Welcome, i am Patricia Murphy with the atlantic journal constitution. You are watching the Atlantic Press club debate series. This is a general Election Debate for Congressional District six. In order to ensure everyones safety, candidates and panelists are participating from their homes. A special thank you to georgia public broadcasting for elva for helping organize these online debates. Lets meet the candidate. , a republican who served as georgias secretary of state and previously held the Congressional District six c. Lucy mcbath as served as representative of Congressional District six since 2018. She spent 30 years working for delta airlines. Lets meet the panelists. Withey dunlap, a reporter the georgia recorder and george estevez, and anchor with wsb dtv. Candidates will have a 60 seconds to answer the questions and 30 seconds to respond for rebuttals. I will hold a piece of paper up leading candidates know when they have 10 seconds remaining. For the full set of rules please visit the Atlantic Press club website. Willtart of the debate include each candidate being asked two questions. George, you get the first question to lucy mcbath. Question number one. The Affordable Care act is set to go before the Supreme Court. There is a federal supplement for people who have coverage but are considered low income. If the Supreme Court upholds the ruling coming their way, that responsibility moves to the state to fund low income families. How do you propose the state of georgia funds that part of the program . Since i am a Breast Cancer survivor myself, i have dealt with my own mortality and the last thing i was concerned about was my hospital bills. I cosponsored legislation that would lower the cost of prescription drugs for people who have preexisting conditions, but my opponents record on health care is absolutely dismal. Raise the cost of health care and treatment and prescription drugs for people who have preexisting conditions. We have got 45,000 children that have preexisting conditions. My opponent also attempted to cut funding for Cancer Screening provided by planned parenthood and i am so thankful she was not and isful in doing so will continue to fight to make sure health care is accessible to each and every one. It is not a privilege, youre right. Mishandle, would you like mrs. Handel, would you like a rebuttal . Quest mr. Mcbeth as blatantly lied about my record. I have always supported protections for people with preexisting conditions. I legislation i cosponsored in congress to do just that. It is important to listen to whatlucy said and look at she does. This is the fact. She has had an opportunity for two years to pass legislation for preexisting conditions, and she is not. Democrats do not want to solve the problem. They want a political talking point for campaign ads. Look at what she does. Thank you. Stanley dunlap, you may now ask your question to mishandle mrs. Handel. [speaking foreign language] [indiscernible] come out in support of her becoming a justice. With hearings taking place in close to election, do you think the confirmation should take covid19sover the package being passed . A president is elected for four years, not 3. 5 years or three years and nine months. Even Justice Ginsburg acknowledge that. It is any president s constitutional right and obligation to move forward with a nomination and then that goes through the senate process. I think it is important for people to remember it was democrats that change the rules and could not get their way. The real issue here is that things move forward is where is lindsay mcbeth going to be unpacking the courts. I oppose it. , do you have a rebuttal . [indiscernible] the only one trying to pack the courts is Mitch Mcconnell and President Trump. I am very concerned about judge wantings policy agenda to possibly dismantled the Affordable Care act that millions of americans depend on and also her stance on choice. I am very concerned she might a woman tooice of choose what is best for her body and i will continue to champion and washington, d. C. To make sure people have access to Affordable Health care, especially those with preexisting conditions and always make sure a woman has a choice to do what is best for her body. Stanley, please ask your next question to lucy mcbath. Votes ,t 3000 about 3000 votes [indiscernible] aboute had legal battles the security of electronic Voting Machines versus paper ballots and we have already claims from President Trump that absentee ballots [indiscernible] what should be done to ensure voters do not become discouraged and do have confidence that the outcome of the election will be accurate . Sponsoredress i have comprehensive legislation that would protect the integrity of our elections, supporting funding for election security. Were prevented from supporting the right to vote in a timely way and they stood in long lines until midnight at understaffed polling stations. We have got to make sure voting is fair and we have to make sure we continue to do so. My opponent as a long history of obstructing peoples ability to vote. ,hen she was secretary of state she was found by the Justice Department to have violated the Voting Rights act when shes depressed thousands and thousands of peoples ability to exercise their right to vote. I believe that is not just a privilege, a right every american should have and people fought and died in this country to exercise their right to vote. Do you have a rebuttal . I do. Lucy mcbath as no idea what she is talking about. The twoly oversaw thousand eight president ial elections with president obama on the ballot and it was successful with voter id. The most people ever voted in that election with historic. Urnout what lucy mcbath is failing to tell you if the legislation she supports would give her 5 million to run her campaign. George, you get the final question this round for karen handel. Lets talk about money. Next round of stimulus, we could nextround put up for vote thursday. A lot of programs in our state rely on stimulus motive because the revenue has run out. Programs transports people around the area. I will you approach the reality of americans needing more help as we dive deeper into this pandemic and where should that money go . Families and Small Businesses across the country definitely need more relief and it is an absolute shame that democrats like lucy mcbath are playing political games with the package. At the very least, republicans and democrats should come together to reappropriate the over 1 million that