Suzanne Bonamici
Representative for Oregon · Democratic · United States
“I recall visiting this very spot, at a time with gusty winds and torrential sideways rain, with Senator Merkley just before a town hall meeting. A little Oregon rain didn't stop us from climbing the spiral steps and gazing out at the City of Astoria and the Pacific Ocean.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 113 (Monday, July 13, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 113 (Monday, July 13, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E670] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] CELEBRATING THE CENTENNIAL REDEDICATION OF THE ASTORIA COLUMN ______ HON.…”
“The centennial has spurred a remarkable effort to restore this observatory so the column will stand tall on Coxcomb Hill for another century and beyond. Wrapped around the towering sides of the magnificent Column is a sweeping pictorial history of our region.”
“In 2022, the people who are age 65 and older represented at least 17 percent of the U.S. population, and more than one in four adults experience a disability, including most adults over 75.”
“Unfortunately, while the markup was in recess, the Republicans adopted a rule that blocks resolutions of inquiry from being considered. It was especially frustrating because we could have debated the resolution yesterday morning, but apparently the majority delayed consideration so they could pass this language in fine print that blocks u…”
“Unfortunately, while the markup was in recess, the Republicans adopted a rule that blocks resolutions of inquiry from being considered. It was especially frustrating because we could have debated the resolution yesterday morning, but apparently the majority delayed consideration so they could pass this language in fine print that blocks u…”
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“It is truly an honor to represent Oregon's 1st Congressional District, and I am proud to stand with Astorians as they celebrate this beacon of our shared past. ____________________”
“I recall visiting this very spot, at a time with gusty winds and torrential sideways rain, with Senator Merkley just before a town hall meeting. A little Oregon rain didn't stop us from climbing the spiral steps and gazing out at the City of Astoria and the Pacific Ocean. This monument is a symbol of the Astorian spirit and the rededication a demonstration of the determination to protect the exceptional art and heritage for generations yet to come. This day is possible because several decades ago Friends of the Astoria Column was created to preserve the column. Through decades, Friends of the Astoria Column have cared for this important structure, raising funds to complete cleaning and restoration, and even projecting a light show onto the column. In 1989 they actually scrubbed the column with toothbrushes to clean the facade.”
“The centennial has spurred a remarkable effort to restore this observatory so the column will stand tall on Coxcomb Hill for another century and beyond. Wrapped around the towering sides of the magnificent Column is a sweeping pictorial history of our region. These scenes, brought to life by architect Electus Litchfield and the masterful sgraffito painting technique of Attilio Pusterla, form a historical tapestry that is truly one of a kind. Yet, the significance of this site extends beyond the Column itself. Just behind it rests a small granite marker that commemorates an invention born here on the Oregon coast: cable television. It is a quiet reminder that Astoria has always been a place where innovation meets history.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 113 (Monday, July 13, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 113 (Monday, July 13, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E670] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] CELEBRATING THE CENTENNIAL REDEDICATION OF THE ASTORIA COLUMN ______ HON. SUZANNE BONAMICI of oregon in the house of representatives Monday, July 13, 2026 Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a landmark occasion in Oregon's 1st Congressional District, the centennial rededication of the Astoria Column. This July, Oregonians from across the coast will gather to celebrate the 100th birthday of a monument that has been a beacon in Astoria since 1926.”
“Unfortunately, the Republican majority is also using the same shady tactic to take away the authority of Congress to legislate tariff policy, likely because Republicans know their positions are wildly unpopular and proper oversight would highlight these failings. This is yet another example of the erosion of separation of powers that we are seeing in this administration and this Congress. I have heard many of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle talk about the importance of transparency and accountability. I hope my Republican colleagues live up to that and prove that by stopping the block on resolutions of inquiry. ____________________”
“They conduct research into fall prevention, chronic disease management, and Alzheimer's disease. They safeguard vulnerable adults through the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, and they address elder justice issues like abuse, neglect, and exploitation. They provide legal assistance for disabled people and more. {time} 1030 These are just some of the reasons that we introduced the resolution of inquiry: to ask what will happen to these important programs with the administration's plan to eliminate ACL. We are a coequal branch of government, and we need this information to make prudent decisions on behalf of our constituents. Yet, as of yesterday, the majority blocked our ability to get those questions answered.”
