PORTLAND, Ore. — State Rep. Hòa Nguyễn, D-Portland, made her return to the Oregon House on Friday, marking her first public appearance since revealing her advanced cancer diagnosis in February.
“I feel like I have a second chance at life now, by some miracle,” Nguyễn told colleagues from the House floor, surrounded by supporters wearing face masks. “All the prayers and affirmations really helped. I think it’s the community, it’s all of you here and the support that really, really pushed me through.”
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Nguyễn did not disclose how much she has recovered or how long she plans to stay active in the Legislature.
Her return comes at a pivotal time for Oregon Democrats, who hold slim majorities in both chambers and are working to pass a sweeping transportation package. The current proposal would raise an estimated $14.6 billion over 10 years. Democrats need 36 votes to pass any tax increases and may rely on Nguyễn’s support if they can’t gain Republican backing.
Nguyễn’s health became public in February when she announced she had begun chemotherapy for stage 4 cancer, the most advanced stage, when the disease has spread and is more difficult to treat. Her absence had already impacted the legislative session by that time.
During her remarks, Nguyễn thanked her colleagues for honoring her family in May and called herself “a fighter.” While she expressed a desire to get back to work, she did not confirm the length or extent of her return.
She was excused from the House’s afternoon session Friday.
“She is taking the session day by day at this point, and we’re focused on her health above anything,” a House Majority Office spokesperson said in a statement.
In February, Nguyễn assured constituents that her staff would continue serving the community, especially on issues like chronic absenteeism and access to child care. She had previously served as vice chair of the House Early Childhood and Human Services Committee and held roles on education-related committees, though House Speaker Julie Fahey gradually removed her from those positions during her treatment.
