WASHINGTON, March 27 -- The Government Accountability Office has issued a report on the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute. The report (GAO-20-469R) is entitled "Review of the Audit of the Financial Statements for FY 2019". The report was sent to Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, chairman, Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tennessee, chairman, Sen. Patty Murray, D-Washington, ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, L  more

WASHINGTON, March 24 -- Rep. Greg Walden, R-Oregon, ranking Republican member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following news release: Democrats continue to needlessly delay the coronavirus emergency aid package being debated in Congress. Energy and Commerce Republican Leader Greg Walden (R-OR) responds, calling on Speaker Pelosi and Senator Schumer to put aside their completely unrelated, partisan, wish list and help the American people. "Americans are sick. People are h  more

WASHINGTON, March 26 -- Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: A bipartisan update to the Older Americans Act led by Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), and co-led by Congresswomen Susie Lee (NV-03) and Susan Wild (PA-07), was signed into law. The Supporting Older Americans Act of 2020 (H.R. 4334) increases funding for vital programs that help aging Americans live independently and with dignity. It reauthorizes the Older Americans Act (OAA), which benefits roug  more

WASHINGTON, March 26 -- Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Oregon, chairman of the House Education and Labor Subommittee on Civil Rights and Human Services, issued the following news release: * * * - Bill co-led by Wild, Lee strengthens programs and services for seniors New law will help with response to public health emergencies * * * A bipartisan update to the Older Americans Act led by Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), and co-led by Congresswomen Susie Lee (NV-03) and Susan Wild (PA-07), was   more

WASHINGTON, March 23 -- Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Oregon, issued the following news release on March 20: Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, with Congresspeople Earl Blumenauer, Suzanne Bonamici, Peter DeFazio, Kurt Schrader and Greg Walden, announced that, following their letter to the Small Business Administration (SBA) supporting the governor's request, Oregon has been declared an economic disaster, giving small businesses access to emergency resources. The Small Business Admi  more

WASHINGTON, March 26 -- Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Oregon's Congressional Delegation - Representatives Suzanne Bonamici, Peter DeFazio, Earl Blumenauer, Greg Walden, and Kurt Schrader, and Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley - called for the Trump administration to expedite and clarify the evaluation and approval processes for businesses to manufacture the personal protective equipment health care workers need to stay safe while responding to the COVID-1  more

WASHINGTON, March 27 -- Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, and U.S. Reps. Peter DeFazio, Earl Blumenauer, Suzanne Bonamici, Kurt Schrader and Greg Walden in a letter to the White House supported Oregon Gov. Kate Brown's request for a major disaster declaration for the entire state as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Oregon lawmakers said in their bipartisan letter that in addition to the serious and growing health to  more

WASHINGTON, March 25 -- Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Rep. Peter DeFazio (OR-04), Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, has secured key provisions for workers and families in the House Democrats' bill to address the impacts of the coronavirus. "Above all, we cannot repeat the mistakes of the 2008 Wall Street bailout, which was a massive no-strings-attached windfall for corporate executives and shareholders while working familie  more

WASHINGTON, March 25 -- Rep. Greg Walden, R-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * - Includes funding for 10 Community Health Centers in the Second District * * * Representative Greg Walden (R-Hood River) announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) would award nearly $1.9 million to 30 Community Health Centers (CHCs) in Oregon, including 10 in the Second District. This funding was allocated from the first COVID-19 emergency supplemental funding package Con  more

WASHINGTON, March 26 -- Rep. Greg Walden, R-Oregon, issued the following news release: Representative Greg Walden (R-Hood River) announced that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will award the state of Oregon $3.2 million in funding to help provide meals for older adults. This funding was allocated from The Families First Coronavirus Response Act that Congress passed, and the President signed, in early March. "Protecting older adults and fulfilling their nutritional needs is e  more

WASHINGTON, March 25 -- Rep. Greg Walden, R-Oregon, ranking Republican member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following statement applauding wireless service providers for waiving wireless voice and data overage fees and encourages providers to temporarily make as much data available as possible, as quick as possible, to existing devices so families can access mobile broadband at home immediately during this crisis period: "During this unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, Ame  more

