Press Releases
Wyden, Merkley, Colleagues Push to Audit the Pentagon and End Wasteful Spending
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, Jeff Merkley and Senate colleagues announced today they introduced bipartisan legislation that would require the Department of Defense to pass a full, independent audit in fiscal year 2024. Last year, the Department of Defense failed its fifth audit and was unable to account for over half of its assets, which are in excess of $3.1 trillion, or roughly 78 percent of the entire federal government. “Taxpayers can’t keep writing blank … Continue Reading
June 26, 2023
Wyden, Colleagues Urge Federal Trade Commission to Hold Auto Dealers Accountable for Deceptive Pricing, Poor Recordkeeping
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden and Senate colleagues today urged the Federal Trade Commission to require that auto dealers provide a comprehensive and binding “offer price” for new vehicles, do away with hidden junk fees, retain records to enable enforcement and compliance, and ensure that non-English speakers are treated fairly in the car-buying process. “We write to support your efforts to address unfair and deceptive practices in the sale, financing, and … Continue Reading
June 26, 2023
Wyden, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Help Small Farms Access Federal Support
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden and colleagues announced today they introduced legislation to help small farms access federal conservation programs. “Family farmers and ranchers in Oregon and nationwide play an essential role in conservation, but often face financial barriers to farming practices that improve soil health and reduce carbon emissions. Our bill has one goal — making it easier for underserved and small family farms to access federal funds to get this … Continue Reading
June 26, 2023
Wyden Applauds Unprecedented Nearly $700 Million to Expand Broadband Access Across Oregon
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today applauded the announcement that Oregon will receive a record $689 million to expand access to broadband internet to rural and underserved communities - the largest single broadband grant in Oregon’s history. “Today’s announcement of nearly $700 million to boost broadband access could be life-changing for Oregonians across our state. In rural Oregon, a community without reliable broadband is like a farm … Continue Reading
June 23, 2023
Wyden, Merkley, Colleagues Reintroduce Legislation to Repeal the Gun Industry’s Legal Liability Shield
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, Jeff Merkley and Senate colleagues today reintroduced legislation that would ensure victims of gun violence in Oregon and nationwide have their day in court and that negligent gun companies and gun sellers are not shielded from liability when they disregard public safety. The Equal Access to Justice for Victims of Gun Violence Act would repeal the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, passed by Congress in 2005, which gives the gun … Continue Reading
June 23, 2023
Wyden Reintroduces Legislation to Improve Watershed Resilience and Health
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., this week reintroduced his bill to improve the resilience and health of the nation’s watersheds – the land leading into streams, rivers or lakes – as Oregon and the entire American West continue to suffer from severe drought. “Watersheds play an essential role in the health and economic livelihood of local communities, supporting safe drinking water for communities, outdoor recreation and productive … Continue Reading
June 21, 2023
Wyden: In One Year Without Roe, We’ve Seen the Horrible Reality of the Right-Wing’s War on Women
Watch a video of Wyden’s floor remarks here. As prepared for delivery It has been a year since the Supreme Court’s atrocious decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. I remember reading the leaked decision in the press early last May and realizing, with dread, that it would strike down Roe v. Wade. My first reaction was that the Court had set in motion a catastrophe for the health, safety, autonomy and privacy of American women. To the horror of the 36 … Continue Reading
June 21, 2023
Wyden, Merkley Introduce Legislation to Improve Water Access for Agriculture and Conservation as West Continues to Face Drought
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., today reintroduced the Water for Conservation and Farming Act to help communities in Oregon and across the West suffering from ongoing drought. Their bill will improve water access for agriculture and conservation by funding projects that improve dam safety, create more resilient watersheds and benefit agricultural and urban water users. “On this first day of summer and at a time when the nation … Continue Reading
June 21, 2023
Wyden, Lee and Durbin Introduce PRESS Act to Protect Reporters’ First Amendment Rights Against Government Surveillance
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, and Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill., today introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation to protect reporters and journalists against unnecessary government surveillance that makes it harder to hold the government accountable and harms reporters’ First Amendment rights. The senators introduced the Protect Reporters from Exploitive State Spying (PRESS) Act in response to multiple examples, in both … Continue Reading
June 20, 2023
Merkley, Wyden, Bonamici and Blumenauer Announce $2.5 Million to Expand Oregon Solar Energy Workforce
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden and Representatives Suzanne Bonamici and Earl Blumenauer announced today that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is awarding two Oregon workforce development and training centers a combined total of $2.5 million. The funding will be used to expand the solar energy workforce in underserved and underrepresented communities, as well as create career pathways with thousands of good-paying jobs. "This news is a win-win for … Continue Reading
