{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where party = \"Republican\", state = \"OR\" and year = 2015 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-nominates-oregon-students-acceptance-us-service-academies-0", "Greg Walden nominates Oregon students for acceptance to U.S. service academies", "2015-12-21", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Greg Walden nominates Oregon students for acceptance to U.S. service academies \nMEDFORD  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) announced today that he has nominated thirteen Oregon students for acceptance to one of the prestigious United States service academies. Walden's Service Academy Nomination Boardactive and retired military officers who interview potential candidates to the service academies and make recommendations to Waldenrecommended each student based on their academic performance, extracurricular involvement, and character.\nIt is an honor and a privilege to nominate these remarkable young Oregonians to our nation's service academies, Walden said. This nomination represents the culmination of years of hard work and dedication. Their decision to pursue higher education, develop leadership skills, and serve their country in uniform is a deeply admirable endeavora journey at which I am confident they will succeed. The future of our nation is in good hands. \nThe service academies include the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo.; the Military Academy at West Point, N.Y.; the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md.; and the Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, N.Y. Final selection for admission to the service academies will be performed by officials at each respective academy this spring.\nStudents who are interested in learning more about service academy nominations can visit Walden's website at https://walden.house.gov/academynominations. \nThe nominees are as follows:\nWasco County \nTimarra Roth, daughter of Elizabeth & Luis Leon of The Dalles, attending The Dalles High Schoolnominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy.\nMorrow County\nMoroni Jensen,son of Jack & LeeAnn Jensen of Oxbow, attending Pine Eagle High Schoolnominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy.\nJackson County \nBrandon Brooks,son of Ted & Kymberly Brooks of Medford, graduated South Medford High School, attending Southern Oregon Universitynominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy.\nChristian Cheshire, son of Walter & Kathryn Cheshire of Central Point, home schoolednominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy, and the U.S. Military Academy.\nMark McAlister, son of Mark & Debra McAlister of Medford, attending Phoenix High Schoolnominated to the U.S. Naval Academy.\nEthan Shepherd, son of David & Kirsten Shepherd of Phoenix, attending Phoenix High Schoolnominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy, and the U.S. Military Academy.\nJoshua Wu, son of Kevin & Julie Wu of Medford, attending St. Mary's High Schoolnominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy.\nJosephine County \nEaston Bents, son of Robert & Denise Bents of Grants Pass, attending Grants Pass High Schoolnominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy.\nDeschutes County \nBenjamin Brockman,son of Chuck & Antoinette Brockman of Bend, attending Bend Senior High Schoolnominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy.\nOwen Hucke, son of Gary & Janet Hucke of Redmond, home schoolednominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy and the U.S. Naval Academy.\nNoah Nagle, son of Josh & Becky Nagle of Bend, attending Summit High Schoolnominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy, and the U.S. Military Academy.\nHannah Wood, daughter of Harry & Helen Wood of Bend, attending the Taipei American School in Taipei, Taiwannominated to the U.S. Military Academy.\nCrook County\nJordan Rutz, daughter of Travis & Shannon Rutz of Prineville, attending Prineville High Schoolnominated to the U.S. Military Academy.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/walden-releases-draft-legislation-help-solve-long-running-water-problems", "Walden releases draft legislation to help solve long-running water problems in Klamath Basin, asks for input from all parties", "2015-12-03", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Walden releases draft legislation to help solve long-running water problems in Klamath Basin, asks for input from all parties  Bill would provide water and power certainty for agriculture, boost economic development for rural communities and tribes \n WASHINGTON, D.C.  After nearly a year of discussions with a broad range of parties in the Klamath Basin and key leaders in the U.S. Congress, U.S. Rep. Greg Walden today unveiled a draft of a bill that would help solve long-running water issues in the Basin.\nThroughout the year, I've worked closely with a broad range of stakeholders in the Klamath Basin as well as my colleagues in Congress to draft a viable plan that would help the Basin and the people who live there. This draft proposal would help provide water and power certainty for agriculture and boost economic development and job creation for rural communities and tribes through a transfer of federal timber lands. I encourage all parties to review the proposal and let me know your feedback, Walden said.\nA summary of the draft is below. For the full text of the draft, please click here. To send comments to Walden, please visit walden.house.gov/klamath.\nSummary of Walden's draft Klamath legislation\nWater certainty for agriculture: The draft authorizes and implements the water agreements in both the Upper Klamath Basin and the Klamath Project, providing for a long-term and certain water supply for farmers and ranchers.\nPower certainty for agriculture: The draft directs the federal Bureau of Reclamation to provide affordable power for farmers, ranchers, and communities in the Basin.\nTransfer of federal forest lands to Klamath and Siskiyou counties: The draft transfers 100,000 acres of U.S. Forest Service land each to Klamath and Siskiyou counties. The lands would be used for timber production to grow jobs in rural communities and improve forest health.\nTransfer of federal lands and economic development funds to Klamath Tribes in exchange for waiving senior water rights: Under the draft, the Klamath Tribes would waive their senior water rights claims. In exchange, the Tribes would receive 100,000 acres of U.S. Forest Service land for timber production along with economic development funds for tribal members.\nNo federal dam removal: The draft does not authorize, fund, or expedite federal dam removal. That process is left up to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. It also does not create federal liability from dam removal.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/walden-merkley-convene-klamath-basin-water-meeting-key-leaders-us-house", "Walden, Merkley convene Klamath Basin water meeting with key leaders in the U.S. House and Senate", "2015-12-02", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Walden, Merkley convene Klamath Basin water meeting with key leaders in the U.S. House and Senate  \nWASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.) issued the following statement on a meeting he has convened with key Congressional leaders to discuss Klamath Basin water issues:\nAll year, Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and I have worked closely with a broad range of parties in the Klamath Basin and key leaders in the Congress to find a path forward to solve the long running water problems in the Basin.\nTomorrow, Sen. Merkley and I have convened a meeting with key leaders in the Congress to discuss a way forward. Attendees will include Rep. Rob Bishop (R-Utah), the Chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee (which has jurisdiction over this issue), Rep. Tom McClintock (R-Calif.), the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Federal Lands, and Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-Calif.) whose Northern California district includes three out of the four dams slated to be removed under the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement (KBRA) and a large portion of Klamath Basin water users. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) will also attend, along with Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.).\nDuring this session of Congress, neither committee of jurisdiction in the Senate or the House has taken any legislative action regarding the KBRA.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-secures-help-columbia-gorge-roads-and-bridges-final", "Greg Walden secures help for Columbia Gorge roads and bridges in final transportation agreement, passage into law expected soon", "2015-12-01", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Greg Walden secures help for Columbia Gorgeroads and bridges in final transportation agreement, passage into law expected soon  \nWASHINGTON, DC  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) announced today that he has secured language in the final congressional transportation agreement to help improve roads and bridges in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area (NSA). The long-term, bipartisan transportation agreement between the Senate and the House reauthorizes and reforms federal highway, transit, and highway safety programs. It is expected to be passed by both chambers in the coming days.\nResidents and visitors alike depend on efficient and safe transportation in the Columbia Gorge. The federal government must recognize that unique areas like the Gorge should be eligible for transportation projects to replace crumbling roads and bridges. Last month, the House unanimously passed our bipartisan proposal to do just that, and I worked hard to include it in the final House and Senate transportation agreement. When this proposal becomes law soon, it will be a win for Gorge residents, visitors, and our local economy, Walden said.\nLast month, Walden worked closely with Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Portland) and Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-Camas) to include language in the House transportation bill that ensures that projects within NSA's, including the Columbia River Gorge NSA, are eligible for federal transportation grants to help them serve the needs of their local economies, residents, and visitors. Walden then led a letter, signed by seven other Northwest Senators and Representatives, urging negotiators in the House and the Senate to include the language in the final agreement. For a copy of that letter, please click here.\nDuring debate on the House floor last month, Walden urged his colleagues to recognize the importance of transportation projects in federal scenic areas. While scenic areas like the Columbia Gorge provide tourist opportunities to thousands of visiting Americans from all across the country, this unique federal involvement provides distinct challenges in promoting growth of the local economy while conserving the natural beauty of the lands within the Gorge. Transportation infrastructure is an essential component to efficiently serve the interests of both local residents and visitors to the Scenic Area, and there is a strong need for regional transportation planning and improvement to major transportation elements, Walden said. Clarifying the eligibility of Scenic Areas throughout the nation for transportation grant funding would help ensure these areas are eligible for meaningful funding opportunities to enhance infrastructure within these unique federally managed areas.\nThere are currently 12 NSA's in eight states across the nation, including the Columbia Gorge NSAthe largest in the country. The Columbia River Gorge NSA consists of 292,500 acres along 85 miles of the Columbia River. Ninety percent of the total NSA is subject to strict land use and development restrictions, which has posed a distinct challenge to promoting the local economy, while providing opportunities for tourists to visit from around the country, and conserving the natural beauty of the Columbia Gorge.\nThe Gorge has major transportation elements like the Hood River Bridge and the Bridge of the Gods. While approximately 5.2 million vehicles and $110 million in goods travel across these bridges each year, they are in need of major improvements.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-applauds-presidential-medal-freedom-awarded-hood-river", "Greg Walden applauds Presidential Medal of Freedom awarded to Hood River native Minoru Yasui", "2015-11-16", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Greg Walden applauds Presidential Medal of Freedom awarded to Hood River native Minoru Yasui  \nWASHINGTON, DC  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today applauded the news that President Obama has named Hood River native Minoru Yasui as a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor. Walden urged President Obama earlier this year to award the medal to Yasui, a long-time civil and human rights leader.\nFor decades, Minoru Yasui fought tirelessly to defend and expand basic rights for all Americans. Though he faced discrimination and hatred during World War II, his belief in America never wavered. His long fight to expand justice and opportunity should make all Oregonians proud. That's why I was proud to support his nomination for a Presidential Medal of Freedom, and applaud the President for recognizing his life and work. I only wish that he could have lived to see this day, Walden said.\nBorn in Hood River in 1916, Minoru Yasui was the first Japanese-American graduate of the University of Oregon School of Law. In March 1942, Yasui was the first to intentionally defy a military curfew imposed upon Japanese-Americans. He was sent to prison (including nine months in solitary confinement in Multnomah County Jail) and courageously fought his case all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, which upheld his conviction. Yasui spent the rest of his life appealing his wartime conviction, until his death in 1986 at the age of 70.\nIn a letter to President Obama earlier this year, Walden strongly supported Minoru Yasui's nomination. A copy of that letter is attached.\nAccording to the White House, the Medal of Freedom is presented to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors. The awards will be presented at the White House on November 24.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-president-s-decision-reject-keystone-pipeline-baffling", "Greg Walden: Presidents decision to reject Keystone pipeline is baffling", "2015-11-06", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Greg Walden: President's decision to reject Keystone pipeline is baffling \nHOOD RIVER U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today issued the following statement following President Obama's decision to reject the Keystone Pipeline:\nAfter over seven years of exhaustive review, the President's decision today is baffling. With the stroke of his pen, President Obama could have approved a project with bipartisan Congressional support that would have created thousands of good-paying jobs, increased North American energy security, and reduced oil shipments by rail. The State Department's own final review concluded that the project would not increase carbon emissions and that construction would support approximately 42,000 jobs. These are real, good paying jobs for Americans who need them.\nMoreover, this is a slap in the face to our ally Canada, and a win for tyrants like Vladimir Putin who use energy as a weapon against America's friends around the world. We must continue to develop North American energy to counter the influence of Russia, China, and Iran. While today's decision is disappointing, I will continue to work on energy solutions that help create jobs, lower prices for consumers, and strengthen America's energy security.\nWalden has strongly supported construction of this pipeline as part of an all of the above energy strategy to promote energy independence and grow the economy. Earlier this year, Walden supported the Keystone XL Pipeline Act (S. 1), which would have immediately authorized the construction and operation of the pipeline. Though it passed the House and Senate with bipartisan support, it was vetoed by President Obama.\nThe application for the pipeline was first submitted to the U.S. State Department on September 19, 2008. In an environmental review, released on January 31, 2014, the State Department confirmed that construction of the pipeline would support approximately 42,100 jobs.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/us-house-passes-walden-herrera-beutler-blumenauer-proposal-help-improve", "U.S. House passes Walden-Herrera Beutler-Blumenauer proposal to help improve roads and bridges in Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area", "2015-11-03", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. House passes Walden-Herrera Beutler-Blumenauer proposal to help improve roads and bridges in Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area \nClick here or on the image below to watch Walden's speech before the House supporting this proposal\nWASHINGTON, DC The U.S. House today passed a bipartisan proposal offered by Oregon Reps. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) and Earl Blumenauer (D-Portland) and Washington Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-Camas) to help improve roads and bridges in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.\nThe proposal, which was attached to a long-term, bipartisan transportation bill in the House, ensures that projects within national scenic areas (NSA's), including the Columbia River Gorge NSA, are eligible for federal transportation grants to help them serve the needs of their local economies, residents, and visitors.\n\"While scenic areas like the Columbia Gorge provide tourist opportunities to thousands of visiting Americans from all across the country, this unique federal involvement provides distinct challenges in promoting growth of the local economy while conserving the natural beauty of the lands within the Gorge. Transportation infrastructure is an essential component to efficiently serve the interests of both local residents and visitors to the Scenic Area, and there is a strong need for regional transportation planning and improvement to major transportation elements,Walden said during debate on the House floor.\nThis includes bridges like the Hood River Bridge and the Bridge of the Gods. While approximately 5.2 million vehicles and $110 million in goods travel across these bridges each year, they are in need of major improvements. Clarifying the eligibility of Scenic Areas throughout the nation for transportation grant funding would help ensure these areas are eligible for meaningful funding opportunities to enhance infrastructure within these unique federally managed areas.\nHerrera Beutler and Blumenauer voiced their strong support for the proposal as well.I'm pleased to join Congressman Walden in improving the transportation bill to allow the bridges within the Columbia River Gorge to compete for federal grants. These bridges are crucial to the residents and economies of Skamania and Klickitat Counties,said Herrera Beutler.In 2013, when the Bridge of the Gods was in need of repairs, one of the largest employers in Skamania County had to relocate part of their operations just to transport their goods across the river, and the safety of residents was impacted because large emergency vehicles could not cross the bridge. Though we found a short-term solution in that instance, it revealed the need to strengthen our local roads and bridges for years to come.\nThe Columbia River Gorge is one of the great places in America. Its beauty shouldn't obscure its critical role in the economic vitality of the Pacific Northwest  a key freight corridor for goods moving by rail, barge, and truck,said Blumenauer.Our bipartisan amendment recognizes that done right, freight projects in National Scenic Areas should be eligible for much needed federal funding. There are currently 12 NSA's in eight states across the nation, including the Columbia Gorge NSAthe largest in the country. The Columbia River Gorge NSA consists of 292,500 acres along 85 miles of the Columbia River. Ninety percent of the total NSA is subject to strict land use and development restrictions, which has posed a distinct challenge to promoting the local economy, while providing opportunities for tourists to visit from around the country, and conserving the natural beauty of the Columbia Gorge.\nThe amendment was included in Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform Act (H.R. 3763), a bipartisan, long-term surface transportation bill to reauthorize and reform federal highway, transit, and highway safety programs.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-announces-support-major-mental-health-reform-bill-help", "Greg Walden announces support for major mental health reform bill to help patients and families, reduce violence", "2015-10-26", "2015", "2015-10", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Greg Walden announces support for major mental health reform bill to help patients and families, reduce violence \nClick here or on the image below to watch Walden's video message\nWASHINGTON, DC U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today announced that he supports a major mental health reform bill moving through the U.S. House of Representatives. The Helping Families in Mental Crisis Act (H.R. 2646) aims to reform the nation's mental healthcare system to deliver better treatment to patients and families before they commit acts of violence against themselves or others.\nToo many families all over America struggle with mental illness. And too many of these suffers go on to hurt themselves or othersmost tragically in Roseburg earlier this month. However, despite the $130 billion the federal government spends annually on mental health treatment, an astounding 40 percent of Americans with a serious mental illness are not receiving treatment. This broken system has to change, Walden said.\nThe Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act would reform the nation's federal mental health programs, helping to direct resources and care to the patients and families who need them most. I am proud to support this bipartisan bill. Together, we can work to make sure that the millions of Americans suffering from mental illness, and their families, get the care they need before the worst occurs.\nAccording to the National Institute of Mental Health, patients with mental illness receiving treatment are 15 times less likely to commit violent acts than those who go untreated. The federal government spends $130 billion per year on mental health, yet the rates of violence, suicide, homelessness, and incarceration among the mentally ill have increased over the past two decades.