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On May 9, 2019, CNN hosted a town hall event with Vice President Mike Pence. The event was moderated by Jake Tapper, and touched on a variety of topics ranging from healthcare to foreign policy. As the second highest-ranking official in the United States government, Pence’s remarks were of interest to many Americans. In this article, we’ll explore some of the key takeaways from the event.
One of the most notable moments of the town hall came when Tapper asked Pence about the ongoing investigations into Russian interference in the 2016 election. Pence was quick to defend the Trump administration’s record on Russia, saying that they had “imposed significant sanctions” on the country and were “holding them accountable for their actions.” When Tapper pressed Pence on whether or not he believed Russian interference was a serious threat to American democracy, Pence responded by saying that “there’s no question Russia’s meddling in 2016 was a significant effort.”
Another hotly discussed topic during the town hall was healthcare. Tapper asked Pence about the Trump administration’s efforts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Pence defended the administration’s efforts, saying that they were trying to give Americans more choices and lower costs through policies like association health plans and short-term healthcare plans. He also stated that the ACA had failed to deliver on its promises of lower costs and increased access to care, and that the Trump administration was working to create a better healthcare system for all Americans.
Pence was also asked about the ongoing trade negotiations with China. He reiterated the Trump administration’s stance that China had engaged in unfair trade practices for years, and that the United States was working to level the playing field. Pence stated that the administration was in the process of negotiating a new trade deal with China that would address issues like intellectual property theft and forced technology transfer. He also said that the administration was actively seeking better trade relationships with other countries around the world.
Moving from foreign policy to domestic issues, Pence was asked about the administration’s policies towards the LGBT+ community. Tapper specifically referenced Pence’s history of supporting anti-LGBT+ legislation and asked if the vice president would support a federal law banning discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. Pence did not directly answer the question, instead reiterating his personal beliefs that marriage should be between a man and a woman. He did state that he and Trump were committed to protecting the LGBT+ community from discrimination and violence.
Perhaps one of the most surprising moments of the town hall came when Tapper asked Pence about his position on abortion. Pence has been a vocal opponent of abortion throughout his political career, but Tapper posed a hypothetical scenario in which a woman had been raped and was seeking an abortion. When asked if he would support allowing the woman to have an abortion, Pence responded by saying that he believed that “God has a plan for everyone’s life” and that “we’ll always stand for the sanctity of life.”
Overall, the CNN town hall with Mike Pence covered a broad range of topics and provided valuable insight into the Trump administration’s policies and beliefs. While some of Pence’s remarks may have been controversial, his demeanor throughout the event was calm and collected. As the 2020 presidential election draws closer, events like these will become increasingly important for voters who want to stay informed about the issues and the people who will be leading the country in the years to come.
