Born and raised in North Dallas by a single mom who was a Dallas public school teacher, Congressman Colin Allred was student body president at Hillcrest High School and earned a full-ride football scholarship to Baylor University.
Diploma in hand and prepared to attend law school, Colin deferred his acceptance to play in the NFL. He was a linebacker for five seasons before sustaining a career-ending injury that opened the door for him to fulfill his other dream -- becoming a civil rights attorney.
Colin served in the General Counsel's office at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Colin later returned home to Dallas and decided to run for office to represent the district he grew up in.
We've begun to dig out of the financial crisis of 2008, but even as jobs have come back, wages have fallen behind. Too many middle class families are working harder than ever and not seeing any gains, and fewer people are able to work their way into the middle class.
Strengthening the middle class is key to building a robust economy and making sure that everyone has a chance at the American Dream. That is why Congressman Allred is working to raise wages, invest in job training programs and small businesses, ensuring equal pay for equal work, and expanding paid family leave. Working families make up the backbone of our economy. It is imperative that we help them prosper, so our country prospers.
A strong education system is critical to maintaining America's economic edge in the 21st century. Investing in our public schools is key to ensuring these opportunities are available to every child in America, no matter their socio-economic background, race, or gender. As the son of a former Dallas public school teacher, Congressman Allred will strongly support funding for our public schools, making sure that schools and their teachers are well equipped to prepare our students for the future. This includes rebuilding crumbling schools and establishing universal pre-k so that every child, no matter where they live can get a good start on their education and parents get much needed relief in child-care.
As student loan debt climbs to record heights, we need to lessen the burden our young people and their parents take on as they pursue higher education. That is why Congressman Allred is committed to making college affordable and accessible to all, and to expanding vocational and training programs to ensure our students are prepared for an evolving workforce. An investment in our kids is an investment in the future of this country, and Congressman Allred will fight for every child to have the education they need for success.
Everyone should have access to quality, affordable health care coverage. But barriers such as high out-of-pocket costs and skyrocketing drug prices have left thousands in North Texas with two choices: go uninsured or be burdened with high prices. Additionally, partisan attacks on the Affordable Care Act, Medicare and Medicaid have threatened to rip away affordable health care from people that work hard and play by the rules. This is simply unacceptable.
Congressman Allred is working hard to ensure all North Texans have access to affordable, quality care, regardless of pre-existing conditions or their income bracket. This means supporting measures that protect and strengthen the Affordable Care Act to lower costs, expanding access to coverage, and lowering prescription drug costs. Congressman Allred supports a public option that would allow Texans to buy into Medicare if they couldn't find affordable coverage on the open market. That would give consumers more choice, boost competitiveness and lower prices.
Prescription Drug Prices:
Middle-class families are bearing the brunt of the runaway cost of prescription drugs. No matter where you get your insurance, Americans need a fair system that allows for transparency and protection from price gouging. Congressman Allred supports allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices and is dedicated to working with representatives in both parties to make sure there is increased accountability and protections for consumers.
Time and time again as a nation, we've witnessed Black people being unjustly killed at the hands of those who are supposed to protect and serve. Now, we must face head-on the long-standing, deep racial inequities that too many Black Americans face. There is a broad coalition within North Texas, and across the country, calling out for real change. This is not a Republican or Democratic issue. It is time we implemented common-sense reforms that will restore trust in our law enforcement and ensure justice.
Allred supports The Justice in Policing Act, a bill led by the Congressional Black Caucus that is a first-ever, bold, comprehensive approach to police reform. It will hold police accountable, end racial profiling, change the culture of law enforcement, empower our communities, and build trust between law enforcement and our communities by addressing systemic racism and bias to help save lives. This bill reinvests in our communities by supporting critical community-based programs to change the culture of law enforcement and empower our communities to reimagine public safety in an equitable and just way. Learn more about the bill here.
Homeland Security and Immigration
Congressman Allred will take a pragmatic approach to reforming our broken immigration system. He is fighting to ensure we secure our border, and our ports of entry using 21st century technology to tackle the complicated problems we face. Congressman Allred is working toward ending the piecemeal approach and passing comprehensive reform that would create a path to citizenship for longtime residents who have paid their taxes and obeyed our laws. He believes strongly that people who were brought here as children and are covered by DACA should be protected.
Gun Violence Prevention
There is so much we agree on as a nation to address gun violence. Too many lives have been taken from us and Congress must act. Congressman Allred supports keeping our neighborhoods and schools safe with common-sense gun safety measures such as universal, instant background checks, keeping weapons of war out of local communities and closing loopholes to keep guns out of the hands of violent criminals and domestic abusers.
As a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Congressman Allred is committed to protecting America and creating security at home and stability abroad. North Texas is a hub of international trade as well as a host to visitors from all over the world. Now more than ever, it is important we engage the international community and that Congress assert itself on matters of foreign policy and national security.
Our infrastructure is outdated and already beginning to fail our commuters, businesses and families. That is why, as a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure committee, Congressman Allred supports increased investment and innovative programs to rebuild our highways, airports, bridges, and railroads. Investment in our country's infrastructure is vital to a prosperous economy, and these projects will create millions of jobs, invigorating local economies, boosting middle-class families, and improving quality of life for Americans everywhere.
Our veterans have made incredible sacrifices in serving our country. It is our duty to make sure that when they return home, they have the resources they need to transition back to civilian life.
As a member of the Veterans' Affairs committee, Congressman Allred is dedicated to ensuring all veterans receive the benefits they have earned through their service. That means strengthening the VA system to reduce wait times and make sure every veteran is getting the individualized care they need. Congressman Allred also strongly supports expanding mental health services so that veterans suffering from PTSD and other service related trauma can access the help they need. Additionally, it is our responsibility to equip our veterans with the tools and resources they need to return to the workforce. Congressman Allred supports measures to increase job training programs and educational opportunities, so veterans can successfully transition to the civilian workforce. The number of homeless veterans is deeply troubling, and we must help local communities provide shelter and transition services to these men and women to get them into safe, stable housing.
Congress must honor its obligations to our veterans. Congressman Allred is proud to work for the brave men and women who have put so much on the line to defend our freedom and protect our nation.
Unaccountable and unregulated money in our elections has diluted the voices of our citizens. Big corporations and special interests have poured millions into our elections, in an attempt to influence politicians. Congress needs to return political power back to the people. Congressman Allred supports measures to overturn the Citizens United ruling, strengthen campaign finance reform, and increase accountability and transparency in our elections.
Voting Rights
As a voting and civil rights attorney, Congressman Allred supports the restoring of the Voting Rights Act, ending extreme partisan gerrymandering and reinstating voting rights to those who have paid their debts to society. He is deeply concerned by efforts to erect barriers to voting, and supports measures like expanded early voting making Election Day a federal holiday to make the process more accessible for all citizens.