Yonkers Insider: Election 2020: Candidate Profile: Adam Schleifer, Democrat for US Congress, 17th District. Primary Day - June 23rd - Democratic Party Primary.

As a former Assistant United States Attorney and New York State consumer-protection regulator, Adam has spent the better part of his professional career standing up to bullies, fraudsters, and cheats — fighting to ensure that every person gets a fair opportunity to pursue their version of the American Dream. He has taken on predatory lenders and scam-artists who try to cheat the system and cut the line; he has stopped perpetrators of sexual violence and stood up for survivors of sexual assault; he has taken guns off of our streets and out of the hands of criminals; and he has protected our clean air by prosecuting a vehicle-emissions fraud ring.

Adam’s running for Congress to continue the fight on behalf of the hardworking people of Westchester and Rockland, who understand that no one, least of all President Donald Trump, is above the law. Adam understands that we are living through extraordinary times. He will work to repair our frayed fabric and rebuild a culture of engagement and cooperation where our government works as hard and effectively as the rest of us do every day.

A Westchester native and graduate of Horace Greeley High School in the Chappaqua Public School System, Adam went on to attend Cornell University, and graduated with distinction and a dual degree in philosophy and government. He later attended Columbia University Law School, where he also served as Senior Editor of the Columbia Law Review. After graduating from law school, Adam served two years as a federal law clerk before working five years as a litigator at one of New York’s leading law firms.Adam returned to public service as a Special Associate Counsel for the New York State Department of Financial Services, where he helped lead enforcement efforts against predatory payday and subprime auto lenders who were targeting seniors, people of color, veterans, and low-income New Yorkers. His efforts cracking down on their practices in New York and nationwide has helped put some of the worst offenders out of business.

As an Assistant United States Attorney, Adam prosecuted major frauds, including an investment scheme targeting recent immigrants and an accounting fraud that victimized a church and its elderly members. He fought against illegal gun possession, taking dozens of dangerous and high-capacity assault weapons off the streets and out of the hands of criminals, and protected victims of sexual violence and intimidation by prosecuting sexual assault, child pornography, and sexual extortion. Adam also worked to protect our environment by prosecuting environmental crimes.

Growing up in Westchester with a younger brother with special needs, and as the grandchild of Holocaust survivors who arrived in America as refugees, Adam Schleifer has had a lifelong commitment to fighting for social justice and a more inclusive America. In Congress, Adam will:

Restore respect for science and our EPA, and protect our environment by fairly pricing and progressively taxing carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses.

Undo President Trump’s unfair, unsustainable and fiscally-irresponsible tax bill, including and especially the cap on state and local tax (“SALT”) deductions that hardworking homeowners relied upon in purchasing their homes in Westchester and Rockland.

Ensure every American has access to affordable, quality health care, including through a strong public health insurance option that competes with the private insurance market so that no one goes broke because they get sick, and no one is denied access to lifesaving treatments because an insurance company is trying to squeeze more profits.

Pass commonsense gun legislation to protect our children and teachers, and unlock the potential of every neighborhood in America.

Stand up to racism, anti-Semitism, misogyny, and all other forms of hate that threaten our communities, and continue our support for our critical ally, Israel.

Protect reproductive privacy and a woman’s right to choose through federal legislation if that right is threatened in the courts.

Encourage greater political participation by making Election Day a federal holiday, supporting New York efforts to make voter registration automatic, and eliminating the Electoral College.