Monica Wehby: An independent voice for an independent Oregon

Dr. Monica Wehby for U.S. Senate

Now that you know Monica supports marriage equality, here are just a few more examples of where she’s willing to put Oregon ahead of partisan politics….

1. Will Fight for Term Limits: Fixing the mess in Washington, D.C. requires changing the way Congress works. That’s why Monica will press for term limits to end the corrosive cycle of control that long-term incumbents have on our system. Monica has already pledged to serve only two terms, but she understands we need more than the power of example to change Washington. Monica knows it’s time for politicians to stop talking about term limits and start enacting them into law.

2. Supports Education: With four teenagers at home, Monica knows that no two kids are identical and believes that our education system must focus its resources on local and regional education, and allow parents and teachers to be more involved in developing a curriculum that is best geared for the challenges of tomorrow. The current models of top down federal mandates are failing Oregon’s children. Correcting this requires innovation and reform, and Monica knows that every option needs to be on the table. States should be seen as laboratories of innovation. Creating vouchers for private schools, expanding options for charter schools, flexible funding for low-income districts, enhanced vocational training and other commonsense proposals all need to be considered. Ultimately, placing more direct control of our schools back in the hands of our teachers and local administrators, rather than in the hands of Washington bureaucrats, will provide Oregon’s children with the tools they need to succeed.

3. Reaches Across the Aisle for Free Trade that Works: Monica shares a lot in common with Democrat Senator Ron Wyden when it comes to supporting the kind of free trade deals that work well for Oregon. The trade pacts he’s championed in the Senate are important to growing industry here at home and helping foster American job creation. International trade supports nearly 500,000 jobs here in Oregon, and we can continue to increase those numbers by providing our farmers, businesses, and manufacturers access to global markets. Monica will be vigilant in protecting America from nations like China that adopt unfair trade policies, like currency manipulation and intellectual property theft. Senator Merkley’s votes against free trade are wrong, but more importantly, serve as another reminder of his unwillingness to work across the aisle to help create jobs here in Oregon. Monica will work with both sides of the aisle, including Oregon’s Ron Wyden, to ensure free trade continues.

4. Supports the Right to Choose: Monica supports a woman’s right to choose. As a physician, and a woman, Monica has more direct experience with this intensely private issue than many who seek to politicize it. While she personally opposes abortion, she believes what a woman chooses to do with her body is her decision, and not the government’s. As a U.S. Senator, she will defend this personal decision and others she believes government has no role in. As the mother of four, she has personally made choices herself and honors the rights of others to do the same when it comes to important life decisions.

5. Supports the Environment: Monica believes we need to be responsible stewards of the environment and favors sensible provisions to protect and sustain the natural wonder that makes Oregon one of the greatest places in the world. She supports reducing carbon emissions, but like many things in government, believes a balanced approach is required, so as not to further stagnate the growth of our faltering economy. Monica also understands the importance of safeguarding Oregon’s timberlands, alongside the practice of sound forestry processes; this is why she supports Ron Wyden’s O&C forest management senate bill, which will open up federally owned lands to timber harvests – both helping our economy, and the health of our forests. She also values wildlife and endangered species, and believes that efforts to protect them are holistic and sustainable.

Dr. Monica Wehby is currently the Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Randall Children’s Hospital in Portland, Oregon. Monica has nearly 30 years of experience formulating medical policy and is a mother of four.