Last week Congress passed a short-term funding bill to keep the government open and avoid a shutdown. I’m glad to be back in NW Oregon, spending time connecting with constituents and community leaders. I hope you are enjoying the beginning of fall.

An issue that comes up often in my visits around NW Oregon is the lack of affordable housing. In Congress, I’m doing all I can to support more affordable housing options in Oregon and across the country. I’ve been able to direct millions of dollars to housing developments in NW Oregon through the Community Project Funding process. As a Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Homelessness, I'm advocating for evidence-based policies and resources to address the homelessness crisis.

I’ve been inspired by the work in our communities to address the affordable housing shortage. In Hillsboro I recently visited Nueva Esperanza, a beautiful affordable housing complex that lives up to its name of “new hope.” The thoughtful design of Nueva—like poles to hang piñatas, open play areas, and boot washing stations for outdoor workers—was made possible through the close collaboration among the community members, developers, Metro, and the City of Hillsboro.

Nueva Esperanza is a great example of how we can build the housing we need so everyone in our country has a safe place to call home.

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Visiting Forest Grove

ImageI visited Neil Armstrong Middle School in Forest Grove, where I had the opportunity to connect with Superintendent West and Principal Kelly and join Mayor Wenzl’s leadership class for a mini civics lesson. The students had lots of good questions about my work, which confirms that they have a great teacher!

Before I left, I presented a check for the $850,000 in federal funding I helped secure for safety improvements to TV Hwy in East Forest Grove. The new sidewalks and crosswalks will make this corridor safer for the students at Neil Armstrong and people walking, rolling, and biking in the area.

Supporting Asylum Seekers

ImageEarlier this month, I spoke with immigration advocates and leaders in NW Oregon about the issues  faced by asylum seekers  and the significant barriers that Congress must address. 

Their concerns include the lack of housing, long wait times for work authorization, and a fragmented safety net. In some situations, families with young children were forced to sleep on the street. The experiences I heard about reenforced the urgent need for meaningful immigration reform and a better system to give asylum seekers the tools and services to navigate the asylum process.

It is disappointing that instead of advancing effective policy, many in the House GOP have spent this Congress vilifying people who come to our country in search of safety and a better life. I condemn the recent racist and xenophobic claims about the Haitian community espoused by some extreme politicians.

Conversations like the one I had at Centro Cultural are important to counteract divisive and sometimes misleading rhetoric promoted by some people, often for political purposes. They are also powerful reminders that there are many people in our community working tirelessly to help those in need.

Supporting Oregon Winegrowers

ImageThank you to Ponzi Vineyards for hosting the roundtable discussion I convened with U.S. Department of Agriculture and local winegrowers to learn more about the opportunities and challenges facing Oregon’s wine industry.

Wildfire smoke, extreme heat, and ice storms have hurt winegrowers in recent years. I am advocating for Oregon priorities in the Farm Bill update, including funding and resources to help growers mitigate the effects of climate change.

During my visit I got to tour Ponzi’s winemaking process, where workers are currently busy with harvest season. It was fascinating to see the integration of new technologies that improve production of their world-class wine!

ICYMI

  • I joined the grand reopening of Benson Polytechnic High School
  • I helped kick off the 2024 Policymakers Bike Ride
  • I introduced legislation to rename a Hillsboro post office after former Congresswoman Elizabeth Furse
  • I celebrated the work of NASA’s Hidden Figures at a Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony
  • I met with veterans in D.C. on an Honor Flight from Portland
 

   

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