Press Releases
Wyden, Merkley: More than $1.1 Million to Oregon for Emergency Preparedness with Pipelines
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that Oregon will receive a combined more than $1.1 million in Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) funds for crucial emergency preparedness. “The past few years of raging wildfires, floods, hail storms, power outages and ice have only reinforced the need to prepare our communities for emergencies like a pipeline incident threatening Oregonians and our homes, neighborhoods and small … Continue Reading
September 29, 2022
Key Committee Holds Hearing on Wyden Bill to Protect the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs from Wildfire
Washington, D.C. - The U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources today held a hearing on U.S. Senator Ron Wyden's legislation that would protect the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs reservation from wildfire and empower the Tribe to restore cultural and forest resources on Mt. Hood. The legislation is also co-sponsored by U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley. "This legislation is about honoring Tribal Treaty rights and making sure the deep knowledge of Tribes like the Confederated … Continue Reading
September 29, 2022
Wyden: Oregon Counties to Receive $113.1 Million in Federal Aid Over Next Two Years
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today announced that all 36 Oregon counties will receive a combined $113.1 million in federal assistance over the next two years through a program he successfully fought to include in the American Rescue Plan. “This federal investment in rural Oregon and all parts of our state is timely and welcome news as counties work on their communities’ needs to support roads, schools and more that all add up to a quality of life families and small … Continue Reading
September 29, 2022
Wyden, Cortez Masto, Schatz Introduce Legislation to Support Economic Development in Tribal Communities
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, Catherine Cortez Masto and Brian Schatz today introduced the Native American Tax Parity and Relief Act of 2022 to help support economic development in Indian Country by removing unfair tax burdens on Tribal communities. This legislation would ensure that Tribal governments are treated similarly to state and local governments in the federal tax code and are consulted when federal tax legislation is drafted.“Tribes should have access to the same … Continue Reading
September 29, 2022
Merkley, Wyden Announce a Federal Investment of $6.8 Million to Improve Wildfire Resiliency in Oregon
Washington, D.C. - Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced $6.8 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding for wildfire prevention projects in Oregon on 49,039 acres of land across the state. The additional funding is intended to help complete fuels treatments on nearly 2 million acres nationwide this fiscal year, a substantial increase over the last year’s fiscal year.? “As Oregon’s wildfire seasons grow longer and hotter, they are a stark reminder … Continue Reading
September 28, 2022
Wyden Announces Hold On Nominee for U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today announced he will hold the nomination of Michael Ratney to serve as U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia. When The Oregonian revealed the Saudi regime has systematically helped its citizens flee the United States after being accused of violent crimes, Wyden pressed the executive branch to win justice for the victims of these crimes, including the manslaughter of Portland teenager Fallon Smart. The Oregonian first reported that the man … Continue Reading
September 28, 2022
Merkley, Wyden Announce Over $500,000 to Increase Access to Financial Services in St. Helens and Portland
Washington, D.C. - Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced that three Oregon credit unions will receive a total of $520,659 in federal dollars to support small loans to families and businesses. The funding is coming from the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) through the FY22 round of the Small Dollar Loan (SDL) Program. “Whether it’s a mortgage, a car loan, or a line of credit to launch a business, … Continue Reading
September 27, 2022
Merkley, Wyden Announce Nearly $23 Million to Address the Opioid Crisis
Washington, D.C. - Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced that a total of $22,972,499 in Department of Health and Human Services grants to combat the opioid crisis is coming to the State of Oregon and Tribes. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, in 2021, Oregon overdose deaths increased 41%, compared to a 16% increase nationwide. In 2020 non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Native, non-Hispanic Black, male and people experiencing … Continue Reading
September 26, 2022
Wyden, Merkley: More than $1.37 Million to Metro Area to Address Sexual Violence
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley this week announced that three organizations and governments in the metro area will receive a combined more than $1.37 million from the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) to continue to provide temporary housing, victim services and criminal intervention after sexual violence. “Addressing the atrocity of sexual violence in our communities couldn’t be more urgent,” Wyden said. “I am gratified to see local organizations … Continue Reading
September 26, 2022
Merkley, Wyden Announce $100 Million Investment into Climate-Smart Commodities and Rural Projects for Oregon
Washington, D.C. - Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced four Oregon based organizations will be receiving awards totaling $100 million to foster partnerships around Oregon to support the production and marketing of climate-smart commodities. These projects are intended to expand markets for commodities that are produced with smaller or no carbon footprints, helping reduce the carbon pollution driving climate chaos and supporting both Oregon climate-friendly … Continue Reading
