Michael Franken in 2022 IA Senate race

On War & Peace: Biden's doing the right thing on Ukraine

[On the Russian invasion]: "Ukraine's going to be a difficult challenge in the months ahead, it isn't going to get better with time. The Russians will not retreat. Those poor Russian conscripts will have to be beaten. Biden's doing the right thing by corralling nations, giving the Ukrainians the tools necessary to repair the borders. Hopefully without many more civilian casualties, Russia will be able to start repairing its international image, which I believe is irrefutably damaged for perpetuity." Source: KPVI on 2022 Iowa Senate race Jun 9, 2022

On Abortion: Codify Roe v. Wade into law

The candidates disagreed about what to do about abortion in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court this summer overruling Roe v. Wade and eliminating the national right to an abortion. [GOP Senator Chuck] Grassley ruled out voting for a federal bill that would ban abortion after 15 weeks, with exceptions for rape or incest or to save the life of the pregnant person. "I would vote no," he said. Grassley said the U.S. Supreme Court made the right decision in overturning Roe v. Wade.

Franken has said he supports codifying Roe v. Wade into law. But when asked Thursday how such a bill should define viability, Franken said it shouldn't be a government decision. "The short of it is during these most private times, personal times in a woman's life, we shouldn't have the government stepping in to determine when viability exists, etc.," he said. "The doctor knows this. The woman knows this. This is not something for government to step in and make those determinations."

Source: Des Moines Register on 2022 Iowa Senate race Oct 6, 2022

On Welfare & Poverty: Reduce inflation without catering to corporations

Both candidates criticized each other's position on inflation, while arguing they would work to reduce costs for Iowans. Franken pointed to [GOP Senator Chuck] Grassley's vote against capping the price of insulin at $35 for people on Medicare and said Grassley has taken donations from the pharmaceutical industry. "We can do a lot as a senator (to reduce inflation), but it takes longstanding altruism and intellect to make it happen and not being a stooge for big corporations," Franken said.

Grassley said he has long worked to lower prescription drug prices, including working to enact Medicare Part D and partnering with U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., on his own prescription drug bill. He said Democratic spending policies have increased inflation in the United States. "When you're in a hole, you quit digging," he said. "But the Democrats are not quitting digging."

Source: Des Moines Register on 2022 Iowa Senate race Oct 6, 2022

The above quotations are from 2022 Iowa Senate race: debates and news coverage. Click here for other excerpts from 2022 Iowa Senate race: debates and news coverage. Click here for other excerpts by Michael Franken. Click here for a profile of Michael Franken.
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Page last updated: Feb 14, 2023