{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where party = \"Republican\", state = \"OR\" and year = 2016 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-nominates-oregon-students-acceptance-us-service-academies-1", "Greg Walden nominates Oregon students for acceptance to U.S. service academies", "2016-12-21", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Greg Walden nominates Southern Oregon students for acceptance to U.S. service academies \nMedford -- U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) announced today that he has nominated 15 Oregon students for acceptance to one of the prestigious United States service academies. Walden\u2019s Service Academy Nomination Board -- active and retired military officers who interview potential candidates for the service academies -- recommended each student based on their academic performance, extracurricular involvement, and character.\n\u201cI am honored and privileged to nominate these remarkable young Oregonians to our nation\u2019s service academies,\u201d Walden said. \u201cTheir years of hard work and dedication have led to these much deserved nominations. These students have shown a desire to grow intellectually, lead by example, and serve their country by pursuing a higher education at one of our country\u2019s select service academies. I am confident that each will be successful in this admirable endeavor, and that America\u2019s future is in good hands.\n\u201cI\u2019d like to thank my Service Academy Nomination Board for recommending these young leaders. Their service to our country and experience wearing our nation\u2019s uniform speaks to the character of the students they interviewed and referred for nomination. These nominations would not be possible without their guidance and understanding of what it takes to excel and succeed at the U.S. service academies,\u201d said Walden. Serving on Walden\u2019s Service Academy Nomination Board are: retired U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Frank Toney, retired U.S. Navy Capt. Harriet Harris, retired U.S. Navy Cmdr. John Howard, retired U.S. Marine Corps. Lt. Col. Richard Halsted, and Oregon Army National Guard Lt. Col. Travis Lee.\nThe service academies include the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado; the Military Academy at West Point, New York; the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland; and the Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York. Final selection for admission to the service academies will be determined by officials at each respective academy this spring.\nStudents who are interested in learning more about service academy nominations can visit Walden\u2019s website at https://walden.house.gov/academynominations.\nThe nominees are as follows:\nDeschutes County\nKade Sundvall, son of Timothy & Laura Sundvall of Sisters, attending Stafford High School in Fredericksburg, Virginia -- nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy and the U.S. Naval Academy.\nJackson County\nJesse Carroll, son of Robert & Jennifer Carroll of Ashland, attending Ashland High School -- nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy, and the U.S. Military Academy.\nDaniel Edmund, son of David & Kim Edmund of Central Point, attending North Medford High School -- nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy, and the U.S. Military Academy.\nGriffin Hokanson, son of Matthew & Jill Hokanson of Central Point, attending Crater School of Business, Innovation, and Science -- nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy and the U.S. Military Academy\nPatrick Royal, son of Joel & Debra Royal of Central Point, attending South Medford High School -- nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy.\nJax Bell, son of Paul & Stephanie Bell of Eagle Point, attending Eagle Point High School -- nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy.\nGrady Wells, son of Sara Prendergast of Jacksonville & Bill Cruze of Medford, attending Logos Charter School -- nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy.\nJefferson County\nSavannah Holliday, daughter of Alfredo Holliday & Rose Ball of Warm Springs, attending Madras High School -- nominated to the\u00a0 U.S. Military Academy.\nJosephine County\nGage Flaming, son of Tyler Flaming of Grants Pass & Laura Buksar of Wilsonville, attending Grants Pass High School -- nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy.\nKlamath County\nDaniel Cooper, son of John & Laurie Cooper of Klamath Falls, graduate of Hosanna Christian School and attending Oregon Institute of Technology -- nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy.\nJesse Kandra, son of Loren & Denise Kandra of Merrill, attending Lost River Jr./Sr. High School -- nominated to the U.S. Military Academy.\nMatthew Yuchniuk, son of Scott & Debbie Yuchniuk of Klamath Falls, attending Mazama High School -- nominated to the U.S. Military Academy.\nUmatilla County\nHayden Scott, son of Paul & Kara Scott of Athena, attending Weston-McEwen High school -- nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy, and the U.S. Military Academy.\nUnion County\nWyatt Perry, son of Andy & Michelle Perry of La Grande, attending La Grande High School -- nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy.\nWasco County\nWilliam Decker, son of Stan & Tanya Decker of The Dalles, attending Horizon Christian School -- nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-applauds-signing-21st-century-cures-act", "Greg Walden applauds signing of 21st Century Cures Act", "2016-12-14", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "VIDEO RELEASE:\u00a0\u00a0Greg Walden applauds signing of 21st Century Cures Act \n \u201cThis plan will help save the lives of countless patients and bring hope to their families. I\u2019m proud that it is now the law of the land.\u201d\u00a0 \nWASHINGTON, D.C. --\u00a0U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.) today praised a new disease research initiative -- the 21st Century Cures Act -- after it was signed into law by the President at the White House today. Walden was a strong supporter of the bill, which cleared the House and Senate with overwhelmingly bipartisan votes.\u00a0\n\u201cAll of us know someone who has fought a horrible disease like cancer, Alzheimer\u2019s, diabetes, and multiple sclerosis. This plan will help save the lives of countless patients and bring hope to their families. I\u2019m proud that it is now the law of the land,\u201d Walden said.\u00a0\nThe signing of the 21st Century Cures Act represents the culmination of many years of work by the Energy and Commerce Committee and its chairman, Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.). \u201cNone of this work would have been possible without the tireless work of Fred Upton, his staff, and his partners on both sides of the aisle. Millions of patients and their families owe them a debt of gratitude.\u201d\u00a0\nOver the past two years, Walden held seven roundtable meetings with patients and health care professionals in southern, central, and eastern Oregon to solicit feedback on the 21st Century Cures Act and how it can improve the lives of people in Oregon and nationwide.\u00a0\nOf 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.\u00a0\nFor testimonies from Oregon researchers, health professionals, and patients themselves in support of the 21st Century Cures Act, please click here.\nThe 21st Century Cures Act also brings sweeping reforms to the treatment of drug addiction and mental illness, largely based off of the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act (H.R. 2646), a separate bill Walden cosponsored that passed the House in July.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-names-experienced-policymaker-ray-baum-energy-and-commerce", "Greg Walden names experienced policymaker Ray Baum as Energy and Commerce Committee Staff Director, thanks Gary Andres for his many years of dedicated service", "2016-12-06", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Greg Walden names experienced policymaker Ray Baum as Energy and Commerce Committee Staff Director, thanks Gary Andres for his many years of dedicated service\u00a0 \n Baum brings deep experience as long-time Energy and Commerce staffer, state regulatory board chairman, Oregon House Majority Leader\u00a0 \nWASHINGTON, DC --\u00a0U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.) announced today that Ray Baum will bring his decades-long experience in policy making back to Capitol Hill as Staff Director of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Last week, Walden was elected by his colleagues as Chairman of that Committee, which has broad jurisdiction over health care, energy, and telecommunications policy. Baum will replace Gary Andres.\u00a0\u00a0\n\u201cRay Baum is a gifted policy leader and a true pro who will bring nearly three decades of policy experience to the Committee\u2019s top staff role. As a long-time Energy and Commerce staffer, state regulatory board chairman, and Oregon House Majority Leader, Ray has put into place common-sense policies to help consumers and grow jobs in America. We\u2019re fortunate to have him on our team.\u00a0\n\u201cI\u2019d like to thank outgoing Staff Director Gary Andres for his long record of dedicated service to the Committee. Gary is a remarkable leader who has done great work for the American people. I will continue to turn to him for advice, counsel, and friendship,\u201d Walden said.\u00a0\nBaum, a native of La Grande, Oregon, joined the staff of the Energy and Commerce Committee in 2011, serving as senior policy advisor and chief strategist on state initiatives, cybersecurity, telecommunications, and technology. Prior to that, he served as the Chairman of the Oregon Public Utility Commission, as well as the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners Telecommunications Committee. He has chaired the Oregon Broadband Advisory Council, served as a member of the Board of Directors of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC), and was state chair of the Federal\u2013State Joint Board on Universal Service.\nWalden and Baum were both elected to the Oregon state House of Representatives in 1988. Baum served in the legislature for eight years, the last two as House Majority Leader. He holds a B.A. from Brigham Young University and a J.D. from Willamette University.\u00a0\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-applauds-passage-landmark-medical-research-and-disease", "Greg Walden applauds passage of landmark medical research and disease prevention bill", "2016-12-01", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "VIDEO RELEASE: Greg Walden applauds passage of landmark medical research and disease prevention bill\u00a0 \n The 21st Century Cures Act will help Americans live longer, healthier lives \nClick here or on the image above to watch Walden\u2019s speech in support of the bill\nWASHINGTON, D.C. --\u00a0The U.S. House of Representatives today passed the 21st Century Cures Act (H.R. 34), a sweeping, bipartisan initiative cosponsored by Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) to bring hope to millions of Americans suffering from deadly diseases.\u00a0\n\u201cThis really means a lot. This will make a difference in real people\u2019s lives back home in our communities. And I\u2019ve heard from those people, like Carol Fulkerson in Bend, who has MS. She\u2019s ecstatic about this. She said \u2018it\u2019s a great step toward making it possible to find a cure to MS.\u2019 Can you imagine what that means in a person\u2019s life?\u201d said Walden in support of the bill. \u201cThese are critical reforms and improvements on mental health and substance abuse programs, as we\u2019ve heard. These changes will help people all across America, and certainly in Oregon.\u201d\nOf 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. The 21st Century Cures Act also brings sweeping reforms to the treatment of drug addiction and mental illness, largely based off of the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act (H.R. 2646), a separate bill Walden cosponsored that passed the House in July.\nWalden has held seven roundtable meetings with patients and health care professionals in southern, central, and eastern Oregon to solicit feedback. He spoke of input he received from community health providers in Oregon such as Judy Kennedy, Director of Marketing at Interpath Laboratory in Pendleton, who would benefit from this initiative. And Walden talked about Oregonians like Justin Hon and Carol Fulkerson, whose lives will be positively impacted by the hope 21st Century Cures brings to patients and their families. He concluded by saying, \u201cWe\u2019re going to do so much to improve the health -- both mental and physical -- of the lives of the people we represent when this legislation becomes law. I think it is an enormous step forward in so many ways.\u201d\nThe research and technology community in Oregon praised this bill. \u201cThe 21st Century Cures Act is important new legislation that will help our country leverage the benefits of Precision Medicine-based approaches for improved public health, as well as improved efficiency and success rates in the development of new medicines. It provides much needed funding to expand the use of these specific, molecular approaches to understanding disease. Furthermore, it provides the framework and funding for speeding up\u00a0the process of getting these new approaches to the patients that need them most. As a Bend, Oregon-based company, we are enthusiastic about the leadership role that Oregon is taking, both in Congress and in the private sector, in this space. We believe that the changes this Act will encourage will lead to improved public health and profitable medicines.\u201d said Dr. Adam Carroll, Chief Science Officer of Amplion Inc. in Bend.\n\u201cClinical laboratory services are vital to the promise of precision medicine, providing physicians the tools needed to ensure individuals receive the right treatment at the right time.\u00a0 Community laboratories in Oregon employ a skilled scientific workforce right in the community, bringing the more precise diagnostic testing services to rural and other underserved communities across the state. It is reassuring to know our leaders recognize the devastation and cost of chronic diseases. The funding will put an emphasis on solving this significant burden in the U.S. We are thankful for that.\u201d\u00a0said Judy Kennedy, Director of Marketing at Interpath Laboratory in Pendleton about the provisions advancing precision medicine in the bill.\nPatients in Oregon suffering debilitating diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and addiction also lauded the initiative. \u201cAs a person who has lived with Multiple Sclerosis for almost 24 years, and having made many friends who also live with MS, I have seen a wide range of issues related to MS. Many people experience a reduced ability to lead their lives independently and\u00a0have been impacted by lost or reduced income, and needed medical care brings significant increases in health care and medicine costs.\u00a0 The 21st Century Cures Act will benefit a large segment of society, is a great step towards making it possible to find a cure for MS, will improve the quality of life for people who live with MS and their loved ones, and will give researchers access to vital information.\u201d said Carol Fulkerson, an MS advocate in Bend.\n\u201cDrug addiction and mental health issues go hand\u00a0in hand. My addiction manifested for 20 plus years because I never got the right diagnosis or mental health support early on. It wasn't until I was an adult with numerous convictions for drugs, and after multiple attempts at treatment, did I finally get the help I needed through dual diagnosis treatment program where they got to the core of my addiction and why I was using drugs,\u201d noted Justin Hon, a Medford resident who overcame his battle with addiction through a dual diagnosis treatment program that got to the root of his addiction. \u00a0\u201cSo my opinion is we definitely need a boost in resources to help people in need and to save their lives.\u201d Provisions in the 21st Century Cures Act represent the most significant reforms to the mental health system in more than a decade, including funding for addiction treatment programs like the one that helped Justin overcome his own battle.\u00a0\nThis bill represents an agreement between House and Senate leaders.\u00a0After receiving strong support in the House, this bill now heads to the Senate for final approval, expected in the coming days.\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-selected-chairman-house-energy-and-commerce-committee", "Greg Walden selected as Chairman of House Energy and Commerce Committee", "2016-12-01", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Greg Walden selected as Chairman of House Energy and Commerce Committee \u00a0 \nWASHINGTON, D.C. -- The House GOP Steering Committee today elected\u00a0U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.) \u00a0to serve as the next Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Walden released the following statement:\u00a0\n\u201cI am deeply honored to earn the support\u00a0of my colleagues to chair this incredibly important committee.\u00a0 Americans are\u00a0looking\u00a0for big improvements out of Washington, and that\u2019s just what we\u2019re going to give them as we work\u00a0with the Trump Administration, the Senate, and the governors, to move forward on the Better Way agenda.\u00a0 Our work will focus on what\u2019s best for consumers, on creating better paying jobs and\u00a0providing\u00a0patient-centered health care.\n\u201cI commend my friends and fellow committee members,\u00a0former Chairman Joe Barton and Subcommittee Chairman John Shimkus, for stepping forward to compete for this chairmanship.\u00a0 They are talented legislators and leaders to whom I will turn for help as we\u00a0embark on our legislative work. I also want to thank outgoing Chairman Fred Upton who proved again yesterday with overwhelming passage of the 21st\u00a0Century Cures legislation, that our committee does great, bipartisan work for the American people,\" said Walden.\nWalden said he and other committee chairs will not make subcommittee\u00a0chairmanship decisions until after the Steering Committee finalizes committee rosters in early January. \u00a0\nAbout the Energy and Commerce Committee\u00a0\nAs the oldest standing legislative committee in the U.S. House, the Energy and Commerce Committee has broad jurisdiction. It has responsibility for the nation's telecommunications, consumer protection, food and drug safety, public health research, environmental quality, energy policy, and interstate and foreign commerce. Walden is the first Energy and Commerce Chairman from the Pacific Northwest.\u00a0\nFor a complete history of the committee,\u00a0please click here.\u00a0\nAbout Greg Walden\u00a0\nGreg Walden represents the people of Oregon's Second Congressional District, which includes 20 counties in central, southern, and eastern Oregon. Walden, 59, is a lifelong Oregonian whose ancestors came to Oregon by wagon train in 1845. He graduated from the University of Oregon with a degree in journalism. He and his wife, Mylene, owned and operated small market radio stations in Oregon for 21 years.\u00a0\nIn 1998, he was elected to the U.S. House, winning a seat on the Energy and Commerce Committee in 2001. Since 2011, he has served as Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology. He\u2019s also served four years as Deputy Chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) and four years as Chairman.\u00a0\u00a0\nWalden served eight years in the Oregon Legislature before coming to Congress.\u00a0 In addition to his small business and legislative experience, Walden also served several years on various boards, including\u00a0a local community hospital board, a community bank board, the Oregon Health Sciences Foundation board, and the Associated Oregon Industries board.\u00a0 He\u2019s a Member of the Elks, and Rotary International, and is an Eagle Scout.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/case-you-missed-it-walden-meets-local-veterans-continues-work-ensure", "In Case You Missed It: Walden meets with local veterans, continues work to ensure they get the benefits and care theyve earned", "2016-10-25", "2016", "2016-10", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "In Case You Missed It: Walden meets with local veterans, continues work to ensure they get the benefits and care they\u2019ve earned \nU.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) has worked hard to make sure Oregon veterans get the care and benefits they\u2019ve earned through years of service. He\u2019s worked on legislation that improves healthcare options and resources for veterans, boosts flexibility, and brings transparency and accountability to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in Washington, D.C.\u00a0 and across the country at\u00a0 clinics and hospitals.\u00a0 He\u2019s also assisted over 5,000 veterans and their families with issues involving their benefits and care at the VA.\nIn recent days, Walden has met with veterans in Medford, Klamath Falls, La Pine, Madras, Hermiston, Enterprise, Milton-Freewater, and La Grande to learn more about what\u2019s working at the VA and what more needs to be done. Read on for excerpts from local news coverage of these meetings.\nAnd today Walden penned a special newsletter message to constituents on the recent meetings and the stories he heard from Oregon veterans.\u00a0Click here to read Walden\u2019s newsletter.\n\u201cWe owe those who wear, and have worn, our nation\u2019s uniform so much of what we cherish in this country, including our freedoms and our way of life. But, too often, they aren\u2019t getting what they\u2019ve been promised by the federal government. A glaring example of this is in California, where thousands of soldiers are being told they have to repay bonuses offered to them for their service in the National Guard. If the Department of Defense made a mistake in awarding the bonuses in the first place, the burden of the mistake shouldn\u2019t fall on the soldier. It\u2019s disgraceful. That\u2019s why the House Majority Leader announced yesterday that the House will fully investigate these reports to ensure these soldiers get what they were promised,\u201d\u00a0Walden wrote.\u00a0\u00a0\n\u201cSeveral years ago, I helped resolve a similar issue facing members of the Oregon National Guard. It began when Chelsea Wells, a Guard soldier from Milton-Freewater, was told by the National Guard Bureau that she would not receive her enlistment bonus due to a paperwork glitch on their part. She contacted me, and I told the Guard that that they had to make things right, not only for PFC Wells but also for the 75 service members in Oregon and 5,449 nationwide who had their bonuses improperly denied due to that issue. We got results.