url,title,date,year,month,party,chamber,state,member_name,bioguide_id,domain,scraper,source,date_source,text,has_text,collected_at,updated_at
https://dexter.house.gov/media/press-releases/dexter-concludes-first-year-senate-passage-legislation-support-veterans,Dexter Concludes First Year with Senate Passage of Legislation to Support Veterans,2025-12-23,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,OR,Maxine Dexter,D000635,dexter.house.gov,dexter,https://dexter.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"PORTLAND, OR — Today, Congresswoman Maxine Dexter, M.D. (OR-03) announced that her bipartisan legislation, the Focused Assistance and Skills Training for Veterans’ Employment and Transition Success (FAST VETS) Act passed the U.S. Senate. The legislation passed out of the House in the fall and now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law.

“As someone who worked at the VA, I have seen firsthand how critical it is for veterans to have access to timely, outcomes-based support as they transition to civilian life,” said Dexter. “The FAST VETS Act ensures we are meeting veterans where they are and more efficiently connecting them with the career resources they need to succeed in civilian life. I’m grateful that in a historically divided Congress, the Senate has passed this legislation and moved it one step closer to becoming law.”

""I'm thrilled to see the FAST VETS Act pass the Senate with bipartisan support,"" said Ranking Member Mark Takano. ""This legislation represents our continued commitment to ensuring veterans receive the employment support and career counseling they've earned through their service. Strengthening the VR&E program will make a lasting difference in veterans' lives as they transition to civilian careers. I look forward to working with my colleagues and Representative Maxine Dexter to pass more legislation that safeguards the benefits and services our veterans depend on.""

FAST VETS Act strengthens the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Veterans Readiness and Employment (VR&E) program to better connect veterans with meaningful employment opportunities. If signed into law, this bill will improve outcomes for individual veterans in the VR&E program, while expanding the number of veterans who can access its critical supports.

Congresswoman Dexter serves on the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and is one of only three physicians in Congress who provided care to veterans at the VA. She serves on both the Subcommittee on Health and the Subcommittee on Disability and Memorial Affairs.

For a one-page fact sheet on this legislation, click here. For full bill text, click here.

###",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z
https://bynum.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-janelle-bynums-first-year-office,Congresswoman Janelle Bynum’s First Year in Office,2025-12-22,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,OR,Janelle S. Bynum,B001326,bynum.house.gov,bynum,https://bynum.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"December 22, 2025

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2025 Video Recap

Congresswoman Bynum took office at a critical point for our country, with the nation preparing to swear-in Donald Trump for the second time, our politics facing a deep partisan divide, and Americans dealing with skyrocketing costs. Through it all, her laser-focus on working across the aisle to deliver real results and to show up for her constituents has shown that she’s the right person to fight for Oregonians in Congress. As Senator Merkley put it: “From working together to lead bipartisan legislation to protect the environment to always putting Oregonians and our communities first, Rep. Bynum has been listening and securing wins during her first year in Congress. I look forward to partnering with her in 2026 and beyond to make sure Oregonians and all Americans have strong foundations to thrive.”

Showing Up and Delivering for Oregon

Congresswoman Bynum hosted 94,000 Oregonians at 21 town halls across Oregon’s Fifth Congressional District.

She made it a top priority to ensure all of her constituents could make their voices heard, so she hosted town halls in Clackamas, Deschutes, Linn, and Marion Counties, as well as over the phone.

This summer, Congresswoman Bynum traveledacross the district on her 10-stop “Give ‘Em Hell Tour”, which turned out over 42,000 constituents, in response to the Trump Administration’s cruelty and chaos.

According to one constituent, “Bynum showed up and made it clear she was committed to employing every tool to fight back during these unprecedented times.”

When the City of Portland became a target for the Trump Administration’s unwanted deployment of the National Guard, Rep. Bynum stood up for Oregon and called out the overreach.

Immediately following the announcement, she held a town hall with over 13,000 participants to answer questions and show her support for the community.

She also took the fight to national TV and social media, emphasizing that Portland didn’t ask for, need, or want troops in the city, and calling on the president to stop using them as “toy soldiers.”

During Congresswoman Bynum’s first year in office, she helped the district earn over $160 million in federal funding. She also fought for over $34 million to fund investments in clean drinking water, public safety, child care, affordable housing, and more in OR-05.

Congresswoman Bynum hosted 189 district events and meetings, including 35 roundtables. As a leader committed to showing up for her communities, she held over 200 constituent meetings, where she heard Oregonians' concerns and top priorities and consistently made herself available.

Visits have been wide-ranging and tailored to the diverse communities she represents, from meeting with constituents at a brewery in Bend to talking with high school seniors about public service in Portland to riding along with a local Fire Chief in Colton.

She’s made clear that showing up and hearing her constituents is a top priority for her: “Rep. Janelle Bynum, D-Oregon, had a promise for the crowd of dozens she faced on a coffee shop patio Saturday afternoon: She would go wherever her constituents wanted her to be.”

Congresswoman Bynum’s office has responded to over 89,000 constituent messages and has successfully casework requests, returning over $806,029 to her constituents’ pockets. Success stories include helping deal with the Social Security issues and getting money back from the IRS.

Congresswoman Bynum was a vocal opponent to Republicans’ cuts to healthcare and has continually stood up to protect her constituents’ access to healthcare.

Legislative Wins

Congresswoman Bynum was appointed to the powerful Financial Services Committee in her first term, becoming the first Oregon freshman named to the committee in 28 years.

As part of her commitment to lowering the cost of housing, she fought to be named to the Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, where she has introduced 3 bipartisan bills to address the housing crisis.

She made an early impression on the Committee’s Ranking Member, Rep. Maxine Waters, who said, “Congresswoman Bynum has a strong track record of fighting to address the affordable housing crisis… I have no doubt she will draw on her background and expertise to continue this important effort…”.

Congresswoman Bynum has already established herself as a bipartisan, results-driven legislator, passing 3 bipartisan bills through the House to help small businesses during an otherwise historically unproductive Congress.

In total, Congresswoman Bynum has led or co-led 21 pieces of legislation, – 16 of which are bipartisan – including bills to lower costs, protect Oregon’s environment, support students, keep Oregonians healthy, support wildfire response efforts, and more.

She also quickly proved herself as a leader in Congress by leading 32 of her 33 Freshman colleagues in calling on Speaker Johnson to start focusing on lowering costs.

Congresswoman Bynum has notched several local wins by successfully calling on the Trump Administration to change course. She called on the rehiring of laid off federal firefighters, which later happened, and advocated for communities impacted by the Detroit Lake drawdown proposal, by calling on the comment period to be extended, which it was.

Congresswoman Bynum has delivered 25 speeches on the House floor, advocating for Oregonians’ healthcare, reproductive freedom, and lower costs.

Communicating Effectively and Establishing a Herself as a Rising Star

Congresswoman Bynum quickly established herself as a rising star in the party, speaking at the Democratic Caucus Leadership’s press conference within her first month in Congress.

Congresswoman Bynum has employed an aggressive “go everywhere” media strategy, meeting people where they are, bringing her message from traditional and new media to social media.

She has made over 51 local and national television appearances, including on CNN, MSNBC, and NewsNation, and authored 2 op-eds.

She has made multiple new media appearances, including on MeidasTouch (5.7M YouTube subscribers), the Don Lemon Show (1M YouTube subscribers), and Hopium (150,000 subscribers on Substack).

She has also amassed over 51,000 followers on social media and generated several viral moments, garnering millions of views across platforms and coverage from the Oregonian.

Congresswoman Bynum was a recipient of one of the awards in the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee’s (DPCC) Digital All Stars Competition for creatively and effectively communicating to digital audiences.

Congresswoman Bynum also successfully launched a newsletter program with over 72,000 subscribers, the most of any Democratic Freshman and more than most established offices, as part of her effort to inform constituents about results she is delivering at home.

As Democrats nationally have wrestled with how to engage younger Americans, Congresswoman Bynum was elected as a Co-Chair of the Future Forum Caucus, which focuses on prioritizing and giving voices to young Americans on issues important to them.

Looking to the second half of her first term, Congresswoman Bynum will continue showing up and delivering for Oregonians. She’s already established herself as one of the party’s strongest communicators and one of Congress’ most effective bipartisan lawmakers. Her impressive accomplishments during her short time in Congress – and in the current political climate – have Congresswoman Bynum well positioned to emerge as a leader in Congress in the year ahead.

###

Issues: Congress",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-bentz-applauds-the-advancement-to-delist-the-gray-wolf,Congressman Bentz Applauds the Advancement to Delist the Gray Wolf,2025-12-19,2025,2025-12,Republican,House,OR,Cliff Bentz,B000668,bentz.house.gov,bentz,https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C.– Following Congressman Bentz (R-OR) House floor speech last week outlining the dangers posed by the unchecked growth of gray wolf populations, the U.S. House of Representatives voted in favor of delisting the gray wolf. The passage of H.R. 845, The Pet and Livestock Protection Act is an important step toward restoring common sense wildlife management and returning authority to state agencies.

“Today’s vote is a long-overdue acknowledgment that the federal government’s approach to gray wolf management has failed,” said Congressman Bentz. “From my first days in Congress, I have pushed to delist the gray wolf because the consequences of inaction are being felt every day in Oregon’s Second Congressional District. Ranching families are paying the price for policies made in Washington that ignore conditions on the ground. Delisting the gray wolf is a necessary first step toward restoring balance, protecting livestock, driving down the cost of beef prices, and returning wildlife management to the state agencies best equipped to do the job. I strongly urge the Senators of Oregon and the rest of their chamber to pass this legislation.”

“Oregon’s livestock producers have been hard hit economically due to predator activity. It is for this reason, the Oregon Cattleman’s Association supports the passage of HR845, The Pet and Livestock Protection Act, by the house of representatives which is the first step toward the delisting of the wolf. In Oregon, delisting will be a welcome relief to producers in ¾ of the state allowing for long overdue management options under the Oregon Wolf Conservation and Management Plan. The assurances this bill offers will allow for quality wolf management and protection of private property,” said Oregon Cattleman’s Association, Tammy Dennee.

“Our most basic human and American rights are denied when we can’t legally take action to protect our own livestock from being harassed and killed right in front of our eyes. The current law is a form of entrapment that turns law abiding citizens into felons just for following their innate instinct to protect their home, family and livelihood. Humans and wolves are both apex predators, so protection laws must go both ways to maintain balance,” said Dr. Elise Flynn, Valley Falls, OR.

The House action follows Bentz’s recent floor remarks, where he highlighted the devastating impacts wolf depredation has had on livestock producers and rural economies, as well as the inability of states to effectively manage wolf populations under rigid federal control.",1,2026-04-12T05:43:33Z,2026-04-12T05:44:50Z
https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-salinas-leads-15-colleagues-urging-usda-fairly-include-specialty-crops,Rep. Salinas Leads 15 Colleagues in Urging USDA to Fairly Include Specialty Crops in Farm Aid Package,2025-12-19,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,OR,Andrea Salinas,S001226,salinas.house.gov,salinas,https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (OR-06) led 15 of her colleagues in sending a letter to the United States Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins expressing concern that their farm aid package fails to provide adequate support for specialty crops and other agriculture sectors.

The lawmakers expressed that any farm aid package must treat specialty crops with the same urgency, dignity, and commitment as row-crop producers. They continue to state that equitable assistance for all farmers and producers is essential to preserving the diversity, resilience, and sustainability of American agriculture.

Click here or see below for the full letter:

Dear Secretary Rollins,

We write to express our concerns that the Trump Administration’s recently announced farm aid package fails to provide adequate support for specialty crops and other sectors of the agricultural economy. While we recognize the need for the $11 billion dedicated to the Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) program, the remaining $1 billion that may or may not go towards specialty crops, coupled with the lack of clarity surrounding eligibility, distribution, and timing, falls far short of the relief these farmers need. This level of uncertainty and the disproportionate allocation itself are unacceptable for an industry already under significant strain.

Over the past year, specialty crop producers have endured severe economic hardship. Many operations have faced supply-chain disruptions, rising input costs, labor shortages, and unstable market conditions. Specialty growers also continue to operate without the same depth of risk-management tools, crop-insurance coverage, and market-stabilization support available to other sectors, leaving many more vulnerable when markets shift or disasters strike. These challenges have been severely exacerbated by the instability and uncertainty created under the Trump Administration, whose irrational tariffs and erratic behavior have disrupted foreign markets and reduced revenues for specialty crop growers.

By setting aside only $1 billion for specialty crops and others excluded from FBA and failing to provide any level of clarity surrounding this funding, the Administration is effectively choosing winners and losers in the farm economy. USDA’s own data shows that specialty crop exports totaled $24.6 billion in FY23, almost 14% of our nation’s total agricultural exports. Reserving just $1 billion for specialty crops, in addition to other producers excluded from the FBA program, severely underestimates both need and the role that specialty crops and other sectors play in the nation’s food system.

Further, this farm aid package is particularly concerning given that its total pales in comparison to the Trump Administration’s bailout for Argentina, raising questions about why American producers are being asked to settle for far less relief than what has been provided foreign nations. Such an approach risks leaving specialty crop producers as an afterthought rather than recognizing them as a core component of a healthy, diverse U.S. food system.

Without meaningful support, specialty crop producers and others excluded from FBA will continue to face severe economic instability without an economic backstop. President Trump must also consider the long-term harm his tariffs are doing to the American agricultural economy. If he does not reverse course, farm aid will continue to be necessary for years to come, and as we have heard from farmers time and time again: they do not want bailouts, they want robust markets to sell their products.

As USDA works to implement this farm relief package, we respectfully request that you provide the following information and commitment as soon as possible:

A detailed breakdown of how the $1 billion will be allocated, including timelines, payment formulas or criteria, eligibility thresholds, and how funds will be distributed by crop types and sectors.

An explanation of what data USDA has collected, or plans to collect, to assess the economic losses for specialty crop producers, and how that data will inform disbursement decisions.

Clarification on whether payments for specialty crops will require acreage reporting or other administrative steps similar to the row-crop program and how these requirements would be communicated to farmers, as well as a transparent timetable for rolling out payments to specialty crop producers, and clear public guidance on application procedures, eligibility, and oversight to ensure equitable distribution.

A commitment to consider expanding funding for specialty crops beyond the initial $1 billion, given the breadth of losses, the number of crops and producers affected, and the long-term value of specialty crops to U.S. food security and rural economies.

As USDA continues working to implement this farm aid package, we urge you to treat specialty crop producers, and others excluded from FBA, with the same urgency, dignity, and commitment as row-crop producers included in FBA. Now is not the time to divide the agricultural economy, it is a time to recognize the critical role all of American agriculture plays for our country. Equitable assistance is not only fair, it is essential to preserving the diversity, resilience, and sustainability of American agriculture.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter, and we stand ready to work with you and our colleagues to ensure that specialty crop farmers and other sectors excluded from FBA receive the relief they deserve from this Administration’s harmful trade policies.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/bonamici-schrier-introduce-bill-improve-food-bank-storage,"Bonamici, Schrier Introduce Bill to Improve Food Bank Storage",2025-12-18,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC [12/18/25] – Today Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) and Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (D-WA) introduced legislation to help food banks and other emergency food organizations make needed infrastructure updates to better serve their communities.

The Supporting Transportation Organization and Refrigeration Expansion (STORE) Act would update The Emergency Food Assistance Program’s (TEFAP) Infrastructure Grant program to provide additional infrastructure and outreach resources to food banks, soup kitchens, and food pantries serving rural and underserved populations.

“For years food banks have provided a lifeline for individuals, families, and children facing hunger,” said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. “I have heard from food banks in NW Oregon that sometimes they have to limit the number of people they can serve because of insufficient storage. I’m introducing the STORE Act to provide emergency food organizations with the resources they need to upgrade infrastructure, including refrigerators and freezers, so they can serve more people.”

""Meeting the infrastructure needs of local food banks is essential to ensuring that members of our community have access to the nutrition they need,"" said Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. ""This legislation strengthens TEFAP by making a much-needed and long-overdue investment in its infrastructure grant program and will be a huge win for our communities' battle against food insecurity and a win for our farmers.""

To combat hunger and address overdue infrastructure needs, the STORE Act would:

Update the TEFAP Infrastructure Grants program through Fiscal Year 2030 and increase annual funding by $10 million;

Include mobile and home delivery options and assessments of outreach activities as allowable activities;

Align the structure of the TEFAP Infrastructure Grants program with the TEFAP Reach and Resiliency Initiative by distributing funds through state TEFAP agencies;

Direct USDA to issue a report on cold storage needs for all emergency food organizations nationally; and,

Guarantee that Tribal, remote, and low-income communities are given preference in distributing this funding.

The bill text is available here.

###",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z
https://hoyle.house.gov/media/press-releases/hoyle-lawler-dingell-fitzpatrick-introduce-saw-act-to-ban-snowmobile-based-wolf-hunting-on-federal-lands,"Hoyle, Lawler, Dingell and Fitzpatrick Introduce SAW Act to Ban Snowmobile-based Wolf Hunting on Federal Lands",2025-12-18,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,OR,Val T. Hoyle,H001094,hoyle.house.gov,hoyle,https://hoyle.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Val Hoyle (OR-04), Mike Lawler (NY-17), Debbie Dingell (MI-06), and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-08) introduced the Snowmobiles Aren’t Weapons (SAW) Act, bipartisan legislation that would make it plainly illegal to use a motor vehicle to intentionally hurt or kill wolves and other species on federal land. The SAW Act establishes clear federal penalties for using vehicles as weapons against wildlife, while preserving an exception for situations involving imminent danger to human life.

“At a time when the House is taking up problematic legislation to remove federal protections for gray wolves from the Endangered Species Act, it’s more important than ever to stand up for responsible stewardship of our public lands and wildlife,” said Congresswoman Hoyle. “This bipartisan legislation shows we can work through thoughtful policy debates on conservation and wildlife management without condoning cruel and dangerous practices that threaten animals and public safety.”

“Using motor vehicles as weapons against wildlife has no place on our federal lands. This legislation makes clear that intentionally harassing, hunting, or killing animals with motor vehicles is unacceptable and will be met with serious consequences. The SAW Act protects both public safety and wildlife while allowing for common-sense exceptions for self-defense,” said Congressman Lawler.

“Our public lands are places where wildlife, especially endangered species like wolves, are federally protected. Anyone who uses a motor vehicle to intentionally harm or kill wildlife on public lands must be held accountable. I’m proud to co-lead this commonsense bipartisan legislation to uphold protections for wildlife to live safely on public lands,” said Congresswoman Dingell.

“As Co-Chair of the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus, I take seriously our responsibility to ensure wildlife on federal lands is protected under clear and enforceable law. The SAW Act clarifies federal standards by prohibiting the intentional use of motor vehicles to harm or kill wildlife, closes an enforcement gap, and strengthens public safety. I will always champion responsible wildlife protection policies that respect federal stewardship and the rule of law,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick.

###",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z
https://hoyle.house.gov/media/press-releases/hoyle-secures-passage-of-columbia-river-clean-up-act-in-committee,Hoyle Secures Passage of Columbia River Clean-Up Act in Transportation and Infrastructure Committee,2025-12-18,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,OR,Val T. Hoyle,H001094,hoyle.house.gov,hoyle,https://hoyle.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Val Hoyle (OR-04) today announced the successful passage of the Columbia River Clean-Up Act in the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, marking an important step forward in the effort to protect the health, economy and communities of the Pacific Northwest.

“I am grateful that this bill passed with bipartisan support and is moving forward from the committee,” Rep. Hoyle said. “It is crucial that we reauthorize this program to ensure stable funding for community partners to make meaningful progress on the rehabilitation of the Columbia River, and I am committed to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to get this bill to the House floor for a full vote.”

The Columbia River Clean Up Act would reauthorize the Columbia River Basin Restoration Program, which was created by U.S. Senator Merkley in 2016 to focus federal attention on reducing toxics and pollution through voluntary efforts in the Columbia River Basin. However, funding for the program is set to expire next year. The Columbia River Clean-Up Act would ensure the program can be funded for another five years, through 2030.

Senator Merkley introduced the Senate version of this legislation, and it is co-sponsored by Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore) and Patty Murray (D-Wash.)

Background

The Columbia River Basin Restoration Program:",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z
https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-andrea-salinas-delivers-remarks-condemning-legislation-will-jeopardize,Rep. Andrea Salinas Delivers Remarks Condemning Legislation that will Jeopardize LGBTQ+ Youth Access to Health Care,2025-12-18,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,OR,Andrea Salinas,S001226,salinas.house.gov,salinas,https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — Yesterday, Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (OR-06) delivered remarks on the House Floor in opposition of the Protect Children’s Innocence Act. During her remarks, Rep. Salinas highlighted the detrimental effects that this will have on the youth mental health crisis. Rep. Salinas voted in opposition to the legislation.

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Click here to watch Rep. Salinas’ full remarks.

A transcript of Salinas’ floor speech is available below:

Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to this disgusting bill that does nothing to protect children's innocence.

It endangers parents, health care providers, and children. It allows health care providers and parents to be fined and possibly jailed if they help a minor access lifesaving care, and it permits federal law enforcement to act as the “national gender police”, allowing them to invade children's private medical records.

This bill puts even more children in harm's way and exacerbates the mental health crisis that our young people are facing, because it stops them from actually receiving the care that they need right now.

Madam Speaker, why is our focus on this when what I'm hearing from constituents is that Republicans are falling short in addressing the cost of groceries, health care, and housing?

To my Republican colleagues, why not focus on the issues that will impact millions of families who are just one paycheck away from homelessness or losing their health care, instead of waging a war on children's genitals? What is this unhealthy obsession?

Let's end it today by voting no on H.R. 3492.

I yield back.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/bonamici-announces-winner-oregons-first-congressional-districts-2025,Bonamici Announces Winner of Oregon’s First Congressional District’s 2025 Congressional App Challenge,2025-12-17,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"BEAVERTON, OR [12/17/25] – Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici announced that Dhruv Singh, a Junior at Westview High School, won the 2025 Congressional App Challenge for Oregon’s First Congressional District.

His app, ReinforceLearn, teaches people the basics of reinforcement learning, an AI method where systems learn by trial and error using rewards. This approach helps machines make smart, independent decisions and is changing how technology is built.

“The Congressional App Challenge empowers students to identify challenges and then use creative and tech skills to solve them,” said Congresswoman Bonamici. “It was inspiring to see the variety of thoughtfully executed apps responsive to issues facing society today. Congratulations to Dhruv, whose work on educating his peers about reinforcement learning is an important step in giving young people the tools they need to successfully use emerging technologies.”

“Through my own personal learning struggles and experience, I created ReinforceLearn to aid young students in their pursuit of the future of AI, Reinforcement Learning,” said Dhruv Singh. “Much of learning AI and Reinforcement Learning is difficult to grasp due to all the complex formulas, concepts, and coding involved. My platform aims to remove these barriers and provide students with an interactive and simplified way of learning. Through ReinforceLearn, I hope to fuel curiosity and inspire the next generation with the essential expertise to shape and innovate the future of intelligence systems.”

You can view a video presentation of the app here.

Judges gave an honorable mention to Lincoln High School juniors Brian Wei & Siddharth Modha. Their app, Preparedness & Response for Emergency Planning (PREP), helps people prepare for natural disasters and stay safe by showing real-time weather and wildfire alerts and nearby hospitals and shelters on a map. It also provides directions and real-time weather and wildfire alerts to keep users safe.

A panel of expert judges from Northwest Oregon selected the winner and honorable mention for Oregon’s First Congressional District. The judges evaluated submissions based on creativity, technical quality, demonstrated excellence of programming skill, and potential community contribution. The three judges were:

Cara Turano, President & Director of Oregon Entrepreneurs Network

Claudia Rizo Mendoza, Workforce Development Manager for the City of Hillsboro

Kathy Bishop, Senior Director of Human Resources and Public Relations for Jireh Semiconductor, Inc.

Bonamici recognized Singh, Wei, and Modha in a virtual roundtable discussion with other participants from Oregon's First District. The winning app, ReinforceLearn, will be featured in the U.S. Capitol Building and on the House of Representatives website.

Bonamici is a founder and co-chair of the Congressional STEAM Caucus, which advocates for the integration of the arts and design into science, technology, engineering, and math to encourage creative thinking and engage more students. By supporting and recognizing young programmers, Congress is acknowledging the importance of these fields. The U.S. House of Representatives organizes the nationwide Congressional App Challenge each year.

###",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z
https://bynum.house.gov/media/press-releases/bynum-advances-bipartisan-housing-bill-out-financial-services-committee,Bynum Advances Bipartisan Housing Bill Out of Financial Services Committee,2025-12-17,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,OR,Janelle S. Bynum,B001326,bynum.house.gov,bynum,https://bynum.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Janelle Bynum (OR-05) advanced the bipartisan, bicameral Accelerating Home Building Act, as part of a broader package, through the Financial Services Committee, marking a key step on the process to becoming law. The bill will help build more and lower the cost of housing in Oregon and across the country. This bill is co-led by Congressmen Bryan Steil (WI-01), Chris Pappas (NH-01), and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), and is the fourth bipartisan bill Rep. Bynum has advanced through the committee.

“Housing has been a day-one priority for me,” said Rep. Bynum. “I’m proud that this bill to build more housing and lower costs is one step closer to becoming law. I’ll partner with anyone to get it done for Oregon’s Fifth, and I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to deliver results for our small businesses.”

Background:

In a recent study of housing affordability and homebuilding, Oregon earned an ‘F,’ ranking 45th out of the 50 states. It is estimated that Oregon will likely need to build over 140,000 single-family homes by 2030 to meet demand. Moreover, delays caused by complex and restrictive permitting processes and other regulatory burdens have resulted in a nationwide housing shortage of nearly 5 million homes.

Nationwide, communities are investing in a process called pattern zoning, in which architects and local governments develop pattern books full of pre-approved, standardized plans and designs. This bipartisan bill would establish a grant program to fund the creation of these pattern books, speeding up the permitting and home building process and lowering costs for home-buyers.

Specifically, this legislation would:

Establish a pilot HUD-administered grant program to fund the creation of pattern books with a focus on missing middle and infill construction; and

Provide set-asides for rural communities and prioritize high-opportunity areas and localities working to reduce barriers to housing development.

This legislation was also introduced in the Senate by U.S. Senators Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) and Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio).

This legislation is endorsed by the American Planning Association, Congress for the New Urbanism, Up for Growth Action, National Apartment Association, Smart Growth America, Main Street America, and the National Association of REALTORS.

“NAR is grateful that Representatives Janelle Bynum (D-OR), Bryan Steil (R-WI), Chris Pappas (D-NH) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) introduced the bipartisan Accelerating Home Building Act to help address the nation’s housing affordability crisis through streamlined construction approval processes,” said Shannon McGahn, NAR Chief Advocacy Officer and Executive Vice President. “NAR recognizes that reducing regulatory barriers and streamlining approval processes are essential steps toward addressing the housing shortage affecting communities across the country. We support this legislation as part of comprehensive efforts to increase housing supply and improve affordability.”

You can view a one-pager on the legislation here and the full text of the bill here.

In Congress, Rep. Bynum is a member of the House Financial Services Committee and sits on the Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, where she works to address the housing shortage and make life more affordable for Oregon families.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://dexter.house.gov/media/press-releases/dexter-speaker-johnson-get-out-way-and-call-vote-today,Dexter to Speaker Johnson: “Get out of the way and call a vote today.”,2025-12-17,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,OR,Maxine Dexter,D000635,dexter.house.gov,dexter,https://dexter.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, at a press conference with the Democratic Women’s Caucus, Congresswoman Maxine Dexter, M.D. (OR-03), called on Speaker Mike Johnson to hold a vote to extend the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced premium tax credits before sending Congress home for the year. This comes as four House Republicans joined Democrats in using a procedural move known as a discharge petition to force a vote on the House floor within seven legislative days.

“I did not spend 20 years saving lives in the intensive care unit to come to Congress and sit back while Republicans strip healthcare coverage from millions,” said Dexter.“Despite a majority of the House supporting a clean extension of the Affordable Care Act tax credits, Mike Johnson is standing in the way of the will of the people. My message is simple: get out of the way and call a vote today.”

Watch Dexter’s remarks from this morning’s press conference here.

If Speaker Johnson refuses to extend ACA tax credits before the end of the year, health insurance costs will skyrocket for at least 22 million Americans, including 111,000 Oregonians. This comes just months after Republicans cut federal Medicaid funding by $1 trillion to fund tax breaks for billionaires.

###",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z
https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-salinas-harshbarger-reintroduce-bipartisan-bill-expand-mental-health,"Reps. Salinas, Harshbarger Reintroduce Bipartisan Bill to Expand Mental Health Telehealth Services for Rural Americans",2025-12-17,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,OR,Andrea Salinas,S001226,salinas.house.gov,salinas,https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representatives Andrea Salinas (OR-06) and Diana Harshbarger (TN-01) reintroduced the bipartisan Home-Based Telemental Health Care Act. Their legislation would expand access to telehealth services, including mental health and substance use care, for rural Americans who continue to face barriers to in-person care, especially for individuals working in the farming, fishing, and forestry industries.

“In Oregon and across the country, rural communities are facing the same impossible math: too many needs and too few providers,” said Rep. Salinas. “Telehealth is already transforming care for veterans, seniors, and people with disabilities. Our bipartisan bill would extend these tools to farmers, ranchers, and fishers. This is a common-sense investment to help more Oregonians get the health care they need, where and when they need it.”

“As someone who has spent more than 30 years caring for patients in one of the most rural districts in America, I know the barriers they face and how transformational home-based care can be,” said Rep. Harshbarger. “By reintroducing this bipartisan bill, we are reaffirming a simple promise: rural patients — including those working in the farming, fishing and forestry industries should be able to access high-quality mental health and substance abuse services right from their own home. This legislation will help close the care gap, strengthen rural communities, and deliver real support to those who are struggling.”

The bipartisan legislation establishes a new grant program to help public and nonprofit telemental health provider networks deliver mental health and substance use care remotely to people in rural and medically underserved communities. The program prioritizes individuals living in rural Health Professional Shortage Areas and people working in farming, fishing, and forestry, with grants awarded by the Department of Health and Human Services in consultation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Funding may be used to provide home-based telemental health services, expand access through broadband, devices, and telehealth technology, and evaluate the quality and effectiveness of care compared to in-person services. The bill authorizes $10 million annually from fiscal years 2025 through 2029 and requires HHS to report to Congress on program outcomes.

“The Oregon Council for Behavioral Health, as a non-profit trade association with a wide representation of rural and frontier providers, greatly appreciates and supports the Home-Based Telemental Health Act of 2025,” said Heather Jefferis, M.A., Executive Director of the Oregon Council for Behavioral Health. “This bill will help expand access for communities and individuals who have significant barriers to care, including geographic distance, stigma, and a lack of providers in their community. We extend our gratitude to Congress for their attention to our rural and frontier communities’ needs. Thank you for helping local providers save lives.”

“People living in rural and medically underserved communities, especially people working in farming, fishing, and forestry, face some of the highest risks for mental health challenges while often having the fewest options for care,” said Hannah Wesolowski, Chief Advocacy Officer at the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). “Distance, workforce shortages, and stigma too often prevent people from getting help when they need it most. The Home-Based Telemental Health Care Act would expand access to care by delivering mental health and substance use services directly to people in their homes. NAMI is proud to support this legislation to help close the rural mental health access.”

“The National Rural Health Association applauds Congresswoman Salinas and Congresswoman Harshbarger for their introduction of the Home-Based Telemental Health Care Act. This important legislation creates a telemental health grant program designed to address specific rural behavioral health and substance use needs for folks in farming, fishing, and forestry occupations. This bill will increase access to behavioral health and substance use services for our most rural and medically underserved populations,"" said Alan Morgan, Chief Executive Officer of the National Rural Health Association.

The legislation is endorsed by the Oregon Council for Behavioral Health (OCBH), the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the National Alliance on Mental Illness–Oregon (NAMI-OR), the National Rural Health Association, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, and the American Psychiatric Association (APA).

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/oregon-delegation-no-new-ice-facilities-oregon,Oregon Delegation: No New ICE Facilities in Oregon,2025-12-16,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today the Democratic members of Oregon's congressional delegation—Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden and Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), and Janelle Bynum (OR-05)— demanded urgent answers from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) about any plans to expand ICE’s footprint in Oregon.

“We write to request a full and detailed description of any plans to open or expand Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facilities in Oregon. Recent public job postings in the Portland and Newport areas suggest that planning is well underway to contract for a new or expanded detention facility, but no formal notice has been provided to local or state leaders, or to Oregon’s congressional delegation,” wrote the Oregon delegation to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons. “We strongly and unequivocally reject the need for any new detention capacity and urge you to honor the public’s right to be informed and review your plans before any contracts are signed or facilities are opened. Oregonians deserve far better from the Trump administration than this shabby track record of absolute secrecy and total disdain for their communities’ viewpoints.”

The lawmakers raised serious concerns about increased ICE detentions of U.S. citizens and non-citizens alike, regardless of criminal history, and illegally denying due process.

They emphasized, “The information we require is critical to support Congress’s responsibility to protect detainees’ bedrock human and legal rights. As witnessed in the disastrous setup of Florida’s Alligator Alcatraz in the Everglades, hastily assembled detention centers invite horrific abuse and fail to effectively support efforts to detain dangerous criminals who pose a genuine threat to community safety. One recent report from Amnesty International found that people detained in Alligator Alcatraz are living in inhumane and unsanitary conditions. These conditions include overflowing toilets, limited access to showers, exposure to insects without protection, lights on 24-hours-a-day, and lack of privacy – including cameras above the toilets. This record of abuse demands deep skepticism and scrutiny of any plan to open detention facilities in Oregon.”

Full text of the letter can be found by clicking here and follows below:

Dear Secretary Noem and Acting Director Lyons,

We write to request a full and detailed description of any plans to open or expand Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facilities in Oregon. Recent public job postings in the Portland and Newport areas suggest that planning is well underway to contract for a new or expanded detention facility, but no formal notice has been provided to local or state leaders, or to Oregon’s congressional delegation. We strongly and unequivocally reject the need for any new detention capacity and urge you to honor the public’s right to be informed and review your plans before any contracts are signed or facilities are opened. Oregonians deserve far better from the Trump administration than this shabby track record of absolute secrecy and total disdain for their communities’ viewpoints.

ICE has been increasingly using dragnet practices to detain groups of people with little attention to citizenship or criminal history. Despite near constant claims and reassurances that ICE is pursuing dangerous criminal noncitizens, a recent review of immigration detentions in Oregon from January through October 2025 shows that less than 10 percent of those arrested had been convicted of a violent crime. In Oregon and nationally, the vast majority of people arrested have never been convicted of any crime whatsoever. In addition to not prioritizing public threats, ICE has been detaining U.S. citizens in record numbers. One recent report found more than 170 detentions of U.S. citizens in the first nine months of 2025.

The information we require is critical to support Congress’s responsibility to protect detainees’ bedrock human and legal rights. As witnessed in the disastrous setup of Florida’s Alligator Alcatraz in the Everglades, hastily assembled detention centers invite horrific abuse and fail to effectively support efforts to detain dangerous criminals who pose a genuine threat to community safety. One recent report from Amnesty International found that people detained in Alligator Alcatraz are living in inhumane and unsanitary conditions. These conditions include overflowing toilets, limited access to showers, exposure to insects without protection, lights on 24-hours-a-day, and lack of privacy – including cameras above the toilets. This record of abuse demands deep skepticism and scrutiny of any plan to open detention facilities in Oregon.

Another significant concern requiring your attention is access to counsel. Oregonians in ICE detention are often moved from one location to another in a manner that effectively denies timely access to legal counsel. Recent legal filings from Oregon nonprofits show that current detention sites in Oregon do not have sufficient space for lawyers to physically meet with their clients. Denying due process to detained individuals in this fashion is a moral stain that demands immediate action, and must not be replicated in any new detention site under consideration.

We reiterate our steadfast opposition to any new or expanded ICE detention facilities in Oregon. Please submit a written response detailing any plans to open or expand Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facilities in Oregon as soon as possible, and not later than Friday December 19, 2025.

###",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/stansbury-davids-bonamici-and-senators-kim-and-merkley-introduce-talents-act,"Stansbury, Davids, Bonamici and Senators Kim and Merkley Introduce TALENTS Act to Protect and Strengthen Federal Leadership Pipeline",2025-12-16,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — Reps. Melanie Stansbury (D-NM), Sharice Davids (D-KS), and Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) today announced the introduction of the Training Aspiring Leaders Emerging Now to Serve (TALENTS) Act, to codify and strengthen the Presidential Management Fellowship (PMF) Program—one of the federal government’s premier leadership development initiatives.

Since 1977, the PMF Program has served as a cornerstone of federal workforce development, placing a highly accomplished cohort of emerging leaders into government agencies each year. The program has been a vital pipeline to strengthen public service and elevate the next generation of civil service leaders. However, in February, President Trump terminated the program through executive order after more than four decades of existence.

“Without the Presidential Management Fellows Program, I likely would not have ended up in federal service,” said Congresswoman Stansbury. ""The PMF Program has long served as a pipeline for the next generation of federal leaders, bringing highly qualified talent from across the country to serve our nation. I am proud to colead this legislation to restore and build upon this program at a time when we need America’s best and brightest to address the challenges we face.”

