Press Releases
Wyden, Merkley Announce More than $25.7 Million to Oregon for Rural Broadband
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that four Oregon counties will receive a combined $25.7 million from the USDA Rural Development’s ReConnect program to bring broadband to homes and businesses in the Mid-Valley and Central Coast. “I will not rest until 100 percent of Oregonians get the broadband necessary to access jobs, education and telehealth,” said Wyden, who advocated for expanding rural broadband access by successfully pushing the Department of … Continue Reading
August 24, 2023
Wyden, Merkley: More than $19.3 Million to Oregon for Culverts Aiding in Fish Passage
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that six Oregon counties will receive a combined $19.3 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation for culverts to encourage fish passage and species conservation. “Culverts and the Salmon SuperHwy are proven methods for tackling depleted salmon and steelhead stocks while preventing floods,” said Wyden, who fought for crucial dollars to for the Salmon Superhwy that builds fish passages into existing … Continue Reading
August 24, 2023
Wyden, Merkley: Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians Earns Federal Investment in Upgraded Broadband
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians has secured a $482,325 federal grant to improve broadband service for its Tribal lands in southwest Oregon. “Federal investment in fast and dependable broadband is a must-do infrastructure priority, and those resources must include Tribal communities in Oregon and nationwide,” said Wyden, who earlier this year successfully fought to correct inaccuracies in the … Continue Reading
August 22, 2023
Wyden, Merkley: Nearly $160,000 to OSU for Coastal Disaster Preparedness and Innovation
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that Oregon State University will receive nearly $160,000 from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for disaster preparedness, innovation and education. “I’m all in to ensure Oregon’s coastal communities have all the resources they need to prepare and then recover from a disaster that could strike at any moment,” Wyden said. “I’m gratified OSU has earned these federal investments to help shore up our … Continue Reading
August 22, 2023
Wyden, Merkley Urge Biden Administration to Expand Automatic Voter Registration Through Medicaid Application Process
Washington, D.C. - Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) today urged the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to expedite its work with states to expand automatic voter registration (AVR) through the Medicaid application process. Recently, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek signed legislation that authorizes the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) to automatically register unregistered Oregon voters when they apply for Medicaid. Through … Continue Reading
August 16, 2023
Wyden Statement on 5th Circuit Ruling on Mifepristone
Washington, D.C.— U.S. Senator Ron Wyden released the following statement after the 5th Circuit issued its ruling to restrict access to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved abortion medication mifepristone: “Any effort to restrict access to safe and effective abortion medication is nothing more than a political ploy to control women’s bodies. The science is clear and a wealth of evidence demonstrates the drug’s safety and efficacy, which is why the … Continue Reading
August 16, 2023
Oregon Lawmakers Announce More than $6 Million Statewide to Enhance Cybersecurity
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and U.S. Representatives Earl Blumenauer, Suzanne Bonamici, Val Hoyle and Andrea Salinas today announced Oregon would receive more than $6 million from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency for crucial cybersecurity upgrades for state and local governments. “The constant and ever-evolving threat of cyberattacks demands a rigorous and unflinching commitment to … Continue Reading
August 15, 2023
Representative Salinas, Senators Wyden and Merkley Announce $300,000 Grant to Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde to Combat Opioid Epidemic
Tigard, OR – Today, U.S. House Representative Andrea Salinas (D-Tigard) and U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has awarded $300,000 to the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde for opioid overdose response. These funds are part of the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP), an initiative aimed at reducing substance use disorder fatalities in high-risk rural communities. “As the … Continue Reading
August 14, 2023
Wyden, Merkley: Nearly $92,000 to Upper Klamath Basin for Crucial Conservation Planning
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that the Upper Klamath Basin will receive nearly $92,000 from the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation for data collection and conservation planning through Oregon State University. "There have been incredible efforts by folks in the Klamath Basin to prepare and respond to more frequent and severe droughts caused by climate chaos—but all of that starts with everyone having all the … Continue Reading
August 11, 2023
Wyden Statement on Cyber Safety Review Board Investigation of Recent Microsoft Exchange Online Intrusion
Washington, D.C.—U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., released the following statement on the Department of Homeland Security announcement that its Cyber Safety Review Board will review the recent Microsoft Exchange Online hack. Wyden requested the board investigate the recent hack in a letter sent July 27. “I applaud President Biden and CISA Director Easterly for acting on my request for the board to review this recent espionage campaign, including cybersecurity negligence by … Continue Reading
August 11, 2023
