Press Releases
Wyden Opens the Door for New Biofuels
Washington, D.C. - In a step that will encourage America's energy independence and improved forest health, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) introduced legislation today that would open the door for biomass from federal lands to become a source of fuel for cars and trucks. Biomass is a renewable energy source derived from trees, plants, animal and agricultural waste, and other organic materials. Wyden's legislation would lift a Clean Air Act restriction on the use of biomass from federal lands … Continue Reading
March 05, 2009
Wyden to hold Town Hall Meetings in Columbia, Clatsop Counties
Portland, OR - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden will host two town hall meetings on March 15 in Astoria and Vernonia. Residents of Clatsop and Columbia counties are invited to attend the open forums to ask questions and voice their concerns. Clatsop County Town Hall Meeting Date: March 15, 2009 Time: 1 p.m. Location: Oregon Seafood Center 2021 Marine Dr. … Continue Reading
February 19, 2009
Oregon Leaders Welcome Navy Decision to Hold Public Meeting on Its Plans for Coast
Washington, DC- U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Jeff Merkley, along with Oregon Congressmen Kurt Schrader, David Wu, Peter DeFazio, and Earl Blumenauer, welcomed the Navy's decision today to hold a public meeting on February 26, 2009, in Tillamook, Oregon so that the public can respond to its environmental impact statement regarding future Navy operations along the Northwest coast. The meeting will take place at the Tillamook County Fairgrounds Auditorium at 4603 E. 3rd Street in … Continue Reading
February 18, 2009
Wyden Holds 500th Town Hall Meeting
Fossil, OR - Marking a milestone in a promise he made to Oregonians 13 years ago, Senator Ron Wyden held his 500th town hall yesterday in the Wheeler County community of Fossil, the site of his first town hall in 1996. County Judge Jeanne Burch welcomed Wyden and read a proclamation from Governor Kulongoski declaring February 17, 2009 to be "Ron Wyden 500th Town Hall Day." "The people of Fossil along with the tens of thousands of Oregonians who have attended these town halls over the years … Continue Reading
February 13, 2009
Wyden to hold Town Hall Meeting in Marion County
Portland, OR - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden will host a town hall meeting in Salem on February 21, 2009. Residents of Marion County are invited to attend the open forum to ask questions and voice their concerns. During his 1996 U.S. Senate campaign, Wyden promised to hold town hall meetings in every Oregon county each year. The event in Salem helps kick off the 14th year of these meetings, which now total more than 500. Marion County Town Hall Meeting Date: February 21, … Continue Reading
February 13, 2009
NEWS CONFERENCE on Monday, February 16: Senator Ron Wyden, Senator Jeff Merkley, County Chair Ted Wheeler, Metro Council President David Bragdon, City Commissioner Nick Fish, and others
WHO: Senator Ron WydenSenator Jeff MerkleyMultnomah County Chair Ted WheelerMetro Council President David BragdonPortland City Commissioner Nick Fish Cathy Mincberg, COO, Portland Public Schools Matthew Garrett, director, ODOTOther local appointed and elected officials WHAT: News conference on what the economic stimulus package means for Oregon WHEN: Noon, Monday, February 16, 2009 WHERE: Multnomah County Office Building (lobby), 501 SE Hawthorne Blvd., Portland Portland, … Continue Reading
February 13, 2009
U.S. SENATE CELEBRATES OREGON'S SESQUICENTENNIAL
Washington D.C. - The United States Senate today unanimously passed a resolution introduced by Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley celebrating 150 years of Oregon statehood. The action comes two days before Oregon's sesquicentennial."Since its first days, Oregon has embodied the pioneering spirit of our nation. It has always attracted people who are exploring for new ideas and new ways of life," Wyden said. "As we celebrate its 150th year as a state, I'm honored to work for the Oregon … Continue Reading
February 13, 2009
Wyden-Inspired Program to Create Jobs Included in Economic Recovery Package
Washington, D.C. - Fighting to make sure all Americans can "get in on the ground floor" of the economic recovery, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore) announced today that a version of his Build America Bonds program was included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). The program will create much-needed jobs for Oregon and the nation through investment in infrastructure construction and repair."This is an innovativesolution to a national problem that rewards Americans for … Continue Reading
February 13, 2009
Senate Passes Economic Recovery Package
Washington, D.C. - Helping move the country towards more solid financial footing, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) today cast his vote in favor of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The compromise package was the result of a conference committee between House and Senate negotiators and passed the Senate by a vote of 60 to 38. The package includes at least $1.78 billion in funding for Oregon to create and save thousands of good-paying jobs, upgrade the state's roads and … Continue Reading
February 12, 2009
Wyden Won't Quit Effort to Recover Wall Street Bonuses for Taxpayers
Washington, D.C. - Thanking his cosponsors Senator Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) and Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark) for their leadership in fighting for the recovery of employee bonuses to financial institutions that took "federal bailout" funds from the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) said that he would find an opportunity to reintroduce the Wyden-Snowe-Lincoln amendment which was stripped from the final language of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act … Continue Reading
