Press Releases
Wyden and Snowe Introduce Bill to Train Nanotech Workers
Washington, D.C. - In an effort to develop the next generation of scientists and engineers leading innovation in nanotechnology, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) introduced the Promote Nanotechnology in Schools Act to help schools such as community colleges, universities, and even high schools purchase the advanced equipment needed to educate students and train workers in this emerging field. "Few if any fields hold as much growth potential as … Continue Reading
March 10, 2010
BLM Contract Extension Passes U.S. Senate
Washington, D.C. - The U.S. Senate today passed the Tax Extenders Act of 2009, which incorporated the Forest Harvest Opportunity Act by amendment. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden introduced the Forest Harvest Opportunity Act in November 2009 to help timber companies remain competitive and sustain economic growth. The Forest Harvest Opportunity Act will extend already-existing contracts between timber companies and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) so the companies can harvest … Continue Reading
March 09, 2010
Merkley, Wyden Urge Obama Administration to Provide Immediate, Coordinated Drought Assistance for Klamath Basin
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden requested immediate and expansive drought assistance for Klamath Basin in anticipation of emergency drought conditions this year. In a letter sent today, the senators urged Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Department of Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, and Department of Commerce Secretary Gary Locke to take swift, coordinated action to address the projected water shortfall."The drought currently facing the Klamath Basin … Continue Reading
March 09, 2010
Senate Subcommittee To Hold Hearing on Wyden's Eastside Forestry Bill
Washington, D.C. - Tomorrow at 2:30 pm EST (11:30 am PST), U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) will chair a hearing of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee's Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests focusing on Wyden's Oregon Eastside Forests Restoration, Old Growth Protection and Jobs Act. The legislation represents an agreement between the timber industry and environmentalists over forest management and watershed and old growth protections on Oregon's eastside forests. The … Continue Reading
March 08, 2010
Wyden: Proposed NOAA Fleet Site in Bellingham, WA, Plagued with Environmental Hazards, Potential Health Problems
Washington, D.C. - Citing numerous environmental problems and health hazards at the Port of Bellingham (WA), Oregon Senator Ron Wyden today urged the Department of Commerce to cease consideration of the port as a proposed alternative site for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Pacific Fleet. "What has been missing from discussions about the Bellingham site is surrounded by myriad environmental problems and hazards," Wyden said in a letter to Commerce Secretary Gary Locke. "I … Continue Reading
March 03, 2010
State Dept. to Wyden: Uganda Anti-Homosexuality Proposal Violates Human Rights Standards
Washington, D.C. - In response to appeals to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk by U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), the State Department said that the anti-homosexuality bill being considered by the Ugandan Parliament is "a serious affront to internationally accepted human rights standards." This finding would impact the African country's eligibility for preferential trade benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a unilateral program … Continue Reading
March 02, 2010
Wyden Gets Some Answers on ACTA Negotiations
Washington, D.C. - Seeking to shed light on the U.S. Trade Representative's (USTR) secret negotiations over about the Anti-Counterfeit Trade Agreement (ACTA), U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) today released letters that included the USTR response on eleven questions posed to Ambassador Ron Kirk by the senator in January. Wyden, who is chair of the Senate Subcommittee on International Trade, Customs, and Global Competitiveness, sent the letter asking Kirk to detail the negotiating objectives on … Continue Reading
March 02, 2010
Wyden, Dodd, Cantwell, Mikulski, Cardin and Merkley Fight for Local Control Over LNG Terminal Siting
WASHINGTON, DC - Working to give state entities the power to determine both the need for - and the location of - liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals in their states, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Chris Dodd (D-Conn.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) introduced legislation today to repeal portions of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which gave that authority to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Prior to the … Continue Reading
February 24, 2010
VA Will Temporarily Halt Southern Oregon Health Care Reductions, Discuss Future Care with Local Residents
Washington, D.C. -- The Veterans Administration has agreed to halt any further reductions to emergency room or inpatient services at the Roseburg VA Medical Center until it discusses the changes with local communities and residents. The agreement was reached following a meeting between Oregon Senator Ron Wyden and Dr. Susan Pendergrass, director of the VA's VISN 20. VISN is the Veterans Integrated Services Network. "I appreciate the VAs willingness to halt any further changes in health care … Continue Reading
February 24, 2010
Statement on Bennet Letter Urging Use of Budget Reconciliation to Pass a Public Health Insurance Option
Washington, D.C. - Jennifer Hoelzer, Communications Director for U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), issued the following statement today in response to requests that Senator Wyden sign Senator Michael Bennet's (D-CO) letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) urging use of budget reconciliation to pass a public health insurance option:"Over the last few days, many Oregonians have been calling our offices asking Senator Wyden to sign Senator Bennet's letter urging the use of budget … Continue Reading
