carolina's gop presidential primary saturday at 7:00 eastern on c-span, c-span now, our free mobile video app or online at c-span.org/campaign 2024. c-span, your unfiltered view of politics. >> c-span now is a free mobile app featuring your unfiltered view of what's happening in washington, live and on demand. keep up with the biggest events with live streams and floor proceedings in hearings from the u.s. congress, white house events, the courts, campaigns and more from the world of politics, all at your fingertips. stay current with the latest episodes of washington journal and find scheduling information for c-span's tv network and c-span radio. plus a variety of compelling podcasts. c-span now is available at the apple store and google play. scan the qr code to download it for free today or visit

c-span.org/c-span now. c-span now, your front row seat to washington, anytime, anywhere. >> the top four candidates running in california's nonpartisan 2024 u.s. senate primary participated in an hour-long final debate ahead of the golden state selection on march the fifth. topics range from immigration to foreign policy to artificial intelligence. the top two candidates advanced to the general election. -- advance to the general election.

[speaking spanish] >> with two weeks less, nearly 30% of california voters are undecided. only two of the candidates will continue to note -- to the november election. tonight we speak with for

toppling candidates. democratic congresswoman barbara lee representing oakland, former chair of the congressional black caucus, adam schiff of burbank. the former jury of the house intelligence committee. democratic congresswoman katie porter of irvine in orange county. she's a former deputy chair of the house progressive caucus and republican steve garvey, a former -- with the los angeles padres. many think he should be in the hall of fame, but should he be in the halls of congress? >> our goal is to explore the positions of all of these candidates. our questions will focus on the jobs and responsibilities of a u.s. senator. the candidates will have 60 seconds to respond to questions. 30 seconds for rebuttals at the discussions -- discretions of the moderators and 15 second follow-ups. >> let's start with inflation. it was supposed -- it was supposed to take down last

month, but it went up. we noticed the democrat spent a lot of time talking about the minimum wage. he wanted to double the federal minimum wage, increase the minimum wage in california. congresswoman lee talked about a $50 an hour minimum wage. the minimum wages going up in california for fast food workers. a major change to $20 an hour. already, mcdonald's, jack-in-the-box, aaa will raise -- chipotle will raise the cost. pizza hot -- pizza hut is laying off 2500 drivers. i want you to address to voters who think this just makes cost-of-living worse, speak to that and to the problem of inflation and how many people watching leave their money is worth less tomorrow than it is today because of the inflation rate. can a senator do anything about it?

quex does a lot the california senator can do. the problem today is not that people are working. the problem is, they are working and cannot make enough to get by. the answer is dumping people left -- less to keep inflation down. the answer is bringing down the cost of goods, ringing down the cost of housing, childcare, we want to strengthen our economy, we need to make sure people have good access to quality childcare , in particular, women can participate in the workforce, that will raise the economy. we need to bring down energy costs. we can bring down the cost of housing by building more housing. my family came to california when i was 11 in search for a better life. we found it here. my wife eve, yes, we are adam and eve. her family also came here and she found it here. i wanted to be true for future generations of californians. the way we can make it possible

is by bringing down the cost of housing. >> good evening, california. we need to make sure washington is focusing on our biggest challenge, which is the cost of living. decade after decade, career politicians haven't focused on our challenges, including the cost of housing, the cost of childcare, eldercare, the cost of college. we need to make sure workers get paid a wage that reflects what they contribute at their jobs. we need washington to get in the game. decade after decade they haven't been there. you cannot raise the wage and close the tremendous gap that people face and afford childcare or college. my representative says he wants to bring down the cost of childcare, but he is in on either of the two major democratic bills that would do that. he's not on the bill to provide

rental assistance to people for housing. although all of these things are in his plans. that's the gap between congressman shift and candidate shift. >> while these career politicians -- three years ago they were on was created today.

