Issue Position: Women's Rights

Issue Position

As a leader in the Maine Choice Coalition and the Coalition for Maine Women, I have been a long-time advocate for women's civil rights and access to healthcare. Women should have the freedom to make their own healthcare decisions in consultation with their doctor free from governmental interference.

Reproductive Freedom

I strongly believe in a woman's right to make her own decisions about whether and when to have a family. I have been a longtime advocate of keeping abortion safe and legal, and I will vote against abortion restrictions.

Access to Birth Control is a Right

I also strongly agree with the vast majority of American women in supporting access to birth control. Republican Susan Collins voted in 2010 for the so-called Blunt Amendment, which would have allowed employers to deny women access to contraception based on the employer's personal religious views. Women, not the government and certainly not their boss, should make their decisions about contraception. Support for family planning is the pro-women, pro-family position. That's why I was proud to stand in front of the Supreme Court earlier this year to speak out during the Hobby Lobby case hearing, which -- when the ruling comes this summer -- will decide whether an activist conservative majority will institute the unpopular Blunt Amendment. Setting that precedent would open the door to companies across the country deciding which laws they do and don't feel like following, and it would be a terrible mistake for our country. Using women's reproductive freedom as a test case for a radical reading of the Constitution is wrong for Mainers and wrong for the United States.

Paycheck Fairness

Whenever someone asks why women's rights are a political issue, it's good to remind them that women are still paid an average of 77 cents for every dollar a man is paid -- and that number is lower if you're African American or Hispanic. I strongly support the Paycheck Fairness Act, which makes it easier for women to discuss pay disparities at work and holds employers accountable for wage differences between men and women. My opponent, Republican Susan Collins, voted against equal pay for equal work when she joined the Senate Republicans in filibustering the bill earlier this year.

As your senator I'll always tell you up front where I stand on reproductive freedom, paycheck equality and other important women's issues -- before the vote happens. I look forward to working with advocates and women to advance women's health and women's rights.

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