As do all parents, I carry with me the constant and dreadful fear that my children may be harmed or injured. When something horrific and horrible happens to someone else’s children, as is the awful fact at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, I am outraged and deeply saddened. Our deepest, deepest, sympathies are extended to the families of the children who lost their lives, and to the family of the teacher who was killed. We pray for the recovery of those who were injured, and we say thank you—thank you—to the courageous citizen who took immediate action to defend the innocent from certain death. There are resources available to help those who are suffering from the mental distress of these tragedies. For the local crisis line, call 541-322-7500 extension 9.

Wolf attacks on cattle cost ranchers about $130 million every single year across the United States. Each of these attacks trigger chronic stress and diminish birth rates among cattle. And while gray wolves remain on the endangered species list, there is nothing that ranchers can do to protect their herds. Please see the attached article to learn more about my push to delist the gray wolf. pnwag.net/bentz-wolves-delis…

It was a real pleasure to work with Kingsley Field and the Department of the Air Force to deliver formal authorization to convert Kingsley Field to a F-35A Lightning II training base. Please see the attached article to learn more about the work my office and I have done to make this happen! heraldandnews.com/news/kings…

As a senior member of the Natural Resources Committee, I am working to ensure environmental groups are following the law and to hold them accountable. I’m pleased to report that the Natural Resources Committee has opened an investigation into 19 environmental groups, including Oregon Wild and Cascadia Wildlands, to determine if they are weaponizing litigation and abusing the law to profit from taxpayers. Please see the attached article to learn more about the investigation. wweek.com/news/state/2026/10…

A significant portion of the homeless and prison population suffer from severe mental illness. These people would benefit from the availability of proper treatment in our existing mental healthcare facilities. That is why I introduced the IMD CARE Act today. This bill would result in an increased number of beds and treatment available for mentally ill people. Without this improvement in how we deliver mental health services, those who need such treatment will continue to cost communities more in law enforcement and healthcare expenses. The circular progression of the mentally ill from the street to the hospital to the prison and back to the street must stop. See the press release on my website below! bentz.house.gov/media/press-…

I am very pleased to announce that the Wallowa Memorial Hospital was selected to receive a $5.46 million grant from the Big Beautiful Bill. This federal investment in Wallowa County means that county residents will be able to obtain high-quality medical assistance much more quickly and much more closely to home. This is exactly one of the many positive outcomes I hoped for when I voted for the Big Beautiful Bill. bentz.house.gov/media/press-…

Today marks 25 years since the attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and the attempted attack that ended in the fields of Shanksville Pennsylvania on September 11, 2001. We will always remember the tragedy of the 2977 men and women who lost their lives; we will always remember the bravery of the American heroes who ran toward danger; and we will always remember the responsibility to protect what is most sacred against those that wish for America’s destruction. We will never forget.

Thanks to everyone who attended my wildfire townhalls - we had lots of productive conversation. madraspioneer.com/2026/09/01…

REMINDER KLAMATH COUNTY: U.S. Congressman Cliff Bentz will host another town hall TODAY focused on recent wildfires in Klamath County. It will take place later this morning, 10 AM, at the Klamath County Fairgrounds Hall #2, 3531 S 6th St., Klamath Falls, OR, 97603.

It’s always great to stop by KMED’s studio with Bill Meyer. We had an excellent discussion on the Fix Our Forest Act (which has passed the House), my Fire Townhalls across the district, and my meetings across southern Oregon.

It was great to visit the KOBI studio in Medford where I gave an update on my wildfire meetings across the district.

Good news! I just received word from Tootie Smith, State Executive Director of the USDA Farm Service Agency, that Oregon has now been approved to utilize Conservation Reserve Programs (CRP) lands for emergency grazing due to the catastrophic wildfires burning through my district. This decision should be of some help to alleviate the burden our ranchers are facing to find grazing land for their cattle. Please contact your local Farm Service Agency for details.

Yesterday, FEMA authorized use of federal funds to help Oregon fight the Fox Fire and the Rowe Creek Complex. These funds will help reimburse Oregon for firefighting costs.

Please see the attached story about my recently introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at reducing the danger of cataclysmic wildfire. kdrv.com/news/local/bentz-an…

Happy 250th Birthday America! Today we might take a moment to remember that this day of celebration is possible only because of the genius of our founders, the sacrifices made by veterans, and the work of everyday Americans to keep our economy, our schools, and our many levels of government working. God bless each of you and this great country!!!

Congratulations to Yi-jia (Lyra Lu), a student from Burns High School in Oregon’s Second Congressional District for winning this year’s Congressional Art Competition with her outstanding piece, “Still, She Rises.” Her artwork will be proudly displayed in the U.S. Capitol for the next year, alongside the winning entries from across the country. It was a pleasure to meet Yi-jia (Lyra Lu) here in Washington, D.C.!

Today, the @NatResources Committee, on which I serve, advanced the Great American Outdoors Act 250 to help address the maintenance backlog on our public lands, improve access for the people who use them, and ensure these lands remain available for future generations. Good stewardship begins with taking care of the assets we already have. By investing in needed repairs and infrastructure, we can better support recreation, public access, and responsible management of America’s public lands. #GAOA250