>> we have to talk about what it takes for people to live in california. we have a huge affordability crisis. the cost of living is too high. at the federal level we have to raise the minimum wage. we haven't wait -- raised it a decade. seven dollars 25 cents to $17 in 2025. great first step. in california we have $16 an hour now. believe you me, every single study that you have seen that has been written about the affordability crisis in california, people are working two and three jobs just to pay rent, just for childcare.

we have to think about and talk about a living wage. what does it mean to have a living wage in california? over a hundred thousand dollars, people are barely of surviving, they are living on the edge. we have to take about what it takes to make sure people can afford to live in california on a living wage. >> you have 15 seconds to respond. >> there's nothing easier than putting yourself on the bill. real legislators write their own legislation. i've introduced numerous bills to bring down the cost of child card to make sure we bring it into new solidity's. that we raise the wages of childcare workers. a lot of people are willing to do childcare work for poverty wages. i would wage incomes for those incredibly essential workers. i'll think any family should be spending more than 5% or 10% of their income on childcare. i would provide a tax credit.

>> a tremendous amount of federal money has been spent over the past administrations. the head of the congressional budget office on capitol hill said the deficit is going to be 2.6 trillion in 10 years. he called it in existential threat to the economy because the service on the debt to be so great, it will crowd out federal spending, including the programs we will talk about tonight. do you consider the deficit a problem or will it work itself out? if the federal budget needs to be cut, where would you cut? 30 seconds. congresswoman porter. >> i think be fierce advocates r .

the wealth in america. we have to repeal trump tax cuts. i think we could just -- we could restore balance and budgets of people pay their fair share. they will pay as much as the working fans. i don't know if mr. garvey is with me. i think he's not with me on that. but it will address some of the

budget deficit. >> congresswoman lee? >> the budget deficit a problem. these trump era tax cuts expired, the billionaires must be part of paying their fair share. we need to go back to the tax code and make sure billionaires pay their fair share. it was said the pentagon had not been honest. it was myself that lead with the republicans to insist they be audited. we learn the pentagon has flung its audit. it's time that democrats follow myself in the senate to audit the pentagon and get back that money. >> is there anything in the federal government you would cut? >> of course the deficit is serious. over the last four years we have seen the debt go sky high. why, because the excessive spending by in government.

they understand that. 60 years of combined congressional work has caused the spiraling debt to go higher and higher. let's get back to cutting interest rates. the fed the last week. the administration kept touting that all of a sudden this inflation has gone down, it hasn't. >> at least two of you have talked about military spending in the pentagon, let's talk about lee terry readiness. u.s. army has not met the recruitment goals and nearly a decade. secretary of the air force has expressed serious concerns about air force preparedness, the readiness. given the state of the world right now, is the u.s. sending enough, are they spending enough on defense, are we prepared for any kind of major conflict? congresswoman porter, you have 60 seconds. >> there is no doubt the world

is facing new dangers in our country is facing new threats. i have let on issues of the threats we are facing in the in pacific from china and other powers. this is a time to be investing in diplomacy. we have the strongest military in the world that i want to support the amazing people who step up and serve who are veterans and service members. at the same time, we have to make sure that's where our tax dollars are going, to actually make us safer. we have seen a number of billions in this regard. i think it's important to separate those issues. how do we keep our country safe? that means someone who will look forward, look at the future and understand the threats that are coming from cyber, and from new kinds of technology. >> national defense is our

single most important issue. without that, everything else is irrelevant. peace through strength, we have to remember that we are the torchbearer for democracy around the world. we have to have policy that shows our enemies that we are serious, we will address every issue and approached. but we have to make sure our military is capable. technology wise, militarily, we have to have the best equipment. we need to make sure our military is fully funded at all times. >> congresswoman lee, you have 60 seconds. >> i'm a daughter of a veteran, 25 years, he served in world war ii, korea, he served in japan. he was a proud patriot and told me over and over again to make sure readiness was intact, but also that we protect our troops. the pentagon budget is

excessive. it's a hundred $90 billion, we need to cut at least 100 billion out of the military budget and put into readiness and our troops. i lead in my effort to get past the people over pentagon act. in the senate, i will do that. military contractors, recently we tried working with republicans to clawback money with weapons dealers that really stole from the pentagon in terms of tax dollars. no, we need to reduce the military budget, put more into readiness into our troops, into veterans, into our domestic needs, and we need to put more into development and diplomacy instead of increasing the military budget. >> my dad is 96. he joined at the service at the end of world war ii and he went to join the marine corps and failed the physical because he had flat feet and bad eyesight. two weeks later he went to join the army thinking they would

