Ashley Ehasz

[{"question": "Ballotpedia survey responses", "answer_html": "<p>See also: <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a></p>\n<div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-10 col-md-6 col-xs-offset-1 col-md-offset-3\"><p><a href=\"https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\"><img align=\"middle\" alt=\"Candidate Connection\" src=\"https://cdn.ballotpedia.org/images/8/88/Candidate_Connection_Logo.png\" width=\"90%\"/></a></p></div></div>\n<p>Ashley Ehasz completed <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a> survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Ehasz's responses.</p>\n<p><span class=\"expand-all\">Expand all</span> | <span class=\"collapse-all\">Collapse all</span></p>\n<div aria-multiselectable=\"true\" class=\"panel-group\" id=\"accordion\" role=\"tablist\"><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-199037-2024-10-08\" id=\"heading-bio-199037-2024-10-08\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-bio-199037-2024-10-08\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-199037-2024-10-08\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWho are you? Tell us about yourself.\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-bio-199037-2024-10-08\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-bio-199037-2024-10-08\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI am a U.S. Army combat veteran, the only pro-choice candidate, and Democrat running for Congress in Pennsylvania's 1st Congressional District. I grew up in Southeastern Pennsylvania to a single mother for most of my childhood, at times unable to afford rent or groceries, dealing with many of the struggles that many working families in our district face. As an attack helicopter pilot and former commander who served our country overseas, I am ready to fight for all Americans and am committed to serving hardworking families in Bucks and Montgomery Counties.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-199037-2024-10-08\" id=\"heading-key-message-199037-2024-10-08\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-key-message-199037-2024-10-08\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-199037-2024-10-08\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tPlease list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-key-message-199037-2024-10-08\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-key-message-199037-2024-10-08\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><ul><li>In Congress, I will protect reproductive rights and abortion access for all Americans. My opponent’s anti-abortion voting record, including a vote for a national abortion ban, shows that he is out of touch with the needs of our district, and with most Americans. Now that Roe v. Wade is overturned, it is more important than ever to elect pro-choice women like myself, and defeat anti-choice politicians like my opponent.</li><li>Growing up in a single parent household without stable income, I know what it’s like to not have enough for groceries or paying the heating bill. That is why I support paid family leave, raising the minimum wage to $15/hour, and expanding the Affordable Care Act, because no American should choose between paying for groceries, doctor bills, or childcare.</li><li>The January 6th insurrection was a turning point for me as I thought about whether or not to run for public office. I joined the Army at 17 to defend the Constitution, and protect our nation from all enemies, both foreign and domestic. No one is above the law, and I’m ashamed that our current representative has failed to condemn the January 6th insurrection and has run away from reporters asking whether he supports Trump. I believe that our politicians should represent and serve the American people, not the other way around.</li></ul></span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-199037-2024-10-08\" id=\"heading1-199037-2024-10-08\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse1-199037-2024-10-08\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-199037-2024-10-08\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading1-199037-2024-10-08\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse1-199037-2024-10-08\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tMy experience as a combat veteran shapes many of my personal values. I swore an oath to defend our Constitution, and I fought overseas to protect our freedom. Now, I’ve come back home to see that reproductive freedom has been taken away from myself and other American women. Overnight, half of the American population was made second-class citizens, including tens of thousands of active-duty soldiers and veterans. In Congress - unlike my anti-choice opponent - I will not stand for that and will immediately vote to protect abortion rights at a federal level.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-199037-2024-10-08\" id=\"heading2-199037-2024-10-08\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse2-199037-2024-10-08\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-199037-2024-10-08\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading2-199037-2024-10-08\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse2-199037-2024-10-08\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI was 13-years-old on 9/11, and I remember watching the news break in my 8th grade reading class. It was a profound moment not only in American history, but for me and my journey to public service. While I didn’t yet know that in just four short years I’d be joining the Army to fight in the Global War on Terror, I knew from that day onward I’d live a life of public service to our country.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-199037-2024-10-08\" id=\"heading3-199037-2024-10-08\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse3-199037-2024-10-08\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-199037-2024-10-08\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tDo you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading3-199037-2024-10-08\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse3-199037-2024-10-08\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tMy entire professional career, beginning when I joined the Army at age 17 and took my oath of office to protect and defend the constitution against our foreign and domestic enemies, I have worked across the aisle in order to accomplish a common mission. That same principle holds true for this campaign. I am willing and able to work across party and ideological lines to achieve common goals and deliver for the people of PA-01.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse4-199037-2024-10-08\" id=\"heading4-199037-2024-10-08\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse4-199037-2024-10-08\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse4-199037-2024-10-08\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading4-199037-2024-10-08\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse4-199037-2024-10-08\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tDCCC Red to Blue, American Federation of Teachers - Pennsylvania, Transport Workers Union Local #234, United Auto Workers, EMILYs List, New Democrat Coalition Action Fund, CBCPAC, CHC BOLD PAC, Defend the Vote, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, Reproductive Freedom for All, Elect Democratic Women, National Women’s Political Caucus, VoteVets, New Politics, SwingLeft, Indivisible, End Citizens United / Let America Vote, Patriotic Millionaires, Bucks County Democratic Committee, Montgomery County Democratic Committee, Dems Serve, J Street PAC, Her Bold Move, Way to Lead PAC, 20/20 Vision, Jewish Democratic Outreach PA, Jewish Democratic Council of America, Sierra Club, and more.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div></div>\n<div class=\"small\" data-nosnippet=\"\"><p><i><b>Note:</b> Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.</i></p></div>", "answer_text": "See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection\n\nAshley Ehasz completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Ehasz's responses.\nExpand all | Collapse all\nWho are you? Tell us about yourself. I am a U.S. Army combat veteran, the only pro-choice candidate, and Democrat running for Congress in Pennsylvania's 1st Congressional District. I grew up in Southeastern Pennsylvania to a single mother for most of my childhood, at times unable to afford rent or groceries, dealing with many of the struggles that many working families in our district face. As an attack helicopter pilot and former commander who served our country overseas, I am ready to fight for all Americans and am committed to serving hardworking families in Bucks and Montgomery Counties. Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office? In Congress, I will protect reproductive rights and abortion access for all Americans. My opponent’s anti-abortion voting record, including a vote for a national abortion ban, shows that he is out of touch with the needs of our district, and with most Americans. Now that Roe v. Wade is overturned, it is more important than ever to elect pro-choice women like myself, and defeat anti-choice politicians like my opponent. Growing up in a single parent household without stable income, I know what it’s like to not have enough for groceries or paying the heating bill. That is why I support paid family leave, raising the minimum wage to $15/hour, and expanding the Affordable Care Act, because no American should choose between paying for groceries, doctor bills, or childcare. The January 6th insurrection was a turning point for me as I thought about whether or not to run for public office. I joined the Army at 17 to defend the Constitution, and protect our nation from all enemies, both foreign and domestic. No one is above the law, and I’m ashamed that our current representative has failed to condemn the January 6th insurrection and has run away from reporters asking whether he supports Trump. I believe that our politicians should represent and serve the American people, not the other way around. What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? My experience as a combat veteran shapes many of my personal values. I swore an oath to defend our Constitution, and I fought overseas to protect our freedom. Now, I’ve come back home to see that reproductive freedom has been taken away from myself and other American women. Overnight, half of the American population was made second-class citizens, including tens of thousands of active-duty soldiers and veterans. In Congress - unlike my anti-choice opponent - I will not stand for that and will immediately vote to protect abortion rights at a federal level. What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time? I was 13-years-old on 9/11, and I remember watching the news break in my 8th grade reading class. It was a profound moment not only in American history, but for me and my journey to public service. While I didn’t yet know that in just four short years I’d be joining the Army to fight in the Global War on Terror, I knew from that day onward I’d live a life of public service to our country. Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking? My entire professional career, beginning when I joined the Army at age 17 and took my oath of office to protect and defend the constitution against our foreign and domestic enemies, I have worked across the aisle in order to accomplish a common mission. That same principle holds true for this campaign. I am willing and able to work across party and ideological lines to achieve common goals and deliver for the people of PA-01. What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign? DCCC Red to Blue, American Federation of Teachers - Pennsylvania, Transport Workers Union Local #234, United Auto Workers, EMILYs List, New Democrat Coalition Action Fund, CBCPAC, CHC BOLD PAC, Defend the Vote, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, Reproductive Freedom for All, Elect Democratic Women, National Women’s Political Caucus, VoteVets, New Politics, SwingLeft, Indivisible, End Citizens United / Let America Vote, Patriotic Millionaires, Bucks County Democratic Committee, Montgomery County Democratic Committee, Dems Serve, J Street PAC, Her Bold Move, Way to Lead PAC, 20/20 Vision, Jewish Democratic Outreach PA, Jewish Democratic Council of America, Sierra Club, and more.\nNote: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it."}, {"question": "Campaign website", "answer_html": "<p>Ehasz’s campaign website stated the following:\n</p>\n<div style=\"height:400px;overflow:scroll;border:1px solid gray;margin:20px;padding:10px;\">\n<table data-nosnippet=\"\" style=\"border-collapse: collapse; border: none;background-color: transparent; auto; ;\">\n<tbody><tr>\n<td style=\"border:none; color:#B2B7F2;font-size:35px;font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; text-align: left; padding: 10px 3px;\" valign=\"top\" width=\"20\">“\n</td>\n<td style=\"border: none; padding: 4px 10px;\" valign=\"top\">\n<p><b>ABORTION ACCESS</b><br/>\n<u>REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS FOR WOMEN AND FAMILIES</u>\n</p><p>The Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade. Where do we go from here?\n</p><p>The Dobbs decision has put the health of women and families in jeopardy. In the wake of Roe being overturned, our current representative voted against codifying Roe v. Wade. As I wrote in an op-ed with the Courier Times, access to abortion is not only an issue for single women, but also families looking to determine their own futures. In fact, many Americans who have an abortion are already parents when they choose to do so. This can have broad economic impacts for women and their families, and access to abortion is essential to protecting the rights of women to freely participate in society.\n</p><p>While our supposedly moderate congressman, Brian Fitzpatrick, has continuously opposed access to a woman’s right to choose, I will not. I support H.R. 3755, the Women’s Health Protection Act, which would federally codify Roe v. Wade, and I look forward to casting my vote in its favor in Congress.\n</p><p><b>PROTECTING OUR LAND</b><br/>\n<u>CLIMATE CHANGE</u>\n</p><p>As a combat veteran, I view the climate crisis as a national security issue. The Department of Defense has identified climate change as a direct threat to the national security of the United States and stability around the world. Future conflicts could be caused by climate change’s effect on political and resource instability. We must address this threat to our homeland and abroad in a responsible manner.\n</p><p><u>GREEN JOBS &amp; THE ECONOMY</u>\n</p><p>I am running for Congress to enact policies to fight climate change and turn this threat into jobs and investment all across Pennsylvania. The move toward climate resilience is a great opportunity to expand blue-collar, union jobs right here in Bucks and Montgomery Counties. Green tech and energy jobs, necessary to support families looking to send their children to college, can be incentivized through partnerships between federal, state, and local governments, and as your congressional representative, I would do just that.\n</p><p><u>REDUCING OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT</u>\n</p><p>As your representative, I will advocate for more resources to be allocated to researching new technologies that can solve the myriad challenges posed by climate change, and push for those dollars to return to communities like ours that not only have significant expertise in energy systems, but which house world-class research institutions that can tackle the crisis. \n</p><p>As a veteran, I also know that one immediate way Congress and the White House could combat climate change is to work to reduce the carbon emissions of the U.S. military, who currently emit more carbon than 140 countries. Working with defense manufacturers, research institutions, and Commanders, we could produce new technologies to not only reduce the carbon emissions of the U.S. military, but do so without sacrificing our ability to rapidly respond to conflict in the field. These technologies could and should be developed right here in PA-01. \n</p><p><b>BUILDING A STRONG ECONOMY</b><br/>\n<u>AFFORDABLE HOUSING</u>\n</p><p>Right here in Bucks and Montgomery Counties, families are living with multiple generations under one roof. People my age, with school-aged children, live with their parents because they want their children to go to a good school district, but they cannot afford to buy a home here. \n</p><p>As a young veteran, I was only able to afford a down payment with a loan from the Veterans Administration. I know that families across our district struggle with affordable housing everyday. If we do not provide pathways for young people to buy a home, settle down, and start a family in our community, our community simply will not have a future.\n</p><p><u>LABOR RIGHTS</u>\n</p><p>The ability of unions to collectively bargain is an essential need to protect the rights of workers and the communities they live in. I support this federally-protected right and will fight side by side with our union brothers and sisters — both in Washington and at the picket line.\n</p><p><u>RAISING THE WAGE</u>\n</p><p>It’s been over a decade since the federal minimum wage was raised. We need to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2024.\n</p><p><u>EQUAL PAY AND REPRESENTATION</u>\n</p><p>As a woman who has served her country, and had the honor of holding command, I know just how important it is to ensure access to equal opportunity. Women should not only have a seat at the table in the workforce, they should be able to hold positions of power and be decision-makers. This means supporting initiatives for pay equity, universal preschool, and affordable childcare for all.\n</p><p><u>HOLDING CORPORATIONS AND BIG BANKS ACCOUNTABLE</u>\n</p><p>The pandemic has again shined a clear light on the inequities in our economy. While families were forced to make difficult decisions regarding how best to safely work and provide for their children, and while many families in Bucks and Montgomery Counties went hungry due to a loss of income, Wall Street saw record profits as their stock portfolios grew. This again demonstrates the need for increased restraints on the banking industry, including the reinstatement of the Glass Steagall Act, to not only ensure that there are more protections against future financial shocks, but also to increase oversight of these industries. \n</p><p><u>BUILDING A BETTER FUTURE FOR OUR FAMILIES</u>\n</p><p>I wholeheartedly support President Biden’s Build Back Better plan, unlike our current Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick who voted against it. I support any agenda that makes Bucks and Montgomery Counties affordable for middle class families, and provides high quality jobs to the workers of our district. \n</p><p><b>BETTER EDUCATION</b><br/>\n<u>THE STUDENT DEBT CRISIS</u>\n</p><p>I joined the Army to unlock an education I would have otherwise not been able to afford, and despite the GI Bill, I have nearly $70,000 of student loan debt from getting my Master’s degree at Oxford University. As the daughter of parents who weren’t able to afford college or access the resources they needed to get there, I recognize that far too many families struggle to obtain higher education. Since 2006, student debt in America has nearly tripled; almost 45 million borrowers owe $1.6 trillion. The average borrower owes close to $33,000 and pays nearly $400 per month in debt service. Confronting the student debt crisis raises fundamental questions about how much an education should cost, who can attend college, and how students will pay their debts over time.