Civil Rights & Democracy

My entire career, I’ve fought the system and the system is fighting me back. I’m fighting those broken laws that try to silence our voices, take away our representation, and favor the few over the many. I serve on the Judiciary Committee, the Supreme Court Task Force, and am a licensed attorney of 20 years who practiced civil rights law. I’ve been deeply concerned about the state of our democracy and the direction our country is headed. I’ve said for a few years now that we’re in the midst of a modern day civil rights movement, it’s up to us to protect the rights our foremothers fought to secure and it’s on us to forge ahead with progress. Voting rights are under attack, because when our voices are silenced at the ballot box it's easier for Republicans to strip away the rest of our rights. Our system of checks and balances are failing as Congress has completely cowered to the President and the Supreme Court has handed this lawless President immunity. Not only do we need to expand the court, but we also need a code of ethics as this group of justices has revealed itself to be compromised. I am running to safeguard the civil rights and liberties of all, especially marginalized groups. I am running to defend our democracy by protecting access to the ballot box and championing protections for marriage equality and LGBTQ+ community. As every right from free speech to due process is on the chopping block, those who simply talk tough won’t cut it. This moment demands leaders unafraid to take on those systems that are keeping us down. I’m the fighter that’s Texas Tough and won’t back down from the bullies trying to take our rights away.

Senate Priorities

Make it easier to vote by requiring states to offer online voter registration, universal vote by mail, and without restricting the maximum number of hours the polls can be open.
Requiring ADA accommodations to all voters, including curbside voting
Reforming the Supreme Court by tying the number of justice to the number of federal circuit courts, requiring a code of ethics with strict compliance guidelines, and enacting term limits on Supreme Court Justices.
Overturning Citizens United to ensure our elections can not be bought by billionaires like Elon Musk.
Prohibiting mid-decade redistricting along with partisan and racial gerrymandering. Establishing an independent redistricting commission to assist states through this process, and provide preclearance for states with a track record of voter disenfranchisement.
Classifying LGBTQ+ as a protected class.
Strengthening our anti-discrimination laws.
Prohibiting states from removing local duly elected officials without voter approval or taking over their statutory duties. This would prevent the Texas Education Agency from taking over our neighborhood school districts as well as stop Texas Republicans from removing our elected progressive District Attorneys.
Ensuring those incarcerated pre-trial are informed of their voting rights and provided with an opportunity to vote.

My Work in the United States Congress

I introduced the No Presidential Payouts Act to stop taxpayer funds from being used for any president’s personal legal fees
I was the sponsor of the Democracy Restoration Act , which immediately restores voting rights once someone is done serving their sentence
I proudly co-sponsored the POLL Act, to directly tackle the biggest barriers to voting in Texas and requiring states to develop plans to keep wait times short at the polls
I helped advance voting rights and election reform by co-sponsoring the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act to restore and modernize the Voting Rights Act by putting states with a history of discrimination back under federal preclearance when they try to change voting rules, close polling locations, or redraw maps.
I joined my colleagues in cosponsoring the Freedom to Vote Act to expand voter registration, place limits on removing voters from voter rolls, and establish Election Day as a federal holiday.
I co-sponsored the Youth Voting Rights Act to protect and expand voting access for young people and ensure their voices are heard in our democracy
I introduced the SWIFT VOTE Act to help states collect and share real-time wait time data from polling locations and streamline voter check-in.
I introduced the Timely Initiation to Modify Executive Rulemaking (TIMER) Act in response to SCOTUS’ radical ruling that opened the door to partisan challenges to agency rules that protect health and safety.
I co-sponsored the Supreme Court Tenure Establishment and Retirement Modernization Act of 2025 to end lifetime appointments for Supreme Court justices
I co-sponsored the GLOBE Act of 2025 to protect LGBTQ+ people worldwide by documenting human rights abuses, strengthening U.S. leadership through a permanent Special Envoy, and holding foreign perpetrators accountable with sanctions.
I introduced the FREE SPEECH Act of 2025 to prevent the FCC from pressuring media entities to align their editorial speech with any presidential administration, safeguarding First Amendment rights and protecting against government overreach in public discourse.
I co-sponsored the RAP Act to prevent prosecutors from using a person’s music, lyrics, or other artistic expression as evidence against them in criminal court.
I co-sponsored the FALCON Act to strengthen Inspector General oversight by requiring timely responses to oversight requests and reporting agencies that fail to comply.