELECTION DEBATES.

I'M CONNOR CYRUS, ONE OF THE HOSTS OF VERMONT'S EDITION.

THIS IS PART OF OUR COVERAGE OF STATEWIDE AND FEDERAL OFFICES AHEAD OF THE NOVEMBER 8 GENERALITY ELECTION.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THAT DATE TO VOTE.

BALLOTS HAVE ALREADY GONE OUT TO ALL ELIGIBLE VOTERS.

TODAY IS THE DEBATE FOR THE ONLY SEAT IN THE U.S. HOUSE OF% REPRESENTATIVES, JOINING US IS DEMOCRAT VERMONT SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM BECCA BALINT.

WELCOME.

>> THANK YOU, CONNOR.

>> ALSO IN OUR STUDIO REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE LIAM MADDEN, A U.S. MARINE CORP VETERAN, ANTI-WAR ADVOCATE FROM BELLOWS FALLS.

WELCOME.

>> GOOD TO BE HERE.

HERE'S THE FORMAT WE'LL USE.

IN OUR FIRST SEGMENT I'LL ASK COMMON QUESTIONS TO BOTH CANDIDATES.

THEY WILL EACH HAVE 60 SECONDS TO ANSWER THEN SHORT FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ARE POSSIBLE.

IN THE SECOND SEGMENT CANDIDATES CAN ASK EACH OTHER QUESTIONS.

THAT'S 30 SECONDS TO ASK AND 60 SECONDS TO ANSWER.

FOLLOW-UPS ARE POSSIBLE.

THEN A SERIES OF QUESTIONS SUBMITTED BY VERMONTERS.

CANDIDATES WILL HAVE 30 SECONDS TO ANSWER.

NEXT SWREELG A LIGHTNING ROUND WITH BRIEF ANSWERS, TEN SECONDS OR LESS.

WE'LL CONCLUDE WITH A ONE-MINUTE CLOSING STATEMENT FROM EACH OF THE CANDIDATES.

SO LET'S BEGIN.

WE'LL START WITH QUESTIONS TO BOTH OF YOU SO PLEASE PLYMOUTH YOUR ANSWERS TO 60 SECONDS.

I MAY ASK FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS.

INFLATION IS AN ISSUE THAT IS ON EVERY VERMONTER'S MINDS.

IT IMPACTS ALL OF US FROM SOARING COSTS OF FUEL, CLOTHING AND OTHER NECESSITIES NAME ONE SPECIFIC THING YOU WOULD DO TO ADDRESS INFLATION AND WHO YOU WOULD WORK WITH TO MAKE SURE IT ACTUALLY HAPPENS.

SENATOR BALINT, WE'LL START WITH YOU.

>> INFLATION IS INFECTING ALL VERMONTERS INCLUDING MYSELF.

I DO GROCERY SHOPPING IN MY HOUSE.

I HAVE SEEN PRICES RISING WEEK AFTER WEEK AND UNFORTUNATELY INFLATION IS NOT AN EASY THING TO ADDRESS.

HERE'S HOW I WOULD APPROACH IT.

FIRST WE NEED TO LOOK AT PRICE GOUGING THAT'S HAPPENING.

I WOULD SUPPORT A BILL LIKE ELIZABETH WARREN'S IN THE SENATE ON GOING AFTER COMPANIES THAT ARE USING THIS OPPORTUNITY TO PRICE GOUGE ON GOODS AND SERVICES THAT WE ALL RELY ON.

WOULD ALSO LOOK AT A WINDFALL PROFITS TAX ON FOSSIL FUEL COMPANIES AND ON A BROADER LONG TERM SENSE WE REALLY NEED TO BE INVESTING MORE IN MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE BUILDING MORE PRODUCTS HERE IN THE UNITED STATES.

AS I TRAVEL AROUND VERMONT AND TALK TO A LOT OF FOLKS IN THE SERVICE INDUSTRY AND RETAIL AND HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY THEY TOLD ME THAT A CHALLENGE FOR THEM IS PRICES HAVE GONE UP SO MUCH THEY DON'T HAVE LOCAL SUPPLIERS THAT THEY CAN TURN TO.

SO MAKING SURE WE ATTACK PRICE GOUGING, MAKING SURE WE'RE BUILDING MORE THINGS HERE AT HOME.

>> SENATOR BALINT, YOU HAVE PUSHED FOR AN AGGRESSIVE TRANSITION AWAY FROM FOSSIL FUELS BUT SOLUTIONS LIKE ALTERNATIVE HEATING METHODS REMAIN TOO COSTLY FOR MANY VERMONTERS.

HOW WOULD YOU IMPLEMENT THESE LONG TERM SOLUTIONS WITHOUT SUBJECTING VERMONTERS TO THE SHORT TERM PRICE HIKES?

>> THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH IN THE LEGISLATURE FOR YEARS IS LOOKING AT HOW DO WE SUPPORT VERMONTERS AS WE TRANSITION TO A CLIMATE ECONOMY.

WE HAVE INVESTED MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN MAKING SURE THAT VERMONTERS CAN INFLATE THEIR HOMES.

WE HAVE BEEN INVESTING IN WEATHERIZATION PROGRAMS.

I WAS JUST AT A GRADUATION PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS IN BARRE WHO HAVE GONE THROUGH A WEATHERIZATION PROGRAM.

PART OF IT IS MAKING SURE VERMONTERS HAVE HOMES THAT ARE SAFE AND COMFORTABLE AND CAN NAVIGATE THE HARD WINTERS.

WE MAKE SURE WE SUPPORT INVESTMENTS IN AFFORDABLE FUEL AND WE NEED A BIG INVESTMENT IN HELPING VERMONTERS TRANSITION TO BOTH SOLAR PRODUCTS AND ALSO HEAT PUMPS.

THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT CAN BE DONE ON ITS OWN.

WE'RE PART OF A MUCH LARGER WORLD COMMUNITY AND NATIONAL COMMUNITY DEALING WITH CLIMATE CHANGE.

WE CAN'T BEAR THE BRUNT OF IT ALONE.

WE NEED TO LOOK TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO HELP REGULAR VERMONTERS OL' WITH THOE COSTS.

>> LIAM, HOW WOULD YOU MAKE SURE IT ACTUALLY HAPPENED?

>> INFLATION IS A VERY COMPLEX ISSUE, BUT THE SIMPLE THING TO DO RIGHT OFF THE BAT IS TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE MOST AFFECTED ARE PEOPLE WITH FIXED INCOMES, MINIMUM WAGE, THOSE PEOPLE NEED TO HAVE THEIR BENEFITS ADJUSTED TO THE PRICE OF INFLATION SO THEY ARE HIT LESS HARD.

I WOULD AGREE WITH BECCA ON TAXING WINDFALL PROFITS.

YOU NEED TO EXTRACT IT FROM THE SOURCES WHERE IT'S MOTT EQUITABLY EXTRACTED, THE COMPANIES DOING THE BEST, FOSSIL FUELS, PHARMACEUTICALS COME TO MIND.

WE NEED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE SOURCE OF INFLATION IS OFTEN NOT JUST THERE'S TOO MUCH CURRENCY BUT THERE'S RESTRICTION IN SUPPLY.

CLEARLY THIS BOUT OF INFLATION WAS KICKED OFF THROUGH ENERGY SHORTAGES.

AS WELL AS OTHER THINGS BUT PRIMARILY THROUGH ENERGY.

SO THAT LEADS INTO THE QUESTION OF HOW DO YOU ADDRESS THE -- I'M SORRY, I'M OUT OF TIME.

>> OKAY, I DO WANT TO ASK YOU'VE CRITICIZED POLITICAL ESTABLISHMENTS FOR FAILED POLICIES ON MANY ISSUES.

WHAT INITIATIVES WOULD YOU PROPOSE TO ADDRESS INFLATION AND RISING COSTS THAT NEITHER PARTY HAS SUCCESSFULLY DONE?

>> SO AS YOU ASKED WHO WOULD I WORK WITH.

AS AN INDEPENDENT I WOULD WORK WITH WHOEVER IS CONCERNED WITH THIS ISSUE ON EITHER SIDE.

THAT'S AN ADVANTAGE TO VERMONT AND THE UNITED STATES AS A WHOLE.

I THINK WHAT I AM NOT ALWAYS DOING IS INVENTING SOME NEW THIRD RAIL.

I'M ALSO SAYING, HEY, SENATOR WARREN'S IDEA ABOUT A WINDFALL PROFITS TAX IS A GOOD IDEA.

IT'S NOT NECESSARILY ALWAYS BRINGING NEW IDEAS TO THE FOREGROUND BUT FROM EACH SIDE YOU HAVE VALUES THAT I AGREE WITH AND IDEAS THAT ARE WORTH COLLABORATING WITH YOU ON.

>> SO ON THIS FOR THIS PARTICULAR INSTANCE YOU WOULD TAKE A MORE DEMOCRATIC OR LEFT LEANING APPROACH TO ADDRESSING INFLATION.

>> WELL, ABSOLUTELY.

