Press Releases
Wyden Announces Statewide Committee to Recommend Names for U.S. Attorney, U.S. Marshal Positions
Portland, OR - Senator Ron Wyden announced today that 13 Oregonians have agreed to serve on a committee to review candidates and make recommendations for the District of Oregon's United States Attorney and the United States Marshal positions. The committee will convene in August to recommend candidates for these two positions. The deadline to apply for these positions is August 15. Those interested in the U.S. Attorney position should send a letter of interest and resume to … Continue Reading
July 28, 2009
Wyden Vows to Ground Helicopter Tours at Crater Lake
Washington, D.C. - Determined to protect the natural quiet and unique character of Oregonians' beloved Crater Lake, U.S Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) today pressed Jonathan Jarvis, the administration's nominee to head the National Parks Service, during his confirmation hearing on his attitudes towards a proposed plan to allow commercial helicopter overflights in Crater Lake National Park. Jarvis appeared before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources today to face tough questioning … Continue Reading
July 27, 2009
Wyden Issues Statement on Jonathan Jarvis, Park Service Nominee
Washington, D.C. - Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) released the following statement today after meeting with the nominee for the position of Director of the National Park Service, Jonathan Jarvis. "I met with Mr. Jarvis today and told him I intend to do everything in my power to stop any plan to allow helicopter tours of Crater Lake. Oregonians and our visitors visit the lake to enjoy nature's sights and sounds, not to see and hear helicopters. Allowing helicopter tours of Crater Lake is just plain … Continue Reading
July 23, 2009
Energy and Water Appropriations Bill to Include Funding for Alternative Energy and Dredging Projects
Washington, D.C. - Working to improve access to Oregon's waterways and to maintain its standing as a leader in alternative energy technology, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D- Ore.) and Jeff Merkley (D- Ore.) announced that an energy and water appropriations bill headed to the Senate floor includes more than $278 million in projects for Oregon and the Northwest."Creating and preserving Oregon jobs, whether through advances in alternative energy technology or by making Oregon's ports more accessible … Continue Reading
July 21, 2009
Wyden Fights Wasteful F-22 Spending
Washington, D.C. - Keeping his focus on protecting American troops and taxpayer funds, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) spoke on the Senate floor against spending $1.75 billion to purchase seven more F-22 fighter jets that the Air Force has specifically said it does not want. The Pentagon has already purchased 187 of the jets. The speech was in advance of the senator's vote today in support of the Levin-McCain F-22 amendment to the Defense Authorization Bill, S. 1390. The amendment was approved … Continue Reading
July 21, 2009
Merkley, Wyden Announce Nearly $29 Million in Recovery Act Funds for Oregon Forests
WASHINGTON D.C. - Oregon Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that nearly $29 million in Recovery Act funds will go to facility infrastructure, energy efficiency upgrades, and trail maintenance in Oregon's forests. The funding also includes $3 million for the Oregon Youth Employment Initiative. This program puts youth to work in the woods and helps conserve natural resources in Oregon's forests. "Our forests are integral to our way of life. They create jobs, provide recreation … Continue Reading
July 16, 2009
Judicial Selection Committee Recommends Five Finalists for Two Federal Judgeships
Portland, OR - Senator Ron Wyden announced today that a federal judicial selection committee has recommended five finalists to fill two federal district court judgeships for Oregon. Wyden will forward those five names to the White House. Wyden will interview them in August. "I thank the selection committee for their hard work and recommendations," said Wyden. "Their efforts are critical to the wise administration of justice in our state, and their contributions will be felt … Continue Reading
July 14, 2009
Wyden, Merkley Announce $3.2 Million in Improvements to Buena Vista Ferry
Washington, D.C. - Working to improve transportation infrastructure throughout the state, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) announced today that $3.2 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds will be used to revitalize the Buena Vista Ferry. "The Buena Vista Ferry is a landmark in Marion County," Wyden said. "For decades, it has served the mid-Willamette valley and with these improvements it will continue to be an important transportation tool for many … Continue Reading
July 13, 2009
Wyden Seeking Names of Those Interested in Oregon U.S. Attorney and U.S. Marshal Positions
Portland, OR - Senator Ron Wyden is seeking the names of individuals interested in the United States Attorney and the United States Marshal positions for the District of Oregon. The deadline to apply for the positions is August 15. Senator Wyden and Senator Jeff Merkley will appoint a selection committee to review candidates and make recommendations to Senator Wyden. The U.S. Attorney for Oregon is one of 93 in the United States and its territories, all of which are part of the United States … Continue Reading
July 13, 2009
Wyden, Merkley Announce Funding for Agriculture Research Included in Appropriations Bill
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D- Ore.) and Jeff Merkley (D- Ore.) announced today that an agriculture appropriations bill headed to the Senate floor includes more than $7 million in projects for Oregon. Included in the bill is funding for research into improving Oregon's crops and controlling invasive species. "Agriculture producers have always played a major role in the success of this state and it is important that wise investments are made to ensure that continues to be the … Continue Reading
