BY SARAH ROSS

CLACKAMAS-Shortly following Thursday’s North Clackamas Chamber of Commerce “Eggs ‘n Issues” event, Republican Scott Bruun sent a release criticizing rival candidate Congressman Kurt Schrader, D- Oregon City, on his defense of what Bruun’s campaign called “failed Democrat policies.”

During the event, Schrader commented that the federal stimulus legislation he helped to pass has been successful.

“We’re no longer losing 700,000 jobs a month. Private payroll is up, even in Oregon,” said Schrader to the crowd. “We’re slowly but surely starting to see a recovery.”

Bruun’s campaign was not so positive on the effects of the federal stimulus program.

“If Kurt Schrader is proud of what he’s done during his time in the House, he needs to stop making up statistics and explain to Oregonians why their children will be stuck with the debt Schrader is handing them, with jobs nowhere in sight,” said Alee Lockman, spokesperson for the Bruun campaign.

During his talk to the Chamber, Schrader insisted that with the legislation, the country was able to avert the “second Great Depression.” However, he also said the country has a long way to go, calling the current state of the economy a “jobless recovery.”

BY SARAH ROSS

TUALATIN- In a release sent to the media on Thursday, small business owner Aaron Crowley announced his desire to run as the Republican candidate for the State House seat left vacant by Rep. Scott Bruun, now the GOP’s opponent for Congressman Kurt Schrader, D-Canby.

“This election is about jobs and the future economic health of Oregon,” stated Crowley in the press release. “I can bring common sense, private sector experience to Salem that will help government live within its means and make it easier for entrepreneurs to create jobs.”

Crowley owns a granite countertop company, Crowley’s Granite Concepts, Inc, and serves on the Planning Commission for Washington County. He also authored a book, Less Chaos More Cash, targeted at expanding small business operations.

Thursday’s press release also noted endorsements for the Tualatin businessman coming from Rep. Scott Bruun and Lou Ogden, Mayor of Tualatin.

This announcement comes following the notification that Ultimate Fighter Chael Sonnen would be withdrawing his name from the Republican nomination for the 37^th House District.

Sonnen told Fight! Magazine that he was leaving the race for legal reasons although some have blamed his withdrawal on remarks interpreted as being racist which were made on a Twitter account linked to his name.

The Oregon’s 37^th House District, encompasses West Linn and parts of Tualatin and Lake Oswego. Because primary elections were already held, the Oregon Republican Party will need to hold a “nominating convention” to elect the candidate, presumably Crowley, who will carry the Republican title in November’s general election.

Whoever is chosen to run as the Republican nominee will go on to face the Democratic candidate Will Rasmussen. In 2008, Bruun won the 37^th House District with just over 2,000 votes, making the seat vulnerable for Republicans in November.

BY SARAH ROSS

WASHINGTON- Congressman Kurt Schrader, D-Canby, released an announcement on Monday, stating that the Oregon Department of Transportation has been granted $384,201 for seat belt safety and enforcement.

The funding will support the Department’s efforts in implementing and enforcing programs to promote passenger safety, specifically laws requiring the use of seat belts.

“By funding programs that promote passenger safety and protections we can reduce the number of injuries and fatalities associated with traffic accidents,” said Schrader.

Oregon’s DOT earned the grant through their already existing seat belt laws, their implementation of minimum fines for violations, statewide special traffic enforcement programs, and a program designed to educate the public on child passenger protection.

This grant is in addition to the more than $2,608,330 that Oregon has received for passenger protection programs.

BY SARAH ROSS

PORTLAND- Campaigns for many of Oregon’s incumbent congressional candidates are drawing a majority of their funds from out of state rather than in-state donors.

Half of Oregon’s congressional candidates facing re-election in November draw over 50% of campaign funding from out of state donors according to OpenSecrets.org, a website that tracks Congressional elections and campaign contributions.

Democratic Senator Ron Wyden’s campaign gets 65% of its funding from out of state, primarily New York, Washington, DC, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.

“If you are looking to represent a state, the majority of the money you are earning from contributions should come from that state, otherwise you lack integrity,” said Wyden’s Libertarian opponent, Marc Delphine.

Sen. Wyden’s campaign declined to comment.

Rep. David Wu, D, represents Oregon’s first Congressional District including Washington and Yamhill counties as well as the north coast. His campaign’s war chest is composed of 66% out of state donors. These donors come primarily from New York, San Jose, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.

“Congressman Wu has a number of supporters in his district, across Oregon, and throughout the country,” said Julia Krahe, spokeswoman for the Wu campaign. “But his number one priority is representing his constituents.”

Fifty-one percent of the war chest for Rep. Peter DeFazio’s campaign is from similar places mentioned above including Washington, DC, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Elkhart-Goshen in Indiana.

Those candidates whose contributions did not come mostly from out of state sources include Rep. Greg Walden, R-Medford, Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Portland, and Rep. Kurt Schrader, D-Canby. Walden and Schrader have less than 20% out of state contributions while Blumenauer has 47% out of state contributions coming from Washington, DC, Oakland, Chicago, and New York.

UPDATE: This note is given at the bottom of the in state vs. out of state data table on OpenSecrets.org. “As a general rule, incumbents get more out-of-state money than challengers, a reflection of their status as members of Congress and the wider circles in which they travel. Challengers and newcomers are rarely well known outside their state, so their ability to raise funds beyond their district is more limited.” Also, OpenSecrets.org updates their data monthly and may not reflect the most up to date data from campaigns.

