Issues

Cost of Living

Prices for houses, cars, groceries, and gas have increased but wages have not. Ordinary people have suffered the most while our government spends your money.

The roots of this problem are mixed so solutions are as well. I am committed to making it easier for individuals to thrive and small businesses to compete and succeed. We must cut government waste in Washington and St. Paul. Lack of oversight and bloated budgets created scandals like the “Feeding our Future” scandal right here.  It is the largest non-profit fraud scheme in America. I will work with responsible local elected officials to find ways to deliver needed services without bloating government, supported by taxes that fall on people like you.

At the national level, I will participate in Congressional oversight to ensure existing anti-trust laws are enforced. These laws prevent large corporations from creating monopolies or duopolies that give them the power to set prices ordinary people cannot afford. Additionally, I will participate in legislative efforts that invigorate local supply chains for everything from medicines to steel to energy. COVID showed the risk of becoming dependent on far-flung suppliers who have their own interests in mind. We must learn the right lessons and not recreate these dependencies.

Proposing these ideas and getting bipartisan agreement for them takes leaders who can work across the aisle.

Public Safety

While public safety is a local issue, federal leaders have significant roles to play. It is intolerable that criminal attacks with deadly weapons and carjackings, and shootings have become commonplace. Minneapolis and our district must be a safe place to visit, work, and live. Any plan to revitalize downtown depends on creating a safe environment.

• As your representative in Congress, I will fight to ensure that our law enforcement officers receive the resources, respect, and recognition they deserve.
• I will push for federal grants so our law enforcement officers gain access to modern equipment, training, and advanced technology to keep the community and officers safe.
• I will advocate for incentives like federal scholarships and loan forgiveness to attract new recruits and ensure competitive pay and benefits to retain experienced officers.
• I will promote bipartisan cooperation on law enforcement issues and work closely with community leaders to understand their needs.

When you elect me to Congress, you are choosing a representative who values the dedication and sacrifice of our law enforcement officers as well as someone who understands the needs of our community.

Health Care

All Americans should feel secure in their ability to receive necessary, quality healthcare, without worrying that it will bankrupt them.

The Affordable Care Act (ACA), is the law of the land. It is not without its problems, but it has made health insurance available to most people, and with that insurance, most people can access good care.

The ACA can be improved; The costs to small businesses should be reduced. The U.S. government should use its massive purchasing power to negotiate prices for drugs and devices, as other large purchasers do. The bill that capped monthly insulin costs for seniors should be expanded to reach everyone who needs insulin to live. I would support legislation that addresses these goals. We need to push policies that hold big pharma accountable. These drugs save lives; they shouldn’t exist just to reap a massive profit.

I do not support the socialist dreams of “Medicare For All,” as it is a shallow bait-and-switch bumper sticker, not a real policy. It really should be called “Medicare for None” because it would eliminate Medicare, private insurance, and many of our existing systems that work, in favor of a massive new government program started from scratch and paid for by enormous tax increases.

“Medicare for None” would dismantle what we now have in favor of a new system based on fantasy, not reality. Such a massive upheaval is most likely to hurt the most vulnerable people: the poor, the sick, and those who already have difficulty navigating complex bureaucracies. It is neither responsible nor pragmatic. Let’s face reality and improve on what we have.

Combatting Jew-Hate

Ever since the Iranian and Qatari-backed terrorist organization Hamas breached Israel’s borders on October 7, 2023 to prosecute horrific atrocities against every living thing in their path, we have experienced a head-spinning, upside-down world of exploding Jew-hatred in the U.S. Activists took to the streets to applaud the terrorists, while denying that they had committed the very atrocities that they themselves filmed and shared with glee. These same activists frame Israel’s completely justified military response as “genocide.” According to them, “the Jew” always is to blame.

Having grown up in Iraq, steeped in a world that demonizes Jews at every opportunity, I recognize this all too well, but I never expected to see it erupt and flourish in America. Now it is here. It cannot stand. It will take clear-eyed observers like me to tell the truth, to push back against the flood of hate-filled misinformation dumped into the social media and “journalistic” ecosystem by Islamists in the Middle East and amplified by Russia and China. These countries, our adversaries, know exactly what they are doing: using age-old attacks against Jews to fragment our society, turning us against each other and thus weakening us so we are unable to defend ourselves when they come for us next.

And they will come: History has shown that what starts with Jews never ends with Jews.

Energy & Environment

Energy is the lifeblood that powers our economy and homes; energy security is national security. When we depend on foreign powers for energy, we give them the leverage to manipulate and weaken us. Our ability to shape world events depends in part on our ability to supply energy to others.

As a Member of Congress, I would vote to reverse the blockade of the Keystone XL pipeline permit, while ensuring environmental protections are in place. Similarly, I would advocate for allowing drilling on federal lands, while simultaneously supporting the development of environmental protections.

We can lower gas prices at the pump for ordinary Americans by controlling our domestic supply. I believe it was a mistake to dump millions of barrels of crude oil onto the market from our Strategic Petroleum Reserve. That is our nation’s emergency stockpile, meant to manage disruptions to the world oil market resulting from shocks to the system, such as war. It should never be used for partisan political purposes. Our oil reserves are now at their lowest levels since 1984. We must rebuild them, and consider legislation that would prevent depleting them again for reasons other than genuine emergencies.

I appreciate concerns over environmental costs associated with developing energy supplies, and I respect the concern over climate change as a consequence of over-reliance on carbon fuels. I also acknowledge the fears of environmental degradation that unfettered energy exploitation can create. However, I believe that we have developed, and still can develop, energy practices that protect the environment.

We must consciously develop an All of The Above energy policy.We must continue to use fossil fuels as we develop safe nuclear energy, along with transitioning to cost-effective renewables that have demonstrated an ability to scale and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. I do not believe it is wise or helpful to cut off fossil fuels as quickly as possible, as if this will force us to transition away from them before alternatives are available.

Economic Prosperity Through Fiscal Responsibility

I am committed to fostering a strong and vibrant economy for the 5th Congressional District and the nation. I believe in the principles of fiscal responsibility, free markets, and limited government intervention.

Lower Taxes: I advocate for reducing the tax burden on individuals and businesses. By allowing families to keep more of their hard-earned money and enabling businesses to reinvest in their growth, we can stimulate job creation and economic expansion.

Regulatory Reform: Excessive regulations limit innovation and squeeze out small businesses our communities depend on. I will work to eliminate unnecessary regulations that hinder businesses, making it easier for startups and small businesses to thrive. A streamlined regulatory environment promotes competition and drives economic growth.

Support for Small Businesses: Small businesses are the foundation of our economy. I will champion policies that provide them with the support they need to succeed, including access to capital, tax incentives, and reduced bureaucratic obstacles.

Balanced Budget: We must prioritize fiscal responsibility and end the runaway debt by balancing the budget and commit to cutting up the government credit card. We need to end the government’s addiction to spending your money. By committing to responsible spending and prioritizing essential services, we can ensure long-term economic stability and growth.