Affordability is the issue I hear the most about. Whether it is the cost of groceries, housing, education, energy, or our national debt, the federal government must be more thoughtful about how we spend taxpayer money to do our part to bring down the high cost of living. As elected officials, we need to listen to our communities which are asking us to reverse damaging tariffs, ensure the delivery of essential services, plan for the impact of rapidly developing A.I., and stop ill-conceived and costly military actions. As the chair of the New Dem Economic Growth and Cost of Living Working Group, I’m proud to lead this effort and provide a practical roadmap to lower everyday costs and deliver relief quickly and meaningfully.

The Constitution firmly establishes three co-equal branches of government, and our system isn’t sustainable unless Congress starts doing its job of legislating. In the vacuum of inaction over the last few decades, the executive branch - under both parties - has been exerting ever greater power. And what we have today is unprecedented - a White House enabled and emboldened by a largely inactive Congress, with only the courts to check or balance. This is a true crisis and we all deserve better. I’m committed to transparency and accountability of our federal government, regardless of who is in the White House.

Congress has vastly more authority in foreign policy and international relations than it is exercising. The power to declare war rests solely with Congress. The authority to fund - and therefore set the priorities - for our military, the State Department, and social, educational, and humanitarian programs around the world rests solely with Congress. Although the Executive Branch negotiates trade deals, the power to define the parameters of the trade deals rests with Congress. The power to tax, including tariffs, rests solely with Congress. We have the power; Congressional leadership must exercise it. I will continue to advocate for a foreign policy approach that keeps Americans safe, supports our allies, and promotes our values abroad.

Legislative action to lower drug costs, expand primary and mental‑health care, and stabilize insurance markets is necessary. I’ve voted to reduce prescription prices, strengthen community clinics, and improve mental‑health resources. Legislation was passed in 2022. Many of these improvements were stripped away by the Republican Budget, aka the One Big Beautiful Bill Act in 2025. I believe we must invest in telehealth, protect coverage for people with pre‑existing conditions, and reduce administrative barriers so families can get care easily and affordably.

The most pressing issues are the everyday financial struggles of young adults, working families, and retirees. These struggles sit at the intersection of rising costs and crushing debt—both driven by special interests that have hijacked Congress to make life unaffordable and load us with $100+ trillion in debt. This is not just government debt. It is the mortgages, student loans, and consumer debts blocking working people from the American dream of outright home ownership with affordable food, energy, and healthcare. The current path is not sustainable. I am running to take on the special interests, fix affordability, and restructure consumer, corporate, and government debt to rebuild the American middle class.

The question of oversight misses the deeper problem. Congress has not simply failed to oversee the executive branch—it has given away core constitutional powers to the President, to special interests, and to unaccountable agencies. That abdication is a major reason we face unsustainable debt, rising costs, and a government that no longer works for ordinary people. The real role of Congress is not merely oversight, but taking those powers back: the power of the purse, the power to declare war, and the authority over trade and major policy decisions. That is why I am running. Only Congress can fix this mess—and we need representatives who will stop surrendering constitutional authority and start exercising it on behalf of the American people.

Congress alone has the Constitutional authority to declare war, set tariffs, and regulate foreign aid and commerce, but it has abdicated these powers—leading America into endless conflicts and unwise commitments that have loaded us with trillions in debt. Congress should prioritize peace through strength, demand real accountability for foreign aid, protect American jobs, and advance fair trade with allies who share our interests. We must confront serious threats from China, Russia, and Iran while keeping the focus on America’s own security and prosperity. My West Point training and military service taught me to put the Constitution and the American people first. I will fight for a foreign policy that keeps America safe and strong.

My Young Americans Healthcare Plan (YAHP) would make healthcare more accessible and affordable by saving American families at least $5,000 a year and helping end medical bankruptcies. It expands the military’s proven TRICARE system—which already serves millions efficiently—to provide universal coverage for every child from birth through age 23. It also covers expectant mothers from the moment of a positive pregnancy test through the baby’s first birthday, including prenatal, delivery, and postpartum care. Finally, by allowing TRICARE contractors to offer competitive plans in the ACA exchanges, we can introduce real competition, break up the dominance of the big insurance companies, and drive costs down for everyone.