\nThe Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act reforms the federal government's mental health bureaucracy to break down barriers to care. It allows families to better work with health care professionals to care for loved ones, and helps fix the shortage of psychiatric hospital beds in this country. The bill also advances tele-psychiatry to help mentally ill patients in rural areas. For a full summary of the bill,please click here.\nThe author of the legislation, Rep. Tim Murphy (R-PA), is a licensed psychologist. He praised Walden's support. Congressman Walden has been a leader working with me to reform our broken mental health system to deliver treatment before tragedy, said Murphy. We are committed to take meaningful action for the families forever changed by that tragic day in Roseburg. I thank him for signing on to my crisis mental health legislation and look forward to working together as we advance the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act through Congress to the President's desk.\nWalden has been a long-time, strong supporter of mental health programs, especially for young people. He has worked closely with Oregon Partnership/Lines for Life on preventing youth suicide and substance abuse. And he worked across the aisle to pass the nation's first youth suicide prevention bill into law, the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act (named in memory of the son of former Oregon Senator Gordon Smith). This legislation includes a multi-year reauthorization of the Garrett Lee Smith law.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-greg-walden-expresses-strong-opposition-national-monument", "Rep. Greg Walden expresses strong opposition to national monument designation in Malheur County, urges Secretary to attend public meeting next week", "2015-10-23", "2015", "2015-10", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Greg Walden expresses strong opposition to national monument designation in Malheur County, urges Secretary to attend public meeting next week\nOctober 23, 2015\n\nThe Honorable Sally Jewell  \n\tSecretary  \n\tU.S. Department of the Interior  \n\t1849 C Street NW  \n\tWashington, D.C. 20240\nDear Secretary Jewell:\nRecent efforts by outside interest groups (see enclosed news article) to push for a massive National Monument designation in Malheur County, Oregon, have evoked strong opposition from local communities throughout the county. Malheur County, along with the local state elected officials, are holding a public forum in Adrian, Oregon, on October 29 to discuss the proposal and potential negative impacts on the community. I invite you (or a senior representative of your choosing) to attend this important forum to provide information on the Administration's consideration of this proposal and hear directly from the communities that would be directly impacted by the Department of the Interior's (DOI) actions.\nOregonians have a strong and long tradition of successful, creative management of public and private lands to the benefit of the natural resources, while minimizing the negative impacts to local economies. You saw an example of this when you toured local efforts to proactively address sage grouse habitat in Lake County last year.\nThe results of these locally driven efforts contrast starkly with the challenges posed by the creation of Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument, which eventually required congressional action to mitigate numerous negative impacts on local landowners. With examples like this for a precedent, talk that the DOI is strongly considering locking up 2.5 million acres, a massive portion of Malheur County, is understandably concerning to local communities. These hard-working local residents deserve to know where the federal government stands on the proposal that would affect their daily lives far beyond anyone else's.\nAgriculture provides the economic base for Malheur County. According to Oregon State University, agriculture generates over $370 million annually in the county, of which $134 million comes from cattle. The Bureau of Land Management and other federal agencies manage 4.5 million acres, or 73% of the land in the county, making public lands grazing an integral part of most local family ranch operations. Greatly restricting use of that land through a monument designation could have disastrous economic impacts to the county and the surrounding region.\nI am sharing here with you the concerns I've heard from large numbers of people across eastern Oregon about the impacts on their livelihoods by restricting use and access to portions of Malheur County larger than the states of Rhode Island and Connecticut combined through a National Monument designation. I strongly oppose the proposals I am aware of for a National Monument designation, and I think it's very important that you both outline formally to Malheur County and residents of eastern Oregon where the DOI stands on this proposal, as well as heed the strong local opposition to this effort and not make a national monument designation in Malheur County.\nOnce again, I strongly encourage you, or a senior designee for you, to attend this forum and hear directly from those most affected by the decisions made on the public land that surrounds them. I appreciate your prompt attention to this matter, and look forward to your swift response.\nBest regards,\nGreg Walden  \n\tMember of Congress\nWalden Letter to Jewell 10 23 15.pdf", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-applauds-court-decision-stopping-epas-water-power-grab", "Greg Walden applauds court decision stopping EPA's water power grab", "2015-10-09", "2015", "2015-10", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Greg Walden applauds court decision stopping EPA's water power grab\nWASHINGTON, DC U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today issued the following statement after a federal appeals court put a halt to the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) new Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule, which would massively expand the federal government's authority over waterways within the U.S.\nThe court's decision is a victory for farmers, ranchers, and property owners in rural Oregon and throughout the nation. This power grab would have expanded federal authority over virtually any water in the nation, including canals, irrigation ditches, vernal pools, and stock ponds. I have long said that this blatant federal overreach would drastically increase uncertainty and threaten jobs and livelihoods in struggling rural communities, Walden said. Now that the court has spoken, I call on the Administration to permanently withdraw this flawed proposal. It's time to ditch this rule.\nOn May 12, the Housewith Walden's strong supportpassed the Regulatory Integrity Protection Act (H.R. 1732), which requires the EPA to withdraw the rule.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://walden.house.gov/s2015/greg-walden-statement-on-the-tragedy-in-roseburg-ore/", "Greg Walden statement on the tragedy in Roseburg, Ore.", "2015-10-01", "2015", "2015-10", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Greg Walden statement on the tragedy in Roseburg, Ore.    \n  WASHINGTON, DC U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood ...  statement on the tragedy at Umpqua Community College in Roseburg, Ore.:  \n  Todays news out of Roseburg is heartbreaking. My thoughts and prayers go out to the victims of ...\n              10/01/2015 - 12:00", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-statement-tragedy-roseburg-ore", "Greg Walden statement on the tragedy in Roseburg, Ore.", "2015-10-01", "2015", "2015-10", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Greg Walden statement on the tragedy in Roseburg, Ore.\nWASHINGTON, DC U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today issued the following statement on the tragedy at Umpqua Community College in Roseburg, Ore.:\nToday's news out of Roseburg is heartbreaking. My thoughts and prayers go out to the victims of this terrible tragedy, their families, and the entire community. Oregon and the entire nation mourn this senseless loss.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressional-hearing-greg-walden-questions-oregon-state-official", "At congressional hearing, Greg Walden questions Oregon state official on the failure of Cover Oregon", "2015-09-29", "2015", "2015-09", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "At congressional hearing, Greg Walden questions Oregon state official on the failure of Cover Oregon\nClick here or the image on the left for video of Walden's opening statement and here or the video on the right for video of Walden's questions\n     \nWASHINGTON, DC  At a congressional hearing today on state health insurance exchanges, U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) questioned Patrick Allen, the Director of the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services, about the failure of Cover Oregon and where the state goes from here with the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) now managing the IT infrastructure of the state exchange. \nOregon received about $305 million in Federal grant dollars to build Cover Oregon. Only California and New Yorkstates with about nine and four times the population, respectivelyreceived more But when the lights came on and the curtain went up on Cover Oregon, it failed to sign up a single person online in one sitting. Not a single one, Walden said at the beginning of the hearing. While the GAO did some good work on state exchanges generally, many questions about Oregon remain unanswered. How did this happen? Who was in charge? What could be done to make sure this NEVER happens again? We are still waiting for answers.\nWalden then got in to some of those issues, explaining to Allen, In spite of your repeated assurances that the Oregon exchange is financially self-sustaining, questions remain over how the state will pay the federal government for using healthcare.gov when it is to be charged for its use in 2017. There are also concerns with the significant insurance rate increases. In your testimony, you state that the rate increases are a result of the market rebalancing itself. Whether or not this is a true rebalance or indicative of future additional rate hikes remains to be seen. \nWalden also spoke to reportswhich he subsequently placed in the official hearing recordthat former Governor Kitzhaber's campaign team took over the management of Cover Oregon. The collapse of Cover Oregon was an epic disaster for Oregonians and taxpayers across the United States. Frankly, the aftermath hasn't inspired additional confidence in our state government or CMS. I'm deeply disturbed about the role of the former governorwho has had to resignand the role his campaign consultants in calling the shots, Walden added. \nWalden asked Allen about how the state is proceeding forward with CMS, including additional costs the state will have to make in order to use the federal health exchange and if the federal government will try to recoup all or part of the $305 million that the state received to build Cover Oregon. Allen was unable to immediately answer many of the questions, but pledged to follow up with a response to Walden and the Committee. For full video of Walden's questioning, please click here. \nThe hearing was conducted by the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations. Walden is a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. For more informationor for full video of the hearingplease click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-reacts-pope-francis-historic-address-us-congress", "Greg Walden reacts to Pope Francis' historic address to the U.S. Congress", "2015-09-24", "2015", "2015-09", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Greg Walden reacts to Pope Francis' historic address to the U.S. Congress Click here or on the image below to watch Walden's remarks WASHINGTON, D.C.  Calling the Pope's remarks challenging and uplifting, U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) offered a video reaction to the historic event. Walden spoke from the Speaker's Balcony at the Capitol, where earlier in the day Pope Francis greeted the crowdincluding ticket holders from Oregonafter his address. It was a real honor to be on the escort committee for the Pope's visit to the U.S. House to speak to a joint session of Congress. I'm here on the balcony where he came out after the speech and gave a blessing to the audience, Walden said. I thought his remarks were challenging and uplifting. Clearly he's a man of the people who speaks his mind. I think he calls on all of us to be better citizens and better human beings, and really look after those who are less fortunate. It was just an historic day in Washington, and I think for all of America.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-statement-administrations-decision-not-list-sage-grouse", "Greg Walden statement on Administration's decision not to list sage grouse as endangered species", "2015-09-22", "2015", "2015-09", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Greg Walden statement on Administration's decision not to list sage grouse as endangered species WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today issued the following statement on the Department of the Interior's decision not to list the sage grouse as an endangered species: Farmers and ranchers in Eastern Oregon have been working hard to avoid a listing of the sage grouse, a move that would severely impact jobs in rural communities throughout the west. I'm glad that the Administration recognized these efforts and decided not to move forward with a listing. This will give communities in Oregon time to implement locally driven conservation efforts without the federal government's heavy hand getting in the way.  While this is a positive step, obstacles remain. At town halls in Eastern Oregon last week, I heard strong concerns with the Bureau of Land Management's sage grouse plans. The BLM must be flexible and continue working with the local communities to ensure these plans work for the people who live there. Walden has worked hard to avoid an endangered species listing of the sage grouse. Last year, he helped pass into law a one year prohibition on a listing as part of a government funding bill. This year, Walden worked with the House Armed Services Committee to include a ten year listing prohibition in the House's annual defense authorization bill. AsWalden has said, The effect of the sage grouse's listing could make the spotted owl look like child's play, which is why he hasrepeatedly urged the Administrationto build solutions from the ground up and collect crucial input from local communities.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/video-release-after-fire-town-hall-meetings-greg-walden-calls-senate", "VIDEO RELEASE: After fire town hall meetings, Greg Walden calls on the Senate to pass forestry reform legislation", "2015-09-15", "2015", "2015-09", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "VIDEO RELEASE: After fire town hall meetings, Greg Walden calls on the Senate to pass forestry reform legislation Click here or on the image below to watch Walden's remarks JOSEPH, Ore.  After fire town hall meetings in Eastern Oregon, U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today called on the U.S. Senate to pass meaningful forest reform legislation to help reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire. While we need to change how we pay for these fires  to be more reasonable and rational  that's nothing compared to the real issue. The real issue is we don't do enough to manage these forests before the fires to thin them out, and after the fires to salvage the burned, dead timber while it still has value so we can pay for reforestation and rehabilitation of the watersheds, the habitat, and the forests, Walden said in a video message from Joseph in Wallowa County. People are pretty hot in Eastern Oregon about what happened this summer, and they want changes in federal forest policy, which legislation we passed in the House would give them. It's long overdue for the Senate to take action. This week, Walden held town hall meetings in Lakeview, Canyon City, Baker City, and Enterprise. These were Walden's 24th through 27th town halls so far this year (at least one in all 20 counties in Oregon's Second District). He also toured first damage from the Cornet/Windy Ridge and Canyon Creek Complex fires. In Baker and Grant counties alone, these fires burned a combined total of over 213,000 acres and destroyed 47 homes. The Resilient Federal Forests Act (H.R. 2647), which passed the House on a bipartisan basis in July, would help bring active management back to our forests to reduce the threat of wildfire. For more information, please click here. The bill also helps solve the long-standing fire borrowing problem by allowing the Forest Service to request FEMA disaster funds for fire suppression without having to continually rob their internal fire prevention accounts. For a summary of the fire borrowing provisions, please click here.  During the last session of Congress, the U.S. House twice passed bipartisan legislation coauthored by Walden to help reform federal forest policy. Unfortunately, the Senate failed to take meaningful action on forestry legislation.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-mourns-passing-former-state-representative-eldon-johnson", "Greg Walden mourns the passing of former state representative Eldon Johnson", "2015-09-04", "2015", "2015-09", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Greg Walden mourns the passing of former state representative Eldon Johnson HOOD RIVER  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today issued the following statement on the passing of Eldon Johnson, a longtime state legislator from southern Oregon: I am saddened to learn of the passing of Eldon Johnson. He was fiercely independent and worked hard. He made a real difference for his community and state during his time in Salem. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. Walden and Johnson served together in the state legislature, where Johnson was a member of the Oregon House of Representatives from 1977 through 1999.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/us-house-passes-greg-waldens-plan-help-protect-klamath-project-water", "U.S. House passes Greg Walden's plan to help protect Klamath Project water users", "2015-07-16", "2015", "2015-07", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. House passes Greg Waldens plan to help protect Klamath Project water users Click here or on the image below to watch the Houses debate on the amendment WASHINGTON, D.C.  The U.S. House of Representatives has passedon a bipartisan votea plan offered by Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.) and Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-Calif.) to help protect water users on the Klamath Project in Oregon and California. The proposal would confer applicant status on these users, ensuring that they are included in Endangered Species Act consultations that could affect operations of the water project they rely upon. While the Bureau hasin its own wordstreated the users in a manner similar to applicants since the 1990s, it has not granted them the protections and input the full applicant status would provide. There is a long history with water issues in the Klamath Basin and there is much work to be done. Frankly, a basin-wide, long-term solution is what is most needed. While we are working towards a long-term solution to the overall Klamath water issues, these issues remain, Walden said during debate on the amendment. In the interim, it is critical that we pass this amendment to formalize the role of the Klamath Project irrigators by giving them applicant status for ESA consultations. The Klamath Project contractors have existing contracts with the Bureau of Reclamation and they are directly affected by Reclamations consultations with US Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service. Passing this amendment would only formalize a practice that has already been occurring and ensure that the Klamath Project contractors can continue this process in the future, Walden said. The proposal was passed on a bipartisan vote as an amendment to the Western Water and American Food Security Act, which was passed by the House today to offer relief to the drought-stricken rural West. The bill now goes on to the U.S. Senate. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-statement-administrations-deal-iran", "Greg Walden statement on Administration's deal with Iran", "2015-07-14", "2015", "2015-07", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Greg Walden statement on Administrations deal with Iran WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today issued the following statement after the Obama Administration announced it had reached a nuclear deal with Iran: The regime in Iran exports terror around the globe, threatens the security of the United States and our ally Israel, and continues to relentlessly pursue the worlds worst weapons. It seems that the Obama Administration has decided to reward that bad behavior with permanent benefits in exchange for a temporary delay in their nuclear program. This is unacceptable for our safety and security.  The deal would give Iran billions in sanctions reliefmoney that could be used to finance more terror and weapons development that threatens our safety. And it would remove restrictions on Irans missile and weapons programs, allowing them to continue work on intercontinental ballistic missiles that could hit the United States.  While Congress must carefully review the details of this agreement, I will do all I can to stop a bad deal that threatens the safety of our troops, our allies, and the American people. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://walden.house.gov/s2015/greg-walden-statement-on-administrations-deal-with-iran/", "Greg Walden statement on Administration's deal with Iran", "2015-07-14", "2015", "2015-07", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Greg Walden statement on Administrations deal with Iran WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today issued the following statement after the Obama Administration announced it had reached a nuclear deal with Iran: The regime in Iran exports terror around the globe, threatens the security of the United States and our ally Israel, and continues to relentlessly pursue the worlds worst weapons. It seems that the Obama Administration has decided to reward that bad behavior with permanent benefits in exchange for a temporary delay in their nuclear program. This is unacceptable for our safety and security.  