Press Releases
Merkley and Wyden Secure Critical Aid for the Klamath Basin, Urge Unity to Secure Long-Term Solutions
Washington, D.C.- Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden released the following statement today after the Bureau of Reclamation announced a water allocation for the Klamath Project, as well as $20 million in immediate drought relief for the Project and $5 million in technical assistance for Klamath Basin tribes: "We are committed to working together to help Klamath Basin communities face another extremely difficult water year. The funding that the administration made available this … Continue Reading
April 08, 2022
Wyden, Merkley: $153 Million to Oregon for Largest Ever Federal Investment in Transit
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley this week announced a $153 million investment in Oregon transit, thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The apportionment of these dollars represents the largest-ever investment in transit, giving riders better service while creating good-paying jobs in Oregon and nationwide. "A federal investment in transit systems is critical for Oregonians to get easily from Point A to Point B when they're commuting to work, heading to … Continue Reading
April 06, 2022
Wyden Delivers Floor Speech in Support of Jackson Nomination
Madam President, I've already announced that I will support Judge Jackson's nomination to the Supreme Court. Judge Jackson's character and her qualifications are unassailable, but that hasn't stopped Senate Republicans from treating her disgracefully. Too often behavior in the hearings was simply shameful. It doesn't have to be this way and it wasn't always this way. For example, even though I disagreed with him on plenty of issues, I voted for Chief Justice Roberts, and he was treated very … Continue Reading
April 06, 2022
Wyden, Colleagues Call on FTC to Investigate Oil and Gas Market Practices that May Be Driving Up Gas Prices
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden this week along with Senators Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., and Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., called for federal action to ensure transparency and greater oversight of petroleum markets to protect consumers in Oregon and the West Coast from possible price manipulation. "High and volatile fuel prices are hindering our economy and burdening families," the senators wrote in a letter Tuesday asking the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate whether … Continue Reading
April 06, 2022
Wyden, Merkley: More than $1 Million to Lane County for Protecting Water Supply during 2020 Holiday Farm Fire
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that Lane County Emergency Management will receive $1.02 million in federal reimbursement for measures taken to protect the McKenzie River, the sole source of drinking water for the Eugene metro area, during the 2020 Holiday Farm Fire. "Lane County Emergency Management went above and beyond the call of duty to protect the crucial drinking water source during the devastating Holiday Farm fire, but these efforts were … Continue Reading
April 06, 2022
Merkley, Wyden Announce over $2.2 Million in Federal Funds Headed to Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has awarded the Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency (MWVCAA) a $2,225,000 grant to update its existing veterans' shelter. This award comes after the announcement of MWVCAA's acquisition of a new property immediately adjacent to the existing shelter, a community project Senators Merkley and Wyden supported and requested funds for and which was later approved and … Continue Reading
April 01, 2022
Wyden: Bipartisan Legislation to Help Fix Supply Chain and Ease Shipping Backlogs Passes Senate
Washington, DC -- U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden said today that bipartisan legislation he co-sponsored to help fix supply chains and ease shipping backlogs in Oregon and nationwide has passed the Senate by voice vote. "Oregon farmers and all other businesses exporting our state's world-renowned products need a level playing field to do what they do best -- compete successfully in a global economy so they can continue generating jobs here at home," Wyden said. "And all Oregonians need relief from … Continue Reading
April 01, 2022
Wyden, Merkley, Colleagues Call on Department of Education, DOJ to Follow Through on Pledge to Improve Handling of Student Debt Bankruptcy Claims
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley have joined colleagues in asking the federal Departments of Education and Justice for an update on efforts to improve how the agencies handle undue hardship claims by student borrowers in bankruptcy proceedings. "The undue hardship exception (11 U.S.C. 523(a)(8)) currently serves as the only option in the bankruptcy code for discharge of student loans, and that exception has been narrowly construed by most courts. The federal … Continue Reading
April 01, 2022
Merkley, Wyden, Colleagues Urge Biden Administration to Extend Student Loan Payment Pause and Cancel Student Debt
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden cosigned a letter to President Joseph R. Biden urging the administration to act now to extend the pause on federally-held student loan payments until at least the end of the year and to provide meaningful student debt cancellation. "Given the fast-approaching deadline for borrowers to resume payments, your administration must act as quickly as possible to extend the pause and make clear to the American public your intention … Continue Reading
April 01, 2022
Wyden Announces Statewide Town Hall Schedule For April
Portland - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today announced he will have 12 live on-line town halls hosted by People's Town Hall in April for residents of Coos, Curry, Yamhill, Clatsop, Linn, Benton, Polk, Gilliam, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa and Morrow counties. Heading into this month's virtual town halls, Wyden has held 1,007 town halls statewide in fulfillment of his pledge to hold at least one town hall each year in each of Oregon's 36 counties. "Keeping my commitment for town halls each year in … Continue Reading
April 01, 2022
Wyden, Merkley Co-sponsor Bill to Extend Summer Meal Flexibilities to Feed Children
