Representative Cheri Bustos and challenger Bobby Schilling sat down for their only debate ahead of the November election at the WQAD studios.
The pair are running to represent Illinois' 17th Congressional District, and they spent half an hour Thursday night answering questions on topics ranging from Ebola to attack ads.
Both, though, spent much of their time disputing claims made in campaign ads airing on Quad City television.
When questioned about accusations that he turned his back on workers in Freeport, Illinois, whose jobs were being shipped overseas, Schilling said the claims were simply untrue.
"I tried to have meetings with these people. I actually wrote a letter to the president of the company," said Schilling.
In turn, Bustos responded to criticism that she failed to follow through after saying she'd voluntarily cut her own pay by 10 percent if elected.
"I made a mistake when I appeared before the Chicago Tribune editorial board, and I've acknowledged that. What I do support, the same thing my opponent supports, is a collective 10 percent pay cut for Congress," said Bustos.
The pair also exchanged jabs over balancing the federal budget.
"My opponent voted, not once, but twice, to end the Medicare guarantee. That's looking at balancing the budget on the backs of seniors in my opinion," said Bustos.
"She voted no on all six budgets. When you go to Congress, you've got to be able to compromise. Our Congress never had a government shutdown," said Schilling.
Schilling and Bustos also answered questions on student loan debt, sending ground troops to stop ISIS, and even the threat of an electromagnetic pulse attack.
Voters head to the polls on November 4, 2014.