“Programs like the Presidential Management Fellows are how we bring the next generation of talented public servants into government,” said Rep. Davids (D-KS). “It also gives federal agencies a pool of highly qualified, pre-vetted candidates, saving them time and resources in hiring. Gutting this pipeline doesn’t make government work better for everyday Americans — it makes it weaker and harder to navigate. This bill keeps that pipeline intact so we can continue bringing top talent into public service, and I’m glad to support it.”

""Creating more pathways for post-graduate students to enter into public service will benefit our country for generations to come,” said Rep. Bonamici (D-OR). “The late President Carter created the Presidential Management Fellowship Program more than four decades ago to encourage and support talented young professionals from all walks of life who want to pursue a career in public service. I enthusiastically join Congresswoman Stansbury and our Senate counterparts on this legislation to put the PMF program into law so these opportunities continue for future generations.”

The companion legislation is led in the Senate by Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ) and Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR).

“I’m a proud alumnus of the PMF program. I’ve seen the impact it can have on young people who just want to give back to their community,” said Senator Kim. “Creating these pathways to serve is bigger than politics, it helps ensure the next generation is working to build a better future for us all, and that’s why we need this program codified into the law. I’m grateful to see this effort now in the House thanks to Representatives Stansbury, Bonamici, and Davids so we can have a bicameral push to get this done.”

The legislation is endorsed by the Partnership for Public Service, The Volcker Alliance, and the Presidential Management Alumni Association (PMAA).

“For almost fifty years, the PMF was the government’s premier early-career on ramp program, launching the careers of thousands of our most decorated public servants,” said Sara Mogulescu, President, The Volcker Alliance. “Its cancellation earlier this year undermines our nation’s proud legacy of service and chokes off a key source of skilled professionals that agencies need to meet their commitments to Americans. The TALENTS Act is an important step toward restoring the PMF program and investing in the next generation of government leaders.”

“Congresswoman Stansbury’s initiative restarts a professional development program for future public service leaders to prepare to address the nation’s daunting public management challenges that are headed our way. This forward looking legislation will effectively reestablish the American tradition to select future public service leaders based on merit and experience to a professional calling inspired by motivation to serve the nation’s citizens as the primary aspiration,"" said Former NASA Administrator and Secretary of the Navy Sean O’Keefe. O'Keefe was a member of the 1978 inaugural class of the Presidential Management Intern Program, and has since retired from federal service after several public management experiences.

“Our country faces significant challenges, and our federal government will need the talents of future federal leaders to solve them,” said The Partnership for Public Service. “The Partnership for Public Service applauds the introduction of the TALENTS Act and thanks Rep. Melanie Stansbury for championing a path to service for the next generation of federal workers.”

The PMF Program has long been a flagship leadership development initiative, placing a cohort of a few hundred individuals into government agencies each year following a competitive and rigorous selection process. At the end of their two-year fellowship, many Fellows go on to become high-ranking federal officials. The TALENTS Act would codify the regulations that structured the PMF Program for over four decades, prevent it from being eliminated by presidential executive orders, make targeted improvements to the program, and strengthen Congress’s role in supporting and protecting it.

The TALENTS Act would place the PMF Program into statute to prevent its elimination by executive action, reinforce congressional oversight, and implement targeted improvements to ensure the federal government continues to attract and retain top public service talent.

The bill text can be found here.

###",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z
https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-andrea-salinas-advocates-student-mental-health-bill,Rep. Andrea Salinas Advocates for Student Mental Health Bill at House Energy and Commerce Committee Hearing,2025-12-16,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,OR,Andrea Salinas,S001226,salinas.house.gov,salinas,https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Image

Click here to watch Rep. Salinas’ full remarks.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (OR-06) spoke to the House Energy and Commerce Committee to advocate for her bipartisan bill, the Mental Health Services for Students Act. The bill, which passed the House in the 117th Congress, would bring critical, on-site mental health services to students in public schools across the country and provide $300 million in federal funding for school-based mental health programs to address the nation’s youth mental health crisis.

A transcript of Salinas’ floor speech is available below:

Thank you, Chair Guthrie and members of the committee for holding this Member Day.

I am here to present my bipartisan bill, H.R. 5557, the Mental Health Services for Students Act.

Our children and young people are really struggling today. The United States is in the midst of a mental health crisis, and our youth are really bearing the brunt of this.

Last year, over 20 percent of children aged 12-17 reported at least one major depressive episode in the preceding year. And 15 percent of youth who experienced a major depressive episode reported that their ability to function at work, school, and home was impacted.

In 2023, more than 20 percent of high school students seriously considered attempting suicide. That’s one in five. That is not okay, and I know that’s not okay to every single member of this committee.

As co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Mental Health Caucus, I have spent a lot of time engaging with families, children, and providers to understand exactly what it is that our children need to thrive. This past May, the Mental Health Caucus hosted a roundtable with children and young people from across the country to hear their frustrations with mental health services that don’t truly meet their needs. And they were very articulate. They knew the ins and outs of our system.

There’s no great mystery about what it takes to help these children. It’s quite simple. They need resources. And they need those resources to meet them where they are—in their schools.

Currently, over half of our public schools nationwide report struggling to provide adequate mental health services to their students, and things will likely only get worse.

The next decade will bring half a trillion dollars in Medicaid cuts as well as cuts to the Department of Education and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). We’re going in the wrong direction toward meeting the needs of our students and children.

The Mental Health Services for Students Act helps move us in the right direction. It will help get providers into schools proactively, help students build resiliency, and equip them with the tools they need to thrive throughout their life, putting us on the right path to meet this mental health crisis head on—and hopefully also reduce the next generation of substance abuse and mental health crises.

More specifically, my legislation expands SAMHSA’s Project AWARE Program. Project AWARE, or Advancing Wellness and Resiliency in Education program, develops sustainable infrastructure for school-based mental health programs and services.

Project AWARE focuses on three tiers of mental health funding. First, the program prioritizes universal prevention and mental health promotion to keep kids healthy and give them the tools to manage life’s ups and downs. This is no different than how we promote healthy eating and exercise to mitigate chronic disease—so for those who are already well.

Second, Project AWARE devotes funding to intervention services through school-based screenings to identify those who are at-risk and provide services to youth experiencing distress, trauma, bereavement, or other issues.

And finally, the program focuses on children who are already exhibiting mental and substance use disorder issues, so it ensures that they have the right supports to get on the path of recovery.

We know that Project AWARE is effective. In fact, my friend, Rep. Grace Napolitano advocated for nationalizing and expanding Project AWARE during her time here in Congress because this program has been working in Los Angeles and in her district since 2001.

The Youth Suicide Prevention program serves 35 schools in the L.A. area and has proved tremendously successful in helping students overcome mental health issues.

In Oregon, we’ve invested $5.4 million into the Community Care Development Project, and we’ve seen similar success. It’s time to expand on the success programs so students can benefit and families can, too.

Investing in our children is the healthy and fiscally right choice. That’s why, so far, this bill has garnered over 60 bipartisan cosponsors and counting.

In the 118th Congress, Congresswoman Napolitano introduced this legislation with 130 bipartisan cosponsors.

And in the 117th Congress this bill actually passed the House floor twice—once as a standalone bill and once as part of the Restoring Hope for Mental Wellbeing Act. This bill also enjoys support from countless mental health and education associations.

It’s clear that healthy children who have the tools to care for their mental and physical health become high-functioning, independent adults and lead the next generation in similar behaviors.. This bill gives them these tools, which is why I ask that this committee to work with me to advance this bill.

Thank you so much for your time.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-bentz-addresses-the-nation-on-the-dangers-and-costs-of-wolves,Congressman Bentz Addresses the Nation on the Dangers and Costs of Wolves,2025-12-12,2025,2025-12,Republican,House,OR,Cliff Bentz,B000668,bentz.house.gov,bentz,https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C.– Congressman Cliff Bentz (R-OR) delivered remarks on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives addressing the growing gray wolf populations across the Western United States and the serious threats they pose to ranchers, farmers, and outdoorsmen. Here is what he said:

WATCH: Congressman Bentz Remarks on the Dangers of the Gray Wolf

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call out the injury and injustice being inflicted upon my state and my constituents by the inappropriate and unfair enforcement of the Endangered Species Act as it has been and is being applied in the reintroduction of the Grey Wolf.

This injustice is apparent in the federal government’s inability to manage and control the killing and maiming of livestock and in the failure of the government to properly pay for the costs of its decision to reintroduce the wolf.

I will address the lack of management first.

Let me begin my discussion of failed management by showing several pictures which are graphic illustrations of the reality that my ranching families all too often have to face: As you can see, there is nothing refined about how a wolf goes about feeding itself. You can imagine the feelings of the rancher when he or she finds livestock torn apart and dying. You can try to imagine the anger that they feel knowing that they are legally prevented from stopping the wolf that caused this pain and horror to their cattle and calves from doing this again. And again. And again.

I have held meeting after meeting across my district listening over and over to stories about wolves attacking herds, scattering cattle, and ignoring the ineffective “hazing” efforts that owners of these cattle are allowed to use under the law to try to protect their livelihoods. The anger that they feel, their intense frustration, is totally understandable and is why I’m on this floor today sharing their pain with you.

If we are to protect those who are trying their best to feed this country, to make a living, to keep their communities alive, to put out range fires, to pay their taxes, and to continue to be productive parts of this nation, we need to delist the wolf and move management of these animals back to the states.

Let me turn to the actual cost of the reintroduction of the wolf and the need for those that have created this cost to be responsible for paying it.

The actual annual cost of the wolf to cattle businesses, as of a few years ago, is estimated to be 128 million dollars. Again, this is the annual cost. This number is far higher now that cattle prices are higher. Many think that the only cost of the wolf is the killing of livestock, but the impact of primal fear that cattle understandably feel when a wolf is near has dramatic and serious impacts on weight gain and on pregnancy rates. These losses are real and they are serious. In a time when even the President is concerned about beef prices, these losses affect everyone by reducing the size of cattle herds and herd productivity.

There has been legislation enacted, both in the big beautiful Bill and at the state level, to try to bring some reimbursement equity into play by providing at least some payment for the death of cattle caused by wolves, but these programs, although welcome, come nowhere close to making those damaged by wolves whole. In addition I can assure you that the rancher would absolutely be happier if he or she could completely avoid the losses that lead to asking for justice under these programs.

If we are to properly and fairly and logically manage the wolf, we must pass Congresswoman Boebert's and Tom Tiffany’s bill, HR 845, the Pet and livestock Protection Act. This would delist the wolf and allow states to manage those populations.

And if we are to properly allocate responsibility for the monetary cost of wolf reintroduction, those millions of dollars in cost unjustly imposed upon ranchers and farmers. Each and every year must be paid back. If society wants the world, society must pay for the wolf.

Thank you Mr. Speaker, I yield back.”",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z
https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-bentz-s-safe-social-media-act-passes-out-of-the-energy-and-commerce-subcommittee-on-commerce-manufacturing-and-trade,"Congressman Bentz’s “Safe Social Media Act” Passes out of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade",2025-12-12,2025,2025-12,Republican,House,OR,Cliff Bentz,B000668,bentz.house.gov,bentz,https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C.– Congressman Bentz (R-OR), one of the lead sponsors of H.R. 6290, the Safe Social Media Act, is pleased to announce that this bill passed unanimously out of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade (CMT) on Thursday, December 14th. This bill directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to conduct a comprehensive study on social media among individuals under the age of 17.

Said Congressman Bentz: “Every day, millions of young Americans log onto platforms that are collecting their information, shaping what they see and influencing how they think. I have heard from parents, teachers, and mental health professionals all of whom are increasingly worried about what these platforms are doing to our kids. This Act will require a study that will gather the data necessary to learn how and what social media is impacting our children. My bill is a necessary step toward real accountability.”",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/bonamici-introduces-bill-update-federal-work-study-program,Bonamici Introduces Bill to Update Federal Work Study Program,2025-12-12,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC [12/12/25] – Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) introduced legislation to modernize the Federal Work Study Program.

The Opportunities for Success Act, HR 6606, would update and improve the Federal Work Study Program by expanding access to employment opportunities aligned with students’ career goals. It would also increase program funding and provide a long-overdue update to the Federal Work Study formula so funding goes to students with the greatest need.

“For decades the Federal Work Study program has helped thousands of students afford higher education, but the program is overdue for updates to better reach those who need it most,” said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. “Additionally, this legislation will provide more students with work experience that is relevant to their interests and field of study. I benefited from Work Study when I was in college and know how it can help students throughout their careers. I’m pleased to introduce the Opportunities for Success Act to improve this program and open doors of opportunity for more students.”

The Opportunities for Success Act will:

Invest in low-income students and increase the five-year budget for FWS to $2.5 billion.

Reform the FWS anddistribution formula to allocate FWS funds based on the total Pell Grant funding an institution receives relative to other participating institutions, in addition to their share of total undergraduate and graduate student need across all institutions.

Direct FWS to low-income students by rewarding institutions that enroll and graduate high numbers of students with Pell Grants.

Promote career readiness by increasing funding for Job Location and Development programs and mandating that institutions prioritize placing low-income students and FWS students in work-based learning positions.

Improve access to career-related work experience by allowing students to earn FWS wages during periods of non-enrollment and requiring institutions to use at least 7 percent of FWS funds for work-based learning opportunities.

Create pathways from college to career by creating a $30 million work-based pilot program to help connect low-income students to high-quality internships.

Enhance student success by directing the Department of Education to survey FWS and inform Congress on areas of further program improvements.

The full text of the legislation can be found here. A summary can be found here.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/merkley-wicker-kiggans-bonamici-lead-bipartisan-bicameral-effort-oppose-new,"Merkley, Wicker, Kiggans, Bonamici Lead Bipartisan, Bicameral Effort to Oppose New Limits on Student Loans for Nurses",2025-12-12,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and Mississippi’s U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, along with U.S. Representatives Jen Kiggans (R-VA-02) and Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-01), led over 140 bipartisan lawmakers to sound the alarm over a proposed framework by the U.S. Department of Education to declassify nursing degrees as “professional” and undermining the entire future of the nursing workforce.

Their letter follows a recently released proposed framework from the Education Department’s Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE) Committee that omits post-baccalaureate nursing degrees from the regulatory definition of “professional degree,” meaning they would be classified as a “graduate degree.” If this framework is adopted during the upcoming rulemaking, the proposed definition threatens more debt for post-baccalaureate nursing students, as student loans are currently capped for new borrowers at $20,500 annually and $100,000 in the aggregate for “graduate” programs and $50,000 annually and $200,000 in the aggregate for “professional” programs.

“At a time when our nation is facing a health care shortage, especially in primary care, now is not the time to cut off the student pipeline to these programs,” the bipartisan group of over 140 lawmakers wrote to the Education Department. “According to the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), fifty-seven percent of Medicare beneficiaries received a primary care service from an NP or physician associate (PA), and sixty-six percent of rural Medicare patients received a primary care service from an NP or PA. Consequently, we believe that post-baccalaureate nursing degrees should be included in the department’s definition of a ‘professional degree.’”

“Nurses and nurse faculty make up the backbone of our health system, and post-baccalaureate nursing degrees lead to demonstrated outcomes, with a recent study from the Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity showing that nursing was one of the top three master’s degrees for return on investment. As such, post-baccalaureate nursing degrees should be treated equally to other accredited post-baccalaureate health profession degrees,” the lawmakers stressed.

As leaders of the Senate and House Nursing Caucuses, Merkley, Wicker, Kiggans, and Bonamici have long championed legislation to support the more than 5 million registered nurses across the United States and address the challenges facing the nursing workforce. Merkley is the husband of a nurse, and Kiggans is one of three nurses currently serving in Congress.

The bipartisan letter is supported by over 65 organizations including, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing; American Association of Nurse Practitioners; American Nurses Association; American College of Nurse-Midwives; Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses; National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners; National Council of State Boards of Nursing; and the National League of Nursing. A full list of supporting organizations can be found by clicking here.

In addition to Merkley, Wicker, Kiggans, and Bonamici, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Angela D. Alsobrooks (D-MD), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Susan Collins (R-ME), Christopher Coons (D-DE), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Patty Murray (D-WA), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Adam B. Schiff (D-CA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR) and U.S. Representatives Don Bacon (R-NE-02), Nanette Barragán (D-CA-44), Ami Bera (D-CA-06), Donald Beyer (D-VA-08), Brendan Boyle (D-PA-02), Robert Bresnahan (R-PA-08), Shontel Brown (D-OH-11), Julia Brownley (D-CA-26), Janelle Bynum (D-OR-05), Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24), André Carson (D-IN-07), Greg Casar (D-TX-35), Kathy Castor (D-FL-14), Joaquin Castro (D-TX-20), Judy Chu (D-CA-28), Gilbert Cisneros (D-CA-31), Yvette Clarke (D-NY-09), J. Luis Correa (D-CA-46), Joe Courtney (D-CT-02), Angie Craig (D-MN-02), Jason Crow (D-CO-06), Danny Davis (D-IL-07), Donald Davis (D-NC-01), Madeleine Dean (D-PA-04), Suzan DelBene (D-WA-01), Christopher Deluzio (D-PA-17), Maxine Dexter (D-OR-03), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX-37), Adriano Espaillat (D-NY-13), Dwight Evans (D-PA-03), Cleo Fields (D-LA-06), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), Bill Foster (D-IL-11), Valerie Foushee (D-NC-04), Laura Friedman (D-CA-30), John Garamendi (D-CA-08), Daniel Goldman (D-NY-10), Maggie Goodlander (D-NH-02), Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ-07), Jahana Hayes (D-CT-05), Val Hoyle (D-OR-04), Jared Huffman (D-CA-02), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA-07), David Joyce (R-OH-14), Robin Kelly (D-IL-02), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL-08), Greg Landsman (D-OH-01), Rick Larsen (D-WA-02), George Latimer (D-NY-16), Michael Lawler (R-NY-17), Summer Lee (D-PA-12), Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-NM-03), Mike Levin (D-CA-49), Ted Lieu (D-CA-36), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA-18), Stephen Lynch (D-MA-08), Ryan Mackenzie (R-PA-07), Sarah McBride (D-DE-AL), Jennifer McClellan (D-VA-04), Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-MI-08), James McGovern (D-MA-02), Grace Meng (D-NY-06), Kweisi Mfume (D-MD-07), Dave Min (D-CA-47), Joseph Morelle (D-NY-25), Kelly Morrison (D-MN-03), James Moylan (R-GU-AL), Kevin Mullin (D-CA-15), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC-AL), Chris Pappas (D-NH-01), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA-03), Scott Peters (D-CA-50), Brittany Pettersen (D-CO-07), Chellie Pingree (D-ME-01), Mark Pocan (D-WI-02), Nellie Pou (D-NJ-09), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA-07), Delia Ramirez (D-IL-03), Emily Randall (D-WA-06), Jamie Raskin (D-MD-08), Josh Riley (D-NY-19), Deborah Ross (D-NC-02), Raul Ruiz (D-CA-25), Andrea Salinas (D-OR-06), Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA-05), Janice Schakowsky (D-IL-09), Hillary Scholten (D-MI-03), Kim Schrier (D-WA-08), Terri Sewell (D-AL-07), Brad Sherman (D-CA-32), Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12), Adam Smith (D-WA-09), Eric Sorensen (D-IL-17), Melanie Stansbury (D-NM-01), Greg Stanton (D-AZ-04), Haley Stevens (D-MI-11), Marilyn Strickland (D-WA-10), Thomas Suozzi (D-NY-03), Eric Swalwell (D-CA-14), Mike Thompson (D-CA-04), Dina Titus (D-NV-01), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI-12), Jill Tokuda (D-HI-02), Paul Tonko (D-NY-20), Ritchie Torres (D-NY-15), Lori Trahan (D-MA-03), Derek Tran (D-CA-45), Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14), Jefferson Van Drew (R-NJ-02), Juan Vargas (D-CA-52), Gabe Vasquez (D-NM-02), Nydia Velázquez (D-NY-07), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ-12), George Whitesides (D-CA-27), and Frederica Wilson (D-FL-24).

Full text of their bipartisan letter can be found by clicking here and follows below:

Dear Under Secretary Kent:

We write regarding the Department of Education’s Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE) Committee’s ongoing rulemaking to implement the student financial aid provisions under Public Law 119–21. As Members of Congress who have championed legislation to strengthen the nursing workforce, we write with concerns over the RISE Committee’s decision to omit post-baccalaureate nursing degrees from the regulatory definition of “professional degree” in its recently released proposed framework.

Nurses are central to our health care system. They comprise the largest health care workforce in the United States, with more than 5 million registered nurses nationwide. Nurses provide high-quality care to patients in all communities, including rural and urban areas, yet we are in the midst of a nursing workforce crisis in this country. According to the 2024 National Nursing Workforce Study, more than 138,000 nurses have left the workforce since 2022 due to stress, burnout, and retirement. This study also outlined predictions that by 2029, almost 40 percent of nurses intend to leave the workforce. Given this trend, we have a strong interest in bolstering the nursing workforce and supporting legislation that will make it easier for nurses to enter the field.

The RISE Committee’s proposed definition will make it more difficult for nurses to join the health care workforce because post-baccalaureate nursing degrees are excluded from the list of health care degrees in the definition of a “professional degree.” This list includes Pharmacy (PharmD), Dentistry (DDS or DMD), Medicine (MD), and Clinical Psychology (PsyD or PhD), but it omits post-baccalaureate nursing degrees such as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), and a PhD in nursing. However, the proposed definition describes a professional degree as a degree that “signifies both completion of the academic requirements for beginning practice in a given profession and a level of professional skill beyond that normally required for a bachelor’s degree.” The definition also states that a professional degree “generally requires professional licensure to begin practice.” Post-baccalaureate nursing degrees satisfy these criteria, as all registered nurses must pass the National Council Licensure Examination to enter the profession. Similarly, all Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) must have a graduate degree, such as an MSN or a DNP, and require national certification and state licensure to practice.

Post-baccalaureate nursing students also have a demonstrated need to access the higher borrowing limits for professional degrees set in Public Law 119–21. The law states that students earning professional degrees may borrow up to $50,000 annually and $200,000 aggregate, in contrast to students earning graduate degrees, whose borrowing limits are capped at $20,500 annually and $100,000 aggregate. The current graduate level loan cap would not meet the need of most Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) programs, which can cost over $200,000, thereby restricting the pipeline of CRNAs and further limiting an anesthesia workforce that is suffering from shortages across all provider types. CRNA programs have shown to be a critical return on investment, with default rates near zero percent, and a workforce that overwhelmingly provides anesthesia to rural and underserved communities where higher cost physicians do not practice.

In addition, many post-baccalaureate nursing programs hit the annual limit of $20,500, including some programs that may be under the aggregate limit. For instance, many nurse practitioner and other APRN academic programs operate year-round across three full-time semesters, as opposed to the traditional two-semester academic calendar, and thus cost more than $20,500 per year. Classifying these programs as graduate programs would result in these students having to take out additional student loans to cover the remainder of their tuition, which will limit the ability for students to complete their advanced degree.

At a time when our nation is facing a health care shortage, especially in primary care, now is not the time to cut off the student pipeline to these programs. According to the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), fifty-seven percent of Medicare beneficiaries received a primary care service from an NP or physician associate (PA), and sixty-six percent of rural Medicare patients received a primary care service from an NP or PA. Consequently, we believe that post-baccalaureate nursing degrees should be included in the department’s definition of a “professional degree.”

Nurses and nurse faculty make up the backbone of our health system, and post-baccalaureate nursing degrees lead to demonstrated outcomes, with a recent study from the Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity showing that nursing was one of the top three master’s degrees for return on investment. As such, post-baccalaureate nursing degrees should be treated equally to other accredited post-baccalaureate health profession degrees.

Thank you for your attention to this matter, and we hope to work with you to improve and expand the nursing workforce across the country.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://bynum.house.gov/media/press-releases/bynum-successfully-defends-community-engagement-detroit-lake-drawdown-proposal,Bynum Successfully Defends Community Engagement on Detroit Lake Drawdown Proposal,2025-12-12,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,OR,Janelle S. Bynum,B001326,bynum.house.gov,bynum,https://bynum.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, DC – On December 1st, Congresswoman Janelle Bynum (OR-05) led Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) in requesting additional time for community engagement on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) proposed drawdown of Detroit Lake.

Earlier this week, on December 10th, USACE announced that it would be extending the comment period until January 13, 2026 for the project’s draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement. Rep. Bynum’s successful advocacy will allow her constituents in impacted communities additional time to robustly engage with this drawdown proposal. In their letter, the Members expressed concern that the overlaps of the comment period with the holidays would inhibit engagement.

“When a proposal as impactful as the Detroit Lake drawdown is being evaluated, community input is critical,” said Rep. Bynum. “The original comment window – and its overlap with the holiday season – left people without enough time to meaningfully engage on the issue. I’m proud and encouraged that our efforts will allow communities around Detroit Lake the time they need to make their voices heard.”

For reference, you can find the letter sent on December 1st by clicking here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://dexter.house.gov/media/press-releases/seec-lands-waters-and-nature-task-force-endorses-bills-protect-americas,"SEEC Lands, Waters, and Nature Task Force Endorses Bills to Protect America’s Natural Treasures",2025-12-12,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,OR,Maxine Dexter,D000635,dexter.house.gov,dexter,https://dexter.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC) Lands, Waters, and Nature Task Force, led by Co-Chairs Reps. Maxine Dexter (OR-03), Don Beyer (VA-08), and Doris Matsui (CA-07), announced the endorsement of ten bills that work to protect and preserve America’s natural treasures for generations to come.

“Today, the SEEC Lands, Waters, and Nature Task Force endorsed federal policy priorities that will ensure future generations of Americans can continue to enjoy the great American outdoors and all of our country’s natural treasures,” said the Task Force Co-Chairs Reps. Maxine Dexter, Don Beyer, and Doris Matsui. “Regardless of political stripe, our public lands and waters are a fundamental part of our national identity and an inherent part of America’s heritage.

“Yet, from day one of the Trump Administration, the American people have witnessed just how far President Trump will go to fulfill his corrupt promise to sell off our public lands to the highest bidder. The bills this Task Force is endorsing today will protect our nation’s lands and waters, defending vulnerable wildlife and protecting delicate ecosystems for current and future generations of Americans. In the face of the Trump Administration’s un-American attacks on our lands, waters, and nature, we are upholding our commitment to a more prosperous, resilient, and healthy future for us all.”

Today, the Task Force endorsed ten bills:

H.R. 3930 - Roadless Area Conservation Act, Rep. Andrea Salinas (OR-06)

H.R. 3067 - Arctic Refuge Protection Act, Rep. Jared Huffman (CA-02)

H.R. 2848 - Stop Arctic Ocean Drilling Act, Rep. Jared Huffman (CA-02)

H.R. 470 - West Coast Protection Act, Rep. Jared Huffman (CA-02)

H.R. 2865 - New England Coastal Protection Act of 2025, Rep. Seth Magaziner (RI-02)

H.R. 2886 - Defend our Coast Act, Rep. Deborah Ross (NC-02)

H.R. 3071 - Increasing Penalties for Offshore Polluters Act, Rep. Ted Lieu (CA-36)

H.R. 3604 - Reducing Waste in National Parks Act, Rep. Mike Quigley (IL-05)

H.R. 1918 - Farewell to Foam Act, Rep. Lloyd Doggett (TX-37)

H.R. 6078 - Wildlife Road Crossings Program Reauthorization Act, Rep. Don Beyer (VA-08)

Background

In the 119th Congress, SEEC’s Lands, Waters, and Nature Task Force will focus on actions that prioritize public lands and waters protections, habitat conservation, coastal resilience, and nature-based solutions as a means to mitigate and adapt to our rapidly changing climate and environment. Our families, communities, and economy rely on healthy ecosystems for clean air and water. Promoting the conservation and restoration of natural habitats, while also addressing the worsening biodiversity crisis, will be key to delivering critical ecosystem services to our communities. The Task Force will develop a forward-looking policy agenda to harness the power of our lands and waters to ensure that future generations of Americans are left with a planet that is healthier and cleaner than we found it.

###",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z
https://hoyle.house.gov/media/press-releases/hoyle-wyden-and-merkley-secure-written-commitment-from-coast-guard-acting-commandant-lunday-that-newport-helicopter-will-remain,"Hoyle, Wyden and Merkley Secure Written Commitment from Coast Guard Acting Commandant Lunday that Newport Helicopter Will Remain",2025-12-12,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,OR,Val T. Hoyle,H001094,hoyle.house.gov,hoyle,https://hoyle.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Val Hoyle, along with Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, announced that they secured written commitments from Admiral Kevin Lunday, Acting Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, to ensure the rescue helicopter located at the Newport Air Facility remains in the community, as well as a pledge from Lunday to visit the Newport area within one year.

""I want to thank Acting Commandant Lunday for his letter today committing to us to keep the Coast Guard helicopter in Newport,"" said Hoyle. ""It is a huge win for our coastal community, and it wouldn’t have happened without the collective effort of Senators Wyden and Merkley and every Oregonian who raised their voice. When our community stands together, we get results.”

“After hearing from countless Oregonians about the importance of the search and rescue helicopter in Newport, I led the charge to secure written confirmation from the Coast Guard that the helicopter would remain in the community, consistent with the law I wrote in 2014. For fishermen and coastal communities, this is a huge win, especially during winter crab season and in the face of cold-water conditions,” said Merkley. “I am lifting my hold on Admiral Lunday’s nomination and look forward to his forthcoming visit to Newport and to a productive working relationship going forward.”

“I’m gratified that Acting Commandant Lunday today wrote in plain English the verbal commitment he made last week to Senator Merkley and me over the phone – namely that the Coast Guard helicopter will remain right where it belongs in Newport,” said Wyden. “This is great news for fishermen and both residents of -- and visitors to -- the central Oregon Coast. Thanks to the Newport Fishermen’s Wives and all the local officials who worked with Senator Merkley, Congresswoman Hoyle and me to achieve this victory for public safety, the law and common sense.”

Merkley, Wyden, and Hoyle worked together to keep the rescue helicopter in Newport, leading a coordinated series of efforts that ultimately succeeded.

###",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z
https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-salinas-urges-nih-continue-funding-landmark-menopause-study,Rep. Salinas Urges NIH to Continue Funding Landmark Menopause Study,2025-12-12,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,OR,Andrea Salinas,S001226,salinas.house.gov,salinas,https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (OR-06) led thirty-three of her colleagues in sending a letter to National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Jay Bhattacharya urging continued funding for the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN), a long-running, federally funded research study examining women’s health during midlife and menopause.

The lawmakers emphasized that SWAN has followed participants for more than 25 years and has produced critical findings on menopause’s impacts on mental health, cognitive function, bone health, cardiovascular risk, and sleep. In the letter, they stressed that menopause affects roughly half the population but remains significantly underfunded in federal research, and urged NIH to prioritize sustained support for SWAN to advance women’s health research and improve long-term health outcomes.

Click here or see below for the full letter:

Dear Director Bhattacharya:

As you evaluate the National Institutes of Health (NIH) budget, we urge you to continue funding the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN). As you may know, SWAN is a foundational longitudinal, epidemiologic study that examines the health of women during their middle years, and specifically how the biological, psychological, and social changes women experience in midlife affect their overall health and long-term outcomes.

Funding for SWAN is especially important because menopause impacts about half of the population, and many women who experience moderate to severe menopause symptoms do not receive the care they need. This emphasizes the need for more NIH funding for menopause research, which totaled only $56 million in 2023.

Because SWAN researchers have followed participants for over 25 years, this study is a uniquely rich resource that is poised to make major breakthroughs in understanding how menopause and midlife changes impact women’s health as they age. In particular, SWAN has provided a wealth of information about the menopause transition (perimenopause and menopause) and its effects on women’s health. Key findings from SWAN include:

Depression: Women experience a four-fold increase in depressive episodes during the menopause transition relative to premenopause. Women with a prior history of depression and those with a high burden of menopausal symptoms are most at risk.

Cognitive Function: Forty percent of women report trouble with forgetfulness during perimenopause. Cognitive testing shows declines in processing speed and verbal memory during this period.

Bone Health: Bone loss, particularly in the spine and hips, begins in perimenopause and accelerates during late perimenopause and early postmenopause, linked to declining estrogen levels.

Vascular Risk: Women experience accelerated declines in vascular health during menopause, including increases in LDL cholesterol. Hot flashes are also linked to increased cardiovascular disease risk.

Sleep Problems: There is a two-to-three-fold increase in sleep problems during menopause, which can have major long-term health implications, including doubling the risk of stroke later in life.

Despite these important findings affecting roughly half of the U.S. population, additional research is still needed to better understand how menopause affects women’s health at midlife and beyond—research that SWAN is uniquely positioned to deliver. Areas in need of further study include the long-term impacts of menopause on heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease; the effectiveness and safety of treatment options; the need for individualized care approaches; educational gaps among patients and health care providers; the understudied perimenopausal period; and strategies to promote prevention and healthy aging through lifestyle interventions.

Maintaining funding for SWAN will ensure continued progress in these critical areas and strengthen our understanding of women’s health for generations to come. We strongly urge you to prioritize continued funding for SWAN.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://bynum.house.gov/media/press-releases/bynum-introduces-bipartisan-bill-help-firefighters-combat-wildfires,Bynum Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Help Firefighters Combat Wildfires,2025-12-11,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,OR,Janelle S. Bynum,B001326,bynum.house.gov,bynum,https://bynum.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Janelle Bynum (OR-05) and Congressmen Eli Crane (AZ-02), Joe Neguse (CO-02), and Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06) introduced the bipartisan Wildfire Aerial Response Safety Act to support wildfire response operations by addressing the impact of unauthorized drones flying in restricted airspace during a wildfire.

When an unauthorized drone enters restricted airspace during a wildfire, fire response agencies are often required to ground their aircraft to avoid the risk of a collision. In Oregon, and across the country, there have been several instances of this happening, including during the Flat Fires in 2025, which caused delays to wildfire response efforts.

The bill would require the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to conduct a study on the impact of drone incursions on wildfire suppression and explore available techniques to address unauthorized drone activity.

""Earlier this year, a drone delayed the aerial fire response to the Flat Fire in Central Oregon,” said Rep. Bynum. “We know all too well that wildfires are challenging enough to get controlled without any additional obstacles. The last thing we need is recreational drones getting in the way of our firefighters’ critical work to save lives and property. That’s why I’m introducing this bipartisan bill to ensure fire crews can do their work without interference.”

""I'm proud to co-introduce this bipartisan legislation to address the growing issue of drones interfering with aerial fire suppression efforts. Arizona is prone to devastating wildfires, and it's imperative that we minimize obstruction and delays,"" said Rep. Crane. ""With our bill, Congress would have the necessary information to craft policies that help our firefighters combat wildfires before they get out of control. I urge my colleagues to support our approach.”

“Fires in Colorado and across the West now rage year-round, growing both in duration and intensity, which is why our bill, the Wildfire Aerial Response Safety Act, is so necessary,” said Rep. Neguse. “This bill ensures our firefighters can protect communities and operate without unnecessary risks from unauthorized drones. It is a common-sense proposal that if enacted will bolster worker and public safety.”

“Unauthorized drones are putting lives at risk and hampering wildfire response efforts across the West — including right here in Arizona,” said Rep. Ciscomani. “I’m proud to co-lead this bipartisan effort to build on the 2020 study and examine real, on-the-ground tools that first responders can use to neutralize these incursions. As wildfire seasons grow longer and more dangerous, we must give our crews every possible advantage to protect our communities and keep response operations safe and effective.”

The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF), which is responsible for wildland fire protection across more than 16 million acres in Oregon, submitted the following statement about the growing and urgent threat posed by unauthorized Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) operations within active wildfire airspace:

“Unauthorized UAS flights near wildfires create an immediate and serious safety hazard. When a UAS enters the airspace, our firefighting aircraft are forced to disengage, pilots lose the ability to operate safely, and ground crews lose vital aerial support at the most critical moments of suppression. These interruptions give fires time to grow and place firefighters, pilots, and nearby communities at increased risk. This is a real and recurring operational threat we now face on active incidents,” said Sarah Prout, ODF UAS Program Lead.

You can find a one-pager on the bill here and the full text of it here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://hoyle.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-hoyle-statement-on-december-2025-vote-to-not-table-impeachment,REP. HOYLE STATEMENT ON TODAY’S VOTE TO NOT TABLE IMPEACHMENT,2025-12-11,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,OR,Val T. Hoyle,H001094,hoyle.house.gov,hoyle,https://hoyle.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Val Hoyle (OR-04) released the following statement after she voted against tabling the impeachment resolution:

“It is undeniable that this administration has abused its power and acted unconstitutionally. It is also true that any serious effort to impeach requires bipartisan support and we do not have that. In previous and successful efforts to impeach federal officials, the Judiciary Committee first held hearings and completed investigative reports to develop a broader consensus before moving forward on a full vote on the House floor. We are fortunate to have Congressman Jamie Raskin, one of the nation’s foremost constitutional lawyers, leading Democrats on the Judiciary Committee. Congressman Raskin also led the effort to impeach President Trump for his role in the January 6 insurrection. It was his strong recommendation to not table this resolution and instead refer this matter to the Judiciary Committee, and that was my intention with this vote.”

