Candidate Q&A
Why are you running?
I’m running for re-electing to keep delivering for the people of the 4th Congressional District. I have lived in the Southwest Side of Chicago for over 50 years, where I raised my family and proudly served in the City of Chicago, Cook County Board of Commissioners, Illinois Senate, and now U.S. Congress. While in Congress, I have voted for and secured funding for Illinoisians including: $8.1 billion through the CARES Act, $18.6 billion through the American Rescue Plan, $17 billion through the Infrastructure and Jobs Act, $18 billion through Inflation Reduction Act as well as $37.6 million in funding for 25 community projects in the 4th Congressional District.
There’s so much at stake and we need experienced and reliable candidates that can protect our democracy and deliver for our communities. I am a trusted coalition-builder and proven champion for working-families and immigrants, and I am ready to go back to Congress to keep delivering for our diverse communities.
How has your district been impacted by the migrant crisis and what do you think should be done?
As the son of a Bracero, who arrived in this country at nine, I know first-hand the reality of leaving your home for better opportunities.Thanks to a community that welcomed me with open arms, an immigrant boy from Durango went from organizing to becoming the first Mexican-American in Congress from the Midwest. I represent a largely immigrant district, 30% foreign-born population.
There are several shelters in the district. In Little Village, Piotrowski Park has set a model for others. We’ve shown what can be done when a community comes together to help each other – immigrants lending a hand to other immigrants. Whether immigrants have arrived a day ago or a decade ago, we deserve an opportunity to provide a better life to our families. It’s going to take all of us – across levels of office as well as private and public sectors to step up and help with integration of recent arrivals. Welcoming others is embedded is embedded in our history and values and that's what we ought to be striving for as we serve immigrants and mixed-status families.
What do you think immigration reform in Congress should look like?
I have been working with my colleges in the CHC and CPC as well as local leaders and organizations to address our broken immigration system for long-term and recent immigrants. It’s been over 36 years since any meaningful reform – all the while: enforcement has increased and we haven't addressed the root causes of migration like violence, corruption, climate change and poverty. U.S. foreign policy has displaced thousands from their home countries.
In the House, we passed several immigration bills, but they were stuck in the Senate. Now, in the minority we need executive action. We need the Biden administration to take action: protect DACA, expand access to work permits and parole, while also increasing funding to support migrants.
Immigrants contribute with over $330 billion in federal taxes - yet no path to citizenship or permanent solution. Immigrants have delivered for our country, it’s time we deliver for them!
How important is bipartisanship to you and what issues have you worked on across the aisle or with people who don't uniformly share your beliefs?
Partisanship should not get in the way of serving people. As the only Democratic member of the Transportation and Infrastructure committee from the Midwest, I’ve worked with Republicans to advance several bills: FAST Act (surface transit) Bipartisan Infrastructure or IIJA (jobs act), FAA (aviation), WRDA (water).
I represent a district with several Republican mayors and we maintain strong working relationships by meeting common needs of our constituents – from small business support to infrastructure. Bipartisanship is critical to advancing legislation and relationships- especially when we’re in the minority.
What action, if any, do you want to see next on abortion access after the Dobbs decision?
We must pass the Women’s Health Protection Act to codify the right to abortion. We must also advocate for executive action to expand access to reproductive care, protect providers and patients, as well as secure funding for service providers as Illinois continues to serve as a safe haven in the Midwest.
Did Joe Biden legitimately win the 2020 presidential race?
Yes
Should the United States provide Ukraine with money in its fight against Russia?
Yes, No
Should the United States provide Ukraine with aid in the form of military supplies?
Yes, No
Should the U.S. provide Israel with money in its fight against Hamas?
Yes, No
Should the United States provide Israel with aid in the form of military supplies in its fight against Hamas?
Yes, No
Should there be a law requiring background checks on all gun sales?
Yes
Should Congress pass a federal law banning semi-automatic assault-style weapons and large-capacity magazines to help address gun violence?
Yes
