afternoon, everyone. My name is Henry Lines, the president of the NAACP. And as you are aware, we're having a debate this evening. And one of the moderators of the debate and the sponsor of debate will be Jim Coronas, who you can see on the screen there. Jim is president of the Lathe Latino Leadership Network and the Johnson County Latina Leadership Network. We also have a timekeeper. Rick Fischli will be laying the the participants know their time under constraints of which there, uh, talking about here also, I assume everyone knows participants Amanda Atkins and Representatives Reece Davis. And we want to personally thank you, too, for for agreeing to this debate. That's the first time in the history of Johnson County that the civil rights organization has put on debate and and this is historical more for us. And we appreciate you participating in and being cooperative with us. I'm gonna go with just a couple of the of the procedures the rules have been discussed by. Both parties say they all know that. But just for the attendees, uh, so you know what's going on? A coin flip will determine who goes first. After that the questions will be alternated between the candidates as to who answers first, each candidate were given two minutes for an opening statement. The candidates will have two minutes to answer the question. The tamer will let the candidates know when they have 20 seconds left. If the rebuttal is needed, the candidates we have one minute to do so each candidate will have two minutes for a closing statement and reverse order of the opening statement. Jim, I believe you have a coin handy that you wanna let them know which is which. And since you are the representative right now, Paris, you get to call which one you want. Heads or tails. Oh, okay. I'll call the, uh should I do it when it's in the air, I'll head sex. I have a 50 cent piece, heads and tails. And here we go. Mhm. It's tails. Okay. Well, that means Amanda gets to go first before we start on, let you give you opening statements. I've always wanted to say this, and I'm quite sure Sharifs will understand where I'm coming from. As referees say, obey my commands and protect yourself at all times during this debate. Okay? Amanda, you may go first. Thank you so much. First of all, I do want to thank the CPI and the Latino network and Latino leadership. I am so grateful that you offered to host this debate. And I'm happy to be with you. I'm Amanda Adkins. I'm honored to be the Republican candidate for U. S Congress and the Third Congressional District. And the most important thing that I can say to people right now is that our country is that a major turning point? We've all lived through a significant economic and healthcare crisis that is still ongoing. And the big question in this election cycle is who has the experience, who's demonstrated leadership and who truly has had impact in this community when it comes to the economy, business and results in health care. So let me go through my background very quickly for you. First of all, I have worked in business for the better part of 15 plus years. Many of you may know that I have been a senior leader at Cerner Corporation here in Kansas City, so I've worked in business and I bring with me having worked at CERN are a lot of experience in health care. My work in healthcare has really been focused on two very, very important things. Improving the health of individuals and families in this country and cutting costs in health care to make it more affordable. I've had the honor of working with employers here in Kansas City and across our great nation. In addition, and I've worked with health care providers again here in Kansas City and across our great nation, I've helped to build tens of millions of dollars worth of business. I've hired a lot of people, so I've been an important part of growing the economy. In addition to that, I have been a community leader I deeply care about At risk kids and families in this community is for that reason that I founded a charity that has made investments in very small Children wind at county three and four year olds to ensure that they are ready for school. I say all of this in contrast to Miss David's. I think the major philosophical difference between the two of us in this debate is who believes that the power should be in the individual and family versus government bureaucrats, thank you okay? Right on time with your talent there, Charisse, your opportunity. Thank you so much to the Olathe n Double A C up to the lake, the Latino Coalition and to the Johnson County Latino Leadership Network for hosting this debate tonight. And also thank you, Miss Atkins, for taking the time to be here. My name is Suri's David's, and I am proud to serve as your representative in Congress. My brothers and I were raised by our mom who served in the Army. I graduated from Leavenworth High School, and every opportunity that I've had in my life has them from the fact that I had a good public education growing up, Kansans had the opportunity to succeed. I was the first person in my family, that 10 college. I worked my way from Johnson County Community College to Cornell for law school and then served in the Obama White House. And I want every kid in our community have that same kind of opportunity to succeed. My opponent has a different view. Miss Atkins was a campaign manager to and and the top adviser, the former governor Sam Brownback. She worked hard on Brownback's tax plans to cut our public schools. And I know she's called him an incredible governor. But I disagree. I'm gonna fight against politicians who are just like Sam Brownback, whose budget policies really get a lot of damage to our state. And I'm gonna fight to invest more in our schools and to make sure that Kansans have access to quality, affordable health care, which is what I've done my entire first term. I'm running for Congress to deliver on this and so many other issues because the court I understand Emmick has revealed that our economy and our health care system need to change. And I'm committed to making sure that those changes benefit hardworking Hanssen's. I'm pushing for egg a small businesses, expanding unemployment relief and hate sickly because nobody should have to decide between their job and their health. Thank you again for having us tonight. My name's Theresa David's, and I would be proud to earn your vote. Okay, ladies, first question will be, Obviously will be toe to Amanda because we're alternating here. Uh, many people. Voters here. Endorsement by endorsements all the time. This, uh, group endorsed one candidate. This group announced another candidate since the business community across the nation is in some of a bad situation right now. Uh, we wanted this question. Asked the U. S. Chamber of Commerce endorsed Therese on the Kansas Chamber of Commerce. Endorsed Amanda. How do you all account for that there? I would be happy to answer that question. So I think overwhelmingly leaders in