I CONSIDER THE BASIS OF MY ECONOMIC PRIORITIES ABOUT SMALL BUSINESSES, ABOUT BRINGING MANUFACTURING BACK TO THE UNITED STATES AND CREATING PATHWAYS FOR WORKER OWNERSHIP AND EMPLOY YEE OWNERSHIP IN ALL BUSINESSES TO BE BROADLY A MORE LEFT LEANING APPROACH AND ON ECONOMICS I CONSIDER MYSELF MORE LEFT LEANING.

>> LET'S MOVE ON.

THE PANDEMIC HAS CAUSED MAJOR DISRUPTIONS IN AMERICA'S LABOR FORCE WITH MILLIONS OF AMERICANS QUITTING THEIR JOBS.

VERMONT HAS ABOUT 26,000 OPEN JOBS BUT WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH YOUNG WORKERS TO FILL THEM.

WHAT ARE THE FIRST STEPS TOWARDS ADDRESSING THE WORKFORCE CHALLENGES IN VERMONT AND AROUND THE COUNTRY?

LIAM, LET'S START WITH YOU.

>> THAT'S A BEAUTIFUL QUESTION.

OUR WORKFORCE CHALLENGES ARE INTIMATELY RELATED FOR OUR HOUSING CHALLENGES.

AS I WORK IN A SMALL BUSINESS, I HAVE RUN MY OWN SMALL BUSINESS.

IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO FIND WORKERS, ESPECIALLY IN THE BUILDING TRADES, FOR MUCH OF THE LAST TWO YEARS.

PART OF THAT IS BECAUSE PEOPLE COMING INTO THIS AREA CAN'T FIND A PLACE TO LIVE.

INVESTMENTS IN HOUSING DOESN'T JUST MEAN GIVE OUT TO THE REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS, IT ALSO MEANS INVESTING IN WATER AND SEWER AND DIFFERENT TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE TO ACCOMMODATE CLOSER, MORE CENTRALLY LOCATED TO DOWNTOWN AREAS TYPES OF HOUSING MODELS.

I THINK THAT'S WHERE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS THE BIGGEST ROLE TO PLAY BUT OF COURSE THERE'S VOCATIONAL TRAINING INCLUDING THAT INTO EDUCATION SYSTEMS, EDUCATION MODELS.

UNDERSTANDING THAT HOUSING AS A WHOLE IS SOMETHING THAT WE CAN ADDRESS ONLY IN THE SHORT TERM BY REGULATING AIRBNBS AND BIG INVESTMENT BANKS.

>> I'M GOING TO CUT YOU OFF.

LIAM MADDEN, YOU SAID YOU THINK MIGRANT FARM WORKERS WHO HAVE LIVED IN VERMONT LESS THAN FIVE YEARS SHOULD BE DEPORTED.

GIVEN 9 LABOR SHORTAGE WHY SHOULD WE DEPORT PEOPLE KEEPING OUR DAIRY FARMS RUNNING AND WHAT IF ANY IMMIGRATION REFORM WOULD YOU PROPOSE TO WORK TO REMAIN AND LIVE IN OUR STATE LEGALLY?

>> I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW I'M THE SON OF AN IMMIGRANT AND GRANDSON OF FOUR IMMIGRANTS.

I UNDERSTAND IN A TIME WHERE THERE ARE LABOR SHORTAGES IN VERMONT IT'S IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE LEGAL IMMIGRANTS, NO ONE WORKS HARDER AND THEY ARE AN ESSENTIAL PART TO KEEPING US A DIVERSE, HEALTHY, STRONG COUNTRY AND ECONOMY BUT WE NEED LAWS.

YOU NEED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT IF YOU COME HERE ILLEGALLY YOU'RE LIKELY TO GET DEPORTED.

THAT MAKES SENSE N. THAT SAME BREATH WE NEED TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR PEOPLE TO LEGALLY COME HERE AND WORK.

>> I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU 15 SECONDS.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF ANYTHING TO LET THE WORKERS REMAIN HERE NOW AND CONTINUE TO WORK AND LIVE.

>> IF YOU'RE HERE OVER FIVE YEARS YOU SHOULDN'T BE JUST UPROOTED IN YOUR LIFE BUT YOU SHOULD HAVE TO GO TO THE BACK OF THE LINE ON CITIZENSHIP, ENGAGE IN MORE COMMUNITY SERVICE AND MORE STRINGENT REGULATIONS ABOUT STAYING EMPLOYED, OUT OF CRIME.

>> SENATOR BALINT, I WANT YOU TO RESPOND TO THIS NOTION OF FARM WORKERS AND IMMIGRANTS SHOULD ONLY BE HERE ONLY ALLOWED TO STAY FOR FIVE YEARS IF THEY HAVEN'T BEEN HERE FIVE YEARS THEY GET DEPORTED.

>> I WANT TO BE CLEAR, OUR AGRICULTURAL ECONOMY, NOT JUST IN VERMONT BUT NATIONWIDE, IS DEPENDENT ON MIGRANT AND IMMIGRANT LABOR.

THAT IS THE REALITY.

WE HAVE GOT TO FIND A PATH TO CITIZENSHIP FOR THESE FOLKS.

IT IS I THINK DISINGENUOUS TO SAY FOLKS SHOULD GO TO THE BACK OF THE LINE WHEN WE HAVE SUCH AN INCREDIBLE BACKLOG FOR FOLKS SEEKING LEGAL IMMIGRATION, AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT CONGRESS HAS FAILED TO DO FOR MANY, MANY CYCLES NOW.

I THINK WE NEED TO REALLY THINK WHEN I TALK TO WORKFORCE, TO COMPANIES HERE IN VERMONT, ORGANIZATIONS IN VERMONT, THEY ALL SAY PART OF THE SOLUTION TO OUR WORKFORCE CRISIS HERE IN VERMONT IS ABOUT CHANGES IN IMMIGRATION LAW AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL THAT HAS TO BE PART OF THE THE SOLUTION.

I THINK THAT FARM WORKERS IN VERMONT ARE ESSENTIALLY ALLOWING US TO HAVE A DAIRY INDUSTRY IN VERMONT.

I WANT TO SUPPORT THEM IN ANY WAY I CAN.

>> I WOULD LIKE YOUR TAKES ON WHAT YOU THINK THE FIRST STEPS TOWARD ADDRESSING THE WORKFORCE CHALLENGE IN VERMONT SHOULD BE.

>> I HAVE SERVED ON THE HOUSING COMMITTEE FOR EIGHT YEARS IN VERMONT STATE SENATE AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT WAS ONE MAIN REASON I RAN FOR OFFICE INITIALLY TO REPRESENT WINDHAM COUNTY.

WE SAW LOCALLY THAT WE WERE GOING TO HAVE A SEVERE CRISIS IN TERMS OF WORKFORCE LOCALLY.

SO WE HAVE INVESTED AT THE STATE LEVEL IN TRAINING PROGRAMS, INVESTING IN VERMONT STATE COLLEGES AND THE VERMONT TECHNICAL SCHOOLS.

WE HAVE A HIGH GRADUATION RATE HERE IN VERMONT BUT WE DON'T ACTUALLY HAVE A HIGH RATE OF GRADUATES WHO GO ON TO DO ADDITIONAL TRAINING.

WE NEED TO FOCUS OUR ATTENTION THERE.

>> SENATOR, YOU DESCRIBED YOURSELF AS A PROGRESSIVE CANDIDATE ON ISSUES RANGING FROM HOW YOU WOULD TACKLE CLIMATE CHANGE CHANGE TO ADDRESSING SYSTEMIC L L RACISM AND INEQUALITY.

>> I'M SOMEBODY WHO REPRESENTS WINDHAM COUNTY AND WE TEND TO BE MORE LEFT LEANING IN WINDHAM COUNTY.

I'M A PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRAT, A DEBT CRAM.

I HAVE ALWAYS RUN AS A DEMOCRAT.

I WILL LOOK FOR PARTNERS WHEREVER I CAN.

THAT'S WHAT I HAVE DONE IN THE VERMONT STATE SENATE.

I WANT TO REMIND FOLKS I WAS THE FIRST WOMAN EVER ELECTED PRESIDENT PRO TEM OF THE SENATE AND GOT ELECTED BECAUSE I HAD THE SUPPORT OF REPUBLICANS, DEMOCRATS AND PROGRESSIVES.

IN TERMS OF THE PEOPLE SUPPORTING MY CAMPAIGN, I HAVE REPUBLICANS, DEMOCRATS, PROGRESSIVES AND INDEPENDENTS WHO HAVE ENDORSED MY CAMPAIGN.

I'M SOMETHING WHO HAS A TRACK RECORD OF WORKING TO BUILD BROAD COALITIONS ON A WHOLE HOST OF ISSUES INCLUDING HOUSING AND WORKFORCE AND MINIMUM WAGE INCREASES.

SO YOU CAN'T GET WORK DONE WORKING IN ISOLATION.

YOU CAN'T DO THAT IN THE VERMONT STATE SENATE, YOU CAN'T DO THAT IN CONGRESS.

I HAVE SOME GREAT ROLE MODELS, BERNIE SANDERS AND PETER WELCH HAVE BOTH BEEN ABLE TO FIND WAYS TO WORK WITH THEIR COLLEAGUES EVEN WHEN THEY WERE IN THE MINORITY AND I WILL DO THE SAME THING.

