Immigration, Medicaid, climate top Idaho congressional candidate debate

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Immigration, health care, and the environment highlighted Monday’s debate between the two candidates vying to represent Idaho’s 1st Congressional District.

During the Idaho Public Television debate, Republican Russ Fulcher and Democrat Cristina McNeil were pressed on immigration, particularly in light of a caravan of about 3,500 migrants moving slowly north through Mexico toward the U.S. border.

McNeil said the United States needs to take a humanitarian approach to asylum seekers, welcoming them, and allowing them to go through the legal asylum application process without being separated from their families.

Fulcher said he doesn’t oppose the asylum application process but said he is suspicious about a caravan of immigrants currently heading toward the U.S. border because it’s happening so close to the midterm elections. He didn’t elaborate on his reasoning. Fulcher did say the process for legal immigration should be made easier, in part by reducing costs and making immigration or citizenship classes more accessible.

Neither candidate spoke in favor of stricter gun control, but both said access to mental health care needed to be improved. Still, they differed on how to provide that care, with McNeil advocating for Medicaid expansion and Fulcher favoring steps such as increased health care savings accounts and health club memberships.

Asked about climate change, Fulcher said he believes “in the cycle that’s happened since the beginning of time,” and said wildfires in Idaho and other states are a significant contributor of carbon emissions.

McNeil said voters need to know that President Donald Trump’s administration is preparing to reverse dozens of environmental rules and regulations that she said protect the food people eat and the air they breathe. (AP)

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