Press Releases
Wyden Statement on Clemency for Oregon Marijuana Offenses
U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., issued the following statement on today’s announcement that Governor Brown will pardon Oregonians convicted of simple possession of marijuana: "Pardoning simple possession in Oregon is absolutely necessary to repair the damage done by the failed War on Drugs. It is the proper use of a governor’s clemency powers and I hope that every governor and state legislature will follow suit. The American people have consistently shown overwhelming support for … Continue Reading
November 21, 2022
Merkley, Wyden Announce $800,000 for Rural Emergency Health Care Services in Oregon
Washington, D.C. - Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that Oregon will receive $801,300 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Emergency Rural Health Care Grant program to support organizations and facilities across Oregon provide vital emergency rural health care and food assistance to rural communities. “These grants awarded to Oregon will help provide crucial support in ensuring Oregon’s rural families have access to the health care and food … Continue Reading
November 21, 2022
Merkley, Wyden Announce $1.49 Million Coming to Oregon for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers
Washington, D.C. - Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announce the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is awarding a total of $1,493,897 to support education and land access programs for beginning farmers and ranchers in Oregon, providing them the tools and resources to succeed. “Agriculture is deeply ingrained in Oregon’s economy,” said Senator Merkley. “These awards to OSU and Rogue Farm Corps will ensure that Oregon’s new farmers and ranchers are able to thrive … Continue Reading
November 18, 2022
Wyden, Merkley: Nearly $145,000 to Fort George Brewery for Solar Panel Project to Reduce Carbon Footprint
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that Fort George Brewery in Astoria will receive a $144,460 federal rural development grant to install a large roof-mounted solar panel that will cut its energy use by more than two-thirds. “I am proud to see Oregon businesses like Fort George set their sights on fighting the climate crisis as they continue to produce iconic Oregon products,” Wyden said. “Cheers to Fort George for earning this federal … Continue Reading
November 18, 2022
Wyden, Merkley, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Fix American Opportunity Tax Credit Inequity
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today joined Senate colleagues to introduce bipartisan legislation that would address systematic injustices within the American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC). “A fair tax code means providing Americans who have served their time a chance to pursue higher education and a promising career path,” Wyden said. “The bipartisan ED ACCESS Act of 2022 will repeal the prohibition on students with prior felony drug convictions from … Continue Reading
November 18, 2022
Wyden, Colleagues Encourage FDA to Protect and Expand Access to Medication Abortion
Washington, D.C. - U.S Senator Ron Wyden and Senate colleagues this week sent a letter encouraging the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to defend Americans’ reproductive rights, and to consider steps to protect and expand access to medication abortion. “As states implement new restrictions, it is more important than ever that you take immediate steps to expand access to medication abortion,” Wyden and colleagues wrote to FDA Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf. “We encourage and … Continue Reading
November 18, 2022
Merkley, Wyden Announce Nearly $700,000 Coming to Oregon for Sagebrush Conservation
Washington, D.C. - Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will be awarding Oregon a total of $695,097 for sagebrush conservation efforts across the state. This funding will help support collaborative efforts by ranchers, growers, and agencies to improve habitat. “Restoring and conserving Oregon’s sagebrush ecosystems can help to address the damage and dangers invasive species bring to important rangelands and habitat to promote a … Continue Reading
November 17, 2022
Merkley, Wyden Applaud Critical Approval to Begin Klamath Dams Removal
Washington, D.C. - Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden issued the following statement today after the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved the surrender and decommissioning of four dams along the Klamath River, marking a major milestone in the ongoing efforts to restore the health of the Klamath River: “We view the vote by FERC to greenlight the largest dam removal project in American history as a historic milestone in a decades long effort led by the … Continue Reading
November 16, 2022
Wyden, Klobuchar Announce Legislation to Combat Rising Catalytic Converter Theft
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., said this week they have introduced legislation that would combat the rise in catalytic converter thefts. The Preventing Auto Recycling Theft (PART) Act would ensure that law enforcement can more effectively address these thefts by marking each converter with a traceable identification number and establishing converter thefts as a criminal offense. “The theft of catalytic converters hurts the … Continue Reading
November 16, 2022
Merkley, Wyden Announce $5 Million to Northwest Tribes to Restore Sockeye Salmon Habitat Connectivity at the Wallowa Lake Dam
Washington, D.C. - Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announce a total of $ 5,041,495 million from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) will be awarded to the Nez Perce Tribe, in partnership with the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) and other partners, to restore sockeye salmon habitat connectivity at the Wallowa Lake Dam. “Sockeye salmon are important not just to the culture of the CTUIR and Nez Perce Tribe but to the entire … Continue Reading
November 15, 2022
