U.S. Senate Debate

Oct. 15, 2018

Transcript:

TED SIMONS: GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO THIS SPECIAL ELECTION 2018 DEBATE BETWEEN US SENATE CANDIDATES REPUBLICAN CONGRESSWOMAN MARTHA MCSALLY AND DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSWOMAN KYRSTEN SINEMA. THIS IS THE ONLY LIVE DEBATE BETWEEN THESE TWO CANDIDATES AND IT’S A JOINT EFFORT BROUGHT TO YOU BY ARIZONA PBS AND THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC. I'M TED SIMONS HOST AND MANAGING EDITOR OR ARIZONA HORIZON.

MARIA POLLETTA: AND MARIA POLLETTA, POLITICAL REPORTER FOR THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC AT AZCENTRAL.COM. WE'RE BROADCASTING TO YOU LIVE FROM THE STUDIOS AT ARIZONA PBS AND THE WALTER CRONKITE SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM AT THE DOWNTOWN CAMPUS OF ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY. TONIGHT'S DEBATE IS ALSO BEING LIVESTREAMED ON AZPBS.ORG AND AZCENTRAL.COM.

TED SIMONS: GROUND RULES FOR THE DEBATE ARE AS FOLLOWS: ONCE WE ASK A CANDIDATE A QUESTION THEY'LL HAVE 90 SECONDS TO ANSWER WITHOUT INTERRUPTION. THE OTHER CANDIDATE GETS 45 SECONDS FOR A REBUTTAL. AGAIN WITHOUT INTERRUPTION.

MARIA POLLETTA: WE'LL HAVE UP TO TWO MINUTES FOR AN OPEN DISCUSSION ON THAT TOPIC. AT THE END OF THE DEBATE EACH CANDIDATE WILL HAVE ONE MINUTE FOR CLOSING STATEMENTS.

TED SIMONS: TOPICS WERE CHOSEN BY JOURNALISTS FROM ARIZONA PBS AND THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC WHICH INCLUDES AZCENTRAL.COM AND QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC ARE ALSO INCLUDED. LET'S MEET THE CANDIDATES. MARTHA MCSALLY IS A REPUBLICAN AND HAS REPRESENTED ARIZONA IN DISTRICT 2 SINCE 2014 AND NATIVE OF RHODE ISLAND AND WAS THE FIRST WOMAN TO FLY IN COMBAT IN IRAQ. KYRSTEN SINEMA IS A DEMOCRAT AND HAS REPRESENTED ARIZONA’S 9TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT SINCE 2012. BEFORE THAT SHE SERVED IN BOTH THE ARIZONA HOUSE AND SENATE AND SHE'S AN ARIZONA NATIVE BORN IN TUCSON.

MARIA POLLETTA: EARLIER WE DREW NUMBERS TO SEE WHO GOT THE FIRST QUESTION. AND THAT GOES TO CONGRESSWOMAN MCSALLY.

TED SIMONS: CONGRESSWOMAN MCSALLY, YOU WERE ONCE A CRITIC OF PRESIDENT TRUMP. YOU NOW ARE A MORE VOCAL SUPPORTER OF THE PRESIDENT. THE QUESTION IS, WHAT CHANGED?

MARTHA MCSALLY: WELL, NOTHING CHANGED AND I TAKE ISSUE WITH YOUR PREMISE. I WAS REPRESENTING MY DISTRICT BACK IN 2016 AND FIGHTING FOR SOUTHERN ARIZONA AND RUNNING MY OWN CAMPAIGN AND I NEVER ENDORSED ANYONE FOR ANYTHING WHETHER PRESIDENT OR DOG CATCHER SO I CONTINUED WITH THAT PATH. BUT HE'S NOW IN OFFICE AND AS PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES AND WE HAVE THIS HISTORIC OPPORTUNITY TO MOVE AMERICA IN A NEW DIRECTION AND WE'VE DONE THAT SINCE HE'S BEEN IN OFFICE. WE'VE CUT TAXES, WE’VE ROLLED BACK REGULATIONS AND WE'RE REBUILDING TO REBUILD OUR MILITARY AND SECURE OUR BORDER. THERE ARE SO MANY OPPORTUNITIES WE HAVE IN FRONT OF US, AND I BUILT A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PRESIDENT. THE FIRST TIME I WAS INVITED OVER THERE, I TALKED TO HIM ABOUT THE PLANE THAT I FLEW AND HOW WE SAVED IT. AND THE LAST ADMINISTRATION TRIED TO PUT IT IN THE BONEYARD AND HOW IMPORTANT IT WAS TO KEEP IT FLYING BECAUSE IT PROTECTS OUR TROOPS. I TALKED HIM INTO BECOMING AN A-10 FAN. I'M WORKING WITH THIS ADMINISTRATION WITH SANCTUARY CITIES AND MA-13 GANGS. THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS WE HAVE TO WORK ON, WHAT HAPPENED IS BECAUSE OF THE REPUBLICAN LEAD SENATE IN THE HOUSE WORKING WITH THIS PRESIDENT WE SEE MORE OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE IN ARIZONA AND I'M GOING TO KEEP WORKING WITH HIM. IN FACT I'M GOING TO HOST HIM AT LUKE AIR FORCE BASE ON FRIDAY, THE BASE THAT KYRSTEN SINEMA ADVOCATED TO SHUT DOWN WHEN SHE FIRST RAN FOR OFFICE. THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT AND I'LL KEEP WORKING WITH HIM IN THE SENATE.

TED SIMONS: 45 SECONDS REBUTTAL.

KYRSTEN SINEMA: THANK YOU, IT'S AN HONOR TO BE WITH YOU AND GOOD TO SEE, MARTHA IT’S GOOD TO SEE YOU. WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A GOOD CONVERSATION TONIGHT ON THE ISSUES THAT MATTER MOST TO ARIZONA FAMILIES. RISING HEALTHCARE COSTS AND PROTECTING MEDICARE AND SOCIAL SECURITY AND KEEPING OUR COUNTRY SAFE AND SECURE. BUT THERE WILL BE SOME DIFFERENCES YOU'LL SEE CLEAR THIS EVENING. I'VE BEEN LASER FOCUSED ON THE ISSUES THAT MATTER MOST AND EVERY DAY ARIZONANS WHILE MARTHA HAS RUN A CAMPAIGN BASED NASTY SMEARS AND FALSE ATTACKS AND I EXPECT YOU'LL SEE MORE OF THAT THIS EVENING. BUT ARIZONANS KNOW I'VE NEVER BEEN AFRAID TO STAND ALONE AND DO WHAT'S RIGHT AND I'LL ALWAYS WORK WITH ANYONE TO GET THINGS DONE IN ARIZONA AND THAT'S THE APPROACH I'VE TAKEN IN THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS.

MARIA POLLETTA: CONGRESSWOMAN MCSALLY DID YOU WANT TO RESPOND TO ANY PART OF THAT?

MARTHA MCSALLY: SURE. WE'VE HEARD THESE TALKING POINTS A LOT ALREADY JUST TALKING SPECIFICALLY ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN. I HAD OVER $15 MILLION SO FAR OF ATTACK ADS FROM ME FROM KYRSTEN SINEMA AND HER ALLIES. OVER $2 MILLION WAS SPENT AGAINST ME BY AN ORGANIZATION THAT WAS HER PREVIOUS POLITICAL CONSULTANT WAS A PART OF. AND IT WAS A BIT OF A SNEAK ATTACK WHEN WE FOUND OUT, WE'RE NOW UP TO $15 MILLION. SO EVERY DAY ARIZONANS REALLY CARE ABOUT JOB OPPORTUNITIES AND WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO WORK ON THAT AND PROVIDE MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEM. WE HAVE MORE JOBS OPENING THAN PEOPLE LOOKING FOR JOBS AND THIS IS REALLY PROVIDING MORE FUTURE AND MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE IN ARIZONA AND WE'RE GOING TO KEEP WORKING ON THAT. EVERY DAY ARIZONANS CAN'T AFFORD IT BECAUSE OBAMACARE FAIL AND WE NEED TO PROVIDE AVAILABLE HEALTHCARE FOR THEM.

TED SIMONS: CONGRESSWOMAN SINEMA I ASKED MCSALLY WHAT HAS CHANGED. WHAT CHANGED WITH YOU? MANY REMEMBER YOU AS BEING MORE LIBERAL THAN YOU ARE NOW BACK WHEN YOU WERE IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE. NOW YOU MORE OFTEN THAN NOT WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP. WHAT CHANGED?

KYRSTEN SINEMA: I HAVE BEEN LUCKY TO SERVE IN THIS STATE IN THE LEGISLATURE AND IN CONGRESS FOR THE LAST 6 YEARS. OVER THE YEARS I'M PROUD TO SAY THAT I HAVE TAKEN THE TIME TO LEARN AND GROW AND OCCASIONALLY EVEN CHANGE MY OPINION. WHEN I SERVED IN THE U.S. CONGRESS FOR MY FIRST SEVERAL TERMS WITH CONGRESSMAN SALMON. HE AND I WORKED ON A VARIETY OF ISSUES INCLUDING KEEPING OUR COUNTRY SAFE, GROWING BUSINESSES IN ARIZONA, AND PROTECTING TRADE. SO OVER TIME I THINK IT MAKES SENSE FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE WILLING TO LEARN AND TO GROW… AND THE DIFFERENCE ABOUT MY APPROACH, IS THAT MARTHA OPPOSED MANY OF THESE ISSUES BEFORE RUNNING FOR SENATE AND THEN CHANGED HER MIND VERY QUICKLY. I HAVE BEEN SERVING FOR MANY YEARS IN THE US CONGRESS AND BEFORE THAT IN THE LEGISLATURE AND OVERTIME HAVE BEEN BEEN ABLE TO GROW AND DO BETTER AT MY JOB SERVING ARIZONIANS. OVER TIME BEEN ABLE TO GROW AND BECOME EVEN BETTER AT MY JOB SERVING ARIZONANS. I ALWAYS PUT THEIR INTERESTS FIRST, NEVER PARTY. SO AS YOU MENTIONED, TED, I OFTEN DO VOTE AGAINST MY OWN PARTY, AND THAT'S SOMETHING I THINK ARIZONA DEPENDS ON AND ARE PROUD OF. THEY WANT AN INDEPENDENT VOICE IN THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS. WHAT THEY WANT IN THE UNITED STATES SENATE IS SOMEONE WHO STANDS UP FOR THEM AND NOT JUST AS WHAT PARTY LEADERS DO.

TED SIMONS: HAVE YOU CHANGED? I ASKED YOU THAT THE FIRST QUESTION- SINEMA SAY’S YOU HAVE CHANGED OVER THE YEARS?

