Robin Richards

Where Richards stands

What does immigration reform look like to you?

Immigration reform should be fair, practical, and focused on what actually works. We need a secure border, orderly legal processes, and laws that are enforced fairly. I support an earned pathway to citizenship for immigrants who are already living, working, and contributing here, as well as protections for Dreamers. We should also hold employers accountable when they exploit undocumented workers and fix an asylum system that leaves people waiting years for an answer. We can enforce our laws without losing our humanity or treating families like political talking points.

How do you envision the Senate and the Executive Branch working together to ensure effective governance while maintaining the necessary constitutional balances?

The Senate should work with the president when it serves the country, regardless of which party controls the White House. But cooperation does not mean giving any president unlimited power. The Senate has a responsibility to pass legislation, review appointments and treaties, and oversee federal agencies. Congress must also reclaim its constitutional authority over war and trade. Senators should ask hard questions and demand transparency without turning every disagreement into political theater. The president’s job is to carry out the law, not rewrite it or bypass Congress. Effective government requires cooperation, but our system only works when each branch respects the limits of its power.

What principles should guide the Senate’s role in foreign policy, treaty ratification and national security?

The Senate’s first responsibility is to the Constitution and the American people. Congress has given too much of its authority to presidents of both parties. Military involvement should require a clearly defined threat, an achievable mission, a public accounting of the cost, an exit strategy, and a congressional vote except in an immediate emergency. Treaties and foreign assistance should serve a clear American interest, include real oversight, and be reviewed regularly. We should work with our allies and defend our country, but there should be no blank checks or open-ended commitments while Americans are struggling to afford basic needs at home.

Do you think the Senate should regulate artificial intelligence, and if so, how?

Yes. AI can be a useful tool, and it is not going anywhere. That is why Congress needs to establish clear rules for how it is developed and used. Companies should be responsible for protecting personal information, preventing fraud and discrimination, and labeling AI-generated content. They must also change their practices so the enormous demand for energy and water does not destroy natural resources or place the burden on local communities. AI should improve people’s lives without sacrificing workers, communities, or the environment.