VOTE411 Voter Guide

A strong military is a key component of protecting America’s national security. I support continuing to fund our military to provide the best defense necessary. Our nation’s security also depends upon our diplomatic and intelligence capacity, which have been gutted by the Trump administration. We must fully fund our diplomatic and intelligence agencies, such as USAID, and other non-military diplomatic efforts. Secure borders are a final part of national security that must be carefully managed. The United States must know who is coming into our country, and what they intend to do once they get here–which does not mean closed doors. We benefit from law-abiding people immigrating to our country, working, and paying into our system.

America’s government was designed to reject monarchy and prevent any one branch from gaining too much power. Our system of checks and balances protects individual liberty by ensuring Congress, the President, and the courts hold one another accountable. Today, Congress has failed to exercise that responsibility, allowing unchecked executive overreach on spending, war powers, and policymaking. As your Senator, I will ensure judicial appointees are qualified, demand accountability from the President and cabinet, and insist Congress reclaim its constitutional role over war and spending. I will fight to restore a balance of powers and push back against executive overreach that threatens our democracy and constitutional system.

The recent Supreme Court ruling struck down the part of the Voting Rights Act that helped ensure minority representation in Congress, but it did not prevent partisan gerrymandering. Now, states including South Carolina are rushing to redraw districts to predetermine election outcomes in favor of one party. That is wrong. I oppose any effort to make voting harder for American citizens. Claims of widespread voter fraud have repeatedly been proven false, while restrictive laws disproportionately burden women, minorities, the poor, and people with disabilities. As Senator, I would oppose unfair redistricting efforts and support bipartisan commissions that draw fair districts and protect the voice of the people.

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While having a strong and ready military and securing supply chains around the world are key to national security, I believe we can do more when it comes to technological innovation. America has fallen behind other countries in developing new technologies that allow us to protect our online infrastructure and our businesses from cyber attacks. I support our military and footholds around the world, but I also support improving our diplomatic relations with our allies and investing in cyber protections. Also, shifting our economy away from a share holder focus and to a growth and R&D focus we can introduce new products to market that improve the quality of life for Americans while also creating economic stability abroad for our trade partners

Congress very much acts as the rudder and steering wheel of the government. Congress should limit the executive power to prevent the president from doing damage to allies or plunging the country into costly wars, as well putting limitations and expectations on how the president conducts the day to day operations of running the country. This provides a level of stability, consistency, and reliability to the executive branch. If congress failed in its duties to limit the executive we would see massive market instability, tenuous foreign relations, costly wars, civil unrest, and violations of civil rights. Congress also guides the judicial branch by ensuring the laws are in the best interest of the people.

I plan to introduce or support legislation that removes barriers that prevent people from voting and enables all citizens to have their voices heard in our electoral process. Bills like the "Save Act" use election security as a shield to justify preventing law abiding citizens from exercising their right to vote. Barriers at registration and at the polls are being forced on the public in order to decrease the number of voters elected officials have to appeal to. This weakens our democracy and makes increases corruption. I hope to direct our national conversation to a place where we are discussing if voting should be mandatory for all citizens after we have successfully improved access to and engagement with the polls.