How did you develop the courage to ask tough questions of powerful people? — Laurie from New York

It didn’t come naturally at first. During my first few weeks of Congress, I got a call from my mentor, Senator Elizabeth Warren, asking me how everything was going so far. I told her that I didn’t feel like I had found my voice.

But I got my chance with my first couple of hearings with the CEO of Equifax and then the CEO of Wells Fargo. I approached those hearings with one goal: to make members of the public—and the consumers that had been cheated by these companies—feel heard. I wanted to break through the confusing financial terms and back-and-forth on regulations to simply ask, “What makes you think this is okay?”. I did the math and used props to point out their hypocrisies and contradictions. And we started to get answers. The CEO of Wells Fargo even resigned a few weeks later.

After that, Senator Warren called me again. She said, “You found your voice. Don’t ever stop using it.” I certainly don’t intend to.

My courage comes from that understanding that I am simply there as a spokesperson for the American people—asking questions that make up our daily lives, like “Why is this prescription so damn expensive?” or, “How can somebody so unqualified be making these kinds of important decisions?”. Questions that you deserve to know the answers to. That’s how my team and I prepare for hearings today. We start by asking, “What is the problem we’re trying to solve?” and together we anticipate how a particular witness may respond and plot how to react in order to steer the conversation toward that end objective.

Still, whenever I hear them say, “The gentlelady from California is now recognized,” my heart kind of stops.

How will your work on the Natural Resources Committee help you address your larger goals for representing our district, and our nation? — Scott from California

Our state is already experiencing the devastating effects of the climate crisis, including record wildfires and dangerous air quality—and we need leaders at every level who understand that environmental protection cannot wait. I’m proud to represent my district and press for urgent action to halt the climate crisis, and also focus on protecting our oceans, natural lands, and endangered species. On a national level, many of you know how much I love doing oversight work. I'm looking forward to bringing my whiteboard to the Natural Resources Committee so that I can hold polluters accountable the same way I hold billionaire CEOs and unqualified government officials accountable.

How can I best help elect more Democrats like you to the House and the Senate? — Laura from California

I love this question, Laura. First off, I want to plug an organization I started last year called Truth to Power PAC. We support bold, progressive candidates to join me in Congress to take on corruption, demand accountability from powerful officials, and fight for working people—even when it means taking risks and speaking up. We endorsed 28 candidates last year, and right now we’re preparing to expand our support in 2022.

Second, if it weren’t for the early grassroots support I received when I launched my 2018 race, I don’t think I would have ever stood a chance at being elected. So as the 2022 midterms start to pick up—and they will before we know it—keep an eye out for those “long shot” progressive challengers, and if you can, support them as early as possible by making a recurring contribution each month.