Press Releases
Wyden, Merkley: Jefferson County to Receive $140,000 Federal Broadband Investment
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said today that Jefferson County will receive $140,000 in federal funds from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to help boost broadband access and speed in the county. "Improved broadband for rural Oregon is as crucial to good infrastructure now as electrification once was decades back for rural America," said Wyden, who also is urging the FCC to make rural broadband a priority. "This federal investment … Continue Reading
June 11, 2021
Following Extremely Destructive 2020 Wildfire Season: Merkley, Wyden Push Biden Administration for Disaster Supplemental Funding to Help Communities Rebuild
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today pressed President Biden to provide additional relief to states struggling with the impact of extreme drought and wildfires. According to the Drought Monitor, over half of the United States is currently experiencing a historic drought. Over 95 percent of the West is now either abnormally dry or in a drought-making current conditions among the most dry within the past two decades. "When Oregon went up in flames last … Continue Reading
June 10, 2021
Wyden Calls for Investigation, Reforms, Following Revelations of Trump Spying on Members of Congress
U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today issued the following statement after reports that Donald Trump spied on Members of Congress: "Donald Trump's efforts to surveil Adam Schiff as part of a political vendetta is both a direct attack on the separation of powers and Congressional independence. "Revelations about the Trump Justice Department's targeting of journalists and political rivals proves again how surveillance powers can be abused and the need to put strict limits on gag orders that … Continue Reading
June 10, 2021
Wyden, Merkley Co-Sponsor Legislation to Guarantee Equal Access to Abortion Everywhere in the U.S.
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said today they have joined colleagues in supporting legislation that would guarantee equal access to abortion everywhere in the United States. "Reproductive rights are human rights," said Wyden, who recently introduced a bill to ensure access to abortion regardless of insurance coverage. "In the past decade, we've seen concerted efforts at both state and federal levels to restrict access to abortion. Reproductive freedom should not … Continue Reading
June 10, 2021
Wyden, Merkley: More Than $800,000 to go to Oregon Small Businesses Developing Novel Clean Energy and Climate Solutions
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that four Oregon companies will receive critical seed funding totaling more than $800,000 from the Department of Energy to pursue projects in clean energy technologies and climate solutions. "Small businesses are the lifeblood of Oregon's economy, supporting jobs in our communities and tackling the big challenges faced by our nation," Wyden said. "As the climate emergency persists, I'm happy to see the Department of … Continue Reading
June 10, 2021
Wyden, Merkley Join Colleagues in Introducing Resolution Recognizing June as LGBTQ Pride Month
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said today they have joined all 50 Senate Democrats to introduce a Senate resolution recognizing June as LGBTQ Pride Month. The resolution highlights the contributions LGBTQ individuals have made to American society, notes several major milestones in the fight for equal treatment of LGBTQ Americans, and resolves to continue efforts to achieve full equality for LGBTQ individuals. The resolution also recognizes how the … Continue Reading
June 10, 2021
Wyden, Merkley Reintroduce Legislation to Investigate and Hold Police Officers and Departments Accountable for Discriminatory Practices
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said today they have joined colleagues to reintroduce legislation that would strengthen the ability of the U.S. Department of Justice's (DOJ) and state governments to investigate police departments with a pattern or practice of unconstitutional and discriminatory behavior. During the Obama administration, DOJ used its authority to investigate police departments with a track record of unconstitutional policing and hold them … Continue Reading
June 09, 2021
Wyden Co-sponsors Bill to Require Equal Pay for U.S. Soccer Teams
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden today co-sponsored legislation that would require the U.S. Soccer Federation to agree to providing equitable pay to both the women's and men's national teams in order to receive federal funds related to the 2026 World Cup. "The U.S. Women's National Soccer team working hard to represent our country and win on fields across the globe deserves a level playing field when it comes to equal pay here at home," Wyden said. "This legislation would achieve that … Continue Reading
June 08, 2021
Competition and Innovation Bill Includes New Tools to Target Chinese Trade Cheating, Spur U.S. Research and Manufacturing
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., applauded the passage of the bipartisan United States Innovation and Competition Act today, which includes critical priorities to help workers and employers in Oregon and across the country level the playing field with China. "The Senate came together to deliver a massive, bipartisan win for U.S. workers and American innovation. From new incentives for tech R&D, to new tools targeting Chinese government trade cheating and stronger … Continue Reading
June 08, 2021
Wyden Co-sponsors Bill to End LGBTQ+ and Religious Discrimination in the Child Welfare System
Washington, DC - U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden said today he is co-sponsoring legislation that would prohibit discrimination against prospective foster or adoptive parents, and children and youth in the foster care system on the basis of religion, marital status, gender identity, or sexual orientation. The John Lewis Every Child Deserves a Family Act also would bar harmful practices like conversion therapy for children participating in child welfare programs receiving federal funding, improve services … Continue Reading
