Press Releases
Wyden, Merkley, Colleagues Reintroduce “Ethan’s Law” Safe Gun Storage Legislation
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said today they have joined Senate colleagues to reintroduce Ethan's Law, legislation that would require gun owners to safely and securely store their firearms. "Reducing access to unsupervised firearms with safe and proper gun storage will save lives in Oregon and nationwide," Wyden said. "Congress must urgently pass Ethan's Law to protect our schools, communities, and fight the gun violence epidemic tearing through this country." … Continue Reading
February 03, 2023
Wyden, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Exempt Trafficking Survivors’ Restitution from Federal Taxes
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden this week joined colleagues to introduce bipartisan legislation that would to exempt civil damages or restitution given to human trafficking survivors from federal income taxes. The bill would also codify current Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidance that makes restitution payments made to survivors in criminal cases free from federal income taxes. "Human trafficking survivors have been through true horrors, and the last thing they need is a big … Continue Reading
February 02, 2023
Wyden, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Combat Rising Catalytic Converter Thefts
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today joined Senate colleagues from both parties to introduce legislation that would combat the rise in catalytic converter thefts in Oregon and nationwide. "The theft of catalytic converters has soared in Oregon and across the nation, costing working families and small business owners valuable time and money," said Wyden. "This bill will bring us one step closer to solving this problem by strengthening local law enforcement's ability to locate stolen … Continue Reading
February 02, 2023
Wyden, Merkley: Five Oregon Communities to Receive Total of More Than $1.7 Million in Federal Funds for Safer Streets
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that a federal investment totaling more than $1.7 million has been secured for the cities of Hermiston and Ontario as well as Jefferson, Douglas and Lane counties to improve street safety in their communities. "The ability for all Oregonians to travel safely on the streets and roads they rely on every day plays a big part in quality of life and peace of mind for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists," Wyden said. "I'm … Continue Reading
February 02, 2023
Wyden, Merkley Statement on Justice Adrienne Nelson Committee Vote
Washington, D.C. - Oregon U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee voted 11-9 to advance to the full Senate Oregon Supreme Court Associate Justice Adrienne Nelson's nomination to U.S. District Court. "There is no doubt that with a wealth of knowledge and commitment to justice for all, Justice Nelson will be an excellent addition to the U.S. District Court," Wyden and Merkley said. "Justice Nelson is a highly accomplished … Continue Reading
February 02, 2023
Merkley, Wyden Announce $22.4 Million Coming to Portland for Street Safety Improvements
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is awarding the City of Portland $20 million to employ low-cost, high-benefit safety improvements on 5.5 miles of 122nd Avenue, and is awarding Metro $2.4 million to develop a comprehensive safety action plan for communities to improve pedestrian safety in the Greater Portland area. "For many people across Portland who use the city's busy corridors, especially 122nd … Continue Reading
February 01, 2023
Wyden Cosponsors Bipartisan Legislation to Help Students Access High-Quality Job Training, Get Good-Paying Jobs
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today cosponsored bipartisan legislation that would help students in Oregon and nationwide use federal Pell Grants to afford high-quality, shorter-term job training programs. "I'm all in to help working students in Oregon and nationwide afford high-quality job training that helps ensure they can count on a supply of local good-paying jobs," Wyden said. "That's why I'm proud to cosponsor legislation that would allow Pell Grants to be used for … Continue Reading
February 01, 2023
Wyden, Colleagues Reintroduce Legislation to Ground Airlines’ Skyrocketing Fees
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden said today he has joined colleagues to reintroduce legislation that would prohibit airlines from charging unreasonable fees - including bag, seating, cancellation, and change fees - that are not proportional to the costs of the service actually provided. "Airlines are charging folks unreasonable fees for basic services - it's ridiculous," Wyden said. "That's why I'm proud to cosponsor legislation that will prohibit airlines from charging excessive … Continue Reading
January 31, 2023
Merkley, Wyden Introduce Legislation to Include Oregon in Smith River National Recreation Area
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today introduced legislation to expand the Smith River National Recreation Area by 58,000 acres, a move that would protect the diverse ecosystems of the rivers, streams, and adjacent lands of the North Fork Smith River watershed and help boost the local fishing and recreation industries that many Oregon families rely on. The legislation is also cosponsored by U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Alex Padilla (D-CA). In … Continue Reading
January 31, 2023
Wyden Statement on nomination of Gigi Sohn to serve on the Federal Communications Commission
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., released the following statement in support of Gigi Sohn to serve on the Federal Communications Commission: "Between her years working on behalf of regular Americans who lack affordable, reliable access to the internet and her experience inside the government, Gigi Sohn is the epitome of what an FCC commissioner should be," Wyden said. "No amount of astroturfed attacks on behalf of the Big Cable companies will change that. Ms. Sohn has broad … Continue Reading
January 31, 2023
Wyden, Merkley: Nearly $90 Million Federal Loan to Umatilla Electric Cooperative for Power Grid Improvements
