Here's the draft of the Democratic Party platform. It is dramatically more progressive than the 2012 version. The nation's political center of gravity has changed. Thanks to grassroots movements like Occupy Wall Street, the Fight for 15, the Dreamers, Black Lives Matter, .350 (fossil fuel divestment), struggles over women's rights, LGBT rights, voting rights, and gun violence, along with the Sanders insurgency, the Democratic Party has shifted leftward. While progressive's won't be happy with everything in here, this draft platform is a reflection of that reality. Remember, this is still a draft -- what the drafters call "deliberative and predecisional." But it is definitely a great step forward.
***DRAFT -- DELIBERATIVE AND PREDECISIONAL***
2016 Democratic Party Platform DRAFT
July 1, 2016
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Preamble1
Raise Incomes and Restore Economic Security for the Middle Class3
Minimum Wage3
Labor3
Equal Pay, Paid Leave, and Caregiving4
Housing4
Social Security5
Retirement Security5
Postal Service6
Create Good-Paying Jobs6
Infrastructure6
Manufacturing6
Clean Energy Jobs7
Research, Science, and Technology7
Small Business7
Youth Jobs7
Fight for Economic Fairness and Against Inequality8
Fixing our Financial System8
Stopping Corporate Concentration9
Taxes9
Trade9
Bring Americans Together and Remove Barriers to Create Ladders of Opportunity10
Racial Justice10
Racial Wealth Gap11
Criminal Justice11
Immigration12
Civil Rights13
LGBT Rights13
Disability Rights13
Faith and Service14
Agricultural Communities14
Poverty / Communities Left Behind14
Honoring Indigenous Tribal Nations14
People of the Territories16
Puerto Rico16
Protect Voting Rights, Fix Our Campaign Finance System, and Restore Our Democracy 17
Voting Rights17
Campaign Finance17
Judges17
D.C. Statehood18
Management of Federal Government18
Combat Climate Change, Build a Clean Energy Economy, and Secure Environmental Justice18
Clean Energy Economy19
Environmental and Climate Justice19
Public Lands and Waters20
Provide Quality and Affordable Education20
Higher Education20
Student Debt20
Minority-Serving Institutions21
For-Profit Schools21
Early Childhood, Pre-K, and K-1221
Ensure the Health and Safety of All Americans22
Universal Health Care22
Community Health Centers23
Prescription Drug Costs23
Medical Research24
Drug and Alcohol Addiction24
Mental Health24
Reproductive Health, Rights, and Justice24
Public Health25
Violence Against Women and Sexual Assault25
Gun Violence Prevention25
Principled Leadership25
Support Our Troops and Keep Faith with Our Veterans26
Confront Global Threats27
Terrorism28
Iran29
North Korea29
Russia29
Cybersecurity29
Non-proliferation30
Climate Change30
Protect Our Values30
Women and Girls30
Trafficking and Modern Slavery31
Young People31
Religious Minorities31
Refugees31
Civil Society31
Anti-Corruption31
Torture32
Closing Guantánamo Bay32
Development Assistance32
Global Health32
HIV and AIDS32
International Labor32
A Leader in the World33
Asia-Pacific33
Middle East33
Europe34
Americas34
Africa34
Global Economy and Institutions34
12016 DEMOCRATIC PARTY PLATFORM DRAFT
2
3Preamble
4
5In 2016, Democrats meet in Philadelphia with the same basic belief that animated the
6Continental Congress when they gathered here 240 years ago: Out of many, we are one.
7
8Under President Obama's leadership, and thanks to the hard work and determination of the
9American people, we have come a long way from the Great Recession and the Republican
10policies that triggered it. We have seen 75 straight months of private-sector job growth and
11added 14.5 million new jobs. Twenty million people have gained health insurance coverage. The
12American auto industry just had its best year ever. We are getting more of our energy from the
13sun and wind, and importing less oil from overseas.
14
15But too many Americans have been left out and left behind. They are working longer hours with
16less security. Wages have barely budged and the racial wealth gap remains wide, while the cost
17of everything from childcare to a college education has continued to rise. And as working people
18struggle, the top one percent accrues more wealth and more power. Republicans in Congress
19have chosen gridlock and dysfunction over trying to find solutions to the real challenges we face.
20It's no wonder that so many feel like the system is rigged against them.
21
22Democrats believe that cooperation is better than conflict, unity is better than division,
23empowerment is better than resentment, and bridges are better than walls.
24
25It's a simple but powerful idea: we are stronger together.
26
27Democrats believe we are stronger when we have an economy that works for everyone--an
28economy that grows incomes for working people, creates good-paying jobs, and puts a middle-
29class life within reach for more Americans. We need an economy that prioritizes long-term
30investment over short-term profit-seeking, rewards the common interest over self-interest, and
31promotes innovation and entrepreneurship.
32
33 We believe that today's extreme level of income and wealth inequality--where the majority of
34the economic gains go to the top one percent and the richest 20 people in our country own more
35wealth than the bottom 150 million--makes our economy weaker, our communities poorer, and
36our politics poisonous.
37
38And we know that our nation's long struggle with race is far from over. More than half a century
39after Rosa Parks sat and Dr. King marched and John Lewis bled, more than half a century after
40César Chávez and Dolores Huerta organized, race still plays a significant role in determining
41who gets ahead in America and who gets left behind. We must face that reality and we must fix
42it.
43
44We believe a good education is a basic right of all Americans, no matter what zip code they live
45in. We will end the school-to-prison pipeline and build a cradle-to-college pipeline instead,
46where every child can live up to his or her God-given potential.
1
2We believe in helping Americans balance work and family without fear of punishment or
3penalty. We believe in at last guaranteeing equal pay for women. And as the party that created
4Social Security, we believe in protecting every American's right to retire with dignity.
