Press Releases
Merkley, Wyden Announce Nearly $20 Million Coming to Oregon for Forest Conservation and Management
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that the U.S. Forest Service will be awarding $19,999,000 for the Tualatin Mountain Forest project and the Minam Conservation and Connectivity project through the Forest Legacy Program at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. These projects will help conserve and manage economically and ecologically significant forestlands in Oregon. "It's great news that these two amazing Oregon sites will be protected … Continue Reading
July 07, 2023
Merkley, Wyden Announce Over $2 Million for Manufacturing Extension Services
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that the Oregon Manufacturing Extension Program (OMEP) was awarded $2,217,708 to provide public-private partnerships to small- and medium-sized manufacturers in Oregon. The funding comes from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). "If we don't make things in America, we won't have a middle class in America, and when Oregon's manufacturing industry does well, all Oregonians benefit," said … Continue Reading
July 03, 2023
Wyden, Merkley: Mosier Community School One of 24 Schools Nationwide to Earn Funding for Resilient, Energy Efficient Renovation
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that Mosier Community School has earned a nearly $870,000 federal grant to support resilient, energy efficient improvements to the building. "Schools are pillars of every community, often serving as public meeting spaces, playgrounds, gyms, as well as classrooms. And yet, too many schools in Oregon lack the resources to make crucial improvements to their buildings," Wyden said. "I am proud that MCS has earned the … Continue Reading
June 30, 2023
Wyden Statement on the Supreme Court Striking Down Student Loan Forgiveness
Washington, D.C.— U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., released the following statement on the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down President Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan: “Once again, the far-right extremist Supreme Court has decided to radically alter people’s lives for the worse and this time it’s chosen to shackle millions of working-class borrowers in financial handcuffs. By throwing student loan forgiveness out the window, Americans will now be … Continue Reading
June 30, 2023
Wyden Presses Feds to Crack Down Harder on Fentanyl Flowing into Oregon via I-5, I-84
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today urged top federal officials to crack down harder on the flow of fentanyl and other drugs pouring into Oregon communities on the I-5 and I-84 corridors. In a letter to Acting U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Troy A. Miller that followed the senator's recent meeting with agency officials, Wyden noted that traffic stops on northbound I-5 and west along I-84 in just one month this year revealed "deeply disturbing" volumes of deadly … Continue Reading
June 29, 2023
Merkley, Wyden Announce Over $800,000 for Access to Safe and Clean Drinking Water in Small, Underserved, and Disadvantaged Communities
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is awarding $826,000 to the state of Oregon to support projects and activities that will help underserved, small and disadvantaged communities to access and invest in water infrastructure and comply with the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). "Water is the elixir of life. Providing access to clean, safe drinking water - particularly in our most vulnerable … Continue Reading
June 29, 2023
All Eight Members of Oregon Delegation Call on U.S. Department of State to Address the Passport Application Backlog for Oregonians
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Representative Val Hoyle (OR-04) called on the U.S. Department of State with U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, Jeff Merkley, and Representatives Earl Blumenauer (OR-03), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Cliff Bentz (OR-02), and Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR-05) to continue working to address the passport backlog for Oregonians by driving down wait times, increasing communication with Oregon applicants, and informing Congress of any additional resources the … Continue Reading
June 28, 2023
Merkley, Wyden Announce $17 Million for Climate-Friendly Transit in Oregon
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that the Federal Transportation Administration is awarding transit districts in Oregon $17,129,662 for the purchase or lease of low- or no-emission vehicles, and related equipment or facilities. "As climate chaos intensifies, we must act boldly and quickly to transition to clean and renewable strategies,"?Merkley said.?"Low- and no-emission buses mean better health for our communities and less pollution in … Continue Reading
June 27, 2023
Wyden, Merkley, Colleagues Introduce Resolution Recognizing June as LGBTQ Pride Month
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said today they have joined with colleagues in introducing a Senate resolution recognizing June as LGBTQ Pride Month. “As we celebrate Pride this month, we must continue the fight for equal rights and justice for LGBTQ people in Oregon and nationwide,” Wyden said. “With extreme right-wing attacks escalating on fundamental rights to health care and bodily autonomy, we must continue to say it loud and … Continue Reading
June 26, 2023
Wyden, Merkley, Colleagues Push to Audit the Pentagon and End Wasteful Spending
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, Jeff Merkley and Senate colleagues announced today they introduced bipartisan legislation that would require the Department of Defense to pass a full, independent audit in fiscal year 2024. Last year, the Department of Defense failed its fifth audit and was unable to account for over half of its assets, which are in excess of $3.1 trillion, or roughly 78 percent of the entire federal government. “Taxpayers can’t keep writing blank … Continue Reading
June 26, 2023
