Press Releases
Wyden, Merkley: Oregon Housing Authorities to Receive Nearly $3 Million in COVID-19 Aid
Washington, DC - U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that Jackson, Yamhill, Linn and Benton counties will receive about $2.97 million to help residents with housing choice vouchers during COVID-19. "With the ongoing economic and public health wallop of COVID-19 now compounded by wildfires threatening so many Oregonians, these housing funds are especially timely," Wyden said. "I'm glad these resources have been secured for Oregonians and I will keep fighting to make sure that … Continue Reading
September 16, 2020
DeFazio, Merkley Lead Oregon Delegation in Introducing Legislation to Reduce Financial Burdens on States and Communities Facing Emergencies and Major Disasters, including Wildfires and Hurricanes, amid the COVID-19 Pandemic
WASHINGTON-Today, Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Senator Jeff Merkley led Senator Ron Wyden and Representatives Earl Blumenauer (OR-03), Kurt Schrader (OR-05), Greg Walden (OR-02) and Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) in introducing legislation to increase the Federal cost share of certain Federal disaster assistance provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This legislation, the "FEMA Assistance Relief Act of 2020," would … Continue Reading
September 16, 2020
Merkley, Wyden Announce Over $2 Million in Grants for Critical Columbia River Basin Restoration Efforts
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced that over $2 million in grants are headed to Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Washington to support restoration projects critical to the health of the Columbia River Basin. The funding includes over $800,000 in grants for six organizations and government agencies in Oregon, which will use the grants for a wide variety of projects aimed at assessing and reducing the presence of toxins in the watershed. "Our rivers … Continue Reading
September 15, 2020
Merkley, Wyden, Schrader, Axelrod Successfully Push West Linn Post Office to Remain Open into 2021
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, with Representative Kurt Schrader and West Linn Mayor Russ Axelrod, today announced that the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) building in West Linn will remain open through February, ensuring that West Linn customers will have access to the building's services through the November general election and holiday peak mail season. The announcement follows a push from the lawmakers to delay a USPS move, as the agency looks for a new … Continue Reading
September 15, 2020
Wyden, Merkley Call on FCC Chairman to Expeditiously Address the Digital Divide in Indian Country
Washington, DC - U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley are calling on federal officials to expedite broadband connectivity to Native communities to improve access to telemedicine, online education, teleworking opportunities and other critical services in Oregon and nationwide during the pandemic. "We are concerned that under your leadership the Commission has not done enough to bridge the digital divide on Native lands, particularly during the ongoing COVID-19 national health emergency,'' … Continue Reading
September 15, 2020
Wyden, Colleagues Call on Postmaster General to Immediately Reverse Operational Changes to the U.S. Postal Service Causing Delays of Critical Medications to Americans
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) Ranking Member Gary Peters (D-MI), Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA), Special Committee on Aging Ranking Member Bob Casey (D-PA), and Committee on Finance Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-OR) led 30 of their Senate Colleagues in a letter to Postmaster General Louis DeJoy calling on him to immediately reverse all … Continue Reading
September 15, 2020
Wyden Leads Resolution to Make September National Voting Rights Month
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today introduced a resolution with Congressman Marc Veasey, D-Texas, to designate September as "National Voting Rights Month." The resolution will encourage voter registration in the month of September, and push for the security of our electoral system and stronger protections to ensure people in Oregon and across the nation can safely vote amidst the Coronavirus pandemic. "The principle that every American has the right to choose our leaders by … Continue Reading
September 15, 2020
Wyden, Merkley: Oregon to Get $5 Million Emergency Transportation Grant for Wildfire Response
Washington, DC - U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that Oregon is receiving an emergency $5 million federal grant to help with the repair and reconstruction of highways and roads on federal lands affected by the wildfires. "The wildfires devastating our state have left a wide trail of destruction that demands federal assistance to help Oregonians recover and rebound from this disaster," Wyden said. "Much more federal aid is needed to provide a comprehensive response to … Continue Reading
September 15, 2020
Oregon Delegation Urges Oregon Secretary of State to Immediately Develop Plans for Displaced Oregonians to Receive Mail-In Ballots
WASHINGTON-Rep. Peter DeFazio (OR-4) today led Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, along with Representatives Earl Blumenauer (OR-03), Kurt Schrader (OR-05), Greg Walden (OR-02) and Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) in urging Oregon Secretary of State Beverly Clarno to immediately develop and roll out plans for displaced Oregonians to receive and return their mail-in ballots for the 2020 election. The lawmakers write, "The devastating wildfires burning in our congressional districts and across … Continue Reading
September 14, 2020
Oregon Members Push Trump Administration to Issue Public Health Emergency As Hazardous Smoke Blankets Oregon
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, along with U.S. Representatives Peter DeFazio, Earl Blumenauer and Suzanne Bonamici, today urged Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar to declare the wildfires in Oregon a public health emergency-a move that better equips the state to respond to the disaster by freeing up resources and granting much-needed administrative flexibility. "Air quality and smoke produced by the wildfires present a significant … Continue Reading
