HOUSE PASSES FINAL GOVERNMENT FUNDING PACKAGE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024

Today, I supported the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, which passed the House with bipartisan support. The package contains the last six appropriations bills required to complete funding for all government agencies for the rest of fiscal year 2024.

In a closely divided government that reflects a closely divided country, bipartisanship is the only path forward to successfully address many of the serious issues facing our districts. And with today’s passage of the remaining government funding bills for fiscal year 2024, I’m glad that bipartisanship has once again prevailed.

This package is full of provisions that will benefit Oregon and the 5th District by improving public safety, combating the fentanyl crisis, securing the southern border, expanding child care affordability, and much more. With the addition of my Community Project Funding request for Clackamas County to upgrade its emergency operations center, I’m proud to announce that I’ve secured a total of over $27 million for projects that will improve transportation, infrastructure, and public safety throughout the 5th District.

Learn more about key provisions included in the bill that passed today by visiting my website HERE. Learn more about the key provisions included in the first appropriations package that was signed into law earlier this month by visiting my website HERE.

EXCITING NEWS: TWO MORE OF MY BILLS HAVE PASSED THE HOUSE!

Earlier this week, the House passed two more of my bills with broad bipartisan support. The FOCUS Act, H.R. 6260, includes provisions that reform federal real estate practices to save taxpayer dollars. Separately, the Impact of Crime on Public Building Usage Act, H.R. 6261, would commission a federal study to improve safety around public office buildings.

A study conducted by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that 17 of 24 federal agencies reviewed were only using 25% or less of their workspace capacity. It’s clear that office space utilization has decreased dramatically in both the public and private sectors. Many companies have responded by reducing workspace to save money. The federal government should do the same to save Americans' tax dollars – and that’s what the FOCUS Act is all about.

Learn more by clicking HERE or below. Watch my House floor remarks on the FOCUS Act HERE and the Impact of Crime on Public Building Usage Act HERE.

SUPPLEMENTING POLICE RESPONSES TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTH INCIDENTS

I’m proud to be a new cosponsor of bipartisan legislation that seeks to improve the effectiveness of responses to emergency situations that involve behavioral health disorders.

In my conversations with law enforcement and behavioral health professionals, they’ve made it clear that more federal support is needed to address our mental health and addiction crises in Oregon. This legislation will help improve outcomes for calls related to mental health emergencies by providing grant funding to improve coordination between law enforcement and community health centers.

I’ll continue taking an all-of-the-above approach to improve public safety in our communities. Learn more:

INTRODUCING LEGISLATION TO COMBAT ANTISEMITISM ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES

I joined Congresswoman Kathy Manning to introduce a bipartisan bill this week that would empower students to file reports to the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights if they experience antisemitic violence, harassment, or other unlawful discrimination on college campuses due to their heritage or religion.

The disturbing rise and spread of antisemitism on college campuses is unacceptable. College should be about growing into an adult and making life-long friends – not fearing for your life because of the religion you practice.

The Protecting Students on Campus Act is commonsense legislation that will help protect students experiencing antisemitism. As a member of the Education and Workforce Committee, I’ll continue standing up against antisemitism on our campuses and fighting to protect Jewish students.

FAA, COMMERCE ANNOUNCE CRITICAL INVESTMENTS IN OREGON

On Wednesday, the FAA announced $1.29 million in additional funding for the construction of a new air traffic control tower at Bend Municipal Airport. I was glad to help secure the funding needed to move this project forward, and I will continue working to upgrade our airport infrastructure!

Separately, I also want to applaud the U.S. Department of Commerce's decision that was announced earlier this week – the department plans to invest billions in semiconductor research and development at Intel, which will ensure Oregon remains at the forefront of advanced manufacturing and technological development. I was glad to join the Oregon delegation in advocating for this investment to create thousands of good-paying manufacturing jobs for our state!

MEETING WITH OREGONIANS

Between votes in D.C. last week and this week, I had the pleasure of touring Premier Press’ facility in Portland. A lot of creativity takes place in this building, and it was fun to see it all in action. As a member of the Congressional Printing Caucus, I'll keep working to empower professionals in the printing industry.

I also enjoyed visiting General Sheet Metal in Clackamas on Friday, a woman-owned business that offers a wide range of impressive services – from laser cutting to specialty fabrication. Then I had the opportunity to meet local State Farm agents to learn more about their federal priorities.

ICYMI: DISCUSSING THE DEFENDING BORDERS, DEFENDING DEMOCRACIES ACT WITH CONGRESSWOMAN GLUESENKAMP PEREZ

Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez and I joined Straight Talk on KGW to discuss the Defending Borders, Defending Democracies Act – the bipartisan legislation we’re co-leading to secure the border and provide assistance to democratic allies of the United States.

Watch by clicking HERE or below:

MY MARCH MADNESS PICKS!

Ready to see Oregon and Oregon State cut down the nets in April! Congratulations to these teams and the Portland Pilots for making it into the tournament this year – you’ve made Oregon proud, and I wish you all good luck!

ONE MORE THING

Wishing a blessed Palm Sunday to everyone marking the beginning of Holy Week this weekend!

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,