in other words
january3
2019
3
Bonamici Bulletin
By Congresswoman
Suzanne Bonamici
As we reflect on 2018
and look ahead to the
start of a new Congress
in 2019, I’m grateful to
everyone across NW Oregon who con-
tacted me about issues of concern. This
year my office received and replied to
74,623 letters and phone calls. I also
held 13 town hall meetings across NW
Oregon; 12 in person and one by tele-
phone to make it accessible to more
people. My office assisted more than
1,000 people with questions and chal-
lenges involving federal agencies, in-
cluding the VA, Social Security, and im-
migration. One of the cases was for the
Nguyen family, who were reunited this
fall after being separated for more than
40 years because of our broken immi-
gration system.
Climate change continues to be
a pressing concern for Oregonians as we
witness more extreme weather events,
catastrophic wildfires, and changes to
the ocean’s chemistry. I will continue to
work with my colleagues to develop and
implement lasting legislative solutions.
Another urgent challenge our country
faced this year was the Administration’s
abhorrent policy of separating parents
and children at the border. I visited im-
prisoned detainees in Oregon, spoke out
on their behalf, and called on Secretary
Azar to reunite families. Tragically, gun
violence also continues to plague our
country, ending the lives of 90 Ameri-
cans every day. These are serious chal-
lenges that I am committed to address-
ing when a new Congress convenes in
January.
Affordable Health Care For All
The year began with yet an-
other misguided attempt to repeal the
Affordable Care Act. The thousands of
people who spoke out in support of the
law helped us to defeat the repeal ef-
fort, and the Affordable Care Act still
stands. There is still much we can do
to make sure everyone has access to
affordable, quality health care. I am
proud to be a member of the Medicare
for All Caucus, where we will be debat-
ing options for increasing access while
reducing costs. One step in the right
direction was the passage of my bipar-
tisan bill to address the nursing short-
age across the country. Another was
the opening of the new Virginia Gar-
cia Health Center in Beaverton, which
will make our community stronger and
healthier.
Standing Up For Students
This year I stood firm against
the harmful proposals of Education
Secretary DeVos and the Trump Ad-
ministration. When DeVos finally ap-
peared before the Education Commit-
tee, I asked serious questions about the
importance of public education. I spoke
out on behalf of transgender students
facing attacks on their civil rights, stu-
dent loan borrowers who DeVos made
more vulnerable to deceptive practices
of unscrupulous private lenders, and
survivors of campus sexual assault who
deserve to be heard and believed.
Talking with young people is
one of the best parts of my job, and this
year I heard from students at 24 schools
across Oregon. I was thrilled to update
the federal career and technical educa-
tion law to strengthen programs that are
helping students stay in school and pre-
pare for college and careers.
Supporting Our Seniors
All seniors deserve to retire
with dignity and financial security, but
unfortunately too many face financial
hardship as they age. As a leader of the
Congressional bipartisan Elder Justice
Caucus, I am fighting to secure funding
for initiatives that help victims of fraud,
hold cheaters accountable, and recover
stolen money for our seniors. If you’re
retired, saving for retirement, or caring
for an elderly family member, my office
is here to help. I’m also co-sponsoring
the Retirement Savings Lost and Found
Act to help reunite workers with retire-
ment savings they may have left behind
Publisher and Managing Editor
Scott Laird
503-367-0098
scott@vernoniasvoice.com
Contributors
Congresswoman
Suzanne Bonamici
Representative Brad Witt
Photography
Columbia Riverkeeper
Scott Laird
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FULL
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Happy Hour Mon-Fri 4-7
“BIKER FRIENDLY”
• Specialty hamburgers
at past jobs. And as your representa-
tive, I will always work to protect and
strengthen Social Security and Medi-
care.
Defending Science and the Environ-
ment
The Trump Administration
continues to attack laws and regulations
designed to protect the environment. At
every step I’ve called out the Adminis-
tration for its failure to protect natural
places, clean air, and clean water, and
for failing to fulfill the Environmental
Protection Agency’s mission of pro-
tecting public health and the environ-
ment. I’ve called for immediate action
to slow greenhouse gas emissions and
mitigate the effects of climate change.
As co-chair of the House Oceans Cau-
cus, I was proud to pass the Save Our
Seas Act to help get plastics and trash
out of the ocean. I also helped secure
$105 million for wave energy research,
a technology that promises to increase
our renewable energy options and help
us move toward a clean energy future.
Priorities for Next Congress
As a diverse and vibrant new
majority prepares to govern in the US
House, I’m committed to working on
the issues that matter most to Orego-
nians. The new majority has made
infrastructure a priority, and it’s one I
strongly support. I’m hopeful that the
House can pass a robust infrastructure
funding package to help rebuild and
repair roads, bridges, ports, railways,
public buildings, and the electric grid.
Investing in infrastructure projects like
this is a win-win for our communities.
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Full Dish Sports Package
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Sat, Jan 19
Texas Hold ‘em
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