This is *** K. C. C. I. Commitment 2022 special presentation Iowa attorney general debate and good afternoon and thanks for joining us on K. C. C. I ate news commitment 2022 special the Iowa attorney general debate. I'm James Stratton and I'm Amanda rooker. Thanks for joining us. Over the next hour we'll be questioning these two candidates about issues central to holding the attorney general's office. But before we do, here's what the attorney general does. The attorney general is the state's top legal officer who's in charge of Iowa's legal business. The ***. G. Gives legal advice and representation to most state agencies and departments theater. The general also represents the state in administrative law and all levels of the courts from Iowa district court all the way up to the U. S. Supreme Court and Attorney general is elected every four years now. We'll introduce you to the candidates. Republican brenna Bird is currently the guthrie county attorney. She's held that office since 2018. Bird has also served as counsel to former governor Terry Branstad. She's *** graduate of drake University and the University of Chicago law school democrat. Tom Miller is the current I attorney general. This is his 10th four year term in office. Miller has been attorney general since 1978 except for *** four year stint in private practice is *** graduate of Loras college and the Harvard law school here. Some of the guidelines that we will follow in today's hour long debate, candidates will have 60 seconds to answer each question. If the candidate's opponent mentions them by name, they will have *** 32nd rebuttal period to respond and moderators may interrupt *** candidate if they drift off off topic or have gone over time. All decisions made by moderators will be final, candidates will have the opportunity to ask their opponent one question and the candidates will each get 60 seconds at the end of debate for closing statements and in the effort of fairness with your names out of *** hat beforehand to determine the order of questioning. Our first question goes to Mr tom miller tom. The first question is how do you view the role of the Iowa Attorney general? Well, the Iowa Attorney General office is just this in *** way wonderful job in the sense that we use the law to serve the interest of ordinary islands and have just *** variety of responsibilities. It's there, there's never *** boring day in in in the attorney general's office. And also I think it's really important that the attorney general be independent uh and call things like he thinks how he sees them particularly interpreting the law. That independence role is is just just important. Uh and in terms of using the law to sort of ordinary islands. You know, we we do that every day and enjoy it. And and flourishing. And I believe consumer protection is an example. We have the best consumer protection division in the country protecting people in terms of their lives and safety are area prosecution unit does some of the most difficult criminal cases throughout the state. Uh Scott Brown has been very successful there. We fought against the opioid opioid situation and getting $225 million back to island and we're working hard for farmers with this enormous increase in fertilizer fertilizer price. So that's that's my view of the office using the law of ordinary islands and being independent. An independent attorney general. Thank you sir. Mrs Bird. The same question to you 60 seconds. How do you view the role of *** g. Well, the role of the attorney general is also to serve as Iowa's top law enforcement official and that's something that I will bring to the office. I've been county attorney in three counties and currently on the guthrie county attorney. I'm *** prosecutor. I work with law enforcement and victims of crime every day and I'm regularly in court and trying criminal cases. When I'm attorney general, we will back the blue, we will work with law enforcement. What I've heard on the campaign trail is most law enforcement have never met the attorney general. He's essentially retired on the job when I'm attorney general will do some things differently. Well Work with law enforcement in all 99 counties will have *** cold case unit so that no one gets away with murder, will also have *** special victims team that focuses on cases involving Children where they're victims of sexual abuse and the elderly who can be sexually abused in our nursing homes. We will always stand up for what's right under the laws and constitution. Now, mrs Bird. This question is for you going my name. But but you know virtually what you know, uh, don't I get *** chance to respond retired on the job. Nothing could be more ridiculous or stupid. I'm active. I'm I'm aggressive. I work with our staff. I get into priorities. I'm the president of the National Association of Attorney General is at *** crucial time and doing that on top of my regular job. Retired on the job. Nothing could be more ridiculous than that because that's just not true because as of today, 72 out of 99 sheriffs are supporting me and consistently when I'm campaigning in all 99 counties, they say they haven't seen you. They haven't even met you. You're not doing the job. You used to do. You've retired on the job to the next topic. And talking about if you are, if either of you are elected, we'll start with you, Mrs Bird. What are the top items on your agenda? Well, first of all, when I'm Attorney General, we will support law enforcement and back the blue. We will also always be thinking about how we can serve victims of crime and how we can keep Iowa safe. We'll have *** unit to make sure that we're taking care of those cold cases and leaving no stone unturned And we'll also have *** special focus on the crimes that affect *** lot, *** lot of people very seriously. And here I'm talking about Children who are sexually abused and the elderly who are abused as well. They need our support and we need to lock up the people who do those things so they can't hurt anyone else. I will also always be in all of our 99 counties every year to make sure that I never lose touch with what people need in Iowa. Another thing I'll do differently is I will hold the biden administration accountable when they overstep when they go beyond the law and the constitution. I will take them to court. Unlike the current attorney general. Thank you mrs. Er Now this question is for mr miller, you've been in this position for roughly 40 years. What's left for you to accomplish? Well, you know, I think we have *** really significant unfinished agenda and let me, let me talk about that and that's what drives me to to run for another term. One is in the area of opioids were in the process of recovering $225 million for Iowa and there in in that area. But what what what we wanna do is really make effective use of that in two areas. One is in in prevention cutting down the prescriptions and the other other other other is in treatment, particularly medics and assisted treatment. We we have unfinished business in, in the, in the area of high tech. Um, I'm one of the leaders on the executive committee of the