February 23, 2010
Wyden, Gregg Introduce "Bipartisan Tax Fairness and Simplification Act of 2010"
Washington, D.C. - As Congress readies for the inevitable partisan debate over how best to address the expiring 2001 and 2003 tax cuts, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Judd Gregg (R-NH)today offered a bipartisan solution. The "Bipartisan Tax Fairness and Simplification Act of 2010" takes a comprehensive approach to reforming the tangled web of nearly 10,000 exemptions, deductions, credits and other preferences that currently clutter the U.S. tax code in order to create a … Continue Reading
February 19, 2010
Wyden Urges Forest Service to Honor Deal With Seniors and Disabled Campers
Washington, D.C. - In order to protect seniors and persons with disabilities from seeing a reduction in discounts for fees at most Forest Service campgrounds, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) is asking Tom Tidwell, Chief of the Forest Service, to retain its current discount level. "When these discount passes were sold, they were with the understanding that they entitled the holder to lifetime benefits" Wyden said in the letter. "This Forest Service proposal would go back on that promise, … Continue Reading
February 17, 2010
Wyden, Gregg Set to Introduce Bipartisan Tax Reform Legislation
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Judd Gregg (R-N.H.) issued the following joint statement today to announce their plan to introduce comprehensive tax reform legislation when the Senate returns next week: "For more than two years, we have been working together on tax reform legislation. While the prevailing wisdom is that there is no such thing as genuine bipartisanship -- especially on issues as politically charged as taxes and health reform -- we are proud to … Continue Reading
February 12, 2010
Wyden to Hold Town Halls in Sherman, Gilliam, Wheeler Counties on February 20
Portland, OR - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden will host his annual Sherman, Gilliam and Wheeler county town halls on Saturday, February 20, 2010. Senator Wyden has been holding town halls in each Oregon county every year since 1996. Sherman County Town Hall Meeting Date: Saturday, February 20, 2010 Time: 10 a.m. (Doors open one hour early)Location: Sherman County Public/School … Continue Reading
February 12, 2010
Wyden to Hold Town Halls in Morrow and Umatilla Counties on February 21
Portland, OR - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden will host his annual Morrow and Umatilla county town halls on Sunday, February 21, 2010. Senator Wyden has been holding town halls in each Oregon county every year since 1996. Morrow County Town Hall Meeting Date: Sunday, February 21, 2010 Time: 1 p.m. (Doors open one hour early)Location: Port of Morrow 2 Marine … Continue Reading
February 04, 2010
Wyden Responds to Launch of National Export Initiative
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee's Subcommittee on International Trade, released the following statement today in response to Commerce Secretary Locke's speech announcing the launch of the National Export Initiative:"I applaud Secretary Locke's remarks, which demonstrate that the Obama Administration is serious about establishing a long-term, coherent export expansion strategy. The President's National Export Initiative is an effort … Continue Reading
February 02, 2010
Wyden, Nelson Introduce Legislation to Ensure Haiti's Economic Future
Washington, D.C. - In an effort to give Haiti a badly needed economic boostin the wake of last month's devastating earthquake, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) introduced legislation today to rebuild the country's apparel industry, which prior to the quake accounted for three-quarters of the nation's exports and employed more than 25,000 Haitians. Since the Jan. 12 earthquake, Haiti's apparel industry has experienced a nearly 50 percent reduction in capacity. At … Continue Reading
January 29, 2010
Wyden, Merkley, and Schrader Statement on NOAA Review of Newport Siting
Washington, D.C. -U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Representative Kurt Schrader (D-Ore.), issued the following statement on NOAA's response to the GAO decision sustaining the protest against NOAA's decision to move their Pacific fleet to Newport, Oregon: "After reviewing NOAA's letter and speaking with Secretary Locke this afternoon, we are confident that today's announcement brings us one step closer to establishing the NOAA fleet in Newport. Work already underway … Continue Reading
January 28, 2010
Wyden Statement on Confirmation of Ben Bernanke as Federal Reserve Chairman
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) issued the following statement after voting to confirm Ben Bernanke as Chairman of the Federal Reserve: "Over the last year and a half, I have voted against the $700 billion Wall Street bailout three times, and while I remain frustrated with Mr. Bernanke's role in crafting this policy, I am also mindful that his steady hand helped the nation avoid an economic depression. Moreover, I believe that at a time when the country is only just … Continue Reading
January 28, 2010
Wyden, Merkley Land Swap Bill Will Preserve More Than 16,000 Acres as Wilderness
Washington, D.C. - Building on last year's successful efforts to preserve more than 200,000 acres of Oregon lands as wilderness, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) have introduced legislation to preserve another 16,000 acres near Cathedral Rock and Horse Heaven by swapping land with private landholders, including Christian-based summer camp, Young Life, which has rights to land once occupied by the followers of Baghwan Shree Rajneesh. "Oregonians have a deep connection … Continue Reading
