Candidates in the First Congressional District met Monday night for a debate at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg.
Democrat challenger Vangie Williams was asked what could be done to solve the student debt crisis. "We need to start incentivizing colleges to make sure that they’re not just collecting tuition, but they’re educating these students and they’re giving them an opportunity to find a job once they leave," Williams said.
Incumbent Republican Rob Wittman said families should get more incentives to save for college. "We have to do more to make sure that students and their parents can save," Wittman told the audience. "These 521 programs need to have further opportunity for tax exemption and make sure there’s opportunity to put dollars away in savings. Those things are critical."
Wittman and Williams also addressed military spending, health care and climate change.
Wittman is running for his sixth term in a district that stretches from the Williamsburg area to the Northern Virginia suburbs.
Williams would be the first woman of color to represent Virginia in Congress, if she wins.
The two will take part in the Hanover Chamber of Commerce Congressional Forum Thursday evening in Mechanicsville.
