{"id":316,"date":"2021-12-05T22:54:39","date_gmt":"2021-12-05T22:54:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/seanmeloy.com\/?page_id=316"},"modified":"2022-05-13T15:32:55","modified_gmt":"2022-05-13T15:32:55","slug":"priorities","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/seanmeloy.com\/priorities\/","title":{"rendered":"Priorities"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"316\" class=\"elementor elementor-316\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-6a5cc50 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"6a5cc50\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-25 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-54235e9\" data-id=\"54235e9\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-eda753a\" data-id=\"eda753a\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3cd7890 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"3cd7890\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.6.3 - 12-04-2022 *\/\n.e-container.e-container--row .elementor-spacer-inner{width:var(--spacer-size)}.e-container.e-container--column .elementor-spacer-inner,.elementor-column .elementor-spacer-inner{height:var(--spacer-size)}<\/style>\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ea7f4a7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ea7f4a7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.6.3 - 12-04-2022 *\/\n.elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px}<\/style><h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Priorities<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5d0eab8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5d0eab8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">FOR Pennsylvania Families<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2ef83f0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2ef83f0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.6.3 - 12-04-2022 *\/\n.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#818a91;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#818a91;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t<p>I was born and raised here in Allegheny County, in a working, middle-class family, with grandfathers who worked in the steel mills and coal mines. My Nonna ran the local post office in Indianola. My parents worked hard to provide a good life for me and my brother but I\u2019ve seen over the past decades how that good life has become less and less accessible to working families in this community\u2013 I\u2019m running for Congress to fix that.<\/p><p>Our government should be \u201cof the people and for the people\u201d \u2013 but for too long it\u2019s been made up of and catered to the super wealthy, while everyday Pennsylvanians are left further and further behind. Whether it\u2019s stagnant wages while corporate profits skyrocket, the broken campaign finance system, or the many problems that became even more apparent during the pandemic, our government needs to be there for ALL of us \u2013 not just the privileged few.<\/p><p>Government should look like the people it is meant to represent &#8211; working families\u2013 not the super wealthy who make up a majority of Congress. We need to make sure the wealthiest among us pay their fair share and don\u2019t further game the system \u2013 and that is why we need more authentic working and middle class voices like mine in Congress. If you can\u2019t feel the effects of high prices on food, gas, groceries, and healthcare \u2013 why would you act with the urgency we need? We need a government to work hard for good-paying union jobs in America and grow the middle class &#8211; and as the only non-millionaire in this race, I will make sure that happens.<\/p><p>In Congress, I\u2019ll be a pragmatic progressive voice, fighting for relief for working families like mine, helping grow our local economy, creating jobs for the 21st century, addressing our changing climate, and ensuring everyone is equal under the law. I will put the people of Western PA first and bring the needed voice of someone who is not a millionaire and will fight for his community and against the right-wing extremism that is stopping many of the common-sense solutions I\u2019ve outlined below.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3251417 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"3251417\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-25 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-1fe0e89\" data-id=\"1fe0e89\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-dfe3374 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"dfe3374\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-92d6d32\" data-id=\"92d6d32\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7dbb366\" data-id=\"7dbb366\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5fc9d11 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5fc9d11\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Standing Strong for Democracy Against Right Wing Extremism<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-de37945 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"de37945\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Fighting right-wing extremism at home is something I\u2019ve done here in Western PA and nationally and will continue to do while in Congress. We need Democrats who aren\u2019t afraid to fight to save our democracy from Republican extremism and call them out as they try to warp history and dismiss elections they lost. Anti-democratic forces are on the march across the world, most recently seen in the invasion of the Ukraine by Putin\u2019s Russia; but attempts to suppress voting rights, limit abortion access, and demonize LGBTQ people are steps right out of Putin\u2019s playbook. We need to stand strong for our democracy against these radicals and that is something I will continue to do in the US Congress as someone who has experience as a teacher, a gay man, and a pro-choice champion.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-53612ef elementor-widget elementor-widget-menu-anchor\" data-id=\"53612ef\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"menu-anchor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.6.3 - 12-04-2022 *\/\nbody.elementor-page .elementor-widget-menu-anchor{margin-bottom:0}<\/style>\t\t<div id=\"unions\" class=\"elementor-menu-anchor\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7808779\" data-id=\"7808779\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-e2f2b18 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"e2f2b18\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-04827d9\" data-id=\"04827d9\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-2ebae7b\" data-id=\"2ebae7b\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ec884cc elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ec884cc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Education &amp; Child Care<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-557d5f0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"557d5f0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>I\u2019m a proud product of public schools in the 17th district (Hampton Township). My public school education prepared me for the privilege of attending Penn State to become a social studies teacher. Protecting and maintaining our public education infrastructure is important to me.