Congressman Earl Blumenauer's Website, Representing the 3rd Congressional District of Oregon

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	About Earl

Overview

Legislation

Floor Speeches

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		All

		Livable Communities

		Transportation and Bicycling

		Agriculture and Animal Welfare

		Army Corps Reform

		Budget and Taxes

		Children and Education

		Civil Liberties, Immigration, and Judicial Issues

		Defense and Unexploded Ordnance

		Environment, Energy, and Water Resources

		Government Reform

		Health, Welfare and Social Security

		International Relations

		Native Americans

		Public Broadcasting

		Public Safety

		Trade and the Economy

		Veterans

Contact Information


	Contact Earl Form

Portland office:
729 N.E. Oregon Street
Suite 115
Portland, OR 97232
(503) 231-2300
Fax: (503) 230-5413

Washington D.C. office:
US House of Representatives
2446 Rayburn HOB
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-4811
Fax: (202) 225-8941

Position Statements


		Livable Communities

		Congressman Blumenauer Visits New Orleans

		Mt Hood Stewardship Legacy Act Passes House of Representatives

		Urban Livability in the Developing World

		Transportation Reauthorization Bill Becomes Law

		In Memory of Monroe Sweetland

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Livable Communities
We want our families to be safe, economically secure, and healthy - both physically and environmentally. These, in essence, are the building blocks of livable communities.
Click Here to view the Livable Communities Task Force


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Position Statements


		Transportation

		$80 million proposed for the I-205/Downtown Mall MAX line

		Bicycling

		Blumenauer Fights for Amtrak, Passenger Rail

		Transportation Reauthorization Bill Becomes Law

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	Floor Speeches

Transportation and Bicycling


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Position Statements


		Agriculture Policy

		Reforming US Sugar Policy

		Animal Welfare

		Blumenauer Champions Amendment to Combat Animal Fighting

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Agriculture and Animal Welfare
Congressman Blumenauer believes that we are at a crossroads in American farm policy. Our federal farm policy is too far removed from the needs of most farmers today.


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Position Statements


		Army Corps Reform

		Army Corps Modernization Caucus

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	Press Releases

	Floor Speeches

Army Corps Reform
One of Representative Blumenauer's goals in Congress is to make the federal government a better partner to states and local communities. Through its construction of water projects, the Army Corps of Engineers is a major player in developing local infrastructure and working with local communities


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Position Statements


		Blumenauer Responds to President’s Budget

		Budget Cuts Wrong for Oregon

		Congressman Blumenauer Opposes Unfair Changes to Estate Tax Bill

		Budget and Taxes

		Preserving Social Security

		Alternative Minimum Tax

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	Press Releases

	Floor Speeches

Budget and Taxes
The leadership in Congress seeks reduce funding for millions of poor, the sick, for students and their families to pay for more tax cuts for people who need them the least. It's unfortunate how out-of-touch the leadership is from the needs and desires of the average American.

Click Here for Video
(Click here for transcript)

Click Here to see what impact the budget cuts will have on Oregon

Click here for the Democratic Caucus Report

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Position Statements


		Education

		Students Urged to Consolidate Loans Before July 1, 2006

		Arts & Humanities

		Welfare and TANF

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	Floor Speeches

Children and Education


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Position Statements


		Immigration

		Congressman Blumenauer Fights to End Torture Policy

		Women's Issues

		Blumenauer Defends Oregon's Death with Dignity

		Blumenauer Files Amicus Brief Regarding NSA Wiretap Program

		Blumenauer Votes Against Patriot Act Reauthorization

		Congressman Earl Blumenauer adamantly opposes any Congressional intervention into the Terry Schiavo case

		Judicial Issues

		Gun Safety

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	Press Releases

	Floor Speeches

Civil Liberties, Immigration, and Judicial Issues
One of the most challenging issues in our country today is immigration. Congressman Blumenauer’s office has received hundreds of calls, letters and emails expressing a variety of opinions. Some people want to seal our borders completely with massive walls and fences and lock up anyone who is in this country illegally. Others say that Congress should implement an amnesty program for undocumented aliens and create a guest worker program that provides a way for illegal workers to move easily back and forth across the border.


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Position Statements


		Blumenauer Blasts VA for Compromising the Identity of over 26 Million Veterans

		Blumenauer Demands Investigation of Recruiting Practices

		Blumenauer Honors the Sacrifice of Oregonian Killed in Iraq

		Blumenauer Votes Against Iraq War Resolution

		Congressman Blumenauer Issues the Following Letter to ABC

		Defense and UXO

		June 17, 2005 Congressman Blumenauer testified before BRAC Commission

		Remembering September 11th

		Terrorism and National Security

		The “Downing Street Memo”

		Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) Caucus

		Congressman Blumenauer Cosponsors H. RES. 1043

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	Press Releases

	Floor Speeches

Defense and Unexploded Ordnance
Deeply concerned about the theft of 26.5 million veterans’ records, Congressman Blumenauer recently cosponsored the “Veterans’ Identity Protection Act of 2006” (H.R. 5455), legislation aimed at helping veterans whose personal data was stolen from the home of a VA employee earlier this month.

This legislation will protect veterans from identity theft by calling on the VA to:

· Provide veterans with one year of free credit monitoring -- to alert them of changes in their credit in order to stop the theft before it gets out of control.

· Provide veterans with one free credit report each year for two years after the end of credit monitoring, in addition to the free credit report available under the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

· Authorize $1.25 billion in emergency funds for the first year of implementation.

