Press Releases
Wyden, Merkley Announce Over $18 Million for Low-Income Housing Assistance in Portland Metro Area
Portland, OR - Oregon Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded over $18 million for affordable housing and emergency shelter programs in the Portland Metro area. "Times are tough for a lot of Portland families, and this support from HUD will help fill a much-needed gap in the safety net while the economy continues to recover," said Wyden. "This funding will provide a welcome boost to the housing sector in … Continue Reading
August 16, 2010
Wyden, Merkley Announce Nearly $2 Million for Affordable Housing on Umatilla Reservation
Portland, OR - Oregon Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has awarded nearly $2 million to the Umatilla Reservation Housing Authority for the operation and development of affordable housing. "This money from HUD will be a big help for families on the Umatilla reservation, making it easier for them to have an affordable place to live in a safe community," said Wyden. "The awarding of these funds also means … Continue Reading
August 12, 2010
Wyden, Merkley, & Schrader Announce $37 Million to Upgrade Port of Tillamook Bay Infrastructure
Washington, D.C. - Oregon Senators Ron Wyden, Jeff Merkley, and Congressman Kurt Schrader announced today that Oregon will receive more than $37 million for infrastructure improvements at the Port of Tillamook Bay. The funding is made available to Oregon through the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)."Port districts are the economic engines of the coastal economy," Wyden said. "This will allow the Port of Tillamook Bay to improve infrastructure and … Continue Reading
August 10, 2010
NEWS CONFERENCE ON THURSDAY: Senator Ron Wyden and Central Oregon Brewers on Lowering Federal Taxes on Craft Beer to Stimulate Investment, Create Jobs
Portland, OR - Senator Ron Wyden and representatives of eight Central Oregon craft breweries will hold a news conference on Thursday, August 12, 2010, at 1:30 p.m. to discuss plans to lower the federal tax on craft beer. Wyden is co-sponsoring legislation that will cut the tax on the first 60,000 barrels of craft beer in half in order to stimulate investment and create jobs. Craft brewing is a $2.33 billion a year industry in Oregon. Who: Oregon Senator Ron Wyden; … Continue Reading
August 06, 2010
Wyden to Attend EnerG2 Groundbreaking in Albany on August 10
EDITORS: Oregon Senator Ron Wyden will attend the EnerG2, Inc. manufacturing plant dedication ceremony in Albany on August 10, 2010. The event will start at 11 a.m. at 3000 SW Calapooia Street. The EnerG2 facility will manufacture synthetic high-performance carbon for use in energy storage. The plant was made possible by a $21.3 million in federal economic recovery act money from U.S. Department of Energy. The plant is expected to create at least 35 permanent high-quality jobs in its first … Continue Reading
August 06, 2010
Senator Ron Wyden to Meet with Local Salmon Fishermen in Charleston on Wednesday, August 11
Portland, OR - Oregon Senator Ron Wyden will meet with South Coast salmon fishermen on Wednesday, August 11, 2010, to discuss this year's season, including the effects of statements by Seafood Watch about purchasing wild Oregon-caught salmon. Salmon fishermen are back on the ocean this year after three years of closures. Who: Oregon Senator Ron Wyden; Representatives of the commercial salmon fishing industry, including Jeff Reeves, salmon fisherman and vice chairman of … Continue Reading
August 05, 2010
Judiciary Committee Approves Wyden-Cornyn Legislation to Combat Sex Trafficking
Washington, D.C. - The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee sent a message to the perpetrators of modern sexual slavery today when it approved legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas). The FBI estimates that each year more than 100,000 underage girls are exploited for commercial sex in the United States. The Trafficking Deterrence and Victims Support Act will put forward a model for rescuing these young women by providing block grants for a six state … Continue Reading
August 05, 2010
Senate Trade Leaders Propose Legislation to Combat Evasion of U.S. Trade Laws
Washington, D.C. - In an effort to make it more difficult for foreign exporters to circumvent U.S. trade laws, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Olympia J. Snowe (R- Maine) introduced a major legislative initiative today that will give the U.S. Department of Commerce (DoC) both a mandate and additional tools to enforce U.S. trade remedy laws, specifically those related to anti-dumping and countervailing duties (AD/CVD). Exporters from developing countries like China have been known to … Continue Reading
August 04, 2010
SENATORS TO PRES. OBAMA: ADMINISTRATION MUST DO MORE TO COMBAT UNFAIR TRADE PRACTICES
WASHINGTON, D.C.-U.S. Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Olympia Snowe (R-ME), Charles Schumer (D-NY), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Jim Bunning (R-KY), Arlen Specter (D-PA), Susan Collins (R-ME), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Bob Casey (D-PA), and Carl Levin (D-MI) today sent a letter to President Obama calling for stronger action on behalf of U.S. businesses and workers competing against unfair trade practices conducted abroad, particularly the manipulation of currency by the Chinese government … Continue Reading
August 04, 2010
Vote to Eliminate Senate Secret Holds is Scheduled for September
Washington, D.C. - The bipartisan coalition of Senators working to reform the Senate's use of secret holds welcomed Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid's (D-Nev.) pledge today to call up their legislation as one of the first votes in September. The Secret Holds Elimination Act, sponsored by U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Chuck Grassley, (R-Iowa), and Claire McCaskill (D- Mo.), would eliminate a single Senator's ability to indefinitely hijack the legislative process in secret by requiring … Continue Reading
August 02, 2010
Labor, Health & Human Services & Education Appropriations Bill Includes Over $1 Million to Help Victims of Abuse and Oregon Veterans
