Back in September, I wrote to you to let you know that my newsletter program would be on a temporary hiatus ahead of this year’s November election, in accordance with ethics rules designed to make sure elected officials don’t use their resources for an unfair advantage. Now that the election has passed, I’m looking forward to communicating with you through email again -- including with newsletters like this one -- to keep you up to date on my work in Washington, D.C.

I’m also especially glad to have this opportunity to pass along an important reminder: don’t forget to protect yourself and your loved ones by getting your flu shot this year. As we head into the colder months and coronavirus cases continue to rise in Oregon and across the country, public health officials are encouraging Americans to do everything they can to stay healthy and prevent strains on our hospital resources. So do your part, and get your flu shot as soon as possible. To find a flu shot location near you, click here.

We can’t forget that we’re all in this public health emergency together -- and when each of us takes important steps like wearing a mask, washing our hands, and preparing for flu season, we can keep ourselves and the most vulnerable Oregonians in our communities safe.

All my best,
Jeff

Keeping Up the Fight for Oregon’s Small Businesses

Throughout the coronavirus crisis, Jeff has been in close contact with workers and business owners in every corner of Oregon. The valuable insights and experiences Oregonians have shared this year continue to play a crucial role in Jeff’s efforts to fight for critical relief policies -- including the HEROES Small Business Lifeline Act, which Jeff and his colleagues introduced in October.

This legislation would extend and strengthen the Paycheck Protection Program to better serve small businesses -- particularly those hardest hit by the pandemic. It would also extend and expand debt relief and allocate $40 billion in funding for Lifeline grants -- half of which would be set aside for underserved businesses -- among other steps to support struggling small businesses.

“Like so many of these Oregonians, I’m frustrated by continued inaction from some in Washington, D.C. who are more interested in lining the pockets of Wall Street executives than in saving our Main Streets. If we don’t act soon, we risk losing countless businesses across our state that families rely on -- not only for the valuable services they provide, but for their livelihoods -- and I’m going to keep fighting to do all that I can to make sure that doesn’t happen,” Jeff said.

Preparing for Future Blazes

More is more when it comes to wildfire preparedness, especially in the wake of this year’s unprecedented season -- and Jeff has been fighting for the resources Oregon needs to be as prepared as possible. In October, Jeff requested a full report from the National Guard detailing its readiness to help states prepare, fight, and recover from wildfires. The call followed his continued efforts throughout this year to support National Guard firefighters, including his successful push to secure the funding necessary to train additional National Guard teams to fight fires.

Jeff also announced last month that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has finalized a $70 million federal contract with Erickson Aero Tanker in Hillsboro, which will support the aerial spraying of flame retardant to fight future fires. “This year was a devastating reminder of just how important it is that we have every possible tool -- including airtankers -- at the ready to keep our communities safe from future blazes,” Jeff said last month when announcing the contract. “I’m pleased that this funding is headed to our state, and I’m going to keep doing everything I can to make sure we’re not only prepared, but taking urgently needed steps to reduce the risk of more catastrophic wildfires.”

Keeping Lunchboxes Full Throughout This Pandemic

For hundreds of thousands of students across Oregon, meals served by their school cafeteria don’t just fuel learning -- they’re an essential lifeline to reduce food insecurity. Unfortunately, school closures related to the coronavirus have threatened to take those critical meals away.

That’s why Jeff, who is the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations subcommittee that funds nutrition assistance programs, has been leading the charge in the Senate to fight hunger and keep lunchboxes full. In October, the USDA responded to extend waivers that the state relies on to deliver meals to students during the pandemic for the entire 2020-2021 school year.

“Even before the coronavirus hit, keeping food on the table and in kids’ lunchboxes was a daily struggle for hundreds of thousands of Oregonians and millions of Americans. I’m relieved that the USDA has finally agreed to take this step to help communities feed our schoolchildren during this turbulent time -- but much more work lies ahead in our fight to end hunger in America, and I will continue to do all that I can to see it through,” Jeff said as he shared the news last month.

Closing the Rural Broadband Gap in Native Communities

“The federal government has a long history of morally reprehensible action against tribal nations, and we have a responsibility to turn the page and do everything we can to support these communities. That must include making sure they have access to the resources -- like reliable, affordable broadband -- communities need to thrive and be healthy,” Jeff said last month, as he announced that five tribes in Oregon have secured spectrum licenses to help close the digital divide experienced by Native communities.

The licenses for the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Coquille Indian Tribe, Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians, and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs followed efforts by Jeff and his colleagues to expand access to broadband and push the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to expedite broadband connectivity to tribes. Reliable broadband access is critical to putting employment, online learning, and telehealth services within reach for more communities -- especially amid the ongoing public health emergency.

Thank you!

Thank you for reading -- and don't forget, you can see the latest updates by liking Jeff on Facebook and following Jeff on Twitter. And be sure to check Merkley.senate.gov for more information and current events.

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