Helena Pasquarella

Civil Rights I pledge to make Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion a priority for my congressional term. Discrimination, Harassment, and retaliatory behaviors do not belong in our society, full stop. Taxes / Budget We need to stop spending 885 Billion on the Military every year to begin dealing with the debt. We also need to raise government revenue by raising taxes on the wealthy and corporate entities that have been earning high returns for the past 20 years. Abortion / Contraception I support the Women’s Health Protection Act (WHPA), which passed the House in July 2022. This bill would reject the Supreme Court’s ruling of Roe vs. Wade and would codify abortion rights into federal law. Guns I am a strong advocate for gun reform legislation, including expanding background checks, preventing people convicted of domestic abuse from owning a gun, allowing for the removal of guns from individuals who might be a threat to themselves or others, and making it a crime to own semi-automatic assault weapons or large-capacity ammunition feeding devices. Environment / Energy First and foremost, we as a country need to agree that there is a Climate Crisis and then address how to transition from a fossil fuel-based economy to one based on renewable energy. Environment / Energy Furthermore, we must ban the use of pesticides, which are known to be deadly to farmworkers and cause cancer to those living near fields (known as environmental racism). Foreign Policy The United States has earned a reputation for starting unnecessary wars and causing devastating loss of life and resources around the world. It's time we change that. Healthcare As your representative, I will fight for Medicare for All and be your strongest advocate for real healthcare reform in Washington. Education Furthermore, we must forgive ALL federal and privately held student debt that individuals struggle to pay daily. Foreign Policy The U.S. Must respect the election results of other countries instead of changing the outcome of their elections so that it suits the U.S.’s political and economic interests. Economy Restrict the banking systems predatory practices. Wages / Job Benefits Raise the federal minimum wage to 25. Healthcare Healthcare is a human right, and our system must be rebuilt from the ground up. Housing Fund social housing to end homelessness. Housing Ensure some form of universal rent control and prohibition of rental deposits. Wages / Job Benefits Protect worker's rights and the right to unionize if they choose. Foreign Policy As your Representative, I would vote NO on any piece of legislation that includes any funding towards Israel. Government Reform We need to get the lobbyists (PACs) out of politics so that politicians have to answer to the people they represent, not the pharmaceutical, oil, and gun lobbyists, or special interests funding their campaigns.