Civil Rights and Equality
Our country has made real progress expanding equality and opportunity. For women, this has meant greater access to education, to the workplace, and to control over their economic lives. But in the area of health, women continue to face obstacles.
In recent years, health insurance companies have discriminated against women, and many women have been faced with a limited set of health care options. But federal policy is now moving in the right direction: The new health care reform law will soon ban abusive insurance company practices, and it will no longer be the case that simply being a woman, being pregnant, or being a victim of domestic violence is a pre-existing condition that could limit access to coverage. These are powerful protections that women across this country will soon enjoy – if those who want to repeal health care reforms do not succeed. These protections are fundamental, and we owe it to women all across this country to fight to preserve these protections.
Women also must have the full range of reproductive health care options available to them. This includes access to contraception, maternity and newborn care, and safe abortion services. At a time when a minority in this country wants to cut off such access for women, it is important to speak out to protect a woman’s right to make decisions about her body.
For many, the news of a pregnancy is a joyous occasion, greeted with celebration and wonder. When I learned I was pregnant for the first time, I danced. But I know that circumstances can be very different. For some women, a pregnancy may be the result of rape or incest, continuing a pregnancy may put a woman’s life in jeopardy, or another pregnancy may threaten the survival of a family. The decision to terminate a pregnancy is not easy for any woman, but it is a decision that only she can make. A woman should be able to seek guidance from people she trusts, including her doctor and her priest, pastor, rabbi or other religious leader, without interference from the government.
I’m proud that Massachusetts has led the nation in protecting and promoting equality – from marriage equality to the recently passed Transgender Equal Rights Bill. Congress and the President have also taken historic steps forward in promoting the cause of fairness and equality, including the passage of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hates Crimes Prevention Act and the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."
But there is still much work to be done. No one should be discriminated against because of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or religion. We are a people who believe in equal opportunities, and discrimination on such grounds undermines our most basic values.
I will be a leader for equal rights for all in the U.S. Senate. We must end the two-tiered system created by the Defense of Marriage Act, pass a fully-inclusive Employee Non-Discrimination Act, and work to create welcoming schools and prevent bullying.
Read my blog post on Protecting and Promoting Equality here.
I strongly believe in the right to vote. Attempts to suppress and intimidate legitimate voters are an attack on our democratic institutions. They should have no place in the American political system. Legislators and government officials should do all they can to prevent such activities, including calling out surreptitious efforts to block certain groups from voting. Whenever such efforts take place, the courts should uphold voting rights under the Constitution and laws.
