Shri Thanedar

Civil Rights

In Congress I’ll work to pass the Equality Act, the Every Child Deserves a Family Act, and work to ensure federal funding does not support any kind of discrimination basion on gender identity and expression or sexual orientation. Learn more

Criminal Justice / Public Safety

We need more civilian oversight of police departments. I would also work to ensure the civil rights division of the DOJ is proactively working with police departments to ensure training is compassionate, focuses on de-escalation, and is not in violation of anyone’s civil rights. Learn more

There’s no reason why police should have military grade weapons of war. The 1033 program allows the government to transfer excess military equipment to state and local police forces. I would support legislation that ends the transfer of such equipment to police. Learn more

For profit prisons are one of the worst results of capitalism and I vow to sponsor legislation to end them. Learn more

Officers that commit acts of police brutality should be held personally responsible and liable for their actions and should not be able to hide behind this outdated policy. Learn more

Any police department that receives any federal assistance should have mandatory implicit/explicit bias training and racial sensitivity training. I would also provide funding to expand the use of body cameras and make it mandatory that it must be on at all times, and require termination if an officer turns off their camera while interacting with civilians. I would also provide funding to increase mental health services for police, and make sure police are fit to serve our communities. Learn more

Police officers should prioritize and focus on de-escalation, especially when the suspect is unarmed or nonviolent. Lethal force should only be a “last standard” and any police officer that unnecessarily causes death or physical injury should face charges. I would support legislation banning chokeholds, no knock warrants, and other unnecessary tactics that could lead to more civilian deaths. Learn more

No one should be in prison for non-violent drug offenses. Addiction is a disease, people need care and treatment, not jail or prison. Learn more

In Congress, I would support legislation like the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, which addresses many of the issues above. Learn more

Drug Policy

Marijuana needs to be legalized federally, people currently incarcerated for marijuana must be released and marijuana convictions need to be expunged. Learn more

Education

I will fund pre-k and early education and work to ensure public universities are free for students whose families earn less than 200,000 per year. Learn more

Apprenticeships are often funded, paid, provide hands-on training & experience, don’t result in debt, and provide an actual pathway to employment. That’s why I also support free skills training and vocational schools. Learn more

In Congress, I’m fighting to bring more dollars to our school districts, so we can continue to help our kids thrive, regardless of their zip code. Learn more

I am committed to increasing the staff of guidance counselors, social workers and psychologists in Detroit area schools. Learn more

Writing a bill to ban for-profit charter schools. Learn more

In 1975, Congress passed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which ensures that children with disabilities receive free and appropriate public education. At the time, Congress promised to pay for 40% of the cost of special education, but is nowhere close to fulfilling that promise. In Congress, I will fight to fulfill the promise to fund 40% of IDEA. Learn more

Environment / Energy

Southwest Detroit, specifically the 48217 zip code where nearly 90% of the population is people of color, is the most polluted area in Michigan. There are more than two dozen pollutant-producing facilities in the area, anyone who has driven through this area knows the smell. Residents and doctors suspect that exposure to air pollution is causing cancer, yet there is no funding for research. I believe we need to start with securing research funding, then use the results of that research to force companies to reduce pollution levels and pay for health damages they have created. Learn more

I am a proud champion of the Green New Deal Pledge. Learn more

I will sponsor legislation that creates a water affordability plan. Learn more

The UAW Local 58 is leading the way for green energy in Detroit with its Net Zero Energy hall. Net Zero Energy means creating enough energy through green alternatives such as solar power and geothermal energy, to meet energy needs without contributing to carbon emissions. I will work to secure funding for existing businesses to make similar updates and sponsor legislation that requires any new construction to meet stringent emissions standards. Learn more

Foreign Policy

As your next congressperson, I pledge to be a supportive voice for Israel in Washington, and will defend Israel’s right to exist and to thrive in the years and generations to come. That means supporting Israel both economically and militarily, so they are able to defend themselves in a dangerous part of the world; it means defending Israel diplomatically and playing an active role in ongoing efforts to forge a peace agreement centered on a two-state solution; and it means calling out not just antisemitism at home and abroad, but also those policies that we believe are harmful to the state of Israel and the United States, to democracy, and to human rights and justice. Learn more

Government Reform

I will continue to fight to end the corporate control of Congress. I support efforts to ban Congress people from trading stocks. No one in Congress should be able to use information received as part of their office to enrich themselves. I also support other solutions like a ban on Congress people becoming lobbyists after they leave office, overturning Citizens United, getting money out of politics, and more. Learn more

Guns

1. Require background checks on every single gun purchase and transfer, closing the gun show loophole. 2. Implement a 3 day cooling off period after purchasing a gun. 3. Reinstate the assault rifle ban for civilians, without a sunset clause. 4. Pass Red Flag laws to allow family or police to petition the court to temporarily remove guns from a person who is believed to be a threat to themselves or others. Learn more

Healthcare

I believe the reporting requirement should be changed from 6 to 12 months. Funding should be increased for DHS offices to hire additional staff in order to better assist people. As Medicare for all is phased in, the need for Medicaid will be phased out. In the meantime, we must ensure that our most vulnerable populations can access this service. Learn more

Medicaid provides solid coverage to the people who qualify, without co-pays. However, the income requirement is low, 24,353 annual gross income is the cap for a household of two. Learn more

In Congress, I’ll fight to allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices and put a cap on out of pocket costs for medication. Learn more

Housing

Mental health and substance abuse issues do not occur in a bubble and they can’t be properly treated without also addressing systemic housing and employment issues. Even with access to a therapist and medication, many people fighting addiction struggle to stay sober because they face abuse at home, live in neighborhoods and homes with people actively using and cannot afford to move due to housing costs and lack of well paid job opportunities. If we really want to help people recover, then we must increase access to subsidized housing and remove barriers to gainful employment. Learn more

Legislation

I also support the Freedom to Vote Act which would modernize voter registration, expand early voting nationwide, provide protections for mail-in votes, and make Election Day a national holiday, among other things. Learn more

I fully support the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, which would require states with a history of voter discrimination receive clearance from the Department of Justice before enacting any law that effect voting rights. Learn more

Social Services

In Congress I am fighting for legislation to increase funding for mental health and substance treatment and require and fund treatment centers in every count. Learn more

Wages / Job Benefits

I will fight to raise the minimum wage, support legislation like the PRO Act to protect and expand the right of workers to organize and collectively bargain, invest in infrastructure and sustainable energy to both protect the environment and create good paying jobs, fight for equal pay for equal work, and much more. Learn more