Issue Position: Reproductive Rights

Issue Position

Under the United States Constitution, every American is guaranteed the right to pursue life, liberty and happiness. I believe that access to quality health care, including health care options surrounding family planning decisions, is fundamental to a woman's freedom to pursue these constitutional guarantees.

The decision of whether to carry a pregnancy to term is deeply personal and deeply private. It is guided by a woman's individual health, life experiences, religious beliefs, family structure and economic strength. I trust women to make this decision without government intrusion.

In addition to supporting a woman's right to choose, I support life from cradle to grave. I support vital food programs such as WIC so that children come into this world properly nourished, and continue to be properly nourished when they start school. I support full funding for early childhood education. As a former Head Start teacher, I know that access to preschool often determines a child's opportunities for success in elementary and secondary school, and for life beyond. But supporting life does not end with graduation from high school. It continues until death. Robust support for senior programs, many vital to life like Meals on Wheels, is an absolute.

I am committed to reframing this debate to be about supporting life from cradle to grave and am deeply committed to keeping personal health decisions and reproductive liberty free from government intrusion.

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