Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Carolyn B. Maloney for US Congress NY-12

Candidate Name: Carolyn B. Maloney

Office Seeking Election for: US Congress NY-12

Website: https://www.carolynmaloney.com/

1. Explain, based on life experiences and accomplishments, why you believe you are best qualified to represent yourdistrict.

I began my career as a teacher working in ESLand continuing education in East Harlem, then worked for the Department of Education and as a legislative staffer in Albany before running for City Council and becoming the first woman elected to represent my district. I fought to be appointed to the committee that oversaw NYCHAcontracts, and was able to end organized crime’s hold on the NYCHA contracting system. I also introduced the first LGBTequality bill in NYC history.

When the Supreme Court decided Planned Parenthood vs Casey, which paved the way to today’s restrictive abortion laws, I filed to run for Congress the same day. I was outspent 5-to-1 by an entrenched Republican in that race -and still won, as the first woman ever elected to my Congressional district. I was part of the largest class of women ever elected to the House up to that date.

Since then, I’ve worked to fight for women’s rights, clean government, corporate accountability and consumer protection, the environment, family and workers’ rights including paid family leave, LGBTQ protections, top-of-the-line infrastructure, economic prosperity, reducing inequality, campaign finance reform, reproductive rights, and a number of other issues.

The core function of government is to work for the people to improve quality of life, economic stability, accountability, safety and -perhaps most importantly .equality. I don’t back down from challenges -I find ways to work through and around them.

In 2019, I was elected as the first woman to chair the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, which isAmerica’s watchdog. So far we have held hearings on abortion access, universal paid family leave, family separation and DHS abuses, reaching hard-to-count communities with the Census, the abuses of the phramaceutical industry, and more.

Representing our community in Congress is the honor of my life. I love this work. I love having the opportunity to help people and make a real difference — whether it’s on the small scale like helping a constituent with their social security or immigration status, or on the large scale like delivering billions in funding for our city during COVID. I’m running for re-election because I care about serving our community, and there is still so much work to be done.

I have consistently been one of the most progressive and effective members of Congress. I was an initial co-sponsor ofAOC’s Green New Deal and have boldly led Democrats to take onWall Street banks, increase federal funding for housing assistance, and fight climate change. If re-elected, I will continue to work hard, and to use my experience and seniority in Congress to continue advancing priorities that help women, marginalized communities and working people as a member of leadership in Congress.

2. Do you now support orhave you eversupported an openly LGBTQ candidate forpublic office?

Absolutely! I have been proud to endorse and work to elect multiple openly LGBTQ candidates for public office throughout my time in government. When I was on City Council, I was proud to endorse LizAzbug in 1991 andTom Duane in 1993. I supported Brice Peyre for delegate in 2004. I also endorsed Judge Paul Feinman and JudgeArlene Bluth for multiple judge elections and court appointments. I was the first elected official to endorse NYS Senator Brad Hoylman. More recently, I am proud to support NYdelegation Congressmembers RitchieTorres and Sean Patrick Maloney.And that is just to name a few — there are too many to list!

3. If applicable, what legislation directly affecting the LGBTQ community have you introduced orco-sponsored? (indicate accordingly).

. Sponsor, H.R. 1751: Family Medical Leave InclusionAct. Introduced in 2013, thisAct offers all of the protections of the Family Medical LeaveAct to same-sex couples.

. Co-Sponsor, H.Res. 989: Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that blood donation policies in the United States should be equitable and based on science. Introduced by Rep.Adam Schiff in 2020.

. Co-Sponsor, H.R. 5: EqualityAct. Bans sex, sexual orientation, and gender discrimination in a variety of public spaces. Introduced in 2019 by Rep. David Cicilline.

. Co-Sponsor, H.R. 5374: Student Non-DiscriminationAct of 2018. Prohibits discrimination against public school students because of their sexual orientation. Introduced by Rep. Jared Polis.

. Co-Sponsor, H.R. 2895: LGBTPrideAct. Requires the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to examine the sexual orientations of those in the NationalViolent Death Reporting System in order to better understand violence against the LGBTcommunity. Introduced in 2017 by Rep. Sean Maloney.

. Co-Sponsor, H.R. 3017: Employment Non-DiscriminationAct of 2009. Prevents employers and other relevant organizations from discriminating against individuals based on their sexual orientation. Introduced by Fmr. Rep. Frank Barney.

