Press Releases
Wyden, Merkley: Lane and Douglas Counties to Receive More than $1.7 Million in Housing Choice Vouchers
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that Lane and Douglas Counties will receive a combined $1.7 million in housing choice vouchers from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). "Housing is a human right," Wyden said. "Since we are in this COVID-19 pandemic for the long haul, it is imperative to continue to ensure that basic human needs are being met-and that starts with housing. I'm gratified to see Lane and Douglas counties putting federal dollars to good … Continue Reading
September 15, 2021
Wyden, Merkley: Essential Work to Reduce Youth Homelessness in Three Oregon Counties to Receive $7 Million
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that Lane County and the Mid-Willamette Valley Homeless Alliance serving Marion and Polk counties will receive a combined $7 million in federal funds aimed at reducing youth homelessness. "Every child in America needs a roof over their heads and a floor under their feet so they can focus on learning in school, enjoy good physical and mental health and have the opportunity they deserve for a happy childhood," … Continue Reading
September 15, 2021
Wyden, Merkley Press President Biden to Redirect Defense Funding to Assist Afghans
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today requested that in response to the United States' withdrawal from Afghanistan, the Biden administration reallocate unspent funds previously appropriated for the Department of Defense's Afghanistan war effort to meet the vast Afghan humanitarian and relocation needs. There is an estimated $2.9 billion in unspent funds appropriated for Fiscal Years (FY) 2020 and 2021 intended to support the Afghan National Army, National Police, … Continue Reading
September 14, 2021
Merkley, Wyden Announce $280,000 Investment in Renewable Energy Infrastructure from USDA
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that farms and rural businesses in Oregon will receive $280,000 to help rural communities transition to renewable energy systems and improve climate infrastructure while lowering energy costs. The low-cost loans are coming from a program championed by Merkley as one of his top priorities during his years as the top Democrat on the Senate subcommittee that funds the U.S. Department of Agriculture … Continue Reading
September 13, 2021
Wyden Statement on Reported Nomination of Bedoya to FTC
Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today released the following statement on the reported nomination of Alvaro Bedoya to a seat on the Federal Trade Commission: "Alvaro Bedoya has been a perceptive, energetic champion for the privacy of everyone who uses or is impacted by technology, especially the most vulnerable in our society. I applaud President Biden's reported decision to choose someone who truly understands the need to safeguard Americans' privacy and security - and to fight against intrusive … Continue Reading
September 13, 2021
Wyden, Merkley: PSU to Receive More Than $200,000 for Special Education Teaching Doctoral Program
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that Portland State University (PSU) will received $200,000 grant for a doctoral program to tackle the shortage of special education teacher leaders. "All children deserve the opportunity to get a top-notch education that takes into account their needs and abilities," Wyden said. "I applaud PSU for doing its part to tackle the shortage of special education teacher leaders, and hope this program continues to … Continue Reading
September 13, 2021
Wyden, Merkley: More than $140,000 to Klamath Community College to Recruit Veterans for a Commercial Driver Training Program
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that Klamath Community College has earned a $140,856 grant from the United States Department of Transportation for a commercial driver training program for veterans. "Oregonians who have served this country deserve every opportunity to have productive civilian careers," Wyden said. "The Commercial Driver's License program will play a crucial role in ensuring that student veterans at Klamath Community College have a … Continue Reading
September 10, 2021
Wyden, Merkley Announce Application Process for U.S. Attorney for Oregon
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced they are opening an application process for candidates interested in filling the job of U.S. Attorney for Oregon. Applicants wanting to be considered by a selection committee assembled by the two Oregon senators should send a completed application, cover letter, and resume to elise_gaffney@wyden.senate.gov. The deadline for applications is Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021. The application is here. The previous U.S. Attorney for … Continue Reading
September 10, 2021
Wyden and Merkley Cheer Federal Dollars to Help Health Providers Through COVID Surge
Washington, D.C. - Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden and U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley today cheered an announcement by the Biden Administration that $25.5 billion from the Provider Relief Fund (PRF) would be distributed to health care providers in Oregon and across the nation amidst a surge in COVID-19 cases. "The delta variant has put Oregon health providers under enormous strain as frontline health care workers approach their breaking point," said Wyden, who in recent weeks has heard … Continue Reading
September 10, 2021
Wyden Calls for Bolstered Ports Infrastructure Funding in Upcoming Build Back Better Bill to Address Congestion
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today called for at least $2.5 billion in funding to address port congestion in the upcoming Build Back Better bill as a critical step to the success of ports -- a major economic engine and vital to job creation in Oregon and nationwide. "We write to urge your support for addressing port congestion through funding the Maritime Administration's (MARAD) Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP). We ask that you provide at least $2.5 billion in … Continue Reading
September 09, 2021
