April stands with our LGBTQIA+ communities, particularly as their rights are coming under attack. LGBTQIA+ people deserve all of the same rights as others to marry who they love, get the health care they need, be safe in their communities, be protected from discrimination and have a home.

Transgender and non-binary Americans are under increasing attack for simply being who they are. April will be an advocate against initiatives to end marriage equality or ban gender-affirming care. On day one in Congress, April will sign onto the Equality Act and be a strong champion for its passage.

Gun Violence

33,000 Americans die of gun violence every year – it is a national crisis and epidemic that is destroying communities every day. No one should be afraid to send their child to school or go to work. We must do more than “thoughts and prayers” – we must take action to pass common sense gun safety legislation, while protecting the rights of gun owners.

April supports universal background checks and limitations on assault weapons. She also believes we must address the connection between our mental health crisis and gun violence. It’s been over a decade since Sandy Hook and yet this country has failed to pass even common-sense gun violence prevention legislation. How much longer can we continue to lose lives to guns?

Foreign Policy

April believes in the post WWII model of global economic engagement, diplomatic outreach, US leadership of important alliances like NATO, foreign aid and, of course, a strong military. She fundamentally believes this model has made the US more safe and secure, more prosperous, and has helped make the world safer and more prosperous. An evolving world with new challenges and new threats demands constant adjustments to our approach to both the world and our national security but certain things remain constant, including the need for strong US leadership, which includes the US continuing to serve as a model for the virtues of a free market, liberal democracy. Today’s threat includes Putin’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, the deadly terror attack on Israel by Hamas and the unfolding humanitarian crisis in Gaza and continued hostage tragedy, and China’s continued aggressive posture. April supports the bipartisan bill in the Senate that would send aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. April is an unwavering supporter of Israel’s right to defend itself and of the unbreakable bond between our nations.

Immigration

The crisis at the border is ongoing, and the need for strong, effective, and humane immigration reform is urgent. On this issue, it is critical we have  representatives in Congress who will prioritize common sense, common ground solutions.

April supports the bipartisan border agreement announced in the Senate. This bill secures our border and provides critical support to our immigration system, including supplemental appropriations to border security, and new technology to better detect fentanyl and other dangerous contraband.

In Congress, April is prepared to work with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to deliver critical, bipartisan legislation that makes our country safer, our border more secure, and treats people fairly and humanely while preserving the right to legal immigration – consistent with our values as a nation.

In addition to enhancing our national security domestically, April also recognizes the emerging threats we’re witnessing to national security globally. In Congress, April will support legislation that protects our commitment to our allies in Ukraine and Israel as they defend themselves against tyranny and terrorism, while also providing much-needed humanitarian assistance to civilians affected by conflicts of war.

Inflation

Inflation is too high — most Americans are struggling to buy groceries, afford housing and pay their bills.  While the United States has long been regarded as the land of opportunity, a majority of American workers cannot afford a $500 emergency expense. Moreover, many of our sectors are still experiencing the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic.  Collectively we need to address issues of inflation and focus on building out an economy that works for everyone.

One of the big challenges of the next generation is ensuring economic opportunity and access to resources is available for all Americans no matter what their zip code.   April will champion economic growth across every community in Maryland’s 6th District and build on the worker and community focused industrial policies of President Biden.  She will support middle class tax relief, including seeking to increase the Child Tax Credit for working families.  While important to be fiscally prudent for long term stability, our country must still make critical investments for our future and provide a safety net for those in need through investments in education, health care retirement and raising the minimum wage with an additional index for inflation.

She believes that we must build upon the Biden Administration’s recent achievements in the IRA and other bipartisan infrastructure and resource investments made over the last three years.   Other priorities will include a continued focus on lowering the cost of prescription drugs, limiting hidden credit card and junk fees, tackling student debt and the affordability of housing.

Here in Maryland, 44 percent of our younger renters are considering leaving Maryland due to housing costs, and 30 percent of voters between 18 and 34 are considering leaving the state for the same reason. We need significant public-private investment and thought leadership to address the shortage of affordable housing.  The Administration’s recent blueprint gives some guidance in that it recommends legislative action related to lowering the cost of a home with a mortgage relief credit, down payment assistance for first generation homebuyers, tax credits to build more housing, and lowering costs for renters through tax relief or direct grants.   This is an issue that is of critical importance in our district  – and across the country – and is one of April’s plans to tackle head on for Marylanders.

