Malvido's Policy Positions

​​​As a US Congressman representing Arizona, my commitment to equality, justice, and opportunity for all would translate into concrete policy proposals and legislative actions. Here's how I would back or create specific policies to address the issues I've outlined: A Living Wage for All​

Co-sponsor and champion the Raise the Wage Act or similar legislation: The current federal minimum wage is a poverty wage. I would actively co-sponsor and advocate for legislation that incrementally raises the federal minimum wage to a living wage, indexed to inflation to ensure its value doesn't erode over time. This includes phasing out subminimum wages for tipped workers, workers with disabilities, and youth workers.

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Support federal incentives for fair wage practices: I would explore and champion legislation that offers federal tax credits or other incentives to businesses that pay their employees a certified living wage, encouraging widespread adoption of fair compensation practices.

Advocate for sector-specific wage standards: For industries with historically low wages, I would explore and support legislation that establishes federal wage boards to set fair, sector-specific wage standards, ensuring workers in vulnerable industries are not exploited.

• ​Healthcare is a Human Right​

Champion Medicare for All or a robust public option: I would be a leading voice in Congress for comprehensive healthcare reform, specifically advocating for a "Medicare for All" system that provides universal coverage. If that is not immediately achievable, I would strongly support legislation to establish a robust public health insurance option that competes with private insurers, driving down costs and expanding access.

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Expand Medicaid eligibility nationally: I would push for federal legislation to expand Medicaid eligibility in all states, ensuring that more low-income individuals and families have access to essential healthcare services, particularly in states like Arizona that have historically resisted expansion.

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Address prescription drug costs: I would back legislation that allows Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices, caps out-of-pocket prescription costs for seniors, and promotes the development of generic drugs to increase competition and affordability.

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Invest in mental health and substance abuse treatment: I would advocate for significant federal funding increases for mental health services, including integrated care models and expanded access to addiction treatment programs, recognizing these as critical components of overall health.

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• ​Education: The Foundation of Opportunity​

Support the College for All Act and free community college: I would be a fervent co-sponsor and advocate for legislation like the "College for All Act," aiming to make public colleges and universities tuition-free for most students, and guaranteeing tuition-free community college for all.

Increase Pell Grant funding and expand eligibility: I would work to substantially increase the maximum Pell Grant award, index it to inflation, and expand its eligibility to cover more low-income students and those pursuing non-traditional educational pathways.

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Invest in K-12 public education: I would push for increased federal funding for public schools, particularly those in underserved communities, to ensure equitable access to quality education, modern facilities, and competitive teacher salaries. This includes support for early childhood education programs.

Address student loan debt: I would advocate for comprehensive student loan debt relief, including loan forgiveness programs for public service workers and reforms to prevent predatory lending practices.

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• ​Protecting Immigrant Rights and Creating Pathways to Citizenship​

Co-sponsor and champion the American Dream and Promise Act: This crucial legislation provides a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers (undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children) and recipients of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED). I would be a fervent advocate for its swift passage.

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Advocate for comprehensive immigration reform: The current immigration system is broken. I would push for comprehensive reform that  streamlines legal immigration processes, and provides a clear and fair pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who meet certain criteria, such as long-term residency, clean records, and payment of taxes. This would include prioritizing family reunification and addressing backlogs in visa processing.

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Protect due process rights for immigrants: I would introduce and support legislation that ensures due process protections for all immigrants, including access to legal counsel, fair hearings, and safeguards against arbitrary detention and deportation. This includes ending indefinite detention and ensuring humane conditions in immigration detention facilities.

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Increase funding for naturalization services and legal aid: I would advocate for increased federal funding for non-profit organizations and community centers that provide legal assistance and citizenship preparation services to immigrants, helping them navigate the complex naturalization process.

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End discriminatory immigration policies: I would work to repeal and prevent the implementation of policies that are discriminatory, such as those that separate families at the border or target specific nationalities. I would advocate for a humane and rights-based approach to border management.

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Address root causes of migration: I would support foreign policy initiatives and development aid that address the underlying causes of forced migration, such as violence, poverty, and instability in countries of origin, reducing the need for people to leave their homes in the first place.

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Support immigrant integration initiatives: I would advocate for federal grants and programs that support immigrant integration at the local level, including English language learning, job training, and access to social services, recognizing that successful integration benefits all members of society.​

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• ​Protecting Native American Sacred Sites from Extractive Industries​

Introduce and support the Indigenous Sacred Lands Protection Act: I would draft and champion legislation that provides stronger federal protections for Native American sacred sites, explicitly prohibiting extractive industries from operating on or near these culturally significant areas. This bill would establish a clear legal cause of action for tribes to defend their sacred sites in court.

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Strengthen consultation requirements: I would introduce amendments to existing environmental and historic preservation laws (like NEPA and NHPA) to mandate more robust and meaningful consultation with tribal nations at the earliest stages of any federal project or permitting process that could impact sacred sites or ancestral lands. This would include ensuring that tribal consent, not just consultation, is a prerequisite for projects on or near sacred sites.

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Expand the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA): I would seek to amend these acts to specifically enhance protections for intangible cultural heritage and traditional cultural properties, ensuring that the spiritual and ceremonial significance of sites is fully recognized and protected, not just their archaeological value.

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Fund tribal cultural preservation initiatives: I would advocate for increased federal funding for tribal cultural preservation programs, allowing Native American communities to document, manage, and protect their sacred sites and cultural resources.

Block specific destructive projects: As a Congressman, I would actively oppose and work to block specific legislative proposals or administrative actions that would allow extractive industries to encroach upon Native American sacred sites, using all available legislative tools, including amendments, budget riders, and public advocacy.

​Protecting the Separation of Powers and Preventing Executive Overreach​

Strengthen Congressional oversight powers: I would propose and support legislation that enhances Congress's ability to oversee and review executive branch actions, including Executive Orders, agency regulations, and the use of emergency powers. This could include expanding the Congressional Review Act to cover a wider range of executive actions.

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Rein in unilateral executive authority: I would work to pass legislation that limits the President's ability to unilaterally impose tariffs, declare national emergencies for non-critical issues, or deploy military force without explicit Congressional authorization.

Protect the independence of federal agencies and the judiciary: I would oppose any attempts to politicize or undermine the independence of federal agencies or the judiciary. This includes opposing politically motivated appointments to career civil service positions and defending judicial review of executive actions.

Increase transparency and accountability: I would advocate for legislation that increases transparency in government operations, including stricter lobbying regulations, expanded whistleblower protections, and measures to prevent conflicts of interest within the executive branch.

Reform the appointment process for key positions: I would work to reform the process for appointing high-level executive branch officials to ensure that qualified individuals are selected based on merit and not solely on political loyalty, thereby reducing the potential for unchecked power.​

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