Press Releases
Wyden Introduces Bill to Improve Watershed Resilience and Health
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today introduced a bill to improve the resilience and health of the nation's watersheds - the land leading into streams, rivers or lakes. Watersheds play an essential role in the health and economic livelihood of local communities, supporting safe drinking water for communities, outdoor recreation and productive fisheries. "As the American West continues to face unprecedented heat waves and droughts due to the climate crisis, it's more … Continue Reading
September 22, 2021
Wyden, Casey Applaud Administration for Publishing User-Friendly COVID-19 Vaccination Nursing Home Data
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Bob Casey today applauded the Biden Administration for publishing user-friendly data on the rate of COVID-19 vaccinations among residents and workers at more than 15,000 individual nursing homes across the country. The move comes after multiple requests from Wyden (D-OR) and Casey (D-PA) to put this data in the hands of nursing home residents, workers and families. "This important step will help families easily access key data about the safety of … Continue Reading
September 22, 2021
Merkley, Wyden, Colleagues Urge Biden Administration to Increase Wildland Firefighter Pay
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden joined a group of Senate colleagues urging the Biden Administration to increase the pay for federal wildland firefighters and transition many from seasonal to permanent status. The senators noted that pay disparities amongst wildland firefighters are limiting personnel and will leave areas vulnerable to catastrophic wildfires. In the letter, they requested that at least 1,000 seasonal firefighting positions be promoted to … Continue Reading
September 21, 2021
Wyden, Merkley: More than $1.6 Million in Housing Vouchers will go to the Metro Area for Families and Youth Aging out of Foster Care
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that the housing authorities for Clackamas County and the city of Portland have earned a combined $1.6 million in housing vouchers to support families and youth aging out of foster care. "Foster kids making the transition to adulthood in Oregon and nationwide often need support to help them face all of life's challenges," Wyden said. "I'm gratified these federal resources will assist Clackamas County and the City of … Continue Reading
September 21, 2021
Wyden, Merkley: Two Rural Electric Co-ops in Oregon to Receive $21 Million in FEMA Funds for Repairs from Wildfires
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that Lane Electric Cooperative and Consumers Power Inc. -- two electrical co-ops serving rural Oregonians -- will receive a combined $21 million in federal funds to help cover the cost of repairs to infrastructure damaged by wildfires in September 2020. "The need for federal resources to help Oregonians rebound from these wildfires was clear from the destruction I witnessed statewide, and the powerful accounts I heard … Continue Reading
September 21, 2021
Wyden, Merkley, Colleagues Urge SCOTUS to Protect Reproductive Rights by Upholding Roe and Rejecting Mississippi’s Blatantly Unconstitutional Law
Washington, D.C. -U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today joined Senate and House colleagues in an amicus brief in the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, urging the Supreme Court to uphold nearly 50 years of precedent in Roe v. Wade and protect the constitutional right to abortion care. After the Court refused to block the dangerous, cruel abortion ban in Texas from going into effect, Dobbs represents yet another case that could undermine nearly 50 years of precedent … Continue Reading
September 20, 2021
Wyden, Merkley: Four Oregon Colleges to Receive More than $400,000 for Child Care for Student Parents
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that four Oregon colleges will receive a combined more than $400,000 from the Child Care Access Means Parents in School program to support parents as they complete their higher education. "Completing a degree program is challenging under most circumstances, but can be especially difficult when trying to navigate child care," Wyden said. "I am gratified that Oregon State, Lane Community College, OSU-Cascades and … Continue Reading
September 20, 2021
Wyden Applauds $952,951 CAHOOTS Planning Grant for Oregon
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today applauded the Biden administration for announcing a $952,951 planning grant award for Oregon's Medicaid program to support the development of mobile crisis intervention service programs to help those struggling with mental health and substance use disorder crises. "This grant will kick-start the effort to help those experiencing a mental health crisis in Oregon get the services they need and reduce the prospect of an encounter with law … Continue Reading
September 17, 2021
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
