(NewsNation) —The vice presidential candidates both defended their running mates in a back and forth during their first and likely only debate Tuesday.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who has been tapped by Vice President Kamala Harris to run on Democratic ticket, touted her economic plan saying it would redistribute money back to the middle class.
“Kamala and I believe in the middle class,” Walz said, adding that her plan includes more housing assistance, drug price fairness, tax cuts for middle class and getting businesses off the ground.
“We will ask the wealthy to pay their fair share.”
Walz also slammed Trump saying he created the largest trade deficit with China during his presidency.
“Trump’s plan would lead to a recession.”
Republican nominee Donald Trump’s pick, JD Vance shot back at Walz saying Harris “had the chance to make things better, but didn’t,” when it came to the economy.
Harris policies “make life unaffordable for Americans,” he said.
He defended Trump’s economic plans saying they will “deliver highest take-home pay” and make “groceries affordable again” for all Americans.
Vance pushed that the U.S. needs to get back to “common sense” economic policies.
The debate in New York hosted by CBS News gave Vance, a Republican freshman senator from Ohio, and Walz, a two-term Democratic governor of Minnesota, the chance to introduce themselves, make the case for their running mates, and go on the attack against the opposing ticket.
Walz’s economic record includes passing tax cuts for Minnesotans while maintaining a balanced budget in the state. He also has a record that includes investments in infrastructure and community college programs as well as supporting a transition to green energy. He has also advocated for paid family and medical leave.
Among his other accomplishments as governor, Walz also signed a $2.3 billion education budget into law, which provided “students free breakfast and lunch at school, created thousands of new pre-K seats, expanded access to mental health resources for students, and made significant investments to improve child literacy.”
Vance, Trump’s campaign partner, has built a brand on economic populism, diverting from the GOP’s traditional pro-business platform.
Vance partnered with Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., to crack down on big banks.
Abroad, Vance has made his stance on the war in Ukraine clear, opting to reject any U.S. aid for the country. He was also a key figure in the unsuccessful attempt to block a $60 billion supplemental aid package to Ukraine.