<\/p><p>If the last few years have taught us anything, we need to ensure we have the infrastructure in place to support our students, teachers, and parents, and an education system that is equipped to deal with modern challenges. We all benefit when our children have an effective education &#8211; we need to make sure no matter where a child grows up, they are able to access a quality public education.<\/p><p>The pandemic has showcased that we need to make sure we are using 21st century technologies and approaches that prepare students for the real world &#8211; and to be good citizens, decent people, and stewards of our environment. Universal preschool and basic child care programs are needed to help make sure we have students that are succeeding and on track to enter the workforce, attend higher education, community college or trade school, and pursue their dreams. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fd1beb7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-menu-anchor\" data-id=\"fd1beb7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"menu-anchor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"campaignfinance\" class=\"elementor-menu-anchor\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-f6377eb\" data-id=\"f6377eb\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-288841f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"288841f\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-ae47545\" data-id=\"ae47545\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-77808fe\" data-id=\"77808fe\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-df67bd8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"df67bd8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Unions &amp; Wages<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2d08cb3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2d08cb3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In the last 50 years, union membership has diminished as corporations squeeze every last penny to maximize profits, while wages have remained stagnant for everyday people. While this goes on, extremists have falsely blamed unions for closures and offshoring, instead of the corporations maximizing profits. Unions are needed more than ever; I\u2019ll fight hard to make sure workers have the right to organize and will support legislation that enshrines this in law, which is why I support the PRO Act and the ability for Congressional staff to unionize.<\/p><p>I will also support an increase in minimum wages that will be indexed to inflation, so political impasse doesn\u2019t prevent a bare minimum baseline, as has been true for almost 20 years. I will speak truth to power when massive companies say they can\u2019t pay workers more while CEO pay has exponentially increased with no help to their workforce.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-dba16c1\" data-id=\"dba16c1\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-ce03a96 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"ce03a96\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-197546e\" data-id=\"197546e\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-04dbaba\" data-id=\"04dbaba\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b80c714 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b80c714\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Protecting and Strengthening Social Security and Medicare<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-63fd5db elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"63fd5db\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Social Security is one of the most successful anti-poverty programs in history. However, it was supposed to supplement robust savings and pensions \u2013 something so few have now. This means so many seniors are dependent on the social security they\u2019ve paid for their whole lives. Republican extremists want to privatize Social Security rather than make the super wealthy pay their fair share. At a time when prices are going up, we need to make sure Social Security benefits are protected and Cost of Living Adjustments (COLAs) are keeping up.<\/p><p>The Medicare system has revolutionized health care for seniors, so we have to allow Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices. We need real transparency and accountability in the prescription drug marketplace. I will also champion legislation to cap out-of-pocket costs for seniors. These are common sense reforms I\u2019ll fight for\u00a0 ahead of tackling universal coverage for every American.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-c522643\" data-id=\"c522643\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-2f3d99b elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"2f3d99b\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-5cb8d88\" data-id=\"5cb8d88\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-80fd93e\" data-id=\"80fd93e\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7cbe874 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7cbe874\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Reproductive Justice &amp; Privacy<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6394953 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6394953\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Now, more than ever, we need champions for reproductive healthcare and the right of privacy. We must fight back against extremist attacks on health care providers like Planned Parenthood and protect everyone\u2019s access to reproductive care. We have come too far to give up on health care equality, and in Congress, I will continue to be a champion for reproductive justice.<\/p><p>The right to privacy enshrined in Roe vs. Wade is important for everyone, and especially LGBTQ and other minority communities. I will work to ensure everyone\u2019s right to privacy is protected and that it is enshrined in federal statute and am proud to be supported by NARAL Pro Choice America.