case of against google on antitrust grounds. I I want to see that through and we're just into but *** lot of work yet to do with kids in the media facebook Tiktok. We're just getting started on that. I want, I want, I want to see that through. And also in terms of my agenda for for when I was president of the Attorney General Association this year, we've developed no new issues and new challenges in the, in the consumer area. So there's just so much left to be done. That's what motivates me. Thank you sir. President biden just announced he will pardon thousands of americans convicted of simple possession of marijuana under federal law. He also wants governors to do the same for people convicted of state marijuana offenses. This question to you mr Miller as attorney general, how would you advise the governor in that situation? Well, we've, we've done some work on this area in this area and that is to try and change the law so that for possession of marijuana, people do not go to the penitentiary and not to go to jail that they're not in prison. That's sort of been our initiative. We've we've worked with the Senate got *** bill passed through the Senate, but but not the House the the the idea of, of pardons in this in this area, that's something maybe maybe the, maybe the governor should should consider and maybe in *** selective area. Uh, there is some some real downsides if, if you have *** conviction for possession in employment education, uh, and, and insurance, I think additionally, the governor should consider pardons in the area of opioids, particularly those people that went in for surgery and got *** prescription for 30 days and had no idea of the risk that they were taking and get get get addicted in 10 or 12 days and then have *** whole series of events around that. I I think I think she should give some consideration to pardons in that area because of the the injustice the challenge. 60 seconds there. Thank you Sir Mrs Bird, your same question regarding simple possession of marijuana at the state level. Well, the question of whether someone should be pardoned or not, that's up to the president when it's federal and that's up to the governor when it's *** state issue. What I will say as ***, as *** prosecutor, I see the devastation that drugs brings to Iowa and particularly in our rural communities. We are seeing *** rural ization of drugs where it is coming out of the big cities into the countryside and it is devastating many of our crimes are related to drugs and those who are burglarizing and and seeking funds for drugs. You know, the current attorney general, he talks about the opioid lawsuit. But what he doesn't talk about is the drugs coming across the southern border. Methamphetamine and fentaNYL are coming across our southern border. And I would call upon president biden to secure the border to stop the flow of illegal drugs. Many young people become addicted. Meth is *** horrible drug and fentaNYL. Just one dose can kill someone. As as attorney general, I will work hard against drugs. Governor kim Reynolds has said publicly that she wants what she calls her own attorney general. What's your reaction to that comment? Mrs Bird will start with you? Yeah, well, I think, I think what the governor is saying there is she wants an attorney general who will do the job. Unlike our current attorney general, I appreciate Governor Reynolds support. And when I'm attorney general, I will defend our laws and I will work hard for Iowa mr miller. You have 60 seconds as well. Well, you know, I said it in the beginning and I'll say it again, it is so important that the attorney general be independent, the Attorney General not be under the control or direction of any individual or any political party or any ideology. And that's been that's been *** center point in my career. I've been independent. I call them as I see him. It doesn't matter what the political circumstances are and that's really important and in terms of relationship with the governor. It's important the attorney general has some independence because sometimes has to tell the governor the bad news, that she can't do certain things. That whole concept of an independent attorney general extremely important. And I live it every day. *** good follow up question here, mr miller, and was actually on our agenda. You have also said that politics should not play *** role in the Attorney General's office, had declined to represent the state on *** couple of cases. In what instances is it okay to withdraw your name from the state's position? Yeah. You know, we have *** primary responsibility of representing the state whenever the state is in court and I take that very seriously over 40/40 years, there's been two occasions when for I believe ethical reasons, I declined to represent the state because first and foremost, you have to do the right thing, you have to be independent. You have to be ethical in both cases. They asked me case and the abortion case, um, there were ethical concerns. Uh, so that I felt I shouldn't go forward that I couldn't zealously The state on on one and both, both of those issues, so that that the ethical concerns are just really important in our part of our duties and rolled into this whole situation of being independent and and and and doing the right thing. And again, it was twice in in 40 years, mrs Birdie have also said politics should not play *** role in the attorney general's office in your opinion. In what instances is it okay to withdraw from cases and not defend the state's position 60 seconds to you as well. That's not any different than the job I do as Guthrie county attorney, I prosecute cases and I certainly don't know the politics of the criminal defendants that I prosecute and it wouldn't matter if I did. Politics does not play *** role there. And you know what we're talking about here is not necessarily whether our current attorney general is independent or not. It's whether he's even there, he's been absent not doing the work that needs to be done far more times than the ones he's admitted to. Where, whether it was the covid vaccine mandate that would have forced people to get *** shot. Whether it's the student loan bailout or waters of the U. S. Regulations that would hurt farmers. He has been absent not doing his job taking his name off of the lawsuits When I'm attorney general, I will do the job. I will enforce the laws. I will defend the laws. I will uphold our constitution. Mr Miller named you twice. They're at least entitled. Can you respond to that? Certainly absent is just *** wrong word. I did my duty. I did not think we should file those cases against against the biden administration? Uh, I didn't think that was, I didn't think that was the thing we should do. I didn't think the cases should have been brought. I wasn't absent. I was very much they're making an independent considered legal opinion based on confidence of myself and my staff. Now Mr miller following up on the idea of being independent in 2019, you did agree to seek governor Reynolds approval and joining multi state lawsuits. She has blocked nearly two thirds of the lawsuits that the