Press Releases
Merkley, Wyden Support Introduction of Resolution Recognizing June as LGBTQ+ Pride Month
Washington, D.C. - Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced they joined their colleagues in introducing a Senate resolution recognizing June as LGBTQ+ Pride Month. The resolution—authored by Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH)—highlights the contributions LGBTQ+ Americans have made to our country, notes several major milestones in the fight for equal treatment of LGBTQ+ Americans, and resolves to continue efforts to achieve full equality for all. “Generations of Americans … Continue Reading
June 25, 2024
Merkley, Wyden, Blumenauer, Bonamici, Salinas: Nearly $43 Million Coming to Portland, Warm Springs, and Salem for Critical Transportation Improvements
Washington, D.C. - Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, along with Representatives Earl Blumenauer (OR-03), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), and Andrea Salinas (OR-06), announced today that the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) is awarding nearly $43 million in federal funding from its Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant program to projects in Portland, Warm Springs, and Salem. These federal funds will go towards upgrading roads, … Continue Reading
June 24, 2024
Wyden, Merkley Announce $25 Million Expansion to Broadband Technical Assistance Program
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that the federal government is making available $25 million through the broadband technical assistance program to help local organizations, cooperatives and Tribes expand affordable, high-speed internet projects in rural communities throughout Oregon and nationwide. “Like water, rural communities in Oregon and across the country need reliable internet access to be able to survive and thrive,” Wyden said. “This … Continue Reading
June 24, 2024
During Pride Month, Wyden Joins Bill to Support LGBTQ+ Older Americans
Washington, D.C. — U. S. Senator Ron Wyden today joined his colleagues in introducing a bill to support LGBTQ+ older adults and older adults with HIV in Oregon and nationwide. The Elder Pride Act would establish an Office of LGBTQ+ Inclusion within the Department of Health and Human Services to gather information on the challenges experienced by LGBTQ+ older adults. In addition, the bill would advocate, coordinate activities, and recommend policies for LGBTQ+ older adults. “As we work with … Continue Reading
June 24, 2024
During Pride Month, Wyden, Merkley Join Resolution Apologizing for Government Discrimination Against LGBTQ+ Civil Servants, Servicemembers
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said today they are co-sponsoring a Senate resolution that acknowledges and apologizes for the mistreatment of and discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals who have served the nation in the uniformed services, as civil servants, or in the Foreign Service. “Even as millions celebrate Pride Month, LGBTQ+ Americans are burdened by systemic discrimination that has prevented them from being recognized for their service to this … Continue Reading
June 20, 2024
Wyden Introduces Bill to Empower First Responders with Resources Needed to Tackle Electric Vehicle Crashes
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today introduced legislation that would require federal agencies to provide electric vehicle (EV) safety information, testing standards, and training materials for local first responders across the nation. Electric vehicles pose a unique challenge to first responders used to dealing with traditional vehicles. Batteries are often damaged in accidents, exposing the passengers and emergency personnel to hazardous chemicals, electric shocks, and battery … Continue Reading
June 20, 2024
Merkley, Wyden Announce Funding for the City of Portland to Transition to Fully Electric Utility Trucks
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that the City of Portland received $611,536 as an initial award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to fund the replacement of two municipal aerial lift utility trucks with fully battery-electric vehicle (BEV) aerial trucks—the first BEV’s in this vehicle class for the city. The investments will also be used to provide specialized BEV training for the city’s in-house vehicle … Continue Reading
June 20, 2024
Wyden, Merkley Hoyle Urge VA to Build Roseburg Veterans’ Home
Washington, D.C. - Oregon’s U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, alongside U.S. Representative Val Hoyle (OR-04), urge the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to urgently prioritize the application and funding for the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs (ODVA) Roseburg Veterans’ Home project in Fiscal Year 2025. Currently, ODVA operates two high-quality, award-winning Oregon Veterans’ Homes: the Oregon Veterans’ Home in The Dalles, a 151-bed skilled nursing facility, and the … Continue Reading
June 18, 2024
Wyden Applauds Biden Administration Launch of Columbia River Task Force
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today applauded the Biden administration for launching the Columbia River Task Force, a new interagency panel that would pioneer a historic commitment among Tribes and Pacific Northwest states to restore wild salmon populations in the Columbia River Basin while advancing outdoor recreation, local economies, and other regional needs: “Today’s Biden administration announcement of a Columbia River Task Force is welcome news for all Oregonians … Continue Reading
June 17, 2024
Wyden Supports Judge Kasubhai’s Nomination to U.S. District Court for Oregon
Watch a video of Wyden delivering his remarks here in a Senate floor speech As prepared for delivery I come to the floor today to reiterate my strong support for Judge Mustafa Kasubhai’s nomination to serve on the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon. There is a litany of reasons why I believe Judge Kasubhai is qualified for this position, but today I’ll focus on three: he prioritizes public safety, he understands our rural communities, and his nomination has broad support from … Continue Reading
