District 49 — U.S. House of Representatives

I support H.R. 4944, the Reuniting Families Act, by Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA) to fix the current backlog in the family immigration system. Currently, it can take decades for a U.S. citizen to be reunited with even one family member. The Reuniting Families Act, cosponsored by 45 Members of Congress, would make a number of changes to expediate and increase family reunification.

Our current family-based immigration laws were born from the civil rights era, when America had the moral strength and political will to sweep away the laws that enforced prejudice. Those that have reunited with their families are happier, more financially stable, less likely to rely on government assistance, open more businesses, and own homes in greater numbers than native-born citizens. Family immigration works for our country and should be strengthened, not weakened.

Trump has claimed that one immigrant could bring in an unlimited number of distant relatives. This is not true. The truth is there are no visas for grandparents, aunts, uncles, or cousins. And, for some families, it can take decades before they are reunited with even one family member. By making fixes that will accelerate family reunification, we will be helping the economy.

I do not support expanding the border wall, an exercise that would be costly and counterproductive in a number of ways.

Trump’s wall will only force those immigrants to utilize ever more dangerous routes and increase the number of people who die in search of work to feed and clothe their families.  A wall would do little to stop migrants from crossing the border and would create lasting problems for animals and the land. 

Trump’s wall is about dividing Americans – playing upon the racial fears and anxiety he has drummed up and amplified to rally his base. Trump’s wall is a political campaign promise that he has to fulfill to keep his base happy. 

I support common sense measures to prevent gun violence.

Weapons of war have no place in our communities. Our nation requires a comprehensive assault weapons ban that prohibits the future production and sale of these weapons and provides a solution for dealing with those assault weapons that are already owned, such as a buyback program or registration.  Limiting high-powered weapons to the military has worked elsewhere to eliminate the opportunity for mass shootings.

We need universal background checks and must close the private sale loophole and make sure all sales undergo a background check.

We must fund gun violence research and gun violence prevention/intervention programs and provide the CDC with dedicated funding to research gun violence as a public health issue.

I believe we need to renegotiate NAFTA and level the playing field by adding strong labor and environmental provisions. We need to take steps to prevent the outsourcing of American jobs, protect our air and water, and lift living standards in the United States, Mexico and Canada.  I support a call from several progressive US Senators to take the following steps with regard to NAFTA: 

• Add strong labor and environmental standards with swift and certain enforcement to raise standards and wages in North America and stop corporations from outsourcing U.S. jobs to Mexico to take advantage of abusive labor laws, poverty wages and lax environmental rules.
• Eliminate NAFTA terms that promote the outsourcing of American jobs such as the Investor State Dispute Settlement system.
• Protect our public health, the environment and ensure a level playing field for U.S. businesses, farmers and workers by requiring that all imported food, goods and services meet U.S. standards. 
• Make medicine more affordable by eliminating NAFTA rules that increase costs.
• Ensure a fair playing field for American job creation by adding strong, enforceable disciplines against currency manipulation and misalignment.
• Create American jobs and reinforce improved labor and environmental standards by strengthening “rules of origin” and stopping transshipment.
• Boost the rural economy by overhauling NAFTA rules that harm family farmers. 
• Support communities of color which have been among the hardest hit by NAFTA.

I strongly believe we need to improve our national transportation infrastructure, but I would advocate to pay for these increases by reversing the Trump cuts for the ultra-wealthy and big corporations. I would also consider imposing a windfall profits tax on the major oil companies. We must end subsidies to oil and fossil fuel companies, including any direct funding or tax giveaways that rig the game in favor of fossil fuels compared to more sustainable energy sources. I also believe the Department of Defense and other agencies should prioritize the hiring of veterans for construction projects, particularly as we consider large-scale improvements to our nation’s infrastructure.

If elected to Congress, I would strongly advocate for Medicare for All and join those supporting H.R. 676. According to Physicians for a National Health Program, 95 percent of all households would save money under such a program. Patients would no longer face financial barriers to care such as co-pays and deductibles, and would regain free choice of doctor and hospital, and doctors would regain autonomy over patient care.

In the near term, I believe we must work to repair and strengthen the Affordable Care Act (ACA). I believe that President Trump’s wanton neglect of the ACA is unconscionable. Many ideas to improve the ACA must be explored, including the implementation of “public option” early Medicare coverage within health insurance marketplaces, and the hiring of new full-time federal enrollment assisters to help Americans enroll.

I will defend Medicare and Medicaid, ensure young people can stay on their family health insurance plan, prevent discrimination against Americans with pre-existing conditions, and ensure veterans swiftly get the care and benefits they have earned.

I believe that the American Health Care Act (AHCA), recently passed by Republicans in the House of Representatives and fully supported by Darrell Issa (who cast the winning vote), is a dangerous tax cut for the very wealthy masquerading as healthcare reform.  Independent analysis suggests that 36,400 residents in the 49th Congressional District will lose coverage under the AHCA, including 3,800 children.