Press Releases
Wyden Backs Legislation to Establish Program Supporting Students’ Basic Needs
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden said today he is cosponsoring legislation that would help ensure college students in Oregon and nationwide can meet their basic needs while pursuing their education. The Basic Assistance for Students in College (BASIC) Act aims to combat the basic needs crisis by allocating funding to help students access nutritious food, safe and secure housing, mental and physical health care, high-quality and affordable child care, technology, transportation, … Continue Reading
September 25, 2024
Wyden Joins Colleagues to Modernize Vehicle Safety Tests, Require Use of Female Crash Test Dummies
Washington D.C.—U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) said today he has joined U.S. Senate colleagues from both parties to introduce legislation that would improve passenger vehicle safety by requiring the use of the most advanced testing devices available — including a female crash test dummy. The bipartisan She Develops Regulations In Vehicle Equality and Safety Act would enhance passenger vehicle safety by updating U.S. crashworthiness testing procedures, Wyden said. “The fact that women are … Continue Reading
September 25, 2024
Wyden Introduces Legislation to Clean Up Hemp Market, Keep Products Out of Kids’ Hands
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., introduced the Cannabinoid Safety and Regulation Act (CSRA) to establish national standards to protect public health and safety and keep cannabis products out of the hands of children. The CSRA would establish a national age restriction to prevent those under 21 from purchasing hemp-derived cannabis products. The legislation would require that all hemp-derived products are tested for safety and are manufactured using clean and safe processes. … Continue Reading
September 24, 2024
Wyden, Merkley Demand Postmaster General DeJoy Reverse Decision Hurting Mail Services in Southern Oregon
Washington D.C.— U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today demanded Postmaster General DeJoy immediately reverse his damaging position to relocate outgoing operations at the regional postal distribution center in Medford. “We share the grave concerns of the residents of Southern Oregon that this consolidation poses significant negative consequences for both our community and the efficiency of postal services in the region,” the senators wrote in a letter to DeJoy. “The Medford … Continue Reading
September 23, 2024
Wyden, Merkley, Colleagues Urge Social Media and Encrypted Messages Companies to Increase Resources Toward Combating 2024 U.S. Election Disinformation
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said today they have joined Senate colleagues in calling on 11 of the largest and most popular social media and encrypted chat companies in the United States to increase resources needed to combat 2024 U.S. election administration and certification disinformation. “We are deeply concerned that the dissemination of election disinformation via your products and/or platforms - if left unmitigated - will suppress voter participation, … Continue Reading
September 23, 2024
Merkley, Wyden Announce Over $4 Million to Boost Behavioral Health Services in Oregon
Washington, D.C. - Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced that the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is awarding seven Oregon health centers a total of $4.1 million?to launch and expand their behavioral health services. This federal funding is critical to providing Oregon communities with more resources to help address mental health and substance use disorder challenges. “As I traveled the state to hold a town hall in each of Oregon’s 36 counties … Continue Reading
September 23, 2024
Wyden Backs Legislation to Empower Tenants’ Right to Organize
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden said today he has joined in introducing a crucial bill that would empower tenants to organize, participate in, and operate tenant organizations without fear of retaliation or interference in Oregon and nationwide. The Tenants’ Right to Organize Act, led by Senator John Fetterman, D-Pa., would amend the United States Housing Act of 1937 to support the formation of tenant organizations and provide additional funding to ensure tenants have a stronger … Continue Reading
September 23, 2024
Merkley, Wyden Announce Over $1.8 Million Investment in Oregon Manufacturing
Washington, D.C. - Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that $1,852,748 is heading to the Oregon Manufacturing Extension Partnership (OMEP) to bolster Oregon manufacturers. This funding will provide public-private partnerships to small and medium sized manufacturers across the state. “If we don’t make things in America, we won’t have a middle class in America, and when Oregon’s manufacturing industry does well, all Oregonians benefit,” said Merkley. “This funding … Continue Reading
September 20, 2024
Wyden, Merkley Announce Federal Investment in Manufacturing Equipment for Columbia Gorge Community College
Washington D.C.— U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced a nearly $300,000 federal investment for Columbia Gorge Community College to add manufacturing equipment to its Advanced Manufacturing and Technology program. “In my nearly 1,100 town halls throughout Oregon, I hear regularly about the need for local workforce development and creating avenues of success for young Oregonians,” Wyden said. “I’m gratified this federal investment in the Gorge combines both those objectives … Continue Reading
September 20, 2024
Wyden, Merkley Announce $200,000 Federal Award for Farmers Conservation Alliance in Central Oregon
Washington D.C.— U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced the Farmers Conservation Alliance in Bend has earned a $200,000 Energizing Rural Communities award from the U.S. Department of Energy. “In my meetings and town halls throughout Oregon, I hear regularly from farmers and ranchers about the negative impacts the climate crisis is wreaking on their land and crops,” Wyden said. “Organizations like Farmers Conservation Alliance that work to optimize irrigation and energy … Continue Reading
September 19, 2024
