Press Releases
Wyden Cosponsors Legislation to Spur Local Economic Growth, Job Creation by Connecting Affordable Housing and Access to Public Transit
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden said today he is cosponsoring legislation that would provide incentives to the coordinated development of affordable housing and transit in Oregon and nationwide. The Livable Communities Act of 2021 encourages local communities to partner strategically to develop bold, innovative solutions that reflect their unique character, while leveraging existing assets, including access to transit to help revitalize neighborhoods, spur economic development, create … Continue Reading
August 04, 2021
Wyden Introduces Bill to Reform Federal Court Record System to Ensure Easy & Free Use For All Americans
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today introduced a bill that would make federal court records free and easily accessible for all Americans. The bipartisan Open Courts Act, introduced by Wyden and U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, would reform the federal government's Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER), a database of federal judicial filings. "For far too long, unnecessary paywalls have kept the American people from freely accessing public court records. The Open Courts … Continue Reading
August 04, 2021
Wyden, Merkley: $2.5 Million to Go to Oregon College Prep Programs for Underserved Students
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that seven college preparation programs all over the state will receive a combined more than $2.5 million to increase the number of young Oregonians from disadvantaged backgrounds who complete high school and enroll in postsecondary education. "Programs like these can make the difference in an Oregon student's life between starting out with a high school diploma or as a high school dropout," Wyden said. "Every student … Continue Reading
August 03, 2021
Wyden Urges Labor Department to Establish Federal Heat Standard to Protect Workers
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today demanded the Department of Labor's (DOL) Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) take action to establish a federal heat stress standard to protect workers exposed to excessive heat. "With the increasing prevalence of extreme weather conditions as well as employers who neglect to invest in their workplaces, the risk this danger poses for our workers, communities, and the economy is at a pressure point," Wyden and 12 other senators … Continue Reading
August 03, 2021
Merkley, Wyden Announce Nearly $35 Million in Federal Grants Headed to Oregon to Support Wildfire Recovery Efforts
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that nearly $35 million in federal grant funding is headed to Marion, Jackson, Lane, Lincoln, and Douglas counties to help cover the cost of wildfire debris removal efforts. "When the Labor Day fires hit last year, I criss-crossed our state to meet with impacted communities and assess the damage," said Merkley. "It's impossible to put into words how heartbreaking it is to see the rubble of cherished homes and … Continue Reading
August 02, 2021
Wyden, Colleagues Call on Leadership to Fund Violence Against Women Act Programs in Reconciliation Package
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today joined Senate colleagues in a letter to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., urging him to include funding for Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) programs in the upcoming reconciliation package. "As the country reopens, more evidence has emerged that the pandemic caused the rates and severity of incidents of domestic violence to increase across the country. Social isolation, economic uncertainty, and general anxiety about the virus added … Continue Reading
August 02, 2021
Merkley, Wyden, Bentz Announce Additional $15 Million Headed to Klamath Basin to Address Historic Water Crisis
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, along with Representative Cliff Bentz (R-OR-2), announced today that an additional $15 million in drought relief will be delivered to help irrigators in the Klamath Basin who are suffering through historic, severe drought. This funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture adds to the $18 million that the lawmakers secured earlier this summer for water users-including irrigators, Klamath Tribes, and wetlands-in the … Continue Reading
August 02, 2021
Wyden, Merkley: More than $5 Million to go to Community Colleges in Willamette Valley and Eastern Oregon
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that Mt. Hood Community College, Chemeketa Community College, and Treasure Valley Community College will receive a combined more than $5 million to respond to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. "With the advent of more contagious variants of the COVID-19 virus, colleges around the state need support to continue adapting to keep their students safe," Wyden said. "These CARES Act dollars will go a long way to help … Continue Reading
July 30, 2021
Wyden, Merkley: Central Oregon Airports to Receive More than $6.1 Million in Federal Grants
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said today that airports in Redmond and Prineville have earned a combined $6.1 million from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) for operations, concessions, personnel, and sanitation. "Rural airports serve as critical connectors for every nook and cranny of Oregon, and ARPA dollars will serve to benefit the local economy as more and more people travel to experience Central Oregon's world-class recreation," Wyden said. "I'm … Continue Reading
July 30, 2021
Wyden, Brown Introduce Bill to Lower Cost of Rent for Workers and Families
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) have introduced legislation that would lower the cost of rent for families across the country. Their Renters Tax Credit Act of 2021 would establish a new renters tax credit to make housing more affordable for low-income households. These households, which include many low-wage workers, seniors, and people with disabilities living on low, fixed incomes, are far more likely than other households to pay very high shares of … Continue Reading
