url,title,date,year,month,party,chamber,state,member_name,bioguide_id,domain,scraper,source,date_source,text,has_text,collected_at,updated_at
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/walden-merkley-central-oregon-jobs-and-water-plan-signed-law,"Walden, Merkley Central Oregon Jobs and Water plan signed into law",2014-12-19,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Walden, Merkley Central Oregon Jobs and Water plan signed into law  President's signature on Crooked River legislation paves the way for greater water security and economic growth for Central Oregon WASHINGTON Legislation written by Senator Jeff Merkley and Representative Greg Walden to improve water management and grow jobs in Central Oregon has become law now that the President has signed the Crooked River Collaborative Water Security and Jobs Act. The legislation was unanimously approved by the Senate and House late last week, delivering Central Oregon a major victory towards improved water certainty and a stronger foundation to grow the economy and create jobs. After many years of hard work, our Central Oregon jobs and water plan is now the law of the land. This bill is a win for jobs in Central Oregon. It provides much needed water to Prineville for city residents and economic development, ensures certainty for farmers, improves fish habitat for tribes and other fishermen, paves the way for energy generation at Bowman Dam, and protects recreation. I'd like to again thank everyone who came together on this important bill, and pledge that I'll work hard to ensure that it is implemented promptly, Walden said.  Having this bill signed into law is a great holiday gift to the Central Oregon community, said Merkley. A new water management plan will provide so many benefits to the region: increased municipal water to support growth in Prineville, new potential for hydropower energy, a certain supply of water for farmers and ranchers, and a healthy river ecosystem to restore fish and promote tourism and recreation. With this vision now being put into action, Central Oregon will be a model for how to manage our water resources in a way that is truly better for the whole community. Senator Merkley and Representative Walden have been working intensely to agree on legislation and to clear a path for passage in both houses of Congress. The legislation will implement the collaborative water management vision developed by local stakeholders in Central Oregon, including the city of Prineville, Crook County, the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs, American Rivers, Deschutes Basin Board of Control (representing the seven major irrigation districts in Central Oregon), NW Steelheaders, Ochoco and North Unit Irrigation Districts, Portland General Electric, Trout Unlimited, WaterWatch, and Central Oregon Flyfishers. The legislation will provide numerous benefits to water users and the Central Oregon region by: Meeting the municipal water needs for the city of Prineville long into the future so the city can continue to attract new businesses like data centers that require reliable water supplies;Providing greater certainty for the agricultural community that depends on the Crooked River for irrigation;Allowing water to be released from Bowman Dam to help maintain healthy steelhead, salmon and trout fisheries, which are cherished by local fishermen;Moving the federal wild and scenic river boundary from the top of the dam, fixing an administrative error that has blocked efforts to retrofit Bowman Dam to generate clean hydroelectric power; andCreating a process to help better plan for dry years, in terms of the impact on fish habitat and fishing, as well as boating and other recreational activities. Last week, The Bulletinin Bend urged the President to sign the bill, declaring, Walden, Merkley get Bowman Dam right. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/walden-nominates-oregon-students-acceptance-us-service-academies,Walden nominates Oregon students for acceptance to U.S. service academies,2014-12-19,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Walden nominates Oregon students for acceptance to U.S. service academies  Click here to watch KDRV Medford's coverage of Walden's announcement MEDFORD  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) has announced the nomination of eight Oregon students for acceptance to one of the prestigious United States service academies based on their academic performance, extracurricular involvement, and character. Walden made the announcement in Medford yesterday with three of the nominees. Members of Walden's Service Academy Nomination Boardactive and retired military officers who interview potential candidates to the service academies and make recommendations to Waldenwere also present. Being nominated to one of our nation's service academies represents years of hard work and discipline, Walden said. Competing with the best and brightest of America's youth for an appointment to an academy is a great honor and a tremendous opportunity. I am confident that these talented students would represent their families and nation well in that effort, and I commend them for their desire to serve our country in uniform. It takes a special commitment to pursue the rigors of an academy education, and these young Americans are continuing a long line of patriotic Oregonians in their endeavor. The service academies include the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO; the Military Academy at West Point, NY; the Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD; and the Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, NY. Final selection for admission to the service academies will be performed by officials at each respective academy this spring. The nominees are as follows: Deschutes County  McKenzie Bell, daughter of Kyle & Kelsey Bell of Bend, attending College of Idaho (2013 graduate of Bend High School)nominated to the U.S. Military Academy. Jackson County John (Ryne) Robitz, son of John (Tim) & Mary Robitz of Ashland, attending Ashland High Schoolnominated to the U.S. Naval Academy and Merchant Marine Academy. Josephine County Connor McGlothlin, son of Antonio & Shannon McGlothlin of Grants Pass, attending Grants Pass High Schoolnominated to the U.S. Military Academy and U.S. Naval Academy Klamath County Nathanial (Nate) Beckstrand, son of John & Dawn Beckstrand of Klamath Falls, attending Hosanna Christian Academynominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Jonathan (Jonny) Heitzman, son of Stefan & Jaime Heitzman of Crescent, attending Gilchrist High School nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Hood River County Stanley (Stan) Ocheskey, son of Brent & Emily Ocheskey of Hood River, attending Hood River Valley High Schoolnominated to the U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, and U.S. Air Force Academy. Morrow County Joseph (Joe) Schmidt, son of Richard & Pamela Schmidt of Heppner, attending Heppner High Schoolnominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Harney County  Jeff Davies, son of Stacy & Elaine Davies of Hines, attending Burns High Schoolnominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/walden-supports-plan-keep-spending-check-rein-unnecessary-federal-red,"Walden supports plan to keep spending in check, rein in unnecessary federal red tape to grow jobs",2014-12-12,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Walden supports plan to keep spending in check, rein in unnecessary federal red tape to grow jobs   Key wins for southern, central, eastern Oregon included in spending agreement WASHINGTON The U.S. House of Representatives today passed a bipartisan bill that funds the government for the remainder of the fiscal year and implements key policy changes that benefit southern, central and eastern Oregon by reining in burdensome federal red tape. U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.) supported this plan, and released a video message explaining his support. A transcript is below: While this measure is not perfect, certainly, it does reduce funding for federal agencies to a level on the discretionary side that is below what it was when President Obama took office. And it does keep the government open. Importantly for our famers and our ranchers, this plan halts an increase in grazing fees and it stops proposals to list the sage grouse under the ESA. That's a move that could decimate rural economies in eastern Oregon. We increase our oversight of agencies, like the IRS, and we cut funding from them. And we cut wasteful spending from agencies like EPA that try to push forward with really bad regulations that hurt our farmers, and ranchers, and job creators. This legislation provides full funding for the Payments in Lieu of Taxes program. Now that's very important for our counties, to make sure they have the dollars necessary for essential local services, while also providing full funding for wildfire suppression operations  also very important. It also ensures that Oregon potato growers are no longer needlessly excluded from federal nutrition programs. Under this plan, we provide additional funding to address growing threats around the world, such as Ebola and ISIS. And importantly, we take care of the men and women who serve our nation, wear our nation's uniform, by full funding a pay raise and providing funding to ensure that our veterans get the needed care that they've earned and deserve. This plan continues our efforts to reduce waste, cut out federal red tape where possible, and create jobs in Oregon and around the country. The bill is now headed to the Senate, which is expected to pass it in coming days. Key highlights of the plan are below: Highlights of the Plan Prevents an endangered species listing of the sage grouse: The bill prohibits the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from issuing further rules to list the sage grouse under the endangered species act. This delay allows local collaborative efforts in Oregon and across the West time to restore sage grouse habitat to ensure a premature listing doesn't decimate rural economies. As Walden has said, The effect of the sage grouse's listing could make the spotted owl look like child's play, which is why he has repeatedly urged the Administration to build solutions from the ground up and collect crucial input from local communities. Directs the BLM to follow the law on the Steens: Walden has worked hard to demand that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) pay for fencing on Steens Mountain required under the Steens Act, a law authored by Walden in 2000. The bill sends a clear message that the fencing is the responsibility of the BLM, not ranchers in the area, reading, The Committee is concerned that BLM has attempted to place the responsibility for fencing upon private landowners within the cattle free area identified by the [Steens] Act, despite the Act's clear mandate that fencing is BLM's responsibility. The BLM is directed to comply with the Act. In April, Walden met with ranchers and the BLM in Burns to urge the agency to follow the law. Halts proposed increase of grazing fees:The bill blocks an Administration proposal to charge millions in new grazing fees on BLM and Forest Service lands in Oregon and across the West. It also provides resources to help reduce the current backlog in processing grazing permits. Fully funds PILT program for Oregon counties: Combined with funding included in the National Defense Authorization Act (passed by the House last week), the bill fully funds the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program to counties to help offset losses in tax revenue due to non-taxable federal land. This provides Oregon counties with much needed revenue for essential local services and ensures the federal government pays its fair share on land it owns. Makes white potatoes eligible for purchase through the WIC program: Under current rules, participants in the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) federal nutrition program are barred from purchasing fresh white potatoes with WIC funds. This bill lifts that ban, allowing WIC participants to choose Oregon potatoes as a healthy, low-cost way to feed their families. Walden had led a bipartisan coalition of over 90 members to urge the Secretary of Agriculture to lift this ban. Provides full funding for wildfire suppression: Provides increased funding for wild land fire management activities, a $223 million increase over last year's funding level. This includes needed funding for next generation air tankers to improve firefighting capability. Reduces funding for the EPA: The plan increases oversight of the EPA and reduces funding for the agency, which has seen funding reduces by 21 percent since 2010. It also reduces staffing levels at the EPA, bringing staffing to the lowest level in 25 years. Increases oversight of the IRS: The bill slashes funding for the IRS to below 2008 levels. It also prohibits the agency from using funds to improperly disclose confidential taxpayer information or to target groups for scrutiny based on their political beliefs. Fully funds a 1% pay raise for troops and provides needed funding to the VA: The bill funds a pay raise for men and women in uniform and fully funds a cost of living adjustment for military retirees. It also provides needed funding for veterans health care and to help reduce the claims backlog at the VA. Stops funding for the UN Arms Trade Treaty: The bill blocks any U.S. funding from going to the United Nations to implement the UN Arms Trade Treaty, which Walden has strongly opposed due to its potential threat to Second Amendment rights. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/merkley-walden-deliver-crooked-river-agreement-legislation-passes-senate,"Merkley, Walden Deliver Crooked River Agreement as Legislation Passes Senate",2014-12-11,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Merkley, Walden Deliver Crooked River Agreement as Legislation Passes Senate Bipartisan agreement is poised for passage in House; will deliver greater water security and economic growth for Central Oregon WASHINGTON  Today, Oregon's Senator Jeff Merkley and Representative Greg Walden announced they have reached an agreement on legislation to implement a collaborative vision for water management along the Crooked River, and that the bill passed the Senate unanimously this afternoon. These developments set the stage for the bill to become law soon and deliver improved water certainty and a stronger foundation for economic growth and job creation in Central Oregon.  This is a great victory for Central Oregon, Merkley said. This collaborative plan, which reflects enormous contributions from throughout the community, resolves a 40-year fight over water. It's a win-win plan that will bring jobs and certainty to the region, ensuring water for economic development, farming, recreation, and healthy streams. My thanks go out to everyone in Central Oregon who helped make this plan a reality, as well as to Congressman Walden and Senator Wyden, and I look forward to seeing Central Oregon thrive with a win-win water management plan. This bill is a win for jobs in Central Oregon, said Walden. It provides much needed water to Prineville for city residents and economic development, ensures certainty for farmers, improves fish habitat for tribes and other fishermen, paves the way for energy generation at Bowman Dam, and protects recreation. I want to thank all stakeholders who worked in a collaborative way to get to this agreement which benefits the region as a whole. And I'd like to thank Senator Merkley for stepping up and working hard in this effort. Barring any unforeseen delays, the House will soon pass this bill and send it to the President's desk to be signed into law. Senator Merkley and Representative Walden have been working intensely to agree on legislation and to clear a path for passage in both houses of Congress. The legislation will implement the collaborative water management vision developed by local stakeholders in Central Oregon, including the City of Prineville, Crook County, the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs, American Rivers, Deschutes Basin Board of Control (representing the seven major irrigation districts in Central Oregon), NW Steelheaders, Ochoco and North Unit Irrigation Districts, Portland General Electric, Trout Unlimited, WaterWatch, and Central Oregon Flyfishers. The legislation will provide numerous benefits to water users and the Central Oregon region by: Meeting the municipal water needs for the city of Prineville long into the future so the city can continue to attract new businesses like data centers that require reliable water supplies;Providing greater certainty for the agricultural community that depends on the Crooked River for irrigation;Allowing water to be released from Bowman Dam to help maintain a healthy steelhead, salmon and trout fisheries, which are cherished by local fishermen;Moving the federal wild and scenic river boundary from the top of the dam, fixing an administrative error that has blocked efforts to retrofit Bowman Dam to generate clean hydroelectric power; andCreating a process to help better plan for dry years, in terms of the impact on fish habitat and fishing, as well as boating and other recreational activities. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-announces-full-funding-payments-lieu-taxes-pilt-program-plan,"Greg Walden announces full funding for Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program, plan to reform federal forest policy, extend county timber payments",2014-12-09,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden announces full funding for Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program, plan to reform federal forest policy, extend county timber payments Speaker Boehner pledges support for forestry reform, timber payments extension WASHINGTONU.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.) today announced that House and Senate leaders have agreed to a plan that fully funds the Payments in Lieu of Taxes Program (PILT), providing much needed funding for essential local services to Oregon counties. Walden also announced that Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-Ohio) and House Republican Leaders have pledged to make a federal forest policy reform bill a priority in the next Congress and that the House will consider an extension of the Secure Rural Schools program in the first quarter of 2015. Walden issued the following statement: I have worked hard with Reps. Peter DeFazio and Kurt Schrader on a bipartisan bill to reform federal forest policy. The House has twice passed the Restoring Healthy Forests for Healthy Communities Act (HR 1526), a bipartisan plan to grow jobs in the woods, improve forest health, and provide funding for important local services like schools and roads. It's unfortunate that Senate Democratic leaders failed to act on this bill or any meaningful reforms to forest policy that would have opened up discussions for a compromise. Speaker Boehner has pledged that the House will work with the new Republican majority in the Senate next year to send the president a long-term solution to provide certainty for rural forested communities and the people who live there. The Speaker has also pledged that the House will act to provide an extension of the Secure Rural Schools program in the first quarter of next year. If the Senate would haveacted on federal forest policy reform, it would have gone a long way towards providing a long-term solution to actively managing our forests to grow jobs and revenue. But I remain strongly supportive of getting the job done with a viable pay-for once and for all without political gimmickry. I will work with the relevant committees on this solution, and I'm confident we'll achieve a better and lasting solution under Republican leadership in the House and Senate.  Rep. Rob Bishop (R-Utah), incoming Chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, also pledged to work closely with Walden. Greg Walden has been a strong champion for reforming federal forest policy to grow jobs, improve forest health, and provide much-needed revenue for essential local services. As the incoming Chair of the House Natural Resources Committee, I look forward to working closely with Greg and House and Senate leadership next year to pass needed forestry reform, grow rural economies, and help provide certainty for needed local services like schools, roads, and law enforcement. Funding for the PILT program is contained in this year's government funding agreement. Combined with funding in the National Defense Authorization Act passed by the House last week, PILT will be fully funded this year at $442 million, a slight increase from last year. Although Oregon's exact share is yet to be determined, last year Oregon counties received $17.6 million for essential local services. In September 2013, the U.S. House passed a historic forestry reform bill, the Restoring Healthy Forests for Healthy Communities Act (H.R. 1526), which included a section authored by Walden, DeFazio, and Schrader. The bill reforms federal forest policy to create jobs in the woods, improve forest health, reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire, and generate revenue for local communities to provide essential local services like schools and law enforcement. In September 2014, due to inaction in the Senate, the House passed this bill for a second time. While an alternative plan has been offered in the Senate, the full Senate has not had a chance to vote on either the House or Senate versions of the bill. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-applauds-house-passage-bill-ease-financial-strain-people,"Greg Walden applauds House passage of bill to ease financial strain for people with disabilities, their families",2014-12-04,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden applauds House passage of bill to ease financial strain for people with disabilities, their families WASHINGTON, D.C.  The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bill that seeks to ease the financial strains faced by individuals with disabilities by creating tax-free savings accounts to cover expenses such as housing, education, and transportation. U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) is a co-sponsor of this bill, the Achieving Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act (H.R. 647), which passed the House with strong bipartisan support today Throughout Oregon's Second District, I have met many individuals with disabilities, their families, and the volunteers who support them. Their sprit and dedication have inspired me to work hard to raise awareness and improve the lives of people with disabilities and their families. That's why I am proud that the House has passed the ABLE Act with strong support. Individuals with disabilities and their families deserve access to tools that help ease the financial strain they face and allow them to save for the future, and this bill does just that, Walden said. Advocates in Oregon praised passage of the bill. As the father of a child with disabilities, my family and I have repeatedly encountered federal roadblocks as we plan for our daughter's future. The ABLE Act would help level the playing field and give individuals with disabilities more opportunities to save money, work, and even live independently. My family would like to thank Greg Walden for helping pass this important bill in the House, said James Naumes of Medford. Between college savings accounts, health savings accounts, and individual retirement accounts, all other Americans have multiple tax-exempt accounts at their disposal as they plan for their future. People with disabilities, on the other hand, can only save $2,000 in assets tax free- a rule that dates back to 1974. This policy limits opportunities for millions of Americans. The ABLE Act would level the playing field for individuals with disabilities and their families so that they, too, can save for the future. With an ABLE account, individuals can save for a variety of essential expenses, including medical and dental care, education, community-based support services, employment training, assistive technology, housing, and transportation. These types of savings, and the long-term security they bring, would help empower people to live independently, work, and go to college.  The ABLE Act now heads to the Senate, where 74 Senators are cosponsors of this bill. 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-secures-inclusion-hermiston-jobs-and-ag-research-bill-public,Greg Walden secures inclusion of Hermiston jobs and ag research bill in public lands agreement,2014-12-03,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden secures inclusion of Hermiston jobs and ag research bill in public lands agreement House and Senate expected to pass bill into law in coming days WASHINGTON, D.C. As House and Senate leaders introduced a public lands agreement that will be swiftly moved through Congress in the coming days, U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) has secured inclusion of a bill to boost economic opportunities in Hermiston and allow important agriculture research to continue. The Hermiston Reversionary Lands Act (H.R. 3366) would place the 290 acres of land currently home to Oregon State University's Hermiston Agriculture Research and Experiment Center (HAREC) fully under local control. The bill allows important research to continue and provides flexibility for future economic development in the area. For the full text of the bill click here. This common-sense plan is a win for jobs and farming in eastern Oregon's fastest growing community and the Columbia Basin's strong agriculture economy as a whole. By repealing an antiquated federal rule, this bill provides an opportunity to grow Hermiston's economy while allowing the flexibility needed for valuable, local agriculture research to continue. That's why I worked hard to include it in this agreement, and am pleased to see it is on its way to becoming law, Walden said. Walden's bill passed the House unanimously as a stand-alone bill in May, but the Senate has not held a vote on it. Inclusion in this larger legislative agreement paves the way for it to be passed into law this month. Click here to watch Walden speak about the plan on the House floor in May. In 1954, the 290 acres near Hermiston was conveyed by the federal government to the State of Oregon for the creation of an agricultural experiment station. However, the federal government still holds mineral and reversionary interest in the property. Should any portion of the current research station property no longer be used for agricultural research purposes, the property would return to federal ownership. This antiquated clause creates management challenges for the station and denies the flexibility needed for OSU to generate revenue from portions unsuited for agriculture research. For example, it denies the university the ability to sell the property and relocate the station out beyond city limits to an area better located for agriculture research as needed in the future. The clause also denies the local community the flexibility it needs to build the economy and provide jobs to meet the demands of the growing region. When the bill passed the House in May, local leaders hailed passage. Oregon State University strongly endorses passage of H.R.3366 which will remove the federal reversionary clause on the Hermiston Agricultural Research and Extension Center. This will provide the flexibility needed to ensure that the station can continue to do research in support of the agricultural community, the needs of the city of Hermiston, the region and beyond, now and for generations to come, said Oregon State University President Edward J. Ray at the time. As an agricultural community, we depend on the OSU Hermiston experiment station to have the latest crop research and techniques to remain competitive, support our economy and grow jobs. We appreciate Congressman Walden working with growers here locally to make sure an obscure federal law does not endanger the future of the experiment station and our agricultural economy, said local farmer Bryan Wolfe, Chairman of Hermiston Agricultural Research and Experiment Station Advisory Committee.  