WASHINGTON — Aside from his bike pins and bow ties, and the holiday fruit cakes he delivers to colleagues, Earl Blumenauer has carved out his own niche in the House.

“I’ve got a pretty interesting portfolio of issues,” says the Oregon Democrat, like trying to ease federal cannabis policy. He cites his work on neuroscience and nutrition. He calls “The Omnivore’s Dilemma” author Michael Pollan his friend. And he preaches the gospel of public transportation to anyone who will listen.

“Not particularly sexy, but important,” says Blumenauer, who has biked to his job at the Capitol for nearly 30 years.

As the Portland native prepares to retire from Congress at the end of this term, he says he’s not done yet. Sporting an orange bike pin on his lapel, he sat down with Roll Call to reflect on his legacy, his most memorable ride in D.C. and the future of bow ties on the Hill.

This interview has been condensed and edited.

Q: How are you seeing your impact as you get ready to leave?

A: I’m not a high-profile member of Congress. I don’t run explosive campaigns. I don’t get on television saying outrageous things, and most of my issues are things you’re not going to read about in The Wall Street Journal or see on MSNBC or Fox News.

But we’re engaging people. I just went to a streetcar summit in Charlotte, and we’ve been working with people trying to develop the reintroduction of the modern streetcar around the country.

On nutrition, we’ve made some progress in highlighting the fact that we’re subsidizing a diet that makes Americans sick. I’ve had extensive conversations and work with my friend Michael Pollan, who’s also in the psilocybin space.

We’re trying to promote greater public understanding and build momentum. Legislation is increasingly difficult, when we’re swamped with social media, and too many colleagues are here for the performative aspects and not digging into the substance.

...continued

©2024 CQ-Roll Call, Inc. Visit at rollcall.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.