Press Releases
Wyden: Time to Bring Energy Policy in Line with 21st Century
Seattle, WA - Recognizing that renewable, efficient energy is good for both job creation and improving forest health, Oregon Senator Ron Wyden today called for a change in energy policy that would open the doors for greater use of biomass from federal forests. "It's also time to bring the rest of America's energy policies into line with our 21st Century economic and environmental needs," Wyden said in recorded remarks for the White House-sponsored Oregon-Washington Energy Forum in Seattle. "In … Continue Reading
December 03, 2009
Bipartisan Resolution In Support of Iranian Baha'i Passes Senate
Washington, D.C.-. Continuing their support for religious tolerance and freedom throughout the world, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Sam Brownback (R-Kansas) announced that a resolution condemning Iran for the persecution of 300,000 Iranian members of the Baha'i Faith has been passed by the Senate. The Senators' resolution also called on Iran to release its prisoners held for their religious beliefs, including seven Baha'i leaders detained since 2008. The resolution was introduced by … Continue Reading
December 03, 2009
Federal Economic Recovery Money will Help Retrain Workers Laid Off from Tillamook Lumber Company
Washington, D.C. - Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley announced today that Oregon has been awarded an initial $501,000 in economic recovery funds to help retrain 75 workers who lost their jobs following layoffs at the Hampton Affiliates' Tillamook Lumber Company."It is vital that we invest in these skilled, productive workers who have lost their jobs due to market conditions and not through any fault of their own," Wyden said. "The intent of the economic recovery act is to get people … Continue Reading
December 02, 2009
Wyden Statement on President's Afghanistan Speech
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) released the following statement in response to the President's address to the nation regarding U.S. strategy in Afghanistan: "I am skeptical that committing tens of thousands of additional men and women -- and billions of additional tax dollars -- to Afghanistan will help meet the President's stated goals. To the contrary, I remain concerned that this proposed surge will take away desperately-needed resources to restore our economy and put … Continue Reading
December 01, 2009
Wyden, Merkley Announce $3.6 Million in Energy Star Appliance Rebates
Washington, D.C. - Continuing to improve Oregon's economic recovery while helping low-income households afford energy-efficient heating systems, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D- Ore.) and Jeff Merkley (D- Ore.) announced that Oregon's Department of Energy will receive more than $3.6 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding to provide low-income households with a 70 percent instant rebate for energy-efficient heating systems. "This funding will make energy efficient, Energy … Continue Reading
November 20, 2009
Reid, Baucus and Wyden Reach Agreement to Improve Choice and Affordability in Health Reform
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) and U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) agreed today to amend the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to include a version of Wyden's "Free Choice" legislation. "As I have long said, empowering Americans to choose the health insurance that works best for them and their family is the single best way to hold health insurance companies accountable," said Wyden. "While this is just one … Continue Reading
November 19, 2009
Wyden Supports Bill to Improve Health Care Services to Veterans and Their Families
Washington, D.C. - Continuing efforts to provide the highest quality health care for veterans and their families, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) voted in support of legislation that passed the Senate today to expand support for families and caregivers of wounded servicemembers that also includes provisions Wyden has cosponsored to provide greater access to health care for veterans in rural areas and improved services for female veterans at all Veterans Affairs medical facilities. "The … Continue Reading
November 19, 2009
Wyden Leads Bipartisan Group Urging USTR to Push for Lower Tariffs on Green Goods
Washington, D.C. - In anticipation of the upcoming World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial meeting, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Mike Crapo (R- Idaho), John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) wrote a letter to Ron Kirk, the United States Trade Representative urging him to support an agreement between several nations to lower or eliminate import tariffs on goods that contribute to greenhouse gas emission reductions and other sustainable environmental practices as part of the … Continue Reading
November 19, 2009
Wyden Supports Bill to Improve Health Care Services to Veterans and Their Families
Washington, D.C. - Continuing efforts to provide the highest quality health care for veterans and their families, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) voted in support of legislation that passed the Senate today to expand support for families and caregivers of wounded servicemembers that also includes provisions Wyden has cosponsored to provide greater access to health care for veterans in rural areas and improved services for female veterans at all Veterans Affairs medical facilities. "The goal of … Continue Reading
November 18, 2009
Wyden, Merkley Announce Millions in Military Construction Projects, VA Health Care
Washington, D.C. - Working to provide the means to keep Oregon's military infrastructure up-to-date and to ensure emergency services have the tools to keep residents safe, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) announced millions in funding for Oregon as part of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations bill passed by the Senate. The bill also marks the first time that the veterans health care funding will be budgeted for a two-year … Continue Reading
