I hope you’ve had a good summer. Congress doesn’t meet during August, so I get to spend more time in NW Oregon. I’ve appreciated getting to know the people around the district who are working to address some of our region’s most pressing issues, including a lack of affordable housing, the climate crisis, workforce needs, behavioral health, and the cost of higher education. Oregon is grappling with many of the same challenges as other communities across the country.

One problem that comes up frequently is the lack of affordable child care. It’s often too expensive or unavailable for families, forcing parents—often women—to quit their jobs. The funding we passed through the American Rescue Plan helped shore up child care providers and close some of the gaps in access, but that progress is threatened by the expiration of funds at the end of September. More than three million children could lose access to child care if Congress doesn’t act. That’s unacceptable.

I’m continuing to work with my colleagues and the White House on potential next steps, and will do everything I can do get this critical funding for child care extended.

Welcoming Secretary Becerra

ImageIt was great to welcome my former colleague, Health and Human Services Secretary Xaiver Becerra, back to Oregon with Congresswoman Salinas and Senator Merkley. We started the day by joining health care leaders for a meaningful conversation about how we can grow our behavioral health workforce. To improve our behavioral health system, we must invest in behavioral health workers.

Next, we visited a local pharmacy in Tigard to celebrate the significant steps taken in Inflation Reduction Act toward making prescription drugs affordable, which includes capping the cost of insulin and allowing Medicare to negotiate prices directly with pharmaceutical companies. I’m committed to working with Secretary Becerra and my colleagues to build on this progress.

I’m especially grateful that we had the opportunity to highlight the work being done at Beaverton School District to save lives through fentanyl awareness education.  At a roundtable discussion with local leaders and advocates, we discussed how accidental fentanyl overdoses are preventable tragedies. I’m working on a bill to expand fentanyl awareness education to more school districts across the country.

Celebrating the First Day of School

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I saw plenty of excited faces when I joined students, families, and educators for the first day of school in Beaverton and Portland. Speaking to students around NW Oregon (and answering their great questions!) is one of the most rewarding parts of my work. Today’s students will be tomorrow’s leaders, and they give me hope for the future. I hope everyone has a wonderful start to the school year!

Preparing for Emergencies

ImageClimate change is causing more extreme weather events. Emergency shelters, like the Tualatin Hills Parks and Recreation District (THPRD) project I submitted for federal funding, are an important part of keeping people safe when there is extreme heat, wildfires, earthquake or any kind of emergency.

Events like the heat dome and the severe wildfires we experienced in 2021 demonstrate the need for public spaces where people can stay cool or avoid wildfire smoke. I’ll continue to advocate for this project to upgrade THPRD facilities throughout the funding process.

ICYMI

  • I hosted a webinar on the return to student loan repayment
  • I joined USDA Secretary Vilsack at the World Forestry Center
  • I visited the South Jetty and more in Clatsop County
  • I toured the proposed OMSI district in SE Portland
  • I spoke about state disinvestment in higher education
 

   

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