Press Releases
Merkley, Wyden Announce Nearly $3.5 Million Coming to Oregon for Airport Improvements
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is awarding six airports across the state nearly $3.5 million under the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) "Oregonians across the state and industries rely on air travel for many reasons, whether it's for recreation, support for firefighting, or to transport goods," said Senator Merkley. "This federal funding will help ensure Oregon's regional airports are able to … Continue Reading
May 18, 2023
Sens. Wyden, Hirono, Rep. Jacobs Reintroduce the My Body, My Data Act to Protect Reproductive and Sexual Health Data
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, and U.S. Representative Sara Jacobs, D-Calif., today reintroduced the My Body, My Data Act, which would create a new national standard to protect reproductive and sexual health data. "There should be strict limits on how tech companies collect, use and share personal, sensitive information-especially reproductive health information collected through period tracking apps or web searches," Wyden said. "The My Body, My … Continue Reading
May 17, 2023
Wyden, Merkley Advance Key Outdoor Recreation Priorities for Oregon
Washington, D.C. – As Oregonians gear up for the Memorial Day holiday weekend, the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources today advanced on a bipartisan vote bills authored by U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley that would make the outdoors more accessible, support the recreation economy, protect drinking water for thousands of Oregonians, and ensure essential wildfire prevention work. “Oregon is home to some of the most treasured outdoor spaces in our nation, … Continue Reading
May 17, 2023
Wyden, Paul and Bipartisan Senators Call for Reform to Surveillance of Americans’ Letters And Packages
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., and six bipartisan senators today called for stronger protections for the privacy of Americans’ letters and packages, in a letter to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) today. Wyden chairs the Senate Finance Committee, and Paul is ranking member of the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee. Senators Cynthia Lummis, R-Wy., Ed Markey, D-Mass., Mike Lee, R-Utah, Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., … Continue Reading
May 17, 2023
Wyden, Colleagues Release GAO Report Showing Widespread Use of Non-Compete Agreements Restricts Job Mobility, Stifles Wages and Innovation
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden said today that he and Senate colleagues have released a new report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office that found the use of non-compete agreements is widespread throughout the U.S. labor market and serves to unfairly protect large employers while restricting job mobility, lowering wages for workers, and discouraging innovation. "I've been sounding the alarm that non-compete agreements hurt workers' wages, stifle innovation and economic … Continue Reading
May 16, 2023
Merkley, Wyden Announced Nearly $3 Million for Central Oregon Community College to Train and Expand the EV Workforce
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that Central Oregon Community College (COCC) was awarded nearly $3 million to help expand the electric vehicle (EV) technician workforce. The funding comes from the National Science Foundation and will support COCC's Northwest Engineering and Vehicle Technology Exchange (NEVTEX). "The transportation sector is the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. So it is imperative that we … Continue Reading
May 15, 2023
Wyden, Colleagues Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation to Address the Housing Affordability Crisis
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today with colleagues introduced bipartisan legislation that would help build nearly two million new affordable homes over the next decade. "When it comes to solutions for affordable housing there's no substitute for increasing supply. The centerpiece of this proposal is the largest-ever expansion of the Low Income Housing Tax Credit, which is the most effective program on the books for getting more affordable units built in Oregon and nationwide," … Continue Reading
May 15, 2023
Wyden, Colleagues Push to Provide Quality Reproductive Health Care to Military Families
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden said today that he and Senate colleagues have introduced legislation that would ensure military families in Oregon and nationwide receive the quality reproductive health care they deserve. "Military families in Oregon and nationwide deserve access to equitable reproductive health care and contraception-without having to pay hundreds of dollars per year out of pocket," Wyden said. "I'll fight with all my heart to ensure military families have the … Continue Reading
May 11, 2023
UO, OSU and PSU Each Earn $1 Million Innovation Awards from National Science Foundation
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, and U.S. Reps. Earl Blumenauer, Suzanne Bonamici, Val Hoyle and Andrea Salinas said today that the University of Oregon, Oregon State University and Portland State University have each secured $1 million, two-year federal research grants that were authorized in the CHIPS and Science Act. The National Science Foundation regional innovation engines grants earned by the Oregon universities are for research into semiconductor, mass timber … Continue Reading
May 11, 2023
Bonamici, Wyden Announce Bill to Connect Child Care with Affordable Housing
WASHINGTON, DC – Today Representative Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) and Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) announced legislation to help working families access affordable housing and child care. The Build Housing with Care Act would invest $500 million to construct child care centers in affordable housing buildings and cover the costs of retrofitting to help family child care providers operate in housing developments. Priority will be given to projects that are located in child care deserts or rural … Continue Reading
