Health care, transportation and infrastructure, energy independence, and the government’s response to COVID-19 took center stage Thursday night in a virtual debate between U.S. Congressman Dan Meuser, R-9, and Democratic challenger Dr. Gary Wegman, sponsored by the Schuylkill County Chamber of Commerce.

The 9th Congressional District encompasses all of Carbon, Columbia, Schuylkill and Lebanon counties, as well as parts of Berks, Luzerne, Montour and Northumberland counties.

Meuser, seeking a second term in office, said he’s delivered on promises made two years ago and plans to keep striving to make Pennsylvania be the best it can be.

“Pennsylvania has had its best economy in 100 years, but we are still 37th or 38th for where businesses want to move to and expand,” Meuser said. “We should be in top 5. We need to get the macros right. The Democratic caucus today wants higher taxes. It’s a really bad idea. There is one path this election that will lead us to darkness and one path that will lead us to greatness.”

Wegman, meanwhile, said he hopes to draw on his 36 years as a dentist to help craft a health care policy that brings everyone on a level playing field.

“I have seen a marked increase in patients who I treat who can no longer afford the health care they need,” Wegman said. “We have seen astronomical increases in prices for health care premiums and prescription medications. I am not hearing a willingness from elected representatives to address this issue.”

COVID-19

While Wegman said he won’t fault anyone with regard to the response of the United States government so far, he strongly supports a second stimulus package as soon as possible.

“It speaks volumes to the problems in Washington that we haven’t continued on with another governmental response to the pandemic,” he said. “This current governmental gridlock is the most existential threat to nation. We have to change it.”

Meuser said President Donald Trump’s initial response to the virus was “highly appropriate.”

“We are trying to negotiate a second package but Nancy Pelosi is not a good faith negotiator,” Meuser said. “The president is open to it. A month ago, we presented a $1.5 trillion bill and Pelosi walked away from it. It was absolutely in line with what we needed. It was more than I would have preferred, but that is called compromise.”

Transportation and infrastructure

If Trump is re-elected, Meuser said, a significant transportation and infrastructure bill will be close behind.

“It is at the top of our list,” he said. “Modernizing our roads has a direct correlation with our economic recovery. I support an infrastructure bank for America. It would bring private sector dollars dedicated to develop our infrastructure in the United States.”

Wegman said while he also likes the idea of an infrastructure bank, conversations need to move forward, not stall, in Washington.

“Actions speak louder than words,” he said. “If we aren’t having the conversation, then we have people who are not serving in our best interests.”

Energy

Energy issues, Wegman said, represent one of the most important issues in the election.

“Energy independence is a national security issue,” he said. “I am interested in a diversified energy portfolio. By all means we have to maintain our workforce we have in fossil fuel energy, but I am concerned we are not incentivizing enough job creation for newer, cleaner energy alternatives.”

Meuser called the energy debate “one of the top reasons to vote Republican” and slammed the Green New Deal, which he said top Democrats staunchly support.

“Joe Biden wants to do away with fossil fuels and ban fracking,” Meuser said. “That would be devastating to our state to say the least. It would stop us from becoming as great as we can be. Pennsylvania can be the new Texas in part because of energy. Our natural gas is an economic blessing for the state.”

Health care

Meuser dubbed the Obama-era Affordable Care Act a disaster and called for improvements to the health care system.

“Premiums went through the roof,” Meuser said. “Deductibles are typical now at $5,000. I strongly disagree with the Medicare-for-all suggestion. How dare we try to do that to older Pennsylvanians. They paid into that and now we’re going to make it available to everyone. I don’t think so.”

Wegman said families need more choice when it comes to health care.

“Your insurance company tells you who you can go to right now for health care,” he said. “I want people who work in businesses, schools or the federal government to all have the same high quality of health care. To do this, we need to take away the middle man.”