Time with Rep. Val Hoyle

By Marchel DeMersseman

Val Hoyle, U.S. Representative for Oregon’s District 4, joined our first COIN Zoom call of the year. After attending a January 6 commemoration on the Capitol steps honoring the brave members of law enforcement who did their utmost to stave off the insurrection five years ago, she apologized multiple times for being tired. One would not have known that it was 10 p.m. her time, or that she felt tired at all. Rep. Hoyle showed up for us, engaged, articulate, passionate and inspiring us to stay in the fight to save our democracy.

Laura Allen of North Coast Progressive Action moderated the conversation with questions that had been submitted by COIN members. Unlike many politicians, Rep. Hoyle did not bob and weave around the questions. She answered them directly, providing important context and background.

See also: COINversation with Val Hoyle video

ICE on the Coast

The initial conversation ranged from the regime’s attempt to take the Newport helicopter, so that the hangar could be used to imprison immigrants, to the continued efforts to set up a detention facility in Newport. A request for proposal (RFP) has been issued for soft and hard sided tents to hold people in before deportation. Rep. Hoyle thanked COIN for their efforts to get the helicopter returned; however, the interest in Newport is not over.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is struggling to find hotels that will house ICE agents, and apparently the tent suppliers are not showing much interest in responding, either. It is believed that Newport is their focus, and other Oregon coast towns are not being targeted. Rep. Hoyle urged us to contact her office whenever we know of someone being kidnapped by ICE.

When asked what we can do, the answer is: people who “look like us” need to stand up and take care of our neighbors. Spread the word when ICE is present, help all to know their rights, with one of the first being “don’t sign anything”! We need to take the forefront. Today it is immigrants and trans people. Next will be anyone who opposes the regime.

A question was posed regarding getting greater numbers of people in the streets to protest. The answer is to talk to people. Don’t outsource your social life to social media. People are overwhelmed with the chaos and madness, and some are checking out. We can’t check out, we must stay engaged.

On that day while on the Capitol steps, Jan 6 insurrectionists showed up to try to intimidate those attending the ceremony. Rep. Hoyle made a point of saying that when there’s work to be done, Indivisible shows up. We must keep showing up.

Venezuela

On attacking Venezuela: it is clear that the point isn’t drugs, it’s about the oil and enriching the oil companies who donated billions to Trump’s campaign. It’s about distraction from the Epstein files, and about attempting to appeal to Latino voters who supported him in the election but who are becoming disillusioned. The blown-up boats are not capable of reaching the U.S. Trump wants natural resources, and sees himself as an imperial conqueror.

But it seems that some Republicans in congress may be slowly starting to turn. Marjorie Taylor Green and others seem to be leaning towards extending the healthcare subsidies and signing on to a war powers bill, limiting what the president can do to engage in warlike activities in other sovereign countries.

Midterms

Another important topic was the 2026 election. We must take back the House and the Senate. The fear is though, will we be able to have free and fair elections? When we do take power back, the Democrats must not let “perfect be the enemy of good.” Red states are being hurt even worse than blue by the regime’s policies, with Medicaid and SNAP cuts, healthcare subsidies cancelled, and Trump gutting federal agencies. Rep, Hoyle asked that if we cannot contact a federal agency, to please contact her office about it.

Fix Our Forests Act

Rep. Hoyle was asked about her position on the Fix Our Forests Act (FOFA), a federal initiative that proposes to address national wildfire crises by streamlining logging on federal lands. She said she is working with all parties to ensure provisions for protected areas that do not allow roads, to stop clear cutting forests, protect homes and wildlife, manage our own resources, and Initiate a subgroup to manage public lands and work with tribes and the timber industry. Timber receipts no longer come to our counties. We must keep federal lands in Oregon from being sold off to the highest bidder.

Keep showing up, don’t give up, and keep supporting Rep. Hoyle and others who are standing up for democracy.

Marchel DeMersseman is a member of the COIN Comms Team, and Dunes City Indivisible.

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