of Central Missouri.

We firmly believe in the Jeffersonian conc that an informed citizenry can b trusted with its government.

It our privilege, therefore, to hos this debate of the candidates fo Republican nomination for representative of the Fourth Congressional District in Missou special thank you to the candida for joining us with us today.

We welcome our in-person audience a you, the viewer.

Thank you for joining in.

It is our responsibi as citizens to ensure that we vo So I encourage you, regardless o your party affiliation, regardle the issues that are most importa you, please exercise your right vote in the upcoming primary and general elections.

And from all here at the University of Centra Missouri.

Please enjoy the debat Thank you very much, Dr. Best.

I an honor to be here in Missouri' fourth Congressional District he Warrensburg, Missouri, the home all drum on the campus, the University of Central Missouri, alma mater of Dale Carnegie.

Her bring you this debate and talk a the issues that really matter to folks in this Western central pa the state.

We are.

Let me introd you to our candidates.

First of no stranger to television.

Mark Offutt.

Thank you, sir.

Now we h former combat veteran and state senator Rick Bratton.

Thank you joining us.

CPA and Portland cat farmer these days cleaner Bruce Navy veteran Taylor Burks.

Thank all so much for joining us.

Let' give our candidates a big round applause.

And now let's introduc moderators.

Radio zone from KW O Jefferson City.

Austin Peterson, thank you so much for being here Thank you.

And the broadcast sin legend Mike Mahoney is KMBC.

We' very glad to have you here, sir.

Thank you for joining us.

My pleasure.

And let's just get rig into it.

Mark offered the openin statements will be 60 seconds an your first.

Go ahead.

Thank you much, Scott.

Thank you for the University of having us here tod This is a very important debate because you're going to make a decision on August 2nd.

My name Mark Alford.

I'm a recovery repo and I'm not a career politician.

think that sets me apart in this race.

For 23 years, I anchor the number one morning show in Kansa City.

Always fighting from the i to tell the truth, to bring bala context and perspective to the product that we delivered on a d basis.

I'm taking my voice now.

voice that God gave me that I've honed in the media for more than years, taking it now through the counties of the great state of Missouri and the fourth Congress District, to be the strongest, loudest, most consistent, unwave conservative voice for rural Missourians that they have ever in the House, telling their stor not just in Washington, D.C., bu the national media to get the re that they deserve.

Ladies and gentlemen, our country is this c to going over the edge.

It's tim take America back.

I want to hel that.

Thank you, Senator.

Right.

Well, thank you.

My name is Firs State Senator.

I mean, United St Marine.

I am not a combat vetera but I am a marine.

I have been involved in this fight at the st level since 2010.

I came in to t fight for liberty, freedom and o constitutional rights.

But we se that our constitutional rights i America is on the brink by radic leftist that look and wish to to America.

We have got to send pro fighters to Washington who have experience, who aren't politicia but are patrie that's looking to fight for America at all costs n matter what the cost of the elec is.

I have that proven track rec I am endorsed by Missouri right Life, by C PAC, by NRA, by all o hosts of individuals and organizations that understand wh at stake in America today.

And I be that proven fighter because I and have been that proven fighte Thank you.

And look forward to t debate as Bruce, excited to be h tonight.

Excited to have the opportunity to debate what the m important issues are for the constituents of the fourth Distr I am Collina Bruce.

I'm a conservative Republican, a fifth generation farmer, as well as a down in Stockton, Missouri.

I li there with my husband, Billy, an daughter Willa, and together we operate a cattle farm and we're small business owners.

I'm runni for Congress because I refuse to my family be the last generation free Americans.

I am sick and ti just like everyone else in the audience of the dysfunction in D tired of career politicians maki the swamp, even thicker.

I belie that we need to send proven lead to DC, but also people who under what it means to live work and r a family in this district.

My fa has lived in southwest Missouri is farming the same ground that started with over 100 years ago.

What's important to the people o this district is an important to family and I will work hard to b strongest force for you in DC.

I Taylor Burks.

I'm a fifth genera farm kid that like Lena, grew up southwest Missouri on my family' farm.

Like a lot of farm kids.

A I went to school, I joined the U States Navy, have served for 15 years, both active duty and rese And in 2020, I left for my third deployment overseas.

What I saw part of President Trump's team, withdraws from Iraq and Syria wa mess overseas.

An America that w finally able to hold our head hi under an America first foreign p under an America first foreign p Meanwhile, my wife was stuck at with three little boys while our churches, our businesses, our sc got closed down.

And so when I c home at the end of 2020, saw the Biden administration take over, figured I would jump in this rac campaign about things that I kne about being overseas, protecting national security, working on su chains and fighting for our fami back at home.

I'm Taylor Burkes, I'd appreciate your support on A 2nd.

Thank you very much.

Our fi question will come from Mr. Mike Mahoney.

And draw your answer fi Candidates, this is a very big, important primary.

You all been working hard in the citizens.

Th voters appreciate that.

They als appreciate the fact that you're actually taking time out to deba one another.

It's not happening lot of places across the country year.

