As we enter the last days of 2023, I’ve been reflecting on the past year in Congress. It’s been a challenging year, and the House has accomplished much less than we did in the last Congress. But I remain optimistic that we can work together to pass bipartisan legislation that improves the lives of Oregonians and Americans.

Recently the Education Committee advanced a bipartisan update to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act with provisions from a bill I introduced to promote access to career counseling. And earlier this year, I introduced a bipartisan bill to increase access to fentanyl awareness education.

In the Science Committee we’ve done bipartisan work to advance an update to the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act, a bill I helped pass in 2017. And we’ve also advanced bipartisan bills to support firefighters, promote quantum computing, address ocean acidification, and more.

I have also had several conversations with my colleagues about the importance of child care and early childhood education. We know there is more work to do to make child care accessible and affordable but as a co-chair of the Bipartisan Child Care and Pre-K Caucus, I’m encouraged by our bill to expand afterhours care.

Unfortunately, dysfunction in the House—caused by extremist members of the House GOP—has stalled progress on many critical issues. As Leader Jeffries has said, House Democrats stand ready, willing, and able to work across the aisle on bipartisan solutions.

In the new year, I hope more of my colleagues realize that there is more to be gained by working together—for the good of our country and our constituents.

Visiting da Vinci

ImageIt was Pajama Day for Spirit Week when I visited

It was great to visit da Vinci Arts Middle School in Portland and learn more about their work to create an arts-filled learning environment. I also met with some of the school’s student leaders and creative writing students to discuss my work in Congress.

Supporting Veterans

ImageOur country has a responsibility to take care of veterans and their families. I’m grateful for the work of Beaverton Veterans and Family Center, which is currently being renovated to better accommodate residents. When complete, the Center will have 18 new individual rooms with private bathrooms, six rooms for couples, three ADA compliant rooms, and two new family rooms.

Riding Along with Portland Fire and Rescue

ImageThank you to the firefighters of PF&R Station 1 for inviting me to go on  a ride-along and for the critical work they do to keep Portlanders safe. I saw firsthand the challenges firefighters are facing and we discussed how to better address issues like homelessness and the addiction crisis.

We should recognize that these issues are not unique to Portland, or even Oregon. Communities across the country are grappling with the consequences of an affordable housing shortage, the proliferation of stronger opioids like fentanyl, and pandemic-caused disruptions, among other challenges. I am encouraged by the people working tirelessly on the ground to help, like the firefighters I met, and the ongoing partnerships among  governments, businesses, and community organizations to solve the pressing issues facing our state.

ICYMI

  • I celebrated the $600 million grant that will go toward replacing the I-5 bridge
  • I spoke in an Education Committee hearing about antisemitism on college campuses
  • I learned more about Hoyt Arboretum’s future projects
  • I stood with advocates and colleagues to call for needed child care funding
  • I denounced the baseless impeachment inquiry advanced by the House GOP
 

   

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