Rep. Earl Blumenauer

Two days ago, I wrote "Truth Takes a Back Seat at Lacey Act Hearing," where I pointed out Senator Rand Paul mislead the public regarding the arrest of two men for violating the Lacey Act by illegally harvesting lobsters. Senator Paul responded and implied that it...

Today, I had the opportunity to testify before the Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs on two bills that would repeal significant portions of the Lacey Act. The Lacey Act is common sense legislation that protects American workers and industries from illegally harvested or...

You and I, and those living in most developed nations, never have to walk far or work hard to find drinking water. We never have to choose between clean drinking water and dirty water -- or between dirty water that may make us sick, and no water at all. For...

Americans care deeply about childhood education, which is building America's future for our communities, our economy and our families. Yet when it comes to educating healthy children -- providing healthy food and developing good dietary habits -- our track record is unfortunate.

To start, too many children come from families...

In the final three months of 2011, the campaign to re-elect President Obama and the Democratic National Committee raised $68 million -- an impressive sum, all the more impressive because it was donated by 583,000 Americans who gave an average of $55 each.

But earlier this month at a retreat...

As America prepares for the holiday season, it is important to pause and reflect on what we can do for others as well as ourselves. I hope that Congress will give a gift of life, health and hope by helping people around the world with something that most Americans take...

Forget the "dangers" of same-sex marriage: there is a much greater threat to traditional American values: the creeping danger posed by re-defining pizza and french fries as "vegetables" in our school lunch program. The traditional definition of vegetables can help lead us to a future where we are happier, healthier,...

Like many of you, when I heard this I thought it had to be a headline from The Onion. But sadly I've realized that there are too many agri-businesses and politicians who are willing to allow our childhood obesity epidemic to continue. They don't care that our military...

It is unfortunate that we are seeing an attempt in Congress to scapegoat America's unions for the economic problems that beset us.

After all, it was not America's grocery clerks, nurses, teachers, postal workers and electricians that nearly caused the meltdown of the economy. It wasn't America's labor unions that...

The observance of the 10th anniversary of 9/11 and the days leading up to it were very moving. Accounts of that horrific day, the flood of emotions, and the shared remembrances with people who were there with me in Washington will linger for some time.

Never...

President Obama's address to a joint session of Congress tonight is going to be unique in the history of our nation. It's not because it was the first time a President's request to address a joint session was initially refused by the Speaker of the House, nor is it that...

Sometimes legislative hearings are long and boring. Sometimes they are excruciating. Yet rarely are they embarrassing.

I think yesterday marked a first in terms of a blatant effort at intimidation and retribution against the American Association of Retired People (AARP) for having the temerity to support health care reform.

The stakes are higher for the Obama administration and the American people than merely some or all taxpayers receiving lower taxes temporarily or unemployment benefits extended thirteen months.

This deal represents a victory for the immediate and the modest issues over the major challenges and long-term. It guarantees that these...

This is a birthday message I sent to my children following a Thanksgiving conversation about the tax cut dynamics.

Dear Anne and Jon,

I'm sorry to be in Washington, DC and miss your birthday dinner. It's frustrating that after so many years of you on the other side of...

Today, my campaign is launching an ad telling voters what we're proud of in this Democratic Congress.

I'm proud that we passed a healthcare bill to end the abuses of insurance companies.

I'm proud that we are finally bringing our troops home from the misguided war in Iraq.

And I'm...

While I appreciate Matt Bai's article in The New York Times focusing on my commitment to cut wasteful government spending, such as military and agricultural subsidies, I would like to point out one area where I take modest exception to how my comments have been interpreted in this...

The House is voting on legislation to address the horrible tragedy in the Gulf of Mexico and prevent future incidents.

It's more than unfortunate that it's taken this and several other tragedies for us to finally make these common sense and overdue changes to the laws regulating oil and gas...

As those on the far right begin their chest thumping for the Fourth of July, crying for independence and freedom from the "tyrannical government" that now occupies the White House and controls majorities in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, here's what I'm celebrating on Sunday.

More freedom...

Fifty days ago, I would have hoped today -- World Oceans Day -- to call for a renewed commitment to protecting our most majestic resource: our oceans. I could have reminisced about my own memories on the Oregon coast and around the world, and the shared human experiences of being...

Today is National Ride Your Bike to Work Day, where commuters across the nation -- from the 3rd District of Oregon to the nation's capital -- will be encouraging people to drop their car keys and pick up a helmet.

At a time when oil from the BP Deepwater...