U.S. Congress · November 3, 2026

Portland City Council, U.S. House · District 2

2
Candidates: 1
Seats: Vote for one
Method: Nov 3
Due 8 p.m.

Eastern Oregon and the southern Cascades: Medford, Grants Pass, Klamath Falls, Pendleton, Hermiston, Ontario, La Grande and Baker City. Bend itself is in District 5; use the lookup near county lines.Eastern Oregon and the southern CascadesNot yours? U.S. Senate

Our readingDraft

One proposes restoring services and revising federal rural programs; the other emphasizes resource use, less regulation and border enforcement. The incumbent’s online issue pages contain older material, which his brief discloses.

2 candidates, A–Z. Tap any position to read the sentence, how they would deliver it, and the source.

8 more choices, below8 more choices

Where each candidate stands on four issues, in our short reading of their statements. Each position is a button; activate it to read the sentence, how they would deliver it, and the source. Candidates appear alphabetically.
Candidate	1 of 2 documented	1 of 2 documented	2 of 2 documented	2 of 2 documented	Save to my ballot
Chris BeckFormer state representative with rural-development experience	Homes	Safety	Money	Climate
Cliff BentzIncumbent U	Homes	Safety	Money	Climate

What this office decides right now

What’s at stake

A representative votes on federal taxes, spending, war powers and every bill the House takes up, and the two-year term puts the winner in the Congress that faces the December 11 funding deadline and the 2027 budget. District 2 is eastern Oregon and the southern Cascades, from Medford, Grants Pass and Klamath Falls to Pendleton, Hermiston, Ontario and Baker City, the state’s most federal-forest-dependent and Medicaid-dependent district. The seat was decided 63.9% to 32.8% in 2024.

Each of this office’s 8 live choices is a board below, with every candidate’s stated position or the gap.

Medicaid work rules
H.R. 1’s work-or-activity rules for adults 19–64 on the Oregon Health Plan start in 2027, with renewals every six months. OHA expects to check about 600,000 adults, says 100,000 to 200,000 could lose coverage, and puts the federal funding loss at $718 million to $1.4 billion a year.
ACA premium credits
The enhanced premium tax credits expired December 31, 2025; the House-passed three-year restoration (230–196 on January 8, 2026) awaits the Senate. Oregon marketplace plan selections fell from 139,688 for 2025 to 118,372 for 2026.
December 11 deadline
The stopgap signed September 2, 2026 funds the government only through December 11 (House 370–48, Senate 90–6). The full-year 2027 bills for HUD, the Forest Service and Homeland Security, and any shutdown, fall to the members elected in November.
Fix Our Forests Act
The bill passed the House 279–141 in January 2025 and a Senate committee 18–5 in October 2025 but has had no Senate floor vote; it would let 10,000-acre fireshed projects skip full review and give challengers 120 days to sue. The 2001 Roadless Rule was repealed in August 2026.
Tariff power
The Supreme Court ruled 6–3 on February 20, 2026 that the emergency-powers law does not authorize tariffs. The administration ran a 10% surcharge to July 24 and then set 10–12.5% duties on about 60 countries under trade law; Congress can end, extend or rewrite those tariffs itself.
Iran war
U.S. strikes on Iran began February 28, 2026. Both chambers adopted a withdrawal resolution in June; the president told Congress on July 10 that fighting had resumed, the House passed a second resolution 214–208 on July 23, and a binding Senate measure failed 47–49. Any authorization or funding vote comes to the next Congress.
ICE expansion
The Secure America Act, signed June 10, 2026, gives ICE $38.5 billion and Customs and Border Protection $26 billion through September 2029, without the detention and oversight conditions carried in annual spending bills. It followed a 76-day lapse in Homeland Security funding over enforcement rules.
Data centers
Oregon has an estimated 144 data centers receiving at least $450 million in property tax breaks this year. The governor paused data-center deals on state land through July 1, 2027, while federal policy since July 2025 fast-tracks permits and financing for large AI data centers.

Where they stand · eight more choices

Eight choices Congress faces

One question at a time: every candidate’s answer, A–Z, with its source. Open all to see who has said nothing about what.

Medicaid and SNAP cutsKeep H.R. 1’s Medicaid work rules, six-month renewals and SNAP cuts, or repeal them?2 of 2 on record

H.R. 1, signed July 4, 2025, requires adults 19–64 on the Oregon Health Plan to show 80 hours a month of work, school or volunteering from 2027 and to renew every six months. The Oregon Health Authority expects to check about 600,000 adults, says 100,000 to 200,000 could lose coverage, and puts the federal funding loss at $718 million to $1.4 billion a year.