5
6And we firmly believe that the greed, recklessness, and illegal behavior on Wall Street must be
7brought to an end. Wall Street must never again be allowed to threaten families and businesses
8on Main Street.
9
10Democrats believe we are stronger when we protect citizens' right to vote, not corporations' and
11billionaires' right to buy elections. We will bring an end to the broken campaign finance system,
12overturn the disastrous Citizens United decision, restore the full power of the Voting Rights Act,
13and return our elections to the American people.
14
15Democrats believe that climate change poses a real and urgent threat to our economy, our
16national security, and our children's health and futures, and that Americans deserve the jobs and
17security that come from becoming the clean energy superpower of the 21st century.
18
19Democrats believe we are stronger and safer when America brings the world together and leads
20with principle and purpose, and when we strengthen our alliances, not weaken them. We believe
21in the power of development and diplomacy. We believe our military should be the best-trained,
22best-equipped fighting force in the world, and that we must do everything we can to honor and
23support our veterans. And we know that only the United States can mobilize common action on a
24truly global scale, to take on the challenges that have no borders, from international terrorism to
25climate change to health pandemics.
26
27Above all, Democrats are the party of inclusion. We know that diversity is not our problem--it is
28our promise. As Democrats, we respect differences of perspective and belief, and pledge to work
29together to move this country forward, even when we disagree. With this platform, we do not
30merely seek common ground--we strive to reach higher ground.
31
32We are proud of our heritage as a nation of immigrants. We know that today's immigrants are
33tomorrow's teachers and soldiers, entrepreneurs and activists, PTA members, and pillars of their
34communities.
35
36We believe in protecting civil liberties and guaranteeing civil rights and voting rights, women's
37rights and workers' rights, LGBT rights and rights for people with disabilities. We believe
38America is still, as Robert Kennedy said, "a great country, an unselfish country, and a
39compassionate country."
40
41These principles stand in sharp contrast to the Republicans, who have nominated as the standard-
42bearer for their party and their candidate for President a man who seeks to appeal to Americans'
43basest differences, rather than our better natures.
44
45The stakes have been high in previous elections. But in 2016, the stakes can be measured in
46human lives--in the number of immigrants who would be torn from their homes; in the number
1of faithful and peaceful Muslims who would be barred from even visiting our shores; in the
2number of allies alienated and dictators courted; in the number of Americans who would lose
3access to health care and see their rights ripped away.
4
5This election is about more than Democrats and Republicans. It is about who we are as a nation,
6and who we will be in the future.
7
8Two hundred and forty years ago, in Philadelphia, we started a revolution of ideas and of action
9that continues to this day. Since then, our union has been tested many times, through bondage
10and civil war, segregation and depression, two world wars and the threat of nuclear annihilation.
11Generations of Americans fought and marched and organized to widen the circle of opportunity
12and dignity--and we are fighting still.
13
14Despite what some say, America is and has always been great--but not because it has been
15perfect. What makes America great is our unerring belief that we can make it better. We can and
16we will build a more just economy, a more equal society, and a more perfect union--because we
17are stronger together.
18
19
20Raise Incomes and Restore Economic Security for the Middle Class
21
22Democrats believe we must restore the basic bargain that built America's mighty middle class: If
23you work hard and play by the rules, you can get ahead and stay ahead, provided we break down
24certain barriers. The system isn't working when we have a rigged economy in which ordinary
25Americans work longer hours for lower wages, while most new income and wealth goes to the
26top one percent. In contrast, Donald Trump has shown time and again that he cannot be trusted to
27secure the basic economic dignity of Americans.
28
29Minimum Wage
30Democrats believe that the current minimum wage is a starvation wage and must be increased to
31a living wage. No one who works full time should have to raise a family in poverty. We believe
32that Americans should earn at least $15 an hour and have the right to form or join a union. We
33applaud the approaches taken by states like New York and California. We should raise and index
34the minimum wage, give all Americans the ability to join a union regardless of where they work,
35and create new ways for workers to have power in the economy. We also support creating one
36fair wage for all workers by ending the sub-minimum wage for tipped workers and people with
37disabilities.
38
39Democrats support a model employer executive order or some other vehicle to leverage federal
40dollars to support employers who provide their workers with a living wage, good benefits, and
41the opportunity to form a union. The $1 trillion spent annually by the government on contracts,
42loans, and grants should be used to support good jobs that rebuild the middle class.
43
44Labor
45The Democratic Party believes that when workers are strong, America is strong. Democrats will
46make it easier for workers, public and private, to exercise their right to organize, and join unions.
1We will fight to pass laws that direct the National Labor Relations Board to certify a union if a
2simple majority of eligible workers sign valid authorization cards, and that brings companies to
3the negotiating table. We support binding arbitration to help workers that have voted to join a
4union reach a first contract.
5
6A major reason for the 40-year decline in the middle class is that the rights of workers to bargain
7collectively for better wages and benefits have been under attack at all levels. Donald Trump
8would make matters worse by creating a race to the bottom where the middle class is fighting
9over fewer and fewer good-paying jobs. In fact, Trump rejected some attempts by his own
10employees to unionize and has personally hired union-busting firms to undermine workers'
11rights.
12
13Democrats believe so-called "right to work" laws are wrong for workers and wrong for America.
14We will continue to vigorously oppose those laws and other efforts that would eliminate dues
15check-off procedures, attack prevailing wage standards, abolish fair share requirements, restrict
16the use of voluntary membership payments for political purposes, and require annual
17recertification efforts.
18
19The Democratic Party believes consumers and workers who have been mistreated should never
20be denied their right to fight for fair treatment under the law. That is why we will support efforts
21to limit the use of forced arbitration clauses in employment and service contracts that unfairly
22strip workers, consumers, and students of their right to their day in court.