###",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z
https://hoyle.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-hoyle-statement-on-voting-against-2026-ndaa,REP. HOYLE STATEMENT ON VOTING AGAINST IRRESPONSIBLE MILITARY SPENDING,2025-12-11,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,OR,Val T. Hoyle,H001094,hoyle.house.gov,hoyle,https://hoyle.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Val Hoyle (OR-04) released the following statement after she voted against allowing more unchecked Pentagon spending in the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) yesterday evening:

“I voted no on the NDAA as this legislation enables more irresponsible military spending, adding a staggering $8 billion on top of the almost $900 billion in funding initially requested by President Trump. I will not vote to fund an agency that has failed the last 7 audits while shoveling money to private contractors with little oversight. The American taxpayers deserve transparency and accountability, and this bill offers neither.”

###",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z
https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-salinas-ciscomani-budzinski-fitzpatrick-introduce-bipartisan-legislation,"Reps. Salinas, Ciscomani, Budzinski, Fitzpatrick Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen America’s Mental Health Workforce",2025-12-11,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,OR,Andrea Salinas,S001226,salinas.house.gov,salinas,https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (OR-06) introduced bipartisan legislation with Reps. Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06), Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-08) to strengthen the mental and behavioral health workforce to better support rural and underserved communities that lack access to these essential providers. The Mental Health Professionals Workforce Shortage Loan Repayment Act would establish a loan repayment program to help more people obtain degrees in mental and behavioral health to address the workforce crisis.

“Where you live shouldn’t determine the mental health care you receive. But too often, folks in rural and underserved corners of Oregon struggle because there aren’t enough providers nearby, and the wait for care is too long,” said Rep. Salinas. “Our bill helps change that by making degrees in mental and behavioral health more affordable and by helping new clinicians build their careers in the communities that need them most. I’m grateful to my colleagues for standing with me to make sure every Oregonian, regardless of where they live, can access the care they deserve.”

“Mental health care isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. But when half the country lives in a provider shortage area, necessity becomes impossibility, and far too many are left waiting for care they urgently need,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick, Co-Chair of the Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Task Force. “With this legislation, we are correcting that imbalance: breaking down the debt barriers that keep clinicians out of the field, placing providers in the communities where help is hardest to find, and building a workforce strong enough to confront this crisis. Every American deserves timely, qualified treatment, and we must ensure they receive it.”

“Access to mental health care is a growing challenge in rural communities, including many across Arizona’s Sixth District,” said Rep. Ciscomani. “At a time when we’re seeing a rise in suicides, I’m proud to cosponsor this bill, which takes a practical, bipartisan step toward strengthening our mental health workforce. By helping repay student loans for those who commit to serving in high-need areas, we can recruit and retain more providers and ensure that more Americans have access to timely, quality care.”

“Mental health challenges touch every community, yet a shortage of providers means too many people struggle to access the care they need — especially in our rural areas,” said Congresswoman Budzinski. “Our bill will tackle this challenge head on by incentivizing mental health professionals to work in underserved areas. I’m proud to champion this effort to strengthen the mental health workforce and get support to those who need it most.”

Across the United States, nearly 60 million adults live with a mental illness, and over half of American youths who reported experiencing a mental health illness or issue in 2024 did not receive treatment. Across the country, there is only one mental health provider for every 340 people.

Nationwide, over half the country lives in a Mental Health Professional Shortage Area (MHPSA), and for people living in rural areas, the problem is even worse. By 2037, the U.S. is projected to have a mental health provider shortage of over 400,000 professionals. Despite this, mental health providers do not have access to dedicated loan forgiveness programs through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) like other clinicians.

The Mental Health Professionals Workforce Shortage Loan Repayment Act would:

Establish a loan repayment program within HRSA for mental health providers;

Require participants to practice in a MHPSA;

For each year of service repay 1/6 of student loans for up to six years;

Repay loans up to $250,000;

Authorize $25,000,000 for years 2026-2035.

""There is currently a critical shortage of mental health providers in this nation. This shortage is preventing individuals from getting timely access to mental health care,"" said Hannah Wesolowski, Chief Advocacy Officer, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). ""Representative Salinas' Mental Health Professionals Workforce Shortage Loan Repayment Act will encourage more individuals to pursue careers in the mental health field by offering them desperately needed loan relief. NAMI is proud to support this bill.""

“With demand for critical mental health and substance use disorder care still alarmingly high, this much-needed investment in resources to build our behavioral health workforce represents a literal life-saver for people across the country, particularly in rural and other shortage areas,” National Council for Mental Wellbeing President and CEO Chuck Ingoglia said. “We applaud Rep. Salinas and Rep. Budzinski for reintroducing this important legislation, which will greatly enhance our ability to attract and train a stronger workforce across the country.”

“The U.S. continues to face a shortage of mental health professionals, including psychologists, with nearly every county and district having a federally designated mental health professionals shortage area. As a nation, we must do everything possible to incentivize more qualified behavioral health providers to work with underserved populations, including in rural communities. The Mental Health Professionals Workforce Shortage Loan Repayment Act would authorize a program to serve as a recruitment tool, setting us on a path to close these gaps in access to behavioral health services. The American Psychological Association applauds Representatives Salinas and Ciscomani on their leadership in introducing this bill,” said Arthur C. Evans Jr., PhD, CEO of the American Psychological Association.

“SEAT is so proud to support the Mental Health Professionals Workforce Shortage Loan Repayment Act. As a student-led organization, we care very deeply about young people having access to adequate, affordable, and quality mental health care. Many young people live in areas where access to mental health isn’t available for miles and miles, often being unaffordable as well. Coming from a state like Texas, we rank almost dead last in access to mental health care and we are seeing increased suicide rates and mental health struggles among various minority communities and young people. We want to live in a world where our mental health and that of our most vulnerable peers is prioritized and we urge Congress to advance this bipartisan legislation to rapidly address the growing mental health crisis. We are extremely grateful to Congresswoman Salinas for her leadership in this space overall and for supporting youth voices, and we hope her colleagues follow suit,” said Ayaan Moledina, Federal Policy Director, Students Engaged in Advancing Texas (SEAT).

""Too often, people forego necessary mental health care due to lack of access. The American Psychiatric Association applauds Rep. Salinas for introducing the Mental Health Professionals Workforce Shortage Loan Repayment Act, important legislation to mitigate severe mental health workforce shortages and help Americans get access to critical care,” saidMarketa Wills, MD, MBA, FAPA / CEO and Medical Director American Psychiatric Association.

""The American Counseling Association proudly endorses the Mental Health Professionals Workforce Shortage Loan Repayment Act. This legislation will expand access to mental health care in underserved communities and ease the financial burden of graduate education for licensed professional counselors—strengthening the workforce at a critical time for our nation,” said Guila Todd, ACA’s Director of Government Affairs and Public Policy.

“On behalf of the National Board for Certified Counselors & Affiliates, I extend heartfelt thanks to Rep. Salinas, Rep. Fitzpatrick, Rep. Budzinski, and Rep. Ciscomani for their bipartisan support in re-introducing the Mental Health Professionals Workforce Shortage Loan Repayment Act. Supporting these dedicated professionals is essential as they will help build a strong mental health workforce and drive increased access to care across this great nation. This bill prioritizes some of the most underserved and vulnerable areas that are in dire need of support from mental health professionals. It is our honor to endorse this legislation that is vital to the overall health of our nation,” saidBrian D. Banks, Executive Director, NBCC Policy Advocacy Research in Counseling Center.

""With demand for mental health services increasing and a shortage of providers nationwide, it is critical to develop both interim and long-term solutions. The Mental Health Professionals Workforce Shortage Loan Repayment Act would address this issue by providing robust loan reimbursement to a broad array of providers serving in areas with the most acute shortages,” said Jonah C. Cunningham, President/CEO, NACBHDD.

“In 2022, an estimated 13.2 million adults seriously thought about suicide, 1.6 million attempted suicide, and millions more experienced mental health challenges. Despite the immense need for access to timely mental health care, more than 160 million people across the county live in designated mental health professional shortage areas,” saidLaurel Stine, J.D., M.A., Executive Vice President and Chief Policy and Advocacy Officer at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. “The Mental Health Professionals Workforce Shortage Loan Repayment Act creates a critical loan repayment program to attract and retain mental health providers in these underserved communities. We thank Rep. Salinas, Rep. Budzinski, Rep. Fitzpatrick, and Rep. Ciscomani for leading on this important bipartisan legislation to provide greater access to mental health care and help save lives.”

This legislation is also endorsed by American Counseling Association (ACA), American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), American Psychiatric Association (APA), American Psychological Association Services, Inc. (APA), Children's Hospital Association, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), National Association for Rural Mental Health (NARMH), National Association of Social Workers (NASW), National Association of County Behavioral Health and Developmental Disability Directors (NACBHDD), National Behavioral Health Association of Providers (NBHAP), National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC), National Council for Mental Wellbeing, NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals, Oregon Council for Behavioral Health, Psychoanalysis in Clinical Social Work, Psychotherapy Action Network (PsiAN), and Students Engaged in Advancing Texas (SEAT).

To read the full text of this legislation, click here.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://bynum.house.gov/media/press-releases/bynum-introduces-bipartisan-bill-expand-access-youth-homeless-services,Bynum Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Expand Access to Youth Homeless Services,2025-12-10,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,OR,Janelle S. Bynum,B001326,bynum.house.gov,bynum,https://bynum.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, DC – Congresswoman Janelle Bynum (OR-05) and Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17) introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Homeless Children and Youth Act to help millions of children and young people experiencing homelessness access support.

The current definition of homelessness used by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) excludes children and youth in particular living situations from accessing services, often leaving them in unstable and unsafe situations. This legislation would expand the definition of homelessness to ensure all eligible young people can access the services they need to help them exit homelessness.

""Oregon has one of the highest rates of youth and teen homelessness in the country, and too many of these children are unable to access support they need because of red tape,” said Rep. Bynum. “We know that teen homelessness is the strongest predictor of homelessness as an adult, and that expanding access to support can be life-changing for these kids. That’s why I’m proud to be leading this bipartisan bill to cut through the red tape and offer young Oregonians – and Americans – a pathway out of homelessness.”

""Schools identify about 1.4 million children and youth as homeless, yet most can’t access HUD resources because they don’t fit its narrow definition. Ignoring these hidden but serious cases strains families and local communities, which sets many kids on a path toward adult homelessness. Updating the definition is a necessary step to break that cycle and ease economic strain on our local communities,” said Rep. Lawler.

The Senate version of the bill has been introduced by Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD) and Senator Katie Britt (D-AL).

Read the full text of the legislation here.

This legislation is endorsed by SchoolHouse Connection, National Network for Youth, New Avenues for Youth, Jackson Street Youth Services, the Maslow Project, and Family Promise’s national organization, as well as their affiliates serving communities in the Mid-Willamette Valley and Tualatin Valley.

“Every day, early childhood programs, schools, and child-serving agencies see the serious harm caused by hidden homelessness – precarious, unstable, often unsafe situations that force families and youth to move again and again. Federal housing policy currently ignores this reality, using a restrictive definition of homelessness that keeps these children and youth from even being considered for help,” said Barbara Duffield, Executive Director, SchoolHouse Connection. “The Homeless Children and Youth Act fixes this by bringing HUD in line with other federal agencies so that infants, toddlers, school-age children, and young people can be assessed for the housing they need to avoid homelessness as adults. SchoolHouse Connection is grateful to Representatives Bynum and Lawler for their bipartisan leadership to ensure that children and youth of all ages are no longer invisible in our nation’s response to homelessness.”

“Far too many children, youth, and families are denied housing and services simply because the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) clings to an outdated definition of homelessness that fails to reflect the realities these young people face today. This isn’t a mere technical issue—it is a failure that forces young people to stay in unsafe, unstable situations and keeps them from getting help,” said Darla Bardine, Executive Director, National Network for Youth. “The Homeless Children and Youth Act ends this injustice by aligning HUD’s definition with the more accurate definition already used by other federal agencies, allowing children, youth, and families experiencing homelessness to finally be seen, counted, and served. The National Network for Youth applauds Representatives Lawler and Bynum for their bipartisan leadership to ensure children, youth, and families are no longer excluded from the housing and support they urgently need.”

""As a national nonprofit working to prevent and end family homelessness across the United States, Family Promise sees firsthand that children and families experiencing homelessness are often less visible in their communities and therefore overlooked in policy decisions,” said Cheryl Schuch, CEO, Family Promise. “We are grateful to Representatives Bynum and Lawler for coming together to champion the Homeless Children and YouthAct, ensuring that our most vulnerable children are a priority. By reducing barriers to homelessness assistance for children and families, the Homeless Children and Youth Act would make sure that more homeless children get help before they reach adulthood, supporting the future success of our next generation.”

“As more children, youth, and families experience housing instability and homelessness, they are forced to rely on precarious strategies like doubling or tripling up, couch surfing, and constantly cycling through short term, often unsafe arrangements. Yet the current HUD definition of homelessness excludes many of these young people from accessing critical supports,” said Sean Suib, Executive Director, New Avenues for Youth. “Aligning HUD’s definition with other federal program definitions will open the door to earlier intervention and help prevent today’s vulnerable youth from becoming tomorrow’s chronically homeless adults”.

""Too many children are ignored by current policies and are forced to bounce between shelters, motels, couches, or their parents’ car. Homelessness doesn’t look just one way, and neither should their access to services. HYCA makes sure children and their families are seen, counted, and supported,"" said T.J. Putman, Executive Director, Family Promise of the Mid-Willamette Valley.

Too many children and young people experiencing homelessness are rendered invisible by outdated federal definitions that exclude those without a safe or stable place to stay. Whether they are couch-surfing, doubled up, or relying on unsafe temporary arrangements, these youth deserve to be recognized and supported — not turned away because they don’t fit a narrow definition,” said Kendra Phillips, Executive Director, Jackson Street Youth Services. “The Homeless Children and Youth Act is a critical step toward aligning federal policy with the lived realities we see every day and ensuring that all young people can be assessed for the housing assistance they need. We are grateful to Rep. Bynum and Rep. Lawler for championing legislation that brings dignity, accuracy, and equity to how we support vulnerable youth and families.

""Every child deserves a stable foundation to build their future. The Homeless Children and Youth Act isn't just about providing shelter—it's about ensuring equal access to education, support services, and the opportunity for every young person to reach their potential regardless of housing status. When we invest in homeless youth today, we prevent lifetimes of housing instability tomorrow,” said Mary Ferrell, Executive Director, Maslow Project.

“Family Promise of Tualatin Valley commends Rep. Bynum for championing the Homeless Children and Youth Act (HCYA). Too often, families experiencing homelessness remain hidden—doubling up or staying in motels to keep their children safe. These families face the same instability and trauma, yet current policies often exclude them from critical services. HCYA ensures that every child is seen, counted, and supported, regardless of where they sleep,” said Elise Schaff Laubach, ED, Family Promise of Tualatin Valley.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases/salinas-baldwin-collins-van-orden-introduce-bill-support-organic-farmers-and,"Salinas, Baldwin, Collins, Van Orden Introduce Bill to Support Organic Farmers and Producers",2025-12-10,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,OR,Andrea Salinas,S001226,salinas.house.gov,salinas,https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (OR-06), alongside U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03), introduced legislation to give organic producers tools to increase capacity, modernize their operations, and expand their businesses to meet growing demand. The Domestic Organic Investment Act would make a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) program permanent that helps solve supply chain gaps for the organic market by providing grants to farmers and businesses. While certified organic sales have grown to over $71.4 billion in 2024, domestic organic acreage has not kept pace with demand for organic products.

“Oregon has long been a national leader in organic agriculture, yet too many of our growers still face hurdles when it comes to getting their crops onto grocery store shelves,” said Representative Salinas. “Whether it’s the lack of modern processing facilities, storage capacity, or the technology needed to stay competitive, these gaps stop family farms across Oregon from reaching their full potential. This bill will invest in our organic growers, supporting local jobs, reducing reliance on imports, and ensuring Oregon farmers remain at the forefront of a resilient, innovative organic economy. I’m grateful to my colleagues for their work to support organic farmers in Oregon and across the country.”

“Wisconsin is America’s Dairyland, and to keep that legacy, we need to support our farmers and make sure they can meet the demands of families. With the demand for organic foods continuing to skyrocket, we need to make sure that any farmer who wants to grow their business, has the tools and resources to do it,” said Senator Baldwin. “I’m working with Democrats and Republicans so more organic farmers can expand their operations, support good paying jobs, and continue to be the beating heart of our rural communities.”

“Maine’s organic agriculture industry continues to grow at a rapid pace with the support of federal investments and strong market demand. However, many organic producers still face challenges in expanding their operations and accessing new markets,” said Senator Collins. “This bipartisan legislation would make permanent the USDA’s Organic Market Development program and help organic food producers in Maine and across the country modernize their operations, expand their capacity, and better compete in today’s global marketplace.”

“I’ve heard directly from Wisconsin’s organic farmers about the challenges they face getting their products to market, and this bill delivers real solutions. By making this program permanent, we’re helping family farmers modernize, expand, and stay competitive in a rapidly growing industry. I am proud to stand with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support the people who feed our nation,” said Representative Van Orden.

The Domestic Organic Investment Act will codify the Organic Market Development Grant program administered by the Agricultural Marketing Service. The development program will:

Increase the capacity of the domestic organic product supply chain for producers, handlers, suppliers, and processors of certified organic products;

Modernize manufacturing, tracking, storage, and information technology systems;

Improve the capacity of eligible entities to comply with applicable regulatory requirements or quality standards required to access markets;

Expand capacity for processing, aggregation, and distribution of certified organic products to create more and better markets for producers of certified organic products; facilitate market development for domestically produced certified organic products;

Conduct feasibility studies and market viability assessments to inform organic transition strategies and opportunities;

Address barriers to entry to organic product certification for historically underserved entities; and

Support market and promotional activities that help build commercial markets for certified organic products in the United States.

The Domestic Organic Investment Act is endorsed by Organic Valley and the Organic Trade Association.

“We are deeply grateful to the sponsoring lawmakers for introducing this important and timely DOIA legislation,” said Matthew Dillon, Co-CEO of Organic Trade Association. “These infrastructure investments will remove long-standing barriers to give organic producers and manufacturers the capacity and resources they need to meet the rapidly growing consumer demand for the benefits of organic.”

“The U.S. organic marketplace is poised for significant growth, but right-sized processing and distribution capacity remains a notable challenge. Over the past year, we’ve seen disruptions in our co-manufacturing network and the loss of fluid dairy processing, underscoring the need for strategic investments. This infrastructure bill is a step toward leveraging more processing capacity, ensuring more organic food reach American families, and delivering greater opportunities for U.S. farmers. The leadership provided by Senators Tammy Baldwin and Susan Collins as well as Representative Derrick Van Orden and Andrea Salinas are greatly appreciated – it is encouraging to see both bipartisan and bicameral support for organic agriculture in America,” said Shawna Nelson, Organic Valley, CEO.

“Among our membership, IFPA has numerous organic fruit and vegetable producers across the nation and the bipartisan legislation brought by Reps. Salinas and Van Orden provides exactly the kind of strategic investment the fresh produce industry needs to strengthen our supply chain. The Domestic Organic Investment Act invests in modern infrastructure, reduces long-standing supply chain bottlenecks, and most importantly, ensures that U.S. producers can meet rising consumer demand while keeping more economic opportunity in our rural communities. We’re proud to champion legislation that supports growers, expands markets, and builds a stronger, more resilient organic supply chain for the future. We are grateful to Senator Baldwin and Collins for their commitment to advancing this bill,” said Cathy Burns, International Fresh Produce Association, CEO.

Full text of the bill is available here.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-bentz-s-bill-to-expand-the-city-of-the-dalles-water-passed-in-us-house-of-representatives,Congressman Bentz's Bill to Expand the City of The Dalles Water Passed in U.S. House of Representatives,2025-12-09,2025,2025-12,Republican,House,OR,Cliff Bentz,B000668,bentz.house.gov,bentz,https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Cliff Bentz (R-OR2) voted YES and the U.S. House of Representatives PASSED his bill, H.R. 655: “The City of the Dalles Watershed Development Act”, paving the way for Senate consideration. This legislation, if enacted, would transfer ownership of 150 acres of U.S. Forest Service land within The Dalles’ municipal watershed to the City of The Dalles.

The City relies on its municipal watershed for 80% of its annual water supply. Expanding the size of the reservoir is essential if the city is to meet future demand.

“This transfer will help the City of The Dalles expand its potable water resources.” said Congressman Cliff Bentz. “A reliable and secure water supply for the City is one of my highest priorities. When this legislation is passed by the Senate and signed by the President, The Dalles will have the ability to better manage its watershed, expand its reservoir and support the Cities’ long-term growth. I am happy to see this bill advance and I thank my colleagues in the House and local leaders in the City who helped move it forward.”

“With 85% of our drinking water coming from this watershed, consolidating ownership of the land around the Crow Creek Dam and Reservoir is a tremendous step forward for our community,” said The City of The Dalles Mayor, Richard Mays. “This transfer will strengthen our ability to protect water quality, improve system management, and ensure a reliable water supply for the 16,000 residents of The Dalles. We’re excited about what this means for our future. Thank you to Congressman Bentz and the House Natural Resources Committee for advancing this critical legislation.”

""I am very excited to hear that The Dalles will have the property needed to address future water development needs with the passage of H.R. 655—The Dalles Watershed Development Act. This measure ensures that The Dalles will be able to collect surface water for the future of our community. Thank you to Congressman Bentz and his staff for ""carrying the water"" on this important issue.', said Wasco County Commissioner, Mr. Scott Hege.",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z
https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-bentz-supports-house-passage-of-the-secure-rural-schools-reauthorization-act,Congressman Bentz Supports House Passage of the Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act,2025-12-09,2025,2025-12,Republican,House,OR,Cliff Bentz,B000668,bentz.house.gov,bentz,https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C.– Today, Congressman Cliff Bentz (R-OR) voted YES on Senate Bill 356, the “Secure Rural Schools (SRS) Reauthorization Act”, which will bring some 50 million dollars, for each of three years, to Oregon’s timber dependent counties.

Said Congressman Bentz: “In 1990 the Spotted Owl was listed under the Endangered Species Act as a threatened species. Almost immediately timber production from federal forests in the Western United States plummeted by 80%. The economic and societal cost to timber dependent states and their timber reliant counties was appalling. Demand for SNAP and Medicaid shot up, alcoholism and meth addiction became routine. County tax revenues were decimated. A belated but needed response was the Secure Rural Schools Act first passed in 2000, ten years after the listing of the Owl. This law, and the funding it provides, was designed to partially offset the massive decline in federal timber revenue. It provides a modest amount of funding for critical services including infrastructure maintenance (roads), wildfire mitigation, conservation projects, search and rescue operations, fire prevention initiatives, and most importantly, money for children’s education.”

“When society enacts socially attractive laws that seemingly benefit the broader public but end up harming small communities, society must mitigate that harm. This is what the SRS bill does. It mitigates at least a part of the billions in damage done to small communities by the implementation of social goals such as, in this case, the Endangered Species Act. I thank my colleagues and Speaker Johnson for supporting this essential bill and the funding that my counties so desperately need.”

###",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/bonamici-fitzpatrick-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-accelerate-education,"Bonamici, Fitzpatrick Introduce Bipartisan Legislation  to Accelerate Education Research",2025-12-09,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC [12/9/25] –Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) introduced bipartisan legislation to spur innovation in teaching and learning techniques.

The New Essential Education Discoveries (NEED) Act of 2025 would improve student learning by creating a National Center for Advanced Development in Education (NCADE) to promote informed-risk, high-reward education research. The new national center would focus on developing and disseminating effective practices and tools to improve students’ academic performance and close longstanding achievement gaps. The NCADE would be the fifth center under the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) and follow a successful model similar to the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).

“Strengthening education is the best way to improve lives and sustain the economy,” said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. “Technology is evolving rapidly and there are many ways it can help students learn and close opportunity gaps. The NEED Act will empower researchers to develop new educational strategies and technologies that are based in science.”

“To prepare every student to thrive in a rapidly changing world, we must pursue innovation with both ambition and accountability,” said Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick. “The NEED Act builds a smarter bridge between research and the classroom—accelerating evidence-based breakthroughs, strengthening data transparency, and empowering educators with tools that deliver real results. This bipartisan effort is about stronger outcomes for students, greater opportunity for families, and a more competitive workforce for America.”

“Everyone should have the information they need to make informed decisions about their own education and workforce pathways, support individuals navigating these pathways, and create policies that might help others navigate smoother pathways,” said Jennifer Bell-Ellwanger, president and CEO, Data Quality Campaign. “Data Quality Campaign applauds the efforts of Rep. Bonamici and Rep. Fitzpatrick to reimagine statewide longitudinal data systems as tools for providing better support, transparency, and high-quality data to individuals navigating their journeys through education and the workforce.”

""Teachers across the country are constantly looking for ways to innovate given the ever evolving demands they face in their classrooms,"" said Kira Orange Jones, CEO of Teach Plus. ""The NEED Act bolsters those efforts as it improves the Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems to gather accurate data that will inform the field of the challenges we see in classrooms and identify opportunities to advance innovative practices to better serve our students. We applaud the efforts of Rep. Bonamici and Rep. Fitzpatrick to bring forth meaningful investments that innovate and advance teaching and learning.""

The NEED Act would also modernize Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems (SLDS) and help states better track the progress and outcomes of students through K-12 and into the workforce.

The legislation is endorsed by: AACTE (American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, Accelerate - The National Collaborative for Accelerated Learning, AERDF (Advanced Education Research and Development Fund), All4Ed, Alliance for Learning Innovation, America Forward, American Educational Research Association, American Psychological Association Services, Applied Learning Insights, Beyond100K, Buck Institute Education/PBLWorks, CAST, Committee for Children, Common Cents Education Consulting, Consortium for State Education Support, Dan Lips (Senior Fellow, Foundation for American Innovation), Data Quality Campaign, Digital Promise Global, EDGE Partners, The Education Trust, Education Knowledge Broker Network, Education Reform Now Advocacy, Education Reimagined, Educators for Excellence, EdVenture Lab, ExcelinEd in Action, Federation of American Scientists, Foundation for Deeper Learning, FullScale, High Tech High Graduate School of Education, InnovateEDU, Institute for Educational Leadership, jeffweldLLC, John Bailey (Former White House Domestic Policy Advisor), KB Stack Consulting LLC, Knowledge Alliance, Kumar Garg (Renaissance Philanthropy), Laura Holian (Research Director, AnLar) and Kristin Gagnier (Senior Research Scientist, AnLar), Learner-Centered Collaborative, LearnerStudio, The Learning Agency, Learning Disabilities Association of America, Learning Heroes, LearningForge LLC, Mark Schneider (Former Director of the Institute of Education Sciences), National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, National Center for Learning Disabilities, National Council on Teacher Quality, National Girls Collaborative, National Parents Union, New Classrooms, New Leaders, reDesign, Reinvention Lab at Teach For America, Results for America, SETDA, SRI, Teach For America, Teach Plus, Teacher Education Division of the Council for Exceptional Children, The Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD), The Study Group, Thomas B. Fordham Institute, TNTP, Transcend, the University of Oregon, and Zarek Drozda (Executive Director, Data Science 4 Everyone).

A summary of the legislation can be found here, and the full text of the legislation can be found here.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://hoyle.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-hoyle-announces-tele-town-hall-for-monday-december-15th,"Rep. Hoyle Announces Tele-Town Hall for Monday, December 15th",2025-12-09,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,OR,Val T. Hoyle,H001094,hoyle.house.gov,hoyle,https://hoyle.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Val Hoyle (OR-04) announced she will host a telephone town hall on Monday, December 15th at 5:30 PM Pacific Time (PT). Rep. Hoyle will share end of year updates about what's going on in Congress and how it's impacting communities in the district. It is also an opportunity to ask Rep. Hoyle questions and get answers directly from her.

How to Join

To join the tele-town hall, constituents of Oregon’s 4th district should fill out the form linked here. The form will close on Monday, December 15th at 10:00 AM PT.

What’s a telephone town hall?

A tele-townhall is a town hall meeting done over the telephone with Rep. Hoyle and other constituents in the district. It's a way for her to be in conversation with as many people as possible and provide direct updates while she is in Washington, D.C. for votes. After filling out the form above, you will receive a call from her at the designated start time and be invited to stay on the line to join. After joining the call, attendees will receive instructions on how to ask a question.

###",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z
https://hoyle.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-hoyle-delivers-for-rural-oregon-with-passage-of-secure-rural-schools-reauthorization-act-of-2025,Rep. Hoyle Delivers for Rural Oregon with Passage of Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025,2025-12-09,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,OR,Val T. Hoyle,H001094,hoyle.house.gov,hoyle,https://hoyle.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Val Hoyle (OR-04) today joined in celebrating House passage of S. 356, the Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025, bipartisan legislation she helped lead to ensure rural counties can continue funding critical public services.

The bill reauthorizes the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program, which helps rural, timber-dependent counties to be able to fund their schools, maintain their roads and deliver emergency services. During remarks on the floor of the House earlier today, Rep. Hoyle emphasized why rural communities need this support.

“When the timber industry collapsed, Congress made a commitment to support rural communities and their critical infrastructure to make sure they did not get left behind,” said Rep. Hoyle. “The Secure Rural Schools program, SRS, has been a lifeline.”

Earlier this year, the Republican Budget Bill made matters worse by taking away the standard county revenue shares for timber harvest on federal lands. Rep. Hoyle stressed that this makes it even more important for Congress to honor its commitment to rural America by reauthorizing SRS.

“We still have a long way to go to deliver on the investments and job opportunities that rural America needs and deserves, which is one of my top priorities in Congress,” Rep. Hoyle noted. “But letting this program expire and pulling the rug out from under rural counties is simply not an option.”

In Fiscal Year 2023, the last time SRS was authorized, counties in Oregon’s Fourth Congressional District received over $31.5 million through the program. The Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act now goes to the President’s desk for signature.

###",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z
https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases/as-oregon-s-economic-conditions-worsen-democrats-flounder,"As Oregon’s Economic Conditions Worsen, Democrats Flounder",2025-12-08,2025,2025-12,Republican,House,OR,Cliff Bentz,B000668,bentz.house.gov,bentz,https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C.– State Representatives Lieber and Sanchez, both of whom represent parts of Portland, wrote earlier this week in the Oregonian newspaper that it's “Trump’s cuts” (in the One Big Beautiful Bill) that are creating a “billion dollar problem for Oregon with no easy solutions”.

In the same piece, they assert the importance of “growing private sector jobs (to) stimulate our broader economy and provide good wages to hardworking Oregonians”.

What they intentionally fail to mention is that the Big Beautiful Bill, which every Democrat in Oregon's federal delegation voted against, protected Oregonians from a 20% federal tax increase which would have been effective just a few weeks from now. If the Democrats had had their way, this 20% tax increase would have been allowed to happen, small business would have been devastated, millions of jobs would have been lost and a recession may have occurred. Yet, not a peep about this in Lieber and Sanchez’s editorial. Instead, they say, with a straight face, that the Big Beautiful Bill is horrible, and that it’s actually Democrats who want to grow jobs and Oregon’s economy.

It’s bad enough that these two don’t support the tax reductions for business and individuals in the Big Bill, but they then confound the reader by saying it’s their intent to “stimulate the broader economy and grow jobs”. Just how is it that they are going to do this when they plan to raise your taxes and leave untouched the tangled mess of complicated, confusing, expensive, anti-business laws they have imposed upon Oregon’s businesses?

Having ignored their complicity in creating economic stagnation, they go on to unabashedly assert that the reduction in federal funds flowing to Oregon will “hamper economic activity and risk business closures at a time when we can least afford it”. This statement, read in conjunction with their opposition to the tax cuts in the Big Bill, is that Oregonian’s taxes should be higher and the federal government should send Oregonian’s tax money back in the form of government spending, substituting government judgment in how money is spent for individual judgment. Their statements broadcast Democrat’s belief that money should be taken from taxpayers and then used in ways politicians think best, often to hire indiscriminately at salaries totally disconnected from private sector rates for progressive purposes. But economics 101 teaches us that the federal and state governments are not jobs programs. Jobs that last and actually create value emerge from the private sector where employers are subject to the forces of competition, risk, profit, loss, and modest government intrusion.

Oregonians should call, text, or write Lieber and Sanchez, and tell them that they should reduce spending, reduce taxes, and repeal those laws which impose more paperwork, higher labor costs, and increased litigation risk on Oregon’s business. Bringing Oregon Back will begin when those in power actually acknowledge that it’s their laws and policies driving businesses out of Oregon. Your calls and texts to them carrying this message will help save our wonderful state.",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z
https://hoyle.house.gov/media/press-releases/hoyle-calls-on-congress-and-va-to-fund-roseburg-state-veterans-home,"Rep. Hoyle Calls on Congress and VA to Fund Roseburg State Veterans Home, Expand State Veterans Home Construction Program",2025-12-08,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,OR,Val T. Hoyle,H001094,hoyle.house.gov,hoyle,https://hoyle.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last week, Representative Val Hoyle (OR-04) testified before the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, urging the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Congress to fully fund the Roseburg State Veterans Home and strengthen the State Veterans Home Construction Grant Program, which she said has been chronically underfunded and delayed critical care for rural veterans.

“Veterans in my district have been advocating for this home since 2011,” said Rep. Hoyle. “Our veterans have served, sacrificed, and shown the ultimate commitment to our country. In return, it is our responsibility to make sure they are taken care of and can get the health care they need.”

Rep. Hoyle’s district is home to more veterans than any other district in the state, many of whom live in rural and remote communities. The lack of a funded state veterans' home in Roseburg has forced veterans and families to travel long distances or go without needed long-term care.

Under the State Veterans Home Construction Grant Program, states are required to provide 35 percent of project funding, with the VA responsible for the remaining share. The Oregon State Legislature has repeatedly secured state matching funds, including in 2011 and again in 2024. Despite the state’s preparedness, Rep. Hoyle said the Roseburg application has been repeatedly overlooked, causing project costs to rise due to inflation and construction delays. The current state funding is set to expire in 2027, creating added urgency for immediate federal action.

Rep. Hoyle also highlighted that Congress has underfunded the State Veterans Home Construction Grant Program by nearly $1 billion, limiting the VA’s ability to approve new construction and forcing the agency to prioritize smaller repair and renovation projects instead.

To address these shortfalls, Rep. Hoyle submitted an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to increase funding for the program. However, House Rules Committee Republicans blocked the amendment from receiving a vote.

“I call on my colleagues on the House Veterans Affairs Committee to work with the VA to prioritize the State Veterans Home Construction Grant Program and ensure our aging veterans across the country can live with the dignity they’ve earned and deserve,” said Rep. Hoyle.

Rep. Hoyle’s full testimony can be viewed on the HVAC website here.

###",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z
https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-salinasthompson-newhouse-lamalfa-and-panetta-introduce-bill-deliver,"Reps. Salinas,Thompson, Newhouse, Lamalfa, and Panetta Introduce Bill to Deliver Tariff Relief for Wine and Specialty Crop Growers",2025-12-08,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,OR,Andrea Salinas,S001226,salinas.house.gov,salinas,https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"“Oregon’s wine producers and specialty crop growers make world-class products, but as countries impose tariffs in response to Trump’s trade policies, our farmers are facing higher costs, shrinking export opportunities, and real economic pain,” said Salinas. “Specialty crops and wine producers have been harmed by tariffs just like row crops, and the federal government has a responsibility to provide equal relief. This bill ensures they get the support they need to weather the economic hardship tariffs have caused. Ultimately, we need to get rid of Trump’s barriers to trade so our world-class products can truly be enjoyed all over the world, but in the meantime, Congress must step up to help our farmers where the Trump Administration has failed them.”

“Farmers and wine producers in our district are being hit hard with rising costs at home and retaliatory tariffs abroad,” said Thompson. “Northern California agriculture feeds our country and fuels our local economy. When our producers are targeted with tariffs, families here at home feel it immediately. This bill gives them targeted relief they need to stay competitive. California’s agricultural and wine community are cornerstones of our local economies, from family farms to world-class producers. Ensuring they can weather sudden tariff hikes isn’t just an economic necessity, it’s a commitment to protecting the livelihoods that make our district and community special.”

“While many crops are struggling in farm country, specialty crops are at a breaking point,” said Newhouse. “For too long, specialty crops have been left out of the conversation when financial relief for farmers is on the table, and it is essential that we begin to balance the scales. This bipartisan legislation directs USDA to establish a program that delivers much needed relief to our producers who grow some of the highest quality specialty crops in the world. If we want to continue to boost our specialty crop industry, then the federal government must make it a priority when planning for financial assistance for farmers.”

“The agricultural economy is suffering, and dividing farm country isn’t the solution,” said LaMalfa. “Row crop and specialty crop growers in my district are struggling just alike, and this bill ensures all of farm country is supported. We can’t make Americans healthy again if we continue to let tree nut, fruit, and vegetable growers fall behind in bad years while only boosting the safety net for a limited number of crops. I appreciate Reps. Thompson, Newhouse, Salinas, and Panetta for joining me in leading this effort.”

“This Administration’s tariff policy has significantly impacted farmers of all types of crops from all across the country,” said Panetta. “That’s why as proud representatives of regions that produce specialty crops, we must ensure that that type of agriculture is protected and included in any relief type of package. Our bipartisan Specialty Crop & Wine Producer Tariff Relief Act will provide specialty crop farmers with the direct payments program that’s needed to ensure that they continue to play a vital part of our nation’s agriculture.""

BACKGROUND

Our specialty crop growers and wine producers rely on robust export markets around our world. With the enactment of new tariffs and trade barriers, our agricultural communities have suffered significant losses. Foreign competitors are filling the gap left by declining U.S. exports, strengthening their position while American producers are struggling with new market uncertainties.