Chris BeckFormer state representative with rural-development experience
Repeal H.R. 1
Said: What they said
Would repeal H.R. 1 to restore what he calls the mountain of funding it stripped from Medicaid and SNAP, saying Medicaid covers nearly 40% of District 2 residents and 55% of its children.
Our paraphrase of the candidate’s statement.
Cliff BentzIncumbent U
Voted yes
What they did
Voted yes on final House passage of H.R. 1 on July 3, 2025 (218–214), a vote on the whole package, including the Medicaid work rules, six-month renewals and SNAP cuts.
A recorded action; our summary of the official record.

ACA premium creditsRestore the enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits that expired December 31, 2025?2 of 2 on record

The House passed a three-year restoration (H.R. 1834) 230–196 on January 8, 2026; the Senate has not taken it up, after a 51–48 cloture vote on the Democrats’ S. 3385 failed on December 11, 2025. Oregon marketplace plan selections fell from 139,688 for 2025 to 118,372 for 2026, the first year without the enhanced credits.

Chris BeckFormer state representative with rural-development experience
Premiums skyrocketing
Said: What they said
Says premiums for everybody with Marketplace plans have skyrocketed and would expand rural health-care access; he does not say whether he would restore the expired enhanced premium tax credits.
On the topic; the exact choice is unsaid. Our paraphrase.
Cliff BentzIncumbent U
Voted no
What they did
Voted no on January 8, 2026 on H.R. 1834, the three-year restoration of the enhanced premium tax credits, which passed 230–196.
A recorded action; our summary of the official record.

TariffsEnd the tariffs and take tariff power back from the president?2 of 2 on record

The Supreme Court held 6–3 on February 20, 2026 that the emergency-powers law does not authorize tariffs; the administration ended those tariffs February 24, ran a 10% surcharge to July 24, then set 10–12.5% duties on about 60 countries. The House voted 219–211 on February 11, 2026 to end the Canada tariff emergency; the Senate voted 51–47 on October 30, 2025 to end the global one.

Chris BeckFormer state representative with rural-development experience
End the tariffs
Said: What they said
Would repeal the tariffs, which he says cost rural Oregon wheat and fruit markets abroad, and seek a bipartisan approach to trade and legal immigration.
Our paraphrase of the candidate’s statement.
Cliff BentzIncumbent U
Voted to keep tariffs
What they did
Voted no on February 11, 2026 on H.J.Res. 72, which ended the national emergency behind the Canada tariffs (219–211).
A recorded action; our summary of the official record.

ICE and border moneyFund the $70 billion expansion of ICE and Border Patrol through 2029 (the Secure America Act)?1 of 2 on recordNot found: Chris Beck

The Secure America Act, signed June 10, 2026, adds $38.5 billion for ICE and $26 billion for Customs and Border Protection through September 2029, on top of H.R. 1’s 2025 money; it passed 52–47 and 214–212. It followed a 76-day lapse in Homeland Security funding (February 14–April 30, 2026) over enforcement rules, and a judge’s November 7, 2025 order blocking federal troops in Portland.

Chris BeckFormer state representative with rural-development experience
Not found
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed; a research gap, not a position.
Cliff BentzIncumbent U
Voted yes
What they did
Voted yes on June 9, 2026 on the Secure America Act’s $70 billion for ICE and Border Patrol through 2029; it passed 214–212.
A recorded action; our summary of the official record.

Iran war powersDirect the president to end U.S. military involvement in the war with Iran?2 of 2 on record

U.S. strikes on Iran began February 28, 2026. Both chambers adopted H.Con.Res. 86 directing withdrawal (House 215–208 on June 3; Senate 50–48 on June 23). After the president told Congress on July 10 that fighting had resumed, the House passed H.Con.Res. 89 214–208 on July 23 and a binding Senate resolution failed 47–49 the same day.

Chris BeckFormer state representative with rural-development experience
End the Iran war
Said: What they said
Would end the Iran war, counting 18 American lives lost, 600-plus wounded and more than $100 billion spent, and blames it for high gas and diesel prices; he does not name the war-powers resolutions.
Our paraphrase of the candidate’s statement.
Cliff BentzIncumbent U
Voted no
What they did
Voted no on July 23, 2026 on H.Con.Res. 89 directing the president to remove U.S. forces from hostilities with Iran (214–208), as on June 3.
A recorded action; our summary of the official record.

