View source for Earl Blumenauer

{{Short description|American politician (born 1948)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name                = Earl Blumenauer
| image               = Earl Blumenauer, official portrait, 116th Congress 2.jpg
| caption             = Official portrait, 2019
| state               = [[Oregon]]
| district            = {{ushr|OR|3|3rd}}
| term_start          = May 21, 1996
| term_end            = January 3, 2025
| predecessor         = [[Ron Wyden]]
| successor           = [[Maxine Dexter]]
| office1             = [[Portland, Oregon City Council|Portland City Commissioner]]
| term_start1         = January 5, 1987
| term_end1           = May 25, 1996
| predecessor1        = [[Mildred Schwab]]
| successor1          = [[Erik Sten]]
| office2             = Member of the [[Multnomah County, Oregon|Multnomah County]] Board of Commissioners
| term_start2         = January 1979
| term_end2           = January 1987
| state_house3        = Oregon
| district3           = 11th
| term_start3         = January 8, 1973
| term_end3           = January 1, 1979
| predecessor3        = [[John W. Anunsen]]
| successor3          = [[Rick Bauman]]
| birth_name          = Earl Francis Blumenauer
| birth_date          = {{birth date and age|1948|8|16}}
| birth_place         = [[Portland, Oregon|Portland]], [[Oregon]], U.S.
| death_date          = 
| death_place         = 
| party               = [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
| spouse              = {{marriage|Margaret Kirkpatrick|2004}}
| children            = 2
| education           = [[Lewis and Clark College]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]], [[Juris Doctor|JD]])
| website             = {{url|blumenauer.house.gov|House website}}
|module      = {{Listen
|pos         = center
|embed       = yes
|filename    = Rep. Earl Blumenauer on Transportation and Infrastructure Funding.ogg
|title       = Blumenauer's voice
|type        = speech
|description = Blumenauer on transportation and infrastructure funding.<br>Recorded November 19, 2013}}
}}
'''Earl Francis Blumenauer'''<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://soprweb.senate.gov/index.cfm?event=getFilingDetails&filingID=B4DC1A8C-68CC-4F67-A536-B3436574E5A0&filingTypeID=90 |title=Lobbying Contribution Report for Visa, Inc., Clerk of the House of Representatives |access-date=December 24, 2018 |archive-date=April 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210422050429/https://soprweb.senate.gov/index.cfm?event=getFilingDetails&filingID=B4DC1A8C-68CC-4F67-A536-B3436574E5A0&filingTypeID=90 |url-status=dead }}</ref> ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|b|l|uː|m|ə|n|aʊ|.|ɚ}} {{Respell|BLOOM|ə|nowər}}; born August 16, 1948) is an American lawyer, author, and politician who served as the [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. representative]] for {{ushr|OR|3}} from 1996 to 2025. The district includes most of [[Portland, Oregon|Portland]] east of the [[Willamette River]].

As a member of the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]], Blumenauer previously spent over 20 years as a public official in Portland, including serving on the [[Government of Portland, Oregon|Portland City Council]] from 1987 to 1996, when he succeeded [[Ron Wyden]] in the U.S. House of Representatives. Wyden was [[1996 United States Senate special election in Oregon|elected]] to the [[United States Senate|U.S. Senate]] after [[Bob Packwood]] resigned.

Blumenauer is known for his distinctive [[bow tie]]s and neon bicycle lapel pins.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hickman |first=Leo |date=2011-07-26 |title=It's big, it's green and everyone wants one |url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2011/jul/26/green-lapel-badge-bike-partisan |access-date=2024-08-03 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Heil |first1=Emily |date=May 20, 2009 |first2=Elizabeth |last2=Brotherton |title=Heard on the Hill: Battle of the Bow Ties |url=https://rollcall.com/2009/05/20/heard-on-the-hill-battle-of-the-bow-ties/ |access-date=August 3, 2024 |website=Roll Call |language=en-US }}</ref> Blumenauer gifts his signature bike pins to fellow congressmen, interns, and staffers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ask Belle: The Blumenauer Bike Pin {{!}} Capitol Hill Style |url=https://caphillstyle.com/capitol/2010/08/17/ask-belle-the-blumenauer-bike-pin-html.html |access-date=2024-08-03 |website=caphillstyle.com}}</ref>

Since January 2025, Blumenauer serves as a senior fellow at [[Portland State University]] and as special advisor to university president [[Ann Cudd]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=OPB |first=Tiffany Camhi |date=2024-09-11 |title=US Rep. Earl Blumenauer to join Portland State University after congressional term ends • Oregon Capital Chronicle |url=https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2024/09/11/us-rep-earl-blumenauer-to-join-portland-state-university-after-congressional-term-ends/ |access-date=2025-01-30 |website=Oregon Capital Chronicle |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Early life and education==
Blumenauer was born in Portland on August 16, 1948. In 1966, he graduated from [[Centennial High School (Gresham, Oregon)|Centennial High School]] on Portland's east side and then enrolled at [[Lewis & Clark College]].<ref name="congbio">{{cite web |url=http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=b000574 | title=Earl Blumenauer | work=Biographical Directory of the United States Congress | access-date=November 19, 2008 | archive-date=November 28, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111128020303/http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=B000574 | url-status=live }}</ref> He majored in political science and received a [[Bachelor of Arts]] degree from Lewis & Clark in 1970.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bipac.net/php.asp?g=NFIB&page=Candidate_Guide&legdistrictid=5230 | title=Voter Guide for Oregon District 3 | publisher=[[National Federation of Independent Business]] | access-date=December 30, 2006 | archive-date=November 4, 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081104070201/http://www.bipac.net/php.asp?g=NFIB&page=Candidate_Guide&legdistrictid=5230 | url-status=live }}</ref> Blumenauer completed his education in 1976 when he earned a [[Juris Doctor]] degree from the school's Northwestern School of Law (now [[Lewis & Clark Law School]]).<ref>{{cite news | title=Blumenauer speaks at law commencement |url=http://www.lclark.edu/dept/public/blumenauer.html | work=Lewis & Clark Chronicle | publisher=Lewis & Clark College | date=Summer 2002 | access-date=December 30, 2006 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061108134859/http://www.lclark.edu/dept/public/blumenauer.html | archive-date=November 8, 2006 | df=mdy-all }}</ref> Before starting law school in 1970 and until 1977, he worked as an assistant to the president of [[Portland State University]].<ref name=congbio/><ref name="abouteb">{{cite web|url=http://www.earlblumenauer.com/cgi-bin/display.cgi?page=about |title=About Earl Blumenauer |publisher=Blumenauer for Congress |access-date=December 30, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061213193856/http://www.earlblumenauer.com/cgi-bin/display.cgi?page=about |archive-date=December 13, 2006 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Early political career==
In 1969–70, Blumenauer organized and led Oregon's "Go 19" campaign, an effort to lower the state voting age (while then unsuccessful, it supported the national trend that soon resulted in the [[Twenty-sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution]], which lowered the voting age to 18). In 1972, he was elected to the [[Oregon House of Representatives]], representing the 11th district in [[Multnomah County, Oregon|Multnomah County]].<ref>[https://sos.oregon.gov/archives/Pages/records/legislators_guide.aspx 1973 Regular Session (57th).] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201212042920/https://sos.oregon.gov/archives/Pages/records/legislators_guide.aspx |date=December 12, 2020 }} Oregon State Archives. Retrieved on November 18, 2008.</ref> He was reelected in 1974 and 1976, and continued representing Portland and Multnomah County until the 1979 legislative session.<ref name=congbio/> From 1975 to 1981 he served on the board of [[Portland Community College]].<ref name=congbio/> After his time in the [[Oregon Legislature|Oregon legislature]], he served on the Multnomah County Commission from 1979 to 1986.<ref name=congbio/> He lost a race for [[Government of Portland, Oregon|Portland City Council]] to [[Margaret Strachan]] in 1981.<ref name="oreg-1981apr2">Durbin, Kathy (April 2, 1981). "Blumenauer learns from loss". ''The Oregonian'', p. B1.</ref> He left the county commission in March 1986 to run again for city council.<ref name="oreg-1986mar18">Mayes, Steve (March 18, 1986). "Blumenauer backs 'supercounty' plan". ''The Oregonian'', p. B6.</ref>

