SUPPORTING OUR SERVICE MEMBERS AND PROTECTING NATIONAL SECURITY

This week, Congress passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2024. This critical defense package has passed on time, every year, for over six decades.

This year’s NDAA included investments that will directly benefit Oregon service members and boost our military readiness – including a $79 million authorization for the Air National Guard to build a new special tactics complex at Portland International Airport. Additionally, important funding is made available to disrupt fentanyl trafficking and secure our southern border.

The proposal also included a 5.2 percent increase in service member basic pay – the largest pay raise for our troops in over 20 years. You can learn more about some of the highlights by visiting my website here.

HOUSE PASSES MY BILL TO PREVENT DECEPTIVE PBM PRACTICES

On Monday, the House passed the Lower Costs, More Transparency Act, which increases price transparency throughout the health care system, addresses the soaring cost of prescription medication, and provides patients with timely information about the cost of procedures and services.

The Health Data Access, Transparency, and Affordability (DATA) Act, a bipartisan bill I introduced earlier this year, was included in the package.

The Health DATA Act would simply ensure pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and third-party administrators are following the law and can’t intentionally withhold important information related to health plans. By taking overdue action to improve transparency, this pragmatic legislation will help lower costs for patients and bring much-needed accountability to the health insurance industry.

Learn more:

URGING THE FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION TO REVIEW ODOT’S FLAWED TOLLING PROCESS

The head of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) testified during a Transportation and Infrastructure Committee hearing this week, and I used the opportunity to raise concerns that ODOT’S inadequate efforts to gather public input on tolling could be a breach of federal regulations.

As I said during my remarks, these sorts of plans for tolling are supposed to be presented so motorists, mayors, counties, and small businesses can make meaningful comments. Instead, ODOT still hasn’t proposed a mitigation plan or strategy, and they keep moving the goalposts.

That’s a problem. Watch our full exchange:

MY BILLS TO SUPPORT WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PASS COMMITTEE

The Education and the Workforce Committee passed H.R. 6655, A Stronger Workforce for America Act, earlier this week. It included two bills that I’m leading: the Opioid Crisis Workforce Act and the Investing in Digital Skills Act.

Supporting workforce development is imperative as we continue working to improve our communities and grow our economy. By supporting health care workers in the field of addiction treatment and recovery, the Opioid Crisis Workforce Act will help fill the current gap in needed care. Additionally, investing in digital literacy will ensure students have the skills needed to advance in their careers. I’m honored to lead these important efforts and will continue working to get them signed into law.

Learn more about my proposals:

CONDEMNING ANTISEMITISM

In case you missed it: Last week I drew attention to the concerning lack of Jewish history classes offered at Harvard, UPenn, and MIT.

After listening to startling testimony from these university presidents during the hearing, I was proud to vote for a resolution yesterday condemning their remarks and antisemitism on our campuses.

I'll always stand proudly with our Jewish community!

YEAR IN REVIEW: WORKING TO MAKE CHILD CARE MORE AFFORDABLE

In my newsletters this month, I’ll be highlighting some legislative milestones from the past year. I’m proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish in these last 12 months, and we’re just getting started!

This summer, I introduced bipartisan legislation that would help make child care more affordable for Oregon families. The Child Care Investment Act, which has now been endorsed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, improves three existing child care tax incentives to ensure the federal tax code adequately addresses the current realities of child care costs and availability.

As a mom of twin daughters, I’m proud to help lead the bipartisan Child Care Investment Act so mothers and parents don’t have to worry about breaking the bank to find quality care for their children

Learn more about my proposal by clicking below:

ONE MORE THING!

One of the best parts of the job is making Military Academy nominations – I had the honor of calling Harrison Jennrich last week to congratulate him on being selected as one of the 5th District’s principal nominees!

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,