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://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/bonamici-announces-92m-oregon-clean-drinking-water,Bonamici Announces $92M for Oregon Clean Drinking Water,2021-12-23,2021,2021-12,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"BEAVERTON, OR [12/22/21] —Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) announced that Oregon will soon receive $92,079,000 in federal funding from the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to strengthen drinking and wastewater systems and replace dangerous lead service lines and pipes. This funding is the first round of a five-year investment authorized by the new law.

""Access to safe and reliable drinking water is critical for our communities to stay healthy and thrive,"" Bonamici said. ""Lead and contaminants pose serious health threats to Oregonians. As a mom and a policymaker, I'm especially concerned about making sure our kids can drink clean water at home and at school. This federal investment of $92 million will provide clean safe drinking water to hundreds of thousands of Oregonians. That's what it means to build back better.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:37:48Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/schrader-bonamici-lead-push-modernize-grand-ronde-and-siletz-tribes-hunting,"Schrader, Bonamici Lead Push to Modernize Grand Ronde and Siletz Tribes’ Hunting and Fishing Agreements",2021-12-23,2021,2021-12,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Today, U.S. Representatives Kurt Schrader (OR-05) and Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) introduced two separate bills as a step forward for the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, so they have the ability to work toward amending and modernizing their hunting, fishing, trapping and animal gathering rights. The House bills serve as companions to the Senate bills, introduced by Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley and co-sponsored by Senator Ron Wyden: S.3123 amends the Siletz Reservation Act of 1980 and S.3126 amends the Grand Ronde Reservation Act of 1986.

The two bills championed by Reps. Schrader and Bonamici address consent decrees that were issued by the State of Oregon and the federal government at the time of Restoration. Incorporated into the Siletz and Grand Ronde Reservation Acts passed by Congress, these agreements expressly extinguished any pre-existing rights Tribal members had to hunt and fish in their ancestral homelands. The proposed legislation would not mandate or recommend any new agreements. Instead, the bills would amend the Reservation Acts to permit the 1980 and 1986 hunting and fishing agreements to be replaced, amended or otherwise modified through new government-to-government agreements between the Tribes and the State. Once new hunting and fishing agreements are complete, the legislation allows the State and the Tribes to return to Federal Court to request the termination or modification of the consent decrees currently in place. While provisions in the bills facilitate a process to amend the Siletz and Grand Ronde Reservation Acts, the proposed legislation states that these Reservation Act amendments do not alter or change the treaty rights of any other Indian Tribe.

""It is clear Congress must act so the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians finally have a process in place to amend and modernize hunting and fishing agreements that are so vital to their Tribal sovereignty and cultural identities,"" Congressman Schrader said. ""I look forward to working with Congresswoman Bonamici on this important legislation as a first step toward correcting historic wrongs brought on by harmful consent decrees that were incorporated into the Siletz and Grand Ronde Reservation Acts.""

""For too long the people of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde and the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians have been denied their full right to hunt and fish in their ancestral homelands,"" said Congresswoman Bonamici. ""The consent decree these Tribes were forced to sign is racist and unjust, and we must right this wrong by passing this legislation to restore their hunting and fishing rights.""

""For decades federal law has blocked Siletz tribal members from exercising their inherent right to hunt and fish in their ancestral homelands,"" said Delores Pigsley, Tribal Chairman, Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians. ""We applaud Rep's Schrader and Bonamici for introducing this legislation to finally get that over-reaching law off the books.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:37:48Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/senator-merkley-representative-defazio-and-oregon-delegation-push-army-corps,"Senator Merkley, Representative DeFazio, and the Oregon Delegation Push for Army Corps Funding for Oregon’s Small Ports",2021-12-08,2021,2021-12,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and Representative Peter DeFazio (OR-04), the Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, along with Senator Ron Wyden and Representatives Earl Blumenauer (OR-03), Kurt Schrader (OR-05), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), and Cliff Bentz (OR-02), are pushing for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to include funding for Oregon's port infrastructure as the agency implements the recently passed Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (IIJA).

In a letter sent to the Army Corps and the Office of Management and Budget, the lawmakers requested allocated funds be set aside to ensure federally authorized waterways and navigation infrastructure in the State of Oregon are properly maintained, which is especially critical to Oregon's small ports.

""The COVID-19 pandemic has hit rural communities and small, commercial ports with multiple economic losses from higher safety and sanitation costs, shelter-in-place orders, tenants seeking lease deferral, a severe downturn of the commercial fishing markets, and ports were not eligible to receive much of the relief funds,"" the lawmakers wrote. ""These ports are a source of jobs, recreation, and tax benefit to the state and local community and additional operations and maintenance funding is critical for the federal channels and structures that serve these communities.""

Oregon is home to export gateways, inland barging terminals, and small commercial and recreational fishing ports, all 23 of which play a significant role in Oregon's economy. The IIJA is a landmark piece of legislation that will invest in land and water infrastructure, the labor force, broadband infrastructure, and the economy. It's critical that as this legislation is implemented, Oregon's small ports—many of which have years of deferred maintenance needs—are able to access and benefit from the funding made available by IIJA.

The letter includes funding requests for things like dredging, maintenance of jetties and canal locks, fish passages, and other infrastructure needed to maintain navigation via Oregon's rivers and ports. Merkley and DeFazio noted that every lock and dam on the Columbia River have long-overdue additional maintenance needs.

The full letter can be viewed here and follows below.

###

Dear Secretary Connor and Director Young:

Ports and harbors are crucial economic drivers in communities throughout Oregon State. As the work plan for the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (IIJA) is developed, we urge you to allocate funding to port and harbor project priorities in the State of Oregon to ensure our federally authorized waterways and navigation infrastructure is properly maintained.

Oregon is home to significant export gateways, inland barging terminals, and smaller commercial and recreational fishing ports. Altogether, Oregon's 23 public ports are a key component in sustaining Oregon's economy and quality of life, including in our State's most rural areas. Oregon's ports support tens of thousands of family-wage jobs that are directly or indirectly tied to cargo movement, as well as recreation, industrial, commercial, and other activities that contribute billions of dollars in wages to Oregon's economy, in addition to supporting the activities of Federal agencies.

The passage of the IIJA represents an investment of approximately $17 billion through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for navigation and waterway infrastructure. This includes significant funding for construction, studies, and operations and maintenance. While some federal navigation projects in Oregon received funding in the Administration's proposed FY2022 and the draft House and Senate FY2022 Appropriations bills, significant maintenance and rehabilitation needs remain.

For the Construction General (CG) account, we are seeking additional resources including:

$37.525 million – Federal Columbia River Power System for Columbia River Fish Mitigation on the Columbia River and in the Willamette Valley. This account previously received much more funding on an annual basis and the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission has priorities to potentially explore above and beyond what is currently identified.

$1 million – Columbia River Channel Improvements for preparation of a new dredge material disposal site.

$300,000 – John Day Lock & Dam Mitigation to develop design plans and specifications for a new fish acclimation and release facility.

$7.25 million - Willamette Falls Locks repair and transfer.

In the General Investigations (GI) account, we seek funding for the following:

$732,000 – Willamette River, Oregon to initiate pre-construction, engineering and design for environmental dredging needs.

$200,000 – Columbia River Turning Basin Navigation Improvements Feasibility Study.

$200,000 – New start study for the aquatic ecosystem restoration at Nursery Reach in Milton-Freewater, Oregon.

$90,000 – New start study for the 42nd Street Levee project in Springfield, Oregon.

For the Operations and Maintenance (O&M) account, we are seeking funding for the following projects:

$36.561 million – Columbia River at the Mouth (MCR) to complete additional dredging, secure a pump ashore dredging contract, and repair the pile system.

$51.807 million – Columbia & Lower Willamette below Vancouver & Portland (C&LW), OR/WA for additional dredging, pile dike repairs, ensure safe ferry operations, maintain U.S. Coast Guard designated anchorages, and promote economic development for several rural communities and marine industries.

$32.720 million – Coos Bay, OR for the North Jetty root and trunk major maintenance construction and monitoring need. The Fiscal Year 2022 Energy and Water Appropriations bill in both the House and Senate include funding for the Coos Bay North Jetty project, in addition to funding already appropriated for Fiscal Year 2021. We urge you to ensure adequate funds are immediately made available for the Corps to accept an existing bid for this project and for the Corps to immediately begin construction of this critical project.

$11.629 million – Coos Bay, OR for a clamshell contract to dredge RM 12-15 to accommodate current and future barge and deep draft vessel traffic.

$62 million – Tillamook Bay and Bar South Jetty head and trunk repairs to support the Port of Garibaldi and prevent additional loss of life events.

$1.120 million – Skipanon Channel dredging which supports the Port of Astoria, OR.

$2.025 million – Yaquina River dredging, project condition survey, and real estate work to support the Port of Toledo, OR.

For the inland navigation system, every lock and dam on the Columbia River has additional maintenance needs; some of which have been deferred for many years. Therefore, we are also seeking O & M funding for the following projects:

$16.425 million – McNary Lock & Dam for a second Derrick Crane, downstream gate gudgeon anchor replacement, levee drainage pump stations, and 3rd Street road construction.

$2.191 million – The Dalles Lock & Dam for navigation lock miter gate repair follow up and tainter valves plans and specifications, Major Rehabilitation Report, and environmental permitting work.

$4.487 million – John Day Lock & Dam for a navigation lock bearing shoe, tainter valve plans and specifications, a ship to shore crane, and environmental permitting work.

$3.945 million – Bonneville Lock & Dam for plans and specifications for navigation lock stoplogs, navigation lock bridge design, spillway crane replacement, and stilling basin rock removal and mitigation.

The COVID-19 pandemic has hit rural communities and small, commercial ports with multiple economic losses from higher safety and sanitation costs, shelter in place orders, tenants seeking lease deferral, a severe downturn of the commercial fishing markets, and ports were not eligible to receive much of the relief funds. These ports are a source of jobs, recreation, and tax benefit to the state and local community and additional operations and maintenance funding is critical for the federal channels and structures that serve these communities.

There are serious concerns about the significant recession of the Coos Bay North Jetty and potential to impede search and rescue missions of the U.S. Coast Guard. The Tillamook South Jetty deterioration also creates similar navigation hazards for commercial shipping, commercial and sports fishing, and recreational boating. Looking ahead to future years, the Coquille River jetty infrastructure will also need to be addressed. We appreciate the work being done by the Portland District to prepare the design report and complete the environmental documents. These jetties were intended to protect Federal investment in channels and harbors. The current condition of these jetties represent a real and significant public safety concern that must be addressed – we have seen firsthand how a lack of funding for these projects puts mariners in harm's way and impedes the U.S. Coast Guard's ability to carry out search and rescue missions.

The jetties at the Mouth of the Columbia River are currently being rehabilitated and received strong support from the Administration for the $25.6 million needed to complete construction of this project. A pile dike system is meant to work in tandem with these jetties to control the river and sediment flows. These pile dikes are over 100 years old, and need maintenance in order for the system to function as designed and protect the Federal navigation investments from the mouth of the river all the way to Idaho.

Finally, after two years without adequate dredging at the mouth of the Rogue River, the Port of Gold Beach faces serious safety concerns, significant economic distress in an already difficult economic environment, and troubling limitations on the capabilities of the Coast Guard, who will not be able to bring their vessels into the marina this year due to inadequate depth. This project is long overdue and has been consistently neglected. The Corps District has claimed sufficient funds to complete this project. We urge expeditious completion of the dredging and basin work.

As our nation looks to stimulate economic development and increase job growth, these projects will assist in maintaining our navigation and trade assets which keep critical supply chains and goods moving. Thank you for your consideration of our requests.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:37:48Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/bonamici-congratulates-local-student-who-won-districts-congressional-app-0,Bonamici Congratulates Local Student Who Won District’s Congressional App Challenge,2021-12-02,2021,2021-12,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"BEAVERTON, OR [12/02/21] — Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), a member of the House Education and Science Committees, announced that Shreya Suresh from Sunset High School won the 2021 Congressional App Challenge for Oregon's First Congressional District.

""For this year's Congressional App Challenge, students submitted thoughtful apps that respond to the challenges we face as a country,"" said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. ""I applaud Shreya for designing and building a useful app that fills a real need and helps make our communities more accessible. Learning to code is a great way for students to tackle real-world problems while developing their skills.""

Suresh created an app called ""Sightly"" for people who are visually impaired. The app uses a smartphone's camera to identify objects in the world, like a staircase or crosswalk signal, and report them to the user with audio messages. She designed the app after a field trip to several organizations that serve people who are visually impaired and has shared it with the Oregon Commission for the Blind.

""After learning more about the struggles of people who are blind, I decided to use my programming skills to create something that would help them navigate safely and help them become more independent,"" said Shreya Suresh, a junior at Sunset High School. ""Current solutions don't have live video recognition or hands-free usage. Sightly recognizes the key obstacles and navigational aids that the visually impaired encounter daily.""

A panel of expert judges from Northwest Oregon selected the winning app. The judges evaluated the submissions for creativity, originality, user experience, and design. The three judges are:

Tong Zhang, Executive Director, Oregon MESA

Sam Nhim, Grant Coordinator, Native American Rehabilitation Association of the Northwest

Cyreena Boston Ashby, CEO, Girls, Inc. of the Pacific Northwest

Bonamici recognized Suresh in a virtual reception with all of the students from Oregon's First District who submitted entries. The winning app will be featured on a display 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 STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education to encourage creative thinking and engage more students. By supporting and recognizing young programmers, Congress is acknowledging the growing importance of technology development. Students across the country competed in the Congressional App Challenge by creating and demonstrating a software application, or ""app,"" for mobile, tablet, or computer devices. The U.S. House of Representatives organizes the nationwide Congressional App Challenge each year.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:37:48Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/save-our-seas-20-lead-sponsors-welcome-new-academy-sciences-report-marine,Save Our Seas 2.0 Lead Sponsors Welcome New Academy of Sciences Report on Marine Debris Crisis,2021-12-01,2021,2021-12,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), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), and Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.) and Don Young (R-Alaska)—champions of the 2020 Save Our Seas (SOS) 2.0 Act, the most comprehensive marine debris legislation ever—today welcomed a report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine entitled ""Reckoning with the U.S. Role in Global Ocean Plastic Waste."" The report, mandated by the SOS 2.0 Act and sponsored by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), synthesizes all existing research on marine debris and presents a stark assessment of the amount of plastic that enters the world's oceans.

According to the report, an estimated eight million metric tons (MMT) of plastic waste enters the world's oceans each year—the equivalent of dumping a garbage truck of plastic waste into the ocean every minute. If current practices continue, the amount of plas­tic waste discharged into the ocean could reach up to 53 MMT per year by 2030, roughly half of the total weight of fish caught from the ocean annually. The study's key recommendation is that the United States create a com­prehensive federal research and policy strategy that focuses on interventions across the entire plastic life cycle to reduce the U.S. contribu­tion of plastic waste to the environment, including the ocean.

""I want to share my appreciation for the experts at the National Academies study committee and the NOAA Marine Debris Office for their critical work on this landmark analysis that deepens our understanding of the challenge of marine debris,"" said Senator Sullivan. ""This report is a sobering reminder of the scale of this problem, which impacts Alaska more than any other state with our 6,600 miles of coastline. The research and findings compiled here by our best scientists will serve as a springboard to our future legislative efforts to tackle this entirely solvable environmental challenge and better protect our marine ecosystems, fisheries, and coastal economies.""

""This National Academies study, carried out at the direction of our Save Our Seas 2.0 law, illustrates the mind-boggling scale of the global ocean plastic problem and how the U.S. contributes to it,"" said Senator Whitehouse. ""There's a bipartisan tradition of ocean stewardship in the Senate, and I look forward to working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to keep making progress cleaning up this harmful mess.""

""The National Academies plastic waste report, which emphasizes the negative impact of plastic pollution on coastal tourism, property values, and fisheries, is especially relevant to the safety and prosperity of communities in coastal states like New Jersey,"" Senator Menendez said. ""As the United Nation's Environment Assembly initiates negotiations on a global agreement to combat plastic pollution this February, we are committed to ensuring the advances made in SOS 2.0 continue to guide the United States' environmental and climate leadership on the world stage.""

""Marine debris is a threat to the health of the ocean and the species that depend on it for survival,"" said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. ""I am encouraged that this report, required by the Save our Seas 2.0 Act, which I helped lead, focuses on the importance of interventions across the entire plastic lifecycle. Improving our monitoring and waste management efforts will be important but not sufficient. We must significantly reduce the creation of plastic debris. I look forward to the implementation of this report's findings and the continued development of policies to address this critical environmental issue.""

""Healthy oceans are essential to Alaska's economy and way of life. As Co-Chair of the House Oceans Caucus, monitoring and eliminating marine debris has been one of my highest priorities,"" said Congressman DonYoung. ""Last Congress, I was proud to help champion Save our Seas 2.0, which is now law, and I am pleased to see this vital effort is producing results. I am grateful to everyone at the Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine who helped make this report possible. I will keep standing up for the health of our waters, and look forward to continuing to work with friends on both sides of the aisle to ensure recommendations from this report are explored and implemented.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:37:48Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/bonamici-price-pingree-lead-call-restore-presidential-committee-arts-and,"Bonamici, Price, Pingree Lead Call to Restore Presidential Committee on the Arts and the Humanities",2021-11-30,2021,2021-11,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC [11/30/21] – Today Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), David Price (D-NC), and Chellie Pingree (D-ME) led 15 Members of the House in calling on President Joe Biden to restore the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities (PCAH) via Executive Order.

The PCAH has historically advised the President, National Endowment for the Arts, National Endowment for the Humanities, and other federal agencies on ways to coordinate support for the cultural sector and for arts and humanities education. President Ronald Reagan established the Committee in 1982 and it enjoyed bipartisan support until it was allowed to expire in 2017. In a recent report, experts from the American Academy of Arts & Sciences' Commission on the Arts recommend reestablishing the PCAH as an essential forum to coordinate federal leadership on humanities and, in particular, arts education.

""At a time when our nation is both recovering from the effects of the pandemic and experiencing deep divides, engagement with the arts and our history can play an important role in helping us heal,"" the Members of Congress wrote.""…Reinvigorating our civic education and supporting American excellence in the arts can and must be a part of your efforts to unify our country. Reconvening the President's Committee on Arts and Humanities by an Executive Order would be a further recognition of the critical role artists, scholars, historians, philosophers, and the creative economy as a whole play in our nation.""

The members noted that the coronavirus pandemic devastated the creative economy, with more than 2 million jobs and $150 billion in goods and services lost from creative industries at the peak of the pandemic. There has also been significant decline in arts and humanities education, which has disproportionately limited access for Black and Latinx students.

In addition to Bonamici, Price, and Pingree the letter was signed by Representatives Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (D-NC), Sanford D. Bishop (D-GA), Jamaal Bowman, Ed.D. (D-NY), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Jim Cooper (D-TN), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ),Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Lucy McBath (D-GA), Kweisi Mfume (D-MD), Dina Titus (D-NV), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Paul Tonko (D-NY), Marc Veasey (D-TX), and Nikema Williams (D-GA).

The full letter can be found here and below.

Bonamici has long been a champion for increasing access to arts and humanities education. She recently introduced the Arts Education for All Act, which will support and encourage arts education and programming for young children, K-12 students, and youth and adults involved in the justice system.

Price is chair of the bipartisan Congressional Humanities Caucus. Pingree is the co-chair of the Congressional Arts Caucus and serves as the Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, where she oversees funding for the arts and humanities.

November 30, 2021

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr.

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Washington, DC 20500

Dear President Biden,

Thank you for recognizing the latest National Arts and Humanities Month with your historic nominations of Dr. Maria Rosario Jackson as Chair of the National Endowment for the Arts and Shelly Lowe as Chair of the National Endowment for the Humanities. As you pursue further opportunities to restore our nation's commitment to the arts and humanities, we urge you to reinstate the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities via Executive Order.

The arts and humanities can be powerful tools in rebuilding our civic culture and continuing to foster economic growth. The coronavirus pandemic has devastated the creative economy. During the peak of the pandemic, more than 2 million jobs and $150 billion in goods and services were lost from our creative industries.[1] We know that this critical sector can contribute up to 4.5 percent of our national GDP[2], and the arts and culture also serve a transformational role in our communities.

In recent years, there have been significant declines in the teaching of arts and humanities to our nation's students. Based on data from the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, student participation in humanities education at colleges and universities continues to decline. Loss of access to arts and humanities education is also a fundamental matter of equity, which is especially important to address considering how creative learning bolsters academic success. A study from the NEA shows that, since the 1980s, white students have experienced almost no decline in arts education, yet during the same period Black and Latinx students saw sharp declines of 49 percent and 40 percent, respectively.[3]

The President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities would provide the White House, future NEH and NEA Chairs, and other related-agency leaders with the research and expert policy analysis needed to help rejuvenate arts and humanities education while also maximizing the potential of our cultural sector and creative economy. Further, this advisory committee could support related initiatives, for example, at the Department of Labor and the Small Business Administration, to sustain the creative workforce and the independent venues relied on by artists.

At a time when our nation is both recovering from the effects of the pandemic and experiencing deep divides, engagement with the arts and our history can play an important role in helping us heal. The advisory committee was originally established by President Reagan and has enjoyed bipartisan support throughout its history, reinvigorating our civic education and supporting American excellence in the arts can and must be a part of your efforts to unify our country. Reconvening the President's Committee on Arts and Humanities by an Executive Order would be a further recognition of the critical role artists, scholars, historians, philosophers, and the creative economy as a whole play in our nation.

Thank you, again, for the historic commitments you have already made to arts and humanities for all Americans, and we look forward to our continued partnership in these ongoing efforts.

Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:30:49Z
https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases/statement-12-trillion-infrastructure-bill,Statement on $1.2 Trillion Infrastructure Bill,2021-11-20,2021,2021-11,Republican,House,OR,Cliff Bentz,B000668,bentz.house.gov,bentz,https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"There were many reasons I voted against the infrastructure bill. The first was that Speaker Pelosi had harnessed the infrastructure bill to the multi-trillion-dollar welfare spending bill that passed. One bill could pass only if both passed. Thus, if Republicans had stopped the infrastructure bill, we could have also stopped the two trillion Build Back Broke bill. Second, the bill was designed and developed by the Senate with no input whatsoever from the House Republicans. Third, I believe the infrastructure bill invested far too much in passenger rail (east coast Amtrak) ignoring the incredible need for repair of roads and bridges. Fourth, the infrastructure law contains provisions that pour money into Green New Deal initiatives such as hundreds of electric charging stations (has the federal government ever paid for gas stations?). Fifth, the law forces all Americans to pay for projects that should be paid for by those actually using these improvements. Finally, it also contains a provision that gives the federal government power to override state siting of power lines. There are many more provisions that I do not support in the 2,700-page bill, but these are the major reasons underlying my NO vote.

Although the bad outweighed the good, the law does contain some funding for investments in water infrastructure, roads and bridges, broadband, etc. As I understand the situation, funds provided in the law will be made available through existing grant programs. I would write letters of support for grant applications by those in Oregon’s Second Congressional District seeking to access funds in the law, should I be asked and should the facts warrant. This would be no different than any other existing federal funding opportunity for organizations and localities in Oregon. I have asked my staff to work on updating our congressional website to include information that addresses the means of accessing these and other funding opportunities.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:30:49Z
https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-bentz-introduces-bill-limit-northern-spotted-owl-habitat,Congressman Bentz Introduces Bill to Limit Northern Spotted Owl Habitat Designation,2021-11-19,2021,2021-11,Republican,House,OR,Cliff Bentz,B000668,bentz.house.gov,bentz,https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Yesterday, Congressman Cliff Bentz (R-Ore.) introduced H.R.6019, a bill that would codify the Trump Administration’s Northern Spotted Owl (NSO) Critical Habitat Revision, which would fine-tune the NSO's habitat designation and remove about one million acres of non-NSO habitat lands from the area designated as owl habitat.

""The Biden Administration's newly announced critical habitat designation for the Northern Spotted Owl is one of many examples of the far Left's weaponization of the Endangered Species Act,"" said Bentz. ""I am fighting to restore the Trump Administration's habitat designation for the NSO because its designation balanced the needs of the owl against the needs of rural communities and the threat of massive wildfires.""

“Every American wants to see our rich diversity of species not just survive, but to thrive for generations to come. That goal doesn’t necessitate bureaucratic red tape and government overreach, like the Endangered Species Act often entails. The northern spotted owl is the perfect example. Overly expansive critical habitat designations have resulted in more catastrophic wildfires and significant loss of owl habitat. The Trump administration aimed to fix this issue by reducing the amount of critical habitat to allow for more forest restoration. Now, the Biden administration is swooping in with a ‘government knows best’ approach. With this legislation, Congressman Bentz is returning power to those who matter: the communities who know how to care for the owl the best. I’m proud to join him in this effort.” -House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.)

“Far too often, the Endangered Species Act has been weaponized at the expense of industry and the jobs they provide for the West’s rural communities. The listing and mismanagement of the northern spotted owl hits home for both Rep. Bentz and I, and it has had a negative impact on our communities, local economies, and the species itself. I am proud to support his legislation to codify the commonsense critical habitat designation for the spotted owl that will deliver certainty to our local land managers and conservationists and help us work toward the species’ successful recovery.” - Congressional Western Caucus Chairman Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.)

Congressman Cliff Bentz understands that both owls and people need healthy and resilient forests. After 30 years of failed policies, it's time for more effective and balanced solutions to help recover Northern Spotted Owl populations, conserve wildlife habitat, and protect our communities from devastating wildfires and toxic smoke. His solution recognizes that science-based active forest management is needed to prevent further habitat loss from severe wildfires and that federal agencies should follow the law to conserve habitat that's actually habitat for the species. The legislation will also encourage agencies to focus on the biggest threat to this species- competition from the Barred Owl, a larger, more aggressive owl species. We applaud Congressman Bentz’s introduction of this legislation to ensure Northern Spotted Owl habitat protections reflect the science, law, and decades of lessons learned. - American Forest Resource Council President and CEO Travis Joseph

“For decades, the overly broad Northern Spotted Owl Critical Habitat designation has prevented responsible forest management. Oregon communities have paid the price, and every summer we face out of control wildfires and smoke. The Critical Habitat does not even address the primary threat to the Northern Spotted Owl, which is competition from the invasive Barred Owl Species. Congressman Bentz’s bill to codify the Trump Administration’s Revised Critical Habitat is a step in the right direction. It will allow for accelerated forest management and fuels treatment to prevent the uncontrollable wildfires that have devastated Oregon communities.” - Lake County, Oregon Commissioner Barry Shullanberger

“This legislation will help to lift some of the layers of “protective” designations on public lands that currently prevent healthy forest management, which will ultimately help prevent the threat of wildfire and protect Oregon communities and wildlife.” - Jackson County, Oregon Commissioner Colleen Roberts",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:30:49Z
https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-bentz-statement-vote-against-multi-trillion-dollar-build-back,Congressman Bentz Statement on Vote Against Multi-Trillion Dollar Build Back Better Act,2021-11-19,2021,2021-11,Republican,House,OR,Cliff Bentz,B000668,bentz.house.gov,bentz,https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Cliff Bentz (R-Ontario) released the following statement regarding his vote against the Build Back Better Act:

Thank you to Leader McCarthy who made history in the House of Representatives last night and into the early hours this morning. He held the line by delaying the massive $1.9 trillion (but more like $4 trillion) Democrat-welfare spending bill on the House Floor for 8 hours and 32 minutes. Every second he spoke was one more moment we were spared the terrible policies in this bill: higher inflation, amnesty for millions of illegal immigrants, higher taxes on middle class families, taxpayer funding of abortion, and federal overreach in our schools and our children’s education - to name just a few!",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:30:49Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/bonamici-helps-house-pass-build-back-better-act-lower-everyday-costs-families,"Bonamici Helps House Pass Build Back Better Act to Lower Everyday Costs for Families, Address Climate Crisis",2021-11-19,2021,2021-11,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC [11/19/21] – Today Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) joined the House in passing the Build Back Better Act.

""The Build Back Better Act is a victory for children, families, caregivers, early childhood educators, and our planet,"" said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. ""This monumental legislation will improve lives and create more opportunities for Oregonians and people across the country. We are taking bold action that will lower child care and family care costs, make essential health care more affordable, create good-paying jobs, provide more affordable housing, and address the climate crisis.

""Importantly, these investments are completely paid for by asking large corporations and the wealthiest to pay their fair share. The Build Back Better Act will create more stability and security for families by lowering everyday costs and easing inflationary pressures.

""It is past time that we provide the resources and support that working families and our communities need to thrive. This is an exciting day for our country, and I look forward to delivering these resources to Oregon.""

More information about the Build Back Better Act can be found here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:30:49Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/bonamici-herrera-beutler-introduce-bipartisan-bill-increase-access-meals-kids,"Bonamici, Herrera Beutler Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Increase Access to Meals for Kids",2021-11-16,2021,2021-11,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC [11/16/21] – Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) and Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA) introduced bipartisan legislation to make more nutritious meals and snacks available to children in care settings.

The Early Childhood Nutrition Improvement Act would strengthen and expand the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), which currently serves 4.7 million low-income children in child care centers, Head Start and afterschool programs, homeless shelters, and other settings. It would allow an additional meal or snack to be served to children in care for a full day, and make it easier for early learning programs and child care providers to participate in the program. According to data from Feeding America, more than 15 million children in America experienced food insecurity in 2020. This legislation can help cover these gaps so more children and infants have the food that they need to thrive.

""It is unacceptable that millions of children across the U.S. are hungry, which affects their ability to learn and grow,"" said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. ""Children are more likely to succeed when they have a healthy start to life. Access to affordable child care and nutritious meals are essential to the health and economic vitality of working families. The Child and Adult Care Food Program is a powerful tool to reduce food insecurity and lower the costs of care, and we can make it even more effective by implementing the updates included in the Early Childhood Nutrition Improvement Act. This bipartisan legislation will help more kids access healthy meals by allowing for a third meal or snack to be served during the day and removing burdensome requirements for child care providers to participate.""

""As rising inflation continues to increase the price of groceries and goods, it's important that children who already qualify for nutritious food programs can access them,"" said Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler. ""That's why I'm pleased to introduce this bipartisan bill, the Early Childhood Nutrition Improvement Act, which will simplify the paperwork and bureaucracy associated with this program to ensure more kids can access nutritious food in Southwest Washington and across the country.""

Since the late 1990s, CACFP has seen a persistent decrease in the number of family day care homes that participate. This decline in participation jeopardizes access to nutritious meals for children who spend time with child care providers. At the same time, the program currently authorizes only two meals each day, even though many working families rely on full-day child care and children are hungry at the end of the day. Additionally, many young children consistently access their healthiest meal through CACFP-participating caregivers.

The legislation is endorsed by the Food and Research Action Center (FRAC), American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), National Women's Law Center, Center for Law and Social Policy, ZERO TO THREE, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Federation of Teachers, National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC), Bipartisan Policy Center's Early Childhood Initiative, First Five Years Fund, National Education Association, Oregon Food Bank, Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon, and Service Employee International. More endorsements from national organizations can be found here. Statements of support can be found here.

""The Food Research & Action Center and nearly 800 other organizations from all 50 states and the District of Columbia strongly support the Early Childhood Nutrition Improvement Act, introduced by Rep. Suzanne Bonamici and Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler to help strengthen and expand access to nutritious meals for young children through the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP),"" said Luis Guardia, President, Food Research & Action Center (FRAC). ""The bill proposes many positive improvements that will enhance the important role CACFP plays in improving the quality of child care programs, enhancing the nutrition of meals served, supporting small businesses, and making care more affordable for low-income working parents and other caregivers. The need to expand program reach is now more important than ever as communities continue to respond to the pandemic's impact on food security and child care.""

A summary of the ways the Early Childhood Nutrition Improvement Act bolsters the Child and Adult Care Food Program can be found here. The text of the legislation can be found here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:30:49Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/bonamici-joins-pelosi-congressional-delegation-united-nations-climate-change,"Bonamici Joins Pelosi, Congressional Delegation for United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow",2021-11-08,2021,2021-11,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi is leading a Congressional delegation to the United Nations Climate Change Conference, or ""COP26,"" in Glasgow, Scotland on behalf of the United States House of Representatives. In Glasgow, the delegation will participate in bilateral meetings, panel discussions and other engagements with global leaders on top climate priorities, including the recent IPCC report, gender equity and public-private sector coordination on climate action.

""The climate crisis is the existential threat of our time, and America must continue to bring our boldest ambitions to the table to meet and beat our climate action goals,"" said Speaker Nancy Pelosi. ""Together with this outstanding, experienced and diverse delegation including Committee Chairs, Members of the House Select Committee on Climate Crisis and respected Members of Congress, I am honored to once again return to the United Nations Climate Change Conference to convey the strong commitment of the U.S. Congress in addressing this crisis and doing so in a way that puts justice and equity – particularly for indigenous communities – first.""

""As the world faces ‘Code Red for Humanity' because of the climate crisis, America has the great responsibility and opportunity to meet this moment. Led by President Biden and the Democratic Congress, we will do just that: advancing clean air and clean water for public health, creating good-paying green jobs and advancing our pre-eminence in green technologies, protecting our national security and leaving our children and grandchildren a healthier planet and a better future.""

Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) is traveling with the Speaker to COP26. She also attended COP25 as a Member of the Congressional delegation.

""In the two years since the last UN Climate Change Conference, climate change has become an even more undeniable part of our daily lives in NW Oregon and around the country,"" said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. ""We have experienced devastating and deadly consequences from more frequent and severe extreme weather events, wildfires, drought, and ocean acidification; it is past time for action. My colleagues and I are traveling to Glasgow at a pivotal moment. I am optimistic that we can make the investments we need to address the climate crisis by passing the Build Back Better Act and reducing emissions, reaching US clean energy targets, and protecting frontline communities. Failure is not an option, and we have science, public opinion, and momentum on our side.""

The Members of the delegation are:

Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, House Select Committee on Climate Crisis

Chairman Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Chair, House Committee on Energy and Commerce

Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), Chair, House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology

Chairman Gregory Meeks (D-NY), Chair, House Foreign Affairs Committee

Chairman Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ), Chair, House Committee on Natural Resources

Chairwoman Kathy Castor (D-FL), Chair, House Select Committee on Climate Crisis

Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), House Committee on Ways and Means

Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-MN), House Committee on Appropriations

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-ME), House Committee on Appropriations, House Agriculture Committee

Congressman Bill Keating (D-MA), House Foreign Affairs Committee,

Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA), House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, House Select Committee on Climate Crisis

Congressman Jared Huffman (D-CA), House Select Committee on Climate Crisis, House Committee on Natural Resources, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

Congressman Alan Lowenthal (D-CA), House Committee on Natural Resources, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA), Chair, United States Joint Economic Committee, House Committee on Ways and Means, House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology

Congressman Brendan Boyle (D-PA), House Committee on Ways and Means

Congressman Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), House Committee on Appropriations

Congressman Sean Casten (D-IL), House Select Committee on Climate Crisis, House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology

Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (D-TX), House Select Committee on Climate Crisis

Congressman Mike Levin (D-CA), House Select Committee on Climate Crisis, House Committee on Natural Resources

Congressman Joe Neguse (D-CO), House Select Committee on Climate Crisis, House Committee on Natural Resources

Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), House Committee of Oversight and Reform, House Select Committee on Economic Disparity and Fairness in Growth",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:30:49Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/bonamici-mcbath-wild-introduce-safety-net-student-loan-borrowers,"Bonamici, McBath, Wild Introduce Safety Net for Student Loan Borrowers",2021-11-05,2021,2021-11,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC [11/5/21] – Today Congresswomen Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Lucy McBath (D-GA), and Susan Wild (D-PA) introduced legislation to provide a safety net for student loan borrowers who are about to enter repayment.

The Department of Education's COVID-19 pause on student loan repayment is scheduled to end on Feb. 1, 2022, after lasting nearly two years. The Student Loan Borrower Safety Net Act of 2021 would help borrowers during the transition period by requiring increased outreach from lenders, providing protection for borrowers who miss payments, and more.

""The pause on student loan repayment for the COVID-19 pandemic has been a lifeline for borrowers in Oregon and across the country,"" said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. ""As the pause ends and payments resume, borrowers should be protected from the worst effects of missing payments, whether unintentionally or because of financial distress. The Student Loan Borrower Safety Net Act will provide borrowers with the help they need in this time of transition.""

