I’m proud to report that the Midnight Rules Relief Act passed the House today. All too often, we see last-minute, burdensome and unnecessary regulations implemented in the final days of a presidential administration on their way out the door. This legislation will block these “midnight rules”, and help protect hardworking Oregonians from even more onerous regulations that haven’t been properly vetted.

I’m excited to kick off the new session of Congress today and get to work as Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee. We will address the real issues holding back job growth and wage growth in America, reform the way our health care is delivered, and take on excessive and unnecessary rules and regulations. This is a new chapter in American history, and I look forward to a lot of work getting done this year for Oregonians and all Americans.

Congratulations to my friend Dennis Richardson on his inauguration as Secretary of State today.

Looking forward to getting to work in 2017 to fix healthcare, create jobs, and grow the economy in Oregon and throughout the country.

I am honored to nominate 15 remarkable young Oregonians to our nation’s service academies. Their years of hard work and dedication have led to these much deserved nominations. These students have shown a desire to grow intellectually, lead by example, and serve their country by pursuing a higher education at one of our country’s select service academies – and I am confident they will be successful in this admirable endeavor. I’d also like to thank my Service Academy Nomination Board for recommending these young leaders. Their service to our country and experience wearing our nation’s uniform speaks to the character of these students, and these nominations would not be possible without their guidance. You can learn more about the nominees here:

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From playing on the football field for the Oregon Ducks to defending our country as a Navy SEAL to serving in the U.S. House, Ryan Zinke (left) has been a remarkable leader. I’m proud to call him my friend, and I’m delighted that he has been selected by President-elect Trump to serve as Secretary of the Interior. Together, we’ve worked hard to improve the health of our forests, increase access to public lands, and boost American energy production. The Senate should swiftly confirm him so that work can continue.

BREAKING NEWS – the 21st Century Cures Act has been signed into law! All of us have known someone who has fought a horrible disease like cancer, Alzheimer’s diabetes, and multiple sclerosis. This plan will help save the lives of countless patients and bring hope to their families. I am proud that this initiative is now the law of the land

Great read – 96-year-old Bend resident Harvey Waldron Jr. recalls the attack on Pearl Harbor and his duty as a Navy radio operator on that infamous day 75 years ago.

75 years ago today – “a date that will live in infamy” – the resolve of the United States was tested at Pearl Harbor. On that Sunday morning, those who fought, died, and survived the attack represented the true American spirit of bravery, selflessness, and service to country. Let us never forget Pearl Harbor, and the men and women of the “Greatest Generation” who gave so much to protect the freedom we cherish as Americans.

Had a great time talking with KOBI-TV NBC 5 yesterday. Lots of work to do in Congress on health care, energy, jobs, and more. Check out my full interview here

I am deeply honored to earn the support of my colleagues to chair the Energy and Commerce Committee. Americans are looking for big improvements out of Washington, and that’s just what we’re going to give them as we work with the Trump Administration, the Senate, and the governors, to move forward on the Better Way agenda. Our work will focus on what’s best for consumers, on creating better paying jobs and providing patient-centered health care.

Today, the House passed a truly big and bold initiative– the 21st Century Cures Act (Cures) – to bring hope to disease sufferers and their families across Oregon and throughout the United Sates. This really means a lot, and will make a difference in real people’s lives back home in Oregon. And I’ve heard from some of those people at 7 roundtable meetings I held in southern, central, and eastern Oregon to solicit feedback from health care professionals, patients, and families about the impact this initiative will have in their lives. Cures brings critical reforms and improvements to mental health treatment, and tackles the opioid epidemic – something we are all too familiar with in Oregon. These changes will help people all across America, and certainly in Oregon, and I am proud to have supported this bill.

Breaking news: tomorrow the House is expected to vote on a landmark medical research plan, the 21st Century Cures Act! I’ve met with patients and families across Oregon impacted by ALS, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, lupus, and diabetes, and have seen first-hand the need for Cures. This bill will streamline the development of new treatments for diseases with no known cures, and bring landmark reforms to the way we treat drug addiction and mental illness. As we near the culmination of this 3-year journey, take a look back at the beginning of this path to cures: