Taurus small and even harold. Muttering tonight chris ramirez. Thank you for joining us tonight for those of you watching or listening from our network of radio orders across new mexico welcome. Tonight is the first time Xochitl Torres small and event harold have debated in the same room. There will be no handshaking tonight, the candidates are also here inside our studio this race is a rematch from 2018 when Xochitl Torres small defeated harold and we are very excited to have an opportunity to get both a platform to make your case to voters in your district. These are the rules ko be established. The candidates have agreed to all of them. Candidates will have one minute for opening remarks, two minutes to answer each question, 90 seconds for closing remarks, moderators interrupt the candidate exceeds the time limit. Rebuttals are at the moderators discretion and we will take two very short commercial breaks. Candidates agreed to acoin flip to determine the order of appearance. Both opening and closing remarks. Yvette harrell will go first with Xochitl Torres small going second so miss harrell youmay begin your opening statement. I want to thank all of you for tuning in and thank you for hosting this debate. This is one of the most important debates of our lifetime. For me it is about people over politics and i want to thank our Law Enforcement right now. Thank you for your service to our communities and our state and i also want to thank our veterans and servicemembers that keep our nation safe and it made us the greatest nation in the country. This is about putting people over politics. Limiting the size of government and taking our povalues washington dc. Or are too long weve seen division in washington and the losers are the people cause our values are not being represented. This debate because i want to ebearn your support. I want to earn your vote and i want you to know who i am as a candidate, as a christian as a new mexican so thank you. And congresswoman Xochitl Torres small, you begin your opening remarks. Thank you chris and tessa for hosting this debate. I am so deeply grateful to represent new mexicos second Congressional District because i know this is a cthardworking district. Industrious, humble, often overlooked and underserved and thats why i wake up every morning g dedicated to working just as hard as the new mexicans work every ca single day area because i havent been in congress for very long over the two years one of the things ive learned is that wed all be a lot better off if we had more new mexican values in dc. Values like looking out for our neighbors and working hard to find Solutions Together to face the challenges that we all have to confront you and thats why the longest distance i travel is in from dc but those 45 inches separate democrats from republicans aton the house floor. I know that the only way we things done for new mexico. Thank you very much, were going to go ahead and jump into our first question for the evening. The federal government has spent more than 11 billion so far building a wall between mexico and the us. As of today is not finished and it may never be. What do you believe is the right future of this wall beyond the wall, what are your ideas to increase Border Security . Miss harrell we begin with you. Order security is something ive been proactive on and i supported president from administration to build the border wall and im glad hes over 260 miles of and thats just part of the solution. We have to improve our Border Security measures. We need to get our Border Agents the tools they need and fund them completely they can do their job to keep nnew mexicans and americans say. We have to watch out we are not allowing people into this nation illegally and s then giving them benefits that are being kept from taxpaying citizens but we have drug traffickers, human traffickers area we have a lot of problems on the border wall that we know that it works and we know that we when we are pushing people to the side and we can capture those that are coming here illegally, its safety for new mexicans and its safety for the American People but we do have reforms to take place in washington. We need to ensure their immigration policies are working and enforce ones on the books and ensure those that want to come into the nation legally have to wait to do so that is swift and not standing in line and pain dollars upon dollars to do so but the border wall is something the president made a promise about. He kept that promise and i am proud to stand withPresident Trump on securing our southern border. Miss harrell thank you and now representative torres small. As the only representative on the Homeland Security that represent the district along the border i work hard to make sure my colleagues, republicans and democrats understand the real challenges we face along the border. Thats why the first bill i introduced was with my colleague republican will heard to make sure that we have a rural recruitment and retention strategy for our Border Patrol agents to make sure we are there introductions in rural areas. Thats why i held a field hearing and brought my poly and crenshaw to the border to identify the challenges we face and out of that we had a bill. Put together a bill thats been passed on house for without objection to get 100 percent nonintrusive Inspection Technology on our ports of entry for over 90 percent of the drugs across the border come through our ports of entry. I know that in order to address the challenges and to build a secure border we need a mile by mile analysis of the different challenges for every sector of the border and thats why ive introduced legislation that supported by republicans and democrats in the house and senate to get that mile by mile analysis because i know that we got to Work Together. A fundamental piece of Border Security is a clear moral immigration system. Thats why i believe that if you want to work hard and contribute to our economy and follow our laws s, there should be a way to dothat. Why work with republicans and democrats to reform the age to a visa process to get our Dairy Farmers legal reliable workforce they need. Thats why i supported the dream and promise to help new mexicans only home they know is that new mexico and their ability to earn their citizenship and