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Walz-Vance debate updates: VP candidates tangle on abortion, immigration and Jan. 6

Walz and Vance squared off for the first and only time this election cycle.

ByAlexandra Hutzler, Ivan Pereira, Meredith Deliso, Brittany Gaddy, and Tal Axelrod
Last Updated: October 1, 2024, 11:54 PM EDT

Vice presidential candidates Gov. Tim Walz and Sen. JD Vance squared off for the first and only time this election season.

Unlike the last two presidential debates, the candidates appeared to be more cordial. However, both running mates criticized the presidential candidates on a host of issues including gun violence, reproductive rights, immigration and climate change.

Walz appeared to have nerves in the opening of debate, but went on the attack as the night went on. Vance took aim at Harris and her policies and pushed Trump's policies.

Key Headlines

Here's how the news is developing:
Oct 01, 2024, 10:45 PM EDT

Walz brings up Pence's actions on Jan 6 to rebuke Trump

As Walz continued to criticize Vance for not condemning the Jan. 6 attacks and refusing to say if he would accept the 2024 election, he brought up Vance's predecessor, former Vice President Mike Pence.

"When Mike Pence made that decision to certify that election, that's why Mike Pence isn't on this stage," Walz said.

"What I'm concerned about is where is the firewall with Donald Trump? Where is the firewall if he knows, he could do anything, including taking an election, and his vice president's not going to stand to it. That's what we're asking you, America."

Oct 01, 2024, 10:39 PM EDT

Vance doesn't rule out challenging 2024 results

Vance was asked if he would challenge this year's election results even if they were certified by every state leader. He did not rule it out.

Vance said he believed "we should debate about those issues peacefully in the public square."

Walz said that was "troubling."

Republican vice presidential candidate Sen. JD Vance and Minnesota Governor and Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz participate in the Vice Presidential debate in New York City, October 1, 2024.
Matt Rourke/AP

"When this is over, we need to shake hands this election and the winner needs to be the winner," Walz said. "This has got to stop. It's tearing our country apart."

Oct 01, 2024, 10:36 PM EDT

Candidates discuss paid parental leave

Childcare came up in the debate and Walz touted his state's paid parental leave and medical leave policies.

Walz said that the time offered to parents should be negotiable.

"We're saying is the economy works best when it works for all of us. And so a paid family medical leave program, and I will tell you, go to the families or go to the businesses and ask them, as far as child care on this, you have to take it at both the supply and the demand side," he said.

Vance agreed that parents need help, but stressed that they need more choices.

The senator then defended Trump's comments about child care not being expensive and focused on Trump's policies to cut taxes and bring jobs back from overseas.

"It's so expensive right now ... because you've got way too few people providing this very essential service," he said.

Oct 01, 2024, 10:31 PM EDT

Claim: Walz: children are NOT being used a drug mules

Fact Check: Mostly True

Republican vice presidential candidate Sen. JD Vance and Minnesota Governor and Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz participate in the Vice Presidential debate in New York City, October 1, 2024.
Matt Rourke/AP

According to Mexican immigration officials, it is very uncommon for children to be used to smuggle drugs. However, the federal government has warned in the past of youth being used by drug cartels. Sources within the Mexican cartels consulted by ABC News in previous coverage say that their drugs are mostly being smuggled through regular points of entry by Mexican citizens with visas or by U.S. citizens.

—William Gretsky and Anne Laurent