both Kansas and Missouri and in our business community here have supported me. Azaz shown in local endorsements, which I think are more important than national endorsements. I did, by the way, have the wonderful opportunity of serving on the Kansas Chamber Board for 14 years. And a lot of that was, do the work that I did right here in business in the Kansas City community, working for sort of corporation. So I'm proud of all of my business support that is local right here in Kansas City. I did, however, want to go ahead based on Miss David's opening statement and comment on some of the things she said. I think that Miss David's in her comments of late has been very deceptive and how she has portrayed my history. First of all, as she well knows, I did not work in the Brownback administration. I did, however, have the absolute honor of serving as the state of chair of as the chair of the state of Kansas Children's Cabinet. And in that work, we focused on accountability to results for our taxpayers. In addition, I was a consistent advocate as public record shows for early childhood investments based on that experience, because I know in communities like Wyandotte County that there were still unmet needs that about 50% of the kids Still, we're not getting early childhood services. I and my personal time made a decision to go and found systems of care initiative. The 100 kids this year, who are three and four years old, who were receiving early childhood scholarships at high quality centers, are a result of that work, and 90% of them are Hispanic and or from the black community there from Atlas families, in many cases from single family homes. So I would say my track record is one that is really focused on both thriving families, thriving businesses, to be sure, based on my own personal experience, and it's really important that we get the facts straight in this debate. And again, I think Miss Davis has been very deceptive and what she has said regarding my record. And it's very simply because she does not want to talk about the fact that I have worked in healthcare and in business for 15 years. Sherrice, would you like to address the question of how do you account for the endorsements? Yeah, Henry, thanks so much. Eso First of all, I just want Thio acknowledge the I mean, we're in such a devastating time right now with the coronavirus pandemic and, uh, certainly are small businesses have suffered, I know, because I e I hear from them every day. You know, when you've got businesses that are really just trying to keep their doors open or keep focus on payroll, you know that this pandemic is it's just hitting people so hard and my work on a small business committee, my work with our our business community right here at home has really shone through. And you know, I can I can definitely tell you that because of my bipartisanship, because of the bills that I've been able thio work on my Republican and Democratic colleagues on things like the U S M c a. The trade agreement that really is gonna benefit a lot of folks right here at home. Uh, the U S Chamber came in and really wanted to acknowledge that. And at the end of the day, that's really what we need is somebody who's willing to work across the aisle, somebody who is looking for ways to work with the other party. I've demonstrated that I can do that. And I think we've seen already from my opponent that she's not willing to do that. Okay, our next question will be from Jim Coronas. Jim, you have a question for the candidates? Yes, this question is deals with your thoughts on diversity. Mhm. Please share with us. What diversity equity and inclusion mean to you and why they're important. I believe it's Amanda's Turner. Wonderful. Thank you so much. So I'm happy to comment on that very question because I think it z important in this community and everywhere in the country. So when I think of diversity and inclusion this country again, I think, you know, in the black community, in the Hispanic community, what I hear from leaders is that they most care about what I spoke of earlier, and that is, um, really having healthy business and healthy families in this country. So let me comment on both. I'm actually going to start on families first, and a lot of this does come from my experience. So I think in particular and also all comment on the black community. First, if we really care deeply about thriving black families in the Kansas City region, then first, uh, consistent with my experience, we need to start with women and what we're doing for women, many of you probably know who are watching that mortality rates around among black women when it comes to maturity. And our Children that are born premature is a really big problem. And by the way, we haven't solved a lot for it. In my work, it's Turner. I specifically have worked for years on not only chronic disease management but on issues like, um, mortality rates and premature birth. I think it's important, so I bring that experience, which I think is really critical to women. In addition to that, I do just want to address and it's just a This is a sad tragedy in this country, that since 1973 and the black community, you know, we've lost 62 million Children in this country to abortion, 40% from the black community. I'm very proud in this race to be a pro life, by the way that carries into the work that I do and my charity systems of care initiative because I care about kids. It's not just about babies, but it's about making sure that Children continue to be taken care of in this country, that they're ready for school, that they're ready for work. They're ready for life very important to me. The last thing that I just wanted to say and maybe we'll come back to it on minority entrepreneurship is that I think that we need to focus on management money in markets when it comes to management. We need to support minority businesses by making sure that if they haven't had previous business experience, that we're connecting them to a pipeline of experience when it comes to money. If there are individuals who are having a hard time obtaining loans, we need to shine a light on that have conversations with community banks. I mean, there are alternative credit scoring models. Time's up, Time's up. Time's up Time's itself, Shari. So your comments on the the question Yeah, this is a really a really good question. And you know what? You said Diversity, equity and inclusion. And when I think about what that means to me, I think about opportunity. And it's just like what I was talking about earlier. You know, my mom dedicated her life toe serving this country and being a public servant, you know, in her 20 years in the Army thio now the 20 years she's been at the Postal Service, and I think about how hard she worked and that I have now had the chance toe not only run for Congress but win a seat in Congress. And we need mawr opportunities for everybody in our community because every kid should have the same kind of opportunities