Fetterman says Biden 'needs to do more' to fight inflation

Democratic Pennsylvania Senate candidate John Fetterman declined to describe areas that he would like to cut federal government spending but argued that his Republican opponent, Dr. Mehmet Oz, is too out of touch to fight inflation.

One of the moderators of Tuesday's debate asked Fetterman to identify an area where he would reduce federal spending as the nation experiences record inflation and if he thinks President Biden is spending too much.

In response, Fetterman said that Oz has 10 mansions and argued that he isn't able to fight inflation to help working families.

Oz said Fetterman had unpaid taxes in the past and has lived off of his parents' wealth.

Fetterman was asked if there are any Biden policies that he opposes.

In response, Fetterman said he thinks Biden "needs to do more" to fight inflation. 

"I just believe he needs to do more about supporting and fighting inflation and I do believe he can do more about that. But at the end of the day, I think Joe Biden is a good, good family man and I believe he stands for the union way of life."

On abortion, Oz said Fetterman is misrepresenting his position, emphasizing that he's in favor of states deciding how they want to handle the issue.

Fetterman emphasized that he would vote to codify Roe v. Wade if elected to the Senate. 

"I believe abortion is health care," he said. 

On energy, Fetterman said he supports fracking. 

One of the moderators asked him about past statements he made that were critical of fracking. 

"I've always supported fracking," Fetterman replied. 

Oz said that Fetterman has been against fracking during his political career.

Oz warned that Fetterman supports eliminating the legislative filibuster that could result in Democrats expanding the number of justices on the Supreme Court.

Fetterman clarified that he would vote to eliminate the filibuster, which Oz called dangerous. 

Democrats have been unable to eliminate the legislative filibuster in the 50-50 due to opposition from moderate senators Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona. 

On college affordability, Oz took a swipe at Biden's student debt forgiveness program, saying a plumber who chose not to go to college should not be paying for a lawyer's higher education. 

Fetterman said he thinks the government should dedicate more resources to public universities to help lower the cost of tuition. 

Fetterman was asked if he plans to release his full medical records before the election.

"No, to be for transparency is about showing up. I'm here to have a debate," Fetterman said.

When pressed on the issue, Fetterman said, "My doctor believes I'm fit to be serving."

Closed captioning was provided during the debate at the request of Fetterman. The closed captioning was visible to him and Oz on monitors.

In a WPXI News online poll, more than 80% of respondents thought Oz won the debate.