Im Catherine Cortez masto and i approve this message. Theyre bringing drugs, theyre bringing crime, theyre rapists. Narrator and joe heck says i have high hopes well see donald trump become president. I dont know what i said, aah. Heck says he completely supports trump. I would bomb the [bleep] out of them. Narrator and heck . Reporter you trust him having his finger on the Nuclear Button . Heck i do. Reporter why do you say that . Heck why wouldnt i . Narrator donald trump and joe heck. 2016 Senate Debate presented by eight news now in partnership with univision. Christianne tonight we are live at canyon creek in North Las Vegas for the first and only senatorial debate in nevada. Good evening and welcome. In just a moment your two republican congressman joe. And democrat and former attorney general of nevada Catherine Cortez masto. Thank you both, i am news anchor Denise Valdes with steve cervelli has and univisions washington d. C. Anchor to keep you spread this debate is being broadcast not only on channel 8 but across the state. At reno cbs ktp and, live on cspan, online at las vegas now. Com, as well it will be on univision cns and cnr, if you would like to see Additional Information about questions we are asking tonight you could look for the hashtag you see on your screen which is in the debate. Now for the rules. Threepart store debate tonight first we will be asking both candidates a question. Then the candidates will ask each other a question. And finally we have individual questions for each of them. Were going to start with questions for both candidates each of them will have one minute to answer. And then each candidate will be given 30 seconds for a response. If theres any questions by the moderators a candidate will have 30 seconds to answer. A crime the timekeeper will let you know when you have 15 seconds left on either side of the stage tonight and then a bill will spring when your time is up. Now in an earlier coin flip it was determined Catherine Cortez masto will be asked the first question and since there are no Opening Statements tonight we will get right to the first one. By the time outgoing senator harry reid was elected to the two terms as a lieutenant governor, chairman of the Gaming Commission and two terms of the u. S. House of representatives. Ms. Catherine cortez masto you are a two term attorney general but yet never served in any legislative branch of the state or federal government. Can you explain, if elected, how a new junior senator you would be able to maneuver through the senate halls, secure federal funding, and also to influence the nevada voters have come to expect. Cortez to like to say thank you to Catherine Cortez masto, univision, for toasting and having a chance to talk to. That is a great question. As attorney general i was in a unique position i got to introduce legislation so i introduced over 40 bills during the eight years i was in office. And those bills were supported and passed out of her legislator with the supports of democrats and republicans. And sign by a republican governor because i think that problemsolving we need to focus on what is happening in our communities how we address them and how we Work Together. If legislation is necessary how we Work Together to move forward and address those concerns that i see every day here in nevada. Denise thank you congressman you are a two term you served one term in the the better state senate since you have been in congress you not passed a budget or comprehensive Immigration Reform. So the same question. Can you a new junior senator you would be able to maneuver through the senate halls, secure that imported federal funding. And also to influence they are come to expect. Rep heck i want to sponsor everyone who is sponsoring the debate and all those participating. First my time as a state senator give me the background of understanding to know how to work the legislative contest. I was able to pass legislation during my german cup carson city. Legislation all of my bills the best out of the house, senate and signed into law by a democratic president. All of which success the issues important to us in nevada. Because i had the term to serve in washington d. C. Ive been able to build relationships not just with members of the house that members of the senate. If i go over to the senate i already have relationships with many on both sides of the aisle. In order to be able to pass legislation already i have introduced and i will be able and be able to continue to work for the best interest of nevadans. Denise my next question is from steve. It has been one big movement after another involving the president ial candidates in the race. Over the last couple of days we have been able to pull in the president ial race that shows Democrat Hillary Clinton narrowly leading donald trump or like it or not both candidates are linked to the president ial candidate of their party. He has had many offensive things in the last few months it up giving you boss why only now have you withdrawn your support from him . Speaker6 . The decision i made last week was a very personal decision. I have certain the army reserve for over 26 years and i try to live my life but i just a military code of honor but a personal code of honor. It is what i owe my family, what i call the people i represent in congress. As an emergency room doctor i have taken women who have been victims of Domestic Violence or Sexual Assault but i have empathy for anyone who has had to experience such a tragedy. My wife was a victim