The reversionary interest that the federal government maintains over the Hermiston experiment station deprives our community and OSU of the flexibility it needs to maximize the value of the property and the research done there. As our city continues to rapidly expand around the station, the reversionary interest stands in the way of future development. We thank Congressman Walden for removing this barrier to economic growth, said Hermiston Mayor David Drotzmann.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/case-you-missed-it-editorial-observer-praises-passage-waldens-satellite,In Case You Missed It: Editorial in The Observer praises passage of Walden's satellite television bill,2014-11-25,2014,2014-11,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"In Case You Missed It: Editorial in The Observer praises passage of Walden's satellite television bill With overwhelming bipartisan support, the House and Senate both acted last week to pass bipartisan legislationthe STELA Reauthorization Act, co-authored by U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River)to ensure that over 1.5 million satellite television subscribers will continue to receive broadcast programming. While the legislation waits on the president's signature, The Observer in La Grande on Monday praised Walden's work on the bipartisan and bicameral legislation. Walden deserves a great deal of praise for his role in this matter, and, once again, his actions illustrate why he has become such a force for his constituents in the halls of Congress, the paper noted. They continued that the legislation, if signed into law, will do some very good things for the residents in remote areas of Oregon. Read the full editorial below. As Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, Walden worked to write a reauthorization of the satellite law that would receive the support of both parties and all sectors of the communications industry.. The provisions included in this bill must be renewed by December 31, 2014, to ensure that consumers don't lose access to satellite programming.   November 24, 2014  OUR VIEW: TV bill's passage a good thing As a flash-point issue or an example of monumental, epoch-changing legislation, the recent passage of the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act Reauthorization might not appear noteworthy. Yet it is one of those pieces of legislation the Congress tackles on a regular basis that you and I rarely hear about. At its essence, the bill  dubbed STELAR  ensures nearly 1.5 million subscribers to satellite television will continue to have access to broadcast network programming after Jan. 1, 2015. The bill  spearheaded by Oregon U.S. Rep. Greg Walden  gained passage by the U.S. House of Representatives last summer, but the new legislation is a compromise package between the House and the Senate. The new bill, while a compromise, will still accomplish the main objective of ensuring people who live in remote areas, like portions of Union and most of WallowaCounty, can continue to get access to key local programming. If we do not act to extend these provisions by the end of this Congress, 1.5 million subscribers to satellite television, including many in Oregon, will not have access to broadcast network programming come New Year's Day, Walden said during debate on the bill. Walden deserves a great deal of praise for his role in this matter, and, once again, his actions illustrate why he has become such a force for his constituents in the halls of Congress. This bill represents the best of how Congress works when it works together, Walden said. Today's version of STELAR is a compromise bill that incorporates the provisions passed unanimously by the House earlier this year, with the provisions that passed by voice vote out of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. By coming together to produce legislation with strong bipartisan, bicameral support we have demonstrated our clear commitment to the continued availability of broadcast programming to millions of subscribers and to some targeted and, in some cases, much needed reforms to our communications laws. The provisions of the compromise bill must be renewed by Dec. 31 and we hope that occurs. We also believe that this kind of lawmaking is too often ignored and forgotten by the body politic. Yes, STELAR isn't a flash-point issue. It isn't going to grab a lot of headlines. But it will, if the provisions are renewed, do some very good things for the residents in remote areas of Oregon. We think that is a pretty good accomplishment.  Please click here to read the article online.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/us-house-unanimously-passes-greg-waldens-bill-preserve-rural-satellite,U.S. House unanimously passes Greg Walden's bill to preserve rural satellite television service,2014-11-19,2014,2014-11,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"U.S. House unanimously passes Greg Walden's bill to preserve rural satellite television service WASHINGTON, D.C.  The U.S. House of Representatives today has, for the second time, unanimously passed the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act Reauthorization (STELA), a bill authored by Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) to ensure that satellite subscribers in remote areas do not lose access to local programming. Although a previous version of this bill was passed in the House in July, this version (H.R. 5728) represents a compromise with the Senate. If we do not act to extend these provisions by the end of this Congress, 1.5 million subscribers to satellite television, including many in Oregon, will not have access to broadcast network programming come New Year's Day, Walden said during debate on the bill. This bill represents the best of how Congress works when it works together. Today's version of STELAR is a compromise bill that incorporates the provisions passed unanimously by the House earlier this year, with the provisions that passed by voice vote out of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. By coming together to produce legislation with strong bipartisan, bicameral support we have demonstrated our clear commitment to the continued availability of broadcast programming to millions of subscribers and to some targeted and, in some cases, much needed reforms to our communications laws, Walden continued. As Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, Walden worked to write a reauthorization of the satellite law that would receive the support of both parties and all sectors of the communications industry. Walden introduced the bill along with full Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-Mich.), Ranking Member Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) and Subcommittee Ranking Member Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.). The provisions included in this bill must be renewed by December 31, 2014, to ensure that consumers don't lose access to satellite programming. To read the legislation, please click here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/video-release-greg-walden-commemorates-veterans-day-2014,VIDEO RELEASE: Greg Walden commemorates Veterans Day 2014,2014-11-11,2014,2014-11,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"VIDEO RELEASE: Greg Walden commemorates Veterans Day 2014 WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) released a video message commemorating Veterans Day 2014. A transcript of his remarks is below: From our veterans of World War II to young men and women serving in Afghanistan and elsewhere around the world, we pause today to honor our veterans who have fought and died defending our freedom.  Even today, while we sleep soundly here at home, American service members continue to fight and die for our country in far off places. For those who come home, we must ensure that we have the resources needed to care for them and their families and eventually to help them move into civilian life.  For many veterans, service does not end when they take off the uniform. Many of them continue to serve in our communities, in public life, in small businesses, our schools, and other ways. Certainly, we owe veterans gratitude. But we owe them so much more than that. We owe them the very best care possible when they return, and we must ensure that they receive the benefits they've earned through years of service.  Too often nationally, the Veterans Administration has sadly failed to live up to the standards our men and women in uniform deserve. Veterans have not always had access to the care they need in a timely manner. That's unacceptable, and there must be greater accountability. We've passed reform legislation to begin cleaning up the mess at the VA, and the agency has taken the first steps in implementing these reforms. This is a step in the right direction, but there's more work to be done.  If you or a loved one run into problems with the VA or any other federal agency, please call my office toll free at 800-533-3303 or go online to walden.house.gov. I have three veterans on staff and together we will do everything we can to get results for you.  So join me this Veterans Day in thanking veterans for their service to our nation in the cause of freedom. Thank you, veterans. God bless you. And God Bless America.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/after-forestry-summit-greg-walden-urges-forest-service-heed-input-local,"After forestry summit, Greg Walden urges Forest Service to heed input from local communities",2014-11-10,2014,2014-11,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"After forestry summit, Greg Walden urges Forest Service to heed input from local communities WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) has written to U.S. Forest Service Region 6 Forester Jim Pea urging him to extend the public review period of the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest's (WWNF) Existing Condition Road Maps and heed input from local communities on the Blue MountainsForest Plan Revision. In October, Walden convened a forestry summit in La Grande with Pea to discuss the management practices needed to create rural jobs, maintain access, and restore forest health. This letter is a follow up to the concerns raised by participants at that meeting. Click here for the full letter. At the summit, questions were raised aboutthe substantial impact the forest plan revision and other Forest Service decisions have on motorized access. In eastern Oregon, accessing our forests is a way of life, whether for huckleberry picking, mining, firewood cutting, hunting, or just going for a ride through the woods. Local communities are most affected by these regulations and their needs and inputmust be at the forefront of the decision making process. Regional Forester Peaheard loud and clear from local residents who are tired of their input being overlooked, Walden said. In his letter to the Regional Forester, Walden reiterated the request he made at the meeting for a 90 day extension of the public review period of the WWNF Existing Condition Road Maps in order to allow the public sufficient time to fully access and assess the documents. At the meeting, participants also expressed frustration over the decline in jobs in the region tied to the forests. In 1990, 680 million board feet was harvested in eastern Oregon's forests. Last year, just 71 million board feet was harvested. And in that time, about 4,700 mill jobs in northeastern Oregon have disappeared. The decline in timber harvests on federal land has significantly harmed these communities as well, while our forests have become overgrown, disease infested and subject to catastrophic fires. Certainty in timber supply is integral to local job creation and maintaining the mill infrastructure needed to effectively treat our forests. Yet as we heard from county commissioners and others in attendance last month, the Blue Mountains Forest Plan Revision falls far short of what's needed. We should be planning for success, not failure. I hope that you will not just push forward with the plan as written, but rather work with the local communities to find a path forward on the forest plan that can help bring healthy forests and healthy communities back to northeast Oregon, Walden wrote in the letter. Industry estimates have found that they need about 335 million board feet from the Blue Mountain National Forests for a sustained operating level. Yet the proposed Blue MountainsForest Plan produces just 100 million board feet. As Walden said at the meeting, that's not a sustainable planit's just planning for failure.  In 2008 and 2011, Walden held similar meetings in Elgin and John Day. All of us would be better off if federal agencies like the Forest Service took more time to heed local input, Walden said.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-presses-president-obama-answers-ebola-response-efforts,Greg Walden presses President Obama for answers on Ebola response efforts,2014-10-23,2014,2014-10,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden presses President Obama for answers on Ebola response efforts WASHINGTON, DC U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) and twenty seven other Republican members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee today sent a letter to President Obama, Ebola Response Coordinator Ron Klain, Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell, and Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson seeking further answers on the administration's response and preparedness efforts to treat those with Ebola, prevent any further spread in the United States, and stop the spread of the virus at its source in West Africa. The members write, with a series of questions and recommendations to ensure that the U.S. response to the risks posed by the Ebola outbreak in West Africa is as effective as possible in protecting the public health and safety of the American people. Congress stands ready to serve as a strong and solid partner in solving this crisis. Walden and the other Committee members requested more information about the administration's plan to prevent the spread of Ebola in the United States, rationale behind its opposition to travel restrictions, efforts to improve the development of diagnostic testing and screening, and the capacity of the U.S. public health system to identify and treat patients with Ebola. Read the complete letter online here. So far, the American people have more questions than answers about the threat of Ebola. I have been very concerned about the insufficient planning and preparedness from the administration in response to the spread of Ebola, especially after hearing from multiple health professionals in Oregon. The administration must outline a clear strategy to protect the public from this threat and stop Ebola in its tracks. The stakes are too high to get this wrong, Walden said. Energy and Commerce Committee leaders first sent a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell seeking details on the administration's preparedness and response efforts on September 12, 2014. The Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee held a hearing last week, which left members with additional questions about the status of a clear and effective strategy to address the threat of Ebola in both the United States and Africa. The full text of the letter is below. Read the complete letter online here. Dear Mr. President:  On October 16, 2014, the Energy and Commerce Committee's Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee convened a hearing regarding the U.S. public health response to the Ebola outbreak. We appreciate the participation of key public health officials from your administration in this hearing, as well as the briefings and information sharing that has occurred over the last several months as we monitor the outbreak and the global health community's response. Based on the information gathered in our hearing and ongoing developments related to this outbreak, we write with a series of questions and recommendations to ensure that the U.S. response to the risks posed by the Ebola outbreak in West Africa are as effective as possible in protecting the public health and safety of the American people. Congress stands ready to serve as a strong and solid partner in solving this crisis. At our October 16 hearing, the witnesses representing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) reiterated the administration's position and rationale for not imposing travel restrictions at this time. In addition, witnesses from the CDC, the NIH, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) outlined various efforts to support clinical trials and expedite deployment for all promising Ebola vaccines, investigational drugs, and diagnostic tests. The World Health Organization projects the number of Ebola cases to reach 10,000 a week by December. If this projection is correct, the risk of Ebola-case importation to the U.S. would increase dramatically and pose a greater potential challenge to the U.S. public health system. A recent online update of an air traffic study by a group from Northeastern University, which simulated daily passenger travel from West Africa to other parts of the world to quantify the risk of the Ebola virus spreading internationally, estimates that apart from other countries in Africa, the U.S. has the greatest risk of importing additional cases of Ebola. We appreciate the recent actions by the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to restrict inbound air travelers from the three Ebola-stricken countries in West Africa to the five U.S. airports with enhanced screening, but we are concerned that the aforementioned projections reinforce the need to take further actions to limit the risk of Ebola-case importation to the U.S. One such action to limit the risk is to improve the availability of point-of-care diagnostics. It is our understanding that federal agencies at the Departments of Defense (DoD), Health and Human Services (HHS), and Homeland Security (DHS), have funded the development of diagnostic tests, including rapid point-of-care tests, that either already target Ebola or could be used to target Ebola. For example, the FDA on August 5, 2014, issued Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for an in vitro diagnostic device for detection of the Ebola Zaire virus (detected in the West Africa outbreak in 2014), as requested by DoD. On October 10, 2014, FDA granted EUAs to three more Ebola screening systems. We are interested in learning about the status of all rapid diagnostic tests for Ebola that could be developed and deployed, especially in West Africa to help the global response to the outbreak, and as a possible tool to screen and certify travelers as testing negative for Ebola before being allowed to travel to the U.S. Such a test would also help address a great concern that we share with the American public: the use of commercial flights in and out of the affected area to help contain the outbreak. Without such a test, we continue to believe the administration should evaluate options to limit these flights while ensuring the area is still able to receive the personnel and supplies necessary.  To advance the common goal of treating those who are sickened by Ebola and stopping the spread of this deadly virus as quickly as possible, we offer the following recommended actions and requests for information regarding key issues related to the Ebola response. First, we share the interest of the American people in using the most effective tools  including travel restrictions  to prevent additional Ebola infections here in the U.S., and we encourage you to examine all such options as quickly as possible. So that we may better understand the facts and analysis underlying your current position, please advise whether the White House has any analysis or modeling relating to the claim that restricting travel of foreign-national tourists from the Ebola-affected countries would increase the risk of importation of Ebola cases into the U.S. If so, please provide this information and/or explain how the White House is coordinating the collection of such information. Second, we believe improved diagnostic testing to identify infected patients is essential to stopping the spread of Ebola at its source and preventing additional cases from being imported into the U.S. and other countries around the world, and we encourage a coordinated effort by the administration to expedite the development of such diagnostics. Please share all available information regarding how the White House is coordinating efforts within the Executive Branch related to diagnostic testing (including rapid tests) for Ebola, what process is or will be used to assess the information that is gathered, and what process will be used to help expedite deployment of rapid diagnostic testing for Ebola. Third, we believe it is essential to assess the capacity of the U.S. public health and health care systems to handle the expected number of Ebola patients to be treated in the U.S., and should that capacity prove insufficient, take any necessary steps immediately to increase our ability to respond to cases here at home. We request any information, analysis, or modeling of how many actual Ebola cases can be expected to be imported into the U.S. over the next six months and/or how the White House is coordinating the collection of such information. We also request any information about the capacity of the U.S. public health system (including the state and local public health agencies) and health care facilities to handle Ebola cases in the U.S., including cases involving U.S. medical and military personnel brought over from West Africa. With respect to U.S. medical and military personnel, we are also interested in the capacity of U.S. agencies and/or contractors for their transport. This request includes information on how the White House is coordinating the collection of such information. Please let us know of any concerns with possible gaps or necessary clarifications in statutory authority on which we can assist. We look forward to working with you and your administration to protect the public health and safety of the American people from the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-calls-travel-ban-ebola-outbreak-grows,Greg Walden calls for travel ban as Ebola outbreak grows,2014-10-16,2014,2014-10,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden calls for travel ban as Ebola outbreak grows    HOOD RIVER  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today issued the following statement on the growing Ebola outbreak: Our thoughts and prayers go out to those impacted by Ebolaespecially the two health care workers in Dallas. Make no mistake, this is a dangerous situation, and it will grow exponentially if we don't stop it in its tracks. We must do everything possible to make sure Americans are safe and to stop this outbreak here and abroad. In light of that, I call on the Obama Administration to temporarily ban travel to the United States from the countries afflicted by this outbreak. The challenge before us is too great for this not to be on the table. Additionally, Congress must examine some of the failures in our public health system to ensure this never happens again. Today, the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and National Institutes of Health (NIH) to begin this investigation. And Congress must continue bipartisan effortsespecially the 21st Century Cures initiativeto find cures for Ebola and the 6,500 other diseases that lack effective cures.  Walden is a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which helps oversee health care policy in Congress. He was in Medford yesterday meeting with health care providers, some of whom expressed alarm over the spread of the disease.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/redmond-greg-walden-announces-legislation-preserve-access-ambulance,"In Redmond, Greg Walden announces legislation to preserve access to ambulance services in rural Oregon",2014-09-29,2014,2014-09,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"In Redmond, Greg Walden announces legislation to preserve access to ambulance services in rural Oregon  REDMOND, Ore.  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) announced today that he has introduced legislation to preserve emergency care in rural Oregon by ensuring that rural ambulance service providers are fairly paid for their services. The Medicare Ambulance Access, Fraud Prevention, and Reform Act of 2014 (H.R. 5460) would end the uncertainty that rural ambulance services face over reimbursement from Medicare by making permanent appropriate rates for their services. Rural ambulance services save lives and provide needed care in Oregon every day. It is imperative that they have the proper resources necessary to provide the highest quality care. This bipartisan legislation would end the uncertainty rural ambulance services face over Medicare reimbursement rates and allow them to answer calls for help no matter the day, hour, or patient's location, Walden said. Walden announced the legislation at a meeting with Redmond Fire Chief Tim Moor and Doug Kelly of the Redmond EMS Division. Moor, Kelly, and their colleagues have been actively involved with this issue. Under current law, Medicare's rates to reimburse ambulance services are significantly below the cost of delivering services, especially in rural areas. To address this shortfall, Congress regularly passes temporary legislative fixes to give the ambulance services higher rates. Every time this temporary relief is about to expire, it threatens the availability of ambulance services nationwide. This legislation would make these rate adjustments permanent to give ambulance providers certainty. To read a summary of the legislation, please click here. Click here to read the text of the bill. Walden introduced the legislation along with five other members of Congress, including fellow Oregon Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.), Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.), Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Rep. Tim Griffin (R-Ark.), and Rep. Richard Neal (D-Mass.). Leaders in the emergency services community praised the legislation. Mercy Flightsprovides an essential service toa large Medicarepopulation in JacksonCounty, Oregon. It is critical that the Medicare Ambulance Fee Schedule be sustainable.Mercy Flightsneeds the Medicare Ambulance Fee Schedule to be reformed so we don't struggle to provided medical treatment and transport to these honored citizens, said Doug Stewart, CEO of Mercy Flights Inc. based in Medford  We agree that Congress should ensure continued access to ambulances through permanent relief and reform. By passage of this bill, we can stabilize our operations and develop responsible budgets on known, consistent reimbursement rates. We support Congressman Walden's bill and look forward to its passage, said Robert F. Palmer, Fire Chief of Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue in The Dalles.  In developing H.R. 5460, Congressmen Greg Walden (R-OR), Peter Welch (D-VT), Devin Nunes (R-CA) and Richard Neal (D-MA) developed a sensible and bipartisan approach to addressing below cost Medicare reimbursement of ambulance service providers and implementing important reforms, said Jimmy Johnson, President of the American Ambulance Association. H.R. 5460 will not only address several of the current issues facing our profession but also put us on a path for Congress to make data-driven decisions on the future role ambulance service providers will play in our changing health care system.  As a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Walden has long worked to increase access to quality health care in rural Oregon. He has been honored with numerous awards from health care advocates, including the American Ambulance Association's 2010 Legislative Recognition Award.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-forest-service-respect-first-amendment-reconsider-permitting,"Greg Walden to Forest Service: Respect the First Amendment, reconsider permitting rules for journalists",2014-09-25,2014,2014-09,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden to Forest Service: Respect the First Amendment, reconsider permitting rules for journalists  HOOD RIVER, Ore.  