April 2, 2020 6:15 a.m.
All seven members of Oregon’s Congressional Delegation have sent a letter to the White House, backing Governor Kate Brown’s request for federal support to mobilize up to 1,250 members of Oregon National Guard in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley along with Representatives Peter DeFazio, Earl Blumenauer, Suzanne Bonamici, Kurt Schrader and Greg Walden noted that Governor Brown fully activated the state’s Emergency Coordination Center in early March and has since ordered Oregonians to stay home and for non-essential businesses to cease operations. The letter said the request seeking Title 32 authority for the National Guard would help defray the state costs for mobilization.