. Opposing Don’tAsk Don’tTell, and voting for its repeal in 2010 (H.R. 2965), to end the ban preventing service members from speaking about and hiding their sexual orientation.

. As a NewYork City Councilwoman, I introduced the first domestic partnership bill in the state -at the time, it was deemed so controversial I had to fight to have the bill printed.

4. What LGBTQ organizations have you been involved with, eitheron a volunteerbasis orprofessionally?

Jim Owles; Stonewall Democrats; SAGE; GLAAD; HRC;TheTrevor Project; PFLAG;

5. If applicable, what LGBTQ organizations have you allocated funds to?

I am proud to have delivered millions in funding to community organizations in my district, including many which serve the LGBTQ+ community. In the current Congress, I recently requested funding for 10 different community programs including theAIDS Center for Lower Manhattan.

6. Do you consideryourself a memberof the LGBTQ community?

No, I am not a member of the LGBTQ community, but I am a strong ally.

7. Have you marched in Pride?Which marches and forapproximately how many years?

Over the last 30+ years, I marched in almost every Pride, starting when I was on the NYC Council to now.

8. Have you employed openly LGBTQ individuals previously? Do you employ any currently?

Yes! I am lucky to have an amazing, diverse staff, and have always been proud to employ many LGBTQ individuals, especially in leadership roles. My former Chief of Staff was the first gay and HIV+ CoS to serve in Congress. Currently, I employ LGBTQ+ individuals in my government office and on my campaign team.

9. If you receive the endorsement, do you agree to identify the club on all literature and electronic materials where you list endorsements?

Yes, I would be proud to promote an endorsement from Jim Owles on my campaign materials.

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 attended, spoke at, organized and led many press conferences, demonstrations, rallies and protests in support of LGBTQ issues, pro choice legislation, criminal justice issues and to resistTrump’s agenda — too many to name or count. I am proud of the work I have done and continue to do as Chair of the House Oversight Committee to hold theTrump administration accountable for its abuses. This includes Fighting against theTrump administration’s efforts to prohibit same-sex couples from adopting children and their rollbacks forACAprotections for the LGBTQ+ community.

11. Will you advocate forlegislation to mandate the review of sentences of incarcerated individuals aged 55 and olderwho have served in excess of 15 years to determine if they warrant release? Yes

12. Will you advocate forlegislation that would ensure those appearing before the NewYork State Parole Board are considered forrelease from prison based on who they are today and not exclusively based on the nature of theircrime?

Yes

13. Do you commit to visit constituents who are incarcerated in state prisons such as Bedford Correctional Facility?When was yourlast visit to visit incarcerated constituents?

Yes. I have visited incarcerated constituents consistently while in office, most recently in visits to Rikers Island. I am currently working alongside Rep. Ocasio Cortez with the NYdelegation and the House Oversight Committee to investigate conditions on Rikers and continue to pressure theAdams administration to fulfill their commitments.

14. Have you participated in any demonstrations orprotests in relation to the issues of clemency and parole? Yes

15. Will you affirmatively seek to hire formerly incarcerated individuals? Yes

16. Do you believe in the decriminalization of sex work?

Yes, we must immediately decriminalize sex workers so they are not punished, incarcerated or negatively sigmatized. First and foremost, poor women of color and LGBTQ+ people are the majority of those who suffer from exploitation and abuse as sex workers. Trans women of color are the most vulnerable to violence in the sex trade. In any policy or advocacy on this issue, our number one goal should be prioritizing the protection of those involved in sex work. We must also ensure that all students receive comprehensive, LGBTQ+ affirming sex education in order to eliminate negative stigma of all types of relationships, and increase health outocmes. We must provide programs for economic self sufficiency, drug treatment, shelter, and mental health care specific to those who want to leave sex work or escape abusive situations.

17. Will you oppose any legislation that promotes the Nordic model?

I am focused my work on legislation in Congress, and am open to learning more about any legislation that is introduced which focuses on protecting sex workers from exploitation and abuse. I am continuing to study this issue and my positions are evolving.