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today wrote to the U.S. Forest Service expressing concern over a proposal that would require journalists to apply for an expensive permit before shooting any photographs or video in a wilderness area. The full text of the letter is below: Dear Chief Tidwell: I write to express my concerns with recent reports that the U.S. Forest Service's Proposed Directive for Commercial Filming in Wilderness would require journalists to apply for a permit before being allowed to shoot any video or photographs in wilderness areas. I continue to hear from constituents across Oregon's Second District who feel the Forest Service continues to go overboard in limiting access to our public lands, including national forests and wilderness areas, and these new reports are just the latest example of access to our public lands being further restricted. Furthermore, I am very concerned about the implications this has for Americans' First Amendment freedoms of speech and the press. It is also very troubling that journalists could be held to different standards at the discretion of the issuing officer depending on the content of their stories and its relevance to wilderness activity. I have long worked on public land issues and am very concerned to hear the Forest Service may be granting or limiting access based on political calculations. A majority of Oregon's land is controlled by the federal government and nearly 50 wilderness areas are located within the state. This presence often makes management decisions and other activities that occur on public land, including those wilderness areas, newsworthy items for the press  regardless of whether the story [disseminates] information about the use or enjoyment of wilderness as outlined in this proposal. Anything less than full transparency in public land management activities is unacceptable. Please provide the statute and specific legislative text that authorizes the Forest Service to base wilderness filming permit guidelines around the applicability of the content produced to the purpose of wilderness, and what the Forest Service has done to ensure that any of its proposed rules do not violate freedom of the press rights under the First Amendment. Thank you for your prompt response. Sincerely, Greg Walden  U.S. Representative  Oregon's Second District  Click here for the signed copy of the letter.",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-national-federation,"Greg Walden honored as ""Guardian of Small Business"" by National Federation of Independent Businesses",2014-09-22,2014,2014-09,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden honored as Guardian of Small Business by National Federation of Independent Businesses Walden (left) is presented the Guardian of Small Business award by Dan Danner (right), President and CEO of the National Federation of Independent Businesses (high resolution photo available upon request).  WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) has been named a Guardian of Small Business by the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB). Walden received this award for his outstanding voting record in the U.S. House on behalf of Oregon small businesses. It's an honor to receive this special recognition from the nation's leading voice for small businesses. As a small business owner with my wife since 1986, I understand what it takes to risk everything to grow a business and create jobs. My small business experience has proven very valuable as I work to bring common sense to government at all levels and cut through unnecessary red tape that stifles job creation, Walden said NFIB President and CEO Dan Danner praised Walden for standing up for small business. The record shows that Rep. Walden is a true champion of small business, supporting the votes that matter in the 113th Congress, said Danner. This award reflects our members' appreciation for supporting the NFIB pro-growth agenda for small business. NFIB is made up of small businesses nationwide, including nearly 7,500 in Oregon. According to the Oregon Secretary of State, small businesses employ more than half of Oregon's workforce and make up 98% of the state's total businesses.  The Guardian of Small Business award is given to representatives who vote favorably on key small business issues at least 70 percent of the time. Walden is the only member from Oregon to receive the award.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/us-house-passes-bowman-dam-bill-third-time-three-years-walden-calls,U.S. House passes Bowman Dam bill for third time in three years; Walden calls for immediate Senate action,2014-09-18,2014,2014-09,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"U.S. House passes Bowman Dam bill for third time in three years; Walden calls for immediate Senate action House also passes historic forestry bill for second time  Click here or on the image below to watch Walden's floor remarks on the bill WASHINGTON, D.C.  The U.S. House of Representatives has once again passed the Central Oregon Jobs and Water Security Act, a bill authored by Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) to deliver much needed water to Prineville for job creation and pave the way for clean energy generation at Bowman Dam in Crook County. This will be the third time in less than three years we've acted. Why are we doing it again? Because at some point we hope to wake up the Senate so they will actually take up this issue and pass it, Walden said during debate on the House floor on the bill. This bill means jobs for Crook County, which has very high unemployment and poverty rates... we are trying to create jobs in America, do the right thing for the environment, and take care of problems at home. That's what this is about. We hope that the Senate will finally take a look at these bills in a meaningful and thoughtful way and be able to come to the table with terms and work these things out, Walden continued. The bill was passed by the House as part of a larger package of energy bills, the American Energy Solutions for Lower Costs & More American Jobs Act. This package also includes proposals that would expand domestic energy production, lower energy prices, create good-paying jobs, and strengthen America's national security. This marks the third year in a row that the House has passed the Bowman Dam bill. It previously passed the House unanimously in June 2012 and October 2013. So far, the Senate has not brought it up for a vote. The House also again passed the Restoring Healthy Forests for Healthy Communities Act. The bill fixes broken federal forest policy to create jobs in the woods, improve forest health, reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire, and generate revenue for local communities to provide essential local services like schools and law enforcement. Click here for more information on this bill. This bill was originally passed in the House nearly one year ago, but the Senate has refused to act on it. Today, the House passed it again as part of a package of jobs bills to encourage Senate action. Click here to watch Walden's floor speech on that bill. Background on the Central Oregon Jobs and Water Security Act Water for job creation in Crook County The bill allows Prineville to utilize up to 5,100 acre feet of water from Prineville Reservoir, or about 6 percent of the total unallocated water behind the dam (80,000 acre feet). The water certainty would allow Prineville to entice new technology opportunities like Facebook and Apple, and service all of the homes within city limits. Clean energy and new jobs at Bowman Dam The bill would also clear the way for small-scale hydropower production at the base of Bowman Dam, creating about 50 jobs over the course of two construction seasons. Legislation is necessary to make this happen because of the way the law is writtencurrently. In 1988, Congress designated 17.8 miles of the Crooked River as part of the wild and scenic rivers system, which is charged with preserving rivers with outstanding natural, cultural, and recreational values in a free-flowing condition for the enjoyment of present and future generations. But when the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) drew up the maps for the new wild and scenic area on the Crooked River after the 1988 designation, they placed one end of the boundary right down the middle of Bowman Dam. There is nothing wild and scenic about a dam,Waldenhas said. Hydropower is not permitted in wild and scenic areas, so an act of Congress is required to fix the mistake and place the boundary line below the dam, where it should have been all along. Doing so will allow the hydropower project  and the jobs it would create  to go forward. In a letter sent to Walden in 2008,BLM State Director Ed Shepardsaid, The BLM does not believe that it was the intent of Congress to place the wild and scenic river boundary on the center of the dam or to even include the dam, but rather just below the dam and spillway structures. McKay Creek restoration and other conservation efforts  Because Prineville accesses its water from ground sources, the 5,100 acre feet of water would be released downstream, providing additional spilled water into the Crooked River that could benefit the blue-ribbon trout fishery below Bowman Dam. The bill also boosts conservation efforts in McKay Creek to enhance fish habitat.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/us-house-passes-historic-forestry-bill-second-time-walden-calls,U.S. House passes historic forestry bill for second time; Walden calls for immediate Senate action,2014-09-18,2014,2014-09,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"U.S. House passes historic forestry bill for second time; Walden calls for immediate Senate action House also passes Central Oregon Jobs and Water Security Act for third time in three years Click here or on the image below to watch Walden's speech on the House floor  WASHINGTON, D.C.  The U.S. House of Representatives has again passed a historic forestry bill championed by Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River), the Restoring Healthy Forests for Healthy Communities Act. The bill fixes broken federal forest policy to create jobs in the woods, improve forest health, reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire, and generate revenue for local communities to provide essential local services like schools and law enforcement. This bill was originally passed in the House nearly one year ago, but the Senate has refused to act on it. Today, the House passed it again as part of a package of jobs bills to encourage Senate action. This forestry legislation passed this House 363 days ago. The legislation in this package that we are going to send over to the Senate one more time would allow us to put people back to work in the woods, reduce fires, and produce revenue for schools teachers, sheriffs and sheriff's deputies, search and rescue, for all these basic fundamental services that matter in rural communities across the West, Walden said during debate on this measure before the House. You want to do something about poverty? Create a job! You want to get America back on track? Pass these bills! And then get the Senate to pass them. We'll create jobs, generate revenue, and have positive cash flow in this country for once. It doesn't have to be this way. We can put people back to work, Walden continued. We are at the end of our legislative sessions. It is time to pass this one more time so we can get it into law. To wake up the Senate. To get them to do the right thing. Let's move forward! We don't need more partisan rhetoric here. We need to help America get on its feet. We need to take better care of our forests and our watersheds. We need to put people back to work in America, and that's what these bills do, Walden concluded. The bill contains the O&C Trust, Conservation and Jobs Act, a plan offered by Walden and fellow Oregon Reps. Peter DeFazio and Kurt Schrader to deal with Oregon's unique O&C lands. Their proposal would put people back to work in the woods and generate revenues to failing Oregon counties. For more information on the Restoring Healthy Forests for Healthy Communities Act (H.R. 1526), click here. For information on the O&C Trust, Conservation, and Jobs Act, click here.  The House also passed the Central Oregon Jobs and Water Security Act, a bill authored by Walden to deliver much needed water to Prineville for job creation and pave the way for clean energy generation at Bowman Dam in Crook County. This is the third time in three years that the House has passed this bill. It passed the House unanimously in June 2012 and October 2013, but the Senate has not taken a vote on it so far.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-supports-bill-prevent-expansion-federal-water-regulations,"Greg Walden supports bill to prevent expansion of federal water regulations, protect farm and ranch jobs in rural Oregon",2014-09-09,2014,2014-09,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden supports bill to prevent expansion of federal water regulations, protect farm and ranch jobs in rural Oregon  Click here or on the image below to watch Walden's remarks WASHINGTON, D.C.  In an effort to protect private property rights and farm and ranching jobs in rural Oregon, U.S. Representative Greg Walden (R-Hood River) voiced his strong support for a bill to block a proposal by the Obama Administration to unilaterally increase their regulatory authority over the nation's waters. The Waters of the United States Regulatory Overreach Protection Act (H.R. 5078) passed the House on a bipartisan vote today. Walden is a cosponsor of this bill, along with fellow Oregon Rep. Kurt Schrader. He made the following remarks on the House floor during debate on the measure: All across Oregon, farmers, ranchers, and other property owners are walking around their land wondering what the EPA will regulate under the proposed rule to expand its Clean Water Act jurisdiction.  Ranchers in eastern Oregon wonder about their stock ponds. Wheat growers in the Columbia Basin worry about an intermittent stream adjacent to a field. Fruit growers in Hood River and onion growers in Ontario are concerned about their irrigation ditches.  This proposed rule is based on faulty science and it underestimates the tremendous harm it poses to our rural economies. It is no wonder that people are concerned. At a town hall meeting I had in Grants Pass on Saturday morning, for three of the 30 people there, this was their number one issue. Their involved in real estate, and they are very upset and concerned about what this could do.  This regulatory overreach by the EPA blatantly ignores Congress' repeated rejection of similar legislative efforts to expand jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act. Of course, we shouldn't be that surprised, the EPA has tried this before, and they have been rebuked by the Supreme Court. Twice, in fact, in 2001 and 2006. EPA says this new rule was meant to clarify the scope of the Clean Water Act, but I've heard across my district how the vague language in this proposal actually creates more uncertainty, not less. More red tape, not less. For our farmers, ranchers, Oregonians, and others that utilize our water resources, it is a huge threat.  I have long opposed expansion of this authority, whether through legislation or administrative rulemaking. Detrimental action of this size and scope shouldn't be pushed by anyone, much less by unelected bureaucrats.  The economies of rural Oregon and other communities around the country face enough obstacles already. Broken federal forest policies have strangled communities, often leaving only agriculture to grow jobs and combat unemployment rates into the double digits.  We don't need agencies in Washington D.C. erecting more hurdles and creating more uncertainty as our farmers and ranchers work to feed the world and create jobs in rural communities. It's time to ditch this rule.  I applaud Mr. Southerland from Florida for writing this bill and appreciate Chairman Shuster for helping to bring it to the floor. I urge its passage to stop yet another regulatory overreach by a federal agency out of control, threatening jobs, threatening private property rights, threatening rural communities, and threatening our way of life.  The Waters of the United States Regulatory Overreach Protection Act would uphold the current federal-state partnership of water regulation and preserve the existing limited regulation of the waters of the United States under the Clean Water Act. The bill blocks the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Army Corps of Engineers from finalizing a proposed rule to expand the scope of their authority over water, which would have harmful effects on ranchers, farmers, and other water users. Farmers and ranchers around Oregon praised passage of the bill. EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers attempt to control private lands using the Clean Water Act must be stopped, said Jackson County Farm Bureau President Ron Bjork. It is important that farms be able to focus on raising fresh, healthy, and necessary food and feed for this world without unnecessary regulations. Thanks to Congressman Walden, Congress has taken an important step to help ensure farmers can continue to farm their land without federal permission and allows landowners to meaningfully improve water quality through existing state programs. We appreciate Congressman Walden's work to stop the EPA's rule which is an overreach by the federal government that threatens to eliminate conservation practices currently implemented by farmers and ranchers across Oregon, said Curtis Martin, a North Power rancher speaking on behalf of the Oregon Cattlemen's Association. The bill passed the House by a vote of 262-152, with 35 Democrats joining 227 Republicans in support. This legislation now heads to the Senate to be considered. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/case-you-missed-it-bulletin-september-house-agenda-includes-two-oregon,"In Case You Missed It: The Bulletin: ""September House agenda includes two Oregon bills""",2014-09-05,2014,2014-09,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"In Case You Missed It: The Bulletin: September House agenda includes two Oregon bills HOOD RIVER  The U.S. House of Representatives will vote this month on two pieces of legislation championed by Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) that would reform federal forest policy and bring more water and power to Crook County for job creation. According to an article in this morning's Bulletin, Both of the Oregon-related bills passed the House in 2013, but have not been taken up by the Democrat-controlled Senate. (read the full article below). These bipartisan bills will help grow Oregon's rural economy, improve forest health, prevent wildfire, and bring more water and power to Central Oregon for job creation. They have both passed the U.S. House previously with strong support, and the House will pass them again to underscore how important these bills are to Oregon. The U.S. Senate should pass them right away to bring much needed jobs to Oregon's rural communities, Walden said. The Restoring Healthy Forests for Healthy Communities Act (H.R. 1526) renews the federal government's commitment to actively manage federal forests to create jobs in the woods, improve forest health, reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire, and generate revenue for local communities to provide essential local services like schools and law enforcement. The bill also contains the O&C Trust, Conservation and Jobs Act, a plan offered by Walden and Oregon Reps. Peter DeFazio and Kurt Schrader to deal with Oregon's unique O&C lands. It passed the House with a bipartisan majority on September 20, 2013, but has not been taken up by the Senate. The Central Oregon Jobs and Water Security Act (H.R. 2640), introduced by Walden, fixes a boundary line error at Bowman Dam in Crook County, paving the way for construction of a small scale hydropower facility at the base of the dam. It would also provide job-creating water for the city of Prineville to attract additional projects like Facebook and Apple. This bill has passed the House twice unanimouslyon July 6, 2012, and October 29, 2013but the full Senate has not voted on it so far. House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy announced yesterday that these two bills would be included as portions of two jobs packages that the House will vote on this month. These common-sense plans will help create jobs nationwide, strengthen the economy, and lower the cost of gas and groceries.  September House agenda includes two Oregon bills Legislation on timber payments, Bowman Dam to be packaged into larger bills By Andrew Clevenger Published Sep 5, 2014 at 12:02AM https://www.bendbulletin.com/localstate/2383984-153/september-house-agenda-includes-two-oregon-bills WASHINGTON  Two pending bills with the potential for significant consequences for Central Oregon have been placed on the House of Representatives' legislative agenda for September as part of larger legislative packages. In a memo released Thursday, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., announced his plans for the House once members return from the August recess. With a dwindling number of legislative days left before members head out on the campaign trail, McCarthy wants to bundle together pending bills to economize precious floor time. Two of the bills on the September agenda pertain especially to Oregon. The Restoring Healthy Forests for Healthy Communities Act, which would revise federal forest management policy to require increased logging to pay for timber payments to rural counties, includes a section devoted entirely to reworking the oversight of the Oregon and California Railroad Revested Lands  known as the O&C Lands  in Western Oregon. The forestry reform bill would be included in a larger package of bills geared toward creating jobs. A bill that would authorize the release of some of the unallocated water behind Bowman Dam is also on the September agenda as part of a larger energy bill. In addition to allowing 5,100 acre-feet of unallocated water behind the dam to flow into the Crooked River, which would enable Prineville to seek permission from the state to pump more groundwater for its own use, the Bowman Dam bill would open the 240-foot-high dam to hydropower development by moving the Wild and Scenic River boundary line about a quarter mile down the river, away from its current location in the center of the dam. McCarthy's memo did not specify when the larger packages of bills might come up for votes. Our government today lacks common sense and competency. And the American people know it, McCarthy wrote in his memo. Our conservative agenda is about restoring competency and common sense in government and giving Americans the freedom to live their lives, run their businesses, and raise their families. Both of the Oregon-related bills passed the House in 2013, but have not been taken up by the Democrat-controlled Senate. A similar version of the Bowman Dam bill has been introduced in the Senate but has stalled short of a floor vote. Rep. Greg Walden, R-Hood River, introduced the Bowman Dam bill in the House and co-wrote the O&C Lands section of the forestry reform bill with Reps. Peter DeFazio, D-Springfield, and Kurt Schrader, D-Canby. Passing these bipartisan bills to bring more water and power to Prineville and fix broken federal forest policy will create jobs in Central Oregon, Andrew Malcolm, Walden's spokesman, said Thursday. Crook County continues to suffer from double-digit unemployment, which is why the House, for a third time, will pass the Bowman Dam bill that Greg wrote to bring jobs, water, and power to Prineville. Malcolm noted that Oregon was beset by wildfires again this summer. Nearly a year ago, the House passed a bipartisan plan that Greg helped write to fix broken federal forest policy, put people back to work in the woods and improve forest health. So far, the Senate has not voted on either of these common-sense bills, so the House will pass them again to make it as easy as possible for the Senate to act, he said. Pending legislation that is not passed into law before a new Congress is sworn in in January does not carry over to the new session and must be reintroduced and go through the process over again. Read the article online here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-remembers-governor-vic-atiyeh-public-memorial-service,Greg Walden remembers Governor Vic Atiyeh at public memorial service,2014-09-03,2014,2014-09,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden remembers Governor Vic Atiyeh at public memorial service  SALEM U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today honored the late Governor Vic Atiyeh as a man who always served, always gave and always cared. Atiyeh served as Oregon's 32nd Governor from 1979-1987, and passed away on July 20 at the age of 91. Walden, who once worked for Atiyeh, is set to speak at a public memorial service this morning at the State Capitol in Salem. For more information on the service, please click here. A full transcript of his remarks as prepared for delivery is below: Memorial to Governor Victor G. Atiyeh  By U.S. Representative Greg Walden (Oregon's 2nd District)  (Remarks as Prepared for Delivery) Thank you, Denny. To Dolores and the Atiyeh family, my fellow elected officials, formerly elected officials, citizens of our great state: There are two words one says about a man who always served, always gave and always cared: THANK YOU. Thank you Governor Victor G. Atiyeh for showing generations of others how leadership really works; what leadership really is; and how productive it can be when you care less about who gets the credit and more about getting the job done right for the people, it's amazing what you can accomplish. I was in high school and my Dad was in the Legislature (sat right over there) when I first met Vic and Dolores Atiyeh. My parents hosted a small gathering at our house in Hood River when he was running for governor the first time1974. As I sort of recall, 1974 wasn't exactly a banner year for Republicans. Richard Nixon resigned the presidency three months before the election. President Ford granted him a full, free and absolute pardon two months before the election. And for the only time in his career, Vic lost an election. Let me put Vic's electoral record in better perspective: Vic won 19 of 20 elections (primary and general) over the course of 28 years of public service in Oregon. He was often considered the underdog, especially in his statewide races, underestimated by his opponents and the pundits. I'd worked for the House Republican Leader Roger Martin during the 1977 session and joined his gubernatorial campaign thereafter. Roger and I both learned what it was like to underestimate this low-key, rug merchant from Portlandthis quintessential Boy Scout who wanted to be governor. Tom McCall learned that lesson as well. Brent Walth, in his wonderful book, Fire at Eden's Gate, discusses that race in detail, including the pivotal debate in Eugene on the 28th of April when Roger went after McCall while Vic remained engaged, but politely watched the other two slug it out resulting in a lot of mutual political damage. Atiyeh said later his strategy was to hold their coats during the battle. Nine days before the election, polls showed McCall with a 14-point lead among all Oregonians, and a six point lead among Republicans. But Vic emerged as the competent, if not overly exciting, likeable and capable candidate. The upset victory was an overwhelming win. When everything was said and done, it was Atiyeh who would get 46 percent, McCall 33 percent and Martin 17 percent. When the political dust settled, Vic asked me to come over to his team, which I did to help Denny with communications work. There I saw in Vic Atiyeh a hard-working, honest, respectable, courteous, man who always took the high road. He did not shrink from criticism, even condemnation of his opponent's positions and proposals. But he never wanted to say anything bad about his opponent personally. He would rather talk about what he would do differently. He was