\n</p><p>During the The COVID-19 pandemic, I worked at the county government level as a policy writer to implement the CARES Act, part of which provided a moratorium on payments for federal student loan borrowers. \n</p><p><u>REAL SOLUTIONS FOR AFFORDABLE HIGHER EDUCATION </u>\n</p><p>The cost of college needs to be significantly reduced to make it more accessible to students who want to attend a two or four year institution. The federal government can play an important role to push institutions to reduce costs, as well as reduce the burdens for borrowers through fairer interest rates and caps on monthly payments. We also need to expand public interest loan forgiveness programs, ensuring that anyone can afford to work in the public or nonprofit sector, regardless of their student loan burden. \n</p><p><u>PUBLIC EDUCATION</u>\n</p><p>As a graduate of Pennsylvania’s public schools, I absolutely believe we need greater oversight of the charter school system. Lack of regulation in charter schools negatively impacts the quality of our public schools as well as that of benefits and positions for public school teachers. \n</p><p><b>ADDRESSING GUN VIOLENCE</b><br/>\nAs a combat veteran, I fully support the second amendment and the rights of citizens to securely keep arms for self-defense, recreation, and hunting. As a former U.S. Army Commander, I have first-hand knowledge of the power and deadliness of military-grade assault weapons which is why I support Universal Background Checks to ensure that those purchasing firearms do not pose a risk to themselves or others in our community, and that they are stored securely and out of the reach of children and others who are not properly trained on how to safely use them. \n</p><p>Gun violence is a public health crisis, and for too long Republicans have stood in the way of overwhelmingly popular safety legislation to protect our communities and schools. As your representative, I will stand up for responsible measures to curb this public health crisis. \n</p><p><b>HEALTHY COMMUNITIES</b><br/>\n<u>AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE</u>\n</p><p>Our healthcare system is broken. To fix it, I support expanding the Affordable Care Act and giving Medicare the power to negotiate lower drug prices and cap prescription drug costs for seniors in order to make healthcare more accessible and affordable for everyone in PA-01. When elected, one of my first priorities will be to fight for legislation that would expand the government’s role in drug research and development, which would drastically reduce the cost of generic prescription drugs and help reduce the cost of healthcare at large.\n</p><p><u>REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS FOR WOMEN AND FAMILIES</u>\n</p><p>Roe. v. Wade is under attack, which is a threat to women, and to all families who are trying to plan for the future. As I wrote in an op-ed with the Courier Times, access to abortion is not only an issue for single women, but also families looking to determine their own futures. In fact, many Americans who have an abortion are already parents when they choose to do so. This can have broad economic impacts for women and their families, and access to abortion is essential to protecting the rights of women to freely participate in society.\n</p><p>While our supposedly moderate Congressman, Brian Fitzpatrick, has continuously opposed access to a woman’s right to choose, I will not. I support H.R. 3755, the Women’s Health Protection Act, which would federally codify Roe v. Wade, and I look forward to casting my vote in its favor in Congress.\n</p><p><u>THE OPIOID CRISIS</u>\n</p><p>In my lifetime, I have lost some of my family members and my soldiers to drug addiction and mental health disorders. The drug overdose epidemic claims over 70,000 lives every year. This crisis has hit so many people close to home. We must confront addiction with compassion, better access to resources at the federal level, and comprehensive treatment. In Congress I will pursue every avenue and work with my Republican colleagues across the aisle to address the deadly opioid epidemic that has ravaged our communities.\n</p><p><b>GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY</b><br/>\n<u>CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM</u>\n</p><p>Our country has a real problem with the money that goes into our elections, especially outside money from Super PACs that attempt to buy elections. We need to overturn Citizens United and quell the unlimited, untraceable spending on elections from special interest groups and millionaires. \n</p><p>Having elections that can be bought and controlled by the extremely wealthy is a direct threat to our democracy. I oppose the presence of dark money in our local, state, and federal elections. \n</p><p><u>PROTECTING DEMOCRACY</u>\n</p><p>The January 6th insurrection was a turning point for me as I thought about whether or not to run for public office. I joined the Army at 17 to defend the Constitution, and protect our nation from all enemies, both foreign and domestic, and it remains painful to know that veterans like me took part in this after being disillusioned and misled by our nation’s leaders.\n</p><p>Protecting the right to vote and access to free and fair elections is essential to the health of our democracy, which is why I support the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.\n</p><p><b>SUPPORTING DIVERSITY IN OUR COMMUNITIES</b><br/>\nDiversity is at the core of America’s identity, and as a member of Congress, I will support programs in Bucks and Montgomery Counties that help all communities thrive, and work to reform institutional systems that oppress minorities. In Congress I will work to broaden anti-discrimination laws, expanding and enforcing ADA requirements, and grant and tax programs that support minority, disabled, and veteran owned businesses.\n</p><p>My military career spans nearly 13 years, and in that time I saw the shameful impact of the Trump administration’s Transgender Ban on my fellow soldiers. I also witnessed how soldiers who lived at or below the poverty line were disproportionately people of color. And I experienced first hand, just how differently women are treated in the military, and the obstacles that we are expected to overcome that our male counterparts are not.\n</p><p>It is the responsibility of leadership to protect and uplift marginalized people, be they LGBTQIA+, communities of color, minority faith communities, or living with a disability. \n</p><p><b>IMMIGRATION REFORM</b><br/>\nHaving spent over a decade in the military, commanding overseas and at home, I shape much of my beliefs with the question, “how do we increase our nation's security?” A pathway to citizenship to those who have made America their home, and have not posed a threat to society, only serves to strengthen our borders, and bolster our economy, both through GDP growth and domestic job creation. However, much more needs to be done to improve the ability of those wishing to come to the United States legally — the current process is very onerous and reduces our competitiveness worldwide. \n</p><p>I also believe that protections for Dreamers and DACA recipients should be codified in federal law, to ensure that regardless of who is in the White House, those who have lived here since they were small can freely participate in American society, the only true home these people have ever known.<sup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-quotedisclaimer_2-0\"><a href=\"#cite_note-quotedisclaimer-2\">[2]</a></sup>\n</p>\n</td>\n<td style=\"border: none; color: #B2B7F2; font-size: 35px; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; text-align: right; padding: 10px 1px;\" valign=\"bottom\" width=\"20\">”\n</td></tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"cquotecite\" colspan=\"3\" style=\"border: none; padding-right: 4%\"><cite style=\"font-style: normal;font-size: smaller; float: right;\">—Ashley Ehasz’s campaign website (2024)<sup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-3\"><a href=\"#cite_note-3\">[3]</a></sup></cite>\n</td></tr></tbody></table>\n</div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"></div>\n<div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-10 col-md-6 col-xs-offset-1 col-md-offset-3\"><p><a href=\"https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\"><img align=\"middle\" alt=\"Candidate Connection\" src=\"https://cdn.ballotpedia.org/images/8/88/Candidate_Connection_Logo.png\" width=\"90%\"/></a></p></div></div>\n<p>Ashley Ehasz completed <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a> survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Ehasz's responses.</p>\n<p><span class=\"expand-all\">Expand all</span> | <span class=\"collapse-all\">Collapse all</span></p>\n<div aria-multiselectable=\"true\" class=\"panel-group\" id=\"accordion\" role=\"tablist\"><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-103875-2022-07-08\" id=\"heading-bio-103875-2022-07-08\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-bio-103875-2022-07-08\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-103875-2022-07-08\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWho are you? Tell us about yourself.\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-bio-103875-2022-07-08\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-bio-103875-2022-07-08\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tAshley Ehasz is a U.S. Army combat veteran and Democrat running for Congress in Pennsylvania's 1st Congressional District. Ashley grew up in Southeastern Pennsylvania to a single mother, at times unable to afford rent or groceries, dealing with many of the struggles that working families face. As an attack helicopter pilot and former commander who served our country overseas, Ashley is ready to fight for all Americans and is committed to serving communities in Bucks and Montgomery Counties.