“Big corporate money has long had far too much sway on government and policy. The floodgates opened by Citizens United fifteen years ago have made that infinitely worse. Fixing our democracy demands doing everything we can to reduce the influence of big money, reform a broken system, and lead by example.”
Rein in executive overreach and restore the balance of powers
Limit or end the president's pardon power
Stop presidents from withholding funds Congress approved
“First, joint resolutions can force Republicans in Congress to vote on controversial Trump directives. Every one of Trump’s emergency declarations — which he has used to justify many of his illegal executive orders — can be fought with a privileged joint resolution that requires votes from the full chamber. Even if we lose a vote, the debate itself — and forcing each Republican representative to go on the record — is a win.”
“In the State Assembly, Micah literally wrote the blueprint for what Democratic-led states should be doing to fight back, and he’s led the way to protect New Yorkers and our values—and fight fire with fire. He’s also published detailed white papers that spell out how Congressional Democrats can put up effective roadblocks to Trump’s authoritarian agenda right now and provide a roadmap for aggressive oversight once Democrats regain control of the House. And he’s already looking beyond the next three years to find ways to prevent future Presidents from sowing chaos and trampling democratic norms as Donald Trump has.”
“It is important, though, that we also think about the long term and strengthen laws that Trump has used to wreak such destruction and chaos. This paper, the third part of my blueprint, lays out plans to “Trump-proof” key federal statutes, so that no president in the future can weaponize them in the same way that Trump has.”
“Passed laws to empower Attorney General Tish James to take up the work of federal agencies that are being shut down or handcuffed by Trump, like the CFPB, FTC, and DOJ.”
“Use the power of congressional oversight to hold the Trump administration accountable for their abusive and illegal actions and increase transparency.”
Other things the site says about government operations and elections (12)
“What we should be doing, instead, is throwing sand in the works at every available opportunity, and making it absolutely clear that Democrats stand in opposition to the chaos, corruption, and damage being perpetrated by Trump and his sycophants in Congress.”
“Second, we need to find issues that divide the Republican Party and then use a procedural mechanism, the discharge petition, to exploit them. Discharge petitions supported by a majority of members force a vote by the entire House. The discharge petition to release the Epstein files is a good example. As Trump and his authoritarian agenda grow increasingly unpopular, Democrats should seek out more opportunities to pry Republicans away from their party and onto discharge petitions.”
“Third, we should use the Rules Committee to slow the Republicans down. A major asset that Republicans are capitalizing on is speed. The faster they move, and the faster they are able to jam bills through the legislative process, the less time the American public has to fully digest the consequences.
Unlike the Senate, the House doesn’t have a filibuster mechanism. But representatives do have the power to add an unlimited number of amendments in the Rules Committee to every single toxic Trump bill — and each Democrat can spend five minutes making the case for them. With 213 Democrats, that’s a lot of time we can use to delay things and expose vulnerable Republicans.”
“Fourth, we should use what’s known as the “Magic Minute” more often. This procedural tool gives the minority leader unlimited time to speak on any bill on the House floor. It’s the tool that Hakeem Jeffries used for his record-breaking speech against the Republicans’ “One Big Beautiful Bill,” and that Nancy Pelosi used to speak for eight hours against Trump’s assault on Dreamers. We may need to ship Leader Jeffries throat lozenges and herbal tea, but this moment demands more “Magic Minutes.””
“Finally, we need to expose Republicans’ inability to govern by uniting Democrats as a party and refusing to lend our votes to a MAGA majority that won’t negotiate in good faith. That’s what was happening in the shutdown fight before Sunday night, and it was working. Going forward, we should be prepared to do this relentlessly — and without apology.”
“He is the legislature’s most outspoken voice on the use of state power to respond to actions by the Trump Administration and is leading the fight to allow New York to redraw its congressional lines in response to Texas’s unprecedented mid-decade redistricting.”
“Use every procedural tool in our arsenal—from joint resolutions, to discharge petitions, to Rules Committee amendments—to throw sand in the Republican gears.”
“Increase public engagement to shape the narrative around Democratic issues in 2028 and help Democrats win back the White House and grow our majority.”
“Introduced the constitutional amendment to allow New York to redraw our congressional district lines, mid-decade, if another state (e.g. Texas) does so first.”
Restore Roe v. Wade's abortion rights nationwide in federal law
Protect abortion rights and access
Block or repeal abortion bans and restrictions
Protect abortion patients and providers from prosecution and harassment
Protect access to abortion pills, including by mail and telehealth
Let public money and insurance pay for abortion
“In these positions, he has played a key role in passing landmark laws to strengthen gun control, protect abortion access, and raise the minimum wage.”
“Micah Lasher understands we must aggressively fight back. He’ll bring to Congress a long track record of defending and advancing abortion rights, which is why he earned the endorsement of Planned Parenthood of Greater New York Votes in his 2024 campaign for Assembly.”
