Inflation Crime Drive Congress Debate | Content Marketing Institute

Oct 28, 2022 Max Della Pia Democrat Max Della Pia and Republican Nick Langworthy squared earlier this month in their only scheduled debate.

The two want to be elected congressman from New York’s new 23rd District, which includes all of Chautauqua County.

The debate moderators noted in their introductions that neither man actually resides in the district, which also includes a stretch of the Southern Tier and much of Erie County.

The debate was on WIVB-TV (Channel 4).

The first questions dealt with slowing inflation and other economic issues.

Langworthy said inflation was hitting families hard and vowed he would “fight hard for American energy independence once again.” He criticized the Biden administration’s actions on energy.

Della Pia said energy independence was a “national security issue” and said the real problem was not Biden, but Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Della Pia talked up the Inflation Reduction Act. “To say that spending three quarters of trillion dollars to somehow lower costs for Americans, it’s absolute lunacy.” Langworthy responded. “This would be like a family at their kitchen table figuring out how to pay their bills saying, ‘Let’s just max out the credit card this month.'” Nick Langworthy Langworthy slammed the White House for trying to tie surging energy costs to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

He said costs were already rising before the invasion started in February.

Later questions dealt with reducing gun violence.

Langworthy said, “More laws are not the answer.

We have to tackle the issue of mental health… the people that commit these heinous murders and crimes are not deterred by laws.” He said there should be a federally funded study about what causes mass shooters to act. “We shouldn’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good,” Della Pia said, advocating universal background checks for all. “We need national, reasonable gun safety legislation.” There were later questions about abortion.

Della Pia criticized other states that are restricting abortion and said they want such restrictions to go nationwide.

Langworthy said New York is the most liberal state in the nation in abortion laws, and added he is pro-life but supports the rape, incest and mothers health exceptions on abortion.

Della Pia said he was “not sure” if Biden should run for re-election, stating it was his personal decision.

He praised Biden’s presidency.

Asked if Donald Trump should run again, Langworthy also said it was a personal decision, but added that the U.S. economy was booming during his presidency and his economic policies should be restored. “To say the economy was going great guns because of the former president is absurd,” Della Pia said in a rebuttal. “He was given a great economy.” Della Pia and Langworthy both supported U.S. help for Ukraine.

Della Pia said Republicans refuse to condemn Putin. “That is just utter nonsense,” Langworthy replied. “Here’s your condemnation, Putin is a murderer and a madman.” In closing statements, Langworthy said, “I am running to bring a stable, conservative voice to the people of Western New York … to take on the disastrous record of Joe Biden that has led to record inflation.” Della Pia said his leadership style, honed during 32 years in the Air Force, was about “teambuilding, mutual respect, and inspiring people to join something greater than themselves and do something good for their country.” Calling most in Congress driven by ego and money, he continued, “We need to send a different type of congressperson, someone who’s a public servant.

Someone who actually wants to work with others.” Some of the other questions during the hour-long debate covered immigration, the 2020 presidential election, health care and cannabis legalization.

The debate is on WIVB-TV’s website.

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