WASHINGTON, Oct. 18 -- Rep. Peter A. DeFazio, D-Oregon, chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, issued the following news release: Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Chair of the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) sent letters to Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi and Lyft CEO Logan Green pressing them for answers on critical safety, labor, and regulatory questions. This comes after the co  more

WASHINGTON, Oct. 15 -- Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: In an op-ed published in today's New York Times, two former heads of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)--one from a Democratic administration; one from a Republican administration--make a forceful case for Congress to pass the Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act, legislation co-led by Oregon's Senator Jeff Merkley and Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. The op-ed, co-written by former Administrators G  more

WASHINGTON, Oct. 18 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * - Senate and House Coalition Warns U.S. Companies to Resist Pressure to Suppress Criticism of Authoritarian Governments * * * A bipartisan coalition of Senate and House members today condemned Activision Blizzard and Apple's recent actions to suppress criticism of the Chinese government in hopes of gaining higher profits. Apple recently removed the HKMap mapping app, which was widely used by peaceful H  more

WASHINGTON, Oct. 17 -- Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) and Congressman Mark Takano (D-CA) introduced legislation to help college students who experience food insecurity. The Opportunity to Address College Hunger Act, H.R. 4637, will connect students with existing nutrition resources by requiring institutions to notify students who participate in the Federal Work Study (FWS) program of their potential eligibility for the   more

WASHINGTON, Oct. 17 -- Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * - Bonamici shares stories of Oregonians in debate about legislation * * * Today the Education and Labor Committee approved legislation co-sponsored by Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) to lower prescription drug costs. H.R. 3, the Lower Drug Costs Now Act, takes important steps to reduce expenses related to prescription drugs. It would have Medicare negotiate with drug companies for lower pr  more

WASHINGTON, Oct. 16 -- 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 USDA's Proposed Cuts to Free School Meals": "Today we will examine a Department of Agriculture proposal that will eliminate automatic access to free school meals for close to one million children and threaten their food security. "On July 23rd, USDA proposed a new rule that will restrict eligibil  more

WASHINGTON, Oct. 18 -- Rep. Peter A. DeFazio, D-Oregon, chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, issued the following news release: Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Chair of the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management Dina Titus (D-NV) warned the head of the General Services Administration (GSA) that the Committee will be forced to use a subpoena to obtain key documents re  more

WASHINGTON, Oct. 18 -- Rep. Peter A. DeFazio, D-Oregon, chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, issued the following news release: Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) responded to the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) announcement of a proposed rule to move forward with their plan to transport liquefied natural gas (LNG) by rail. "I'd like to say I'm surprised by this announcement from the Trump Administratio  more

WASHINGTON, Oct. 15 -- Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Late last week, Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) sent a letter to U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Inspector General Calvin L. Scovel III requesting an investigation into Secretary Elaine Chao and her reported conflicts of interest. The letter cites newly-obtained information from a recent media report that suggested Secretary Chao used her office   more

WASHINGTON, Oct. 14 -- 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) strongly urged Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi and Lyft CEO Logan Green to reconsider their companies' participation at a congressional hearing scheduled for Wednesday, October 16, 2019. The Subcommittee hearing, titled "Examining the Future of Transpo  more

WASHINGTON, Oct. 18 -- 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 Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Dina Titus (D-NV), announced the Subcommittee will hold a hearing titled, "An Assessment of Federal Recovery Efforts from Recent Disasters." More i  more

WASHINGTON, Oct. 15 -- Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Today, Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) strongly urged Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi and Lyft CEO Logan Green to reconsider their companies' participation at a congressional hearing scheduled for Wednesday, October 16, 2019. The Subcommittee hearing, titled "Examining the Future of Transportation Network Companies: Challenges and Opportunities," will explore  more

WASHINGTON, Oct. 17 -- The Government Accountability Office has issued a report on the health and environmental effects of activities at natural gas storage sites. The report (GAO-20-167) is titled "Natural Gas Storage: Actions Needed to Assess Inspection Workload and Progress toward Safety Outcomes". The report was sent to Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, D-Texas, chairwoman of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Oregon, and Rep. Don Beyer, D-Virginia, on Oc  more

WASHINGTON, Oct. 18 -- 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) sharply criticized the Federal Aviation Administration's failure to provide key emails to the Committee and called on U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao to fully cooperate with the Committee's outstanding request for records a  more

