President Joe Biden is visiting Portland today to highlight investments made through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
He will make a stop at the Portland International Airport to make remarks about infrastructure investments there, and will also participate in a fundraiser for the Democratic National Committee.
It will be the first POTUS visit since former President Barack Obama visited Portland in 2015.
Central Oregon Daily News reporter Meghan Glova and videographer Matt Pugerude are in Portland for the day to catch the story, which will air on the 5, 6, 7, and 11 p.m. broadcasts this evening.
Check this article for live updates throughout the day and check our Facebook page for live videos from Portland.
LIVE UPDATES
2:32 p.m.
President Biden remarks on the $25 billion spent on the nation’s airports like the Portland International Airport through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill.
He said the airport was the ‘perfect example of the need and opportunity to make progress.’ A large portion of the investment will go towards delivering a state-of-the-art, earthquake-resistant runway due to the airport’s location on a tectonic plate fault line.
“It’s been much too long since America has invested in our airports, ports and our rails,” Biden said. “We used to have the best infrastructure in the world. We are now ranked by the international community as the 13th best infrastructure.
“We’ve stopped investing in America…and I know people are tired of hearing me say it, but this time, we’re going to invest in our nation and invest in our people.”
Biden also spoke about the nearly 400 bridges and 1,300 miles of highway in poor condition across the state.
He said the bill will deliver $662 million to fix roads and bridges, and an additional $53 million in dedicated funds for bridges.
2:15 p.m.
Sen. Jeff Merkley and Sen. Ron Wyden delivering remarks.
“Mr. President, we are here with you to celebrate rebuilding America…we can do it with products made in America and good-paying American jobs. We will all go forward to make this happen,” Merkley said.
“The President’s grade for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law…he deserves a straight-A for his work on infrastructure!” Wyden said.
“We want to have him know we look forward to working with him on the next big bill, which is to ensure that we can compete better against China,” Wyden continued. “Because you all know that China has figured out ways to cut corners, and we’ve got to protect our workers and our jobs because our workers can beat out anybody…if there’s a level playing field.”
2:00 p.m.
Gov. Kate Brown addresses the crowd in advance of Biden’s remarks, praising his efforts to invest in Oregon’s infrastructure. Other opening remarks are given by Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, Rep. Kurt Schraeder, Rep. Peter DeFazio, and Rep. Earl Blumenauer addressing the ways infrastructure investments have helped their specific districts.
1:20 p.m.
Members of the media have now been let back in to the area where Biden will give remarks at around 2:15 p.m.
12:40 a.m.
Air Force One has landed in Portland. Biden is greeting Oregon legislators who arrived to welcome him, including Gov. Kate Brown. In around an hour, the President will address the media.
11:45 a.m.
Members of the press, including our reporters, are currently in line to re-enter the press space and should be headed to the tarmac to greet Air Force One by noon. President Biden is expected to touch down in Portland at around 12:20 p.m.
