Connecticut Republican Leora Levy Torches ‘Biden-Blumenthal Build Inflation Back Better Act’ in Senate Debate

The economy took center stage Wednesday in Connecticut’s U.S. Senate debate between Republican Leora Levy and Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), a face-off that came less than one week ahead of Election Day.

Levy tore into incumbent Blumenthal for voting in favor of President Joe Biden’s multitrillion-dollar spending packages, while Blumenthal refused to provide a grade for the economy when asked by the moderators to do so.

In her opening remarks, Levy chided Blumenthal, who is 76 years old and one of the wealthiest members of Congress, as “a 37-year career politician.”

“He is out of touch with what real life is like here in Connecticut,” Levy added, citing grocery and gas prices, as well as an “invasion” at the southern border and the well-documented learning loss caused by coronavirus lockdowns.

The moderators then began their questioning by asking about combatting inflation, which most polls across the country show is Americans’ top concern.

“This inflation was deliberately inflicted on us by the Biden policies voted for by my opponent, the trillions of dollars of spending, which Larry Summers, a Democrat economist, warned would cause record-high inflation, and that’s what we’re facing,” Levy said, pointing to what she described as “the Biden-Blumenthal Build Inflation Back Better Act.”

Blumenthal votes in line with Biden’s agenda more than 98 percent of the time, according to FiveThirtyEight.

Blumenthal voted for the so-called “Inflation Reduction Act,” which several entities, including the Congressional Budget Office and Penn Wharton Budget Model, found would have a negligible impact on inflation. He also voted for infrastructure and coronavirus relief bills, key pieces of legislation that were packed heavily with Democrat-aligned carveouts and passed as part of Biden’s multitrillion-dollar spending spree.

Blumenthal replied to the debate question by acknowledging the “crushing” cost of living but did not justify his votes for Biden’s major spending bills, save one, the “American Rescue Act,” which he said “kept alive many of our businesses.”

“At a time of need, the government came to the rescue of our small businesses, and I’m proud that we stepped up, and we did it in a bipartisan way,” Blumenthal said.

A moderator also asked the candidates to grade the economy in light of the Federal Reserve responding to inflation Wednesday by once again hiking interest rates.

Blumenthal would not provide a grade, and when pressed by the moderator, he replied, “I think the grade is literally ongoing”:

ICYMI in tonight's LIVE #CTSen debate! Dick Blumenthal thinks the economy deserves an 'ongoing' grade.

CT residents want to be able to feed their families and heat their homes. They want an 'A', but Biden and Blumenthal put their Green Dreams over the needs of families. pic.twitter.com/vfwnlfG3NW

— Leora Levy (@LeoraLevyCT) November 2, 2022

Levy, by contrast, assertively graded the economy an “F.”

.@LeoraLevyCT on Dems’ reckless spending: “He raised taxes on the middle class with the Biden-Blumenthal build inflation back better act…You were warned by Larry Summers and other Democrat economists that this would be the result…I would grade the economy an F.” pic.twitter.com/Gnlmld8Yhj

— NRSC Rapid Response (@NRSC_Rapid) November 2, 2022

Inflation, energy costs, and long-term financial concerns about Social Security and Medicare dominated the first 20 minutes of the debate, and even later during questions about abortion, for instance, Levy reiterated the crippling cost of living.

Levy, who is endorsed by former President Donald Trump, has faced an uphill climb in a state widely considered a Democrat stronghold.

While Levy is currently trailing Blumenthal by about 11 points, according to the RealClearPolitics average of polls, national Republicans, including the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), have not ruled out the state as a possible pickup opportunity.

Following the debate, NRSC chair Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) applauded Levy for her performance, saying in a press release that she “proved that it’s time for a change in Connecticut.”

“Dick Blumenthal is a 40-year career politician who votes with Joe Biden over 98% of the time, which is contributing to record inflation, skyrocketing gas prices, a crisis at our border and a crime surge nationwide,” Scott added. “It is hurting Connecticut families and will unfortunately continue if he’s re-elected.”

The debate was shared online by local outlet WFSB 3 and can be watched here.