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>> democrat representative rob rob menendez faces primary challenger, they offer their positions on the economy, foreign aid and us relations with cuba. voters will decide in early june which candidate moves to the general election. this is courtesy of the new jersey globe. it is about an hour. >> welcome to new jersey debate night. i'm lara jones and this is the first debate between the democratic candidates for the us house of representatives from new jersey's eighth congressional district between the incumbent, congressman rob menendez and robbie boa. this is presented by the new jersey globe and riders university. a panelist, david wildesteiner the new jersey globe, michael raz mucin at rider university and joey fox, congressional correspondent for the new jersey globe. we conducted a virtual coin toss before the start of the debate.

robbie boa will have the first statement. mayor, over to you. mayor, can you hear us? okay. we are going to work on that audio issue and we will let the opening statement now go to congressman rob menendez. can you hear me? menendez: i can. can you hear me? >> moderator: the floor is yours, you have 90 seconds for your opening statement. 's menendez: my name is rob menendez and i have a distinct honor out running this district. i raised my hand to represent this incredible place and go down to washington to fight for you and your family every single day and that is exactly what i have done. in washington i am standing up to mag extremists, fighting for a woman's right to choose,

fighting for access to contraception no matter where in this country you live. i'm fighting to end the scourge of gun violence that has existed in our communities and schools far too long. i'm standing up for our immigrant community. 40% of the people that live here were born outside this country and i stand tall every single day. when republicans came for our trans youth i stood up against and stood up for our brothers and sisters. we solve 1500 cases for our residents most of which are immigration related. we reunited families from as far away as afghanistan. we brought back $11 billion in infrastructure funding for the gateway program for the northeast corridor, brought back money for environmental justice grants and making sure we have greener communities for all our residents. my opponent is not going to talk about any of that. is going to talk about one person and one person only and that is my father. i'm sure we will address that this evening. i will tell you who i am and

what i am about. i am about results over rhetoric, solutions over soundbites, putting people over politics, making sure we deliver for our families every single day. that is who i am and what i am about an i'm fighting for you. >> moderator: now we go to the mayor. can you hear us now? over to you for your opening statement? boa: i'm the mayor of hoboken and it is my honor to join you here tonight as a candidate for u.s. congress for the eighth congressional district of new jersey. i was born and raised here in new jersey, from humble roots. when my dad first came to the united states he lived in a trailer park in the middle of pennsylvania. my brother and i in west pass,

new jersey, and look how much america had to offer. my father, a scientist and inventor started a small business in new jersey and i'm proud to say that he has delivered the american dream. i worked as a civil rights attorney against us, nation given a voice to people who have often been left voiceless. as a city council mayor, i know what it takes to get things done. investing in public safety, making sure people are innovating, to tackle flooding and climate change, i am proud of what we've accomplished together. as a member of the united states congress i will continue my lifelong work against hate and discover nation while delivering results for new jersey working families. if that means standing up to donald trump and the mag

republicans, to protect abortion rights, building coalitions to fight climate change, you will know where i stand. it is the same place i always stood before. doing this work fighting for new jersey families and i will be honored to have your votes. >> thank you for your opening statement. let me get to our panel. david wildesign, you get the first question that goes to rob menendez. >> let's start with the upper level into the room, the indictment of your father, senator bob mendez. this is been a difficult year for you. i'm certain that you love your father very much, but you have read and heard the same allegations your constituents have. you have said you believe in the presumption of innocence

but when democrats are holding a precarious majority in the senate, and your father about to miss two months of votes while he is on trial is it in the best interests of your district and your constituents that he resign right now? menendez: it has been a challenging couple of months, it's challenging when you have someone who is going through a difficult set of circumstances. as you mentioned there is the presumption of innocence. people have the right to mount a full defense for anything they been charged of, something we all believe in and agree upon and he continues to do the work in the senate, the decisions he has to make he will make. we are focused on our race and doing the work of the residents of the eighth congressional district which we been so focused on this from the time we took office, we are obsessive about serving our constituents and when you look at our track record, you will

see that we've delivered every single day. we saw 1500 cases of damage for people in the district, that is what i want to focus on and talk about this evening. >> moderator: you have a minute to respond. boa: the elephant in the room, the congressman is not to blame for what his father's alleged to have done but i'm concerned as a resident of a district that the congressman himself is not concerned about the fact that his father is being accused of being a foreign agent for the government of egypt. i think it also concerns me that he doesn't seem bothered by the fact that his father and donald trump might have access to classified information. i think it is concerning the the congressman has not even