September 26, 2022
Wyden, Merkley: More than $1.6 Million to Oregon Tribes to Address Sexual Violence
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that three Oregon tribal organizations will receive a combined more than $1.6 million from the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) to continue to provide victim and intervention services after sexual violence on tribal land. “Addressing the atrocity of sexual violence on tribal land couldn’t be more urgent,” Wyden said. “I am gratified to see tribal governments getting more resources to build even stronger … Continue Reading
September 26, 2022
Wyden, Merkley: USDA Investing More Than $20 Million in High-Speed Internet in Three Rural Oregon Counties
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced an investment in Eastern Oregon from U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development totaling about $20.5 million to support high-speed internet in Baker, Grant and Malheur counties. “Quality of life in rural Oregon requires quality Internet connections that link children reliably and quickly to educational opportunities as well as small businesses and farms to their customers,” Wyden said. “I’m … Continue Reading
September 23, 2022
Wyden, Veasey Introduce Resolution to Recognize September as National Voting Rights Month
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden this week with Congressman Marc Veasey introduced a resolution to recognize September as “National Voting Rights Month.” “The right to vote in free and fair elections is under increasing threat from Republican politicians looking to win power at all costs - even if it means disenfranchising qualified voters,” Wyden said.“Congressman Veasey and I are standing up for the principle that ensuring all Americans can exercise their right to vote is … Continue Reading
September 22, 2022
Wyden, Merkley: More than $2.5 Million to Oregon in Housing Vouchers
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that 21 public housing authorities throughout Oregon will receive a combined more than $2.5 million in additional housing choice vouchers. These 251 vouchers are in addition to the 44,500 vouchers already in use by Oregon households. “As we head into fall and winter, I’m gratified to see more Oregonians get a roof overhead,” Wyden said. “Housing is a basic human need. These permanent housing vouchers, paired … Continue Reading
September 22, 2022
Wyden, Merkley: Three Oregon Fire Departments to Receive About $3.8 Million in Federal Aid
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that the Scappoose Rural Fire District as well as the cities of Portland and Albany will receive a total of about $3.8 million in federal funds to support local firefighting operations. “Firefighters put their lives on the line protecting Oregon communities, and deserve both modern equipment and properly staffed departments to do the risky work that Oregonians count on,” Wyden said. “I’m gratified these … Continue Reading
September 22, 2022
Wyden, Merkley: More than $1.1 Million to Metro Area Schools for On-Campus Child Care
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that Portland State University (PSU) and Portland Community College (PCC) will receive a combined more than $1.1 million from the U.S. Department of Education to provide on-campus child care for low-income students who are parents. “Parenting while pursuing higher education is incredibly challenging, so alleviating the added cost and commute time of off-campus child care provides parenting students a … Continue Reading
September 22, 2022
Wyden, Crapo, Stabenow, Daines Unveil Mental Health Workforce Enhancement Discussion Draft
Washington, D.C. - Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and Senator Steve Daines (R-Mont.) today released a discussion draft of legislation aimed at expanding the mental health workforce to make it easier for Americans to get mental health care when they need it. The Senators also committed to pursue opportunities for public-private partnerships to help meet the nation’s mental health care needs. … Continue Reading
September 21, 2022
Wyden Urges for Senate Passage of the DISCLOSE Act
I'm pleased to join several of my Democratic colleagues on the floor to talk about the DISCLOSE Act. There's one element of the bill that I want to focus on briefly this afternoon. The country is now about a month and a half out from election day. In Oregon and all across the country, Americans are getting bludgeoned with political advertising each and every time they turn on the television or the radio or watch a video online. It is a nasty, aggravating, inescapable part of life in … Continue Reading
September 21, 2022
Wyden: Government Watchdogs Must Investigate Warrantless Purchases of Americans’ Internet Browsing Data by Federal Agencies
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today requested the inspectors general for the departments of Homeland Security, Defense and Justice to investigate the warrantless purchase and use of American's web browsing records, based on evidence in public records and from a government whistleblower. In a letter to three Inspectors General, Wyden revealed that public contracting records and a Defense Department whistleblower provided new details about the extent of federal internet … Continue Reading
September 21, 2022
Wyden, Eshoo Lead Bicameral Effort Urging NTIA to Protect Website Owners’ Personal Information, Quickly Adopt Strong Privacy Protections
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and U.S. Representative Anna G. Eshoo, D-Calif., today led a bicameral effort urging the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to upgrade its privacy practices to protect the personal information of .US users. Domain registration information contains highly sensitive personal information. These records include names, email addresses, physical addresses and phone numbers. Domain name users can be anyone, including … Continue Reading
