Press Releases
Wyden, Markey Statement on FCC Vote to Advance Reinstatement of Net Neutrality
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Edward J. Markey today released the following statement after the Federal Communications Commission voted to issue its proposed rule to reinstate net neutrality rules and reclassify broadband as a telecommunications service under Title II of the Communications Act: “The COVID-19 pandemic clearly demonstrated that broadband - like electricity and water - isn’t a luxury, it’s essential infrastructure. Today, the Federal Communications Commission … Continue Reading
October 18, 2023
Wyden, Merkley, Bonamici, Hoyle Announce $500,000 for OSU to Protect Oregon Dunes from Sea Level Rise
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley as well as U.S. Reps. Suzanne Bonamici and Val Hoyle today announced that Oregon State University has secured a $500,000 federal grant to assess the impact of backshore dune environments to sea level rise in the Pacific Northwest. Backshore dune environments are the part of the seashore between the beach and the coastline covered by water only during storms of exceptional severity. “Coastal communities in Oregon and nationwide are … Continue Reading
October 18, 2023
West Coast Senators Warn FERC Against Approving Flawed and Unwanted Pacific Northwest Gas Expansion
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, joined by U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), today urged the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to reject a proposal from TC Energy for a major expansion of methane gas infrastructure in the Pacific Northwest, as FERC is scheduled to take up the proposal at a Thursday meeting. The Senators pointed to a myriad of problems with TC Energy’s proposal and FERC’s consideration process, including … Continue Reading
October 18, 2023
Wyden, Bennet, Tillis Introduce Bill to Improve Health Care Access, Protect Seniors from Unexpected Costs
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today joined U.S. Senators Michael Bennet, D-Colo., and Thom Tillis, R-N.C., in introducing legislation to ensure Medicare Advantage plans protect seniors from unexpected health care costs and maintain accurate provider directories. “When Americans are purchasing and using their health insurance, they have the right to know whether their doctors are covered by that plan,” Wyden said. “Too often, seniors and families get health care whiplash … Continue Reading
October 16, 2023
Wyden, Colleagues Urge Biden Administration to Help Reduce Energy Costs
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden said today that he and Senate colleagues are urging federal agencies to act to reduce energy costs in Oregon and nationwide through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). In a letter from Wyden and 27 senators to Office of Management and Budget Director Shalanda Young and Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, the lawmakers urged the Biden Administration to include supplemental LIHEAP funding in any additional request … Continue Reading
October 16, 2023
Oregon Delegation Announces Approval of Federal Fishery Disaster Declaration
Washington, D.C. - Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, with U.S. Senator Ron Wyden and U.S. Representatives Earl Blumenauer (OR-03), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), and Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR-05), announced today that the U.S. Department of Commerce has determined a fishery disaster for 2018, 2019, and 2020 Oregon Chinook salmon ocean commercial fisheries in the state. This determination, championed by the Oregon delegation, will make local fishermen … Continue Reading
October 11, 2023
Wyden Praises Enactment of California Privacy Law Modeled on Mind Your Own Business Act
Washington, D.C. — Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today applauded California for enacting the Delete Act, to give users the ability to stop data brokers from selling or sharing their personal information with a single click. The legislation is modeled on a similar provision in Wyden’s Mind Your Own Business Act, first introduced in 2019. “Americans shouldn't have to fill out hundreds of different forms to stop data brokers selling their personal information. Californians now have a new law, … Continue Reading
October 11, 2023
Wyden, Colleagues Urge Corrections to Proposed Federal Defenders’ Budget
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden said today that he and Senate colleagues are urging that adequate funding be provided for Defender Services in both Congressional chambers’ Financial Services and General Government legislation. “Federal Public and Community Defenders are fundamental to the function of federal courts across the country. To preserve the operation of our justice system, we urge you to pass funding for Defender Services that is at a minimum $108 million higher than the … Continue Reading
October 10, 2023
Merkley, Wyden Announce $1.7 Million to Drive Solutions to Nitrate Contamination in Morrow and Umatilla Counties
Washington, D.C. - Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announce Morrow and Umatilla counties have received $1.7 million to help address nitrate contamination in private wells. This federal investment from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was passed in the FY23 government funding bill as a critical?community-initiated project?championed by Senators Merkley and Wyden. The funding will fuel local efforts to find?a long-term solution to the ongoing water crisis … Continue Reading
October 05, 2023
Merkley, Wyden, Salinas Lead Bicameral Legislation to Invest in Regenerative Agriculture
Washington, D.C. - Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley, Ron Wyden, and Representative Andrea Salinas (D-OR-06) are leading the bicameral Soil Conservation And Regeneration Education (Soil CARE) Act. Farmers, ranchers, and federal land personnel continue to face ongoing challenges to their land from extreme weather events like floods and droughts. This bill would ensure producers have the latest information and tools available to help rebuild degraded lands, reduce reliance on inputs, and … Continue Reading
