Civil Rights

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) released the following statement in response to the White House's announcement that President Obama will issue an executive order banning federal contractors from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation.

“Americans should not have to hide who they are or who they love. The President’s executive order will protect many LGBT workers from discrimination and create better workplace environments across the country.

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) today released the following statement in response to a U.S. District Judge’s ruling that overturns Oregon’s ban on same-sex marriage.

“The decision today is a major victory for same-sex couples in Oregon, who will no longer face discrimination when they want to marry the person they love. This ruling is consistent with decisions in more than a dozen states that have held that banning same-sex marriage is unconstitutional.

Beaverton, OR – Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici spoke with LGBTQ seniors and advocates today about her legislation to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) and emphasized how the bill recognizes the needs of LGBTQ seniors.

Bonamici held a roundtable discussion at Friendly House in Portland to discuss the bill. Her reauthorization legislation includes new provisions for LGBTQ seniors, who are more likely to live in poverty and lack a family support system.

Washington, D.C.—Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) today announced that she has been selected to serve on the U.S. House Education and the Workforce Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, & Pensions (HELP). She will depart the subcommittee on Workforce Protections, but remain on the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training.

“I look forward to working with members of the HELP subcommittee to protect and strengthen the employment and labor laws that are essential to well-being of Oregon’s working families,” said Bonamici.

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Representatives Mike Quigley (IL-05) and Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) sent a letter to Speaker John Boehner and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi urging them to prioritize funding for federal defender services in current budget negotiations. Substantial cuts as a result of sequestration have already resulted in furloughs and layoffs in federal defender offices around the country. Further cuts will significantly delay criminal justice proceedings, increase costs to American taxpayers, and severely jeopardize the constitutional right to effective counsel.