Friday - March 29, 2024
U.S. Congressional Tipoffs Involving Oregon Newsletter for Sunday September 22, 2019 ( 54 items )  

Bipartisan Group of Western Senators Introduce Legislation to Provide Financial Certainty for Rural Counties
WASHINGTON, Sept. 17 -- Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, issued the following news release: A bipartisan group of Western senators have introduced legislation to provide long-term financial security for rural counties. The legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Ron Wyden (D-Oregon), Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon), Michael Bennet (D-Colorado) and Cory Gardner (R-Colorado) would reauthorize the Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program for ten years. The program pro  more

Chair Bonamici Issues Statement at Hearing on Priorities of EEOC, Office of Federal Contract Programs
WASHINGTON, Sept. 19 -- The Education and Labor subcommittee on Civil Rights and Human Services issued the following statement by Chair Suzanne Bonamici, D-Oregon, at a hearing entitled "Examining the Policies and Priorities of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Office of Federal Contract Programs": "Today's hearing will examine the policies and priorities of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or the EEOC, and the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, or the  more

Chair DeFazio Formally Invites Boeing CEO Muilenburg to Testify at Hearing in Oct. on the 737 MAX
WASHINGTON, Sept. 17 -- Rep. Peter A. DeFazio, D-Oregon, chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, issued the following news release: Today, Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) formally invited Boeing Chairman Dennis Muilenburg and Chief Engineer of Boeing's Commercial Airplanes division John Hamilton to appear before the Full Committee for a hearing on October 30, 2019. Other hearings: May 15, 2019: "Status of the Bo  more

Chairs DeFazio and Lipinski Announce Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee Hearing on Commuter Railroads
WASHINGTON, Sept. 20 -- Rep. Peter A. DeFazio, D-Oregon, chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, issued the following news release: Today, Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR), and Chair of the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Daniel Lipinski (D-IL) announced the Subcommittee will hold a hearing titled, "Challenges and Opportunities for Commuter Railroads." The hearing will explore the sta  more

Chairs DeFazio, Lipinski Request Update From 12 Companies on Grade Crossing Data
WASHINGTON, Sept. 19 -- Rep. Peter A. DeFazio, D-Oregon, chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, issued the following news release: Today, Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR), and Chair of the Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee Daniel Lipinski (D-IL) sent a letter to 12 companies seeking information on what steps they have taken to incorporate data into their navigation services, applications a  more

Columbian: Rep. Beutler - Columbian's Criticism of ESA Updates Misleading
WASHINGTON, Sept. 18 -- Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Washington, issued the following op-ed: As this region's federal representative, I've worked to protect our endangered species -- from promoting a healthy Gifford Pinchot National Forest to boosting native salmon runs to brokering collaborative solutions that preserve endangered species such as the Oregon spotted frog. As this region's federal representative, I've worked to protect our endangered species -- from promoting a healthy Gifford   more

Committee Approves Slate of Legislation to Maintain Labor Standards, Fund Water Projects Across the Country, Improve Disaster Preparedness, More
WASHINGTON, Sept. 19 -- Rep. Peter A. DeFazio, D-Oregon, chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, issued the following news release: Today, the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure approved a slate of bipartisan measures by voice vote, including the Fair and Open Skies Act, the Protect and Restore America's Estuaries Act, the Resilience Revolving Loan Fund Act, legislation to amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, and  more

Eight Trump Nominees, Including Treasury Assistant Secretary, Received by Senate
WASHINGTON, Sept. 20 -- The U.S. Senate received the nomination of eight individuals for positions in the Trump Administration on Sept. 19: Mitchell A. Silk, of New York, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Treasury. Robert Joseph Kruckemeyer, of Texas, to be a Member of the National Council on the Humanities for a term expiring January 26, 2022. Robert Anthony Dixon, of the District of Columbia, to be United States Marshal for the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for the term of fo  more

GAO Issues Report on CMS Quality Measurement Activities
WASHINGTON, Sept. 20 -- The Government Accountability Office has issued a report on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' quality measurement activities. The report (GAO-19-628) is titled "Health Care Quality: CMS Could More Effectively Ensure Its Quality Measurement Activities Promote Its Objectives". The report was sent to Sen. Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa, chairman, Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, chairm  more