It's a service to the vote The question I would like to ask is because this is a big race an there's another one, the Missour Republican primary for the Unite States Senate candidates.

Who ar going to vote for in that, Mr. A going to vote for in that, Mr. A thank you so much.

Good to see y That's a great question.

Michael folks are the second or fourth Congressional District.

I am so concerned right now about winnin each day in this race for rural Missouri to be your strongest, loudest, most consistent voice.

really don't have time to pay attention to what's going on in Senate race or for any race, for matter.

If you are going to vote am going to vote for you.

I have decided I need to do my research like everyone else in this race watching now.

Needs to do their research to make sure that the strongest candidate who has the possibility of beating the Democ in this race takes home the priz August 2nd, with Brett.

I, I too focused on my own race and in tr to be the conservative choice fo fourth Congressional District, t are 15 or 16 candidates on that Senate primary.

And I believe it for the people of the four to de for themselves and not allow me sway their vote.

But your votes run by Republicans.

They are lik to have to cast a vote in this r Are saying they've made up their mind.

Have you?

You're telling m you're among that 1 to 5 that ha not?

I am one of the five that I haven't made up my mind of who I going to vote for in this race.

and and I do believe it's a disservice for me to sway people vote and let them be the educate That's the whole purpose of us d this debate, because we need to there to let them know who we ar They need to let them know who t are and what they will represent me, Cloud their judgment because support me.

They're going to sup somebody else that they may not otherwise support as well.

I'm h to give the non-political answer voting for Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler.

She's a strong rural conservative voice for us curren in the House.

Agriculture, Misso number one industry.

She goes ho the farm every week after she le D.C.. We need somebody who understands farming, ranching in rural way of life to protect tha rural way of life that is consta under attack.

Certainly right no the Biden administration.

So for and my family, we are strong.

Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler supporters, and we're glad to ca that vote vote on August 2nd.

Mr Bruce, you know, I'm one of thos guys that wants to see our U.S. Senate candidates debate, and I' narrowed it down to two.

I would Congresswoman Hartzler and Attor General Schmidt are the two that weighing.

But if they are unwill to get on a debate stage and ans tough questions with each other, not going to get easier in Washington, D.C. And so I would on our top U.S. Senate candidate do what we're doing here tonight Enter, vote, or answer questions the media, whether they're frien or tough questions.

Answer quest from voters and talk about what believe so that we can see them make up our own mind like we're here tonight.

Our next question, Senator Brennan, you go first.

T inflation rate is the highest th has been in 40 years.

Today was reported that the inflation had 9.1% over a year ago.

Many peopl looking for solutions.

Do you be that offering the migrants curre crossing the border jobs instead deporting them would bring down inflation rates?

And if so, woul support that?

You know, absolute not.

It has nothing to do with t the wave of of immigrants coming illegally has everything to do w reckless, out of control governm that is spending money, not budgeting.

They're not looking a what they're spending.

They're spending ten times more than wha they're bringing in.

That's that just a you know, I'm just saying it's not ten times, but they are spending so much, it's reckless it's going to topple America.

So is exactly what the problem is.

our debt and it's our spending a it's our lack of capability to actually budget.

Many people don even realize that that the Congressional congressmen in DC not even budgets budgeted since before Barack Obama was presiden They continue to do continuing resolutions, continuing the craz spinning out of control, you kno recklessness that has led to thi BIDEN Inflation, not to mention spending bills that continue to that that continue the printing has led to this.

So in the 1980s of the strategies that Ronald Re implemented in order to bring do inflation that had been sufferin through the Carter years, the stagflation was the Bracero prog which was to allow them to have temporary worker visas.

And that an inflation fighting strategy.

think that the Reagan strategy w the wrong move?

I think that the needs to be looking at our spend in our budgeting, that is what w at, $30 trillion in debt.

I hard think an influx in a pouring of illegal immigrants into our nati the answer, as Bruce, I believe the labor issue, as well as the immigration issue, is a major is for us here in the United States specifically the immigration iss immigration reform has been kick down the road by Congress after Congress.

And I believe that tha needs to be focused on in the hu and 18th Congress.

Farmers, ranc manufacturers.

We need a reliabl workforce.

We need the migrant workforce that is used to doing jobs because there are a lot of jobs that Americans simply don't to do.

We need that.

We need H-2 an H-2B program that has less re tape.

We need folks that that ha been in our country for generati They need a path to citizenship.

at the end of the day, we have t close the borders.

We have to se our farms, ranches and businesse there on the borders.

And then w have to cut back our spending.

Senator Bratton is exactly right have put so much money, flooded economy with money in the last f years, mostly due to COVID.

And have got to stop that.

That is w causing inflation, is that the m that we're spending and overspen in Congress.

So it's a two prong question, absolute, Ali, but the not going to be one answer to fi inflation issue.

But I do believ immigration reform has to happen Burks Yeah, that's an interestin point.

I'm the only candidate on stage who hasn't taken federal handouts that kicked off the inflation that we're seeing when saw trillions of dollars spent i and government handouts over the three years.

You need a congress He's going to go to Washington, and fight for fiscal conservativ That's what I did in the Boone C clerk's office.

