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Addressing Virginia's Housing Crisis
Senator Salim has a personal understanding of the housing crisis through lived experience. When his family immigrated to the US, they were homeless and had to rely on affordable housing programs. In the Senate, he has been a leading advocate for affordable housing initiatives and increasing the availability of housing. Senator Salim supports a comprehensive approach that includes reducing zoning and permitting restrictions to expedite home construction, enhancing protections for renters, and increasing funding and programs for low-income housing. His legislative proposals include legalizing Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) by right across Virginia, banning algorithmic rent-setting programs, and adding Falls Church to the affordable dwelling unit program.
Protecting our Environment
Senator Salim believes that climate change is an existential threat and is working to ensure that Virginia does its part to reduce carbon emissions. As someone who fled Bangladesh due to record-breaking floods and other natural disasters, he understands the urgency of acting and making Virginia more climate resilient. As a member of the Senate Agriculture, Conservation, and Natural Resources Committee, he has a powerful voice in shaping climate legislation. He has fought back against Republican efforts to weaken the Virginia Clean Economy Act, RGGI, and Clean Car standards. Senator Salim also believes that increased funding for public transportation and pedestrian/bike infrastructure is crucial to fighting climate change. That’s why he’s supported finding a dedicated source of funding for Metro. He has carried legislation to strengthen the Town of Vienna’s tree canopy regulations, ban the use of incredibly polluting two-stroke engine-gas-powered leaf blowers, prohibit unscientific and burdensome regulation on solar energy, and curb invasive plant sales. He also fought for budget amendments to help increase the usage of electric vehicles.
Working to End Gun Violence
Senator Salim is a strong supporter of gun violence prevention and has been one of the leading Senators in the fight to curb gun violence. In the Senate, he has carried numerous pieces of legislation, including bills to add a waiting period to firearm purchases, raise the age to purchase assault weapons to 21, ban domestic abusers from buying guns, ban firearms from bars, and instruct JLARC to study the gun violence epidemic. He has also strongly supported other gun violence legislation, including chief co-patroning an assault weapons ban, along with supporting safe storage laws, laws restricting ghost guns, and creating standards and civil liability for the gun industry.
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Fighting for our Rights
Senator Salim will always fight for Virginians’ fundamental rights and freedoms. In the Senate, he is a member of the Privileges and Elections Committee, where he has actively opposed Republican efforts to roll back voting rights. He has proudly supported constitutional amendments to codify marriage equality, reproductive freedom, and voting rights into Virginia’s Constitution. Senator Salim is a staunch supporter of reproductive rights, including access to abortion, contraception, and medically accurate information. He also opposes any attempts to curtail rights and healthcare for LGBTQ+ Virginians. Finally, Senator Salim supports ongoing efforts to create a more equitable criminal justice system.
Standing up for Public Education
Senator Salim is a proud alumnus of Fairfax County Public Schools, Northern Virginia Community College, and George Mason University. In the Senate, he has championed increased funding for our public schools and public colleges and universities. He has advocated for additional funding for early childhood education, raising teacher salaries, and ensuring that George Mason University receives its share of funding compared to other public universities. He has also introduced legislation to help streamline IEPs in our public universities, making it easier for disabled Virginians to get an education. Senator Salim has opposed book bans and Republican attempts to censor our history in classrooms. Finally, Senator Salim is committed to ensuring that the Commonwealth contributes its fair share of funding to schools compared to localities.
A Fair Economy for All Virginians
Senator Salim is a strong advocate for the working and middle class in Virginia, consistently fighting to make the state a more affordable place for working families. He has actively supported initiatives to raise the minimum wage, expand collective bargaining rights, and repeal the so-called "right-to-work" law. Additionally, Senator Salim has been a vocal supporter of firefighters and other first responders, ensuring they receive the benefits they deserve. His work on this issue earned him the title of the Virginia Professional Firefighter’s Legislator of the Year after his first session. Recognizing the burden of high healthcare costs, he has also introduced legislation aimed at expanding healthcare coverage for certain treatments.
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