Press Releases
Wyden Statement on Reset of VA Electronic Health Records Management program
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden released the following statement on the recent announcement from the Department of Veterans Affairs that there will be a program reset to address system-wide problems with the Electronic Health Record Modernization program. "Too many veterans and health care workers in Oregon and nationwide have been dealing with unnecessary headaches because of the VA's rollout of a deeply flawed Electronic Health Record program produced by Cerner Oracle. For rural … Continue Reading
April 24, 2023
Merkley, Wyden Announce Over $900,000 Coming to Oregon to Support Students from Migrant and Seasonal Farm Worker Backgrounds
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that the U.S. Department of Education is awarding Oregon State University (OSU) and Treasure Valley Community College (TVCC) a combined total of $949,999 from the College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) to support students from migrant and seasonal farm work backgrounds to enroll and complete their first year in college and continue their post-secondary degree. "Higher education can open many doors for … Continue Reading
April 21, 2023
Wyden, Merkley, Colleagues Support FTC Proposed Rule to Limit Noncompete Agreements
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, Jeff Merkley and Senate colleagues today urged the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to move forward with a proposed rule banning noncompete agreements to give people in Oregon and nationwide the opportunity to change jobs and create new businesses. "We urge the agency to resist calls for additional postponement and act quickly to protect as many workers under this rule as possible," Wyden, Merkley and colleagues wrote in a letter to FTC Chair Lina … Continue Reading
April 20, 2023
Wyden, Merkley, Colleagues Reintroduce Bill Allowing VA to Prescribe Medical Cannabis to Veterans
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, Jeff Merkley and Senate colleagues this week reintroduced legislation that would allow doctors at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to prescribe medical cannabis to veterans in Oregon and other states and territories where there are established medical cannabis programs. "Veterans in Oregon and nationwide are unfairly and unacceptably stuck in a legal gray zone when discussing medical cannabis with their doctor," Wyden said. "Veterans deserve … Continue Reading
April 20, 2023
Oregon Delegation Urges Department of Education to Curb Opioid Use, Increase Fentanyl Awareness in Oregon Schools
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden and Representatives Suzanne Bonamici, Lori Chavez-Deremer, Earl Blumenauer, Andrea Salinas, and Val Hoyle are raising concerns with the U.S. Department of Education (ED) that Oregon teens are dying of drug-related causes faster than any other state, and the lawmakers are pushing for action. The Oregon delegation members are urging the Department to work with school districts to combat the opioid crisis and substance misuse in … Continue Reading
April 20, 2023
Wyden, Merkley: More than $288,000 to Rural Oregon Airports for Crucial Runway Improvements
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that two rural Oregon airports will receive a combined more than $288,000 from the U.S. Department of Transportation for crucial runway improvements "Small airports in rural areas help drive our state's economy," Wyden said. "I am gratified to see these dollars go toward improving crucial runway infrastructure that will allow for safer and more regular air service. Investing in airport infrastructure lays the … Continue Reading
April 19, 2023
Wyden, Merkley: 18 Oregon Counties to Receive Nearly $26 Million in Secure Rural Schools Funds from BLM
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today welcomed nearly $26 million in federal investment from the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act for 18 Oregon counties to use for school and road maintenance, youth job training, wildfire prevention, watershed restoration and habitat conservation. This $25.6 million from the Bureau of Land Management for these 18 counties is in addition to $45.6 million recently announced in Secure Rural Schools (SRS) funds … Continue Reading
April 19, 2023
Wyden, Merkley: More than $45 Million in Secure Rural Schools Funds to Oregon Counties
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley this week announced that Oregon counties will receive more than $45 million in payments under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act (SRS) for school and road maintenance, youth job training, wildfire prevention, watershed restoration and habitat conservation. "I'm glad the Secure Rural Schools law continues to pay huge dividends for rural America with Oregon leading the way and securing more than $45 million … Continue Reading
April 14, 2023
Oregon Congressional Democrats File Amicus Brief Urging Appeals Court to Prevent Dangerous Ruling Threatening Access to Mifepristone From Taking Effect
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and U.S. Representatives Earl Blumenauer, Suzanne Bonamici, Val Hoyle, and Andrea Salinas this week submitted an amicus brief with colleagues in support of the Biden administration's appeal of U.S. District Court judge Matthew J. Kacsmaryk's ruling last week that suspends the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) more than 20-year-old approval of mifepristone. The Trump-appointed federal judge's ruling threatens access to mifepristone … Continue Reading
April 13, 2023
Wyden, Merkley: Two Oregon Parks Secure $718,000 in Federal Investment
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that Nugent Park in the city of Umatilla, and Thompson Park in The Dalles have secured a combined $718,222 in grants from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund. "Getting outside and enjoying parks in communities throughout Oregon is essential to quality of life in every nook and cranny of the state," Wyden said. "I'm glad the Land and Water Conservation Fund that I've been proud to support continues to invest … Continue Reading
