Andrew Kim (New Jersey)

Strengthening Our Families’ Healthcare

I first ran for Congress to protect access to healthcare after doctors warned us that our unborn son could have serious medical complications in 2017 and my Republican member of Congress was leading the charge to take away healthcare from those with pre-existing conditions. We’re lucky that he’s grown into a healthy and thriving boy, but no family should worry about losing their healthcare because of a pre-existing condition or because they cannot afford it.

We need universal healthcare so that every American has access to the care they need at a cost they can afford. My mother is a nurse, and she taught me to be a fierce advocate for healthcare access. Nobody should die or face bankruptcy because they can’t afford to visit their doctor.

That’s why I’ve championed legislation to:

Lower prescription drug prices, particularly for our seniors Protect people with pre-existing conditions Allow Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices Cap out-of-pocket drug costs for seniors at $2,000 per year Cap the cost of insulin at $35/month Expand Medicare to include dental, vision, and hearing coverage Ensure and protect access to reproductive healthcare Provide permanent funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Plan (CHIP) Support rural community health centers Reform the tax system to give more people access to affordable health care Make it easier for seniors to receive home health care

As the father to two young boys, there is nothing more important to me than making sure our kids grow up healthy and have a stable future.

Supporting Small Businesses & Creating Jobs

Small businesses are the backbone of our state and our country. They invest in our local communities, create jobs, and become part of the fabric of our daily lives. Small businesses were hit especially hard by the pandemic, and I will continue fighting for the funds they need to rebuild and thrive. I championed our small businesses to make sure they have the resources they need.

Throughout my time in Congress, and I’ve sponsored and voted for legislation that brings small business owners needed relief, including:

The Microloan Improvement Act to reduce red tape and provide more options for accessing loans Helped over 10,000 small businesses in New Jersey access financial assistance during the pandemic The CARES Act, which provided direct checks to Americans, a paycheck protection program, and emergency grants for small businesses The American Rescue Plan that provided $6 billion in funding for New Jersey, including assistance for restaurants, funds for small business, financing for impacted businesses owned by people from marginalized communities, and funding to keep essential workers on the job The Better Utilizing Infrastructure for Lasting Development of (BUILD) Veterans Businesses Act to create more federal contracting opportunities for veteran-owned small businesses The Put Our Neighbors to Work Act to encourage the Department of Defense to hire more local workers on military construction projects and give small businesses more opportunities to compete

I’ll always fight to give our small businesses the resources to grow, succeed, and contribute to our communities. And I’ll always look for ways to promote economic growth, create more good-paying American jobs in New Jersey, and strengthen our workforce for the future.

Protecting Our Environment

One of the most important legacies we can give to our kids, grandkids, and generations to come is a safe and thriving planet. That means we need to take bold steps today to protect our environment, cut pollution, and make our communities more resilient to extreme weather, and protect our planet for our kids and future generations.

I voted for the Inflation Reduction Act for a lot of reasons, one of them was that it’s the largest investment in American energy independence, job creation in new, green sectors, and it combats climate change through:

Investments in American energy production, and does more to combat climate change than any bill in history. Investments in agriculture, coastal restoration, clean energy, advanced manufacturing, and transportation that will benefit hardworking New Jersey families. Cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030, making the United States well-positioned to meet our climate goals while also investing in our economy. Saves families an average of $1,000 per year in energy costs and creates good paying jobs.

The investments we make now will create thousands of jobs in New Jersey and provide a cleaner, safer environment to enjoy now and in generations to come. That is a future we can look forward to, and one we can feel proud of when we hand it off to our kids and the next generation of leaders.

Making Raising a Family More Affordable

As the son of immigrants, I saw my parents work hard to give me and my sister a better future, and they started by moving to New Jersey because of the top-notch public schools. I’m proud to have done my entire K-12 education in South Jersey and am now sending my two little boys off to school just a few miles from where I went.

As a dad, I’m doing everything I can to help parents have the tools they need to support their families, access good-paying jobs, and secure a brighter future for their kids. In Congress I’ve supported:

The Inflation Reduction Act which is dramatically lowering the cost of healthcare for Americans and seniors, lowering energy costs, and providing tax credits for families to make their homes more energy efficient Efforts to expand free meals for kids through the 2022-2023 school year. Thanks to the Keep Kids Fed Act, New Jersey school and daycare meal programs will get $59 million. I’ve even introduced a bill, the Summer Meals REACH Act, that would provide summer meals to kids who need the assistance and who get school provided lunch during the school year. The American Rescue Plan which includes a provision that helps eligible individuals and families cover the premiums for their health insurance purchased through the Health Insurance Marketplace. The CHIPS and Science Act which will secure our supply chain and better protect ourselves from global cost fluctuations by limiting our reliance on foreign countries to make these chips, will lower the cost of everyday electronics, and will boost American manufacturing creating stable, good paying, quality jobs here in our communities. Major legislation that lowers costs for servicemembers and veterans. Through expanding healthcare, military paid parental leave, and military pay increases, these efforts aim to put more money in pockets.

Our families deserve more than just to survive. I’m committed to helping New Jersey families thrive so the American Dream becomes a reality for all of us.