WASHINGTON, Oct. 17 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * - Under current law, individuals in custody who have not been convicted of a crime are denied Medicare, Medicaid, and veterans' benefits * * * Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley today introduced legislation that would ensure continuity of critical health and treatment coverage for Americans who are awaiting trial in custody. Currently, only individuals who have been arrested and are able to post bail mainta  more

WASHINGTON, Oct. 15 -- Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * - Comprehensive update of the Higher Education Act includes Bonamici provisions to improve student loan system, support students * * * Today Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Chair of the Education and Labor Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Human Services, and her colleagues introduced legislation to make higher education more affordable and accessible. Bonamici championed many of the impro  more

WASHINGTON, Oct. 15 -- Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Today, U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio, Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, announced Oregon State University (OSU) will be the recipient of grants totaling almost $1.6 million from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to advance new climate-related research. "Oregon State University continues to be at the forefront of climate change research and innovation, a  more

WASHINGTON, Oct. 17 -- Rep. Peter A. DeFazio, D-Oregon, chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, issued the following statement on the death of Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Maryland: In addition to serving as Chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, Cummings was a senior member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. "I am deeply saddened by the loss of my longtime friend and colleague, Elijah Cummings. "His strength and grace in leadership dur  more

WASHINGTON, Oct. 18 -- Rep. Peter A. DeFazio, D-Oregon, chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, issued the following statement after the release of a message chain by two Boeing employees: "Today we received documents from Boeing, which apparently they have had in their possession for several months, including the outrageous instant message chain between two Boeing employees indicating Boeing withheld damning information from the FAA. "This exchange is shocking, but   more

WASHINGTON, Oct. 16 -- Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure held a hearing today on the future of the ride hailing industry. Chairman Peter DeFazio (OR-04) has raised concerns about the conditions governing the industry's partnerships with States and local governments and transit agencies, the labor impacts of their business model, and disturbing reports of public safety problems among those who use ride hailin  more

WASHINGTON, Oct. 16 -- Rep. Peter A. DeFazio, D-Oregon, chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C., chairman of the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, issued the following statements at a hearing entitled "Examining the Future of Transportation Network Companies: Challenges and Opportunities": "Madam Chair, this hearing takes on a topic that is already having far-reaching implications on transportation and mobility in our country  more

WASHINGTON, Oct. 18 -- Rep. Peter A. DeFazio, D-Oregon, chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, issued the following news release: For your planning purposes, Chair of the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment Grace F. Napolitano (D-CA) and Vice-Chair Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (D-FL) announced the Subcommittee will hold a field roundtable in Founders Park, Islamorada, Florida, on Saturday, October 19, 2019 titled "America's Water Resources Infrastructure: Conce  more

WASHINGTON, Oct. 18 -- 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 Water Resources and Environment Grace F. Napolitano (D-CA), announced the Subcommittee will hold a hearing titled, "The Pebble Mine Project: Process and Potential Impacts." More information about the hearing, inc  more

WASHINGTON, Oct. 17 -- Rep. Greg Walden, R-Oregon, issued the following news release: Last week, Representative Greg Walden (R-Hood River) held a roundtable discussion on the opioid epidemic and community health center funding while in southern Oregon. Before the roundtable discussion, Walden spoke at the Josephine County Drug Court Graduation. At the graduation, Walden listened to the stories of the young men and women who were a part of the 69th Josephine County Drug Court graduating class.   more

WASHINGTON, Oct. 16 -- Rep. Greg Walden, R-Oregon, ranking Republican member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following remarks at a joint hearing with the Subcommittees Communications and Technology and Consumer Protection and Commerce entitled "Fostering a Healthier Internet to Protect Consumers": "I want to welcome our witnesses to this hearing - it is without question a balanced roster of experts in the field. Last Congress, we held significant hearings that jump-start  more

WASHINGTON, Oct. 17 -- Rep. Greg Walden, R-Oregon, ranking Republican member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following remarks expressing concern with the policy and process of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's plan: "Today should be a celebration of yet another Energy and Commerce Committee bipartisan effort to achieve meaningful change in public policy that will become law. "Today, we should be achieving our shared and worthy goal: lowering the price of prescription drugs w  more