I did. That starts with quality public education. And, you know, I know that so many of my opportunities have stemmed from that. We have to make sure that we're investing in public schools, and I would like to talk about how we can invest in early childhood education as well. I've been a huge proponent of investments in universal early childhood education. We also need to make sure that we're that everybody has access to affordable quality health care. And when I think about that and the issue that Mrs Atkins brought up of the black maternal mortality rate, an infant mortality rate, you know, some of this is why I was so proud to support the black Maternal Health caucus inthe eu s house. Uh, in their mom and bus Bill and I proposed my own bill in that package toe. Make sure that we're really getting the data because at the end of the day, we have to make sure that we really know how this is impacting our communities. And when I think about the opportunity that we have here, we really have an opportunity toe send a representative to Washington, D. C. That's gonna fight for opportunities for our entire community centuries. This next question is very applicable. What is going on in the world today? Well, in the United States in particular today. So this next question is this. What can the federal government do to change the distrust between African American, Hispanic, Native American and Asian communities? toward police departments. Amanda, thank you. I first just going back to the last question. I would like to remind this David's and I even worked for a company that focus on data science, that getting data is not changed. It actually requires it plan in a program and significant leadership beyond just the data data could take years to get people have a higher expectation of leadership, an impact which has been story of my career in politics, business and in the work that I've done in the community with regard to your question on safety and security. Here's what I would say about people here in in Kansas City. Most people choose to live here because there are high quality jobs and opportunity because we have a high quality education and because they value safety and security when it comes to safety and security. There are, you know, two things in the national dialogue that air so critical. Right now, we both have to value our police force, and we have to value the black community and support the black community. And, as you noted, the Hispanic and Asian community as well. So some quick comments on both Ah, first, unlike Miss Davis, I did sign the police pledge because I come from a career military family I married into one. I believe that that is public service that is noble, that should be supported, that our police force should be well funded, well trained, well staffed and well equipped. And I support that. It's by. The reason, by the way, is the reason why the sheriff of Johnson County shows to endorse me. By the way I would. Just in comparison. I did ask the sheriff, You know, how do you know when it comes to collaboration? Have you spent time with Miss Davidson? He said, Amanda, in two years, I have always spent 10 minutes with her on a zoom call That is not collaboration with the people who protect our community. And I think it's I think it's a pretty important distinction between the two of us. I mean, I've I've shared a quote from her previous, um, from a previous debate, that where she said that the police force is rooted in violence. I have a very, very different view, but it really does need to be a partnership that is rooted in trust. in this community because people do value safety. It's critical. Thank you to Reese. Would you like me to repeat the question, or do you still Can you repeat it? Okay. What can the federal government do to change the distrust between the um, African American, Hispanic, Native American and Asian American communities toward police departments? Yeah. So, you know, I think that first of all, we know that our country is going through what it has been a really difficulty and long overdue conversation about racial equality in this country. And, you know, this has been, frankly, I've had so many conversations with people who are in our community and also with law enforcement officials about what it looks like to build up trust amongst our communities and law enforcement. And I can tell you there's a couple of things that popped out, right? Right. As soon as I started having those conversations transparency and accountability and making sure that our police officers and law enforcement officials are not saddled with things that really shouldn't be part of their mission, like mental behavioral health crises or substance abuse issues. And, um, you know, it was after all those conversations that I had that I decided to support the George Floyd Justice and Policing Act, which has provisions in it to increase accountability, to increase transparency. And, you know, these are the kinds of things that I really through listening to our community. And that means everybody in our community, law enforcement, the folks who are part of often marginalized or disenfranchised communities. Um, that's how I become a better representative every single day. And it's what I'm committed to continuing to do on. Do you know I Just after the conversations I had to with law enforcement folks, I have, over time in my first term voted multiple times to make sure that our police force and law enforcement have the training. The resource is that they need Thio implement training Thio implement, uh, you know, to make sure that they can get access to the equipment that they need. And I'm gonna continue to do that. Okay, Jim, did you have a question for the candidates? Yes. Thats next question deals with immigration. What would your overall approach be to immigration enforcement on the U. S. Mexico border? Amanda, thank you very much. I first just want to recognize that I have an appreciation for people who seek to come to this country and want prosperity for themselves and for their families. It's the same thing that I want for myself and for my family. As a result of that, I do think the most important thing that we can do, I think immigration that we need a comprehensive solution to immigration and that most important, we need to focus on it as a workforce issue. I, you know, in doing that, it does actually matter that we also consider security at the border. A nation is not a nation without Borders and and in addition to that, clearly we have had security issues that our southern border. I believe in some instances it's it is important in urban areas to have a wall to have surveillance, um, in other parts of the border and at that stands in contrast to Miss David's who, you know, I want to support border agents. She historically said that we should defund ice, which is an important distinction between the two of us. But on the topic of workforce, which again I think is right at the center of all