Press Releases
Merkley, Wyden Welcome $400 Million to Combat Historic Western Drought
Washington, D.C. - Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden welcomed the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) announcement of $400 million to address drought through investments at the irrigation district scale in 12 states across the American West. The Central Oregon Irrigation District (COID) was selected for this innovative funding opportunity in Oregon. “As climate chaos fuels long-term drought in Oregon and across the American West, the federal government must use all the … Continue Reading
August 01, 2024
Wyden, Paul, Lummis Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Abolish the Selective Service
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Rand Paul, R-Ky., and Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., today introduced a bipartisan bill to end the Selective Service. The Selective Service runs an annual budget of more than $31 million per year, preparing for a draft that has not occurred since 1973. “The Selective Service is a long-outdated program that eats up millions of taxpayer dollars and gives us nothing in return,” Wyden said. “Our volunteer military forces are the strongest in the … Continue Reading
August 01, 2024
Wyden, Merkley Announce $4 Million Federal Investment for Wastewater Infrastructure Improvements in Independence
WASHINGTON D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced a federal investment of $4 million for wastewater infrastructure improvements in the City of Independence. “Continuing to improve Oregon’s critical infrastructure, while also creating good-paying local jobs adds up to a big win in my book,” Wyden said. “Oregonians deserve to raise their families in healthy environments while being able to make a living in the communities they choose to call home. I’m gratified that … Continue Reading
July 31, 2024
Wyden Votes No on Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Permitting Reform Bill
Watch Wyden’s remarks here Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today in the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources voted against proposed legislation to overhaul leasing and permitting for energy projects, citing serious concerns about the legislation giving unfair advantages to oil and gas projects over renewable energy-an approach he believes is antithetical to the technology-neutral energy victory that he carefully negotiated in the Inflation Reduction … Continue Reading
July 31, 2024
Wyden Announces Town Halls in Washington, Marion, Benton and Lane Counties
Portland - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today announced he will hold open-to-all town halls next week in Washington, Marion, Benton and Lane counties. Heading into these four town halls, Wyden will have held 1,093 town halls throughout Oregon - including 28 so far this year -- in fulfillment of his pledge to hold at least one town hall each year in each of our state’s 36 counties. “Hearing directly from Oregonians helps me represent every nook and cranny of our state,” Wyden said. “In the nearly … Continue Reading
July 31, 2024
Merkley, Wyden Tout Nearly $3 Million for Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde’s Affordable Housing Efforts
Washington, D.C. - Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is awarding $2,916,635 to the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde to support the construction of 8 housing units, increasing the number of housing units available to Tribal families. “Ensuring access to safe, affordable housing is critical to Tribal families, fostering community and connecting them to their land,” Merkley said. “This nearly $3 … Continue Reading
July 30, 2024
Wyden and Raskin Demand Release of All Wrongfully Detained Human Rights Advocates in Saudi Arabia
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and U.S. Representative Jamie Raskin, D-Md., wrote a letter to President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken urging the U.S. government to call on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to release all wrongfully detained human rights advocates. “Five years after the grisly murder and dismemberment of Jamal Khashoggi, which was ordered by Saudi authorities, we are profoundly troubled by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s continuing crackdown on … Continue Reading
July 29, 2024
Wyden, Merkley Announced $577,943 for Pollution Monitoring to the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians
Washington, D.C. - Oregon’s U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley announced that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is awarding $577,943 to the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians (CTCLUSI) for programs to address environmental and public health concerns related to pollution. “The ability to monitor air and water quality with accuracy and in real time is essential to public health,” Wyden said. “I’m glad the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua … Continue Reading
July 29, 2024
Merkley, Wyden Announce Over $17 Million in Federal Funding Coming to Oregon for Airport Improvement Projects
Washington, D.C. - Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is awarding $17,364,442 to the state under the Airport Improvement Program (AIP). “Oregon’s airports connect communities across our state to the rest of the world—supporting local businesses, transporting goods, connecting travelers to world-class recreational opportunities, and providing essential lifelines during natural disasters,” Merkley said. “This $17 … Continue Reading
July 26, 2024
Merkley, Wyden Announce Nearly $2 Million for Portland State University to Curb Marine Microplastics in Coastal Tourism
Washington, D.C. - Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that Portland State University (PSU) is receiving $1,976,806 from the U.S. Department of Commerce and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) through the Sea Grant Marine Debris Challenge Competition. The federal funding will support PSU’s efforts to create solutions to address microplastics from coastal tourism, a critical industry in Oregon’s coastal communities. "For years, we were … Continue Reading
July 26, 2024