Washington D.C. - Oregon Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that the Senate Labor, Health and Human Services & Education (LHHS) Appropriations bill includes $1.35 million for Oregon to assist victims of human trafficking, provide critical support for veterans returning home, and supply necessary resources for rural health clinics. "This economy has left people across Oregon in tough straits, but there is no shortage of caring people who dedicate their lives to helping … Continue Reading
July 29, 2010
Wyden, Merkley Announce Funding For Oregon in Financial Services Appropriations Bill
Washington, D.C. - Continuing efforts to improve the economic environment for Oregon's businesses and provide training to local workers for good-paying jobs, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) have announced several Oregon projects included in the Senate Financial Services and General Government Appropriations bill just approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee."The projects for Oregon in this bill are designed to help businesses thrive and create jobs," Wyden … Continue Reading
July 28, 2010
Lawmakers Call on President to Investigate Chinese Paper Subsidies
Washington, D.C. - With the recent release of a report identifying how massive, known subsidies provided by China to its paper producers unfairly gouges a share of the U.S. market, more than 100 lawmakers from 30 states have called on President Obama to conduct an in-depth examination of China's unfair subsidization of its domestic paper industry. The lawmakers -- led by U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D- Ore.) and Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine) and U.S. Representatives Mike Michaud (D-Maine) and … Continue Reading
July 28, 2010
Bill to Eliminate Secret Holds is on the Senate Calendar
Washington, D.C. - Legislation authored by U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Chuck Grassley, (R-Iowa), and Claire McCaskill (D- Mo.) to eliminate a senator's ability to obstruct legislation in secret was placed on the Senate calendar today, opening the door for a definitive up or down vote on the legislation. The modified version of the "Secret Holds Elimination Act"- previously introduced by Wyden and Grassley - will require that all holds be submitted in writing and disclosed after one … Continue Reading
July 27, 2010
Wyden, Merkley Announce $6 Million in Funding for Public Safety, Student Mentoring Projects in Appropriations Bill
Washington, D.C. - Continuing efforts to make sure Oregon law enforcement have the resources and personnel to effectively fight crime and protect victims, Oregon Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Jeff Merkley (D- Ore.) announced that projects to boost public safety programs throughout the state are included in a bill passed by the Senate Appropriations committee today. "Oregon must have the resources to effectively fight increasingly sophisticated criminals," Wyden said. "This funding will … Continue Reading
July 27, 2010
Wyden, Merkley Announce Millions in Transportation Infrastructure Projects for Oregon in Appropriations Bill
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D- Ore.) and Jeff Merkley (D- Ore.) announced today that Senate Appropriations Committee has approved projects to improve transportation infrastructure and business prospects throughout Oregon as well as increase the quality of life for residents throughout the state. The Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill includes projects in Portland, Sisters, Coos Bay, Madras, Grants Pass, Umatilla, Medford and Bend. Also included … Continue Reading
July 20, 2010
At Wyden, Merkley and DeFazio’s Urging Administration Takes Steps to Preserve Chetco from Mining
Washington, D.C. - In a move intended to protect the Chetco River from the devastating environmental effects of suction dredge mining for two years, the Obama administration - at the strong urging of U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Representative Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) - has announced that portions of the Chetco River will be subject to a process that allows the Forest Service to put a freeze on all future mining claims on those portions of the river. In … Continue Reading
July 20, 2010
Senators Say Investments in Renewable Energy Must be Backed by the Capacity to Store It
Washington, D.C. -U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Jeanne Shaheen (D.-N.H.) introduced legislation today to provide much needed balance to current energy tax law that offers tax credits for the creation of renewable energy but not the technology to store it. The Storage Technology of Renewable and Green Energy Act of 2010 Act (STORAGE 2010) would offer up to $1.5 billion in tax credits to storage projects that are connected to the U.S. electric grid. Increasing … Continue Reading
July 16, 2010
Wyden, Merkley Announce $6.7 million in Funding for Agriculture Research Included in Appropriations Bill
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D- Ore.) and Jeff Merkley (D- Ore.) announced today that an agriculture appropriations bill headed to the Senate floor includes more than $6.7 million in projects providing research into agricultural methods to help create more jobs and boost efficiency in Oregon's agricultural sector. The Senate Appropriations committee approved the bill on Thursday. "Oregon is very much a state of growers and innovators," Wyden said. "This funding will help … Continue Reading
July 15, 2010
Senators Seek “Thorough and Independent Investigation” of Judge’s Refusal to Recuse Himself in Drilling Moratorium Case
Washington, D.C. - As questions continue to be raised about the ruling to overturn the Administration's six-month moratorium on deepwater drilling in the Gulf of Mexico, six U.S. senators asked Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) to investigate U.S. District Court Judge Martin Feldman's failure to recuse himself from the case despite his financial interests in companies affected by the spill. The senators, led by Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), are asking for … Continue Reading
