With the U.S. Congress in recess in the run-up to the November 6 elections, lawmakers are spending time in their districts. Both U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon) and Congressman Peter DeFazio (D-Oregon) took this opportunity to visit the University of Oregon. Senator Merkley visited campus on October 9 to deliver a policy address as part of the Wayne Morse Center for Law and Politics’ theme,“Capitalism and the Common Good.” Senator Merkley, who also serves on the board of the Wayne Morse Center, presented his plan to restore the housing market.

On October 10, Congressman Peter DeFazio visited campus to offer students in the Planning, Public Policy and Management program a brief update on the transportation bill and other transportation issues. Congressman DeFazio is the ranking Democrat on the key committee that writes the transportation bill, which will be subject to reauthorization in the next Congress.  After speaking to students, Congressman DeFazio participated in non-partisan voter registration efforts on campus.