UPDATE FROM D.C. AS GOVERNMENT FUNDING DEADLINE APPROACHES

You might’ve heard the government could shut down over the weekend. Like many of you, I’m frustrated that we seem to keep jumping from one budget crisis to the next.

I want you to know that I’m doing everything I can to prevent a shutdown from happening. As a member of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, I’ve worked with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to find a commonsense solution to keep the government open.

I’m a cosponsor of our proposal, the Keep America Open Act, which funds the government through January 11 – giving us enough time to pass all 12 government funding bills. It would also address the crisis at our southern border and rein in spending.

My voting record throughout this process has proven that I won’t hesitate to stand up and do what’s right for Oregon – even if that means sometimes breaking from my own party when necessary. My full update:

MOMENTUM BUILDS FOR BIPARTISAN CHILD CARE BILL

This week, Congressman Carbajal and I announced nine new bipartisan cosponsors for our bill to address child care affordability, the Child Care Investment Act. Additionally, the Chamber of Commerce formally endorsed the legislation, which would improve three existing child care tax incentives to ensure the federal tax code adequately addresses the current realities of child care costs and availability.

The cost of child care in Oregon soared as much as 37 percent from 2020 to 2022. As pandemic-era funding dries up, providers will likely raise prices even higher – leaving it further out of reach for families. As a parent, I know this is a difficult issue, and I don’t want moms and dads to have to choose between staying at home full time and working or going to school.

I’ll continue working to ensure parents don’t have to worry about breaking the bank to pay for child care. Learn more:

FUNDING CRITICAL LOCAL WATER INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS

I’m helping lead a new bipartisan bill to update and improve a key loan program that helps fund water and wastewater infrastructure projects. The Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act Amendments of 2023 would improve the The Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act by extending funding for the program, expanding eligibility for the loans, and making other commonsense reforms.

This bipartisan legislation will help deliver water to farmers and ensure Oregonians have reliable access to clean drinking water for generations to come, and I’m proud to be an original cosponsor. Learn more:

POLL RESULTS FROM THIS TUESDAY’S TELE-TOWN HALL

Thank you to everyone who participated in my tele-town hall Tuesday evening! We had over 4,000 Oregonians join and got to over a dozen questions during the hour. Holding these Q&A sessions over the phone allows me to hear directly from constituents in every corner of the state without making you travel or drop what you’re doing to attend.

As promised, here are poll results from the questions I asked during the meeting. Hearing your thoughts is important to me, and I look forward to holding more of these in the future!

MEETING WITH OREGONIANS

I enjoyed catching up with Lori Luchak-Olund, president and CEO of Miles Fiberglass, who was in D.C. for a conference this week. It was also great to meet with members of the NW Chicken Council who work to support poultry farmers in Oregon and across the region. Thanks for stopping by!

ONE MORE THING!

I'm very grateful for U.S. Capitol Police officers like Gosse for protecting my colleagues and our families, staff, and visiting constituents! Seeing them as I come and go from the Capitol always brightens my day.

Thank you for your service 🇺🇸

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,