have a different physician. same standard, same physician and the guy recognized my dad there and he said, you want to get in that bad and he said yes, he was in the army. he raised his two sons to have great respect for those who wear the uniform. we have a challenge recruiting because we don't pay our service members enough for the dangers that they have to face in the hardships their families have to face. and there are areas where we need to cut the pentagon budget. i remember meeting with president obama to discuss our debt problem. one of my colleagues used the occasion argue f-22's. something the pentagon said they didn't need or can afford. the pentagon said, i need to make national security decisions based on national security. that's what we need to do. >> follow-up question, this will be 30 seconds. i keep hearing the best equipment, trading, readiness,

there have been a number of military crashes recently, defense department accountability office reports equipment is aging. all branches of the military need to rebuild, restore, and modernize. we have military bases in the state of california that stretch from southern california in san diego, all the way north. we hear all the time, thank you for your service. but in reality, is washington doing enough to service the service members, to protect them, to keep them safe? >> it's a matter of priority that how the pentagon spends its tax dollars. the pentagon needs to put more resources into readiness to making sure our troops are protected rather than allowing weapons dealers to steal taxpayer dollars. that's what's happening. that's why worked with my republican colleagues to expose what was taking place at the pentagon a couple of months ago.

that's why i required the pentagon to be audited. it has flunked six audits. we need to put resources into our vets and make sure they have the equipment that they need. >> this is the most rewarding part of serving in congress, i had the opportunity to visit troops all over the world. i've been to the countries that have been killing service members. there is no higher priority than making sure our service members our phase. -- safe. part of what is so valuable about doing that is getting the ground troops from people about whether they are well equipped, whether they feel they have them -- the resources they need because you don't hear that from the generals. it's important for me to get the truth, and i do. >> i think we need to be stimulating more defense, more competition amongst our defense contractors. washington cave sweetheart deals

to certain defense contractors, and there is a candidate on this day to has done that again and again, getting earmarks for his private corporate donors who are picked defense contractors. i think we need to prioritize making sure the people doing the work have the equipment they need. i'm proud to address food insecurity among veterans to make it easier to get better military housing. >> i will wrap all of this up by saying, freedom has no cost to it. it's whatever it takes. i think freedom in this country starts on the ground, in the air, and in the sea. and i agree. whatever it takes to do this. we are the torchbearer for the world. we do continue to serve our allies. but let's make sure america's ready. >> i will give you 15 seconds for rebuttal for that, from ms. porter.

>> we have a strong disagreement over whether senators should bring back resources for their state. i believe they should. representative porter prefers a political talking point. i want to bring back billions as feinstein did, to help people find shelter, get food when they're hungry, and any senator that will do that will be a gift to the senators who will fight for resources. >> i would like to respond. the truth is, california only gets two senators, that will be 2% of the earmarks, yet we are 12% of the u.s. population. earmarks are about inviting corruption in rewarding people's donors. how is that track record, look for yourself. >> as a journalist who has covered the latino community for many years, there's a lot of people i have talked to on the streets who believe, they really

believe, from the bottom of their hearts, that they are being used by your party, the democratic party, every time there is an election. you have pardoned immigration reform. but even when you had control of the house, the senate and the white house, he failed to pass immigration reform. why should latino voters trust you on this issue? i will start with you congress member porter. >> as someone who went to washington to do things differently, i am not satisfied with democrats or republicans have been delivering. i'm of a generation that has only ever known the amazing contributions immigrants have made. the promise active status to deliver, not just a pathway to citizenship, but we need to give it now. two dreamers to provide protection for tps. it went to the senate where it died.