23
24Equal Pay, Paid Leave, and Caregiving
25We will fight to secure equal pay for women and--after 240 years--finally enshrine the rights of
26women in the constitution by passing the Equal Rights Amendment. While Donald Trump thinks
27it is "dangerous" for women to leave the home and paid family leave hurts our economy,
28Democrats will make sure that the United States finally enacts national paid family and medical
29leave by passing a family and medical leave act that would provide at least 12 weeks of paid
30leave to care for a new child or address a personal or family member's serious health issue, and
31we will fight to allow workers the right to earn at least seven days of paid sick leave. We will
32also encourage employers to provide paid vacation.
33
34Our work and family policies must also ease the burden on family caregivers, in part by creating
35 a strong, stable workforce to help meet families' needs. We will take steps to expand and
36strengthen the homecare workforce. We will increase childcare investments to make quality
37childcare more affordable, boost wages for childcare workers, and support the millions of people
38paying for, coordinating, or providing care for aging relatives or those with disabilities.
39
40Housing
41Where Donald Trump rooted for the housing crisis, Democrats will continue to fight for those
42families who suffered the loss of their homes. We will help those who are working toward a path
43of financial stability and will put sustainable home ownership into the reach of more families.
44Democrats will also combat the affordable housing crisis and skyrocketing rents in many parts of
45the country that are leading too many families and workers to be pushed out of communities
46where they work.
1
2We will increase the supply of affordable rental housing by expanding incentives and easing
3local barriers to building new affordable rental housing developments in areas of economic
4opportunity. We will substantially increase funding for the National Housing Trust Fund to
5construct, preserve, and rehabilitate millions of affordable housing rental units. Not only will this
6help address the affordable housing crisis, it will also create millions of good-paying jobs in the
7process. Democrats also believe that we should provide more federal resources to the people
8struggling most with unaffordable housing: low-income families, people with disabilities,
9veterans, and the elderly.
10
11We will reinvigorate federal housing production programs, increase resources to repair public
12housing, and increase funding for the housing choice voucher program. And we will fight for
13sufficient funding to end chronic homelessness.
14
15We must make sure that everyone has a fair shot at homeownership. We will lift up more
16families and keep the housing market robust and inclusive by defending and strengthening the
17Fair Housing Act. We will also support first time homebuyers, implement credit score reform to
18make the credit industry work for borrowers and not just lenders, and prevent predatory lending
19by defending the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). And we will help underwater
20homeowners by expanding foreclosure mitigation counseling.
21
22Social Security
23Democrats are proud to be the party that created Social Security, the most successful government
24program in our nation's history. We will fight every effort to cut, privatize, or weaken Social
25Security, including attempts to raise the retirement age or to diminish benefits by cutting cost-of-
26living adjustments. Democrats will expand Social Security so that every American can retire
27with dignity and respect, including women who are shortchanged by the current system because
28they are widowed or took time out of the workforce to care for their children, aging parents, or
29ailing family members. And we will make sure Social Security's guaranteed benefits continue
30for generations to come by asking those at the top to pay more, and will achieve this goal by
31taxing some of the income of people above $250,000. The Democratic Party is also committed to
32providing all necessary financial support for the Social Security Administration to provide timely
33benefits and high-quality service for those it serves. Our plan contrasts starkly with Donald
34Trump. He has referred to Social Security as a "Ponzi scheme" and has called for privatizing it as
35well as increasing the retirement age.
36
37Retirement Security
38Democrats believe it should be easier for Americans to save for retirement and prepare for
39unforeseen risks and expenses. We will defend the right of workers to collect their defined
40benefit pensions and make sure workers get priority and protection when pension plans are in
41distress. Democrats will also fight to protect the earned pension benefits of Americans in
42multiemployer pension plans. And we will fight against any attempt by Republicans in Congress
43or on Wall Street to roll back the Conflict of Interest Rule, which requires that retirement
44advisors put the best interests of their clients above their own financial gain.
45
1Postal Service
2The United States Postal Service is a national treasure. That is why Democrats embrace a
3vibrant, public Postal Service that offers universal service, and reject any effort to privatize or
4marginalize it. We are committed to eliminating the unsustainable mandate to "pre-fund"
5retiree health costs. And we will work to restore service to appropriate levels including overnight
6delivery of first-class mail and periodicals within the same metropolitan area, maintaining six-
7day and door-to-door delivery, and appointing members to the Board of Governors and the
8Postal Regulatory Commission who champion a strong public Postal Service. Democrats also
9advocate for expanding postal services. This includes offering basic financial services such as
10paycheck cashing. It also includes promoting vote-by-mail to increase voter participation and to
11help address the scourge of voter suppression.
12
13
14Create Good-Paying Jobs
15
16Democrats know nothing is more important than creating good-paying jobs that can support a
17middle-class life and provide workers with dignity and a sense of purpose -- from nurses,
18firefighters, and teachers, to construction workers, factory workers, and small business owners.
19
20Infrastructure
21If we are serious about reversing the decline of the middle class, we need a major federal jobs
22program that puts millions of Americans back to work in decent paying jobs in both the public
23and private sectors. We will make the most ambitious investment in American infrastructure
24since President Eisenhower created the interstate highway system. We will put Americans to
25work updating and expanding our roads, bridges, public transit, airports, and passenger and
26freight rail lines. We will build 21st century energy and water systems, modernize our schools,
27and continue to support the expansion of high-speed broadband networks. We will protect
28communities from the impact of climate change by investing in green and resilient infrastructure.
29These investments will create secure, good-paying middle-class jobs today and will substantially
30increase demand for American- made steel and other products manufactured in the United States.
31And by boosting economic growth in a fair and equitable way, and strengthening our long-term
32competitiveness, these investments will create many more jobs in the years to come.