Blumenauer was elected to the Portland City Council in May 1986.<ref name="oreg-1986may21">Read, Richard; and Gordon Oliver (May 21, 1986). "Blumenauer clinches City Council seat". ''[[The Oregonian]]'', p. B1.</ref> His first term began in January 1987,<ref name="oreg-1987jan6">"Blumenauer takes oath" (January 6, 1987). ''The Oregonian'', p. B8.</ref> and he remained on the council until 1996.<ref name="abouteb"/> From the start of his first term, he was named the city's Commissioner of Public Works,<ref name="abouteb"/> which made him the council member in charge of the [[Portland Bureau of Transportation]] (also known as the Transportation Commissioner).<ref name="oreg-1986dec17">Oliver, Gordon; and Lane, Dee (December 17, 1986). "Bureau assignments announced by mayor". ''The Oregonian'', p. 1.</ref> During his time on the council, Blumenauer was appointed by Oregon Governor [[Neil Goldschmidt]] to the state's [[Oregon State Board of Higher Education|commission on higher education]], on which he served in 1990 and 1991.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/b000574 | title=Members of Congress / Earl Blumenauer | work=The U.S. Congress Votes Database | publisher=washingtonpost.com | access-date=December 30, 2006 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070101035401/http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/b000574/ | archive-date=January 1, 2007 | df=mdy-all }}</ref> In 1992, Blumenauer was defeated by [[Vera Katz]] in an open race for [[List of mayors of Portland, Oregon|mayor of Portland]]—to date, only the second time that Blumenauer has lost an election. At the time he was called "the man who probably knows the most about how Portland works", but he left local politics to run for [[United States Congress|Congress]].<ref name="schrag">{{cite news | first=John | last=Schrag | title=Battle of the Bleeding Hearts |url=http://wweek.com/___ALL_OLD_HTML/25-1992.html | newspaper=[[Willamette Week]] 25th Anniversary Edition | year=1999 | access-date=November 4, 2012 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130331054157/http://wweek.com/___ALL_OLD_HTML/25-1992.html | archive-date=March 31, 2013 | df=mdy-all }}</ref> After winning election to Congress, he resigned from the city council in May 1996.<ref name="oreg-1996may26">Parente, Michele (May 26, 1996). "Councilman Blumenauer ends 10-year stint at City Hall". ''The Sunday Oregonian'', p. C7.</ref> In 2010, Blumenauer received The [[Ralph Lowell]] Award for outstanding contributions to [[PBS|public television]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cpb.org/aboutpb/awards/lowell/|title=Ralph Lowell Award|date=July 20, 2015|publisher=[[Corporation for Public Broadcasting]]|access-date=November 4, 2023|archive-date=October 4, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004215213/http://www.cpb.org/aboutpb/awards/lowell/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cpb.org/pressroom/release.php?prn=924|title=The Corporation for Public Broadcasting Honors Rep. Earl Blumenauer with Lowell Award|date=November 18, 2011|publisher=[[Corporation for Public Broadcasting]]|access-date=November 4, 2023|archive-date=October 4, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004234057/http://www.cpb.org/pressroom/release.php?prn=924|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==U.S. House of Representatives==
[[File:Earl Blumenauer 1997.jpg|thumb|Blumenauer during the [[105th United States Congress|105th Congress]]]]

===Tenure===
Blumenauer was elected to the [[United States House of Representatives]] in 1996 in a special election to fill the vacancy caused by the election of [[Ron Wyden]] to the [[United States Senate|U.S. Senate]].<ref name="schrag"/> He received 69% of the vote, defeating Republican Mark Brunelle.<ref>{{cite news | title=Election Results Final Agate Tally | date=May 25, 1996 | work=[[The Oregonian]] | pages=D2}}</ref> He was elected to a full term that November, and was reelected 10 times without serious difficulty in what has long been Oregon's most Democratic district, never with less than 66% of the vote.

Blumenauer served as Oregon campaign chair for both [[John Kerry]]'s and [[Barack Obama]]'s presidential campaigns.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.katu.com/news/local/16316371.html | title=Clinton, Obama campaigns headed Oregon's way | publisher=[[KATU]] | date=March 5, 2008 | access-date=August 23, 2010 | archive-date=June 4, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604052538/http://www.katu.com/news/local/16316371.html | url-status=live }}</ref>

In Congress, Blumenauer is noted for his advocacy for mass transit, such as Portland's [[MAX Light Rail]] and the [[Portland Streetcar]],<ref>
{{cite news
 |author      = Editorial
 |title       = Fall Voter's Guide 2002
 |url         = http://www.wweek.com/editorial/2851/3271/
 |work        = [[Willamette Week]]
 |date        = November 9, 2002
|access-date  = December 22, 2006
|url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20070929115300/http://www.wweek.com/editorial/2851/3271/
 |archive-date = September 29, 2007
|df          = mdy-all
}}</ref> and, as a strong supporter of legislation promoting [[bicycle commuting]], cycles from his Washington residence to the [[United States Capitol|Capitol]] and even to the [[White House]] for meetings.<ref>{{cite news
 | author=Hitt, Greg
 | title=For Congressman, Life in Bike Lane Comes Naturally
 |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB119889058487756861?mod=loomia&loomia_si=t0:a16:g2:r3:c0.0867018
 | work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]
 | date=December 29, 2007
| access-date=December 30, 2007
| archive-date=May 18, 2021
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518223109/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB119889058487756861?mod=loomia&loomia_si=t0:a16:g2:r3:c0.0867018
 | url-status=live
 }}</ref>

Among the bills Blumenauer has sponsored that have become law are the [[Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2004|Bunning-Bereuter-Blumenauer Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2004]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blumenauer.house.gov/issues/LegislationSummary.aspx?NewsID=899&IssueID=7 |title=THE FLOOD INSURANCE REFORM ACT OF 2004 |access-date=December 30, 2006 |publisher=Rep. Blumenauer’s office |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061227193651/http://blumenauer.house.gov/issues/LegislationSummary.aspx?NewsID=899&IssueID=7 |archive-date=December 27, 2006 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and the Senator [[Paul Simon (politician)|Paul Simon]] [[Water for the Poor Act of 2005]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blumenauer.house.gov/Issues/Issue.aspx?SubIssueID=129 |title=President Signs Water for the Poor Act Into Law |access-date=December 30, 2006 |publisher=Rep. Blumenauer’s office |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061227181030/http://www.blumenauer.house.gov/Issues/Issue.aspx?SubIssueID=129 |archive-date=December 27, 2006 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In addition, the [[Lacey Act of 1900|Legal Timber Protection Act]] passed as part of the [[2008 Farm Bill]], while the Bicycle Commuter Act passed with the 2008 bailout bill.<ref name="Buried in the Bailout">{{cite web |url=http://green.blogs.nytimes.com//2008/10/13/buried-in-the-bailout-the-bicycle-commuter-act/ | title=Buried in the Bailout: The Bicycle Commuter Act | work=[[The New York Times]] | date=October 13, 2008 | access-date=August 15, 2015 | author=Kannapell, Andrea | archive-date=October 9, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151009212937/http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/10/13/buried-in-the-bailout-the-bicycle-commuter-act/ | url-status=live }}</ref>

Blumenauer was active in pressuring the United States to take greater action during the [[Darfur conflict]].<ref>The [[Genocide Intervention Network]] gave Blumenauer a grade of A on its DarfurScores.com web site for his legislative actions between 2006 and 2009. {{cite web |url=http://www.darfurscores.org/earl-blumenauer | title=DarfurScores.org: Earl Blumenauer | access-date=December 30, 2006 | publisher=[[Genocide Intervention Network]] | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100705161102/http://www.darfurscores.org/earl-blumenauer | archive-date= July 5, 2010 | df=mdy-all }}</ref>

In the [[Political effects of Hurricane Katrina|political aftermath of Hurricane Katrina]], Blumenauer noted that he was among those who had pointed out the vulnerability of New Orleans and encouraged Congress to help that city and the gulf coast get better prepared:
* 2004: "Barely have we recovered from [[Hurricane Hugo]] and we are seeing [[Hurricane Ivan]] pose the threat that has long been feared by those in Louisiana, that this actually might represent the loss of the City of New Orleans. Located 15 feet below sea level, there is the potential of a 30-foot wall of water putting at risk $100 billion of infrastructure and industry and countless lives."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blumenauer.house.gov/Issues/FloorSpeechSummary.aspx|title=Issues|website=Congressman Earl Blumenauer|access-date=November 20, 2017|archive-date=December 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201033204/https://blumenauer.house.gov/Issues/FloorSpeechSummary.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>
* 2005: "I recently had the opportunity to view the devastation in Southeast Asia as a result of the [[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake|tsunami]]. As appalled as I was by what I saw, I must confess that occasionally my thoughts drifted back to the United States. What would have happened if last September, [[Hurricane Ivan]] had veered 40 miles to the west, devastating the city of New Orleans? One likely scenario would have had a tsunami-like 30-foot wall of water hitting the city, causing thousands of deaths and $100 billion in damage...The experience of Southeast Asia should convince us all of the urgent need for congressional action to prevent wide-scale loss of life and economic destruction at home and abroad. Prevention and planning will pay off. Maybe the devastation will encourage us to act before disaster strikes."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2005/9/4/233718/2082|title=DAMNING Congressional Record: Cries for Help Ignored By The Federal Government [updated]|access-date=December 23, 2006|archive-date=November 28, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061128134453/http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2005/9/4/233718/2082|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Earlblumenauer.jpeg|thumb|left|170px|Blumenauer during the [[112th United States Congress|112th Congress]]]]
Blumenauer supports the [[World Trade Organization]]<ref>[http://blumenauer.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1014&Itemid=160 "U.S. Should Remain Active in the WTO,"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091202191545/http://blumenauer.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1014&Itemid=160 |date=December 2, 2009 }} Rep. Earl Blumenauer</ref> and has voted for free trade agreements with Peru, Australia, Singapore, Chile,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ontheissues.org/House/Earl_Blumenauer_Free_Trade.htm | title=Earl Blumenauer on Free Trade | publisher=Ontheissues.org | access-date=August 23, 2010 | archive-date=June 11, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110611152742/http://www.ontheissues.org/House/Earl_Blumenauer_Free_Trade.htm | url-status=live }}</ref> Africa, and the Caribbean.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=8461&can_id=367 | title=Project Vote Smart – Representative Blumenauer on HR 434 – Africa Free Trade bill | publisher=[[Votesmart.org]] | access-date=August 23, 2010 | archive-date=August 6, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230806083740/https://justfacts.votesmart.org/bills | url-status=live }}</ref> His support for these agreements has angered progressives, environmental and labor activists. In 2004, he voted against the [[Dominican Republic–Central America Free Trade Agreement|Central America Free Trade Agreement]]. On September 24, 2007, four labor and human rights activists were arrested in Blumenauer's office protesting his support for the [[Peru-United States Free Trade Agreement|Peru Free Trade Agreement]].<ref>{{cite news
 | title=Trade Secret
 | last=Moore
 | first=Scott
 | date=September 27, 2007
| work=[[Portland Mercury]]
 |url=http://www.portlandmercury.com/portland/Content?oid=429673&category=22101
 | access-date=September 28, 2007
| archive-date=March 20, 2009
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090320114710/http://www.portlandmercury.com/portland/Content?oid=429673&category=22101
 | url-status=live
 }}</ref>

Blumenauer received some media attention during the [[Health care reform debate in the United States|political debate over health care reform]] for sponsoring an amendment to the [[America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009]] to change procedures to mandate that [[Medicare (United States)|Medicare]] pay for [[End-of-life (medical treatment)|end-of-life]] counseling.<ref>{{cite news | agency=[[The Associated Press]] | first=Ricardo | last=Alonso-Zaldivar | title=It's alive! End-of-life counseling in health bill | date=October 29, 2009 |url=http://www.kansascity.com/437/story/1537859.html}}</ref> The amendment, as introduced, was based on an earlier proposal cosponsored by Blumenauer and [[United States Republican Party|Republican]] Representative [[Charles Boustany]] of [[Louisiana]].<ref>{{cite web| last = Goldberg| first = Michelle| author-link = Michelle Goldberg| title = The Health-Care Lie Machine| publisher = [[The Daily Beast]]| date = August 4, 2009|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2009-08-04/the-right-wing-lie-machine/full| access-date = August 11, 2009| archive-date = May 5, 2010| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100505035105/http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2009-08-04/the-right-wing-lie-machine/full| url-status = live}}</ref> The amendment generated controversy, with conservative figures, such as [[2008 United States presidential election|2008]] [[John McCain 2008 presidential campaign|vice presidential nominee]] and former [[Governor of Alaska|Alaska governor]] [[Sarah Palin]], suggesting that the amendment, if made law, would be used as a cover for the federal government to set up "[[death panel]]s" that would be used to determine which people received medical treatment.<ref>{{cite news| last = Farber| first = Daniel| title = Palin Weighs In on Health Care Reform| agency = [[CBS News]]| date = August 8, 2009|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/08/08/politics/politicalhotsheet/entry5226795.shtml| access-date = August 11, 2009| archive-date = September 19, 2009| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090919065051/http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/08/08/politics/politicalhotsheet/entry5226795.shtml| url-status = live}}</ref> Blumenauer called the claim "mind-numbing" and an "all-time low." His rebuke was echoed by Republican Senator [[Johnny Isakson]] of [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], who called the death panels claim "nuts."<ref>{{cite news | first=Matthew | last=Daly | date=August 14, 2009 | agency=Associated Press |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Palin+stands+by+%27death+panel%27+claim-a01611965921 | title=Palin stands by 'death panel claim }}{{Dead link|date=September 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

[[File:Earl_Blumenauer_speaks_at_opening_ceremony_for_Blumenauer_Bridge.jpg|thumb|right|Blumenauer speaks at the opening ceremony for his namesake bike and pedestrian bridge in [[Portland, Oregon]]]]

On July 24, 2014, Blumenauer introduced the [[Emergency Afghan Allies Extension Act of 2014 (H.R. 5195; 113th Congress)]], a bill that would authorize an additional 1,000 emergency Special Immigrant Visas that the [[United States Department of State]] could issue to Afghan translators who served with U.S. troops during the [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|War in Afghanistan]].<ref name=5195sum>{{cite web|title=H.R. 5195 – Summary|url=https://beta.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/5195|publisher=United States Congress|access-date=August 1, 2014}}</ref><ref name=BlumenauerPR1>{{cite web|title=Blumenauer, Kinzinger Hail Passage of the Emergency Afghan Allies Extension Act|url=http://blumenauer.house.gov/index.php/newsroom/press-releases/2375-blumenauer-kinzinger-hail-passage-of-passage-of-the-emergency-afghan-allies-extension-act|publisher=House Office of Earl Blumenauer|access-date=August 1, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140801001222/http://blumenauer.house.gov/index.php/newsroom/press-releases/2375-blumenauer-kinzinger-hail-passage-of-passage-of-the-emergency-afghan-allies-extension-act|archive-date=August 1, 2014}}</ref> He argued that "a failure to provide these additional visas ensures the many brave translators the U.S. promised to protect in exchange for their services would be left in Afghanistan, hiding, their lives still threatened daily by the [[Taliban]]."<ref name="BlumenauerPR1"/>

