Sema Hernandez in 2020 TX Senate race

On Abortion: Support Supreme Court nominees who will uphold Roe v. Wade

I support the right of women to have autonomy over their own bodies and make choices in regards to their pregnancy that are suitable to their situation and needs. I support the pay equity, expanding the Violence Against Women Act, Family Violence Prevention and Services Act, expand and protect reproductive rights, and support Supreme Court Justice nominees who will uphold Roe v. Wade. Source: 2020 Texas Senate campaign website, Sema4Texas.com Jan 12, 2020

On Civil Rights: End discrimination for sexual orientation & gender identity

There is still much work to be done in regard to protecting Women's Rights and LGBTQ Rights. When elected, I will relentlessly press for legislation that prevents discrimination against individuals due to their sexual orientation and/or gender identity. We also must increase efforts at the federal level and state level to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment. Source: 2020 Texas Senate campaign website, Sema4Texas.com Jan 12, 2020

On Civil Rights: End the exploitation of Native Americans

Native Americans have suffered for over two centuries under U.S. government rule. Private corporations prey on the hardship of Native American communities. Representing our indigenous brother and sisters to ensure that their voices are heard in the Senate. We must respect all treaties and Native American rights to their land. We must end the exploitation of Native Americans by corporations and work to preserve generations of culture and identity. Source: 2020 Texas Senate campaign website, Sema4Texas.com Jan 12, 2020

On Crime: End the militarization of law enforcement

We must end militarization of law enforcement and the programs which equip and promote it. I will introduce criminal justice reform legislation to fund and require de-escalation training. The bill will require an end to cash bail as a denial of due process, outlaw privatized prisons, and end the privatization of law enforcement services. It also will provide for funding and maintaining meaningful education, rehabilitation, and job training in prisons. Source: 2020 Texas Senate campaign website, Sema4Texas.com Jan 12, 2020

On Drugs: Legalize marijuana; would bring in tax revenue

Science has continually proven that the consumption of marijuana produces no adverse effects on individual health. Marijuana is an excellent pain reliever and can be used for a variety of medical purposes. I support the decriminalization and subsequent legalization of marijuana throughout the United States. No one should be thrown in jail for smoking a joint, and no cancer patient should be subject to prosecution for using marijuana to relieve pain. Legalization would bring in tax revenue. Source: 2020 Texas Senate campaign website, Sema4Texas.com Jan 12, 2020

On Education: Opposes government funding of charter schools

Traditional public schools are the best and fairest means of providing all children with equal and equitable education. I oppose government funding of charter schools. I will introduce or support federal legislation to increase funding for all public schools, but especially for poverty-stricken communities which lack textbooks and basic infrastructure. Source: 2020 Texas Senate campaign website, Sema4Texas.com Jan 12, 2020

On Education: Trade schools & public colleges should be tuition-free

Higher education is an essential component of any civilized and productive society. The right to pursue higher education should be available to all without burdensome student debt. We must pass legislation that makes trade schools, public colleges, and universities tuition-free. Ensuring training and education to everyone is the best way to strengthen our economy and combat systemic poverty. Education and training should be a priority in our national budget. Source: 2020 Texas Senate campaign website, Sema4Texas.com Jan 12, 2020

On Energy & Oil: Green New Deal ends environmental racism

I support a Green New Deal program that will provide training and education to all current and future energy workers, to help transition to green energy technologies. The program will provide funding for community and regionally-owned energy production and grids, independent of privately-run monopolies, to ensure that communities control their energy and the prices they pay. A Green New Deal means an end to environmental racism and a healthier environment for everyone. Source: 2020 Texas Senate campaign website, Sema4Texas.com Jan 12, 2020

On Free Trade: Move from free trade to fair trade

Our trade agreements must be rewritten to be mutually beneficial for all countries involved. Moving from a free trade deal to fair trade deal will include raising the minimum wage to a living wage, increasing environmental protections, improving the standard of working and living conditions, and protecting workers' right to unionize both here and in trade partner nations. Source: 2020 Texas Senate campaign website, Sema4Texas.com Jan 12, 2020

On Government Reform: Create uniform requirements for voting

I will introduce legislation to create uniform requirements for voting. We will provide for voter identification, location and number of polling sites, voting methods, maintenance, maintenance of voter rolls, automatic voter registration, notification of voter status changes, election verification, funding to implement the foregoing. I support the constitutional right of all convicted persons to vote, under the equal protection of the laws. Source: 2020 Texas Senate campaign website, Sema4Texas.com Jan 12, 2020

