Announcer from mtn news, this is the race for u. S. Senate. Welcome to the u. S. Senate bate here on the Montana Senate network. One of the most closely watched in the entire country and looks to become the most expensive in montana history. The election is november 3. If youre keeping track at days hat is just 20 away. Ballots need to be returned to your local Election Office by 8 00 p. M. On election day. At stake in this race is one of montanas two u. S. Senate seats. The say as a wholery is 174,000 per year. Now it is time to meet the candidates. Bollock or steve earned his law degree from Colombia University in new york city. Earlier in his career, he workeded in private practice and as an assistant attorney general for the state of montana. He won election in 2008 as attorney general and as governor in 2012 and 2016. A democrat, says as governor he has worked with both democrats and republicans to expand affordable healthcare, strengthen the economy and invest in montana schools. He and his wife have three children. Steve daines brew up in bozeman. He had a 28year career in the private sector before he was elected to congress. Including a dozen years as an executive at right now technologies. The Bozeman Development firm created more than 500 highpaying jobs. He was elected in 2012 as into the house of representatives and won the senate in 2014. He and his wife cindy have four children and one grandchild. E and bipartisan members of congress. Steve and his wife cindy have four children and one grandchil grandchild. Host a quick summary of the rules the first would get 60 seconds to respond the second with a 32nd rebel were asking the candidates to stay within the constraints of our time to get in as we have possible. Our anchor reporter from missoula and the chief political reporter with Montana Television network and i have the first question i had a drawing prior to our debate and the honor of getting the first question goes to you and here we go. The first topic is the pandemic the coronavirus continues to search more than 170. The country is still waiting for yet another the full the president has been inconsistent to say the least so what do you accept another Coronavirus Relief and will only get this done soon . The numbers today are staggering those cases ranking with the thirdhighest covert infection rate in the country 209 montanans tragically lost their lives. And those that are the most from the Senior Citizens compromised immune systems and those that we see the death with covid five times greater than in the general population across montana both sides are working to get another package the challenge we have right now will see and schumer 100 billion to bail states like new york and california and illinois that had fiscal problems before. I dont want to see montana taxpayers to foot the bill for these liberal states. So we have seen more dollars go to amazon on to missoula private projects than all other tribes combined. Bullock we do need another cares package without the cares dollars it was 700 million per the challenge really does become that steve deigns to anyone to give that money in the two tribes in the first c. A. R. E. S. Act. Right now working with the tribal egg one tribal nation and continue to do what is necessary but we do need washington to get basically pointing fingers. Daines i have a billion dollars of the code really package in march i was on the northern tribe yesterday that the governor and his team primarily took that one. 2 5 billion sent back in april and gave more money to him as a condo project that all tribes combined. Issuing shutdown or is this spring with there were far fewer cases and today 721 new ones today while you taking action now and suddenly we are a hotspot . Do you feel you are managing this crisis issuing shutdown or is this spring with there were far fewer cases and today 721 new ones today while you taking action now and suddenly we are a hotspot . Do you feel you are managing this crisis. But all that is all across the country and one of which is on parts of the economy with senator daines we are trying to get money for Small Business we held that over 12000 efficient them down right now workers and businesses would have nothing because dc will only pray fingers. And what i said we have to learn how to live with this virus. We need to be very masks and i faith in montanans. And i reject that to focus on the most liberal the way out of this is therapeutic drugs and the vaccine smallpox and measles we face pandemics in the past so i reject the notion we need to end it that was a safe and effective vaccine. Work to Drug Companies more of our money. And they even got money from Drug Companies theyve never done before which is surprising in that we do have to live with that to keep our schools and businesses open and until we get to that point with the vaccine i do encourage montanans to take it seriously. Will come this evening thank you for being here we continue along this line talking about the pandemic mentioning the billions of dollars that which the Drug Companies to help develop a vaccine or treatment. Is there anything in a mom or anywhere else that guarantees that would be made available to the public at an affordable price and also