Saving half $1,000,000 in the two years that was in that office.

But people c talk a big game while they're standing up here or in Jefferson or in front of cameras.

We need people who have proven that they fight for the things that we car about.

I care about fiscal conservatism.

I care about our national security.

I care about securing our borders.

And those the things that we have to do to this country back on the right f track.

As Brazil, I respond.

So don't believe that people progra were government handouts to smal businesses who were trying to st afloat and keep their employees working.

My job as a small busin owner is to make sure that I tak care of my employees and their families.

And I do so.

And I tak that that responsibility very mu heart.

So the PGP program did wh was intended to do.

It kept smal businesses afloat, it kept those employees at work and I am I thi that that program was essential making sure small business specifically in rural America, c stay afloat when our government specifically the Biden administration, shut us down.

Mr Oliver, ladies and gentlemen, I strongly that the person who is who is the most proven in this i person who's actually been to th border to see the crisis firstha Clean has done that.

I've done t It's only a 13 hour drive from h to the border with Mexico.

Ladie gentlemen, there is a crisis at border and television does not portray it adequately.

We drove Del Rio to Eagle Pass and saw countless numbers of illegal ali crossing without any resistance our Border Patrol.

The Texas Bor Patrol and the Texas State Polic trying to do all they can.

But w got to finish President Trump's We must deport illegal aliens an we have enough jobs here in Amer for Americans to fill.

And we ne stop paying people to stay at ho and not work.

So those positions be filled so we can get our nati back on track.

Senator Bratton, you want to speak?

I do.

Well, I glad, Mr. Alford went to the wal stood in front of a wall.

But bu I've actually had a business tha to deal with the legal immigrati crushing my industry.

That's why ran for office.

And I offered E-Verify penalties for these sanctuary cities to ensure that were penalized if they had those of policies and many other thing address the actual prob them.

So one thing to go stand in front o wall and give a speech in front camera.

It's a whole other to be fighting the fight and have been fighting the fight.

As I have at state capitol.

Time for a third question I'm going to ask you.

E every Republican I know running office loves Donald Trump and al accomplishments.

But Mr. Bruce, start with you.

What is somethin you were in Congress, you couldn really couldn't have brought you to support that President Trump I appreciate that question.

As a conservative Republican can and farming family, we you know, we helped put President Trump in of and we were not very appreciativ the the tariffs that got handed that were crushing to agricultur Now, I'm not saying that China d need to be put in check because absolutely China needs to be put check.

And I realize that tariff were a way for that administrati do so and do so swiftly.

However always have to look back to how that's affecting us here at home to the backbone of our country.

that is our farmers in our ranch and our rural communities.

And s believe, as a congresswoman at t time, I would have given the adv of let's take a different, broad look at this.

Let's see if maybe could put the TPP Trans-Pacific Partnership back on the table.

I a way for us to completely cut C out and work with other countrie specifically.

And so that would been the path that I would have advised President Trump to do.

A think that he appreciated the fa that I stood up for farmers and ranchers as part of the American Bureau.

Young farmer and rancher Committee.

He asked me then to w on the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act aft specifically said, This is not g for us here at home.

Mr. BURKS Y that's the struggle with complic world we live in.

You can't have single point of view.

I actually support the tariffs and I grew u my family's farm.

My family cont to have agriculture, businesses, the reality is a bigger threat t today wasn't the tariffs that we placed on foreign countries like China, trade cheats like China a the bigger threat to us is China itself.

And President Trump has the only one who's had the backb to stand up and fight China wher actually hurt our agriculture im actually hurt our agriculture im And we did a lot to protect and farmers under the Trump administration.

Where I disagree President Trump is the start of spending that we've seen today.

we're seeing double digit inflat because of it.

I talked about PP talked about the handouts that w seen from the federal government years now.

President Trump was o those who started the process of spending money to try to save th economy.

We have to be concerned about what Mike kids are inherit from from us, what this economy like not just in the next few mo not just in the next administrat but in the next generation.

And started to destroy it with terri fiscal policy.

And so I ask for people support because I'm a fis conservative in that regard.

Mr. Alford Scott, thank you very muc Ladies and gentlemen, had I been President Trump in that Oval Off on the first day, I would have f the FBI director, James Comey.

I think that is one of the only mistakes that President Trump ha made, because James Comey, along Hillary Clinton creating the Rus hoax, took down this president.

president would still be preside had it not been for that Russian that the FBI director, James Com promulgated and kept going and g and going and lays.

And, gentlem the truth is going to come out eventually when we take back the house this November and get into power in January.

The investigat will begin.

We are driving the Democrats out of power.

We will investigate that.

We will invest Hunter Biden's laptop and how mu money the big guy really got fro foreign governments like China.

will also investigate other thin that have like covered the true origins of COVID and Anthony Fau involvement or lack of involveme But the truth is coming, folks.

I'm going to be a part of it.

So return, why?

That's a that's a t one, because President Trump has one of the very first presidents has been such a breath of fresh that he comes in, has an America first agenda willing to to fight against illegal immigration onsl that was plaguing this land, building, the wall, taking on th swamp.

