Issues and Positions
On Upholding the Constitution:
Every member of Congress swears an oath to uphold the Constitution. I will do everything in my power to fulfill that oath. No one is above the law.
On Ethics:
Members of Congress are elected to serve the public interest, not their own interest, and that they must adhere to the highest standards of ethical behavior. I support tough ethics reform that will stop the revolving door between lobbyists and Congress and put an end to secret meetings with lobbyists that give corporations like Enron and Halliburton huge subsidies and no-bid contracts. My plan is simple: no more secret meetings, no gifts, no lobbyist funded travel, no exceptions.
On Iraq:
It is long past time we had a realistic plan for returning control of Iraq to the Iraqis and bringing our troops home. I support enforced benchmarks for the Iraqi government to step up to its responsibilities to its people and to us, including benchmarks for bringing our troops home.
On National Security:
One of the most important responsibilities of Congress is to keep the American people safe. We must implement all of the 9/11 Commission recommendations. We must take common sense steps to secure our borders, protect our ports, and aid our first responders. And while we do this, we must also preserve our constitutionally guaranteed freedoms.
True national security also requires that we accurately evaluate the threats facing us and consequences of our actions. I support reality-based intelligence, and I will oppose taking actions that will make us less secure. I am opposed to further overextending our military.
On the Middle East:
I support the goals of peace, prosperity, stability, and security for all inhabitants of the Middle East. U.S. policy in the region should be governed by our nation’s core values of fairness, justice, and a firm commitment to the rule of law and the fundamental human rights of all people. The Bush administration, by failing to devote sufficient attention to the Middle East peace process, and by miring the U.S. military in a fiasco in Iraq, has done incalculable damage to U.S. standing and leverage in the region. The United States must now work to encourage moderate voices in the region, on all sides, and regain its role as an honest broker in mediating a just and lasting peace.
I condemn the use of terrorism by any party for any reason and support Israel’s right to defend itself against all hostile entities. I favor a strong U.S.-Israeli relationship, as well as strong U.S. relationships with Arab governments and leadership organizations that have renounced terrorist tactics and publicly acknowledged the right of Israel to exist in peace and security. In the case of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, I support a two-state solution in which an independent, democratic, and economically-viable Palestine lives side-by-side with a secure, democratic, and Jewish Israel, with both countries receiving the international support necessary to maintain peace and stability.
On Veterans:
I will never stop fighting to make sure we keep our promises to our nation’s veterans. I come from a military family – my father, husband, and brother all served in the armed forces – so I understand the sacrifices made by our troops and their families. I will work to reinstate and expand the benefits offered by the original Montgomery GI Bill, and work to make sure that our veterans always receive the support they deserve for their service to our country.
On Education:
Education is the road to opportunity and prosperity. As both a mother and the daughter of a public school teacher, I know first-hand how critical it is that our schools have high standards and help every child achieve their full potential. I support expanding access to high quality early childhood education, smaller class sizes, better pay for good teachers, and more support for college or vocational training.
On Health care:
Every American should have access to quality, affordable healthcare, but skyrocketing prices are forcing many businesses and working families to cut back or eliminate insurance coverage. American doctors are the best in the world, but they are hindered by a healthcare system that wastes money and drives up costs. This must change. We can cut costs dramatically, while improving quality, by emphasizing preventative and routine care, ensuring providers can prescribe the most effective treatments, and allowing Medicare to negotiate with drug companies. Many states are already experimenting with these ideas and others to make coverage more affordable. The federal government should do all it can to assist them. This will make Americans healthier and American businesses more competitive.
On Trade:
I support fair trade that creates a level playing field for American workers and businesses. As technology and globalization transform our economy, the United States must use its market power to raise the bar on labor, environmental, and intellectual property standards worldwide, rather than accept the lowest common denominator. We have fought for decades for fair standards that advance the well-being of all people, and we are at a moment of opportunity to see those standards adopted worldwide. I will fight to advance the middle class all over the world.
On Reproductive Choice:
Women’s reproductive decisions are best left to women and their doctors -- without interference from politicians. I also believe we can and should do everything possible to reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies, in the U.S. and poor countries, through measures such as increased availability of Plan B and access to family planning services.
On Retirement Security:
Social Security and private pensions are promises made to working people for their retirement security. I will push for the modest reforms that are necessary to strengthen the Social Security system and I will fight against risky schemes that would destroy it, including privatization. I will also fight to ensure that employees get the pensions they have earned.
On Stem Cell Research:
It is critical that we make investments in basic medical research to find new cures and help people live longer, healthier lives. Stem cell research is one of the most promising frontiers for cures to diseases like diabetes, cancer, MS, Alzheimer’s, and many others. Stem cell research has the potential to alleviate widespread human suffering. I fully support expanded federal funding for stem cell research and I will never play politics with science.
On Tax Fairness:
I support tax relief for the middle class, and I would require that profitable corporations and the very wealthy pay their fair share of the tax burden.
On Transportation:
Transportation is one of the most critical local issues facing the Puget Sound region. Our area’s continued economic vitality and high quality of life depend on our ability to provide fast, safe, and efficient transportation options. Local, state, and federal leaders must all work together to ensure that our region has the resources it needs to develop innovative transportation solutions for the 21st century. I will work hard to bring federal funding back to the 8th district to invest in our future mobility.
On Wages, Labor, and Jobs:
Every person who works hard and plays by the rules deserves a shot at the American Dream. I grew up in a blue collar family, I am a proud former member of the Communication Workers of America, and I support a strong labor movement as a healthy counter-balance to the power of corporations. I believe we must continually invest in education, job training, and new industries to help those affected by trade and outsourcing get back on their feet quickly. Finally, I will work to reduce the burdens on small businesses so as to encourage entrepreneurship and new job creation.
On the Environment and Climate Change:
A healthy environment is essential for a high quality of life and I am committed to protecting it for current and future generations. The environment is much more than just beautiful scenery: it is the air we breathe, the water we drink, the ocean and soil that provide our food, and the stable climate we depend on. I will fight for the environment we all cherish, including aggressively addressing global climate change.
On Energy:
We need an energy policy that frees the United States from its reliance on oil and achieves American energy independence. I want to invest in new energy-efficiency programs and clean energy technologies that will create jobs right here in Washington State.
On Fiscal Responsibility:
America must get its fiscal house in order. As a mother and a businesswoman, I have successfully managed both my household and business finances. I know that balanced budgets are critical to financial health and we need to bring that principle back to the federal government. I am appalled that the incompetent management of President Bush and the previous Republican-led Congress have led to the largest deficits in U.S. history. This is creating an unconscionable burden for our children and grandchildren to pay back. Instead of deficits without end, I support the pay-as-you-go practices of the 1990s that gave us an unprecedented economic boom and budget surpluses.
On Immigration Reform:
We must address immigration in a way that is fair, practical, safe and grounded in the rule of law. It is essential for the United States to secure its borders, particularly for national security reasons, and that this can be done through a combination of technology and increased manpower. We must also enforce existing immigration law, including cracking down on employers who hire undocumented workers. Finally, we should encourage undocumented workers to come out of the shadows by creating a path to legal residency. Eventual citizenship for those currently living and working inside the US must depend on their willingness to work hard, pay taxes, and obey the law.
Because I do not believe in creating a two-tiered society, I oppose guest-worker programs. Everyone we invite to work in the United States should have the full protection of employment laws and a clear path to citizenship.