“As Governor Hochul’s Director of Policy, helped enact the New York State Equal Rights Amendment, to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution, and helped write legislation post-Dobbs to protect abortion patients and providers in New York.”
Lower health care costs, including premiums and out-of-pocket costs
Lower prescription drug prices
“Despite Donald Trump’s ridiculous claim that he’s reduced drug prices by 400%, we pay far higher prices for prescription drugs than people in other countries do. We have to change that — along with a host of other things that contribute to a wildly expensive and inefficient system.”
Make drug companies charge Americans no more than other countries
“Despite Donald Trump’s ridiculous claim that he’s reduced drug prices by 400%, we pay far higher prices for prescription drugs than people in other countries do. We have to change that — along with a host of other things that contribute to a wildly expensive and inefficient system.”
“Micah Lasher believes that health care should be a right, not a privilege. That’s why he supports making health care available to all — through Medicare for All or a similar universal plan that guarantees a basic level of comprehensive care.”
“He will continue to focus on things that actually make us safer — whether it’s working with local police precincts to crack down on reckless e-bikers, investing more in mental health care, or continuing the never-ending fight for stronger gun safety laws.”
“Helped craft the state’s $1 billion investment in mental healthcare, including recovering or creating 1,000 in-patient psychiatric beds and funding for 3,500 units of supportive housing.”
“Wrote legislation, in response to RFK Jr.’s reckless disregard for public health, to ensure continued access to the COVID-19 vaccine in New York. Micah’s proposal was incorporated into Governor Hochul’s 2026 budget.”
“Micah also believes Democrats in Congress must fight harder against Robert Kennedy, Jr.’s quackery, especially his continued assault on vaccines—something Micah has stepped in to blunt here in New York.”
“Fight to guarantee access to gender-affirming care for trans youth by opposing anti-trans federal and state efforts, ensuring every child can access the medical care they need to live a happy, healthy life.”
“Micah Lasher will continue to fight to protect immigrant communities, stop the broader assault on civil rights and voting rights, and do everything he can to derail Trump’s authoritarian train.”
“Micah Lasher has always championed the cause of LGBTQ+ equality and civil rights and will be a powerful voice for them in Congress, which is why he’s the overwhelming choice of community leaders and activists, from Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal to Assemblymember Deborah Glick.”
“Codify in law Biden-era Executive Orders to ensure trans and gender nonconforming individuals are protected from discrimination and able to access gender-affirming care.”
“Fight for passage of the John Lewis Every Child Deserves a Family Act to prohibit public child welfare agencies from discriminating against foster or adoptive families on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or marital status.”
“Helped end the Boy Scouts of America’s longstanding ban on openly gay leadership, took on anti-gay discrimination in professional sports, and worked to ensure equal access to healthcare for transgender New Yorkers in his role as Chief of Staff to the New York State Attorney General.”
“Helped enact New York’s Equal Rights Amendment, which expands the State’s constitutional anti-discrimination protections to include sexual identity and gender identity as Policy Director under Kathy Hochul.”
Keep religion from being used to justify harm to others
“Support the Do No Harm Act, which would restore the original intent of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, protecting religious freedom without causing harm to LGBTQ+ individuals and other minorities.”
“We cannot allow a state of elevated bigotry and political and religious violence to become the new norm. Micah Lasher will continue—through legislation, community engagement, and by consistently raising his voice—to fight hate in all its ugly forms.”
“Wrote and passed legislation in the Assembly to strengthen New York’s laws against housing discrimination and co-sponsored legislation to strengthen legal protections for individuals who provide or receive gender-affirming care.”
“Congress can act now to stop the worst dangers of unregulated AI from becoming a reality by legislating with safety and responsibility at the top of mind.”
“Cooperate with partners and experts across the globe to minimize artificial general intelligence- and superintelligence-related risks, including through potential binding international treaties.”
“Micah is the only candidate for Congress who has consistently supported legislation to regulate AI — not just on the issue of catastrophic risk, but also on the use of AI in hiring decisions, in lending decisions, in state government, and in the classroom.”
Other things the site says about science, technology and communications (3)
“Work to pass widespread protections against the use of AI by the federal government for mass surveillance, civil rights abuses, and autonomous weapons.”
“As Chief of Staff to the Attorney General, Micah helped launch investigations into many of the nation’s most significant technology companies, and publicly spoke out against the idea that innovation was a defense to breaking the law.”
“He was also the author of a comprehensive package of legislation to expand the supply of housing in New York, which The New York Times called the “first serious attempt by a New York governor since the 1960s” to tackle the state’s massive housing shortage.”
