By Ashlee BanksSpecial to the AFRO
In a political panorama typically characterised by division and partisanship, U.S. Rep. Gabe Amo (D-R.I.-1) stands out as a beacon of hope and a champion for unity. Elected to signify Rhode Island’s 1st Congressional District in a particular election, Amo turned the primary individual of shade to signify the constituency.
In an unique interview with the AFRO, Amo stated that his freshman yr was “eventful.”
(Credit score: (AP Photograph/Steven Senne)
“After I got here to Congress, we had not discovered a option to fund the finances for the entire yr. We had been only a few weeks previous the speaker dilemma, we had been centered on the continuing challenges in Ukraine and Israel and all of that on prime of doing the fundamentals of being a congressperson,” stated the Democratic lawmaker. “So, I can’t say I anticipated each little bit of it. I knew it will be difficult. It will take numerous my mind house and my time, and I’m grateful that Rhode Islanders despatched me again to proceed the work that I’ve began.”
Born and raised in a various group in Windfall, Rhode Island, Amo’s formative years was formed by the values of arduous work and group. His mother and father, immigrants from West Africa, instilled in him the significance of training and the importance of giving again. These classes would information him all through his life and profession, fueling his want to serve others and impact constructive change.
Amo informed the AFRO that he’s involved in regards to the well-being of immigrants underneath a Trump-Vance administration provided that the president-elect acknowledged on Day 1 he would invoke mass deportations.
“I feel there’s nothing extra American than the pursuit of alternative by individuals from different locations who come right here and make our nation higher at each phase of life, each phase of the financial system,” stated the lawmaker.
“It’s additionally true that we’ve work to do to guarantee that we’ve a lawful and orderly course of for individuals to turn out to be People, and time and time once more, the president-elect has led Republicans away from actual options,” added Amo. “We all know that there must be pathways which are significant and purposeful for individuals to be on this nation. What we don’t want is bigoted mass incarceration and [deportation.]”
Earlier than coming into Congress, Amo served because the director of the Rhode Island Governor’s Workplace of Range, Fairness and Inclusion. On this position, he labored tirelessly to advertise fairness and justice in state insurance policies, specializing in marginalized communities. His dedication to fostering inclusive environments and addressing systemic inequalities resonated deeply along with his constituents and positioned him as a frontrunner in social justice initiatives.
Amo’s election to Congress in 2023 got here at a pivotal second for Rhode Island and the nation. He gained a crowded Democratic main and subsequently the overall election by emphasizing a platform centered on financial alternative, healthcare entry, local weather motion and social justice. His strategy is characterised by an unwavering perception that everybody, no matter their background, deserves a good shot at success.
Considered one of Amo’s main focuses in Congress has been on financial improvement, notably within the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. He advocates for insurance policies that create jobs and assist small companies, particularly these owned by individuals of shade. His ardour for financial fairness is mirrored in his assist for initiatives that present sources and alternatives for underserved communities.
Healthcare is one other cornerstone of Amo’s legislative agenda. Drawing from his experiences rising up in a household that confronted monetary challenges, he understands the significance of accessible and inexpensive healthcare. He has been a vocal supporter of increasing Medicaid and decreasing prescription drug costs, emphasizing that well being shouldn’t be a luxurious however a elementary proper for all People.
Environmental justice can be a key difficulty for Amo. As a consultant of a coastal state, he acknowledges the urgency of addressing local weather change and its disproportionate impression on weak communities. He has been an advocate for inexperienced power initiatives and insurance policies that promote sustainability whereas creating jobs within the renewable power sector.
Regardless of the challenges of being a freshman congressman in a polarized setting, Amo stays optimistic and dedicated to his imaginative and prescient for a greater future. His means to attach with individuals from all walks of life has made him a preferred determine amongst constituents. He typically holds city corridor conferences, the place he listens to the considerations of his group and seeks their enter on legislative issues.
Amo informed the AFRO that though Republicans can have management over the U.S. Home of Representatives and the U.S. Senate for the subsequent two years, Democrats will ship a transparent message that they are going to battle on behalf of the American individuals.
“We’ve got to speak on to our constituents–speak with them, not at them–and be visionaries. Concentrate on the long run, talk our message of financial alternative, of decreasing prices and specializing in issues that People truly care about,” stated Amo.
“I do know the higher days are forward, and I stay up for being a part of that vivid future as a member of the home,” he added.