as old school that way as he was about the short-sleeved white shirts he loved to wear. He rebelled against the political uniform of the day. He disliked suits and long-sleeved shirts. We did get him to occasionally wear a red tie. Just when we thought we had him convinced, staff reported him campaigning in short sleeve shirts again. Campaign manager Carol Whitney, Denny Miles and I used to fantasize about a fictitious burglary at the Senator's house where strangely all that was reported missing were two dozen short sleeved shirts and an ugly camel sport coat. The short-sleeve white shirts gave way to long sleeve white shirts with sleeves rolled upat least until he became Governorand then back came the short sleeves. I think it was the only stylistic change he ever madeand that for only a matter of months. Oregonians were looking for something else in the 1978 electionthey'd been reminded of the flashy, colorful years of McCall, and they weren't happy with things under Governor Straub. I remember our consultant saying one day: Oregonians want oatmeal. And that's what we're going to serve them. No, there's nothing wrong with oatmealstrong in fiber, high in protein, actually healthy for youbut it's not generally how one portrays a candidate. And yet, Vic was oatmeal. Darn good oatmeal. Competent. Effective. And very good for the state. A healthy choice for what Oregonians needed during a very difficult time. Oregonians needed someone who could work across party lines and get things done. And Vic Atiyeh was just that person. In his 28 years of service, Vic was always in the minority, in the House, the Senate and during both terms as Governor. How did he do so well in working across party lines? He knew it could work and he had learned how to do it. He had personal respect for others and never thought of them as ""the enemy.""I would guess that as a rug salesman, he looked at every one as a potential customer. And he would go to work trying to close the sale. He was criticized by some for routinely traveling to the far corners of the state for events like county fairs and service club meetings. He didn't see it as campaigning, he saw it as ""a responsibility of being governor. People deserve to see and talk with their governor."" Somehow, he broke free of his Salem office. Because of this interaction, he knew what Oregonians wanted and needed. He knew how they really felt about the issues and he knew of their concerns. Especially important for those of us from small rural towns, he connected and we knew we had a voice, a friend. He came. He cared. In his toughest election (1982 general) some Oregonians might have thought twice about voting for him (because of the terrible economy), but many of them had met him, had talked with him personally and understood he was working hard on their behalf. They voted for him in a big way. Vic was genuine, honest. He lived the Scout Oath. Many Boy Scouts (including Vic Atiyeh) were given a good deed coin when they joined. The instructions on one side said, secretly transfer me to your right pocket each day after your good turn has been done. I'm told he had a coin and he often did exactly that. I learned a lot from Vic Atiyeh. When I ran for Congress, he made sure I reached out to the leaders of the Oregon Tribes, for whom he had such fondness. He gave me counsel and advice and support. When issues of the Middle East would arise, he made sure to remind me of his own heritage: this first U.S. Governor of Arab descent, and the importance of hearing from all sides. You gained a sense of balance from Vic. A sense of fairness permeated everything he did, even if it wasn't always popular, you knew he was right. It was a strength he had. When Gov. Atiyeh took office for his second term, capping decades of public service, he had this to say in his Second Inaugural Address: When our efforts are history; when others have taken our place; our achievements can be measured only by the legacy we leave. I pray that those who follow us will examine our work and share in full measure the motivation for all we do: deep humility, honorable service, and fierce pride. Humility for the bounty that is ours; service to the citizens we represent; and pride in the great state we serve. Our feeling is shared, in good times and bad, by every citizen...I know that our citizens  and each one of us  can stand anywhere in the world and count it a matter of special pride to say: I am an Oregonian.' As anEagle Scout, I can attest that Vic has left his campsiteour great statefar better than he found it. He has made us all the more proud to say: We are Oregonians. Thank you, Vic Atiyehfor serving, for sharing, for soldiering Oregon ahead. You served us well.  ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-urges-changes-blue-mountains-forest-plan-better-meet-needs,Greg Walden urges changes to Blue Mountains Forest Plan to better meet the needs of Eastern Oregon communities,2014-08-25,2014,2014-08,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden urges changes to Blue Mountains Forest Plan to better meet the needs of Eastern Oregon communities Walden writes to Forest Service about strong concerns he heard at town hall meetings in Eastern Oregon this month HOOD RIVER  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today wrote to the U.S. Forest Service to urge changes to the controversial Blue Mountains Forest Plan revision. At town hall meetings in Eastern Oregon this month, Walden heard strong concerns from local communities that their needs and wishes were ignored in this plan. In a letter to Regional Forester Jim Pea, Walden wrote, The federally managed forests that span throughout Eastern Oregon provide significant economic and cultural benefits to local communities. In addition to the economic value these forests hold, accessing and utilizing these lands is a way of life for area residents. However, these forests are in poor condition and dire need of proper management that will restore forest health, reduce catastrophic wildfire, and sustain the economies in these rural communities. Unfortunately, it seems that this plan falls short of meeting these needs of the forest and the communities. Click here to read the full letter. Over the past year, communities surrounded by the Malheur, Umatilla and Wallowa-Whitman National Forests have expressed deep concerns with the direction of this plan. At all of my recent town halls and other public meetings in these communities,I heard from a variety of constituents and local elected officials who have found that this plan not only fails to meet the needs of their communities, but also fails to achieve the desired conditions for the forest as well,Walden continued. In concluding the letter, Walden urged the agency to work with local communities to make changes to the plan, and invited the Regional Forester to Eastern Oregon to discuss the plan. I hope that you will reassess the proposal and engage with these local communities to develop a plan that accurately reflects existing forest conditions and outlines objectives that will reach the needed environmental and economic outcomes. I look forward to having you join me on the ground in Eastern Oregon to discuss this plan and other issues on our National Forests that so greatly impact Oregon's rural communities,Walden wrote. Earlier this month, Walden heard strong opposition to the plan at town halls and other public meetings in Harney, Grant, Union, Umatilla, and Wallowa counties. For example, concerns have been voiced that the plan doesn't provide adequate timber production for the region and fails to restore forest health by allowing active management on more land. Last month, the Eastern Oregon Counties Association unanimously rejected the proposed plan.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-supports-legislation-improve-care-veterans-help-clean-mess,"Greg Walden supports legislation to improve care for veterans, help clean up the mess at the VA",2014-07-30,2014,2014-07,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden supports legislation to improve care for veterans, help clean up the mess at the VA WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today supported legislation passed by the House to improve health care for veterans and help bring accountability to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The bill is part of a compromise agreement between House and Senate negotiators reached this week. It overwhelmingly passed the House today, and the Senate is expected to vote to send it to the President later this week. This legislation is a good first step towards cleaning up the mess at the VA. Our men and women who have worn our nation's uniform deserve to have access to the care they need in a timely manner, Walden said. This legislation fixes some of the glaring problems Americans have seen recently by allowing the agency to hire more doctors and making it easier to dismiss senior managers who have failed to live up to their responsibilities. The plan also allows more veterans to go outside the VA system to access care in the communities where they live. It's a good first step for veterans and their families, but there's a lot more reform that needs to be done at the VA to get accountability in that broken agency. The Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 includes some of the following highlights:  Requires the VA to offer an authorizationthrough a Veterans Choice Cardto allow veterans to receive non-VA care if they are unable to secure an appointment at a VA medical facility within 30 days or if they live more than 40 miles from the nearest VA medical facility.  Provides funding for the VA to hire more health care providers and improve their physical facilities.  Authorizes the VA to fire or demote senior agency managers for poor performance or misconduct.  Reduces funding for bonuses available to VA employees.  Requires public colleges to provide in-state tuition to veterans and eligible dependents.  Expands a scholarship program to provide benefits to spouses of certain service members who have died in the line of duty since 2001. For full details of the plan, courtesy of the Veterans Affairs Committee, please click here. In May, Walden supported the VA Management Accountability Act when it passed the House. Many elements of that bill made it into the final version passed today. The House has also passed with Walden's strong supportlegislation to fund important veterans programs and reduce the claims backlog at the VA. Walden has met with veterans in southern, central, and eastern Oregon recently, and the backlog was a major topic of discussion.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/us-house-passes-common-sense-reforms-endangered-species-act,U.S. House passes common sense reforms to the Endangered Species Act,2014-07-29,2014,2014-07,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"U.S. House passes common sense reforms to the Endangered Species Act WASHINGTON, D.C.  The U.S. House of Representatives today passed the Endangered Species Transparency and Reasonableness Act, which makes common sense reforms to the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) was a cosponsor of this important bill and supported it when it passed the House. Too often, listing decisions under the ESA are driven by litigation and made behind closed doors with little public input. Oregonians deserve more transparency and the ability to better participate in the decision making process that so greatly affects their livelihood. This common-sense bill would reform the ESA to bring much-needed transparency to how management decisions are made and implemented, Walden said. The Endangered Species Act has already had an impact throughout Oregon's rural communities. Northern spotted owl critical habitat designations have led to federal timber harvests dropping by more than 90 percent in the last 30 years. Facing an arbitrary court-ordered deadline of September 2015, rural communities across eastern Oregon are rushing to prevent the listing of the Greater sage-grouse under the ESA in hopes of avoiding the detrimental economic impacts that have followed listings elsewhere in the West. Walden has long advocated for more local input in the endangered species listing process. Last month, Walden and 42 other Members of Congress urged the Obama Administration to give more time for the public to comment on three proposed Endangered Species Act (ESA) regulations that would make sweeping changes to how critical habitat designations are determined under the law. Although the Members requested a six month extension, the Administration only agreed to extend the comment deadline for 90 days. The Endangered Species Transparency and Reasonableness Act is a package of four bills approved previously by the Natural Resources Committee. Specifically, the legislation would:  Require that data used by agencies for listing decisions be made available to the public online.  Require that federal agencies disclose data used to affected states before an ESA listing decision. It would also require that federal agencies incorporate scientific data and input from states, tribes, and counties.  Require the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to make available online the amount of taxpayer dollars used to respond to ESA lawsuits, the number of employees dedicated to it, and attorneys' fees awarded during litigation and settlement.  Places caps on attorneys' fees under the ESA just like caps in place at other federal agencies. Under the ESA, attorneys are being awarded rates as much as $600 per hour. The federal government limits fees to $125 per hour in federal suits involving Social Security, veterans, and disability claims. For full details of the plan, please click here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-holds-hearing-protecting-rural-television-service,Greg Walden holds hearing on protecting rural television service,2014-07-24,2014,2014-07,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden holds hearing on protecting rural television service Click here to watch Walden's opening statement at the hearing WASHINGTON, D.C.  The U.S. House Communications and Technology Subcommittee, chaired by Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River), held a hearing today on a proposal to protect low power television (LPTV) stations and television translators that serve rural communities. The LPTV and Translator Act of 2014 would direct the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to consider the benefits of LPTV and translators, and to help ensure that the rights of LPTV and translators are protected in an upcoming auction of broadcast spectrum. Low-power stations and translators play an important role in delivering local programming to rural areas like eastern Oregon. At our hearing today, members of Congress from both parties expressed concern about protecting these important stations. I have long urged the FCC to keep their value to local communities in mind when conducting the upcoming spectrum auction. This common-sense bill would put that sentiment into law, as well as allow LPTV and translator licensees additional opportunities to petition the FCC to stay on the air after the auction process is complete, Walden said. Low-power television licensees operate broadcast stations that operate at a lower transmit power and serve smaller service areas than fullpower stations. LPTV stations often offer programming designed for a specific group of viewers, such as religious groups, academic communities, and ethnic minorities. Examples in Oregon include KDOV in Medford and KBNZ in Bend. Translators generally operate at full power and are used to extend the reach of an existing broadcast signal. While translators are used across the country, they are most popular in the Mountain West, where terrain presents unique challenges for over-the-air reception. For example, the Blue Mountain Translator District brings over the air television to residents of Union and Baker Counties.  Louis Libin, the executive director of the Advanced Television Broadcast Alliance, testified before the subcommittee today to underscore the importance of these secondary stations. More than 2,000 LPTV stations and more than 3,000 translators provide television service to tens of millions of Americans. In many places, these stations are the only broadcast television service available, and in many other cases, they provide communities their only access to the affiliates of major broadcast networks. Many translators were built and are operated by local communities to ensure that those communities have access to broadcast television, Libin said.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/case-you-missed-it-editorial-bulletin-supports-waldens-bill-ensure,In Case You Missed It: Editorial in The Bulletin supports Walden's bill to ensure seniors' access to home health care services,2014-07-23,2014,2014-07,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"In Case You Missed It: Editorial in The Bulletin supports Walden's bill to ensure seniors' access to home health care services WASHINGTON, D.C.  Support continues to grow for a bill introduced by U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) last week to protect Oregon seniors from planned cuts to home health care.The SAVE Medicare Home Health Act will stop the Obama Administration's proposed 14 percent payment cut to home health care providers. Instead, it will put into place smart reforms that reward home health agencies that provide high value care to their patients. Today, The Bulletin in Bend supported the bill in an editorial, writing that the bill is a sensible way to save money as it improves care. So far, no Democrats have cosponsored the SAVE Medicare measure. That's unfortunate. A bill that rewards good service and punishes service that is sub-par is a logical way to solve a problem that could force Medicare to spend more than it now does. Scroll down to read the full editorial. Support continues to grow in the Congress as well. Today, four more members of the U.S. Houseincluding Reps. Trent Franks (R-Ariz.), Tim Walberg (R-Mich.), Walter Jones (R-N.C.), and Todd Rokita (R-Ind.)signed on as cosponsors of the legislation, bringing the total number of cosponsors to sixteen. Last year, nearly two hundred members of the House and Senate from both partiesincluding Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and Oregon Rep. Earl Blumenauerjoined Walden in writing to the Obama Administration in opposition to their planned cuts. In October 2013, Walden raised the issue to then-Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, noting how important home health care is to patients in rural Oregon.   Editorial: Support Walden's bill on home health care July 23, 2014 As Americans grow older, financial pressure on the federal Medicare system also grows. The older we get, the more likely we are to be hospitalized, and recovery at home is less expensive than recovery in a hospital or other care facility. That's why the Obama Administration's decision to cut payments to home health providers under the Affordable Care Act makes so little sense. It's also why U.S. Rep. Greg Walden, R-Hood River, has introduced legislation that would eliminate most of those cuts and shift the way payments to home health provider companies are made. As things now stand, home health agencies can expect a 3.5 percent reduction in payments each year through 2017, a 14 percent reduction in all. Even the board that sets Medicare rates acknowledges the impact of those cuts  40 percent of such agencies would be losing money by 2017, it says. Here, the impact would be even worse. Some 70 percent of home care agencies would be losing money by 2017, Walden says, with the greatest impact felt in rural Oregon, where access to health care can be limited and poverty levels high. Walden's SAVE (Securing Access Via Excellence) Medicare Home Health Act takes a different approach. It would allow the 2014 home health care cuts to remain in place, but in the following years, it directs the Department of Health and Human Services to create measures of hospital readmission rates, one of which would allow the department to identify potentially preventable readmissions. They're the ones that can be avoided, often, by adequate and less expensive care in a patient's home. Once that is done, the bill would have HHS establish a Value-Based Purchasing Program that would reward home care providers for high-performing agencies, those whose readmission rates were lowest, and cut payments to agencies with exceptionally high hospital readmission rates. It is a sensible way to save money as it improves care. So far, no Democrats have cosponsored the SAVE Medicare measure. That's unfortunate. A bill that rewards good service and punishes service that is sub-par is a logical way to solve a problem that could force Medicare to spend more than it now does.  To read the editorial online, 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-greg-waldens-satellite-television-bill,U.S. House unanimously passes Greg Walden's satellite television bill,2014-07-22,2014,2014-07,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"U.S. House unanimously passes Greg Walden's satellite television bill WASHINGTON, D.C.  The U.S. House of Representatives today unanimously passed H.R. 4572, the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act (STELA) Reauthorization, a bill authored by Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) to ensure that satellite subscribers in remote areas do not lose access to local programming. This bipartisan bill will ensure that 1.5 million satellite subscribers in hard-to-reach areasincluding many in Oregoncontinue to receive vital news and information. The STELA Reauthorization Act extends the copyright and retransmission consent provisions for distant signals retransmitted by commercial satellite providers for five years, Walden said during debate on the measure. These can be contentious matters, but I am proud to say that the STELA Reauthorization Act is yet another example of bipartisanship and enjoys support from all sectors of the communications industry. This type of collaboration has long been the hallmark of our committee, and I'm pleased to see this legislative result. I urge the Senate to act swiftly and pass this bill into law before the year's end, Walden continued. As Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, Walden worked to write a reauthorization of the satellite law that would receive the support of both parties and all sectors of the communications industry. The bill was cosponsored by full Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-Mich.), Ranking Member Henry Waxman (D-Cali.) and Subcommittee Ranking Member Anna Eshoo (D-Cali.). The provisions included in this bill must be renewed by December 31, 2014, to ensure that consumers don't lose access to satellite programming. For a fact sheet on H.R. 4572, click here. To read the legislation, please click here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-statement-passing-governor-vic-atiyeh,Greg Walden statement on the passing of Governor Vic Atiyeh,2014-07-21,2014,2014-07,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"BEND  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) issued the following statement on the passing of former Oregon Governor Vic Atiyeh: Vic Atiyeh left his campsite better than he found it, and he will go down in history as one of Oregon's greatest statesmen. His steady hand guided our state through turbulent times. Through his leadership, we weathered that storm and laid the groundwork for Oregon to flourish in a whole new world economy. His life of service will impact generations of Oregonians to come. Vic Atiyeh was not only a giant, though. He was also a mentor for me and a very close friend. Mylene and I are deeply saddened by this news, and we send our prayers to Dolores and his family.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/case-you-missed-it-fox-news-special-report-greg-waldens-bill-stop-cuts,"In Case You Missed It: Fox News ""Special Report"" on Greg Walden's bill to stop cuts to home health care",2014-07-16,2014,2014-07,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"In Case You Missed It: Fox News Special Report on Greg Walden's bill to stop cuts to home health care WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden's introduction of a bill yesterday to repeal the Obama Administration's cuts to home health care was featured on Special Report with Bret Baier on Fox News last night. The Securing Access Via Excellence for (SAVE) Medicare Home Health Act would stop the Administration's proposed 14 percent payment cut to home health care providers. Instead, it will put into place smart reforms that reward home health agencies that provide high value care to their patients while reducing payments to agencies that don't meet certain performance and quality standards.  Walden told Fox correspondent Jim Angle about the value of home health care for patients, including his own parents. I will tell you it kept them out of the nursing home longer. It kept them out of re-admittance to the emergency room. It made a huge difference in their quality of care because they could be home, Walden said.  Angle noted that the Administration's proposed cuts to home health care could force 70% of home health agencies in Oregon into the red. That is not tolerable. That's not acceptable. And it's not smart, Walden said.  The story also noted that 51 Senatorsincluding Oregon's Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkleywrote to the Medicare Administrator last year urging her to stop these drastic cuts to home health. Walden and 141 other members of the Houseincluding Oregon Rep. Earl Blumenauerwrote a similar letter expressing their concern about the cuts last September. The Administrator never responded to the Members of Congress.  In October 2013, Walden raised the issue to then-Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, noting how important home health care is to patients in rural Oregon.