July 10, 2009
Wyden Says Bush Policies Were "Harmful to U.S. National Security"
Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ … Continue Reading
July 09, 2009
Military Construction Appropriations Bill to Include Improvements to Oregon's Military Infrastructure
Washington, D.C. - Working to ensure Oregon's military infrastructure is up-to-date and able to provide the best in emergency services, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D- Ore.) and Jeff Merkley (D- Ore.) announced today that a Military Construction appropriations bill headed to the Senate floor includes nearly $5 million in projects for military installations in Clackamas, Clatsop and Washington counties. "These funds lay the ground work for improvements and upgrades to the infrastructure in these … Continue Reading
July 09, 2009
Wyden, Merkley Announce Nearly $8 Million for Oregon in Interior Department Appropriations Bill
Washington, D.C. - Working to ensure Oregon's natural resources are preserved and its infrastructure is strengthened, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D- Ore.) and Jeff Merkley (D- Ore.) announced today that an Interior appropriations bill headed to the Senate floor includes nearly $8 million in projects for Oregon. Included in the bill are $3 million for land acquisition in the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument and the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area. "You only have to look at Oregon's natural … Continue Reading
June 29, 2009
Wyden Unveils "Soft Landing" and Related Bills to Help Soldiers, Military Families and Veterans
Portland, OR - Keeping a promise he made to help National Guard soldiers adjust to life after combat, Senator Ron Wyden today unveiled a package of legislation that includes a 90-day "soft landing" for troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. "One of the hard lessons we have learned from years of war in Iraq and Afghanistan is that we weren't ready to respond to the modern challenges facing National Guard soldiers, their families, our wounded soldiers, or our veterans," Wyden said. … Continue Reading
June 29, 2009
Wyden Commends Committee For Approving Back Pay for Combat Vets
Washington, D.C. - Affirming support for the brave men and women of the U.S. military, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) expressed gratitude and thanks to the members of the Senate Armed Services Committee for including a Wyden-authored provision to retroactively pay soldiers for leave earned under the Post Deployment and Mobilization Respite Absence (PDMRA) in the 2010 Defense Authorization bill. More than 20,000 service members - at least 864 from Oregon - have not received their earned leave … Continue Reading
June 25, 2009
Wyden Engages White House on Classification Policy
Washington, D.C - In a letter laying out a series of principles and policy recommendations drawn from his years of challenging excessive government secrecy, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden commended the White House for initiating a landmark review of the nation's classification system. In his letter, Wyden states that protecting the nation from foreign threats often requires the U.S. government to operate in secret, but said that in too many cases "the natural bureaucratic tendency to avoid being … Continue Reading
June 25, 2009
Wyden, Merkley Urge Congress, Postal Service to Protect Oregon's Vote-by-Mail
Washington, D.C. - Seeking to protect Oregon's vote-by-mail elections, Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley are asking Congress and the U.S. Postal Service to avoid taking steps that would damage the state's mail-in balloting. In a letter to a Senate appropriations subcommittee, Wyden and Merkley asked that efforts to balance the Postal Service budget not include a suggestion to eliminate Tuesday mail delivery. "While we admire and encourage examination of avenues to modernize the postal … Continue Reading
June 25, 2009
Wyden, Barrasso Legislation Will Improve Access to Rural Health Clinics
Washington, D.C. - Ensuring that Americans in rural areas have access to quality health care, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) have introduced the Rural Health Clinic Patient Access and Improvement Act of 2009, which addresses long standing underpayments to rural health clinics, introduces a quality improvement program to RHCs, and provides incentives to recruit and retain medical professionals to rural areas. "Oregonians in rural areas have the same right to … Continue Reading
June 25, 2009
Wyden, Merkley Seek Molalla River Protection
Washington, D.C. - Bringing to fruition years of work from the Molalla community to preserve their namesake river, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) introduced the Molalla River Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 2009, which is a companion bill to legislation introduced in the House of Representatives on June 9, 2009, by Rep. Kurt Schrader (OR-5). The bill will designate approximately 21 miles of the Molalla River for preservation under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. … Continue Reading
June 18, 2009
Wyden Statement on Lane County Decision to Use County Payment Money for Jail Beds
Portland, OR -- Oregon Senator Ron Wyden issued the following statement today following a decision by the Lane County Board of Commissioners to use county payment money for public safety."I am thankful to my friends and colleagues on the Lane County commission for voting to use federal county payment funds to keep violent criminals off the streets of Lane County and the rest of the state. Public service can be a thankless task, particularly in lean times that inevitably pit one important set … Continue Reading
