Reps. Lee, Ramirez, Jackson Introduce Resolution Supporting Framework for Racial and Economic Equity Platform

June 24, 2025

WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 24, 2025 — Today, on the heels of Juneteenth, Congresswoman Summer L. Lee (PA-12), Congresswoman Delia Ramirez (IL-03), and Congressman Jonthan Jackson (IL-01) introduced the Equity or Else Resolution, a holistic framework designed to help draft and implement policies that promote racial and economic equity for all people across various social issues. Congresswoman Lee and Congressman Ramirez introduced the resolution today in partnership with Journey for Justice and advocates at a roundtable on Capitol Hill. It was initially introduced by former Congressman Jamaal Bowman (NY-16).

“From healthcare and housing to education, environmental justice, and economic opportunity, the disparities we face are by design. Black, brown, low-income, working-class, and other marginalized communities have been deliberately underinvested in and overpoliced for generations—and we have every opportunity to right these wrongs in our policies,” said Congresswoman Summer Lee. “This resolution uplifts the holistic framework for achieving the racial and economic equity everyone deserves. I am grateful to Rep. Jamaal Bowman for passing on the mantle and for the partnership of advocates like Journey for Justice who make this work possible. We need equity—once and for all.”

"Now more than ever, we must work together as a powerful multi-generational, multi-cultural coalition to advance equity and address systemic barriers. In the face of an authoritarian administration fueled by hate and division, our agenda must center unity, equity, and our shared humanity," said Congresswoman Delia Ramirez. "I am honored to join my colleagues, Reps. Lee and Jackson, as co-lead of the Equity or Else resolution. The resolution embodies our collective commitment to prioritize and listen to our diverse communities to advance racial and economic equity for ALL."

“I’m proud to introduce H.Res. 540 alongside Congresswoman Summer Lee because equity can’t just be something we talk about, it has to be something we do. I grew up in a home where justice was lived every day, not just preached. This resolution is about more than words; it’s about changing how we govern, who we listen to, and what kind of country we’re building. Black, Brown, Indigenous, and working-class communities deserve more than broken promises," said Congressman Jonathan Jackson. "The ‘Equity and Justice for All’ platform gives us a path forward that puts people first and brings real accountability to the policies that shape our lives. This is how we begin to close the gap between what America says and what America does.”

"Grassroots organizations across America are clear; we are under attack by a belief system that poisons every quality of life institution that most of White America takes for granted. We appreciate Reps. Summer Lee, Delia Ramirez and Jonathan Jackson for championing this important resolution. America must develop the courage to wage war on poverty, and not the poor," said Jitu Brown, National Director of Journey for Justice Alliance.

“A grassroots quality of life agenda matters because the people closest to the struggle are closest to the solutions. When under-resourced communities lead, we build policies that reflect our realities, protect our dignity, and create futures where our families can thrive,” said Angel Gober, Executive Director of 412 Justice of Pittsburgh, PA.

The resolution is co-sponsored by Representatives Alma Adams (NC-12), Andre Carson (IN-07), Cleo Fields (LA-06), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Al Green (TX-09), Henry “Hank” Johnson (GA-04), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), and Rashida Tlaib (MI-12).

The resolution is endorsed by the following: Journey for Justice Alliance, American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association, Daughters Across the Diaspora, Indiana Environmental Clean Energy, J40, Inc; Alliance to Reclaim Our Schools, The New Justice Project MN, Paterson Education Fund, Clinton Hill Community Action, Parents Supporting Parents NY, ACOPERI, Network for Public Education Action, PSPNY, Communities One Project St. Louis Missouri, The Midwest Building Decarbonization Coalition, Alliance for Educational Justice , Kansas Justice Advocate, Keep The Vote/No Takeover, Domain Realty, Stand for Schools, Girls Empowerment Conference, San Francisco Education Alliance, Girls Empowerment Conference, Albion's Future, Check The Weather LLC, Northside Action for Justice, Grassroots Arkansas, Brighton Park Neighborhood Council, People for Community Recovery, Step Up Louisiana, The Palm Collective, Blocks Together, Alliance for Quality Education, Camden Parent and Student Union, Green Party of St. Louis, IMAN, Center For Popular Democracy, Next Leadership Development, Journey for Justice Alliance South Region, 412 Justice, and Gateway Alliance Project.

A copy of the resolution can be found here and footage from the roundtable livestream can be found here.

Congresswoman Summer Lee serves on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and the Committee on Education and the Workforce. Since taking office in January 2023, she has delivered historic levels of federal investment totaling over $2.4 Billion brought back to Western PA, including over $580 million for infrastructure, over $110 million for affordable transit, over $500 million to keep clean energy manufacturing at home in Pennsylvania, and over $55 million on clean energy efforts in and around schools to help keep our kids and communities safe. These investments will help improve Western Pennsylvania’s infrastructure and transit, ensure cleaner air and drinking water, lower housing costs, fund research institutions, fuel clean manufacturing, fund STEM innovation and entrepreneurship, boost workforce development, and create thousands of good paying union jobs. Lee and her team have also delivered casework and constituent services to over 3,000 constituents with issues ranging from helping our seniors and disabled community access Medicare and social security to helping folks secure housing and helping families with immigration support and passports.