Tackle: 1925 Dakota St., Lincoln
Occupation: Legal professional, Nebraska state senator
Political celebration: Democrat
What could be your chief legislative priorities?
My first precedence will probably be decreasing the results of inflation which are hurting working Nebraskans, seniors on mounted incomes and small enterprise house owners. From the value of groceries to the value of gasoline, persons are struggling to make ends meet. To deal with inflation, we have to scale back the price of pharmaceuticals, decrease premiums underneath the Inexpensive Care Act, increase Social Safety, cease worth gouging and offset the excessive worth of gasoline. We additionally must make baby care extra reasonably priced and accessible. Addressing our housing scarcity may also be amongst my prime priorities in Congress, as that is central to our capability to draw and retain staff and develop our native economies.
What committee assignments would you search or favor?
I’ll search a committee project on the Appropriations Committee to assist guarantee Congress is investing in the precise methods for Nebraska. I may also search an project on the Agriculture Committee to make sure insurance policies that assist our farmers. I’m additionally all for serving on the Small Enterprise Committee to assist our CD1 communities thrive.
What are the most important challenges dealing with the nation and the way do you consider Congress ought to tackle them?
I consider the largest problem our nation faces is a damaged political system in Washington. We have to cease the partisan grenade launching and begin downside fixing once more. We can’t resolve any of our rising issues with out dedicated folks of fine will in Washington keen to work collectively no matter political celebration. I’ll discover different folks like me, regardless of their celebration, in Congress and work with them to repair what’s damaged. We can’t proceed to perform underneath the deep divisions plaguing our nation. We want completely different sorts of leaders in Washington and I will probably be that type of chief.
What, if something, ought to the US do, or proceed to do, to assist Ukraine?
I consider it’s essential that we stand with our allies and maintain Russia in test. Continued sanctions, at the same time as they clearly have financial impacts right here at house, are important. With that stated, we should keep away from struggle, at the same time as we assist Ukraine. We should additionally reply to the results that the continued struggle in Ukraine are having for our ag producers and others right here at house. It’s doable that our Nebraska farmers can stand up and be the supply of wanted grains to Europe that Ukraine can lengthy longer provide.
What actions, if any, ought to Congress absorb response to the occasions of Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington?
At first, the assault on our beloved Capitol, and our democracy, on Jan. 6, 2021, is a stain on our nation that must not ever be repeated. Our democratic republic is sustained solely by our willingness to just accept the desire of the voters. When the folks converse in an election, they get the ultimate phrase. Interval. What we want shifting ahead is to go federal laws to strengthen and guarantee voting rights, and we have to take away any loopholes in our system which may enable people sooner or later to attempt to single-handedly overturn the outcomes of any election.
Something you wish to add?
One of many greatest variations between my opponent and me is on the problem of ladies’s bodily autonomy. We face a grave risk on this nation proper now because the court docket rolls again reproductive protections and permits the states to ban all abortions — even in circumstances the place a baby is raped. My opponent doesn’t even assist exceptions for rape and incest. The rollback in these protections means in vitro fertilization, contraception and marriage equality are in danger because the court docket is indicating it can alter the precise to privateness underneath the 14th Modification. After I get to Congress, I’ll work to go laws to guard all ladies’s bodily autonomy and reproductive well being care entry.