"We have to tax the billionaires": California Democrat Ro Khanna on seizing the moment for change – The New Statesman
WASHINGTON, DC The Democrats are in the doldrums.
Thats how it can feel, anyway. Bidens ambitious Build Back Better legislation is stalled in the Senate. Voting rights legislation is stuck there, too.
I understand the frustration, acknowledged Ro Khanna, a Democratic congressman from California and member of, among others, the Congressional Progressive Caucus, to me over Zoom. But I would say, lets look at the whole record. He goes through the list of Biden-Democrat achievements. They passed the American Recovery Plan, providing relief to families during the pandemic. They passed the infrastructure legislation, which is going to finally provide affordable broadband to every American in this country. That is going to start the process of removing lead pipes. Thats going to start the investment in electric vehicles. Im not saying that this is in any way sufficient, but it is a strong start.
Now, he said, elected officials need to get the climate provisions of the Build Back Better Act passed, and pass voting rights legislation.
Politics is about priority, he said. Protecting voting rights is about the very sanctity of American democracy. And, as no one knows the outcome of this falls midterm elections, the next few months may be the last chance that Democrats have for years to pass legislation that will address the climate crisis.
Khanna was co-chair of Bernie Sanderss 2020 presidential campaign. Hes been a leading voice on rethinking American foreign policy, pushing in particular to end US support for the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen. But he has also repeatedly spoken out in support of President Joe Biden and his administration, offering public assurances that many progressives will support Biden in a 2024 run. I asked him what message progressives should pass on to their more moderate Democrat colleagues.
From progressives to moderates, it should be two things. One, the climate cant wait: this is our moment. We have to act, or we will be judged by history, harshly. And two, we have to deliver for working families.
And from moderates to progressives? Lets take what we can get instead of getting nothing. And lets be pragmatic. We may share your aspirations, but this is whats going to get 51 votes [in the US Senate]. Get on board.
There was, recently, some good news for liberals: the Supreme Court justice, Stephen Breyer, is retiring while Democrats still control the Senate, which means Biden will actually get to pick his replacement, and has said he will nominate a black woman. As a member of the House, Khanna will not take part in the process of voting for the nominee. Still, he offered, I am very excited that President Biden is going to nominate an African-American woman. What a moment of history: [its] unbelievable that an African-American woman hasnt been on the court yet, and theres so many extraordinary candidates.
[See also: Stephen Breyers retirement from the Supreme Court gives hope to liberals]
This week, Khanna published a new book: Dignity in a Digital Age (Simon & Schuster). Why, I asked him, did he choose that as his subject?
I represent a place where theres so much optimism about America, young kids are optimistic and we have over $11trn of market cap, said Khanna, who represents the heart of Silicon Valley in Congress. And I say, how is it that you can have that in my district, and yet across America and communities youve seen deindustrialisation? How do we get more communities a chance for participating in the modern economy?
But the tech sector is also the site of inequality and inequity, I noted, thinking of tech oligarchs and billionaires who have become even more obscenely rich over the course of the pandemic. How can we pass around the optimism and opportunity that tech has to offer while curbing inequality?
I think there are two things that have to happen, he said. First, we have to tax the billionaires. We have to tax corporations. Theres a frustration that some of these corporations just arent paying enough tax and that the billionaires arent paying enough tax, but thats not sufficient What people want is an opportunity to participate, to create value, to contribute. And thats what I talked about. How do we decentralise the innovation economy? How do we democratise it?
Outside of the book and back in Congress, Khanna has introduced the Endless Frontier Act. Its about creating new technology hubs with manufacturing jobs, construction jobs, innovation jobs in communities across this country, he said, adding, Im very optimistic that it will pass.
Before we hung up, I asked him if there was anything he felt he hadnt had the chance to say.
And he ended where he started.
I understand the anxiety and frustration that people feel around the country, he said. Weve had two years of a pandemic We have had hundreds and hundreds of thousands of people die. Weve had an insurrection attempt on 6 January when we were supposed to have a peaceful transfer of power.
But, he said, he was still hopeful: when he looks at the long trajectory of America, when I look at my own life story. He was born in Philadelphia, the son of immigrants and the grandson of someone who was imprisoned with Indias independence leader, Mahatma Gandhi, and now represents a multiracial, multi-ethnic district.
