Santa Clara University, May 2025
Dr. Bennett: "Good evening, everyone. I'm Dr. Marcus Bennett, and welcome to The Politics Room. Tonight, we're honored to have Congressman Ro Khanna joining us. Now in his fifth term representing Silicon Valley, Congressman Khanna has emerged as a distinctive voice in American politics—one who defies easy categorization. He chairs the House Oversight Subcommittee on Cyber, Information Technologies, and Innovation, serves on the Select Committee on Strategic Competition with China, and has authored key legislation on technology, manufacturing, and ethics reform. Welcome, Congressman."
Khanna: "Thank you, Dr. Bennett. It's wonderful to be here at Santa Clara University. This institution has a proud tradition of combining innovation with ethics, which is exactly what we need in our technological future."
Dr. Bennett: "Let's begin with your personal journey. You're the son of Indian immigrants, raised in Pennsylvania, educated at the University of Chicago and Yale Law, and now representing Silicon Valley. How has that background shaped your political philosophy?"
Khanna: "My story is fundamentally American. My parents came here from India in the 1970s. My father studied engineering; my mother became a schoolteacher. What's striking is that my grandfather was part of Gandhi's independence movement in India—he actually spent time in jail fighting for India's freedom from British rule."
Khanna: "Growing up in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, I saw firsthand the importance of a strong middle class. I had a baseball coach who insisted I take my turn at bat even though I couldn't hit anything. I had teachers who inspired my love of politics—one tenth-grade teacher came to class dressed as Teddy Roosevelt. These experiences showed me how America at its best lifts people up through education and opportunity."
Khanna: "But I also saw manufacturing decline in Pennsylvania. I watched as communities lost not just jobs but dignity and purpose. That's what inspired me to write my book on manufacturing and later to push for what I call 'economic patriotism'—the idea that we need to build things in America again, that we need to spread technological opportunity beyond just coastal enclaves."
Dr. Bennett: "You've described yourself as a 'progressive capitalist' and advocate for 'economic patriotism.' Can you explain what these terms mean to you?"
Khanna: "Progressive capitalism recognizes that markets are essential for innovation and growth, but they must be properly regulated and supported by strong public institutions. The goal isn't to abandon capitalism but to reform it so it works for ordinary people, not just wealthy shareholders."
Khanna: "Economic patriotism means rebuilding America's productive capacity—making things here again. It means taking the innovation from places like Silicon Valley and connecting it with the manufacturing know-how of the Midwest and Appalachia. It's about ensuring that technological progress creates good jobs across America, not just wealth for a few."
Khanna: "This approach differs from both traditional liberalism and conservatism. It's not about big government doing everything, but it's also not about letting markets operate without rules. It's about strategic public investment and smart regulation that encourages innovation while ensuring the benefits are widely shared."
Dr. Bennett: "How does this play out in practical terms?"
Khanna: "I'll give you a concrete example. I've led initiatives bringing tech training programs to rural communities like Jefferson, Iowa. We've partnered with community colleges and companies to create software development jobs paying $65,000 a year in places where good jobs had disappeared."
Khanna: "I also worked with Senator Chuck Schumer on the CHIPS and Science Act, which represents a historic investment in semiconductor manufacturing and scientific research. This is economic patriotism in action—ensuring America leads in developing and making the technologies of the future."
Dr. Bennett: "Let's take a question from the audience."
Audience Member: "Congressman, how do you balance being a progressive while representing Silicon Valley, which is home to some of the world's wealthiest companies and individuals?"
Khanna: "That's a great question. I believe Silicon Valley should share its prosperity with the rest of America. I've pushed tech companies to hire and invest in places beyond just coastal cities. I've also been unafraid to challenge big tech when necessary—I founded the Antitrust Caucus in Congress and have called for breaking up monopolistic practices."
Khanna: "At the same time, I recognize that technological innovation is vital to America's future. We need to harness innovation to solve our biggest challenges—climate change, health care, economic opportunity. So I'm not anti-technology or anti-innovation. I'm for ensuring technology serves human flourishing and democratic values."
Dr. Bennett: "Immigration has become an increasingly divisive issue. You've taken positions that don't always align neatly with either party's talking points. Can you elaborate on your approach?"
Khanna: "My position on immigration starts with recognizing that America is a nation of immigrants—including my own family. But I also understand the legitimate desire for secure borders and an orderly immigration system."
Audience Member: "In a recent interview with James Carville and Al Hunt, you said: 'I think that's a pretty reasonable request we want a secure border. I agree that we shouldn't have had whatever 5 million, 8 million people who are undocumented just come in.' Yet you've also emphasized due process. How do you reconcile these positions?"