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-introduces-bill-stop-obama-administration-cuts-home-health,"Greg Walden introduces bill to stop Obama Administration cuts to home health care, ensure Oregon seniors get the care they need",2014-07-15,2014,2014-07,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden introduces bill to stop Obama Administration cuts to home health care, ensure Oregon seniors get the care they need WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) introduced a bill today to protect access to home health care services for seniors in Oregon and nationwide. The Securing Access Via Excellence for (SAVE) Medicare Home Health Act will stop the Obama Administration's proposed 14 percent payment cut to home health care providers. Instead, it will put into place smart reforms that reward home health agencies that provide high value care to their patients while reducing payments to agencies that don't meet certain performance and quality standards. Home health care allows patients more control over their health care, and provides a sense of comfort, familiarity, and normalcy for the patient and their families. I know this first hand, because it's what my parents chose. And it's not just a win for the patient. Home-based care benefits Medicare as a whole. Having people recover at home is less expensive than in a hospital or nursing home, Walden said. But the Obama Administration's cuts have put thousands of Oregon seniors in danger of losing their home health care. That's why I've introduced legislation to stop these harsh cuts and replace them with smart reforms that reward home health agencies that provide high value care to their patients. We'll get more for our money and better care for patients without these across the board cuts. This common-sense bill will stop the Administration's cuts to home health care, and allow Oregon seniors to continue to receive the care they need and that depend on, Walden continued. Last November, the Administration used their authority under the Affordable Care Act to cut home health care payments by 14 percent over four yearsthe maximum amount allowed under the law. The board that sets Medicare rates predicts that the cuts will cause more than 40 percent of home health providers nationwide to operate in the red. And that number jumps to 70 percent of home care providers in Oregon. According to the Partnership for Quality Home Healthcare, more than 15,000 Oregonians already benefitting from home health services could lose access to their providers and nearly 3,000 home health care workers in Oregon could lose their jobs. The SAVE Medicare Home Health Act repeals the Obamacare cuts in 2015-2017. Instead, savings are achieved by establishing a value-based purchasing (VBP) program to better incentivize home healthcare agencies to deliver high-quality care to patients and reduce hospital readmission rates. This plan is designed to be budget neutral, and positions Medicare to save money in the long run. The Oregon Association of Home Care (OAHC) praised the bill. Oregon has long been a leading provider of high quality cost effective care through innovative health care, including home care to Oregonians in need. Congressman Walden's support and sponsorship of the SAVE Medicare Home Health Act is further demonstration of his understanding of the importance of home health care in our State. We continue to work with and encourage Congressman Walden to ensure that the sickest and most frail of our population are not adversely impacted by payment decisions and that with this legislation, Congress ensures that agencies make the right choice to provide quality care to all patients in need that qualify, said Shaune Mattsson, OAHC's president. OAHC graciously thanks Congressman Walden for continuing to support the delivery of high quality home health care in Oregon and nationally, through the introduction of SAVE Act, to showcase the value of focusing home health care reimbursement on quality measures of care versus the arbitrary cuts the industry has endured to-date, Mattsson continued. Seniors' advocates praised the bill as well. We commend Congressmen Greg Walden and colleagues for their leadership in introducing this bill that will improve patient care while reducing Medicare spending through proven payment reforms, said Dan Weber, Founder and President of AMAC - the Association of Mature American Citizens. Millions of mature Americans have been promised access to Medicare services  a promise the Obamacare home health cuts threaten to break. The SAVE Medicare Home Health Act puts a stop to these careless Medicare cuts, which is what we believe is best for senior citizens and mature Americans. Walden introduced the bill with Rep. Tom Price (R-Ga.). Also cosponsoring the bill at introduction are Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.), Renee Ellmers (R-N.C.), David McKinley (R-W.Va.), Tom Latham (R-Iowa), Sean Duffy (R-Wis.), Glenn Thompson (R-Penn.), Sam Graves (R-Mo.), Charles Boustany (R-La.), and Erik Paulsen (R-Minn.). Click here for a summary of the bill and here for the full text of the legislation.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-supports-bipartisan-job-training-bill-passed-house,Greg Walden supports bipartisan job training bill passed by House,2014-07-09,2014,2014-07,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden supports bipartisan job training bill passed by House Oregon employers and job training advocates praise bill; President expected to sign it into law in the coming days WASHINGTON, D.C.  The U.S. House of Representatives has overwhelmingly passed a bipartisan planthe Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Actto help put Oregonians back to work by reforming our nation's outdated workforce development system. U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) strongly supported passage of this plan. Employers, workers, and job training advocates in Oregonmost recently at Rogue Valley Microdevices in Medfordhave told me that the current workforce development system is a confusing maze of programs. It's outdated, inefficient, and not accountable to the taxpayers, Walden said. This bipartisan legislation will reform and improve workforce training programs so Oregonians can obtain the skills they need to go back to work. It eliminates fifteen duplicative programs, reducing administrative costs and unnecessary bureaucracy. Local boards are empowered to tailor services to their region's employment and workforce needs. And the bill promotes skills training for 21st century jobs, fostering a modern workforce that Oregon businesses rely on to compete. It's a win for taxpayers, job seekers, and employers, Walden continued. In May, Walden met with the Rogue Workforce Partnership and toured Rogue Valley Microdevices in Medford. They discussed the need to strengthen and improve workforce training programs, along the lines of what this plan accomplishes, and their leaders praised passage of the plan. This is an important moment. As business leaders, we've advocated a long time for an even stronger partnership between the public and private sectors so we can grow the skills of workers, grow our businesses and grow good jobs. This legislation will help us to line up our collective efforts, so we can make an even bigger difference economically for our region, said Jessica Gomez, CEO and Founder of Rogue Valley Microdevices and Chair of the Rogue Workforce Partnership.  As the business-led Local Workforce Investment Board for our region, we strongly support the passage of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. This legislation gives us a much stronger foundation to help businesses fill their critical talent and human capital needs. It also provides more opportunities for job seekers to get the skills they need for good career pathway jobs. And, it gives us better tools for streamlining our WorkSource Oregon One-Stop and other workforce programs, and to work with our K-20 education partners to better link all these important skill-building investments so they can best meet the needs of the business employer, as well as the job/career seeker. We greatly appreciate the efforts and support of Representative Walden in getting this important legislation passed, said Jim Fong, Executive Director of the Rogue Workforce Partnership based in Medford.  A Central Oregon leader in workforce development also praised passage of the bill. The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act will help streamline workforce development funding and programs, providing a better coordination of services as well as reaching more out of work Oregonians. It also provides the critical flexibility for state and regional boards to better meet the needs of the local community. As both an employer and a member of a workforce development board, I appreciate Rep. Walden supporting this important this legislation to put more Oregonians to work, said Trygve Bolken, member of the Oregon Workforce Investment Board and Human Resources Manager for Bend Research. The Senate overwhelmingly passed the bill in late June. It now heads to President Obama, who is expected to sign it into law in the coming days. For full details of the plan, please click here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/us-house-passes-legislation-increase-american-energy-lower-gas-prices,"U.S. House passes legislation to increase American energy, lower gas prices for Oregon families",2014-06-26,2014,2014-06,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"U.S. House passes legislation to increase American energy, lower gas prices for Oregon families *** AUDIO ATTACHED *** WASHINGTON, D.C.  The U.S. House of Representatives has passed bipartisan legislation to increase American energy production, lowering gas prices and creating jobs. U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) was a strong advocate for these three bills, which passed the House with bipartisan support. Walden issued the following statement after voting on the final bill: As summer driving season gets underway and chaos builds in the Middle East, families in Oregon continue to pay more and more at the gas station every time they fill up the tank. Everywhere I go in our state, families, farmers, ranchers, and small business owners tell me just how much of a burden skyrocketing energy prices are on their budgets. There's a better way. We can increase energy production to reduce energy costs so that Oregonians can keep more of their hard-earned paychecks and make America more prosperous and secure.  That's why I strongly supported bipartisan legislation passed by the House this week to increase the supply of American energy. This will lower costs for Oregon families, create good-paying jobs, and keep our nation more secure. America is on track to become the world's leading energy superpower, but we must update our laws and cut through federal red tape to make this dream a reality. According to AAA, gas prices in Oregon climbed again last week to a statewide average of $3.93 per gallon, well above the national average of $3.66 (making Oregon one of the top 10 most expensive states to buy gas). That average could soon climb above $4.00 per gallon, something we haven't seen since 2012. The bills passed by the House this week include: The Lowering Gasoline Prices to Fuel and America That Works Act (H.R. 4899) would open new areas to energy exploration and development on our vast onshore and offshore federal lands. The bill reverses the Obama Administration's policies that have driven federal oil production down six percent and federal natural gas down 28 percent since the president took office. Currently, the U.S. is experiencing an energy boom on state and private lands  where natural gas production is up 33 percent and oil is up 61 percent since 2009. This is a testament to broken federal lands policy, part of which this bill seeks to fix.  The Domestic Prosperity and Global Freedom Act (H.R. 6) would expedite approval by the Department of Energy of U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports. Currently, 26 export applications are pending at the Department of Energy, some for over two years. The need for increased U.S. LNG exports has received considerable support and attention as the crisis between Russia and Ukraine continues. With Russia continuing to exploit the energy dependence of our European partners, this bill presents us with the unique opportunity to strengthen our allies, weaken our enemies, and create economic opportunities here at home.  TheNorth American Energy Infrastructure Act (H.R. 3301) would establish a clear and efficient approval process for pipelines and transmission lines that cross the borders of the United States with Canada or Mexico. This would prevent another situation like the application for the Keystone XL pipeline which has languished for nearly six years.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-urges-obama-administration-allow-more-time-public-input-new,Greg Walden urges Obama Administration to allow more time for public input on new endangered species regulations,2014-06-17,2014,2014-06,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden urges Obama Administration to allow more time for public input on new endangered species regulations WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) and 42 other Members of Congress have urged two federal agencies to give more time for the public to comment on three proposed Endangered Species Act (ESA) regulations that would make sweeping changes to how critical habitat designations are determined under the law. The Endangered Species Act has already severely impacted rural communities throughout the West. And now the Obama Administration is proposing to further expand their authority under the ESA with little time for public input, Walden said. Sixty days is simply not enough time for the public to read, understand, and comment on these proposals that would make sweeping changes to how the ESA is implemented on the ground. The Administration must give rural citizens as much time as possible to explain how these new rules could affect Oregon farms, ranches, and communities. Federal agencies often offer 90 or 120 day comment periods for complex rules that can have significant economic impact. For these proposed rules, which were released on May 12, 2014 after more than a year of internal Administration review, the public has been given 60 days to offer input. The letter was sent to U.S. Fish and Wildlife (FWS) Director Dan Ashe and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Administrator Kathryn Sullivan to request a six month extension of the public comment period on the three regulations. For a copy of the signed letter, please click here. The Members went into detail about their concerns with the proposals and why the public should be given more time to give their input. As written, these rules could dramatically increase the amount of private and public lands designated for habitat, which in turn could result in blocking or slowing down an array of agricultural, grazing, energy transmission and production, transportation, and other activities on the more than 680 current habitat designations and hundreds more slated to be finalized in the next few years, Walden and the other representatives wrote in the letter. In Oregon, northern spotted owl critical habitat designations have already led to federal timber harvests dropping by more than 90 percent in the last 30 years. Facing an arbitrary court-ordered deadline of September 2015, rural communities across eastern Oregon are rushing to prevent the listing of the Greater sage-grouse under the ESA in hopes of avoiding the detrimental economic impacts that have come along with species listings elsewhere in the West. There is a history of concerns that we and others have had with the FWS' and NOAA's interpretations of critical habit designations, economic analyses methodology, and regulations stemming from hundreds of listings from closed-door settlements with litigious groups. In light of these concerns, we are surprised and disappointed that the FWS and NOAA would seek to finalize, within just 60 days, multiple rule changes of this significance without more advance notification of Congress, and with insufficient time for affected stakeholders to provide meaningful input, the representatives continued.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/us-house-committee-hears-strong-support-waldens-forest-access,U.S. House committee hears strong support for Walden's forest access legislation,2014-06-10,2014,2014-06,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"U.S. House committee hears strong support for Walden's forest access legislation WASHINGTON, D.C.  Members of Congress today heard strong support for local control over forest access decisions during a hearing on the Forest Access in Rural Communities Act (H.R. 4272), a bill authored by U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River). An influential House committee with jurisdiction over public lands policy heard statements from Walden and Union County Commissioner Steve McClure as support for the legislation continues to grow in Oregon and in Congress. Since the Forest Service first announced they were going to start this process, I have worked with county commissioners and the local residents who enjoy driving, riding, camping, cutting firewood and picking berries on their National Forest to craft this legislation to ensure local communities have a say in forest access decisions, Walden told the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation. This legislation puts a stop to the flawed travel management planning rule that applied a one-size fits all approach for road management on every community. For future proposals that result in a road closure or access restriction, it requires the Forest Service to consult during the planning process, and seek concurrence from the counties within which the road closure occurs, and the neighboring counties, before the project can be implemented. Doing so levels the playing field and ensures that the local residents and communities, those most affected by these management decisions, have a strong say and aren't ignored in the process, Walden continued. Click here for Walden's full statement as prepared for delivery. Union County Commissioner Steve McClure testified in support of the bill based on the experience of eastern Oregon counties with the Wallowa-Whitman travel management plan. Our experience with the Wallowa-Whitman travel management plan clearly shows the need for H.R. 4272 which provides a chance to restore local control over these planning processes and ensure that local communities, and their needs and uses are not ignored. It is important that the counties not only participate but that there is an agreement between the Forest Service and the communities, McClure said. Click here to read his full testimony. Support for the FAIR Act continues to grow, with five Oregon counties submitting letters of support to the committee: Baker, Grant, Umatilla, Union, and Wallowa. The bill has also been endorsed by Forest Access for All, the Eastern Oregon All Terrain Association, the Association of Oregon Counties, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, the Public Lands Council, the American Motorcyclist Association, the American Council of Snowmobile Associations, and the Oregon State Snowmobile Association. Walden entered each of these letters into the official congressional record. Walden's bill has also picked up support from his colleagues in the House since it was introduced in March. It currently has seven cosponsors: Reps. Mark Amodei (R-NV), Rob Bishop (R-UT), Tom McClintock (R-CA), Cathy McMorris-Rodgers (R-WA), Steve Pearce (R-NM), Mike Simpson (R-ID), and Don Young (R-AK).",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-committee-hold-hearing-waldens-forest-access-bill-next-week,House committee to hold hearing on Walden's forest access bill next week,2014-06-04,2014,2014-06,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"House committee to hold hearing on Walden's forest access bill next week Union County Commissioner Steve McClure to testify before Congress in support  WASHINGTON, D.C.  The House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation will hold a hearing on U.S. Rep. Greg Walden's forest access bill on Tuesday, June 10. Union County Commissioner Steve McClure will be on hand to testify in support of the Forest Access in Rural Communities Act (H.R. 4272).  This hearing is the first step in passing my common-sense bill to stop the misguided travel management rule on national forests in the West and promote local control over future proposals that could restrict forest access. I'm pleased that my friend Steve McClure will be there to give his support to the bill and perspective as a county commissioner, Walden said. Federal agencies need to heed the input and wishes of local citizens before closing roads and restricting access. My bill will bring management decisions about public lands back to rural communities and force the forest service to listen to Oregonians. During the first round of travel management planning on the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, I saw the Forest Service largely ignore the data and comments compiled by local forest users when the plan was released. I appreciate Representative Walden working with the counties and local residents throughout the travel management planning process and in crafting HR 4272 to ensure local communities have a say in management decisions on our National Forests,McClure said. Walden's bill has picked up support from his colleagues in the House since it was introduced in March. It currently has six cosponsors: Reps. Mark Amodei (R-NV), Rob Bishop (R-UT), Tom McClintock (R-CA), Cathy McMorris-Rodgers (R-WA), Steve Pearce (R-NM), and Mike Simpson (R-ID). Walden has also heard support for the proposal at community forums in La Grande and John Day. Larry Cribbs, a representative from the Eastern Oregon All-Terrain Vehicle Association, told The Observer,This legislation is put together with our thoughts, our comments, our opportunity up front, and they listened to everything we said. Union County Commissioner Mark Davidson said, I fully support it. I think this is the kind of relationship that we always should have had. Grant County Sheriff Glenn Palmer told The Blue Mountain Eagle,What comes off of this (forest) is our livelihood, our business, our future. Editorial boards in Oregon have also supported the measure. The Baker City Herald wrote, Greg Walden has gotten right to theheart of the debate over managing national forests, and he only needed to write a four-page bill to do it, in an editorial entitled Walden's bill has promise.The Bulletin in Bend declared Walden's forest bill is just what's needed.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/us-house-passes-bill-boost-economic-opportunities-hermiston-allow,"U.S. House passes bill to boost economic opportunities in Hermiston, allow important research to continue",2014-05-28,2014,2014-05,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"U.S. House passes bill to boost economic opportunities in Hermiston, allow important research to continue WASHINGTON, D.C.  The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a plan written by Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) to place the 290 acres of land currently home to Oregon State University's Hermiston Agriculture Research and Experiment Center (HAREC) fully under local control. The Hermiston Reversionary Lands Act (H.R. 3366) will allow important research to continue and provide flexibility for future economic development in the area. For the full text of the bill, click here. This common-sense plan is a win for farming and jobs. By repealing an antiquated federal rule, this bill provides an opportunity to grow Hermiston's economy while allowing the flexibility needed for valuable, local agriculture research to continue. I'm pleased that it passed the House with such broad support. The Senate should take it up and pass it right away, Walden said. In 1954, the 290 acres near Hermiston was conveyed by the federal government to the State of Oregon for the creation of an agricultural experiment station. The federal government still holds mineral and reversionary interest in the property. Should any portion of the current research station property no longer be used for agricultural research purposes, the property would return to federal ownership. This antiquated clause provides management challenges for the station and denies the flexibility needed for Oregon State to generate revenue from portions unsuited for agriculture research. For example, it denies the university ability to sell the property and relocate the station out beyond city limits to an area better located for agriculture research as needed in the future. The clause also denies the local community the flexibility it needs to build the economy and provide jobs to meet the demands of the growing region. Local leaders hailed passage of the plan. Oregon State University strongly endorses passage of H.R.3366 which will remove the federal reversionary clause on the Hermiston Agricultural Research and Extension Center. This will provide the flexibility needed to ensure that the station can continue to do research in support of the agricultural community, the needs of the city of Hermiston, the region and beyond, now and for generations to come, said Oregon State University President Edward J. Ray.  As an agricultural community, we depend on the OSU Hermiston experiment station to have the latest crop research and techniques to remain competitive, support our economy and grow jobs. We appreciate Congressman Walden working with growers here locally to make sure an obscure federal law does not endanger the future of the experiment station and our agricultural economy, said local farmer Bryan Wolfe, Chairman of Hermiston Agricultural Research and Experiment Station Advisory Committee. The reversionary interest that the federal government maintains over the Hermiston experiment station deprives our community and OSU of the flexibility it needs to maximize the value of the property and the research done there. As our city continues to rapidly expand around the station, the reversionary interest stands in the way of future development. We thank Congressman Walden for removing this barrier to economic growth, said Hermiston Mayor David Drotzmann.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/us-house-passes-bill-bring-accountability-va,U.S. House passes bill to bring accountability to the VA,2014-05-21,2014,2014-05,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"U.S. House passes bill to bring accountability to the VA   WASHINGTON, D.C.  The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the VA Management Accountability Act, a plan co-sponsored by Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.), to hold senior level Veterans Administration (VA) managers accountable for the agency's progress. Walden issued the following statement after the vote: Americans are correctly outraged by the growing scandal at the VA. As a nation, we owe our veterans the best care possible. From World War II to Korea, Vietnam to Iraq and Afghanistan, they've all fought to defend our freedom, and we must ensure they receive the benefits and care they've earned.  We in the House are continuing to actpassing legislation to clean up this mess once and for all. We've already passed legislation to fund important veterans programs and reduce the unacceptable claims backlog.  Now the House passedwith my strong supportthe VA Management Accountability Act. Current law puts layers and layers of red tape in the way before a senior manager at the VA can be dismissed for not doing their job. This common-sense bill would make it easier to fire or demote senior level managers at the VA who are failing to live up to their responsibilities to our veterans and their families.  This plan would bring much-needed accountability to the Veterans Administration, and the Senate should pass it right away too. Our nation has made a promise to veterans. And we must keep it. The House has already passedwith Walden's strong supportlegislation to fund important veterans programs and reduce the claims backlog at the VA. Walden has met with veterans in southern, central, and eastern Oregon in recent weeks, and the backlog was a major topic of discussion. The latest numbers from the Portland office show that about 62% of veterans' claims are older than 125 days. On Monday, Walden will honor those who have given their lives in the nation's service at Memorial Day observances in Central Point and Eagle Point in Jackson County. Full details will be announced tomorrow.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/us-house-again-passes-legislation-streamline-development-port-hood-river,U.S. House again passes legislation to streamline development at the Port of Hood River,2014-05-20,2014,2014-05,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"U.S. House again passes legislation to streamline development at the Port of Hood River Rep. Greg Walden meets with the Port of Hood River to discuss legislation to streamline development at the port  WASHINGTON, D.C.  The U.S. House of Representatives has again passed legislation to remove unnecessary red tape at the Port of Hood River to streamline economic development and habitat restoration projects along the river. The provision is contained in a compromise version of water infrastructure legislation known as the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA). It is expected to be passed by the Senate in the coming days, and be signed into law by the President. U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) secured the provision in the final agreement. Due to outdated regulations, the Port must get approval from the Army Corps of Engineers on activity on land near the Hood River, even though the Port owns the land. This process of winning approval from the Corps is often slow and expensive. The legislation passed today would remove that requirement, which predates the construction of the Bonneville Dam in the 1930's. This common-sense change will remove outdated federal red tape that has held up new economic development and habitat restoration projects at the Port of Hood River, Walden said. It will help streamline new projects at the Port and can create jobs and development along the river. I am pleased that it passed the House with strong support today, and hope that the Senate will quickly follow suit so it can become law. Community leaders have praised the legislation. Greg's work to help remove the archaic flowage easement was absolutely critical. It's a small victory but it will help a great deal with our efforts to improve water access, riparian enhancement and walking path construction along the Western edge of the Nichol's Basin. I want to personally thank him for his assistance, said Port Commissioner Jon Davies. In June 2013, Walden wrote to Rep. Bill Shuster (R-Penn.), the Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, to request the inclusion of the provision in the initial version of the water projects legislation, which passed the House last October. Since then, House and Senate negotiators have been working to reconcile their versions of the legislation.