GAO Issues Report on Passenger Assaults Against Airline Customer Service Agents
WASHINGTON, Sept. 19 -- The Government Accountability Office has issued a report on passenger violence against airline customer service agents at airports. The report (GAO-19-683) is titled "Commercial Aviation: Information on Passenger Assaults against Airline Customer Service Agents at Airports". The report was sent to Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Mississippi, chairman, Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Washington, ranking member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, Rep. Peter DeFazio,   more

House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee to Hold Markup
WASHINGTON, Sept. 17 -- Rep. Peter A. DeFazio, D-Oregon, chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, issued the following news release: The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will hold a Full Committee markup this Thursday, September 19, 2019, at 10:00 am in 2167 Rayburn House Office Building to consider the following measures: * H.R. 3632, Fair and Open Skies Act * H.R. 1620, Chesapeake Bay Program Reauthorization Act * H.R. 1132, San Francisco Bay Restoratio  more

House Transportation & Infrastructure Subcommittee on Aviation to Hold Hearing on Implementation of FAA Reauthorization of 2018
WASHINGTON, Sept. 20 -- Rep. Peter A. DeFazio, D-Oregon, chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, issued the following news release: Today, Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Chair of the Subcommittee on Aviation Rick Larsen (D-WA) announced the Subcommittee will hold a hearing titled "A Work in Progress: Implementation of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018." The hearing will examine progress within the Federal   more

House Transportation & Infrastructure Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation to Hold Hearing on Port Infrastructure
WASHINGTON, Sept. 20 -- Rep. Peter A. DeFazio, D-Oregon, chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, issued the following news release: Today, Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR), and Chair of the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Sean Patrick Maloney (D-NY) announced the Subcommittee will hold a hearing titled, "Coast Guard and Port Infrastructure: Built to Last?" This hearing will explore shore si  more

In Transportation Committee Hearing, DeFazio Blasts EPA on Roll Backs of Clean Water Act
WASHINGTON, Sept. 18 -- Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: At a hearing today before the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Peter DeFazio (D-OR), challenged Assistant Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dave Ross, about the Trump administration's recent actions to roll back clean water rules, and the impact those decisions will have for years to come. Chair  more

Merkley Joins Romney to Introduce New, Bipartisan Legislation to Address Vaping Crisis
WASHINGTON, Sept. 19 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Oregon's Senator Jeff Merkley today joined Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) to introduce the Ending New Nicotine Dependencies (ENND) Act, bipartisan legislation that would regulate e-cigarette standards and protect public health by prohibiting non-tobacco flavors and ensuring that electronic nicotine delivery systems are tamper-proof. Additionally, the ENND Act would require HHS to conduct a robust public awarenes  more

Merkley Secures Investments to Create Oregon Jobs, Improve Infrastructure in Senate Appropriations Bill
WASHINGTON, Sept. 16 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * - The Energy and Water appropriations bill benefits every corner of Oregon with investments in renewable energy, small ports, irrigation districts, and more * * * Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley today announced that he secured key provisions that will help create jobs and improve infrastructure in Oregon communities in the Senate Appropriations Committee's Energy and Water appropriations bill, wh  more

Merkley Secures New Funding, Policy Guidance for Broad Range of Oregon Agriculture Priorities
WASHINGTON, Sept. 19 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * - As top Democrat on the Appropriations Agriculture Subcommittee, Merkley secured additional investments in rural housing; new funding for smoke and hemp research; new policy guidance on CBD and hazelnuts; and more * * * Oregon's Senator Jeff Merkley, the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture and Rural Development, today announced key provisions in the Senate Agricult  more

Rep. Bonamici Introduces Bipartisan Reauthorization of Older Americans Act
WASHINGTON, Sept. 17 -- Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: This week Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Chair of the Education & Labor Committee's Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Human Services, introduced the Dignity in Aging Act. This bipartisan proposal will reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) and increase funding for vital programs that help aging Americans live independently and with dignity. "Too many Americans struggle to meet basic needs and access crucia  more