where are you on acquiring one requiring people to wear a mask . Daines. I spent 20 years in the private sector. And then to get it to market faster and safely and then to get these critical vaccines the bottom line is yes they will be given to montanans and americans at no charge it will be free. And then to focus on the miracle of science regarding masks it is personal responsibility i was on to reservations yesterday. Believe me. We need to continue to do the safety mitigation steps now to merely the most safe for those in Indian Country they need help now. Just the followup that they would be available for free but how does that guarantee . Is that ran out anywhere . With the best research. All working alongside and the private sector and the vaccine would only be given for free to be given out as quickly and safely as possible. And working the private sector spending time with manufacturing china on companies in china all across india and china and indonesia but the fact is 10 billion most of the promises everything will give for free so we need to start moving the Drug Companies accountable. Your response . Daines that is flat out for us. We said the governor one. 2 5 billion in april he has not even spent 50 percent of that yet to help montanans. Why has a given more money to missoula condo project according to donated to his campaign and all tribes combined i just read this yesterday. Now staying on the same topic what with the Affordable Care act needs to be strengthened and how should that be changed in the aca . And charges with the Affordable Care act as government controlled healthcare. It was so important to so many montanans. Democrats and republicans and then to try to strip away health and those with existing conditions like cancer and diabetes repealing the aca 63 million Prescription Drug coverage and not only taking on the mr. Nichols. So we need to build on what we have and then to finally take on the Drug Companies and start paying. We can do more want to strip away that coverage. With the scare tactics over the country, i always can check the existing conditions i signed those bills of exactly that means for montanans doubled 20000 lost their healthcare insurance to team up to have a complete government takeover of the Health Care System that is the biggest threat i have a sister that died from preexisting conditions over 1 million thank god she had access to healthcare. You know thats not true but is so disappointing because after being given for tokyos with existing conditions like cancer diabetes he literally voted five times and lets recognize that time he has been there democrats and republicans came together in montana. We will stick with that topic going to senator deigns. Its frightening to people to think that after obama care to have coverage do you have a specific plan we can guarantee they can afford this in their insurance will not be stripped away leaving them in a vulnerable position . This is a schumer and the scare tactic. But keep in mind there was in a judge panel and then to decide and endlessly and then the scare tactics coming from the left schumer and posey are trying to destroy the career and then walked off the job and to have a chance to be honest with montanans what happened with Lieutenant Governor because to the helena and conditioned upon the record she was down for standing up to try. What was she standing up for governor . Bullock lets talk about honesty. If i was literally the week after the election that will return the aca and then to protect healthcare. This is an International Playbook for five times voted to strip away the existing coverage for conditions. This is a five of them. Daines again, look at the playbook that in 2010, 12, 14, 16, 18 and now 20 i dont want to see charge Amy Coney Barretts career destroyed next week to try to destroy her i asked what happened why did she mysteriously quit her job and walk off after the second position to Lieutenant Governor she was on the stage running for governor right now a rising star that was pushed out. Host lets talk about the Supreme Court. Of course mentioning judge. Was of her confirmation hearings. Are you supporting or not the nomination to the court and of those court packing. I support the Supreme Court and the overall judicial system. Absolutely not. And then trying to readmit much more than the Small Businesses in montanans that need assistance. But then to strip away coverage for existing conditions and then the politics. Then we have Judicial Standards Commission to listen to montanans at the end of the day and then to make it more political. Tour to answer either one of those questions that i asked you would like to . I support Amy Coney Barrett . I suppose want us to put anybody or any judge getting confirmed week and a half election. I think that we have to figure out ways and thats anything from a judicial standard look at any other things. Your rebuttal . I support the nomination and confirmation for justice Amy Coney Barrett and steve opposes it he was to pack the courts that is a yes. Think we should the court want to put one dash politicize them you can pack them even joe biden would answer that right now. That should be a chilling moment that has not happened if they got the plan