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District 13 — U.S. House of Representatives
Get the facts on the California candidates running for election to the District 13 — U.S. House of Representatives
Find out their top 3 priorities, their experience, and who supports them.
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About this office
Representatives are elected to two-year terms to represent the people of a specific congressional district in the federal government. They introduce and vote on new laws, hold hearings, and are responsible for approving federal taxes.
For this office, only the two candidates who get the most votes in the primary election advance to the general election. The two candidates may be from the same political party.
You must select at least 2 candidates to compare them.
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California Democratic PartyCalifornia Nurses AssociationService Employees International UnionCalifornia Professional FirefightersCalifornia League of Conservation VotersAFSCME PEOPLECalifornia Federation of TeachersSierra ClubCalifornia Teachers AssociationCalifornia Labor Federation
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My Top 3 Priorities
COVID- 19: During this pandemic, Barbara has been helping to enact an updated Heroes Act to secure funding for small business relief, eliminate health disparities, and aid the record number of unemployed.
Criminal Justice: After generations of abuse we are starting to hold the police accountable and create structural changes to our criminal justice system.
Universal Health Care: Universal health care is a top priority for Barbara. She is a longtime advocate for Medicare for All and during negotiations for the ACA she was able to secure a historic expansion of community clinics.
Experience
Biography
Barbara Lee was born in El Paso, Texas in 1946 and her family moved to California in 1960. Growing up in the segregated Southwest, Barbara learned at an early age the importance of standing up for one’s beliefs and of fighting for equality for all. Currently, Congresswoman Lee serves on the Budget Committee and the powerful Appropriations Committee, which oversees all federal government spending. Congresswoman Lee is the highest ranking Woman of Color in Congressional Leadership, serving as House Democratic Co-Chair of the Policy and Steering Committee. As Co-Chair, Rep. Lee works to ensure that committees reflect the diversity, dynamism, and integrity of the Democratic Caucus. In addition, she currently serves as the Chair of the Majority Leader’s Task Force on Poverty and Opportunity, Co-Chair of the Pro-Choice Caucus, and Co-Chair of the Cannabis Caucus. She is the former Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus and Chair Emeritus of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.
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My Top 3 Priorities
Puerto Rico Statehood - call for a vote to include Puerto Rico as the 51st State.
Tax Cuts - broadly reduce taxes to spur increased economic development and job growth.
Space Force - fund research into novel technologies for Space exploration, lunar & mars colonization, and create the U.S. Space Academy
Experience
Experience
Profession:Teacher/Software Engineer
Teacher, Keyboard Educators (2019–current)
Founder, Head Instructor, Piano Castle (2019–current)
Education
UC Berkeley — B.A., Rhetoric, Music minor (2016)
Piedmont High School — High School Diploma, General Education (2012)
Questions from League of Women Voters of California (3)
What programs or legislation, if any, would you support to help Americans of all ages to secure affordable health care?
Answer from Nikka Piterman:
The creation of new Health Savings Accounts, which would be tax exempt and allow Americans to take control of their own healthcare. Americans with pre-existing conditions will still be eligible to apply for health insurance. Legalizing medical marijuana will also drive down the costs of many opiate-based treatments.
Focusing on job growth, tax cuts and other strong economic policies will increase Americans' earnings and thus make healthcare more affordable in itself.
Describe an immigration policy that you would support if presented to the House of Representatives.
Answer from Nikka Piterman:
In addition to securing the remainder of the souther border of the United States with a steel wall, I am in support of drastically expanding the use of K9 units trained specifically to detect drugs, humans and explosives. Human trafficking must be eradicated, and unfortunately, many gang leaders traffic along the US-Mexico border.
I would increase the number of 6-month tourist VISAs, since tourism brings stimulus to our economy.
What financing method(s) would you support to repair or improve roads, rails, ports, airports, the electrical grid, and other infrastructure in the U.S.?
Answer from Nikka Piterman:
I favor the issuance of bonds over taxes. Americans should be able to invest in our country, and it should be their choice. If our prospects such as high speed trains and solar farms are successful, they could result in net income for our government. Thus, debt financing can be fiscally responsible if it is used to pave roads and perform preventative maintenance on our infrastructure.
We also must generally cut regulations and increase property rights. Zoning has its place, though building permits have lately gotten quite cumbersome. Simply building a porch in your backyard can take years to be approved by different bureaucracies, if it ever gets approved.
Who gave money to this candidate?
Contributions
Total money raised: $8,797
Top contributors that gave money to support the candidate, by organization:
1
Nikka Piterman
$2,556
2
Alameda County Republican Party
$500
3
San Francisco Republican Party
$400
More information about contributions
By State:
California 85.59%
Michigan 9.60%
Tennessee 4.80%
By Size:
Large contributions (59.18%)
Small contributions (40.82%)
By Type:
From organizations (17.29%)
From individuals (82.71%)
Source: MapLight analysis of data from the Federal Election Commission.
