Press Releases
Wyden, Merkley Urge Servicemembers To Collect Stop Loss Pay Before Deadline
Washington, D.C. - Making sure that Oregon servicemembers receive the Stop Loss Special Pay they are owed for service between September 11, 2001 and September 30, 2009, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) encouraged veterans and current servicemembers to apply for the benefits before they are no longer available to them. The Department of Defense estimates that 145,400 personnel are eligible nationwide, although only 58,000 claims have been paid to this point. The … Continue Reading
September 17, 2010
Merkley, Wyden Announce Over $1.7 Million to Enhance Production of Specialty Crops
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Oregon's Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that the Oregon Department of Agriculture will receive $1.7 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to enhance the production and sale of specialty crops. Oregon ranks fifth in the nation in production of specialty crops, which include blueberries, cranberries, cherries, hazelnuts, onions, pears, potatoes, and raspberries, as well as other fruits and vegetables, grass seed, and nursery crops, … Continue Reading
September 16, 2010
Wyden, Merkley Announce $28 Million in Oregon Projects in Defense Appropriations Bill
Washington, D.C. - Continuing efforts to provide Oregon servicemembers, National Guard members and reservists with the equipment and services they need while serving in combat and particularly when they transition back to civilian life, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) have announced more than $28 million in funding as part of the defense appropriations bill. The bill has been agreed to by the Appropriations Committee and will head to the Senate floor for full … Continue Reading
September 15, 2010
Wyden, Crapo Bill Will Level Playing Field for Geothermal Energy Investment
Washington, D.C. - In an effort to increase energy production from renewable sources, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), introduced the Geothermal Energy Investment Act of 2010 to increase investment in geothermal power facilities and technologies and give producers the ability to compete with other renewable energy resources, like solar, on an equitable basis. The legislation amends an existing tax credit to bring geothermal power more on par with other renewable … Continue Reading
September 10, 2010
Wyden, Merkley Announce $4 million for Innovation in Wave Energy Technology
Washington, D.C. - Continuing efforts to accelerate development of wave energy technology in Oregon, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) have announced that Oregon will receive more than $4 million from the U.S. Department of Energy for wave energy technology. The funding will speed up projects to design and implement technologies that generate clean, renewable electricity from Oregon's rivers and coast. "The ocean off Oregon's coast offers enormous potential for … Continue Reading
September 09, 2010
Wyden Credits Internet Tax Freedom with Oregon E-Commerce Boom, Commits to Kill New Internet Taxes
Medford, Or - Standing with owners of ten Southern Oregon E-commerce retail companies, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden said keeping the Internet tax free is important to job creation and he will oppose legislation that would force online sellers to collect sales taxes. "One of Southern Oregon's best kept secrets is that E-Commerce has become a major economic force and job creator in the Rogue Valley," Wyden said. "Forcing these companies to become tax collectors amounts to bureaucratic water … Continue Reading
September 09, 2010
Wyden Statement on Steelworkers Petition Against Unfair Chinese Trade Practices
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), chair of the U.S. Senate Finance subcommittee on International Trade, issued the following statement regarding the filing of a petition by the United Steelworkers arguing that the Chinese government unfairly subsidizes domestic clean energy technology in violation of World Trade Organization rules: "The adoption of clean energy technology provides the opportunity for the United States to be energy independent and support millions of … Continue Reading
September 07, 2010
President’s Tax Reform Commission Makes Case for Tax Simplification and Reform
Washington, D.C. - Pointing to the billions of hours and billions of dollars U.S. taxpayers spend each year on tax compliance, the newly issued report by the President's Economic Recovery Advisory Board headed by former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker makes a compelling case for simplifying the U.S. Tax Code to ease the compliance burden on workers, families and businesses. Among the dozens of ideas described in the report for simplifying and improving the Tax Code are many of the key … Continue Reading
August 26, 2010
Wyden Welcomes Commerce Focus on Enforcement of Trade Laws
Washington, D.C. - Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce proposed a new trade enforcement package intended to combat unfairly traded imports and to promote U.S. manufacturing and exports. "For too long, foreign producers have successfully skirted, shirked and shunned U.S. trade law," said U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), chair of the Senate Finance subcommittee on International Trade. "The renewed focus on strengthening our laws to prevent unfairly traded imports is as welcome as it is … Continue Reading
August 25, 2010
Wyden Seeks Release of Funds For Jetty Work on Oregon Coast
Garibaldi, Or - Standing on the North Jetty at Tillamook Bay, Oregon Senator Ron Wyden on Tuesday called for the release of billions of dollars in the federal Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund to pay for badly needed work on other jetties along the Oregon coast."Jetties are not just piles of rocks in the ocean," Wyden said. "They are keys to commercial shipping, commercial fishing, recreational fishing, navigation and safety. Without them, there would be no coastal economy." A U.S. Army Corps of … Continue Reading
August 23, 2010
Merkley and Wyden Highlight Housing Renovation Grant to Save Energy, Create Jobs in Portland
Portland, OR - Oregon's Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden commended a federal Recovery Act grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today that will help fund "green" renovations at a housing development for Portlanders afflicted by mental illness. "When so many of our friends and neighbors are unable to find steady work, we need focused strategies that get people back on the job," Merkley said. "This grant is a great example of how we can get construction workers … Continue Reading
August 16, 2010
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