MARTHA MCSALLY: ABSOLUTELY NOT. I LEFT MY HOME AT THE AGE OF 18 AND JOINED THE MILITARY. I LOST MY DAD WHEN I WAS 12 AND I WAS LOOKING FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET A GOOD EDUCATION. I CHOSE TO SERVE IN UNIFORM FOR 26 YEARS. I PUT MY LIFE ON THE LINE FOR MY COUNTRY AND THROUGH 325 COMBAT HOURS PROTECTING OUR FREEDOMS AND WAY OF LIFE AND NOW SERVING IN CONGRESS, AND I'VE BEEN LEADING ON THE ISSUES OF SUPPORTING OUR MILITARY, SECURING THE BORDER AND PROVIDING MORE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE. AND I THINK CONSISTENTLY DOING THAT BOTH SERVING IN CONGRESS AND RUNNING ARE TO THE SENATE. MY RECORD IS CLEAR AND CONSISTENT UNLIKE MY OPPONENT.

TED SIMONS: REAL QUICKLY, YOU MENTIONED YOU WERE GOING TO APPEAR WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP THIS WEEK. ARE YOU PROUD OF THE WAY PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS CONDUCTED HIMSELF IN OFFICE?

MARTHA MCSALLY: LOOK, PRESIDENT TRUMP RAN FOR PRESIDENT ONE TIME AND WON. AND HE'S A DISRUPTER. HE WENT TO D.C. TO SHAKE THINGS UP AND HE'S DOING THAT. AND WE'RE SEEING THE RESULTS FROM THAT. NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE WANTED TO TACKLE THE CHALLENGES OF NORTH KOREA GETTING ACCESS TO A NUCLEAR WEAPON THAT COULD HOLD AMERICANS HOSTAGE. NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE WANTED TO ADDRESS UPDATING BAD TRADE AGREEMENTS SO THEY WOULD HELP AMERICANS. SO HE'S DISRUPTING THINGS FOR SURE IN WASHINNTON D.C., BUT PROVIDING MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR AMERICANS AND ARIZONANS WHILE ENSURING WE'RE SAFE AND SECURE FROM THE THREATS THAT ARE OUT THERE.

TED SIMONS: SO YOU'RE PROUD OF THE WAY PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS BEHAVED

MARTHA MCSALLY: I'M PROUD HE HAS GONE TO THE WHITE HOUSE AND LEADING OUR COUNTRY IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AND PROUD TO WORKING WITH HIM, TO PROVIDE MORE OPPROTUNITIES, AND MAKE SURE WE KEEP OUR COUNTRY SAFE. HE DIDN'T NEED TO BE DOING THIS. I'VE GOTTEN TO KNOW HIM OVER THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF AND HE LOVES AMERICA AND HE'S FIGHTING FOR AMERICANS EVERY SINGLE DAY AND I'M GOING TO KEEP WORKING WITH HIM TO PROVIDE MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL OF US.

KYRSTEN SINEMA: TED, I THINK THIS IS AN AREA WHERE WE HAVE A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION. I BELIEVE ARIZONANS BELIEVE A SENATOR WHO CALLS THE BALLS AND STRIKES AND DOESN'T ALWAYS AGREE WITH THEIR PARTY LEADERS. MARTHA HAS A 98% VOTING RECORD WITH HER PARTY AND PRESIDENT, WHICH I THINK DEMONSTRATES SHE'S NOT WILLING TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT WITH ARIZONA, IF THE PRESIDENT IS WRONG ON AN ISSUE. I'LL GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE. RECENTLY THE PRESIDENT INSTITUTED VERY HARSH TARIFFS AND STARTED A TRADE WAR AND THAT IS DEVASTATING FOR ARIZONA'S BUSINESS AND AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITY. THANKS TO THESE TARIFFS COTTON BUSHELS ARE SELLING 25% LESS THAN BEFORE AND THAT DAMAGES OUR COTTON INDUSTRY. WE'VE SEEN DAIRY FARMS, FIVE OF WHICH HAVE BEEN SOLD BECAUSE OF THESE TARIFFS. I'VE MET WITH BUSINESS OWNERS THAT CREATE TOOLS FOR MEDICAL DEVICE MANUFACTURING AND THEY'RE SPENDING 20% MORE ON TAXES ON ALUMINUM AND STEEL AND PERHAPS WORST OF ALL IN LUMBER YARD BREWING, A FAMILY OWNED BREWERY IN FLAGSTAFF, THANKS TO THESE ALUMINUM TARIFF ARES THEY'LL HAVE TO PAY MORE FOR CANS OF BEER. WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO AGREE ON THAT BEER SHOULDN'T COST MORE. THIS IS AN AREA OF DIFFERENCE BETWEEN US, BECAUSE MARTHA HAS SAID THE SMALL BUSINESSES WHO WILL BE HURT BY THESE TARIFFS ARE COLLATERAL DAMAGE. BUT I DON'T THINK THE 97% OF BUSINESSES IN OUR ECONOMY WHICH ARE SMALL BUSINESSES SHOULD EVER BE CONSIDERED COLLATERAL DAMAGE. THEY'RE THE LIFE BLOOD OF OUR ECONOMY. SO I BELIEVE IT'S OUR DUTY TO STAND UP AGAINST THE PRESIDENT HE'S DOING SOMETHING WRONG, BUT JOIN WITH HIM WHEN HE IS DOING SOMEHTING RIGHT- LIKE WORKING FOR VETERANS. SO WE SHOULD BE CALLING THE BALLS AND STRIKES AND NOT BLINDLY FOLLOWING WHAT PARTY LEADERS TELL YOU TO DO.

MARIA POLLETTA: CONGRESSWOMAN MCSALLY?

MARTHA MCSALLY: 97% VOTING WITH ROLLING BACK LEGISLATION AND PROVIDING FOR THE MILITARY TO BE ABLE TO KEEP US SAFE. I'M PROUD TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT. KYRSTEN SINEMA HAS VOTED A LITTLE OVER 60%, BUT HERE'S SOME KEY VOTES SHE WASN'T WITH US. I VOTED TO CUT YOUR TAXES AND PROVIDING OPPORTUNITY FOR $2,000 PER FAMILY IN ARIZONA, MORE MONEY IN THEIR POCKET INSTEAD OF GOING TO WASHINGTON, D.C., AND WE'RE SEEING THAT OUR ECONOMY IS ON FIRE RIGHT NOW. I VOTED FOR THE FARM BILL. SHE'S TALKING ABOUT FARMERS? SHE VOTED AGAINST THE FARM BILL IN A PARTISAN MOVE BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT NANCY PELOSI TOLD THEM TO DO. AND ANOTHER ONE THAT I HOPE WE GET TO REGARDING IMMIGRATION TO SECURE THE BORDER AND END FAMILY SEPERATION KYRSTEN SINEMA VOTED NO. 60% THAT IS WITH THE AGENDA WHICH PROVIDES MORE OPPROTUNITIES FOR EVERYBODY? IT'S A FAILING GRADE IN ANY SCHOOL AND ARIZONANS WANT TO BE WITH THE AGENDA THAT WE ARE WORKING WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP BUT WE GOT TO KEEP IT GOING. BECAUSE THE ALTERNATIVE IS HER PARTY. IF CHUCK SCHUMER IS INVOLVED IS GOING TO BE OPEN BORDERS AND GOVERNMANT RUN HEALTH-CARE EVERYTHING THAT GOES WITH THAT. THERE IS A LOT AT STAKE WITH THIS ELECTION RIGHT NOW. PEOPLE NEED TO MAKE SURE THEY KNOW THE FULL RECORDS OF OUR BACKGROUND AND I HOPE WE CAN TALK ABOUT TARIFF'S LATER.

MARIA POLLETTA: YOU TOUCHED ON SEVERAL TOPICS WE'LL GET INTO. MOVING ON TO THE SECOND QUESTION CONGRESSWOMAN SINEMA. THE SENATE CONFIRMATION HEARING FOR BRETT KAVANAUGH EXTREMELY CHARGED. IF YOU’D HAVE BEEN A SITTING SENATOR AT THAT TIME, HOW WOULD YOU HAVE VOTED AND WHY?

KYRSTEN SINAMA: I WAS INCREDIBLY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE WAY THEY BEHAVED DURING THIS CONFIRMATION HEARING. IT WAS A CIRCUS. I WAS NO FITTING FOR A SITUATION LIKE THIS. I WAS DISAPPOINTED WITH PEOPLE ON BOTH SIDES. I WAS DISAPPOINTED WITHIN HOURS OF PRESIDENT TRUMP NOMINATING JUDGE KAVANAUGH TO THE BENCH THAT POLITICIANS IN BOTH PARTIES TWEETED OUT THEIR FERVENT OPPOSITION OR SOLID SUPPORT FOR SOMEONE WE KNOW VERY LITTLE ABOUT. MARTHA CHOSE TO ENDORSE HIM RIGHT OUT OF THE GATE, AND I SAID I WANTED TO RESERVE JUDGEMENT BECAUSE THIS DECISION IS SO IMPORTANT. I RECOMMENDED THAT INDIVIDUALS TAKE TIME TO LEARN ABOUT JUDGE KAVANAUGH'S RECORD AND READ HIS DECISIONS AND TO UNDERSTAND HIS APPROACH TO JURIS PRUDIS. BECAUSE A CANDIDATE GOING TO THE SUPREME COURT SHOULDN'T BE EVALUATED ON WHETHER HE/SHE IS LIBERAL OR CONSERVATIVE. THEY SHOULD BE EVALUATED BASED ON CHARACTER AND INTEGRITY AND THEIR APPROACH ON DECIDING THE LAW WITHOUT BIAS AND FAVOR. I WAS DISAPPOINTED IN THE METHOD THAT THE SENATE HANDLED THIS AND IT DENIGRATED THE WORK THAT THE SENATE SHOULD DO. AS A SENATOR, WHAT I PLEDGE TO DO IS EVALUATE EACH NOMINATE BASED ON HIS AND HER QUALIFICATIONS AND NOT ON POLITICAL LEANING.

MARIA POLLETTA: YOUR REBUTTAL CONGRESSWOMAN MCSALLY.

MARTHA MCSALLY: I HAVE VOTED YES. HE'S HIGHLY QUALIFIED AND SHOWN I THINK WHAT WE NEED TO BE LOOKING AT FOR JUDGES AND JUSTICES, WHICH IS THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BE ACTIVIST BUT INTERPRET THE CONSTITUTION AND THE LAWS WE MAKE IN CONGRESS THE WAY THEY WERE INTENDED TO. AND IF YOU LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENED THERE AND WHAT THE DEMOCRATS DID TO DR. FORD AND THEN BRETT KAVANAUGH AND HIS FAMILY, IT WAS DISGUSTING. LOOK, I'M A SURVIVOR OF SEXUAL ABUSE MYSELF. SHE CLEARLY WENT THROUGH TRAUMA, AND WHAT HAPPENED TO HER- HOLDING HER NAME WHICH SHE WANTED ANONYMOUS. NOT EVEN KNOWING THAT THEY OFFERED TO FLY OUT TO CALIFORNIA, IT WAS DISGUSTING. SEEN THE MOB RULE IN WASHINGTON, D.C., AND IN THE END ARIZONANS WANTED A YES VOTE ON JUSTICE KAVANAUGH. I CAN BE FOR SURVIVORS AS ONE MYSELF, AND FOR JUSTICE KAVANAUGH AND MY OPPONENT SHOWED THAT THE MOB RULE AND THE ANTI-KAVANAUGH, THEY DON'T WANT TO HAVE SOMEONE LIKE HIM ON THE SUPREME COURT.

TED SIMONS: THAT’S OUR 45 SECONDS FOR REBUTTAL… CONGRESSWOMAN SINEMA, RESPOND PLEASE?

SINEMA: I THINK WHAT SHE'S MISTAKEN IN HERE, THE PARTISAN EXERCISE THAT WAS ENGAGED IN. THE REALITY IS THAT SENATOR SHOULD BE EVALUATED IN EACH OF THESE NOMINEES BASED ON THEIR APPROACH TO JUDICIAL DECISIONS AND NOT ON THE PARTISAN ATTACKS. MARTHA USED LANGUAGE THAT WAS INCREDIBLY PARTISAN TO DESCRIBE THIS PROCESS AND SO DID MANY SITTING SENATORS. BUT I BELIEVE THE SENATE IS BETTER THAN THAT. THE SENATE SHOULD NOT ENGAGE IN THAT TYPE OF BEHAVIOR. AND IT WAS DISAPPOINTING TO SEE. IF I'M ELECTED AS UNITED STATES SENATOR ARIZONANS CAN COUNT ON ME TO EVALUATE EACH NOMINEE THOROUGHLY AND CAREFULLY WITHOUT POLITICAL BIAS.

POLLETTA: USING THAT CRITERIA YOU JUST OUTLINED I KNOW YOU SAID EARLIER YOU WANTED TO RESERVE JUDGMENT AND WAIT UNTIL YOU WERE ABLE TO REVIEW THAT RECORD AND THE OTHER THINGS YOU MENTIONED. NOW THAT YOU HAVE HAD THE TIME TO DO THAT, WOULD YOU HAVE VOTED YES OR NO?

SINEMA: I HAD SEVERAL CONCERNS WITH JUSTICE KAVANAUGH. FIRST, I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE PARTISAN NATURE OF SOME OF HIS COMMENTS DURING HIS SECOND TESTIMONY. AND I WAS ALSO CONCERNED THAT HE APPEARS TO HAVE LIED UNDER OATH WITH SOME OF THE QUESTIONS THAT WERE ASKED IN THAT TESTIMONY. PRIOR TO THAT I ALSO HAD QUESTIONS IF I WERE A SENATOR WOULD HAVE WANTED TO ASK HIM. FOR INSTANCE, HIS APPROACH TO PRIVACY. HERE IN ARIZONA WE TAKE OUR PRIVACY RIGHTS VERY SERIOUSLY AND JUDGE KAVANAUGH HAD A CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE RULED ON A NUMBER OF DECISIONS CONCERNING THE PRIVACY OF ARIZONANS. AND THIS IS AN AREA WHERE MARTHA AND I HAVE A DIFFERENCE. MARTHA SUPPORTED A BILL IN THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS ACTUALLY INTRODUCED BY SENATOR FLAKE THAT WOULD ALLOW INTERNET COMPANIES TO SELL YOUR PRIVATE DATA INCLUDING SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS OF CHILDREN. IF THAT WERE A CASE TO GO TO A COURT, I WOULD WANT TO ENSURE THAT A JUSTICE WOULD PROTECT THE FOURTH AMENDMENT PRIVACY RIGHTS OF AMERICANS.

SIMONS: WE NEED A RESPONSE TO THAT BUT BEFORE WE DO WE HAVEN'T GOTTEN AN ANSWER FROM YOU.

SINEMA: ULTIMATELY I WOULD HAVE VOTED NO ON JUSTICE KAVANAUGH AND I DID PUT OUT A STATEMENT. I WAS DISAPPOINTED THAT THE SENATE WOULDN'T RELEASE THE RESULTS OF THE FBI REPORT. AFTER SAYING THEY WERE GOING TO TAKE THE TIME TO DO AN INVESTIGATION, THEY DIDN'T SHARE WITH THE ARIZONA PUBLIC AND WE DESERVE THE TRANSPARENCY TO SEE WHAT THE RESULTS OF THAT INVESTIGATION WERE. SO, GIVEN THE FACT THAT I DIDN'T HAVE THE SAME INFORMATION THE UNITED STATES SENATORS HAD, DECISION I WOULD HAVE MADE BASED ON LYING UNDER OATH WOULD HAVE BEEN TO VOTE NO.

SIMONS: DID YOU PUT OUR PRIVACY AT RISK VOTING TO LET ANYONE BUY OR SELL INFORMATION ONLINE BECAUSE YOU RECEIVED MONEY FROM INTERNET COMPANIES?

MCSALLY: WHAT ARE YOU EVEN TALKING ABOUT. OF COURSE I DID NOT DO THAT AND THIS HAS BEEN DEBUNKED. THIS IS WHAT THIS CAMPAIGN IS ALL ABOUT, COMING OUT WITH THESE LIES AND ATTACKS THAT ARE FEAR TACTICS. I'M A PRIVACY HOUND. MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY AND STAFF MAKE FUN OF THESE BECAUSE I WON'T USE LOCATION SERVICES ON MY PHONE. I AM TIRELESSLY ADVOCATING. THIS IS AN ABSOLUTE LIE. WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE F.C.C. WANTED TO HAVE A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD AND THAT WAS PROTECTED FOR EVERYBODY WHETHER YOU'RE A CONTENT MANAGER OR INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER. THAT'S WHAT THAT WAS ALL ABOUT. THEY ARE TAKING TOTALLY OUT OF CONTEXT IN ORDER TO SCARE PEOPLE.

SINEMA: THE FACTS ARE VERY CLEAR. WE HAD A VOTE ON THIS BILL. I VOTED NO. AND MARTHA VOTED YES. ALONG WITH SENATOR FLAKE AND THE BILL BECAME LAW. AND IT JEOPARDIZES THE SECURITY OF CHILDREN'S SOCIAL SECURITY INFORMATION. I'VE BEEN WORKING TO TRY TO HELP PROTECT CHILDREN FROM THE THREAT OF SOCIAL SECURITY FRAUD AND THEFT. I PARTNERED WITH A REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUE OF MINE CARLOS CURBELLO OF FLORIDA AND WE PASSED LEGISLATION THAT PROVIDES GREATER PROTECTION OF CHILDREN WHO ARE TARGETS OR VICTIMS OF SOCIAL SECURITY FRAUD. WORKING TOGETHER, WE CAN SOLVE THESE PROBLEMS AND KEEP OUR CHILDREN SAFE AND SECURE AND PROTECT THEIR PRIVACY RIGHTS. BUT UNFORTUNATELY ON THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION MARTHA VOTED YES.

MCSALLY: I REALLY THINK WE NEED TO MOVE ON TO SOME OTHER IMPORTANT TOPICS BECAUSE LITERALLY THIS HAS BEEN DEBUNKED AND SHE'S TAKING UP TIME. BUT IF YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT PROTECTING CHILDREN THEN LET'S MAKE SURE WE DON'T TAKE DONATIONS FROM BACKPAGE.COM. SHE TOOK $53,000 FROM BACKPAGE.COM OWNERS. WHILE THEY WERE UNDER INVESTIGATION SHE FINALLY WAS SHAMED INTO GIVING IT BACK. WHEN SHE WAS IN THE ARIZONA LEGISLATURE WHEN THEY WERE TRYING TO HOLD JOHNS ACCOUNTABLE FOR GOING AFTER VICTIMS OF CHILD SEX TRAFFICKING SHE WAS ADVOCATING FOR THE JOHNS. SAYING THAT THE GIRLS, 12 AND 13-YEAR OLDS LOOKED OLDER THAN HER… LOOK IM NOT MAKING THIS STUFF UP, THESE ARE HER WORDS. GO TO THEREALSINEMA.COM TO FIND OUT THE FACTS BECAUSE THIS MAKEOVER HAS BEEN PRETTY IMPRESSIVE, BUT PEOPLE DESERVE TO KNOW WHAT THE FACTS ARE AND THE THINGS SHE HAS ADVOCATED FOR.

SIMONS: DO YOU BELIEVE.. DO YOU HONESTLY BELIEVE SHE WAS PROTECTING ALL THE ADULT MEN WHO WERE MOLESTING CHILDREN?

MCSALLY: I WOULD ASK YOU TO WATCH THE WHOLE VIDEO- SHE WAS A DEFENSE ATTORNEY SO I GUESS THAT’S WHERE IT COMES FROM.

SIMONS: YOU BELIEVE THAT…?

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

SINEMA: MARTHA IS LEAVING OUT I VOTED YES ON BOTH THOSE BILLS AND WORKED HAND IN HAND WITH MY COLLEAGUE REPUBLICAN ADAM TRIGGS-ALSO AN ATTORNEY TO MAKE SURE THIS LEGISLATION TOUGHENED THE PENALTIES AGAINST THESE BAD GUYS WHO ENGAGE IN THIS HORRIBLE ACTIVITY. SOMETHING THAT'S IMPORTANT FOR FOLKS TO KNOW THIS HAS BEEN MY ENTIRE CAREER. MY FIRST JOB WAS AS A RAPE CRISIS COUNSELOR WORKING AT A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTER… AND SINCE THEN I'VE COMMITTED MY LIFE AND CAREER TO PROTECTING WOMEN AND CHILDREN FROM ABUSE AND FROM ASSAULT. AND MY RECORD IS STRONG. IN 2013 WHEN WE PASSED THE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMAN REAUTHORIZATION ACT TO GIVE BETTER TOOLS TO LAW ENFORCEMENT TO CRACKDOWN ON THESE KIND OF HEINOUS CRIMES I LEAD THAT EFFORT. JUST LAST MONTH, WHEN A VOTE CAME UP TO REAUTHORIZE THIS FOR THE LONG TIME MARTHA VOTED TO NO GIVE A LONG TERM REAUTHORIZATION VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT. SO I WOULD ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO LOOK AT THE VOTE. AND AS WE HEARD THIS MORNING AT THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC, THIS IS RIDICULOUS. WE ASK PEOPLE TO JUST GO LOOK AT OUR VOTE RECORD BECAUSE IT SPEAKS FOR ITSELF.

MCSALLY: YES, IT DOES SPEAK FOR ITSELF. AND THAT’S ABSOLUTELY A LIE. THAT'S A PROCEDURAL VOTE THAT SHE HAS PULLED A FEW OUT THERE THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH REAUTHORIZING THE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT. SO PLEASE DON'T BELIEVE THAT.