Wyden Investigation Reveals New Details About Automakers’ Sharing of Driver Information with Data Brokers; Wyden and Markey Urge FTC to Crack Down on Disclosures of Americans’ Data Without Drivers’ Consent
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Edward J. Markey, D-Mass., urged the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate and hold responsible automakers and their data broker partners, for disclosing data on millions of Americans, without consent in a letter today. An investigation by Wyden revealed new facts regarding automakers’ disclosure of driving data, such as sudden braking and acceleration, to data brokers for subsequent resale to insurance companies. General Motors … Continue Reading
July 25, 2024
Wyden Statement on the Kids Online Safety Act
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., released the following statement today on the Kids Online Safety Act, announcing he will oppose final passage of the legislation: “After months of negotiations, the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) has been improved, thanks to hard work by Commerce Chair Cantwell and Leader Schumer. The changes that I, LGBTQ+ advocates, parents, student activists, civil rights groups and others have fought for over the last two years have made it less likely … Continue Reading
July 25, 2024
Merkley, Wyden Push to Bring More Federal Firefighting Resources to Oregon
Washington, D.C. - As an unprecedented number of devastating wildfires burn across the state this July, Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden sent an urgent letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Interior Secretary Deb Haaland calling for more firefighting resources to respond to the growing wildfire crisis. Federal land management agencies are currently providing critical resources in Oregon, but as needs for the 2024 wildfire season grow rapidly—underscored by multiple … Continue Reading
July 25, 2024
Wyden, Merkley, Bonamici, Salinas, Hoyle Announce $2 Million to Oregon for Soil Health Management
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley with U.S. Representatives Suzanne Bonamici, Andrea Salinas and Val Hoyle today announced $2 million in federal funds for soil health programs on Oregon farms made available through the Inflation Reduction Act. “Oregon is great at both growing things and adding value to them, but we need to make sure we do both in a sustainable way,” said Wyden. “I am always eager to support programs that tackle challenges farmers face while helping … Continue Reading
July 25, 2024
Oregon, Washington’s U.S. Senators Urge BPA to Carefully Consider Day-Ahead Electricity Market Decision
Washington, D.C. - Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, and Washington’s U.S. Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell today sent a letter urging the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) to make a careful, deliberate decision about which power market to join. Currently, the BPA is considering joining one of two electricity markets: the California Independent System Operator (CAISO)’s Extended Day-Ahead Market (EDAM) or the Southwest Power Pool (SPP)’s Markets+ day-ahead market. … Continue Reading
July 24, 2024
Wyden, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Make Federal Technology More Accessible for People with Disabilities
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., alongside U.S. Senators Bob Casey, D-Pa., John Fetterman, D-Pa., and Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., today introduced a new bill that would require federal agencies to take a series of steps to ensure people with disabilities can use the federal government’s technology. While Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act requires agencies to make federal technology accessible, a 2022 Senate Aging Committee investigation found that department and agency … Continue Reading
July 23, 2024
Wyden, Merkley, Hoyle Announce $16.6 Million to Oregon for Habitat Restoration and Coastal Resilience Projects
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and U.S. Representative Val Hoyle today announced $16.6 million in federal funds for Oregon habitat restoration and coastal resilience projects made available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act. “Salmon, fishing and our beautiful outdoors are all central to Oregon’s economy and identity,” Wyden said. “This funding is exactly what I fought for in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation … Continue Reading
July 19, 2024
Wyden, Merkley: Nearly $5 Million to Reduce Pollution from Manufacturing of Construction Materials
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced nearly $5 million in federal funds for businesses in McMinnville and Portland to help combat pollution caused by the manufacturing of materials used in construction projects; an industry that accounts for 15% of global greenhouse gas emissions. “If we want to build a cleaner and more resilient future in Oregon and across the nation, then we need the right tools and materials to do so,” said Wyden. “I applaud this … Continue Reading
July 19, 2024
Wyden, Merkley, Hoyle Announce $435,000 to Oregon for Agricultural and Nutritional Education
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley with U.S. House Representative Val Hoyle today announced $435,335 in federal funds for Oregon agricultural and nutritional education programs that will establish farms, gardens, and experiences to help connect students with local food systems. “Oregon excels at many things, but particularly in growing things and adding value to them,” said Wyden. “Every year I visit Oregon’s amazing counties growing our state’s marvelous bounty and … Continue Reading
July 19, 2024
Merkley, Wyden Join Legislation to Combat Anticompetitive Behavior in the Residential Housing Market
Washington, D.C. - Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced they joined the recently introduced Housing Acquisitions Review and Transparency (HART) Act, led by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH). The bill requires corporations and private equity firms that buy up large amounts of housing to report those transactions to antitrust enforcers to stop anticompetitive transactions that could increase rents, decrease services, and push homebuyers out of … Continue Reading