\u00a0<\/p><p>I\u2019ve also led campaigns against mass surveillance by our government (#StopWatchingUS) and believe companies are collecting our information for their exclusive benefit unlike any other time in human history; they need to be held accountable and provide better transparency.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-04de2e3\" data-id=\"04de2e3\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-554f7b4 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"554f7b4\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-960cb41\" data-id=\"960cb41\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-c6aec00\" data-id=\"c6aec00\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5959d81 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5959d81\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Affordable, Quality Health Care<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-062a3b3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"062a3b3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Every American should have access to quality, affordable health care. No one should ever lose coverage because of a pre-existing condition. No one should need to pour over their insurance policy to look for coverage gaps right after they\u2019ve been diagnosed with a serious illness.<\/p><p>We must work together to create progress that will benefit all Americans and ensure everyone in this country has access to quality, affordable healthcare. I know we can both encourage the innovative American health care system that has developed three vaccines for COVID and countless other life saving techniques and we can ensure care is affordable. This will require a lot of hard work and political courage, but we must look past partisanship, pledges, and platitudes. We must agree that rising premiums and loss of coverage is unacceptable. We have to strengthen the Affordable Care Act, reinstate the individual mandate which mitigates risk, and expand our support of insurance exchanges and work towards a public option. I will fight for expanding Medicare coverage to include dental, hearing, and vision care, and to expand who it covers.<\/p><p>The barriers to affordable health care are even worse when it comes to prescription drug prices. These are life saving miracles of modern science\u2013and they need to be available to all Pennsylvanians, regardless of their income level. The Medicare system has revolutionized health care for seniors, so we have to allow Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices. We need real transparency and accountability in the prescription drug marketplace. I will also champion legislation to cap out-of-pocket costs for seniors. These are common sense reforms we should all be able to agree on ahead of tackling universal coverage for every American.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-f266055\" data-id=\"f266055\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-3cf51ed elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"3cf51ed\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-9ad1a91\" data-id=\"9ad1a91\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-5c86dbf\" data-id=\"5c86dbf\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d833363 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d833363\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Reproductive Justice &amp; Privacy<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ec4938d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ec4938d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>We must say once and for all: protect reproductive healthcare and the right to choose. We must fight back against partisan attacks on health care providers like Planned Parenthood and protect everyone\u2019s access to reproductive care. We have come too far to give up on health care equality, and in Congress, I will continue to be a champion for reproductive justice.<\/p><p>The right to privacy is important for everyone, and especially LGBTQ+ communities. As an openly gay man, I will work to ensure everyone\u2019s right to privacy is protected and that it is enshrined in federal statute.<\/p><p>I\u2019ve also lead campaigns against mass surveillance by our government (#StopWatchingUS) and believe companies are collecting our information for their exclusive benefit unlike any other time in human history; they need to be held accountable and provide better transparency.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e5f679a\" data-id=\"e5f679a\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-f932d22 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"f932d22\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-183f0d3\" data-id=\"183f0d3\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-11fa5fe\" data-id=\"11fa5fe\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2795065 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2795065\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Civil &amp; Voting Rights<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7991629 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7991629\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>I\u2019ll be an absolute champion for civil and voting rights to guarantee every citizen is equal under the law. As an out gay man, I can still be fired from my job in Pennsylvania, kicked out my house, denied credit and jury service, and still can\u2019t donate blood. I will be a champion for ensuring everyone, no matter who they are, can live freely in our Commonwealth. I am committed to passing the Equality Act which would enshrine those protections nationally.\u00a0<\/p><p>I will work to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Act which will prevent a suppression of the vote. If you can\u2019t win elections you should work to represent the needs of the people better &#8211; but instead, conservatives are trying to change who is able to vote. It is despicable and must be stopped. Everyone who can legally vote should be able to vote by whatever method they prefer &#8211; and we should be encouraging convenience in doing this.