“Seniors need access to nutritious food so they can lead healthy lives. It is not just the food. The person delivering the meal is often the only social contact the client will have that day, which is especially important in addressing social isolation. It is disheartening to see this administration advocating for policies that will put essential food assistance for older Americans at risk. The ACL does more than food assistance. They support paid and unpaid caregivers, including family caregivers and Native American caregivers. They study better ways to support older adults living with HIV. They protect seniors from abuse through the Adult Protective Services Program. They provide programming to reduce social isolation and loneliness. They support protection and advocacy programs for people with disabilities.”
“In 2022, the people who are age 65 and older represented at least 17 percent of the U.S. population, and more than one in four adults experience a disability, including most adults over 75. The Administration for Community Living's programs improved the lives of millions of older adults and people with disabilities and also benefits their families and their caregivers. It is the only government entity that advocates across the Federal Government for these populations. Because my colleagues blocked consideration of this resolution, I want to take this opportunity to tell you more about what is at risk. Through the Older Americans Act, the Administration for Community Living runs senior centers and distributes more than 200 million meals every year to older adults and people with disabilities through the Meals on Wheels program.”
“The Administration for Community Living, known as ACL, was founded around the fundamental principle that older adults and people of all ages with disabilities should, whenever possible, be able to live where they choose, with the people they choose, and with the ability to participate fully in their communities. Bringing programs that serve those two populations together and sharing expertise actually made the programs work better and more efficiently. Unfortunately, at the end of March, the Trump administration announced a dramatic restructuring of the Department of Human Services that includes the elimination of the Administration for Community Living. Now is not the time to dismantle an agency that supports older adults and people with disabilities. More than 11,000 people turn 65 every day.”
“Unfortunately, while the markup was in recess, the Republicans adopted a rule that blocks resolutions of inquiry from being considered. It was especially frustrating because we could have debated the resolution yesterday morning, but apparently the majority delayed consideration so they could pass this language in fine print that blocks us from conducting important oversight of policies and programs that are in the committee's jurisdiction. Our resolution is simple. It asks the President and the Department of Health and Human Services to tell Congress why they plan to eliminate the Administration for Community Living, an agency that administers programs designed to support older adults and people with disabilities and helps them stay in their homes. The public deserves to know what will happen if these programs are eliminated.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 72 (Wednesday, April 30, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 72 (Wednesday, April 30, 2025)] [House] [Pages H1733-H1734] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] BLOCKING RESOLUTIONS OF INQUIRY (Ms. Bonamici of Oregon was recognized to address the House for 5 minutes.) Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to condemn the decision of my colleagues to block the House from [[Page H1734]] considering resolutions of inquiry, a procedure that is designed to get Members of Congress factual information from the executive branch. Education Committee Ranking Member Scott and I introduced a resolution of inquiry that was scheduled to be considered yesterday during the Committee on Education and Workforce's reconciliation markup.”
“Unfortunately, the Republican majority is also using the same shady tactic to take away the authority of Congress to legislate tariff policy, likely because Republicans know their positions are wildly unpopular and proper oversight would highlight these failings. This is yet another example of the erosion of separation of powers that we are seeing in this administration and this Congress. I have heard many of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle talk about the importance of transparency and accountability. I hope my Republican colleagues live up to that and prove that by stopping the block on resolutions of inquiry. ____________________”
“They conduct research into fall prevention, chronic disease management, and Alzheimer's disease. They safeguard vulnerable adults through the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, and they address elder justice issues like abuse, neglect, and exploitation. They provide legal assistance for disabled people and more. {time} 1030 These are just some of the reasons that we introduced the resolution of inquiry: to ask what will happen to these important programs with the administration's plan to eliminate ACL. We are a coequal branch of government, and we need this information to make prudent decisions on behalf of our constituents. Yet, as of yesterday, the majority blocked our ability to get those questions answered.”
“Seniors need access to nutritious food so they can lead healthy lives. It is not just the food. The person delivering the meal is often the only social contact the client will have that day, which is especially important in addressing social isolation. It is disheartening to see this administration advocating for policies that will put essential food assistance for older Americans at risk. The ACL does more than food assistance. They support paid and unpaid caregivers, including family caregivers and Native American caregivers. They study better ways to support older adults living with HIV. They protect seniors from abuse through the Adult Protective Services Program. They provide programming to reduce social isolation and loneliness. They support protection and advocacy programs for people with disabilities.”
