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/greg-walden-releases-report-detailing-alleged-opioid-dumping-rural,Greg Walden releases report detailing alleged opioid-dumping in rural communities,2018-12-19,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden releases report detailing alleged opioid-dumping in rural communities 
WASHINGTON, D.C. --The Energy and Commerce Committee, chaired by Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River), today released a report summarizing its findings after concluding its bipartisan investigation into allegations of opioid-dumping in West Virginia. Walden's Energy and Commerce Committee spent more than 18 months investigating large quantities of opioids sent to rural towns.
The Energy and Commerce Committee spent more than 18 months investigating allegations of pill dumping in West Virginia -- the epicenter of the nation's opioid epidemic and the state with the highest drug overdose death rate in the country,"" said Chairman Greg Walden and Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ). ""Our bipartisan investigation revealed systemic failures by both distributors and the DEA that contributed to -- and failed to abate -- the opioid crisis in West Virginia. The Majority Staff Report released today identified several flaws limiting the effectiveness of the distributors' compliance programs and DEA's enforcement. While we've already been hard at work this Congress to combat the opioid crisis with the signing of H.R. 6 into law, more work remains.
The report details numerous warning signs and red flags missed by wholesale drug distributors and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) that contributed to the worsening of the opioid epidemic in West Virginia. The report concludes with a series of recommendations and suggested legislative solutions to help improve the effectiveness of the distributors' compliance programs and the DEA's enforcement.
The recommendations include:
 Congress should consider enacting additional suspicious order requirements to clarify registrant responsibilities and to supplement the suspicious order requirements recently codified in Walden's SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act;
	DEA should work to establish a data platform with third-party experts to provide more real-time data to registrants;
	DEA should establish guidance on delaying Immediate Suspension Orders or other administrative actions for the furtherance of parallel criminal investigations, including a limit on the amount of time the agency will delay action;
	As part of their prospective customer due diligence, and at regular intervals thereafter, distributors should require the production of dispensing data from a pharmacy, preferably in a manner that would enable the distributor to identify the pharmacy's prescribing physicians;
	When red flags are raised and documented regarding a pharmacy, that pharmacy should be subject to heightened monitoring. Distributors' policies should specify the frequency and type of any such heightened monitoring; and
	Distributors' policies should clearly require a proactive review of pharmacies that share common ownership with a pharmacy terminated for compliance reasons within a reasonable, and determined, amount of time, among other recommendations.
 The report concludes, Blame for the opioid epidemic is widespread and goes far beyond the bounds of this investigation. Pharmaceutical manufacturers, pharmacists, physicians, drug traffickers, and others have contributed to this problem as well. This investigation has revealed that neither the DEA nor the distributors rose to the occasion to help mitigate the opioid epidemic. The committee will continue its bipartisan work to examine the causes and effects of the opioid epidemic.
Click here to read the full report online.
Background
In May 2017, the committee opened a bipartisan investigation into the distribution of prescription opioids by wholesale drug distributors, with a specific focus on distribution practices in West Virginia, and enforcement practices by the DEA during the opioid epidemic.
Bipartisan committee leaders sentletters to the top drug distributors (AmerisourceBergen Corporation, CardinalHealth, Inc., and McKesson Corporation) and the DEAin May 2017, regarding reports of extremely high amounts of opioids being distributed in the state. Cited in the letters was the example of Kermit, West Virginia, population 406, receiving nearly 9 million hydrocodone pills in a two-year period.
Bipartisan committee leadersprobed a fourth distributor, Miami-Luken, Inc., in September 2017 and sent afollow up letter to the DEA in October 2017. During October 2017, the full committee held a hearing where Walden grilled the DEA on its lack of cooperation and response to the committee's investigation.
In January 2018, bipartisan committee leaders sent a follow up letter to Miami-Luken and probed a fifth distributor, H.D. Smith Wholesale Drug Co.
In February 2018, bipartisan committee leaders sent follow-upletterstoMcKesson,Cardinal Health, andAmerisourceBergen.
In March 2018, the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigationsheld ahearingexamining the DEA's role in combating the opioid crisis.
In May 2018, the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held ahearingwith the leadership of national and regional drug distributors to testify about their role in the opioid crisis.
--",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-applauds-2018-farm-bill-calls-greater-action-forest,"Greg Walden applauds 2018 Farm Bill, calls for greater action on forest management reform",2018-12-12,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden applauds 2018 Farm Bill, calls for greater action on forest management reform 
Click here or on the image above to view Walden's remarks on the floor of the House of Representatives
WASHINGTON, D.C. --Representative Greg Walden today applauded H.R. 2, the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 (Farm Bill), but said that more work remains to improve forest management to prevent catastrophic wildfires in Oregon. Speaking on the floor of the House of Representatives, Walden said that while he intends to vote in support of the 2018 Farm Bill, he is disappointed that the legislation did not include the sweeping improvements to federal forest policy that he helped secure in the House-passed version of the bill.
These fires are monsters when they light up. They kill. It's unfortunate that the provisions that the House passed as part of the Farm Bill were rejected by the Democrats in the Senate. It's unfortunate because after these catastrophic fires, we should be able to get in and remove the fuel load so the next fire does not burn even more intensely, which is what happens, said Walden. But Senate Democrats rejected that. And while we're expanding categorical exclusion authorities in some forests, the House provisions said that we should expand the authority to all forests so that we can begin to catch up and remove the excess fuel load from our forests. Unfortunately, again, Senate Democrats rejected that.
Walden applauded the 2018 Farm Bill's inclusion of provisions that will help improve the management of federal forests by extending expedited management tools for insect and disease projects in eastern Oregon and expanding it to hazardous fuels reduction to reduce the threat of fire and smoke. The legislation also allows more local involvement from counties in forest management projects and extended funding for collaborative forest projects.
However, Walden said that Senate Democrats removed important provisions such as requiring cleanup projects after a fire and the replanting of a new healthy forest. And Democratic senators opposed providing tools that would help improve management of forests in western and southern Oregon, which have suffered the worst fires in the state in recent years.
So we're left with a bill that is pretty good, but when we're losing towns, and people, and firefighters, and our communities are choked with smoke, we can do better, said Walden.
Walden concluded by sharing the testimony of a father from southern Oregon, who detailed the impact wildfire smoke had on his family this summer at a public hearing on wildfires that took place before the Jackson County Board of Commissioners yesterday.
Last night, in Medford, Oregon, the Jackson County Commissioners held a public meeting to talk about this fire situation we face. A dad from Jackson County recounted how his daughter with cystic fibrosis had to move away saying it's been devastating for us a family. We wish our daughter could live with us.' But, as he went on to say, When you can't breathe, nothing else matters.'
So you want to talk about life, and health, and safety issues in America, we should have done better in the Senate, said Walden. But we're doing okay with this bill and I intend to support it.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-announces-19-million-grant-port-morrow,Greg Walden announces $19 million grant for Port of Morrow,2018-12-07,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden announces $19 million grant for Port of Morrow 
 $19,414,875 grant provided by the Department of Transportation for Port of Morrow Columbia River Barge Terminal Rail Access Project 
WASHINGTON, D.C. --Representative Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today announced that the Port of Morrow will receive $19,414,875 from the Department of Transportation through the department's Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) program. Representative Walden worked with Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao to secure the grant, which will be used for the Port of Morrow's Columbia River Barge Terminal Rail Access Project.
I spoke with Secretary Chao this morning, and am pleased to announce that the Port of Morrow has been awarded this incredibly important grant to help expand the Port's rail network to enable rail-to-barge transloading at four marine terminals along the Columbia River. The enhancement to the Port's rail-to-barge system will enable the transloading of commodities directly between barge ships and rail cars to create cost-effective shipping options for new and existing industries at the Port. This grant is vital for the completion of a project that will help reduce transportation costs, relieve rail congestion, create jobs, and facilitate the movement of U.S. exports. I am proud to have worked with Secretary Chao and the Port of Morrow team to secure this grant funding, and look forward to the Port's successful completion to this project that will boost job growth and the local economy in our district and state.
This grant is a huge boost to the Port of Morrow and the economic development of the region, said Port of Morrow General Manager Gary Neal. Greg went above and beyond advocating for us at the Department of Transportation with letters of support and working closely with Secretary Chao. I'd like to thank Greg for his help, and I look forward to seeing this project come to fruition.
The Port of Morrow is Oregon's second largest port, and contributes to the economic competitiveness of Oregon, the Pacific Northwest, and the United States by serving as the primary point for freight distribution, export, and value-added production of agriculture products in the region. The Port is strategically located in northeast Oregon at the confluence of primary trucking routes and is served by Union Pacific Railroad, the Columbia River (barge transport), and a Port-owned airport near Boardman.
Along with the Department of Transportation grant funding, the Port plans to provide design and engineering work while leveraging a $6,550,000 grant secured from the State of Oregon for construction.
The proposed rail expansions will capitalize on previous rail investments made by the Port and investments from the State of Oregon, a cooperative of grain growers, and private barge shipping lines to expand a Morrow County Grain Growers' grain terminal facility at the port.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-elected-top-republican-energy-and-commerce-committee,Greg Walden elected as top Republican on Energy and Commerce Committee,2018-11-30,2018,2018-11,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden elected as top Republican on Energy and Commerce Committee 
WASHINGTON, D.C. --The House Republican Steering Committee has elected Representative Greg Walden (R-Hood River) to serve as the top Republican on the House Energy and Commerce Committee in the upcoming session of Congress. Walden today released the following statement:
I thank my colleagues and am honored to have earned their support to serve as the Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee in the next session of Congress. The Energy and Commerce Committee has broad jurisdiction over many of the issues we face in Oregon and across the West. Under my leadership, the Energy and Commerce Committee has worked in an overwhelmingly bipartisan manner to advance key legislation for our district.
""We've made historic strides in the fight against the opioid crisis, which takes the lives of more Oregonians than traffic accidents. We've modernized the Food and Drug Administration, to help patients in Oregon get access to the best cures and treatments available. Legislation we advanced to bridge the digital divide will help bring high-speed Internet to our district so rural communities can tap into the 21st Century economy. And we've passed into law measures that will help Oregon boost hydropower production, put old industrial sites back into active use through the EPA's Brownfields Program, and ensure people across our state have safe water to drink by upgrading our drinking water infrastructure. There is much more work to be done, and I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Energy and Commerce Committee to ensure that bipartisan success continues for Oregonians.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-announces-air-force-secretary-visit-kingsley-field,Greg Walden announces Air Force Secretary visit to Kingsley Field,2018-10-30,2018,2018-10,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden announces Air Force Secretary visit to Kingsley Field 
 Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson to join Walden in Klamath Falls to meet with base commanders, troops, and local veterans 
WASHINGTON, D.C. --Representative Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today announced that the Secretary of the Air Force, Heather Wilson, will visit Kingsley Field Air National Guard Base in Klamath Falls this weekend on invitation from Representative Walden. Secretary Wilson will join Walden in Klamath Falls to meet with the troops and commanders at Kingsley Field to learn more about the home of Oregon Air National Guard's 173rd Fighter Wing, including the base's capability to become a future home of a next-generation fighter jet, such as the F-35.
I am proud to announce that, for the first time in the base's history, the Secretary of the United States Air Force is coming to Kingsley Field, said Walden. Kingsley Field plays a vital role in America's military readiness and the local economy, and enjoys overwhelming support from the community in Klamath Falls. Secretary Wilson will get a firsthand look at the expansive air space, top-grade military infrastructure, and the unmatched work ethic of Kingsley's leaders and the troops stationed here, and learn more about why the base is a fitting home for the F-35. Secretary Wilson and I served together in the House of Representatives, and we have been working together over several months with Colonel Jeff Smith and the Oregon Air National Guard to make this visit a success. I appreciate Secretary Wilson's willingness to spend the time here on the ground in Klamath Falls to get a better understanding of the military capabilities, vast training space, and broad community support that make Kingsley Field integral to our national defense strategy and uniquely suited for the F-35.
Today's announcement comes less than two weeks after Representative Walden invited the Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, Mac Thornberry (R-TX), to Kingsley Field to meet with commanders at Kingsley and hear about their priorities for the base. Representative Walden has been a steadfast advocate in Congress for maintaining a military presence at Kingsley Field and ensuring the base has the long-term support it needs to succeed into the future.
The upcoming visit by Secretary Wilson represents the first time that an Air Force Secretary has been to Kingsley Field since the construction of the base in 1928. Kingsley Field and the United States Air Force recently secured a 77-year lease with the City of Klamath Falls to ensure a military presence at the base until 2095. This represents the longest lease currently established between the Air Force and a military base in the United States.
Secretary Wilson will join Representative Walden at Kingsley Field on Saturday, November 3. Further details on the agenda of the visit will be provided in the coming days.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-s-historic-bill-combat-opioid-crisis-signed-law,Greg Waldens historic bill to combat opioid crisis signed into law,2018-10-24,2018,2018-10,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden's historic bill to combat opioid crisis signed into law 
 Walden's SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act represents largest effort to address a single drug crisis in history 
Click here or on the image above to view Walden's remarks
WASHINGTON, D.C.  Representative Greg Walden's (R-Hood River) comprehensive legislation to combat the nationwide opioid crisis was signed into law by President Trump today at the White House. Walden's SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act, which passed the House by a bipartisan vote of 393-8 in September and the Senate by a vote of 98-1 in October, represents the largest legislative effort to combat a single drug crisis in history. Walden said today that this bill will save lives and help get communities in Oregon on the path to recovery.
Across our district I've met with the victims, families, treatment advocates, medical providers, and law enforcement officers who are on the front lines of the opioid crisis in Oregon, said Walden. Today is about these people, each of whom puts a name and a face to a crisis that killed more than 72,000 people nationwide in 2017 and takes the lives of more Oregonians than traffic accidents. This bipartisan legislation brings critical support tothecommunities most desperately in need, providesnew tools and resources for those on the ground in this fight, and helps stop the flow of deadly drugs across our borders. Rarely can we say that legislation will save lives, but there is no doubt that this bill will do just that. While there is much more work to be done, today is an important step forward to help stem the tide and get communities in Oregon on the road to recovery.
Walden's legislation, theSUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act (H.R. 6), is a bipartisan bill that will help in our overall efforts to combat the opioid crisis by advancing treatment and recovery initiatives, improving prevention, protecting our communities, and bolstering our efforts to fight deadly illicit synthetic drugs like fentanyl.
The SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act follows the passage of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act and the 21st Century Cures Act that Walden helped pass into law last Congress, the $4 billion appropriated in the government funding measure earlier this year to help combat the opioid crisis, as well as the $6.7 billion included in a recent appropriations package to boost programs that fight, treat, and stop substance abuse, and support access to mental health services.
How the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act will Help Combat the Opioid Crisis:
Treatment and Recovery
 Improve and expand access to treatment and recovery services
 Provide incentives for enhanced care, coordination, and innovation
 Establish comprehensive opioid recovery centers
Prevention
 Encourage non-addictive opioid alternatives to treat pain
 Improve data to identify and help at-risk patients and families
 Address high prescribing rates while enhancing prescription drug monitoring programs
Protecting Communities
 Give law enforcement tools to get dangerous drugs out of our communities
 Better intercept illicit opioids at international mail facilities
 Improve access to federal resources for local communities
Fighting Fentanyl
 Better tackle ever-changing synthetic drugs
 Crack down on foreign shipments of illicit drugs
 Provide grants for local communities to combat fentanyl
For a section-by-section summary of Walden's legislation, please click here.To learn more about the House's comprehensive efforts to combat the opioid crisis,click here.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-applauds-signing-water-bill-includes-drought-relief-klamath,Greg Walden applauds signing of water bill that includes drought relief for Klamath farmers,2018-10-23,2018,2018-10,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden applauds signing of water bill that includes drought relief for Klamath farmers 
 America's Water Infrastructure Act also includes measures to boost hydropower development and improve safe drinking water 
Click here or on the image above to view Walden's remarks
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Representative Greg Walden (R-Hood River) attended a ceremony at the White House today for the signing of a landmark water package that includes drought relief for farmers in the Klamath Basin. Walden secured a key provision in the America's Water Infrastructure Act, which President Trump signed into law today, that authorizes $10 million annually for four years to the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) to implement needed drought relief measures for the agriculture community in the Klamath Basin.
This is good news for farmers, ranchers, and water users in the Klamath Basin who are just getting through another challenging water year, said Walden. Authorizing $10 million annually for four years to the Bureau of Reclamation will assist with groundwater pumping and other drought relief measures for basin farmers that we secured in law earlier this year. This will ensure needed relief makes it to irrigators who suffered added costs and losses this water year, and will help ensure we are prepared if our farmers are hit again in a future drought year. I am proud to have worked with my Oregon colleagues to secure this provision in the larger legislation, and applaud the Trump Administration for prioritizing this needed relief for farmers in the Klamath basin.
The provisions Walden worked with his colleagues to include in the America's Water Infrastructure Act will provide direction to BOR on how the agency is to spend the funds acquired earlier this year and any that are appropriated in succeeding years. This will give BOR the authority to spend $10 million each year over the next four years to implement measures such as:
 Groundwater pumping to increase the flexibility, reliability, and efficient use of water in the Klamath Basin;
	Temporary and voluntary land idling on Bureau of Reclamation property to make additional water available; and,
	Facilitating the movement of non-Project water through Bureau of Reclamation facilities to assist irrigators.
 Representative Walden also included provisions in the America's Water Infrastructure Act related to hydropower development and safe drinking water.
Importantly, this legislation also includes measures to boost hydropower development in Oregon and modernize our drinking water infrastructure so communities have safe water to drink when they turn on the faucet, said Walden. Each of these issues have been priorities for me in Congress and I am pleased to see that they were included in this landmark water package.
Promoting Hydropower
This package combines several bills from Walden's Energy and Commerce Committee that passed the House including, H.R. 2880, the Promoting Closed-Loop Pumped Storage Hydropower Act; H.R. 2872, the Promoting Hydropower Development at Existing Nonpowered Dams Act; H.R. 2786, To Amend the Federal Power Act with Respect to the Criteria and Process to Qualify as a Qualifying Conduit Hydropower Facility; as well as key provisions from H.R. 3043, the Hydropower Policy Modernization Act. These bills:
Encourage the use of clean, baseload hydropower by streamlining the regulatory permitting process.  
	Get new hydropower projects to market faster, saving time and money.  
	Remove barriers to investments in hydropower, which create jobs and provide low-cost, emissions-free electricity to consumers.
Modernizing Our Drinking Water Infrastructure
This package incorporates substantial portions of H.R. 3387, the Drinking Water System Improvement Act, which passed the Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously in July 2017. This bill authorizes more than $4.4 billion over three years for the Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund program.
TheDrinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) helps local communities provide their residents with safe drinking water, comply with drinking water rules and improve infrastructure. For example, in Malheur County, the city of Vale used the DWSRF to complete a new 750,000 gallon water storage tank and $8 million water treatment facility to increase the city's water supply. Nyssa also used the fund for a similar project. Meanwhile, in Umatilla County, the city of Pendleton secured funding through the DWSRF to replace 33 miles of pipe nearing a century in age.
Other key provisions to improve safe drinking water include:
 Improving accountability by aiding states and utilities with compliance and asset management.
	Protecting communities by updating anti-terrorism and resilience measures at public water systems.
	Enhancing transparency for consumers about the quality of their drinking water.
	Authorization of $100 million over the next two fiscal years for areas affected by natural disasters that need help repairing their drinking water systems or hooking up to other ones to obtain potable drinking water.
 Clickhereto learn more about the America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/grants-pass-daily-courier-walden-pushes-bill-rid-pharmacies-gag-clauses,Grants Pass Daily Courier: Walden pushes bill to rid pharmacies of 'gag clauses',2018-10-15,2018,2018-10,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Apparently there was a dirty little secret between the drug companies and the insurance companies about prescription costs for years.
Pharmacists could not inform customers, other than Medicare D patients, if their drug was cheaper if they paid out of pocket versus through their insurance, because of so-called ""gag clauses.""
Pharmacist Michele Belcher, who owns the Grants Pass Pharmacy, brought this to Oregon Rep. Greg Walden's attention.
Now two bills are headed to President Donald Trump: the Patient Right to Know Drug Prices Act, and the Know the Lowest Price Act.
They would ban the gag clauses.
""People didn't even know to ask the question before,"" Belcher said on Thursday, during a media event with Walden at her pharmacy, 415 S.W. Sixth St. ""I'm thrilled. Sometimes this could make the difference between people having their medications or not.""
One of the sponsoring senators, Susan Collins of Maine noted on a Congressional website that ""multiple reports have exposed how this egregious practice has harmed consumers, such as one customer who used his insurance to pay $129 for a drug when he could have paid $18 out of pocket.""
Belcher said about two years ago a parent with a terminally ill child was having trouble getting medication when insurance companies weren't reimbursing for it. She filled the prescription anyway, and two days later got a cease and desist letter because she asked the insurance company for payment.
Walden, the Republican from Hood River, who is running for his 11th consecutive two-year term in the November election, told that story on the House floor last week.
""That is simply unacceptable,"" said Walden, whose 2nd Congressional District includes Central, Eastern and Southern Oregon, including two-thirds of Josephine County voters, all in or near Grants Pass.
Belcher said the gag clauses have been going on for many years.
""Gag clauses are an unnecessary restriction on our ability as pharmacists to communicate with our patients,"" Belcher said. ""That should never happen. I applaud Rep. Walden for taking this issue on.
""Now we can start the conversation and they can make an informed decision.""
Walden later visited Wild River Brewing & Pizza in Grants Pass, where Manager Shaun Hoback and brewer Scott Butts gave him a tour, and said thanks for a provision in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act passed 10 months ago.
That provision slashed the federal excise tax on craft brewers and winemakers.
Wild River saved $5,000 and was able to hire a full-time brewer instead of a part-timer.
The provision expires in 2019, but Hoback said ""We'll be pushing to make it permanent.""
Another bill allows Wild River and other craft brewers a much longer list of ingredients that they do not have to report to the Tax and Trade Bureau.
Butts said the savings in time and money means he'll be able to make a coriander beer.
""President Trump said he was going to reduce regulation, and he did,"" Hoback said.
""It's amazing what happens when you take away the dead hand of government,"" added Walden, quoting the former Texas Senator and Representative Phil Gramm.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-bill-combat-opioid-crisis-passes-senate,Greg Walden bill to combat opioid crisis passes Senate,2018-10-03,2018,2018-10,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden bill to combat opioid crisis passes Senate 
 Walden's SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act now heads to president 
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Representative Greg Walden's (R-Hood River) comprehensive legislation to combat the opioid crisis passed the Senate today, less than a week after receiving sweeping bipartisan support as it passed in the House of Representatives. Walden's SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act (H.R. 6) passed the Senate by a vote of 98-1 today, bringing the bill one step closerto becoming law.
After months of bipartisan work, landmark legislation to combat the opioid crisis is now headed to President Trump's desk,"" said Walden. ""This comprehensive bill provides critical support to desperate communities in Oregon and all across the country and gives those fighting on the front lines new tools to help treat addiction and slow the flow of illicit drugs across our borders. While there is still much work to be done, this historic effort will undoubtedly save lives and put families and communities across our country on the road to recovery. I look forward to seeing this legislation signed into law and continuing to work with the president to combat the opioid crisis. Last week, Walden's legislation passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 393-8.H.R. 6 will help efforts to advance treatment and recovery initiatives, improve prevention, protect our communities, and bolster our efforts to fight deadly illicit synthetic drugs like fentanyl.This legislation represents the largest Congressional effort to address a single drug crisis in history.
Walden's legislation now heads to the president's desk to be signed into law. For more information on H.R. 6, pleaseclick here.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-bill-protect-crooked-river-ranch-wildfire-clears-key-senate,Greg Walden bill to protect Crooked River Ranch from wildfire clears key Senate committee,2018-10-02,2018,2018-10,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden bill to protect Crooked River Ranch from wildfire clears key Senate committee 
 Walden's Crooked River Ranch Fire Protection Act unanimously passes Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee 
WASHINGTON, D.C. --Representative Greg Walden's (R-Hood River) plan to protect a central Oregon community from wildfire cleared a key Senate committee today, paving the way for an upcoming vote in the full Senate. Walden's Crooked River Ranch Fire Protection Act (H.R. 2075) aims to reduce the risk of wildfire for the approximately 5,500 residents living at Crooked River Ranch in Jefferson County, and passed unanimously through the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Walden's bill unanimously passed the House of Representatives in July.
I applaud the Senate for moving forward with this common-sense public safety measure,"" said Walden. ""With more than 5,000 people living at Crooked River Ranch, this legislation has the potential to save lives and prevent deadly wildfires from endangering the community. I was proud to work alongside Senator Wyden to find common ground on certain provisions to move this bill forward without undermining the key substance of this legislation. By allowing proper management of the surrounding fire fuels, we can protect people and property at Crooked River Ranch. I look forward to moving this bill across the finish line and signed into law.
Crooked River Ranch is an unincorporated community of about 5,500 residents in Jefferson County. The lands adjacent to the community are managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and are classified as a Wilderness Study Area (WSA).
These lands are in the highest risk category for exposure to devastating wildfire due to overstocked juniper stands under the federally mandated, and locally promulgated, Jefferson County Community Wildfire Protection Plan. The current WSA classification prevents mechanical fire prevention activities within these overstocked juniper stands.
Walden's bill would adjust the boundaries of the WSAs to allow much-needed management of the excess fire fuels that surround Crooked River Ranch, reducing the danger of wildfire for the community who lives there.
Representative Walden's proposal also has broad support from fire officials and first responders in Jefferson County and throughout Oregon:
 This bill is long overdue and will be a welcome addition to all first responders responsible for protecting the life and property of Crooked River Ranch citizens. Additionally, it will allow local first responders and BLM managers to address the severe fire dangers that exist along the borders which abut private property. --Oregon Fire Chiefs Association
	This bill has the potential to save lives and property at Crooked River Ranch and I'm glad to see Congressman Walden continuing to move this plan forward. With the current wilderness study area (WSA) boundary, practical firefighting and fire prevention activities are unavailable. The lack of fuel mitigation around Crooked River Ranch, due to wilderness restrictions codified in law, has created a dangerous environment and continues to threaten the people that live here. --Harry Ward, Fire Chief of Crooked River Ranch Fire & Rescue
	As the elected Sheriff of Jefferson County, Oregon, this bill is extremely important to the life and property of an area under my protection. This bill will help mitigate wildfire from Crooked River Ranch by providing a defensible fire protection along the border of the Ranch which is presently contiguous with the WSAs. --Jefferson County Sheriff Jim Adkins
 The Crooked River Ranch Fire Protection Act now awaits action in the full Senate. To read more about Representative Walden's legislation, pleaseclick here.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-comprehensive-bill-combat-opioid-crisis-moves-closer,Greg Walden comprehensive bill to combat opioid crisis moves closer to Presidents desk,2018-09-28,2018,2018-09,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden comprehensive bill to combat opioid crisis moves closer to President's desk 
 Walden's SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act clears final House vote in bipartisan fashion 
Click here or on the image above to view Walden's remarks
WASHINGTON, D.C.  The SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act (H.R. 6), Representative Greg Walden's (R-Hood River) comprehensive legislation to combat the nationwide opioid crisis, cleared a final House vote today as it continues to move forward to the President's desk. In sweeping bipartisan fashion, Walden's bill today passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 393-8.
Representative Walden highlighted how this legislation will help victims and families of the opioid crisis in Oregon, who Walden has met with repeatedly at roundtables throughout the Second District.
At more than 10 roundtables throughout my district in Oregon, I've heard from the everyday people on the front lines of this fight in our communities. They are the victims and families; medical providers and treatment advocates; local law enforcement and first responders; and our neighbors and loved ones. Each of these people puts a name and a face to what I would say is the worst drug epidemic we have ever seen in America  the opioid crisis. I've heard from Oregon families. I've heard from Mike and Winnie from Grants Pass, who have seen the their loved ones struggle with addiction, said Walden in a speech on the House floor today. I've heard from Paula, whose two sons and step-son struggle with their opioid addiction today. As a parent, I can only imagine how parents of children with an opioid addiction must feel every time the phone rings.
Walden shared the story of Grants Pass resident Mike, whose family has been personally impacted by opioid addiction.Mike has attended multiple meetings Walden has held in southern Oregon to discuss solutions to combat the opioid crisis.
Walden also referenced the story of Paula, a mother from Grants Pass, who is a founding member of the Oregon chapter of Families Anonymous, a nationwide program for friends and family members of those struggling with addiction, and whose family has been impacted by opioid abuse.
Walden's legislation has received wide bipartisan support in both the House and Senate since being introduced. In June, the House passed Walden's legislation by a vote of 396-14. That bipartisan support continued today.
H.R. 6 represents the best of bipartisan and bicameral negotiation, said Representative Richard Neal (D-MA), a top Democrat in the House of Representatives in support of Walden's legislation. This indeed is the way policy can and should be done.
H.R. 6 will help efforts to advance treatment and recovery initiatives, improve prevention, protect our communities, and bolster our efforts to fight deadly illicit synthetic drugs like fentanyl. This legislation represents the largest Congressional effort to address a single drug crisis in history.
In his closing remarks today, Walden said this legislation will save lives by incorporating the feedback he has heard from Oregonians about how to tackle the opioid crisis from all angles.
Seldom are there times when you're legislating, that you can say that what you're doing will actually save lives. This is one of those times, said Walden in his speech today. Today's effort is about people like Mike and Winnie, and Paula. It is about a woman I met in Hermiston who had to travel five hours to find a physician who could oversee her treatment on suboxone because no one in the community was available. We helped fix that in this legislation. It is about my friends at Winding Waters in Enterprise, Oregon, who I was with last week with the Sheriff and others who talked about the continued problems and challenges they face, and who have given me great guidance on these and other issues.
From one end of my district to the other; from one end of the country to the other, we have all listened and we have frankly cried as we have heard the stories of parents who helped their children through addiction only to drop them off at college and only a matter of days later retrieve a body. That's what brings ustogether here today. It is their stories that are woven deeply into this legislation. It is because of them that we will make a difference.
Walden's legislation now heads to the Senate for a final vote and then to the President's desk to be signed into law. For more information on H.R. 6, please click here.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-highlights-historic-revival-us-manufacturing-sector,Greg Walden highlights historic revival of U.S. manufacturing sector,2018-09-26,2018,2018-09,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden highlights historic revival of U.S. manufacturing sector 
 Cites tax cuts and regulatory relief as driving force for record setting economic growth and job creation 
Click here or on the image above to view Walden's remarks
WASHINGTON, D.C. --Representative Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today highlighted the historic revival of America's manufacturing sector as a result of economic policies he has helped pass into law this Congress. Citing the landmark tax cuts for middle class families and businesses that were signed into law in December, and record setting regulatory relief, Walden today said American workers are witnessing the strongest economy in decades.
We have provided the biggest tax cuts since Ronald Reagan. We've had significant regulatory relief, taking the dead hand of excessive government regulation off the throats of America's entrepreneurs. And they have responded at record pace to create jobs in America and to give us the best economy nearly anyone in the working world has seen in their time, said Walden. Thanks to historic achievements in tax and regulatory reform, our country is undergoing a manufacturing revival unlike any we've seen in a long time. The latest manufacturing index from the Institute for Supply Management has reached its highest level in 14 years. This number translates to surging growth and increased production of goods made in America.
The Washington Post recently reported that, Jobs in goods-producing industries -- mining, construction and manufacturing -- grew 3.3 percent in the year preceding July, the best rate since 1984.
This increase in manufacturing jobs has also resulted in rising wages. According to the August Bureau of Labor Statistics quarterly release, compensation for workers has risen to a nearly 10-year high.
Representative Walden in November voted to pass the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which provided tax relief to middle class families and small businesses in Oregon. Since its enactment in December, nearly 1.7 million jobs have been created nationwide, average wages have risen 2.7 percent, and more than $4 billion has been paid out in the form of bonuses.
Directly crediting the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, over 100 manufacturers have invested more in their businesses, including hiring new employees and increasing wages and benefits for current employees.
Representative Walden has also supported efforts to rein in excessive rules and regulations that were hurting business owners in Oregon and across the country. As of January 2018, Walden helped repeal 14 regulations through the Congressional Review Act, and the current administration has taken action to cut regulatory costs by $8.1 billion.
During today's hearing before the Energy and Commerce Committee today, which was entitled Built in America: Jobs and Growth in the Manufacturing Sector, Walden said this strong economic performance has dispelled previous notions by the previous administration of mediocre growth as the new normal.
This notion from the last president that we should get used to a 1.5% or 2% GDP and that's the best America could do is just garbage, said Walden. We're moving forward now with 4.2% GDP growth and a very strong economy because of the Republican policies we passed out of this Committee and others down to the President for his signature.
For more information on today's hearing, including a background memo, witness testimony, and archived webcast, please click here.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-leads-passage-legislation-lower-drug-prices-increase-control,"Greg Walden leads passage of legislation to lower drug prices, increase control for patients",2018-09-25,2018,2018-09,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden leads passage of legislation to lower drug prices, increase control for patients 
 Patient Right to Know Drug Prices Act and Know the Lowest Price Act pass House with Walden's support 
Click here or on the image above to view Walden's remarks
WASHINGTON, D.C. --Representative Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today led the House passage of two bipartisan bills that aim to lower drug costs and give patients more control over their health care. With Walden's support, the Patient Right to Know Drug Prices Act and the Know the Lowest Price Act passed the House unanimously after being passed in the Senate last week.
These bills will ban the use of so-called gag clauses, which restrict a pharmacist's ability to inform a patient that their drug would be cheaper if they paid out of pocket than if they paid through their insurance. While there is already a regulation on this practice in Medicare Part D, this legislation if signed into law will end the practice across Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plans, Medicare Part D, and group and individual health insurance.
Walden said today this legislation marks an important step forward to end this troubling practice of limiting information disclosed to patients, which he first heard about from an Oregon pharmacist.
I rise in support of two bills that will bring some much-needed transparency into the drug supply chain, and help patients afford the medicines they need, said Walden in a speech on the House floor. I first heard about the gag clause issue from Michele, an independent pharmacist from Grants Pass, Oregon, in my district. She told me that as a pharmacist she was precluded -- under certain insurance contracts -- from telling a patient that their cash price would be cheaper than going through their insurance.Michele told me that she once even received a cease and desist letter for trying to help a child with a terminal disease access his medication. That is simply unacceptable.
Michele Belcher, owner and pharmacist at Grants Pass Pharmacy, said earlier this month that gag clauses prevent pharmacists from fully disclosing pricing options to patients and need to be banned.
Gag clauses are an unnecessary restriction on our ability as pharmacists to communicate with our patients,"" said Belcher. That should never happen. I applaud Representative Walden for taking this issue on.
On September 13, the House Energy and Commerce Committee -- where Walden serves as Chairman --unanimously advanced a combined version of these two bills to the full House of Representatives for consideration.
Both pieces of legislation that passed in the House today now head to the President's desk to be signed into law. To read more about the Patient Right to Know Drug Prices Act, please click here. To read more about the Know the Lowest Price 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-highlights-17-million-new-grants-combat-opioid-crisis-oregon,Greg Walden highlights $17 million in new grants to combat opioid crisis in Oregon,2018-09-20,2018,2018-09,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden highlights $17 million in new grants to combat opioid crisis in Oregon 
WASHINGTON, D.C.  Representative Greg Walden (R-Hood River) is highlighting new resources to combat the opioid crisis in Oregon. As part of newly released grant funding from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Oregon will receive more than $17 million to increase access to a wide range of opioid abuse and addiction treatment services across the state, specifically targeted to rural areas.
The opioid crisis has hit every community in Oregon and touched millions of families across the country  it truly is the crisis next door.Combating this epidemic requires an all-hands-on-deck approach, and I applaud the President for taking another important step forward in this fight, said Walden. These resources will provide critical support to those on the front lines of this fight in Oregon, including the providers at community health centers across our district. This bolsters our efforts in the House to tackle the opioid crisis from all angles with the passage of my legislation, the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act. I am continuing to work with my counterparts in the Senate to get a final package to combat the opioid crisis across the finish line and to the President's desk in the coming weeks.
The Department of Health and Human Services yesterday awarded more than $1 billion in opioid-related grants to help combat the opioid epidemic. These grants were awarded in all 50 states.
Included in this grant funding is $396 million forcommunityhealthcentersand rural health programsthrough HHS' Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Oregon will receive $6.7 million in funding through HRSA,including $2.2 million for Oregon's Second District.
Representative Walden led the effort in Congress to increase and extend funding for community health centers for two years. Walden also continues to lead the Congressional response to the nationwide opioid crisis.
Representative Walden's legislation  the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act (H.R. 6)  passed the House in June by a bipartisan vote of 396-14. This isthe largest legislative effort to combat a single drug crisis in history.
Representative Walden applauded the passage of a Senate opioid package earlier this week, calling that action an important step forward in our collective fight to end this epidemic that takes 115 American lives each and every day. Walden says lawmakers hope to have a final package ready for consideration next week.
To learn more about this new round of grant funding for the Department of Health and Human Services, please click here. To read more about Representative Walden's work to combat the opioid crisis, please click here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-applauds-senate-passage-opioid-package,Greg Walden applauds Senate passage of opioid package,2018-09-17,2018,2018-09,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden applauds Senate passage of opioid package 
WASHINGTON, D.C. --Representative Greg Walden (R-Hood River), Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, today issued the following statement after the Senate passed the Opioid Crisis Response Act of 2018.
I applaud the Senate for passing critical legislation to help combat the opioid crisis, which is taking the lives of more Oregonians than traffic accidents. With the House's overwhelmingly bipartisan passage of my legislation, the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment (SUPPORT) for Patients and Communities Act, in June, the Senate's actions clear the way for the House and Senate to iron out the differences in our proposals. This is an important step forward in our collective fight to end this epidemic that takes 115 American lives each and every day. Victims and families in Oregon cannot wait any longer, and I look forward to continuing to work to advance a final legislative package that will be signed into law.
Background:
Over the course of two weeks in June, the House passed dozens of individual bills to combat the opioid crisis. The vast majority of those bills were included in Walden's legislation, the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act (H.R. 6).
H.R. 6 is a bipartisan bill that will help in our overall efforts to combat the opioid crisis by advancing treatment and recovery initiatives, improving prevention, protecting our communities, and bolstering our efforts to fight deadly illicit synthetic drugs like fentanyl. H.R. 6 passed the House by a vote of 396-14.
To learn more about Energy and Commerce's comprehensive efforts to combat the opioid crisis, click here. To learn more about the House's comprehensive efforts to combat the opioid crisis, click here.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-welcomes-southern-oregon-veterans-washington-dc,"Greg Walden welcomes southern Oregon veterans to Washington, D.C.",2018-09-17,2018,2018-09,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden welcomes southern Oregon veterans to Washington, D.C. 
Click here or on the image above for video of Walden welcoming southern Oregon veterans to nation's capital
WASHINGTON, D.C. --Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) greeted 25 veterans from southern Oregon who came to Washington, D.C. last week to visit their memorials on the National Mall through the Honor Flight of Southern Oregon. Walden welcomed the veterans when they arrived to the nation's capital on Friday, and presented each of them with an American flag flown over the U.S. Capitol in honor of their service to our country.
Every time I have the chance to meet one of these heroes, I am reminded of the poignant words of General Dwight D. Eisenhower. In a message to Allied troops just before D-Day, he said, The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you,' said Walden. Over seventy years later, liberty-loving people everywhere continue to owe heroes like the veterans from southern Oregon who traveled to the nation's capital last week for their extraordinary service, and their incredible sacrifice and bravery on behalf of our country.
Al Axtell, a 100 year-old WWII United States Air Force Veteran from Medford poses for picture with Representative Walden. Walden said the nation can never fully repay the debt of gratitude owed to them for their honor, commitment, and sacrifice in defense of the freedoms we have today.
In addition to presenting the veterans with an American flag flown over the Capitol building, Walden entered into the Congressional Record the names of each veteran who participated in the Honor Flight of Southern Oregon. Walden expressed gratitude for the veterans and their service on behalf of the entire House of Representatives.
Each of us in this chamber and in this nation should be humbled by the courage of these brave veterans who put themselves in harm's way for our country and way of life, wrote Walden in the Congressional Record. As a nation, we can never fully repay the debt of gratitude owed to them for their honor, commitment, and sacrifice in defense of the freedoms we have today. My colleagues, please join me in thanking these veterans and the volunteers of Honor Flight of Southern Oregon for their exemplary dedication and service to this great country.
The Honor Flight Network is a non-profit organization created to honor America's veterans. The organization transports veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit and reflect at their memorials -- with priority given to World War II survivors and veterans who may be terminally ill. Over 200,000 veterans have been honored through the Honor Flight Network of volunteers nationwide since 2005.
Walden often meets with Oregon veterans who come to Washington, D.C. as part of the Honor Flight Network, and flies flags over the Capitol in honor of each veteran participating in the Honor Flight, along with entering their names into the Congressional Record.
Over the past year, Walden has helped more than 600 Oregon veterans and their families with health care, benefits, and claims at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). If you or a loved one needs help with the VA or any other federal agency, you can reach out to Walden's office from Oregon at 800-533-3303. Walden has a full team on his staff ready to assist you.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-calls-active-forest-management-reduce-catastrophic-wildfires,Greg Walden calls for active forest management to reduce catastrophic wildfires,2018-09-13,2018,2018-09,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden calls for active forest management to reduce catastrophic wildfires 
 Holds hearing to examine health impacts of wildfire smoke and discuss needed changes to federal forest policy 
Representative Walden holds car cabin air filter clogged with particulate matter from wildfire smoke during Energy and Commerce Committee hearing today. Click here or on the image above to view Walden's opening remarks during the hearing.
WASHINGTON, D.C. --Continuing his push for active forest management to prevent unnaturally catastrophic wildfires, Representative Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today held a hearing to examine the health impacts of wildfire smoke that has inundated communities in Oregon and across the West this summer. The hearing, entitled, Air Quality Impacts of Wildfires: Mitigation and Management Strategies, also focused on needed changes to federal forest policy to help reduce the risk, size, and intensity of wildfires, which have burned over 700,000 acres in Oregon already this year.
These fires have left communities in my district blanketed with smoke and with the worst air quality in the world. Medford, Oregon experienced the worst run of 'unhealthy' air quality since EPA began recording in 2000, said Walden. A leading offender is particulate matter. An article in the New England Journal of Medicine in March pointed out the robust evidence linking exposure to particulate matter to cardiopulmonary mortality and issues with asthma and COPD. According to EPA research, premature deaths tied to wildfire air pollution were as high as 2,500 per year between 2008 and 2012. Other research out of Colorado State University suggests it could be as high as 25,000 people a year.
Wildfires are a significant source of emissions, especially particulate matter, and often cause the worst air quality days of the year in smoke impacted communities. Researchers have found that wildfires can cause air quality to be five to 15 times worse than the air quality on an average day. Moreover, severe wildfire seasons can result in communities experiencing continuous unhealthy air quality conditions for weeks at a time.
Curt in Eagle Point, Oregon, dropped off this air filter from his C-PAP machine. He had to replace it after two days -- it is supposed to last two weeks, said Walden, referring to the below photo of a C-PAP air filter that was showcased during today's hearing. Clean air filters for C-PAP machines are crucial to ensuring effective therapy for those suffering from obstructive sleep apnea.
Walden also showcased a cabin air filter from an automobile after just two months of driving through smoky conditions in southern Oregon. The below photo was shown during the hearing, contrasting a new cabin air filter with an air filter clogged with particulate matter from wildfire smoke.
In addition to public health impacts, smoke from wildfires can also harm a community's local economy due to the negative impacts on agricultural output, forest industry production, tourism activity, transportation, real estate markets, and many other facets of the economy. For example, an analysis of the 2017 Oregon wildfire season estimates that 600 jobs were cut from the leisure and hospitality businesses in central Oregon and southern Oregon due to the decline in tourism caused by active wildfires.
Walden invited State Senator Herman Baertschiger from Grants Pass, Oregon to testify during the hearing. Senator Baertschiger serves as the chair of the bipartisan fire caucus in the Oregon state legislature and has over 40 years of firsthand experience in wildland fire and forest management activities.
During his questions, Walden asked Senator Baertschiger what the consequences are of wildfires that strike in areas where burned timber from previous fires is not removed and a new forest is not replanted. Senator Baertschiger testified that subsequent fires that strike in these areas will inhibit the ability of forests to naturally regenerate.
On Forest Service land, you're not going to replant after a fire. When the first fire goes through, the mortality rate of the live trees is pretty high. The second or third time it goes through, it typically takes out the rest of the trees, said Senator Baertschiger. It changes the entire ecosystem of that forest. You will not have the same forest that you had.
Representative Walden worked to include provisions in the House passed Farm Bill that would require the Forest Service to remove the burned, dead trees after a fire while they still have value and replant to restore the forest for the next generation. The Farm Bill is currently being negotiated by members of the House and Senate.
Studies by the Nature Conservancy, Forest Service, and others have found that active management of fire fuels can reduce the size and intensity of wildfires by up to 70 percent, and can reduce carbon emissions from wildfires by up to 85 percent.
During the hearing, Walden shared a message he received from a mother in southern Oregon, named Jennifer, who told Walden, This is now the third or fourth year that we are hostages in our own homes, that my children are robbed of being able to play outside.
We are here today to help address the concerns I hear from people like Jennifer and families across my district who have one simple message: something needs to change, said Walden.
For more information on today's hearing, including a background memo, witness testimony, and archived webcast, please click here. For more information on Representative Walden's efforts to reform federal forest policy, please click here.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-passes-water-infrastructure-package-includes-drought-relief,House passes water infrastructure package that includes drought relief for Klamath farmers,2018-09-13,2018,2018-09,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"House passes water infrastructure package that includes drought relief for Klamath farmers 
 America's Water Infrastructure Act includes Walden provision to authorize drought relief measures for irrigators in the Klamath Basin 
Click here or on the image above to view Walden's speech on the House floor
WASHINGTON, D.C. --The House of Representatives today unanimously passed legislation that secures drought relief measures for Klamath Basin irrigators. Representative Greg Walden (R-Hood River) included a provision in the America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 (S. 3021) that authorizes $10 million annually for four years to the Bureau of Reclamation to implement needed drought relief measures for the agriculture community in the Klamath Basin.
Earlier this week, Walden announced that this provision was included in the Water Resources Development Act, which is part of the America's Infrastructure Act legislative package. In a speech on the House floor today, Representative Walden further highlighted the importance of this legislation to Klamath Basin farmers.
This legislation includes important language to assist irrigators in the Klamath Basin who are enduring another challenging water year and it helps ensure we are prepared if our farmers are hit again with severe drought conditions in the years ahead, said Walden.The bill provides the Bureau of Reclamation with the authority to use the funds we secured earlier this year to implement measures such as groundwater pumping and other priorities for our irrigators, and ensures they have that authority to survive difficult water years we may face over the next four years.
In the government funding measure that was passed into law in March, Waldenworked to secure more than $10 million in emergency aid and worked with the Office of Management and Budget to get it released to the Bureau of Reclamation, (BoR).
The provision Walden worked with his colleagues to include in the America's Water Infrastructure Act will provide direction to BoR on how the agency is to spend the funds acquired earlier this year and any that are appropriated in succeeding years. This will give BoR the authority to spend $10 million each year over the next four years to implement measures such as:
Groundwater pumping to increase the flexibility, reliability, and efficient use of water in the Klamath Basin;  
	Temporary and voluntary land idling on Bureau of Reclamation property to make additional water available; and,  
	Facilitating the movement of non-Project water through Bureau of Reclamation facilities to assist irrigators.
The America's Water Infrastructure Act also includes additional priorities for Representative Walden related to hydropower development and safe drinking water, including:
Promoting Hydropower
This package combines several bills from Walden's Energy and Commerce Committee that passed the House including, H.R. 2880, the Promoting Closed-Loop Pumped Storage Hydropower Act; H.R. 2872, the Promoting Hydropower Development at Existing Nonpowered Dams Act; H.R. 2786, To Amend the Federal Power Act with Respect to the Criteria and Process to Qualify as a Qualifying Conduit Hydropower Facility; as well as key provisions from H.R. 3043, the Hydropower Policy Modernization Act. These bills:
 Encourage the use of clean, baseload hydropower by streamlining the regulatory permitting process.
	Get new hydropower projects to market faster, saving time and money.
	Remove barriers to investments in hydropower, which create jobs and provide low-cost, emissions-free electricity to consumers.
 Modernizing Our Drinking Water Infrastructure
This package incorporates substantial portions of H.R. 3387, the Drinking Water System Improvement Act, which passed the Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously in July 2017. Key provisions include:
 Authorization of more than $4.4 billion over three years for the Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund program.
	Improving accountability by aiding states and utilities with compliance and asset management.
	Protecting communities by updating antiterrorism and resilience measures at public water systems.
	Enhancing transparency for consumers about the quality of their drinking water.
	Authorization of $100 million over the next two fiscal years for areas affected by natural disasters that need help repairing their drinking water systems or hooking up to other ones to obtain potable drinking water.
 Click here to learn more about the America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-examine-air-quality-health-impacts-wildfire-smoke,"Greg Walden to examine air quality, health impacts of wildfire smoke",2018-09-11,2018,2018-09,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden to examine air quality, health impacts of wildfire smoke 
WASHINGTON, D.C. --Representative Greg Walden (R-Hood River), Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, announced a hearing for this Thursday, September 13, 2018 at 10:00am PT. The hearing will be held before the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on the Environment, and is entitled, Air Quality Impacts of Wildfires: Mitigation and Management Strategies.
In light of the devastating wildfires ravaging Oregon and much of the West this summer,Walden will examine the impacts that wildfire smoke has on public health and local communities, and the air quality impacts from wildfire emissions. Walden will also look at how increasing forest management activities, such as prescribed burns and mechanical thinning, can reduce the severity and size of future wildfires.
Oregonians and people across the West are suffering through yet another summer of air-choking smoke from wildfires,said Walden. As a result, families are trapped in their homes and breathing through masks, local businesses are taking a hit financially, and we have been robbed of the enjoyment of Oregon's outdoors. I hear one message loud and clear from concerned citizens throughout my district whose communities have been blanketed with smoke: something needs to change. This hearing will call attention to the impact of wildfire smoke on our health, and examine improvements that can be made to the way we manage our forests to help prevent the unnaturally catastrophic wildfires season that we are battling once again.
Walden has invited State Senator Herman Baertschiger from Grants Pass, Oregon to testify during the hearing on Thursday. Senator Baertschiger serves as the chair of the bipartisan fire caucus in the Oregon state legislature and has over 40 years of firsthand experience in wildland fire and forest management activities.
Walden called attention to the air quality, environmental, and health impacts of wildfire smoke during an October 2017 hearingon this issue. Studies by the Nature Conservancy, Forest Service, and others have found that active management of fire fuels can reduce the size and intensity of wildfires by up to 70 percent, and can reduce carbon emissions from wildfires by up to 85 percent.
Walden is continuing his push for forest management reforms to prevent catastrophic wildfires in Oregon and across the West.To learn more about Walden's efforts to reform federal forest policy, please click here.
More information on the hearing, including a background memo and live webcast, will be made available as they are posted on the Energy and Commerce Committee's website here.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-secures-drought-relief-klamath-basin-upcoming-legislation,Greg Walden secures drought relief for Klamath Basin in upcoming legislation,2018-09-10,2018,2018-09,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden secures drought relief for Klamath Basin in upcoming legislation 
 Bill authorizes $10 million annually for four years to support drought relief activities in the Klamath Basin 
WASHINGTON, D.C. --Representative Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today announced that he has secured drought relief for Klamath Basin irrigators in legislation that the House of Representatives will consider this week. Walden included a provision in the Water Resources Development Act that authorizes $10 million annually for four years to the Bureau of Reclamation to implement needed drought relief measures for the $181 million agriculture economy in the Klamath Basin.
Irrigators in the Klamath Basin are enduring another challenging water year and we need to be prepared if our farmers are hit again with severe drought conditions in the years ahead, said Walden. The Bureau of Reclamation needs the authority to use the funds we secured earlier this year to implement measures such as groundwater pumping and other priorities for our irrigators. This bill will ensure Reclamation has that authority for the next four years to help farmers, ranchers, and water users navigate the current water year and survive the difficult water years we may face in the near future. I want to thank my Senate colleagues and Rep. Peter DeFazio for working with me to keep this measure included in the bigger bill, said Walden.
Walden is continuing his efforts to support the agriculture community in Klamath County. There are more than 950 farms in Klamath County that generate approximately $181,485,000 in revenue according to census data.
In the government funding measure that was passed into law in March, Waldenworked to secure more than $10 million in emergency aid and worked with the Office of Management and Budget to get it released to the Bureau of Reclamation, (BoR).
This latest effort will provide direction to BoR on how the agency is to spend the funds acquired earlier this year and any that are appropriated in succeeding years. This will give BoR the authority to spend $10 million each year over the next four years to implement measures such as:
 Groundwater pumping to increase the flexibility, reliability, and efficient use of water in the Klamath Basin;
	Temporary and voluntary land idling on Bureau of Reclamation property to make additional water available; and,
	Facilitating the movement of non-Project water through Bureau of Reclamation facilities to assist irrigators.
 The House of Representatives is expected to vote on the Water Resources Development Act in the coming days. For more information on this 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-twitter-ceo-it-critical-users-are-confident-you-are-living,Greg Walden to Twitter CEO: It is critical that users are confident that you are living up to your own promises,2018-09-07,2018,2018-09,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden to Twitter CEO: It is critical that users are confident that you are living up to your own promises 
Click here or on the image above to view Walden's opening remarks from today's hearing
WASHINGTON, D.C. --Representative Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today led a hearing before the Energy and Commerce Committee with Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey to seek answers as to how the social media company moderates its platforms. The hearing, entitled, Twitter: Transparency and Accountability, addressed concerns about Twitter's algorithms and its policies for policing content.
It is critical that users are confident that you are living up to your own promises. According to Twitter's rules, the company believes that everyone should have the power to create and share ideas and information instantly, without barriers,' said Walden. The American people want to be assured that you are continuing to live up to that mission.
On July 25, 2018, Vice News reported that Twitter was limiting the visibility of certain public figures by preventing their profiles from appearing in the site's auto-populated drop-down search bar results. The highest profile individuals impacted were associated with one political party, therefore, allegations were made that, whether intentionally or as the result of unintentional algorithmic bias, the incident reflected a willingness to limit exposure of to censor disfavored viewpoints and political ideas.
In advance of the hearing, Walden took to his own Twitter page to ask users what questions should be asked to Mr. Dorsey. Oregonians and millions of Americans deserve answers as to how their content is policed on social media, wrote Walden in the tweet, which was posted yesterday morning.
During the hearing, Walden raised a question to Dorsey that was posed in response to his tweet. The question related to Twitter's reliance on other users for reporting content that potentially violates the company's policies.
I asked my Twitter followers for questions for today's hearing, said Walden. One from Oregon asked why Twitter relies exclusively on users to report violations.
Mr. Dorsey explained that Twitter utilizes both user-reporting and algorithms to remove content from the platform when violations occur.
In order to remove tweets or to remove accounts, we do require a report of the violation. That report is reviewed by an individual. Those reports are prioritized based on the severity of the report, so death threats have a higher prioritization than all others, and we take action on them much faster, said Dorsey. We do have algorithms that are constantly, proactively searching the network -- and specifically the behavior on the network -- and filtering and downgrading accordingly.
Walden urged Mr. Dorsey to promote transparency and accountability to the American people given Twitter's vast influence on society.
The company you and your co-founders created plays an instrumental role in sharing news and information around the world, said Walden.
For more information on today's hearing, including a background memo, witness testimony, and archived webcast, 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-relief-oregon-farmers-and-ranchers-impacted,Greg Walden secures relief for Oregon farmers and ranchers impacted by wildfires,2018-09-06,2018,2018-09,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden secures relief for Oregon farmers and ranchers impacted by wildfires 
WASHINGTON, D.C. --Representative Greg Walden (R-Hood River) has secured relief for Oregon farmers and ranchers who suffered severe losses after wildfires in Wasco and Sherman counties. In a letter to Representative Walden today, Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue said the agency was authorizing Walden's request to grant emergency grazing to local ranchers and flexibility for wheat producers whose crop was impacted by the wildfires.
This wildfire season has not only impacted our forests and choked our communities with smoke, but also has devastated farmers and ranchers in Oregon,"" said Walden. ""Farmers and ranchers -- especially in Wasco and Sherman counties -- have lost some or nearly all of their crops to rangeland fires that burned across the region. Secretary Perdue came to Oregon to meet with me and the local ag community shortly before these fires devastated one of the very farms where we met in Sherman County. I applaud Secretary Perdue's prompt approval of my request to get our farmers and ranchers the assistance they need to get back on their feet after these fires.
Walden wrote to Secretary Perdue on August 2 requesting assistance from the Department of Agriculture (USDA) for wheat farmers and ranchers impacted by the Substation Fire.
Oregon again finds itself in the middle of another terrible fire year. Fires from one end of the state to the other have consumed over 250,000 acres already. Sadly, the very wheat farm we visited in Sherman County, and many of their neighbors, recently lost some or all of their crops to fire, wrote Walden in the August letter. Farmers and ranchers affected by the fire have told me that USDA could greatly assist them in dealing with this disaster by both authorizing emergency grazing on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) ground, and by ensuring Risk Management Agency (RMA) gives flexibility to summer fallow producers who utilize cover crop this year for emergency soil stabilization. I ask that you ensure USDA Farm Service Agency and RMA act promptly to provide this needed relief.
In response to Walden's request, Secretary Perdue stated that USDA will authorize emergency grazing on Conservation Reserve Program land, and will grant necessary flexibility to summer fallow wheat producers.
Walden also requested in August that UDSA approve the state of Oregon's disaster declaration after the fires. Secretary Perdue stated that USDA is currently compiling reported losses, recommendations for counties as disaster areas, and additional information to complete the review process before making a determination on the disaster declaration.
To read Secretary Perdue's full letter to Representative Walden, please click here. To read Representative Walden's August letter to Secretary Perdue, please click here.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-press-twitter-ceo-answers-algorithms-and-content-moderation,Greg Walden to press Twitter CEO for answers on algorithms and content moderation,2018-09-05,2018,2018-09,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden to press Twitter CEO for answers on algorithms and content moderation 
Click here or on the image above to watch Walden's interview on today's hearing
WASHINGTON, D.C. --Representative Greg Walden (R-Hood River), Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, today will press Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey for answers as to how the social media company moderates its platform. Walden will hold a hearing before the Energy and Commerce Committee today to address concerns about Twitter's algorithms and its methods for policing content.
We want to know who's behind the curtain. Who is the Wizard of Oz, if you will, that's pulling all the levers that may cause shadow banning and censorship, said Walden in an interview with Fox News yesterday. If the conservatives just leave then only the liberal voices will be on Twitter and Twitter is a very powerful tool.
Today's hearing will begin at 1:30pm ET, and is entitled, Twitter: Transparency and Accountability. For a background memo, witness testimony, and live webcast for the hearing, please click here.
Walden also discussed the upcoming hearing with Fox Business this morning. To watch Walden's interview, please click here.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/walden-highlights-legislation-reduce-drug-prices-and-increase-control,Walden highlights legislation to reduce drug prices and increase control for patients,2018-09-05,2018,2018-09,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Walden highlights legislation to reduce drug prices and increase control for patients 
 Bill to prohibit so-called gag clauses that limit pricing option disclosure to patients is moving through Walden's committee 
Click here or on the image above to view Walden's remarks
WASHINGTON, D.C. --Continuing his efforts to reduce drug prices and increase control for patients in Oregon and across the country, Representative Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today highlighted bipartisan legislation that would make important progress toward that goal. Walden, who chairs the Energy and Commerce Committee, said his committee is moving forward with a bill that would prohibit the use of so-called gag clauses, which limit the disclosure of lower pricing options available to patients purchasing prescription medications.
The Energy and Commerce Committee is working on legislation that would ban gag clauses', said Walden. This was first brought to my attention from a pharmacist from Grants Pass, Michele. She told me that as a pharmacist she was precluded -- under certain insurance contracts -- from telling consumers that if they simply paid for their drugs out of pocket, it would actually be cheaper than paying through their insurance plan and the deductible. These gag clauses have no business in an open and free marketplace and the Committee on Energy and Commerce, which I lead, will be moving legislation forward to get rid of them.
Gag clauses are an unnecessary restriction on our ability as pharmacists to communicate with our patients,"" said Michele Belcher, owner and pharmacist at Grants Pass Pharmacy, and board member of the National Community Pharmacists Association. ""I once received a cease and desist letter for trying to help a child with a terminal disease access his medication. That should never happen. I applaud Representative Walden for taking this issue on.
It has been widely reported that some health insurance contracts prevent pharmacists from informing patients when the cash price for their prescription costs less than their insurance cost-sharing arrangement unless the individual directly asks. As a result, consumers may be paying more for their prescriptions than is warranted.
The legislation aims to ban group health plans offered by employers and individual health insurance plans -- as well as Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D Plans -- from restricting a pharmacy's ability to inform a customer about the lower cost, out-of-pocket price for their prescription.
Walden's Energy and Commerce Committee today held a hearing to examine the legislation before the committee's health panel. During the hearing, Walden further highlighted the bill's potential to give patients more information about their pricing options for prescription medications.
Many patients who are struggling to afford costly prescription drug prices may not know that paying for their medications with cash can sometimes be cheaper than using their health insurance. What's worse is some contracts prohibit pharmacists from telling their customers when this is the case, said Walden during the hearing. Banning these so-called gag clauses' has gained tremendous bipartisan support, with bills in both the Senate Finance and Senate HELP committees advancing without objection.
For additional information on the legislation, including a background memo and archived webcast from today's hearing, please click here.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-applauds-support-broadband-expansion-rural-oregon,Greg Walden applauds support for broadband expansion in rural Oregon,2018-08-29,2018,2018-08,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden applauds support for broadband expansion in rural Oregon 
 Oregon to receive $13.7 million through Federal Communications Commission auction to facilitate rural broadband distribution 
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today applauded an announcement from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that Oregon will receive $13.7 million to support rural broadband expansion. The funding is made available through the FCC's Connect America Fund Phase II auction, which allocated $1.488 billion in support to be distributed over the next decade to expand broadband to unserved communities in 45 states.
These resources are crucial to help make sure all Oregonians can participate in the 21st century economy regardless of where they live, said Walden. Too many Oregon families and people across rural America lack the broadband necessary to realize the full benefits of the digital age. Throughout eastern Oregon, I hear from people who are among the 23 million Americans unable to access telemedicine, remote learning, next generation emergency services, and video streaming because of insufficient Internet service. This funding will further our efforts to close this digital divide in Oregon, and I look forward to continuing to work alongside Chairman Pai and my colleagues in Congress to ensure all Americans are connected to high speed broadband.
According to the FCC, 103 providers won support from the Connect America Fund to expand broadband in rural areas where, without the funding, this type of broadband expansion and ongoing service would not be economically feasible. Locations in all 20 counties of Oregon's Second Congressional District are served by Viasat, one of the bidders in Oregon along with Rural Electric Cooperative Consortium that won support from the Connect America Fund auction.
In his statement, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said these funds will help open new opportunities for rural communities in Oregon.
The successful conclusion of this first-of-its kind auction is great news for the residents of Oregon and across the country, who will be able to get on the right side of the digital divide. I'm pleased that more than $13 million is going to Oregon to help connect more than 10,000 homes and small businesses. This is the latest step the FCC has taken to expand rural broadband, and we will continue working until all Americans have access to digital opportunity, said Chairman Pai.
Walden invited Chairman Pai to eastern Oregon recently to discuss efforts to improve connectivity in rural communities, including making sure patients in remote areas have access to the best doctors through technology like telehealth.
Walden continues to partner with Chairman Pai and the FCC to expand broadband infrastructure to rural communities in Oregon, which is a priority for Representative Walden. Walden led the effort to pass the RAY BAUM'S Act into law, which reauthorized the FCC and gave the agency additional tools to enhance broadband expansion.
To learn more about the FCC's Connect America Auction, please click here.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-encourages-oregon-students-apply-nominations-us-service,Greg Walden encourages Oregon students to apply for nominations to U.S. service academies,2018-08-20,2018,2018-08,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden encourages Oregon students to apply for nominations to U.S. service academies 
 Interested students must send applications to Representative Walden by the end of October 2018 
WASHINGTON, D.C. --Representative Greg Walden (R-Hood River) is encouraging Oregon students who are interested in attending one of the prestigious United States service academies to apply for an official nomination through his office. Nomination applications must be submitted to Representative Walden by the end of October 2018, and can be completed on Walden's website at walden.house.gov/academynominations.
It is always an honor and privilege to nominate outstanding young Oregonians to our nation's service academies each year, said Walden. I encourage students who are eager to grow intellectually, lead by example, and serve our country to apply for a nomination to one of the prestigious service academies through my office. My Service Academy Nomination Board has unique experience serving our country in uniform, and their guidance and understanding of what it takes to excel at the service academies speaks to the caliber of the students they recommend. I look forward to nominating another remarkable group of Oregonians to the U.S. service academies once again this year.
Each year, students from across Oregon's Second District are nominated by Walden for acceptance to the service academies after being recommended by Walden's Service Academy Nomination Board. Walden's Service Academy Nomination Board -- active and retired military officers who interview potential candidates for the service academies -- recommends each student based on their academic performance, extracurricular involvement, and character.
This year seven students from Oregon's Second District were accepted to the service academies of their choice after being nominated by Walden.
The service academies include the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado; the Military Academy at West Point, New York; the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland; and the Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York. Representative Walden's formal nominations will be announced in late December. Final selection for admission to the service academies will be determined by officials at each respective academy in early spring.
For more information on the application process to receive a nomination from Representative Walden, please click here.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/guest-opinion-fix-broken-policies-help-restore-forests,"Guest Opinion: ""Fix broken policies to help restore forests""",2018-08-20,2018,2018-08,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Guest Opinion: ""Fix broken policies to help restore forests"" 
 By Representative Greg Walden 
We are hostages in our own homes. That's how Jennifer, a mother from Medford, described to me what communities in Southern Oregon and across the West are enduring yet again: a summer filled with smoke and fire.
Jennifer continued in her letter to me saying, my children are robbed of being able to play outside. I absolutely hate that nothing is done to prevent this from happening.
As I traveled throughout Southern Oregon in recent weeks, I met with concerned citizens, veterans, small business owners, and community leaders who had the same deep frustration as Jennifer.I share that frustration as well, as do peopleI meet with throughout our state.
Year after year, we are suffering from the effects of catastrophic wildfires and the smoke that comes with it. Our airsheds are choked and smoke blankets our communities, giving us some of the worst air quality in the world this summer.
We cannot accept this as our new normal. The only way to fix this problem that impacts us all is to fix the broken policies that have led to these overstocked forests and unnaturally catastrophic wildfires in the first place.
As Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, I announced that we are going to hold a hearing this fall to examine the health consequences of the smoke from these fires and explore the various contributing factors, from climate change to overstocked forests. This hearing will serve as an opportunity to address the current state of our forests and what policy changes need to be made.
In parts of Oregon, our forests are packed with nearly 1,000 trees per acre on land thathistorically had 20 trees per acre -- a clear sign that our forests are overstocked and need to be restored to their natural balance.
Moreover, a recent study by The Nature Conservancy, Forest Service, and others found that fuel management projects can reduce the size and intensity of fire up to 70 percent and reduce carbon emissions from the fire by up to 85 percent.
That's why we need to give our forest managers additional tools to remove the excess fuel loads that have built up in our forests.
To help mitigate the risk of these fires, we need to speed up and increase our work in the woods.
And after fires, we should remove the burned, dead trees -- where appropriate and while they still have value -- and use the proceeds to pay for replanting a new, healthy forest forthe next generation. That's called stewardship, and that's what happens on private, county and state lands. These needed reforms were included in the Farm Bill that passed the House earlier this year with my support. Unfortunately, the Senate's version of the legislation failed to include these common-sense changes.
As negotiations on the final bill proceed, it's time for the Senate to act and include these needed provisions.
The Farm Bill buildson the progress we made toward fixing federalforest policy earlierthis year when we passed into law the most significant reforms in over a decade.
We provided the Forest Service with tools for rapid implementation of wildfire resiliency and hazardous fuels reduction projects.
And we took steps to fix fire borrowing starting in 2020, which will help end the vicious cycle of depleting resources for fire prevention to pay for fire suppression.
This progress is important, but we have a long way to go. Nearly 30 years of poor management have created a tinderbox in our federal forests that ignites every summer. It will take significant time and effort to restore balance to our public lands.
But we must push forward. Working together with people on the ground in Oregon, my colleagues in Congress, and the administration, I am confident that we can continue moving in a better direction for communities across the West, our airsheds, water sheds, and federal lands.
I've heard the same message loud and clear from Oregonians like Jennifer no matter where I go in our state: something needs to change in the way we manage our forests. I am committed to making that change happen.
Greg Walden represents Oregon's 2nd Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Click here to read Representative Walden's guest opinion online.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-presses-opioid-manufacturers-about-their-role-crisis,Greg Walden presses opioid manufacturers about their role in crisis,2018-08-06,2018,2018-08,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden presses opioid manufacturers about their role in crisis 
 Letters Continue Comprehensive Review of Opioid Epidemic 
WASHINGTON, D.C. --Representative Greg Walden (R-Hood River), joined by a group of bipartisan Energy and Commerce Committee leaders, sent letters yesterday to three opioid manufacturers requesting detailed information about each manufacturer's role in the opioid crisis. The individual letters highlight the complexity of the opioid crisis, which claims the lives of more than 115 Americans every day.
The letters were sent to:
Mr. Saeed Motahari, President and CEO, Insys Therapeutics, Inc.  
	Mr. Mark Trudeau, President and CEO, Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals  
	Dr. Craig Landau, President and CEO, Purdue Pharma L.P.
The letters were signed by Walden, Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), RepresentativeGregg Harper (R-MS), Representative Diana DeGette (D-CO), RepresentativeMorgan Griffith (R-VA), and Energy and Commerce Committee Vice Ranking Member Kathy Castor (D-FL).
In all three letters, the bipartisan leaders write, For more than a year, the Committee has been investigating potential breakdowns in the controlled substances supply chain which may have contributed to the nation's opioid epidemic. Pharmaceutical manufacturers play a unique and critical role in this supply chain by researching and developing products for the consumer market as well as marketing such products after obtaining approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The letters to each manufacturer request similar information and documents, as well as requests that are unique to each manufacturer.
In the letter to Insys, the leaders pose questions about an alleged kickback scheme designed to boost sales of Subsys, a sublingual fentanyl spray.
In the letter to Mallinckrodt, the leaders pose questions about the company's efforts to monitor its opioid sales for suspicious orders.
In the letter to Purdue Pharma, the leaders pose questions about when the company first knew about the dangers of OxyContin, which was approved by the FDA in 1995 and available for use the following year.
For more information regarding the committee's bipartisan investigation into pill dumping, including a complete timeline, click HERE. For more information about Energy and Commerce's comprehensive efforts to combat the opioid crisis, click HERE.
Click HERE to read the letters.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-announces-hearing-examine-air-quality-impacts-wildfire-smoke,Greg Walden announces hearing to examine air quality impacts of wildfire smoke,2018-08-02,2018,2018-08,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden announces hearing to examine air quality impacts of wildfire smoke 
 Hearing comes following meeting with local business owners and community leaders in southern Oregon today 
Click here or on the image above to view Walden's video message
MEDFORD, OR --During a meeting with local business owners and community leaders in Medford today, Representative Greg Walden (R -- Hood River) announced that the Energy and Commerce Committee will hold a hearing to examine the air quality impacts of wildfire smoke. Walden gathered members of the business community and local leaders in southern Oregon -- where residents are experiencing the worst air quality in the nation -- to discuss improvements to forest management to reduce the wildfires that have blanketed the region with smoke.
Walden, who chairs the Energy and Commerce Committee, called attention to the air quality, environmental, and health impacts of wildfire smoke during an October 2017 hearing on this issue. Walden said today that the upcoming hearing will serve as another opportunity to address needed changes to federal forest policy that will help prevent unnaturally catastrophic wildfires.
""Year after year, people in the West are suffering from the effects of catastrophic fire and the smoke that comes with it,"" said Walden in a video message today. ""People end up having to wear masks, stay inside, and events are canceled. It's time for Congress to act. As Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, I'm announcing that we are going to hold a hearing this fall to look at the health consequences of the smoke from these catastrophic wildfires.""
Recent studies by the Nature Conservancy, Forest Service, and others have found that active management of fire fuels can reduce the size and intensity of wildfires by up to 70 percent, and can reduce carbon emissions from wildfires by up to 85 percent. Walden is continuing his push for forest management reforms to prevent catastrophic wildfires in Oregon and across the West.
Walden secured significant reforms to federal forest policy in the government funding measure that was signed into law in March, such as:
 Streamlines authorities for rapid implementation for wildfire resiliency and hazardous fuels reduction projects;
	Progress to fix fire borrowing, to help end the vicious cycle of depleting resources for fire prevention to pay for fire suppression, which increases the risk of catastrophic wildfires year after year;
	Expands Healthy Forest Restoration Act authority for fuel and fire break projects;
	Gives the Forest Service and BLM the ability to offer stewardship contracts with a 20-year term; and
	Expands Good Neighbor Policy to allow states to help with road maintenance, culverts, and other similar projects on Forest Service land.
 Walden also secured sweeping improvements to federal forest policy in the 2018 Farm Bill that recently passed the House, and this week urged for those needed changes to be included in the Senate passed version of the legislation. The additional reforms Walden secured in the Farm Bill that passed the House include:
Streamlined and expedited authorities for projects, including:
 Critical response for insect and disease infestation, watershed protection, hazardous fuels reduction, and forest restoration projects;
	Cleaning up after a fire and requiring replanting of our forests;
	Early successional wildlife habitat development; and
	Collaborative projects.
 Today, Walden wrote to the Secretary of Agriculture, Sonny Perdue, to request needed relief for wheat farmers and ranchers who were impacted by wildfires across the state. For a copy of Walden's letter, please click here.
More details on Walden's upcoming hearing to examine air quality impacts of wildfire smoke will be posted on www.walden.house.gov as they become available.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-calls-forest-management-reforms-farm-bill,Greg Walden calls for forest management reforms in Farm Bill,2018-07-31,2018,2018-07,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden calls for forest management reforms in Farm Bill 
 Urges sweeping improvements to federal forest policy that were passed in the House to be included in final legislation 
MEDFORD, OR --Representative Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today spoke in southern Oregon --where communities have faced unhealthy air quality from surrounding wildfires--to call for forest management reforms in the upcoming Farm Bill. Walden secured sweeping improvements to federal forest policy in the 2018 Farm Bill that passed the House in June and today urged for those needed changes to be included in the Senate passed version of the legislation. Walden today sent a letter to the lawmakers who will negotiate the differences between the House and Senate versions of the 2018 Farm Bill, which reads:
""The West is burning. Lives have been tragically lost. Homes and other property have been destroyed. Smoke is choking our skies, leaving residents of southern Oregon and elsewhere with the worst air quality in the nation. It does not have to be this way. As you finalize the Farm Bill in 2018, I urge you to include the important forest management tools included in the House bill to make needed steps toward preventing these fires into the future.
""Years of poor management have left our federal forests overgrown and at risk of these unnaturally catastrophic fires. John Bailey, a professor at Oregon State University, testified last fall before the Energy and Commerce Committee that in some parts of eastern Oregon we have nearly 1,000 trees per acre on land that historically had 20 trees per acre. Across the West, these overstocked tree stands fuel the catastrophic fires we see each summer. Active management that thins out these forest stands and removes this fuel reduces the threat of fire, smoke, and other emissions. A recent study in California by The Nature Conservancy, Forest Service, and others found that fuels projects can reduce the size and intensity of fire up to 70 percent. These projects also reduce carbon emissions from the fire by up to 85 percent.
""Unfortunately, red tape and litigation from outside special interest groups hampers land managers' ability to implement these needed forest management projects. The forestry title in the House passed Farm Bill builds on the forestry provisions we passed into law earlier this year and provides needed tools to reduce this red tape and streamline forest management projects to get more work done in the woods. When fire does strike, we ensure that the Forest Service and BLM can remove the burned, dead trees while they still have value and replant to restore our forests for the next generation. Just like what happens on private lands across Oregon.
""Communities across the West should not have to face the increasing threat of wildfire and choke on smoke each summer because of mismanagement of our public lands. We can do better. The forestry provisions in the House passed Farm Bill would help improve management and prevent fire in Oregon and across the West. I strongly urge you to include them in the final 2018 Farm Bill.""
Representative Walden continues to lead the effort in Congress to improve forest management to reduce the risk of wildfire and put people back to work in the woods.
Walden secured significant reforms to federal forest policy in the government funding measure that was signed into law in March, such as:
 Streamlined authorities for rapid implementation for wildfire resiliency and hazardous fuels reduction projects.
	Progress to fix fire borrowing, to help end the vicious cycle of depleting resources for fire prevention to pay for fire suppression, which increases the risk of catastrophic wildfires year after year.
	Expanded Healthy Forest Restoration Act authority for fuel and fire break projects.
	Gives the Forest Service and BLM the ability to offer stewardship contracts with a 20-year term.
	Expands Good Neighbor Policy to allow states to help with road maintenance, culverts, and other similar projects on Forest Service land.
 The additional reforms Walden secured in the Farm Bill that passed the House include:
Streamlined and expedited authorities for projects, including:
 Critical response for insect and disease infestation, watershed protection, hazardous fuels reduction, and forest restoration projects;
	Cleaning up after a fire and requiring replanting of our forests;
	Early successional wildlife habitat development; and
	Collaborative projects.
 The House of Representative also agreed with Walden's plan to protect a central Oregon community from wildfire, unanimously passing the Crooked River Ranch Wildfire Protection Act (H.R. 2075) earlier this month.
Crooked River Ranch is an unincorporated community of about 5,500 residents in Jefferson County. The lands adjacent to the community are managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and are classified as a Wilderness Study Area (WSA).
These lands are in the highest risk category for exposure to devastating wildfire due to overstocked juniper stands under the federally mandated and locally promulgated Jefferson County Community Wildfire Protection Plan. The current WSA classification prevents mechanical fire prevention activities within these overstocked juniper stands.
Walden's bill would adjust the boundaries of the WSAs in order to better facilitate fire prevention activities on public lands and the adjacent private property.
The Crooked River Ranch Fire Protection Act will allow much-needed management of the excess fire fuels that surround Crooked River Ranch, reducing the danger of wildfire for the community who lives there.
To read more about Representative Walden's efforts to improve federal forest policy, please click here.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-discusses-rural-broadband-expansion-fcc-chairman,Greg Walden discusses rural broadband expansion with FCC Chairman,2018-07-25,2018,2018-07,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden discusses rural broadband expansion with FCC Chairman 
Click here or on the image above to view Walden's remarks
WASHINGTON, D.C. --Representative Greg Walden (R-Hood River), Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, today held a hearing with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai to examine solutions to expand broadband to underserved areas. During the hearing, Walden highlighted the positive impact broadband expansion can have on rural communities, which Chairman Pai experienced firsthand when Walden invited him to eastern Oregon in June.
I want to thank you for coming out to my district last month, said Walden to Chairman Pai. We traveled around and saw a health clinic and what telehealth means. I want to thank the Commission for the decision to lift the cap on the rural health telemedicine piece. That made a huge and positive difference for our rural clinics when you added $171 million over the $400 million cap. You heard it firsthand when you were out there meeting with the clinic. And I appreciated the discussion we had with the broadcasters and the small ISPs. I think you got a taste for how large the 7th largest Congressional district is, even though we never got out of one county.
Walden invited Chairman Pai to eastern Oregon to discuss efforts to improve connectivity in rural communities, including making sure patients in remote areas have access to the best doctors through technology like telehealth. Chairman Pai told Walden today that the top goal of the FCC is connecting people with Internet access regardless of where they live.
From the beginning of my tenure as head of the agency, I've made clear that my top priority would be to close the digital divide, said Pai. I take this issue personally, having grown up in a small town in rural Kansas. And in order to inform our efforts on how to connect unserved areas, I've travelled to 33 states and two U.S. territories and have logged nearly 9,000 road miles to learn about rural communities around the country. I've seen places that are using the Internet to open new doors of opportunity as well as towns that are being bypassed by the digital revolution.
Walden continues to partner with Chairman Pai and the FCC to expand broadband infrastructure to rural communities in Oregon, which is a priority for Representative Walden. Walden led the effort to pass the RAY BAUM'S Act into law, which reauthorized the FCC and gave the agency additional tools to enhance broadband expansion.
Today Walden stressed the need to connect underserved communities across the country with broadband access, and asked Chairman Pai what actions the FCC was taking to achieve that goal.
As you have heard from many members on both sides of the aisle, we need to do more as a country to connect each other with highspeed data and broadband connections, said Walden. What can you tell us, Chairman, about the work the FCC is doing today to close this digital divide?
Chairman Pai highlighted steps the FCC is taking to ensure the benefits of broadband are accessible to people in rural communities like eastern Oregon.
We are making major steps towards closing the digital divide, said Chairman Pai. And some of the initiatives that may appear smaller, but I can tell you that when I'm on the ground in places like Pendleton, Oregon, they're not small. Telemedicine -- this is one of the things that the American people just understand, especially in rural communities where it is hard to attract a specialist. The only way that some of these folks in rural communities will get adequate health care is through telemedicine.
You saw the response for yourself, as did I, at Mirasol Health Clinic in Oregon when they heard the news that we were proposing to increase by 43% the budget for the rural health care program. If you remember, they broke out into applause because they recognize that this is a lifeline, quite literally, for some of these communities.
For more information on today's hearing, including a background memo and archived webcast, please click here.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-examines-fraud-and-abuse-within-opioid-addiction-treatment,Greg Walden examines fraud and abuse within opioid addiction treatment industry,2018-07-24,2018,2018-07,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden examines fraud and abuse within opioid addiction treatment industry 
 Hearing comes following year-long bipartisan investigation into patient brokering 
Click here or on the image above to view Walden's remarks
WASHINGTON, D.C. --Continuing his efforts to combat the nationwide opioid crisis, Representative Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today examined potential fraud and abuse within the substance use treatment industry. Today's hearing before the House Energy and Commerce Committee, where Walden serves as Chairman, comes following a year-long bipartisan investigation into patient brokering. Patient brokering is a practice through which individuals are paid by treatment facilities for successfully enrolling people suffering from addiction in their treatment programs.
During the hearing, Walden stressed the need to ensure patients and families are not taken advantage of when seeking treatment for opioid use disorder.
In December, this subcommittee held a hearing examining patient brokering and addiction treatment fraud where concerns were raised about deceptive and sometimes predatory advertising and marketing practices within the treatment industry, said Walden. In addition, we've read news reports, spoken to treatment facilities, doctors, associations, and stakeholders within the industry, but most importantly, we've heard from individuals and their loved ones who have faced some of these aggressive and deceptive advertising practices. In my district in Oregon, a father named Mike told me about the troubling experience he had when his son was seeking treatment for addiction. The recovery center was located in another state and seemed more interested in cashing a check rather than caring for his son.
Today's hearing specifically focused on advertising and marketing practices within the substance use disorder treatment industry.The increased demand for addiction treatment has created a large and complex industry, with some providers reportedly employing a host of aggressive and sometimes deceptive advertising tactics to reach potential patients.
Walden today highlighted examples of the troubling practices revealed as a result of the Energy and Commerce Committee's investigation.
As the committee dove deeper into the advertising and marketing practices within this industry we found a Pandora's box of online advertisements, websites, phone numbers, lead generators, call centers, and television commercials. In some cases, an individual or company may own dozens and dozens of websites, and some of these websites contain different 1-800 numbers, despite all being owned by the same person or all leading to the same treatment company, said Walden. Some websites and television commercials use forceful language, such as: Call now,' don't wait any longer,' get the help you need,' talk to someone who cares,' end your addiction now,' or for immediate treatment help.' One individual the committee spoke with shared that the person on the other end of the phone went as far to say, if you don't get your kid here now, your kid will die.'
Today's hearing comes as Walden has led the Congressional response to the nationwide opioid crisis. In June, the House of Representatives passed Walden's SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act (H.R. 6) by a bipartisan vote of 396-14. This legislation will help in efforts to combat the opioid crisis by advancing treatment and recovery initiatives, improving prevention, protecting our communities, and bolstering our efforts to fight deadly illicit synthetic drugs like fentanyl. The SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act is the largest legislative effort to combat the opioid crisis in history.
Walden today said that he will continue to push forward in the fight against the opioid crisis that is still gripping communities across the country.
The House recently passed H.R. 6, the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act, which includes 70 provisions -- largely from this committee -- that seek to address a number of issues within the opioid crisis, said Walden. But our work here is not done and the committee continues to conduct oversight because our country is far from seeing the end of the opioid epidemic and its tragic effects.
For more information on today's hearing, including a background memo and archived webcast, please click here.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-examines-solutions-expand-broadband-rural-oregon,Greg Walden examines solutions to expand broadband in rural Oregon,2018-07-17,2018,2018-07,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden examines solutions to expand broadband in rural Oregon 
 Invites eastern Oregon medical provider to testify about improving healthcare options for patients in rural communities through broadband 
Click here or on the image above to view Walden's remarks during today's hearing
WASHINGTON, D.C. --Continuing his efforts to improve connectivity in eastern Oregon, Representative Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today held a hearing to examine solutions to expand broadband access for rural communities in Oregon and across the country. Representative Walden, who chairs the House Energy and Commerce Committee, detailed the widespread benefits of connecting people with broadband access regardless of where they live.
Farmers and ranchers across my district have taken advantage of precision agriculture technology to reduce inputs. And the transition to next generation 9-1-1 is critical for strengthening public safety. Broadband is the infrastructure of the 21st century, said Walden. Broadband means jobs. Jobs come from deployment -- building towers and cell sites, laying fiber, launching satellites, and upgrading facilities that constitute the physical infrastructure. The economic benefits don't stop at construction. Maintaining this infrastructure requires high-skilled jobs in engineering, network management, cybersecurity, advertising, and customer service. And beyond all that, we know broadband is a force multiplier for job creation, providing efficiencies for every sector of the economy.
Walden's hearing, entitled Realizing the Benefits of Rural Broadband: Challenges and Solutions, also included testimony from Wallowa County nurse, Jenni Word, who serves as Associate Administrator and Chief Nursing Officer of Wallowa Memorial Hospital in eastern Oregon. Walden invited Word to testify before the Energy and Commerce Committee to detail how broadband can help improve access to care for patients in rural communities through technology like telehealth.
Wallowa Memorial Hospital provides oncology, rheumatology, cardiology for adults and children, orthopedic, psychology, neurology and palliative care services through telemedicine, said Word. This technology saves patients two-and-a-half hours of driving -- and many gallons of gas  for what is usually a 15 to 30 minute visit with a specialist. Other services are available via telehealth at Wallowa.
Jenni Word (second from right), Associate Administrator and Chief Nursing Officer of Wallowa Memorial Hospital in Oregon, testifies before Energy and Commerce Committee hearing regarding broadband expansion in rural Oregon.
As Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, Walden continues to be at the forefront of expanding broadband infrastructure to rural Oregon. Under Walden's leadership, Congress passed and the President signed into law the RAY BAUM's Act, which reauthorized the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for the first time in 25 years and provides new tools to support broadband expansion.
Recently, Walden invited FCC Chairman Ajit Pai to eastern Oregon to discuss efforts to improve connectivity in rural communities, including making sure patients in remote areas have access to the best doctors through technology like telehealth. The Energy and Commerce Committee continues to examine additional bipartisan legislation to better coordinate federal efforts to expand broadband in rural Oregon and across the country, which is a top priority of Walden's as Chairman.
During her testimony, Jenni Word applauded Walden and the Energy and Commerce Committee for their consistent work to improve broadband connectivity in rural Oregon.
On behalf of rural eastern Oregon, I would like to thank the committee for its work to expand the broadband infrastructure in rural areas. I want to especially thank you for your work to pass the RAY BAUM's Act, said Word. We appreciate your commitment to removing federal barriers, increasing spectrum availability and funding broadband for rural America. I especially want to acknowledge the work Mr. Walden has done in this area.
Finally, I applaud your continued commitment to addressing the digital divide in unserved and underserved rural areas. Rural hospitals stand ready to work with you to achieve this goal.
For more information on today's hearing, including a background memo, witness testimony, and archived webcast, 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-russia,Greg Walden statement on Russia,2018-07-17,2018,2018-07,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden statement on Russia 
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Representative Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today released the following statement:
Russia's interference in our elections and repeated attempts to subvert democracy in America must be condemned by our country's leaders. As I have said repeatedly, I fully support the findings of the hardworking Americans in our intelligence community that Russia deliberately attacked our democratic process and continues its hostile efforts against our country and our allies. That is why I voted for unprecedented sanctions against the Russian regime, which the President has signed into law, to send the clear signal that these actions are unacceptable. We cannot allow any country to undermine our right to free and fair elections, and I will continue to support efforts to combat Russian aggression against the very bedrock of our principles and values as Americans.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-passes-walden-bill-protect-crooked-river-ranch,House passes Walden bill to protect Crooked River Ranch,2018-07-11,2018,2018-07,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"House passes Walden bill to protect Crooked River Ranch 
 Crooked River Ranch Fire Protection Act aims to reduce risk of wildfire for local community 
Click here or on the image above to view Walden's remarks
WASHINGTON, D.C. --The House of Representatives today unanimously passed legislation introduced by Representative Greg Walden (R-Hood River) to protect Crooked River Ranch from wildfire. The Crooked River Ranch Fire Protection Act (H.R. 2075) makes necessary adjustments to the wilderness study areas adjacent to Crooked River Ranch to reduce the risk of wildfire for the local community.
This bill is an important public safety measure. This is a life-and-death measure. There are more than 5,000 people who live in Crooked River Ranch,"" said Walden in a speech on the House floor today. ""We have a serious and deadly threat staring us down every summer. We have fires already burning in the area. If you want to save lives and prevent deadly fires, this is the bill to do it, this is the time to do it. Let's get it done.""
Crooked River Ranch is an unincorporated community of about 5,500 residents in Jefferson County. The lands adjacent to the community are managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and are classified as a Wilderness Study Area (WSA).
These lands are in the highest risk category for exposure to devastating wildfire due to overstocked juniper stand under the federally mandated, and locally promulgated, Jefferson County Community Wildfire Protection Plan. The current WSA classification prevents mechanical fire prevention activities within these overstocked juniper stands.
Walden's bill would adjust the boundaries of the WSAs to allow much-needed management of the excess fire fuels that surround Crooked River Ranch, reducing the danger of wildfire for the community who lives there.
Representative Rob Bishop (R-Utah), Chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, applauded Walden's bill, calling it a common-sense measure to help protect Crooked River Ranch.
Once again Congress is showing it is serious about protecting communities from devastating wildfires. This bill cuts bureaucratic red-tape that limits the fire prevention tools available to land managers and firefighters. This common-sense bill will help prevent the devastation of life and property by wildfire in the Crooked River Ranch community. I'm thankful for Rep. Walden's commitment to this issue and look forward to supporting this bill as it works its way through Congress, said Chairman Bishop.
Representative Walden's proposal also has broad support from fire officials and first responders in Jefferson County and throughout Oregon:
 This bill is long overdue and will be a welcome addition to all first responders responsible for protecting the life and property of Crooked River Ranch citizens. Additionally, it will allow local first responders and BLM managers to address the severe fire dangers that exist along the borders which abut private property. --Oregon Fire Chiefs Association
	This bill has the potential to save lives and property at Crooked River Ranch and I'm glad to see Congressman Walden continuing to move this plan forward. With the current wilderness study area (WSA) boundary, practical firefighting and fire prevention activities are unavailable. The lack of fuel mitigation around Crooked River Ranch, due to wilderness restrictions codified in law, has created a dangerous environment and continues to threaten the people that live here. --Harry Ward, Fire Chief of Crooked River Ranch Fire & Rescue
	As the elected Sheriff of Jefferson County, Oregon, this bill is extremely important to the life and property of an area under my protection. This bill will help mitigate wildfire from Crooked River Ranch by providing a defensible fire protection along the border of the Ranch which is presently contiguous with the WSAs. --Jefferson County Sheriff Jim Adkins
 The Crooked River Ranch Fire Protection Act now awaits action in the Senate. To read more about Representative Walden's 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-applauds-pardon-dwight-and-steven-hammond,Greg Walden applauds pardon of Dwight and Steven Hammond,2018-07-10,2018,2018-07,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden applauds pardon of Dwight and Steven Hammond 
WASHINGTON, D.C. --Representative Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today released the following statement applauding the pardon of Dwight and Steven Hammond:
Today is a win for justice, and an acknowledgement of our unique way of life in the high desert, rural West. I applaud President Trump for thoroughly reviewing the facts of this case, rightly determining the Hammonds were treated unfairly, and taking action to correct this injustice.
For far too long, Dwight and Steven Hammond have been serving a mandatory minimum sentence that was established for terrorists. This is something that would shock the conscience,' according to Federal Judge Michael Hogan, who presided over the case and used his discretion in sentencing which later was reversed. As ranchers across eastern Oregon frequently tell me, the Hammonds didn't deserve a five year sentence for using fire as a management tool, something the federal government does all the time. Moving forward, I'm encouraging the House Judiciary Committee to act on my legislation to prevent this situation from happening to other ranchers.H.R. 983 would ensure farmers and ranchers are not prosecuted as terrorists for using fire for range-management purposes.
For now, though, I am pleased that Dwight and Steven Hammond will return to their families and ranches in Harney County. I look forward to welcoming them back home to eastern Oregon.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-president-trump-seriously-considering-hammond-pardon,"Greg Walden: President Trump ""seriously considering"" Hammond pardon",2018-07-01,2018,2018-07,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden: President Trump ""seriously considering"" Hammond pardon 

