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A Message From Representative Walden
                                   

Dear Friend, 

 

Recent acts of terrorism from Paris to San Bernardino once again demonstrate how real and how deadly the threats of ISIS are to the free world. People are understandably concerned about the safety of their families and the country. And they are understandably concerned about the effectiveness of the President’s policies to counteract these threats. 

 

During two recent telephone town hall meetings with Oregonians, I asked participants to give me instant reaction on issues involving terrorism and the Middle East. Just 17% of respondents agreed that the President’s strategy to contain ISIS has made the country safer (83% thought it has put the country in greater danger). And 88% said they believed that current security measures in place for taking in refugees from the Middle East need to be stronger. 

 

 

 Holding a telephone town hall meeting with Oregonians on December 14

 

The House is taking clear steps to protect this nation and our way of life. As our first step, the House overwhelmingly passed a plan, with my strong support, to put a pause on accepting refugees from Syria until all individuals can be properly vetted. Our nation has a strong tradition of welcoming people who are seeking a better life, but we cannot allow terrorists to take advantage of our compassion. 

 

I also have serious concerns about the State Department’s visa waiver program (VWP). This program allows nationals from certain countries, such as France, Belgium, and Germany, to enter the United States as temporary visitors for business or pleasure without first obtaining a visa from a U.S. consulate in their home country. Knowing that several of the terrorists behind the attacks in Paris were European citizens, does it really make sense to maintain these relaxed security measures?

 

That’s why the House passed a bill that makes sure that nobody enters this country without a complete biometric background check, and forces participating countries to share all counterterrorism intelligence with the United States as we perform the background checks. 

 

In addition, Congress recently passed a defense bill that requires the President to present Congress with a clear strategy for defeating ISIS. Now that the President has signed this bill into law, he needs to comply with it by coming forward with a plan to defeat ISIS and keep American families safe from ISIS-inspired attacks.

 

When American leaders fail to provide strong, clear leadership in the world, bad actors seize control and undermine efforts to provide stability. I will continue to do all I can to keep Americans safe. We are at war with global terrorism. It’s time to match our foreign policy with reality.

 

Plan to improve Oregon roads, bridges signed into law

 

For the first time in many years, Congress has approved a five-year, fully funded transportation measure, and President Obama has signed it into law.  It made no sense from a planning perspective to have short-term funding measures, some only a few months long, as has occurred in the past.  The new law also streamlines the planning and permitting process to reduce unnecessary costs and delays. For more information on the new transportation law, please click here

 

Included in this new law is a provision I helped write that will allow local entities in the Columbia Gorge access to grant funds to help with projects that are so important to our ability to maintain and improve the bridges across the Columbia, as well as other highway improvements in the Scenic Area.

 

 

Here I am with Brian Shortt, President of the Port of Hood river (left) and Jess Groves, President of the Port of Cascade Locks (right) after a meeting where we discussed transportation needs. 

 

Earlier this fall, I met with community leaders from up and down both sides of the Gorge to discuss transportation and economic issues we face. Gorge residents, visitors, and our local economy depend on efficient and safe transportation and reliable infrastructure such as the bridge at The Dalles and the Hood River Bridge and the Bridge of the Gods in Cascade Locks. These two latter bridges see about 5.2 million vehicles and $110 million in goods cross each year but along with other major infrastructure elements in the area, they need constant maintenance and improvements.  I’m glad that communities throughout Oregon will soon have better access to safe and efficient roads, highways, and bridges. 

 

Congress okays A+ education bill to help students, parents, educators

 

Good news: Congress has “gotten its homework done,” so to speak, and passed the “Every Student Succeeds Act,” a historic, bipartisan agreement to improve K-12 education and replace No Child Left Behind (NCLB) with policies that return flexibility to states and local schools. This marks the first update of federal education policy since the passage of NCLB in 2001. 

 

Despite its best intentions, NCLB expanded the federal footprint in public education through increased testing, annual academic progress, report cards, and other mandates. I’ve heard from many parents and teachers in Oregon that NCLB hasn’t worked as intended and needed reform. 

 

Since the law has been due for reauthorization since 2007, the Department of Education has been using a waiver system to unilaterally dictate federal education policies to state and school districts. The Every Student Succeeds Act will finally put an end to the year-to-year roller coaster of applying for NCLB waivers. The new law provides more local control, certainty and flexibility for educators, parents, and students in Oregon and nationwide.

 

The new law also repeals the federal “Common Core” mandate, and eliminates 49 ineffective and duplicative federal programs. The Every Student Succeeds Act will help schools better prepare our students for a successful future by reducing costly mandates from Washington, D.C. and ensuring that education decisions are made locally. I was proud to support this legislation, and am pleased that it is now the law of the land. For more information, please click here

 

Permanently banning taxes on internet access

 

The Internet is possibly the most important technological advancement since the printing press. Governments’ hands-off approach has enabled the Internet to rapidly grow into a powerful engine for our economy.

 

At the beginning of the Internet revolution, Congress passed a law preventing state and local governments from imposing taxes on Internet access. But it requires reauthorization every few years, and I don’t support opening the door to more Internet taxation that would cost Oregon families and small businesses.

 

Last week, the House passed a bill to make this ban on Internet access taxes permanent. If we want to continue the growth of the Internet, I firmly believe we should keep the government out of the way. The Internet plays a very important role in spurring innovation, growing jobs, and facilitating the exchange of ideas. In Oregon, and across the world, our increasing interconnectivity has chartered a path of extraordinary growth and expansion, in large part thanks to freedom from government interference. 

 

This bill would help ensure the Internet remains affordable to users throughout Oregon and the nation and keep the Internet tax-free. The Senate is expected to pass it in the coming days, so I am hopeful this permanent ban on Internet access taxes will soon become law. 

 

Having a problem with a federal agency like the VA or Social Security Administration? I can help.

 

Finally, if you can't get an answer from a federal agency in a timely fashion, or if you feel you have been treated unfairly, my office may be able to help resolve a problem or get you the information you need. My team and I will do everything we can to help with agencies like the Veterans Administration, the Social Security Administration, or the Internal Revenue Service. Recently, I’ve helped veterans in Oregon get Purple Hearts that were long overdue, and a woman in southern Oregon who was hit with a massive, unexpected tax bill after the death of her husband. We were able to work with the IRS to clear up confusion after her husband’s death and free up a refund that had been held up for months.

 

My district offices are staffed with Oregonians who can field your questions and concerns, and specialize in dealing with federal agencies and cutting through some of the red tape. I have two veterans on my staff who assistant Oregonians with problems at the VA. Should you need assistance, please call my office toll free from the 541 area code at 800-533-3303.

 

Best regards,

 

Greg Walden
U.S. Representative
Oregon’s Second District

 

 

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