""Students in Georgia and across our country have endured unimaginable difficulty over the last few years, and the student loan repayment pause served as needed relief in these difficult times,"" said Congresswoman Lucy McBath. ""As these payments come due once again, our work in Congress should support those seeking educational success. Our bill is an important step in protecting our student borrowers and helping safeguard their financial futures. I'm proud to lead this bill with my colleague Congresswoman Bonamici, helping to ensure America's college students and graduates secure their financial health.""

""Students across the country deserve support and clarity about their student loan payments, especially as we emerge from the worst of the pandemic,"" said Congresswoman Susan Wild. ""I am proud to support this legislation to ensure that borrowers have the best information possible about their debt obligations, and to help prevent Americans from defaulting on their loans.""

The legislation is supported by Pew Charitable Trusts, New America, and The Institute for College Access & Success (TICAS).

""Many borrowers will need help when they're required to begin repaying their student loans in February; in fact, when Pew surveyed borrowers this year, two-thirds (67%) said affording payments would be difficult if they resumed paying the following month,"" said Regan Fitzgerald, manager of The Pew Charitable Trusts' project on student borrower success. ""The Student Loan Borrower Safety Net Act would provide evidence-based policies to support borrowers—especially those most at risk of delinquency and default—as they prepare to resume repayment. These include easier access to affordable payment plans, a grace period to allow borrowers who can't afford monthly payments to get back into repayment in good standing, and targeted outreach about the resumption of payments.""

""If payments are to restart in February, easier access to low and $0 payments will be important protections for all borrowers, but especially those hit hardest by the pandemic,"" said Sarah Sattelmeyer, Project Director for Education, Opportunity, and Mobility at New America.

""If the Education Department resumes federal student loan payments as planned, it is imperative that borrowers be protected from financial harm and have easy access to clear information and affordable repayment options,"" said Sameer Gadkaree, President, TICAS. ""We applaud Reps. Bonamici, McBath, and Wild for introducing this important legislation to create key safety nets for millions of borrowers.""

This bill will protect borrowers with Federal student loans during the transition period following the end of the COVID-19 student loan repayment pause by:

Providing earlier and more frequent outreach to borrowers that their payments are to resume;

Making it easier for borrowers to get into income-driven repayment plans;

Making it easier to access economic hardship support; and

Extending the time period for servicers to contact borrowers who miss a payment.

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

It is co-sponsored by Representatives Emanuel Cleaver (MO-5), Danny Davis (IL-07), and Alan Lowenthal (CA-47).",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:30:49Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/bonamici-votes-deliver-historic-investment-infrastructure-nw-oregon,Bonamici Votes to Deliver Historic Investment in Infrastructure for NW Oregon,2021-11-05,2021,2021-11,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC [11/5/21] – Today Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) joined the House in passing the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

""Our national infrastructure is crumbling, outdated, and in urgent need of significant upgrades,"" said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. ""The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act represents a significant commitment to reaching a more connected and resilient nation. It will help Oregonians and families across the country by repairing and improving our roads and bridges, creating new jobs, expanding access to broadband, and so much more. Importantly, this legislation takes meaningful steps in the face of the climate crisis to increase access to public transportation and reduce carbon emissions, and strengthen our nation's infrastructure to withstand and protect people and property from extreme weather events.

""I'm grateful the House passed the bipartisan Infrastructure and Jobs Act today to start delivering resources to Oregon to make these urgent updates to our infrastructure and create quality jobs. I look forward to passing the Build Back Better Act soon to compliment this infrastructure funding with bold investments in our care economy, families, workers, and action to further address the climate crisis.""

More details about what is included in the legislation can be found here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:30:49Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/bonamici-chairs-hearing-landmark-anti-poverty-program,Bonamici Chairs Hearing on Landmark Anti-Poverty Program,2021-11-03,2021,2021-11,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC [11/03/21] –Today Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) chaired a hearing to consider updates to the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) program, a landmark anti-poverty program.

An Oregon expert, Katherine King Galian, Director of Family and Community Resources at Community Action in Washington County, testified and answered questions about how CSBG funding helps Oregonians and low-income families around the country. Galian urged Congress to move forward on bipartisan legislation proposed by Bonamici, who Chairs the Education and Labor Committee Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Human Services, that will modernize and expand CSBG.

""For people across the country, Community Action Agencies continue to be a reliable and essential place to find assistance,"" said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. ""Poverty is not inevitable in this country. The Community Services Block Grant program supports more than 1,000 CAA organizations in nearly every county across the country as they help individuals and families find their path out of poverty.""

""The Community Services Block Grant is so much more than a program,"" said Katherine King Galian, Community Action, in her opening statement to the Subcommittee. ""It is a cornerstone of our community infrastructure. The CSBG funds are a small but vital piece of our organization's budget. Much like roads, bridges, and schools – CSBG is what connects an often-fragmented set of resources into a cohesive system that provides pathways to opportunity for low-income community members.""

Video of the hearing is available here.

In a letter of support, mayors from Washington County write that the CSBG program ""provide(s) stability for low-income individuals and families and create(s) new and lasting opportunities for self-sufficiency in the communities where people live. With the assistance of CSBG dollars, our Community Action organization provides community-based programs across a variety of categories including financial education, career training, food assistance, energy assistance and efficiency, emergency shelter, housing stability supports, eviction prevention, and early childhood education.""

The CSBG program supports more than 1,000 Community Action Agencies (CAAs), which have been providing holistic assistance to poor and low-income communities across the country for more than 50 years. Bonamici introduced the bipartisan Community Services Block Grant Modernization Act of 2021 to reauthorize this critical program for another decade and make overdue updates to reduce poverty. A fact sheet with more details about the CSBG Modernization Act can be found here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:30:49Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/bonamici-introduces-bill-help-workers-track-grow-retirement-savings-accounts,"Bonamici Introduces Bill to Help Workers Track, Grow Retirement Savings Accounts",2021-11-03,2021,2021-11,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC [11/3/21] – Today Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) introduced legislation to help workers who move between jobs track, consolidate, and grow their retirement savings accounts.

The Retirement Savings Lost and Found Act of 2021 would create an Office of the Retirement Savings Lost and Found, which would provide workers with tools to locate and manage accounts after leaving an employer. According to a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, about 25 million people changed jobs between 2004 and 2014 and left at least one retirement account behind.

""It takes years of hard work for families and individuals to build up their retirement savings, and we must make sure they are able to access every dollar they earned,"" said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. ""Tracking retirement savings accounts after leaving an employer can be extremely difficult, and many people lose access completely. The Retirement Savings Lost and Found Act would help provide workers with the tools they need to access and preserve their hard-earned savings.""

The number of left-behind accounts is expected to grow because young workers frequently transition between jobs. In 2020, the Department of Labor reported a 10-year median job tenure for workers between the ages of 55 and 64 compared to just under three years for workers between ages 25 and 34.

The Retirement Savings Lost and Found Act of 2021 is endorsed by the Pension Rights Center.

""PRC has long advocated for a pension registry that will enable people to find their ‘lost' pension or 401(k) plans years after their former companies changed their names or addresses or structures,"" said Karen Friedman, Executive Director of Pension Rights Center. ""Creating such a registry is critical in helping people find their plans so they can apply for their critical retirement benefits – enabling them to live their retirement years with security.""

The legislation will:

Create a national lost and found database for retirement accounts. The bill uses data employers are already required to report to create a national lost and found database for workers to find their former employer-sponsored retirement accounts. This database will be located at the Department of Labor.

Maximize investment earnings. The bill directs the Department of Labor to issue new guidance permitting employers to move small retirement accounts into age-appropriate target-date or life cycle funds to allow workers to maximize their investment returns, which helps workers to continue building their retirement savings.

Transferring and reinvesting small accounts. The bill permits employers to transfer accounts of $1,000 or less to a new Department of Labor Office of Retirement Savings Lost and Found. This is a win-win. It clarifies what employers should do with accounts of no greater than $1,000 and makes sure workers avoid any fees that erode their account balance. The Office will be charged with investing the accounts it receives and paying out such accounts with interest.

A summary of the legislation can be found here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:30:49Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/bonamici-strickland-speier-lead-70-members-letter-calling-hhs-reduce-barriers,"Bonamici, Strickland, Speier Lead 70 Members on Letter Calling on HHS to Reduce Barriers to Birth Control",2021-11-02,2021,2021-11,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C.—Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), a leader in the Pro-Choice Caucus, member of the Democratic Women's Caucus and Black Maternal Health Caucus, along with Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) and Jackie Speier (CA-14) led a letter encouraging the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to issue guidance requiring insurance companies to cover, without cost-sharing, a 12-month supply of birth control. While the Affordable Care Act requires insurance coverage of contraception without cost sharing, insurance companies often limit coverage to a one- or three-cycle supply, imposing barriers to continuous access.

""Improving access to a longer supply of birth control supports body autonomy, health, and economic freedom for millions and I am proud to champion this effort to do just that. During a global pandemic, a maternal mortality crisis, and as reproductive rights are under attack, the people who are hurt the most by limited access to contraceptives are those who already experience health inequities in the first place —including people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and other vulnerable communities."" said Congresswoman Strickland.

""Access to birth control is essential to reproductive freedom, health, and economic stability,"" said Congresswoman Bonamici. ""We must make birth control as easy to access as possible, especially at a time when reproductive rights are under attack and health care has been disrupted. Making a 12-month supply of contraceptives available and affordable will reduce barriers and increase autonomy for millions.""

The letter has been endorsed by Planned Parenthood Federation of America, In Our Own Voice: National Black Women's Reproductive Justice Agenda, Upstream USA, National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association.

""Access to affordable contraception is critical to reproductive freedom and health equity. Everyone, no matter their insurance provider or income, should be able to obtain the tools necessary to decide if and when they become a parent, and to manage chronic reproductive health conditions,"" said Alexis McGill Johnson, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. ""Too often, people of color, the LGBTQ+ community, people with low incomes, and people living in rural communities face greater and sometimes insurmountable barriers to basic health care. We thank Reps. Strickland, Bonamici, and Speier for leading on this issue to improve birth control access for all people.""

""Reproductive Justice demands that women, femmes, and gender-expansive people have the right to make decisions about planning their own families. In fact, a recent poll commissioned by In Our Own Voice found that 92% of respondents believe a woman's ability to control whether or when she has children is an important part of financial stability for herself and her family,"" said Marcela Howell, president & CEO of In Our Own Voice: National Black Women's Reproductive Justice Agenda. ""We encourage the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to issue guidance requiring insurance companies to cover, without cost-sharing, a 12-month supply of birth control to people seeking contraceptive care.""

""Ensuring health care coverage for a full-year supply of contraception without cost-sharing would eliminate unnecessary barriers to health care, particularly for those who already face difficulties accessing care. Moving forward with guidance on this proposal would represent another important step that HHS could take to expand access to contraception,"" said Clare Coleman, President & CEO, National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association (NFPRHA).

The full letter text can be found below.

Dear Secretary Becerra,

Access to sexual and reproductive care is a health, economic, and racial justice issue. We fully support giving people the resources they need to make the best decisions for themselves and their families. That starts by making reproductive healthcare, including access to contraceptive care, equally available to those who want it. While best practices in contraceptive care have evolved over the past decade, this unfortunately was not adequately reflected in government policy in the previous administration. That is why we are encouraging the Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) to issue guidance requiring insurance companies to cover, without cost-sharing, a 12-month supply of birth control. Typically, health insurance companies limit birth control coverage, without cost-sharing, to a one- or three-cycle supply. This policy is a barrier that prevents people from fully accessing birth control when they need it, at their convenience, and fails to meet the intent behind the ACA's contraceptive coverage requirement.

Contraception has numerous benefits for Black, Latina, AAPI, Indigenous, and other people of color, and increases the ability to improve personal health, economic stability, and educational outcomes. Access to effective contraception has reduced the number of unintended pregnancies, high-risk pregnancies, and maternal and infant deaths. Additionally, contraception has been proven an effective option for addressing fibroids, minimizing endometriosis-related pain, and preventing ovarian cysts. Contraceptive equity is needed now more than ever as draconian laws in states like Texas and Mississippi have nearly banned access to abortion care outright for Black, Latina, AAPI, and Indigenous people. Worse, those who are forced to carry out an unwanted pregnancy must give birth in a country with one of the worst maternal mortality rates in the developed world. In the U.S., Black women are nearly four times more likely than white women to die from a pregnancy-related complication and are twice as likely to suffer a near-death experience.

Equitable access to contraceptive care is critical for people of reproductive age, especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic, where new challenges in access have arisen during the ongoing public health crisis. However, inequities in reproductive health care, including access to contraceptive care, have long existed in the United States. The people hurt most by this are those who already face the greatest barriers to accessing health care in the first place —including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), LGBTQ+ individuals, those working to make ends meet, immigrants, those living in rural communities, and others. According to a 2018 poll by the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health, 41% of Latina voters under age 45 had gone without the birth control method they wanted in the past two years because of access issues. Additionally, a barrier that low-income people and people living in rural areas experience is the need for repeat appointments to access contraceptive care and trips to the pharmacy to refill their prescription – due to lack of transportation, the inability to take paid time off work, inconsistent work schedules, and other economic justice issues that prevent ease of access. This is of particular concern to those who use contraception with the intention of preventing unintended pregnancies as it can lead to a lapse in birth control usage and a higher risk of pregnancy. In fact, it's been proven that providing people with a 12-month supply of birth control helps prevent a lapse in usage and reduce the risk of pregnancy. A study conducted by the University of San Francisco in 2011, found that dispensing a 12-month supply of birth control resulted in a 30% reduction in the odds of pregnancy compared with dispensing just one or three packs.

Provider bias, discrimination, and stigma is also often encountered by people of color seeking reproductive health and contraception services – from recommended family planning services, to coercion about contraceptive choices, and the inability to access the full range of contraceptives. The more access an individual has to the contraception of their choice, the more they will be able to make the best decisions for themselves and their families. In the United States, there is a long history of contraception, specifically long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) methods, being promoted at times coercively to people of color and people with low-incomes. As reproductive health technologies were developed, women of color were also subjected to exploitation. The first oral contraceptive, Enovid, was tested on Puerto Rican and Haitian women in the 1950s, before the Food and Drug Administration approved it for distribution in 1960. In the seventies, Mexican American women became unknowing participants in medical testing for contraception. These past examples of racism in contraceptive access still impact communities today. A recent In Our Own Voice: National Black Women's Reproductive Justice Agenda poll found that 62% of respondents think racism affects the Black community's ability to have access to affordable birth control. By bringing equity to contraceptive care in our country, we can create ease of access and empower people to self-determine what birth control method is best for them – free of coercion.

Given the evidence and benefits of providing a 12-month supply of birth control to patients who want this option, we encourage the Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) to issue guidance requiring insurance companies to cover, without cost-sharing, a 12-month supply of birth control.

Thank you for your time and consideration on this matter and we look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Marilyn Strickland

Member of Congress

Suzanne Bonamici

Member of Congress

Jackie Speier",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:30:49Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/oregon-delegation-urges-fishery-disaster-declaration,Oregon Delegation Urges Fishery Disaster Declaration,2021-10-29,2021,2021-10,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley is leading members of the Oregon delegation, including U.S. Senator Ron Wyden and U.S. Representatives Peter DeFazio, Kurt Schrader and Suzanne Bonamici, in urging the U.S. Department of Commerce to grant a catastrophic regional fishery disaster declaration for the State of Oregon, after three consecutive years of drought and changing ocean conditions have severely harmed salmon populations in the Pacific Northwest.

""The value of salmon to Oregon cannot be overstated. In addition to the economic activity generated by this industry, salmon are an important part of the cultural heritage of Pacific Northwest tribes, generate recreational activity, and are a treasured natural resource across the state,"" the lawmakers wrote in a letter to Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo. ""However, the challenging impacts of climate change, increased drought, and changing ocean conditions complicate the recovery of salmon populations in the Pacific Northwest.""

From 2013 to 2017, the commercial value of Chinook salmon was around $6.3 million annually for Oregon fisheries. But with the impacts of climate chaos impacting salmon populations, the economic value has dropped precipitously—down to $2.3 million in 2018, $2 million in 2019, and $1.4 million in 2020.

""Federal support for this industry is critical while local, state, and federal partners continue to work toward long-term solutions,"" the delegation wrote.

Read the full letter here, or below.

The Honorable Gina M. Raimondo

Secretary of Commerce

United States Department of Commerce

U.S. Department of Commerce

1401 Constitution Avenue NW

Washington, D.C. 20230

Dear Madame Secretary:

We write to urge you to expeditiously approve Governor Brown's request for a catastrophic regional fishery disaster declaration for the State of Oregon ocean commercial salmon fisheries for 2018, 2019, and 2020. The commercial salmon fishery is of critical importance to our state, generating income for commercial fishermen and economic activity for rural communities along Oregon's coastline. Federal aid is urgently needed to mitigate the negative impacts of three consecutive years of steep declines in revenue generated by this fishery and provide support to these economically distressed communities.

In 2018, 2019, and 2020, the commercial ex-vessel value of Chinook was $2.3 million, $2.0 million, and $1.4 million respectively. This is a significant decrease from the average 2013-2017 value of $6.3 million. The value of salmon to Oregon cannot be overstated. In addition to the economic activity generated by this industry, salmon are an important part of the cultural heritage of Pacific Northwest tribes, generate recreational activity, and are a treasured natural resource across the state. However, the challenging impacts of climate change, increased drought, and changing ocean conditions complicate the recovery of salmon populations in the Pacific Northwest. Federal support for this industry is critical while local, state, and federal partners continue to work toward long-term solutions.

Thank you for your prompt attention to Governor Brown's request for a fishery disaster declaration. We look forward to your response and our offices stand ready to assist in any way.

Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:24:51Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/western-science-committee-dems-introduce-comprehensive-authorization-bill,"Western Science Committee Dems Introduce Comprehensive Authorization Bill to Improve U.S. Preparedness, Resilience & Response to Wildfires",2021-10-29,2021,2021-10,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representatives Zoe Lofgren (CA-19), Jerry McNerney (CA-09), Ed Perlmutter (CO-07) and Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), members of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee, introduced H.R. 5781, National Wildland Fire Risk Reduction Program Act, a comprehensive science authorization bill that will identify and invest in research and development (R&D), set up warning and forecast systems, develop observation and sensing technologies, and standardize data collection efforts to improve the nation's preparedness, resilience and response to wildfires.

The U.S. had its most active wildfire year on record in 2020, with 10.3 million acres burned, exceeding the 2000-2010 average by 51%. This year's wildfire season is on pace to be similarly devastating.

""The climate crisis is making wildfires more dangerous and frequent, putting lives, property, and the environment at risk,"" said Bonamici. ""The National Wildland Fire Risk Reduction Program Act will help protect Oregon and communities across the country by increasing our ability to stop wildfires before they happen and better respond when they do.""

""In my home state of California and across the West, fire seasons are getting longer and more severe. Congress must advance a whole-of-government approach to execute a coordinated and united federal agenda on wildfires that uses science-based and cost-effective measures to change the way we think about, plan for, and respond to wildfires,"" said Lofgren. ""Our country's ability to accurately anticipate, detect, monitor, and contain fires is largely dependent on the scientific information available and how accessible that information is. That's why we've introduced the National Wildland Fire Risk Reduction Program Act to bring all of the federal government's scientific resources to bear in helping prevent the loss of life and property from wildfires in America.""

""One of the most harmful impacts of climate change is longer and more intense wildfire seasons,"" said McNerney.""California is suffering from devastating wildfires that have resulted in significant loss of property and displacement, destruction of wildlife habitats, and lingering smoke that is harming our health. The federal government must have the tools and resources needed to meet the scale of this increasing crisis. That means investing in research and development, monitoring and forecasting, data collection, and understanding the impacts of wildfires so we can improve our science-based decision making, workforce, and efforts to avoid future megafires.""

""Last year, Colorado had its worst wildfire year on record. This year, Colorado experienced mudslides from last year's fires and poor air quality from neighboring wildfires,"" said Perlmutter. ""In order to better respond to these worsening threats to our communities, we need a more coordinated, whole of government approach to combat wildfires. The National Wildland Fire Risk Reduction Program Act will improve our understanding of wildfires so we can better prepare the technology and tools to both reduce the frequency and severity of wildfires and mitigate their devastating impacts.""

Year-To-Date

According to the National Interagency Fire Center:

From January 1 to October 25, 2021 there were 48,048 wildfires, compared with 46,466 in the same period in 2020.

About 6.5 million acres were burned through October 25, 2021 compared with 8.5 million during the same period in 2020.

As of October 25, four states reported six large fires, including three in California and one in Oregon.

About the Bill

Below is a summary of National Wildland Fire Risk Reduction Program Act, and the full text of the bill can be downloaded here.

Summary

H.R. 5781 would establish a National Wildland Fire Risk Reduction Program with the purpose of achieving major measurable reductions in the losses of life and property from wildland fires through a coordinated federal effort to:

improve the understanding and prediction of the fire environment, wildland fires, associated smoke, and their impacts, including in the wildland-urban interface (WUI); on communities, buildings and other infrastructure; and social and economic impacts;

develop and encourage the adoption of science-based and cost-effective measures to prevent and mitigate wildland fire and associated smoke impacts; and

improve the understanding and mitigation of the impacts of climate change and variability on wildland fire risk, frequency, and severity.

In addition, the Office of Science & Technology Policy (OSTP) would be tasked with establishing an Interagency Coordinating Committee on Wildland Fire Risk Reduction. This Committee would be co-chaired by the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and include over 10 relevant federal agencies as members.

Responsibilities of program agencies would include:

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST):

to carry out R&D on community needs, buildings, materials, firebrands in the wildland-urban interface (WUI) and other areas within the agency's expertise;

to support development of model building codes and fire codes, standard test methods, construction, retrofit best practices, and more; and

to coordinate Federal post-wildland fire investigations of fires in the WUI.

National Science Foundation (NSF):

to support many of the basic science needs on wildland fire science, including prediction of fire risks, development and improvement of tools and technologies that enable and accelerate the understanding of wildland fires, understanding of fire risk messaging to communities, and more; and

to support undergraduate and graduate research opportunities and graduate and postdoctoral fellowships and traineeships in relevant fields of study

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA):

to conduct research, observations, modeling, forecasting, prediction, and historical analysis of wildland fires to improve understanding of wildland fires, and associated fire weather and smoke, for the protection of life and property and for the enhancement of the national economy;

to develop and provide accurate, timely, and effective warnings and forecasts of wildland fires and fire weather events;

to provide impact-based decision support services, seasonal climate predictions, and smoke forecasts;

to establish a Fire Weather Testbed to develop fire weather products and services for implementation; and

to support wildland fire and smoke research and development program.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA):

to support public outreach, first-responders, and community preparedness, including the development of risk assessment tools and effective mitigation techniques for wildland fires, wildland fire-related data collection and analysis, public outreach and information dissemination related to wildland fires and wildland fire risk, and promotion of the adoption of wildland fire preparedness and risk reduction measures;

to promote better buildings and retrofit practices within the design and construction industry; and

to translate new information and research findings into best practices and conduct outreach to improve training of wildland firefighters.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA):

to support relevant basic and applied scientific research, ensure use of all relevant Earth observations data, and explore and apply novel tools and technologies;

to support basic and applied wildland fire research and modeling activities, including competitively-selected research;

to develop and demonstrate a unified concept of operations for the safe and effective deployment of diverse air capabilities in active wildland fires; and

to develop and demonstrate affordable and deployable sensing technologies.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):

to improve the understanding of wildland fire smoke impacts on communities, water, and outdoor and indoor air quality, plume characteristics and chemical transformations, and contribution of wildland fire emissions to climate forcing emissions;

to develop and improve tools, sensors, and technologies to accelerate the understanding, monitoring, and prediction of wildland fires and smoke exposure; and

to improve communication of wildland fire and smoke risk reduction strategies to the public.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:24:51Z
https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-bentz-introduces-bill-restore-trump-era-rule-defining-habitat,Congressman Bentz Introduces Bill to Restore Trump-Era Rule Defining Habitat for Endangered Species,2021-10-26,2021,2021-10,Republican,House,OR,Cliff Bentz,B000668,bentz.house.gov,bentz,https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Today, Congressman Cliff Bentz introduced H.R. 5708, a bill that would curtail the use of habitat designations under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) for areas not inhabited by an endangered species. Congressman Bentz's legislation is aimed at stopping the Biden Administration's announced plan to begin rolling back several critical Trump-era reforms of the ESA.

In a statement, Bentz said: In the Biden Administration’s latest effort to reverse every accomplishment of the Trump Administration, the U.S. Department of Interior has rescinded the December of 2020 science-based definition of habitat. This change will have far-reaching and potentially disastrous implications for rural communities, federal forests, and wildlife. Sadly, President Biden has made it clear that his administration’s policies are focused on fulfilling the agenda of far-left environmental radicals instead of conserving our natural resources and working with rural communities where many Americans have lived and protected the land for generations. That is why I introduced H.R. 5708, a bill to codify the Trump Administration’s definition of habitat, which is scientifically based and meets the needs of both our environment and the people living within it. My bill will help to begin restoring balance to species management policies that lock up federal lands from human activity – including those activities which will help clean up, conserve, and restore natural habitats.

Background:

Between 2019 and 2020, the Trump administration introduced five significant Endangered Species Act regulations. Congressman Bentz's bill, introduced today, would codify the Trump Administration's definition of habitat, giving it the force and effect of law.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:24:51Z
https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-bentz-calls-attorney-general-garland-prioritize-drug-and,Congressman Bentz Calls on Attorney General Garland to Prioritize Drug and Immigration Enforcement,2021-10-22,2021,2021-10,Republican,House,OR,Cliff Bentz,B000668,bentz.house.gov,bentz,https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Yesterday, during a House Judiciary Committee oversight hearing, Congressman Cliff Bentz (R-Ontario) called on United States Attorney General Merrick Garland to prioritize and direct more federal resources to local law enforcement in places like southern Oregon where county officials are combatting drug cartel operations including illegal marijuana farms and human trafficking.

In Congressman Bentz's remarks, as prepared for delivery, he stated, ""I've spoken with the FBI, but the Justice Department needs to be doing more about this issue at all levels."" Bentz continued, ""Oregon, and possibly other states are caught up in the illegal growing and production of marijuana and cannabis on an industrial scale. According to local law enforcement, this industry is based in large part on the miserable suffering of thousands, if not tens of thousands, of people coming across the border illegally, and then being pressed into indentured servitude by cartels.""

Following the hearing, Bentz stated “I had the opportunity to directly ask the Attorney General why he told the FBI to focus on parents appearing before school boards voicing their displeasure about critical race theory, instead of protecting Oregon communities from the obvious and real dangers posed by illegal and dangerous drug cartels. I hope he listened and that he will do more to help.”

Additional Resources:

Video: Bentz Hearing Clip on YouTube

Video: Bentz Hearing Clip (Downloadable)

Transcript: Bentz Remarks at Hearing

Photos: Bentz at Hearing

Video: Bentz Reaction to Hearing on Newsmax TV (Downloadable)

Letter and Photos: Josephine County Commission

Emergency Declaration by Jackson County",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:24:51Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/wyden-merkley-defazio-bonamici-call-expanded-agricultural-assistance-oregon,"Wyden, Merkley, DeFazio, Bonamici Call for Expanded Agricultural Assistance to Oregon & Washington Farmers",2021-10-19,2021,2021-10,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and U.S. Reps. Peter DeFazio and Suzanne Bonamici today called on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to take all statutory eligibilities into account when distributing the $10 billion in aid to agricultural producers hit hard by extreme heat, drought, and wildfires this summer.

The letter to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack from the Oregon lawmakers as well as 12 of their colleagues from Washington noted that $10 billion in agricultural aid was included in legislation that passed and became law in September.

""Congress provided $10 billion to cover qualifying losses experienced by agricultural producers as part of H.R.5305, the Extending Government Funding and Delivering Emergency Assistance Act. As the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) works to swiftly implement the program, we write to urge you to utilize the full eligibilities provided in the statute to assist producers in our states hit hard by extreme heat, drought, wildfires, smoke exposure, and related crop quality losses,"" the lawmakers wrote. ""Additionally, we request that USDA offer guidance as soon as practicable on what types of documentation will be needed for farmers so that they can be ready and able to access this assistance.""

In July of this year, Wyden, Merkley, DeFazio, Bonamici and many of the lawmakers writing today to Secretary Vilsack had urged the USDA to open relief programs up to more producers that have lost crops and livestock to the droughts, extreme heat, and wildfires across the Pacific Northwest this summer. As part of the agricultural assistance included in the Extending Government Funding and Delivering Emergency Assistance Act, the lawmakers were able to secure that increased flexibility on who is eligible for the relief funds, so that agricultural producers who suffered heat-related crop, livestock, or shellfish losses and were not previously eligible could receive relief funds.

""A number of us wrote to you in July regarding the extreme heat, drought, low soil moisture, and wildfires the Pacific Northwest experienced this summer, with temperatures reaching as high as 120 degrees Fahrenheit. As we mentioned then, many of the producers who suffered some of the greatest heat-related losses—scorched fruit, damaged canes, increased shellfish mortality—were either located in counties not covered by the drought designations, experienced losses not covered by drought assistance programs, or both,"" the lawmakers continued. ""To better address the extent of these losses, Congress provided new flexibilities in H.R.5305 to amend the previous Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program-Plus (WHIP+) authorization, including coverage for losses related to excessive heat and smoke exposure for wine grapes—and inclusive of crop quality loss and damage to on-farm stored commodities.

In addition to Wyden, Merkley, DeFazio and Bonamici, others signing the bipartisan letter led by U.S. Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) and U.S. Reps. Suzan DelBene (D-WA), Kim Schrier (D-WA), and Dan Newhouse (R-WA) include U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA), U.S. Reps. Derek Kilmer (D-WA), Marilyn Strickland (D-WA), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Adam Smith (D-WA), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Jaime Herrera Butler (R-WA) and Rick Larsen (D-WA).

The entire letter is here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:24:51Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/bonamici-pingree-leger-fernandez-launch-arts-education-all-act,"Bonamici, Pingree, Leger Fernández Launch Arts Education for All Act",2021-10-15,2021,2021-10,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC [10/15/21] – Today Congresswomen Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), and Teresa Leger Fernández (D-NM) introduced comprehensive legislation to increase access to arts education.

The Arts Education for All Act will support and encourage arts education and programming for our young children, K-12 students, and youth and adults involved in the justice system. It will help to close existing gaps in access to arts education, which has the potential to improve the lifelong health and success of both children and adults.

""The arts are a fundamental part of a well-rounded education, especially now when innovative thinking and creative problem solving are in high demand,"" said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici, Chair of the Education and Labor Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Human Services and Co-Chair of the STEAM Caucus. ""Providing all students with the opportunity to receive a quality arts education is a matter of equity. Arts education should be available to all students, not just those who have artistic families or the financial resources to pay for an arts education on their own. I envision a better future where everyone can enrich their lives through the arts, and the Arts Education for All Act will help make that a reality.""

""Arts education improves the lives of children, nurtures their creativity, and helps maintain their well-being. Yet the arts are often the first programs to be cut in schools. While I'm grateful for existing federal support for arts education, we should be making programs more accessible and encouraging students and educators to get more involved,"" said Congresswoman Chellie Pingree, co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Arts Caucus and Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior and the Environment, which oversees funding for the National Endowments for the Arts and the Humanities. ""I'm proud to introduce this bill alongside Congresswoman Bonamici to help put the ‘A' back in STE(A)M, and move full steam ahead on supporting arts programming and education access for all.""

""Art teachers across my district shared stories of the power that arts education has on our youngest children. It opens up a love for learning and allows them to thrive in new and exciting ways. The arts also help us celebrate our cultures, our identities, and communities,"" said Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández. ""I'm proud to join Rep. Bonamici on the Arts Education for All Act to give educators the support they need to expand arts programming experiences for children of all ages. It will ensure they can foster a learning environment that promotes creativity, expression, and healing through art.""

The Arts Education for All Act has been endorsed by more than 100 national, state, and local organizations, including Americans for the Arts, National Association of Music Merchants, and Grantmakers in the Arts. Supporters from Oregon include the Cultural Advocacy Coalition of Oregon, Portland Center Stage, and Portland Ballet.

The full list of endorsements can be found here.

""From her direct engagement throughout the arts sector, to successfully including pro-arts amendments in the Every Student Succeeds Act, Rep. Bonamici has once again proven herself to be a champion for arts education,"" said Nolen V. Bivens, President and CEO, Americans for the Arts. ""Americans for the Arts considers the ""Arts Education for All Act"" to be the most comprehensive arts education bill ever introduced in Congress and is proud to endorse it. We will work to advance this legislation alongside arts education stakeholders in music, dance, theater, visual, and media arts in order to pursue increased access and equity for all learners.""

""The Arts Education for All Act will help bring the power of arts education to early childhood programs, low-income K12 students and systems-involved youth on a scale we haven't seen before,"" said Eddie Torres, President and CEO of Grantmakers in the Arts. ""By empowering childcare, K12 schools, and programs serving systems-involved youth, this bill has the potential to enrich lives and expand educational opportunities for millions,"" said Eddie Torres, President and CEO of Grantmakers in the Arts. ""The arts community, but most importantly the children of our nation, owe a great deal of thanks to the innovative leadership of Representative Bonamici for introducing this critical legislation.""

""Arts and culture education for every Oregonian is our goal because it is critical to our understanding of each other, our healing and our progress as a country,"" said Sue Hildick, Senior Advisor to the Cultural Advocacy Coalition of Oregon. We are beyond proud that our congresswoman has made this a priority.""

A one-page summary of the Arts Education for All Act can be found here. The text of the legislation can be found here.

The legislation is co-sponsored by Representatives Bishop (D-GA), Bowman (D-NY), Cárdenas (D-NY), Cicilline (D-RI), Cohen (D-TN), Cooper (D-TN), Jayapal (D-WA), Jackson Lee (D-TX), Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), McGovern (D-MA), Norton (D-DC), Raskin (D-MD), Ross (D-NC), and Titus (D-NV).",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:24:51Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/oregon-delegation-requests-answers-reported-mistreatment-oregon-national-guard,Oregon Delegation Requests Answers on Reported Mistreatment of Oregon National Guard Servicemembers,2021-10-13,2021,2021-10,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Representative Peter DeFazio (OR-04), along with Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, and Representatives Earl Blumenauer (OR-03), Kurt Schrader (OR-05), and Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) today requested answers on alleged mistreatment of Oregon National Guard (ORNG) servicemembers deployed to assist with the state's COVID response.

In a letter to Oregon Governor Kate Brown and Major General Michael E. Stencel, the lawmakers called attention to reports they've received from ORNG members regarding mismanagement, lack of organization, delay of benefits and pay, and failure to pay ORNG members what they are owed. These reports indicate a potentially disturbing pattern of mistreatment during this recent ORNG deployment.

""ORNG Members are fellow Oregonians who give their time and sacrifice to serve our communities in times of need. Many ORNG Members have full-time jobs, families, and other responsibilities that they willingly pause in order to serve their fellow Oregonians,"" the lawmakers wrote. ""ORNG Members' heroic efforts are bolstering hospitals and helping our communities and loved ones during a deadly pandemic. ORNG members deserve effective and efficient leadership, support, and management, and they deserve to receive the full pay and benefits they have earned.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:24:51Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/bonamici-newman-beyer-and-garcia-introduce-supporting-older-workers-act,"Bonamici, Newman, Beyer and Garcia Introduce the Supporting Older Workers Act",2021-10-08,2021,2021-10,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C– Today, U.S. Representatives Marie Newman (D-IL-03), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-01), Don Beyer (D-VA-8) and Sylvia R. Garcia (D-TX-29) introduced the Supporting Older Workers Act, a new bill designed to improve and advance the employment, economic success and the well-being of America's older workers. The legislation would strengthen the workforce development system for older workers and reduce current barriers in the labor market by improving career counseling and training opportunities, creating a grant program to support older worker coordinators and establishing a new Older Workers Bureau at the Department of Labor (DOL).

""Many older Americans are in the workforce, and they often face unique barriers to employment,"" said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. ""I'm glad to join Reps. Newman, Beyer, and Garcia in introducing the Supporting Older Workers Act to enhance our current workforce system to better meet the needs of older workers. Our legislation will help older workers by improving access to career counseling and creating an Older Workers Bureau at the Department of Labor.""

""Last year saw more older Americans leave the workforce than at any time in the past seven decades. This pandemic has created an undue burden on the shoulders of older workers, especially older low-income workers, and it's past time Congress steps up to provide them with the supports they need and deserve,"" said Congresswoman Marie Newman. ""By passing the Supporting Older Workers Act, we can lift up an essential part of America's workforce through more counseling, job trainings, grant opportunities and dedicated coordinators who will help ensure our older Americans thrive in their jobs.""