WASHINGTON, D.C. --Representative Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today released a statement following a phone call with President Trump regarding the pardon of Dwight and Steven Hammond:
Late Saturday afternoon, President Trump called me to say he is 'seriously considering' pardoning Dwight and Steven Hammond. The sentencing of Dwight and Steve Hammond to five years in federal prison is unjust. Period. Federal Judge Michael Hogan agreed, when he used his discretion to apply more appropriate sentences, calling the mandatory minimum sentence for this case something that would shock the conscience.'Multiple editorial boards across Oregon have concurred.
""Prosecutorial overzealousness by the federal government under the Obama Administration ignored Judge Hogan's judicial discretion, and doubled down, forcing them to serve a mandatory minimum sentence established for terrorists.
""President Trump can right this wrong. I again strongly urged the President to administer the justice that is long overdue for these eastern Oregon ranchers by granting them a pardon so that they can get back to Harney County and their families.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-helps-pass-legislation-improve-care-vietnam-veterans,Greg Walden helps pass legislation to improve care for Vietnam veterans,2018-06-29,2018,2018-06,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden helps pass legislation to improve care for Vietnam veterans 
 Cosponsors bill to address health impacts for veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan 
Click here or on the image above to view Walden's remarks
WASHINGTON, D.C. --Continuing his efforts to support Oregon veterans, Representative Greg Walden (R-Hood River) helped pass legislation to improve care for Vietnam veterans. This week, the House of Representatives passed the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act (H.R. 299) with Walden's strong support.
The Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act would ensure that veterans who served in the waters off Vietnam are able to access benefits for diseases associated with exposure to herbicide agents such as Agent Orange. Walden said this legislation marks an important step forward in the fight to get Blue Water Navy veterans the care they deserve.
This gets some help for our Blue Water Navy veterans -- the Vietnam veterans who served offshore but were still exposed to Agent Orange, said Walden. Their fight to get coverage and care is now closer to fruition with passage of the Blue Water Navy bill, which I supported.
Specifically, the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act would require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to extend the presumption of service connection for disease associated with exposure to herbicide agents to Blue Water Navy veterans. This legislation would also require VA to conduct outreach to inform Blue Water Navy veterans of the ability to submit a new claim for disability benefits, and authorize the VA to provide retroactive benefits to certain veterans and survivors who had previously filed a claim for benefits based on exposure to herbicides. Walden was a cosponsor of this bill prior to its passage.
Walden is also a cosponsor of a bill to address certain health problems of veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Burn Pits Accountability Act (H.R. 5671) would evaluate the exposure of U.S. servicemembers and veterans to open burn pits and toxic airborne chemicals.
I've signed onto legislation to help our veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan deal with future health issues they may incur because of the burn pits that took place in both of those countries, said Walden. We need to make sure that our Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are being cared for properly as a result of any exposure to toxins they were exposed to by being around those burn pits.
Over 140,000 servicemembers and veteransover the past three decades have reported exposure to burn pits and toxic airborne chemicals. However, since there is no mandatory reporting system, there are likely many more servicemembers affected. Exposure can produce serious and potentially life-threatening health effects, including neurological disorders, rare forms of cancer, lung diseases, and more -- triggering some to call the crisisthe Agent Orange' of the post-9/11 generation.
The Burn Pits Accountability Act would evaluate the exposure of servicemembers and veterans to open burn pits and toxic airborne chemicals by:
 Requiring the Secretary of Defense to record whether servicemembers have been based or stationed at a location where an open burn pit was used or exposed to toxic airborne chemicals, including any information recorded as part of the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry, in the Periodic Health Assessment (PHAs), Separation History and Physical Examination (SHPEs), and Post-Deployment Health Assessment (PDHAs).
	Enrolling any servicemember who meets the above criteria in the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry, unless he or she opts-out.
	Requiring the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to share information relating to exposure of burn pits and toxic airborne chemicals recorded in PHAs, SHPEs, and PDHAs.
 To learn more about this legislation, please click here. To learn more about Representative Walden's legislative efforts to support Oregon veterans, 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-president-trump-pardon-dwight-and-steven-hammond,Greg Walden urges President Trump to pardon Dwight and Steven Hammond,2018-06-28,2018,2018-06,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden urges President Trump to pardon Dwight and Steven Hammond 
Click here or on the image above to view Walden's remarks
WASHINGTON, D.C. --During a speech on the floor of the House of Representatives today, Representative Greg Walden (R-Hood River) urged President Trump to pardon Dwight and Steven Hammond of Harney County. A full transcript of Walden's remarks is included below:
Today I rise and raise an issue that would, quote, shock the conscience'. Those are not my words, those are the words of a distinguished federal judge when he refused to sentence two ranchers in my district to five years in prison. This Friday, the youngest of those two ranchers will mark his fourth year in prison for starting a fire. By the way, fire on the range is a management tool, and they were using it for that purpose, said Walden.
""They were tried. They got convicted. But they never should have been sentenced to this, continued Walden. The Obama Administration came back and resentenced them to five years for 139 acres. We burn hundreds of thousands of acres every year. The government starts fires that burn onto private land and nothing seems to happen. It is time for the President to review this situation and to grant a pardon to Steven and Dwight Hammond -- pull them back together with their families. They have served long enough. This is an issue that shocks the conscience. It's time for real justice, and President Trump can administer that.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-applauds-369-million-pilt-funding-rural-oregon,Greg Walden applauds $36.9 million in PILT funding for rural Oregon,2018-06-27,2018,2018-06,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden applauds $36.9 million in PILT funding for rural Oregon 
 Announcement comes as Walden recently secured important forest management reforms into law 
WASHINGTON, D.C. --Representative Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today applauded $36.9 million in funding under the 2018 Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program to support essential services in rural Oregon. The payments will be made to 36 counties in Oregon, and represent the largest amount ever allocated in the 40-year history of the PILT program.
These funds are welcome news for rural communities across our state. I worked with my colleagues in the House to fully fund this program that is part of the federal government's obligation to our rural counties, said Walden. With the majority of Oregon's land managed by the federal government, these funds, along with Secure Rural Schools funds and timber receipts, help ensure our communities have well-functioning schools, law enforcement, and infrastructure. I applaud President Trump and Secretary Zinke for prioritizing this critical funding, and look forward to continuing to work alongside the Administration to improve the management of our public lands and provide Oregon's rural communities with the support they need.
In the government funding measure that was signed into law in March, Walden secured $530 million in full funding for PILT, which counties in rural Oregon rely on. PILT program eligibility is reserved for local governments that contain non-taxable Federal lands within their boundaries. These jurisdictions provide significant support for national parks, wildlife refuges, and recreation areas throughout the year. PILT seeks to compensate local governments for the inability to collect property taxes on Federally-owned land.
A full list of 2018 PILT funding by county in Oregon's Second Congressional District is included below:
BAKER COUNTY
$1,627,967
CROOK COUNTY
$2,171,455
DESCHUTES COUNTY
$3,033,303
GILLIAM COUNTY
$93,655
GRANT COUNTY
$923,833
HARNEY COUNTY
$1,125,267
HOOD RIVER COUNTY
$414,289
JACKSON COUNTY
$1,864,853
JEFFERSON COUNTY
$722,788
JOSEPHINE COUNTY
$1,835,498
KLAMATH COUNTY
$3,109,349
LAKE COUNTY
$1,193,532
MALHEUR COUNTY
$2,642,870
MORROW COUNTY
$376,464
SHERMAN COUNTY
$145,050
UMATILLA COUNTY
$1,057,363
UNION COUNTY
$1,603,772
WALLOWA COUNTY
$1,053,433
WASCO COUNTY
$443,945
WHEELER COUNTY
$213,405
Today's announcement comes as Walden recently secured important forest management reforms into law, including:
 3,000 acre categorical exclusion for wildfire resiliency and hazardous fuels reduction projects.
	10-year fire borrowing fix, to help end the vicious cycle of depleting resources for fire prevention to pay for fire suppression, which increases the risk of catastrophic wildfires year after year.
	Expanding Healthy Forest Restoration Act authority for fuel and fire break projects.
	Give the Forest Service and BLM the ability to offer stewardship contracts with a 20 year term.
	Expanding Good Neighbor Policy to help states with road maintenance, culverts, and other similar projects on Forest Service land.
 Last week, the House of Representatives passed the 2018 Farm Bill with Walden's strong support, making important progress to improve federal forest policy. The 2018 Farm Bill includes 10 categorical exclusions and reauthorizes the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program, which is usedto increase timber management in central, southern and eastern Oregon.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-bill-combat-opioid-crisis-passes-house,Greg Walden bill to combat opioid crisis passes House,2018-06-22,2018,2018-06,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden bill to combat opioid crisis passes House 
 Walden's SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act receives overwhelming bipartisan vote of 396-14 
Click here or on the image above to view Walden's remarks
WASHINGTON, D.C. --The House of Representatives today passed H.R. 6, the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment (SUPPORT) for Patients and Communities Act, authored by Representative Greg Walden (R-Hood River). H.R. 6 passed the House by a bipartisan vote of 396-14.
The bipartisan bill will help efforts to advance treatment and recovery initiatives, improve prevention, protect our communities, and bolster our efforts to fight deadly illicit synthetic drugs like fentanyl. For a full list of all the measures included in H.R. 6, click HERE.
""These past two weeks, the people's House has dedicated tremendous amounts of time and energy to send a simple message to the millions of Americas impacted by the opioid crisis: 'Help is on the way,'"" said Walden in a speech on the House floor today. ""Not only are we passing legislation that will save lives, but we want to leave no doubt in the minds of those suffering from addiction that the United States House of Representatives -- Republicans and Democrats alike -- stand with them. For too long, embarrassment and stigma surrounded the disease of addiction. It's time for that to change.""
As Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Representative Walden has been at the forefront of the Congressional response to the opioid crisis.
Under Walden's leadership, the Energy and Commerce Committee has advanced 57 bills to the House of Representatives aimed at addressing the opioid crisis through treatment and recovery, prevention, protecting communities, and fighting dangerous synthetic opioids like fentanyl.
Representative Walden has met with victims, families, treatment advocates, medical providers, and law enforcement officers on the front lines of the opioid crisis in Oregon. Walden says that input has informed his legislative work to put forth concrete solutions to help save lives and stem the tide of the opioid crisis.
During his speech today, Representative Walden stressed the need to push forward in the fight against the opioid crisis for families and communities in Oregon and across the country.
""Today, we have an opportunity to continue our work in combating this crisis, an opportunity to save lives, and we cannot let it pass,"" said Walden.""We owe it to our families, friends, communities, and our country to lift people out of addiction and, together, win this fight.""
To learn more about the House's efforts to combat the opioid crisis, click HERE.
To learn more about Energy and Commerce's comprehensive efforts to combat the opioid crisis, click HERE.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-statement-reforming-immigration-system,Greg Walden statement on reforming immigration system,2018-06-18,2018,2018-06,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden statement on reforming immigration system 
WASHINGTON, D.C.  Representative Greg Walden (R-Hood River) released the following statement on reforming the immigration system:
The separation of families arriving illegally to our country is yet another example of the need for reform in our immigration system. Complications from court decisions tracing back through six presidential administrations have led to the heartbreaking situation we have watched unfold recently. This week, the House will consider legislation that takes steps toward improving border security and making needed changes to our immigration policies, including ensuring that children are not separated from parents detained for entering our country illegally. It's past time to start fixing this system.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/walden-introduces-support-patients-and-communities-act-combat-opioid,Walden introduces SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act to combat the opioid crisis,2018-06-14,2018,2018-06,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Walden introduces SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act to combat the opioid crisis 
WASHINGTON, D.C. --Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Greg Walden (R-Hood River), joined by Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-TX), Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), and Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Richard Neal (D-MA), yesterday introduced the bipartisan H.R. 6, the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment (SUPPORT) for Patients and Communities Act.
H.R. 6 will serve as the legislative package for the majority of House-passed bills to combat the opioid crisis to move over to the Senate.
""All across the country, families and communities have struggled for far too long against the scourge of opioid addiction. These are our friends, our neighbors, and our family members, and we as a Congress are committed to doing all we can to combat the opioid crisis and save lives, said Walden in a joint statement with Reps. Brady, Pallone, and Neal. H.R. 6 will be an important step forward in our efforts to stem the tide of addiction by improving prevention and public health efforts, enhancing treatment and recovery programs, and providing communities more tools in our fight.
To learn more about the House's efforts to combat the opioid crisis, click HERE.
To learn more about Energy and Commerce's comprehensive efforts to combat the opioid crisis, click HERE.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-shepherds-25-bills-through-house-representatives-combat,Greg Walden shepherds 25 bills through House of Representatives to combat nationwide opioid crisis,2018-06-12,2018,2018-06,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden shepherds 25 bills through House of Representatives to combat nationwide opioid crisis 
 Walden says, We will not rest until we have won the fight against opioid addiction 
Click here or on the image above to view Walden's speech on the floor of the House of Representatives
WASHINGTON, D.C.  Continuing his efforts to address a public health crisis that is killing more than 100 Americans every day, Representative Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today led a bipartisan effort to advance 25 bills through the House of Representative to combat the nationwide opioid crisis. During a speech on the floor of the House, Walden stressed the importance of pushing forward in the fight against opioid addiction in Oregon and across the country.
In my Oregon district, I've held multiple round table discussions with parents, those addicted and those who treat the addicted. I've talked with law enforcement officials and emergency room physicians. I've sought the counsel and advice of those who are closest to this national problem and I worked with my colleagues to carefully craft federal legislation that responds to their suggestions, said Walden.
""The headlines are everywhere, and they tell the tragic stories of loved ones gone far too soon. We're confronting an addiction that mercilessly seizes control and destroys. This killer doesn't discriminate -- not by age, not by race, not by where you live or what you believe. We're here because opioid addiction continues to take the lives of more than 100 Americans each and every day. These are real people, in all of our districts.
As Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Representative Walden has been at the forefront of the Congressional response to the opioid crisis.
Under Walden's leadership, the Energy and Commerce Committee has advanced 57 bills to the House of Representatives aimed at addressing the opioid crisis through treatment and recovery, prevention, protecting communities, and fighting dangerous synthetic opioids like fentanyl.
During his speech today, Walden shared the story of Grants Pass resident Mike Pelfrey, whose family has been personally impacted by opioid addiction. Mr. Pelfreyhas attended multiple meetings Walden has held in southern Oregon to discuss solutions to combat the opioid crisis. Walden highlighted the ALTO Act (H.R. 5197), which passed by voice vote today and focuses on alternatives to addictive opioids for pain management.
The first time I met Mike was at a roundtable I held in southern Oregon. Mike didn't know anyone in the room. He had heard the news about our meeting to discuss opioid abuse and wanted to share his family's story, said Walden. His son was injured in a school sporting accident and became addicted to the prescription painkillers provided by his doctor to aid in his recovery. Eventually, Mike's son made the all-too-familiar transition to a cheaper source: heroin.
""To this day, Mike's son still struggles with his addiction that began with opioid abuse. Mike went on to speak about his sister who also suffered from addiction. A nurse, his sister found herself with easier access to pills than most. When coworkers and others caught on, she moved and continued to procure pills. She died as a result of her addiction.
Click here or on the image above to hear Walden share the story of Mike Pelfrey, of Grants Pass
At a more recent meeting I held in southern Oregon, Mike was present once more. During our meeting, Mike urged everyone to make combating the opioid crisis a top priority, saying, The only way we are going to do it is address it, do something about it, and make this an everyday part of our thought.'
""Well, Mike, this Congress we have made addressing this scourge an everyday part of our thoughts and efforts, and we will continue to do so no matter how long it takes to rip this terrible menace out of our communities, said Walden.
Walden today vowed to continuing searching for solutions that attack the opioid crisis from all angles. The House of Representative will also consider additional legislation this week and next week to combat the opioid crisis.
So, while the scourge of addiction looms large before us, I believe that we as a Congress, and we the American people, are up to the task, said Walden.
The bills before us are not our first efforts in this fight, and you have my word that they won't be our last. I urge my colleagues to support the legislation before the House these next two weeks. We have an opportunity to save lives, and we have a responsibility to our families, friends, communities and nation to lift people out of addiction and get America on a better path.
For a complete list of legislation -- all of which originated in Walden's Energy and Commerce Committee -- that advanced through the House of Representatives today, please see below:
 H.R. 449, the Synthetic Drug Awareness Act of 2018, authored by Reps. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) and Chris Collins (R-NY), will require the U.S. Surgeon General to submit a comprehensive report to Congress on the public health effects of the rise in synthetic drug use among youth aged 12 to 18 in order to further educate parents and the medical community on the health effects of synthetics. H.R. 449 passed by voice vote.
		
	H.R. 5473, the Better Pain Management Through Better Data Act of 2018, authored by Reps. Barbara Comstock (R-VA) and Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), will direct the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to articulate clear data collection methods that could be used to inform opioid-sparing labeling claims for products that may replace, delay, or reduce or the use of opioid analgesics. H.R. 5473 passed by voice vote.
		
	H.R. 3331, to amend title XI of the Social Security Act to promote testing of incentive payments for behavioral health providers for adoption and use of certified electronic health record technology, authored by Reps. Lynn Jenkins (R-KS) and Doris Matsui (D-CA), will promote the testing of incentive payments for behavioral health providers for adoption and use of certified electronic health record technology. H.R. 3331 passed by voice vote.
		
	H.R. 4284, the Indexing Narcotics, Fentanyl, and Opioids (INFO) Act of 2017, authored by #SubDCCP Chairman Bob Latta (R-OH), will direct HHS to create a public and easily accessible electronic dashboard linking to all of the nationwide efforts and strategies to combat the opioid crisis. H.R. 4284 passed by voice vote.
		
	H.R. 4684, the Ensuring Access to Quality Sober Living Act of 2018, authored by Reps. Judy Chu (D-CA), Mimi Walters (R-CA), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), and Raul Ruiz (D-CA), will authorize the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to develop, publish, and disseminate best practices for operating recovery housing that promotes a safe environment for sustained recovery from substance use disorder (SUD). H.R. 4684 passed by voice vote.
		
	H.R. 5002, ACE Research Act, authored by Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and #SubEnergy Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI), will provide the National Institutes of Health (NIH) with new, flexible authorities to conduct innovative research and spur urgently needed research on new non-addictive pain medications. H.R. 5002 passed by voice vote.
		
	H.R. 5800, the Medicaid IMD ADDITIONAL INFO Act, authored by #SubEnergy Chairman Upton, will direct the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) to conduct a study on institutions for mental disease (IMD) that receive Medicaid reimbursement. The study will report on the requirements and standards that some state Medicaid programs have for IMDs. MACPAC, considering input from stakeholders, will summarize the findings and make recommendations on improvements and best practices and data collection. The report would be due no later than January 2020. H.R. 5800 passed by voice vote.
		
	H.R. 5009, Jessie's Law, authored by Reps. Tim Walberg (R-MI) and Dingell, will ensure medical professionals have access to a consenting patient's complete health history when making treatment decisions by requiring the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to develop and disseminate best practices regarding the prominent display of substance use disorder (SUD) history in patient records of patients who have previously provided this information to a health care provider. H.R. 5009 passed by voice vote.
		
	H.R. 5041, the Safe Disposal of Unused Medication Act, authored by Reps. Walberg and Dingell, will help reduce the number of unused controlled substances at risk of diversion or misuse by allowing hospice employees to safely dispose of these medications onsite after the death of a patient. H.R. 5041 passed by a vote of 398-0.
		
	H.R. 5102, the Substance Use Disorder Workforce Loan Repayment Act of 2018, authored by Reps. Katherine Clark (D-MA) and Hal Rogers (R-KY), will create a loan repayment program for SUD treatment providers. Specifically, the bill will offer student loan repayment of up to $250,000 for participants who agree to work as a SUD treatment professional in areas most in need of their services. The program will be available to a wide range of direct care providers, including physicians, registered nurses, social workers, and other behavioral health professionals. H.R. 5102 passed by voice vote.
		
	H.R. 5176, the Preventing Overdoses While in Emergency Rooms (POWER) Act, authored by #SubEnvironment Vice Chairman David McKinley (R-WV) and Michael Doyle (D-PA), will provide resources for hospitals to develop protocols on discharging patients who have presented with an opioid overdose. These protocols would address the provision of naloxone upon discharge, connection with peer-support specialists, and the referral to treatment and other services that best fit the patient's needs. H.R. 5176 passed by voice vote.
		
	H.R. 5228, the Stop Counterfeit drugs by Regulating and Enhancing Enforcement Now (SCREEN) Act, authored by Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), will provide the FDA with stronger recall and destruction authority to disrupt the entry of counterfeit and illicit drugs through International Mail Facilities (IMFs). H.R. 5228 passed by voice vote.
		
	H.R. 5261, the TEACH to Combat Addiction Act of 2018, authored by Rep. Bill Johnson (R-OH), will support Centers of Excellence, or institutions of learning that have championed SUD treatment education to improve how health professionals are taught about both SUD and pain. H.R. 5261 passed by voice vote.
		
	H.R. 5272, to ensure that programs and activities that are funded by a grant, cooperative agreement, loan, or loan guarantee from the Department of Health and Human Services, and whose purpose is to prevent or treat a mental health or substance use disorder, are evidence-based,authored by Reps. Steve Stivers (R-OH) and Eliot Engel (D-NY), will direct SAMHSA to provide guidance for entities applying for SUD and mental illness grants, including guidance to grantees on how best to articulate the rationale for a given program or activity. Additionally, it will also encourage the funding of evidence-based interventions and the replication of promising or effective practices. H.R. 5272 passed by voice vote.
		
	H.R. 5327, the Comprehensive Opioid Recovery Centers Act of 2018, authored by #SubHealth Vice Chairman Brett Guthrie (R-KY) and #SubHealth Ranking Member Green (D-TX), will establish Comprehensive Opioid Recovery Centers (CORCs) that will serve as models for comprehensive treatment and recovery. CORCs would utilize the full range of FDA-approved medications and evidence-based treatments, have strong linkages with the community, generate meaningful outcomes data, and dramatically improve the opportunities for individuals to establish and maintain long-term recovery as productive members of society. H.R. 5327 passed by a vote of 383-13.
		
	H.R. 5329, the Poison Center Network Enhancement Act of 2018, authored by Reps. Susan Brooks R-IN), Engel, and Energy and Commerce Committee Vice Chairman Joe Barton (R-TX), will reauthorize the national network of Poison Control Centers, which offer free, confidential, and expert medical advice 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Often times these programs serve as the primary resource for poisoning information and help reduce Emergency Room visits through in-home treatment. H.R. 5329 passed by voice vote.
		
	H.R. 5353, the Eliminating Opioid Related Infectious Diseases Act of 2018, authored by #SubCommTech Vice Chairman Leonard Lance (R-NJ) and Rep. Joe Kennedy III (D-MA), will authorize the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to undertake an injection drug use-associated infection elimination initiative and work with states to improve education, surveillance and treatment of injection drug-use associated infections, like human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis. H.R. 5353 passed by voice vote.
		
	H.R. 5483, the Special Registration for Telemedicine Clarification Act of 2018, authored by Reps. Buddy Carter (R-GA), Cheri Bustos (D-IL), Karen Handel (R-GA), Elise Stefanik (R-NY), and Bobby Rush (D-IL), will clarify telemedicine waivers. Federal law permits the Attorney General to issue a special registration to health care providers to prescribe controlled substances via telemedicine in legitimate emergency situations, such as a lack of access to an in-person specialist. Unfortunately, the waiver process has never been implemented through regulation, and some patients do not have the emergency access they need to treatment. This bipartisan bill directs the Attorney General, with the Secretary of HHS, to promulgate interim final regulations within one year of passage of the law. H.R. 5483 passed by voice vote.
		
	H.R. 5582, the Abuse Deterrent Access Act of 2018, authored by Reps. Buddy Carter (R-GA), David Loebsack (D-IA), and Tom Reed (R-NY), will direct the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to evaluate the coverage of abuse-deterrent opioids in Medicare plans. H.R. 5582 passed by voice vote.
		
	H.R. 5583, to require state Medicaid programs to annually report on certain adult health quality measures, authored by Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-NY), will require state Medicaid programs to report on the behavioral health measures that are included in CMS' Core Set of Adult Health Care Quality Measures for Medicaid. In 2018, there were 11 behavioral health measures. H.R. 5583 passed by voice vote.
		
	H.R. 5685, the Medicare Opioid Safety Education Act of 2018, authored by Reps. John Faso (R-NY), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Jim Renacci (R-OH), will direct the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to compile education resources for beneficiaries regarding opioid use, pain management, and alternative pain management treatments, and include these resources in the Medicare and You Handbook. H.R. 5685 passed by voice vote.
		
	H.R. 4275, the Empowering Pharmacists in the Fight Against Opioid Abuse Act, authored by Reps. Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA) and Carter, will help pharmacists detect fraudulent prescriptions. H.R. 4275 will help develop and disseminate materials, giving pharmacists greater understanding and ability to decline to fill controlled substances when they suspect the prescriptions are fraudulent, forged, or appear to be for abuse or diversion. H.R. 4275 passed by voice vote.
		
	H.R. 5197, the Alternatives to Opioids (ALTO) Act, as amended, authored by Reps. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ) and McKinley, will establish a demonstration program to test alternative pain management protocols to limit the use of opioids in hospital emergency departments. H.R. 5197 passed by voice vote.
		
	H.R. 5587, the Peer Support Communities of Recovery Act, authored by Reps. Lujan and Johnson, will enhance the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act's (CARA's) Building Communities of Recovery Program and authorize the Department of Health and Human Services to award grants to peer support specialist organizations for the development and expansion of recovery services. Peer support specialists/peer recovery coaches are health workers who are in recovery from SUD. New programs are emerging across the country to use peers in a range of settings, including hospitals, to provide immediate and ongoing support and treatment linkages to individuals who have overdosed from opioids, or support individuals newly in recovery. H.R. 5587 passed by voice vote.
		