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Position Statements


		Blumenauer Leads Call for Congressional Hearing on Global Warming

		Congressman Blumenauer Speaks Out On The Energy Crisis

		Environment and Water Resources

		Mt Hood Stewardship Legacy Act Passes House of Representatives

		President Signs Water for the Poor Act Into Law

		Energy

		Army Corps Reform

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	Press Releases

	Floor Speeches

Environment, Energy, and Water Resources
Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D – Ore.) was joined by International Relations Committee Democrats today in demanding a congressional hearing on global warming before the end of this session of Congress.

In a letter submitted on September 19th to the House Committee on International Relations committee chairman Henry Hyde, the members noted that “because both the global effects of and international solutions to this ‘climate crisis’ fall within our committee’s jurisdiction,” a full committee hearing is necessary. The full text of the letter follows.

Letter to the International Relations Committee

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Position Statements


		Budget and Taxes

		Campaign Reform

		Congress Needs to Ensure Election Integrity

		Government Reform

		Postal Issues

		The Ethics Reform Act of 2006

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	Floor Speeches

Government Reform


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Position Statements


		Medicare Part D

		The Future of Social Security

		Social Security Frequently Asked Questions

		Medicare & Prescription Drugs

		Preserving Social Security

		Seniors

		Welfare and TANF

		Women's Issues

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	Press Releases

	Floor Speeches

Health, Welfare and Social Security
In January 2006 the Prescription Drug Benefit became effective. Anyone with Medicare coverage is eligible to sign up. Individuals enrolled after May 15 deadline will see a 1% increase in their monthly premium. The next enrollment period is November 15 but this will mean individuals will automatically be subject to a 7% minimum penalty for the rest of their lives.


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Position Statements


		Blumenauer Calls for United States Diplomacy in the Middle East

		Blumenauer Opposes Ill-Advised Iran Legislation

		Blumenauer Votes Against Iraq War Resolution

		International Relations

		President Signs Water for the Poor Act Into Law

		Blumenauer Issues Statement Following London Tragedy

		Congressman Blumenauer Fights to End Torture Policy

		Tsunami and Earthquake Disaster in Southeast Asia

		Afghanistan

		Urban Livability in the Developing World

		Global Access to Clean Water

		Human Rights and Rule of Law

		International Development and Livability

		Middle East

		International Environmental Issues

		International Urban Sustainability

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	Floor Speeches

International Relations
Over the past weeks, Oregonians of all political stripes and ethnic backgrounds have been deeply concerned over the resurgence in violence in the Middle East. Congressman Blumenauer supports Israel’s right to defend itself against the unjustified and unprovoked attacks by Hezbollah, but is deeply distressed by the impact of Israeli military actions on Lebanese civilians and dismayed that the United States has not been quicker to react or more assertive diplomatically. It is urgent that the United States take a constructive diplomatic role to create the conditions for a sustainable peace and thus make Israeli military action unnecessary.

For Congressman Blumenauer’s full statement, click here.

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Position Statements


		Native American Issues

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Native Americans


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Position Statements


		Public Broadcasting is a Critical National Resource

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Public Broadcasting

Congressman Earl Blumenauer speaks about the importance of public broadcasting on Tuesday, June 21 in Washington, DC.

In every community across the country, people can turn to over 1,000 public radio and television stations for programs that inform and inspire; for help with reading or job training; for the latest digital services; for local news and information. More than 87 million Americans tune into public television each week, and 30 million listen to public radio. These critical services will be jeopardized by the $100 million in cuts to CPB's budget. As co-chair of the Public Broadcasting Caucus I will fight to defeat this cut and continue to advocate the necessity of fully funded public broadcasting.

CLICK HERE for the CRS report on Public Broadcasting

Statement for the Record Regarding Funds for Public Broadcasting
June 20th 2005 (VIDEO CLIP)

June 21th 2005 (VIDEO CLIP)

Press Event for Public Broadcasting
June 21th 2005 (VIDEO CLIP)
large file size

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Position Statements


		Congressman Blumenauer Visits New Orleans

		Future of FEMA Up in the Air

		Terrorism and National Security

		Tsunami and Earthquake Disaster in Southeast Asia

		Hurricane Katrina Disaster

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	Floor Speeches

Public Safety
"I visited New Orleans as part of a small Portland delegation hosted by Mercy Corps, which has been on the ground in the devastated Gulf Coast region since early September of last year, helping people and communities recover from Katrina’s rampage.

"Visiting New Orleans was particularly poignant for me, since I’ve been haunted by a vision of its vulnerability since my first visit years ago, when I looked up to see ships sail by. My trip to SE Asia in the wake of the deadly 2004 tsunami only reinforced my concern, prompting me to look introduce legislation to help communities deal with disasters last summer. Today, a year after Katrina, I am struck by how much of my initial reaction to the storm remains valid."

-Congressman Earl Blumenauer

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Position Statements


		Blumenauer Announces Opposition to CAFTA

		Trade and the Economy

		Agricultural Subsidies

		Free Trade Agreements

		Trade and the Developing World

		Trade Promotion (“Fast Track”) Authority

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	Floor Speeches

Trade and the Economy
Oregon is a key part of the global economy. I, along with most Oregonians, support trade. Done right, trade has the potential to create jobs, lower consumer prices, and help developing countries. We all want stronger economies and better consumer choices.
VIDEO CLIP


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Position Statements


		Blumenauer Votes to Restore Critical VA Funding

		June 17, 2005 Congressman Blumenauer testified before BRAC Commission

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Veterans

Congressman Earl Blumenauer (center) recently spoke with Portland area veterans about funding for the VA.

After repeatedly denying any funding problems at the Veterans’ Affairs (VA) Department, the Bush administration admitted this month that there was a $1 billion shortfall in veterans’ health care for fiscal year 2005. As recently as April 12, the VA denied any problems in providing veterans’ health care, yet they have stopped accepting appointments for new veterans at many of their facilities around the country.

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More Information on Legislation


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