Corporations and special interests have their voice in Congress, and they have too many members scared of their power. What Congress needs is a progressive voice who is unafraid to take on these powerful interests - who is willing to fight for all Americans, not just the wealthiest 1 percent.
I've been told to go back to my country so many times, I can't even count.
I've always believed that immigration is really about who we are as a country and what we're willing to stand up for.
I'm conscious of my race and ethnicity in the legislature - it's hard not to be.
Individuals whose asylum claims have been accepted have gone on to become professors, soldiers in our military, artists, and more.
The vast majority of immigrants - regardless of the conditions of war and poverty that may wrack their home countries - come and contribute to their new home country: building our roads, caring for our homes, children, and elders, and serving as doctors, lawyers, employers, and innovators.
Gays and lesbians gained rights in this country though activism and organizing, creating political space and demanding change so that lawmakers and justices could do what they knew was right. That organizing allowed Americans to get to know gays and lesbians as our daughters and sons, our neighbors, and our friends.
Trump has hated Amazon for a long time, and I think that that came out in many interviews that he's done with 'Vanity Fair' and with others.
Rather than name-calling and arguing about whether it is appropriate or not to employ radical tactics, we progressives need to start listening to each other.
There is no question that we, as a country, need to deal with economic inequality across the country, and we need to make sure we have good-paying jobs for everyone.
Immigrants contribute more than they take. It is a lie that they take public benefits, because they don't qualify for just about every benefit.
It is always easier to have somebody to blame, but immigrants are not the cause of the country's economic woes.
I am on the side of the working person across the country.
We on the Left are very good at criticizing people, but we need to build the base to pull people to the Left.
Can you be a progressive if you're anti-immigrant but pro-choice? No!
If you look at the future of the Democratic Party, things like raising the minimum wage - Democrats need to get behind raising the minimum wage and be clear on where we stand on trade deals.
As we say we fight for working people, we have to make sure our policies reflect that.
I want to remind women of color out there to stand your ground, and don't ever be afraid to speak up.
After 9/11, I had just become an American citizen, and I remember sitting in front of my TV set watching the news of the attacks, in tears. I remember thinking to myself, 'Nothing is ever going to be the same in this country for people who look like me.'
If someone tells me that something can't be done, that makes me more determined to do it.