	H.R. 5812, the Creating Opportunities that Necessitate New and Enhanced Connections That Improve Opioid Navigation Strategies (CONNECTIONS) Act, authored by #SubOversight Vice Chairman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) and Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Pallone, will improve current federal support for state-run prescription drug monitoring programs. H.R. 5812 will authorize the CDC to carry out certain controlled substances overdose prevention and surveillance activities in order to improve data collection and integration into physician clinical workflow so that timely, complete, and accurate information will get into the hands of providers and dispensers so that they can make the best clinical decisions for their patients. H.R. 5812 passed by voice vote.
 To be considered on Wednesday, June 13:
H.R. 5752, the Stop Illicit Drug Importation Act of 2018, authored by #SubCommTech Chairman Blackburn, will streamline and enhance FDA's tools to intercept illegal products. Illicit or unapproved drugs enter the U.S. supply chain through IMFs and pose serious public health threats to individuals across the country.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/central-oregon-wwii-and-korean-war-veterans-meet-greg-walden-washington,"Central Oregon WWII and Korean War veterans meet Greg Walden in Washington, D.C.",2018-06-11,2018,2018-06,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Central Oregon WWII and Korean War veterans meet Greg Walden in Washington, D.C. 
 Walden greets veterans on National Mall as part of the Honor Flight of Central Oregon 
Representative Walden meets with 25 WWII and Korean War veterans on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
WASHINGTON, D.C.  Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) greeted two World War II and 23 Korean War Veterans who came to Washington, D.C. last week to visit their memorials on the National Mall through the Honor Flight of Central Oregon. The veterans, all of whom come from Deschutes and Jefferson counties, met Walden at the World War II Memorial and were presented American flags flown over the U.S. Capitol in honor of their service to our country.
Every time I have the chance to meet one of these heroes, I am reminded of the poignant words of General Dwight D. Eisenhower. In a message to Allied troops just before D-Day, he said, The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you,' said Walden. Over seventy years later, liberty-loving people everywhere continue to owe heroes like the veterans who traveled to the nation's capital last week for their extraordinary service and their incredible sacrifice and bravery on behalf of our country.
Walden speaks with the Honor Flight of Central Oregon veterans at the World War II Memorial. Walden said the nation should be humbled by the courage of these brave veterans who put themselves in harm's way for our country and way of life.
In addition to presenting the veterans with an American flag flown over the Capitol building, Walden entered into the Congressional Record the names of each veteran who participated in the Honor Flight of Central Oregon.
Each of us in this chamber and in this nation should be humbled by the courage of these brave veterans who put themselves in harm's way for our country and way of life, wrote Walden in the Congressional Record. As a nation, we can never fully repay the debt of gratitude owed to them for their honor, commitment, and sacrifice in defense of the freedoms we have today. My colleagues, please join me in thanking these veterans and the volunteers of Honor Flight of Central Oregon for their exemplary dedication and service to this great country.
The Honor Flight Network is a non-profit organization created to honor America's veterans. The organization transports veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit and reflect at their memorials -- with priority given to World War II survivors and veterans who may be terminally ill. Over 200,000 veterans have been honored through the Honor Flight Network of volunteers nationwide since 2005. Walden often meets with Oregon veterans who come to Washington, D.C. as part of the Honor Flight Network, and flies flags over the Capitol in honor of each veteran participating in the Honor Flight, along with entering their names into the Congressional Record.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-livestock-grazing-eastern-oregon-life-and-death-matter,Greg Walden on livestock grazing in eastern Oregon: this is a life-and-death matter for the ranchers out there,2018-06-07,2018,2018-06,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden on livestock grazing in eastern Oregon: this is a life-and-death matter for the ranchers out there 
 Presses NOAA official for more local input and science-based grazing management policies 
Click here or on the image above to view Walden's remarks from today's hearing
WASHINGTON, D.C. --Representative Greg Walden (R-Hood River), Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, today pressed the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Assistant Administrator Chris Oliver for answers as to the science behind environmental rules that limit grazing activities in eastern Oregon. During a hearing before the Energy and Commerce Committee, Walden called for increased local input when determining grazing management policies, and stressed the importance of livestock grazing for rural communities in Oregon.
On Friday, Mr. Oliver, your agency finalized a year-overdue grazing biological opinion for the Malheur National Forest allotments on the Malheur National Forest. I have repeatedly heard concerns about the process and concerns about the science used, said Walden. As an example, I understand from your regional staff that there is no science behind using the three trampled redds as a threshold for take' forest-wide, just that it is an easy way for the agencies to monitor.
Representative Walden was referring to the monitoring process for the destruction of fish egg nests -- referred to as redds -- that is used to determine the severity of the impact on fish populations throughout the Malheur National Forest from cattle grazing. Walden relayed the concerns he has heard from ranchers in the area, and asked Assistant Administrator Oliver to detail how their concerns are being taken into account.
There is no science behind this. Ranchers and others had barely a week to read and comment on the 300 plus page document but they did their best. Can you explain how their concerns are being addressed in the final biological opinion? asked Walden.
While there may be some questions about the three trampled redds threshold for re-initiation, that was altered from the original one redd per year that was at one point proposed. So that was one way in which we hoped to address some of the concerns or alleviate some of the concerns, said Assistant Administrator Oliver.
""What I would like is the science behind this determination about the redds, said Walden.
Representative Walden also called for more engagement from federal agencies such as NOAA with communities on the ground when implementing policies that impact grazing activities that ranchers in eastern Oregon rely upon.
These communities are pretty upset when it comes to taking all of the hits, applying it all to grazing, when it comes to trying to do a balanced effort to restore salmon and steelhead fishery. They really want a little more face-to-face time with the National Marine Fisheries Service, said Walden. This is a life-and-death matter for the ranchers out there. A lot goes on out in the ocean that we're told is just a black box that you can't do anything about. Then we watch the fish get devoured by the sea lions coming up the river and then the only thing you can do is shut down cattle operations and blame it all on them. We're not going to put up with that.
For more information on today's hearing, including witness testimony, background memo, and archived webcast, please click here.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/walden-bill-improve-care-oregon-veterans-becomes-law,Walden bill to improve care for Oregon veterans becomes law,2018-06-06,2018,2018-06,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Walden bill to improve care for Oregon veterans becomes law 
 President signs Walden's VA Medical Scribe Pilot Act, which will improve timeliness of care at VA facilities 
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Legislation introduced by Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) to improve care for Oregon veterans was signed into law today. President Trump today signed theVA MISSION Act, a legislative package that includes theVA Medical Scribe Pilot Act,a bill co-authored by Walden to help unburden VA doctors by bringing medical scribes into the VA system, which will allow them to see more patients in a timely manner.
This legislation will help improve the care for veterans all across Oregon and America because it frees up doctors to do what they do best: take care of patients, said Walden. One thing I've learned traveling throughout Oregon and talking to veterans and VA officials is that there aren't enough providers in the VA system to take timely care of our veterans. Research in the private sector has shown that allowing scribes to handle electronic health records allows the doctor to see more patients in a timely manner, and this bill will help bring that success to our veterans at the VA. I applaud President Trump for signing this commonsense plan into law, and look forward to working alongside the Administration to ensure the successful implementation of this program on the ground in Oregon and across the country.
Medical scribes help relieve physicians of administrative burdens such as paperwork and record keeping, which helps doctors focus their attention on caring for patients. Studies have shown that the use of medical scribes in the private sector resulted in a 59% increase in the number of patients physicians see per hour.
Charles Schmidt, Oregon's first National Commander of The American Legion, said of Walden's legislation after its passage in June of 2017, the VA Medical Scribes Pilot Act of 2017 would greatly assist VA doctors in the course of their duties by providing medical scribes to alleviate their administrative burden. This would enable VA doctors to see more veterans per day and spend more time with each patient. Providing doctors medical scribes would help the VA improve the work environment, reduce physician burnout, and recruit and retain quality physicians.""
Additionally,Walden has heard from leadership at the VA in White City andBendthat implementing a scribes program within the VA system would improve the care Oregon's veterans receive.
The VA MISSION Act also expands the VA's Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers to pre-9/11 veterans who suffered a serious injury in the line of duty,creates a permanent path to increase veterans' access to see doctors in the community and reduce wait times,and provides funding for the Veterans Choice Program (Choice). Walden has been a longtime supporter of Choice, working to improve the program that provides veterans with needed flexibility when seeking care.The VA MISSION Act was supported by veterans service organizations across the country.
In a speech on the floor of the House of Representatives in May, Walden touted his plan as an important step forward in providing veterans with the quality care they deserve. To read more about Walden's legislation, pleaseclick here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-memorial-day-let-us-pause-reverence-men-and-women-who-died,"Greg Walden on Memorial Day: ""Let us pause in reverence of the men and women who died while serving our country""",2018-05-28,2018,2018-05,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden on Memorial Day: ""Let us pause in reverence of the men and women who died while serving our country"" 
Click here or on the image above to view Walden's video message
Representative Greg Walden (R-Hood River) issued the following message in honor of Memorial Day:
""The men and women who wear our nation's uniform represent the best of what America has to offer.
""On Memorial Day, we honor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in defense of the way of life we cherish in America. Our countryis a beacon of freedom and liberty to the world because of their actions.
""As President Ronald Reagan said, Memorial Day is a time when America stands in silence and remembers those who were loved and who, in return, loved their countrymen enough to die for them.
""While we can never repay the debt of gratitude owed to these men and women, by our actions we can demonstrate our gratefulness.
""As we pay tribute today to the brave many who gave their lives in service to our nation, we are working in Congress to ensure our military members, veterans, and their families are receiving the care and support they deserve.
""I was proud to support a plan to give our troops the resources they need to safely carry out their missions and defend liberty around the world, as well as the largest pay raise they have seen in nine years.
""And just last week, Congress passed a plan I helped craft to improve the timeliness of care Oregon veterans and others around the country receive at the VA.
""This sends the message loud and clear that, when our service members put themselves in harm's way on our behalf, we have their backs. We should especially reinforce this message on Memorial Day.
""As we gather with our loved ones and friends, let us not forget the families across the country who are missing someone on this hallowed day.
""This Memorial Day, let us pause in reverence of the men and women who died while serving our country. Wherever you are, please join me remembering our fellow Americans who laid down their lives for all of us.
""All gave some, but some gave all, and today we reflect on the freedoms we are able to enjoy because of these heroes whose selflessness and dedication to duty can only be found in America's service members.
""Thank you, God bless our service members and God bless America.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-presses-olympic-committee-leaders-answers-about-sexual-abuse,Greg Walden presses Olympic Committee leaders for answers about sexual abuse in organized sports,2018-05-23,2018,2018-05,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden presses Olympic Committee leaders for answers about sexual abuse in organized sports 
 Says that more must be done to ensure athlete safety is the top priority 
Click here or on the image above to view Walden's remarks
WASHINGTON, D.C. --Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River), Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce, today pressed Olympic leaders for answers about the pervasiveness of sexual misconduct within the U.S. Olympic community. During a hearing before the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, Walden examined whether the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) has adequate policies and procedures in place to protect athletes at all levels of sport from abuse.
""In pursuit of their dreams, athletes of all levels have frequent contact with coaches, doctors, trainers, and volunteers who are given responsibility beyond simply enabling these young athletes to achieve excellence in their chosen sport; we entrust them with athletes' safety and well-being, said Walden. These individuals often hold positions of great power and authority over the athletes. Not only can they control an athlete's training schedule or medical treatment, those very individuals often have a direct say in that athlete's career, such as deciding who competes in an upcoming event. As has become abundantly clear, too many authority figures have abused their power and influence and harmed the very athletes that trusted them.
This hearing follows a months-long bipartisan investigation led by Walden into the USOC and all 48 National Governing Bodies (NGB), as well as Michigan State University, related to the management, handling, and prevention of sexual abuse.
""The Committee has spoken with numerous survivors in the course of this investigation, and we thank all of them for their assistance in this work. We know that their stories are not easy to tell, said Walden today. There were far too many similarities in what we heard. Individuals in positions of power not only abused the trust of their athletes, but physically abused them as well. And when survivors sought help, far too many felt that the system was not built to protect them, but rather to shield their abusers and the sport's reputation. They felt silenced.
In January, Walden was joined by a bipartisan group of lawmakers in sending letters to USA Gymnastics, the U.S. Olympic Committee, Michigan State University, USA Swimming, and USA Taekwondo regarding sexual abuse in organized sports. Walden's investigation followed the sentencing of Dr. Larry Nassar for his abuse of more than 150 women and girls, as well as last year's reports of sexual misconduct allegations in the Taekwondo community, and the 2014 allegations of sexual abuse from 19 former U.S. swimmers.
During today's hearing, Walden said that more must be done to ensure athlete safety in organized sports is the top priority.
In the eyes of many survivors, the culture of medals and money' won out over athlete safety and protection, said Walden Changes have been made in the Olympic community over the past decade, in particular within the last year, that show how things are moving in the right direction. However, many questions remain about whether the community has come far enough and moved fast enough.
For more information about the hearing, including a background memo, witness testimony, and archived webcast, 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-comprehensive-childhood-cancer-prevention,Greg Walden supports comprehensive childhood cancer prevention legislation,2018-05-22,2018,2018-05,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden supports comprehensive childhood cancer prevention legislation 
 Votes to sendChildhood Cancer Survivorship, Treatment, Access, and Research (STAR) Act to President's desk 
Click here or on the image above to view Walden's speech on the House floor
WASHINGTON, D.C. --Continuing his efforts to boost medical research and treatments for patients across the country, Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) supported comprehensive childhood cancer prevention legislation as it passed through the House of Representatives unanimously today. Walden joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers today in sending the Childhood Cancer Survivorship, Treatment, Access, and Research (STAR) Act to the President's desk.
""Being told your child has cancer is every parent's worst nightmare.Even though childhood cancer is rare, it is still the second leading cause of death in children ages 1 to 14, said Walden during a speech on the House floor. By reauthorizing and modifying the National Childhood Cancer Registry; supporting childhood cancer biorepositories; improving the tracking of cancer in children, adolescents, and young adults; and supporting efforts to improve the pediatric cancer survivorship care, the STAR Act will improve both treatment of children currently battling cancer and the quality of life for the young survivors who have beaten this terrible disease.
The Childhood Cancer STAR Act is the most comprehensive childhood cancer legislation ever taken up by Congress, which will help advance both research and treatments for pediatric cancer. The bipartisan bill reauthorizes and modifies the National Childhood Cancer Registry and establishes programs for pediatric cancer survivors.
The Childhood Cancer STAR Act will support the collection of donated biospecimens from children, adolescents, and young adults with cancer along with demographic information, create pilot programs to develop and evaluate systems for monitoring and providing treatment for cancer survivors, and provide grants to states to improve childhood cancer registries.
Following the landmark 21st Century Cures Act-- which Walden helped pass into law -- the Childhood Cancer STAR Act will further efforts to discover, develop, and deliver new cures and treatments for those suffering from cancer. During his speech in support of the Childhood Cancer STAR Act, Walden said this bipartisan bill will be crucial to saving lives.
This is good work we are doing today in a bipartisan way in the United States House of Representatives. We will save lives. We will help families. And, especially, we will help these children who are suffering mightily, said Walden.
Specifically, the Childhood Cancer STAR Act will:
 Authorize $30 million a year through FY 2023 for grants to support the National Childhood Cancer Registry.
	Authorize the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to make awards to support childhood cancer biorepositories available to health care professionals and scientific researchers.
	Authorize the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to award grants to state cancer registries to enhance and expand infrastructure to track the epidemiology of cancer in children, adolescents, and young adults.
	Require at least one individual with experience in pediatric oncology to be included on the National Cancer Advisory Board.
	Require the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to ensure that childhood cancer research projects conducted or supported by NIH are included in the appropriate reports to Congress, which may include reports regarding the Pediatric Research Initiative.
	Allow the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to make grants establishing pilot programs to develop, study, or evaluate model systems to improve the quality and efficiency of care for childhood cancer survivors and to improve the coordination of care as survivors transition to adult care.
	Require the Secretary to conduct a review and report to Congress on the Department's activities related to workforce development for health care providers who treat pediatric cancer patients and survivors.
	Allow the NIH Director to make grants to entities to conduct or support research relating to pediatric cancer survivors.
	Allow the Secretary to identify best practices for quality childhood cancer survivorship care in consultation with experts in late effects of disease and treatment of childhood cancers.
 ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/walden-leads-house-passage-right-try-legislation-sending-bill-presidents,"Walden leads House passage of Right to Try legislation, sending bill to President's desk",2018-05-22,2018,2018-05,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Walden leads Housepassage ofRight to Try' legislation, sending bill to President's desk 
 Legislation will improve access to experimental treatments for terminally ill patients 
Click here or on the image above to view Walden's floor speech
WASHINGTON, D.C.--Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River), today led the House passage of S. 204, the Tricket Wendler, Frank Mongiello, Jordan McLinn, and Matthew Bellina Right to Try Act of 2018. This legislation previously passed the Senate on August 3, 2017.
S. 204 aims to improve access to investigational treatments for patients with terminal diseases or conditions. In March 2018, the House passed H.R. 5247, its own version of Right to Try, by a bipartisan vote of 267-149.
Today's vote is a beacon of hope for the patients who are desperately seeking the right to try' investigational treatments and therapies. While some Senate Democrats want to block vulnerable patients from accessing investigative drugs, we refuse to let them delay any longer,said Walden (R-OR) and Energy and CommerceHealth Subcommittee Chairman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX). With the House's bipartisan support of this bill today, Congress will send groundbreaking Right to Try' legislation to President Trump's desk. We look forward to working with the Trump Administration, who have been staunch advocates for this important policy, and the Food and Drug Administration to ensure this soon-to-be law is carried out effectively.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-combating-opioid-crisis-our-communities-are-counting-us,Greg Walden on combating the opioid crisis: Our communities are counting on us to deliver on solutions,2018-05-21,2018,2018-05,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden on combating the opioid crisis: Our communities are counting on us to deliver on solutions 
 Fulfills commitment to bring opioid legislation to House of Representatives by Memorial Day 
Click here or on the image above to view Walden's remarks
WASHINGTON, D.C. --Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) has fulfilled his commitment to advance legislation to combat the opioid crisis to the House of Representatives by Memorial Day. The House Energy and Commerce Committee, where Walden serves as Chairman, today advanced 32bills to the House of Representatives that address the opioid crisis in Oregon and across the country.
Our communities are counting on us to deliver on solutions to help turn the tide of addiction and death that is ravaging towns from coast to coast, said Walden. These bills are the direct result of hearing from the families impacted by this crisis, those working to remedy it, and compromise by our fellow leaders. Earlier this week, I heard from two such families in southern Oregon whose sons are still struggling with addiction, and I've heard from others at roundtables across my state. Their stories are all too familiar.
Under Walden's leadership, Energy and Commerce has put forth concrete solutions to combat the opioid crisis, seeking toadvance legislationto help stem the tide and investigate some of the root causes of the crisis. Specifically, the committee's legislative efforts have examined bills to:improve patient safety and bolster enforcement tools,advance prevention and public health solutions, andaddress coverage and payment issues within Medicare and Medicaid.
While this Congress has delivered unprecedented resources to combat this crisis, Americans from all backgrounds and walks of life still feel the grasp of this crisis and are asking us for help, said Walden. And we will deliver.
After two Energy and Commerce Committee markups:
 57 bills advanced to the House of Representatives
	53 passed by voice votes
	4 passed by roll call votes
 Today, the Energy and Commerce Committee advanced the following bills to combat the opioid crisis:
H.R. 5228, the Stop Counterfeit Drugs by Regulating and Enhancing Enforcement Now (SCREEN) Act, authored by Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), will provide the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with stronger recall and seizure authority to disrupt the entry of counterfeit and illicit drugs through International Mail Facilities (IMFs). The committee adopted an amendment in the nature of a substitute (AINS) offered by Ranking Member Pallone, and an amendment to the AINS offered by Rep. Gene Green (D-TX). H.R. 5228 passed the committee, as amended, by voice vote.
H.R. 5752, the Stop Illicit Drug Importation Act of 2018, authored by Rep.Blackburn, will streamline and enhance FDA's tools to intercept illegal products. Illicit or unapproved drugs enter the U.S. supply chain through IMFs and pose serious public health threats to individuals across the country. H.R. 5752 passed the committee, as amended, by voice vote.
H.R. 5806, the 21st Century Tools for Pain and Addiction Treatments, authored by Rep. Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), Rep. Larry Bucshon (R-IN), and Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-VA), will direct the FDA to issue or update existing guidance on ways existing pathways can be used to bring novel non-addictive treatments for pain and addiction to patients. Several approaches have proven successful in speeding the availability of treatments for serious diseases through the FDA. The FDA's accelerated approval program facilitates faster approval of medications using surrogate endpoints for serious conditions where there is an unmet medical need. The breakthrough therapy pathway is a process designed to expedite the development and review of drugs, which may demonstrate substantial improvement over available therapy. H.R. 5806 passed the committee by a vote of 31-23.
H.R. 5811, to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act with respect to postapproval study requirements for certain controlled substances, and for other purposes. H.R. 5811, authored by Rep. Jerry McNerney (D-CA) and Rep.Griffith will enhance FDA's authorities and enforcement tools to ensure timely post-marketing studies for chronically administered opioids. Currently, there is limited data on the long-term efficacy of opioids, and their overall place in the treatment of pain. The committee adopted an amendment to the bill, offered by Rep.Griffith, by a vote of 31-22. H.R. 5811 passed the committee, as amended, by voice vote.
H.R. 1925, the At-Risk Youth Medicaid Protection Act of 2017, authored by Rep. Tony Cardenas (D-CA) and Rep.Griffith, will require state Medicaid programs not terminate a juvenile's medical assistance eligibility because he/she is incarcerated. A state may suspend coverage while the juvenile is an inmate, but must restore coverage upon release without requiring a new application unless the individual no longer meets the eligibility requirements for medical assistance. H.R. 1925 passed the committee by voice vote.
H.R. 3192, the CHIP Mental Health Parity Act, authored by Rep. Joseph Kennedy, III (D-MA), will require state Children's Health Insurance Programs (CHIP) to cover mental health benefits. All state CHIP programs currently cover such benefits. H.R. 3192 passed the committee, as amended, by voice vote.
H.R. 4005, the Medicaid Reentry Act, authored by Rep. Paul Tonko (D-NY), as amended, will require the Secretary of HHS to convene a stakeholder group that will produce a report of best practices for states to consider in health care related transitions for inmates of public institutions. H.R. 4005 passed the committee, as amended, by voice vote.
H.R. 4998, the Health Insurance for Former Foster Youth Act, authored by Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA). The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) enabled former foster youth who are in care by their 18th birthday and previously enrolled in Medicaid to receive healthcare until the age of 26. However, PPACA did not extend Medicaid coverage to former foster youth if they move out of state. H.R. 4998 would enable such youth to receive Medicaid coverage if they moved to a different state. The committee adopted an AINS, offered by Rep. G. K. Butterfield (D-NC), which revises the underlying policy and directs the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to publish guidance on how states can remove barriers, track coverage status, and conduct outreach to this population. The AINS passed by voice vote. H.R. 4998 passed the committee, as amended, by voice vote.
H.R. 5477, the Rural Development of Opioid Capacity Services Act, authored by Rep. Tom O'Halleran (D-AZ), will require CMS to carry out a demonstration project to provide an enhanced federal matching rate for state Medicaid expenditures related to the expansion of substance-use treatment and recovery services targeting provider capacity. H.R. 5477 passed the committee, as amended, by voice vote.
H.R. 5583, to amend title XI of the Social Security Act to require states to annually report on certain adult health quality measures, and for other purposes, authored by Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-NY), will require state Medicaid programs to report on the 11 behavioral health measures that are included in CMS' 2018 Core Set of Adult Health Care Quality Measures for Medicaid. H.R. 5583 passed the committee by voice vote.
H.R. 5789, to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to provide for Medicaid coverage protections for pregnant and postpartum women while receiving inpatient treatment for substance use disorder, authored by Rep. Bill Foster (D-IL) and Rep.Brett Guthrie (R-KY), will improve access to inpatient treatment services for women with substance use disorder who are pregnant or who are suffering from postpartum depression. H.R. 5789 passed the committee, as amended, by voice vote.
H.R. 5797, the IMD CARE Act, authored by Rep. Mimi Walters (R-CA), will allow state Medicaid programs from FY2019 through FY2023 to remove theInstitutions for Mental Diseases (IMD)exclusion for Medicaid beneficiaries aged 21-64 with an opioid use disorder.This bill improves the continuum of care by removing a barrier to care under current law, soMedicaid would pay for up to 30 total days of care in an IMD duringa 12-month period and eligible individuals can get the care they need. H.R. 5797 passed the committee, as amended, by voice vote.
H.R. 5799, the Medicaid DRUG Improvement Act, authored by Rep. Blackburn, will build on current state Medicaid drug utilization review activities to help combat the opioid crisis. Under H.R. 5799, state Medicaid programs will be required to have safety edits in place for opioid refills, monitor concurrent prescribing of opioids and certain other drugs, and monitor antipsychotic prescribing for children. H.R. 5799 passed the committee, as amended, by voice vote.
H.R. 5800, the Medicaid IMD ADDITIONAL INFO Act, authored by Rep.Fred Upton (R-MI), will direct the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) to conduct a study on institutions for mental disease (IMD) that receive Medicaid reimbursement. The study will report on the requirements and standards that state Medicaid programs have for IMDs. MACPAC, considering input from stakeholders, will summarize the findings and make recommendations on improvements and best practices and data collection. The report would be due no later than January 2020. H.R. 5800 passed the committee by voice vote.
H.R. 5801, the Medicaid PARTNERSHIP Act, authored by Rep.Griffith, will require the Medicaid program in each state to integrate prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) usage into Medicaid provider's clinical workflow and require such providers to check the PDMP before prescribing a Schedule II controlled substance. H.R. 5801 will also establish a standard criteria that a PDMP must meet to be counted as a qualified PDMP, and requires state Medicaid programs to report to CMS on several PDMP issues. H.R. 5801 passed the committee, as amended, by voice vote.
H.R. 5808, the Medicaid Pharmaceutical Home Act of 2018, authored by Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), will require all state Medicaid programs to have a beneficiary assignment program that identifies Medicaid beneficiaries at-risk for substance use disorder and assigns them to a pharmaceutical home program, which must set reasonable limits on the number of prescribers and dispensers that beneficiaries may utilize. H.R. 5808 passed the committee by voice vote.
H.R. 5810, the Medicaid Health HOME Act, authored by Rep.Leonard Lance (R-NJ) and Rep. Peter Welch (D-VT), will improve the state option for Medicaid health homes under current law that improve the coordination of, and access to care for Medicaid beneficiaries with substance use disorder. The bill extends the enhanced matching rate for qualified activities from eight quarters to 10 quarters. H.R. 5810 passed the committee, as amended, by voice vote.
H.R. 5715, the Strengthening Partnerships to Prevent Opioid Abuse Act, authored by Reps. James Renacci (R-OH), Terri Sewell (D-AL), Rep.Guthrie, and Scott Peters (D-CA), will help facilitate communication among Medicare Advantage and Part D plan sponsors, and CMS relating to sharing information on substantiated fraud, waste, and abuse investigations. H.R. 5715 passed the committee, as amended, by voice vote.
H.R. 5716, the Commit to Opioid Medical Prescriber Accountability and Safety for Seniors (COMPASS) Act, authored by Reps. Peter Roskam (R-IL), John Larson (D-CT), Susan Brooks (R-IN), and Welch, will require CMS to establish a prescriber threshold based on specialty and geographic area, which could designate a prescriber as an outlier opioid prescriber. CMS would then be responsible for notifying prescribers identified as outliers of their status. H.R. 5716 passed the committee by voice vote.
H.R. 5796, the Responsible Education Achieves Care and Healthy Outcomes for Users' Treatment (REACH OUT) Act of 2018, authored by Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Carlos Curbelo (R-FL), and Mike Thompson (D-CA), will direct CMS to work with eligible entities, including Quality Improvement Organizations, to engage in outreach with prescribers identified as clinical outliers to share best practices to evaluate their prescribing behavior. H.R. 5796 passed the committee by voice vote.
H.R. 5590, the Opioid Addiction Action Plan Act, authored by Rep.Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), Reps. Clarke, Darin LaHood (R-IL), and Danny Davis (D-IL), will establish an action plan, including studies, reports to Congress authored by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), as well as meetings with stakeholders, for the purpose of addressing the opioid crisis. H.R. 5590 passed the committee, as amended, by voice vote.
H.R. 5603, the Access to Telehealth Services for Opioid Use Disorder, authored by Reps. Doris Matsui (D-CA), Cardenas, and Bill Johnson (R-OH), will instruct CMS to evaluate the utilization of telehealth services in treating substance use disorder. H.R. 5603 passed the committee, as amended, by voice vote.
H.R. 5605, the Advancing High Quality Treatment for Opioid Use Disorders in Medicare Act, authored by Rep. Raul Ruiz (D-CA), will create a demonstration project for treating substance use disorder. This model includes the development of measures to evaluate the quality and outcomes of treatment. H.R. 5605 passed the committee, as amended, by voice vote.
H.R. 5798, the Opioid Screening and Chronic Pain Management Alternatives for Seniors Act, authored by Reps. Bucshon, Debbie Dingell (D-MI), and Erik Paulsen (R-MN), will add a review of current opioid prescriptions and, as appropriate, a screening for opioid use disorder as part of the Welcome to Medicare initial examination. H.R. 5798 passed the committee by voice vote.
H.R. 4684, the Ensuring Access to Quality Sober Living Act of 2017, authored by Reps. Judy Chu (D-CA), Walters, Bilirakis, and Ruiz, will authorize the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to develop, publish, and disseminate best practices for operating recovery housing that promotes a safe environment for sustained recovery from substance use disorder (SUD). H.R. 4684 passed the committee by voice vote.
H.R. 5329, the Poison Center Network Enhancement Act of 2018, authored by Reps. Brooks, Eliot Engel (D-NY), and Energy and Commerce Committee Vice Chairman Joe Barton (R-TX), will reauthorize the national network of Poison Control Centers, which offer free, confidential, and expert medical advice 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Often times these programs serve as the primary resource for poisoning information and help reduce Emergency Room visits through in-home treatment. H.R. 5329 passed the committee, as amended, by voice vote.
H.R. 5580, the STOP Fentanyl Deaths Act of 2018, authored by Rep. Anne Kuster (D-NH), will authorize grants to federal, state, and local agencies for the establishment or operation of public health laboratories to detect fentanyl, its analogues, and other synthetic opioids. H.R. 5580 passed the committee by voice vote.
H.R. 5587, the Peer Support Communities of Recovery Act, authored by Reps. Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM) and Johnson, will enhance CARA's Building Communities of Recovery Program and authorize the Department of Health and Human Services to award grants to peer support specialist organizations for the development and expansion of recovery services. Peer support specialists/peer recovery coaches are health workers who are in recovery from SUD. New programs are emerging across the country to use peers in a range of settings, including hospitals, to provide immediate and ongoing support and treatment linkages to individuals who have overdosed from opioids, or support individuals newly in recovery. H.R. 5587 passed the committee, as amended, by voice vote.
H.R. 5804, the Post-Surgical Injections as an Opioid Alternative Act, authored by Rep. John Shimkus (R-IL), and Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), and Roskam, seeks to incentivize post-surgical injections as a pain treatment alternative to opioids by reversing a reimbursement cut for these treatments in the Ambulatory Service Center setting, as well as collect data on a subset of codes related to these treatments. An amendment offered by Rep. Welch failed by a vote of 23-27. H.R. 5804 passed the committee by a vote of 36-14.
H.R. 5809, Postoperative Opioid Prevention Act of 2018, authored by Reps. Peters and Bucshon, will create a pass-through payment extension to encourage the development of non-opioid drugs for post-surgical pain management in Medicare. An amendment offered by Rep. Dingell failed by a vote of 22-29. H.R. 5809 passed the committee by a vote of 34-17.
H.R. 5795, the Overdose Prevention and Patient Safety Act, authored by Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), will align the use of SUD treatment records with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) for the purposes of treatment, payment, and healthcare operations between covered entities. H.R. 5795 will also enhance the penalties in the event of a disclosure of SUD treatment records, add breach notification requirements, and provide strong discrimination prohibitions to protect people seeking and receiving SUD treatment. An amendment offered by Vice Chairman Barton, which was amended by a secondary amendment by Chairman Walden, passed the committee by voice vote. An amendment offered by Ranking Member Pallone failed by a vote of 23-29. H.R. 5795 passed the committee, as amended, by 35-17.
H.R. 5812, the Creating Opportunities that Necessitate New and Enhanced Connections That Improve Opioid Navigation Strategies (CONNECTIONS) Act, authored by Rep.Griffith and Ranking Member Pallone, will improve current federal support for state-run PDMPs. H.R. 5812 will authorize the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to carry out certain controlled substances overdose prevention and surveillance activities in order to improve data collection and integration into physician clinical workflow so that timely, complete, and accurate information will get into the hands of providers and dispensers so that they can make the best clinical decisions for their patients. H.R. 5812 passed the committee by voice vote.
Last week, Walden's committee held the first of two markups on opioid legislation. During that markup, 25 bills were advanced to the House of Representatives, all of which passed by voice vote.
A background memo, electronic copies of the legislation, and live stream of the markup can be found online here. Amendment text and votes will be available at the same link as they are posted.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-passes-greg-walden-bill-improve-care-oregon-veterans,House passes Greg Walden bill to improve care for Oregon veterans,2018-05-17,2018,2018-05,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"House passes Greg Walden bill to improve care for Oregon veterans 
  Legislation will help increase the timeliness of care for veterans 
Click here or on the image above to view Walden's speech on the House floor
WASHINGTON, D.C. --A plan introduced by Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) to improve the care Oregon veterans receive at the Veterans Administration (VA) is one step closer to being sent to the President's desk. Todaythe Housepassed the VA MISSION Act (S. 2372) by a bipartisan vote of 347-70. This legislative package includes the VA Medical Scribe Pilot Act, a bill co-authored by Walden to help unburden VA doctors by bringing medical scribes into the VA system, which will allow them to see more patients in a timely manner.
Research in the private sector has shown that allowing scribes to handle electronic health records allows the doctor to do what they do best: treat their patients, said Walden in a speech on the House floor today. Chairman Roe joined me in my district last fall on a tour of the VA Clinic in White City, Oregon, where we heard first-hand about the administrative challenges VA doctors face and how that affects their ability to care for veterans. This bill will help.
Medical scribes help relieve physicians of administrative burdens such as paperwork and record keeping, which helps doctors focus their attention on caring for patients. Studies have shown that the use of medical scribes in the private sector resulted in a 59% increase in the number of patients physicians see per hour.
Walden has heard from officials at both the White City and Bend VA facilities, and veterans themselves, that implementing a scribes program will help improve the care Oregon veterans receive. Walden's legislation will also help retain quality VA doctors, and recruit new physicians into the VA process.
The VA Medical Scribe Pilot Act originally unanimously passed the House of Representatives in June of 2017 before being approved by the Senate.
Charles Schmidt, Oregon's first National Commander of The American Legion, said of Walden's legislation after its passage in June, the VA Medical Scribes Pilot Act of 2017 would greatly assist VA doctors in the course of their duties by providing medical scribes to alleviate their administrative burden. This would enable VA doctors to see more veterans per day and spend more time with each patient. Providing doctors medical scribes would help the VA improve the work environment, reduce physician burnout, and recruit and retain quality physicians.""
The VA MISSION Act also expands the VA's Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers to pre-9/11 veterans who suffered a serious injury in the line of duty,creates a permanent path to increase veterans' access to see doctors in the community and reduce wait times,and provides funding for the Veterans Choice Program (Choice). Walden has been a longtime supporter of Choice, working to improve the program that provides veterans with needed flexibility when seeking care.
After receiving approval in the House today, the VA MISSION Act now heads to the Senate for final approval before being sent to the President's desk. To read more about Walden's 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-advances-25-bills-combat-nationwide-opioid-crisis,Greg Walden advances 25 bills to combat nationwide opioid crisis,2018-05-15,2018,2018-05,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden advances 25 bills to combat nationwide opioid crisis 
Click here or on the image above to view Walden's remarks
WASHINGTON, D.C. --Continuing his efforts to put forth concrete solutions to combat the opioid crisis in Oregon and throughout the country, Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today advanced legislation to address the nationwide scourge. The House Energy and Commerce Committee, where Walden serves as Chairman, today approved 25 pieces of legislation to combat the opioid crisis, which will now receive a vote in the full House of Representatives.
Today marks an important step in this committee's effort to combat the opioid crisis, which continues to wreak havoc on communities all across the country, said Walden. From our legislative and investigative hearings to the roundtable we held just a few weeks ago, it is clear that Americans across the country are asking for more solutions from their elected leaders.
Under Walden's leadership, Energy and Commerce is in the midst of a two-track push to combat the opioid crisis, seeking toadvance legislationto help stem the tide and investigate some of the root causes of the crisis. Specifically, the committee's legislative efforts have examined bills to:improve patient safety and bolster enforcement tools,advance prevention and public health solutions, andaddress coverage and payment issues within Medicare and Medicaid.
We know there is no silver bullet, no one-size-fits-all approach that will remedy the catastrophic effects of this crisis over the last decade. But much can be done to help vulnerable patients get the treatment they want and need, and to ensure these powerful drugs are not getting into the wrong hands, said Walden.
Walden's Energy and Commerce Committee will hold a second legislative markup on additional bills to combat the opioid crisis on Thursday, May 17, 2018. More information on the second markup will be posted here, as it becomes available.
For more information on today's legislative markup, including an archived webcast, please click here.
The Energy and Commerce Committee today advanced the following bills to combat the opioid crisis:
H.R. 449, Synthetic Drug Awareness Act of 2017, authored by Reps. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) and Chris Collins (R-NY), will require the U.S. Surgeon General to submit a comprehensive report to Congress on the public health effects of the rise in synthetic drug use among youth aged 12 to 18 in order to further educate parents and the medical community on the health effects of synthetics. H.R. 449 passed by voice vote.
H.R. 4284, Indexing Narcotics, Fentanyl, and Opioids (INFO) Act of 2017, authored by Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH), will direct HHS to create a public and easily accessible electronic dashboard linking to all of the nationwide efforts and strategies to combat the opioid crisis. H.R. 4284 passed, as amended, by voice vote.
H.R. 5002, ACE Research Act, authored by Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI), will provide the National Institutes of Health (NIH) with new, flexible authorities to conduct innovative research and spur urgently needed research on new non-addictive pain medications. H.R. 5002 passed by voice vote.
H.R. 5102, Substance Use Disorder Workforce Loan Repayment Act of 2018, authored by Reps. Katherine Clark (D-MA) and Hal Rogers (R-KY), will create a loan repayment program for SUD treatment providers. Specifically, the bill will offer student loan repayment of up to $250,000 for participants who agree to work as a SUD treatment professional in areas most in need of their services. The program will be available to a wide range of direct care providers, including physicians, registered nurses, social workers, and other behavioral health professionals. H.R. 5102 passed by voice vote.
H.R. 5009, Jessie's Law, authored by Reps. Tim Walberg (R-MI) and Dingell, will ensure medical professionals have access to a consenting patient's complete health history when making treatment decisions by requiring the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to develop and disseminate best practices regarding the prominent display of substance use disorder (SUD) history in patient records of patients who have previously provided this information to a health care provider. H.R. 5009 passed, as amended, by voice vote.
H.R. 5176, Preventing Overdoses While in Emergency Rooms (POWER) Act of 2018, authored by Rep. David McKinley (R-WV) and Rep. Michael Doyle (D-PA), will provide resources for hospitals to develop protocols on discharging patients who have presented with an opioid overdose. These protocols would address the provision of naloxone upon discharge, connection with peer-support specialists, and the referral to treatment and other services that best fit the patient's needs. H.R. 5176 passed by voice vote.
H.R. 5197, Alternatives to Opioids (ALTO) in the Emergency Department Act, authored by Reps. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ) and McKinley, will establish a demonstration program to test alternative pain management protocols to limit the use of opioids in hospital emergency departments. H.R. 5197 passed, as amended, by voice vote.
H.R. 5261, TEACH to Combat Addiction Act of 2018, authored by Rep. Bill Johnson (R-OH), will support Centers of Excellence, or institutions of learning that have championed SUD treatment education to improve how health professionals are taught about both SUD and pain. H.R. 5261 passed by voice vote.
H.R. 5272, Reinforcing Evidence-based Standards Under Law in Treating Substance abuse (RESULTS) Act of 2018, authored by Reps. Steve Stivers (R-OH) and Eliot Engel (D-NY), will direct the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to provide guidance for entities applying for SUD and mental illness grants, including guidance to grantees on how best to articulate the rationale for a given program or activity. Additionally, it will also encourage the funding of evidence-based interventions and the replication of promising or effective practices. H.R. 5272 passed the by voice vote.
H.R. 5327, Comprehensive Opioid Recovery Centers Act 2018, authored by Rep. Guthrie (R-KY) and Rep. Green (D-TX), will establish Comprehensive Opioid Recovery Centers (CORCs) that will serve as models for comprehensive treatment and recovery. CORCs would utilize the full range of FDA-approved medications and evidence-based treatments, have strong linkages with the community, generate meaningful outcomes data, and dramatically improve the opportunities for individuals to establish and maintain long-term recovery as productive members of society. H.R. 5327 passed, as amended by Rep. Guthrie (R-KY) and Rep. Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), by voice vote.
H.R. 5353, Eliminating Opioid-Related Infectious Diseases Act of 2018, authored by Rep. Leonard Lance (R-NJ) and Rep. Joe Kennedy III (D-MA), will authorize the CDC to undertake an injection drug use-associated infection elimination initiative and work with states to improve education, surveillance and treatment of injection drug-use associated infections, like human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis. H.R. 5353 passed by voice vote.
H.R. 3331, To amend title XI of the Social Security Act to promote testing of incentive payments for behavioral health providers for adoption and use of certified electronic health record technology, authored by Reps. Lynn Jenkins (R-KS) and Doris Matsui (D-CA), will promote the testing of incentive payments for behavioral health providers for adoption and use of certified electronic health record technology. H.R. 3331 passed, as amended, by voice vote.
H.R. 5685, the Medicare Opioid Safety Education Act, authored by Reps. John Faso (R-NY), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Jim Renacci (R-OH), will direct the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to compile education resources for beneficiaries regarding opioid use, pain management, and alternative pain management treatments, and include these resources in the Medicare and You Handbook. H.R. 5685 passed by voice vote.
H.R. 3528, Every Prescription Conveyed Securely Act, authored by Reps. Katherine Clark (D-MA) and Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), will require e-prescribing, with exceptions, for coverage of prescription drugs that are controlled substances under the Medicare Part D program. H.R. 3528 passed the, as amended, by voice vote.
H.R. 4841, Standardizing Electronic Prior Authorization for Safe Prescribing Act of 2018, authored by Reps. David Schweikert (R-AZ), Bill Johnson (R-OH), and Lujan, seeks to standardize electronic prior authorization under Medicare Part D. H.R. 4841 passed, as amended, by voice vote.
H.R. 5675, to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to require prescription drug plan sponsors under the Medicare program to establish drug management programs for at-risk beneficiaries. H.R. 5675, authored by Reps. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), Peter Roskam (R-IL), and Rep. Sander Levin (D-MI), will build off of work done in the Comprehensive Addiction Recovery Act (CARA), and require prescription drug plan sponsors under the Medicare program establish drug management programs for at-risk beneficiaries. H.R. 5675 passed by voice vote.
H.R. 5686, the Medicare Clear Health Options in Care for Enrollees (CHOICE) Act, authored by Reps. Erik Paulsen (R-MN), Chris Collins (R-NY), Terri Sewell (D-AL), and Connor Lamb (D-PA), will require prescription drug plans under Medicare Part D to include information on the adverse effects of opioid overutilization and of coverage of non-pharmacological therapies and non-opioid medications or devices used to treat pain. H.R. 5686 passed by voice vote.
H.R. 5582, the Abuse Deterrent Access Act of 2018, authored by Reps. Buddy Carter (R-GA), David Loebsack (D-IA), and Tom Reed (R-NY), will direct CMS to evaluate the use of abuse-deterrent opioids in Medicare plans. H.R. 5582 passed, as amended, by voice vote.
H.R. 5684, the Protecting Seniors From Opioid Abuse Act, authored by Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA), House Republican Conference Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA), and Rep. Michael Doyle (D-PA), will add beneficiaries at-risk for prescription drug abuse to the list of targeted beneficiaries to be eligible for Medication Therapy Management (MTM) under Part D. H.R. 5684 passed by voice vote.
H.R. 5473, the Better Pain Management Through Better Data Act of 2018, authored by Reps. Barbara Comstock (R-VA) and Lujan, will direct the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to articulate clear data collection methods that could be used to inform opioid-sparing labeling claims for products that may replace, delay, or reduce or the use of opioid analgesics. H.R. 5473 passed by voice vote.
H.R. 5687, the Securing Opioids and Unused Narcotics with Deliberate Disposal and Packaging Act of 2018, authored by Reps. Richard Hudson (R-NC), Rep. G.K. Butterfield (D-NC), and Ted Budd (R-NC) will direct the FDA to work with manufacturers to establish programs for efficient return or destruction of unused Schedule II drugs, with an emphasis on opioids. These methods could include mail-back pouches to secure facilities for incineration, or methods to immediately inactivate/render unattractive unused drugs. In addition, this bill will facilitate utilization of packaging that may reduce overprescribing of opioids. Finally, this bill will require the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study new and innovative technologies that claim to be able to safely dispose of opioids and other unused medications. GAO would review and detail the effectiveness of these disposal methods. H.R. 5687 passed by voice vote.
H.R. 4275, Empowering Pharmacists in the Fight Against Opioid Abuse Act, authored by Reps. Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA) and Carter, will help pharmacists detect fraudulent prescriptions. H.R. 4275 will help develop and disseminate materials, giving pharmacists greater understanding and ability to decline to fill controlled substances when they suspect the prescriptions are fraudulent, forged, or appear to be for abuse or diversion. H.R. 4275 passed by voice vote.
H.R. 5041, Safe Disposal of Unused Medication Act, authored by Reps. Walberg and Dingell, will help reduce the number of unused controlled substances at risk of diversion or misuse by allowing hospice employees to safely dispose of these medications on site after the death of a patient. H.R. 5041 passed, as amended, by voice vote.
H.R. 5202, Ensuring Patient Access to Substance Use Disorder Treatments Act of 2018, authored by Reps. Ryan Costello (R-PA), Rick Nolan (D-MN), Karen Handel (R-GA), David Rouzer (R-NC), and Elise Stefanik (R-NY), will make long overdue updates federal law to improve dispensing of implantable and injectable therapies  developed to make abuse, misuse, and diversion more difficult. H.R. 5202 passed by voice vote.
H.R. 5483, Special Registration for Telemedicine Clarification Act of 2018, authored by Reps. Carter, Cheri Bustos (D-IL), Handel, Stefanik, and Bobby Rush (D-IL), will clarify telemedicine waivers. Federal law permits the Attorney General to issue a special registration to health care providers to prescribe controlled substances via telemedicine in legitimate emergency situations, such as a lack of access to an in-person specialist. Unfortunately, the waiver process has never been implemented through regulation, and some patients do not have the emergency access they need to treatment. This bipartisan bill directs the Attorney General, with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, to promulgate interim final regulations within one year of passage of the law. H.R. 5483 passed by voice vote.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-shepherds-nuclear-waste-policy-reform-through-house,Greg Walden shepherds nuclear waste policy reform through House,2018-05-10,2018,2018-05,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden shepherds nuclear waste policy reform through House 
 Legislation will establish permanent storage location for nuclear waste currentlyat Hanford Site 
Click here or on the image above to view Walden's speech on the House floor
WASHINGTON, D.C. --Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today helped shepherd nuclear waste policy reform through the House of Representatives. The Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act (H.R. 3053) originated in the House Energy and Commerce Committee -- where Walden serves as Chairman -- and passed the House by a strong bipartisan vote of 340-72 today.
In a speech on the floor of the House of Representatives, Walden said this legislation will be important for cleanup efforts at the Hanford Site, and communities across the country where nuclear waste sits idle.
The Department of Energy's Hanford Site, just up the mighty Columbia River from where I live and where I grew up, helped us win World War II and the site's nuclear program was instrumental in projecting peace through strength throughout the Cold War. While the community has been a constructive partner in support of our vital national security missions, it did not agree to serve as a perpetual storage site for the resulting nuclear waste, said Walden.
56 millions of gallons of this toxic waste are sitting in decades-old metal tanks at Hanford -- like the ones pictured here. The amount of waste stored at Hanford could fill the entire House Chamber 20 times. According to a recent GAO report, the oldest of these tanks, some of which date back to the 1940s, have single-layer walls, or shells; and were built to last about 20 years. They will be almost 100 years old by the estimated end of waste treatment. The Department of Energy has reported that 67 of these tanks are assumed or are known to have leaked waste into the soil. There is an understandable sense of urgency behind the cleanup efforts underway at Hanford.
Walden has led the effort to clean up spent nuclear fuel that is sitting in 121 communities across 39 states throughout the country, including at the Hanford Site. TheNuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act passed the Energy and Commerce Committee by a vote of 49-4 in June of 2017.
This legislation provides practical reforms to the nation's nuclear waste management policy, and reinstates Yucca Mountain as the cornerstone of the country's nuclear waste disposal. Walden said today that moving forward with this legislation will have broad benefits for the country as a whole.
At the end of the day, this bipartisan legislation is good for communities around the country and their safety, good for consumers and fiscal sanity, good for the environment for secure storage, good for taxpayers, and good for our national security as well, said Walden. Let's put an end to these tanks, before they put an end to us.
To read more about the Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act, pleaseclick here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-presses-drug-distributors-answers-following-year-long,Greg Walden presses drug distributors for answers following year-long investigation into alleged opioid pill dumping,2018-05-08,2018,2018-05,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden presses drug distributors for answers following year-long investigation into alleged opioid pill dumping 
Click here or on the image above to view Walden's remarks during today's hearing
WASHINGTON, D.C. --Following a year-long bipartisan investigation into alleged opioid pill dumping in rural communities, Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today pressed the nation's top drug distributors for answers as to their role in the opioid crisis. Walden, who chairs the House Energy and Commerce Committee, stressed the need for drug distributors to recognize their responsibility to help combat the crisis.
You have a unique set of resources and tools at your disposal, and a shared responsibility in flagging suspicious activity and diversion. You are supposed to be one of the first lines of defense in this crisis, said Walden. Instead, the information uncovered by this investigation over the last year is stunning. There is no logical explanation for why a town of approximately 400 people would receive 9 million opioid pills in two years. Or why a single pharmacy in a town of about 1,800 people would receive nearly 17 million opioid pills in a decade. Then there are the two pharmacies in a nearby town of 2,900 people which received nearly 21 million opioids in the same time frame. No matter how you cut this data, behind each of these numbers was a pill mill. And they proliferated for far too long.
Today's hearing comes as Walden continues to investigate the opioid distribution practices of national and regional drug distributors, particularly in regards to alleged pill dumping in West Virginia. Walden, along with a bipartisan group of committee leaders, first requested information from the nation's top three distributors -- AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health, and McKesson -- on May 8, 2017. In September 2017, the committee probed a fourth distributor, Miami-Luken. In January 2018, the committee sent a follow-up letter to Miami-Luken and probed a fifth distributor, H.D. Smith. In February 2018, the committee sent follow-up questions to AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health, and McKesson.
Walden's Energy and Commerce Committee heard from the following witnesses today:
 Mr. John Hammergren, Chairman, President and CEO, McKesson Corporation;
	Mr. George Barrett, Executive Chairman of the Board, Cardinal Health Inc.;
	Mr. Steven Collis, Chairman, President and CEO, AmerisourceBergen Corporation;
	Dr. Joseph Mastandrea, Chairman of the Board, Miami-Luken, Inc.; and
	Mr. J. Christopher Smith, former President and CEO, H.D. Smith Wholesale Drug Company.
 During the hearing, Walden said that understanding the root causes of the opioid crisis is critical to ending this scourge that is plaguing communities in Oregon and across the country.
We owe it to the 115 Americans who die every day from opioid overdoses, and their loved ones, to understand what led to this crisis and to identify solutions to stem the tide, said Walden.
For more information on today's hearing, including witness testimony and archived webcast, please click here.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-applauds-14-million-secure-rural-schools-payments-oregon,Greg Walden applauds $14 million in Secure Rural Schools payments for Oregon,2018-05-07,2018,2018-05,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden applauds $14 million in Secure Rural Schools payments for Oregon 
  Program provides important resources for county services in rural Oregon 
Click here or on the image above to view Walden's remarks
WASHINGTON, D.C. --Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today applauded the announcement of $14 million Oregon will receive from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) through the Secure Rural Schools Program. The funding will be issued to 18 counties in Oregon eligible under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act extension. The BLM manages the Secure Rural Schools program in coordination with the U.S. Forest Service, which still must issue its payment.