Serving Our Veterans, Servicemembers & Military Families

As a former civilian strategic advisor to Generals in Afghanistan, I’ve seen firsthand the sacrifices the members of our military make for us. That’s why I fought to get a seat on the House Armed Services Committee, where I’m proud to be a champion for our veterans, servicemembers, and their families.

I’m proud to have recently fulfilled one of my early campaign promises to improve healthcare access for our veterans by delivering a new state-of-the-art community health clinic for veterans in Ocean County, NJ and voting for the largest healthcare and benefits expansion in VA history - the Honoring Our PACT Act.

And that’s not all I’m doing. Every day, I’m working to ensure that our veterans have the services and opportunities they deserve by:

Voting to raise servicemember pay every year through the NDAA Doubling funding for veteran suicide prevention and outreach programs Working across the aisle to connect more veterans with jobs once they finish their service Prioritizing efforts to make sure no veteran has to sleep in the streets. The words “veteran” and “homeless” should never appear in the same sentence. Continuing to improve TRICARE and access to healthcare for veterans Improving legal services for women veterans Investing in childcare for military families including Improving the Basic Allowance for Housing calculation to increase reimbursement for junior enlisted service members to counteract soaring rental rates Expanding the Basic Needs Allowance to assist low-income servicemembers supporting a family An increased authorization of $301 million in military construction for new child development centers

I’ll never stop looking out for our veterans, servicemembers, and their families. Those who put their lives on the line for our country deserve our support, and I’m proud to make sure we have their back after they’ve had ours.

Reproductive Rights

I am proudly pro-choice and believe that the right of every person to choose what to do with their own body is an essential human right.

The Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade immediately stripped millions of Americans of their fundamental right to choose if or when to have children – and left millions more scared and outraged.

In the wake of the Dobbs ruling, I voted to pass two bills – the Women’s Health Protection Act and the Ensuring Women’s Right to Reproductive Freedom Act – to protect women’s healthcare rights. And I’m proud to be a champion for women’s reproductive rights in Congress. As a member of the Pro-Choice Caucus and the Ranking Member of the Armed Services Military Personnel Subcommittee, I’ve consistently stood up, voted against, and led the fight against Republican efforts to undermine reproductive freedom.

Congressional Republicans have made clear that if they retake a majority in Washington, they will move quickly to outlaw abortion nationwide. A nationwide ban on abortion would override the protections here in New Jersey and would endanger the lives of countless women across this country.

In the Senate, I will not rest until we pass a clear, comprehensive law restoring reproductive freedom for everyone, everywhere in this country.

Ending Corruption in Government

Americans deserve to have complete faith in the people who choose to serve in our government and the people they elect.

That means we need to know that politicians aren't profiting off their positions or blindly pursuing power at the expense of the people they serve.

From the moment I decided to run for office in 2018, I’ve prioritized making our government more transparent and holding public officials accountable.

While in Congress, I have:

Fulfilled my promise to my constituents to be the most accessible and accountable member of Congress in New Jersey by holding at least one town hall per month since I was sworn in, and posting my daily activities on my website. Crafted legislation to prevent high-ranking public servants in all three branches of government, as well as senior staffers, and their families from buying, selling, or owning individual stocks, serving on corporate boards, and lobbying once they leave office. Helped introduce and vote on legislation to get rid of dark money in our politics and restore trust in our democracy. Led the fight to oppose Congressional pay raises. Introduced a set of bills aimed at energizing national service, fostering volunteerism, and encouraging more Americans to serve our country or their communities in their own ways. Advanced efforts to expand voting rights and promote greater access to the ballot box. I know for some, New Jersey politics — and politics in general — has a reputation for corruption. Many people and politicians brush it off, saying that’s just Jersey.

But we can do better. I know New Jerseyans are fed up with corrupt politics and powerful political families calling the shots. That means they’re fed up with dishonesty, greed, and politicians only looking out for themselves and their families.

Now more than ever, New Jersey needs hardworking, trustworthy leaders focused on the common good, bringing integrity into our politics, and bringing people together. Together, we can create an America where democracy, civility, trust, and respect flourish.

LGBTQ+

All Americans, no matter race, faith, sexuality, gender, or political affiliation deserve equal rights and protections under the law. That’s why I have:

Cosponsored the Equality Act, to guarantee civil rights protections, amend existing civil rights law to explicitly include sexual orientation and gender identity as protected statuses, prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in public spaces, services, and federally funded programs, and more. Stood up for LGBTQ+ servicemembers and veterans by strongly opposing the transgender service member ban in the military and supporting the Women Veterans’ Healthcare Accountability Act to assess barriers to the medical treatment of veterans from the Veteran’s Administration. Cosponsored the GLOBAL Act and the Global Respect Act which would make protecting LGBTQ+ rights a part of America’s diplomatic priorities and would prevent individuals who violate the rights of the LGBTQ+ community from entering the United States.

Too many LGBTQ+ kids have to deal with harassment, discrimination, and torment. Over and over again our society fails to protect them and provide them the fundamental freedoms of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness that we always pledge to fight for. It’s time we come together as a country and work to make sure our laws and protections work equally for everyone.