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said today they are co-sponsoring bipartisan legislation that would extend federal school meal flexibilities for children in Oregon and nationwide from June 30, 2022 to September 30, 2023. These flexibilities have been crucial to feeding children throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. And with 90 percent of schools still facing many challenges as they return to normal operations, these flexibilities give schools and summer meal programs … Continue Reading
March 31, 2022
Wyden Supports Jackson Nomination
Washington, D.C. - Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., issued the following statement in support of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson's nomination to the United States Supreme Court: "Following today's meeting with Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, I'm pleased to officially announce my support of her historic nomination to the Supreme Court. "We had a productive meeting where Judge Jackson's deep knowledge of the law and fair-minded judicial temperament were clear. In particular, we had a good discussion about … Continue Reading
March 31, 2022
Wyden, Colleagues Recognize March 31 as International Transgender Day of Visibility
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today with colleagues introduced a resolution to recognize the achievements and courage of the transgender, nonbinary, gender-nonconforming, and gender-diverse communities around the world, and to celebrate International Transgender Day of Visibility. "Today, we celebrate the lives-the joy, the contributions, the perseverance and so much more-of trans and non-binary people here in the United States and around the world," Wyden said. "As attacks … Continue Reading
March 31, 2022
Wyden, Merkley: More than $30 Million to Oregon for Home Weatherization to Reduce Energy Costs and Increase Resilience
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley this week announced that Oregon will receive $30.6 million in federal funds for home weatherization to help reduce energy expenses for low-income families. "Due to climate change, Oregon is suffering more instances of extreme weather-from heat islands to ice storms-and the costly weatherization and high energy bills have hit families hard," Wyden said. "I am gratified this weatherization assistance can ease the financial burden for … Continue Reading
March 31, 2022
Wyden Renews Calls to Increase Domestic Critical Mineral Production, Reduce Dependence on Foreign Mineral and Energy Imports
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., at a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing today renewed his calls for an overhaul of domestic critical mineral production to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign mineral imports, as well as reliance on foreign energy. "It is past time for the United States to become a competitive producer of critical minerals and wean itself off of both foreign oil and gas imports," said Wyden, a senior member of the Energy and Natural Resources … Continue Reading
March 30, 2022
Wyden, Western Colleagues Urge the Department of Interior to Fund Sagebrush Ecosystem Restoration and Conservation Efforts
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden and seven western colleagues from both parties this week urged the Department of Interior (DOI) to allocate a significant portion of funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law toward sagebrush ecosystem restoration in the American West to boost wildfire mitigation efforts, create jobs and support the economy in Oregon and the West. "As Senators representing Western states, we urge you to allocate a significant portion of these funds to address the … Continue Reading
March 30, 2022
Merkley, Wyden Announce Nearly $2 Million in Federal Funds headed to Northeast Oregon for Forest Resiliency, Wildfire Prevention
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced critical project funding headed to Northeast Oregon. The U.S. Forest Service (FS) will be investing $1.8 million into the La Grande Valley West Resilience Project over the next three years to support forest management and outreach to private forestland owners to support and promote resilient forests, helping prevent out-of-control wildfires. "The La Grande Valley West Resilience Project has multiple benefits, … Continue Reading
March 30, 2022
Wyden, Rubio, Warner Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation to Clarify Costs of Higher Education
Washington, D.C. - Sens. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and Mark Warner, D-Va., today reintroduced legislation that would make the costs and outcomes associated with higher education clear in order to help students, families, policymakers and taxpayers. The bipartisan Student Right to Know Before You Go Act makes data available to prospective college students about schools' graduation rates, debt levels, how much graduates can expect to earn and other critical education and … Continue Reading
March 30, 2022
Wyden, Merkley, Colleagues Demand Answers from Justice Thomas for Violating Federal Conflict-of-Interest Law
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley this week co-signed a letter with Senate and House colleagues to Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and Chief Justice John Roberts demanding answers regarding Justice Thomas's potential violation of federal ethics law, after last week's explosive reporting on the efforts of his wife, Virginia "Ginni" Thomas, to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Justice Thomas was the lone dissenting vote in a Supreme Court case requiring … Continue Reading
March 29, 2022
Merkley, Wyden Announce $32 Million to Oregon for Drinking Water, Wastewater Infrastructure Advancements
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced a total of $32 million in federal funds from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) headed to Oregon to fund safe drinking water projects and strengthen wastewater infrastructure. "Reliable access to clean drinking water is vital to the health and safety of any community-especially during an ongoing global pandemic," said Merkley, Chair of the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee, which funds this … Continue Reading