\n\u201cOver the past week, I\u2019ve had the honor of meeting with a wide range of veterans -- and the people who advocate on their behalf--from White City and Klamath Falls, to La Pine and Madras, to Hermiston and Enterprise.\u00a0 Much of what I heard echoed the same theme: our veterans deserve much better than they are getting from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in Washington, D.C. Addressing this problem is job number one for me.\u201d\n Walden listens to veteran concerns during Hermiston VFW stop \nWalden shared with veterans in attendance the work that Congress has done to promote their welfare, including the recent passage of an appropriations bill that allocated additional funding for veteran health care and housing in rural areas.\n\u201cAdditional help is on the way for that,\u201d he said.\nAfter the 2014 controversy caused by revelations that the Department of Veterans Affairs had been covering up the extent of its claims backlog while veterans died waiting for care, Walden said Congress has worked to hold the VA more accountable.\nThey have begun requiring quarterly reports on the backlog and have improved whistle blower protections for VA employees who come forward about unethical practices. They also banned the practice of giving administrators bonuses despite failing to meet their performance standards, and expanded the Secretary of Veterans Affairs\u2019 power to hire and fire VA employees who are performing poorly.\nAfter veterans in attendance complained that all of that has not seemed to fix the backlog of claims and appeals at the VA, Walden agreed with them that Department of Veterans Affairs administrators should be doing more to fix the VA\u2019s ongoing problems on their own instead of waiting for mandates from Congress.\nClick here to read more\n Walden: Navigating VA bureaucracy is a big problem \n  \n\tU.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) says as he travels through his district and listens to calls for help to his office from his constituents, the number-one cry for help comes from veterans trying to get benefits from the Veterans Administration, which he calls a massive bureaucracy.\n\u201cWe come in to try and help navigate through the process,\u201d he said. \u201cI do hear that, for the most part, if veterans can get through the process they\u2019re pleased with the quality of the health care they get, especially at Walla Walla.\u201d\nWalden said the request for help from veterans to his office are enough work to keep two full-time employees busy. He said 50 percent of all their calls for help come from veterans.\nClick here to read more\n Rep. Walden meets with veterans in Enterprise \nWalden also described the accountability measures added to recent bills the House passed before adjourning for the elections.\n\u201cIt astounds me that it takes two years for an appeal to a veteran claim to be processed,\u201d said Walden. \u201cThe VA funding bill we passed calls for VA employees to report their daily work, same as my sales representatives did when I owned a radio business.\u201d\nWalden also discussed veterans\u2019 mental health care, especially in regards to the suicide rate.\n\u201cThe Vietnam veterans, in coming out of Vietnam, were told to get over it and go home. That was wrong. We learned we want to provide better mental health care services to veterans, especially in regard to (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder).\n\u201cBut I\u2019m not here to talk, I\u2019m here to listen.\u201d\nClick here to read more\n Walden visits student veterans \n Frustrations center around resources and medical care \nRep. Greg Walden held a casual get-together with veterans-turned-students at Eastern Oregon University on Friday afternoon.\n[\u2026]\nThis was one stop of many for Walden recently. He said he\u2019s been meeting with veterans to see what\u2019s been working in the system and what hasn\u2019t.\n\u201cIt\u2019s pretty much the same frustrations,\u201d he said of the common complaints. \u201cGetting access to health care in a timely manner. Getting the care they need.\u201d\nThe issue of medical care was brought up at EOU on Friday. The student vets said it is difficult to get the\u00a0  \n\tmedical care they need here in La Grande.\nWalden said that\u2019s not a unique issue.\n\u201cOutside of Medford at their VA clinic, two-thirds of the physician positions are vacant,\u201d Walden said. \u201cWherever you are, there are going to be issues. There\u2019s delay of care.\u201d\nWalden cited computer problems as the main culprit.\n\u201cWe\u2019re not building rockets,\u201d he said. \u201cWe\u2019re trying to push the VA to update their software to commercial software instead of using their own. That\u2019s what we\u2019re working on. My job is to cut through the red tape. Working with vets is half the case work that comes through my office.\u201d\nClick here to read more\n Walden gets an earful from student veterans \nSome 15 armed services veterans met with Congressman Greg Walden on the Oregon Institute of Technology campus Tuesday and nearly every one of them had a frustrating story to tell when it comes to working with the Veterans Association and health care.\nWalden, R-Ore., is touring his district collecting stories in hopes of improving the VA. Of some of the issues he\u2019s heard, he remarked, \u201cYou can\u2019t make this stuff up.\u201d\n\u201cI struggle with the fact that I can order my hotel rooms over the next few days online or get a rental car,\u201d Walden noted, \u201cbut you can\u2019t set a medical appointment with the VA online at all. There\u2019s got to be a better way to do this.\u201d\nClick here to read more.\u00a0\n Walden meets with local Band of Brothers \nThere are more than 300,000 veterans in Oregon and a state survey shows that only 3 out of 10 access all of the benefits available to them. That\u2019s one of the reasons why U.S. Representative Greg Walden paid a visit to the La Pine Band of Brothers today, to hear their stories, and tell them help is on the way.\nClick here to watch coverage from KOHD Central Oregon Daily\n Rep. Greg Walden Meets With Southern Oregon Veterans \nRep. Greg Walden was in Medford today to meet with veterans, veterans' advocates and the local chamber.\nHe stopped by NewsWatch 12 to talk about the upcoming general election, 21st Century Cures Act and legislation that benefits veterans.\nClick here to watch coverage from KDRV Newswatch 12", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-supports-plans-boost-funding-expedite-support-oregon", "Greg Walden supports plans to boost funding, expedite support for Oregon veterans", "2016-09-29", "2016", "2016-09", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "VIDEO RELEASE: Greg Walden supports plans to boost funding, expedite support for Oregon veterans\u00a0 \nClick here or on the image below to watch Walden\u2019s remarks\u00a0\nWASHINGTON, D.C. --\u00a0Continuing his strong efforts to support Oregon\u2019s veterans, U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) supported several plans passed by Congress this week to boost funding for the Veterans Administration and expedite care so our veterans can get the help they need and deserve. Below is a transcript of his video release:\n\"Congress did a lot of good work this week to take care of our veterans. We have 80,000 veterans across Oregon's Second Congressional District, and we are working every day to try to make sure they get access to affordable, quality care in a timely manner. The legislation we approved increases funding to reduce the disability caseload so that we can get claims processed faster, and \u00a0it improves the medical records process.\n\u201cAmong other things, we passed legislation that deals with this horrible problem we have with veterans committing suicide - about 20 a day. One of these suicide hotlines was so poorly run, that up to one third of the calls never got through to a frontline worker. We're fixing that with this legislation, so when a veteran in need calls they can actually talk to a caregiver\n\u201cAnd we're working on other issues to make sure that your veterans\u2019 healthcare record can be coordinated with private healthcare providers \u2013 there\u2019s been a problem there too. We\u2019ve got a lot more work to do, but this is a big step in a better direction for our veterans.\u201d\nThe funding measure, which has passed both the House and Senate with strong bipartisan support, increases funding for the VA by $2.9 billion to help alleviate the claims backlogs and wait-times issues our veterans are facing. The funding is accompanied by increased oversight at the VA to provide accountability for the mismanagement and fraud that has plagued the agency over the past few years. The bill also provides for the modernization of the VA\u2019s health records, and boosts funding for the VA caregivers\u2019 program. The President signed this bill into law today.\u00a0\nThis week, the House also passed three pieces of legislation to improve veterans\u2019 health care options and address mismanagement problems at VA facilities. The No Veterans Crisis Line Should Go Unanswered Act (H.R. 5392) requires the VA to develop a plan to ensure that each telephone call and text message to a crisis hotline is answered by a qualified, live person so veterans are not sent to voicemail when seeking emergency care. This comes after an inspector general report revealed that, on numerous occasions, calls to VA crisis hotlines were being sent to voicemail rather than answered by a live staff member.\nThe VET Act (H.R. 3216) makes clear the VA\u2019s obligation to provide emergency care for veterans seeking help, and prohibits VA facilities from transferring sick or injured veterans without their consent or clinical necessity. This bill also prevents VA facilities from delaying or denying a veteran emergency care to assess whether or not a veteran has the ability to pay.\u00a0\nThe Vet Connect Act (H.R. 5162) \u2013 another bill passed in the House this week \u2013 would require the VA to share medical record information with private community health care providers where a veteran is receiving care. This ensures that veterans are able to seek care outside of a VA facility and that the healthcare providers have access to all necessary health records for a veteran. All three of these measures now head to the Senate.\u00a0\nWalden has assisted over 5,000 Oregon veterans and their families with issues involving their benefits and care. If you or a loved one needs help with the VA or any other federal agency, you can call his office toll free at 800-533-3303. Walden has a team of veterans on staff ready to assist you.\u00a0\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-supports-passage-major-water-resources-infrastructure-bill", "Greg Walden supports passage of major water resources infrastructure bill", "2016-09-28", "2016", "2016-09", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Greg Walden supports passage of major water resources infrastructure bill \nIncludes Walden proposal to help grow jobs in Cascade Locks\nWASHINGTON, DC--The U.S. House of Representatives today passed the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), legislation supported by Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) to address the needs of the Pacific Northwest\u2019s harbors, locks, dams, flood prevention programs, and other water resources infrastructure critical to our economy.\u00a0\n\u201cInfrastructure--especially water infrastructure--is incredibly important to our economy in the Pacific Northwest. Today, the House passed a bipartisan plan that helps ensure that our region\u2019s water infrastructure is prepared for future growth and growing global competition,\u201d Walden said. \u201cI\u2019m proud that it includes a provision\u00a0to remove outdated red tape that has restricted economic activity on portions of land\u00a0owned by the Port of Cascade Locks.\u00a0This fix gets the federal government out of the way and opens up doors to projects, and provides better certainty for companies looking to build, invest and create jobs in Cascade Locks.\u201d\nThe Cascade Locks language, supported by Walden and Oregon\u2019s Senators,\u00a0fixes an outdated regulation that requires the Port to get approval from the Army Corps of Engineers for activity and development on land near Cascade Locks, even though the Port owns that land. This process is often slow and expensive, creating uncertainty for Port projects and limiting opportunities for economic development in the area.\u00a0\nAnnually, nearly $1.4 trillion worth of goods transport through U.S. ports and more than 600 million tons of cargo valued at over $230 billion move on inland waterways. WRDA will help protect inland waterways in Oregon and the Columbia Basin from costly invasive species like zebra mussels by authorizing the Corps to continue watercraft inspection programs. According to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, there are currently five watercraft inspection sites operating under the Corps\u2019 authority in Oregon, four of which are stationed in Walden\u2019s district.\nIn 2014, Walden supported the passage of the Water Resources\u00a0Reform and Development Act, which was signed into law by the President and established a process for a new, transparent, and locally driven process for Congressional review and consideration of water resources development activities of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. WRDA returns Congress to the two-year cycle of authorizing investments in America\u2019s ports, channels, locks, dams, and other infrastructure that supports the maritime and waterways transportation system and provides flood protection for homes and businesses. This bill also authorizes studies for future water resources improvements, makes modifications to previous authorizations to ensure fiscal responsibility, and maintains reforms established under the 2014 bill to allow for greater local participation in project selection.\nThe Water Resources Development Act passed the Senate and House with bipartisan support, and will now be reviewed in a conference committee of both legislative chambers before heading to the President\u2019s desk.\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-applauds-us-house-bill-improve-health-public-trails", "Greg Walden applauds U.S. House bill to improve health of public trails", "2016-09-27", "2016", "2016-09", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Greg Walden applauds U.S. House bill to improve health of public trails\u00a0 \u00a0 \n  \nWalden meeting with backcountry horsemen, snowmobilers, and other forest enthusiasts last year in the Deschutes National Forest to discuss the bill.\u00a0\nWASHINGTON, D.C. --\u00a0The U.S. House of Representatives today passed the National Forest System Trails Stewardship Act (H.R. 845),\u00a0legislation championed by Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) to help better maintain public trails on national forests and ensure they are accessible for outdoor recreation.\u00a0\n\u201cHunting, fishing, camping, and other outdoor activities are cherished pastimes here in Oregon, and they should be enjoyed for generations to come. But as many people in Oregon know, the public trails in our state are in desperate need of better management,\u201d said Walden. \u201cThe National Forest System Trails Stewardship Act makes a number of common-sense improvements to how the Forest Service maintains our state\u2019s trails and landscape, and helps put us on the path to more sustainable trail management.\u201d\u00a0\nLast year, Walden met with backcountry horsemen, snowmobile users, and other forest enthusiasts to discuss the legislation in Bend. The National Forest System Trails Stewardship Act addresses many of their concerns with trail management by breaking down barriers for volunteer efforts and collaboration with outside groups. Notably, the bill would encourage fire crews to perform maintenance during the offseason, and allow outfitters and guides to reduce their fees by providing trail maintenance.\u00a0\nAccording to a 2013 report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the Forest Service is only able to maintain about one quarter of trails up to standard, and nearly two-thirds of trails receive no maintenance at all. The report also recognizes the benefits of utilizing volunteers for trail maintenance, and recommends steps to help the Forest Service maximize use of volunteers and partners.\u00a0\nThe National Forest System Trails Stewardship Act passed the House with unanimous support, and now heads to the Senate for consideration.\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-honored-guardian-small-business-major-small-business-group", "Greg Walden honored as Guardian of Small Business by major small business group", "2016-09-20", "2016", "2016-09", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Greg Walden honored as \u201cGuardian of Small Business\u201d by major small business group\u00a0 \nWalden is presented the \u201cGuardian of Small Business\u201d award by Juanita Duggan, president and CEO of the National Federation of Independent Business (high resolution photo available upon request).\nWASHINGTON, D.C.--\u00a0U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) has been named a \u201cGuardian of Small Business\u201d by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB). Walden received this award for his outstanding voting record in the U.S. House on behalf of Oregon\u2019s small businesses.\u00a0\n\u201cAs a small business owner with my wife for over two decades, I understand what it means to risk everything to grow your business and create jobs. Now, I\u2019m committed to cutting the unnecessary red tape that stands in the way of growth for so many small businesses in Oregon and across the country. After all, we should be focused on making things easier for small business owners and local job creators, not harder. It\u2019s an honor to receive this special recognition from the nation\u2019s leading voice for small businesses, and I will continue to work on commonsense solutions to help Oregon\u2019s small businesses succeed,\u201d said Walden.\u00a0\u00a0\nNFIB President and CEO Juanita Duggan praised Walden for his record of standing up for small businesses. \u201cMany elected officials claim that they are champions of small business, but our Guardian Award shows our members and other small business owners who is really fighting for them,\u201d said Duggan.\u00a0 \u201cBased on his voting record, Rep. Walden is one of the most reliable advocates for small business in Washington.\u201d\nNFIB is made up of small businesses nationwide, including over 7,000 in Oregon. According to the Oregon Secretary of State, small businesses employ more than half of Oregon\u2019s workforce and make up 98% of the state\u2019s total businesses.\nThe Guardian of Small Business is NFIB\u2019s most prestigious award.\u00a0 It is reserved for lawmakers who vote consistently with NFIB on the key issues identified by small business owners.\u00a0 NFIB tracks the votes of every member of Congress. House members and Senators who vote with NFIB members at least 70 percent of the time are eligible for the Guardian Award.\u00a0Walden received a 100 percent voting record during this session of Congress.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/video-release-greg-walden-we-need-reform-va-and-we-need-take-care-our", "VIDEO RELEASE: Greg Walden: We need to reform the VA, and we need to take care of our men and women in uniform", "2016-09-14", "2016", "2016-09", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "VIDEO RELEASE: Greg Walden: \u201cWe need to reform the VA, and we need to take care of our men and women in uniform\u201d \nU.S. House passes bill to continue reforms at the Veterans Administration\nPlease click here or on the image below to watch Walden\u2019s full floor speech\nWASHINGTON, D.C. --\u00a0Days after meeting with local veterans in Medford, U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) announced today that the House of Representatives has passed bipartisan legislation to bring accountability and reform to the Veterans Administration (VA). Walden took to the House floor in support of the bill, the VA Accountability First and Appeals Modernization Act (H.R. 5620). Please see below for abbreviated remarks.\n\u201cOn Saturday morning in Medford, Oregon, I met with about 40 veterans who are furious about the delays in getting access to care, and the fact that they can\u2019t maintain providers at the local facility.\u00a0\n\"And everything in this bill, interestingly enough, came up in our discussion. \u2018How come you\u2019re paying bonuses to people that aren\u2019t doing their job?\u2019\u2014this bill fixes that. \u2018Why is it when we raise complaints internally, there\u2019s retribution?\u2019\u2014this bill protects whistleblowers. \u2018Why isn\u2019t there more transparency about what happens inside the VA?\u2019\u2014this bill gets at that. Accountability and transparency will lead us to a better VA.\u00a0\n\"We need to reform the VA. We need to take care of our men and women in uniform. We need to claw back bonuses. We need to get this ship righted. This is a fundamentally broken system that needs repair\u2014I think we all agree on that, that\u2019s not a partisan issue.\u00a0\n\"Most of all, we need to start with what matters, and that is the veteran. That, ladies and gentlemen, should be our foremost commitment and our starting place: what\u2019s best for that veteran and that veteran\u2019s family.\u201d\u00a0\nA recent study by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that on average, it can take up to one year or longer to remove a permanent civil servant in the VA and other federal agencies. Under the VA\u2019s existing civil service rules, the department often fails to hold misbehaving employees accountable for their actions, and when they do take disciplinary action, it rarely occurs in a swift and meaningful way. The VA Accountability First and Appeals Modernization Act would give the department more flexibility to remove VA employees for poor performance or misconduct.\u00a0\nThe legislation would also increase whistleblower protections for individuals who speak up about misconduct, and would recoup bonuses from undeserving employees.