The deal would give Iran billions in sanctions reliefmoney that could be used to finance more terror and weapons development that threatens our safety. And it would remove restrictions on Irans missile and weapons programs, allowing them to continue work on intercontinental ballistic missiles that could hit the United States.  While Congress must carefully review the details of this agreement, I will do all I can to stop a bad deal that threatens the safety of our troops, our allies, and the American people. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-supports-historic-plan-boost-medical-research-find-cures", "Greg Walden supports historic plan to boost medical research, find cures for deadly diseases", "2015-07-10", "2015", "2015-07", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Greg Walden supports historic plan to boost medical research, find cures for deadly diseases The 21st Century Cures Act overwhelmingly passes the U.S. House, will help Americans live longer, healthier lives  Click here or on the image below to watch Waldens speech in support of the bill WASHINGTON, D.C.  The U.S. House of Representatives today overwhelmingly passed the 21st Century Cures Act (H.R. 6), a sweeping, bipartisan initiative cosponsored by Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) to bring hope to millions of Americans suffering from deadly diseases. This is really big: 21st Century Cures. All of us have known someone afflicted by the deadly diseases. Most of us have seen people in our own families. My mother passed away from ovarian cancer. My sister in law had brain cancer. I lost a son to a congenital heart defect. My mother in law had rheumatoid arthritis from a very early age. My step mother died of a stroke. Were all affected,Walden said during debate on the bill. Investing in cures, investing in treatment, investing in innovationright here in Americais the best step forward. This legislation would modernize the nations biomedical innovation infrastructure and streamline the process for how drugs and medical devices are approved in order get new treatments to patients faster. Of the 10,000 known diseases in the world (7,000 of which are considered rare), there are treatments for only about 500 of them. Yet, the cost and time associated with conducting clinical trials are at all-time highs (it takes upwards of 15 years to bring a new drug to the market, and the cost of developing new drugs has doubled since the early 1980s). This bill would boost medical research and streamline the approval process for new treatments to help accelerate the discovery, development, and delivery of cures. And it is fully paid for with cuts in other spending. Walden also told of soliciting input from researchers like Dr. Brian Druker, of Oregon Health & Science Universitys Knight Cancer Center, a true pioneer in the fight against cancer. And he talked about patients and their families in Oregonincluding Linda Sindt, Nancy Roach, and Colton and Tiffany Allenwho would gain hope from this bill. He concluded,We owe it to people like Linda, Nancy, Colton, Tiffany and all Americansand people around the globeto pass this legislation, to tackle these diseases that have no treatment or cure, to develop new and innovative treatments, provide better health technology, and ultimately bring more hope and better lives for all. Patients and their families in Oregon praised the bill. I am so excited about the progress made on the critical 21st Century CURES Act. This will, if passed into law, ultimately put us on a path toward improved survival for pancreatic cancer and other deadly diseases. Duane, my vibrant, seemingly healthy husband of 40 years, was one of the \"lucky\" ones. He was diagnosed at Stage 1 and one of the few able to have surgery. Even so, that only bought us one more year together. I am still grieving his loss three years ago. The dreadful fact is that 80 percent of those with pancreatic cancer will die within one year of the diagnosis. A grim 7 percent will survive for five years. I know we can do better than that as a nation! I am so personally proud of and grateful for longtime friend, Congressman Walden's, key leadership in battling this terrible disease! said Linda Sindt of Medford. Colton Allen, a Talent resident living with ALS, said, One of the worst parts about living with ALS, is the feeling of complete hopelessness. Your body just starts failing and theres nothing you can do. There is no treatment, and there is no cure. You lose the ability to walk, use your hands, talk and swallow, and you eventually lose the ability to breath. Because The 21st Century Care Act gives people living with ALS hope, by providing more incentives for industry to develop treatments and cures that would otherwise be considered too expensive and too risky to develop. His wife, Tiffany, added,Hope is not easy to come by when you live with ALS. The 21st Century Cures Act is an opportunity to create a bit more hope for all of us living with diseases that are considered rare. As a registered nurse, I treat patients with medicine every day that will cure their diseases, or at least slow the progression. At home the only thing I can offer my husband is palliative care, trying to make him as comfortable as possible. We can't stop his disease, we can only plan for the worst. The 21st Century Cures Act will give the NIH a kick start and a fast track for clinical research, which will give us and all those living with ALS a little more hope for a cure. Nancy Roach, a colon cancer advocate in Hood River, said, H.R. 6 is a bipartisan bill (supported by both Republicans and Democrats) that will accelerate the discovery, development and delivery of lifesaving and life-improving therapies and transform the quest for faster cures by: Modernizing clinical trials, Incorporating the patient perspective into the drug development and regulatory review process, Investing in 21st century science and next generation investigators by providing nearly $9 billion in funding for the NIH over the next 5 years. I fully support this legislation, and hope that Congress moves forward to help patients. Research, discovery, and innovation necessary to prevent, treat, and cure the most difficult diseases depend on steady and robust funding from NIH. OHSU is deeply grateful that the 21st Century Cures legislation recognizes the critical importance of maintaining the NIH as a national priority. We commend the leadership of Energy and Commerce Committee, including Congressman Walden, in forging this meaningful legislation and facilitating OHSUs participation in this initiative. We thank the members of the Oregon Congressional delegation who voted in support of the bill, and we look forward to working with the Senate to pass their version later this year,said Dr. Joe Robertson, President of Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU). After a strong vote in the House, this bill now goes to the Senate. For a short summary of the bill, please click here. For a full summary, please click here. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-supports-bipartisan-wildfire-prevention-forestry-reform-bill", "Greg Walden supports bipartisan wildfire prevention, forestry reform bill passed by U.S. House", "2015-07-09", "2015", "2015-07", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Greg Walden supports bipartisan wildfire prevention, forestry reform bill passed by U.S. House Walden: I urge the Senate to quickly consider and pass this bill. Our forested communities have already waited too long. Now is the time to act. Click here or on the image below to watch Waldens speech in support of the bill  WASHINGTON, D.C.  As another busy fire season is already well underway in Oregon, U.S. Representative Greg Walden (R-Hood River) strongly supported a bipartisan bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives today to reduce the threat of catastrophic wildfire in national forests. The Resilient Federal Forests Act (H.R. 2647), which passed by a vote of 262-167, would bring much needed reforms to federal forest policy and help bring active management back to our forests. Speaking on the House floor in support of the bill, Walden explained the need for meaningful action on fixing broken federal forest policy. The Houses consideration of the bill is timely. As we speak brave firefighters are still trying to contain the Corner Creek fire, which has already burned nearly 29,000 acres of forest land near Dayville, Oregon. Unfortunately, this fire season is only getting started, Walden said. One look at the fires around the West makes clear the status quo isnt working for our forests, and it certainly doesnt work for our rural communities. The Resilient Federal Forests Act will help strengthen the health of our communities and our forests. I urge the Senate to quickly consider and pass this bill. Our forested communities have already waited too long. Now is the time to act. Walden further explained some of the benefits the bill would bring to Oregons rural forested communities and the people who live there. Among the many strong provisions in this bill to streamline planning, reduce frivolous lawsuits, and speed up the pace of forest management, several in particular are helpful for Oregons federal forests. For national forests in eastern Oregon, this legislation repeals the prohibition on harvesting trees over 21 inches in diameter  a measure temporarily implemented in 1997 that still hasnt been removed nearly 20 years later. This flawed one-size-fits-all rule illustrates just how broken federal forest management has become. It greatly limits the flexibility forest managers have to address site specific needs of the forest on the ground and has only become a source of frequent appeals and litigation, Walden said. Walden also explained that the bill brings much needed reforms to O&C lands in southern and western Oregon. This bill also includes legislation I wrote working with my colleagues from Oregon, Representatives Peter DeFazio and Kurt Schrader pertaining to Oregons unique O&C Lands, cutting costs, and increasing timber harvest and revenue to local counties. The BLM is also directed to revise their flawed management plan proposals to consider the clear statutory mandate to manage these lands for sustainable timber production and revenue to the counties, Walden said. For information on the O&C provisions, please click here. The bill also helps solve the long-standing fire borrowing problem by allowing the Forest Service to request FEMA disaster funds for fire suppression without having to continually rob their internal fire prevention accounts. For a summary of the fire borrowing provisions, please click here.  During the last session of Congress, the U.S. House twice passed bipartisan legislation coauthored by Walden to help reform federal forest policy. Unfortunately, the Senate failed to take meaningful action on forestry legislation. Passage of this bill continues Walden's mission to make forest policy work for Oregonians. He has been a leader in writing other bipartisan forestry plans, including the Healthy Forest Restoration Act, the Forest Emergency Research and Recovery Act, and the FLAME Act. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/us-house-passes-greg-waldens-proposal-prevent-owyhee-desert-national", "U.S. House passes Greg Walden's proposal to prevent Owyhee Desert national monument designation", "2015-07-09", "2015", "2015-07", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. House passes Greg Waldens proposal to prevent Owyhee Desert national monument designation WASHINGTON, D.C.  The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a proposal from U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) to stop the Obama Administration from making any national monument declarations in Malheur County, like the Owyhee Desert. The President shouldnt be able to lock up thousands of acres of federal land to all productive uses with just the stroke of his pen and no say from the people who are most affected. Some have identified the Owyhee Desert as a target for a national monument designation, and I have heard strong local opposition to such an action. Unilaterally locking up over 2.1 million acres of this landan area larger than the state of Delawarewould halt grazing on these lands, putting many family ranching operations at risk and damaging the local economy, Walden said. My proposal would stop the Obama Administration from unilaterally locking up the Owyhee. Public lands decisions should be made in the sunshine with full input from affected citizens like farmers and ranchers. Waldens proposal was included in a funding bill for the Department of the Interior, and prevents the Administration from using any funds to move forward with a monument designation in Malheur County.Click here to read the amendment. The amendment would also promote national monument designations in other counties in Oregon, California, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah where there has been strong local opposition to such a move. Community leaders have opposed the national monument designation and urged legislation to stop it. In a letter to Walden and Oregons Senators last year, the Malheur County Court wrote that they do not endorse, recognize, or in any way accept the proposal by the Oregon Natural Desert Association (ONDA) to create a 2.1 million acre wilderness area in Malheur County [] This wilderness area proposal is NOT in our best interest. The designation of Owyhee Desert for placement of a National Monument under the Antiquities Act would place a huge hindrance on local ranchers, said Jerome Rosa, Executive Director of the Oregon Cattlemens Association. He added that a designation would create a deficit on the availability of grazing land and irrigation capabilities currently available to local ranchers in an increasingly demanding market. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/us-house-approves-greg-waldens-proposal-delay-flawed-forest-management", "U.S. House approves Greg Walden's proposal to delay flawed forest management plan on Oregon's O&C lands", "2015-07-08", "2015", "2015-07", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. House approves Greg Walden's proposal to delay flawed forest management plan on Oregon's O&C lands ***Click here or on the image below to watch Walden's remarks in support of his plan*** WASHINGTON, DC  The U.S. House of Representatives today approved a proposal by Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) to put a stop to the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) new proposed management plan for Oregon's O&C federal forest lands. Recently, the BLM released a proposed update to their two decade old management plan in western Oregon. Despite the clear mandate in law, the BLM's proposal would harvest timber on just 22 percent of the land base, locking the remainder up in various reserves.' Oregon's forested counties, some of which have over 70 percent of their land controlled by the federal government, rely on receipts from federal timber projects to fund law enforcement, schools and other essential services. Unfortunately, under the BLM's proposal, these counties would only receive an estimated 27 percent of the historical average in receipts. While the BLM's proposed plans seems to fall far short of meeting these communities' needs, it seems the agency is determined to push forward with these plans, Walden said during debate on the measure. This amendment would simply delay the BLM's implementation of these plans, giving time for counties and interested parties to thoroughly review the more than 1,500 pages of analysis. It also gives the agency time to consider additional alternatives that better incorporate the clear mandates of the O&C Act. With Oregon's wildfire season well off to a terrible start, we need time to review these plans to get active management on these forest lands. By passing this amendment, we'll give the taxpayersthe people who live therea better opportunity to weigh in. Walden's proposal would delay implementation of the BLM's proposed resource management plan for the O&C forest lands. The BLM continues to push forward with this plan in the face of numerous concerns expressed by local counties about the planning direction throughout the process. Recently, the Oregon Congressional Delegation requested a 120 day extension of the comment period so that the counties and other interested parties have time to thoroughly review the more than 1,500 pages of analysis and provide useful input and comment. Community leaders in southern Oregon praised the amendment. By simply placing more land into reserve, these plans put our communities and forests at even higher risk of catastrophic fire and that is unacceptable. The BLM continues forward with these plans despite our repeated concerns that these plan fails to meet the needs of Josephine County residents. Delaying implementation of these plans will allow for time to find a better path for our forests and communities, said Josephine County Commissioner Simon Hare. With smoke choking our valley each summer, hurting people's health and hampering our recreation and tourism economies, it is unfortunate the BLM has released a plan that misses mark when it comes to the management our forests. Our communities deserve better and this delay will give time to start over with a different approach on these plans, said Jackson County Commissioner Doug Breidenthal. Walden's plan came as an amendment to a bill pending in the House to fund the Department of the Interior (including the BLM) for the coming fiscal year. The House is expected to pass the underlying bill later this week. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://walden.house.gov/s2015/greg-walden-lets-open-new-markets-for-oregon-products/", "Greg Walden: Let's open new markets for Oregon products", "2015-06-10", "2015", "2015-06", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) issued the following statement about a coming vote on a bill to boost Oregon exports: Oregons farmers, ranchers, and small businesses make some of the best products in the world. And our products are in demand around the globe, creating good paying jobs here at home. In fact, over 487,000 jobs in Oregon depend on U.S. trade with other counties. We win when we get a fair chance in a competitive marketplace. But if America is not at the negotiating table, other countries are writing the rules. The U.S. House will soon vote on a bill that would allow us to establish fair and strong trade rules. The bill lays out our trade priorities of fairness and competitionto whomever is in the White House. It requires any final agreement be made public for at least 60 days. And it requires an up or down vote in the Congress before any trade agreement is final. Its a win for jobs and exports in Oregon, and a win for transparency and accountability. I intend to support this bill to ensure that we can tear down barriers and open up new markets for Oregons farmers, ranchers, and small businesses.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-lets-open-new-markets-oregon-products", "Greg Walden: Let's open new markets for Oregon products", "2015-06-10", "2015", "2015-06", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) issued the following statement about a coming vote on a bill to boost Oregon exports: Oregon's farmers, ranchers, and small businesses make some of the best products in the world. And our products are in demand around the globe, creating good paying jobs here at home. In fact, over 487,000 jobs in Oregon depend on U.S. trade with other counties. We win when we get a fair chance in a competitive marketplace. But if America is not at the negotiating table, other countries are writing the rules. The U.S. House will soon vote on a bill that would allow us to establish fair and strong trade rules. The bill lays out our trade priorities of fairness and competitionto whomever is in the White House. It requires any final agreement be made public for at least 60 days. And it requires an up or down vote in the Congress before any trade agreement is final. It's a win for jobs and exports in Oregon, and a win for transparency and accountability. I intend to support this bill to ensure that we can tear down barriers and open up new markets for Oregon's farmers, ranchers, and small businesses.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-epas-expansion-federal-water-rules-threaten-farm-and-ranch", "Greg Walden: EPA's expansion of federal water rules threaten farm and ranch jobs in rural Oregon", "2015-05-28", "2015", "2015-05", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Greg Walden: EPA's expansion of federal water rules threaten farm and ranch jobs in rural Oregon  WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today released the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) decision to finalize its Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule, which would expand the federal government's authority over waterways within the U.S. All across Oregon, farmers, ranchers, and other property owners have been wondering what the EPA would try to unnecessarily regulate next. The Administration's new proposal would expand federal authority over virtually any water in the United States, including canals, irrigation ditches, and stock ponds. This blatant bureaucratic overreach could drastically increase uncertainty and threaten jobs and livelihoods in rural Oregon, Walden said. The EPA has ignored Congress' repeated rejection of similar legislative efforts to expand jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act. Of course, we shouldn't be that surprised. The agency has tried this before, and they have twice been rebuked by the Supreme Court. Earlier this month, I was proud to support a bipartisan bill passed by the House to stop implementation of this rule and send the agency back to the drawing board. I hope that the Senate will swiftly pass this bill. The economies of rural Oregon and other communities around the country face enough obstacles already. We don't need agencies in Washington D.C. erecting more hurdles and creating more uncertainty. On May 12, the Housewith Walden's strong supportpassed the Regulatory Integrity Protection Act (H.R. 1732), which requires the EPA to withdraw the rule. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-waldens-communications-and-technology-panel-approves-seven-fcc", "Greg Walden's communications and technology panel approves seven FCC transparency bills", "2015-05-20", "2015", "2015-05", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Greg Walden's communications and technology panel approves seven FCC transparency bills Walden leads passage of seven FCC transparency bills at today's meeting of the Communications and Technology SubcommitteeWASHINGTON, DC - The Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, chaired by Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River), today approved seven bills aimed at improving transparency and process at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Today's markup follows two hearings by the subcommittee examining these issues with members of the commission and expert witnesses. I am pleased that both Republicans and Democrats alike recognize the value of increased transparency at the commission and see a need for congressional action to improve the FCC's decision-making process, said Walden. We all realize the incredible reach that technology has in our lives. We live in world where we carry smartphones in our pockets, watch connected televisions at home, and conduct business by video conference in the office. The smallest entrepreneurs carry portable credit card scanners, and the largest corporations build server farms. They store our emails, map our vacations, and secure our transactions. The FCC's work doesn't only impact the industries that it regulates, but as daily consumers of communications services, our own lives as well. This is why it is so important to make sure that the FCC functions in an effective, transparent manner. These bills all go to the same purpose  to tighten up an agency, where only insiders know how to work the levers; to shine light into the dark corners of the FCC. Sunlight is nonpartisan and will show up bad behavior on either side of the aisle. These bills are a good way to instill lasting reform at an agency that impacts us all so deeply, regardless of who sits in the chair, Walden continued. The bills must now be voted on by the full Energy and Commerce Committee before coming to the full House for a vote. More information on the bills is below: A draft bill, authored by Rep. Doris Matsui (D-CA), that would require the FCC to coordinate with the Small Business Administration and issue recommendations to improve small business participation in FCC proceedings. The draft bill was approved by voice vote.  A draft bill, authored by Rep. David Loebsack (D-IA), that would require the chairman to post the commission's internal procedures on the FCC website and update the website when the chairman makes any changes. The draft bill was approved by voice vote.  A draft bill, authored by Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-NY), that would require the FCC to report quarterly to Congress and to post on the FCC website data on the total number of decisions pending categorized by bureau, the type of request, and how long the requests have been pending. The report also includes a list of pending Congressional investigations and an audited cost to the agency. The draft bill was approved by voice vote.  A discussion draft of the FCC Process Reform Act, authored by subcommitteeChairman Walden, Ranking Member Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA), and Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), that aims to increase transparency and predictability atthecommission. The draft bill was approved by voice vote.  ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://walden.house.gov/s2015/greg-walden-praises-house-passage-of-sage-grouse-bill-that-would-help-oregons-rural-communities/", "Greg Walden praises House passage of sage grouse bill that would help Oregon's rural communities", "2015-05-15", "2015", "2015-05", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Greg Walden praises House passage of sage grouse bill that would help Oregons rural communities ***AUDIO ATTACHED*** WASHINGTON, DC  The U.S. House of Representatives today approved a bill that would prohibit the Administration from declaring the sage grouse as an endangered species for 10 years. U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) is a strong supporter of the bill, and worked hard to get it passed in the House today. This bill is excellent news for farmers and ranchers in eastern Oregon. A premature listing of the sage grouse could severely impact jobs in rural communities, so a delay would give states like Oregon the breathing room to implement local conservation plans without the heavy hand of the federal government getting in the way, Walden said. I am proud that this common-sense provision passed the House with strong support today, and I hope that the Senate will quickly take action on it. Livelihoods in eastern Oregon and throughout the rural West depend on it. The sage grouse provision was included in an annual defense authorization bill because an endangered species listing could impact the militarys ability to train on key lands throughout the United States, potentially harming military readiness and national security. Walden worked closely with the House Armed Services Committee to include the provision in the defense bill. Eastern Oregon ranchers praised the bill and Waldens role in it. I am very glad to see the House act today to delay the listing of the sage grouse. A delay would lift a tremendous threat to eastern Oregon that undermines ongoing conservation efforts that myself and other local ranchers and property owners are trying to implement locally. I appreciate Rep. Waldens continued interest in this issue and work to get this legislation through the House and over to the Senate for action, said John OKeeffe, President-Elect of the Oregon Cattlemens Association. The Houses vote today passing this legislation is great news for rural communities in eastern Oregon who need the relief of a ten year delay in listing of the sage grouse. Our communities would be severely impacted by a listing, and a delay would allow us time to finish crafting a local solution that wont destroy the livelihoods of family ranches across eastern Oregon. I thank Rep. Walden for supporting this through the House, and look forward to this legislation moving through the Senate, said Bob Skinner, Secretary/Treasurer for National Public Lands Council and past President of the Oregon Cattlemens Association.  The bill was passed by the House by a vote of 269-151. It must now go to the Senate for consideration.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-praises-house-passage-sage-grouse-bill-would-help-oregons", "Greg Walden praises House passage of sage grouse bill that would help Oregon's rural communities", "2015-05-15", "2015", "2015-05", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Greg Walden praises House passage of sage grouse bill that would help Oregon's rural communities ***AUDIO ATTACHED*** WASHINGTON, DC  The U.S. House of Representatives today approved a bill that would prohibit the Administration from declaring the sage grouse as an endangered species for 10 years. U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) is a strong supporter of the bill, and worked hard to get it passed in the House today. This bill is excellent news for farmers and ranchers in eastern Oregon. A premature listing of the sage grouse could severely impact jobs in rural communities, so a delay would give states like Oregon the breathing room to implement local conservation plans without the heavy hand of the federal government getting in the way, Walden said. I am proud that this common-sense provision passed the House with strong support today, and I hope that the Senate will quickly take action on it. Livelihoods in eastern Oregon and throughout the rural West depend on it. The sage grouse provision was included in an annual defense authorization bill because an endangered species listing could impact the military's ability to train on key lands throughout the United States, potentially harming military readiness and national security. Walden worked closely with the House Armed Services Committee to include the provision in the defense bill. Eastern Oregon ranchers praised the bill and Walden's role in it. I am very glad to see the House act today to delay the listing of the sage grouse. A delay would lift a tremendous threat to eastern Oregon that undermines ongoing conservation efforts that myself and other local ranchers and property owners are trying to implement locally. I appreciate Rep. Walden's continued interest in this issue and work to get this legislation through the House and over to the Senate for action, said John O'Keeffe, President-Elect of the Oregon Cattlemen's Association. The House's vote today passing this legislation is great news for rural communities in eastern Oregon who need the relief of a ten year delay in listing of the sage grouse. Our communities would be severely impacted by a listing, and a delay would allow us time to finish crafting a local solution that won't destroy the livelihoods of family ranches across eastern Oregon. I thank Rep. Walden for supporting this through the House, and look forward to this legislation moving through the Senate, said Bob Skinner, Secretary/Treasurer for National Public Lands Council and past President of the Oregon Cattlemen's Association.  The bill was passed by the House by a vote of 269-151. It must now go to the Senate for consideration.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://walden.house.gov/s2015/greg-walden-says-sage-grouse-bill-moving-through-congress-would-be-tremendous-victory-for-rural-oregon-military-readiness/", "Greg Walden says sage grouse bill moving through Congress would be tremendous victory for rural Oregon, military readiness", "2015-05-05", "2015", "2015-05", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Greg Walden says sage grouse bill moving through Congress would be tremendous victory for rural Oregon, military readiness  Ten year listing delay included in annual House defense bill; Cattlemen and ag groups strongly support effort to allow time to enact meaningful conservation plans WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The U.S. House Armed Services Committee has approved a provision in the annual defense authorization bill that would prohibit the Obama Administration from declaring the sage grouse an endangered species for 10 years. U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) is a strong supporter of the provision, and urged the Committee to include it in its final draft. A federal listing of the sage grouse could shut down countless ranches and rural communities throughout eastern Oregon. The impacts on our economy could make the spotted owl look like childs play. And it could also severely harm our military readiness and national security, Walden said. I was proud to work with the House Armed Services Committee to include this common-sense provision in the annual defense bill. A listing delay of 10 years would give states like Oregon time to implement locally-driven management plans without heavy-handed federal mandates. The sage grouse provision was included in the defense bill because an endangered species listing could impact the militarys ability to train on key lands throughout the United States, potentially harming military readiness and national security. Efforts to protect the greater sage grouse under the federal Endangered Species Act could hurt training operations at numerous U.S. military facilities in the West, according to a new report by the Army It found that protecting the birds would restrict the availability of training lands; limit the size of training lands and ranges; restrict the use of firing points; and impose restrictions on future development and construction, the Associated Press reported last week. Ranchers in eastern Oregon praised the bill and Waldens efforts on it. A 10 year delay of a listing decision would be fantastic news for ranchers and rural communities in eastern Oregon. Listing the sage grouse under the Endangered Species Act would cause tremendous harm to our industry and communities across the West and impede the local conservation efforts that are underway. I thank Rep. Walden for his work to get this provision into legislation and look forward to it moving through the process, said eastern Oregon rancher Bob Skinner, Secretary/Treasurer for National Public Lands Council and past President of the Oregon Cattlemens Association. Ranchers and other stakeholders are working tirelessly on the local level to implement conservation strategies that benefit both the sage grouse and local ranchers and landowners. A 10 year delay of a listing decision would provide much needed time and a tremendous opportunity for these efforts to continue. I appreciate Rep. Waldens continued efforts to give these local solutions an opportunity to succeed, said John OKeeffe, President-Elect of the Oregon Cattlemens Association. An effort by Massachusetts Representative Niki Tsongas (D-Mass.) to strip the sage grouse amendment failed in the committee by a vote of 26-36. The final version of the defense bill was approved by the Armed Services Committee by a bipartisan vote of 60-2. The full House is expected to vote on the bill later this month. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-says-sage-grouse-bill-moving-through-congress-would-be", "Greg Walden says sage grouse bill moving through Congress would be tremendous victory for rural Oregon, military readiness", "2015-05-05", "2015", "2015-05", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Greg Walden says sage grouse bill moving through Congress would be tremendous victory for rural Oregon, military readiness  Ten year listing delay included in annual House defense bill; Cattlemen and ag groups strongly support effort to allow time to enact meaningful conservation plans WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The U.S. House Armed Services Committee has approved a provision in the annual defense authorization bill that would prohibit the Obama Administration from declaring the sage grouse an endangered species for 10 years. U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) is a strong supporter of the provision, and urged the Committee to include it in its final draft. A federal listing of the sage grouse could shut down countless ranches and rural communities throughout eastern Oregon. The impacts on our economy could make the spotted owl look like child's play. And it could also severely harm our military readiness and national security, Walden said. I was proud to work with the House Armed Services Committee to include this common-sense provision in the annual defense bill. A listing delay of 10 years would give states like Oregon time to implement locally-driven management plans without heavy-handed federal mandates. The sage grouse provision was included in the defense bill because an endangered species listing could impact the military's ability to train on key lands throughout the United States, potentially harming military readiness and national security. Efforts to protect the greater sage grouse under the federal Endangered Species Act could hurt training operations at numerous U.S. military facilities in the West, according to a new report by the Army It found that protecting the birds would restrict the availability of training lands; limit the size of training lands and ranges; restrict the use of firing points; and impose restrictions on future development and construction, the Associated Press reported last week. Ranchers in eastern Oregon praised the bill and Walden's efforts on it. A 10 year delay of a listing decision would be fantastic news for ranchers and rural communities in eastern Oregon. Listing the sage grouse under the Endangered Species Act would cause tremendous harm to our industry and communities across the West and impede the local conservation efforts that are underway. I thank Rep. Walden for his work to get this provision into legislation and look forward to it moving through the process, said eastern Oregon rancher Bob Skinner, Secretary/Treasurer for National Public Lands Council and past President of the Oregon Cattlemen's Association. Ranchers and other stakeholders are working tirelessly on the local level to implement conservation strategies that benefit both the sage grouse and local ranchers and landowners. A 10 year delay of a listing decision would provide much needed time and a tremendous opportunity for these efforts to continue. I appreciate Rep. Walden's continued efforts to give these local solutions an opportunity to succeed, said John O'Keeffe, President-Elect of the Oregon Cattlemen's Association. An effort by Massachusetts Representative Niki Tsongas (D-Mass.) to strip the sage grouse amendment failed in the committee by a vote of 26-36. The final version of the defense bill was approved by the Armed Services Committee by a bipartisan vote of 60-2. The full House is expected to vote on the bill later this month. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/oregon-congressional-delegation-requests-speedy-release-county-payment-0", "Oregon congressional delegation requests speedy release of county payments, details on sequester plans", "2015-05-01", "2015", "2015-05", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Oregon congressional delegation requests speedy release of county payments, details on sequester plans WASHINGTON, D.C.  Oregon Reps. Greg Walden, Peter DeFazio, Earl Blumenauer, Kurt Schrader, and Suzanne Bonamici today urged the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to swiftly release Secure Rural Schools payments to struggling Oregon counties. The program provides much needed funding for schools, roads, and law enforcement in rural forested communities in Oregon and around the country. Despite efforts in Congress and in Oregon to reform federal forest management and provide greater stability for our forested communities, county governments in Oregon continue to struggle to balance their budgets. Some are even teetering on the brink of bankruptcy. The Secure Rural Schools program provides them with much needed funding for schools, roads, and law enforcement. And it is imperative that they receive this funding as soon as possible. Within the new extension, Congress directed your agencies to deliver funding within 45 days of enactment. We strongly urge you to make these payments by June 1, 2015 or sooner and request to be notified when these payments have been distributed, the members wrote in a letter to Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell and BLM Director Neil Kornze. A signed copy of the letter is attached. The delegation also asked the agencies if the payments would be subject to the sequester, automatic, across-the-board budget cuts administered by the Office of Management and Budget. This would affect the amount of funding received by counties. We have also heard questions and concerns from our constituents as to how budget sequestration will impact Fiscal Year 2014 Secure Rural Schools payments. Since it preceded the reauthorization, the Office of Management and Budget's report from March 10, 2014 does not list Secure Rural Schools as a program subject to sequestration. Please detail for us how your agencies plan to apply the mandated sequester to the recent Secure Rural Schools extension. This is very important to struggling Oregon counties who need to budget for how much money they will receive, the members wrote. A two year extension of Secure Rural Schools payments was included in recent legislation that reforms how doctors are paid under Medicare. It passed out of the House and Senate with strong bipartisan support, and was signed into law by the President on April 16, 2015.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/oregon-congressional-delegation-requests-speedy-release-county-payments", "Oregon congressional delegation requests speedy release of county payments, details on sequester plans", "2015-05-01", "2015", "2015-05", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Oregon congressional delegation requests speedy release of county payments, details on sequester plans WASHINGTON, D.C.  Oregon Reps. Greg Walden, Peter DeFazio, Earl Blumenauer, Kurt Schrader, and Suzanne Bonamici today urged the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to swiftly release Secure Rural Schools payments to struggling Oregon counties. The program provides much needed funding for schools, roads, and law enforcement in rural forested communities in Oregon and around the country. Despite efforts in Congress and in Oregon to reform federal forest management and provide greater stability for our forested communities, county governments in Oregon continue to struggle to balance their budgets. Some are even teetering on the brink of bankruptcy. The Secure Rural Schools program provides them with much needed funding for schools, roads, and law enforcement. And it is imperative that they receive this funding as soon as possible. Within the new extension, Congress directed your agencies to deliver funding within 45 days of enactment. We strongly urge you to make these payments by June 1, 2015 or sooner and request to be notified when these payments have been distributed, the members wrote in a letter to Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell and BLM Director Neil Kornze. A signed copy of the letter is attached. The delegation also asked the agencies if the payments would be subject to the sequester, automatic, across-the-board budget cuts administered by the Office of Management and Budget. This would affect the amount of funding received by counties. We have also heard questions and concerns from our constituents as to how budget sequestration will impact Fiscal Year 2014 Secure Rural Schools payments. Since it preceded the reauthorization, the Office of Management and Budget's report from March 10, 2014 does not list Secure Rural Schools as a program subject to sequestration. Please detail for us how your agencies plan to apply the mandated sequester to the recent Secure Rural Schools extension. This is very important to struggling Oregon counties who need to budget for how much money they will receive, the members wrote. A two year extension of Secure Rural Schools payments was included in recent legislation that reforms how doctors are paid under Medicare. It passed out of the House and Senate with strong bipartisan support, and was signed into law by the President on April 16, 2015.  ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-supports-bill-increase-funding-veterans-programs-continue", "Greg Walden supports bill to increase funding for veterans programs, continue reforms at the VA", "2015-04-30", "2015", "2015-04", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Greg Walden supports bill to increase funding forveterans programs, continue reforms at the VA  WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The U.S. House today passed a bipartisan funding bill to increase resources for America's veterans and continue reforms at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) strongly supported the bill. We as a nation owe our freedom to the men and women who have served in uniform. This legislation boosts funding for important veterans services, helping to ensure they receive the care and benefits they have earned through years of service. They deserve nothing less, Walden said. Our bill also continues efforts to bring the VA into the 21st century. It contains important funding for reforms, including speeding up claims processing and modernizing electronic health records. The bill increases discretionary spending for veterans programs by 5.6% over last year's level, including funding for mental health, traumatic brain injury, and homeless veterans. It would help the claims backlog by providing an additional $163 million in funding for VA claims processing. The bill also includes $233 million in funding for modernizing the VA's electronic health record system. Click here for more info on the bill. Walden has two veterans on staff who assist Oregonians with problems at the VA, and he has already assisted over 5,000 veterans and their families. For help, please call Walden's office at 800-533-3303 or visit his website at www.walden.house.gov. Walden has been meeting with veterans in the Second Districtincluding in Bend, Sisters, and The Dalles over the past few weeksabout ways to ensure that veterans get the care and benefits they have earned through the VA. He has also listened to concerns about the implementation of the new Veterans Choice program, which helps veterans obtain care from private non-VA providers. He will continue these conversations in Medford on Saturday during a meeting with the Medford Heroes Breakfast, a group of southern Oregon veterans. For example, the law says that a veteran living more than 40 miles from a VA medical facility may go outside the system for care. Originally, the agency had calculated that 40 mile distance as the crow flies' instead of the distance it took to drive there. After Congressional pressure from Walden and his colleagues, the VA announced recently that it would rely on actual driving distance from a VA medical facility as the qualifier for eligibility for the Veterans Choice program. Walden has been a strong supporter of veterans legislation in the House, including the recently-passed Clay Hunt SAV Act to help combat veterans suicides. This bipartisan legislation was signed into law by the President earlier this year. Walden also strongly supported the Hire More Heroes Act, passed by the House in January, that would help veterans find jobs by ensuring that employers aren't penalized for hiring them due to a mandate in the new health care law.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/after-greg-walden-calls-more-public-input-forest-plan-revisions-forest", "After Greg Walden calls for more public input on forest plan revisions, Forest Service announces it will hold additional listening sessions in rural communities", "2015-04-13", "2015", "2015-04", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "After Greg Walden calls for more public input on forest plan revisions, Forest Service announces it will hold additional listening sessions in rural communities  WASHINGTON, D.C.  The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) has announced that the agency will hold at least 12 additional listening sessions on planned revisions to the Northwest Forest Plan, including in Hood River, Lakeview, Klamath Falls, and Bend or La Pine. The move comes after U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) led 10 other members of Congress from the Pacific Northwest last month in urging the agency to allow more opportunities for public input in rural communities most affected by these revisions. This is a step in the right direction, and I urge the Forest Service to continue to gather public input from the communities that will be impacted most by these revisions. But it's not enough to just collect input. The agency must carefully listen to what they hear from residents of rural forested communities as they revise the Northwest Forest Plan. If they do, they will learn a lot, Walden said. In February, USFS announced that they had only planned listening sessions in three locations: Seattle, Wash.; Portland, Ore.; and Redding, Calif. In March, Walden and 10 other members urged the agency to hold additional sessions. The Northwest Forest Plan has profoundly impacted the communities within our districts and any revisions to the plan will have a similar effect. Holding only three listening sessions disadvantages our constituents in these rural communities. Many of our constituents would have to travel several hours and hundreds of miles to participate. The cost and time commitments involved would likely present an unacceptable hardship for many residents who would otherwise participate in these sessions, the members wrote. While incorporating the latest science and revising the Northwest Forest Plan is long overdue, the Forest Service should take all steps possible to ensure that the public has ample opportunities to participate. Led by Walden, the letter was also signed by every member of the Oregon delegation (Reps. Peter DeFazio, Kurt Schrader, Earl Blumenauer, and Suzanne Bonamici), five members from Washington State (Reps. Jaime Herrera Beutler, Derek Kilmer, Dan Newhouse, Dave Reichert, and Suzan DelBene), and Rep. Doug LaMalfa from California. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-statement-passing-brady-adams", "Greg Walden statement on the passing of Brady Adams", "2015-04-07", "2015", "2015-04", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Greg Walden statement on the passing of Brady Adams WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) issued the following statement on the passing of Brady Adams, former Oregon Senate President and community leader in Grants Pass: \u00a0\u201cSeldom in our state's history has someone like Brady Adams come along. He coupled deep business experience with an even deeper compassion for those in need.\u00a0 He joyously improved people's lives while actively suppressing acknowledgement for his generosity and vision.\u00a0 He had trouble containing his \u2018inner child\u2019 and let it play out with bear villages and statues that enthralled children and employed artists.\u00a0 He served his state and community with utmost integrity and distinction, leaving both in much better shape. My prayers are with Pat and his family as we celebrate his life and mourn his passing.\u201dAdams passed away on Monday in Grants Pass. He was the long-time president of Evergreen Bank, and was President of the Oregon Senate during the 1997 and 1999 sessions.###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/katu-greg-walden-replaces-vets-stolen-flag-one-flown-us-capitol", "KATU: Greg Walden replaces vet's stolen flag with one flown at the U.S. Capitol", "2015-04-07", "2015", "2015-04", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "KATU: Greg Walden replaces vet\u2019s stolen flag with one flown at the U.S. Capitol\u00a0PORTLAND\u2014 After learning that Oregon veteran John Miller had had his American flag stolen from his home, U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) was angry. And he wanted to help make it right.\u00a0\u201cThe idea that someone would disrespect this veteran and our flag this way is shameful. I was so offended when I learned about this that I called up Mr. Miller and offered to fly a flag over the U.S. Capitol in his honor and send it to him to replace the one that was stolen. We need to send a strong message:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0you don't mess with our veterans and \u00a0you don't mess with our flag,\u201d Walden told KATU in Portland. Click here for video of Walden calling John Miller.This week, John Miller, who served in the Army during Vietnam, received his new flag at his Portland home. \u201cI was dumbfounded when I heard from him. I almost couldn\u2019t believe it at first. I can\u2019t thank him enough. I\u2019m proud that he\u2019s done this. I wish everybody would fly a flag,\u201d Miller told KATU.If you would like to order a flag that has been flown over the U.S. Capitol, Walden\u2019s office can help. Flags can be ordered in various sizes and fabrics, and you can include a personalized dedication message and request a specific flying date. Please visit his website at walden.house.gov and click on \u201cWays Greg Can Help\u201d to learn more.Walden works hard to ensure that Oregon veterans get the benefits and care they have earned through years of service. If you or a loved one needs help with the Veterans Administration or any other federal agency, please visit Walden\u2019s website at walden.house.gov or call his office toll free from the (541) area code at (800) 533-3303.###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://walden.house.gov/s2015/greg-walden-statement-on-the-passing-of-brady-adams/", "Greg Walden statement on the passing of Brady Adams", "2015-04-07", "2015", "2015-04", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Greg Walden statement on the passing of Brady Adams  WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) issued the following statement on the passing of Brady Adams, former Oregon Senate President and community leader in Grants Pass:  Seldom in our state's history has someone like Brady Adams come along. He coupled deep business experience with an even deeper compassion for those in need. He joyously improved people's lives while actively suppressing acknowledgement for his generosity and vision. He had trouble containing his inner child and let it play out with bear villages and statues that enthralled children and employed artists. He served his state and community with utmost integrity and distinction, leaving both in much better shape. My prayers are with Pat and his family as we celebrate his life and mourn his passing. Adams passed away on Monday in Grants Pass. He was the long-time president of Evergreen Bank, and was President of the Oregon Senate during the 1997 and 1999 sessions. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/20-20-walden-holds-town-halls-every-second-district-county-first-quarter", "20 for 20: Walden holds town halls in every Second District county in first quarter of 2015", "2015-04-01", "2015", "2015-04", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "20 for 20: Walden holds town halls in every Second District county in first quarter of 2015 MADRAS, Ore. \u2014 After a meeting yesterday in Jefferson County, U.S. Rep. Greg Walden announced that he has held 21 town hall meetings during the first three months of 2015, at least one in all 20 counties of the Second District (plus a second in Baker County). Walden held 25 town hall meetings in 2014, and has held 94 in the Second District since the beginning of 2012.\u201cThank you to the hundreds of Oregonians who turned out to my town hall meetings\u2014from Grants Pass to Enterprise, Hood River to Ontario. In a district as large as ours, these meetings require a lot of \u2018windshield time\u2019 between stops but they help me keep my to-do list fresh as I travel back to the Nation\u2019s Capital each week. They are another great way I keep in close touch with Oregonians, along with regular telephone town halls, phone calls, Facebook and Twitter messages, mail, and email,\u201d Walden said.Walden, who lives in Hood River with his wife, described the wide variety of questions and concerns he hears as these forums. \u201cWhile there are many national and global issues that come up\u2014from turmoil in the Middle East to balancing the federal budget\u2014I also get input on solving\u00a0 local problems here at home. Making sure our veterans have access to quality health care, improving management of federal forests, ensuring access to public lands, and providing water and power for job creation all remain top priorities for me,\u201d he said.\u201cI plan more town halls and community meetings in the weeks and months ahead. Oregonians can also keep in touch with me by sending an email through my website, friending me on Facebook, or following me on Twitter. Whether you want to let me know your views on pending legislation, ask a question about my work, or need help with a federal agency like the VA or Social Security Administration, I\u2019ll do all I can to get results for you,\u201d Walden said.Second District residents can get in touch with Walden via his website at www.walden.house.gov, find him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/repgregwalden or follow him on Twitter at @repgregwalden. Walden also maintains full time offices in Medford, Bend, Hood River, and La Grande. His offices can be reached toll free from the 541 area code at 800-533-3303.\u00a0###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/us-house-passes-extension-secure-rural-schools-strong-bipartisan-vote", "U.S. House passes extension of Secure Rural Schools with strong bipartisan vote; Walden pledges continued support for action on forestry reform legislation", "2015-03-26", "2015", "2015-03", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. House passes extension of Secure Rural Schools with strong bipartisan vote; Walden pledges continued support for action on forestry reform legislation\u00a0\u00a0 Click here to watch Walden\u2019s remarks on the House floor before the vote WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 With a strong bipartisan vote, the U.S. House today passed a two year extension of the Secure Rural Schools program secured by Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River). The extension, which was included in a bipartisan bill that reforms how doctors are paid under Medicare, provides needed funding for schools, roads, and law enforcement in rural forested communities. The measure passed by a vote of 392-37.\u201cIncluded in this bill is two years\u2019 worth of funding for the Secure Rural Schools program. Now this is like a can of flat fix: an emergency repair on the side of the road to solve a short term problem. What we really need is a permanent fix for our forested counties. But this is an emergency and what we\u2019re doing today is providing a lifeline to our school children in classrooms in rural counties that are forested under federal land, and making sure law enforcement have the resources they need. In my own state of Oregon, this will even protect some counties from going bankrupt because of lack of management and activity on our federal lands,\u201d Walden said on the House floor today before the vote.This two year extension now goes to the Senate. After the vote, Walden urged immediate Senate action. \u201cNow, the House has passed it with strong support on both sides of the aisle, and the President announced yesterday that he would sign it. Rural Oregon counties are counting on swift action in the Senate. The Senate must pass this lifeline right away.\u201dWalden also said that further action is needed in the House and Senate on a permanent solution that reforms federal forest policy. \u201cI remain fully committed to working on forestry legislation that puts people back to work in the woods, reduces the threat of wildfire, and produces the revenue to allow for self-sustaining counties and the people in them. I just hope this time, with a new majority in the Senate, we\u2019ll be able to move forward.\u201dDuring the last session of Congress, the House twice passed a bipartisan plan that Walden helped write to reform federal forest policy. Unfortunately, Senate Democratic leaders never took any meaningful action to reform federal forest policy.In September 2013, the U.S. House passed a historic forestry reform bill, the Restoring Healthy Forests for Healthy Communities Act (H.R. 1526), which included a section authored by Walden, DeFazio, and Schrader to better manage Oregon\u2019s unique O&C lands. The bill reforms federal forest policy to create jobs in the woods, improve forest health, reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire, and generate revenue for local communities to provide essential local services like schools and law enforcement.\u00a0In September 2014, due to inaction in the Senate, the House passed this bill for a second time.\u00a0While an alternative plan was eventually offered in the Senate, the full Senate did not vote on either the House or Senate versions of the bill before the end of the last session of Congress.###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-secures-two-year-extension-secure-rural-schools-funding", "Greg Walden secures two year extension of Secure Rural Schools funding for schools and counties", "2015-03-24", "2015", "2015-03", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Greg Walden secures two year extension of Secure Rural Schools funding for schools and countiesWASHINGTON, DC \u2013 U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today announced that he has secured a two year extension of the Secure Rural Schools program for local schools, roads, and law enforcement in Oregon\u2019s rural forested communities. The extension has been included in a bipartisan agreement to reform how doctors are paid under Medicare, which the House is set to vote on this week.\u00a0\u201cLast December, Speaker Boehner and I committed to extending this lifeline for rural Oregon communities by March 31. Today, we fulfill that commitment. My Oregon colleague Peter DeFazio deserves credit too for working with his leadership to support including this provision. This two year extension gives us time to continue work on a long-term plan to reform federal forest policy to grow jobs in the woods, improve forest health, and provide certainty for essential local services like schools and roads,\u201d Walden said.\u00a0The extension will provide funding to 33 cash-strapped Oregon counties. It is broadly supported by local teachers, sheriffs, first responders, and county commissioners. If the county timber payments were not extended, the consequences would be dire for public safety and education. School districts like Grant County School District 3 would be forced to choose between laying off 10 percent of their teachers, eliminating 10 days of instruction, or deferring maintenance for an entire year on their 90-year-old school facilities.According to the Josephine County Sheriff\u2019s Office, they would be forced to eliminate their remaining patrol deputies and 911 dispatchers by July without this funding. \u00a0The Department faces worse patrol shortages than nearly two years ago when a 911 dispatcher asked a woman if she could just ask a man assaulting her to go away because there were no deputies to send on weekends.House consideration of this bipartisan agreement is expected this week. If passed by the House this week, the bill would then go to the Senate for a vote.Walden pledged to continue bipartisan work to reform federal forest policy. \u201cDuring the last session of Congress, the House twice passed a bipartisan plan to reform federal forest policy. Unfortunately, Senate Democratic leaders never took any meaningful action to reform federal forest policy. I pledge to continue working hard to put forth a long-term solution to actively manage our forests to grow jobs and revenue,\u201d Walden said. \u00a0In September 2013, the U.S. House passed a historic forestry reform bill, the Restoring Healthy Forests for Healthy Communities Act (H.R. 1526), which included a section authored by Walden, DeFazio, and Schrader to better manage Oregon\u2019s unique O&C lands. The bill reforms federal forest policy to create jobs in the woods, improve forest health, reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire, and generate revenue for local communities to provide essential local services like schools and law enforcement. In September 2014, due to inaction in the Senate, the House passed this bill for a second time. While an alternative plan was eventually offered in the Senate, the full Senate did not vote on either the House or Senate versions of the bill before the end of the last session of Congress.###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://walden.house.gov/s2015/greg-walden-secures-two-year-extension-of-secure-rural-schools-funding-for-schools-and-counties/", "Greg Walden secures two year extension of Secure Rural Schools funding for schools and counties", "2015-03-24", "2015", "2015-03", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Greg Walden secures two year extension of Secure Rural Schools funding for schools and counties WASHINGTON, DC  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today announced that he has secured a two year extension of the Secure Rural Schools program for local schools, roads, and law enforcement in Oregons rural forested communities. The extension has been included in a bipartisan agreement to reform how doctors are paid under Medicare, which the House is set to vote on this week. Last December, Speaker Boehner and I committed to extending this lifeline for rural Oregon communities by March 31. Today, we fulfill that commitment. My Oregon colleague Peter DeFazio deserves credit too for working with his leadership to support including this provision. This two year extension gives us time to continue work on a long-term plan to reform federal forest policy to grow jobs in the woods, improve forest health, and provide certainty for essential local services like schools and roads, Walden said. The extension will provide funding to 33 cash-strapped Oregon counties. It is broadly supported by local teachers, sheriffs, first responders, and county commissioners. If the county timber payments were not extended, the consequences would be dire for public safety and education. School districts like Grant County School District 3 would be forced to choose between laying off 10 percent of their teachers, eliminating 10 days of instruction, or deferring maintenance for an entire year on their 90-year-old school facilities. According to the Josephine County Sheriffs Office, they would be forced to eliminate their remaining patrol deputies and 911 dispatchers by July without this funding. The Department faces worse patrol shortages than nearly two years ago when a 911 dispatcher asked a woman if she could just ask a man assaulting her to go away because there were no deputies to send on weekends. House consideration of this bipartisan agreement is expected this week. If passed by the House this week, the bill would then go to the Senate for a vote. Walden pledged to continue bipartisan work to reform federal forest policy. During the last session of Congress, the House twice passed a bipartisan plan to reform federal forest policy. Unfortunately, Senate Democratic leaders never took any meaningful action to reform federal forest policy. I pledge to continue working hard to put forth a long-term solution to actively manage our forests to grow jobs and revenue, Walden said.  In September 2013, the U.S. House passed a historic forestry reform bill, the Restoring Healthy Forests for Healthy Communities Act (H.R. 1526), which included a section authored by Walden, DeFazio, and Schrader to better manage Oregons unique O&C lands. The bill reforms federal forest policy to create jobs in the woods, improve forest health, reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire, and generate revenue for local communities to provide essential local services like schools and law enforcement. In September 2014, due to inaction in the Senate, the House passed this bill for a second time. While an alternative plan was eventually offered in the Senate, the full Senate did not vote on either the House or Senate versions of the bill before the end of the last session of Congress. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-responds-fcc-release-depression-era-internet-regulations", "Greg Walden responds to FCC release of Depression-era Internet regulations", "2015-03-12", "2015", "2015-03", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Greg Walden responds to FCC release of Depression-era Internet regulations  WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River), the chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, responded today to the Federal Communications Commission's release of its Depression-era rules to regulate the Internet. The world finally gets to read and understand just what the White House, acting by proxy via a partisan FCC vote, has done to impose the federal government's heavy hand to regulate the Internet as a utility. We look forward to working our way through the 300+ pages of this Washington manifesto. Our six-page draft legislation could prevent abuses and promote robust Internet investment  all without the overreach included in the FCC's order,Walden said, along with Energy and Commerce Chairman Fred Upton (R-Mich.) and Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Chairman John Thune (R-S.D.). Walden is the chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, which has oversight jurisdiction of the FCC. A long-time proponent of a free and open internet, Walden has proposed draft legislation to protect consumers and the Internet without resorting to the FCC's utility-style regulation. The proposal provides clear rules of the road and guarantees that Internet users will continue to be the decision makers for the content they want, while ensuring that innovation and investment continue to fuel the robust future of the Internet. Most importantly, this legislation avoids lengthy court battles that will surely come from the FCC's controversial regulation proposal. For more information on Walden's proposal, please click here and here. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-transportation-secretary-time-take-action-rail-car-safety", "Greg Walden to Transportation Secretary: Time to take action on rail car safety", "2015-03-12", "2015", "2015-03", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Greg Walden to Transportation Secretary: Time to take action on rail car safety WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) is urging Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx to finalize proposed new safety guidelines for rail tank cars. The Department of Transportation has already missed a legally-mandated deadline of January, and is now saying that the rules may come out in May. With recent accidents like the one in West Virginia, it is more important than ever that Oregonians know that rail cars passing through our communities are safe. The deadline for new rail safety guidelines has come and gone, but the Administration is still dragging their feet. Lives and property in Oregon and throughout the nation are on the line. I urge the Transportation Department to finalize these important new guidelines as soon as possible, Walden said. In the letter, Walden told Secretary Foxx of the importance of rail car safety to communities throughout Oregon, especially in the Columbia Gorge. With this delay, state and local governments nationwide are forced to continue to live with the uncertainty that comes from having the current, outdated DOT-111 tank cars moving through their communities, Walden wrote in the letter. The full text is below: Across Oregon, the volume of oil tank cars moving through the state is projected to continue to increase dramatically. In the Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area and local communities, including my hometown of Hood River, Oregon, railroad tracks run through several downtown areas and train derailments and crude oil spills could be catastrophic. First responders responsible for protecting lives and public safety during times of emergency will bear the cost of cleaning up spills and explosions because of DOT's delay, he continued. Railroad shippers, railcar manufacturers, and local communities agree: transportation of these flammable materials needs to be improved and further delays are unacceptable. I urge you to promptly finalize the Enhanced Tank Car Standards and Operational Controls for High-Hazard Flammable Trains rule, Walden concluded. Dear Secretary Foxx: I write today to express concern with the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT's) repeated delays in publishing and finalizing the proposed rule regarding Enhanced Tank Car Standards and Operational Controls for High-Hazard Flammable Trains. It has now been over 18 months since the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) first issued an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM), and I was very disappointed that earlier this year, PHMSA announced they would be delaying the release of this critical rule until May, missing the January 15 deadline established by Congress in the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act of 2015. With this delay, state and local governments nationwide are forced to continue to live with the uncertainty that comes from having the current, outdated DOT-111 tank cars moving through their communities. According to the Association of American Railroads, the volume of crude oil shipped by rail has increased from 9,500 carloads in 2008 to 400,000 carloads in 2013. And according to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), in 2013, more than 290,000 tank cars transported ethanol. Across Oregon, the volume of oil tank cars moving through the state is projected to continue to increase dramatically.  In the Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area and local communities, including my hometown of Hood River, Oregon, railroad tracks run through several downtown areas and train derailments and crude oil spills could be catastrophic. First responders responsible for protecting lives and public safety during times of emergency will bear the cost of cleaning up spills and explosions because of DOT's delay.  The lack of certainty on the proposed rule does not just affect our local communities. It also prevents private industry from investing in more advanced safety measures. Without the DOT's finalized rule, shippers will continue to use existing tank cars, delaying upgrades and purchases until the new regulations are in place. These delays not only keep older tank cars on the rails, but they also prevent companies from investing in our economy. Railroad shippers, railcar manufacturers, and local communities agree: transportation of these flammable materials needs to be improved and further delays are unacceptable. I urge you to promptly finalize the Enhanced Tank Car Standards and Operational Controls for High-Hazard Flammable Trains rule. I appreciate your prompt attention to this matter. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://walden.house.gov/s2015/pacific-northwest-members-of-congress-call-on-forest-service-to-listen-to-public-on-forest-plan-revisions/", "Pacific Northwest members of Congress call on Forest Service to listen to public on forest plan revisions", "2015-03-10", "2015", "2015-03", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Pacific Northwest members of Congress call on Forest Service to listen to public on forest plan revisions 11 members of both parties urge agency to hold additional listening sessions around the Pacific Northwest WASHINGTON, D.C.  Eleven members of the U.S. House from the Pacific Northwest wrote today to the U.S. Forest Service urging them to hold more listening sessions on upcoming revisions to the Northwest Forest Plan. The members expressed concern that sessions are only planned for three locations: Seattle, Wash.; Portland, Ore.; and Redding, Calif. For over 30 years, the Northwest Forest Plan has profoundly impacted the communities within our districts and any revisions to the plan will have a similar effect. Holding only three listening sessions disadvantages our constituents in these rural communities. Many of our constituents would have to travel several hours and hundreds of miles to participate. The cost and time commitments involved would likely present an unacceptable hardship for many residents who would otherwise participate in these sessions, the members wrote. The full text of the letter is below. Led by Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.), the letter was also signed by every member of the Oregon delegation (Reps. Peter DeFazio, Kurt Schrader, Earl Blumenauer, and Suzanne Bonamici), five members from Washington State (Reps. Jaime Herrera Beutler, Derek Kilmer, Dan Newhouse, Dave Reichert, and Suzan DelBene), and Rep. Doug LaMalfa from California. While incorporating the latest science and revising the Northwest Forest Plan is long overdue, the Forest Service should take all steps possible to ensure that the public has ample opportunities to participate, the members continued. In February, the Forest Service announced that the listening sessions would begin a public conversation on the process for revising forest land management plans in the Northwest Forest Plan amendment area The land management plans within the Northwest Forest Plan area guide how resources will be managed for 15 to 20 years. These plans are due for revision.  Jim Pena, Regional Forester  Randy Moore, Regional Forester U.S. Forest Service, Region Six U.S. Forest Service, Region Five 1220 SW Third Avenue 1323 Club Drive Portland, OR 97204  Vallejo, CA 94592  Dear Regional Forester Pena and Moore: Recently, the Forest Service announced that it would be holding three public listening sessions to begin collecting public input on upcoming revisions to the Northwest Forest Plan, one each in Seattle, Washington; Portland, Oregon; and Redding, California. While we strongly support efforts to gather public input, we are concerned by the limited number and urban focus of these listening sessions. We request the Forest Service hold additional listening sessions in rural forested communities throughout the Northwest, where the residents feel the impacts of plan changes most directly. For over 30 years, the Northwest Forest Plan has profoundly impacted the communities within our districts and any revisions to the plan will have a similar effect. Holding only three listening sessions disadvantages our constituents in these rural communities. Many of our constituents would have to travel several hours and hundreds of miles to participate. The cost and time commitments involved would likely present an unacceptable hardship for many residents who would otherwise participate in these sessions. While incorporating the latest science and revising the Northwest Forest Plan is long overdue, the Forest Service should take all steps possible to ensure that the public has ample opportunities to participate. Once again, we urge you to hold additional listening sessions in a wider variety of locations to ensure that our constituents, both urban and rural, can have their voices heard and their input considered. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-statement-passing-dave-frohnmayer", "Greg Walden statement on the passing of Dave Frohnmayer", "2015-03-10", "2015", "2015-03", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Greg Walden statement on the passing of Dave Frohnmayer  WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) issued the following statement on the passing of former Oregon Attorney General Dave Frohnmayer: Dave Frohnmayer dedicated his life to improving the lives of others through his work in higher education, health research and public office. He was bright, independent, caring and unstoppable. I have fond memories of our many times together, from when I was a sophomore at the U of O and he was teaching law and serving in the Legislature, to hosting him at our home when he was running for governor on what turned out to be the day our son was born. My prayers go out to Lynn and his family as we all celebrate his wonderful life and mourn his passing. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pacific-northwest-members-congress-call-forest-service-listen-public", "Pacific Northwest members of Congress call on Forest Service to listen to public on forest plan revisions", "2015-03-10", "2015", "2015-03", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Pacific Northwest members of Congress call on Forest Service to listen to public on forest plan revisions 11 members of both parties urge agency to hold additional listening sessions around the Pacific Northwest WASHINGTON, D.C.  Eleven members of the U.S. House from the Pacific Northwest wrote today to the U.S. Forest Service urging them to hold more listening sessions on upcoming revisions to the Northwest Forest Plan. The members expressed concern that sessions are only planned for three locations: Seattle, Wash.; Portland, Ore.; and Redding, Calif. For over 30 years, the Northwest Forest Plan has profoundly impacted the communities within our districts and any revisions to the plan will have a similar effect. Holding only three listening sessions disadvantages our constituents in these rural communities. Many of our constituents would have to travel several hours and hundreds of miles to participate. The cost and time commitments involved would likely present an unacceptable hardship for many residents who would otherwise participate in these sessions, the members wrote. The full text of the letter is below. Led by Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.), the letter was also signed by every member of the Oregon delegation (Reps. Peter DeFazio, Kurt Schrader, Earl Blumenauer, and Suzanne Bonamici), five members from Washington State (Reps. Jaime Herrera Beutler, Derek Kilmer, Dan Newhouse, Dave Reichert, and Suzan DelBene), and Rep. Doug LaMalfa from California. While incorporating the latest science and revising the Northwest Forest Plan is long overdue, the Forest Service should take all steps possible to ensure that the public has ample opportunities to participate, the members continued. In February, the Forest Service announced that the listening sessions would begin a public conversation on the process for revising forest land management plans in the Northwest Forest Plan amendment area The land management plans within the Northwest Forest Plan area guide how resources will be managed for 15 to 20 years. These plans are due for revision.  Jim Pena, Regional Forester  Randy Moore, Regional Forester U.S. Forest Service, Region Six U.S. Forest Service, Region Five 1220 SW Third Avenue 1323 Club Drive Portland, OR 97204  Vallejo, CA 94592  Dear Regional Forester Pena and Moore: Recently, the Forest Service announced that it would be holding three public listening sessions to begin collecting public input on upcoming revisions to the Northwest Forest Plan, one each in Seattle, Washington; Portland, Oregon; and Redding, California. While we strongly support efforts to gather public input, we are concerned by the limited number and urban focus of these listening sessions. We request the Forest Service hold additional listening sessions in rural forested communities throughout the Northwest, where the residents feel the impacts of plan changes most directly. For over 30 years, the Northwest Forest Plan has profoundly impacted the communities within our districts and any revisions to the plan will have a similar effect. Holding only three listening sessions disadvantages our constituents in these rural communities. Many of our constituents would have to travel several hours and hundreds of miles to participate. The cost and time commitments involved would likely present an unacceptable hardship for many residents who would otherwise participate in these sessions. While incorporating the latest science and revising the Northwest Forest Plan is long overdue, the Forest Service should take all steps possible to ensure that the public has ample opportunities to participate. Once again, we urge you to hold additional listening sessions in a wider variety of locations to ensure that our constituents, both urban and rural, can have their voices heard and their input considered. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-pleased-and-relieved-stacey-addison-her-way-home-oregon", "Greg Walden \"pleased and relieved\" that Stacey Addison is on her way home to Oregon", "2015-03-03", "2015", "2015-03", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Greg Walden pleased and relieved that Stacey Addison is on her way home to Oregon WASHINGTON, DC  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today issued the following statement after learning that Oregonian Stacey Addison has been allowed to leave East Timor and is on her way home to Oregon: I am very pleased and relieved that Stacey Addison has been allowed to leave East Timor and is on her way back home to Oregon. This is excellent news for all of us who worked to help Stacey win her freedom, especially her mother Bernadette Kero of Klamath Falls, and her large circle of family, friends, and supporters. NOTE:Walden spoke with President Barack Obama in January and last week with Secretary of State John Kerry about Addison's situation. Bernadette Kero, Addision's mother, lives in Klamath Falls. Walden met with her in December in Klamath Falls.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-reacts-address-prime-minister-benjamin-netanyahu", "Greg Walden reacts to address by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu", "2015-03-03", "2015", "2015-03", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Greg Walden reacts to address by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu  Click here or on the image below for audio of Walden's statement Walden took this photo of the Prime Minister at a reception following his address to Congress today WASHINGTON, DC  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today issued the following statement after attending Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address to the U.S. Congress: Prime Minister Netanyahu delivered a very powerful and clear message today: a nuclear Iran poses a real and urgent threat to America, Israel, and the world. I was humbled and honored to help escort Prime Minister Netanyahu into the chamber and attend his speech. I share the Prime Minister's strong concerns about the growing threat and the current path of negotiations with the Iranian regime. As threats continue to gather around the world, America must stand with Israel, our closest friend and ally in the region. And we cannot accept a bad deal that allows Iran to continue on a path to a nuclear weapon. Walden, a strong supporter of Israel, served on the escort committee that welcomed Prime Minister into the House Chamber for his address.  ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-responds-fccs-unprecedented-regulation-internet", "Greg Walden responds to FCC's unprecedented regulation of the internet", "2015-02-26", "2015", "2015-02", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Greg Walden responds to FCC's unprecedented regulation of the internet  \"Consumers, investment in state-of-the-art networks, and job creation all stand to lose from today's heavy-handed decision.\" WASHINGTON, DC  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today responded to the FCC's vote in favor of utility-style regulation of the Internet: Resorting to Great Depression-era rules will trigger a stampede to the courts, unleashing years of lawsuits and uncertainty at a time when U.S. leadership and the Internet economy are more important than ever. I believe the Internet has worked well under current rules, but I was  and I remain  willing to come to the table with legislation to answer the calls for legally sustainable consumer protections for the free and open Internet that has fostered a generation of innovation, economic growth, and global empowerment. Republicans, Democrats, consumer groups, and investors all agree that we need sustainable protections to preserve the Internet as we know it. A 3-2 party-line vote is not the policy consensus this issue deserves. Consumers, investment in state-of-the-art networks, and job creation all stand to lose from today's heavy-handed decision. And transparency has all but evaporated during this broken process. Once these rules finally emerge from the shadows, it will become clear that the FCC's action today does not end the debate. Walden is the chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, which has oversight jurisdiction of the FCC. A long-time proponent of a free and open internet, Walden has proposed draft legislation to protect consumers and the Internet without resorting to the FCC's utility-style regulation. The proposal provides clear rules of the road and guarantees that Internet users will continue to be the decision makers for the content they want, while ensuring that innovation and investment continue to fuel the robust future of the Internet. Most importantly, this legislation avoids lengthy court battles that will surely come from the FCC's controversial regulation proposal. For more information on Walden's proposal, please click here and here. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-announces-2015-congressional-art-competition-high-school", "Greg Walden announces 2015 Congressional Art Competition for high school students", "2015-02-24", "2015", "2015-02", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Greg Walden announces 2015 Congressional Art Competition for high school students  Winner's artwork to hang in U.S. Capitol; winner to receive airfare for two to Washington, D.C. to view exhibitDakota Thornton of Mountain View High School in Bend won last year's Congressional Art Competition for his artwork No Longer a Mill (above). This piece is currently on display in the U.S. Capitol.WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today announced that the 2015 Congressional Art Competition is now open to high school students throughout Oregon's Second District. This exciting annual event is a chance for artistically talented high school students to showcase their talents and have their artwork displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year. The Congressional Art Competition began in 1982 and, since then, over 650,000 high school students have entered their art work for consideration. I encourage all high school students in Oregon's Second District to share their artwork in this year's Congressional Art Competition. This is a great opportunity for young Oregonians interested in art to showcase their talents for a national audience, said Walden. A panel of local art experts will judge each student's work and choose the winner and the runners-up. Besides having their artwork displayed in the 2015 national student art exhibit in the Capitol, the winner also will receive complimentary round-trip airfare for two to visit Washington, D.C., see the exhibit and attend a reception in honor of their talent. The runners-up will be recognized locally and have their artwork hung in one of Walden's offices in Bend, Medford, La Grande, or Hood River. To enter the contest, students must submit no more than two pieces of artwork and the Student Information & Release Form by April 21, 2015. Please email photos of the artwork (JPEG format), along with the student release form to Lizzie Litzow at Elizabeth.litzow@mail.house.gov. All forms and further information can be found on Walden's website at https://walden.house.gov/art-competition ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://walden.house.gov/s2015/statement-from-greg-walden-on-gov-kitzhabers-resignation2/", "Statement from Greg Walden on Gov. Kitzhaber's resignation", "2015-02-13", "2015", "2015-02", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today issued the following statement on the resignation of Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber: John Kitzhaber has a long record of dedicated public service but sadly the circumstances of his resignation leave another stain on a chapter of Oregon history. If what we have all read is true, this may well go down as one of Oregon government's darkest moments. Many Oregonians are left wondering, how much more is to come? Will those who bankrolled what looks like influence peddling be brought to justice, too? Just how infested is our state government?", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/statement-greg-walden-gov-kitzhabers-resignation", "Statement from Greg Walden on Gov. Kitzhaber's resignation", "2015-02-13", "2015", "2015-02", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today issued the following statement on the resignation of Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber: John Kitzhaber has a long record of dedicated public service but sadly the circumstances of his resignation leave another stain on a chapter of Oregon history. If what we have all read is true, this may well go down as one of Oregon government's darkest moments. Many Oregonians are left wondering, how much more is to come? Will those who bankrolled what looks like influence peddling be brought to justice, too? Just how infested is our state government?", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/statement-greg-walden-gov-kitzhabers-resignation-0", "Statement from Greg Walden on Gov. Kitzhaber's resignation", "2015-02-13", "2015", "2015-02", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today issued the following statement on the resignation of Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber: John Kitzhaber has a long record of dedicated public service but sadly the circumstances of his resignation leave another stain on a chapter of Oregon history. If what we have all read is true, this may well go down as one of Oregon government's darkest moments. Many Oregonians are left wondering, how much more is to come? Will those who bankrolled what looks like influence peddling be brought to justice, too? Just how infested is our state government?", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-calls-end-west-coast-ports-slowdown-harming-oregon", "Greg Walden calls for end to West Coast ports slowdown that is harming Oregon agriculture, economy", "2015-02-12", "2015", "2015-02", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Greg Walden calls for end to West Coast ports slowdown that is harming Oregon agriculture, economy  WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today called for a swift resolution to the labor slowdown affecting ports up and down the West Coast. At a press conference today, Walden outlined the disastrous consequences the crisis has caused for farmers and manufacturers in Oregon, like tree fruit growers in the Columbia Gorge and potato and onion growers in Eastern Oregon. Enough is enough. These sides need to come together. I believe as someone who represents part of the Columbia River Basin that the lack of an agreement has caused severe economic hardship, not only around the ports, but also for our growers and our manufacturers. And this needs to change. I think those who are involved in this discussion about a contract have to understand that they have a special public obligation. In many respects, they are a public carrier, if you will. There are very few if any alternatives to shipping, Walden said. The pear growers in my home town of Hood River have had shipments delayed more than a month. Potato growers from across Oregon have told me that their sales are off about 15 percent. I met with onion growers out on the Idaho border. They're now shipping, if they can, at less than their production costs. And then the railways are getting backed up as well so they can't even get a railcar. Our markets are disrupted. Our people are suffering. The people involved in these negotiations have a special public interest obligation. They need to come together in something less than these nine months. Many miracles have occurred in nine months. Babies are born in nine months! You ought to get a contract in nine months. And if you can't, then we're going to do something about it. They need to get their work done. Walden was joined by 15 other members of Congress from both sides of the aisle, including fellow Oregon Representative Kurt Schrader; Washington Representatives Dave Reichert, Jaime Herrera Beutler, Cathy McMorris Rodgers, and Dan Newhouse; and California Representative Kevin McCarthy, the House Majority Leader. Walden also announced that he has cosponsored a Congressional resolution expressing the sense of the U.S. House that the port operators and longshoreman union should swiftly conclude their contract negotiations and that, if they do not, the President should use all tools at his authority to intervene in the matter and end the dispute. Click here to read that resolution. Walden has worked closely with other members in the Pacific Northwest to find ways to resolve this situation. He has successfully called for the appointment of a federal mediator in the dispute, and has written to parties involved, urging them to resolve the dispute. In a letter sent today to member of Congress, 359 Oregon companies and groups wrote that, The impacts of the slowdown of terminal activity at the Port of Portland and other West Coast container ports are severe. It is having a devastating impact on our livelihoods and the rural communities we support. Here in Oregon, we are dependent on the foreign markets for so much of what we grow and manufacture. We take full advantage of trade agreements negotiated over the past two decades which have provided opportunities to new markets; but that has now come to a halt. Our agriculture and forest products exports and imports have been extremely beneficial to our marine terminals and to the thousands of workers engaged in logistics and transport throughout the Pacific Northwest. We are now losing that cargo and those jobs. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/walden-calls-president-obama-sign-bipartisan-keystone-pipeline-bill", "Walden calls on President Obama to sign bipartisan Keystone pipeline bill", "2015-02-11", "2015", "2015-02", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Walden calls on President Obama to sign bipartisan Keystone pipeline bill  *** Click here for audio from Walden*** WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bipartisan bill to increase American energy security and grow jobs by authorizing construction of the Keystone XL pipeline. The bill passed the Senate with strong support two weeks ago, and it is now on its way to the Presidentwho has threatened a veto. U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) applauded passage of the bill and called on President Obama to drop his veto threat and sign this bipartisan jobs bill. Now, more than ever, we must increase our energy security and grow jobs in America. After years of delay, it's time for the President to finally allow the Keystone XL jobs and infrastructure project to go forward. It has been over six years since the application for the pipeline was submitted to the State Department, which has already conducted five reviews, encompassing over 22,000 pages. The final review concluded that the project would not increase carbon emissions and that construction would support approximately 42,000 jobs. These are real jobs in real communities that will help move America's economy forward, Walden said. I'm pleased that bipartisan majorities in the House and Senate have now acted to send this common-sense energy bill to the President's desk. He should drop his veto threat so we can strengthen America's energy security and create good-paying jobs. The Keystone XL Pipeline Act (S. 1) would immediately authorize the construction and operation of the Keystone XL pipeline. The application for the pipeline was first submitted to the U.S. State Department on September 19, 2008. In its latest and final environmental review, released on January 31, 2014, the State Department confirmed that construction of the pipeline would support approximately 42,100 jobs. Walden has strongly supported construction of this pipeline as part of an all of the above energy strategy to promote energy independence and grow the economy. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/walden-calls-president-obama-sign-bipartisan-keystone-pipeline-bill-0", "Walden calls on President Obama to sign bipartisan Keystone pipeline bill", "2015-02-11", "2015", "2015-02", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Walden calls on President Obama to sign bipartisan Keystone pipeline bill  *** Click here for audio from Walden*** WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bipartisan bill to increase American energy security and grow jobs by authorizing construction of the Keystone XL pipeline. The bill passed the Senate with strong support two weeks ago, and it is now on its way to the Presidentwho has threatened a veto. U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) applauded passage of the bill and called on President Obama to drop his veto threat and sign this bipartisan jobs bill. Now, more than ever, we must increase our energy security and grow jobs in America. After years of delay, it's time for the President to finally allow the Keystone XL jobs and infrastructure project to go forward. It has been over six years since the application for the pipeline was submitted to the State Department, which has already conducted five reviews, encompassing over 22,000 pages. The final review concluded that the project would not increase carbon emissions and that construction would support approximately 42,000 jobs. These are real jobs in real communities that will help move America's economy forward, Walden said. I'm pleased that bipartisan majorities in the House and Senate have now acted to send this common-sense energy bill to the President's desk. He should drop his veto threat so we can strengthen America's energy security and create good-paying jobs. The Keystone XL Pipeline Act (S. 1) would immediately authorize the construction and operation of the Keystone XL pipeline. The application for the pipeline was first submitted to the U.S. State Department on September 19, 2008. In its latest and final environmental review, released on January 31, 2014, the State Department confirmed that construction of the pipeline would support approximately 42,100 jobs. Walden has strongly supported construction of this pipeline as part of an all of the above energy strategy to promote energy independence and grow the economy. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-reintroduces-plan-preserve-and-improve-ambulance-services", "Greg Walden reintroduces plan to preserve and improve ambulance services in rural Oregon", "2015-02-10", "2015", "2015-02", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Greg Walden reintroduces plan to preserve and improve ambulance services in rural Oregon Walden talks with Doug Stewart, CEO of Mercy Flights in Medford, in front of an air ambulance during a visit last fall. Stewart has strongly supported Walden's plan to bring certainty to rural ambulance services.WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) announced today that he has reintroduced legislation to preserve emergency care in rural Oregon by ensuring that rural ambulance service providers are fairly paid for their services. The Medicare Ambulance Access, Fraud Prevention, and Reform Act of 2015 (H.R. 745) would end the uncertainty that rural ambulance services face over reimbursement from Medicare by making permanent appropriate rates for their services. Walden was joined in this effort by other lawmakers in the House and Senate from both parties. Rural ambulance services save lives and provide needed care in Oregon every day, and they must have the resources they need to provide the highest quality care. But from Grants Pass and Medford to Redmond to The Dalles, I have heard from providers how uncertainty over Medicare rates causes confusion and hampers care. This bipartisan legislation would end the uncertainty rural ambulance services face over Medicare reimbursement rates and allow them to answer calls for help no matter the day, hour, or patient's location,Waldensaid. Under current law, Medicare's rates to reimburse ambulance services are significantly below the cost of delivering services, especially in rural areas. To address this shortfall, Congress regularly passes temporary legislative fixes to give the ambulance services higher rates. Every time this temporary relief is about to expire, it threatens the availability of ambulance services nationwide. This legislation would make these rate adjustments permanent to give ambulance providers certainty. To read a summary of the legislation, pleaseclick here. Leaders in the emergency services community in Oregon praised the legislation. Mercy Flights is grateful that Rep. Walden has introduced a bill to provide much needed Medicare relief for ambulance services. It directly impacts our ability to provide lifesaving care on 911 calls every day to the citizens of Jackson County. Patients in our community depend on our quick response, highly trained EMTS and paramedics, and the latest medications and technology in their time of need. These Medicare add-ons are essential for us to maintain high quality patient care, saidDoug Stewart, CEO of Mercy Flights Inc. based in Medford. Stewart was at Walden's town hall in Medford on Friday, where the issue was discussed. We agree that Congress should ensure continued access to ambulances through permanent relief and reform. By passage of this bill, we will have the ability to develop responsible budgets on known, consistent reimbursement rates. The Walden bill will provide needed stability for us to deliver quality patient care to people in their moment of need. The bill provides added Medicare payments that are essential for us to provide lifesaving care, medications, and transport, especially in remote areas. We support Congressman Walden's bill and look forward to its passage, saidRobert F. Palmer, Fire Chief of Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue in The Dalles. AMR is proud to serve the citizens of Josephine County 24 hours a day and seven days a week. It is expensive to offer the high quality of care to all who call regardless of ability to pay. This bill will offer long term stability so we can continue to do what we do best, save lives, said Dave Mathews, Paramedic and Manager, American Medical Response in Grants Pass. Three other Democratic and Republican lawmakers in the House joined Walden in his efforts, including Reps. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Richard Neal (D-Mass.). The same measure has been introduced in the Senate by Sens. Charles Schumer (D-NY), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), and Pat Roberts (R-Kan.). Walden originally introduced this bill last year, but it did not become law before the conclusion of the last session of Congress. However, a bipartisan push to permanently reform reimbursement rates for Medicare providers across the spectrum gives this effort extra momentum. As a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Walden has long worked to increase access to quality health care in rural Oregon. He has been honored with numerous awards from health care advocates, including the American Ambulance Association's 2015 Legislative Recognition Award. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-reintroduces-plan-preserve-and-improve-ambulance-services-0", "Greg Walden reintroduces plan to preserve and improve ambulance services in rural Oregon", "2015-02-10", "2015", "2015-02", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Greg Walden reintroduces plan to preserve and improve ambulance services in rural Oregon Walden talks with Doug Stewart, CEO of Mercy Flights in Medford, in front of an air ambulance during a visit last fall. Stewart has strongly supported Walden's plan to bring certainty to rural ambulance services.WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) announced today that he has reintroduced legislation to preserve emergency care in rural Oregon by ensuring that rural ambulance service providers are fairly paid for their services. The Medicare Ambulance Access, Fraud Prevention, and Reform Act of 2015 (H.R. 745) would end the uncertainty that rural ambulance services face over reimbursement from Medicare by making permanent appropriate rates for their services. Walden was joined in this effort by other lawmakers in the House and Senate from both parties. Rural ambulance services save lives and provide needed care in Oregon every day, and they must have the resources they need to provide the highest quality care. But from Grants Pass and Medford to Redmond to The Dalles, I have heard from providers how uncertainty over Medicare rates causes confusion and hampers care. This bipartisan legislation would end the uncertainty rural ambulance services face over Medicare reimbursement rates and allow them to answer calls for help no matter the day, hour, or patient's location,Waldensaid. Under current law, Medicare's rates to reimburse ambulance services are significantly below the cost of delivering services, especially in rural areas. To address this shortfall, Congress regularly passes temporary legislative fixes to give the ambulance services higher rates. Every time this temporary relief is about to expire, it threatens the availability of ambulance services nationwide. This legislation would make these rate adjustments permanent to give ambulance providers certainty. To read a summary of the legislation, pleaseclick here. Leaders in the emergency services community in Oregon praised the legislation. Mercy Flights is grateful that Rep. Walden has introduced a bill to provide much needed Medicare relief for ambulance services. It directly impacts our ability to provide lifesaving care on 911 calls every day to the citizens of Jackson County. Patients in our community depend on our quick response, highly trained EMTS and paramedics, and the latest medications and technology in their time of need. These Medicare add-ons are essential for us to maintain high quality patient care, saidDoug Stewart, CEO of Mercy Flights Inc. based in Medford. Stewart was at Walden's town hall in Medford on Friday, where the issue was discussed. We agree that Congress should ensure continued access to ambulances through permanent relief and reform. By passage of this bill, we will have the ability to develop responsible budgets on known, consistent reimbursement rates. The Walden bill will provide needed stability for us to deliver quality patient care to people in their moment of need. The bill provides added Medicare payments that are essential for us to provide lifesaving care, medications, and transport, especially in remote areas. We support Congressman Walden's bill and look forward to its passage, saidRobert F. Palmer, Fire Chief of Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue in The Dalles. AMR is proud to serve the citizens of Josephine County 24 hours a day and seven days a week. It is expensive to offer the high quality of care to all who call regardless of ability to pay. This bill will offer long term stability so we can continue to do what we do best, save lives, said Dave Mathews, Paramedic and Manager, American Medical Response in Grants Pass. Three other Democratic and Republican lawmakers in the House joined Walden in his efforts, including Reps. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Richard Neal (D-Mass.). The same measure has been introduced in the Senate by Sens. Charles Schumer (D-NY), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), and Pat Roberts (R-Kan.). Walden originally introduced this bill last year, but it did not become law before the conclusion of the last session of Congress. However, a bipartisan push to permanently reform reimbursement rates for Medicare providers across the spectrum gives this effort extra momentum. As a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Walden has long worked to increase access to quality health care in rural Oregon. He has been honored with numerous awards from health care advocates, including the American Ambulance Association's 2015 Legislative Recognition Award. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/case-you-missed-it-veterans-thank-walden-support-grants-pass-daily", "In Case You Missed It: \"Veterans thank Walden for support\" in the Grants Pass Daily Courier", "2015-02-09", "2015", "2015-02", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "In Case You Missed It: Veterans thank Walden for support in the Grants Pass Daily Courier Local veteran Joseph Rice said he thanked U.S. Rep. Greg Walden for \"leading the charge against the Veterans Administration, trying to get the system to work\" at Friday's Stand Up veterans benefit event at the Josephine County Fairgrounds.  \"It needs to continue. A lot more needs to be done,\" Rice said. \"He's leading the charge.