Press Releases
Wyden, Merkley Urge White House to Include $4 Billion in Homeless Assistance Grants in its FY2023 Budget
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley this week urged President Biden to include $4 billion in homeless assistance grants in his Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) budget so Oregon and the entire country can make additional progress towards sheltering unhoused people and ending homelessness. "Nationwide, nearly 600,000 people experience homelessness on any given night, and around one-third of them are unsheltered: living somewhere unfit for a person, like a car or tent," Wyden and … Continue Reading
March 16, 2022
Wyden, Merkley: Three Oregon Communities Selected to Build Cutting-Edge Energy Storage Capacity
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley this week announced that Warm Springs, Talent and Pendleton have been selected by federal officials to participate in a cutting-edge energy storage program to increase energy resilience in the face of increasingly dangerous weather events and a changing climate. "Building out energy storage capacity is key as families in Oregon and across the nation have suffered severe impacts in recent years from the climate emergency in their … Continue Reading
March 16, 2022
Merkley, DeFazio, Wyden Lead Members of the Oregon Delegation in Requesting Federal Funding for Oregon International Port of Coos Bay
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, along with Representative Peter DeFazio, are joined today by Representatives Suzanne Bonamici, Earl Blumenauer, and Kurt Schrader in a letter to President Biden requesting federal funds from the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act (IIJA) be allocated towards a proposal to create a major new west coast container port in Coos Bay. In their letter, the lawmakers highlight the importance of investing in our country's rural … Continue Reading
March 16, 2022
Merkley, Wyden Announce an Additional $16 Million in Emergency Rental Assistance
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced an additional $16 million in federal emergency rental assistance funds allowing the Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) to keep the Oregon Emergency Rental Assistance Program (OERAP) open through March 21, 2022. The portal was originally scheduled to close March 14, 2022. "Everyone-regardless of the color of their skin, their zip code, or their income-deserves a safe, affordable roof over their … Continue Reading
March 15, 2022
Merkley, Wyden Announce Over $17.5 Million in Transit Grants for Oregon
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced a total of $17,688,999 in federal funding grants headed to Rogue Valley Transportation, Cottage Grove, and Lane Transit. "Our public transportation systems keep Oregonians connected and have kept vital services within reach for our communities," said Merkley. "These grants will help make our transit districts stronger and help cut down on dangerous air pollution and improve public health. I will continue … Continue Reading
March 14, 2022
Wyden, Merkley: Warm Springs Housing Authority Secures $1 Million Federal Housing Grant
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that the Warm Springs Housing Authority has secured a $1.03 million federal grant from the American Rescue Plan to rehabilitate 11 rental units for the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. "Tribal communities in Oregon and nationwide have been hammered by this public health crisis that's magnified already serious housing challenges for their members," Wyden said. "I'm gratified the Warm Springs Housing Authority has … Continue Reading
March 10, 2022
Merkley, Wyden Announce Key Funding for Nurses, Educators in Congressional Funding Deal
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announce key provisions for education and health care in the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education bill that will fund programs supporting Oregon's frontline health care workers and educators, who have suffered through the strain of a global pandemic for nearly two years. The bill, which is included in the omnibus funding bill for fiscal year 2022, is expected to pass both chambers of Congress and be signed … Continue Reading
March 10, 2022
Merkley, Wyden Announce Vital Funding for Housing and Transportation Projects in Government Funding Deal
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announce they have secured investments that will support critical housing and transportation services and projects across the state. The investments are included in a broader funding package that is expected to pass both chambers of Congress and be signed into law by President Biden this week. "I joined the Appropriations Committee to bring solutions to the issues Oregonians care most about, and this bill tackles two … Continue Reading
March 10, 2022
Merkley, Wyden Announce Investment Wins to Create Oregon Jobs, Building Foundation for Prosperity in Federal Funding Deal
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announce key provisions that will help create jobs and deliver essential services in Oregon communities in the Senate Appropriations Committee's Energy and Water appropriations bill have been included in Congress's final funding package for fiscal year 2022. The victories for Oregon are in the Energy and Water portion of Congress's omnibus spending bill, which is expected to pass both chambers of Congress and be signed … Continue Reading
March 10, 2022
Merkley, Wyden Announce Crucial Funding to Support Oregon’s World-Class Agriculture
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced a number of crucial wins for Oregon in the Senate agricultural spending bill, which will invest in agriculture, rural housing, food assistance, and rural business priorities that will benefit farms and families in every corner of the state. These wins have been included in Congress's final funding package for fiscal year 2022, the omnibus spending bill, which is expected to pass both chambers of Congress and … Continue Reading
March 10, 2022
Merkley, Wyden Announce Funding for Scientific Research, Public Safety in Congressional Funding Deal