\u00a0\nAdditionally, the VA Accountability First and Appeals Modernization Act takes important steps to reform the department\u2019s broken disability benefits appeals process. By allowing veterans to waive a hearing, limit the introduction of new evidence, and have the option to bring their appeal to a regional office, this bill streamlines the antiquated appeals process for VA disability benefits.\u00a0\nThe bill passed the House by a vote of 310-116, and now heads to the Senate for consideration.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/15th-anniversary-approaches-greg-walden-remembers-september-11-2001", "As 15th anniversary approaches, Greg Walden remembers September 11, 2001", "2016-09-09", "2016", "2016-09", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "As 15th anniversary approaches, Greg Walden remembers September 11, 2001\nClick here or on the image below to watch Walden\u2019s video statement\nWASHINGTON, D.C.-- In honor of the\u00a015th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) shared his memories of the tragic day in a video statement.\u00a0Walden joined fellow U.S. House members on the Capitol steps for a remembrance ceremony to pay tribute to the thousands of Americans whose lives were taken on September 11, 2001. \u00a0Full statement below:\u00a0\n\u201cOn the morning of 9/11, that horrible day when America was attacked, I was standing right here in what's called the House Triangle with the Capitol behind me. We were doing a news conference at the time on some endangered species issues affecting the country, and an officer came by and yelled at us to evacuate the plaza here because the plane had just hit the Pentagon.\nToday, our prayers go out to the families, the survivors, those who lost loved ones, and to all our men and women in uniform, our veterans especially, for their service and their sacrifice.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\nWalden is also encouraging Oregonians to share their memories of September 11 on his Facebook page at Facebook.com/RepGregWalden.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-announces-2016-congressional-app-challenge-oregon-students", "Greg Walden announces 2016 Congressional App Challenge for Oregon students", "2016-09-01", "2016", "2016-09", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Greg Walden announces 2016 Congressional App Challenge for Oregon students \nWinner\u2019s app to be displayed in the U.S. Capitol\u00a0\nWASHINGTON, D.C. -- As Oregon students head back to school, U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) announced an exciting opportunity for students to design an app as part of a nationwide competition. The 2016 Congressional App Challenge is a chance for tech-savvy students across central, southern, and eastern Oregon to put their creativity to the test and design their own original smartphone or desktop apps. The winner\u2019s app will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol among the best student apps in the country. A panel of local experts from Oregon, including app developers and computer science professors, will judge each student\u2019s work and select the winner and runners-up. \u00a0\n\u201cThe Congressional App Challenge is a fantastic opportunity for students to showcase their creativity in science, technology, and math. App development and coding are 21st century skills, and I believe somewhere in Oregon there could be a student with an idea that could become the next Facebook or Uber,\u201d said Walden. \u201cOne talented winner will have the chance to be recognized on the national stage. I look forward to seeing this year\u2019s entries and wish all Oregon\u2019s budding coders the best of luck.\u201d \u00a0\nIn addition to having their apps featured in the U.S. Capitol, $50,000 in Amazon Web Services credits will be divided among the student winners from around the country\u00a0to be used for cloud computing services and other resources to advance their coding education. \nTo enter the challenge, students must submit a video demonstration explaining their app and what they learned, as well as the app\u2019s source code. The deadline for entries is November 2, 2016. For additional details and steps to enter, please visit Walden\u2019s website at www.walden.house.gov/appchallenge.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/video-release-greg-walden-klamath-falls-there-s-better-way-break-oregon", "VIDEO RELEASE: Greg Walden in Klamath Falls: Theres A Better Way to break Oregon families out of the cycle of poverty", "2016-08-19", "2016", "2016-08", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "VIDEO RELEASE: Greg Walden in Klamath Falls: \u201cThere\u2019s A Better Way to break Oregon families out of the cycle of poverty\u201d \nWalden attends Klamath Works groundbreaking ceremony, highlighting plan to fight poverty in Oregon and across the country\nClick here or on the image below to watch Walden's video statement\nKLAMATH FALLS\u2014 At a groundbreaking ceremony for the new site of the Klamath Falls Gospel Mission, U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) highlighted a plan in the U.S. House of Representatives that will help fight poverty in Oregon and across the country. Walden has worked closely with Klamath Works to support their goal of providing\u00a0job training and services to help struggling individuals get back on their feet. Now, Walden says the House\u2019s proposal, called \u201cA Better Way,\u201d will similarly focus on breaking people out of the cycle of poverty.\u00a0\n\u201cIn town halls and meetings with people throughout our state, Oregonians frequently voice their concerns to me about a stagnant economy, with minimal job growth and little mobility for those struggling with unemployment and poverty. That\u2019s why the efforts of Klamath Works are so important to the people of the Basin. Their good work focuses on helping those who are down on their luck by offering them the tools they need to become self-sustaining,\u201d Walden said.\u00a0\n\u201cOur Better Way agenda in the House seeks to do just that, too, and would make sure that there are more programs like Klamath Works around the country. Over 16% of Oregonians are living in poverty, and that number even surpasses 20% in poverty in our rural areas. We must to do more to break Oregon families out of the cycle of poverty, and we\u2019ve taken a great step in that direction with the Better Way poverty agenda.\u201d\u00a0\nThe Better Way plan to fight poverty includes ideas to improve skills and education, reward hard work, tailor benefits to people\u2019s needs, help families save for the future, and demand results from the welfare system.\u00a0\nEarlier this year, House Speaker Paul Ryan set up task forces in six important areas: fighting poverty, enhancing national security, growing the economy, upholding the Constitution, improving the healthcare system, and reforming the tax code. These plans serve as a clear agenda for House Republican solutions to some of the biggest challenges facing Oregon and America. Click here for more information and specifics on the Better Way agenda.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/video-release-greg-walden-applauds-us-house-plan-help-reduce-federal", "VIDEO RELEASE: Greg Walden applauds U.S. House plan to help reduce federal overreach in rural Oregon", "2016-07-14", "2016", "2016-07", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "VIDEO RELEASE: Greg Walden applauds U.S. House plan to help reduce federal overreach in rural Oregon \nClick here or on the image below to watch Walden\u2019s video statement\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u00a0\u2013 The U.S. House of Representatives today passed legislation to provide annual funding for the Department of the Interior, and U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) highlighted how the plan will help reduce federal overreach in rural communities across the West:\n\u201cThe passage of this measure to fund the Department of the Interior is really important because we've got excellent policy changes in there. We\u2019ve voted to prevent the listing of the sage grouse, to stop funds from being spent to declare a huge new national monument in Malheur County, and to rein in the overzealous regulatory regime of the EPA,\u201d said Walden. \u201cThis plan really gives us an opportunity to do what we do best in Oregon: to work together to find solutions to our natural resource issues. I'm glad the House passed the bill with these important policy changes included, and I look forward to getting support from the Senate so we can get it down to the President.\u201d\nThe plan cuts the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)\u2019s budget by $164 million from last year, reducing regulatory programs by 21% and stopping the agency from expanding its jurisdiction over water and private property under the \u201cWaters of the United States\u201d rule.\nAdditionally, it prohibits listing of the sage grouse as an endangered species and fully funds Payment-in-Lieu of Taxes (PILT) for Oregon\u2019s rural counties. Additionally, the plan fully funds wildfire fighting at the ten year average cost and increases funding for forest management efforts that prevent fire.\nAlso included in this legislation are Walden\u2019s provisions to remove gray wolves from the federal endangered species list and to prohibit funds from being used to make a Presidential declaration of a national monument in Malheur County, which would lock up 2.5 million acres of public land. This is the latest step in Walden\u2019s continued efforts to urge the President and top members of the Administration to back off the proposal to ease tensions in the rural west.\nThe bill passed by a vote of 231-196 today, and now heads to the Senate for consideration.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/video-release-greg-walden-plan-remove-gray-wolves-federal-endangered", "VIDEO RELEASE: Greg Walden plan to remove gray wolves from the federal endangered species list passes U.S. House", "2016-07-13", "2016", "2016-07", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "VIDEO RELEASE: Greg Walden plan to remove gray wolves from the federal endangered species list passes U.S. House \u00a0\u00a0 \nClick here or on the image below to watch Walden\u2019s video statement\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u00a0\u2013 U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) announced today that his plan to remove gray wolves from the federal endangered species list has been approved by the U.S. House by a vote of 223-201. \u00a0\n\u00a0\u201cOregon's wolf population has grown by more than 40 percent, and yet we have this divided management strategy in the federal government where in part of the state wolves are still listed and part of the state they\u2019re not. We need a single management strategy where we have local control under the Oregon state plan,\u201d said Walden. \u201cThat's why this amendment is so important. We need to repeal the endangered species listing for the gray wolf, and get it under state management where we've got the most local control so Oregonians can make the decisions.\u201d\nManagement of wolves in Oregon is currently divided by an arbitrary line that leaves wolves in the eastern third of the state under state management, while the remainder are still managed under the federal Endangered Species Act.\nOregon\u2019s wolf population has grown by almost 40 percent in the last year, and their range continues to spread south and west creating issues of split jurisdiction. Meanwhile, wolves continue to kill livestock in the area under federal management, with little recourse for area ranchers and even creating challenges for the five year review of the Oregon Wolf Plan.\nThe U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has recognized the recovery of this species and proposed delisting it three years ago, but litigation by outside groups has brought the process to a crawl. This proposal allows the agency to implement their proposal while ensuring that a delisting occurs by next summer. \u00a0\nWalden\u2019s plan is part of a larger bill that sets the annual budget for the Department of the Interior and other agencies. He teamed up with Washington Reps. Dan Newhouse and Cathy McMorris Rodgers to introduce the amendment to get it passed the finish line in the House. A vote on the underlying bill is expected soon.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/video-release-greg-walden-applauds-us-house-approval-plan-combat-nation", "VIDEO RELEASE: Greg Walden applauds U.S. House approval of plan to combat nations opioid epidemic", "2016-07-08", "2016", "2016-07", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "VIDEO RELEASE: Greg Walden applauds U.S. House approval of plan to combat nation\u2019s opioid epidemic \u00a0 \nLandmark agreement passes House 407-5; plan now heads to Senate\nClick here or on the image below to watch Walden\u2019s video statement\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u00a0\u2013 U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) announced today that the U.S. House of Representatives has advanced major legislation to help combat the nation\u2019s opioid abuse epidemic. The Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (S.524) focuses on improving drug abuse treatments, addressing the underlying causes of addiction, and helping those most at risk. The plan is an agreement between the House and Senate and passed the House on an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote of 407-5.\n\u201cAt the recent roundtables I held in Bend, Medford, and Hermiston, I heard from family members, law enforcement, and treatment specialists who are trying to deal with the growing epidemic of opioid abuse in our communities. The legislation approved by the U.S. House today addresses their core issues, and I\u2019m confident we will be able to make a difference over time,\u201d said Walden. \u201cWe can get better access to treatment, we can reduce the number of pills that shouldn\u2019t be out there, and we can save lives. This is a big day to help solve a huge problem throughout Oregon and the country.\u201d \u00a0\nThe Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act provides state government and local law enforcement more tools to tackle this epidemic head on, including support for increased education, recovery, and treatment efforts. \u00a0Click here for a summary of the bill.\nThis legislation has been met with strong support from local advocates in the fight against opioid abuse. \u201cThe Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act helps address the opioid crisis that has hit rural eastern Oregon incredibly hard. With this bill, healthcare providers in eastern Oregon will be able to more effectively address the needs of patients suffering from addiction. \u00a0I thank Representative Walden for his efforts supporting this bill that throws a life ring to the patients and their families who have been devastated by this disease and to those who provide them care,\u201d said Baker City physician Dr. Charles Hofmann. \n\u00a0\u201cThis bill is a necessary and critical first step in addressing the opioid epidemic. Too many people have been affected.\u00a0 Too many people have died.\u00a0 Swift legislative action is needed.\u00a0 I am grateful for the collaboration between the medical community and national leaders to save lives.\u00a0 I hope to continue the conversation to improve access to care and expand on evidence based treatment for chronic non-cancer pain management,\u201d said Bend resident Dr. Kimberly Swanson, Licensed Psychologist/Behavioral Health Consultant, St. Charles Family Care-Redmond & The Center for Women\u2019s Health.\nWith today\u2019s vote, the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act will head to the Senate for final approval before being sent to the President\u2019s desk for signature.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/video-release-greg-walden-supports-major-mental-health-reform-plan", "VIDEO RELEASE: Greg Walden supports major mental health reform plan passed by U.S. House", "2016-07-06", "2016", "2016-07", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "VIDEO RELEASE: Greg Walden supports major mental health reform plan passed by U.S. House\u00a0 \nClick here or on the image below to watch Walden\u2019s remarks on the House floor\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u00a0\u2013 U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) announced today that the U.S. House of Representatives has overwhelmingly approved bipartisan reforms of the country\u2019s mental health care system. The Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act (H.R. 2646) will help deliver better, more timely care to mentally ill patients and their families. \u00a0Walden spoke in support of this legislation on the House floor. See remarks below:\n\u201cThank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I rise in support of the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act.\n\u201cTen million Americans suffer from serious mental illness. If they get care, they're 16 times less likely to harm themselves or others.\u00a0 But, right now, too many patients fall through the cracks. \n\u201cAt a recent roundtable in Medford, Oregon, I heard from parents about their children who experienced homelessness and violence due to their illness, from caregivers about the difficulty getting patients timely care, and from law enforcement about how the default place for the mentally ill is often the local jail.\u00a0 The consensus among all of them was that the health care system, the government, and society are failing those who need help the most.\u00a0\u00a0 \n\u201cIt\u2019s clear we must do more to improve treatment, boost resources, and simplify the bureaucracy surrounding the mental health system in America. We can do better, and we will with this bill.\u201d\nThe Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act reforms the federal government\u2019s 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. Click here for more information on the bill.\nIn November, Walden held a roundtable meeting in Medford with mental health advocates, psychologists, physicians, and members of the law enforcement community to get their input on mental health legislation.\nLocal health providers praised the bill. \u201cProvidence St. Joseph Health commends Congressman Walden for his leadership in sponsoring the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act.\u00a0 It takes an important step forward in fixing the fragmented nature of behavioral health care. Mental health and wellness remains a major priority for our health system \u2013 our caregivers see the need every day in the many communities we serve across the western U.S.\u00a0 Providence St. Joseph Health is deeply grateful to Rep. Walden and every House member who supports this bill \u2013 together, we can make a real difference for some of the most vulnerable people in society,\u201d said Rod Hochman, M.D., CEO, Providence St. Joseph Health.\n\u201cAs a Family Nurse Practitioner working in Emergency Services, I\u2019ve seen firsthand how the lack of coordinated mental health care can have a negative effect in our communities,\u201d said Dr. Cindi Warburton, Family Nurse Practitioner, Bend Memorial Clinic. \u201cI know we can do a better job of providing crisis intervention and treatment programs and the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act will propel these efforts forward.\u00a0 Improving the health of our Nation begins with supporting our communities in providing access to physical and mental health services.\u201d\n\u201cIn our little county of 7,000 people, as everywhere in America, people struggle with significant mental health issues.\u00a0 Anxiety, depression, and various forms of psychosis rob them of the ability to work and have healthy relationships.\u00a0 Their mental health issues rob them of life.\u00a0 There is so much that needs to be done to help these people find healing, and a new capacity to participate the communities that love them.\u00a0 The Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act is an important beginning.\u00a0 Its emphasis on integration and parity are critical if America is to move forward and address the issue of mental illness,\u201d said Dr. Stephen Kliewer, Licensed Professional Counselor and Director Emeritus, Wallowa Valley Center for Wellness.\nAccording to the National Institute of Mental Health, patients with serious mental illness receiving treatment are 16 times less likely to commit violent acts than those who go untreated.\u00a0 These individuals are also 11 times more likely to be victims of violent crime than the general population.\u00a0The 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.\nThis legislation will now go to the U.S. Senate, where a similar bill has already been introduced. If passed by the Senate, members from both chambers will work out any differences between the two versions of the bill before it is signed into law.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-bill-rename-dalles-veterans-clinic-after-local-medal-honor", "Greg Walden bill to rename The Dalles veterans clinic after local Medal of Honor recipient signed into law", "2016-06-27", "2016", "2016-06", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Greg Walden bill to rename The Dalles veterans\u2019 clinic after local Medal of Honor recipient signed into law \nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u00a0\u2013 U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) announced today that his bill to rename The Dalles veterans\u2019 clinic after Sergeant First Class Loren R. Kaufman, a native of The Dalles and one of Oregon\u2019s 14 Medal of Honor recipients, has been signed into law by the President. Sergeant Kaufman was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his bravery and selfless actions to save his company while serving in the U.S. Army during World War II and the Korean War. The clinic named in his honor will be called the Loren R. Kaufman VA Clinic.\n\u201cSergeant First Class Loren Kaufman was a true American hero who exemplified courage and selflessness throughout his service,\u201d said Walden. \u201cFittingly, he will now have a permanent tribute to his service in his hometown. I\u2019d like to offer a special thanks to Loren Kaufman\u2019s family from The Dalles who helped make this all possible. I also want to thank Les Cochenour and the entire Mid-Columbia Veterans Memorial Committee, and the Wasco County Commission for their support. I\u2019m proud to have joined them in helping to honor Loren Kaufman by renaming this clinic after him so he can be a continuing inspiration for the community and the country.\u201d\nClick here to watch Walden\u2019s speech on the House floor when this bill passed the U.S. House.