As summer ends, I’ve reflected on the past eight months and why it’s so important to fight back against the Trump administration’s policies that are causing higher costs, stagnant wages, and economic uncertainty. I spent the month of August at home in NW Oregon connecting with the people I’m honored to represent and meeting with several organizations that are working to expand opportunities for Oregonians.

See my August Recap video to learn more about some of the amazing organizations and projects I’ve seen across the district. Below are some additional highlights of what I’ve been doing. 

Back to School!

Welcoming students to the new school year gives me hope for the future. I joined Superintendent Kimberlee Armstrong, school board members, students, teachers, staff, and parents in Portland on the first day of the school year. Education is the best investment we can make. 

The Hillsboro Year-Round Shelter: Community Care and Collaboration 

The new year-round shelter in Hillsboro was designed with compassion, collaboration, and common sense. When it opens by the end of the year, the shelter will offer a safe and accessible place for up to 75 people experiencing houselessness. Importantly, residents can access support services on site that will connect them with long-term solutions. The project was funded with support from local, state, regional, and federal governments. In addition to federal ARPA funds, Senators Wyden and Merkley and I secured $850,000 in federal funding to make this project possible. 

Fighting for SNAP: Meeting with Key Food Assistance Organizations and Advocates 

The devastating cuts to SNAP in Trump’s Big Ugly Law will take critical food assistance away from children and families who need it. I visited the Columbia Pacific Food Bank to hear about the challenging and uncertain circumstances they face. As costs continue to rise and the Republicans in Congress cut programs like SNAP and Medicaid, people are scared and struggling. In Columbia County, one in five individuals is food insecure, including one in four children. We cannot let that number rise.

Oregonians deserve economic stability, access to affordable healthcare, and lower grocery costs. Food banks like Columbia Pacific are working hard to meet the need, but supplies are down. This will make it harder for Oregonians and Americans to put food on the table, and it will also hurt local farmers and producers who will see cancelled contracts. Sen Wyden and I stood with advocates at the Oregon Food Bank to highlight the harms of these cuts.  

Thanking First Responders

I was grateful to spend part of Labor Day with IAFF 1660 members at Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue Station 67 in Beaverton and  IAFF 43 members at Portland Fire and Rescue Station 4 in Portland. Thank you to the firefighters and first responders who work tirelessly every day to keep our communities safe. I will continue to support essential workers throughout my work in Congress.