Press Releases
Merkley, Salinas, Oregon Delegation Secure Over $2.2 Million Manufacturing Boost for OMEP
Washington, D.C. - Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and U.S. Representative Andrea Salinas (OR-06) announced today, alongside the Oregon delegation—Senator Ron Wyden and Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), and Janelle Bynum (OR-05)—that $2,217,708 is heading to the Oregon Manufacturing Extension Partnership (OMEP), which ensures the program can continue to support local manufacturers across the state. The federal funding comes from the … Continue Reading
June 30, 2025
Wyden, Colleagues Demand Explanation from Big Oil Corporations Lobbying for Tax Breaks at the Expense of American Families
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., said today he is demanding an explanation from Big Oil companies on their efforts to win a $1.1 billion tax loophole in the Republican budget reconciliation bill that would leave middle-class families in Oregon and nationwide with higher energy costs. Senate Republicans are paying for this handout by cutting clean energy tax credits and vital energy programs. The reconciliation bill would add a loophole to the corporate alternative minimum … Continue Reading
June 30, 2025
Wyden, Merkley Reintroduce Legislation to Protect LGBTQI+ Communities from Global Violence
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said today they have introduced a bill to impose sanctions on foreign actors responsible for human rights violations against LGBTQI+ communities abroad. “For far too long, the LGBTQI+ community has faced bigotry, hate, and violence all across the globe,” Wyden said. “We can’t let oppressive regimes get away with jailing or murdering individuals simply because of who they love and how they identify. This bill sends a clear message to … Continue Reading
June 30, 2025
Wyden, Merkley, Hoyle, Bynum Announce $9.7 Million for Rural Airports Across Oregon
Washington D.C.—U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, along with U.S. Representatives Val Hoyle and Janelle Bynum, today announced $9.7 million combined in federal grants for infrastructure improvements to taxiways, fencing, aircraft storage and more at airports throughout Oregon. “Rural airports are a vital lifeline to communities that depend on them for economic growth and emergency services,” Wyden said. “I applaud these federal investments that will help strengthen infrastructure in … Continue Reading
June 29, 2025
Wyden, Markey, Leader Schumer Call on Republicans to Stop Solar Cuts That Threaten Funding for K-12 Schools
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., said today that he and two Democratic colleagues have written to Donald Trump and Republican congressional leaders about the risks to K-12 funding posed by the Republican budget reconciliation proposal. Projects supported by tax credits, which Republicans want to eliminate, have saved communities tens of thousands of dollars annually. Any cuts could delay or disrupt important, ongoing solar projects, prevent schools and school districts from … Continue Reading
June 27, 2025
Wyden Votes For Iran War Powers Resolution to Prevent War Without Congressional Approval
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., issued the following statement today on his vote for the Iran War Powers Resolution, which reaffirms Congress’s constitutional power over the power to declare war or end hostilities: “I voted for this resolution to give voice to Oregonians across the state who made clear they don’t support sending American troops to fight and die in another endless war in the Middle East,” said Wyden, who voted against the Iraq War in 2002. “I supported … Continue Reading
June 27, 2025
Wyden, Merkley, Bonamici, Hoyle Announce $1 Million for Airports on Oregon Coast & Willamette Valley
Washington D.C.—U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, along with U.S. Representatives Suzanne Bonamici and Val Hoyle, today announced $1.08 million combined in federal infrastructure investments at airports in Tillamook, Astoria, Brookings and Aurora. “Federal investments in smaller airports throughout Oregon are a must to enhance quality of life in rural communities, Wyden said. “I’m gratified these federal resources are heading to our state, and I’ll keep battling for similar … Continue Reading
June 27, 2025
Merkley, Wyden Announce Over $31 Million in PILT Payments to Support Vital Services in Oregon
Washington, D.C. - Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced counties throughout Oregon will receive a combined total of $31,027,890 in Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) funding for 2025. Because local governments cannot tax federal lands, annual PILT funding helps to defray the costs associated with maintaining important community services in counties with federal lands. “Rural communities shouldn’t have to wonder if they will have the resources they need to pay for … Continue Reading
June 27, 2025
Following Pressure From Wyden and Colleagues, Trump Administration Confirms No Frontline Workers Have Been Recategorized as “Schedule F” at Social Security
Washington, D.C. - Following U.S. Senator Ron Wyden sounding the alarm on the Trump administration stripping civil service protections at the Social Security Administration, the administration has confirmed that no frontline workers have been reclassified at the agency. Social Security Administration Commissioner Frank Bisignano confirmed that the agency has not yet reclassified any workers as Schedule F policy-making employees. “The Trump administration’s plan to reclassify Social Security … Continue Reading
June 27, 2025
Wyden, Merkley Demand Trump Administration Explain Changing VA Hospital Guidelines in Secret
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, both D-Ore., said today they have joined their Senate colleagues in demanding answers from the Trump administration for secretly changing language in the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) health facilities’ bylaws that could lead to discrimination against veteran patients and health care providers. A recent report detailed the Trump administration’s secret plan to change guidelines that would leave VA providers and patients with … Continue Reading