33
34Democrats will also create an independent, national infrastructure bank that will support critical
35infrastructure improvements. The bank will provide loans and other financial assistance for
36investments in energy, water, broadband, transportation, and multi- modal infrastructure projects.
37
38Manufacturing
39Democrats believe one of the best ways to innovate, prosper, and create good-paying jobs is to
40make more in America, which is why we firmly support American manufacturing with a "Make
41it in America" plan. We must revitalize hard-hit manufacturing communities, create thriving
42hubs of manufacturing and innovation throughout the country, and claw back tax breaks for
43companies that ship jobs overseas, using the proceeds to reinvest in communities and workers at
44home instead. Donald Trump may talk tough, but he has consistently outsourced his own
45products. American workers deserve better.
46
1Clean Energy Jobs
2We must help American workers and businesses compete for jobs and investments in global
3clean energy, high-tech products, internet technology products, and advanced manufacturing and
4vehicles. And we must make American manufacturing more internationally competitive by
5making it the greenest and most efficient in the world, including by investing in industrial energy
6efficiency.
7
8Research, Science, and Technology
9Democrats support ambitious public and private investments in science, technology, and
10research. We will nurture the next generation of scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs,
11especially women and people of color, to make sure America continues to out-compete and out-
12innovate the rest of the world with a bold innovation agenda. Democrats also believe we must
13harness the promise of technological innovation to promote community participation and
14enhance opportunities to achieve greater economic self-sufficiency for people with disabilities.
15And we will encourage technology transfer, entrepreneurship, and small business creation
16throughout the country and in all types of innovation sectors.
17
18Democrats support a free and open internet at home and abroad, and will oppose any effort by
19Republicans to roll back the historic net neutrality rules that the Federal Communications
20Commission enacted last year.
21
22Democrats value American innovation and believe it is one of our country's great strengths. We
23will protect the intellectual property rights of artists, creators, and inventors at home and abroad.
24The entire nation prospers when we promote the unique and original artistic and cultural
25contributions of the women and men who create and preserve our nation's heritage.
26
27Democrats will fight against unfair theft of intellectual property and trade secrets. We will also
28increase access to global markets for American intellectual property and other digital trade by
29opposing quotas, discriminatory measures, and data localization requirements.
30
31Small Business
32While Donald Trump has often stiffed small businesses--nearly bankrupting some--with his
33deceptive and reckless corporate practices, the Democratic Party will make it easier to start and
34grow a small business in America. We will open up access to credit because we know that small
35businesses are some of the best job creators in our country. By supporting small businesses, we
36can grow jobs faster in America. Democrats also realize the critical importance of small business
37to women, people of color, tribes, and rural America and will work to nurture entrepreneurship.
38
39Youth Jobs
40Democrats will create millions of jobs for our young people. Roughly one in ten Americans
41between the ages of 16 and 24 is unemployed, more than twice the national average. The
42unemployment rates for African American, Latino, Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI),
43and American Indian teenagers are far too high. That is why Democrats will provide direct
44federal funding for a range of local programs that will put young people to work and create new
45career opportunities.
46
1
2Fight for Economic Fairness and Against Inequality
3
4Democrats believe that today's extreme levels of income and wealth inequality are bad for
5Americans and bad for our economy. Our economy depends on a thriving middle class to drive
6economic growth, yet Americans in the top one-tenth of one percent of income levels now own
7almost as much wealth as the bottom 90 percent of Americans combined. And the 20 wealthiest
8people in this country now own more wealth than the bottom half of the American people.
9
10Fixing our Financial System
11To restore economic fairness, Democrats will fight against the greed and recklessness of Wall
12Street. We must make Wall Street work for the job-creating, productive economy--including by
13making loans more affordable for small- and medium-sized businesses. Wall Street cannot be an
14island unto itself, gambling trillions in risky financial instruments and making huge profits, all
15the while thinking that taxpayers will be there to bail them out again. We must tackle dangerous
16risks in big banks and elsewhere in the financial system. We need to prohibit Wall Street from
17picking and choosing which credit agency will rate their products and from imposing excessive
18fees on consumers. And we must hold both individuals and corporations accountable when they
19break the law. Democrats believe that no bank can be too big to fail and no executive too
20powerful to jail. "Equal Justice Under Law" will not just be words engraved on the entrance of
21the Supreme Court. It will be the standard that applies to Wall Street and all Americans.
22
23We will also vigorously implement, enforce, and build on the landmark Dodd-Frank financial
24reform law, and we will stop dead in its tracks every Republican effort to weaken it. We will
25continue to protect consumers and defend the CFPB from Republican attacks. Our goal must be
26to create a financial system and an economy that works for all Americans, not just a handful of
27billionaires. We support a financial transactions tax on Wall Street to curb excessive speculation
28and high-frequency trading, which has threatened financial markets. We acknowledge that there
29is room within our party for a diversity of views on a broader financial transactions tax.
30
31Democrats will not hesitate to use and expand existing authorities as well as empower regulators
32to downsize or break apart financial institutions when necessary to protect the public and
33safeguard financial stability, including new authorities to go after risky shadow-banking
34activities. Banks should not be able to gamble with taxpayers' deposits or pose an undue risk to
35Main Street. Democrats support a variety of ways to stop this from happening, including an
36updated and modernized version of Glass-Steagall and breaking up too-big-to-fail financial
37institutions that pose a systemic risk to the stability of our economy.
38
39We believe that personnel is policy. We will nominate and appoint regulators and officials who
40are not beholden to the industries they regulate--people with a track record of standing up to
41power and safeguarding the public trust. We will crack down on the revolving door between
42the private sector--particularly Wall Street--and the federal government. We will ban golden
43parachutes for those taking government jobs. We will limit conflicts of interest by requiring bank
44and corporate regulators to recuse themselves from official work on particular matters that would
45directly benefit their former employers. And we will bar financial service regulators from
46lobbying their former colleagues for at least two years.