of it. We, as a country in partnership with business, need to consider all of the different jobs and industries where we have deficits today. What are the skills that we want that we desire is we're trying to build prosperity in this country as we bring people in. We either need to be looking for those skills or have a clear path to be able to train those individuals to help them come in and assimilate and be part of the American dream. So it's a it's really ultimately for me. It is about a comprehensive plan, a workforce issue, prosperity for the United States of America, helping people to come in, you know, and be part of it. But in a legal fashion, thank you. Okay. Shareece the same question on immigration. Well, first of all, I think it's important. Thio note that our immigration system is broken. You know, we, um certainly meet comprehensive. I'll add bipartisan immigration reform. Thio really have lasting change because, you know, I think that it's, um it's really part of what our country is about. It's about our values. It's about making sure that when people come here in search of opportunity and prosperity that they really have the chance to achieve that. And, you know, I think that one of the most unfortunate things that has happened over the last 40 years is that we have a president who, because he has such a chaotic approach to almost everything we've seen some things that we know cut against our values, separating parents from their Children. Um, you know, policies that really don't adhere to American values or Kansas values, Really. And when I talk about comprehensive bipartisan immigration reform, of course we need to have secure borders. We should be investing in technology that's gonna address things like human trafficking and drug trafficking. These aerial issues, Um, I I also think we need to make sure that we're efficiently and effectively using our resource is and a border wall is just not an efficient, effective use of our taxpayer dollars. We also need to make sure that certainly when we're talking about businesses right here in our district, we know that some of our technology jobs are seasonal jobs are really dependent on making sure that our immigration system is effective and efficient, and I have been working on making sure that that's exactly what we get. All right, good. Right on time. Everybody's keeping up with the two minutes there. That's good. Next question. Uh, sort of has to do with integration, but not really, But it's kind of a tangent on it because just come up in the news news before, So we thought we would ask it, uh, should Puerto Rico in Washington, D. C. B admitted to states to the union. Uh, my answer would be No, I don't I don't believe that they should. But I actually want to go back to a comment that Miss David's made previously. She keeps referencing and using the word bipartisan Miss David's. I can assure you that your Republican colleagues don't find you to be bipartisan, and it's really hard for that to be. The viewed is the case when you vote with Nancy Pelosi 97% of the time. By contrast, I would know, interestingly enough, and I do remember this because I've been involved, You know, as you know, in Republican politics for a long time here in the Kansas City region. If you go back to previous years, when we had Democratic Congressman Dennis Moore here region. Hey, actually did vote in a bipartisan manner part of the time. In fact, I went back and looked and he voted with Mike Pence when he served in the house about 36% of the time. That's a really big difference 97% of the time with Speaker Pelosi, who, by the way, in her in the most recent legislation, she's pushing a lot of people in this district view a lot of the policies that are being pushed his socialist. I mean, that is that is a pretty far cry from what freedom loving capitalists here in the Kansas City reaching believe? I mean, this district is very business driven its entrepreneurial. Uh, of course, people do care about driving families and education, but you know, people seek innovation and change on def. You're claiming bipartisan. It's really difficult to do that when you vote with Speaker Pelosi 97% of the time. Thanks, Sherrice. Your turn to comment. Or did you want a rebuttal? Well, I mean, yes, sir. Misleading partisan talking points. I have a clear record of bipartisanship. In fact, I can note a couple of bills that have been particularly proud to work on and vote to pass out of the House in a bipartisan way. First of all, the multiple coronavirus relief packages that we have passed, I would also point Thio the USMC A, which was a trade deal that has really broad implications for folks right here in Kansas. Whether we're talking about the agricultural sector are transportation and infrastructure were a major trade hub right here in this region. And then, you know I'll stop there because I think that that's plenty of rebuttal to the misleading partisan attacks we just heard. So the question is, do you think Puerto Rico in Washington, D. C. Should be admitted to the union? I have. I have been supportive of Washington D. C. Getting statehood, and I'll tell you why one of the principles when this country was founded we could go back to the Declaration of Independence is eyes having representation to our federal government and Washington, D. C. Is the seat off our federal government and our capital, Onda. With the number of people who live there. Certainly they should be able to cast their ballots, have those ballots counted, and that's a to me a principle that, frankly, this country was founded on. Okay, Jim, do you have a question for the candidates? Yes, I do. I'm going to leave, uh, the topic of immigration and turn to our economy. What do you see as the major business policy issue facing her society today? Amanda. Sure, I'd be happy to comment on that. So, as I mentioned when I made my opening comments earlier, everything that I do really is focused on outcomes and impact. And in this case, when it comes to the key and city community, you know I'm interested, You know, the outcomes an impact are thriving business quality of jobs and household income in general. And I did introduce last spring in the midst of the Cove in 19 Pandemic a Path prosperity plan which people confined it. Amanda Adkins, 2020 dot com. There are really three components to that. First, I think the part of economic growth is being fiscally responsible. We haven't talked about this yet, but many are probably aware that our federal debt is now at 26 $27 trillion which, on the backs of our Children equates to about $216,000. Congress has not done a good job of managing our money and and making overall cuts over time and again. That's on the backs of our kids. And it does worry me a lot. In addition to that, I have been a proponent for incentivizing and rewarding work. Some of the cove in 19 packages have focused heavily on incentivizing unemployment. That is a very distinct difference between Miss Davidson