Press Releases
Wyden, Merkley: Oregon Food Bank Southeast Oregon Services to Receive $66,900 Federal Investment
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced Oregon Food Bank Southeast Oregon Services in Ontario will receive a $66,900 federal investment to buy a refrigerated box truck, fuel and insurance for two years - all of which will help this community mainstay respond to increased food demands in Malheur and Harney counties. "Quality of life in Malheur and Harney counties begins with ensuring everybody has access to food, and that's exactly what the Food Bank works … Continue Reading
July 27, 2023
Merkley, Wyden Announce Nearly $20 Million Coming to Oregon for Security and Disaster Preparedness
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is awarding the state of Oregon, Lane Transit District, and nonprofits across the state nearly $20 million to build and sustain capabilities to prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism and other disasters. "Ensuring Oregonians and communities across the state are safe and prepared for any threats they face is critical," said … Continue Reading
July 26, 2023
Wyden, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Cut Red Tape for Victims of Identity Theft
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today with colleagues introduced bipartisan legislation that would make it easier for identity theft victims to resolve their cases by creating a single point of contact at the Social Security Administration for identity theft cases. "Americans who have been targeted by identity theft scammers should be able to resolve their case without any bureaucratic red tape or delays," Wyden said. "That's why I'm working on a bipartisan basis to advance … Continue Reading
July 26, 2023
Merkley, Wyden Urge FERC to Reject Fossil Gas Pipeline Expansion
Washington, D.C. - Today, Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden sent a letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) following up on previous requests to deny permits for TC Energy's Gas Transmission Northwest (GTN) Xpress project. With FERC's decision expected this week, the Senators warn that the expansion of this pipeline is not necessary or prudent and would only increase costs for Oregon consumers and undermine laws in both Oregon and Washington State. "There is … Continue Reading
July 25, 2023
Wyden, Merkley: More than $4.3 Million to Oregon for Outdoor Recreation and Conservation Projects
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced Oregon will receive more than $4.3 million from the Department of the Interior to support future outdoor recreation and conservation projects. "Oregon is home to some of the most treasured natural beauty in our nation where Oregonians and visitors from all over the world can experience the great outdoors," said Wyden, who is the lead sponsor for the Oregon Recreation Enhancement Act and the Recreation Not Red Tape … Continue Reading
July 25, 2023
Wyden, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Expand Food Benefits for Americans with Medical Expenses
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden said today that he and Senate colleagues have introduced legislation that would expand food benefits for people with medical expenses in Oregon and nationwide by breaking down rules that limit eligibility and benefit levels. "This anti-hunger legislation would bring families in Oregon and nationwide with medical expenses much needed financial relief," Wyden said. "I'll battle hard to get this bill over the finish line to ensure all beneficiaries - … Continue Reading
July 24, 2023
Bonamici, Wyden, Merkley, Blumenauer, Salinas Applaud $1.5M Investment in Pacific NW Urban Farmers
WASHINGTON, DC - Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (OR-1), Earl Blumenauer (OR-3), Andrea Salinas (OR-6), and Senators Ron Wyden (OR) and Jeff Merkley (OR) applaud the Biden-Harris Administration's nearly $1.5 million investment in a new Urban Service Center to help urban farmers and strengthen local food systems in the Pacific Northwest. The Urban Service Center will be located in Portland, Oregon, and administered by staff from the Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Natural Resources Conservation … Continue Reading
July 21, 2023
Wyden Statement on FISA 702 Document Declassification
Washington, D.C.— U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., issued the following statement today on FISA 702 document declassification: “For years, as government officials have provided misleadingly narrow testimony about who is targeted under Section 702, I have pushed to get the government to come clean. The revelation that 702 is used against ‘foreign governments and related entities’ directly impacts Americans’ privacy, as American journalists, businesspeople, … Continue Reading
July 21, 2023
Merkley, Wyden Announce Over $12 Million for Improvements to the Eugene Airport
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that Eugene Airport will be receiving $12,669,789 from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for infrastructure improvements. "Regional airports are critical to the safety and success of communities across the state," said Senator Merkley. "Eugene Airport serves as a regional travel hub for business and pleasure. These federal investments will help ensure the airport infrastructure is up to date and to … Continue Reading
July 20, 2023
Wyden, Paul, Merkley, Blumenauer Introduce Bicameral Legislation to Update Regulations to Ensure Equal and Safe Access to Hemp-derived CBD Products
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Rand Paul, R-Ky., and Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., and U.S. Representative Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., today reintroduced legislation to ensure hemp-derived CBD products are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) like other legal products used in dietary supplements, foods and beverages – an action that is essential to protecting consumer safety and treating hemp producers fairly. Wyden, Paul, Merkley and … Continue Reading
July 20, 2023
Wyden Subcommittee Holds Hearing on Bills to Help Oregon Respond to Severe Drought, Improve Water Access and Infrastructure