1
2We will reform the Federal Reserve so that it is more representative of America as a whole, and
3we will fight to make sure that executives at financial institutions are not allowed to serve on the
4boards of regional Federal Reserve banks or select its members.
5
6At a time when many of the largest banks have shunned communities across America,
7Democrats believe that we need to give Americans affordable banking options, including by
8empowering the United States Postal Service to facilitate the delivery of basic banking services.
9
10Stopping Corporate Concentration
11Large corporations have concentrated their control over markets to a greater degree than
12Americans have seen in decades--further evidence that the deck is stacked for those at the top.
13Democrats will take steps to stop corporate concentration in any industry where it's unfairly
14limiting competition. We will make competition policy and antitrust stronger and more
15responsive to our economy today, enhance the antitrust enforcement arms of the Department of
16Justice and the Federal Trade Commission, and encourage other agencies to police anti-
17competitive practices in their areas of jurisdiction.
18
19Taxes
20At a time of massive income and wealth inequality, we believe the wealthiest Americans and
21largest corporations must pay their fair share in taxes. Democrats will claw back tax breaks for
22companies that ship jobs overseas, eliminate tax breaks for big oil and gas companies, and crack
23down on inversions and other methods companies use to dodge their tax responsibilities. We will
24make sure that our tax code rewards businesses that make investments and provide good-paying
25jobs here in the United States, not businesses that walk out on America. We will end deferrals so
26that American corporations pay U.S. taxes immediately on foreign profits and can no longer
27escape paying their fair share of United States taxes by stashing profits abroad. We will then use
28the revenue raised from fixing the corporate tax code to reinvest in rebuilding America and
29ensuring economic growth that will lead to millions of good-paying jobs.
30
31We will ask those at the top to contribute to our country's future by establishing a
32multimillionaire surtax to ensure millionaires and billionaires pay their fair share. In addition, we
33will shut down the "private tax system" for those at the top, immediate ly close egregious
34loopholes like those enjoyed by hedge fund managers, restore fair taxation on multimillion dollar
35estates, and ensure millionaires can no longer pay a lower rate than their secretaries. At a time
36when we have seen near-record corporate profits, slow wage growth, and rising costs, we need to
37offer tax relief to middle-class families--not those at the top. We will offer tax relief to hard
38working, middle-class families for the cost squeeze that they have faced for years from rising
39health care, childcare, education, and other expenses. Donald Trump and the Republican Party
40would do the opposite and provide trillions in tax cuts for millionaires, billionaires, and
41corporations at the expense of working families, seniors, and the health of our economy.
42
43Trade
44Democrats acknowledge that for millions of Americans, global trade has failed to live up to its
45promise--with too many countries breaking the rules and too many corporations outsourcing
46jobs at the expense of American workers and communities.
1
2Over the past three decades, America has signed too many trade deals that have not lived up to
3the hype. Trade deals often boosted the profits of large corporations, while at the same time
4failing to protect workers' rights, labor standards, the environment, and public health. We need
5to end the race to the bottom and develop trade policies that support jobs in America. That is
6why Democrats believe we should review agreements negotiated years ago to update them to
7reflect these principles. Any future trade agreements must make sure that our trading partners
8cannot undercut American workers by taking shortcuts on labor policy or the environment.
9
10Democrats will fight to significantly strengthen enforcement of existing trade rules and the tools
11we have, including by holding countries accountable on currency manipulation and significantly
12expanding enforcement resources. China and other countries are using unfair trade practices to
13tilt the playing field against American workers and businesses. When they dump cheap products
14into our markets, subsidize state-owned enterprises, devalue currencies, and discriminate against
15American companies, our middle class pays the price. That has to stop. Democrats will use all
16our trade enforcement tools to hold China and other trading partners accountable--because no
17country should be able to manipulate their currencies to gain a competitive advantage.
18
19While we believe that openness to the world economy is an important source of American
20leadership and dynamism, we will only approve new trade agreements if they support American
21jobs, raise wages, and improve our national security. We believe any new trade agreements must
22include strong and enforceable labor and environmental standards in their core text. Trade
23agreements should crack down on the unfair and illegal subsidies other countries grant their
24businesses at the expense of ours. It should promote innovation of and access to lifesaving
25medicines. And it should protect a free and open internet. We should never enter into a trade
26agreement that prevents our government, or other governments, from putting in place rules that
27protect the environment, food safety, or the health of American citizens or others around the
28world.
29
30These are the standards Democrats believe must be applied to any future trade agreements. On
31the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP), there are a diversity of views in the party. Many Democrats
32are on record stating that the agreement does not meet the standards set out in this platform;
33other Democrats have expressed support for the agreement. But all Democrats believe that any
34trade agreement must protect workers and the environment and not undermine access to
35critically-needed prescription drugs.
36
37
38Bring Americans Together and Remove Barriers to Create Ladders of Opportunity
39
40Democrats believe that everyone in America deserves the chance to live up to their God-given
41potential. We will work to break down barriers standing in the way of Americans and replace
42them with ladders of opportunity.
43
44Racial Justice
45Democrats will fight to end institutional and systemic racism in our society. We will challenge
46and dismantle the structures that define lasting racial, economic, political, and social inequity.
1Democrats will promote racial justice through fair, just, and equitable governing of all
2institutions serving the public and in the formation of public policy. We will push for a societal
3transformation to make it clear that black lives matter and there is no place for racism in our
4country.
