Quotes from Sara Gideon

The health and safety of our neighbors and our communities should be our top priority - nothing is more important.

If you are willing to listen and if you are willing to sit around the table, sometimes especially with the people who you think you disagree with the most, it is still really possible to get things done.

We have taken on the health insurance industry, we have taken on the drug companies, instituting programs to lower the cost of prescription drugs.

Failing to appropriately fund our schools creates more pressure on local communities who are forced to make up the state's shortfall by increasing property taxes.

The health, safety and prosperity of our communities are our top priorities, and state and local governments provide critical services that protect and serve Maine people.

While Senator Collins continues to put the Affordable Care Act - and protections for Mainers with pre-existing conditions - at risk, I've fought to protect and expand access to health care here in Maine.

Maine farmers are critical to our state, and they deserve an advocate in the Senate.

We have taken on the fossil fuel companies, combating climate change and even the energy utilities.

The women and men who have served in our military deserve nothing but the recognition and benefits they have earned with their service. Unfortunately for those in the LGBTQ-plus community that hasn't always been the case.

If patients are rationing insulin, they are putting themselves in mortal peril to save money. They shouldn't have to make that choice.

Creating paid family and medical leave will create a foundation for healthier families, healthier workplaces and the chance to have a growing and thriving population of families in Maine.

We need to reduce carbon emissions, protect Maine's key industries and preserve our coastlines from flooding and rising sea levels.

We need to first clearly establish what our modern rules for behavior are and make sure those are clearly understood and communicated. That empowers both the people who experience harassment on any level, but also the people who are the perpetrators of harassment to absolutely understand what behavior is crossing the line.

Mainers are hardworking, resourceful and resilient, too, but also deeply dedicated to each other and to taking care of one another.

Maine is the only state in the country to produce wild blueberries - the industry is central to our heritage and culture.

From maintaining public safety to educating our children to providing critical services, our police officers, firefighters, sanitation workers, teachers, librarians and so many other public employees are there for us when we need them most.

A skilled, well-educated workforce will attract more companies and jobs to our state.

Whether it's making sure that a person has access to a doctor when they need one, investing in excellent first class educations for our children or making sure that working people are able to provide for their families and put food on the table when they put in an honest day's work, I will continue to put people and families first.

When I hear about Mainers rationing their medication or losing their life-savings despite being insured, I know our health care system requires major reform.

No matter where they live or how much money their parents make, every child deserves access to high-quality health care.

We're all in agreement that our children deserve a world-class education.

We know that greater participation in our democracy will make our government more responsible and make elected officials more representative of the people we serve. Making that participation easier while improving the integrity and security of our elections is something we should all be able to support.

As representatives, we are accountable first not to our party, not to our leadership, not to the chief executive, but just to our constituents.

From prescription drug costs to reproductive care to COVID-19, I will fight to ensure that every Mainer receives the quality, affordable care they deserve.