BY SARAH ROSS

WEST LINN- Scott Bruun, one of the Republican candidates running against Congressman Kurt Schrader, D-Canby, released his first TV commercial Wednesday.

The commercial features businessmen, a mechanic, and a woman asking if the audience has had enough of Washington, DC and Nancy Pelosi. It also discusses job loss, government bailouts, and overspending.

Bruun, currently a state representative for West Linn and Tualatin, ends the video by saying he’ll stop the “reckless spending”.

embedded by Embedded Video

YouTube Direkthttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHfG8LIRccM

BY SARAH ROSS

WASHINGTON- Oregon’s delegation followed the near party line vote on Sunday’s passage of the health care reform bill in the U.S. House of Representatives, with all of its Democrat Representatives voting for the bill and its sole Republican voting against it.

“In 50 years, we’re going to look back on the health care battles of today and wonder what was so hard about making these necessary changes,” said Rep. David Wu, representing Oregon’s 1^st Congressional district. “When we look back, health care reform will stand beside Social Security, the GI Bill, and Medicare as a pillar of American progress and humane values.”

Several of the delegation’s votes were kept very quiet and said to be undecided until Medicare reimbursement language was secured for the package on Saturday. Previously, Canby’s Rep. Kurt Schrader said he was undecided and Eugene’s Rep. Peter DeFazio said he would vote no.

“This agreement begins to change the culture of healthcare delivery. States like Oregon should not be penalized for providing high quality care for less,” stated Rep. Schrader in a press release following the announcement that the delegation had secured Medicare reimbursement language. “ I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues in the delegation to make sure the promises made by House leaders and the Administration come to fruition so we can finally address this problem once and for all.”

The bill which originated in the Senate was passed in the House with a vote of 219-212, with 34 Democrats and all Republicans voting against it. It required just 216 votes to pass the House and is now on its way to being signed by President Obama.

Along with the passage of the health care bill, the House passed the reconciliation bill, which includes the language desired by the House members to “fix” the Senate bill. This passed 220-211 and will now proceed to the Senate for debate and voting.

BY SARAH ROSS

WASHINGTON- Rep. Kurt Schrader, Democrat Congressman from Canby representing Oregon’s 5^th Congressional District, failed to vote on any of the reconciliation amendments presented in Monday’s House markup of the reconciliation of the health care bill.

While other Congressmen on the Budget Committee did not vote on certain aspects of the reconciliation bill, Schrader was the only member not to vote on any aspect of the bill.

This came after Schrader did not vote on all but one bill brought to vote on the House floor since Monday.

Late last week, it was reported that the Senate Parliamentarian, advisor to the Senate on standing rules of the body, ruled that in order for reconciliation to occur on the Senate bill, it first must be signed in its original form by the President.

Budget reconciliation is a process to allow one or more committees to bring legislation changing existing law to make spending, revenues, or the debt-limit consistent with the budget resolution.

The House is expected to vote on the Senate’s health care bill this coming week. If passed and signed into law, the bill will return to the Senate to continue the reconciliation process, potentially incorporating those aspects of the bill desired by the House and passed by the House Budget Committee Monday.

After multiple calls and e-mails to Rep. Schrader’s office, a spokesman for the representative was not available for comment.

As of Wednesday, Schrader is still listed as undecided in The Hill’s latest Whip Count.

Schrader is expected to face a tough reelection fight and is being targeted by Republican campaign groups. He also has drawn much controversy at his town halls.

BY SARAH ROSS

OREGON CITY- Rep. Kurt Schrader (D-OR) drew major criticism and little praise from constituents Thursday night at the Willamette Falls Medical Center for his health care vote last summer.

During the ninety-minute town hall gathering, almost every question Schrader fielded was about the subject of health care. While there were a few appreciative remarks for his vote last summer, the majority of the audience spoke out against that vote and urged the Congressman to vote “no” on coming legislation.

Many of the comments and questions from the audience questioned the legality of Congress’s ability to force people to buy health insurance coverage. Schrader responded to these remarks by stating that the health, safety, and welfare clause in the Constitution afforded Congress this option. He also added that no matter the outcome, because this legislation is so controversial, it likely will be brought before the United States Supreme Court for a ruling on constitutionality.

Other complaints came from those saying the health care legislation would increase the national debt. Schrader referenced the Congressional Budget Office, stating that the legislation would not increase the debt and would be paid for through increased taxes and fees.

Additionally, the Congressman added that if certain aspects of the original House bill, including reform on Medicare reimbursement, are not included in the final bill, he would not be voting in favor of it.

He stated that while he believed a public option was the way to go, since Oregon has had semi-public options for years, that element is not necessary for him to vote in favor of the final bill.

“This isn’t the final product, guys. We have a long way to go,” said Schrader. “This is a lot of work to fill in the blanks: what’s in the basic benefits package, what’s preventative medicine? And those are discussions, hopefully, you and I, providers, and other advocates will have going forward.”

Besides the questions on health care, other points of contention included immigration and climate change. Concerning immigration reform, Schrader stated that he supported a strong border patrol, mandatory legal worker verification software, and requiring illegal immigrants already in the country to pay a fine and then go through the standard immigration process.

On the issue of climate change, the Congressman did not claim to know the science of climate change well but believed that the cap-and-trade bill on which he voted earlier this session would be helpful in achieving energy independence for the U.S.

Despite the rowdy nature of the town hall, Rep. Schrader noted that this event had been one of his better town halls.