Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Jerrold Nadler for US Congress NY-12
Candidate Name: Jerrold Nadler
Office Seeking Election for: US Congress NY-10
Website: https://jerrynadler.com
1. Explain, based on life experiences and accomplishments, why you believe you are best qualified to represent your district.
For over 40 years, I have worked tirelessly with and for the LGBT community, striving always for equality for all. I am a founding member of the LGBT Equality Caucus, and have personally authored a number of historic LGBT-related bills, including to the Respect for Marriage Act (RMA), which would repeal the now-unconstitutional Defense of Marriage Act, the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA), which would give same-sex partners equality in immigration, and the Father Mychal Judge Act, which was the first federal benefit to recognize same-sex partners, as well as numerous others. Early in my career, I lead the effort against Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, as well as advancing efforts to stem anti-gay hate crimes, harassment, and bullying. I authored one of the earliest anti-bullying bills—one of the first to specifically mention bullying based on sexual orientation and/or gender identity—introducing the Antibullying Campaign Act in 2004 to protect children against physical and verbal threats. I have also been the House leader for funding the Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS (HOPWA) program, and a long-time champion for Ryan White reauthorization, and have consistently won significant increases in HOPWA and Ryan White funding. I was the first member of the House of Representatives to speak in favor of transgender rights on the House floor, and championed non-discrimination protections based on both sexual orientation and gender identity, including championing a version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) that included such protections. I have authored and led the Congressional amicus briefs in the most important marriage equality-related cases argued before the Federal Appellate Division and the U.S. Supreme Court. In the 2013 landmark Windsor v. United States, which went on to strike down Section 3 of DOMA, I led the bi-partisan and bicameral brief—signed by an historic 174 Members of the House and 40 Members of the Senate—which argued that DOMA imposes a sweeping and unjustifiable federal disability on married same-sex couples. In 2015 and 2016, I lead the effort to designate the Stonewall National Monument, the first ever LGBTQ National Parks site. This year, as Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, I helped lead the debate and passed in the House, the Equality Act, a comprehensive LGBT civil rights bill. The 'Equality Act,' amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other core civil rights statutes, to explicitly prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. The bill would also strengthen non-discrimination protections for women and others. In short, this long overdue legislation will provide millions of LGBTQ Americans explicit protections from being denied medical care, fired from their jobs, or thrown out of their homes simply because of who they are.
2. Do you now support or have you ever supported an openly LGBTQ candidate for public office?
Yes, many times.
3. If applicable, what legislation directly affecting the LGBTQ community have you introduced or co-sponsored? (indicate accordingly).
See above.
4. What LGBTQ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally?
I have had the pleasure of working with an incredible range of LGBTQ organizations – from Jim Owles, SDNYC, and LID, to GMHC, Housing Works, APICHA, Callen Lorde, TLDEF, NCLR, Immigration Equality, Family Equality, HRC, and the NYC LGBT Center, among many, many others.
5. If applicable, what LGBTQ organizations have you allocated funds to?
Please see above.
6. Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBTQ community?
I am a strong ally.
7. Have you marched in Pride? Which marches and for approximately how many years?
I have marched in HOP nearly every year for more than three decades.
8. Have you employed openly LGBTQ individuals previously? Do you employ any currently?
Yes and 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 attended so many rallies and protests there are far too many to list.
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.
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.
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 many prisons and detention centers, including leading emergency inspections of the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn this past year.
14. Have you participated in any demonstrations or protests in relation to the issues of clemency and parole?
I have attended demonstrations and protests, among other actions such as writing letters to the appropriate officials. I also sponsor the MORE Act, which would reassess marijuana convictions, and supported the FIRST STEP Act, which required federal prisons to offer programs to reduce recidivism; banned the shackling of pregnant women; and expanded the cap on “good time credit,” which will benefit an estimated 85% of federal prisoners, and reduced the impact of some mandatory minimum sentences, notably with retroactive application of the reduced crack cocaine sentences under the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010.
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?
Yes.
18. What proposals will you advocate for the protection of immigrants and further New York as a Sanctuary City?
As Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, I helped lead the fight against the Trump Administration’s cruel and inhumane immigration policies, including his destroying the asylum and refugee programs, implementing a family separation policy, enacting a Muslim Ban, and running unsafe detention facilities. I also led passage in the House of legislation to provide legal protections to Dreamers, temporary protected status recipients, farmworkers, and other essential workers, as well as legislation to prevent a future president from enacting a Muslim Ban. In addition to passing legislation providing a path to citizenship for millions of people through my Committee and on the House Floor, I have consistently urged the Biden Administration to take a variety of steps to restore rational enforcement priorities, end the system of private detention facilities, and end the Remain in Mexico policy.
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
I supported and campaigned against IDC Members and never supported or endorsed any IDC Members. I strongly supported and endorsed Robert Jackson, Alessandra Biaggi, Jessica Ramos, Andrew Gounardes, John Liu, and Zellnor Myrie.