The the strength of peace through strength aspect that he but also the willingness for him to realize that the war in Iraq something that we had to to draw back.

And he was successful in t The fact that he was willing and going to be successful with the back in Afghanistan.

Unfortunate we saw a traitor esque approach Afghanistan to a Biden administr that that knee jerk reacted and killed innocent Americans.

But o president has been a strong advo for America, something that had lacking for so long.

So that's a difficult one to to even really up with because he was such a st a patriot for America.

I mean, building an economy that was boo beyond anything we had ever seen as America.

So I would say that most difficult thing would be probably the the tariff aspect w be the one thing being a free ma conservative would be the thing I disagreed most with.

Next, we on to the portion of the debate you get a single question for ea candidate.

We'll start with you, Mahoney, asking Senator Brennan question.

Yeah, Senator, you vot against the phased in Missouri g tax that went through the state Senate a year ago.

You're very p of it.

You're nodding your head as we speak here.

How do you fee about the at the federal level?

you support the suspension of th federal tax on fuel and get and gasoline here?

And how do you th the United States since the administration right now is in t Mideast, should be dealing with Arabia and the kingdom there as relates to, number one, being a global supplier of oil and also human rights record.

So it's a t part question there.

Well, drill here, drill now.

I mean, we have tap into our America skin resour God has blessed us with.

We are fossil fuel based economy.

We li breathe and exist upon diesel.

A that is an absolute fact.

And th fact that this administration ha came in and eviscerated that day he took office is egregious in i attack on every single American.

now what?

What I would I support the doing away with the federal for a short amount of time.

That ridiculous.

No, let's go and dri here.

Drill now.

I'm for less.

L taxes.

But that's just a Band-Ai an arterial laceration.

To think we're going to to help people ou an attempt like that.

It's lipst on a pig, is what that would be.

was happy to support the the no tax.

We have billions of dollars general revenue.

We could have redeveloped into that this year the state budget, we had a $12 billion influx that we could hav funded our roads completely.

And didn't do that.

We just raise ta on people's terrible.

Thank you, Peterson.

Mr. Burks, your questi for Mr. Brooks here.

Missouri pa a Second Amendment preservation specifically to prevent feds fro commandeering state police to en federal gun laws.

Conservative Republicans as as Mr. Offer to s they're not big fans of the feds these days.

But if Missouri choo to legalize cannabis on the ball this fall, will you vote to lega it federally to prevent the feds enforcing raids against Missouri cannabis businesses?

You know, I been a strong supporter and you this Austin of reforming our fed drug laws.

We've seen across the country specifically with cannab lot of changes in state level la and legislation.

Missouri has a medical marijuana bill or a medi marijuana amendment.

The Constit marijuana amendment.

The Constit Any efforts to change state leve laws when it comes to enforcemen drug policy ought to be left to states.

And so marijuana or cann is one of those things that I th the federal government isn't protecting us from ourselves.

We wasting resource is leaving at t federal level.

Policies that are better left at the state.

So wil vote for the legalization of recreational cannabis on the bal this fall if it appears in in Missouri?

Missouri.

I haven't se what that what that the ballot language looks like.

But what I vote for in D.C. is removing marijuana from schedule one so t states can handle this more appropriately.

Expressed to me f as Bruce Vultures, a live bottom Missouri.

If you go to Congress, you'll be probably subject matte expert on it.

What would the nex farm bill look like if you got t write that bill?

The farm bill t coming up in 2023 is for me, definitely the most crucial one seen in my lifetime.

So farmers ranchers are putting themselves there on a financial cliff like have not seen since the seventie eighties.

You know, we just fini putting our hay up for the summe our input price was up 65%.

It's something that you can really bu for year to year.

So farmers and ranchers deserve a safety net.

B consumers and families deserve t know that those prices that the farmers are having to pay to gro their crops and grow their produ their livestock and produce thos meat, their meat and dairy and e is it going to trickle down to t at the grocery store?

That's wha farm bill does.

It gives consume families, farmers, ranchers acce affordable food and knowing that they go to the grocery store, it there on the shelf, it's going t extremely important.

But the big thing with the farm bill is, is make sure that folks understand, that like less than 5% of it is actually for farm programs.

The of it is is there to protect consumers and families that need with their wake and food stamps the snap program and schools, sc nutrition programs.

But we need make sure that we're conservativ with that.

We need to make sure the spending is done correctly, it has the correct oversight.

An that's something that this administration has not provided all, is oversight to the last fa bill.

So we need to make sure th those programs that are in place being ran correctly and have the correct oversight if we need to change them for the future.

Sena Brennan, I would like to say tha issue is the fact that we have a EPA, we have a government that h out for our farmers and we have adopted policies that that work literally strangle our farming community.

And that's where we h to address the problem.

We have cut the head of the snake, the o that's causing these issues and hardships on our farmers.

So our that that literally looks at our cattle industry as though they a biological hazard.

I think is is crazy or the fact that they look their streams on their lands is something that they control.