This announcement is welcome news for Oregon counties who rely on these funds to provide essential services like schools, infrastructure, and law enforcement, said Walden. I am proud to have worked with my colleagues to secure two years of full funding for the Secure Rural Schools program to support our rural forested communities, and I applaud Secretary Zinke and the Trump Administration for promptly issuing these payments. While this safety-net funding is important and needed, there is much more work to be done to reform federal forest policy, put people back to work in our woods, and provide sustainable revenue to support local services. I will continue working alongside my colleagues in Congress and the Administration to find long-term solutions to ensure Oregon's rural communities have the resources they need to succeed.
This announcement comes as Walden recently secured a two-year extension of the Secure Rural Schools program. The Secure Rural Schools program provides important resources to support Oregon's rural forested communities, which is a priority for Walden.
Along with a two-year extension of the Secure Rural Schools program, Walden also helped secure additional reforms to forest management in the government funding measure that was signed into law in March, including new tools to address wildfire resilience and hazardous fuels reductions and a 10-year fix to fire borrowing.
For more information on today's announcement from the Department of Interior, please click here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-hold-hearing-drug-distributors-following-year-long,Greg Walden to hold hearing with drug distributors following year-long bipartisan investigation into alleged pill dumping,2018-05-07,2018,2018-05,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden to hold hearing with drug distributors following year-long bipartisan investigation into alleged pill dumping 
WASHINGTON, D.C. --Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River), Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, will hold a hearing with the leadership of national and regional drug distributors in regards to the committee's bipartisan investigation into opioid distribution practices, particularly alleged pill dumping in West Virginia.
The hearing will be held tomorrow, May 8, 2018, at 10 a.m. ET. The hearing is entitled, Combating the Opioid Epidemic: Examining Concerns About Distribution and Diversion. The hearing falls on the one-year anniversary of the committee's initial requests for information regarding distribution practices in West Virginia.
Walden's Energy and Commerce Committee has confirmed the following witnesses will testify:
 Mr. John Hammergren, Chairman, President and CEO, McKesson Corporation;
	Mr. George Barrett, Executive Chairman of the Board, Cardinal Health Inc.;
	Mr. Steven Collis, Chairman, President and CEO, AmerisourceBergen Corporation;
	Dr. Joseph Mastandrea, Chairman of the Board, Miami-Luken, Inc.; and
	Mr. J. Christopher Smith, former President and CEO, H.D. Smith Wholesale Drug Company.
 Walden, along with a bipartisan group of committee leaders, first requested information from the nation's top three distributors -- AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health, and McKesson -- on May 8, 2017. In September 2017, the committee probed a fourth distributor, Miami-Luken. In January 2018, the committee sent a follow-up letter to Miami-Luken and probed a fifth distributor, H.D. Smith. In February 2018, the committee sent follow-up questions to AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health, and McKesson.
For a full timeline of the committee's bipartisan investigation, click here.
The hearing was first announced on April 12, 2018.
For more information on tomorrow's hearing, please click here.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-announces-oregon-collection-sites-excess-opioids-0,"Greg Walden announces Oregon collection sites for excess opioids, prescription pills",2018-04-26,2018,2018-04,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden announces Oregoncollection sites for excess opioids, prescription pills 
 Part of DEA's National Prescription Drug Take Back Day initiative to combat opioid epidemic 
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Continuing his efforts to combat the opioid crisis in Oregon, Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today announced collection sites across Oregon's Second Congressional Districtfor the disposal of excess opioid and prescription medications. The announcement is part of the DEA's National Prescription Drug Take Back Day initiative on Saturday, April 28, which gives people across the country the opportunity to help address opioid abuse in their communities. Full details on the collection sites in Oregon are included below.
""The Drug Enforcement Administration's 'National Prescription Drug Take Back Day' provides a safe, convenient, and responsible way to dispose of excess prescription drugs, while also providing an opportunity to raise awareness of the opioid crisis and to educate our friends, family members, and neighbors about the potential for abuse of medications, said Walden. Here in Oregon, more people die from drug overdoses than from car accidents. I hope you'll join me on this Take Back Day as we work together to make our communities safer.
This initiative comes asWalden recently highlighted more than $6.5 million in grants Oregon will receiveto help combat opioid addiction.With Walden's support, the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health voted yesterday to advance56bills as part of the committee's ongoing efforts to combat the opioid crisis. The bills now must be approved by the full Energy and Commerce Committee before being considered by the House of Representatives.
Under Walden's leadership, the House Energy and Commerce Committee has spearheaded a two-track push to combat the opioid crisis, seeking to advance legislation to help stem the tide and investigate some of the root causes of the crisis. Specifically, the committee's legislative efforts have examined bills to: improve patient safety and bolster enforcement tools, advance prevention and public health solutions, and address coverage and payment issues within Medicare and Medicaid.
DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Day collection sites in Oregon -- Saturday, April 28
Baker County
Where: Baker City Police Department, 1768 Auburn Avenue, Baker City, 97814
When: 10:00am -- 2:00pm PST
Organizing Participant: Baker City Police Department
Deschutes County
Where: Walgreens, 2727 NE Highway 20, Bend, 97701/Shopko Bend, 60 NE Bend River Mall Drive, Bend, 97701
When: 10:00am -- 2:00pm PST
Organizing Participant: Bend Police Department
Where: Redmond Police Department, 777 SW Deschutes Avenue, Redmond, 97756
When: 10:00am -- 2:00pm PST
Organizing Participant: Redmond Police Department
Jackson County
Where: Eagle Point Police Station, 17 Buchanan Avenue South, Eagle Point, 97524
When: 10:00am -- 2:00pm PST
Organizing Participant: Eagle PointPolice Department
Josephine County
Where: Josephine County Sheriff's Office, 1901 NE F Street, Grants Pass, 97526
When: 10:00am -- 2:00pm PST
Organizing Participant: Josephine County Sheriff's Office
Klamath County
Where: Klamath Falls Police Department, 2501 Shasta Way, Klamath Falls, 97601
When: 10:00am -- 2:00pm PST
Organizing Participant: Klamath Falls Police Department
Malheur County
Where: Ontario City Hall, 444 SW 4th Street, Ontario 97914
When: 10:00am -- 2:00pm
Organizing Participant: Ontario Police Department
Umatilla County
Where: Hermiston Police Department, 330 South 1st Street, Hermiston, 97838
When: 10:00am -- 2:00pm PST
Organizing Participant: Hermiston Police Department
Wasco/Hood River Counties
Where: Skyline Hospital, 211 Skyline Drive, White Salmon, WA 98672
When: 10:00am -- 2:00pm PST
Organizing Participant: White Salmon Police Department",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-opioid-crisis-it-time-us-act,Greg Walden on opioid crisis: It is time for us to act,2018-04-26,2018,2018-04,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden on opioid crisis: It is time for us to act 
 Advances legislation to combat opioid crisis in Oregon and across the country 
Click here or on the image above to view Walden's remarks
WASHINGTON, D.C. In an important step forward in the fight against the nationwide opioid crisis, Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) advanced legislation to combat the crisis during a legislative markup before the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health. Walden, who serves as Chairman of the full Energy and Commerce Committee, stressed the need for action to address the public health emergency that is killing more than 100 Americans every day.
It is time for us to act. Not to drag our feet and delay, and wait another day and another 116 people dying, said Walden. Today is the day we will move forward. We will do our work.
With Walden's support, the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health voted to advance56bills as part of the committee's ongoing efforts to combat the opioid crisis. The bills now must be approved by the full Energy and Commerce Committee before being considered by the House of Representatives.
During thelegislative markup, Walden delivered an impassioned call to action for the victims and families of the opioid crisis. Walden held up a picture of Amanda Beatrice Gray, who passed away from overdose in 2018, and whose parents participated in a roundtable discussion Walden held with advocates from across the country in Washington, D.C. last week.
Click here or on the image above to view Walden's remarks
We need to move forward so that there aren't more victims like Amanda. And the children of the other parents who were here last Thursday who pled with us not to delay, not to wait, but to move forward, said Walden.
Under Walden's leadership, Energy and Commerce is in the midst of a two-track push to combat the opioid crisis, seeking to advance legislation to help stem the tide and investigate some of the root causes of the crisis. Specifically, the committee's legislative efforts have examined bills to: improve patient safety and bolster enforcement tools, advance prevention and public health solutions, and address coverage and payment issues within Medicare and Medicaid.
""I hope our members will walk away from this proceeding and the one that will follow at the full committee knowing we are saving lives. We are keeping our promise to our constituents. We're going to leave this country in better shape than it is in now, said Walden.
For more information on thelegislative markup, including a background memo, electronic copies of the legislation, and archived webcast, please clickhere.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/bill-protect-columbia-and-snake-river-dams-passes-house,Bill to Protect Columbia and Snake River Dams Passes House,2018-04-25,2018,2018-04,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Bill to Protect Columbia and Snake River Dams Passes House 
WASHINGTON, D.C. --Today, a bipartisan bill to protect the Columbia and Snake River Dams passed the House by a vote of 225 to 189. This effort, introduced by Reps. Greg Walden (R-Hood River), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05), Dan Newhouse (R-WA), Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA), and Kurt Schrader (D-OR), will protect the dams by codifying the 2014 Biological Opinion, a collaborative agreement on how to manage the river system to protect fish and support clean, renewable energy.
In Oregon and throughout the Pacific Northwest, we are blessed with a river system that allows goods to flow to market and provides renewable hydropower that generates 43% of electricity in our state, said Rep. Walden (R-Hood River). River operations that have been guided by years of research by federal agencies, tribes and other cooperators have now been threatened by court order, and Northwest families and our communities will likely pay the price in higher power rates. This legislation provides needed certainty for power generation and river operations while federal agencies update the biological opinion and court proceedings continue. This is important for our ag communities, renewable energy generation and power users across our region. I was glad to work with my colleague from Oregon, Kurt Schrader, to pass this legislation through the House, and I hope the Senate will act promptly on this bipartisan plan.
Dams and fish can coexist, and after more than two decades in the courtroom, let's let scientists, not judges, manage our river system and get to work to further improve fish recovery efforts, said McMorris Rodgers (R-WA). When the sun doesn't shine and the wind doesn't blow, our dams provide critical baseload energy to power homes and businesses all across Eastern Washington and the Pacific Northwest. Not only that, they provide transportation and irrigation benefits for our farmers, flood control for our communities, and recreational opportunities that fuel our economy. This isn't about the merits of protecting salmon, we all agree on that. This is about providing certainty and letting experts and scientists in the region, who know the river best, work collaboratively to meet that goal. I'm proud to usher this legislation through the House.
I have heard from countless constituents expressing strong support to defend the clean energy and many economic benefits provided by the dams in Central Washington, which is why I introduced this bipartisan legislation with Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Pacific Northwest colleagues, said Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA). The current Biological Opinion was negotiated with input from a diverse group of local stakeholders and provides a collaborative framework for dam operations that balances energy production with fish recovery efforts. I strongly encourage my colleagues in the U.S. Senate to act to preserve our dams and maintain low energy rates that families rely on in the Mid-Columbia region. I am grateful for the support from my House colleagues on both sides of the aisle in approving this legislation to save our dams on the lower Snake and Columbia Rivers.
There's only one sensible way to balance the health of our salmon runs with residents' need for low-cost, hydropower energy in the Northwest  and that's to restore a scientifically-backed operations plan, said Rep. Herrera Beutler (R-WA). On behalf of our salmon, our Northwest ratepayers, our economy, and our environment, passing H.R. 3144 is vital to ensure that we're relying on collaboration and science to best manage our river system.
Our bill finally codifies that science, not politics or the courts, should dictate the best way to balance fish recovery and the power needs in the Pacific Northwest, said Rep. Schrader (D-OR). Scientific experts steeped in fish recovery and clean renewable energy will be able to do their job based on good science rather than an ideological crusade to eliminate dams on the river system resulting in the loss of our region's best carbon free energy asset. Simply put, the Columbia River Power System will be managed according to the 2014 Obama Administration approved biological opinion until a new BiOp can be completed by 2022, saving ratepayers millions of dollars. I am pleased to have worked with Rep. McMorris Rodgers, and our Pacific Northwest colleagues, on this bill to bring science back into the equation for our Oregon and Pacific Northwest Salmon recovery efforts.
NOTE:In March of 2017, U.S. District Judge Michael Simon issued a court order requiring federal agencies to increase spill over the Columbia and Snake River dams. This order, which formally began on April 2nd, is expected to cost taxpayers roughly $40 million. Many scientists contend that spill leads to increased dissolved nitrogen and other gases in the water, actually killing fish.
Many in opposition to this legislation falsely cite declining salmon returns as the primary reason. In reality, since the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) started tracking fish returns in the 1930's, fish returns have steadily increased and are at all-time highs currently, largely due to increased collaboration and technology, the kind of collaboration this bipartisanbill will continue. Find more information here.
This bipartisan legislation was introduced in June of 2017 by Pacific Northwest Reps.Greg Walden (R-Hood River), Cathy McMorris-Rodgers (WA-05), Dan Newhouse (R-WA), Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA),and Kurt Schrader (D-OR). Additionally, this legislation has received overwhelming local support with more 20 letters of support from diverse groups and interests including ports, unions, river users, power groups, and other important stakeholders. You can find letters of support here.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-announces-details-legislative-markup-bills-combat-opioid,Greg Walden announces details for legislative markup of bills to combat opioid crisis,2018-04-24,2018,2018-04,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden announces details for legislative markup of bills to combat opioid crisis 
WASHINGTON, D.C. --Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River), Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, announced a legislative markup for tomorrow, April 25, 2018, at 1:00pm ET. The Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health will meet to vote on more than 60 individual bills as part of the committee's ongoing efforts to combat the opioid crisis.
Following tomorrow's markup, the bills must be approved by the full Energy and Commerce Committee before being considered by the House of Representatives. Walden's goal is to havelegislation to the floor of the House by Memorial Day.
Under Walden's leadership, Energy and Commerce is in the midst of a two-track push to combat the opioid crisis, seeking to advance legislation to help stem the tide and investigate some of the root causes of the crisis. Specifically, the committee's legislative efforts have examined bills to: improve patient safety and bolster enforcement tools, advance prevention and public health solutions, and address coverage and payment issues within Medicare and Medicaid.
A background memo, electronic copies of the legislation, and live stream of the markup can be found online here.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-highlights-release-grants-combat-opioid-crisis-oregon,Greg Walden highlights release of grants to combat the opioid crisis in Oregon,2018-04-19,2018,2018-04,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden highlights release of grants to combat the opioid crisis in Oregon 
 Calls combating the opioid crisis his top priority during speech on House floor 
Click here or on the image above to view Walden's speech on the floor of the House of Representatives
WASHINGTON, D.C.  Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River), Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, applauded the announcement of grant funding to tackle opioid addiction in Oregon. As part of the 21st Century Cures Act, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the second round of grants to help states and territories combat the opioid epidemic. Oregon will receive $6,564,425 in grants that will be administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and be used toward the prevention of opioid abuse and treatment to those affected. Oregon received $6.5 million in the first round of grants that were announced in April 2017.
These are vital and welcome resources in the fight to combat the opioid crisis. As we continue to hear of loved ones lost, this is another tool in our arsenal, said Walden. While this Congress has made available a record amount of financial resources to help stem the tide, it is imperative these critical dollars are being best used in the communities hardest hit. Part of our ongoing legislative efforts will make it easier to track these important resources and ensure they are effectively deployed.
During a speech on the floor of the House of Representatives Wednesday, Walden called combating the opioid crisis in Oregon and across the country his top priority as Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Walden has held roundtable discussions and meetings throughout Oregon's Second Congressional District to understand what is working -- and what is not working -- in the fight against the opioid crisis on the ground in Oregon.
At roundtables throughout my district in Oregon, I've met with the victims, families, doctors, treatment advocates, and law enforcement officers on the front lines of this fight, said Walden during his speech. Their stories are all too similar, and all too familiar, and they put names and faces to a crisis that has touched every community in our country.
The Energy and Commerce Committee has led the charge in responding to the epidemic. In addition to the state grants within the 21st Century Cures Act, committee investigations also led to legislative solutions that ultimately were included in the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) last Congress.
Last month, President Trump signed into law a government funding bill that provided $4 billion to help address prevention, treatment, and enforcement issues, as part of the opioid epidemic.
Under Walden's leadership, Energy and Commerce is in the midst of a two-track push to combat the opioid crisis, seeking to advance legislation to help stem the tide and investigate some of the root causes of the crisis. Specifically, the committee's legislative efforts have examined bills to: improve patient safety and bolster enforcement tools, advance prevention and public health solutions, and address coverage and payment issues within Medicare and Medicaid.
To learn more about Walden's efforts to combat the opioid crisis, click HERE.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-holds-roundtable-discussion-hear-personal-stories-opioid,Greg Walden holds roundtable discussion to hear personal stories from opioid crisis,2018-04-19,2018,2018-04,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden holds roundtable discussion to hear personal stories from opioid crisis 
 Grants Pass mother joins advocates from across the country to participate in panel on combating nationwide crisis 
Rep. Walden listens to testimony from Paula Peterson (on screen) of Grants Pass during a roundtable discussion on the opioid crisis. Click here to view Walden's opening remarks from today's roundtable.
WASHINGTON, D.C. Continuing his efforts to combat the opioid crisis in Oregon and across the country, Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today held a roundtable discussion with advocates from across the country who have been personally impacted by the crisis. Walden, who serves as Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, invited a mother from Grants Pass to participate in the roundtable via video conference and share her story. During the discussion, Walden said these meetings are crucial to putting forth concrete solutions to help stem the tide of the opioid crisis and save lives.
""This is probably the most important meeting we've held because you all have been there, in the trenches, and have lived this terrible tragedy that has befallen our country. We've seen quadrupled opioid deaths since 1999. More people die from opioid overdoses in America than traffic accidents. That is why it is my top priority on this committee and why we are so focused on this, said Walden to the participants at today's roundtable. I had a roundtable -- of many in my district -- and Paula was there with her son and told a very powerful story about what her family is going through right now. Paula thank you for joining us via video conference.
Walden was referencing Paula Peterson, of Grants Pass, who participated in the roundtable via video conference from Walden's district office in Medford. Paula Peterson is a founding member of the Oregon chapter of Families Anonymous, a nationwide program for friends and family members of those struggling with addiction, and detailed how opioid abuse has personally impactedher family.
Click here or on the image above to view Paula Peterson's testimony during today's roundtable
I am a middle-class American mom. My husband and I have two sons together, Cole who lives in Eugene and Jacob who lives with us, began Peterson. Cole, my oldest, recently spoke with me at a roundtable meeting in Grants Pass, where we met Representative Walden. He gave me permission to share his story. He started using oxycodone occasionally around 15 or 16 years old. It was freely available to him from two or three of his friends whose parents or grandparents had stockpiled unused pain medications. When the formula for oxy got switched so that it couldn't be crushed to smoke or snort, they looked for other sources.
At that time, he was living in a neighborhood where heroin was plentiful. He was not alone -- almost all of his friends got hooked on heroin. These were, and are, good kids. Two of his close friends are lost to the streets or jail, the others are on Suboxone, including Cole.
Peterson went on to stress the need for Congress to make Suboxone and other medication-assisted treatments more readily available to those struggling with addiction, to remove the stigma of opioid abuse, and to increase research into the root causes of addiction.
We also need to remove the stigma of substance abuse -- we can't be afraid to ask for help. And more research is needed on the changes that happen to the brain for addicts. I appreciate the work of this committee to make progress on these issues -- we have the potential to make a difference for families like mine, and that is the most important thing.
Today's roundtable comes as Walden recently highlighted more than $6.5 million in grants Oregon will receive to help combat opioid addiction.
Under Walden's leadership, Energy and Commerce is in the midst of a two-track push to combat the opioid crisis, seeking to advance legislation to help stem the tide and investigate some of the root causes of the crisis. Specifically, the committee's legislative efforts have examined bills to: improve patient safety and bolster enforcement tools, advance prevention and public health solutions, and address coverage and payment issues within Medicare and Medicaid.
For more information on today's roundtable, including a witness list and archived webcast, please click here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-announces-roundtable-discussion-sharing-personal-stories,Greg Walden announces roundtable discussion sharing personal stories from opioid crisis,2018-04-18,2018,2018-04,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden announces roundtable discussion sharing personal stories from opioid crisis 
 Walden invites Grants Pass mother to participate in discussion with advocates from across the country 
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River), Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, announced a roundtable discussion for tomorrow, April 19, 2018, at 10:30 a.m. ET in Washington, D.C. The roundtable discussion is entitled, Personal Stories from the Opioid Crisis, and will feature participants from across the country who have been personally impacted by the opioid crisis. Walden invited a mother from Grants Pass, who has two sons that have suffered from addiction, to participate in the roundtable via video conference.
The roundtable will follow three legislative hearings to examine the opioid crisis and possible legislative solutions. In February, the Energy and Commerce Committee reviewed eight bills pertaining to the Controlled Substances Act that will improve patient safety and bolster enforcement tools. In March, Walden held a two-day hearing examining 25 prevention and public health solutions (read a recap of day one here and a recap of day two here). Last week, the Energy and Commerce Committee held its final legislative hearing and reviewed coverage and payment issues within Medicare and Medicaid.
The roundtable discussion will feature a first-hand look at many issues within the opioid crisis, including the rise of fentanyl and other synthetic drugs, and patient brokering. Both issues have been the subject of hearings and investigations by Rep. Walden and his Committee.
Confirmed participants include:
 Paula Peterson, of Grants Pass, Oregon, whose two sons have both suffered from addiction.
	Kathy O'Keefe, Executive Director, Winning the Fight, whose son Brett, passed away from a heroin overdose in 2010.
	Gary Mendell, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Shatterproof, who lost his son Brian in 2011 to suicide after 13 months substance-free.
	Mary Winnefeld, Stop the Addiction Fatality Epidemic (S.A.F.E. Project US), mother of Jonathan, who just passed away in 2017 from a fentanyl-laden batch of heroin just days after he started college.
	Devon Hott, Director of Operations, Recovery Care Partner, and who has been in recovery for more than three years.
	Aimee Manzoni D'Arpino, Massachusetts State Chair, Addiction Policy Forum, who lost her son Emmett to substance use disorder in 2016.
	Michael Gray, father of Amanda, who suffered from acute mental illness and passed away after a fentanyl overdose in 2018.
	Lisa Daniels, mother of Jamie, who fell victim to the nefarious practice of patient brokering and passed away in 2016 from a fentanyl-laced heroin overdose.
	Gail Smith, Prevention Plus of Burlington County and the Kenny Smith Freedom Foundation, who lost her son Kenny to overdose after he was exploited by a fraudulent recovery residence.
 More information, including a list of participants and prepared remarks for the roundtable will be available here as they are posted.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-combating-opioid-crisis-we-must-continue-push-forward,Greg Walden on combating opioid crisis: We must continue to push forward,2018-04-12,2018,2018-04,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden on combating opioid crisis: We must continue to push forward 
 Leads third legislative hearing to address nationwide crisis 
Click here or on the image above to view Walden's remarks
WASHINGTON, D.C. --Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River), Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, today led a hearing entitled, Combating the Opioid Crisis: Improving the Ability of Medicare and Medicaid to Provide Care For Patients. This marked the third of three legislative hearings to examine the opioid crisis and possible legislative solutions. During the hearing, Walden stressed the importance of pushing forward in the fight against the opioid crisis in Oregon and across the country.
At roundtables throughout Oregon, most recently in Pendleton and Madras, I've met with the people on the frontlines of this fight and with those who have lost a friend or loved one to this epidemic, said Walden. These meetings are crucial to our efforts to put forth concrete solutions to stem the tide and save lives. With more than 100 Americans estimated to die each day from opioid overdoses, we simply must do more.
In February, the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health reviewed eight bills pertaining to the Controlled Substances Act that will improve patient safety and bolster enforcement tools. In March, Walden held a rare two-day hearing examining 25 prevention and public health solutions (read a recap of day one here and a recap of day two here).
As Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Walden is at the forefront of the response to the nationwide opioid crisis. Rep. Walden intends to bring a legislative package to the floor of the House of Representative by Memorial Day to combat the opioid crisis from all angles.
We must continue to push forward, and I would respectfully ask everyone involved -- stakeholders and members alike -- to push beyond their comfort zones and think creatively and boldly about how we can help. The status quo is not acceptable. The unprecedented scope of the opioid crisis requires an unprecedented response, said Walden.
For a live stream, background memo, and witness list for this hearing, please click here.
Bills the Energy and Commerce Committee will consider include:
NOTE: Some bills have not yet received formal titles and instead are denoted by working descriptions.
Medicaid
H.R. __, Provide IMD Services Up to 90 Days for Medicaid Beneficiaries with SUD, will allow states to receive federal Medicaid matching dollars for up to a total of 90 days per year for services in an IMD for Medicaid beneficiaries with a substance use disorder. Beneficiaries would need to be assessed after the first 30 days to determine if continued care (up to 60 more days) is medically necessary.
H.R. __, the Medicaid Pharmacy Home Act, will require all states to have a lock-in program that identifies at-risk Medicaid beneficiaries and assigns them to a pharmacy home program that sets reasonable limits on the number of prescribers and dispensers they may utilize, whether under a fee-for-service or managed care arrangement.
H.R. __, the Medicaid Drug Review, Utilization, Good governance (DRUG) ImprovementAct, will require all state Medicaid programs to use common sense drug utilization review activities to help combat the opioid crisis. States will be required to have state-determined limitations in place for opioid refills, monitor concurrent prescribing of opioids and other drugs (such as benzodiazepines and antipsychotics), monitor antipsychotic prescribing for children, and have at least one buprenorphine/naloxone combination drug on the Medicaid drug formulary.
H.R. __, the Medicaid Providers And pharmacists Required To Note Experiences in Record Systems to Help In-need Patients (PARTNERSHIP) Act, will require the Medicaid program in each state to integrate prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) usage into Medicaid providers' and pharmacists' clinical workflow. This bill also establishes basic standard criteria (based on industry best practices) that a PDMP must meet to be counted as a qualified PDMP. The bill would require states to report to CMS on how their PDMPs are working and the number of covered providers who are using the PDMPs, as well statewide trends in controlled substance utilization.
H.R. __, Medicaid Incentives for Health Homes to Treat Substance Use Disorder, will amend Section 1945 of Title XIX to incentivize states to create health homes for Medicaid beneficiaries with substance use disorder.This bill extends the enhanced match from 8 quarters to 12 quarters so long as states meet quality, cost, and access targets.
H.R. __, the Medicaid Institutes for Mental Disease Are Decisive in Delivering Inpatient Treatment for Individuals but Opportunities for Needed Access are Limited without Information Needed about Facility Obligations Act (The Medicaid IMD ADDITIONAL INFO Act), will direct the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) to conduct a study on IMDs.The study will report on the requirements, standards, and oversight that state Medicaid programs have for IMDs. MACPAC, considering input from stakeholders, will summarize the findings and make recommendations on improvements and best practices by January 2020.
H.R. __, the Improving Medicaid Data Timeliness Act,will reduce the filing window for Medicaid claims from two years to one year. Currently, under a provision of law added in 1980, it is possible to submit claims for up to two years after the date of service. However, medical billing technologies and practices have been dramatically modernized in the last three decades. Today, 99 percent of claims are submitted within one year. This straightforward change will help give the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Congress, and others more timely, accurate, and complete expenditure data on all categories of Medicaid spending, including Medicaid drug spending. With Medicaid as one of the nation's largest payers of behavioral health services and substance use disorder treatment, more timely and complete information will improve the ability of Congress to properly oversee the Medicaid program and help individuals the program serves.
H.R. __, the Improving the Transparency for Graduate Medical Education Funded by Medicaid Act, will improve transparency in the Graduate Medical Education (GME) program by requiring state Medicaid programs to periodically report to CMS data and information on how GME funds are being used to support physician training.Additionally, the state Medicaid program is required to report specific information on how physicians are trained in specialties that are essential in the opioid crisis (i.e., psychiatry, addiction medicine, etc.) and how GME recipients are using Medicaid funds to train physicians on substance use disorder.
H.R. __, the Medicaid Helping Unite Managers who have Abilities with Novel Chances to Activate the Possibilities of Innovation, Transformation, And Leadership (HUMAN CAPITAL), will provide enhanced federal medical assistance percentage to use toward hiring and retaining senior leadership for Medicaid programs who meet certain quantifiable professional standards. This policy change improves the ability of state Medicaid programs to recruit and retain high caliber private sector talent to manage state Medicaid programs, and will help reduce the short duration of most Medicaid directors (which averages about 18 months). The enhanced funding will sunset in 2026.
H.R. ___, Require HHS to act within a certain timeframe in implementing GAO's recommendation for HHS to execute a strategy related to infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome.This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to establish a strategy to implement the recommendations in a recent Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) report that will enhance the treatment and care of newborns suffering from Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome. The strategy must include a timeline for the implementation, how the Department plans to disseminate best practices to state health agencies, and any additional statutory authorities the Department needs to complete this strategy.
H.R. 3192, the CHIP Mental Health Parity Act, authored by Rep. Joseph Kennedy, III (D-MA). The Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provides health coverage to eligible children, through both Medicaid and separate CHIP programs. H.R. 3192 will require all CHIP plans to cover treatment of mental illness and substance use disorders.
H.R. 4998, the Health Insurance for Former Foster Youth Act, authored by Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA). Under current law, foster youth who are enrolled in Medicaid before they turn 18 may stay in Medicaid until the age of 26. However, such foster youth lost Medicaid coverage if they move out of their state. This bill will amend current law to allow such foster youth to continue to receive Medicaid benefits even if they move to another state.
H.R. __, Creation of a demonstration project for five years for up to 10 states that have committed to Medicaid delivery system advancements through substance use disorder demonstration waivers. This measure would allow certain states to receive an enhanced match for training and technical assistance and other incentive activities to enroll new providers treating substance use disorder in Medicaid or expand existing substance use disorder provider capacity.
H.R. __, Require state Medicaid programs to report on the 10 behavioral health measures that are included in CMS' 2018 Core Set of Adult Health Care Quality Measures for Medicaid. A more complete view of behavioral health quality of care will inform Congress, CMS, and stakeholders on how to target improvement moving forward.
H.R. 4005, the Medicaid Reentry Act, authored by Rep. Paul Tonko (D-NY), will amend title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to allow state Medicaid programs to receive federal matching dollars for medical services furnishedto anincarcerated individualduring the 30-day period preceding the individual's release.
H.R. __, Allow women who are pregnant and enrolled in Medicaid or who are and post-partum mothers of newborns and enrolled in Medicaid to continue to receive Medicaid benefits when in an IMD (up to first 12 months after delivery).
H.R. 1925, the At-Risk Youth Medicaid Protection Act, authored by Rep. Tony Cardenas (D-CA), will prohibit stateMedicaid programs from terminating a juvenile's medical assistance eligibility because the juvenile is incarcerated.A state may suspend coverage while the juvenile is an inmate, but must restore coverage upon release without requiring a new application unless the individual no longer meets the eligibility requirements for medical assistance. A statemust process an application submitted by, or on behalf of, an incarcerated juvenile, notwithstanding that the juvenile is an inmate.
Medicare Part B
H.R. 3331, to amend title XI of the Social Security Act to promote testing of incentive payments for behavioral health providers for adoption and use of certified electronic health record technology, authored by Rep. Lynn Jenkins (R-KS).
H.R. __, Incentivizing Non-Opioid Drugs, will create a temporary pass through payment to encourage the development of non-opioid drugs for post-surgical pain management in Medicare.
H.R. __, CMS Action Plan, will call for the establishment of an Action Plan including studies, reports to Congress, and meetings with stakeholders for the purpose of addressing the opioid crisis.
H.R. __, Use of Telehealth to Treat Opioid Use Disorder, will instruct CMS to evaluate the utilization of telehealth services in treating opioid use disorder.
H.R. __, Alternative Payment Model for Treating Substance Use Disorder, will create demonstration project for an Alternative Payment Model for treating substance use disorder. This model includes the development of measures to evaluate the quality and outcomes of treatment.
H.R. __, Initial Pain Assessment, will add a pain assessment as part of the Welcome to Medicare initial examination and provide intervention about non-opioid alternatives, as appropriate.
H.R. __, Adding Resources on Non-Opioid Alternatives to the Medicare Handbook, will direct CMS to compile education resources for beneficiaries regarding opioid use, pain management, and alternative pain management treatments, and include these resources in the Medicare and You Handbook.
H.R. __, Post-Surgical Injections as an Opioid Alternative, will seek to incentivize post-surgical injections as a pain treatment alternative to opioids by reversing a reimbursement cut for these treatments.
Medicare Part D
H.R. 3528, the Every Prescription Conveyed Securely Act, authored by Reps. Katherine Clark (D-MA) and Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), will require e-prescribing, with exceptions, for coverage of prescription drugs that are controlled substances under the Medicare Part D program.
H.R. __, Mandatory Lock-In, will build off of work done in the Comprehensive Addiction Recovery Act (CARA), and require prescription drug plan sponsors under the Medicare program establish drug management programs for at-risk beneficiaries.
H.R. 4841, the Standardizing Electronic Prior Authorization for Safe Prescribing Act, authored by Rep. David Schweikert (R-AZ), seeks to standardize electronic prior authorization under Medicare Part D.
H.R. __, Beneficiary Education, will require prescription drug plans under Medicare Part D to include information on the adverse effects of opioid overutilization and of coverage of non-pharmacological therapies and non-opioid medications or devices used to treat pain.
H.R. __, Evaluating Abuse Deterrent Formulations, will direct CMS to evaluate the use of abuse-deterrent opioids in Medicare plans.
H.R. __, Prescriber Notification, will require CMS to, in consultation with stakeholders, establish a threshold, based on specialty and geographic area, for which a prescriber would be considered an outlier opioid prescriber. CMS would then be responsible for notifying prescribers identified as outliers of their status.
H.R. __, Prescriber Education, will direct CMS to work with Quality Improvement Organizations to engage in outreach with prescribers identified as clinical outliers to share best practices.
H.R. __, Medication Therapy Management (MTM) Expansion, will add beneficiaries at-risk for prescription drug abuse to the list of targeted beneficiaries to be eligible for MTM under Part D.
H.R. __, CMS/Plan Sharing, will help facilitate communication between MA organizations, Part D plan sponsors, and CMS relating to substantiated fraud, waste, and abuse investigations.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-presses-facebook-ceo-personal-data-protection-online,Greg Walden presses Facebook CEO on personal data protection online,2018-04-12,2018,2018-04,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden presses Facebook CEO on personal data protection online 
Leads Congressional hearing to seek answers on Facebook's privacy policies and use of consumer data
Click here or on the image above to view Walden's remarks from today's hearing with Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg
WASHINGTON, D.C. --Continuing his efforts to improve personal privacy in the digital age, Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today led a hearing to examine Facebook's policies for protecting the personal information of its users. Walden, who serves as Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, pressed Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg for answers about the social media giant's use of consumer data.
""The American people are concerned about how Facebook protects and profits from its users' data. In short, does Facebook keep its end of the agreement with its users?, said Walden. People are willing to share quite a bit about their lives online based on the belief that they can easily navigate and control privacy settings and trust that their personal information is in good hands. If a company fails to keep its promises about how personal data are being used, that breach of trust must have consequences.
Click here or on the image above to view Walden's questions during the hearing
During the hearing, Walden questioned Mr. Zuckerberg about how clearly the company describes its operations to its users, and whether or not the public has a full understanding of how Facebook uses their personal information.
You have recently said that you and Facebook have not done a good job of explaining what Facebook does, said Walden. Back in 2012 and 2013 when a lot of this scraping of user and friend data was happening, did it ever cross your mind that you should be communicating more clearly with users about how Facebook is monetizing their data? I understand that Facebook does not sell user data per se, but it is also just as true that Facebook's user data is probably the most valuable thing about Facebook. In fact, it may be the only truly valuable thing about Facebook. Why wasn't explaining what Facebook does with users' data a higher priority for you as a co-founder and now as CEO?
Zuckerberg said that while there is a certain amount of control users have over how their information is shared on Facebook, there is not a broad understanding of how consumer data areshared with advertisers.
I do think that we can do a better job of explaining how advertising works, said Zuckerberg. There is a common misperception, as you say, that keeps on being reported, that for some reason we sell data. I can't be clearer on this topic: we don't sell data. That's not how advertising works, and I do think that we could probably be doing a clearer job of explaining that given the misperceptions that are out there.
Walden concluded by raising the question of whether Congressional action is needed to help improve the protection of consumers' data on platforms like Facebook.
""Given the situation, can you manage the issues that are before you? Or does Congress need to intercede?, asked Walden.
The hearing Walden led today marked Mr. Zuckerberg's first appearance as Facebook CEO before a Congressional committee in the House of Representatives. For more information on today's hearing, including a background memo, witness testimony, and archived webcast, 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-commitment-doe-secretary-not-privatize-bpa,Greg Walden secures commitment from DOE Secretary to not privatize BPA,2018-04-12,2018,2018-04,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden secures commitment from DOE Secretary to not privatize BPA 
 Raises concerns over Administration's proposal, asks Secretary Perry to leave Bonneville alone without explicit Congressional authorization 
Click here or on the image above to view Walden's questions from today's hearing with Energy Secretary Rick Perry
WASHINGTON, D.C. --Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River), Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, today secured a commitment from Energy Secretary Rick Perry to not sell off assets of the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) without Congressional authorization. During a hearing at the Energy and Commerce Committee, Walden said the Administration's proposal would have a negative impact on Oregonians and consumers throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Mr. Perry I want to start by talking about Bonneville Power Administration. I appreciate your most recent comments about respecting the will of the authorizers, which is what we are. Along those lines, this idea of selling off electric transmission assets and abandoning cost-based rates has been roundly rejected by virtually every member of the Pacific Northwest Congressional delegation, said Walden. It is the one idea -- bad idea -- that unites all of us in the Northwest. I'm afraid this move could do nothing but harm my constituents, drive up electricity costs, and hurt consumers across the region.
Along with bipartisan members of Congress from the Pacific Northwest, Walden has repeatedly raised his concerns over the proposal to privatize BPA. Walden signed a letter to Secretary Perry and Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney in opposition to a proposal in the President's budget to sell off BPA assets.
During today's hearing, Walden asked for Secretary Perry's commitment that the DOE would not move forward with this proposal without first being approved by Congress.
""Can you assure me the DOE will leave Bonneville alone unless Congress provides explicit authorization? asked Walden.
Energy Secretary Perry answered simply, yes, sir.
During the hearing, Walden also stressed the importance of the DOE's continued efforts to cleanup the Hanford Site, which has been a priority of Rep. Walden's as Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee. Walden toured the Hanford Site in August of 2017 with Secretary Perry.
I'm pleased to see that the budget also includes funding to fulfill DOE's legacy cleanup responsibilities, including the Hanford Site, which is located just across the Columbia River from my constituents. The secretary and I toured Hanford together last year, said Walden. The cleanup work at Hanford requires deliberate oversight by DOE and we will continue to monitor the projects, particularly when involving worker safety. While many technical and logistical challenges remain, we're beginning to see some progress and I trust that Secretary Perry's renewed focus on Hanford will accelerate these results. I'm pleased the budget includes funding to restart the Yucca Mountain project, so the waste currently sitting at Hanford, and around the country, will be permanently disposed.
This hearing comes as Walden continues to lead the effort to clean up spent nuclear fuel that is sitting idle in 121 communities across 39 states throughout the country, including at the Hanford Site. Walden's Energy and Commerce Committee passed theNuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act (H.R. 3053), by a vote of 49-4 in June of 2017. This legislation provides practical reforms to the nation's nuclear waste management policy, and reinstates Yucca Mountain as the cornerstone of the country's nuclear waste disposal.
For more information on today's hearing, including a background memo, witness testimony, and full webcast, please click HERE.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-announces-facebook-ceo-mark-zuckerberg-will-testify-april,Greg Walden Announces Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg Will Testify April 11th,2018-04-04,2018,2018-04,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden Announces Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg Will Testify April 11th 
WASHINGTON, D.C. --HouseEnergy and Commerce Committee Chairman Greg Walden (R-Hood River) and Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) released the following statement after confirming that Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg will testify before the committee on Wednesday, April 11th, at 10:00 a.m. regarding the company's use and protection of user data.
This hearing will be an important opportunity to shed light on critical consumer data privacy issues and help all Americans better understand what happens to their personal information online. We appreciate Mr. Zuckerberg's willingness to testify before the committee, and we look forward to him answering our questions on April 11th,"" said Walden and Pallone.
More details on the hearing will be postedhereas they are available.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-secures-key-priorities-oregon,Greg Walden secures key priorities for Oregon,2018-03-23,2018,2018-03,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden secures key priorities for Oregon 
 Supports House passage of government funding measure 
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) released the following statement after the House passed a government funding measure that included key priorities for Oregon:
The measure passed today includes several provisions that address key priorities for our state. To improve forest health and prevent catastrophic wildfires in Oregon, I worked hard to ensure this plan makes important reforms to federal forest policy, improves the way we pay to fight wildfires, and also provides two years of Secure Rural Schools funding to support essential county services in Oregon. We also take action to give immediate drought relief for irrigators in the Klamath Basin to ensure our farmers can survive this challenging water year, which has been a priority of myself and my Oregon colleagues, as well as the Administration.
To address the opioid crisis in Oregon and across the country, we are putting forward unprecedented resources to combat this nationwide scourge. We are also dedicating more resources to improving mental health care services in our communities.
Im also incredibly proud to see inclusion of the RAY BAUMS Act, legislation named after my dear friend and La Grande native that reauthorizes the FCC for the first time in 28 years and will speed deployment of next generation broadband across the country, which is particularly important for rural communities in Oregon.
The Brownfields program, which is being used successfully in Oregon to redevelop old industrial sites and put them back into active use, is fully reauthorized under our plan. This will help create jobs, grow our local economies, and make our communities cleaner and more prosperous
Most importantly, this plan provides our military with the critical resources our men and women in uniform need to keep us safe, and helps ensure our veterans are receiving the care and support they deserve at VA facilities across the country. This agreement marks an important step forward on critical issues for Oregon and America, and I urge the Senate to quickly send this bill to the Presidents desk. 
Forest Management Reform
 Provides the Forest Service with additional tools to streamline the planning process and conduct projects to improve forest resiliency to wildfire and protect communities.
	Fixes how the federal government pays for wildfire, ensuring that the Forest Service does not rob from fire prevention and forest management accounts to pay to fight fire.
 Klamath Basin Drought Relief
 Provides drought relief funding for Klamath Basin irrigators and gives the Bureau of Reclamation additional authorities to implement procedures to minimize the impact of this drought year.
 Combating the Opioid Crisis:
 To boost our response to the opioid crisis, the bill provides $4 billion, the largest investment to date, to help address prevention, treatment, and enforcement issues.
	$130 million for the Rural Communities Opioid Response program, striving to reach rural communities that have been hit especially hard by the opioid crisis.
	$1 billion in new grants to be dispatched to the states and Indian tribes.
 Funding Critical Mental Health Programs:
 The bill appropriates more than $2.3 billion in new funding for mental health programs and other training.
	Nearly 30 sections of mental health provisions within the landmark 21st Century Cures Act will receive funding, including the Mental Health Block Grant seeing a $160 million increase. Other items include: the National Traumatic Stress Network, the National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative, Mental and Behavioral Health Training Grants, Assisted Outpatient Treatment, and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
 RAY BAUMS Act:
 Reauthorizes the FCC and includes reforms to ensure the commission continues to improve its efficiency and transparency.
	Boosts development of next-generation wireless broadband known as 5G by identifying spectrum for private sector use and cutting red tape associated with building wireless networks.
	Helps TV broadcasters and rural translator districts relocate channels following the successful mobile broadband spectrum auction.
	Helps the FCC and law enforcement protect consumers from fraudulent telephone calls, and to educate Americans about their options to stop these illegal calls.
 Brownfields Reauthorization:
 Brownfields sites are often abandoned, closed or under-utilized industrial or commercial facilities such as an abandoned factory, a closed commercial building or warehouse, or a former dry-cleaning establishment or gas station.
	EPA estimates that more than 450,000 brownfields exist across the United States, each of which has the capability to be remediated through the Brownfields Programwhich in turn will encourage economic development in the local community.
	Over 129,000 jobs have been leveraged because of the Brownfields Program and almost 70,000 acres have been made ready for reuse.
	Oregon has been particularly successful using the Brownfields Program to put old industrial sites back in to productive service, such as the Old Mill District in Bend -- one of Oregons most successful Brownfields projects.
	Walden led the House passage of the Brownfields Enhancement, Economic Redevelopment, and Reauthorization Actby a 409-8 vote in November.
 ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-supports-legislation-increase-school-safety,Greg Walden supports legislation to increase school safety,2018-03-23,2018,2018-03,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden supports legislation to increase school safety 
 Highlights action taken to improve mental health care and strengthen school security 
WASHINGTON, D.C. --Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) released the following statement in regards to legislation to increase school safety and improve the nations mental health care system:
No child should feel unsafe in their school. We have to take steps to get at the root causes of acts of violence in our schools. That is why I voted for the landmark 21st Century Cures Act to make significant reforms to our mental health care system and make sure tools are available to get care to children who need it at school and in our communities. We also need to fill the gaps in our federal background check system that allows people with mental health disorders, criminal records, and violent pasts to purchase firearms. Twice in the last year, I have supported legislation that is now law to make sure the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) program actually works and keeps firearms away from truly dangerous people.
Walden has a strong record of supporting commonsense legislation to address the root causes of gun violence in Oregon and throughout the country. As a representative in the Oregon Legislature in 1989, Walden voted in favor of Oregon House Bill 3470, which regulated the sale of handguns to keep them out of the hands of those who should not have access.
Given that approximately 80% of students who commit a violent act tell someone beforehand, it is important that students and schools have a mechanism in place to improve reporting, so these issues can be addressed before violence occurs. Last week, Walden supported the STOP School Violence Act, which provides tools for schools to develop reporting systems, and also crisis intervention teams to help respond to warning signs of violence. This legislation recently passed into law.
Additionally, Walden helped pass the landmark 21st Century Cures Act, which was signed into law by President Obama in 2016. The mental health reforms included in the 21st Century Cures Act represented the most significant reforms to the mental health system in more than a decade.
From improving mental health care for children with serious emotional disturbance, to strengthening community crisis response systems, to developing school-based mental health crisis intervention teams including specialized training for school officials, to active shooter training programs for law enforcement, the 21st Century Cures Act made significant strides in this area and many of these programs are just now coming online.
Below are summaries of the sections of the 21st Century Cures Act most relevant to current discussions around mental health:
Active-shooter training for law enforcement (Sec. 14011)
 Permanently authorizes the existing Department of Justice VALOR Initiative, which provides crisis response training and active-shooter training for federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.
 FY2018 Funding: $10,000,000 (included within Sec. 14001 program funding)
Develop and operate mental health crisis intervention teams (Sec. 14010)
 Amends the Department of Justice program to allow state and local governments to use existing grant funds to develop and operate school-based mental health crisis intervention teams that include coordination with law enforcement agencies and specialized training for school officials.
 FY2018 Funding: $75,000,000 to the STOP School Violence Act (previously the Secure our Schools program)
Providing support and recovery care for children recovering from trauma (Sec. 10004)
 Reauthorizes the National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative (NCTSI), which supports a national network of child trauma centers, including university, hospital, and community-based centers and affiliate members.
 Supports the coordinating centers collection, analysis, and reporting of child outcome and other data to inform evidence-based treatments and services. Also supports the continuum of training initiatives related to such evidence-based treatments, interventions, and practices offered to providers.
 Reauthorizes appropriations at the last appropriated level of $46.9 million for each of fiscal years 2018-2022.
 FY2018 Funding: $53,887,000
Provide specialized programs for children with serious emotional disturbances (SED) (Sec. 10001)
 Reauthorizes and updates programs to provide comprehensive community mental health services to children with SED.
 Reauthorizes appropriations at the last appropriated level of $119,026,000 for fiscal years 2018-2022.
 FY2018 Funding: $125,000,000
Divert those with mental illnesses to community-based services (Sec. 9002)
 Reauthorizes and makes technical updates to develop and implement programs to divert individuals with a mental illness from the criminal justice system to community-based services.
 Reauthorizes appropriations at the last appropriated level of $4,269,000 for each of fiscal years 2018-2022.
 FY2018 Funding: $4,269,000
Enable law enforcement to use grants for mental health programs (Sec. 14001)
 Amends the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program to allow law enforcement to use funds for the creation of mental health response and corrections programs, including police crisis intervention teams. Also allows state and local governments to use Byrne JAG funds in order to comply with current laws requiring the upload of certain mental health records to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).
 Amends the Community Oriented Policing Services Grant Program (COPS) to allow law enforcement to use funds for specialized mental health response training, including crisis de-escalation.
 Amends the Fire Prevention and Control Act to allow existing grant funds to be used for training first responders and paramedics on best practices for responding to mental health emergencies, including crisis de-escalation.
 FY2018 Funding: $416,000,000
Increase access to Assisted Outpatient Treatment Programs (Sec. 14002)
 Allows federal mental health court grant funds to be used for the creation of court-ordered outpatient treatment programs to prevent the escalation of mental health crises.
 FY2018 Funding: $15,000,000
Boost resources for mentally ill individuals in the judicial system (Sec. 14004)*
 Amends the Americas Law Enforcement and Mental Health Project Act to allow state and local governments to use funds for the creation and deployment of behavioral health risk and needs assessments for mentally ill individuals in the criminal justice system.
Allow state and local governments to use grants for treatment initiatives pertaining to the criminal justice system (Sec. 14005)*
 Amends the Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction (MIOTCRA) to allow state and local governments to use existing authorized grant funds for the operation of Forensic Assertive Community Treatment (FACT) Initiatives. FACT Initiatives provide high-intensity community-based services for individuals with mental illness who are involved in the criminal justice system.
Create the National Criminal Justice and Mental Health Training Center (Sec. 14014)*
 Amends MIOTCRA to allow the Attorney General to use existing authorized funds to award grants to non-profit organizations for the creation of a National Criminal Justice and Mental Health Training Center. This entity would coordinate best practices on responding to mental illness in the criminal justice system, and would provide technical assistance to governmental agencies who wish to implement these best practices.
Improve existing DoJ data on mental illness involved in crime (Sec. 14015)*
 Requires the Attorney General to collect and disseminate data regarding the involvement of mental illness in all homicides, as well as deaths or serious bodily injuries involving law enforcement officers.
Expanded training for law enforcement (Sec. 14024)*
 Authorizes resources for expanded training activities, providing more officers with a basic understanding of the issues involved when responding situations with individuals with mental health crises.
Creation of additional training for federal law enforcement (Sec. 14025)*
 Requires the Attorney General to create programs that offer federal first responders and tactical units comprehensive training in procedures to identify and respond appropriately to incidents involving mentally ill individuals.
*The FY2018 Consolidated Appropriations Bill included an additional $30,000,000 for mental health programs without further specificity, from which these programs could receive funding.
Strengthen community response systems (Sec. 9007)
 Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to state and local governments, Indian tribes, and tribal organizations to strengthen community-based crisis response systems or to develop, maintain, or enhance a database of beds at inpatient psychiatric facilities, crisis stabilization units, and residential community mental health and residential substance use disorder treatment facilities.