September 14, 2020
Wyden Makes the Case for Congress to Get Serious About Fire Prevention as Destructive Wildfires Continue to Rage in Oregon and the West
Senators, my home state of Oregon is on fire. Virtually all of Oregon is choking on smoke. Countless thousands of Oregonians are under evacuation orders. Many are quite literally fleeing for their lives and abandoning their homes as the flames approach. When I was home this weekend, I saw entire communities burned to ash. Thousands of Oregonians have lost everything - their homes, businesses and lifelong memories. Several people have already perished, and the death toll is expected to rise as … Continue Reading
September 14, 2020
Oregon Delegation Pushes for Major Disaster Declaration As Wildfires’ Toll Grows
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Oregon's entire bipartisan Congressional delegation, including Representative Peter DeFazio, U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, and Representatives Earl Blumenauer, Greg Walden, Kurt Schrader, and Suzanne Bonamici, today requested rapid approval of Oregon Governor Kate Brown's request for major disaster relief amid unprecedented wildfire damage across the state. "This year, more than 1 million acres of land in Oregon have been burned, and at least ten Oregonians have … Continue Reading
September 14, 2020
Wyden, Merkley: Oregon Communities to Get $22.4 Million in COVID-19 Aid for Housing
Washington, DC - U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today said communities across Oregon will receive $22.4 million to help households facing higher risk of eviction during the COVID-19 pandemic. "The economic challenges of this public health crisis have slammed Oregonians, many of whom are now facing the added and ongoing threat of wildfires bearing down on their communities," Wyden said. "I'm gratified these funds will be available to help Oregon families to make rent and stay in their … Continue Reading
September 14, 2020
Wyden, Merkley Join Democratic Colleagues, Grassroots Coalition in Announcing Economic Renewal Agenda
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley joined dozens of colleagues and a national coalition of grassroots groups; labor unions; Black, Brown and Indigenous leaders to introduce a bold plan for economic renewal in Oregon and across the nation - the Agenda to Transform, Heal, and Renew by Investing in a Vibrant Economy, or THRIVE Agenda. "While progress has been made over the years, significant work remains to achieve true equality and justice for all," Wyden said. … Continue Reading
September 14, 2020
Wyden, Merkley Urge Internet Service Providers To Expand Internet Access During COVID-19 Crisis
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley urged the seven largest internet service providers (ISPs) to do their part to help ensure that children in Oregon and across the nation are able to meaningfully participate in their education during the COVID-19 crisis. This call-to-action comes as unprecedented numbers of students rely on remote learning to kick off the fall semester due to the ongoing public health crisis. In a letter sent to the CEOs of AT&T, … Continue Reading
September 14, 2020
Merkley, Wyden Announce $5 Million for Port of Hood River Bridge Replacement Project
WASHINGTON, D.C.- Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced that $5 million in federal funding is headed to Oregon to help cover costs associated with the engineering expertise and preparatory studies needed to replace the Hood River/White Salmon Interstate Bridge. The bridge, which crosses the Columbia River and connects Hood River, Oregon with White Salmon and Bingen, Washington, plays an important role in the safety, economy, and social well-being of Columbia River … Continue Reading
September 13, 2020
Oregon Members Call for Immediate Housing Aid for Evacuees Displaced by Oregon Wildfires
WASHINGTON, DC [09/13/20] - Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici, Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, and Representatives Peter DeFazio, Greg Walden, Earl Blumenauer, and Kurt Schrader called on FEMA to provide additional, immediate housing aid to protect the health and safety of the thousands of people displaced by the Oregon wildfires, and to secure housing stability for the lowest-income survivors. "Tens of thousands of Oregonians have been placed under evacuation orders, and hundreds have … Continue Reading
September 12, 2020
Oregon Delegation Pushes Federal Agencies to Allocate Crew Chiefs Needed to Deploy Additional National Guard Firefighters
WASHINGTON, D.C.- Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, along with U.S. Representatives Peter DeFazio, Earl Blumenauer, Greg Walden, Kurt Schrader and Suzanne Bonamici, today pushed the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and the Interior to immediately make urgently needed fire crew chiefs available to assist in the deployment of National Guard service members in Oregon to fight raging wildfires. "Given the severity and speed at which fires are spreading across the state, we must … Continue Reading
September 11, 2020
Oregon Delegation Announces Approval of Federal Emergency Declaration for Oregon Wildfires
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, along with U.S. Representatives Peter DeFazio, Earl Blumenauer, Greg Walden, Kurt Schrader, and Suzanne Bonamici, today announced that the White House has approved the state of Oregon's request for an emergency declaration in response to unprecedented and dangerous wildfires that are blanketing the state. The Senators and Representatives had pushed on Wednesday for the declaration to be granted, immediately following … Continue Reading
September 10, 2020
Senate Democrats: Trump Administration Must Take Stronger Action Against Election Interference Following Sanctions on Derkach
Washington, D.C. - Leading Senate Democrats called on the Trump administration to put together a comprehensive plan to stop foreign interference in the 2020 election, after it sanctioned Ukrainian national, and longtime Russian agent, Andriy Derkach for his role in spreading misinformation about Vice President Joe Biden. Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Banking Committee Ranking Member Sherrod Brown, Intelligence Committee Vice-Chair Mark … Continue Reading