for the Second Amendment in the great state of montana. You didnt just pack the Court Senator daines. You said we should never confirm a justice with the people decide. Thats the most important thing that with the cares actor Small Business hospitals. And it has more to do with the case they will hear next week and to strip away the protections of the Affordable Care act and something you have been trying to do ever since we see it washington. You are supporting judge. For the nomination and confirmation and to protect our way of life with the oil pipeline and Timber Industry what about the right of privacy in the Affordable Care act that Many Americans depend on . Critics say all of those are in jeopardy of judgment is confirmed. The governor misstated what packing the court means. We know that increases the justices at 13 not a constitutional process. And then after Justice Ginsburg passed away her vacancy the Second Amendment on center stage and then to protect the Second Amendment right and then to stand up against the radical fundamental groups which by the way that thats the judge that the governor supported explain that to montanans 80 million coming in that is the existential threat to shut down the jobs and Natural Resource industry. Bullock you can answer the question the Affordable Care act is in jeopardy. But daines take over 2 million of corporate pack many but at the end of the day talking about the liberal judges they should not be liberal or conservative. They should be in the politics at the courthouse all that senator daines is concerned to get more judges on to take where healthcare. Daines we are he talked about that but the bottom line and then to protect our liberty and the Second Amendment and with those activist judges and thats why i will stand up in front on fight for montana way of life to shut down to move forward and there are so many issues at stake. Thank you mr. Daines this does dovetail into the Second Amendment. Joe biden has a long list of guncontrol actions he supports. And with highcapacity magazines to ban online sales of ammunitions and firearms. And do you process elected to the u. S. Senate . Montanans know i am a gun owner and a hunter also to know i stood up for Second Amendment rights so somewhere in asia i led the states efforts. We expanded gun rights while i was governor while i think we ought to have a conversation along the way to keep people more safe ive never met a gun on a gun owner that 80 percent of montanans think its an example of universal background checks the same way i think we should have that discussion of moving forward. And there are other steps will stand up to our party when it comes to protecting we should have a conversation. Daines back in 2009 running for president he stood on stage with elizabeth warren, Bernie Sanders and got to see the real Steve Bullock when he president and was on cnn and said i support a ban on semiautomatic guns. It is shall not infringe the montana shedding association and with the nra with those objective outside groups decide is best on the Second Amendment is not even close. I am just not wealthy enough to give one. But not pan semi automatic weapons we are to be able to have a discussion they are not used for selfdefense hunting we should have that conversation and then to be honest that i stand with montanans and with those background checks and anything else and against my party. Talk about voting and soon they will undo meal planning during the pandemic and your party trying to get on the palate is supportive of these efforts . Why or why not . On june 2nd we had a primary put the question is why there is a huge interest the selection. But if the governor is elected to the senate most likely check schumer majority leader there will be no way to stop nancy posey in washington dc. This is about the Second Amendment and with the support to threaten 35000 montana jobs shutting down the Keystone Pipeline versus keeping afford them packing the court does he know that means that means adding between 11 and 13 justices to the bench instead of the current nine. There is so much at stake and to stand with Law Enforcement to defend the police. Bullock im not sure he answer the question as the rnc try to take away the ability we stayed quiet when trying to dismantle and stayed quiet time and time again. And then to jeopardize the montana way of life. Montana is a leader is not a lapdog. Thats what they have gotten out of you. There some more from the governor i also we can to get Additional Services and funding so i will tell you what just remember Steve Bullock is getting money and schumer is flooding the airwaves right now talk about a lapdog. And as a lapdog is the governor of montana. So the Energy Secretary was in montana last week talking about Carbon Capture technology but i knew time was Climate Change discussed. Do you think Carbon Capture technology are those that are currently listed the largest polluter in the nation . You think Carbon Capture and leading 17 states democrats and republicans to look into this. We have to address Climate Change. And then to quadruple it one of the most bipartisan issue that democrats and republicans need to come together unfortunately senator daines has his head in the