 Authorizes the appropriation of $12.5 million for the period of fiscal years 2018-2022.
Expand the National Violent Death Reporting System (Sec. 9013)
 Encourages the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to improve, particularly through the inclusion of other states, the existing National Violent Death Reporting System.
 The reporting system was created in 2002 and currently collects surveillance data from 32 states.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-reviews-prevention-and-public-health-solutions-combat-opioid,Greg Walden reviews prevention and public health solutions to combat the opioid crisis,2018-03-21,2018,2018-03,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden reviews prevention and public health solutions to combat the opioid crisis 
 Energy and Commerce Committee finished day one of two-day legislative hearing 
Click here or on the image above to view Waldens remarks
WASHINGTON, D.C. --Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River), Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, today held part one of a two-day hearing examining 25 bipartisan prevention and public health solutions to help combat the opioid crisis.
The unprecedented plague of opioid addiction and substance use disorder in our country requires an unprecedented response, said Walden. This epidemic knows no geographic, political, or socio-economic bounds. Ive held roundtables in my district in Oregon, in places like Hermiston, Grants Pass, and Medford -- when you talk to providers, addicts, and their families, you can feel the sting of this crisis in the community.
Walden heard from two panels of witnesses today -- one composed of federal officials and a second panel tailored to bills under the Food and Drug Administrations (FDA) jurisdiction and other research, development, and prevention initiatives.
Among the 25 bills, Waldens Committee focused on the following bills today:
NOTE: Some bills have not received formal titles and instead are denoted by working descriptions.
H.R. 4284, Indexing Narcotics, Fentanyl, and Opioids (INFO) Act (AINS), authored by Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH), will direct HHS to create a public and easily accessible electronic dashboard linking to all of the nationwide efforts and strategies to combat the opioid crisis, and provide states and localities a centralized access point on available funding resources.
H.R. 5002, the Advancing Cutting Edge (ACE) Research Act, authored by Reps. Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and Fred Upton (R-MI), will provide the National Institutes of Health (NIH) with new, flexible authorities to conduct innovative research and spur urgently needed research on new non-addictive pain medications.
H.R. __, FDA Accelerated Approval & Breakthrough Therapy Status, will take steps to make FDA pathways like the accelerated approval program available to take on the opioid crisis, leading to quicker access to novel, new treatments to treat pain and addiction.
H.R. __, FDA Accelerated Approval & Breakthrough Therapy Status, will take steps to make FDA pathways like the accelerated approval program available to take on the opioid crisis, leading to quicker access to novel, new treatments to treat pain and addiction.
H.R. __, FDA Packaging and Disposal, authored by Reps. Richard Hudson (R-NC) and G.K. Butterfield (D-NC), will direct FDA to work with manufacturers to establish programs for efficient return or destruction of unused Schedule II drugs, with an emphasis on opioids. These methods could include mail-back pouches to secure facilities for incineration, or methods to immediately inactivate/render unattractive unused drugs. In addition, this bill will facilitate utilization of packaging that may reduce overprescribing of opioids. Finally, this bill will require the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study new and innovative technologies that claim to be able to safely dispose of opioids and other unused medications. GAO would review and detail the effectiveness of these disposal methods.
H.R. __, FDA and International Mail, authored by Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), will streamline and enhance tools the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has available to effectively intercept illegal products. In doing so, this bill will create efficiencies for government resources and better protect American citizens from dangerous imported substances.
H.R. __, FDA Opioid Sparing, authored by Reps. Barbara Comstock (R-VA) and Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), will direct FDA to articulate clear data collection methods that could be used to inform opioid-sparing labeling claims for products that may replace, delay, or reduce or the use of opioid analgesics.
H.R. __, FDA Long-term Efficacy, authored by Rep. Jerry McNerney (D-CA) and Morgan Griffith (R-VA), will enhance FDAs authorities and enforcement tools to ensure timely post-marketing studies for chronically administered opioids.
H.R. __, FDA Misuse/Abuse, authored by Rep. Gene Green (D-TX), will clarify FDAs authority to consider misuse and abuse as part of the drug approval and assessment process for opioids. It would also augment FDAs capacity to take necessary action to minimize the public health consequences of opioid misuse and abuse.
H.R. 449, the Synthetic Drug Awareness Act, authored by Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), will require the U.S. Surgeon General to submit a comprehensive report to Congress on the public health effects of the rise in synthetic drug use among youth aged 12 to 18 in order to further educate parents and the medical community on the health effects of synthetics.
H.R. __, the Comprehensive Opioid Recovery Centers Act of 2018, authored by Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY), will establish Comprehensive Opioid Recovery Centers (CORCs) that will serve as models for comprehensive treatment and recovery. CORCs would utilize the full range of FDA-approved medications and evidence-based treatments, have strong linkages with the community, generate meaningful outcomes data, and dramatically improve the opportunities for individuals to establish and maintain long-term recovery as productive members of society.
H.R. 5261, the Treatment, Education, And Community Help (TEACH) to Combat Addiction Act, authored by Rep. Bill Johnson (R-OH), will support Centers of Excellence, or institutions of learning that have championed SUD treatment and pain management education to improve how health professionals are taught about both SUD and pain.
Discussion Draft, PDMPs, authored by Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-VA), will improve current federal support for Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs) to enhance surveillance, data collection, and integration into physician clinical workflow so that timely, complete and accurate information will get into the hands of providers and dispensers, allowing them to make the best clinical decisions for their patients.
H.R. 5272, the Reinforcing Evidence-Based Standards Under Law in Treating Substance Abuse (RESULTS) Act, authored by Reps. Steve Stivers (R-OH) and Eliot Engel (D-NY), will require entities applying for funding that would be used for programs or activities that address mental health or SUD, to submit materials to HHS demonstrating that the programs or activities are evidence-based.
H.R. 3545, the Overdose Prevention and Patient Safety Act (AINS), authored by Reps. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) and Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), will permit SUD records to be shared in accordance with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and for the purposes of treatment. The bill would also increase the penalties in the event of disclosure, add breach notification requirements, and provide discrimination prohibitions to protect people seeking and receiving SUD treatment.
Stay tuned for a full recap of bills reviewed by the Energy and Commerce Committee following the conclusion of Thursdays part two of this hearing.
For more information on todays hearing, including a background memo, witness testimony, and archived webcast, click here.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-secures-emergency-relief-klamath-basin-irrigators-government,Greg Walden secures emergency relief for Klamath Basin irrigators in government funding measure,2018-03-21,2018,2018-03,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden secures emergency relief for Klamath Basin irrigators in government funding measure 
WASHINGTON, D.C. --Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) issued the following statement after securing emergency relief for Klamath Basin irrigators in the government funding measure released today:
""This plan will provide immediate drought relief for irrigators in the Klamath Basin, helping our farmers survive this challenging water year. I have been working with my Oregon colleagues in the Senate, as well as the Trump Administration, to secure this vital funding and ensure it will be available to help with groundwater pumping and other priorities for water users in the Basin. This addition to funding will ensure the Bureau of Reclamation has the ability to implement these measures as they navigate the current water year. While this short term help is important and needed, we still need a long term solution that provides certainty for farmers, ranchers, tribes and fish in the Basin. I look forward to continue working with the local community, my Oregon colleagues in Congress, and the Administration to accomplish that.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-secures-forest-management-reform-resources-oregon-counties,"Greg Walden secures forest management reform, resources for Oregon counties in government funding measure",2018-03-21,2018,2018-03,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden secures forest management reform, resources for Oregon counties in government funding measure 
WASHINGTON, D.C. --Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) issued the following statement after securing forest management reform and resources for Oregons rural counties in the government funding measure released today:
This legislation marks significant progress to improve forest health, reform the way we pay to fight wildfires, and provide two years of Secure Rural Schools funding for essential county services that our communities in Oregon rely on every day. I worked hard to ensure this plan provides additional tools for better forest management to prevent catastrophic wildfires that choke our skies with smoke and threaten our communities year after year. This builds off of the reforms included in the landmark Healthy Forests Restoration Act, which I was proud to help pass through Congress and see signed into law to reduce the fuel loads that build up in our forests and create a tinderbox waiting to ignite. 
Importantly, this legislation fixes the way we pay to fight wildfires. Rather than requiring the Forest Service and BLM to rob the accounts used for forest management and fire prevention, we provide funds that will be used specifically for fire fighting. This will help end the vicious cycle of depleting resources for fire prevention to pay for fire suppression, which increases the risk of catastrophic wildfires year after year.
We also provide funding for essential local services like schools, roads, and law enforcement in Oregons rural forested communities, which continues to be a priority of mine in Congress.
While there is much more work to be done, this marks an important step forward on key solutions to reform federal forest policy, improve forest health, and support Oregons rural communities. I look forward to continue working alongside my colleagues in Congress and the Administration to further achieve that goal.""
Crook County Judge Seth Crawford said,These funds are vital to ensuring we have the resources for essential public safety services, roads and schools in our community. We greatly appreciate Congressman Waldens efforts to get these needed funds included in this legislation.
Hood River County Sheriff Matt English said, ""This bill includes a fix that has positive and immediate public safety implications, amending current restrictive Forest Service policy regarding SRS Search and Rescue funds. Currently, sheriffs can only utilize these funds during an active search and rescue event. This bill will now allow for the funds to be expended for training and acquisition of search and rescue equipment before these events occur. It is imperative that our responders are properly equipped and trained when they respond in the field. The expectation that we could obtain needed equipment in the middle of the night, when a call comes in, wasnt realistic.This fix will end an issue that sheriffs have worked on passionately for over five years.I know I speak for not only myself and Hood River County but all sheriffs in the Western United States affected by this positive change, in thanking Congressman Walden for working with us to make these much needed changes reality.""
Wallowa County Commissioner Todd Nash said,""This legislation will provide critical funds for our roads, schools and local law enforcement. Congressman Walden worked closely with us to move forward this important safety net, provide some fixes to forest management and how we pay for fire. This bill will be most helpful as we continue to provide important services to our community.""
Klamath County Commissioner Derrick DeGroot said, ""These resources are key to supporting fundamental services our rural county depends upon. Two years of SRS funding will go a long way to help us maintain our roads, bridges, as well as public safety services, all of which have been hurt from a lack of timber receipts. We appreciate Congressman Waldens efforts for our community to secure these vital funds, along with needed changes to forest management and the fire borrowing problem.""
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-hold-two-day-hearing-examine-25-bills-combat-nationwide,"Greg Walden to hold two-day hearing, examine 25 bills to combat nationwide opioid crisis",2018-03-20,2018,2018-03,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden to hold two-day hearing, examine 25 bills to combat nationwide opioid crisis 
 Hearing is part of Waldens legislative push to address the opioid crisis in Oregon 
WASHINGTON, D.C.  Continuing his push for concrete solutions to combat the opioid crisis in Oregon and across the country, Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River), Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, will hold a two-day hearing beginning tomorrow to examine 25 bills to address the nationwide crisis. The hearing will begin at 9 a.m. ET, and is entitled, Combating the Opioid Crisis: Prevention and Public Health Solutions. The second day of the hearing will be held on Thursday, March 22, 2018, at 10 a.m. ET.
In February, Walden announced alegislative pushto combat the opioid crisis, and the Energy and Commerce Committee has since reviewed eight bills to improve patient safety and bolster enforcement tools. Tomorrows hearing will be the second of three legislative hearings to examine the opioid crisis and possible legislative solutions. Rep. Walden intends to bring a legislative package to the floor of the House of Representative by Memorial Day.
For a live stream, background memo, and witness list for this hearing, please click HERE.
Bills the Energy and Commerce Committee will consider include:
NOTE: Some bills have not received formal titles and instead are denoted by descriptions.
H.R. 5009, Jessies Law, authored by Reps. Tim Walberg (R-MI) and Debbie Dingell (D-MI), will ensure medical professionals have access to a consenting patients complete health history when making treatment decisions by requiring the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to develop and disseminate best practices regarding the prominent display of substance use disorder (SUD) history in patient records of patients who have previously provided this information to a health care provider.
H.R. 4284, Indexing Narcotics, Fentanyl, and Opioids (INFO) Act(AINS), authored by Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH), will direct HHS to create a public and easily accessible electronic dashboard linking to all of the nationwide efforts and strategies to combat the opioid crisis.
H.R. __, FDA Packaging and Disposal, authored by Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC), will direct FDA to work with manufacturers to establish programs for efficient return or destruction of unused Schedule II drugs, with an emphasis on opioids. These methods could include mail-back pouches to secure facilities for incineration, or methods to immediately inactivate/render unattractive unused drugs. In addition, this bill will facilitate utilization of packaging that may reduce overprescribing of opioids. Finally, this bill will require the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study new and innovative technologies that claim to be able to safely dispose of opioids and other unused medications. GAO would review and detail the effectiveness of these disposal methods.
H.R. 5176, the Preventing Overdoses While in Emergency Rooms (POWER) Act, authored by Reps. David McKinley (R-WV) and Michael Doyle (D-PA), will provide resources for hospitals to develop protocols on discharging patients who have presented with an opioid overdose. These protocols would address the provision of naloxone upon discharge, connection with peer-support specialists, and the referral to treatment and other services that best fit the patients needs.
H.R. 3545, the Overdose Prevention and Patient Safety Act (AINS), authored by Reps. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) and Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), will permit SUD records to be shared without patient consent, in accordance with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and only for very specific purposes. The bill would also increase the penalties in the event of disclosure, add breach notification requirements, and provide discrimination prohibitions to protect people seeking and receiving SUD treatment.
H.R. __, the Eliminating Opioid-Related Infectious Diseases Act, authored by Reps. Leonard Lance (R-NJ) and Joe Kennedy (D-MA), will authorize the CDC to undertake an injection drug use-associated infection elimination initiative and work with states to improve education, surveillance and treatment of injection drug-use associated infections, like human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis.
H.R. 5261, the Treatment, Education, And Community Help (TEACH) to Combat Addiction Act, authored by Rep. Bill Johnson (R-OH), will support Centers of Excellence, or institutions of learning that have championed SUD treatment and pain management education to improve how health professionals are taught about both SUD and pain.
H.R. __, the Comprehensive Opioid Recovery Centers Act of 2018, authored by Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY), will establish Comprehensive Opioid Recovery Centers (CORCs) that will serve as models for comprehensive treatment and recovery. CORCs would utilize the full range of FDA-approved medications and evidence-based treatments, have strong linkages with the community, generate meaningful outcomes data, and dramatically improve the opportunities for individuals to establish and maintain long-term recovery as productive members of society.
H.R. 5272, the Reinforcing Evidence-Based Standards Under Law in Treating Substance Abuse (RESULTS) Act, authored by Reps. Steve Stivers (R-OH) and Eliot Engel (D-NY), will require entities applying for funding that would be used to support programs or activities that address mental health or SUD, to submit materials to HHS demonstrating that the programs or activities are evidence-based.
Discussion Draft, PDMPs, authored by Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-VA), will improve current federal support for Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs) by requiring a coordinated effort amongst the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology to improve surveillance, data collection, and integration into physician clinical workflow so that timely, complete and accurate information will get into the hands of providers and dispensers, allowing them to make the best clinical decisions for their patients.
H.R. __, the Poison Center Network Enhancement Act of 2018, authored by Reps. Susan Brooks (R-IN) and Eliot Engel, will reauthorize the important network of centers within the National Poison Data System that offer free, confidential, expert medical advice 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Oftentimes these programs serve as the primary resource for poisoning information and help reduce Emergency Room visits through in-home treatment.
H.R. 5140, Tribal Addiction and Recovery Act of 2018 (TARA),authored by Rep. Mullin would make Indian tribes eligible to be direct grantees of State Targeted Response to the Opioid Crisis Grants to fight the opioid epidemic in Indian Country, reflecting the government-to-government relationship between Indian tribes and the United States. Tribes would receive their own $25 million allocation that they could apply directly to the federal government, instead of having to go through their states.
H.R. __, FDA Accelerated Approval & Breakthrough Therapy Status, will take steps to make FDA pathways like the accelerated approval program available to take on the opioid crisis, leading to expedited development and review of drugs which may demonstrate substantial improvement over available therapies.
H.R. __, FDA and International Mail, authored by Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), will streamline and enhance tools the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has available to effectively intercept illegal products. In doing so, this bill will create efficiencies for government resources and better protect American citizens from dangerous imported substances.
H.R. __, FDA Opioid Sparing, authored by Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-VA), will direct FDA to articulate clear data collection methods that could be used to inform opioid-sparing labeling claims for products that may replace, delay, or reduce or the use of opioid analgesics.
H.R. 4684, the Ensuring Access to Quality Sober Living Act, authored by Reps. Judy Chu (D-CA), Mimi Walters (R-CA), Raul Ruiz (D-CA), and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) will authorize SAMHSA to develop, publish, and disseminate best practices for operating recovery housing that promotes a safe environment for sustained recovery from SUD.
H.R. 5002, the Advancing Cutting Edge (ACE) Research Act,authored by Reps. Debbie Dingell and Fred Upton (R-MI), will provide the National Institutes of Health (NIH) with new, flexible authorities to conduct innovative research and spur urgently needed research on new non-addictive pain medications.
H.R. 5197, the Alternatives to Opioids (ALTO) in the Emergency Department Act, authored by Reps. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ) and David McKinley, will establish a demonstration program to test alternative pain management protocols to limit the use of opioids in hospital emergency departments.
H.R. 5102, the Substance Use Disorder Workforce Loan Repayment Act of 2018, authored by Reps. Katherine Clark (D-MA) and Hal Rogers (R-KY), will create a loan repayment program for SUD treatment providers. Specifically, the bill will offer student loan repayment of up to $250,000 for participants who agree to work as a SUD treatment professional in areas most in need of their services. The program will be available to a wide range of direct care providers, including physicians, registered nurses, social workers, and other behavioral health professionals.
H.R. 449, the Synthetic Drug Awareness Act, authored by Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), will require the U.S. Surgeon General to submit a comprehensive report to Congress on the public health effects of the rise in synthetic drug use among youth aged 12 to 18 in order to further educate parents and the medical community on the health effects of synthetics.
H.R. 3692, the Addiction Treatment Access Improvement Act, authored by Rep. Paul Tonko (D-NY), will expand access to medication-assisted treatment (MAT) by allowing clinical nurse specialists, certified nurse midwives, and certified registered nurse anesthetists to prescribe buprenorphine and permanently authorize non-physician providers to prescribe buprenorphine. The bill would also codify regulations that increased the cap on the number of patients a physician can treat with buprenorphine to 275 patients.
H.R. __, Fentanyl Testing, authored by Rep. Ann Kuster (D-NH), will provide grants to federal, state, and local agencies for the establishment or operation of public health laboratories to detect fentanyl, its analogs, and other synthetic opioids.
H.R. __, Peer Support Specialists Workforce Grants, authored by Reps. Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), and Johnson would increase the funding for the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Acts Building Communities of Recovery Program and authorize HHS to award grants to peer support specialist organizations for the development and expansion of recovery services.
H.R. __, FDA Long-term Efficacy, authored by Rep. Jerry McNerney (D-CA), will enhance FDAs authorities and enforcement tools to ensure timely post-marketing studies for chronically administered opioids.
H.R. __, FDA Misuse/Abuse, authored by Rep. Gene Green (D-TX), will clarify FDAs authority to consider misuse and abuse as part of the drug approval and assessment process for opioids. It would also augment FDAs capacity to take necessary action to minimize the public health consequences of opioid misuse and abuse.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-announces-next-hearing-combat-nationwide-opioid-crisis,Greg Walden announces next hearing to combat nationwide opioid crisis,2018-03-08,2018,2018-03,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden announcesnext hearing to combat nationwide opioid crisis 
Hearing will feature 20+ public health and prevention bills
Last month, Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River), Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, announceda legislative push to combat the opioid crisis in Oregon and throughout the country. Since then,Walden's Committeehas reviewed eight bills to improve patient safety and bolster enforcement tools.
Today, Waldenannounced the details ofthesecond legislative hearing, which will take place over two days -- on Wednesday, March 21, and Thursday, March 22. Over the course of the two days, the Energy and Commerce Committee Subcommittee on Healthwill consider more than 20 bills relating to public health and prevention efforts to combat the opioid crisis.
More information will be posted as it becomes available here.
To learn more about the Energy and Commerce Committees comprehensive efforts to combat the opioid crisis, click here.
 House to hold two-day hearing to consider more than 20 opioids bills 
The House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee will hear a set of more than 20 bipartisan bills during its second hearing focusing on addressing the opioid crisis, CNN has learned.
While most hearings on legislation don't last more than a day, this hearing is scheduled to begin on March 21 and will last for two days, committee Republican aides tell CNN.
Last week at the US Chamber of Commerce, Energy and Commerce Committee chair Greg Walden announced four of the bills that would be included among the 20 being considered later this month. They include:
 GOP Rep. Bob Latta's bill, the INFO Act, which would streamline efforts within health organizations for grants and other funding related to opioids
	The bipartisan bill called Jessie's Law, which would require the Department of Health and Human Services to develop standards for hospitals and physicians to show a patient's history of opioid addiction when receiving treatment
	GOP Rep. Richard Hudson's GAO request for research on ways to properly dispose of unused opioids
	The bipartisan ACE Research Act, which would expand research efforts into opioids for the National Institutes of Health
 The committee wants to send all of the opioids-related bills to the House floor for passage by Memorial Day.
This marks the second of three hearings the committee will hear on opioid-related legislation. Earlier this month, the subcommittee held ahearingto discuss eight bills, which focused on drug scheduling guidelines, disposal of medications, updating patient care laws and expanding access to underserved communities.
The committee is simultaneously conducting an investigation into high concentrations of opioid pills being distributed to pharmacies in communities in West Virginia, also known as ""pill dumping.""
The House's push for opioids legislation comes amid other Republican-led efforts in Washington to combat the opioid crisis, including the White House'spublic campaignto address the issue.
But so far, it's unclear exactly how much of an impact, if any, the federal response has had on preventing overdose addiction and death among the American population.
A Vital Signsreportreleased Tuesday by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention finds that the problemmay actually be getting worse. The report shows that emergency department visits due to suspected opioid overdoses continued to climb -- by about 30% -- from July 2016 to September 2017 across the country.
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/greg-walden-examines-fast-changing-world-retail-operations-and-logistics,Greg Walden examines fast-changing world of retail operations and logistics,2018-03-07,2018,2018-03,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden examines fast-changing world of retail operations and logistics 
Click here or on the image above to view Waldens remarks from todays hearing
WASHINGTON, D.C. --Continuing his efforts to examine the way emerging technology is impacting the everyday lives of consumers, Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today led a hearing on the effect the Internet and advanced technology is having on retail, e-commerce, and delivery logistics. Highlighting the importance of the buildout of data centers in Oregons Second District to the states economy, Walden stressed the need to ensure continued innovation is not constrained by federal policy or regulation.
My district is home to a number of data centers including Google, Facebook, Apple, and Amazon. It is pretty impressive the buildout that is happening there and the jobs that come with it, and how our economy is changing dramatically and rapidly, said Walden. So this is another part of our hearing sequence in looking at the future of innovation, and legacy rules and regulations that can actually constrain and hold back innovation. The Internets incredible ability to transform old ways of doing business is by now widely known, and in the retail space e-commerce has closed this gap between buyer and seller to the point where I can use a phone to order whatever I need.
Todays hearing, entitled Review of Emerging Techs Impact on Retail Operations and Logistics, focused on how the consumer-retailer relationship has been transformed in recent years due to the growth of e-commerce, new methods of payment, and convenient options for delivery. Waldens committee today examined the impact this will have on the future of retail, e-commerce, and supply chain logistics.
Walden said policy makers should focus on the best interest of consumers, and not inhibit the growth of innovation and emerging technology in the retail marketplace.
The long and the short of it is, the customer is in charge. That is the way markets really work. We want to make sure that this marketplace continues to grow, and that we dont stand in the way with federal policy and things that inhibit that growth, said Walden.
For more information on todays hearing, including a background memo, witness testimony, and archived webcast, click here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-calls-action-nuclear-waste-clean,Greg Walden calls for action on nuclear waste clean up,2018-03-06,2018,2018-03,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden calls for action on nuclear waste clean up 
 Stresses importance of cleaning up Hanford Site for Oregon and Pacific Northwest 
Click here or on the image above to view Waldens floor speech
WASHINGTON, D.C. --Speaking on the floor of the House of Representatives yesterday evening, Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) called for action to clean up nuclear waste that is sitting idle in communities across the country. During his speech, Walden stressed the importance of cleaning up the Hanford Site for Oregon and communities along the Columbia River, and finding a permanent geologic repositoryfor that nuclear waste.
""Over 35 years ago, we in Congress made a commitment to communities throughout the country which host spent nuclear fuel and nuclear waste. We assigned the Department of Energy the responsibility to permanently dispose of the hazardous material by 1998, Walden said. Many of those communities, like the Tri-Cities co-located with DOEs Hanford Site just up the Columbia River from where I live and the people I represent, we have been DOEs partners to help win World War II, maintain a nuclear weapons deterrent, and power our fleet of nuclear submarines and aircraft carriers.
Additionally, electricity consumers in many other communities have paid the federal government over forty billion dollars to develop, license, construct and operate a nuclear waste repository, pursuant to the Nuclear Waste Policy Act. Yet, ratepayers have little to see for their investment because political science has deprived the public of the actual science to prove that nuclear waste can be safely permanently disposed.
Walden continues to lead the effort to clean up spent nuclear fuel that is sitting idle in 121 communities across 39 states throughout the country, including at the Hanford Site. Waldens Energy and Commerce Committee passed theNuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act (H.R. 3053), by a vote of 49-4 in June of 2017.
This legislation provides practical reforms to the nations nuclear waste management policy, and reinstates Yucca Mountain as the cornerstone of the countrys nuclear waste disposal. During his floor speech, Walden touted the Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act as a concrete solution to help clean up spent nuclear fuel.
This legislation makes targeted reforms to the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 to set the federal government up to finally keep its promise, said Walden. This nuclear waste challenge has vexed policy makers for generations. We -- this Congress -- have the chance now in a bipartisan way to successfully build a durable solution and I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to achieve this goal.
To read more about the Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments 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-leads-house-passage-broadband-growth-and-fcc-modernization,Greg Walden leads House passage of broadband growth and FCC modernization agreement,2018-03-06,2018,2018-03,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden leads House passage of broadband growth and FCC modernization agreement 
 RAY BAUMS Act, named after La Grande native, reauthorizes FCC for first time in 28 years 
Click here or on the image above to view Waldens floor speech
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) led the passage of H.R. 4986, the Repack Airwaves Yielding Better Access for Users of Modern Services, or RAY BAUMS Act, through the House of Representatives. Named after La Grande native, Ray Baum, this legislation reauthorizes the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for the first time in 28 years.
The RAY BAUMS Act reauthorizes the Federal Communications Commission, includes efficiency and transparency reforms for the FCC, and spurs the development of next-generation 5G technologies, said Walden in a speech on the House floor today. Its good for consumers, and its good for our nations critical telecommunications services.
RAY BAUMS Act is a bipartisan, bicameral agreement among House and Senate leaders to reauthorize the FCC and support the deployment of next-generation wireless broadband services. The Energy and Commerce Committeeapprovedan earlier version of H.R. 4986 by voice vote last month. The legislation that passed today will:
 Reauthorize the FCC and include reforms to ensure the commission continues to improve its efficiency and transparency.
	Boosts development of next-generation wireless broadband known as 5G by identifying spectrum for private sector use and cutting red tape associated with building wireless networks.
	Help TV broadcasters and rural translator districts relocate channels following the successful mobile broadband spectrum auction.
	Help the FCC and law enforcement protect consumers from fraudulent telephone calls, and to educate Americans about their options to stop these illegal calls.
 Ray Baum, the former Staff Director of the Energy and Commerce Committee, was a champion of telecommunications policy and long-time personal friend of Walden andlost his battle with cancer in February 2018.
My dear friend of nearly 30 years, Ray dedicated much of his public service to telecom policy, including working on this very legislation. These issues were a priority and a passion for him. He left us a legacy of optimism, perseverance, and working across the aisle to get things done -- I hope our bipartisan efforts today reflect his commitment to good public policy. Its fitting that this important bill is named in his honor, Walden added.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-efforts-combat-opioid-crisis-rubber-has-really-hit-road,Greg Walden on efforts to combat the opioid crisis: The rubber has really hit the road,2018-03-01,2018,2018-03,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden on effortsto combat the opioid crisis: The rubber has really hit the road 
WASHINGTON, D.C. --Earlier today, Rep.Greg Walden (R-Hood River) delivered keynote remarks at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, as part of a forum examining solutions to combat the opioid crisis.
Spearheading a two-track push to combat the opioid crisis, by legislating and investigating the causes of the epidemic, Rep.Walden has made it a top priority to help put an end to this scourge.
Representative Walden delivers his remarks.
In his keynote remarks, Walden stated, This crisis reaches coast to coast. Fueled by dangerous new chemical versions, illicitly manufactured drugs, and complicit bad actors contributing to the spread of opioid abuse, in one year alone, overdoses have taken more American lives than the entire Vietnam War. Scan the headlines on any given day and its clear that this epidemic is spiraling out of control with no end in sight -- unless we take action.
Walden gave a summary of yesterdays hearing examining ways to improve patient safety and bolster enforcement tools, before previewing the other two hearings to come. Yesterdays hearing represents the first of three legislative hearings the Energy and Commerce Committee will hold in the coming months to put forth initiatives to address the crisis. Rep. Walden intends to bring a legislative package to the floor of the House of Representative by Memorial Day.
combating the opioid crisis must be a collaborative, bipartisan effort, Walden stressed in his speech. No one person has the answers. And no one bill will provide the solution. Which is why weve taken a methodical and expansive approach to moving multiple bipartisan legislative ideas forward.
In concluding his remarks, Walden said, were moving full speed ahead on two tracks at Energy and Commerce, and with the start of our hearing series this week, the rubber has really hit the road on our legislative efforts.
To read Waldens remarks, as prepared for delivery, click HERE. Learn more about the Energy and Commerce Committees ongoing efforts to combat the opioid crisis HERE.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-opioid-epidemic-we-have-act,Greg Walden on opioid epidemic: We have to act,2018-02-28,2018,2018-02,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden on opioid epidemic: We have to act 
 Kicks off legislative push to advance solutions to combatthe nationwide crisis 
Click here or on the image above to view Waldens remarks during the hearing
WASHINGTON, D.C. --Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today kicked off a legislative push to advance concrete solutions to address the opioid epidemic in Oregon and throughout the country. Walden, who Chairs the House Energy and Commerce Committee, led a hearing today entitled Combating the Opioid Crisis: Helping Communities Balance Enforcement and Patient Safety, and examined eight legislative initiatives to combat the nationwide crisis.
No community is immune to the opioid epidemic. Its ripping apart the very fabric of our neighborhoods, said Walden. From Oregon to Ohio. From Connecticut to California. Our friends and our families are experiencing an epic tragedy -- one thats claiming the lives of more than 100 Americans each and every single day.
The hearing focused on giving law enforcement the tools they need to keep illicit synthetic drugs, like fentanyl, off Americas streets. Fentanyl is so deadly that a piece the size of a grain of salt is lethal, and has led to a reported 49 deaths in Oregon over the course of two years.
Combating the opioid epidemic is Rep. Waldens top priority as Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee. Todays hearing represents the first of three legislative hearings the Energy and Commerce Committee will hold in the coming months to put forth initiatives to address the crisis. Rep. Walden intends to bring a legislative package to the floor of the House of Representative by Memorial Day.
During the hearing, Walden highlighted roundtable meetings he holds throughout Oregons 2nd District with those on the front lines of the opioid crisis in. Walden brings these conversations back to Washington, D.C. as he continues his work in Congress to put an end to opioid abuse.
At a roundtable I held in southern Oregon, a man named Mike showed up, recalled Walden. Mikes son was injured in a school sporting accident, and he became addicted to the prescription painkillers provided by his doctor to aid in his recovery. Eventually, Mikes son made the all-too-familiar transition to a cheaper opioid source: heroin. To this day, Mike's son still struggles with his addiction that began with opioid abuse.
Mikes story is tragically not a unique one. It is a story that is ripping apart families all across our country. We have to act.
In addition to the Energy and Commerce Committees legislative push, Walden continues to investigate alleged opioid pill dumping into rural communities. To read more about Waldens ongoing investigation, as well as the Energy and Commerce Committees broader effort to combat the opioid crisis, please click here.
For more information on todays legislative hearing, including background memo, witness testimony, and archived webcast, please click here.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-president-trump-s-budget-request,Greg Walden on President Trumps Budget Request,2018-02-12,2018,2018-02,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden on President Trumps Budget Request 
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Rep. GregWalden (R-Hood River) today released the following statement on President Trump's budget request for Fiscal Year 2019.
I applaud President Trump for outlining his priorities for the country in todays budget request. I look forward to working alongside the President and his team to improve American infrastructure and rural broadband deployment, the management of our forests and public lands, and veterans access to care. I also share the Presidents passion to combat the devastating opioid crisis that is plaguing communities in Oregon and across the country. As Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, I will continue to work to advance legislative solutions and bring even more resources to this fight in the coming months. Our state and nation face many challenges, and I look forward to working with the administration and across the aisle here in Congress to find solutions for Oregonians and the American people.
Background
As Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, Rep. Walden is at the forefront of the effort to combat the nationwide opioid epidemic. Waldens committee is also continuing to work on important infrastructure priorities, such as expanding high-speed broadband infrastructure to rural America.
Combatting the Opioid Crisis
 The Energy and Commerce Committee has led the charge in combatting the opioid crisis, spearheading landmark legislation such as the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) and the 21stCentury Cures Act. The committee will begin another legislative push later this month. Learn more about the committees effortshere.
	After $6 billion in funding to combat the opioid crisis was secured in the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, the Energy and Commerce Committee stands readyto craft further reforms and provide even more resources in this fight.
	The Energy and Commerce Committee is conducting several active investigations into the worst abuses of the opioid crisis, including alleged opioid pill dumping. Learn morehere.
 Energy and Commerce Committee: Infrastructure by the Numbers
 24 -- the number ofEnergy and Commerce Committeeinfrastructure bills that have passed the House. Several more have passed the full committee or have been reviewed in legislative hearings.
	25 -- the number ofinfrastructure bills reviewed during alegislative hearingon 1/30/2018.
	45 -- the number of infrastructure-related hearings held by the Energy and Commerce Committee this Congress.
 ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-passing-ray-baum,Greg Walden on the Passing of Ray Baum,2018-02-09,2018,2018-02,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden on the Passing of Ray Baum 
WASHINGTON, D.C.  Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today released the below statement following the passing of his longtime friend, La Grande native, and Energy and Commerce Committee Staff Director Ray Baum:
Today, Mylene and I mourn the loss of our beloved friend and La Grande native, Ray Baum. After many years fighting cancer, Ray passed peacefully this morning surrounded by his loving family. Ray and I became fast friends nearly 30 years ago while serving in the Oregon state legislature. Ray followed me as House Majority Leader and went on to serve on the Oregon Liquor Control Commission, and the Oregon Public Utility Commission where, as the lone Republican, he was named Chairman. During my time at the Energy and Commerce Committee, Ray served as Senior Policy Advisor and most recently as Staff Director of the committee. True to his eastern Oregon roots, he shared his wisdom, guidance, work ethic, and humor with the Members of Congress and staff lucky enough to work with him every day.
People from Oregon to our nations capital are better off because of Rays selfless commitment to service. Ray will be deeply missed, but he will never be forgotten. His legacy of decency, kindness, graciousness, and honor will live on in the hearts and memories of those who were blessed to know him.
Mylene and I are deeply saddened by Rays passing and we keep his wife, Kristine, and the entire family in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time of loss.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-statement-bipartisan-budget-act,Greg Walden Statement on the Bipartisan Budget Act,2018-02-09,2018,2018-02,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden Statement on the Bipartisan Budget Act 
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Rep. Greg Walden(R-Hood River)released the following statement on the Bipartisan Budget Act:
Todays agreement marks an important step forward on keypriorities for Oregon. After months of needless delay, Community Health Centers will finally receive the full two-year extension passed out of the House under my legislation last fall. Community Health Centers care for over 240,000 Oregonians across 63 delivery sites throughout our district, and this funding will provide them with the certainty they need to continue serving Oregonians. The Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP) will receive 10 years of full funding, adding four years to the historic six-year extension I was proud to secure in January. Additionally, the increase in funding to fight the opioid crisis provides much-needed tools to combat this scourge that is plaguing communities in Oregon and across the country. As Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, Ive made combatting the opioid crisis a priority of our committee, and we plan to move forward with additionalimportant reforms and continue to ramp up our efforts in this fight.
Top scientists at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will have more resources to continue the ground-breaking research that will yield the next great breakthrough on the diseases and disorders we battle every day. Likewise, I am pleased to see the agreement commits resources to much-needed infrastructure priorities, including broadband for rural communities, clean and safe drinking water, and several energy initiatives -- all of which are critical for our state.
Most importantly, we give our military the tools and training they need to keep us safe. After too many years of asking our military to do more with less, we are providing our men and women in uniform with the necessary funding to complete their missions.
While no bill is perfect, I believe this agreement advances important initiatives for Oregonians. I will continue to work alongside my colleagues on these critical priorities for our state and country.
Rep. Walden was the only member of the Oregon delegation to vote for the Bipartisan Budget Act.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-leads-hearing-connecting-rural-america-broadband,Greg Walden leads hearing on connecting rural America with broadband,2018-02-05,2018,2018-02,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden leads hearing on connecting rural America with broadband 
Stresses importance of bridging the digital divide and improving broadband connectivity in Oregon
Click here or on the image above to view Walden's remarks
WASHINGTON, D.C. --Continuing his efforts to improve broadband connectivity in rural Oregon, Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today led a hearing to examine legislation aimed at bridging the digital divide for rural communities across the country. Today's hearing, entitled Closing the Digital Divide: Broadband Infrastructure Solutions, focused on bipartisan proposals to expand broadband infrastructure to underserved areas.
If you want to talk about rural areas, my district would stretch from the Atlantic Ocean to Ohio. It is 69,341 square miles. I have places in my district where there is one person for every nine miles of power line, said Walden. We live this gap every day and we are trying to close it. There are multiple ways to close it, but one of the best ways is to make sure we can expedite closing that gap through reforms in siting, targeting financial resources of ratepayers and the government to those areas that are underserved, and helping move this country forward to connectivity like we've never seen before.
During the hearing, Walden stressed the need to reduce unnecessary roadblocks to siting new broadband deployment projects in rural areas. Specifically, Walden raised concerns over the burdensome Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process that communities in Oregon must complete before expanding basic broadband infrastructure on federal land.
Click here or on the image above to view Walden's questioning during today's hearing
Again, 55% of my district is federal land so I'm somewhat familiar with this, said Walden. I run into this issue all the time on siting. We're trying to get broadband out there, and we're trying to get three-phased power in some of our communities that have waited three years to get an EIS to get four power poles on BLM land. So I think there is an issue here with siting.
As Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, Walden is at the forefront of initiatives to improve mobile broadband, make broadband spectrum more available to consumers, and increase access to telemedicine services and other 21st century technology that requires broadband connectivity in rural Oregon.More than 20 pieces of legislation have been introduced in Walden's Energy and Commerce Committee this year to expand broadband infrastructure, cut unnecessary red tape, encourage innovation, and advance public safety.
Approximately 23 million Americans living in rural areas lack sufficient access to high-speed broadband. Expanding broadband infrastructure to these communities in Oregon and throughout the country will help connect people to the 21st century economy no matter where they live, and is a top priority of Walden's in Congress.
For more information on today's hearing, including a background memo, witness testimony, and archived webcast, 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-intelligence-committee-s-fisa-memo,Greg Walden Statement on Intelligence Committees FISA Memo,2018-02-02,2018,2018-02,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden Statement on Intelligence Committee's FISA Memo 
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today issued the following statement on the release of the House Intelligence Committee's memo regardingthe Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act:
When I read this memo two weeks ago I found it very troubling and have supported its release as a matter of government transparency. The memo raises serious concerns about the conduct of officials at the FBI and Department of Justice.I look forward to the House Intelligence Committee's oversight and prompt attention to the issues raised by the document in order to ensure that the American people can have confidence in these important agencies.
To read a full copy of the memo, please click here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-bipartisan-committee-leaders-investigate-sexual-abuse,"Greg Walden, Bipartisan Committee Leaders to Investigate Sexual Abuse in Organized Sports",2018-01-26,2018,2018-01,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden, Bipartisan Committee Leaders to Investigate Sexual Abuse in Organized Sports 
WASHINGTON, D.C --House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Greg Walden (R-Hood River), along with a bipartisan group of lawmakers, sent letters today to USA Gymnastics, the U.S. Olympic Committee, Michigan State University, USA Swimming, and USA Taekwondo regarding sexual abuse within organized sports.
The letters follow the recent sentencing of Dr. Larry Nassar for his abuse of more than 150 women and girls, as well as last year's reports of sexual misconduct allegations in the Taekwondo community, and the 2014 allegations of sexual abuse from 19 former U.S. swimmers.
The abhorrent abuses associated with Dr. Nassar's case and the allegations by U.S. Taekwondo athletics and U.S. swimmers are disgusting and outrageous, and raise serious concerns about protecting athletes from abuse and mistreatment in organized sports. These organizations must have mechanisms in place to ensure complete oversight and prevent such abuses from occurring. As we move forward in gathering the facts, this committee intends to hold a hearing in order to investigate these critical issues further, saidWalden.
In their letter to USA Gymnastics, the members wrote: The abhorrent abuses associated with this case are outrageous, and raise serious concerns about your organization's ability to oversee your sport and protect your athletes from abuse and mistreatment. Accordingly, the Committee is seeking information from USA Gymnastics because of the role it plays in overseeing gymnastics and protecting all of its athletes.
Click here to read the letter to USA Gymnastics.
Click here to read the letter to the United States Olympic Committee.
Click here to read the letter to Michigan State University.
Click here to read the letter to USA Swimming.
Click here to read the letter to USA Taekwondo.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-votes-reopen-government-provide-historic-extension-funding,"Greg Walden votes to reopen government, provide historic extension of funding for Children's Health Insurance Program",2018-01-23,2018,2018-01,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden votes to reopen government, provide historic extension offundingfor Children's Health Insurance Program 
Click here or on the image above to view Walden's remarks
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The House of Representatives today passed a Continuing Resolution (CR) to reopen the government, by a vote of 266-150. The Senate passed this same CR earlier in the day by a vote of 81-18. Included in the CR is a provision authored by Rep. Greg Walden providing six years of funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which is the longest and most generous funding extension of the program.
I was proud to author and see passed into law the biggest extension of children's health insurance in the history of the program, said Walden. This is really important for 122,000 children and pregnant women in Oregon, and 9 million across the country who rely on CHIP for their health insurance. Our legislation gives them certainty for six years, the longest and biggest extension of the program in history. For those who said they were for it but then voted against it, shame on them.
Over the weekend, Senate Democrats blockeda government funding measure that provided the longest extension of CHIP in the program's history. Rep. Walden was the only member of the Oregon delegation to vote to provide a six-year extension of CHIP for the 122,700 Oregon children and pregnant women who rely on the program every day.
Background:
In November, the House passed Walden'sCHAMPIONING HEALTHY KIDS Actby a bipartisan vote. H.R. 3922 extends funding for CHIP, Community Health Centers, and other important public health programs.
H.R. 3922 was fully offset through responsible reforms like reducing federal subsidies for seniors earning more than $500,000 each year (or $40,000 each month) by limiting government contributions for their Part B and D premiums, and disenrolling lottery jackpot winners from Medicaid to prioritize the most vulnerable.
Last month, the House actedto provide short-term funding for states to continue their CHIP programs, including over $96 million for children and pregnant women in Oregon.
Last Thursday, The House of Representatives passed a Continuing Resolution (CR) to fund the government. Included in the CR is a provision providing six years of funding for CHIP, which is the longest and most generous funding extension of the program.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/icymi-greg-walden-champions-chip-during-government-shutdown-delivers-its,"ICYMI: Greg Walden Champions CHIP During Government Shutdown, Delivers on its Passage",2018-01-23,2018,2018-01,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"ICYMI: Greg Walden Champions CHIP During Government Shutdown, Delivers on its Passage 
On Monday, Congress advanced a Continuing Resolution (CR) that would reopen the government and its critical services. Also included in the CR was a provision authored by Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) that provides a six-year extension of the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), the longest extension in the program's 20-year history.
Over the weekend, Senate Democrats blockeda government funding measure that provided this critical funding extension of CHIP. Rep. Walden was the only member of the Oregon delegation to vote to reopen the government and provide six years of certainty for the Oregon children and pregnant women who rely on CHIP every day.
Oregon Public Broadcasting reports, The children's health program, which covers about 120,000 children and pregnant women in Oregon, expired at the end of September. Since then, it's been kept alive by stop-gap funding as lawmakers from both sides squabbled over how to pay for it.
The House of Representatives also previously passed Walden's CHAMPIONING HEALTHY KIDS Act, extending funding for CHIP, Community Health Centers and other important public health programs, on November 3, 2017, largely without Democratic support.
""We didn't have to be here, and you sure as heck didn't have to shut down the government. Our choice yesterday was vote to fund the government, or not. Vote to fund children's health insurance for 9 million children and, by the way, for states like mine that also includes DACA kids, said Walden in a speech on the House Floor on Saturday. So when you voted against that yesterday, you voted not to provide insurance to children and pregnant women in our states. That is wrong. We are here to govern. We are governing as Republicans. We will get this government up and running and we will take care of those children.
On Monday, the House and Senate governed, sending a six-year CHIP extension to President Trump that he has signed into law.
 Greg Walden Wins Shutdown Battle Over Children's Health Care 
Rep. Greg Walden -- Oregon's sole Republican member of Congress -- claimed a big legislative victory as the three-day government shutdown was endingMonday.
As chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Walden played a key role in tying continuation of the popular Children's Health Insurance Program, or CHIP, to a bill ending the governmentshutdown.
""It's nice to get a critically important health care issue passed and into law and give certainty for families in Oregon, Walden said in an interview with OPB on Monday, hours before Congress sent the measure to President Donald Trump for hissignature.
Walden also expressed skepticism about whether Congress could come to any agreements on immigration before the latest government funding extension expires Feb. 8. Congressional Democrats, and some Republicans, pushed hard to provide protection for immigrants brought here illegally by their parents when they werechildren.
""I think that's pretty unrealistic, if you want to know the truth, Walden said, adding that immigration reform is tough stuff to get done or it would have been done a long timeago.
The children's health program, which covers about 120,000 children and pregnant women in Oregon, expired at the end of September. Since then, it's been kept alive by stop-gap funding as lawmakers from both sides squabbled over how to pay forit.
Walden chairs the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over the issue. Democratic leaders on the committee argued that Walden and other Republicans wanted to gut funding for health programs associated with the Affordable Care Act to pay forCHIP.
Walden scoffed at that and repeatedly accused Democrats of jeopardizing the health of the program'srecipients.
The dispute was recently resolved when the Congressional Budget Office said a long extension of the program would actually save money by not forcing recipients into insurance coverage that would have more expensive government subsidies. The bill passed on Monday renews the program for sixyears.
To read the article online, clickHERE.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/icymi-greg-walden-leads-call-action-chip-funding,ICYMI: Greg Walden leads call to action on CHIP funding,2018-01-23,2018,2018-01,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"ICYMI: Greg Walden leads call to action on CHIP funding 
 Pushes for government funding measure, longest extension of children's health insurance program in history 
Click here or on the image above to view Walden's speech on the floor of the House of Representatives
WASHINGTON, D.C. Continuing his efforts to provide certainty to over 122,700 children and pregnant women in Oregon who rely on the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) has led the call to action to pass a government funding measure that includes the longest extension of CHIP in history.
We didn't have to be here, and you sure as heck didn't have to shut down the government. Our choice yesterday was vote to fund the government, or not. Vote to fund children's health insurance for 9 million children and, by the way, for states like mine that also includes DACA kids, said Walden in a speech on the floor of the House of Representatives Saturday. So when you voted against that yesterday, you voted not to provide insurance to children and pregnant women in our states. That is wrong. We are here to govern. We are governing as Republicans. We will get this government up and running and we will take care of those children.
On Wednesday, Walden participated in a press conference calling for full funding of CHIP. To watch Walden's full remarks, pleaseclick here or on the image above.
On Wednesday, Rep. Greg Walden participated in apress conference calling on Democrats to stop playing politics with funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).The press conference fell on the eve of the House's consideration of aContinuing Resolution (CR)to fund government operations, which includes a six-year extension for CHIP.
Detailing the Democrats' delays throughout the legislative process and their resistance to reaching a bipartisan agreement,Walden stated, It's time. Enough's enough.
Walden also called on Oregon Governor Kate Brown to use her leadership position at the National Governor's Association (NGA) to support passage of funding the children's health insurance program.
Under my leadership, Republicans in the House have repeatedly passed full funding for CHIP, and the proposal--defeated by Democrats in the Senate last night--funded CHIP for six years at the biggest funding levels, ever.Oregon kids need the Governor's support at this critical time, said Walden.
Senate Democrats blockeda government funding measure that provided the longest extension of CHIP in the program's history. Rep. Walden was the only member of the Oregon delegation to vote to provide a six-year extension of CHIP for the 122,700 Oregon children and pregnant women who rely on the program every day.
Background: In November, the House passed Walden'sCHAMPIONING HEALTHY KIDS Actby a bipartisan vote. H.R. 3922 extends funding for CHIP, Community Health Centers, and other important public health programs.
H.R. 3922 was fully offset through responsible reforms like reducing federal subsidies for seniors earning more than $500,000 each year (or $40,000 each month) by limiting government contributions for their Part B and D premiums, and disenrolling lottery jackpot winners from Medicaid to prioritize the most vulnerable.
Last month, the House actedto provide short-term funding for states to continue their CHIP programs, including over $96 million for children and pregnant women in Oregon.
On Thursday, The House of Representatives passed a Continuing Resolution (CR) to fund the government. Included in the CR is a provision providing six-years of funding for CHIP, which is the longest and most generous funding extension of the program. In recent days, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has updated its scoring of the provision,projecting a net savings over a six-year window.
In Oregon, one-out-of-ten children and pregnant women rely on CHIP. Below are calculations for the number of children that rely on CHIP every day in each county of Oregon's Second Congressional District:
Baker 279
Crook 575
Deschutes 4,516
Gilliam 44
Grant 88
Harney 147
Hood River 801
Jackson 5,086
Jefferson 650
Josephine 1,821
Klamath 1,120
Lake 96
Malheur 694
Morrow 325
Sherman 17
Umatilla 1,935
Union 550
Wallowa 211
Wasco 772
Wheeler 20

