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November was a challenging and chaotic month. After almost 7 weeks of a shutdown with the House Republicans gone from the Capitol, the government finally reopened on November 12th. The harsh reality is that a harmful funding bill passed. With Medicaid and SNAP cuts from the Big Ugly law passed earlier, and as prices continue to climb, I voted no. This bill did not address rising costs, especially the upcoming expiration of the health care tax credits that help thousands of Oregonians and millions of Americans afford insurance through the ACA marketplace. I did not and will not support a funding package that drives up costs for Oregonians. |
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Working for Affordability
In November I had the pleasure of celebrating the grand opening of the Hillsboro Year-Round Shelter with the City of Hillsboro, Washington County, Metro, and many other public, private, and non-profit partners who made this dream a reality. This trauma-informed shelter will bring hope, dignity, and safety to those in need and the on-site supportive services will provide a path out of homelessness and into housing and stability. I am pleased to have secured $850,000 of community funding for this project in partnership with Senators Wyden and Merkley. |
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I also visited the Dolores, Hacienda CDC’s new low-income housing development in Hillsboro. When it opens early next year, the Dolores will provide dozens of families with access to safe, affordable, energy-efficient housing. I remain committed to lowering costs for Oregonians, including the cost of housing, health care, and utilities. |
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Releasing the Epstein Files: A Path Toward Justice
I listened to the stories of survivors of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell’s crimes as they raised their collective voices for justice. It was inspiring to see the strength of these survivors as they took on some of the most powerful people in the world. Any and all of Jeffrey Epstein’s accomplices who were pedophiles, sexual predators, and human traffickers must be brought to justice and held accountable.
After seven weeks of delay by Speaker Mike Johnson and GOP leadership, Rep. Adelita Grijalva was finally sworn in to represent Arizona’s 7th Congressional district. She became the 218th signer of a petition to release the Epstein files, and the bill came up for a vote. Many survivors were in the House gallery as we voted to release the files, and it was an honor to be with them as the measure passed the House and the Senate with near unanimous support. It is a tremendous step in a long march toward justice. We must all keep up the pressure on Trump’s Justice Department to comply with the law and release the files.
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Advocating for Immigrant Rights
I had the honor of visiting with Lucia, the owner of La Mixteca Oaxaca restaurant in Hillsboro. We discussed the terror that the migrant community is facing. Many students are not going to school, people are staying home, and they’re no longer visiting restaurants. It is unacceptable that people do not feel safe in their own homes and their hometowns.
The Trump administration’s harmful deportation agenda continues to have devastating effects across Oregon and the country. My team and I remain in contact with local governments and organizations supporting individuals and families who have been affected. If you or someone you know has been affected by ICE, please contact my casework team. Additionally, Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield created a community resource guide with information about resources, preparedness, and what to do if a loved one is detained. And if you can, please visit La Mixteca Oaxaca; lunch was delicious!
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Victor Cruz Returns Home
Victor Cruz never should have been detained by ICE. I’m grateful that his wrongful detention has ended and that he is reunited with his family. I met with Victor at the ICE facility in Tacoma and appreciated his kindness and strength despite his wrongful detention. I’m grateful to have worked with his family and friends in the Hillsboro community, as well as his legal team, to secure his release. It is unacceptable that ICE continues to terrorize communities and tear families apart. I will do everything I can to hold those responsible accountable. |
Protecting Immigrants at Court Hearings
I introduced the Migrant Due Process Protection Act to allow immigrants to have their removal hearing held remotely through video or telephone conference. Currently, immigration judges have discretion to schedule a hearing in-person or virtually. But the Trump administration has been forcing immigrants to show up at court in person, pressuring judges to dismiss cases, and then violently arresting and detaining people who have their cases dismissed.
The Trump administration’s egregious immigration enforcement tactics have put people who are legally participating in immigration proceedings at risk of detainment and arrest when they go to court. These aggressive tactics are inhumane and do not make our communities safer. I introduced this legislation to provide immigrants with the right to have their removal hearings virtually so they can continue through the legal process while staying safe. It will also make hearings more accessible for people who face mobility and transportation challenges. |
Mass Education, Not Mass Deportation
I recently led 34 of my colleagues in calling out the authoritarian and unjust dismantling of the Department of Education. Scattering programs across agencies that do not have the staff, funding, or expertise creates greater inefficiencies, increases paperwork, and makes it more difficult for schools and students to access the funding they need. Meanwhile, Trump and the GOP gave $170 BILLION to the Department of Homeland Security and ICE. Our children deserve better. We need a mass education plan, not a mass deportation plan.
As the year comes to a close, I will continue to advocate for you and for Oregon values. Please keep calling and writing, and continue to send us your stories, ideas, and questions.
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ICYMI
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