sand and hands in the pockets of the corporate donors not even acknowledging its impacted by human beings that has more to do with 1 million that reflecting the needs of montanans and to look at this as an opportunity to create good jobs. And not leave communities behin behind. Daines for Montana State university i believe there was a component to Climate Change the governor wants to do support a carbon tax also supports getting back to the climate record which by the papers burdens on the United States and lets china off the we have to hold them accountable. Remember we have seen co2 reductions down 4 percent the last ten years while china is up 24 percent his liberal position as a threat to so many. You the final party second. Flat out false. He knows when he was pitching software in china to stand up to say we should keep going. And then try to bring these national issues. He doesnt want to run on his own record but to make me into something that im not in those i really dont have that much results. Tabulations are demanding justice and you are on the committee for Indian Affairs so what have you done to tribal nations on this issue . Its a big issue right now with the rates of native american women ten times that. And then on the northern cheyenne reservation and those who tragically was murdered one more example of what happens to women in native american countries. Absolutely working with the tribes to ensure and they dont have enough boots on the ground they are caught up in the horrible bureaucracies and just yesterday thank you for the work i am doing on behalf of the most honorable parts of the population that are native americans. And not so much support for governor bullock. But have you been able to and one enhance the presence on the reservation . I am pleased to report they have for the policies open positions i had the same conversation yesterday thats the path but the problem right now to be caught up in the background checks. Thats always all that in the good work we are doing to make the reservation safer. Bullock replied democrats and republicans together to address the epidemic of the missing and murdered Indigenous Women we do need to do more ive had the same conversations northern cheyenne, why are there only funeral. Affair officers for the entire reservation . Senator daines actually on that committee to last six years to increase those opportunities. And to stand and work with the Indian Country. It is have a conversation yesterday i was there with the crow tribe and what they were very excited about his we started to see the results and with the selfdetermination sovereignty and to get these positions held. Its a wonderful thing to see critical to protect the most honorable parts of the population these are the Indigenous Women and im pleased to report we are making progress spent the democratic candidate joe biden has proposed increasing income taxes on those earning over 400,000 per year to produce the federal deficit do you support that . For special look at what we have done here with the tax credit. Those were wealthy should pay a little bit more make sense. And the proudest accomplishment as the 2017 tax cuts will be we have to get through and amazon, chevron those companies that paid zero taxes montanans only got 2 trillion along the way never over something that may kids teacher pays more than the Largest Corporation with the senator every step of the way how do we provide these benefits to the corporation not working montanans and they expect to a lot better than nasa montana families study showed the average montana family 1200 per year tax relief from the tax forward to cut taxes steve said he wanted to raise taxes. The resource levels and 60 years. Wages rising at the highest level in the nations history to the covid pandemic. Why . Because they cut taxes he wants to raise them i want to cut the them. Bullock montanans dig at 1200 for the provision that daines insisted on that was led in he got 37000 to 1 trillion in stock buybacks did not create jobs here. So i want to do is their fair share the corporation paid their fair share will be watching out for main street in Small Business montana and for the wealthiest among us. In the last three decades the key wealth of the country part of the reason is because of the 2017 tax cut bill supported on the tax rate of the 400 wealthiest tax households. Showed that the first and what would you do about it quick. This comes down to a fundamental question that cuts taxes and with the covid pandemic and the bottom line is this so low Unemployment Rate is 50 years prior to covid. It in median wages and then the results of unemployment and then may keep taxes cheap so keep in mind i stepped in to say we need to lower taxes from main street with the passthrough businesses cheer thats way they are supporting me 95 percent of our jobs why are they supporting my candidacy . And then pay higher wages. And the tax law that gives the overwhelming benefit to the wealthiest and the Largest Corporation and with those manufacturing factories and those that ship jobs overseas. And those that do pay their fair share like 64 fortune 500 companies up zero taxes under the tax cut will make the 2 trillion more debt. For the kids and grandkids. Just