\nBorn and raised in The Dalles, Sergeant Kaufman joined the Army in the week following the attack on Pearl Harbor, and went on to serve in both\u00a0World War II and the Korean War. While in Korea, Sergeant Kaufman\u2019s company was attacked near Yongsan. His platoon was two miles away protecting the battalion flank and was ordered to come reinforce the company.\u00a0 On their way to their new location, they came under attack.\u00a0 Selflessly, Sergeant Kaufman ran forward, engaged the enemy, and forced them to retreat in confusion.\nOnce Sergeant Kaufman\u2019s platoon rejoined their company, they found the enemy had taken commanding ground and pinned the company down in a draw.\u00a0 Without hesitation, Sergeant Kaufman again charged the enemy lines, firing his rifle, throwing grenades, using his bayonet, and seizing an unmanned machine gun.\u00a0 Because of his fast thinking and fearlessness, the enemy fled.\u00a0 The company regained their position because of Sergeant Kaufman\u2019s courage and leadership.\u00a0\nFor these actions and \u201cconspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call,\u201d Sergeant Kaufman was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Harry S Truman. In his citation, it was written, \u201cthe dauntless courage and resolute intrepid leadership of Sergeant First Class Kaufman were directly responsible for the success of his company in regaining its positions, reflecting distinct credit upon himself and upholding the esteemed traditions of the military service.\u201d Tragically, though, Sergeant Kaufman received this honor posthumously. He was killed in action on February 10, 1951 and was laid to rest in Willamette National Cemetery.\nThe bill was unanimously approved by the House on May 23, and unanimously agreed to by the Senate on June 10. It was signed into law by the President on June 22.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-welcomes-sage-hassell-congressional-art-competition-winner", "Greg Walden welcomes Sage Hassell, Congressional Art Competition Winner from Bend, as her artwork is unveiled at U.S. Capitol", "2016-06-27", "2016", "2016-06", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Greg Walden welcomes Sage Hassell, Congressional Art Competition Winner from Bend, as her artwork is unveiled at U.S. Capitol \n  Walden presents Sage with a special certificate in recognition of her artistic talent.\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u00a0\u2013 U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) welcomed Congressional Art Competition Winner Sage Hassell, a recent graduate of Mountain View High School in Bend, to the U.S. Capitol to see her winning painting unveiled in the national student art exhibit. Walden presented Sage with a special congressional certificate in recognition of her artistic talent. Sage\u2019s painting, entitled Flaunt It, was selected by a panel of local judges as the overall winner out of 136 student entries from central, southern, and eastern Oregon.\n\u201cI want to congratulate Sage on being chosen as this year\u2019s winner of the Congressional Art Competition for Oregon\u2019s Second District,\u201d said Walden. \u201cFor the next year, Flaunt It will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol among the best student artwork from around the country for members of Congress and thousands of visitors from around the world to appreciate. This is a truly impressive accomplishment and a testament to Sage\u2019s artistic talent.\u201d\u00a0\n  Sage with her artwork hanging in the U.S. Capitol.\nThe Congressional Art Competition is a nationwide program for students to showcase their artistic abilities and to highlight the importance of art education. Since its start in 1982, more than 650,000 high school students from around the country have participated. Photos of the winners and more information on the competition can be found via Walden\u2019s website at https://walden.house.gov/artcompetition.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/video-release-greg-walden-supports-major-mental-health-reform-plan-it", "VIDEO RELEASE: Greg Walden supports major mental health reform plan as it is unanimously approved by House committee", "2016-06-15", "2016", "2016-06", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "VIDEO RELEASE: Greg Walden supports major mental health reform plan as it is unanimously approved by House committee  \nClick here on the image below to watch Walden\u2019s video message\nU.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today announced that a major mental health reform bill to help mentally ill patients and their families was unanimously approved by the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee, an important step forward for the legislation. The Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act (H.R. 2646) would help improve the nation\u2019s mental healthcare system to better deliver treatment to those who need it most. \u00a0\n\u201cThis legislation dramatically improves how the federal government helps when it comes to mental health care,\u201d Walden said. \u201cWe know that 10 million Americans suffer from mental health diseases and issues, and that, if they get care, they're 15 times less likely to commit a violent act. Meanwhile, over time some 112 programs have been built up in the federal government costing $130 billion dollars, and yet until this law comes along and is enacted these programs aren't peer reviewed or\u00a0evidence-based. We're going to change that.\u201d\n\u201cWe're going to make sure that we are funding the most effective programs out there to help people, and get more help into our communities for mental health services and better integrate between mental health and physical health care. This is really, really important to our families, to our communities, and to those who suffer from mental health issues. We can make it much better, and we will with this legislation.\u201d\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.\u00a0 Individuals with severe mental illness are also 11 times more likely to be victims of violent crime than the general population.\u00a0 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\u2019s 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.\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\u2019s 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.\nIn November, Walden held a roundtable meeting in Medford with mental health advocates, psychologists, physicians, and members of the law enforcement community to get their input on mental health legislation.\nThe next step for the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act is a vote before the full U.S. House.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/walden-and-defazio-push-dot-finalize-safety-rules-help-emergency", "Walden and DeFazio Push DOT to Finalize Safety Rules to Help Emergency Responders, Phase Out Unsafe Oil Tank Cars", "2016-06-10", "2016", "2016-06", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Walden and DeFazio\u00a0Push DOT to Finalize Safety Rules to Help Emergency Responders, Phase Out Unsafe Oil Tank Cars \nWashington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR), and Representative Greg Walden (R-OR) urged the Department of Transportation (DOT) to quickly finalize critical safety rules that will better protect communities and environmentally sensitive areas from catastrophic crude oil train accidents. The letter was sent in response to a June 3rd oil train accident, when 16 rail cars from a 96-car Union Pacific crude oil train derailed near Mosier, Oregon. At least one rail car transporting Bakken crude ruptured, several cars caught fire, hundreds of residents were evacuated, and sheen has been detected on the river.\n\u201cThis accident, once again, raises the question of whether railroads should be required to re-route trains carrying flammable liquids around environmentally-sensitive areas like the Gorge and endangered communities. Congress has certainly done its part to address concerns. Now we are awaiting the Department of Transportation\u2019s (DOT) action. The \u201cFixing America\u2019s Surface Transportation Act\u201d (FAST Act), enacted on December 4, 2015, when implemented, will make significant improvements to the transportation of crude-by-rail, as well as other hazardous materials,\u201d the members write.\nAs a top negotiator on the FAST Act, DeFazio successfully included a number of key provisions to increase safety, require railroads to disclose hazardous cargo and develop comprehensive oil spill response plans, and help emergency responders react to catastrophic oil train accidents.\nIn their letter, DeFazio and Walden asked DOT for an update on industry\u2019s progress in meeting the new mandates for improved rail tank cars and the status of a rule requiring railroads to develop and implement comprehensive oil spill response plans that are crucial for adequately preparing federal, state, local, and regional emergency response teams. DeFazio and Walden have heard from a number of communities that little information has been shared with them on the potential consequences of a spill, and that plans for coordinating with federal, state, local and regional response teams and the railroads should a spill occur have not been set-forth.\nFor a PDF version of the letter, click here.\nA copy of the letter is included below.\nJune 10, 2016\n\u00a0\nThe Honorable Anthony Foxx\nSecretary\nU.S. Department of Transportation\n1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE\nWashington, DC 20590\nDear Mr. Secretary:\nWe have long been concerned about the impacts of a crude oil train derailment in and around the Columbia River Gorge and what it would mean for local residents and surrounding natural resources. Those concerns became all-too-real on June 3rd when 16 rail cars from a 96-car Union Pacific crude oil train derailed near Mosier, Oregon. At least one rail car transporting Bakken crude ruptured, several cars caught fire, hundreds of residents were evacuated, and sheen has now been detected on the river.\nThis accident, once again, raises the question of whether railroads should be required to re-route trains carrying flammable liquids around environmentally-sensitive areas like the Gorge and endangered communities.\nCongress has certainly done its part to address concerns. Now we are awaiting the Department of Transportation\u2019s (DOT) action. The \u201cFixing America\u2019s Surface Transportation Act\u201d (FAST Act) (Public Law 114-94), enacted on December 4, 2015, when implemented, will make significant improvements to the transportation of crude-by-rail, as well as other hazardous materials. The bill:\n Required each Class I railroad transporting any hazardous material to provide accurate, real-time information, including the identity, quantity, and location of hazardous materials on each train, to fusion centers, state and local emergency responders, and law enforcement personnel;\n\tDirected each Class I railroad to provide advanced notification and detailed information, including routes, on the movement of trains transporting crude to each state emergency response commission;\n\tPhased-out or required retrofitting of all DOT-111 and CPC-1232 tank cars used to transport flammable liquids;\n\tRequired each tank car built or retrofitted to the new standard be equipped with an insulating blanket and top fittings to mitigate releases during accidents;\n\tEstablished a competitive grant program to assist communities in preparing for and responding to hazardous materials incidents, including crude-by-rail;\n\tReauthorized funding for hazardous materials training grants to states for emergency responder training; and\n\tRequired regular reporting to Congress on the status of a final rule to require railroads to develop and implement comprehensive oil spill response plans.\n Additionally, the bill required regular reporting to Congress on industry-wide progress toward modifying rail tank cars. Although the first report is not due until December 1, 2016, we request a status update on implementation of the FAST Act directives and on the manufacture and modification of rail tank cars, including the number of DOT-111 and CPC-1232 tank cars that have been built or retrofitted to the new standards, the number of such tank cars that have been purchased and put in service by shippers and railroads, and the number of such tank cars currently in rail transportation compared to the number of older DOT-111 and CPC-1232s that fail to meet the new standard set forth by the DOT. As these new rail tank cars come online, we urge you to prioritize their use when flammable liquids are transported in National Scenic Areas like the Columbia River Gorge, as well as other environmentally sensitive areas. \u00a0\nWe also request an update on the status of a final rule requiring railroads to develop and implement comprehensive oil spill response plans, which are crucial for adequately preparing Federal, state, local and regional response teams to respond to an accident or incident involving the transportation of hazardous liquid, including crude oil, ethanol, and other petroleum-based products. They ensure that personnel are trained and available and equipment is in place to respond to a spill, and that procedures are established before a spill occurs.\nWe have heard from many responders in Oregon that little information has been shared with them on the potential consequences of a spill, and that plans for coordinating with federal, state, local and regional response teams and the railroads should a spill occur have not been set-forth. This is especially true for areas where there is limited road access, such as the Columbia River Gorge or the Cascade Mountain Range.\u00a0 We are expecting a record breaking forest fire season again this year and communities need to know what the plan is for addressing accidents that could spark a fire.\nResponders are not able to determine a railroad\u2019s worst-case discharge on their own, nor are they able to determine what specific resources are available or should be acquired, where those resources will be positioned, or what procedures are in place without significant input from the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) and the railroads. While the railroads are providing some information to responders, it is not nearly enough to adequately prepare them for a potential spill. This has been echoed by the Government Accountability Office which is currently evaluating the adequacy of emergency response resources, including training, with respect to crude-by-rail trains.\nThe fact is this rulemaking has languished for far too long at the DOT. Your last letter to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure stated that PHMSA is \u201cworking expeditiously\u201d to issue a final rule by June 2017 and even that date, according to your letter, may be adjusted as PHMSA moves forward with the rulemaking process. That is nearly three years, at a minimum, after the Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking was published and long after you have left office and a new administration that may or may not finalize this rulemaking is in place. In our view, this is far too long and the accident in the Gorge underscores that. We strongly urge you to re-assess your timeline and make finalizing this rulemaking a DOT priority.\nThank you for your consideration of these matters and we look forward to your response.\nSincerely,\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nPETER DeFAZIO\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 GREG WALDEN\nRanking Member\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Member of Congress\nCommittee on Transportation\n\u00a0\u00a0and Infrastructure", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/video-release-greg-walden-addresses-us-house-rail-safety-after-train", "VIDEO RELEASE: Greg Walden addresses U.S. House on rail safety after train derailment near Mosier", "2016-06-08", "2016", "2016-06", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "VIDEO RELEASE: Greg Walden addresses U.S. House on rail safety after train derailment near Mosier \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \nClick here or on the image below to watch Walden\u2019s speech\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u00a0\u2013 U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today addressed the U.S. House of Representatives after Friday\u2019s train derailment near Mosier in the Columbia Gorge. Walden pledged to continue working with federal, state, and local officials to learn more about what happened and what can be done to make sure it never happens again.\nOver the weekend, Walden visited the site of the incident to meet with community leaders and first responders. He has also been in close touch with federal, state, and local officials, transportation leaders in Congress, as well as the top executives from Union Pacific and BNSF Railway.\nA full transcript of Walden\u2019s remarks is below:\n\u201cThank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the opportunity to support this legislation today, and I commend the committees for their work on pipeline safety and pipeline safety improvement. But I also have to take this opportunity to, because the committee has done very good work on the FAST Act, to talk about rail safety. \n\u201cThis rail accident occurred 7 miles from my home in the National Scenic Area, the Columbia River Gorge, over the weekend. I was there not long after it happened. I met with the Incident Commanders. I met with the Fire Chief. I met with city officials, county officials. Let me just say that while you're protecting pipeline safety, and that's really important, we need to continue to make progress on rail safety and make sure that the new cars that were ordered by this Congress get put into service especially in this critical water way areas as soon as possible. \n\u201cWe need to make sure that track improvements are required, that new fasteners are used to deal with issues, where, in this case perhaps, it is a track separation issue. We need to make sure that our first responders get all the training they need, and the Department of Transportation finishes its work on rules for spill response and for safety. This is a critically important issue for the people I represent on both the Oregon and Washington sides of the Columbia River. These trains are going through, and we're having these kinds of situations. We need to make sure we have the most up to date safety, the most up to date training, and the safest cars and tracks possible. We're going to stay on this until that happens. Mr. Chairman, I yield back.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/walden-blumenauer-bill-force-forest-service-complete-mt-hood-land", "Walden, Blumenauer bill to force Forest Service to complete Mt. Hood land exchange passes U.S. House", "2016-06-08", "2016", "2016-06", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC\u2014 A bill authored by U.S. Reps. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) and Earl Blumenauer (D-Portland) to force the U.S. Forest Service to complete a land exchange on Mt. Hood has passed the U.S. House in an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote, 401-2. The Mount Hood Cooper Spur Land Exchange Clarification Act (H.R. 3826) directs the Forest Service to move forward with the underlying land exchange\u2014first approved by Congress in 2009\u2014 which would help protect the local water source and grow jobs in the community.\n\u201cSeven years ago, Congress passed our bipartisan bill clearly stating that the Forest Service should complete the Mt. Hood Cooper Spur land exchange within 16 months. And yet here we are some 88 months later having to pass new legislation to get the job done,\u201d said Walden. \u201cThis land exchange is critical for protecting Crystal Springs, the water source for the City of Hood River and the upper Hood River Valley, and would allow for economic development and family wage jobs in the area. The communities around Mt. Hood have waited long enough, it\u2019s time for the Forest Service to finish the job.\u201d\n\u201cThis land transfer has been delayed for far too long. Today\u2019s action in the House brings us one step closer to timely completion of the exchange and further cements Congressional direction to get it done\u2014helping to concentrate development on the south side of the mountain, protect new land under federal ownership, and realize additional protections for key areas,\u201d said Blumenauer. \u201cThank you to Congressman Walden for his partnership on this bill. Together, along with our colleagues in the Senate, we will continue pushing until the Forest Service finishes the job we directed it to complete years ago.\u201d\nThe 2009 law authorizes a land exchange to allow development of 120 acres of federal land in Government Camp in exchange for 770 acres of non-federal land at Cooper Spur. That law clearly stated that the Forest Service should complete the exchange within 16 months. Yet it has still not been completed, frustrating many in the local communities and at Mt. Hood Meadows.\nH.R. 3826 restates Congress\u2019 intent that the Forest Service move quickly to complete the exchange, addresses disagreements over a conservation easement, and allows for a more transparent appraisal process. Identical legislation introduced in the Senate by Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley was passed by that body in April as part of a broader energy and resources bill.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-announces-major-federal-investment-easter-seals-oregon", "Greg Walden announces major federal investment for Easter Seals Oregon program to help homeless veterans find work", "2016-06-02", "2016", "2016-06", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Greg Walden announces major federal investment for Easter Seals Oregon program to help homeless veterans find work  \nWalden has led bipartisan effort to boost important veterans program in southern Oregon and nationwide \n  Walden met with the Easter Seals Rogue Valley to tour their Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program facility in Medford earlier this year\nMEDFORD  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) announced today that Easter Seals Oregon has been awarded a major investment through the federal Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program (HVRP) to support programs in Medford and Grants Pass. Walden has led a bipartisan coalition in the Congress to ensure funding for the program gets to the veterans that need it most.