Oregon delegation calls for more financial relief for communities of color

Four of the seven members of Oregon's congressional delegation this week said Covid is exacerbating inequalities in the financial system and federal lawmakers should take additional steps to help underserved communities.

Oregon U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and Reps. Earl Blumenauer and Suzanne Bonamici spoke Wednesday on a video call with leaders of the state's BIPOC (black, indigenous, people of color) business community. The conversation was moderated by Urban League of Portland CEO Nkenge Harmon Johnson. "The pandemic that we're in has highlighted so many existing disparities for historically underserved communities and exposed systemic barriers that have already existed, but now are highlighted," Bonamici said.