Replace andy kim to represent new jersey congressional district. They shared views on universal health care and free speech and how their values compare with representative kim. The primary is scheduled to be held in early june. After a draw of cards we have determined that carol murphy will go first. And we have gone over the rules and keep in mind our timeline to cover as many topics and dive into Opening Statements and we have lost mrs. Murphy and well come back to her and go on to our second person. Good to have you, you have 90 seconds. Thanks to this body for giving us this opportunity. I was born in raised. My dad and my mom raised us and went on to Public School and off to princeton and been to philadelphia for medical school and then landed in service right here as a captain and medical conference on the base. I was elected to the General Service and i was in leadership. And im now speaker and taken on the big task. And middle class districts. I worked on prescription drugs for seniors and volunteered in new jersey and increased access to health care. This election probably the most important than anyones lifetime, the first time we have a major Party Candidate who said will be a dictator and go after our Public Institutions and we have seen that womens rights are under attack in this country and fighting for reproductive freedom and i know what happened in the exam room. I delivered cancer diagnosis and talked to women. I know politicians have no business being in the examination room. I ask for your consideration tonight. This is a historic. If elected, i will be the first black physician to serve in congress in the nation and first africanamerican to represent south jersey in the congress. I look forward to your questions. And our next joe cohen while we work on the technical issues for mrs. Murphy. Thank you. Im not a politician im a civil rights attorney. Living in southern new jersey for the last 16 years and from a small farm in lumber ton, i advocated for civil rights in congress. During my 20 years for nonprofits, the alcu and foundation for rights and individual expression, i have won. Legislatures that are blue, purple and dark red. Last year, i led a Successful Campaign that would have rolled back the prospect. Congress needs people with civil rights background. We cannot afford to let the polarization continue because the former president has placed our democracy in real danger and our Civil Liberties like the right to choose on the chopping block. To defend our democracy and rights, we must retore faith in government and having a congress focused on solving our problems rather than waging cultural wars. I will make sure all americans have Affordable Health care, saving Social Security and fund universal prek, fighting Climate Change and reestablishing the federal right to reproductive freedom. I thank tonights sponsor and my opponents for sharing the stage with me, too. I hope to earn your vote on june 4. We have our issues ironed out. [indiscernible] ok. We still having technical issues with carol murphy. We are going to jump our panelists for their questions and once we work that out well make sure she gets time to make her statement. Panel, if you are ready, david, you have a question for mr. Cohen. You are seeking to replace andy kim as member of the u. S. House of representatives from the 3rd district of new jersey. I know you know him well and respect him. What positions have you taken or has he taken that you would seek to emulate as his successor and are there any votes that he has cast or positions hes taken where you dont share that view and would do something differently . Thank you for that question. Andy kim has big shoes to fill because he has been a fantastic representative for us here in the 3rd congressional district. We have a shared commitment trying to do everything we can to build bipartisan support, bring us closer together on issues that matter to all people. I admire him a great deal. I thought he did the right thing in voting to approve of the aid to taiwan, israel and ukraine and casting a no vote to ban tiktok. I dont know where he would stand on other issues. I am a big proponent of criminal Justice Reform and big supporter of free speech protections and i thank you. Mr. Conaway, you have 45 seconds for your response. Well, i thank you for that question. Andy kim has been my representative for almost six years and i voted for him every time and campaigned for him. I cant say i know everything he has done. Doing work and i know i support him and most importantly and meeting people at the door answering the phone and meeting people in small groups. And i think he has been doing a fantastic job and outreach has been fantastic. Maybe on the tiktok. And just listened to a program and chinas involvement in tick tock and i want china out. Thank you very much. Carol murphy. Did you hear the question. I did not. Should i repeat it or should you . What positions has andy kim taken that you would like to keep if you are his successor and are there votes joining congress you would have voted differently . Thank you for that. I would like to be an honor to replace andy kim as he moves up to the senate. The antisemitic bill, i would have voted for that bill. I would have continued to moving forward and work with our congressional delegation. One thing i do gee on is the fact [indiscernible] and then from u. S. And china should sell that and we have to protect our children and we have to continue with andy kim. He is a huge advocate of reproductive rights and one thing we will continue working on. Next question, mike, you have a question which will go to dr. Conaway. You are a Public Health official and physician. What is your position on sponsoring universal health care in the house . And what do we need to do as far as a National Policy on nursing staff levels and issues that we are having . Thanks tore the question. Universal Health Care Means as you put it a pseudo health plan and i dont support that. I dont think the American People are ready for governmentrun health care system. And england, every time the government runs into an issue, they cut health care. Medicare cuts now and now you