Press Releases
Wyden, Snowe Urge Geithner to Re-Examine Executive Compensation Proposal
WASHINGTON D.C. - Outraged at American International Group's (AIG) abuse of taxpayer dollars, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine) today, in a letter, urged Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner to re-examine the Wyden-Snowe proposal to force those financial institutions using Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) funds to pay excessive bonuses to either return the funds or face an excise tax. A version of the bipartisan proposal -- which was successfully offered as an … Continue Reading
March 18, 2009
Wyden, Merkley Announce $1.2 million in Federal Stimulus Funds to Help Feed Oregon's Low Income Seniors
Washington, D.C. - Recognizing that hunger is an often overlooked side effect to a poor economy, Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley announced today that Oregon will receive $1.2 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to provide meals to low income senior citizens. "This money comes at a time when an estimated 12 percent of Oregon families don't have enough food on their shelves, when Oregon ranks as the third hungriest state in the nation, when food stamp applications are … Continue Reading
March 13, 2009
Wyden and Merkley Post Appropriations Requests Online
Washington, D.C. - Oregonians are invited to start reviewing and commenting on FY '10 appropriations requests received by the offices of U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.). The first wave of appropriations requests received by the two offices -- for the Commerce, State, Justice and Defense appropriations bills -- were posted today at: http://wyden.senate.gov and http://merkley.senate.gov. The hundreds of additional appropriations requests received by the Senators' … Continue Reading
March 13, 2009
Merkley, Wyden Announce Grant to Improve Living Conditions for Oregon Tribes
Washington, DC - Oregon Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development has awarded $562,000 to the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians. The funds will be used to install a new water distribution system at Coos Head, a 43 acre site where the new Tribal Headquarters will soon be located."For far too long Tribes in rural Oregon have not had access to adequate sanitation systems and clean water. This … Continue Reading
March 13, 2009
Wyden Asks Interior Department for Help in Finding New Location for Redmond Gun Club, Law Enforcement, Military Training Facility
Portland, OR - In an effort to find a new location in central Oregon for recreational shooters, police and the military, Senator Ron Wyden has asked the Secretary of the Interior for help in identifying suitable Bureau of Land Management property.In a letter today to Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, Wyden said that after the Redmond Rod and Gun Club was forced to relocate it formed a partnership with local law enforcement and the Oregon Military Department to find a new site on BLM land near … Continue Reading
March 12, 2009
Wyden Statement on the HRSA Grant to the LaPine Community Clinic
Washington, D.C. - The La Pine Community Health Clinic has been awarded a $638,646 grant for the period March 1, 2009 through February 28, 2010. The agency that administers the grant program is the Health Resources and Services Administration. Half the money will be available immediately. The other half of the money will be available soon now that the Omnibus has been signed. The clinic is also eligible for funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. "This Federal grant of more than … Continue Reading
March 12, 2009
MERKLEY, WYDEN ANNOUNCE NEW RESOURCE GUIDE FOR COMMUNITIES TO NAVIGATE AMERICAN RECOVERY AND REINVESTMENT ACT
Washington, DC - This month, the federal government began to distribute billions of dollars in economic investment and recovery funding for job creation projects across America. Oregon Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today released a new resource guide on the funds and programs included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to help Oregonians better understand the opportunities for their communities. "President Obama and Congress are committed to creating new jobs and … Continue Reading
March 12, 2009
Wyden Applauds Navy for Extending Public Comment Period
Washington, DC- U.S. Senator Ron Wyden welcomed the Navy's decision today to once again extend the public comment period regarding its plans for future Navy operations along the Northwest Coast. The public will now have until April 13 to respond to the environmental impact statement released by the Navy. "I am thankful that the Navy has decided to once again extend the public comment period to allow any and all stakeholders the opportunity to contribute their opinion regarding what happens on … Continue Reading
March 10, 2009
Bipartisan Legislation Would Secure Back Pay for U.S. Troops
Washington, D.C. - Working to ensure that U.S. service members receive all of the pay earned while serving in combat, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Tom Harkin (D- Iowa), Ben Nelson (D-Ne), Pat Roberts (R-Ks) and Bob Menendez (D-NJ) introduced legislation today to retroactively pay soldiers for leave earned under the Post Deployment and Mobilization Respite Absence (PDMRA). Over 20,000 service members have not received their earned leave due … Continue Reading
March 10, 2009
Wyden, Merkley Secure Millions for Coastal Dredging Projects
Washington, D.C. - Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley announce today that the Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009 includes nearly $250 million for Oregon projects including $23 million to funds integral waterway maintenance and dredging projects up and down the Oregon coast. These funds are part of the annual funding for Fiscal Year 2009, and will complement the funding provided through the economic recovery legislation last month to improve our nation's infrastructure and allow the … Continue Reading