He hoped others can find a way, too. It wasnt losing that he was afraid of, he said, but apathy and disengagement.
That is the real danger for our society.
[See also: Joe Bidens failure on voting rights could cost the Democrats the White House]
Sign up for The New Statesmans newsletters Tick the boxes of the newsletters you would like to receive. Morning Call Quick and essential guide to domestic and global politics from the New Statesman's politics team. World Review The New Statesmans global affairs newsletter, every Monday and Friday. The New Statesman Daily The best of the New Statesman, delivered to your inbox every weekday morning. Green Times The New Statesmans weekly environment email on the politics, business and culture of the climate and nature crises - in your inbox every Thursday. This Week in Business A handy, three-minute glance at the week ahead in companies, markets, regulation and investment, landing in your inbox every Monday morning. The Culture Edit Our weekly culture newsletter from books and art to pop culture and memes sent every Friday. Weekly Highlights A weekly round-up of some of the best articles featured in the most recent issue of the New Statesman, sent each Saturday. Ideas and Letters A newsletter showcasing the finest writing from the ideas section and the NS archive, covering political ideas, philosophy, criticism and intellectual history - sent every Wednesday. Events and Offers Sign up to receive information regarding NS events, subscription offers & product updates.
Continued here:
"We have to tax the billionaires": California Democrat Ro Khanna on seizing the moment for change - The New Statesman
- Democrat Talking As Long as He's 'Physically Able' to Protest Trump - Newsweek - April 1st, 2025 [April 1st, 2025]
- Pamela Stevenson, the top Democrat in the Kentucky House, launches campaign for the US Senate - AP News - April 1st, 2025 [April 1st, 2025]
- Who is Cory Booker, the Democrat from New Jersey holding the Senate floor? - WKMG - April 1st, 2025 [April 1st, 2025]
- House Democrat: Trump not imagining a democratic election for his third term - The Hill - April 1st, 2025 [April 1st, 2025]
- Democrat-led states sue Trump administration to block $12 billion cut to health grants - Washington Times - April 1st, 2025 [April 1st, 2025]
- Who is Rep. Al Green, the Democrat removed from Trump's speech to Congress - Axios - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
- Who Is Al Green, the Texas Democrat Ejected From Trumps Speech? - The New York Times - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
- Who is giving the rebuttal after Trump's speech? Meet Democrat Elissa Slotkin - USA TODAY - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
- Democrat Al Green forced out of chamber after protesting Trump speech to Congress - The Independent - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
- In response to Trump, Democrat calls for responsible changes to government - Voice of America - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
- Democrat Al Green removed from House after interrupting, heckling Trump - The Hill - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
- How one Democrat is placing himself at the center of the Trump resistance: From the Politics Desk - NBC News - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
- Democrat Al Green confronts Trump and is removed from House chamber - The Associated Press - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
- Democrats are United Against House Republicans Plot to Cut Social Security and Health Care for Hardworking Americans - New Democrat Coalition - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
- Opinion | A Democrat Who Is Thinking Differently - The New York Times - February 18th, 2025 [February 18th, 2025]
- Democrat: Vance used same language as Hitler did to justify Holocaust - The Hill - February 18th, 2025 [February 18th, 2025]
- Democrat governors arranged meeting with Biden White House to thwart Trump, emails show - The Lion - February 18th, 2025 [February 18th, 2025]
- Democrat Senator Admits Criticism of 'Over-Wokeism' Is 'Valid Attack' - Newsweek - February 18th, 2025 [February 18th, 2025]
- Voting for the Watauga Democrat's Best of the Best now open - Watauga Democrat - February 18th, 2025 [February 18th, 2025]