June 20, 2023
Wyden, Merkley Announce More than $50 Million to Grant County and Beyond for Rural Broadband Infrastructure
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that two organizations have earned $50 million in federal loans and grants for high-speed rural internet projects in Grant County and beyond. "Oregonians need broadband access so all communities can have modern access to jobs, education and telehealth opportunities that depend on high-speed internet," Wyden said, who has long championed expanding broadband access to rural and underserved areas, including pushing the … Continue Reading
June 16, 2023
Wyden, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to End Economic Racial Discrimination
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden said today that he and Senate colleagues have introduced legislation that would protect individuals from racial discrimination and foster economic inclusion. The Economic Inclusion Civil Rights Act would restore and strengthen Section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act of 1866, addressing the erosion of Section 1981's original guarantees by adopting a motivation test, allowing for disparate impact claims, and expanding protection to a broader array of … Continue Reading
June 16, 2023
Wyden, Merkley: McMinnville, Gold Beach Airports Secure Nearly $850,000 Collectively for Improvements
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced the McMinnville Municipal Airport has secured a $450,000 federal grant and the Gold Beach Municipal Airport has earned a $396,459 federal grant. "These federal investments support quality airports for Oregonians living and working in both communities, and counting on these facilities for the health of their economies as well as safety in times of emergency," Wyden said. "I'm gratified these funds are heading to small … Continue Reading
June 16, 2023
Merkley, Wyden Announce $3.5 Million for Brookings Harbor Wastewater Treatment Plant
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 Port of Brookings Harbor $3.5 million for a community-initiated project for a wastewater treatment plant to support a sustainable future for the Port's fish processing industry and promote economic growth in the region. "Reliable infrastructure is critical to fish processing facilities up and down the Oregon coast,"?said Merkley, Chair of the … Continue Reading
June 16, 2023
Wyden, Merkley, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Cut Taxes for Working Families
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said today that they and Senate colleagues have introduced legislation that would cut taxes for working families in Oregon and nationwide by expanding the Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit. "When Democrats expanded the Child Tax Credit and the Earned Income Tax Credit in 2021, 3.7 million children were lifted out of poverty, providing families in Oregon and all around the country some much-needed financial breathing room … Continue Reading
June 16, 2023
Wyden, Merkley: Oregon Counties to Receive More Than $27 Million in PILT Funds
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said today that all 36 Oregon counties will receive more than $27 million collectively this year from the federal Payments in Lieu of Taxes program that helps to cover the costs of important local services. "This annual federal investment in communities throughout Oregon and nationwide supports quality schools, reliable roads and stable public safety with both firefighting and law enforcement," Wyden said. "These vital resources are … Continue Reading
June 16, 2023
Wyden, Merkley, Colleagues Reintroduce Legislation to Codify Right to Contraception, Safeguard 60 Years of Settled Precedent
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said today they and colleagues have reintroduced legislation that would codify and strengthen the right to contraception in Oregon and nationwide. "Right-wing extremists have made their agenda painfully clear: they will not rest until they have control over women's bodies, including the right to access safe medication," Wyden said. "For many Americans, birth control is a part of a basic health regimen. The Right to Contraception Act … Continue Reading
June 15, 2023
EU Restrictions on AI Emotion Detection Products
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., issued the following statement on the European Union’s proposed restrictions on artificial intelligence-powered emotion detection products: “Your facial expressions, eye movements, tone of voice and the way you walk are terrible ways to judge who you are or what you’ll do in the future. Yet millions and millions of dollars are being funneled into developing emotion-detection AI based on bunk science. I’ve … Continue Reading
June 15, 2023
Merkley, Wyden Introduce Legislation to Reauthorize Deschutes River Conservancy
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced the introduction of the Deschutes River Conservancy Reauthorization Act. This critical legislation would reauthorize the Deschutes River Conservancy's (DRC) eligibility to receive federal funding for water quality and conservation projects-efforts critical to the restoration of wildlife and reducing agricultural runoff in Central Oregon rivers. Founded in 1996, DRC initially focused on grazing and timber … Continue Reading
June 15, 2023
Merkley, Wyden Announce $51 Million Coming to Oregon for High-Speed Internet Access
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved a total of $51,024,671 in combined loans and grants for deploying fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) networks in Wasco County and Clackamas County to provide high-speed internet to over 9,000 community members, business, and farms. "Reliable and affordable broadband has become more crucial than ever to the success of our workforce, students, and … Continue Reading