>> LIAM MADDEN, YOU HAVE SAID AMERICA'S TWO-PARTY POLITICAL SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE OVERHAULED AND MAYBE DESTROYED.

IF VOTERS ELECT YOU TO THE HOUSE THIS NOVEMBER, YOU WOULD BE A REPUBLICAN ESSENTIALLY BY NAME ONLY.

LIKE THE VERMONT GOP HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP WOULD LIKELY REJECT YOU IN THEIR MEMBERSHIP.

DEMOCRATS WOULD LIKELY BE WARY OF A NEW REPUBLICAN TO THE HOUSE.

HOW WOULD YOU ACHIEVE ANYTHING TO HELP VERMONTERS?

>> WELL, BEING AN INDEPENDENT IS ACTUALLY A POSITION OF INCREDIBLE LEVERAGE.

BOTH SIDES DON'T JUST AUTOMATICALLY COUNT YOU AS A GIVEN VOTE, DOGMATICLY FOLLOWING THE PARTY LEADERSHIP AND PARTY AGENDA.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE I DON'T THINK ANY FRESHMAN CONGRESS PERSON GOES THERE AND GETS THEIR WISH LIST ACCOMPLISHED BUT AS THEY ARE WILLING TO MAKE RELATIONSHIPS, BE OPEN MINDED AND COLLABORATIVE YOU CAN GET A LOT DONE.

I THINK YOU GET THINGS DONE BY ACCENTUATING THE FACT THAT AS AN INDEPENDENT YOU CAN BE AN 'EM SEAR TO BOTH SIDES AND YOU CAN HELP TO FIND COMMON GROUND AND BE A TRUSTWORTHY VOICE WILLING TO CALL BOTH SIDES OUT ON THEIR HYPOCRISY WHEN IT'S THERE AND DEFEND THEM WHEN THE ACCUSATIONS AGAINST THEM ARE BASELESS.

>> I THINK YOUR DISCONTENT WITH OUR POLITICAL SYSTEM IS UNDERSTANDABLE BUT WE HAVE SEEN MANY CANDIDATES SAY THEY ARE RUNNING TO OVERHAUL A BROKEN POLITICAL SYSTEM AND VOTERS MAY PESSIMISTIC ABOUT THAT.

WHAT MAKES YOU ANY DIFFERENT?

>> I DON'T HAVE ANY ILLUSIONS THERE'S SOMETHING SPECIAL ABOUT LIAM MADDEN BEING SO CHARISMATIC OR SUCH A BRIDGE BUILDER.

IT'S THE ACTUAL TOOLS I'M PROPOSING THAT ARE INDISPUTABLY NEW TO THE POLITICAL DISCOURSE THINGS LIKE LIQUID DEMOCRACY OR QUALIFIED DEMOCRACY, THINGS LIKE FEDERAL BALLOT INITIATIVES ARE NOT PART OF EITHER PARTY'S AGENDA.

I THINK THAT IT IS FOLLY TO JUST TRY TO PUT A NEW FACE IN OVER AND OVER BUT IF YOU ADJUST THE TOOLS THEMSELVES WHICH I'M SUGGESTING YOU DO YOU CAN GAIN MORE GROUND.

>> SENATOR BALINT, I WOULD LIKE YOU TO ARE ARE ERESPOND AND EXPLAIN HOW YOU'LL GET THINGS DONE WITH SUCH A POLARIZED HOUSE AND POLARIZED CLIMATE.

>> I WANT VERMONTERS TO UNDERSTAND THAT ONE PERSON IS NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO OVERHAUL A SYSTEM.

YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO WORK WITHIN THE SYSTEM TO MAKE MEANINGFUL CHANGE FOR VERMONTERS WHICH IS WHAT I HAVE DONE YEAR AFTER YEAR.

PEOPLE HAVE ASKED ME WHY RUN FOR CONGRESS?

IT'S THE SAME REASON WHY I WAS A PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER, THE SAME REASON WHY I HAVE SERVED IN THE SENATE.

IT'S TO ALLEVIATE SUFFERING.

TO DO THAT YOU HAVE TO BE WILLING TO WORK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PEOPLE, TO ACTUALLY PASS LEGISLATION.

THAT TAKES COMPROMISE AND PRAGMATISM.

I HAVE A TRACK RECORD OF DOING THAT.

>> LET'S MOVE ON.

THE SUPREME COURT HAS AGREED TO HEAR A CASE NEXT TERM THAT WOULD DRAMATICALLY CHANGE HOW FEDERAL ELECTIONS ARE CONDUCTED.

THE CASE IS MOORE VERSUS HARPER.

THE ISSUE IS A LEGAL THEORY THAT WOULD GIVE STATE LEGISLATURES UNRESTRAINED AUTHORITY TO SET THE RULES FOR FEDERAL ELECTIONS FREE OF SUPERVISION BY STATE COURTS AND STATE CONSTITUTIONS ACCORDING TO NPR.

AS OUR NATION STRUGGLES WITH THE THREAT ON OUR DEMOCRACY WITH FALSE CLAIMS OF VOTER FRAUD IF THIS IS OVERTURNED HOW DO WE PRESERVE THE INTEGRITY OF THE COURT AND OUR DEMOCRACY AT THE SAME TIME?

LIAM MADDEN, WE'LL START WITH YOU.

>> WOW, THAT'S A DEEP QUESTION.

I THINK VOTING ITSELF IS THE ONLY CHECK AND BALANCE THAT THE CITIZENRY HAS AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT.

IT'S EVERY TWO TO FOUR YEARS AND IT'S OFTEN THE CHOICE OF LESSER OF TWO EVILS.

WE NEED MORE THAN JUST VOTING.

WE NEED A RENAISSANCE OF CITIZEN ENGAGEMENT AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT.

THAT'S REALLY THE ONLY WAY THAT WE CAN HAVE A HEALTHY DEMOCRACY WORTHY OF THE 21st CENTURY WHERE WE KNOW THAT AUTOCRATIC GOVERNMENTS ARE GOING TO INNOVATE AND USE THE BEST TECHNOLOGIES TO BE BETTER AUTOCRATS.

IF DEMOCRACIES ARE NOT WILLING TO UP GREAT HOW THOUGH PLAY THE GAME OF DEMOCRACY WE'RE DOOMED.

WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT VOTING RIGHTS ARE ESSENTIAL BUT SO IS EXPANDING THE TOOL SET.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN SAID OUR EFFORT ISN'T THE ONLY THING THAT MATTERS.

IT ALSO MATTERS WHAT TOOLS WE USE.

THE CONSTITUTION WAS BUILT WHEN THE INFORMATION TRAVELED AT THE SPEED OF HORSEBACK.

IT TRAVELS AT THE SPEED OF LIGHT TODAY.

>> I WILL GIVE YOU 30 SECONDS TO ELABORATE ON THIS ANALOGY WHEN IT COMES TO SHARPENING YOUR TOOLS AND WHAT TOOLS YOU THINK THE UNITED STATES NEED FOR A BETTER DEMOCRACY.

>> THANK YOU FOR THIS QUESTION.

BYPASS GRIDLOCK AND POLITICIANS WHO ARE NOT LISTENING, BYPASS CORRUPTION.

WE NEED WAYS FOR CITIZENS TO BUY NAS BUT BECAUSE PEOPLE HAVE MORE POUR DOESN'T MEAN THEY WILL MAKE BETTER DECISION SOS YOU NEED TO SIMULTANEOUSLY HAVE A SUITE OF TECHNOLOGIES THAT HELPS PEOPLE COME TOGETHER AND MAKE BETTER DECISIONS RIGHT NOW THAT TECHNOLOGY IS SOCIAL MEDIA BUT IT'S BEING USED IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION TO DRIVE ECHO CHAMBERS AND POLARIZATION.

YOU POINT THAT TECHNOLOGY IN THE OPPOSITE DREGS YOU GENERATE COHESION AND SHARED VALUES.

>> SENATOR BALINT I WANT TO ASK YOU GIVEN THE ROLE THAT THE COURT HAS PLAYED ESPECIALLY WITH BIG DECISIONS LIKE THE OVERTURN OF ROE VERSUS WADE AND POSSIBLY OVERTURNING OF MOORE VERSUS HARPER HOW DO WE PRESERVE THE INTEGRITY OF OUR COURT WHILE ALSO PRESERVING OUR DEMOCRACY?

>> CONNOR, I'M GLAD YOU ASKED THIS BECAUSE I HEAR FROM VERMONTERS OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

BEEN CRISSCROSSING THE STATE FOR ABOUT WHAT THEY ARE CONCERNED ABOUT.

THE COURT COMES UP TIME AND TIME AGAIN.

IF IN FACT THIS CASE OVERTURNS NORMS, THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, OVERTURNING NORMS FOR FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS IT BRINGS US ONE STEP CLOSER TO AUTHORITARIANISM.

I HAVE BEEN VERY STRONG IN MY POSITIONS ON HOW WE ADDRESS THE DANGEROUS PRECEDENTS OF THE COURT AND AS AN OPENLY GAY WOMAN I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT JUSTICE THOMAS HAS LAID OUT AS THE NEXT LINE OF FIRE AGAINST TAKING AWAY HUMAN RIGHTS HERE IN VERMONT AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

WE NEED TO LOOK AT COURT REFORM.