Fix Our Forests ActPass the Fix Our Forests Act: faster thinning and logging on federal forests with shorter windows to sue?2 of 2 on record

H.R. 471 passed the House 279–141 on January 23, 2025; it lets fireshed projects up to 10,000 acres skip full environmental review and gives challengers 120 days to sue. The Senate Agriculture Committee advanced S. 1462 18–5 in October 2025, but the full Senate has not voted. The administration separately repealed the 2001 Roadless Rule in August 2026, covering 58.5 million acres.

Chris BeckFormer state representative with rural-development experience
Restore Forest Service cuts
Said: What they said
Would reverse what he calls the 40% cut to Forest Service wildfire prevention and restore the thousands of staff lost in 2025; he does not say whether he would vote for the Fix Our Forests Act.
On the topic; the exact choice is unsaid. Our paraphrase.
Cliff BentzIncumbent U
Voted yes
What they did
Voted yes on January 23, 2025 on the Fix Our Forests Act (H.R. 471), which passed 279–141.
A recorded action; our summary of the official record.

Federal housing programsExpand the federal role in housing, from the new ROAD to Housing law to more vouchers and tax credits?2 of 2 on record

The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act became law July 11, 2026 (Public Law 119-101) after votes of 358–32 and 85–5; it changes permitting and environmental review, makes the voucher-conversion program permanent and authorizes new grants, but money still depends on the annual HUD budget, now on a stopgap through December 11, 2026. Oregon permitted 14,839 homes in 2025 against a state target of 29,359.

Chris BeckFormer state representative with rural-development experience
Rural housing programs
Said: What they said
Would steer USDA rural housing and Community Facilities lending toward Main Street districts and fund low-interest loans for first-time rural buyers by trimming vacation-home tax breaks; vouchers and the housing tax credit go unmentioned.
On the topic; the exact choice is unsaid. Our paraphrase.
Cliff BentzIncumbent U
Voted for ROAD Act
What they did
Voted yes on June 23, 2026 on final passage of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act (358–32), now Public Law 119-101.
A recorded action; our summary of the official record.

Data-center costsShould federal policy rein in data centers’ power, water and cost impacts, or keep fast-tracking them?1 of 2 on recordNot found: Cliff Bentz

Executive Order 14318 (July 23, 2025) fast-tracks federal permits, land and financing for AI data centers over 100 megawatts. Oregon has an estimated 144 data centers receiving at least $450 million in property tax breaks this year,, and the governor paused data-center deals on state land through July 1, 2027 while a state advisory committee writes recommendations for the 2027 session.

Chris BeckFormer state representative with rural-development experience
Pause new data centers
Said: What they said
Would pause new data-center construction, saying data centers in some communities pollute the water and raise energy prices, so everyone pays.
Our paraphrase of the candidate’s statement.
Cliff BentzIncumbent U
Not found
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed; a research gap, not a position.

About this race

How to vote

You vote for one candidate. How it works

Ballots mail Oct 14 · return by 8 p.m. Nov 3

What this office can do

Congress writes federal law, approves spending and oversees the executive branch. A representative needs support from colleagues; most legislation also needs Senate approval and the president’s signature, or a veto override.

How this list was made

Same questions for everyone, A–Z. Each chip is our short reading of a sourced statement; we do not endorse, rank or score.

Reviewed September 18, 2026 · lines 2026-09-19.1 · AI-assisted, human review pending

Terms explained

Amendment: A proposed change to a measure before the final vote. Voting for an amendment is not the same as voting for the whole measure.
Supplemental budget: A mid-year change to the city budget after the main budget is adopted.
Appropriation: Permission to spend money on something. It does not mean the money has been spent or the result achieved.
PCEF: The Portland Clean Energy Fund: a tax on large retailers that pays for climate projects. Council has debated using its interest for other services.
Term sheet: Starting terms for a negotiation. Approving one is not a final contract.
Social housing: Housing owned by the public or a nonprofit and rented at controlled prices.
CEI Hub: The fuel-storage area along the Willamette in Northwest Portland, where Zenith Energy operates.
Ranked choice: You rank candidates in order. If your first choice is eliminated or already elected, your vote counts toward your next choice.