Rep. Bonamici Praises Passage of Bill to End Forced Arbitration
WASHINGTON, Sept. 20 -- Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Today Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) joined the House of Representatives in passing legislation that would end forced arbitration, allowing access to the court system for consumers and workers to settle disputes with corporations. The Forced Arbitration Injustice Repeal (FAIR) Act, H.R. 1423, would prohibit the use of arbitration clauses in contracts involving consumer, employment, antitrust, and  more

Rep. Bonamici Presses EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler on EPA's Dismissal of Science
WASHINGTON, Sept. 19 -- Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), a leader on the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, questioned Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler about the Agency's proposed rule to censor science. This was the first time a Trump-appointed EPA Administrator appeared before the committee. The proposed "censoring science" rule, titled Strengthening Transparency in Regula  more

Rep. Bonamici-Led Bipartisan Update of Older Americans Act Moves to House Floor
WASHINGTON, Sept. 18 -- Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Today the Education and Labor Committee approved bipartisan legislation led by Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), the Dignity in Aging Act, to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA). H.R. 4334 will increase funding for vital programs that serve nearly 11 million aging Americans. Bonamici is Chair of the Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Human Services, which has jurisdiction over OAA. A video of Bonamici's re  more

Rep. DeFazio Announces $1.7 Million in Grants to Support Firefighting Efforts in Oregon's 4th Congressional District
WASHINGTON, Sept. 19 -- Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Today, Congressman Peter DeFazio (OR-4) announced the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded multiple grants exceeding $1.7 million to jurisdictions in Oregon's Fourth Congressional District to assist local firefighting efforts. An additional $1.9 million was awarded to statewide programs. The grants, which come from the Assistance to Firefighters Gran  more

Rep. DeFazio Announces Grant to Protect Oregonians From Accidents Involving Transportation of Hazardous Materials
WASHINGTON, Sept. 19 -- Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Today, Congressman Peter DeFazio (OR-4) announced the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has awarded the state of Oregon a $251,600 hazardous materials emergency preparedness grant. Funds will be provided to the Office of State Fire Marshal to invest in emergency response training and plans to deal with accidents involving the transporta  more

Rep. DeFazio Bill Would Block Trump's Reckless Attempt to Fast Track LNG By Rail Tank Car
WASHINGTON, Sept. 16 -- Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Congressman Tom Malinowski (D-NJ) introduced H.R. 4306, legislation requiring a comprehensive review into the transport of liquified natural gas (LNG) by rail tank car within the United States. On April 10, 2019, President Donald Trump issued an executive order directing the Secretary of the Department of Transportat  more

Rep. DeFazio Issues Statement on Continuing Appropriations Act, 2020, Health Extenders Act
WASHINGTON, Sept. 21 -- Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Oregon, issued the following speech, which was published in the Congressional Record on Sept. 20, on the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2020, and Health Extenders Act (H.R. 4378): I will vote yes on H.R. 4378, which funds the federal government through November 21, 2019, although I do have several concerns regarding what is in the bill. The House has completed nearly all of its appropriations bills. The Republican Senate has passed none. Because th  more

Rep. DeFazio Joins Juliana Vs. United States Youth Plaintiffs at U.S. Supreme Court in Call for Climate Action
WASHINGTON, Sept. 18 -- Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio (OR-04) today joined Juliana v. United States youth plaintiffs, and Swedish climate activist, Greta Thunberg at the United States Supreme Court to call on Americans to participate in the Global Climate Strike on September 20, 2019 and urge leaders to take immediate action to address the climate crisis. In March, DeFazio backed the youth plaintiffs and their landmark constitutional cl  more

Rep. DeFazio Presses Tech Companies to Add Railroad Crossing Data to Mapping Apps to Save Lives
WASHINGTON, Sept. 20 -- Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Today, Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR), and Chair of the Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee Daniel Lipinski (D-IL) sent a letter pressing 12 tech companies to incorporate rail crossing data into their navigation services, applications and devices that can help prevent accidents at highway-railroad at-grade crossings. "Accidents   more

