Donald Trump was sworn into office 100 days ago. Since then, his administration has caused chaos and fear among Oregonians and Americans—especially those from vulnerable communities. He’s abused his power by issuing executive orders to dismantle the Department of Education, end birthright citizenship, take away funding Congress already approved for critical programs like cancer research, and more. His administration is muzzling free speech and disappearing people to a notorious El Salvador prison without due process. He initiated a needless trade war with our closest trade partners and issued blanket tariffs that are raising prices for families and hurting small businesses. Dangerously, he has elevated unqualified and incompetent individuals like Pete Hegseth to leadership roles based solely on their loyalty to him. He has given unelected billionaire Elon Musk and his DOGE team free reign to fire thousands of federal employees and make indiscriminate cuts to federal programs. And he is partnering with House and Senate Republicans to pass a budget that threatens American’s earned benefits like Social Security and Medicare.

Oregonians and Americans are rightfully standing up to this administration and I am committed to doing all I can to hold members of the Trump administration accountable for their reckless actions. I’ve joined rallies at federal agencies in D.C. and in Oregon with educators and care workers. I’ve held town hall meetings in person and on the phone so Oregonians can make their voices heard. I’m working with my colleagues to demand answers from administration officials. I’m also signing onto amicus briefs in cases that are being brought against this administration to stop their illegal and unconstitutional actions—many led by Oregon’s own Attorney General Dan Rayfield.

The past 100 days have been filled with uncertainty, chaos, and anxiety for many Oregonians. Hundreds of Oregonians told me that they are frustrated and want to see Congress do more to stop Trump and hold him accountable. Trump is not a king, and despite Trump’s actions, our system of checks and balances is still intact. The courts are overwhelmingly ruling against his illegal and unconstitutional abuses of power, often ordering his administration to reverse illegal actions.

Please continue to contact my office with your concerns, ideas, and stories. Your voices matter, and together we will fight back against the Trump administration and GOP Congressional leadership to protect your earned benefits, public education, and democracy.

Touring Schools in NW Oregon

I’ve been visiting schools across NW Oregon to highlight how the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle public education and cut funding for federal programs will hurt Oregon’s students, families, and the economy.

In Hillsboro I met with district leadership to learn more about how the administration’s proposed cuts to Title I, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), school nutrition programs, and aid for homeless students would harm the students and families they serve. I also visited Career and Technical Education (CTE) classes at Century High School and spoke with students who were engaged and excited about what they were learning. The federal government supplements state funding for CTE through the bipartisan Perkins Career and Technical Education Act, but that funding could be at risk if the Department of Education is dismantled.

In Beaverton, I met with parents and educators to learn more about how special education services—largely funded by IDEA—make a difference for students with disabilities. Congress has never fulfilled the promise to fully fund IDEA, and many special education programs aren’t able to hire the educators necessary to provide students with the support they need. I am vehemently opposed to Trump’s proposal to move IDEA from the Department of Education to Health and Human Services—especially when the agency is led by an individual who has repeatedly made offensive statements about autistic people.

In Astoria, I spoke with students at Clatsop Community College and local high schools about how individualized counseling, advising, and other services provided by federal TRIO programs opened doors of opportunity. Many said they wouldn’t have been able to attend college without TRIO. At Pacific Ridge Elementary school, fifth grade student leaders gave me a great school tour and told me why they support free healthy school meals for all, the STARBASE program, and special education supports.

These schools and students all benefit from federal funding, and it is unacceptable that public education is under attack by this administration. I have experience standing up to GOP attempts to undermine education during the last Trump administration, and I’m ready to do it again.

Hearing from Oregonians at our Seniors Town Hall

Thanks to all the Oregonians who attended my town hall meeting with Representative Andrea Salinas, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark, and President and CEO Max Richtman of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare. We answered questions about the cuts and layoffs at Social Security offices, whether Social Security account data is safe and private, and more.

The Oregonians we heard from were clear: they don’t agree with Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and the GOP leadership’s disastrous plan to gut critical services and take away earned benefits like Social Security and Medicare.

Your stories help inform my work in D.C. to protect Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and other vital programs.

Student Loan Update

After the pandemic-era pause on payments ended on September 1, 2023, the Biden-Harris Administration extended a year-long grace period where borrowers in default did not incur late fees, penalties, or negative credit reporting for missed payments.

That grace period is ending, and borrowers should check on their status by visiting StudentAid.gov. For more resources, you can visit my website where you’ll find recordings of webinars I’ve held with student loan experts from the Student Borrower Protection Center, The Institute for College Access and Success, and the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation. The Trump administration is reporting that it will start collecting on defaulted loans on May 5.

If you think you are the victim of a scam or your rights as a student borrower have been violated, you can contact Oregon’s Student Loan Ombuds. I will continue to work on fixing our broken student loan system, and I will always advocate for more affordable and accessible higher education.

ICYMI

I voted against a GOP budget framework that would cut vital programs to give billionaires like Elon Musk tax cuts they don’t need or deserve
I spoke out against a GOP bill that would disenfranchise voters—particularly women
I read a letter from a 4th grade student who wrote to me about how worried she is for her friends and their families because of Trump’s dangerous mass deportation agenda
I helped celebrate a groundbreaking in Hillsboro for the new training facility for the Thorns and Portland’s new WNBA team
I reviewed a couple of comments left on a video I shared where the Education Secretary confused A.I. with A1 steak sauce

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