Press Releases
Wyden Statement on Supplemental Funding Vote
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., lambasted Senate Republicans after they voted down a supplemental funding bill that included aid to Israel and funding for border security this afternoon. “Republicans chose to play politics with aid to Israel at the very moment it faces an existential threat,” Wyden said. “Craven is not a strong enough word to describe their … Continue Reading
December 06, 2023
Wyden, Sullivan Applaud Senate Passage of Resolution Celebrating USPHS Commissioned Corps Officers
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, today applauded the passage of their resolution commending the officers of the Commissioned Corps of the United States Public Health Service (USPHS) for 225 years of work protecting, promoting, and advancing the health and safety of the United States. "For 225 years, officers of the USPHS Commissioned Corps have honorably served and safeguarded our nation's public health— particularly during times of public health … Continue Reading
December 06, 2023
Wyden Seeks Answers from Justice Department On Alleged Surveillance of Apple and Google Mobile Push Notifications
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., asked the Department of Justice to allow Apple and Google to be more transparent about alleged surveillance of mobile push notifications. Wyden began investigating possible surveillance of push notification records after receiving a tip that foreign governments had requested such records from Google and Apple. According to the companies, the information they provided Wyden about this practice is restricted from public release by the U.S. … Continue Reading
December 05, 2023
Merkley, Wyden, Hoyle Announce Over $5 Million for Coastal Fish Habitat Restoration
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, along with U.S. Representative Val Hoyle (OR-04), announced a total of nearly $5.5 million in federal investments is heading to Oregon organizations for coastal climate resilience projects and restoring fish habitats. The funding comes from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s National Coastal Resilience Fund, which supports the design and implementation of projects around the country to enhance the resilience of … Continue Reading
December 04, 2023
Wyden, Merkley: Central Oregon Organization Earns $300,000 Federal Grant to Fight Human Trafficking
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that J Bar J Youth Services in Bend has secured a $300,000 federal grant to battle human trafficking. “The crime of human trafficking devastates lives and demands a serious and substantive effort to end it in Oregon and nationwide,” Wyden said. ”I’m gratified that J Bar J Youth Services has earned these federal resources to fight this scourge in Central Oregon with its local expertise and hard-working staff.” “We … Continue Reading
December 04, 2023
Wyden, Merkley, Hoyle Announce $833,000 to OSU to Support Oregon Food Safety Outreach
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley with U.S. Representative Val Hoyle today announced a federal investment of $833,127 for Oregon State University to develop food safety outreach programs. “Underserved communities in Oregon and across the nation deserve to know their food is both nutritious and safe to eat,” Wyden said. “This federal investment in Oregon State University and its world-class researchers will help ensure those goals by promoting outreach and education … Continue Reading
December 04, 2023
Merkley, Wyden Announce Over $900,000 Coming to the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation for Recycling Programs
Washington, D.C. - Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is awarding the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) $915,895 for projects to update and improve the Tribes’ recycling plan, and to focus on practical recycling options that center culturally grounded approaches. “This critical funding for CTUIR will help ensure the Tribe has the resources it needs to implement its new and improved … Continue Reading
November 30, 2023
Wyden: NSA Must Answer Whether it is Buying Americans’ Location Data and Web Browsing Records Before New Director Is Confirmed
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., announced he will place a hold on the nomination of Lt. Gen. Timothy Haugh to serve as director of the National Security Agency (NSA) until the NSA discloses whether it is buying Americans’ location data and web browsing records. In a statement placed in the Congressional record this afternoon, Wyden said the Defense Department has refused to make public important information about purchases of Americans’ personal data — information that the … Continue Reading
November 29, 2023
Wyden, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Address Rise in Attacks on Postal Workers
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden and Senate colleagues today introduced bipartisan legislation that would address the steep increase in armed robberies against postal workers, who are often targeted for their arrow keys that allow access to some mailboxes and their contents. “For over 200 years the United States Postal Service has been a central fixture of the American government. The recent cases of mail theft and the alarming uptick in assaults against postal workers is … Continue Reading
November 29, 2023
Wyden, Merkley and Colleagues issue Joint Statement on Proposed Threats to Asylum System in Supplemental Aid Package Negotiations
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley along with Senate colleagues today issued the following joint statement in response to reports of potentially harmful changes to the U.S. asylum system being considered in the ongoing bipartisan negotiations around the supplemental aid package: “As negotiations surrounding the supplemental aid package progress, we are concerned about reports of harmful changes to our asylum system that will potentially deny lifesaving humanitarian … Continue Reading
November 29, 2023
Merkley, Wyden: $500,000 to Harney County for Brownfield Cleanup
