John,

As the weather heats up, I'm seeing more and more Oregonians head to our district's beaches. From Brookings to Lincoln City, I get to represent 250 miles of breathtaking coastlines.

But they're more than just beautiful. Our beaches provide places for children to learn and play; our ports are critical infrastructure for the movement of goods; and, between tourism and thriving commercial fishing — the Pacific is an indispensable pillar of our local economy.

With so much relying on our oceans and coastlines, we have to ensure they're protected. That's why I'm working to protect our oceans as a member of the Oceans Caucus and on the House Committee on Natural Resources, which oversees policy on oceans, water, wildlife, and more. Together, we can tackle our oceans' greatest threats, including:

🚯 Microplastics: Tiny particles of plastic are polluting our oceans, harming marine life, and entering our food chain. We can reduce plastic waste and promote more sustainable alternatives.

🌡️ Climate Change: Rising temperatures are causing devastating impacts on our environment, including our oceans and coastlines. Coral bleaching, sea-level rise, and altered marine ecosystems are just a few of the consequences. We must take action to combat climate change and safeguard our marine habitats.

🌊 Ocean Acidification: Excessive carbon dioxide emissions are making our oceans more acidic, threatening the survival of coral reefs, shellfish, and other marine organisms. By reducing carbon emissions we can protect these vulnerable ecosystems

🛢️Pollution: Toxic chemicals, oil spills, and excessive nutrient runoff are wreaking havoc on marine ecosystems. This pollution, both from land- and sea-based activities, is suffocating our oceans. Better regulations and more sustainable practices will help protect marine life.

⚓ Modernizing Ports: Upgrading our ports is crucial for efficient maritime transport. By implementing greener technologies and sustainable practices, we can reduce pollution, protect marine life, and ensure the smooth flow of goods while minimizing ecological impact.

While we have recently passed bipartisan legislation that allocated billions towards coastal restoration, marine debris cleanup and prevention, port modernization, and pollution reduction, we must recognize that this is just the beginning. The need for further action to safeguard our seas and raise awareness about the dire threats posed by climate change has reached a critical level. Ocean acidification, warming waters, marine debris, and pollution are menacing working families, our environment, and our economies.

I implore you to join me in my ongoing efforts to champion our oceans and coastlines in Congress. Your contribution of $7 to my reelection campaign will enable us to continue our fight against these pressing issues.

Your early support holds the power to make a profound difference in our world.

Val