Wyden, Colleagues Urge Federal Trade Commission to Hold Auto Dealers Accountable for Deceptive Pricing, Poor Recordkeeping
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden and Senate colleagues today urged the Federal Trade Commission to require that auto dealers provide a comprehensive and binding “offer price” for new vehicles, do away with hidden junk fees, retain records to enable enforcement and compliance, and ensure that non-English speakers are treated fairly in the car-buying process. “We write to support your efforts to address unfair and deceptive practices in the sale, financing, and … Continue Reading
June 26, 2023
Wyden, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Help Small Farms Access Federal Support
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden and colleagues announced today they introduced legislation to help small farms access federal conservation programs. “Family farmers and ranchers in Oregon and nationwide play an essential role in conservation, but often face financial barriers to farming practices that improve soil health and reduce carbon emissions. Our bill has one goal — making it easier for underserved and small family farms to access federal funds to get this … Continue Reading
June 26, 2023
Wyden Applauds Unprecedented Nearly $700 Million to Expand Broadband Access Across Oregon
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today applauded the announcement that Oregon will receive a record $689 million to expand access to broadband internet to rural and underserved communities - the largest single broadband grant in Oregon’s history. “Today’s announcement of nearly $700 million to boost broadband access could be life-changing for Oregonians across our state. In rural Oregon, a community without reliable broadband is like a farm … Continue Reading
June 23, 2023
Wyden, Merkley, Colleagues Reintroduce Legislation to Repeal the Gun Industry’s Legal Liability Shield
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, Jeff Merkley and Senate colleagues today reintroduced legislation that would ensure victims of gun violence in Oregon and nationwide have their day in court and that negligent gun companies and gun sellers are not shielded from liability when they disregard public safety. The Equal Access to Justice for Victims of Gun Violence Act would repeal the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, passed by Congress in 2005, which gives the gun … Continue Reading
June 23, 2023
Wyden Reintroduces Legislation to Improve Watershed Resilience and Health
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., this week reintroduced his bill to improve the resilience and health of the nation’s watersheds – the land leading into streams, rivers or lakes – as Oregon and the entire American West continue to suffer from severe drought. “Watersheds play an essential role in the health and economic livelihood of local communities, supporting safe drinking water for communities, outdoor recreation and productive … Continue Reading
June 21, 2023
Wyden: In One Year Without Roe, We’ve Seen the Horrible Reality of the Right-Wing’s War on Women
Watch a video of Wyden’s floor remarks here. As prepared for delivery It has been a year since the Supreme Court’s atrocious decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. I remember reading the leaked decision in the press early last May and realizing, with dread, that it would strike down Roe v. Wade. My first reaction was that the Court had set in motion a catastrophe for the health, safety, autonomy and privacy of American women. To the horror of the 36 … Continue Reading
June 21, 2023
Wyden, Merkley Introduce Legislation to Improve Water Access for Agriculture and Conservation as West Continues to Face Drought
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., today reintroduced the Water for Conservation and Farming Act to help communities in Oregon and across the West suffering from ongoing drought. Their bill will improve water access for agriculture and conservation by funding projects that improve dam safety, create more resilient watersheds and benefit agricultural and urban water users. “On this first day of summer and at a time when the nation … Continue Reading
June 21, 2023
Wyden, Lee and Durbin Introduce PRESS Act to Protect Reporters’ First Amendment Rights Against Government Surveillance
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, and Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill., today introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation to protect reporters and journalists against unnecessary government surveillance that makes it harder to hold the government accountable and harms reporters’ First Amendment rights. The senators introduced the Protect Reporters from Exploitive State Spying (PRESS) Act in response to multiple examples, in both … Continue Reading
June 20, 2023
Merkley, Wyden, Bonamici and Blumenauer Announce $2.5 Million to Expand Oregon Solar Energy Workforce
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden and Representatives Suzanne Bonamici and Earl Blumenauer announced today that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is awarding two Oregon workforce development and training centers a combined total of $2.5 million. The funding will be used to expand the solar energy workforce in underserved and underrepresented communities, as well as create career pathways with thousands of good-paying jobs. "This news is a win-win for … Continue Reading
June 20, 2023
Wyden, Merkley Announce More than $50 Million to Grant County and Beyond for Rural Broadband Infrastructure
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that two organizations have earned $50 million in federal loans and grants for high-speed rural internet projects in Grant County and beyond. "Oregonians need broadband access so all communities can have modern access to jobs, education and telehealth opportunities that depend on high-speed internet," Wyden said, who has long championed expanding broadband access to rural and underserved areas, including pushing the … Continue Reading
