Congressman Cliff Bentz

It was great to meet with the Dalles Community Outreach Team to discuss my Dalles Watershed Development Act and the importance of providing long term stability for the city’s water supply. We also discussed the future of Secure Rural Schools, the importance of reauthorization, and how to best manage the resources in the area to provide reliable revenue to Oregon counties.

Today the @HouseCommerce Subcommittee on Health held a hearing to discuss the role that providers play in making health care affordable for all Americans. I raised concerns about ongoing nursing shortages, which are placing significant strain on our health care system, limiting access to care, and driving up costs especially in rural communities where providers are already stretched thin.

This St. Patrick’s Day, let’s keep our forests green ☘️🌲 The Senate must pass the #FixOurForests Act to give land managers the tools they need to reduce catastrophic wildfire risk and keep our forests healthy.

The Pacific Northwest is already facing an estimated 9-gigawatt energy shortfall. When temperatures drop and demand rises, there is no margin for error. Today, in the @HouseCommerce Subcommittee on Energy, we looked at the grid performance during extreme weather and the strain placed on the system during peak demand. The Senate must act swiftly to pass permitting reform, including the SPEED Act, to provide certainty for Americans who expect the lights to come on. That requires a grid built for reliability, supported by dispatchable generation and a strong transmission system.

The National Flood Insurance Program was created to help communities manage flood risk, not control local land use. My bill clarifies the Endangered Species Act can’t be applied through NFIP ensuring that the process does not inhibit economic growth. centraloregondaily.com/news/regional/…

The Working Families Tax Cuts are a MASSIVE win for parents across America. By permanently increasing the Child Tax Credit to $2,200 per child, we are putting more hard-earned money back into the pockets of the people who need it most. 🇺🇸

The Working Families Tax Cuts help hardworking Americans keep more of what they earn and provide relief for families across the country!

Flood insurance exists to protect families and property, not to serve as a backdoor for Washington to dictate local land-use decisions. That is why I introduced legislation to clarify that the Endangered Species Act should not be applied through the National Flood Insurance Program. This bill restores the program to its intended purpose. bakercityherald.com/2026/03/09/ben…

My team is ready to help! Recently, we worked with Ms. Gregg of Medford after she was incorrectly charged a $200,000 debt by the VA and continued to have her benefit payments withheld. After our office contacted the agency, the issue was resolved within one week and her benefits were restored. If you are experiencing similar issues with a federal agency, please reach out. Call 541-776-4646 or visit my website bentz.house.gov for assistance.

This week, I met with Oregon Onion Growers to discuss the trade challenges they are facing with Canada and Mexico. Expanding and protecting strong export markets is critical to supporting our farmers and ensuring Oregon’s agricultural economy remains competitive.

The KIDS Act is a commonsense bill. It protects the safety and privacy of minors online and empowers parents, all while holding Big Tech accountable. Every single Democrat should join @HouseCommerce Republicans today in voting for this bill and getting it one step closer to being signed into law.

It was great to meet with the OR Association of Broadcasters, including Bob Singer, President of the Oregon Association of Broadcasters, Colleen Brady from La Grande, Tom Keeler and Ken Bodde from Portland, Mike Boring from Eugene, Ron Parodi from Bend, and Jeremy Groh from Bend. I appreciate the work you all do to keep communities across Oregon informed with news and alerts, as well as providing broadcasting entertainment.

LET THE RECORD SHOW: Democrats are INSTRUCTING their members to keep the Department of Homeland Security CLOSED, and to prolong the Democrat DHS shutdown. At a moment when America faces increasing threats at home and abroad, Democrats are voting to keep Americans dangerously exposed to domestic terrorism — all so they can make a crazy political point in defense of criminal illegal aliens. That is a shameful abandonment of duty and a stunning failure of leadership.

When our forests go unmanaged, your bills go up. Utilities are spending billions to prepare their infrastructure for increasing wildfire risks and passing costs on to American families. The #FixOurForests Act protects our forests, communities and wallets by tackling this problem at the source.

Earlier this week, the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries held an oversight hearing on restoring forest resiliency to America’s electric power systems. Key takeaways👇 ✅ Federal red tape and inconsistent policies create uncertainty for ratepayers and utilities ✅ Permitting delays hinder timely forest management ✅The Senate should pass the #FixOurForests Act to restore healthy forests and give utilities the necessary flexibility to manage threats to public safety and grid reliability

Under President Trump's leadership, America is STONGER, SAFER, and MORE SECURE than ever before! In just one year, @HouseGOP has helped restore American energy dominance and bring manufacturing home, lowering energy prices and creating more good paying jobs.

Imagine refusing to stand for: - Americans over illegals - Voter ID - Lowest murder rate in 125 years - Ending fraud & waste - Angel families - Tough-on-crime policies - No tax on tips, overtime, or Social Security - Crushing fentanyl - A Secure border That’s exactly what Democrats refused to stand for. Tells you everything.

Joining me tonight for the State of the Union was Joe Dabulskis, a wheat farmer and Sherman County Commissioner, who shared the following thoughts after attending the address: “Thank you to Congressman Bentz for inviting me to join him for tonight’s State of the Union. When I first read The Art of the Deal in 1988 while training at Fort Knox, it was clear to me that President Trump was a results-driven leader who understood how to get things done. As President, that focus has shown up in important policies that matter to Oregon communities like my own. Again, I appreciate Congressman Bentz’s leadership and the opportunity to attend this evening!”

For decades following the listing of the spotted owl, O&C lands have been stripped of their intended purpose under federal law, sustainable timber harvest. My bill, the O&C Renewal Act restores responsible management on over two million acres of Western Oregon timberlands. Read my press release below ⬇️ bentz.house.gov/media/press-re…

During today’s @NatResources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries hearing, I highlighted a serious concern we’re seeing across the West with overcrowded trees near rights-of-way that increase wildfire risk, especially around critical power infrastructure. I pointed to the Darlene 3 Fire as a real-world example and asked witnesses how permitting delays have slowed efforts to clear hazardous fuels near transmission lines. Wildfire doesn’t wait on paperwork, and our fuel reduction efforts shouldn’t have to either. I also want to thank Mr. Anderson of Midstate Electric Cooperative from La Pine, Oregon, for making the trip to Washington, D.C., and to share his firsthand perspective with the committee. His input is crucial as we work toward practical solutions.