Andrew Yang in PBS News Hour

On Abortion: Male legislators shouldn't decide female reproductive rights

Entrepreneur Andrew Yang supports a woman's right to choose. "I personally don't think male legislators should be weighing in on women's reproductive rights and freedoms," he tweeted last month as Alabama passed its ban on nearly all abortions. Yang also believes the Hyde Amendment should be repealed, his campaign manager, Zach Graumann, told the NewsHour. Among the plethora of policy proposals on his campaign website, Yang argues that "the two most effective ways" to decrease the number of abortions are increasing access to birth control and providing support to those "who are financially struggling and become pregnant" through his plan for universal basic income. As president, Yang has said he would also nominate judges who support a woman's right to choose. Source: PBS News Hour 2019 coverage of 2020 Democratic primary Jun 7, 2019

On Budget & Economy: Measure standard of living instead of GDP

Yang supports changing how the U.S. measures economic success, by moving away from traditional benchmarks like GDP growth and the stock market and focusing instead on the country's standard of living, life expectancy and other metrics. He would also develop a new U.S. currency called a "Digital Social Credit" that could be exchanged for real dollars. Source: PBS News hour on 2020 Presidential hopefuls Mar 19, 2019

On Civil Rights: Supports LGBTQ rights

Social issues: Pro-choice and supports LGBTQ rights.
Yang says he supports a woman's right to choose, and would nominate judges who share the same opinion.
Yang would support legislation protecting people from discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation.
He also would nominate LGBTQ individuals to serve in high-level jobs in his administration.

Source: PBS News hour on 2020 Presidential hopefuls Mar 19, 2019

On Health Care: ObamaCare is only a good first step

Yang has called the Affordable Care Act a good first step but believes the law didn't do enough to reform the nation's health care system.
He would shift the country toward a single-payer system, with a focus on salaried physicians and holistic medicine.
The entrepreneur's health care platform also focuses on mental health.
He has proposed funding artificial intelligence efforts that could improve mental health services and would create a "White House psychologist corps."

Source: PBS News hour on 2020 Presidential hopefuls Mar 19, 2019

On Immigration: Boost funding for U.S. ports of entry

Immigration: A pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.
Yang would create a new "tier of long-term permanent residency" that would allow immigrants who are in the U.S. illegally to attain citizenship in 18 years.
If they register for the new tier, undocumented immigrants who have lived illegally in the country for "a substantial amount of time" would be able to work and live in U.S., while they wait to become citizens, so long as they pay taxes and do not receive any felony convictions.
As part of his immigration plan, Yang would also boost funding for U.S. ports of entry, improve technology to secure the southern border and strengthen environmental protections along the Rio Grande.
Yang also supports the DREAM Act, a proposal aimed at protecting young undocumented immigrants who were brought to the country illegally as children.

Source: PBS News hour on 2020 Presidential hopefuls Mar 19, 2019

On War & Peace: Repeal post-9/11 Authorization for Use of Military Force

Foreign policy and defense: Supports NATO, would create a secretary of cybersecurity.
Yang believes in NATO and other international alliances, and would institute regular Pentagon audits.
He would repeal the "Authorization for Use of Military Force" enacted after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, and hand the power to declare war back to Congress.
As part of his focus on reducing military spending, Yang would redirect 10 percent of the annual military budget to a domestic infrastructure initiative called the "Legion of Builders and Destroyers."
He would also create a secretary of cybersecurity position.

Source: PBS News hour on 2020 Presidential hopefuls Mar 19, 2019

On Welfare & Poverty: Freedom Dividend: create a universal basic income

Yang's campaign is centered on "The Freedom Dividend," his plan to pay every American--starting at age 18, & regardless of employment--$1,000 per month. He argues the dividend is needed to boost workers losing jobs to automation and other technological change. Yang has said he would pay for this form of universal basic income "by consolidating some welfare programs," and imposing a 10 percent value-added tax on goods and services, which he estimates would generate up to $800 billion in revenue. Source: PBS News hour on 2020 Presidential hopefuls Mar 19, 2019

The above quotations are from PBS News Hour "2020 Candidate Stands" series. Click here for main summary page. Click here for a profile of Andrew Yang. Click here for Andrew Yang on all issues.
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Page last updated: Aug 12, 2020