Press Releases
Farms, Food, and Fiber: Merkley, Wyden Announce Senate Passage of Major Investments for Oregon Agriculture and Rural Communities
Washington, D.C. - Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced major investments in Oregon agriculture, rural housing, food assistance, and rural business priorities has passed the Senate, including more than $5 million in funding for Oregon community-initiated projects. The investments were included in the FY24 Senate Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies bill, which cleared the full chamber with strong bipartisan … Continue Reading
November 01, 2023
Wyden Successfully Presses the International Trade Administration to Prevent the Promotion of Surveillance Technology to Foreign Governments
In a letter to Wyden, the Commerce Department details new policies that would help ensure export promotion efforts do not violate human rights Washington, D.C.— Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today released the following statement in response to a Commerce Department letter detailing new policies the International Trade Administration (ITA) has implemented to prevent the promotion of surveillance technology to foreign governments: “I appreciate the Commerce Department's … Continue Reading
November 01, 2023
Wyden Praises Decision to Expand Access to Federal Broadband Program for Rural and Underserved Areas
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today praised an announcement by the National Telecommunications Information Administration (NTIA) to help small internet service providers (ISPs) invest in rural and underserved communities across Oregon, by making it easier for them to participate in the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program. Oregon will receive a record $689 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s BEAD program to expand access to broadband … Continue Reading
November 01, 2023
Merkley, Wyden Urge Good Faith Negotiations Between the Portland Association of Teachers and Portland Public Schools
Washington, D.C. - Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden issued the following statement, urging the Portland Association of Teachers and the Portland Public Schools Board of Education to continue bargaining in good faith amid the first-ever teachers’ strike in the district: “Over the last three years, our educators have strived to maintain a quality, equitable education program for our children through the enormous difficulties of the COVID-19 pandemic. They have been underpaid … Continue Reading
November 01, 2023
Merkley, Wyden, Bonamici, Hoyle Announce Over $36 Million to Improve Coastal Ports in Oregon
Washington, D.C. - Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, along with U.S. Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) and Val Hoyle (OR-04), announced a total of $36,489,508 in federal investments heading to the ports of Astoria, Coquille Indian Tribe’s Ko’Kwel Wharf, and Newport. “Ports play a crucial role in keeping the economies of Oregon and the entire Pacific Northwest running smoothly—transporting goods, people, and services throughout our region—and we rely on them to … Continue Reading
October 30, 2023
Wyden, Murray, Sanders, Baldwin Lead 44 Senators in Urging the Biden Administration to Require Insurers to Fully Cover Over-the-Counter Birth Control, With No Out-of-Pocket Costs or Prescription Barrier
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR), Patty Murray (D-WA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) led 44 of their Senate colleagues today in sending a letter urging the Biden Administration to require federally and state-regulated health insurance plans to fully cover over-the-counter contraceptives, including Opill—the first-ever FDA-approved over-the-counter birth control pill, which will become available in early 2024—with no copays or out of pocket costs, and without a … Continue Reading
October 30, 2023
Wyden, Merkley, Hoyle: Oregon to Receive Nearly $2.7 Million to Improve Road Safety
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley along with U.S. Representative Val Hoyle today announced nearly $2.7 million in federal funds for cities, counties and Tribes in Oregon to help plan road improvements and transportation safety. “This is exactly the type of investment I fought for in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law because it will directly save Oregonians’ lives on our state’s busiest roadways ,” Wyden said. “I am committed to making our streets in Oregon and across … Continue Reading
October 27, 2023
Wyden, Merkley Announce $5.1 Million to Improve Air Quality in Oregon
Washington D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that Klamath County Public Health and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation have secured a combined $5.1 million in federal funds for air quality. “This federal investment packs a one-two punch because it improves overall air quality and helps Oregonians get efficient heat sources to replace their wood-burning units,” Wyden said. “That adds up to a huge win for quality of life in Klamath County … Continue Reading
October 27, 2023
Wyden, Colleagues Demand Answers from Tax Prep Companies After FTC Warns of Improper Sharing of Confidential Data
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden said today he and six congressional colleagues are demanding answers from five tax preparation companies that recently received notices of penalty offenses from the Federal Trade Commission. The lawmakers sought those answers in letters sent to H&R Block, TaxAct, TaxSlayer, Ramsey Solutions, and Intuit regarding the improper sharing of taxpayer’s sensitive and confidential information with Meta (formerly Facebook Inc.). “The FTC’s warning … Continue Reading
October 27, 2023
Wyden, Merkley, Bonamici, Salinas Urge Inclusion of CHIPS Permitting Reform in Defense Bill
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley as well as U.S. Reps. Suzanne Bonamici and Andrea Salinas said today they are joining more than 100 congressional colleagues to urge leaders of the Senate and House Armed Services Committees to preserve the Building Chips in America Act in the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The chips permitting bill, which passed with overwhelming bipartisan support as an amendment to the Senate NDAA in July, streamlines … Continue Reading