22. Will you commit to hiring a member of the LGBT community to serve as a liaison to the community?
Yes, I have long had an LGBTQ Liaison in my office.
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
Mayor 2021: Scott Stringer
Comptroller 2021: Brad Lander
President 2020: Elizabeth Warren
2016: Hillary Clinton
Governor 2022: Kathy Hochul
Lt. Governor 2022: Brian Benjamin
25. Describe any federal legislation and policy changes that you support in order to address the ongoing effects of slavery, racism, colonialism, and discrimination
As Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, I led passage of H.R. 40, the Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act through the Committee. I hope that such a commission would develop useful proposals for how to best address and recommend appropriate remedies on the effect of discrimination and slavery in the colonies and the United States from 1619 to the present.
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?
Americans across the nation are facing crushing student loan debt that is preventing them from purchasing homes and living the true American dream. We must ensure that Americans are able to invest in their education and then go on to live quality lives without the cloud of rising debt hanging over their heads. I believe the President Biden could wipe out student debt today by executive action and encourage him do so.
27. Do you support a single-payer universal health care system? Please elaborate.
I am a strong supporter of single payer and have been a co-sponsor and supporter of the Medicare for All legislation introduced by Rep. Pramila Jayapal. This transformative legislation that would guarantee health care to everyone in America as a human right at a moment in which nearly 100 million people are uninsured or underinsured during a pandemic. This landmark bill provides comprehensive benefits to all with no copays, private insurance premiums, deductibles, or other cost-sharing.
28. Discuss your stance on reproductive rights, including access to contraceptives and abortion services.
Reproductive freedom and justice are central to our pursuit of an equal society—restricting access to abortion and other reproductive health services strips women of their fundamental freedom and autonomy. I am proud to continue to fight for that freedom, especially in this critical moment when we are facing an all-out assault on women’s constitutionally protected right to an abortion.
I have always been a strong ally and true champion of reproductive rights during my career, and I am proud to have earned a lifetime 100% voting record with NARAL. During my time on the Judiciary Committee, I have led the fight against many of the anti-choice bills that came before the committee, particularly standing up against restrictions on access to abortion, and bans on abortion throughout pregnancy. I have always opposed restrictions on federal funding of abortion, such as the Hyde Amendment, and I have also been a leader in promoting legislation to protect reproductive freedom, including authoring the Freedom of Choice Act, as well as being active on efforts to eliminate clinic violence, and protect patients’ privacy. I am also co-sponsoring the Global HER Act and the EACH Woman Act to protect access to abortion and reproductive healthcare regardless of a person’s background.
29. Will you refuse money from individuals or Political Action Committees representing the real estate?
30. Will you refuse money from police and corrections unions?
I do not receive donations from police or corrections unions.
31. Will you refuse and refund any contributions from executives at corporations complicit in the Trump agenda?
As the Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, I successfully led two impeachments of Donald Trump. My progressive record is unassailable. I do not have donors who are complicit in the Trump agenda.
32. What additional information would you like Jim Owles to consider when we are making our endorsements decisions? 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 plan to serve my full term to Congress.
34. Who are you supporting for Speaker/Democratic leader in 2023?
Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
35. Do you support removing Ed Koch’s name from the 59th Street Bridge?
Yes.
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.
We cannot stand by as people are held in slavery, and I am deeply committed to ending human trafficking around the world. SESTA-FOSTA was intended to aid in the efforts to stamp out this horrific crime, and I voted in favor of the bill. I am concerned about how the bill is being implemented, and I am interested in hearing more from the sex work community about how it is impacting their lives. To that end, I am co-sponsor the SAFE Workers Study Act, which would direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct a study to assess the unintended impacts on the health and safety of people engaged in transactional sex, in connection with the enactment of SESTA-FOSTA
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?
The opioid crisis demands serious and appropriate action to address the abuse and deadly toll of fentanyl, as well as fentanyl-related substances that are scientifically shown to be harmful. However, I have serious concerns about approaches that criminalize a broad class of such substances, some of which may not be harmful, and could subject certain fentanyl offenses to mandatory minimum sentences that do not take into account the facts and circumstances of each case, exacerbating injustice in our criminal justice system. I believe that all scheduling decisions must be medically driven and scientifically informed.
38. Do you support the Green New Deal?
I am a proud supporter of the Green New Deal. Climate Change is an existential threat to the planet and human race. The federal government must address the changing climate now by bringing U.S. greenhouse gas emissions down to net-zero and meeting 100 percent of power demand in the country through clean, renewable, and zero-emission energy sources by 2030.
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.
40. Do you commit to not supporting Joe Menchin or Kyrsten Sinema? Will you consider supporting a primary opponent?
Yes.
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?
No, throughout my career I have always supported candidates who I believe are the best candidates. For example, I supported and campaigned against IDC Members. I supported and endorsed Robert Jackson, Alessandra Biaggi, Jessica Ramos, Andrew Gounardes, John Liu, and Zellnor Myrie.