Earl Blumenauer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Earl Blumenauer
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Oregon's 3rd district |
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| In office May 21, 1996 – January 3, 2025 |
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| Preceded by | Ron Wyden |
| Succeeded by | Maxine Dexter |
| Portland City Commissioner | |
| In office January 5, 1987 – May 25, 1996 |
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| Preceded by | Mildred Schwab |
| Succeeded by | Erik Sten |
| Member of the Multnomah County Board of County Commissioners | |
| In office January 1979 – January 1987 |
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| Member of the Oregon House of Representatives from the 11th district |
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| In office January 8, 1973 – January 1, 1979 |
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| Preceded by | John W. Anunsen |
| Succeeded by | Rick Bauman |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Earl Francis Blumenauer
August 16, 1948 Portland, Oregon, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Margaret Kirkpatrick
(m. 2004) |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Lewis and Clark College (BA, JD) |
Earl Francis Blumenauer (born August 16, 1948) is an American lawyer, author, and politician. He served as a U.S. Representative for Oregon's 3rd district from 1996 to 2025. This district includes most of Portland east of the Willamette River.
As a member of the Democratic Party, Blumenauer worked for over 20 years as a public official in Portland. He was on the Portland City Council from 1987 to 1996. He then took over from Ron Wyden in the U.S. House of Representatives. Wyden had been elected to the U.S. Senate.
Earl Blumenauer is known for his unique bow ties and bright bicycle lapel pins. He often gives these special bike pins to other members of Congress, interns, and staff.
Contents
Earl Blumenauer's Early Life and School
Earl Blumenauer was born in Portland, Oregon, on August 16, 1948. He finished high school at Centennial High School in 1966. After that, he went to Lewis & Clark College.
He studied political science and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1970. Later, in 1976, he received a law degree from Lewis & Clark Law School. Before and during law school, he worked as an assistant at Portland State University.
Starting His Political Journey
In 1969–70, Blumenauer helped lead a campaign in Oregon called "Go 19." This effort tried to lower the voting age in the state. Even though it didn't pass right away, it supported a national trend. This trend soon led to the Twenty-sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which lowered the voting age to 18 across the U.S.
In 1972, he was elected to the Oregon House of Representatives. He represented the 11th district in Multnomah County. He was reelected twice and served in the Oregon legislature until 1979. From 1975 to 1981, he was also on the board of Portland Community College.
After his time in the state legislature, he served on the Multnomah County Commission from 1979 to 1986. He was elected to the Portland City Council in May 1986. He started his first term in January 1987 and stayed on the council until 1996.
While on the city council, he was in charge of the city's public works. This meant he oversaw the Portland Bureau of Transportation. In 1992, he ran for mayor of Portland but did not win. He then decided to run for Congress.
Serving in the U.S. Congress
What He Did in Congress
Earl Blumenauer was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1996. This was a special election to fill a spot after Ron Wyden moved to the U.S. Senate. Blumenauer won with 69% of the votes. He was reelected many times without much trouble. His district in Oregon is known for supporting Democratic candidates.
In Congress, Blumenauer is known for supporting public transportation. This includes systems like Portland's MAX Light Rail and the Portland Streetcar. He also strongly supports laws that encourage bicycle commuting. He often rides his bike from his home in Washington D.C. to the Capitol and even to the White House for meetings.
Some of the laws Blumenauer helped create include the Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2004. He also worked on the Water for the Poor Act of 2005. He helped pass the Legal Timber Protection Act and the Bicycle Commuter Act.
Blumenauer also pushed the United States to do more during the Darfur conflict. He also spoke out about the need to prepare for natural disasters. He warned about the risks to cities like New Orleans before Hurricane Katrina hit.
He supported some international trade agreements. In 2009, he sponsored the Captive Primate Safety Act. This law aimed to stop the sale of certain non-human primates as pets between states and from other countries.
He also worked on health care reform. He supported changes to allow Medicare to pay for end-of-life counseling. He said this was important for people to plan their medical care.
In 2014, Blumenauer introduced a bill to help Afghan translators. These translators had worked with U.S. troops during the War in Afghanistan. The bill would give them more special visas to come to the U.S. He believed it was important to protect these brave people.
Blumenauer chose not to attend President Trump's State of the Union addresses. He said he didn't want to be a part of what he called "his continued antics." In 2019, he was one of the first lawmakers to support the Green New Deal. This plan aims to address climate change and economic inequality.
In November 2020, Blumenauer was considered for the role of Secretary of Transportation. However, Pete Buttigieg was chosen instead. He voted to support Israel after the 2023 attack by Hamas.
On October 30, 2023, Blumenauer announced he would not run for reelection in 2024. On July 10, 2024, he asked President Joe Biden to withdraw from the 2024 presidential election.
Working in Committees
In Congress, Earl Blumenauer was part of important groups called committees. These committees focus on specific topics.
- Committee on Ways and Means
- Subcommittee on Health
Being Part of Groups
Blumenauer was also a member of many different caucuses and groups in Congress. These groups bring together lawmakers who share similar interests or goals.
- Congressional Progressive Caucus
- Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus
- Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition
- National Guard and Reserve Component Caucus
- Animal Protection Caucus
- Historic Preservation Caucus
- International Conservation Caucus
- Congressional Coalition on Adoption
- Fitness Caucus
- Bosnia Caucus
- Korea Caucus
- Diabetes Caucus
- Congressional Bike Caucus (he founded and co-chaired this group!)
- Human Rights Commission
- House Oceans Caucus
- Internet Caucus
- Congressional Asian and Pacific American Caucus
- Dem Caucus Congressional Taskforce on Seniors
- Wild Salmon Caucus
- High Performance Building
- Congressional Land Conservation Caucus
- Urban Caucus
- Wine Caucus
- Small Brewers Caucus
- Quality Care Caucus
- Congressional Arts Caucus
- United States Congressional International Conservation Caucus
- Climate Solutions Caucus
- U.S.-Japan Caucus
- Medicare for All Caucus
- Congressional Caucus for the Equal Rights Amendment
What Earl Blumenauer Believes In
In 1996, Blumenauer voted for the Defense of Marriage Act. This law was later found to be against the Constitution. Since then, he has strongly supported LGBTQ rights.
About His Personal Life
Earl Blumenauer has been married to Margaret Kirkpatrick since 2004.
He loves cycling and was the founder and co-chair of the Congressional Bike Caucus. This group promotes bicycling.
Every year, before Christmas, Blumenauer bakes and delivers hundreds of fruitcakes. He gives them to his fellow lawmakers on the Hill.
Images for kids
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Earl Blumenauer's official portrait
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Blumenauer in 1997
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Blumenauer in 2011
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Blumenauer at the opening of the Blumenauer Bridge
