Texas Democrat Julian Castro squared off with former Vice President Joe Biden during the Democratic Party’s second round of presidential debates on Wednesday night.
On Wednesday night, ten Democrats met for the second round of the party’s presidential primary debates, squaring off on issues ranging from criminal justice reform to healthcare. It was on the topic of immigration that Castro, a breakout candidate from the previous month’s debates, sought to contrast himself with the Obama-era Vice President.
“With regard to [Castro’s] point, I already proposed and passed $750 million for Guatamala, El Salvador, and Honduras, to be able to change the circumstance of why people fled in the first place,” Biden said. “…The fact of the matter is if you cross the border illegally, you should be able to be sent back. It is a crime.”
As the debate shifted to the topic of immigration, Castro, a Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under the Obama Administration, defended himself as Biden criticized his proposal to decriminalize border crossings. Subscribe to TIME ►► http://po.st/SubscribeTIME Get closer to the world of entertainment and celebrity news as TIME gives you access and insight on the people who make what you watch, read and share.
Castro then pounced on Biden.
“First of all, Mr. Vice President, it looks like one of us has learned the lessons of the past and one of us hasn’t,” Castro said, referencing Biden’s statement that he never heard Castro advocate his current position during his time in the Obama Administration.
Castro was the only Texan on the stage Wednesday night, as former U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke, an El Paso native who is also running for president, appeared on the first night. Marianne Williamson, a spiritual advisor and author who is also running for president, is originally from Texas, and also appeared on the first night’s debate alongside O’Rourke.
Castro (LEFT) with Biden (RIGHT) during the July 31st debate
Screenshot from Time Magazine Video