Wyden, Merkley Urge President Biden to Take All Necessary Legal Steps to Terminate Remain in Mexico Policy
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today urged President Biden in a letter to take all necessary legal steps to terminate the Remain in Mexico policy - or the perversely named Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) - that placed tens of thousands of asylum seekers and migrants in danger. The letter signed by eight U.S. senators and 23 U.S. representatives comes after the U.S. Supreme Court denied the Biden administration's request for an emergency stay in Biden v. Texas, a … Continue Reading
September 08, 2021
Merkley, Wyden, DeFazio Applaud New FEMA Steps to Make it Easier for Oregonians Impacted by Future Wildfires to Access Assistance
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, alongside Representative Peter DeFazio (D-OR-04), announced today that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is making a number of changes to reduce barriers for underserved populations seeking to access federal assistance in the wake of future natural disasters, including wildfires. The announcement comes a year after the 2020 Labor Day fires-and their plumes of hazardous smoke-devastated families, businesses, and … Continue Reading
September 07, 2021
Oregon Delegation Announces Funding for Cascadia Subduction Zone Earthquake and Tsunami Preparedness
WASHINGTON - Oregon's congressional Democrats today announced federal funding to help Oregon prepare for a Cascadia Subduction Zone (CSZ) earthquake and tsunami. The funds are being allocated through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) FY2021 Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grant Program. Oregon will receive $388,463 to support the development of a comprehensive logistics and supply chain management plan in the event of a Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake. The grants are … Continue Reading
September 07, 2021
Merkley, Wyden Announce $225,000 for Tribal Economic Development WA
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians (ATNI) will be receiving $225,000 in federal funding to assist with job creation and capital investment strategy. "While we are still trying to build our economy back from a global pandemic, we can't forget or leave behind those who have been hit hardest-including Indigenous Americans and tribal communities," Merkley said. "I am pleased that this funding will … Continue Reading
September 03, 2021
Wyden, Merkley: More than $800,000 to Lane County to Expand Community Health Care Workforce During Pandemic
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that Lane County will receive $877,731 to train community health workers to support COVID-19 public health response and build community resilience as the COVID pandemic drags on. "It's clear that we are in this pandemic for longer than we hoped and need a collaborative, community-wide approach to continue to build vaccination levels and weather these variants," Wyden said. "I am gratified to see Lane County earn these … Continue Reading
September 03, 2021
Merkley, Wyden Announce $2.1 Million in Funding to Protect Kids in Medford from Lead Paint
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced that $2.1 million in federal funding is headed to Medford to protect children from lead-based paint hazards in older homes. "No Oregonian-regardless of where they live or what their job is-should have to worry about whether their home is poisoning them or their children," said Merkley. "I'm pleased that this funding is coming to Medford to help us address the threats posed by remnants of lead-based paint, … Continue Reading
September 02, 2021
Merkley, Wyden Urge Funding for Wildfire and Drought Prevention, Mitigation, and Relief Efforts in Upcoming Reconciliation Bill
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden are working alongside their colleagues from western states to urge the Senate Committee chairs tasked with drafting the upcoming budget reconciliation legislation to include funding for wildfire and drought prevention, mitigation, and relief measures in their respective sections of the bill. "In the West, climate change has increased the severity and frequency of wildfires and caused record high temperatures and drought … Continue Reading
September 01, 2021
Wyden, Merkley: Fair Housing Council of Oregon to Receive $500,000 in Federal Grants
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that the Fair Housing Council of Oregon will receive $500,000 in federal Fair Housing Initiatives Program grants to provide equal access to housing for thousands of Oregonians. "I am gratified to see a concentrated federal investment in Oregon communities hit hard by a crushing combination of the housing affordability crisis and housing discrimination," Wyden said. "Housing is a human right and every dollar counts … Continue Reading
August 31, 2021
Merkley, Wyden, Blumenauer, Bonamici Push Department of Justice to Investigate Hate Group Networks
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, alongside Representatives Earl Blumenauer (D-OR-3) and Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-1), are pushing the U.S. Department of Justice to prioritize investigating the networks that exist across state lines to support, operationalize, and recruit people into extremist and hateful ideological groups. The lawmakers' letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland follows the Proud Boys' most recent incursion into Portland, which left a wake … Continue Reading
August 31, 2021
Wyden Calls on VA to Address Impact of Afghanistan Withdrawal on Veterans’ Mental Health
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today joined a bipartisan group of 35 senators calling on the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to swiftly develop and conduct outreach to veterans of the Global War on Terrorism - especially those who served in Afghanistan - to provide them with mental health resources. Their call for action comes as reports find calls to veterans' suicide hotlines have increased since the fall of Kabul earlier this month. "We write in light of the recent events in … Continue Reading
