Suzanne Bonamici

Civil Rights

I have consistently supported legislation to restore voting protections, expand voter participation, and allow more states to implement Oregon’s well-established and safe system of vote by mail. Learn more

Economy

The job market is changing, and we must create a path to a good job for all workers, especially women and people of color who have historically faced barriers to employment. I’m focused on expanding workforce training and Registered Apprenticeships here in Oregon and across the country to prepare for the future of work and respond to local workforce needs. Learn more

We must focus on bipartisan solutions to improve the Paycheck Protection Program, forgive emergency loans, and remove unnecessary restrictions that prevent community banks and credit unions from serving their small business customers. Learn more

Education

Addressing resource inequities in K-12 education so states and school districts can provide safe facilities, counseling services, advanced courses, technology, extended learning opportunities, world language learning, rigorous career and technical education programs, and a well-rounded curriculum that includes the arts. Learn more

Expanding access to high-quality early learning opportunities so every child, regardless of background, family income level, or ability, can start kindergarten prepared to learn. Learn more

Making college more affordable by protecting and expanding existing federal student aid programs like Pell Grants and Federal Work Study and striving for debt-free college. In the short term, we must follow through on the promise of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program by forgiving loan balances after ten years of public service. We should keep student loan interest rates low and help borrowers better manage student loan debt through easier access to income driven repayment plans. Learn more

Environment / Energy

Our Climate Action Plan includes more than 500 pages of detailed, science-based policy recommendations that cover each sector of the economy and serves as a roadmap for Congress. Investing in a clean energy economy will continue to support good jobs, build more resilient communities, and reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. Learn more

In Northwest Oregon, the warming ocean, droughts, extreme weather events, wildfires, and hazardous smoke increasingly threaten our environment, economy, and public health. I’m proud of our work to pass the Inflation Reduction Act, the largest climate investment in history. This transformative bill supports an equitable transition to renewable energy and creates good paying jobs in emerging industries. Congress must continue to take meaningful action to confront the climate crisis, which is exacerbating social, racial, and economic inequalities. Learn more

Confronting the climate crisis and creating a clean energy economy. Learn more

Guns

I support responsible gun ownership, but I also support common sense gun violence prevention measures. Learn more

I support getting assault weapons off our streets and closing the “boyfriend loophole” that leaves many domestic violence survivors in danger. Learn more

I will continue to advocate for more mental health support and resources for people who are struggling with mental health, including veterans. There is no question that these policies will save lives, and I will also continue fighting for resources and support for communities suffering trauma from gun violence. We can never replace the lives lost to gun violence, but we must support the schools, families, and communities affected. Learn more

Healthcare

We are also facing a significant substance use disorder crisis here in Oregon that is devastating our communities. We must do a better job of investing in access to mental and behavioral health services and we need to grow a workforce to provide the treatment and care people need. Learn more

No one should have to choose between putting groceries on the table and paying for medicine, which is why I’m working to lower the cost of prescription drugs. The Inflation Reduction Act took a meaningful first step to lower monthly out-of-pocket insulin costs for seniors to 35/month, saving seniors hundreds to thousands of dollars a year. This new law also gave the Administration new powers to negotiate other drug prices with pharmaceutical companies, and I will continue to do more to make prescription drugs affordable for everyone. Learn more

Achieving universal health care. Learn more

Housing

If we are going to solve our housing crisis, we need to immediately increase the supply of affordable housing. I’ve secured more than 6.25 million in funding this Congress to build hundreds of affordable housing units in NW Oregon. I’m also working to increase funding for the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) to incentivize the construction of more affordable housing. Learn more

We need affordable, accessible health care for everyone, and all proposals to achieve that, including Medicare for All, must be on the table. Learn more

With partners in the Biden Administration, I am also working to provide first-time homebuyers with mortgage down payment assistance to help reverse the racist practice of housing discrimination. Equity must be central to expanding access to housing because everyone deserves a safe place to live. Learn more

Infrastructure / Transportation

By retrofitting buildings and increasing energy efficiency, we can create good jobs and save energy and money while helping to address the climate crisis. Learn more

Social Services

Access to a living wage job, job training opportunities, and universal health care will also help people who are unhoused. And Congress must increase funding for behavioral health services and addiction treatment, as well as other social safety net programs that support those on the brink of homelessness. Learn more

I will always oppose privatizing Social Security or ending Medicare as we know it, efforts that would impose thousands of dollars in extra costs on older Americans. I am a vocal advocate for giving Social Security recipients a cost-of-living adjustment so their payments keep up with the rising costs of housing, medication, and other basic needs. Learn more

Social Security is an essential tool that helps retirees make ends meet, but it is not intended to be the sole form of income in retirement. We need new ways to provide workers with retirement security. I also introduced legislation to make it easier for people to access savings accounts from past jobs so they can retrieve and keep the money they earned. Learn more

Wages / Job Benefits

I am working to pass legislation that will provide 12 weeks of paid leave for workers to care for a newborn or adopted child or a sick family member, and at least seven job-protected paid sick or safe days. Learn more

The rights of workers to earn fair and prevailing wages, organize, collectively bargain, stay safe on the job, and avoid discrimination have come under attack many times in recent years. I am helping to lead the fight to protect the right of workers to organize and support the rights of labor unions. I also helped the House pass legislation to raise the federal minimum wage, which has been stuck at 7.25 an hour for more than a decade, and I have championed efforts to address wage discrimination. Learn more