myself when it comes to incentivizing work, the conversations that I have had with small businesses in this community and largely been centered on the importance of limiting liability not only for businesses but for education institutions and health care institutions as well. And in addition, a lot of small businesses have told me that they would value the payroll tax holiday idea but specifically forgiveness of it for a very defined time period, because that would give both workers and businesses more money to invest and thio encourage them to focus on entrepreneurial endeavors. I think really important so and beyond that you know anything that I focused on based on who I am, because I come from a great innovation giant like Cerner. It is gonna be focused on innovation in the future. Not just the jobs that we seek to have today, but the jobs that we seek to have in this community 10 to 20 years from now. Very distinct differences. Especially when it comes to individuals and families keeping more of their hard earned money difference with Miss David's on that front. Yeah. Okay. Shareece. Would you like to address the question? Can you repeat the question? Yes. What do you see as the major business policy issue facing our society today? Thank you. You know, I m sorry I had to have you repeat the question, because I was, ah, little bit thrown off by Miss Atkins use of the phrase incentivizing unemployment. When when I think about the, like, the devastating impact that the coronavirus pandemic has had on on so many small businesses and frankly, big businesses. Um, you know, I just getting folks the relief that they need right now when people are feeling that anxiety that you get when you don't know if you're gonna be ableto pay your bills or put food on the table. Um, unemployment relief is really important for that. And you know when we passed that with the multiple multiple bipartisan coronavirus relief packages that we, uh, that we passed that the president signed. You know, I was proud to make sure that we got that relief that people needed on Ben. You know, the support for our small businesses. I think at the end of the day, right now, we need another bipartisan relief package. We need to make sure that our small businesses continue to have access to things like the paycheck protection program, which saved a lot of jobs right here in our district. And we also have to make sure that, you know, we get funding to state and local governments because, you know, that's that's how our firefighters, our teachers, our police forces get the money that they need to operate and keep people safe. And, um, you know anything to the contrary is, uh, it Z I'm shocked that Miss Atkins would call it incentivizing unemployment when so many people are out of work through literally no fault of their own. Okay, again, Another topic that I'm sure is gonna come up after the election November 3rd because it's been talked about for some time now. so we thought we'd at least get your opinions on it. And it's very important question because it was based on really, uh, the makeup of Congress and the makeup of our government. The question is, should the Electoral College be abolished? No, I'll start. Thank you for the question. Before I get to that, though, I would like to just comment very quickly on this. David's previous, um, previous comments. I just I just want to say that and I spent a lot of time with business because I work in business. And in the midst of Cova, 19 is I mentioned earlier. You know most most of my conversations that they were with business and family. Ah, lot of that anxiety was caused. The ball Craddick leadership in this region cut down, cut down and shut down business and the economy s Oh, that's that was the nexus. That was the reason for why it started. And I just want to share a really quick story. You know that many people know that the hospitality restaurant industry in particular has been harmed, probably more than any other in the midst of all this. And I had one restaurant business owner who said to me that Miss David's visited his restaurant and that he said he asked her to look at the books, begged her to look at the books, and she wouldn't do it. And there was never in a follow up there after, you know. And so the devastation Israel. But devastation has been caused by shutting down business in the economy, and I just I just want to be clear that that's what I hear from business leaders with regard to the Electoral College. No, I do not support. I mean, as as outlined by the Constitution. I do not support getting rid of the Electoral College largely because it was set up to give small states such as the State of Kansas a real voice in the national dialogue. And I don't want New York and California speaking for me. I know that maybe Miss Davis is okay with that, because that's where a lot of her contributions come from. But I want the voice of Kansas and the people who live right here in this district to shine through. So no, I do not support getting rid of the Electoral College. Thank you, Mr Davis. Thanks, Henry. You know, it's interesting the assumptions that my opponent is making. Um, I know the Electoral College has been a huge topic of conversation, and you're hearing from all kinds of folks about keeping it or getting rid of it. Ah, here's here's what I think about it. First of all, I recognize that people have been really frustrated with this to see ah popular vote go one way and the Electoral College go another way. Uh, you know, our district didn't vote for Donald Trump last time on DSO. I'm sure there's probably a lot of people in our district who have felt that frustration, but at the end of the day, a state like Kansas you know, with only a population of around three million people, the Electoral College is actually a really good way for our voice, a state to be included in the presidential election. And I think that that's Ah, I think the importance of a state like Kansas when it comes thio picking who our president is going to be is is really important. So you're saying no to abolishing the Electoral College, then correct? Jim, do you have a question just said todo, we're going to stay with the topic of the economy. This is somewhat similar to the earlier question, but maybe this will give you two more minutes each. Thio get into a little bit more detail. What would you support to encourage job growth and business expansion? Amanda? Sure. I'm happy to expand a bit on what was said earlier. So again, the most important request that I've heard from employers and I'll just restate the list at first, Limitation of liability. I mean, particularly in the crisis situation that we've been in. That was the number one issue that that has been shared with me consistently from business people. And just on the topic of, you know, what are the set of things that will actually help businesses to grow and to hire more people, which I think is really what this entire debate should be about