On December 2nd, the ABMA launched “Inside the Capitol”; a virtual event series. Our first guest was Congressman Kurt Schrader (D-OR). 

Rep. Schrader is currently serving his 7th term representing the 5th District—a swing district South of Portland, OR. A moderate/conservative Democrat, he has been in the middle of the lengthy negotiations this fall in the House over the size and scope of the Build Back Better legislation.

He is a member of the Blue Dog Coalition—a group of nineteen fiscally conservative House Democrats—as well as the New Democrat Coalition, and the only bipartisan working group in the House, the Problem Solvers Caucus. More importantly, he is also a member of the House Working Forests Caucus and is intimately familiar with issues associated with the forest products industry.

Rep. Schrader gave a candid, behind the scenes view of how the final details of both the infrastructure and the Build Back Better legislation came together in the House. He took a number of questions on issues ranging from workforce development, a new Softwood Lumber Agreement, the economy, and how the upcoming election cycle will help shape legislative action in 2022.

ABMA looks forward to continuing to work with the Congressman and his staff to advance our priorities and support the LBM industry across the United States.