POLLETTA: GOING BACK TO CONGRESSWOMAN SINEMA AND THE ORIGINAL QUESTION ABOUT BRETT KAVANAUGH. ONE OF THE MAIN STICKING POINTS ON BOTH SIDES HAS BEEN DISCUSSION ABOUT WHETHER JUSTICE KAVANAUGH WOULD SUPPORT OVERTURNING ROW V WADE. WHERE DO YOU STAND ON THIS ISSUE?

SINEMA: I BELIEVE IMPORTANT DECISIONS SHOULD BE MADE BETWEEN A WOMAN, HER FAMILY AND HER DOCTOR FREE FROM GOVERNMENT INTERFERENCE.

POLLETTA: WHERE DO YOU STAND ON THAT?

MCSALLY: I'M PRO LIFE AND I HAVE A VERY PRO LIFE RECORD.

POLLETTA: SO YOU WOULD SUPPORT OVERTURNING --

MCSALLY: I'M FOCUSED WHEN IT COMES TO JUDGES HOW THEY INTERPRET THE CONSTITUTION AND HOW THEY INTERPRET THE LAWS THAT WE MAKE. IT'S NOT A LITMUS TEST, BUT I HAVE A VERY STRONG PRO LIFE RECORD.

SIMONS: SO YOU WOULD SUPPORT THE OVERTURNING --

MCSALLY: I WOULD SUPPORT APPOINTING JUSTICES, THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WHAT CONGRESS IS WORKING ON. I WOULD APPOINT SUPPORTING JUSTICES THAT ARE LOOKING INDEPENDENTLY AT THE CONTUSION AND THE LAWS WE MAKE AND THEY'LL HAVE A GOOD DECISION-MAKING PROCESS BASED ON THAT.

SIMONS: ALL RIGHT. LET'S MOVE ON TO HEALTHCARE. CONGRESSWOMAN MCSALLY, HOW MUCH SHOULD GOVERNMENT BE INVOLVED IN HEALTHCARE ESPECIALLY WHEN IT CONCERNS FOLKS THAT FIND IT DIFFICULT TO GET HEALTHCARE SPECIFICALLY THOSE WITH PREEXISTING CONDITIONS? WHAT IS THE GOVERNMENT'S ROLE?

MCSALLY: THANKS YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO DEBUNK ANOTHER ATTACK FROM MY OPPONENT. I VOTED TO PROTECT PEOPLE WITH PREEXISTING CONDITIONS TO MAKE SURE INSURANCE COMPANIES WERE FORCED TO GIVE THEM HEALTHCARE. THAT IS A FLAT OUT LIE. WE CANNOT GO BACK TO WHERE WE WERE BEFORE OBAMACARE. WHERE PEOPLE WERE ONE DIAGNOSIS AWAY FROM GOING BANKRUPT BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT GET ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE. ALTHOUGH IT WAS TRYING TO FIX IT, OBAMACARE WAS THE WRONG APPROACH. IT'S A TRILLION DOLLARS IN TAXES. IT'S ROUTING MEDICARE BY $716 BILLION AND MANDATES AND PENALTIES THAT WERE INTENDED TO GO AFTER THOSE WHO WERE FALLING OUT OF THE CRACKS AND DIDN'T GET HEALTHCARE AND ENDS UP WITH 7% OF THE PEOPLE AND FALLING THROUGH THE CRACKS WHO DIDN’T GET HEALTH CARE FROM THEIR EMPLOYER OR MEDICARE OR MEDICAID. IT ENDS UP WITH ABOUT 7% OF PEOPLE AND THEY'RE STILL FALLING THROUGH THE CRACKS BECAUSE I MET AN ENTREPRENEUR WHO DECIDED TO START THEIR OWN BUSINESS AND HAS PREEXISTING CONDITIONS. BUT BECAUSE OBAMACARE AND SKY ROCKETING COST SHE HAS NO COVERAGE. MORE PEOPLE PAID A PENALTY THAN BOUGHT INSURANCE ON OBAMACARE EXCHANGES. WE HAVE TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE AND PROTECT PEOPLE WITH PREEXISTING CONDITIONS. BUT THE OBAMACARE HAS FAILED. WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THE APPROACH THAT GIVES THEM TAX CREDITS AND OPTIONS TO SHOP AROUND AND MORE SMALL BUSINESS SUPPORT TO HAVE ASSOCIATION HEALTH PLANS AND MORE OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO GIVE TO HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNT THAT PROVIDE AFFORDABLE AVAILABLE HEALTH INSURANCE WHICH ISN'T WORKING RIGHT NOW. WE GOT TO PROTECT IT. AN AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL IT'S BEST MANAGED AT THE STATE AS WELL WHERE THERE'S MORE OPTIONS FOR THEM TO BE INNOVATIVE. BECAUSE WHAT WORKS IN CALIFORNIA DOES NOT WORK IN ARIZONA.

SINEMA: I'M SO GLAD WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HEALTHCARE BECAUSE IT'S THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE I HEAR FROM FOLKS BOTH ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL AND IN MY OFFICE IN THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS. ARIZONANS ARE VERY WORRIED THAT THEY WILL LOSE COVERAGE FOR THOSE WITH PREEXISTING HEALTH CONDITIONS. NEARLY 3 MILLION ARIZONANS LIVE WITH PREEXISTING HEALTH CONDITIONS. ONE EXAMPLE IS A WOMAN NAMED LESLIE LIVES IN SCOTTSDALE. SHE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH DIABETES WHEN IN HIGH SCHOOL AND TAKING 5 INSULIN SHOTS A DAY FOR 47 YEARS. BUT WHEN MARTHA VOTED LAST YEAR TO REPEAL EXISTING LAW, IT WOULD HAVE ELIMINATED THE PROTECTIONS FOR PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN PREEXISTING CONDITIONS IN OUR COUNTRY TODAY. SHE ALSO VOTED TO REPEAL THAT SAME PROTECTION IN 2015. SO THE REALITY IS, THAT ARIZONANS ARE WORRIED ABOUT LOSING ACCESS TO THIS CRITICAL COVERAGE AND MARTHA VOTED TO TAKE THAT PROTECTION AWAY.

MCSALLY: THAT IS A FLAT OUT LIE. AGAIN, THESE ARE CLASSIC FEAR TACTICS. IF YOU TURN ON A TV ALL OVER THE COUNTRY RIGHT NOW THE DEMOCRATS HAVE NOTHING TO RUN ON. AND SO THEY ARE CHOSING TO PLAY WITH FEAR. I VOTED TO PROTECT PEOPLE WITH PREEXISTING CONDITIONS. AS WE MOVING FORWARD AND NOTHING WAS MOVING THROUGH THE SENATE RELATED TO THIS ISSUE, 14 OF 15 COUNTIES IN ARIZONA THERE WAS ONLY ONE CHOICE LAST YEAR. THAT IS NOT A CHOICE. THE PREMIUMS HAVE GONE UP OVER 100% YEAR TO YEAR. THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE RIGHT NOW WITH PREEXISTING CONDITIONS THAT CAN'T GET ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE BECAUSE THE OBAMACARE MODEL DOESN'T WORK. WHEN THINGS CAME TO A STAND STILL AND WE WERE WATCHING THESE INDIVIDUALS STILL NOT ABLE TO GET ACCESS TO HEALTH INSURANCE WE SAT DOWN TOGETHER WITH DEMOCRATS IS THERE ANYWAY TO FIND COMMON GROUND AND HELP THESE PEOPLEGET ACCESS OT HEALTH INSURANCE. AND WE CAME UP WITH A PLAN. ME AND A COUPLE OF MY DEMOCRAT COLLEAGUES OUT THERE WITH A WHITE BOARD IN MY OFFICE. WHAT WE KNOW WHAT WE CAN DISAGREE ON BUT SOMETHING WE CAN FIND TO HELP STABILIZE THIS MARKET AND WE CAME UP WITH A PLAN THAT 23 DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS AND AT LEAST THE MINORITY AGREED TO IT. SO WE SHOWED THAT WE CAN BREAK THROUGH THE GRIDLOCK AND SOLVE THE PROBLEM AND ACTUALLY HELP PEOPLE GET THE INSURANCE THAT THEY DESERVE AND GET THE CARE THAT THEY DESERVE WITH THE CONDITIONS THAT THEY HAVE IN THEIR FAMILY.

SIMONS: AGAIN, GOVERNMENT'S PLACE IN HEALTHCARE.

SINEMA: ONE THING I THINK ALL AMERICANS CAN AGREE ON WE CANNOT GO BACK TO A TIME WHEN PEOPLE COULDN'T GET COVERAGE WHEN THEY HAD PREEXISTING HEALTH CONDITIONS. WHILE MARTHA TALKS ABOUT A WORKING GROUP AND PART OF THE PROBLEM SOLVERS CAUCUS- WHICH I AM A PROUD MEMBER OF, WE TOOK THE VOTE AND DURING THE VOTE MARTHA VOTED TO REPEAL THESE PROTECTIONS AND THEY ARE THE PROTECTIONS THAT ARIZONANS COUNT ON EVERY DAY. THAT SAME VOTE ALSO TOOK AWAY PROTECTIONS FOR PEOPLE AGES 50-64. AND WHAT WOULD HAVE ALLOWED STATES CHARGING THEM 5 TIMES MORE FOR THEIR COVERAGE. THAT'S JUST NOT FAIR. AND FINALLY, THAT PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT SHE VOTED FOR WOULD HAVE INCREASED PREMIUMS BY AS MUCH AS $1,500 PER YEAR PER FAMILY. WHILE WE CAN ALL AGREE OUR HEALTHCARE IS BROKEN AND NEEDS TO BE FIXED, THE SOLUTIONS MAKE THE SYSTEM WORSE AND HURT ARIZONANS. BUT SHE'S AVOIDED TALKING ABOUT THIS ISSUE DURING THE CAMPAIGN BECAUSE SHE KNOWS HER VOTE HURTS CHOSEN TO LOB ATTACKS AGAINST ME AND OTHER ISSUES.

