Margaret's Priorities

ECONOMY

We have a critical opportunity to rebuild our post-COVID economy in the way that represents our values. In Congress, I will focus on lowering taxes for the middle class, investing in job and skill training programs, especially clean energy jobs, expanding opportunity for local businesses, and diversifying Florida’s economy.

EDUCATION

Quality public education is the cornerstone of our society. Every child should be able to get a high-quality education regardless of their zip code, the color of their skin, or the state they live in. In the legislature, I fought for public education funding and teacher pay raises and will continue to do so in Congress.

HEALTHCARE

Nobody should have to choose between paying for medical treatments and paying for their groceries or rent. I will fight to protect coverage for pre-existing conditions, stop health insurance lobbyists from writing our health care laws, make sure everyone has access to affordable healthcare, and will support legislation to lower prescription drug costs.

ENVIRONMENT

Here in Florida, we understand the importance of protecting our environment–it’s vital to our economy and our way of life. I have fought corporate polluters to ensure Floridians have access to clean water and I’ve worked across the aisle to pass laws to require stricter stormwater regulations. I’m proud to be endorsed by the League of Conservation Voters and the Sierra Club, two of the most prominent environmental protection groups in the nation. They support me because they know I am committed to protecting our environment and enacting smart policies to combat climate change and to promote renewable energy and the jobs that come with it.

IMMIGRATION

We have not seen comprehensive immigration reform since Ronald Reagan was President. We need real reform that fixes our broken immigration system, which includes policies that secure our borders, create pathways to citizenship, and that protect DREAMers. Above all, we must treat everyone humanely and with respect and we must end the horrendous practice of family separation.

LGBTQ+

Everyone should be treated equally under the law. In the Florida legislature, I co-sponsored legislation to end discrimination against LGBTQ people and to ban conversion therapy, and I will support the Equality Act in Congress. I have been endorsed by HRC, the Florida LGBTQ Democratic Caucus, and received the 2019 Icon Award from SarasotaOUT.com.

WOMEN'S RIGHTS

Women have made great strides in our fight for equality, but the fight continues. In the state legislature, I have fought to protect a woman’s right to make her own health care determinations, and have supported efforts to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment. In Congress, I will continue this work. I’m proud to have the support of NARAL, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, and EMILY’S LIST.

GUN SAFETY

Like most supporters of the Second Amendment, I believe that we need reasonable gun-violence prevention measures. I was sworn in to the state legislature on the day of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting and the first words I spoke on the state house floor were in support of gun violence prevention. I believe that background checks should be required with every gun purchase and I have received the Moms Demand Action Gun Sense Candidate Distinction.

SENIORS

Our seniors have earned Social Security and Medicare benefits through a lifetime of hard work and I will fight to protect those benefits. In the legislature, I helped pass bipartisan legislation to increase transparency around prescription drug pricing and improve standards for assisted living facilities to ensure seniors receive safe care. I’m proud to have been named Legislative Champion for the Elderly by the Florida Healthcare Association, and in Congress, I will always fight to protect Medicare and Social Security.

VETERANS

Service runs in my family. My great-grandfather served in World War I, my grandfather served in World War II, my uncle died in Vietnam and my niece is enlisted in the Navy this Summer. I understand the sacrifice of military service and I know we owe veterans more than just our thanks for their service. As one of my top priorities, I am currently working on a veterans housing project and, in Congress, will continue to prioritize our veterans.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE

We must address the systemic and institutionalized racism that creates a culture of brutality against and incarceration of Black people and people of color. We need police reform that includes policies banning chokeholds and other excessive force measures, increases diversity in our police forces, and expands implicit bias training and community policing.