October 26, 2023
Wyden, Thune Reintroduce Tribal Child Support Enforcement Act
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and John Thune (R-S.D.), today reintroduced the Tribal Child Support Enforcement Act, which would improve child support enforcement for tribal child support agencies by allowing the more than 60 tribes that operate their own child-support programs to access the Federal Tax Refund Offset Program, which lets them collect past-due child support from non-custodial parents. The bill would also, among other things, create parity between tribes and states … Continue Reading
October 26, 2023
Wyden Votes No on Reckless Removal of U.S. Troops in Niger
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., issued the following statement after voting against a resolution directing the removal of U.S. Armed Forces from the Republic of Niger: “I voted against this resolution, which recklessly removes U.S. troops combating terrorism from the Republic of Niger and the wider region within 30 days. A sudden withdrawal would not only send a harmful message to our partners in West Africa who rely on our support to curb violent extremism, but it would … Continue Reading
October 26, 2023
Wyden and Merkley Announce Federal Energy Assistance for Oregonians
Washington D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that Oregon was awarded $40.2 million in federal funding to help low-income households and Tribes pay for energy bills, prevent utility shut-offs and more. “With temperatures forecast to drop near or below freezing this weekend in Oregon, this assistance is especially timely,” Wyden said. “These federal funds will help Oregonians already struggling to make the choice between paying for utilities or food. Maintaining a … Continue Reading
October 25, 2023
Key Committee Holds Hearing on Bill that Provides Critical Funding to Oregon Counties
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today applauded the Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining for holding a hearing on the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act—bipartisan legislation that Wyden co-leads with Senators Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., and James Risch, R-Idaho. The legislation would invest in rural communities across Oregon and the nation for essential services such as education, road … Continue Reading
October 24, 2023
Merkley, Wyden Join Colleagues Urging the FCC to Improve Access to Local Journalism
Washington, D.C. - Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden joined colleagues in a letter urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to improve access to local media on streaming platforms. Current law and FCC rules state that traditional cable and satellite networks must work directly with a local television station before broadcasting local news, sports, and other programming. However, linear streaming services over the internet are not required to negotiate directly with … Continue Reading
October 23, 2023
Oregon Congressional Delegation Announces Two National Tech Hubs Coming to Oregon
Washington, D.C. - Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, along with U.S. Representatives Earl Blumenauer, Suzanne Bonamici, Val Hoyle, and Andrea Salinas, today announced the designation of two tech hubs coming to Oregon from the U.S. Economic Development Administration. These hubs are created through the Tech Hubs program and the 2022 bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act, an economic development initiative intended to strengthen manufacturing, commercialization, and deployment of … Continue Reading
October 23, 2023
Wyden, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Help Homeowners Install New Renewable Energy Systems
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden said today he has introduced legislation that would help state, local and Tribal governments accelerate the permitting and inspection process for residents to install home energy systems, like rooftop solar panels. “Each year, more Americans are installing solar panels and other clean energy products into their homes but local governments are struggling to streamline the permitting and inspection process for qualifying clean home energy systems,” … Continue Reading
October 23, 2023
Wyden Announces Virtual Town Hall on Oct. 31 for Malheur County
Portland - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today announced a live on-line town hall Oct. 31 hosted by People’s Town Hall for residents of Malheur County to ask questions of his staff and local supporters of his Community Empowerment for the Owyhee (CEO) Act. “This landmark Owyhee legislation shows the entire country how a rural Oregon community can come together to preserve both a natural treasure and a rich agriculture heritage that generates jobs,” Wyden said. “The Malheur CEO Act is the product of … Continue Reading
October 19, 2023
Wyden, Merkley: Oregon to Receive Nearly $450 Million in Federal Funds to Modernize the Power Grid
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said today they welcomed the Biden administration announcement that Oregon will receive about $449.5 million in federal assistance to modernize the power grid, bolstering its ability to withstand fires, bad weather, natural disasters and more. “Whether it’s been wildfires, windstorms, ice storms or other calamities, Oregon communities in recent years have suffered prolonged power outages among the dangers that arise when the grid … Continue Reading
October 19, 2023
Wyden, Merkley, Colleagues Introduce Senate Resolution in Solidarity with UAW Workers on Strike
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said today that they and Senate colleagues have introduced a resolution supporting the 150,000 members of United Auto Workers bargaining for a better contract with automakers. The resolution calls on the “Big Three” automakers to negotiate in good faith and offer workers a fair contract. UAW has around 34,000 of its members on strike from production lines and factories in Oregon and across the nation. This marks one of the largest … Continue Reading