endorsed andy kim for u.s. senate because his father may run as an independent. when the senate is at balance, control of the senators at balance and reproductive rights and these issues are in balance. it's concerning that he voted not to expel george santos. is fundamentally compromise to serve in congress in my opinion. >> i will give you 30 seconds to respond to that. >> there's a lot to respond to including inaccuracies which i did vote to expel george santos. first time the committee had not finished their investigation but once they had i voted to expel. you can quickly dismiss that as you will be able to dismiss many things robby says this evening. but listen, the overwhelming majority of individuals who i encounter understand there is a unique dynamic, a challenging

dynamic and i'm thankful people have shown me the grace, including my colleagues who are supporting my reelection, folks in the community who are supporting our reelection, the labor unions who are supporting our reelection. if you look at the entire universe of people who are part of the district, they support me, they trust me and they know that i will continue to for them every day since i've taken office. >> back to our panel. michael read mucin, you have the next question. >> as you know, control of the house and control of the white house in november's election is extremely close, very close election as most of them are of the last couple of cycles so how does your approach change, whether biden or trump is in the white house, whether you are in the majority or the minority youth?

boa: my first act as mayor of hoboken was to declare hoboken a welcoming community for all. that was in 2018, a response to attacks by donald trump on our country's freedoms so that no matter who you are or where you come from or your immigration status, you have rights under the law. we have to be sure we are back against trump if he is elected. if we have president biden, if we remain in control of the house we can move the country forward and have a mayor who knows how to get things done. congress can use more mayors in office or people with experience as a mayor because of local challenges, not

discuss theories into academics but find problems, not challenges. washington needs mayors. >> moderator: you have a minute to respond. menendez: thank you for that question. right now democrats are in the minority in the house and in our short time in office we've proven we know how to deliver no matter what the circumstances are. we brought back $11 billion for critical infrastructure. we've been productive even though we've been in the minority. let me tell you how we would take our experience if trump were to be elected. one is we stand up to mag extremist every day in washington. we have the privilege of sitting on the committee of homeland security, we stood up to hr 2 which was there inhumane border bill that would have led to the deaths of individuals on american soil. when that came through our committee we stood up every opportunity we had. when they try to impeach secretary mayorkas we stood up against amag extremist. we have a track record of standing up donald trump

acolytes in washington, that the experience we will bring back when we are reelected. >> moderator: question to joey fox to mr. rob menendez. >> thanks to the federal courts this year will be the first year in a long time in new jersey the democratic primary ballots will be organized by office rather than party endorsement. a huge point of discussion this year. do you think this federal judge made the right call in striking down the county line? >> we've been consistent on this issue that the voters of the eighth congressional district will decide with their representatives will be no matter what the about construct is. i'm excited about this new phase we are in. i'm excited that we have this opportunity to show that the support we had in 2022 is going to be replicated in 2024 regardless of what the ballot

construct is and i am excited about something like that. at the end of the day we will put forward our track record of delivering. every conversation we have with people in the district they are excited about the work we are doing, excited that they have someone bringing this youthful energy to washington to fight for them, to fight for our values and possibly that will lead to a left oral success. that is what will prove on june 4th and i'm excited about that. >> moderator: you have a minute respond. bhalla: the difference between me and rob menendez, this is one of them. he avoided answering the question. i was out there on the front lines coming in court litigations to abolish the line because it was unconstitutional according to a federal judge and we all know it is inherently undemocratic. rob menendez was silent and is still silent.

i file an amicus brief to fight to abolish the line, because they have a high success on the merits. where was robert bhalla: -- where was rob menendez? his part of the machine we are trying to reform and make more democratic? i answer to the people of the district. he answers to the party process. that the fundamental difference. voters need to take into account when they consider who to cast a ballot on june 4th. >> 30 seconds to respond to that. >> i may need more than 30 seconds. i have to read back a quote, once the idea of abolishing the line, wasn't just a pie-in-the-sky idea, i stood up and spoke out. that's not leadership. that's not saying you've been on the right side of this issue your entire career you know you haven't. you called every single party

leader when you decided to run for this office and you saw the line. you admitted to that in the same business insider article, there are true individuals who have been fighting for the abolishment of the line, people like tiffany fisher and frankie omar in jersey city. you are not one of those people who is credible on this issue. given your hypocrisy on this issue. >> 15 seconds to respond before we move on. >> you said i haven't called for the abolishment of the line and you still haven't taken a position. whether it is somebody never tiffany or anyone else calling for the abolishment of the line. i filed paperwork in the appeals court and you did not, you stayed silent because this antidemocratic system benefits you. >> you pivoted once the system you benefited, john allen is in the assembly because you -- you