want the government to control the entire health care system. I dont support that. If your question means and we advance and acquiring health insurance. I have done it in new jersey. And im the sponsor in expanding Health Care Access and improving health care status. Im all for that and allowing those that work at insurance and ready for medicare to buy into the medicare program. And all of the other innovations that go to expanding Health Access and im all for that. Next response goes to mrs. Murphy. Thank you. First of all, i want to say health care is a human right and not a privilege. And protecting medicare and moving toward universal health care is important not only for me but for those in new jersey and i stand with my [indiscernible] to protect nurses and patients and doctors to assure that we have a balanced staff that will be able to provide access to health care. Our next response, mr. Cohen. Well, first i think its important to get as many people insured as we can because health should not be determined by ones. [indiscernible] i would make sure that medicare is an option to all. I would eliminate the age restrictions that anyone can choose to be on medicare. The next thing that i think we need to do and make sure we control the cost of prescription drugs, we need to have a path to get a drug on the list of those that can be negotiated for price. And with respect to nursing, i think we need to provide relief for those who go into nursing and do everything that we can to encourage better wages for those going into the nursing profession, whether nursing or longterm care we have a problem that we cant attract people to those jobs. Your question is going to murphy. You keep an agenda which is more than the house of representatives. What is the appeal of joining a body that members are retiring in droves with frustration and why do you think you can serve better in the house than the assembly . Thank you for that, micah. I do a very good job serving in the assembly, and i do think i do keep an active schedule. Thats what makes me proactive, thats what makes me effective, keep moving and keep involving, investing in what we do. Not only in legislation, but also in my constituency and the people of new jersey. Once we start investing and working together and going into d. C. To continue moving us forward is a huge huge responsibility that i take very seriously. S as i go into d. C. , same tenacity, working to follow constituents to have a way to stay in new jersey. Host mr. Collins, your response . Mr. Collins really the reason i joined congress is people need to bring people together. We have a National Security threat. We need people with the skill set and the determination to stop treating governance like an us versus them contest. I spent the last 20 years trying to bring people together to bring progress and even where republicans have the power, that is what we need is people who will navigate that situation. Host you have 45 seconds. I love my country. I want to serve. I served in the military and i have prepared to work with the nation. I have spoken to look for common ground. We have a great deal of commonality and people focusing on what is important for the American People, we want a congress that functions the way it should. As a doctor, i do sciencebased, factbased policy. Thats how ive done my governing here in new england. Ill take that seem zeal to the congress if im favored with the election to that body. You are up next. I think looming over any election in south jersey, including this one, is George Norcross, the Democratic Power broker who holds immense sway over south jersey democratic politics. Has mr. Norcross been a force for good . I do not know mr. Norcross, but we cannot have politics go through one person no matter who they are. We need a situation where voters alone determine who leaders are and that is why i was proud for the lawsuit to challenge. I invited my opponents to join me in a statement saying the race should be handled on an even level. And that is why we need to get back to the basics of the work that brings us together. Host carol murphy, you have 45 seconds. Mrs. Murphy i worked to support south jersey. I am independent from the democratic. It gives me the ability to be independent or my constituents, but im a member of the south jersey delegation. We worked to pass bills for everyone including pay equity, reproductive rights. Those are things we have done. As a member of the south jersey delegation, we have worked to pass many good bills for everyone in the state of new jersey, including pay equity, reproductive rights, those are just a few of the things that we have done as a south jersey [no audio] delegation. And i stand with that [audio blipping] ox. Herb conaway, you have 45 seconds to respond. Would you like me to repeat the question . Has George Norcross been a force for good south jersey . He is the head of a thriving business, a driving force behind Cooper University hospital, providing health care for the underserved. He has been a force for good and the answer is yes. Host we are going to go back to you now. Back to you now with a question for herb conaway. The south jersey democratic delegation passed a law. Something that past was a bill that hobbles the open public records act, so i will not ask if you oppose it, but should there be consequences for legislators who supported it . Candidate the voters are in the drivers seat and can decide, i will leave that to them. They took their votes based on the facts and i can only say for myself i listen to constituents and it was overwhelming that my constituents wanted a no vote. Anything can be reformed, this vehicle was not the reform they wanted so i will let the voters pass judgment which is their right. Host joe cohn, over to you. I agree that the voters will all ultimately have their say and they will be unhappy with the members who vote to back the protections. Roll back the protections. You cannot have democracy functioning well without transparency and you do not get transparency when there are not accessible ways. For people to get to court when requests are improperly denied. The bill is a serious problem, voters are