Gun Violence

Making progress on gun violence prevention isn’t inevitable, but inaction is unacceptable. We’ve seen too many sons and daughters, moms and dads, family members and friends taken by avoidable gun violence in this country. We need bold action to stop the scourge of senseless gun violence and protect our communities here in New Jersey. That’s why I’ve worked in Congress to:

Help pass the biggest common-sense gun safety reforms into law in more than a decade by voting for the bipartisan Safer Communities Act that will close loopholes, enact new gun violence prevention programs, and invest in school and community safety. Treat gun violence as a national security threat by cosponsoring the Assault Weapons Ban, to get weapons of war off our streets and joining the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force to work on protecting our communities. Be an original co-sponsor of the Bipartisan Background Checks Act, which would enact common-sense background check requirements, supported by 91% of Americans.

Schools, places of worship, movies, the grocery store, offices, and any public space should be safe for every American. We can’t keep our communities safe from gun violence if we don’t step up, come together, and work with each other to make the reforms we want to see a reality. ^[38]

FIGHTING FOR YOU, FOR YOUR FAMILY, AND FOR OUR COUNTRY In my promise to do everything I can to help us get through this crisis and build the foundation for a better future, I think about three essential fights. For each and every one of you, I’m fighting for an effective response to the pandemic to get you healthy, safe, and back to work. For your families, I’m fighting for lower health care and prescription drug costs as well as increased access to care so our system can keep us healthy and financially viable in a world where another pandemic may be just around the corner. And for our country, I’m fighting to fix the corrupt political system in Washington to ensure your voice speaks louder than the special interests, and to restore America’s place in the world as a global leader for good.

• FOR OUR COUNTRY: Serving the American People. Not Corporations.

My son’s preschool teacher asked him recently what his dad did for work. My son looked up at him and said “my dad tries to help people.” I couldn’t have said it better myself.

I’m not a politician, I’m a public servant who was proud to work under both Republicans and Democrats. I believe there is a better way to govern. One that treats people with respect. One that defines politics by the personal, guides itself by asking what it can do to help our constituents. One that is more about moving forward than about today’s big fight. One that places the voices of the people over the voices of the special interests.

Rebuild American Infrastructure: In Congress, I have been push for a major investment in infrastructure right now. If ever there was an issue that was bipartisan, it would be infrastructure. It is a win-win issue as we can rebuild America and also create a new generation of jobs if we make the right investments. Our economy won’t succeed without the right infrastructure. Roads, bridges, tunnels, power grids, and ports across New Jersey and the country are crumbling and need to be rebuilt and maintained in a smart way. We must also invest in our technology infrastructure to make sure that every community has affordable access to the high speed internet connection that is vital to growing local economies.

Campaign Finance Reform: One of the first things I did when I was elected to Congress was co-sponsor legislation to strengthen our democracy and help end the corroding influence of money in our politics. We need to fight against dark money that allows millions of dollars to pour into our elections without requiring disclosures of donors. We need to find more ways to encourage public financing and other tools so Americans don’t need to be millionaires in order to run for office. We also want to explore the use of matching contributions and other steps to empower grassroots supporters and ensure they have a voice.

Fight Against Corruption in Washington: Our leaders should absolutely be held to the highest standards. Corruption, harassment of any kind, abuse of power, fraud, and other concerns must not be tolerated. I co-sponsored and led the way to pass legislation to strengthen ethics rules and improve enforcement, and I’m working on steps to stop Members of Congress from being able to own and trade individual stocks that can cause enormous conflicts of interests as we saw when Senators dumped stocks before the Coronavirus hit.

End Gerrymandering and Voter Suppression: Voters should choose their politicians instead of politicians choosing their voters. Elected officials should never be involved in drawing political lines, and all states should have a bipartisan/nonpartisan approach to redistricting. It is also vital to ensure we work to stop voter suppression. I’ve worked to introduce legislation to protect the efforts to improve access to our democracy, and will always fight to lift up the voice of people in our democracy.

Change What It Means to “Represent”: We can’t expect a Congress full of members who don’t understand the struggles that Americans face every day to understand how important it is to solve them. I believe if you are going to fight for people across the country, you need to stay in touch with them and the battles they are fighting every day—to pay their bills, provide for their families, and save for retirement. It’s why I hold monthly town halls and post my schedule every day, so the people of New Jersey know that I am fighting for them.

Protect Against National Security Threats. My children are growing up in a world more dangerous than the one I grew up in. The threat of nuclear weapons has returned, and instability and conflict affect every corner of the globe. As a career public servant and national security expert, I am working in Congress to be a champion for a strong, responsible, and strategic national security operation that focuses on defense, but also diplomacy and development. As the world rebuilds in the wake of the coronavirus, I will fight for an America that steps up as a global leader in the community of nations.