You know, these are the things that really affecting the farmers.

We got to look at the the foreign interaction into our marketplace They own literally our meat mark And we have to do things to brea that up to ensure that we have t capability for this, for the Ame farmer to be able to succeed as yet so specific the farm bill is going to be about regulating the farmer or the rancher.

It's goin be about making sure they have a safety net.

There for when we ha drought, when we have a tornadoe when we have things that come th that that are natural disaster t farmers and ranchers can't contr So no doubt that we have an EPA problem and we have a regulatory issue that we need to fight back against.

But the farm bill is cr to be a safety net.

It is an insurance tool.

It is simply something that is there for farm and ranchers when they need it, for everyday use.

Mr. BURKE.

Yea this is what people do when they about the Farm Bill.

They highli the good programs that our farme need and they ignore the waste a the abuse that occurs in that program.

Colleen is top donors.

quarter were sugar owners out of state.

And so we're talking abou someone crafting the farm bill.

we're talking about people reini reckless spending, we have to as who are the donors?

Who are the people demanding stuff from?

Who going to be writing that farm bi would have a serious concern for out-of-state commodity groups li Sugar writing our farm bill with runaway, reckless spending.

When have people here in Missouri, re concerns about what that farm bi looks like and what is their representative going to fight fo would say that the farm bill is all of agriculture.

TAYLOR And w don't have just cattle across th nation.

We have all kinds of different agriculture, which I h been and seen in toward many different farms, in many differe aspects.

So when we're talking a going to Congress and working on policy that affects all of Ameri it has to be good for all of agriculture.

It can't just be go for your families, cattle farm.

has to be good for all of agriculture.

Fourth question tha comes from Mr. Mahoney.

It's for Alford.

Yeah.

Mr. Alford.

anothe part question here.

Your four congressional term limits you've signed a pledge to do so.

You're calling that pledge calls for a constitutional convention on it.

a very few states have agreed on that Missouri happens to be one them.

So, Mr. Alford, what's you pledge here?

You want to serve t terms, which would be six years.

want sort of five terms.

That's years.

What's your pledge limit?

then explain to me whatever that pledge limit is, how you worry, whether or not you think it migh complicate your ability to becom effective in Congress.

Because a lot of folks know, it takes quit while to build up some clout in Congress.

You just simply don't your freshman year and and get t done.

And how would a term limit pledge complicate your ability t have clout on Capitol Hill and deliver for the Missouri Fourth?

Thank you, Michael.

I did sign a pledge to support a constitution amendment for term limits three the House, two in the Senate.

La and gentlemen, that's good enoug the White House.

It is good enou for the people's house.

The prob today with politics in America i that we have career politicians leapfrogging their way from one political position to the next.

to Washington, serving there.

Mo on to another position.

Maybe becoming a lobbyist and coming o millionaire.

And who knows what millionaire.

And who knows what That is not how our founders set the US House of Representatives.

House of Representatives was set as you know, for people like you me, bakers and farmers and and teacher and lawyers and yeah, ma even middle age TV anchors to go Washington for a short time.

A s time and represent the voice of people.

That's where we've got t whole thing screwed up in politi We think it's about us.

And I'm to tell you, ladies and gentleme is not about Mark offered a brat clean of Bruce or Taylor Burke's This is about you.

This is about fourth Congressional District.

T is about being a voice for you.

I'm going to be that voice.

We h time to do a couple more topics.

the next topic will come from Au Mr. BURKE She'll be first to ans the Supreme Court recently overt Roe versus Wade.

Now the states free to set their own abortion r But the feds are likely to push legislation as well.

If the Republicans were to take control the legislature this fall.

Would vote for a federal law that prosecutes a woman crossing stat lines for an abortion or someone aids and abets or in doing so, y praise God the Supreme Court too this out of the hands of an elec judges and gave it back to polic makers.

So we can have this conversation first and foremost.

think this is an issue that's mo appropriately left to the state appropriately left to the state The federal government has no ro regular fighting.

Who crossing s lines?

Issues like that.

If some is criminalized at the state lev then the federal government can at that.

But I think it's approp for the federal government to re state level criminal codes.

But beyond that, the federal governm has no role in what this this po is.

Beyond defunding planned Parenthood, beyond ensuring that Department of Defense facilities aren't used as safe havens for abortionists, and protecting lif all costs in this country.

Mr.. all costs in this country.

Mr..

I 100% pro-life, always have bee always will be.

And I am overcom with joy that the Supreme Court the United States, the right constitutional decision to send back to the states where it belo And I'm so thankful the Missouri laws in place to protect life.

T would not have happened, though, without President Trump and his choice of three conservative jus who had the moral fortitude to m the right decisions in.

Tough ti even when people are protesting outside their homes in threat of danger.

And our Department of Justice, not doing anything abou to stop it.

That's that's a sham Okay.

People who are charged wit enforcing laws, not even protect our own justices.

There are prog in place to help women who are h faced decision.

I risk my own ca at Fox for help out organization like Rachel's House and Independ money for them emceeing events a supporting them.

Because I belie life there are similar programs Harrison ville that we're suppor the Shiloh Center.

