In the News
At the same time in Congress, Oregon Democrats Sen. Ron Wyden and Reps. Suzanne Bonamici and Earl Blumenauer are touting plans to make huge investments in ramping up support for child care nationwide. The congressional members said at a press conference Friday outside a Portland child care center that they're working with the Biden Administration to expand the supply of child care while also increasing the earnings of the historically low-paid provider workforce.
Beth Schoenbach, a spokeswoman for U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio, said the congressman spearheaded a letter to the SBA asking that the funding criteria for nonprofits be revaluated. Schoenbach said U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer, who wrote the restaurant relief portion of the American Rescue Plan; U.S. Rep Suzanne Marie Bonamici; and U.S. Sens. Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden joined in signing the letter.
Blue carbon is what scientists and policy makers say is a critical part of the global effort to mitigate climate change. Coastal environments are home to mangroves, tidal marshes and seagrass, all of which sequester carbon at rates greater than mature tropical forests. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Oregon, is sponsoring the bipartisan "Blue Carbon for Our Planet Act." We talk with her about this bill and about how it fits into larger legislative efforts to combat climate change.
"Our ocean and coastal ecosystems are often overlooked and undervalued, but they are among the world's most productive working ecosystems and can help in our work to solve the climate crisis," said Bonamici. "We must act now to capture the great power of our coastal ecosystems to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it. The bipartisan Blue Carbon for Our Planet Act recognizes the potential of this natural climate solution by mapping, protecting, and restoring coastal blue carbon ecosystems."
"These are challenging systems to navigate. We've been doing this for more than three years. We know we need benefit navigators to help students to do that," Mark Mitsui, president of Portland Community College, said during a conference call with Bonamici. "Federal agencies are great, but they do not have the capacity to weave each other's benefits around students when they most need it to get the education and training they need."
Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, also a Democrat, said she called for the investigation and was reviewing it's findings and recommendations. "The Trump Administration flamed tensions and sparked fear among the people of Portland for months," she said in a statement.
From Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, a Democrat who represents parts of Portland and its West Side:
"George Floyd's murder is a tragedy and a painful chapter in our country's history of systemic racism. His family and his community in Minneapolis have experienced heartbreaking anguish. They deserve accountability, and I wish them peace and healing.
"Black Americans have lived in fear for too long. The Senate must pass the #GeorgeFloydJusticeInPolicingAct to help end the targeting of Black communities by police," tweeted Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.).
Oregon's current congressional leaders praised her leadership: "She was a trailblazer and an inspiration to many—including me," said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.), who now serves in the 1st District seat Furse held. "Elizabeth Furse made the world a better place, and she will be missed."
Rep. Suzanne Bonamici: "George Floyd's murder is a tragedy and a painful chapter in our country's history of systemic racism. His family and his community in Minneapolis have experienced heartbreaking anguish. They deserve accountability, and I wish them peace and healing. "Today his family got justice, but this verdict cannot bring back George Floyd. Black Americans have lived in fear for too long. The Senate must pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act to help end the targeting of Black communities by police.