February 11, 2009
Wyden, Merkley Petition for Education Stimulus Funds
Washington, D.C. - Citing the crippling effect budget shortfalls will have on education in Oregon and around the country, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) asked Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) today to restore reduced education funding in the economic recovery package. The House version of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act contains more than $60 billion more in state education assistance than the Senate version which passed yesterday. Wyden and Merkley … Continue Reading
February 10, 2009
Wyden Fights for Oregon in Economic Recovery Package
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February 06, 2009
Oregon Delegation Asks Ag Secretary for Disaster Declaration for Oregon Nurseries
Washington, DC- Listening to the concerns of Oregon's nursery industry, which is currently facing steep production losses in the wake of this winter's extreme weather, Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, along with U.S. Representatives Earl Blumenauer, Kurt Schrader, Peter DeFazio, David Wu, and Greg Walden, today asked Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to grant Oregon Governor Kulongoski's request for a disaster declaration. Governors request such declarations after examining damage … Continue Reading
February 06, 2009
Wyden Returns to Wheeler County to Hold 500th Town Hall on Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Portland, OR - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, keeping to a promise he made to Oregonians in 1996, will hold his 500th town hall meeting in the Wheeler County community of Fossil on Tuesday, February 17, 2009. Fossil was the site of Wyden's first town hall meeting as a United States senator on the same date in 1996. Since then, he has held a town hall meetings in every Oregon county every year. The Fossil town hall will be preceded by a town hall meeting earlier that day in Condon in Gilliam County … Continue Reading
February 06, 2009
Bipartisan Senate Coalition Introduces First Comprehensive Health Reform Bill of 2009
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Bob Bennett (R-Utah) led a bipartisan coalition of 13 Senators today in offering the Healthy Americans Act (S.391), the first piece of legislation in Senate history to assemble such broad-based, bipartisan support for guaranteeing that every American has quality, affordable health care. The Healthy Americans Act introduced today improves on the version first offered in the 110th Congress with the inclusion of several innovative additions … Continue Reading
February 06, 2009
Wyden to hold Town Hall Meetings in Wasco, Hood River Counties; Visit Wind Turbine Training Facility
Portland, OR - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden will host two town hall meetings in Wasco and Hood River counties on February 18, 2009 and visit the wind turbine training facility at Columbia Gorge Community College in The Dalles. Residents of The Dalles and Hood River counties are invited to attend the town hall meetings to ask questions and voice their concerns. During his 1996 U.S. Senate campaign, Wyden promised to hold town hall meetings in every Oregon county each year. The events in The Dalles … Continue Reading
February 06, 2009
Wyden to hold Town Hall Meetings in Polk, Yamhill Counties on February 15
Portland, OR - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden will host town hall meetings on February 15, 2009 in Independence and McMinnville. Residents of Polk and Yamhill counties are invited to attend the open forums to ask questions and voice their concerns. During his 1996 U.S. Senate campaign, Wyden promised to hold town hall meetings in every Oregon county each year. The events in Independence and McMinnville mark the start of the 14th year of these meetings, which now total more than 500. Polk County Town … Continue Reading
February 05, 2009
Wyden Statement on Loan to Port of Coos Bay
Washington, DC - Senator Ron Wyden issued the following statement following today's decision by the Oregon Economic and Community Development Commission to loan the International Port of Coos Bay money to purchase the Coos Bay rail line: "At a time when the Congress is working on legislation to jumpstart the U.S. economy, the State of Oregon's decision to help the Port of Coos Bay reinstate rail service to Southwest Oregon to save jobs and create new ones is welcome news," Senator Ron Wyden … Continue Reading
February 04, 2009
Wyden-Snowe Amendment Will Recover Taxpayer Dollars Paid-Out as Wall Street Bonuses
Washington, D.C. - Financial institutions that used "federal bailout" funds to pay employees bonuses in excess of $100,000 will be required to compensate taxpayers under a provision that will be introduced today by U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Olympia Snowe (R-Maine). The provision - which the Senators will offer as an amendment to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 - will require financial institutions that received funds from the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) … Continue Reading
February 03, 2009
Wyden, Merkley Announce February 23rd Deadline for Appropriations Applications
Washington, DC - Teaming up to usher in a new era of transparency and accountability for federal appropriations spending in Oregon, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley announced today that their offices will employ a new appropriations process that will allow every Oregonian the opportunity to evaluate all appropriations requests from within the state. All Oregonians seeking appropriations will be required to use a standardized form. Information from the forms that are submittedwill be … Continue Reading
