Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Hakeem Jeffries for US Congress NY-08

Candidate Name: Congressman Hakeem Jeffries 



Office Seeking Election for: US Congress, Congressional District 08 (Queens, Brooklyn)

Campaign Address: 3430 Connecticut Ave, N.W. - #11704, Washington, D.C. 20008



Campaign Website: Hakeemjeffries.com



Campaign Telephone: 646-926-1738

Campaign Social Media Handles (Facebook/Twitter):
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hakeem.jeffries/
Twitter: @TeamJeffries

Campaign Contact (name/phone/email):
Andre Richardson - 201-892-5829 andre@jeffriesforcongress.com


Explain, based on life experiences and accomplishments, why you believe you are best qualified to represent your district?
As a Brooklyn-native, I understand the community and the issues that are important to everyday people. As a public servant, I have worked tirelessly to promote policies that would benefit the people that I represent.

Do you now support or have you ever supported openly LGBTQ candidates for public office? Yes

If applicable, what legislation directly affecting the LGBT community have you introduced or co-sponsored? (indicate accordingly).
I cosponsored H.R. 5, the Equality Act, in addition to a number of other bills that would improve the lives pf LGBTQ Americans.

What LGBT organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally?
Stonewall Democrats and LAMBDA Independent Democrats of Brooklyn

If applicable, what LGBT organizations have you allocated funds to?
LAMBDA Independent Democrats of Brooklyn

Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBT community? No

Have you marched in Pride? Which marches and for approximately how many years? Yes.

Have you employed openly LGBT individuals previously? Do you employ any currently? Yes.

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

What press conferences, demonstrations, rallies and protests in support of LGBT issues, pro choice legislation, criminal justice issues and the Resist Trump Movement have you attended?
I have been vocal and outspoken on these issues and have attended a number of events on such matters.

If elected or re-elected will you become a member of the “Squad”? No.

Have you ever been arrested? If so please explain why and outcome of arrest. No.

Will you advocate for legislation to mandate the review of sentences of incarcerated individuals over the age of 55 who have served in excess of 15 years to determine if they warrant release?
That sounds in line with legislation that I would support.

Do you commit to visit constituents who are incarcerated in state prisons such as Bedford Correctional Facility?
I have visited incarcerated individuals in the past, and would continue to do so.

Do you believe sincere remorse, risk of reoffending and actions taken while incarcerated should be considered over the original crime in determinations of parole? Yes.

Have you participated in any demonstrations or protests in relation to the issues of clemency and parole? Yes

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

Do you believe in the decriminalization of sex work?
If an incumbent, did you vote for HR 1865 in 2018? Will you introduce and or support legislation to amend HR 1865 so that sex between consenting adults, with monetary exchange, is legalized? This would include the use of ads and on-line contact. Yes.

Do you support a national law legalizing gestational surrogacy? Will you introduce such legislation?

What proposals will you advocate for the protection of immigrants and to further New York as a Sanctuary City?
I support sanctuary cities.

Will you advocate, including introducing legislation, to remove public funding from religious schools? No

Do you support the establishment of supervised drug consumption spaces?

Have you ever endorsed any member of the IDC or any candidates who challenged IDC members? Please identify all candidates
Senator Savino

Will you commit to hiring a member of the LGBT community to serve as a liaison to the community?

Will you commit to ensuring diverse LGBT representation among your staff? Yes.

Who did you support for office in the following races:
A) mayor and Public Advocate in 2014 Tish James
B) President in 2016 Hillary Clinton
C) Governor and Attorney General 2018? Leticia James and Andrew Cuomo

Describe any federal legislation and policy changes that you support in order to address the ongoing effects of slavery, racism, colonialism, and discrimination.
This Congress, I cosponsored a bill to decriminalize marijuana on a federal scale that would establish a grant program to expunge records at the state level. I am also a cosponsor of H. Res. 40 which authorizes a study on reparations.

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 cosponsored H.R. 4674, the “College Affordability Act” which makes a number of reforms to make secondary education more affordable and address the current loan debt crisis facing millions of Americans.

Do you support a single-payer universal health care system? Please elaborate.
I believe our health care system needs significant changes. I have cosponsored the Medicare for All Act every Congress that I've been a Representative.

Discuss your stance on reproductive rights, including access to contraceptives and abortion services.
I am pro-choice and believe that access to reproductive services must be protected.

Will you refuse money from individuals or Political Action Committees representing the real estate?

Will you refuse and refund any contributions from executives at corporations complicit in the Trump agenda? Yes

What additional information would you like Jim Owles to consider when we are making our endorsements decisions?