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"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.