This key agricultural sector is experiencing significant volatility, raising prices and reduced competitiveness. Producers are facing significant challenges accessing once reliable markets and seeing input costs skyrocket. This legislation would provide much needed relief to this key agricultural sector and ensure they are provided the financial resources necessary to whether the current market while Congress does its work to negotiate and implement trade agreements.

The Specialty Crop & Wine Producer Tariff Relief Act will support our local growers and producers by:",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/senate-unanimously-passes-sullivan-whitehouse-bonamici-carter-legislation,"Senate Unanimously Passes Sullivan, Whitehouse, Bonamici, Carter Legislation to Reauthorize Marine Debris Grant Programs",2025-12-05,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), ranking member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, and Representatives Buddy Carter (R-Ga.) and Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.), celebrated the Senate’s recent unanimous passage of S. 3022, the Save Our Seas 2.0 Marine Debris Infrastructure Programs Reauthorization Act, which would reauthorize key Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) marine debris programs to combat the worldwide crisis of trash entering the oceans and the threat of microplastics in the water. These programs were last authorized by the 2020 Save Our Seas (SOS) 2.0 Act, the most comprehensive legislation ever passed by Congress to address the threat of marine debris. Reps. Carter and Bonamici have introduced companion legislation in the House.

“Clean water and a healthy ocean support every family in the country and every sector of the economy,"" said Representative Bonamici. ""Extending these successful EPA programs will strengthen the recycling and water systems that stop plastic at its source and support projects that clear debris that damages our shores. These tools work. They deliver cleaner recycling operations, safer drinking water systems, stronger wastewater treatment, and faster trash removal. I'm glad that the Senate advanced our bipartisan bill and look forward to its swift passage in the House to keep families and the environment healthy.”

“Alaska has more coastline than the Lower 48 states combined, which means our state feels a disproportionate impact of the global marine debris crisis,” said Senator Sullivan. “These programs, last authorized by our Save Our Seas 2.0 Act, have helped our coastal communities clean up the debris that washes up onto our vast shoreline, provided access to clean drinking water, and supported the health and livelihoods of Alaskans, including our fishermen. I want to thank all my Senate colleagues for working to protect our coastal communities, ecosystems and economies, and I urge my House colleagues to join us in renewing these critically important programs before the end of the year.”

“In the first round of grants from one of our Save Our Seas 2.0 programs, every eligible state and territory requested funding,” said Ranking Member Whitehouse. “It is a clear demonstration of the enormous demand from both red states and blue states to address dangerous plastic pollution, and I’m pleased that the Senate has come together to reauthorize these programs. Together, we can protect our clean water and tackle the scourge of plastic waste washing up on shores from coast to coast.”

“From East to West, all Americans deserve access to clean water. Protecting our oceans, rivers, lakes, and drinking water is not a partisan issue. Reauthorizing these programs will keep trash out of U.S. waters, keep plastic out of our drinking water, and improve water systems across America. This is a must-pass bill that will make our citizens safer and help our environment thrive,” said Representative Carter.

Programs reauthorized by the legislation include the Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) grants, which support recycling and waste management efforts. The 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act appropriated $275 million for SWIFR grants from Fiscal Year 2022 to FY 2026. Alaska communities and tribes have received 17 grants totaling $24 million.

According to the Recycling Partnership, every ton of new materials recycled generates $65.23 in wages in the U.S. The nonprofit organization estimates that fully investing in residential recycling nationwide could save taxpayers $9.4 billion in landfill fees over the next five years.

Other EPA programs reauthorized in the bill include the Trash Free Waters programs, a partnership to prevent, remove, and research marine debris, as well as the Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Grant Programs.

# # #",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://dexter.house.gov/media/press-releases/democratic-doctors-caucus-condemns-dangerous-acip-decision-stop-recommending,Democratic Doctors Caucus Condemns Dangerous ACIP Decision to Stop Recommending Birth Dose of Hepatitis B Vaccine,2025-12-05,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,OR,Maxine Dexter,D000635,dexter.house.gov,dexter,https://dexter.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC– Today, the Democratic Doctors Caucus released the following statement after the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted to stop recommending the birth dose of the hepatitis B vaccine.

“The Democratic Doctors Caucus unequivocally condemns the decision to end the decades-long standard practice of vaccinating every newborn against Hepatitis B. Today’s decision—made without any scientific justification that a newborn dose is unsafe—will lead to more disease, more cancer, more preventable deaths, and will further increase the cost of health care in our nation. We call on Acting CDC Director O’Neill to reject this recommendation. The Democratic Doctors Caucus will keep up our fight against this administration’s continued attacks like this on basic science and do all we can to protect the health and well-being of the American people.”

###",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z
https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-salinas-announces-1-million-grant-replace-aging-sewer-infrastructure,Rep. Salinas Announces $1 Million Grant to Replace Aging Sewer Infrastructure in Carlton,2025-12-05,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,OR,Andrea Salinas,S001226,salinas.house.gov,salinas,https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Carlton, OR — Today, Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (OR-06) announced a $1 million federal Community Project Funding grant to support major sewer infrastructure upgrades in Carlton. The award will help replace 3,800 feet of sewer pipes originally installed nearly a century ago and marks a critical investment in public health and infrastructure while ensuring reliable system capacity for future growth.

“Nobody should be waking up to sewage spilling out onto their street,” said Rep. Salinas. “This just goes to show how important reliable sewer infrastructure is for public health, economic prosperity, and local development. I’m proud to have secured this funding for the people of Carlton. For too long, rural communities have been told to make do with less. That’s why, when House Republicans stripped funding for projects like this earlier this year, I fought to bring it back. I’ll keep championing these projects, pushing for every dollar we can secure, and standing up for our rural communities.”

The current failing system allows rainwater to infiltrate the lines, overwhelming the pump station and pushing millions of gallons of excess rainwater toward a treatment plant designed to handle only 450,000 gallons per day. Frequent overflows pose environmental and health risks, while aging pipe segments have already led to sinkholes forming under city streets. The replacement project will strengthen the system for decades, reduce infiltration, avoid costly overflows, and ensure the community’s ability to safely manage wastewater during heavy rains.

Rep. Salinas began the visit at Carlton City Hall, where she met with Mayor Linda Watkins and city officials to discuss the longstanding challenges with the town’s aging sewer system. The group then walked together to the project site, where Rep. Salinas announced the funding and reiterated her commitment to supporting rural communities across her district. She emphasized that every town, regardless of size, deserves safe, modern infrastructure and pledged to continue pushing in Congress for increased funding for projects like this one.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-salinas-leads-28-colleagues-calling-bureau-prisons-restore-union-contracts,Rep. Salinas Leads 28 Colleagues in Calling on the Bureau of Prisons to Restore Union Contracts,2025-12-05,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,OR,Andrea Salinas,S001226,salinas.house.gov,salinas,https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (OR-06) led 28 of her colleagues in urging the Bureau of Prisons to immediately restore the cancellation of the collective bargaining agreement between the Bureau of Prisons and its employees represented by the American Federation of Government Employees Council of Prison Locals 33.

The lawmakers wrote that these correctional officers and Bureau of Prisons employees put their safety on the line every day to protect our communities and work in high-stress and dangerous work environments.

The letter stresses that it is highly concerning that the BOP chose to terminate the agreement because it provided protection for workers and is essential to the safety, fairness, and stability of the federal prison system.

Click here or see below for the full letter:

Dear Director Marshall:

We write to express deep concern regarding the recent cancellation of the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) between the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) and its employees represented by the American Federation of Government Employees Council of Prison Locals 33. This action is an unjustified attack on the rights of dedicated public servants who work in one of the most challenging and demanding professions in federal service, and we urge you to swiftly restore these workers’ collective bargaining rights.

Correctional officers and BOP employees put their safety on the line every day to protect our communities. Given the high-stress and dangerous work environments, it is highly concerning that the BOP chose to terminate this CBA because it provided protection for workers. Specifically, the CBA ensured fair treatment, due process, a safe workplace, and a voice. BOP’s termination of this CBA undermines morale, weakens institutional accountability, and jeopardizes the safety and security of both staff and inmates.

Union representation at the BOP has long contributed to safer working conditions, improved staffing protocols, and better training. These protections enhance public safety, as well as help to retain experienced staff, reduce costly turnover, and minimize the need for excessive overtime. Furthermore, the union plays a proactive role in preventing workplace disputes, injuries, and potential legal liabilities—promoting efficiency and transparency within the agency.

We urge the BOP to immediately restore this union contract and reinstate vital collective bargaining rights that are essential to the safety, fairness, and stability of the federal prison system. Protecting the rights of federal workers is not just about honoring their service, it is about upholding the integrity of the institutions they serve.

We look forward to your prompt attention to this matter and commitment to restoring the full collective bargaining rights of BOP employees.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/bonamici-deluzio-moylan-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-safeguard-workers,"Bonamici, Deluzio, Moylan Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Safeguard Workers from Discriminatory AI Hiring Practices",2025-12-04,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC [12/4/25] – Today Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Chris Deluzio (PA-17), and James Moylan (GU-AL) introduced bipartisan legislation to shield workers from discrimination caused by AI-based hiring tools.

The No Robot Bosses Act would prohibit employers from relying exclusively on automated decision systems when making employment-related decisions, and add protections for job applicants and employees. The legislation would also require employers to train users on responsible system management and disclose when and how these systems are being used.

“As more companies rely on artificial intelligence to make hiring decisions, we must establish safeguards to protect workers from potential discrimination,” said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. “There are numerous examples of flawed AI systems that produce biased outcomes for people of different backgrounds, especially for lower wage jobs. No one should be shut out of a future job because of a machine’s decision. We must act now to keep the doors of opportunity open to all who are seeking employment.”

“It’s the Wild West out there for AI, and Congress should not twiddle its thumbs. It’s time to take up proposals that will protect the humanity and rights of workers,” said Congressman Deluzio. “The No Robot Bosses Act would step in to put in place common-sense guardrails during the hiring, disciplinary, or firing processes, fighting back against the rising threat of misuse and abuse of AI technologies.”

""AI can improve the hiring process, but only if people can trust the systems behind it,"" said Congressman Moylan. ""This bill strikes the right balance by encouraging innovation while putting commonsense safeguards in place so workers aren’t disadvantaged by untested or biased algorithms. At the end of the day, human judgment still needs to guide employment decisions, ensuring that the hiring process remains rooted in transparency and accountability.""

The No Robot Bosses Act:

Prohibits employers from relying exclusively on an automated decision system when making employment-related decisions;

Requires pre-deployment and periodic testing and validation of automated decision systems for issues such as discrimination and biases before the systems are used in employment-related decisions;

Requires employers to train individuals or entities on the proper operation of automated decision systems;

Mandates that employers provide independent, human oversight of automated decision system outputs before using the outputs to aid an employment-related decision;

Requires timely disclosures from employers on the use of automated decision systems, the data inputs and outputs from these systems, and employee rights related to the decisions aided by these systems; and

Establishes the Technology and Worker Protection Division at the Department of Labor to regulate the use of automated decision systems in the workplace.

A summary of the legislation can be found here. The full text can be found here.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://bynum.house.gov/media/press-releases/bynum-introduces-bill-protect-americans-junk-fees,Bynum Introduces Bill to Protect Americans From Junk Fees,2025-12-04,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,OR,Janelle S. Bynum,B001326,bynum.house.gov,bynum,https://bynum.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Janelle Bynum (OR-05) and Congresswoman Emilia Sykes (OH-13) introduced the Junk Fee Prevention Act. The bill cracks down on deceptive, excessive, and hidden fees that drive up prices for consumers across the country. This bill creates new transparency requirements to ensure families know the real cost of the services they rely on. The Senate version of the bill is being introduced by Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ).

“Too many companies have built businesses around misleading fees that confuse consumers and drive up costs,” said Rep. Bynum. “This bill brings real accountability by requiring upfront pricing, stronger refund protections, and clear rules that put people first. I’ll always work in Congress to lower costs for Oregonians and make our economy more fair.”

“Hardworking people across Ohio’s 13th District should not have to shoulder deceptive fees that strain already tight budgets,” said Rep. Sykes. “This bill protects our community by ending predatory junk fees and holding companies accountable for putting profits over consumers.”

“Concealed surprise fees are nickel and diming Americans to distraction and must be stopped. Families booking flights for the holidays are experiencing surprise sticker shock firsthand when they click to confirm their tickets and are hit with hidden excessive charges,” said Senator Blumenthal. “Our bill will help end this price gouging and protect consumers from abusive fees. It will mandate basic common-sense fairness and transparency, which consumers rightly demand and deserve.”

“Arizonans are tired of being hit with junk fees every time they book a flight, buy a concert ticket, or check into a hotel. They deserve to know the real price of services upfront,” said Senator Gallego. “This bill puts an end to that nonsense by requiring companies to disclose pricing upfront and holding them accountable when they try to deceive consumers. I was proud to lead this bill in the House, and I’m going to keep fighting to put an end to hidden junk fees on all services.”

The Junk Fee Prevention Act would require the full price of a service to be displayed upfront, prevent excessive fees and ensure transparency, and empower the Federal Trade Commission and Federal Communications Commission to issue new rules and enforce against violations. It would also require airlines to share information about revenue received from ancillary fees with the U.S. Department of Transportation and for such information to be publicly available in a report on the Department’s website.

The legislation specifically targets excessive online ticket fees, exorbitant early termination fees for communications services, surprise resort or destination fees, and airline ancillary fees. The legislation is endorsed by Consumer Reports and the National Consumers League (NCL).

“Americans are fed up with hidden junk fees that can really add up and cause financial hardship for families living on tight budgets,” said Chuck Bell, advocacy program director for Consumer Reports. “The Junk Fee Prevention Act will help ensure that the total cost for tickets, hotels and short-term lodging are disclosed upfront to the customer, including all mandatory fees. The bill will also prevent telecom providers from imposing early termination fees for broadband, cable and mobile phone services, and improve the transparency and presentation of prices for bundled services.”

“American companies are addicted to junk fees, and this is an addiction that harms consumers and honest businesses alike,” said NCL Senior Public Policy Manager Eden Iscil. “The Junk Fee Prevention Act is a vital piece of legislation that will mandate basic common-sense fairness and transparency, ensuring consumers know the full, all-in price up front and putting an end to these deceptive, abusive practices.”

The Junk Fee Prevent Act of 2025 delivers significant protections for consumers, including:

Protecting Consumers from Hidden & Excessive Fees

Ticket Transparency & Fairness

Communications Service Fees

Airline Ancillary Fee Transparency

You can find a section-by-section for the bill here.

Read the full text of the legislation here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://dexter.house.gov/media/press-releases/dexter-honors-oregonians-175-years-journalism-enshrines-legacy-congressional,"Dexter Honors The Oregonian’s 175 Years of Journalism, Enshrines Legacy in Congressional Record",2025-12-04,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,OR,Maxine Dexter,D000635,dexter.house.gov,dexter,https://dexter.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"The Oregonian is the longest continuously published newspaper west of Salt Lake City

WASHINGTON, DC—Today, Congresswoman Maxine Dexter, M.D. (OR-03) celebrated The Oregonian marking 175 years in publication by formally entering a tribute into the Congressional Record, the permanent archive of the United States Congress.

Full text of Congresswoman Dexter’s Congressional Record Statement can be viewed below and published here.

“Mr. Speaker,

I rise today to recognize a remarkable milestone in American journalism: the 175th anniversary of The Oregonian, the oldest continuously published newspaper on the West Coast.

Since 1850, The Oregonian has been a vital thread in the fabric of Oregon’s civic life, serving as a trusted source of information, accountability, and community connection.

Over its long history, the paper has earned eight Pulitzer Prizes, beginning with its first in 1937. That includes the distinguished 2001 Pulitzer for Public Service, awarded for its “detailed and unflinching” reporting on abuses within the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service.

This is a newsroom with deep roots and a wide reach. In 1922, The Oregonian launched Portland’s first commercial radio station, what would eventually become KGW-TV, ushering in a new era of local broadcast journalism.

As a former student journalist, I know how powerful local reporting is. It informs. It connects. It holds the powerful accountable. And at a time when local journalism is under threat across this country, The Oregonian reminds us why it matters.

I thank the journalists, editors, photographers, and staff — past and present — for their service to our state and democracy.

Congratulations on 175 years, and here’s to many more.”

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://hoyle.house.gov/media/press-releases/hoyle-wyden-merkley-announce-newport-helicopter-returns-to-the-community,"Hoyle, Wyden, Merkley Announce Newport Helicopter Returns to the Community",2025-12-04,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,OR,Val T. Hoyle,H001094,hoyle.house.gov,hoyle,https://hoyle.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, along with Representative Val Hoyle (OR-04), today announced that Admiral Kevin Lunday, Acting Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, committed to the Senators on a call that an essential rescue helicopter located at the Newport Air Facility would remain there:

“Thanks to public pressure and action from the courts, the Coast Guard has committed to keeping the rescue helicopter in Newport for good, which is critical ahead of the start of crab season. This great news came after I arranged a meeting with the Acting Commandant of the Coast Guard, Admiral Lunday, with Senator Wyden to share with him about the history and importance of this rescue helicopter being stationed in Newport,” said Merkley. “And if anything changes, I will work with Senator Wyden and Congresswoman Hoyle to fight with the community because we know how important this asset is to saving lives on the coast.”

“This is a big win to keep fishermen as well as Oregonians and tourists visiting the Newport area safe when they are enjoying the Pacific Ocean,” said Wyden. “I’ll keep watchdogging this Coast Guard commitment and battling against any move by the Trump administration to site an ICE detention facility in Newport or anywhere else on the Oregon Coast. But for today’s helicopter victory, huge credit goes to the Newport Fishermen’s Wives and local officials who sat down with me recently in town to press the Coast Guard to reverse its inexplicable and indefensible decision to move this helicopter more than 90 miles away.”

""I’m so proud of our community and how hard they fought to ensure that we had a Coast Guard helicopter back in time for our fishermen to know that they will be more safe when doing one of the most dangerous jobs in the world,"" said Hoyle. ""While Newport is home to just 10,000 people, everyone came together to make their voices heard. I especially want to thank the Fishermen’s Wives and our local elected officials for never wavering on our goal to protect lives. We’ve fought this battle before, and every time Newport has been underestimated. Lesson for DHS and the Coast Guard: don’t mess with Newport.""

Merkley and Wyden’s successful push to return the helicopter to Newport follows joint efforts with Congresswoman Hoyle and other members of Congress to hold the Coast Guard accountable for its decision to remove the rescue helicopter. Today, Admiral Lunday and a representative from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) both committed to keeping the rescue helicopter in Newport, Oregon.

###",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z
https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-salinas-introduces-bill-provide-essential-home-furnishings-families-need,Rep. Salinas Introduces Bill to Provide Essential Home Furnishings for Families in Need,2025-12-04,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,OR,Andrea Salinas,S001226,salinas.house.gov,salinas,https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (OR-06) introduced the Housing to Homes Act to support community furniture banks and provide home furnishings for families transitioning out of homelessness and into permanent housing.

""When people move into a new house after a difficult chapter, the smallest comforts — a bed to sleep on or a table to eat around — help rebuild a sense of home and stability,"" said Rep. Salinas. ""Every day, furniture banks help recently housed families turn houses into homes by providing basic household goods like furniture, kitchen supplies, and bedding. My bill delivers much needed federal support to these furniture banks so more families can start the next phase of their life with dignity.""

Furniture banks, working in tandem with housing and homelessness assistance organizations, gather donated furniture and household essentials to distribute to eligible families. According to Furnish Together, 32% of Americans are currently experiencing furniture poverty, and furniture banks face an average waitlist of 100 families. There are currently 2 furniture banks in Oregon and 114 nationwide, per the Furniture Bank Network.

The Housing to Homes Act would expand access to federal funding for furniture banks. Specifically, it would:

Amend the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act to explicitly allow payment to a furniture bank for the costs of delivery, installation, and assembly of household furnishings as an eligible use of funding under the Continuum of Care Program.

Define “Furniture Banks” as registered charities, non-profits, or social enterprises that provide household furnishings to homeless individuals and families at little to no cost.

Specify that furnishings provided under this provision shall become the sole property of the individual or family receiving them.

Require a national report on furniture poverty to better understand its scope and its impact on housing stability.

""The introduction of this bill is a crucial step in recognizing the vital role furniture banks play in helping our neighbors transition from homelessness,” said Anna Kurnizki, Executive Director of Community Warehouse. “Furnishing a home is not a luxury—it's a necessity. A bed to sleep on, a table to share meals, and a chair to sit on are essential components of a stable, healthy, and hopeful environment. Without these essentials, a housing unit can feel empty and temporary, and the risk of returning to homelessness remains all too real. We're deeply grateful to Congresswoman Salinas for championing this bill to support people on their path to stability.""

""The Housing to Homes Act recognizes the lived realities our unhoused neighbors face,"" said Amy Javaid, President & CEO of A Wider Circle. ""Housing brings immense relief, but too many families – often with children – step into completely empty units and spend their first nights on the floor. Without the means to buy even the basics, they face an impossible choice: remain in an empty, unlivable space or return to the shelter they hoped to leave behind. A bed to sleep in, a table to share a meal – these aren't luxuries. They are the minimum for dignity, safety, and stability. This legislation helps ensure a house becomes a home, and a foundation for families to begin again.""

The Housing to Homes Act is endorsed by Community Warehouse and A Wider Circle. Community Warehouse is a furniture bank with sites in Tigard, Gresham, and Portland that has served the area for over two decades. Meanwhile, A Wider Circle serves the greater Washington, D.C., area.

To read the full text of this legislation, click here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/bonamici-introduces-bill-provide-access-virtual-immigration-hearings,Bonamici Introduces Bill to Provide Access to Virtual Immigration Hearings,2025-12-03,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC [12/3/25] – Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (OR-1) introduced legislation that would grant immigrants the right to join immigration hearings virtually through video or telephone conference.

The Migrant Due Process Protection Act would allow immigrants to have their removal hearing held remotely through video or telephone conference. Currently, immigration judges have discretion to schedule a hearing in-person or virtually. But the Trump administration has been forcing immigrants to show up at court in person, pressuring judges to dismiss cases, and then violently arresting and detaining people who have their cases dismissed.

“The Trump administration’s egregious immigration enforcement tactics have put people who are legally participating in immigration proceedings at risk of detainment and arrest when they show up at court,” said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. “These aggressive tactics are inhumane and do not make our communities safer. I’m introducing this legislation to provide immigrants with the right to have their removal hearings virtually so they can continue through the legal process while staying safe. It will also make hearings more accessible for people who face mobility and transportation challenges.”

The legislation has been endorsed by the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). It is cosponsored by Representatives Jamie Raskin (MD-8), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Dina Titus (NV-1), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Ilhan Omar (MN-5), Andrea Salinas (OR-6), Mike Quigley (IL-5), Goldman (NY-10), Timothy M. Kennedy (NY-26), Pamila Jayapal (WA-7), and Yvette Clarke (NY-9).

The full text of the Migrant Due Process Protection Act can be found here.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://bynum.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-bynum-ready-partner-new-prosperity-roadmap-federal-level,Congresswoman Bynum Ready to Partner With New Prosperity Roadmap on the Federal Level,2025-12-03,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,OR,Janelle S. Bynum,B001326,bynum.house.gov,bynum,https://bynum.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Oregon City, OR – Today, Congresswoman Janelle Bynum (OR-05) released the below statement following Governor Tina Kotek’s announcement of the “Oregon’s Prosperity Roadmap,” her administration’s plan to boost the state’s economy.

“Whether it is losing 25,000 jobs this year, or coming in 39th in the country for our overall business environment, it’s clear that Oregon’s economy is shifting. We’re seeing businesses leave our state, unemployment rising, and economic growth slowing – we can’t continue to accept that as our reality,” said Rep. Bynum. “This roadmap is a step in the right direction, and I’ll remain a partner on the federal level to advance policies that create more jobs, better opportunities, and a stronger workforce across our state.”

A recent CNBC study ranked Oregon 39th in the country for its overall business environment, considering factors like business friendliness, the cost of doing business, and the workforce. Another analysis revealed that the state’s economy is growing slower than the national average while the unemployment rate is rising faster.

Rep. Bynum has long been a champion for revitalizing the economy in the state of Oregon. Prior to being sworn in to Congress, she chaired the Small Business and Economic Development Committee in the Oregon statehouse, where she worked across the aisle to pass the Oregon CHIPS Act – the most pro-business, pro-worker, pro-Oregon collaboration in history. The massive economic development package bridged the interests of Oregon’s working families, businesses, underserved and rural communities, labor, and educational institutions.

“Oregon’s Prosperity Roadmap” aims to increase Oregon’s gross domestic product, improve the state’s placement in a national ranking of state workforces, and increase its ranking for overall business indicators. The strategies outlined include establishing programs to streamline major infrastructure projects, increasing the volume of and access to workforce training and certification programs, and providing more loans for site development.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-andrea-salinas-delivers-floor-speech-condemning-trump-administrations,Rep. Andrea Salinas Delivers Floor Speech Condemning the Trump Administration’s Inhumane Treatment of Immigrants,2025-12-03,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,OR,Andrea Salinas,S001226,salinas.house.gov,salinas,https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Image

Click here to watch Rep. Salinas’ full remarks.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (OR-06) delivered remarks on the House Floor on the need to hold the Trump Administration and ICE accountable for their inhumane treatment of immigrants. During her remarks, Rep. Salinas spoke about her recent oversight visit to the ICE detention facility in Tacoma, Washington, where she had the opportunity to raise concerns about facility conditions and detainee treatment. Rep. Salinas concluded by reiterating her commitment to continuing to conduct oversight and calling attention to the Administration’s unconscionable actions.

A transcript of Salinas’ floor speech is available below:

Mister Speaker, I rise to call out the inhumane treatment of immigrants and people living on American Soil.

Individuals are missing from work, children are skipping school, and people are too afraid to leave their own homes because Trump has ordered his Administration to arrest immigrants at any cost.

This manufactured chaos has resulted in ICE vigilantes arresting U.S. citizens and even children. My own constituents have had to endure this horrific trauma across Oregon’s Willamette Valley.

Last week, I visited the Tacoma, Washington ICE detention facility to visit constituents and to conduct oversight.

I wanted the opportunity to see for myself the facility, to understand what my constituents are being put through. I gave ICE their seven-day notice of my arrival as they had requested, but I knew I would get a sanitized version of the privatized prison I would be shown. But the alternative would be to drive three hours and they would turn me away. The goal was to meet with my constituents and their attorney and get a tour the facility.

When I asked about detainees not being able to access medication, facility officials told me that the detainees often lie about their lack of access to medical care. They claimed anyone could get access to the medical care they need; however, I know of at least one of my constituents who was detained and was not able to access the heart medication he needed. He went TWO WEEKS without his lifesaving heart medicine. Why would anyone lie about that? Their heart medicine. He had no reason to lie, but he did get it, two weeks later, when he was sent down to Texas.

When I asked about the tuberculosis outbreak in the Alaska detention facility, ICE claimed the news reports got it wrong. I questioned if similar outbreaks happened in the Tacoma ICE facility, and again, flat out lies. The attorney I spoke to afterward told me, yes, there were outbreaks in the Tacoma facility.

When I asked about detainees not being able to access their attorneys, facility officials, “oh there are tablets they can access. There are lots of rooms.” And when I was supposed to meet with my constituents on that same day, I was refused access to my own constituents and their attorney.

So even with a full 7-day notice, the Tacoma ICE detention facility, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Geo Group couldn’t get their story straight. They raised more questions than they could answer. The questions they did answer were lies, half-truths, and misleading at best.

We should all be holding ICE, Homeland Security and this Administration accountable. It may start at our local or regional detention facilities, but it does not stop there.

We must hold Tom Homan, Kristi Noem and Donald Trump accountable.

They must tell me why a 17-year-old U.S. citizen was arrested, traumatized and suffered shards of glass in his eye when an ICE vigilante smashed in his driver-side window and arrested him. Detained him first, and asked questions later. This is not justice. This is terror.

But I have a voice. I have a voice for the people in my district. I have a voice for those who still believe in the United States as the land of opportunity, just as the Salinas family did in 1945.

I will continue to conduct oversight and publicize the horrific acts of ICE. They cannot continue to operate in the shadows. We must all continue to speak out and hold those who have raised their hands and pledged their oath to the Constitution. We must hold them accountable. But they are failing miserably today.

Thank you, and I yield back.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-salinas-huffman-lead-18-colleagues-demanding-answers-forest-service,"Reps. Salinas, Huffman Lead 18 Colleagues in Demanding Answers from Forest Service on Failure to Clear Hazardous Waste",2025-12-03,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,OR,Andrea Salinas,S001226,salinas.house.gov,salinas,https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Ranking Member of the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Forestry & Horticulture, alongside Congressman Jared Huffman (CA-02), Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Committee, led 18 of their colleagues in sending a letter to Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz to question him about the Forest Service’s inadequate hazardous fuels reduction performance this year, which is critical for wildfire prevention and mitigation.

The letter expresses concerns about the critical risk of wildfires, the responsibility of the Forest Service to clear hazardous fuels, and its failure to meet that responsibility.

The lawmakers pressed for clear and timely answers to their questions about the Forest Service’s work to clear hazardous waste and keep communities safe.

Click here or see below for the full letter:

Dear Chief Schultz,

We write with significant concern regarding the poor performance for hazardous fuels reduction by the Forest Service this year. According to Forest Service data and external reports, the agency achieved only about half the amount of work that it projected to accomplish and less than half the amount of work done in Fiscal Year 2024. We ask that you explain the reason for this poor performance, including whether hazardous fuels reduction personnel and resources were diverted to other agency actions, and the steps that you will take to fix this problem in Fiscal Year 2026.

Hazardous fuel reduction—the clearing of shrubs, brush and small trees that contribute to catastrophic wildfire—is a core responsibility of the Forest Service. Decades of aggressive fire suppression have led to fire-prone public forests that are vulnerable to fire, insects, disease, and drought, problems which are only exacerbated by a warming climate. A critical tool to help address this problem and prevent wildfires from destroying homes and communities is hazardous fuels reduction, and yet the Administration is failing at this critical task.

The scale and scope of the problem is exactly why Congress provided the Forest Service with more than $10 billion for forest restoration work and another $1 billion for the forestry and fire workforce in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act. Using these funds, the previous administration accomplished a record breaking 4.2 million acres of hazardous fuels reduction in 2024. For 2025, the agency projected 4 million acres of further projects, but it has accomplished only around 2 million acres total. The number of acres treated are down from last year’s totals in every state and for every month in Fiscal Year 2025.

Put simply, hazardous fuels reduction projects are essential to keeping our forests healthy and our communities safe. They should be among the highest priorities of the Forest Service. Please provide answers to the following questions:

How many acres of hazardous fuels reduction projects were completed by the Forest Service in Fiscal Year 2025? Please indicate the Forest Service region as well as the type of treatment for each project.

If the amount of hazardous fuels reduction acres for Fiscal Year 2025 was lower than the acres treated in Fiscal Year 2021, before the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) was enacted, please explain how the BIL funds for FY25 were spent.

How many Forest Service personnel who worked on hazardous fuels reduction projects in calendar year 2024 or before were placed on involuntary administrative leave in calendar year 2025? How many opted into the Deferred Resignation Program or took an early retirement incentive? How many were fired as probationary employees?

How many Forest Service personnel who worked on hazardous fuels reduction projects in calendar year 2024 or before were reassigned to commercial timber projects or other positions within the Forest Service?

What is your target for commercial timber and hazardous fuels reduction for Fiscal Year 2026?

Please provide your plan to ensure that hazardous fuels reduction is prioritized in the coming fiscal year, especially since Executive Order 13855 is still in force.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation. The work of the Forest Service remains a critical government function to steward public lands and protect American communities

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-salinas-sorensen-introduce-legislation-undo-trump-administrations,"Reps. Salinas, Sorensen Introduce Legislation to Undo Trump Administration’s Attempts to Bury Social Security Performance Data",2025-12-02,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,OR,Andrea Salinas,S001226,salinas.house.gov,salinas,https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — Today, Representatives Andrea Salinas (OR-06) and Eric Sorensen (IL-17) introduced the Social Security Data Transparency Act. This legislation would require the Social Security Administration (SSA) to post and regularly update metrics on their website such as wait times, system outages, and number of callers on hold. By requiring SSA to display these metrics, the bill would give Americans greater insight into SSA’s performance and efficiency.

This bill was inspired by outreach from constituents to Rep. Salinas’ office. In response to a growing number of complaints from constituents about the challenges they faced at SSA, Rep. Salinas worked with Rep. Sorensen to draft the Social Security Data Transparency Act.

In February 2025, the Trump Administration cut 7,000 SSA workers—about 12% of its workforce—and closed six regional field offices, leaving only four. In early June 2025, SSA removed comprehensive performance data from its website. This included customer service metrics like the current call wait time, callback wait time, number of callers waiting on hold, and the number of callers waiting on a callback. Without these data, Americans are unable to track how these cuts are impacting SSA performance.

“The Trump Administration is determined to make it harder for Americans to access assistance from the Social Security Administration by cutting critical staff, and they have gone as far as removing publicly accessible data showing the impact of these cuts. Their attempts to cover up their detrimental harm are completely unacceptable,” said Rep. Salinas. “That is why I am introducing the Social Security Data Transparency Act, which would require the Social Security Administration to reinstate the customer service data metrics that they eliminated from their website earlier this year. The American people deserve full transparency.”

“The Trump Administration and DOGE took a wrecking ball to the Social Security Administration earlier this year, including removing live data for callback times and wait times on the phones for people simply trying to access the benefits they’ve earned,” said Rep. Sorensen. “Sharing performance metrics, like callback times, call wait times, and other key performance indicators, on publicly accessible sources ensures that Social Security is working for the millions of Americans who rely on it. True government efficiency comes from transparency and making our neighbors' lives easier.”

""Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano appears to be playing games with numbers to mislead the American people. He pulled important metrics off the Social Security Administration's website and has replaced them with different ones, meaning that people trying to evaluate the agency's performance over time are forced to compare apples to oranges. That makes it impossible for Congress, as well as independent experts, to conduct proper oversight,” said Nancy Altman, President of Social Security Works. “The Social Security Data Transparency Act would fix this by requiring Bisignano to restore the normal metrics. It reminds Bisignano and the other billionaires in the Trump Administration that they work for the American people. Thank you to Reps. Salinas and Sorensen for fighting to get Americans transparent information about their hard earned Social Security benefits.""

This bill also requires additional metrics that would improve transparency, such as:

Average time it takes for a claimant to have a hearing

Number of system outages that result in SSA staff being unable to perform their job functions

Percentage of claimant interactions that are resolved during the first contact with the SSA

To read the full text of this legislation, click here.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://bynum.house.gov/media/press-releases/bynum-defends-community-engagement-detroit-lake-drawdown-proposal,Bynum Defends Community Engagement on Detroit Lake Drawdown Proposal,2025-12-01,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,OR,Janelle S. Bynum,B001326,bynum.house.gov,bynum,https://bynum.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, DC – Congresswoman Janelle Bynum (OR-05) led Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) in requesting additional time for community engagement on the proposed drawdown of Detroit Lake. Specifically, the members called for a 45-day extension on the public comment period for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement. The members expressed concern that the current 45-day period, which overlaps with the holidays, will inhibit the ability of constituents in impacted communities to robustly engage with this proposal.

“While a 45-day comment period is already a relatively short timeline for a document like this, the currently scheduled comment window also spans Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Hanukkah, among others,” the Members wrote. “These weeks are among the most challenging of the year for public participation, as reduced staffing, competing obligations, and widespread travel mean most Oregonians are far more concerned about weather delays and family recipes than comment periods. The combined effect of a shortened timeline and a holiday-dominated review period will significantly hinder the ability of Oregonians to provide thoughtful and informed feedback.”

Full text of the letter is available by clicking here and below:

Dear Lieutenant General Graham,

We write to respectfully request a 45-day extension of the public comment period for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) regarding operations of the Detroit Dam within Oregon’s Willamette Valley System. The draft SEIS was released on November 14, with the comment period closing on December 29. We urge the Corps to provide a longer and more accessible comment window that will allow meaningful and informed public engagement on this highly impactful document.

The SEIS is both lengthy and technically complex, addressing issues that directly affect drinking water quality, economic stability, and public health across several communities in the Santiam Canyon and Willamette Valley. Recent experience with deep drawdown operations, including those at Green Peter Reservoir, have revealed the potential for extensive turbidity, severe impacts to drinking water systems, and significant economic losses for surrounding communities. These concerns underscore the importance of ensuring that residents, local governments, Tribal governments, utility providers, business owners, and other stakeholders have sufficient time to review and respond to this SEIS.

While a 45-day comment period is already a relatively short timeline for a document like this, the currently scheduled comment window also spans the Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Hanukkah, among others. These weeks are among the most challenging of the year for public participation, as reduced staffing, competing obligations, and widespread travel mean most Oregonians are far more concerned about weather delays and family recipes than comment periods. The combined effect of a shortened timeline and a holiday-dominated review period will significantly hinder the ability of Oregonians to provide thoughtful and informed feedback.

Given the anticipated impacts of potential operational changes at Detroit Dam, including those related to drinking water for more than 200,000 downstream residents, the Kokanee fishery, and economic conditions in the Santiam Canyon, it is essential that the review process maximize transparency and accessibility. A reasonable extension of the comment period would help accomplish this goal and ensure that the Corps receives the robust, substantive input needed to support a well-informed decision.