attorney general's office has wanted to join. How is that any different from the governor having her own attorney general. Mrs Bird will start with you. Yes. Well I think that's very different here. Attorney general Miller went too far and the legislature took away some of the responsibilities of the attorney general's office and put *** check and balance on that. Uh Governor Reynolds did veto that legislation after the attorney general agreed that he would seek her permission before he would sign on to any state Lawsuits or national lawsuits. That's hardly independence that happened because of the problems that were there. When I'm attorney general, I will do the job. I will do the work. I will defend the state of Iowa and do what's in the best interests of Iowa politics has no role in it. And in fact of the 72 current sheriffs, some of those sheriffs are Democrats as well because they want an attorney general who will work hard and who will do the job. Mr Miller. You have 60 seconds. What's your response? Well, first of all, it doesn't involve multi states, it's the lawsuits that for instance, against against the president and sort of political and ideological lawsuits the multi states where we've been so successful to bring back millions of dollars to Iowans are not affected by this agreement or by the legislation. Indeed, the legislature wanted to make sure that that that didn't happen. So I could continue to bring all this money back to the, to the, to the state. Um, you know, it happened because I was active. I did I did file some lawsuits against against president trump as as I thought I should. Again, my independence, my my independent judgment. That was *** push back from that had an agreement with the governor and the governor has vetoed *** number of cases that that would have been involved against uh, against the trump administration and others and and according to the agreement has the right to do that. But the whole thing is that that the these lawsuits are not, don't go to the essence of the Attorney general's office. Their their ideological to some extent political to some extent, other states carry the ball. They're not what Attorney General's Office is about. It's about the things I talk about often in terms of using the law to serve the interests of ordinary islands, switching gears *** little bit. Now the overturning of Roe V wade at the U. S. Supreme Court level has thrust the issue of abortion access to the forefront across the country. And of course right here in Iowa we want to address the candidates now what your personal stances are on abortion and how it would impact your work as attorney general. I believe that first question or that question goes to you first. Mr Miller. Well, first of all, I think it was *** terrible mistake for the Supreme Court to reverse role. Um you know, row was *** middle ground, had *** set of compromises where the abortion was restricted but not not eliminated. And I believe that women should essentially make this choice that they had should have the freedom from government intervention to make this decision with their family if if necessary. And of course with with with with the doctor. So, you know, I I believe that that the state should not restrict in any significant way. Uh that woman's right to choose in the in the latter in the last semester, reasonable regulations do make sense. But I think I think it's just really important to understand, you know, what women are going through at least try to from, from my point of view, uh significant majority of americans are you know, we did not approve of the role reversal, significant number of islands. And and I agree with them. Thank you sir Mrs Bird. Same question to you, your personal stance on abortion. How would it impact your work as *** g Well, I am pro life and I will defend the laws that are passed by the legislature. The legislature makes the laws, I would defend them. Unlike the current occupant of the office, who when he first came into office in 1978, was pro life, but then changed his position in 1994 and became pro choice. Then in 2018, he refused to defend the state's heartbeat law. Fast forward three years later to 2021 and he he decided he would defend an abortion law. The legislature had passed on the waiting period, defended that all the way up through the state Supreme Court where that Supreme Court decided that the Iowa constitution did not have *** right to an abortion. And then part way through that case decided he would no longer represent the state in that case. So the current Attorney general, he's been on both sides of that issue, depending on where he perceives to be his personal political convenience at that time. Again, twice by title. So we're gonna go with 30 seconds to you. Mr Miller. Yeah, absolutely, absolutely false. Um the abortion is *** difficult issue for all of us uh on *** personal level and also in in terms of government policy, I was I was pro life for *** period of time. Uh and then when I was out of office, thought about the issue some more and and return, we went to *** pro choice position because I thought that was that was that was the right position. Um mainly because of the necessity to have freedom from women to make this decision and keep the state out of out of this very difficult, difficult situation over *** course of *** period of career. You you do change your mind once from time to time. And this was the case. Thank you sir, for some more context on some of those cases you just heard about. Governor Reynolds has asked the state Supreme Court to reconsider the 24 hour abortion waiting period. And what's been called the fetal heartbeat laws. You mentioned now the 24 hour waiting period was already appealed. The governor has asked that an injunction be lifted on the fetal heartbeat law which would ban abortions after six weeks of pregnancy. What's your stance on the fetal heartbeat law? Mrs bird start with you. Yes. Well, the job of the attorney general is to defend our laws when they are challenged in court. The laws are made by the legislature. The attorney general defends them. And that's what I would do. I would defend the law that the legislature passed miller. Any follow up on your thoughts on the fetal heartbeat law. Yes, that that that is that is the case that that I decided that ethically I couldn't couldn't perform. I couldn't zealously pursue that argument because of the strong convictions I have about about about abortion. So that is that is that is one of the two cases that I decided for ethical reasons. Um, I shouldn't be involved. And and uh, you know, on *** policy matter, I think it's it's far far too restrictive on on women and their ability to function free and free. In our in our state, the number of Iowans dying from drug overdoses keeps rising in our state. Last year, 471 people lost their lives, according to the state Health Department as the role of Attorney General. What is the role in preventing overdoses and keeping dangerous drugs out of Iowans hands? That question goes to you Mr miller 60 seconds. Well, as as I mentioned in the beginning, this this is *** huge