\r\n\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-103875-2022-07-08\" id=\"heading-key-message-103875-2022-07-08\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-key-message-103875-2022-07-08\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-103875-2022-07-08\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tPlease list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-key-message-103875-2022-07-08\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-key-message-103875-2022-07-08\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><ul><li>In Congress, Ashley will protect reproductive rights and access for all Americans. Her opponent’s anti-abortion voting record shows that he is out of touch with the needs of our district, and of all Americans. In the age following the Supreme Court overturn of Roe v. Wade, it is more important than ever to elect pro-choice women like Ashley, and defeat anti-choice politicians like her opponent.</li><li>Growing up in a single parent household without stable income, Ashley knows what it’s like to not have enough for groceries or paying the heating bill. That is why Ashley supports paid family leave, raising the minimum wage to $15/hour, and expanding the Affordable Care Act, because no American should choose between paying for groceries, doctors bills, or childcare.</li><li>As a combat veteran, Ashley supports the second amendment, but also understands that gun violence is a public health crisis in America. She supports enacting universal background checks to ensure that those purchasing firearms do not pose a risk to themselves or others in our community, and demands that we hold gun manufacturers accountable, pass red flag laws, and ban assault rifles.</li></ul></span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-103875-2022-07-08\" id=\"heading1-103875-2022-07-08\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse1-103875-2022-07-08\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-103875-2022-07-08\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading1-103875-2022-07-08\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse1-103875-2022-07-08\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tMy experience as a combat veteran shapes many of my personal values. I swore an oath to defend our constitution, and I fought overseas to protect our freedom. Now, I’ve come back home to see that reproductive freedom has been taken away from American women. Overnight, half of the American population were made second-class citizens, including tens of thousands of active-duty soldiers and veterans. In Congress, and I will not stand for that.<br/>\n<p>Additionally, I am deeply concerned about the existential threat climate change poses not only for future generations, but for us now. Too many families are losing their homes to flooding or drinking contaminated water. The degradation of our environment is a national security threat. We are falling behind other countries in developing green technology and infrastructure, and conflict over natural resources, such as water, is likely to increase in the next few years. <br/>\n</p>\nOur country has only become more expensive to live in, and yet the minimum wage still sits at $7.25/hour. The only reason myself and other veterans can afford to buy our first home is through the VA loan, but for so many young Americans, we are still paid too little while the cost of living gets higher. My community deserves a representative in Congress who will fight to protect the union way of life, to lower the cost of healthcare and prescriptions, and to ensure everyone can afford to live with dignity.<br/></span></div></div></div></div></div>\n<div class=\"small\" data-nosnippet=\"\"><p><i><b>Note:</b> Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.</i></p></div>", "answer_text": "Ehasz’s campaign website stated the following:\n“ ABORTION ACCESS REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS FOR WOMEN AND FAMILIES The Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade. Where do we go from here? The Dobbs decision has put the health of women and families in jeopardy. In the wake of Roe being overturned, our current representative voted against codifying Roe v. Wade. As I wrote in an op-ed with the Courier Times, access to abortion is not only an issue for single women, but also families looking to determine their own futures. In fact, many Americans who have an abortion are already parents when they choose to do so. This can have broad economic impacts for women and their families, and access to abortion is essential to protecting the rights of women to freely participate in society. While our supposedly moderate congressman, Brian Fitzpatrick, has continuously opposed access to a woman’s right to choose, I will not. I support H.R. 3755, the Women’s Health Protection Act, which would federally codify Roe v. Wade, and I look forward to casting my vote in its favor in Congress. PROTECTING OUR LAND CLIMATE CHANGE As a combat veteran, I view the climate crisis as a national security issue. The Department of Defense has identified climate change as a direct threat to the national security of the United States and stability around the world. Future conflicts could be caused by climate change’s effect on political and resource instability. We must address this threat to our homeland and abroad in a responsible manner. GREEN JOBS & THE ECONOMY I am running for Congress to enact policies to fight climate change and turn this threat into jobs and investment all across Pennsylvania. The move toward climate resilience is a great opportunity to expand blue-collar, union jobs right here in Bucks and Montgomery Counties. Green tech and energy jobs, necessary to support families looking to send their children to college, can be incentivized through partnerships between federal, state, and local governments, and as your congressional representative, I would do just that. REDUCING OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT As your representative, I will advocate for more resources to be allocated to researching new technologies that can solve the myriad challenges posed by climate change, and push for those dollars to return to communities like ours that not only have significant expertise in energy systems, but which house world-class research institutions that can tackle the crisis. As a veteran, I also know that one immediate way Congress and the White House could combat climate change is to work to reduce the carbon emissions of the U.S. military, who currently emit more carbon than 140 countries. Working with defense manufacturers, research institutions, and Commanders, we could produce new technologies to not only reduce the carbon emissions of the U.S. military, but do so without sacrificing our ability to rapidly respond to conflict in the field. These technologies could and should be developed right here in PA-01. BUILDING A STRONG ECONOMY AFFORDABLE HOUSING Right here in Bucks and Montgomery Counties, families are living with multiple generations under one roof. People my age, with school-aged children, live with their parents because they want their children to go to a good school district, but they cannot afford to buy a home here. As a young veteran, I was only able to afford a down payment with a loan from the Veterans Administration. I know that families across our district struggle with affordable housing everyday. If we do not provide pathways for young people to buy a home, settle down, and start a family in our community, our community simply will not have a future. LABOR RIGHTS The ability of unions to collectively bargain is an essential need to protect the rights of workers and the communities they live in. I support this federally-protected right and will fight side by side with our union brothers and sisters — both in Washington and at the picket line. RAISING THE WAGE It’s been over a decade since the federal minimum wage was raised. We need to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2024. EQUAL PAY AND REPRESENTATION As a woman who has served her country, and had the honor of holding command, I know just how important it is to ensure access to equal opportunity. Women should not only have a seat at the table in the workforce, they should be able to hold positions of power and be decision-makers. This means supporting initiatives for pay equity, universal preschool, and affordable childcare for all. HOLDING CORPORATIONS AND BIG BANKS ACCOUNTABLE The pandemic has again shined a clear light on the inequities in our economy. While families were forced to make difficult decisions regarding how best to safely work and provide for their children, and while many families in Bucks and Montgomery Counties went hungry due to a loss of income, Wall Street saw record profits as their stock portfolios grew. This again demonstrates the need for increased restraints on the banking industry, including the reinstatement of the Glass Steagall Act, to not only ensure that there are more protections against future financial shocks, but also to increase oversight of these industries. BUILDING A BETTER FUTURE FOR OUR FAMILIES I wholeheartedly support President Biden’s Build Back Better plan, unlike our current Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick who voted against it. I support any agenda that makes Bucks and Montgomery Counties affordable for middle class families, and provides high quality jobs to the workers of our district. BETTER EDUCATION THE STUDENT DEBT CRISIS I joined the Army to unlock an education I would have otherwise not been able to afford, and despite the GI Bill, I have nearly $70,000 of student loan debt from getting my Master’s degree at Oxford University. As the daughter of parents who weren’t able to afford college or access the resources they needed to get there, I recognize that far too many families struggle to obtain higher education. Since 2006, student debt in America has nearly tripled; almost 45 million borrowers owe $1.6 trillion. The average borrower owes close to $33,000 and pays nearly $400 per month in debt service. Confronting the student debt crisis raises fundamental questions about how much an education should cost, who can attend college, and how students will pay their debts over time. During the The COVID-19 pandemic, I worked at the county government level as a policy writer to implement the CARES Act, part of which provided a moratorium on payments for federal student loan borrowers. REAL SOLUTIONS FOR AFFORDABLE HIGHER EDUCATION The cost of college needs to be significantly reduced to make it more accessible to students who want to attend a two or four year institution. The federal government can play an important role to push institutions to reduce costs, as well as reduce the burdens for borrowers through fairer interest rates and caps on monthly payments. We also need to expand public interest loan forgiveness programs, ensuring that anyone can afford to work in the public or nonprofit sector, regardless of their student loan burden. PUBLIC EDUCATION As a graduate of Pennsylvania’s public schools, I absolutely believe we need greater oversight of the charter school system. Lack of regulation in charter schools negatively impacts the quality of our public schools as well as that of benefits and positions for public school teachers. ADDRESSING GUN VIOLENCE As a combat veteran, I fully support the second amendment and the rights of citizens to securely keep arms for self-defense, recreation, and hunting. As a former U.S. Army Commander, I have first-hand knowledge of the power and deadliness of military-grade assault weapons which is why I support Universal Background Checks to ensure that those purchasing firearms do not pose a risk to themselves or others in our community, and that they are stored securely and out of the reach of children and others who are not properly trained on how to safely use them. Gun violence is a public health crisis, and for too long Republicans have stood in the way of overwhelmingly popular safety legislation to protect our communities and schools. As your representative, I will stand up for responsible measures to curb this public health crisis. HEALTHY COMMUNITIES AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE Our healthcare system is broken. To fix it, I support expanding the Affordable Care Act and giving Medicare the power to negotiate lower drug prices and cap prescription drug costs for seniors in order to make healthcare more accessible and affordable for everyone in PA-01. When elected, one of my first priorities will be to fight for legislation that would expand the government’s role in drug research and development, which would drastically reduce the cost of generic prescription drugs and help reduce the cost of healthcare at large. REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS FOR WOMEN AND FAMILIES Roe. v. Wade is under attack, which is a threat to women, and to all families who are trying to plan for the future. As I wrote in an op-ed with the Courier Times, access to abortion is not only an issue for single women, but also families looking to determine their own futures. In fact, many Americans who have an abortion are already parents when they choose to do so. This can have broad economic impacts for women and their families, and access to abortion is essential to protecting the rights of women to freely participate in society. While our supposedly moderate Congressman, Brian Fitzpatrick, has continuously opposed access to a woman’s right to choose, I will not. I support H.R. 3755, the Women’s Health Protection Act, which would federally codify Roe v. Wade, and I look forward to casting my vote in its favor in Congress. THE OPIOID CRISIS In my lifetime, I have lost some of my family members and my soldiers to drug addiction and mental health disorders. The drug overdose epidemic claims over 70,000 lives every year. This crisis has hit so many people close to home. We must confront addiction with compassion, better access to resources at the federal level, and comprehensive treatment. In Congress I will pursue every avenue and work with my Republican colleagues across the aisle to address the deadly opioid epidemic that has ravaged our communities. GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM Our country has a real problem with the money that goes into our elections, especially outside money from Super PACs that attempt to buy elections. We need to overturn Citizens United and quell the unlimited, untraceable spending on elections from special interest groups and millionaires. Having elections that can be bought and controlled by the extremely wealthy is a direct threat to our democracy. I oppose the presence of dark money in our local, state, and federal elections. PROTECTING DEMOCRACY The January 6th insurrection was a turning point for me as I thought about whether or not to run for public office. I joined the Army at 17 to defend the Constitution, and protect our nation from all enemies, both foreign and domestic, and it remains painful to know that veterans like me took part in this after being disillusioned and misled by our nation’s leaders. Protecting the right to vote and access to free and fair elections is essential to the health of our democracy, which is why I support the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. SUPPORTING DIVERSITY IN OUR COMMUNITIES Diversity is at the core of America’s identity, and as a member of Congress, I will support programs in Bucks and Montgomery Counties that help all communities thrive, and work to reform institutional systems that oppress minorities. In Congress I will work to broaden anti-discrimination laws, expanding and enforcing ADA requirements, and grant and tax programs that support minority, disabled, and veteran owned businesses. My military career spans nearly 13 years, and in that time I saw the shameful impact of the Trump administration’s Transgender Ban on my fellow soldiers. I also witnessed how soldiers who lived at or below the poverty line were disproportionately people of color. And I experienced first hand, just how differently women are treated in the military, and the obstacles that we are expected to overcome that our male counterparts are not. It is the responsibility of leadership to protect and uplift marginalized people, be they LGBTQIA+, communities of color, minority faith communities, or living with a disability. IMMIGRATION REFORM Having spent over a decade in the military, commanding overseas and at home, I shape much of my beliefs with the question, “how do we increase our nation's security?” A pathway to citizenship to those who have made America their home, and have not posed a threat to society, only serves to strengthen our borders, and bolster our economy, both through GDP growth and domestic job creation. However, much more needs to be done to improve the ability of those wishing to come to the United States legally — the current process is very onerous and reduces our competitiveness worldwide. I also believe that protections for Dreamers and DACA recipients should be codified in federal law, to ensure that regardless of who is in the White House, those who have lived here since they were small can freely participate in American society, the only true home these people have ever known. [2] ” —Ashley Ehasz’s campaign website (2024) [3]\n\n\nAshley Ehasz completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Ehasz's responses.\nExpand all | Collapse all\nWho are you? Tell us about yourself. Ashley Ehasz is a U.S. Army combat veteran and Democrat running for Congress in Pennsylvania's 1st Congressional District. Ashley grew up in Southeastern Pennsylvania to a single mother, at times unable to afford rent or groceries, dealing with many of the struggles that working families face. As an attack helicopter pilot and former commander who served our country overseas, Ashley is ready to fight for all Americans and is committed to serving communities in Bucks and Montgomery Counties. Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office? In Congress, Ashley will protect reproductive rights and access for all Americans. Her opponent’s anti-abortion voting record shows that he is out of touch with the needs of our district, and of all Americans. In the age following the Supreme Court overturn of Roe v. Wade, it is more important than ever to elect pro-choice women like Ashley, and defeat anti-choice politicians like her opponent. Growing up in a single parent household without stable income, Ashley knows what it’s like to not have enough for groceries or paying the heating bill. That is why Ashley supports paid family leave, raising the minimum wage to $15/hour, and expanding the Affordable Care Act, because no American should choose between paying for groceries, doctors bills, or childcare. As a combat veteran, Ashley supports the second amendment, but also understands that gun violence is a public health crisis in America. She supports enacting universal background checks to ensure that those purchasing firearms do not pose a risk to themselves or others in our community, and demands that we hold gun manufacturers accountable, pass red flag laws, and ban assault rifles. What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? My experience as a combat veteran shapes many of my personal values. I swore an oath to defend our constitution, and I fought overseas to protect our freedom. Now, I’ve come back home to see that reproductive freedom has been taken away from American women. Overnight, half of the American population were made second-class citizens, including tens of thousands of active-duty soldiers and veterans. In Congress, and I will not stand for that. Additionally, I am deeply concerned about the existential threat climate change poses not only for future generations, but for us now. Too many families are losing their homes to flooding or drinking contaminated water. The degradation of our environment is a national security threat. We are falling behind other countries in developing green technology and infrastructure, and conflict over natural resources, such as water, is likely to increase in the next few years. Our country has only become more expensive to live in, and yet the minimum wage still sits at $7.25/hour. The only reason myself and other veterans can afford to buy our first home is through the VA loan, but for so many young Americans, we are still paid too little while the cost of living gets higher. My community deserves a representative in Congress who will fight to protect the union way of life, to lower the cost of healthcare and prescriptions, and to ensure everyone can afford to live with dignity.