Debbie has long been a powerful and effective voice for equality, economic opportunity, and civil rights. She fights for the dignity of all people in all that she does.
Debbie understands that our diversity helps make Michigan and America strong. She is a forceful advocate on behalf of civil rights, sponsoring legislation against hate crimes and racial profiling. She was honored to receive the NAACP’s Helping to Heal the Nation Award for her fierce defense of equality in education, health care, and environmental justice.
Debbie has been a champion for LGBTQ equality her entire career. She is a sponsor of the Equality Act and helped pass the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act. And she is a strong voice against extreme cabinet officials, including Jeff Sessions and Betsy DeVos. She is proud to have received a 100% score from the Human Rights Campaign during the 114th Congress.
Debbie is a strong supporter of equal pay for equal work. She sponsored the Paycheck Fairness Act – which would help close the wage gap between men and women working equivalent jobs – and the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which allows women who learn that they’ve been paid unfairly to have their day in court.
Debbie believes that we need comprehensive immigration reform for our security and our economy. She has spoken out forcefully against cruel policies that separate families at our border, and she believes that our nation made a promise to Dreamers that must be kept. Debbie has sponsored legislation to overturn the travel bans.