Rep. DeFazio: Lawmakers Challenge Corporations and Financial Firms to Use Business Leverage and Honor Promise to Help Protect Amazon Rain Forest
WASHINGTON, Sept. 17 -- Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio (OR-04) today led 16 Members of Congress in letters to nearly two dozen multinational corporations and financial firms with business in Brazil, urging them to use their leverage to protect the Amazon Rainforest. In the letters, the lawmakers reminded the companies of their commitment to combatting deforestation under the New York Declaration on Forests and ask them to pressure Brazil  more

Rep. Greg Walden Announces $3 Million Grant to Improve Eastern Oregon Regional Airport
WASHINGTON, Sept. 17 -- Rep. Greg Walden, R-Oregon, issued the following news release: Today, Representative Greg Walden (R-Hood River) released a statement after the Economic Development Administration (EDA) awarded a $3 million grant to the City of Pendleton to support the expansion of the airport's Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) sites. The airport's UAS Range is one of the leading ranges in the world and updating it is essential for the airport to remain a driving force for the region's econom  more

Rep. Greg Walden Continues Efforts to Hang Up on Illegal Robocalls
WASHINGTON, Sept. 19 -- Rep. Greg Walden, R-Oregon, issued the following news release: Representative Greg Walden (R-Hood River) recently spoke with Gary Wolcott and Bill Sikkens on AM 860's User Friendly 2.0 about his efforts to stop illegal robocalls. Walden started out the interview by saying how he gets so many robocalls that he usually does not answer the phone if it is an unknown number. He went on to share a story about ignoring a call that he should've answered, "I got one the other   more

Rep. Schrader Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Make Biosimilar Drugs More Affordable for Patients
WASHINGTON, Sept. 20 -- Rep. Kurt Schrader, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Congressman Kurt Schrader (OR-05) and Congressman Greg Gianforte (R-MT) introduced the bipartisan Bolstering Innovative Options to Save Immediately on Medicines (BIOSIM) Act.This legislation will increase reimbursements for biosimilar drugs and boost their utilization by doctors. "Biosimilars have long struggled to grow in utilization and the BIOSIM Act will help them gain market share by providing an ince  more

Rep. Walden Issues Remarks at Hearing on Building 100% Clean Economy
WASHINGTON, Sept. 18 -- Rep. Greg Walden, R-Oregon, ranking Republican member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following remarks: Energy and Commerce Committee Republican Leader Greg Walden (R-OR) calls out the wide gap between rhetoric and reality when it comes to Democrats' climate proposals at a Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change hearing, "Building a 100 Percent Clean Economy: Pathways to Net Zero Industrial Emissions." Walden again asks Democrats to come to  more

Rep. Walden Issues Remarks at Hearing on Solutions for Border Crisis
WASHINGTON, Sept. 19 -- Rep. Greg Walden, R-Oregon, ranking Republican member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following remarks: Energy and Commerce Committee Republican Leader Greg Walden (R-OR) calls for solutions for the nation's border crisis and shares experience from firsthand visits to the border at a Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations hearing. Walden also reaffirms he does not support children being separated from their parents at the border. "As Republ  more

Rep. Walden Slams Partisan Bill 'Done Out of the Speaker's Office Behind Closed Doors'
WASHINGTON, Sept. 19 -- Rep. Greg Walden, R-Oregon, ranking Republican member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following news release: Energy and Commerce Committee Republican Leader Greg Walden (R-OR) today slammed House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's closely guarded, secretly negotiated bill that has yet to be shared with Republicans on the Energy and Commerce Committee, even as the committee has a markup of the bill scheduled for next Wednesday. "Tragically, Republicans have b  more

Rep. Walden: E&C Bipartisan Leaders Seek Information From States on Use of Federal Funds to Respond to Opioid Crisis
WASHINGTON, Sept. 19 -- Rep. Greg Walden, R-Oregon, ranking Republican member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following news release: Bipartisan Energy and Commerce Committee leaders sent letters to 16 states today asking how the states are using federal funds to assist treatment and recovery efforts in response to the opioid crisis. The letters were signed by full Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), full Committee Republican Leader Greg Walden (R-OR), Health Su  more

