I hope your Thanksgiving was full of good food and quality time with loved ones. As I write this newsletter, I’m back in Washington, DC for a few more weeks of hearings and votes before the holiday break.

Hearing from the Community

Although I was disappointed to cancel my remaining in-person town halls last month because the House schedule changed and I needed to be in Washington, D.C. for votes, I appreciated speaking with many Oregonians during my telephone town hall meeting. We had a thoughtful conversation about a range of issues, including the lack of Medicare coverage on the North Coast, the need for aid to Ukraine, antisemitism on college campuses, and homelessness.

Several people called with concerns about the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas; especially how that conflict is affecting Palestinian and Israeli civilians. Although I am encouraged by the current temporary ceasefire that was negotiated to facilitate the return of the hostages, a ceasefire should continue to allow for all of the hostages to be released and for more humanitarian aid to get into Gaza. The U.S. needs to advocate for:

  • return of all hostages,
  • a robust increase in humanitarian aid to the civilian population of Gaza,
  • the removal of Hamas from controlling Gaza,
  • an increase in diplomatic efforts with international partners to achieve a negotiated two-state solution, and
  • assistance rebuilding and reconstruction of the region, including Gaza and the West Bank.

Preventing a Government Shutdown

I voted with a bipartisan majority of the House of Representatives to pass a short-term funding bill and prevent a government shutdown earlier this month. Unfortunately this bill only funds the government through the beginning of next year and it does not include supplemental emergency aid. The lack of emergency funding means that our allies in Ukraine have been operating without needed supplies and those affected by the violence in Israel and Gaza have not received enough humanitarian aid. Additionally, the child care system in our country continues to be strained because key funding has expired.

We have been working on annual funding bills, but some of my House colleagues have been adding extreme and divisive provisions that will doom the bills in the Senate. We should all be working together to craft spending bills that work for all Oregonians and Americans.

Health Care Issues

As we approach the height of the holiday season, the government has announced a new round of 4 free COVID-19 tests that you can order here. If you didn’t order any tests in the last round, you are eligible to receive 8 tests.

It’s also open enrollment season for many healthcare plans, including Medicare and coverage on the Healthcare.gov marketplace. Because of the Inflation Reduction Act, seniors enrolled in Medicare will receive new benefits and savings. This includes a $35 per month cap on insulin and no out-of-pocket costs for recommended vaccines to prevent shingles, tetanus, hepatitis, COVID, and flu.

The open enrollment period for Medicare ends December 7, and the open enrollment period for Healthcare.gov ends December 15.

Honoring Family Caregivers

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It was an honor to help welcome participants to the 20th annual Washington County Family Caregivers Conference at the end of October. Family caregivers do critical work, but too often their contributions go unacknowledged and uncompensated.

I led the update of the Older Americans Act in 2020, and I will continue to work in Congress to better support for family caregivers.

ICYMI

  • I spoke out against antisemitism, Islamophobia, and hate on college campuses
  • Westview senior Aashna Nanal won the 2023 Congressional App Challenge!
  • I welcomed the tentative agreement reached by Portland Public Schools and the Portland Association of Teachers
  • The Port of Astoria is receiving more than $25 million for the rehabilitation of Pier 2
  • My Oregon office is accepting applications for Spring 2024 internships until December 8
 

   

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