“The affordability crisis is no “hoax” — and we need a Congress that aggressively works to solve it. Micah is committed to doing that. And he will give special attention to two of the biggest ticket items that hit working families especially hard: the urgent need to create more housing and expand access, and reduce costs, for child care.”
Other things the site says about housing and community development (2)
“He’ll also focus on things that matter to our day-to-day quality of life — tackling the scourge of endless scaffolding, illegal weed shops, and annoying helicopter noise.”
Ban or restrict assault weapons and high-capacity magazines
Pass red flag laws
“In these positions, he has played a key role in passing landmark laws to strengthen gun control, protect abortion access, and raise the minimum wage.”
“He will continue to focus on things that actually make us safer — whether it’s working with local police precincts to crack down on reckless e-bikers, investing more in mental health care, or continuing the never-ending fight for stronger gun safety laws.”
“Helped write sweeping new gun safety laws in New York, including background checks for ammunition purchases, new license requirements for gun purchases, and expanded Red Flag laws.”
Limit police stops, searches, arrests and surveillance
“Wrote legislation to protect people from warrantless arrests at sensitive locations such as schools, houses of worship, healthcare facilities, and government offices.”
Fund schools more fairly, with more for poorer districts
“His commitment goes back to his work over 15 years ago helping to create two new schools in this congressional district and fighting to get all of our city schools their fair share from Albany.”
“Took action in the Attorney General’s Office against 20 school districts that were blocking the children of undocumented immigrants from enrolling in school.”
Use military force only as a last resort with clear goals
Restore funding and staff for the State Department and USAID
Cooperate with allies and international institutions
“He’ll fight to restore the United States’ role as a serious leader on the international stage, advancing democracy, human rights, and collaboration to resolve shared global challenges, and for a foreign policy rooted in diplomacy and the rule of law.”
Restore Congress's power to approve wars and military force
Strengthen and enforce the War Powers Resolution
“Stand up against any president’s attempts to bypass congressional authority on matters of foreign policy, especially by strengthening the War Powers Resolution.”
“His commitment to the fight goes back to his time in the State Attorney General’s office tackling climate denialism by Big Oil and includes local efforts like initiatives to mitigate flooding and erosion as Chair of the Riverside Park Conservancy.”
Prepare communities and infrastructure for extreme weather
Protect communities from flooding and rising seas
“His commitment to the fight goes back to his time in the State Attorney General’s office tackling climate denialism by Big Oil and includes local efforts like initiatives to mitigate flooding and erosion as Chair of the Riverside Park Conservancy.”
“Fight for the U.S. to rejoin the Paris Climate Accord and reestablish the United States as a leader in international cooperation to combat the existential threat of climate change.”
Tie the minimum wage to inflation so it keeps pace
“In these positions, he has played a key role in passing landmark laws to strengthen gun control, protect abortion access, and raise the minimum wage.”
“Defend workers from automated surveillance through the Stop Spying Bosses Act, and protect against AI-related hiring discrimination with the No Robot Bosses Act.”
Require judicial warrants for immigration arrests and searches
Protect schools, churches, hospitals and other sensitive places from enforcement
Let people sue immigration agents who violate their rights
Hold ICE and its agents accountable for abuses
“Once Democrats regain the House, initiate the most aggressive oversight hearings in U.S. history to expose and curtail abuses by ICE, reveal the costs to families of Trump’s tariffs and the widespread grift and corruption, reverse the attacks on vaccines and science-driven health policy, and halt the weaponization of the Justice Department.”
“Wrote legislation to protect people from warrantless arrests at sensitive locations such as schools, houses of worship, healthcare facilities, and government offices.”
“Micah is the only candidate for Congress to co-sponsor legislation to impose a moratorium on new data centers in New York, as well as legislation to ensure that data centers do not negatively impact surrounding communities.”
“Once Democrats regain the House, initiate the most aggressive oversight hearings in U.S. history to expose and curtail abuses by ICE, reveal the costs to families of Trump’s tariffs and the widespread grift and corruption, reverse the attacks on vaccines and science-driven health policy, and halt the weaponization of the Justice Department.”
“Fight to repeal Donald Trump’s irresponsible and vindictive deployment of tariffs, which are raising costs and directly causing harm to U.S. small businesses.”
Expand access to child care, with more centers, slots and providers
Train and grow the child care workforce
“The affordability crisis is no “hoax” — and we need a Congress that aggressively works to solve it. Micah is committed to doing that. And he will give special attention to two of the biggest ticket items that hit working families especially hard: the urgent need to create more housing and expand access, and reduce costs, for child care.”
“Vote for the Child Care Modernization Act to expand access and the Child Care Workforce and Facilities Act to address the shortage of child care workers.”
Other things the site says about economy and the federal budget (1)
“Wrote the RECOURSE Act, which allows our state to stop sending money to the federal government if federal funds are illegally withheld from New York.”
