2012 Campaign Kickoff Event

Join Congressman Blumenauer as he kicks off the 2012 Campaign at MercyCorps in downtown Portland. Earl will touch on important themes for the coming year, as well as welcome your thoughts and suggestions on how to reform Washington.
Rep. Blumenauer Blacks Out Website Against PIPA/SOPA Censorship
WASHINGTON – Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), a senior member of the House Budget and Ways and Means Committees, announced that he would black out his website this afternoon in support of Internet freedom and in solidarity with online businesses and innovators against the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and the Protect IP Act (PIPA).
“Today I am joining the millions of Americans who are standing with the world’s most innovative websites against the proposed censorship of PIPA and SOPA,” Blumenauer said.
Congress Says Pizza and French Fries are Vegetables!
Like many of you, when I heard this I thought it had to be a headline from The Onion. But sadly I’ve realized that there are too many agri-businesses and politicians who are willing to allow our childhood obesity epidemic to continue. They don't care that our military is telling us that young people are too fat to fight, with only one in four meeting the fitness requirements for military service. They don’t care that one in three children under the age of 18 will develop Type II Diabetes within their lifetime. They don’t care that the rate of childhood obesity has doubled since 1980.
Blumenauer Joined by Environmental, Taxpayer, Free Enterprise Advocates in Releasing Reform Proposals for Farm Bill
WASHINGTON – Today, Rep. Earl Blumenauer was joined by leaders from the environmental, taxpayer and free enterprise communities in unveiling a vision for common-sense reforms to the Farm Bill. The report, titled "Growing Opportunities: Family Farm Values for Reforming the Farm Bill",offers a roadmap to wiser use of taxpayer dollars to support small and medium farmers and ranchers while cutting wasteful spending in the form of handouts to big agribusinesses.
House Dems Led by Reps. Blumenauer, Slaughter Ask for Judiciary Committee Investigation of Clarence Thomas
Reps. Earl Blumenauer, Louise Slaughter and other House Democrats released a letter to the Judiciary Committee calling for hearings on the pattern of potential ethical lapses by Justice Clarence Thomas. Reports of Thomas’s actions have created serious concerns regarding conflicts of interest that undermine appellants’ rights of due process and also raise substantive questions about his impartiality as a member of the Supreme Court heading into a new term. The letter urges that the Committee hold hearings regarding the nature of these questions, their factual basis, and their potential to undermine the public’s trust in the Supreme Court.
Blumenauer Votes Against Defense Bill, Calls Detention Provisions "Appalling"
WASHINGTON – Rep. Earl Blumenauer, a senior member of the House Ways & Means and Budget Committees, submitted the following statement to the Congressional Record regarding the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 (NDAA):
"Today I voted against the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 (NDAA). While nothing is more important than providing the resources needed to keep America and our men and women in uniform safe, this authorization spends too much and is a missed opportunity for much needed reform.
Blumenauer Urges Extension of Payroll Tax Cuts
WASHINGTON – Rep. Earl Blumenauer, a senior member of the House Ways & Means and Budget Committees, urged Congress to pass the payroll tax cuts that would maintain and expand support for middle class families as the economy continues to struggle out of the greatest recession of our lifetimes:
“The Senate is currently debating a proposal to extend and expand the payroll tax cut, as well as pay for it. Under this proposal, employees would receive a 50% additional cut in the payroll tax and employers would have a slight reduction in the payroll tax that they pay on their employees up to the first 3.1% or $5 million of payroll.
Connect with Earl
![]() | Join Earl on Facebook |
![]() |
Follow Earl on Twitter |
![]() | Get the latest info via RSS |
Latest Video
Read more: The Zen of Fruitcake
Posted on Dec. 1, 2011
Meet Earl Blumenauer
In almost four decades of public service, Earl Blumenauer's innovative accomplishments in transportation, planning, environmental programs and public participation have helped Portland, Oregon earn an international reputation as one of America's most livable cities.
As the Congressman from Oregon's Third Congressional District, Earl is working to develop and support federal policies that help cities across the country become more livable - places where people are safe, healthy and economically secure. Learn more about Earl Blumenauer.
Founded by Congressman Blumenauer, the Committee for a Livable Future (LivPAC) helps elect Democratic Members of Congress who who will fight for quality of life issues and help make the federal government a partner in building and maintaining livable communities. Learn more and support LivPAC.