\nNote: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it."}, {"question": "Campaign website", "answer_html": "<p>Ehasz's campaign website stated the following:\n</p>\n<div style=\"height:400px;overflow:scroll;border:1px solid gray;margin:20px;padding:10px;\">\n<table data-nosnippet=\"\" style=\"border-collapse: collapse; border: none;background-color: transparent; auto; ;\">\n<tbody><tr>\n<td style=\"border:none; color:#B2B7F2;font-size:35px;font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; text-align: left; padding: 10px 3px;\" valign=\"top\" width=\"20\">“\n</td>\n<td style=\"border: none; padding: 4px 10px;\" valign=\"top\">\n<p><b>ABORTION ACCESS</b>\n</p><p><b>REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS FOR WOMEN AND FAMILIES</b>\n</p><p>The Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade. Where do we go from here?\n</p><p>The Dobbs decision has put the health of women and families in jeopardy. In the wake of Roe being overturned, our current representative voted against codifying Roe v. Wade. As I wrote in an op-ed with the <u>Courier Times</u>, access to abortion is not only an issue for single women, but also families looking to determine their own futures. In fact, many Americans who have an abortion are already parents when they choose to do so. This can have broad economic impacts for women and their families, and access to abortion is essential to protecting the rights of women to freely participate in society.\n</p><p>While Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick has continuously opposed access to a woman’s right to choose, I will not. I support H.R. 3755, the Women’s Health Protection Act, which would federally codify Roe v. Wade, and I look forward to casting my vote in its favor in Congress.\n</p><p><br/>\n<b>PROTECTING OUR LAND</b>\n</p><p><b>CLIMATE CHANGE</b>\n</p><p>As a combat veteran, I view the climate crisis as a national security issue. The Department of Defense has identified climate change as a direct threat to the national security of the United States and stability around the world. Future conflicts could be caused by climate change’s effect on political and resource instability. We must address this threat to our homeland and abroad in a responsible manner.\n</p><p><b>GREEN JOBS &amp; THE ECONOMY</b>\n</p><p>I am running for Congress to enact policies to fight climate change and turn this threat into jobs and investment all across Pennsylvania. The move toward climate resilience is a great opportunity to expand blue-collar, union jobs right here in Bucks and Montgomery Counties. Green tech and energy jobs, necessary to support families looking to send their children to college, can be incentivized through partnerships between federal, state, and local governments, and as your Congressional Representative, I would do just that.\n</p><p><b>REDUCING OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT</b>\n</p><p>As your representative, I will advocate for more resources to be allocated to researching new technologies that can solve the myriad challenges posed by climate change, and push for those dollars to return to communities like ours that not only have significant expertise in energy systems, but which house world-class research institutions that can tackle the crisis. \n</p><p>As a veteran, I also know that one immediate way Congress and the White House could combat climate change is to work to reduce the carbon emissions of the U.S. military, who currently emit more carbon than 140 countries. Working with defense manufacturers, research institutions, and Commanders, we could produce new technologies to not only reduce the carbon emissions of the U.S. military, but do so without sacrificing our ability to rapidly respond to conflict in the field. These technologies could and should be developed right here in PA-01.\n</p><p><br/>\n<b>BETTER EDUCATION</b>\n</p><p><b>THE STUDENT DEBT CRISIS</b>\n</p><p>I joined the Army to unlock an education I would have otherwise not been able to afford, and despite the GI Bill, I have nearly $70,000 of student loan debt from getting my Master’s degree at Oxford University. As the daughter of parents who weren’t able to afford college or access the resources they needed to get there, I recognize that far too many families struggle to obtain higher education. Since 2006, student debt in America has nearly tripled; almost 45 million borrowers owe $1.6 trillion. The average borrower owes close to $33,000 and pays nearly $400 per month in debt service. Confronting the student debt crisis raises fundamental questions about how much an education should cost, who can attend college, and how students will pay their debts over time.\n</p><p>During the The COVID-19 pandemic, I worked at the county government level as a policy writer to implement the CARES Act, part of which provided a moratorium on payments for federal student loan borrowers. \n</p><p><b>REAL SOLUTIONS FOR AFFORDABLE HIGHER EDUCATION</b>\n</p><p>The cost of college needs to be significantly reduced to make it more accessible to students who want to attend a two or four year institution. The federal government can play an important role to push institutions to reduce costs, as well as reduce the burdens for borrowers through fairer interest rates and caps on monthly payments. We also need to expand public interest loan forgiveness programs, ensuring that anyone can afford to work in the public or nonprofit sector, regardless of their student loan burden. \n</p><p><b>PUBLIC EDUCATION</b>\n</p><p>As a graduate of Pennsylvania’s public schools, I absolutely believe we need greater oversight of the charter school system. Lack of regulation in charter schools negatively impacts the quality of our public schools as well as that of benefits and positions for public school teachers.\n</p><p><br/>\n<b>HEALTHY COMMUNITIES</b>\n</p><p><b>AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE</b>\n</p><p>Our healthcare system is broken. To fix it, I support expanding the Affordable Care Act and giving Medicare the power to negotiate lower drug prices and cap prescription drug costs for seniors in order to make healthcare more accessible and affordable for everyone in PA-01. When elected, one of my first priorities will be to fight for legislation that would expand the government’s role in drug research and development, which would drastically reduce the cost of generic prescription drugs and help reduce the cost of healthcare at large.\n</p><p><b>REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS FOR WOMEN AND FAMILIES</b>\n</p><p><i>Roe. v. Wade</i> is under attack, which is a threat to women, and to all families who are trying to plan for the future. As I wrote in an op-ed with the <u>Courier Times</u>, access to abortion is not only an issue for single women, but also families looking to determine their own futures. In fact, many Americans who have an abortion are already parents when they choose to do so. This can have broad economic impacts for women and their families, and access to abortion is essential to protecting the rights of women to freely participate in society.\n</p><p>While our supposedly moderate Congressman, Brian Fitzpatrick, has continuously opposed access to a woman’s right to choose, I will not. I support H.R. 3755, the Women’s Health Protection Act, which would federally codify <i>Roe v. Wade</i>, and I look forward to casting my vote in its favor in Congress.\n</p><p><b>THE OPIOID CRISIS</b>\n</p><p>In my lifetime, I have lost some of my family members and my soldiers to drug addiction and mental health disorders. The drug overdose epidemic claims over 70,000 lives every year. This crisis has hit so many people close to home. We must confront addiction with compassion, better access to resources at the federal level, and comprehensive treatment. In Congress I will pursue every avenue and work with my Republican colleagues across the aisle to address the deadly opioid epidemic that has ravaged our communities.\n</p><p><br/>\n<b>SUPPORTING DIVERSITY IN OUR COMMUNITIES</b>\n</p><p>Diversity is at the core of America’s identity, and as a Member of Congress, I will support programs in Bucks and Montgomery Counties that help all communities thrive, and work to reform institutional systems that oppress minorities. In Congress I will work to broaden anti-discrimination laws, expanding and enforcing ADA requirements, and grant and tax programs that support minority, disabled, and veteran owned businesses.\n</p><p>My military career spans nearly 13 years, and in that time I saw the shameful impact of the Trump administration’s Transgender Ban on my fellow soldiers. I also witnessed how soldiers who lived at or below the poverty line were disproportionately people of color. And I experienced first hand, just how differently women are treated in the military, and the obstacles that we are expected to overcome that our male counterparts are not.