MCSALLY: THAT'S AN OUTRIGHT LIE. I VOTED TO PROTECT PREEXISTING CONDITIONS AND ENSURE THAT INSURANCE COMPANIES CANNOT DENY SOMEONE COVERAGE IF THEY HAVE A PREEXISTING CONDITION. AND WHEN IT COMES TO THIS AGE TAX THEY MADE UP…THE ONLY PERSON IN THIS SENATE CAMPAIGN WHO VOTED TO CUT YOUR TAXES IS ME. SO, AGE 50-64, CALLING THEM OLDER AMERICANS BY THE WAY, I'M IN THAT AGE GROUP SO I TAKE OFFENSE TO THAT. PREMIUMS COME DOWN FOR EVERYBODY THAT THERE'S OPTIONS FOR EVERY ONE TO BE ABLE TO GET ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE AVAILABLE CARE AND THAT'S NOT WHAT OBAMACARE HAS DONE OF THE AS WE WERE WORKING ON OUR BILL AND I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE TAX CREDIT FOR AGE 60-54 I PERSONALLY LOBBIED TO MAKE SURELY $90 BILLION WAS ADDED TO THE BILL. FOR AN ADDITIONAL 2,000$ OF TAX CREDITS. EVERYBODY AGE 50-64. THAT WAS INCLUDED IN THE BILL. BECAUSE AS WE MOVE AWAY FROM THE FAILURES OF OBAMACARE, SOMETHING MORE OPTIONS FOR PEOPLE TO GET ACCESS TO INSURANCE IT'S MORE AFFORDABLE. IT'S GONE UP OVER 300% IN ARIZONA SINCE OBAMACARE. THESE OPTIONS ARE A BETTER PATH AND GIVE PEOPLE THE CHOICE. AND BUY THE INSURANCE THAT FITS THEIR NEEDS.

POLLETTA: WE MENTIONED EARLIER WE HAVE SOME QUESTIONS SUBMITTED BY ARIZONANS. WE WOULD LIKE BOTH OF YOU TO ANSWER THIS ONE. WHERE DO YOU STAND ON STRENGTHENING SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE FOR SENIOR CITIZENS?

SINEMA: I'M SO GLAD YOU ASKED THIS QUESTION. BECAUSE THIS IS PERSONAL FOR ME. MY GRANDMOTHER WHO WAS WIDOWED AT A YOUNG AGE IN TUCSON RAISED 3 YOUNG KIDS ON HER OWN AND SHE WORKED AT A CAFETERIA. WHEN SHE RETIRED SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE WERE ALL SHE HAD TO DEPEND ON. I'M COMMITTED TO PROTECTING SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS. I OPPOSE PRIVATIZATION SCHEMES. MARTHA SAID SHE WANTS TO PRIVATIZE SOCIAL SECURITY AND I OPPOSE THAT. I THINK THAT'S THE WRONG ANSWER FOR OUR SENIORS AND I OPPOSE RAISING THE RETIREMENT AGE. I BELIEVE AFTER A LIFETIME OF HARD WORK IT IS NOT FAIR TO ASK SOMEONE TO WORK MORE TO JUST GET THE BENEFITS THEY HAVE WORKED HARD FOR AND EARNED.. FINALLY, I BELIEVE THAT TURNING MEDICARE INTO A VOUCHER SYSTEM WOULD END MEDICARE AS WE KNOW IT. THIS IS AN AREA OF GREAT DIFFERENCE BWTEEN MARTHA AND I. I DO NOT SUPPORT MAKING THESE CUTS. JUST LAST YEAR SHE VOTED TO CUT $500 BILLION FROM MEDICARE. MY OWN GRANDMA DEPENDS ON MEDICARE AND SOCIAL SECURITY EVERY DAY. THE CONSTITUENT THAT I HOPE TO REPRESENT WILL DEPEND ON THESE BENEFITS THAT THEY HAVE EARNED. IT'S OUR DUTY TO PROTECT THEM FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.

MCSALLY: YOU CANNOT MAKE THIS UP. THESE ARE JUST MORE LIES. OUR SENIORS HAVE BEEN WORKING THEIR WHOLE LIVES AND THEY HAVE BEEN SAVING FOR RETIREMENT AND THEY'VE BEEN PAYING IN TO MEDICARE AND SOCIAL SECURITY AND THEY DESERVE TO HAVE THE BENEFITS THAT THEY HAVE PAID INTO. WE MUST PROTECT MEDICARE AND SOCIAL SECURITY FOR THOSE THAT ARE AT RETIREMENT AND THE NEXT GENERATIONS TO COME. SO THE ONLY PERSON WHO HAS VOTED TO ACTUALLY CUT OR SUPPORT CUTTING CARE IS OBAMACARE CUTTING $700 BILLION FOR MEDICARE, ROBBING IT, FOR ITS ONE SIZE FITS ALL WASHINGTON D.C. APPROACH. YOU KNOW WHAT, MEDICARE TRUST FUND AND THE SOCIAL SECURITY TRUST FUND SHALL DOING BETTER RIGHT NOW BECAUSE OF THE TAX CUTS AND JOBS ACT. MORE PEOPLE ARE WORKING AND MORE PEOPLE ARE PAYING INTO IT AND THAT WILL SUSTAIN IT. IF WE DO NOTHING FOR THE NEXT GENERATION BY 2026, THE MEDICARE TRUST FUND WILL DRY UP AND BY 2034 THE SOCIAL SECURITY WILL. WHY DON'T WE SIT DOWN TOGETHER KYRSTEN AND FIND SOME BIPARTISAN SOLUTIONS IN ORDER TO PROTECT IT FOR THE NEXT GENERATION INSTEAD OF USING THE FEAR TACTICS WE'VE SEEN FOR MANY YEARS. IT'S A LIE.

SIMONS: DO YOU WANT TO PRIVATIZE SOCIAL SECURITY?

MCSALLY: ABSOLUTELY NOT. THAT IS A FLAT OUT LIE. WE'VE SEEN THESE ATTACKS FOR MANY, MANY YEARS. DEMOCRATS DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO RUN ON AND BASICALLY REPUBLICANS THROWING GRANNY OVER THE CLIFF. VOTERS WON'T BELIEVE THIS. WE GOT TO MAKE SURE WE COME UP WITH A BIPARTISAN WAY TO STRENGTHEN IT AND PRESERVE IT FOR THE NEXT GENERATION.

SIMONS: DO YOU WANT TO TURN MEDICARE INTO A PRIVATE VOUCHER SYSTEM?

MCSALLY: ABSOLUTELY NOT, TED. WHAT I WANT TO DO IS STRENGTHEN MEDICARE FOR US AND FOR THE SENIORS THAT ARE THERE AND THE NEXT GENERATIONS. I TOTALLY SUPPORT MEDICARE VANTAGE WHICH IS VERY POPULAR IN ARIZONA. WE HAVE SO MANY SENIORS THAT WANT TO HAVE OPTIONS FOR THEM TO SHOP AROUND WHILE WE PRESERVE MEDICARE AS WE KNOW IT. I TELL YOU THE ONLY THING THAT WILL END MEDICARE AS WE KNOW IT IS THE AGENDA OF HER PARTY IF THE DEMOCRATS TAKE OVER IN THE SENATE AND HOUSE THEY'LL WANT TO PUSH THROUGH A GOVERNMENT RUN HEALTHCARE WHICH LITERALLY END MEDICARE AS WE KNOW IT AND SOME OF THESE VOTES SHE'S TALKING ABOUT THE "WALL STREET JOURNAL" I WAS SERVING OVERSEAS. I WASN'T IN CONGRESS. YOU CAN’T MAKE THIS STUFF UP.

SIMONS: THERE SEEMS TO BE A DISCONNECT HERE…SHE'S SAYING SHE DOES NOT WANT TO PRIVATIZE SOCIAL SECURITY AND SHE DOESN'T WANT VOUCHERS IN FOR MEDICARE. YOU BUYING THAT?

SINEMA: MARTHA SAID THOSE THINGS AND I THINK THIS IS JUST A PATTERN THAT WE HAVE SEEN THROUGH THIS CAMPAIGN UNFORTUNATELY. THAT MARTHA HAS CHANGED HER OPINIONS VERY RAPIDLY WHEN SHE DECIDED TO RUN FOR THE UNITED STATES SENATE AND I WOULD JUST ENCOURAGE TO LOOK AT VOTERS AT WHAT SHE SAID. SHE HAS OFFERED MANY TIMES THAT SHE SUPPORTS PRIVATIZING SOCIAL SECURITY AND HAS SAID SHE WANTS TO RAISE THE RETIREMENT AGE AND HAS SAID SHE WANTS TO TURN MEDICARE INTO A VOUCHER SYSTEM. IF YOU LOOK AT THE ACTUAL VOTES, SHE DID VOTE TO CUT $500 BILLION FROM MEDICARE JUST LAST YEAR. SO TAKE A LOOK AT THE VOTE RECORDS.

POLLETTA: MOVING ON TO OUR NEXT TOPIC IMMIGRATION AND BORDER SECURITY. I KNOW CONGRESSWOMAN SINEMA YOU DESCRIBED THE PROPOSE BORDER WALL AS AN 18TH CENTURY SOLUTION TO A 21ST CENTURY PROBLEM. WOULD YOU SUPPORT ALLOCATING FUNDING FOR A BORDER WALL IF IT INCLUDED A PATH TO CITIZENSHIP FOR DREAMERS?

***SINEMA: I AM SO GLAD YOU ASKED THAT BECAUSE WE VOTED ON ISSUES SIMILAR TO THIS JUST LAST YEAR AND I VOTED FOR $1.5 BILLION FOR BORDER SECURITY WHICH INCLUDED FUNDING FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP’S BORDER WALL. I'M FINE WITH A PHYSICAL BARRIER BEING PART OF A TOTAL SOLUTION, BUT I BELIEVE THAT SIMPLY FUNDING FOR A BORDER WALL IS NOT SUFFICIENT BECAUSE THE DANGERS WE HAVE AROUND BORDER SECURITY WHO ARE TOO GREAT TO ALLOW FOR AN 18TH CENTURY SOLUTION TO A 21ST CENTURY PROBLEM. THAT'S WHY I ENTERED THIS LEGISLATION CALLED THE U.S.A. ACT. IT IS A BI-PARTISAN BILL THAT WOULD INCREASE FUNDING FOR SMART BORDER TECHNOLOGY AND INCREASED INTO THE BOOTS ON THE GROUND AND DRONES AND NIGHT VISION CAMERAS SO WE CAN INTERDICT THE DANGEROUS CARTELS WHO ARE BRINGING IN DRUGS BUT ALSO SMUGGLING IN HUMANS AND ABUSING THOSE FOLKS, SOMETIMES TRAPPING THEM IN DROP HOUSES AND VICTIMIZING THEM. WE GOT TO COMBINE OUR EFFORTS NOT JUST WITH THE PHYSICAL BARRIER BUT ALSO WITH SMART TECHNOLOGY. THE U.S.A ACT ALSO PROVIDES A PATH TO CITIZENSHIP FOR DREAMERS WHO ARE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO CAME TO THIS COUNTRY THROUGH NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN AND DESERVE A PATH TO CITIZENSHIP. THEY SERVED OUR COUNTRY IN OUR MILITARY, THEY'VE GONE TO OUR COLLEGES AND SCHOOLS AND THEY ARE AMERICAN IN EVERYTHING BUT NAME. THIS IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MARTHA AND I. IN 2012 WHEN SHE FIRST RAN FOR CONGRESS SHE OPPOSED A PATH FOR CITIZENSHIP FOR DREAMERS. IN 2015 SHE SUPPORTED IT AND THEN SHE RAN FOR SENATE AND NOW OPPOSES IT AGAIN. SO WE ACTUALLY DON'T KNOW WHERE SHE STANDS ON ISSUES OF IMMIGRATION.