June 17, 2024
Merkley, Wyden Announce Over $16.5 Million in FEMA Funding for Douglas County's Emergency Radio System Upgrade
Washington, D.C. - Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is awarding Douglas County a total of $16,622,500 over the next few years through its Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. The investments will ensure Douglas County is able to upgrade its analog radio system to current digital technology that will allow for significantly enhanced coordination among the county’s public safety, law, … Continue Reading
June 17, 2024
Wyden Announces Town Halls in Hood River, Wasco, Deschutes & Crook Counties
Portland - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today announced he will hold in-person town halls in Hood River, Wasco, Deschutes and Crook counties on June 26-27. Heading into these four town halls, Wyden will have held 1,085 town halls throughout Oregon - including 20 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. “Oregonians should always have the opportunity to have direct interactions with elected officials to ask … Continue Reading
June 17, 2024
Wyden, Colleagues Urge Electronic Benefit Transfer Users to Be Included in New Data Privacy Rule
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., alongside Senators John Fetterman, D-Pa.,, Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., and Tina Smith, D-Minn., today asked the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to include Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards in a soon-to-be-finalized rule that provides critical protections for users of various financial services. When finalized, the rule will implement Section 1033 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, which helps … Continue Reading
June 16, 2024
Wyden, Senate Democrats Release Legislation to Stop Labor and Delivery Unit Closures in Rural and Underserved Communities
Washington, D.C. - Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and 15 Senate Democrats today released draft legislation to address a rising trend of rural hospitals and hospitals in underserved areas closing their labor and delivery units with significant consequences for expectant parents, families, and their local communities. “Too many rural communities have become maternity deserts - it’s time to turn the tide and offer some stability to rural hospitals that want to help families … Continue Reading
June 13, 2024
Wyden Statement on Supreme Court Mifepristone Ruling
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today issued the following statement on the U.S. Supreme Court decision on FDA v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine: “This decision is good news for women across the country, but unfortunately it won't be the last time mifepristone is the target of the far-right's crusade against this pillar of reproductive freedom,” Wyden said. “The Supreme Court dismissed this bogus case on standing, not whether or not mifepristone should remain on the … Continue Reading
June 13, 2024
Wyden, Merkley, Hoyle Announce $5.5 Million to OSU for Marine Energy Research
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley with U.S. Representative Val Hoyle today announced that Oregon State University will receive $5.5 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to support its Pacific Marine Energy Center operations in Corvallis. “OSU’s world-class researchers are on the front lines of the climate crisis battle that demands a comprehensive array of clean-energy solutions,” said Wyden. “This federal funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure … Continue Reading
June 12, 2024
Wyden Urges Support for His Bills to Use Prescribed Burns and Protect Water Sources
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore. today urged bipartisan support for two of his bills-the National Prescribed Fire Act and the River Democracy Act-highlighting the need to combat disastrous wildfires by using prescribed burns, while ensuring local communities have access to reliable drinking water. “These fires are not your grandfather’s fires, and we as Westerners know what's really at stake here,” Wyden said at a hearing of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources … Continue Reading
June 06, 2024
Merkley, Wyden, Bonamici, Hoyle, Salinas Urge Continued Support for West Coast Fishermen and Oregon’s Seafood Industry
Washington, D.C. - Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, alongside U.S. Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Val Hoyle (OR-04), and Andrea Salinas (OR-06) sent a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Administrator Bruce Summers, who oversees the agency’s Agricultural Marketing Service, calling on the USDA to deliver critical federal support to West Coast fishermen and seafood harvesters, processors, and distributors. “Commercial fishing and seafood processing on … Continue Reading
June 06, 2024
Wyden, Merkley, Colleagues Call to Support Small Cannabis Businesses
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today joined Senate colleagues in calling on the Senate Appropriations Committee to allow small cannabis businesses in Oregon and other states that have legalized cannabis sale and use to access Small Business Administration (SBA) loans. “SBA’s current policy excludes from its loan and entrepreneurial development programs all small businesses with “direct” or “indirect” products or services that aid the use, growth, enhancement, or … Continue Reading
June 06, 2024
Wyden, Barrasso Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Support Grazing on Federal Lands
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) said today they have introduced bipartisan legislation that would support ranchers who rely upon federal lands in Oregon and nationwide to graze their livestock. "After embracing the Bureau of Land Management pilot program, ranchers in eastern Oregon worked closely with me to include updated operational flexibility in my community-crafted Malheur Community Empowerment for the Owyhee Act to bring certainty, conservation and … Continue Reading
