In this Lunch with Jamie conversation, Congressman Richie Torres (NY-15) sits down with Jamie to discuss the most pressing political and moral questions facing America today. Raised in public housing in the Bronx by a single mother, Torres shares how his upbringing shaped his fight for affordable housing, healthcare, and social services—and why he believes the Democratic Party must stand for something, not just against Trump.

We dive into:

• The human cost of the government shutdown and expiring ACA premium credits
• How the affordability crisis threatens American democracy
• Why Democrats need a clear, affirmative agenda to win back trust
• The danger of losing Voting Rights Act protections and what it means for representation
• His stance on Israel, free speech, and rising antisemitism
• Why local politics and new media matter more than ever
• Torres’s remarkable journey from the Bronx to the House of Representatives

This episode reveals the values and leadership style of one of the most thoughtful and independent voices in Congress.

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