ISSUES
American Leadership.
Our country finds itself in an unprecedented financial and health crisis that is disproportionately impacting underserved communities, widening the inequality gap, and exposing deep cracks in the fabric that our country is built on.
Now more than ever we need leaders who seek solutions based on facts, evidence, and expert testimony. The American people need a clear and concise plan of action which requires the coordination and participation of everyone in this country.
As an elected Congressman, I will rely on my first-hand experience in leadership roles, seek expert input, and put the residents of South Carolina’s 5th district over politics as we address the most pressing issues of our time. We are Americans first and our ability to come together to respond at the speed of crisis is of the utmost importance.
Jobs and the Economy.
One of the greatest assurances of security in life is a reliable job that pays a living wage. Unfortunately, COVID-19 - and the response to the virus by our President and his allies in Congress - have left tens of millions of Americans without jobs.
Putting people back to work will take a transformation of our country that we have not seen since the New Deal. We need to focus on rebuilding our country’s middle class by making national investments in our communities, education & healthcare systems, transportation, and renewable energy that will sustainably transform the country while addressing the global climate crisis.
History has shown that America has best responded to national crises through an innovative collaboration of public and private entities. We must do the same now.
Health and Healthcare.
I believe healthcare should be a right for all Americans. Too many people go bankrupt on a yearly basis as a result of injury or sickness. No one should have to forego necessary or preventative care because they are unable to afford it.
I support the enhancement of the existing Affordable Care Act that has been outlined by Joe Biden. While the goal is 100% coverage of Americans, we must be practical in this pursuit while moving as surely as possible. The enhancement of the ACA is best suited to produce meaningful results and I think it has the best chance of being enacted into law during my prospective tenure.
Civic Responsibility.
One of the primary cornerstones of our democracy is the right to vote. Unfortunately, voter-suppression efforts and other tactics attacking that right have been used since the founding of our country and are still prevalent today. As a Member of Congress, I will support automatic voter registration at age 18 and fight to ensure that all Americans have access to the ability to weigh in on their Representation without partisan gerrymandering or interference.
Additionally, given the circumstances of our current pandemic, there is no better opportunity to increase access to the right to vote than by providing universal and unconditional access to vote-by-mail.
Moreover each American must understand that their right to vote also comes with a responsibility to fulfill their civic duty. To ensure that they are being represented, and as a measure of accountability for all elected officials.
Pursuit of Happiness.
In the Declaration of Independence upon which the ideals of this country were founded, our forefathers listed three inalienable rights, to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. I believe that no American has the right to infringe upon another’s pursuit of their own happiness within the confines of our laws. I support a women’s right to choose, the Equal Rights Amendment, and the Equality Act.
Education.
As someone who attended public school from pre-K all the way through college, I have witnessed first-hand the disparity between underfunded school systems and those with proper resources. These realities are particularly troublesome when looking at lower-income areas versus affluent districts. I believe that it is the government’s role to bridge that gap, ensure a level playing field for all children, and prepare them equally and fully for their futures, regardless of economic or geographical background.
To fundamentally reshape the education system in this country, we must reshape our views and treatment of the teaching profession. We must pay teachers a wage that corresponds to the irreplaceable service they offer to our country.
We need to focus on community-centric schooling that mirrors the needs of the population it serves.
We must reduce the cost of higher education and eliminate it for those filling vital vocational roles.