In the News

February is CTE Month and a time to recognize the contributions CTE programs make to the economy, along with the important work being done by CTE professionals and teachers across the country. As co-chairs of the bipartisan Congressional CTE Caucus and senior members of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, we strongly support CTE programs that provide learners of all ages with career-ready skills. 

“When I hear stories, and really see and hear what’s happening in communities, like here in St. Helens with, for example, the residents of the affordable housing community. And what it meant to them to get them on a path where they can thrive,” Bonamici said. “Here, listening to the very tough but meaningful work that the people do here at the Amani Center, as I work on legislation, whether it be policy legislation or funding requests, I keep those stories in mind because I want to address the needs of the community that I represent.”

“Oregon has an affordable housing crisis, and addressing it requires a multifaceted response and significant federal investment,” said Bonamici, whose Congressional District 1 includes portions of Southwest Portland and much of Washington County. She co-chairs the Congressional Caucus on Homelessness.

Bonamici is concerned about provisions in the legislation that would roll back consumer protections put in place by the Biden administration and eliminate the Parent Plus and Grad Plus loan programs.

“We should be making it easier to get a college education, not make it harder and more expensive,” she said, noting that many of the programs in the road map are designed to help students get to and through college.

“I’m impressed by the partnership in getting this done,” Bonamici said. “The facility is wonderful, the apartments are lovely. They have done a beautiful job making affordable housing available to people here in St. Helens.”

“Nursing is a profession that saves and changes lives, but Oregon and too many states across the country don’t have enough nurses,” Bonamici said in a statement. “There are many qualified people who want to enter this noble profession, but nursing schools don’t have enough faculty to teach them.”

“I keep hearing about turnover and lack of opportunity,” Bonamici, a Beaverton Democrat, said in a Friday interview. “There are people who are interested in pursuing a career in nursing but can’t get into programs because they don’t have enough faculty.”

“That says a lot about the members of the community, who understand that refugees have fled their home countries and often have language barriers. They will get culturally appropriate food and assistance,” the Oregon Democrat said on her visit Jan. 3.

“I think it is a wonderful thing they are doing here. I will do everything I can when I return to Washington to fight for funding refugee programs, because it’s the right thing to do.”