MCSALLY: YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHERE I STAND. I'VE BEEN LEADING THE EFFORT TO SECURE THE BORDER. I REPRESENT 5TH GENERATION RANCHERS WITHIN 80-MILES OF THE BORDER. THEY'RE TIRED OF THE CARTELS THAT ARE TRAFFICKING THROUGH THEIR RANCHES AND INTO OUR COMMUNITY. IT'S HE CREATED AN OPIOID CRISIS THAT IS KILLING 116 AMERICANS EVERY SINGLE DAY AND THE POLICIES OF THE PAST HAVE FAILED. NEVER GIVEN TO A FRESHMAN BEFORE, AND NEVER ANYBODY FROM ARIZONA. LOOK, THE REALITY IS THE BORDER RANCHERS LIKE JIL CHILTON AND JOHN LAG AND ALL OF THEM DOWN THERE ON THE BORDER ARE ENDORSING ME BECAUSE THEY KNOW I'M THE ONE WHO IS GOING TO LEAD TO KEEP US SAFE. THE BORDER PATROL COUNCIL THAT REPRESENTS 15,000 BORDER PATROL AGENTS THEY OFTEN ENDORSE DEMOCRATS. THEY LOOKED AT KYRSTEN’S RECORDS OF SIX YEARS IN CONGRESS AND MINE AT FOUR- AND THEY DECIDED THEY WERE GOING TO ENDORSE ME. THESE ARE THE AGENTS EVERY SINGLE DAY ARE PUTTING THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE TO KEEP US SAFE. DON'T LISTEN TO THE TALK. I'VE BEEN LEADING ON THE ISSUE AND SHE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE FOR A BILL FOR 38 BILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF BORDER SECURITY ENDING FAMILY SEPARATION AND MOVING US TOWARDS THE MERIT BASED SYSTEM AND PROVIDING A LEGISLATIVE SOLUTION. SHE SAID SHE'LL WORK WITH ANYBODY. BUT WHEN IT CAME DOWN TO IT ALL THE DEMOCRATS INCLUDING KYRSTEN VOTED NO ON THIS VERY IMPORTANT COMPRISED BILL. PRESIDENT TRUMP SUPPORTED IT. SHE WAS GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE YES AND SHE VOTED NO.

TED SIMONS: RESPOND PLEASE

SINEMA: I HAVE GONE AGAINST MY PARTY FOR YEARS TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT FOR OUR BORDER. FOLKS ON THE EAST COAST AND FAR AWAY DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE ISSUES OF THE BORDER LIKE WE DO. I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN TUCSON AND HAVE BEEN LIVING AROUND THE BORDER FOR MOST OF MY LIFE. THIS IS REAL FOR US IN ARIZONA. AND THAT'S WHY WHEN OPPORTUNITIES CAME TO WORK ACROSS THE AISLE TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT FOR OUR STATE I WAS WILLING TO BUCK MY PARTY. SO I SUPPORTED A $10 BILLION INCREASE FOR OUR CUSTOMS AND BORDER PATROL AGENTS. $5 BILLION INCREASE FOR ICE AGENTS AND VOTED FOR LEGISLATION SUCH AS KATE'S LAW AND THE GANG REMOVAL ACT WHICH ALLOWS US TO CRACKDOWN HARDER ON THESE BAD DANGEROUS GUYS WHO ARE COMMITTING FELONIES AND HURTING PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY. THE REALITY IS THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE I'VE BEEN WORKING ON MY ENTIRE CAREER. IT SHOULDN'T BE A PARTISAN ISSUE AND IT'S NOT A PARTISAN ISSUE. ONLY WHEN SOME PEOPLE CHOOSE TO MAKE IT PARTISAN, AS MARTHA HAS DONE, DOES THIS BECOME A FIGHT IN THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS.

TED SIMONS: CONGRESSWOMAN DID YOU PULL YOUR NAME OFF THE RECOGNIZING CHILDREN'S ACT EARLIER THIS YEAR WHICH TARGETS DREAMERS AND SUPPORTS DREAMERS. YOU'RE FOR THAT AND ALL OF A SUDDEN YOU PULLED YOUR NAME OFF IT. WHAT WAS THAT ABOUT?

MCSALLY: I'VE CONSISTENTLY SHOWN THAT I WAS WILLING TO DO SOMETHING ON DACA BUT WE HAVE TO SECURE OUR BORDER AND WE HAVE TO ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSES OF WHY WE HAVE A DACA POPULATION IN THE FIRST PLACE. TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T MAKE THE MISTAKES OF THE PAST. AND SO AS WE WERE WORKING ON THIS ISSUE WHEN THE PRESIDENT KICKED DACA TO CONGRESS APPROPRIATELY, ME AND A COUPLE OTHER REPUBLICANS SAT IN THE ROOM FOR MANY, MANY HOURS AND CAME UP WITH LEGISLATION THAT WOULD SOLVE THE ISSUE, SECURE THE BORDER AND ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF DACA. AND WHEN IT WAS BROUGHT UP TO A VOTE, KYRSTEN SINEMA VOTED NO. WE HAD ANOTHER COMPROMISE BILL $25 MILLION FOR BORDER SECURITY AND THE PRESIDENT SUPPORTED IT AND A PATHWAY CITIZENSHIP FOR DACA BUT CLOSED THE LOOP HOLES THAT THE CARTEL ARE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF. WE IN THE MIDST OF THE DISCUSSION IT LOOKED LIKE SOME PEOPLE WERE GOING TO FORCE A VOTE ON THE STAND ALONE BILL RELATED TO DACA. I WANTED TO MAKE SURE IT'S CLEAR WE GOT TO SECURE OUR BORDER. I'M WILLING TO DO SOMETHING ON DACA, BUT WE GOT TO SECURE THE BORDER AND CLOSE THESE LOOPHOLES THAT THE CARTELS ARE TRAFFICKING PEOPLE INTO OUR COMMUNITIES AND THE OPIOID CRISIS THAT IS KILLING ARIZONANS EVERY DAY. I JUMPED IN AND LED ON THE ISSUE AND KYRSTEN WAS GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE YES OR NO. $25 BILLION FOR BORDER SECURITY IN THE SECOND BILL, PLUS A PATHWAY TO CITIZENSHIP FOR DACA AND ENDING FAMILY SEPARATION. SHE CHOSE TO VOTE NO ALONG WITH NANCY PELOSI.

TED SIMONS: DO YOU PROPOSE A PARTIAL GOVERNMENT SHUT DOWN TO FUND A BORDER WALL --

MCSALLY: I DON'T SUPPORT SHUTDOWNS FOR ANYTHING. I'VE BEEN IN THE MILITARY AND I SEEN THE RESULTS OF GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWNS. WASHINGTON DC NEEDS TO BE ABLE TO GET THEIR ACT TOGETHER AND FUND THE GOVERNMENT AND FUND OUR MILITARY. BUT YOU KNOW GIVEN THAT OPPORTUNITY LAST YEAR WHEN THERE WAS A LOT OF PRESSURE FROM KYRSTEN'S BASE TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE, SHE VOTED WITH CHUCK SCHUMER TO SHUT DOWN THE GOVERNMENT CHOOSING THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS OVER OUR TROOPS IN A PARTISAN PLAY. SHE TALKS A GOOD GAME ABOUT WORKING WITH ANYBODY, BUT WHEN GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO ACTUALLY SOLVE THIS ISSUE, SHE LEFT OUR TROOPS HANGING.

SINEMA: MARTHA CONTINUES TO TALK ABOUT VERY PARTISAN BILLS AND VERY PARTISAN ACTIVITIES, BUT THE REALITY IS, THAT DURING THIS DISCUSSION OF TALKING ABOUT IMMIGRATION HOW TO SOLVE OUR PROBLEM WE DO HAVE BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION. THE BILL YOU MENTIONED THAT MARTHA REMOVED HER NAME OF I'M A COSPONSOR OF THAT LEGISLATION. I WAS THE FIRST DEMOCRAT IN THE COUNTRY TO JOIN WITH CONGRESSMAN CARLOS CABELLO OF MIAMI TO SPONSOR THAT LEGISLATION. I CO-SPONSORED A BILL CALLED THE U.S.A. ACT WHICH BOTH SECURES OUR BORDER AND PROVIDES A PATH OF CITIZENSHIP FOR DREAMERS. MARTHA HAS CHOSEN NOT TO SUPPORT THAT BI-PARTISAN LEGISLATION…IT’S THE ONLY LEGISLATION SUPPORTED BY ONE POLITICAL PARTY AND I BELIEVE THAT ARIZONA DESERVE BETTER WHEN THERE WAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO FOR FOLKS TO GET VERY PARTISAN WHICH THEY DO AND THEY DO ON A REGULAR BASIS, I WAS PART OF THE BIPARTISAN GROUP TRYING TO SOLVE THAT PROBLEM. WE OFFER OUR BILL THE U.S.A. ACT AND UNFORTUNATELY PARTISAN LEADERS IN BOTH PARTIES REJECTED OUR PROPOSE.

POLLETTA: YOU MENTIONED FAMILY SEPARATION AT THE BORDER. DID YOU HAVE SUPPORT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S SO-CALLED ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY. ARE THERE ANY CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH YOU'RE OKAY WITH FAMILIES BEING SEPARATED THAT WAY?

MCSALLY: I WAS PUT INTO THIS SITUATION WHERE THEY HAD TO EITHER ENFORCE THE LAW OR KEEP FAMILIES TOGETHER. I THINK WE NEED TO DO BOTH. IN MY BILL AND THE SECOND BILL THAT KYRSTEN VOTED NO ON WOULD HAVE ENDED FAMILY SEPARATION AND PROVIDED OPPORTUNITY FOR THERE TO BE DUE PROCESS AND KEEP FAMILIES TOGETHER. WE'RE ALSO INCREASING FUNDING FOR IMMIGRATION JUDGES SO WE COULD END THIS CATCH AND RELEASE. THE REALITY IS THE CARTELS KNOW RIGHT NOW THAT IF YOU SHOW UP WITH A KID, YOU'RE GOING TO BE LET GO. I GOT A CALL THIS WEEKEND FROM THE YUMA MAYOR SAID 200 PEOPLE WERE GOING TO BE LET GO IN YUMA AND THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE CAPACITY BECAUSE THEY WERE SHOWING UP A KID AND SEEING IT INCREASE EVERY WEEK. THEY KNOW THEY'RE GOING TO BE LET GO. AND THERE ARE ALSO CASES THAT BORDER PATROL ARE TELLING US ABOUT, THAT PEOPLE ARE NOT THE CHILD OF THE PERSON BRINGING IN. AND THIS IS INCREASING THE INCENTIVE TO TRAFFIC CHILDREN ACROSS THE BORDER. SO MY BILL FIXED THIS LEGISLATIVE AND KEEP THE FAMILIES TOGETHER AND THAT WAS THE RIGHT APPROACH. SHE CAN TALK ABOUT DIFFERENT BILLS BUT THE ONE SHE HAD A CHANCE TO VOTE ON AND THE ONE THAT WAS A COMPROMISE THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP SUPPORTED AND ENDED FAMILY SEPARATION AND FIXED DACA AND SECURED THE BORDER, SHE VOTED TO SUPPORT SANCTUARY CITIES AND CUT ICE. SHE'S VERY DANGEROUS ON THIS ISSUE.