Wyden, Colleagues Introduce Bill That Would Safeguard Veterans Filing Benefit Claims
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today joined colleagues from both parties to introduce legislation that would hold unaccredited entities targeting veterans accountable for their predatory practices. “Veterans deserve easy and safe access to the benefits they’ve earned.” Wyden said. “The GUARD VA Benefits Act would protect veterans against middlemen profiting off their service by reinstating criminal penalties to scamsters charging unauthorized fees. I’ll continue … Continue Reading
November 15, 2022
Wyden, Smith Introduce Legislation to Strengthen Mental Health Care Coverage, Hold Insurance Companies Accountable
Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) today introduced legislation to improve mental health coverage. Specifically, the bill would crack down on inaccurate health care provider listings or “ghost networks,” and create stronger enforcement standards to protect those seeking mental health care. “Too often, Americans who need affordable mental health care hit a dead end when they try to find a provider that’s covered by their insurance,” … Continue Reading
November 04, 2022
Wyden, Merkley and Colleagues Urge Biden to Bolster Climate, Finance Commitments at COP27
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today joined colleagues in sending a letter to President Joe Biden urging the Administration to strengthen the position of the United States as a global leader in combatting the climate crisis. In the letter -- which was sent ahead of the 27th Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP27) in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt -- the senators call for President Biden to bolster climate and … Continue Reading
November 04, 2022
Wyden: State Department Must Protect Americans’ Passport Data, Limit Unfettered Access to 145 Million Americans Records
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today called on the State Department to create new protections for Americans' passport application records, after learning that 25 federal agencies have unfettered access to a database containing 145 million Americans' personal information. "While there is a legitimate role for the use of this information by law enforcement, the current unregulated system of interagency access to millions of Americans' records goes far beyond what a … Continue Reading
November 04, 2022
Wyden, Colleagues Urge Private Equity Firm to Pause $4 Billion Dividend Tied to Kroger-Albertsons Merger
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden said today he has joined with five colleagues to urge the private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management, to pause the payment of the $4 billion Albertsons dividend scheduled for Monday and to provide answers about the impact of the dividend on the Kroger-Albertsons merger. In the letter to Cerberus Capital Management co-CEOs Stephen Feinberg and Frank Bruno, the lawmakers criticized Cerberus and other big Albertsons shareholders that are … Continue Reading
November 02, 2022
Merkley, Wyden Announce Over $35.5 Million For High-Speed Broadband Infrastructure Headed to Oregon
Washington, D.C. - Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced a total of $35,588,796 million in funding to deploy high-speed broadband internet infrastructure in Benton, Lane, Lincoln, and Polk counties. These awards are part of the round three investments through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) ReConnect Program, which received new funding from the?Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. “I’ve worked for years to increase access to broadband around Oregon, … Continue Reading
November 01, 2022
Wyden, Colleagues Urge FAA Action to Prevent Shrinking Plane Seat Sizes, Ensure Passenger Safety
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden today joined with five colleagues to urge the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to act to prevent further shrinking of plane seat sizes and to comprehensively ensure passenger safety in Oregon and nationwide. “We urge the FAA to comprehensively review the safety factors impacting seat pitch, width, and length and ensure that such safety factors take into account the entirety of the American public - including children, senior … Continue Reading
October 31, 2022
Merkley, Wyden Announce Over $1.5 Million for Habitat Conservation in Oregon
Washington, D.C. - Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced $1,519,627 in federal grants headed to Oregon to help support the development of habitat conservation plans to improve the management of state and private forestlands. “Forests in Oregon support rural economies and are also home to countless species including vulnerable salmon,” said Senator Merkley, who serves as the Chair of the Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee, which funded these grants. … Continue Reading
October 31, 2022
Merkley, Wyden Announce over $24 Million Headed to the Port of Portland
Washington, D.C. - Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation is awarding the Port of Portland $24,360,000 to improve port infrastructure for current and future operations. The project will support current infrastructure by strengthening pavement for flexible cargo storage and upgrading pavement in the container yard. The funding will also support new stormwater treatment infrastructure to reduce pollutants entering the … Continue Reading
October 27, 2022
Wyden Releases New Details About Surveillance and Interrogation of Portland Demonstrators by Department of Homeland Security Agents
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., released newly public information showing that Department of Homeland Security (DHS) surveillance of Portland protesters in 2020 was far broader than previously known, and included lists of friends, family and social media associates for people who posed no threat to homeland security. "Oregonians had a right to get a full accounting of the Trump Administration's twisted efforts to provoke violence in Portland for his political gain," Wyden … Continue Reading