benefited, you use for your benefit of someone like your former chief of staff and good friend john allen. are a hypocrite on this issue. instead of trying to take credit for you should acknowledge you saw the line of those party leaders, now you are tasking in a negative light, that would be more honest but i don't think people in your congressional district and expect honesty from you on this issue. >> final 10 seconds before we move on but go ahead. menendez: where were you when the obligation was wide? time to take a stand, you were silent, i spoke out. >> moderator: we will continue with our panel discussion. david wildenstein, the next question. ..david: mr. menendez has made your own issue -- your own ethics and issue in this campaign, criticized you for being censored by the new jersey supreme court for unethical

behavior as an attorney in the loss of your law license in new york. what happened to that got you in trouble what happened the catch with trouble and how can voters be certain that you will not miss an ethical life in the future if you service their congressman? >> yes, the congressman is trying to make what amounts to a payroll dispute 16 years ago that was resolved amicably and do something that is nothing to do with my track record as mayor. that was resolved.ay i took ownership of mistakes 16 years ago. what that doesn't show is my lifelong track record as a professional in the area of civilof rights law where i've gained national recognition. it doesn't take into account the fact that serve as an advocate attorney for the city fighting against wrongful evictions of people and slumlord conditions

of tenants. it doesn't take into account these accomplish that i earned as an attorney. and what really also concerned thing is that they congressman is talking about paperwork errors 16 years ago and he is concerned about that but he's not concerned about the fact that his father is being accused of being an agent for the egyptian government. he's not concerned about the fact he's risking the balance of the senate by failing to address andy can when reproductive rights are at issue. these are concerning things that the congressman is fundamentally conflicted on. limit talk about his father shows he is conflicted because he will not take a stance on the sudden the patient. >> yougov one minute to respond. >> first of all cities mentioned this twice there's three t.s candidates running for the united states senate. and he is a front runner the three people running. i've not endorsese any candidat, it's off the point.

listen, i encourage every resident of the district, you don't have to listen to me or his spent on it, just google it. just read the decisions yourself. and what both the disciplinary courts in york in new jersey said about his behavior. that's not me saying and trying to get an issue where there is none. i am just polling pullil documents that describe his unethical behavior. that's all i'm doing. i'm highlighting it for the residents of the eighth congressional district. you may not believe me or be sure about his answer. just go read for yourself and ask yourself if that's somewhat you want to put in in a posin where they have to go advocate for you and fight for you every day or what do you trust someone who is done the work, who has delivered for you. that's the question people need to enter but they should look at the opinion for t them self. there's no spent my part. >> would you like 30 seconds to respond? >> i think the record speaks for itself. i have over 16 years of public service where hoboken was at

junk-bond status rating when i first came in office. we are double a+. we have gained national recognition on adding safe streets, , not a single traffic fidel in seven years. we areff an internationally -- climate action. a delegation from japan, england, australia, israel, you name it come to hoboken to see what we're doing to fight climateng change. we are also ranked as one of the best city to living in the country. these are earned accomplishment that matter, not payroll errors made 16 yearsat ago. you keep talking and distracting the voters about that but we should be talk about issues that matter in this race and our accomplishments on the record. >> look at my conscience as a sitting member of the house of representatives. >> congressman, the super rich control more of america's wealth than he did during the robber

baron era. what does a compulsive need to look like and specifically would you support a billionaires tax with a higher effective rate than the working-class? >> so listen we need our economy to work for working families. those are the folks who drive our economy who we rely on in every segment of our economy and we see it in childcare, in housing, across every single sector. we need an economy that works more for working families come more for middle-class families. that's what offers that we introduce was a working families task force act to bring whole of government approach to figure at the challenges working families are facing right now. that was our first bill. everyday we think about the challenges families are facing, the affordability challenges the folks are facing. that's why we cosponsored the most significant piece of housing legislation that maxine waters introduced. about solutions for every single working family. absolutely part of the congress

obligation is to think of how we do two things, raise revenue and appropriately spend money. how we raise revenue we need to think about the wealthiest 1% and the obligations they have to pay more into our reserve so we can benefitd and uplift working families. absolutely something i would consider. >> mayor cownie one minute to respond. >> that's the exact problem that congress. they keep think about what they're doing and thinking about what they're doing and thinking about what they're doing and thinking about what they're doing. as an mayor i've actually got to get stuff done. we have got stuff done. talk about affordability. we have gone after landlords who raised rents in unconscionable ways, 20%, 30% in one year. we put those landlords under rent control. when there is an unconscionable increase i've taken landlords to federal court to stop and

protect tenants. so affordability yes is an issue whether it's healthcare, housing, whether it's a living wage. as as a mayor i've had to do wh these challenges head-on and find real solutions while congress keeps on w talking abot these bills and talk but what they want to do. we need more mayors in washington because we know how to gete things done. >> our next question is from jelly to mayor bhalla. >> be very blunt. mayor, if you win this majority hispanic district it will probably mean new jersey will be without hispanic member of congressth for the first time since 1990s. how we go about making sure that oftentimes underrepresented community will feel engaged and represented in the democratic process? >> thank you. i've already started that process. representation matters. as a mayor i have elevated

