From the peak of Mount Hood...
Over the past few weeks, I’ve traveled across Oregon’s Third Congressional District—and at every stop, I’ve been reminded of the enormous privilege it is to serve this district in Congress. From the peak of Mount Hood to the banks of Cascade Locks, from North Portland’s vibrant streets to the quiet corners of Sandy and Estacada, our district is as diverse as it is determined. In every community, Oregonians are rising— speaking out, demanding better, and fueling the fight for a future that reflects our shared values.
Here’s what I’ve heard:
At the groundbreaking of 73Foster, a new 64-unit affordable housing development in Portland, I heard loud and clear that housing remains out of reach for too many. It is one of the biggest challenges our communities face. But this project, and others like it, give me hope. It’s a reminder that we are not standing still, we are moving forward, building forward.
While touring the Portland Harbor Superfund site with Congresswoman Bonamici, I saw firsthand the lasting damage caused by decades of a polluters-first agenda. Cleaning up portions of the Willamette is about more than environmental justice—it’s about making the government work for the people it represents, not polluters. Oregonians deserve clean waterways, and I’ll fight to make that a reality.
In roundtables with labor leaders and small business owners in Oregon, I heard a clear message: Trump’s billionaire first policies are fueling economic instability. Oregonians deserve a system where hard work—not wealth and connections—drive economic opportunity. At 16, I began working at Albertsons and proudly joined UFCW. Through those early shifts, I saw firsthand how unions open pathways to opportunity. Yet Congress is still failing to support our union and small business families. We need federal leadership that stands with the people that build and maintain our economy—not billionaires—so that every union member and small business can thrive.
At Planned Parenthood, standing alongside Senator Wyden and Congresswoman Salinas, we stood up for reproductive health care and the providers who deliver it. The care Planned Parenthood offers is essential—and we won’t stop fighting to protect it.
Whether it’s housing, health care, environmental protection, or economic security, the priorities you share with me shape my work every single day. Thank you for trusting me to be your voice in Congress. I hope to see you out in the community this month!
ALSO: I hope you’ll join my next telephone town hall on Monday, August 18th at 5:45 pm PT. There are two easy ways to join:
1. Sign up here to receive a call directly from me: https://forms.gle/x3D2nE8t5c3nQoYG8
2. Stream live at Dexter.House.Gov/Live
Be well,
Maxine Dexter, M.D.
Member of Congress