On Tuesday, Oct. 1, vice-presidential candidates Senator JD Vance of Ohio and Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota met in New York City for the first and only vice-presidential debate of the 2024 election, hosted by CBS News. Questions asked by the moderators were directed at one candidate, who was given a two-minute window for response. Candidates were asked about issues facing America today and were allowed to clear up any misconceptions. Provided is a recap of those issues, policies and both parties’ stances.
The Middle East
Walz: Walz was asked if he would support a preemptive strike by Israel on Iran following the recently failed attack by Iran on Israel. Walz states that he believes Israel’s ability to defend itself is fundamental, along with putting an end to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Walz continues by mentioning how Trump pulled the program to box in the development of nuclear weapons in Iran during his presidency and, in contrast, the Biden administration’s repeal of Iranian attacks. This was confirmed by the moderator followed by Trump’s recent statement, “We must make a diplomatic deal with Iran because the consequences are impossible.”
Vance: Senator Vance was left to pick up the pieces of Trump’s recent comment when asked by the moderator if he believes the former President made a mistake by leaving the coalition to box in Iranian development of nuclear weapons. Vance claims Trump made the world more secure and that Iran received over $100 billion in unfrozen assets thanks to Kamala Harris. This was later proven false by CBS News.
Climate Change
Vance: Senator Vance, who has previously acknowledged climate change as an issue in the past, is left to defend Trump’s previous claim that climate change is a hoax. Vance claims to support clean air and a clean environment. Addressing the concern of carbon emissions, Vance refers to it as “weird science” and begins by saying “Let’s say this is true.” Vance believes the answer is to restore as much American manufacturing as possible and to produce as much energy as possible in the U.S. claiming, “We’re the cleanest economy in the entire world.” This was also proven false by CBS News. Vance goes on to claim Harris’ policies have led to more manufacturing overseas, and in contrast, he believes in making America more self-reliant.
Walz: Proven correct by the Washington Post, Harris casts the deciding vote for the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, designed to foster green manufacturing jobs in the U.S. Walz uses farmers in Minnesota as an example of those witnessing firsthand the effects of climate change. Walz supports natural gas and clean energy and believes the U.S. can be an energy superpower in a clean way.
Immigration
Vance: The Trump-Vance campaign plans to carry out the largest mass deportation plan in American history through the use of the military. Vance has made former criticisms of Trump’s deportation efforts by saying they are quote “So unworkable to be laughable.” He claims “Kamala Harris’ open border” has led to a fentanyl crisis in the U.S., as well as the loss of 320,000 children by the DHS. This is deemed misleading in a fact check by CBS News. Additionally, Trump refused to pass a bipartisan immigration bill while in office.
Walz: “Look, crossings are down compared to when Donald Trump left office.” A true claim made by Walz. Walz agrees fentanyl is a crisis, supporting his running mate by mentioning that Harris has prosecuted transnational gangs for human trafficking and drug interventions as attorney general of border state California. Walz believes there should be less demonization of immigrants and believes it leads to consequences rather than solutions.
Tax Credits
Walz: The Wharton School says the Harris-Walz economic proposals will increase the nation’s deficit by $1.2 trillion. The proposal includes 3 million new houses with down payment assistance with the belief that tax cuts, such as the $6,000 child tax credit in Minnesota, should go to the middle class. Walz believes in the use of small business tax credits and child tax credits to lower child poverty.
Vance: The Wharton School analysis says the Trump-Vance economic proposal will increase the national deficit by $5.8 trillion. Vance replied by stating “a lot of those same economists attack Donald Trump’s plans and they have PhDs, but they don’t have common sense, and they don’t have wisdom.” Vance claims the southern border has made middle-class life unaffordable by driving up the cost of food and housing. This was deemed partially true by CBS News. The housing shortage in the U.S. along with competition has made the housing market scarce. Vance also claims to believe in a higher take-home pay implemented by the Trump administration for the middle class.
Leadership Qualities
Walz: Walz was asked about his false claim made in 2014 that he was in China during the Tiananmen Square protest. Walz has made several trips to China; however, this was an exaggerated claim.
Vance: Vance has previously stated in 2016 that he believes Trump was “unfit for the nation’s highest office” and “could be America’s Hitler.” Vance claims, despite this, he still voted for Trump in 2020. Vance also stated he regrets those comments. He has shifted many of his policy stances to align with Trump and says he’s “open about the fact that he was wrong about Donald Trump.” Vance claims the Trump administration could have done better if “Congress was doing its job.”
