Civil Rights
U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici said she hoped under Biden and Harris to turn attention to increasing coronavirus vaccinations and tests, extending a federal eviction moratorium and providing student loan relief, among other issues. "Our new leaders are true and empathetic public servants, committed to putting the needs of the people first," Bonamici said in a statement. "Together we can address the pandemic, help Oregonians and Americans achieve financial stability, make quality education more equitable and accessible, build a 100 percent clean energy economy, and more. "
Governor Kate Brown and Representative Suzanne Bonamici shared statements of optimism after Wednesday's inauguration ceremony. The governor began her statement by saying Wednesday "marks a new chapter for our country."
Fagan will also participate in the Democratic Party of Oregon's inauguration party, which will be streamed on the party's Facebook page and at dpo.org/watch starting at 4:45 p.m. Sen. Ron Wyden, Sen. Jeff Merkley, Rep. Peter DeFazio, Rep. Suzanne Bonamici and state Treasurer Tobias Read also plan to participate, according to Tim McCann with the Democratic Party of Oregon. Gov. Kate Brown, also a Democrat, will watch Biden and Harris' inauguration but has no plan to celebrate, a spokesperson said last week.
Last week, Rep. Shelia Jackson Lee, a Texas Democrat, reintroduced a bill that would create a commission to examine reparations for African American descendants of slavery, a proposal that's never been brought to a full House vote. The current measure has 173 co-sponsors, including Oregon Democratic Reps. Earl Blumenauer, Suzanne Bonamici and Peter DeFazio.
Among Oregon's nearly all-Democratic delegation, the Electoral College votes were supported by both U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden and U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley. Four of the five Oregon Democratic House members — U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer, U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio and U.S. Rep. Kurt Schrader — supported the slates brought to the Capitol in thick mahogany boxes.
The Feb. 19 arrest sparked outrage, including from U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, a Beaverton Democrat whose House district includes all of Washington County. Bonamici has lobbied without success for Congress to pass a bill she has sponsored to keep ICE away from bus stops, schools, courthouses and other "sensitive locations."
The livestream discussion lasted more than two hours, including recorded remarks from Oregon's US Sen. Ron Wyden and Rep. Suzanne Bonamici.
The discussion features greetings from US Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici, and US Senator Ron Wyden. Speakers include: Susheela Jayapal, Multnomah County Commissioner; Patrick Allen, Oregon Health Authority Director; Pam Treece, Washington County Commissioner; and Jessica Guernsey, Multnomah County Health Department Public Health Director. Moderators for the discussion are Juwairyah Syed, Chair of the OIA STEM Program, and Ronault Polo Catalani, Creative Writer and Founder of New Portland Foundation.
The program, which is slated to start at 10 a.m., will include U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, state Rep. Andrea Salinas and Portland Commissioner Chloe Eudaly. As of November, the fund has given more than $23 million to more than 13,000 Oregon households. However, officials say the total need in Oregon is estimated to be at $124 million.