1. United States
2. N.Y.
3. Letter

New York has long led in innovation, but our prosperity must rest on enduring values of human dignity and justice. We take pride in our State’s global leadership, yet we must ask: at what cost? As a concerned New Yorker, I see a dangerous link between our tech-driven consumption and suffering abroad, and a toll on our own spiritual and civic life at home. Artisanal cobalt miners in the Congo. Our phones, laptops, and electric cars rely on cobalt – over half of which comes from the Democratic Republic of Congo . Alarmingly, of about 255,000 Congolese mining this cobalt, roughly 40,000 are children, some as young as six . We Americans enjoy the latest gadgets, but too often ignore the human cost behind them. The same global supply chains that fuel our economy also perpetuate these abuses. As Rep. Maloney observed, “many goods being sold to American consumers are produced with slave labor,” and we have a moral obligation to do something about it . U.S. law already bans imports made with forced labor , but enforcement is weak. Congress should act in a bipartisan way: require companies to disclose and clean up their supply chains, incorporate labor rights in trade deals, and hold corporations accountable for child labor. Americans increasingly glued to smartphones. Here at home, we pay a hidden price as well. Experts warn that constant digital distraction erodes our focus, mental health, and relationships . The race for new devices fuels a wasteful consumerist cycle and anxiety. We deserve technology that enhances community and purpose, not leaves us isolated and empty. This is a call to conscience, not a partisan issue. We can unite around laws that trace cobalt and other minerals ethically, strengthen supply-chain transparency, and promote responsible trade and investment. New York’s leadership and innovation can set a national example by marrying economic progress with justice. Congress can rise above divisions to champion a 21st-century vision where prosperity is shared and sustainable. Thank you for your service. I respectfully urge you to help awaken our nation’s moral conscience and unleash the full potential of all people.