18. What proposals will you advocate forthe protection of immigrants and furtherNewYork as a Sanctuary City?

I am a strong supporter of keeping NYC as a Sanctuary City. Though I am not in city government, I will continue to advocate in Congress for the protection of undocumented immigrant communities and creating a path to citizenship. I also defended NYC from theTrumpAdministration's attempts to withhold federal funding from sanctuary cities.

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 everendorsed any memberof the IDC orany candidates who challenged IDC members? Please identify all candidates. N/A

22. Will you commit to hiring a memberof the LGBTcommunity to serve as a liaison to the community?Yes

23. Will you commit to ensuring diverse LGBTrepresentation 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) I did not endorse in the primary for mayor in 2021. I supported Former Speaker Corey Johnson for Comptroller in 2021

B) Secretary Hillary Clinton for President in 2016; President Joe Biden in 2020 general election

C) Governor Kathy Hochul for Governor in 2022

25. Describe any federal legislation and policy changes that you support in orderto address the ongoing effects of slavery, racism, colonialism, and discrimination.

We must address the systemic inequality and racism in our country and our city. I am proud that we have started to take a small step in the right direction to address the issue but I know we must do more. Racism affects every policy area that I work on, and it’s crucial we address inequity in our policymaking and advocacy. In our distinct, we see acts of inequality every single day that have systematically disenfranchised black and brown NewYorkers.

For example, affordable housing is a racial justice issue. The affordable housing crisis disproportionately affects black and brown NewYorkers.If we are going to create affordable housing for EVERYONE, which is what I have spent my career doing, we have to keep the most vulnerable at the forefront of every zoning decision. Because housing justice and racial justice are intrinsically linked. I have long fought to establish affordable housing sites in the most vulnerable areas of my district includingAstoria, Long Island City, and North Brooklyn.

We also must address environmental racism as we fight against climate change and for a Green New Deal.As Chairwoman of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, I’ve led hearings on “Justice40” — this program works to ensure federal agencies deliver at least 40% of the overall benefits from federal investments in climate and clean energy to disadvantaged communitiesThis includes environmental justice communities in my district, where lower-income communities of color are disproportionately impacted by dirty, polluting power plants — such as “AsthmaAlley” in Astoria and StuyTown CHP in Lower Manhattan. I’ve been working with Resident Association leadership and community members to shut down these dirty power plants and support those affected.

I’ve also worked to investigate discrimination in other areas through hearings. I have chaired hearings on voter suppression and discriminatory voting practices; discrimination in housing; Black maternal mortality rate; And bias in facial recognition technology, which has an racist inherent bias. I will keep using my leadership position to continue to call out and shed light on racial injustices in our community.

26. What legislation orotherpolicy changes do you support in orderto make college and graduate school affordable forpoor, working-class, and middle-classAmericans and to alleviate the crushing loan debt that many students and alumni are facing?

We must eliminate student loan debt. Last year I introduced the Student Loan Forgiveness for Frontline HealthcareWorkersAct. This legislation would forgive all federal and private student loans for medical workers who are directly working in settings where they are caring for patients suffering from COVID-19. And I hope this legislation can lay the groundwork for canceling student debt more broadly. I was proud to co-sponsor Rep. Omar’s Student Debt CancellationAct that would eliminate $1.5 trillion in student debt.And I have called on the President to take executive action to broadly cancel Federal student loan debt. I strongly believe we need to cancel student debt and will work hard to make sure that at the very least, student loan repayments remain paused during the pandemic. I am also a strong advocate for increasing Pell Grants and other federal funds to make college affordable.

27. Do you support a single-payeruniversal health care system? Please elaborate.

I am a strong supporter of Medicare forAll.As an original founder and member of the Medicare forAll Caucus, I have worked to improve Medicare by having medical accessibility devices added to Medicare and Medicaid plans. Most recently, I fought for provisions to be included in the House-passed Build Back Better on paid family and medical leave and lowering the cost of prescription drugs. I also included $150 billion in funding in BBB for Medicaid home and community-based services, or HCBS, which provide the support people with disabilities need to be a part of their community, and better pay for the workers who support them. I recently worked with Rep.Ayanna Pressley to successfully lift FDAlimitations on mifepristone and hold Congressional hearings on black maternal mortality rate. Healthcare is a right, not a privilege and I will keep fighting to expand access to quality, affordable health care for all.

