Kirsten Gillibrand in June Democratic candidates debate in Miami FL
On Abortion:
Women's reproductive rights are under assault
Women's reproductive rights are under assault. Thirty states are trying to overturn Roe v. Wade. It is mind-boggling that we are debating in 2019 whether women should have reproductive rights. When the door is closed compromises have been made on our
backs. That's how the Hyde Amendment was created. When Mitch McConnell walks into the Oval Office to do negotiations, who do you want sitting behind that desk? When that door closes, I will guarantee women's reproductive freedom no matter what.
Source: June Democratic Primary debate (second night in Miami)
Jun 27, 2019
On Civil Rights:
Publicly funded elections returns power to the people
You heard from the Republicans that the reason why the Trump tax cut had to be passed is because they had to pay back their donors. They actually said those words. The corruption in Washington is real, and it is something that makes every one of
the plans we've heard about over the last several months impossible. I have the most comprehensive approach to do it with publicly funded elections, so we restore the power of our democracy into the hands of the voters, not into the Koch brothers.
Source: June Democratic Primary debate (second night in Miami)
Jun 27, 2019
On Corporations:
Differentiate between capitalism (good) and greed (bad)
There's a big difference between capitalism and greed. All that we're trying to change is when companies care more about profits than about people. If you're talking about gun violence, it's the greed of the NRA and gun manufacturers that make
progress impossible. It's the greed of the insurance companies and drug companies, when we want to get health care as a right and not a privilege. There need not be disagreement in the party because, in truth, we want healthy capitalism.
Source: June Democratic Primary debate (second night in Miami)
Jun 27, 2019
On Government Reform:
Publicly-funded elections address many other social issues
Sen. Kirsten GILLIBRAND: Until you go to the root of the [political] corruption, the money in politics, the fact that Washington is run by the special interests, you are never going to solve any of these problems. I have the most comprehensive
approach, that experts agree is the most transformative plan to actually take on political corruption, to get money out of politics through publicly funded elections, to have clean elections.
If we do that and get money out of politics, we can guarantee health care as a right, not a privilege, we can deal with institutional racism, we can take on income inequality, and we can take on the corporate corruption that runs Washington.
Former Vice President Joe BIDEN: And the first constitutional amendment to do that was introduced by me when I was young senator.
Source: June Democratic Primary debate (second night in Miami)
Jun 27, 2019
On Health Care:
Keep private insurance in transition; goal is single payer
We need to get to universal health care as a right and not a privilege. The quickest way is you create competition with the insurers. If they want to compete, they can certainly try, but they've never put people over their profits, and I doubt they
ever will. People will choose Medicare, then your step to single-payer is short. I would make it an earned benefit, just like Social Security, so that you buy in your whole life, it is always there for you, and it's permanent and it's universal.
Source: June Democratic Primary debate (second night in Miami)
Jun 27, 2019
On Immigration:
Give asylum-seekers lawyers and community support
First, I would fight for comprehensive immigration reform with a pathway to citizenship. Second, I would reform how we treat asylum-seekers at the border. I would have a community-based treatment center, where we're doing it within the communities,
where asylum-seekers are given lawyers, where there's real immigration judges, not employees of the attorney general, but appointed for life, and have a community-based system. I would fund border security.
Source: June Democratic Primary debate (second night in Miami)
Jun 27, 2019
On Principles & Values:
Women in America are on fire; not the time to play it safe
Women in America are on fire. Our rights are under attack like never before. I will take on the fights that no one else will. I've stood up to Trump more than any other senator in the U.S. Senate. I have the most comprehensive approach for getting
money out of politics with publicly funded elections to deal with political corruption. Now is not the time to play it safe. Now is not the time to be afraid of firsts. We need a president who will take on the big challenges, even if she stands alone.
Source: June Democratic Primary debate (second night in Miami)
Jun 27, 2019
On War & Peace:
First call to Iran, to avoid an unnecessary war
Q: What will be your first act as president?A:
President Trump is hell-bent on starting a war with Iran. My first act will be to engage Iran to stabilize the Middle East and make sure we do not start an unwanted, never-ending war.
Source: June Democratic Primary debate (second night in Miami)
Jun 27, 2019
Page last updated: Dec 01, 2021