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Donald Trump promised to end wars, not start them. The consequences of war are so grave that our founding fathers established in the Constitution that the power to declare war is with Congress. Despite taking an oath to defend the Constitution, the President this past weekend unilaterally called for regime change and started a full-scale war with Iran, endangering U.S. troops and our regional allies.
The Republican majority is negligent in their refusal to exert Congressional authority. Iran has taken some brutal and outrageous actions and has continued to threaten an already fragile Middle East, but a response of this consequence must not be from the President alone. I demand that Speaker Johnson bring Congress back into session so we can debate and vote on H.Con.Res.38, a bipartisan War Powers Resolution introduced by Representatives Massie and Khanna that directs the president to terminate the use of force against Iran unless authorized by a formal declaration of war or an authorization for the use of military force by Congress. The American people deserve no less.
Just before unilaterally starting an unsanctioned war for which there appears to be no strategy to manage or end, Trump continued his streak of touting his power by continuing to lie to the American people.
He delivered his version of the State of the Union – one far disconnected from the experiences of most Oregonians and Americans. Despite his claims, Americans know the truth. Chaos is consistent. Costs are rising. Disinvestment in climate resilience and education threaten our future. ICE continues to terrorize communities. This is not what the United States of America should be. Our founding fathers rejected a monarchy and our Constitution established three separate branches of government with checks and balances.
The Real State of the Union: Your Perspectives
After an outpouring of calls and emails from constituents asking me to boycott the State of the Union, I did not attend the speech. Instead, I donated my guest ticket to uplift the voices of the survivors of Jeffrey Epstein and hosted a telephone town hall meeting with Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield. We answered questions and listened to concerns and hopes for the future.
Thank you to the more than 10,000 Oregonians who joined us. During challenging times like this, I’m reminded how important it is to be in community, discuss our shared values, and stay connected as we get through this difficult time together.
Upcoming Town Halls
I will be hosting town hall meetings this month in Washington, Columbia, Tillamook, and Multnomah Counties. I hope to see you there!
Washington County Town Hall Meeting:
Date: 3/9/26
Time: 6pm
Location: Glencoe High School, 2700 NW Glencoe Road, Hillsboro, OR
Columbia County Town Hall Meeting:
Date: 3/11/26
Time: 6pm
Location: Scappoose High School, 33700 SE High School Way, Scappoose, OR
Tillamook County Town Hall Meeting:
Date: 3/14/26
Time: 11am
Location: Tillamook High School, 2605 12th St, Tillamook, OR
Multnomah County Town Hall Meeting:
Date: 3/23/26
Time: 6pm
Location: To Be Announced
Fighting for Affordability
As Americans struggle with high costs, the administration continues to roll back protections and investments in programs that grow the economy and lower costs.
Healthcare
More than 110,000 Oregonians saw their health insurance premiums skyrocket when the ACA tax credits expired. I helped pass a bipartisan bill in the House to extend the tax credits and keep costs down, but it’s stalled in the Senate. I continue to advocate for reversing the Medicaid cuts House Republicans passed in the partisan Big Ugly Law, which Oregon health care experts predict will be catastrophic.
Education
Trump’s order to dismantle the Department of Education is harming students, teachers, and families. Teachers are losing access to professional development and support resources while being expected to introduce new technologies in the classroom. The Trump administration is phasing out Grad Plus loans and making it more expensive to pursue professional careers like nursing, teaching, and social work.
Child Care
Accessible, affordable, quality child care is good for kids, families, and the economy because it allows parents to participate fully in the workforce. And research shows that children’s brains develop rapidly in the first five years, so early childhood education is one of the best investments we can make. But high and rising child care costs—and limited availability—make it impossible for many families. I spoke with Democratic Whip Katherine Clark about how House Democrats continue to offer solutions, while the Trump administration guts funding and denies opportunities.
Energy
My fellow Sustainable Energy & Environment Coalition (SEEC) leaders and I called out the Trump Administration for ending policies that would deliver lower energy costs. We also called on the administration to reverse drastic cuts to clean, renewable energy. And in the Science committee I was clear: if big corporations use massive amounts of energy and strain the grid, they must pay their fair share so consumers don’t see skyrocketing prices.
A Win for Affordability: Supreme Court Strikes Down Trump's Tariffs
The Supreme Court issued a 6-3 decision to strike down Trump’s tariffs in a significant victory for Oregonians, Americans, the economy, separation of powers, and the rule of law. Tariffs are taxes, and Donald Trump’s chaotic tariff policies have been raising costs and causing economic uncertainty. This decision sends a strong message that Congress, not the President, has taxing authority.
Oregon is a trade-dependent state and we have been hard hit by these illogical and illegal tariffs. Congratulations to Oregon’s Attorney General Dan Rayfield and Oregon Deputy Attorney General Benjamin Gutman for leading several states in their challenge to this unlawful power grab and for fighting to lower costs for Oregon consumers.
Immigration, ICE & DHS
On February 6th I spoke with some Oregon detainees at the Tacoma Ice Detention Facility in Washington. We scheduled a tour and they had obviously prepared, but fresh paint on the walls will not cover up the harm they’re causing to immigrants and their families. A Beaverton man I spoke with has been away from his wife and four young children for months.
I will continue to do everything I can to help those who have been wrongfully detained, but we also need ICE out of our communities. ICE is not making us safer; they are indiscriminately grabbing community members off the streets and separating families without due process. ICE violence has no place in America. I will be a no on any funding bill that includes more money for ICE, and I will keep fighting against Donald Trump, Stephen Miller, and Kristi Noem’s horrific and inhumane mass deportation agenda.