Reproductive Rights
Walz: Minnesota has had the least restrictive reproductive policies with the reinstating of Roe v Wade in the state. Walz believes medical care needs to be decided by doctors and that women should be in charge of their bodies. “We trust women, and we trust doctors,” Walz said. Walz also believes women should make the decision rather than the states. “How can we as a nation say that your life and your rights as basic as the right to control your own body is determined by geography?” Walz said.
Vance: Vance has supported a federal ban on abortion in the past; however, a referendum in Ohio in 2023 voted against Vance’s position on abortion. He denies the idea of implementing a federal pregnancy monitoring agency. He believes Republicans need to earn back the people’s trust on the issue of abortion and support fertility treatments and housing for young families; however, he believes that the proper way to handle the issue is by letting the states decide individual abortion policies instead of implementing it on the federal level.
He also claimed the Minnesota law signed by Walz says, “an abortion where the baby survives, the doctor is under no obligation to provide life-saving care to a baby who survives a botched, late-term abortion.” This is false. The law states that an infant “born alive shall be fully recognized as a human person, and accorded immediate protection under the law.”
Gun Violence
Vance: Gun violence is the leading cause of child death in America. Vance has opposed laws and legislation to ban assault rifles such as the AR15. “We know unfortunately that a lot of kids are going to experience the epidemic of gun violence,” Vance said when addressing the issue of gun violence in America. Vance claims there is an increase in substance abuse and mental health issues in America. He also believes schools should increase safety precautions such as policing.
Walz: ‘‘I own firearms but our first responsibility is to our kids,” Governor Walz said about his stance on gun violence in America. Walz was questioned about his change in position on the issue, to which he replied his stance changed when he met with the families of the Sandy Hook shooting. Walz believes guns are the problem. “Sometimes it just is the guns,” Walz said. “Just because you have mental health issues doesn’t mean you are violent.”
Inflation
Walz: Walz plans to build new homes and invest in housing down payment assistance. Walz believes the government should assist in Americans becoming first time homeowners, claiming stable housing leads to stable jobs and stable education for children, which saves money in the long run.
Vance: Vance promises to seize federal land to build homes, remove regulation, provide tax breaks and cut back on immigration, which he claims drives up housing prices. “If we open up American energy, you will get immediate pricing relief for American citizens,” Vance says.
Health Care
Vance: Vance believes health care should cover Americans with presiding conditions. Vance argued Trump worked bipartisan with Obama care during his time in office. This was proven false by CBS News. Additionally, Vance claimed prescription drugs are up 7% under Biden, but under Trump, they went up 1.5% over four years. This claim was also proven false.
Walz: Minnesota is a major healthcare state ranked first on affordability and accessibility in the quality of healthcare. The Harris-Walz campaign is negotiating ten more drugs to be added to Medicare and promises to protect and enhance the ACA.
Child Care
Walz: The U.S. currently provides no national pay leave program for mothers and families. Minnesota currently has a state family medical leave program that has experienced growth through implementation. The Harris-Walz campaign proposes a $6,000 tax credit for newborns and a $3,000 tax credit for children over six years old.
Vance: Vance believes there should be various family models provided for those who want paid leave and those who want to go back to work. He believes there is a bipartisan agreement. The Trump-Vance campaign proposes a $5,000 per child tax credit. “It’s relatively speaking, not very expensive compared to the kinds of numbers we’ll be taking in,” Trump said on child care. Vance claims the Trump-Vance campaign plans to penalize companies for shipping jobs overseas and to penalize countries who employ slave laborers and ship the products to the U.S. along with promising to cut taxes for workers and businesses.
Democracy
Vance: The Jan. 6 insurrection has raised many questions about the Republicans stance on democracy in the U.S.. Senator Vance has claimed he would not have certified the 2020 election. Vance claimed he believes in debating issues peacefully and that Harris’ plan for censorship is the real threat to democracy.
Walz: Walz stated that Mike Pence made the right decision when it came to Jan. 6. Pence told Fox News, “President Trump demanded that I use my authority as vice president presiding over the count of the electoral College to essentially overturn the election.”
To watch the full debate, visit Full debate: JD Vance and Tim Walz vice presidential debate, hosted by CBS News.
