The Best Parts From The Cruz-O'Rourke Debate Tuesday

SAN ANTONIO, TX — Sen. Ted Cruz and Rep. Beto O'Rourke took the stage in San Antonio Tuesday night to debate on foreign and domestic policy. The following are some of the talking points both candidates addressed, updated in real time.

Closing statements from both candidates

O'Rourke: Wants the U.S. to be a country that the world looks up to. O'Rourke is unsure if the U.S. can still be that type of country. So much of the national conversation is focused on pettiness, O'Rourke said. O'Rourke said that Texas has helped inspire him to keep moving forward and help people. He wants Texas to lead the conversation on undocumented immigrants.

Cruz: Wants to keep the economic boom in America going. "I believe in hope," Cruz said. Brought up how his dad washed dishes as an immigrant from Cuba and how proud he is of Cruz. "This is a choice of keeping the boom going," Cruz said. "We need to defend jobs and the Constitution."

The rise of the MeToo movement

O'Rourke: He teaches his children to treat everyone with respect. Believes that Congressmen and women should be held to a higher standard. O'Rourke also brought up how he wants equal pay for women for equal work. O'Rourke brought up how Cruz, a year after getting elected to the Senate, decided to run for president; he also brought up how many votes Cruz has missed.

Cruz: "I think the MeToo movement has done an incredible amount of good," Cruz said. Women and men and boys and girls should be protected, Cruz added.

Civility in America

Cruz: He wants to focus on substance and the issues and not "go to the gutter," Cruz said. "There is a loss of civility," Cruz said. "We can disagree and treat each other with respect and civility." The lowest point, in terms of a lack of civility, was the confirmation hearings for Brett Kavanaugh, Cruz said.

O'Rourke: O'Rourke said he has worked with Republicans to get bills passed to help veterans.

U.S. deficit and debt

Cruz: He's proud to have supported the tax cuts. "We're seeing a record low for unemployment," Cruz said. Economic growth is the only way to addresses these problems, Cruz said. Federal tax revenues have gone up, Cruz said. Deficit and debt exists because Congress keeps spending; "out of control spending," Cruz said.

O'Rourke: We have $21 trillion in debt and claims that Cruz voted to add $2 trillion to the debt, O'Rourke said. O'Rourke brought up income inequality and how it is a big problem. "Follow the money," O'Rourke said in regards to the money Cruz has said and how he claims it has influenced Cruz's voting record.

Social media

O'Rourke: Discussed Russian meddling in the last presidential election and how it's important to protect the integrity of the ballot box. It's important on social media, "that we are not manipulated," O'Rourke said. Social media should be regulated, O'Rourke said.

Cruz: "Of course we can do more to protect the integrity of elections," Cruz said. He referenced the Deter Act, which Cruz supports. Cruz doesn't believe Congress should regulate content online but big tech should be neutral and fair.

Abortion law

Cruz: "I believe every human life is a gift from God," Cruz said. He mentioned how was proud to lead the effort to get Brett Kavanaugh confirmed to the Supreme Court. He believes the judges O'Rourke supports will undermine the rights of the people.

O'Rourke: Sen. Cruz has a troubling record when it comes to confirming judges, O'Rourke said. O'Rourke said he wants Supreme Court judges who value human rights. He will only vote for a Supreme Court justice who values giving women the right to decide on what to do with their bodies.

READ MORE: What You Need To Know About The Cruz-O'Rourke Debate Tuesday

Climate change

Cruz: He believes in science and has looked at the science and data behind global warming. Believes that a robust energy sector is good for Texas. Oil and gas workers buy homes and they give to churches and schools. "Congressman O'Rourke's pollsters have told him to come out on the attack," Cruz said. Cruz claims that O'Rourke sides with liberals and not with the people of Texas.

O'Rourke: "Senator Cruz is not going to be honest with you," O'Rourke said. "This is why the president called him 'lying Ted.'" O'Rourke believes the window is closing to get climate change right. He wants to support Texas and its energy sector but believes the sector should move to renewable energy.

Border security

O'Rourke: We need to have a better sense of who and what comes into our country. He wants to make communities more secure and foster more foreign trade. Brought up El Paso and how safe the city is. O'Rourke wants to invest in technology to help screen people who come into the U.S. and wants to help local law enforcement at the border.

Cruz: O'Rourke opposes a border wall. Cruz addressed how El Paso has a border wall that helps protect it. Cruz supports Kate's Law.

Health care

Cruz: The cost of socialized medicine would be huge, Cruz said. Cruz believes that O'Rourke's healthcare plan would triple people's taxes. "We can't afford those taxes," Cruz said.

O'Rourke: Wants everyone can afford to see a doctor and "live to their full potential" and "working families pay less for their health care costs." O'Rourke wants to expand Medicaid to help decrease health care premium costs. Claims that Cruz voted to take healthcare away from millions of people.

Tariffs

Cruz: "I'm against tariffs and I'm against a trade war," Cruz said. Cruz believes that we should expand access to foreign markets. Cruz wants to reduce the trade barriers. He believes that O'Rourke and Cruz share common ground when it comes to their stances on tariffs. Cruz brought up how O'Rourke would like to impeach President Donald Trump. Cruz said he's passed 34 pieces of legislation during his time in Congress. "The state of Texas is booming. We have the lowest unemployment in 39 years," Cruz said. "Texas is seeing the benefits of low taxes and low regulation."

O'Rourke: "If you have this special relationship with President Trump, where is the result of that," O'Rourke said. O'Rourke believes that the tariffs are hurting Texas businesses. "We've alienated the European Union and Canada and Mexico," O'Rourke said. O'Rourke wants the trade wars to end before these countries move to other places for their goods.

Tax relief and Hurricane Harvey

O'Rourke: He said he voted for billions of dollar in aid that helped victims of Harvey. "I am there for those communities each and every day," O'Rourke said. He wants the people of Texas to be prepared for future natural tragedies. O'Rourke doesn't regret voting against the tax relief bill and claims one of the big problems is the money hasn't been used in a timely manner.

Cruz: "Hurricane Harvey hit Texas unlike any disaster we've ever seen," Cruz said. Cruz said he worked with numerous first responders following the storm. He said he led the effort in the Senate to pass three disaster relief bills. Said more than $5 billion worth of tax relief was passed for people impacted by Harvey. Cruz said that O'Rourke had voted against this tax relief.

What is something each candidate has done in the last year outside of politics that Texans should know

Cruz: "The hardest thing about this job is being a dad," Cruz said. "It is tough." He mentioned how he's missed his daughter's games.

O'Rourke: He also doesn't see his children a lot and gave credit to his wife to help shoulder the burden. O'Rourke mentioned how his daughter is trying to help heal a blind squirrel she found.

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