WASHINGTON, March 25 -- Rep. Greg Walden, R-Oregon, issued the following news release: Representative Greg Walden (R-Hood River) released a statement after President Trump signed legislation supported by Walden to ensure veterans' do not lose access to their GI Bill benefits amid the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This comes after the Senate passed legislation mirroring a bill Walden sponsored in the House. The Senate passed bill was approved unanimously by the House last week. "I  more

WASHINGTON, March 24 -- Rep. Greg Walden, R-Oregon, issued the following news release: Marks the two-year anniversary of the Repack Airwaves Yielding Better Access for Users of Modern Services (RAY BAUM'S) Act becoming law. This legislation, authored by Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River), reauthorized the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for the first time in 28 years and helps protect consumers against spoof callers, including the recent influx of scams designed to capitalize on people's  more

WASHINGTON, March 25 -- Rep. Greg Walden, R-Oregon, issued the following statement: Representative Greg Walden (R-Hood River) released a statement after President Trump signed the bipartisan Broadband Deployment Accuracy and Technological Availability (DATA) Act. The bill would improve broadband mapping, boost connectivity, and make sure our limited resources are used to deploy broadband in communities that need it most, like parts of rural Oregon. "I applaud President Trump for recognizing th  more

WASHINGTON, March 24 -- Rep. Greg Walden, R-Oregon, ranking Republican member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following joint statement on March 23 with Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, committee chairman, and Reps. Mike Doyle, D-Pennsylvania, and Bob Latta, R-Ohio, chairman and ranking member of the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, after President Trump signed the Secure 5G and Beyond Act of 2020 (S. 893) and the Broadband DATA Act (S. 1822) into law:   more

PORTLAND, Maine, March 23 -- Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) and Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.) wrote to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy asking them to prioritize the needs of the arts and cultural sector in a COVID-19 economic relief package. "On Wednesday, the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis released data showing that arts and cultural economic activity accounted for 4.5   more

WASHINGTON, March 25 -- Rep. Joseph Neguse, D-Colorado, issued the following news release: * * * - The Ban Conflicted Trading Act, introduced in the Senate by Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon, would bar members of Congress and senior congressional staff from buying or selling individual stocks * * * Representatives Joe Neguse, Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), today introduced the Ban Conflicted Trading Act, legislation to prohibit Members of Congress and senio  more

WASHINGTON, March 26 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release on March 25: Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley announced that a new, bipartisan deal on a third relief package to address the coronavirus crisis will contain major provisions to help Oregon families, businesses, and health care providers struggling with the fallout of the global pandemic. The $2 trillion economic rescue package will include: * Checks of $1200 per adult and $500 per child to most working an  more

WASHINGTON, March 23 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following statement: Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after voting against a Republican proposal that would bail out well-connected industries while delivering insufficient relief for working Americans. For days, Merkley has been working intensely to try to move forward a third coronavirus relief package that will deliver badly-needed help to small businesses, working families, and front-line heal  more

WASHINGTON, March 24 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release on March 23: Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) have introduced new legislation to expedite the procurement of medical equipment, under the Defense Production Act (DPA), to combat the spread of coronavirus and keep health care workers on the frontlines of the pandemic safe. Despite the president's announcement that he will invoke the DPA to spur equipment production, he has y  more

WASHINGTON, March 26 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Oregon's Congressional Delegation - Representatives Suzanne Bonamici, Peter DeFazio, Earl Blumenauer, Greg Walden, and Kurt Schrader, and Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley - called for the Trump administration to expedite and clarify the evaluation and approval processes for businesses to manufacture the personal protective equipment health care workers need to stay safe while responding to the COVID-19 pa  more

WASHINGTON, March 27 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * - Bipartisan letter to White House comes in support of governor's COVID-19 disaster request * * * U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, and U.S. Reps. Peter DeFazio, Earl Blumenauer, Suzanne Bonamici, Kurt Schrader and Greg Walden in a letter to the White House supported Oregon Gov. Kate Brown's request for a major disaster declaration for the entire state as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The  more