5
6Racial Wealth Gap
7 America's economic inequality problem is even more pronounced when it comes to racial and
8ethnic disparities in wealth and income. It is unacceptable that the median wealth for white
9Americans is roughly ten times that of African Americans and Latino Americans.
10These disparities are just as stark for American Indians and certain Asian American subgroups.
11The racial and ethnic gap in wealth and income has been created by historical and contemporary
12policies and practices that discriminate against people of color and constrained their ability to
13earn income and build assets to the same extent as other Americans.
14
15This economic disadvantage has accumulated over time and is made worse by ongoing
16discrimination. For example, as a result of the housing crisis and the great recession, African
17Americans, Latinos, and Asian Americans lost more than half of their net worth. And these
18losses were compounded by the fact that during the subprime mortgage crisis lenders targeted
19communities of color for faulty mortgages.
20
21Democrats believe it is long past time to close this racial wealth gap by eliminating systemic
22barriers to wealth accumulation for different racial groups and improving opportunities for
23people from all racial and ethnic backgrounds to build wealth.
24
25Criminal Justice
26Democrats are committed to reforming our criminal justice system and ending mass
27incarceration. Something is profoundly wrong when a quarter of the world's prison population is
28in the United States, even though we have less than five percent of the world's people. We will
29reform mandatory minimum sentences and close private prisons and detention centers. We will
30rebuild the bonds of trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve. Across the
31country, there are many police officers who inspire trust and confidence, deploying creative and
32effective strategies, and demonstrating that it is possible to reduce crime without relying on
33unnecessary force. We should learn from those examples and build on what works.
34
35We will invest in training for officers on issues such as de-escalation and the appropriate use of
36force, and encourage better police-community relations and the use of smart strategies like police
37body cameras. We will end racial profiling that targets individuals, based solely on race, religion,
38ethnicity, and national origin, which is un-American and counterproductive. We support states
39and localities that choose to make the investigations and prosecutions of police-involved
40shootings more independent and transparent, including through reforming the grand jury process.
41And we will explore reforms of the civil asset forfeiture system. Instead of investing in more
42jails and incarceration, we need to provide greater investment in jobs and education, and end to
43the school-to-prison pipeline. We will remove barriers to help formerly incarcerated individuals
44successfully re-enter society by banning the box, expanding reentry programs, and restoring
45voting rights. We will prioritize treatment over incarceration in tackling addiction and substance
46use disorder. This means significantly expanding treatment in this country for people struggling
47with addiction and mental health issues.
1
2We believe that the states should be laboratories of democracy on the issue of marijuana, and
3those states that want to decriminalize marijuana should be able to do so. We support policies
4that will allow more research on marijuana, as well as reforming our laws to allow legal
5marijuana businesses to exist without uncertainty. And we recognize our current marijuana laws
6have had an unacceptable disparate impact, with arrest rates for marijuana possession among
7African Americans far outstripping arrest rates among whites, despite similar usage rates.
8
9We will abolish the death penalty, which has proven to be a cruel and unusual form of
10punishment. It has no place in the United States of America.
11
12We have been inspired by the movements for criminal justice that directly address the
13discriminatory treatment of African Americans, Latinos, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders,
14and American Indians to rebuild trust in the criminal justice system.
15
16Immigration
17People should come to the United States with visas and not through smugglers. That is why the
18Democratic Party supports legal immigration, within reasonable limits, that meets the needs of
19families, communities, and the economy as well as maintains the United States' role as a beacon
20of hope for people seeking safety, freedom, and security. Immigration is not a problem to be
21solved, it is a defining aspect of the American character and history. We must defend against
22those who would exclude or eliminate legal immigration avenues and denigrate immigrants.
23Those immigrants already living in the United States, who are assets to their communities and
24contribute so much to our country, should be incorporated completely into our society through
25legal processes that give meaning to our national motto: E Pluribus Unum.
26
27Democrats believe we need to urgently fix our broken immigration system--which tears families
28apart and keeps workers in the shadows--and create a path to citizenship for law-abiding
29families who are here, making a better life for their families and contributing to their
30communities and our country.
31While we continue to fight for comprehensive immigration reform, we will defend and
32implement President Obama's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals and Deferred Action for
33Parents of Americans executive actions to help DREAMers, parents of citizens, and lawful
34permanent residents avoid deportation. We will build on these actions to provide relief for others,
35such as parents of DREAMers. We will invest in immigrant integration services, expand access
36to English language education, and promote naturalization to help the millions of people who are
37eligible for citizenship take that last step.
38We believe immigration enforcement must be humane and consistent with our values. We should
39prioritize those who pose a threat to the safety of our communities, not hardworking families
40who are contributing to their communities. We will end raids and roundups of children and
41families, which unnecessarily sow fear in immigrant communities. We should ensure due process
42for those fleeing violence in Central America and work with our regional partners to address
43the root causes of violence. We must take particular care with children, which is why we should
44guarantee government-funded counsel for unaccompanied children in immigration courts.
1We will work with Congress to end the lengthy, forced, and prolonged expulsion from the
2country that many immigrants endure when trying to adjust their status by rescinding the three-
3year, ten-year and permanent bars. We will fight to end federal, state, and municipal contracts
4with for-profit private prisons and private detention centers. In order to end family detention, we
5will ensure humane alternatives for those who pose no public threat. We should consider all
6available means of protecting these individuals from the threats to their lives and safety--
7including strengthening in-country and third-country processing, expanding the use of
8humanitarian parole, and granting Temporary Protected Status.
9We reject attempts to impose a religious test to bar immigrants or refugees from entering the
10United States. It is un-American and runs counter to the founding principles of this country.
11Finally, Democrats will not stand for the divisive and derogatory language of Donald Trump. His
12offensive comments about immigrants and other communities have no place in our society. This
13kind of rhetoric must be rejected.