that's why i'm running to shake it up. i will not offer you the status quo because the status quo has been unacceptable and not enough for millions of americans. i'm tired of hearing about immigration reform, i want to do it. i'm tired of talking about pathways to citizenship. the chaos and struggles we see in our immigration system benefits big corporations to take advantage of undocumented labor and it should stop. >> thank you for your response. you have been in congress for 26 years, do you bear any responsibility for this? >> let me first say that our latino community should not trust us, they should grade us based on the work we have done, our voting record, and exactly what we believe in. just in terms of immigrants. i was born in el paso, texas in an immigrant community in a

border town. i understand the importance of comprehensive immigration reform. border security will not work without comfortable -- comprehensive immigration reform. it was a disgrace we cannot allow our dreamers to become united states senators. in the senate, that would be the first thing i do to make sure that i'm sure the pathways to citizenship for our dream. we haven't protected our farmworkers the way we should. farmworker monetization act should have been passed by now. it's very important that latino voters understand that there are some that may not believe immigrants deserve humane treatment. our record should speak for itself. >> you have been in congress for 24 years almost, this year. what is your take on this?

>> i think you are right. when democrats controlled the house on the senate as we did the first two years of the biden administration and during the obama administration, the democratic party did not get it done. we will never get help from the republicans at mr. kirby's party believes this is a political gift that will never stop giving. it won't help us with this. we will have to get rid of the filibuster and pass a truly comprehensive immigration reform. i will go to the senate to work with alex padilla and fight to make sure that happens. it's unconscionable that we haven't done it. i spoke to a farmworker that lives in mexico, gets up at 1:00 in the morning, works in our fields for eight hours and 100 degrees heat. he goes back to the port of the country, one of the most hard-working people i have ever met. he is deserving of a pathway to citizenship. my record of advocacy and leadership, the premier immigrant rights, united farm

have endorsed me, they know i will be a champion of the senate for truly comprehensive reform. >> the reason bipartisan immigration bill, a historic one was killed by her -- by republicans two weeks ago because donald trump wants to keep the issue alive so he can use it in his presidential campaign. how can latino stress republicans on this issue? you have 60 seconds.

and let stop illegal immigrants from coming into this country and infiltrating our communities , and taking away from those people who are the heart and soul of california. >> talking about the bill, this is a follow-up question. that bipartisan border security bill was called the most conservative immigration bill in 40 years in our country. it would have raise the standards for asylum-seekers and provided more border security. it would have allowed border closures during searches of illegal crossings. the bill was supported by president biden, but senator from california alex padilla voted against it. how would you have voted?

>> i would have voted no. for me, the bill was not meeting the standard i would insist on. i immigration reform should be humane and provisions would be orderly with due process. this did not have any of that. >> alex padilla had no seat at the table nor did any other border democrat. it's not surprising the package was lopsided. i would support a package that had a comprehensive immigration reform. >> i would've voted no on the immigration package. it demonized immigrants by ignoring the fact they come here seeking a better life. our country needs immigrants if we will have a stronger country.

we should focus on fentanyl, human trafficking and gun trafficking. >> there were too many things packed in there, i would've voted against it. >> let's turn to a fundamental issue of being a senator, thou swore at these. this make us the second anniversary of the russian invasion into ukraine. can we stipulate that three house democrats would have voted for the senate bill authorizing $60 billion in aid to ukraine, that you would've voted for that. >> it would depend on what else is in that bill and i'm not certain i would vote for it.

and the builder were provisions i did not agree with. >> a couple of yes. the president has said the united states would deploy u.s. troops to aid taiwan if there was an invasion by china. do you support that platform? yes, no? >> no. >> as support the position. >> congresswoman porter. >> i would support safeguarding the threat of china. >> no troops on the ground. >> if there was a resolution on the floor that said united states stands with israel in its determination, there will be no peace in gaza until it's removed in the leadership position in the gaza strip. we support that declaration.

yes or no congresswoman lee. >> i supported cease fire. >> you vote yes for that? >> i would vote no. >> who can explain later, but you vote no. again, along the same lines -- same lines, you vote for resolution that says israel has to impose an immediate cease-fire, unconditional cease-fire, and the war. >> yes. >> no >> no. >> i will have you explain those but i would like to to express your sentiment towards what the 45th president of the united states have said and many people in the united states, america first, they want us to sink from the world. donald trump has set on a number of occasions that he questions

whether we should be in the nato alliance -- american foreign policy and you have 60 seconds. we will start with you. >> global peace and security has got to be a priority for our foreign policy. let me just explain what i mean. i was a pellet chair for the majority of the appropriations committee that funded out -- all of our development and diplomacy. we funded it -- i believe it was about $60 billion. defense was about $840 billion. we need to rebalance our foreign policy. we need to make sure we put more into preventing more and to development and diplomacy and reduce the military budget. that is the only pathway to peace. the united states takes the lead in seeking a peaceful world.