of Domestic Abuse in a prior relationship. My decision was an extremely personal decision. Steve you stated secretary clinton has your support because, quote, she is the champion fighting for us in the white house. However, the director of the fbi testified before congress that Hillary Clinton to the handled emails as secretary of state. Why should your fellow nevadans trust Hillary Clinton and what does it say of your assessment that you are endorsing someone at the director of the fbi has called a liar. Cortez masto thank you for the question. Hillary clinton has recognized and taken responsibility, said she wouldnt do it again. There is no doubt in my mind she has the temperament, the experience and ability to lead this country as commander in chief. Let me talk about something that congressman joe heck had. It is astonishing to me that 489 months he was Donald Trumps biggest supporter. When donald trump was attacking pows, taking on attacking goldstar families, congressman heck had no problem with donald trump being on the button. When donald trump was making fun of the disabled, attacking mexicans calling them rapists and criminals and calling women names and denigrating women. Which we know why he was because he sexually assaulted women, congressman heck had be the president. Lets call this what this is a christmas x is worried about his political career. Donald trumps ship is sinking and congressman has to secure office in a desperate attack to save his candidacy. Steve i have a hunch. [applause] that will go against your time sir. A brief response. Rep heck as i said make that a political decision. I find it incredulous she would continue to support somebody and trustworthy for the vast majority have found her not to be trustworthy. This is a woman who put our National Security at risk by taking classified information on her personal server. When i asked if she would use a private server she said you wouldnt want to speculate on this. This is a woman who like to the families of the people lost in benghazi about why they lost and material needed was not provided by the state department. Cortez masto there were 50 National Security advisors, Republican Security advisor to think donald trump is a Security Risk. And they are not supporting him. But you are still supporting him. Again you cant walk away or run away from him right now you dont get credit for that. You were with him for eight months and it is a desperate attempt for you to save your political career. Steve 15 seconds. Desperate attempt. And likewise make up when it continues to support someone who is and trustworthy by the majorities of americans lying to the families of benghazi and kept classified material on her personal server. Steve thank you. [applause] denise we certainly have a lot of enthusiasm for the issue so lets talk about an issue that is important in that immigration. Yet you both say you are for Immigration Reform. Both of your plans are for securing the border and a path to citizenship. We see a lot of general statements such as bring people out of the shadows and keep Families Together but not a lot of specifics. Cortez masto tell us one part of your plan that is different from your opponent. Cortez for the question it should be a priority in congress. My grandfather came from mexico, because of his courage hes cross the rio grande, but his young family to las vegas for the opportunity to succeed, work hard, make sure your kids have a great opportunity. How do you repeat that . Cortez masto that is so luisi family is here they are fighting to make sure that children have the best opportunity. Making sure we put them on a path to citizenship and it is springing them out of the shadows it is ensuring the have that opportunity to have a job and not worry about being deported for they just want that opportunity. Here is the think you know passing comprehensive Immigration Reform will contribute to our economy and still address the Border Security in this country. For me it is a priority. As your next United States senator i will focus on. Followup question for you. How would you specifically tackle Border Security since you brought it up . Cortez masto that is a great question as attorney general i worked with state and local Law Enforcement always concerned about the security of people in the state. We already know with respect to Border Security we have 21st Century Technology whether it technology we can use now can help us address the border issues. When we put funding already into the border for bodies and resources and we want to continue to do so. At the end of the day lets not get caught up in the specifics of Border Security where my opponent wants to go. Let me just say it is about passing comprehensive reform and not arresting dreamers when they show up here to your Office Asking you to move forward. Same question to you congressman [applause] give me one specific aspect that is different from your opponent. Rep. Heck my maternal grandparents moved here they boarded the Brooklyn Navy yards and had a cure that moved into a business. Without them taking the risk i have the opportunities i have here today. I cant say whatever the my opponent because she never said but i would say one of the things we must do is address our Legal Immigration system. If we dont fix our legal system will continue have the problems we have today. The fact is when somebody comes through the channels it becomes a permanent legal, or get citizenship they shouldnt have to wait 1012 years to bring their space and