has not been spent yet or give states flexibility to spend those dollars and other areas to best meet the needs of citizens on the ground in the sixth district, across georgia and the country. We need to get our economy going again and that will not happen with a 4 trillion tax hike proposed by Vice President biden. We need to keep taxes low. That is the text meant lucy mcbath called tax plan lucy no lightd lifting millions of people up and out of poverty, so thank you for that great question. Do you have a rebuttal . Every day i took to people who are still reeling from the pandemic. The month before this pandemic in our shores, i worked across the aisle to modernize public data systems by which system would be able to respond to this public pandemic. That funding was included in the overall package for care spending to respond to covid19 and when covid19 began impacting our country, i hosted numerous tunnels [indiscernible] and tools for people in this district respond and come to a quality matter of life. That concludes the first portion of the debate. The candidates will not take turns asking each other a question. 60 seconds to respond, 30 seconds for a rebuttal. Karen handel, you may ask the first question. I would like to know since we are in the middle of the Supreme Court hearings today and the rest of this week, do you support packing the court, because while the process goes through the senate, any legislation that would expand the number of Supreme Court justices would come through the u. S. House of representatives, specifically the Judiciary Committee which both of us have served on. Yes or no, would you support legislation to expend the same court Supreme Court . Is the only individuals wanting to pack the court would be Mitch Mcconnell and President Trump. Barrettsned about record on health care because she supports decisions that would take away Affordable Care for millions of people and take away from their ability to choose what is best for their bodies and only people that are willing to pack the Supreme Court are Mitch Mcconnell and President Trump. Disillusioned with the overall mismanagement of covid19. That is where we should be focusing our time and energy making sure people still have tols and resources they need get through this pandemic. People are still reeling and hurting all throughout the united states. Apparently, representative mcbath does not understand the process. Yes or no, do you support legislation to expand the Supreme Court as senator schumer as proposed and Speaker Pelosi has said she wants to do and it lets be honest with the people watching today. There is nothing preventing democrats like you and Speaker Pelosi from getting to the table on that Committee Relief package. You do not want to present. You want to pack it full of controversial issues. You can get it done. Thank you. Lucy mcbath, it is now your turn to ask a question. You said your source of income is coming from gla, a group that [indiscernible] and also has been found to be pushing dangerous medical procedures on women. Did you list this group by its . Nitials to hide from voters ridiculous. The Organization Goes by gla here in the state of georgia, so i do not appreciate the situation you are insinuation you making. It is no secret i am prolife. Yes i held that organization with business tragedy strategy, but that is an emotional issue for everyone. I will submit to the people of this district that the only person with an extreme portion mcbathtion is miss because you have voted to provide life supporting care to a baby born alive. It is really disgraceful and i would like to think we could all agree that would be something we can support. Miss mcbath. To ers cannot stand you trust you to stand up for the right to choose. You even defended the most extreme abortion ban in the entire country would would expose which would expose them to life in prison. You tried to hide your payments from this radical organization and you cannot be trusted to fight for women in our communities. I will continue to oppose any ability you might put a board to prevent a womans ability to choose. That concludes our second around. This is the debate between candidates for Congressional District six. We will go back to the panel to ask questions until we run out of time. I will let determine it a rebuttal is appropriate. Candidates may raise their hand if they feel they should deserve a rebuttal. Lets talk about medicaid. Medicaid expansion is a topic georgia as had to deal with. The state asking for waivers, been declined. In the Affordable Care act turns 10. And then it will wean states all from funding for medicaid expansion. There are countless georgians who are underinsured were not insured ator not all. How should they suspended, amended, or follow it . Who is that too . Lucyat question will go to mcbath. Survivor,east cancer i was facing by or in mortality. The last thing on my mind was hospital bills. I cosponsored legislation that has passed through the house to lower the cost of prescription drugs and treatment and care for people like me with preexisting conditions. Sure we aree making protecting our seniors and the country. Ive sponsored legislation that would protect seniors. I sponsored legislation that would work with Social Security administration and the district to make sure we are protecting those benefits for our seniors. They should not be worried about how theyre going to pay their bills or make sure they are keeping from their homes being foreclosed on, and i want to make sure we continue to expand those benefits for medicare, making sure everybody has coverage because that is what people deserve. Stanley, it is your turn to ask a question. By president nse administration to the pandemic has been heavily criticized. Here in georgia, governor brian repeatedly [indiscernible] even after reopening the state. How do you vote both the president and brian kemps response during the pandemic for lucy mcbath . I talked to constituents every day who are still reeling from covid19 but i am proud of the work we have done it washington, d. C. With Bipartisan Legislation. My colleagues and i have proposed over 250 billion that would go toward Small Businesses. We have lowered the taxes for those most adversely affected by the pandemic. We have expanded the tax credit for hardworking families during this pandemic. So much more needs to be done. I talked to people all the time. Small Business Leaders have not received ppp. Our frontline workers are without the tools they