“In 2022, the people who are age 65 and older represented at least 17 percent of the U.S. population, and more than one in four adults experience a disability, including most adults over 75. The Administration for Community Living's programs improved the lives of millions of older adults and people with disabilities and also benefits their families and their caregivers. It is the only government entity that advocates across the Federal Government for these populations. Because my colleagues blocked consideration of this resolution, I want to take this opportunity to tell you more about what is at risk. Through the Older Americans Act, the Administration for Community Living runs senior centers and distributes more than 200 million meals every year to older adults and people with disabilities through the Meals on Wheels program.”
“The Administration for Community Living, known as ACL, was founded around the fundamental principle that older adults and people of all ages with disabilities should, whenever possible, be able to live where they choose, with the people they choose, and with the ability to participate fully in their communities. Bringing programs that serve those two populations together and sharing expertise actually made the programs work better and more efficiently. Unfortunately, at the end of March, the Trump administration announced a dramatic restructuring of the Department of Human Services that includes the elimination of the Administration for Community Living. Now is not the time to dismantle an agency that supports older adults and people with disabilities. More than 11,000 people turn 65 every day.”
“Unfortunately, while the markup was in recess, the Republicans adopted a rule that blocks resolutions of inquiry from being considered. It was especially frustrating because we could have debated the resolution yesterday morning, but apparently the majority delayed consideration so they could pass this language in fine print that blocks us from conducting important oversight of policies and programs that are in the committee's jurisdiction. Our resolution is simple. It asks the President and the Department of Health and Human Services to tell Congress why they plan to eliminate the Administration for Community Living, an agency that administers programs designed to support older adults and people with disabilities and helps them stay in their homes. The public deserves to know what will happen if these programs are eliminated.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 72 (Wednesday, April 30, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 72 (Wednesday, April 30, 2025)] [House] [Pages H1733-H1734] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] BLOCKING RESOLUTIONS OF INQUIRY (Ms. Bonamici of Oregon was recognized to address the House for 5 minutes.) Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to condemn the decision of my colleagues to block the House from [[Page H1734]] considering resolutions of inquiry, a procedure that is designed to get Members of Congress factual information from the executive branch. Education Committee Ranking Member Scott and I introduced a resolution of inquiry that was scheduled to be considered yesterday during the Committee on Education and Workforce's reconciliation markup.”
“Speaker, this administration said they were going to go after dangerous criminals and drug dealers, but what they are doing instead with this disastrous mass deportation effort is creating fear and stress across the country including among young children. ``I wish I didn't have to worry about these things,'' the student said. So do I and so should anybody in this body with an ounce of compassion. These are kids. Let that sink in, and let's do what we need to do to truly protect students. ____________________”
“I worry what might happen to me if I refuse to answer their questions to protect my friends and classmates. I also worry about ICE agents trying to talk to me on the bus ride from school. I worry about what I should do if ICE agents come up to my neighbors when I am walking with them home from the bus stop. Some of the things I worry about are: Do I hide my friends if they are getting taken? If ICE enters my school and takes someone, what will the school do? If ICE takes my classmate, what should I do? Where does ICE take people? And what do I do if my friends come home to an empty house because their family got deported? ``I wish I did not have to worry about these things, and I wish even more that my friends, classmates, and neighbors did not have to either. Thanks for your time.'' Mr.”
“The majority is willing to pass a bill to protect students from the Chinese Communist Party, something no parent or educator has ever mentioned to me, but not willing to address gun violence, increasing behavioral health needs, or, importantly, the stress and fear that the Trump administration has created by giving ICE free range to raid sensitive locations, including schools. Don't take my word for it. Listen to the words of a fourth grade student in Oregon who wrote me this letter: ``Hi. I am a local student, and I am in fourth grade. Ever since the rules were changed to allow ICE agents to enter schools, I have felt scared for my safety and the safety of my classmates, friends, and neighbors. I feel scared and distracted in class sometimes because I am worried ICE might come in our school.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 63 (Tuesday, April 8, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 63 (Tuesday, April 8, 2025)] [House] [Page H1467] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] CHALLENGES FACING OUR STUDENTS (Ms. Bonamici of Oregon was recognized to address the House for 5 minutes.) Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Speaker, as someone who has dedicated years of my career to education striving to create a better future for children, I find it disturbing and ironic that my colleagues in the majority pass bills that they say are to protect students but, in fact, do nothing to address the real challenges children are facing in schools today.”