Former Texas Rep. Beto O’Rourke has big plans should he win the 2020 Presidential election. His first 90 days, he says, starts with undoing the “worst practices” of the Trump administration.
“No more kids in cages on the border, no more families separated, no more criminal prosecution of asylum seekers and refugees,” O’Rourke told ESSENCE, getting straight to the heart of an issue that directly impacts families living in border states.
“Let’s make sure that we take action on climate [change] on day one. No more drilling on federal lands or off of the United States coast,” O’Rourke added. “Let’s make sure that we invest in communities, so they are resilient against the next climate disasters that are sure to come.”
Climate change is an issue that O’Rourke spoke about at length during his sit-down with ESSENCE, noting that it is often lower-income communities and communities of color that bear the brunt of the impact. O’Rourke said these communities would be first in line for his immigration for pre-disaster mitigation grants, helping to ensure that they are protected before the next disaster.
“It means that we’re talking not just about climate change, but climate justice, and we’re listening to those leaders in those communities who can come up with the solutions to the challenges that we face right now, whether it’s climate change, or education, or healthcare or criminal justice,” O’Rourke added. “I want to make sure that communities of color are helping to lead the conversation in this country right now. The policies will be stronger for them and they will serve all of America, not just some of America.”