Accordingly, we respectfully request that the USACE extend the comment period by an additional 45-days to provide stakeholders with adequate time to fully assess the SEIS and prepare comprehensive comments. We believe this extension is both necessary and in the public Interest.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. We look forward to continued collaboration to ensure that the management of the Willamette Valley System supports the recovery of endangered fish species while also meeting the needs, safety, and well-being of Oregonians and the communities they call home.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-salinas-conducts-oversight-visit-tacoma-immigration-and-customs,Rep. Salinas Conducts Oversight Visit of Tacoma Immigration and Customs Enforcement Detention Facility,2025-11-25,2025,2025-11,Democrat,House,OR,Andrea Salinas,S001226,salinas.house.gov,salinas,https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Tacoma, WA — Today, Representative Andrea Salinas (OR-06) visited the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility in Tacoma to ensure ICE is treating detainees humanely and honoring due process.

“When my constituents are taken by ICE, many of them are taken here. I’ve heard many stories of how ICE is not following the law or honoring due process, so I needed to come see for myself to hold ICE accountable. From my visit, it was abundantly clear that ICE is lying. They are not being transparent about their treatment of detainees or their efforts to honor due process. If we cannot expect ICE to tell the truth to a Member of Congress, how can we expect them to tell the truth to the American people?

“During my visit, I spoke with representatives from ICE and from GEO Group, the contractor who operates the facility. I questioned them directly about issues I’ve heard about from detainees and immigration attorneys, including detainees not being able to access medical care and their attorneys.

“When I asked about detainees not being able to access medication, facility officials told me that the constituents I spoke to may have lied. They claim that anyone can get the medical care they need; however, I know of at least one of my constituents who was detained and was not able to access the heart medication he needed.

“Additionally, when questioned about the tuberculosis outbreak in the Alaska detention facility, ICE claimed news reports got it wrong. When questioned if similar outbreaks happened in Tacoma, ICE flat out lied, saying there were no instances of the disease. However, an immigration attorney I spoke with contradicted this, saying there had, indeed, been cases of tuberculosis there.

“When I asked about detainees not being able to access their attorneys, facility officials told me that detainees have access to tablets that they can use to speak with an attorney and that there are rooms in the facility available for attorneys to meet with their clients. When I visited the facility today, I met an immigration attorney who represents several of my constituents who are detained there. Despite her having meetings scheduled with my constituents, ICE canceled her appointments last-minute due to lack of facility space. Additionally, I have heard numerous stories of attorneys having their meetings suddenly canceled because their client is moved to a different facility, making it nearly impossible for attorneys to speak with their clients.

“After today’s visit, I still have many lingering questions. I need to know exactly what kind of training ICE officers receive. I need to know exactly what they are taught about the law and people’s constitutional rights. I need to know why they arrest first and ask questions later—which has resulted in them arresting U.S. citizens and minors. And I need to know why lawyers are not able to locate their clients in ICE’s detainee tracker.

“ICE did not have answers for me today. They told me to ask Kristi Noem and Tom Homan. That’s exactly what I’m going to do when I get back to Washington, D.C.

“I will not allow ICE to continue operating without oversight and with complete disregard for due process.”

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-salinas-evans-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-support-spouses-active,"Reps. Salinas, Evans Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Support Spouses of Active-Duty Servicemembers",2025-11-25,2025,2025-11,Democrat,House,OR,Andrea Salinas,S001226,salinas.house.gov,salinas,https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — Today, Representatives Andrea Salinas (OR-06) and Gabe Evans (CO-08) introduced the bipartisan PCS Leave for Military Spouse Federal Workers Act. This legislation would provide critical support to military families by requiring federal agencies to grant paid leave to military spouses who are federal employees and relocating with their active-duty spouse. Currently, spouses are not guaranteed time off for required relocations, which often results in military families taking on great personal and professional costs. This bill was inspired by Rep. Salinas’ constituent who contacted her office about this issue, prompting Rep. Salinas to introduce this legislation.

“When a servicemember gets orders to relocate, their spouse should not have to exhaust their personal time off or forgo pay just to move,” said Congresswoman Salinas. “Our bill ensures that military spouses employed by the federal government have the paid leave they need to relocate with the dignity, stability, and support they deserve. This assistance allows families to manage the practical realities of relocating — like enrolling their children in new schools, finding child care, and setting up a new home — without added strain.”

“As a veteran who has received Permanent Change of Station orders multiple times, I know firsthand the sacrifice that military spouses like my wife make to support their partners,” said Congressman Evans. “I’m proud to co-lead the PCS Leave for Military Spouse Federal Workers Act, which codifies the Office of Personnel Management's guidance and ensures that servicemembers’ husbands and wives working at a federal agency receive at least five days administrative leave when given PCS orders.”

On average, military families move every 2.5 years. A servicemember’s spouse often bears a significant financial, emotional, and physical burden during this process. The PCS Leave for Military Spouse Federal Workers Act builds on a 2023 recommendation from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM), which suggested that federal agencies should provide up to five days of administrative leave to spouses of active-duty servicemembers making a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move. However, this recommendation was voluntary and did not mandate agencies to comply. The PCS Leave for Military Spouse Federal Workers Act makes it a requirement for all federal agencies to provide at least five days of administrative leave, thereby lightening the load for military families.

“When onboarding as a new federal employee, I was upfront about needing to PCS in a few months for my spouse’s military service. My agency was fully supportive. However, I needed to use leave without pay since I did not have enough paid leave accrued yet. This negatively impacted both my time-in-grade and my retirement service computation date. My name was listed on those PCS orders, but the orders were not tied to my agency or position. Many military spouses are resigned to remaining unemployed simply because it is too difficult to find jobs that are flexible with moving every few years. This bill would alleviate one more recurring barrier placed on military spouses trying to maintain full-time employment. Help us serve our country too,"" said Elizabeth Lee, Rep. Salinas’ constituent whose story inspired her to act on this issue.

“Supporting military families means recognizing the unique challenges that come with frequent relocations. Providing 40 hours of administrative leave for federal employees who are military spouses during a PCS move is not just a thoughtful accommodation — it’s a smart policy. It helps retain talented individuals, reduces job instability, and makes military service more sustainable for whole families,” said Kathy Roth-Douquet, CEO of Blue Star Families.

“Our 2023 national survey shows that active-duty spouses who are employed full time are more likely to report excellent family well-being, yet too many lose income or employment stability when the military requires a move. Ensuring a window of administrative leave is a meaningful way to support military spouses, strengthen financial stability, and recognize the essential role that military families play in the readiness of our all-volunteer force,” said Shannon Razsadin, Military Family Advisory Network CEO.

This legislation is also endorsed by the Military Family Advisory Network, Blue Star Families, the National Military Family Association, and the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA).

To read the full text of this legislation, click here.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://bynum.house.gov/media/press-releases/bynum-introduces-bipartisan-bill-reduce-barriers-key-environmental-projects,Bynum Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Reduce Barriers for Key Environmental Projects,2025-11-21,2025,2025-11,Democrat,House,OR,Janelle S. Bynum,B001326,bynum.house.gov,bynum,https://bynum.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Janelle Bynum (OR-05), Congressman Troy Downing (MT-02), Congresswoman Marie Glusenkamp-Perez (WA-03), and Congressman Bryan Steil (WI-01)introduced the Floodplain Enhancement and Recovery Act, a bipartisan, bicameral bill to reduce barriers for certain key projects in floodplains. Specifically, the bill creates a streamlined path for environmental restoration projects in regulated floodplains that meet specific low-risk criteria while upholding flood safety standards. The Senate version of this legislation was introduced by Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Steve Daines (R-MT).

Under the current Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) policy, any proposed projects in a regulated floodplain must abide by the “No Rise” rule, proving that they will not increase the base flood elevation (BFE) of the area. While this rule protects communities from increased flood risks, it also can have major unintended consequences, including higher costs and slower project completion times for essential environmental restoration projects.

This bipartisan, bicameral bill would create a new pathway to exempt certain environmental restoration projects in regulated floodplains from having to demonstrate no net impact on base flood elevation.

“Environmental restoration projects across Oregon – and the country – are being held up by unnecessary red tape when they don’t need to be,” said Rep. Bynum. “It’s resulting in canceled projects and costing our communities thousands of dollars. I’m thankful to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for partnering with me on this important legislation that will protect our communities, restore our environment, and remove barriers to progress.”

“FEMA’s No-Rise Rule is a hamstring on conservation efforts across the state of Montana and across the country,” said Rep. Downing. “My bipartisan legislation cuts this burdensome red tape, empowering locally supported conservation and restoration projects. I appreciate the support of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for joining me in this common sense measure to right size regulation for American conservation.”

This legislation is endorsed by the American Rivers Action Fund, the Wild Salmon Center, and the Nature Conservancy.

“Floodplains are among our nation’s most valuable natural assets to cost-effectively bolster community safety, improve water quality, and sustain biodiversity at a large scale. By removing complex permitting for restoration, this bipartisan bill takes a practical approach to remove those barriers and help people and nature thrive,” said Eileen Shader, Senior Advisor for American Rivers Action Fund. “We are thrilled to see this common-sense solution introduced in the House and will advocate strongly for its ultimate passage.”

“We greatly appreciate Representatives Bynum, Downing, Gluesenkamp Perez and Steil's efforts to accelerate the permitting of low-risk habitat restoration projects in low-risk areas through the Floodplain Enhancement and Recovery Act,” said Guido Rahr, President & CEO of the Wild Salmon Center. “Wild salmon are at a critical juncture on the road to recovery across their range, and this change will help the Wild Salmon Center and our partners to increase our habitat restoration efforts to meet the needs of salmon right now.”

“There are many benefits to having intact natural floodplains. One of them is that they lower the risks associated with flooding. That is one of the main reasons why The Nature Conservancy supports policies, like this one from Representatives Downing and Bynum, that help scale up work to restore floodplains,” said Cameron Adams, Policy Advisor for The Nature Conservancy. “This bipartisan legislation would give communities the flexibility they want and need to do science-backed ecosystem restoration projects in flood zones. These types of projects don’t just benefit people, but also plants and animals that thrive in healthy landscapes.”

“Simplified regulatory approval for critical floodplain restoration projects as a result of the Floodplain Enhancement and Recovery Act will benefit the Deschutes Land Trust by reducing project timelines and costs associated with project planning on our preserves,"" said Rika Ayotte, Executive Director of the Deschutes Land Trust.

You can read the full text of the bill here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://bynum.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-bynum-quit-wasting-my-time-nonsense,Congresswoman Bynum: “Quit Wasting My Time with Nonsense”,2025-11-21,2025,2025-11,Democrat,House,OR,Janelle S. Bynum,B001326,bynum.house.gov,bynum,https://bynum.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Oregon City, OR – Today, Congresswoman Janelle Bynum (OR-05) released the following statement after voting ‘Present’ on Republicans’ House Resolution condemning Socialism.

“This is the furthest thing from what the American people need right now,” said Rep. Bynum. “We’re dealing with skyrocketing healthcare costs, unaffordable grocery bills, and, in Portland, a federal takeover. I’m not entertaining this political theater. Quit wasting my time with nonsense and let’s get to work.”

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://hoyle.house.gov/media/press-releases/hoyle-wyden-merkley-and-carbajal-demand-answers-from-coast-guard-on-sudden-removal-of-newport-rescue-helicopter,"Hoyle, Wyden, Merkley and Carbajal Demand Answers from Coast Guard on Sudden Removal of Newport Rescue Helicopter",2025-11-21,2025,2025-11,Democrat,House,OR,Val T. Hoyle,H001094,hoyle.house.gov,hoyle,https://hoyle.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"For Immediate Release: November 21, 2025

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Val Hoyle (OR-04) led a letter with U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, as well as Congressman Salud Carbajal (CA-24), the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, demanding immediate answers from the U.S. Coast Guard regarding its decision to remove a rescue helicopter from the Newport Air Facility.

In their letter to Acting Commandant Admiral Kevin E. Lunday, the lawmakers warn that the Coast Guard’s unexplained action, “has created significant uncertainty about the future of the Newport Air Facility and the Coast Guard’s commitment to operating there.”

“We cannot compromise search-and-rescue coverage in Newport, and we need the Coast Guard to make that unequivocally clear,” the lawmakers wrote. “Without action, this decision will cost lives.”

The letter describes why Newport requires immediate, reliable rescue coverage, noting that, “Newport experiences some of the coldest, roughest water on this stretch of the coastline,” and that past tragedies proved that response times from North Bend, “could not meet the community’s needs.”

The letter raises alarm that, “the removal of the helicopter, carried out with no explanation or consultation, has only heightened concern that broader changes may already be underway,” and that the impression is growing, “that maritime safety and the lives of our fishermen, visitors and coastal residents are not a priority for the Coast Guard.”

The lawmakers stressed that federal law sets strict requirements before the Coast Guard may curtail operations at an air facility, stating that, “federal law sets clear requirements before the Coast Guard can close or significantly reduce operations…including ensuring sufficient search-and-rescue coverage, conducting public meetings and notifying Congress.”

With Dungeness crab season about to begin in mid-December, the lawmakers emphasized the urgency, writing, “those crews and their families need to know whether they can count on a timely Coast Guard response if something goes wrong.”

The letter requests immediate answers to key questions, including:

Why the helicopter was moved and what drove that decision;

How the Coast Guard is ensuring adequate search-and-rescue coverage for Newport;

When the helicopter will return and how they will make that determination;

Current estimated response times with the aircraft staged in North Bend;

Whether broader changes to the Newport Air Facility or surrounding property are being considered and requesting information regarding any planned changes; and,

How the Coast Guard will engage the community going forward about changes to this facility and search-and-rescue coverage.

The lawmakers emphasized that any reduction in rescue capability would be unacceptable.

“A delay of 30 to 45 minutes is the difference between a rescue and a body recovery,” they said. “Lives quite literally depend on timely answers to these questions.”

The full letter is available here.

###",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/bonamici-introduces-bipartisan-legislation-boost-growth-arts-organizations,Bonamici Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Boost Growth of Arts Organizations,2025-11-20,2025,2025-11,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC [11/20/25] – Today Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) introduced bipartisan legislation to grow the economy and expand the reach of arts organizations, local arts agencies, and museums.

The Capital, Repairs, and Employment for Art Talent to Improve Visibility Everywhere (CREATIVE) Act, HR 6165, will help revitalize communities by supporting arts organizations that build new facilities, improve existing facilities, hire staff, and produce art.

“Arts organizations enrich communities, bring people together, and provide jobs,” said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. “The CREATIVE Act will help arts organizations hire staff and make needed improvements to best serve their neighborhoods.”

The legislation has been endorsed by: Americans for the Arts, Americans for the Arts Action Fund, Grantmakers in the Arts, American Alliance of Museums, American Circus Alliance, Association of Art Museum Directors, Cultural Advocacy Coalition of Oregon, National Assembly of State Arts Agencies, National Association for Music Education, National Association of Music Merchants, Professional Non-Profit Theatre Coalition, and the South Carolina Arts Alliance.

“Americans for the Arts strongly supports Rep. Bonamici’s CREATIVE Act. This legislation addresses critical infrastructure needs for cultural facilities while creating direct employment opportunities for artists and creative professionals when arts organizations need this support more than ever,” said Erin Harkey, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Americans for the Arts. “By prioritizing rural and underserved communities that need arts access most, this bill tackles both immediate workforce needs and long-term capacity building. Rep. Bonamici is a tireless champion of the arts, and we celebrate the introduction of this critical legislation during National Arts and Humanities Month.”

""It is essential that community voice informs the development of cultural facilities,"" said Eddie Torres, President and CEO, Grantmakers in the Arts. ""It is more important than ever that we support workers, including those who work in cultural facilities. This includes our supporting the maintenance and repair of cultural facilities as well as their workers. Representative Bonamici's proposed legislation aims to give community members agency and voice and to ensure that they are paid as workers.""

The CREATIVE Act would:

Expand Access to Capital for Facilities: Provides local arts agencies (LAAs), museums, and 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts and performance organizations with the eligibility to apply for and receive one of three grants of up to $5 million from a newly authorized, $700 million program to construct and acquire new facilities, maintain and improve existing facilities, or hire staff or produce art at existing facilities;

Seek Community Input: Requires eligible entities to include in their application information about how their arts programs will benefit the community served by the eligible entity, how the entity will solicit input from diverse stakeholders, and how the entity will continue to operate its facility once grant funds have expired;

Reach Underserved Communities: Assigns grant priority based on factors such as having limited accessibility to the arts, expressing a desire to produce art that is underrepresented in popular culture, having limited financial means to self-fund such projects, and proposing to further art education for the population served by the eligible entity;

Create Strong Guardrails: Promotes accountability for grant funds by instituting reporting requirements and a procedure for returning unused or misspent funds to the Department of Commerce; and

Prioritize Rural Outreach: Directs the Secretary of Commerce to reserve up to 25 percent of total grant funds for distribution to eligible entities located in rural communities.

The CREATIVE Act is cosponsored by Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), and Mike Carey (R-OH).

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-andrea-salinas-delivers-remarks-arrests-us-citizens-during-immigration,Rep. Andrea Salinas Delivers Remarks on the Arrests of U.S. Citizens During Immigration Raids,2025-11-20,2025,2025-11,Democrat,House,OR,Andrea Salinas,S001226,salinas.house.gov,salinas,https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Image

Click here to watch Rep. Salinas’ full remarks.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (OR-06) joined the House Democrats on the Homeland Security Committee to deliver remarks and question witnesses about how U.S. citizens, including Oregonians, are being arrested during the Trump Administration’s immigration raids. Rep. Salinas underscored how ICE’s repeated abuses against American citizens are terrorizing communities and inflicting trauma on innocent Oregonians.

A transcript of Salinas’ remarks is available below:

Thank you, Chair Thompson, and thank you to the Homeland Security Democrats for allowing those of us who do not serve on the committee to be with you all today. And thank you so much to our witnesses. You have been incredible.

And I’m so grateful to ProPublica for publishing their investigation detailing the 170 citizens who have been detained.

I would argue that it’s at least 172, and I have two stories directly from Oregon.

Earlier this month, Sandra, a U.S. citizen, and her husband were driving just east of Portland when they were stopped by ICE. Despite claiming they were only targeting Sandra’s husband, ICE dragged Sandra from her car, pointed a gun in her face, handcuffed her wrists to her ankles, and detained her for hours in the Portland field office—it’s not a detention facility.

It was only then, hours later that ICE realized their mistake: Sandra is an American citizen. No one deserves to be treated that way. Nobody. Not even noncitizens, and certainly American citizens.

Upon her release, the ICE officer who had detained her even apologized for how he treated her, saying he was just “really pissed off.”

Just south of Portland, in Milwaukie, Frank, another U.S. citizen, was abducted from his job by masked, plainclothes ICE agents—so he could not identify who they were.

These unidentified agents forced him onto the floor of a van and took him straight to the Portland Field Office for detainment.

For hours, Frank pleaded with the agents, telling them they had the wrong guy. Eventually, ICE realized their mistake and took Frank back to work—all without any information or any type of justification for his arrest.

And these are just two of several stories that we have been hearing in Oregon, and all across Oregon, but obviously the Portland area has had a lot of attention.

And we have been hearing these stories about people being traumatized and mishandled by ICE agents, and it’s important, I think, that we continue to share these stories, again, from people who are citizens and noncitizens. I represent the Willamette Valley, so we have a lot of farmworkers, a lot of folks in hospitality, but we also have people who are business owners, who have lived in our communities for thirty, forty years and are TPS holders. People who are the fabric of our community and just want to continue living their lives.

With that, I have a few questions for our witnesses.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-salinas-introduces-legislation-address-mental-health-crisis-among-latino,Rep. Salinas Introduces Legislation to Address Mental Health Crisis Among Latino Youth,2025-11-20,2025,2025-11,Democrat,House,OR,Andrea Salinas,S001226,salinas.house.gov,salinas,https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representative Andrea Salinas (OR-06) introduced the Latino Youth Mental Health Empowerment Act, legislation to provide for a national awareness and outreach campaign to improve mental health among the Hispanic and Latino youth population.

Latino youth experience higher rates of mental health challenges but are far less likely to get the treatment they need. Recent data shows they report more symptoms of sadness, hopelessness, and suicidal thoughts than their peers, yet receive mental health care at disproportionately lower rates.

“Latino youth are facing a mental health crisis, and too many are struggling without support,” said Rep. Salinas. “No young person should ever feel alone or ignored when it comes to their mental health. This bill ensures that every young person can access the culturally informed care they need to feel safe, seen, and supported.”

This bill recognizes that cultural stigma, immigration-related trauma, and discrimination have all negatively impacted the mental health of Latino youth. The Latino Youth Mental Health Empowerment Act takes a comprehensive approach by expanding culturally competent education, outreach, and treatment options nationwide.

Specifically, this bill would:

Amend the Public Health Service Act to develop and implement a national awareness and outreach campaign that:

Develops a cultural and linguistically competent awareness approach;

Increases awareness of symptoms, including prevalence and misconceptions, accounting for population demographics and diverse experiences;

Expands access to evidence-based, culturally tailored, and trauma-informed mental illness screenings, interventions, and treatment options; and

Provides mental health materials and resources, in-person and virtual workshops, consultations, and youth mental health first aid training.

Conduct a study and report to improve mental health services, treatment, and utilization of resources among Latino youth.

Conduct a study and report to combat the Hispanic and Latino mental health workforce shortage.

“Latino youth face unique mental health challenges, yet too often lack access to culturally responsive care and resources,” said Hannah Wesolowski, Chief Advocacy Officer at the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). “We must ensure that every young person has the support and care they need to thrive. The Latino Youth Mental Health Empowerment Act would help tackle stigma, expand access to care, and build a stronger, more inclusive mental health care system. NAMI is grateful to Rep. Salinas for her leadership on this bill and is proud to support this important legislation.”

“The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is proud to support the Latino Youth Mental Health Empowerment Act, which will help break down cultural and systemic barriers to care and improve mental health outcomes for Hispanic and Latino youth,” said Laurel Stine, J.D., M.A., Executive Vice President and Chief Policy and Advocacy Officer. “With Hispanic students reporting persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness at the second highest rate (42 percent) compared to their peers, it is critical that we understand the root causes of this disparity and develop effective strategies to address it. Through its emphasis on awareness, outreach, and workforce development, this legislation helps build the foundation for more equitable mental health care and stronger suicide prevention efforts nationwide.”

“Minority youth such as those in the Latino community are much more at risk to severe mental health struggles and suicidal ideation than their white counterparts. Additionally, they are much less likely to seek help because of inaccessibility and stigma. As a youth-led and BIPOC-led organization, coming from a state that ranks almost last in the nation for access to mental health care, we see firsthand the need for this life-saving legislation. Educational efforts are needed to raise awareness among this community and a larger workforce is required to support those needs. That is exactly what the Latino Youth Mental Health Empowerment Act does. We are so grateful to Congresswoman Salinas for her unwavering support of youth mental health and for championing this bill. As Co-Chair of the Congressional Mental Health Caucus, her support to our organization as a group comprised of high school and college students has been essential in advancing youth mental health priorities. This bill is just another example of what lawmakers need to be prioritizing in this divided climate. These efforts truly save lives and we urge all Members of Congress to sign on in full force,” said Ayaan Moledina, Federal Policy Director for Students Engaged in Advancing Texas (SEAT).

""The American Counseling Association (ACA) is proud to support the Latino Youth Mental Health Empowerment Act and continues to be deeply committed to expanding access to mental health services, particularly for marginalized and underserved communities. Everyone deserves access to effective and culturally competent care, but for too long systemic barriers have made care inaccessible for many. The Latino Youth Mental Health Empowerment Act would help provide greater access to mental health resources for young people across the nation and is a crucial step toward ensuring equitable care for all,” said Guila Todd, ACA’s Director of Government Affairs.

“This legislation promotes mental health in the Latino community and would introduce a national awareness campaign to improve mental health for Hispanic and Latino youth,” said APA CEO Arthur C. Evans Jr., PhD. “APA supports this bill because it recognizes the disparities that Latino youth face in mental health care and will address these disparities -- and it aligns with APA’s mission to use psychological knowledge to improve people’s lives.”

The Latino Youth Mental Health Empowerment Act is endorsed by organizations including American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, National Alliance on Mental Illness, American Psychiatric Association, American Counseling Association, Students Engaged in Advancing Texas, National Board for Certified Counselors, and American Psychological Association Services, Inc.

Full text of the bill is available here.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-bentz-s-statement-on-the-release-of-the-epstein-files,Congressman Bentz's Statement on the Release of the Epstein Files,2025-11-19,2025,2025-11,Republican,House,OR,Cliff Bentz,B000668,bentz.house.gov,bentz,https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C.– Congressman Cliff Bentz (R-OR) voted YES on H.R. 4405, the Epstein Files Transparency Act. This bill will require that the Attorney General release, to the public, all documents and records in the possession of the Department of Justice relating to Jeffery Epstein.

Said Congressman Bentz: “The horrific crimes perpetrated by Jeffery Epstein and his accomplices, and the inexcusable failure of federal prosecutors to hold them accountable, have left victims and their families seeking answers, transparency, and true accountability. The almost unanimous House vote to pass this bill, even though the bill is not perfect, clearly reflects that transparency in the Epstein matter is paramount. Amendments to the bill to clearly protect innocent victims from having their names disclosed as records are released were suggested to the authors of the bill, but were not adopted. This places responsibility for protection of the identity of the victims, as records are released, squarely upon the Attorney General. I urge the Attorney General, while complying with this law, to utilize the exception to disclosure contained in the bill to protect innocent victims so that they are not further damaged.

If we are to have any chance of preventing future crimes, such as those committed by Epstein, and if we are to improve the prosecutorial process that allowed Epstein to avoid justice, we must encourage and support the House Oversight Committee’s Epstein investigation. Its findings can then be used to enact legislation addressing such atrocities, and the failed federal prosecutorial practices that followed.”",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z
https://hoyle.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-hoyle-appointed-to-serve-on-aviation-subcommittee,REP. HOYLE APPOINTED TO SERVE ON AVIATION SUBCOMMITTEE,2025-11-19,2025,2025-11,Democrat,House,OR,Val T. Hoyle,H001094,hoyle.house.gov,hoyle,https://hoyle.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"For Immediate Release: November 19, 2025

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Val Hoyle (OR-04) was appointed to serve on the Subcommittee on Aviation on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Rep. Hoyle has served on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee since 2023.

“I’m excited to be able to serve in this new role to advocate for safer flights, better service, and investment in our aging air traffic infrastructure,” said Representative Hoyle. “As a member of the Subcommittee on Aviation, I will be able to continue in the tradition of Peter DeFazio in pushing for an aviation system that holds industry and manufacturers accountable, treats workers with respect and puts passengers first.”

“During her tenure in Congress, Representative Val Hoyle has drawn on her previous experience as a labor leader to fight for the hardworking women and men in transportation,” Ranking Member Larsen said. “As a new member of the Subcommittee on Aviation, Representative Hoyle will continue her labor advocacy to ensure our invaluable aviation workforce is given the support it deserves.”

Background

The Subcommittee on Aviation has jurisdiction over all aspects of civil aviation, including safety, infrastructure, labor, commerce, and international issues. All programs of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), except for research activities, are within the purview of the Subcommittee.

The Aviation Subcommittee is also traditionally the lead subcommittee with jurisdiction over the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the federal agency responsible for investigating civil aviation accidents and other transportation accidents. The Essential Air Service program, which ensures commercial air service to smaller communities, the war risk insurance program, which provides insurance coverage for commercial flights to high-risk parts of the world, the National Mediation Board (NMB), and passenger and cargo commercial space transportation also fall within the purview of the Aviation Subcommittee.

###",1,2026-04-03T05:34:17Z,2026-04-03T05:35:48Z
https://dexter.house.gov/media/press-releases/dexter-votes-release-epstein-files-urges-senate-republicans-give-survivors,"Dexter Votes to Release Epstein Files, Urges Senate Republicans to Give Survivors Justice",2025-11-18,2025,2025-11,Democrat,House,OR,Maxine Dexter,D000635,dexter.house.gov,dexter,https://dexter.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, Congresswoman Maxine Dexter, M.D. (OR-03) released the following statement after voting to release documents in the possession of the Department of Justice tied to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein:

“For too long, through his obstruction and evasion of accountability, Trump has prolonged the pain and suffering of survivors. First, he said the Epstein files were a hoax, then he bullied Republicans who had the courage to call for transparency.

“Enough. Survivors deserve justice. The public deserves answers. Anyone who stands in the way is complicit in shielding pedophiles. The House has done its part—now the Republican-controlled Senate must find the courage to do the same.”

The Epstein Files Transparency Act mandates that the Department of Justice release unclassified records related to Epstein’s crimes and network. The resolution passed with bipartisan support after Dexter was one of the 218 members of Congress who used a procedural maneuver known as a discharge petition to force its vote in the House.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://hoyle.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-hoyle-votes-to-hold-pedophiles-epstein-accountable,REP. HOYLE VOTES TO HOLD PEDOPHILES ACCOUNTABLE,2025-11-18,2025,2025-11,Democrat,House,OR,Val T. Hoyle,H001094,hoyle.house.gov,hoyle,https://hoyle.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"For Immediate Release: November 18, 2025

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Val Hoyle (OR-04) voted to force the public release of any information that the Department of Justice has on Jeffrey Epstein and their investigation into his sex trafficking crimes. The bill also requires measures be taken to prevent the exposure of victims' information during release.

After the vote, Representative Hoyle released the following statement:

“It is frustrating that justice has been delayed for child rape victims who were trafficked to some of the world’s richest and most powerful individuals. Speaker Johnson and the Trump administration have used every means possible to delay, deny and obfuscate the facts as opposed to offering transparency and justice for the victims. My hope is that the Senate will take this up quickly in order to bring justice to these victims regardless of who is implicated. Rape is wrong, rapists should be held accountable. This wasn’t a difficult vote.”

Background

Today’s vote came after months of resistance from Speaker Mike Johnson (LA-04) and Congressional Republicans to bring this measure forward. All 214 House Democrats partnered with 4 House Republicans on a discharge petition to take the power out of Speaker Johnson’s hands and force the vote in the House.

Shortly after the discharge petition hit the required 218 signatures needed to force a vote, President Trump and Speaker Johnson suddenly reversed course and began to support the measure. Notably, the President could have these files released today if he wanted to, but he has chosen not to. Instead, the bill will now be sent to the Senate for their consideration.

###",1,2026-04-01T05:41:29Z,2026-04-01T05:42:36Z
https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-andrea-salinas-statement-voting-release-epstein-files,Rep. Andrea Salinas’ Statement on Voting to Release the Epstein Files,2025-11-18,2025,2025-11,Democrat,House,OR,Andrea Salinas,S001226,salinas.house.gov,salinas,https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (OR-06) issued the following statement following her vote to release the Epstein files:

“I proudly voted to force the Department of Justice to release the Epstein files.

“​Despite President Trump doing everything he could to block the release and protect Epstein, himself, and the abusers, the House voted to hold the perpetrators accountable and deliver justice to the girls they abused.

“This is not about politics. This is about standing up for every American who has been failed by a system that protects the powerful and vilifies the vulnerable — it is about accountability.

“Today’s vote takes us one step closer to providing justice to survivors and transparency to the American people. No one is above the law. Not the powerful. Not the wealthy. And most certainly not the President.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-salinas-valadao-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-invest-rural-communities,"Reps. Salinas, Valadao Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Invest in Rural Communities",2025-11-18,2025,2025-11,Democrat,House,OR,Andrea Salinas,S001226,salinas.house.gov,salinas,https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representatives Andrea Salinas (OR-06) and David Valadao (CA-22) reintroduced the bipartisan Rural Partnership and Prosperity Act. The legislation would help rural communities get ahead and address chronic underinvestment by improving technical support for federal grants for needs like child care, housing, and job training.

“Rural communities across the country struggle to access essential resources, from affordable housing to workforce training programs,” said Rep. Salinas. “Our bipartisan legislation would ensure that federal grants are distributed to rural communities to support their direct needs. They make tremendous contributions to our national economy — it is time that they have equal access to these federal investments to strengthen their local economies and get their communities ahead.”

“Rural communities in the Central Valley and across the nation have historically struggled to receive critical economic resources, and we must do more to continue to strengthen our underserved regions,” said Congressman Valadao. “The Rural Partnership and Prosperity Act would make targeted, direct investments into rural communities to support further economic and community investment, and I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan bill alongside Congresswoman Salinas.”

The Rural Partnership and Prosperity Act will create a grant program providing multiyear, flexible awards to communities to be used to address urgent needs, including but not limited to affordable child care, housing, and job training; provide technical assistance grants to help rural communities navigate existing federal funding opportunities and ensure they get their fair share of private and federal investments; and improve supportive services offered by the federal government to rural communities.

“The National Cooperative Business Association (NCBA) commends the bipartisan leadership of Representatives Valadao and Salinas on the Rural Partnerships and Prosperity Act. The Rural Partnership Program will provide direct and flexible multi-year grants to every state that will support locally-led solutions under a broad umbrella of eligible entities to address rural communities' persistent and urgent needs. We also appreciate that the bill recognizes cooperatives as a tried-and-true approach for advancing the needs of rural communities – whether through utilities, agriculture, housing, local food systems, employee-ownership or other community economic development strategies. As Congress works to pass a comprehensive Farm Bill, NCBA strongly urges the Agriculture Committee to include the tools provided in this legislation that will give rural communities the capacity to deliver lasting results,” said Doug O’Brien, President and CEO, National Cooperative Business Association.

“More than 70 percent of America’s counties are rural and face unique challenges and opportunities every day,” said NACo Executive Director Matthew Chase. “A strong intergovernmental partnership is critical to creating chances for county residents to thrive. The bipartisan Rural Partnership and Prosperity Act ensures counties and our partners can access the policy tools, technical assistance and partnerships key to supporting rural communities. Counties applaud Representatives Valadao and Salinas for advancing this important legislation.”

The legislation is also endorsed by the Rural Network, including Appalachian Community Capital, Arizona Rural Development Council, Association of Oregon Counties, Coalfield Development Corp., CoBank, Communities Unlimited, Inc., Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, e2 Entrepreneurial Ecosystems, Enterprise Community Partners, Farm Credit Council, Great Lakes Community Action Partnership, Housing Assistance Council, International Economic Development Council (IEDC), Local Initiatives Support Corporation, Main Street Alliance, MDC, National Association of Counties, National Association of Development Organizations, National Cooperative Business Association CLUSA, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, National Rural Health Association, New Growth, North Carolina Rural Center, Northern Forest Center, Partners for Rural America, Partners for Rural Transformation, Partners for Rural Washington, RCAP Solutions, Inc., Region Five Development Commission, Resource Rural, Rural Coalition, Rural Community Assistance Corporation, Rural Community Assistance Partnership, Rural Community College Alliance, Rural Development Initiatives, Rural Partners Illinois, Rural Partners of Michigan, Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative, Save the Children, Self-Help Enterprises, SERCAP, INC., Small Business Majority, South Carolina Association for Community Economic Development, Southwest Georgia Regional Commission, and The Conservation Fund.

To read the full text of this legislation, click here.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://bynum.house.gov/media/press-releases/bynum-introduces-bipartisan-bill-increase-access-housing,Bynum Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Increase Access to Housing,2025-11-17,2025,2025-11,Democrat,House,OR,Janelle S. Bynum,B001326,bynum.house.gov,bynum,https://bynum.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, DC – Congresswoman Janelle Bynum (OR-05) and Congressman Byron Donalds (FL-19) introduced the bipartisan Appraisal Industry Improvement Act to help improve access to housing. The bill addresses the nationwide shortage of licensed home appraisers, which reduces obstacles to homeownership for our rural communities.

Across the country, and especially in rural housing markets, a shortage of trained appraisers and an aging workforce are slowing down the homebuying process and driving up costs. Two-thirds of appraisers are over the age of 51, and only 13% are younger than 35, making it difficult to maintain a stable workforce. With this bill, the over 1,300 appraisers in Oregon will now be able to more effectively and efficiently provide appraisals for home purchases.

“Lowering the cost of housing has been a top priority for me from day one,” said Rep. Bynum. “This bipartisan bill will make important progress toward making it easier, faster, and less expensive to buy a home, especially in rural areas, by addressing the appraiser shortage. I’ll keep working in Congress to make homeownership a reality for all Oregonians.”

In Congress, Rep. Bynum is a member of the House Financial Services Committee and sits on the Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, where she works to address the housing shortage and make life more affordable for Oregon families. Earlier this month, she introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Accelerating Homebuilding Act, which would establish a grant program to speed up the permitting and home building process and lower costs for home-buyers.

To support the home appraisal workforce and speed up the appraisal process, the Appraisal Industry Improvement Act would:

Add state credentialed trainee appraisers to the national Appraiser Registry run by the Appraisal Subcommittee (ASC) of the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council;

Add representation from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Housing Service;

Allow ASC grants for state appraiser certification and licensing agencies to support education and training to address appraiser industry workforce needs; and

Authorize ASC to decrease annual registry fees if they determine the fees adversely impact functions and renews licensed residential appraisers’ ability to conduct appraisals on FHA properties.