14Civil Rights
15Democrats will always fight to end discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin,
16language, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. We need to promote
17civility and speak out against bigotry and other forms of intolerance that have entered our
18political discourse. It is unacceptable to target, defame, or exclude anyone because of their
19religion, race, ethnicity, national origin, or sexual orientation. While freedom of expression is a
20fundamental constitutional principle, we must condemn hate speech that creates a fertile climate
21for violence. We condemn Donald Trump's demonization of prisoners of war, women, Muslims,
22Mexicans, and people with disabilities; his playing coy with white supremacists; and the climate
23of bigotry he is creating. We also condemn the recent uptick in other forms of hate speech, like
24anti-Semitism and Islamophobia.
25
26LGBT Rights
27Democrats applaud last year's decision by the Supreme Court that recognized LGBT people--
28like every other American--have the right to marry the person they love. But there is still much
29work to be done. LGBT kids continue to be bullied at school, a restaurant can refuse to serve a
30transgender person, and a same-sex couple is at risk of being evicted from their home. That is
31unacceptable and must change. Democrats will fight for comprehensive federal non-
32discrimination protections for all LGBT Americans and push back against state efforts to
33discriminate against LGBT individuals. We will combat LGBT youth homelessness and improve
34school climates, and we will protect transgender individuals from violence. We will promote
35LGBT human rights and ensure America's foreign policy is inclusive of LGBT people around
36the world.
37
38Disability Rights
39No one should face discrimination based on disability status. Democrats are committed to
40realizing the full promise of the Americans with Disabilities Act. We will improve access to
41meaningful and gainful employment for people with disabilities. We will provide tax relief to
42help the millions of families caring for aging relatives or family members with chronic illnesses
1or disabilities. And we will continue to fight for ratification of the Convention on the Rights of
2Persons with Disabilities.
3
4Faith and Service
5Democrats know that our nation, our communities, and our lives are made vastly stronger and
6richer by faith in many forms and the countless acts of justice, mercy, and tolerance it inspires.
7We believe in lifting up and valuing the good work of people of faith and religious organizations
8and finding ways to support that work where possible.
9
10We believe in the power of national service, with people of all backgrounds coming together in
11common purpose to serve their communities and country.
12
13Agricultural Communities
14We will work to build a stronger rural and agricultural economy. Democrats will spur investment
15to power the rural economy and increase funding to support the next generation of farmers and
16ranchers. We will expand local food markets and regional food systems and provide a focused
17safety net to assist family operations that need support during challenging times. And we will
18promote clean energy leadership and collaborative stewardship of our natural resources, while
19expanding opportunities in rural communities across America.
20
21Poverty / Communities Left Behind
22We reaffirm our commitment to eliminate poverty. Democrats will develop a national strategy to
23combat poverty, coordinated across all levels of government. We will direct more federal
24resources to lifting up communities that have been left out and left behind, such as the 10-20-30
25model, which directs 10 percent of program funds to communities where at least 20 percent of
26the population has been living below the poverty line for 30 years or more. We will also focus on
27communities that suffer from persistent poverty, including empowerment zones and areas that
28targeted government data indicate are in persistent poverty.
29
30Democrats will also protect and expand proven programs, including robust support for nutrition
31assistance to stop people from going hungry as well as programs that help people grow their
32skills and provide training opportunities. The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) program should
33be expanded for low-wage workers not raising children, including extending the credit to young
34workers starting at age 21. The Child Tax Credit (CTC) should be indexed to inflation to stem
35the erosion of the credit.
36
37Democrats will also do more to invest in our most distressed communities--from our cities to
38coal country to the Rust Belt. We will create good-paying jobs and enhance opportunities by
39investing in small business, youth employment, and reentry programs for formerly incarcerated
40people. We will improve safety by repairing crumbling infrastructure in communities that need it
41most as well as on tribal lands. And we will make investments in housing near good jobs and
42good schools.
43
44Honoring Indigenous Tribal Nations
45We have a profound moral and legal responsibility to the Indian tribes--throughout our history
46we have failed to live up to that trust. That is why the Democratic Party will uphold, honor, and
1strengthen to the highest extent possible the United States' fundamental trust and responsibility,
2grounded in the Constitution and treaties, to American Indian and Alaska Native tribes.
3
4We recognize the inherent sovereignty of Indian nations and will work to enact laws and policies
5that strengthen, not reduce, the powers of Indian nations over people who interact with them in
6Indian Country. We will work on a government-to-government basis to continue to empower
7Indian nations, and to provide sufficient and meaningful resources to Indian tribes to increase
8economic development and self-determination. As Democrats, we will constantly seek to ensure
9that American Indian communities are safe, healthy, nurturing, educated, innovative, and
10prosperous.
11
12We will restore tribal lands by continuing to streamline the land-into-trust process and recognize
13the right of all tribes to protect their lands, air, and waters. We will continue to work on a
14government-to- government basis to address chronic underfunding, and provide meaningful
15resources and financial investments that will empower American Indian tribes through increased
16economic development and infrastructure improvements on tribal lands.
17
18We will strengthen the operation of tribal housing programs, and fully fund the Indian Housing
19Block Grant Program. We will increase affordable and safe housing and fight to significantly
20reduce homelessness on and off Indian reservations, especially among Native youth and
21veterans.
22
23We will invest in Indian education from early childhood through higher education. We will fully
24fund the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) and strengthen self-determination to enable
25culturally-tailored learning unique to each tribal nation and help to retain qualified teachers for
26Native learners. Democrats will continue to support President Obama's Generation Indigenous
27program that has made important strides in promoting new investments and increased
28engagement with American Indian youth, including by continuing efforts to reform the BIE to
29provide students attending BIE-funded schools with a world-class culturally-based
30education. We also support the elimination of school and sports mascots that reflect outdated
31stereotypes and that perpetuate racism.
