Omar Is a Homes Guarantee Champion and Introduced the Rent and Mortgage Cancellation Act of 2019
Contact: Johanna Kichton, 202.660.0605, [email protected]
WASHINGTON, D.C.–People’s Action today endorsed Rep. Ilhan Omar in her reelection bid to represent Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District ahead of the August 11 Minnesota Democratic primary election. Omar is running a movement politics, people-powered campaign and will continue to fight for the People’s Action People’s Platform after reelection. TakeAction Minnesota, a People’s Action member organization, also endorsed her.
“In this time of unprecedented mobilization for racial and economic justice, we need leaders who know what it’s like to be part of the multiracial working class and will fight for our movement. Rep. Ilhan Omar is one of those leaders,” People’s Action Director of Movement Politics and MN-5 resident Ryan Greenwood said. “She’s a trailblazer who puts people and the planet first and believes that everyone should have a safe place to call home. Minnesotans deserve someone who will stand up to the corporations and the wealthy, and People’s Action is proud to endorse the only candidate who will do just that. From Edina to Minneapolis to Fridley, Minnesotans need a champion like Rep. Omar who understands that focusing on us means fighting to change the world.”
“TakeAction Minnesota is proud to announce our members’ endorsement of Ilhan Omar for reelection in Congressional District 5. Representative Omar has been a progressive champion in Washington, D.C., while remaining deeply engaged with her constituents here in Minnesota. Rep. Omar has proven her commitment to working in partnership with our communities to create a Minnesota–and an America–where everyone is cared for and we all can thrive. We are thrilled to continue working with Representative Omar in building the future we dream of and deserve,” TakeAction Minnesota Communications Director Trisha Harms said.
“Rep. Omar is by now a national leader for housing justice. She has been a steadfast champion of the movement for a Homes Guarantee, recognizing the simple truth that we can and we must guarantee housing as a human right in America. Rep. Omar has worked in deep collaboration with grassroots leaders, people who are directly impacted by housing injustice, to imagine a better world, and to take steps towards it,” People’s Action Homes Guarantee Campaign Director Tara Raghuveer said.
Ilhan Omar – Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District
Ilhan Omar was elected to Congress in 2018 to represent the Fifth Congressional District of Minnesota. In her first year in office, she successfully passed 16 bills and amendments through the U.S. House of Representatives. Ilhan introduced the Student Debt Cancellation Act to end the student debt crisis, Homes for All legislation to end the homelessness crisis, and legislation to tackle child hunger by making school meals universal. She also co-sponsored the No Ban Act to combat Donald Trump’s xenophobic Muslim Ban, successfully pushed to extend DED status for the Liberian community in Minnesota, and introduced a War Powers Resolution to prevent war with Iran. She is Vice Chair of the Medicare for All Caucus, Whip for the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and Midwest Regional Whip for the Democratic Caucus.
“In Minnesota, we know elections have consequences. I ran for Congress because I believe in advancing a bold and progressive agenda that creates a more just and equitable world–and I’m running for reelection to keep fighting for that agenda. I’m proud to have the endorsement of People’s Action. When we organize together, we all win,” Rep. Ilhan Omar (MN-5) said.
People’s Action’s Movement Politics program recruits, runs, and elects progressives into local and statewide offices across the country. Since 2016, People’s Action has helped elect over 350 movement politics candidates. The program focuses on electing women, people of color, and low-income people who are grounded in progressive movement building with our member organizations.
About People’s Action
People’s Action is a national network of 40 state and local grassroots, power-building organizations united in fighting for justice. Our organization recently released a vision for a national Homes Guarantee that has already prompted major legislation from champions including U.S. Reps. Ilhan Omar, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Rashida Tlaib. We operate the largest progressive rural organizing project in the country. The Nation called our Iowa presidential forum the “most in-depth, people-powered forum” of the 2020 cycle.