priority for me and for my office because of the enormous harm of addiction and and including death, but also *** great deal of suffering from from the individual and from the whole family. So we've we've sued the pharmacy companies produce farm and the others, the opioid companies. We've investigated them. We've negotiated with them and now we have have this incredible settlement with them that we'll get $225 million to try and rectify the problem and try and try and help victims and one of the things that that we're doing is is in the area of of of prevention that is that working with doctors that have *** new system where the number of opioids prescribed is just really reduced funding *** program on that. And then the other thing is that medical assisted treatment. The whole idea of treatment is largely is *** huge answer. So getting medicine assisted treatment, working with to to just spectacular doctors at the University of Iowa hospitals and and working with *** lot of the stakeholders and then law enforcement just trying to have *** comprehensive approach to dealing with this issue, particularly around treatment and and prevention. Alright, thank you for your answer. Mrs Bird. Same question to you 60 seconds. The role of the attorney general's office and keeping dangerous drugs out of Iowans hands. Well, that's an issue that is near and dear to my heart because as *** prosecutor I see what drugs are doing to Iowans. Uh many lives are ruined by drug addiction and some of the mental health problems that go right along with that. And as *** prosecutor I have prosecuted drug dealers. I don't think our current attorney general has ever prosecuted *** criminal case much less *** drug dealing case. But that's something that I will bring with me to the attorney general's office. I also know that most of the illegal drugs like the fentaNYL, the methamphetamine, they are coming across our unsecured southern border. And if I were attorney general, I call upon the biden administration to secure our southern border and stop the flow of illegal drugs that are devastating Iowa and hurting Iowans. You know young people are hurt by these drugs. As attorney general. I will never forget that I will work with our launch across the state to stop illegal drugs in Iowa. Thank you ma'am mr Miller. Not going to let you respond to that, only mentioned you once by title, but we are staying on that topic. So the next question stays on that topic. On the topic of of drugs. The majority of Iowa's drug overdose deaths can be blamed on opioids. What role does the attorney general's office play specifically in stopping deaths caused by opioids. Mrs bird. You have 60 seconds. I think one important role would be that of public education to make sure that people understand that opioids like the illegal fentaNYL. We see all over Iowa that is *** dangerous drug. And if you know someone whether *** friend or family member who is abusing opioids get them help right away because the next time they use it could kill them. It is just that serious. The other thing that I would do is work with law enforcement. So we have the resources we need across county lines to stop the drug dealers. Many opioid dealers are targeting our young people. Sometimes opioids are mixed in with other drugs such as marijuana or methamphetamine to change the formulation there and make them more attractive, making sure that we are always keeping an eye on what's going on and holding those drug dealers accountable. That's what we have to do. We must stop the flow of illegal drugs and we must lock up the drug dealers. Mr Miller now, 60 seconds to you. What is your role as attorney general? Your office is stopping deaths caused by opioids. What we've tried to do in our office on particularly on fentaNYL, but opioids and opioids in general is being sort of the coordinator of law enforcement, the medical community and other and drug treatment people. And and we've called people together, we've we've done things with with the doctors, we had public statements, we've done things, things with law enforcement and fentaNYL is just so so devastating, so dangerous. Just *** small amount of fentaNYL can can kill someone. And what what happens is that the drug dealers that the manufacturers down in, down in Mexico are mixing fentaNYL in with with other products because fentaNYL is cheaper there mixing it in with with meth with coke with opioid type type pills and people are taking them that have no idea they're taking fentaNYL. They're not used to fentaNYL and fentaNYL is so so dramatically powerful. People die. The increase in deaths in Iowa in the country are dramatically because of fentaNYL. So we're working with the law enforcement community, we're working with the public, we're working with the press to try and tell people about this particularly recently. I could go on for *** long and we still have 30 more minutes. *** perfect segue when we come back we'll shake it up *** little bit giving the candidates the chance to ask each other *** question. And you are watching *** K. C. C. I ate news commitment 2022 special the Iowa attorney general debate. We'll be back in 90 seconds. This is *** K. C. C. I. Commitment 2022 special presentation Iowa attorney general debate. Welcome back. Thanks for watching so far. We the moderators have been asking all the questions but now it's the candidates turn to ask their opponent one question. Each candidate will have 60 seconds to answer. And we begin with Mr miller. Mr miller. You may now ask mrs Bird *** question. You know Brenda you worked for at least seven years maybe as long as nine for for steve king as on his congressional staff. Um He gave you your your first real big start. Uh He was he was your mentor among among others. Um It was you were his chief of staff you know looking back um what would you say about his career? Good and bad and of the things he the major issues with him which do you agree with and which do you disagree with? Yeah. Well I think it's interesting that you're asking me the same question *** debate that you asked at *** debate. We had 12 years ago. You asked the same question back then. Nothing has changed. I worked in congress over 19 years ago and I was Chief of staff and legal counsel supervising the D. C. Staff and the five district offices serving Western Iowa. But that was *** job I had 19 years ago and you're still ask about it because you want to distract from the things that you haven't done in your office. You know, you haven't tried criminal cases yourself. You haven't gone out and gotten the support of law enforcement all over the state republicans and democrats. In fact, I'm hearing you haven't left des Moines very much. You have retired on the job. You don't want to talk about the sexually violent predator that you let out on the streets. You have retired on the job. You're just not doing the job anymore. Mr Miller, you have 30 seconds for *** response there. You know, that's just that I retired on the job is just as ridiculous as it was before. Um you know, I love this job. I'm very active in the job. I take priorities. I've worked this