Blumenauer skipped all of President Trump's State of the Union addresses, saying, "I refuse to be a witness to his continued antics."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/sotu-democrats-boycott-earl-blumenauer_n_5c58b817e4b00187b5543d23|title=Some Democrats Refuse To Attend Trump's State of the Union|last=Karanth|first=Sanjana|date=February 4, 2019|work=Huffington Post|access-date=February 14, 2019|language=en-US|archive-date=February 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190214024818/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/sotu-democrats-boycott-earl-blumenauer_n_5c58b817e4b00187b5543d23|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pamplinmedia.com/pt/9-news/418960-322575-blumenauer-to-skip-trumps-state-of-the-union-again|title=Blumenauer to skip Trump's State of the Union again|last=Group|first=Pamplin Media|work=Portland Tribune|date=February 5, 2019|language=en-gb|access-date=May 15, 2019|archive-date=May 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190515091607/https://pamplinmedia.com/pt/9-news/418960-322575-blumenauer-to-skip-trumps-state-of-the-union-again|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2019 he was one of the first lawmakers to come out in support of the [[Green New Deal]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.axios.com/green-new-deal-house-resolution-alexandria-ocasio-cortez-9bca3bd8-3932-43e8-87c9-caf2011ed533.html|title=The first lawmakers lining up behind Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's Green New Deal resolution|website=Axios|language=en|access-date=May 15, 2019|archive-date=May 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190515093204/https://www.axios.com/green-new-deal-house-resolution-alexandria-ocasio-cortez-9bca3bd8-3932-43e8-87c9-caf2011ed533.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In July 2019, Blumenauer voted against a House resolution introduced by Representative [[Brad Schneider]] opposing efforts to boycott the State of [[Israel]] and the [[Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions|Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions]] Movement.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/07/23/politics/no-votes-house-resolution-israel-boycott-movement/index.html|title=Who voted 'no' on the House resolution opposing Israel boycott movement|author=Clare Foran|website=CNN|date=July 24, 2019|access-date=July 25, 2019|archive-date=July 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190724223830/https://www.cnn.com/2019/07/23/politics/no-votes-house-resolution-israel-boycott-movement/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The resolution passed 398–17.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-resolution/246|title=H.Res.246 - 116th Congress (2019-2020): Opposing efforts to delegitimize the State of Israel and the Global Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement targeting Israel.|last=Schneider|first=Bradley Scott|date=July 23, 2019|website=congress.gov|access-date=July 25, 2019|archive-date=July 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190724073952/https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-resolution/246|url-status=live}}</ref>

In November 2020, Blumenauer was named a candidate for [[Secretary of Transportation]] in the [[Presidential transition of Joe Biden|incoming]] [[Biden administration]].<ref>{{Cite news|title=Meet the contenders for Biden's Cabinet|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/11/07/joe-biden-cabinet-picks-possible-choices-433431|access-date=November 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107164319/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/11/07/joe-biden-cabinet-picks-possible-choices-43343|archive-date = November 7, 2020|date = November 7, 2020|work=[[Politico]]|language=en}}</ref> [[Pete Buttigieg]] was eventually chosen instead.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/15/politics/pete-buttigieg-transportation-secretary/index.html|title=Joe Biden picks Pete Buttigieg to be transportation secretary|website=[[CNN]]|date=December 15, 2020|access-date=July 14, 2021|archive-date=December 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201216023413/https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/15/politics/pete-buttigieg-transportation-secretary/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

During the [[117th United States Congress|117th Congress]], Blumenauer voted with President [[Joe Biden]]'s stated position 99.1% of the time according to a ''[[FiveThirtyEight]]'' analysis.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Bycoffe |first1=Aaron |last2=Wiederkehr |first2=Anna |date=April 22, 2021 |title=Does Your Member Of Congress Vote With Or Against Biden? |url=https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/biden-congress-votes/house/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423141050/https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/biden-congress-votes/house/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 23, 2021 |access-date=November 15, 2023 |website=FiveThirtyEight |language=en}}</ref>

Blumenauer voted to provide Israel with support following the [[October 7 attacks]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Demirjian |first=Karoun |date=October 25, 2023 |title=House Declares Solidarity With Israel in First Legislation Under New Speaker |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/25/us/politics/house-israel-vote.html |access-date=October 30, 2023 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Washington |first1=U. S. Capitol Room H154 |last2=p:225-7000 |first2=DC 20515-6601 |date=October 25, 2023 |title=Roll Call 528 Roll Call 528, Bill Number: H. Res. 771, 118th Congress, 1st Session |url=https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2023528 |access-date=October 30, 2023 |website=Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives |language=en}}</ref>

On October 30, 2023, Blumenauer announced he would not run for re-election in [[2024 United States House of Representatives elections|2024]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Jaquiss|first=Nigel|date=October 30, 2023|title=Earl Blumenauer Will Not Run for Reelection|url=https://www.wweek.com/news/2023/10/30/earl-blumenauer-will-not-run-for-re-election/|url-status=live|work=[[Willamette Week]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031010247/https://www.wweek.com/news/2023/10/30/earl-blumenauer-will-not-run-for-re-election/|archive-date=October 31, 2023|access-date=October 30, 2023}}</ref>

On July 10, 2024, Blumenauer called for [[Joe Biden]] to withdraw from the [[2024 United States presidential election]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Blumenauer becomes ninth House Democrat calling for Biden to step aside |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/house/4765184-blumenauer-house-democrat-biden-withdraw/ |website=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] |date=July 10, 2024 |access-date=11 July 2024}}</ref>

===Committee assignments===
* [[United States House Committee on Ways and Means|Committee on Ways and Means]]
** [[United States House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health|Subcommittee on Health]]