 Walden to Senate Democrats: Fund kids' health care 
Rep. Greg Walden, R-Ore.,chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, spoke on the House floor Saturday, as the government shutdown took effect, and called on Democrats to put partisan politics aside and support the Children's Health Insurance Program.
Click here to read more from News Channel 21 in Bend.
 Rep. Walden pushes for 'CHIP' extension amid potential government shutdown 
Amid a potential government shutdown Friday, Oregon Representative Greg Walden is pushing for the passing of a short term spending bill in order to keep funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program, or ""CHIP"", for short.
Click here to read more from News Channel 10 in Medford.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-chip-we-will-take-care-those-children,Greg Walden on CHIP: We will take care of those children,2018-01-20,2018,2018-01,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden on CHIP: We will take care of those children 
Calls on Democrats to put kids over politics, support government funding measure and children's health insurance program
Click here or on the image above to view Walden's floor speech
WASHINGTON, D.C. --Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River), chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, today called on Democrats to put partisan politics aside and support the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
We didn't have to be here, and you sure as heck didn't have to shut down the government. Our choice yesterday was vote to fund the government, or not. Vote to fund children's health insurance for 9 million children and, by the way, for states like mine that also includes DACA kids, said Walden in a speech on the floor of the House of Representatives. So when you voted against that yesterday, you voted not to provide insurance to children and pregnant women in our states. That is wrong. We are here to govern. We are governing as Republicans. We will get this government up and running and we will take care of those children.
Last night, Senate Democrats blockeda government funding measure that provided the longest extension of CHIP in the program's history. Rep. Walden was the only member of the Oregon delegation to vote to provide a six-year extension of CHIP for the 122,700 Oregon children and pregnant women who rely on the program every day.
Background: In November, the House passed Walden's CHAMPIONING HEALTHY KIDS Act by a bipartisan vote. H.R. 3922 extends funding for CHIP, Community Health Centers, and other important public health programs.
H.R. 3922 was fully offset through responsible reforms like reducing federal subsidies for seniors earning more than $500,000 each year (or $40,000 each month) by limiting government contributions for their Part B and D premiums, and disenrolling lottery jackpot winners from Medicaid to prioritize the most vulnerable.
Last month, the House acted to provide short-term funding for states to continue their CHIP programs, including over $96 million for children and pregnant women in Oregon.
On Thursday, The House of Representatives passed a Continuing Resolution (CR) to fund the government. Included in the CR is a provision providing six-years of funding for CHIP, which is the longest and most generous funding extension of the program. In recent days, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has updated its scoring of the provision,projecting a net savings over a six-year window.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-governor-brown-oregon-kids-need-governor-s-support-critical,"Greg Walden to Governor Brown: ""Oregon kids need the Governors support at this critical time""",2018-01-20,2018,2018-01,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden to Governor Brown: ""Oregon kids need the Governor's support at this critical time"" 
 Calls on Gov. Brown to support passage of children's health insurance program 
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Rep. Greg Walden, chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, has called on Gov. Kate Brown to use her leadership position at the National Governor's Association to support passage of funding children's health insurance program.
I called Governor Brown yesterday and asked her to use her leadership position with the National Governor's Association to support fully funding the children's health insurance program that serves more than 122,700 Oregon children and pregnant mothers. Under my leadership, Republicans in the House have repeatedly passed full funding for CHIP, and the proposal--defeated by Democrats in the Senate last night--funded CHIP for six years at the biggest funding levels, ever.Oregon kids need the Governor's support at this critical time, said Walden.
Last night, Senate Democrats blockeda government funding measure that provided the longest extension of CHIP in the program's history. Rep. Walden was the only member of the Oregon delegation to vote to provide a six-year extension of CHIP for the 122,700 Oregon children and pregnant women who rely on the program every day.
Click here or on the image above to read more from the New York Times.
Background:
In November, the House passed Walden's CHAMPIONING HEALTHY KIDS Act by a bipartisan vote. H.R. 3922 extends funding for CHIP, Community Health Centers, and other important public health programs.
  