we must put more of our investments into preventing wars, into humanitarian needs, and the other people throughout the world -- >> americans role in the world? >> first of all, america has a right to defend itself, it was on october 7, i don't see how there could be lasting peace as long as a terrorist organization has threatened gaza. nor do i see how there could be a permanent cease-fire. nevertheless, israel must make every effort to avoid civilian casualties and we must make every effort to get the parties to a two state solution. turning to the president of ukraine. ukraine has just lost a deep cut. they had gained in reclaiming part of their land. that was a terrible loss to

ukraine. it was a terrible loss to democracy and it was in part because republicans in congress would not approve aid it to ukraine. which we should approve immediately. i'm calling on the president to use -- to seize russian assets to help fund ukraine. we remain the indispensable nation of the world. we cannot advocate the responsibility either in the middle east or ukraine. >> the united states should be a beacon for freedom, democracy and human rights. that's the touchstone that should guide our foreign policy and we should be centered with every country in the world. i think it is important to recognize that this conflict is the result of the horrific attack by hamas, is one in which the parties to the conflict must determine what will be a lasting cease-fire for them. we can't just pass resolutions and make it so. the united states needs to

support peace and we need to recognize, someone on this date will not. we need to recognize humanitarian disaster and we need to be firm and clear to israel as our ally that we expect them to be a champion for peace and democracy. i think it is important that we live our values in this way and we are investing in diplomacy. donald trump did terrible damage to our standing on the world stage, and allowing russia to grow in power and we are all dealing with the consequences. >> plenty in the country believe we are overextended america first, we should look at domestic issues and not be the police officers for the world, what do you say? >> my campaign is based on common sense, compassion and consensus. i think i said earlier, the torchbearer for democracy around the world. their world is watching us and how we support our allies. we are supporting our ally in

ukraine, we are looking at taiwan, if they need help. as i said, i support israel yesterday, today and tomorrow. i believe all these countries use the word have a right to their sovereignty. >> is everybody looks as -- at as for strength and weakness, we have to maintain that strength so that when people look at us we are determined. for china, russia, iran, for anyone who feels they could become a threat to democracy. >> i agree, but how is that possible with donald trump -- >> the you very much. >> you took up the second c wasn't using, he could respond to that. this, from the congressman. >> i didn't understand what he was talking about. >> democracy with donald trump. >> be appreciated. his argument is that you voted

for donald trump twice, you haven't decided on what's going to happen, defend, in your words, the foreign policy agenda of a previous president, 30 seconds. look into this camera and talk to the citizens of california. >> as your senator, i will do everything to maintain your security. i am not concerned with anyone being, i'm concerned with 38 million californians and 338 million americans. >> miss porter, you have 15 seconds. >> the reality is, mr. garvey has been unclear with where he stands with regard to donald trump, he even said he might vote for joe biden. there is a republican that is dangerous and that is eric who said he would be 100% ma ga at all times. >> thank you, i appreciate that. >> in partnership with lmu, our

next question comes with garrett, a sophomore at lmu studying marketing and management. let's listen in. >> as a younger person great about they are reversible impact of climate change, i'm wondering what you could do to address the issue. >> mr. garvey, you have 30 seconds to respond. >> i think climate change is real, i thickets both man-made and natural. i believe that three years ago there was a rush to judgment by the administration. i believe that gas and oil lines were turned off which caused a tremendous strain on our economy. i think if it would've been more thought out, it would have had less stress. i think the most important thing for us to do is to always be aware that in this country we do have problems.

