Yesterday, members of the New Democrat Coalition concluded the ninth stop of their ‘On the Road’ tour in Silverton, Oregon, an initiative led by Vice Chair for Policy Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) aimed at connecting lawmakers with communities beyond Washington, D.C. The effort brings together workers, business owners, nonprofit representatives, and local officials to shape federal policy through direct engagement. n nRepresentatives Andrea Salinas (OR-06) and Janelle Bynum (OR-05) co-hosted a roundtable focused on rural economic development, convening local government figures, nonprofit leaders, and entrepreneurs to discuss regional challenges and opportunities. n nSalinas emphasized the untapped potential in Oregon’s rural areas, noting that outdated infrastructure, insufficient broadband access, and complicated federal programs often hinder growth. ‘Investing in these communities isn’t just about economic development—it’s about creating stable, well-paying jobs that strengthen the middle class,’ she said. ‘I appreciate the Coalition’s support in organizing this dialogue and look forward to advancing policies that ensure long-term prosperity in rural America.’ n nBynum highlighted the foundational role small businesses play in rural resilience. ‘Our small towns thrive because of local entrepreneurs who don’t just create employment—they build community,’ she remarked. ‘Today’s discussion revealed both the hurdles these businesses face and the innovative solutions they’re developing. I’ll carry these insights to Capitol Hill to advocate for better support systems for rural enterprise.’ n nBackground n nThe ‘New Dems on the Road’ initiative organizes events nationwide, each aligned with one of the Coalition’s nine policy-focused Working Groups. These gatherings aim to gather firsthand perspectives on how federal policies impact everyday Americans and to counteract what members describe as the economic instability linked to previous administrations. n nPrevious stops included a visit on August 4th in Brea, California, where Reps. Derek Tran (CA-45) and Gil Cisneros (CA-31) toured a facility involved in domestic nuclear technology production, discussing its role in enhancing national security and lowering energy costs. On July 30th in Gary, Indiana, Rep. Frank Mrvan (IN-01) hosted a workforce development roundtable with Budzinski, engaging labor unions and educational institutions. Earlier events covered wildfire preparedness in Santa Barbara, impacts of Republican energy legislation in North Carolina, rural broadband expansion in Maryland, care economy issues in Delaware, and clean energy initiatives in Illinois. n
— News Original —nNew Dems Host Rural Economic Development Roundtable in Silverton, OR on Ninth Stop of the On the Road TournYesterday, New Dem Members completed the ninth stop on the New Dems on the Road Tour, an initiative spearheaded by Vice Chair for Policy Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) to get New Dem Members out of DC to hear from American workers, businesses, industry experts, nongovernmental organizations, and local leaders about how to improve policy in Washington. n nNew Dem Leadership Member Andrea Salinas (OR-06) teamed up with New Dem Member Janelle Bynum (OR-05) in Silverton for a roundtable discussion on rural economic development with local government officials, nonprofit groups, and local business leaders. n n“Oregon’s small towns and rural communities are full of potential, but too often they’re held back by crumbling infrastructure, limited broadband, and federal programs that are too complex to access. Investing in our rural communities helps drive economic growth and can foster good-paying, quality jobs that grow the middle class,” said New Dem Leadership Member Andrea Salinas. “I’m grateful to the New Dem Coalition for sponsoring this roundtable, and I appreciate the opportunity to meet with our local leaders and hear about how we can work together to invest in our rural economies to ensure they can thrive for generations to come.” n n”Oregon wouldn’t be Oregon without our rural small businesses,” said New Dem Member Janelle Bynum. “They don’t just create jobs — they help build stronger, more resilient communities. Today’s conversation highlighted both the obstacles these businesses face in getting off the ground and staying open, as well as the incredible opportunities they’re creating. I ‘ll take these insights with me back to Washington to keep pushing for the support our rural entrepreneurs need and deserve.” n nBackground n nThrough New Dems on the Road, New Dem Members are holding conversations across the country to hear from the American people, with each meeting organized under the policy goals of one of the Coalition’s nine Working Groups. New Dems are meeting with local leaders, stakeholders, small business owners, industry experts, and more to hear about the cost of President Trump’s chaos and what New Dems can do to fight back and make progress on the issues that really matter to the American people. n nThe eighth New Dems On the Road event was held on August 4th in Brea, CA, where New Dem Member Derek Tran (CA-45) hosted New Dem National Security Working Group Chair Gil Cisneros (CA-31) in his district to tour a facility that manufactures technologies used in the production of domestic nuclear energy, which is essential to our national security. During the tour, Reps. Tran and Cisneros met with manufacturers to discuss how these technologies are essential to lowering the cost of American energy production, decreasing energy prices for consumers, and securing energy independence. n nThe seventh event was held on July 30th in Gary, IN where New Dem Workforce and Education Working Group Chair Frank Mrvan (IN-01) hosted Vice Chair for Policy Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) for a roundtable discussion with representatives of organized labor, higher education institutions, and local nonprofits at the roundtable to discuss the federal government’s role in strengthening the workforce through education and training initiatives. n nThe sixth event was held on July 19th in Santa Barbara, CA where New Dem Vice Chair for Outreach Salud Carbajal (CA-24) hosted Top House Agriculture Committee Democrat and New Dem Angie Craig (MN-02) in Santa Barbara, CA for a roundtable discussion on wildfire preparedness and prevention with local government officials, first responders, wildfire experts, and nonprofit groups. n nThe fifth event was held on July 11th in Garner, NC, where New Dem Clean Energy Deployment Task Force Chair Deborah Ross (NC-02) hosted New Dem Member Nikema Williams (GA-05) and Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14), Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy for a roundtable discussion about the impacts of Congressional Republicans’ Big, Ugly Bill on the clean energy economy. n nThe fourth event was held on June 23rd in Frederick County, MD, where New Dem Rural Broadband Task Force Chair April McClain Delaney (MD-06) hosted Vice Chair for Policy Nikki Budinski in Frederick County, Maryland to tour a local broadband construction site and hold a roundtable discussion on rural broadband. n nThe third event was held on May 22nd in Wilmington, DE, where New Dem Care Economy Task Force Chair Sarah McBride (DE-AL) hosted House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-05) and Economic Growth & Cost of Living Working Group Chair Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06) in her district for a care economy roundtable discussion with medical professionals, advocates, non-profit leaders, labor representatives, and care providers. n nThe second event was held on May 9th in Metro East, IL, where Vice Chair Nikki Budzinski hosted Environment, Climate, & Clean Energy Working Group Chair Scott Peters (CA-50) and Rep. Wesley Bell (MO-01) for a clean energy roundtable discussion with business owners, industry and union representatives, academic researchers, and utility service providers.