In the News
"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.
Oregon's entire congressional delegation on Monday urged the Federal Emergency Management Agency, known as FEMA, to help the state cope with the latest surge in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, by providing medical personnel. U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and U.S. Reps. Peter DeFazio, Earl Blumenauer, Kurt Schrader, Suzanne Bonamici and Cliff Bentz all signed a letter sent to FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell. The lawmakers were following up on a request sent to FEMA by Oregon Gov. Kate Brown last Friday, when she also requested medical personnel.
"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."
Oregon Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici has released details about an extension to the federal eviction moratorium. Several months ago, Congress provided funding to help renters get through the pandemic. Many Oregonians are still trying to access the assistance, which is also available to landlords, a release from Bonamici's office states. Bonamici said just by applying for assistance, Oregon renters are protected from eviction for an additional 60 days, and in Multnomah county it's an additional 90 days. Renters and property owners can check eligibility here.
August 4, 2021: As plastic debris continues to accumulate in the world's oceans, Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) and Greg Murphy (R-NC) discuss the problem, and solutions
"I look forward to delivering federal resources to these community-driven projects to help the people of Northwest Oregon, support our economic recovery and promote equity," Bonamici said in a news release. "These projects will create tremendous opportunities for our community, and I will continue to do all I can to advocate for the Senate to pass this needed funding." Virginia Garcia's $2 million expansion is the largest allocation of funds among the nine projects.
Rep. Suzanne Bonamici of Oregon's 1st District is inviting students to participate in the Congressional App Challenge. The challenge will take place for the seventh consecutive year and innovative middle and high school students from all over northwest Oregon are urged to take part. "Learning to code can be a valuable and empowering experience for students," Bonamici said in a news release. "I enjoy holding the Congressional App Challenge every year because it gives students an opportunity to learn and showcase new skills.
Democrats Highlight Need for Workforce Investments. Also on Thursday, House Education & Labor Committee Chairman Bobby Scott (D-Virginia) hosted a remote press conference with US Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh, Education Department Deputy Secretary Cindy Marten, Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota), Representative Suzanne Bonamici (D-Oregon) and other guests to highlight the importance of investing in workforce development.
Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.) and Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-Wash.) were part of the group that advocated for the funding, a joint press release said, and regularly support the association's request for grants.
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.