opioid case uh, as as *** leader of our, our state. Um, I'm energized by consumer protection. I had two jobs. I've been Attorney general of Iowa and President of the National Association of Attorney Generals at *** very difficult time where I worked endlessly with with with with others. The idea that that I'm retired on the job is insulting but it's even even more so ridiculous. I love this job. I'm very active and have been very successful in the job. Now. Mrs Bird, you may now ask *** question to mr miller. Well I don't doubt that you love the job. I I could see that, but I do think you've retired on the job. That's what I'm hearing from Iowans when I'm out working in the 99 counties. So let me ask you this question, tell me what case or cases you have tried in court yourself? Have you ever tried *** criminal jury trial yourself? Well, what I've done over *** long period of time has had *** rich experience in, in in the practice of law. I've worked in legal services in Baltimore and had all of those, you know, challenging cases that that that legal services had uh I I had *** private practice in in McGregor Where I where I tried cases I I didn't prosecute, I defend, I defended cases there um and then I had *** very active practice at Benson, one of the best law firms in the country dealing dealing with with myriad cases. And also, you know, I've been attorney general for 40 years and I've had it just had *** rich experience in handling and supervising cases and making decisions and always have have built on on that, on that experience. So that that's just been been, I've been very fortunate to have just *** very rich uh Legal career where I've learned and I've had had *** bad experience and um amount talking to Iowans constantly and have *** sense over 40 years of, of what Iowa thinks, particularly as it intersects with the, with with the attorney general's office. All right. Thank you both for playing ball and asking each other questions, appreciate that getting back to us answering the questions and asking the questions. Rather in 2020 we saw unprecedented challenges to our election process nationwide. Some who didn't view the legitimate winner. President joe biden as such. Quickly *** yes or no answer from both. Both of you. We'll start with Mr Miller is Joe Biden the legitimate winner in 2020. He's very legitimate. He won that race by by winning the most votes and winning the electoral votes. You know, I worked *** lot. I have *** follow up question just looking for *** quick yes or no to you, mrs bird? Yes. I do have concerns though about election integrity across the United States. Okay, that leads me perfectly to my next question. Mrs Bird gets this question. Since you went first. Last time. Mr Miller, do you believe Iowa's voting rights and systems are secure. Mrs Bird, 60 seconds to you. I think you know, here in Iowa, we have *** good system. We have good voter integrity laws. I hear though from Iowans all over the state that are concerned about the voter integrity laws, concerned about the possibility of cheating. Uh, and you know, concerned about what's going on in other states that waters down the votes of Iowans when they're voting for president. And you know, we do have some good laws here in Iowa, some important laws, for example, the voter I. D. Law, *** law that I support that my opponent does not support. Uh, but we, we can always look for ways to make that better to make our process better and know this when I'm attorney general, regardless of which party or candidate is accused of cheating. And if anybody would ever break our election integrity laws, I will bring them to justice. Now the full minute mr miller, do you believe I was voting rights and systems are secure. They're very secure as secure as it possibly can be. You know, we were blessed with 99 county auditors who are our election officials and they do *** terrific job. They take great pride in this. They don't want to be told what to do by parties or outside groups. They want to do it their way and do it the right way. Uh, the last election, we, we worked *** lot with with, with the auditors set up sort of *** consulting group with with three of them and went back and forth and talked about the issues that, that were coming up and how to how to make the system better and and how to make, how to refute the charges that were totally false. It was *** rich experience with, with local government officials. Those county auditors are really heroes. They provide an election result in election system in Iowa that is clean as *** hound's tooth. We could, we could not ask for anything more and we should not question them. And throughout the country there are very similar people. The votes that you see election night are legitimate votes. There is, there are no legitimate questions about the legitimacy of the election. It was *** legitimate the vote count was secure. The vote count was right switching gears now on November eight. Iowans will vote on *** constitutional amendment for the right to keep and bear arms, which shall not be infringed. That will require strict scrutiny for any alleged violations of that right brought before *** court. That is the highest level of scrutiny. Do you support passage of that amendment and explain your response Mr Miller? You have 60 seconds. I'm opposed to it because of strict scrutiny. You know, I generally favor the second, I favored the second Amendment at the federal level and the state level. The problem is the strict scrutiny. It's the highest possible level to get common sense gotten off fast. And um, you know, we we would, if it's passed, we would face *** situation where most, if not all common sense gun laws would be declared unconstitutional because of the harsh nature nature of, of that standard. That would put islands at peril. And it would most of all put law enforcement people at peril if if we did did that. So I'm opposed to that. I think it's I think it goes too far. I'm someone who generally likes balance. There's no balance on strict scrutiny in this situation. Thank you. Mrs Bird, you have 60 seconds on if you support the constitutional amendment support its passage. I support the Second Amendment, I support our Second Amendment rights. Unlike my opponent who believes in gun control and got an F from the N. R. ***. I believe we should uphold the Second Amendment here in Iowa and I think that we should focus on the situation that needs to be focused on which is criminals and felons who have firearms. I would increase the penalty for that right now. It is *** d felony, the lowest level of fell in Iowa for *** domestic abuser or *** felon to be found in possession of firearms. We need to strengthen that. Federal law is much tougher in that regard than our state law is. And as an experienced prosecutor, I can tell you that many times judges will give someone probation for that type of crime. It doesn't even require prison when I'm attorney general all work at focusing where we need to focus with the gun laws, not on law abiding Iowans but on the criminals quickly ma'am. Do you support the constitutional amendment. Okay, thank