Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Jamaal Bowman for US Congress NY-16

Candidate Name: Jamaal Bowman

Office Seeking Election for: US Congress NY-16

Website: https://www.bowmanforcongress.com/

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

I was raised by a single mother in New York City and spent the early years of my life in public housing and rent-controlled apartments.

Prior to running for Congress, I was an educator, working as a teacher in public schools for many years until eventually, I founded The Cornerstone Academy for Social Action (CASA), a public middle school in the Bronx where I also served as principal.

I spent over 20 years working in public education and fighting to fill the holes and failures within our education system. But I also saw families struggle every day with problems like poverty, homelessness, mental illness, mass incarceration.

Today, as a member of Congress I continue to use that experience and knowledge to inform every aspect of my job.

My first year in Congress was filled with challenges, starting with the insurrection that took place just 3 days after I was sworn into office. But despite the obstacles, my team and I have kept our eye on the prize.

a. Advocated for and opened 4 new COVID vaccination sites throughout the district, including one in Co-Op City where constituents previously had to spend up to 2 hours in public transportation to get to their nearest vaccination site.

b. Voted for and passed the American Rescue Plan which delivered historic relief to Americans, including stimulus checks and expanding the Child Tax Credit— which will lift 9,200 children in the district out of poverty.

c. Introduced the Green New Deal for Public Schools, a piece of legislation that would invest $1.43 trillion over ten years in America’s K-12 education system, and fund green retrofits for every public school in NY-16.

d. Working with Senator Schumer, we helped secure a $500 million agreement from Amtrak for the Metro-North Penn Access project to build the line through the Bronx and up to New Rochelle.

e. Secured federal grants of over $10 million in community development investments, $22 million for affordable housing, and $14 million to rebuild our roads, rails and bridges.

f. Introduced the Broadband Justice Act, which would expand access to broadband internet to 8 million low-income households, including 21,000 households here in NY-16.

g. Introduced the Care for All Agenda to give care workers, who are disproportionately Black and Latino women, a living wage, health insurance, paid vacation time, and the right to unionize.

h. I’m very proud to say the House recently passed my amendment to H.R. 1836, which will help ensure our veterans have access to the mental health resources they need while transitioning to civilian life.

i. And perhaps one of the accomplishments I am most proud of is our constituent services. In the last year, we have closed over 2,000 constituent cases, have responded to over 100,000 constituent letters, have answered over 7,000 phone calls, and have opened up 14 mobile constituent services in different areas of the district.

While my team and I have managed to accomplish a lot in the last year, there is still a lot of important work left to do.

I believe “once an educator, always an educator” – so as your Representative in Congress, I have spent my time not just teaching others what our district needs, but I have also spent the last year learning from my constituents, listening to the district, and growing as a leader. Now, I’m ready to continue this work in 2022.

In 2020, we won our election because we were able to harness the power of the people on the ground who had been ignored and forgotten for so long. It was because of people like you – the voters, the volunteers, the donors, and the groups and organizations that endorsed me that I was able to proudly serve my first term as your member of Congress.

Now, as we head into the next primary in June, I humbly ask for your support again and look forward to working with all of you in the years to come.

As an educator, I learned to never underestimate a child’s capacity to learn and grow. Every child deserves an opportunity to realize their potential. Unfortunately, there are too many obstacles for too many people to ever come close to realizing their potential. No child should have to worry about where they are going to sleep that night, if they will eat, or if their parents will get the support they need to make ends meet. I see my time in Congress as a way to make America live up to its promise, and fulfill its ability to give everyone a chance to grow and thrive.

2. Do you now support or have you ever supported an openly LGBTQ candidate for public office?

Yes, I supported Cynthia Nixon in her run against Andrew Cuomo in 2018. Mondaire Jones and I endorsed each other in our races for Congress in 2020.

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

Cosponsored:

- H.R. 4176: LGBTQ Data Inclusion Act

- HR 5: Equality Act

- Reproductive Rights are Human Rights

- Commission to Study the Stigmatization, Criminalization, and Ongoing Exclusion and Inequity for LGBTQ Servicemembers and Veterans Act

- Securing the Rights our Veterans Earned (SERVE) Act of 2021

Cosigned:

- Fiscal Year 2022 Global LGBTQI+ Appropriations Support

- Letter Calling on Department of State to Reverse Policy Prohibiting Discussion of Marriage Equality Abroad

- Department of Education guidance on campus climate surveys regarding sexual misconduct

Letter to Biden and Blinken on need to support LGBTQ+ and religious minority refugees from Ukraine

4. What LGBTQ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally?

I am a Member of the LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus in Congress.

When I was principal at CASA middle school in the Bronx, we started a PFLAG chapter. I wanted to create space for my students to feel comfortable, as well as talk with their parents. Some parents were opposed to the creation of the group, but that was all the more reason to have it at the school. All kids need to feel loved and accepted, and I think the PFLAG chapter helped with that.

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

I have not earmarked any federal funds specifically for LGBTQ organizations.

6. Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBTQ community?

I do not consider myself a member of the community.

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

I have not marched in Pride, but look forward to events this June.