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-waldens-travel-management-bill-move-forward-us-house,Greg Walden's travel management bill to move forward in the U.S. House,2014-05-16,2014,2014-05,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden's travel management bill to move forward in the U.S. House  MEDFORD  The House Natural Resources Committee has informed U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) that it plans to hold a hearing on his travel management bill at the next available opportunity. His bill, the Forest Access in Rural Communities Act (H.R. 4272), would stop the misguided travel management rule on national forests in the West and promote local control over future proposals that could restrict forest access. I've always worked to bring management decisions about public lands back to where they belongour rural communities. Federal agencies need to heed the input and wishes of local residents before making decisions about forest access or road closures. My common-sense bill would put a stop to the misguided travel management rule and force the Forest Service to listen to Oregonians before restricting access to public forests, Walden said. I'm grateful for the support that's grown for this legislation across rural Oregon and in Congress. A hearing in the House Natural Resources Committee is the first step in passing this important measure, Walden continued. Since introducing the bill in March, Walden has heard support for the proposal at community forums in La Grande and John Day. Larry Cribbs, a representative from the Eastern Oregon All-Terrain Vehicle Association, told The Observer,This legislation is put together with our thoughts, our comments, our opportunity up front, and they listened to everything we said. Union County Commissioner Mark Davidson said, I fully support it. I think this is the kind of relationship that we always should have had. And Grant County Sheriff Glenn Palmer told The Blue Mountain Eagle,What comes off of this (forest) is our livelihood, our business, our future. Editorial boards in Oregon have also supported the measure. The Baker City Herald wrote, Greg Walden has gotten right to theheart of the debate over managing national forests, and he only needed to write a four-page bill to do it, in an editorial entitled Walden's bill has promise.The Bulletin in Bend declared Walden's forest bill is just what's needed.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-introduces-central-electric-cooperative-leader-hearing-rural,Greg Walden introduces Central Electric Cooperative leader at hearing on rural power and federal lands,2014-05-07,2014,2014-05,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden introduces Central Electric Cooperative leader at hearing on rural power and federal lands  Walden introduces David Markham, CEO of Central Electric Cooperative in Redmond, at a House Natural Resources Committee hearing on rural electricity and federal lands (high resolution version available upon request) WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today introduced the CEO of a Central Oregon electric cooperative at a hearing in the House Natural Resources Committee entitled Keeping the Lights On and Reducing Catastrophic Forest Fire Risk: Proper Management of Electricity Rights of Way on Federal Lands. The purpose of the hearing was to examine challenges faced by rural electric utilities that have transmission and distribution lines on federal land. These utilities, which are often the only provider in rural coverage areas that can span tens of thousands of square miles, are negatively impacted by a lack of federal forest management that leads to catastrophic wildfires that can destroy transmission lines and disrupt service to rural homes and businesses. It also focused on delays by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and U.S. Forest Service on renewing permits for power lines across federal lands that deliver electricity to rural Oregon. Just like it shouldn't take several years to put together a timber sale, it also shouldn't take several years for the BLM or Forest Service to renew an existing right of way for a transmission line. And when federal agencies fail to act, adjacent private land owners, utilities, and subsequently their customers are the ones that suffer, Walden said while introducing Dave Markham, of Redmond. Markham discussed examples of burdensome Bureau of Land Management (BLM) delays on electricity rights of way and cited the agency's sage grouse proposal that could bankrupt utilities in eastern Oregon. While co-opsfully understand the need to protect the sage grouse, measures presented in the [BLM's sage grouse proposal] would have severe consequences for several Oregon cooperatives, Markham said. It is beyond the time that our federal land managers work collaboratively with electric co-ops to develop common sense reform to their current practices. To read Markham's full testimony, click here. For more information on the hearing, click here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-americans-deserve-truth-about-benghazi,Greg Walden: Americans deserve the truth about Benghazi,2014-05-02,2014,2014-05,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden: Americans deserve the truth about Benghazi  MEDFORD  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) released the following statement today after Speaker Boehner's announcement that the House will vote to create a new select committee to investigate the Benghazi terrorist attack: Just this week, the White House was forced by a court to release new documents that show the Obama Administration blatantly misled the American people in the days after the terrorist attack in Benghazi. For nearly two years, the Republican-led House has worked tirelessly to get the truth about that nightwhen four brave Americans, including Ambassador Chris Stevens and Oregonian Tyrone Woods lost their livesand its aftermath. Time and time again, the Administration has stonewalled the House and the American people, and it's time for them to come clean. I support the Speaker's call for a select committee on Benghazi. This is an extraordinary step, but it's needed to force accountability from the Obama Administration and get the truth.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-us-house-continues-effort-lead-example-reduce-our-own-budget,"Greg Walden: U.S. House continues effort to lead by example, reduce our own budget",2014-05-01,2014,2014-05,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden: U.S. House continues effort to lead by example, reduce our own budget   WASHINGTON, D.C.  The U.S. House has passed legislation to hold the line on its own budget, putting the House on track to save taxpayers $600 million since 2011. U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) has been a leader in this effort, and issued the following statement after supporting the bill: When House Republicans took the majority three years ago, we promised to reduce federal spending. And we led by example. One of the new majority's very first actions was to pass my bill to reduce the House's own budget. This demonstrated our commitment to ending the culture of spending in Washington, D.C.an effort that continues today. This bill holds the line on funding the House. It puts us on track to reduce our own budget by 14% in the past three years, saving taxpayers nearly $600 million. It denies members of Congress a pay raise for the fifth year in a row. And it increases support for the Government Accountability Office (GAO) so they have the resources needed to investigate wasteful government programs like Cover Oregon. These efforts to reduce government spending will help grow our economy, create jobs, and leave our country better off for the next generation. In 2010, as the new majority took control of the U.S. House of Representatives, Walden organized a team of lawmakers to look at every aspect of how the House operates, and make recommendations for reform. A key recommendation of this transition team was to reduce the operating budgets of House committees, leadership offices, and individual member offices. The very first measure passed by the new Congress in January 2011authored by Waldencut the operating budget of the House by five percent, saving taxpayers an estimated $35 million in the first year alone. Today, the House passed legislation to fund the legislative branch for the coming fiscal year. This bill holds the line on funding the House, and puts the House on track to cut its own budget by 14% since 2011, saving taxpayers $600 million.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/walden-supports-house-bill-fund-important-veterans-programs-reduce-va,"Walden supports House bill to fund important veterans programs, reduce VA backlog",2014-04-30,2014,2014-04,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Walden supports House bill to fund important veterans programs, reduce VA backlog WASHINGTON, D.C.  The U.S. House has passed bipartisan legislation to fund important veterans and military construction programs and reduce the claims backlog at the Veterans Administration (VA). U.S. Rep Greg Walden (R-Hood River) supported this measure, and issued the following statement after passage: We as a nation owe our freedom to the men and women who have served in uniform. This legislation will help ensure they receive the care and benefits they have earned through years of service. They deserve nothing less, Walden said. Hundreds of thousands of veterans nationwide are waiting for a claims decision from the VA. That's unacceptable. It's time for greater accountability. This bill will help reduce the disgraceful claims backlog by continuing efforts to upgrade the VA's computer systems and provide the personnel needed to solve this problem. Last week, Walden met with veterans in Bend, Ontario, and Grants Pass, and the backlog was a major topic of discussion. The latest numbers from the Portland office show that about 62% of veterans' claims are older than 125 days. Walden has also cosponsored a bill working its way through Congressthe VA Management Accountability Actto hold senior level VA managers accountable for the agency's progress. Current law puts layers and layers of red tape in the way before a senior manager at the VA can be held accountable for their actions. This bill would cut away a lot of that red tape to give the Secretary the authority to clean up the agency.Walden supports House bill to fund important veterans programs, reduce VA backlogWalden supports House bill to fund important veterans programs, reduce VA backlog    We as a nation owe our freedom to the men and women who have served in uniform. This legislation will help ensure they receive the care and benefits they have earned through years of service. They deserve nothing less, Walden said.  Hundreds of thousands of veterans nationwide are waiting for a claims decision from the VA. That's unacceptable. It's time for greater accountability. This bill will help reduce the disgraceful claims backlog by continuing efforts to upgrade the VA's computer systems and provide the personnel needed to solve this problem.  Last week, Walden met with veterans in Bend, Ontario, and Grants Pass, and the backlog was a major topic of discussion. The latest numbers from the Portland office show that about 62% of veterans' claims are older than 125 days. Walden has also cosponsored a bill working its way through Congressthe VA Management Accountability Actto hold senior level VA managers accountable for the agency's progress. Current law puts layers and layers of red tape in the way before a senior manager at the VA can be held accountable for their actions. This bill would cut away a lot of that red tape to give the Secretary the authority to clean up the agency.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-taxpayers-deserve-explanation-cover-oregons-failure,Greg Walden: Taxpayers deserve an explanation for Cover Oregon's failure,2014-04-25,2014,2014-04,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden: Taxpayers deserve an explanation for Cover Oregon's failure BURNS, Ore.  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today issued the following statement after the Cover Oregon board formally voted to join the federal health insurance exchange: Once again, Obamacare causes chaos and confusion for Oregonians. Today, the same board that oversaw the colossal waste at Cover Oregon voted to throw in the towel, and taxpayers are left stuck with the bill. The board should explain further to the taxpayers of Oregon and the nation how exactly this massive failure happened.  Walden is in Burns today for a meeting with local ranchers and the Bureau of Land Management before heading to John Day for a meeting on forest access and Baker City for a town hall tomorrow morning.Greg Walden: Taxpayers deserve an explanation for Cover Oregon's failure   Once again, Obamacare causes chaos and confusion for Oregonians. Today, the same board that oversaw the colossal waste at Cover Oregon voted to throw in the towel, and taxpayers are left stuck with the bill. The board should explain further to the taxpayers of Oregon and the nation how exactly this massive failure happened.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-statement-cover-oregon-announcement,Greg Walden statement on Cover Oregon announcement,2014-04-24,2014,2014-04,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,MEDFORD U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today issued the following statement on the announcement that Cover Oregon will likely move to the federal health insurance exchange: Cover Oregon is the digital equivalent of the 1962 Columbus Day storm. It is the worst financial failure in information technology in state historyand it was completely avoidable. Today's admission of failure underscores the need to stop the waste and get the truth. How did this happen? Who was in charge? That's why I've sought and secured a federal investigation into Cover Oregon. Taxpayers deserve answers and demand accountability. Walden is in Medford and Grants Pass today for meetings with the southern Oregon small businesses and the opening of the new veterans clinic in Grants Pass.MEDFORD U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today issued the following statement on the announcement that Cover Oregon will likely move to the federal health insurance exchange: Cover Oregon is the digital equivalent of the 1962 Columbus Day storm. It is the worst financial failure in information technology in state historyand it was completely avoidable. Today's admission of failure underscores the need to stop the waste and get the truth. How did this happen? Who was in charge? That's why I've sought and secured a federal investigation into Cover Oregon. Taxpayers deserve answers and demand accountability. Walden is in Medford and Grants Pass today for meetings with the southern Oregon small businesses and the opening of the new veterans clinic in Grants Pass. Cover Oregon is the digital equivalent of the 1962 Columbus Day storm. It is the worst financial failure in information technology in state historyand it was completely avoidable. Today's admission of failure underscores the need to stop the waste and get the truth. How did this happen? Who was in charge? That's why I've sought and secured a federal investigation into Cover Oregon. Taxpayers deserve answers and demand accountability.  Walden is in Medford and Grants Pass today for meetings with the southern Oregon small businesses and the opening of the new veterans clinic in Grants Pass.,1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-announces-congressional-art-competition-high-school-students,Greg Walden announces Congressional Art Competition for high school students,2014-04-15,2014,2014-04,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden announces Congressional Art Competition for high school students  Winner's artwork to hang in U.S. Capitol; winner receives airfare for two to Washington, D.C. to view exhibit  Emma Hughes of John Day won last year's Congressional Art Competition for her artwork Starry Eyed (above). This piece is currently on display in the U.S. Capitol.  MEDFORD, Ore.  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.) today announced that the 2014 Congressional Art Competition, An Artistic Discovery, is now open to high school students throughout Oregon's Second Congressional District, which includes central, southern and eastern Oregon. The contest is a nationwide endeavor for students to showcase their artistic abilities while competing for the chance to have their work displayed in the United States Capitol. I encourage all high school students in Oregon's Second District to share their artwork as part of this year's Artistic Discovery' competition. This is a tremendous opportunity for young people interested in art, and it gives students the chance to have their work showcased for a national audience, said Walden. To enter the Congressional Art Competition, students must submit no more than two photographs of their work to Walden's office by Monday, May 5, 2014. After artwork is received, a panel of experts will choose one winner and runners-up. The winner will have their artwork displayed in the national student art exhibit in the U.S. Capitol. The winner will also receive complimentary round-trip airfare for two to Washington, D.C. to view the full exhibit and attend a reception honoring the student's talent. Runners-up will have their artwork displayed in one of Walden's offices in Oregon in Bend, Medford, La Grande, or Hood River. To enter the contest, students must submit no more than two pieces of artwork and the Student Information & Release Form by May 5, 2014. Please email photos of the artwork (JPEG format), along with the student's name, phone number, address, and school to Lizzie Litzow at Elizabeth.litzow@mail.house.gov. All forms and further information can be found on Walden's website at https://walden.house.gov/art-competition/",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-votes-balanced-budget-plan-us-house,Greg Walden votes for balanced budget plan in the U.S. House,2014-04-10,2014,2014-04,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden votes for balanced budget plan in the U.S. House  Senate will once again not take up budget this year; refusal highlights need for balanced budget amendment   WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.) today voted for a balanced budget plan, the Path to Prosperity, in the U.S. House. He issued the following statement upon passage: Today, I voted for a budget that will reduce spending by more than $5 trillion and lead to a balanced budget without raising taxes on working Oregonians. Of all the threats that face our nation, few loom larger than the ever-growing federal debt and the impact it has on jobs and our economy. That's why I've backed efforts to cut federal spending and get the federal budget in balance so we can begin paying down the nation's debt.  The House has passed a budget each year since the Republicans won the majority in 2010, while the Senate has only done so once in the past four years. I am disappointed that, yet again this year, the Chair of the Senate Budget Committee, Sen. Patty Murray, has already announced the Senate will not even vote on a budget. This is yet another reason we need a constitutional amendment to require a balanced federal budget each yearno matter which party is in control of Washington, D.C. Specifically, the House budget plan:  Grows the economy and creates jobs.  Secures retirement for seniors by strengthening Medicare and other vital programs.  Repeals the health care law to clear the way for patient-centered reform.  Provides Oregon families and small businesses with a fairer, simpler tax code.  Allocates an additional $410 million to veterans programs for those who have served the nation in uniform.  Clears the way for further extensions of Secure Rural Schools payments to rural communities for essential services like schools, roads, and law enforcement. This would be necessary as Congress continues work to fix broken federal forest policy to provide active management of our forests, create jobs, and provide certainty for rural communities. To read more on the budget plan, please click here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-supports-bill-restore-wages-protect-jobs-health-care-law,"Greg Walden supports bill to restore wages, protect jobs from health care law",2014-04-03,2014,2014-04,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden supports bill to restore wages, protect jobs from health care law  WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.) today supported the Save American Workers Act to repeal the Affordable Care Act's 30-hour definition of full time employment and restore the traditional 40-hour work week. It passed the U.S. House by a vote of 248-179. Walden is a co-sponsor of this important bill. Today, the House acted to protect workers in Oregon and nationwide from another problem with the health care law: the 30-hour work week. Buried in this 906 page law is a mandate on employers to provide insurance to those who are full-time workers.I've owned a small business in Oregon with my wife since 1986. To meand probably youfull time means 40-hour work weeks. To those who wrote this law, it means a 30-hour work week, Walden said. As a result, small and large employers are cutting back the hours of workers to just less than 30 a week to avoid this costly mandate. A drop of 10 work hours a week is a big, 25% hit in pay. A father in Grants Pass wrote to me explaining that his daughtera single motherhad her hours cut back and could no longer afford to live on her own and moved back home. I've heard similar stories from Oregonians all throughout the districtincluding Medford, Bend, and Prineville. That's why the House passed a bill today that says a full time worker is one who works 40 hours a week, not 30. This important change will help workers like that mom in Grants Pass. According to the Hoover Institution, 2.6 million Americans earning less than $30,000 per year are at risk of having their wages and hours cut as a result of this definition. Investor's Business Daily has kept a running tally of more than 400 employers nationwide who have already cut hours because of Obamacare. For more information on the Save American Workers Act, please click here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-urges-fda-reconsider-rule-could-harm-oregon-brewers-ranchers,"Greg Walden urges FDA to reconsider rule that could harm Oregon brewers, ranchers",2014-04-03,2014,2014-04,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden urges FDA to reconsider rule that could harm Oregon brewers, ranchers   WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.) has written to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expressing concern about a proposed rule that could harm the craft brewing and livestock industries in Oregon. The rule proposes to tightly regulate brewers' spent grains, a byproduct of the beer-making process. It has long been common in the industry for brewers to sell or give the spent grains to ranchers for use as animal feed. The FDA's recent rule proposes to regulate spent brewers grains as animal food, and brewers as feed manufacturers.The result of this could be a disaster for jobs and tourism in southern, central, and eastern Oregon. I urge you to reassess this one-size-fits-all proposed rule and work directly with members of the craft brewing and livestock industries so that food safety can be ensured, without putting these industries out of business, Walden wrote to FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg. The text of Walden's letter is below. For a signed copy of the letter, please click here. Oregon brewers have been concerned about the proposed regulation. The relationship between farmer and brewer has existed for millennia. I am not aware of a single incident in that time of food borne illness for either animal or human. This ruling could do severe harm to both brewers and farmers as well as fill our landfills with what would otherwise be productive animal feed. Thankfully there are leaders in Congress like Greg Walden who are lending sanity to this situation, said Gary Fish, founder and CEO of Deschutes Brewery in Bend. Walden helped found the U.S. House Small Brewers Caucus in 2007. According to the Oregon Brewers Guild, Oregon beer industries employ 6,400 full and part-time employeesan increase of 900 jobs from 2011. There are over a dozen breweries in Central Oregon, and four within the city limits of Hood River alone. The livestock industry in Oregon has been around for generations, and Oregon's ranchers bring over $650 million into Oregon's economy, according to the Oregon Department of Agriculture.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-leads-hearing-global-internet-freedom-administrations,"Greg Walden leads hearing on global internet freedom, administration's proposal to transfer domain name oversight",2014-04-02,2014,2014-04,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden leads hearing on global internet freedom, administration's proposal to transfer domain name oversight  Click here or on the image below to watch video of Walden's opening statement  WASHINGTON, D.C.  The House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, chaired by U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.), today held a hearing on ensuring the security, stability, and freedom of the global internet. Walden and other members of the panel sought answers regarding the Obama administration's proposal instructing the International Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) to explore ways to remove the United States from its oversight role of the Domain Name System. Walden and other members expressed concern about any change that could leave the Internet vulnerable to power grabs from international governments and sought commitments that the administration would not permit any outcome that fails to protect the ideals of Internet freedom and openness. I cannot overstate the importance of freedom of the Internet from government control. Nor can I overstate the threat from foreign governments who seek to control, tax, censor, and otherwise impose their own agendas on the Internet, Walden said in his opening statement. We cannot allow institutions such as the United Nations or the International Telecommunication Union to insert themselves into the functioning of the Domain Name System. Make no mistake: threats to the openness and freedom of the Internet are real. Leaders such as Vladimir Putin have explicitly announced their desire to gain control of the Internet, Walden continued. For more information, or to watch the full hearing, click here. Last year, the U.S. House unanimously passed H.R. 1580, legislation written by Walden that affirms the policy of the United States regarding Internet governance and preserves Internet freedom. H.R. 1580 is currently pending in the Senate.