CORPUS CHRISTI — The three candidates for the 27th District Congressional District sparred on health care, money earmarked for projects in the district and border security in their first face-to-face meeting Tuesday.Republican candidate Blake Farenthold and Libertarian candidate Ed Mishou said during a live debate on KIII-TV they want to revamp the health care bill passed in the last congressional session.
“There are tons of hidden, problem areas in health care reform,” Mishou said. “What we got was government controlled.” He said that changes to the bill should be done in small increments rather than trying to scrap the plan altogether.
Farenthold said that Texas already had legislation necessary to provide health care, including care for those with pre-existing medical conditions.
“It’s an issue best handled individually by the states,” he said.
He said it is imperative for Congress to either repeal or not fund the bill, adding that it creates an unnecessary burden for employers.
Rep. Solomon P. Ortiz, a Democrat seeking a 14th term, defended the bill he voted for, saying it extends coverage to America’s 30 million uninsured citizens, including almost 300,000 uninsured residents of the 27th District.
“I came from a migrant family,” he said. “I know what it is to feel the pain because you can’t go to see the doctor because you don’t have insurance.”
The three men split on the topic of legislative earmarks, a tool lawmakers use to direct federal funds to specific local projects, with Ortiz being the lone proponent of the process.
“I rank sixth in congress in the number of earmarks and that is something I am proud of,” Ortiz said. “They are a necessity for this district.”
Mishou called earmarks a corruption of the system driven by special interests. Farenthold did not address his stance on the issue, instead asking Ortiz to defend his record.
All three agreed that border security is a pressing issue, but varied in their approach.
Ortiz noted that he helped secure an unmanned surveillance drone now operating out of Naval Air Station Corpus Christi as well as passing a $600 million border security bill that includes funding for an additional 1,500 border patrol agents.
In addressing drug trade and associated violence, Ortiz said harsher penalties are needed for drug traffickers and users because as long as there is demand there will be drugs. Farenthold said Border Patrol agents are hamstrung by political correctness and a fluid immigration situation.
“We need to change the rules of engagement,” he said. “I agree that we need more border patrol but we’ve also got to talk about immigration reform.”
Mishou said immigration reform and border security should be handled as separate issues.
“There is no silver bullet,” he said. “But we do need to enforce the immigration laws we have and secure the border.”