	H.R. 3922 was fully offset through responsible reforms like reducing federal subsidies for seniors earning more than $500,000 each year (or $40,000 each month) by limiting government contributions for their Part B and D premiums, and disenrolling lottery jackpot winners from Medicaid to prioritize the most vulnerable.
  Last month, the House acted to provide short-term funding for states to continue their CHIP programs, including over $96 million for children and pregnant women in Oregon.
On Thursday, The House of Representatives passed a Continuing Resolution (CR) to fund the government. Included in the CR is a provision providing six-years of funding for CHIP, which is the longest and most generous funding extension of the program. In recent days, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has updated its scoring of the provision, projecting a net savings over a six-year window.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-chip-funding-it-s-time-enough-s-enough,Greg Walden on CHIP funding: Its time. Enoughs enough.,2018-01-18,2018,2018-01,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden on CHIP funding: It's time. Enough's enough. 
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Earlier this evening, Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) participated in a press conference calling on Democrats to stop playing politics with funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The press conference fell on the eve of the House's consideration of a Continuing Resolution (CR) to fund government operations, which includes a six-year extension for CHIP.
Detailing the Democrats' delays throughout the legislative process and their resistance to reaching a bipartisan agreement, Walden stated, It's time. Enough's enough.
Clickhere or on the image aboveto watch Walden's remarks
Background:
In November, the House passed Walden's CHAMPIONING HEALTHY KIDS Act(H.R.3922) by a bipartisan vote. H.R. 3922 extends funding for CHIP, Community Health Centers, and other important public health programs.
H.R. 3922 was fully offset through responsible reforms like reducing federal subsidies for seniors earning more than $500,000 each year (or $40,000 each month) by limiting government contributions for their Part B and D premiums, and disenrolling lottery jackpot winners from Medicaid to prioritize the most vulnerable.
Last month, the House acted to provide short-term funding for states to continue their CHIP programs, giving the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) greater flexibility over the use of redistribution funds.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-applauds-renomination-ryan-bounds-ninth-circuit-court,Greg Walden applauds renomination of Ryan Bounds to Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals,2018-01-11,2018,2018-01,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden applauds renomination of Ryan Bounds to Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals 
 Says Bounds is uniquely qualified for this judgeship 
WASHINGTON, D.C.  Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) applauded the renomination of Ryan Bounds to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
The President's nomination of Ryan Bounds to serve on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals is welcome news for rural Oregon. Born and raised in Hermiston, Ryan has never lost touch with his roots and understands well the way of life in our communities, said Walden. He knows firsthand the dominant role federal decisions can make in our region where a majority of land is managed by the federal government. Ryan is also a highly talented and accomplished legal practitioner, with a breadth of experience before both trial and appellate courts.
Ryan Bounds serves as an Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Oregon, where he prosecutes criminal cases on behalf of the United States. Previously, he was a Special Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Columbia.
Rural Oregon deserves both a chance for a more balanced judicial approach and a talented legal practitioner who understands the impact these decisions have on our way of life, said Walden. Ryan's deep roots in rural Oregon, respect for tradition, precedent, and deference to the political branches of the state and federal governments will provide rural Oregon with that important voice on the bench. He is uniquely qualified for this judgeship. His commitment to the rule of law, liberty and self-government are, in my mind, beyond question. I strongly support his nomination and look forward to the Senate moving promptly to confirm him for this seat on the Ninth Circuit.
On January 5, President Trump renominated Ryan Bounds to serve as a Circuit Court Judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
Mr. Bounds' nomination has the support of local lawmakers, community leaders, and well respected legal practitioners in Oregon, including:
The City Council of Hermiston, Oregon
The City Council of Pendleton, Oregon
Oregon State Senator Bill Hansell
Oregon State Senator Tim Knopp
Oregon State Senator Betsy Johnson
Oregon State Senator Fred Girod
Oregon State Senator Dennis Linthicum
Oregon State Senator Kim Thatcher
Oregon State Senator Jackie Winters
Oregon State Senator Arnie Roblan
Oregon State Senator Ted Ferriolli
Oregon State Senator Herman Baertschiger Jr.
Oregon State Senator Alan DeBoer
Oregon State Senator Jeff Kruse
Oregon State Senator Alan Olsen
Oregon State Senator Chuck Thomsen
Oregon State senator Lee Beyer
Oregon Wheat Growers League
Amy Baggio, Esq. (Oregon criminal defense bar)
Lawrence Matasar, Esq. (Oregon criminal defense bar)
Robert Hamilton, Esq. (Oregon criminal defense bar)
Francesca Freccero, Esq. (Oregon criminal defense bar)
Michelle Sweet, Esq. (Oregon criminal defense bar)
Fidel Cassino-DuCloux, Esq. (Oregon criminal defense bar)
Celia Howes, Esq. (Oregon criminal defense bar)
Per Olson, Esq. (Oregon criminal defense bar)
John Ransom, Esq. (Oregon criminal defense bar)
Per Ramfjord, Esq. (Oregon criminal defense bar)
Mark Ahlemeyer, Esq. (Oregon criminal defense bar)
Thomas E. Price, Esq. (Oregon criminal defense bar)
Mark C. Cogan, Esq. (Oregon criminal defense bar)
Thomas J. Hester, Esq. (Oregon criminal defense bar)
Warren & Sugarman  Attorneys at Law
Andrew Bates, Esq. (Oregon criminal defense bar)
Jeffrey A. Turnoy, Esq. (Oregon criminal defense bar)
Kristen Tranetzki, Esq. (Oregon criminal defense bar)
Kristian Roggendorf, Esq.
Darian Stanford, Esq.
Robert D. Van Brocklin, Esq.
Neil Bryant, Esq.
Jim Westwood, Esq.
Janet Schroer, Esq.
Bill Barton, Esq.
Henry Hewitt, Esq.
Michael Wise, Esq.
Jack Roberts, Esq.
Bethany Bacci, Esq.
Dan Occhipinti, Esq.
Tony Dal Ponte, Esq.
Elizabeth Bingold, Esq.
David Angeli, Esq.
Tom Rask, Esq.
Andre Wang, Esq.
Timothy J. Bernasek, Esq.
Doug Pahl, Esq.
Scott Rickard, Esq.
Mary Anne Cooper, Esq.
Brendan O'Scannlain, Esq.
Tom Johnson, Esq.
Dave Filippi, Esq.
Janet Schroer, Esq.
Sara Cotton, Esq.
Jeff Bradford, Esq.
Kirk Maag, Esq.
Duane Bosworth, Esq.
Doug Goe, Esq.
Tim Snider, Esq.
Gene Frasetto, Esq.
Heath Curtiss, Esq.
Ivan Gutierrez, Esq.
Richard Vangelisti, Esq.
Phil Nelson, Esq.
Chad Stavley, Esq.
Shangar Meman, Esq.
Shawn Filippi, Esq.
Brent Barton, Esq.
Emilee S. Preble, Esq.  Member of the Board of Directors of the Multnomah Bar Association
Beverly Pearman, Esq.
Stephen Peifer, Esq.
John Haub Law, LLC
For full letters of support for Mr. Bounds' nomination to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, please click here. To read an editorial from the Pendleton East Oregonian in support of Bounds' nomination, please click here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/walden-bill-protect-mt-hood-local-drinking-water-source-signed-law,"Walden bill to protect Mt. Hood, local drinking water source, signed into law",2018-01-10,2018,2018-01,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Walden bill to protect Mt. Hood, local drinking water source, signed into law 
Click here or on the image above to view Walden's remarks
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Bipartisan legislation authored by Oregon Reps. Greg Walden and Earl Blumenauer, and Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkleyto help protect Mt. Hoodand Crystal Springs,the local water source forcommunities in the surrounding area, was signed into law today.
This is the final piece in a decade-long effort to protect the upper Hood River Valley, said Walden. We passed legislation in 2009 to provide important protections for Mt. Hood -- a treasure to all Oregonians. This ensures that these lands will be transferred and if development occurs it will be in Government Camp, where it belongs. This critical habitat and public land will now have long-term protections for generations to come. I am proud to have worked diligently with my colleagues and move this bipartisan bill forward in the Oregon Way. I applaud President Trump for signingthis critical legislation into law.
Oregon Reps. Greg Walden and Earl Blumenauer hiking around Mt. Hood in August 2005
The Omnibus Public Lands Management Act of 2009 authorizes a land exchange to allow development of 120 acres of federal land in Government Camp in exchange for the protection of 770 acres of non-federal land at Cooper Spur. That law clearly stated that the Forest Service should complete the land exchange within 16 months. However, the exchange has yet to be completed, creating frustration and uncertainty in the local communities around Mt. Hood.
The Mt. Hood Cooper Spur Land Exchange Clarification Act, signed into law today, directsthe Forest Service to complete the exchange, addresses disagreements over a conservation easement, and allows for a more transparent appraisal process. 
The House passed this legislation in February of 2017 by a vote of 415-1, and the Senate passed the bill in December of 2017.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-applauds-rural-broadband-executive-orders,Greg Walden applauds rural broadband executive orders,2018-01-09,2018,2018-01,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden applauds rural broadband executive orders 
Click here or on the image above to view Waldens remarks
WASHINGTON, D.C. --Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today applauded two executive orders signed by President Trump aimed at improving rural broadband.
Too many rural communities in Oregon lack the broadband access they need to join the 21st century economy, said Walden. I hear this all too frequently from my constituents, and insufficient internet access leaves nearly 23 million Americans across the country without access to telemedicine, streaming video, distance learning, and more. The executive orders signed by President Trump bring us closer to spanning the digital divide and helping Oregonians and all Americans fully realize the innovations made possible by broadband, no matter where they live.
The executive orders signed by the President today aim to streamline and expedite requests for rural broadband projects, and direct the Department of the Interior to develop plans to support rural broadband development by increasing access to tower facilities and other infrastructure assets managed by the department.
Todays action comes as Walden continues to lead the effort to improve mobile broadband, make broadband spectrum more available to consumers, and increase access to telemedicine services and other 21st century technology that requires broadband connectivity in rural Oregon and across the country.
To read President Trumps full executive order on Streamlining and Expediting Requests to Locate Broadband Facilities in Rural America, please click here. To read President Trumps full memorandum for the Secretary of the Interior regarding broadband tower facilities in rural America, please click here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-presses-update-hanford-clean,Greg Walden presses for update on Hanford clean up,2018-01-09,2018,2018-01,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden presses for update on Hanford clean up 
 Leads hearing to receive update from DOE officials on progress, timeline of Hanford clean up 
Click here or on the image above to view Waldens remarks
WASHINGTON, D.C. --Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River), chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, today led a hearing with Department of Energy (DOE) officials to discuss the federal governments cleanup of nuclear waste at the Hanford Site. During the hearing, Walden stressed the importance of finishing the cleanup for people in Oregon and throughout the Pacific Northwest.
The Office of Environmental Management oversees the environmental remediation projects at some of our nations most contaminated sites, including the Hanford Site that is located just up the Columbia River from where I live, said Walden. Those of us in the Northwest care deeply about that, and even more deeply about getting it cleaned up and protected, especially given some of the failures that have occurred recently with some of the tanks.
Walden toured the Hanford Site in August of 2017 with Energy Secretary Rick Perry, and today requested an update on the progress of nuclear waste cleanup at Hanford from DOE Under Secretaryfor Science Paul Dabbar, who recently returned from assessing cleanup efforts at the site.
Give us an update on the latest at Hanford, and where that waste would go if we ever get Yucca opened, said Walden. Are we still on target?
There are things we are moving along with that we are very excited about and think are very positive, and there are areas that have challenges. In terms of the positive areas, finally we are moving down the road of making glass at the plateau, said Under Secretary Dabbar, referencing the process by which hazardous nuclear waste is immobilized through glass-making.
The DFLAW -- the low activity nuclear waste treatment plant -- is coming online. Were going to make some glass, and we are going to clean up some tanks. Were also looking at closing the first tank farm possibly -- the first time ever -- and were looking to ship some waste off site for the first time ever. Theres some very positive things that we are executing.
Todays hearing comes as Walden continues to lead the effort to clean up spent nuclear fuel that is sitting idle in 121 communities across 39 states throughout the country, including at the Hanford Site. Waldens Energy and Commerce Committee passed the Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act (H.R. 3053), by a vote of 49-4 in June of 2017. This legislation provides practical reforms to the nations nuclear waste management policy, and reinstates Yucca Mountain as the cornerstone of the countrys nuclear waste disposal.
For more information on todays hearing, including a background memo, witness testimony, and full webcast, please clickHERE.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z