WASHINGTON, March 26 -- Rep. Greg Walden, R-Oregon, ranking Republican member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following statement on the Senate's bipartisan Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, urging his colleagues to swiftly pass the measure when it comes to the House: "Thank you to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell for his relentless efforts to get relief to the American people and our small businesses. "He refused to accept no for an answer, and   more

WASHINGTON, March 26 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following news: * * * - Democratic package would modernize unemployment insurance to include self-employed workers * * * Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today announced the inclusion of an unprecedented expansion of unemployment insurance in the bipartisan agreement to respond to the economic crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic and the Trump  more

WASHINGTON, March 26 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following news: Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., announced an employee retention credit to prevent further mass layoffs is included in the bipartisan agreement to respond to the economic crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic and the Trump administration's failure to ensure widespread testing. "Our goal is to prevent as many layoffs as possible an  more

WASHINGTON, March 26 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., announced an employee retention credit to prevent further mass layoffs is included in the bipartisan agreement to respond to the economic crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic and the Trump administration's failure to ensure widespread testing. "Our goal is to prevent as many layoffs as possible and keep workers on the job. If workers are kept on t  more

WASHINGTON, March 25 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release on March 24: U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., joined 20 of his colleagues in urging Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Commerce Committee Chairman Roger Wicker to support additional funding in the next version of the coronavirus relief package for all K-12 students to have adequate home internet connectivity if their schools close due to the ongoing pandemic. "Children without connectivity are at risk of  more

WASHINGTON, March 26 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following floor remarks on supercharging unemployment insurance: * * * - An Extra $600 Per Week for Laid Off Workers Will Not End Western Civilization * * * Mr. President, several Senators on the other side have been arguing against the provision in this bill to supercharge unemployment insurance right now, something Senate Democrats negotiated with the Trump administration  more

WASHINGTON, March 26 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Ron Wyden announced several provisions that will support Oregon workers and small businesses are included in the bipartisan legislative package to respond to the economic crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic. "From the start, Democrats made it clear that the priority of this stimulus package must be workers and the small businesses they support," Wyden said. "Oregon's small businesses are the  more

WASHINGTON, March 26 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following statement on the status of the third coronavirus response bill: "Moving forward without a bipartisan deal that covers workers and small businesses, and includes needed health provisions will add insult to the injuries many Americans are experiencing due to COVID-19. "Significant progress had been made, including on a major expansion of unemployment insurance, bu  more

WASHINGTON, March 25 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * - Domestic violence service providers expect an increase in the need for services during the pandemic * * * U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden said he is urging the Trump administration to ensure service providers have the flexibility and resources they need to help domestic violence victims and survivors who face increased dangers during the outbreak of the novel coronavirus. "We write to express our concern for th  more

WASHINGTON, March 27 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., urged the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to protect seniors from coronavirus-related scams. In response to the recent increase in these scams, Wyden joined a group of bipartisan senators on a letter to FTC Chairman Joseph Simons calling on the FTC to better inform seniors about coronavirus scams and assist victims in understanding their recourse options to ensure that seniors ar  more

WASHINGTON, March 26 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * - Agreement includes key Wyden provisions to help workers, families, small business, health care providers * * * U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden welcomed tonight's Senate passage of the bipartisan legislative package to respond to the economic crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic and worsened by the Trump administration's failure to ensure widespread testing in the United States. The legislation now advances   more

WASHINGTON, March 23 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden announced he is urging Senate leadership to ensure that Americans experiencing homelessness can also get access to direct payments under consideration in response to the devastating economic impact of the COVID-19 outbreak. Wyden wrote in a letter with four colleagues to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer that people experiencing homelessness a  more

WASHINGTON, March 26 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Oregon's Congressional Delegation - Representatives Suzanne Bonamici, Peter DeFazio, Earl Blumenauer, Greg Walden, and Kurt Schrader, and Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley - called for the Trump administration to expedite and clarify the evaluation and approval processes for businesses to manufacture the personal protective equipment health care workers need to stay safe while responding to the COVID-19 pande  more