July 30, 2021
Wyden Co-Sponsors Legislation to Examine History of Racially Restrictive Covenants
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden said today he is co-sponsoring legislation that would examine the history of racially restrictive covenants-which were used as tools of discrimination to keep Black families and households of color from moving into certain neighborhoods-so we can better understand the scope of these covenants. "Many of the 21st century neighborhoods we know were fundamentally and cruelly shaped by racist red-lining and discriminatory covenants," said Wyden. "The … Continue Reading
July 29, 2021
Wyden, Merkley: $54,000 in American Rescue Plan Act Funds to go to Gold Beach and La Grande/Union County Airports
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that Gold Beach Municipal Airport and La Grande/Union County Airport will receive a combined $54,000 in federal grants for operations, sanitation, and personnel. "Rural airports serve as critical connectors for every nook and cranny of Oregon and provide crucial support for wildfire suppression via aircraft," Wyden said. "I'm gratified that Gold Beach and La Grande have secured these federal dollars, and will … Continue Reading
July 29, 2021
Wyden, Tillis and Whitehouse Introduce Bipartisan Bill To Combat Counterfeit Court Orders
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore, with Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., introduced new legislation to combat the growing use of counterfeit court orders by scammers and criminals. Forged court orders, usually involving copy-and-pasted signatures of judges, have been used to authorize illegal wiretaps and fraudulently take down legitimate reviews and websites by those seeking to conceal negative information and past crimes. The Digital … Continue Reading
July 28, 2021
Wyden Secures Key Provisions to Protect Whistleblowers, Defend Democracy and Strengthen Oversight in Intelligence Bill
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., secured key provisions that protect Intelligence Community whistleblowers, defend the security of Congress and strengthen oversight as part of the Intelligence Authorization Act that passed the Senate Intelligence Committee today. Wyden, a senior member of the Intelligence Committee, applauded the committee for including his provisions in the bill. "Smart intelligence policy doesn't have to be a boxing match," Wyden said. "I thank my … Continue Reading
July 27, 2021
Oregon Delegation Pushes Feds for More Relief Following Historic Wildfires, Droughts, Heat
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's entire congressional delegation today joined with Western colleagues in the House and Senate to urge the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to secure more relief for farmers, ranchers, and other agriculture producers in the West affected by historic wildfires, droughts, and extreme heat. In a letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack signed by U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and U.S. Representatives Peter DeFazio, Earl Blumenauer, Kurt Schrader, … Continue Reading
July 27, 2021
Wyden, Jayapal Reintroduce Legislation to Provide Alternatives to Incarceration for Parents and Caregivers to Keep Families Together, Children Out of Foster Care
Legislation is endorsed by nearly 100 criminal justice, civil rights and child welfare organizations Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., today reintroduced legislation to create an alternative to incarceration for eligible parents and caregivers and provide them the resources they need so their children can stay safely at home instead of entering the foster care system The Finding Alternatives to Mass Incarceration: Lives … Continue Reading
July 27, 2021
Wyden, Merkley: Redmond Airport to Receive $800,000 Federal Grant
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said today the Redmond Airport has earned an $800,000 federal grant to recruit, initiate and support new air service from Central Oregon to Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport. "Expanded air links for the Redmond Airport strengthen the Central Oregon economy by adding options for visitors attracted by the region's world-class recreation, and make it easier for local families wanting to connect with loved ones," Wyden … Continue Reading
July 26, 2021
Wyden Co-sponsors Bill to Reform Disaster Recovery, Speed Up Aid to Families
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden said today he is co-sponsoring bipartisan legislation that would help communities in Oregon and nationwide plan for and recover faster from wildfires and other major disasters. "Oregonians struggling to put their lives back together after a wildfire or other disaster deserve the smoothest possible path for the federal response that's needed to help them with a recovery," Wyden said. "The Reforming Disaster Recovery Act would iron out the bureaucratic … Continue Reading
July 26, 2021
Wyden, Cantwell, Kelly Introduce Legislation to Revive, Sustain Trusted Local News
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) said today he has introduced legislation with U.S. Sens. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) that would help financially support local news organizations through tax credits to incentivize hiring more journalists, subscriptions, and advertising from local small businesses. "The decline of local news has had devastating effects on our communities," said Wyden, chair of the Senate Finance Committee. "Local news has often been the only window … Continue Reading
July 26, 2021
Wyden, Merkley Co-Sponsor Bill to Close Retirement Gap for Women
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said today they are co-sponsoring the Women's Retirement Protection Act of 2021 (WRPA) legislation to address the retirement gap and bolster women's financial security. "Coming out of a pandemic where more than 4 in 10 women expect to see long-term impacts on their finances, it is time to invest in economic equality so that everyone has the opportunity for a stable and secure retirement," Wyden said. "WRPA legislation would … Continue Reading
