Steven Horsford

I understand that to succeed in today's economy, we must adequately fund and support our local schools to provide all children with an equitable education. That's why I helped make sure that students could safely return to the classroom by securing more than $1 billion in funding for Nevada's K-12 schools when we needed it most. And I'm working to ensure accountability so every dollar is used as intended - to provide after-school tutoring, summer school, and additional mental health and educational resources in our schools and communities to help every child succeed and to give parents the support they need and to pay our teachers and education professionals the wages their worth. 

 

Every young person coming out of high school, whether they're headed to college or into the workforce, must have access to the education and training that will help them achieve success . While in Congress, I have pushed to make college tuition more affordable and delivered record investments in vocational training programs so that the next generation gains the skills and knowledge that they need to prosper. And I'm working to make apprenticeships, trade schools, and college more accessible to all students and to address the rising amount of student debt. 

 

Job Training Programs

 

I began my career leading the Culinary Academy of Las Vegas, the largest job-training program in the state of Nevada. I have consistently advocated for the expansion of job training and apprenticeship programs. I know how important these programs can be for working-class families. I’m proud to have sponsored and helped pass the National Apprenticeship Act of 2021, which  will create nearly one million apprenticeship opportunities and countless new jobs in high-demand fields. The legislation includes increasing access to apprenticeship programs for women and people of color, who have been historically underrepresented. 

 

In addition, I secured nearly $7 million to create the Westside Education & Training Center in the Historic Westside of Las Vegas, where thousands of Nevadans will train for new careers in high-demand fields.

Steven believes that tackling the climate crisis is imperative to our health, economy, and security, and the consequences of inaction are already hurting the people of our state. 

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Steven supports investing in climate-resilient infrastructure, expanding our renewable energy industry and ensuring that workers in District-04 receive the training they need for clean energy jobs.  There is also more to be done modernizing our electrical grid and building codes to increase energy efficiency.  Steven supports efforts to reduce carbon emissions by 50 percent by 2030.

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Steven voted on the Inflation Reduction Act. “The Inflation Reduction Act is an historic victory for Nevadans and for our planet: delivering the investments we need to keep down health care costs, reinvigorate American manufacturing and drive our transition to a clean energy economy. And for our region, desperately needed drought relief funding as we battle this megadrought. This legislation is fully paid-for by ensuring that billionaire corporations can’t dodge their taxes – ensuring that not one middle class Nevadan or small business pays a cent more in taxes.”

I know firsthand the traumatic toll that gun violence takes on our families and communities. My father was killed in a random act of gun violence when I was 19 years old.

 

I believe this is not an issue that should be used as a political wedge or culture war between the parties, and we can both reduce crime in our neighborhoods and prevent more lives lost. . That's why I introduced and recently passed the Break the Cycle of Violence Act, which invests in local violence prevention programs that build safe communities. Evidence proves that when we work with the community and faith-based leaders and invest in summer jobs for teenagers and young adults, we can both reduce crime and save lives at the same time. My legislation also funds hospital-based services to deter retaliation when gun violence sadly does occur. 

The COVID-19 virus laid bare the problems that still plague our healthcare system, and it disproportionately impacted women and communities of color, who experienced higher rates of infection, death, and long-term health issues. That's why I worked to deliver funding so no one pays out-of-pocket to get tested or received access to the vaccine or treatment. No family should experience a financial hardship because of COVID-19 that would make them vulnerable to debt collectors or bankruptcy.

​Health care is personal to me. I live with a pre-existing condition and underwent major heart surgery several years ago. I have continually worked to lower the cost of health care for Nevadans. I have introduced legislation to cap out-of-pocket costs for Medicare beneficiaries and provide dental insurance to cover preventative care, routine treatments, and dentures if needed. For families, I have championed legislation to close the coverage gap and make healthcare more affordable for parents who work part-time or are in job training.

Steven is working to bring Insulin costs down to $35.

While in Congress, I have stood up against big pharmaceutical companies who oppose efforts to cap insulin at $35 per month and Republicans who have tried to repeal the Affordable Care Act. I have also protected Medicaid expansion at every opportunity because I know when we help everyone gain access to critical health services, it helps all of us.

Affordable housing continues to be a top issue  in the 4th District.  Out-of-state corporations have bought up one in four homes and raised rents by 30 percent over the past two years. One in four homes in certain areas were bought by out-of-state corporate speculators, who have raised rents by 30% over the past two years.  These neighborhoods are primarily lower to middle class Asian, Latino, and Black residents. By raising rental rates and decreasing the homes available for American families, non-occupant investors are putting the American dream of homeownership out of reach for too many. 

 

That's why I introduced the HOME Act to crack down on big corporations by penalizing corporate investors who are renting or selling property at unreasonable prices and the fines would be  used for affordable housing. The bill would also cap the number of homes that institutional investors would acquire in a given market in order to prevent price manipulation. 

 

These corporate speculators are taking advantage of working-class families by gouging them on rent. Nevada needs affordable housing and I’m working to meet our needs.

​We need to fix  asylum policy in this country, which I believe both parties should agree on, because it's about humanitarian support while also addressing, tightening, and providing a more secure border. While securing our borders, reforms must reduce wait times for legal immigration, improve visa programs and ensure a fair and efficient asylum process for people seeking refuge. I will also fight to protect the DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) program and keep our promise to DREAMers.

Stevens been working in congress to expand Social Security benefits. He joined House Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee Chairman John B. Larson (D-CT-01) to introduce the Social Security 2100 Act, groundbreaking legislation that will increase Social Security benefits for seniors and keep the system strong for generations to come.

The Social Security 2100 Act would increase Social Security benefits, protect against inflation, and modernize Social Security to ensure that government employees, caregivers, people with disabilities, and surviving spouses and children receive the benefits they deserve. Seniors should retire with security, and the Social Security 2100 Act will take common-sense steps to help Nevada seniors thrive.