Equality and Social Justice
Civil Rights
The 21st century has brought new challenges to American citizens' inalienable civil rights and liberties. We must face these challenges head on, and I will defend the freedoms of all Americans. I will protect the freedom of religion and work hard to improve measures that prevent profiling in law enforcement.
LGBTQ+ Equality
I am a proud member of both the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus and the Transgender Equality Task Force. I believe that no person should be discriminated based on sexual orientation or gender identity. I will support and advocate for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer/Questioning, and others (LGBTQ+) community by fighting to end workplace discrimination, youth homelessness, school bullying, and health care disparities.
Though we have made great gains recently, the fight is not over. We must continue to make progress toward equal rights for all. I will advocate to preserve and expand protections to end harmful practices that disproportionately affect the LGBTQ community, as well as fight any attempts to roll back these potentially life-saving measures.
Voting Rights
In 2013, the Supreme Court struck down a key provision of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. While I have the utmost respect for the independence of our judiciary, I firmly believe that we need strong protections like this to safeguard the catalyst of our democracy. Voting is fundamental right and should be an easy and safe process for all eligible Americans.
Modern-day voter suppression occurs when states enact discriminatory voter ID laws and when partisan politicians draw up districts in their favor. I oppose any restrictions on the right to vote and support independent redistricting commissions that ensure all Americans have an equal say in their government.
Women’s Rights
Women are crucial to driving innovation, growth, and prosperity in our country, and I will advocate for women’s rights both nationally and internationally. I support a woman’s right to choose and I will continue to push for accessible and affordable health care for all.
Women are underrepresented in some workplaces, particularly in STEM careers, leadership positions, and Congress. I will fight to change this by supporting more training opportunities for women in male-dominated fields and improved access to STEM education programs for girls.
Employment policies have been unfair to women for too long. There should be equal pay for equal work. I support paid parental leave, access to affordable childcare, and the implementation of comprehensive guidelines for filing equal-pay lawsuits.
Click here to learn more about the bills that I introduced and cosponsored.
More on Equality and Social Justice
U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna (D- Calif.) introduced a legislation to award the Congressional Gold Medal to civil rights icon the Rev. James Lawson, who celebrated his 90th birthday this year.
The legislation was introduced on November 14 with more than two dozen co-sponsors.
Civil rights legend James Lawson may soon have one of the nation’s highest civilian awards to add to the collection of honors for his integral role in shaping the tone and tenor of the U.S. Civil Rights Movement.
Congressman Ro Khanna, (D-Calif.), introduced legislation on Wednesday to award the Congressional Gold Medal to Lawson, who is credited with instilling Mohandas Gandhi’s nonviolent resistance techniques and principles into the movement in the 1950s and ‘60s.
Washington, DC – Rep. Khanna, with more than two dozen cosponsors, introduced today legislation to award the Congressional Gold Medal to civil rights icon Reverend James Lawson, who celebrated his 90th birthday this year.
Reverend Lawson joined the sponsors and others including Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer for a reception on Capitol Hill today to honor his work and announce introduction of the legislation, which Rep. Khanna and the cosponsors plan to reintroduce in every Congress until it is passed.
Co-Hosts: Reps. John Lewis, Emanuel Cleaver, James Clyburn
We caught up with Rep. Ro Khanna during a recent visit to his home district in the Silicon Valley. Rep. Khanna talks about his support for the Marijuana Justice Act, the Justice Department under Jeff Sessions and his favorite place to grab a cup of chai.
Washington, DC – Representatives Carolyn B. Maloney (NY-12), sponsor of the Campus Accountability and Safety Act, Ro Khanna (CA-17), and Susan Davis (CA-53) requested Monday that the GAO complete a review of surveys documenting sexual violence on college campuses and use this data to provide recommendations to Congress for developing and administering a standard nationwide survey to collect data on campus sexual assault.
Congresswoman Barbara Lee and Congressman Ro Khanna recently introduced the Marijuana Justice Act, the companion bill for Senator Cory Booker’s S. 1689. The Marijuana Justice Act would reform unjust federal marijuana laws and empower communities of color that have been disproportionately impacted by the failed drug war.
If polling is correct, pot no longer gives Americans fits. Recent Gallup polls indicate that 64 percent of Americans approve of legalizing marijuana — the highest level of public support in almost 50 years. Nevertheless, we have an administration that is tone deaf to the will of the people and insists on reinstituting failed policies of decades past.