The pandemic hasn’t ended, and neither should federal relief for the many Oregonians who are struggling through no fault of their own. At the beginning of this pandemic, Congress passed legislation to provide a lifeline to families, workers, and small businesses. We must do it again. I will do everything I can to bring relief to NW Oregon. The House has passed two major bills, negotiations continue, and I’m hopeful that the Senate will soon join us in passing the aid that our communities so desperately need.

A smooth transition of power is important, especially in the midst of a pandemic. I’m encouraged that the Biden-Harris team is now able to begin the official transition and start receiving important security and economic briefings. I look forward to working with the new administration on the issues that matter most to our communities.

You’re invited! I’m going to be discussing the pandemic and other issues of concern and answering your questions during my telephone town hall meeting on Saturday, Dec. 5 at 11 a.m. There is still time to sign up to receive a call, or listen to a livestream, here.

Feeding Our Neighbors

No one should be hungry in the United States, especially during the holidays. Yet far too many of our neighbors are facing hunger, and food banks across our region are seeing increased demand for services. The day before Thanksgiving, I convened advocates in our community and called for the Senate to finally pass our comprehensive relief bill to help those affected by hunger.

Portland Community College student Emily told me about dropping out of school because of housing and food insecurity, and being "one flat tire" away from hunger. Another student, Antonia, spoke about helping to put food on the table for her siblings while attending classes full time. An Oregon Food Bank volunteer shared that an older gentleman standing in line at a food pantry was in tears, saying "please don't think I do this every day." Their stories are compelling and too common, and I will continue fighting to support them.

Keeping Our Community Safe

COVID-19 is spreading rapidly in Oregon and hospitalizations are increasing. Until a vaccine is widely distributed, the only way to contain the virus is for all of us to closely follow every public health guideline.

Like many, my family adapted our Thanksgiving plans this year to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and stay healthy. We miss in-person visits with family and friends, but these precautions are important. For the safety of your family and your neighbors during this holiday season, please continue to wear masks outside the home, maintain distance, limit indoor gatherings, and stay home as much as possible – especially if you are sick. Find the latest guidance from the Oregon Health Authority here.

Public health officials are the unsung heroes of this pandemic. Their leadership is critical, in part because the Trump administration failed to create a national plan to stop the virus. I’m working to make sure we give local health authorities the resources and respect they need to do their jobs safely.

In Case You Missed It

• Congratulations to Neel Jain from Westview High School who won this year’s Congressional App Challenge for NW Oregon. His timely app, "PDX Concierge,” will help people who are elderly or at risk of COVID-19 access free delivery of their groceries.
• Registered Apprenticeships are critical at a time when hundreds of thousands of people are out of a job because of the coronavirus pandemic. I am pleased the House passed a bill I sponsored to create nearly one million new Registered Apprenticeship, youth apprenticeship, and pre-apprenticeship positions.
• The Trump administration is continuing its attempts to undermine the work of our government agencies and scientists to respond to the climate crisis. I’m continuing the fight to defend science.
• This is a critical time for access to health care. The pandemic continues, and many people have experienced changes in their employment. You and your loved ones can sign up for a new health insurance plan through Dec. 15.