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that the Umatilla Electric Cooperative will receive a nearly $90 million federal loan to expand and improve the electric grid in Northeastern Oregon. "Oregon's severe weather events-from windstorms that down power lines and spark catastrophic infernos to ice and hail storms that cause losses in power as well as property damage-prove that we must fortify our aging grid infrastructure," Wyden said. "This federal … Continue Reading
January 31, 2023
Merkley, Wyden Join Colleagues in Introduction of Legislation to Provide Historic, Permanent Investment in Home Care for Seniors and People with Disabilities
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden joined Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) and colleagues in introducing the Better Care Better Jobs Act. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the urgent need to ensure that all Americans have the option to receive quality, long-term care in the setting that meets their needs and preferences, and the vast majority of Americans prefer to receive such care and support at home. This legislation would expand access to home and community-based … Continue Reading
January 30, 2023
Wyden, Merkley, Blumenauer: Feds to Invest $715,000 Toward Proposed Move of Mt. Hood Summit Rest Area
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer today announced the proposed relocation of the Mt. Hood Summit Rest Area on Highway 26 east of Government Camp has secured $715,000 in federal funds to study the move. The resources from the Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP) follows a Oct. 7, 2021 letter that Wyden, Merkley and Blumenauer wrote to U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg seeking the funds for more than two dozen organizations working … Continue Reading
January 27, 2023
Wyden Announces WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert Will Visit Portland
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today announced that WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has accepted his invitation to participate in a panel discussion on women's sports during her visit to Portland on Monday, Feb. 6. The women's basketball coaches from Oregon State University and the University of Oregon as well as top Trail Blazers and Thorns executives will be among those contributing to the roundtable conversation about how the city can help continue to support the growth of … Continue Reading
January 27, 2023
Wyden To Hold Town Halls in Columbia and Benton Counties
Portland - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today announced he will have open-to-all, in-person town halls in Columbia and Benton counties the weekend of Feb. 4-5. Wyden has already held 11 town halls so far throughout Oregon in 2023 - and 1,038 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. "Public service is all about being accountable, and open-to-all town halls provide all Oregonians the opportunity to ask me any … Continue Reading
January 27, 2023
Merkley, Wyden, Hoyle: “Frustrated and Deeply Disappointed” that Port of Coos Bay’s Critical Shipping Container Project is Denied Major Federal Investments, Vow to Continue the Funding Fight
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, and U.S. Representative Val Hoyle (OR-04), issued the following joint statement today after the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) did not select the Oregon International Port of Coos Bay's request for a $1.25 billion Mega Grant, also known as a National Infrastructure Project Assistance Grant funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, in the first round of funding from the program that would have been used to … Continue Reading
January 26, 2023
Wyden Statement on FDA Announcement on CBD
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., released the following statement on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announcement on the regulatory path forward for CBD: "The current regulatory gray zone for hemp-derived CBD isn't working. Regulations are needed to protect consumer safety and to make sure the hemp producers and farmers in Oregon and across the country are on a level playing field with other legal products. The FDA has asked for Congress to act, and I plan to … Continue Reading
January 24, 2023
Oregon Lawmakers Announce More Than $3 Million in New Rental Assistance Funding
Washington, D.C. - Today, Oregon lawmakers announced that the U.S. Treasury is awarding new rental assistance funding to both the State of Oregon and City of Portland. Oregon Housing and Community Services will receive $2,034,948.16 and the City of Portland will receive $1,107,256.77. The funding comes in the wake of Governor Tina Kotek declaring a "Homelessness State of Emergency" earlier this month and unveiling her $130 million budget. The state legislature is anticipated to take up … Continue Reading
January 23, 2023
Wyden, Merkley: Cascades East to Receive Additional Physician Residency Slots to Expand Health Care Workforce in Southern Oregon
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley this week announced that Cascades East Family Medicine Residency Program, a partnership between Oregon Health & Science University and Sky Lakes Medical Center in Klamath Falls, will receive additional physician resident training slots in July, a crucial step in expanding the Southern Oregon health care work force. "Training more medical residents right here in Klamath Falls is a promising sign of progress toward improving access … Continue Reading
January 19, 2023
Sen. Wyden and former Rep. Cox Urge Supreme Court To Uphold Precedent on Section 230
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and former Representative Chris Cox, R-Calif., the original co-authors of Section 230, today submitted an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court urging the court to uphold decades of precedent concerning their 1996 law. Section 230 is a pioneering internet law provision that ensures the person who creates content - such as a tweet, blog post or video - is the one legally responsible for it. Section 230 has been called the most important law … Continue Reading
