matthew’s platform

In Congress, Matthew Montavon will propose and support legislation to strengthen our democracy and the rights of all Americans.  Matthew will fight to put people first with these policies.

  • In recent years, government actions have put more and more obstacles in the way of legitimate voters, with widely varying state laws about voter ID, mail-in ballots, drop boxes, and election schedules, as well as irrational, gerrymandered voting maps. The Supreme Court began gutting the Voting Rights Act in 2013 and has been eroding it further ever since. Congress must immediately pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act to enshrine the basic principle of one person, one vote. Voting should be encouraged, not discouraged. 

  • The U.S. Constitution specifies that redrawing district lines should occur regularly every 10 years after each Decennial Census. So why is additional redistricting mid-decade being allowed? Congress must act to end this extra-constitutional collusion between the Executive Branch and partisan extremists in state legislatures.

  • The Supreme Court ruled in favor of dark, unlimited campaign contributions in the Citizens United decision of 2010. Congress must enact laws to limit campaign donations and make campaign finance completely transparent. Choosing candidates should be the role of the people, not giant corporations and billionaires. Votes, not money, should decide elections.

  • Veterans sacrificed to serve their country, and they should return to civilian life with all the support they need: access to education, help finding a job, affordable housing, and good healthcare. This is no time to be cutting services for veterans or for military families, as current budget proposals do. Florida’s 17th District has a high percentage of residents who are veterans (8%), and they will have Matthew Montavon’s full support in Congress.

  • We have been told that Social Security and Medicare are unsustainable, that they will not be able to pay out benefits much longer. Yet one Congress after another has done nothing to prevent the impending crisis. Congress needs to pass legislation to ensure the solvency of the system to pay benefits to retirees now and into the future.

    MY COMMITMENT

    I will vehemently support Social Security and defend that benefit.

    ·        No retirement age increase

    ·        No turning my back on seniors

    ·        Yes to protecting Social Security for the future

    I do not and will never support raising the retirement age! Any claim otherwise is categorically false. I do not support raising the retirement age as a solution to the Social Security shortfall.

    Why I oppose raising the retirement age

    Raising the retirement age is a bad idea. It is regressive, and the burden falls primarily on the working class — I am fully committed to protecting Social Security.

    SOLUTIONS

    I support raising the tax cap on earnings and taxing all income, including capital gains.

    Use a Consumer Price Index for the Elderly so Social Security keeps up with the true cost of living.

    Ensure that Social Security offices are fully funded so seniors do not face declines in services or long delays.

    Protect earned benefits without raising the retirement age.

    Social Security has been around for 90 years keeping tens of millions out of poverty. It has become the most popular federal program.

    Congress should also fix the Affordable Care Act’s gap in Medicaid coverage, which allows states like Florida to refuse extra federal funds to cover health insurance for low-income families.

  • As a world leader, we must reestablish respect rather than yield to other countries such as China. Congress needs to reassert its Constitutional role in foreign affairs.

    The Executive Branch does not have the authority to conduct foreign policy alone. Congress has the sole  authority to fund (or not fund) wars, to declare war, and to finance our overseas commitments.

    Random chaotic actions, insulting our allies, and praising dictators does not help our standing in the world.

    International trade should be an instrument of peace, not of bullying. International cooperation has been the foundation of peace. We are a world leader and should not willingly cede that position to China. 

    Our government should treat international visitors with respect.  These tourists support a valuable sector of our economy and offer opportunities for mutual dialogue and understanding.

  • The United States has the highest level of gun violence of all the peace time countries.

    Gun homicides are 26 times higher in the U.S. than other high-income nations. Congress must ban civilian use of assault weapons, require universal and comprehensive background checks, support state licensing, enact gun safety laws, and enforce and expand red flag laws.

    Hunters and sportsmen should be able to buy guns, but we need to ensure that our communities are safe.

  • Reproductive health decisions should be between a patient and their medical provider, but state legislators and Supreme Court decisions have diminished that basic principle of individual freedom.

    Government has no place interfering in these personal choices. Reproductive freedom is essential for women's equality. Congress should ensure that birth control, abortion, and comprehensive reproductive health care are accessible and affordable for all women.

  • As a nation, we need to respect the rights of all people living here under our Constitution, regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, or who they love.  Congress needs to lead by example and secure legislation to ensure that every individual can share in our economy and contribute to our society according to his or her ability, without fear of threats or mockery, or even physical harm. Our struggles for freedom and equality have been a model for the world. Let’s keep it up!

  • Envisioning a future where students love learning, quality teachers are paid well, and education isn't banned. Every child deserves a high-achieving, well-rounded education in all the subject areas: Science, Math, Reading, Writing, Civics, and History. 

    Public school education needs to be supported and strengthened. Not long ago, community colleges were free and young people didn’t need to take on large college loans.

    Congress must enact legislation to make high-quality education accessible and affordable to all without the burden of future debt.

  • We must deal with the very real crisis of climate change, which is particularly problematic for Florida’s Gulf Coast. By utilizing science-based criteria to address this problem we can protect our beaches, homes, and local economy from rising seas, stronger storms, Red Tide, and algae blooms.

    Rising temperatures have led to rising sea levels in Florida by an inch every decade. Heavy rainfall is causing more flooding and storm damage. Warmer ocean temperatures are damaging coral reefs and harming sea life. Development must be environmentally sensitive.

    Additional protections to our threatened and endangered animals and natural resources are also important environmental considerations.

    The costs in life and property damage of doing nothing are astronomical. We must start taking action now.