Recover from Superstorm Sandy and Prepare for the Next One. Too many people are still struggling to recover after Sandy. That’s why I introduced a bill that would provide direct relief to New Jersey communities by forgiving all federal loans given out in the effort to rebuild after the storm. After what we saw in Houston, Florida, and Puerto Rico, we know it is only a matter of time before we get hit again. We are not ready. We need to help people in New Jersey to mitigate risks by raising the height of homes and protecting our communities, and stop Republicans from making changes to the National Flood Insurance Plan that would gut spending for flood maps and be a boon for the same private insurance companies that underpaid Sandy families and allow them to cherry pick who they cover.

Treat the Opioid Epidemic as a National Security Crisis. Our leaders in Washington aren’t doing enough to address the devastation of opioids. Six times the number of people are dying from opioid-related overdoses today than they did twenty years ago. This is a national security crisis that takes more lives than any war or conflict that we are engaged in, but President Trump is not taking it seriously. We need a real national strategy and full funding to stem the tide.

Respond to Climate Change as a National Security Crisis. Climate change is real, and our response must be swift and serious. Exiting the Paris Climate Agreement and gutting the Environmental Protection Agency are hurting all of us. I will advocate for legislation that will bring immediate, pragmatic solutions to addressing our climate crisis.

Restore American Leadership Abroad. The wake of the coronavirus crisis represents a critical moment to restore American leadership on the world stage. On the House Armed Services Committee, I am a champion for strong, responsible, and strategic national security operations that focus on defense, but also diplomacy and development.

• FOR YOU: Leading the charge against the coronavirus and the damage done to our economy

Our American Dream is built BY the people, BY American workers. But we live in a time when that dream feels like it’s slipping through our fingers. As we rebuild, we can change that.

The Coronavirus crisis has shaken the foundation of our country, hurt our businesses and our jobs, and filled us with insecurity and anxiety about paying the bills and providing for our country. These are moments when we need to come together, help each other get through the present, and build for our future. That’s why I’m pushing on every lever possible to increase access to testing for everyone in New Jersey. Testing isn’t just a health tool, it’s a financial tool. Testing is where we know how we can open back up and begin rebuilding the American Dream we were promised.

Even before this crisis, three out of four of us who work full-time were living Paycheck to Paycheck, and most are saddled with debt. There is no wonder that fewer than 1 in 5 Americans feel like they are living the American Dream.

When I was a child, my parents explained to me that the American Dream was earning enough to support your family and build a secure future if you do an honest day’s work and play by the rules. Those that work hard should be able to retire with peace of mind. As we rebuild from the crisis at hand, this is how we will get back to that American Dream:

Prioritize the American Worker. When workers win, America wins. As we invest in our future, we must remember that the foundation of our economy is the American worker. As our economy changes, we must provide workers at all levels and ages the resources to help them get ahead and ensure that they stay competitive. This means supporting unions, project labor agreements, a livable wage, safe work environments, and other critical initiatives that help American workers navigate the uncertainty. Our workers deserve to thrive, not just survive. I’ve been a leader on major efforts in Congress to stop the threats against collective bargaining and to give our local workers more opportunities to get work at the Joint Military Base right here at home.

Support Veterans. Veterans have served our country and we must do everything we can to help them succeed, and that starts right here at home. They deserve more than just lip service that they have heard for years. I’m tired of having veterans in our community ignored. That is why I’m pressing hard to hold the VA accountable and to urge them to move forward on building a new veteran health clinic in Ocean county and improve services at the existing facility. Our VA services should be worthy of the men and women who they’re designed to serve. We should make sure that every veteran can get the care they need, when they need it. And we should ensure that as our servicemen and women are coming home, they have the resources and job opportunities they need to serve their country after they’re finished wearing the uniform.

Getting You the Education to Stay Competitive. This means investing in teachers, schools and students; making college more affordable so we don’t saddle our next generation with enormous debt; and supporting trade schools and apprenticeships.

Support Small Businesses. There has never been a time that is more difficult and dangerous for so many small businesses. The pandemic has changed everything. Being the only Member of Congress from NJ on the Small Business Committee, it is a personal mission of mine to help our small businesses that are the backbone of our district. From the river to the shore, it’s our small business owners who drive our economies and create jobs. As we recover from the coronavirus, I will fight for the federal funds our small businesses need to reopen and come back stronger than ever. I’ve taken a lead in Congress on fighting for our small business owners and giving the resources they need to help our working families thrive. I have championed legislation to reinstate net neutrality, and will simplify complicated accounting standards, ease rules that reduce access to capital, and remove other barriers that are making it harder for small businesses to compete with big corporations.

End Gender and Workplace Discrimination. The gender pay gap is unfair and must end. I have co-sponsored and voted to pass legislation that would finally provide equal pay for equal work. Discrimination and harassment in the workplace are unacceptable. There needs to be dignity in our work and fairness and equality in our paychecks.

Invest in the Industries of the Future. We won’t have better-paying jobs unless America remains a leader in global innovation and business. But our country is falling behind in key sectors. Our government’s policies and investments must be focused on ensuring U.S. technology powers the global economy of the future. At a time of 5G and AI, we need greater support for STEM education and investments in renewable energy, high-tech manufacturing, biotech, and other fast-growing sectors. Perhaps nowhere in the country is better suited for this type of high tech growth than New Jersey.

