Civil Rights
The Representatives and Senators responded to an interim final rule from the U.S. Department of Education that incorrectly interprets the equitable services provision of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) and improperly diverts federal emergency aid dollars intended for public schools to private school students—without regard to need or income. Their letter details the numerous ways that the Department's rule disregards the CARES Act and existing law, including waiving the mandatory 30-day waiting period for this rule to take effect.
Federal and state officials started to discuss the drawdown within hours of a federal judge's order temporarily barring federal officers from using force, threats and dispersal orders against journalists and legal observers documenting the protests and law enforcement response. U.S. District Judge Michael H. Simon, who is married to Democratic U.S.
The death of George Floyd spurred nationwide calls for police reform. Now several members of Congress are set to advance a plan to get unidentified federal law enforcement officers banned from participating in protests.
Oregon's U.S. Sens. Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, with U.S. Reps. Earl Blumenauer and Suzanne Bonamici, formally requested July 22 that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) offices of Inspector General (OIG) to investigate the unrequested presence and violent actions of recently deployed federal forces in Portland.
Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, who was elected to the House from the 1st District in 2012:
"The passing of Congressman John Lewis is a tremendous loss, not only for the Congress but for the entire country. John Lewis lived a life of struggle, sacrifice, and service, and he inspired generations of Americans with his calm yet fierce dedication to civil rights. It was a true honor to serve with him and to get to know him as a legislator and a colleague. Without exception, he was kind and patient with everyone in every situation.
As first reported by OPB Sunday, the Trump administration plans to send dozens more deputy marshals to Portland to increase the number of federal forces stationed at the downtown federal court during nightly demonstrations.
Fifteen Congressional representatives on Friday demanded the immediate resignation of Chad Wolf, acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, saying he orchestrated "horrific scenes" forcefully breaking up peaceful protests in Portland. Wolf visited Portland last week to meet with the federal police agencies he and President Donald Trump sent, but declined to meet with the media or take their questions.
Most Democrats in the state, including but not limited to: Portland's mayor and city commissioners, the governor, State Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum, U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and Reps. Earl Blumenauer, Suzanne Bonamici, Kurt Schrader and Peter DeFazio,