October 04, 2023
Merkley, Wyden Announce $800,000 to Address Stolen Vehicles in Portland
Washington, D.C. - Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that the City of Portland will be receiving a Smart Policing Initiative Grant from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of Justice Programs to help address stolen vehicles in the city, which has seen over 10,000 reported thefts so far in 2023. “When folks go to hop in their cars to get to work, doctor’s appointments, or the grocery store, they should feel certain that their vehicle will be there … Continue Reading
October 04, 2023
Wyden, Colleagues Reintroduce Bill to Empower Youth and Expand Voting Access
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Senate colleagues today reintroduced legislation that would expand youth access to voting. “Our democracy’s future depends on young voters actively participating in the election process. Unfortunately, young voters, particularly young people of color, face growing obstacles to exercise their Constitutional right to vote,” said Senator Wyden. “That’s why I’m proud to introduce the Youth Voting Rights Act which would empower young voters … Continue Reading
October 04, 2023
Wyden Urges Senate Judiciary Committee to Support Judge Kasubhai’s Nomination
Watch a video of Wyden deliver his remarks here As prepared for delivery Chairman Durbin, Ranking Member Graham, members of the committee, I’m very pleased to join you this morning to introduce Judge Kasubhai, nominee for the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon. Judge Kasubhai is eminently qualified for this position. You all have his qualifications before you. You can see that before serving as a magistrate judge, he practiced law in Klamath Falls. Now for those who aren’t … Continue Reading
October 03, 2023
Merkley, Wyden Announce Over $1 Million for Oregon Public Schools Stormwater Reduction
Washington, D.C. - Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is awarding the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership $1,376,029 for their School Stormwater Reduction Program. This effort is targeted at reducing stormwater and improving water quality at public school parking lots and school yards, and promoting better engagement with school communities. “A clean Columbia River Basin is essential to the health of our region, … Continue Reading
October 02, 2023
Wyden, Cassidy to Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Crack Down on Identity Fraud from AI
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today announced that he and U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, R-La., will introduce bipartisan legislation to combat rising cases of identity fraud from the use of artificial intelligence by allowing the United States Postal Service to offer identity verification and related services to the private sector like they currently do for government agencies. “Criminals using hacked personal information made it hard enough to verify a person’s identity - now AI … Continue Reading
September 29, 2023
Wyden, Merkley: Klamath Tribes Earn $500,000 Federal Investment in Upgraded Broadband
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that the Klamath Tribes have secured a $500,000 federal grant to improve broadband service for its Tribal members in southern Oregon. “Tribal communities in Oregon and nationwide need and deserve reliable, modern broadband for educational and job opportunities, small business growth, telehealth and more,” said Wyden, who earlier this year successfully fought to correct inaccuracies in the National Broadband Map that … Continue Reading
September 29, 2023
Wyden, Merkley: Three Tribes in Oregon to Receive More Than $2.3 Million in U.S. Justice Department Grants
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that three Tribes in Oregon have secured more than $2.3 million combined in federal grants to provide services and promote justice for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and trafficking. “These federal funds will help to ensure Tribes in our state can do everything possible for members who have survived some of the most horrific crimes imaginable,” Wyden said. “I’m gratified the Confederated … Continue Reading
September 29, 2023
Wyden, Merkley, Colleagues Urge Immediate Action on Wildland Firefighter Pay Reform
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, Jeff Merkley and Senate colleagues this week called on Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., to advance permanent, comprehensive pay reform for wildland firefighters in Oregon and nationwide as temporary pay increases are set to end. “Firefighters deserve fair pay, support for their mental and physical health, and time to recover from their dangerous work. In a future with increasingly catastrophic wildfires, Congress cannot delay and deny … Continue Reading
September 28, 2023
Wyden Reintroduces Legislation to Expand Domestic Critical Mineral Supplies, Fuel Clean Energy Manufacturing and Reduce Dependence on Foreign Oil and Gas Imports
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today reintroduced legislation that would support the processing, manufacturing, and production of critical minerals that would reduce imports of critical minerals, ease reliance on foreign oil and gas and support domestic manufacturing. “The historic clean energy package I authored in the Inflation Reduction Act has put our country on a supercharged path to secure clean energy independence and drastically cut carbon emissions. To expedite this clean … Continue Reading
September 28, 2023
Wyden, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Help Make Higher Education More Affordable
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden said today that he and Senate colleagues have introduced legislation that would exclude Pell Grants from taxable income and make financial assistance more accessible to students pursuing higher education. “Figuring out how to pay for college is hard enough without having to maneuver the inner workings of the U.S. tax code," Wyden said. "This legislation would ensure that students are able to take full advantage of the aid they're entitled to —which … Continue Reading
