Dear Friends,Oregonians have endured unprecedented winter storms, wildfires, droughts, and heat waves throughout the past year, and have seen firsthand why it’s so important that we tackle the climate crisis. Not only do the extreme weather events fueled by climate change threaten our lives, they’re threatening our jobs and the very foundation of our economy, too.  Oregon’s agricultural sector is a perfect example. After temperatures climbed north of 117 degrees in June, I called up agricultural producers across Oregon to ask them what I could do to help. What I heard were stories of frustration and heartbreak. They told me about the destruction of the crops and products their businesses and employees depend on to pay their bills. And to make matters worse, they explained that extreme heat events did not qualify them to apply for funding through one of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s most important relief programs. When I returned to Washington, D.C.,  I worked with my colleagues to ensure agricultural producers get the help they need to deal with the growing threats posed by extreme heat events.  I’m thrilled to share that my fight to meet those needs was successful. For the first time, agricultural producers affected by heat waves in Oregon and across the country now have access to $10 billion in economic relief.This is a big win for Oregon and our world-class agriculture industry, and we're only getting started. Climate disasters are hitting our communities hard, and often disproportionately impacting people of color and those with the fewest resources to rebuild and recover. With the input of community leaders and experts, I’m working on a policy roadmap that outlines the solutions we can put in place to boost our resiliency and save lives and livelihoods from these disasters.  I’m looking forward to sharing it with you soon, and intend to introduce legislation that we’ll need to address the full range of health and economic threats posed by climate disasters. It is more important now, than ever, that we not only work to cut emissions so we can avoid the worst of climate change’s consequences, but also respond to the impacts that have already arrived.