A true bipartisan effort can empower Oregonians and all Americans. From a real plan for health coverage for the uninsured, to protecting our citizens from financial fallout from the California energy crisis, to creatively addressing natural resources issues, good ideas can prevail in this contentious political climate.

A BIPARTISAN AGENDA FOR THE 107TH CONGRESS

For each Congress, Oregon's U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D) and Gordon Smith (R) create a bipartisan legislative agenda as their guide to work together to advance issues important to Oregon.

Improving Health Opportunities for the Young and Old

HEALTH COVERAGE FOR THE UNINSURED: Develop a proposal to expand coverage for uninsured Americans under age 65. Provide state flexibility and incentives for businesses to make employment-based coverage more affordable for workers.

DRUG COVERAGE FOR SENIORS: Champion a comprehensive, market-based prescription drug benefit through Medicare. Offer seniors a range of options to obtain reasonably priced prescription drugs.

IMPROVING PAIN MANAGEMENT: Introduce revised Conquering Pain Act to improve end-of-life care and reduce demand for physician-assisted suicide. The Act offers better access to support services and care for patients in pain and their families, and also improves care by assisting providers with information on treating pain.

PRESERVING OREGON HEALTH PLAN: With guidance from state leaders, pursue federal Medicaid waivers to support and promote the Oregon Health Plan. Waivers will assure flexibility for the state to find innovative ways to deliver coverage and services.

SUPPORTING BIOTECHNOLOGY AND RESEARCH: Support Oregon's unique leadership in promoting and researching healthy aging and biotechnology.

Stewardship of Oregon's Land and Resources

SAFEGUARDING THE LITTLE SANDY: Work for passage of legislation to increase safeguards of the Little Sandy River by expanding the protected area surrounding the Bull Run watershed. Keeping the Little Sandy clean will ensure that the nearby Bull Run, Portland's primary municipal water supply, remains pure and safe for consumption while preventing the loss of seven miles of potential salmon habitat.

EXPANDING FORT CLATSOP: Work for passage of the Fort Clatsop National Memorial Expansion Act of 2001. This legislation would authorize expansion of the Fort Clatsop Memorial by up to 1,500 acres. The memorial marks the spot where Lewis and Clark spent 106 days during the winter of 1805.

RESPONDING TO THE GROUNDFISH DISASTER: Work to obtain additional appropriations to meet the social needs created by the sudden decline of the commercial fishing industry. Funding will be used for job retraining programs, peer counseling, and outreach for existing social services provided by federal and state agencies. Last year, Senators Smith and Wyden obtained $1.75 million for these programs in Oregon. In addition, the Senators will work for funding for the vessel and permit buyback program.

MITIGATE UMATILLA WEAPONS DEPOT CLEANUP: Work to bring about the safe disposal of dangerous materials and lessen the economic impact on the surrounding communities. The communities of Morrow and Umatilla counties have been burdened with one of the U.S. chemical demilitarization projects for many years and face negative economic impacts due to the close proximity of the depot to their homes and businesses.

IMPROVING WATER MANAGEMENT: Work to pass legislation enabling the Bureau of Reclamation to study water management on four Snake River tributaries in northeastern Oregon. An initial Bureau of Land Management study of the Malheur, Owyhee, Powder and Burnt River basins uncovered problems ranging from water quality issues to degraded fish habitats. These new feasibility studies will help local watershed councils save their own resources for the future.

SUPPORT PELTON DAM ACT: Obtain passage of S. 266 — legislation which sanctions, in federal law, an agreement that allows the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs to purchase a stake in the dams and power generating equipment in the three-dam Pelton Hydroelectric Project on the Deschutes River. A side agreement will maintain revenues for Jefferson County.

HELPING OREGON FARMERS: Work for vital research, provide farmers with more effective risk management tools, reduce trade barriers, provide for Dusky Geese depredation mitigation, and protect the interests of Oregon farmers in the writing of the next Farm Bill.

Energy

BANNING EXPORTS OF ALASKAN OIL: Fight rising gas prices in Oregon by stopping the export of Alaskan North Slope crude oil to other countries. Make oil companies' agreement to stop exports enforceable by law.

PROTECTING REGIONAL PREFERENCE FOR BPA: Resist power grabs by interests outside BPA's primary service area. Ensure the Northwest continues to have initial rights to purchase power marketed by BPA.

PROTECTING OREGON RATEPAYERS: Close loophole allowing California utilities to avoid payment of power debts through bankruptcy. Oregon ratepayers should not have to absorb the costs of power sent both voluntarily and under federal mandate to alleviate California's energy crisis. California's utility debts should be non-dischargeable in bankruptcy court.

FINDING NEW ENERGY SOURCES: Encourage BPA to develop geothermal plants to provide green power to the region. Renewable sources will widen Oregon's base of energy options and make the region less susceptible to energy crises.

Safer, Stronger Communities

STOPPING THE DRUG TRADE: Support inclusion of Oregon's 36 counties in the state's High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA). A statewide effort provides the most effective and efficient means of addressing illegal drug trafficking in and around Oregon.

AVOIDING SCHOOL VIOLENCE: Call for a mandatory minimum 24-hour detention period for any student bringing a gun to school. Look for ways to intervene when threats occur and stop tragedies before they happen.

SUPPORT COMMUNITY POLICING: Continue support for Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) programs to head off crime problems and create better relationships between police and community residents.

FIGHTING HATE CRIMES: Continue the call for a law against hate-based crimes. We are committed to protecting Americans from hate-based crimes based on race, gender, religion, disability, or sexual orientation.

FUNDING LEGAL AID: Work to provide adequate funding for the Legal Services Corporation, which provides legal assistance to low-income people in civil matters. Ensure quality legal representation for all Oregonians, regardless of their financial status.

Transportation

MAKING TRANSPORTATION ACCESSIBLE: Fight for equitable distribution of transportation options and flexible transportation funding attentive to the needs of both rural and urban Oregon. Work to obtain adequate funding for important projects such as IMAX, Washington County Commuter Rail, bus services, I-5 congestion mitigation and Columbia River dredging.

Telecommunications

ENCOURAGING RURAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS: Work closely with public lands agencies to ensure that their right-of-way fees for telecom lines do not discourage the deployment of high-speed telecommunications to rural communities.