===Caucus memberships===
{{div col}}
*[[Congressional Progressive Caucus]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Caucus Membrs|url=https://progressives.house.gov/caucus-members|publisher=US House of Representatives|access-date=January 3, 2021|archive-date=January 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114215407/https://progressives.house.gov/caucus-members|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Congressional Cannabis Caucus]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fortune.com/2017/02/16/congress-cannabis-caucus/|title=Pro-Pot Lawmakers Have Launched a Congressional Cannabis Caucus|work=Fortune|date=February 16, 2017|access-date=February 18, 2017|archive-date=November 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201120195433/https://fortune.com/2017/02/16/congress-cannabis-caucus/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus
* [http://www.house.gov/inslee/SEEC/index.html Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition]
* National Guard and Reserve Component Caucus
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110618151311/http://animalprotectioncaucus.moran.house.gov/ Animal Protection Caucus]
* Historic Preservation Caucus
* [[United States Congressional International Conservation Caucus|International Conservation Caucus]]
* [[Congressional Coalition on Adoption]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute|url=https://www.ccainstitute.org|language=en}}</ref>
* Fitness Caucus
* Bosnia Caucus
* Korea Caucus
* Diabetes Caucus
* [http://blumenauer.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=280&Itemid=162 Congressional Bike Caucus]
* Caucus to Control and Fight Methamphetamine
* Human Rights Commission
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110602141003/http://farr.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=731%3Ahouse-oceans-caucus&catid=32%3Aabout-sam House Oceans Caucus]
* Internet Caucus
* Congressional Asian and Pacific American Caucus
* Dem Caucus Congressional Taskforce on Seniors
* Wild Salmon Caucus
* High Performance Building
* Congressional Human Trafficking Caucus
* Congressional Land Conservation Caucus
* Urban Caucus
* Wine Caucus
* Small Brewers Caucus
* Quality Care Caucus
* [[Congressional Arts Caucus]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Membership|url=https://artscaucus-slaughter.house.gov/membership|publisher=Congressional Arts Caucus|access-date=March 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612140644/https://artscaucus-slaughter.house.gov/membership|archive-date=June 12, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*[[United States Congressional International Conservation Caucus]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Our Members|url=https://royce.house.gov/internationalconservation/members.html|publisher=U.S. House of Representatives International Conservation Caucus|access-date=August 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801155201/https://royce.house.gov/internationalconservation/members.html|archive-date=August 1, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*[[Climate Solutions Caucus]]<ref>{{cite web|title=90 Current Climate Solutions Caucus Members|url=https://citizensclimatelobby.org/climate-solutions-caucus/|publisher=Citizen´s Climate Lobby|access-date=October 20, 2018|archive-date=May 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190515162947/https://citizensclimatelobby.org/climate-solutions-caucus/|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[U.S.-Japan Caucus]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Members|url=https://usjapancaucus-castro.house.gov/members|publisher=U.S. - Japan Caucus|access-date=December 1, 2018|archive-date=September 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160907010723/https://usjapancaucus-castro.house.gov/members|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Medicare for All Caucus]]
* [[Congressional Caucus for the Equal Rights Amendment]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Membership|author=|url=https://bush.house.gov/era/about/membership|format=|publisher=Congressional Caucus for the Equal Rights Amendment|date=|accessdate=17 September 2024|archive-date=September 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918182046/https://bush.house.gov/era/about/membership|url-status=dead}}</ref> 
{{div col end}}

== Post-congress ==
On September 10, 2024, [[Portland State University]] announced that following his term, Blumenauer would be joining the faculty as a [[senior fellow]] and as special advisor to University President [[Ann Cudd]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Rep. Earl Blumenauer to join Portland State University after congressional term ends |url=https://www.opb.org/article/2024/09/10/us-rep-earl-blumenauer-portland-state-university-congressional-term/ |access-date=2025-01-30 |website=opb |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=PSU to Hire Congressman Earl Blumenauer to Bolster Portland’s Future {{!}} Portland State University |url=https://www.pdx.edu/news/psu-hire-congressman-earl-blumenauer-bolster-portlands-future |access-date=2025-01-30 |website=www.pdx.edu}}</ref> He also serves as a Presidential Fellow of the Institute of Portland Metropolitan Studies.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Meet Earl Blumenauer {{!}} Portland State University |url=https://www.pdx.edu/president/meet-earl-blumenauer |access-date=2025-01-30 |website=www.pdx.edu}}</ref> Blumenauer began his role on January 3, 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=OPB |first=Tiffany Camhi |date=2024-09-11 |title=US Rep. Earl Blumenauer to join Portland State University after congressional term ends • Oregon Capital Chronicle |url=https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2024/09/11/us-rep-earl-blumenauer-to-join-portland-state-university-after-congressional-term-ends/ |access-date=2025-01-30 |website=Oregon Capital Chronicle |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Political positions==
In 1996, Blumenauer's first year in Congress, he voted in support of the [[Defense of Marriage Act]], which passed that year. The law was found unconstitutional in 2013 and repealed.<ref>{{cite web | title=Meet the Democrats Who Voted for the Defense of Marriage Act |url=http://reason.com/blog/2013/06/27/meet-the-democrats-who-voted-for-the-def | date=June 27, 2013 | publisher=[[Reason Foundation]] | access-date=July 10, 2013 | archive-date=July 14, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130714034912/http://reason.com/blog/2013/06/27/meet-the-democrats-who-voted-for-the-def | url-status=live }}</ref> Since then he has supported LGBTQ rights.<ref name="blumenauer.house.gov">{{Cite web|url=https://blumenauer.house.gov/issues|title=Issues|access-date=March 24, 2018|archive-date=March 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180324223731/https://blumenauer.house.gov/issues|url-status=live}}</ref>

On October 1, 2015, following the [[2015 Umpqua Community College shooting|Umpqua Community College shooting]], Blumenauer tweeted<ref>{{Cite tweet |user=repblumenauer |number=649694486210183168 |date=October 1, 2015 |title=I hope we can summon political courage to stop gun violence. We need more than thoughts & prayers. We need action. http://1.usa.gov/1Jm6MUY}}</ref> his report<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blumenauer.house.gov/images/pdf/enough_is_enough.pdf |title=Enough is Enough: A Comprehensive Plan to Improve Gun Safety |last1=Blumenauer |first1=Earl |website=Congressman Earl Blumenauer |year=2015 |access-date=October 4, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20151011222121/http%3A//blumenauer.house.gov/images/pdf/enough_is_enough.pdf |archive-date=October 11, 2015 }}</ref> addressing the issue of gun violence in America, ''Enough is Enough: A Comprehensive Plan to Improve Gun Safety'', which he had published earlier that year.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://koin.com/2015/02/09/blumenauers-gun-plan-enough-is-enough/ |title=Blumenauer's gun plan: 'Enough is enough' |last1=Oesch |first1=Elishah |newspaper=Koin.com |date=February 9, 2015 |publisher=Koin 6 News |access-date=October 4, 2015 |location=Portland, OR |archive-date=August 2, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150802084249/http://koin.com/2015/02/09/blumenauers-gun-plan-enough-is-enough/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Blumenauer has supported alternative energy sources, health care reform, and continuing federal support for education.<ref name="blumenauer.house.gov"/> He is also known as one of the most fervent advocates for the [[Legalization of marijuana in the United States|legalization of marijuana]], co-founding the [[Congressional Cannabis Caucus]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2018/04/24/pot-marijuana-2018-congress-218069/|title=Legal Marijuana's Big Moment|last=Higdon|first=James|date=April 24, 2018|work=POLITICO Magazine|access-date=April 24, 2018|archive-date=April 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220410002727/https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2018/04/24/pot-marijuana-2018-congress-218069/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.nj.com/marijuana/2018/04/heres_what_the_senates_top_democrat_now_says_about.html|title=Here's what U.S. Senate's top Democrat now says about weed|last=Salant|first=Jonathan D.|date=April 20, 2018|work=NJ.com|access-date=April 24, 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=April 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180424073017/http://www.nj.com/marijuana/2018/04/heres_what_the_senates_top_democrat_now_says_about.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He was the chief sponsor of a bill to expand the research of [[Medical cannabis|medical cannabis and its drug derivatives]] that passed the House in July 2022 and the Senate in November.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Salant |first=Jonathan D. |date=November 17, 2022 |title=Cannabis legislation clears Congress for the first time and is heading to Biden |url=https://www.nj.com/marijuana/2022/11/cannabis-legislation-clears-congress-for-the-first-time-and-is-heading-to-biden.html |access-date=November 22, 2022 |website=[[NJ.com]] |language=en |archive-date=November 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221122044137/https://www.nj.com/marijuana/2022/11/cannabis-legislation-clears-congress-for-the-first-time-and-is-heading-to-biden.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Agriculture===
Blumenauer is a longtime advocate of agricultural and [[food system]] reform. He repeatedly introduced legislation that would have overhauled U.S. agricultural policy, including provisions that would have imposed restrictions on [[Agricultural subsidy|farm subsidies]] to [[Concentrated animal feeding operation|concentrated animal feeding operations]] (CAFOs) and [[fodder|livestock feed]] producers, increased support for smaller-scale farmers, and imposed environmental and welfare standards on large animal agriculture operations.<ref name="guardian"></ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Douglas |first1=Leah |title=A Radical Farm Bill is Born |url=https://civileats.com/2017/11/16/a-radical-farm-bill-is-born/ |access-date=18 June 2025 |work=Civil Eats |date=16 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180228151409/https://civileats.com/2017/11/16/a-radical-farm-bill-is-born/ |archive-date=28 February 2018}}</ref>