""The pandemic made a bad situation worse for older workers, who are a large and growing portion of America's workforce,"" said Congressman Don Beyer. ""One third of near-retirees have neither a defined benefit pension nor a defined contribution plan, leaving too many struggling to stay afloat, living paycheck to paycheck. Congress must do more to meet their needs, and our bill would help older workers remain competitive in a changing economy. I thank my colleagues for their work on this important issue.""

""I am proud to support this effort to support our older workers and help them access the opportunities they need to succeed,"" said Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia. ""The Supporting Older Workers Act is essential to help workers disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and to break down barriers, provide the resources needed, and empower older individuals to rejoin the workforce and thrive.""

Due to the economic downturn surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, last year saw more workers aged 65 and older leave the labor force than in any year since 1948 when the U.S. began tracking this information. Older workers who are unemployed typically take twice as long as younger individuals to find new employment, and often enter jobs with significantly lower wages than their previous job.

To address these workforce disparities, the Supporting Older Workers Act would:

Improve career counseling and training for older workers: The bill would allow localities to use federal funding to focus on older workers' employment options and training needs and create specialized centers for older workers at local American Jobs Centers.

Create a grant program to support older worker coordinators: The legislation would create a grant program for state and local workforce boards to hire special coordinators, who will promote the employment and workforce development of older workers and coordinate with labor organizations, Area Agencies on Aging, community colleges, non-profits and more to cultivate supportive services for older workers.

Establish an Older Workers Bureau at the Department of Labor: Similar to the Women's Bureau at the DOL, the bill would create an Older Workers Bureau that is designed to advance employment, economic success, and well-being of older individuals through policy development, research and reporting, and technical assistance.

A number of organizations released the following statements endorsing the Supporting Older Workers Act:

""Similar to the Great Recession, older workers have lost jobs in massive numbers during the pandemic economic downturn, and struggle with long-term unemployment at rates greater than their younger counterparts. Millions more have abandoned the job search entirely and opted for early retirement, putting their already tenuous financial security at risk in their later years. Now is the time to make substantive changes in the programs and systems that help Americans return to work, particularly older adults,"" saidRamsey Alwin, President and CEO of the National Council on Aging. ""On behalf of the National Council on Aging, I applaud Rep. Newman for her leadership on the Supporting Older Workers Act, to bring high-level, substantive federal attention to the challenges and opportunities of an aging workforce, and incentivize state and local targeting and innovation to meet the needs of older workers. We urge Congress to incorporate these proposals in upcoming workforce development policymaking.""

""We have a once in a generation window of opportunity to create a truly equitable and inclusive U.S. Workforce. The Supporting Older Workers Act will provide a critical new resource for a segment of the population too often marginalized by ageism and lack of workforce investment,"" saidGary A. Officer, President and CEO of the Center for Workforce Inclusion. ""If enacted, this legislation will prove to be a game changer for our nation's older workers. This is our moment. This is our opportunity.""

""Ageism is preventing capable, dedicated and productive older workers from being hired,"" said Peter Kaldes, President and CEO, American Society on Aging. ""We applaud Reps. Newman, Bonamici, Garcia, and Beyer for introducing the Supporting Older Workers Act, which has the federal incentives and training necessary to change employers views on the value of older workers.""

A full list of endorsing organizations include: the National Council on Aging, National Caucus and Center on Black Aging, American Society on Aging, Center for Workforce Inclusion, Justice in Aging, National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs (NANASP), National Association for Hispanic Elderly, Women's Institute for a Secure Retirement (WISER), SER Jobs for Progress National, Inc., Goodwill Industries International, Inc., National Asian Pacific Center on Aging, and National Senior Corps Association.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:24:51Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/bonamici-merkley-wyden-defazio-announce-165-million-purchase-pacific-seafood,"Bonamici, Merkley, Wyden, DeFazio Announce $16.5 Million Purchase of Pacific Seafood",2021-10-04,2021,2021-10,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, along with Representatives Peter DeFazio (D-OR-4) and Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-1), today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will purchase $16.5 million of Pacific seafood through its commodities purchasing program, with over 80 percent of the fish and shrimp coming from Oregon.

""Fisheries are an integral part of coastal economy,"" Bonamici said. ""I advocated for fisheries to receive the support they needed to survive the pandemic, and I'm encouraged that USDA is making this large purchase from Pacific Seafood. This purchase will benefit our fishermen, workers, and the local economy.""

""Not only do our fisheries deliver incredible products all around the world, they have also been the lifeblood of communities up and down Oregon's coast for generations,"" said Merkley, who led several Congressional pushesto ensure that USDA included Pacific Northwest fishermen and seafood processors in important purchasing programs. ""That's why I've been pushing to ensure that our fishermen and seafood processors receive the assistance they need to weather the coronavirus crisis, and I'm glad the USDA has delivered on this significant purchase of quality Pacific Northwest seafood.""

""This is great news for our coastal fisheries and the processors that provides them well-deserved support for their signature Oregon industry—generating jobs and economic activity rippling out statewide,"" Wyden said.""The financial fallout from this public health crisis has landed hard along the Oregon Coast, and I'm gratified that USDA has come through with these resources for our state's world-renowned fisheries and processors.""

""Oregon's fisheries are an economic engine for our coast, our state, and nation. They create and sustain jobs, support coastal economies, and feed American families,"" DeFazio said. ""USDA's purchase will ensure that fishermen and seafood processors along Oregon's coast can weather the economic impacts of COVID-19.""

""We'd like to thank our Senators, Congressmen, and USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack for their support,"" West Coast Seafood Processors Association Executive Director Lori Steele said. ""These purchases will continue to help supplement and stabilize our fishing and processing crews and their families through these difficult times. Soon, these delicious, sustainable, and nutritious seafood products will reach consumers through food assistance programs across the country.""

""Over the last 19 months, the economic impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic to the Oregon trawl sector have been staggering,"" said Yelena Nowak, Director of the Oregon Trawl Commission. ""A loss of primary markets for our products in 2020 and a sluggish recovery of those markets throughout 2021 have strained the industry, putting many of our businesses under a tremendous economic pressure. The USDA purchase of Pink shrimp, Pacific rockfish, and whiting from the Pacific Northwest is a much-needed relief that will help our fishing and processing businesses remain operational and profitable, while continuing to support hundreds of local jobs. We are grateful and excited about the opportunity to provide many American families in need with high quality nutritious seafood products sustainably harvested in the cold pristine ocean waters off the PNW.""

This purchase includes $8.9 million of Pacific whiting fillets, $3.9 million of Pacific rockfish fillets, and $3.7 million of Pacific salad shrimp. It follows USDA's first major purchase of the year in May, which included $45.9 million of Pacific seafood.

In April, Merkley led West Coast lawmakers—including Wyden, DeFazio and Bonamici—in pushing USDA Secretary Thomas Vilsack to make sure urgently needed federal assistance was delivered to West Coast fishermen and seafood processors, who have been hit hard by the ongoing coronavirus crisis and were being largely left out of USDA commodity purchasing programs. Most seafood in America is consumed in restaurants and the collapse of restaurant demand during the pandemic has hurt fishermen and seafood processors.

That followed a previous, bipartisan effort that Merkley led in 2020 to urge the USDA to include seafood products in its commodity purchasing programs.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:24:51Z
https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-bentz-announces-federal-casework-milestone-more-1100-cases-worked,"Congressman Bentz Announces Federal Casework Milestone: More than 1,100 Cases Worked",2021-09-30,2021,2021-09,Republican,House,OR,Cliff Bentz,B000668,bentz.house.gov,bentz,https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Cliff Bentz (R-Ontario) announced that his congressional staff have worked more than 1,100 cases on behalf of constituents in Oregon's Second Congressional District since Bentz took office 9 months ago.

“My offices in Oregon and Washington, DC are dedicated to serving the people of Oregon's second congressional district,"" said Bentz. ""I am incredibly proud of my hardworking casework staff for going to great lengths to assist our fellow Oregonians. Our team works diligently to cut through miles of bureaucratic red tape and to ensure timely responses on federal matters ranging from Medicare and Social Security to veterans benefits, drought relief, and assistance following devastating wildfire.”

As part of this milestone, Congressman Bentz's office provided the following highlights of several cases worked since the beginning of 2021.

Passport Assistance: Congressman Bentz's office helped a constituent in Jackson County get her passport for a vacation that previously had to be twice rescheduled. The constituent remarked: ""I truly appreciate all the hard work that you guys do for all of us small people and our State. I hope you have a blessed day.”

Social Security Disability Assistance: Congressman Bentz's office helped a constituent in Crook County get his Social Security disability payment, for which he had been waiting for more than 6 months. In less than a week, Congressman Bentz's office ensured he received his payment for more than $52,000. The constituent remarked: “Thank you again for your care and diligence.”

Veterans Affairs Disability Assistance: Congressman Bentz's office helped a retired U.S. Navy constituent in Jackson County recover approximately $900 of his retirement pay after an increase in the constituent's VA disability triggered a premature withholding of a portion of his retirement pay. Within three weeks of opening the case with Bentz's office, the constituent received two months worth of refunded withholdings and his retirement pay was returned to the correct monthly amount. The constituent remarked: “I had a problem concerning Department of Veterans Affairs and with Defense Finance (from which my military retirement is paid). I met with your field representative. She recognized my problem and quickly came up with a solution. I was greatly impressed with her pleasant professionalism. Words alone can not express my gratitude.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:17:01Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/bonamici-pingree-newhouse-reintroduce-bipartisan-legislation-solve-school-food,"Bonamici, Pingree, Newhouse Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation to Solve School Food Waste",2021-09-30,2021,2021-09,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) along with Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.) and Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.) today reintroduced the bipartisan School Food Recovery Act. The bill will create a new program at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to support schools working on food waste reduction projects.

Pingree and Newhouse recently relaunched the Food Recovery Caucus, a bipartisan group of members who are committed to reducing food waste nationwide in recognition of the environmental and economic harms of food waste.

""Reducing food waste in schools will give students the opportunity to develop responsible habits that can benefit their communities and our planet throughout their lives,"" said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. ""I'm pleased to introduce the bipartisan School Food Recovery Act with Reps. Pingree and Newhouse so schools will have the support and resources they need to engage in important food waste reduction programs.""

""An estimated 530,000 tons of food is wasted in American schools each year, costing us as much as $1.7 billion and emitting almost 2 million metric tons of greenhouse gases. Rather than ending up in landfills, these meals should be feeding our students,"" said Congresswoman Chellie Pingree. ""The K-12 education system offers a great opportunity to work collaboratively with creative educators, school nutrition professionals, and students to both reduce food waste in schools and build lifelong habits that will reduce food loss and waste. With these grants, schools could purchase new equipment, provide trainings for staff, or create food recovery programs in their cafeterias. I'm proud to introduce this bill alongside Reps. Newhouse and Bonamici to promote innovation and curb the issue of food waste in our nation's schools.""

""Most Americans are shocked when they discover 40% of the food in this country goes to waste. The School Food Recovery Act can help alleviate this by empowering our schools to lead on food recovery,"" said Congressman Dan Newhouse. This bill will give our school boards and administrations the resources they need to educate staff and students on proper sustainability and prevention. I'm proud to partner with Representatives Pingree and Bonamici as we continue to support important reforms that will reduce food loss and ensure our students have access to the healthy food American farmers and ranchers work so hard to provide.""

The School Food Recovery Act would create a new program at USDA that would provide grants to schools to work on food waste reduction projects. Schools would be eligible if they participate in the National School Lunch Program or the School Breakfast Program. This funding would support capacity-building and implementation of food waste measurement and reduction programs in schools. Eligible grant activities would include food waste measurement and reporting, prevention, education, and reduction projects, including purchasing equipment and providing training. The federal grants would not exceed 75% of the total cost of the project.

Earlier this year, World Wildlife Foundation, Natural Resources Defense Council, ReFED, and the Harvard Food Law Policy Center released a food loss and waste policy planfor Congress and the Biden administration. The ambitious but achievable set of policy recommendations includes an endorsement of the School Food Recovery Act.

Pingree has long recognized that food waste reduction is a win-win, bringing both environmental and economic benefits. She currently serves as co-chair of the Bipartisan Food Recovery Caucus with Congressman Newhouse.

A list of supportive quotes from stakeholders is available here.

This release is available online here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:17:01Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-torres-delbene-bonamici-davids-sens-lujan-heinrich-introduce-legislation,"Rep. Torres, DelBene, Bonamici, Davids & Sens Lujan, Heinrich Introduce Legislation to Celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day",2021-09-30,2021,2021-09,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Representatives Norma J. Torres (CA-35), Suzan K. DelBene (WA-01), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), and Sharice L. Davids (KS-03), along with U.S. Senators Ben Ray Lujan (N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (N.M.), introduced legislation to replace the term Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples' Day in federal law and regulations and to establish Indigenous Peoples' Day as a public holiday.

For many indigenous people, the celebration of Columbus Day is a painful one. Too often, it appears to be a state-sponsored celebration of the history of violence and acts of brutality inflicted upon their communities. Unfortunately, we have failed as a country to recognize that difficult history and honor the roots, traditions, and cultural contributions of our tribal nations and indigenous peoples. Indigenous Peoples' Day is currently celebrated on the second Monday of October in at least 13 states and more than 100 cities.

The lawmakers released the following statements:

""My Indigenous Peoples' Day legislation is an opportunity to honor the true nature of our founding,"" said Rep. Norma J. Torres. ""This legislation helps our federal government move beyond an outdated practice that perpetuates inaccurate teachings and devalues the history of indigenous people. This holiday should be focused on remembering the hardships that indigenous peoples have endured and honoring our country's first inhabitants.""

""Indigenous Peoples' Day is an opportunity to commemorate Indigenous peoples' vibrant cultures and significant contributions to our nation, from before we became a union to every corner of our country today—but is also a day to acknowledge the persecution and discrimination that Native peoples have faced for centuries,"" said Representative Sharice Davids (KS-03). ""As one of the first Native American women ever elected to Congress and a proud member of the Ho-Chunk Nation, I am honored to join my colleagues in calling for the national celebration of Indigenous Peoples' Day.""

""We must reckon with our country's long, painful history of colonization,"" said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01). ""Making Indigenous Peoples Day a federal holiday will provide a meaningful opportunity to celebrate the powerful history, traditions, and cultural contributions of our Indigenous communities. I am pleased to join Congresswoman Torres in this important effort.""

""Honoring Indigenous Peoples' Day is a meaningful way our country can come together to celebrate Tribal nations, cultures, and people that play an important role in our shared history. This can also be an opportunity to shed light on the dark history of colonization in the United States and how we have treated indigenous peoples in the past. I thank Representative Torres for leading this cause as we celebrate the stories, the strength, and the innumerable contributions of indigenous peoples across the country,"" said Congresswoman Suzan K. DelBene (WA-01).

""I'm proud to help lead the effort in the Senate to recognize Indigenous Peoples' Day – an important recognition of Native Americans' contributions to our society, economy and history,"" said Senator Ben Ray Luján, a Member of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. ""New Mexico, which is home to 23 Tribal Nations and Pueblos, made history in 2019 by recognizing Indigenous Peoples' Day as an official holiday, and I'm hopeful that Congress can make this a reality for the entire nation. Let this day serve as a celebration of our country's Tribal Nations and Native communities, and a reminder of the work ahead, to continue to strengthen and improve the federal government's relationship with Tribal governments and Indigenous peoples.""

""By celebrating Indigenous Peoples' Day, we lift up the strength and resilience of America's Tribal Nations,"" said Senator Heinrich. ""I'm proud to stand with New Mexico's Tribes and Pueblos who have led the way to re-frame this national holiday to honor all of the significant contributions and diverse cultures of our Native communities.""

The landmark piece of legislation is supported by:The Navajo Nation, The Cherokee Nation, Indigenous Peoples' Day Initiative, Association on American Indian Affairs, National Council of Urban Indian Health, National Congress of American Indians, and the Episcopal Church.

""If the United States chooses to recognize Indigenous Peoples' Day, we acknowledge a history marked by broken promises, violence, and deprivation in hopes of creating a brighter future where we can stand by one another with cooperation and mutual respect. By knowing the story of Indigenous Peoples, we understand ourselves and others better. It binds us together and reaffirms that we are all American. The Native American experience is not separate from the American story, but is crucial to that story. It is the hope of my community that this day will help alleviate the effects of oppression and work to create future generations who understand the importance of our shared experiences in hopes of creating a stronger, more unified nation,"" said Dylan O. Baca, President, Indigenous Peoples' Initiative

""Indigenous People's Day is long overdue as a recognized Federal holiday. We are honored that this bill recognizes American Indian/Alaska Native culture instead of celebrating the atrocities that persisted during colonization. It is pertinent that the resilient history and culture of AI/AN people is reflected correctly and is not devalued by colonial narratives."" said Francys Crevier, (Algonquin) CEO National Council of Urban Indian Health

We are grateful that Congress is taking this important step forward to acknowledge the contributions and struggles of Indigenous Peoples in the United States. Every opportunity we have to share the truth of our collective histories gives all of us a stronger foundation from which to build a true representative democracy. And we cannot know the truth without first acknowledging the original – and continuing – caretakers of this Turtle Island."" said Shannon O'Loughlin, Chief Executive & Attorney, Association on American Indian Affairs

""We thank Congresswoman Torres for championing the cause of Indigenous peoples. I believe the name change will create a ripple of positive transformation throughout Indian Country and allow for future Indigenous generations to reclaim their identity with pride,"" said President Nez, Navajo Nation

""Cherokee Nation supports legislation replacing ‘‘Columbus Day'' with ‘‘Indigenous People's Day'' and applauds Congresswoman Torres for her leadership on this issue. It is past time for the United States to recognize the integral role Native people play in the history, economy, and future of our country. The second Monday of October will be a day for people across the United States to celebrate and honor the significant contributions of Native tribes as well as the beautiful culture of our Native people,"" said Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuk Hoskin, Jr.

""The National Congress of American Indians applauds the efforts of Representative Torres, and Senators Heinrich and Lujan for introducing the Indigenous Peoples Day Act. NCAI believes in a true and accurate account of the history of the Americas, which must include recognition of the Indigenous peoples who have lived in these lands since time immemorial, and long before Christopher Columbus set sail. NCAI supports changing Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples' Day in order to set the historical record straight and out of respect for the culture, language and history of our Indigenous ancestors,"" said Dante Desiderio, CEO of National Congress of American Indians.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:17:01Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/bonamici-announces-first-round-technology-funding-nw-oregon-schools,Bonamici Announces First Round of Technology Funding for NW Oregon Schools,2021-09-29,2021,2021-09,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"BEAVERTON, or [9/29/21] - Today Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) announced that the Federal Communications Commission is awarding $28.9 million in funding to Oregon schools and libraries for broadband connectivity and devices to support educational needs.

""The digital divide is holding students and workers back from achieving their full potential,"" said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. ""The pandemic exacerbated gaps in access to broadband and technology that are inconsistent with the goal of equal access and opportunity. This program is an important part of the American Rescue Plan that I was pleased to help pass. It's wonderful to see these federal funds go to school districts in NW Oregon so they can help all students participate and succeed, regardless of their family's income or where they live.""

These schools and districts in NW Oregon will receive $20.2 million in total:

Jewell School, $7,081

Warrenton-Hammond School District, $123,005

Beaverton School District, $1.28 million

Sherwood School District, $1.26 million

Forest Grove Community School, $15,154

Clatskanie School District, $65,100

St. Helens School District, $313,989

McMinnville School District, $407,586

Newberg School District, $447,869

NW Regional Education Service District, $52,465

Portland Public Schools, $16.3 million

A second application filing window opened on September 28 and will close on October 13. It will provide funding for eligible equipment and services received or delivered between July 1, 2021 and June 30, 2022. The funding is available for the purchase of laptops and tablets, Wi-Fi hotspots, modems, routers, and broadband connections for off-campus use by students, school staff, and library patrons in need, and is available to support off-campus learning, such as homework and virtual learning as schools continue to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nationwide, the Federal Communications Commission is committing more than $1.2 billion for 3,040 schools, 260 libraries, and 24 consortia that applied for support from the $7.17 billion Emergency Connectivity Fund Program.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:17:01Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/bonamici-guthrie-lead-bipartisan-resolution-honor-workforce-development-month,"Bonamici, Guthrie Lead Bipartisan Resolution to Honor Workforce Development Month",2021-09-29,2021,2021-09,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC [9/29/21] – Today Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) and Brett Guthrie (R-KY) introduced a bipartisan resolution to honor September as National Workforce Development Month.

The resolution recognizes that increased investment in workforce development programs will benefit workers and employers. People without a four-year college degree were hit hard by the pandemic, and workforce development programs provide opportunities for workers to find quality employment by increasing access to education, training, credentials, and support services. They often include on-the-job training and can connect employers with workers who have the skills they need.

""Workforce development programs improve lives by providing workers who have faced barriers to employment with in-demand skills so they can succeed in quality, good-paying jobs,"" said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. ""Investing in workforce development is critical now as we recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, face an urgent need to build and repair infrastructure, and transition to a clean energy economy.""

""I'm proud to reintroduce this resolution to recognize September as National Workforce Development Month,"" said Congressman Brett Guthrie. ""Workforce development programs provide Americans opportunities to acquire the skills needed to obtain good jobs with strong wages. As our country works to rebound from the economic impact of COVID-19, I hope this resolution raises awareness of these important programs in Kentucky and around the country to help advance promising careers for current and future workers.""

The full text of the resolution can be found here.

The resolution is co-sponsored by Representatives Brett Guthrie (R-KY), Adam Smith (D-WA), Anthony Brown (D-MD), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Fred Keller (R-PA), Lucy McBath (D-GA), Jahana Hayes (D-CT), Alma Adams (D-NC), Dina Titus (D-NV), Marie Newman (D-IL), Joseph Morelle (D-NY), and Glenn Thompson (R-PA).",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:17:01Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/bonamici-booker-introduce-legislation-protect-americans-tax-refund-scams,"Bonamici, Booker Introduce Legislation to Protect Americans from Tax Refund Scams",2021-09-27,2021,2021-09,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC [9/27/21] – Today Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) and Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) introduced bicameral legislation to protect consumers from tax refund scams by unscrupulous tax preparers.

The Tax Refund Protection Act would grant authority to the Department of the Treasury to establish the licensing, fees, and certification of tax return preparers to stop unethical practices. Millions of Americans rely on tax preparers, some of which engage in predatory practices to skim money off tax returns, overcharge through hidden fees, or redirect the entire refund into their own account.

""Many Americans rely on tax refunds to cover necessary expenses, and every penny makes a difference,"" said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. ""We must protect them and their tax refunds from predatory preparers who take advantage of the complexity of the tax code to line their own pockets. The Tax Refund Protection Act will provide increased transparency and needed oversight so taxpayers will not be cheated and can be confident that they will receive the amount they are due.""

""Every year, far too many Americans, especially those who are low-income and underserved, file their taxes only to receive lower than expected returns due to unfair and undisclosed fees and rates,"" said Senator Booker. ""This legislation will keep more hard-working taxpayers' money in their pockets by requiring greater transparency and accountability from tax preparers, helping to eliminate deceptive practices and protecting consumers each tax season.""

The legislation will require tax preparers to provide a disclosure statement outlining the fees they will charge for preparing a tax return, direct taxpayers to where they can find when they can expect to receive their refunds, and disclose potential additional fees associated with a refund anticipation check. The bill also incorporates a recommendation from the National Taxpayer Advocate to help make sure there is accountability when tax preparers improperly use confidential taxpayer information.

A fact sheet about the Tax Refund Protection Act can be found here, and the text of the House bill can be found here. It is cosponsored by Representative Bennie Thompson (MS-02). The legislation is endorsed by Prosperity Now.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:17:01Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/bonamici-votes-protect-reproductive-freedom,Bonamici Votes to Protect Reproductive Freedom,2021-09-24,2021,2021-09,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC [9/24/21] – Today Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) joined the House in passing the Women's Health Protection Act to counter the wave of anti-abortion laws in Texas and across the country.

The Women's Health Protection Act will safeguard the right to an abortion found in Roe v. Wade and prohibit state laws that restrict reproductive freedom or attack abortion services and providers with medically unwarranted restrictions.

Bonamici spoke in support of the legislation on the House floor. Video of her remarks can be found here.

""The repeated attacks on reproductive rights are reprehensible and must be stopped,"" said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. ""Everyone should have the freedom to choose what is best for their own health and family. It is essential that everyone have access to health care, including abortion services, that is free from political interference. I will continue to do all I can to protect reproductive freedom and I urge the Senate to quickly pass the Women's Health Protection Act.""

Bonamici is a strong advocate for reproductive freedom and has repeatedly called for the House and Senate to pass the Women's Health Protection Act.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:17:01Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/bonamici-wyden-merkley-blumenauer-applaud-999-million-award-trimet-expand-red,"Bonamici, Wyden, Merkley, Blumenauer Applaud $99.9 Million Award to TriMet to Expand Red Line to Hillsboro",2021-09-24,2021,2021-09,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. –U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and U.S. Representatives Earl Blumenauer and Suzanne Bonamici today announced that TriMet will receive $99.9 million from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to support the expansion of the MAX Red Line beyond Beaverton to Hillsboro.

""Public transportation is essential to increasing accessibility and addressing the climate crisis,"" Bonamici said. ""MAX's light rail service already plays a vital role in our community, and expanding the Red Line to Hillsboro will allow even more people to get to work, school, and home safely and efficiently. I'm pleased that TriMet will receive this funding, and I'll continue to advocate for more resources to strengthen and expand our public transit system.""

""Investments in mass transit reduce vehicle traffic and emissions with the added benefit of ensuring that Oregonians have the most direct and expedient way to get where they need to go,"" Wyden said. ""This award to Oregon's largest transit agency will bring much needed expanded service in the metro area and reliability to the west side of Portland for commuters.""

""Expanding mass transit will not only give thousands of folks in the Portland metro area access to a more convenient public transportation option, but it will also reduce the harmful strain of carbon pollution on our environment,"" said Merkley. ""I was pleased to advocate for TriMet to win this funding in order to better serve communities that currently lack the public transit options needed to go about their everyday lives. This is a major award that will do a lot of good in the communities that need it most.""

""Once again, TriMet does it right,"" Blumenauer said. ""Better Red improves the region's access to the airport and makes the entire light rail system operate more efficiently—making it easier for people to commute, recreate, and access essential services. This long-term investment will also create jobs and help our community cut emissions, making it a win for Oregonians, our economy, and our environment.""

Currently, the Red Line ends in Beaverton and trains are often full with commuters. Many commuters to Portland International Airport from Hillsboro also have to switch trains to reach the airport. The $99.9 million FTA grant will support TriMet's ""Better Red"" project to extend the MAX Red Line to Hillsboro as well as improve sections of track near Portland International Airport and Gateway Transit Center.

The improvements will provide riders with better connections and more reliable trips throughout the MAX system. New light rail trains will be added to circulation—creating quicker commutes across the region with the goal of boosting transit ridership. Construction is anticipated to begin in the fall of 2021, with improved MAX Red Line service rolling out in 2024.

""The MAX Red Line expansion and improvement project, which we call A Better Red, is a prime example of embracing ways to address climate change, while putting people to work and making the transit system operate at peak efficiency,"" said TriMet General Manager Sam Desue, Jr. ""TriMet thanks the Biden-Harris Administration, the Oregon Congressional delegation and the Federal Transit Administration for their vision and leadership.""

A web version of this release is here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:17:01Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/bonamici-announces-129-million-grants-clatsop-county-fire-departments,Bonamici Announces $1.29 Million in Grants for Clatsop County Fire Departments,2021-09-23,2021,2021-09,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"BEAVERTON, or [9/23/21] - Today Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) announced that fire departments in Clatsop County will receive $1,295,238 through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program. This funding will be used to provide firefighters with improved National Fire Protection Association compliant tools and equipment.

""Our firefighters and first responders work hard day in and day out to keep our communities safe,"" Bonamici said. ""This critical funding will make sure that they are well-equipped to protect families and visitors in Clatsop County and stay safe while on the job. Federal funding is especially important for smaller, rural fire departments that struggle to raise the revenue they need for new equipment. I will continue to advocate for resources for the North Coast and our fire departments.""

""The Assistance to Firefighters Grants will allow us to replace two-thirds of the emergency radio capability in the county, replace 38-year-old extrication equipment, and replace hoses that were over twenty-five-years old,"" said Cannon Beach Fire Chief Marc Reckmann, who also manages grants for the Hamlet Rural Fire Protection District. ""The AFG grants are fundamental, especially to rural fire departments. Districts like Hamlet have a $30,000 annual budget and cannot afford this equipment, yet are still providing the same services as bigger departments.""

The following awards for operations and safety have been announced since August 6, 2021:

$268,571 for the Hamlet Rural Fire Protection District in Seaside

$160,952 for the City of Warrenton Fire District

$574,571 for the Cannon Beach Rural Fire Protection District

$46,380 for the Cannon Beach Rural Fire Protection District

$200,000 for the Knappa Fire District in Astoria

$44,761 for the Hamlet Rural Fire Protection District in Seaside

The AFG program awards grants directly to fire departments to enhance their response capabilities and to protect the health and safety of the public and emergency response personnel.

For more information on the AFG program, please visit: https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/firefighters/assistance-grants.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:17:01Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/bonamici-porter-introduce-bill-protect-students-young-consumers-financial,"Bonamici, Porter Introduce Bill to Protect Students, Young Consumers from Financial Abuse",2021-09-22,2021,2021-09,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC [9/22/21] – Today Congresswomen Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) and Katie Porter (D-CA) introduced legislation to reopen the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's Office for Students and Young Consumers.

The Students and Young Consumers Empowerment Act will restore and strengthen the Office for Students and Young Consumers, which was the only office in the federal government charged with protecting young Americans from abuse by the financial services industry. Before it was closed by the Trump administration in 2018, the office was responsible for returning more than $750 million to students and student loan borrowers who had been cheated or misled.

""I've heard from too many students and young consumers who have been taken advantage of by unscrupulous student loan companies and for-profit colleges,"" said Suzanne Bonamici, Chair of the Education and Labor Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Human Services. ""The Office for Students and Young Consumers provided a strong advocate for this population before it was recklessly shut down by the Trump administration. We must restore this important office and provide students and young consumers with the protections they need.""

""We should protect every American from scammers, including our young people,"" said Congresswoman Katie Porter. ""By closing the CFPB's Office for Students and Young Consumers, the Trump Administration made it much easier for for-profit colleges and predatory lenders to cheat students. Congress has a duty to get justice for young people targeted by these abusive schemes, and restoring this vital institution within our consumer protection agency will help us fulfill that mission.""

The Students and Young Consumers Empowerment Act will restore and strengthen the CFPB's Office for Students and Young Consumers. The bill will:

Establish the position of the Assistant Director and Student Loan Borrower Advocate as head of the Office for Students and Young Consumers charged with:

Empowering students, young consumers, and their families to make better informed decisions regarding consumer financial products and services,

Identifying new risks to consumers and referring cases for enforcement, and

Making recommendations to Congress about how to protect young consumers;

Empower the Office to work with private and Federal student loan borrowers to resolve complaints against lenders, servicers, and debt collectors;

Require information sharing between the head of the Office and senior officials across the federal government to make sure the Office can carry out its duties;

Give the Office new tools to demand data from industry about risky practices;

Require annual reports on the student loan marketplace, campus banking, and risks to young consumers; and

Give Congress new tools to hold CFPB accountable for the requirements in this Act.

A summary the legislation can be found here, and the text of the legislation can be found here. It is co-sponsored by Representatives Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Rashida Tlaib (MI-13), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-At Large), and Ed Case (HI-01).",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:17:01Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/bipartisan-estuary-caucus-resolution-recognizes-national-estuaries-week,Bipartisan Estuary Caucus Resolution Recognizes National Estuaries Week,2021-09-21,2021,2021-09,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC—The Co-Chairs of the Bipartisan Congressional Estuary Caucus, including U.S. Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Bill Posey (R-FL), Brian Mast (R-FL) and Rick Larsen (D-WA), introduced their bipartisan resolution recognizing September 18th- September 21st, 2021, as National Estuaries Week. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) established National Estuaries week in 1988 to raise awareness about the vital role estuaries play in our communities and economies, and to encourage more local involvement in caring for these diverse ecosystems.

""Oregon's economic vitality depends on the health of the lower Columbia River estuary,"" said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. ""Rising sea levels, ocean acidification, hypoxia, and harmful algal blooms threaten this irreplaceable resource. We must invest in research and restoration projects to protect and restore the vitality of the Columbia River estuary and estuaries across the country. I am pleased to join my Co-Chairs on the Congressional Estuary Caucus in recognizing National Estuaries Week to draw more attention to these valuable ecosystems.""

""Our Indian River Lagoon is important to our quality of life, our local economies, tourism, and it provides a critical habitat to many indigenous species of wildlife and plant life,"" said Congressman Bill Posey. ""National Estuaries Week encourages concerned citizens to become more involved in efforts to care for and manage the health of these critical ecosystems.""

""The devastating problems facing the Indian River Lagoon, Caloosahatchee, St. Lucie and Lake Worth Lagoon demonstrate over and over again that our economy, public health and environmental protection go hand-in-hand. National Estuaries Week is a reminder of the importance of these critical habitats. We must continue to fight to protect and restore our waterways,"" said Congressman Brian Mast.

""In the Pacific Northwest, protecting estuaries is vital for the environment and the economy,"" said Congressman Rick Larsen. ""Washington's Second District is home to parts of Puget Sound, the nation's largest estuary by water volume, and its connecting rivers and streams, diverse wildlife and marine ecosystems. I will continue work with the Caucus to champion efforts to protect these critical natural resources and secure federal funding to preserve Washington's lands and waters for current and future generations to enjoy.""

The Congressional Estuary Caucus was founded as a bipartisan working group to give our estuaries a voice in Congress and advance meaningful bipartisan legislation to support their health and preservation.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:17:01Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/bonamici-crist-introduce-legislation-combat-health-risks-extreme-heat,"Bonamici, Crist Introduce Legislation to Combat Health Risks of Extreme Heat",2021-09-17,2021,2021-09,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, DC – U.S. Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) and Charlie Crist (D-FL) announced introduction of the Preventing Health Emergencies And Temperature-related (HEAT) Illness and Deaths Act, legislation that will strengthen and expand interagency efforts to address extreme heat, provide $100 million in funding for community projects that mitigate heat-related health risks, and issue recommendations for federal action on heat-health issues. Senators Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and Alex Padilla (D-CA) introduced the companion legislation in the U.S. Senate.

Specifically, the Preventing HEAT Illness and Deaths Act would:

Establish the National Integrated Heat Health Information System (NIHHIS) Interagency Committee to enhance interagency efforts to address extreme heat.

Formally authorize the NIHHIS Program, which was initiated by President Obama in 2015, within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Require NIHHIS to conduct a study on extreme heat and issue recommendations to improve heat-health planning, preparedness, response, resilience, adaptation, and environmental justice and equity.

Establish a $100 million financial assistance program to provide funding for community projects that reduce the health impacts of extreme heat, prioritizing projects in historically disadvantaged communities and communities with significant heat disparities associated with race or income.

Extreme heat kills more Americans on average than any other weather event. This summer, extreme heat killed over 200 Americans when a record-breaking heat wave moved across the Pacific Northwest. US cities experienced one of their hottest summers to date, with July 2021 being the world's hottest month ever recorded according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. And recent reports on Hurricane Ida indicate that extreme heat in the aftermath of the storm is responsible for 10 of the 14 reported deaths in New Orleans.

""Oregon faced multiple extreme heat emergencies this year, and we continue to mourn the lives that were lost,"" said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. ""Heat-related deaths are more likely to endanger lower-income communities and communities of color. These fatalities are preventable, and we must take action now to protect workers, seniors, and marginalized groups who are at risk as these climate-change induced, extreme weather emergencies become more frequent. I'm pleased to join Rep. Crist in introducing the Preventing HEAT Illness and Deaths Act to make our communities safer.""

""This summer, the US hit its hottest month ever recorded – and tragically many died as a result of record-breaking temperatures,"" said Rep Crist. ""Frankly, we don't have time to waste. That's why I'm proud to introduce the Preventing HEAT Illness and Deaths Act - legislation that will strengthen federal efforts to address extreme heat, help cities mitigate the impacts, and most importantly, save lives.""

