Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., is on a three-state swing this week to promote his “new economic patriotism agenda” — a series of policy ideas aimed at reviving U.S. manufacturing while staying true to his progressive identity.
Khanna, who is seen as a potential 2028 presidential contender who could carry on Sen. Bernie Sanders’ grassroots movement, is in Ohio today. After visiting an electric vehicle battery factory in the Youngstown area, Khanna met with Port of Cleveland officials. He was introduced by Rep. Shontel Brown, a Cleveland-area Democrat who serves with Khanna on the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party.
“China makes about 1,700 ships a year,” Khanna said as he chatted with port officials. “We make five. We have a shipbuilding act to get more money into shipyards. It hasn’t passed yet. But one of the reasons I came is to understand what do you need to do to build the ships here?”
Khanna’s tour, which began Thursday in Pennsylvania and continues Saturday in Michigan, marks the unveiling of his policy agenda, which he has been talking about for more than a year in speeches across the country. His proposals, according to his staff, include developing 1,000 new trade schools and a $1 billion private fund for small businesses and community projects. Khanna’s push also calls for Medicare for all, free public college and capping childcare costs at $10 a day.
In an interview with NBC News after touring the port, Khanna deflected when asked if the agenda is something he could see himself selling as a White House hopeful.
“First of all, I’m hoping I can sell some of these ideas into the current administration,” Khanna said. “The shipbuilding act — I’m fine if Vance wants to take the win on it, if Trump wants to take a win on it. I’m telling you right now, as a China committee ranking member, I will support that.”
Khanna said he won’t decide on a presidential run until after this year’s midterms.
“And that,” Khanna said, “will largely be based on ‘do I believe my economic vision is the right vision for the country? and is it the right vision for our party?’”
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