November 17, 2009
Senate Subcommittee To Hold Hearing on Managing Federal Forests in Response to Climate Change
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 Public Lands and Forests Subcommittee of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee to discuss the Administration's response to climate change as it pertains to management of federal forest land. The subcommittee will hear testimony from Interior Department and Forest Service officials as well as forestry experts from Oregon State University and the … Continue Reading
November 17, 2009
Senators Press Holder to Declassify Key Facts about Patriot Act
Washington, D.C. - In anticipation of the upcoming Senate debate over Patriot Act reauthorization, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) Russ Feingold (D-Wis.) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) asked U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to declassify key information pertaining to the law's "business records" provision (Section 215). Today's letter follows a classified letter that the senators sent Holder in June 2009. "We appreciate that the Department of Justice has taken action on several of the issues we … Continue Reading
November 12, 2009
Wyden Legislation Seeks to Disrupt Oregon Sex Trafficking
Portland, OR - Recognizing Oregon's increasing human sex trafficking problem, Oregon Senator Ron Wyden today proposed greater protections for victims as a way to aid the prosecution of pimps. At a news conference in Portland, Wyden was joined by Multnomah County Commissioner Diane McKeel, Multnomah County District Attorney Michael Schrunk and representatives of police and victims' rights advocates, who endorsed the legislation proposed by Wyden. "Sex trafficking is slavery, pure and simple. … Continue Reading
November 09, 2009
Wyden to Attend Veterans Day Events in Albany, Salem
Portland, OR - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden will march in the Albany Veterans Day Parade on the morning of Wednesday, November 11, and attend ceremonies in Salem that afternoon honoring Oregon soldiers killed in the Iraq-Afghan wars. With around 200 entries and as many as 40,000 spectators, the Albany event is recognized as one of the largest Veterans Day parades west of the Mississippi. The parade features veterans from wars past and present, marching units, military vehicles, and marching bands. … Continue Reading
November 06, 2009
Wyden, Westlund Join Efforts to Locate U.S. Savings Bond Holders
Portland, OR - Remember those U.S. Savings Bond your grandmother or aunt sent you each Christmas? Ever wonder what happened to them? Now, there's an effort underway to find out. The U.S. Department of the Treasury estimates that as many as 400,000 Oregonians may be owed as much as $160 million in mature savings bonds they may not know about. Nationally, the figure is an estimated 40 million Americans owed approximately $16.5 billion. Oregon Senator Ron Wyden, with the support of State … Continue Reading
November 06, 2009
Senate Bill Includes More than $4 Million for Oregon Law Enforcement and Public Safety Projects
Washington D.C. - Continuing efforts to provide Oregon law enforcement with the tools they need to keep residents safe, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D- Ore.) and Jeff Merkley (D- Ore.) announced that Oregon will receive more than $4 million as part of the Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations bill passed by the U.S. Senate. The funding provides for violence and drug prevention efforts, giving law enforcement the resources they need to protect communities including funding for prevention … Continue Reading
November 05, 2009
Wyden to hold Annual Josephine County Town in Grants Pass on November 13
Portland, OR - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden will host his annual Josephine County town hall meeting on Friday, November 13, 2009, in Grants Pass. Josephine County residents are invited to attend the open forum to ask questions and voice their concerns. Senator Wyden holds town halls in each of Oregon's 36 counties every year. Josephine County Town Hall Meeting Date: November 13, 2009 Time: 10 a.m.Location: Grants Pass … Continue Reading
November 05, 2009
TriMet's Use of Build America Bonds Saves $3 million
Portland, OR - TriMet has become the second public entity in Oregon to take advantage of the new Build America Bonds program championed by Senator Ron Wyden. By using Build America Bonds on a portion of TriMet's recent $49.55 million bond issue, the transit district will save taxpayers nearly $3 million in interest costs over the term of the bonds. "The goal of Build America Bonds is to create jobs, rebuild America's infrastructure, and save taxpayer money by offering public entities an … Continue Reading
October 30, 2009
Declassifying Total Intelligence Budget Figures Informs National Security Debate
Washington, D.C.-. U.S Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) released the following statement today in response to the Director of National Intelligence's release of the total size of the National Intelligence Program budget. This number has been publicly released each year since 2007 pursuant to the requirements of the "Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007" which included declassification language previously offered by Senator Wyden. "Declassifying the total size of the … Continue Reading
October 30, 2009
10 Senators Ask Reid to Expand Access to the Health Care Exchanges
Washington, D.C. - Nine Democratic senators joined U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) today in expressing support for a version of Wyden's Free Choice proposal which would promote real competition among health insurers by increasing the number of Americans able to choose plans in the new health insurance exchanges. In a letter (below) addressed to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, U.S. Senators Mary Landrieu (D-La.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Evan Bayh (D-Ind.), Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), Barbara … Continue Reading
