Freedom and democracy are under sustained attack at home and abroad.

Extremists have taken control of the Republican Party and the Supreme Court. They are attacking our most cherished freedoms: the right to vote and to free elections; the right of free speech and assembly; the right to have control over our own bodies and to access safe abortions; the right to organize unions; and marriage equality.

I will grow the economy by growing the middle class. I support a living wage. This means increasing the minimum wage and indexing it to inflation. We shouldn’t need an act of Congress to pay people more every time life gets more expensive. As an economist, I know that increasing the minimum wage helps the economy by pumping money into the marketplace, creating new revenue for businesses, and creating new jobs.

The Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v Wade was wrong and will harm millions of people. It’s a fundamental right for every person to make their own health decisions with their doctor, not politicians. We must mobilize, organize, and elect representatives who will fight for our right to choose and codify these long-held protections into law.

Safeguarding retirement security will strengthen the middle class. Social Security is one of the most important and effective programs to help Americans that we have ever instituted as a nation. I will never support any cuts or restrictions to Social Security. I am in favor of expanding Social Security.

At events on the Range and in Duluth often the first question I am asked is about mining. Many who attend my events and listen to my response have asked me to write out my statement so they may share it with friends and neighbors. I have given this same response to environmental, labor, and pro-mining groups. I support miners, the mining industry, and protecting our water. Here is my full view on mining—I hope you share it.

Global climate change is affecting every part of the world, including Minnesota. In the last several years, Northern Minnesota has dealt with significant drought, massive forest fires and damaging floods. The science is clear: these issues will get worse unless we take urgent action.

I see an amazing opportunity for Northern Minnesota to be at the forefront of addressing climate change.

The rising cost of health care is one of the most important and urgent issues facing Minnesotans. Like many in our district, I am in favor of a single-payer system – what some call Medicare for All – that would dramatically cut down on costs associated with health insurance premiums and guarantee coverage for all Americans, regardless of income level.

We must address student debt. The average student accumulates $30,000 of debt after four years of college, and the average starting salary with a four-year degree is $50,000. Young people are strapped with debt and are being forced to put off major life decisions like getting married or purchasing a house because they simply cannot afford it. We must do more to bring down the cost of college and forgive student loans.

Quality infrastructure is essential to our quality of life. It’s the roads and bridges we drive on, power lines that deliver electricity, and pipes that bring us clean water. Taking care of these essential elements of daily life is one of the most fundamental functions of government.

Our nation’s future relies on our public education system. I support increasing federal funding to our local schools at all levels, from Pre-K through college. Our teachers need to have resources and supplies for their classrooms, smaller class sizes, and higher wages so that they can best support and teach our children.

I support law enforcement. I am opposed to defunding the police—the police need to be fully funded. Good law enforcement is about protecting people and protecting our democracy.

The improvement of law enforcement and better law enforcement requires resources, not taking resources away. Police officers are professionals just as doctors, nurses, lawyers and teachers are professionals.

Our veterans deserve our utmost respect and admiration.

They put their personal safety—and future—at risk to protect ours. They stand up for us with courage and patriotism. We must stand up for them.

We must get aggressive as a country about creating high-paying, long-term jobs. We have sent far too many important and skilled jobs overseas. We have let corporate greed run rampant—making the rich richer and leaving working people behind. We need to grow our economy by growing the middle class and investing in job creation.

I support common-sense measures to reduce gun violence and to keep our kids safe at school and in other public spaces. Ultimately, we need to do more to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people while preserving the rights of gun owners and hunters.

Access to affordable housing is an ongoing crisis in our region and across the country. It’s escalated for decades.

Congress needs to find ways to assist local governments in bringing down the costs associated with housing—increasing supply, holding developers accountable, and making it easier for people to afford rent and purchasing a first-time home.