those on the type of solutions i will continue to work on cross rnill to build a stronger more vibrant border. Were going to move onto our next question. Covid19 has exposed large gaps in Public Education and families have resources to fill that gap and in poor and rural families often do not. The question is should congress address this and if so, what is the right answer . Going to begin this question with Xochitl Torres small. My motherwas a schoolteacher for 30 years and watching her hard work i know how important our Education System is. As a product of new mexicos Public Schools i know we got to invest in quality education to make sure we can build our opportunities in new mexico and thats why i supported a budget that had an additional 16 billion for education compared to the administrations proposal. I plan continuing to work to invest in good reliable internet across the district because as we face covid19 i talked to families who are struggling to make sure their kids have the support they need to learn and thats why ive also joined a bipartisan problem solvers 25 republicans, 25 democrats put together a proposal for covid19 relief that includes significant investments in education to get School Support they need to teachour kids. Okay, Yvette Harrell you may answer the question. Can you repeat the question. You believe there are gaps in education and if so what is the right way gaps . Theres no doubt about it we have a problem with the Education System here in new mexico. For far too long weve been right 50th or 48. Were the service to our kids, to the future of new mexico and america and its not fair to the teachers for their heart and soul into their profession in helping our students. We need to start working on the state level and then partner with the federal level providing funding thats necessary for the schools that needed but also putting control into local hands read we need to see about having changes made on the state level that wouldput the school board back in control of the curriculum , on their budgets because this is where the best decisions are made , by those closer to the issue, closer to this problem and those that can come together as families, as committees but on the federal level what we need to be doing is extending opportunity for kids in the classroom when it comes to apprenticeship programs or special skill sets that way we can enhance their graduation ability they can come school with a skill set that will work for them right now. If failing them because we dont have adequacy in the classroom and its no fault of the teachers really students, its a disservice to them and the parents and we work in partnership from the federal and state level, given the tools they need and el enhance additional learning and open up apprenticeship programs and other programs that will allow them to develop the skills coming up so they can get jobs without going to college, so that we can get themprepared for life in new mexico and beyond. Thank you miss harrell. Going to take a short break and when we return congresswoman Xochitl Torres small Yvette Harrell will take more questions. We want to get into those remaining questions so here we go. New mexican families and Business Owners need help right now read this covid19 pandemic has affected all of us. But your two parties philosophical and political differences in what looks like. For a second stimulus package. What would you insist the included in the next Coronavirus Relief bill and what would you absolutely not support. Your first. Weve seen a lot of stalemate edin washington dc when it comes to relief packages, we expand the benefits for those who really need it im for that. We need to ensure the tools are available for Small Businesses and for our e workforce in new mexico. When i cant see in the bill that doesnt make sense is, i know the bill had has 71 pages of improvements ntas she would call them to our election system. That means she wants to make about harvesting legal in every single state. That means you want to see mail and ballots in every state. That has nothing to do with the coronavirus and theres d funding for the police departments. That has nothing to do with the coronavirus. What we need to be working on is finding a viable cure for the vaccine for the coronavirus and getting the tools necessary to our Small Businesses american workers. I am all for helping americans with a handout but not a handout and its time together to come together in washington and make decisions that will benefit theAmerican People. Thank you miss harrell, miss torres small you may answer. I talked to small Business Owners and folks that have lost their jobs through covid19 and know we have to have their backs and thats why i joined with republicans s and democrats siand the problem solvers to put together a plan to get back to the table for negotiating because when it comes to what i want except for a covid19 package its failing. We have to get to answer and thats why we put together this proposal that includes a second round of Paycheck Protection Program with loan forgiveness for those whove already received it so they can clear those loans off the books. As lab worked hard to make sure people who lost their jobs through no fault of their own received support. Thats why ive worked hard to make sure theres additional funding for our healthcare systems, that are rural hospitals and clinics and keep their doors open, so that veterans can receive the care they deserve and we have promised and so we can all get testingresults in a quick enough time so we can do something necessary to stop hotspots before they get out of control because we have to overcome this challenge together. We have to findways to build solutions and thats why ill continue to push to get another package for covid19. Unfortunately opponent in previous debates said she did not support a second covid19 relief package. Im pleased to see that she now acknowledges the need of the real hurt thatpeople are facing but im always going to have the backs of new mexicans and continue to fight for that support. Miss harrell, ill give you a rebuttal opportunity on. That might have been misunderstood. Ive always said i support the american worker, the mexican worker and if we need to expand the additional Unemployment Benefits