TOPICS:
		Civil Rights
		Civil Rights Enforcement
		Disability Rights
		Voting Rights
		Racial Profiling

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Civil Rights

Our nation’s Declaration of Independence spoke directly to the issue of our civil rights—equality among individuals and the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. However, while these are self-evident truths and unalienable rights, they are promises that can be either kept or broken. We must work to keep those promises.

I believe that the concepts of rights, freedom, liberty, choice and privacy are interconnected. We must protect the right to direct our daily lives, free from government intrusion, so long as our activities cause no harm to others. These rights include the freedom to worship as one chooses, the freedom to dissent, and the freedom to make medical choices, among many others.

Barriers to fulfilling one’s potential must be removed. Discrimination has been an insidious barrier to many. I believe that government plays a central role in guaranteeing equal opportunity to all citizens.


Civil Rights Enforcement

I strongly support enforcement of the Civil Rights Act and all other federal civil rights laws. Continuing federal affirmative action programs to promote outreach to traditionally underrepresented groups is also important. Our civil rights laws are meaningless if they are not enforced.


Disability Rights

I am a strong supporter of the American with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA has improved access for people with disabilities allowing them to more fully participate in our society. Enforcement and strengthening the Americans with Disabilities Act must be a priority.

I am proud to have helped pass the Work Incentives Improvement Act, which offers disability beneficiaries greater choices in obtaining services they need to help them go to work and achieve their employment goals. I am also proud of my successful advocacy to expand the Violence Against Women Act to fund services for victims of domestic violence or sexual assault who have disabilities.


Voting Rights

I am a strong supporter of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. Citizen participation is essential in a democracy. In a government “of the people,” I believe that the involvement of ordinary Americans is vital to meeting today’s greatest political challenges. Increasing participation in our political process requires a belief by voters that elections are conducted in an honest fashion, that our government encourages full participation by the electorate, and that we ensure that every vote that is cast is actually counted. I strongly support efforts to remove barriers to voter participation.


Racial Profiling

I believe it is critical that we draw attention to the issue of racial and ethnic profiling. We must clearly articulate that it is wrong to discriminate against people due to their race, religion, or ethnicity. Targeting people based on their characteristics is simply unacceptable. I have always believed that one of our nation’s greatest strengths is its diversity. We must ensure that our laws are fair and fairly applied.


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