I choose life Would you vote for a federal law prosecute women who cross state for an abortion?

I would have to the language may say it's not a ballot language.

It would be a b that you would consider.

I mean, direct question.

I'm sorry.

I wo have to see that language of the bill.

It's still a pretty questi Senator Brennan?

Well, there you You're going to get a direct ans So you'll get a direct answer ou me.

I'll absolutely, emphaticall support a bill that will penaliz especially the board abortion provider, the one who's carrying the egregious act.

You know, the a lot of women that will be misl So I don't think the proper aven to prosecute the woman.

It's one carrying out the evil act of mur upon an unborn child.

I absolute emphatically support that.

I supported and sponsor the Texas Heartbeat bill here in Missouri, which gave a private cause of ac for those those people who are injured or carried across state lines.

They can go after the the abortion provider and sue them i oblivion.

I think that's another approach, and I would be happy t sponsor that.

And that a federal to where you have that capable l to literally bankrupted appearan That's exactly what needs to hap That's why I'm proud to be the o endorsed candidate by Missouri r to life in this race.

I have bee the front lines tip of the spear fighting for life.

I was a part the investigation that looked in the baby body parts being squand sold as commodity by these evil organizations.

We have got to ho them to account.

And I will do t and have done that.

And that's w it's important to get a straight shooter, because you just heard very typical political answer th And we don't have time to deal w that here in Washington.

What's stake is what a win for the pro- leaders and for the children of America to have this case overtu and to put the power back to the states so that the people of the states can hold their elected officials accountable.

I think i the perfect place to have this discussion.

However, as a mother cannot imagine having to be put that position and to to make tha choice.

I applaud the pregnancy resource centers and the funds t are getting diverted to to those maternity homes and places where women can go and families can go get counseling and get in and ma the right decision to protect li agree with Senator Bratton that is not something that we should penalizing the women in the fami for.

It is easy to be led astray this world and there's a lot goi whenever you are in a situation you have to make such a profound choice.

So we should definitely holding accountable the doctors are providing these services to women.

They need to be, you know They need to be fine.

Do they ne everything?

They need the book t them.

Life is life is so valuabl And we have to do everything we to protect it.

Next question wil come from Mr. Mueller.

Mr. offer you answer first.

Yeah.

Candidat This sort of goes back to what w were talking about earlier.

Most you expressed some concerns abou rising tensions with China.

How you balance or intend to balance concerns with that, with the fac that that China is the number th export market for Missouri goods $118 billion in 2020.

And those exports support at least 20,000.

Missouri jobs.

Candace, how do y see protecting Missouri's econom an export market and still talk to China?

Mr. Alford.

We've got tougher on China.

I suggest gett rid of tick tock.

That's one way keep them from getting into the and the spaces of our young peop We've got to provide more jobs, more jobs here in Missouri and i United States, where we are not importing things from China.

We' gotten spoiled in the last 40 ye 50 years.

I remember when Richar Nixon went to China and brokered deal with the regime there to op trade once again.

And what a sho was for Americans that this was happening.

But it did happen.

An they've slowly their way into ea and every one of our homes, into phones and your televisions with grip that we have not seen befor And ladies and gentlemen, there power in that economic grip.

We to break that grip.

And when get Washington.

I'm going to help do that.

Senator Britton.

But we ha realize, yes, they we depend on but they also depend on us.

So m more heavily.

And having that st arm approach, I think, just like Trump did, really put put them b on their heels.

We've got to loo our spending.

I mean, I brought up to the last question.

Our spe up to the last question.

Our spe our budgeting.

We've devalued ou dollar because it is we're print money that we don't have.

We hav address the problem within.

And before we really start being abl to be that that force to really back on them.

We keep selling th our debt.

We keep doing these th that put us at a competitive disadvantage.

We also have to lo the human rights that they continually violate.

I mean, the literally have slave labor over China, putting protections or provisions to where our media ma really tough that that we're not going to do business with, you k folks that have people in slaver to make your product that we're buying or some some sort of effe hold them more accountable to wh they have to be more responsive.

That's what we have to do.

And i going to be tough.

But we've put ourselves, because of feckless leadership in this horrible posi As Bruce Oh, I think that provid more jobs isn't necessarily the answer.

If you own a business.

Y know that everyone's shorthanded currently, right?

The labor forc down.

Those that are looking for is down.

But what we do have to bring more manufacturing right h in Missouri.

We are set up perfe in Missouri.

We have the infrastructure here to support i have the waterways, we have the and we are set up to have some o strongest manufacturing right he home in Missouri, which would ev in fact, bring more jobs.

Howeve the question however, the questi was the balance between Missouri exports and China trade.

And and their international conduct.

Tha the question.

And that's what I' saying, is that we're exporting over there, but we don't have to export it over there.

We need to using and bringing more more manufacture in here at home and doing so by strong fiscal policy bills, making sure our Tax Cuts Jobs Act is permanent because.

T sunsets in a couple of years and businesses can't plan for the fu They can't make expansions.

They can't bring on new employees bec they don't know what their tax r going to be.

