Steil and Berman split on tariffs, Medicaid rules in debate

Republican Rep. Bryan Steil and Democratic challenger Mitchell Berman clashed in a Janesville debate over affordability, health care, immigration and campaign financing. Both called the cost of living a major concern, but Berman argued that repealing President Donald Trump’s tariffs would lower prices, while Steil advocated tax relief and expanded domestic energy production. On health care, Steil defended Medicaid work requirements and restrictions on coverage for undocumented immigrants; Berman warned that federal policy would reduce coverage and criticized Steil’s record. The candidates also disputed whether Democratic committee spending on Berman’s campaign advertising amounted to PAC funding, a characterization Berman rejected.