Dear Friend,

I enjoyed my time during this October's District work period in Oregon. Now, I am back in Washington, D.C., making your voices heard in Congress!

If you would like to see daily updates on my work in Washington D.C. and Oregon's Second District, please follow us on Facebook HERE!

Protection for the Owyhee Canyon Lands and Local Communities

As you may know, I have introduced a bill that would continue the protection of the Owyhee Canyon Lands and the people who live on and around them. 

This bill results from hundreds of hours of negotiation and collaboration by those who live, work, and recreate in Malheur County, The Burns Paiute Tribe, and many environmental organizations. The bill I introduced further refines the Senator Wyden’s bill based on my connection with my constituents who live and work in Malheur County. Senator Wyden’s bill contains provisions that we developed in cooperation with our local communities. It is a provisional bill, but it contains the elements needed to protect the land, plants, animals, and communities that rely upon that land.  I want to thank Senator Wyden for his personal involvement and his staff’s work, and I look forward to successfully passing this bill out of the House within the next few weeks.

This bill will be heard in the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Federal Lands on November 19th, 2024.

Be sure to tune in, here.

Field Hearing: It all Depends on Water: Examining Efforts to Improve and Protect Central Oregon's Water Supply

Water is essential. However, drought and federal regulations are combining to create winners and losers in all allocation of water. Nowhere is this more evident than in Central Oregon.

As the Chairman of the Subcomittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries, I arranged a Congressional hearing of my Committee in Redmond, Oregon. The power to hold a hearing “in the field” is one of the attributes of chairmanship. Holding a hearing in Oregon gave us the opportunity to join Representative Lori Chavez-DeRemer and three other members of Congress in Central Oregon to discuss the importance of protecting America’s water resources and exploring locally driven water management solutions.

To watch the full hearing, here.

Welcome Back, President Donald J. Trump!

President Trump has achieved a historic and hard-fought victory: overcoming four sham indictments, surviving two assassination attempts and navigating an unprecedented mid-race candidate swap.

I believe if we work at it, that America’s best days are yet to come. Congress must advance common sense policies so that we can make our country more safe, more productive, and more prosperous place for our children.

I look forward to working with President Donald J. Trump as we protect our nation’s agriculture interests, natural resources and local economies.

Join Us at the 2025 Inauguration Ceremony

Please let us know if you would like to join us on Monday, January 20th, 2025, at the United States Capitol for the 60th Presidential Inauguration. This ticketed public event includes the swearing-in ceremony and inaugural address.

While we are awaiting further information from the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies regarding ticket availability. We will be able to provide a limited number of tickets to residents of Oregon’s Second Congressional District.

For those interested, please visit my website for more details, here.

Legislative Votes

Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act—This bill modifies the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to postpone tax deadlines and reimburse paid late fees for United States citizens who are held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad. The bill also terminates the tax-exempt status of terrorist-supporting organizations. 

I voted Yes, with 256 YES and 145 NO. 


H.R. 8446 – Critical Mineral Consistency Act of 2024— This bill would amend the Energy Act of 2020 to include critical materials in the definition of critical mineral. Specifically, this bill would require the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to update its list of minerals essential to the United States’ economy or national security to include any materials that the Department of Energy (DOE) has designated as critical for energy technologies. Currently, there are five materials on the DOE’s list that are not included on the USGS list. This bill would help ensure consistency of which materials are considered essential for future energy production across federal agencies.  

I voted Yes, with 245 Yes and 155 No.


H.R. 7409 – HEATS Act— This bill would expedite the development of geothermal energy on non-federal lands that involve federal minerals. This bill would clarify that geothermal exploration or production wells on non-federal lands are not subject to NEPA, section 7 of the ESA, or the National Historic Preservation Act if the federal government holds an ownership interest of less than 50% of the subsurface resources and the operator receives a state drilling permit. This bill would not impact royalties paid to the federal government.

I voted Yes, with 225 Yes and 181 No.

In Case You Missed It...

Join U.S. Rep. Cliff Bentz at a field hearing in Bend on water future in the Pacific Northwest. (Argus Observer)

Deschutes Basin water is focus of U.S. House hearing. (Capital Press)

After years in the minority, Rep. Cliff Bentz tries to give agriculture the advantage in Congress. (OPB)

U.S. Rep. Cliff Bentz Will Introduce His Own Bill on Owyhee Protections. (Willamette Week)

Contention continues over protecting Owhyee Canyonlands. (Argus Observer)

AP Race Call: Republican Cliff Bentz wins reelection to U.S. House in Oregon’s 2nd Congressional District. (AP News)

Bentz joins in call for wilderness status for nearly 1 million acres in Malheur County. (SalemReporter)

Oregon U.S. Representative Cliff Bentz on second Trump term. (KOBI)