\nWe owe our freedom to our veterans, and we must ensure they get the services and benefits they deserve during times of need. The Easter Seals Rogue Valley HVRP program does great work to help southern Oregon veterans, specifically those facing chronic homelessness and unemployment. Thanks to their tireless efforts, their HomelessVeterans' Reintegration Program found meaningful employment for 60% of enrolled veterans in the past year. I am pleased they have been awarded this major funding, and I will continue to work hard to make sure that veterans get the resources they need, Walden said.\nEastern Seals Oregon received $200,000 in grant funding for Jackson and Josephine counties through the HVRP at the U.S. Department of Labor. The program in Marion and Polk counties also received funding. The HVRP focuses on helping homeless veterans find meaningful employment. Veterans receive skills training, career counseling, and resume writing assistance. In addition, veterans are connected to stable housing and other supports to help them reintegrate into the labor force and the community. Earlier this year, Walden led a bipartisan coalition of 66 members of Congress, to ensure that the program receives robust funding in next year's federal budget. Please click here to read the letter.\n\"We would like to express our deep gratitude to Congressman Walden for all his support and advocacy for this important program. We are honored to be able to continue providing services to help homeless Veterans in Medford and Grants Pass find meaningful employment and stable housing,\" said Catherine Todd, Director of Employment Services, Easter Seals Oregon.\nAccording to the U.S. Census, there were 49,865 homeless veterans nationwide in 2015 and 1,292 in Oregon.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/video-release-greg-walden-releases-memorial-day-video-tribute-oregon", "VIDEO RELEASE: Greg Walden releases Memorial Day video tribute to Oregon World War II veterans", "2016-05-27", "2016", "2016-05", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "VIDEO RELEASE: Greg Walden releases Memorial Day video tribute to Oregon World War II veterans  \nWASHINGTON, D.C. Just in time for Memorial Day, U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) released a special video tribute to a group of World War II veterans who traveled from Oregon to Washington, D.C. to see their memorial on the National Mall for the first time. Walden was there to greet the veterans and thank them for their service. He also provided every veteran on the trip with a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol in their honor as well as a copy of the speech he entered in the Congressional Record honoring each veteran by name.\nBelow is a transcript of Walden's remarks:\nTwenty World War II veterans from thirteen cities and towns in Oregon. And you represent every branch of the military. Many of you were infantrymen. You were Seabees. You were mechanics and operators, cutters and flight crew, pilots and seamen and more.\nIt's impossible for us to properly express our profound respect and our deep appreciation for all that you have done. And it is also impossible for us to repay the profound debt we owe to you. For it is because of your bravery and actions that we are free.\nWhat this city represents to Americans and freedom-loving people around the world, and indeed the very beginning of our democracy, we wouldn't have any of it today if it were not for what you and your generation did. Thank you for your service and your sacrifice to this great country. God bless you.\nThe veterans were able to travel to the nation's capital free of charge as part of the Honor Flight program, a non-profit organization that helps make sure America's oldest veterans are able to visit and experience the memorials built in tribute to their service and sacrifice.Click here to learn more.\nOn Monday, Walden will commemorate Memorial Day in Jackson County in southern Oregon.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/fourth-time-four-years-house-passes-major-wildfire-prevention-forestry", "For the fourth time in four years, House passes major wildfire prevention, forestry reform plan with Greg Waldens support", "2016-05-26", "2016", "2016-05", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "For the fourth time in four years, House passes major wildfire prevention, forestry reform plan with Greg Walden's support  \nClick here or on the photo below for video of Walden's speech on the House floor\nWASHINGTON, DC  As Oregon prepares for yet another fire season, the U.S. House of Representatives has again passed a bipartisan bill to reduce the threat of catastrophic wildfire in national forests with strong support from U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River). The Resilient Federal Forests Act would bring much needed reforms to federal forest policy and help bring active management back to our forests. It was passed as part of a larger energy bill as a way to pressure the U.S. Senate to take action on forestry legislation.\nThis House, for four years in a row, has considered much needed legislation to fix the management of our federal forests. Now the Senate will have the opportunity to join us in this effort as we amend this legislation and send it over to the Senate. Our rural forested communities have waited long enough. They have choked on smoke summer after summer long enough. They've seen their watersheds get destroyed by catastrophic fire. It's time to fix the problem, Walden said during debate on the bill on the House floor.\nOn national forests across eastern Oregon, forest mangers' hands are tied by one-size-fits-all rule prohibiting the harvest of trees over 21 inches in diameter. This measure was implemented temporarily in 1997, but still has not been lifted nearly 20 years later. It represents really poor science. It only serves as a source of frequent appeals and litigation. Repealing this will give our forest managers the flexibility they need to use modern science to actually manage the forests for healthier conditions, Walden continued. Last month, the Bureau of Land Management released their proposed Resource Management Plan for Oregon's unique O&C lands in southern and western Oregon. And frankly, it's a terrible plan. Despite a clear statutory requirement that they manage these lands for sustainable timber production and revenue to the counties, dare I say jobs in the communities, the BLM's plan goes the other way. It locks up 75% of the lands and harvests less than half the minimum level directed by the O&C Act. This is a job killer. \nThis bill includes bipartisan legislation that I wrote working with my colleagues Oregon, Representatives DeFazio and Schrader, to cut costs, increase timber harvest and revenue for the local counties, and directs the BLM to revise their flawed management plan to actually reflect the underlying act. Mr. Speaker, this is good energy legislation. This is good natural resource legislation. This is sound environmental legislation. I urge its passage, Walden continued.\nThe bill originally passed the House on a bipartisan vote in July of 2015, but the Senate has yet to act on any forestry legislation. The House also passed forestry legislation coauthored by Walden in 2013 and 2014, but those proposals were not acted upon by the Senate either.\nThe Resilient Federal Forests Act seeks to improve forest health and resiliency by simplifying environmental process requirements, reducing project planning times and reducing the cost of implementing forest management projects while still ensuring robust protection of the environment. 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 more information on the bill, please click here.\nPassage 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"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-statement-house-oversight-committee-report-failure-cover", "Greg Walden statement on House Oversight Committee report on the failure of Cover Oregon", "2016-05-25", "2016", "2016-05", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Greg Walden statement on House Oversight Committee report on the failure of Cover Oregon  \nWASHINGTON, DC  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today issued the following statement after the U.S. House Oversight and Government Reform Committee released an investigative report on the failure of Cover Oregon:\nFor over a year, the Oversight Committee has investigated the failure of Cover Oregon, including reviewing over 170,000 pages of emails and reports. Their report is very disturbing, but, sadly, not surprising. It is further confirmation of what really transpired and who was responsible for the Cover Oregon website debacle. Gov. Kitzhaber and his campaign advisors manipulated the process for political gain, and the Obama Administration did not do proper oversight to make sure taxpayer dollars were being spent properly. It is not often that a Congressional committee recommends a matter for criminal investigation. Taxpayers deserve the truth, and, if laws were broken, those responsible should be held accountable.\nFor more than a year, the House Oversight and Government Reform committee has been investigating the collapse of Cover Oregon, including reviewing over 170,000 pages of emails and reports. For more information on the report, please click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/us-house-unanimously-passes-bill-rename-dalles-veterans-clinic-after", "U.S. House unanimously passes bill to rename The Dalles veterans clinic after local Medal of Honor recipient Loren R. Kaufman", "2016-05-24", "2016", "2016-05", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. House unanimously passes bill to rename The Dalles veterans' clinic after local Medal of Honor recipient Loren R. Kaufman \nClick here or on the image below to watch Walden's speech on the House floor\nWASHINGTON, D.C. The U.S. House of Representatives today unanimously approved a bill championed by Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) to rename The Dalles veterans' clinic after Sergeant First Class Loren R. Kaufman, a native of The Dalles and one of Oregon's 14 Medal of Honor recipients. Sergeant Kaufman served in the Army during World War II and the Korean War, where his bravery and selfless actions saved his company, and, ultimately, cost him his life.\nSergeant First Class Kaufman was a true hero, who put others before himself and went above and beyond the call when his company was attacked, said Walden. Fittingly, the Loren R. Kaufman Memorial VA Clinic will be a place for local veterans to receive the help and care they need. I'm pleased that the House has passed this bill to honor Sergeant Kaufman's memory and keep his name alive in The Dalles. \nBorn and raised in The Dalles,Sergeant Kaufmanserved in the Army during World War II and the Korean War. While in Korea,Sergeant Kaufman's company was attacked near Yongsan. His platoon was two miles away protecting the battalion flank and was ordered to come reinforce the company.On their way to their new location, they came under attack.Selflessly,Sergeant Kaufman ran forward, engaged the enemy, and forced them to retreat in confusion.\nOnce Sergeant Kaufman's platoon rejoined their company, they found the enemy had taken commanding ground and pinned the company down in a draw.Without hesitation,Sergeant Kaufmanagain charged the enemy lines, firing his rifle, throwing grenades, using his bayonet, and seizing an unmanned machine gun.Because of his fast thinking and fearlessness, the enemy fled.The company regained their position because ofSergeant Kaufman's courage and leadership.\nFor these actions and conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call, Sergeant Kaufmanwas awarded the Medal of Honor by President Harry S Truman.In his citation, it was written, the dauntless courage and resolute intrepid leadership of Sergeant First Class Kaufman were directly responsible for the success of his company in regaining its positions, reflecting distinct credit upon himself and upholding the esteemed traditions of the military service.\nTragically,though, Sergeant Kaufmanreceived this honor posthumously. He was killed in action on February 10, 1951 and was laid to rest in Willamette National Cemetery.\nThe bill now heads to the Senate, where Oregon's Senators have introduced companion legislation.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-announces-2016-congressional-art-competition-winner-sage", "Greg Walden announces 2016 Congressional Art Competition winner: Sage Hassell, Mountain View High School in Bend", "2016-05-23", "2016", "2016-05", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Greg Walden announces 2016 Congressional Art Competition winner: Sage Hassell, Mountain View High School in Bend  \nClick here or on the photo below for full-sized image\nFlaunt It: An acrylic painting of a girl spinning in a white dress\nBEND U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today announced that Sage Hassell, a senior at Mountain View High School, has been selected as the overall winner for Oregon's Second Congressional District in the 2016 Congressional Art Competition. In a record year for entries, Sage's painting, entitled Flaunt It, was selected by a panel of local judges, including Central Oregon Community College art professor Bill Hoppe. Sage will travel to Washington, D.C. to see her artwork displayed in the national student art exhibit in the U.S. Capitol and attend a reception in her honor on June 23, 2016.\nI want to congratulate Sage on this impressive achievement in such a competitive year, said Walden. Her painting will be showcased in the U.S. Capitol among the best student artwork in the nation, where it will be seen by members of Congress and visitors from around the world. Flaunt It is a testament to Sage's artistic talent, and she should be very proud of this accomplishment.\nWalden also announced winners from 9 counties in Oregon's Second District:\n Josephine County Winner: Peace of Mind by Ella Sachs, senior at Grants Pass High School\n\tJackson County Winner: Alpha by Andrea Orozco, sophomore at Phoenix High School\n\tKlamath County Winner: Stuck in Time by Colt Bruner, junior at Henley High School\n\tHood River County Winner: Ripples in the Water by Elizabeth Munoz, senior at Hood River Valley High School\n\tWasco County Winner: Family Time by Roger Marines, sophomore at South Wasco High School\n\tDeschutes County Winner: Surprise City by Braya Robbins, junior at Mountain View High School\n\tMalheur County Winner: Wolf and the Springtime Thaw by Shayla Griffin, freshman at Adrian High School\n\tHarney County Winner: Old Man by Halle Robertson, junior at Crane Union High School\n\tBaker County Winner: Phoebe by Shelby Swindlehurst, senior at Burnt River High School\n County winners will have their art displayed in one of Walden's district offices in Bend, Medford, La Grande, and Hood River and posted on his website at https://walden.house.gov/art-competition. This summer, Walden will host receptions at his district offices to honor county winners. Exact time and dates to be announced.\nThe Congressional Art Competition is a tremendous opportunity for young Oregonians interested in art, and I want to thank all of the students, teachers, and families who made this year's competition a success, Walden said. I would also like to thank our fourteen judges from around Oregon's Second District for their expertise in judging over one hundred pieces of our talented students' work.\nJudges for this year's competition included: Rogue Gallery & Art Center board member Nancy Jo Mullen, and their executive director Kim Hearon; Central Oregon Community College art professor Bill Hoppe; former Jackson County Commissioner and high school art teacher Sue Kupillas; associate professor of art at Eastern Oregon University Michael Sell; Southern Oregon University professor of art Peg Sjogren; Southern Oregon University professor of painting and drawing Cody Bustamante; fine arts professor at Treasure Valley Community College Robin Jackson; Treasure Valley Community College photography instructor Ted Fink; Treasure Valley Community College visual arts professor Tammy Kinney; Betty Faves Memorial Art Gallery director Lori Sams; artist and owner of Phinney Gallery of Fine Art Malcolm Phinney; Mark Nilsson, artist and owner of Mark Nilsson Artist Studio; and Cathy Stever, owner and artist at Cathy Stever Gallery. \nThe Congressional Art Competition is a nationwide program for students to showcase their artistic abilities and to highlight the importance of art education. Since its start in 1982, more than 650,000 high school students from around the country have participated. Photos of the winners and more information on the competition can be found via Walden's website at https://walden.house.gov/art-competition.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/walden-responds-house-s-failure-pass-kelsey-smith-act", "Walden responds to Houses failure to pass Kelsey Smith Act", "2016-05-23", "2016", "2016-05", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Walden responds to House's failure to pass Kelsey Smith Act \nClick here to watch Walden speak in support of the Kelsey Smith Act\nWASHINGTON, DC  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today issued the following statement after the House of Representatives failed to pass H.R. 4889, the Kelsey Smith Act:\n\"The time was now to act. The time was now to help families find abducted children and I'm disappointed my colleagues could not support this narrowly written bill, saidWalden. We worked diligently to make this a bill that balanced privacy concerns with the importance of saving lives. It's modeled after the law in Oregon that passed unanimously through a Democratic legislature and was signed by a Democratic governor.The majority of the House supported this measure, so, I'm frustrated with my colleagues who voted against providing law enforcement with a critical tool to protect the public in urgent situations where every second counts. This bill respected the rights of the state and local legislatures to determine for themselves the appropriate procedures for law enforcement to protect their citizens' privacy.I willcontinue to work to see this life-saving tool made available nationwide.\"\nThe Kelsey Smith Act, authored by Rep. Kevin Yoder (R-KS), would require telecommunications carriers to share location data if law enforcement believes that someone is in danger of death or serious harm. The bill is named after an 18-year old Kansas woman who was abducted and murdered in 2007. After Kelsey Smith's car was found in a nearby parking lot, police began an urgent search for her. They were unsuccessful for four days until her cell phone's location information was turned over to law enforcement. Kelsey was then found in about 45 minutes.\nAs Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, Walden helped lead the effort to pass the bill. The bill is modeled after a version passed by Oregon in 2014, when it was unanimously approved by both houses of the legislature and signed into law by Gov. Kitzhaber.\nAlthough the bill won support from a majority of the House, it did not reach the required two-thirds support required under the rules under which the bill was considered today.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-s-office-host-academy-day-bend-saturday-students-interested", "Greg Waldens office to host Academy Day in Bend on Saturday for students interested in attending U.S. service academies", "2016-05-12", "2016", "2016-05", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Greg Walden's office to host Academy Day in Bend on Saturday for students interested in attending U.S. service academies  \n  BEND U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) is inviting high school students, parents, and educators to his office's Academy Day in Bend on Saturday to learn more about attending one of the prestigious U.S. service academies. At the event, local Academy Liaison Officers representing the U.S. Air Force, Merchant Marine, Military, and Naval Academies will give presentations on the nomination and appointment process. There is also an opportunity to meet one-on-one with the liaison officers to ask questions and learn more about each academy. Full details are below.\nAttending a U.S. service academy means a top-notch education, strong leadership skills, and the chance to serve your country in uniform, said Walden. Every year I have the honor of nominating a group of young Oregonians who demonstrate outstanding academic, athletic, and leadership characteristics to begin their journey to becoming a military officer. While the appointment process is highly competitive, I encourage all interested students who are willing to work hard to achieve this goal to attend my Academy Day and learn more.\nMembers of Congress like Walden have the opportunity to nominate students to one of the academies. He has two veterans on staff who will be able to answer questions about the process (Walden will be holding town halls in the area on Saturday, so will not be at this forum).\nStudents, parents, or educators with further questions should contact Troy Ferguson in Walden's office at troy.ferguson@mail.house.gov or (541) 776-4646. If you cannot attend, but would like more information on the process, please visit Walden's website at https://walden.house.gov/academynominations.\nSaturday, May 14, 2016\nWhat:Academy Day event for students, parents, and educators\n\tWhen:10:00am  Where: Bend Elks Lodge, 63120 Boyd Acres Road, Bend", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-panel-holds-hearing-greg-walden-s-plan-protect-crooked-river-ranch", "House panel holds hearing on Greg Waldens plan to protect Crooked River Ranch from fire", "2016-05-12", "2016", "2016-05", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "House panel holds hearing on Greg Walden's plan to protect Crooked River Ranch from fire \nClick here or on the image below to watch Walden's video message\nWASHINGTON, D.C. A key House committee today heard from Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) and the Crooked River Ranch fire chief today about a plan to protect Crooked River Ranch from catastrophic wildfire. The hearing today before the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands is a major step forward for Walden's bill, the Crooked River Ranch Fire Protection Act (H.R. 5132).\nBecause of misguided federal land policies, the overstocked land adjacent to Crooked River Ranch presents a serious fire threat to homes in the area, said Walden. I want to thank Fire Chief Hoffmann for speaking before the panel on the dangers this community faces and the obstacles in the way of his department's ability to protect property and lives. I'm pleased the Natural Resources Committee has moved forward on the plan so we can ensure the BLM is being a good neighbor and help protect the residents at Crooked River Ranch.Click here to view Walden's full testimony.\nAs a Fire Chief, it is my responsibility to protect the lives and property of those I serve, said Crooked River Ranch Fire Chief Richard Hoffmann in his testimony. I was pleased to brief the committee today to make sure they are aware of the need for proper fuel mitigation around Crooked River Ranch. By moving the Wilderness Study Area boundary line away from private properties, we will be able to establish a first line of defense for home owners and reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire before it happens.Click here to view Chief Hoffmann's full testimony.\n\n  Local fire chief Richard Hoffmann testifies in support of the plan before Natural Resources panel\n\nWalden introduced the Crooked River Ranch Fire Protection Act in the House on April 29. The proposal would help protect lives and property at Crooked River Ranch by adjusting the boundary of the adjacent Wilderness Study Area (WSA) in order to better facilitate fire prevention activities on public lands and the adjacent private property.\nThese lands are in the highest risk category for exposure to devastating wildfire due to overstocked juniper standsunder the federally mandated and locally promulgated Jefferson County Community Wildfire Protection Plan. And the current WSA classification prevents mechanical fire prevention activities within these overstocked juniper stands.\nDuring the hearing, Rep. Tom McClintock (R-Calif.), who chairs the panel, said, Here's a song we've heard before: despite the high fire risk, BLM is not performing adequate fire prevention activities, particularly mechanical treatments, in the area because it is managed as a WSA. In addition, the location of the WSA hampers firefighting tactics, leaving local firefighters with no maneuvering room to protect life and property in the event of catastrophic wildfire.\nThe next step for the bill is a vote in the Natural Resources Committee before it goes before the full U.S. House.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/video-release-greg-walden-statement-federal-court-siding-house", "VIDEO RELEASE: Greg Walden statement on federal court siding with House Republicans in Obamacare lawsuit", "2016-05-12", "2016", "2016-05", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "VIDEO RELEASE: Greg Walden statement on federal court siding with House Republicans in Obamacare lawsuit  Click here or on the photo below to watch Walden's video statement\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) applauded a federal judge for ruling in favor of the U.S. House of Representatives in a lawsuit against the Obama Administration's improper use of taxpayer dollars under Obamacare.\nThis Administration has repeatedly expanded executive power and flouted basic Constitutional principles. Today's decision sends a clear message to the Administration: they must follow the Constitution and respect the role of Congress. This is a big step forward towards reining in the Administration and protecting Congress' power to decide how federal tax dollars should be spent. I am pleased that the court followed the plain meaning of the Constitution and upheld the rule of law, Walden said.\nIn November 2014, after the House passed a resolution supported by Walden, Speaker of the House John Boehner filed a lawsuit in response to the Administration's improper use of taxpayer dollars to make payments to insurance companies on the exchanges created by Obamacare. For more information on that, please click here.\nAlthough insurance companies would no longer receive federal resources for this program, people buying insurance on the exchanges will not see their payments affected. Today's decision relates solely to payments to insurers, not consumers.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/video-release-addiction-equal-opportunity-destroyer-greg-walden-speaks", "VIDEO RELEASE: Addiction is an equal opportunity destroyer, Greg Walden speaks in support of plans to combat opioid abuse", "2016-05-11", "2016", "2016-05", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "VIDEO RELEASE: Addiction is an equal opportunity destroyer, Greg Walden speaks in support of plans to combat opioid abuse \nClick here or on the image below to watch Walden's remarks \nWASHINGTON, DC  After meeting with Oregonians in Bend, Medford, and Hermiston last week on drug addiction, U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) addressed the House today on a bipartisan plan to help combat opioid abuse. Walden spoke in support of H.R. 4641, which would address the pain prescribing practices contributing to the crisis. It would ensure that health care professionals have access to up-to-date guidelines and best practices for treating patients with acute and chronic pain. The bill passed the House with strong bipartisan support today by a vote of 412-4.\nThis is a very important bipartisan step forward to combat opioid abuse. This issue hits close to home. All of our homes. The state of Oregon ranked near the top or at the top for non-medical use of prescription pain relievers in the nation. With opioid prescriptions serving as a gateway to heroin, it's no surprise the deaths from drug overdoses have surpassed those of car accidents in my state, Walden said.\nLast week, in Medford and Bend and Hermiston I hosted roundtables with community leaders and affected families to talk about what they're seeing on the front lines. Physicians, first responders, members of law enforcement, families, all were there sharing their stories about how important the work we're doing here today is to them and our communities. All of them are on the ground combating this problem every day. We had excellent discussions. H.R. 4641, in addition to the seventeen other bipartisan bills we're voting on this week, will help combat this epidemic. This bill will help prevent lawful prescription use from spiraling into abuse by developing best practices for the treatment of pain.\nIn Medford, I heard from a father who had seen the impacts of addiction on his own family. See, his sister, who was a nurse, died of an overdose after years of suffering from addiction and bouncing between pharmacies passing off forged prescriptions. He spoke about how better tracking and treatment could have helped catch his sister's problem earlier and perhaps made counseling more effective. As it was, she was only caught because two pharmacies in a small town happened to check with each other. You see, by then it was too late. And today this man is working to help his son with an addiction that started with a prescription for a high school sports injury. That drifted to a heroin addiction. He spoke to the importance of counseling, support, and trying to avoid addiction through better prescribing practices. \nAddiction is an equal opportunity destroyer. It affects all segments and regions of our country. And often the disease shows no symptoms. I congratulate my colleagues for their work, and I urge passage of this legislation.\nThis week, the House is voting on a series of bipartisan proposals to tackle this growing epidemic. Click here for more information on the House's efforts to tackle the opioid epidemic head on. The Senate has also passed opioid proposals. The next step is for negotiators from the House and Senate to work out differences between the various plans.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-s-plan-protect-crooked-river-ranch-fire-take-step-forward", "Greg Waldens plan to protect Crooked River Ranch from fire to take step forward in the House; key committee to hold hearing on Thursday", "2016-05-10", "2016", "2016-05", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Greg Walden's plan to protect Crooked River Ranch from fire to take step forward in the House; key committee to hold hearing on Thursday \nLocal fire chief to testify before Natural Resources panel on importance of the plan\nWASHINGTON, DC  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today announced that the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing on his plan to protect Crooked River Ranch from wildfire, a major step forward for the legislation. The Fire Chief for Crooked River Ranch, Mr. Richard Hoffmann, will travel to Washington, D.C. to brief the committee on the need for the changes.\nThis is a big step forward for our plan to protect lives and property at Crooked River Ranch from fire. I'm pleased that Fire Chief Hoffmann and I will have a chance to brief the committee on why this is so important for the community, Walden said. Because of misguided federal land policies, basic fire prevention management isn't being done around Crooked River Ranch. Our plan would change that so firefighters and land managers can conduct this much needed prevention work to improve public safety during future fire seasons.\nWalden introduced the Crooked River Ranch Fire Protection Act (H.R. 5132) in the House on April 29. The proposal would help protect lives and property at Crooked River Ranch by adjusting the boundary of the adjacent Wilderness Study Area (WSA) in order to better facilitate fire prevention activities on public lands and the adjacent private property.\nThese lands are in the highest risk category for exposure to devastating wildfire due to overstocked juniper stands under the federally mandated and locally promulgated Jefferson County Community Wildfire Protection Plan. And the current WSA classification prevents mechanical fire prevention activities within these overstocked juniper stands.\nThe hearing of the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands will take place on Thursday, May 12, at 7:00 am Pacific/10:00 am Eastern. For more information, please click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-announces-economic-development-assistance-13-oregon-counties", "Greg Walden announces economic development assistance for 13 Oregon counties", "2016-05-09", "2016", "2016-05", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Greg Walden announces economic development assistance for 13 Oregon counties \n  WASHINGTON, DC  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) announced today that 13 counties in Oregon's Second Congressional District will receive job creation assistance in an effort to diversify and strengthen the local economy. The 13 counties include: Crook, Deschutes, Jefferson, Hood River, Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam, Grant, Harney, Malheur, Morrow, Umatilla, and Wheeler. The region served by the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation is also receiving assistance.\nWith this assistance, counties will be able to better coordinate to attract private investment to our region. This is good news for efforts to grow jobs and strengthen the economy in central and eastern Oregon and the Columbia Gorge, Walden said.\nThe federal Economic Development Agency (EDA) awarded the assistance to the Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council, the Greater Eastern Oregon Development Cooperation, the Mid-Columbia Economic Development District, and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation.\nFor more information, please contact EDA at (202) 482-2900.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/case-you-missed-it-greg-walden-focuses-combating-opioid-abuse-bend", "In Case You Missed It: Greg Walden focuses on combating opioid abuse in Bend, Medford, Hermiston", "2016-05-06", "2016", "2016-05", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "In Case You Missed It: Greg Walden focuses on combating opioid abuse in Bend, Medford, Hermiston \nThis week, U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) met with physicians, first responders, members of the law enforcement community, and families impacted by drug addiction from around the state. The topic of discussion: combating the growing opioid epidemic in Oregon.\nAt three roundtable events in Bend, Medford, and Hermiston, Walden heard firsthand from the people on the ground about which policies are working, and which are not, in the fight to improve treatment and recovery programs for addicts, and prevent more tragic deaths due to drug overdose. In the coming weeks, the House will vote on over a dozen bipartisan bills to help fix this problem. Click here for more information on the House's efforts to tackle the opioid epidemic head on.\nIn case you missed it, here's a roundup of local coverage of the events:\nEast Oregonian: Opioid addiction key theme of Walden's Oregon tour\nWalden met Tuesday with health care providers, pharmacists, hospital administrators, law enforcement and others at Good Shepherd Medical Center in Hermiston for an opioid roundtable I don't think the general public knows how bad this is,' he said. I think my colleagues didn't know until we started to get into it.'\nBend Bulletin: Walden discusses opioid crisis ahead of big votes \nThe U.S. House of Representatives is due to vote next week on no fewer than a dozen bills dealing with opioid drug abuse, but after a visit to Bend on Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Greg Walden, R-Hood River, knows there's still more work to do. Walden participated in a round-table discussion at St. Charles Bend that included doctors, nurses, mental health and addiction professionals. The limits of treating patients for chronic pain and addiction under Medicare was a recurring theme.\nWalden said that, in general, he's looking to create a national response that builds on the best state policies.\nKDRV Medford: Walden Meets With Local Leaders To Address Opioid Epidemic\nKOBI Medford: Congressman discusses opioid abuse in Medford \nKTVL Medford: Rep. Walden plans to take action against opioid abuse in Oregon\nKTVZ Bend: Opioid roundtable bring state and federal leaders to C.O.\nMy Columbia Basin: Walden addresses opioid abuse \nU.S. Rep. Greg Walden took part in a round-table discussion on opioid abuse at Good Shepherd Medical Center in Hermiston Tuesday. He says the problem is bigger than many people thought, both nationally and right here at home.\n'Most of us didn't know it was this big and bad,' he said. You now have more people overdosing and dying from opioidsthan being killed in traffic accidents. Oregon is like number two in the country with this set of problems.'\nWalden said work is being done at both the federal and state levels, and then said that Eastern and Southern Oregon are also mounting ambitious programs to tackle the issue.\n'Those programs offer some common sense changes in the practice of medicine, the availability of opioids and the recapture of them,' he said.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-introduces-plan-protect-crooked-river-ranch-wildfire", "Greg Walden introduces plan to protect Crooked River Ranch from wildfire", "2016-05-03", "2016", "2016-05", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Greg Walden introduces plan to protect Crooked River Ranch from wildfire \nBEND  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) announced today that he has proposed a plan in the U.S. Housethe Crooked River Ranch Fire Protection Act (H.R. 5132)to protect Crooked River Ranch from wildfire by adjusting the boundary of the adjacent wilderness study area. For a copy of the bill, please click here.\nIn the area surrounding Crooked River Ranch, the juniper stands and brush are dense and basic fire prevention management isn't being done because of misguided federal land policies. As we enter another fire season, people's lives, safety, and property are at risk. This has to change, Walden said. That's why I've introduced a plan to allow more management on public lands in the area to reduce the risk of catastrophic fire. I'm glad the plan is already moving forward in the House. It's just common sense.\nCrooked River Ranch is an unincorporated community of about 5,500 residents in Jefferson County (with one entrance and exit to the community). The lands adjacent to the community are managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and are classified as a Wilderness Study Area (WSA). These lands are in the highest risk category for exposure to devastating wildfire due to overstocked juniper stand under the federally mandated and locally promulgated Jefferson County Community Wildfire Protection Plan. And the current WSA classification prevents mechanical fire prevention activities within these overstocked juniper stands.\nWalden's bill would adjust the boundaries of the WSA in order to better facilitate fire prevention activities on public lands and the adjacent private property.\nLocal leaders praised the bill. With approximately 5,500 residents and the driest climate in Oregon, Crooked River Ranch is constantly facing the issue of wildfire. The current Deschutes Wilderness Study Area boundary borders approximately 250 properties on the west boundary of the Ranch. With only one exit on and off the Ranch our concerns in the face of a catastrophic fire event are real. This bill would move that WSA boundary back to the natural canyon rim and allow our firefighters an opportunity to plan for mitigation in advance and realistically fight the fire before it's in our backyards and spreading to the rest of the Ranch, said George (Mitch) Mitchener, President of the Board of Directors of Crooked River Ranch.\nI want to thank Greg Walden for his efforts to save lives and property in Central Oregon. This legislation will move the boundary away from private properties and allow us to work with the Bureau of Land Management to begin the process of fuels mitigation to further improve defensible space for our community of over 2,600 properties. The lack of fuel mitigation has created a dangerous environment for tactical firefighting and remains one of our highest threats to Crooked River Ranch. Until proper mitigation is performed, it is unlikely we would place firefighters in such a volatile atmosphere. Our first line of defense today is the property boundaries of our home owners, said Rich Hoffmann, Fire Chief for Crooked River Ranch.\nIn January, Walden met with community leaders at Crooked River Ranch to learn more about the need for changes to federal land management policy to better facilitate wildfire mitigation.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-helps-lead-effort-ensure-law-enforcement-can-help-victims", "Greg Walden helps lead effort to ensure law enforcement can help victims in an emergency", "2016-04-19", "2016", "2016-04", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Greg Walden helps lead effort to ensure law enforcement can help victims in an emergencyPanel chaired by Walden approves plan to make it easier to dial 911 from any phone, national version of Oregon's Kelsey Smith law that helps officials locate people in an emergency \n  Walden with Greg and Missey Smith, parents of Kelsey Smith  \n  Walden with Henry Hunt, father of Kari Dunn\nWASHINGTON, D.C. A panel chaired by U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today approved the Kelsey Smith Act and Kari's Law, two proposals in Congress that would help ensure law enforcement can help victims faster in an emergency. The Kelsey Smith Act, which is modeled after a 2014 law passed in Oregon, would require cellphone providers to give law enforcement timely access to location information that can help pinpoint a missing victim. Kari's Law would make it easier to directly dial 911 from a hotel or business line. Imagine that your child has gone missing and is unable to be found. They're carrying a phone that has the potential of giving the police their location, but that information remains locked up behind a bureaucracy at the wireless provider.Or picture trying to frantically dial 911 for help in an emergency, but you're slowed down by having to dial to get to an outside line. Both the Kelsey Smith Act and Kari's Law would make sure no family has to go through situations like that ever again by simply giving law enforcement the tools they need to help when time is precious. These proposals would save lives using existing technology and don't cost taxpayers a dime, Walden said. Importantly, the Kelsey Smith Act is already law in 22 states, including Oregon where it passed in 2014. The federal bill mirrors much of the language in the Oregon bill, giving law enforcement the ability to act quickly when every second counts, but only in narrow circumstances of a true emergency. This bill passed unanimously through both the Oregon House and Senate, and was signed into law by a Democratic governor - demonstrating that this isn't a partisan issue, but just good policy.\nThe Kelsey Smith Act is named after an 18-year old Kansas woman who was abducted and murdered in 2007. After Kelsey Smith's car was found in a nearby parking lot, police began an urgent search for her. They were unsuccessful for four days until her cell phone's location information was turned over to law enforcement. Kelsey was then found in about 45 minutes. Prior to the hearing, Walden met with Kelsey Smith's parents Greg and Missey Smith last week to hear their story in person.\nKari's Law is named after Kari Dunn, a Texas mother who was murdered by her estranged husband in a hotel room in 2013. Kari Dunn's 9-year-old daughter tried to call 911 from the hotel phone, but did not realize she had to dial 9' get an outside line.\nBoth bills were unanimously approved by the House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, which is chaired by Walden. The next step is a vote before the full Energy and Commerce Committee. Walden met with the parents of both victims last week when they testified before the panel.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/us-house-unanimously-approves-greg-walden-s-bill-bring-commercial-air", "U.S. House unanimously approves Greg Waldens bill to bring commercial air service back to Klamath Falls", "2016-04-13", "2016", "2016-04", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. House unanimously approves Greg Walden's bill to bring commercial air service back to Klamath Falls \nClick here or on the image below for video of Walden's remarks\nWASHINGTON, DC  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) announced today that the Treating Small Airports with Fairness Act (TSA Fairness Act), a bill he authored to restore commercial air service to the Crater Lake-Klamath Falls Regional Airport by bringing back federal TSA screening at the airport, has unanimously passed the U.S. House of Representatives. \nThe people of Klamath County deserve safe, reliable air service. That's why unanimous approval of our plan is excellent news for Oregonians living in and around Klamath, our local economy and tourism, and the Oregon National Guard operating out of Kingsley Field, said Walden. The TSA Fairness Act will help make sure the TSA is not able to stonewall an agreement between the local community and a commercial air carrier who wants to resume flights at a small airport. I'm proud of the bipartisan support this bill has received in the House, and will continue to work with the Oregon delegation to get this across the finish line in the Senate. Let's be safe and secure. Let's be smart and prudent. Let's pass this legislation and allow our communities to have the air service they need, and our country to have the security that we demand. This is common-sense legislation that needs to become law. Together we're going to do the right thing even when the TSA will not. \nCommunity leaders in Klamath have been working to restore commercial air service since carrier SkyWest left the Crater Lake-Klamath Airport in June 2014. Last fall, the City of Klamath Falls received a commitment from Alaska-based carrier PenAir to bring back commercial service with daily flights to Portland. However, the TSA has refused to put back in place screening services at the airport, despite repeated calls from the local community and from Oregon's congressional delegation. \nThe TSA Fairness Act would require the TSA to restore screening services to any airport that lost service after January 1, 2013 and that has a guarantee from a commercial airline to resume service within one year. There are currently at least six airports nationwide that have commercial airlines seeking to resume flights after undergoing a temporary gap in service, but are being denied TSA security screening and personnel. Instead, the agency directed the airports to allow passengers to fly unscreened to their next destination, and undergo screening there. \nWalden introduced the legislation along with Oregon Rep. Peter DeFazio. The bill is also cosponsored by Reps. Will Hurd (R-Tex.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Derek Kilmer (D-Wash.), Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah), Blake Farenthold (R-Tex.), Rodney Davis (R-Ill.), and Tim Huelskamp (R-Kan.). Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley have introduced identical legislation in the U.S. Senate, and the Senate Commerce Committee has approved inclusion of the bill in aviation legislation pending in that body.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-backs-effort-maintain-life-saving-emergency-medical-services", "Greg Walden backs effort to maintain life-saving emergency medical services for patients", "2016-04-01", "2016", "2016-04", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Greg Walden backs effort to maintain life-saving emergency medical services for patients \nMEDFORD  Speaking at the Medford Rotary today, U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) announced his support for a proposal in the U.S. House that would help maintain critical emergency medical services in Oregon and nationwide. The Protecting Patient Access to Emergency Medications Act (H.R. 4365) is a bipartisan bill that would make clear that emergency medical responders are allowed to administer controlled substances like anti-seizure medication and pain narcotics under the supervision of a doctor.\nEspecially in rural areas, emergency medical providers do excellent work caring for patients. Unnecessary government red tape shouldn't get in their way. This bill will help make sure that first responders can continue administering life-saving medicines to patients in emergency situations when they need them most, Walden said.\nWalden has heard from physicians and first responders in Jackson, Deschutes, Klamath, Wasco, Hood River, and Sherman counties about the importance of this bill. The Protecting Patient Access to Emergency Medications Act specifically clarifies that the current practice of physician medical directors overseeing care provided by first responders via standing orders is allowed and protected under the law.\nThe Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has said that the current practice of standing orders may not be allowed under existing law, which has threatened the very existence of this life-saving practice. According to Dr. Paul Rostykus, an emergency physician in Jackson County, In emergency situations, when seconds or minutes count, standing orders' are essential for EMS providers to be able to immediately administer DEA controlled substances to save lives and reduce suffering, such as for patients with seizures, breathing difficulties or severe pain from a broken femur.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-hold-town-hall-meetings-eastern-oregon-weekend", "Greg Walden to hold town hall meetings in eastern Oregon this weekend", "2016-03-29", "2016", "2016-03", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Greg Walden to hold town hall meetings in eastern Oregon this weekend  \nBEND U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) will hold town halls and other meetings in Klamath, Lake, Umatilla, Wallowa, and Malheur counties this weekend.\nFirst, Walden will hold a town hall meeting in Klamath Falls where he'll provide an update on the TSA Fairness Act, legislation he authored in the U.S. House that would restore commercial air service to the Crater Lake-Klamath Falls Regional Airport by bringing back federal TSA screening. The bill was unanimously approved by the House Homeland Security Committee last week, and the next step forward is a vote in the full House of Representatives. More on Walden's TSA Fairness Act here.\nNext, Walden will host more public meetings in Lakeview, Enterprise, and Jordan Valley to listen to concerns from communities and local officials on federal land management policies in the region. Walden recently wrote letters to Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell and U.S. Forest Service Regional Forester Jim Pena urging the Administration to heed the voices of local communities, particularly when it comes to decisions about the potential national monument designation in Malheur County and the Blue Mountain Forest Plan.\nIn Pendleton, Walden will meet with local hunters, fishermen, and shooting enthusiasts to update them on the Sportsmen's Heritage and Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) Act, a bill recently approved by the U.S. House to help protect access to public lands and strengthen Second Amendment rights for sportsmen.\nHe will also update residents on his latest work in Congress to strengthen our national security, and grow jobs and the economy in Oregon. Before these meetings, Walden will be in Bend and Medford. Full details on those meetings will be announced soon.\nSaturday, April 2, 2016\nWhat:Klamath Falls Town Hall Meeting\n\tWhen:8:00am  Where: VFW Hall, 515 Klamath Ave, Klamath Falls\nWhat:Lakeview Town Hall Meeting\n\tWhen:10:45am  Where:Lake County Courthouse, 513 Center Street, Lakeview\nWhat: SHARE Act event with local hunters, fishermen, and shooting enthusiasts\n\tWhere: Pendleton Convention Center, 1601 Westgate, Pendleton\n\tWhen:2:45pm\nWhat:Enterprise Town Hall Meeting\n\tWhen:5:45pm  Where:Lear's Main Street Pub & Grill, 111 West Main Street, Enterprise\nSunday, April 3, 2016\nWhat:Jordan Valley Town Hall Meeting\n\tWhen:1:30pm MT  Where:Jordan Valley High School, 501 Bassett Street, Jordan Valley", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-s-bill-bring-commercial-air-service-back-klamath-falls", "Greg Waldens bill to bring commercial air service back to Klamath Falls cleared for takeoff in U.S. House", "2016-03-23", "2016", "2016-03", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Greg Walden's bill to bring commercial air service back to Klamath Falls cleared for takeoff in U.S. House \nBill unanimously approved by House Homeland Security Committee; next step is vote in full House Click here or on the image below for video\nU.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) announced today that a bill he authored to restore commercial air service to the Crater Lake-Klamath Regional Airport by bringing back federal TSA screening at the airport has taken a major step forward in the U.S. House. The Treating Small Airports with Fairness Act, or TSA Fairness Act, was unanimously approved by the House Homeland Security Committee today. The next step forward is a vote in the full House of Representatives. \nToday's bipartisan vote in the Homeland Security Committee means our bill has been cleared for takeoff in the U.S. House. While there is more work to be done, this is a very important step towards returning commercial air service to Klamath Falls, said Walden. The people of Klamath County deserve safe, reliable air service. Since TSA won't restore screening to Klamath Falls on its own--even when a commercial air carrier has expressed a desire to resume flights at the airport--Congress needs to pass a new law forcing them to do so. This will help grow the local economy, attract tourism, and support the national security mission at Kingsley Field. I'm proud this bill will help accomplish that. \nThe Crater Lake-Klamath Regional Airport has been working to restore commercial air service since carrier SkyWest left the airport in June 2014. Last fall, the city of Klamath Falls received a commitment from Alaska-based carrier PenAir to bring back commercial service with daily flights to Portland. However, TSA has refused to bring back screening services at the airport after SkyWest's departure, despite repeated calls from the local community and from Oregon's congressional delegation. \nThe TSA Fairness Act would require the TSA to restore screening services to any airport that lost service after January 1, 2013 and that has a guarantee from a commercial airline to resume service within one year. Walden introduced the legislation along with Oregon Rep. Peter DeFazio. The bill is also cosponsored by Reps. Will Hurd (R-Tex.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Derek Kilmer (D-Wash.), Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah), Blake Farenthold (R-Tex.), Rodney Davis (R-Ill.), and Tim Huelskamp (R-Kan.). Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley have introduced identical legislation in the U.S. Senate.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-s-bill-force-forest-service-complete-mt-hood-land-exchange", "Greg Waldens bill to force Forest Service to complete Mt. Hood land exchange takes major step forward in U.S. House", "2016-03-16", "2016", "2016-03", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Greg Walden's bill to force Forest Service to complete Mt. Hood land exchange takes major step forward in U.S. House \nBill unanimously approved by House Natural Resources Committee; next step is vote in full House \nWASHINGTON, DC  A bill authored by Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) to force the U.S. Forest Service to complete a land exchange on Mt. Hoodfirst approved by Congress seven years agohas taken a major step forward in the U.S. House. The Mount Hood Cooper Spur Land Exchange Clarification Act (H.R. 3826), cosponsored by Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Portland), was approved unanimously by the House Natural Resources Committee today. The next step is a vote in the full House of Representatives.\nIn 2009, Congress passed our bipartisan legislation that clearly stated that the Forest Service should complete the land exchange within 16 months. Now, 85 months later, the agency still has not complied with the law. In fact, they have said that they made need another year or two even under this new plan to complete the transfer. That's simply unacceptable, Walden said. Our new bill would force the Forest Service to complete its work in a timely manner. I'm pleased that the House Natural Resources Committee has unanimously approved this bill, and hope that the full House will pass it soon.\nThe 2009 law authorizes a land exchange to allow development of 120 acres of federal land in Government Camp in exchange for 770 acres of non-federal land at Cooper Spur. That law clearly stated that the Forest Service should complete the exchange within 16 months. Yet it has still not been completed, frustrating many in the local communities and at Mt. Hood Meadows.\nH.R. 3826 would restate Congress' intent that the Forest Service move quickly to complete the exchange, addresses disagreements over a conservation easement, and allows for a more transparent appraisal process. Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley have introduced similar legislation, which now awaits consideration by the full Senate.\nIn February, Walden testified about his legislation before the Committee. For video of Walden's full remarks, click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/us-house-unanimously-passes-greg-walden-s-bill-lift-burdens-small", "U.S. House unanimously passes Greg Waldens bill to lift burdens on small Internet service providers, improve service for consumers", "2016-03-16", "2016", "2016-03", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. House unanimously passes Greg Walden's bill to lift burdens on small Internet service providers, improve service for consumers \n\n\nWASHINGTON, DC  The U.S. House has unanimously passed a bipartisan bill authored by Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) to protect consumers and small businesses by relieving small Internet service providers (ISPs) of overly-burdensome reporting requirements. The Small Business Broadband Deployment Act (H.R. 4596) was introduced in reaction to new rules that many small ISPs in Oregon and nationwide said would force them to spend resources on hiring compliance attorneys rather than improving service for consumers.\nOne of my top priorities has been extending reliable Internet service to rural areas in Oregon. This bill helps do that. New rules from the Federal Communications Commission would have forced many small Internet service providers to spend time and resources on complying with overly burdensome red tape instead of extending service for consumers. By exempting small providers from these unnecessary rules, this bill allows them to focus on their core mission: providing broadband Internet access to customers in Oregon and across the country, especially in rural and hard to serve areas, Walden said. Today's unanimous vote sends a strong signal that the House supports consumers and small businesses. I am pleased that the White House has said that the President would sign this bill, and I urge the Senate to quickly pass it.\nSmall service providers in Oregon praised the bill. The passage of the Small Business Broadband Deployment Act (H. R. 4596) will mean that our companies can continue to focus on spending our time and resources deploying broadband service to our customers in rural Oregon rather than spending those resources complying with overly burdensome red tape from Washington D.C. We commend Congressman Walden for sponsoring and passing this bill through the House, said Mike Lattin, President of Eagle Telephone System in Richland and Dan Bubb, President of Gorge Networks in Hood River. \nOur company is a small, local, non-subsidized team of people that works to deliver high speed Internet in our rural communities. We deliver faster broadband service, better local customer service and do this at a price that is a fair value for our customers. We do not have dedicated staff for legal, regulatory compliance, mapping and reporting. When we actually learn of government reporting or other filing requirements it takes a lot of time to figure out the instructions, develop systems to gather the data (which we usually do not have in the form required), hope the data is what the government agency really wants and actually file the submission, said Jeff Crews, Chief Technology Officer of Eastern Oregon Net in La Grande.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-writes-interior-secretary-president-after-voters-malheur", "Greg Walden writes to Interior Secretary, President, after voters in Malheur County overwhelmingly oppose potential monument designation", "2016-03-11", "2016", "2016-03", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Greg Walden writes to Interior Secretary, President, after voters in Malheur County overwhelmingly oppose potential monument designation  \nWASHINGTON, DC  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) has written to Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell to urge her to heed the results of a local referendum overwhelmingly passed by voters in Malheur County on Tuesday in opposition to a potential large national monument designation on the Owyhee Canyonlands. He also shared the news with President Barack Obama and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. For a copy of the letter, please click here. The full text of Walden's letter is as follows:\nDear Madam Secretary,\nI've appreciated our discussions regarding the proposed Owyhee Canyonlands National Monument and your statements before the House Natural Resources Committee confirming that no one in your department is working on such a proposal. That information is comforting news to me and my constituents who believe, as you do, in building positive, cooperative partnerships when it comes to managing our public lands. \nI also appreciated your commitment to me that if the Interior Department does engage on such a proposal, that you will let me and the Natural Resources Committee know at your earliest convenience. Nothing will erode public trust more than another dark-of-night monument designation that is created without a fair public process that includes the input of the citizens most affected by such an action.\nTuesday, the voters of Malheur County weighed in at the ballot box with their views regarding the proposal. Nearly 55% of eligible voters turned out in a special election and nearly 90% voted against the 2.5 million acre proposed monument. \nGiven the intense emotions regarding federal land management in Oregon, and across the West, I knew you would take interest in the strongly held opinions of the residents of this eastern Oregon county. The sooner you and the President can put this matter to rest, the sooner we can move forward in a positive direction.\nThank you for your interest in this matter and others related to prudent and productive improvements in federal land management.\nSincerely, Greg Walden  \n\tU.S. Representative  \n\tOregon's 2nd District cc: President Barack Obama  \n\tSecretary Tom Vilsack\nAt a hearing in the U.S. House last week, Secretary Jewell told Walden that she is not aware of any coordination between her department and the White House on a potential monument designation in Malheur County. She pledged to notify Walden and the House Natural Resources Committee if such a process were to begin. Click here for video of their full exchange.\nWalden has strongly opposed the possible monument designation in Malheur County. He has repeatedly urged President Obama and top members of the Administration to back off the proposal to ease tensions in the rural West.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-statement-regarding-investigation-death-lavoy-finicum", "Greg Walden statement regarding investigation into death of LaVoy Finicum", "2016-03-08", "2016", "2016-03", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Greg Walden statement regarding investigation into death of LaVoy Finicum \nBEND U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today issued the following statement regarding the independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of LaVoy Finicum:\n\"This independent investigation gives us some answers to what happened, but leaves me disturbed and bewildered by the role of the FBI agents who are now under federal investigation themselves. Meanwhile, I will continue working with local officials to get results on the Steens Mountain fencing issue, federal reimbursement for the local policing costs, and to stop the monument designation in Malheur County, among other resource-related issues.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/interior-secretary-to-greg-walden", "Interior Secretary to Greg Walden: Not aware of any plans for a monument designation on the Owyhee Canyonlands", "2016-03-01", "2016", "2016-03", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Interior Secretary to Greg Walden: Not aware of any plans for a monument designation on the Owyhee Canyonlands  \nWASHINGTON, D.C.  In response to questions from U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) at a U.S. House hearing today, Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell said she is not aware of any coordination between her department and the White House on a potential large national monument designation on the Owyhee Canyonlands in Malheur County that has faced strong local opposition. She pledged to notify Walden if such a process were to begin.\nI want to get to the issue of the monument. You and I had a phone conversation about this. I know you met with [Harney County] Judge Grasty and Commissioner Runnells as well. The Malheur County Commission and judge there have written you expressing their opposition to any monument there. I just want to reconfirm that there's no effort in your agency, there's no coordination with [the Council on Environmental Quality in the White House] or the White House that you're aware of to designate an Owyhee Canyons National Monument? Walden asked.\nThe concept of Owyhee Canyons came from, I think, Keen Footwear. It's been kicking around. It's one of those things people have recommended to us. But we have not held any community meetings, and we haven't had any discussions in those communities. People haven't been actively in my office asking about it, Jewell replied.\nWalden reiterated to Jewell the strong local opposition to such a monument proposal, and told her of concerns of a dark of night designation like in prior administrations. This questioning continues Walden's long-running efforts to oppose a rumored national monument designation in Malheur County. At 2.5 million acres, the monument could be larger than Yellowstone National Park and twice the size of Grand Canyon National Park. Walden has repeatedly urged President Obama and top members of the Administration to back off the proposal to ease tensions in the rural West.\nWalden also touched on the situation in Harney County in January and long-running frustration over fencing issues on Steens Mountain. Now that the standoff is over at the Refuge, I do hope the BLM will move rapidly on complying with federal law regarding Steens Mountain and the fencing issue up there on Steens. Under the Steens Cooperative Management and Protection Act, which I helped author, that fencing, if it's an issue of doing an EA or an EIS, could cooperatively be done on adjacent private land, and the land owners are open to that to facilitate this to be in compliance with the law. The BLM I think was wrong in this case in their initial analysis, and I hope you can help correct that, Walden said.