Aside from his bike pins and bow ties, and the holiday fruit cakes he delivers to colleagues, Earl Blumenauer has carved out his own niche in the House.
“I’ve got a pretty interesting portfolio of issues,” says the Oregon Democrat, like trying to ease federal cannabis policy. He cites his work on neuroscience and nutrition. He calls “The Omnivore’s Dilemma” author Michael Pollan his friend. And he preaches the gospel of public transportation to anyone who will listen.
“Not particularly sexy, but important,” says Blumenauer, who has biked to his job at the Capitol for nearly 30 years.