you, switching gears now. Mr miller rather this goes to Mrs Bird sorry about that. *** lot of Iowans received several robocalls *** day actually just got one right before we sat down here. So phone companies are now legally required to stop robocalls through what's called the traced act. What is the Attorney general's role in making sure that those companies are exactly doing that and potentially stopping robocalls from my cell phone, your cell phone, Mr Miller's cell phone here in the room. Mrs Bird, 60 seconds to you. Well, I can tell you we all hate those robocalls. I think that is something I hear *** lot about and I certainly don't like getting them myself. I also particularly hate the robot calls that are rip offs that are scams, where they are targeting people. Sometimes folks who are worried that their grandkids are in jail and need to be let out and to send money right away or to mail, gift cards. Big scam that need to be stopped robocalls are *** problem. You know, one of the problems with robocalls is that it seems like just when one area is cracked down another area pops up when I'm Attorney general, I will be vigilant in terms of protecting Iowans enforcing the laws and trying to stay one step ahead of what's going on. We have to do that, especially when people are being ripped off. Mr Miller, Same question to you. The role of Attorney general and stopping robocalls robocalls are the vein of the existence of citizens. They're the bane of the existence of the attorney general's office extremely frustrating. We we've worked *** long time on the set of issues and made some progress but but want want to make *** lot more progress. This is one of the things I've talked about in terms of my initiatives as nag president to do this more and and try and get ahead of the system. The problem is that that the robocalls are made from outside the country that that hinders law enforcement in *** significant way. The phone companies really have to do more. That's that's sort of our plan to try and get them to do more. You know, I I do see the warning coming up more often on my phone and don't don't answer it but but they really need to do more. What we're trying to do is develop ways to cut off access to phone lines for for the people that do these from India and elsewhere. So there is some progress being made but far too many calls for for you and me and everybody else in Iowa. I think that might be something we all can agree on. Thank you sir. Absolutely. Thank you both will many americans with student loan debt will soon be able to apply for student loan debt forgiveness through *** new federal program. Iowa is one of several states suing the biden administration over that program. Mr Miller will start with you. Is it right for Iowa to be suing over this If if it were my decision, I wouldn't sue over over this. You know, um student debt is just such *** challenge for for so many people uh and including people that were scammed by for profit colleges and students and adults now and former students just really struggled with this in terms of in terms of the ability to to buy *** house sometimes to to have kids sometimes to to get married. It's *** real problem. And President biden did *** did *** compromise here that that I think I think was the right compromise. I think full student loan debt removal, what was *** mistake and never supported this? This is *** more modest step that will help people and what the key to it is that that it helps the people that need it the most. There's been *** good analysis done that that people that have the 10 to 12 to 15 to $20 million in debt. Those are the ones that struggled the most to deal with this and they're the ones that are going to be helped the most. I think that makes sense. Thank you Mr Miller Mrs Bird, is it right to be suing over the biden administration's move to forgive student loan debt? Well what the biden administration did. There was wrong. It was not supported by the law and I'm disappointed that our current attorney general wouldn't sue the biden administration. He certainly had no problems suing the trump administration right and left when donald trump was president. But now that biden's president, he hasn't sued the biden administration. He does not hold them accountable. The president did not have the authority under the law to do that with student loans. That program would give *** couple making *** quarter of *** million dollars up to $20,000 each in student loan forgiveness. The congress didn't authorize that. That is not based on law. Uh, things have to be based on law. And as attorney general, I will enforce the law. When I was in college, I worked full time to pay for school and after law school I worked hard to pay off my law school loans. Not everybody goes to college. Lots of people go straight into the workforce or start *** business, go straight to work. This student loan forgiveness makes them pay for other people's debts. Mrs Bird, thank you. Mr Miller. I want to give you an opportunity to respond there to the claims about you only suing the trump administration and not the biden administration. You know, I did sue the trump administration for *** while until, until the law was passed. And I made the agreement with the governor. You know, I haven't been suing the biden administration. Uh, for for *** variety of reasons, um, agreeing with them on the policy, agreeing with with them on the law, on the student loan student debt. Um They have some theories that, that they, they have advanced concerning the authority under under *** statute that gives them this kind of power. There's questions whether it extends to this to this level, but but but that's that's that's that's that's fair enough. Alright, thank you sir. Thank you. Both three companies are trying to build carbon capture pipelines throughout our state. They may have to use eminent domain to get all the land that they need for the project. What is your stance on the project? And what role if any, does the state *** g play in the legal fight? Both for or against these companies to potentially use eminent domain. Mrs mrs Bird Rather that question to you? 60 seconds. Yes. Well, as I'm working across Iowa, I hear from *** number of Iowans that are talking about the pipelines that are going through their can counties, some have decided to side easements. Others are waiting and seeing and still others say they will never sign an easement. That is where the process is right now. The utilities board has *** role to play in this as does the legislature at this point. It's not an issue that has come before the Attorney General's office. The Attorney general's office, ma'am quickly. How would you respond in the fight to use or not use eminent domain? Well, it depends on what happens between now and then. There's *** lot to happen between now and then. I think it's *** little bit tough to predict just what steps the legislature is going to take when they come back in january and we certainly don't know what the utilities board is going to do yet. So I'm not sure that I can answer that. Hypothetical question understood. Thank