angry, there will be accountability. Its a shame, it did not have to be that way. Hopefully the governor will veto the bill. Host carol murphy, 45 seconds to respond. Candidate while we do have to protect our transparency and our document, the consequences we will see, not those who voted for the bill, they have a right to vote the way they feel is important and they feel that works. The consequence is not this bill, but other bills. Those will be the consequences. Not just because we vote yes or no, how does this bill stand up to the test of time . As a person who can tell you where the consequence will, is whether it works or not. Clean energy depends on mining essential materials. What restrictions should be placed on the supply chain for electric car batteries. In some cases they come from the congo or seabed mining. They can disrupt aquatic life and ecosystems. Absolutely. One of the things i take pride in his i have been a champion for clean energy, clean water and electric vehicles. Making sure offshore wind plays a part during this bad time of Climate Change which is a crisis in the u. S. You should never have child labor. We should never have that, nor ocean floor mining. We are able to accomplish what we need to do, offshore wind, clean water, clean air. It is a right for people to have and he should not have child labor. Host your response . Talking about restriction, i think this needs to be taken on a casebycase basis, batteries for cars will change the mix of materials we need and delivering a climate that is healthy. No one is for child labor. We need to respect natural resources. We are going to innovate our way to a clean and healthy economy for the world. It is an important responsibility and i will continue that leadership in congress. Collins, you have 45 seconds. If were going to get rid of child labor and save labor, we need to provide incentives for those using those labor sources to eliminate them. That might require paying higher prices until innovations are real. We have the responsibility to use the carrot to encourage conditions. We need Energy Policy that diversifies and uses as much clean energy as possible. I have developed a plan for solar panels on every suitable space and grants to pursue, making governments do the same. Host your next and then mr. Cohn. This is a question for farmer cohn. The farm bill is important in congress. How important is it to bolster what is left of agricultural heritage and how do you do that with Development Pressure . I live in a part that is a rural street only five minutes from a suburban area and 30 minutes away from philadelphia. We have to keep our open spaces open and preserve as much as possible. Ill be a voice thats fighting to make sure that the agricultural world is not left behind. You see the bumper stickers all the time, no farms, no food. Its true. My view is its a bill worth fighting for because we cannot go back once we developed. Host next response goes to herb conaway. There is an agricultural space. I served on the Senate Agricultural committee for 10, 12 years and dealt with these issues. I sponsored a bill that preserve open space is critical and intensely popular areas, we have a great farming economy. If that means protecting access from overdevelopment, preserving open space, preserve the farm. In that case, we need to make sure they use every bit of the lands and maintain farms and make sure there is a pathway for families to take forms over. I recognize we are in a great place. We have urban, suburb p and farming communities and they all need our support. Host ok. Carol murphy . 45 seconds. Thank you. You know what, our farming communities are extremely important to our economy. It is a key part of our economy. Farm loans to start expansion of our farms. Also investment in our farms and protect our food supply. These are under the bill and that is why we have to remember if we dont have fresh fruit and vegetables we are not serving residents well and i will be a strong voice for farmers in burlington and mercer county. David, youre next in your question will go to herb conaway. Thanks. With protests over the war in israel, gaza taking over College Campuses across the country and in new england, how can the First Amendment rights of students be balanced with academic concerns and reputational concerns of higher education. You mention those concerns. We live in a free country that says you have a right to free speech and protest. Organizing needs protection. There is a right of students to go to school in a safe environment free from the regrettable rise of antisemitism, islamophobia and hate speech on campuses, not only on campuses by the way, but across the country that in my opinion has been spurred but one person who is named donald trump. What we have seen is when administrations understand where people are coming from, bill bradleys grandmother said do not look down on some when you do not understand. Administrations need to ease tensions and find a pathway to allow peaceful protest and to not allow the interference in access to students abilities. Host carol murphy, your next. Thank you. First of all, free speech is part of the First Amendment right of free speech, protesters are using their voice for free speech. One of the things that free speech should not be is violent. We should not allow agitators on the campus to bring chaos and violence to the protesters. I also believe that our campuses, everyone has a right to an education, everyone has a right to be there, whether they agree with protesters or not. I believe there should be a way to live together when there are protests that are within our realm of nonviolent. Using our voice to get a message across, not just chaos and violence. My time is up. Host you are next. Mr. Cohn. Its very nice to get a question on my area of ex fierce. Ive dedicated expertise. Ive dedicated the last 12 years of my career fighting for the rights of students in faculty and let me make one thing clear, the First Amendment never protects violence in schools need to draw that line. Ed does not protect property destruction at all under the First Amendment. Administrators should allow as much speech as