New year, same values

Happy New Year! We are just a few days into 2018, and we've already seen several announcements from the Trump administration that make us want to stand up and scream and shout. And fight.

There is no question that we have work to do. In 2017, we stood together to fight attacks on health care, immigrants, the environment, public education, working families, and more. We must fight even harder in 2018.

But it's not just about fighting Trump and his agenda; it's about what we stand for – our hopes and aspirations for our children and grandchildren, for our state, for the country, and for the world.

Every day I work for a better future. I work for an Oregon – and a country – where everyone has a meaningful job that pays a living wage and everyone can save for retirement. Where there is equity and opportunity for everyone regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or economic background.

I work for an Oregon – and a country - where thriving public schools offer well-rounded curriculum that includes the arts and career & technical education, and where nobody needs to take on massive amounts of educational debt to go to college.

I work for an Oregon – and a country – where everyone, from babies to seniors, has access to affordable health care. Where renewable energy businesses are booming and carbon emissions are declining. And where everyone has a roof over their head and enough to eat.

I work for an Oregon – and a country – where all veterans get the care and services they have earned, and where no single veteran is homeless.

And I work for an Oregon – and a country - where there is thoughtful, forward-thinking foreign policy. A safe world where diplomacy is robust and effective, and where peace is a shared goal.

A better future. That's what keeps me going each and every day.

With your help and support, 2018 will be the year when Democrats win back the majority in the House of Representatives. Not only will we be able to curb the damage Trump and his policies are doing to our country, we will be able to work together for a better future. I'm ready.

Thank you for standing with me,