you, ma'am, mr Miller. Same question to you. Your stance. What role, if any, does the state *** g play in eminent domain either for or against it for these carbon pipelines? Yeah, I think it's *** very difficult issue, uh, and I struggle with it to some extent, um, On the, on the one hand, um, it could be very, very important for farmers, uh, in terms of them selling the, uh, to use to the ethanol plants, it would take care of the some major parts of the carbon, uh, that the ethanol plants produce and, and give, you know, *** longer life to, to these plants and *** longer life to these enormous sales that that farmers make to the plants. On the other hand. Um, it's, it's really unclear whether it's gonna work. There's gonna be *** huge investment of our dollars of federal dollars to to make this work. And, you know, I, I really understand the concerns of, of landowners and farmers as they go through through this struggle. There's no direct policy making by the attorney general's office. But, but we do, we do make arguments and, and represent the consumers before the utilities board which will make the make the decision whether whether to grant eminent domain. Thank you both switching gears. Iowa's oldest residents are often targeted by scammers and are vulnerable to abuse and neglect. What's the role of the attorney general's office in protecting our seniors? Mr Miller, you have 60 seconds. Well that's that's consumer protection, that's the consumer protection is my baby in the attorney General's office. I worked so hard on this night and day and think about how we can help help consumers. And most of all I'm concerned about elderly consumers and you know, there's just *** whole series of scams against them because they are more vulnerable for for *** variety of reasons and they do have more money than than *** lot of the population. So the scammers are driven towards them. And we constantly asked how can we help elderly and fraud. And we've done sort of sort of an incredible work in in two areas. The sweepstakes and add on charges and we pursued those companies and pursued them. And as *** result, those two industries do not come to Iowa because of our efforts and do not abuse abuse adult americans in our state. We're the only state that has that in *** lot of ways our office is the top consumer protection division in the, in the whole country. And that takes *** lot of work on my half on my behalf and our staff's behalf. Mr Miller. Thank you Mrs Bird. What is the role of the Iowa Attorney general's office in protecting Iowa seniors? Well protecting seniors is very important. And anyone who's who's being scammed the scams are everywhere, whether it's phone calls, emails, text messages, but they have *** common thread. They are based on technology. When I'm attorney general, we will update the attorney general's office to make sure that we are keeping track of those cyber threats, both informing the public so that they understand and can help people avoid those threat. Those frauds, whether it's mailing gift cards or taking out money and sending it under false pretenses and sending it sometimes to foreign countries, we will work with the D. C. I. Cyber lab to update the technology to make sure that they have the resources that they need to be investigating these threats to bring people to justice where that's possible. But also making sure that we are preventing it in the first place. Thank you Mrs Bird. Domestic violence has taken the lives of 12 people in Iowa so far this year, according to the domestic violence fatality chronicle, what is the role Attorney General's office plays in preventing this type of violence either at early stages or its final stage. Unfortunately as that statistic we just mentioned mrs Bird question goes to you 60 seconds. Well, that kind of case where *** domestic violence victim is murdered is one of the nightmare scenarios for *** county attorney for *** prosecutor. That's the reason that we prosecute domestic violence cases. That's the reason I prosecute domestic violence cases. That's the reason we want to hold abusers accountable and get victims help because those cases can turn deadly. Often I will see criminal defendants that go from one relationship to another with domestic abuse in each relationship. So I will bring that experience with me to the Attorney General's office. I'll bring that passion for holding people accountable but also for working with victims and helping them heal and recover and become strong after going through all of that. I've seen that firsthand and we will work with prosecutors around the state. Currently, I'm president elect of the Iowa County Attorney Association and we will work for the two training and resources so that every county has the resources they need to bring people to justice. Thank you, ma'am. Same question to you mr Miller, the role that the ***. G's office plays in preventing domestic violence. Our office plays *** huge role in victims of crime including domestic violence. Some time ago, the county attorney's decided that all the victims programs in in the state should be united in 11 department and that it should be the attorney general and convince the Legislature to do that. So we we have *** series of programs to take to help victims including reimburse them for for their financial losses in crime. But also we we fund the domestic violence centers to federal money and state money, *** very significant amount of money so that they can do the effort of prevention. And those people that work in those programs are just real heroes. They don't take *** lot of money. They believe in what they're doing and they help help the most vulnerable were also advocates in in this area have gone to the legislature, among other things to try and and finally successfully take away from guns from people that have have been involved in domestic violence. So that that is one of the, one of the major parts of our office. And I think one of the successful parts of our office and again, part of using the law to serve ordinary Iowans. Well, we now want to talk about *** recent high profile court case here in Des Moines as part of *** plea deal. Teenage sex trafficking survivor piper Lewis was sentenced to pay $150,000. Restitution to the family of the man that she killed, That man had raped her repeatedly. Question for you both should piper Lewis have to pay that restitution Mr miller, you go 1st 60 seconds. You know, common sense and common justice tells us that that she shouldn't have to pay. The law seems to be pretty pretty clear that in all these situations, including hers that she has to pay. So I think I think we have to continue to explore options uh to to deal with that. And as soon as the legislature comes back change the law so that this is not required, not mandatory and make it retroactive to her situation. Thank you. Mr miller Mrs Bird. Same question to you. Should piper Lewis have to pay that restitution. You have 60 seconds. Yes, I hear from concerns people all over the state with that very same question that you are asking, wondering why the judge would order such *** thing. And