WASHINGTON, Oct. 11 -- Rep. Greg Walden, R-Oregon, ranking Republican member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following statement slamming the Congressional Budget Office score on drug pricing plan by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-California: "We need to lower the cost of prescription drugs. We can do that by passing legislation already agreed to by Republicans and Democrats - legislation that could become law and save people money at the counter. "But Nancy Pelosi does   more

WASHINGTON, Oct. 17 -- Rep. Greg Walden, R-Oregon, ranking Republican member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following statement on Energy Secretary Rick Perry's departure from the Trump administration: "Rick Perry's dedication to public service is hard to fully capture with brevity. A son of Texas and tenant farmers from Paint Creek, Rick Perry has worn the uniform of our nation as a C-130 pilot in the Air Force. He served the people of the Lone Star State as governor fo  more

WASHINGTON, Oct. 18 -- Rep. Greg Walden, R-Oregon, ranking Republican member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following statement on reports that Deputy Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette will be nominated to be Energy Secretary: "While it will be hard to replace the drive, enthusiasm, and spirit that Rick Perry brought to the Department of Energy, I am confident that Deputy Secretary Brouillette will transition into this leadership role seamlessly. "As a former staff direc  more

WASHINGTON, Oct. 17 -- Reps. Peter A. DeFazio, D-Oregon, chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and Sean Patrick Maloney, D-New York, chairman of the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, issued the following opening remarks at a hearing entitled "China's Maritime Silk Road Initiative: Implications for the Global Maritime Supply Chain": Chair DeFazio: "Chairman Maloney, thank you for scheduling this afternoon's hearing to assess China's Maritime S  more

WASHINGTON, Oct. 15 -- 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) and Health Subcommittee Republican Leader Dr. Michael Burgess (R-TX) are calling for another hearing on the Partisan Pelosi plan before the Speaker's bill is rushed through the Energy and Commerce Committee. In a letter to Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Health Subcom  more

WASHINGTON, Oct. 17 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * - Bill Requires Radical Transparency About How Corporations Share, Sell and Use Your Data - Creates Tough Penalties and Jail Time for Executives * * * U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today introduced sweeping new privacy legislation, the Mind Your Own Business Act, to create the strongest-ever protections for Americans' private data and to hold accountable the corporate executives responsible for abusi  more

WASHINGTON, Oct. 18 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following statement, which was published in the Congressional Record on Oct. 17, on the Saudi Fugitive Declassification Act: I have come to the floor to fight for answers - answers that are long overdue. In 2018, my hometown newspaper, The Oregonian, identified a handful of cases where Saudi nationals accused of serious crimes in the United States, like manslaughter and sexual assault, fled the country and escaped American justice. S  more

WASHINGTON, Oct. 17 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following statement on the White House's announcement that the G-7 will be hosted at Trump's Doral resort: "Hosting the G-7 at Trump's failing Doral resort is one of the most egregious examples of corruption and self-dealing in the most corrupt presidency in our history. "Foreign governments should not be forced to line Donald Trump's pockets to attend the G-7, and I would urg  more

WASHINGTON, Oct. 17 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * - Wyden bill requires FBI to declassify any information regarding Saudi Arabia's possible role helping Saudi nationals escape justice in the U.S. * * * U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today passed a bill requiring the FBI to declassify any and all information regarding Saudi Arabia's possible role helping its citizens escape the U.S. while awaiting trial or sentencing for a criminal offense, following a  more

WASHINGTON, Oct. 17 -- Sens. Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa, and Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following op-ed on Congressional action to lower drug prices, which was provided to Bloomberg: It's no secret that health care is a politically divisive issue. In the past decade, national elections have been decided on it, and control of Congress has changed hands in part over it. Despite these differences, there is hope for a bipartisan agreement to lower prescription drug costs. Drug prices have be  more

WASHINGTON, Oct. 15 -- Rep. Greg Walden, R-Oregon, ranking Republican member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following news release: Energy and Commerce Republican Leader Greg Walden (R-OR), Health Subcommittee Republican Leader Dr. Michael Burgess (R-TX), Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Republican Leader Brett Guthrie (R-KY), and Rep. Larry Bucshon (R-IN) ask committee majority for a follow-up hearing on maternal mortality and morbidity. This is a serious publi  more