Blumenauer supports increasing federal funding for [[Meat alternative|alternative proteins]], including [[plant-based diet|plant-based]] and [[cultured meat|cultivated meat]]. In April 2021, he led a letter by 20 members of Congress requesting $100 million in funding for alternative proteins research and development.<ref>{{cite web |title=2021 State of Global Policy Report |url=https://gfi.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/POL22005_State-of-Global-Policy-Report.pdf |publisher=The Good Food Institute |access-date=18 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250611225958/https://gfi.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/POL22005_State-of-Global-Policy-Report.pdf |archive-date=11 June 2025}}</ref> In response to a proposal by [[The Good Food Institute]] that the Biden administration include $2 billion in alternative proteins funding in the [[Build Back Better Plan]], Blumenauer told ''[[The New York Times|New York Times]]'' columnist [[Ezra Klein]]: "I've never seen anything like this in terms of the volume of money being talked about and the opportunities to do something transformational. It wouldn't take a lot of investment in alternative protein to take it to a whole different level."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Klein |first1=Ezra |title=Let’s Launch a Moonshot for Meatless Meat |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/24/opinion/climate-change-meatless-meat.html |access-date=18 June 2025 |work=The New York Times |date=24 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250107070301/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/24/opinion/climate-change-meatless-meat.html |archive-date=7 January 2025}}</ref>

===Animal welfare===
Blumenauer was a co-chair of the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus and supports strong legal protections for [[animal welfare]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Blumenauer led animal protection |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/2023/11/readers-respond-blumenauer-led-animal-protection.html |access-date=14 June 2025 |work=Oregon Live |publisher=[[The Oregonian]] |date=5 November 2023}}</ref> In August 2023, he led a [[bipartisanship|bipartisan]] letter by more than 150 representatives opposing the inclusion of language in the 2023 [[United States farm bill|farm bill]] that would have invalidated state and local laws regulating animal confinement practices, including restrictions on the sale of goods produced in [[battery cage|battery cages]], [[gestation crate|gestation crates]], and [[veal#veal crates|veal crates]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Downs |first1=Garrett |title=EATS opposition hits Congress |url=https://www.politico.com/newsletters/weekly-agriculture/2023/08/21/eats-opposition-hits-congress-00112040 |access-date=14 June 2025 |work=Politico |date=21 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230825131257/https://www.politico.com/newsletters/weekly-agriculture/2023/08/21/eats-opposition-hits-congress-00112040 |archive-date=August 25, 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref> Blumenauer's farm bill proposal would have established nationwide protections for farm animal welfare and eliminated subsidies to [[intensive animal farming]] operations.<ref name="guardian">{{cite news |last1=Scotten |first1=Marin |title=A Democrat’s obsessive quest to change the way America is farmed and fed |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/jul/26/earl-blumenauer-agriculture-farm-bill-congress |access-date=18 June 2025 |work=The Guardian |date=26 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230726101310/https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/jul/26/earl-blumenauer-agriculture-farm-bill-congress |archive-date=26 July 2023}}</ref>

In February 2009, after a domesticated [[Common chimpanzee|chimpanzee]] in [[Connecticut]] severely mauled a woman, gaining national attention, Blumenauer sponsored the [[Captive Primate Safety Act]] to bar the sale or purchase of non-human [[primate]]s for personal possession between states and from outside the country.<ref>{{cite web | work=OpenCongress | title=H.R.80 Captive Primate Safety Act |url=http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h80/show | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090213045801/http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h80/show | archive-date=February 13, 2009 | df=mdy-all }}</ref> He reintroduced the legislation in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 1, 2024 |title=Blumenthal, Blumenauer, & Fitzpatrick Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation to Ban Private Possession of Primates |url=https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-blumenauer-and-fitzpatrick-introduce-bipartisan-bicameral-legislation-to-ban-private-possession-of-primates |access-date=September 3, 2024 |website=Richard Blumenthal (US Senator)}}</ref> In June 2008, Blumenauer had sponsored legislation to ban interstate trafficking of [[great ape]]s, which passed the House but was tabled by the [[United States Senate|Senate]].<ref>{{cite news | agency=The Oregonian | first=Charles | last=Pope | title=House passes Blumenauer bill to restrict primate sales | date=February 24, 2009 |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2009/02/house_passes_blumenauer_bill_t.html | access-date=February 27, 2009 | archive-date=February 27, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090227083533/http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2009/02/house_passes_blumenauer_bill_t.html | url-status=live }}</ref>

==Personal life==
Blumenauer has been married to Margaret Kirkpatrick since 2004.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://childinst.org/who-we-are/board-of-directors/margaret-d-kirkpatrick/|title=Margaret D. Kirkpatrick - Pearl Legal Group|access-date=December 24, 2019|archive-date=December 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191224231402/https://childinst.org/who-we-are/board-of-directors/margaret-d-kirkpatrick/|url-status=live}}</ref>

An avid cyclist, Blumenauer is the founder and was co-chair of the [[Congressional Bike Caucus]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/13/science/earth/13profile.html|title=A Bicycle Evangelist with the Wind Now at His Back|newspaper=The New York Times|date=January 12, 2009|last1=Dean|first1=Cornelia|access-date=December 24, 2019|archive-date=December 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191224225857/https://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/13/science/earth/13profile.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blumenauer.house.gov/congressional-bike-caucus|title=The Congressional Bike Caucus|date=September 13, 2016|access-date=December 24, 2019|archive-date=December 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191224225900/https://blumenauer.house.gov/congressional-bike-caucus|url-status=live}}</ref>

Each year, in the weeks leading up to Christmas, Blumenauer bakes and delivers hundreds of fruitcakes to his colleagues on [[Capitol Hill|the Hill]].<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211205/f-lKVTynL5I Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20181224013133/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-lKVTynL5I Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-lKVTynL5I| title = Fruitcake brings cheer to both sides of the aisle in Congress | website=[[YouTube]]| date = December 23, 2018 }}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://saltandstraw.com/blogs/news/fruitcake-and-1000-bikes|title=Fruitcake and 1,000 Bikes|date=November 25, 2015|access-date=December 24, 2019|archive-date=December 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191224225856/https://saltandstraw.com/blogs/news/fruitcake-and-1000-bikes|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Electoral history==

{| class="wikitable" style="margin:0.5em ; font-size:95%"
|+ {{ushr|Oregon|3|}}: Results 1996–2022<ref>{{cite web|title=Election Statistics, 1920 to Present|url=http://history.house.gov/Institution/Election-Statistics/Election-Statistics/|website=History, Art and Archives United States House of Representatives|publisher=United States House of Representatives Office of the Historian|access-date=March 25, 2019|archive-date=January 3, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130103115258/http://history.house.gov/Institution/Election-Statistics/Election-Statistics/|url-status=live}}</ref>

