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Bentz & DeRemer Accountability Teams
Bentz & DeRemer Accountability Teams
Affectionately known as BAT (Bentz Accountability Team) and DRAT (DeRemer Accountability Team), these groups focus on holding Oregon's two MAGA Members of Congress accountable. Cliff Bentz, OR-2, and Lori Chavez DeRemer, OR-5, vote with the MAGA faction of the Republican Party at least 95% of the time, even though they both claim to be "moderate." They aren't moderate, and their votes and statements, as well as their refusal to speak out against the most extreme members of their party, prove it. BAT and DRAT are committed to tracking their votes, their donors, their stance on the issues, their committee work, and their public statements, or in many cases, failure to make public statements about issues that matter to Oregonians. We use social media campaigns and events to publicize what we learn, and we regularly contact Bentz's and DeRemer's offices to urge them to take various actions to promote the well-being of their constituents and our democracy. When they don't, we contact them again and let them know how disappointed we are with their actions or failure to act.
Announcing our New CD-5 Postcards to Voters Project
Announcing our New CD-5 Postcards to Voters Project
Welcome to the #FireLori DeRemer Postcard Campaign!
DRAT, with the support of Indivisible, has organized a postcard campaign to reach non-affiliated voters in OR-05. Lori has tried to pretend that she’s a pragmatic moderate Republican. But her record proves that she advocates/votes for extreme MAGA positions on nearly every issue and that she can be counted on to vote to advance the MAGA agenda.
The postcard scripts seek to make sure voters know this. They have been fact-checked and verified using Lori's voting record and public statements.
To get started, CLICK HERE to request postcards, scripts, and voter names/addresses for the postcard campaign.
Postcards and names/addresses are available in batches of 20. The postcards are free. There is a limited amount of postage available from DRAT.
You may also be able to get funds to pay for postage if you are affiliated with an Indivisible group that has a Distributed Fundraising account and your group agrees to use its funds to pay for postage.
Special rules apply to “political spending. To seek the required pre approval to use funds in a Distributed Fundraising account, CLICK HERE for the Political Spend Application Process instruction sheet.
For additional background information from Indivisible on campaign finance law and political spending, CLICK HERE.
Lori is one of Indivisible’s Unrepresentative 18, members of Congress who represent districts that Joe Biden won, and are going to be pretty vulnerable in the 2024 election. CLICK HERE for their page about Lori.
Once you have completed your postcards:
Put them in a safe place and wait for instructions on when to mail them.
COME BACK FOR MORE!
Cliff and Lori are NOT the moderates they pretend to be.
Cliff and Lori are NOT the moderates they pretend to be.
Credit: New Civil Rights Movement
LORI AND CLIFF VOTE FOR MAGA EXTREMIST MIKE JOHNSON FOR SPEAKER!
Both Lori and Cliff voted for Mike Johnson, who worked for an extremist Christian organization that has been labeled a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. They voted for a man who led the “Sedition Caucus'' (which includes Cliff) that tried to overturn the 2020 election. They voted for somebody who inhabits the extremist fringe of the MAGA GOP House, who is an anti-abortion and anti-LGBTQ+ zealot, who is a climate denier, and who wants to destroy Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.
We need your help in getting the word out about Mike Johnson’s extremist beliefs and positions and how dangerous it is for our democracy that a man who holds them is second in line to the Presidency. We guarantee that you will be shocked by what you learn about him here.
Frankly, we weren’t too surprised to see Cliff vote for Mike Johnson, whom some have called “Jim Jordan in a suit jacket.” Cliff had already voted for Jordan three times.
But Lori, in a district that Biden won, has tried to pretend that she’s a “moderate” to curry favor outside of her MAGA base. She’s made a point of supporting inconsequential bipartisan efforts (like founding the “sneaker caucus” with Rep. Moskowitz) in an effort to appear “moderate” in spite of her votes for the extreme MAGA agenda.
Now that Lori has voted for extremist “MAGA Mike,” it is clear that she’s #MAGANotModerate. No matter what she says or how she tries to deflect attention away from the truth, she is #MAGANotModerate. Use this messaging from our recent press release whenever you can to drive this point home! Our democracy depends on it!
UPDATE on Empty Chair Town Halls
After multiple requests for an in-person, unscripted Town Hall with Congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer, constituents grew frustrated with her refusals and held THREE of their own! The chair that should have been occupied by Chavez-DeRemer was, instead, occupied by a cardboard cutout of her while constituents asked questions and Indivisible leaders answered them based on public statements of votes that our Unrepresentative has made. Read more about them, and see some photos and videos HERE.
Be sure to check out our new Tell The Truth Lori research page.