latino, hispanic employees to executive and departmental level positions. our dpw director is a latina woman. our director climate action innovation is a latina woman. our city engineer is a latina woman, and director of recreation is latina. i have done real things to elevate the latino community within my administration. within the district i agree they are a marginalized minority that deserves to be uplifted. i don't make distinction between people who are on the sidelines, whether they are latino, asian, african american, or myself the first sikh american and u.s. congress and the united states history. i think that also counts for something. representation rep. the matter to me and my community and i consider the latino community part of my community because at the end of the day one community in the

eighth congressional district. >> congressman menendez overdue. >> one, thus no longer latina and the seller represent this there because of ravi's decision. i think he said latinas on the sidelines. that's not the way i view this district. everyone that lives in the eighth congressional district is the core of who we are troubled have to represent in washington. i'm proud to be part of the largest class of the congressional hispanic caucus, proud to serve in a leadership role as cochair of our immigration task force. but these are the stories i take with me. my grandparents emigrated here from cuba and planted their american roots. so many people start the american store here. that's what i love representing this district with every fiber of my being. i love taking these toys with me to washington and having them sent to mean everything we do. this is what america looks like. this is who we can be if we foster inclusive communities which is what we've done here in the eighth congressional

district. i bring the stories and the success with me to washington and that's what i love this fight and loved getting to represent this incredible district. >> do you have a follow-up article to go ahead with the student question? >> it would be great to the weather not candidates are g gog to raise tax on billionaires. >> sure. to the extent that we need to fund certain things, especially medicare for all which i support my opponent does not, we need to make sure that we stop this trend of the rich getting richer and the middle-class and working families being left behind. so any tax on the wealthiest of the wealthy to support social programs for the underserved and underrepresented, a a billions tax, is fair game answer is something i would support.

>> over to mr. menendez. >> yeah, i think i answered it the first time. absolutely saying we would consider in the work we've done has been about uplifting working middle-class families. robbie said people in washington inc., think him think. the rally of fact were in the minority. the ideas were going to pass billionaires tax this congress is not a reality. we focus on what we can get done. that's exactly what we don't doa time in office, bringing resources back to the eighth congressional district, environmental justice branch of the city of elizabeth. we done incredible work in the minority i just be realistic. when we take back the the he should have that conversation billionaires tax. we fund programs that benefit are working and middle-class families. >> we have a question from a student at writer university. that was the first to rob menendez. >> my question is, who should

determine where the line is between the first amendment right to freedom of speech and protest? judges, colleges or universities administration? thank you. >> congressman, to you for. >> i appreciate that time the question. obviously we are seeing what's going on around college campuses. we have to protect the first amendment, have to ensure were fostering environments on campus were people collect they can exercise the first amendment right, have these typical conversations we're having so a many of them right now. wewe also need to make sure we e creating safe environment for all of our students. it's been a challenge for a lot of campuses. you are of the universities that have had success on this issue. first we need to make sure we are protecting all of our students while we simultaneously protect the first amendment rights. i believe that is the obligation of administration of college or university administration to create that environment. it's critically important to make sure they are doing that across the country.

>> mayor bhalla, over to you. >> it's not up to the judge remember close to take the nose in the business of university. it's on the university leadership to make sure that universities are safe spaces for all, where people have the right teto protest, were people of the right to exerciseth the first amendment right to free speech, and will have the right not to be harassed and subjected to anti-semitism or islamophobia. universities should be a safe space. there are rules and regulations governing the conduct of individuals on campuses, and it's on the administrators, , te leadership of those universities make sure that those rules are followed consistent with our rights as american citizens. >> okay. we will go back to work panel and bring up david wildstein who is a question for mayor bhalla.

>> mayor, this is you have the right to defend itself? and does the united states have an obligation to defend israel as it would do for any of our allies are under attack, whether by another nation or by a terroristte group? and the third part of this questionti is, how should the vt community needs and gazan and for the hostages be met? >> israel has an absolute right to defend itself. america should support israel and its right to defend itself. there needs to be unfettered access of humanitarian aid in the gaza strip. we are in a situation now where after october 7, nothing like that, nothing like that has happened to the jewish people since theto holocaust. that was something that would

