Republican Congressional Candidates Talk Issues At Debate

The three Republicans running for the Eighth District Congressional seat debated Thursday at Bucks County Community College’s campus in Bristol Township.

Marc Duome of Buckingham, Brian Fitzpatrick of Middletown and Andy Warren of Middletown took the stage and answered questions from moderator Bill Pezza, a professor at the community college.

Duome several times noted that he was a doctor and businessperson and had not worked for the government like Fitzpatrick and Warren had. Fitzpatrick is a recently retired special agent for the FBI and Warren has worked as a public school teacher, PennDOT employee and Bucks County Commissioner in the past.

“I have been working in this district for five decades and I am proud of that. I think people know me, warts and all,” Warren said.

Fitzpatrick, who worked on one of Warren’s previous campaigns, at the end of the debate called Warren “one of the greatest public servants” he has known.

“Why the hell won’t you vote for me?” Warren jokingly asked.

During the debate, the candidates talked about the serious issues that impact the district that covers all of Bucks County and a portion of Montgomery County.

All three candidates spoke about wanting to create a better economy, help spur job creattion and making government more effective.

Fitzpatrick, also a CPA, stated he believes the government’s budget should be balanced every year and should be zero-based. He added that a constitutional amendment to require a balanced budget might be needed.

“Our hard earned money is being sent to Washington. When they run out, they just print more or tax us,’ Duome said.

The doctor with a practice in Middletown said reducing federal regulations and repealing the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, would help the country. Duome said he sees the stifling impacts of the Affordable Care Act and the rising cost of healthcare every day at work.

Warren also said he was for reducing federal regulations and said they hold back job growth. He stated that the Affordable Care Act was a “job killer” and needed to be “reworked.”

All three candidates called for training programs to get people in blue-collar jobs that pay well.

While no candidates laid out there vision to reduce the cost of college and staggering per student debt, they spoke on the rising cost of a college education.

Duome said bloated costs for college doesn’t serve students but the “bureaucracy in college.”

Pezza asked the candidates about involved national security and the FBI’s steps to try to access the iPhone of one of the San Bernardino, California terrorists.

The question allowed for Fitzpatrick, who worked with the FBI investigating terrorism and political corruption, to flash his credentials.

The former FBI special agent said “national security and civil liberties are not mutually exclusive.” He said he felt the FBI’s request for Apple to make a backdoor to get into the locked phone was reasonable.

“Trust me, the FBI has the public’s best interests in mind,” he said.

Duome and Warren took different stances and said they sided with Apple. Warren seemed more conflicted than Duome and said the FBI should have received a court order before asking Apple to give them access to the phone.

National security and foreign policy was a topic that had all three candidates laying out their thoughts.

Duome said he thinks the country should strengthen the military and work to invest in methods that allow the nation to be strong without always putting boots on the ground, adding we need to better support our allies.

Warren called for keeping military equipment of the best quality for the soldiers. He cited stats about the aging military infrastructure. He also said he supported stepping up efforts to fight ISIS if there was an end game in mind.

Fitzpatrick focused on talking about securing the border and supporting law enforcement in their efforts.

All the candidates agreed that the current foreign policy was not working.

The gridlock in congress and partisan politics currently in Washington D.C. was also addressed by the candidates.

Duome, Fitzpatrick and Warren said they would serve a set number of terms.

Fitzpatrick said that working on corruption investigations has shown him that too much time in Washington D.C. corrupts people, even ones who started with good intentions.

In addition, Warren said he was for funding limits for campaigns and felt too much is spent on politics.

“I will cross party lines every time it is in the country’s best interest to do it,” Fitzpatrick said.

Warren also stated he would be willing to work with Democrats to help further the country.

When asked, all three candidates said they felt the Department of Veterans Affairs had failed retired service men and woman. Duome used his medical and business experience when stating the VA problem would not have happened in the private field.

Duome and Fitzpatrick both stated they were against the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) and mentioned keeping jobs in America. Warren seemed hesitant but said he supported “some” of the TPP because local businesses take part in it.

“Our trade agreements have failed us … and quite frankly, both parties are to blame,” Fitzpatrick said.

When Pezza asked who each of the candidates supported in the presidential race, none cited a specific candidate. However, Duome said he would vote for any Republican to stop a Democrat from winning the White House.

“Another Democrat in the White House is not acceptable,” Duome said.