Khanna: "I believe Democrats need to be less defensive on border security. We should acknowledge that immigration is a top concern for many voters—I've heard this directly when visiting rural communities that are 90% white. People want to know who's entering the country, and that's a reasonable expectation."
Khanna: "But here's where I differ from many Republicans: I believe deeply in constitutional principles and due process. When I visited Nebraska, people there told me, 'We hate the fact that people aren't getting due process in this country. We hate the fact that they're violating the Constitution.' This is about patriotism—the first thing about patriotism is standing up for the Constitution of the United States of America."
Khanna: "So yes, we need secure borders, but we also need immigration policies that respect human dignity and constitutional rights. And we need to address the root causes of migration—poverty, violence, and lack of opportunity in sending countries. This balanced approach recognizes legitimate concerns while staying true to our values as a nation of immigrants."
Dr. Bennett: "How would you respond to critics who say this position tries to have it both ways—securing the border while also emphasizing due process and humanitarian concerns?"
Khanna: "This isn't about having it both ways—it's about rejecting false choices. We can have both secure borders and humane policies. In fact, an orderly, well-managed immigration system is more humane than chaos at the border."
Khanna: "Look at the case of Abrego that was in the news. Even in rural Nebraska, people were saying, 'Why not bring Abrego back, give him a trial, and if he's convicted, then deport him?' That's due process. That's the American way. We don't have to choose between security and our constitutional values."
Dr. Bennett: "You've made statements about American exceptionalism that some might find surprising coming from a progressive Democrat. You told Carville and Hunt: 'America is the greatest country in the world. It's the most open country in the world. It's the least racist country in the world, and we want to make it better.' Can you elaborate on these views?"
Khanna: "I believe progressives need to reclaim patriotism. For too long, we've ceded the language of national pride to the right, and that's been a mistake. I love this country deeply. I'm the son of immigrants who found opportunity here that wouldn't have been possible elsewhere. I represent Silicon Valley, the most economically dynamic place in human history. How could I not believe in American possibility?"
Khanna: "When I say America is the greatest country in the world, I'm not saying we're perfect or that we don't have serious problems to address. We do. But I am saying that our founding ideals of freedom, equality, and opportunity—however imperfectly realized—represent humanity's highest aspirations."
Khanna: "And yes, I believe we're the least racist multicultural democracy in the world. Where else could an Indian-American son of immigrants represent the most economically powerful district in the world? Where else has a nation elected a Black president? This doesn't mean racism isn't real or that we don't have much work to do—we absolutely do. But it does mean that America has shown a capacity for growth and progress that's unique in human history."
Dr. Bennett: "How do you respond to those on the left who might view these statements as glossing over America's very real problems with systemic racism and inequality?"
Khanna: "I would say that acknowledging America's greatness doesn't mean denying its flaws. It means recognizing both our extraordinary achievements and our continuing struggles. The same country that practiced slavery also fought a civil war to end it. The same country that practiced segregation also produced the civil rights movement."
Khanna: "Progressive patriotism means loving the country enough to want it to live up to its highest ideals. It means fighting for a more perfect union, not pretending we're already perfect. But that fight begins with a deep appreciation for what makes America unique—our democratic institutions, our entrepreneurial spirit, our diversity, and our capacity for self-correction."
Audience Member: "How does this view of American exceptionalism affect your stance on specific progressive policies?"
Khanna: "It means I believe in progressive policies that expand opportunity and dignity for all Americans. Universal healthcare, affordable childcare, quality education, good jobs—these aren't just abstract progressive goals. They're about fulfilling America's promise."
Khanna: "Take my $10-a-day childcare proposal. This isn't just a progressive policy; it's about ensuring that every American child has the opportunity to thrive regardless of their parents' income. It's about living up to our ideal that success should be determined by ability and effort, not circumstances of birth."
Khanna: "My approach rejects both blind nationalism that ignores our flaws and cynical dismissal that sees only our failures. Instead, it's about patriotic dedication to making America better for all its people."
Dr. Bennett: "Let's talk about your economic vision. In your Carville interview, you challenged the notion that Democrats should be critical of consumer choice and prosperity, saying 'Americans want 50 cereal boxes. That's a great thing about America... and I think the Democratic Party can be the party of prosperity again.' This seems to push back against both right-wing austerity and left-wing anti-consumerism. Can you elaborate?"
Khanna: "Democrats should be the party of abundance, not scarcity. For decades, Republicans have told Americans we can't afford nice things—good infrastructure, quality healthcare, affordable education. And sometimes progressives fall into a different kind of scarcity mindset, criticizing consumer choice or material prosperity."
Khanna: "I remember when relatives would visit from India when I was growing up. They'd marvel at American supermarkets with their endless variety. That abundance isn't something to apologize for—it's something to celebrate and expand so everyone can participate in it."
