Issues - Marquette Greene-Scott

As the daughter of a Vietnam Veteran, I understand the sacrifices military families make daily. I have committed myself to veterans’ initiatives and want to do more to support military families.

My older siblings had the privilege of knowing our father as a warm, dedicated man who lit up a room. But then came Vietnam, my father was sent to war, and I was born. When my father returned, he was no longer the man they knew. My parents split, my family suffered, and after struggling for so long, my father died way too young.

This is the reality for countless veterans and their families. Some return home altered in ways we cannot fathom, forever changed by the horrors they witnessed. They bear the burden of their sacrifice.

I am eternally thankful that there is now more support available for veterans than there once was. Yet, I know there is more to be done. We owe it to them to ensure they receive the care and resources they so desperately need. And let us not forget their families, who endure their own silent battles, often unseen and unacknowledged. In Congress, I vow to work for a better future for our veterans and their families.

Veterans often have unique healthcare needs resulting from their service, including physical injuries, mental health issues, and exposure to environmental hazards. Families of veterans also play a crucial role in the overall well-being of veterans. Support programs that address the unique challenges faced by military families are essential. Most programs focus on the veteran without appreciating military families’ sacrifices.

Congress must ensure adequate funding for the VA to fulfill its promises to our veterans. This includes modernizing facilities, partnering with outside organizations, addressing staffing and scheduling issues, and improving data quality.

We need rigorous oversight and accountability to ensure the VA follows through on its commitments. This involves holding the department accountable for failing to comply with the VA MISSION Act and preventing manipulation of wait time measurements. Congress must also empower veterans by streamlining their access to quality care and passing “full choice” legislation.

Additionally, we must modernize VA services to promote veteran independence. This includes reforming the transition process from military to civilian life and providing better long-term rehabilitation support. Establishing an independent assessment and expert commission can guide these efforts toward effectively serving our injured veterans.

In addition to supporting veterans directly, it’s crucial to extend assistance to their families, who often bear the emotional toll of their loved ones’ service. Mental health resources explicitly tailored for veteran families can provide invaluable support in navigating the challenges they face. By offering and expanding counseling services, support groups, and educational programs, we can help families understand and cope with the unique stressors of military life, including deployment, reintegration, and the aftermath of trauma. Investing in the mental well-being of veteran families strengthens their resilience and enhances the support network available to our service members as they transition back to civilian life.

In 2010, despite my qualifications, I struggled to secure a decent-paying job in Louisiana. Faced with the responsibility of providing a better life for my daughter, I made the daunting decision to uproot my life and move to Texas, guided solely by faith. My journey taught me firsthand the sacrifices people make to seek opportunities for their families’ well-being. 

As I settled into my role as a teacher in Texas, I encountered students who had arrived in this country at a young age. For them, America is home, the only place they’ve ever known. It’s crucial that we provide them with a pathway to citizenship and acknowledge their significant contributions to our society. Those who come here seeking employment should have the opportunity to pay taxes and fully integrate into our communities.

Striking a balance between the need for border security and compassion is crucial. We must invest in increased border security measures and resources to expedite immigration case processing. It’s not about advocating for open borders but about treating those seeking refuge and opportunity with the dignity and respect they deserve. This approach allows us to uphold our values as a nation of compassion and opportunity.

Several misconceptions surrounding immigration need debunking. It’s important to note, backed by extensive research, that the majority of immigrants do not enter the US illegally. Additionally, while it’s often argued that immigrants take American jobs and lower wages, the data suggests otherwise.

Furthermore, the notion that immigrants strain the welfare system and state budgets is unfounded. Despite claims of increased crime rates associated with immigration, studies show that immigrants are not disproportionately involved in criminal activities. Finally, the fear of immigrants posing a terrorism threat is largely exaggerated and unsupported by evidence. Addressing these myths is essential for fostering a more accurate and compassionate understanding of immigration issues.

There has been a notable surge in border encounters in recent years, attributed to several factors, including the robust US economy, heightened immigration from countries beyond Mexico and Central America due to turmoil in those regions, and adjustments in border policies under the Biden Administration. This escalation in illegal immigration has understandably raised concerns among voters, warranting urgent attention. However, Republican efforts, including actions initiated by Governor Abbott at the state level, have been criticized as counterproductive and ineffective. A comprehensive approach is essential to truly secure our borders, encompassing enhanced border protections, reforms to address the flaws in our immigration system, and tackling the underlying causes of migration. This entails ceasing the costly and ineffective interventions in border enforcement, bolstering resources for border security, revamping the asylum system to alleviate backlogs, refining the guest worker program to meet economic demands, and addressing the root issues compelling immigrants to seek refuge in the United States.

