The 2020 Democratic Platform
Every four years, Democrats from across the country join together to craft our party’s platform.The platform is created to uplift working people and write out the values that will guide our party for years to come. Visit Democrats.org
SYNOPSIS OF THE 2020 DEMOCRATIC PARTY PLATFORM
The Democratic Party approved the new party platform during the convention in August. It is a comprehensive set of policies on the most important issues of our time. The primary focus is on the COVID 19 pandemic, the Economy, Healthcare, Climate crisis, and Criminal justice reforms. The Democrats will fight for and repair the soul of this Nation. Americans believe that diversity is our greatest strength.
COVID 19 Pandemic
The Coronavirus pandemic is every American’s concern and responding to this crisis is the top concern. The Democrats support more aid to state and local governments for testing ad contact tracing; free testing and treatment for everyone; free vaccines when they become available; expanded paid sick leave; family leave; and unemployment insurance to help workers affected by this health crisis.
“Democrats will rejoin and fully resource the WHO.”
Healthcare
COVID 19 Pandemic
The Coronavirus pandemic is every American’s concern and responding to this crisis is the top concern. The Democrats support more aid to state and local governments for testing ad contact tracing; free testing and treatment for everyone; free vaccines when they become available; expanded paid sick leave; family leave; and unemployment insurance to help workers affected by this health crisis.“Democrats will rejoin and fully resource the WHO.”
Healthcare
“The Democrats believe we need to protect, strengthen, and build upon our bedrock health care programs, including the Affordable Care Act.” Democrats desire to bring down cost of prescription drugs and reduce healthcare costs and protect and strengthen Medicare.
Economy
Democrats support raising the minimum wage to $15 by 2026; invest in infrastructure including high-speed rail. They will work to modernize ports, locks, and dam systems and freight infrastructures. They want to improve broadband access so to diminish the digital divide between rural and municipal areas. Democrats support and encourage homeownership by increasing affordable housing and by giving a $15,000 tax credit to first-time home buyers. To improve/upgrade the country’s electrical grid, the goal is to add 500 million solar panels and 60,000 wind turbines.Democrats “reject every effort to cut, privatize, or weaken Social Security.”
Democrats want to rewrite the rules that have undermined a workers’ ability to advocate for themselves. They want to prioritize passing the PRO ACT restoring workers’ rights. They will strengthen whistleblower and anti-retaliation protections.
Education
Democrats support making public colleges and universities tuition–free for students whose families earn less than $125,000 and support making community colleges and trade schools tuition free for all students. Democrats want to ‘ban for-profit private schools from receiving federal funding.” Democrats will make major investments in quality, affordable child care.
Criminal Justice and Racial Justice
Democrats support broad changes to federal sentencing guidelines, drug laws and a” national standard governing the use of force” such as chokeholds. They will establish ‘no knock’ warrant standards. They want to eliminate cash bail. Decriminalizing marijuana and legalizing it for medical use are key in reform actions. They believe that decriminalizing marijuana for recreational use should be left up to the states. “Democrats believe that weapons of war have no place on our streets.”
Foreign Policy
Democrats still believe in a two-state solution for the Palestinian /Israeli conflict. Jerusalem should remain the capital of Israel. “Democrats are committed to a durable and inclusive political settlement in Afghanistan.” They will end support for Saudi-led war on Yemen. “Democrats will revitalize the power and purpose of American diplomacy.” Seeing the world as it is today, “we will reinvent our alliances, partnerships and international institutions to meet common challenges and… advance mutual priorities.”Democrats believe our military is the most effective fighting force in the world. The armed forces must transform to meet the 21st Century challenges that includes technology from cyber to space.
Climate Change
The Party established strong goals of eliminating carbon pollution from power plants by 2035 and achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions for all new buildings by 2030 and net zero gas emissions by 2050.Democrats will immediately rejoin the Paris Climate Agreement. They will recommit to the Green Climate Fund, protect our oceans, and seek science-based approaches to the crisis in the Arctic region.
Additional Issues
View the 2020 Democratic Party Platform
Visit the National Democratic Party to read the 2020 Party Platform in its entirety!
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