Legislators give aid, honor to Afghan refugees

By Oregon Senate Republican Caucus,

Bipartisan Bill Honors Debt to Afghan Refugees

SALEM, Ore. – After President Biden’s chaotic and deadly withdrawal from Afghanistan, Afghans who risked their lives to help American troops fight terrorism were left behind. In the coming months, Oregon will welcome 1,200 of these refugees to our state.

Today the Senate passed the appropriations bill which included an allocation of $18 million to help those refugees find housing and jobs in Oregon.

“We owe a debt to these Afghan refugees,” said Senate Republican Leader Tim Knopp (R-Bend). “They risked their lives for the cause of freedom. We should welcome them with open arms and help them create meaningful lives here in Oregon. This was a great bipartisan concern that was on the agenda for the Emergency Board to take up for quite some time. I am proud that we were able to get it done during this special session.”

Senate Bill 5561 passed the Senate by a vote of 26-2 and will now be considered by the House.