it's because the judge uh and the state as *** prosecutor has to follow the law. The Legislature makes the law, we follow it. So for those who wish to change it, it's important that they would talk to their legislators and ask them to change that law, That's where that change could happen. I think one of the reasons that law was passed was because it's very hard and I would say impossible to place any value on human life, but it could be that the legislature could look at exceptions so that something like this doesn't happen again. All right, thank you, ma'am for answering that question and thank you Mr miller as well. Let's move on to what we're calling our lightning round. Please give us *** quick answer to each one of these questions. Our first question is what is something about your opponent that you admire? Mr Miller? You go first. Well, actually, actually two things. One brenna, you're intelligent, you're you're *** very smart individual and secondly, the working relationship that we had when you served in the governor's office, we'd run against each other and we put partisan politics aside and worked in the interest of the state, which which is always always my approach. And Mrs Bird, one thing you admire about your opponent. Well, it'll come as no surprise to Mr miller that I have that that same thing that that comes to mind. You are you are *** nice guy and *** good person and I certainly appreciated our working relationship, which I think went really well when I was the governor's council in that role and I commend you for that and I appreciate that, thank you. But we worked through them. That that was part of part of the success. That's right, We worked through it. All right, well you talked about each other now, talk about yourself, the proudest personal achievement for yourself, Mrs Bird, We start with you. Well, I can't really call it an achievement per se, but I have to say I'm so blessed and thankful that I get to be *** mom to *** six year old who's in kindergarten. That's probably one of the best things, if not the best thing that's ever happened in my life. Mr miller. Same question to you were you know, we're stuck here Brennan were given the same answer, It's being the father of my son matt miller, he's been such, such *** treasure. Uh and uh and I feel very blessed to have him. Well maybe you'll have different answers on this next question. What is your favorite place to visit in Iowa? And Mrs Bird start with you. Oh my favorite place to visit in Iowa is gonna be my grandparents house because my grandma is *** great cook and sometimes has some treats or pie and we can hang out there together. The whole family. My son and my husband loved to spend time with grandpa, rain wayne and grandma Rini as my son calls him. Mr miller. What about you? Well it's close but number one is McGregor and marquette and effigy mounds of where I lived before I became became attorney general. Just absolutely beautiful place. And where the Wisconsin river comes into the Mississippi for instance, the bluffs, the hills just, it's *** state of mind for me, I I can get away but my hometown of Dubuque is *** very close second. The record should show. Okay, we appreciate you guys playing ball here on these lighthearted questions. It wouldn't be in Iowa debate without perhaps this question, the best tenderloin in the state of Iowa. Mr Miller question goes to you. Well the best tenderloin probably probably back into view. Uh *** number of restaurants that I've enjoyed there. I grew up into view and it was just *** great place to go go off in and have *** lot of great memories including the tenderloin. Mrs Bird. Same question to you. Yes. Well everybody knows that I like to talk about dexter and in dexter we have the rusty duck. It's *** great restaurant. They have *** fantastic tenderloin that is delicious and you can probably only eat half of it. I recommend that you order it with the homies Which were *** great kind of French fry. It goes great with *** good tenderloin. Well thank you both. Now before we go tonight we're giving the candidates an opportunity to each make *** closing statement. Each candidate will have 60 seconds. We drew names out of *** hat to determine speaking order Brenna bird will begin with you. Your closing statement. Thank you. Well we've talked about *** lot of things here today but one thing we haven't heard is whether the attorney general we have today has ever tried *** criminal case before *** jury himself rather than just the other people in his office. We're still waiting for an answer to that question. When I'm attorney general I will work hard for you. I will work hard for justice. I've been an attorney for 21 years. I've been *** prosecutor for six of those. When I'm attorney general we will back the blue law enforcement will know that they have my full support and I will build that relationship with them all across Iowa Iowans back the blue and I do too will have *** cold case unit so that nobody gets away with murder? Will have *** special victims unit. So we are focusing on some of the most heinous defendants and bringing those people to justice. The child molesters, those who would abuse the elderly and I will hold the biden administration accountable. I will bring them to court when they violate our laws and constitution. Unlike the current attorney general who's retired on the job. Thank you ma'am mr miller. Same question or same closing statement to you 60 seconds. I would just say that that I haven't tried *** jury case criminal jury case while I've been attorney general part because I just have this incredible staff led by scott brown. They're the among the best prosecutors in in the in the state protect the public night and day scott handled of course the mollie Tibbetts case. One of his colleagues is working on the very difficult case in fair field with the teacher was was murdered. I have argued very significant case before the Iowa Supreme Court and I've argued two cases before the U. S. Supreme Court and won both of them unanimously. So that that that that's my court appearance. I just love this job and people know that because you get to use the law to serve the interests of ordinary islands. I love it because we have this great staff. We've succeeded in doing so many things to say serve Iowans and just in everyday life. And that's that's been, that's been our emphasis. How do we help in consumer? How do we prosecute those cases? What do we do about the opioid crisis? How do we, how do we help farmers with with the fertilizer situation? That is what our offices about, including the independence, the enormously important independence of this office. Thank you sir and thank you both for joining us this afternoon and evening for the Iowa Attorney General and for taking part in our questioning both brenna bird and tom miller. Thank you both. And at home if you missed any of tonight's debate, you can watch it online at K C C I dot com or streaming on our very local app. Thank you for watching. Have *** great sunday afternoon and evening. This has been *** commitment 2022 special debate for the Iowa Attorney General.