Read the full text of the bill here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-salinas-champions-clean-technology-policy-priorities-seec-innovation-and,Rep. Salinas Champions Clean Technology Policy Priorities with SEEC Innovation and Technology Task Force,2025-11-17,2025,2025-11,Democrat,House,OR,Andrea Salinas,S001226,salinas.house.gov,salinas,https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC) Innovation and Technology Task Force Co-Chairs, Rep. Andrea Salinas (OR-06) and Rep. Kevin Mullin (CA-15), outlined guiding principles and federal policy priorities to build and deploy the next generation of clean technologies that can transform global systems and reinforce American leadership for innovative climate solutions.

“Across the country, Americans are feeling the effects of climate change — from longer wildfire seasons to extreme weather events and rising energy costs. These are difficult challenges, but they also provide opportunities,"" said Congresswoman Salinas. ""Our nation has a long history of stepping up to meet challenging moments with innovation and grit. Now is our chance to lead the world in clean technology, which will not only tackle climate change but also drive our economy for decades to come. As Co-Chair of the Innovation and Technology Task Force, I’m excited to put in the work to take advantage of these opportunities.”

“The impacts of climate change are intensifying and being felt by communities across the country. We urgently need to support innovation to help tackle our climate crisis, increase American energy independence, make our grid more reliable and efficient, and reduce costs for consumers. The U.S. has the potential to lead the clean energy economy, but we can’t do that without reliable federal investment in innovation and manufacturing,” said Congressman Mullin. “Our agenda focuses on bridging this gap, so we can turn promising ideas into real climate solutions. As Co-Chair of the Innovation and Technology Task Force, I’m looking forward to advancing this agenda to tackle the climate crisis while strengthening our economy.”

The principles document can be found here.

Background

In the 119th Congress, the SEEC Innovation and Technology Task Force is focused on advancing the research, development, and deployment of cutting-edge technologies aimed at addressing the most pressing challenges in our energy system and the environment. Every major form of energy deployed in the U.S. has been borne out of significant federal investment.

America has always excelled at invention and early innovation, but too many breakthroughs stall before reaching commercial scale. The U.S. has shown time and again its power to invent, but the challenge of the 21st century is scaling those inventions at home, rather than ceding that opportunity to foreign competitors. The Task Force principles document outlined the following federal policy priorities to close that gap.

Build a federal innovation system that gets clean technology to market

Provide stability to attract private investment

Scale next-generation technologies with federal investment

Amplify the role of federal labs and scientists

Make funding more flexible and adaptive

Lower thresholds to participate

Building domestic manufacturing and supply chains

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-bentz-statement-supporting-the-reopening-of-the-government,Congressman Bentz Statement Supporting the Reopening of the Government,2025-11-13,2025,2025-11,Republican,House,OR,Cliff Bentz,B000668,bentz.house.gov,bentz,https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C.– Yesterday, Congressman Cliff Bentz (R-OR) voted YES on the “Senate Amendment to H.R. 531, Continuing Appropriations and Extension Act, 2026”. This bill affects an immediate “reopening” of the government by extending government funding at current levels through January 30th, 2026, for most federal departments and programs, while also providing full-year funding for the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (USDA), legislative branch operations, military construction, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Said Congressman Bentz: “On September 19th, over a month and one-half ago, I joined almost all of my House Republican colleagues (and a single Democrat) in voting for a Continuing Resolution (“CR”) which, if passed by the Senate, would have provided funding for the federal government through November 21st, 2025. It takes a supermajority of 60 votes in the Senate to pass this CR. Republicans only have 53 votes. Unfortunately for our nation, most of the Senate Democrats refused to vote to fund the government, and the CR that we had passed in the House failed on a 55 to 45 vote. Thus, without funding, the government shut down on October 1st, the beginning of the nation’s fiscal year. It remained shut down until three days ago, when 8 Democrats joined 52 Republicans in the Senate and passed H.R. 531. Yesterday, I voted for, and the House passed this bill, and the President signed it almost immediately thereafter. The Government is now funded and open, but the consequences of the shutdown will continue to be felt for months. Most of my Democrat colleagues in the House voted to keep the government closed.

It should never have come to this. Our system of government provides a forum and method for resolving disagreements. That forum and method is called Congress and elections. When the Democrats resorted to forcing a shutdown to achieve what they did not have the votes to pass, differences over policy instantly moved from just talk to the very real everyday activities of Americans. This “taking America hostage” tactic to achieve a political outcome is undemocratic, ridiculous, and wrong.

Now that the government is reopening, it's time to focus on the nine-remaining full-year appropriation bills, access to healthcare, correcting shortfalls in our electrical energy system, and reforming the labyrinth of government regulations that are paralyzing our economy. The “Schumer Shutdown” has cost us 44 valuable days, leaving us little time before the end of the year.

Let’s hope, as we approach the next funding deadline of January 30th, 2026, that those Democrats who just voted to keep the government closed (and that, sadly, would be most of the Democrats in both the House and the Senate) come to realize how damaging their shutdown was and that there are far more rational, not to mention democratic, means of achieving whatever their goals may be.”",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/bonamici-statement-government-funding-vote,Bonamici Statement on Government Funding Vote,2025-11-12,2025,2025-11,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC [11/12/25] – Today Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici released her statement for the Congressional Record on the continuing resolution to fund the government through January 30, 2026:

“I rise today in opposition to this Continuing Resolution. Although I support opening the government after this devastating 43-day shutdown, I will not support a bill that will continue the Republican’s assault on Americans and their pocketbooks. At a time when Oregonians and Americans are already struggling with rising costs, this bill locks in devastating cuts to health care and drives up the cost of health insurance – in many cases significantly.

“Just a few months ago the Republicans passed a cruel budget in which they paid for tax cuts for billionaires by making the largest cuts to Medicaid and SNAP in history. Now they are continuing their heartless obsession with destroying the Affordable Care Act.

“These Republican policies are damaging to the entire health care system, but are especially harmful for rural hospitals and clinics. At home in Oregon, hospitals and health systems have described the consequences of this agenda as ‘catastrophic.’ Staff will be reduced, clinics will close, and we will go back to the day when people without insurance delayed care and ended up in emergency rooms.

“These cuts to health care – and the Republican shutdown more broadly – are further proof that the first ten months of this Trump administration have been chaotic, harmful, and completely out of touch with the needs of the American people. Donald Trump held an extravagant Great Gatsby party at Mar-a-Lago the night before SNAP benefits expired, and the administration and Republicans continue to ignore the needs of working families. That’s not governing; it’s a cruel and corrupt abdication of their promise and their responsibility to bring down costs and grow the economy. Oregonians and Americans deserve better.

“During the shutdown I held three town hall meetings – something most Republicans still refuse to do – and heard from many constituents who are extremely worried about the already high cost of living. The Republican health care cuts and the increased costs the Republicans are locking in with this bill will make life harder, not easier, for the people we represent. The Republicans who crafted these policies might change their minds if they actually showed up to hear from their constituents.

“Donald Trump claimed he would lower costs, but this bill, along with his chaotic tariff policies, are making costs rise – not fall. People across this country are struggling to pay for housing, groceries, child care, and other necessities. Too many families have already reached their breaking point, and this will drive them further into debt and despair.

“The Republican agenda would dramatically increase premiums for more than 198,000 Oregonians, including my constituent Teresa from Clatsop County. Teresa, a small business owner, runs a small flower and produce farm. Like many small business owners, she purchases her coverage on the Oregon health care exchange. Because of Republicans’ refusal to protect health care, her premium will soon be going from $230 a month to $1,077 a month.

“This is unconscionable, unacceptable, and unnecessary. Teresa is about to turn 60; she works a tough, physical job. Running a small family farm is challenging even in a strong economy. She won’t be able to afford her premium, and yet she can’t afford to be without health care. One illness or one injury could threaten her health and her livelihood. Teresa could be forced to close her family business – a business that plays an important part in Oregon’s north coast economy.

“Teresa is not alone. Americans across the country are receiving similar letters about dramatic premium increases, forcing them to make impossible decisions; if they keep their coverage, how will they pay for food and housing and child care? They can’t.

“Teresa, and everyone in the United States, should feel secure, not fearful, when they get sick. They deserve better.

“I am fighting to make health care accessible and affordable, and I’m asking Republicans to join House Democrats in this important work. We’ve had weeks to address the rising costs – to consider good-faith proposals that could prevent pushing millions off a health care cliff. But the Speaker of the House closed the United States House of Representatives for business for seven weeks. That’s no way to run government.

“This Continuing Resolution is a betrayal to the people we represent. Outrageously, at the last-minute Republicans included a provision in this bill that allows certain Republican Senators to sue the federal government for hundreds of thousands of dollars in connection with seizing their phone records regarding Jan. 6, 2021. This provision is a get-rich-quick scheme for Senators who attempted to overthrow democracy. It’s the epitome of corruption and has no place in Congress much less in a spending bill. I supported removing the language from the bill, but Republican leadership didn’t even let us vote on an amendment to do that.

“I invite my colleagues to listen to their constituents, come back to the table, vote no, and join us in the work to make healthcare affordable and accessible for all.”

A video of her floor remarks on the vote can be found here.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://bynum.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-bynum-i-wont-vote-deal-fails-protect-healthcare,Congresswoman Bynum: “I Won’t Vote For a Deal That Fails to Protect Healthcare”,2025-11-12,2025,2025-11,Democrat,House,OR,Janelle S. Bynum,B001326,bynum.house.gov,bynum,https://bynum.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Oregon City, OR – Today, Congresswoman Janelle Bynum (OR-05) released the following statement after voting against the Senate’s Republican funding bill. The bill failed to take action to reverse the healthcare cuts from Republicans’ “trash” budget or to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies that over 22 million Americans – and 118,000 Oregonians – rely on to afford healthcare.

“No one should have to choose between paying for healthcare, putting food on the table, or having a roof over their head,” said Rep. Bynum. “With this bill, Republicans are putting millions of Americans at risk of being in that situation – it’s shameful and it’s cruel. From day one, I’ve been ready to roll up my sleeves and negotiate a budget that protects healthcare, lowers costs, and centers the American people. But, instead of working with us, Republicans went on a seven-week vacation and came back with a bill that failed to do all of the above. I won’t vote for a deal that fails to protect healthcare, so I voted no.”

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://dexter.house.gov/media/press-releases/dexter-rejects-senate-failure-protect-healthcare,Dexter Rejects Senate Failure to Protect Healthcare,2025-11-12,2025,2025-11,Democrat,House,OR,Maxine Dexter,D000635,dexter.house.gov,dexter,https://dexter.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Maxine Dexter, M.D. (OR-03) released the following statement ahead of a vote on the Senate-passed agreement that reopens the government but does not extend the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced premium tax credits or address rising healthcare costs:

“The legislation that came out of the Senate isn’t a deal; it’s an insult to working Oregonians. Across my community, I’m hearing from constituents whose healthcare costs are skyrocketing without the wages to keep pace. Since the start of Trump’s shutdown, I have made my position clear: I cannot support a government funding agreement that doesn’t protect healthcare and rein in Trump’s lawlessness. This agreement does neither. I will not support it.

“As a physician, I’ve seen what happens when people can’t afford healthcare. They are forced to make impossible choices. Do they buy groceries or fill a prescription? Do they pay rent or get their cancer screening? In the richest nation on the planet, our communities deserve better than this.

“I am angry, and Oregonians should be too. However, now is not the time to despair. Now is the time to redouble our efforts to address the healthcare crisis with the urgency and compassion our communities deserve. That is exactly what I will work to do every single day in Congress.”

Watch Dexter’s speech on the House floor against this legislation here.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://hoyle.house.gov/media/press-releases/hoyle-wyden-merkley-bonamici-demand-trump-explain-coast-guard-ice-facility-newport,"Hoyle, Wyden, Merkley, Bonamici Demand Trump Administration Explain Big Coast Guard Changes in Newport & Reports of New ICE Facility",2025-11-12,2025,2025-11,Democrat,House,OR,Val T. Hoyle,H001094,hoyle.house.gov,hoyle,https://hoyle.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Oregon lawmakers urge DHS Secretary Noem to immediately provide the Oregon congressional delegation and state and local officials with a clear explanation of DHS’s actions and intentions in Newport

For Immediate Release: November 12, 2025

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Val Hoyle (OR-04) joined U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) to demand the Trump administration answer questions about reports that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has relocated an essential Coast Guard helicopter away from Newport, and is planning to build an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility in this small Oregon Coast town.

“We urge you to immediately provide the Oregon congressional delegation and state and local officials with a clear explanation of DHS’s actions and intentions in Newport,” the Oregon lawmakers wrote DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. “Reassigning Coast Guard assets or establishing ICE facilities in Newport would be deeply misguided and should not move forward without full transparency and consultation with local officials.”

Hoyle, Wyden, Merkley, and Bonamici noted in their letter that the Coast Guard station in Newport serves the city and the central Oregon Coast as a critical lifeline for the state’s fishing industry, coastal visitors, and local residents with boat crews and a MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew that has long been a proven lifesaver in search and rescue operations.

“Oregonians at the local, state, and federal level have fought long and hard to preserve this crucial part of our coastal safety net, which is why we are so deeply concerned to hear reports that DHS has relocated this helicopter without any notice to our communities,” they wrote Noem. “This move endangers all those at sea, and will certainly undermine search and rescue operations, particularly ahead of crabbing season.”

The Oregon lawmakers also sought answers in their letter to persistent reports and rumors that DHS is working to move Coast Guard assets away from Newport to make room for immigration enforcement operations. It appears ICE is looking to install a detention facility or outpost in Newport, as part of the Trump administration’s broader effort to ramp up immigration enforcement.

“ICE has already rounded up law-abiding members of our communities who present no threat to public safety, which has created fear among Oregon families,” they wrote. “Newport residents and small business owners remain extremely concerned about the social and economic consequences that will result from ICE enhancing its presence in the town and the surrounding areas.”

In addition to requesting a briefing from Noem as soon as possible, the Oregon lawmakers also asked Noem to provide written responses by November 14, 2025, to the following questions:

The entire letter is here.

A web version of this release is here.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://hoyle.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-hoyle-statement-voting-against-the-funding-bill-that-makes-health-care-expensive,REP. HOYLE STATEMENT ON VOTING AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT FUNDING BILL THAT MAKES HEALTH CARE MORE EXPENSIVE,2025-11-12,2025,2025-11,Democrat,House,OR,Val T. Hoyle,H001094,hoyle.house.gov,hoyle,https://hoyle.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"For Immediate Release: November 12, 2025

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Val Hoyle (OR-04) voted ‘No’ on a bill that failed to address the impending Republican health care crisis. The Continuing Resolution (CR) does not extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) Enhanced Premium Tax Credits, which are set to expire at the end of this year. When combined with the Republican budget bill, 50,000 Oregonians in Rep. Hoyle’s district are facing skyrocketing health care premiums or are at risk of losing their health care altogether.

After the vote, Rep. Hoyle released the following statement:

“My position on the CR has been clear: the price of my vote is what is in the best interest of my district and that means extending the ACA Enhanced Premium Tax Credits to ensure that health care is affordable and accessible. Having premiums increase by over 1,000% for working families and our most vulnerable citizens would be a betrayal of their trust and a middle finger to their struggles. Instead of bailing out Argentina for $40 billion, this administration should have been focused on providing the relief Americans desperately needed by extending these tax credits and working in a bipartisan way to lower the cost of health care delivery.

“Finally, this bill went to the Senate where they prevaricated for 42 days and actually made it worse by not only selling out the American people on health care, but also inserting provisions to pay off eight Senators who are being investigated for their involvement in January 6th and inserting prohibitions on the hemp industry without any legislative process and without any opportunity for public process.

“What happened today was wrong. However, I know I’m on the right side of history and will continue to fight for the people of the Central and South Coast of Oregon.”

Background

###",1,2026-03-31T05:33:41Z,2026-03-31T05:34:51Z
https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases/new-dems-host-roundtable-tariffs-seattle-wa-11th-stop-road-tour,"New Dems Host Roundtable on Tariffs in Seattle, WA on 11th Stop of the On the Road Tour",2025-11-12,2025,2025-11,Democrat,House,OR,Andrea Salinas,S001226,salinas.house.gov,salinas,https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Today, New Dem Members completed the 11th stop on the New Dems on the Road Tour, an initiative to get New Dem Members out of Washington, D.C. to hear from American workers, businesses, industry experts, nongovernmental organizations, and local leaders about how to improve policy in Washington.

New Democrat Coalition Rural Revitalization Working Group Chair Kim Schrier (WA-08) hosted New Dem Leadership Member Andrea Salinas (OR-06) and former New Dem Chair Rep. Suzan DelBene (WA-01) for a roundtable discussion in Seattle, WA on the sweeping economic impacts of President Trump’s tariffs and ongoing trade war.

The Members convened the roundtable at the Washington Council on International Trade (WCIT) alongside WCIT President Lori Otto Punke, and were joined by business owners from across Washington state to hear about how the President’s tariffs and broader trade strategy are raising costs and hurting American businesses.

“Today’s conversation underscores the real-world impact of President Trump’s disastrous trade policies. I have met with businesses of all sizes in the Willamette Valley and across the Pacific Northwest, and their message is clear: President Trump’s unilateral tariffs have hurt businesses, stalled investments, and raised prices for consumers,” said Congresswoman Andrea Salinas. “Trump should focus on helping workers and businesses thrive. That’s what I’m focused on, and I’m grateful to New Dems, the Washington Council on International Trade, and all the business leaders I’ve met with for working with me to advance this goal.”

""Washington State exports more goods than nearly every state in the country, meaning that President Trump's reckless tariffs are especially destructive for farmers, small businesses, and families in my district,"" said Congresswoman Kim Schrier. ""At today's New Dem Coalition roundtable, we heard directly from business leaders in our community who expressed just how harmful the President's trade policy is for our local economy. I'm thankful for their thoughtful perspective and candor, and will continue to fight for them and the entire Eighth District in D.C.""

“Today’s discussion makes clear that Trump’s illegal and chaotic tariffs are hurting businesses, cutting jobs, and raising prices on families,” said Congresswoman Suzan DelBene. Washington state is an important place to host a roundtable like this because our economy is so trade-dependent with four out of every 10 jobs tied to international trade. New Dems have been at the forefront of smart, forward-looking trade policy that grows our economy for everyone. Discussions like this are critical for our work, understanding the harm the president’s sweeping tariffs are having on the ground and developing real solutions that can set workers and businesses on the right path going forward.”

Background

Through New Dems on the Road, New Dem Members are holding conversations across the country to hear from the American people, with each meeting organized under the policy goals of one of the Coalition’s nine Working Groups. New Dems are meeting with local leaders, stakeholders, small business owners, industry experts, and more to hear about the cost of President Trump’s chaos and what New Dems can do to fight back and make progress on the issues that really matter to the American people.

The tenth New Dems On the Road event was held on September 26th in Menlo Park, CA where New Dem Innovation & Technology Working Group Chair Sam Liccardo (CA-16) hosted New Dem Chair Brad Schneider (IL-10),Vice Chair for Policy Nikki Budzinski (IL-13),Global Competitiveness Task Force Chair Greg Stanton (AZ-04), Rural Revitalization Working Group Chair Kim Schrier (WA-08), and New Dem Member Kevin Mullin (CA-15) for a roundtable discussion with TechNet CEO Linda Moore and tech executives to discuss the New Dem Innovation Agenda and how New Dems can continue to promote American innovation, invest in groundbreaking research, and create jobs right here at home.

The ninth event was held on August 28th in Silverton, OR where New Dem Leadership Member Andrea Salinas (OR-06) teamed up with New Dem Member Janelle Bynum (OR-05) for a roundtable discussion on rural economic development with local government officials, nonprofit groups, and local business leaders.

The eighth event was held on August 4th in Brea, CA, where New Dem Member Derek Tran (CA-45) hosted New Dem National Security Working Group Chair Gil Cisneros (CA-31) in his district to tour a facility that manufactures technologies used in the production of domestic nuclear energy, which is essential to our national security. During the tour, Reps. Tran and Cisneros met with manufacturers to discuss how these technologies are essential to lowering the cost of American energy production, decreasing energy prices for consumers, and securing energy independence.

The seventh event was held on July 30th in Gary, IN where New Dem Workforce and Education Working Group Chair Frank Mrvan (IN-01) hosted Vice Chair for Policy Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) for a roundtable discussion with representatives of organized labor, higher education institutions, and local nonprofits at the roundtable to discuss the federal government’s role in strengthening the workforce through education and training initiatives.

The sixth event was held on July 19th in Santa Barbara, CA where New Dem Vice Chair for Outreach Salud Carbajal (CA-24) hosted Top House Agriculture Committee Democrat and New Dem Angie Craig (MN-02) in Santa Barbara, CA for a roundtable discussion on wildfire preparedness and prevention with local government officials, first responders, wildfire experts, and nonprofit groups.

The fifth event was held on July 11th in Garner, NC, where New Dem Clean Energy Deployment Task Force Chair Deborah Ross (NC-02) hosted New Dem Member Nikema Williams (GA-05) and Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14), Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy for a roundtable discussion about the impacts of Congressional Republicans’ Big, Ugly Bill on the clean energy economy.

The fourth event was held on June 23rd in Frederick County, MD, where New Dem Rural Broadband Task Force Chair April McClain Delaney (MD-06) hosted Vice Chair for Policy Nikki Budinski in Frederick County, Maryland to tour a local broadband construction site and hold a roundtable discussion on rural broadband.

The third event was held on May 22nd in Wilmington, DE, where New Dem Care Economy Task Force Chair Sarah McBride (DE-AL) hosted House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-05) and Economic Growth & Cost of Living Working Group Chair Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06) in her district for a care economy roundtable discussion with medical professionals, advocates, non-profit leaders, labor representatives, and care providers.

The second event was held on May 9th in Metro East, IL, where Vice Chair Nikki Budzinski hosted Environment, Climate, & Clean Energy Working Group Chair Scott Peters (CA-50) and Rep. Wesley Bell (MO-01) for a clean energy roundtable discussion with business owners, industry and union representatives, academic researchers, and utility service providers.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-andrea-salinas-statement-her-vote-against-republicans-spending-bill,Rep. Andrea Salinas’ Statement on Her Vote Against Republicans’ Spending Bill,2025-11-12,2025,2025-11,Democrat,House,OR,Andrea Salinas,S001226,salinas.house.gov,salinas,https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (OR-06) released the following statement following her vote against Republicans’ spending bill:

“This bill fails to meaningfully address Republicans’ health care crisis. It betrays every American family struggling with higher costs, and it leaves millions to choose between shouldering rising health care premiums or forgoing health insurance altogether. It’s unimaginably cruel.

“From the beginning of this shutdown, I have been clear. I will support a bill that stops Republicans’ cuts, lowers costs, and saves health care. This bill does none of those things.

“After the dust settles, we cannot forget who the real villains are: Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans. They voted earlier this year to slash Medicaid and SNAP by over a trillion dollars. They refused to extend the Affordable Care Act’s premium tax credits, manufactured a health care crisis for millions of Americans, and they caused this government shutdown. They must answer to the over 16,000 people in my district who will face higher costs because of their failure to act.

“I gladly voted no on this bill on behalf of Sue, Jennifer, Steve, Ariya, and all my constituents who are facing higher costs. My work for them isn’t done, and I will keep fighting to ensure everyone is able to afford the health care they need.”

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases/salinas-brown-costa-lead-letter-criticizing-trumps-argentina-beef-bailout-and,"Salinas, Brown, Costa Lead Letter Criticizing Trump’s Argentina Beef Bailout and Attack on US Ranchers",2025-11-12,2025,2025-11,Democrat,House,OR,Andrea Salinas,S001226,salinas.house.gov,salinas,https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"The Brown-Costa letter was signed by 52 members of the House of Representatives.

The members’ letter highlights the Administration’s pattern of economic mismanagement and misplaced priorities — bailing out Argentina’s government while destabilizing American cattle markets and leaving U.S. producers to deal with higher input costs and drought. Recent comments from the President about importing more Argentine beef triggered multiple “limit down” days in U.S. cattle futures, costing American ranchers millions.

The members write, “The past few weeks in the beef industry perfectly capture this Administration’s approach to policy: make big claims, hurt American producers, inject volatility into the marketplace, and do nothing to lower prices for everyday Americans.”

The text of the letter is copied below:

Ambassador Jamieson Greer

U.S. Trade Representative

Office of the U.S. Trade Representative

600 17th St., NW

Washington, DC 20250

Dear Secretary Rollins and Ambassador Greer,

In recent weeks, the President’s repeated statements about lowering U.S. beef prices by importing more beef from Argentina have destabilized U.S. cattle markets. These comments have contributed to multiple limit down days in the futures market, which are directly due to the President’s insistence on dictating policy through social media. While this volatility may not concern the billionaires the President often prioritizes, it does have real consequences for ranchers who are bringing their animals to market. We write to you today to express our concerns.

Farmers and ranchers weathered difficult years during the pandemic and have only recently begun to recover and recoup their losses. The market fundamentals are clear: cattle herds have been restricted because of drought and high supply costs[1], leading to U.S. cattle inventory hitting its lowest point in decades.[2] That limited supply, combined with strong consumer demand, has naturally led to higher beef prices. Consumer demand for beef in America remains high, and supply is low; this is basic economics. The path to rebuilding herds and stabilizing prices is straightforward; it requires time, sound policy, and partnership with producers to grow domestic supply. Responsible governance demands patience and collaboration, not impulsive tweets or one-off imports from nations led by the President’s political allies.

The Administration’s support for Argentinian beef is a blatant political attempt to prop up Argentina’s extremist leader. This all comes on the heels of bailing out the Argentinian economy at the expense of U.S. farmers and ranchers and amid a government shutdown where the Administration is deliberately choosing to help foreign leaders while refusing to feed Americans at home. These actions have made it abundantly clear that the administration’s priorities lie in helping other countries rather than feeding Americans or supporting American farmers and ranchers.

The President’s approach is to undercut U.S. producers by importing enough beef to lower prices. This method will directly undermine American cattle producers, forcing more out of business and increasing our dependence on a foreign supply. In response to the President’s remarks, on October 20th, the United States Cattlemen’s Association commented in part, “government intervention is not needed in an industry that is already correcting in response to years of market pressure. Today’s comments alone triggered an immediate reaction in the markets—cattle futures dropped significantly. It’s important to underscore: the current price of beef on grocery store shelves reflects the true, inflation-adjusted cost of raising cattle in America today. USCA supports affordable food prices for American families. But we do oppose policies or loopholes that manipulate the market to address a solution that will be solved through natural market behavior. This approach weakens our industry’s foundation and undermines rural America.”[3]

Additionally, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association said in response to the announcement, “NCBA’s family farmers and ranchers have numerous concerns with importing more Argentinian beef to lower prices for consumers. This plan only creates chaos at a critical time of the year for American cattle producers, while doing nothing to lower grocery store prices”[4]. Argentina is our 8th largest import market for beef, quadrupling the imports based on 2024 numbers would move them up to 6th.[5] The administration’s claim that this will lower beef prices is wrong; imports only provide roughly 18% of American beef consumption, and Argentina is a small portion of that.[6] The only thing that this has done is introduce uncertainty into the marketplace and cost American cattle producers money.

The past few weeks in the beef industry perfectly capture this Administration’s approach to policy: make big claims, hurt American producers, inject volatility into the marketplace, and do nothing to lower prices for everyday Americans.

The Administration must ensure that any future actions reflect sound market principles, strengthen domestic production, and support the farmers and ranchers who feed this nation. Farm groups have publicly expressed their concern with the approach, with the American Farm Bureau urging “the Administration to carefully consider the damage importing more beef and cattle from other countries will have as cattle farmers decide whether to invest in rebuilding America's herds. Just the mention of beef imports created more instability and uncertainty for America’s farmers. Flooding markets with foreign-grown beef could affect our nation’s ability to be food independent in the long term.”[7]

The Administration should not stand with foreign governments and against America’s cattle producers, and make clear that U.S. agriculture trade policy will not be short-sighted political calculations.

[SIGNATURES]",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/bonamici-celebrates-release-victor-cruz-ice-detention,Bonamici Celebrates Release of Victor Cruz from ICE Detention,2025-11-07,2025,2025-11,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC [11/7/25] – Today Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici issued the following statement celebrating the release of Hillsboro resident Victor Cruz from ICE detention.

Cruz was released from the ICE detention facility in Tacoma, Washington on bond Friday afternoon following an order from a federal District Court judge. Victor Cruz is a well-respected grandfather with legal work authorization and a pending visa claim who was arrested in a case of mistaken identity and detained since October 14. Bonamici sent a letter to ICE leadership calling for his release, and on Monday of this week she visited Cruz at the Tacoma detention center.

“Victor Cruz is an upstanding member of the Hillsboro community who never should have been detained by ICE,” said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. “I’m grateful that his wrongful detention has come to an end and that he is reunited with his family. I met with Victor at the ICE facility in Tacoma earlier this week and appreciated his kindness and strength despite his wrongful detention. I’m grateful to have worked with his family and friends in the Hillsboro community, as well as his legal team, to secure his release. It is unacceptable that ICE continues to terrorize communities and tear families apart. I will do everything I can to hold those responsible accountable.""

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://bynum.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-bynum-calls-oregon-pay-pdx-employees-avoid-trumps-shutdown,Congresswoman Bynum Calls for Oregon to Pay PDX Employees to Avoid Trump’s Shutdown Flight Delays,2025-11-07,2025,2025-11,Democrat,House,OR,Janelle S. Bynum,B001326,bynum.house.gov,bynum,https://bynum.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Oregon City, OR – Today, Congresswoman Janelle Bynum (OR-05) called on the State of Oregon to pay Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Officers and Air Traffic Controllers ahead of the reduced flight capacity caused by the Republican shutdown. Beginning this weekend, airports across the country, including Portland International Airport (PDX), will have their flight capacity reduced by the Trump Administration as a result of the ongoing government shutdown.

This is expected to cause mass delays and cancellations. If the state were to pay these critical employees, it would allow PDX to request a waiver to roll back the reduction of flight capacity and continue operations as normal. The City of Denver and State of Hawai’i have both taken this approach to avoid delays.

“PDX plays a critical role in our economy and serves as a gateway to the rest of the country for Oregonians,” said Rep. Bynum. “That’s why I’m calling on our state to immediately fund the salaries of our essential airport safety and security workers. Oregonians and airport workers alike shouldn't be forced to face the consequences of Republican politicians’ inability to fund the government.”

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://dexter.house.gov/media/press-releases/murphy-dexter-58-democrats-introduce-bicameral-bill-ensure-dhs-detainees-can,"MURPHY, DEXTER, 58 DEMOCRATS INTRODUCE BICAMERAL BILL TO ENSURE DHS DETAINEES CAN SPEAK TO A LAWYER, CONTACT THEIR FAMILIES",2025-11-07,2025,2025-11,Democrat,House,OR,Maxine Dexter,D000635,dexter.house.gov,dexter,https://dexter.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and U.S. Representative Maxine Dexter, M.D. (D-Ore.-03) on Friday led 58 of their Senate and House colleagues in introducing the Restoring Access to Detainees Act, a bill to ensure the Department of Homeland Security allows noncitizens who have been detained to contact their legal counsel and families. The bill comes after months of credible reporting that ICE and CBP have deprived detainees – including children and longtime legal residents – of the ability to access a lawyer, sometimes for months at a time. People have also reportedly been taken into custody and, in some cases, transferred to facilities in other countries, without being allowed to contact their families.

“For months now, Americans have watched the horrific videos of CBP and ICE agents violently snatching people off the street at schools, workplaces, and grocery stores. But what happens after people are taken into custody is equally disturbing,” said Senator Murphy. “DHS has repeatedly refused to allow people to contact their families and lawyers, traumatizing children and families who are left searching for answers when their loved one suddenly misses after-school pickup or just doesn’t come home for dinner. It’s heartless and deeply un-American. This bill protects the basic right of people in this country to call their family – which often includes American citizens – when they are taken into custody. DHS has proven time and again they cannot be trusted to follow basic humanitarian principles, and it’s on Congress to step in and hold them accountable.”

“I saw with my own eyes the reality of Trump’s immigration system: a mother and her four U.S. citizen children disappeared and locked in a windowless cell unable to contact a lawyer or their loved ones. The inhumanity was staggering. If we allow this to continue, we will lose who we are,” said Representative Dexter. “I’m proud to join Senator Chris Murphy in defending the simple truth that access to legal counsel and communication with loved ones isn’t a luxury, it is a fundamental human right.”

The bill is co-sponsored by U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Edward Markey (D-Mass.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), and U.S. Representatives Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.), Judy Chu (D-Calif.), Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.), Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.), Yassamin Ansari (D-Ariz.), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), Rick Larsen (D-Wash.), Ted Lieu (D-Calif.), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.), Dave Min (D-Calif.), Nellie Pou (D-N.J.), Jill Tokuda (D-Hawaii), Becca Balint (D-Vt.), Emily Randall (D-Wash.), Jesús “Chuy” García (D-Ill.), Mary Gay Scanlon (D-Pa.), Yvette D. Clarke (D-N.Y.), Laura Friedman (D-Calif.), Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.), Julie Johnson (D-Texas), Nikema Williams (D-Ga.), Robin Kelley (D-Ill.), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.), Suhas Subramanyam (D-Va.), Val Hoyle (D-Ore.), Andrea Salinas (D-Ore.), Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas), Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), Lizzie Fletcher (D-Texas), Kelly Morrison (D-Minn.), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Veronica Escobar (D-Texas), and Derek Tran (D-Calif.).

“The Trump Administration’s practices of snatching people off the street, denying them access to lawyers or calls to family is cruel, unnecessary, and puts U.S. citizens and lawfully present immigrants at risk of wrongful detention and deportation. The Restoring Access to Detainees Act will go a long way toward ensuring our country can enforce immigration laws without throwing away due process rights,” said Sen. Wyden.

“Depriving those detained of access to legal counsel is illegal, unconstitutional, and un-American,” said Senator Merkley. “The Trump Administration must immediately restore legal access and family communication to detainees!”

“Every noncitizen should be able to call their family and access legal representation while in detention,” said Senator Padilla. “Yet under Donald Trump, ICE and CBP have repeatedly denied detained individuals due process or the ability to talk to a lawyer, even disappearing them to other countries without letting them alert their families. Our bill would restore commonsense, humane protections for noncitizens in detention that were established during the first Trump Administration to ensure the basic dignity of being able to contact legal counsel or their families.”

“As the Trump administration continues to indiscriminately detain and deport noncitizens without due process, this bill is more important than ever. Families deserve to know where their loved ones are and detained immigrants should be able to access an attorney. I will keep pushing for Congress to pass this legislation,” said Senator Schiff.

""Despite President Trump’s utter contempt for the rule of law, every person in this country is entitled to due process and dignity. I am proud to fight for this legislation, which would restore telephone service for detainees to speak with legal counsel and maintain communication with their families. Our nation is built on the principle that every person may have liberty and justice – we won’t let President Trump strip that away,"" said Senator Alsobrooks.

“Due process is a fundamental right for everyone in America. Yet the Trump administration has repeatedly violated that right by cruelly detaining people and denying them contact with their families or legal counsel,” said Senator Luján. “This blatant disregard for basic rights is unacceptable and un-American. That’s why I’m fighting to pass legislation to ensure that people in federal custody have the right to speak with their families and attorneys.”

“Our Constitution guarantees everyone in America the right to due process – a right that this Administration has disregarded for countless people they have detained in pursuit of their indiscriminate mass deportation agenda. Our immigration laws should be enforced humanely and by the book – and this legislation will help ensure that,” said Senator Van Hollen.

“New Jerseyans have watched in horror as the Trump Administration has raided homes, workplaces, schools, and places of worship to detain noncitizens who pose no threat to public safety,” said Senator Booker. “Once detained, the Administration routinely transfers individuals far from their homes and communities, cutting them off from family support and legal representation. This strips detainees of their most basic rights and isolates them from the outside world. The least our government can do is ensure that those torn from their families are able to contact their loved ones and legal counsel. I am proud to cosponsor this commonsense bill, which restores a measure of due process and guarantees access to communication for all people in detention.”

“ICE is using alarming tactics to satisfy Donald Trump’s mass deportation agenda,” said Senator Markey. “ICE agents are arresting people and moving them to detention centers far away from their communities. Immigrant families are left without answers, desperate to know where their loved ones have been taken. This important legislation would ensure people in immigration detention are able to contact their family members and attorneys as they fight deportation. We must protect the rights of our immigrant communities.”

“It’s inhumane for the Trump administration to snatch people off the street and deny them access to their lawyers and families,” said Senator Warren. “Congress needs to stand up and fight to ensure everyone has due process protections.”

Civil rights groups including the American Immigration Lawyers Association, National Immigration Law Center, National Immigrant Justice Center, Stop AAPI Hate, and New Haven Legal Assistance Association have endorsed The Restoring Access to Detainees Act:

“Nothing is more vital to ensuring a fair day in court than ensuring access to legal counsel for people deprived of their liberty who are trying to understand complex immigration laws. The ‘Restoring Access to Detainees Act’ is exactly the kind of good government reform that not only makes the immigration system more fair but also improves the courts’ efficiency. The American Immigration Lawyers Association applauds Senator Murphy and his cosponsors for leading the way,” said Gregory Z. Chen, Esq., Senior Director of Government Relations at the American Immigration Lawyers Association.

