Press Releases

Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Richard E. Neal (D-MA) released the following statement after Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) announced that he will not seek reelection:

“Ranking Member Blumenauer has honorably served the people of Oregon over his nearly three decades in Congress and earned his reputation of legislating with creativity and moral clarity. Earl led the Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee through tremendous triumphs, never shying away from holding administrations, corporations, and trading partners accountable. He has shone a light on the use of forced labor worldwide and helped bolster U.S. enforcement efforts to end these abusive practices. As a climate leader, Earl guided the single largest investment in combating the climate crisis in our nation’s history with many of the Inflation Reduction Act’s historic provisions. He also led on banning the importation of illegally harvested timber in the United States and sparked many countries to follow suit—another example of his fierce commitment to the ideals he holds dearest.

“I will deeply miss his friendship, his counsel, and his never-ending supply of bike pins. Our trade policy, the Congress, and the people of Oregon’s Third District are all better thanks to the service of Earl Blumenauer, and I wish him, Margaret, and their family every success in this next adventure.”

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