Democrat Christina Bohannan and Republican U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks clashed over the Iran war, rising costs, and healthcare Tuesday night in a debate for Iowa’s 1st Congressional District.
KCRG’s Jim Mertens and KWQC’s Matt Christensen moderated the event at St. Ambrose University.
What did Bohannan say about the Iran war?
Bohannan argued that Miller-Meeks cast the deciding votes that prolonged the war and that it could have ended months ago if Congress had reined President Donald Trump in. Congress considered multiple War Powers Resolutions. Miller-Meeks supported Trump’s war before defecting a month and a half before the election. Bohannan said the conflict has driven up fuel and fertilizer costs for farmers.
In a closing answer on the topic, Bohannan said the war has killed 19 Americans and depleted two-thirds of the nation’s interceptor missile stockpile. She said there is “not one shred” of evidence it is keeping Iran from getting a nuclear weapon.
How did Miller-Meeks respond?
Miller-Meeks said she voted to end the war once a ceasefire collapsed. She said she does not want a forever war or a nuclear-armed Iran, but that Congress should not hamper a president during peace negotiations.
Miller-Meeks was referring to the more recent collapse in negotiations, but ceasefire deals in the US-Iran war also collapsed back in April and July. Miller-Meeks continued to support the war after the conflict resumed following both collapses.
She pointed to her brother’s service in Vietnam and said she does not want “another Vietnam war.” She also said Iran’s regime has been “decapitated” and its nuclear program weakened.
What did they say about costs?
Miller-Meeks proposed pausing diesel exports and temporarily cutting the gas and diesel taxes to address rising costs. She also touted no tax on tips and overtime, and a planned steel mill in Lee County that she said will bring 1,700 jobs.
The Iowa Legislature passed the largest tax incentive in state history to attract the Mesabi Metallics mill. Despite overtures from the president, there is still no contract in place.
Bohannan blamed tariffs, the Iran war, and the Republican tax and spending law for higher costs. She said the law’s tips and overtime breaks expire in two years, while tax breaks for billionaires and data centers do not.
Election Day is Nov. 3. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Early in-person absentee voting is available right now and ends at 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 2.