“This bill provides urgently needed due process protections to Connecticut residents in DHS custody,” said Leanne Gale, an immigration attorney at the New Haven Legal Assistance Association, which provides free legal services to low-income immigrants across Connecticut. “When our clients and community members are detained by ICE, they are transferred to detention facilities out-of-state with limited opportunities to speak to an attorney. For instance, at the Plymouth County Correctional Facility, where many Connecticut residents are detained, the only way to arrange a legal call with our clients is through a web-platform known as JurisLink at the exorbitant cost of $49.99 per half hour. Otherwise, we are forced to take a six-hour roundtrip from New Haven to Plymouth to speak with our clients. These barriers to legal access are unacceptable. We welcome this critical step towards ensuring that all people detained by DHS are able to exercise their due process right to legal counsel.”

The Restoring Access to Detainees Act would ensure:

1. People detained, or transferred to a new facility, have the right to call their families to let them know where they are;

2. People detained have an opportunity to speak confidentially with their legal counsel or to find competent legal counsel while in custody;

3. People detained have an opportunity to communicate confidentially with existing oversight entities, if applicable; and

4. The restoration of a program from the first Trump Administration which established a process for noncitizens to call their families while they are in deportation proceedings.

Notable instances of the Trump Administration cutting off detainees from legal counsel include:

1. Mahmoud Khalil, a 30-year-old Columbia University graduate and U.S. permanent resident, was arrested without a warrant and transferred across three states — from New Jersey to New York to Louisiana — where he spent more than three months in a detention center with limited access to legal counsel.

2. Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a 29-year-old from El Salvador living in Maryland, was arrested without a warrant and detained in Texas. Days later, he called his wife to tell her that he was being sent to El Salvador’s notorious Terrorism Confinement Center, or CECOT — which turned out to be the last time his family heard from him until his return to the US in June.

3. Jackie Merlos, a 44-year-old mother with a U-deferred visa and her four U.S. citizen children, who were detained for weeks in a windowless cell without access to legal counsel and unable to contact family or friends.

4. A 13-year-old Brazilian national was arrested in Everett, MA and transferred to a Virginia detention center. His family and lawyers were left in the dark for days about his location or the reason for his arrest.

5. Luis Peralta, who has lived in the US since he was a child, was detained and transferred from Miami to Tacoma. Officers denied him access to his personal documents, leaving him unable to contact his family or attorney.

6. George Retes, a US citizen, was detained by ICE agents and held incommunicado, leaving him unable to contact his family — who only learned what happened to him after his release.

7. Ramon Eduardo Contreras-Hernandez was denied access to legal representation after being transferred from an ICE detention center to a county jail, cutting him off from information about his own case.

8. A ProPublica investigation found that more than 20 U.S. citizens have reported being detained for over a day without being able to call their loved ones or an attorney.

9. Civil rights attorneys representing detainees in “Alligator Alcatraz” filed for a temporary restraining order against the detention center, citing systemic violations of detainees’ constitutional rights to legal representation and due process.

The full text of the bill is available HERE. A one-pager for the bill is available HERE.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://hoyle.house.gov/media/press-releases/federal-state-and-local-leaders-issue-statement-on-ice-raid-in-lane-county,"FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL LEADERS ISSUE STATEMENT ON ICE RAID IN LANE COUNTY",2025-11-06,2025,2025-11,Democrat,House,OR,Val T. Hoyle,H001094,hoyle.house.gov,hoyle,https://hoyle.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"For Immediate Release: November 6, 2025

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained several individuals in Lane County. In response to these events, U.S. Representative Val Hoyle (OR-04), U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, State House Speaker Julie Fahey, State Senate President Pro Tempore James Manning Jr., State Senator Floyd Prozanski, State Representatives Lisa Fragala, Nancy Nathanson, and John Lively, Lane County Commissioners Heather Buch, Laurie Trieger, and Pat Farr, Eugene Mayor Kaarin Knudson, Eugene City Councilors Lyndsie Leech, Matt Keating, Jennifer Yeh, Greg Evans, and Randy Groves, Springfield Mayor Sean VanGordon, and Springfield City Councilor Kori Rodley issued the following statement:

“We are alarmed by the reported actions carried out by ICE yesterday in Lane County, which included the violent detention of several Oregonians, and by the ongoing reports of individuals not receiving their constitutionally protected rights to due process and legal representation. This was only the most recent in a series of aggressive raids carried out across the state in recent months. We are working together with community leaders and local law enforcement to learn more and ensure that all of our constituents are accounted for.

“Every Oregonian and every person in the United States, regardless of immigration status, is entitled to the full protections guaranteed by the Constitution. We will use all tools at our disposal as representatives of this community to ensure that those protections are upheld for the individuals detained today and for any Oregonian subjected to unjust or unlawful enforcement actions by ICE.”

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-andrea-salinas-leads-bipartisan-letter-urging-us-department-education,Rep. Andrea Salinas Leads Bipartisan Letter Urging U.S. Department of Education to Recognize Clinical Psychologists in Federal Student Loan Limits to Address Mental Health Professional Shortages,2025-11-06,2025,2025-11,Democrat,House,OR,Andrea Salinas,S001226,salinas.house.gov,salinas,https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (OR-06) led a bipartisan letter to Education Secretary Linda McMahon urging the Department to include clinical psychologists in the department’s definition of “professional degrees” under Public Law 119-21. The change would allow students pursuing doctoral-level degrees in clinical psychology to access student loans with higher limits. With greater access to student loans, more students would be able to pursue careers as clinical psychologists, helping combat a shortage in mental health workers across the country.

Click here or see below for the full letter:

Dear Secretary McMahon:

As the Department’s Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE) Committee implements the student financial aid provisions of Public Law 119-21, we urge the Committee to explicitly include doctoral-level clinical psychology within the definition of “professional degree” for purposes of the new federal student loan limits. We believe it is essential that doctoral-level clinical psychology be recognized alongside other health professions requiring advanced postbaccalaureate study and licensure, ensuring that clinical psychologists are bothfully qualified to serve communities across the country and available in sufficient numbers to confront the nation’s escalating mental health crisis.

P.L. 119-21 created new student loan borrowing limits for postbaccalaureate study, with two separate limits for graduate and professional degrees. Specifically, the law utilizes 34 CFR §668.2 to define a “professional degree” as:

“A degree that signifies both completion of the academic requirements for beginningpractice in a given profession and a level of professional skill beyond that normallyrequired for a bachelor’s degree. Professional licensure is also generally required. Examples of a professional degree include but are not limited to: Pharmacy (Pharm.D.), Dentistry (D.D.S. or D.M.D.), Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.), Chiropractic (D.C. orD.C.M.), Law (L.L.B. or J.D.), Medicine (M.D.), Optometry (O.D.), Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.), Podiatry (D.P.M., D.P., or Pod.D.), and Theology (M.Div., or M.H.L.).”

While P.L. 119-21 does not explicitly list clinical psychology among the examples of a professional degree, it clearly states that such degrees are “not limited” to those examples. In utilizing this language, Congress intended to allow for the inclusion of a broader range of programs that meet the established criteria, even if they are not specifically named. Doctoral programs in clinical psychology clearly fall within this scope.

First, clinical psychology is a practice-oriented degree in psychology. Second, licensure is a requirement for professional practice in clinical psychology in every state. Third, licensure as a clinical psychologist requires completion of a doctoral degree in psychology (Ph.D., Psy.D., or equivalent). This standard plainly “signifies both completion of the academic requirements for beginning practice in a given profession and a level of professional skill beyond that normally required for a bachelor’s degree,” as stated in the above definition. Clinical psychologists complete this rigorous, doctoral-level, practice-oriented training to ensure they are fully prepared to meet the behavioral health needs of individuals and communities across the nation.

If doctoral clinical psychology students cannot access sufficient federal student aid to enroll and graduate from their degree programs, this will further exacerbate our mental health provider shortages. It is estimated that 158 million U.S. residents live in a mental health workforce shortage area. Over the next ten years, these shortages are projected to worsen, particularly in rural areas. Today, psychologists are already reporting high demand for their services and long wait times to see patients. By 2037, the nation is projected to meet only 55 percent of the need for psychologists, further exacerbating today’s shortages and wait times. To help address this crisis, it is essential that doctoral-level clinical psychology programs be classified as “professional degrees,” ensuring that qualified students are not barred from entering this critical field due to financial barriers.

We understand that during the RISE Committee’s first negotiated rulemaking session, held from September 29 to October 3, 2025, the Department considered adopting a narrow interpretation of the term “professional degree,” effectively disregarding the “include but are not limited to” language in the statute and limiting the designation to only the ten programs listed as examples. The week-long session concluded without consensus on the definition of “professional degree.” However, we understand that negotiations are still ongoing, as the RISE Committee is currently meeting for its rulemaking session that began on November 3.

To uphold Congressional intent and ensure clarity in the application of the new federal student loan limits, we urge the RISE Committee, in defining which programs qualify as professional degrees, not to limit the designation to the ten program examples listed in the statute. Moreover, we urge that doctoral-level clinical psychology, which fully satisfies the statutory criteria, be clearly included within the Department’s definition of “professional degree” to ensure that individuals pursuing this essential profession have access to the same federal student loan levels as those in other comparable health professions.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-andrea-salinas-stands-house-democrats-call-out-president-trump-illegally,Rep. Andrea Salinas Stands with House Democrats to Call Out President Trump Illegally Withholding SNAP Benefits,2025-11-05,2025,2025-11,Democrat,House,OR,Andrea Salinas,S001226,salinas.house.gov,salinas,https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Image

Watch a recording of the full speech here.

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (OR-06) joined fellow House Democrats outside the Capitol to denounce President Trump’s announcement that he plans to unlawfully withhold critical SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) funding that serves millions of American families, including over 100,000 people in Oregon’s Sixth Congressional District. In her remarks, Congresswoman Salinas pledged that she and House Democrats will continue fighting for the immediate restoration of these benefits.

A transcript of Salinas’ remarks is available below:

This morning, President Trump said that he will only distribute SNAP benefits when the government re-opens.

He said this despite a federal judge ruling that he must use emergency SNAP funding to make sure families do not go hungry.

If there is one message I want you to take away from today, it’s that this President is willing to break the law to starve people.

I’ll say that again. The President is willing to break the law in order to starve people.

Over the weekend, I had the chance to visit with people in my district, Danielle and Raven, who are trying to get ahead. They’re working, working moms, trying to put food on the table.

I visited Marion Polk Food Share in my district, and when I spoke to their staffs, it's clear families are hurting more than ever.

People need help, help putting food on the table. And at the same time, there's less food to go around.

And so when children, seniors, [and] veterans are hungry, what is the President's response?

Does he send a $40 billion check to those families like he did to Argentina?

No. He says, “Let them starve.”

To the 42 million Americans, including over 100,000 people in just my district alone, who rely on SNAP, who rely on $6 a day worth of food, here's what I want you to know: the President and the Republican Party have decided that it's necessary for 42 million people to go hungry as a political tactic.

They believe that you are not deserving of health, and they're willing to break the law to make sure you don't get it.

But my Democratic colleagues and I are here to tell you they are wrong.

You did not do anything wrong. You do not deserve this cruelty.

Hunger is a policy choice. You deserve support. You deserve to be helped.

And everyone up here is willing to fight like hell to make sure you get it.

Thank you.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://bynum.house.gov/media/press-releases/bynum-introduces-bipartisan-bill-lower-cost-housing-oregonians,Bynum Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Lower the Cost of Housing for Oregonians,2025-11-04,2025,2025-11,Democrat,House,OR,Janelle S. Bynum,B001326,bynum.house.gov,bynum,https://bynum.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Janelle Bynum (OR-05), Congressman Bryan Steil (WI-01), Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Accelerating Home Building Act to make housing more affordable in Oregon and across the country.

In a recent study of housing affordability and homebuilding, Oregon earned an ‘F,’ ranking 45th out of the 50 states. It is estimated that Oregon will likely need to build over 140,000 single-family homes by 2030 to meet demand. Moreover, delays caused by complex and restrictive permitting processes and other regulatory burdens have resulted in a nationwide housing shortage of nearly 5 million homes.

Nationwide, communities are investing in a process called pattern zoning, in which architects and local governments develop pattern books full of pre-approved, standardized plans and designs. This bipartisan bill would establish a grant program to fund the creation of these pattern books, speeding up the permitting and home building process and lowering costs for home-buyers.

“The dream of homeownership is getting further out of reach for too many Oregonians,” said Rep. Bynum. “I’m an engineer by training, which means I know we can innovate our way out of the biggest problems – including the housing crisis. I’m proud to be introducing a bill that invests in creative solutions that cut through red tape and speed up processes so more families can afford a home.”

“Housing prices remain too high in Wisconsin and across the nation. It’s critical that we take steps to streamline housing construction, lower costs, and support working families,” said Rep. Steil. “The Accelerating Home Building Act supports innovative, cost-effective solutions to increase housing supply and help more Wisconsin families.""

“It’s critical that all levels of government work together and listen to the needs of local communities to tackle the housing crisis that is hurting families, small businesses, and our economy. That’s why I’m joining Representatives Bynum, Steil, and Fitzpatrick in introducing this bipartisan legislation that would expand tools and resources for local governments, empowering them to cut red tape and ease the process of building more housing,” said Rep. Pappas. “I’ll continue supporting commonsense action to grow our affordable housing supply.”

“Housing is a real and growing concern in our community. Families are being stretched thin, young people are struggling to put down roots, and seniors are being priced out of the neighborhoods they’ve long called home. This bill clears a path for local governments to get homes built faster, more affordably, and in ways that reflect the needs of the communities they serve. It’s a bipartisan solution that puts more homes directly in our community, supports smart growth across the country, and keeps opportunity within reach for the next generation,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick.

Specifically, this legislation would:

Establish a pilot HUD-administered grant program to fund the creation of pattern books with a focus on missing middle and infill construction; and

Provide set-asides for rural communities and prioritize high-opportunity areas and localities working to reduce barriers to housing development.

This legislation was also introduced in the Senate by U.S. Senators Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) and Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio).

“We are in the middle of a housing affordability crisis in Delaware and across this nation,” said Senator Blunt Rochester. “One of my top priorities in the Senate is ensuring all Americans have a roof over their head and a place to call home. The bipartisan Accelerating Home Building Act supports pattern zoning, a creative and cost-effective method to reduce the cost of housing in our communities. I am grateful to Senator Moreno and Representative Bynum for their collaboration on this bill and look forward to getting it passed into law.”

This legislation is endorsed by the American Planning Association, Congress for the New Urbanism, Up for Growth Action, National Apartment Association, Smart Growth America, Main Street America, and the National Association of REALTORS.

“NAR is grateful that Representatives Janelle Bynum (D-OR), Bryan Steil (R-WI), Chris Pappas (D-NH) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) introduced the bipartisan Accelerating Home Building Act to help address the nation’s housing affordability crisis through streamlined construction approval processes,” said Shannon McGahn, NAR Chief Advocacy Officer and Executive Vice President. “NAR recognizes that reducing regulatory barriers and streamlining approval processes are essential steps toward addressing the housing shortage affecting communities across the country. We support this legislation as part of comprehensive efforts to increase housing supply and improve affordability.”

You can view a one-pager on the legislation here and the full text of the bill here.

In Congress, Rep. Bynum is a member of the House Financial Services Committee and sits on the Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, where she works to address the housing shortage and make life more affordable for Oregon families.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/merkley-schumer-bonamici-hayes-44-senate-democrats-pressure-trump-senate,"Merkley, Schumer, Bonamici, Hayes, 44 Senate Democrats Pressure Trump, Senate Republicans to Fully Turn on Nutrition Assistance for Millions",2025-11-03,2025,2025-11,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – After benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for roughly 42 million Americans were stopped over the weekend due to the ongoing Republican-led government shutdown, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) today led 44 of their colleagues in calling on Senate Republicans to force President Trump to immediately use all congressionally approved funding to keep families from going hungry. A companion resolution will be introduced in the House of Representatives by U.S. Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) and Jahana Hayes (CT-05).

“Families and children in Oregon and across the country should not be used as political pawns,” said Bonamici. “The Trump administration finally agreed to release funding that Congress set aside to keep people from going hungry during a disruption like this shutdown, but it should not have taken a lawsuit to get these funds released. Now the House Republicans need to get back to Washington DC and work to get the government back open.”

“Never in the history of the program has funding for SNAP lapsed and people been left hungry. As the judge ruled, the Trump Administration and USDA have the money and the authority to transfer contingency funds to partially cover November SNAP Benefits,” said Hayes. “Our resolution affirms this ruling and calls upon the Administration to immediately release the funds to allow millions of Americans who rely on SNAP to put food on the table.”

“Trump is using food as a weapon against children, families, and seniors to enact his ‘Make Americans Hungry Agenda,’” said Merkley. “It’s unbelievably cruel, but Trump cares more about playing politics than making sure kids don’t starve. Kids and families are not poker chips or hostages. Trump must release the entirety of the SNAP funds immediately.""

“The Trump administration should stop weaponizing hunger for 42 million Americans and immediately release full – not partial – SNAP benefits,” said Schumer. “As the courts have affirmed, USDA has and must use their authority to fully fund SNAP. Anything else is unacceptable and a half-measure. The Senate must pass this resolution, and Trump must end his manufactured hunger crisis by fully funding SNAP.”

SNAP benefits lapsed on November 1 because Trump initially refused to use a SNAP contingency fund that Congress previously appropriated $6 billion for and additional federal funds available using interchange authority. After two federal judges ruled that President Trump must continue to fund SNAP, the Trump Administration agreed to use the $4.65 billion left in the contingency fund to finance the program. However, the contingency fund will only cover half of SNAP benefits for the month of November, and Trump is refusing to use additional available funds using interchange authority to spend Section 32 tariff revenue—established decades ago—to fully fund SNAP in the month of November.

Merkley and Schumer’s resolution is also cosponsored by U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Patty Murray (D-WA), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mark Warner (D-VA), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

Full text of the resolution can be found by clicking here. Merkley intends to force Senate consideration of the resolution as soon as Monday evening.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://bynum.house.gov/media/press-releases/bynum-joins-demanding-answers-secretary-noem-reports-federal-agent-misconduct,Bynum Joins in Demanding Answers from Secretary Noem on Reports of Federal Agent Misconduct,2025-11-03,2025,2025-11,Democrat,House,OR,Janelle S. Bynum,B001326,bynum.house.gov,bynum,https://bynum.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Oregon City, OR – Today, Congresswoman Janelle Bynum (OR-05) joined a group of Members of Congress in sending a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, demanding immediate answers on the Department’s growing record of unlawful enforcement actions.

The letter follows alarming reports and publicly available videos showing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officers illegally detaining individuals using excessive and unlawful force. The letter points specifically to incidents in Portland, where federal agents reportedly fired impact munitions into peaceful crowds, discharged chemical spray at nonviolent protesters, and detained U.S. citizens without cause.

“We have seen an alarming increase in news reports and videos showing federal law enforcement officers under your direction using what appears to be excessive and often grossly unlawful force, behaving unprofessionally, and illegally detaining individuals,” the Members wrote. “Mounting evidence increasingly appears to show a systematic pattern of unlawful behavior and gross abuses of the civil rights of Americans by agents under your purview.”

In the letter, the Members also raise concerns about the Department’s recent expansion of ICE by 10,000 new agents under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, citing reports that some recruits were placed into enforcement roles without completing standardized training or full background vetting.

“It would be a dereliction of duty if you deployed inadequately trained or unvetted personnel into high-risk operations across the United States,” the Members continued. “These incidents suggest that DHS and its components are carrying out what amounts to militarized operations on U.S. soil, targeting vulnerable communities.”

The letter includes 23 specific questions for the Department, requesting detailed written responses by November 10th, 2025, to ensure accountability.

Read the full letter here and below:

Dear Secretary Noem,

Following reports of illegal immigration enforcement actions by agents from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), we sent a July 18, 2025, letter to the DHS Office of Inspector General (DHS OIG) seeking additional information and requesting an investigation. Since that time, we have seen an alarming increase in news reports and videos showing federal law enforcement officers under your direction using what appears to be excessive and often grossly unlawful force, behaving unprofessionally, and illegally detaining individuals.

The DHS OIG’s response to our letter indicated that you, as the Secretary of Homeland Security, “would be in a better position to give [...] an authoritative answer” to our questions and concerns about what increasingly appears to be a systematic pattern of unlawful behavior and gross abuses of the civil rights of Americans by agents under your purview. In light of mounting evidence of abuse from media reporting and publicly available video, we are demanding that your office provide us with those answers directly, as required by the Constitution.

The passage of H.R. 1 in July of this year has infused DHS with billions of dollars in additional funding meant to expand ICE by 10,000 new agents. Over the same period, DHS and its component agencies, along with several Department of Justice (DOJ) components, appear to have engaged in an alarming pattern of abuse during immigration enforcement actions. In Portland, the City Attorney, Robert Taylor, asserted in recent court filings that federal agents used unjustified force against peaceful protesters, indiscriminately fired impact munitions to disperse crowds, and discharged pepper spray into peaceful demonstrators’ faces. In Chicago, as part of “Operation Midway Blitz”, ICE or CBP agents reportedly rappelled from Black Hawk helicopters to raid an apartment complex, body-slammed and tear-gassed protesters, and indiscriminately detained individuals, including U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents. We have also seen videos of ICE and CBP agents assaulting non-violent bystanders, spraying what has been described as mace at people who do not appear to pose any risk of violence or harm, and other instances of outrageous and unlawful behavior. These disturbing incidents coincide with recent reporting that ICE has rushed to place new recruits into enforcement roles without completing standardized training or full background vetting. Some of these recruits have even “failed drug testing, have disqualifying criminal backgrounds[,] or don’t meet the physical or academic requirements to serve.” It would be a dereliction of duty if you deployed inadequately trained or unvetted personnel into high-risk operations across the United States, concerns we raised back in our original July 18, 2025 letter.

Taken together, these incidents suggest that DHS and its components are carrying out what amounts to militarized operations on U.S. soil, targeting vulnerable communities. Occurring alongside ICE’s unprecedented workforce expansion, these actions raise serious questions about your Department’s command oversight, adherence to constitutional safeguards, and compliance with federal civil and criminal rights protections. We need look no further than the growing number of lawsuits brought against your Department and its agents for “extreme brutality” against protesters and members of the press. Indeed, these abuses have already prompted a federal judge to order federal immigration officers operating in Chicago to wear body cameras.

Your Department’s continued silence only deepens public concern that these abuses are being condoned from the top. Therefore, we demand that you respond, as required by the Constitution, to the 23 questions we posed in our July 18, 2025, correspondence no later than November 10, 2025, so that Congress and the American public can understand how you intend to prevent any future abuses from occurring.

Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://bynum.house.gov/media/press-releases/bynum-merkley-wyden-bonamici-salinas-and-dexter-demand-trump-reverse-plan-open,"Bynum, Merkley, Wyden, Bonamici, Salinas, and Dexter Demand Trump Reverse Plan to Open New Offshore Oil and Gas Leases",2025-11-03,2025,2025-11,Democrat,House,OR,Janelle S. Bynum,B001326,bynum.house.gov,bynum,https://bynum.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Janelle Bynum (OR-05), Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, and Reps. Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), and Maxine Dexter (OR-03), demanded President Trump and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum immediately cease any plans to open new offshore oil and gas leases in U.S. federal waters off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, in the Arctic Ocean and northern Bering Sea off of Alaska, and in the Eastern Gulf.

“Our coastal communities, fishermen, small business owners, Tribal Nations, tourism operators, and families cannot be sacrificed in the name of short-term drilling booms,” wrote the lawmakers. “Opening new offshore lease areas while cancelling clean energy progress is potentially illegal, a failure of leadership, and a dereliction of the public trust.”

The lawmakers warned that opening these fragile coastlines to new offshore drilling would devastate coastal economies, jeopardize our national security, ravage coastal ecosystems, and put millions of Americans’ health and safety at risk, hurting people across the political spectrum.

By reversing long-standing legal protections for vulnerable coastal waters, new offshore leases would cause significant environmental damage to communities already reeling from natural disasters and recent oil spills. Oil spills not only cause irreparable environmental damage, but also suppress the value of coastal homes, harm tourism economies, and weaken coastal infrastructure. Already, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is forced to respond to over 150 oil and chemical spills each year. One disastrous spill can cost taxpayers billions in lost revenue, cleanup costs, and ecosystem restoration.

“This is a matter of national consequence for coastal communities across the country, regardless of political affiliation. It puts our economies, national security, and our most vulnerable ecosystems at severe risk,” the lawmakers wrote. “… Expanded oil and gas leasing poses risks to the health and livelihoods of our constituents, jeopardizes our tourism, fishing, and recreation economies, and threatens the marine life that inhabits our coastlines.”

“The United States already leads the world in oil and gas production. The industry currently holds more than 2,000 offshore leases covering over 12 million acres of federal waters — yet fewer than 500 of those leases are actively producing oil and gas,” continued the lawmakers. “There is no justification for opening vast swaths of our oceans to leasing when existing leases remain largely unused, while imposing mounting environmental and economic costs on coastal communities.”

The lawmakers condemned the potential expansion of offshore drilling while the Administration simultaneously curtails offshore wind and clean energy development. This year, the Trump Administration has withdrawn all outer continental offshore wind leases, rescinded all designated Wind Energy Areas (WEAs), and eliminated $679 million in offshore-wind-related port infrastructure funding, including over $426 million for Humboldt Bay offshore wind infrastructure.

Specifically, the lawmakers demanded that President Trump and Secretary Burgum:

Halt any steps toward new offshore oil and gas leasing in the Atlantic, Pacific, off the coast the Arctic and Bering Sea coasts of Alaska, and the Eastern Gulf;

Limit offshore drilling, consistent with previous statutory and agency protections;

Prioritize coastal resilience, including expanded storm-surge and flood protection, restoration of wetlands and sand dunes, and early-warning systems, so that communities in Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, New Jersey, Alaska, and beyond are better protected; and

Restore a credible pathway for offshore wind and other clean-energy projects by rescinding the OCS wind-leasing withdrawal and rescinded WEAs, enabling science-based projects that support jobs and coastal economies.

The letter was led by U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.), along with House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Jared Huffman (D-Calif.-02) and House Energy and Commerce Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-N.J.-06).

Environmental advocates including Food & Water Watch, Oceana, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Surfrider Foundation, Earthjustice, and Alaska Wilderness League supported the letter.

Full text of the letter is available by clicking here and below:

Dear Mr. President and Secretary Burgum:

We write to express our strongest opposition to any effort to open new offshore oil and gas leasing in federal waters off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, in the Arctic Ocean and northern Bering Sea off of Alaska, and in the Eastern Gulf. This is a matter of national consequence for coastal communities across the country, regardless of political affiliation. It puts our economies, national security, and our most vulnerable ecosystems at severe risk. These reported proposals would reverse long-standing protections that shield sensitive coastal waters from new drilling, including withdrawals under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, statutory moratoria, and agency restrictions.

Expanded oil and gas leasing poses risks to the health and livelihoods of our constituents, jeopardizes our tourism, fishing, and recreation economies, and threatens the marine life that inhabits our coastlines. Many of these communities are already reeling from compounded disasters: hurricanes, sea-level rise, storm surge, and the lingering legacy of oil-spill disasters. Since 1980, hurricanes alone have generated well over $1.5 trillion in damage in the United States. Expanding offshore leasing increases the likelihood that future storms, oil spills, or other disasters will impose even greater burdens on front-line coastal communities.

In addition to storms, the threat of oil spills remains real and costly. For example, the U.S. Coast Guard reported a spill of more than 30,000 gallons of “oily-watery mixture” off Louisiana’s coast earlier this year. Oil spill damage threatens not just the environment, but the value of coastal homes, the health of tourism economies, and the resilience of coastal infrastructure. A single catastrophic spill could cost taxpayers, states, and local communities tens of billions of dollars in cleanup costs, lost revenue, and degraded ecosystems. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) already responds to over 150 oil and chemical spills in U.S. waters every year. Under the administration’s proposed plan, every part of the United States’ coastline would be at risk of disaster.

These risks are magnified by the administration’s dismantling of NOAA and its oil spill prevention and response programs. Nearly 30 percent of NOAA’s Office of Response and Restoration Emergency Response Division staff—the team that addresses oil spills—were already laid off or took early retirement as part of the administration’s ongoing reductions in force. The administration’s proposed fiscal year 2026 budget would cut in half funding for the oil spill program and the Emergency Response Division.

Under the administration’s reported plans, harmful seismic testing could take place across every coast. NOAA Fisheries recently concluded that oil and gas activities like seismic exploration in the Gulf of Mexico could drive the endangered Rice’s whale—of which only a few dozen individuals remain—to extinction. Seismic testing for oil and gas disrupts communication, navigation, and breeding among whales, fish, and other marine species, inflicting irreversible harm on ocean ecosystems.

The administration’s reported plans would also open up oil and gas leasing in areas the Department of Defense (DOD) has previously stated would be problematic for military readiness. Leaked documents report that the administration will conduct leasing in parts of the Eastern Gulf, which includes irreplaceable military training and testing opportunities and assets. The DOD has similarly labeled portions of the Mid-Atlantic and South Atlantic Planning Areas “not compatible with oil and gas activities and infrastructure.”

The United States already leads the world in oil and gas production. The industry currently holds more than 2,000 offshore leases covering over 12 million acres of federal waters —yet fewer than 500 of those leases are actively producing oil and gas. There is no justification for opening vast swaths of our oceans to leasing when existing leases remain largely unused, while imposing mounting environmental and economic costs on coastal communities.

While the administration prepares to expand offshore drilling, it is simultaneously undermining offshore wind and clean energy development, thereby reducing our ability to expand energy supplies and build resilient coastal economies. On January 20, 2025, the President issued a memorandum withdrawing all areas of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) from offshore wind leasing, pending review. On July 30, 2025, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) rescinded all designated Wind Energy Areas (WEAs). The Department of the Interior has issued directives curbing so-called “preferential treatment” for wind and solar, and the U.S. Department of Transportation withdrew $679 million in offshore-wind-related port infrastructure funding. These actions raise electricity costs for families, make our coastlines less safe, and our communities more vulnerable.

We therefore urge your administration to take the following actions to reverse course immediately:

1. Halt any steps toward new offshore oil and gas leasing in the Atlantic, Pacific, off the coast the Arctic and Bering Sea coasts of Alaska, and the Eastern Gulf;

2. Limit offshore drilling, consistent with previous statutory and agency protections;

3. Prioritize coastal resilience, including expanded storm-surge and flood protection, restoration of wetlands and sand dunes, and early-warning systems, so that communities in Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, New Jersey, Alaska, and beyond are better protected; and

4. Restore a credible pathway for offshore wind and other clean-energy projects by rescinding the OCS wind-leasing withdrawal and rescinded WEAs, enabling science-based projects that support jobs and coastal economies.

Protecting our waters from offshore drilling is broadly supported by the American public. Nearly two-thirds of registered voters oppose new offshore drilling, and hundreds of municipalities along the Atlantic, Pacific, the eastern Gulf, and these regions of Alaska have passed formal resolutions against its expansion. These communities have made clear that safeguarding their coastal economies, fisheries, and way of life must take precedence over short-term fossil fuel interests. Our coastal communities, fishermen, small business owners, Tribal Nations, tourism operators, and families cannot be sacrificed in the name of short-term drilling booms. Opening new offshore lease areas while cancelling clean energy progress is potentially illegal, a failure of leadership, and a dereliction of the public trust.

We look forward to your prompt response detailing what specific steps the Administration will take to halt this course of action and recommit to safeguarding our nation’s shores, economy, and shared future.

Sincerely,

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://bynum.house.gov/media/press-releases/bynum-wyden-merkley-bonamici-and-dexter-demand-trump-administration-withdraw,"Bynum, Wyden, Merkley, Bonamici, and Dexter Demand Trump Administration Withdraw Troops Deployed to Portland",2025-11-03,2025,2025-11,Democrat,House,OR,Janelle S. Bynum,B001326,bynum.house.gov,bynum,https://bynum.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Janelle Bynum (OR-05), U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, and U.S. Reps. Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) and Maxine Dexter (OR-03) sent a letter to the Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem to demand the withdrawal of the federal agents deployed outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Portland. These demands were in response to reports of agents’ excessive use of force that’s needlessly and dangerously inciting violence.

“Your federal agents weren't invited, they aren't needed, and their presence has fomented the very violence you claim they are there to prevent,” the lawmakers wrote in a letter to Homeland Security Kristi Noem. “Photos and videos from our constituents and local media make clear that federal agents are needlessly using tear-gas against peaceful community members. Reports indicate, and videos show, that unprovoked federal agents have charged and knocked down peaceful protestors, including seniors and an elderly Vietnam War veteran. Constituents told us that federal agents have deployed unknown projectiles that have injured them. Many federal agents are fully masked and are continuing to hide any identifying information, which prevents our constituents from filing reports about any federal agents’ misconduct.”

The Members also wrote that The Cottonwood School, a K-8 school next to the ICE facility in southwest Portland, made the difficult decision to find a new location in August because of ongoing exposure to tear gas and other munitions used by Trump’s federal agents. And the lawmakers also noted that residents at Gray’s Landing, an adjacent apartment complex home to many disabled veterans, keep expressing deep concern about the effects of this ongoing exposure.

“This is not the first time our constituents have experienced such excessive use of force by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) federal law enforcement,” wrote the lawmakers. “In 2020, federal agents responded to largely peaceful First Amendment activity by firing “less-lethal” rounds at protestors and by using tear gas on them night after night.”

“The use of tear gas was indiscriminate, and chemicals contained in these aerosols spread to surrounding areas on a nightly basis,” they wrote. “In fact, the City of Portland and Oregon Department of Environmental Quality identified a higher presence of cyanide and heavy metals near the sites where federal law enforcement personnel were deployed, and environmental groups expressed contamination concerns in the groundwater and Willamette River. Residents of downtown Portland were exposed to these dangerous chemicals regardless of their participation in the protests, and at least two dozen women who were exposed to tear gas in Oregon reported significant abnormalities in their menstrual cycles, which Oregon physicians believe to be connected to the use of chemical agents.”

The lawmakers asked about the number of federal law enforcement agents deployed in Portland in response to activities around the ICE facility and other federal buildings, under what authority they’re acting, if they’re wearing any identifiable badges, what equipment they’re using – including tear gas, pepper spray, rubber bullets, projectiles and flash bangs; and what training and guidance the federal agents have received. They demanded a response from Secretary Noem by October 17, 2025.

You can read the full letter here and below:

Dear Secretary Noem,

We write to express serious concern about the Department of Homeland Security’s excessive use of force and agents performing crowd control in Portland, Oregon, and the lack of transparency around the Department’s presence and activities in our community. Once again, we urge you to deescalate tensions by withdrawing the federal agents that you have recently deployed.

Your federal agents weren't invited, they aren't needed, and their presence has fomented the very violence you claim they are there to prevent. Photos and videos from our constituents and local media make clear that federal agents are needlessly using tear-gas against peaceful community members. Reports indicate, and videos show, that unprovoked federal agents have charged and knocked down peaceful protestors, including seniors and an elderly Vietnam war veteran. Constituents told us that federal agents have deployed unknown projectiles that have injured them. Many federal agents are fully masked and are continuing to hide any identifying information, which prevents our constituents from filing reports about any federal agents’ misconduct.

The Cottonwood School, a K-8 school located adjacent to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Macadam facility, made the difficult decision to find a new location in August because of the harm of ongoing exposure to tear gas and other munitions. Residents at Gray’s Landing, an apartment complex next to the facility that is home to many disabled veterans, continue to express deep concern about the effects of this ongoing exposure.

This is not the first time our constituents have experienced such excessive use of force by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) federal law enforcement. In 2020, federal agents responded to largely peaceful First Amendment activity by firing “less-lethal” rounds at protestors and by using tear gas on them night after night. The use of tear gas was indiscriminate, and chemicals contained in these aerosols spread to surrounding areas on a nightly basis. In fact, the City of Portland and Oregon Department of Environmental Quality identified a higher presence of cyanide and heavy metals near the sites where federal law enforcement personnel were deployed, and environmental groups expressed contamination concerns in the groundwater and Willamette River. Residents of downtown Portland were exposed to these dangerous chemicals regardless of their participation in the protests, and at least two dozen women who were exposed to tear gas in Oregon reported significant abnormalities in their menstrual cycles, which Oregon physicians believe to be connected to the use of chemical agents.

Crowd control agents, like tear gas, are indiscriminate by nature, making no distinction between a peaceful protestor, a bystander, a child, or an individual with a serious respiratory condition. The harmful impacts of tear gas have been well-documented: exposure can lead to pained and blurry vision, coughing, choking, and difficulty breathing, particularly in people with asthma or other respiratory conditions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that high doses can cause chemical burns and respiratory failure leading to death.

Medical experts have attributed various health concerns to the acute exposure of tear gas and other chemical agents, and health experts continue their research to understand the long-term impacts of exposure. Environmental groups have also expressed their serious concern about the spread of such chemicals and its harm to the health of local communities and surrounding wildlife.

The excessive use of force by DHS federal agents have escalated tensions on the ground, eroded the trust between our community and law enforcement, and put our constituents in harm’s way. We continue to be deeply disturbed by your Department’s activities in Portland, and we urge you to remove these unwanted federal agents as swiftly as possible.

