Summary of Iowa Press Debates: U.S. Senate

00:00:00 - 00:55:00

The Iowa press debates featured U.S. Senate candidates Chuck Grassley and Mike Franken discussing a variety of topics, including the Trump-era tax cuts, abortion, and marijuana legalization. Both candidates spoke about the need for bipartisanship, with Grassley touting his longstanding bipartisan support in Iowa and Franken arguing that Republicans had violated the results of the last election.

• 00:00:00 This live Iowa press debate features Republican Chuck Grassley and Democrat Mike Franken in a race for U.S. Senate. Grassley has longstanding bipartisan support in Iowa, and is running for reelection to continue working for the people of Iowa. Franken is running to oppose Grassley and restore democracy after Republicans voted to violate the results of the last election.
• 00:05:00 The senator from Iowa, Chuck Grassley, speaks about the importance of the Senate majority and the bills they should pass, like reducing prescription drug prices, reforming immigration, and gun control. He says that Mike Franken is not knowledgeable about the issue and that he will be the leader in the Senate on these issues.
• 00:10:00 Senator Grassley believes that the abortion issue should be decided by elected officials in the states, and that abortion should not be available except in cases of rape, incest, or when the mother's life is in danger.
• 00:15:00 The Iowa Press Debates discuss U.S. Senate candidates' views on abortion and marijuana legalization, with Senator Chuck Grassley mentioning that most marijuana users are in state prisons, not federal prisons. Franken supports legalizing recreational marijuana, while Graham believes elected representatives at the federal level should make the decision on abortion.
• 00:20:00 In Iowa, the U.S. Senate candidates debate the importance of controlling the entry of opioids into the U.S. and the need for a bipartisan approach to immigration. One candidate argues that open borders and military service don't mix, while the other argues that civil authority should reign supreme. The candidates also debate the effects of inflation on Iowaans, with one candidate proposing legislation to address pharmaceutical costs.
• 00:25:00 The candidates discuss the issue of inflation, with Chuck Grassley stating that he does not think President Biden has the authority to forgive student loan debt, and Mike Franken saying he is in favor of student loan forgiveness as long as it is done in a way that does not create a "slippery slope."
• 00:30:00 The candidates discuss the pros and cons of sending soldiers to Ukraine to help fight the ongoing war. Franken believes that the United States should be careful before intervening militarily and believes that the soldiers should be armed.
• 00:35:00 Senator Franken discusses his support for the electoral count act, which he believes needs to be updated to protect the peaceful transfer of presidential power.
• 00:40:00 In the 99 county meetings, Senator Bernie Sanders said that he does not want to talk about the things that are on Iowans' minds. In response, Mike Franken said that he wants to extend the life of social security and other government programs.
• 00:45:00 Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) is running for re-election in 2018 and has said that he would like to see Social Security reduced or increased, depending on the situation. His opponent, Sen. Franken (D-MN), has criticized Grassley for his record on women's rights and other issues.
• 00:50:00 Senator Chuck Grassley has been in office for 22 years and is running for re-election in 2018. He has opposed an amendment to cap insulin prices, which he says is because it does not follow procedural rules. He also supports $35 cap on insulin prices and reform of the role of pharmaceutical benefit managers (PBM). He has voted against the Affordable Care Act five times and wants the government to take over all health care.
• 00:55:00 The Iowa press debates covered topics such as the Trump-era tax cuts, the debt, and small businesses in Iowa. Mike Franken said that he would vote to repeal the tax cuts if they help only the uber wealthy, and Chuck Grassley said that if the tax cuts are not kept, the U.S. will have the biggest tax increase in its history. The debates were followed by a 1-minute summary.