They don't know wha their tax policy is going to be.

so for a business to be able to I'm going to do X when the futur murky, they can't do that.

We ha be able to provide businesses a competitive playing field so tha they will quit exporting things China.

A serious foreign policy because the most serious threat this country faces overseas is t United States military has confl with China.

In our strategic def policy in the next five years.

I don't think that we're aware of serious it is and what we're fac with China.

The other part of yo question, Mike, is that the real is China exports to us far more we export to them.

And so when w looking at conflict, whether it' economic or actual military conf with China, our concern is going be what is our manufacturing production capacity and how are going to compete with a country we've built their infrastructure need to focus on this country an being prepared for win that conf occurs with China.

And I'll poin out, I'm the only candidate on t stage who has won, been overseas defending our national security.

two has specifically trained aga the Chinese in the Western with allies.

This is serious and we n member of Congress who can artic and force the Pentagon to focus the threats that we really face us.

And then we've got to lectur time here.

So we going to time f maybe one or two more topics or something just to go next and go you comfortable?

We'll start wit Mark Orford and work our way dow Are you comfortable allowing tra gender persons to serve in the military that their lifestyle do conflict with their duty?

Yes.

Senator Brown, I served under th Don't Ask, Don't Tell, and so lo it does not interfere and so lon it is not something that's going be a hindrance.

But unfortunatel what we find it does become a hindrance, and that is the the situation that we find of it for it.

We see it in our schools tod too, where they're forcing it up teachers, upon administrators, u the students to have to accept a these sort of things.

So I find be a difficult situation to wher to say yes, but not realize the ramification actions that will c the aftermath of that.

I served the Marine Corps and they were v you know, very they tested the policies of even integrated wome with male units.

And that was a difficult situation because are effective fighting force of whic that is our mission is to kill o it to be a social experiment?

An don't want adopt any policy that know is going to end up turning military into a social experimen military into a social experimen no, no, I believe that the don't don't tell situation makes, the sense for our military and for o country, as long as it doesn't a the of our military, as long as military stay strong.

And it's n something that our leaders focus I believe that we can coexist together.

So, again, I'm the onl candidate on this stage who's ha grapple with this policy in real life, with units that have had t implement Obama and now Biden er policies to put transgender serv members in our units.

I'm an abs no because the reality is transg service members in our military two years for treatment are non deployable during that time and contribute nothing to our nation security.

Our United States mili is in a crisis right now.

We can recruit from our traditional recruitment sources Army, U.S. A recruitment is 40% of what their is.

This year.

And it's these so policies that destroy people's f in the military's ability to def America.

I'm not saying that transgender people are as indivi as bad people.

What I'm saying i this is a job that they cannot perform while they're dealing wi what their social issues are.

An until they wrap that up, until t figure out what's going on, I'm with people who present it as th gender they were born in, servin that way, but an absolute no, be this is a distraction for our Un States military.

All I'll take t next question.

When I go to plac like Tipton or Harry's Annville talk about gas prices.

If you go Congress, start using the bread.

is something you could do to may give folks a little relief at $5 money immediately filing a bill where we're able to do the energ independence to where we push th Biden administration, because I believe we're going to have a hu red wave taking over Congress an the Senate.

And I think we've go push on him to to enact energy independence, to start that.

The drawback of of of what's occurre making gas get to five bucks a gallon.

I think that's what we h to show, that we're willing to t it on and that fight.

You know, can get up here and say everythi want to do.

But as a legislator, you're effective in filing somet and forcing the hand of governme to either release their strangle on industry or or enact policy t help to create and foster that a from that, you're just rhetoric you're just talking.

But that's you've got to do.

And you've to with people to ensure you have t best and most fiscal sound and America centric policy like pipe and drill here, drill now, sort thing as much as you talked abou 65% cost on your head.

A lot of that's got to be gas prices.

Wha you do about it.

Yeah, most of i gas prices.

And you know, I thin that the biggest thing here is e independence in America.

We all that you at home know that it ju a little bit of common sense.

Apparently, that common sense do transfer to folks when they make to D.C..

So a very important top for everybody here at home is th prices.

And I think the biggest is, you know, all we got to do i talk about opening the pipeline those prices to start to recede.

if you're an industry like farmi and ranching, you know, just tal about trade deals makes our mark start to start to change automatically.

So we've got we'v to be energy independent.

This f policy that we're having shoved our throats right now is is obvi not working.

We're going to need types of energy to to continue o be a strong America with the pri that Americans can afford and fa and ranchers can be a big part o that.

We we have lots of researc lots of development in the biofu space.

And that's going to be an important part of making sure we clean, affordable energy for the American people.

Mr. Burks looki do what folks and road supporter paying $5 for gas.

Yeah, well, I appreciate Senator Bratton's poi about this.

Can't just be rhetor We have to have people who've do something as a supply chain professional for the United Stat Navy.

I've actually specialized energy distribution.

And our pro in this country is a domestic production issue, constraints th have because of EPA rules, but w than that, the real problem is development of domestic producti and is restricted by inconsisten into our energy companies.