>> miss porter, your response. >> i'm proud to be the candidate in this space who has spent time working on these issues. i spent time on the house naturals resources committee and i will hold them to account. representative schiff has taken corporate pack checks from vps. these are household names. they are polluters. people can count on you to deliver the climate change that we have been waiting for for so long. >> you have 30 seconds to respond. >> first of all, it goes back to my dates -- days as a prosecutor lanai form the first crime unit to go after the oil companies and prosecuted them. the decision to expand mass transit and expanding cutting-edge research into

renewable and green energy jobs and also the crackdown of the or -- the oil companies. but i would like some time to respond to representative order. i'll think representative porter has been clear about her own record by taking thousands of dollars from people in the oil industry, thousands from bankers, thousands from the farm industry. the problem with the purity test is the people establishing them don't need them, but californians want someone who could get things done. >> i would like 30 seconds to respond. he had 30 seconds to respond to climate change, we have 15 seconds to respond to the rebuttal. >> the truth is that the ad running against me by a dark shady super pac has been rated falls. don't take my word for, independent fact checkers have rated that as false.

i made a choice when i ran for office to never take corporate pack money, representative schiff made a different choice and has taken nearly $2 trillion, including oil, the banks and big pharma. >> would you like to weigh in on climate change? >> i don't think any of my opponents here tonight have ever lived in the neighborhood where it was emitting toxic pollutants in chemicals throughout their childhood. i lived in el paso, texas in a black and brown community where these taxes chemicals made everyone feel sick can have lasting health impacts. climate justice is extremely important. in the senate, i would fight to make sure we passed the green new deal, which includes transition by workers from a fossil fuel economy to a green economy and pass our environmental justice laws so we can make sure our frontline communities are compensated and

are able to live free from toxic pollutants. >> nobody mentioned nuclear. california has a nuclear power plant. it represents 10%. it runs rain or shine. it does not contribute to global warming. it takes up a fraction of wind and solar farms. the governor has extended the nuclear regulatory commission. pg&e wants it at another 15. the president is in support of nuclear. i'm just curious, do you support the expansion, and does nuclear have a way in fighting congress change -- climate change? >> i think it should be looked at to be safely decommissioned. i see this in my own backyard with nuclear waste. >> do you oppose it?

>> yes, i would. i think the times table is affect this. i think investing in new technology, i am a proud member of the nuclear fusion caucus, it doesn't produce any of the hazardous-waste and have the risk of dangerous accidents. >> congressman shift, nuclear. >> i support the plan to decommission it. by think nuclear energy -- but i think nuclear energy has a role to play. we will need to move to wind and solar and have to have new transmissions to get it to where it's utilized. if we want to get ahead of the tipping point, i believe we can get ahead of it and we need a green new deal and we need a sense of urgency away from fossil fuels that have killed the planet and to green energy sources. but i think nuclear is part of

it. >> i support the decommission of the nuclear plant. i would also support nuclear power. i know we'd have to have a just transitioned to a green economy, that means jobs could be lost as a result of transition and to a green new deal that would have to be made certain that the workers had dropped shading -- job training, workforce development and wages and benefits to be able to transfer out of a nuclear power plant. i fully support decommissioning. >> it was supposed to be decommissioned here and has been extended five years, do support the extension? >> no i don't. >> i believe in nuclear energy. i believe this plant should be viable. i think when we talk about clean energy, we talk about nuclear, we talk about wind. but there's always a place.

this country runs on gas and oil . when it's all said and done, the people will decide. they will tell us what they can afford and what they need. >> let's talk a little bit about ai, artificial intelligence presents a legal, economic and ethical challenges. privacy concerns. in fact, it was the center of two major strikes. we are talking about the wga and sag-aftra. how can we have caliphate -- confidence you know how to get this under control? >> to make sure we have a strong regulation of ai to protect the public good. we can't always afford to make mistakes we did with social media. we have free reign to do this great experiment, which was the subject. we need bigger solar side of ai. i was proud to be out there on the picket lines making sure

that they had protections against the ai potential threat to their job. we need to address these changes in the workplace in the light of these new technologies to make sure workers -- >> time is up. congresswoman lee, ai. >> ai can be used for good, it can be used to harm people. i think it's important that right now we develop a regulatory environment so they can be used for good. when you look at what has happened with technology, look at what has happened to our young people with no guard rails. we could use ai because it's here to stay, to help with our climate crisis, to help with education and health care. we also have to be careful that it's not used to discriminate against people, because there are issues around racial justice that we have to address with ai. >> mr. garvey, should it be regulated? >> i see ai as here to stay.