With video: While chairing hearing, Water and Power Subcommittee Chair Wyden highlights the urgent need for a coordinated approach to ending water access problems, his Water for Conservation and Farming Act, the Watershed Results Act, and the Klamath Power and Facilities Agreement Support Act Washington, D.C. – This week, Water and Power Subcommittee Chair Ron Wyden, D-Ore., held a hearing on the importance of several bills that would help communities in Oregon and across the West … Continue Reading
July 20, 2023
Wyden, Colleagues Introduce New Bill to Expand Organic Agricultural Research
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden and Senate colleagues have introduced legislation that would support organic farmers in Oregon and nationwide by expanding funding for organics research and ensuring organics research is prioritized at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. "Oregon farmers grow some of the most delicious blueberries, grapes and potatoes in the country," Wyden said today. "Supporting research into organic crops will support grown-in-the-USA fruit and vegetables and help … Continue Reading
July 20, 2023
Wyden To Hold Two Town Halls on South Coast
Portland - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today announced he will have open-to-all, in-person town halls in Curry and Coos counties on July 29-30. Wyden has already held 32 town halls so far throughout Oregon in 2023 - and 1,059 town halls overall statewide in fulfillment of his pledge to hold at least one town hall each year in each of Oregon's 36 counties. "Shortening the distance between Oregon and Washington, DC is essential to representing our entire state, and why I hold open-to-all town … Continue Reading
July 20, 2023
Merkley, Wyden Join Colleagues in Urging Good Faith Negotiations between Teamsters, UPS
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden joined Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) to encourage International Brotherhood of Teamsters General President Sean O'Brien and United Parcel Service (UPS) Chief Executive Officer Carol Tomé to work in good faith to reach a contract that provides all UPS workers fair wages, safe working conditions, affordable health care, and dignified retirement. The senators strongly affirmed their support for … Continue Reading
July 20, 2023
Oregon Delegation Members Announce Transportation Grant for 82nd Avenue
PORTLAND, OR - Today, members of the Oregon Congressional delegation announced that TriMet's 82nd Avenue Transit Project is receiving a $630,000 grant from the Federal Transit Administration. The award follows a visit to 82nd Avenue by U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg this month. Buttigieg joined Representative Blumenauer, Senator Merkley, TriMet representatives and local stakeholders for an 82nd Avenue bus tour where he saw first-hand the opportunities for improvement. 82nd … Continue Reading
July 19, 2023
Wyden Announces Inclusion of Anti-Fentanyl Legislation in Major Annual Defense Bill
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today with colleagues announced the inclusion of major anti-fentanyl legislation in the Senate's annual defense bill that would impose new sanctions and cut off illicit fentanyl at the source. "Despite diligent law enforcement work, overdoses and deaths from fentanyl and fentanyl-laced drugs in Oregon have continued unabated, and now it's time to stop the trafficking of fentanyl at a major source: China," said Wyden, who has been pressing U.S. Customs … Continue Reading
July 19, 2023
Wyden, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Expand and Improve Access to Clean Water in Tribal Communities
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today with colleagues reintroduced legislation that would dramatically expand Tribal access to clean water by investing in water infrastructure. "Clean drinking water is a human right. Yet, The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs and other Native American Tribes nationwide have been making do with inadequate water infrastructure that has left many with limited or no access to clean water," said Wyden, who successfully fought for $250 million in the … Continue Reading
July 19, 2023
Wyden Applauds Bipartisan Passage of His Fourth Amendment Is Not For Sale Act in the House Judiciary Committee
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today praised the House Judiciary Committee, and lead sponsors Rep. Warren Davidson, R-Ohio, Chairman Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., and Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., for passing the Fourth Amendment is Not For Sale Act out of committee and advancing strong new protections for Americans’ rights. The Fourth Amendment is Not For Sale Act was authored by Wyden and Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., and first introduced in 2021 “The Fourth Amendment … Continue Reading
July 18, 2023
Wyden, Murray, Jacobs Lead Bicameral Effort Urging Biden Administration to Protect Reproductive and All Other Health Records Against Warrantless Law Enforcement Access
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Patty Murray, D-Wash., and U.S. Representative Sara Jacobs, D-Calif., today led colleagues in urging the Biden administration to go further in its proposed update of federal privacy regulations under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and ensure that Americans’ protected health information (PHI) – for all categories of medical care – receive the same protections that emails and location … Continue Reading
July 13, 2023
Wyden, Jayapal, Brown, Welch Introduce Legislation to Improve Child Nutrition
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, Peter Welch, D-Vt., and U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., today introduced legislation that would improve child nutrition by expanding access to locally-grown, unprocessed fruits and vegetables for school meal programs. “Every child should have access to healthy, fresh meals, no matter their ZIP code or their family’s income,” Wyden said. “A fresh nutritious meal is key to … Continue Reading
