Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images
2020 Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg on Thursday unveiled 27 new policy proposals grouped under 3 categories: "Freedom," "Security" and "Democracy."
Why it matters: Buttigieg's rapid ascent in the Democratic primary field has attracted significant media attention, with his popularity largely buoyed by his unique backstory as a gay, veteran millennial. However, the 37-year-old mayor of South Bend has also garnered criticism for lacking specific policy stances — especially in comparison to candidates like Sen. Elizabeth Warren who many view as leading the policy debate.
Freedom
- Health care: "Medicare for All Who Want It” as a pathway to Medicare for All
- Racial equality: Create a commission to propose reparations policies for Black Americans and close the racial wealth gap
- LGBTQ rights: Pass the Equality Act; reverse the ban on transgender military service; enforce the nondiscrimination provisions of the Affordable Care Act and key federal civil rights laws
Security
- Climate change: Implement a Green New Deal with all available tools including a carbon tax-and-dividend for Americans, and major direct investment to build a 100% clean energy society
- Gun control: Raise the standard of gun protection and ownership to make all Americans safer
- Extremism: Increase federal resources for countering domestic terrorism and white supremacist violence
Democracy
- Gerrymandering: Establish independent, statewide redistricting commissions
- Electoral college: A national popular vote to replace the Electoral College
- Political representation: True political representation for the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico
Go deeper: Buttigieg's full list of proposals