never and should never be forgotten and should never happen again. at the same time we need to encourage our friends in israel to i exercise restraint in the response to those attacks. aware of the fact that those responses at times have been inconsistent with our values as americans. we need to also speak out about that. i support a negotiated ceasefire that includes the release of all hostages and unfettered access to humanitarian aid into the gaza strip. i think we need to move forward into a phase where we can realize a two-state solution that recognizes israel's pre-existing right to exist as well as the right of an independent palestinian state with equal footing as israel, jordan, lebanon and egypt. >> congressman, over to you. >> yes, israel has a right to

defend itself. yes, israel is an ally of the united states. they are what ever most important strategic partners. that's what i was proud to vote for theou aid package that supported our ally while also surging humanitarian aid to so many regions that are in need of that aid including gaza. this is an issue that is critically important. we have to continue to navigate and continue toic move forward because the reality is no one wants to see what's happening today occur for one day longer. we need to continue to work with all of our allies, all of our partners, try to move out of the phase were in so we can start rebuilding to future that looks much different than what we're seeing today.g when netanyahu said that a two-state solution wasn't a viable option, we spoke out against that and will continue to. we need to build a foundation for which we can develop an idea of what a long-term peaceful solution that's durable everything looks like. that's incumbent upon all of us and we're committed to that wor

work. >> closer related, what is your view of what the criteria should be for when the united states should give federal aid or withhold it? unsought, foreign aid, i apologize. >> we live in an extremely complicated world right now. when i announced i was running for congress in 2022 on a few months thereafter russia invaded ukraine. we have china posturing in the red sea. we have an aggressive iran using proxies across the globe to attack our allies. first we need to make sure we are supporting our allies. make sure we'reou standing strog and send a clear vision message that we will not abandon our allies and we are in this with them to ensure we have a safer future for allll of our global citizens. to ensure we are beating back

authority and regimes, to make sure we arere uplifting democrac values across the globe. these are complicated times. these are difficult conversations that we do have an obligation to be clear to our allies that we are here, we will stand strong with them, we will notil back down to someone like vladimir putin and weik will kep fighting alongside them to make sure we get better tomorrows we have more democratic future, where more citizens across the globe. >> mayor, your turn. >> thank you. it's a great question. the short answer is we need to have a more surgical approach in determining whether or not to incorporate for aid to any country, including and especially our most friendly countries. we should do so in a way that is consistent with our values as americans. we should do so in a way that does not undermine critical values such as the protection of

human rights, the role of international law. we should not provide foreign aid to governments where we see a human rights record that's not consistent with our valuest as americans. so we need to look closely at every situation where we provide assistance to a foreign government and make sure that assistance is being used to advance american values, not sea them back. >> joey fox your next and that question goes to thehe mayor first.ot >> in other big bills that caucuses passed recently, last month both the house and senate reauthorized a program that allowsiz the government to wirelessly surveilled noncitizens and also shot down a proposed amendment that would prohibit any warrantless surveillance of americans. so my question is how would you have voted on both of those

votes? the reauthorization bill and on the amendment. >> searches of americans needlessly say by definition violate the rights of people under the fourth amendment, the right to privacy. we need to make sure any legislation that's passed speaks to the rights of individuals. not to be subjected to warrantless searchesje and seizures in any context. any reauthorization of a bill that would advance the right to conduct a warrantless search should not be supported, and any legislation that advanced the checks on warrantless searches to make sure that they don't occur should be supported. >> congressman, one minute to

respond. >> thanks. this is one ofu the issues that we took a deep dive in when we were in washington having this conversation between the intel and judiciary committees. a lot of really thoughtful conversation amongst the caucus about the best pathway forward. our approach was towa listen to both sides, to listen to intel's view of the pathway for, listen to judiciaries view of the pathway forward. ultimately relying on the intel community guidance on this issue. because represent a district that was so deeply impacted by s 9/11 we cannot have security failure. we have an obligation to keep our residents safe every single day. as we consider in piece of legislation we will always consider what the experts say especially comes to how we seek to protect allll of our residen. >> it's time now in our debate whether going to let our candidates ask each other a question. first question will go to

mr. bhalla. you have 30 seconds to ask your question, answer for 30, answer for 60 seconds and then a respoe for 30 seconds. so again your question to mr. menendez. >> that's my question. >> correct. that is your question. >> okay. congressman menendez, and light of the four indictments that it of an headed down against her father as as a valid evidence against him, when he returned the $20,000 inre contributions your fathers leadership pac has given to your campaign, yes or no? >> yeah, so as i mentioned at the beginning imminent opening we knew that ultimately you're going to keep interjecting my father intont this. it'sfo unfortunate because we ae really here to talkk about our track record of delivering for the eighth congressional district. talking with a broad coalition of support that we have. what a having giving any

