Press Releases
Wyden and Merkley Announce Federal Energy Assistance for Oregonians
Washington D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that Oregon was awarded $40.2 million in federal funding to help low-income households and Tribes pay for energy bills, prevent utility shut-offs and more. “With temperatures forecast to drop near or below freezing this weekend in Oregon, this assistance is especially timely,” Wyden said. “These federal funds will help Oregonians already struggling to make the choice between paying for utilities or food. Maintaining a … Continue Reading
October 25, 2023
Key Committee Holds Hearing on Bill that Provides Critical Funding to Oregon Counties
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today applauded the Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining for holding a hearing on the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act—bipartisan legislation that Wyden co-leads with Senators Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., and James Risch, R-Idaho. The legislation would invest in rural communities across Oregon and the nation for essential services such as education, road … Continue Reading
October 24, 2023
Merkley, Wyden Join Colleagues Urging the FCC to Improve Access to Local Journalism
Washington, D.C. - Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden joined colleagues in a letter urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to improve access to local media on streaming platforms. Current law and FCC rules state that traditional cable and satellite networks must work directly with a local television station before broadcasting local news, sports, and other programming. However, linear streaming services over the internet are not required to negotiate directly with … Continue Reading
October 23, 2023
Oregon Congressional Delegation Announces Two National Tech Hubs Coming to Oregon
Washington, D.C. - Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, along with U.S. Representatives Earl Blumenauer, Suzanne Bonamici, Val Hoyle, and Andrea Salinas, today announced the designation of two tech hubs coming to Oregon from the U.S. Economic Development Administration. These hubs are created through the Tech Hubs program and the 2022 bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act, an economic development initiative intended to strengthen manufacturing, commercialization, and deployment of … Continue Reading
October 23, 2023
Wyden, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Help Homeowners Install New Renewable Energy Systems
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden said today he has introduced legislation that would help state, local and Tribal governments accelerate the permitting and inspection process for residents to install home energy systems, like rooftop solar panels. “Each year, more Americans are installing solar panels and other clean energy products into their homes but local governments are struggling to streamline the permitting and inspection process for qualifying clean home energy systems,” … Continue Reading
October 23, 2023
Wyden Announces Virtual Town Hall on Oct. 31 for Malheur County
Portland - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today announced a live on-line town hall Oct. 31 hosted by People’s Town Hall for residents of Malheur County to ask questions of his staff and local supporters of his Community Empowerment for the Owyhee (CEO) Act. “This landmark Owyhee legislation shows the entire country how a rural Oregon community can come together to preserve both a natural treasure and a rich agriculture heritage that generates jobs,” Wyden said. “The Malheur CEO Act is the product of … Continue Reading
October 19, 2023
Wyden, Merkley: Oregon to Receive Nearly $450 Million in Federal Funds to Modernize the Power Grid
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said today they welcomed the Biden administration announcement that Oregon will receive about $449.5 million in federal assistance to modernize the power grid, bolstering its ability to withstand fires, bad weather, natural disasters and more. “Whether it’s been wildfires, windstorms, ice storms or other calamities, Oregon communities in recent years have suffered prolonged power outages among the dangers that arise when the grid … Continue Reading
October 19, 2023
Wyden, Merkley, Colleagues Introduce Senate Resolution in Solidarity with UAW Workers on Strike
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said today that they and Senate colleagues have introduced a resolution supporting the 150,000 members of United Auto Workers bargaining for a better contract with automakers. The resolution calls on the “Big Three” automakers to negotiate in good faith and offer workers a fair contract. UAW has around 34,000 of its members on strike from production lines and factories in Oregon and across the nation. This marks one of the largest … Continue Reading
October 19, 2023
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