for what its worth from usa today and wages to the governor say that he was raise taxes joe biden and nancy pelosi and ready for the largest tax increase in american history. Is becoming increasingly difficult for families to afford childcare thats part of what has contributed to leaving on leaving the workforce he times higher in this pandemic is there anything government should do to make childcare more affordable and available it has a huge economic implication across the country. It really does. One of the things we have done with care zach dollars. Can stay in the workforce. One of the things i push for is a voluntary public pique because 90 percent of childs brains develop even before entering kindergarten so there should be more federal funding for that nobody should be choosing one of the ways to increase wages for those in the workforce and thats what you missed half of americans have not had a pay increase in 40 years while the wealthiest of gardeners were wealthy and the National Make guys like you pay your fair share and the corporations pay their fair share so working families have more in their pocket so they can afford childcare. Daines is the care package and then to attend Virtual Learning i support that we set the governor one. 2 5 billion and i fought for that as governor of montana to instrumented to montanans and has not even given out half of it we can help montanans in the middle of this pandemic and that was sent back in april. Bullock and to enhance Unemployment Benefits and money for tribes and he actually did try to get the care is act without any of that to say with a lot of folks along the way that you had to capitulate for 97 percent of those care zach dollars and we washington dc to open it with benefits for 43000 businesses down to an insurance so we have utilize that money while waiting for washington dc to get stuff together. Host you yourself as a fourth generation montana in with your parents born here . My greatgreatgrandfather from said 20 miles east and she is buried there next to my great grandma and my great grandpa my grandfather was born in conrad my dad was born here my mom was seven months pregnant but my dad was a marine cannot find a job in mart on marine they could find a job so i moved to california and then to now i can move right back. The average wages here in montana 44th in the nation. Fortyfourth so the governor talks about it i have done it we have created hundreds of jobs right here in montana is the state average weekly that is jobs are montana i have done it we are seeing a blossoming hightech wage across montana he is not create one single job in his life. Bullock i said the same amount of time senator when it comes to the private sector you creating jobs in china and asia the pandemic if you look over the last eight or ten years we were among one of the nations leaders and then getting them what they need with ships along the way that you was in the great montana but you created more jobs i was right for montana not the tax breaks and those that are shipping their jobs overseas. Daines and money back in that election they already publicly apologized and the fact that he is discrediting a great Montana Company with high paying jobs and he is throwing himself under the bus because so many of us who thought that was twice and im very proud of that he is never done a private sector job in his life. And your opponents are running ads that they were accused of harassing women and failed to inform his next employer of that fact and then to engage in more doesnt this reflect poor judgment on your part or is this something Montana Voters should consider quick. From 91 through 97 daines sent manufacturing factories to china. Selling Call Center Software so it is true you are creating jobs there and not here. When it comes to my former aide when i heard what he had done i said immediately he should be fired that type of behavior is never acceptable. And then to build an organization to reflect the values of us and when somebody fall short the shows we are i will be a leader to show the paper protected from sexual harassment. The governor had a consistent pattern of hostility to women in the workplace. His former top they just talked about it and Campaign Manager sexually harassed women under the governors watch and according to the New York Times not only did governor bullock covered up and then he chose not to born the employer on the father of two daughters that is not a the women. Bullock i dont even know where he got a job along the way and a guy literally is to protections for hundreds of thousands women workplace the guy who continues party leader with that continued sexualharassment claims and you dont say a word along the way. And we should be doing everything we can to protect women in the workplace. And i correct the record on that . Daines when asked why he did not told the porzio he said i didnt thank you do it again that is a Public Record with the actual record is subsequently i did find out. Was disappointed like everyone should and that when he went there and from the perspective we all can do better. So the next question goes to mr. Daines voting against funding in the southwestern Veterans Home but you were there for the groundbreaking ceremony can you explain how that came to be . I was proud to fight for the funding and that home on the past Appropriations Committee i have a chance to vote yes or no and then to protect montana taxpayers it is so misconstrued i got the veteran navy bill passed from christian on Kristin Gillibrand who replaced clinton in the senate and worked with me to get that passed when i think that the governor bullock has done so if you want to upset Vietnam Veterans just let them know jean the front is the biggest fan because this week has said covid19 was a gift from god from the left. Bullock you know jane fonda hasnt made a nickel in this campaign bring that up because trying to cover for 50000 you took away access to publicly under the 80000. 