Khanna: "Prosperity and choice are good things! The challenge isn't that Americans have too many options or too much stuff. It's that the benefits of our incredible productive capacity are distributed so unequally. The problem isn't abundance—it's who gets to enjoy that abundance."
Dr. Bennett: "How does this vision translate into specific policies?"
Khanna: "First, we need to ensure that work pays a living wage. I was proud to stand with Senator Sanders in pushing Amazon to raise its minimum wage to $15 an hour. We introduced the Stop BEZOS Act, which would have taxed large corporations for every dollar their employees received in government benefits. Amazon decided it was better to just pay workers more."
Khanna: "Second, we need to invest in the foundations of shared prosperity—education, infrastructure, research and development. My Endless Frontier Act, which became part of the CHIPS and Science legislation, represents one of the largest investments in science and technology in American history."
Khanna: "Third, we need to ensure everyone has access to the basics—healthcare, housing, childcare. My $10-a-day childcare proposal would transform life for millions of families struggling with the crushing costs of quality childcare."
Khanna: "And fourth, we need to rebuild America's productive capacity through a new industrial policy. This means bringing manufacturing back to America, creating good jobs across the country, and ensuring we lead in the technologies of the future."
Audience Member: "But how do we pay for all of this?"
Khanna: "We're the richest country in human history. We can afford whatever we decide is important. The question isn't whether we can afford these investments—it's whether we can afford not to make them."
Khanna: "Practically speaking, we need fair taxation. I've proposed requiring the wealthiest Americans to pay their fair share, closing tax loopholes that benefit large corporations, and implementing financial transaction taxes. These measures alone would generate trillions in revenue."
Khanna: "But beyond specific revenue sources, we need to reject the scarcity mindset that has dominated our politics. Smart public investment doesn't just cost money—it generates economic returns through higher productivity, innovation, and growth."
Dr. Bennett: "You've been critical of certain aspects of the Democratic Party while remaining firmly within it. How do you see the future of the party, and what role do you hope to play in it?"
Khanna: "I believe the Democratic Party needs to be the party of working and middle-class Americans across all regions and backgrounds. Too often, we've been perceived—sometimes fairly—as a party of coastal elites disconnected from the concerns of ordinary people."
Khanna: "My vision is of a Democratic Party that champions economic opportunity for all Americans—that fights for good jobs, fair wages, affordable healthcare, and quality education. A party that stands up to corporate power and wealthy special interests. A party that celebrates American greatness while working to extend its benefits to all."
Audience Member: "In your interview with Carville and Hunt, you were asked about running for president in 2028. You said, 'I think folks should get their ideas out. We should have a clash of new ideas. It shouldn't be just kind of this coronation of anyone.' Are you considering a presidential run?"
Khanna: "What I'm focused on is contributing to a new generation of leadership for our country. We face enormous challenges—economic inequality, climate change, democratic backsliding, technological disruption. Meeting these challenges will require fresh thinking and bold leadership."
Khanna: "I'm passionate about the vision of economic patriotism I've outlined—bringing together Silicon Valley innovation with heartland manufacturing, spreading opportunity across all communities, rebuilding America's productive capacity. Whether that leads to seeking higher office, I can't say. But I am committed to being part of the conversation about America's future."
Dr. Bennett: "You've proposed some ambitious political reforms, including banning stock trading for members of Congress and their spouses, banning PAC and lobbyist money, implementing term limits, banning the revolving door to lobbying, and creating a judicial code of ethics. Why have you made these issues a priority?"
Khanna: "Democracy reform has to be at the center of any progressive agenda because we can't achieve our policy goals without first fixing our broken political system. When politicians can profit from their positions through stock trading, when special interests can buy influence through campaign contributions, when former officials can cash in through lobbying—public trust erodes, and the common good takes a back seat to private gain."
Khanna: "I've practiced what I preach. I'm one of only a few members of Congress who refuse all PAC and corporate money. I believe politicians should be dependent on the people they represent, not on wealthy donors or special interests."
Khanna: "These reforms aren't just about good government in the abstract. They're about whether our democracy can actually deliver for ordinary people. They're about whether we can create an economy that works for everyone, not just those at the top."
Dr. Bennett: "Congressman Khanna, thank you for this thoughtful conversation. You've given us much to consider about America's economic future, the role of patriotism in progressive politics, and the path forward for our democracy."
Khanna: "Thank you, Dr. Bennett, and thank you to everyone at Santa Clara University for hosting this discussion. I believe deeply in the promise of America—not just as it was or as it is, but as it could be. Together, we can build an economy and a democracy that works for everyone, that combines innovation with justice, prosperity with purpose. That's the American project at its best, and I'm honored to be part of it with all of you."