consideration to what i'm going to do with any particular contribution whether for my father or anybody else. >> you have 30 seconds to respond. >> yeah. i find it shocking you have even considered, even right now when asking you the question, whether or not you would return contributions from your father was under indictment. or any contributions for that matter. the fact that my contributions come fromm individuals, whereas your contributions come from corporaterp tax lobbyists and special interests is not surprising when you look at the vote you taken in congress and you see that you are controlled of thed people, by lobbyists, where as my, i answer to the people of the eighth congressional district. >> mr. menendez. >> i have to quickly say, i mean, if you're talking a contributions and you we are accountable to, half of the

contributions come from the state of california so it'sif almost like you be a representative out of their tha you would for the eighth congressionalti district. second, listen, when we saw those 1500 cases, those of the people who live here. both of the people we hedges. you look at our work and track record. would a living for the residents of the eighth congressional district. no one except yours any doubt about that and we will keep delivering for the residents of the eighth congressional district. >> so you will not return as contributions. >> mr. menendez you have ae question for the mayor. >> yeah, thank you. i'm going to read this one. as you know we've been exiting the productive and a a for our district. specifically for hoboken. here are a few examples. we introduced a bill that would allow hoboken to access funding to assist in house individual. >> we secured almost $1 million to upgrade hoboken water infrastructure. we secured nearly $1 million for

technology to prepare for extreme weather events. my questionst is, in your opinin which of those projects will benefit the residents ofe hobokn the most? >> those projects in their totality in terms of your contributions are respectfully a drop in a bucket of much larger project that we've undertaken as a city. talk about drydock. yes, , you helped us with the ay corps of engineers, congressman but that's only about 1% of the seven-year fight to protect and preserve our waterfront. that fight was led by mayor bhalla, , led by me, everyone tt fight. so to say that you helped a little bit, you are a small part of that, sure, you get that credit. but please don't outsize what you could do in congress two of the city of hoboken. the buck stops with me as a.

everything we've done hoboken whether it's help from state legislator, county official, federal official is all great but at the end of the day i've got to run my city on my own merits and i done so successfully. with your partnership but at the end of the day, the buck stops with me and o a proud of our record. >> you have 30 seconds. >> i do appreciate partnering together and that's why enjoyed hosting in washington, one of the first people to visit. i talk about the priorities we had a lighter appreciate your credit we help with the union drydock. it is an important issue and that's why we jumped in and givd whatever we could with the army corps ofe engineers. i didn't even reference a project in my question. my question was related to three other projects that we've assisted with. i was wondering in your opinion which one would benefit the residents of hoboken the most. i thought it was a pretty benign question especially compared to

the one that u.s. if you don't want to answer that's fine. a lot of the work we do benefits the residents of hoboken. we're proud about the work and proud to continue doing it because we really love all of our resident and of all municipalities in the eighth congressional district. >> were going to go back to our panel. david wildstein has next question and that goes to mr. menendez c. >> thank you. new jersey's eight the district has a large human population. now not just first-generation, second, third, fourth generation cuban-americans. what's the future of relations between the united states and cuba? do you believe the easing of restrictions between the u.s. and cuba will foster democracy, or will they instead just fortify the current communist regime? >> we been here for a and for a free democratic cuba.

that's everyone's dream. there can be differences about how we achieve that but you talk about but anyone of cuban descent. that's what we all want for the present, for the residents of the island. so many of us of cuban descent want to go back to a free democratic cuba. we have to continue to push to do that. there are a lot of different points of view on this issue. we should listen to folks on this issue. ultimately, there is complete agreement that what we want more than anything is for the people of cuba to finally have a free, liberated island. we will continue to work on every single day that i have the honor of serving the house of representatives. >> mr. bhalla, youror response. >> right now the current cuban government is still engaged in human rights violations. it's not a democratic government.

the people that suffer the most are the cuban people. u.s. policy in previous years has been misdirected. in a way that has furthered that suffering. we need policies to allow more interaction between cuban-americans, other americans and the cuban people is good for the cuban people. we have to keep the cuban people first, second, third in the forefront of her might in terms of the best foreign policy. reasonable restrictions, gaining more access to tourism, educational opportunities, trade is all good for the cuban people as well as pressuring the government to open up to a more democratic system for that country. >> david, a follow-up? >> yes quickly. just a couple seconds. mayor bhalla said he supports loosening restrictions.