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced federal funding for critical programs supporting economic development, research, and the safety of vulnerable populations in communities across Oregon in Congress's final funding package for fiscal year 2022. The victories for Oregon are in the Commerce, Justice, and Science portion of Congress's omnibus spending bill, which is expected to pass both chambers of Congress and be signed into law by President … Continue Reading
March 09, 2022
Merkley, Wyden Announce Vital Funding for Oregon Forest Health, Environmental Improvements, and Water Infrastructure in Senate Appropriations Bill
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announce critical funding that will help make Oregon's forests more resilient, support rural communities, protect public lands and the environment, bolster important programs for tribes, and more. The victories for Oregon are in the Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations portion of Congress's omnibus spending bill, which is expected to pass both chambers of Congress and be signed into law by President … Continue Reading
March 08, 2022
Wyden Introduces Legislation to Expand Domestic Critical Mineral Supplies, Fuel Clean Energy Manufacturing and Reduce Dependence on Foreign Oil and Gas Imports
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today introduced legislation that would support the processing, manufacturing, and production of critical minerals that would reduce imports of critical minerals, ease reliance on foreign oil and gas and support domestic manufacturing. "Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine has provided a stark reminder of the urgent need to reduce our reliance on foreign oil and gas imports from countries ruled by tyrants like Vladimir Putin," Wyden said. "It's … Continue Reading
March 08, 2022
Wyden Requests Investigation of ICE Bulk Surveillance of Money Transfers
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today called for an investigation of a previously secret surveillance program which collected millions of money transfer records from people sending money to or from the Southwest United States and Mexico. Under the program, Homeland Security Investigations used a form of subpoena power to order two companies to turn over every money transfer over $500, to and from California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and Mexico. This data was shared with … Continue Reading
March 08, 2022
Merkley, Wyden Announce U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is now Accepting Restoration Proposals for Klamath Basin
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) will begin accepting grant proposals for restoration activities in the Klamath Basin. Over the next five years, project proposals that are approved will receive federal funding to address longstanding water problems in the Basin. As Chairman of the Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee, Merkley secured this pool of $162 million dedicated specifically for … Continue Reading
March 07, 2022
Wyden, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Protect Consumers by Banning Forced Arbitration
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden joined colleagues today in introducing legislation that would prohibit banks and other financial institutions from using forced arbitration clauses in Oregon and nationwide against consumers seeking restitution and justice. "For too long now, companies considered 'too big to fail' have been exploiting their power over consumers through confusing arbitration clauses and secretive proceedings," Wyden said. "It is time to rein in the power of … Continue Reading
March 07, 2022
Wyden: FEMA Extends Rent Deadline and Assistance to Fire Survivors Living in Temporary Direct Housing
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today announced, after meeting with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell, that April rent for 2020 fire survivors who are living in FEMA temporary direct housing will not be due until May 1, and will be lower than market rate for some families. "For Oregonians needing FEMA housing, the flames of the 2020 fires have been extinguished, but the road to recovery after the devastating fire remains a long and winding … Continue Reading
March 03, 2022
Merkley, Wyden Announce Nearly $28 Million in FEMA Funds Headed to Oregon
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced major federal funding totaling $27.8 million is headed to the State of Oregon. These funds, dispersed through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), will be used to cover emergency protective measure expenses incurred throughout the state as a direct result of protecting against and preventing the spread of COVID-19, and from the devastating impacts of wildfires … Continue Reading
March 03, 2022
Wyden, Colleagues Call Out Drug Manufacturers For Squeezing American Families With Rapid and Widespread Price Hikes on Prescription Drugs
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden joined colleagues today in expressing concern over findings from two new analyses that reveal troubling, widespread, and rapid price increases for brand name drugs in January 2022. "The large, across-the-board price increases of popular, brand name prescription drugs appear to be an example of pharmaceutical companies taking advantage of their abusive market power to expand already-large profits. And the coordinated and timely price increases ring of … Continue Reading
March 02, 2022
Wyden: Oregon to Receive More than $4.5 Million to Promote Equitable Access to Unemployment Insurance Systems
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden this week announced that Oregon will receive more than $4.5 million in grant funding from the United States Department of Labor (DOL) to address disparities in access to unemployment insurance (UI). "Throughout the pandemic, millions of workers across the country have relied on jobless benefits to make ends meet, but accessing those benefits has been challenging for too many Oregonians, " said Wyden, who secured enhanced unemployment insurance during … Continue Reading