Both before and after she was elected to represent ORD5, Lori Chavez-DeRemer has tried to trick people into thinking that she is a “moderate, sensible” Republican.
Fact checking Lori is a full-time job! Here's just a few of the doozies she's told when she thought she could get away with it. Here's a list of her flip flops. And check out this article in the Capital Chronicle about Lori's flip-flops on Reproductive Rights. We can't let her hoodwink Oregonians.
Don’t be fooled!
Instead, compare what she says (or fails to say) with what she does, what she supports, what she votes for.
She is endorsed by the NRA and National Right to Life.
She has an F rating from Progressive Punch.
She is MAGA through and through
To find out about Lori's real positions on issues that matter and why she is a "MAGA and not a moderate," check out our new list of Lori's Mega-MAGA Votes.
Follow BAT & DRAT on Social Media
Rep Bentz and Rep DeRemer have been making some pretty disappointing choices, and we like to make sure their constituents know about it. Here are some recent examples of bad votes.
Both Cliff and Lori voted for HR 1, a horrible anti-climate bill that would further subsidize the fossil fuel industry and roll back the incredible progress made by the Biden Administration on popular climate-first solutions. Fortunately, the Senate won't pass this bill to fast-track mining and relax toxic waste standards.
Both Cliff and Lori voted for HR 5, misnamed the "Parents Bill of Rights," which opens the door for more extreme censorship of educational content, book banning, and ignites more divisiveness over sexual orientation and gender identity. Once again, this bill will not survive a more sensible Senate vote, but still....how embarrassing that an Oregon Rep voted for it.
Help us spread the word on Facebook and Twitter by following us, liking, commenting on, and sharing our FB posts, and liking and retweeting our Tweets. Click below to get started!
BAT/DRAT Monday Messages
If you live in District 2 or 5, please consider signing up for the BAT / DRAT to get our Monday Messages. Each Monday, you will receive an email with some talking points about a particular hot topic for the week. You can use this messaging and research to send a postcard, make a phone call, or write an email to your Representative, Bentz or DeRemer. We know that when legislators receive multiple messages on the same topic, they are more likely to take notice and pay attention. Here are some recent examples of our Monday Messages:
For the complete catalog of our past Monday Messages organized by topic, please visit our Weekly Messages Folder. There's a lot of great information to use in a variety of ways for holding Cliff and Lori accountable for their MAGA votes and actions.
You can also use our Monday Messages to post on social media or write a Letter to the Editor (LTE) of your local newspaper. Check out some of the LTE's our BAT/DRAT team members have submitted below.....
LTEs - Letters to the Editor
Turn the Monday Messages (or any other topic you want voters to know about) into a Letter to the Editor of your local newspapers. New to writing LTEs? We're here to help with some tips and links to your local newspapers for submitting LTEs online. And check out some of the LTE's submitted below, calling out Bentz and DeRemer for their disservices to their constituents. If you write an LTE and it get's published, email us at or.bat.drat@gmail.com and let us know so we can share it far and wide!
Editorial Board
Bend Source Weekly 1-31-24
When hopeful politicians tour their prospective districts, stumping for votes, a common approach is to boast about just how well they know the ins and outs of the district. They might name-drop or mention pressing issues, for example, all in the name of proving that they're the most well-versed candidate and the most dedicated to the concerns of the constituents they hope to serve. Well, that's usually the case anyway.
When it comes to Rep. Lori Chavez DeRemer, the Clackamas County Republican who now represents Oregon's 5th Congressional District — including Bend — she might do well to try a little harder in the "I know my district so well" camp, because recent comments make her sound late to the party.
Read More
Mary Chaffin
Bend Source Weekly 1-31-24
Telling the Truth – Time for the Media to Take Another Look at Rep. Chavez-DeRemer's Record
Representative Lori Chavez-DeRemer continues her campaign to falsely cast herself as a "moderate" as she battles for re-election in Oregon's District 5. Unfortunately, she's getting unwarranted help from local, state and national media outlets. A recent article in the "Oregon Capital Chronicle," picked up by several local newspapers in Salem and Clackamas County, is a case in point.
As this article illustrates, the media all too often uncritically accept Chavez-DeRemer's talking points. For example, Chavez-DeRemer dismisses the GOP's inability to govern as "hiccups." But these "hiccups" led to an unprecedented near-default on our nation's debt and a still-continuing flirtation with government shutdown.
