Press Releases
Wyden, Merkley Applaud Passage of Critical Wildfire Prevention and Response Measure
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today applauded the passage of a critical measure that supports the training of National Guard personnel on wildfire prevention and response in Oregon and nationwide. "I'm proud that Congress has passed my provision to support the Oregon National Guard with rapid response and wildfire prevention training," Wyden said. "This provision will help make sure that Oregon communities have the support they need from well-trained and … Continue Reading
December 15, 2022
Wyden Statement on Judicial Information Bill
Washington, D.C. - Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., issued the following statement objecting to the inclusion of a bill restricting the accessibility of information about judges and their family members. "I've been raising concerns about the judge information bill since July of 2021. Unfortunately, my concerns were ignored by the bill's authors, even after a host of civil liberties and government accountability groups highlighted serious concerns about how this bill will threaten free speech and the … Continue Reading
December 15, 2022
Wyden, Eshoo, Lesko Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Prevent Domestic Abusers from Targeting Survivors with Technology
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and U.S. Representatives Anna G. Eshoo, D-Calif., and Debbie Lesko, R-Arizona, today introduced bipartisan legislation to help prevent domestic abusers from using technology to stalk, harass or control survivors. Technology-enabled abuse takes many forms, from the most basic social media platforms and phone-based apps to specialty spyware apps, demonstrating that this sort of abuse does not require huge financial resources or complex … Continue Reading
December 15, 2022
Merkley, Wyden: Critical Initiatives to Modernize Oregon’s Dams and Flood Control Headed to the President’s Desk
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, today, announced critical projects and policy initiatives for Oregon included in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2022 have passed the Senate as part of a year-end legislative package and will be sent to President Biden's desk to be signed into law. Their authorization sets the stage to secure funding for essential water infrastructure modernization efforts across the state. "For much of Oregon, our coast and … Continue Reading
December 14, 2022
Wyden Calls for Passage of the PRESS Act
If you don't have a free press, you don't have a democracy. Individual freedom and press freedom go hand in hand. If you want to see what happens when governments undermine and then eliminate the free press, look at Russia. Look at Saudi Arabia. Look at Iran. Information becomes a tool of power, abuse, and manipulation in the hands of the government rather than a tool of education, expression and enlightenment in the hands of the people. Let's be clear, the threat of government overreach … Continue Reading
December 14, 2022
Wyden, Merkley: $500,000 to Baker Technical Institute for Job Training to Clean Up Brownfield Sites
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that the Baker Technical Institute in Baker City will receive a $500,000 federal investment as one of 29 grant recipients nationwide to recruit, train and place workers in community revitalization and cleanup projects at brownfield sites, abandoned land polluted by industrial practices. "Too many communities in our state, large and small, have been hurt by polluted land, and can benefit immensely from the community … Continue Reading
December 14, 2022
Wyden, Merkley: $200,000 to Community and Shelter Assistance (CASA) to Assist in Development of Long-Term Affordable Housing
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that Community and Shelter Assistance (CASA) in Oregon will receive $200,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide ongoing management of long-term affordable housing in communities all over the state. "As we enter the coldest months of the year, I'm gratified to see federal dollars go to keeping roofs overhead for Oregonians in communities throughout the state," Wyden said. "While building more … Continue Reading
December 14, 2022
Oregon Lawmakers Honor Portland Thorns in Senate and House Resolutions
Washington, D.C. - The U.S. Senate has unanimously passed a resolution introduced by Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley to congratulate the Portland Thorns for winning the 2022 National Women's Soccer League championship. A similar resolution has been introduced in the House by U.S. Reps. Earl Blumenauer and Suzanne Bonamici. The Thorns' 2-0 victory on Oct. 29 in the NWSL championship game over Kansas City made the Portland franchise the first in league history to win three titles. "The … Continue Reading
December 13, 2022
Wyden, Merkley Applaud Passage of Legislation Awarding Congressional Gold Medal to Heroes Killed in 2012 Benghazi Consulate Attack
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today applauded the passage of bipartisan legislation awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to Glen Doherty, Tyrone Woods, J. Christopher Stevens, and Sean Smith in recognition of their service to defend the United States of America. Doherty, Woods, Stevens, and Smith were killed in the September 2012 attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya. "Tyrone Woods was a native of Portland, Oregon, who died alongside Glen Doherty, J. … Continue Reading
December 13, 2022
Wyden and Federal Agencies To Host Dec. 14 Webinar for Oregonians on New Broadband Map
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today announced he and federal broadband officials will be hosting a virtual discussion on Wednesday, Dec. 14 for Oregonians to provide their input on the design of new broadband maps that accurately capture where dead spots must be addressed. The virtual discussion beginning at 12:30 pm PT (1:30 pm MT) on Dec. 14 with officials from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the National Technology and Information Administration (NTIA) is … Continue Reading
