PRESIDENT SIGNS MY BILL SUPPORTING OVERDOSE PREVENTION PROGRAMS INTO LAW

I’m excited to announce that another one of my bipartisan bills has been signed into law!

Last week, President Biden signed the Poison Control Centers Reauthorization Act, a bill I introduced with a bipartisan group of my colleagues earlier this year. It would extend poison control centers, the nationwide poison control hotline, and educational campaigns to prevent accidental poisonings and overdoses, including for fentanyl. The programs had been set to expire on September 30.

Last year, the Oregon Poison Center raised concerns after 16 children younger than six years old overdosed on fentanyl in our state – up from zero in 2020. My bill will help prevent accidental overdoses and poisonings from getting worse by supporting these poison centers and key poison control programs, which help save lives while reducing pressure on emergency rooms nationwide.

Learn more by visiting my website:

PROTECTING SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS FOR TEACHERS, POLICE OFFICERS, ALL PUBLIC EMPLOYEES

Early last year, I cosponsored the bipartisan Social Security Fairness Act, which would protect retirement benefits for Americans who have dedicated their careers to public service. Currently, retired teachers, firefighters, police officers, and other public servants are being treated unfairly in our Social Security system through the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO) – provisions that punish these hardworking men and women for taking other jobs after retiring from public service.

The Social Security Fairness Act would eliminate the WEP and the GPO to prevent earned Social Security benefits from being reduced for public employees. Unfortunately, this bill has not yet received consideration on the House floor. That’s why I joined a rarely-used procedure, known as a discharge petition, to force a vote on the measure.

I’ve been a strong and vocal supporter of efforts to protect Social Security and Medicare for Oregonians. For example, when the U.S. was on the brink of a debt default last year, I helped lead the Protecting Social Security and Medicare Act to ensure payments were made in full even if a federal debt limit deal wasn’t reached. I also supported the two bipartisan appropriations bills that were signed into law for fiscal year 2024, which contained a $100 million increase for the Social Security Administration to improve operations for seniors, full funding – $4.1 billion – for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and full funding for the Senior Community Service Employment for Older Americans Program.

Learn more about my efforts to support and protect Social Security and Medicare for Oregonians:

RAISING CONCERNS WITH USFS PLAN TO LAY OFF WILDLAND FIREFIGHTRS

In a letter to U.S. Forest Service (USFS) Chief Randy Moore, I raised concerns with their plans to lay off seasonal wildland firefighters effective October 5. It goes without saying that pulling frontline firefighters amid Oregon’s most destructive wildfire season could have devastating consequences.

To add insult to injury, some of these public servants are at risk of losing their accrued annual leave, as their last fire line assignment will go until October 5. In a workforce that struggles with recruitment and retention issues, the decision to penalize them for working hard all summer is misguided and indefensible.

I’m asking the Forest Service to provide additional information on steps being taken to support wildland firefighters coming off the frontlines, plans for future recruitment and retainment of wildland firefighters, and the overall impact layoffs will have on the Oregon-based workforce.

Read my full letter by clicking below:

DEMANDING ANSWERS FROM OREGON SECRETARY OF STATE OVER REGISTERING NONCITIZEN VOTERS

This week, I joined House Administration Committee Chairman Bryan Steil in demanding answers from the Oregon Secretary of State’s office regarding the reports that over 1,000 noncitizens were registered to vote.

It’s against federal and Oregon law for noncitizens to vote, but some of these individuals have voting histories. This is unacceptable. As we get closer to Election Day, our state government must do everything in its power to uphold the law and to ensure Oregon voters can have trust and confidence in the integrity of our elections. Read more in the Washington Examiner:

URGING HOUSE LEADERSHIP TO HOLD A VOTE ON THE FARM BILL

I was proud to support the bipartisan Farm Bill when it passed the House Agriculture Committee in May. It includes many priorities for Oregon farmers and ranchers that I advocated for, like support for specialty crop growers, a strong farm safety net, assistance for new and beginning farmers, and much more.

Unfortunately, the bill still hasn’t been considered on the House floor – and I recognize the importance of getting an effective Farm Bill passed to provide certainty to our ag community. That’s why I recently joined a group of my colleagues in urging House leadership to bring it up for a vote as soon as we return to session in November. As a member of the Agriculture Committee, I’ll keep pushing to get the Farm Bill across the finish line.

GREETING SOUTH WILLAMETTE VALLEY HONOR FLIGHT

Before my flight home last week, I was able to greet veterans arriving in DC with the South Willamette Valley Honor Flight. Thank you for your service, and I hope you enjoyed your time in our nation’s capital! 🇺🇸

SUNDAY SCENERY

Take a look at this stunning view of the Green Peter Reservoir, submitted by Todd from Albany!

Thank you, Todd, for sending this in – submit your own Sunday Scenery today: https://chavez-deremer.house.gov/sunday-scenery

ONE MORE THING!

As the Carolinas continue to rebuild after Hurricane Helene, a crew of linemen from Central Oregon is working hard to restore power in hard-hit communities. Thank you to these linemen for your service and commitment to helping these communities recover!

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,