Press Releases
Wyden Statement on USTR Standing Up For Oregon Lumber Against Unfair Trade Practices
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) issued the following statement today regarding the United States Trade Representative's announcement that it is beginning formal consultations with Canada over a de facto subsidy that British Columbia provides to its lumber producers in violation of the U.S.-Canada Softwood Lumber Agreement. Senator Wyden is the chair of the Senate Finance Committee's Subcommittee on International Trade. "The flood of subsidized Canadian lumber into the U.S. … Continue Reading
October 06, 2010
Wyden, Inhofe Clinical Trials Bill Signed by President Obama
Washington, D.C. - Yesterday, President Obama signed into law the Improving Access to Clinical Trials (I-ACT) Act finally allowing patients with rare diseases to participate in clinical drug studies without fear of losing their eligibility for public assistance such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and/or Medicaid. Introduced by U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), the I-ACT ensures the small amount of financial compensation patients receive to participate in … Continue Reading
October 01, 2010
Wyden, Merkley, Praise DOD Decision to Approve New Wind Farms in Oregon
Washington, DC - After months of working with the Department of Defense (DoD) to strike a balance between domestic energy and national security needs, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) praised the Department's announcement today that it will no longer block the development of eight new wind farms: six in Oregon and two in Washington state. Earlier this year DoD halted new wind farm construction in Eastern Oregon and Eastern Washington after determining that the … Continue Reading
September 29, 2010
Wyden, Blumenauer, Merkley, Schrader Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Rein in Secretive War Contracting Process
Washington, DC - Today, Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley along with Reps. Earl Blumenauer and Kurt Schrader introduced bipartisan legislation to restore oversight and accountability to the secretive war contracting process. The push comes in the wake of revelations that war contractor KBR, which allegedly exposed Oregon National Guardsmen to a cancer-causing chemical in Iraq, secured a secret clause in its contract with the Army that may put taxpayers on the hook for damages. "Our government … Continue Reading
September 29, 2010
Wyden to Extend Tax Credit on Renewable Fuel Infrastructure
Washington, D.C. - As the first of the nation's mass market electric vehicles are set to debut at the end of this year, the tax credit that helps businesses and residents afford the cost of constructing alternative-fuel refueling infrastructure will expire. U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) has introduced bipartisan legislation to extend and improve the tax credit on the refueling infrastructure the motor vehicle industry needs for alternative fuel vehicles to succeed. "Whether you're plugging … Continue Reading
September 28, 2010
Bill to Give Cong. Gold Medal to ‘Go For Broke’ Veterans Ready for President’s Signature
Washington, D.C. - Continuing efforts to recognize and honor World War II veterans for their service and sacrifice, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) announced that Nisei veterans from the "Go For Broke" regiment will be awarded the Congressional Gold Medal - the highest civilian honor available in this country - once the President signs a recently passed bill. The legislation cleared the final Congressional hurdle last week, passing the House of Representatives after having been unanimously … Continue Reading
September 21, 2010
Wyden, Merkley Announce over $7 million in Recovery Act Funding to Improve Water System in Sutherlin
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded more than $7 million to improve the water system in Sutherlin, Oregon. The Recovery Act funding will go toward improving the health, sanitation and infrastructure of the water system, and help protect the local environment from contamination. "This funding is an investment in rural America that will improve water system infrastructure and give folks in … Continue Reading
September 17, 2010
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