32
33We will strengthen tribal sovereignty and tribal jurisdiction by enacting laws and policies that
34enhance the ability of Indian nations to govern their territories, keep their communities safe, and
35prosecute crimes committed on tribal lands. And we will back these efforts through robust
36investments in effective tribal law enforcement and tribal courts.
37
38We believe that health care is a core federal trust responsibility, and we support a robust
39expansion of the health care provided by the Indian Health Service. We will work to fully fund
40the Indian Health Service, Tribal, Urban Indian health care system and to ensure that Americans
41Indian have adequate, safe, and affordable access to primary care providers, including oral
42health, mental health practitioners, and substance abuse treatment options.
43
44We acknowledge the past injustices and the misguided, harmful federal and state policies and
45actions based on outdated and discredited values and beliefs that resulted in the destruction of the
46Indian nations' economies, social, and religious systems, the taking of their lands, and the
1creation of intergenerational trauma that exists to this day. We believe that we have a moral and
2profound duty to honor, respect, and uphold our sacred obligation to the Indian nations and
3Indian peoples.
4
5We will protect tribal sacred sites and empower tribes to maintain and pass on traditional
6religious beliefs, languages and social practices without fear of discrimination or suppression.
7We also believe that Native children are the future of tribal nations and that the Indian Child
8Welfare Act is critical to the survival of Indian culture, government, and communities and must
9be enforced with the original intent of the law.
10
11We will strengthen Indian voting rights, including improved access to polling locations. We will
12build on federal programs to reduce the disproportionate incarceration of American Indian and
13Alaska Native men and women, reduce disparity in prison sentencing, protect the religious rights
14of Native prisoners, reduce barriers to prisoner reentry, and offer access to housing and
15employment upon reentry.
16
17We are committed to principles of environmental justice in Indian Country and we recognize that
18nature in all its life forms has the right to exist, persist, maintain, and regenerate its vital
19cycles. We call for a climate change policy that protects tribal resources, protects tribal health,
20and provides accountability through accessible, culturally appropriate participation and strong
21enforcement. Our climate change policy will cut carbon emission, address poverty, invest
22in disadvantaged communities, and improve both air quality and public health. We support the
23tribal nations to develop wind, solar and other clean energy jobs.
24
25Democrats also support efforts for self-determination and sovereignty of Native Hawaiians.
26
27People of the Territories
28We support full self-government and self-determination for the people of the territories of Guam,
29American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana
30Islands and their right to decide their future status.
31
32Puerto Rico
33And we are committed to addressing the extraordinary challenges faced by our fellow citizens in
34Puerto Rico. Many stem from the fundamental question of Puerto Rico's political status.
35Democrats believe that the people of Puerto Rico should determine their ultimate political status
36from permanent options that do not conflict with the Constitution, laws, and policies of the
37United States. Democrats are committed to promoting economic opportunity and good-paying
38jobs for the hardworking people of Puerto Rico. We also believe that Puerto Ricans must be
39treated equally by Medicare, Medicaid, and by other benefits programs for families. All
40American citizens, no matter where they reside, should have the right to vote for the President of
41the United States. Finally, we believe that Washington must respect Puerto Rico's local self-
42government as Congress and the Executive Branch work to provide the necessary tools and aid
43that Puerto Rico needs to restructure its debt so that it can get on a path towards stability and
44prosperity, while maintaining its autonomy.
45
1
2Protect Voting Rights, Fix Our Campaign Finance System, and Restore Our Democracy
3
4Voting Rights
5The Democratic Party was founded on the promise of an expanded democracy. The right to vote
6is at the heart of our national vision. It is a core principle of the Democratic Party to maximize
7voter participation for all Americans. Our democracy suffers when nearly two thirds of our
8citizens do not or cannot participate, as in the last midterm elections. Democrats believe we must
9make it easier to vote not harder. We must restore the full protections of the Voting Rights Act.
10We will bring our democracy into the 21st century by expanding early voting and vote-by-mail,
11implementing universal automatic voter registration, same day voting, ending partisan and racial
12gerrymandering, and making Election Day a national holiday. We will restore voting rights for
13those who have served their sentences. And we will continue to fight against discriminatory
14voter identification laws, which disproportionately burden young voters, diverse communities,
15people of color, low-income families, people with disabilities, the elderly, and women.
16
17Republicans have enacted various voter suppression tactics from Ohio to Florida, and while
18some Federal Courts have found that these measures go too far, Democrats will continue to fight
19these laws to preserve the fundamental right to vote. As Democrats, we support efforts to defeat
20ill-motivated voter suppression tactics. We support Ohio's proposed Voters Bill of Rights
21amendment, North Carolina's Moral Monday movement, and similar initiatives to permanently
22safeguard this inalienable right.
23
24Campaign Finance
25Democrats believe we must fight to preserve the essence of the longest standing democracy in
26the world: a government that represents the American people, not just a handful of powerful and
27wealthy special interests. We will fight for real campaign finance reform now. Big money is
28drowning out the voices of everyday Americans, and we must have the necessary tools to fight
29back and safeguard our electoral and political integrity.
30
31Democrats support a constitutional amendment to overturn the Supreme Court's decisions in
32Citizens United and Buckley v. Valeo. We need to end secret, unaccountable money in politics by
33requiring, through executive order or legislation, significantly more disclosure and
34transparency--by outside groups, federal contractors, and public corporations to their
35shareholders. We need to amplify the voices of the American people through a small donor
36matching public financing system. We need to overhaul and strengthen the Federal Election
37Commission so that there is real enforcement of campaign finance laws. And we need to fight to
38eliminate super PACs and outside spending abuses.
39
40Our vision for American democracy is a nation in which all people, regar