Press Releases
Wyden Reveals New Details About U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s ‘Egregious Violations’ of Americans’ Rights During Warrantless Electronic Device Searches
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today revealed new details about how U.S. Customs and Border Protection violates Americans' rights during warrantless searches of phones and other electronic devices, and called for immediate reforms. Wyden recently learned that when thousands of Americans' phones are searched at the border every year, their contents are downloaded into a central database, where information is held for 15 years and can be accessed by roughly 2,700 Department … Continue Reading
September 14, 2022
Wyden Further Presses USDA and Interior for Detailed Plans on Firefighter Shortage and Wildfire Prevention
Washington, D.C. - Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., requested again that the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and Department of the Interior (DOI) provide detailed plans on how the agencies will use the recent increases he secured in funding for wildfire prevention and to further address wildland firefighter staffing shortages. Wyden's letters to Interior Secretary Deb Haaland and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today follow the agencies' responses to his initial request on these matters. "[Increased] … Continue Reading
September 14, 2022
Wyden Speaks Out Against Republican Proposal for Nationwide Abortion Ban
M. President, there's a lot to say about the latest radical proposal restricting the right to an abortion for every woman in this country. I'm going to focus on a few key points. First of all, Senator Graham and the Republicans want the American people to believe this is a "moderate" proposal. Wrong, wrong, wrong. This is a national abortion ban. This is exactly what Republicans had in mind when they hand-picked Supreme Court nominees to overturn Roe versus Wade. Senator Graham's bill … Continue Reading
September 14, 2022
Wyden, Merkley: More than $900,000 to Fire Departments for Operations, Safety & Vehicle Costs
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that four Oregon fire departments will receive a combined more than $900,000 in federal Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) for crucial operations, safety and vehicle costs. “Local firefighters who have been working hard this past week and year-round to protect lives and livelihoods throughout Oregon deserve topnotch equipment to stay safe while they’re putting themselves at risk,” Wyden said. … Continue Reading
September 13, 2022
Wyden, Merkley, Colleagues Push Biden Administration to Strengthen Privacy Protections for Women Seeking Reproductive Health Care
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today with colleagues called on the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to take immediate action to strengthen federal privacy protections about abortion and other reproductive services, bolster enforcement of the protections, educate providers about their obligations, and ensure patients understand their rights. “Our nation faces a crisis in access to reproductive health services, and some states have already … Continue Reading
September 13, 2022
Wyden, Merkley: More than $180,000 to Oregon State University for Pest Control Research in Hops Plants
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that Oregon State University (OSU) will receive more than $180,000 to research and develop management strategies for the fusarium canker fungus killing hops in Oregon, Washington and Idaho. “Since 98% of U.S. hops are grown right here in the Pacific Northwest, Oregon State University’s topnotch researchers are well-positioned to provide key insights into how to manage the growing threat this fungus poses,” … Continue Reading
September 12, 2022
Wyden: Oregon the First State To Earn Federal Approval for Medicaid Reimbursement of Mobile Crisis Intervention Services
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today announced that Oregon is the first state to earn federal approval for Medicaid reimbursement of community-based mobile crisis intervention services that help people struggling with mental health and substance use disorders. The approval by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of Oregon’s Medicaid state plan amendment to provide qualifying mobile crisis intervention services is the first since the American Rescue Plan … Continue Reading
September 12, 2022
Wyden, Merkley: Nearly $2.6 Million in Federal Funds for Oregon Firefighting Aid
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that 10 Oregon fire districts will receive a combined $2.58 million in federal Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG). “Local firefighters working hard to protect lives and livelihoods throughout Oregon deserve topnotch equipment to stay safe while they’re putting themselves at risk defending communities around the state,” Wyden said. “The importance of this federal investment in Oregon is especially timely … Continue Reading
September 12, 2022
Wyden, Merkley: Centro Cultural Secures $366,000 Federal Grant
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that Centro Cultural has earned a $366,150 federal grant to improve community food security by increasing production of fresh fruit and vegetables year-round for the Washington County organization’s clients. “Centro Cultural has proven itself over the past 50 years to be an essential resource that Washington County can count on to improve health and create economic opportunities for underserved communities,” … Continue Reading
September 12, 2022
Wyden, Merkley: Over $200,000 to the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs for Services to Prevent Sex Crimes
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs will receive nearly $211,000 from the Department of Justice (DOJ) to protect the community and prevent sex crimes. “The U.S. government can do more to protect children from predators on and off tribal land, and it is long past time for that to happen,” Wyden said. “This funding provides a dedicated administrator and crucial training that the Warm Springs tribal … Continue Reading
