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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.
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.
The House passed it early Saturday, Feb. 27, on a 219-212 vote. Oregon's Kurt Schrader and Maine's Jared Golden were the only Democrats to oppose HR 1913, along with all 210 Republicans voting. Schrader, a Democrat from Canby, also voted against a much smaller plan that cleared Congress and was signed by then-President Donald Trump at the end of December.
U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, a Democrat from Beaverton, said it's time for Congress to extend anti-discrimination protection to other sectors.
“Katherine was the glue that held us together,” said Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Ore., who played a leading role in the negotiations. “If you end up with a product that has support from the AFL-CIO to the Chamber of Commerce, that is an unusual feat.”