Maria’s Story
At my town hall meeting in January, Melissa shared the heartbreaking story of ICE detaining her sister-in-law Maria. Maria is a mom to two children. Her husband recently had surgery and is recovering. She’s an active member of her church and community and pays her taxes. Several weeks ago ICE agents surrounded her in a store parking lot, broke her car window, handcuffed her, and took her to detention even though she has no criminal background – not even a traffic ticket. Maria deserves to come home to her family, and I will not stop fighting until she’s back with them.
More Than $16 Million for NW Oregon
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It’s good news that the 15 community projects I championed have been signed into law. These projects will bring more than $16 million in federal investment to NW Oregon.
The projects are:
$2 million for Portland State University’s Semiconductor Innovation and Nanoscience Equipment Purchase
The funding will be used to purchase imaging and fabrication equipment for the University’s Semiconductor Innovation and Nanoscience Center.
$1.092 million for City of Hillsboro’s Seismically Resilient Water Treatment Plant Chemical Building
The funding will be used for a seismically reinforced building foundation to allow swift restoration of safe drinking water to 450,000 residents after a major earthquake.
$1.031 million for Oregon CASA Network’s A CASA for Every Child Project
The funding will be used to recruit, train, supervise, and support community volunteers to advocate on behalf of children and young people in the foster care system.
$1.031 million for Clatsop County’s Public Safety Equipment and 911 Operations Initiative
The funding will be used to replace and upgrade an outdated public safety communications system so first responders can communicate with each other and the public during an emergency.
$800,000 for Multnomah County’s Pretrial Monitoring Program Behavioral Health Expansion Pilot
The funding will be used to add behavioral health staff to Multnomah County’s pretrial monitoring program for individuals who have been arraigned and released by a Multnomah County Circuit Court judge pending trial.
$3.15 million for the City of Beaverton’s Senior Housing and Community Space Construction Project
The funding will be used to build the ground floor and community space of a new affordable housing development for seniors in Beaverton.
$1 million for the City of North Plains’ Civic Center Construction
The funding will be used for design and construction of a new civic center that will help expand government services and provide opportunities for residents and visitors to gather for farmers markets, community meetings, and other activities.
$850,000 for the City of Portland’s Gateway to OMSI Project
The funding will modernize and update key intersections along Water Avenue to address safety and congestion concerns and prepare the new OMSI District for growth and development.
$250,000 for Multnomah County’s Broadway Bridge Deck Replacement Project
The funding will be used toward the replacement of the failing driving surface on the movable portion of the Broadway Bridge to keep it in service and safe for the traveling public.
$250,000 for the Salmonberry Trail Foundation’s Williams Creek Trestle and Learning Mile Project
The funding will enhance trail infrastructure, integrate educational elements, and maintain ecological health along a portion of the Salmonberry Trail.
$500,000 for TriMet’s LIFT Vehicle Replacement Project
The funding will support the replacement of LIFT paratransit service vehicles that have exceeded their FTA useful life so TriMet can continue to provide safe, on time, reliable and accessible transportation.
$2 million for the Port of Garibaldi’s Engineering for Seawall Replacement Project
The funding will be used to support the replacement of the Port’s breakwall to meet current seismic standards.
$1 million for the City of St Helens Reservoir Replacement Project
The funding will be used toward the replacement of an existing reservoir in St. Helens that is currently out of service because of health and safety concerns.
$850,000 for the City of Cornelius’ Community and Recreation Center
The funding will be used for renovation and construction of the city’s first community and recreation center, delivering much-needed programs and services.
$250,000 for the Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District’s Americans with Disabilities Act Facility Upgrades Project
The funding will be used to complete necessary upgrades at THPRD’s recreation and swim centers to make them ADA-compliant and increase accessibility for residents with disabilities.
This federal funding supports local priorities and these investments will build stronger, safer, more resilient communities across NW Oregon.
Protecting Our Future: Climate, Water, & Energy Costs
Fostering climate responsive, resilient communities is critical. Here’s what I’m working on in Congress:
Using Our Resources Wisely
The Science Committee passed a bipartisan bill to fund NASA! This includes several of my provisions to strengthen wildfire protections across the Pacific Northwest and the country, and my amendment to use NASA’s satellite technology to locate plastic pollution in the ocean. This bill will now move to the House floor.
The House also passed my bipartisan ASCEND Act, which will strengthen data infrastructure so we can respond faster to wildfire, coastal health and air quality concerns. The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.
Preserving Oceans and Coastal Communities
I worked with U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and U.S. Representative Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (R-GA) to introduce our ReSCUE Oceans Act to develop a federal scientific research program to investigate the safety and potential value of marine carbon dioxide removal or "mCDR." The ocean absorbs far more atmospheric carbon than the land and may serve a powerful role sequestering carbon in the future, but we need to make this approach safe for ocean habitats and global systems.
Casework Office Hours – Thank You for Attending!
Thank you to everyone who stopped by the Beaverton City Library during our Casework Office Hours. We look forward to bringing you more opportunities to connect in-person. Be sure to check your inboxes and my social media for the latest updates. As always if you need help with a federal agency, please go to my website, or call my office at (503) 469-6010 for further assistance.
2026 Congressional Art Competition
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It’s time for the 2026 Congressional Art Competition! The competition is an annual celebration of talented student artists in Oregon and across the country. High school students who live in the First Congressional District are invited to participate.
I look forward to seeing what students create!
Submissions are due by 4/28. Learn more about how to participate here.
ICYMI
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