Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for US Congress NY-14
Candidate Name: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
Office Seeking Election for: US Congress NY-14
Website: https://www.ocasiocortez.com
1. Explain, based on life experiences and accomplishments, why you believe you are best qualified to represent your district. I am fighting for a country that works for us all, not just a wealthy few.
2. Do you now support or have you ever supported an openly LGBTQ candidate for public office? Yes.
3. If applicable, what legislation directly affecting the LGBTQ community have you introduced or co-sponsored? (indicate accordingly). Directly co-sponsored legislation encouraging the celebration of the month of June as LGBTQ Pride Month and supporting the goals and ideals of the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia. I have also introduced legislation that indirectly affects the LGBTQ community through workforce training programs, access to healthcare, and equal opportunity housing.
4. What LGBTQ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally? I engaged with Southerners on New Ground (SONG) prior to the Georgia runoffs. SONG is a home for LGBTQ liberation across all lines of race, class, abilities, age, culture, gender, and sexuality in the South.
5. If applicable, what LGBTQ organizations have you allocated funds to? I have previously donated to Queens and Bronx PRIDE, as well as St. Pats for All.
6. Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBTQ community? In solidarity.
7. Have you marched in Pride? Which marches and for approximately how many years?
Yes. St. Pats for All and Queens Pride. I look forward to many more.
8. Have you employed openly LGBTQ individuals previously? Do you employ any currently? Yes. Yes.
9. If you receive the endorsement, do you agree to identify the club on all literature and electronic materials where you list endorsements? Yes.
10. What press conferences, demonstrations, rallies and protests in support of LGBTQ issues, pro choice legislation, criminal justice issues and the Resist Trump Movement have you attended? I have participated in several hearings, protests and press conferences in support of LGBTQ issues, pro choice legislation, criminal justice issues and the Resist Trump movement. Specifically, I spoke out against President Trump and his role in the attack on the U.S. Capitol and at a press conference at Jacobi Hospital to call for funding for youth violence reduction programs.
11. Will you advocate for legislation to mandate the review of sentences of incarcerated individuals aged 55 and older who have served in excess of 15 years to determine if they
warrant release? Yes. The criminal justice system in the U.S. is broken, fraught with institutional racism, over-policing, and lack of accountability. Criminal Justice reform is long past due. I support efforts to reduce our prison population.
12. Will you advocate for legislation that would ensure those appearing before the New York State Parole Board are considered for release from prison based on who they are today and not exclusively based on the nature of their crime? Yes. In congress, I’ve introduced the Just Society: The Mercy In Re-entry Act, which prohibits the denial of federal public benefits to an individual solely on the basis of that individual's criminal conviction (whether under federal, state, tribal, or foreign law) and the Fair Chance at Housing Act, which reforms the screening and eviction policies for Federal housing assistance in order to provide fair access to housing for individuals formerly convicted of a crime.
13. Do you commit to visit constituents who are incarcerated in state prisons such as Bedford Correctional Facility? When was your last visit to visit incarcerated constituents? Yes.
14. Have you participated in any demonstrations or protests in relation to the issues of clemency and parole? Yes. I have also signed and submitted letters to leadership in New York State to advocate for these issues.
15. Will you affirmatively seek to hire formerly incarcerated individuals? Yes.
16. Do you believe in the decriminalization of sex work? Yes.
17. Will you oppose any legislation that promotes the Nordic model? The Nordic model reinforces systems that oppress sex workers, makes them less safe, and worsens their material conditions. I cannot support a Nordic Model approach under these conditions.
18. What proposals will you advocate for the protection of immigrants and further New York as a Sanctuary City? I will continue to advocate for a pathway to citizenship for all immigrants and legislation that ends contracts between the private sector and government agencies involved in immigration enforcement.
19. Will you advocate, including introducing legislation, to remove public funding from religious schools? Yes.
20. Do you support the establishment of safe consumption spaces? Yes.
21. Have you ever endorsed any member of the IDC or any candidates who challenged IDC members? Please identify all candidates. No.
22. Will you commit to hiring a member of the LGBT community to serve as a liaison to the community? Yes.
23. Will you commit to ensuring diverse LGBT representation among your staff? Yes.
24. Who did or do you support for office in the Democratic primary in the following races
A) mayor and comptroller in 2021 B) President in 2016 and 2020 C) Governor and Lt. Governor 2022. A) Maya Wiley and Brad Lander; B) Bernie Sanders; C) TBD.
25. Describe any federal legislation and policy changes that you support in order to address the ongoing effects of slavery, racism, colonialism, and discrimination. H.R.40 - Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act.
26. What legislation or other policy changes do you support in order to make college and graduate school affordable for poor, working-class, and middle-class Americans and to alleviate the crushing loan debt that many students and alumni are facing? I will continue to support legislation that makes undergraduate programs at public colleges and universities tuition-free. Additionally, I will continue to advocate for canceling all federal student loan debt.
27. Do you support a single-payer universal health care system? Please elaborate. Yes. Every person should receive the healthcare that is available in a country like the United States. However, our current healthcare system costs over $4 trillion per year and does not cover the needs of every person.
28. Discuss your stance on reproductive rights, including access to contraceptives and abortion services. A woman's right to choose is under attack, leaving black women
and working-class women most vulnerable to the risks associated with reproduction. We need courageous leaders in office right now to empower healthcare access for all.
29. Will you refuse money from individuals or Political Action Committees representing the real estate? Yes.
30. Will you refuse money from police and corrections unions? Yes.
31. Will you refuse and refund any contributions from executives at corporations complicit in the Trump agenda? Yes.
32. What additional information would you like Jim Owles to consider when we are making our endorsements decisions? Thank you for your consideration.
33. If you resign in the middle of your term, will you let the voters decide? Do you plan to serve your term and not send a vacancy to the county committee? Yes. Yes.
34. Who are you supporting for Speaker/Democratic leader in 2023? TBD.
35. In view of the fact that Ed Koch has been documented to have caused the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people with AIDS, and was blatantly racist, would you support a city bill to rename the former Queensboro Bridge? Do you authorize the use of your name for such a purpose? Yes.
36. What is your position on removing the Christopher Columbus statue in Columbus Circle and if so, what should replace it? It is a decision that should be made by the community and I believe there is significant support for removing the statue from Columbus Circle.
37. What is your position on FOSTA/SESTA, passed in 2018? Do you or will you sponsor the Safe Workers Study Act which has been introduced by Elizabeth Warren and co- sponsored by Reps. Barbara Lee and Ron Wyden and a host of other sponsors including Bernie Sanders. I believe that FOSTA/SESTA put lives at risk, which is why I
co-sponsored the Safe Sex Workers Study Act.
38. Do you support the class-wide scheduling of Fentanyl-related substances, which groups like Human Rights Watch have argued would worsen pretrial detention, mass incarceration, and racial disparities? No.
39. Do you support the Green New Deal? Yes.
40. President Biden has not granted a single pardon or commutation. When have you publicly demanded that Biden do more on this issue? Will you pledge to publicly speak out about this in 2022? I have signed on to a letter and publicly called on President Biden to grant mass pardons to people with federal cannabis convictions. I look forward to continuing to speak about this in 2022.
41. Do you commit to not supporting Joe Manchin or Kyrsten Sinema? Will you consider supporting a primary opponent? Yes.
42. Some members of congress indicate they will only support incumbents regardless of their politics and regardless of who is presenting them a primary. Are you one of them? No.