TED SIMONS: THAT IS 90-SECONDS… REBUTTAL, PLEASE.

SINEMA: MARTHA SHARED A LOT OF INFORMATION THAT'S NOT ACCURATE. THE REALITY IS THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION MADE A DECISION TO SEPARATE FAMILIES AT THE BORDER IN AN ATTEMPT TO TRY TO PROVIDE DETERRENTS. BUT THAT'S A WRONG DECISION. WE CAN BOTH SECURE OUR BORDER AND KEEP OUR COUNTRY SAFE AND SECURE WITHOUT TAKING CHILDREN AWAY FROM THEIR PARENTS. THERE ARE WAYS TO DO THIS QUITE EASILY BY MONITORING FAMILIES AND MOVING THEM THROUGH THE PROCESS OF ADJUDICATION MORE QUICKLY. BUT MARTHA THAT IS CHOSEN TO MOVE DOWN THE ROAD VERY PARTISAN. SHE SAID THERE WAS COMPROMISE WITH THE LEGISLATION… I THINK SHE MEANS SHE COMPROMISED WITH HERSELF. THERE WAS NO BIPARTISANSHIP IN THIS DISCUSSION WHICH IS INCREDIBLY DISAPPOINTING FOR ARIZONANS.

MCSALLY: AND THE REASON THIS WAS NO BIPARTISANSHIP BECAUSE NANCY PELOSI DECIDED DEMOCRATS WOULDN'T JOIN IN. PRESIDENT TRUMP SUPPORTED THIS BILL AND HE TOOK A LOT OF FLACK FROM THIS BILL. SECURING THE BORDER, CLOSING THESE LOOPHOLES AND MOVING TOWARDS A MERIT BASED IMMIGRATION SYSTEM AND PROVIDING A PATH OF CITIZENSHIP FOR DACA. THAT IS THE DEFINITION OF A COMPROMISE. MOST ARIZONANS AGREE WE GOT TO SECURE THE BORDER, END FAMILY SEPARATION AND ADDRESS THESE OTHER ISSUES. OUR BILL IS A CONFIDENT BILL THAT WAS ADDRESSING THE VERY REAL SECURITY ISSUES OF THE CARTELS THAT ARE TRAFFICKING THROUGH THESE COMMUNITIES. THIS IS NOT JUST HYPOTHETICAL. THERE ARE 4 STRANDS OF BARBED WIRE. YOU SAW IT YOURSELF. YOU GOT TO SECURE THE BORDER NOW.

SIMONS: WAS FAMILY SEPARATION A CHOICE THAT THE PRESIDENT COULD HAVE MADE TO KEEP THESE FAMILIES TOGETHER AS OPPOSED TO WHAT YOU SAY IS THE LAW WHERE WE HAD NO CHOICE.

MCSALLY: THE LAW IN THE BOOKS IS TO ENFORCE THE LAW. AND SO HE -- THE ADMINISTRATION WAS PUT IN AN UNTENABLE SITUATION WHERE YOU EITHER ENFORCE THE LAW OR KEEP THE FAMILIES TOGETHER. I THINK WE CAN ALL AGREE, FAMILIES SHOULDN'T BE SEPARATED. BUT I THINK WE CAN ALSO AGREE WE NEED TO ENFORCE THE LAW. BORDER SECURITY IS NATIONAL SECURITY AND THE DEFINITION OF A COUNTRY IS THAT WE CONTROL WHO IS COMING IN AND OUT OF OUR BORDERS.

SIMONS: SO ENFORCING THE LAW SUPERSEDED KEEPING FAMILIES TOGETHER.

MCSALLY: CONGRESS NEEDS TO FIX THIS, TED. IT'S OUR JOB TO FIX THE LAW. THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING AND THAT'S WHAT I'M LEADING ON AND KYRSTEN VOTED NO ON BOTH THESE BILLS THAT WOULD END FAMILY SEPARATION.

SIMONS: THE LAW IS THE LAW.

SINEMA:THIS IS A VERY BIG DIFFERENCE OF OPINION BETWEEN THE TWO OF US. MARTHA HAS CHOSEN TO BE AN APOLOGIST AND SUPPORT ANYTHING THAT HER PARTY PUTS FORWARD. WHEREAS I'VE BEEN RANKED THE THIRD MOST INDEPENDENT MEMBER OF CONGRESS. I HAVE ALSO BEEN RANKED THE MOST BI-PARTISAN MEMBER OF CONGRESS. IT'S BECAUSE I'M WILLING TO STAND UP AGAINST MY PARTY TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT. AND WHEN IT COMES TO THE ISSUE OF BORDER SECURITY, I WORKED WITH CONGRESSMAN MATT SALMON AND OTHERS IN THE DELEGATION TO INCREASE THE EMPLOYEES AT THE CUSTOMS AND BORDER PATROL BY 170 MEMBERS. I ALSO HAVE BEEN ENDORSED BY THE CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION AGENTS IN ARIZONA AND NATIONWIDE AND THE REASON IS BECAUSE I'VE SHOWN A WILLINGNESS TO STAND UP AND DO WHAT'S RIGHT EVEN WHEN OTHERS ARE DOING WHAT THEIR PARTY TELLS THEM TO DO. SO WHILE MARTHA IS TRYING TO FIND EXCUSES OR APOLOGIES FOR THIS BEHAVIOR THE REALITY IS WE SHOULD JUST CALL THE BALLS AND STRIKES. WHEN THE PRESIDENT IS DOING SOMETHING RIGHT, SUPPORT HIM. WHEN HE'S DOING SOMETHING WRONG, OPPOSE IT.

SIMONS: LET'S GO TO THE ECONOMY RIGHT NOW. CONGRESSWOMAN WE JUST HEARD THAT THE BUDGET DEFICIT HAS GROWN $113 BILLION IN 2018. WE'RE AT 3.9% OF THE GDP. MANY ARE SAYING IT'S BECAUSE OF THE TAX CUTS. YOU SUPPORT THE TAX CUTS. DO YOU ALSO SUPPORT DEFICIT SPENDING?

MCSALLY: WELL, THE REVENUE IS ACTUALLY UP THIS YEAR, TED, SO THAT'S ACTUALLY NOT ACCURATE. IT'S NOT BECAUSE OF THE TAX CUTS AND JOB ACT- WHICH I PROUDLY VOTED FOR. I PROUDLY CUT TO CUT THE TAXES OF THE HARD WORKING FAMILIES TO MAKE SURE THEY HAD MORE MONEY IN THEIR PAY CHECK TO PROVIDE FOR RENT OR MORTGAGE OR SAVING FOR COLLEGE OR WHATEVER IT IS THEY WANT TO DO. I WAS EXCITED AND PRIVILEGED TO BE ABLE TO VOTE FOR THAT. THE REVENUE IS UP AND ECONOMY IS DOING SO WELL. WE'RE AT A HISTORIC 3.8% UNEMPLOYMENT RATE. LOWEST FOR HISPANIC UNEMPLOYMENT IN HISTORY. AND AFRICAN-AMERICAN EMPLOYMENT RATE AS WELL. THERE IS SO MUCH OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE… WE STILL HAVE TO GET SOME PEOPLE RETRAINED AND INTO THE JOBS THAT ARE OUT THERE, BUT REVENUE IS COMING IN AT A HIGHER RATE THIS YEAR THAN LAST YEAR. WE HAVE A SPENDING PROBLEM IS THE ISSUE. WE SUPPORTED AND I FOUGHT FOR MAKING SURE WE HAD THE BIGGEST MILITARY INCREASE IN OUR SPENDING OVER LAST YEAR AND THIS YEAR AND I HOPE WE GET TO THE MILITARY BEFORE WE WRAP UP BECAUSE THERE IS SOME IMPORTANT ISSUES. BUT WHAT WE'VE GOT TO DO IS ADDRESS THE OTHER SPENDING. EVERY FAMILY, EVERY SMALL BUSINESS HAS TO SIT DOWN AND IDENTIFY WHERE THEY CAN FIND WAYS TO ADDRESS CUTTING THEIR SPENDING. WHILE WE'RE SEEING THE ECONOMY IS ON FIRE NOW AND AMERICAN JOBS COMING HOME AND WE'RE GOING TO KEEP IT GOING. BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT AMERICA IS ALL ABOUT.

SIMONS: REBUTTAL, PLEASE.

SINEMA: I VOTED NO ON THAT TAX BILL LAST YEAR FOR SEVERAL REASONS. FIRST IT INCREASED OUR DEFICIT BY WHAT WE THOUGHT WOULD BE $1.9 TRILLION. TURNS OUT FROM THAT REPORT THIS MORNING IT COULD EVEN NOT HIGHER. BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY FOR ARIZONA AND THEIR EVERY DAY LIVES IT JEOPARDIZES SPENDING FOR MEDICARE AND SOCIAL SECURITY. AFTER THAT BILL WAS PASSED MANY OF MARTHA'S COLLEAGUES SAID AS SOON AS WE'RE DONE WE'LL GO BACK AND CUT MEDICARE AND SOCIAL SECURITY. THAT'S NOT RIGHT. IT IS WRONG TO TRY AND BALANCE YOUR BUDGET ON THE BACKS OF SENIORS WHO WORKED SO HARD THEIR ENTIRE LIVES FOR THESE BENEFITS. MY LAST CONCERN ABOUT THAT LEGISLATION WAS IT DIDN'T PROVIDE PERMANENCY OF TAX CUTS FOR MIDDLE CLASS FAMILIES OR SMALL BUSINESSES. BUT LAST MONTH THE HOUSE TOOK A VOTE TO INCREASE TAX CUTS FOR THOSE COMMUNITIES AND I VOTED YES BECAUSE SMALL BUSINESSES AND INDIVIDUALS IN THE MIDDLE CLASS DESERVE A TAX CUT.