\nHe continued: On another note, thank you for coming out regarding the sage grouse habitat cooperative collaborative. I'm sure you'll be disappointed to know one of the environmental groups has now sued over that. This is kind of the frustration that we feel very strongly, as I don't have to tell you, in the West, when the collaboration does come together and then another group sues. It's really, really frustrating to what we're trying to do out thereAs for law enforcement funding and all, because this was a federal facility, and because most of the people who were there were not from Harney County, let alone from the state of Oregon, I do hope the federal government will help figure out a way to help cover some of the local costs.\nThank you for your comments and particularly for your advocacy of the people of Harney County and also for the education we had in my conversation about your work on Steens Mountain. I don't know about the reimbursement and how the process works with the FBI and so on, so that's certainly something that we're happy to have dialogue on but I don't know what the rules are, Jewell replied.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/walden-and-blumenauer-speak-support-mount-hood-cooper-spur-land-exchange", "Walden and Blumenauer Speak in Support of Mount Hood Cooper Spur Land Exchange Clarification Act", "2016-02-26", "2016", "2016-02", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Walden and BlumenauerSpeak in Support of Mount Hood Cooper Spur Land Exchange Clarification Act \nWashington, DC Today, in a legislative hearing of the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Federal Lands, Representatives Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Greg Walden (R-OR) spoke in support of their legislation, the Mount Hood Cooper Spur Land Exchange Clarification Act (H.R. 3826).\nThis legislation would expedite the Forest Service's completion of the long-overdue Government Camp/Cooper Spur land exchange on Mount Hood, which Congress mandated in 2009 with broad community support. It clarifies Congressional intent that the Forest Service move forward expeditiously, addresses disagreements over a conservation easement, allows for a more transparent appraisal process, and clarifies certain other provisions. U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley introduced companion legislation in the Senate, which the Senate Environment & Natural Resources Committee passed on November 19, 2015, and is awaiting full Senate consideration.\nThis exchange was approved nearly seven years ago and with tremendous bipartisan and regional support. It's embarrassing that the Forest Service has yet to do what it should have already done, said Representative Blumenauer. I hope we approve this legislation  and soon  to clarify any lingering questions and add an exclamation point to the fact that Congress wants the Forest Service to quickly finish the job we directed them to complete years ago.\nOur bipartisan Mt. Hood legislation clearly specified the intent of Congress to get the land exchange completed within 16 months.Some 85 months later the Forest Service still has not complied with the law we enacted, said Representative Walden. As unbelievable as it may seem, here we are having to pass another law telling the Forest Service to complete its work. And now, the agency says they might need another year or two even under this new bill to complete the land transfer specified in the law enacted in 2009.That's simply unacceptable. For video of Walden's full remarks, click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/blm-finally-implement-walden-s-bowman-dam-legislation-paving-way-future", "BLM to finally implement Waldens Bowman Dam legislation, paving the way for future hydropower development for Central Oregon", "2016-02-25", "2016", "2016-02", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "BLM to finally implement Walden's Bowman Dam legislation, paving the way for future hydropower development for Central Oregon \nWalden speaks to the U.S. House in 2013 on the importance of passing his legislation to pave the way for energy generation at Bowman Dam in Crook County.\nWASHINGTON, DC  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) announced today that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will finally implement the Crooked River Collaborative Water Security and Jobs Act of 2014, a law that he wrote and that was unanimously approved by Congress in 2014 to improve water management and grow jobs in Central Oregon. The law moves the boundary line for the Crooked River Wild and Scenic Area from the crest of Bowman Dam to a quarter of a mile downstream, paving the way for energy generation at the dam.\nFor many years, I've worked hard with community leaders, farmers, fishermen, tribes, and Senator Jeff Merkley to move the wild and scenic boundary line at Bowman Dam. As I've long said, there's nothing wild and scenic about a dam. Making this change paves the way for the development of clean, renewable hydropower at the dam and about fifty construction jobs in Central Oregon, Walden said. Over 14 months ago, Congress unanimously approved legislation to do just that, but the BLM hasn't implemented the law until now. Implementing this legislation is good news for Prineville and Central Oregon as a whole, and I'm pleased the agency has finally heard the calls to get this done. \nIn January, Walden wrote to BLM Director Neil Kornze to urge him to take immediate action to implement the legislation, more than a year after it was unanimously passed by Congress. I am very disappointed that this important provision has not been fully implemented even though my legislation became law on December 18, 2014, Walden wrote on January 15. Click here for a copy of that letter. \nWalden originally introduced the legislation in May 2011. It unanimously passed the House three times before finally passing the Senate and being signed into law in December 2014. Besides hydropower development at the Dam, the law provides additional water for the City of Prineville, for both city residents and economic development, while also providing more stability for farmers and ranchers who depend on irrigation water for their livelihood. And this plan improves fish and wildlife habitat, including the McKay Creek restoration project, while ensuring that enough water is maintained at Prineville Reservoir to continue to serve as a summer gathering place for fishermen, boaters, and campers.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-announces-2016-congressional-art-competition-high-school", "Greg Walden announces 2016 Congressional Art Competition for high school students", "2016-02-23", "2016", "2016-02", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Greg Walden announces 2016 Congressional Art Competition for high school students \n\t\t\t\tWinner's artwork to hang in U.S. Capitol; winner receives airfare for two to Washington, D.C. to view exhibit\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTess Lewis of Phoenix High School won last year's Congressional Art Competition for her artwork Petrichor (above). This piece is currently on display in the U.S. Capitol.\n\t\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) announced today that the 2016 Congressional Art Competition is now open to high school students throughout Oregon's Second District. This nationwide event is an exciting chance for artistically talented high school students to showcase their talents and have their artwork displayed in the U.S. Capitol where it will be seen by members of Congress and visitors from around the world. A panel of experts, including local artists and art professors, will judge each student's work and choose the winner and the runners-up.\n\t\t\t\tThe Congressional Art Competition is an excellent opportunity to recognize and encourage the artistic talent of students in southern, central, and eastern Oregon. And one creative student will have the chance to have his or her work displayed on the national stage. I look forward to seeing this year's entries and wish all the budding artists of Oregon's Second District the best of luck, Walden said.\n\t\t\t\tBesides having their artwork displayed in the 2016 national student art exhibit in the Capitol, the winner will receive complimentary round-trip airfare for two to visit Washington, D.C., see the exhibit, and attend a reception in their honor. 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.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-statement-end-situation-malheur-national-wildlife-refuge", "Greg Walden statement on the end of the situation at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge", "2016-02-11", "2016", "2016-02", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Greg Walden statement on the end of the situation at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge  \nWASHINGTON, DC  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today issued the following statement on the conclusion of the situation at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Harney County, Ore.:\nWe can all be grateful that today has ended peacefully, and that this situation is finally over. Now, life in Harney County can begin to return to normal and the community can begin the long process of healing. I will continue working to solve the underlying issues that have caused so much frustration in rural communities. We need meaningful changes to federal forest and land management policies, and we need to foster a more cooperative spirit between the federal agencies and the people who call areas like Harney County home.\nWalden represents the people of Oregon's Second Congressional District, which includes 20 counties in central, southern, and eastern Oregon (including Harney County).", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/merkley-wyden-walden-defazio-introduce-bipartisan-tsa-fairness-act-bring", "Merkley, Wyden, Walden, DeFazio Introduce Bipartisan TSA Fairness Act to Bring Commercial Air Service Back to Klamath Falls Airport", "2016-02-11", "2016", "2016-02", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Merkley, Wyden, Walden, DeFazio Introduce Bipartisan TSA Fairness Act to Bring Commercial Air Service Back to Klamath Falls Airport\nWASHINGTON, D.C.  Oregons Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden and Representatives Greg Walden and Peter DeFazio today introduced the bipartisan Treating Small Airports with Fairness Act, or TSA Fairness Act, which would restore commercial air service to the Crater Lake-Klamath Regional Airport by bringing back federal TSA screening at the airport.\nThe Crater Lake-Klamath Regional Airport is a critical transportation link for the region, and its unacceptable for bureaucrats 3,000 miles away in D.C. to stand in the way of restoring commercial service, said Merkley. Its time for the TSA to restore screening services in Klamath Falls and ensure that local residents, businesses and Kingsley Field have the air travel options that are so essential in todays interconnected economy.\nOregonians who live in and around Klamath Falls should be able to count on TSA to work for them just as it does for larger cities, Wyden said.Our states rural economy depends heavily on the viability of its local airports and our bipartisan bill would require TSA to be a better partner in helping ensure essential connections for rural communities.\nSince TSA wont restore screening to Klamath Falls on its own, Congress needs to pass a new law forcing them to do so. The people of Klamath County deserve safe, reliable air service, said Walden. Returning commercial air service would give greater flexibility to residents, tourists, and business travelers, and it would help grow jobs in rural communities in Klamath County and across the region. Im proud that this bill will help accomplish that, and I look forward to moving it through the U.S. House.\nTravel is difficult enough for rural Oregonians without the added burden of worrying about safety, said DeFazio.Travelers from Crater Lake-Klamath Regional Airport deserve the same security and peace of mind that other travelers across the country are granted. Its imperative that TSA resume operations at this airport and restore screening services to the people who depend on this airport for their travel needs.\nThe Crater Lake-Klamath Regional Airport has been working to restore commercial service since carrier SkyWest left the airport in June 2014. Last fall, the city of Klamath Falls received a commitment from Alaska-based carrier PenAir to bring back commercial service with daily flights to Portland. However, the TSA stopped providing screening services at the airport after SkyWests departure. Despite repeated calls from the local community and from Oregons congressional delegation for the TSA to resume service so that PenAir can begin commercial flights, the federal agency has thus far refused.\nThe TSA Fairness Act would require the TSA to restore screening services to any airport that lost service after January 1, 2013 and that has a guarantee from a commercial airline to resume service within one year.\nThe Crater Lake-Klamath airport is a key infrastructure link for Crater Lake National Park, which is one of Oregons premier tourist destinations; the U.S. Military, which trains all F-15 pilots at the Kingsley Field Air National Guard Base adjacent to the Crater Lake-Klamath airport; and for the entire Southern Oregon community. Without commercial service from Klamath Falls, many Southern Oregon residents are forced to drive several hours each way to access commercial flights from Medford or Bend.\nThe legislation was introduced in both the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives today. In addition to Merkley, Wyden, Walden and DeFazio, the bill is cosponsored by Sens. John Barrasso (R-WY), Mike Enzi (R-WY), and Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Reps. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Will Hurd (R-TX), and Derek Kilmer (D-WA).", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-reacts-new-klamath-basin-announcement", "Greg Walden reacts to new Klamath Basin announcement", "2016-02-02", "2016", "2016-02", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Greg Walden reacts to new Klamath Basin announcement  \nWASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today issued the following statement after the States of Oregon and California, PacifiCorp and the federal government  through the U.S. Departments of the Interior and Commerce  announced an agreement-in-principle to move forward with amending the Klamath Hydroelectric Settlement Agreement (KHSA):\nMonths ago we determined that PacificCorp did not need Congressional approval to remove its dams, despite years of saying it did. That's why our draft legislation did not include dam removal, but did provide for implementation of the other settlement agreements. I was working to find a legislative package that could move in Congress. I will continue to work with the Governor, our Senators, tribal, farm, fisheries, and other affected parties to achieve a long lasting and balanced settlement for the Klamath Basin that is sustainable for our farm and ranch economy.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-applauds-crook-county-commission-prineville-city-council", "Greg Walden applauds Crook County Commission, Prineville City Council for opposing new wilderness in the Ochocos; pledges he will do all he can to stop plan in House", "2016-01-29", "2016", "2016-01", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Greg Walden applauds Crook County Commission, Prineville City Council for opposing new wilderness in the Ochocos; pledges he will do all he can to stop plan in House  \nWASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today reiterated his opposition to new wilderness and recreation areas in the Ochoco National Forest and pledged to do all he can to stop it. This week, the Prineville City Council voted to oppose the plan, and the Crook County Commission plans to take a formal vote in opposition soon.\nId like to thank the members of the Crook County Commission and the Prineville City Council for vocally opposing new wilderness and recreation areas in the Ochoco National Forest. At my town hall meeting this month in Prineville, local residents made clear their strong opposition to this plan. I strongly oppose Oregon Wilds plan to create more wilderness in the Ochocos. If such a plan is passed in the Senate, I will do all I can to stop it in the House and prevent it from becoming law.\nEnough is enough. Weve already seen the impacts of long-time mismanagement of our public lands. Jobs have gone away, mills have closed, and our air has been choked with smoke because our forests arent properly managed. Most people in Crook County and throughout eastern Oregon dont want more of our public lands locked up, increasing fire risk and keeping away people who have camped, snowmobiled, and hunted on these lands for generations.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-statement-situation-harney-county-0", "Greg Walden statement on the situation in Harney County", "2016-01-27", "2016", "2016-01", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Greg Walden statement on the situation in Harney County \nHOOD RIVER  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today issued the following statement on the situation in Harney County:\nI've been in close contact with local and federal officials throughout this long standoff, and we had all hoped for a peaceful conclusion to the situation in Harney County. Sadly, our hopes were shattered with the shooting that occurred during last night's arrest.While we wait to learn more details and next steps, we must keep the people of Harney County in our hearts as they are a strong community and have endured a great deal. Once again, I urge those who remain at the refuge to go home before anyone else gets hurt. And when this is done and the cameras' glare turns away from rural Oregon, the healing process will be a long one. Widespread frustration will continue until people in rural America feel like they are being heard and meaningful changes are made to federal land management policy.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/video-release-greg-walden-house-vote-overturn-epa-s-waters-united-states", "VIDEO RELEASE: Greg Walden on House vote to overturn EPAs Waters of the United States rule", "2016-01-13", "2016", "2016-01", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "VIDEO RELEASE: Greg Walden on House vote to overturn EPAs Waters of the United States rule \n***Click here or on the image below to watch Waldens video message***\nWASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today issued a video statement after the U.S. House voted to overturn the EPAs Waters of the United States rule, which would expand federal authority over virtually any water in the nation, including canals, irrigation ditches, vernal pools, and stock ponds. This resolution passed the House today with bipartisan support. It had previously passed the Senate, so it now goes to the Presidents desk to be signed or vetoed. Click here to watch Waldens video.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/video-release-greg-walden-reacts-state-union-address", "VIDEO RELEASE: Greg Walden reacts to the State of the Union Address", "2016-01-12", "2016", "2016-01", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "VIDEO RELEASE: Greg Walden reacts to the State of the Union Address \n***Click here or on the image below to watch Waldens video message***\nWASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today issued a video statement after the Presidents State of the Union Address. Click here to watch his message.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/video-release-greg-walden-addresses-us-house-about-situation-harney", "VIDEO RELEASE: Greg Walden addresses U.S. House about situation in Harney County, Oregon, federal overreach in the West", "2016-01-05", "2016", "2016-01", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "VIDEO RELEASE: Greg Walden addresses U.S. House about situation in Harney County, Oregon, federal overreach in the West \nClick here or on the image below to watch Waldens floor speech\nWASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden today addressed the U.S. House of Representatives about the current situation in Harney County, where a group of armed protestors have overtaken a federal facility in the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. He spoke to his colleagues at length about widespread frustration with federal policies in rural communities in eastern Oregon and throughout the West. Click here to watch his remarksandhere to view the full transcript.\nWalden represents the people of Oregon's Second Congressional District, which includes 20 counties in central, southern, and eastern Oregon.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-statement-situation-harney-county", "Greg Walden statement on the situation in Harney County", "2016-01-04", "2016", "2016-01", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Greg Walden statement on the situation in Harney County \nWASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today issued the following statement on the situation in Harney County:\nWhats happening in Harney County is very troubling, and, if history is any gauge, no one comes out of situations like this a winner. Law enforcement at all levels are working hard to keep everyone safe and resolve this peacefully. Ill continue to be in close touch with community leaders and law enforcement as we monitor this situation.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 61, "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": "2016"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=OR&year=2016", "results": [{"value": "Republican", "label": "Republican", "count": 61, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=OR&year=2016", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=OR&year=2016", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 61, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=OR&year=2016&chamber=House", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=OR&year=2016", "results": [{"value": "OR", "label": "OR", "count": 61, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&year=2016", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=OR&year=2016", "results": [{"value": "2016", "label": "2016", "count": 61, "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": 223.71236002072692, "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"}