family over. Lets talk about fixing the legal, our Guest Worker Program that meets the unmet demand in the United States disenfranchise in unemployed americans. Unskilled and hightech we have critical needs. Lets work, as i did, and grabbing legislation with partners at the audience to get a path to citizenship. For Border Security. Cortez masto congressman heck you know where we are different. Listen. Congressman heck you know where support the bipartisan version that passed out of the senate and you but there is a clear distinction between the two of us. When you are talking about passing Immigration Reform and helping people you dont go to sign on, when you have an opportunity to move this issue forward in the house and have a vote on it all you had to do beside a petition and she refused to let a n a vote. rep. Heck as far as the congress comprehensive bill never went up for a house but i did call out the leadership are not going for reform. In the Las Vegas Review the article were different we need to work toward comprehensive Immigration Reform i do not support a 2000 page bill. I support addressing each piece of Immigration Reform individually. sdeportation as well . B6 know i vtalked about deportation i said outside of the dreamers those that have a deported. However those that have been working in our community should be given a pass to some kind of legal status. Your record is your record. You cant run tonight. Denise i want to remind the audience a shaker enthusiasm for this is our one and only chance to talk in a few interrupt it goes against our time. So please be respectful of that. Our next question. Steve our next question comes from Clinton Jeffries she wrote via ce wants know, quote, with the support a Government Shutdown. Back in 2013 there was a Government Shutdown heres a look at some of the consequences of that. Federal workers who live here and work at the nevada National Security site and Government Office buildings and military installations were furloughed. Some of her top tourist destinations were close. There was a threat of stopping beneficiary problems like food stamps that governor sandoval called catastrophic. Different with this question. I want you to raise your hand if as a senator you would commit to never shutting down the federal government whether through an action or inaction. Cortez masto congressman heck is already done and he voted to shut down governments i dont know why he is raising a hand. Rep. Heck there was never a vote to shut down the government. Steve we will come to you in a moment. Congressman heck you voted back in 2013, there was a dispute over the affo government almost was shut down. It was shut down for 16 days. So is she right have you already done it . Rep. Heck there was never a vote and i voted for a piece of legislation to open the government backup i voted for legislation to safeguard the pay and benefits for a military members so they would not have to worry about getting their paychecks. There was never able to shut down the government. A 32nd followup. You said at the time what was going on at the time and calling it a slowdown a nonessential government services. But some of the things on the list some pretty essential to me. Rep. Heck when there is a pathway by which there is a government slowdown that is certainly nonessential services are curtailed. But there was never able to show that the government and voted for a piece of legislation to open the government backup and to safeguard the pay of those. Cortez masto he is talking about a vote. He is trying to dance around the subject. He supported the Government Shutdown and then he continued to support it putting 16 times for the sequestration. He cant run from his record. Rep. Heck aqua station had nothing to do with the Government Shutdown. Cortez masto it is a typical washington politician trying to dance around the question. That is what is the problem with washington now we the ensure they are doing a better job of helping working families in this country, in the state. This in i can go around and talk to them but we have had the worst foreclosure crisis we have ever seen and i fought not only on a National Mortgage settlement but 78 Bank Financial institution because when people are suffering in your state you work for them and it sure you are doing everything. Because of that it will. 9 billion in released to homeowners here. Theres a love, we help save her home. Steve we will talk about that housing issue a little bit later. [applause] denise all right moving on now lets talk to into the question. On the ballot this november is issue one which would have all not sales or transfers to be checked by a third party. They found that nevadans support the measure by 61 percent and 38 percent. Do you support . And you would you support on a National Level . And i want to save my husband and i are gun owners my husband is a retired secret Service Agent but i was raised in nevada, father and my uncles and cousins are all hunters. But you know what we have in common . We are responsible gun owners and we know we need to reduce gun owners. And by passing we can expand this background checks we get close the nonessential simple to we can make sure we are doing everything we can to reduce gun violence. But it level to address this issue. One of the common sense things we could have done was make sure we passed a law to ensure that people on no flight list could not buy a gun in our country. Congressman heck wouldnt even vote for that to reduce gun violence in our