MCSALLY: THIS IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE FOR KYRSTEN WHICH SHE WAS AGAINST SOMETHING BEFORE AND THEN FOR IT. THANKS TO PRESIDENT TRUMP AND DUCEY OUR ECONOMY IS DOING AMAZING. 4.2% GDP GROWTH. EVERY SINGLE DAY JOBS ARE OPENING AROUND ARIZONA. I TALKED TO SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS WHO ARE INVESTING IN EQUIPMENT, INVESTING IN TRAINING EMPLOYEES, HIRING NEW PEOPLE AND THE OPTIMISM IS LIKE WE'VE NEVER SEEN BEFORE AND WE GOT TO KEEP IT GOING. THIS IS THE RIGHT APPROACH FOR US TO CUT TAXES, ROLL BACK REGULATIONS AND MAKE IT PERMANENT FOR SMALL BUSINESSES, INDIVIDUALS AND FOR COMPANIES. THE ECONOMY IS DOING GREAT AND ARIZONANS FEEL IT EVERY SINGLE DAY. THIS SI WHAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO, BUT THERE IS MORE TO DO.

POLLETTA: THANK YOU. MOVE ON TO THE LAST QUESTION. I KNOW WE'RE RUNNING OUT OF TIME. CONGRESSWOMAN SINEMA, WITH CLIMATE CHANGE, NUMBER ONE DO YOU BELIEVE IT IS A MAN MADE PROBLEM CAUSED BY HUMANS? NUMBER 2, WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS IN TERMS OF COMBATTING CLIMATE CHANGE PARTICULARLY WITH REGARD TO WATER AND POSSIBLE WATER SHORTAGES?

SINEMA: DO BELIEVE THAT CLIMATE CHANGE IS REAL. AND I THINK IT DOESN'T MAKE A LOT OF SENSE FOR US TO SPEND TIME DEBATING HOW WE GOT TO THE PLACE WHERE WE ARE TODAY. WHAT DOES MAKE SENSE IS FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE THE ABILITY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE MOVING FORWARD TO WORK TOGETHER TO MAKE THAT DIFFERENCE. AND HERE IN ARIZONA, WATER IS OF GRAVE CONCERN TO OUR STATE. AS THE UNITED STATES SENATOR, I'LL HOPE TO WORK WITH SENATOR JOHN KYLE WHO HAS BEEN A LEADER ON THE ISSUE OF WATER DURING HIS TIME IN THE UNITED STATES SENATE. IT'S OUR DUTY TO NOT ONLY PRESERVE OUR OWN WATER SUPPLY FOR THE NEXT 100 YEARS, BUT TO PARTNER WITH STATES IN THEIR REGION, COLORADO, NEW MEXICO AND NEVADA AND CALIFORNIA, ENSURE THAT WE HAVE A REGIONAL STRATEGY TO MOVE FORWARD AND PROTECT OUR STATE IN FUTUR YEARS. IT'S WORKING TOGETHER REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS FROM THESE STATES ACROSS THE REGION-- THAT'S HOW WE'LL FIND THE SOLUTION TO THESE CHALLENGES. BUT I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT AS ARIZONANS AND AMERICANS WE HAVE THE RESOURCES AND THE TOOLS AND WE HAVE THE SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE. WE CAN ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE TOGETHER AND DO SO WITHOUT HARMING OUR BUSINESS PROSPECTS. AND WITHOUT HARMIND WHAT MAKES ARIZONA SO AMAZING. FOLKS KNOW THIS ABOUT ME, I AM AN OUTDOOR ENTHUSIAST. EVERY MORNING I GO OUTSIDE TO RUN, HIKE, BIKE, SWIM, EVERY DAY. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN PROTECT THAT BEAUTY, WHILE WE ALL LOVE ARIZONA SO MUCH, FOR OUR FUTURE GENERATIONS.

MCSALLY: I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS IS THE LAST QUESTION. WE DO OF TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES OF CLIMATE AND WATER IS SO IMPORTANT FOR ARIZONA IT'S OUR LIFE LINE. BUT I WORK FOR SENATOR JOHN KYLE WHEN I WHAT YOU A LEGISLATIVE FELLOW AS A MAJOR AND IT'S SO IMPORTANT THAT WE FOLLOW HIS LEAD AND HE IS MY MENTOR TO BE ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD TO ADDRESS THESE REALLY IMPORTANT ISSUES. BUT WE HAVE TO TALK ABOUT THE MILITARY AND OUR VETERANS.

SIMONS: QUICKLY, PLEASE.

MCSALLY: WE HAVEN'T HAD ANY OPPORTUNITY.

SIMONS: YOU HAVE IT RIGHT NOW.

MCSALLY: THAT'S WHAT BROUGHT ME TO ARIZONA 500,000 OF OUR VETERANS OUR NATIONAL SECURITY TREASURES THAT ARE HERE. I FOUGHT FOR IT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE A-10 WAS PRESERVED THAT WE FIGHT FOR LUKE AIR FORCE BASE. MY OPPONENT ADVOCATED TO SHUT DOWN LUKE AIR FORCE BASE. WE WERE IN HARM'S WAY SHE WAS PROTESTING OUR TROOPS IN A PINK TUTU. I'LL TELL YOU WHAT, IF SHE'S NOT DISQUALIFYING ENOUGH, WHAT CAME LAST WEEK, CNN REPORTED THAT IN 2003 WHILE SHE WAS ON THE RADIO, YOU SAID IT WAS OKAY FOR AMERICANS TO JOIN THE TALIBAN TO FIGHT AGAINST US. YOU SAID YOU HAD NO PROBLEM WITH THAT. KYRSTEN, I WANT TO ASK RIGHT NOW WHETHER YOU'RE GOING APOLOGIZE TO THE VETERANS AND ME FOR SAYING IT'S OKAY TO COMMIT TREASON.

SIMONS: PLEASE, WE ARE RUNNING OUT OF TIME SO WE GOT TO GET A RESPONSE.

MCSALLY: WE NEED A RESPONSE BECAUSE SHE OWES US AN APOLOGY.

SINEMA: WELL, SHE HAS CHOSEN TO RUN A CAMPAIGN WHERE SHE IS ENGAGING RIDICULOUS ATTACKS AND SMEARING MY CAMPAIGN. AND SHE JUST TRYING TO CUT, CUT, CUT AND NOT SHARE THE FULL PICTURE. THE TRUTH IS THAT I'VE ALWAYS FOUGHT FOR ARIZONA AND I HAVE BEEN PROUD TO SERVE OUR STATE AND ELECTED OFFICE FOR OVER 13 YEARS. ARIZONASNS KNOW ME AND THEY KNOW MY RECORD. AND I'VE BEEN HONORED TO FIGHT FOR THEM. MARTHA IS TRYING TO MAKE THE SENATE CAMPAIGN ABOUT ME ABOUT YOU WHAT WE KNOW THIS CAMPAIGN IS ABOUT EVERY DAY ARIZONANS AND I'LL FIGHT FOR THEM.

SIMONS: WE HAVE TO STOP RIGHT THERE. WE GOT TO STOP IT RIGHT—

MCSALLY: IT’S TREASON.. AND SHE ALSO CALLED US CRAZY HERE IN ARIZONA. THEREALSINEMA.COM.

SIMONS: IT'S TIME FOR CLOSING STATEMENTS AND WE BEGIN WITH CONGRESSWOMAN KYRSTEN SINEMA.

SINEMA: I KNOW THE CHALLENGES THAT EVERY DAY ARIZONANS FACE. I WAS BORN IN TUCSON AND MY FAMILY WENT THROUGH SOME TOUGH TIMES. FOR A WHILE WE WERE HOMELESS. BUT MY CHILDHOOD TAUGHT ME ABOUT IMPORTANCE OF WORKING HARD AND THE IMPORTANCE OF HELPING OTHERS. I'VE TAKEN THOSE VALUES WITH ME TO CONGRESS. EVEN IN THE MIDST OF WASHINGTON CHAOS, I'VE BEEN ABLE TO GET STUFF DONE AND SOLVE PROBLEMS FOR ARIZONASNS. WE PASSED THE LARGEST MILITARY RAISE IN A DECADE AND BLOCKED A RAISE FOR CONGRESS. WE SUPPORTED OUR VETERANS, FOUGHT FOR HEALTHCARE ACCESS AND DEFENDED MEDICARE AND SOCIAL SECURITY. I WORKED WITH SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN TO SUCCESSFULLY PROTECT $3.5 BILLION OF FUNDING FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION. I'VE BEEN RANKED THE THIRD MOST INDEPENDENT MEMBER OF CONGRESS BECAUSE I WORK ACROSS THE AISLE TO GET THINGS DONE. ARIZONANS DESERVE A LEADER OF THE UNITED STATES SENATE WHO WILL BE A VOICE FOR ALL ARIZONANS AND I'D BE HONORED TO HAVE YOUR VOTE.

POLLETTA: THANK YOU. FOR OUR FINAL CLOSING STATEMENT WE TURN TO CONGRESSWOMAN MARTHA MCSALLY.

MCSALLY: WELL, YOU KNOW ME AS A WAR FIGHTER, BUT I WANT YOU TO MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHY. I LOST MY DAD WHEN I WAS 12 AND SEXUALLY ABUSED BY A COACH AS A TEENAGER, AND THOSE EVENTS NEARLY CRUSHED ME. BUT BY THE GRACE OF GOD, I WAS PROPELLED TO A LIFE OF SERVICE FIGHTING FOR AND PROTECTING OTHERS ESPECIALLY GIRLS AND WOMEN. THERE IS A LOT AT STAKE IN THIS ELECTION. YOU HAVE A CHOICE. ECONOMY IS ON FIRE RIGHT NOW AND WE'RE REBUILDING OUR MILITARY AND AMERICA IS BACK AND ARIZONA IS BACK. THANKS TO PRESIDENT TRUMP, GOVERNOR DUCEY AND THE REPUBLICAN HOUSE AND SENATE, THERE IS MORE OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERY ONE. SO I WANT TO KEEP FIGHTING IN THE SENATE AND YOU HAVE A CHOICE. SOMEONE WHO WORE THE UNIFORM OR SOMEONE WHO PRO TESTED THE TROOPS. SOMEONE WHO WORKED WITH SENATOR MCCAIN TO PRESERVE TO A-10 OR ADVOCATING TO SHUT DOWN LUKE. I ASK YOU TO LOOK AT BOTH OUR RECORDS. I BELIEVE AND FOUGHT FOR OUR COUNTRY BECAUSE I CARE ABOUT AMERICA, ARIZONA AND YOU AND I'D BE HONORED TO HAVE YOUR VOTE BECAUSE I BELIEVE EVERYBODY DESERVES A CHANCE TO SUCCEED AND TO BE KEPT SAFE.

SIMONS: ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU BOTH CANDIDATES. AND THAT IS IT. FOR ELECTION 2018 TODAY. THIS ONE FOR THE U.S. SENATE BROUGHT TO YOU BY ARIZONA PBS AND THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC

POLLETTA: THANK YOU TO THE CANDIDATES FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING. I'M MARIA POLLETTA

SIMONS: AND I'M TED. THANK YOU FOR JOINING US. YOU HAVE A GREAT EVENING.