Wyden, Merkley, Bonamici, Hoyle Press Feds to Provide More Opportunities for Oregon Coast to Weigh in on Draft Wind Energy Areas
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley along with U.S. Reps. Suzanne Bonamici and Val Hoyle said today they are urging federal officials -- if draft wind energy areas for the Oregon Coast are released -- to schedule three public meetings on the Coast for public review, and also to double the comment period from 30 days to 60 days. The letter with those requests from the four Oregon lawmakers to Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) Director Elizabeth Klein comes in … Continue Reading
August 08, 2023
Wyden To Hold Two Town Halls Next Week in Tigard, Hood River
Portland – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today announced he will have two in-person town halls next week in Washington and Hood River counties. Wyden has already held 34 town halls so far throughout Oregon in 2023– including previous town halls this year in both Washington and Hood River counties. Heading into next week’s town halls, Wyden has held 1,061 town halls overall statewide in fulfillment of his pledge to hold at least one town hall each year in each of … Continue Reading
August 07, 2023
Merkley, Wyden Announce $515,000 Coming to La Grande School District to Address Regional Housing Needs, Promote Technical Education
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that the La Grande School district will be awarded $515,000 through the Department of Education for a Community Initiated Project to operate housing construction and construction career and technical education (CTE) programs in the school district. “This is a win-win for the La Grande students and community as it helps students learn valuable skills and addresses the housing crisis we are … Continue Reading
August 03, 2023
Wyden Urges ADHD Drug Manufacturers to Boost Production or Relinquish Excess Quota to Help Shortage
Wyden’s call follows joint statement released by DEA and FDA at his request providing an update on the shortage crisis hitting Oregon and entire country DEA tells Wyden manufacturers are on track to fall one billion doses below quota Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today urged manufacturers of much-needed amphetamine medications for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), including Adderall and generic equivalents, to either increase their … Continue Reading
August 02, 2023
Wyden, Duckworth Make Push for Increased Support for U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps
Wyden, Duckworth also sent a letter to HHS citing concerns the Fiscal Responsibility Act passed by Congress jeopardizes the Corps’ public health emergency response capabilities, urge HHS to ensure USPHS programs are fully funded Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., today announced their efforts to ensure the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Corps has the funding it needs to ensure a highly-trained, always-ready, … Continue Reading
August 02, 2023
Wyden, Colleagues Reintroduce Legislation to Support Recent Immigrants, Refugees
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden and Senate colleagues have reintroduced legislation that would support immigrants and refugees overcome common obstacles to naturalization, including language barriers and challenges navigating the search for employment. “The naturalization process shouldn’t be confusing for folks trying to achieve the American dream,” Wyden said today. “As the son of refugees from Nazi Germany, I’m proud to introduce legislation … Continue Reading
August 02, 2023
Wyden, Merkley, Colleagues Call on Auto Companies to Include all Battery Plant Workers in National Union Contract
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley are calling on General Motors, Stellantis, and Ford Motor Company to negotiate in good faith to reach a fair outcome that folds in workers at all joint venture electric vehicle battery facilities into the national United Auto Workers union contract. “Profits should translate to gains for workers. It is unacceptable that in the midst of extreme financial gains for the companies, executives, and investors, the workers … Continue Reading
August 01, 2023
Merkley, Wyden Join Legislation to Protect Workers from Extreme Heat
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden joined their colleagues to introduce legislation to ensure the safety and health of workers in Oregon and across the nation who are exposed to dangerous heat conditions in the workplace. The Asunción Valdivia Heat Stress Injury, Illness, and Fatality Prevention Act is named in honor of Asunción Valdivia, who died in 2004 after picking grapes for ten hours straight in 105-degree temperatures. Mr. Valdivia … Continue Reading
July 28, 2023
Wyden, Salinas, Duarte, Gluesenkamp Perez Introduce Bill to Restore Forests, Boost Rural Economies by Supporting Wood Product Innovation
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and U.S. Representative Andrea Salinas, D-Ore., John Duarte, R-Calif., and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Wash., this week introduced bipartisan legislation that would improve forest health, reduce wildfire risk, sequester more carbon, and boost rural economies by supporting innovative timber products, such as mass timber. ”Oregon’s cutting-edge leadership in wood products innovations strengthens rural economies by generating … Continue Reading
July 28, 2023
Wyden, Merkley: Coos County to Receive Federal Grant to Conserve & Restore South Slough
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that Coos County will share in $2 million in federal grants to conserve and restore habitats in the South Slough. “Research is a crucial first step toward healing marine ecosystems from the harm done by the climate crisis,” Wyden said. “I am gratified to see funding go toward conservation, especially incorporating strategies long-used by the Tribes that have inhabited this land since time … Continue Reading