Helping You Retire with Peace of Mind

My mother retired last year and, like many other retirees, she has spent many sleepless nights worrying about how she will cover her bills. She, like many others, will depend on Social Security for nearly all of her income. She will depend on Medicare for her healthcare. Alarmingly, these same programs millions of people rely on are the ones Washington Republicans like have said they want to cut to address the hole they blew in the deficit with their unfair tax bill. Americans need more support and security, not Congress uprooting years of careful financial planning at the last minute to help finance a tax cut for millionaires and corporations.

➜ Protect and Expand Social Security.” A third of elderly Americans rely on Social Security for all of their income. We need to ensure that they get what they need and explore ways to provide additional security.”

➜ Lower Prescription Drug Costs for Medicare. On fixed incomes, rising drug costs are a major threat to security. No senior should ever have to cut their pills in half to afford rent or put food on the table. We must find ways to keep costs down by allowing Medicare to negotiate prices for drugs and medical equipment and by requiring price justifications by pharmaceutical companies.

➜ Expand Retirement Accounts. Nearly half of all private sector employees in America, 55 million workers, don’t have a retirement savings plan through their employers. Let’s create more options to make retirement saving possible for these workers as well as people that are self-employed, caregivers, and others that do not currently have access to a 401k or pension program. Everyone should have an easy way to save for retirement.

➜ Support Community Living and Caregivers. Our elderly deserve to live with dignity and security. Let’s work together to ensure that they have the access, mobility, and support they need to thrive in vibrant communities.

• FOR YOUR FAMILY: Supporting and Protecting the American Family

My wife and two trouble-making baby boys are my world. I am fighting every day to protect our families and give us every opportunity to provide strong and stable futures for our children.

Lowering Your Health Care and Prescription Drug Costs

Millions of Americans who live Paycheck to Paycheck are one accident or sickness away from disaster and far too many have lost their health care as a result of losing their job. My father suffered from polio as a child and my mother is a nurse who has served New Jersey residents for decades. They raised me to believe that no one in the richest, most powerful country in the world should die or go bankrupt because they can’t afford to go to a doctor. Our current system has expanded coverage to millions of Americans, but it still falls far short as costs keep rising.

We need to build on the Affordable Care Act to provide affordable and accessible health care for all of us:

Lower Prescription Drug Costs. One concern I’ve heard about so often while talking to people across New Jersey is the high price of prescription drugs. It is unacceptable that so many people are unable to afford the medications they need, and this needs to be addressed immediately. Congress must prioritize steps to reduce drug prices including allowing Medicare to directly negotiate lower prices with pharmaceutical companies, requiring pricing transparency, and implementing safeguards against price gouging.

Get Everyone Covered. Our country, our economy, our security will be stronger when our people are healthier. Having millions of people without health insurance raises the costs for all of us. We need to ensure everyone, rich or poor, has access to quality affordable healthcare. This is our new moonshot, and we can save countless lives in the process.

Give Everyone on Medicare Vision, Hearing, and Dental Coverage. I think it is ridiculous that our seniors who need vision, hearing, and dental work don’t get this through Medicare. I supported and helped pass a bill through the House of Representatives that would give everyone on Medicare this coverage. I want to get this now passed through the rest of Congress and signed into law.

Invest in Doctors, Nurses, and all Medical Professionals. A doctor in Toms River told me that we need health care that focuses on people instead of profits. I couldn’t agree more. Every medical professional I talk to is focused on improving care for patients. We need to help train a new generation of professionals to ensure an adequate workforce. We also need reforms that transform the industry to reflect these providers’ values that prioritize patient care, not just treating problems. And we need to show the same commitment to serving our health care workers as they have shown to us in the fight against the coronavirus.

Permanently Fund Children’s Health Insurance Plan (CHIP). CHIP is part of our promise to our children and playing politics with their health is embarrassing and disrespectful. Let’s never let CHIP expire again or worry about whether a child can get the care they need for a bright future.

Protect People with Pre-Existing Conditions. Even in the middle of a national pandemic, Republicans are still trying to take away basic protections for people with pre-existing conditions. They failed in the past because people across the country made clear what should have already been obvious—that taking away people’s health care is absolutely wrong. I will always stand up to protect those with pre-existing conditions, and continue to strengthen our health care system to make sure all who need care can get it.

Expand Veteran Care. A veteran should never have to travel far to find care or wait too long to receive treatment. I owe my life to the armed servicemen and women who kept me safe in Afghanistan. I will always stand by them.

Support Community Health Centers, especially in Rural Areas. Community health centers are key assets in our communities and they need funding and support to provide vital healthcare services, especially in underserved areas such as rural communities.

Helping Our Families Afford What We Need

➜ Make Sure No Parent Must Choose Between Their Family and Their Paycheck. With two troublemaking boys of my own, I know the challenges many parents face juggling their job and their family—and I know many people out there have it even harder than mine. We need to make sure all workers have paid family leave and sick leave so they can be there for their families without worrying about their jobs. Parents across the country also need access to quality, affordable child care so they can know their children are in good care while they are at work.