that we should do so area i said not 600 a week, i think thats too much in new mexico standards. Where having a hard time seeing people get back to work because of the amount of the first cares package. People that need a handout absolutely we need to give that to them. For handout, excuse me but i dont want to see us filling a bill with things that do not have anything to do with the covid19. Were going to move on. This next question is about energy. You both have publicly seated you understand the role as an oil place our economy and our state budget but voters may not know how you feel about the role gas and oil and fracking plays on our environment. The question is should our country move away from fossil fuels and i like your answer to include both the role of energy and our economy and in our environment. Xochitl torres small europe first. I do not support a ban on fracking, ive made that clear and ive stood up to my party and they tried to banded or when they said they wanted to ban opening on federal lands and even when they tried to exclude oil and gas workers and businesses from Coronavirus Relief funds. Instead i worked to make sure that relief was available to everyone and i worked on the ground to make sure that Small Businesses across new mexico and especially the hardworking people in Southeastern New Mexico were able to access thosefunds. When it comes to climate change, this is a challenge we all have to face together. That means an expert in the oil and gas industry as well as in peconservation the table to identify those challenges so we can all problems like fixing methane waste and working together to make sure we are diversifying our energy portfolio. I know the only way to have a sustainable solution people at the table. I what to do and if i am proud ive been indoors i the United States chamber of commerce and why is the oil and Gas Association said i was a strong advocate for the industry. Miss harrell you may answer. Well i guess mexico is our biggest industry and it employs hundreds of thousands of people and we see an opportunity for innovation and new technology. Prior to covid we saw production higher than it ever been in an emission rates lower and we do have to look at the environment but im proud to see this industry is done so much better at letting their Carbon Footprint and we know that we want to save the environment. We want to ensure we have clean air and clean water. We need to Work Together and we consult but we cant allow bills like the Green New Deal to dictate what we do for the future and my y opponent has voted to allow future president s to ban fracking and also said in our last event that she did othink that we should join the paris support agreements so right there when we look at what joe biden said the other night as he was on the date he said he would join agreements and hes also talked about going to a new green deal and that will not work for new mexico. Will put thousands of people out of work. It will be expensive for the end user and we can see we have a great industry here. We are one of the top producing states in the nation and when we Work Together within the proenergy. We can keep those people employed and do so protecting our environment so that we can do so in a way that works for everybody. Keep our revenues coming, that the economy back going to see more production levels and peoples revenues into new Mexico School for our roads, for our ocost of doing business and letting in new mexico but i can see now we have a very stark difference in what were talking about with environment and oil and gas as an industry as a whole. Im going to advocate for your voters, yes, sir number because we move away from boston fuels, yes, sir no . And i have a rebuttal ckfor the opponents about the allegation there . Absolutely. I want to make it absolutely clear with folks about some statements, opponent has made because the facts. News articles have already clarified my phones claims are false. Corrected all the creature area and hes been directed by the roswell record and been corrected by the new mexico oil and gas is so i dont know what, whether she said the first time or whether he continues to say even after hes beencorrected. Whats clear is shes willing to say anything to get elected. Diversifying our energy portfolio, i think we need to do that. You have an opportunity to rebut the statement and i do want asking the samequestion, does this you away from fossil fuels . Is not a great idea and i would recommend the voters go to the government webpages andlook at voting records because actions do speak louder than words. All right, so we have our next question and i do want to let you know the time limit is different on this question, youre going to have one minute each to answer area so heres the question. Or two election cycles now the race between you both have been better. Its been messy at times and we believe voters would appreciate you say one thing that you admireabout your opponent. Xochitl torres small europe first. I think it really is an important question that we continue to support each other in this challenging process and thats why one of the things that i really appreciate about it that is that she leaves with a. She brings what she believes to the table and that she does it because of what she believes and who she believes in. I think we all have to be grounded in what we believe in the fundamental piece for me is service and i see that you, this is not an easy thing to step up and see all of those awful commercials so being willing to step into that regardless of what we about the issues, really matters and i appreciate so that you. Miss harold, you as well, what you admire about representative torres small. I admire her as a person and weve obviously seen each over over the course of the last 3 1 2, for years and theres always been a real Mutual Respect between the two of us and ive admired ibecause hes right, we both see eyes all over tv and it does get kind of weary to see that kind of talk. But its always refreshing when we see each other at different events or even today on the debate stage that there is such a Mutual Respect for one another and i really appreciate, especially ngwhen were running in, headtohead against something that so important so its nice to see that kindness