We're going to invest in domestic production this country so long every two years with the new Con or every four years with a new president, they're threatened wi shutdowns for our domestic production.

We have a distributi problem, infrastructure and pipe that are targeted by our oversea adversaries.

And we need the Uni States to have the capacity to d our domestic distribution, in addition to protecting the longe of our domestic production.

Coll is right.

It's all about biofuel That's a source and an avenue fo to ease that production capacity constraint that we have here.

Bu biofuels are not the only soluti We have to be an all of the abov policy and every time we flip th switch with a new Congress or ne administration and start back at zero, it makes the United States weaker and drives up our prices the pump.

Often it's got the F-1 a model of a truck, and it shoul be what it costs to fill it up.

lot of you out there tonight, th exactly what you're facing when go to the pump.

about 120 to $15 fill that thing up, to go into t to get groceries.

The price of fertilizer has more than tripled our farmers.

And no, this is not fault of President Trump, not th fault of anyone.

But President B I feel President Biden, the firs thing he did was to demand rise.

Fossil fuels continue.

His march towards trying to get in line wi the crazy, wacky climate change people.

He put the onus and real targeted the fossil fuel industr but he put the crosshairs on the backs of families like yours and farmers who are struggling.

Bio are one source that we can get a are one source that we can get a that they can work together with petroleum institutions now to ma difference.

But we've got to get EPA off the backs of our farmers they can have the highest possib with our soybeans and corn.

It's time our closing statements for I want to take one more opportun to thank everyone here in Warren and the folks at University of Central Missouri for hosting.

An thank you all for being here.

Ou closing statements will be 60 seconds, and we'll start with yo Mr. Alford Thank you.

Appreciate all of you who've been here.

Tha for our studio audience tonight thank you for this great univers for the opportunity.

You know, I into this race for one reason.

I the only candidate in this race pretty much sacrificed everythin be here, gave up a career, gave the security, the money.

But I'm for a reason, folks.

I'm here to voice for the people of the four congressional district, the Strongest, loudest, most consist unwavering voice.

Before my dad he gave me this copy of the Constitution.

It's underlined li the King James Bible and I have studied it, and I'm going to fol it because I'm going to swear an to it is so important that we us that as a basis for how we gover And it's so important that we re the true meaning of the House of Representatives is to represent will of the people, not our own agenda, not our own egos.

This i about you.

Thank you, Senator Br Well, it's an honor to serve the people of the fourth Congression District.

I live here, and I've represented the fourth Congressi District at our state house.

So know what's important to to the people.

And we put our freedoms liberties under attack daily.

Yo know, I not only know the Constitution, I have swore an oa protect and defend the Constitut and will do at all cost.

The represented above the people, th job and mission is to protect th rights and liberties and freedom the individual.

That is what it And you have my solemn vow that will protect and defend liberty all costs.

We have an a minister oration and a left that is looki crash this American economy.

The have waged war on your way of an they will do nothing to stop to destroy it.

We are the last good standing in the way of their uto Communist Manifesto.

I assure yo have to send proven fighters to Washington.

I'm not a career politician.

I'm a patriot lookin fight for you and liberty and fr at all cost.

And I ask for your Mr. Brewster.

Well, I appreciate opportunity to be here tonight t about policy and talk about thin that are important to the people the Fourth District, you know, a conservative Republican, fifth generation farmer, CPA, living a working amongst all of you as we And so I get it.

I understand ho prices are affecting you at home the government is just completel overregulating our farms, our ranches, our small businesses un they just choke us out.

And so i going to be super important that make a vote that will send someb with your morals, your values, a who understands your way of life Congress, to protect it.

We live the greatest country there ever and we can be powerful and lose makes us special.

And so we are to have to fight every day to ma sure that we keep our rural way life strong, that we protect our farmers, our ranchers and our businesses that are the backbone this country.

Working families k how important it to have someone understands them in elected positions.

And so I would ask fo your support on August 2nd becau can be that person for you to Bu think we can do.

I think our fam deserve better.

I think this cou deserves better from the people send to Washington, D.C..

I'm th only candidate up here who's fou for this country overseas where counts.

I'm the only candidate w has the experience on a number o hot button issues facing country today and was doing it before a for Congress opened up.

I offere take the work ethic that I learn my family's farm.

I offered to t the character that was refined i United States Navy overseas and at home.

And then my experience dad and a husband of a schooltea moved to Washington, D.C., and f for the things that matter for u here in Missouri.

I'm a visionar farm kid.

I'm a 15 year Navy vet And I think that when we do bett when we send people to Washingto D.C., who don't just talk about things that are important to us, career politicians have slick po tested messages or media personalities that know exactly right thing to say.

I'm the cand that has the experience to say i Washington, D.C., and do it for people of Missouri's fourth.

Tha you.

I want to thank you Michael Thank you, Austin, for your time Well, thank the candidates.

Let' give them one big mo round of applause.

We're going to thank a you for being here and thank all you for joining us.

And that's g night here from the University o Central Missouri campus in Warrensburg, Missouri.

In the fo Congressional District.

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