REPLACING:

Bill Pascrell (D)[i]

WORK HISTORY:

City of Patterson, New Jersey (Training and Education Coordinator, Human Services Director, Assistant Business Administrator, Business Administrator, Project Coordinator in Parking Authority); Passaic County, New Jersey (Youth Program Coordinator); New Jersey General Assembly (Member); New Jersey Senate (Member)[ii]

EDUCATION:

Kean College; Rutgers University; University of Virginia[iii]

CAMPAIGNED ON:

Creating Jobs; Lowering Costs; Fighting Corporate Greed; Women’s Rights to Making Medical Decisions[iv]

ON THE ISSUES

REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS:

According to her campaign website, Pou supports women’s rights to “make her own medical decisions, not just here in New Jersey, but across the country.”[v] As a member of the New Jersey legislature, she consistently voted in favor of legislation to protect abortion rights. In a 2017 questionnaire, she also noted that she is “pro-choice” and said she opposed preventing public funding for organizations that perform abortions.[vi]

IMMIGRATION & BORDER SECURITY:

Pou reportedly supports immigration reform that would reduce the amount of illegal immigration while providing pathways to citizenship for those already in the United States, including DREAMers She said on the issue, “I do believe that a comprehensive immigration reform is absolutely important and that we ensure every possible [measure] that needs to be taken to secure our borders […] And that it is anchored on the premise that immigration is an economic necessity for all of us.”[vii]

ECONOMY & JOBS:

Pou reportedly supports greater investments in infrastructure, including mass transit systems. She has previously expressed support for government spending to spur economic growth, increasing the minimum wage, and expanding access to unemployment benefits. [viii] [ix]

TAXES:

During the campaign, Pou stated that she supports ending the cap on state and local tax deductions. She previously called for making “the wealthy pay their fair share” on taxes, and she was in favor of the millionaire’s tax. [x] [xi]

CRIME & PUBLIC SAFETY:

A proponent of criminal justice reform, Pou has expressed support for resources for police and bolstering law enforcement training. She stated regarding criminal justice reform, “The number one issue is making sure that the community feels that they have full confidence in our law enforcement.”[xii] [xiii]

CLIMATE CHANGE, ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT:

Pou supports a Green New Deal. She has previously said that she backs “green jobs” and that she was in favor of funding for open space preservation.[xiv] [xv]

FOREIGN POLICY:

During the campaign, when asked about her views on Israel, Pou argued that it was “important for us to continue the work of making sure to protect to support our allies.” She continued, “and I strongly believe that that’s something that we need to continue to do.”[xvi] She supports continuing U.S. aid to Israel, stating that it was, “vitally important that any and all sovereign nations have a right to defend themselves.” However, she has also noted that she is “pro-human rights” regarding Palestinian and Muslim Americans, explaining, “I am looking to represent everyone, every single individual in the 9th congressional district, and yes, that absolutely includes my Palestinian brothers and sisters that are part of our community.” She also reportedly supports Ukraine in its fight against Russia.[xvii] [xviii] [xix]

HEALTHCARE & SOCIAL SAFETY NET:

In favor of providing “proper access and accessibility to health care,” Nou has reportedly endorsed Medicare-for-All. She previously said she supports expanding Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, increasing patient access to cannabis, and requiring individuals to purchase healthcare insurance.[xx] [xxi] [xxii]

DEMOCRACY:

Pou has said that lifetime appointments to the U.S. Supreme Court are concerning. She has partnered with Defend the Vote, which she called “part of my unwavering commitment to safeguarding our freedom, democracy, and the fundamental right to vote.” She has pledged to, “continue to protect and expand access to the ballot, ensuring that every voice is heard and that our democracy remains strong for generations to come.”[xxiii] [xxiv]

SOCIAL ISSUES:

A proponent of the legalization of same-sex marriage, Pou has previously stated that she supported including sexual orientation and gender identity in anti-discrimination laws. Her campaign was endorsed by Garden State Equality, which said it prioritized candidates who “defend LGBTQ+ rights and advocate for the protection of all youth.”[xxv] [xxvi]