ADDITIONAL POLICY PRIORITIES

Housing is a basic human right. Everyone deserves the opportunity to live out their American dream of home ownership, yet housing affordability continues to be out of reach for many. Rent, housing prices,and the cost of living are soaring while wages stay the same.  I will fight to expand affordable housing options, build more units for working families, and enforce fair housing laws and tenant protections to address housing discrimination. No one should be priced out of their own community.

American leadership stems from our foundational foreign policy principles: democracy, human rights, and global collaboration. Advancing our interests abroad doesn’t mean embracing a nationalist, isolationist agenda. I support rebuilding alliances, building strong diplomatic relationships with our allies and trade partners, and engaging in international partnerships and agreements on economic stability, climate change, and peacebuilding. We must work with our global partners to promote global stability and build a safer, stronger, and more resilient future for all of us.

Israel-Palestine Conflict 

Over my career, I've traveled extensively across the Middle East. I have seen things I cannot unsee, especially the socioeconomic impacts of such humanitarian tragedies. I am a friend of the Israeli people, but friends need to be honest and hold each other accountable. My stance is clear— a ceasefire is long overdue. I support blocking further military aid to Israel to focus on saving lives and delivering humanitarian support. We cannot stand idly by while military aid is tied to violence against women, children, elders, and families in Gaza. Day after day, we are seeing mass casualties and starvation, and Israel is violating international human rights law by blocking the delivery of aid into Gaza. 

If elected, I would vote to support a ceasefire. I would vote against recent legislation in Congress to increase military aid to Israel and focus my legislative efforts on increasing humanitarian aid to the region, engaging in a diplomatic solution, and saving the lives at risk. 

Russian Invasion of Ukraine 

Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, a sovereign nation, has resulted in the deadliest war in Europe since World War II. The Trump Administration’s alignment with Russian President Vladimir Putin severely threatens our relationships with NATO, as well as our European and global allies, and global security. 

I stand firmly with the people of Ukraine. We must strengthen humanitarian aid and economic support efforts, so that we may rebuild Ukraine to emphasize resilience and economic prosperity. We must also protect the resettled Ukrainian refugees here in the United States. Refugees contribute, build, and revitalize. This is not only our moral duty but a way to bolster our economy and role as a defender of democracy.

Technology is an integral part of our lives. As we continue to embrace and integrate revolutionary technology that pushes the boundaries of innovation, we must increase our investments in education and training opportunities to increase public awareness about technology. Public trust and understanding must be at the center of how we integrate new technologies. American innovation continues to push the boundaries of technological capabilities, and I support advancing American innovation in fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, blockchain, biotechnology, and additive manufacturing (3D printing). To keep the US secure, competitive, and responsible on the global stage, the future must be built with not just brilliance, but with integrity.

Small businesses are giants in our economy, driving innovation, opportunity, job creation, and economic prosperity in our communities. As an entrepreneur, I understand firsthand the importance of access to capital - the most powerful resource for any small business to grow and thrive. I support increasing access to capital through federal loan programs, investing in Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), and strengthening entrepreneurial programs—especially for underserved communities, including women, veterans, immigrants, and people of color. CDFIs are on the frontlines of equitable lending, providing flexible community-rooted financing that traditional banks do not. 

Virginia’s 11th District should be a hub in which small businesses thrive. From immigrant-owned shops and Black and female owned businesses on Main Street to tech startups, I’ll work to ensure that VA-11 remains open for business. When our small businesses succeed, our entire community succeeds.  

Equality is not a privilege - it is a promise, and it is a right. Civil rights and equality for all are the cornerstones of our democracy. Everyone deserves to live with dignity and respect, regardless of the color of your skin, who you love, how you worship, or where you come from. I support strengthening our voting rights, civil protections, LGBTQ+ rights, fighting for equal pay and opportunity for all in every workplace and institution.

Public education is under attack, and our children are paying the price. The Trump Administration continues to unjustly and illegally threaten to cut the U.S. Department of Education—an American institution that has championed federal educational efforts in making education more affordable and accessible for over 40 years. Every child deserves access to a high-quality public education, no matter their zip code. I support increasing funding for public schools, raising teacher pay, and investing in robust after-school programs that address the needs of all students, and mental health services. Our future is bright, and I will fight to ensure that every student has the opportunity to succeed.

Climate change is here and accelerating. Every day, scientists warn us about the compounding effects of rising global temperatures on our ecological ecosystems, wildlife, agriculture, infrastructure, and energy. This is not the time for half-measures.

Investing in initiatives to tackle climate change is essential so that future generations can live sustainably. I support comprehensive transitions to clean, renewable energy and bold investments in workforce development and training opportunities to create the clean energy economy of tomorrow. 

