2020 Candidates: US Senate & Congress

Suzanne Bonamici: COVID-19 has highlighted why we need universal health care. No one should lose health coverage because they lost their job and no one should have to choose between putting food on the table and medicine. I will work for affordable health care for all and to lower the costs of prescription drugs, and I’ll make health care policy decisions based on research and science. And I will protect the right of women to make their own reproductive health care decisions.

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Christopher C Christensen: I will support the Administrations continuing efforts to lower prescription drug costs and provide greater mobility and choice in health care options for all Americans. No one should lose health coverage because they lost their job.

Suzanne Bonamici: We need compassionate and comprehensive immigration policy. Immigrants make our country better, and I do not support the hateful targeting and harmful rhetoric directed toward the immigrant community by the current administration. I support protecting Dreamers and their families, a path to citizenship, and an immediate end to the Administration’s policies that lead to migrants and asylum seekers living in inhumane conditions.

Christopher C Christensen: I support strong borders and oppose sanctuary policies. I would re-examine the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.

Suzanne Bonamici: Families and small businesses around Oregon and across the country are experiencing the impacts of COVID-19, which disproportionately affects people of color. I’m advocating for housing and nutrition support, PPE, expanded unemployment, direct payments, and more resources to help small businesses. I’m fighting for improved state and federal response and a science-based national strategy that includes more testing, tracing, treatment, and safe reopening of schools and businesses.

Christopher C Christensen: Federal priorities should focus on parental choice in education, tax cuts and diversified economic stimulus including debt forgiveness. Efforts would focus first on affordable housing, expanded employment assistance and training, direct payments of benefits to seniors, and small business support to help our community get through the crisis.

Earl Blumenauer: As we recover, we should start restoring the reckless reductions and disinvestment in our public health system, including robust support for community health centers. I strongly support Medicare and Medicaid to be able to negotiate for lower drug prices, not only for senior citizens, but for all Americans. We must continue to fight for affordable, accessible, universal health care and a system that works for all and we must address the racial health disparities highlighted by the pandemic.

Alex C DiBlasi: We need Medicare For All. We needed it before the pandemic, but in our current situation the need for a nationwide healthcare plan that is free for everyone has been laid bare. Democrats aren’t touching the issue in this election, even though 75% of Americans support it.Regarding COVID, we need a comprehensive testing system in place, contact tracing, and regular relief checks for people impacted by job loss and shortened hours

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Earl Blumenauer: We should prioritize the protection of families and our borders in a humane & thoughtful way. I support abolishing DHS and starting over with a new system that respects human lives & has morals and principles.
Last fall, I introduced a resolution to force members of Congress to be on the record supporting or opposing Trump’s harmful immigration policies. I will continue to be a vociferous opponent to these shameful policies, to work to protect Dreamers & expand Special Immigrant Visa programs.

Alex C DiBlasiIt should be easier to come into this country. The idea that people are flocking here from Central America and elsewhere to wreak havoc is racism, plain and simple. Migrants and refugees from both political and ecological terror are coming to this country because they see it as the land of opportunity that it was for many of our families and ancestors. Diversity has always been one of America’s greatest strengths. Let them in. Abolish ICE. End family separation and the mass detention of children

Earl Blumenauer: Short term: Extend unemployment benefits and federal grants to provide assistance to people and small businesses.Long term: Invest in rebuilding and renewing our infrastructure, combat climate change and create new jobs through a “Green New Deal,” provide expanded education, training & apprenticeships, & invest in community development programs like public housing & affordable housing construction to address income inequality caused by decades of discrimination against communities of color.

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Alex C DiBlasi: We must protect families and workers from economic disaster by providing relief payments until the end of the pandemic. These UBI payments would motivate people to participate in the economy, stimulating growth for businesses.

Amy Ryan Courser: We have several learning opportunities in this area. We need a federal program that is secure and consistent. From the beginning our data and numbers have been incorrect. This program should them be implemented at a state level for a stronger emergency management response that is universally consistent. This would include training, protocols and a coordinated effort of implementation. This would allow us a stronger response to protect and save lives.

Matthew James Rix: An elimination of regulatory statutes that inhibit doctors and nurses abilities to effectively treat their patients in a timely manner, develop medicines and testing procedures, or even so much as distribute those goods and services across state lines. I would specifically focus on eliminating laws such as certificate of need laws, laws that prohibit intrastate insurance and medical services, and regulations that put limitations on the supply of medical personnel and equipment.

Amy Ryan Courser: We need to amend the current broken system. It’s imperative to both repair and maintain a strong accounting and vetting process. We should honor those who are patiently waiting, fast track them while wee secure and improve the process. It’s critical for ongoing national security that we know who is entering our country. We need to develop a better system to welcome those who want to pursue the American dream while ensuring that citizen safety is a top priority.

Matthew James Rix: The way I see it, each and every person regardless of race, sex, identity or nationality is both a consumer of goods and services and a supplier of goods and services. There is something to be said regarding safety from hostile foreign aggressors coming in droves but realistically that seems farfetched. I would, however, be open to a vetting process that is extremely expedited.

Amy Ryan Courser: To be prepared w a financial emergency response package that is ready to go as needed. I would implement programs to support essential workers with a tax relief/credit. I would demand accountability for all financial programs with an oversight committee accounting for our tax dollars. Provide incentives for the private sector to respond with innovation. Above all streamline financial support directly to the communities in need. Above all provide common sense leadership Oregonians deserve.

Matthew James Rix: The lowest 25% of income earners make up roughly 80% of consumer spending. Considering this pandemic has most heavily impacted the consumer spending markets I would recommend a total halt on all taxation to the lowest income earners as well as eliminating regulations that hamper low income earners from pursing higher income avenues of employment or entrepreneurship.