Economic inequality has been growing for decades in America, but the COVID-19 pandemic fanned the flames of this crisis. Before the pandemic, wages remained stagnant for decades while the cost of housing, child care, and education continued to rise and the social safety net suffered drastic cuts. Now, as we begin the long road to recovery, Black and Hispanic communities, women, and low-wage workers are fairing worse. 

We need an economy that works for everyone, not just the people at the top. Our baseline as Democrats must be to protect Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. Congress must pass the PRO Act to protect unions and strengthen workers’ rights to organize and fight for fair wages. A $15 an hour federal minimum wage is the floor, not the ceiling. I also support progressive tax rates that require corporations and the richest Americans to pay their fair share and give back to our communities, instead of exploiting communities of color. I’m fighting for a more equitable economy that ensures all people have the right to housing, education, child care, and healthcare.