Press Releases
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
November 21, 2022
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