i see it doing wonderful things in medicine. i'm concerned it's starting to eliminate jobs, white-collar and blue-collar jobs. once that happens, also mine altering ai is starting to affect -- >> should it be regulated? >> i believe it will have to be regulated. once it starts affecting you and i, and once it starts affecting californians, that's what we have to have regulations. >> as a lifelong consumer advocate, i could be trusted to take on trusting ai. these are the same of ultra-wealthy billionaires that are backing on. it ought to be safety, privacy and competition. those ought to be thinking about and what we have got right now is none of those things. you cap make a toaster and have it explode, but you can make an

ai product that puts us into the marketplace that reinforces discrimination and it is unfair. >> is talk about the individual candidacies in a couple of individual questions. when you are a member of the california legislator, you were former prosecutor, you introduced a number of bills that were crime related, one, from what i understand, would have allowed 14-year-olds to be prosecuted as adults. i believe you also authored a bill that would expand the three strikes law. you have said that you have learned from that experience. at the time, you said you were insensitive to communities that were the subject of mass incarceration. deer regret some of that

legislation? >> i certainly wouldn't all for a again. but i'm proud of the fact that in the same years in the 1990's, i offered, along with my collie, a crime prevention law, which has been described as one of the most successful long-term criminal justice at risk preventions in the states history. i'm proud of that. i'm proud of the fact that in congress i vote for criminal justice reform. i vote for body cameras for police officers. i'm proud of my record ever since i was a prosecutor. the safety of people in my district and in california has been my priority. quex this is for you, for better or worse, the u.s. senate is -- you have committed to being a one term senator, making you a lame duck day one. so what do you believe is going to be the influence you are going to have in the senate?

>> i build championship teams, i bring people together. i said on day one we will start a march to go to all 99 other senators and to meet with them and tell them, i'm there to build consensus. i'm there to bring people together. and washington needs a leader like myself. somebody who is willing to get up in the morning and go to bat for all the people in california. i don't think by opponents are running for all the people, they are running for half the people. >> but what will be your impact for the legislation that you can introduce in the senate? >> i graduated from michigan state with an education degree. i haven't had a chance to get to the classroom, but i think that's one of the most important things i can do, getting back to reading, writing and arithmetic to make sure the next generation of our children are the new leaders and capable. >> the increase in violent crime

in oakland has forced many residents, many people and many businesses to leave, including chains like starbucks and subway. all have chosen to close some of their stores due to safety concerns. a city where our fellow journalists can't go out to work without an armed security guard to cover any story. do you bear some responsibility, and what are you doing about it? >> public safety israel. in my district, throughout the state of california and throughout the country. a couple of things we must continue to do is working together with the federal government, local government to make sure we have the public safety team together to address violent crime. police officers need to be able to address violent crime in the

public safety team that are addressing the public issues we are faced with now. we have to deal with the underlying causes of these crimes and we have to get the guns off the street from oakland in every community. we have to pass the assault weapon ban and get these ak-47s and ghost guns off the street. i will fight for that in the united states senate. >> let's talk about endorsements. 27 democratic house members have endorsed adam schiff. ace have -- eight have endorsed barbara lee. based on your website, which i checked before we came on air, you have one house member out of long beach who said you didn't go to washington to make friends. why is that a good thing when a senator needs to work with other people to come up with legislation and to get them to vote? >> m proud of the relationships i haven't my colleagues and they have put their trust in me,

electing the deputy chair of the progressive caucus. that's a number two spot in the largest caucus at the time in the house democratic membership. i have also been twice selected to be either subcommittee chair or a regular member because these chair people sought me out with regard to endorsements, i would say i'm proud to have endorsements of folks like attorney general, the state senator. >> these are not your colleagues, these are not people working the house with you, these are state senators -- >> these are state senators and elizabeth warren. i have the endorsement of robert garcia. i have something important in common with robert. i went to congress to not have special interest. i have it from position on earmarks. i don't think we should be engaging on special projects. i have had people who have

