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This month I held town hall meetings in Hillsboro, Scappoose, Tillamook, and Portland. I heard consistently that costs are too high, ICE is out of control, and Oregonians don’t want another war. Hearing from you informs the work I do in Congress to defend Oregon values and fight for a better future. Please stay in touch. You can contact me through my website or call my office at 503-469-6010.
Portland
Tillamook
Scappoose
Hillsboro
Last week, the Senate voted unanimously to end the Republican shutdown of TSA, Coast Guard, and FEMA so these essential services can be restored and workers can be paid. Instead of taking up this bipartisan agreement, House Republicans put forward a bill that won’t pass in the Senate because it includes more funding for ICE and no ICE reforms. I voted no. We are now hearing that the House might vote on the bipartisan Senate bill when we return to DC.
I will continue to oppose every effort to give more money to ICE and will fight to claw back the $75 billion they already got through the Big Ugly Bill.
Immigration & Community Safety
Leaders at the Virginia Garcia Primary Care Clinic in Hillsboro told me how clinics across the country are negatively affected by the Big Ugly Bill and Trump’s chaotic and harmful immigration policies. People deserve to feel safe getting the care they need. Thank you to everyone at Virginia Garcia for persevering through these challenging times and continuing to serve the community.
Kristi Noem Ousted from DHS
Secretary Noem led the Department of Homeland Security and oversaw ICE’s heinous human rights violations. I called for her to resign or be impeached, and people in Oregon and across the nation demanded her removal. At the beginning of this month, after immense public pressure, she was fired. This is not over. I demand a full and transparent investigation into her inhumane directives that resulted in death, injury, and trauma to children and families.
Fighting Unlawful Detention
It has now been two months since ICE agents violently took Maria Trinidad Loya Medina and put her in detention. She is not a criminal and her community wants her home. Her kids and her husband need her home. Please continue to share her story. Raise your voices. We won't stop until Maria is reunited with her family - where she belongs.
I shared Maria’s story in Washington, DC as we work to fight back against ICE’s inhumane immigration enforcement. These violent actions are not isolated and have widespread effects. Right now, too many kids are afraid to go to school. They’re worried that their parents won’t be there when they get home. Manny, a 17 year-old student from NW Oregon, spoke about his experience in a hearing I joined in DC, saying “I shouldn’t have to live like this. No kid should.” Manny is right. No child should have to live in fear of their own government.
Iran War & National Security
Trump has unilaterally launched a full-scale war with Iran, ignoring the Constitution, destabilizing the region, and putting countless lives at risk. Everywhere I go, Oregonians tell me that they do not want another foreign war – especially a war with no clear mission. I voted for H. Con. Res. 38, a bipartisan War Powers Resolution, to require Congressional authorization before continuing the use of force against Iran. It failed to get a majority, but only by a few votes. The House will vote again soon and I'll keep fighting to get this passed.
This war has already cost American taxpayers billions of dollars. This is money that we could use to support and invest in policies that help Oregonians. Nicholas Kristof outlined how this funding could be better used in his article, “Iran Is a $1.3-Million-a-Minute War:”
- For the cost of two weeks of war, we could pay for a year of free college education for every American making less than $125,000 annually.
- For the cost of three weeks of war, we could pay for a year of nationwide universal pre-k for three and four year-olds.
- For the cost of three weeks of war, we could pay to restore health insurance subsidies that the Trump administration let expire last year.
Oregonians and Americans deserve better. Education, not desolation. Healthcare, not warfare.
Emergency Resources
If you or a loved one are currently in the Middle East, please stay safe and enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) with the Department of State to receive the latest emergency updates. Follow @TravelGov or request emergency assistance at +1 (202) 501-4444 (overseas) or +1 (888) 407-4747 (in the U.S. and Canada).
Voting Rights & The SAVE Act
Thank you to everyone who came to one of my town hall meetings or wrote to me about the SAVE Act.
I strongly oppose the so-called “SAVE America Act,” a voter suppression bill that will undermine democracy by disenfranchising countless citizens - especially women. Additionally, it would attempt to end vote-by-mail, a hallmark of Oregon’s voting system. Even though Donald Trump denounced voting by mail as “cheating,” (which is categorically false), he voted by mail in a recent Florida election. This is just another dangerous attempt by the President to sow doubt in our safe and secure election system.
I joined Secretary of State Tobias Read, who oversees Oregon elections, in outlining the dangers the SAVE Act poses to democracy. Read more here.
And just yesterday, the President signed an Executive Order to try to end vote my mail. Elections are run by the states, not by the President. This order will be challenged in the courts.
Education Update
Trump and MAGA Republicans continue their efforts to undermine public education and they continue chipping away at the Department of Education. Secretary McMahon announced an interagency agreement to move the student loan portfolio to the Treasury Department, so now students must navigate two federal agencies instead of one to get an affordable education. Additionally, Sec. McMahon moved remaining agency operations out of the Lyndon B. Johnson building where it’s operated since it was established almost half a century ago. My message is this: I won’t stop the fight for a fully funded and functioning Department of Education.
AI in Education
In the midst of these attacks on our education system, I am developing needed legislation to support learners and educators. Teachers, students, and local leaders know that bringing AI into the classroom comes with risks. I’m partnering with them to develop a framework for AI in education that preserves critical thinking and gives students and teachers the tools and safeguards they need so responsible AI use can keep students safe, protect privacy, and expand opportunities rather than widen gaps.
This includes:
- Interagency support for states based on long-term education needs
- Professional development for educators at all levels
- Guardrails for student privacy and bias prevention
- Evidence-based guidance to ground AI learning in ethics
- Resources to strengthen critical thinking
Click here to learn more.
Community Project Funding
I had the privilege of celebrating three community projects for which I secured funding! Learn more about each project below.
Port of Garibaldi
Ports are important infrastructure. I championed funding for the Port of Garibaldi and presented them with $2 million in Community Project Funding. This investment will help the Port upgrade the sea wall to seismic standards to protect homes from flooding.
City of Hillsboro Water Treatment Plant
I presented the City of Hillsboro with $1.092 million in community project funds to support the restoration and seismic reinforcement of their water treatment plant. This funding means that 450,000 Hillsboro residents will continue to have access to safe drinking water in the event of a major earthquake.
CASA Oregon
Court Appointed Special Advocates, CASA volunteers, are trained to advocate for the best interests of children who are in the foster care system. I secured more than $1 million in Community Project Funding to support their important work.
Art Competition Reminder
Reminder: the deadline to submit artwork for the Congressional Art Competition is April 28th by 5:30 pm. All high school students who live in Congressional District 1 are invited to participate. I look forward to seeing the artwork!
ICYMI
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