\n</p><p>It is the responsibility of leadership to protect and uplift marginalized people, be they LGBTQIA+, communities of color, minority faith communities, or living with a disability. \n</p><p><br/>\n<b>BUILDING A STRONG ECONOMY</b>\n</p><p><b>AFFORDABLE HOUSING</b>\n</p><p>Right here in Bucks and Montgomery Counties, families are living with multiple generations under one roof. People my age, with school-aged children, live with their parents because they want their children to go to a good school district, but they cannot afford to buy a home here. \n</p><p>As a young veteran, I was only able to afford a down payment with a loan from the Veterans Administration. I know that families across our district struggle with affordable housing everyday. If we do not provide pathways for young people to buy a home, settle down, and start a family in our community, our community simply will not have a future.\n</p><p><b>LABOR RIGHTS</b>\n</p><p>The ability of unions to collectively bargain is an essential need to protect the rights of workers and the communities they live in. I support this federally-protected right and will fight side by side with our union brothers and sisters - both in Washington and at the picket line.\n</p><p><b>RAISING THE WAGE</b>\n</p><p>It’s been over a decade since the federal minimum wage was raised. We need to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2024.\n</p><p><b>EQUAL PAY AND REPRESENTATION</b>\n</p><p>As a woman who has served her country, and had the honor of holding command, I know just how important it is to ensure access to equal opportunity. Women should not only have a seat at the table in the workforce, they should be able to hold positions of power and be decision-makers. This means supporting initiatives for pay equity, universal preschool, and affordable childcare for all.\n</p><p><b>HOLDING CORPORATIONS AND BIG BANKS ACCOUNTABLE</b>\n</p><p>The pandemic has again shined a clear light on the inequities in our economy. While families were forced to make difficult decisions regarding how best to safely work and provide for their children, and while many families in Bucks and Montgomery Counties went hungry due to a loss of income, Wall Street saw record profits as their stock portfolios grew. This again demonstrates the need for increased restraints on the banking industry, including the reinstatement of the Glass Steagall Act, to not only ensure that there are more protections against future financial shocks, but also to increase oversight of these industries. \n</p><p><b>BUILDING A BETTER FUTURE FOR OUR FAMILIES</b>\n</p><p>I wholeheartedly support President Biden’s Build Back Better plan, unlike our current Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick who voted against it. I support any agenda that makes Bucks and Montgomery Counties affordable for middle class families, and provides high quality jobs to the workers of our district.\n</p><p><br/>\n<b>ADDRESSING GUN VIOLENCE</b>\n</p><p>As a combat veteran, I fully support the second amendment and the rights of citizens to securely keep arms for self-defense, recreation, and hunting. As a former U.S. Army Commander, I have first-hand knowledge of the power and deadliness of military-grade assault weapons which is why I support Universal Background Checks to ensure that those purchasing firearms do not pose a risk to themselves or others in our community, and that they are stored securely and out of the reach of children and others who are not properly trained on how to safely use them. \n</p><p>Gun violence is a public health crisis, and for too long Republicans have stood in the way of overwhelmingly popular safety legislation to protect our communities and schools. As your representative, I will stand up for responsible measures to curb this public health crisis.\n</p><p><br/>\n<b>GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY</b>\n</p><p><b>CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM</b>\n</p><p>Our country has a real problem with the money that goes into our elections, especially outside money from Super PACs that attempt to buy elections. We need to overturn Citizens United and quell the unlimited, untraceable spending on elections from special interest groups and millionaires. \n</p><p>Having elections that can be bought and controlled by the extremely wealthy is a direct threat to our democracy. I oppose the presence of dark money in our local, state, and federal elections. \n</p><p><b>PROTECTING DEMOCRACY</b>\n</p><p>The January 6th insurrection was a turning point for me as I thought about whether or not to run for public office. I joined the Army at 17 to defend the Constitution, and protect our nation from all enemies, both foreign and domestic, and it remains painful to know that veterans like me took part in this after being disillusioned and misled by our nation’s leaders.\n</p><p>Protecting the right to vote and access to free and fair elections is essential to the health of our democracy, which is why I support the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.\n</p><p><br/>\n<b>IMMIGRATION REFORM</b>\n</p><p>Having spent over a decade in the military, commanding overseas and at home, I shape much of my beliefs with the question, “how do we increase our nation's security?” A pathway to citizenship to those who have made America their home, and have not posed a threat to society, only serves to strengthen our borders, and bolster our economy, both through GDP growth and domestic job creation. However, much more needs to be done to improve the ability of those wishing to come to the United States legally - the current process is very onerous and reduces our competitiveness worldwide. \n</p><p>I also believe that protections for Dreamers and DACA recipients should be codified in federal law, to ensure that regardless of who is in the White House, those who have lived here since they were small can freely participate in American society, the only true home these people have ever known.<sup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-quotedisclaimer_2-1\"><a href=\"#cite_note-quotedisclaimer-2\">[2]</a></sup>\n</p>\n</td>\n<td style=\"border: none; color: #B2B7F2; font-size: 35px; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; text-align: right; padding: 10px 1px;\" valign=\"bottom\" width=\"20\">”\n</td></tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"cquotecite\" colspan=\"3\" style=\"border: none; padding-right: 4%\"><cite style=\"font-style: normal;font-size: smaller; float: right;\">—Ashley Ehasz's campaign website (2022)<sup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-4\"><a href=\"#cite_note-4\">[4]</a></sup></cite>\n</td></tr></tbody></table>\n</div>", "answer_text": "Ehasz's campaign website stated the following:\n“ ABORTION ACCESS REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS FOR WOMEN AND FAMILIES The Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade. Where do we go from here? The Dobbs decision has put the health of women and families in jeopardy. In the wake of Roe being overturned, our current representative voted against codifying Roe v. Wade. As I wrote in an op-ed with the Courier Times , access to abortion is not only an issue for single women, but also families looking to determine their own futures. In fact, many Americans who have an abortion are already parents when they choose to do so. This can have broad economic impacts for women and their families, and access to abortion is essential to protecting the rights of women to freely participate in society. While Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick has continuously opposed access to a woman’s right to choose, I will not. I support H.R. 3755, the Women’s Health Protection Act, which would federally codify Roe v. Wade, and I look forward to casting my vote in its favor in Congress. PROTECTING OUR LAND CLIMATE CHANGE As a combat veteran, I view the climate crisis as a national security issue. The Department of Defense has identified climate change as a direct threat to the national security of the United States and stability around the world. Future conflicts could be caused by climate change’s effect on political and resource instability. We must address this threat to our homeland and abroad in a responsible manner. GREEN JOBS & THE ECONOMY I am running for Congress to enact policies to fight climate change and turn this threat into jobs and investment all across Pennsylvania. The move toward climate resilience is a great opportunity to expand blue-collar, union jobs right here in Bucks and Montgomery Counties. Green tech and energy jobs, necessary to support families looking to send their children to college, can be incentivized through partnerships between federal, state, and local governments, and as your Congressional Representative, I would do just that. REDUCING OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT As your representative, I will advocate for more resources to be allocated to researching new technologies that can solve the myriad challenges posed by climate change, and push for those dollars to return to communities like ours that not only have significant expertise in energy systems, but which house world-class research institutions that can tackle the crisis. As a veteran, I also know that one immediate way Congress and the White House could combat climate change is to work to reduce the carbon emissions of the U.S. military, who currently emit more carbon than 140 countries. Working with defense manufacturers, research institutions, and Commanders, we could produce new technologies to not only reduce the carbon emissions of the U.S. military, but do so without sacrificing our ability to rapidly respond to conflict in the field. These technologies could and should be developed right here in PA-01. BETTER EDUCATION THE STUDENT DEBT CRISIS I joined the Army to unlock an education I would have otherwise not been able to afford, and despite the GI Bill, I have nearly $70,000 of student loan debt from getting my Master’s degree at Oxford University. As the daughter of parents who weren’t able to afford college or access the resources they needed to get there, I recognize that far too many families struggle to obtain higher education. Since 2006, student debt in America has nearly tripled; almost 45 million borrowers