April 13, 2023
Merkley, Wyden Announce Over $3.7 Million to Advance Wood Product Innovation, Reduce Wildfire Risk in Oregon
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) is awarding $3,737,200 from the Wood Products Infrastructure Assistance grant program in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to support wood processing facilities in Oregon. "Oregon has the most innovative wood products in the world, and we have been working hard to keep Oregon at the forefront of timber products," said Merkley, who chairs the Senate Interior Appropriations … Continue Reading
April 12, 2023
Wyden, Merkley: $13.8 Million to City of Portland to Replace Nearly Century-Old Burgard Bridge
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that the City of Portland will receive $13.8 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation to replace the Burgard Bridge. "I have long said that you can't have a big league economy without big league infrastructure, and that includes resilient bridges," Wyden said. "I am gratified to see these dollars go toward replacing the Burgard Bridge in North Portland so that commuters and visitors alike can continue to … Continue Reading
April 12, 2023
Wyden Statement on HHS Proposed Rule to Strengthen Reproductive Health Care Privacy
Washington, D.C. - Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today issued the following statement on the new proposed rule announced by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) to modify the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy Rule to strengthen reproductive health care privacy: "Women seeking health care should not live in fear that their personal health information will be weaponized against them. Providers should be able to do their … Continue Reading
April 12, 2023
Wyden Requests Annual Cybersecurity Audits of Phone Network For First Responders and Military Personnel
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., called for annual cybersecurity audits of the federal government's cellular network used by first responders and the military, in order to identify security weaknesses that could be exploited by criminals and foreign governments Cybersecurity experts have called for upgrades to U.S. phone networks for years, due to security weaknesses in the systems used to exchange information between different carriers' networks, known as SS7 and Diameter. … Continue Reading
April 12, 2023
Merkley, Wyden Announce Nearly $22 Million Coming to Oregon to Repair Water Infrastructure, Advance Drought Resilience
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced Oregon will be receiving $21,713,000 from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation for projects to improve water infrastructure in Jefferson, Klamath, Umatilla, and Wasco Counties. "Reliable water supply is vital for our communities, for our farmers and ranchers, and for many iconic wildlife species?to thrive," said Merkley. "With persistent drought making efficiency and modernization more important than ever, up-to-date … Continue Reading
April 11, 2023
Merkley, Wyden Announce $1.6 Million to Help Train School-Based Mental Health Professionals
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced the U.S. Department of Education will be awarding Portland State University (PSU) and Oregon State University (OSU) a combined total of $1,613,898 to support training programs for school-based mental health providers under the Mental Health Service Professionals Demonstration Program. "Mental health care is essential health care, especially for school-aged kids, which is why I have fought to put more providers in … Continue Reading
April 10, 2023
Wyden, Colleagues Call for Robust Funding to Strengthen Entrepreneurial Development Programs
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden said today that he and Senate colleagues are urging the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations to provide robust funding for entrepreneurial development programs at the Small Business Administration (SBA), which provide critical support and resources to small businesses and entrepreneurs in Oregon and nationwide. "SBA entrepreneurial development programs are now more important than ever, helping to promote small businesses and provide critical … Continue Reading
April 10, 2023
Merkley, Wyden Announce $8.5 Million Coming to Oregon for Clean Water Infrastructure Upgrades
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 Oregon $8,559,000 from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) to help upgrade wastewater and stormwater systems. "Reliable access to clean water is vital to the health and safety of any community," said Merkley, Chair of the Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee, which funds this program. "These funds will help improve water … Continue Reading
April 07, 2023
Wyden to President Biden and FDA after Texas Ruling: Ignore Any Ban, Keep Mifepristone on the Market
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden released the following statement after a right-wing judge today ruled to ban mifepristone nationwide: "There is no way this decision has a basis in law. It is instead rooted in conservatives' dangerous and undemocratic takeover of our country's institutions. No matter what happens in seven days, I believe the Food and Drug Administration has the authority to ignore this ruling, which is why I'm again calling on President Biden and the FDA to do just … Continue Reading
April 06, 2023
Merkley, Wyden Celebrate New Wildfire Smoke Research and Practice Center at the University of Oregon
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced the University of Oregon has received $800,000 from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to officially launch its Center for Wildfire Smoke Research and Practice. The Senators secured the funding for this crucial community-initiated project to help ensure Oregon communities are better prepared for wildfire smoke events. "Nearly every Oregonian has in some way experienced the growing threat that wildfires … Continue Reading
