In the News
U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, U.S. Reps. Earl Blumeneaur and Suzanne Bonamici, and state legislators Sen. Ginny Burdick and Rep. Lisa Reynolds have sent similar to petitions to Mayorkas, whose office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
"It will help the senior citizen in Seaside who needs a vaccine but doesn't have access to the internet," Bonamici said in a statement. "It will help the new mom and her husband, both paramedics, who don't have access to paid family leave and can't afford child care. It will help restaurants like a beloved Portland eatery that has been shut down for months but could finally reopen thanks to the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. It will help school leaders in districts big and small who want to bring students back to classrooms but don't have the funding to do so safely.
In 2016, there were 45,567 youth placed in 1,772 behavioral facilities nationwide, according to a U.S. Justice Department report. In Oregon, the once popular Sequel Youth and Family Services facility which operated from 2016 to 2018 faces potential child abuse investigations by U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Oregon.
Still, Oregon Democratic co-sponsors Sen. Jeff Merkley and Rep. Suzanne Bonamici remain committed. During a confirmation hearing last month for EPA Administrator Michael Regan, Merkley emphasized asbestos and the TSCA evaluation (Greenwire, Feb. 4). Martina McLennan, a spokesperson for Merkley, said the senator "remains extremely concerned" about the lack of a U.S. asbestos ban, as well as by the 30% increase in imports last year.
Reps. Suzanne Bonamici of Beaverton, Earl Blumenauer of Portland and Peter DeFazio of Springfield voted yes on both versions of HR 1913. Republican Rep. Cliff Bentz of Ontario voted no. Bonamici was outspoken in her support of the $39 billion that the bills sets aside for childcare subsidies to families and support to providers.
"If families and parents are ready to go back to work and they do not have access to child care, we are not going to solve our economic crisis. That is true for parents, for caregivers and especially for mothers," Bonamici told reporters on Tuesday, March 2. "This is a first step in stabilizing the child care system — and it is a good investment in our children and our future."
The conference, hosted by California congressman Ted Lieu, also included John Garamendi and Suzanne Bonamici, all of whom spoke in favor of approving the legislation.
Reps. Earl Blumenauer and Suzanne Bonamici both support the measure. "This bill has massive support," Blumenauer said, noting it is "getting aid to people who need it." Bonamici took note of the "urgent need" for this bill. The Senate could debate the bill beginning Wednesday.
"Some schools in Northwest Oregon have been able to reopen, but many have not," said Bonamici, who represents much of the metro area's west side, including Newberg and Dundee. "We all want students and educators back in schools, but they need resources to make sure everyone is safe."
Bonamici represents the First Congressional District of Oregon. She answered voters' questions for more than 45 minutes. One caller asked how small business owners could afford the proposed minimum wage of $15 an hour, especially in the wake of the pandemic. The caller said the minimum wage was never meant to support families.