\"The congressman was instrumental in the opening of the new medical clinic on Williams Highway last year, and he helped pass legislation  the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act  to allow veterans to see non-VA doctors if their distance or wait time was too long. Walden (R-Hood River) said the program is just getting off the ground, and estimated that 700 veterans in Southern Oregon have the Veterans Choice Card. Bills have been introduced in the current Congress to improve and clarify that 2014 law. Walden rubbed elbows and listened to vets, before speaking at a town hall meeting at the Anne Basker Auditorium in downtown Grants Pass and dropping by the Republican Lincoln Day Dinner at the Taprock Event Center. He was impressed with what the community did for homeless vets. \"When more than 400 veterans turn out for an event like this, it says to me our job isn't done,\" Walden said. \"It also says this community really supports its vets. \"Not only are we trying to do more for veterans, we're trying to fix the root problems in the agency that delivers access to care,\" he added. Walden has also voted for the Hire More Heroes Act, exempting veterans who already receive health care through the VA or Department of Defense from being counted as part of the employee limit under the Affordable Health Care Act. Another pending bill that hits close to home is the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention Act, which would expand mental health services to veterans. Hunt, a Marine who served in Iraq, killed himself in 2008 in Texas. The bill has passed the House and Senate, and is expected to be signed by President Obama, Walden said. Rice said a Josephine County veteran of the war in Iraq, age 32, committed suicide here last week, after getting a phone call from his team leader in the war, who also killed himself. \"We lose 22 vets a day to suicide,\" Rice said. \"It's a huge problem,\" Walden added. Francis Rowan of Cave Junction, commander of Post 70 of the American Legion, also spoke with Walden. \"I told him this was a great success today, and that we need more of these in Josephine County,\" Rowan said. \"We have about 17,000 veterans in Josephine County. So we need to have more of these.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-statement-passing-former-congressman-wes-cooley", "Greg Walden statement on the passing of former Congressman Wes Cooley", "2015-02-05", "2015", "2015-02", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Greg Walden statement on the passing of former Congressman Wes Cooley WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) issued the following statement on the passing of former Oregon Congressman Wes Cooley: My thoughts and prayers are with the family of Wes Cooley during this difficult time of loss. Despite his various legal issues over the last 20 years, I know he cared deeply about the rural West and the country. Cooley, who represented Oregon's Second District from 1995-1997, passed away yesterday in Bend. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://walden.house.gov/s2015/walden-wheeler-praise-successful-spectrum-auction-in-the-hill1/", "Walden, Wheeler praise successful spectrum auction in The Hill", "2015-01-30", "2015", "2015-01", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Walden, Wheeler praise successful spectrum auction in The Hill  Spectrum Auction is Bipartisanship in Action By Greg Walden, Chairman of the Communications and Technology Subcommittee, and Tom Wheeler, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) https://thehill.com/opinion/op-ed/231196-spectrum-auction-is-bipartisanship-in-action What if someone told you that Republicans and Democrats in Washington, D.C., worked together to create thousands of new American jobs, reduce the deficit, and contribute billions to our countrys economic growth? As improbable as that may sound, it happened. On Thursday, the Federal Communications Commission completed an auction of spectrum  the radio frequencies that transmit the data that fuels our communications and economy  that will be used to expand and improve mobile broadband. Gross bids totaled almost $44.9 billion, making this auction  known as the AWS-3 auction  the highest-grossing spectrum auction in U.S. history. By any measure, this auction was a resounding success. Winning bids came in about three times higher than analysts had expected, but more important, the revenue generated by the auction will be put to productive and responsible use. The money will be used to fund FirstNet, the government agency tasked with creating the nations first interoperable broadband network for first responders, to finance technological upgrades to our 911 emergency systems, and to contribute over $20 billion to deficit reduction. In addition, the auction brought 65 Megahertz of spectrum to market to fuel our nations mobile broadband networks. The wireless industry estimates that for every 10 Megahertz of spectrum licensed for wireless broadband, 7,000 American jobs are created and U.S. gross domestic product increases by $1.7 billion. Bringing additional spectrum to market also contributes to technological innovation, greater competition, and more consumer choices. Not long ago, many people said an auction like this couldnt be done. But both parties in Congress got together in 2012 to pass legislation, which authorized the AWS-3 auction. The spectrum sold in the auction was originally being used by the U.S. military and other federal agencies before the Act passed. But after the legislation passed, bipartisan congressional and agency staffs worked to develop a plan for how to auction, relocate, and share this valuable federal spectrum without ever jeopardizing critical national security functions at the Pentagon or across the government. The auction would not have been possible without the collective efforts of a broad range of partners across the government: especially leadership of the congressional commerce committees, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, and the Departments of Defense, Justice, and Homeland Security. But the success story isnt over yet. Another spectrum boon for consumers and our economy is on the horizon. The law also directs the FCC to hold a first-of-its-kind Incentive Auction: a new, two-sided auction that harnesses market forces to repurpose spectrum voluntarily relinquished by TV broadcasters for wireless broadband. This beachfront spectrum is especially valuable. Since the AWS-3 auction successfully paid for the priorities mandated by Congress, every cent of net revenue from the Incentive Auction  after payments to broadcasters who elect to relinquish spectrum  will go toward deficit reduction. Something like the Incentive Auction has never been tried before  but neither had anything like the AWS-3 auction. As weve seen, that auctions success is a good sign that bipartisan, collaborative efforts can and do produce positive results for the American people. We hope to see the same level of dedication, cooperation, and ingenuity as the Commission and its partners work to ensure the Incentive Auction is a success. Bipartisan collaboration across the government is still very possible, and this work will help cement our countrys global leadership in mobile innovation. Wheeler is the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission. Walden has represented Oregons 2nd Congressional District since 1999. He sits on the Energy and Commerce Committee and is chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology. To read the column online, click here.  # # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/walden-wheeler-praise-successful-spectrum-auction-hill", "Walden, Wheeler praise successful spectrum auction in The Hill", "2015-01-30", "2015", "2015-01", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Walden, Wheeler praise successful spectrum auction in The Hill  Spectrum Auction is Bipartisanship in Action By Greg Walden, Chairman of the Communications and Technology Subcommittee, and Tom Wheeler, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) https://thehill.com/opinion/op-ed/231196-spectrum-auction-is-bipartisanship-in-action What if someone told you that Republicans and Democrats in Washington, D.C., worked together to create thousands of new American jobs, reduce the deficit, and contribute billions to our country's economic growth? As improbable as that may sound, it happened. On Thursday, the Federal Communications Commission completed an auction of spectrum  the radio frequencies that transmit the data that fuels our communications and economy  that will be used to expand and improve mobile broadband. Gross bids totaled almost $44.9 billion, making this auction  known as the AWS-3 auction  the highest-grossing spectrum auction in U.S. history. By any measure, this auction was a resounding success. Winning bids came in about three times higher than analysts had expected, but more important, the revenue generated by the auction will be put to productive and responsible use. The money will be used to fund FirstNet, the government agency tasked with creating the nation's first interoperable broadband network for first responders, to finance technological upgrades to our 911 emergency systems, and to contribute over $20 billion to deficit reduction. In addition, the auction brought 65 Megahertz of spectrum to market to fuel our nation's mobile broadband networks. The wireless industry estimates that for every 10 Megahertz of spectrum licensed for wireless broadband, 7,000 American jobs are created and U.S. gross domestic product increases by $1.7 billion. Bringing additional spectrum to market also contributes to technological innovation, greater competition, and more consumer choices. Not long ago, many people said an auction like this couldn't be done. But both parties in Congress got together in 2012 to pass legislation, which authorized the AWS-3 auction. The spectrum sold in the auction was originally being used by the U.S. military and other federal agencies before the Act passed. But after the legislation passed, bipartisan congressional and agency staffs worked to develop a plan for how to auction, relocate, and share this valuable federal spectrum without ever jeopardizing critical national security functions at the Pentagon or across the government. The auction would not have been possible without the collective efforts of a broad range of partners across the government: especially leadership of the congressional commerce committees, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, and the Departments of Defense, Justice, and Homeland Security. But the success story isn't over yet. Another spectrum boon for consumers and our economy is on the horizon. The law also directs the FCC to hold a first-of-its-kind Incentive Auction: a new, two-sided auction that harnesses market forces to repurpose spectrum voluntarily relinquished by TV broadcasters for wireless broadband. This beachfront spectrum is especially valuable. Since the AWS-3 auction successfully paid for the priorities mandated by Congress, every cent of net revenue from the Incentive Auction  after payments to broadcasters who elect to relinquish spectrum  will go toward deficit reduction. Something like the Incentive Auction has never been tried before  but neither had anything like the AWS-3 auction. As we've seen, that auction's success is a good sign that bipartisan, collaborative efforts can and do produce positive results for the American people. We hope to see the same level of dedication, cooperation, and ingenuity as the Commission and its partners work to ensure the Incentive Auction is a success. Bipartisan collaboration across the government is still very possible, and this work will help cement our country's global leadership in mobile innovation. Wheeler is the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission. Walden has represented Oregon's 2nd Congressional District since 1999. He sits on the Energy and Commerce Committee and is chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology. To read the column online, click here.  # # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/video-release-greg-walden-reacts-state-union", "VIDEO RELEASE: Greg Walden reacts to the State of the Union", "2015-01-21", "2015", "2015-01", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "VIDEO RELEASE: Greg Walden reacts to the State of the Union\nClick here to watch Walden's video message\nWASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today issued a video statement after the President's State of the Union Address. Click here to watch his message.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/walden-zinke-challenge-members-ohio-delegation-friendly-wager-college", "Walden, Zinke challenge members of Ohio Delegation in friendly wager on College Football National Championship Game", "2015-01-12", "2015", "2015-01", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Walden, Zinke challenge members of Ohio Delegation in friendly wager on College Football National Championship Game WASHINGTON, DC  Today, Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.), joined by Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-Mont.), challenged three members of the Ohio Congressional DelegationReps. John Boehner, Steve Stivers, and Pat Tiberito a friendly wager on tonight's College Football National Championship between the Oregon Ducks and the Ohio State Buckeyes. The terms of the bet are as follows: the unfortunate victim of defeat must wear a tie with the victor's team colors or logo on Tuesday, January 13th, as well as send a congratulatory photo, wearing the tie, to the winning team. Led by Heisman winner Marcus Mariota's quack attack,' the Oregon Ducks have already made us proud with a successful, historic season. I have little doubt that their talent and hard work will win the day' and bring home the championship tonight. As a proud U of O alumnus, I'm excited to cheer them on tonight and see my Ohio colleagues wear yellow and green on Tuesday. Go Ducks!!, Walden said. Said Boehner, I can't decide what I'm looking forward to most  Zinke and Walden's Scarlet-and-Gray ties, or the way Oregon's offense is going to be tied in knots' after Joey Bosa and the Buckeyes' defensive line are finished with them. Ohio State is a very talented team with great coaching staff and a championship legacy, but I have no doubts that the Speaker and Pat will be wearing green on Tuesday, said Zinke. Oregon is talented, explosive and hungry to win their first National Championship. Oregon has a good team, but the Buckeyes have beaten the Ducks on their way to two national titles already, and have never lost to the Ducks  we're not starting now, said Tiberi. As a life-long Buckeye fan and a proud TBDBITL alumnus, I believe Ohio State's stellar defense and ability to exceed expectations will lead them to victory. As a two- time Ohio State graduate, I believe in the Buckeyes. This team has heart, talent and teamwork, said Stivers. I'm very excited to see the Oregon Alums in Scarlet and Gray next week. I'm confident that none of our Buckeyes will have to wear ugly neon yellow and green ties. Walden and his wife, Mylene, are both proud graduates of the University of Oregon. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://walden.house.gov/s2015/in-order-to-form-a-more-perfect-union/", "\"In Order to form a more perfect Union...\"", "2015-01-09", "2015", "2015-01", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union Those timeless words begin the U.S. Constitution, the framework on which we have built the United States. The principles enshrined in this documentespecially the protection of individual liberty and maintaining a limited government responsive to the peoplering just as true today as they did in 1787. Today, the House continued the tradition of reading the Constitution aloud on the House floor at the beginning of each new session of Congress. I was proud to help start this tradition in 2011, when the new House Republican majority came into power. This reading, conducted by members of Congress from both parties, sends a strong signal that the Peoples House is dedicated to the Constitution and the enduring principles enshrined in it. The limited powers granted to the federal government by the Constitution are given by the people, for the people. It is not enough to read the Constitution, though. The Congress (and the President) must listen to it. We are a nation of laws, not of men. And the Congress and the President must adhere to the Constitution and the finite list of powers granted to the federal government. Thats why I strongly support the requirement (renewed this week by the new Congress) that every bill introduced by the House contain a statement citing the text of the Constitution which authorizes it. I pledge to continue to work hard to follow the principles enshrined in the Constitution and to ensure that (in the words of President Lincoln) that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth. Its an honor to represent you in the U.S. Congress. - Greg", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/order-form-more-perfect-union", "In Order to form a more perfect Union...", "2015-01-09", "2015", "2015-01", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union Those timeless words begin the U.S. Constitution, the framework on which we have built the United States. The principles enshrined in this documentespecially the protection of individual liberty and maintaining a limited government responsive to the peoplering just as true today as they did in 1787. Today, the House continued the tradition of reading the Constitution aloud on the House floor at the beginning of each new session of Congress. I was proud to help start this tradition in 2011, when the new House Republican majority came into power. This reading, conducted by members of Congress from both parties, sends a strong signal that the People's House is dedicated to the Constitution and the enduring principles enshrined in it. The limited powers granted to the federal government by the Constitution are given by the people, for the people. It is not enough to read the Constitution, though. The Congress (and the President) must listen to it. We are a nation of laws, not of men. And the Congress and the President must adhere to the Constitution and the finite list of powers granted to the federal government. That's why I strongly support the requirement (renewed this week by the new Congress) that every bill introduced by the House contain a statement citing the text of the Constitution which authorizes it. I pledge to continue to work hard to follow the principles enshrined in the Constitution and to ensure that (in the words of President Lincoln) that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth. It's an honor to represent you in the U.S. Congress. - Greg", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/us-house-passes-bipartisan-bills-help-veterans-find-jobs-lift-burdens", "U.S. House passes bipartisan bills to help veterans find jobs, lift burdens on hourly workers and small businesses", "2015-01-08", "2015", "2015-01", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. House passes bipartisan bills to help veterans find jobs, lift burdens on hourly workers and small businesses WASHINGTON, D.C.  As the new Congress convened this week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed bills championed by U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) to help veterans find jobs and lift burdens on American workers and small businesses. Walden was a cosponsor of both bills, which passed the House with bipartisan support. In a video messageafter passage of the bills, Walden said, With the new Congress in session this week, we've already passed bills to grow jobs, provide opportunities for our veterans, and protect small businesses from some of the worst abuses of Obamacare. The first bill, the Hire More Heroes Act (H.R. 22), exempts veterans who already are receiving their healthcare provided through either the Veterans Administration or the Department of Defense from being counted as a part of the employee limit under the new health care law. By exempting these veterans, we reduce costs and confusion for small businesses, and thereby help create new opportunities for members of our military as they return to civilian life. This is a win for jobs and our veterans, Walden said. H.R. 22 passed the U.S. House unanimously on Tuesday. The House also passed the Save American Workers Act (H.R. 30), which would protect millions of hourly workers from the healthcare law's change to the definition of full-time employee. By defining full-time work as 30 hours per week instead of 40, the healthcare law puts over 2 million American workers at risk of having their hours and wages cut.The majority of the workers most likely to be hurt by this change are women, as well young workers and people without a college degree, Walden said.H.R. 30 would restore the definition of full time to 40 hours per week. Oregon small business leaders praised passage of this bill. The 30-hour full-time definition is already resulting in less opportunities, fewer hours and lower incomes for employees, said Jan Meekcoms, Oregon state director for the National Federation of Independent Business. To re-calibrate the definition of full time employment to 40 hours within Obamacare is a big deal to our members. Passage of HR 30 is a step in the right direction to start rebuilding confidence within Oregon's small business community and would have a positive impact on job growth. Walden urged swift Senate action on the plans. My wife and I owned small businesses in Oregon for nearly 20 years. I know what it takes to sign both the front and the back of a paycheck. And I know that Congress needs to have a bipartisan focus on policies that grow our economy and create jobs in America. I hope that the Senate will soon send these common sense bills to the President's desk so we can help get more Americans back to work, Walden said. Both of these bills had passed the House with strong support in the last session of Congress, but were not brought up for a vote in the U.S. Senate. The new Republican majority in the Senate has pledged to take action on these bipartisan bills. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 69, "expanded_columns": [], "expandable_columns": [], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "units": {}, "query": {"sql": "select url, title, date, year, month, party, chamber, state, member_name, bioguide_id, domain, scraper, source, date_source, text, has_text, collected_at, updated_at from releases where \"party\" = :p0 and \"state\" = :p1 and \"year\" = :p2 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "Republican", "p1": "OR", "p2": "2015"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=OR&year=2015", "results": [{"value": "Republican", "label": "Republican", "count": 69, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=OR&year=2015", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=OR&year=2015", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 69, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=OR&year=2015&chamber=House", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=OR&year=2015", "results": [{"value": "OR", "label": "OR", "count": 69, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&year=2015", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=OR&year=2015", "results": [{"value": "2015", "label": "2015", "count": 69, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=OR", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": null, "next_url": null, "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 169.60097197443247, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}