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Ashley Mumm, Oregon Food Bank, 971.517.6208, amumm@oregonfoodbank.org
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Thomas Young, Sierra Club, 719-393-2354, thomas.young@sierraclub.org
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Kelly Hogan, Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, 920.562.4076, khogan@emoregon.org
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Joel Iboa, Oregon Just Transition Alliance, 541-357-7664 joel@ojta.org
Oregon City, OR — This morning, local community and faith leaders joined together outside U.S. Representative Kurt Schrader’s Oregon City office to urge that he keep his commitment to vote “yes” on the Build Back Better Act. The U.S. House is expected to hold a vote within the next few days.
Watch: Click here for a video recording from today’s event.
The 5th District congressman is one of five moderate U.S. representatives whose commitment to vote for Build Back Better helped secure passage of the historic infrastructure legislation that President Biden signed into law on Monday.
Rep. Schrader’s upcoming vote presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to address the region’s greatest challenges — from hunger and poverty to housing access and climate change. The Build Back Better Act ensures universal access to school meals, preschool, food assistance, and more, protecting families from making impossible choices between essential needs. Leaders representing a wide range of constituents are urging Schrader to deliver on his commitment to support the policies and investments communities in Oregon need to emerge stronger from compounding crises.
Concerned constituents are urged to call (503) 557-1324 or visit bit.ly/KeepYourWordOR to make their voices heard.
Joel Iboa of the Oregon Just Transition Alliance issued the following statement: “For almost two years, Oregonians have been ravaged by a global pandemic, power outages, wildfires, economic uncertainty, and an unprecedented heat wave that killed over 100 people. Our ask to Congressman Schrader is simple: Keep your word and help us build back better.”
Matt Newell-Ching of the Oregon Food Bank issued the following statement: “Nearly 1 in 4 Oregonians struggled to afford food in the pandemic’s wake — and communities that have long-faced disproportionate poverty have been hit particularly hard. With one vote, Congress can do something about the layered crises we face. Our communities are counting on Congressman Schrader to keep his word and help Oregon build back better.”
Fatima Preciado of Causa Oregon issued the following statement: “We need congress to take action now to support our communities. There’s no time to waste. I formally call on Representative Schrader to keep his word to ‘help Oregon build back better’ and deliver on the promise for millions of undocumented immigrants this year — no excuses!”
Rev. Andrea Cano of Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon issued the following statement: “As Congress prepares to vote on the Build Back Better Act, we call on Representative Schrader to keep his commitment and pass legislation that will help those on the margins of society, strengthen families, and promote care for creation. The Build Back Better Act represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to address Oregon’s most pressing challenges, not limited to climate change, affordable housing, and immigration.”
Laura Stevens of the Sierra Club issued the following statement: “Recent life-taking extreme weather events here in Oregon show us the price of our inaction. The Build Back Better Act will help us cut climate pollution in half by 2030, create family-sustaining clean energy jobs, and advance racial, economic, and environmental justice. I urge Representative Schrader to keep your word and vote yes for the Build Back Better Act without making any last minute cuts.”
Michael Vasquez of PCUN issued the following statement: "We have a once in a lifetime opportunity to bring generational change to our communities. Farmworkers are not second-class workers. They do not belong to a lower class of workers in Oregon or the nation. They have proven to be the most essential workers to our economy and deserve a pathway to citizenship. We are formally calling on Congressman Kurt Schrader to deliver on his commitment to support the Build Back Better Act and deliver for millions of undocumented workers. ¡Sí se puede!"
Doug Moore of Oregon League of Conservation Voters issued the following statement: “Rep. Schrader has said climate change is a top priority. Well, now is our time to act. We very much hope Rep. Schrader will vote yes and help pass the Build Back Better Act -- the strongest action the United States has ever taken to combat the climate crisis. It will put the U.S. on track to save people $500 a year on their energy bills, cut climate pollution in half by 2030, invest directly in communities of color too often left behind, and create good-paying union jobs.
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