Andrew Yang

Yang’s central focus has been his push for a universal basic income, which he has dubbed “the Freedom Dividend.” His plan would provide $1,000 a month for American citizens 18 and older, to be paid for by a value-added tax – which is harder for companies or individuals to avoid than traditional corporate and income taxes, Yang argues. He has also promised new government positions and agencies – including a Department of Technology based in Silicon Valley – to address industrial automation and the spread of artificial intelligence. “The goal should not be to save jobs,” he 2019. “The goal should be to make our lives better.” More on Yang’s economic policy

Yang opposes making four-year colleges tuition-free, a step he argues would benefit too few people. Instead, he proposes investing in vocational training, including by making community colleges free or nearly free. To reduce student debt, Yang says, he would immediately lower interest rates on government-backed loans. He would also support various debt forgiveness measures, and backs closing colleges with low employment rates for graduates and “high loan default rates,” according to his campaign’s website. More on Yang’s education policy

Yang would work to establish a three-tiered, federally mandated gun licensing system. Each tier would expand the type of firearms an individual would be able to purchase or own. He would also create a voluntary gun buyback program, increase funding for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and US Department of Veterans Affairs suicide prevention efforts and invest in “a more robust mental health infrastructure,” according to his campaign website. More on Yang’s gun violence policy

Yang advocates universal, government-backed health care, though he wouldn’t outlaw private insurance. He also favors having the government set prices for medical services. He supports lowering drug prices by allowing Medicare to negotiate with drug companies, as well as by having the government manufacture generic drugs. More on Yang’s health care policy

Yang wants to expand visa programs to attract skilled workers and retain graduates of US colleges, including granting automatic green cards to all students who earn graduate degrees from US universities. He supports a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, particularly young adults brought to the US as children, as part of a comprehensive immigration overhaul. He would also create a new category with an 18-year path to citizenship for those who have paid taxes and not been convicted of any felonies. More on Yang’s immigration policy