! Year
!
! Democratic
! Votes
! Pct
!
! Republican
! Votes
! Pct
!
! 3rd Party
! Party
! Votes
! Pct
!
! 3rd Party
! Party
! Votes
! Pct
!
! 3rd Party
! Party
! Votes
! Pct
!
|-
| [[United States House of Representatives elections in Oregon, 1996|1996]]
|
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | {{nowrap| '''Earl Blumenauer'''}}
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |165,922
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} |67%
|
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | [[Scott Bruun]]
| {{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |65,259
| {{Party shading/Republican}} |26%
|
| {{Party shading/Independent}} |Joe Keating
| {{Party shading/Independent}} | [[Pacific Green Party|Pacific]]
| {{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |9,274
| {{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |4%
|
| {{Party shading/Libertarian}} |Bruce A. Knight
| {{Party shading/Libertarian}} | [[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian]]
| {{Party shading/Libertarian}} align="right" |4,474
| {{Party shading/Libertarian}} align="right" |2%
|
| {{Party shading/Socialist}} |Victoria P. Guillebeau
| {{Party shading/Socialist}} |Socialist
| {{Party shading/Socialist}} align="right" |2,449
| {{Party shading/Socialist}} align="right" |1%
| '''*'''
|-
| [[United States House of Representatives elections in Oregon, 1998|1998]]
|
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | '''Earl Blumenauer'''
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |153,889
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} |84%
|
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | ''(no candidate)''
| {{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |
| {{Party shading/Republican}} |
|
| {{Party shading/Libertarian}} | {{nowrap|Bruce A.}} Knight
| {{Party shading/Libertarian}} | [[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian]]
| {{Party shading/Libertarian}} align="right" |16,930
| {{Party shading/Libertarian}} align="right" |9%
|
| {{Party shading/Socialist}} |Walt Brown
| {{Party shading/Socialist}} |Socialist
| {{Party shading/Socialist}} align="right" |10,199
| {{Party shading/Socialist}} align="right" |6%
|
| {{Party shading/Independent}} | [[Write-in candidate|Write-ins]]
| {{Party shading/Independent}} |
| {{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |2,333
| {{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |1%
|
|-
| [[United States House of Representatives elections in Oregon, 2000|2000]]
|
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | '''Earl Blumenauer'''
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |181,049
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} |67%
|
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | {{nowrap|Jeffery L. Pollock}}
| {{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |64,128
| {{Party shading/Republican}} |24%
|
| {{Party shading/Green}} | [[Tre Arrow]]
| {{Party shading/Green}} | [[Pacific Green Party|Pacific Green]]
| {{Party shading/Green}} align="right" |15,763
| {{Party shading/Green}} align="right" |6%
|
| {{Party shading/Libertarian}} | {{nowrap|Bruce A.}} Knight
| {{Party shading/Libertarian}} | [[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian]]
| {{Party shading/Libertarian}} align="right" |4,942
| {{Party shading/Libertarian}} align="right" |2%
|
| {{Party shading/Socialist}} |Walt Brown
| {{Party shading/Socialist}} |Socialist
| {{Party shading/Socialist}} align="right" |4,703
| {{Party shading/Socialist}} align="right" |2%
| '''*'''
|-
| [[United States House of Representatives elections in Oregon, 2002|2002]]
|
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | '''Earl Blumenauer'''
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |156,851
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} |67%
|
| {{Party shading/Republican}} |Sarah Seale
| {{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |62,821
| {{Party shading/Republican}} |27%
|
| {{Party shading/Socialist}} |Walt Brown
| {{Party shading/Socialist}} |Socialist
| {{Party shading/Socialist}} align="right" |6,588
| {{Party shading/Socialist}} align="right" |3%
|
| {{Party shading/Libertarian}} |Kevin Jones
| {{Party shading/Libertarian}} | [[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian]]
| {{Party shading/Libertarian}} align="right" |4,704
| {{Party shading/Libertarian}} align="right" |2%
|
| {{Party shading/ConstitutionUSA}} |David Brownlow
| {{Party shading/ConstitutionUSA}} | [[Constitution Party (United States)|Constitution]]
| {{Party shading/ConstitutionUSA}} align="right" |3,495
| {{Party shading/ConstitutionUSA}} align="right" |1%
| '''*'''
|-
| [[United States House of Representatives elections in Oregon, 2004|2004]]
|
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | '''Earl Blumenauer'''
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |245,559
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} |71%
|
| {{Party shading/Republican}} |Tami Mars
| {{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |82,045
| {{Party shading/Republican}} |24%
|
| {{Party shading/Socialist}} |Walt Brown
| {{Party shading/Socialist}} |Socialist
| {{Party shading/Socialist}} align="right" |10,678
| {{Party shading/Socialist}} align="right" |3%
|
| {{Party shading/ConstitutionUSA}} |Dale Winegarden
| {{Party shading/ConstitutionUSA}} | [[Constitution Party (United States)|Constitution]]
| {{Party shading/ConstitutionUSA}} align="right" |7,119
| {{Party shading/ConstitutionUSA}} align="right" |2%
|
| {{Party shading/Independent}} | [[Write-in candidate|Write-ins]]
| {{Party shading/Independent}} |
| {{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |1,159
| {{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |<1%
|
|-
| [[United States House of Representatives elections in Oregon, 2006|2006]]
|
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | '''Earl Blumenauer'''
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |186,380
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} |73%
|
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | {{nowrap|[[Bruce Broussard (politician)|Bruce Broussard]]}}
| {{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |59,529
| {{Party shading/Republican}} |23%
|
| {{Party shading/ConstitutionUSA}} |David Brownlow
| {{Party shading/ConstitutionUSA}} | [[Constitution Party (United States)|Constitution]]
| {{Party shading/ConstitutionUSA}} align="right" |7,003
| {{Party shading/ConstitutionUSA}} align="right" |3%
|
| {{Party shading/Independent}} | [[Write-in candidate|Write-ins]]
| {{Party shading/Independent}} |
| {{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |698
| {{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |<1%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
| [[United States House of Representatives elections in Oregon, 2008|2008]]
|
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | '''Earl Blumenauer'''
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |254,235
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} |75%
|
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | {{nowrap|Delia Lopez}}
| {{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |71,063
| {{Party shading/Republican}} |21%
|
| {{Party shading/Green}} |Michael Meo
| {{Party shading/Green}} | [[Pacific Green Party|Pacific Green]]
| {{Party shading/Green}} align="right" |15,063
| {{Party shading/Green}} align="right" |4%
|
| {{Party shading/Independent}} | [[Write-in candidate|Write-ins]]
| {{Party shading/Independent}} |
| {{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |701
| {{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |<1%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
| [[United States House of Representatives elections in Oregon, 2010|2010]]
|
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | '''Earl Blumenauer'''
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |193,104
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} |70%
|
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | {{nowrap|Delia Lopez}}
| {{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |67,714
| {{Party shading/Republican}} |25%
|
| {{Party shading/Libertarian}} |Jeff Lawrence
| {{Party shading/Libertarian}} | [[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian]]
| {{Party shading/Libertarian}} align="right" |8,380
| {{Party shading/Libertarian}} |3%
|
| {{Party shading/Green}} |Michael Meo
| {{Party shading/Green}} | [[Pacific Green Party|Pacific Green]]
| {{Party shading/Green}} align="right" |6,197
| {{Party shading/Green}} align="right" |2%
|
| {{Party shading/Independent}} | [[Write-in candidate|Write-ins]]
| {{Party shading/Independent}} |
| {{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |407
| {{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |<1%
|
|-
| [[United States House of Representatives elections in Oregon, 2012|2012]]
|
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | '''Earl Blumenauer'''
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |264,979
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} |74%
|
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | {{nowrap|Ronald Green}}
| {{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |70,325
| {{Party shading/Republican}} |20%
|
| {{Party shading/Green}} |Woodrow Broadnax
| {{Party shading/Green}} | [[Pacific Green Party|Pacific Green]]
| {{Party shading/Green}} align="right" |13,159
| {{Party shading/Green}} |4%
|
| {{Party shading/Libertarian}} |Michael Meo
| {{Party shading/Libertarian}} | [[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian]]
| {{Party shading/Libertarian}} align="right" |6,640
| {{Party shading/Libertarian}} align="right" |2%
|
| {{Party shading/Independent}} | [[Write-in candidate|Write-ins]]
| {{Party shading/Independent}} |
| {{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |772
| {{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |<1%
|
|-
| [[United States House of Representatives elections in Oregon, 2014|2014]]
|
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | '''Earl Blumenauer'''
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |211,748
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} |72%
|
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | {{nowrap|James Buchal}}
| {{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |57,424
| {{Party shading/Republican}} |20%
|
| {{Party shading/Green}} |Michael Meo
| {{Party shading/Green}} | [[Pacific Green Party|Pacific Green]]
| {{Party shading/Green}} align="right" |12,106
| {{Party shading/Green}} |4%
|
| {{Party shading/Libertarian}} |Jeffrey J. Langan
| {{Party shading/Libertarian}} | [[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian]]
| {{Party shading/Libertarian}} align="right" |6,381
| {{Party shading/Libertarian}} align="right" |2%
|
| {{Party shading/Independent}} |David Walker
| {{Party shading/Independent}} | Non-affiliated
| {{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |1,089
| {{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |1%
| '''*'''
|-
| [[United States House of Representatives elections in Oregon, 2016|2016]]
|
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | '''Earl Blumenauer'''
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |274,687
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} |72%
|
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | ''No candidate''
| {{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |
| {{Party shading/Republican}} |
|
| {{Party shading/Independent}} |David W. Walker
| {{Party shading/Independent}} | [[Independent Party of Oregon|Independent]]
| {{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |78,154
| {{Party shading/Independent}} |20%
|
| {{Party shading/Progressive}} |David Delk
| {{Party shading/Progressive}} | [[Oregon Progressive Party|Progressive]]
| {{Party shading/Progressive}} align="right" |27,978
| {{Party shading/Progressive}} align="right" |7%
|
| {{Party shading/Independent}} |[[Write-in candidate|Write-ins]]
| {{Party shading/Independent}} | 
| {{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |1,536
| {{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |<1%
|
|-
| [[United States House of Representatives elections in Oregon, 2018|2018]]
|
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | '''Earl Blumenauer'''
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |279,019
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} |73%
|
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Tom Harrison
| {{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |76,187
| {{Party shading/Republican}} |20%
|
| {{Party shading/Independent}} | Marc Koller
| {{Party shading/Independent}} | [[Independent Party of Oregon|Independent]]
| {{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |21,352
| {{Party shading/Independent}} |6%
|
| {{Party shading/Libertarian}} | Gary Dye
| {{Party shading/Libertarian}} | [[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian]]
| {{Party shading/Libertarian}} align="right" |5,767
| {{Party shading/Libertarian}} align="right" |2%
|
| {{Party shading/ConstitutionUSA}} | Michael Marsh
| {{Party shading/ConstitutionUSA}} | [[Constitution Party (United States)|Constitution]]
| {{Party shading/ConstitutionUSA}} align="right" |1,487
| {{Party shading/ConstitutionUSA}} align="right" |<1%
| '''*'''
|-
| [[United States House of Representatives elections in Oregon, 2020|2020]]
|
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | '''Earl Blumenauer'''
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |343,574
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} |73%
|
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Joanna Harbour
| {{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |110,570
| {{Party shading/Republican}} |24%
|
| {{Party shading/Green}} | Alex DiBlasi
| {{Party shading/Green}} | [[Pacific Green Party|Pacific Green]]
| {{Party shading/Green}} align="right" |8,872
| {{Party shading/Green}} |2%
|
| {{Party shading/Libertarian}} | Josh Solomon
| {{Party shading/Libertarian}} | [[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian]]
| {{Party shading/Libertarian}} align="right" |6,869
| {{Party shading/Libertarian}} align="right" |2%
|
| {{Party shading/Independent}} | [[Write-in candidate|Write-ins]]
| {{Party shading/Independent}} |
| {{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |621
| {{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |<1%
|
|-
| [[2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Oregon|2022]]
|
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | '''Earl Blumenauer'''
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |212,119
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} |69%
|
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Joanna Harbour
| {{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |79,766
| {{Party shading/Republican}} |26%
|
| {{Party shading/Green}} | David E Delk
| {{Party shading/Green}} | [[Pacific Green Party|Pacific Green]]
| {{Party shading/Green}} align="right" |10,982
| {{Party shading/Green}} |3%
|
| {{Party shading/Independent}} | [[Write-in candidate|Write-ins]]
| {{Party shading/Independent}} |
| {{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |467
| {{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |<1%
|
| 
| 
|
|
|
|}
{{refbegin}}
Write-in and minor candidate notes: In 1996, write-ins received 531 votes. In 2000, write-ins received 576 votes. In 2002, write-ins received 1094 votes. In 2014, write-ins received 1,089 votes. In 2018, write-ins received 514 votes.
{{refend}}

