Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Suzanne Bonamici (1st District Oregon)
WASHINGTON, DC [11/12/25] – Today Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici released her statement for the Congressional Record on the continuing resolution to fund the government through January 30, 2026:
“I rise today in opposition to this Continuing Resolution. Although I support opening the government after this devastating 43-day shutdown, I will not support a bill that will continue the Republican’s assault on Americans and their pocketbooks. At a time when Oregonians and Americans are already struggling with rising costs, this bill locks in devastating cuts to health care and drives up the cost of health insurance – in many cases significantly.
“Just a few months ago the Republicans passed a cruel budget in which they paid for tax cuts for billionaires by making the largest cuts to Medicaid and SNAP in history. Now they are continuing their heartless obsession with destroying the Affordable Care Act.
“These Republican policies are damaging to the entire health care system, but are especially harmful for rural hospitals and clinics. At home in Oregon, hospitals and health systems have described the consequences of this agenda as ‘catastrophic.’ Staff will be reduced, clinics will close, and we will go back to the day when people without insurance delayed care and ended up in emergency rooms.
“These cuts to health care – and the Republican shutdown more broadly – are further proof that the first ten months of this Trump administration have been chaotic, harmful, and completely out of touch with the needs of the American people. Donald Trump held an extravagant Great Gatsby party at Mar-a-Lago the night before SNAP benefits expired, and the administration and Republicans continue to ignore the needs of working families. That’s not governing; it’s a cruel and corrupt abdication of their promise and their responsibility to bring down costs and grow the economy. Oregonians and Americans deserve better.
“During the shutdown I held three town hall meetings – something most Republicans still refuse to do – and heard from many constituents who are extremely worried about the already high cost of living. The Republican health care cuts and the increased costs the Republicans are locking in with this bill will make life harder, not easier, for the people we represent. The Republicans who crafted these policies might change their minds if they actually showed up to hear from their constituents.
“Donald Trump claimed he would lower costs, but this bill, along with his chaotic tariff policies, are making costs rise – not fall. People across this country are struggling to pay for housing, groceries, child care, and other necessities. Too many families have already reached their breaking point, and this will drive them further into debt and despair.
“The Republican agenda would dramatically increase premiums for more than 198,000 Oregonians, including my constituent Teresa from Clatsop County. Teresa, a small business owner, runs a small flower and produce farm. Like many small business owners, she purchases her coverage on the Oregon health care exchange. Because of Republicans’ refusal to protect health care, her premium will soon be going from $230 a month to $1,077 a month.
“This is unconscionable, unacceptable, and unnecessary. Teresa is about to turn 60; she works a tough, physical job. Running a small family farm is challenging even in a strong economy. She won’t be able to afford her premium, and yet she can’t afford to be without health care. One illness or one injury could threaten her health and her livelihood. Teresa could be forced to close her family business – a business that plays an important part in Oregon’s north coast economy.
“Teresa is not alone. Americans across the country are receiving similar letters about dramatic premium increases, forcing them to make impossible decisions; if they keep their coverage, how will they pay for food and housing and child care? They can’t.
“Teresa, and everyone in the United States, should feel secure, not fearful, when they get sick. They deserve better.
“I am fighting to make health care accessible and affordable, and I’m asking Republicans to join House Democrats in this important work. We’ve had weeks to address the rising costs – to consider good-faith proposals that could prevent pushing millions off a health care cliff. But the Speaker of the House closed the United States House of Representatives for business for seven weeks. That’s no way to run government.
“This Continuing Resolution is a betrayal to the people we represent. Outrageously, at the last-minute Republicans included a provision in this bill that allows certain Republican Senators to sue the federal government for hundreds of thousands of dollars in connection with seizing their phone records regarding Jan. 6, 2021. This provision is a get-rich-quick scheme for Senators who attempted to overthrow democracy. It’s the epitome of corruption and has no place in Congress much less in a spending bill. I supported removing the language from the bill, but Republican leadership didn’t even let us vote on an amendment to do that.
“I invite my colleagues to listen to their constituents, come back to the table, vote no, and join us in the work to make healthcare affordable and accessible for all.”
A video of her floor remarks on the vote can be found here.
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