28. Discuss yourstance on reproductive rights, including access to contraceptives and abortion services.

I have fought for women’s rights and a person’s rights to choose ever since I was on the city council.As an outspoken voice and leader in the women’s movement, I won’t stop marching, protesting and using my seniority in Congress to protect a person’s right to choose. Earlier this year, I was also proud to vote for the historic Women’s Health ProtectionAct to establish a federally protected right to abortion. I am a national leader advocating for the Equal RightsAmendment which would codify protections for reproductive rights in the constitution, including contraceptives and abortion services.

The days of back alley abortions seem like a distant memory, but they are now. We cannot go back to a time before Roe v. Wade. I announced my run for Congress on the day Casey v Planned Parenthood was decided, & ever since, I have been fighting to preserve an individual’s right to reproductive choice. TheTexas & Mississippi cases are stark reminders that Roe v. Wade should not be taken for granted. Which is why I am committed to using every muscle in my body to ensure that no individual has to experience the draconian measures of an illegal abortion.

29. Will you refuse money from individuals or Political Action Committees representing the real estate? No

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 theTrump agenda? Yes

32. What additional information would you like Jim Owles to considerwhen we are making ourendorsements decisions?

I would like to share this letter (linked here) from LGBTQ+ leaders across NYC endorsing me for re-election.

33. If you resign in the middle of yourterm, will you let the voters decide? Do you plan to serve yourterm and not send a vacancy to the county committee?

Yes, I plan to serve my term.

34. Who are you supporting forSpeaker/Democratic leaderin 2023? N/A

35. In view of the fact that Ed Koch has been documented to have caused the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people withAIDS, and was blatantly racist, would you support a city bill to rename the formerQueensboro Bridge? Do you authorize the use of yourname forsuch a purpose?

As a federal representative, I have no jurisdiction over this, but I would be in support of renaming the former Queensboro Bridge.Yes, I authorize the use of my name for this purpose.

36. What is yourposition on FOSTA/SESTA, passed in 2018? Do you orwill you sponsorthe SafeWorkers StudyAct which has been introduced by ElizabethWarren and co-sponsored by Reps. Barbara Lee and RonWyden and a host of othersponsors including Bernie Sanders.

Yes, I support the SafeWorkers StudyAct and will contact the co-sponsors to discuss adding my name to the legislation. I understand the importance of studying the potential unintended consequences of legislation after it is implemented. I will continue to learn more about the issue and my positions are evolving.

37. Do you support the class-wide scheduling of Fentanyl-related substances, which groups like Human RightsWatch have argued would worsen pretrial detention, mass incarceration, and racial disparities?

I recently introduced the CARESAct with Senator ElizabethWarren which fights the opioid epidemic as a public health crisis and responds with increased resources, support and funding rather than increasing policing and incarceration of those suffering from addiction.

38. Do you support the Green New Deal?

Yes, I am an original co-sponsor of the Green New Deal and have worked on GND legislation.As Chairwoman of the House Oversight and Reform Committee, I held the first oversight hearing where I called in the top 4 Fossil Fuel Execs to hold them accountable for their role in the disinformation campaigns on climate change.I have consistently stood by community leaders and activists to oppose powerplantsandpipelinesinAstoriaandotherareasofmydistrict. Ihave introduced a power plant permitting bill to help prevent air pollution, “Justice in Power Plant Permitting” The air pollution coming from ‘BigAllis’and other peaker plants has created an environmental justice crisis that inflicts asthma, heart disease, and cancer on low-income communities of color like “AsthmaAlley” in Western Queens.

39. President Biden has not granted a single pardon orcommutation. When have you publicly demanded that Biden do more on this issue?Will you pledge to publicly speak out about this in 2022? Yes

40. Do you commit to not supporting Joe Manchin orKyrsten Sinema?Will you considersupporting a primary opponent?

I am a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, and it would not be appropriate for me to get involved directly in a Senate primary. However, I have been very outspoken in pressuring all Democratic Senators to pass critical legislation such as the John LewisVoting RightsAct and Build Back Better, even if it means abolishing the filibuster.

41. Some members of congress indicate they will only support incumbents regardless of theirpolitics and regardless of who is presenting them a primary.Are you one of them?

No, I choose to make endorsements based on a candidates’platform and record, and if I truly believe they are the best person for the job.