""This summer, fueled by the human-caused climate crisis, our country has experienced unprecedented extreme heat events that have killed hundreds of Americans and sent many more to the hospital. Resulting in part from the practice of historic redlining, the risks of this extreme heat have fallen disproportionately on low-income communities and communities of color who have less tree cover and more pavement,"" said Senator Markey. ""This national problem requires a national response. That is why I am introducing the Preventing HEAT Illness and Deaths Act to establish an interagency committee to oversee and amplify federal efforts to address extreme heat and provide financial assistance to communities to reduce their exposure to extreme heat.""

""Heat is among the top weather-related causes of death in the United States and is poised to become an increasingly bigger threat as global warming unfolds. And yet, injuries and deaths resulting from exposure to extreme heat, while tragic, are often preventable,"" said Rachel Licker, Senior Climate Scientist, Climate & Energy Program, Union of Concerned Scientists. ""The Preventing HEAT Illness and Deaths Act of 2021 is a critical and timely piece of legislation that would ensure that the United States is better prepared in the face of extreme heat, and better able to protect those communities who are disproportionately vulnerable to its effects.""

""Extreme heat threatens our health, especially the most vulnerable among us including older adults, young children and outdoor workers. Low-income and underserved communities are especially at risk. Extreme heat often results in increased hospital admissions for heat stroke, heart attacks and respiratory distress. It is also a cause of premature death,"" said Georges C. Benjamin, MD, Executive Director of the American Public Health Association. ""The Preventing HEAT Illness and Deaths Act of 2021 would help to better prepare the nation to address this growing public health threat and provide valuable lifesaving funding to protect our most vulnerable communities from extreme heat.""

""This summer's deadly heat has been a tragic reminder that the U.S. is not prepared for a future of even stronger, longer, and more frequent heat disasters fueled by climate change,"" said Kim Knowlton, Senior Scientist, Natural Resources Defense Council and Assistant Professor, Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health. ""The Preventing HEAT Illness and Deaths Act of 2021 will help the nation cope with rising temperatures by providing critical information and directing resilience funding to communities that need it most.""

""We at the Arsht-Rock Resilience Center applaud Representative Crist for his leadership on extreme heat, the invisible killer,"" said Kathy Baughman McLeod, Executive Director, Adrienne Arsht-Rockefeller Foundation Resilience Center. ""As the frequency, intensity, duration, and breadth of heat waves explodes across the country this summer, every moment we hesitate, more people die. This bill is the best next step to protect the lives and livelihoods of all Americans, especially the most vulnerable from this climate threat.""

The Preventing Health Emergencies And Temperature-related (HEAT) Illness and Deaths Act has been endorsed by: Union of Concerned Scientists, Sierra Club, League of Conservation Voters, Natural Resources Defense Council, Physicians for Social Responsibility, American Public Health Association, Climate Psychiatry Alliance, Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments, American Academy of Pediatrics, Virginia Clinicians for Climate Action, and Adrienne Arsht-Rockefeller Resilience Center at the Atlantic Council.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:17:01Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/bonamici-touts-historic-investments-child-care-education-job-training,"Bonamici Touts Historic Investments in Child Care, Education, Job Training",2021-09-14,2021,2021-09,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Reps. Bonamici, Grijalva, and Leger Fernández, members of the House Committee on Education and Labor, touted investments in child care, education, job training, and child nutrition advanced through the Committee's section of the Build Back Better Act. The historic investments will lower costs for families, secure good-paying jobs for American workers, and set a strong foundation of America's children.

""The Build Back Better Act is a once-in-a-generation investment in the foundations of middle-class prosperity: education, child care, and more,"" said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. ""This lifechanging legislation will support children throughout their lives, and create better opportunities for workers. I am thrilled that the Build Back Better Act passed the Education and Labor Committee, and will continue advocating for it to become law. It will help to our constituents – here in Oregon and across the county – achieve a brighter, more equitable future,""said Rep. Bonamici.

""Our schools and communities have suffered greatly in the past 18 months: missed education, economic hardship and constant health threats. The Build Back Better Act is a significant down payment and long overdue investment in America's families, children and the future. This package represents our comprehensive vision to improve and create conditions for a fairer, more accessible economy in Arizona and across the nation,""said Rep. Grijalva.

""My Democratic colleagues and I secured the single largest investment in family child care in our nation's history as well as universal pre-K. When our children are cared for, more women can return to the workforce or to school,""said Leger Fernández.""We are investing in the repair and construction of dilapidated schools, and modernizing others. We are investing in our Tribal Colleges and Universities and Hispanic-Serving Institutions. This budget sets a strong foundation for our families and workers. I look forward to passing this transformative bill through the House to empower every community across the country. These are the investments they need to thrive - they deserve nothing less.""

The investments advanced through the Committee last week will:

Lower the cost of child care and secure universal pre-K for three- and four-year-olds,

Lower the cost of higher education by funding two years of tuition-free community college and increasing the value Pell Grants,

Strengthen our public schools by helping school districts repair, modernize, or rebuild crumbling and outdated school buildings,

Help workers secure good-paying jobs by expanding job training programs, and

Help prevent child hunger by expanding our most effective child nutrition programs.

For a summary on the Committee on Education and Labor's portion of the Build Back Better Act, click here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:17:01Z
https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases/statement-20th-anniversary-september-11-2001-terrorist-attacks,"Statement on 20th Anniversary of September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attacks",2021-09-10,2021,2021-09,Republican,House,OR,Cliff Bentz,B000668,bentz.house.gov,bentz,https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"ONTARIO Ore. - Today, Congressman Cliff Bentz released the following statement in observance of the 20th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

On September 11, 2001, nearly 3,000 innocent Americans were murdered by terrorists who hijacked airplanes for use as weapons of fear and mass carnage. During these dark hours – at the World Trade Center, at the Pentagon, and in a field Shanksville, PA – our nation and the world witnessed true evil. But in those moments, we also saw incredible heroism, including that of the first responders who ran into heavy smoke and flames without any hesitation. We continued to see the strength of American patriotism, courage, and resiliency in the aftermath of 9/11 as our nation deployed our brave warriors overseas to defend our homeland and deny terrorists a safe haven from which to plan future attacks.

20 years since 9/11, we continue to vow: “we will never forget.” As one nation, we reflect on the tragic events of that horrific day and the sacrifices made in the aftermath by countless Americans (and our allies) to promote peace, liberty, and security around the globe. To many of us, these sacrifices are as real as ever. The recent scenes coming out of Afghanistan are heartbreaking for all who had hoped we would leave the country and its people in good and capable hands. And the devastating news of the 13 American troops killed in Afghanistan should weigh heavily on our country’s leadership, just as it will continue to weigh heavily on the heart and soul of our nation. Together, we honor these fallen heroes who bravely carried out their mission to save tens of thousands of lives in Afghanistan, despite the threat of attack. To their families and the countless others grieving such a loss, thank you and God bless you.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:17:01Z
https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-bentz-introduces-amendments-35-trillion-reconciliation-bill-us,Congressman Bentz Introduces Amendments to $3.5 Trillion Reconciliation Bill in U.S. House Natural Resources Committee,2021-09-09,2021,2021-09,Republican,House,OR,Cliff Bentz,B000668,bentz.house.gov,bentz,https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Today, during a U.S. House Natural Resources Committee markup meeting for a roughly $31.7 billion portion of President Biden’s $3.5 trillion budget resolution, Congressman Cliff Bentz offered three amendments aimed at refocusing federal priorities and redirecting funding from President Biden and Speaker Pelosi’s liberal wish list to ongoing natural disasters and real-world needs in communities across the American West.

“Given the historic spending levels continued in this enormous $3.5 trillion proposal, there is no doubt that Democrats are pedal to the metal when it comes to driving our nation over a fiscal cliff,” said Bentz. “Meanwhile, they are not coming close to investing adequately in areas that are critical to our nation such as drought solutions, wildfire mitigation, and federal land and forest management. As a member of the Natural Resources Committee, and although I am opposed to this $3.5 trillion proposal, I used the markup as an opportunity to call out some of the most misdirected and damaging parts of this out-of-control Democratic spending spree.”

Congressman Bentz’s amendments were part of a variety of amendments offered by House Republicans that were not accepted by the Democrat majority on the panel. The three amendments offered by Congressman Bentz were:

Drought Relief Amendment – This amendment would have shifted $50 million in federal funding from several single-species conservation programs to emergency drought relief and water storage projects in the western United States.

Wildfire Mitigation Amendment – This amendment would have directed $5 billion in existing federal spending to the Department of Interior and the Bureau of Indian Affairs for the purpose of reducing the enormous risk of wildfire facing our nation.

Northern Spotted Owl Habitat Amendment – This amendment would have increased forest restoration projects, created jobs, and protected the Northern Spotted Owl from the threat of wildfire by re-aligning the Biden Administration’s critical habitat designation for the owl with a unanimous U.S. Supreme Court decision and with federal environmental law.

Thursday’s markup was the House Natural Resource Committee’s second meeting to review its assigned portion of the $3.5 trillion spending target contained in the massive reconciliation proposal which continues to wind its way through various committees in Congress.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:17:01Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-leger-fernandez-bonamici-introduce-just-transition-energy-communities-act,"Reps. Leger Fernández, Bonamici Introduce the Just Transition for Energy Communities Act",2021-09-08,2021,2021-09,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Reps. Teresa Leger Fernández (D-NM) and Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) introduced the Just Transition for Energy Communities Act. The bill would provide resources to help state and Tribal governments that are reliant on fossil fuel development, production, and utilization to diversify and grow their economies.

""Our move towards clean energy is a critical step in saving our planet but we can't leave communities behind in the process. I met with workers, union leaders, and experts who made it clear that economic diversification is imperative for states, like New Mexico, that rely on oil and gas to fund their education programs,"" said Leger Fernández. ""That is why I introduced the Just Transition for Energy Communities Act - to provide states and Tribes with necessary funds to ensure a fair and successful energy transition. These communities powered our country for decades and grew our economy. Now, we must now do the same for them.""

""Our nation's important transition to clean energy will create significant economic growth,"" said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. ""For that transition to be just, we must not leave out or leave behind states and Tribes with longstanding economic ties to fossil fuel industries. I am pleased to join Congresswoman Leger Fernández in introducing the Just Transition for Energy Communities Act to provide economic development grants to states and Tribes that have historically been dependent on fossil fuels. These grants will help empower communities to navigate the clean energy transformation of our economy and participate in the jobs it will bring.""

The Just Transition for Energy Communities Act:

Establishes a Dept. of Treasury program to provide payments to states and Tribes to support these communities' transition and economic diversification efforts.

Gives states and Tribes broad flexibility to use funding to develop and implement economic diversification plans that work for their respective communities.

Prohibits the funding from being used to further fossil fuel development.

Authorizes $5 billion over 10 years, with a $500 million set-aside for tribes.

To be eligible, states and Tribes would need to have recently received federal mineral revenue, which is almost always from fossil fuel production.

The bill is endorsed by the Environmental Defense Fund, NM Voices for Children, The Wilderness Society, and Appalachian Voices.

""There is an urgent need to rapidly transition away from fossil fuel production to protect our communities and save our planet, and, at the same time, we need to do more to support a just economic transition for energy communities. The Just Transition for Energy Communities Act is an important step forward, and The Wilderness Society appreciates Representative Leger Fernandez's leadership. We look forward to continuing to work with her on this important legislation and on the urgent actions needed to directly tackle the climate crisis,"" said Michael Casaus, New Mexico State Director for The Wilderness Society.

""This bill is about ensuring a better future for kids. For years, New Mexico has relied on oil and gas to fund our children's education programming. But as we battle climate change and protect our land and public health, it's vital that states like New Mexico are able to diversify their economies. We are thankful for Congresswoman Leger Fernández's leadership to create opportunities for New Mexico's children and help ensure their future success,"" said James Jimenez, Executive Director of New Mexico Voices for Children.

""Today, Representative Teresa Leger Fernández introduced legislation to provide support for communities on the front lines of the energy transition. As we take necessary steps to combat climate change, it is imperative that we ensure all communities, including those historically dependent on fossil fuel production, have an opportunity to thrive in the clean economy. This bill will enable state, local, and tribal governments to maintain strong public services and diversify their economies. EDF Action applauds Rep. Leger Fernández for her work to help communities navigate the energy transition,"" said Elizabeth Gore, Senior Vice President of Political Affairs at the Environmental Defense Fund.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:17:01Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/oregon-delegation-announces-funding-cascadia-subduction-zone-earthquake-and,Oregon Delegation Announces Funding for Cascadia Subduction Zone Earthquake and Tsunami Preparedness,2021-09-07,2021,2021-09,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Oregon's congressional Democrats today announced federal funding to help Oregon prepare for a Cascadia Subduction Zone (CSZ) earthquake and tsunami.

The funds are being allocated through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) FY2021 Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grant Program. Oregon will receive $388,463 to support the development of a comprehensive logistics and supply chain management plan in the event of a Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake. The grants are highly competitive. Oregon is one of 15 state and local governments to be selected among 22 eligible applications.

""The pandemic, the wildfires, and the extreme weather events over the last year prove the value of being as prepared as possible for catastrophic events,"" said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. ""We must be ready for a potential Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake and related tsunami, so I'm grateful that Oregon was selected to receive this significant funding to help plan and prepare for a natural disaster that could strike at any time.""

""If a major earthquake hits along the Cascadia Subduction Zone, thousands could be killed and Oregon would suffer billions in economic damages,"" said Rep. DeFazio, who chairs the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, which has jurisdiction over FEMA. ""This funding will allow the state to better prepare for a major earthquake and tsunami and develop a strategy to support supply chain management in the event of disaster.""

""The alarm that scientists are sounding about a potentially devastating earthquake hitting our state at some point demands a response that includes robust preparation to protect Oregonians and our communities,"" Wyden said. ""I'm gratified that Oregon is receiving these FEMA funds to help with that needed preparation for a major quake along the Cascadia Subduction Zone that could also touch off a destructive tsunami slamming the coast.""

""Oregon's preparedness for a Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake is critical to the stability of our infrastructure and the safety of our communities,"" Merkley said. ""I am pleased that this FEMA grant will go toward a comprehensive plan to protect Oregonians across the state, and ensure that we have the resources to manage any potential disaster and its aftermath.""

Oregon's greatest threat of earthquakes and tsunamis is from the Cascadia Subduction Zone. Stretching from northern California up into British Columbia, the Cascadia Subduction Zone ""slips"" roughly every 300 years causing major earthquakes. The last known major earthquake was in 1700 and evidence suggests it was a magnitude 8.7 to a 9.2.

Experts agree that Oregon is due for another major earthquake. Some forecasts suggest there is a ten to twenty percent chance of a magnitude 9 quake on the CSZ in the next fifty years, while others predict a twenty-five to forty percent chance of a major quake on the south end of the CSZ in the next fifty years.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:17:01Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/bonamici-leads-bipartisan-update-anti-poverty-grant-program,Bonamici Leads Bipartisan Update to Anti-Poverty Grant Program,2021-09-02,2021,2021-09,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC [9/2/21] – Today Representative Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) introduced bipartisan legislation to update the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) program.

The CSBG program supports more than 1,000 Community Action Agencies (CAAs), which have been providing holistic assistance to poor and low-income communities across the country for more than 50 years. The Community Services Block Grant Modernization Act of 2021 will reauthorize this critical program for another decade and make overdue updates to further reduce poverty.

""Community Action Agencies have been working tirelessly to reduce poverty in our communities for decades,"" said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. ""Investing in these essential agencies will allow them to better meet the needs of our communities and lift even more families and individuals in NW Oregon and across the country out of poverty. This update is especially important now because the agencies have seen staggeringly high demand during the coronavirus pandemic. I'm pleased to continue the strong bipartisan tradition of supporting the Community Services Block Grant program by introducing this modernization bill.""

CSBG enables CAAs to be innovative, leverage public and private resources for their communities, and efficiently administer many programs—including Head Start, LIHEAP, nutrition assistance, weatherization, job training, housing, and assistance for those experiencing homelessness.

""Community Action Team Inc. and our partner organizations in other regions couldn't do our work without the Community Services Block Grant,"" said Dan Brown, Executive Director of Community Action Team, Inc. ""It's what makes us who we are. Reauthorizing and improving the program will help us continue to serve people in need and keep a roof over their heads. I appreciate Congresswoman Bonamici's efforts to direct more funding and make administrative improvements to this crucial program.""

""No one fights harder to expand opportunities for communities and individuals than Suzanne Bonamici,"" said David Bradley, CEO of the National Community Action Foundation. ""She is second to none in pushing for the resources communities and individuals need to pave a path towards economic wellbeing and independence. She believes in STEAM, job training, public health and is unwavering in her support of the 15 million low-income individuals and families who are assisted by their local Community Action Agencies.""

Updates to the CSBG program include:

Reauthorizing the CSBG Act for 10 years at an increased annual level of $1 billion for first five years

Permanently raising income eligibility to 200 percent of the poverty line, as temporarily provided in the CARES Act

Promoting innovation in the Community Action network through a federally administered Community Action Innovations Program, and requiring federal and state training and technical assistance to support developing and promoting evidence-based approaches to reducing poverty

A fact sheet with more details about the CSBG Modernization Act can be found here.

Bonamici introduced the legislation joined by Representatives Glenn ""GT"" Thompson (R-PA), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA), and James Comer (R-KY).",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:17:01Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/bonamici-thompson-mccollum-stefanik-desaulnier-comer-introduce-bipartisan,"Bonamici, Thompson, McCollum, Stefanik, DeSaulnier, Comer Introduce Bipartisan Update to Anti-Poverty Grant Program",2021-09-02,2021,2021-09,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC [9/2/21] – Today Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Glenn ""GT"" Thompson (R-PA), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA), and James Comer (R-KY) introduced bipartisan legislation to update the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) program.

The CSBG program supports more than 1,000 Community Action Agencies (CAAs), which have been providing holistic assistance to low-income communities across the country for more than 50 years. The Community Services Block Grant Modernization Act of 2021, H.R. 5129, will reauthorize this critical program for another decade and make overdue updates to further reduce poverty.

""Community Action Agencies have been working tirelessly to reduce poverty in our communities for decades,"" said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. ""Investing in these essential agencies will allow them to better meet the needs of our communities and lift even more families and individuals in NW Oregon and across the country out of poverty. This update is especially important now because the agencies have seen staggeringly high demand during the coronavirus pandemic. I'm pleased to continue the strong bipartisan tradition of supporting the Community Services Block Grant program by introducing this modernization bill.""

""The Community Service Block Grant is the only federal program with the explicit goal of lifting Americans out of poverty and towards independence. Last reauthorized in 1998, CSBG requires some modernization to allow awarded organizations the ability to tap their full potential and better serve families and communities,"" said Congressman Glenn ""GT"" Thompson. ""CSBG has strong bipartisan support because of the great works it enables. With introduction of this bill, I am optimistic that we can work in a collaborative manner to ensure this reauthorization becomes a reality.""

""The Community Services Block Grant Modernization Act will allow urban, suburban, rural, and tribal communities across the country to provide a safety net for their neighbors and equip families with the resources needed to lift themselves out of poverty – especially important given the ongoing pandemic,"" Rep. McCollum said. ""Community Action Agencies meet people where they are to combat poverty, create opportunity, and support families. They make an incredible impact on the communities they serve, and by providing them sufficient resources, countless families across our nation will benefit.""

""CSBG funds are critical to supporting local agencies in the North Country working to tackle poverty issues, including combating the opioid epidemic, addressing education disparities, and fighting hunger,"" CongresswomanStefanik said. ""Locally-driven solutions are at the core of this legislation, and I am proud to work to strengthen this program, so local organizations can continue their good work addressing poverty and expanding opportunity in the North Country.""

""With inequality growing in the United States for the past several decades, it is time to confront this disparity head-on and give communities the resources they need,"" said Congressman DeSaulnier. ""I am proud to support the Community Services Block Grant Modernization Act that will strengthen, expand, and provide greater funding for the only federal program with the principal goal of reducing poverty across the country.""

""The Community Services Block Grant Modernization Act will empower Americans to succeed economically by reauthorizing important investments in creating economic opportunity for our citizens,"" Congressman Comer said. ""As an original cosponsor of this bipartisan legislation and a representative for deserving Community Action Agencies across Kentucky, I'm proud to support the significant role these local organizations play in reducing poverty through workforce development, childcare services, and other evidence-based practices for lifting up local communities.""

Community Service Block Grants enable CAAs to be innovative, leverage public and private resources for their communities, and efficiently administer many programs—including Head Start, LIHEAP, nutrition assistance, weatherization, job training, housing, and assistance for those experiencing homelessness.

""H.R. 5129 proves that Congress can come together in a bipartisan way and make positive change for communities,"" said David Bradley, CEO of the National Community Action Foundation. ""Congress relies on locally-based Community Action Agencies to help low-income individuals and communities address the real challenges of poverty every day. The Community Services Block Grant Modernization Act will provide a strong foundation for these local agencies to continue their life-changing work and to be innovative in addressing 21st century needs, while maintaining the highest quality and accountability at all levels. Enactment of this bill will send a strong message that Congress cares and is prepared to act on behalf of low-income individuals and families in all communities across the country.""

Updates to the CSBG program include:

Reauthorizing the CSBG Act for 10 years at an increased annual level of $1 billion for first five years

Permanently raising income eligibility to 200 percent of the poverty line, as temporarily provided in the CARES Act

Promoting innovation in the Community Action network through a federally administered Community Action Innovations Program, and requiring federal and state training and technical assistance to support developing and promoting evidence-based approaches to reducing poverty

A fact sheet with more details about the CSBG Modernization Act can be found here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:17:01Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/bonamici-young-lead-bipartisan-call-10b-coastal-community-investment-build,"Bonamici, Young Lead Bipartisan Call for $10B Coastal Community Investment in Build Back Better Plan",2021-09-01,2021,2021-09,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC [9/1/21] – Today Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) and Don Young (R-AK) led 35 bipartisan Members of Congress in calling for a $10 billion investment in coastal communities with the inclusion of restoration and resilience projects in the Build Back Better Plan.

""We are encouraged that President Biden's American Jobs Plan outlines the importance of protecting and restoring coastal ecosystems,"" the Members wrote.""These investments will reinvigorate our coastal communities, protect and restore critical ecosystems, and create thousands of high-quality, good-paying jobs.""

The Members also requested robust funding to scale up the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) ocean observations efforts. They noted NOAA's finding that coastal communities contribute at least $7.6 trillion to the U.S. economy annually.

In 2009, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act provided $167 million for the NOAA Office of Habitat Conservation to restore coastal habitats and stimulate economic growth. The funds helped restore more than 25,584 acres of coastal habitat, improved 677 miles of streams of fish habitat, removed more than 433,397 tons of debris from coastal habitats, and created good-paying jobs. Communities had submitted approximately $3 billion in projects, demonstrating the enormous potential for job creation with more federal investment.

""More than a decade later, we have the opportunity to build on this successful model and respond to the demand for coastal restoration and resilience projects that has increased as a result of climate change,"" the Members wrote.

In addition to Bonamici and Young, the letter was signed by Representatives Barbara Lee, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Nanette Diaz Barragán, Jared Huffman, Alan Lowenthal, Peter A. DeFazio, Chris Pappas, Marilyn Strickland, Jimmy Panetta, Jerrold Nadler, C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, Adam Smith, Kathy Castor, Debbie Dingell, Mark DeSaulnier, Jamie Raskin, James R. Langevin, Scott H. Peters, Chellie Pingree, Rick Larsen, David N. Cicilline, Sara Jacobs, Mike Levin, Charlie Crist, Pramila Jayapal, Julia Brownley, Peter Welch, Bonnie Watson Coleman, John P. Sarbanes, Deborah K. Ross, Sean Casten, A. Donald McEachin, Doris Matsui, Katie Porter, and Kathleen M. Rice.

The full text of the letter can be found here and below.

Dear Speaker Pelosi and Leader McCarthy,

We respectfully request that you work with the Natural Resources and Science, Space, and Technology Committees to provide no less than $10 billion for coastal restoration and resilience projects and robust funding to scale up the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) ocean observations efforts in the Build Back Better Plan. We are encouraged that President Biden's American Jobs Plan outlines the importance of protecting and restoring coastal ecosystems. These investments will reinvigorate our coastal communities, protect and restore critical ecosystems, and create thousands of high-quality, good-paying jobs.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), coastal communities contribute at least $7.6 trillion to the U.S. economy annually. Unfortunately, many of our coastal communities are struggling to recover as the coronavirus pandemic persists. Investing in our coastal communities through restoration and resilience projects has proven to be an effective driver of rapid economic growth. In 2009, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) provided NOAA's Office of Habitat Conservation with $167 million to restore coastal habitats. NOAA quickly executed a competitive solicitation and selection process for the ARRA funds and received approximately $3 billion in eligible proposals. According to a May 2017 NOAA Technical Memorandum, the ARRA funding supported 125 restoration projects, restored more than 25,584 acres of coastal habitat, improved 677 miles of streams of fish habitat, removed more than 433,397 tons of debris from coastal habitats, supported thousands of good-paying jobs, and provided economic benefits to coastal communities.

More than a decade later, we have the opportunity to build on this successful model and respond to the demand for coastal restoration and resilience projects that has increased as a result of climate change. By providing $10 billion for coastal restoration projects, we will strengthen natural infrastructure to protect coastal communities from the escalating climate crisis, which is contributing to sea level rise, coastal storms, and flooding. This investment will help safeguard biodiversity and maintain healthy fisheries and wildlife populations through habitat restoration and species protection and recovery. Coastal restoration projects can also restore blue carbon ecosystems, including mangroves, tidal marshes, seagrasses, and kelp forests. According to the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy, the protection and restoration of these coastal blue carbon ecosystems could prevent approximately one gigaton of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere by 2050, making it a key natural climate solution. Coastal restoration projects can also help remove marine debris, improve water quality, and prevent the collapse of the natural systems that stabilize our climate.

Importantly, these funds could be used to support existing programs, such as the National Estuarine Research Reserve System, Coastal Resilience Grants, Coastal Zone Management Grants, and the Coral Reef Conservation Program. Many of these programs directly pass funds to local governments, universities, and non-governmental organizations to carry out projects that benefit coastal communities. In distributing the funds, Congress should also direct NOAA to balance investments in shovel-ready, mid-term, and long-term projects with an emphasis on job creation potential, and applicant and geographic diversity.

Robust funding to strengthen ocean data and monitoring will also help our communities become more resilient. Coastal communities, including fishers, rely on accurate ocean data and monitoring for information on ocean acidification, forecasting of harmful algal blooms and hypoxia, tsunami preparedness, navigation, and port security. As we recognize the inaugural year of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, we have the opportunity to leverage existing monitoring and research efforts from the National Sea Grant College Program, NOAA Cooperative Institutes, and the eleven Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) regional coastal observing networks, which deliver accurate and continuous data on our ocean and coasts.

By providing no less than $10 billion for coastal restoration and resilience projects and robust funding for ocean data and monitoring in any final reconciliation package, we can protect our coastal communities and ecosystems, support good-paying jobs, and provide a pathway to build back better. We appreciate your consideration of our request and look forward to continuing to work with you to support our blue economy.

Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:17:01Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/merkley-wyden-blumenauer-bonamici-push-department-justice-investigate-hate,"Merkley, Wyden, Blumenauer, Bonamici Push Department of Justice to Investigate Hate Group Networks",2021-08-31,2021,2021-08,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, alongside Representatives Earl Blumenauer (D-OR-3) and Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-1), are pushing the U.S. Department of Justice to prioritize investigating the networks that exist across state lines to support, operationalize, and recruit people into extremist and hateful ideological groups.

The lawmakers' letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland follows the Proud Boys' most recent incursion into Portland, which left a wake of violence and chaos and resulted in a man opening fire at counter-protesters.

""The principle of freedom of speech does not preclude the Proud Boys and other right-wing extremist groups from espousing hateful, repugnant ideologies. However, the Constitution does not provide protection for the criminal behavior that we have seen in Portland such as assault, firearms violations, potential hate crimes, and more—some of which may rise to the level of federal offenses,"" the lawmakers wrote. ""We respectfully request that the Department of Justice open an investigation into interstate criminal activity and coordination between extremist groups across state lines with the intent to commit acts of violence in connection with recurring violent altercations in Portland.""

""Investigating domestic violent extremist groups that target otherwise peaceful demonstrations to incite violence must be a high priority, for the country has already seen the deadly results when extremists feel emboldened to acts of violence, vigilantism, and terror. We have seen these acts of hate and violence in mass shootings, in the shooting of demonstrators, in the plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, at the January 6th Insurrection, and more,"" they continued. ""…We are grateful that Sunday's clash in Portland did not claim any lives, but like many others, we fear that it is only a matter of time before violence in Oregon escalates with deadly consequences unless we take the threat of domestic violent extremism seriously.""

To that end, the lawmakers requested answers to the following questions:

Can you confirm if the FBI or any other Department of Justice entity currently has an ongoing investigation into interstate criminal activity, in particular with respect to people who travel across state lines to Oregon, or are acting in coordination with people in other states, to cause violence or other federal crimes?

What action has the Department of Justice or the FBI taken to prioritize protecting the people of Oregon from bad actors who come to the state to provoke violent encounters?

Has the Department of Justice coordinated with state and local law enforcement or other federal agencies to provide guidance for how to appropriately de-escalate tensions if extremist groups and counter-protesters appear to be headed for a violent encounter?

Can you provide a status update to the implementation of the National Strategy for Countering Domestic Terrorism and information sharing on domestic terrorism groups with state and local law enforcement?

Merkley's full statement in response to the Proud Boys' most recent violent provocations in Portland is available here.

Full text of the letter is available here and follows below.

###

Dear Attorney General Garland:

On Sunday, August 22, 2021, local and out-of-state far-right extremists, including the Proud Boys, descended on Portland, Oregon, leaving a wake of violence and chaos. During Sunday's events, a man opened fire at counter-protesters in downtown Portland. Photographs and videos have surfaced of violent interactions between the Proud Boys and counter-protesters, in what has become an all-too-common scene for Portland.

The Proud Boys are a known right-wing violent, nationalistic, extremist group with views that are misogynistic, Islamophobic, transphobic, and anti-immigrant. In addition, some members espouse white supremacist and antisemitic ideologies and engage with white supremacist groups. It has become increasingly clear that the tactics of this group, and others like it, involve some members traveling across state lines with the intention of eliciting violent altercations with counter-protesters, sometimes with seemingly lethal intent. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, which has designated the Proud Boys a hate group, ""the Proud Boys stage frequent rallies around the country. Many have descended into violent street riots where members openly brawl with counter-protesters…through 2019 and 2020, the Proud Boys were one of a handful of far-right groups instrumental in instigating violence and civil unrest in the Pacific Northwest.""[1]

The principle of freedom of speech does not preclude the Proud Boys and other right-wing extremist groups from espousing hateful, repugnant ideologies. However, the Constitution does not provide protection for the criminal behavior that we have seen in Portland such as assault, firearms violations, potential hate crimes, and more – some of which may rise to the level of federal offenses. We respectfully request that the Department of Justice open an investigation into interstate criminal activity and coordination between extremist groups across state lines with the intent to commit acts of violence in connection with recurring violent altercations in Portland.

Investigating domestic violent extremist groups that target otherwise peaceful demonstrations to incite violence must be a high priority, for the country has already seen the deadly results when extremists feel emboldened to acts of violence, vigilantism, and terror. We have seen these acts of hate and violence in mass shootings, in the shooting of demonstrators, in the plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, at the January 6th Insurrection, and more. We know the significance and deadly impact of domestic violent extremism is not lost on you, and we applaud the work the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) has done to increase their investigative focus on domestic terrorism.

We are grateful that this most recent clash in Portland did not claim any lives, but like many others, we fear that it is only a matter of time before violence in Oregon escalates with deadly consequences unless we take the threat of domestic violent extremism seriously. We urge the Department to prioritize investigating the networks that exist across state lines to support and operationalize the violent intent of groups such as the Proud Boys and to radicalize and recruit people into their extremist and hateful ideologies. We are committed to providing the resources that the Department of Justice needs to combat domestic violent extremism, and we look forward to working with you on this matter.

To that end, please provide responses to the following questions by September 10th, 2021:

Can you confirm if the FBI or any other Department of Justice entity currently has an ongoing investigation into interstate criminal activity, in particular with respect to people who travel across state lines to Oregon, or are acting in coordination with people in other states, to cause violence or other federal crimes?

What action has the Department of Justice or the FBI taken to prioritize protecting the people of Oregon from bad actors who come to the state to provoke violent encounters?

Has the Department of Justice coordinated with state and local law enforcement or other federal agencies to provide guidance for how to appropriately de-escalate tensions if extremist groups and counter-protesters appear to be headed for a violent encounter?

Can you provide a status update to the implementation of the National Strategy for Countering Domestic Terrorism and information sharing on domestic terrorism groups with state and local law enforcement?",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:11:17Z
https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases/bentz-leads-successful-push-open-coronavirus-food-assistance-program-cfap-2,Bentz Leads Successful Push to Open Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP-2) to Grass Seed Producers,2021-08-27,2021,2021-08,Republican,House,OR,Cliff Bentz,B000668,bentz.house.gov,bentz,https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Congressman Cliff Bentz (R-Ontario) applauded the decision by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to update the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 (CFAP-2), which added growers of Kentucky bluegrass seed to the list of eligible recipients under the program.

In June, Congressman Bentz led a congressional letter to the United States Farm Service Agency requesting that critical pandemic assistance be available to local and regional farmers who grow Kentucky bluegrass seed for the turf and sod industry. The letter was signed by Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), James Risch (R-ID), and Mike Crapo (R-ID), as well as Congressmen Russ Fulcher (R-ID) and Mike Simpson (R-ID).

In a statement, Bentz said, ""I thank the USDA and my colleagues in U.S. House and Senate for working together to ensure Pacific Northwest producers of Kentucky bluegrass seed be included in the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2. Over this past year, agricultural producers have been hit hard by drought as well as the coronavirus pandemic. This program provides vital assistance to farmers who experienced market disruptions in 2020 due to COVID-19.""

Craig Weigand, Jefferson County Oregon Seed Growers Secretary and Treasurer, said, “We appreciate Congressman Bentz leading the way and Senators Merkley and Wyden for joining the efforts to correct the determination of CFAP-2 eligibility for Kentucky Bluegrass Seed Growers.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:11:17Z
https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-bentz-announces-afghanistan-resources-0,Congressman Bentz Announces Afghanistan Resources,2021-08-26,2021,2021-08,Republican,House,OR,Cliff Bentz,B000668,bentz.house.gov,bentz,https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"My heart goes out to the families of the service members who lost a loved one due to violence in Afghanistan. As we continue to learn more about the ongoing tragedy, I am praying for our troops, citizens, and those in harm’s way. To our veterans and their families who bravely answered the call to serve, please know that we thank you, that we stand by you, and that there is confidential support available for you during this immensely difficult time.

My office has been focused helping constituents who may have family, friends, or contacts asking for help in escaping Afghanistan. If you or someone you know is an American citizen or Afghan ally stuck in Afghanistan, please contact my office at 541-776-4646.

Additionally, below are resources for service members, veterans, military families, and anyone who is impacted by this situation.

Resources:

The U.S. Embassy in Kabul is requesting that U.S. Citizens use this repatriation link for the purpose of facilitating return travel to the United States. Each traveler in the group should complete one form.

The U.S. State Department has also consolidated all Afghanistan inquiries to HAfghanInquiries@state.gov.

Please view the latest Security Alerts from the U.S. Embassy in Kabul and the Department of State’s website for more information.

For information regarding the process to apply for a Special Immigrant Visa (SIV), please see here.

THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT CANNOT ENSURE SAFE PASSAGE TO THE HAMID KARZAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.

The State Department has now set up a hotline at 1-888-407-4747(domestic calls) and 1-202-501-4444 (overseas calls), as well as a Repatriation Assistance Request form online for any U.S. Citizens seeking emergency flights out of Kabul.

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/ea/AfghanistanEvacuation.html

U.S. citizens seeking assistance to depart the country should complete this Repatriation Assistance Request for each traveler in their group. Spouses and minor children of U.S. citizens in Afghanistan who are awaiting immigrant visas should also complete this form if they wish to depart. Please do so as soon as possible. Please do so only once. You must complete this form even if you’ve previously submitted your information to the U.S. Embassy in Kabul by another means.

This form is the only way to communicate interest in flight options. They will notify you directly by email based on your registration as soon as departure options become available.

If you are not already registered, please sign up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at http://step.state.gov to ensure you receive travel and health notifications from the U.S. Embassy.

Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) for Iraqi and Afghan Translators/Interpreters

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/siv-iraqi-afghan-translators-interpreters.html

If you/someone you know has an approved petition for a Special Immigrant Visa, email NVCSIV@state.gov or call 1-603-334-0828.

P-2 Program for Afghan Nationals

https://www.wrapsnet.org/siv-iraqi-syrian-afghan-p2/

RESOURCES FOR VETERANS

Compiled by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

See a comprehensive list of community resources for Veterans and their families here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:11:17Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/bonamici-mooney-introduce-bipartisan-bill-make-safe-opioid-disposal-easier,"Bonamici, Mooney Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Make Safe Opioid Disposal Easier",2021-08-25,2021,2021-08,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC [8/25/21] – Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) and Congressman Alex X. Mooney (R-WV) introduced bipartisan legislation to make it easier for people to safely get rid of unnecessary prescription medication.

The Safe Disposal of Opioids Act, H.R. 5086, would help prevent drug abuse by creating a grant program to establish and maintain approximately 10,000 prescription drug disposal bins across the country. Disposal bins will be placed in community pharmacies and other health care settings where patients receive medication.

""I've spoken with people in NW Oregon who needed to go to great lengths to safely dispose of leftover prescription opioids,"" said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. ""We must make it easier to dispose of these addictive medications to take them out of homes and minimize the risk of loved ones and others getting hurt. The bipartisan Safe Disposal of Opioids Act is commonsense legislation that will put disposal bins in locations that are safe and familiar to patients, like the pharmacy where they picked up their prescription.""

""The drug abuse epidemic has devastated families in West Virginia and across America,"" said Congressman Alex Mooney. ""By providing communities with secure bins to dispose of excess prescription drugs, we can help prevent illegal drug use. I am proud to be a sponsor of the bipartisan Safe Disposal of Opioids Act.""

Funding for the grant program will come from a small fee placed on opioids sold by pharmaceutical manufacturers. The legislation includes a rebate program to make sure the cost is not passed on to patients in hospice or with cancer who rely on opioid medication for pain management.

The Safe Disposal of Opioids Act is co-sponsored by Representatives Anne Kuster (D-NH), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Susan Wild (D-PA).

Bonamici first introduced the bipartisan bill in 2018 based on feedback she received while hosting a series of community discussions on the opioid crisis in NW Oregon. A report on her findings from the series can be found here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:11:17Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/bonamici-helps-house-pass-legislation-restore-voting-rights,Bonamici Helps House Pass Legislation to Restore Voting Rights,2021-08-24,2021,2021-08,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC [8/24/21] – Today Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) joined the House in passing legislation to protect the rights of voters and block voter suppression efforts.

H.R. 4, the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, updates the enforcement mechanisms of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to protect voters from practices used by states and localities that threaten voting rights. Voter suppression efforts have grown since 2013 when the Voting Rights Act was significantly weakened by the Supreme Court in Shelby County v. Holder, and again in July 2021 with Brnovich v. Democratic National Committee.

""Elections are the foundation of our democracy, and any effort to suppress the voice of the people at the ballot box is a threat to our country,"" said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. ""Unfortunately, in recent elections we have seen the number of voter suppression efforts grow, especially in Black communities and other communities of color. We must do all we can to make sure that everyone who is eligible to vote is able to do so, regardless of who they are or where they live. The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act is an important step forward to help restore the protections that voters need.""

More information about H.R. 4 can be found here.

Bonamici is also a strong supporter of H.R. 1, which passed the House in March, and has repeatedly called for the Senate to take it up.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:11:17Z
https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-bentz-hosts-11-town-halls-start-august-recess,Congressman Bentz Hosts 11 Town Halls at  Start of August Recess,2021-08-19,2021,2021-08,Republican,House,OR,Cliff Bentz,B000668,bentz.house.gov,bentz,https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"ONTARIO, Ore. - This past week, Congressman Cliff Bentz hosted town halls in 11 of the 20 counties in Oregon's Second Congressional District. During the town halls, Congressman Bentz gave an update on his work in Washington, D.C., including his efforts to secure aid for communities struck by drought, promote water infrastructure projects, raise the profile of wildfire issues in the West, stop out-of-control deficit spending, and address the immigration and border crisis.

""I am so thankful to those who took the time to participate in our town halls this past week,"" said Bentz. ""In groups big and small, we talked about serious issues impacting Oregon families and communities. I am committed to continuing to listen to my constituents as I return to Washington, D.C. for debate on the upcoming budget bill and as I look to visit the remaining nine counties in Oregon's vast Second Congressional District.""

Each forum gave constituents the opportunity to ask questions and voice their opinions on federal legislation and other issues impacting Oregon. Many spoke of their concerns regarding federal land management policies that contribute to catastrophic wildfires, dam removal proposals that would harm Oregon agriculture, pandemic measures that have impacted the economy, and efforts to undermine local decision making in communities and schools.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:11:17Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/oregon-delegation-urges-fema-help-state-respond-recent-surge-covid-19-cases,"Oregon Delegation Urges FEMA to Help State Respond to Recent Surge in COVID-19 Cases, Hospitalizations",2021-08-17,2021,2021-08,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Oregon's entire congressional delegation today urged the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help the state cope with the latest surge in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations by providing medical personnel.

In a letter to FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell signed by U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and U.S. Representatives Peter DeFazio, Earl Blumenauer, Kurt Schrader, Suzanne Bonamici and Cliff Bentz, the Oregon lawmakers asked the agency to give ""swift and full consideration"" to an Aug. 13 request sent to FEMA by Oregon Gov. Kate Brown requesting medical personnel to aid in the state's response to the recent surge in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.

The seven Senate and House members from the state noted that although more than 71 percent of adult Oregonians are vaccinated and the state has had relatively low levels of infection during the pandemic, communities with low-vaccination rates are experiencing extremely high rates of COVID-19 infection and that hospitalizations are spiking statewide.

""As a result, the state hospital and health care systems are facing an acute staffing need,"" they wrote FEMA. ""State officials estimate that the current surge in cases is likely to exceed hospital capacity by 400-500 beds in a matter of weeks. The state has subsequently tightened mitigation measures, like indoor-masking, and has asked the National Guard to provide support to hospital staff in heavily impacted areas. In addition to these efforts, Governor Brown is requesting FEMA provide additional personnel to ensure Oregonians get the care that they need during this critical time.""

The full letter is here.

A web version of this release is here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:11:17Z
https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-bentz-statement-biden-administrations-withdrawal-afghanistan,Congressman Bentz Statement on Biden Administration's Withdrawal from Afghanistan,2021-08-16,2021,2021-08,Republican,House,OR,Cliff Bentz,B000668,bentz.house.gov,bentz,https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Today, Congressman Cliff Bentz released the following statement regarding the Biden Administration's withdrawal from Afghanistan:

""The scenes we are seeing in Afghanistan are truly devastating. My heart goes out to our servicemembers, veterans, military families, and our partners in the region who gave so much to the fight for freedom, democracy, and a civilized government in Afghanistan. Sadly, our allies and adversaries around the world are watching one of the most significant foreign policy and national security failures in a generation.

""The Biden Administration is responsible for the abrupt Taliban takeover in Afghanistan because it failed to follow the condition-based withdrawal established by the Trump Administration for our military. Instead, President Biden chose symbolism over safety by recklessly withdrawing our Armed Forces to coincide with the upcoming 20th anniversary of the September 11th attacks. As a result, we are now seeing President Biden’s Saigon – a catastrophe of his own making. This is a very sad day for us all, and the Biden Administration must work to secure the safety of our troops, diplomats, and our partners attempting to flee the country.""

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:11:17Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/bonamici-bucshon-schrier-mcmorris-rodgers-introduce-bipartisan-bill-help,"Bonamici, Bucshon, Schrier, McMorris Rodgers Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Help Students with Disabilities Access College Support Services",2021-07-29,2021,2021-07,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC [7/29/21] – Today Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Larry Bucshon, M.D. (R-IN), Kim Schrier, M.D. (D-WA), and Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) introduced bipartisan legislation to ease the transition from high school to college for students with disabilities by making it easier for them to access the support services they need.

The Respond, Innovate, Support, and Empower (RISE) Act will allow college students to use existing documentation of a disability when seeking accommodations on campus, saving families hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Currently, students are required to obtain expensive new evaluations before being granted access to special education services.

""Students with disabilities face too many barriers to earning a degree or credential after high school,"" said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici, Chair of the Education Committee's Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Human Services. ""Congress can remove one of these barriers by making sure students can easily access the support services for which they already have a documented need. The RISE Actwill ease the burdensome, expensive, and redundant requirements these students frequently face when they enter college. The RISE Act also requires that colleges and universities keep students, parents, and faculty informed about accommodations for students with disabilities.""

""As a parent of a child with a learning disability, I understand firsthand the challenges of ensuring they receive quality education,"" said Congressman Larry Bucshon, M.D. ""We must work to eliminate the roadblocks preventing students with disabilities from pursuing higher education, especially as we continue to deal with the lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The RISE Act is common-sense legislation that will remove barriers of entry to ensure that students with disabilities have a chance to succeed at the collegiate level.""

""I'm proud to be introducing the RISE Act with my colleagues to ease paperwork burdens on college students,"" said Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. ""Going to college can be a stressful time, especially for students with disabilities. This legislation will allow high school diagnoses and treatment plans to transfer to the college level, decreasing unnecessary paperwork and ensuring a seamless transition to college. There should be no gap in support for students, so they have every opportunity to succeed.""

""Everyone, no matter their ability, should have access to higher education and the opportunity for a better life,"" said Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers.""But far too often, people with disabilities struggle to access the services and accommodations they need to succeed in college. The RISE Act will address the challenges these students face by ensuring information on disability services is readily available for parents and students and by removing barriers to accessing these accommodations.""

""Learning disabilities are real and they are lifelong. But for too long, the process for receiving accommodations has placed the burden on students and families to navigate the complex higher education system,"" said Lindsay E. Jones, President & CEO of the National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD). ""We applaud these Members of Congress for their leadership on this important civil rights issue and look forward to working with Congress to make the RISE Act a reality.""

""I am about to enter my sophomore year of college and I don't have any accommodations for my ADHD because my school is forcing me to again prove I have a disability and get an expensive evaluation despite the fact I was already diagnosed 2 years ago,"" said ​​Malachai Pruett, NCLD Young Adult Leadership Council member. ""The RISE Act would mean that students like myself don't have to jump through hoops to have a level playing field, and don't have to watch our grades slip simply because we can't afford to get re-evaluated for conditions we already know we have.""

Under the RISE Act, qualifying documentation would include a 504 plan or an individualized education program (IEP), which many students have before attending college.

The legislation also authorizes an increase in funding for the National Center for Information and Technical Support for Postsecondary Students with Disabilities. This technical assistance center disseminates information to students and families about the process for receiving accommodations in higher education, and it provides best practices for supporting students with disabilities to college and university faculty. The RISE Act also improves reporting on academic outcomes for students with disabilities.

The legislation is supported by: National Center for Learning Disabilities, The Advocacy Institute, AHEAD, AIM Institute for Learning and Research, American Association of People with Disabilities, Association of University Centers on Disabilities, Autistic Self Advocacy Network, Center for Learner Equity, Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates, Council for Exceptional Children, Decoding Dyslexia Network, Education Reform Now, Eye to Eye, Higher Education Consortium for Special Education, InnovateEDU, Learning Disabilities Association of America, National Alliance on Mental Illness, National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities, National Association of School Psychologists, National Disability Rights Network, National Down Syndrome Congress, RespectAbility, Teacher Education Division of the Council for Exceptional Children, and TeachPlus.

The Senate companion to the RISE Act was introduced by Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA).",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:03:51Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/bonamici-bucshon-schrier-mcmorris-rodgers-introduce-bipartisan-bill-help-0,"Bonamici, Bucshon, Schrier, McMorris Rodgers Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Help Students with Disabilities Access College Support Services",2021-07-29,2021,2021-07,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC [7/29/21] – Today Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Larry Bucshon, M.D. (R-IN), Kim Schrier, M.D. (D-WA), and Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) introduced bipartisan legislation to ease the transition from high school to college for students with disabilities by making it easier for them to access the support services they need.

The Respond, Innovate, Support, and Empower (RISE) Act will allow college students to use existing documentation of a disability when seeking accommodations on campus, saving families hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Currently, students are required to obtain expensive new evaluations before being granted access to special education services.

""Students with disabilities face too many barriers to earning a degree or credential after high school,"" said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici, Chair of the Education Committee's Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Human Services. ""Congress can remove one of these barriers by making sure students can easily access the support services for which they already have a documented need. The RISE Actwill ease the burdensome, expensive, and redundant requirements these students frequently face when they enter college. The RISE Act also requires that colleges and universities keep students, parents, and faculty informed about accommodations for students with disabilities.""

""As a parent of a child with a learning disability, I understand firsthand the challenges of ensuring they receive quality education,"" said Congressman Larry Bucshon, M.D. ""We must work to eliminate the roadblocks preventing students with disabilities from pursuing higher education, especially as we continue to deal with the lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The RISE Act is common-sense legislation that will remove barriers of entry to ensure that students with disabilities have a chance to succeed at the collegiate level.""

""I'm proud to be introducing the RISE Act with my colleagues to ease paperwork burdens on college students,"" said Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. ""Going to college can be a stressful time, especially for students with disabilities. This legislation will allow high school diagnoses and treatment plans to transfer to the college level, decreasing unnecessary paperwork and ensuring a seamless transition to college. There should be no gap in support for students, so they have every opportunity to succeed.""

""Everyone, no matter their ability, should have access to higher education and the opportunity for a better life,"" said Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers.""But far too often, people with disabilities struggle to access the services and accommodations they need to succeed in college. The RISE Act will address the challenges these students face by ensuring information on disability services is readily available for parents and students and by removing barriers to accessing these accommodations.""

""Learning disabilities are real and they are lifelong. But for too long, the process for receiving accommodations has placed the burden on students and families to navigate the complex higher education system,"" said Lindsay E. Jones, President & CEO of the National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD). ""We applaud these Members of Congress for their leadership on this important civil rights issue and look forward to working with Congress to make the RISE Act a reality.""

""I am about to enter my sophomore year of college and I don't have any accommodations for my ADHD because my school is forcing me to again prove I have a disability and get an expensive evaluation despite the fact I was already diagnosed 2 years ago,"" said ​​Malachai Pruett, NCLD Young Adult Leadership Council member. ""The RISE Act would mean that students like myself don't have to jump through hoops to have a level playing field, and don't have to watch our grades slip simply because we can't afford to get re-evaluated for conditions we already know we have.""

Under the RISE Act, qualifying documentation would include a 504 plan or an individualized education program (IEP), which many students have before attending college.

The legislation also authorizes an increase in funding for the National Center for Information and Technical Support for Postsecondary Students with Disabilities. This technical assistance center disseminates information to students and families about the process for receiving accommodations in higher education, and it provides best practices for supporting students with disabilities to college and university faculty. The RISE Act also improves reporting on academic outcomes for students with disabilities.

The legislation is supported by: National Center for Learning Disabilities, The Advocacy Institute, AHEAD, AIM Institute for Learning and Research, American Association of People with Disabilities, Association of University Centers on Disabilities, Autistic Self Advocacy Network, Center for Learner Equity, Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates, Council for Exceptional Children, Decoding Dyslexia Network, Education Reform Now, Eye to Eye, Higher Education Consortium for Special Education, InnovateEDU, Learning Disabilities Association of America, National Alliance on Mental Illness, National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities, National Association of School Psychologists, National Disability Rights Network, National Down Syndrome Congress, RespectAbility, Teacher Education Division of the Council for Exceptional Children, and TeachPlus.

The Senate companion to the RISE Act was introduced by Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA).",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:03:51Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/house-passes-9-bonamici-community-projects,House Passes 9 Bonamici Community Projects,2021-07-29,2021,2021-07,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. [07/29/21] –Today Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) announced that nine Community Projects she selected passed the House, totaling $8,530,375 of targeted support for NW Oregon.

The House-passed legislation includes projects in seven appropriations bills: Labor-HHS-Education; Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA; Energy and Water Development; Financial Services and General Government; Interior-Environment; Military Construction and Veterans Affairs; and Transportation-HUD. The underlying bill is H.R. 4502, the FY 2022 Seven-Bill Appropriations Minibus. The appropriations bills will now move to the Senate.

""I look forward to delivering federal resources to these community-driven projects to help the people of Northwest Oregon, support our economic recovery, and promote equity,"" said Congresswoman Bonamici. ""These projects will create tremendous opportunities for our community, and I will continue to do all I can to advocate for the Senate to pass this needed funding.""

The nine projects are:

Astoria Pre-Disaster Landslide Storm Drainage Project

City of Astoria

$676,875

Beaverton Non-Profit Incubator Development Project

City of Beaverton

$500,000

Behavioral Health Resource Center Plaza

Multnomah County

$1,335,000

Cardiac Monitor/Defibrillator Project

Banks Fire District #13

$93,500

Construction Trades Expansion

WorkSystems, Inc.

$1,000,000

The Japan Institute Building Renovation Project

Portland Japanese Garden

$1,750,000

Columbia County Small Business Resource Center

Columbia County Economic Team

$175,000

Virginia Garcia Newberg Clinic Expansion

Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center

$2,000,000

Water Supply System Construction

City of Hillsboro

$1,000,000

Under the rules of the House Appropriations Committee, Members of Congress each submitted up to ten Community Project Funding requests for consideration during the fiscal year 2022 appropriations legislative process. The reformed and transparent Community Project Funding process allows Members of Congress to advocate for specific community financial support in a local, highly competitive process. You can find more information on Bonamici's website about the Community Projects she supported this fiscal year: Bonamici.House.Gov/CommunityProjects

Bonamici nominated ten projects in total, nine of which passed the House this week. Rep. Earl Blumenauer (OR-3) joined the Congresswoman in advocating for the Behavioral Health Resource Center Plaza in Multnomah County to receive funding. The tenth project was included in the Commerce, Justice, and Science subcommittee bill and will be considered on the House Floor soon.

The Seven-Bill Appropriations Minibus also makes historic increases in funding for education and health care, worker protections, and environmental justice, including:",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:03:51Z
https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-bentz-joins-republican-effort-stop-stone-manning-nomination-bureau,Congressman Bentz Joins Republican Effort to Stop Stone-Manning Nomination to  Bureau of Land Management,2021-07-28,2021,2021-07,Republican,House,OR,Cliff Bentz,B000668,bentz.house.gov,bentz,https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Cliff Bentz (R-Ontario) joined 75 members of the U.S. House of Representatives - including House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.), Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), and House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) - in sending a letter to President Joe Biden, urging him to withdraw his nomination of Tracy Stone-Manning to serve as Bureau of Land Management Director. In part, the members wrote:

""The primary reason we oppose Ms. Stone-Manning’s nomination is because of her connections to tree spiking incidents. As you are well aware, tree spiking is an especially vicious eco-terrorist tactic by which a metal rod is hammered into a tree trunk with the intent of jamming loggers’ or firefighters’ saws. Spiked trees can also end up in mills and cause costly damage to mill equipment, as well as injury or death to mill operators. At its worst, tree spiking is lethal to loggers, firefighters, mill workers and land managers, and at its best, causes life-altering injuries. Those who employ these tactics know exactly what they are doing. Ms. Stone-Manning is no exception...

""Furthermore, Ms. Stone-Manning has advocated for other deeply disconcerting ideologies. Just last year, she tweeted an article written by her husband, Richard Manning, in which he wrote that firefighters should simply let homes and property in or near forests burn. 'There’s a rude and satisfying justice in burning down the house of someone who builds in the forest...' he wrote. Ms. Stone-Manning termed the article a '[c]larion call.'

""There is no doubt that someone with this history of extreme, violent views should not be in a position of authority at an agency responsible for managing 245 million acres of federal lands and 700 million acres of mineral estate.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:03:51Z
https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases/oregon-delegation-pushes-feds-more-relief-following-historic-wildfires,"Oregon Delegation Pushes Feds for More Relief Following Historic Wildfires, Droughts, Heat",2021-07-27,2021,2021-07,Republican,House,OR,Cliff Bentz,B000668,bentz.house.gov,bentz,https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Wyden, Merkley, DeFazio, Blumenauer, Schrader, Bonamici, Bentz: “Although the extent of damages relating to the extreme heat has yet to be fully determined, agricultural producers expect these impacts to be severe”

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s entire congressional delegation today joined with Western colleagues in the House and Senate to urge the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to secure more relief for farmers, ranchers, and other agriculture producers in the West affected by historic wildfires, droughts, and extreme heat.

In a letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack signed by U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and U.S. Representatives Peter DeFazio, Earl Blumenauer, Kurt Schrader, Suzanne Bonamici and Cliff Bentz, the Western lawmakers seek to open USDA relief programs up to more producers that have lost crops and livestock to the ongoing droughts, extreme heat, and wildfires.

In addition to droughts and wildfires, an extreme heatwave hit the Pacific Northwest in June with temperatures reaching as high as 120 degrees Fahrenheit. In response, Secretary Vilsack issued several disaster designations, unlocking vital federal resources. However, many of the producers who suffered the greatest heat-related losses were either located in counties not covered by the drought designations, experienced losses not covered by drought assistance programs, or both.

“Although the extent of damages relating to the extreme heat has yet to be fully determined, agricultural producers expect these impacts to be severe,” the lawmakers wrote. “We respectfully request USDA explore all potential flexibilities for additional relief within existing programs and identify other options to deliver federal relief to producers in our states so they have the resources to overcome the extreme drought and heat crisis.”

Reports across the Pacific Northwest and Western states indicate berry crops, tree fruits, grain and pulse crops, potatoes, hops, dairy products, forage crops, wine grapes, nursery crops, poultry, beef cattle, and general livestock experienced excessive heat impacts to yield and quality. Specific examples of the impact of these extreme weather events include:

Raspberry, blueberry, and blackberry farmers are reporting widespread losses of 20 to 80 percent of their crops and harm to the canes that will produce next year’s crop.

Cherry growers in the west have so far lost an estimated 20 percent of their overall crop.

Early modeling for shellfish suggests an estimated 1 billion sea creatures died along the Salish Sea’s coastline with reported mortality rates for certain shellfish farmers up to 90 percent.

For crops including apples and pears, the full extent of losses may not be known until harvest in the fall, or even later if damage manifests in storage.

The letter also encourages USDA to work with Congress to provide technical assistance as lawmakers craft additional authorities and appropriations to address the 2020 and 2021 seasons that include wildfire, drought, and excessive heat-related losses.

In addition to Wyden and Merkley in the Senate, others signing the letter include U.S. Sens. Patty Murray (D-WA), Steve Daines (R-MT), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), John Hoeven (R-ND), James Risch (R-ID) and Jon Tester (MT). In addition to DeFazio, Blumenauer, Schrader, Bonamici and Bentz in the House, others signing the letter led by Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-WA) include Reps. Dan Newhouse (R-WA), Kim Schrier (D-WA), Mike Simpson (R-ID), Kelly Armstrong (R-ND), Ami Bera (D-CA), Julia Brownley (D-CA), Salud Carbajal (D-CA), Liz Cheney (R-WY), Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA), Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA), Jared Huffman (D-CA) Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Ro Khanna (D-CA), Derek Kilmer (D-WA), Rick Larsen (D-WA), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Alan Lowenthal (D-CA), Doris Matsui (D-CA), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Jerry McNerney (D-CA), Joe Neguse (D-CO), Devin Nunes (R-CA), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Matt Rosendale (R-MT), Adam Smith (D-WA), Marilyn Strickland (D-WA) and Mike Thompson (D-CA).",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:03:51Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/oregon-delegation-pushes-feds-more-relief-following-historic-wildfires,"Oregon Delegation Pushes Feds for More Relief Following Historic Wildfires, Droughts, Heat",2021-07-27,2021,2021-07,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Oregon's entire congressional delegation today joined with Western colleagues in the House and Senate to urge the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to secure more relief for farmers, ranchers, and other agriculture producers in the West affected by historic wildfires, droughts, and extreme heat.

In a letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack signed by U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and U.S. Representatives Peter DeFazio, Earl Blumenauer, Kurt Schrader, Suzanne Bonamici and Cliff Bentz, the Western lawmakers seek to open USDA relief programs up to more producers that have lost crops and livestock to the ongoing droughts, extreme heat, and wildfires.

In addition to droughts and wildfires, an extreme heatwave hit the Pacific Northwest in June with temperatures reaching as high as 120 degrees Fahrenheit. In response, Secretary Vilsack issued several disaster designations, unlocking vital federal resources. However, many of the producers who suffered the greatest heat-related losses were either located in counties not covered by the drought designations, experienced losses not covered by drought assistance programs, or both.

""Although the extent of damages relating to the extreme heat has yet to be fully determined, agricultural producers expect these impacts to be severe,"" the lawmakers wrote. ""We respectfully request USDA explore all potential flexibilities for additional relief within existing programs and identify other options to deliver federal relief to producers in our states so they have the resources to overcome the extreme drought and heat crisis.""

Reports across the Pacific Northwest and Western states indicate berry crops, tree fruits, grain and pulse crops, potatoes, hops, dairy products, forage crops, wine grapes, nursery crops, poultry, beef cattle, and general livestock experienced excessive heat impacts to yield and quality. Specific examples of the impact of these extreme weather events include:

·Raspberry, blueberry, and blackberry farmers are reporting widespread losses of 20 to 80 percent of their crops and harm to the canes that will produce next year's crop.

·Cherry growers in the west have so far lost an estimated 20 percent of their overall crop.

·Early modeling for shellfish suggests an estimated 1 billion sea creatures died along the Salish Sea's coastline with reported mortality rates for certain shellfish farmers up to 90 percent.

·For crops including apples and pears, the full extent of losses may not be known until harvest in the fall, or even later if damage manifests in storage.

The letter also encourages USDA to work with Congress to provide technical assistance as lawmakers craft additional authorities and appropriations to address the 2020 and 2021 seasons that include wildfire, drought, and excessive heat-related losses.

In addition to Wyden and Merkley in the Senate, others signing the letter include U.S. Sens. Patty Murray (D-WA), Steve Daines (R-MT), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), John Hoeven (R-ND), James Risch (R-ID) and Jon Tester (MT). In addition to DeFazio, Blumenauer, Schrader, Bonamici and Bentz in the House, others signing the letter led by Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-WA) include Reps. Dan Newhouse (R-WA), Kim Schrier (D-WA), Mike Simpson (R-ID), Kelly Armstrong (R-ND), Ami Bera (D-CA), Julia Brownley (D-CA), Salud Carbajal (D-CA), Liz Cheney (R-WY), Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA), Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA), Jared Huffman (D-CA) Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Ro Khanna (D-CA), Derek Kilmer (D-WA), Rick Larsen (D-WA), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Alan Lowenthal (D-CA), Doris Matsui (D-CA), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Jerry McNerney (D-CA), Joe Neguse (D-CO), Devin Nunes (R-CA), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Matt Rosendale (R-MT), Adam Smith (D-WA), Marilyn Strickland (D-WA) and Mike Thompson (D-CA).

The full letter is here.

A web version of this release is here.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:03:51Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/wyden-merkley-blumenauer-bonamici-reintroduce-legislation-provide-alternatives,"Wyden, Merkley, Blumenauer, Bonamici Reintroduce Legislation to Provide Alternatives to Incarceration for Parents and Caregivers to Keep Families Together, Children Out of Foster Care",2021-07-27,2021,2021-07,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Oregon's U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and U.S. Representatives Earl Blumenauer and Suzanne Bonamici today reintroduced legislation that would create an alternative to incarceration for eligible parents and caregivers and provide them the resources they need so their children can stay safely at home instead of entering the foster care system.

""In our criminal justice system, children are often separated from their parents and caregivers,"" said Bonamici. ""Too many families are dealing with the trauma and long-term damages caused by separation during incarceration, leading to lifelong challenges. For several years, the Family Alternative Sentencing Program in Oregon has reduced recidivism and reliance on the foster care system. This legislation, modeled on the Oregon program, will reduce recidivism while keeping families together and providing them with the support services they need.""

""While families thrive together, the American criminal justice system is tearing too many loved ones apart, leaving irrevocable damage in its wake,"" Wyden said. ""Pacific Northwesterners know this truth about the carceral state, and that's why there are successful programs in Oregon and Washington that clearly demonstrate keeping families together helps reduce recidivism rates and rebuild lives. Investing in these kinds of programs nationwide will make communities everywhere safer.""

""Every time a family is separated by incarceration, we risk traumatizing vulnerable children,"" said Merkley. ""We must do everything we can—including establishing alternative programs for eligible parents and caregivers—to keep families together. Another benefit of programs like these is that they've shown to lower rates of recidivism, a crucial step forward to help strengthen the safety and well-being of all of our communities. That's a win-win, and I'm urging my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join us in bringing this commonsense reform to every community across America.""

""The United States imprisons more of its population than any other country. This mass incarceration destroys lives, families, and communities. We need a criminal justice system that is fair and humane. We need reform, especially when it comes to parents and caregivers,"" said Blumenauer. ""Ripping families apart does more harm than good. As we try to dismantle the system of mass incarceration, our FAMILIES Act, modeled after Oregon's successful program, will provide an alternative form of justice that keeps families together.""

The Finding Alternatives to Mass Incarceration: Lives Improved by Ending Separation Act (FAMILIES Act) would allow federal judges to divert parents and caregivers from incarceration into a comprehensive program that would better serve them, their families and society by offering resources, services and training to meet their unique needs. The legislation is modeled after successful programs in Oregon and Washington that have kept hundreds of families together and been key to reducing recidivism.

The FAMILIES Act establishes a FAMILIES diversion program that includes education, employment services, parenting skills, mental health and substance abuse services. It also addresses basic needs of the individual and their family by connecting them with health care, housing assistance and other potential public benefits.

An eligible individual must be pregnant, a parent of a minor child, a caregiver for a minor child or other minor relative, a caregiver for an individual with disabilities or a caregiver for an elderly family member. When considering eligibility for the FAMILIES program, courts will take into account the individual's significant parental or caregiver responsibilities, their history of justice involvement, the safety of their family and a family impact statement describing the impact that a prison sentence would have on the family of the defendant. Judges will receive training in implementing the FAMILIES program including training on trauma-informed decision making, domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, substance abuse and addiction, and mental health.

A summary of the FAMILIES Act is here.

Legislative text is here.

Joining Wyden and Merkley in reintroducing the bill in the Senate were U.S. Sens. Ed Markey, D-Mass., Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., Cory Booker, D-N.J., Dick Durbin, D-Ill., and Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii. Joining Blumenauer and Bonamici in the House were U.S. Reps. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., Tony Cárdenas, D-Calif., Jahana Hayes, D-Conn., Gwen Moore, D-Wisc., Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C., Adam Smith, D-Wash., David Trone, D-Md., and Mary Gay Scanlon, D-Pa.

Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt: ""Public safety is much more than making arrests and getting convictions. When the criminal justice system separates a mother, father or guardian from a child because of a non-violent offense we are simultaneously handing down a life-altering sentence to the child. We must do everything to prevent irreparable harm to families and to support parents by providing treatment, services and enhanced community supervision. I strongly support the FAMILIES Act and commend U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden and U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal for their initiatives on supporting families and protecting and advancing public safety.""

Partnership for Safety and Justice (Oregon) Deputy Director Shannon Wight: ""The criminal justice system tears families apart when parents and caregivers are incarcerated. Building off local initiatives from Washington and Oregon, the FAMILIES Act is a step in the right direction for the nation. We can prevent this painful and unnecessary practice of separating families and instead provide support to families so they can grow and thrive.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:03:51Z
https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-bentz-delivers-remarks-oregon-wildfires-and-commonsense,Congressman Bentz Delivers Remarks on Oregon Wildfires and Commonsense Coordination Act,2021-07-22,2021,2021-07,Republican,House,OR,Cliff Bentz,B000668,bentz.house.gov,bentz,https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Image

Click Image to watch on YouTube

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Cliff Bentz (R-Ore.) delivered remarks on the floor of the United States House of Representatives. Bentz spoke on Oregon wildfires, specifically the Bootleg fire, and his recently introduced bill, the Commonsense Coordination Act.

""This horrific fire, now the third largest in my State’s history, has consumed some 400,000 acres, (660 square miles), which had been a beautiful landscape of pine and fir timber, sage brush, grass and meadows,"" said Bentz. ""The fire has already taken with it millions of board feet of timber, the lives of thousands of forest creatures, cattle by the dozens if not hundreds, horses, fences, buildings, and homes. The fire released hundreds of thousands of tons of carbon, which had been and could have remained sequestered indefinitely. The smoke plume created by this conflagration has reached across this nation, more than 2000 miles, to cloud the air along the east coast, including the air right here in Washington, DC.""

Bentz continued, ""I am pleased to report that I am currently working with Ranking Member Bruce Westerman whose 'Resilient Federal Forests Act' will be a huge step toward giving Forest Service the tools it needs to better manage our public lands. I introduced legislation included in that package, the 'Commonsense Coordination Act.' This bill will cut through some of the red tape that agencies must overcome to complete critical forest management activities.""

Congressman Bentz's bill, the Commonsense Coordination Act, allows the United States Forest Service to utilize the same exemptions from the National Environmental Policy Act as other federal agencies when working to implement joint projects that can range from wildfire preparedness and response to certain land management and infrastructure activities. The bill would eliminate duplicative paperwork for potentially life and property saving federal projects that do not require an environmental assessment nor an environmental impact statement.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:03:51Z
https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-bentz-introduces-commonsense-coordination-act,Congressman Bentz Introduces Commonsense Coordination Act,2021-07-22,2021,2021-07,Republican,House,OR,Cliff Bentz,B000668,bentz.house.gov,bentz,https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Cliff Bentz (R-Ore.) introduced the Commonsense Coordination Act. The bill allows the United States Forest Service to utilize the same exemptions from the National Environmental Policy Act as other federal agencies when working to implement joint projects that can range from wildfire preparedness and response to certain land management and infrastructure activities. The bill would eliminate duplicative paperwork for potentially life and property saving federal projects that do not require an environmental assessment nor an environmental impact statement.

""For too long, bureaucratic red tape has inhibited responsible forest management, leading to uncontrollable wildfires such as Oregon’s Bootleg fire. That’s why I have introduced the Commonsense Coordination Act - to improve the ability of USDA to coordinate with other federal land management agencies on forest management projects. It will enable the Forest Service to utilize another agency’s categorical exclusion (CE) when implementing joint projects. Additionally, it will permit agencies to utilize CEs belonging to other federal agencies for the purpose of similar projects. These changes will help expedite the process of getting projects approved to ensure that bureaucracy doesn’t continue to prevent actions which will save lives and property."" - Congressman Cliff Bentz (R-Ore.)

“There’s a reason the phrase ‘it takes an act of Congress’ is synonymous with excessive delays. Bureaucracy and unnecessary red tape constantly delay projects across all areas of government, making it increasingly difficult for agencies to carry out essential tasks. Forest management is no exception. Even though wildfires decimate the American West annually, the U.S. Forest Service is still regularly stonewalled on critical forest management activities by outdated regulations and miscommunication. Congressman Bentz’s Commonsense Coordination Act would address this issue by allowing the Forest Service to utilize another agency’s categorical exclusion when implementing joint projects, thereby shortening the project turnaround timeline. This will allow land managers to finish critical work quickly and stay ahead of wildfires, without getting stuck in a review backlog. I’m grateful for Congressman Bentz’s leadership on this issue and look forward to moving the bill through the legislative process.” - House Committee on Natural Resources Ranking Member Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.).",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:03:51Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/house-and-senate-democrats-biden-administration-leaders-stress-importance,"House and Senate Democrats, Biden Administration Leaders Stress Importance of Workforce Investments to Build Back Better",2021-07-22,2021,2021-07,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Robert C. ""Bobby"" Scott (D-VA), Chair of the House Education and Labor Committee, hosted a remote press conference with Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh, Education Department Deputy Secretary Cindy Marten, Senator Amy Klobuchar, Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici and other guests to highlight the importance of investing in workforce development.

The unemployment crisis spurred by COVID-19 demonstrated the need for increased training and career navigation services to ensure workers can access new and rewarding careers. The American Jobs Plan,reflecting the priorities put forward in Chairman Scott's National Apprenticeship Act and Relaunching America's Workforce Act, would invest $100 billion for workforce development programs and help all Americans participate in the modern economy.

The Biden-Harris plan would support dislocated workers, create 1 to 2 million new apprentice and pre-apprenticeship opportunities, and target opportunities towards underserved individuals, including women and people of color.

