Demings and Rubio Clash on Abortion, Gun Control and Climate Change During Debate
WEST PALM BEACH (FLV) – Republican U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio and Democrat U.S. Rep. Val Demings faced off in their first and only debate Tuesday night as they battle for a U.S. Senate seat in the upcoming Nov. 8 election.
Rubio and Demings clashed over abortion, gun control, inflation and disaster recovery, among other issues.
Climate Change
WPBF evening news anchor Todd McDermott kicked off the debate by asking a question related to Hurricane Ian.
“What federal action is needed to protect Florida from sea levels predicted to rise a foot or more in less than 30 years, while more frequent monster storms threaten our lives and livelihoods?” said McDermott.
Demings responded by saying, “we have got to get serious about climate change,” and said the federal government needs to make sure FEMA has the resources it needs to adequately respond.
Rubio said last week he outlined a specific preliminary plan on things that he believes they need help on and pointed to emergency response and long-term recovery.
Abortion Ban
McDermott asked Rubio, “If your vote can make a federal abortion ban, with no exceptions – the law of the land, will you vote yes?”
Rubio said he believes innocent human life is worthy of the protection of our laws. He noted that every [abortion] bill he voted for or sponsored has exceptions.
“The extremist on abortion in this campaign is Congresswoman Demings. She supports no restrictions, no limitations of any kind. She’s against the fourth-month ban, she voted against the five-month ban. She supports taxpayer funded abortion, on demand, for any reason, at any time, up until the moment of birth.”
U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio
Rubio is notably “100% pro-life,” and Demings “supports a woman’s right to choose up until the time of viability.”
Demings fired back at Rubio and said decisions are made between the woman, her family, her doctor, and her faith.
“No, Senator, I don’t think it’s ok for a 10-year-old girl to be raped and have to carry the seed of her rapist,” Demings said.
Gun Control
When asked if he would support a federal law banning the sale of AR-Style rifles to people under 21, Rubio says the law doesn’t work.
Rubio noted he sponsored a bi-partisan red flag law that allows law enforcement to go before a judge to allow someone’s gun to be taken away.
Demings responded by saying Rubio has done nothing to address gun violence and help to get dangerous weapons out of the hands of dangerous people.
“Our primary responsibility is the safety of Floridians and senator, 24 years in elected office and you have not yet risen to that occasion and then when asked about it you say something that makes no sense,” Demings said.
34 of 100 Senate seats are up for grabs this November. Those elected will begin a 6-year term starting in January 2023.
