May 8, 2025 6:40 a.m.

On Wednesday, Oregon’s entire Democratic congressional delegation rallied behind the west coast seafood industry by asking the U.S. Department of Agriculture to buy Oregon pink shrimp as soon as possible to help lessen what they believe will be damage caused by President Donald Trump’s tariffs.

A letter to USDA Agricultural Marketing Services Administrator Bruce Summers from Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, along with Representatives Val Hoyle, Suzanne Bonamici, Janelle Bynum, Maxine Dexter, and Andrea Salinas said, “Commercial fishing, seafood processing, and distribution is an integral part of the numerous small ports and rural communities that dot America’s Pacific coast”. They said, “The industry contributes hundreds of millions of dollars and thousands of jobs to the region’s economy, all while providing the nation with domestic, high-quality seafood that is caught, processed, and distributed by hardworking Americans”.

A joint release said the west coast seafood industry is struggling as tariff decisions create uncertainty and devastation in Oregon’s vital seafood industry. The lawmakers said that reports of major cancellations paired with a prolific pink shrimp harvest have set up Oregon’s rural, coastal communities for potentially ruinous losses without support from the USDA.

The request asks the USDA to use a legal authority known as “Section 32” to stimulate demand during challenging economic times by buying surplus foods, which are then distributed to schools, childcare centers, and food banks in need.

The full text of the letter is linked: Amid Trump Tariff Uncertainty, Oregon’s Entire Democratic Delegation Rallies Behind West Coast Seafood Industry