need. We need to appropriate more money for testing and treatment be a vaccine, and we need to on the side of science and researchers to make sure there is social distancing, wearing masks, and making sure we are washing our hands and doing everything we can to mitigate this pandemic. There is so much more work that needs to be done. I am proud that i was is still trying to work with the senate. We have not left the table. Ahead, ms. Handel. Covid continues to take a tremendous toll on lives and livelihoods, but if you are listening to wealth and size experts, they are saying there is reason to be encouraged. This has been an unprecedented crisis across multiple fronts. Yes, but also the economy, mental health, addiction. Young people in abusive homes who cannot get schools. Whether than spending time theng to grade people, American People deserve better than this. Democrats need to get to the table and work this out for the American People. Thank you. George, it is returned for a question. I would like to ask miss handel the same question i asked ms. Mcbath. It countless georgians underinsured were not insured at all. How should congress proceed with this . Hould should they suspended, amended, or follow it . Christ the last ive seen, those waivers are coming for the states. When it comes specifically to medicaid, which i think my opponent did not understand the difference between medicaid and medicare, having lot grants block grants would be helpful for states like georgia and across the country so they can build out a Health Care System that best meet the needs of georgians. In congress, what we need to do to fix the gap in health care, we need standalone legislation to protect preexisting conditions. I will be a champion for that again just like i was when i was in congress. Choices versus less rate on the exchanges, there are only two plants remaining four people in the sixth district to choose from. Not is worse health care, better and for a but that falls through the cracks, i was proud to support more funding to Community Health centers and like i would like to see a strength and that network even more. Rebuttal to miss mcbath. I support expansion of health care, i always have. My opponent is trying to hide her vote two 2 billion to fight infectious diseases. Warnings to ignore from science and Health Care Advocates and cut funding just before the pandemic. This is the kind of reckless mistakes she has made. This ise the real the reason people rejected her in 2019. 2018. [indiscernible] question she introduced a new topic. It is absolutely not true that i voted to cut cdc spending. I do not know where she gets that from, but truth in advertising is missing. In her as she actually sites of and legislation that passed before i was even in congress. I voted tome, increase funding of the cdc and for an important realignment and organization to better Prioritize Health pandemic responses. I know you want to lie about my record in the interest of being own 97 percentur vote record with nancy pelosi. Question do you have a rebuttal . Do you have a rebuttal . On health care is absolutely dismal. You have supported bills that would drive up the cost of health care for people with preexisting conditions. Not only their treatments, their care and prescription drugs and you attempted to cut funding for Cancer Screenings provided by planned parenthood and you do not want anyone to know this. You have failed over and over again, and you have continued to lie and discredit [indiscernible] that is the reason they voted you out. Wei am afraid that is all have time for questions. Each candidate will have 60 seconds for closing statements. Mcgrath mcbath. I never expected the murder of my son and i realized leadership was not doing enough to keep our committee safe. I decided to run for office myself. I held the first emperor on all of this district as seen in decades and i worked tirelessly constituents about access to Vital Information and resources that they have needed during this pandemic. Partisan Bipartisan Legislation president law d angela into there is a lot of negativity and partisanship in america right now, and that is exactly what i am writing against. It is been my honor to serve you these last two years and i hope that i have earned the privilege to continue the good work we for begun in this district your vote november 3. Thank you, congresswoman. Candlendle handel, final statement. It is not about what list what lucy mcbath says, it is about what she does. Give funding to illegal immigrants, funding for Law Enforcement to release violent felons. She has a one issue activist who will not speak up or stand up for you. With nancy pelosi for a 1 trillion tax hike, taking away employerprovided health insurance, defunding the police and taking away local zoning controls. The people of this district know me. You know i work hard to fight through politics to get the job done. That is what i have done, cutting taxes, fighting the , helpingices crisis our veterans. I am asking for your vote so that together we can defeat ,ovid, rebuild our economy actually fix gaps in health care and keep our neighborhoods safe. Thank you and god bless you. That concludes our debate. We would like to remind voters election today is tuesday, november 3. Do not forget to turn in your absentee ballot and early inperson voting against yesterday and continues through october 30. Thank you to the candidates and panel for participating in this debate. I would like to think the letterpress club and georgia public broadcasting for arranging today estimate. Please visit atl antapressclub. Org. Number threeures murphy. Patricia thank you for joining us. You are watching cspan, your unfiltered view of government created by americas Cable Television company as a Public Service and brought to you today by your television provider. Trumps President Campaign rally today in michigan. , husbandt, doug emhoff of kamala harris, campaigns for the democratic ticket in iowa. Then, the Kentucky Senate debate between Senate Majority leader Mitch Mcconnell and amy mcgrath. Sunday, joe biden campaigns at a Voter Mobilization event in durham, north carolina, where early voting is already underway. Thats live at 1 00 p. M. Eastern on cspan. With the Senate Confirmation hearings for judge Amy Coney Barrett concluded, watch the next steps in the confirmation process. Thursday at 9 00 a. M. Eastern, the senate Judiciary Committee votes on her nomination. Friday at 10 00 a. M. Eastern on cspan two, the full senate begins