Wyden, Fetterman Urge Energy Department to Prioritize AI-Enabled Research that Supercharges Clean Energy Security and Reduces Environmental Impacts
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and U.S. Senator John Fetterman, D-Pa., today urged the Department of Energy to prioritize the development—driven by the responsible use of artificial intelligence—of new technologies that are vital to strengthening national security and clean energy. As the United States works to increase domestic production of critical minerals, AI would allow scientists to condense decades of research into mere days by modeling and evaluating millions of … Continue Reading
September 19, 2024
During Suicide Prevention Month, U.S. Senators Wyden, Merkley Announce Federal Funding for Oregon Veteran Programs
Washington D.C— U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced a combined federal investment of $1.84 million to support three Oregon community organizations with suicide prevention programs and services for veterans and their families. “Taking care of those who served our country is one of the most important things we all can do as Americans,” Wyden said. “This is a vital issue year-round, but it’s especially timely to shine a light on these crucial resources for Oregonians during … Continue Reading
September 19, 2024
Wyden, Murray, Rosen, Baldwin Lead Introduction of Resolution Affirming Access to Emergency Health Care, Including Abortion
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, Patty Murray, D-Wash., Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., and Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., today introduced a resolution that would protect the right to emergency health care, including abortion care, for all patients, regardless of where they live. The Every Woman Has the Right to Emergency Health Care resolution comes as new reporting from ProPublica shows Republican abortion bans are preventing women from receiving lifesaving emergency health care and resulting … Continue Reading
September 18, 2024
Wyden, Merkley Announce $1.3 Million in Federal Funds for Bend Park and Recreation District
Washington D.C.— U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced a federal investment of $1.33 million for the Bend Park and Recreation District to renovate Sawyer Park and improve access for outdoor recreation close to home. “Being good stewards of our breathtaking outdoors is essential to our identities as Oregonians,” Wyden said. “I congratulate Bend Park and Recreation District for winning this competitive federal award, and look forward to seeing the improvements to Sawyer Park … Continue Reading
September 18, 2024
Wyden Welcomes New WNBA Franchise to Portland
Portland - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today welcomed the announcement that Portland has secured an expansion franchise in the WNBA with the following statement “Today puts basketball fans in Portland and all across Oregon solidly in the ‘W” column,” Wyden said. “Our city and entire state have consistently set the gold standard for supporting women's sports, and I’m thrilled the Bhathal family is expanding its commitment to women’s sports locally by bringing Portland a much-deserved WNBA … Continue Reading
September 17, 2024
Wyden, Veasey Reintroduce Bicameral Resolution Recognizing September as National Voting Rights Month
Washington, D.C. — On National Voter Registration Day, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and U.S. Representative Marc Veasey, D-Texas, reintroduced their resolution recognizing September as “National Voting Rights Month.” “You can’t have a democracy if the people can’t vote,” Wyden said. “As we approach a pivotal election this fall, we must double down on our commitment to safeguarding the right to vote for every American. I am proud to once again join Representative Veasey to make sure … Continue Reading
September 17, 2024
Wyden, Markey Urge FCC to Reject Trump’s Weaponization of Commission and Uphold First Amendment
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden said today that he and U.S. Sen. Edward J. Markey, D-Mass. are urging all five Commissioners at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to make licensing determinations objectively and in a manner that upholds the First Amendment. Following the presidential debate last week, Donald Trump stated that ABC is “a news organization. They have to be licensed to do it. They ought to take away their license for the way they did that.” Trump’s threat to … Continue Reading
September 17, 2024
Wyden, Merkley, Bonamici Celebrate $963,000 to PSU to Reduce Transportation Carbon Emissions
Washington D.C.—U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley with U.S. Representative Suzanne Bonamici today announced a federal investment of $963,000 for Portland State University to establish a transportation decarbonization resource hub. “Carbon from the transportation sector makes a huge impact on carbon emissions statewide, and I applaud this federal investment for PSU to reduce that amount and help to tackle the current climate crisis head on,” Wyden said. “This is urgent business, and I … Continue Reading
September 16, 2024
Merkley, Wyden: Nearly $43 Million for Natural Disaster Recovery in Oregon
Washington, D.C. - Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced that the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is sending a total of $42,736,663 to state and federal agencies in Oregon that repaired roads and other critical infrastructure that was deeply damaged during natural disasters. The federal funds will be used to reimburse the agencies for their vital work that was needed to ensure communities across the state can continue to recover from years of severe weather … Continue Reading
September 16, 2024
Wyden, Merkley Announce $682,000 to Oregon Manufacturers to Reduce Pollution and Lower Costs
Washington D.C.—U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced a combined federal investment of $682,675 for Oregon businesses to improve their facilities, save energy, reduce carbon pollution, lower costs, and strengthen Oregon’s manufacturing sector.? “The fight against the climate crisis requires action from every sector in order to avoid its worst effects on the physical and financial well-being of small businesses in Oregon and nationwide ,” Wyden said. “I applaud this federal … Continue Reading
