FREDERICKSBURG. Va. — The two major-party candidates in Virginia’s 1st Congressional District wasted no time Monday night highlighting how they differ on the issues.
Robert J. Wittman, the incumbent Republican representing residents from Prince William County, Fredericksburg, to Williamsburg slammed the federal healthcare mandate calling for its repeal and replacement with a new program.
“I think the problems with Obamacare speak for themselves,” said the Republican, just hours after double-digit increases were reported in insurance premiums for the coming year.
Increasing costs, increasing financial burdens on small businesses and the structure of the federal health care plan were all reasons Wittman said the measure must be repealed.
“Any time you have a [healthcare company] in charge you are not going to find a system that works in the best interest of the patient,” he added.
Rowe was quick to fire back saying Republicans have taken ineffective, “symbolic” votes to repeal the federal healthcare mandate, but offered no acceptable replacement plan.
“Republicans say they are going to repeal and replace Obamacare. They’ve got the repeal side down pretty good,” said Rowe “Symbolic votes to repeal healthcare won’t get anything done.”
Green Party Candidate Gail Parker was also on stage for the debate at The University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, and said she would like to see a healthcare system that focused more on preventative and alternative measures so that fewer residents would rely on federal healthcare.
The audience inside Dodd Auditorium was partisan, with Democrats on one side and Republicans on the other. Each faction cheered when their candidate catered to their base. Rowe garnered applause when he called for a debt-free college education. CONTINUE READING . . .
More
Virginia’s 1st Congressional District Candidate Questionnaire: Gail Parker
Virginia’s 1st Congressional District Candidate Questionnaire: Matt Rowe
Virginia’s 1st Congressional District Candidate Questionnaire: Rob Wittman
Fredericksburg Voters’ Guide for the 2016 Presidential General Election
Spotsylvania Voters’ Guide November 2016
Wittman, Rowe to Debate October 24 in Fredericksburg
Voter Registration Deadline Extended in Virginia
Presidential Candidate Jill Stein to Speak at UMW
Actress Bellamy Young and Former Undersecretary of State Judith McHale Campaign in Fredericksburg for Hillary Clinton
Presidential Nominee Donald Trump Speaks in Fredericksburg
Op-Ed: An Open Letter to Donald Trump
Hillary for America Office Opening in Fredericksburg
Matt Rowe Named Democratic Nominee for Congress in Virginia’s First District
