Issue Position: On the Issues

Issue Position

Health care

Diana is a leading voice on health care reform in Congress. Her efforts were critical to the passage of the Affordable Care Act, a landmark piece of legislation that has expanded access to health care for millions of Americans Diana's top health care reform initiatives include access to high quality, affordable care for all children, prevention and wellness, strengthening the health care workforce, and expanding primary care and community health center services.

Environment

Threats to our natural resources and our environment are cause for serious concern in Colorado and across the country. Diana is a leading voice on environmental issues in Congress and is working to protect both Colorado's public lands and our global environment. She's the author of the landmark Colorado Wilderness Act, which would protect and preserve 1.6 million acres of pristine land across Colorado for generations to come.

Stem cell research

Diana was the chief architect of legislation to expand stem cell research, which was passed twice with broad, bipartisan support in Congress. The measure was vetoed twice by President George W. Bush. In March of 2009, President Barack Obama signed an executive order reversing former President Bush's restrictions on embryonic stem cell research. U.S. Rep. DeGette is working with the Obama Administration on codifying the order into law through the Stem Cell Research Advancement Act, a bill that would ensure a lasting ethical framework overseeing stem cell research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and will provide stability to the scientists and individuals who are on the quest for live-saving cures.

Food and Consumer Product Safety

Diana has taken a leading role in advocating for the protection of our nation's food supply. Diana believes that the protection of our nation's food supply should be recognized as a critical component of our national security. She is the author of two key pieces of legislation that go a long way toward securing our nation's food supply.

SAFER (Safe And Fair Enforcement & Recall) Food Act, would give the United States Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration the authority to force a recall of all contaminated foods.

The TRACE (Tracing and Recalling Agricultural Contamination) Act would authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a product tracing system to track products from their origins to the grocery store, enabling faster recall in the event of contamination.

Both food safety measures were endorsed by the New York Times and The Washington Post, and continue to be lauded by newspapers across the country.

Diana was also a key player in the creation and passage of groundbreaking consumer product safety legislation that was signed into law in 2008.

Reproductive rights

As the co-chair of the Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus, Diana has fought for common-sense family planning and reproductive rights. Diana is fighting to protect access to birth control coverage under the Affordable Care Act and ensuring that women have comprehensive reproductive health care they need.

Source