Last week, I had company in our nation’s capital when Oregon Wild’s Portland-based Executive Director Scott Shlaes and Roadless Advocate Rob Klavins, came east.  In addition to meeting with several members of the Oregon delegation and talking forests and NFMA with colleagues from around the nation, Oregon Wild also hosted a local house-party.  Along with discussion on where our nation’s conservation agenda is headed, the evening provided an opportunity to introduce our still somewhat newly minted ED to long-time members, old friends, new friends, and colleagues in the D.C. environmental community.  We also had the good fortune of welcoming Congressman Earl Blumenauer to the event, and after a few trying weeks of House initiated cuts to this year’s budget, his candor and positivity were welcomed by the group in attendance.  

It’s no secret that the House’s recent efforts to gut federal spending on all-things-not-military have disappointed conservationists.  The threat of eliminating funds to enforce the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act, delist the gray wolf from the Endangered Species List, and defund Public Broadcasting were just a few among the hundreds of amendments (“riders”) offered (and passed) by House Republicans.  So, when Earl arrived in his quintessential bow tie, I think we all felt a little bit better.  Tired, but better. 

Despite the House Republicans' disorderly conduct [against the nation’s budget], Congressman Blumenauer has taken on big oil, arguing that $5 billion annually for oil industry subsidies is unjustifiable when it’s clear that our dependence on foreign oil only threatens our domestic economy; argued in defense of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting alongside famous anteater, Arthur; and taken the House to task on their loss of $50 million in savings by reinstating toxic Styrofoam to the House cafeteria.  Yes, you read that correctly:  Styrofoam is back!  

We appreciate Wilderness and natural resource champions like Congressman Blumenauer.  Supporting the work of Oregon Wild and standing up for those vibrant public values like clean air, energy alternatives, and more in this year’s House certainly represents the good fight.  This is one fight Oregon Wild is likewise ready to take on, in spite of a trying first few months of the 112th Congress.  

This week the Senate has begun the long slog of trying to sort through the House Resolution (HR 1), and has thus far failed to vote in an alternative.  While HR 1 failed in the Senate, so did the Inouye substitute.  It’s clear this is not going to be an easy battle.  We’ll be sure to keep our Oregon Wild activists and members updated with the latest information from Congress.  In the meantime, our voices must continue to be heard:  Be sure to take action now to safeguard Oregon and the nation’s clean air, water, wildlife, and wildlands’ protections.