Jerry Nadler: Efforts in the House to Promote the Safety of Our Children

Member of Congress: We are working to ban assault weapons in America

Jerry Nadler argues that the pandemic was behind the current inflation.

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The political scene in the United States is in a state of unprecedented tension, and Congressman since 1992, Jerry Nadler, believes that there is a lot that needs to be done.

In an interview with the New York Times, the Democratic Representative discussed the most important issues that currently concern the American citizen, and the following are excerpts from it:

■ It is clear that inflation is hitting hard across the country, but especially in New York, where the cost of living is very high, especially in housing.

What will you do to ease this burden on your constituents?

■■ Well, first of all, inflation is not just a New York problem, nor is it an American problem, it's a global problem.

It may be caused in large part by disruptions from the pandemic, and problems with supply chains.

The best thing we can do at the national level is to raise taxes significantly.

Increasing taxes on the wealthy would achieve some equilibrium, which would have an impact on inflation.

It is clear that housing in New York is a huge crisis, and we have to build more housing, there is no doubt about it.

■ In your opinion, what should Democrats do to secure voting rights and protect democracy?

■■ Well, you know, I've been leading the fight on that, and if Section 5 were triggered by the Voting Rights Act, it would undo much of what the Supreme Court had done to narrow Section 2 of the article.

That is why I applaud the passage of the law that was introduced in the Judiciary Committee, but on the ground, we cannot pass it in the Senate.

And again, we need two more Democratic senators.

■ What additional measures can "Congress" take regarding gun violence at this stage?

■■ Well, the House Judiciary Committee amendments and efforts have enhanced the safety of our children, and the amendments are a consolidation of seven bills, with their passage, and we're in the process of working to ban assault weapons.

This has been decided upon by the Special Committee, and we shall discuss the amendments in the House, soon.

■ What about abortion rights?

Anything else can be done?

■■ There are a number of things that can be done.

Once again, we can pass a bill to legalize abortion rights.

I introduced the original Freedom of Choice Act 10 or 12 years ago because MPs did not trust the Supreme Court.

The draft law aims to guarantee the right of free passage for women wishing to terminate their pregnancy, from state to state.

But, frankly, I think the constitution says that anywhere, and we're in the process of studying a bill on that.

■ What should Congress do to confront the growing threat of domestic terrorism?

We have seen some horrific incidents over the past few months.

■■ Hearings in the Judicial Committee last year focused on the threats of domestic terrorism, and showed that 95% of domestic terrorism comes from right-wing and racist groups, not from "Antifa" (an extreme left-wing group) or any other such nonsense.

We've had those sessions, and we've passed the Domestic Terror Bill.

■ You were elected, for the first time, to Congress 30 years ago, and you chair the Judicial Committee, now how can you use your seniority to help the population of your next state.

■■ Well, I'll use seniority to move forward just like you said.

And I would say that seniority gives you leverage, and it has enabled me to bring more transportation and other infrastructure projects to the New York area.

Raising taxes on the wealthy would strike some equilibrium, which would have an effect on inflation.

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