ABSOLUTELY WE HAVE TO LOOK AT TERM LIMITS FOR FEDERAL JUSTICES BOTH IN THE COURT AND ON THE FEDERAL BRANCH OF JUDGES.

WE HAVE TO LOOK AT RESTRAINING THE NUMBER OF CASES THAT ARE USED THROUGH THE SHADOW OR EMERGENCY DOCKET.

THIS IS VERY SERIOUS.

THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT WE CAN TAKE LIGHTLY AND WE NEED TO PASS HR1, ESSENTIALLY ANOTHER VOTING RIGHTS ACT.

>> THE PROPOSED MOORE VERSUS HARPER CASE COULD AFFECT NATIONAL ELECTIONS.

STATE LEGISLATURES COULD SET NEW ELECTION RULES TAKING POWER AWAY FROM VOTERS WHEN PICKING ELECTORS FOR ELECTORAL COLLEGE.

ONE POSSIBLE SOLUTION HERE WOULD BE BY ELIMINATING THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE FOR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS.

IS THAT SOMETHING YOU WOULD SUPPORT, WHY OR WHY NOT?

>> YES, I WOULD.

IF YOU LOOK WHAT HAS HAPPENED ON THE COURT WE HAVE A MAJORITY OF MEMBERS OF THE COURT WHO HAVE BEEN APPOINTED BY A PRESIDENT WHO DID NOT WIN THE POPULAR VOTE.

SO ABSOLUTELY I WOULD SUPPORT ENDING THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE.

I THINK IT'S NOT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE ANY MORE.

THAT IS DEEPLY DISTURBING.

>> NOW LET'S TURN TO AN INTERNATIONAL SUBJECT, THE WAR IN UKRAINE.

SINCE RUSSIA INVADED IN FEBRUARY YOU AND HUMAN RIGHTS MONITORS ESTIMATE SOME 5800 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED.

HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF REFUGEES HAVE FLED AND THE GLOBAL ENERGY CRISIS HAS AFFECTED EVERYTHING FROM ENERGY PRICES TO THE COST OF FOOD.

HOW DO YOU THINK THE U.S. AND NATO ALLIES SHOULD PROCEED?

CONTINUE FUNDING UKRAINE OR PUSH FOR PEACE?

WHAT ARE YOU THOUGHTS, SENATOR BALINT?

>> SO AS WE HAVE WATCHED WHAT'S HAPPENED IN UKRAINE IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS ESPECIALLY IT'S VERY ALARMING.

WE HAVE ON THE ONE HAND YOU HAVE UKRAINE MAKING GAINS IN THE EAST AND THE SOUTH, YOU HAVE CERTAINLY THE MOST RECENT BOMBING OF THE BRIDGE TO CRIMEA HAS ESCALATED THE CONFLICT.

YOU HAVE PUTIN SABER RATTLING TALKING ABOUT USING TACTICAL NUCLEAR WEAPONS.

THIS HAS BROUGHT THIS CRISIS TO A DIFFERENT LEVEL OF CONCERN NOT JUST FOR FOLKS AT THE FEDERAL I GET ASKED ABOUT THIS ALL THE TIME.

WE SHOULD BE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN AT THIS POINT TO AVERT NUCLEAR WAR.

THAT MEANS MULTILATERAL ENGAGEMENT WITH UKRAINE, WITH OUR ALLIES.

WE CAN ALSO RELY ON PRESIDENT XI IN CHINA, WHO HAS LEVERAGE WITH PUTIN TO RATCHET DOWN THE SABER RATTLING AROUND NUCLEAR ARMS.

VERY CONCERNS.

>> DO YOU HAVE CONCERNS THAT THE WAR IN UKRAINE AND RUSSIA'S ILL ALEUTIANS TO NUCLEAR WEAPONS COULD BREAK INTO A LARGER CONFLICT AND HOW FEARFUL WOULD YOU BE OR ARE YOU WHEN IT COMES TO WORLD WAR III?

>> WE SHOULD ALL BE CONCERNED ABOUT THE KIND OF RHETORIC COMING OUT OF THE KREMLIN IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS.

WE SHOULD ALL BE CONCERNED ABOUT THIS.

YES, I HEAR FROM VERMONTERS THAT THEY ARE DEEPLY CONCERNED THAT THIS KIND OF ESCALATION IS GOING TO LEAD TOWARDS A NUCLEAR STANDOFF WITH RUSSIA.

WE CAN TAKE A PAGE FROM WHAT HAPPENED IN CUBAN -- WITH CUBA UNDER PRESIDENT KENNEDY AND REALLY LOOKING AT HOW DO WE MAKE SURE THAT THERE ARE TALKS GOING ON BEHIND THE SCENES THAT WE ARE CONTINUING TO SUPPORT UKRAINE WHILE ALSO HAVING A FULL COURT PRESS ON DIPLOMACY.

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN UKRAINE, HOW DO YOU THINK THE U.S. AND NATO ALLIES SHOULD PROCEED?

>> SO WE NEED TO BE EXTREMELY AWARE THAT THERE ARE TWO VERY LIKELY COURSES OF ACTION WHILE CONTINUING TO SUPPORT UKRAINE MILITARILY.

ONE THERE'S A LONG PROTRACTED WAR, WHICH IS IN MY OPINION THE STATED GOAL OR AT LEAST UNSTATED GOAL OF THE U.S. NATIONAL SECURITY STATE TO BLEED DRY RUSSIA, A RIVAL.

OR ON THE OTHER HAND THERE'S THE AVENUE OF AN ESCALATION THAT COULD LEAD TOWARDS NUCLEAR WAR.

BOTH OF THOSE LIKELY OUT COMES SHOULD BE AVOIDED.

THE ONLY WAY TO AVOID IT IS TO PUT ALL OF OUR DIPLOMATIC AND ECONOMIC AND SOFT POWER LEVERAGE ON CREATING A NEGOTIATED SOLUTION, WHICH WAS WHAT I WAS FOR FROM THE OUTSET.

AS PEOPLE KNOW I AM THE FORMER LEADER OF THE NATION'S LARGEST ANTI-WAR GROUP.

THERE ARE THINGS WORTH FIGHTING FOR BUT I'M THE PERSON HERE WHO FROM THE BEGINNING HAD THE TWO LIKELY COURSES OF ACTION AND THE UNITED STATES MILITARY AND FOREIGN POLICY APPARATUS NEEDS TO CHANGE COURSE.

>> YOU JUST MENTIONED THAT YOU'RE A MARINE CORPS VETERAN AND YOU ORGANIZED A NATIONAL ANTI-WAR MOVEMENT WITH VETERANS AT THEIR CORE.

WHAT LESSONS FROM YOUR TIME IN IRAQ WOULD YOU POINT TO HAVE INSTRUCTED THIS WAR IN UKRAINE?

>> THAT THE U.S. FOREIGN POLICY ESTABLISHMENT IS WHO GETS TO CONTROL THE PUBLIC NARRATIVE IN THE MEDIA.

THERE'S LESS THAN 3% OF ALL OP-EDS IN THE "NEW YORK TIMES," "WASHINGTON POST," "WALL STREET JOURNAL" AND MAINSTREAM NEWS% OUTLETS ARE ANTI-WAR VOICES BECAUSE OUR MEDIA COMPLEX IS OWNED BY THE MILITARY INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX.

SO I TAKE THE LESSON THAT YOU NEED TO BE EXTREMELY SKEPTICAL OF THE MARRIAGE OF THOSE TWO SOCIETY WIDE INFLUENCES.

>> THIS CONCLUDES THE FIRST SEGMENT OF OUR DEBATE.

WHEN WE COME BACK THE CANDIDATES WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO ASK EACH OTHER QUESTIONS.

I'M CONNOR CYRUS, AND THIS IS THE DEBATE WITH THE CANDIDATES FOR THE U.S. HOUSE ON VERMONT PUBLIC.

>> FREDERICK DOUGLASS WAS BORN INTO SLAVERY.

>> I WAS A GRADUATE WITH MY DIPLOMA WRITTEN ON MY BACK.

>> HOW DID HE ESCAPE?

>> DOUGLAS WAS A REVOLUTIONARY.

>> FIGHT FOR CHANGE.

>> HE COMMANDS YOUR ATTENTION.

>> DON'T MISS THIS COURAGEOUS JOURNEY.

>> THERE'S NO STRUGGLE THERE IS NO PROGRESS.

>> BECOMING FREDERICK DOUGLASS.

>> TONIGHT AT 10:00 ON VERMONT PUBLIC.

>> HI, I'M CONNOR CYRUS.

>> WE'RE MOTT RATING THE DEBATES THIS MONTH AND WE WANT TO KNOW WHAT'S YOUR MIND.

>> IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION FOR THE CANDIDATES SENT IT TO US.

>> WATCH THE DEBATES ON TV AT 7:00.

>> OR STREAM THEM LIVE AT NOON AT VERMONTPUBLIC.ORG.

L. >> THIS IS THE VERMONT PUBLIC DEBATE WITH CANDIDATES FOR THE U.S. HOUSE.

I'M CONNOR CYRUS.