""Nearly 7 million of the jobs lost during the pandemic have not come back yet, and many essential workers in low-wage jobs are tired of putting in long hours for little pay. This means millions of workers are seeking the competitive skills necessary for finding good-paying jobs and sustainable careers,"" said Chairman Scott. ""If we want to help workers go back to work, and if we want to help local businesses grow, then we must ensure that future legislative packages include bold investments in workforce development programs.""

""Our country has never needed a workforce training investment more than it does at this moment in time right now. Yet, workforce accounts have been flat funded for a decade since budget sequestration was enacted,"" said Secretary Marty Walsh. ""This is a moment in history that demands bold action. And that's exactly what the President proposed in his Build Back Better agenda. He calls for an investment of $100 billion in proven workforce development programs, targeted to workers and employers that need it the most.""

""We're challenging local communities to reinvent middle school and high school to better prepare all students for the future of work,"" said Deputy Secretary Cindy Marten. ""This $10 billion investment would provide underrepresented students more equitable access to high-quality Career and Technical Education opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, and connect those students to career pathways that lead to quality jobs in in-demand sectors.""

""We're all here for the same reason -- to rebuild our workforce and move our country forward...I believe ours should be a country where we make stuff, where we invent things, where we export to the world,"" said Senator Klobuchar. ""Right now, we know we have workforce shortages in certain areas...Investing in skills training, and particularly apprentice training right now is good for workers and good for our economy.""

""As we build back better, it is critical that we provide workers with access to quality, paid, on-the-job training and the support services they need to secure good-paying, high-quality jobs,""said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. ""I've seen the power of workforce training programs in NW Oregon, and talking with workers inspired me to fight for robust investments in workforce development. The $100 billion workforce investment in the American Jobs Plan is what will meet the need at this time in our country's history.""

""The workforce development system ensures that we have a pipeline and gives us access to people that are ready to get to work and continue furthering their skills so that they can advance in their careers and continue to earn good wages,"" said Traci Tapani, Owner and President, Wyoming Machine, Inc. ""The investments in workforce development proposed in the American Jobs Plan are urgently needed to ensure that we have the capacity to train workers and fill open positions.""

""Too many times, when Washington has passed transportation bills or stimulus packages to help jump-start our economy, they have not included investments in worker training alongside job-creation measures. Inevitably, those in most need of those skilled jobs never have the chance to train for one. They don't get the chance to jump-start new careers to support themselves and their communities,"" said Andy Van Kleunen, CEO of National Skills Coalition. ""The $100 billion investment called for in the American Jobs Plan ensure that all Americans—including those most impacted by the pandemic—have a chance to share in the jobs created.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:03:51Z
https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-bentz-statement-revised-designation-critical-habitat-northern,Congressman Bentz Statement on Revised Designation of Critical Habitat for Northern Spotted Owl,2021-07-20,2021,2021-07,Republican,House,OR,Cliff Bentz,B000668,bentz.house.gov,bentz,https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Cliff Bentz (R-Ore.) released the following statement regarding the United States Fish and Wildlife Service's announcementof the revised designation of critical habitat for the Northern Spotted Owl.

I am extremely disappointed that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has formally announced that they plan to withdraw the Trump Administration’s revised critical habitat designation for the Northern Spotted Owl (owl). Instead, the agency has decided that it will largely uphold the 2012 critical habitat rule, which includes over a million acres of land that are not, and never have been, actual owl habitat. These same acres are at extreme and deadly risk of catastrophic fire and are in desperate need of fuel reduction, something that the 2012 critical habitat rule makes almost impossible. Meanwhile, FWS has acknowledged that competition from the non-native Barred Owl is the primary factor causing the owl’s population to decline, yet the agency has done almost nothing to curb Barred Owl populations.

In April, I wrote to Interior Secretary Deb Haaland to express concern that returning to an overly broad critical habitat designation would prevent crucial forest management activities and would make uncontrollable wildfires even more likely. The FWS has yet to respond to my letter but has still moved forward with this proposed rule. In Oregon, the 2020 fire season alone destroyed more owl habitat in one National Forest than the previous seven years of timber harvests on 17 National Forests! These tragedies show that the Obama-era approach of locking up lands for ‘conservation’ is killing the owl, not to mention uprooting the lives of many Oregonians who have lost their homes, businesses, crops, and livestock to preventable fires.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:03:51Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/bipartisan-pnw-legislators-announce-federal-investment-fire-safety-lower,Bipartisan PNW Legislators Announce Federal Investment in Fire Safety on Lower Columbia River,2021-07-19,2021,2021-07,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC [07/19/21] – A bipartisan group led by Representative Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), including Representatives Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Peter A. DeFazio (D-OR), Kurt Schrader (D-OR), and Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA), announced a federal grant award of $896,375 to the Maritime Fire and Safety Association from the Port Security Grant Program.

""We appreciate the strong support from Congresswoman Bonamici and other members of the Oregon and Washington Congressional delegation,"" said Liz Wainwright, Executive Director of the Maritime Fire and Safety Association (MFSA). ""This funding is critical to providing a comprehensive system to effectively respond to shipboard fires and oil spills in the Lower Columbia Region. It will allow the Maritime Fire and Safety Association to strengthen our fire safety, security, and emergency response program and update our radio communication systems. We will now be able to better address the risks associated with commerce on the river system.""

""The Lower Columbia Willamette is a vital shipping channel that allows more than 50 million tons of cargo to travel through our region every year,"" the Members wrote in support of MFSA's application. ""MFSA is a non-profit member organization with a long track record and commitment to maintaining response preparedness to shipboard fires and oil spills on the Lower Columbia Willamette system. This funding will provide training and resources to members of MFSA and small, local fire agencies who participate in MFSA's Fire Protection Agencies Advisory Council.""

Bonamici and other PNW Members of Congress regularly support the Maritime Fire and Safety Association and their important preparedness efforts. With this support, MFSA has been able to secure funding for training and communication upgrades and other components of their work in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:03:51Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/bonamici-invites-students-compete-congressional-app-challenge-0,Bonamici Invites Students to Compete in Congressional App Challenge,2021-07-16,2021,2021-07,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC [7/14/21] – Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) extended an invitation to all students who attend middle or high school in Oregon's First Congressional District to participate in the seventh annual Congressional App Challenge.

Oregon's First Congressional District includes all of Washington, Yamhill, Clatsop, and Columbia counties, as well as part of Multnomah County.

""Learning to code can be a valuable and empowering experience for students,"" said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. ""I enjoy holding the Congressional App Challenge every year because it gives students an opportunity to learn and showcase new skills. Students always impress me with their creative and community-minded ideas.""

The Congressional App Challenge is a competition for students to use coding and computer science to create and exhibit a software application, or ""app,"" for mobile, tablet, or computer devices on a platform of their choice. The competition is an example of STEAM education, which is STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) plus arts and design.

Students entering the competition must submit their app by November 1, 2021, as well as provide a video demo explaining their app and what they learned through the competition process.

A panel of local experts will review the submissions. Winners from each participating congressional district will be acknowledged in a district awards ceremony and featured on the House.gov website. There will also be a display in the U.S. Capitol Building to honor the winners from each Congressional district.

More information about the competition, including how to register, is available at /appchallenge

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 education to encourage creative thinking and engage more students. By supporting and recognizing young programmers, Congress is acknowledging the growing importance of these fields. The U.S. House of Representatives organizes the nationwide Congressional App Challenge each year.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:03:51Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/merkley-defazio-lead-oregon-delegation-push-fema-maximum-readiness-2021,"Merkley, DeFazio Lead Oregon Delegation to Push FEMA for Maximum Readiness for 2021 Wildfire Season",2021-07-16,2021,2021-07,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and U.S. Representative Peter DeFazio (D-OR-4)—who serves as the Chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, which oversees the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)—are leading U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) and U.S. Representatives Earl Blumenauer (D-OR-3), Kurt Schrader (D-OR-5), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-1), and Cliff Bentz (R-OR-2) in pushing FEMA for maximum readiness for Oregon's 2021 wildfire season, requesting the agency detail the steps it has taken to make it easier and faster to deliver disaster assistance in the wake of a catastrophic wildfire.

The push comes as the Bootleg fire in Southern Oregon—which has destroyed at least 21 houses, is putting nearly 2,000 more at risk, has killed cattle, and has caused urgent evacuations—continues to be the largest fire currently burning in the United States. Two other large fires, the Jack Fire in Southern Oregon and the Grandview Fire in Central Oregon, have also forced evacuations.

""As you know, Oregon, and the rest of the West, experienced an unprecedented and destructive wildfire season in 2020. Over 50,000 fires burned 10 million acres, with fires lasting well into the fall. As we approach another potentially catastrophic wildfire season, many Oregonians continue to struggle to return to the pre-disaster state of normal. The approval of the long-awaited cost-share adjustment for the 2020 wildfire season is critical to our recovery efforts and we thank you for that,"" the lawmakers wrote in their letter to FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell.

""We appreciate the steps that you have taken to prepare for the 2021 wildfire season. For example, continuing to allow FEMA's Regional Administrators to approve requests for Fire Management Assistance Grants (FMAG) will help expedite the flow of resources into the state and ensure that state agencies can quickly respond to fires knowing they have the financial resources to do so,"" the lawmakers continued.

The delegation's letter went on to pose the following questions:

What steps have you taken to ensure that there are sufficient commodities in FEMA distribution centers in the event of a major disaster due to wildfire, and can you provide a detailed accounting of what is immediately available in FEMA's nearest distribution centers?

What steps have you taken to streamline and strengthen approvals for registrants for FEMA's Individual and Households Program (IHP) to ensure that Oregonians who need federal assistance receive it?

What steps have you taken to streamline review of applications for IHP and lessen the complexity of associated communication with registrants in light of the unprecedented number of requests received by FEMA resulting from recent natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic?

What resources does FEMA have available to help communities respond to the adverse impacts of wildfire smoke in the event of a major disaster?

Full text of the letter is available here and follows below.

Dear Administrator Criswell,

We write concerning the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) preparations for the 2021 wildfire season.

As you know, Oregon, and the rest of the West, experienced an unprecedented and destructive wildfire season in 2020. Over 50,000 fires burned 10 million acres, with fires lasting well into the fall. As we approach another potentially catastrophic wildfire season, many Oregonians continue to struggle to return to the pre-disaster state of normal. The approval of the long-awaited cost-share adjustment for the 2020 wildfire season is critical to our recovery efforts and we thank you for that.

We appreciate the steps that you have taken to prepare for the 2021 wildfire season. For example, continuing to allow FEMA's Regional Administrators to approve requests for Fire Management Assistance Grants (FMAG) will help expedite the flow of resources into the state and ensure that state agencies can quickly respond to fires knowing they have the financial resources to do so. In order to better understand FEMA efforts to prepare and respond to this wildfire season, we ask that you respond to the following questions:

What steps have you taken to ensure that there are sufficient commodities in FEMA distribution centers in the event of a major disaster due to wildfire, and can you provide a detailed accounting of what is immediately available in FEMA's nearest distribution centers?

What steps have you taken to streamline and strengthen approvals for registrants for FEMA's Individual and Households Program (IHP) to ensure that Oregonians who need federal assistance receive it?

What steps have you taken to streamline review of applications for IHP and lessen the complexity of associated communication with registrants in light of the unprecedented number of requests received by FEMA resulting from recent natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic?

What resources does FEMA have available to help communities respond to the adverse impacts of wildfire smoke in the event of a major disaster?

Thank you for your attention to this issue and your efforts to continue helping Oregon recover from last year's disasters and prepare for the imminent wildfire season.

Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:03:51Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/secretary-cardona-and-rep-bonamici-tour-bilingual-summer-enrichment-program,"Secretary Cardona and Rep. Bonamici Tour Bilingual Summer Enrichment Program, Meet with Community College Students and Leaders",2021-07-15,2021,2021-07,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"BEAVERTON, OR [7/15/21] – This week Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici hosted U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona in Oregon to discuss their efforts to provide students with pathways to affordable higher education, including two years of free community college.

The Secretary and Congresswoman also saw how historic investments in education from the American Rescue Plan are expanding summer programs like the bilingual summer enrichment program in Hillsboro.

You can download photos from the Hillsboro summer program and community college roundtable discussion HERE.

""What I heard here in Oregon is how the community colleges served as a safety net. The phrase I use is, they were trauma informed in their approach to supporting their students. So it wasn't just tuition needs, it was understanding their fees and other issues that they had that prevented them from going to school. The schools took care of those. They worked with the students. For me, this was a great example of how we want schools across the country to act when we have students that are in need,"" said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. ""We were able to hear heavily from students and college leaders on the importance of building back better and what it really means. I'm excited about the opportunities to create pathways from high school to college to the workforce to four year schools.""

""It was an honor to host Secretary Cardona and introduce him to amazing students and educators in NW Oregon,"" said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. ""We visited Hillsboro School District's bilingual summer program, which provides education tailored to students' needs and helps address unfinished learning. The program expanded significantly this year with resources I advocated for in the American Rescue Plan. We also met with student teachers from the Bilingual Teacher Scholars Program, which is increasing teacher diversity to reflect the students in the district.

""As a community college graduate myself, I was pleased to host a roundtable with students and presidents of local community colleges. We heard stories from students about the power of education to improve their lives, but also discussed how cost is often a barrier. The American Families Plan would help millions of students access two years of community college for free, which is a good investment in our students and our economy. I look forward to working with Secretary Cardona and President Biden to make sure students and educators have the support they need to recover from the pandemic and build a better future.""

Secretary Cardona was sworn in as the 12th Secretary of Education on March 2nd, 2021. He previously served as the Commissioner of Education in Connecticut, where he faced the unprecedented challenge of responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and led the safe school reopening efforts in Connecticut. He began his career as an elementary teacher and has two decades of experience as a public school educator.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:03:51Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/oregon-delegation-pushes-federal-agencies-prepare-2021-wildfire-season,Oregon Delegation Pushes Federal Agencies to Prepare for 2021 Wildfire Season,2021-07-08,2021,2021-07,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, alongside Representatives Peter DeFazio (D-OR-04), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR-03), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-01), and Cliff Bentz (R-OR-02), are pushing agencies in charge of federal wildfire response to step up preparedness efforts for the 2021 wildfire season—which could be as bad or worsethan the unprecedented 2020 season.

In a letter to the secretaries of the U.S. Department of Interior and U.S. Department of Agriculture, the lawmakers highlighted the devastation caused by last year's wildfires: ""As you know, Oregon, and the rest of the West, experienced an unprecedented and destructive wildfire season in 2020. More than 50,000 fires burned 10 million acres with fires lasting well into the fall. Already fires and smoke have threatened the health and safety of several communities in Oregon.""

The delegation asked for detailed plans for preparation, including personnel, resources, and coordination among agencies.

""We appreciate the steps that you have taken to prepare for the 2021 wildfire season,"" the lawmakers wrote. ""The recent announcement of federal resources from the administration is welcome news, and we encourage you to continue to appropriately plan and prepare for what is likely to be a difficult wildfire season.""

The full letter can be read here and below.

###

Dear Secretary Haaland and Secretary Vilsack:

We write concerning your agencies' preparations for the 2021 wildfire seasons.

As you know, Oregon, and the rest of the West, experienced an unprecedented and destructive wildfire season in 2020. More than 50,000 fires burned 10 million acres with fires lasting well into the fall. Already fires and smoke have threatened the health and safety of several communities in Oregon. We appreciate the steps that you have taken to prepare for the 2021 wildfire season. The recent announcement of federal resources from the administration is welcome news, and we encourage you to continue to appropriately plan and prepare for what is likely to be a difficult wildfire season.

In order to better understand your efforts to prepare and respond to wildfires, we ask that you respond to the following questions:

What will be the cumulative impact of recently proposed personnel changes to overall readiness levels? What other steps have your agencies taken to ensure sufficient personal are in place for this fire season?

What steps are you taking to appropriately pre-position resources?

How are your agencies coordinating with the Department of Defense and state National Guards to integrate their resources into the coordinated wildfire response?

How have your agencies ensured that there are sufficient aviation assets available? How many additional aviation resources do you have available this year compared to last year?

How are your agencies collaborating with state and local agencies to ensure a coordinated response to mitigate wildfire risk and help communities prepare?

How are your agencies coordinating with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to integrate and deploy advanced sensor technologies to improve your ability to detect, predict, and respond to wildfires?

How are your agencies coordinating with the Environmental Protection Agency to help prepare and respond to wildfire smoke?

Thank you for your attention to this issue and your efforts to help Oregon recover and prepare for wildfire season.

Sincerely,

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:03:51Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/oregon-delegation-announces-major-step-recovery-resources-oregon-following,Oregon Delegation Announces Major Step Up in Recovery Resources for Oregon Following 2020 Labor Day Fires,2021-07-07,2021,2021-07,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, alongside Representatives Peter DeFazio (D-OR-04), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR-03), Kurt Schrader (D-OR-05) and Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-01), today announced that the federal government has agreed to pay 100 percent of the costs associated with debris removal and emergency protective measures following last year's Labor Day fires.

The Oregon delegation pushed the White House four times to make this determination, citing estimates that the cost of debris removal alone would top $622 million and total disaster costs would exceed $1 billion.

""The wildfires that raged through Oregon last year caused great devastation, and many communities are still working hard to recover as this wildfire season begins,"" Bonamici said.""I'm grateful that the federal government is heeding our calls to help Oregonians at a time of tremendous need. Together we can rebuild and help communities become safer and more resilient.""

""When last year's Labor Day fires broke out, I drove over 600 miles across our state to meet affected families and to assess the damage. The destruction I saw was gut-wrenching. Oregonian lives were lost, homes and businesses were leveled, and entire communities were destroyed,"" Merkley said. ""We've made a lot of progress since these fires were put out—but those efforts were expensive and challenging. That's why I'm glad the federal government has agreed to reimburse our state and local governments for the emergency costs they faced in the wake of the blazes, so they can continue on with the work of rebuilding and delivering critical services to Oregonians.""

""Oregon has made incredible progress recovering from the catastrophic Labor Day fires, but these efforts have been challenging and expensive,"" Wyden said. ""For months, the Oregon delegation has been pushing for federal reimbursement of recovery efforts around the state, so I'm glad to see FEMA certify full reimbursement for debris removal and emergency costs which will be critical as Oregonians work to rebuild our communities.""

""I'm relieved that the federal government has heeded our calls to reimburse state and local governments for costs associated with keeping our communities safe during last year's devastating fires,"" Blumenauer said. ""Wildfire recovery is a years-long process and at a time when budgets are already stretched thin due to the pandemic, this is welcome news that will make a difference across Oregon. I hope we can persuade people that this recent heat disaster deserves the same consideration and hopefully more rapid action.""

""Last year's Labor Day fires were devastating. Entire communities were destroyed, and lives were tragically lost. As Chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, which has jurisdiction over the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), I led the Oregon delegation in requesting the Trump and Biden administrations to marshal increased federal resources to help Oregon communities recover from the disaster,"" DeFazio said. ""I'm pleased that the federal government has agreed to fully reimburse our state and local governments for the costliest month of emergency costs they faced due to the wildfires. This agreement will help us rebuild and keep our recovery on track.""

""The deadly Labor Day fires that devastated the state last year took an especially steep personal and economic toll on Oregon's Fifth Congressional District, as whole towns, homes, businesses and livelihoods were destroyed,"" Schrader said. ""To properly address the lack of resources, devastation and heartache caused by the historic fires, the Oregon delegation pressed the federal government to cover the full emergency and cleanup costs our state and local governments incurred during a period following the historic fires, rather than just the standard 75 percent federal share of assistance. These reimbursements mean our communities are able to further recover, rebuild and take steps to prevent wildfire disasters in the future.""

FEMA will cover the costs of debris removal and emergency protective measures for a 30-day period identified by the state. Benton, Clackamas, Columbia, Coos, Deschutes, Douglas, Jackson, Jefferson, Josephine, Klamath, Lake, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Tillamook, Wasco, Washington, and Yamhill Counties will receive the reimbursement for emergency protective measures, including evacuations and establishing operation centers. Clackamas, Douglas, Jackson, Klamath, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, and Tillamook Counties will receive funding for debris removal costs associated with the fires. Additionally, Clackamas, Douglas, Jackson, Josephine, Klamath, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, and Tillamook Counties will also receive reimbursements for permanent preventive measures.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:03:51Z
https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases/case-you-missed-it-congressman-bentz-appointed-gop-task-force-big-tech,In Case You Missed It: Congressman Bentz Appointed to GOP Task Force on Big Tech Censorship and Data,2021-07-01,2021,2021-07,Republican,House,OR,Cliff Bentz,B000668,bentz.house.gov,bentz,https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Yesterday, Congressman Cliff Bentz (R-Ore.) was appointed to the House Republican Task Force on Big Tech Censorship and Data by House Republican Leader Kevin McCarty (R-Calif.). The Task Force is to be led by Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) and includes a total of 16 republican Members of Congress.

According to the press release from McCarthy's office, ""The Big Tech, Censorship, and Data Task Force will examine policies to bring much-needed accountability to Big Tech. The Task Force will focus on three pillars: Big Tech Responsibility, where members will consider section 230 reform; Big Tech Power, where members will focus on competition issues; and Big Tech Data, where members will explore data privacy and security matters. Big Tech must be reined in and it will take a unified Republican Conference to do it.""

Following the announcement, Congressman Bentz released a statement saying, ""I am honored to be appointed to the Republican Task Force on Big Tech Censorship and Data. There are many challenges when it comes to big tech that need to be addressed. However, we must make sure government actions are carefully considered as we weigh many subjects, including: free speech, innovation, data privacy, national security, and the welfare of consumers. I look forward to working with my colleagues on all of these important issues.""

The announcement strengthens Congressman Bentz's ability to help shape ongoing discussions concerning big technology companies like Amazon, Facebook, Google, and Apple. Congressman Bentz is also a member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Commercial, and Administrative Law.

Just this past week, Bentz participated in a 25-hour Judiciary Committee markup (amendments) of six bills focused on reshaping antitrust laws that directly impact big technology companies. During the markup, one of Congressman Bentz's amendments was adopted on a 22-21 vote after receiving bipartisan support. His amendment operates to make H.R.3816, the American Choice and Innovation Online Act ""much more supportive of both consumers and innovation,"" according to Bentz.

Click here for more information on the Task Force and a full list of members.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:03:51Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/house-passes-infrastructure-funding-supported-bonamici-including-1936m,"House Passes Infrastructure Funding Supported by Bonamici, Including $19.36M for Projects for NW Oregon",2021-07-01,2021,2021-07,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC [7/01/21] – Today the House passed bipartisan legislation to make long-overdue investments in infrastructure in NW Oregon and across the country.

The INVEST in America Act provides $715 billion to make critical updates to roads, bridges, public transit, and more. Bonamici secured $19.36 million in funding in the bill for five projects in NW Oregon, and she championed provisions to address climate change through her work on the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis.

""The INVEST in America Act addresses the infrastructure needs of NW Oregon and the country, helps mitigate the climate crisis, and creates good-paying jobs,"" said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. ""I'm pleased it includes five important local transportation projects that I advocated for to help accelerate our economic recovery. The transportation sector is the largest source of energy-related carbon dioxide emissions in the country, and we must take bold action to protect our planet. This legislation will help us decarbonize our transportation system, invest in the people who will rebuild our nation's infrastructure, and truly begin to build back better.""

Video of Bonamici speaking in support of the legislation on the House floor can be viewed here.

The five local transportation projects Bonamici advocated for that are funded by the package are:

$8 million for the next phase of the Newberg-Dundee Bypass, which is built to withstand a Cascadia subduction zone earthquake (Yamhill County)

Photos of Congresswoman Bonamici at the Bypass are available from 2012, 2015, and 2018.

$4 million for long-overdue safety improvements to the Tualatin Valley Highway in Hillsboro and Cornelius (Washington County)

$4 million for the Beaverton Downtown Loop project to expand pedestrian and transit access in a predominately low-income neighborhood (Washington County)

$2 million for safety improvements in downtown Portland to ease traffic congestion and improve bus efficiency (Multnomah County)

$1.36 million for a pedestrian safety sidewalk project near Warrenton High School (Clatsop County)

Bonamici serves on the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis, the only member from the Pacific NW, and she helped draft the science-based Climate Action Plan to reach net-zero emissions no later than mid-century and net-negative thereafter. The INVEST in America Act incorporates many provisions from the plan that will:

Help reduce emissions by investing $4 billion in EV charging infrastructure and $4 billion in zero-emission buses, $10 billion in pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, and by making record federal investments in transit

Create a new carbon pollution reduction apportionment program that invests $8.3 billion to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and require states to measure progress

Increase resilience by strengthening pre-disaster mitigation efforts, allowing for the use of more natural infrastructure, and supporting fish passage

Create good-paying, high-quality jobs by investing in people who will repair and rebuild our infrastructure

And more",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:03:51Z
https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases/case-you-missed-it-congressman-bentz-advocates-consumers-and-innovation,In Case You Missed It: Congressman Bentz Advocates for Consumers and Innovation through Amendments to Antitrust Bills,2021-06-25,2021,2021-06,Republican,House,OR,Cliff Bentz,B000668,bentz.house.gov,bentz,https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee finished its marathon markup of six bills focused on reshaping antitrust laws that directly impact big technology companies like Amazon, Apple, Facebook, and Google - and possibly other companies.

Congressman Cliff Bentz, who participated in the two-day, 25-hour markup, offered several amendments to the bills and voiced his concerns that the technology giants need more congressional oversight. However, Bentz stopped short of supporting the bills on the premise that the legislation would do far more harm than good to consumers and technological innovation.

""I appreciate the efforts of those who tried to address the challenges of 'big tech,' of which there are many. Unfortunately, these bills equate to opting for a sledgehammer instead of a scalpel,"" said Bentz. ""Collectively, these bills would harm American consumers and innovation by instituting a government engineered industry policy – which is exactly what we do not want. Allowing this to happen would set the precedent that government can make major business decisions not just for large technology firms but for other businesses as well.""

One of the amendments offered by Bentz during the markup passed with bipartisan support (22-21). His amendment to H.R. 3816, the “American Choice and Innovation Online Act,” will make the legislation much more supportive of both consumers and innovation.

According to Bentz, ""The language in my amendment ensures that businesses can continue to defend against allegations of anticompetitive behavior when such actions are shown, through clear and convincing evidence, to benefit consumers. My amendment reinforces the concept that we need to be focused on helping consumers not big business, and I thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for supporting it.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:57:00Z
https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-bentz-announces-2021-congressional-app-challenge,Congressman Bentz Announces 2021 Congressional App Challenge,2021-06-25,2021,2021-06,Republican,House,OR,Cliff Bentz,B000668,bentz.house.gov,bentz,https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Cliff Bentz (R-Ontario) announced the start of the 2021 Congressional App Challenge (CAC) for Oregon's Second Congressional District. The competition is a public initiative to encourage middle and high school students to pursue an interest in the STEM fields of science, technology, engineering, math, and computer science. Students compete by creating and submitting their own software application or ""app"" for the opportunity to receive national recognition.

""I am pleased to announce this exciting competition, which encourages young people to develop their coding and critical thinking skills,"" said Bentz. ""I look forward to seeing the creative ways students design apps to solve problems and meet the needs of consumers and industry in the 21st century.""

Student registration for the CAC started yesterday, June 24, 2021, and continues through November 1, 2021. Students may enter the competition individually or as teams. The winners will be announced during the month of December 2021.

Videos of the winning apps will be featured in the U.S. Capitol Building and on the House of Representatives website. Winning students will be invited to a reception in Washington, D.C.

For more information and competition rules, those interested in the competition may visit CongressionalAppChallenge.us or call Congressman Bentz's district office at 541-776-4646.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:57:00Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/bonamici-merkley-wyden-urge-president-biden-deliver-much-needed-relief,"Bonamici, Merkley, Wyden Urge President Biden to Deliver Much-Needed Relief by Extending Pause on Federal Student Loan Payments, Interest",2021-06-24,2021,2021-06,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-01) and Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden this week urged President Biden to provide student loan borrowers with urgently needed relief by extending the current pause on payments and interest for federally held student loans.

""The suspension of payments and interest during the pandemic has provided essential relief to borrowers and their families during this economic and public health crisis,"" the lawmakers wrote. ""Restarting payments, however, will present a significant challenge for borrowers, loan servicers, and the Department of Education (ED), and we urge you not to let the payment pause lapse when borrowers are still depending on this financial relief. We urge you to act quickly to extend the current pause on payments and interest so that borrowers are not penalized and student debt payments do not drag down the pace of our economic recovery. Specifically, we ask that you extend the pause by at least six months—until March 31, 2022—or until the economy reaches pre-pandemic employment levels, whichever is longer.""

The lawmakers also emphasized in their letter that the coronavirus crisis hit women and communities of color especially hard—and that the same groups make up a disproportionate share of student borrowers. Black students, in particular, borrow more to attend college, borrow more often while they are in school, and have a harder time paying their debt off than their white peers. The median Black borrower still owes 95 percent of their debt twenty years after starting college, compared to only 5 percent for the median white borrower. That debt hurts individuals, families, and the entire economy.

""The scheduled resumption of student loan payments in October could create a significant drag on our economic recovery. Before the pandemic, the average student loan payment was $393 per month—a substantial part of a household budget, and money that is desperately needed for basic needs. While our federal student aid system offers several income-based repayment plans that allow struggling borrowers to lower their monthly payments, the enrollment process for these options is complex and lengthy, and student loan servicers are concerned that they will be overwhelmed by the number of borrowers who will need to navigate this process in a short period of time after a significant length of time in which they had little to no contact with borrowers,"" they continued. ""Following past emergency suspensions of student loans during natural disasters, increased numbers of borrowers became delinquent or defaulted on their loans. A wave of student loan defaults would cause long-term damage to borrowers' credit and financial stability and could put a sudden and unnecessary drag on the recovering economy.""

In addition to Merkley, Wyden, and Bonamici, the letter was signed by over 60 lawmakers in the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives.

Full text of the letter is available here and follows below.

Dear President Biden,

We are writing to urge you to act swiftly to extend the current pause on payments and interest for federally-held student loans. The United States faces a historic student debt crisis, with many of the 43 million Americans with student loans being crushed under $1.6 trillion in debt. Even before the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, roughly one million borrowers were defaulting on their student loans every year.

The suspension of payments and interest during the pandemic has provided essential relief to borrowers and their families during this economic and public health crisis. Restarting payments, however, will present a significant challenge for borrowers, loan servicers, and the Department of Education (ED), and we urge you not to let the payment pause lapse when borrowers are still depending on this financial relief. We urge you to act quickly to extend the current pause on payments and interest so that borrowers are not penalized and student debt payments do not drag down the pace of our economic recovery. Specifically, we ask that you extend the pause by at least six months—until March 31, 2022—or until the economy reaches pre-pandemic employment levels, whichever is longer.

Borrowers have reaped significant benefits from the ongoing payment pause, taking the opportunity to pay down other debt, relieve financial pressures from lost jobs or decreased earnings, and support their families' needs. To date, the ED has provided more than $67 billion in relief on student loan interest alone – money that has been reinvested into the economy. The pandemic has wreaked havoc on our economy and caused prolonged unemployment for many households. While the economic recovery is in progress, additional financial support is needed by students and families throughout the summer, when eviction and foreclosure moratoriums will lapse and beyond September, when the extended unemployment benefits from the American Rescue Plan are set to expire.

Even as the economic recovery picks up steam, it is not reaching all Americans equally. Women and people of color have been disproportionately harmed by the pandemic, which some experts have deemed ""the most unequal recession in modern U.S. history,"" and they have recovered at a slower rate. The same groups make up a disproportionate share of student borrowers. Black students, in particular, borrow more to attend college, borrow more often while they are in school, and have a harder time paying their debt off than their white peers. The median Black borrower still owes 95% of their debt twenty years after starting college, compared to only 5% for the median white borrower. Communities of color and Native communities have also had higher rates of illness and death from COVID-19, and higher unemployment rates throughout the pandemic at every age and education level.

Women hold nearly two-thirds of the nation's student debt, in part because they need higher levels of educational credentials to earn the same compensation as men. They were also more likely to lose their jobs or leave the workforce in 2020 than men, due to a combination of factors: women-dominated industries like health care and hospitality saw more job losses, and school and child care closures forced many women to leave the workforce in order to care for their families. On the other side of the crisis, women also make up disproportionate shares of essential workers, especially in health care, where more than three-quarters of workers are women. One analysis found that health care and social assistance workers had the highest student debt burden of any industry, with an average payment of $685 per month.

The scheduled resumption of student loan payments in October could create a significant drag on our economic recovery. Before the pandemic, the average student loan payment was $393 per month – a substantial part of a household budget, and money that is desperately needed for basic needs. While our federal student aid system offers several income-based repayment plans that allow struggling borrowers to lower their monthly payments, the enrollment process for these options is complex and lengthy, and student loan servicers are concerned that they will be overwhelmed by the number of borrowers who will need to navigate this process in a short period of time after a significant length of time in which they had little to no contact with borrowers. Following past emergency suspensions of student loans during natural disasters, increased numbers of borrowers became delinquent or defaulted on their loans. A wave of student loan defaults would cause long-term damage to borrowers' credit and financial stability and could put a sudden and unnecessary drag on the recovering economy.

This decision cannot be delayed. Borrowers, ED, and loan servicers will need time to prepare for any changes to the current situation, including the scheduled resumption of payments and interest. Under the previous Administration, there was little accountability for loan servicers to sufficiently support borrowers and prepare them to reenter repayment. The Administration is still in the process of improving the student loan repayment system and raising expectations for customer service and borrower outreach. We believe that resuming payments before this system is in place could harm vulnerable student borrowers who are unprepared for relief to end. For these reasons, we encourage you to use your authority to provide immediate relief to borrowers by extending the pause on payments and interest by at least six months or until pre-pandemic levels of employment are reached.

Finally, we also understand that you are in the process of reviewing your legal and policy options for executive action related to student debt cancellation and are in the progress of making improvements to student loan relief programs, such as Public Service Loan Forgiveness, borrower defense, closed school discharge, and Total and Permanent Disability discharge through upcoming negotiated rulemaking. We encourage you to complete as many of these processes and reviews as possible before any federally-held student loan payments resume. However, given the fast-approaching deadline for borrowers to resume payments, it is critical that the Administration act as quickly as possible to extend the pause on payments and interest.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:57:00Z
https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-bentz-questions-interior-secretary-haaland-drought-relief-klamath,Congressman Bentz Questions Interior Secretary Haaland on Drought Relief for Klamath Basin,2021-06-23,2021,2021-06,Republican,House,OR,Cliff Bentz,B000668,bentz.house.gov,bentz,https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Today, during a House Natural Resources Committee Budget Oversight Hearing on the Department of Interior's Spending Priorities and the President's Fiscal Year Budget 2022 Proposal, Congressman Cliff Bentz (R-Ont.) questioned Department of the Interior Secretary Debra Haaland on the Agency's efforts to direct relief to the Klamath Basin where extreme and exceptional drought conditions have caused the Klamath Project to make an unprecedented zero water allocation for irrigators this water year.

""In April, the Administration announced the creation of an interagency working group to address the worsening drought conditions in the West and support farmers, tribes, and communities impacted by water shortages,"" said Bentz. ""Right now, things are incredibly grim in the Klamath Basin. With silence from the Administration comes increased frustration, which we absolutely want to avoid given the incredible challenges faced by all groups in the Basin. Has the working group been formed and has it met? If not, when can we anticipate that group will visit the Klamath Basin?""

""Congressman, thank you so much for the question and thank you again for your accessibility to my staff,"" said Haaland. ""Your input has been extremely beneficial and we appreciate that very much. I know how important this issue is to you. We want to make sure that we will be in touch with you as this working group moves forward. As soon as we are able to meet, we will make sure that we reach out to you.""

Bentz pressed the Haaland for a higher level of involvement from the Biden Administration on the Klamath Basin issue and asked about additional efforts to find financial aid for all those in the Klamath Basin - referencing a proposal Bentz, along with Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Calif.) previously announced for $57 million in aid and relief for farmers and ranchers, wildlife refuges, families, water districts, fishermen, and tribes in the Klamath Basin.

Secretary Haaland responded by referencing actions already taken by the Department of Interior, including ""[The Bureau of] Reclamation committed $15 million in immediate aid through the Klamath Project Drought Response Agency, and then there was another $3 million in technical assistance to tribes for ecosystem activities. I know the community is asking for more help, and we are looking to do more and leverage additional resources, as well as the U.S. Department of Agriculture.""