Washington, D.C. - Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced Harney County has received $500,000 from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to clean up hazardous materials at the two-acre former Lincoln School site in Burns. “This funding is a major win for Harney County’s natural resources, community member’s health, and the local economy,” said Merkley. “Redeveloping Brownfield sites ignites growth in communities, revitalizes properties long forgotten, and most … Continue Reading
November 28, 2023
Merkley, Wyden Announce Over $4 Million for Water Conservation Projects Coming to Oregon
Washington, D.C. - Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced a total of $4.1 million in federal investments from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law are heading to the Crooked River Watershed Council and the Deschutes Land Trust. These funds will boost collaborative projects focusing on water conservation, management, and restoration efforts. “Our waterways and fish are the lifeblood of the Northwest,” said Merkley. “I’ll continue to do all I can to ensure Oregon has the … Continue Reading
November 27, 2023
Wyden, Merkley, Bonamici Applaud $43 Million Portland Business Contract to Support U.S. Antarctic Program
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley with U.S. Representative Suzanne Bonamici today welcomed the announcement that a Portland manufacturer secured a $43.5 million contract from the U.S. Army to develop equipment for research in the Antarctic. The Portland manufacturer, Gunderson Marine, LLC, will design and build a steel pier barge to support operations at McMurdo Station for the National Science Foundation’s U.S. Antarctic Program. “The Antarctic is one of the least … Continue Reading
November 22, 2023
Wyden, Merkley: USDA Invests $2.28 Million to Expand Health Care and Broadband Assistance in Rural Oregon
Washington D.C.—U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced a federal investment of $2.28 million in rural telemedicine help for Clatsop, Hood River, Marion, Wasco, and Yamhill counties. The funding, from USDA Rural Development, includes a first-in-the-nation Broadband Technical Assistance Program investment of $500,000 for Rural Prosperity Partners that will help address fundamental barriers faced by rural communities, giving Oregonians everywhere a fair shot at receiving state … Continue Reading
November 20, 2023
Wyden Urges Justice Department to Release Information About ‘Hemisphere’ Phone Surveillance Program that would Outrage Americans and Congress
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., called on Attorney General Merrick Garland to make public documents related to the Hemisphere phone surveillance program, which allows federal, state, local and Tribal law enforcement agencies to request searches of trillions of U.S. phone records, usually without warrants. Although the documents are not classified, the Justice Department has marked them as “Law Enforcement Sensitive,” which is meant to prevent them from being publicly … Continue Reading
November 20, 2023
Wyden, Merkley, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Protect Domestic Abuse Survivors from Gun Violence
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, Jeff Merkley and Senate colleagues today announced they introduced legislation that would prevent domestic violence abusers from buying firearms. "The profound grief suffered by Nicolette's family is a tragedy no family should ever have to endure,” Wyden said. “Firearms must remain inaccessible to domestic violence abusers— lives should not be lost due to inexcusable loopholes these criminals take advantage of. Congress must help break the cycle of … Continue Reading
November 17, 2023
Wyden, Merkley: South Oregon Coast Earns $300,000 Federal Investment for Tech Entrepreneurs
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that the South Coast Development Council, Inc. in Coos Bay has secured a $300,000 federal investment to nurture local tech-based start-ups. “This federal investment in the South Coast will generate jobs, innovation and economic activity that will ripple out for years to come,” Wyden said. “I’m gratified that key business, education and civic leaders in this rural Oregon community have teamed up to earn these … Continue Reading
November 16, 2023
Wyden, Colleagues Call for Implementation of Critical Provisions to End Road Safety Crisis
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden along with Senate colleagues has sent a letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration requesting an update on the implementation of critical road safety provisions for Oregon and the country in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. “Last year, nearly 43,000 people died in motor vehicle crashes. While this number represents a slight decrease from 2021 — the deadliest year on the road in sixteen years — bold action is necessary to address … Continue Reading
November 16, 2023
Merkley, Wyden Announce Nearly $32 Million for Columbia River Basin Projects and Programs in Oregon
Washington, D.C. - Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is investing $31,768,530 million across seven Oregon projects and programs to reduce toxics in fish and water, address climate chaos, and help restore the health of the Columbia River Basin. The federal investments come from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s historic $79 million total funding infusion into the Columbia River Basin Restoration Program, which is … Continue Reading
November 15, 2023
Blumenauer, Wyden Introduce Groundbreaking Tribal Co-Stewardship Model
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, Congressman Earl Blumenauer and Senator Ron Wyden, along with Senator Jeff Merkley, reintroduced the Wy’east Tribal Resources Restoration Act. The legislation directs the U.S. Forest Service to partner with the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs to develop a co-management plan for agreed-upon Treaty Resource Emphasis Zones. The legislation would establish one of the first placed-based co-management strategies in the nation. This legislation was introduced last … Continue Reading
