MY NEW BILL TO HELP OREGONIANS UNDERSTAND THE IMPACT OF TOLLING

Yesterday, I introduced a new bill that would prevent any tolling project from moving forward until the public has a complete understanding of its economic and environmental impacts.

After the rushed and careless rollout of Oregon’s tolling proposal, I want to ensure no major tolling project can move forward until the public has an opportunity to understand the ramifications it would have on their communities.

Oregonians have demanded and deserve transparency and accountability in this decision-making process, and that’s why I’m introducing the Tolling Transparency Act. Instead of enabling a rushed, top-down approach, my bill will inform drivers and help them have a voice.

Learn more about my Tolling Transparency Act:

INTRODUCING LEGISLATION TO SUPPORT OREGON’S SPECIALTY CROP GROWERS

This week, I joined Congresswoman Slotkin from Michigan to introduce the bipartisan Specialty Crop Security Act. The bipartisan legislation seeks to expand and enhance the current Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP), which provides dedicated federal assistance grants to specialty crop growers through state agriculture departments for a wide array of projects.

Over 170 different specialty crops are grown in Oregon’s vibrant Willamette Valley, and I’m honored to represent many of these producers. They are responsible for growing a variety of healthy and nutritious food that feeds families across the country and around the world.

Unfortunately, specialty crop growers often face a number of unique and challenging conditions that make it more difficult to remain competitive in the global marketplace. That’s why I helped introduce the Specialty Crop Security Act, which will help bolster Oregon’s robust specialty crop industry.

Learn more about this bipartisan proposal by clicking below:

VISITING BEND FIRE & RESCUE

🚒 During my visit to Bend Fire & Rescue earlier this week, I participated in a roundtable discussion with the Oregon Fire Chiefs Association, received an update on the current state of wildfires in Oregon, and even got to hop in a fire truck!

I'm grateful for our brave firefighters who put themselves in harm's way to keep our communities safe, and I’ll continue working to ensure they have the resources needed to do their jobs safely and effectively. I recently helped introduce the Wildland Firefighter Paycheck Protection Act to ensure federal firefighters continue to receive the compensation they deserve.

ICYMI: POWERFUL NYT ARTICLE SHINES LIGHT ON PORTLAND’S FENTANYL CRISIS

In case you missed it, the New York Times recently published a heartbreaking piece on the drug crisis that has hit Portland hard under Measure 110.

It’s a powerful story that reminds us – it’s past time to take a commonsense approach so we can get deadly drugs off our streets, reduce homelessness, and restore Portland to the city we all once knew and loved.

I’ve made tackling the fentanyl crisis a top priority of mine in Congress. In May, the House passed a bill that I helped lead, which would supply law enforcement with the tools needed to keep these dangerous drugs off the streets. The House also recently passed a bill to crack down on international fentanyl trafficking. You can learn more about the proposals I’m backing HERE.

ONE MORE THING!

The VA has extended the deadline for toxic-exposed veterans to file their claim or submit their intent to file only for PACT Act benefits backdated to August 10, 2022.

The new deadline to apply is this coming Monday, August 14 at 11:59 p.m.

Even if you aren’t sure if you qualify, learn more about PACT Act and get started here:

Thank you for reading my weekly newsletter. It's an honor to be your voice in the U.S. House of Representatives. Your thoughts, concerns, and comments are very important to me. Always feel free to get in touch by calling (202) 225-5711 or by visiting my website at chavez-deremer.house.gov.

Sincerely,