Read More
Chris Mack
Your Oregon News.com 1-3-24
I am reminded of the horror three years ago when insurrectionists stormed our capitol on Jan. 6. They brutalized the Capitol Police, smeared excrement on the walls, and sought out the vice president and House speaker for hanging. Donald Trump’s lies about the election and the conspiracies he spun in the media deluded them. He was assisted by Speaker Mike Johnson and later by Kevin McCarthy, and more quietly by the messaging of Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer.
Chavez-DeRemer has appeared to sympathize with the Jan. 6 insurrectionists and blamed the press for playing a role in the attack that day.
Read More
Kathy Selvaggio
YourOregonNews.com 1-3-24
We cannot forget the events of Jan. 6, 2021.
We are approaching the third anniversary of the violent assault on the U.S. Capitol by people led to believe that the 2020 Presidential election was stolen. Jan. 6, 2021, should never be forgotten for its deep betrayal of the foundations of our democratic system. It was a shot across the bow signaling that former President Trump and his followers have little regard for the Constitution and the orderly rule of law.
Read More
Elizabeth Luthy
The Oregonian 1-2-24
U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer has supported Donald J. Trump and his positions. When he spread lies about the election, he fueled the insurrectionists with a dangerous cocktail of misinformation, conspiracy theories and blind loyalty. Before the 2022 elections, Trump’s claims were aided by most of the Republican party – from more vocal lawmakers, like now-House Speaker Mike Johnson and Rep. Cliff Bentz, to more strategic messengers like Chavez-DeRemer.
Read More
Dianne Crampton
Bend Source 12-28-23
Once again, Chavez DeRemer shows us her true colors as a MAGA House Representative in Oregon District 5. Although there is no "there there" when it comes to President Biden's impeachment inquiry, she voted in lock-step with her far-right colleagues in her salute to Donald Trump.
Having already lost twice in state elections to State Representative Janelle Bynum, who is running to take back the congressional seat lost by long-term Democrat Kurt Schrader, Chavez DeRemer no longer fools us with her campaign ads.
Read More
Editorial Board
Bend Source Weekly 11-1-23
The Democratic Party Machine should take Congressional District 5 seriously this time....
Against predictions, Republican Lori Chavez-Deremer took the seat, not by winning in the two most populated counties in the district, but by picking up the lion's share of the votes in the more rural parts of CD5. Since then, Chavez-Deremer has been far from present in Bend or Redmond, to the point that some locals have been holding "empty chair town halls" to highlight her absence and apparent lack of investment in the needs of voters on this side of the mountains. This was one of the greatest fears for eastside voters in the district.
Read More
David Ebbert
Wallowa Co Chieftan 10-31-23
The Republican National Committee has lost its way!
The new speaker of the House, a hard-line right-winger and a Donald Trump-approved election denier, may be about to change the course of history. This individual has an opportunity to sway the ratification of electors during future elections a la Trump. Since we know this ratification nearly succeeded in overturning the vote of the people during the past election, what is to keep it from succeeding next time.
Since these are the same legislators who refused to vote in favor of paying the nation’s bills, one must question their motives. The funding was only approved with the help of Democrats (the opposing party) and the loss of a speaker’s position, so even that funding is temporary.
Read More
Rick Swart
The Oregonian 10-24-23
As a longtime resident of Oregon’s 2nd Congressional District, I am disappointed with Rep. Cliff Bentz for his recent votes supporting MAGA extremist Jim Jordan in his bid for speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.
It is hard to imagine a worse choice.
Bentz squandered a golden opportunity to distinguish himself from MAGA Republican extremists as a courageous and principled leader who we could count on to uphold his oath of office and protect our democracy from those who would take away our votes...
Bentz appears to suffer from the cowardice that afflicts many MAGA Republicans. They are paralyzed out of their fear of disgraced ex-president Donald Trump. Read More
Kathy Selvaggio
West Linn Tidings 10-25-23
Don’t be fooled by Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer’s claims to moderation. Don’t be taken in by Congressmember Lori Chavez-DeRemer’s proposal to ban tolling on I-205 and I-5. It is little more than a naked play for votes because, with no House cosponsors, it’s dead in the water.
In other ways, she presents herself as moderate and uses her membership in the so-called “Problem Solvers Caucus” to claim she favors nonpartisan solutions to pressing issues. True, she did vote for Kevin McCarthy for House Speaker this week, instead of extremist Jim Jordan. But many other efforts are hardly moderate.
Here’s the uncomfortable truth:
Read More
Chris Mack
YourOregonNews.com 9-18-23
Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR-5) refuses to meet with her constituents in unscripted, in-person town halls.
To truly represent their constituents, members of Congress should hold regular town halls to listen to their concerns and represent these views through the legislative process.
Research and analysis from the Center for Effective Lawmaking indicates that in-person town halls are an effective tool for cultivating policies closely tied to constituents’ priorities and needs.