➜ Fix Our Taxes by Creating Permanent Tax Cuts for Middle Class Families Instead of Corporations. We need tax reform that focuses on permanent cuts and the needs of the middle class—not just the wants of corporations and the wealthiest Americans. When Republicans were in control of Congress, they passed a massive tax giveaway that put big corporations and the super rich ahead of New Jersey families. People across NJ have made clear they think this backwards tax bill—which saddles our nation and future generations with over a trillion dollars to pay for tax breaks that overwhelming go to corporations and the wealthiest Americans—is unfair and must be fixed.

Protecting Our Families and Communities From Crises

➜ Protect Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. I will never take our Joint Base for granted. We all know how quickly the future of bases can change. I’m committed to protecting and supporting the Joint Base which is why once I was elected Congress, I fought to get a seat on the House Armed Services Committee. And to keep New Jerseyans working through this crisis, I introduced a bill to increase opportunities for local workers on military construction projects. As a former adviser to Generals Petraeus and John Allen in Afghanistan and as a former Pentagon official, I’m proud to serve on the Committee as a strong champion for the base, our armed service men and women, and our veterans.

➜ End Veteran Homelessness and Increase Health Support. With tens of thousands of veterans in our district, we need to expand veteran services, especially access to VA health facilities and programs. I will also prioritize efforts to make sure no veteran in New Jersey or across the country has to sleep on the streets. The words “veteran” and “homeless” should never appear in the same sentence.

➜ Stop Offshore Drilling. The Trump Administration’s recent decision to open New Jersey’s coast to offshore drilling is a threat to our way of life. Our beautiful shores, our home values, our recreational and commercial fishing industries, and our local businesses are in dire risk. I will relentlessly fight back against these threats with no compromise.

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Of, By, & For the People
As I think about how we can get through the chaotic political division that we face, I've found renewed inspiration in the words that President Lincoln spoke on the battlefield of Gettysburg at a time when our nation was more divided than it is today. Of, By & For the People. Our nation has been through a lot, and our resilience is founded in Lincoln's words. His vision can be a blueprint for us -- an anchor -- to help us find common ground and build a government that serves the people.

OF THE PEOPLE: Serving the American People. Not Corporations I am making a contract with the people of New Jersey to be the most accessible, transparent, and accountable Member of Congress. I pledge to always put the people of New Jersey first, and I will fight to make sure that the core unit of our democracy is the citizen, not the dollar sign.

➜ Accessible: I will commit to holding at least one in-person town hall every single month. These will rotate through every township in the district. I will also have public comments before every vote.

➜ Transparent: I will commit to providing daily reports on my work so you know what I am working on and who I am meeting with.

➜ Accountable: I pledge not to accept a dime from corporate PACs because I believe in a government that focuses on people not corporations. It’s not surprising that my opponent Tom MacArthur raises more money from corporations and special interests than from people. MacArthur showed this when he wrote a health care bill that would have made it harder for us here in New Jersey to get health care, especially those with pre-existing conditions like cancer and heart disease. He showed this when he was the only Member of Congress from New Jersey to vote Yes on a tax bill that gave corporations massive permanent tax cuts while hurting the values of our homes by slashing the property tax deductions that middle-class New Jersey homeowners rely on.

Campaign Finance Reform: Among the very first bills I will seek to introduce in Congress will be to reform the negative influences of money in our politics. We need to fight against dark money that allows millions of dollars to pour into our elections without requiring disclosures of donors. We need to find more ways to allow to encourage public financing and other tools so Americans don’t need to be millionaires in order to run. We also want to explore the use of matching contributions and other steps to empower grassroots supporters and ensure they have a voice.

Fight Against Corruption in Washington: Our leaders should absolutely be held to the highest of standards. Corruption, harassment of any kind, abuse of power, fraud, and other concerns must not be tolerated. I will work to put into place strict rules and tough enforcement.

End Gerrymandering and Voter Suppression: Voters should choose their politicians instead of politicians choosing their voters. Elected officials should never be involved in drawing political lines, and all states should have a bipartisan/nonpartisan approach to redistricting. It is also vital to ensure we work to stop voter suppression. I will do everything I can working with government agencies and grassroots organizations to make that a reality.

We can only change Congress by changing the types of people we elect. Our country is led by people like Tom MacArthur who are out of touch with the struggles that Americans face to pay their bills, provide for their families, and save for retirement. We must do better.

BY THE PEOPLE: Standing with American Workers, Veterans, and Retirees
Our American Dream is built BY the people, BY American workers. But we live in a time when fewer than 1 in 5 of us feel like we are living the American Dream. We can change this.

I asked thousands of people across New Jersey to tell me what kept them up at night, and I heard one phrase over and over again — Paycheck to Paycheck. I heard:

A young father’s concern that he doesn’t know how he can cover his children’s health care and education costs when he can barely keep up with mortgage payments and utilities.

A small group of recent college graduates talk about how their student loan debt was shrinking their opportunities, not expanding them.

A woman choke up when she admitted to me that she wasn’t able to save a dime for retirement as she approached the end of her career.

This isn’t the American Dream we hoped for. Three out of four of us who work full-time are living Paycheck to Paycheck, and most are saddled with debt. There is no wonder that fewer than 1 in 5 Americans feel like they are living the American Dream.