==See also==
* [[Blumenauer Bridge]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
{{wikisource|works=or}}
{{wikiquote}}
* [http://blumenauer.house.gov/ Congressman Earl Blumenauer] official U.S. House website
* [https://www.earlblumenauer.com/ Campaign website]
* {{C-SPAN|43809}}
{{CongLinks | congbio=b000574 | votesmart=367 | fec=H6OR03064 | congress=earl-blumenauer/99 }}
* Oregon Secretary of State:
** [http://oregonvotes.org/pages/history/archive/may2196/pamphlet/3rdspelc/bulmene.html May special election],
** [http://oregonvotes.org/pages/history/archive/may2196/pamphlet/fedcan/blumenE.html November general election]
* ''[[Willamette Week]]'':
** November 1997: [https://web.archive.org/web/20051129072309/http://wweek.com/html/player110597.html The Player]
** November 2002: [http://www.wweek.com/story.php?story=3271 Fall Voter's Guide 2002] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050502230504/http://www.wweek.com/story.php?story=3271 |date=May 2, 2005 }}, with a Blumenauer endorsement
** February 2004: [http://www.wweek.com/story.php?story=4823 The Earl of Trolleys] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040307034301/http://www.wweek.com/story.php?story=4823 |date=March 7, 2004 }}

{{s-start}}
{{s-par|us-hs}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Ron Wyden]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Member of the [[List of United States representatives from Oregon|U.S. House of Representatives]]<br>from [[Oregon's 3rd congressional district]]|years=1996–2025}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Maxine Dexter]]}}
|-
{{s-prec|usa}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Duncan L. Hunter]]|as=Former U.S. Representative}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[United States order of precedence|Order of precedence of the United States]]<br>''{{small|as Former U.S. Representative}}''|years=}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Alan Mollohan]]|as=Former U.S. Representative}}
{{s-end}}

{{United States representatives from Oregon}}
{{USCongRep-start |congresses=104th–118th [[United States Congress]]es |state=[[United States congressional delegations from Oregon|Oregon]]}}
{{USCongRep/OR/104}}
{{USCongRep/OR/105}}
{{USCongRep/OR/106}}
{{USCongRep/OR/107}}
{{USCongRep/OR/108}}
{{USCongRep/OR/109}}
{{USCongRep/OR/110}}
{{USCongRep/OR/111}}
{{USCongRep/OR/112}}
{{USCongRep/OR/113}}
{{USCongRep/OR/114}}
{{USCongRep/OR/115}}
{{USCongRep/OR/116}}
{{USCongRep/OR/117}}
{{USCongRep/OR/118}}
{{USCongRep-end}}
{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Blumenauer, Earl}}
[[Category:1948 births]]
[[Category:20th-century members of the Oregon Legislative Assembly]]
[[Category:21st-century United States representatives]]
[[Category:21st-century Oregon politicians]]
[[Category:Cycling advocates]]
[[Category:Democratic Party members of the Oregon House of Representatives]]
[[Category:Democratic Party United States representatives from Oregon]]
[[Category:Lawyers from Portland, Oregon]]
[[Category:Lewis & Clark Law School alumni]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Multnomah County commissioners]]
[[Category:Portland City Council members (Oregon)]]