1. What experience will you bring that has prepared you to be a strong Member of Congress?
My combined experience serving as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army as well as serving as a senior official at the Pentagon, I feel that I am strongly suited and well equipped to represent the 9th District of Illinois at the national level. My background and expertise in national security and foreign policy as well as my ability to navigate and work in the environment in DC, make me well prepared to craft and propose well-thought out legislation.
2. Do you have a connection to the Asian American community in the 9th District? If so, can you share about that connection?
Yes, I have a relationship with many of the leaders in the Asian American community. These are informal relationships that have been built through trust and personal connections. I meet frequently with community members from Nepal, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. I also volunteer at a facility that assists young war refugees with their school assignments and reading skills.
3. What is your number one priority if elected?
My number one priority if elected is pushing to repeal the unilateral tariffs applied by executive orders. Only Congress has the power to levy and raise taxes as well as control domestic and international trade. It is time that Congress exercise the authorities granted to it by the Constitution, and push back august executive overreach.
4. If elected, how will you address the rising costs of groceries, utility bills, housing and other essential needs?
I plan to support a federal living wage law that reflects the real cost of living and is adjusted regionally rather than imposed as a blunt, one-size-fits-all mandate. People who work full-time should be able to afford basic necessities without relying on public assistance. The repeal of the tariffs will also improve the lives of millions of Americans who own and operate small businesses.
5. What will you do to ensure every person has access to quality and affordable healthcare?
Healthcare is a right and foundational to economic security and human dignity. I support strengthening the Affordable Care Act, lowering prescription drug costs, expanding preventative care, and ensuring no family is bankrupted by medical emergencies. I will support policies that include capping out-of-pocket costs, investing in community and rural healthcare, addressing maternal health disparities, and treating addition as a health issue, not a crime.
6. Do you support a pathway to citizenship for all 11 million undocumented immigrants? If yes, what will you do to make the pathway a reality?
Yes, I believe undocumented immigrants living in the U.S. should be provided a pathway to citizenship with considerations. If they have come to the U.S. and worked for years, but adhered to the laws and were active members of their community, they should be given a pathway to citizenship. I will champion a comprehensive immigration framework that updates our nearly broken system and modernizes the process to ensure the border is secure, it restores order to our immigration courts, protects asylum seekers, and rebuilds the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program.
7. How would you increase language access to federal offices such as unemployment and social security, particularly for Asian American immigrants?
I believe federal buildings and government should be accessible to everyone. I would support funding to increase the number of linguists on staff as well as support regional or national 24/7 multilanguage call centers. I would also support ensuring all posted signage and instructions are available in multiple languages.
8. How would you address the issues of the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Do you support abolishing ICE?
ICE and CBP carry out legitimate federal functions, but they must operate within the Constitution and under real congressional supervision, and right now, they are far beyond their designated functions. In Congress, I would use oversight authorities, including hearings, subpoenas, mandatory reporting, and third-party inspections of federal facilities. I do not support total abolishment of ICE, but Congress must reassert its authority by utilizing the appropriations process to ensure clear limits, clear metrics, and consequences for violations are set.
9. Gun control has been an intractable issue in Congress. What would you do to move the issue forward?
I firmly believe in the 2nd Amendment, however, I know updates need to be made and first thing that would improve public safety is the ban of assault rifles. I would also push to make universal background checks mandatory for all gun sales, including private and online sales, and close the loophole that exists with gun shows. I would also support red flag laws that allows courts to temporarily remove firearms from individuals deemed a danger to themselves or others.