When I was a child, my parents explained to me that the American Dream was earning enough to support your family and build a secure future if you do an honest day’s work and play by the rules. Those that work hard should be able to retire with peace of mind. We need to get back to this American Dream. It’s going to take a lot of work, but here are some important ways I want to work with you to get there:

Prioritize the American Worker. When workers win, America wins. As we invest to lead the future, we must remember that the foundation of our economy is the American worker. As our economy changes, we must provide workers at all levels and ages access to job training to help them get ahead and ensure that they stay competitive. This means supporting unions, project labor agreements, a livable wage, safe work environments, and other critical initiatives that help American workers navigate the uncertainty. Our workers deserve to thrive, not just survive.

Support Small Businesses. We need a government that is focused on small businesses, unfortunately Tom MacArthur sided with big corporations instead of small business when he strongly supported repealing Net Neutrality. I will champion legislation to reinstate net neutrality, simplify complicated accounting standards, ease rules that reduce access to capital, and remove other barriers that are making it harder for small businesses to compete with big corporations.

End Gender and Workplace Discrimination. The gender pay gap is unfair and must end. Everyone must get equal pay for equal work. Discrimination and harassment in the workplace are unacceptable. There needs to be dignity in our work and fairness and equality in our paychecks.

Invest in the Industries of the Future. We won’t have better-paying jobs unless America remains a leader in global innovation and business. But our country is falling behind in key sectors. Our government’s policies and investments must be focused on ensuring U.S. technology powers the global economy of the future. We need greater support for STEM education and investments in renewable energy, high-tech manufacturing, biotech, and other fast-growing sectors. Perhaps nowhere in the country is better suited for this type of high tech growth than New Jersey.

Support Veterans. Veterans have served our country and we must do everything we can to help them succeed. That means ensuring a strong and efficient VA and recognizing their military credentials in the civilian workforce. There are no more reliable and trustworthy worker than our veterans.

Fix Our Taxes by Creating Permanent Tax Cuts for Middle Class Families Instead of Corporations. I will work from Day One to get a tax reform that will focus on permanent cuts for the middle class. Tom MacArthur was the only Member of Congress from NJ to vote YES on a tax bill that gave permanent tax cuts to corporations while creating temporary tax relief to Americans that will expire in a few years. Because MacArthur supported restrictions on State and Local Tax deductions, New Jersey home values are estimated to drop by 7.5 percent. Meanwhile, Tom MacArthur supported giving wealthy Americans like himself a $22.5 million tax exemption on their estates. Saddling our nation and future generations with over a trillion dollars to pay for tax breaks that overwhelming go to corporations and the wealthiest Americans is unfair and must be fixed.

Rebuild American Infrastructure. We can rebuild America and create a new generation of jobs if we make the right investments. Our economy won’t succeed without the right infrastructure. Roads, bridges, tunnels, power grids, and ports across New Jersey and the country are crumbling and need to be rebuilt and maintained in a smart way. We must also invest in our technology infrastructure to make sure that every community has affordable access to the high speed internet connection that is vital to growing local economies.

Getting You the Education to Stay Competitive. This means investing in teachers, schools and students; making college more affordable so we don’t saddle our next generation with enormous debt; and supporting trade schools and apprenticeships.

Helping You Retire with Peace of Mind

My mother is retiring this year and she has many sleepless nights worrying about how she will cover her bills. She, like many others, will depend on Social Security for nearly all of her income. She will depend on Medicare for her healthcare. Now Paul Ryan is saying “We’re going to have to get back next year at entitlement reform, which is how you tackle the debt and the deficit.” Americans need more support and security, not Congress uprooting years of careful financial planning at the last minute to help finance a tax cut for millionaires and corporations.

➜ Stop Tom MacArthur’s “Age Tax.” AARP strongly condemned MacArthur for his health care amendment that would have allowed “insurance companies to charge older Americans and people with preexisting health conditions higher premiums and weaken critical consumer protections…The MacArthur amendment, simply put, makes a bad bill even worse.”

➜ Protect and Expand Social Security. A third of elderly Americans rely on Social Security for all of their income. We need to ensure that they get what they need and explore ways to provide additional security.

➜ Expand Retirement Accounts. Nearly half of all private sector employees in America, 55 million workers, don’t have a retirement savings plan through their employers. Let’s create more options to make retirement saving possible for these workers as well as people that are self-employed, caregivers, and others that do not currently have access to a 401k or pension program. Everyone should have an easy way to save for retirement.

➜ Lower Prescription Drug Costs for Medicare. On fixed incomes, rising drug costs are a major threat to security. We must find ways to keep costs down by allowing Medicare to negotiate prices for drugs and medical equipment and by requiring price justifications by pharmaceutical companies.

➜ Support Community Living and Caregivers. Our elderly deserve to live with dignity and security. Let’s work together to ensure that they have the access, mobility, and support they need to thrive in vibrant communities.

FOR THE PEOPLE: Supporting and Protecting the American Family
My wife and two trouble-making baby boys are my world. I am running for Congress to protect our families and give us every opportunity to provide strong and stable futures for our children.