Medicare and Social Security

April will protect Medicare and Social Security – two of the most successful domestic policy programs ever created that millions of Americans rely on every day. She will work to strengthen Medicare by lowering the cost of prescription drugs and taking actions to ensure more equitable care. April opposes cuts to Social Security and efforts to privatize the program.

Protecting our Democratic values

We are at a critical juncture in our democracy with our elections under attack by MAGA extremists. April supports initiatives like the For the People Act to expand voter access and reform campaign finance. She also strongly supports the John Lewis Act which would restore voting rights. Our government must prioritize protecting voting rights and ensuring fair elections.

Protecting our Kids in the Digital Era

We have a mental health crisis in America. We need to rein in Big Tech and improve online privacy. It’s not all the fault of social media – but as a mother of 4, April knows all-too-well the impact it can have on our children.  When she built the Washington office of Common-Sense Media, April developed the K-12 curriculum on digital citizenship and successfully changed the trajectory of the debate on issues related to children’s mental health, tech, privacy issues and the digital divide.   April believes privacy laws need to be strengthened, protections for our kids need to continue to improve so that their health and well-being is not impacted, and that our entire mental health system needs to be updated, so those who need care get it.

Supporting Servicemembers and Veterans

April believes there is no greater privilege than supporting and advocating for our Service Members, Veterans, their families, caregivers and survivors. She will champion legislation to ensure quality of life, pay, healthcare, housing, economic opportunity and transition services for our troops and their families.  We ask so much of our military, it is a necessity for Congress to ensure they and their families have support at home and abroad and that they have the resources they need to do what is asked of them.  The U.S. Military is the most extraordinary military ever created and as a Member of Congress April will be a good steward of our national security and the servicemembers that make it all happen

April recognizes the importance of Maryland in the defense ecosystem and will partner closely with state and county officials to ensure our installations and communities are the national standard bearer for supporting our troops. She will never forget the sacrifices those serving around the world from this district are making while continuing to pay taxes and vote here.

April will be a champion to fulfill the nation’s sacred obligation to care for our Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors by being a strong partner to the Department of Veteran Affairs and supporting legislation that enhances VA healthcare, benefits and burial access.

April loves her country and the patriots who have fought for our freedom, there is nothing more important to her than honoring their service.

Supporting Teachers and Students

Maryland has one of the strongest public education systems in the country. We need to keep it that way, and ensure that no matter who you are, where you come from, or what your circumstances, you have access to an equitable, high-quality education.

April supports the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, which makes critical investments in Maryland’s public education by increasing funding for public schools, expanding access to pre-K, addressing resource disparities, and applying new standards for college and career readiness. Once elected, April will work with state leaders to ensure Blueprint for Maryland’s Future is fully funded, so our public education system continues to have the critical  resources it needs.

In Congress, April will support and advance legislation that would make community college free and lower college tuition. Inaccessible higher-education creates barriers for economic opportunity – our education policies must address that.

April is proud to have the endorsement of Maryland’s State Education Association, the state’s largest professional employee organization, backed by 75,000 members of education professionals. In Congress and across the District, educators, students, and families can expect a staunch education advocate.

Working Toward Healthcare for All

April believes that healthcare coverage should be a right and not a privilege. Obamacare was a major step forward that she will defend vehemently, but our eventual goal should be universal healthcare – where every American has a right to healthcare.

Healthcare is still far too expensive in this country and quality varies significantly.   President Biden has been doing excellent work to lower costs by capping the costs of insulin and allowing the government to negotiate drug prices down. In Congress April will fight to build on the good work of President Biden and Obama; she will strive for universal access, lower costs and higher quality.   We must conceptualize healthcare as including mental health on parity with physical health.  We must continue to invest in critical NIH research to help develop cures for cancer, alzheimer/dementia, heart disease and other chronic and acute diseases that cause so much pain and suffering for too many Americans.  And we must ensure that the healthcare inequities that plague our system are eliminated and that we work to bend the cost curve on excess health care expenditures.