Many farmers in the region began tilling ground, applying fertilizers, and planting crops earlier in the year before the zero-water allocation. Without water, those crops will now die, causing huge economic impacts to the region. Bentz has consistently called for calm in the region and for the community to come together to find long term solutions to the question of water allocation in the Basin.

In 2021, at least 15 Oregon counties have received drought declarations, including 12 in Oregon's Second Congressional District, represented by Congressman Bentz. These counties include Baker, Crook, Deschutes, Harney, Jackson, Jefferson, Klamath, Lake, Malheur, Sherman, Wallowa, and Wheeler.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:57:00Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/bonamici-bill-protect-workers-age-discrimination-passes-house,Bonamici Bill to Protect Workers from Age Discrimination Passes House,2021-06-23,2021,2021-06,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC [6/23/21] – Today the House passed bipartisan legislation co-led by Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Chair of the Education and Labor Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Human Services, to strengthen protections against age discrimination in the workplace.

The Protecting Workers Against Age Discrimination Act (POWADA) restores anti-discrimination protections under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act that were weakened by the Supreme Court's 2009 decision in Gross v. FBL Financial Services, Inc. Under Gross, workers must prove that age discrimination was the sole motivating factor for the employer's adverse action, making it much harder for workers to make their case.

Video of Bonamici speaking in support of the legislation can be found here. She noted that her office has heard from many workers who believe they have been dismissed or denied employment because of their age, particularly in the technology sector.

""Americans are living and working longer, and we must make sure they are protected from age discrimination,"" said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. ""Unfortunately, age discrimination in the workplace remains disturbingly pervasive, and older workers in Oregon and across the country face unreasonable obstacles in holding employers accountable. The Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act is a commonsense, bipartisan bill to restore the legal rights of older workers and send a clear message that discrimination in the workplace is unacceptable.""

A fact sheet about POWADA can be found here, and a summary of the legislation can be found here.

Bonamici chaired a hearing that examined POWADA and other legislation to confront workforce discrimination in March.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:57:00Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/clark-bonamici-bowman-warren-wyden-call-700-billion-child-care,"Clark, Bonamici, Bowman, Warren, Wyden Call for $700 Billion for Child Care",2021-06-22,2021,2021-06,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Assistant Speaker Katherine Clark (D-MA-5), Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-1) and Jamaal Bowman (D-NY-16), and Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) led over 100 of their colleagues in a letter to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA-12), House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA-23), Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) urging them to include at least $700 billion over 10 years in direct spending on child care in the upcoming infrastructure package. Clark, Bonamici, and Bowman were joined on the letter by 118 House Members and ten additional senators. The full text of the letter can be found HERE.

""As the pandemic has made clear, child care is essential infrastructure that makes all other work in our country possible. High-quality child care also has long-lasting benefits for young children's development. The next funding package should include at least $700 billion over 10 years in direct spending for long-term, structural investments in child care.We believe that this is a generational opportunity to invest in affordable, quality care for all children who need it, and we urge you not to let it go to waste,"" the lawmakers wrote.

Even before COVID-19, many families were struggling to find affordable, quality child care. A national analysis found that half of all families live in neighborhoods classified as child care deserts, where there is an insufficient supply of quality child care. On average, child care deserts have maternal labor force participation rates that are three percentage points lower than in areas with a sufficient supply of child care providers. Despite child care workers being crucial to our economy, they rank among the bottom two percent of positions by salary. In 2020, the averagepay for a child care worker was $12.24 an hour.

""The upcoming infrastructure package presents an historic opportunity to not only recover from the devastating effects of the pandemic, but also to build a stronger caregiving economy for women and families across the country. Providing affordable, quality care for every child and family who needs it would create jobs, increase productivity, and have lifelong benefits for children's development and growth. We urge you to prioritize investments in a stronger child care system in the next funding package to ensure that women and families are not left behind in our recovery,"" the lawmakers continued.

In April, Clark and Warren led the call for the Biden administration to include at least $700 billion over the next ten years for long-term, structural investments in universal child care in the American Families Plan.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:57:00Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-mceachin-bonamici-sen-murphy-introduce-legislation-end-corporal,"Reps. McEachin, Bonamici, Sen. Murphy Introduce Legislation to End Corporal Punishment in Schools",2021-06-10,2021,2021-06,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, Reps. A. Donald McEachin (VA-04), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), and Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) re-introduced the Protecting Our Students in Schools Act to federally prohibit the practice of corporal punishment in any school that receives federal funding. The legislation would also establish much-needed enforcement protections and a federal grant program to assist states and school districts in improving the climate and culture of schools across the country.

Substantial research has demonstrated that corporal punishment in schools is not associated in any way with improved student behavior, instead producing similar outcomes to children that suffer physical abuse. Corporal punishment, or the act of inflicting physical pain on a student's body as a form of discipline, can result in serious physical injury to the student, including abrasions, broken bones, bruising, hematomas, and other medical complications. Further research has demonstrated that this practice leads to poor academic performance, physical and emotional harm, and damage to students' self-esteem and trust with educators. This practice is often administered to students in response to tardiness, failing to complete assigned homework, failing a test, talking out of turn, and more.

""Corporal punishment has no place in our nation's schools, yet these practices are still permissible in nearly twenty states. Corporal punishment can cause severe emotional, physical, psychological, and academic harm to students and has been proven to be an ineffective method of discipline,"" said Rep. A. Donald McEachin. ""In addition to being deeply harmful, this abhorrent practice is also disproportionately applied to students of color and students with disabilities. Schools should be a safe and healthy place for all students to learn, grow, and succeed. The Protecting Our Students in Schools Act is an important step in ending these unacceptable practices and ensuring the classroom is conducive to our children's education and well-being.""

""Students need to be safe and feel safe at school so they can learn and grow without fear,"" said Rep. Suzanne Bonamici. ""Many states still allow corporal punishment, a harmful and ineffective tactic that causes lasting harm and disproportionately affects Black students and students with disabilities. I'm grateful to be leading the Protecting Our Students in Schools Act with Rep. McEachin and Senator Murphy so we can protect the physical, mental, and academic well-being of students by finally ending corporal punishment and promoting positive behavioral intervention supports.""

""Kids should be able to learn in a safe, nurturing environment at school. It's mind boggling that we allow educators to hit students or use other physical means of school discipline. This is a practice that disproportionately affects students of color and students with disabilities and it needlessly creates a culture of fear that teaches children that violence is acceptable. I'm glad to reintroduce legislation that ends the use of corporal punishment in schools that receive taxpayer funding, so we can make sure the classroom is a space where all students feel safe,"" said Sen. Chris Murphy.

Original cosponsors of the Protecting Our Students in Schools Act include Reps. Bobby Rush (IL-01), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Raúl M. Grijalva (AZ-03), David Trone (MD-06), Jahana Hayes (CT-05), Ruben Gallego (AZ-07), Grace Meng (NY-06), Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24), Bennie G. Thompson (MS-02), Sens. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH).

Read the Protecting Our Students in Schools Actone-pager, full bill text, and statements of support. Watch the full press conference here.

###

Endorsements

The Protecting Our Students in Schools Act has been endorsed by the National Disability Rights Network; National Education Association; American Federation of Teachers; American Psychological Association; SPLC Action Fund; The Education Trust; The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights; National PTA; National Women's Law Center; National Down Syndrome Congress; Brain Injury Association of America; Lives in the Balance; National Association of Secondary School Principals; National Association of School Psychologists; Intercultural Development Research Association; Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates; Autistic Self Advocacy Network; Legal Aid Justice Center; National Federation of Families; Girls Inc.; American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children; The Up Institute; Texas Appleseed; The Dignity in Schools Campaign; National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities; Council for Exceptional Children; National Initiative to End Corporal Punishment; U.S. Alliance to End the Hitting of Children; Crimes against Children Research Center; Prevent Child Abuse America; New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children; Center for Learner Equity; National Prevention Science Coalition to Improve Lives; Futures Without Violence; Center for Health and Health Care in Schools; Committee for Children; Center for Disability Rights; American Psychological Association Division 31; National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners; Society for Child and Family Policy and Practice (Division 37 of the American Psychological Association); Attachment Parenting International; Nollie Jenkins Family Center, Inc.; Society of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, Division 53, American Psychological Association; Empowering Pacific Islander Communities; Minnesota Psychological Association; Southeast Asia Resource Action Center; National Network to End Domestic Violence; Society of Pediatric Psychology, Division 54 of the American Psychological Association; GLSEN; Children's Defense Fund; Southern Echo Inc.; Southern Education Foundation; Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund; National Parents Union; Florida Psychological Association; Kentucky Psychological Association; Georgia Psychological Association; Michigan Psychological Association; Maine Psychological Association; First Focus on Children; The Daniel Initiative.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:57:00Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/bonamici-merkley-lowenthal-lead-bicameral-effort-push-biden-administration,"Bonamici, Merkley, Lowenthal, Lead Bicameral Effort to Push Biden Administration to Tackle Explosion of Plastic Pollution at G7 Summit",2021-06-09,2021,2021-06,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – With a G7 Summit just around the corner, Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, along with U.S. Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-01) and Alan Lowenthal (D-CA-47), is pushing the Biden administration to work toward a global agreement to address marine plastic litter and microplastics.

""Plastic pollution has exploded into a global crisis that threatens our public health, economic security, and the future of our planet. We need bold action to tackle this crisis and we have a unique moment to work with our colleagues around the world to break free from plastic pollution,"" the lawmakers wrote in their letter. ""We are writing to encourage your Administration's full participation in international dialogues to establish a binding global agreement to address plastic pollution.""

""The G7 Leaders' Summit represents a vital opportunity to demonstrate American leadership on a critical international issue. It is important to address plastic pollution as an environmental, environmental justice, and climate crisis through green recovery efforts as the world aims to build back better from the COVID-19 pandemic,"" they continued. ""We encourage your Administration to participate in discussions to launch a global agreement to address marine plastic litter and microplastics in advance of the Fifth Session of the United Nations Environment Assembly. We urge your Administration to advocate for a binding agreement that addresses both land- and sea-based sources and looks to upstream solutions for addressing this challenge through source reduction.""

The lawmakers emphasized that this crisis requires American leadership on the international stage, and encouraged the administration to engage in international discussions and implement domestic policies that will effectively minimize our plastic waste.

The letter follows the introduction of the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act—legislation led by Merkley in the U.S. Senate and by Lowenthal in the U.S. House of Representatives—that outlines the most comprehensive plan ever introduced in Congress to address the plastic pollution crisis that is poisoning our air, water, and land, and disproportionately impacting communities of color and low-income Americans.

Merkley, Lowenthal, and Bonamici were joined in sending the letter by U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Richard Durbin (D-IL), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Angus King (I-ME) in the U.S. Senate, and by Representatives Alan Lowenthal (D-CA-47), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-01), Jake Auchincloss (D-MA-04), Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-CA-44), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR-03), Julia Brownley (D-CA-26), Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24), Ed Case (D-HI-01), David N. Cicilline (D-RI-01), Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO-05), Steve Cohen (D-TN-09), Gerald E. Connolly (D-VA-11), Peter A. DeFazio (D-OR-04), Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA-11), Ted Deutch (D-FL-22), Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ-03), Jared Huffman (D-CA-02), Mondaire Jones (D-NY-17), Ro Khanna (D-CA-17), Doris Matsui (D-CA-06), James P. McGovern (D-MA-02), Grace Meng (D-NY-06), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC-00), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-20), Chellie Pingree (D-ME-01), Mike Quigley (D-IL-05), Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA-05), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09), Kim Schrier (D-WA-08), Robert C. ""Bobby"" Scott (D-VA-03), Darren Soto (D-FL-09), Marilyn Strickland (D-WA-10), Thomas R. Suozzi (D-NY-03), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI-13), Paul D. Tonko (D-NY-20), Ritchie Torres (D-NY-15), Juan Vargas (D-CA-51), Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY-07), and Peter Welch (D-VT-AL) in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Full text of the letter is available here and follows below.

Dear President Biden,

We write to you to share our strong support for protecting our environment and our ocean from the devastating impacts of plastic pollution. We were excited to learn that United Kingdom Prime Minister, Boris Johnson has added to the agenda for the G7 Leaders' Summit the goal to start negotiations for a global agreement to address marine plastic litter and microplastics. Plastic pollution represents a global crisis that will require bold international cooperation to address. We write to urge your Administration's full participation and support for this process and other international forums to show America's commitment to leadership in addressing this global crisis.

Nearly 11 million metric tons of plastic waste enter the ocean every year – from sources at-sea and on land.[1] Without any action, this flow is expected to triple to nearly 29 million metric tons by 2040.1 This plastic pollution causes incredible harm on wildlife through ingestion and entanglement – globally, 100,000 marine mammals die every year as a result of plastic pollution.[2] However, the impacts of plastic extend far beyond harming wildlife and polluting our shores – plastic production and waste management are directly contributing to climate change. The greenhouse gas emissions linked to this production are estimated to reach 1.3 billion tons by 2030, equivalent to 300 coal-fired power plants. We cannot tackle the issue of climate change or environmental justice without addressing plastic waste.

A recent study found that despite the United States only accounting for 4% of the global population in 2016, the U.S. generated 17% of all plastic waste and ranks third among countries contributing to coastal plastic pollution.[3] The science is clear – all this plastic impacts human health from toxic chemicals leaching out of plastic to the fact that the average person ingests nearly a credit card's amount of microplastics each week.[4]Americans are fed up with the plastic pollution crisis and broadly support many steps to tackle the plastic pollution crisis.

According to U.S. Census Bureau data, the U.S. exported 1.37 billion pounds of scrap plastic in 2020.[5] At least 40% of this plastic waste was exported to countries outside the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) that have high percentages of waste mismanagement, such as India, Indonesia, and Malaysia. The U.S. has been sending scrap recycling materials to Asia for several decades, but the unacceptable environmental and social impacts of this practice have become clear. The ability to properly handle these materials is overwhelming and the impact is past a crisis tipping point.

Plastic pollution has exploded into a global crisis that threatens our public health, economic security, and the future of our planet. We need bold action to tackle this crisis and we have a unique moment to work with our colleagues around the world to break free from plastic pollution. We are writing to encourage your Administration's full participation in international dialogues to establish a binding global agreement to address plastic pollution.

The G7 Leaders' Summit represents a vital opportunity to demonstrate American leadership on a critical international issue. It is important to address plastic pollution as an environmental, environmental justice, and climate crisis through green recovery efforts as the world aims to build back better from the COVID-19 pandemic. We encourage your Administration to participate in discussions to launch a global agreement to address marine plastic litter and microplastics in advance of the Fifth Session of the United Nations Environment Assembly. We urge your Administration to advocate for a binding agreement that addresses both land- and sea-based sources and looks to upstream solutions for addressing this challenge through source reduction.

The U.S. is one of only 8 countries to not ratify the Basel Convention. While the U.S. signed the Basel Convention in 1990 and the U.S. Senate gave its advice and consent for ratification in 1992, lack of implementing legislation has prevented the U.S. from participating. We stand ready to work with you to ensure U.S. compliance with the Basel Convention and encourage your Administration to develop domestic regulatory policies to prohibit the export of plastic waste to countries outside the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

We believe the U.S can show global leadership on plastic pollution by engaging in international discussions and implementing domestic policies that will effectively minimize our plastic waste.

We thank you for your continued leadership and look forward to working with you on this issue.

Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:57:00Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/bonamici-young-introduce-bipartisan-bill-support-ocean-research,"Bonamici, Young Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Support Ocean Research",2021-06-09,2021,2021-06,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC [6/09/21] – Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) and Don Young (R-AK), Co-Chairs of the House Oceans Caucus, recognized World Oceans Day and National Ocean Month by introducing legislation to significantly advance research about the ocean, bays, estuaries, and coasts.

The Bolstering Long-Term Understanding and Exploration of the Great Lakes, Oceans, Bays, and Estuaries (BLUE GLOBE) Act will accelerate the collection, management, and dissemination of ocean data and monitoring. It will assess the potential for an Advanced Research Project Agency–Oceans (ARPA-O), improve domestic and international coordination, and strengthen federal innovation efforts to expand ocean data and monitoring technologies.

""As we kick-off the inaugural year of the UN Decade of Ocean Science, we must rapidly scale up ocean observation and exploration efforts to better understand how to protect our ocean for future generations,"" said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. ""The BLUE GLOBE Act will help produce the accurate ocean data that coastal communities rely on for navigation and port security and to forecast ocean acidification, harmful algal blooms, hypoxia, and marine heat waves. I am grateful to be working with my House Oceans Caucus Co-Chair, Don Young, on this critical issue so we can safeguard our ocean and planet.""

""Healthy oceans are essential to Alaska's economy and way of life, and we must protect them for years to come. I am proud to join my House Oceans Caucus Co-Chair, Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici, as we introduce the BLUE GLOBE Act,"" said Congressman Don Young. ""This comprehensive bill will improve our understanding of the ocean by supporting the development and deployment of new, innovative research strategies. I am particularly excited about the advances this bill will make for our ocean mapping capabilities and for our efforts to fight illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. There is much work ahead, but I am confident that the bipartisan and collaborative nature of the House Oceans Caucus will help us create a roadmap for strengthening the health of our oceans, both for Alaska and for coastal communities across our nation.""

The BLUE GLOBE Act is included in the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis' Climate Action Plan. Bonamici helped develop the action plan a member of the Select Committee.

A summary of the BLUE GLOBE Act can be found here and the bill text can be found here. Bonamici and Young were joined by Representatives Jared Huffman (D-CA), Ed Case (D-HI), Derek Kilmer (D-WA), Chris Pappas (D-NH), Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-CA), and Steve Cohen (D-TN).

Bonamici and Young also introduced a resolution to honor World Oceans Day and recommit to federal investments in ocean science. The text of the resolution can be viewed here. They were joined by Representatives Huffman (D-CA), Case (D-HI), Kilmer (D-WA), Pappas (D-NH), Barragan (D-CA), Cohen (D-TN), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), and Gonzalez-Colon (D-CA).

The House Oceans Caucus is a bipartisan group of House members committed to protecting the health of the ocean. The Caucus is focused on environmental stressors (including ocean acidification, harmful algal blooms, and hypoxia); marine debris; ocean data and monitoring; coastal resiliency; and illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:57:00Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/bonamici-meijer-introduce-bipartisan-bill-repeal-increased-3-martini-lunch,"Bonamici, Meijer Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Repeal Increased “3 Martini Lunch” Deduction; Direct $5 Billion to Child Care",2021-05-28,2021,2021-05,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC [5/28/21] – Today Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) and Peter Meijer (R-MI) introduced legislation to end a large and unnecessary tax deduction for business meals and redirect the estimated $5 billion in savings to support child care.

The Choosing Healthy Investments and not Lunch Deductions (CHILD) Care Act would repeal a temporary rule that has been dubbed the ""three martini lunch deduction,"" which increased the business meal and entertainment deduction from 50 percent to 100 percent. Doubling the deduction is projected by the Joint Committee on Taxation to cost more than $5 billion over 2022 and 2023. The CHILD Care Act would end the increased deduction and dedicate the projected savings to the Child Care and Development Fund.

""We should be using federal dollars to meet the needs of working families, not for a needless tax break,"" said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. ""The Child Care and Development Block Grant Program has been underfunded for many years, and the historic demand for affordable child care makes it critical to increase funding for this essential program. I'm grateful to be working across the aisle with Congressman Meijer to support working families and increase access to child care.""

""The COVID-19 pandemic presented major challenges for hardworking parents in West Michigan and across the country,"" said Rep. Peter Meijer. ""Now, more than ever, we need to increase access to affordable childcare. The full 'three martini lunch deduction' is not the most effective use of taxpayer dollars, and it's time we repurpose these funds. Directing these resources to the Childcare Development Block Grant, which has long been underfunded, would give more childcare options to the families who need it most. I'm glad to join Congresswoman Bonamici in this critical bipartisan effort.""

The legislation is endorsed by the Bipartisan Policy Center, Center for Law and Social Policy, Child Welfare League of America, Family Forward Oregon, Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, Low Income Investment Fund, National Women's Law Center, New America's Early & Elementary Education Policy Program, and ZERO TO THREE.

The full text of the legislation can be found here.

""The Bipartisan Policy Center applauds Representatives Bonamici and Meijer for their creative work to provide child care to more children and families through the Child Care and Development Block Grant,"" said Linda Smith, director, Bipartisan Policy Center's Early Childhood Initiative. ""The Choosing Healthy Investments and not Lunch Deductions (CHILD) Care Act of 2021 would add more than $5 billion to CCDBG without increasing the federal deficit, helping more families around the country get back to work and ensure our economy can thrive. We thank Reps. Bonamici and Meijer for working across the aisle on behalf of children and families.""

""The funding generated from the CHILD Care Act is a common-sense way to add more funding to child care, prioritizing the care of our children and families over expensive business lunch write-offs,"" said Andrea Paluso, Executive Director of Family Forward Oregon. ""Our country has the resources we need to have a comprehensive child care system—we just need to prioritize it. This is one of the many steps we should take to fund child care like the essential service it is. We are so grateful for Congresswoman Bonamici's leadership and commitment to expanding access to affordable, high-quality, culturally-relevant child care.""

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:49:40Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/bonamici-takano-introduce-bill-help-food-insecure-college-students-access-snap,"Bonamici, Takano Introduce Bill to Help Food Insecure College Students Access SNAP Benefits",2021-05-24,2021,2021-05,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC [5/24/21] – Today Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) and Mark Takano (D-CA) introduced legislation to help students experiencing food insecurity access benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

The Opportunity to Address College Hunger Act, H.R. 3362, will bridge an information gap and help students access the benefits available to them by requiring institutions of higher education to inform students in the Federal Work Study (FWS) program that they may qualify for SNAP and provide support for the application process. According to recent survey data from the Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice, food insecurity affects 39 percent of students at two-year institutions and 29 percent of students at four-year institutions.

""I've spoken with college students who have left school because of homelessness and hunger, and who have struggled to put food on the table for themselves and their siblings while attending class full time,"" said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. ""SNAP can be a lifeline for students who are experiencing food insecurity, but many do not know they qualify. The Opportunity to Address College Hunger Act will make it easier for students to obtain the nutritious meals they need to succeed in school and life.""

""Students across the country experience food insecurity and face extreme hunger, often not knowing where their next meal will come from. Sadly, this crisis has only been exacerbated by the financial strains caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Students should only be focused on getting an education, which is why I'm proud to once again partner with Rep. Bonamici to introduce the Opportunity to Address College Hunger Act,"" said Rep. Mark Takano. ""Removing this barrier to access nutrition assistance programs will help them on their academic journeys.""

Bonamici and Takano introduced the legislation in response to concerns they heard from community colleges and universities about students struggling with food and housing insecurity. Under the Opportunity to Address College Hunger Act, colleges will provide students with details about how they can obtain more information about SNAP, confirm their eligibility for the program, and access benefits. Institutions will also provide those who qualify for the program with official documentation of their eligibility, overcoming a common hurdle students face when applying for SNAP benefits. The full text of the legislation can be found here.

The Government Accountability Office has recommended USDA Food and Nutrition Service improve its SNAP eligibility information for students and share best practices for notifying students of their potential eligibility. The legislation is endorsed by Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Bread for the World, Feeding America, Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice, Institute for Higher Education Policy, MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger, National Education Association, and Oregon Food Bank.

""While we have seen many short-term responses to food insecurity among college students — like the hundreds of pantries that have sprung up on college campuses in recent years — these are short-term, stop-gap measures at best,"" said Abby J. Leibman, President & CEO of MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger. ""We know from our experience that federal nutrition assistance programs like SNAP (formerly food stamps) remain the most effective and efficient response to this problem, which has gotten worse during the COVID-19 crisis. We strongly support Rep. Bonamici's bill to ensure students who can qualify for SNAP will be notified by their respective campuses, because the last thing college students should worry about is if they will have enough food to eat.""

The legislation is co-sponsored by Juan Vargas (CA), Kathy Castor (FL), Teres Leger Fernandez (NM), David Trone, Sara Jacobs (CA), Jerry Nadler (NY), Nikema Williams (GA), and Gerald E. Connolly (VA).

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:49:40Z
https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-bentz-continues-push-drought-relief-house-republican-forum,Congressman Bentz Continues to Push for Drought Relief in House Republican Forum,2021-05-19,2021,2021-05,Republican,House,OR,Cliff Bentz,B000668,bentz.house.gov,bentz,https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Cliff Bentz (R-Ore.) chaired the House Natural Resources Committee Republican Forum on Catastrophic Drought in his continuing effort to address the ongoing water crisis in the American West. He was joined by House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.).

During the discussion on Wednesday, the panel heard testimony from Americans impacted by the drought, including testimony from Klamath County Commissioner Donnie Boyd. Republicans on the panel and other witnesses spoke on the impact of the current drought on agriculture and the economy, wildlife, energy, recreation, and tribal communities. They discussed why people living outside western states should care about drought and potential conservative water infrastructure and policy solutions.

During his opening statement, Bentz said: ""Today's forum is a another first step toward bringing the attention of the nation to what is shaping up to be a catastrophic year of drought and wildfire."" Bentz continued: ""Short-term solutions hopefully will involve funding to help mitigate the drought, but we must clearly do something longer term so our communities can better withstand the next drought. Cleaning up watersheds on a large scale and increasing the height of existing water storage structures are just a few of the smart, commonsense things we must do""

Congressman Bentz's remarks during the forum follow his joint announcement yesterday with Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Calif.) of a $57 million disaster aid proposal focused on providing relief and assisting those harmed by drought in the Klamath Basin.

During the forum on Wednesday, Klamath Commissioner Donnie Boyd stated: ""Surface water irrigation is shut down. Family farms, farm employees, businesses that serve agriculture, main streets in the Klamath County and in rural communities are all at risk and terrified. Natural wildlife refuges that rely on the same water delivery system as agriculture have no water. This year is the worst, or close to the worst, drought year in memory.""

Click HERE or below to watch the entirety of Wednesday's forum.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:49:40Z
https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-bentz-delivers-first-floor-speech-joins-rep-lamalfa-57-million-proposal,"Rep. Bentz Delivers First Floor Speech, Joins Rep. LaMalfa in $57 million Proposal to Address Klamath Water Crisis",2021-05-18,2021,2021-05,Republican,House,OR,Cliff Bentz,B000668,bentz.house.gov,bentz,https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Cliff Bentz (R-Ore.) delivered his first speech on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives. He was joined by Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Calif.) in raising awareness of the catastrophic drought in the American West and supporting immediate relief for those affected by the ongoing crisis in the Klamath Basin through a $57 million aid and relief proposal.

Last week, the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) updated their water projections and declared that no water will be delivered to farmers, towns, or wildlife in the Klamath Project. LaMalfa and Bentz have called for immediate action from the Biden Administration to bring additional aid to the area. Many farmers, having been informed earlier in the year they would receive some water, tilled ground, applied fertilizers, and planted crops. Without water, those crops will now die, causing huge economic impacts to the region.

Regarding his speech on the floor, Bentz said: “The catastrophic drought and historic zero water allocation by the Bureau of Reclamation have been absolutely crushing to irrigators, water users, and wildlife in the Klamath Basin. I have already worked – and will continue working – with Oregon’s U.S. Senators to secure assistance for those in the Basin. However, our farmers simply cannot ride out this crisis or afford to rely on current measures to deal with this catastrophic drought. I appreciate the commitment by Congressman LaMalfa to lead with me in the House of Representatives on requesting enhanced, immediate relief for those in the Klamath. We are focused on elevating the needs of everyone in the community for further federal action.”

Click HERE or below to watch the entirety of Congressman Bentz's remarks.

Click HERE to read Congressman Bentz's remarks as prepared for delivery.

LaMalfa and Bentz Disaster Aid Proposal:

$40 million to assist farmers through USDA programs. These funds will help protect multigenerational family farms though this crisis.

$2.5 million to aid wildlife refuges, including funding for a rescue duck hospital to limit botulism outbreaks, funds for necessary maintenance to stop the spread of diseases and improve habitat, funds for pumping groundwater.

$2.5 million to assist families whose residential wells have gone dry due to lack of overall water availability in the Basin.

$4 million in aid to water districts to repair canals. Without water flowing through canals, subsidence and wall collapse will destroy existing infrastructure.

$3 million in aid for commercial fisherman affected by a loss of fishing opportunities on the lower Klamath.

$5 million in food aid through USDA and Bureau of Indian Affairs to Tribes and Tribal Governments.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:49:40Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/bonamici-capac-members-observe-third-annual-aapi-day-against-bullying-and-hate,"Bonamici, CAPAC Members Observe Third Annual AAPI Day Against Bullying and Hate",2021-05-18,2021,2021-05,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, Members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) observed the third annual National Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Day Against Bullying and Hate. This date coincides with the birthday of Vincent Chin, who was brutally murdered in 1982 in a hate crime. Chin's death sparked national outrage and led to the pan-ethnic AAPI movement that exists today. CAPAC Members released the following statements:

Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01):

""The recent spike in violence, bias, and hate crimes against members of our Asian American and Pacific Islander communities is heartbreaking and infuriating. I condemn these horrific acts. Today we stand together to say in the strongest terms that these acts of violence and hate have no place in our country and must stop. I support the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act and resolution to combat violence and hate against the AAPI community and will continue working to end racism and violence against our AAPI friends, neighbors, and colleagues. By supporting each other and working together we can create a better, equitable, and more inclusive future.""

CAPAC Leadership

Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-27), CAPAC Chair:

""As we mark what would have been the 66th birthday of Vincent Chin, the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus stands with organizations across the nation to observe the third annual National AAPI Day Against Bullying and Hate. Unfortunately, the same racism and xenophobia that led to Vincent Chin's horrific murder nearly four decades ago has become commonplace in our society today as innocent Asian Americans across the nation are being blamed for the coronavirus pandemic and targeted with racial slurs and violent attacks. In fact, there have been over 6,600 anti-Asian hate incidents reported within the last year alone, and a recent report from Act to Change found that 80% of Asian Americans experienced either online or in-person bullying this year. This is unacceptable. AAPI children, parents, and elders should not have to worry about being the victims of bullying or hate crimes simply because of the way they look. That's why, as we commemorate this National AAPI Day Against Bullying and Hate, I am so proud that Congress will be voting to pass the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act to address this surge in anti-Asian hate crimes. Xenophobia and hate have no place in our country. It's incumbent on all of us to speak out against bigotry and recommit ourselves to building a more inclusive and understanding society.""

Congresswoman Grace Meng (NY-06), CAPAC First Vice Chair:

""On National AAPI Day Against Bullying and Hate, I am committed today and every day to stopping this disturbing and troubling trend. During COVID-19 we have witnessed unspeakable acts of violence – even death – against our community. It breaks my heart to see such hateful incidents. But I believe this moment in American history has planted new seeds of friendship and allyship. Today, the AAPI community is joined by those from the Black, Latinx, Native American, LGBTQ, and other communities in our shared commitment to ending the violence and hate against us. I am encouraged by this and believe better days are ahead. Let us go forward in solidarity within our community and lock arms with other communities. Step-by-step we will build a more perfect union.""

Congressman Mark Takano (CA-41), CAPAC Second Vice Chair:

""Today I join my colleagues in the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus in recognizing AAPI Day Against Bullying and Hate. Over the last year, we have seen a rise in hate crimes and ignorance targeting the AAPI community. This week, Congress is taking action by passing the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, to ensure that the perpetrators of anti-Asian hate crimes are held accountable. As children go back to school, leaders must set a good example and promote acceptance and understanding. We cannot tolerate bullying and hate.""

Congressman Ted Lieu (CA-33), CAPAC Whip

""On the second National AAPI Day Against Bullying and Hate, I join with my AAPI colleagues, constituents, and allies to say enough is enough: we must end bigotry, discrimination, and hate against Asian Americans. America's strength comes from its diversity, and Asian Americans deserve to live, work, and walk down the street with safety and security. While I stand firmly behind National AAPI Day Against Bullying and Hate's mission to end hate, I am saddened that this day of action must exist in the first place. I will continue to raise awareness of — and find solutions to — anti-AAPI violence by elevating justice, accountability, and tolerance in Congress.""

CAPAC Executive Board Members

Senator Mazie K. Hirono (HI):

""The AAPI community is united in confronting the surge of racism during the pandemic. Like the wave of activism that followed Vincent Chin's murder nearly 40 years ago, our community is marching, speaking out, and demanding action. AAPI Day Against Bullying and Hate reminds us of the sustained focus we must have on the work ahead to confront discrimination and hate to create a future that is more just and equitable for all.""

Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34):

""Over the past 14 months, our Asian American and Pacific Islander neighbors have been harassed, bullied, and killed at unprecedented rates nationwide. With over 3,000 reported incidents of anti-Asian hate since the COVID-19 pandemic began, and likely many more unreported attacks, the xenophobia and racism that we've all seen online and in person are nothing short of appalling. It's critical that we step up, intervene, and help end this bullying and hatred towards AAPI communities.""

Congressman Andy Kim (NJ-03):

""This year's AAPI Day Against Bullying and Hate comes at a critical moment for the AAPI community. We've endured story after story of AAPI targeted with words and violence simply because of who they are and how they look. My family and I have seen this first hand, and I know our stories are representative of thousands across the country. While it is important to look back and reflect on this rise in hate, it's just as important to look forward. Today, we'll pass a landmark bill to address hate crimes against the AAPI community and tomorrow we'll pass a resolution remembering those lost in Atlanta. I hope that our actions this week and our words today don't fade away with time, but are strengthened to ensure we build an America that is truly inclusive and safe for all of us in the AAPI community.""

Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10):

""For far too long, members of the AAPI community have faced racism, discrimination, and hate. The COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated this issue, putting the lives of our community members and elders at risk. Today, on National AAPI Day Against Bullying and Hate, we reaffirm our commitment to standing in solidarity against hatred in all forms, including anti-AAPI bullying and violence.""

CAPAC Associate Board Members

Congressman Colin Allred (TX-32):

""North Texas' diverse Asian-American community has helped shape our region and is a central part of what makes it so great. Bullying, discrimination and hate of any kind against our Asian-American neighbors is unacceptable and we must all do our part to end it. I'm proud to stand with my CAPAC colleagues today and I will always work to make sure every one in North Texas feels safe.""

Congresswoman Katherine Clark (MA-05):

""In the wake of this pandemic, there has been a disturbing rise in anti-Asian hate in the United States. This wave of discrimination has brought violence, trauma, and fear to the AAPI community, but Congress is taking action. Whether it's passing the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, passing the resolution to condemn the horrific shootings in Atlanta, or advocating for the inclusion of AAPI leaders in the White House, I will always fight to end bullying and hate against the AAPI community.""

Congressman Steven Horsford (NV-04):

""Today, on AAPI Day Against Bullying and Hate, I'm proud to stand alongside my CAPAC colleagues to reaffirm that hate has no place in our country. Over the last year, we have witnessed an alarming rise in anti-Asian American hate crimes and violence, with nearly 1 in 3 AAPIs experiencing some kind of abuse during the pandemic. On this day of recognition, we must continue to speak out against these injustices wherever they occur and work to make our society more inclusive, kind, and compassionate for all Americans.""

Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (NY-12):

""Today we commemorate AAPI Day Against Bullying and Hate, which is especially relevant as we have experienced an immense increase of violent and hateful attacks against our Asian American neighbors and friends over the last year. We must redouble our efforts against the bigotry that Asian Americans have experienced because of misinformation and xenophobia that wrongly blamed them for the COVID-19 pandemic. I am encouraged by the Senate's overwhelmingly bipartisan vote to pass the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act last month and will be voting for it when it comes to the House floor as a cosponsor of the legislation. I thank Senator Hirono and Congresswoman Meng for their leadership on this legislation and commend the advocacy of the AAPI community and allies across the country for making it clear we will not abide racism and bigotry. Hate has no place in our country.""

Congresswoman Katie Porter (CA-45):

""I'm deeply disturbed by the rise in hate crimes against Asian Americans during the pandemic. It's on all of us to combat bigotry, which starts with teaching our kids that hate has no place here. In Orange County, we are fortunate to be enriched by a thriving Asian American community. I'm proud to stand in solidarity with our AAPI friends and neighbors, as well as my CAPAC colleagues, to recognize AAPI Day Against Bullying and Hate.""