When I graduated from college, I was a teacher and could live independently in an apartment. I paid for my car, fed myself, traveled, and pursued my interests. However, over time, I’ve noticed a troubling trend—wages have failed to keep pace with the rising cost of living. People want to blame Biden for that. Well, you can’t. You can’t blame the President or the government. That is the free market.

Corporations, driven by their pursuit of record profits, regularly increase prices, burdening everyday consumers like us. This reality weighs heavily on me, my daughter, and her peers, who work tirelessly to afford necessities, from food to car payments, in a world where financial stability feels increasingly out of reach. More and more, young Americans are choosing not to have children and are priced out of owning homes. They can’t afford the American Dream. We’ve got to do better for them.

The current inflation rate has surged to its highest level since the 1980s, with a significant rise observed over the past few years. From June 2021 to June 2022, prices soared by 9.1%. This uptick was primarily driven by a 10.4% hike in food prices and a staggering 41.6% increase in energy costs. While parallels can be drawn with the economic landscape of the 1970s and 80s, it’s important to note the differences.

Unlike that era, where high inflation coincided with high unemployment, our current situation sees sustained low unemployment. The spike in inflation is attributed to several factors, including pent-up demand post-pandemic, supply chain disruptions, and soaring oil prices due to global uncertainties like the war in Ukraine.

Addressing inflation requires a multifaceted approach, including boosting supply through domestic production, expanding access to childcare to encourage labor force participation, promoting competition through anti-trust regulations, and carefully managing interest rates to achieve a “soft landing” without plunging into recession.

As we navigate these challenges, we must balance curbing inflation and safeguarding economic stability and livelihoods.

I moved to Texas to find better opportunities for my daughter. I’ve stayed at jobs I didn’t like so I could provide for my family. I know Americans do what it takes to find work and make ends meet. This country has remained an economic powerhouse, but the middle class isn’t seeing the benefit of our sustained success. The economy should improve the lives of all hardworking Americans, not just some. Congress can create opportunities to expand American manufacturing, job training, and skill development for workers to build and maintain the American healthcare system and our infrastructure. We need to invest in our people.

The health of the economy remains a primary concern for voters, with issues such as economic growth, job creation, and income inequality taking center stage in policy discussions. A majority of Americans support government intervention to stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and reduce income inequality. The US faces challenges as economic and job growth has decelerated over the past two decades while income inequality has surged. As your Congresswoman, I will be committed to fostering a robust and inclusive economy, which is crucial to ensuring opportunities for all citizens.

The American populace overwhelmingly supports policies to foster economic growth and reduce inequality. A staggering 79% of Americans endorse investing in infrastructure, recognizing its potential to create jobs and enhance the competitiveness of domestic businesses. This sentiment is echoed by 75% of adults who emphasize government initiatives’ importance in providing job training and skill development opportunities. Furthermore, a solid majority, comprising 62% of respondents, advocates for raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour, viewing it as a means to address income disparities. Additionally, there’s strong backing for measures to expand access to childcare, acknowledging its role in facilitating workforce participation and economic productivity. Investing in U.S. production also garners significant support, with citizens recognizing the importance of bolstering domestic industries to spur job creation and economic resilience. Despite the formidable challenges posed by sluggish economic and job growth alongside escalating inequality, optimism prevails among the majority of Americans regarding their economic prospects. A Pew survey conducted in 2021 reveals that an impressive 78% of respondents believe in their ability to enhance their standard of living in the future, underscoring a resilient spirit amidst economic uncertainties.

Rest assured, I will carry your concerns with me to Congress. I will vote for and introduce legislation that helps Texans and all Americans find good-paying work that enhances their lives.

The Affordable Care Act became a lifeline for my family when, in March 2015, my daughter was diagnosed with Dysautonomia, a disorder affecting the autonomic nervous system. At the time, I was quasi-self-employed, and without the insurance I purchased through the marketplace, the financial strain would have been overwhelming. Witnessing her go from dancing for hours one night to struggling to walk the next day was a terrifying experience.

Reflecting on those difficult times, I realize how many other families must face similar challenges. That’s why it’s crucial to safeguard the Affordable Care Act. We must ensure that every hardworking individual can access affordable coverage for themselves and their loved ones, especially during illness or crisis. Increasing subsidies can make a real difference in the lives of countless families, offering them peace of mind and the support they need to navigate difficult times with dignity and security.

