Arkansas candidates for U.S. Senate debate the issues

The three candidates for U.S. Senate from Arkansas discussed the economy, crime, students loans, and other issues facing the country during a televised debate in Conway.John Boozman (R), Kenneth Cates (L), and Natalie James (D) took part in the debate. 40/29’s Yuna Lee was among the panelists.Abortion40/29’s Yuna Lee asked the candidates about corporate and military funding for abortions.Cates responded simply that he does not support it because he is pro-life. James said she trusts women to manage their uterus and that abortion is an international human right. Boozman said he supports legal abortion only in the cases of rape, incest, and the life of the mother. He opposes taxpayer funding for abortion but private companies can do what they want.AgricultureThe candidates were asked about the federal government’s role in supporting Arkansas farmers.James said the federal government should subsidize farmers so they can compete in the global market. Boozman noted he is the head Republican on the Senate Agricultural Committee and said safety nets are important for formers. Cates said he opposes federal subsidies. He said that instead, the government should end laws that protect the environment.Rural SupportThe candidates were asked about federal support for rural Arkansans.Boozman said broadband is important as is keeping rural schools open even as the local population falls. Cates said people are leaving Arkansas because there aren’t any opportunities due to high taxes. James said people in rural areas have trouble finding jobs that pay enough money to get by on. She said multiple counties shouldn’t have to share hospitals.Military Spending40/29’s Yuna Lee asked the candidates if they would support cuts to military spending.James said she would cut funding from administration and instead increase pay for E1 to E6 ranks. She asked why Boozman isn’t making sure Arkansas uses its federal allocations. Boozman said there are too many things going on in the world to cut military spending. Cates said he would cut money spent on the “woke agenda,” and complained about the waste and how lobbyists say when we go to war.Marijuana PardonsThe candidates were asked to react to President Biden’s pardon of marijuana offenders.All three agreed that non-violent offenders convicted of possession should not be behind bars. Boozman said some people pleaded down from tougher charges. Cates called the War on Drugs a failure. James said people should be let out of jail so they can join the work force and help the U.S. compete globally.EducationThe candidates were asked to address the way American students are falling behind students elsewhere in the world.Cates said education should be decentralized and that the government just gets in the way. James said her mother was an education and talked about the importance of the federal government supporting the state. Boozman also emphasized state control and federal dollars.Infrastructure40/29’s Yuna Lee asked the candidates about infrastructure and growth.Boozman talked about his experience on Congressional committees. He said broadband is important as well as traditional infrastructure. He said he voted against Biden’s infrastructure bill because there was a lot of wasteful spending. Cates said the federal government shouldn’t be taking care of Arkansas’ infrastructure. James said Boozman shows up to ribbon cuttings for infrastructure projects he voted against. She said she is glad the infrastructure bill passed.Health CareThe candidates were asked about the struggles people face with health care.Cates said there are too many hidden prices at the hospital. He said that hinders competition in the free market. James said the Affordable Care Act addressed some of the issues with hidden prices but it didn’t go far enough. She said there aren’t enough hospitals in rural areas. Boozman agreed that hospitals in rural areas are important.CrimeJames said it will save money to get ahead of the crime problem. This means investing in mental health care and education while making sure people are paid enough money to live on. She said Arkansas needs recidivism programs to stop offenders from becoming career criminals. Boozman said federal law enforcement can help local police. Cates said too many people demonize law enforcement.ImmigrationCates said there is too much red tape and it should be easier for people who want to make a better life to come into the country legally. He said people should not immigrate illegally regardless. James said the spate of recent arrests at the border shows how secure it has become. She said that refugees legally seeking asylum should not be treated as criminals. Boozman said people will continue to immigrate illegally if it’s easy to cross the border. He also questioned what should happen to the millions of people who want to come to the U.S.Student Loan ForgivenessJames said that college isn’t for everyone and there need to be more pathways for people after high school. She said that forgiving student loans was a step in the right direction. She said that many of Boozman’s friends and colleagues had their PPP loans forgiven and questioned why corporations should get advantages that college students don’t. Boozman said he never got a PPP loan. He said student loan forgiveness is unfair because there are plenty of other people who could use the help. He said it is important to reform the university system. Cates said that student loan forgiveness is really a debt transfer because somebody has to pay.Closing Statements John Boozman is currently serving his second term in the U.S. Senate. In 2016 he became the first Republican U.S. Senator in Arkansas history to be reelected.Natalie James is a real estate agent and small business owner. James has said issues surrounding voting rights are among the biggest challenges facing the country.Kenneth Cates is a firefighter/paramedic and a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps.

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