(Radio Iowa) — Republican Congressman David Young and his Democratic challenger, Cindy Axne, both say they favor hiring more agents and using drones to patrol some areas. But the two quarreled about another immigration-related issue last (Sunday) night during a debate broadcast on K-M-A Radio.
“If we lose this seat and Nancy Pelosi becomes speaker, their agenda is basically to have a borderless society and to get rid of ICE.”

Young is referring to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. Axne responded. “I have never once said that I would abolish ICE,” Axne said. “…I don’t think scare tactics are an appropriate way to address these issues.” This summer, a group of House Democrats introduced a bill to abolish the agency and appoint a commission to examine how asylum seekers are handled at the southern border. During last (Sunday) night’s debate, Young, Axne and Libertarian Party candidate Bryan Jack Holder all expressed opposition to the policy of separating children from parents crossing the border and seeking asylum in the United States.

The U.S. health care system was also an issue of pointed discussion during last (Sunday) night’s debate. Holder revealed he’s been uninsured for several years because he has a pre-existing condition. “When the Democrats were in charge of congress, they could have put through single payer, but they didn’t have the political courage to do that,” Holder said. “instead, they threw us to the wolves, to the predatory health insurance companies.”

Young and Axne quarrelled over Young’s record on federal policy toward Americans with pre-existing conditions. The candidates also used some of their air time last (Sunday) night to introduce themselves to voters. Holder, the Libertarian, touted what he calls the “Iowa Compromise.” It would double the size of the U.S. House of Representatives from 435 to 870 members, so there would be smaller districts.