300000 you taken from Real Estate Interest or you taken from prescription Drug Companies. And they have actually gone their work out of you but at the end of the day we work so hard at the state level montanans expect better. T years before becoming governor and before he was out of any financial interest. I never awarded one contract my whole time in state government. You will see the story right there. Its time to move to the closing statements. Each candidate has one minute 30 seconds to summarize their final pitch. Again, governor, you go first on that. Thank you for watching. Whether they are wandering public lands, mean, my wife, my kids, more than i could ever give back. Thats why i worked for today and for future generations bringing democrats and republicans together to expand and check our public lands. Weve invested in education. Weve actually help our Small Businesses and workers and democratic issues and republican issues. Those are actually montana bound. Weve been working together to do whats right for the state. He spends his entire campaign and debate distorting the records because hes more interested in saving his job in healthcare than he is about protecting yours. He tells you he cares about the economy. Dont forget he created manufacturing factories that went to dc to protect the tax breaks for the corporations to ship our jobs overseas. When he tells you he will look out for our seniors, dont forget about the fact he made the trillions in tax cuts risking medicare and Social Security and when he tells you he will protect your healthcare remember a time and time again he voted to strip away coverage for preexisting conditions. Let me make it simple i will always do whats right for montana. Thats what ive done and thats what i will always do. Thanks for listening today, and i would sure appreciate your vote. Senator, you have the final 90 seconds. Five generations ago my great, great grandmother came to montana east of conrad and lived a legacy of faith, family of freedom and the same values weve passed on to our four children weve been able to raise here in montana. I went to Montana State university and got a degree in Chemical Engineering and i spent my career building businesses and creating jobs. Hundreds of great jobs right here in montana. Steve has been a career politician and that is only one of the clear differences between the governor and myself. Montanas want to protect the Second Amendment. I have an a with the nra and he has an ass. Montana wants lower taxes, high wages, he has raised the taxes as governor and montanans want to move forward with the Keystone Pipeline. Steve has, but opposed to it. Montanans want their voice heard in the Supreme Court with amy kony Amy Coney Barrett as the next justice. To protect our way of life here in montana, steve a year ago stood up and said he wanted to see President Trump impeached and removed from office. Montanans want a senator that is prolife. Steve has the most radical positions on abortion of any governor in america. So, im grateful to serve montana in the senate for the past six years. Its been the honor of my life and i humbly ask for your vote. That concludes todays debate for the senate here on the Television Network and we would like to thank the governor and the senator for a spirited debate. Good luck to both of you as the campaign winds down. Our team isnt quite done yet. We invite you to join us in just five minutes at 7 05 tonight or facebook lives we will be joined by professors from the university of montana and Jeremy Johnson from college as we break down tonights debate and that starts at 7 05 on the facebook pages across the state. Finally, one last thing for everyone to get out and exercise your right to vote. For the crew behind the scenes thank you so much for all of us from all of us here and have a great one. For coverage of the vote from montanas this afternoon, joe biden campaigns at a Voter Mobilization event in durham, north carolina, where voting is already underway. Thats life at 1 00 p. M. Eastern on cspan. Live at 1 00 p. M. Eastern on cspan. Next steps in the confirmation process starting thursday live at 9 00 a. M. Eastern the Senate JudiciaryCommittee Votes on judge a baratz nomination. Senate votes on Amy Coney Barretts confirmation. Listen live on the cspan radio app. This morning, dr. Howard markel talks about the coronavirus and what can be learned from past pandemics. Peter baker and Susan Glasser discuss their new book on the life of former secretary ofta