The health and wellbeing of our constituents is a top priority. Accordingly, we request also that you provide the following information by no later than October 17, 2025:

1. How many federal law enforcement agents are currently deployed in Portland in response to activities around the ICE facility and other federal buildings?

a. What is the breakdown of agents by component within DHS, including dates of deployment.

b. For each component, also provide the specific authority under which the component agency is acting, a description of how these deployments advance the component’s core mission, and a copy of all applicable use of force policies.

2. Are all federal agents deployed identifiable by badges with names and personnel numbers?

a. What uniforms, identification, and equipment do personnel participating in these deployments wear and carry?

b. Please provide any relevant policies and procedures, either at the time or created since, with your response.

3. Who is directly in charge of the DHS federal response on the ground in Portland, Oregon? What is the chain of command at the relevant agencies?

4. Is there any type of cross-deputization with federal agents deployed to Oregon?

5. Please provide a list of all equipment that DHS personnel have used in connection with their deployments in Portland, Oregon, and their corresponding material data sheets identifying the manufacture and source of equipment.

a. List tear gas and pepper spray used by federal agents in Portland, Oregon—including all aerosolbased crowd control agents that may contain oleoresin capsicum (OC), chloroacetophenone (CN), 2-chlorobenzalmalononitrile (CS), and hexachloroethane (HCE).

b. List any rubber bullets, projectiles, flash bangs, and all other crowd control equipment used by federal agents in Portland, Oregon.

6. Constituents have expressed concerns around the possible use of hexachloroethane (HCE) smoke, commonly referred to as HC smoke, at or around the ICE facility in Portland, Oregon. Are any of the federal agents deployed to Portland authorized to use this equipment? If so, please detail the circumstances around use of HCE smoke and frequency of use in Portland.

7. What guidance did DHS personnel receive, if any, regarding the operating procedures for engagement with protestors, members of the press, and other civilians? Please include any federal guidance and DHS subcomponent policies on the use of chemical agents, including HCE smoke, OC, CS, and CN gas.

8. What processes do DHS and its component agencies follow to determine whether to use tear gas and other crowd control agents?

9. In the past, we have seen evidence suggesting that tear gas from expired cans has been used in Portland. Has DHS and its component agencies used expired tear gas or other expired chemical agents in Portland? What steps have been taken to ensure that your personnel are not using expired chemicals?

10. Are there any undercover officers associated with this deployment in Portland? If so, what protocols are they required to follow? Which agencies are employing these undercover officers and how many are doing this work in Oregon? Please describe their mission and relevant training.

11. What training and guidance did the federal agents receive on how to interact and respond to protestors? Did this training include nonviolence means of de-escalation? Please provide copies of rules of engagement with protestors, and in particular, please identify any policies that authorize violence against peaceful protestors.

12. What legal limits are there regarding federal agents who are operating at a significant distance from federal property?

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-andrea-salinas-leads-13-colleagues-demanding-safe-and-fair-access,Rep. Andrea Salinas Leads 13 Colleagues in Demanding Safe and Fair Access for Journalists During Protests,2025-11-03,2025,2025-11,Democrat,House,OR,Andrea Salinas,S001226,salinas.house.gov,salinas,https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (OR-06) led 13 of her colleagues in sending a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem to demand that the Trump Administration ensure journalists can freely exercise their First Amendment rights by allowing them to safely access and report on demonstrations across the country.

The letter expressed serious concerns about reports that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other federal law enforcement officers engaged in “extreme brutality” to silence the press and granted certain press outlets preferential access to coverage based on their viewpoints.

The lawmakers pressed for clear and timely answers to their questions and called on the Trump Administration to act quickly to reaffirm its commitment to the Constitution.

Click here or see below for the full letter:

Dear Attorney General Bondi and Secretary Noem,

We write to share our serious concerns regarding the treatment of journalists by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other Federal Law Enforcement Officers responding to First Amendment protected protest activity around the country. We seek your partnership in ensuring that journalists are able to freely exercise their First Amendment rights to provide fair and accurate coverage of these incidences – coverage which lawmakers, law enforcement, and the public rely on to monitor, understand, and respond to these events.

Amid protests of the Trump Administration’s aggressive approach to immigration enforcement, we have heard disturbing allegations that this Administration is failing to ensure safe and equal access for reporters. In Portland, city officials have raised concerns the federal government is “engaging in prohibited viewpoint discrimination” by providing unequal access to social media influencers documenting the demonstrations depending on their viewpoints. In Chicago, a group of press associations and journalists is suing the Administration, alleging that federal law enforcement officers employed “extreme brutality” to silence the press. One journalist reported that a masked ICE agent shot a pepper ball at her car, burning her face. Federal Courts have since imposed a temporary restraining order on the Government in that case, prohibiting officers from further targeting journalists.

We hope that you share our deep commitment to the First Amendment, and ask that you respond to the following questions regarding your Agencies’ policies on this matter:

Have you opened any investigations into alleged targeting of the press by federal law enforcement officers? If yes, what is the status of these investigations?

Have you provided any special trainings to ICE agents and other Federal Law enforcement Officers before deploying these officers to assist with crowd control at First Amendment protected demonstrations?

As protests have grown in recent months, what policies or strategies have your agencies adopted to work with the press to ensure continued safe and equal access for reporters covering these events?

As you move Federal Law Enforcement Officers around the country in response to developments at these protests, how are you coordinating between agencies to ensure consistent policies regarding protections and access for press?

We hope to partner with you to ensure that the Press is afforded the access and protections demanded by the First Amendment. We look forward to your response.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://dexter.house.gov/media/press-releases/dexter-denied-access-ice-facilities-presses-accountability,"Dexter Denied Access to ICE Facilities, Presses for Accountability",2025-10-31,2025,2025-10,Democrat,House,OR,Maxine Dexter,D000635,dexter.house.gov,dexter,https://dexter.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"PORTLAND, OR— Today, Congresswoman Maxine Dexter, M.D. (OR-03) wrote to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons, calling for the reinstatement of congressional oversight and communication functions that ICE has suspended during Trump’s government shutdown.

The letter comes as Dexter has been denied access to ICE facilities on multiple occasions. Earlier this month, Dexter was refused entry into the Portland ICE facility. Despite ICE granting access to right-wing media influencers, officials told Dexter they had explicit instructions to not allow activities related to congressional affairs. This week, Dexter was blocked from conducting congressional oversight at the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma. While unable to perform her official duties—including monitoring detention conditions and ensuring taxpayer dollars are used responsibly—Dexter met with constituents as a private citizen, including Napolean Magaña.

“At a time when at least 20 people have died in ICE custody this year, the need for oversight could not be more urgent,” said Dexter. “ICE has record funding from Trump’s One Big Betrayal Bill. The only plausible explanation for denying congressional oversight during the shutdown is to hide his cruelty. This isn’t about a lack of funding—it’s about a lack of accountability.”

Read the full text of the letter here. View Dexter’s remarks outside the NW Detention Center here.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-andrea-salinas-hosts-conversation-constituents-impacted-republican-health,Rep. Andrea Salinas Hosts Conversation with Constituents Impacted by Republican Health Care Crisis,2025-10-30,2025,2025-10,Democrat,House,OR,Andrea Salinas,S001226,salinas.house.gov,salinas,https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Image

Click here to watch a recording of the event.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (OR-06) hosted a virtual discussion with two of her constituents from Oregon’s Sixth Congressional District, who shared how they will be impacted by Republicans’ health care crisis. Rep. Salinas spoke with Sue from Salem and Steve from Beaverton, who are both facing massive increases to their health care costs because of Republicans’ refusal to extend the Affordable Care Act enhanced premium tax credits.

“Right now, millions of Americans, including 16,000 in my district, are about to see their health care costs skyrocket because Republicans want to take away the ACA’s enhanced premium tax credit,” said Rep. Salinas. “This is going to force families to make the impossible decision between shouldering higher costs or going without health care. I’m grateful to Sue and Steve for sharing their personal stories during all of this uncertainty. Their stories are heartbreaking but entirely preventable. I urge my Republican colleagues to come back from vacation and work with Democrats on a deal that stops rising health care costs and prevents this looming disaster.”

During the discussion, Sue shared that her premiums will more than double, rising from $439 to $1059 per month. However, because Sue is also a kidney donor, she plans to take on the cost of the increase. “With that rest-of-my-life potential complication, I cannot let health insurance lapse,” she said.

Steve shared that his wife, Ariya, currently pays $500 per month for coverage through the Affordable Care Act. Next year, her premium is set to increase to $800 per month. “That cost would put a massive financial burden on our family,” he said. As a result of this $3,600 per year increase, Steve and Ariya made the decision that she will not enroll in health care coverage next year.

Rep. Salinas emphasized that these are just two stories out of the 16,000 people in Oregon’s Sixth District who are in similar situations. They are deciding to foot Republicans' bill or forgo health care coverage altogether. This cost increase also comes on top of the over 27,000 people who would lose their health care because of cuts Republicans made to Medicaid (Oregon Health Plan) in H.R. 1.

On the webinar, Rep. Salinas reiterated her commitment to easing the financial pressures facing hardworking families and improving access to affordable health care for all Americans.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/dexter-wyden-merkley-and-bonamici-secure-release-portland-mother-after-months,"Dexter, Wyden, Merkley, and Bonamici Secure Release of Portland Mother After Months of Unlawful ICE Detention",2025-10-28,2025,2025-10,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"PORTLAND, OR— Today, Congresswoman Maxine Dexter, M.D. (OR-03), Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, and Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) announced that Jackie Merlos has been released from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody following her prolonged and illegal detention. Her release came hours after Dexter announced that a petition for a writ of habeas corpus was filed on behalf of Merlos—an action challenging the legality of her continued detention in federal court.

“Jackie’s freedom is proof that the power of the people is greater than the people in power,” said Dexter. “Oregonians refused to be silent, and because of that, Jackie is free and will be home with her children. This is a moment for celebration, but it’s also a painful reminder that justice was long delayed and actively undermined by the federal government. Jackie’s faith, her community, and her resilience got her home—but thousands of others will never see equal justice. That is un-American. Our community cannot let up now; we must keep using our power to protect our neighbors and keep families together.”

""I'm so grateful to have my freedom today. So many people have been by my side in this long journey. I'm so appreciative. I can't wait to hug my babies. And then I will get to work for others like me,” said Jackie Merlos.

""Today is an important day. We picked up our dear friend after four months of cruelty and wrongful detention,” said Mimi Lettunich and husband Kris Wigger, who cared for the Merlos children since July. “Tenacity, heart and justice prevailed over the Trump administration's egregious immigration policies. It took countless lawyers, members of Congress, national advocacy groups, friends and family from all political affiliations to make this possible. We look forward to celebrating Jackie's release and using this example as momentum to fight for others. We've only just begun.”

“I’m glad our delegation’s teamwork has succeeded in helping to free this Oregon mom and reunite her with her four U.S. citizen children,” Wyden said. “Jackie Merlos should never have been cruelly separated from her kids and illegally imprisoned thanks to Donald Trump’s scattershot immigration schemes. I’ll never stop pushing back against this Trump madness so that due process and civil rights are upheld for everyone in America.”

“If we allow families to be torn apart and our neighbors to be detained by their government indefinitely without due process, we surrender the values that define our great republic,” said Merkley. “I joined my colleagues—Congresswoman Dexter, Senator Wyden, and Congresswoman Bonamici—to demand the release of Jackie Merlos, an innocent mother of four children who was held in ICE custody for over 100 days. Today, thanks to the voices of countless Oregonians and the tireless work of Jackie’s legal team and local organizations, Jackie is going home, though her experience isn’t an anomaly. Trump continues to shred our Constitution, allowing due process to be illegally denied and using ICE to stoke fear and uncertainty in our communities. We must keep ringing the alarm bells on his authoritarianism and fight for the rights of all our friends and neighbors.”

""It is encouraging that Jackie Merlos will finally be reunited with her four young children, but ICE never should have separated this family,” said Bonamici. “Many families, like Jackie's, are being ripped apart by an out-of-control federal agency using cruel, violent, and often illegal enforcement tactics. My heart goes out to the entire Merlos family and to all of the families who are continuing to fight to be with their loved ones again. Thank you to my colleague, Rep. Maxine Dexter, for leading on this case with heart and persistence.”

Jackie Merlos is a Portland mother and small business owner who was disappeared and detained by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) with her four U.S. citizen children after a visit to Peace Arch Park last summer.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-andrea-salinas-delivers-remarks-and-questions-witnesses-about-impact,Rep. Andrea Salinas Delivers Remarks and Questions Witnesses about the Impact of the Republican Health Care Crisis on Women and Caregivers,2025-10-28,2025,2025-10,Democrat,House,OR,Andrea Salinas,S001226,salinas.house.gov,salinas,https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Image

Click here to watch Rep. Salinas’ full remarks.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-salinas-signs-bipartisan-amicus-brief-challenging-trumps-unlawful-and,Rep. Salinas Signs Bipartisan Amicus Brief Challenging Trump’s Unlawful and Inflationary Tariffs,2025-10-28,2025,2025-10,Democrat,House,OR,Andrea Salinas,S001226,salinas.house.gov,salinas,https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden said today he is leading Senate and House colleagues in filing a bipartisan amicus brief before the U.S. Supreme Court in the consolidated case challenging Donald Trump’s unlawful use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose tariffs on imported goods.

The sweeping tariffs imposed by Trump have raised average tariffs to their highest rate since the Great Depression and added more than $1,800 to costs for the average household. The brief in Learning Resources et al. v. Trump and Trump v. V.O.S. Selections et al. – signed as well by U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and U.S. Representatives Suzanne Bonamici, Andrea Salinas and Maxine Dexter – argues that the Constitution grants Congress, not the president, the sole authority to impose tariffs and regulate commerce with foreign nations. And the brief argues that IEEPA, enacted in 1977, does not authorize tariffs. It urges the Supreme Court to reaffirm Congress’s constitutional authority over tariff policy and to strike down Trump’s misuse of IEEPA.

“President Trump’s sweeping tariffs are as reckless as they are unconstitutional. They have driven up prices, hurt American families, and eroded the Constitution’s separation of powers. The Constitution is clear: tariff power belongs to Congress alone. Federal courts have already confirmed that President Trump’s attempt to impose tariffs is unlawful, and now it’s time for the Supreme Court to do the same. I’m grateful to Attorney General Rayfield, as well as my Democratic colleagues in the House and Senate, for their work to put an end to this abuse of power,” Salinas said.

“Congress passed IEEPA to respond to crises, not to create them. This law doesn’t even mention granting tariff authority to the president, let alone the power to slap sweeping tariffs on products from almost every country on earth,” said Wyden, Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee. “I’m proud to support Oregon Attorney General Rayfield’s effort to strike down Trump’s illegal tariffs. The courts should follow the plain text of this law and strike down the global tariffs that are harming American families and threatening American jobs.”

“Senator Wyden’s leadership in rallying more than 200 members of Congress to support this brief marks an important turning point,” said Attorney General Dan Rayfield. “The constitutional balance of power isn’t up for debate, and Congress is making it clear that presidents can’t use emergency powers as a back door to raise taxes on American families.”

“Trump’s illegal and chaotic tariffs are harming American consumers and businesses, leaving them to foot the bill for Trumpflation’s rising prices,” Merkley said. “While Trump is doing all he can to make life more expensive for families across the country, we’re fighting back against the Trump tariff wrecking ball with every tool at our disposal.”

“The livelihood and economic stability of Oregonians should not be subject to Donald Trump’s whims or determined by his abuse of power,” said Bonamici. “We’re fighting against this dangerous and chaotic trade policy, which is increasing uncertainty and raising prices for people across the country.”

“Trump’s tariffs are a tax on working people who are already struggling to get by in an economy that is rigged against them,” said Dexter. “I stand firmly beside Attorney General Rayfield in his relentless fight against Trump’s illegal tariffs and am proud to join this amicus brief to support that effort in court.”

The Supreme Court filing follows consistent rulings from the Federal Circuit, the Court of International Trade and the District Court for the District of Columbia—all of which found the Trump administration’s use of IEEPA to impose tariffs unlawful. The lawmakers’ brief underscores that IEEPA’s narrow emergency powers do not authorize the President to impose duties, taxes or tariffs and that using IEEPA in this way undermines guardrails designed by Congress to prevent executive abuse of tariffs.

In June, Senators Wyden, Merkley, Shaheen, and Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., Senate Democratic Leader, led 33 senators in filing an amicus brief at an earlier stage of this case urging the immediate suspension of the tariffs imposed under IEEPA.

In July, Wyden and Shaheen, as well as House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and the ranking members of the House Foreign Affairs, Judiciary and Ways and Means Committees co-led a group of 191 Senate and House lawmakers in filing an amicus brief before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Oregon/V.O.S. Selections v. Trump, challenging President Trump’s unlawful use of emergency powers to impose tariffs under IEEPA. The brief argued that IEEPA is not a tariff statute and that the President lacks the constitutional authority to unilaterally impose taxes on imported goods.

In addition to Wyden, the brief was also led by U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., and Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, as well as House Litigation Task Force Chair Joe Neguse, D-Colo., House Judiciary Ranking Member Jamie Raskin, D-Md., House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., Ways and Means Ranking Member Richard E. Neal, D-Mass., and House Foreign Affairs Ranking Member Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y. In addition to Merkley, Bonamici, Salinas, and Dexter, the brief was signed by 33 Senators and 168 U.S. Representatives.

The full brief is here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/bonamici-joins-bipartisan-amicus-brief-challenging-trumps-unlawful-and,Bonamici Joins Bipartisan Amicus Brief Challenging Trump’s Unlawful and Inflationary Tariffs,2025-10-27,2025,2025-10,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden said today he is leading Senate and House colleagues in filing a bipartisan amicus brief before the U.S. Supreme Court in the consolidated case challenging Donald Trump’s unlawful use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose tariffs on imported goods.

The sweeping tariffs imposed by Trump have raised average tariffs to their highest rate since the Great Depression and added more than $1,800 to costs for the average household. The brief in Learning Resources et al. v. Trump and Trump v. V.O.S. Selections et al. – signed as well by U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and U.S. Representatives Suzanne Bonamici, Andrea Salinas and Maxine Dexter – argues that the Constitution grants Congress, not the president, the sole authority to impose tariffs and regulate commerce with foreign nations. And the brief argues that IEEPA, enacted in 1977, does not authorize tariffs. It urges the Supreme Court to reaffirm Congress’s constitutional authority over tariff policy and to strike down Trump’s misuse of IEEPA.

“Congress passed IEEPA to respond to crises, not to create them. This law doesn’t even mention granting tariff authority to the president, let alone the power to slap sweeping tariffs on products from almost every country on earth,” said Wyden, Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee. “I’m proud to support Oregon Attorney General Rayfield’s effort to strike down Trump’s illegal tariffs. The courts should follow the plain text of this law and strike down the global tariffs that are harming American families and threatening American jobs.”

“Senator Wyden’s leadership in rallying more than 200 members of Congress to support this brief marks an important turning point,” said Attorney General Dan Rayfield. “The constitutional balance of power isn’t up for debate, and Congress is making it clear that presidents can’t use emergency powers as a back door to raise taxes on American families.”

“Trump’s illegal and chaotic tariffs are harming American consumers and businesses, leaving them to foot the bill for Trumpflation’s rising prices,” Merkley said. “While Trump is doing all he can to make life more expensive for families across the country, we’re fighting back against the Trump tariff wrecking ball with every tool at our disposal.”

“The livelihood and economic stability of Oregonians should not be subject to Donald Trump’s whims or determined by his abuse of power,” said Bonamici. “We’re fighting against this dangerous and chaotic trade policy, which is increasing uncertainty and raising prices for people across the country.”

“President Trump’s sweeping tariffs are as reckless as they are unconstitutional. They have driven up prices, hurt American families, and eroded the Constitution’s separation of powers. The Constitution is clear: tariff power belongs to Congress alone. Federal courts have already confirmed that President Trump’s attempt to impose tariffs is unlawful, and now it’s time for the Supreme Court to do the same. I’m grateful to Attorney General Rayfield, as well as my Democratic colleagues in the House and Senate, for their work to put an end to this abuse of power,” Salinas said.

“Trump’s tariffs are a tax on working people who are already struggling to get by in an economy that is rigged against them,” said Dexter. “I stand firmly beside Attorney General Rayfield in his relentless fight against Trump’s illegal tariffs and am proud to join this amicus brief to support that effort in court.”

The Supreme Court filing follows consistent rulings from the Federal Circuit, the Court of International Trade and the District Court for the District of Columbia—all of which found the Trump administration’s use of IEEPA to impose tariffs unlawful. The lawmakers’ brief underscores that IEEPA’s narrow emergency powers do not authorize the President to impose duties, taxes or tariffs and that using IEEPA in this way undermines guardrails designed by Congress to prevent executive abuse of tariffs.

In June, Senators Wyden, Merkley, Shaheen, and Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., Senate Democratic Leader, led 33 senators in filing an amicus brief at an earlier stage of this case urging the immediate suspension of the tariffs imposed under IEEPA.

In July, Wyden and Shaheen, as well as House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and the ranking members of the House Foreign Affairs, Judiciary and Ways and Means Committees co-led a group of 191 Senate and House lawmakers in filing an amicus brief before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Oregon/V.O.S. Selections v. Trump, challenging President Trump’s unlawful use of emergency powers to impose tariffs under IEEPA. The brief argued that IEEPA is not a tariff statute and that the President lacks the constitutional authority to unilaterally impose taxes on imported goods.

In addition to Wyden, the brief was also led by U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., and Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, as well as House Litigation Task Force Chair Joe Neguse, D-Colo., House Judiciary Ranking Member Jamie Raskin, D-Md., House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., Ways and Means Ranking Member Richard E. Neal, D-Mass., and House Foreign Affairs Ranking Member Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y. In addition to Merkley, Bonamici, Salinas, and Dexter, the brief was signed by 33 Senators and 168 U.S. Representatives.

The full brief is here.

A web version of this release is here.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://dexter.house.gov/media/press-releases/dexter-announces-federal-court-action-free-portland-mother-ice-custody,Dexter Announces Federal Court Action to Free Portland Mother from ICE Custody,2025-10-27,2025,2025-10,Democrat,House,OR,Maxine Dexter,D000635,dexter.house.gov,dexter,https://dexter.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Congresswoman Maxine Dexter, M.D. (OR-03) announced that a lawyer for Jackie Merlos, a Portland mother held in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention without cause, has filed a petition for writ of habeas corpus. This action challenges the legality of Jackie Merlos’ continued detention in federal court.

“ICE’s decision to continue holding Jackie Merlos, even after a judge terminated her case, is a reminder of the perverse incentives fueling Trump’s for-profit immigration machine. Under him, there is almost no way out of immigration detention other than death or deportation,” said Dexter. “I will use every tool at my disposal to prevent Jackie, or any one of my constituents, from enduring illegal prolonged detention or an illegal or coerced deportation. Today’s legal action is a necessary step toward securing justice for Jackie and ensuring that ICE is held accountable for its inhumane and harmful practices.”

Jackie Merlos is a Portland mother and small business owner who was disappeared and detained by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) with her four U.S. citizen children after a visit to Peace Arch Park last summer. After learning of Jackie and her children’s detention, Dexter personally drove to near the Northern border in Washington State to demand their release. Dexter worked with Senators Wyden and Merkley to secure an emergency court order halting her deportation, allowing her children to be released and Jackie access to legal counsel.

Last month, Dexter spotlighted the Merlos family’s story in a congressional shadow hearing titled Kidnapped and Disappeared: Trump’s Assault Destroys U.S. Families and Communities.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://dexter.house.gov/media/press-releases/dexter-wyden-merkley-and-bonamici-secure-release-portland-mother-after-months,"Dexter, Wyden, Merkley, and Bonamici Secure Release of Portland Mother After Months of Unlawful ICE Detention",2025-10-27,2025,2025-10,Democrat,House,OR,Maxine Dexter,D000635,dexter.house.gov,dexter,https://dexter.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"PORTLAND, OR— Today, Congresswoman Maxine Dexter, M.D. (OR-03), Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, and Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) announced that Jackie Merlos has been released from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody following her prolonged and illegal detention. Her release came hours after Dexter announced that a petition for a writ of habeas corpus was filed on behalf of Merlos—an action challenging the legality of her continued detention in federal court.

“Jackie’s freedom is proof that the power of the people is greater than the people in power,” said Dexter. “Oregonians refused to be silent, and because of that, Jackie is free and will be home with her children. This is a moment for celebration, but it’s also a painful reminder that justice was long delayed and actively undermined by the federal government. Jackie’s faith, her community, and her resilience got her home—but thousands of others will never see equal justice. That is un-American. Our community cannot let up now; we must keep using our power to protect our neighbors and keep families together.”

""I'm so grateful to have my freedom today. So many people have been by my side in this long journey. I'm so appreciative. I can't wait to hug my babies. And then I will get to work for others like me,” said Jackie Merlos.

""Today is an important day. We picked up our dear friend after four months of cruelty and wrongful detention,” said Mimi Lettunich and husband Kris Wigger, who cared for the Merlos children since July. “Tenacity, heart and justice prevailed over the Trump administration's egregious immigration policies. It took countless lawyers, members of Congress, national advocacy groups, friends and family from all political affiliations to make this possible. We look forward to celebrating Jackie's release and using this example as momentum to fight for others. We've only just begun.”

“I’m glad our delegation’s teamwork has succeeded in helping to free this Oregon mom and reunite her with her four U.S. citizen children,” Wyden said. “Jackie Merlos should never have been cruelly separated from her kids and illegally imprisoned thanks to Donald Trump’s scattershot immigration schemes. I’ll never stop pushing back against this Trump madness so that due process and civil rights are upheld for everyone in America.”

“If we allow families to be torn apart and our neighbors to be detained by their government indefinitely without due process, we surrender the values that define our great republic,” said Merkley. “I joined my colleagues—Congresswoman Dexter, Senator Wyden, and Congresswoman Bonamici—to demand the release of Jackie Merlos, an innocent mother of four children who was held in ICE custody for over 100 days. Today, thanks to the voices of countless Oregonians and the tireless work of Jackie’s legal team and local organizations, Jackie is going home, though her experience isn’t an anomaly. Trump continues to shred our Constitution, allowing due process to be illegally denied and using ICE to stoke fear and uncertainty in our communities. We must keep ringing the alarm bells on his authoritarianism and fight for the rights of all our friends and neighbors.”

""It is encouraging that Jackie Merlos will finally be reunited with her four young children, but ICE never should have separated this family,” said Bonamici. “Many families, like Jackie's, are being ripped apart by an out-of-control federal agency using cruel, violent, and often illegal enforcement tactics. My heart goes out to the entire Merlos family and to all of the families who are continuing to fight to be with their loved ones again. Thank you to my colleague, Rep. Maxine Dexter, for leading on this case with heart and persistence.”

Jackie Merlos is a Portland mother and small business owner who was disappeared and detained by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) with her four U.S. citizen children after a visit to Peace Arch Park last summer. After learning of Jackie and her children’s detention, Dexter personally drove to near the northern border in Washington State to demand their release. Dexter worked with Senators Wyden and Merkley to secure an emergency court order halting her deportation, allowing her children to be released and Jackie access to legal counsel.

Last month, Dexter spotlighted the Merlos family’s story in a congressional shadow hearing titled Kidnapped and Disappeared: Trump’s Assault Destroys U.S. Families and Communities.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-salinas-urges-usda-take-immediate-action-fund-snap,Rep. Salinas Urges USDA to Take Immediate Action to Fund SNAP,2025-10-24,2025,2025-10,Democrat,House,OR,Andrea Salinas,S001226,salinas.house.gov,salinas,https://salinas.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (OR-06) was joined by 213 House Democrats in sending a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to urge the agency to use contingency reserve dollars to fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) during the government shutdown. With no resolution to a bipartisan path forward to reopen the government, SNAP funding is set to lapse on November 1st, putting 42 million children and families at risk of experiencing hunger.

There is enough in the SNAP contingency reserve to cover nearly two-thirds of the amount needed for a full month of benefits. As such, the Members also advocate for the agency to use statutory transfer authority or any other legal means to supplement shortfalls the contingency reserve cannot cover.

“Now more than ever, millions of families across the country depend upon the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to make ends meet. For far too many veterans, seniors, and children, SNAP benefits are the difference between having food or not,” wrote the Members. “Now, due to the government shutdown, they are facing crippling levels of uncertainty about whether they will be able to afford food next month. A potential lapse in benefits would be felt by Americans of all ages and affect every corner and congressional district in the country.”

“We urge USDA to use these funds for November SNAP benefits and issue clear guidance to states on how to navigate benefit issuance. Additionally, while the contingency reserve will not cover November benefits in full, we urge USDA to use its statutory transfer authority or any other legal authority at its disposal to supplement these dollars and fully fund November benefits. There are clear steps the administration can and must take immediately to ensure that millions of families across the country can put food on their table in November. Choosing not to ensure SNAP benefits reach those in need this November would be a gross dereliction of your responsibilities to the American people.”

The letter is also signed by Reps. Alma Adams (NC-12), Pete Aguilar (CA-33), Gabe Amo (RI-01), Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Jake Auchincloss (MA-04), Becca Balint (VT), Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Wesley Bell (MO-01), Ami Bera (CA-06), Donald Beyer (VA-08), Sanford Bishop (GA-02), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Brendan Boyle (PA-02), Shontel Brown (OH-11), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Janelle Bynum (OR-05), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), André Carson (IN-07), Troy Carter (LA-02), Greg Casar (TX-35), Ed Case (HI-01), Sean Casten (IL-06), Kathy Castor (FL-14), Joaquin Castro (T-20), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20), Judy Chu (CA-28), Gilbert Cisneros (CA-31), Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Katherine Clark (MA-05), Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05), James E Clyburn (SC-06), Steve Cohen (TN-09), Herbert Conaway (NJ-03), J. Louis Correa (CA-46), Jim Costa (CA-21), Joe Courtney (CT-02), Angie Craig (MN-02), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Jason Crow (CO-06), Henry Cuellar (TX-28), Sharice Davids (KS-03), Danny Davis (IL-07), Donald Davis (NC-01), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Diana DeGette (CO-01), Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Christopher Deluzio (PA-17), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), Debbie Dingell (MI-06), Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Sarah Elfreth (MD-03), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Dwight Evans (PA-03), Cleo Fields (LA-06), Shomari Figures (AL-02), Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), Bill Foster (IL-11), Valerie Foushee (NC-04), Lois Frankel (FL-22), Laura Friedman (CA-30), Maxwell Frost (FL-10), John Garamendi (CA-08), Jesús García (IL-04), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Laura Gillen (NY-04), Daniel Goldman (NY-10), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34), Maggie Goodlander (NH-02), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), Adam Gray (CA-13), Al Green (TX-09), Josh Harder (CA-09), Jahana Hayes (CT-05), Pablo Hernández (PR- At Large), James Himes (CT-04), Steven Horsford (NV-04), Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), Steny Hoyer (MD-05), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Glenn Ivey MD-04), Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08), Henry Johnson (GA-04), Julie Johnson (TX-32), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), William; Keating (MA-09), Robin Kelly (IL-02), Timothy Kennedy (NY-26), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Greg Landsman (OH-01), Rick Larsen (WA-02), John Larson (CT-01), George Latimer (NY-16), Summer Lee (PA-12), Susie Lee (NV-03), Teresa Leger Fernandez (NM-03), Mike Levin (CA-49), Sam Liccardo (CA-16), Ted Lieu (CA-36), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Stephen Lynch (MA-08), Seth Magaziner (RI-02), John Mannion (NY-22), Doris Matsui (CA-07), Lucy McBath (GA-06), Sarah McBride (DE-At Large), April McClain Delaney (MD-06), Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), Betty McCollum (MN-04), Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-08) Morgan McGarvey (KY-03), James McGovern (MA-02), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Gregory Meeks (NY-05), Robert Menendez (NJ-08), Grace Meng (NY-06), Kweisi Mfume (MD-07), Dave Min (CA-47), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Joseph Morelle (NY-25), Kelly Morrison (MN-03), Jared Moskowitz (FL-23), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Frank Mrvan (IN-01), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Richard Neal (MA-01), Joe Neguse (CO-02), Donald Norcross (NJ-01),Eleanor Norton (DC-AL), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Johnny Olszewski (MD-02), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Frank Pallone (NJ-06), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Chris Pappas (NH-01), Nancy Pelosi (CA-11), Scott Peters (CA-50), Brittany Pettersen (CO-07), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Stacey Plaskett (VI-AL), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Nellie Pou (NJ-09), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Emily Randall (WA-06), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Josh Riley (NY-19), Luz Rivas (CA-29), Deborah Ross (NC-02), Raul Ruiz (CA-25), Patrick Ryan (NY-18), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Linda Sánchez (CA-38), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Janice Schakowsky (IL-09), Bradley Schneider (IL-10), Hillary Scholten (MI-03), Kim Schrier (WA-08), David Scott (GA-13), Bobby Scott (VA-03), Terri Sewell (AL-07), Brad Sherman (CA-32), Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Adam Smith (WA-09), Eric Sorensen (IL-17), Darren Soto (FL-09), Melanie Stansbury (NM-01), Greg Stanton (AZ-04), Haley Stevens (MI-11), Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10), Thomas Suozzi (NY-03), Eric Swalwell (CA-14), Emilia Sykes (OH-13), Mark Takano (CA-39), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Bennie Thompson (MS-02), Mike Thompson (CA-04), Dina Titus (NV-01), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Norma Torres (CA-35), Ritchie Torres (NY-15), Lori Trahan (MA-03), Derek Tran (CA-45), Lauren Underwood (IL-14), Juan Vargas (CA-52), Gabe Vasquez (NM-02), Marc Veasey (TX-33), Nydia Velázquez (NY-07), Eugene Vindman (VA-07), James Walkinshaw (VA-11), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), Maxine Waters (CA-43), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), George Whitesides (CA-27), Nikema Williams (GA-05), and Frederica Wilson (FL-24).

Full text of the letter is available here.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/dexter-wyden-merkley-bonamici-press-ice-release-portland-mother-after-court,"Dexter, Wyden, Merkley, Bonamici Press ICE to Release Portland Mother After Court Clears Her Case",2025-10-22,2025,2025-10,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"PORTLAND, OR— Today, Congresswoman Maxine Dexter, M.D. (OR-03) led a letter with Senators Ron Wyden, Jeff Merkley, and Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) calling on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to immediately release Jackie Merlos, a Portland mother who remains detained at the Northwest ICE Processing Center (NWIPC) despite an immigration judge terminating her removal proceedings.

“Ms. Merlos holds U-Deferred Action status, a valid work permit through 2029, and has not been charged with a crime. To date, the Department of Homeland Security has not provided us with any explanation for why she was detained for so long by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and why she is still being held at NWIPC by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE),” the lawmakers wrote.

The lawmakers emphasized that in addition to the court’s decision to terminate her case, more than thirty community members have written in support of Jackie Merlos. The letters of support come from friends, employers, pastors, and nonprofit leaders, describing her as a “generous, deeply respected, hardworking, small business owner, who is devoted to her church congregation, neighbors, and family.”

The lawmakers demanded ICE immediately reunite Jackie with her young children. Read the entire letter here.

Jackie Merlos is a Portland mother and small business owner who was disappeared and detained by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) with her four U.S. citizen children after a visit to Peace Arch Park last summer. After learning of Jackie and her children’s detention, Dexter personally drove to Washington State to demand their release. Dexter worked with Senators Wyden and Merkley to secure an emergency court order halting her deportation, allowing her children to be released and Jackie access to legal counsel.

Last month, Dexter spotlighted the Merlos family’s story in a congressional shadow hearing titled Kidnapped and Disappeared: Trump’s Assault Destroys U.S. Families and Communities.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://dexter.house.gov/media/press-releases/dexter-wyden-merkley-bonamici-press-ice-release-portland-mother-after-court,"Dexter, Wyden, Merkley, Bonamici Press ICE to Release Portland Mother After Court Clears Her Case",2025-10-22,2025,2025-10,Democrat,House,OR,Maxine Dexter,D000635,dexter.house.gov,dexter,https://dexter.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"PORTLAND, OR— Today, Congresswoman Maxine Dexter, M.D. (OR-03) led a letter with Senators Ron Wyden, Jeff Merkley, and Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) calling on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to immediately release Jackie Merlos, a Portland mother who remains detained at the Northwest ICE Processing Center (NWIPC) despite an immigration judge terminating her removal proceedings.

“Ms. Merlos holds U-Deferred Action status, a valid work permit through 2029, and has not been charged with a crime. To date, the Department of Homeland Security has not provided us with any explanation for why she was detained for so long by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and why she is still being held at NWIPC by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE),” the lawmakers wrote.

The lawmakers emphasized that in addition to the court’s decision to terminate her case, more than thirty community members have written in support of Jackie Merlos. The letters of support come from friends, employers, pastors, nonprofit leaders, describing her as a “generous, deeply respected, hardworking, small business owner, who is devoted to her church congregation, neighbors, and family.”

The lawmakers demanded ICE immediately reunite Jackie with her young children. Read the entire letter here.

Jackie Merlos is a Portland mother and small business owner who was disappeared and detained by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) with her four U.S. citizen children after a visit to Peace Arch Park last summer. After learning of Jackie and her children’s detention, Dexter personally drove to Washington State to demand their release. Dexter worked with Senators Wyden and Merkley to secure an emergency court order halting her deportation, allowing her children to be released and Jackie access to legal counsel.

Last month, Dexter spotlighted the Merlos family’s story in a congressional shadow hearing titled Kidnapped and Disappeared: Trump’s Assault Destroys U.S. Families and Communities.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z