Updated Jan 14, 2020 - Politics & Policy

Elizabeth Warren on the issues, in under 500 words

Photo: Scott Eisen/Getty Images

Elizabeth Warren is a Massachusetts senator known for her consumer advocacy and efforts to regulate big financial institutions. Her brainchild, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, was created in 2011.

Key facts:
  • Current position: Senator from Massachusetts — 6 years served
  • Age: 69
  • Born: Oklahoma City
  • Undergraduate: University of Houston
  • Date candidacy announced: Feb. 9, 2019
  • % of votes in line with Trump, per FiveThirtyEight: 13.2%
  • Previous roles: Law professor; member of Congressional Oversight Panel monitoring $700 billion TARP bank bailout program; special adviser for CFPB.
Her stance on key issues:
  • Voting rights: Proposed mandates for federal elections to protect rights and security.
  • Immigration: Wants to repeal law that criminalizes unauthorized border crossings.
  • Foreign policy: Wants to expand the State Department and end granting ambassadorships to donors.
  • Trade: Countries must meet specific standards as a precondition for any trade agreement.
  • Private equity: Proposed a bill that would kill much of the leveraged buyout industry.
  • Support for Native Americans: Looks to address issues ranging from economic development to restoring tribal sovereignty.
  • Gun reform: Calls for federal assault weapons ban and universal background checks.
  • Clean energy: Add additional $1 trillion onto Gov. Jay Inslee's 10-year plan to achieve 100% clean energy.
  • Environmental Justice: Plans to address the disproportionate pollution burdens that the poor and communities of color often face.
  • "Blue new deal": Pushing for oceanic plans to speed up offshore wind projects, expand marine sanctuaries, and bolster use of oceans to soak up carbon emissions.

Key criticism:

1 fun thing:
  • She was a state debate champion in Oklahoma and graduated high school at 16.

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