do you agree with him? should restrictions be loosened on u.s.-cuban relations? >> i don't think loosening restrictions without any sort of return on the loosening of restrictions is good foreign policy. having to entertain any option people put forth as long as in we move forward towards a career cuba. that's the give-and-take. in my opinion when you saw the loosening of restrictions you didn't get the return on investment in terms of moving cuba towards a a freer more democratic society. that's the complexity. such is about saying no. it's what you get a return of what aging to advance the democracy on the island? that's the question. that's how i would always approach it. >> mayor, did you chance to jump in as well. >> just briefly. the reasonable restrictions, sure, there has to come with some assurances that is going to

be some benefit to the cuban people but in and of itself that is a benefit -- [inaudible] we want to get out of that. we need to move past, we need to move forward towards more interaction between the cuban people and the american people so that we can get to a stable place in the future. >> if i could quickly pushed back. i don't think the losing of restrictions under previous administrations has got what want. to do it for the sake of doing it because they it may crea better outcome is not a results oriented approach to the island. so i would say i different there. >> okay. a question for mayor bhalla. >> the public's axes to public records, to government records is absolutely an essential goal and an important tool for citizens and franca for legislators legislators who were in the minority when the other party is in the majority and has

control of the government. it's an extremely important tool. it's been an extremely important tool to democrats in the house over the years. it also requires a strong commitment. new jersey is having to grapple with the questionth about what records all should look like. hoboken is in court right over a case of of whether or not information was provided that should've been provided. what should our public records, what is your vision for what public records axis should look like? in the federal government and for any government, frankly. >> the more we can expand public access to government records, we can have more transparent democracy, , whether it's at the state level or the federal level. i see a disturbing trend in the state of new jersey with legislators trying to restrict

access under what's called the open public records act. that's disturbing. i understand the counter arguments about it, it's burdensome. but at the end of the day these are the public's records, the public has a right to know how their government official are communicating, how their government officials are acting and trying to create loopholes to obfuscate their obligation by something that i will fight against, whether it's oprah or the foia act. >> mr. menendez? >> we appreciate this question. transparency in government is strictly the board whether it's at the local, county or state or federal level. i think first you have to make sure we're complying with the laws as they are. i think t that something hoboken has been challenged with especially in terms of timeliness of response, delaying

opa requested recently hoboken p.a. actually counseled peoples text message on a project to form a was involved in. i don't believe we should be weaponizing. i don't think we should be preventing people from the access to it. we tesla should not consider any future laws for regulation that would limit peoples access to government dockins. it's a starting point though we should make sure we're complying with existing law. >> our next question comes from joey and goes to congressman menendez. >> in this patent mayor bhalla said he support medicare for all. america for all bill announced which you have not cosponsored, such as what is at an is this a policy you would be opening to support? if not what of the policy to pick a democratic majority in congress should be pursuing?

>> yeah, great question and thanks for friend it that way, joey. one is we believe in universal healthcare. the questions how do we achieve it? something my colleague andy kim and i are in agreement about. we should keep all options on the table and the something i would absolutely do. when democrats take back control of the house. in the interim we have to find ways to do things like qualified health centers, making sure we're pushing back the republicans attempt to roll back the affordable care act, roll back a woman's right to be productive axes. rolling back a woman's access to contraception. we have to do all these things. we have to stand tall against mag extremism and their attempts to roll back the rights we've had, rollback rx of healthcare. something we don't have sealed in taking office and will be take back majority will consider any legislative option that expense healthcare for our

residents. >> mayor, your response. >> i support medicare for all. the congressman has been indicated he support medicare for all, so i can always assume he does not support medicare for all, full stop. we need to not only support medic for all but we need to expand the universe of people who have access to medical for all. we need to make sure that reproductive rights which are at stake are included in that access to health care through medicare for all. we need to make sure that it's funded through things like a billionaires tax to make sure we realize our vision of healthcare as a human right for all. congressman menendez voted against a measure that would have cracked down on surprise medical bills, the types of medical bills you get when you go to the emergency room, go to

hospital and all of a sudden you see, you receive a large medical bill. there's an effort to crack down on surprise medical bill, -- about 40 members of congress voted against that bill. think about that. >> i will let you -- >> we should think about that because that's a complete misrepresentation of the amendment. it was a plus plus down to make a point andrp i was standing net to frank alone who is ranking member of energy and commerce when the bill came up. he was telling me that some of the jurisdictional background, some of the committee work on that issue. there isrg no greater champion n congress than frank alone. he voted against it. based on our conversation about against it. i don't really understand his answer about medicare for all. he says he supports medicare fraud but we have to be all these things as it relates to medicare for all. in the current form of how it's

been introduced, are there changes you want to make with you said we need to figure funding, might have to do it through a billionaires tax. those a quick question, those of the conversation i want to have and to make sure we create a viable option for universal health healthcare but this question are critically important. that's a conversation i want to have. that i would consider all options including medical for all as we look for a pathway to create universal healthcare in our country. >> we have one final question that we haveo time for. david wildstein you have the final question and that will go to mayor bhalla first and then go to her closing statements. >> thank you. this all goes by so quickly. mayer, you're running against an incumbent. so what specific vote did congressman menendez passed since he's been in the house where you would've voted differently?

