Note: U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer responded to the Oregon Eagle’s questions about her outlook for the U.S. Congress in 2025. She faces Democrat Janelle Bynum in the Nov. 5 election.
1. What can be accomplished if Donald Trump regains the White House and Republicans achieve majorities in the House and Senate?
“One of the most important things we’ll be able to address in the next two years if we win is the affordability crisis. Whether it’s cutting taxes, bolstering domestic energy production, or reining in out-of-control spending, we can ensure Oregonians and all Americans get the relief they need from the soaring cost of living.”
2. What are your top three legislative goals for the 2025-26 legislative sessions?
“The overall themes I hear most about from my constituents are public safety, border security and the state of our economy.
“Portland police have already seized more fentanyl pills this year than in all of 2023, and Oregon is experiencing the highest rate of fentanyl overdose deaths in the nation. To improve public safety, one of my top priorities has been finding pathways to address the damage Measure 110 inflicted on the 5th District. The Opioid Crisis Workforce Act, which I introduced last year and has officially passed the House, will improve information sharing, training and grant opportunities for workers involved in the prevention and treatment of substance use disorders. Additionally, I helped lead the HALT Fentanyl Act and END FENTANYL Act. These bipartisan bills have also passed the House and will support law enforcement in their efforts to hold fentanyl dealers and drug smugglers accountable.
“The U.S. is experiencing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis at our southern border, which has turned every state into a border state. The fentanyl crisis is just one example of how it’s directly impacting our communities in Oregon. In the bipartisan government funding package that was signed into law in March, I helped secure millions in additional funding to counter illicit fentanyl and drug cartel operations. The bill also included funding to hire 22,000 more Border Patrol agents and investments in new border security technology.
“As families continue facing elevated prices at their grocery stores and gas stations, I’m working to rein in the out-of-control spending that has devalued the dollar and driven up costs. The bipartisan Fiscal Responsibility Act, which was signed into law last summer, will save taxpayers $2.1 trillion over the next six years. I’m also working to make life more affordable for working families by providing tax relief. I strongly supported the House-passed Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act – another bipartisan proposal that allows parents to keep more of their hard-earned money to pay for things like child care, groceries and utilities. With 40 percent of Oregon parents reporting that they have changed career plans because they couldn’t find affordable child care, I’m also working to improve child care accessibility through the bipartisan Child Care Investment Act.”