I’m running for Congress to increase access to health care and protect the Affordable Care Act.

The quality of US healthcare is exceptionally high. However, access and affordability are low—lower than in any other large, advanced country. As a result, Americans experience worse health outcomes than people in other large, advanced countries.

 

Ideas and policy recommendations from both the right and the left can help to address the shortfalls in our health care system, such as:

• Increasing access to care for all Americans so that health issues are addressed early before they become more complex and costly to treat.
• Increasing price transparency and the ability for government-run health systems to negotiate prices more effectively.
• Learning from health systems that are working more effectively in other countries.
• Building on the successes of earlier programs, such as the Affordable Care Act, which has increased coverage levels and helped to reduce cost increases.
• Improving preventive care to reduce more expensive problems down the road.
• Leveraging lower-cost support staff for some procedures to reduce cost and improve access
• Making better use of technology to improve communication and increase efficiency.

My commitment to safeguarding voting rights runs deep. It is rooted in the powerful legacy of my grandmother, born in 1905 when many were denied the fundamental right to vote. I vividly recall accompanying my mother as a child to ensure my grandmother and her friends could exercise their hard-won right to vote. It didn’t matter the weather or the lines. Their unwavering dedication left an indelible mark on me, igniting a spark for advocacy that drives me to this day.

As an attorney, I’ve dedicated myself to defending voters’ rights. I’ve proudly volunteered for organizations like the Legal Rapid Response Network with the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and the AKA/NBA Election Protection. Additionally, I’ve served as a poll watcher, standing vigilant to ensure that every eligible voter can cast their ballot freely and without hindrance. This work isn’t just a professional obligation—it’s a deeply personal mission fueled by the resilience and determination of those who fought for the right to vote before us.

Americans overwhelmingly value the right to vote, considering it essential to freedom. However, US democracy is less effective compared to other advanced nations. While concerns about voter fraud are rampant, they are actually few and far between. Voter suppression remains a significant issue, hindering eligible voters from casting their ballots.

To fortify our democracy, comprehensive policies at both national and state levels are imperative. This includes implementing measures to safeguard voting rights while upholding election integrity. Such policies entail establishing reasonable ID requirements that do not disproportionately impact specific demographics, simplifying voter registration processes, and expanding access to voting through initiatives like early voting, extended hours, and mail-in ballots.

Additionally, ending partisan gerrymandering by instituting independent redistricting commissions and implementing controls to prevent the unjust removal of legitimate voters from electoral rolls are essential. Furthermore, reducing the undue influence of money in politics by enacting stricter campaign finance laws is crucial to ensuring fair and transparent elections. By adopting these measures, we can work towards a more robust and inclusive democratic system.

The overturning of Roe v. Wade was the final straw for me. I felt helpless and violated. A right had been taken away from me. I now live in a time where my daughter has fewer rights than I did when I was her age. I decided that the days of women standing silently by while men make decisions over our reproductive rights are over. This is one of the reasons why I am running for Congress: to restore women’s bodily autonomy.

In 2022, the US Supreme Court overturned the federal right to abortion established by Roe v. Wade in 1973, thereby transferring the authority for abortion legislation to individual states. Responding to this shift, Texas implemented one of the most restrictive abortion laws in the country, prohibiting abortion without exceptions for rape, incest, or lethal fetal abnormalities. This law has faced widespread criticism and opposition from Texans, the medical community, and many people of faith. The decision to curtail abortion rights has far-reaching consequences, endangering women’s health, inflicting economic hardship on women and their families, and disproportionately impacting communities of color, those with limited financial resources, and residents of rural areas.

Banning abortions is not the most effective strategy for reducing abortions. Instead, providing comprehensive access to sex education, contraception, and family planning services offers a more impactful solution. To address this urgent issue, policymakers must prioritize improving access to reproductive healthcare and reinstating abortion rights. At the national level, it’s crucial to support federal legislation that establishes new, nationwide legal protections to restore the right to abortion. Similarly, at the state level, efforts should focus on restoring abortion rights and safeguarding patients and providers from legal risks.

Additionally, to address the underlying causes of unplanned pregnancies, there must be support for medically accurate sex education, contraception, and family planning services. To achieve these goals and protect other rights currently at risk, it’s imperative to elect legislators at both the state and federal levels who prioritize and respect reproductive rights, including the fundamental right to choose an abortion. I’m running for Congress to ensure that all individuals have the autonomy and access to the healthcare they need and deserve.