September 08, 2022
Wyden, Merkley Statement on Senate Vote for Natalie Wight to be U.S. Attorney for Oregon
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley issued the following joint statement after the Senate today voted by unanimous consent to approve President Biden’s nomination of Natalie Wight to be U.S. Attorney for Oregon. “Natalie Wight has long been a community leader with an exemplary record of integrity and independence, and we’re gratified the entire Senate has confirmed her nomination to be U.S. Attorney for Oregon. We thank President Biden for nominating this … Continue Reading
September 08, 2022
Merkley, Wyden: Over $2 Million in USDA Awards Headed to Strengthen Oregon’s Specialty Crop Industry
Washington, D.C. - Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced a total of $2,098,097.03 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) awards to Oregon Department of Agriculture for 16 different projects. The SCBGP funding is intended to support farmers growing specialty crops, including fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, and nursery crops. USDA’s support works to strengthen U.S. specialty crop production and … Continue Reading
September 07, 2022
Merkley, Wyden Announce Over $41 Million to Strengthen Oregon’s Mass Timber Industry
Washington, D.C. - Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced that the Oregon Mass Timber Coalition will receive over $41 million from the federal Economic Development Administration (EDA) as one of 21 American Rescue Plan Build Back Better Regional Challenge (BBBRC) winners. Oregon Mass Timber Coalition, led by the Port of Portland, will use the funding to implement projects across the state to expand the regional mass timber industry cluster, which creates … Continue Reading
August 30, 2022
Wyden, Merkley: More than $100,000 to Oregon for Firefighter Equipment and Training
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that three Oregon fire districts will receive a combined nearly $100,000 in federal Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG). “Every day, firefighters in local fire districts—both union and volunteer—put their lives on the line to protect our communities in Oregon,” Wyden said. “Local firefighters have been on the front lines of fire season this year and every year. They deserve the equipment and training to do … Continue Reading
August 29, 2022
Wyden, Merkley: More than $2.3 Million to Jackson County Airports for Crucial Runway Improvements
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that the Rogue Valley International Airport in Medford and Ashland Municipal Airport will receive a combined more than $2.3 million in federal investment for crucial safety improvements to runways. “Reliable and safe air service in Jackson County is crucial for southern Oregon’s growing economy because it makes travel more convenient for business and pleasure,” Wyden said. “I am gratified to see these federal … Continue Reading
August 26, 2022
Merkley, Wyden Announce Another $66.2 Million in Federal Funding Headed to Oregon for Natural Disaster Recovery and COVID-19 Response
Washington, D.C. - Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced a total of $66,223,786.66 in funding for Oregon from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). These funds are intended to help various agencies and departments around Oregon to financially recover from emergency response efforts relating to the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2020 Labor Day fires. ?“As Oregon continues its recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and extreme fire events, this FEMA … Continue Reading
August 25, 2022
Wyden Praises White House Moves to Open Scientific Research, Boost Innovation
Washington, D.C. - Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., praised a new announcement from the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy that will accelerate innovation by making taxpayer-funded research more accessible to the scientists and researchers. The announcement came six months after Wyden and Sen. Ed Markey asked OSTP to issue new guidance to unlock that research. "The White House announcement today is an astronomical win for innovation and scientific progress. Unlocking federally … Continue Reading
August 24, 2022
Wyden Renews Call to Encrypt Twitter DMs, Secure Americans’ Data From Unfriendly Foreign Governments, Following Whistleblower Complaint
Washington, D.C. - Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., issued the following statement following a complaint this week by a former Twitter employee that alleged widespread poor privacy and security practices at the social media company: "The best time to encrypt users' DMs was 5 years ago. The second-best time is today, after reports that thousands of Twitter employees may have access to those conversations. "I personally urged Jack Dorsey to secure users' private conversations with strong, end-to-end … Continue Reading
August 24, 2022
Merkley, Wyden Announce Major Investments in the Klamath Basin
Washington, D.C. - Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced that the Department of the Interior (DOI) is investing nearly $26 million in the Klamath Basin through the first year of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The projects include nearly $16 million for ecosystem restoration and $10 million to expand the Klamath Falls National Fish Hatchery. The Bureau of Reclamation, in collaboration with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, will also fund an … Continue Reading
August 23, 2022
Wyden, Colleagues Call on Biden Administration to Extend Public Service Loan Forgiveness Waiver Deadline
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today joined colleagues urging the Biden Administration to extend the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) waiver deadline until at least July 1, 2023, when the Department’s proposed rules to improve and expand federal student debt relief programs, including PSLF, are currently on track to take effect. Extending the waiver would help ensure more public servants are able to benefit from the historic waiver that has already resulted in more … Continue Reading
