MY NEW BILL TO HELP IMPROVE CARE FOR AGING VETERANS

On Wednesday, I was honored to speak before a Veterans’ Affairs subcommittee to advocate for my new proposal that seeks to improve long-term health care for aging veterans. My legislation, known as the VA Geriatrics and Gerontology Advisory Committee Expansion Act, would simply add a representative of the National Association of State Veterans Homes (NASVH) to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Geriatrics and Gerontology Advisory Committee.

This legislation stems from conversations I had with Central Oregon veterans during my policy forum this summer, where I heard concerns regarding access to community and long-term care. The NASVH plays a critical role in enhancing the quality of life for veterans at nursing homes and other State Veterans Home Facilities. Adding them to the Geriatrics and Gerontology Advisory Committee, which is responsible for advising the VA secretary on matters related to meeting the needs of aging veterans, will bring tested clinical expertise to the table to strengthen the committee’s mission.

Over eight million veterans in the U.S. are aged 65 or older, and there’s a clear need to expand long-term care options. That’s why I’m honored to lead this legislation. Learn more by visiting my website:

You can also watch my full committee remarks by clicking below:

REMEMBERING THOSE WE LOST ON 9/11

Wednesday marked 23 years since the 9/11 terrorist attacks. As a nation, we honor the memory of the nearly 3,000 innocent lives taken from us and remember the bravery of our first responders who ran toward danger to save lives on that fateful day. We will never forget.

Although I was in D.C. for votes and committee hearings this week, I’m glad my team was able to attend remembrance ceremonies in Canby and West Linn, pictured below.

Every year, Canby Fire holds a 9/11 memorial event, which brings local leaders together to honor the first responders who lost their lives saving others. Canby was recognized with a well-deserved award from Guardians Never Forget for their annual remembrance of those we lost.

PROTECTING OREGON TIMBERLAND FROM THE CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY

This week, the House passed the Protecting American Agriculture from Foreign Adversaries Act, which I was proud to support. It would add the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) secretary to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to improve reporting on transactions that could pose a threat to national security.

You might remember that I raised concerns earlier this year after a report surfaced that an individual with previous ties to the Chinese Communist Party owns 198,000 acres of forestland near Bend. That accounts for nearly half of all Chinese-owned land in the United States, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) data.

Farmers, ranchers, and foresters across the country are understandably worried that our adversaries can easily snatch up one of our most precious and finite resources. As a member of the Agriculture Committee, I’ll keep working to improve tracking of foreign-owned land in the United States to protect our supply chains and national security.

MEETING WITH OREGONIANS

Before heading back to D.C., I had the opportunity to stop by Bauman’s Cider Company to discuss legislation important to their industry, including a proposal that would lower the tax burden for cideries and provide more parity with other beverages. I’m honored to represent their 5th-generation farm in Gervais!

It was also great to catch up with some of the old crew and new employees during my visit to Happy Valley City Hall last week! Mayor Ellis and I had a productive conversation on all the great projects happening in Happy Valley, plus concerns with HB 2001 and increasing housing costs.

RECOGNIZING HYDROCEPHALUS AWARENESS MONTH

September is Hydrocephalus Awareness Month. Hydrocephalus is a life-threatening chronic brain condition that affects more than one million Americans.

As a member of the Hydrocephalus Caucus, I’m proud to advocate for those living with hydrocephalus and their families!

SUNDAY SCENERY

For this weekend's Sunday Scenery post, check out this amazing view of the Metolius River (our second picture of this beautiful river) submitted by Rachel from West Linn!

Thank you to Rachel for sending this in – submit your own Sunday Scenery by visiting: chavez-deremer.house.gov/sunday-scenery

ONE MORE THING!

It's rivalry weekend in Oregon!! Who will you be cheering for tomorrow? Let me know ⬇️⬇️

Who will you be cheering for in tomorrow's big rivalry game?

Oregon 🦆

Oregon State 🦫

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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,