2014 OR Senate debate: on Civil Rights

Jeff Merkley: Ensure that women earn equal pay for equal work

What Merkley says: "It's wrong that even today, women in Oregon make just 79 cents for every dollar a man makes, and minority women experience an even greater gap in earnings. I co-sponsored and helped pass the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act to ensure women employees can have their day in court when they are the victims of illegal wage discrimination. I am now fighting to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act, the next step we must take to ensure women earn equal pay for equal work."

Wehby's response: "Senator Merkley's approach to this issue is not only wrong, but will only exacerbate the problem of discrimination against women in our economy. A bill like this will encourage job creators to look for labor substitution. I would have voted no."

Monica Wehby: Paycheck Fairness Act hurts women in the workplace

Wehby's response: "Based on actual experience, I know that Senator Merkley's approach to this issue is not only wrong, but will only exacerbate the problem of discrimination against women in our economy. The bill that Senator Merkley supports adds additional regulations, documentation and other administrative requirements that will have a harmful effect on women in the workplace. Senator Merkley's answer to this issue is typical of career politicians--more regulation, more red tape, and more government interference on small businesses. A bill like this will encourage job creators to look for labor substitution. I would have voted no based on my workplace experiences and knowledge of how this legislation would have hurt women in the workplace

Monica Wehby: Government shouldn't be involved in same-sex marriage

Wehby has said the government shouldn't be involved in same-sex marriage and abortion is a personal choice. Wehby countered Conger by saying she thinks "logically not ideologically," adding that "we need a little bit more of that in D.C."