Bonamici to lead new civil rights, human services subcommittee

U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici has been appointed chairwoman of the newly created House civil rights and human services subcommittee.

The subcommittee, part of the House Education and Labor Committee, advances policies on civil rights, equal employment opportunities, human services, nutrition and the Older Americans Act.

Bonamici credited Rep. Bobby Scott, D-Va., the committee's chairman, with helping to create the subcommittee to make civil rights and human services a priority.

"Public education can help break the cycle of poverty, and I will do all I can to expand opportunities for people of all backgrounds, especially for students of color who continue to face disparate outcomes in our education system," the Oregon Democrat said in a news release.