possible. Everyone has the right to go to School Without being discriminated against. There are instances where students occupied buildings they do not have the right to occupy and schools need to balance rights. Host we will have to stop you there, time is up, i apologize. Joey fox you are up next with a question for mrs. Murphy. Congress has a lot of say over its palestine policy. This week the house is set to vote on a bill that would override a Biden Administration decision to pause a shipment to israel over humanitarian concerns. Would you support that . Ms. Murphy to override is a difficult question. I do not know the bill, but never do you override any president s decision on foreign policy, especially a president with so much experience to assure we are able to move our country and protect our allies. I would be in a position where i would not vote for that. Over to joan now. I am jewish, i support israel, i think it is crucial that the United States back israel to provided timely support and weapons. I do not have a problem with withholding a particular weapon if they think it is inappropriate because of the damage it would cause. They are providing weapons that they think are more appropriate. I dont know enough about whats being with held and whats being offered. That is how i would analyze the question. Host over to herb for your response . Mr. Conaway i am focused on preserving life. Lets go back to first principles. I am a supporter of the u. S. Involvement in israel. The United States is a guarantor of Israeli Security and israelis have a right to defend themselves. Hamas attacked the jewish people as the president reminded us. I want to see people have a break in the action to move people to safety and shelter and hostages to be retrieved. Oh i joined with others asking so they can understand what the president knows and make a decision. Next step david and a question for mr. Cohn. The third district, both parties have made sure they protect major contributors to south jerseys economy. The joint base mcguire. Will you commit to seeking an assignment on the House Armed Services committee to protect that interest for your district . Absolutely. Let that help save us some time. Host we will go on to carol murphy for her response. Ms. Murphy thank you. Absolutely that is on my list to pick up. Im in assemblywoman and daughter of a master sergeant. I can tell you i work on the base with base commanders and other folks. We also made the same commitment on the military Affairs Committee to work on military issues, not only in new jersey. One of the biggest ones we have [indiscernible] were going to go to herb conaway, we are working to address feedback so we are aware of that. To you. Mr. Conaway . I have treated people who are part of the veterans community. I know how important bases are to veterans and National Security. I seek to serve on the committee and the General Assembly and on the veterans Affairs Committee legislation to make things better for our military families. Michael, you are next. You have a question for dr. Conaway. You voted with democrats in support of Chris Christies proposals to increase contributions of Public Employees including teachers and First Responders and health care pensions. When steve collaborated with Chris Christie you supported those measures. Were you in enabler of his most memorable priorities and do you regret that . I took on Chris Christie. He tried to cut plant. Planned parenthood, i led the fight to override that veto. When he right to to cut the health care for people in general, particularly women who were seeking cancer care, i fought against the administrations attempts there. Even a clock is right twice a day. Im not saying hes right on this issue. But to say that i was an enabler of the christie administration, i have fought against the administration on some very important things that are critical, particularly to women in this state. As a physician, as ive said, i understand this health care is about the relationship between aphysician and the family. Ill continue to fighter into if im favored with the election to congress. Host were going to let you chime in. I do not think that that collaboration is always a dirty word, but it should never be at the expense of workers so we need to make sure moving forward that pensions are protected fully, no matter what we are doing in collaboration with people we disagree with, we stay true to our principles of making sure we are fighting constantly for the working class, to have what they need, to have affordability for their lives, we need to make sure the richest are paying their fair share, that would be my priority. Carol murphy, over to you. Im going to answer that directly. I can tell you one thing, i was chief of staff and i stood on the streets of trenton when they had a big Bulletin Board and a microphone talking about how to chapter 17 is going to hurt our teachers, our schools and i stood in protest making sure the bill did not go through. It did, but myself and the senator, parts of mercer, we stood together fighting and i could not have a prouder moment. Time has come to let candidates ask a question of one opponent. You have 30 seconds to ask, one minute to answer any 30 second response. One question per opponent. Ms. Murphy, your first. Ms. Murphy conaway, you criticized me for campaigning on identity politics. You stated another distinction between me and my chief opponent is my refusal to run on identity politics. Do you mean talking about womens issues as a woman is identity politics . Can you explain you what meant by identity politics, please . What i meant was and say, ones sex or race should not be the principal driver of the campaign. [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. Visit ncicap. Org] [captions Copyright National cable satellite corp. 2024] we are going to break away from this for live coverage of the u. S. House. Today law makers are expected to consider 11 bills, including a measure providing tax relief to victims of federally declared disasters, notably wildfires and the 2023 Train Derailment in east palestine, ohio. Live coverage of the house here on cspan. The speaker pro tempore theho