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

Yes, I have had LGBTQ employees as a principal, and currently at my congressional office we have several LGBTQ members on the 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

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 attended several of these events over the years, before and after I was a Representative. I was at the women’s rally in White Plains with my colleague Mondaire Jones last year. I have been to several rallies and press conferences related to criminal justice and elderly parole (many through RAPP). I wrote a letter to Rye City council in support of the town flying the pride flag on the village green during the month of June.

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, this is an issue I am passionate about, and have spoken on it many times.

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, I think we need to be serious about rehabilitation and giving second chances to people.

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?

I have visited Rikers as a Representative, and Bedford was just added to my new district, and I do plan on visiting the facility.

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

Yes, I have done events with RAPP and their efforts around elderly parole here in NY. Additionally, I have had several meetings with groups and individuals that were formerly incarcerated. Some connected to trying to stop community violence, others connected to creating job opportunities for them.

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

We actively seek to hire formerly incarcerated people. We haven’t yet to date

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

Yes, I do believe in decriminalizing sex work.

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

Yes, though I do think some organizations promoting the Nordic model can be engaged on productive conversations about the best approach to sex work.

18. What proposals will you advocate for the protection of immigrants and further New York as a Sanctuary City?

I joined many of my colleagues urging leadership to ignore the parliamentarian on the inclusion of the DREAM ACT in reconciliation. I have been to rallis in support of the excluded worker fund here in NY, which thankfully passed.

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, the pilot program here in NYC has shown great promise, as several lives have been saved already. I hope that more sites will open up in NYC and throughout the country.

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

No, I never supported any IDC members. I was supportive of Alessandra Biaggi’s efforts to unseat Jeff Klein, and was thrilled when he was defeated. He was a major bottleneck for many key progressive issues in Albany.

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

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

Yes, we already have a diverse team, including several LGBTQ members. I have always strived for a diverse workplace, and will continue to do so.

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

I supported Maya Wiley and Brand Lander in 2021. I was a Bernie supporter in 2016 and 2020. I have not yet made an endorsement for the 2022 primary.

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

I am a co-sponsor of the reparations bill in Congress. When I ran in 2020, I introduced the “third reconstruction plan” and I have worked to push elements of it in bills with my colleagues.

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 have been vocal in my call for President Biden to cancel student debt. As someone who still has student debt I am paying off, I know firsthand the pressure and strain it can create on a person and a family. I have called for reduced and free tuition at community colleges and trade schools.

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

Yes, we need Medicare for All. I ran on this issue, and will continue to push for a universal healthcare system. Too many people in my district, and around the country, do not have access to affordable health care and/or mental health.

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

Abortion is healthcare, women should have access to contraceptives and abortion services without any obstacles/restrictions.

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

Yes, my campaign does not take any corporate PAC money.

30. Will you refuse money from police and corrections unions?

Yes, I will not accept any money from police and corrections unions (and I don’t think they would give anyway).

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

Yes, though I doubt any have or would give $ to me.

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

That I have hit the ground running as a freshman in Congress being both a local and national advocate for causes I care deeply about. It has not been easy, but I am proud of what my and my team have accomplished in our first term. I hope to continue to learn and grow in my role as a Representative, and in my pursuit for equality and justice for all.

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?

I have no plans to leave my term early. If such a scenario does occur, I would hope the voters are allowed to choose my replacement.

34. Who are you supporting for Speaker/Democratic leader in 2023?

Spkr. Pelosi is running for reelection this year, but has not indicated she is running for Speaker again, so I am waiting to see who will put their name forward.

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, I support renaming the bridge.

36. 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 support Representative Ro Khanna and Representative Barbara Lee’s legislation to conduct a national study on the impacts on sex workers from SESTA/FOSTA. SESTA/FOSTA has harmed sex workers and has made it more difficult to access health and social services. The bill has received the support of groups like Lambda Legal, the ACLU, and the Sex Worker Outreach Project USA, and Advocating Opportunity. The national study will likely show what people who do sex work are telling us every day, and further confirm what so much evidence shows – websites like Craigslist that advertised sex work reduced violence against all women – not just sex workers – by roughly 17%. Criminalizing sex work has broad consequences and people whose work involves consensual sex should not be put in harm’s way by the government..

37. 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, we need to rethink our approach to drugs and addiction in this country. The opioid epidemic has hit certain parts of my district hard, and I’ve heard from family and friends about the struggle to get help for substance abuse issues and the issues around detention and rehabilitation.

38. Do you support the Green New Deal?

Yes, I am a proud co-sponsor of the Green New Deal, and introduced my own bill, the Green New Deal for Schools, in my first term in office.

39. 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?

Yes, I have publicly called on the President on numerous occasions to use the power of the pardon. Most recently, a few months ago myself, Rep. Lee, and Rep Blumenauer urged the President to use his pardon power for All Federal Non-Violent Cannabis Convictions.

40. Do you commit to not supporting Joe Manchin or Kyrsten Sinema? Will you consider supporting a primary opponent?

I have been outspoken in my criticism of both Senators and their continued opposition to key elements of President Biden’s agenda. I would consider endorsing an opponent.

41. 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?

I am not, last year I endorsed Jessica Cisneros in her primary challenge to Rep. Henry Cuellar. We need her voice in Congress, not Rep. Cuellar’s.

questionnaireJim Owles Liberal Democratic ClubMarch 19, 2022uscongress2022