WITH US IS LIAM MADDEN, AND BECCA BALINT.

THE CANDIDATES NOW HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO ASK EACH OTHER QUESTIONS.

YOU'LL HAVE 60 SECONDS TO RESPOND.

A BRIEF FOLLOW-UP IS ALLOWED.

LIAM, WE START WITH YOU.

>> GREAT.

SO, YOU'VE HAD SEVERAL MONTHS TO PREPARE.

YOU HEARD ME SAY IT AT ALMOST ALL OF OUR CO-APPEARANCES, THE ECONOMY AND ENERGY USE ARE COMPLETELY LINKED.

IF WE WERE TO GROW OUR ECONOMY AT 3% A YEAR WHICH IS WHAT EVERY POLITICIAN AND ECONOMIST SAYS IS THE NORMAL SOUGHT AFTER TARGET WE COULD USE THE SAME AMOUNT OF ENERGY IN THE NEXT THREE DECADES AS WE HAVE IN THE LAST 10,000 YEARS, DEPLETING OUR FOSSIL FUEL RESERVES AND WITHIN TEN YEARS EVERY SINGLE SQUARE INCH OF AMERICAN LAND BEING USED AS WIND POWER OR 10% OF AMERICAN LAND TO BE USED BY SOLAR PANELS.

HOW DO YOU -- YOU'RE A FAN OF THE GREEN NEW DEAL.

IT DOESN'T MENTION HOW WE DEAL WITH THIS NEVER ENDING GROWTH IN THE ECONOMY THAT REQUIRES MORE ENERGY THAN WE HAVE LAND OR RESOURCES FOR AND THE SOLAR ENERGY DOESN'T PROVIDE POWER AT NIGHT.

SO WHAT IS YOUR APPROACH TO THOSE PROBLEMS OF NEVER ENDING GROWTH AND ENERGY RESOURCES?

>> SO I THINK WHAT'S IMPORTANT FOR VERMONTERS TO UNDERSTAND IS I'M SOMETHING SOMEBODY THAT HAS TAKEN CLIMATE CHANGE SERIOUSLY HERE IN VERMONT.

IT WAS ONE OF THE FIRST FOLKS IN THE SENATE TO BE ABLE TO PASS SIGNIFICANT CLIMATE CHANGE LEGISLATION.

THE GLOBAL WARMING SOLUTIONS ACT.

SO I THINK WHAT IS CONFUSING ABOUT YOUR QUESTION, LIAM, IS THAT WE HAVE TO MOVE TOWARDS AN ECONOMY THAT'S NOT DEPENDENT ON FOSSIL FUELS.

WE KNOW THIS BECAUSE IF WE DON'T PULL BACK WE KNOW THAT WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO SEE THE KIND OF CLIMATE KATAS PRO FE I'M ALREADY SEEING IN WINDHAM COUNTY.

FOR ME IT'S NOT A CHOICE OF WHETHER WE CAN DO IT OR NOT.

WE HAVE TO DO IT.

WE HAVE TO INVEST NOR IN SOLAR, IN THE GRID, MAKE SURE VERMONTERS HAVE THE MONEY TO ABLE ABLE TO TRANSITION.

IT'S CRITICALLY IMPORTANT TO VERMONTERS THAT WE DO THIS.

>> YOU DIDN'T MENTION EITHER NEVER ENDING GROWTH OR THE FACT THAT SOLAR ENERGY CAN'T PROVIDE ALL OF OUR NEEDS UNLESS WE USE AN OBSCENE AMOUNT OF LAND AND CAN'T PROVIDE THAT POWER AT NIGHT.

>> WHAT I KNOW IS THAT THIS CRISIS IS GOING TO REQUIRE ALL KINDS OF SOLUTIONS FROM WIND TO SOLAR TO REDUCTION OF USE TO WEATHERIZATION OF OUR HOMES.

THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE DONE IN VERMONT TRYING TO ATTACK IT ON ALL FRONT AND THAT'S WHAT WE NEED TO DO ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL AS WELL.

>> SENATOR BALINT, QUESTION FOR LIAM MADDEN.

>> LIAM, I HAVE SPENT MY ENTIRE TIME IN THE SENATE PROTECTING REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS AND I HELPED SHEPHERD A STATE LAW THROUGH THAT WOULD CODIFY ROE.

I WORKED HARD TO MAKE SURE WE HAD THIS CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ON THE BALLOT COME NOVEMBER.

YOU SAY YOU BELIEVE STATE GOVERNMENTS SHOULD DECIDE WHETHER A PERSON SHOULD HAVE AN ABORTION OR NOT.

MULTIPLE STATES ARE BANNING ABORTION IN ALL INSTANCES, AND DO YOU STILL BELIEVE THAT STATES SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO TELL SOMEBODY WHAT THEY SHOULD DO WITH THEIR BODIES?

>> I THINK YOU'RE WILDLY MISREPRESENTING WHAT I SAY.

I BELIEVE THAT RUTH BADER GINSBERG IS RIGHT SAYING WE SHOULD PROTECT ACCESS TO ABORTION BECAUSE IT'S ESSENTIAL TO WOMEN'S DIGNITY.

IT'S GROUNDS FOR PROTECTING ABORTIONS IS BETTER ROOTED IN THE EQUAL PROTECTION CLAUSE OF THE CONSTITUTION NOT THE ROE VERSUS WADE PRIVACY ARGUMENTS.

I AGREE THAT 99% OR MORE OF ABORTIONING, THE WODGES BEFORE A FETUS CAN LIVE OUTSIDE OF THE WOMB INDEPENDENTLY, SHOULD BE PROTECTED FEDERAL NO MATTER WHAT STATE SOMEONE LIVES IN AS WELL AS WHERE THE HEALTH ARE THE MOTHER OR THE FETUS BEING INBE VIABLE.

THE STATES HAVE NO RIGHT TO ACTUALLY ADJUCICATE.

THAT HOWEVER WHERE YOU AN I DIFFER IS THAT I BELIEVE THAT AFTER A FETUS CAN LIVE INDEPENDENTLY THAT RARE INSTANCE OF LATE TERM ABORTION THAT THOSE CHILDREN HAVE RIGHTS.

86% OF AMERICANS AGREE THAT IF YOU CAN LIVE OUTSIDE THE WOMB YOU SHOULD HAVE LEGAL RIGHTS.

>> FOLLOW UP, PLEASE.

>> THE QUESTION IS, DON'T YOU AGREE THAT THE PEOPLE MAKING THE DECISIONS ABOUT THOSE VERY DIFFICULT CASES SHOULD BE AN INDIVIDUAL VERMONTERS IN CONJUNCTION WITH THEIR DOCTOR, NOT ACTUALLY HAVE IT BE LEFT UP TO A GOVERNMENT TO DECIDE WHAT SHOULD HAPPEN?

>> IF 99% OF THE CASES ARE PROTECTED AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL -- >> BUT THEY ARE NOT CURRENTLY.

>> I THINK THEY SHOULD BE.

I WOULD AGREE WITH YOU THERE.

WHAT I WOULD SAY IS THAT WE NEED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT A LEGAL RIGHT IS A LEGAL RIGHT.

EVEN IF IT'S A RARE INSTANCE THAT NEEDS TO BE PROTECTED.

SO IS L MATTERY SIDE AND PATRY SIDE.

THE MENENDEZ BROTHERS THAT KILLED THEIR PARENTS, THAT'S A RARE THING BUT WE STILL HOLD THEM ETHICALLY ACCOUNTABLE FOR THOSE ACTIONS AND THAT'S THE WAY IT SHOULD BE FOR THE RARE INSTANCE OF LATE TERM ABORTION.

>> LIAM MADDEN, DO YOU HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION FOR SENATOR BALINT?

>> SO WOULD YOU VOTE FOR A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE ADMISSION OF NATO, UKRAINE INTO NATO?

>> I WOULD BE VERY INTERESTED TO HEARING THE CASE THAT IS MADE.

I KNOW THAT YOU HAVE SOME SCANDINAVIAN COUNTRIES NOW ALSO INTERESTED IN JOINING NATO, SO AT THIS POINT I NEED TO HEAR THE BEST CASE SCENARIO FOR THAT TO HAPPEN.

I DON'T THINK THAT EITHER OF US HAVE HAD THE INTELLIGENCE BRIEFING THAT WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO MAKE THESE DECISIONS HERE IN THIS DEBATE.

WE NEED TO GO INTO CONGRESS WITH AN UNDERSTANDING THAT WE HAVE TO DO DEEP, DEEP LEARNING AND UNDERSTAND THE ISSUE FROM MY DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES.

I'M CERTAINLY OPEN TO THAT.

BUT I WOULD NEED MORE HARD INTELLIGENCE TO HELP ME INFORM THAT DECISION.

>> I WOULD AGREE WITH YOU ON WE BOTH NEED TO BE OPEN TO DEEP LEARNING ON A NUMBER OF THINGS BUT I DON'T NEAT TOO MUCH DEEP LEARNING TO KNOW THA ALLOWING UKRAINE TO JOIN NATO WOULD SCA ESCALATE TO NUCLEAR WAR.

THAT'S ALREADY A GIVEN IN PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE.