Reps. DeFazio, Napolitano Issue Statements at Hearing on Priorities, Policy Initiatives Under Clean Water Act
WASHINGTON, Sept. 18 -- Reps. Peter A. DeFazio, D-Oregon, chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and Grace Napolitano, D-California, chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, issued the following statements at a hearing entitled "The Administration's Priorities and Policy Initiatives Under the Clean Water Act": Chair DeFazio: "We are here today to talk about actions taken by the Trump EPA and the impacts they will have for years to come on o  more

Reps. Walden, Rodgers Issue Statement on Passage of Bipartisan Consumer Safety Bills
WASHINGTON, Sept. 17 -- Reps. Greg Walden, R-Oregon, ranking Republican member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Washington, ranking member of the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce, issued the following joint statement after House passage of three bipartisan consumer safety bills: "We are moving forward today with bipartisan policies we can all support - protecting America's consumers, families, and children. "These bills represent the lon  more

Reps. Walden, Rodgers, Shimkus Issue Statement on Trump Administration's Fuel Economy Rule
WASHINGTON, Sept. 18 -- Rep. Greg Walden, R-Oregon, ranking Republican member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following joint statement with Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Washington, ranking Republican member of the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce, and John Shimkus, R-Illinois, ranking Republican member of the Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change, in anticipation of the Trump administration's fuel economy announcement: "For too long, Californi  more

Sen. Merkley, Rep. Clark Introduce Legislation to Put Mental Health Care in Reach for Every Student in America
WASHINGTON, Sept. 18 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Immediately following National Suicide Prevention Week, Oregon's Senator Jeff Merkley and Congresswoman Katherine Clark (D-MA-5) today introduced the Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Act, bicameral legislation that would help fill the critical unmet need for school-based mental health services providers in elementary and secondary schools across America. "Mental health care is essential health car  more

Sen. Merkley: Bipartisan Group of Western Senators Introduce Legislation to Provide Financial Certainty for Rural Counties
WASHINGTON, Sept. 16 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: A bipartisan group of Western senators today introduced legislation to provide long-term financial security for rural counties. The legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., Jim Risch, R-Idaho, Michael Bennet, D-Colo., and Cory Gardner, R-Colo., would reauthorize the Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program for ten years. The program provides criti  more

Sen. Wyden Issues Remarks at In Defense of American Democracy Conference
WASHINGTON, Sept. 17 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following remarks at the Albert Shanker Institute's In Defense of American Democracy Conference: "Thank you so much to the Shanker Institute for inviting me to speak today. You have a real all-star squad of civic activists and public servants here, between Secretary Clinton, Leah Greenberg of Indivisible, Randi Weingarten, Attorney General Holder. "That's what my dad would call running with the right crowd. The topic is perhaps the m  more

Sen. Wyden Issues Statement on Nominations of Undersecretary for International Affairs, General Counsel
WASHINGTON, Sept. 17 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following statement on the Treasury Department nominations of Brent McIntosh to be undersecretary for international affairs and Brian Callanan to be general counsel: "Brent McIntosh and Brian Callanan have been central to the most controversial, legally-suspect Treasury Department actions during the Trump administration. They do not deserve promotions. "Both Mr. McIntosh and  more

Sen. Wyden Issues Statement on Trade Representative Action on Korean Illegal Fishing
WASHINGTON, Sept. 20 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following statement on the U.S. Trade Representative's action to prevent illegal fishing practices by Koreans: "Illegal fishing is unfair to our fishers and destructive to our oceans. "I applaud USTR Lighthizer for taking enforcement action against Korea for failing to live up to its commitments to prevent illegal fishing."  more

Sen. Wyden: Bipartisan Group of Western Senators Introduce Legislation to Provide Financial Certainty for Rural Counties
WASHINGTON, Sept. 16 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: A bipartisan group of Western senators today introduced legislation to provide long-term financial security for rural counties. The legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., Jim Risch, R-Idaho, Michael Bennet, D-Colo., and Cory Gardner, R-Colo., would reauthorize the Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program for ten years. The program provides critical  more

Walden and Pallone Launch Bipartisan Investigation Into Private Equity Firms' Role in Surprise Billing Practices
WASHINGTON, Sept. 16 -- Rep. Greg Walden, R-Oregon, ranking Republican member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following news release: Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Ranking Member Greg Walden (R-OR) today launched a bipartisan investigation into practices of private equity firms surrounding surprise billing. In letters to KKR & Co. Inc., Blackstone Group, and Welsh, Carson, Anderson, & Stowe, Pallone and Walden request information and  more

