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In the neighborhoods around San Jose, more than 1 in 9 seniors struggle to get enough to eat.

In June, the U.S. House passed a $93 million increase to the Older Americans Act‘s nutrition programs, raising total funding by about 10% to $1 billion in the next fiscal year. In inflation-adjusted dollars, that's less than in 2009. And it still has to pass in the Republican-controlled Senate, where the proposed increase faces long odds.

Oregon Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Co-Chair of the House Oceans Caucus and a Member of the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis, is applauding the passage of two bipartisan bills to permanently safeguard coasts from oil and gas drilling.

"Our ocean sustains life on this planet, and to protect it we must end our reliance on fossil fuels and transition to a clean energy economy," Bonamici said.

Oregon Democrats are asking the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to defend its decision to expand the use of a pesticide considered harmful to bees.

The EPA in July expanded the allowed uses of sulfoxaflor, saying the decision was made with pollinators in mind, as the pesticide is less harmful to bees than other alternatives.

Oregon Democratic Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici talks gun laws, student loan debt, climate change, making childcare affordable, and more about her top priorities in Congress after the Augest recess.

Watch the full interview above.

BEAVERTON — About 20 people gathered at Beaverton City Park Aug. 7 to call for fast action on gun safety legislation in light of recent mass shootings. Members of Holy Trinity Parish's Social Justice Committee came to show their support.

Among them was Eileen Brennan. "Catholic social teaching is clear about the importance of human life and of settling conflicts peacefully," Brennan said. "Improved gun control is a clear path to reduction of death by gun violence in the U.S."

For seven years now, the organization has served as an incubator of new models for learning, with the goal of discovering the teaching methods best suited to foster innovation and problem solving in students. Here, artistic expression and collaborative thinking go hand in hand. According to the Construct Foundation's president and founder, Gina Condon, the arts are a vital component to teach "design thinking," a problem-solving mindset that prepares students to approach problems creatively.

Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici is inviting students from area middle or high schools to participate in the Congressional App Challenge.

The competition gives students a chance to show off their computer science and coding skills, developing an app for mobile, tablet or computer devices.

It encourages students who are part of science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) programs to participate and create their own app.