>> WE'RE ALREADY IN A SITUATION WHERE RUSSIA HAS INVADED A SOVEREIGN NATION AND IS ALREADY SABER RATTLING WITH NUCLEAR ARMS.

SO IN THAT WAY, WE HAVE TO LOOK AT WHAT ARE ALL THE POSSIBILITIES ON THE TABLE THAT WOULD HELP DETER THAT FROM ESCALATING.

I'M NOT GOING TO RULE IT OUT.

>> SENATOR BALINT, FINAL QUESTION FOR LIAM MADDEN.

>> YES.

I'M PROUD OF THE WORK THAT I HAVE DONE HERE IN VERMONT TO WORK ON GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION.

I HELPED PASS VERMONT'S FIRST MEANINGFUL GUN SAFETY LEGISLATION IN DECADES.

AS A PARENT, AS A FORMER TEACHER I KNOW JUST HOW PAINFUL IT IS FOR VERMONTERS WHEN WE SEE NEWS STORIES OF KIDS BEING SLAUGHTERED IN SCHOOLS.

I JUST AM CURIOUS WHY YOU DON'T SUPPORT AN ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN.

>> SO WE ABSOLUTELY SHOULD BE WORKING TO REDUCE GUN VIOLENCE.

AND WHAT I HOLD AS A VALUE WITH MY LIBERAL FRIENDS IS THAT WE NEED TO FIND WAYS THAT REDUCE THAT EFFECT OF HOW GUNS HAVE BEEN AVAILABLE FOR GENERATIONS AND YET ONLY IN THE LAST GENERATION HAS IT EXPLODED INTO AN EPIDEMIC OF VIOLENCE.

MAYBE THERE'S SOMETHING IN OUR COMMUNITIES, MENTAL HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURE CAUSING THIS PROBLEM.

WHERE I DISAGREE, I SEE VALUE IN THE ABILITY OF THE SECOND AMENDMENT TO ALLOW COORDINATION AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD IT BECOME AUTHORITARIAN.

I HAVE BEEN USED AS AN IMPLEMENT OF FOREIGN POLICY TO VIOLENTLY COERCE A CIVILIAN POPULATION.

I DON'T THINK THE PEOPLE THAT SENT ME TO THAT WAR ARE SO MORALLY UPRIGHT THAT WOULD PUT AMERICANS UNDER THAT OBLIGATION.

PEOPLE ON THE RIGHT EMPHASIZE THE RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS IS CONNECTED TO THE RESPONSIBILITY TO BE PART OF SOMETHING THAT IS WELL REGULATED.

I THINK THERE'S A MIDDLE GROUND -- >> THAT IS YOUR TIME.

SENATOR BALINT, DO YOU HAVE A FOLLOW-UP?

>> AGAIN, IF YOU'RE GOING TO ROOT IT IN A WELL REGULATED MILITIA WHY DO YOU NOT SUPPORT AN ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN FOR INDIVIDUAL PEOPLE?

THAT'S WHAT I'M TRYING TO UNDERSTAND.

THAT'S WHAT I THINK VERMONTERS ARE TRYING TO UNDERSTAND.

>> SO IF WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO COORDINATE DEFENSE AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT RIGHT NOW IF IT'S A WELL REGULATED MILITIA, STATE NATIONAL GUARD, THAT'S UNDER THE CHAIN OF COMMAND OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SO IT DEFEATS THE PURPOSE.

YOU NEED SOMETHING MORE LOCAL.

THAT WOULD GIVE ME OR FELLOW MARINE OR MILITARY VETERANS THE ABILITY TO BE IN COMMUNITY, TO UNDERSTAND THERE'S A LINK BETWEEN RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES AND THE RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS IS LINKED TO THE RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS IN COMMUNITY DEFENSE AND THAT PEOPLE WHO HAVE THAT LIFE EXPERIENCE CAN BE WITH A DYLANICALLY BOLD TO PREVENT THAT KIND OF TRAGEDY FROM HAPPENING.

>> THAT'S YOUR TIME.

THIS CONCLUDES THE SECOND SEGMENT OF OUR PROGRAM.

WHEN WE COME BACK THE CANDIDATES WILL ANSWER QUESTIONS SUBMITTED BY VERMONTERS.

I'M CONNOR CYRUS.

THIS IS THE DEBATE WITH CANDIDATES FOR THE U.S. HOUSE ON VERMONT PUBLIC.

EFFICIENCY ELECTRIFICATION AND OTHER LESS HARMFUL FUELS?

>> DONNA, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT QUESTION.

SENATOR BALINT, LET'S START WITH YOU.

>> I THINK THE THING I WOULD WANT YOU TO KNOW IS WHEN I TALK TO VERMONTERS THE VAST MAJORITY OF VERMONTERS WANT TO DO THAT.

FOR THEM IT'S A FINANCIAL CONCERN THAT THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO DO IT ON THEIR INCOME AS IT EXISTS NOW.

SO I'M LOOKING TO SUPPORTING A FEDERAL INVESTMENT IN SOLAR AND WEATHERIZATION AND GETTING FOLKS TRAINED TO DO WEATHERIZATION ON THE GROUND IN VERMONT.

WHAT I HEAR MOST FROM VERMONTERS IS THEY WANT TO DO THE RIGHT THING BUT FEEL FINANCIALLY UNABLE TO DO IT OR FEEL PARALYZED SO WE HAVE TO MAKE IT EASIER TO MAKE THESE CHANGES PERSONALLY.

>> LIAM, HOW DO YOU RESPOND?

>> DONNA, THE SHORT ANSWER IS YES, INVESTMENT IN NEW ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE THAT HELPS USE LESS ENERGY IN THE FIRST PLACE LIKE CLUSTERED DOWNTOWN HOUSING AND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.

LONGER ANSWER, I AM A RENEWABLE ENERGY PROFESSIONAL.

I CO-WON AN AWARD FOR BUSINESS MODELS ADDRESSING CLIMATE CHANGE.

I HAVE DEDICATED MY LIFE TO PROTECTING THE BEAUT, HEALTH AND VITALITY OF THIS PLANET.

I THINK REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE NEEDS TO BE THE BACKBONE OF HOW WE APPROACH CLIMATE CHANGE.

>> OUR NEXT QUESTION COMES FROM CALEDONIA COUNTY.

>> THIS IS MARGARET.

I LIVE IN HARDWICK.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO ADDRESS THE EFFECT OF THE MILITARY INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX ON OUR ECONOMIC PRIORITIES?

>> THANK YOU, MARGARET, FOR THAT QUESTION.

LIAM, WE TOUCHED UPON THIS A LITTLE BIT.

LET'S DIVE INTO IT AGAIN.

>> MARGARET, I THINK THAT I'M THE ONLY CANDIDATE ON THIS STAGE WHO HAS PROPOSED REDUCING THE MILITARY BUDGET BY 50%.

TO PROVIDE THE ABILITY TO INVEST IN ECONOMY CENTERED ON HUMAN BE WELL-BEING AND SUSTAINABILITY.

I WOULD ADD TO THAT THAT STRENGTH AS A COUNTRY DOES NOT COME FROM JUST OUR MILITARY, IT COMES FROM OUR PRODUCTIVE CAPACITY, FROM THE EDUCATION OF OUR CITIZENS AND OUR ABILITY TO HAVE SOCIAL COHESION AND MOBILIZE AROUND CERTAIN ISSUES.

THAT'S WHAT I WILL INVEST IN.

>> SENATOR BALINT, HOW DO YOU RESPOND?

>> REALLY APPRECIATE THE QUESTION.

I KNOW IT'S BEEN A SOURCE OF FRUSTRATION FOR BOTH SENATOR SANDERS AND SOON TO BE SENATOR WELCH.

CONGRESSMAN WELCH HAS SAID REPEATEDLY WHY ARE WE CONTINUING TO SUPPORT MILITARY BUDGETS ABOVE AND BEYOND WHAT THE PENTAGON HAS EVEN ASKED FOR.

I AGREE WITH LIAM MADDEN THAT WE HAVE TO REDUCE THE MILITARY SPENDING.

I THINK WE HAVE TO BE SERIOUS THAT IF RIGHT NOW CONGRESS IS PASSING BUDGETS THAT ARE FAR AND ABOVE WHAT THE MILITARY HAS ASKED FOR A NICE STARTING POINT WOULD BE TO REALLY LOOK AT WHAT IS NEEDED AND ONLY FUNDING THAT.

>> OUR NEXT QUESTION IS ABOUT MISINFORMATION.

>> MY NAME IS LAWRENCE SMITH.

I'M A RETIREE LIVING IN BROOKFIELD.

I HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT WHERE OUR NATION IS HEADED.

MY QUESTION IS THIS: WILL AMERICANS CONTINUE TO BELIEVE ELECTIONS ARE RIGGED IF THEIR SIDE LOSES OR WILL TRUSTED METHODS EMERGE TO BLOCK FALSE NARRATIVES?

IF SO, WHAT WOULD THAT LOOK LIKE?

>> LAWRENCE, THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.

SENATOR BALINT, LET'S GO TO YOU.

>> I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS AS WELL.

