PA-17: Christopher Deluzio (D)

REPLACING:

Conor Lamb (D)[i]

WORK HISTORY:

University of Pittsburgh Institute for Cyber Law, Policy & Security (Policy Director); Brennan Center for Justice (Policy Director); US Navy (Officer)[ii]

EDUCATION:

BS, United States Naval Academy; JD, Georgetown University School of Law[iii]

CAMPAIGNED ON:

Defending Democracy; The Union Way of Life; Climate Crisis & Energy Policy; Taking on Corporate Power; Making Things Here at Home; Health Care for All Americans; Reproductive Freedom; No More Forever Wars; Securing Your Retirement[iv]

ON THE ISSUES

REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS:

Deluzio says he would support legislation to codify Roe v. Wade into law because “if we don’t, what we’re going to see is states that are banning and criminalizing abortion.”[v] He believes reproductive choice is a basic human right and that “we cannot allow right-wing extremists and the government to interfere with a women’s decision regarding her health.” Deluzio “will fight hard in Washington to pass the Women’s Health Protection Act” and “oppose right-wing efforts in the states to eliminate abortion rights.”[vi]

ECONOMY, JOBS & TAXES:

Deluzio supports unions, which he says, “are one of the most important tools we have to push back against corporate power.” He supports the PRO Act, protecting pensions, resisting the outsourcing of jobs, and raising the federal minimum wage to $15.[vii] Deluzio says he “absolutely would have supported” the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, citing its “major economic” investments.[viii] He supports suspending the federal gas tax to address rising inflation. He argues revenue from the gas tax “could be replaced if billionaires and the greedy corporations gouging all of us paid their fair share in taxes.”[ix]

HEALTHCARE & SOCIAL SAFETY NET:

Deluzio argues health care is a human right and that the US “cannot keep settling for an expensive, profit-driven health care system that leaves too many uninsured and under-insured.” He commits to fighting “to guarantee health care for every American” and will work to expand Medicare “to achieve universal coverage for all Americans.” He commits to supporting efforts to lower the Medicare eligibility age, expand Medicare to include dental, vision, and hearing care, expand Medicaid coverage to home care services for senior and individuals with disabilities, and to close the Medicaid coverage gap.[x]

IMMIGRATION & BORDER SECURITY:

Though immigration was not a key issue in his campaign, Deluzio has said, "borders and sovereignty matter."[xi]

CRIME & PUBLIC SAFETY:

Deluzio does not support defunding the police.[xii] He supports federally legalizing marijuana.[xiii]

GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS & ELECTION SECURITY:

Deluzio has criticized “Republican voter suppression efforts” and advocates for “bold actions to protect and strengthen our democracy.” He commits to supporting legislation like the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Freedom to Vote Act and supports overturning Citizens United.[xiv]

EDUCATION:

Deluzio has argued cancelling student debt will not solve the issue of rising education costs, adding that Congress needs to address “the underlying issue of the ballooning cost of higher education and Republican efforts in the states to defund public higher education.”[xv]

CLIMATE CHANGE, ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT:

Deluzio asserts that the US needs tougher environmental standards for natural gas, such as methane emissions control. He believes the US needs to maintain natural gas use “in our electrical grid to provide reliable base load power while we build out capacity for non-fossil fuel sources like solar, hydropower, and wind.” He argues that eliminating natural gas would lead to “more consumption of other fossil fuels” and an “unreliable electric grid.” He commits to working towards “a future with carbon-free energy powered by solid union jobs.”[xvi] He is endorsed by the League of Conservation Voters.[xvii]

BIG TECH & DATA PRIVACY:

Deluzio has pledged to support antitrust bills that would break up Big Tech companies that negatively impact media outlets and promote misinformation. He argues “we have to break their hold on public discourse.”[xviii]

GUN SAFETY:

Deluzio supports a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, red flag laws, and universal background checks. He says he would have voted in favor of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act.[xix] [xx] He is endorsed by Moms Demand Action.[xxi]

FOREIGN POLICY:

Deluzio says he does not support weakening tariffs and protections against China, calling it a “big mistake,” and citing China as an economic adversary.[xxii]