June 05, 2021
Wyden Statement On DOJ Announcement That It Will No Longer Subpoena Reporter Communications In Leak Investigations
U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today released the following statement on the Department of Justice announcement that it will no longer seek reporter communications as part of leak investigations: "President Biden and Attorney General Garland are doing the right thing by turning the page on the Trump administration's abusive surveillance of journalists, as Congressman Raskin and I urged last month. As a longtime critic of unnecessary government surveillance, it is refreshing to see an … Continue Reading
June 04, 2021
Wyden Statement on Rise of Anti-Semitic Hate
U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today released the following statement: "I have always stood against anti-Semitism, and other forms of hate and discrimination, and I do not care one iota whether this bigotry comes from the political right or the political left. So I note with dismay and anger that anti-Semitic attacks, harassment and rhetoric continue to spike around the world. Just this week, the European Union documented a surge in online anti-Semitism during the COVID-19 pandemic and the … Continue Reading
June 03, 2021
Wyden Statement on SCOTUS Van Buren v. United States Decision
U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today issued the following statement on the Supreme Court decision in Van Buren v. United States, which limited the reach of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act: "The Supreme Court recognized today that the terribly written CFAA crossed the line by criminalizing everyday activities like using your work computer to read the news or send personal emails. Today's ruling helps rectify the damage caused by that reactionary law. However, today's case highlights the … Continue Reading
June 01, 2021
Merkley, Wyden Announce Over $500,000 in Federal Investments in the Arts Across Oregon
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced that $536,100 in National Endowment of the Arts (NEA) funding is headed to 22 schools, organizations, and museums in Oregon dedicated to art, dance, and music. "During the pain, uncertainty, and anxiety of this past year, many of us turned to music, books, movies, and other art forms for escape and comfort," said Merkley. "Art plays a critical role in enriching our lives, and it's important, especially right … Continue Reading
May 28, 2021
Wyden, Merkley Join Colleagues to Introduce Resolution Marking May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said today they have introduced a resolution marking May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. The resolution highlights the contributions to our country by generations of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. "This month, we celebrate the heritage, culture, and contributions of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders in Oregon and nationwide," Wyden said. "As anti-Asian hate crimes … Continue Reading
May 27, 2021
Sen. Ron Wyden, U.S. Rep. Blake Moore Introduce the Bipartisan Recreation Not Red-Tape Act to Enhance Americans’ Ability to Access and Enjoy Public Lands
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and U.S. Rep. Blake Moore, R-Utah, today introduced the Recreation Not Red-Tape Act to remove barriers to outdoor recreation, making it easier for Americans to enjoy public lands and boosting rural economies across the country. This bipartisan legislation would require the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management to review their permitting processes for guides and recreation enthusiasts and improve efficiency, encourage military branches to … Continue Reading
May 27, 2021
Sen. Ron Wyden, U.S. Rep. Blake Moore Introduce the Bipartisan Recreation Not Red-Tape Act to Enhance Americans’ Ability to Access and Enjoy Public Lands
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and U.S. Rep. Blake Moore, R-Utah, today introduced the Recreation Not Red-Tape Act to remove barriers to outdoor recreation, making it easier for Americans to enjoy public lands and boosting rural economies across the country. This bipartisan legislation would require the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management to review their permitting processes for guides and recreation enthusiasts and improve efficiency, encourage military branches to … Continue Reading
May 27, 2021
Wyden, Merkley Join Colleagues to Reintroduce Reproductive Rights are Human Rights Act
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said today they have reintroduced the Reproductive Rights are Human Rights Act, which would direct the State Department to report on the status of reproductive rights in United Nations member states and countries receiving U.S. foreign aid in its annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices (Human Rights Reports). "Human rights include the right to reproductive choice. Reproductive freedom is fundamental to ensuring … Continue Reading
May 27, 2021
Wyden Introduces Bill to Help Improve Broadband Coverage for Small Ports
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today introduced a bill to help small ports in Oregon and nationwide get federal loans that would improve their broadband coverage, helping them to grow economically and ensuring they have real-time access to weather updates. Wyden's Broadband Internet for Small Ports Act would add small ports to the priority list for applications to the Agriculture Department's Rural Utility Service broadband access loan program, which funds construction and … Continue Reading
May 26, 2021
Wyden, Warren, Brown, Casey, Smith Introduce New Bill to Build Child Care Infrastructure and Availability
Washington, D.C. - Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, Bob Casey, D-Pa., and Tina Smith, D-Minn., today introduced a new bill allocating mandatory funding to build child care availability over the long term and treat child care like the critical infrastructure that it is for families. Wyden, Warren and Smith, along with House members, last week released a new report highlighting the critical need to expand and … Continue Reading