WASHINGTON, March 26 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, and U.S. Reps. Peter DeFazio, Earl Blumenauer, Suzanne Bonamici, Kurt Schrader and Greg Walden in a letter to the White House supported Oregon Gov. Kate Brown's request for a major disaster declaration for the entire state as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Oregon lawmakers said in their bipartisan letter that in addition to the serious and growing health toll from  more

WASHINGTON, March 26 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), will distribute nearly $2 million in funding among 30 health centers across Oregon to help address the coronavirus crisis. "Health care professionals in every corner of our state have been working around the clock to battle   more

WASHINGTON, March 26 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), will distribute nearly $2 million in funding among 30 health centers across Oregon to help address the coronavirus crisis. "Health care professionals in every corner of our state have been working around the clock to battle the  more

WASHINGTON, March 25 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * - The Families First Coronavirus Response Act grants come as Oregonians are ordered to remain home in an effort to contain the spread of coronavirus * * * Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced that Oregon will receive more than $3 million to help provide home-delivered and pre-packaged meals to low-income older adults, as communities are ordered to stay home and avoid social co  more

WASHINGTON, March 25 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * - The Families First Coronavirus Response Act grants come as Oregonians are ordered to remain home in an effort to contain the spread of coronavirus * * * Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced that Oregon will receive more than $3 million to help provide home-delivered and pre-packaged meals to low-income older adults, as communities are ordered to stay home and avoid social conta  more

WASHINGTON, March 24 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * - Senators call on President to outline Defense Production Act plan to mobilize private industry to meet urgent supply needs * * * Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden have joined 45 of their Senate colleagues in pressing President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence for answers about supplies and equipment in the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) critical to addressing the Coro  more

WASHINGTON, March 24 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * - Senators call on President to outline Defense Production Act plan to mobilize private industry to meet urgent supply needs * * * Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden have joined 45 of their Senate colleagues in pressing President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence for answers about supplies and equipment in the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) critical to addressing the Coronav  more

WASHINGTON, March 23 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * - The Plan To Provide More Than 60 Million Americans With An Additional $4,000 Over Two Years Is Part of Senate Democrats' Bold Phase Three Stimulus Proposal * * * Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-OR) today unveiled a plan to increase by $200 the monthly benefit for all Social Security, Veterans, and  more

WASHINGTON, March 26 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following statement: U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., released the following statement regarding election funding included in the latest COVID-19 emergency package. "In times of crisis, the American people cannot be forced to choose between their health and exercising their right to vote. "While this funding is a step in the right direction, we must enact election reforms across the country as well as s  more

WASHINGTON, March 25 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Oregon's U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley called on the Trump administration to withdraw a dangerous proposal that would disrupt state Medicaid financing that helps cover costs for vulnerable low-income patients. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' (CMS) proposed Medicaid Fiscal Accountability Rule (MFAR) makes complex technical changes that would limit the types of financing mechanisms states c  more

WASHINGTON, March 24 -- Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Oregon, issued the following statement on the Senate Republicans' coronavirus economic relief package, which failed by a vote of 49-46: "The Republicans unveiled a package yesterday which echoes the TARP bailout of Wall Street in 2008--period. I opposed TARP then--I will oppose anything now that resembles that, period. "Treasury Secretary Mnuchin, formerly a Goldman Sachs executive, wants $500 billion that he can secretly disburse to any corporatio  more

WASHINGTON, March 25 -- Rep. Peter A. DeFazio, D-Oregon, chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, issued the following news release: The House Democrats' newly-introduced legislation, H.R. 6379, the "Take Responsibility for Workers and Families Act," includes multiple provisions that will help millions of workers in the aviation, railroad, and public transit sectors, as well as families that are at risk of losing water and wastewater services during the coronavirus cri  more

WASHINGTON, March 25 -- Rep. Peter A. DeFazio, D-Oregon, chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, issued the following news release: Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, Rep. Peter A. DeFazio (D-OR), Chairman of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Rep. Donald M. Payne, Jr. (D-NJ), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery, and Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV), Chairwoman of the Subcom  more