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/walden-continues-efforts-protect-private-property-rights-supports-bill,"Walden continues efforts to protect private property rights, supports bill to increase transparency on public lands decisions",2014-03-26,2014,2014-03,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Walden continues efforts to protect private property rights, supports bill to increase transparency on public lands decisions Bill would allow farmers, ranchers, and other affected citizens to give input on national monument declarations  WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.) today voted for the Ensuring Public Involvement in the Creation (EPIC) of National Monuments Act (H.R. 1459) that would require public participation before a presidentially-declared national monument is made official. Walden is an original co-sponsor of the bill, which passed the House today.  Land-use decisions should be made in the sunshine with full input from affected citizens like farmers and ranchers. The President shouldn't be able to lock up thousands of acres of federal land to all productive uses with just the stroke of his pen and no say from the American people. That's why I've worked for a long time to reform the Antiquities Act to stop its worst abuses. This common-sense bill would ensure that future national monuments are created with public participation, not behind closed doors at the White House, Walden said. Under the 1906 Antiquities Act, the President can designate a national monument unilaterally, without public input. This was originally intended to be used in emergency situations to protect important historic sites and sites of scientific value from an imminent threat. Since the law passed over a century ago, though, excessive use of the Antiquities Act has grown under presidents of both parties. Oregon's Second District has faced threats to create national monuments unilaterally from the Clinton and Obama Administrations, efforts Walden has opposed. The EPIC Act would classify national monument declarations by the President as a major federal action, which would trigger a process that requires transparency and input from local communities. It would allow temporary, small emergency designations if there is an imminent threat to a historic site. It would also prevent the inclusion of private property in monument decisions without prior approval from property owners.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-introduces-bill-stop-travel-management-rule-promote-forest,"Greg Walden introduces bill to stop travel management rule, promote forest access for all",2014-03-17,2014,2014-03,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden introduces bill to stop travel management rule, promote forest access for all *** Audio attached *** Speaking at AC Power Sports in La Grande, Walden announces he has introduced legislation to stop the travel management rule and promote forest access for all (high resolution photo available upon request) LA GRANDE, Ore.  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.) today announced he has introduced the Forest Access in Rural Communities Act (H.R. 4272) to stop the problematic travel management rule on national forests in the West and promote local control over future proposals to restrict forest access. For too long, the input and wishes of local citizens have been pushed to the backseat when it comes to decisions about access to our public lands. This common-sense bill will put local communities back in the driver's seat in the Forest Service's travel management planning process, Walden said.  Whether it's for hunting, camping, firewood cutting, berry picking, or just enjoying a ride through the woods in a truck or ATV, accessing our forests is a way of life in rural Oregon. Far too often, though, management decisions are handed down from Washington, D.C. by agencies who have likely only seen the forests on a map. It's time for that to stop. This bill will bring management back where it belongslocal communities with firsthand knowledge about the state and uses of these forests, Walden said.  Walden made the announcement at AC Power Sports in La Grande with local officials and members of the motorized recreation community, including Union County Commissioner Mark Davidson and motorized recreation leader Allan Chase. This legislation is the result of over a year of work with stakeholders like Davidson and Chase.  When the USFS released a travel management plan on the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest two years ago, it largely ignored input from local citizens. Walden, local officials and citizens pushed back hard on the plan, eventually forcing the agency to withdraw it.   The Forest Access in Rural Communities Act prohibits the implementation or enforcement of the U.S. Forest Service's (USFS) Travel Management Rule for national forests derived from public domain lands in the West.  It also places restrictions on the USFS before implementing a proposed road closure, decommissioning or change in road densities in forests. In order to do so, the USFS must consult during the planning process with affected counties (a county within which the road closure occurs or an adjacent county). It must also get concurrence from the affected counties before the proposed plan goes into effect. To read the full text of the bill, please click here.  Last weekend, the Bend Bulletin called for more local input over travel management plans. This time around, the Forest Service must truly do as it has pledged: Conduct an open process. Incorporate what the public says into the plan, the paper wrote in an editorial.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-unanimously-approves-waldens-fcc-reform-bill,House unanimously approves Walden's FCC reform bill,2014-03-12,2014,2014-03,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"House unanimously approves Walden's FCC reform bill  Click here to watch Walden's floor remarks in support of his legislation  WASHINGTON, D.C.  The U.S. House of Representatives has unanimously approved a bill authored by U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.) to reform the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The FCC Process Reform Act (H.R. 3675) aims to increase transparency, predictability, and accountability at the Commission. Walden is chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, which has oversight responsibilities for the FCC.  The communications sector is one of the most innovative, competitive, and robust sectors of our economy. But, for innovation and investment to continue in communications, we must not weigh industry down with needless red tape and delay, Walden said. Communications and technology companies, as well as consumers who enjoy their products and benefits deserve a transparent and responsive government agency. While agency process has improved under recent chairmen, this legislation will ensure that reforms remain in place from one administration to the next. For more information on the bill, please click here.  As an example of bad process at the FCC, Walden cited a recent study proposed by the Commission to monitor content in newsrooms. The FCC recently agreed to drop the study after Walden and others blew the whistle on this threat to the First Amendment. Late last year, the FCC issued a notice for a study that would call into question the editorial decisions of journalists in their own newsrooms, which I think threatens their First Amendment rights. Somehow, an item as controversial as this study made it through the FCC without so much as a Commission vote. Americans deserve greater accountability and transparency from their government, Walden said. This measure is the third bill authored by Walden to pass the House unanimously within the past year. Last May, the House unanimously okayed Walden's bill to promote internet freedom. In October, the body unanimously approved the Central Oregon Jobs and Water Security Act, authored by Walden. The Senate has not yet held a vote on any of these three bipartisan bills.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/walden-welcomes-fccs-reversal-first-amendment-attack,Walden welcomes FCC's reversal on First Amendment attack,2014-03-12,2014,2014-03,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Walden welcomes FCC's reversal on First Amendment attack  Decision to cease revival of Fairness Doctrine comes over 11 weeks after Walden first raised issue with FCC  WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden, the Chairman of the House Communications and Technology Subcommittee, today welcomed the Federal Communications Commission's decision to scrap the commission's Critical Information Needs (CIN) study. Every Republican member of the Communications and Technology Subcommittee wrote to FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler in December urging the suspension of the study, which would have included interviewing journalists and other news professionals about their decision-making processes. Walden issued a joint statement with Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.), the Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee: ""We welcome the news that the FCC is dropping its ill-conceived encroachment into the newsroom, said Upton and Walden. This is a victory for the First Amendment and freedom of the press. But this unprecedented and dangerous intrusion on America's newsrooms should never have been pursued in the first place. Although important questions remain, Chairman Wheeler's action is a positive step. Background In December, Chairman Upton, Subcommittee Chairman Walden, and every Republican member of the Communications and Technology Subcommittee wrote to Chairman Wheeler urging him to suspend the study. After the FCC responded to the December letter, Upton and Walden expressed concern that the study still left room for First Amendment violations. Members cited similar concerns with respect to the original Fairness Doctrine and committee leaders urged then FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski to remove the statute from the Code of Federal Regulations in 2011. The doctrine was eliminated in August 2011.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-statement-rough-ready-mill,Greg Walden statement on Rough & Ready mill,2014-03-08,2014,2014-03,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden statement on Rough & Ready mill MEDFORD  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden issued the following statement on news that the Rough & Ready mill in Josephine County would reopen: ""Today's announcement from Rough & Ready is good news for working families in southern Oregon. To make this last, we need to change the law and fix broken federal forest policy so that we can bring back stable, family-wage jobs, reduce the risk of wildfire, and provide certainty for local services like roads, schools, and law enforcement.""Greg Walden statement on Rough & Ready mill MEDFORD  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden issued the following statement on news that the Rough & Ready mill in Josephine County would reopen: ""Today's announcement from Rough & Ready is good news for working families in southern Oregon. To make this last, we need to change the law and fix broken federal forest policy so that we can bring back stable, family-wage jobs, reduce the risk of wildfire, and provide certainty for local services like roads, schools, and law enforcement."" MEDFORD  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden issued the following statement on news that the Rough & Ready mill in Josephine County would reopen:  ""Today's announcement from Rough & Ready is good news for working families in southern Oregon. To make this last, we need to change the law and fix broken federal forest policy so that we can bring back stable, family-wage jobs, reduce the risk of wildfire, and provide certainty for local services like roads, schools, and law enforcement.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-announces-government-accountability-office-review-cover,Greg Walden announces Government Accountability Office review of Cover Oregon,2014-03-05,2014,2014-03,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden announces Government Accountability Office review of Cover Oregon *** Click here for Walden's video message on the GAO investigation *** WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.) today announced that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) has agreed to his request to review Cover Oregon, the state's troubled health exchange. Oregonians are rightfully concerned about the failure of Cover Oregon. Hundreds of millions of dollars have been spent on this broken website, and taxpayers have little to show for it. The GAO will take an independent look into what went wrong. They have a reputation for independence and thoroughness. Their investigation will help taxpayers get answers about what happened at Cover Oregon and the over $300 million that has been allocated to the state. Oregonians deserve better, Walden said. In their letter to Walden today, the GAO agreed to undertake this work as part of a broader study planned to examine states' health exchange websites. Click here to read the letter. On February 12, Walden and other top leaders on the House Energy and Commerce Committee wrote to the GAO to request a federal investigation. The catastrophic breakdown of Cover Oregon is unacceptable and taxpayers deserve accountability, the members wrote. Walden chairs the House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology. He was joined on the letter by Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-Mich.), Health Subcommittee Chairman Joe Pitts (R-Penn.), and Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chairman Tim Murphy (R-Penn.). Since 2010, the state of Oregon has been allocated more than $304 million in federal grant dollars to build, test, and operate the Cover Oregon health marketplace. Despite this investment of federal taxpayer dollars, Oregonians remain unable to purchase health insurance coverage through the Cover Oregon marketplace website on their own. Each of the grants the state received had clear summaries describing how the funds were to be used and what Oregon would accomplish with these federal dollars. Federal agencies, such as the Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, have a responsibility for overseeing that the tax dollars they send out are used properly. Given the current state of Cover Oregon, it doesn't appear that this federal oversight was adequately performed, which is why the leaders requested the investigation.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-honored-champion-change-national-down-syndrome-society,"Greg Walden honored as ""Champion of Change"" by National Down Syndrome Society",2014-02-28,2014,2014-02,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden honored as Champion of Change by National Down Syndrome Society  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (center) is honored as a Champion of Change by the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS). Presenting Walden the award is Mr. David Egan (right), the 2014 NDSS Self-Advocate of the Year, and Mr. Vince Randazzo (left), a board member of the NDSS. (High resolution version available upon request)  WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.) has been named a 2014 Champion of Change honoree by the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) in recognition of his efforts to improve the lives of people with disabilities. I am honored to be recognized by the National Down Syndrome Society, but it is the individuals with disabilities, their families, and the volunteers that support them who deserve the true recognition. Their efforts inspire me to continue to work hard to raise awareness and improve the lives of people with disabilities and their families, Walden said. Walden is a co-sponsor of the Achieving Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act (H.R. 647). The bill seeks to ease the financial strains faced by individuals with disabilities by creating tax-free savings accounts to cover expenses such as housing, education, and transportation. It would provide individuals with disabilities the same kind of flexible spending accounts other Americans have access to, like health savings accounts and college savings accounts. The NDSS annually presents Champion of Change honors to Members of Congress who have worked to advance policies that support people with Down syndrome. For more information on the NDSS, please click here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-natural-resources-committee-holds-hearing-greg-waldens-bill-boost,House Natural Resources Committee holds hearing on Greg Walden's bill to boost economic opportunities in Hermiston,2014-02-26,2014,2014-02,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"House Natural Resources Committee holds hearing on Greg Walden's bill to boost economic opportunities in Hermiston   Walden testifies before the House Natural Resources Committee about his bill to boost economic development in Hermiston (high resolution version available) WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.) today testified in support of his bill to place the 240 acres of land currently home to Oregon State University's Hermiston Agriculture Research and Experiment Center (HAREC) fully under local control. At a hearing before the U.S. House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation, Walden said that the Agriculture Research Extension and Advancement Act (H.R. 3366) will provide the flexibility needed for research to continue, providing economic growth for the surrounding community and City of Hermiston, eastern Oregon's fastest growing community. For the growing community, H.R. 3366 provides an opportunity for economic and job growth into the future. For the Columbia Basin's strong agriculture economy, it is a way for valuable, local agriculture research to continue. And for Oregon State University it provides the flexibility they need to continue providing that research to the area, as they have for the last 60 years, Walden continued. Attached, please find Walden's full testimony as prepared for delivery and the complete text of the bill. In 1954, the 240 acres near Hermiston was conveyed by the federal government to the State of Oregon for the creation of an agricultural experiment station. The federal government still holds mineral and reversionary interest in the property. Should any portion of the current HAREC property be no longer used for agricultural research purposes, the property would return to federal ownership. This clause provides management challenges for the station and denies the flexibility needed for the university to generate revenue from portions unsuited for agriculture research. For example, it denies OSU the ability to sell the property and relocate the station out beyond city limit to an area better located for agriculture research as needed in the future. The clause also denies the local community the flexibility it needs to build the economy and provide jobs to meet the demands of the growing region. Local leaders praised the plan when it was introduced. We appreciate Congressman Walden working with growers here locally to make sure an arcane federal law does not endanger the future of the OSU Hermiston experiment station. The station is a valuable asset, and the continued viability this legislation provides will ensure area farmers have the latest research on their crops so they can remain competitive into the future, said Bryan Wolfe, a local farmer and Chairman of Hermiston Agricultural Research and Experiment Station Advisory Committee. This legislation allows OSU the flexibility to make decisions about how to manage the Hermiston site to best maximize the financial and scientific value of the property. The revisionary interest denies OSU any incentive to sell its property, which prevents higher-value development from taking place on the land, and at the same time locks the station into a location which is becoming less ideal for their needs as the city continues to rapidly grow around it,"" Hermiston Mayor David Drotzmann said.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-waldens-working-bill-protect-first-amendment-eradicate-chilling-fcc,"Greg Walden's working on bill to protect the First Amendment, eradicate chilling FCC study",2014-02-25,2014,2014-02,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden working on bill to protect the First Amendment, eradicate chilling FCC study  Walden announces hearing, legislation in works to ensure FCC stays out of newsrooms and respects the freedom of the press  WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.), the Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, announced that the Energy and Commerce Committee will pursue legislative solutions to take the Federal Communications Commission's Critical Information Needs (CIN) study off the books.  The study, which was first announced last summer, originally included the questioning of journalists and other news professionals regarding their decision-making processes and news philosophy. While FCC Chairman Wheeler has indicated that the study will be changed, he has yet to adequately answer the questions contained in the committee's December 10, 2013 letter. Walden's Communications and Technology Subcommittee plans to hold a hearing and introduce legislation to stop the study.  The very existence of this CIN study is an affront to the First Amendment and should have never been proposed in the first place. As someone with a journalism degree, I was alarmed from the moment I saw it, which is why we wrote to Chairman Wheeler in December to urge him to stop the study. To date, Chairman Wheeler has insisted upon only making small tweaks, and what he has proposed to do isn't enough. The study should be eradicated completely, said Walden. The potential for violation of the First Amendment is exceptionally egregious, but it is also concerning that the commission believes it can prescribe what critical information needs' are in communities across the country.  Walden continued, It took nearly 25 years to get the Fairness Doctrine off the books once it had been 'eliminated' in 1987, and we will do whatever it takes to ensure this study or any other effort by the government to control the output of America's newsrooms never sees the light of day.  In December, Walden, along with full committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-Mich.) and every Republican member of the Communications and Technology Subcommittee, wrote to Chairman Wheeler urging him to suspend the study. Upon the FCC's response to the December letter, Walden expressed concern that the study still left room for First Amendment violations. Walden and other members cited similar concerns with respect to the original Fairness Doctrine and committee leaders urged then FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski to remove the statute from the Code of Federal Regulations in 2011. The doctrine was eliminated in August 2011.  Additional information about the upcoming hearing will be posted here as it is available.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-supports-plan-reform-wildfire-budget,Greg Walden supports plan to reform wildfire budget,2014-02-24,2014,2014-02,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden supports plan to reform wildfire budget  February 24, 2014 WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.) today announced he has co-sponsored a bill to address perennial wildfire budget issues. The Wildfire Disaster Funding Act (H.R. 3992) aims to end the current practice of fire borrowing, using funds from fire prevention accounts in order to pay for wildfire suppression when costs exceed an agency's wildfire budget. Federal forest policy is broken, and so is the way we budget for major wildfires. Year after year, federal agencies are forced to take money from forest management and fire prevention programs to pay to fight wildfires. That doesn't make sense for our forests or for the taxpayers. This broken cycle needs to end, which is why I've co-sponsored this common-sense bill, Walden said. I'm pleased that fixing our broken fire funding system has bipartisan support in the House, the Senate, and from the White House. Fixing this flawed funding method is a good first step, but we also need to fix federal forest management to prevent catastrophic wildfire, improve forest health and create jobs. Last September, the House passed a bipartisan bill to do just that, and I urge the Senate to rapidly pass this plan, Walden continued. Federal wildfire suppression expenditures surpassed budgeted amounts eight times over the past ten years. When this happens, agencies are forced to take funds from accounts used to pay for active forest management activities, such as hazardous fuels reduction projects. And because of a lack of active forest management, wildfire suppression costs are rising. Two decades ago, the Forest Service devoted 13 percent of its budget to wildland fire management. In 2013, this took up 41 percent of the budget. H.R. 3992 would fund routine firefighting through the normal budget process. Catastrophic wildfires, though, would be funded through national disaster programs used to pay for other disasters like hurricanes and floods. These catastrophic fires represent about 1 percent of annual fires but make up over 30 percent of the costs. The proposal has support on both sides of the aisle in the House and Senate, and the President announced today that he would incorporate the plan into his 2015 budget proposal.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/icymi-fox-news-special-report-call-gao-investigation-cover-oregon,"ICYMI: Fox News ""Special Report"" on call for GAO investigation into Cover Oregon",2014-02-19,2014,2014-02,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"ICYMI: Fox News Special Report on call for GAO investigation into Cover Oregon   Click here or on the image below to watch the story   PORTLAND U.S. Rep. Greg Walden's call for a federal Government Accountability Office (GAO) investigation into the failure of Cover Oregon was featured on Special Report with Bret Baier on Fox News last night.  If this were a car you'd been sold, you'd get it taken back under the Lemon Law. The car dealership would be held accountable, Walden said in reference to the troubled health exchange website, which has been granted over $300 million by the federal government.  Last week, Walden, who chairs the Energy and Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, and three other top leaders on the Committee, requested that the GAO investigate Cover Oregon.  Although the roll out of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) has been problematic nationwide, no state has had more complications than Oregon. The state of Oregon's exchange website, Cover Oregon, has been such a technological failure that the site was unable to enroll anyone months after the start of the open enrollment period, the leaders wrote in the letter. The catastrophic breakdown of Cover Oregon is unacceptable and taxpayers deserve accountability.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-other-us-house-leaders-call-gao-investigation-cover-oregon,"Greg Walden, other U.S. House leaders, call for GAO investigation into Cover Oregon",2014-02-13,2014,2014-02,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden, other U.S. House leaders, call for GAO investigation into Cover Oregon  MEDFORD, Ore.  