IT IS CLEAR TO ME EVEN BEING OUT AND AROUND VERMONT ON THIS CAMPAIGN THERE ARE TIMES WHEN I HAVE HAD TO ENGAGE WITH VERMONTERS ABOUT MISINFORMATION AND DISINFORMATION.

I THINK ONE THING THAT CONGRESS NEEDS TO GET SERIOUS ABOUT IS REALLY REGULATING BIG SOCIAL MEDIA.

I THINK THAT THAT IS THE ROOT OF A LOT OF THE MISINFORMATION AND DISINFORMATION SPREAD SO QUICKLY AND WE NEED NOT TO NOT BE AFRAID TO REGULATE THAT.

IT'S A POWERFUL TOOL NOT WORKING FOR GOOD RIGHT NOW.

>> LIAM, HOW DO YOU RESPOND?

>> LAWRENCE, THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM.

THE WAY SOCIAL MEDIA HAS AFFECTED OUR SOCIETY I THINK IS PROFOUND.

WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT IT CAN BE AS SENATOR BALINT SAID A TOOL FOR GOOD OR FOR HARM.

WHAT I'M INTERESTED IN MAKING SURE THAT AS WE ADDRESS AND REGULATE SOCIAL MEDIA THAT WE DO NOT DESTROY FREE SPEECH BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT THAT HAS BEEN THE FLIP SIDE OF DEALING WITH THE DISINFORMATION PROBLEM.

A RENAISSANCE IN CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS.

IT DOESN'T MATTER IF THERE'S A LOT OF DISINFORMATION IF WE HAVE A POPULATION CAPABLE OF NAVIGATING THAT WISELY.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT.

THE NEXT QUESTION, HAVE YOU EVER HAD TO ADMIT YOU WERE WRONG?

OUR NEXT QUESTION ASKS FOR THAT.

>> I'M XANDER FROM HINESBURG.

I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHETHER OVER THE COURSE OF YOUR POLITICAL CAREER YOU HAVE CHANGED YOUR POSITION ON ANY SIGNIFICANT POLITICAL ISSUES AND IF SO, WHICH ONES OR ONE, AND WHAT CHANGED YOUR MIND?

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT, XANDER.

LIAM MADDEN, LET'S START WITH YOU.

>> NO, SORRY.

MY POLITICAL CAREER IS VERY SHORT BUT YES, I HAVE COME AROUND FROM BEING INCREDIBLY FEARFUL ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE TO ALLOWING MYSELF TO VIEW IT AS A CHALLENGE, A RISK WE CERTAINLY NEED TO CONTEND WITH BUT NOT ONE I'M ALLOWING FEAR TO COMPLETELY DOMINATE MY HEART AND MIND WITH.

I HAVE STEPPED INTO A LITTLE MORE UNCERTAINTY AROUND FACTS TO TRY TO SAY, WHAT IS THE BEST PATH FORWARD EVEN IF I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY EVERY PIECE OF CLIMATE SCIENCE OUT THERE.

>> SENATOR BALINT, WHEN IT COMES TO CHANGING YOUR MIND HOW DO YOU RESPOND?

>> I REALLY APPRECIATE THE QUESTION.

AS A PARENT I HAVE TO ADMIT ALL THE TIME WHEN I HAVE BEEN WRONG ABOUT SOMETHING.

ONE THING THAT I KNOW MY FEELING HAS EVOLVED OVER THE COURSE OF THE EIGHT YEARS IN THE STATE SENATE IS MY VIEW ON THE OPIOID CRISIS AND REALLY EMBRACING THE IDEA OF HARM REDUCTION THAT WE SHOULD BE DOING EVERYTHING THAT WE CAN AT THE LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL LEVEL TO KEEP PEOPLE ALIVE, TO GET THEM INTO TREATMENT.

TO MAKE SURE WE UNDERSTAND THAT PEOPLE RELAPSE MULTIPLE TIMES AND THAT'S PART OF THE PROBLEM.

SORRY, PART OF THE PROCESS OF GETTING HEALTHY.

>> OUR FINAL AUDIENCE QUESTION COMES FROM C.J.

IN CORNWELL.

THEY JUST TURNED 65 AND ARE STRUGGLING TRANCE FRITION VERMONT MEDICAID TO MEDICARE.

THAT TRANSITION LED TO A LOSING A PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER AND STRUGGLE TO FIND A NEW DOCTOR.

C.J.

ASKS, MEDICARE PREMIUMS ARE TAKING A LARGE PERCENTAGE OF MY INCOME.

HOW CAN IT BE REFORNLD ON A FEDERAL LEVEL?

>> EVERY EUROPEAN COUNTRY SEEMS TO MANAGE NATIONAL SOCIALIZED HEALTH CARE AND DOESN'T BANKRUPT THEM.

THE ONLY ARLT AGAINST IT IT WILL CAUSE LESS CARE ALTHOUGH WE HAVE HAD AN EPIDEMIC INCREASE IN EVERY CHRONIC DISEASE IN THE UNITED STATES FROM AUTISM AND AUTOIMMUNITY AND DIABETES ACROSS THE BOARD BUT WE PAY MORE.

SO I DO NOT SEE HOW EVERY EUROPEAN NATION CAN HAVE SOCIALIZED MEDICINE AND THE UNITED STATES THE RICHEST COUNTRY IN THE HISTORY OF THE PLANET CAN'T MANAGE THAT.

I'M FOR SOCIALIZED MEDICINE AND WE NEED PATHWAYS TOWARDS THAT.

>> THAT'S A GREAT THING TO SEE THAT I WILL YAM MADDEN AND I AGREE WE HAVE TO MOVE TOWARDS MEDICARE FOR ALL.

WE'RE BOTH CHILDREN MUCH IMMIGRANTS.

WE HAVE A VIEW OF THE WORLD IN WHICH WE SEE OTHER COUNTRIES HAVE FIGURED THIS OUT AND TAKE CARE OF ALL OF THEIR CITIZENRY.

I AGREE THAT IT CAN'T JUST BE ABOUT PURELY PHYSICAL HEALTH WHEN IT COMES TO MEDICARE FOR ALL.

WE MENTAL HEALTH CARE, DENTAL, EYE CARE.

WE SHOULD BE DOING BETTER.

>> IT'S NOW TIME FOR OUR LIGHTNING ROUND BEFORE THE END OF THE DEBATE.

PLEASE KEEP YOUR ANSWERS AS SHORT AS POSSIBLE, WHICH MEANS TEN SECONDS OR LESS.

WILL YOU VOTE YES OR NO ON ARTICLE 22 SOMETIMES CALLED PROP 5, THE REPRODUCTIVE LIBERTY AMENDMENT ON THE BALLOT THIS NOVEMBER.

SENATOR BALINT?

>> YES, ABSOLUTELY.

>> LIAM MADDEN.

>> THE WORDING IS TOO VAGUE FOR ME.

I THINK REPRODUCTIVE AUTONOMY CAN -- >> YES OR NO?

>> NO, I WILL NOT VOTE FOR IT.

>> WHAT TECHNOLOGY DO YOU THINK IS THE MOST CRITICAL FOR THE UNITED STATES TO LEAD IN IN THIS COMING DECADE?

LIAM MADDEN?

>> ENERGY TECHNOLOGY.

>> ENERGY TECHNOLOGY.

>> ON OCTOBER 1 VERMONT BECAME THE 15th STATE TO ALLOW LEGAL RETAIL CANNABIS SALES.

WOULD YOU SUPPORT LEGALIZING CANNABIS NATIONWIDE?

LIAM MADDEN.

>> I NEED TO CONFER WITH VERMONT GROWERS.

IF IT HARMS THEM PROBABLY NOT BUT I DON'T WANT TO SEE ANYONE IN JAIL FOR MARIJUANA.

>> SENATOR BALINT.

>> YES.

>> DO YOU SUPPORT TERM LIMITS FOR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, IF SO HOW MANY TERMS, HOW MANY YEARS SHOULD THEY SERVE?

>> YES, I DO BELIEVE IN TERM LIMITS.

IT'S HEALTHIER FOR A DEMOCRACY.

HAVE TO THINK HARD ABOUT WHAT THAT COULD BE.

THREE, FOUR TERMS IN THE SENATE.

>> LIAM MADDEN.

>> THREE OR FOUR TERMS IN THE SENATE OR THE CONGRESS?

>> I'LL LET YOU RESPOND TO THAT.

>> I'M TALKING ABOUT IN THE SENATE AND IN THE HOUSE PERHAPS FIVE TERMS.

>> OKAY.

YES, I SUPPORT TERM LIMITS.

I'M WILLING TO IMPOSE THEM ON MYSELF.

I THINK THREE TO FIVE TERMS FOR A CONGRESS PERSON IS APPROPRIATE.

>> WOMEN IN IRAN HAVE RIPPED OFF THEIR HIJABS AND HEAD SCARVES AS PART OF A MASSIVE PROTEST AGAINST THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS.

THE COUNTRY.

WHAT IF ANYTHING SHOULD THE U.S. DO TO SUPPORT THEM?

I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU GUYS 20 SECOND TO RESPOND.

BIG QUESTION.

30 SECONDS.

>> WE SHOULD ALWAYS BE INVESTING IN U.N. PROGRAMS THAT SUPPORT WOMEN GLOBALLY.

THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT.

CRITICAL WORK THAT THE U.N. HAS WORKED ON FOR A LONG TIME.

I THINK WE ALSO AGAIN GO BACK TO MY ISSUE ABOUT IMMIGRATION REFORM HERE.

WE SHOULD BE REALLY LOOKING CAREFULLY ABOUT HOW DO WE MAKE OUR COUNTRY WELCOMING TO PEOPLE AROUND THE GLOBE WHO WANT TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE AMERICAN ECONOMY AND THE AMERICAN WAY OF LIFE.

>> LIAM MADDEN.

>> THAT WAS BEAUTIFULLY PUT, BECCA.

ESPECIALLY FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE IN AUTOCRATIC COUNTRIES AND NEED POLITICAL ASYLUM I THINK IMMIGRATION REFORM IS IMPORTANT.

I DON'T REALLY KNOW HOW YOU CAN ADDRESS THE PEOPLE IN IRAN'S PROBLEMS OTHER THAN CONTINUING PUT ECONOMIC AND DIPLOMATIC LEVERAGE ON THE NATION OF IRAN AND I THINK THAT MEANS WE NEED TO BE ACTUALLY WILLING TO NEGOTIATE WITH THEM AND HAVE LESS OF A BELLIGERENT STANCE TOWARDS THEM.

>> DO YOU SUPPORT A UNIVERSAL BASIC INCOME, A PROPOSED STRATEGY TO ALLEVIATE POVERTY BY REGULARLY SENDING EVERY CITIZEN A SET AMOUNT OF MONEY?

LIAM MADDEN.

>> I HAVE TEN SECONDS?

NO, I THINK IT WOULD COST TOO MUCH BUT I'M OPEN TO LEARNING IF THAT'S NOT THE CASE.

IT SEEMS LIKE IT COSTS TOO MUCH.

>> I THINK IT'S A REALLY INTRIGUING IDEA AND WILL SAVE MONEY FOR US IN THE LONG TERM.

THE SMALL SCALE PROJECTS THAT HAVE BEEN DONE HAVE SHOWN PROMISE.

I AM INTRIGUED BY THE POSSIBILITY.

>> WOULD YOU SUPPORT RANK CHOICE VOTING IN ALL STATE AND FEDERAL ELECTIONS IN VERMONT?

>> I DO SUPPORT RANK CHOICE VOTING.

I HAVE LEARNED IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT WAYS TO GO ABOUT IT SO MY ONLY CAVEAT IS I KNOW THAT VERMONTERS DISAGREE ON WHAT GOOD RANK CHOICE VOTING LOOKS LIKE.

>> RANK CHOICE VOTING IS A GOOD INNOVATION INSUFFICIENT TO THE SCALE OF OUR CHALLENGES TO CREATE A HEALTHY DEMOCRACY BUT PART OF AN INNOVATION SET THAT COULD HELP.

>> WHAT ROLE DOES FAITH OR LACK THEREOF PLAY IN YOUR POLICY MAKING, LIAM MADDEN.

>> LIFE IS SACRED TO ME.

THIS PLANET IS SACRED TO ME.

COMMUNITIES THAT ARE HEALTHY AND VIBRANT ARE SACRED TO ME AND I'M HERE TO BE A SERVANT TO THOSE THINGS.

>> MY VIEW IS ALWAYS ABOUT ALLEVIATING SUFFERING.

THAT IS MY GOAL.

I HAVE A VERY STRONG SPIRITUAL PRACTICE.

>> AN APPROPRIATE QUESTION TO END THIS LIGHTNING ROUND, DO YOU DRIVE AN ELECTRIC CAR, WHY OR WHY NOT?

>> MY FAMILY OANSZ ONE AND WE ALSO OWN A SMALL HONDA FIT THAT WE ARE LOOKING TO CHANGE FOR AN ELECTRIC TRUCK BUT I HAVE BEEN ON THE WAITING LIST FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

>> LIAM MADDEN.

>> I HAVE A 2007 TOYOTA HYBRID CAMRY.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT.

I KNOW THAT WAS TOUGH.

WE GAVE YOU AN EXTRA TIME ON THAT ONE TO ANSWER THAT REALLY TOUGH QUESTION.

NOW IT'S TIME FOR ONE MINUTE CLOSING STATEMENT FROM EACH OF THE CANDIDATES.

THE ORDER WAS DETERMINED RANDOMLY BEFORE THE SHOW.

LIAM, YOU'RE UP FIRST.

>> FELLOW VERMONTERS, OUR POLITICAL SYSTEM IS DEEPLY DYSFUNCTIONAL.

IT WON'T BE FIXED BY ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER WINNING A SUPERMAJORITY AND SAVING THE DAY OR JUST ASKING THEM TO BE CIVIL WITH EACH OTHER.

TO THINK THAT THAT IS WHAT WILL MAKE IT WORK IS TO THINK THAT TRYING THE SAME THING OVER AND OVER IS GOING TO YIELD NEW RESULTS AND THAT IS HOW WE SHOULD DEFINE INSANITY.

WHAT WE NEED ARE INNOVATIONS TO THE TECHNOLOGY AND THE PROCESS OF POLITICS.

THE ONLY WAY THAT WE CAN ACHIEVE THAT I PROMISE YOU IS THROUGH MORE AND BETTER FORMS OF CITIZEN ENGAGEMENT.

THE CONSTITUTION WAS DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE CONCENTRATION OF POWER THROUGH A SYSTEM OF CHECKS AND BALANCES ON THE GOVERNMENT FROM WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT BUT THE ONLY CHECK AND BALANCE THE PEOPLE HAVE ON THE GOVERNMENT IS THROUGH VOTING EVERY TWO TO FOUR YEARS OFTEN FOR THE LESSER OF TWO EVILS.

THAT'S NOT ENOUGH.

OUR HISTORY SHOWS THAT'S NOT ENOUGH TO COURSE CORRECT A SYSTEM THAT'S BROKEN.

A SYSTEM THAT GIVES US A CHOICE BETWEEN DONALD TRUMP AND JOE BIDEN IS FAILING TO FULFILL OUR POTENTIAL.

I'M HERE TO REMIND US THAT WE'RE CAPABLE OF PROFOUNDLY BETTER WAY OF DOING POLITICS, CAPABLE OF SO MUCH MORE IF WE CAN BE NOT AFRAID TO BE ROOTED IN REALITY ABOUT THE NATURE OF OUR PROBLEMS, TO BE VISIONARY IN HOW TO NAVIGATE THEM.

THAT'S WHAT I WILL HELP US DO.

>> KNORR BALINT.

>> SO FIRST AND FOREMOST WHAT I WANT PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND ABOUT ME IS I'M A LONG TIME MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHER, AND TO BE A TEACHER YOU HAVE TO LISTEN DEEPLY, BUILD COALITIONS, YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT FAMILIES COMING INTO YOUR SCHOOL FEEL SEEN AND THAT IS HOW I HAVE DONE MY WORK IN THE LEGISLATURE.

I'M AN EXPERIENCED LEGISLATOR WHO HAS WORKED ON ISSUES VERY IMPORTANT TO VERMONTERS FROM HOUSING INVESTMENTS TO CLIMATE CHANGE, REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS, MINIMUM WAGE INCREASES, PAID SICK LEAVE.

HAVE DONE THIS BECAUSE I CARE DEEPLY ABOUT MY COMMUNITY AND I HAVE REALLY WORKED HARD TO SERVE THEM.

IT'S SO IMPORTANT THAT THE STAKES RIGHT NOW ARE INCREDIBLY HIGH.

WE NEED SOMEBODY IN CONGRESS WHO IS GOING TO BE STANDING UP FOR OUR HUMAN RIGHTS, STANDING UP FOR VOTING RIGHTS AND SOMEBODY WHO UNDERSTANDS THAT IF WE FAIL WE WILL SLIDE TOWARDS AUTHORITARIANISM IN THIS COUNTRY.

WE SEE ALL THE SIGNS.

I'M SOMEBODY WHO IS CLEAR EYED ABOUT THE CHALLENGES AHEAD OF US AND I'M HONORED TO HAVE SERVED YOU AND HOPE I CAN EARN YOUR SUPPORT FOR CONGRESS.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THOSE CLOSING STATEMENTS.

THIS CONCLUDES THE DEBATE WITH THE CANDIDATES FOR THE U.S. HOUSE ON VERMONT PUBLIC.

THANKS TO DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE BECCA BALINT AND REPUBLICAN INDEPENDENT DENT LIAM MADDEN.

JOIN US THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, WHERE MY CO-HOST WILL MODERATE A DEBATE WITH THE MAJOR PARTY CANDIDATES FOR THE U.S. SENATE.

THAT'S REPUBLICAN GERALD MALLOY AND DEMOCRAT REPRESENTATIVE PETER WELCH.

THE VERMONT PUBLIC DEBATES ARE PRODUCED BY MATTHEW SMITH, DAVID LITTLEFIELD, MIKE DUNN, DAVID RICE, FRANK ALWINE, I AM CONNOR CYRUS.

I APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE AND WE'LL TALK TO YOU AGAIN SOON.