- Texas Democrat to Bring First Articles of Impeachment of Trump's Second Term - Newsweek - February 5th, 2025 [February 5th, 2025]
- Adams, a Trump-friendly Democrat, to testify before House GOP on sanctuary cities - POLITICO - February 5th, 2025 [February 5th, 2025]
- GOP lawmaker scraps with Democrat in hearing over transgender 'slur,' bathroom rights: 'Not going to have it' - Fox News - February 5th, 2025 [February 5th, 2025]
- New York Democrat eyeing Stefanik's seat ripped Border Patrol, corrections officers in resurfaced interview - Yahoo News - February 5th, 2025 [February 5th, 2025]
- USAID: This Democrat has a plan for fighting Musk. Heres what he wants you to know. - Slate - February 5th, 2025 [February 5th, 2025]
- GOP congresswoman scraps with Democrat in hearing over transgender 'slur,' bathroom rights: 'Not going to have it' - Fox News - February 5th, 2025 [February 5th, 2025]
- Fetterman lone Democrat so far to attend immigration bill signing - POLITICO - January 30th, 2025 [January 30th, 2025]
- Democrat Appears to Flip Iowa State Senate Seat in a Boost for the Party - The New York Times - January 30th, 2025 [January 30th, 2025]
- Trump strips labor board of last Democrat, halting cases and labor law reform - McKnight's Long-Term Care News - January 30th, 2025 [January 30th, 2025]
- Democrat members of US surveillance watchdog fired after refusing to resign - The Record from Recorded Future News - January 30th, 2025 [January 30th, 2025]
- Authorities ID man fatally shot during weekend altercation in Santa Rosa - The Santa Rosa Press Democrat - January 30th, 2025 [January 30th, 2025]
- Milwaukee Tool Hole Saw operations moving to Grenada from Greenwood - Delta Democrat Times - January 30th, 2025 [January 30th, 2025]
- Maine Democrat backs partial offshore wind ban - E&E News - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Every Senate Democrat Votes No on Born-Alive Protections - Decision Magazine - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Just one House Democrat votes for the protection for abortion survivors - Washington Examiner - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- SSUs unprecedented $20 million in cuts slashes programs, departments, athletics: Heres what we know - The Santa Rosa Press Democrat - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- A Democrat Won a Supreme Court Election in North Carolina. GOP Justices Are Blocking Her Certification. - Truthout - January 9th, 2025 [January 9th, 2025]
- This is personal to me: Louisville Democrat will try again to add exceptions to abortion ban - Kentucky Lantern - January 9th, 2025 [January 9th, 2025]
- We need to be in the room: DOGE Caucus Democrat works with GOP to slash spending - NBC News - January 9th, 2025 [January 9th, 2025]
- Democrat elected speaker of tied Pennsylvania House after GOP candidate bows out - The Associated Press - January 9th, 2025 [January 9th, 2025]
- Controversial Ex-Democrat Says Trump Team More 'Humane' to Her Than DNC - Newsweek - December 25th, 2024 [December 25th, 2024]
- Who is Lindy Li? Ex-Democrat fundraiser slams party, calls departure 'Leaving a cult' after criticizing B - The Times of India - December 25th, 2024 [December 25th, 2024]
- Democrat Sherrod Brown says US Senate departure won't be the last Ohioans hear from him - CBS News - December 22nd, 2024 [December 22nd, 2024]
- Fairway Finders: Meet the 2024 All-Big Bend golf teams, coach and players of the year - Tallahassee Democrat - December 22nd, 2024 [December 22nd, 2024]
- Joe Average: Transitioning from Democrat to Republican - Sentinel-Tribune - December 22nd, 2024 [December 22nd, 2024]
- Karnes caps off career with another title - River Valley Democrat-Gazette - December 22nd, 2024 [December 22nd, 2024]
- Greenwood QB Archer on full display in title game - River Valley Democrat-Gazette - December 22nd, 2024 [December 22nd, 2024]
- Democrat John Fetterman Admits He 'Never' Believed Campaign Against Trump Was 'About Fascism' Despite Harris Claims - LatinTimes - December 22nd, 2024 [December 22nd, 2024]
- House Democrat on spending drama: Im just gonna sit back and sip my tea - The Hill - December 20th, 2024 [December 20th, 2024]