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.) today announced that he and other top leaders on the House Energy and Commerce Committee have written to the General Accountability Office (GAO) to request a federal investigation into Cover Oregon, the state's troubled health exchange. In the nearly four months since HealthCare.gov and the state-run insurance exchanges launched, consumers have encountered numerous problems at both the federal and state level. Although the roll out of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) has been problematic nationwide, no state has had more complications than Oregon. The state of Oregon's exchange website, Cover Oregon, has been such a technological failure that the site was unable to enroll anyone months after the start of the open enrollment period, the leaders wrote in the letter The catastrophic breakdown of Cover Oregon is unacceptable and taxpayers deserve accountability. Click here for a copy of the letter. Walden announced the request at a news conference in Medford today with state Rep. Dennis Richardson, who has started a petition calling for a GAO investigation into Cover Oregon. Rep. Richardson has been warning of the flaws in Cover Oregon going back to 2011. In September 2010, the Office for Oregon Health Policy and Research received a $1 million State Planning Grant from the federal government to study the feasibility of creating a public corporation health insurance exchange model. Since then, the state has been granted more than $304 million in federal dollars to build, test, and operate the Cover Oregon health marketplace. Despite this investment of federal taxpayer dollars, Oregonians remain unable to purchase health insurance coverage through the Cover Oregon marketplace website. Each of the grants the state received had clear summaries describing how the funds were to be used and what Oregon would accomplish with these federal dollars. Federal agencies, such as the Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, have a responsibility for overseeing that the tax dollars they send out are used properly. Given the current status of Cover Oregon, it doesn't appear that this federal oversight was adequately performed, which is why the leaders requested the investigation. The letter was signed by Walden, House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-Mich.), Health Subcommittee Chairman Joe Pitts (R-Penn.), and Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chairman Tim Murphy (R-Penn.).",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/walden-statement-debt-limit-vote,Walden statement on debt limit vote,2014-02-11,2014,2014-02,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Walden statement on debt limit vote WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.) issued the following statement after voting against a one year extension of the debt limit: I'm disappointed that the President and the Senate refused to negotiate with the House on further cuts and reforms to reduce the deficit. Previous debt limit negotiations have resulted in historic agreements that reduced spending. I stood ready to work in a bipartisan way on another such agreement, but the Democrats have been unwilling to discuss even modest proposals to reduce the deficit.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/video-release-walden-questions-fda-official-mike-taylor-about-new-food,"VIDEO RELEASE: Walden questions FDA official Mike Taylor about new food safety rules, impact on Oregon farmers",2014-02-05,2014,2014-02,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"VIDEO RELEASE: Walden questions FDA official Mike Taylor about new food safety rules, impact on Oregon farmers  Click here or on the image below to watch the exchange between Walden and Taylor WASHINGTON, D.C.  The House Energy and Commerce Committee today held a hearing on the implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) with FDA Deputy Commissioner Mike Taylor. U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.), a senior member of the committee, questioned Taylor about how he would get input from Oregon growers as his agency redrafts the food safety rules. Click here to watch their exchange. Mr. Taylor, I've appreciated the meetings I've had with you and your team, and your openness to taking a look at how some of the ag practices occur on the ground and may be in disconnect with the original rules. I appreciate you coming out to the Northwest and taking time to meet with our growers out there, especially with onion growers on the east side of my district, Walden said. What interactions might you be having with farmers and ranchers out in the West, in districts like mine, as you write these new rules? Obviously, that continued communication is important to the extent to which it is allowed under the rule making process, Walden continued. Taylor assured Walden that he would continue to listen to growers as they work to redraft the rules. He added that research coming out of Oregon State University was helpful to their efforts as they work on rules that keep food safe without putting farmers out of business.  Walden and other members of Congress, including Reps. Doc Hastings (R-Wash.) and Mike Simpson (R-Idaho), twice met with Taylor to discuss growers' concerns with the draft rules. After the first meeting, Taylor and other FDA officials traveled to the Pacific Northwest to hear from farmers first-hand. In November, Walden met with researchers and onion growers at Oregon State's Malheur County Experiment Station to learn about their research into the scientific basis of the food safety rules the FDA is developing. For example, according to the research conducted at the station, dry bulb onions grown in eastern Oregon pose little risk of E. coli contamination. Walden presented that research to the FDA the following week. In December, the FDA announced that they would revise draft rules on water quality that would affect Oregon fruit and vegetable growers. At the time, Walden hailed that decision as a victory for common sense.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-statement-house-passage-five-year-farm-bill,Greg Walden statement on House passage of a five year farm bill,2014-01-29,2014,2014-01,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden statement on House passage of a five year farm bill   Click here or on the image below to watch Walden's video message WASHINGTON, DC The U.S. House of Representatives today passed a five year farm bill that provides support for Oregon's farmers, ranchers, and rural communities while reforming programs to save taxpayer dollars. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.) supported the plan, and released a video message explaining his support. A transcript is below: With House passage of a five year farm bill, we finally have some certainty out on the farm. I spent my early years on a cherry orchard in The Dalles, so I know how important it is to provide our farmers and ranchers with that certainty.  This reform-minded legislation ensures an adequate safety net for producers, while also reducing spending by $16 billion dollars. We reduce fraud in the food stamp program and we increase assistance for food banks.  This legislation contains strong support for vital agriculture research that fights disease and pests in everything from onions to pears to potatoes.  And it permanently reauthorizes and provides retroactive disaster funding for livestock producers, like those who lost grazing land and livestock to fires across eastern and southern Oregon.  And it provides some regulatory relief, both for our foresters and our farmers. I look forward to the Senate passing the farm bill and the President signing it into law. The legislation is part of a compromise between the House and the Senate. It is expected to be passed by the Senate in the coming days and be signed into law by the President. Highlights of the Plan  Fully funds PILT (Payments in Lieu of Taxes) payments to Oregon counties through 2014.  Saves $16 billion in mandatory spending, including reforms to the food stamp program and ending direct payments to growers.  Provides full funding for disaster assistance for livestock producers, including retroactive funding for ranchers impacted by wildfires across eastern Oregon in 2012  Reauthorizes and provides strong support for competitive specialty crop research that has a proven track record of a high return on investment.  Reduces fraud and waste in nutrition programs and helps ensure that those who receive food stamps are actually eligible for them, while providing additional $205 million for food banks.  Consolidates 23 duplicative conservation programs into 13, cutting red tape and saving taxpayer dollars.  Requires FDA to analyze the economic impact of proposed food safety rules that would dramatically impact Oregon's fruit and vegetable growers.  Provides regulatory relief to foresters facing overreaching EPA regulations on forest roads.  Requires the Department of Labor to consult with USDA and report to Congress on the abusive use of hot good orders, like those used against Oregon blueberry growers during the summer of 2012 and recently overturned in court.  For more information on the plan, courtesy of the House Agriculture Committee, please click here. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rough-and-ready-lumbers-jennifer-phillippi-be-greg-waldens-guest-state,Rough and Ready Lumber's Jennifer Phillippi to be Greg Walden's guest at State of the Union Address,2014-01-27,2014,2014-01,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.) today announced that Jennifer Phillippi, co-owner of Rough and Ready Lumber in Josephine County, will be his guest at President Obama's State of the Union Address on Tuesday night. Rough and Ready was the last remaining sawmill in Josephine County when it closed its doors last April due to a lack of available federal timber. The state of Oregon's rural communities is dire. I've invited Jennifer Phillippi to be my guest at the State of the Union Address because she personifies why Congress needs to act immediately to put people back to work in our forested communities, Walden said. On Tuesday night, the President will urge Congress to begin a year of action. The House has acted on a bipartisan plan to put people back to work in the woods, create healthy forests and communities, and provide funding for essential local services like schools and law enforcement. The Senate should act and pass this bipartisan plan right away, Walden continued. Last April, the Rough & Ready mill in the small community of Cave Junction closed after nearly 100 years in business. Jennifer Phillippi, her husband, Link, and her brother were the third generation of the Krauss family to operate the mill. The owners had been ready to invest $2 million in upgrades, but they said they couldn't count on a timber supply off the federal ground that surrounds them. 87 jobs were lost when the mill closed. On September 20, 2013, the U.S. House approved historic forestry legislation, the Restoring Healthy Forests for Healthy Communities Act (H.R. 1526). The bill renews the federal government's commitment to actively manage federal forests to create jobs in the woods, improve forest health, reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire, and generate revenue local communities need to provide essential local services like schools and law enforcement.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-blm-extend-comment-period-sage-grouse-proposal,Greg Walden to BLM: Extend comment period for sage-grouse proposal,2014-01-24,2014,2014-01,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.) today announced he has urged the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to extend their comment period for their draft proposal for sage-grouse management. Many Oregonians have told me about the drastic impact this draft plan could have on rural communities throughout the West. They've also told me that complying with the deadline for comments is challenging due to the lack of availability of the document and complexity of the matter, Walden wrote in a letter to BLM Deputy Director Neil Kornze. Extending the public comment period by 30 days would provide those wishing to provide comment the time they need to review the document and provide thorough comments. Local communities are most affected by the land management decisions, and residents deserve the opportunity to have their input incorporated into the final decisions, Walden continued. A copy of the signed letter is attached. Community leaders supported Walden's call for more input. While it is absolutely necessary to complete the sage-grouse DEIS/RMPA in a timely manner to prevent a listing it is also an absolute that the public must have an adequate opportunity (and means) to review and comment on this massive document. Government today can and should be transparent. I applaud the Congressman's request to ensure good input to this process, said Harney County Judge Steve Grasty. The BLM has been holding public meetings on their Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for sage-grouse in eastern Oregon communities, including Prineville, Burns, Ontario, Baker City, Lakeview, Jordan Valley, and Durkee.Many Oregonians have told Walden that they have arrived at these public meetings to find that there were only a few printed copies of the draft proposal available for the hundreds of local residents who attended. The draft proposal consists of three volumes, and adds up to 1,120 pages. The document discusses six different alternative management plans examining how those plans would impact habitat, vegetation, other wildlife, wildfire management, grazing, recreation and mining. Downloading it online can take hours. Last week, Walden supported a bill passed by Congress that would boost conservation efforts in an effort to prevent listing of the sage-grouse as an endangered species.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-supports-plan-keep-spending-check-grow-economy,"Greg Walden supports plan to keep spending in check, grow the economy",2014-01-15,2014,2014-01,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden supports plan to keep spending in check, grow the economy   Click here or on the image below to watch Walden's video message   WASHINGTON, DC The U.S. House of Representatives today passed a bipartisan bill that funds the government for the remainder of the year. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.) supported this plan, and released a video message explaining his support. A transcript is below:  Today, the House passed a plan to continue our successful efforts to reduce spending, grow our economy, and prioritize to make sure taxpayer dollars are being spent wisely.  This plan reduces spending below 2009 levelsbelow even what it was when President Obama took office.   This year will mark the first time since the Korean War that spending has been cut four years in a rowa total of $165 billion since 2010.   The President asked Congress for an increase in funding for the EPA and Obamacare. We denied him that, and even cut an Obamacare slush fund by $1 billion and the EPA by $143 million. And it reduces unnecessary federal regulations and increases oversight of agencies like the IRS.   We take care of our troops and veterans as well. The plan funds a 1% pay increase for the military, and restores the full, annual cost-of-living increase for medically retired military personnel. And it includes a comprehensive plan to end the claims backlog at the Veterans Administration by next year once and for all.   The bill is another step in continued efforts to reduce spending, grow the economy, and eventually balance the budget Highlights of the Plan  Freezes funding for the Affordable Care Act and takes $1 billion out of an Obamacare slush fund. Supports wildfire operations and reimburses agencies for all fire borrowing last year. Directs additional funds to conservation efforts to prevent listing of the sage grouse as an endangered species. Prevents the exclusion of fresh, white potatoes from the Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) nutrition program. Blocks proposals to increasing BLM/Forest Service grazing fees and directs additional funds for reducing grazing permit backlogs. Fully funds a 1% pay raise for our troops and increases focus on military health like traumatic brain injuries and prosthetics. Restores the full annual cost-of-living increase for 63,000 medically retired military personnel. Includes a comprehensive initiative to end the claims backlog at the VA by 2015. Supports crop research programs important to Oregon agriculture, ranging from wheat to specialty crops like cherries and onions. Blocks OSHA's efforts to regulate family farms as grain handlers Delays certain rate increases for federal flood insurance. Prevents the closing of rural post offices.  For a full summary of the plan, courtesy of the House Appropriations Committee, please click here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-nominates-oregon-students-acceptance-us-service-academies,Greg Walden nominates Oregon students for acceptance to U.S. service academies,2014-01-14,2014,2014-01,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden nominates Oregon students for acceptance to U.S. service academies   WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.) today announced the nomination of 17 Oregon students for acceptance to one of the prestigious United States service academies based on their academic performance, extracurricular involvement, and character. Being nominated to one of our nation's service academies represents years of hard work and discipline, Walden said. Competing with the best and brightest of America's youth for an appointment to an academy is a great honor and a tremendous opportunity. I am confident that these talented students would represent their families and nation well in that effort, and I commend them for their desire to serve our country in uniform. It takes a special commitment to pursue the rigors of an academy education, and these young Americans are continuing a long line of patriotic Oregonians in their endeavor. The nominees are as follows: Deschutes County  Braden Bell of Bend, son of Kyle & Kelsey Bell, attending Bend High School  Nominated to the US Military Academy  Jameson (Jay) Borland of Bend, son of Thomas & Ellen Borland, a graduate of Bend Senior High School in 2013 currently attending Northwestern Preparatory School  Nominated to the US Air Force Academy  Logan Falco of Redmond, son of Craig Falco & Kim Abrahamson, attending Redmond High School - Nominated to the US Air Force Academy  Timothy (Tim) Gorman of Bend, son of Steve & Susan Gretz, attending Mountain View High School - Nominated to the US Naval Academy and the US Military Academy  Emily Shunk of Bend, daughter of Gary & Pamela Shunk, attending Summit High School - Nominated to the US Air Force Academy, the US Naval Academy and the US Military Academy Crook County  Zachary Taylor of Powell Butte, son of Keith & Elizabeth Taylor, attending Ridgeview High School - Nominated to the US Naval Academy Jackson County  Jacob Cochran of Medford, son of Tobin & Rebecca Cochran, attending Fishburne Military School  Nominated to the US Naval Academy and the US Military Academy  Andrea Dow of Medford, daughter of Donald & Virginia Dow, Attending St. Mary's School - Nominated to the US Military Academy and the US Air Force Academy  Seth Gretz of Rogue River, son of Bradley & Celeste Gretz, attending Rogue River High School - Nominated to the US Air Force Academy  Conor Keating of Medford, son of Kevin & Nikki Keating, attending St. Mary's School - Nominated to the US Naval Academy, US Military Academy and the US Air Force Academy  Jachin (Jake) Roach of Gold Hill, son of Robert & Karen Roach, attending Monterey Bay Academy - Nominated to the US Naval Academy and the US Air Force Academy  Danial White of Ashland, son of Greg & Llona White, attending Ashland High School - Nominated to the US Merchant Marine Academy Klamath County  Andrew Larson of Klamath Falls, son of Tim & Margie Larson, attending Klamath Union High School - Nominated to the US Air Force Academy. NOTE: Andrew has already been offered admission from the Air Force Academy and has accepted  Minh (Bee) Nguyen of Klamath Falls, son of Phong & Quyen Nguyen, attending Klamath Union HS - Nominated to the US Naval Academy. NOTE: Bee has already been offered admission from the Naval Academy and has accepted  William (Matt) Switzer of Klamath Falls, son of Scott & Alicia Switzer, attending UCLA - Nominated to the US Naval Academy Union County  Daniel Colton of Union, son of Thomas & Julie Colton, attending Union High School  Nominated to the US Air Force Academy Umatilla County  Jarred Cope of Pendleton, son of Darrick & Lisa Cope, attending Griswold High School  Nominated to the US Military Academy and the US Naval Academy   Unless otherwise noted, final selection for admission to the service academies will be performed by officials at each respective academy this spring.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-applauds-decision-protect-volunteer-firefighters-health-law,Greg Walden applauds decision to protect volunteer firefighters from health law mandate,2014-01-13,2014,2014-01,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden applauds decision to protect volunteer firefighters from health law mandate
January 13, 2013


WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.) today applauded the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) decision not to force volunteer fire departments and other emergency response units to comply with the employer mandate in the Affordable Care Act. Below is a transcript of his video message:
I'm glad the IRS made a good decision for once when it comes to Obamacare. If they had not made this decision, volunteer firefighter departments all across the rural West and our district specifically would've been affected. They would've had to count volunteers as if they would paid, full-time employees. 
We know what kind of cost that would've been put on top of these fire departments; they couldn't have borne it. And so, whether you like or dislike Obamacare, we ought to be able to agree that volunteers are volunteers, and that's what the IRS ruling means. It's very important for our district, very important for our country, and certainly for our firefighters who want to volunteer their services.
On December 26, 2013, Walden announced he had added his name as a co-sponsor of the Protecting Volunteer Firefighters and Emergency Responders Act (H.R. 3685) to exempt volunteer firefighters and emergency medical technicians from the employer mandate. Prior to the recent decision by the IRS, the agency had considered volunteer firefighters and emergency medical technicians working 30 hours per week as full time employees, forcing units to provide health insurance or pay a fine if they are large enough.
This could have had a big impact in Oregon, and Walden heard strong concern from fire chiefs around the state. Nearly 90% of Oregon's 297 fire departments are classified as all volunteer or mostly volunteer agencies, according to the U.S. Fire Administration.
Next week, Walden will meet with firefighters in White City who had been concerned about how they would be classified by the agency. Further details will be announced once they are finalized.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-supports-health-exchange-security-and-transparency-act,Greg Walden supports Health Exchange Security and Transparency Act,2014-01-10,2014,2014-01,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden supports Health Exchange Security and Transparency Act  Walden: The federal government should have to tell you if somebody has stolen your personal information from the health care exchange.; Plan passes House with bipartisan support  Click here or on the image below to watch Walden's video message   WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.) today released a video message on House passage of the Health Exchange Security and Transparency Act (H.R. 3811), a bill of which he is an original co-sponsor. A transcript of his remarks is below: Whether you support the Affordable Care Act or you oppose Obamacare, the federal government should have to tell you if somebody has stolen your personal information from the health care exchange. That's what happens in the private sector: when the data is compromised, the companies have to tell you if your data is compromised.  The same should apply to Washington. It should apply to the health care exchange. The government should have to tell us if our personal information is stolen. That's what this legislation does.  And it's important because in our oversight hearings on the Energy and Commerce Committee, we determined that the end to end security checks had not been done on the Obamacare website exchange. They haven't even finished writing all the code. As a result, outside groups have said one of the greatest vulnerabilities for personal data breaches for this year is actually out of the Obamacare exchanges.  So it's important to pass this legislationof which I'm an original co-sponsorto make sure you are notified by the federal government immediately if your data are stolen. The bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to notify individuals if their personal information has been stolen or unlawfully accessed through an Obamacare exchange within two business days after discovery by the Secretary. For more information, click here. Walden and his colleagues on the Energy and Commerce Committee have uncovered facts that raise serious concerns about the security of the law's exchanges. During an October hearing, contractors who built the federal health exchange admitted to Walden that a full end to end test of the site hadn't been completed before launch. The Chief Information Security Officer for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Teresa Fryer, wrote in a draft memo that the federal exchange does not reasonably meet ... security requirements and that there is also no confidence that Personal Identifiable Information (PII) will be protected. Questions have also been raised about the security of personal information on the state's exchange, Cover Oregon.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-supports-health-exchange-security-and-transparency-act-0,Greg Walden supports Health Exchange Security and Transparency Act,2014-01-10,2014,2014-01,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden supports Health Exchange Security and Transparency Act Walden: The federal government should have to tell you if somebody has stolen your personal information from the health care exchange.; Plan passes House with bipartisan support Click here or on the image below to watch Walden's video message   WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.) today released a video message on House passage of the Health Exchange Security and Transparency Act (H.R. 3811), a bill of which he is an original co-sponsor. A transcript of his remarks is below: Whether you support the Affordable Care Act or you oppose Obamacare, the federal government should have to tell you if somebody has stolen your personal information from the health care exchange. That's what happens in the private sector: when the data is compromised, the companies have to tell you if your data is compromised. The same should apply to Washington. It should apply to the health care exchange. The government should have to tell us if our personal information is stolen. That's what this legislation does. And it's important because in our oversight hearings on the Energy and Commerce Committee, we determined that the end to end security checks had not been done on the Obamacare website exchange. They haven't even finished writing all the code. As a result, outside groups have said one of the greatest vulnerabilities for personal data breaches for this year is actually out of the Obamacare exchanges. So it's important to pass this legislationof which I'm an original co-sponsorto make sure you are notified by the federal government immediately if your data are stolen. The bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to notify individuals if their personal information has been stolen or unlawfully accessed through an Obamacare exchange within two business days after discovery by the Secretary.For more information, click here. Walden and his colleagues on the Energy and Commerce Committee have uncovered facts that raise serious concerns about the security of the law's exchanges. During an October hearing,contractors who built the federal health exchange admitted to Waldenthat a full end to end test of the site hadn't been completed before launch. The Chief Information Security Officer for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Teresa Fryer, wrote in a draft memo that the federal exchange does not reasonably meet ... security requirements and that there is also no confidence that Personal Identifiable Information (PII) will be protected. Questions have also been raised about the security of personal information on the state's exchange, Cover Oregon.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z