May 11, 2023
Wyden, Merkley: Community Park in Dundee to Receive $630,000 Federal Grant
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced the Chehalem Park and Recreation District will receive a $630,310 federal investment to develop Sander Estate Park in Dundee. "Oregonians living and working in Dundee deserve the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors with a park in their community," Wyden said. "I'm glad the Land and Water Conservation Fund that I've been proud to support continues to make these quality-of-life investments in important local amenities … Continue Reading
May 10, 2023
Wyden, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Reform the Security Classification System
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today with colleagues announced bipartisan legislation that would reform the security classification system to reduce overclassification, prevent mishandling of classified information, promote better use of intelligence, and enhance public trust. "Public access to government information is vital to a democratic society. Yet, as has been the case for many years, far too many records are classified. And, because of obsolete technology, far too few of … Continue Reading
May 10, 2023
Wyden, Merkley: Nearly $1.2 Million to Marion County Parks for Fire Recovery
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that Marion County Parks will receive a combined nearly $1.2 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to repair and restore parks damaged in the 2020 Labor Day fires. "Enjoying our neighborhood parks and the outdoors is hardwired into the DNA of Oregon families, and while our state continues to make progress recovering our natural treasures after the catastrophic 2020 Labor Day fires, these efforts … Continue Reading
May 10, 2023
Wyden Encourages Census Bureau to Expand Access to New Tool Showing Prospective College Students Expected Earnings After Graduation
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today commended the Census Bureau for creating a pilot website to help prospective college students and their families in Oregon and nationwide better understand employment and earnings outcomes after graduation. Wyden asked the Census Bureau to partner with the Department of Education (DoEd) to expand access to this tool, which builds on the ideas in his Student Right to Know Before You Go Act. “For many Americans, the decision to … Continue Reading
May 10, 2023
Wyden To Hold Town Halls in Crook and Josephine Counties
Portland - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today announced he will have open-to-all, in-person town halls on May 22 in Crook County and on May 24 in Josephine County. Wyden has already held 23 town halls so far throughout Oregon in 2023 - and 1,050 town halls overall statewide in fulfillment of his pledge to hold at least one town hall each year in each of Oregon's 36 counties. "The 'Oregon Way' is all about throwing open the doors of democracy so everybody in every part of our state has the … Continue Reading
May 10, 2023
Merkley, Wyden Support Bill to Boost America’s Public School Teachers
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden are cosponsoring the EDUCATORS for America Act, major legislation that would help raise student achievement and rebuild the educator pipeline by supporting the development and retention of effective educators. The bill would strengthen the educator workforce, address the shortage of teachers, and support comprehensive educator preparation. "Teachers and educators have the ability to inspire, encourage, and spark creativity … Continue Reading
May 09, 2023
Sens. Wyden, Crapo, Reps. Kelly, Higgins Lead Legislation to Honor Medal of Honor Recipients
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, and U.S. Representatives Mike Kelly, R-Pa., and Brian Higgins, D-N.Y., today led members of Congress to introduce legislation in the Senate and House designating U.S. Highway 20 between Newport, Ore. and New England as the “National Medal of Honor Highway.” “I’m proud to have worked closely with veterans in Oregon and nationwide in the grassroots movement to designate America’s … Continue Reading
May 09, 2023
Wyden, Colleagues Urging ATF to Fully Implement Federal Rules to Help Close the Gun Seller Background Check Loophole
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today joined colleagues to urge the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to implement federal rules to help close the gun seller background check loophole. "Today, we write to highlight one directive in particular: the President's clarion call to clarify the definition of who is "engaged in the business" of dealing in firearms-a step that moves us closer to closing the background check loophole. The background check loophole in … Continue Reading
May 09, 2023
Merkley, Wyden Announce Support for Bill to Boost Child Care and Pre-K Access for Families
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden are cosponsoring the Child Care for Working Families Act, comprehensive legislation to tackle the child care crisis and ensure families across America can find and afford the high-quality child care they need. "Child care is essential for the success of working families across Oregon, but I hear at nearly every town hall from hardworking families about the burdens of the extremely high costs and lack of high-quality child … Continue Reading
May 08, 2023
Oregon Lawmakers: $52 Million USDA Seafood Purchasing Agreement to Boost Oregon’s Economy
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, along with Oregon's U.S. Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-01), Val Hoyle (D-OR-04), Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-OR-05), and Andrea Salinas (D-OR-06), announced today that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved $52 million to purchase Pacific Groundfish and Seafood Products. This approved funding comes after Merkley led colleagues this past February in a letter to USDA pushing for more support to … Continue Reading