special interest pushback. based on these peoples campaigns that affects what they do. >> you have each been in the public eye for some time now, and we all know campaigning can be difficult, is there something you have learned about yourself during this campaign? congresswoman lee, you have 15 seconds. >> what i have learned about myself during this campaign is that my background and experiences at many of the obstacles i have faced in my life, so many californians are facing there now, what i have learned is i have been able to help so many people meet these challenges that i intend to do that in the united states senate. quex what i have learned is that californians are looking for somebody that can work with other people to get things done. there are with housing, fire pump -- problem with jobs with affording the cost of living, and i guess i felt about myself,

the ability to work with others, to attract others, to team up together. not just my colleagues in congress but speaker pelosi, barbara boxer, the majority of statewide labor organizations and that's an important skill for the senate. >> people around the state have come up to me and said, steve, thank you. god bless you, thank you for running, we need you, career politicians have failed us. we need a new voice back in washington and the senate. we trust you, we put our life in your hands. >> but what have you learned about yourself doing the campaign? wax i started this campaign because i believe in the people, i love my state, i want to represent all the people of california and i will be relentless in their pursuit of that. >> i didn't hear response to the question of all. >> i would say that what i have learned about myself is that

institutional washington doesn't want to change very much. and we have seen this with big, dark money, even in california, the greatest democracy of the united states is flooding the airway with lies. >> closing statements, 45 seconds. this is the last debate before the primary election. >> thank you for the currency and for josh of friendship for all the years. to all the people of california, this is been a journey. but if you feel the quality of your life is the same now that it was three years ago, if you believe there is crime in the streets that is relentless. if you believe the crisis at the border, if you believe inflation is stifling your family, then i want you to vote for me. i want you to go to steve garvey.com.

tonight is a night i put my heart and soul into this. i want to represent you for six years. >> thank you for inviting us to be with you again. thank you to the voters who watch this debate. i think it's important to know i know it it takes to make life better for everyone in california. i have faced so many obstacles, such as being on public assistance and food stamps. not being able to afford childcare and having to take my children to class with me. i know that 20 million people who are living went paycheck away from poverty. i want to work for you in the united states senate to make life better for you. i know it it takes to fix our democracy and protect our democracy. and what it takes to protect our reproductive freedom. i'm so proud that reproductive freedom for all has endorsed me. our democratic rights are being taken away. please vote for barbara lee.

>> thank you, shift. click senator feinstein was a giant in the state because she had the ability to take on the big fights and get things done. she took on the nra and we got an assault weapon ban. she worked with people throughout the state of california to deliver for californians everywhere. this is what i will bring to the senate. senator feinstein was a good example. she was a doer, she was a doer, she got things done. for the imperial valley, i want to make sure they help people in the imperial valley. for people in the central valley i want to make sure they have water they can treat, that farmworkers have a path to citizenship. i want to make sure those in the north of the state are protected from wildfire and have access to health care and broadband. i want to be a senator for all californians and that's what i will be. >> congresswoman porter. >> californians, you'll have to

choose between having a career politician was beholden to politicians and having someone who doesn't have a lot of ideas or experience at all. i could give you an example of how i have delivered results without ever being beholden. during the early days of the covid-19 pandemic we were scared and had no resources just at home watching a graft of rising cases. went toe to toe with troubles rising politician and i got you there free covid testing for every single american, regardless of immigration status or health insurance. that saved lives. you can have results without having a career politician for corporate washington's corporate bidding. >> time is up for all of us at this point. thank you for joining us tonight here on nbc for an telemundo 52. a special thank you to our partner at lmu. we hope the conversations with the candidates offered you some clarity this evening.

keep in mind, the primary is two weeks out, your vote counts. >> c-span's washington journal, a live form involving you to discuss the latest issues in government, politics, and public policy. from washington and across the country. coming up saturday morning, tax foundation senior economist talks about tax policy in the 2024 tax filing season. south carolina public tv and radio reporter gavin jackson previewed south carolina's presidential primary.