I invited my friend and colleague from Oregon, Earl Blumenauer, to discuss his support of bipartisan legislation to modernize outdated substance use disorder privacy policies. He’s testifying before our Health Subcommitte this afternoon. Tune in live here: https://energycommerce.house.gov/…/improving-the-coordinat…/

Drug distributor CEOs being sworn in at Energy and Commerce hearing to explain their role in the deadly opioid epidemic. Tune in live here: https://energycommerce.house.gov/…/combating-the-opioid-ep…/

Check out my latest newsletter to read about our work to push forward in the opioid crisis fight and my recent meetings throughout our district. You can read about all of this and more, and sign up for these regular updates here:

GOOD NEWS: Yesterday, $10.3 million in drought relief for Klamath Basin irrigators was approved by the Office of Management and Budget. I was proud to have secured this relief in the recent government funding measure that was signed into law, and applaud the Trump Administration for recognizing the dire nature of the situation for farmers in the Basin and taking prompt action. This short term help is important, but we still need a long term solution to provide certainty for farmers, ranchers, tribes, and fish in the Basin. I look forward to having the Bureau of Reclamation moving quickly to finalize the plans and get the money to the ground as soon as possible. Learn more from the Klamath Falls Herald and News:

Thank you to the team at Klamath Health Partnership for taking the time to meet with me yesterday, and for all that you do to provide care to Oregonians in Klamath County. Community health centers like Klamath Health Partnership serve over 240,000 Oregonians across our district, and play a critical role in combating the opioid crisis. That’s why I was proud to have led the effort to provide full funding and certainty for community health centers so they can continue their important work for underserved and rural communities in Oregon and across the country.

Beautiful morning in the Klamath Basin with Mt. Shasta in the distance.

Beautiful spring day in the Rogue Valley with Mt. McLoughlin on display.

Meeting in Grants Pass with Josephine County Sheriff Dave Daniel to discuss local efforts to combat the opioid crisis, as well as the need for resources for local services like law enforcement, schools, and roads. Recently, I worked with my colleagues to secure two years of funding for the Secure Rural Schools program, which helps support these essential services in Josephine County, and I'm continuing to work on longer term solutions to put people back to work in our woods, boost timber receipts, and reform federal forest policy. I'm also pushing forward with my efforts to put forth concrete solutions to end the opioid crisis in our communities, which is my top priority in Congress. Thank you to Sheriff Daniel and your team for meeting with me today, and for your partnership on these critical issues.

It is always inspiring meeting with the veterans and volunteers of Easterseals Oregon in Medford. The people at Easterseals work tirelessly to alleviate homelessness among veterans in southern Oregon, and help them reintegrate into the community through good-paying jobs. I am proud to have led a bipartisan effort in Congress recently to provide Easterseals with increased resources to continue serving those who have served our country. Thank you to Easterseals for the work that you do, and to the veterans who joined yesterday’s meeting for your service. Learn more from Newswatch 12 in Medford: http://www.kdrv.com/content/video/481442301.html

It was an honor to recognize 13 Oregonians as part of the Emerging Leaders program in Medford today. The Emerging Leaders program honors those who are leaving an imprint on our community through their professional and philanthropic efforts, while generating support for a worthy cause. The leaders at today's event are much deserved of this recognition, which they accomplished in part by raising $30,000 to support housing for students enrolled in a vocational training program called Real Life. Thank you again for inviting me to take part in this special day, and congratulations again on this tremendous honor.

Good news for Ted and his four-legged friends: Last week, the reauthorization of Animal Drug User Fee Agreements (ADUFA) advanced to the full Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously – taking one step closer to passage in the House. Reauthorizing ADUFA will ensure animals like Ted have the safe and effective medical products they rely on every day to keep hard at work on our farms, ranches, and even in Congressional offices! Stay tuned for more updates on ADUFA reauthorization.

In case you missed it: Last week, the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health advanced 56 bills as part of our ongoing efforts to combat the opioid crisis in Oregon and throughout the country. With 116 Americans dying every day from an opioid overdose, we must continue to push forward in our fight against this nationwide scourge. That is precisely what we are doing at the Energy and Commerce Committee, where I serve as Chairman: taking action and putting forth concrete solutions to address the opioid crisis from all angles. Read more from the Grants Pass Daily Courier:

Participating in the DEA National Take Back Day in White Salmon today, which is serving as the collection site for unused opioid and prescription medications for Hood River and Wasco counties. Thank you to the White Salmon Police Department for providing a safe, convenient, and responsible way for the local community to help combat the opioid crisis. For more information and a complete list of collection sites in Oregon, visit my website at www.walden.house.gov.