right now. You know, a lot of a lot of employers have told me that they worry in this environment about risk. They worry about absenteeism, you know, clearly their workforces air changing. So I would be I And I am a huge believer and proponent of, you know finding ways to incentivize and support employers who are helping their workforce to gain new skills as we grow and continue to change. So that's just another area that you know, I think it is pretty important right now and again. I can't say it enough that the importance of allowing businesses and this is again a major distinction between Miss Davidson myself to keep mawr of the prophet the hard earned money that they are earning to be able to invest in this time period and to hire more people. It's just critical again. Investment. Saving entrepreneurial endeavors like those are the things that we should be encouraging right now if we really, truly seek to get our our economy roaring again, which is my goal? A zoo, a businesswoman in a long term leader related to the economy. Okay, Shareece, would you like to respond to the question, please? So there's a I mean, first of all, we are going to get on the other side of this pandemic. I know that we are, and although you know, we can't have a healthy economy without healthy people, and the pandemic is just, you know, obviously had just such devastating impacts on so many businesses on so many families on our education system. Um, you know, we have to make sure that we're thinking about our Children and our grandchildren, and there's a couple of ways that we can do that. First of all, in my role on the Small Business Committee, which I am super excited Thio serve on because I think every I think we can all agree entrepreneurship baked into the DNA of this place. Um, you know, I think that we have got to make sure that that companies have access to capital. We got to make sure that we're opening up opportunity for as many people as possible. It's part of why I've, you know, I drafted and passed out of the house. The Women Business Center uh Improvement Act. The Serve Act, which aims to help our veterans get access Thio get access to so many of the great programs that are available to them. And then the other thing that za broadly the other thing we have to do is make sure that we're revitalizing our manufacturing right here at home. And you know, that's why I drafted the Supplies Act because we cannot continue to be overly dependent on, particularly our medical supplies on countries like China. You know, we need to make sure that we're supporting our businesses that literally right here in the third District can start pivoting and, you know, manufacturing things like personal protective equipment and are testing supplies. And then I know I'm short on time. So I have to say, if we invest in infrastructure, we can definitely have a thriving economy when we're on the other side of this thing. Okay, next question is about business, but mawr concerned with, uh, real estate in the sense that we all know that there's more moratoriums issued about 15 people, and if you don't have a job, can't pay your rent. So this question is from the Heartland Apartment Association. It's rather long, so I'll be I'll read it to you really slowly. How would you address direct rental assistance to distress landlords, as well as protections for housing providers and lenders who have Marge's on rental properties? So I I'm happy to start here first. You know, I was happy to see that there's a more moratorium put for a period of time, you know, on eviction. You know, just in the midst of a crisis situation, you know, we want to make sure that people are are have homes, so they have food. I mean, that's clearly that's clearly critical right now, however again, as I said earlier, the most important way that we can address that is by getting this economy roaring again. The most important thing that we can do for individuals and families right now is to make sure that they have a job, that they have income. There's one thing that we haven't commented on just yet. Maybe we'll get to. But I'd like to go ahead and just referenced that. The other thing that I've heard from from families in this district is that you know, health care right now, particularly in the midst of Cove. It is a really important issue. I myself again, having worked in chronic disease management for 15 years, Cerner Corporation and having made a lot of decisions, is a mother for my own Children. I have spent a lot of time on the topic of affordable health care. I did actually really supplant again. It's on Amanda Adkins 2020 dot com. That's really focused on how we can make health care, uh, smarter, more transparent and more affordable in this great country in which we live. Smarter means. And this is my view is because of my experience that changing health care requires more of a local or community view. It's not a federal government view. We don't want bureaucrats in Washington making all these decisions for us. We want plans of programs that exists right here in the Kansas City community. And smarter means that an individual the most trusted relationship that they have, um, is and should be with their physician that they're aligned with their physician. They're getting coordinated care that there is transparency around the total cost of care. Um and that ultimately, when it comes to affordability that you know the most important again, this is a distinction between Miss Davidson myself that the individual and the family can make the decision. It really is about the individual in the family having the power in this country to make decisions for the good of, you know, there today and in the future. What's good for them? Sherrice, you want to beat Roma to repeat the question? Um No, I wrote down. I wrote down a little bit of notes about the what the actual question is Are we going to come to health care? Yes, because I'd like to actually talk about the moratorium coming up, and I was gonna ask a question about that question. OK, eso first of all, I I am also glad that we saw some moratoriums in place so that folks weren't getting evicted during what has been, um, just such a hard time. I mean, this is a, uh for folks not knowing if they're going to be able to pay their bills, stay in their homes. Um, this is something that literally it's we're in an unprecedented time right now. And, um, you know, part of the reason that I've been so proud Thio have worked on the multiple bipartisan coronavirus relief packages is because we were getting some some really helpful support to people who needed it right in the moment. And certainly there is more work to be done again. I think we need to have another bipartisan relief package, but I've had conversations with folks who are, you know, part of the lending institutions, credit unions and even utilities and so many of the folks that I've talked to, especially our community banks here, regional banks, uh, they took it upon