and i do appreciate that very much. I think that is a great time to go ahead and take another little short break. Closing statements coming up in one class where now moving on to closing statements. Minor candidates have one minute and 30 seconds to answer eachquestion. You mail me your closing remarks. Iq somewhat everybody going really does is the most important election of our lifetime. I believe we are fighting for one nation under god and i am unashamedly rhode island, prolife, pro family, pro business. And you can see that theres a very stark difference between myopponent and i. She voted to impeach President Trump twice. I am very proud to have the endorsements of president Donald J Trump area and the policy does not represent new mexico. She doesnt understand new mexico and yet my opponent will but with her 95 percent of the time which clearly t n does not reflect the values of new mexico area and also concerned because i am an advocate for life. I believe life conception. My opponent worked for planned parenthood and believes in taxpayerfunded abortion. Thats wrong. But what really bothers me is my opponent has said she will vote for biden and harris. Said out loud it will raise taxes on the American People and will kill our energy industry. It could not be more clear. I am running because we believe a seat at the table, t somebody who cares about new mexico values and will take your voice to washington dc. It is about relationships. Im proud to have served in the legislature for eight years and i understand the district so lets pray for our nation, pray for our president and i ask for your vote in this election. Thank you very much. Thank you miss harrell. Representative torres small you may begin with your closing remarks. Thank you to all the viewers for engaging in our democracy today. And i ran for to represent new mexicos second Congressional District 2 years ago i said id be willing to work with anything anyone to deliver for new mexico and ive forged ways to do that in congress over the last two years cause i know that commonsense solution still, when a party label area and come with hard work and thats why when 90 percent of the drugs that come across our border come through our ports of entry but less than 15 percent of the commercial vehicles that cross that port of entry get scanned for contraband, i worked with a republican colleagues to get to 100 percent scanning at our ports of entry and im proud that the Center Toronto port of entry is going to be a pilot to do just that. When the rural hospitals and clinics are struggling to keep their doors open i worked with the Trump Administration to make sure that rural hospitals and access to the medicare advance payments that would allow them to continue to work to make sure doctors could reach their patients over the phone when good reliable internet or coming into the clinic wasnt an option and when it comes to supporting our robust economy i stood up to my party and stood up fornew mexicans to pass the United States mexico canada agreement. The truth is theres only one of us on this stage tonight has demonstrated capability of working with others to deliver for new mexico area im asking to continue that work and asking for your vote area iq. And with that that starts to conclude our second Congressional District debate. Thank you to congresswoman r Xochitl Torres small and miss harrell for to participating and we ask that you stay with us because coming up next, nbc will bring you the first Vice President ial debate between Vice President mike pence and senator kamala harris. We have debates between the candidates for the third Congressional District, that represents northern new mexico. Alexis Martinez Johnson will be debating with us in their remote locations from northern new mexico. We hope you make the time to watch that. It informs your vote and we hope you will vote between now and election day on november 3. We will have a full recap and analysis of this debate tonight on the 90. Good night new mexico. President trump returns to the campaign trail today with a rally scheduled in sanford florida just north of orlando. Live coverage starting at 7 pm eastern on cspan2. You can also watch online at cspan. Org or listen live using the free cspan radio app. This evening Republican SenateMajority Leader Mitch Mcconnell and Senate Democratic candidate amy mcgrath take part in a televised debate. Great television and the university of carolina are sponsoring the event. Online at cspan. Org or listen with the free cspan radio app. This is an Election Year. Were confirming the judge in an Election Year after the voting has occurred. The bottom line here is that the senate is doing its duty constitutionally. As to judge garland, the opening that occurred with the passing of Justice Scalia was in the early part of an Election Year. The primary process had just started, and we can talk about history, but heres the history as i understand it, theres never been a situation where you had a president of one party and the senate of another where the nominee, the replacement was made in an Election Year. Its been over 140 years ago. I think there have been 19 vacancies filled in Election Year, 17 of the 19 were confirmed to the court when the party of the president and the senate were the same. In terms of timing, the hearing is starting 16 days after a nomination. More than half of all Supreme Court hearings have been held within 16 days of the announcement of the nominee. Stevens 10, powell 13, blackman 15, berger 13. All i can say is that i feel that were doing this constitutionally, that our democratic friends object to the process. I respect them all. They will have their chance to have their say. Most importantly i hope we will know more about how the law works, checks and balances, what the Supreme Court is all about when this hearing is over. The Supreme Court confirmation hearing for Amy Coney Barrett began today, with opening statements, from senators and judge barrett. You can watch day one of Amy Coney Barretts Supreme Court confirmation hearing tonight starting at 8 00 p. M. Eastern on cspan. Democrats need to pick up four seats in the november election as to win a majority in the u. S. Senate. According to the cook political report, 15 of the 35 senate races are consideredom