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-424e603\" data-id=\"424e603\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-0d8354d elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"0d8354d\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-2fea9d7\" data-id=\"2fea9d7\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-b53e212\" data-id=\"b53e212\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d234469 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d234469\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Climate Change &amp; Conservation<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c988115 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c988115\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>We have the opportunity to grow good union jobs, create economic growth, and solve the existential crisis that is climate change. At the federal level, I will be working to address climate change as it is the biggest crisis facing humanity today. I\u2019ll be working to help ensure PA is at the center of a green industrial revolution, one we are uniquely positioned to lead, that will help grow the economy, create good union jobs, and will mitigate the effects of climate change so that our communities are protected for years to come.<\/p><p>Short term corporate profits for the richest industry in the history of the world are not worth the long term devastation to our planet- and that is just the plain truth. I will also work to protect the resiliency funding that was passed as part of the infrastructure law that was passed in 2021, which will likely be a target of cuts. I\u2019ll be working to find solutions that will aggressively ensure our region benefits as we reach the benchmarks to mitigate climate change.<\/p><p>I support President Biden\u2019s decision to rejoin the Paris Climate Agreement. We also have to build on successful conservation programs like the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Our national parks are international treasures, and our investments now will keep these spaces accessible for generations.<\/p><p>There is also so much waste in our country &#8211; food, unsold goods, and perfectly good items people don\u2019t want anymore. I want to work to make sure these things don\u2019t end up in landfills &#8211; but can help us reduce and reuse &#8211; two things that have gotten away from us and contributed to climate change.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b1c5835 elementor-widget elementor-widget-menu-anchor\" data-id=\"b1c5835\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"menu-anchor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"votingrights\" class=\"elementor-menu-anchor\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-607a22f\" data-id=\"607a22f\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-25c2aab elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"25c2aab\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-588f4e9\" data-id=\"588f4e9\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-264c32b\" data-id=\"264c32b\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-46d5627 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"46d5627\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Criminal Justice Reform &amp; Marijuana Legalization<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e37ae30 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e37ae30\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>We need to make sure no matter who you are &#8211; our system of justice is fair to all. The right-wing backlash to the Black Lives Matter movement has made it clear they are most interested in protecting bad actors instead of the lives of our fellow citizens. We need to rebuff right wing extremist lies and fight for accountability and true justice under the law.<\/p><p>We also need to make sure criminals go to jail, but we aren\u2019t destroying people\u2019s lives over using marijuana. Although Pennsylvania has only legalized medical marijuana, many other states have fully legalized (and profited from) its use. This patchwork of laws is confusing and limiting opportunities. I am supportive of decriminalizing marijuana so someone who went on vacation to a different state doesn\u2019t lose their job when they come back to Pennsylvania. It just doesn\u2019t make sense to continue a policy that is hurting our populace for no good reason.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-11e8cb6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-menu-anchor\" data-id=\"11e8cb6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"menu-anchor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"votingrights\" class=\"elementor-menu-anchor\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-203a1ba\" data-id=\"203a1ba\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-3969b95 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"3969b95\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-a9f21b5\" data-id=\"a9f21b5\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-d1f5fc8\" data-id=\"d1f5fc8\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7d13c00 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7d13c00\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Small Business &amp; Fighting Corporate Power<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c89c26c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c89c26c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In a time when corporations are amassing more and more power and rigging the system for themselves, we need to ensure small businesses have every opportunity to succeed. Some of the most popular neighborhoods and towns in Western Pennsylvania have thriving small businesses and commercial districts, but there are many areas that are still struggling. We need to empower small business owners and local entrepreneurs here &#8211; and as a member of Congress, I\u2019ll be thinking of what our government can do for them and other innovators in our region, not what can be done for large corporations.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-c31e62e\" data-id=\"c31e62e\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-3ad011d elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"3ad011d\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-624f081\" data-id=\"624f081\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-9915bb8\" data-id=\"9915bb8\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0e4085a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0e4085a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Campaign Finance Reform<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5b0ea72 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5b0ea72\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Money in politics is the root of all problems in our broken system, and this is an issue we must prioritize. Everyday middle and working class families&#8217; needs aren\u2019t being heard or represented by a Congress dominated and funded by millionaires. Unfortunately, the super-wealthy are the ones who largely run for office because they have access to wealthy donors &#8211; many of whom have their own special interests they want to protect. Candidates who represent working Pennsylvanians should also be hard-working Pennsylvanians themselves. We need to take the money and access to power out of our politics so real people can be the ones making decisions that will help everyone, and not just those at the top. By changing our campaign finance laws, we can have a Congress that looks like the rest of the country and fights for what is needed, not desired by the special interests.