- House Democrat on spending drama: Im just gonna sit back and sip my tea - The Hill - December 20th, 2024 [December 20th, 2024]
- Ocasio-Cortez Loses Vote to Be the Top Democrat on the Oversight Panel - The New York Times - December 20th, 2024 [December 20th, 2024]
- Ocasio-Cortez Loses Vote to Be the Top Democrat on the Oversight Panel - The New York Times - December 20th, 2024 [December 20th, 2024]
- Connolly wins vote to be top Oversight Democrat - POLITICO - December 20th, 2024 [December 20th, 2024]
- Democrat Jeffries says 'lines of communication' reopened with Johnson - ForexLive - December 20th, 2024 [December 20th, 2024]
- Democrat Jeffries says 'lines of communication' reopened with Johnson - ForexLive - December 20th, 2024 [December 20th, 2024]
- AOC loses bid to be top Democrat on powerful House Oversight Committee - Fox News - December 20th, 2024 [December 20th, 2024]
- AOC loses bid to be top Democrat on powerful House Oversight Committee - Fox News - December 20th, 2024 [December 20th, 2024]
- New Liberal Democrat members of the House of Lords - Liberal Democrats - December 20th, 2024 [December 20th, 2024]
- Democrat Sherrod Brown says US Senate departure won't be the last Ohioans hear from him - The Associated Press - December 20th, 2024 [December 20th, 2024]
- House Republicans Have a New Spending Plan. The Top House Democrat Says Its Laughable. - NOTUS - December 20th, 2024 [December 20th, 2024]
- We need to reinvent how we campaign, Democrat Susan Wild reflects on 2024 loss - Pennsylvania Capital-Star - December 20th, 2024 [December 20th, 2024]
- Angie Craig wins approval of panel to serve as ranking Democrat on House Agriculture Committee - Star Tribune - December 20th, 2024 [December 20th, 2024]
- Democrat Goldman: Wray should have forced Trump to fire him - The Hill - December 12th, 2024 [December 12th, 2024]
- OPINION | TED TALLEY: Where spirits and spirituality intersect - Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette - December 12th, 2024 [December 12th, 2024]
- A California labor union helped oust a Democrat from the state Capitol. His replacement wants to curb union power. - Los Angeles Times - December 10th, 2024 [December 10th, 2024]
- Trump could get deal of the year if he gets ByteDance to sell TikTok: top Democrat on China cmte. - NBC News - December 10th, 2024 [December 10th, 2024]
- Florida lawmaker abruptly switches to GOP shortly after winning election as Democrat - Salon - December 10th, 2024 [December 10th, 2024]
- Webb County Judge Tano Tijerina switches from Democrat to Republican - Laredo Morning Times - December 10th, 2024 [December 10th, 2024]
- Florida Democrat switches to Republican: Tired of being the party of protesting - Washington Times - December 10th, 2024 [December 10th, 2024]
- Maryland Democrat Ben Cardin delivers his farewell speech to the Senate - WUSA9.com - December 10th, 2024 [December 10th, 2024]
- What world do you live in?: Hawley blasts Democrat plot for mass amnesty - NewsTalk KZRG - December 10th, 2024 [December 10th, 2024]
- Did UC Merced Students Tip the US House Election for Democrat Adam Gray? - GV Wire - December 10th, 2024 [December 10th, 2024]
- Longtime Democrat switches to the GOP because of a glaring reason - Daily Mail - December 10th, 2024 [December 10th, 2024]
- Democrat State Rep Switches to Republican Party Months After Winning Reelection - The Floridian - December 10th, 2024 [December 10th, 2024]
- Ocasio-Cortez bids to become top Democrat on key House committee - The Guardian US - December 8th, 2024 [December 8th, 2024]
- Democrat governors spotlight they're the 'last line of defense' against Trump - Fox News - December 8th, 2024 [December 8th, 2024]
- The Democrat Who Was Tired of Waiting His Turn - POLITICO - December 8th, 2024 [December 8th, 2024]
- Press Secretary Reveals the Top Democrat Who Was Behind Bidens Pardon - The Daily Beast - December 8th, 2024 [December 8th, 2024]
- Democrat senator calls on Biden to pardon Trump over NY case - MSN - December 8th, 2024 [December 8th, 2024]
- Why a Florida Democrat joined the DOGE caucus that's looking to cut federal spending - NPR - December 5th, 2024 [December 5th, 2024]
- Top US House Democrat calls on Biden to pardon working-class Americans - Reuters - December 5th, 2024 [December 5th, 2024]