Bacon and Vargas clash on abortion, public safety issues in second debate

Republican Congressman Don Bacon and Democratic State Senator Tony Vargas engaged in a fiery debate in the Ron Hull Studio at Nebraska Public Media Tuesday evening.

The two candidates are vying to represent Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District, which includes most of Omaha and its suburbs.

Bacon, the incumbent, touted his ability to pass bills and work across the aisle in Washington.

“I've been rated the most effective Republican in the House," he said. "This is by universities, independent people. I've been also rated the most bipartisan Republican in the House, the Senate and governors. It's helping make a big difference at the national level.”

Vargas talked about his record from his eight years representing South Omaha in the Unicameral.

“I've actually lowered costs," he said. "I voted for $6 billion of tax cuts that actually passed. I've been named the taxpayer defender. I voted for two of the largest tax packages in state history. That's my record.”

When asked about abortion, Vargas criticized Bacon for cosponsoring the Life At Conception Act, which would declare the right to life for fetuses from the moment of fertilization.

Bacon said he supports the current Nebraska law banning most abortions after 12 weeks.

When asked about public safety, Bacon touted his endorsement from the Omaha Police Officers Association and criticized Vargas for taking part in protests following the death of George Floyd in 2020.

“I'm with our law enforcement, my neighbors who are policemen, sons and daughters, moms and dads, brothers, sisters who defend us in our worst days," he said. "Tony Vargas was protesting them with people throwing rocks at him, and then he blamed the police for the violence.”

Vargas responded by mentioning his vote in the Unicameral to increase funding for police officers.

“What I think matters is that I voted for $37 million in law enforcement funding," Vargas said. "The accusations and lies and mischaracterizations that you are pushing forward right now, we need to make sure we call them out.”

Recent polls from the New York Times and CNN each show Vargas with a slim lead over Bacon in the 2nd Congressional District.

Nebraska Examiner political reporter Aaron Sanderford moderated the debate. The presenting partners included Nebraska Public Media, Nebraska Examiner, the Omaha World-Herald, the Lincoln Journal Star and KRVN Rural Radio Network.