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0642e0a elementor-widget elementor-widget-menu-anchor\" data-id=\"0642e0a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"menu-anchor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"unions\" class=\"elementor-menu-anchor\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-bed447c\" data-id=\"bed447c\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-468158f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"468158f\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-349d325\" data-id=\"349d325\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-14e130c\" data-id=\"14e130c\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-115ef86 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"115ef86\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Ending COVID-19 &amp; Disinformation<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-eeba41d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"eeba41d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the systemic inequalities in our communities and it is clear we must work together to end disinformation and work together to create solutions that help everyone. Partisan echo-chambers have allowed extremists to politicize the pandemic. I will commit to working across the aisle to ensure everyone in our community has access to life-saving information so that elected officials can make decisions based in science for the betterment of our Commonwealth and country. I will work to address misinformation so that our next national crisis is not framed as a partisan issue. We almost must work to prevent and prepare for our next pandemic, starting with making sure our hospitals are equipped and staffing restored to levels that can not be overwhelmed.\u00a0 I\u2019ll also reject absolutism that is being fed by the algorithms and make sure they stop making extremism the norm.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-df0ef04\" data-id=\"df0ef04\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-bfcf37e elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"bfcf37e\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-dd4c66a\" data-id=\"dd4c66a\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7bf7fa8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7bf7fa8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Missing an issue that matters to you?<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-16e42a0 elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"16e42a0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"mailto:info@seanmeloy.com\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"elementor-button-link elementor-button elementor-size-sm elementor-animation-skew-forward\" role=\"button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-icon elementor-align-icon-right\">\n\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-envelope\"><\/i>\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Send Sean an EMail<\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-46aceba elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"46aceba\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Priorities FOR Pennsylvania Families I was born and raised here in Allegheny County, in a working, middle-class family, with grandfathers who worked in the steel mills and coal mines. My Nonna ran the local post office in Indianola. My parents worked hard to provide a good life for me and my brother but I\u2019ve seen [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_header_footer","meta":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v17.7.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Priorities - Sean Meloy<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/seanmeloy.com\/priorities\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Priorities - Sean Meloy\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Priorities FOR Pennsylvania Families I was born and raised here in Allegheny County, in a working, middle-class family, with grandfathers who worked in the steel mills and coal mines. 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My Nonna ran the local post office in Indianola. My parents worked hard to provide a good life for me and my brother but I\u2019ve seen [&hellip;]","og_url":"https:\/\/seanmeloy.com\/priorities\/","og_site_name":"Sean Meloy","article_modified_time":"2022-05-13T15:32:55+00:00","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Est. reading time":"12 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/seanmeloy.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/seanmeloy.com\/","name":"Sean Meloy","description":"","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/seanmeloy.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/seanmeloy.com\/priorities\/#webpage","url":"https:\/\/seanmeloy.com\/priorities\/","name":"Priorities - Sean Meloy","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/seanmeloy.com\/#website"},"datePublished":"2021-12-05T22:54:39+00:00","dateModified":"2022-05-13T15:32:55+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/seanmeloy.com\/priorities\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/seanmeloy.com\/priorities\/"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/seanmeloy.com\/priorities\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/seanmeloy.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Priorities"}]}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/seanmeloy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/316"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/seanmeloy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/seanmeloy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/seanmeloy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/seanmeloy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=316"}],"version-history":[{"count":47,"href":"https:\/\/seanmeloy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/316\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":916,"href":"https:\/\/seanmeloy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/316\/revisions\/916"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/seanmeloy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=316"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}