December 08, 2022
Merkley, Wyden Announce $42 Million to Support Oregonians' Health Care and Supportive Services for Oregonians
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced that Oregon is receiving $39,664,611 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to improve critical public health infrastructure serving Oregonians and $2,347,258 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to support the housing needs of people living with HIV/AIDS. "It's vital that patients and their families receive timely, quality care and crucial wraparound supports," said … Continue Reading
December 07, 2022
Wyden, Merkley, Senators Emphasize Western Drought and Conservation in Bipartisan Letter
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today urged the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to give parity to the priorities of growers and communities in Oregon and the West through existing authorities, new funding, and collaboration across government. "The American West is in crisis. Across the major basins of the American West - including the Colorado River Basin, the Rio Grande Basin, the Great Basin, the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Basin, the Columbia … Continue Reading
December 06, 2022
Wyden, Merkley Announce New River Democracy Act
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced a new River Democracy Act that reflects input from communities across Oregon over the past year to update the total mileage of rivers and streams in Oregon that would be added to the national Wild and Scenic Rivers system. The total mileage of rivers and streams in the revised bill is approximately 3,215 miles (updated maps here), compared to 4,700 miles in the original bill. "This bill is called the River Democracy … Continue Reading
December 01, 2022
Key Committee Holds Hearing on Wyden Bill to Boost Economic Development in Malheur County
Washington, D.C. - The U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources today held a hearing on U.S. Senator Ron Wyden's legislation to provide Malheur County with much-needed economic development opportunities by developing scenic loop roads and by maintaining and improving rangeland to support local ranchers and protecting the Owyhee River Canyonlands and surrounding public lands for ranching, recreation and wildlife habitat. The legislation is also co-sponsored by U.S. Senator Jeff … Continue Reading
December 01, 2022
Wyden, Merkley Statement on Committee Vote on Associate Justice Adrienne Nelson Nomination to U.S. District Court
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee held a vote on the nomination of Oregon Supreme Court Associate Justice Adrienne Nelson to the U.S. District Court in Oregon. Justice Nelson received a vote of 12-10. Her nomination will next be considered by the full U.S. Senate. "We are pleased to see Justice Nelson's nomination clear this major hurdle," the senators said. "With a deep understanding of the … Continue Reading
November 30, 2022
Merkley, Wyden Announce More Than $450,000 For Oregon Zoo Endangered Species Programs
Washington, D.C. - Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced that the Oregon Zoo is receiving $459,655 from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) to support the care of the many animals and endangered species at the zoo.“The Oregon Zoo is a critical local resource, doing research and education on local species, and leading important conservation efforts for endangered species like the California condor,” Merkley said. “The … Continue Reading
November 29, 2022
Wyden Applauds Senate Passage of the Respect for Marriage Act
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today voted in support of the Respect for Marriage Act, legislation to protect the rights of all Americans to marry who they choose. The Senate passed the bill, and it now advances to the U.S. House of Representatives for consideration. Senator Wyden released the following statement: "By passing the Respect for Marriage Act, the Senate has reaffirmed the right for all Americans to marry the person they love. At the heart of marriage … Continue Reading
November 29, 2022
Wyden Questions Crypto Exchanges on Consumer Protections Following Failure of FTX
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., sought answers from the six largest cryptocurrency exchanges on the risks consumers face when investing on their platforms, including whether the exchanges provide any protections for customers if the company fails. Wyden's inquiry comes after the bankruptcy of the FTX cryptocurrency exchange and news reports indicating widespread mismanagement and misuse of customers' funds held by the company. Americans who place money at banks or … Continue Reading
November 29, 2022
Merkley, Wyden Invite Public to Comment on Plan to Conserve Key Habitats In Willamette Valley
Washington, D.C. - Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden invite Oregonians to participate and comment on a plan to protect key conservation areas in the middle and southern sections of the Willamette Valley. The plan, implemented by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), encompasses habitats for the iconic Western monarch butterfly, the Fender’s blue butterfly, and the Oregon white oak.“We've all experienced the moment of childhood joy and excitement when we spot a butterfly … Continue Reading
November 28, 2022
Wyden Calls for Passage of the Respect for Marriage Act
As prepared for delivery M. President, a little later on today the Senate is going to vote on the Respect for Marriage Act. This vote is an affirmation that the United States Senate will stand up and protect the right of all Americans to marry the person they love. Although this is about codifying rights that same-sex couples already enjoy, this is still an important step in a long-running struggle for equality. During my 1996 campaign for the Senate, I ran on the proposition that there … Continue Reading