owe $1.6 trillion. The average borrower owes close to $33,000 and pays nearly $400 per month in debt service. Confronting the student debt crisis raises fundamental questions about how much an education should cost, who can attend college, and how students will pay their debts over time. During the The COVID-19 pandemic, I worked at the county government level as a policy writer to implement the CARES Act, part of which provided a moratorium on payments for federal student loan borrowers. REAL SOLUTIONS FOR AFFORDABLE HIGHER EDUCATION The cost of college needs to be significantly reduced to make it more accessible to students who want to attend a two or four year institution. The federal government can play an important role to push institutions to reduce costs, as well as reduce the burdens for borrowers through fairer interest rates and caps on monthly payments. We also need to expand public interest loan forgiveness programs, ensuring that anyone can afford to work in the public or nonprofit sector, regardless of their student loan burden. PUBLIC EDUCATION As a graduate of Pennsylvania’s public schools, I absolutely believe we need greater oversight of the charter school system. Lack of regulation in charter schools negatively impacts the quality of our public schools as well as that of benefits and positions for public school teachers. HEALTHY COMMUNITIES AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE Our healthcare system is broken. To fix it, I support expanding the Affordable Care Act and giving Medicare the power to negotiate lower drug prices and cap prescription drug costs for seniors in order to make healthcare more accessible and affordable for everyone in PA-01. When elected, one of my first priorities will be to fight for legislation that would expand the government’s role in drug research and development, which would drastically reduce the cost of generic prescription drugs and help reduce the cost of healthcare at large. REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS FOR WOMEN AND FAMILIES Roe. v. Wade is under attack, which is a threat to women, and to all families who are trying to plan for the future. As I wrote in an op-ed with the Courier Times , access to abortion is not only an issue for single women, but also families looking to determine their own futures. In fact, many Americans who have an abortion are already parents when they choose to do so. This can have broad economic impacts for women and their families, and access to abortion is essential to protecting the rights of women to freely participate in society. While our supposedly moderate Congressman, Brian Fitzpatrick, has continuously opposed access to a woman’s right to choose, I will not. I support H.R. 3755, the Women’s Health Protection Act, which would federally codify Roe v. Wade , and I look forward to casting my vote in its favor in Congress. THE OPIOID CRISIS In my lifetime, I have lost some of my family members and my soldiers to drug addiction and mental health disorders. The drug overdose epidemic claims over 70,000 lives every year. This crisis has hit so many people close to home. We must confront addiction with compassion, better access to resources at the federal level, and comprehensive treatment. In Congress I will pursue every avenue and work with my Republican colleagues across the aisle to address the deadly opioid epidemic that has ravaged our communities. SUPPORTING DIVERSITY IN OUR COMMUNITIES Diversity is at the core of America’s identity, and as a Member of Congress, I will support programs in Bucks and Montgomery Counties that help all communities thrive, and work to reform institutional systems that oppress minorities. In Congress I will work to broaden anti-discrimination laws, expanding and enforcing ADA requirements, and grant and tax programs that support minority, disabled, and veteran owned businesses. My military career spans nearly 13 years, and in that time I saw the shameful impact of the Trump administration’s Transgender Ban on my fellow soldiers. I also witnessed how soldiers who lived at or below the poverty line were disproportionately people of color. And I experienced first hand, just how differently women are treated in the military, and the obstacles that we are expected to overcome that our male counterparts are not. It is the responsibility of leadership to protect and uplift marginalized people, be they LGBTQIA+, communities of color, minority faith communities, or living with a disability. BUILDING A STRONG ECONOMY AFFORDABLE HOUSING Right here in Bucks and Montgomery Counties, families are living with multiple generations under one roof. People my age, with school-aged children, live with their parents because they want their children to go to a good school district, but they cannot afford to buy a home here. As a young veteran, I was only able to afford a down payment with a loan from the Veterans Administration. I know that families across our district struggle with affordable housing everyday. If we do not provide pathways for young people to buy a home, settle down, and start a family in our community, our community simply will not have a future. LABOR RIGHTS The ability of unions to collectively bargain is an essential need to protect the rights of workers and the communities they live in. I support this federally-protected right and will fight side by side with our union brothers and sisters - both in Washington and at the picket line. RAISING THE WAGE It’s been over a decade since the federal minimum wage was raised. We need to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2024. EQUAL PAY AND REPRESENTATION As a woman who has served her country, and had the honor of holding command, I know just how important it is to ensure access to equal opportunity. Women should not only have a seat at the table in the workforce, they should be able to hold positions of power and be decision-makers. This means supporting initiatives for pay equity, universal preschool, and affordable childcare for all. HOLDING CORPORATIONS AND BIG BANKS ACCOUNTABLE The pandemic has again shined a clear light on the inequities in our economy. While families were forced to make difficult decisions regarding how best to safely work and provide for their children, and while many families in Bucks and Montgomery Counties went hungry due to a loss of income, Wall Street saw record profits as their stock portfolios grew. This again demonstrates the need for increased restraints on the banking industry, including the reinstatement of the Glass Steagall Act, to not only ensure that there are more protections against future financial shocks, but also to increase oversight of these industries. BUILDING A BETTER FUTURE FOR OUR FAMILIES I wholeheartedly support President Biden’s Build Back Better plan, unlike our current Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick who voted against it. I support any agenda that makes Bucks and Montgomery Counties affordable for middle class families, and provides high quality jobs to the workers of our district. ADDRESSING GUN VIOLENCE As a combat veteran, I fully support the second amendment and the rights of citizens to securely keep arms for self-defense, recreation, and hunting. As a former U.S. Army Commander, I have first-hand knowledge of the power and deadliness of military-grade assault weapons which is why I support Universal Background Checks to ensure that those purchasing firearms do not pose a risk to themselves or others in our community, and that they are stored securely and out of the reach of children and others who are not properly trained on how to safely use them. Gun violence is a public health crisis, and for too long Republicans have stood in the way of overwhelmingly popular safety legislation to protect our communities and schools. As your representative, I will stand up for responsible measures to curb this public health crisis. GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM Our country has a real problem with the money that goes into our elections, especially outside money from Super PACs that attempt to buy elections. We need to overturn Citizens United and quell the unlimited, untraceable spending on elections from special interest groups and millionaires. Having elections that can be bought and controlled by the extremely wealthy is a direct threat to our democracy. I oppose the presence of dark money in our local, state, and federal elections. PROTECTING DEMOCRACY The January 6th insurrection was a turning point for me as I thought about whether or not to run for public office. I joined the Army at 17 to defend the Constitution, and protect our nation from all enemies, both foreign and domestic, and it remains painful to know that veterans like me took part in this after being disillusioned and misled by our nation’s leaders. Protecting the right to vote and access to free and fair elections is essential to the health of our democracy, which is why I support the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. IMMIGRATION REFORM Having spent over a decade in the military, commanding overseas and at home, I shape much of my beliefs with the question, “how do we increase our nation's security?” A pathway to citizenship to those who have made America their home, and have not posed a threat to society, only serves to strengthen our borders, and bolster our economy, both through GDP growth and domestic job creation. However, much more needs to be done to improve the ability of those wishing to come to the United States legally - the current process is very onerous and reduces our competitiveness worldwide. I also believe that protections for Dreamers and DACA recipients should be codified in federal law, to ensure that regardless of who is in the White House, those who have lived here since they were small can freely participate in American society, the only true home these people have ever known. [2] ” —Ashley Ehasz's campaign website (2022) [4]"}]