Blog

Oregon’s 2nd District is huge. It covers more than 70,000 square miles and 20 of the state’s 36 counties, from The Dalles and Medford out to the Idaho line. It’s the only one where registered Republicans outnumber Democrats. Republicans have held the seat since 1981. Voters have been loyal. But what has that loyalty bought them? After six years of...

U.S. Rep. Cliff Bentz will host a town hall meeting on Thursday, August 27, in Prineville. The public gathering will take place from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Barnes Butte Elementary School. The meeting will focus on recent firefighting efforts and Wildfire Recovery Assistance Programs in Crook County. Attendees will also discuss pending federal legislation aimed at reducing wildfire...

Constituent engagement is vital to our democracy. Cliff Bentz’s recent remarks about skipping in-person town halls and labeling some attendees “anti-Trump gangs spreading falsehoods” have sparked heated debate. Public meetings enable all constituents — supportive, critical, and oppositional — a chance to be heard. Overlooking their concerns diminishes the essential purpose of these forums: representing the people. Yes, civic discourse...

In a disturbing turn of events, our congressional representative, in a clandestine move devoid of honest public discourse, voted to terminate healthcare for over 40% of people in his district. This action will also result in a reduction in food aid for an additional 35,000 families, including many of us. These decisions will have a profound impact on our community,...