How will you work to ensure that your constituents have the necessary resources to effectively cope with the various ways that climate change is affecting our communities?
It is well past time we treat climate change as the National Security Crisis it is. In Congress, I will invest in our infrastructure to be more resilient, protecting homes and businesses against storms by expanding flood mitigation efforts. I will expand investment in clean energy production – solar, wind, and geothermal – to create good-paying jobs, lower utility bills, and build a more resilient, sustainable future.
What measures will you take to foster and support an increased vibrancy in the economies of the district you will serve, if elected?
For the first time in modern American history, the economic prospects of young Americans are worse than that of their parents. In Congress, I will bring good-paying jobs to our community and prepare us for the future. There are numerous paths to success, and many, like trade skill careers, don't require a four-year degree. I will work to expand BOCES and CTE programs and create partnerships with unions and employers to increase the number of apprenticeship programs. Young people in the Hudson Valley deserve to build a good life here. They should not feel like they have to leave to find opportunity. I will lower costs and expand job opportunities so families can stay together in NY-17.
Where does affordable housing lie on your list of priorities for the district you will serve, if elected?
This is one of the top issues I hear about from voters on the trail. Working families are being priced out, and young people can’t afford to return to the communities they grew up in. In Congress, I will work to lower housing costs by making it easier to build affordable homes by getting rid of Trump’s illegal tariffs, cracking down on corporate landlords driving up prices, and reducing energy costs so families can afford not just to buy a home, but to stay in it. I will also introduce legislation to create a public service housing loan program for teachers, first responders, and nurses that models the VA loan program, so our public servants can afford to buy homes in the communities they are serving.
What is your stand on the current level of US support for Israel, and what is your vision for a resolution to the current conflict in Iran?
As someone who has been to combat, the last thing I ever want to see is more war. We have to reach negotiations for peace. While we cannot allow Iran to get a nuclear weapon, Trump’s war in Iran has been reckless, and I would vote in favor of a war powers resolution to bring an end to this conflict. This war is not making Americans any safer. In regard to Israel, I strongly support a two-state solution as the only viable long-term path to ensure Israel remains a secure, democratic Jewish state while Palestinians achieve legitimate aspirations for self-determination.
Do you believe that the 14th Amendment's Citizenship Clause permits ending birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants in this country? EXPLAIN
No. We must stop efforts by Donald Trump to take away citizenship from American citizens. The 14th Amendment clearly states that all persons born or naturalized in the United States are citizens. Our immigration system is broken. It should not take law-abiding neighbors 10-20 years to move through our process. We need to modernize and invest in our immigration system to make it efficient and humane, reducing backlogs, expanding legal pathways, and ensuring families are not kept waiting for decades to realize the American dream. And we must overhaul ICE to ensure it acts legally and in sync with American values.