New Jersey Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D) said in an interview that aired Friday on “Rising” that there does not need to be a divide between Democrats pushing for social issues and others pushing for financial reforms.
“I don’t think it’s either or,” Gottheimer told Hill.TV’s Jamal Simmons earlier this week when asked if there was a divide between Democratic figures on the issues.
“I mean, I talk about LGBTQ issues all the time,” he added. “Obviously, I care a lot about issues of race.”
“But you also got to look at what are some of the issues that are having the biggest impact on different communities,” he said. “How can you address some of those specifics so that we from a policy perspective, open up more opportunity?”
The new Democratic-controlled House has seen an array of diverse, freshman lawmakers calling for various progressive ideas including higher taxes on the wealthy and Medicare for all.
The 2020 Democratic primary will be a diverse field with candidates including Sens. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.).
The field also includes progressives, such as Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), who has proposed a wealth tax.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who ran on a platform targeting financial inequality in the 2016 Democratic primary, is expected to announce a decision on 2020 soon.
Sanders on Thursday introduced legislation to expand the estate tax.
“What’s so great about our caucus now is that it’s so rich in its diversity,” Gottheimer said. “It’s a sea change, and I think all of these different perspectives being brought to the table are going to be enormously helpful and make a real difference.”
— Julia Manchester
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