themselves, some of them even before the federal government moratoriums that were in some of the bills that we passed to make sure that their customers and clients were not having undue pressure. And I think that's something that our community should be really proud of and a t end of the day. You know, we have to make sure that if we're gonna have a moratorium, whether it's on mortgages or utilities, that that that support is also there for our business community are lenders or credit unions. And, you know, I think that one of the one of the most effective ways we can do that is eyes making sure that the support is going into some of the funds that are available for people who are really struggling. Okay, Jim. Okay. It's the topic of health care, Aziz, you know, health care or is on the minds of a lot of lot of people. Therefore, what are your views on health care expansion? Amanda. Sure, I would just start by noting as shared earlier that I've worked for 15 years in healthcare specifically and chronic disease management, and I've made a lot of decisions related to health care for my own family, for my Children. As I think about their future on DSO, you know, I come to health care with that perspective in mind. Um, and again, as I noted earlier, I'm always going to look at it through the prism of putting the power and decision making in the hands of the individual in the family. You're asking, I believe, a question about expansion in general Medicaid expansion, I'm guessing. So I I absolutely the original intent of Medicaid Thio help to be a safety net and to help people who are disabled, pregnant women, Children. I absolutely do support the safety net. I do not support the expansion of Medicaid, and and it's for a simple reason because I don't support the expansion of government run health care. I don't want bureaucrats in charge of decisions that are being made and candidly. Specifically, when we look at Obama care is an example. Costs have skyrocketed in many instances, is a result of Obama care inclusive of here in the state of Kansas. You know, when it comes to individual rates, I know that it's this is very topical for people right now, because everybody is looking and thinking about the potential for the Supreme Court to overturn and say that Obama care is unconstitutional. Here's my pledge to everybody. If that were to be the case, first of all, I absolutely would stand up and protect people with preexisting conditions that comes from my experience, you know, again having worked and done a lot of working chronic disease management. So that is my pledge. In addition to that, for individuals that clearly have their plan and recovering through obamacare today, I would absolutely support some subsidies going to the state level because I do believe that state government is in a better position to make decisions on plan design because they know the risks of their population and they make they make decisions about vulnerabilities. I think that's important as well. Miss David's has historically said that she supports Obamacare and on the campaign trail Medicare for all. I would just remind everybody that the overall cost for that is, um in the trillions potentially trillions of dollars and that is direct money, direct increases in taxes that would have to be paid by all of you. So we need a better answer. And now is the time to be thinking through what that better answer is. Okay. Sure. Race. Would you like to address the question? Yeah. Thank you. Um, so I guess I'll start by just addressing my opponent eyes either confused or misinformed. I don't I have not been a proponent of Medicare for all. Um, I do support or Medicaid expansion asked Right now, in the midst of a global pandemic where folks are, um, scared for their health and their well being and that of their families and loved ones. Um, it's really important that people have access to quality, affordable health care. And that's exactly what I've been fighting for. It's what I've been pushing for since, uh, before I took office. And now that I'm in office, I've been proud to vote on dozens of bills that would bring down the cost of health care or premiums, deductibles. And then I've also had the chance to vote on making sure that we can bring down the cost of prescription drugs by by allowing Medicare toe to negotiate prescription drug prices. Um, when? When it comes to Medicaid expansion, though, I just I feel like it's really important to note a couple of things. First of all are Republican led state legislature. Not that long ago voted toe expand Medicaid. And then former Governor Sam Brownback vetoed that. Eso. I guess I'm not surprised that Mrs Atkins doesn't support Medicaid expansion. But what we're talking about is bringing back the dollars that are citizens from Kansas or sending to D. C. And at the end of the day, that's exactly the kind of thing that the folks here want their representative doing is making sure that we're getting all the investments back into our community, as we possibly can on when it comes to Medicaid expansion. We're talking about getting upto 150,000 mawr Kansans access to health care and in a pandemic. It could not be more important than right now for that to happen. Okay, You got that? Uh, this next topic, I'm quite sure after November 3rd is gonna be talked about it being talked about now. And so we want to get you to on the record is your position. And the question is, should the Supreme Court be packed by adding more judges as President Roosevelt tried to do? Amanda. Yes, thank you. I'll give a simple answer here. No, the Supreme Court should not be packed, and it won't surprise Miss David's or others who are watching that. I'm highly disappointed that Joe Biden has failed to be transparent in his view on that topic, although we already know what the answer is and or share people who would be on his list. Um, it's possible nominees in the future. However, I do just want to go back to some previous comments that Miss David's made about health care on. I'm gonna make a simple statement here. Um, insurance card. A government issue insurance card does not equate to access to care at all, in fact, because I've spent 15 plus years working in health care in this region and across the United States, and all of my work has been centered on improving health and on cutting costs in health care to make it more affordable. Here's what I'd say. The Onley way that you could do those things is by putting in place smarter care, making costs more transparent and ultimately, as a result, more affordable. Smarter again requires that we have enough providers in the first place to be able to provide care for individuals, that the individuals are aligned with those providers, that they have a plan for help. That care is that those providers air incentivized to coordinate care. In addition, that there is full transparency on total cost of care as part of a plan of program. Those air things that are absolutely critical and the