Friend,

Our country was on the brink of economic catastrophe because the House Republicans would not pass legislation to authorize the payment of our current obligations (also known as lifting the debt ceiling) without also including several controversial policies they could not get through the regular legislative process. With just days to spare, on Wednesday the House considered an agreement reached between President Biden and Speaker McCarthy. Republicans never should have put us in this position. Instead of capitulating to their demands, I called on the President to invoke the 14th amendment (which states “the validity of the public debt of the United States…shall not be questioned”) to protect the country from default and voted no on the agreement. Here’s why:

It would be devastating for our country to default, but I could not in good conscience vote for a plan to lift the debt ceiling that would harm some of the most vulnerable people in our country and undermine bedrock environmental laws. Although I am grateful that the deal doesn’t include some of the House GOP’s most egregious demands—such as gutting Medicaid and repealing clean energy tax credits—the budget cuts and burdensome work requirements will harm the people safety net programs like SNAP are designed to help. The bill also makes changes to environmental laws that would set us back on protecting clean air and water and transitioning to clean energy. It restarts payments on student loans without putting a safety net in place for vulnerable borrowers. And all of the budget cuts are made from programs other than defense, for which spending is actually increased.

Instead of voting for a clean debt ceiling bill, which they did multiple times during the Trump Administration, the House GOP has brought us to the brink of default —something that has never occurred in U.S. history. Many of the provisions included in the deal are legislative changes Republicans could not get through the regular legislative process. We cannot normalize the hostage-taking of the debt ceiling as a negotiation tactic. The debt ceiling is about paying our existing bills— debts that accrued under both Democratic and Republican presidents. It is abhorrent that Republicans would jeopardize the full faith and credit of the United States to push through policies that hurt everyday Americans.

I will continue to engage in good-faith discussions about spending and responsible management of our country’s debt. What I cannot do is support draconian cuts that hurt seniors, children, low-income families, and the environment.

Visiting Livermore Lab

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It was a pleasure and honor to join Congressman Don Beyer on a fascinating tour of the National Ignition Facility at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. As members of the Fusion Energy Caucus, we learned a lot about the tremendous potential of fusion ignition and had the opportunity to see the world’s largest and highest-energy laser system.

Following my visit to Livermore, I was excited to see the Department of Energy announce a new $45 million investment in fusion energy. Fusion energy has the potential to provide safe, reliable, and carbon-free energy. The robust investments we make in innovative science and research will help us as we transition from carbon-emitting sources of energy.


Touring Oregon State University

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It was exciting to see the world-class research being done at Oregon State University! I started the day with a tour of several engineering labs and heard about OSU’s semiconductor education programs from faculty and students. Next, I visited TallWood Design Institute’s construction research lab and saw the innovative and collaborative work they’re doing to advance mass timber.

It was also exciting to be back at OSU’s Hinsdale Wave Lab. I have long been a champion for marine energy, which taps into the vast potential of the ocean, and it was thrilling to see the progress PacWave has made since my first visit.

Before leaving Corvallis, I appreciated the opportunity to sit down with OSU’s new president, Dr. Jayathi Murthy, and Provost Ed Feser. We spoke about the challenges and opportunities facing Oregon’s public universities and OSU’s priorities to encourage student success.
Public universities are an engine of research and innovation in our country. This is recognized in the CHIPS and Science Act, which recently invested $1 million each in OSU, the University of Oregon, and Portland State University to conduct research into semiconductor, mass timber, and smart grid technologies.

I look forward to continuing to work with Oregon’s public universities to maintain the state’s competitive edge and educate students to meet the needs of our growing economy.


Exploring the Outdoor Recreation Industry

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It was great to visit Snow Peak in NW Portland and speak with their team about opportunities in the outdoor recreation economy. Oregonians value the outdoors and design, making it a perfect location to grow this business and the industry. Snow Peak's store, which includes their US headquarters, is a fantastic space, and the staff (and office dog, Poppy) were very friendly!


I also joined business leaders to learn more about OSU’s Center for the Outdoor Recreation Economy and how the university is helping more people enter this thriving industry in our state. I’ll continue my work in Congress to support and grow Oregon’s economy.


ICYMI

• I participated in the Oregon Rises Above Hate rally
• I spoke out against the House GOP’s cruel anti-immigration bill
• I celebrated with student artists at a reception for the Congressional Art Competition
• I joined my colleagues and Elmo, Grover, and Daniel Tiger to launch the Bipartisan Pre-K and Child Care Caucus
• I commemorated Memorial Day with the Beaverton community

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