On Gun Control: Use Commerce Clause to regulate gun sales & manufacturing

I will utilize the Commerce Clause to regulate gun sales and manufacturing. I will introduce and/or support legislation which will require mandatory universal background checks, close gun show loopholes, outlaw the sale of assault weapons, end the manufacturing of ammunition for assault weapons, and protect the rights of gun owners, while offering voluntary buy-backs. There is no legal or rational reason not to require registration of guns in the event a crime is committed with the weapon. Source: 2020 Texas Senate campaign website, Sema4Texas.com Jan 12, 2020

On Health Care: Supports Medicare for All; will re-introduce bill if needed

I support Medicare For All, as it is defined in US Senate Bill S.1129. This is the direct way to provide full healthcare benefits for everyone and raise the standard of healthcare in this country. I will re-introduce the bill, in its current form, if Sen. Sanders has not done so in 2020. The bill provides everyone with the same coverage, regardless of gender, socioeconomic status, race, religion, and other demographic status, eliminating premiums, copays, deductibles, and the Donut Hole. Source: 2020 Texas Senate campaign website, Sema4Texas.com Jan 12, 2020

On Immigration: Remain in Mexico Policy unlawful in US and international law

I will introduce and/or co-sponsor legislation that will provide permanent resident status to all DACA and TPS registrants, as well as for their family members. The Remain in Mexico Policy (MPP), which currently is employed by Donald Trump and ICE to deny or delay asylum to refugees, is unlawful under both US and international law. I will introduce legislation to remove the 50,000 annual cap on refugees which currently exists under the Refugee Act of 1980. I will introduce legislation to abolish ICE and restore immigration enforcement to the Department of Justice. I further commit to repealing the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRAIRA) of 1996, which is responsible for the incarceration and separation of many immigrant families, including long-time green card holders, asylum seekers and DACA recipients, many without due process. Source: 2020 Texas Senate campaign website, Sema4Texas.com Jan 12, 2020

On War & Peace: Overdue for plan to end the wars & bring troops home

We have hundreds of military bases across the globe, which we use to constantly intervene in the foreign affairs of other countries without their request for aid. We are long overdue for an exit plan to end the wars, bring our troops home, fund transition programs for our veterans form combat to civilian life. Arms sales to nations with corrupt governments should be prohibited. We must work on diplomacy, stop creating conflict and arming terrorists. Source: 2020 Texas Senate campaign website, Sema4Texas.com Jan 12, 2020

On Principles & Values: Member of Democratic Socialists of America

Hernandez says she's a member of the Democratic Socialists of America. "I'm running to end the systemic poverty, systemic racism, and the ecological devastation that is brought on by policy violence, 40 years of neoliberal policy violence," Hernandez explained. "If that means putting me on their radar as a socialist for representing the working class, then so be it." Source: Fox-24 KPEJ on 2020 Texas Senate race Dec 23, 2019

On Corporations: Break the oligarchy protecting Wall Street instead of people

Don't sell out. Have a genuine platform that represents what you believe in, but also what the people want. Do not be a politician, be real. Don't use your family as a prop. At the end of the day it is you who are serving, not your family. And we must work together to break the oligarchy that controls our government through an agenda that protects Wall Street instead of the people. Source: Twitter posting on 2020 Texas Senate race Mar 29, 2018

On Corporations: Entitled millionaires are free-loading from us

Taxes are going up because a FEW entitled millionaires & billionaires are free loading from us, the working class. This is class warfare, the 1% divide us, scapegoat to deflect & distract us. #TaxTheRich #TexasPrimaries #ElectionDay Source: Twitter posting on 2020 Texas Senate race Mar 6, 2018

On Principles & Values: The time to break the Patriarchy is now

I am the first Latina in Texas History running for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate. As a Latina running for Congress, I see many trying to tell me I don't belong, but that is what the Patriarchal system is designed to do, oppress women & women of color. The time to break the Patriarchy is now. Source: Houston Chronicle on 2020 Texas Senate race Mar 2, 2018

The above quotations are from 2020 Texas Senatorial race: debates and news coverage. Click here for other excerpts from 2020 Texas Senatorial race: debates and news coverage. Click here for other excerpts by Sema Hernandez. Click here for a profile of Sema Hernandez.
*Sema Hernandez on other issues:*
Abortion Budget/Economy Civil Rights Corporations Crime Drugs Education Energy/Oil Environment Families Foreign Policy Free Trade	Govt. Reform Gun Control Health Care Homeland Security Immigration Jobs Principles Social Security Tax Reform Technology War/Peace Welfare
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Page last updated: Oct 24, 2020