# # #",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:49:40Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/chairwoman-johnson-and-congresswoman-bonamici-celebrate-house-passage-ocean,Chairwoman Johnson and Congresswoman Bonamici Celebrate House Passage of Ocean Acidification Legislation,2021-05-18,2021,2021-05,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, DC) – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 1447, the ""Coastal and Ocean Acidification Stressors and Threats (COAST) Research Act of 2021"". This bipartisan legislation addresses ocean acidification, the gradual decrease in oceanic pH due primarily to the absorption of excess atmospheric carbon dioxide by seawater, by reauthorizing and updating the Federal Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring Act. The bill was introduced in the House by Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), and Chairwoman Johnson (D-TX) is a cosponsor.

""The climate crisis is causing unprecedented changes to our ocean and estuaries, with long-lasting effects on our fisheries and coastal communities,"" said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR). ""Without intervention, ocean acidification is projected to become more intense and increasingly common, especially on the Pacific Coast. We must support vulnerable communities, industries, and resource managers by strengthening research on how they can best adapt to and mitigate ocean and coastal acidification. By passing the bipartisan COAST Research Act, we are taking an important step forward. I am grateful for Chairwoman Johnson's support. I will keep working with my colleagues to implement bold, science-based, comprehensive policies to reduce emissions and advance ocean climate action.""

""Many coastal communities are already dealing with the effects of climate change, such as ocean acidification,"" said Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX). ""Ocean acidification disrupts marine ecosystems and has serious impacts on coastal economies. The COAST Research Act supports the ocean acidification program at NOAA to inform mitigation and adaptation strategies, and ultimately help coastal communities address the impacts of climate change. I am pleased the House passed this bill today which is a reflection of our bipartisan commitment on the federal research, mitigation, and adaptation efforts needed to address ocean acidification.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:49:40Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/house-passes-bonamici-bill-help-protect-health-ocean-estuaries-climate-crisis,"House Passes Bonamici Bill to Help Protect Health of Ocean, Estuaries from Climate Crisis",2021-05-18,2021,2021-05,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC [5/18/21] – Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) managed debate and applauded the House vote to pass her bipartisan Coastal and Ocean Acidification and Threats (COAST) Research Act, which will help coastal communities adapt to the climate crisis by expanding scientific research and monitoring of ocean and coastal acidification.

""The climate crisis is causing unprecedented changes to our ocean and estuaries, with long-lasting effects on our fisheries and coastal communities,"" said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. ""Without intervention, ocean acidification is projected to become more intense and increasingly common, especially on the Pacific Coast. We must support vulnerable communities, industries, and resource managers by strengthening research on how they can best adapt to and mitigate ocean and coastal acidification. By passing the bipartisan COAST Research Act, we are taking an important step forward. I will keep working with my colleagues on the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis to implement bold, science-based, comprehensive policies to reduce emissions and advance ocean climate action.""

Bonamici managed debate and spoke on the House Floor in support of the COAST Research Act. Video of her remarks can be found here.

Today the House passed an additional bipartisan climate bill that Bonamici co-led, the National Estuaries and Acidification Research (NEAR) Act. The NEAR Act will strengthen research on coastal acidification in estuaries and direct the National Academies to provide recommendations to improve future research and management decisions. Video of her remarks on the NEAR Act can be found here.

""Estuaries throughout the US have been critically important components of our ecosystems, they have historically provided food, jobs, cultural connections, and invaluable ecosystem services,"" said George Waldbusser, Professor in the College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences at Oregon State University. ""The COAST Research Act and National Estuaries and Acidification Research Act are long overdue acknowledgements of the threat these systems face in light due to acidification. Both laws will help scientists, managers, and stakeholders fully understanding the impacts of acidification on the economies and ecosystems and how best to deploy resources to ensure healthy and sustainable estuaries for future generations. Congresswoman Bonamici's unwavering focus on ocean acidification and its impacts on Oregon's and the nation's estuarine resources has been vital to moving this bill to law; I for one am grateful for such a strong voice in DC for understanding and protecting our oceans.""

""The passage of the COAST and NEAR Acts is great news for coastal communities adapting to the rising impacts of ocean acidification, and to research scientists striving to quantify the magnitude and timing of these impacts,"" said Burke Hales, Professor in the College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences at Oregon State University. ""Our coastal oceans and estuaries are critically important ecosystems supporting national fisheries and aquaculture, but have historically been overlooked for the purposes of detailed and high accuracy monitoring of the factors driving Ocean Acidification. These acts will support the continued development of stakeholder-accessible monitoring systems and data products in these important and impacted systems.""

The COAST Research Act, which Bonamici introduced with Representatives Don Young, Chellie Pingree, and Bill Posey to help confront the challenges of ocean and coastal acidification, will:

Strengthen investments in ocean acidification and coastal acidification research and monitoring in the context of other environmental stressors.

Recognize the effects of ocean acidification on estuaries and integrate research, monitoring, and adaptation strategies for coastal acidification.

Increase our understanding of the socioeconomic effects of ocean acidification and coastal acidification.

Establish an Advisory Board to increase coordination among stakeholders.

Designate NOAA as the lead federal agency responsible for implementing the federal response to ocean acidification and coastal acidification.

Create data processing, storage, and archive systems to provide for the long-term stewardship and standardization of ocean acidification data.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:49:40Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/bonamici-omar-schakowsky-speier-lead-32-members-demanding-equality-saudi-women,"Bonamici, Omar, Schakowsky, Speier Lead 32 Members in Demanding Equality for Saudi Women",2021-05-14,2021,2021-05,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC [05/14/21] – Congresswomen Suzanne Bonamici, Ilhan Omar, Jan Schakowsky, and Jackie Speier are leading 32 Members in calling for equality for Saudi women on the third anniversary of Saudi Arabia unjustly arresting several women's rights activists.

On May 15, 2018, the Saudi government beganarresting women's rights activists who were peacefully protesting the male guardianship system. Many of these activists were held incommunicado for months without being formally charged of any crimes; some endured abuse and torture without access to legal representation or interaction with their families. The Saudi government recently announced plans to codify laws that could improve the rights and equal legal standing of women.

""The United States can and should exercise global leadership to protect human rights around the world and to defend the right of international advocates to speak out without fear of violence or political reprisal,"" the Members wrote. ""…This presents an opportunity to hold the Saudi government accountable for its claimed commitment to true reform.""

The Members called on President Joe Biden to urge Saudi authorities to end all forms of discrimination against women, to fully dismantle the male guardianship and kafala sponsorship systems, to immediately and unconditionally release all women human rights defenders (WHRDs) detained for their peaceful human rights advocacy, to drop the charges against them, and to end the practice of politically-motivated travel bans and restrictions on freedom of expression.

""The Saudi authorities claim to be undertaking reforms in support of women's rights, but that claim is negated by their treatment of the very women who have led the fight for women's rights, and the ongoing suppression of the right of those women to speak freely without fear of repercussions,"" the Members wrote. ""…We look forward to working with you and your administration to advance the recognition of women as equal to men under Saudi law such that the Saudi government holds perpetrators of violence against women accountable, protects every woman's right to free expression, and abolishes all practices that discriminate against women.""

The full letter can be viewed here and below. In addition to Bonamici, Omar, Schakowsky, and Speier, the letter was signed by Chairman Gregory W. Meeks of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and Chairman Ted Deutch of the House Subcommittee on Middle East, North Africa, and Global Counterterrorism, along with Representatives Raúl M. Grijalva, James P. McGovern, Marcy Kaptur, Lois Frankel, David N. Cicilline, Julia Brownley, Earl Blumenauer, Maxine Waters, Mike Levin, Ann McLane Kuster, Alan Lowenthal, Karen Bass, Ro Khanna, Steve Cohen, Juan Vargas, Mark Pocan, Jake Auchincloss, David E. Price, Sara Jacobs, Gerald E. Connolly, Chrissy Houlahan, Jim Cooper, Susan Wild, Donald S. Beyer Jr., Peter DeFazio, Ayanna Pressley, Pramila Jayapal, David Trone, Brenda Lawrence, and Eleanor Holmes Norton.

The letter is endorsed by Amnesty International, DAWN, Freedom Forward, The Freedom Initiative, Freedom Now, PEN America, and POMED.

The Honorable Joseph R. Biden Jr.

President of the United States

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20500

Dear President Biden,

On this date three years ago, authorities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia began arbitrarily arresting women's rights activists for demanding equality and defending human rights. Many of these activists were held incommunicado for months without being formally charged of any crimes, enduring abuse and torture while being kept in solitary confinement without access to legal representation or interaction with their families.

The United States can and should exercise global leadership to protect human rights around the world and to defend the right of international advocates to speak out without fear of violence or political reprisal. In February of this year, Saudi authorities announced their intention to codify Personal Status Laws and the Law of Evidence, potentially formalizing legal rights and procedures that currently are not equally applied to women. This presents an opportunity to hold the Saudi government accountable for its claimed commitment to true reform. Accordingly, we call on you to urge Saudi authorities to end all forms of discrimination against women, to fully dismantle the male guardianship and kafala sponsorship systems, to immediately and unconditionally release all women human rights defenders (WHRDs) detained for their peaceful human rights advocacy, to drop the charges against them, and to end the practice of politically-motivated travel bans and restrictions on freedom of expression.

The male guardianship system – a legal framework that treats women as minors – continues to negatively affect all aspects of women's lives and severely restrict their fundamental liberties. Women cannot freely make decisions about their education, employment, health, or whom they want to marry; and they cannot pass their nationality on to their children. Male guardianship laws also provide impunity for Saudi fathers who kidnap Saudi-American children and take them to Saudi Arabia. Moreover, gender-based violence against women and children is neither adequately defined in law nor criminalized. New reforms to protect women from abuse lack adequate means of enforcement, leaving many trapped in violent relationships. Saudi law does not consider women's testimony to be equal to that of men, making it difficult and dangerous for women to prove abuse in court and subjecting them to severe repercussions for coming forward. A U.S. court found in February of 2021 that ""one of the most important rights of any individual within the court system is the right to due process, in particular, the right to be heard. Women do not automatically have this right in Saudi Arabia. A woman's testimony is equal to half a man's in Saudi courts.""[1]

""Disobedience"" by a woman towards her male guardian (a father, husband, brother or even a son) remains a crime, effectively rendering any new freedoms null and void. Although a woman may now legally be entitled to apply for her own travel document and study abroad, her male guardian can still stop her from leaving the country by filing a case against her for disobedience or absconding.

Additionally, women are still not able to leave detention centers or state-run shelters without seeking and receiving the consent of their male guardian or sponsor in the country, even though they may be individuals who have previously abused them. This can lead to situations of prolonged administrative detention if a male guardian or sponsor refuses to sign a release form or ""collect"" a woman under his control. It also forces women to ""reconcile"" with their abusers and return to violent situations, another example of the failure of Saudi state institutions to adequately protect women and children facing abuse or to treat women as equal under the law. Foreign women married to Saudi men are still required to seek the permission of their husbands to exit the country under the kafala system, whereby foreign work visa holders are reliant on their employment sponsors for travel authorization. This has entrapped dozens of American women in Saudi Arabia against their will.

The Saudi authorities claim to be undertaking reforms in support of women's rights, but that claim is negated by their treatment of the very women who have led the fight for women's rights, and the ongoing suppression of the right of those women to speak freely without fear of repercussions. In 2018, a number of these women were rounded up, arrested, tortured, and portrayed in the state-controlled media as traitors and spies. Some have been temporarily released while still on trial or conditionally released after serving prison terms, but others, including Nassima al-Sadah and Samar Badawi, remain in detention.

Loujain al-Hathloul spent 1,001 nights in prison solely for her peaceful activism. For the first few months of her detention, Ms. al-Hathloul had no access to her family and was held without charges. During her imprisonment, Loujain was repeatedly tortured by Saudi officials who kept her whereabouts unknown for more than a month while they whipped, beat, electrocuted, and sexually assaulted her and threatened rape and murder. Though Ms. al-Hathloul was conditionally released on February 10, 2021, her sentence imposed heavy conditions on her release, including three years of probation and a five-year travel ban. Similarly, Aziza al-Yousef was placed on travel ban by a Saudi court earlier this year and remains unable to reunite with her American husband and family members in Virginia.

Considering these stark examples of repression and human rights violations, we again implore you and your administration to apply pressure on Saudi authorities to immediately and unconditionally release from prison all women detained for their human rights activism. This includes dropping all charges against WHRDs, compensating them fairly, and allowing them to travel freely. We further ask that the U.S. government make sure the released WHRDs can freely engage in human rights advocacy, including speaking and writing, without fear of reprisal. As Saudi Arabia moves to codify its Personal Status Laws and the Law of Evidence, the U.S. must also strongly urge the Saudi government to abolish all that remains of the male guardianship and kafala systems.

We look forward to working with you and your administration to advance the recognition of women as equal to men under Saudi law such that the Saudi government holds perpetrators of violence against women accountable, protects every woman's right to free expression, and abolishes all practices that discriminate against women. Thank you for your attention to these important human rights issues.

Sincerely,

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:49:40Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/house-passes-bonamici-backed-bill-protect-pregnant-workers-discrimination-and,House Passes Bonamici-Backed Bill to Protect Pregnant Workers from Discrimination and Job Loss,2021-05-14,2021,2021-05,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC [05/14/21] Today the House passed bipartisan legislation championed by Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Chair of the Education and Labor Committee's Civil Rights and Human Services Subcommittee, to make sure that pregnant workers can access reasonable accommodations on the job without facing discrimination or retaliation in the workplace.

""As a mom and a policymaker, I know how important it is to protect the health, well-being, and economic security of pregnant workers and their families,"" said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. ""Unfortunately, under current federal law, pregnant workers do not have access to reasonable workplace accommodations. When pregnant workers do not have access to the accommodations they need, they are at risk of jeopardizing their health and the health of their baby, losing their job, being denied a promotion, or not being hired in the first place.

""It is unacceptable that in 2021, pregnant workers can still be forced to choose between a healthy pregnancy and a paycheck. Congress passed the Pregnancy Discrimination Act more than four decades ago, but pregnant workers still suffer discrimination at an alarming rate. Megan, a manufacturing worker in Oregon, was forced to take unpaid leave after her employer denied her modest request for light duty three and a half months before her due date. Oregon has since passed a state version of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, but pregnant workers across the country need fairness too.

""By clarifying the right of pregnant workers to reasonable accommodations on the job, we will finally give them the ability to work safely without fear of facing discrimination or retaliation.""

Bonamici spoke in support of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, H.R. 1065, on the House floor. Video of her remarks can be found here.

According to the Center from American Progress, more than half of American households rely on a woman worker as the primary, sole, or co-breadwinner, and a growing number of women are working later into their pregnancies to maintain their family's financial security. Women also comprise 64 percent of frontline workers, and pregnant people might be at an increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19. In her floor speech Bonamici further noted that women of color are overrepresented in low-wage, physically demanding jobs and are therefore disproportionately harmed by a lack of access to reasonable accommodations.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:49:40Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/house-passes-bonamici-effort-protect-consumers-debt-collectors,House Passes Bonamici Effort to Protect Consumers from Debt Collectors,2021-05-13,2021,2021-05,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC [05/13/21] – Today the House passed legislation led by Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) to protect consumers from predatory debt collection.

The Comprehensive Debt Collection Act will help prevent debt collectors from mistreating and harassing consumers. The package included an amendment introduced by Bonamici based on herSCAM Debt Act to require debt collectors to provide consumers with details about the debts they are trying to collect.

According to data fromPew Charitable Trusts, one in every four civil court cases is related to debt collection, and in 90 percent of those cases consumers do not have legal representation. Bonamici's amendment will make sure consumers receive notice of impending legal action on debts and that admissible evidence is submitted to demonstrate the legal status of the debt.

""I've done financial counseling for low-income clients at Legal Aid, and learned firsthand that people don't struggle by choice,""said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici on the House floor. ""I was an attorney at the Federal Trade Commission, where my work involved enforcing the Federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. I've seen how predatory debt collection tactics hurt our families and our communities. Consumers face harassment at home and at work, and they frequently get misinformation about debts they may not even legally owe. …

""My amendment will update the law so consumers get advance notice of legal action against them and accurate details about what they legally owe. Strengthening protections for consumers will help individuals and families get through this economic crisis and beyond.""

Video of Bonamici speaking in favor of the legislation can be viewed here.

The Comprehensive Debt Collection Act also included an amendment from Rep. Steve Cohen and Rep. Bonamici based on theFair Debt Collection Improvement Act to prevent attempts to collect debts after they have expired.

A fact sheet about the full Comprehensive Debt Collection Act can be found here.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:49:40Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/oregon-delegation-honors-author-beverly-cleary,Oregon Delegation Honors Author Beverly Cleary,2021-05-12,2021,2021-05,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC [05/12/21] – Today Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) led Oregon's Delegation in the House of Representatives – Reps. Peter DeFazio (OR-04), Earl Blumenauer (OR-03), Kurt Schrader (OR-05), and Cliff Bentz (OR-02) – in honoring award-winning author and Oregonian, Beverly Clearly, with a resolution in her memory.

Cleary wrote many beloved children's books, including the Ramona Quimby series. She died on March 25 at the age of 104. The resolution honors her lifelong commitment to brightening the lives of children and her outstanding contributions to children's literature, and it recognizes her as ""one of the most significant and successful authors of the 20th century.""

""Beverly Cleary's timeless books have brought joy to children for generations, inspiring young readers and encouraging them to use their imaginations throughout their lives,"" said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. ""Beverly Cleary made the world a better place. She had a remarkable talent for writing books that children and parents adore. Although she has passed away, I am grateful that her characters and words remain with us and will continue to engage and enlighten children for years to come.""

""Beverly Cleary's wonderful characters helped inspire a love of reading in generations of American children,"" said Congressman Peter DeFazio. ""Families today still enjoy reading her books together. It's clear that her writing has left an indelible mark on American literature and her spirit will live on through her timeless stories.""

""Beverly Cleary was a Portland icon – and an essential part of my northeast Portland neighborhood where she grew up – who will long be remembered for her literary contributions and the joy she brought to children and adults alike,"" said Congressman Earl Blumenauer. ""While we mourn this immense loss, her spirit will live on in the delightful characters she gifted us, from the irrepressible Ramona Quimby to Henry Huggins. I have no doubt that these stories, along with the statues in Grant Park, will continue to inspire young readers for generations to come. I know that she will always be part of our family.""

""Beverly Cleary brought a slice of Oregon to children everywhere through the adventures of her iconic characters, set in her childhood Northeast Portland neighborhood,"" said Congressman Kurt Schrader. ""Her beloved books have helped guide generations of children, including my own, through the challenges and triumphs that come with growing up. While Cleary is greatly missed, her memory and stories will continue to be shared in homes and schools around the world.""

""I was saddened to hear of Beverly Cleary's passing,"" said Congressman Cliff Bentz. ""She was a pioneer in the field of writing and literature. She brought hours of reading enjoyment to many children. I am honored to be a cosponsor of the House Resolution honoring Beverly Cleary for her many life accomplishments.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:49:40Z
https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-bentz-announces-2021-congressional-art-competition-winner-macelle,Congressman Bentz Announces 2021 Congressional Art Competition Winner: MacElle Kirsch of Pendleton High School,2021-05-11,2021,2021-05,Republican,House,OR,Cliff Bentz,B000668,bentz.house.gov,bentz,https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"The winning piece: North American Bobcat in the Snow is a collage of glue and magazine clippings picturing an attentive North American bobcat trudging through the snow.

ONTARIO, ORE. – Today, Congressman Cliff Bentz (R-Ontario) announced that MacElle Kirsch, a senior at Pendleton High School, has been selected as the overall winner for Oregon’s Second Congressional District in the 2021 Congressional Art Competition. MacElle’s artwork, North American Bobcat in the Snow, was selected by a panel of five judges who praised the composition and quality of the piece as well as the creative color palette.

""I am pleased to congratulate MacElle on this terrific achievement,"" said Bentz. ""Her original artwork will be placed on display in the U.S. Capitol alongside the winning pieces from other congressional districts across the country. I am excited to see North American Bobcat in Snow each day, as I walk to and from the House Chamber, representing our district and MacElle's creative talent. She should feel very proud!""

Bentz also announced four regional winners from Oregon’s Second District. Each regional winner will have his or her art displayed in one of Congressman Bentz’s offices in Medford, OR; Ontario, OR; or Washington, D.C.

A Pig Sees His Equal, Bradley Pogue, Phoenix High School, grade 12

Hawk, Sussan Uribe, Phoenix High School, grade 12

Silent Morning, Mary Thiel, Joseph Charter High School, grade 10

Divinity Carved from Stone, Sydney Aghajanian, Phoenix High School, grade 12

Congressman Bentz also thanked the judges for the 2021 competition. ""I am very thankful to the judges who volunteered their time and expertise to our district's art competition,"" said Bentz. ""They helped make this year's competition not just memorable but also a great success.""

Judges for the 2021 Congressional Art Competition in Oregon’s Second Congressional District included:

Kim Hearon - Executive Director, Rogue Gallery & Art Center, Medford

Cody Bustamante - Professor of Painting and Drawing, South Oregon University, Ashland

Michael Sell - Associate Professor of Art, Eastern Oregon University, La Grande

Lori Sams - Gallery Director, Feves Art Gallery, Pendleton

Ted Fink - Chair, Fine and Performing Arts, Treasure Valley Community College, Ontario",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:49:40Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/bonamici-announces-beaverton-student-won-congressional-art-competition,Bonamici Announces Beaverton Student Won Congressional Art Competition,2021-05-07,2021,2021-05,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC [05/07/2021] – Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) announced that Clara Johnson, a senior at Beaverton High School, won the 2021 Congressional Art Competition for Oregon's First Congressional District. Her piece is titled ""Xenophobia.""

""The artwork submitted to the Congressional Art Competition each year is breathtaking and thought-provoking,"" said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. ""This year was no different. Congratulations to Clara Johnson for winning the competition, and thank you to every student who participated. I see a bright future for Oregon's youth, and that future is on display with this piece.""

This year's panel of judges from Northwest Oregon were professional artists April Xu, Jo Reimer, and Patrice Cameron. They described Johnson's work as ""a great mixture of contemporary and traditional techniques."" Johnson received an honorable mention for the competition in 2019.

Two other students were awarded honorable mentions: Diane Choi and River Rain, both seniors at Beaverton High School.

Johnson's piece will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol Building for the next year. She and other student participants joined a virtual celebration with the Congresswoman. A photo of the artwork can be viewed here. One of the honorable mention pieces will be displayed in the Congresswoman's Oregon office and one in her Washington, D.C. office.

Bonamici has long been a champion of the arts and arts education. She is the founder and Co-Chair of the Congressional STEAM Caucus, which advocates for the integration of the arts with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:49:40Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/merkley-wyden-bonamici-continue-advocate-tongue-point-job-corps-center,"Merkley, Wyden, Bonamici Continue to Advocate for Tongue Point Job Corps Center with Department of Labor",2021-05-05,2021,2021-05,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, along with U.S. Representative Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-01), today wrote to the Department of Labor (DOL) to follow up on a number of areas of concern among the North Coast community regarding the operations of the Tongue Point Job Corps Center (TPJCC).

""The City of Astoria, and furthermore, all of Clatsop County, are experiencing a severe affordable housing shortage. In fact, today, there are only fifteen total available rental units in the City of Astoria. During the discussion [with our teams], DOL staff advised that the RFP edit period would be extended to April 22nd, 2021 and that TPJCC housing would remain intact. We thank you for the DOL's willingness to listen and adapt to the community's needs,"" the lawmakers wrote.

The delegation in April successfully stopped the eviction of 15 families from TJPCC worker housing. DOL also amended its operational plans to include maintaining worker housing at the site. Now, the delegation is following up on the community's additional concerns about changes to programs at TJPCC.

""Community leaders have expressed concerns that these reductions and eliminations target traditionally women-dominated trades and that these cuts may have an inequitable impact on the Job Center. Concurrently, the new contract will hold TPJCC to enrollment of 211 women (45% of students) while eliminating the programs that tend to draw women students. We fully support the recruitment of women into historically male-dominated industries, and dismantling barriers that have caused these disparities. Eliminating programs that predominantly serve women students raises a question of fairness and causes concern, especially in the current economic climate where women have disproportionately been forced out of the workforce,"" they continued.

In addition to concerns regarding TPJCC housing and the elimination of programs that primarily serve women students, the lawmakers requested more information regarding what steps, if any, were taken to improve the rates of success in any programs the DOL proposes to eliminate; to confirm whether the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic were taken into account when assessing the success of TPJCC's Culinary Arts program; and asked for more years of data regarding TPJCC's programs, beyond the reference period of July 2019 to June 2020.

Full text of the letter is available here and follows below.

Dear Ms. Torres,

We write today to thank the Department of Labor (DOL) for briefing our offices regarding the Request for Proposal (RFP) that the Department issued for the operations of Tongue Point Job Corps Center (TPJCC) in Astoria, Oregon. We also write to seek further clarification on a number of concerns voiced by the Clatsop County, Oregon community as well as confirmation that the proposed housing elimination will not move forward.

As discussed in the April 14th, 2021 meeting, Clatsop County community leaders had concerns with the RFP as publicly issued. The community was particularly concerned about the elimination of fifteen staff family housing units at TPJCC. The City of Astoria, and furthermore, all of Clatsop County, are experiencing a severe affordable housing shortage. In fact, today, there are only fifteen total available rental units in the City of Astoria. During the discussion, DOL staff advised that the RFP edit period would be extended to April 22nd, 2021 and that TPJCC housing would remain intact. We thank you for the DOL's willingness to listen and adapt to the community's needs.

In addition to housing, the community has concerns about the programs that DOL has proposed to reduce and/or eliminate. As you know, TPJCC is ranked fifth in the nation out of 120 Job Corps Centers and continues to be an incredible resource for the region. In the contract RFP, DOL has proposed eliminating the Medical Administrative Assistant, Office Administration, and Culinary Arts program from TPJCC. Additionally, DOL has proposed reducing the Clinical Medical Assistant training program by fifty percent. Community leaders have expressed concerns that these reductions and eliminations target traditionally women-dominated trades and that these cuts may have an inequitable impact on the Job Center. Concurrently, the new contract will hold TPJCC to enrollment of 211 women (45% of students) while eliminating the programs that tend to draw women students. We fully support the recruitment of women into historically male-dominated industries, and dismantling barriers that have caused these disparities. Eliminating programs that predominantly serve women students raises a question of fairness and causes concern, especially in the current economic climate where women have disproportionately been forced out of the workforce

We would respectfully ask for responses to the following questions:

The programs slated for elimination all received a grade of ""C"" per the DOL algorithm. Please advise what steps, if any, were taken to improve the rates of success in the programs prior to deciding to reduce or eliminate them.

We understand from our conversation that the Department did not take into consideration the impact of COVID-19 on student success both in the program and upon graduation. We believe this is particularly pertinent to the Culinary Arts program as restaurants were heavily impacted by the pandemic. Please confirm whether the potential impacts of the global pandemic on the success rates of students was taken into account.

Throughout our discussion, July 2019 through June 2020 was referenced as the period of time for which data was collected and a decision to reduce and/or eliminate was based on this reference period. Our offices request data from previous years for comparison.

We appreciate a timely response and look forward to more conversations on this issue

Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:49:40Z
https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-bentz-calls-governor-brown-end-statewide-shutdown,Congressman Bentz Calls on Governor Brown to End Statewide Shutdown,2021-05-04,2021,2021-05,Republican,House,OR,Cliff Bentz,B000668,bentz.house.gov,bentz,https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"ONTARIO, Ore. – Today, Congressman Cliff Bentz (R-Ore.) released a statement calling on Governor Kate Brown to end the recently re-instituted COVID-19 restrictions.

""In the normal course, as a United States Representative, I would not enter debates regarding state-level politics. However, the Governor’s most recent response to the COVID-19 situation is not only historically broad in impact, but an action that causes far more serious damage than benefit. Additionally, in recent days, the Oregon Health Authority actually invited public input from Oregon’s congressional delegation.

""Governor Kate Brown’s decision to again lockdown huge parts of Oregon has caused incredible frustration for many in my district, and I share their frustration. In a recent letter by Governor Brown, she commended Oregonians for helping make our state “among the lowest COVID-19 case rates, hospitalizations, and deaths in the nation,” to which she gave credit in “large part to the actions of Oregonians to take seriously the health and safety measures.” And indeed, today, nearly 70 percent of Oregon’s older population is fully vaccinated and many communities across our state were well on their way to safely returning to some sort of normal. However, Governor Brown has now done completely the opposite of many other states: imposing yet another lockdown.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:49:40Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/bonamici-young-huffman-gonzalez-colon-introduce-bill-strengthen-noaa-response,"Bonamici, Young, Huffman, González-Colón Introduce Bill to Strengthen NOAA Response to Sexual Harassment, Assault",2021-04-29,2021,2021-04,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC [04/29/21] – During Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Don Young (R-AK), Jared Huffman (D-CA), and Jenniffer González-Colón (R-PR) introduced bipartisan legislation to strengthen the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) response to sexual assault and sexual harassment, and to secure more resources for survivors.

""Scientists and researchers must be safe and feel safe at work, and not fear retaliation for reporting sexual harassment and assault,"" said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. ""This starts with prevention and a meaningful way for survivors to seek justice. Several years ago, I spoke with a fisheries biologist who was forced to put her career on hold because of sexual harassment on a NOAA vessel. I worked with NOAA leadership to make tangible changes to the agency's policies and procedures for reporting and investigating sexual harassment, and the scientist eventually returned to her research. But she is not alone in her experience, and there are still gaps in NOAA's efforts. This bipartisan bill will expand coverage of NOAA's sexual harassment prevention and response policy and provide a secure reporting structure and advocacy resources for survivors.""

""I have been a long-time supporter of NOAA and its mission. But if they are to continue leading the world in marine research and data collection, action must be taken so that researchers, scientists, and other employees feel safe in the workplace,"" said Congressman Don Young. ""Protecting employees means preventing sexual assault in the workplace and putting safeguards in place so that survivors never fear retaliation. I am proud to join my friends, Representatives Bonamici, González Colón, and Huffman, on the bipartisan NOAA Sexual Harassment and Assault Prevention Improvements Act. Through this legislation, NOAA will have better, more effective mechanisms in place to prevent sexual harassment and provide the support necessary for survivors to heal.""

""Sexual assault and harassment are pervasive crimes that cannot be tolerated in any workplace, especially in our federal workforce,"" said Congressman Jared Huffman. ""We must do more to prioritize the safety and well-being of those who work for the agency. This legislation will further NOAA's prevention and response policies and increase accountability to protect employees and help survivors. The work done by NOAA is critical for our communities, and the people doing this important work deserve better.""

""I'm proud to once again join my colleagues as co-lead of the bipartisan NOAA Sexual Harassment and Assault Prevention Improvements Act,"" said Rep. González Colón. ""This legislation is crucial to provide NOAA with additional tools to strengthen its sexual assault and harassment policies and to secure more resources to support survivors. Sexual harassment and sexual assault have serious implications for the victims―most of which are women―including an impact in their career and mental health. We must ensure that the right mechanisms are in place to guard against these attacks and be prepared to fully assist and empower survivors for when these occur. I invite my colleagues to support this important legislation.""

The bipartisan NOAA Sexual Harassment and Assault Prevention Improvements Act will strengthen NOAA's sexual assault and sexual harassment prevention and response program, coordinate claims, improve reporting, and better support survivors. NOAA employs approximately 12,000 people, with many working in remote locations or aboard vessels to conduct science and research on climate, weather, oceans, and coast.

The NOAA Sexual Harassment and Assault Prevention Improvements Act will:

Expand coverage of NOAA's sexual harassment prevention and response policy.

Direct NOAA to provide a clear mechanism for anonymous reports of sexual harassment.

Strengthen advocacy resources for survivors.

Provide for a secure reporting structure for survivors.

Expand reports to Congress on sexual harassment, sexual assault, and equal opportunity employment.

Improve the ability of NOAA's Office of Law Enforcement to enforce a prohibition on assault, intimidation, and interference with fisheries observers.

More details about the legislation can be found here. A copy of the bill text can be found here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:42:19Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/portland-community-college-president-mitsui-testifies-house-education-and,Portland Community College President Mitsui Testifies at House Education and Labor Committee,2021-04-28,2021,2021-04,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC [04/28/21] – Today Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) welcomed Portland Community College (PCC) President Mark Mitsui to the Education and Labor Committee to testify about the need to invest in community colleges and workforce development.

Bonamici, a community college graduate, and Mitsui have long advocated for increased support for community colleges, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Wednesday's hearing focused on the need for investments in President Joe Biden's American Jobs Plan, including a proposed $12 billion to modernize community colleges and $100 billion for workforce development programs.

""President Mitsui is a champion for community colleges, and I am grateful he testified at our hearing today about the support students need as we recover from the pandemic and build back better,"" said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. ""Attending community college opened doors for me, and I want more students to have the opportunity to benefit from these essential, life-changing institutions. I am leading the effort to invest in our nation's workforce systems, and community colleges are uniquely positioned to provide this instruction. Portland Community College has done an impressive job in this area, providing a powerful example of what can be achieved when we center the needs of students and focus on the future.""

Video of Mitsui's opening testimony can be viewed here, and his full written testimony can be found here. Video of Bonamici introducing Mitsui can be found here, and video of her questioning him can be found here.

""In Portland, we have a lot of bridges and I think of Portland Community College as one of them,"" PCC President Mark Mitsui said in his prepared testimony. ""PCC is a bridge to opportunity and a better life through education and training. PCC is also a bridge that brings needed talent to local employers. In our community, like communities across this nation, on one side of the bridge are hardworking, talented people who need educational opportunity. On the other side, we have jobs that offer a living wage and keep our economies growing. The community colleges are the bridge between those sides.

""By investing in the students who cross the bridge, and by investing in the bridge itself, we can help keep America on the forefront of the world economy and create a more equitable recovery,"" Mitsui continued. ""The community colleges are a key part of a functioning economy. An investment in community college infrastructure is vital to ensuring that our students are prepared for the jobs of the future.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:42:19Z
https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/bonamici-invites-oregon-child-care-advocate-bidens-congressional-address,Bonamici Invites Oregon Child Care Advocate to Biden’s Congressional Address,2021-04-27,2021,2021-04,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,bonamici,https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC [04/27/21] – Today Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) announced that Andrea Paluso, a leading advocate for child care, will be her virtual guest for President Joe Biden's first address to a joint session of Congress.

Paluso is a member of Bonamici's Oregon Child Care Advisory Board and the Executive Director of Family Forward Oregon, an organization dedicated to helping mothers and caregivers. Addressing the child care crisis is a top priority for Bonamici, who helped secure $39 billion of child care support in the American Rescue Plan, including $404 million for Oregon.

""Mothers and caregivers have been stretched and stressed for too long and need our help as the pandemic pushes our child care crisis to the brink,"" said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. ""The $39 billion of support I helped secure in the American Rescue Plan is already making a difference for families and child care providers, but we won't have a robust economic recovery without lasting support. Andrea Paluso has been a tireless advocate for families and caregivers, advancing legislative solutions and making a difference in the lives of women and families. I am grateful for Andrea's dedication, and am honored to have her as my virtual guest for this presidential address as we continue working together.""

All 36 counties in Oregon were considered to be child care deserts for infants and toddlers before the pandemic, with only one child care slot for every three children who need care. The pandemic has pushed many child care providers to the brink of permanent closure.

""I'm thrilled to be Congresswoman Bonamici's guest,"" said Andrea Paluso, Executive Director of Family Forward Oregon. ""The Congresswoman's advocacy has helped Oregon secure critical investments in our child care sector that are desperately needed to recuperate from the COVID-19 health and economic crisis. And we know that she will continue fighting for us and the investments we need.""

""We can't have an equitable economic recovery in Oregon or America without game-changing investments in child care,"" Paluso continued. ""A history of racist and sexist policies in this country positioned women, especially those who identify as Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Pacific Islanders, and/or immigrants, to be hit hardest by the pandemic. Child care providers are disproportionately women of color, and they have been most devastated by our broken systems. I'm so proud and glad to have a Congresswoman who understands that child care is essential work, work that makes all other work possible.""

""We can recover from this crisis in a way that helps those most impacted and sets us up to have a stronger, better child care system than before,"" Paluso said. ""One that is accessible and affordable for every family, and that ensures providers are able to earn the living wages and good benefits they deserve.""

After securing funding for child care in the American Rescue Plan, Bonamici has continued advocating for increased investments as part of the upcoming infrastructure package. She is leading the Child Care is Infrastructure Act, and is a co-sponsor of the Child Care for Working Families Act. The Congresswoman recently hosted a conversation with national expert Dr. Myra Jones-Taylor of ZERO TO THREE about the challenges facing parents and caregivers of young children during the pandemic and how federal policy can make a difference.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:42:19Z