Freedom to Work
No one should be subject to discrimination where they work, regardless of their gender, race, creed, color, sexual orientation or disability. Recently, the Supreme Court struck a major blow against this right with its decision in the Goodyear case, which said that if an employer discriminates against a woman, but she doesn’t find out in the first six months, she has no right to sue. Congress should clarify the law to erase that outrageous decision; a decision written by Justice Alito – whom Gordon Smith voted to confirm and Ron Wyden voted to reject.
Freedom of Choice
Women should have the right to make their own reproductive choices. As Bill Clinton said, “abortions should be safe, legal and rare.” Nobody is in favor of increasing the number of abortions, but that choice belongs with a woman, her doctor, and the people she trusts – not the government.
Freedom to Achieve
I strongly believe that everyone is entitled to full civil rights, regardless of any physical, mental, developmental or cognitive disability. As a U.S. Senator, I’ll fight to pass the Americans with Disabilities Restoration Act. In addition, I’ll be an outspoken advocate on disability issues – encouraging personal empowerment and promoting community organizing to close the accessibility gap in America.
Freedom to Marry
I realize that I disagree with many Oregon voters on this issue, and that taking this position just might cost me the election. But I cannot accept the state telling a loving, committed same-sex couple, “you have no right to get married.” The Declaration of Independence says that we all have the right to “the pursuit of happiness.” I believe that to be true to that principle, we need marriage equality.
Fair Federal Enforcement
The U.S. Department of Justice (where I served for almost a decade) plays a critical role in civil rights enforcement. The Bush administration’s hamstringing of the civil rights division at the Department of Justice is an outrage. Executive appointments to the Justice Department, and the rest of the executive branch, should demonstrate a genuine commitment to enforce our civil rights law or they do not deserve confirmation.