Environmental justice must be at the center of our fight against climate change and efforts to preserve our planet. Communities hit hardest by pollution and disinvestment, oftentimes low-income communities and communities of color, deserve clean air, safe drinking water, protected public lands, and resilient infrastructure. We owe it to our future generations to protect a planet that’s livable, equitable, and thriving. 

Gun violence is a public health crisis, and it’s tearing our communities apart. No parents should fear sending their child to school. No one should be afraid to attend a religious service, or simply walk down their street.

We need commonsense gun reform that prioritizes the safety of our communities and schools while acknowledging responsible gun ownership. I support universal background checks to keep firearms out of the hands of criminals, domestic abusers, and those who pose a danger to themselves or others. I also support banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, and closing loopholes that enable purchase without proper screening. Families, children, and communities deserve to be safe in our neighborhoods, schools, places of worship, businesses, and homes, and I will work to pass life-saving legislation like the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act to advance this important work. I fully support the efforts of Moms Demand Action.

We are a nation built by immigrants - and I will always fight to protect our immigrant communities. To me, this is personal. My parents immigrated from South Korea to America. My wife is an immigrant. I witnessed firsthand how broken our immigration system is, and an update to our immigration policy framework is long overdue. I support an overhaul of our immigration system that promotes transparency, fairness, and humanity, while ensuring that the American Dream remains accessible and attainable. 

Virginia has welcomed more Afghan refugees per capita than any other state. This is my home. This is our home. But at the end of the day, this is about people. These refugees came here legally. Now Trump is ripping away their protected status and telling them they have to leave. This is not only cruel, but deeply un-American. I support resettling efforts for refugees and asylum seekers and protecting our communities. I will fight to ensure that our Dreamers and DACA recipients, the people who call this country home, can continue to do so, and that those seeking an opportunity to pursue pathways to citizenship have the opportunity to do so through a transparent system that works for everyone. Our communities deserve a system that is not designed to push people out.  

Social welfare programs are not handouts. They are lifelines. Every week, I grocery shop for my mother, who has Parkinson’s, using her SNAP benefits. Every time I stand in the checkout line, I am reminded of how vital these programs are to the dignity and survival of working-class families, seniors, and people with disabilities.

Programs like Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and SNAP uphold our nation’s promise to care for families who have worked hard, raised their families, and contributed to our communities. The Trump Administration has made clear that they are coming for Social Security and Medicaid next. We cannot let that happen. I support expanding benefits and ensuring that these programs are fully funded for generations to come. No one should have to choose between food, medicine, and rent. 

No one should have to suffer in silence. Domestic violence survivors need safety, support, and justice, and I am committed to prioritizing their safety and dignity. I support increased funding to programs that support survivors through lifesaving resources such as shelters, trauma-informed counseling, and legal aid. I also support strengthening and reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), an essential piece of legislation that ensures comprehensive protections and resources for survivors in our communities. 

This is not just a policy issue. This is a moral obligation. Survivors deserve more than just our sympathy—they deserve action that builds systems that allow them to be protected, seen, and heard.

I know firsthand the dedication and courage it takes to respond in moments of crisis and keep our communities safe. I deeply value and respect the work of the selfless first responders–police officers, firefighters, EMTs, and healthcare workers—who continue to serve on the frontlines to keep our communities safe. 

Public safety requires trust, accountability, and transparency. We must hold those who carry the responsibility of protecting our communities to the highest standards. I support investing in better community-centric training, expanding mental health resources for our first responders, and strengthening community-based programs that address the root causes of crime to keep our communities safe.

Reproductive healthcare IS healthcare. And the decision to have an abortion lies between a woman and her doctor. Period.

We must strengthen reproductive freedoms. Trump declared victory when the Supreme Court issued its ruling in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision, ending the federal constitutional right to abortion. As a result, millions of women continue to face complications, risks, and life-threatening conditions. We must empower healthcare providers to provide emergency abortions, without fear of criminal charges, losing their medical license, or the fear of doing their job to save lives.

Limits on safe, effective, and approved abortion medications on the market, like Mifepristone, must be lifted. I support codifying abortion rights into federal law. I also support repealing the Hyde Amendment, which prohibits federal funds from being used to cover abortion care, inherently denying healthcare to low-income families.

Our Veterans answered the call to serve that we can live safely in our communities.They deserve better care, benefits, respect, and treatment. The Trump Administration’s attack on vital federal agencies and its programs, like the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Social Security Administration (SSA), and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), directly hurt our Veterans and their families. 

Slashing the federal workforce and gutting agencies does not just shrink the government, but it strips Veterans of the support they’ve earned and deserve. I support strengthening the VA and fighting against the federal workforce cuts that threaten the existence of the important resources/services and wellbeing of  our Veterans every day.  Veterans deserve healthcare after their service and sacrifice to our Nation, and their wellbeing must be protected. We need to deliver on our promises and get them the benefits that they have earned and deserve.