Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), the youngest woman ever elected to Congress, was the victim of some nasty finger pointing at a debate earlier this week between her two challengers. Stefanik squared off against Democrat Tedra Cobb and Green Party candidate Lynn Kahn to defend her 21st District congressional seat.
The three women debated the gamut of topics, including health care, abortion, and the environment. But, interestingly, the real fireworks began when the moderator asked about military spending.
Stefanik spoke about the many threats America faces and how it requires strong military funding. It's why she strongly defends the latest NDAA bill, which was named after the late Sen. John McCain.
Kahn, clearly not a fan of the congresswoman's answer, turned to Stefanik and lectured her for doing nothing to honor McCain's legacy.
Check out this clip from the @MountainLakePBS #NY21 debate. @lynnskahn criticizes @EliseStefanik and then points at her and says "Don't interrupt me." Full debate here - https://t.co/Px1U8aaTSb pic.twitter.com/sUoUrn1lgB
— Matt Ryan ?? (@MMR_MattRyan) October 25, 2018
“John McCain may have been your friend, but you didn’t have the courage when you were standing on that stage to announce that authorization to say his name,” Kahn said, aggressively pointing her finger in Stefanik’s face. “And you don’t have the courage to talk about national security implications of climate change, in public, on the floor of the House. You’ve said more today than I’ve seen you or heard you say in four years.”
When Stefanik tried to interject and defend herself, Kahn screamed (literally screamed) “don’t interrupt me!”
Kahn went on to argue that "we cannot sustain" the current budget, which is "driving us to more places where we’re likely create more conflicts." The candidate shared that her father was a Marine and she supports our troops. The best way to continue supporting, them, she insisted, was to “stop sending them off to wars that we do not have to fight.”
When Stefanik had a chance to respond, she calmly noted that she was one of the members of Congress who "made sure" they named the NDAA bill after him. For some reason Kahn threw up her hands at that remark.
McCain, Stefanik added, "will be sorely missed in this country" and it would be a "disservice" to not support the NDAA.
You can watch the whole debate below.
Is this an indication that military funding will be a sensitive issue across the country come midterm time?