Issues
Across the country and in California in particular, we are experiencing an affordability crisis. Everyday essentials are far too expensive for the average working family and the chaotic approach of the current administration has only worsened our economic stability, which will drive costs up.
We must put hardworking, everyday people first and help them get ahead.
In Congress, I will stand up to greedy, price-gouging corporations and fight for tax cuts for the working class, not for the super rich. I’ll work to strengthen our middle class and get our economy back on track so we can all afford to live stress-free and so that our children have the opportunity to find success. And I’ll stand up to utility companies to stop their aggressive rate hikes.
Lowering Costs
Protecting Our Environment
In California’s 3rd District, we are surrounded by some of the greatest natural resources in the country, and yet these resources are at risk due to polluters and natural disasters.
Climate change is a real and growing threat and with devastating effects on our environment and quality of life. From wildfires to rising sea levels, protecting our environment requires us to not only stand up to polluters, but also take action in moving our state toward a more sustainable future.
Just as I did during my time at the Environmental Protection Agency and the California Department of Water Resources, I will always stand up to protect our water, air, and land. In addition to holding polluters accountable, we must address climate change by investing in sustainable energy solutions and enact sensible, streamlined and protective environmental protection laws so our environment and natural resources can be used and enjoyed for years to come.
Defending Reproductive Freedom
Reproductive freedom is essential to the well-being of women everywhere. Unfortunately, across the country we are seeing the devastating effects of the fall of Roe v. Wade, with millions of women having lost or being put at risk of losing access to essential healthcare.
This cannot continue and I believe legislators both in California and across the country must do everything in their power to protect women’s personal freedoms and rights.
In Washington, I will always support and defend women’s reproductive freedom. I will fight to keep politicians out of our personal healthcare decisions by pushing to make Roe v. Wade the law of the land.
Expanding Healthcare Access and Reducing Costs
Every American deserves access to affordable healthcare. However, Republicans in Washington are determined to take away healthcare for millions of seniors and low-income Americans who rely on programs like Medicare and Medicaid in order to give massive tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans.
As your representative, I will defend Medicare and Medicaid, and fight to expand healthcare access and affordability by making Medicare available to everyone. I’ll take on Big Pharma to lower prescription drug prices and ensure everyone has access to high-quality, affordable care and families are not saddled with massive medical debt.
Protecting Our Water and Agricultural Economy
Water is the lifeblood of California’s agricultural economy, particularly for rural communities. Our farmers and ranchers deserve clarity from the federal government, not constant threats of cuts to support programs and tariff increases.
I’ll work to ensure that we effectively manage our water, protecting what we need for our local economy and providing farmers and ranchers with the water resources they need so that they’re able to make a living while providing the food Americans need.
Strengthening Wildfire Prevention
As a Nevada County Supervisor, I worked across the aisle to strengthen fire protection. The Trump Administration has canceled lifesaving wildfire prevention projects and Congress is not taking action to restore these critical resources. I will continue to protect property owners and work to keep our homes, businesses, infrastructure, and natural resources safe.
Fire insurance is an equally important issue. That’s why I led a statewide working group of fellow County Supervisors to address the fire insurance crisis. With the devastating fires we experience annually in California, it is clear that more work needs to be done to tackle the fire insurance crisis in order for homeowners to stay covered and protected at reasonable rates, especially in our rural communities.
Affordable Housing
Finding housing has become nearly impossible for the next generation or those on a fixed income. In order to give everyone a chance at the American Dream, we have to streamline regulations, and assist the housing industry to build more housing options at more price levels everywhere.
Delivering Solutions on Homelessness
Far too many of our neighbors are stuck in a cycle of homelessness which is posing safety risks to both themselves and others. Addressing homelessness requires us to provide multiple avenues of support from helping people physically finding shelter to providing mental health resources so people can find stability and thrive.
As Supervisor, I have championed model programs for rural Counties, and in Congress, I will support and fund programs like these in urban and rural areas. I’ll work to make housing more affordable and increase funding for mental health services so those who are currently homeless have a clear path forward and those on the verge of homelessness can stay afloat.
Defending Workers’ Rights
Good-paying union jobs are essential in keeping California strong and our state running. All workers should have the right to organize and deserve a safe workplace, fair wages, and retirement security.
With works under attack by this administration, I will defend labor unions and workers’ rights and back legislation that will support and empower workers.
Creating Jobs and Supporting Small Businesses
While MAGA extremists in Washington are threatening our economic stability, it is more important than ever that we work to create new jobs and help small businesses succeed.
Small businesses are the backbone of our local economy and need our support. We should be taking steps to make it easier for them to start and operate in California and throughout the nation.
In addition, by supporting investments in our green infrastructure, we will be able to create good-paying jobs right here in California while also making our energy use more efficient and reducing our reliance on fossil fuels.
I’ll work to bring jobs back to America and California and cut red tape to help small businesses grow.
Tackling Corruption in Washington
Washington is broken and has become a cesspool of corruption. From insider trading, to Super PACS injecting millions of dollars into our elections, to corporate lobbyists buying favors, the powerful continue to take advantage of the people. Too many politicians and lobbyists are getting rich while hardworking, everyday people are left behind.
When I’m in Washington, I’ll work to ban stock trading by members of Congress and presidential appointees, reduce the influence of corporate lobbyists on political campaigns, and crack down on dark money political spending.
Strengthening Public Safety
Crime is on the rise in some communities and families deserve to feel safe. I’ll work to ensure law enforcement has the tools and resources they need to prevent crime and protect neighborhoods. I’ll also support efforts to crack down on drugs coming across our southern border and back investments in diversion programs to reduce illegal drug use in our communities. We can also bolster drug use prevention programs, fully fund probation officers, and support community based policing to reduce recidivism as best we can.
Immigration
Immigrant workers are vital to the California economy, from agriculture, to construction, to hospitality. While we need to remain vigilant against illegal felons, targeting immigrants who are trying to make an honest living but caught in a complicated and broken system is wrong. I will work to fix our immigration system so that it works for workers and creates safer borders for our country and those protecting them.