Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY8) connects his job in Washington with the people he represents in central and south Brooklyn and southwest Queens.
The 8th district is one of the most diverse in NY state - Congressman Jeffries says 33% of the people he serves were born outside of the United States. Which explains, in part, why he finds Donald Trump's rhetoric on immigration and "diabolical brilliance" so worrying.
"It’s understandable for Americans to be concerned as it relates to the rise of ISIS and, of course, prior to ISIS Al Qaeda and having been struck here on September 11th it’s very real for all of us, but we also have to be responsible in how we conduct ourselves. And to have the leading Republican presidential contender spouting such hate and irresponsible rhetoric is disturbing to a wide swath of the people that I represent and certainly I find it very troubling."
As for the Trans-Pacific Partnership, Congressman Jeffries called it "NAFTA on steroids," saying that 40% of the world's GDP is tied to this trade deal. He said if the vote was today, he'd vote no on the deal.
"Unless I can be convinced, primarily, that the labor standards in the other countries that are party to the TPP are elevated to the standards that exist in this country, there will be an incentive for multinational corporations to ship our jobs overseas."
You can connect with Congressman Jeffries by emailing him (follow this link to verify your address in his district) or engaging with him on Twitter.