March 10, 2009
Wyden, Merkley Secure Funding for Eastern Oregon
Washington, D.C. - Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley announced today that the Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009 includes nearly $250 million for Oregon projects including more than $460,000 for improvements to the Pendleton Round-Up and Happy Canyon Facilities, $380,000 for renewable energy studies and funding for a telemedicine project. These funds are part of the annual funding for Fiscal Year 2009, and will complement the funding provided through the economic recovery legislation … Continue Reading
March 10, 2009
Wyden Seeks USDA Inspectors for Rural Oregon to Help Cattlemen, Increase Food Safety
Washington, D.C. - In an effort to reduce transportation costs and increase food safety, Oregon Senator Ron Wyden today asked the Secretary of Agriculture to place meat inspectors in Oregon cattle country in a move that would allow ranchers to stabilize their businesses and expand their markets. "Currently, most cattle are raised in eastern and southern Oregon, while USDA inspectors are located in western Oregon," Wyden said in a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. "This situation … Continue Reading
March 10, 2009
Wyden, Merkley Secure Funding for Public Safety, Health, and Jobs Projects in Central Oregon
Washington, D.C. - Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley announced today that the Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009 includes nearly $250 million for Oregon projects including $2 million to purchase land in the Columbia River Gorge, $300,000 for an updated 9-1-1 service in Wasco County, $238,000 for a project to aid families to improve the physical and mental health of disadvantaged children, and $232,000 to boost the growth of central Oregon's technology industry. These funds are part of … Continue Reading
March 10, 2009
Wyden, Merkley Bring Much Needed Transportation Funds to Portland and the Willamette Valley
Washington, D.C. - Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley announced today that the Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009 includes nearly $250 million for Oregon projects including $81.6 million for the Portland Mall Light Rail Project and $45 million for the Portland Streetcar Loop Project. These funds are part of the annual funding for Fiscal Year 2009, and will complement the funding provided through the economic recovery legislation last month to create jobs through new investments in … Continue Reading
March 10, 2009
Senators Announce Health, Education and Energy Funding for Southern Oregon
Washington, D.C. - Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley announced today that the Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009 includes nearly $250 million for Oregon projects including $1.5 million to construct a geothermal power plant and $700, 000 for improvements to 9-1-1 services. These funds are part of the annual funding for Fiscal Year 2009, and will complement the funding provided through the economic recovery legislation last month."It is essential that Oregon remain on the cutting edge … Continue Reading
March 09, 2009
Wyden to Hold Town Hall Meeting in Clackamas County
Portland, OR - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden will host a town hall meeting on Saturday, March 14, 2009, at Willamette Falls Hospital, Community Education Center, in Oregon City. Clackamas County residents are invited to attend the open forum. Wyden holds town halls in every Oregon county every year. The Oregon City town hall helps kick off the 14th year of these meetings. Clackamas County Town Hall Meeting Date: March 14, 2009 Time: 5:30 … Continue Reading
March 05, 2009
Wyden Opens the Door for New Biofuels
Washington, D.C. - In a step that will encourage America's energy independence and improved forest health, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) introduced legislation today that would open the door for biomass from federal lands to become a source of fuel for cars and trucks. Biomass is a renewable energy source derived from trees, plants, animal and agricultural waste, and other organic materials. Wyden's legislation would lift a Clean Air Act restriction on the use of biomass from federal lands … Continue Reading
March 05, 2009
Wyden to hold Town Hall Meetings in Columbia, Clatsop Counties
Portland, OR - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden will host two town hall meetings on March 15 in Astoria and Vernonia. Residents of Clatsop and Columbia counties are invited to attend the open forums to ask questions and voice their concerns. Clatsop County Town Hall Meeting Date: March 15, 2009 Time: 1 p.m. Location: Oregon Seafood Center 2021 Marine Dr. … Continue Reading
February 19, 2009
Oregon Leaders Welcome Navy Decision to Hold Public Meeting on Its Plans for Coast
Washington, DC- U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Jeff Merkley, along with Oregon Congressmen Kurt Schrader, David Wu, Peter DeFazio, and Earl Blumenauer, welcomed the Navy's decision today to hold a public meeting on February 26, 2009, in Tillamook, Oregon so that the public can respond to its environmental impact statement regarding future Navy operations along the Northwest coast. The meeting will take place at the Tillamook County Fairgrounds Auditorium at 4603 E. 3rd Street in … Continue Reading
February 18, 2009
Wyden Holds 500th Town Hall Meeting
Fossil, OR - Marking a milestone in a promise he made to Oregonians 13 years ago, Senator Ron Wyden held his 500th town hall yesterday in the Wheeler County community of Fossil, the site of his first town hall in 1996. County Judge Jeanne Burch welcomed Wyden and read a proclamation from Governor Kulongoski declaring February 17, 2009 to be "Ron Wyden 500th Town Hall Day." "The people of Fossil along with the tens of thousands of Oregonians who have attended these town halls over the years … Continue Reading