>> well, i have to say i would not have voted with congressman up alone, congressman menendez and the 38, 40 of the republicans and democrats to crack down on surprise medical bills. i just think that's wrong. this was an opportunity where only 40 members of the entire congress vote against this amendment to a bill that would crack down on surprise medical billing. that's one example of a vote that i think goes to the heart ofof average americans and the suffer they see in the healthcare industry when they get bills that are outsized to theoc procedures from the care they receive. this goes to the heart of some of the affordability issues in the eighth congressional district. >> congressman, your time.

>> yeah, sure, thanks. i mean if he is saying the vote if he disagreed the most is a messaging bill that a voter alongside ranking member frank pallone on that means i'm doing something right. but in doing the right to looking for the residents of the eighth congressional district. i'm making sure we put the values of this district forward and take those with the to washington every single day. we've had to take a lot of tough votes. these are challenging times but we always come back to its best for the district and try to uplift the voices here and make sure wesu take their stories, te their aspirations with us to washington and a notepad of the work we've done here in the district helping families down to washington try to come up with solutions. after the tragic fire, our team went to work and think about what we can do to make sure the never happens again, had that -- mann house for but that wasn't enough. we came up with logistic solutions to make sure it never happens again.

we do the work for the district and i'm extremely proud of it. >> time high medico to her cg statements closing statement and will be starting with mayor bhalla. you have 90 seconds. >> thank you. i want to thank everyone including the congressman for this engaginghe debate. ladies and gentlemen, this is what democracy looks like. it's a chance for us to exchange ideas, and i'm not sure we would've gotten thisul chance a few years ago when we had the line, especially hospitality we didn't have the elections bh selections by party rosters. ladies and gentlemen, you finally have a choice, a choice that is based upon merit, a choice that is based upon qualifications. i have been serving the residents of the city of hoboken for about 15 years and we've accomplished so much, turning around that city to a model of success so thess entire country can be proud of.

i want to take that experience to washington to benefit not just the residents of hoboken but the entire eighth congressional district and set an example not just for the district before the entire country. again, we need more people in congress who have experience at the local levels as mayors, who had to tackle tough problems and get things done to move our country's for. i had that experience. i have a proven track record. that's what distinguishes me from my opponent and that's what i respectfully ask for your confidence and your vote. thank you so much for listening. i look forward to the days ahead. thank you. >> thank you, mr. mayor. congressman, now your time. >> thank you and thank you for moderating a thanks to everyone who's been a part of this and giving us this opportunity. thank you to mayor bhalla for engaging in this dialogue and hope the residents in the eighth

congressional district found it helpful. i raised my head represent the district i love. it wasn't easy. my wife and i had one young child shortly after he made the decision to run, found out we had a second one on the way. it's challenging to leave them. it's challenging to spend time in two different places but this has been the greatest privilege of my life. i could represent the place where i grew up, the plates were my wife and i are raising our young kids. i love this district with every fiber of my being. when you look at a result i think we know that's the case. i go to work every single day for you. were fanatical dot constituency services. i try to find someone with him walking on the street when you get to tell him but the work we do for them. this is important this is about ravi myself but we have an incredible tina does the incredible work of a single day. the thing i'm most proud of in my time in office is a short amount of time at offices yes, the results will be done for the

district but the team we put together to work for the eighth congressionaln district. ravi and i are just one person each but the team we have developed are the ones who deliver this success is, the one to goingve to work every single day for our constituents. i'm so proud of it and i'm proud of my wife still loves me because i'm gone in washington soe often. when obama gets to spend time with my two beautiful kids and i'm so thankful that he get represent the place that i love so much. so thank you all for participating and thank youu for this immense, incredible opportunityed. >> and that concludes new jersey debate night. i would like to think the candidates can rob menendez and ravi bhalla for the time and the responses. also thank you to our panelist, david wildstein, michael rasmussen and joey fox. thank you to the new jersey globe on new jersey and writer university and thanks to c-span for airing this debate. invite you to stay tuned because

following the debate we are going to havee conversations wh our panelists, talk more about this today and get the reactions and their insight. remember primary election the integers is june 4. we thank you for watching. >> to be on c-span, the senate banking committee beats antennae and eastern to examine how hidden fees and financial services and rental housing are affecting consumers. at the same time on c-span2 the senate foreign relations committee is holding a confirmation for several state department nominees. at noon eastern the senate is back to continue work on a reauthorization bill for federal aviation administration programs. a vote to advance the measure is expected at one p.m. eastern. senators are likely to take up a one-week extension through may 17 to provide more time to pass the five-year reauthorization. at ten ten again on c-span3g labor secretary testifies under

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