Lowering Your Health Care and Prescription Drug Costs

Millions of Americans who live Paycheck to Paycheck are one accident or sickness away from disaster. My father suffered from polio as a child and my mother is a nurse who has served New Jersey residents for decades. They raised me to believe that staying healthy is essential to achieving the American Dream, and that no one in the richest, most powerful country in the world should die or go bankrupt because they can’t afford to go to a doctor. Our current system has expanded coverage to millions of Americans, but it still falls far short and costs keep rising. We need a better way forward that provides affordable and accessible health care for all of us. Here is a good place to start:

Lower Prescription Drug Costs. The concern I’ve heard about the most while talking to people across New Jersey is the high price of prescription drugs. It is unacceptable that so many people are unable to afford the medications they need, and this needs to be addressed immediately. Congress must prioritize steps to reduce drug prices including allowing Medicare to directly negotiate lower prices with pharmaceutical companies, requiring pricing transparency, and implementing safeguards against price gouging.

Get Everyone Covered. Our country, our economy, our security will be stronger when our people are healthier. Having millions of people without health insurance raises the costs for all of us. We need to ensure everyone, rich or poor, has access to quality affordable healthcare. This is our new moonshot, and we can save countless lives in the process.

Invest in Doctors, Nurses, and other Medical Professionals. A doctor in Toms River told me that we need health care that focuses on people instead of profits. I couldn’t agree more. Every medical professional I talk to is focused on improving care for patients. We need to help train a new generation of professionals to ensure an adequate workforce. We also need reforms that transform the industry to reflect these providers’ values that prioritize patient care, not just treating problems.

Permanently Fund Children’s Health Insurance Plan (CHIP). CHIP is part of our promise to our children and playing politics with their health is embarrassing and disrespectful. Let’s never let CHIP expire again or worry about whether a child can get the care they need for a bright future.

Protect People with Pre-Existing Conditions. Tom MacArthur single-handedly revived TrumpCare by authoring legislation that would have made it harder for people with cancer, heart disease, and other pre-existing conditions to get the care they need. I will never vote for any legislation that makes it harder for those that need the care the most to get it.

Expand Veteran Care. A veteran should never have to travel far to find care or wait too long to receive treatment. I owe my life to the armed servicemen and women who kept me safe in Afghanistan. I will always stand by them.

Support Community Health Centers, especially in Rural Areas. Community health centers are key assets in our communities and they need funding and support to provide vital healthcare services, especially in underserved areas such as rural communities.

Protecting Our Families and Communities From Crises

➜ Protect Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. I will never take our Joint Base for granted. We all know how quickly the future of bases can change. I’m committed to protecting and supporting the Joint Base and will seek to serve on the House Armed Services Committee. As a former adviser to Generals Petraeus and John Allen in Afghanistan and as a former Pentagon official, I will be a strong champion for the base, our armed service men and women, and our veterans.

➜ End Veteran Homelessness and Increase Health Support. With tens of thousands of veterans in our district, we need to expand veteran services, especially access to VA health facilities and programs. I will also prioritize efforts to make sure no veteran in New Jersey or across the country has to sleep on the streets. The words “veteran” and “homeless” should never appear in the same sentence.

➜ Protect Against National Security Threats. My children are growing up in a world more dangerous than the one I grew up in. The threat of nuclear weapons has returned, and instability and conflict affect every corner of the globe. As a career public servant and national security expert, I will be a champion in Congress for a strong, responsible, and strategic national security operation that focuses on defense, but also diplomacy and development.

➜ Recover from Superstorm Sandy and Prepare for the Next One. Too many people are still struggling to recover after Sandy. After what we saw in Houston, Florida, and Puerto Rico, we know it is only a matter of time before we get hit again. We are not ready. We need help people in New Jersey to mitigate risks by raising the height of homes and protecting our communities, stop Tom MacArthur from making changes to the National Flood Insurance Plan that would gut spending for flood maps and be a boon for the same private insurance companies that underpaid Sandy families and allow them to cherry pick who they cover.

➜ Stop Offshore Drilling. The Trump Administration’s recent decision to open New Jersey’s coast to offshore drilling is a threat to our way of life. Our beautiful shores, our home values, our recreational and commercial fishing industries, and our local businesses are in dire risk. I will relentlessly fight back against these threats with no compromise.

➜ Treat the Opioid Epidemic as a National Security Crisis. Our leaders in Washington aren’t doing enough to address the devastation of opioids. 142 Americans die every day. This is a national security crisis that takes more lives than any war or conflict that we are engaged in, but President Trump and Tom MacArthur aren’t treating it with the seriousness it needs. We need a real national strategy and full funding to stem the tide.

➜ Respond to Climate Change as a National Security Crisis. If President Trump, Tom MacArthur, and Scott Pruitt won’t lead on protecting us from the dangers of climate change, I will. Exiting the Paris Climate Agreement and gutting the Environmental Protection Agency are hurting all of us. I will push to enact legislation and take actions to once again give us clean air to breathe and clean water to drink and work to protect our shores from rising seas.

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