Chavez-Deremer’s newsletter regularly highlights the businesses and interest groups she has met with recently. Yet despite inquiries, none of these meetings are announced in advance or open to the public.
Read More
Debi Ferrer
LaGrande Observer 8-22-23
It’s not surprising that Rep. Cliff Bentz claims the “facts don’t support Trump indictments” (The Observer, Aug. 10). After all, this is the guy whose very first vote in Congress was to disqualify Pennsylvania’s legitimate electoral votes immediately after violent insurrectionists, egged on by Trump’s words, tried to overturn the lawful results of the 2020 election.
Maybe Bentz was feeling a bit defensive about his role in the insurrection when he read the proof laid out in the two latest indictments about the fake elector schemes. For example, the evidence in the Special Counsel indictment asserts that Trump:
Told DOJ leaders, “Just say that the election was corrupt and leave the rest to me and the Republican congressmen.” (p.74)
Read More
Brad Streinlein
Douglas Co. News-Review 8-20-23
Following redistricting, Glide residents ended up with U.S. Congressman Cliff Bentz as their representative. He claimed, while campaigning, that he would be a conservative who would represent rural Oregon residents. We were hopeful. While Congress is out in August 2023, Bentz claimed he would be holding town halls in all 20 counties he represents. Read More
Mary Chaffin
Sisters Nugget 8-2-23
Our Congresswoman, Lori Chavez-DeRemer, claims that “without opinions from constituents, [she] would not be able represent Oregon's 5th congressional district best.” Yet she has turned a deaf ear to repeated requests that she hold in-person, unscripted town halls throughout the District. In May, a group of constituents visited Chavez-DeRemer’s Redmond office to present a letter signed by 46 voters in CD5 asking for in-person, unscripted town halls. We received no response. Read More
Mary Chaffin
Bend Source Weeklly 8-10-23
Representative Lori Chavez-DeRemer tries to portray herself as a bipartisan moderate. She's not. Did you know that Chavez-DeRemer:
Is a climate-denying member of the Conservative Climate Caucus who believes that we have "the next couple hundred years" to deal with climate issues? She voted for H.R. 1 which would expand mining and fossil fuel production while repealing important elements of the Biden Administration's desperately overdue climate legislation. Read More
Joe Yetter
Hermiston Herald 5-24-23
Strike two, Rep. Cliff Bentz.
Twice now, you have voted to injure veterans. That's two strikes too many. How on Earth can you look any veteran in the eye? Ever?
You are the elected United States representative for Oregon’s 2nd Congressional District — more than 70% of Oregon’s land area. You represent the thousands of veterans living in this vast district, the families and friends who love them and every American citizen here who respects and honors their service. You did not serve in the military; you did manage to avoid serving during the Vietnam War era. Read More
Stephen Thiroux
Ashland News 4-21-23
The Sandy Hook mass shooting occurred over 10 years ago. This tragedy, where 20 innocent children, the school principal and psychologist and four teachers were slaughtered, is horrifying enough. That so little has been done in the way of meaningful gun safety legislation since the massacre occurred is an unforgivable burden that we all bear. As the lead crime scene investigator at Sandy Hook says, “We’re pretending things aren’t the way they are.” Read More
Gayle Stemler
Bend Source 5-11-23
I was extremely disappointed that our CD5 rep, Lori Chavez-DeRemer, voted to support MAGA legislation in regard to the debt ceiling. It is a reckless piece of legislation that would hurt, among many others: Veterans, Seniors, Hungry children, Lower-income people with serious health issues. Republicans are playing political games ... Read More
Mary Chaffin
Oregon Capital Chronicle 4-12-23
Oregon’s newly-redrawn Congressional District 5 has a new representative, Republican Lori Chavez-DeRemer, who has started to cultivate the image of a reasonable, moderate member of the Republican party. She is trying to reflect the “toss-up” character of the district, as Randy Stapilus said in a recent commentary. But anyone who closely follows both her statements and her actions can see that they are diametrically opposed.... Read More
Norm Cimon
LaGrande Observer 9-13-22
It was disappointing to find out that Congressman Bentz failed to vote for the Inflation Reduction Act. It’s inconceivable that a bill benefiting all of us in Eastern Oregon and rural residents across the country ... Read More
Debi Ferrer
Columbia Gorge News 8-31-22
After attending Cliff Bentz’s Town Hall in The Dalles Thursday, I am even more disturbed by his representation of CD2. I had the opportunity to ask him about his recent interview on Newsmax regarding the FBI search carried out (legally) at Trump’s Florida home.... Read More
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