only place in this country where I've seen that done really, really well is when we have provider sponsored plans, which means that the providers themselves have chosen to offer to a community again. Healthcare is local plan. There is a big difference between community led approaches that have put providers in a leadership position, in alignment with individuals and families, versus the federal government, making all the decisions. It's pure bureaucracy. And again, I'm for putting the decision making in the hands of individuals and families in partnership with providers, all with an eye toward cutting costs and improving health in our great community and country. Okay, Theresa Supreme Court beep actors Roosevelt tried to do. Thanks for the question. Eso first of all, e feel like I have Thio acknowledge Just I mean, I was heartbroken when I saw that Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg passed away for so many reasons. I mean, she was clearly an icon in our country. She dedicated her career to fighting for equality and equal justice under the law. And then, you know, if somebody who got the chance to go to law school it was particularly, um, just it was heartbreaking, you know, And the Supreme Court. I mean, the role of a Supreme Court justice is so important there. They hear everything from access cases about our access to health care. You know, the Trump Administration is right now has been trying toe rip away healthcare for millions of people, and the Supreme Court is going to hear a case about that. That's a really important decision. It's also, you know, goes to everything like voting rights and, um, just if people are gonna be treated equally under the law and my expectation around all of these decisions is that you know, they will be treated with the care and diligence that's required. Um You know, I'll say on its face, I I don't think it's a good idea to expand the Supreme Court. Okay, Jim, do you have a question? We have about five minutes left. Yes, I was going to ask that. Did you want me to go ahead and proceed? Then when asked this question? Uh, yes, maybe we can. Well, ladies, we were going to give you time. Thio speak at the end of session. So with five minutes left, maybe might not be able to do that. Just take your time to give party messages to the attendees here. So let's just just just go thio that, uh, manner you'll be first because you got going to the corn flip and shrieks. You'll be second. So let's tell the audience what you want them to remember about this debate. Thank you so much. Well, again, I just want to say, as noted earlier, that I'm unbelievably appreciative that the CPI, the Latino network and Latino leadership posted this debate. Um, I've been waiting in thio debate. Miss David was for quite some time. So it's good for the voters to finally hear both of us and to be able to compare where we stand, both philosophically and in terms of our ideas. As I said when I opened up were in a critical time period, this country is that a major major turning point? Eso the emotions air high stakes are high. I know from this community right here in Kansas City that people and I know this because I've spent time with their doorstep are most concerned about the economy. They're concerned about jobs. They're concerned about affordability and healthcare. They're concerned about high quality health care, and they're concerned about safety and security. As I mentioned earlier, I bring to the table significant experience in both business and in health care and a career that has been very, very high impact and focused on getting results for the individual in the family. My opponent doesn't have significant experience in either of those areas. In addition, I just wanna leave folks with a parting thought here. Miss David's continues to share that she is bipartisan, but I would just remind you again that she votes consistently with Speaker Pelosi 97% of the time. Again, I'm going to say 97% of the time, Uh, tomorrow I celebrate my 21st wedding anniversary with my husband, and I can share with everybody that I don't agree with my own husband nineties for 7% of the time. So that says something significant about her belief system and where her loyalty and allegiance is. I chose to raise my Children here. I chose to build my business career here. I'm again honored. I'm Amanda Adkins. I'm honored to be your Republican nominee, and I ask for your vote. Thank you, Suresh. A closing statement, please. Well, first out say thank you to our moderators, Henry and Jim, and also to everybody who worked so hard to make this debate happened. You know, we're in the face of this pandemic, but American democracy is moving ahead on y'all are making that happen. So I appreciate it and you know, to close. I would just say that right now, our country is in the middle of an incredibly difficult time. You know, we're going through a global pandemic that has not treated all communities equally. And we're finally having a long overdue conversation about racial equality in America. And even though that discussion was spurred on by injustice and and tragedy. I'm grateful that it's happening, and right now we have a chance toe change our country for the better and toe move toward that more perfect union and cantons. And people across the country have been raising their voices demanding change because that's exactly what this moment calls for and then everybody at home. You have a clear choice in this election between somebody who embraces Donald Trump and his brand of politics on somebody who knows that we can do better between somebody who champion and have failed around back tax experiment that got it, our tools and someone who fought against him between somebody who supports dismantling the Affordable Care act and its protections for folks with pre existing conditions and someone who's gonna fight every single day to keep those protections in place and make health care more affordable. You deserve a representative that's going to stand up for your values, for our communities values and not someone who's trying toe resurrect Sam Brownback's agenda. I'm running for Congress to move us forward. I'm sure you save its and I'll be proud there in your vote. One last question that is a not particularly about the issue to debate. But we want to do this again in two years. So which every one of you wins? We'd like to know where you have another debate with us at the end of your two years. Will you consent to that? When you agree to that, I make that commitment today. Okay, Then we hope ties will be different and we can do it in person. Public. The public needs to be involved like that. And there again, we can't thank you enough for consenting to be in the debate with us. We appreciate it. Those attendees who listen to it we grabbed you tuned in. And we hope that everyone has a clear, clearer idea of now of the candidates involved in the third District election. Thank you, everyone. And we appreciate your time.