Friends and Supporters,
This summer, as I have heard stories and learned from people all around our district, it seems that one thing is almost universally true for New Mexico’s working families: what has become our status quo DOES NOT WORK. Eight years after our supposed ‘economic recovery,’ too many families continue to live paycheck to paycheck, and our children are saddled with crippling student loan debt. Families continue to go bankrupt by a healthcare system that puts profits before people, and yet this system still leaves nearly 30 million people without access to healthcare. And our environment and public lands are under assault. This unfortunate status quo is simply wrong and unacceptable for New Mexico and for our country.
It’s why, today, after a thorough review, I am committing to the Summer of Progress’ People’s Platform, and commit to co-sponsoring each of the following eight bills:
-
H.R. 771 Equal Access to Abortion Coverage in Health Insurance--Women should never be denied access or coverage for abortion care.
-
H.R.2242 Keep It in the Ground Act--In order to end our dependence on fossil fuels, we need to restrain the new and renewed leases for fossil fuel exploration and production. This bill accomplishes just that.
-
H.R. 15 Raise the Wage Act-- We must raise the federal minimum wage to $15 because New Mexico’s families deserve a living wage and our economy needs a jolt, and this bill will help us do just that.
-
H.R. 1144 Inclusive Prosperity Act-- It’s time we have Wall Street speculators pay their fair share so that we can rebuild our infrastructure, invest in our public education system, and expand Medicare to all Americans.
-
H.R. 3227 Justice Is Not for Sale Act-- Our for-profit, private prison system has created corrosive incentives that tear families apart. The U.S. has just 4% of the world’s population and nearly 25% of the prison population--this bill changes this broken system.
-
H.R. 1880 College for All Act-- Public colleges and institutions need to be made accessible to all--regardless of income or status--and this bill expands federal support for state institutions.
-
H.R. 2840 Automatic Voter Registration Act--Voting rights are under attack by republicans every year, so we must vigorously defend, protect, and expand them. This bill would introduce automatic voter registration at our local DMVs.
-
H.R. 676 Medicare for All Act-- With families continuing to go bankrupt by the current system and with nearly 30 million people left uninsured, Medicare-for-all is both the moral and cost-effective path forward.
I share this commitment with you because I think it’s important that, as progressives, we demonstrate it with real policy commitments that are consistent with our values. When I was a law professor, I fought the injustices of our criminal justice system by helping to create our Innocence & Justice Project. And when New Mexico families were losing their homes during the recession, I started a Low Income Taxpayer Clinic to help our families.
I hope you’ll join me as we work to deliver a progressive future for New Mexico’s families.