Wyden Co-sponsors School Mental Health Services Bill
WASHINGTON, Sept. 18 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden today announced he is co-sponsoring legislation that would help schools provide the mental health counseling needed by so many students. "Students, teachers and counselors across Oregon tell me just how much young people facing challenges at home and in the classroom need better access to mental health care in schools," Wyden said of the Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Act. "Thi  more

Wyden Urges FCC to Reject Plans That Imperil Universal Service Fund
WASHINGTON, Sept. 19 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * - Proposed funding cap would harm broadband deployment, rural health care opportunities, classroom learning and more * * * U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today called on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to discard its proposed cap on the Universal Service Fund (USF), which protects rural broadband funding and other programs key to moving the country toward the goal of universal connectivity  more

Wyden, 26 Senate Democrats Introduce Legislation to Block Implementation of Trump Administration's So-Called 'Public Charge' Rule
WASHINGTON, Sept. 17 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * - The Protect American Values Act Would Prohibit the Government from Using Federal Funds to Carry Out Latest Trump Administration Attack on Immigrant Families * * * U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., joined U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono, D-Hawaii, to introduce legislation that would prohibit the Trump administration from using federal funding to implement its so-called "public charge" rule. Scheduled to g  more

Wyden, Merkley Back Bill to Stop Use of Taxpayer Dollars at Trump Properties
WASHINGTON, Sept. 17 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley this week co-sponsored legislation that would immediately stop the federal government from spending taxpayer dollars at properties owned by the president, vice president and Cabinet officials. The Heightened Oversight of Travel, Eating, and Lodging (HOTEL) Act introduced by U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) aims to prevent potential conflicts of interest and abuse of taxpayer   more

Wyden, Merkley Back Bill to Stop Use of Taxpayer Dollars at Trump Properties
WASHINGTON, Sept. 17 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley this week co-sponsored legislation that would immediately stop the federal government from spending taxpayer dollars at properties owned by the president, vice president and Cabinet officials. The Heightened Oversight of Travel, Eating, and Lodging (HOTEL) Act introduced by U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) aims to prevent potential conflicts of interest and abuse of taxpay  more

Wyden, Merkley Reintroduce Resolution to Protect Ambitious National Fuel Economy, Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards
WASHINGTON, Sept. 19 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Oregon's U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley joined Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., this week to reintroduce a resolution in response to the Trump administration's efforts to roll back federal fuel economy and greenhouse gas standards designed to fight climate change and protect Americans' access to clean air. The senators, along with 31 of their colleagues, reintroduced the resolution in advance of the admini  more

Wyden, Merkley, Walden Press Feds on Large Air Tankers
WASHINGTON, Sept. 16 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * - Oregon lawmakers ask Forest Service why it's failed to issue any "call when needed" awards for wildfire-fighting aircraft * * * U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and U.S. Rep. Greg Walden today pressed the Forest Service to explain why it has failed to award any "call when needed" (CWN) contracts to providers of wildfire-fighting large air tankers (LAT). The Oregon lawmakers noted in a letter  more

Wyden, Merkley, Walden Press Feds on Large Air Tankers
WASHINGTON, Sept. 16 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * - Oregon lawmakers ask Forest Service why it's failed to issue any "call when needed" awards for wildfire-fighting aircraft * * * U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and U.S. Rep. Greg Walden today pressed the Forest Service to explain why it has failed to award any "call when needed" (CWN) contracts to providers of wildfire-fighting large air tankers (LAT). The Oregon lawmakers noted in a letter to  more

Wyden, Rubio, Murphy Urge Trump to Press Bahrain on Human Rights Violations
WASHINGTON, Sept. 16 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * - Trump met with Bahraini Crown Prince today * * * U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and Chris Murphy, D-Conn., last week wrote to Donald Trump urging him to press Bahrain on serious human rights concerns. The president met with Bahrain's Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa today. The senators specifically requested Trump to press the Bahraini government to release prisoners of c  more