Thread by @IAmNickReynolds

Covering tonight's U.S. House and Senate debates on @WyomingPBS. Follow along here, and live stream below.

First up, @MBenDavid2020 and @CynthiaMLummis.

Follow this thread! #WYPol

Lummis gets opening statement. Says that our nation is "at a critical juncture," but the great American comeback is "just around the corner."

Says we need more domestic manufacturing and rare earth minerals, continue country's energy dominance strategy, and rein in natl. debt.

Ben David hot out the gate.

"During this debate, 40 people will die of the coronavirus. Meanwhile, the Mullen Fire is nowhere near contained."

"None of this would have happened if career opponents -- like my opponent -- recognized some universal truths."

Lummis gets the first question from @butterbob, on wildfires: what policy changes do you recommend to address climate change?

Starts with forest management strategy, and says the Obama White House "nixed" legislation she sponsored on that. Said that we need conservation logging.

(Did not answer the question of climate change.)

Ben David says that we've been logging for years. Adds that we've just had one of the warmest summers in decades, ice levels in the arctic are low, and extreme weather is increasing.

Lummis: Says that she thought the question was about wild fires. (Related to them, but it was not.) "We know how to manage forests better at the state level than the federal level."

Says that those problems had more impact than climate change.

Now on the tax code: Ben David says that we need to address the tax code, increase access to healthy food and healthcare. (Not a lot of specifics here.)

Lummis said Trump tax reforms helped incomes surge, reducing poverty to a 60-year-low. Says we need to keep that going.

Ben David, in a rebuttal, notes income inequality helped exacerbate the Great Depression. Ties that to today's environment.

"This is a great danger to our economy."

On mental health and suicide prevention, Lummis says she's sponsored numerous bills democrats did not consider. Said it needs to be examined at all levels of government, identify those who are vulnerable, and get them services quickly.

Ben David says Lummis voted against funding for mental health and for veterans. Added the pandemic is not helping much, and we need to make sure any health care system includes coverage for mental health. Says it's a "human right."

Lummis said that "human right" implies a government mandate, and that federal systems do not do well to serve rural populations like Wyoming.

Ben David notes ACA currently under threat in the courts, and calls it a "very good first step" in ensuring vulnerable people have access to health care. Said she supports a single payer healthcare system in the U.S.

Lummis said that she would support Bill Cassady's bill to support health care pricing transparency, increase the state's ability to buy insurance across state lines.

Now immigration: Lummis says we need to secure borders, then replace the lottery with a merit-based system, saying it's an unfair component of the country's immigration system. Also need to help temporary, seasonal workers to get temporary visas to avoid disruption to ag.

Ben David -- an immigrant herself -- says that immigration has helped to bolster the populations of small, rural communities. Says we need a better pathway to citizenship for those who came here as children.

Now, carbon sequestration! Can it save Wyoming coal?

Ben David notes that global demand for coal is declining, and has been for a long time. And with that, goes Wyoming's economy. Says it's inefficient and expensive, and this is an expensive way to save it.

"I don't see a single free market company that will take on the cost of burning coal and capturing carbon from this process," she said.

Lummis: says we need to figure out how to get as much oil out of legacy resources as we can, and that carbon sequestration technologies can help to bolster national energy demand.

Ben David says she agrees with opportunities: says we should look to thorium nuclear reactors, etc.

On stimulus: Lummis said she believes the CARES Act made sense, and that we may need another effort to help businesses survive. "But we're $27 trillion in debt. And as soon as we can, we need to reduce that debt."

Says we need a two-pronged approach: mind the debt, put in enough

On dismantling systemic racism: Ben David notes work she's done with students from the WRR. Says she would do what she can to uphold commitments to tribes and include their voices in addressing housing shortages, healthcare access, and education.

Lummis notes that the constitution says we're all created equal. She believes that too.

"I don't believe that racism is actually systemic." Says there are pockets we need to work on, but it's not a systemic problem.

"To say that it's systemic is to deny the fundamental American principles that all Americans are created equally, and have an equal chance to pursue life, liberty, etc."

She believes that the justice system addresses those problems, and that bad policing is just a few bad cops.

Lummis, on aging at home: says we need to ensure insurance coverage and hospice services cover those services.

Ben David: Says that nursing home regs have been rolled back, increasing negligence. Says we need the right healthcare "from birth to death."

(You knew where this was going -- a plug for single payer healthcare.)

On COVID-19: Ben David urges the Senate take up the House's HEROES Act (the big stimulus package) and to shore up the lack of oversight seen in the CARES Act.

Also argues we need money to states to shore up lost revenues -- a poison pill for Republicans.

Lummis argues it contains $1T unrelated to COVID. Supports a refill for PPP, getting money for the "warp speed" effort for vaccines.

Also supports an addition $1,200 payment to individuals -- what the president supported several days ago.

Ben David: "I would like to know what that $1T is going to fund." Said it includes money for families, small businesses, and state governments.

"That is why passing this bill as soon as possible is crucial for Wyoming."

We're now into an open format portion, where the candidates get to talk about whatever they'd like. 45 seconds each.

(This is new.)

Lummis highlights that Ben David was endorsed by Elizabeth Warren, who supports GND, Single Payer, and "higher taxes."

"Why are these the right policies for Wyoming?" she asked.

Ben David highlights Warren's work after the Great Recession. Says she doesn't support Medicare for All, but a single payer system (I got that wrong, my bad.) to get healthcare to all.

"That is something Wyomingites don't have currently."

Lummis now talking about Amy Coney Barrett and SCOTUS. Says she's the "ideal" person, a constitutional conservative judge who will keep their mind on the fundamentals. (No question, more of a statement.)

Ben David now throwing the Merrick Garland issue at her.

Notes that Lummis said that Americans "can see through political games," and that the situation was "tough luck" for those who were not in power.

"Is that how you're going to work across the aisle?" Ben David asks.

Lummis, in response:

"Elections really do have consequences. It really does make a difference. I'm not saying we should all go along with one another all the time just because we're in power or not in power."

(There's now a back and forth here on whether or not Lummis can actually work across the aisle -- I'm going to rest my fingers for a second.)

Ben David, now digging into her record: Says that in Lummis' time, she passed one bill, and missed the vote on a bill that cost the state "$700 million." (I think this was a bill to bring Canadian oil into the U.S>

Lummis: "I don't know what you're talking about."

Lummis notes that the bill she passed was to make forests healthier -- and that bills were tough to pass in the minority.

"In the minority, you have to fight to prevent bad things from happening, which I did."

Says she fought to get the House more conservative.

Notes she has the support of numerous members of the Senate, and she's poised to get to work from day one. Has already had convos with Mitch McConnell, and pledged to hold him accountable on spending.