Civil Rights

The Respond, Innovate, Succeed and Empower Act, or RISE Act, would allow students with a disability to use documentation from their secondary education as proof that they have a disability and need accommodations while attending a college or university. The bill is led in the Senate by Senators Bob Casey, the Democrat from Pennsylvania, and Bill Cassidy, a Republican from Louisiana, and in the House by Representatives Suzanne Bonamici, a Democrat from Oregon, and Larry Bucshon, a Republican from Indiana.

"Oregon will continue to be a welcoming and inclusive place for all who call our state home – including and especially our immigrant and refugee communities," Gov. Brown said. Several Oregon leaders have also released statements after the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban as well, including U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, U.S. Rep. Cliff Bentz, U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer, U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley and U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden.

"I'm extremely concerned about the dire situation in Afghanistan. It is alarming and disturbing that the Afghan forces didn't put up a stronger defense, and I expect the Biden administration to provide additional answers in the coming days. We must do all we can to get Americans out of the country safely, along with Afghan people who assisted our troops or who are at risk because they advocated for or supported women's rights. I have been contacted by constituents who have family or friends trying to get out of the country safely, and I share their concern and sense of urgency."

Democrats have sought for several years to revamp the section of the 1938 Act that applies to workers with disabilities. The bill appears to stand a good chance of passage with the party in control of the White House and Congress. "Phasing out subminimum wages for workers with disabilities is fundamentally a civil rights issue," said Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Ore., chairwoman of a House panel with jurisdiction over the issue.