June 27, 2025
Wyden, Merkley, Bonamici, Hoyle Announce $1 Million for Airports on Oregon Coast & Willamette Valley
Washington D.C.—U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, along with U.S. Representatives Suzanne Bonamici and Val Hoyle, today announced $1.08 million combined in federal infrastructure investments at airports in Tillamook, Astoria, Brookings and Aurora. “Federal investments in smaller airports throughout Oregon are a must to enhance quality of life in rural communities, Wyden said. “I’m gratified these federal resources are heading to our state, and I’ll keep battling for similar … Continue Reading
June 27, 2025
Wyden, Markey, Leader Schumer Urge Republicans to Halt Health Care Cuts, Spare Small Businesses from Skyrocketing Costs
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Edward J. Markey, D-Mass. and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., today wrote to Republican leaders that their budget bill’s proposed cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or letting the enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits expire for 3 million small businesses would be a disaster for families and small businesses. More than 40% of small business owners surveyed by Small … Continue Reading
June 26, 2025
Wyden, Colleagues Slam Republicans Over Gutting Tribal Energy Program and Energy Tax Credits
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Martin Heinrich, D-N.M. and Brian Schatz, D-Hawai'i, today released the following statement on Republicans' reconciliation bill that harms Tribal communities in Oregon and nationwide: "As extreme heat strains the grid and leaves thousands without power, Senate Republicans are pushing a bill that would hike costs and worsen energy shortages. Their plan slashes investments in the new energy sources we need to meet demand and keep prices … Continue Reading
June 26, 2025
Wyden, Dingell & Nunn Reintroduce Bill to Prevent Abusers From Targeting Survivors with Technology
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and U.S. Representatives Debbie Dingell, D-Mich., and Representative Zach Nunn, R-Iowa, today reintroduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation to help prevent domestic abusers from using technology to stalk, harass or control survivors. With today's rapidly growing digital environment, technology-enabled abuse has taken many forms, including social media platforms, phone-based apps, and specialty spyware programs. Because of the diversity of … Continue Reading
June 25, 2025
On Third Anniversary of Roe Being Overturned, Merkley and Wyden Join Bill to Restore Abortion Access Nationwide
WASHINGTON, D.C. - On the third anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden joined the entire Senate Democratic caucus in introducing the Women’s Health Protection Act of 2025, legislation to guarantee access to abortion everywhere across the country and restore the right to comprehensive reproductive health care for millions of Americans. The bill’s introduction comes as the Trump Administration further attacks … Continue Reading
June 25, 2025
Wyden, Hirono Demand Answers on Trump Rescinding Emergency Reproductive Care Guidance
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Mazie K. Hirono, D-Hawai’i, today demanded answers from the Trump Administration about its decision to rescind Biden-era guidance that reaffirmed the obligation of hospitals to provide life-saving, emergency abortion care under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA). Passed into law in 1986, EMTALA requires any hospital receiving Medicare funding to provide necessary stabilizing treatment for any individuals experiencing … Continue Reading
June 25, 2025
Wyden, Merkley Demand Trump Administration Resume Processing DACA Applications
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, both D-Ore., today joined Senate colleagues to urge U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to immediately resume processing DACA applications "Noncitizens brought to the United States as children, often known as Dreamers, are American in every way but their immigration status," the lawmakers wrote to Acting Director Angelica Alfonso-Royals. "Americans overwhelmingly support providing Dreamers a path to citizenship, and in … Continue Reading
June 23, 2025
Wyden and Merkley Introduce Legislation to Check Presidential Power Under the Insurrection Act
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley (both D-Ore.) said today they have joined 20 senators to introduce legislation that would limit the president’s unrestrained authority under the 217-year-old Insurrection Act. The new Insurrection Act of 2025 would reform centuries-old legislation that gives the president broad authority to deploy troops without a state’s permission to suppress “any insurrection, domestic violence, unlawful combination, or conspiracy.” Historically, … Continue Reading
June 23, 2025
Wyden Reintroduces Legislation to Protect TPS and DED Recipients
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., joined 30 senators today in reintroducing legislation to provide qualified Temporary Protected Status and Deferred Enforced Departure recipients a path to legal permanent residency. “Donald Trump’s all-out war on immigrants spits in the faces of our Founding Fathers,” Wyden said. “Torching TPS is not the answer to repairing our country’s broken immigration system. Immigrants are the backbone of American communities, making the most out of … Continue Reading
June 23, 2025
Wyden, Markey Demand Answers from Trump Administration Using AI and Other Technology to Label People as National Security Risks
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, (D-Ore.) said today that he and Edward J. Markey, (D-Mass.) are demanding answers from the Trump administration about its use of artificial intelligence and other technologies to label people as a risk to U.S. national security. Wyden and Markey called on Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem to reverse the Trump administration's decision to expand its social media screening of visa applicants. Those policy … Continue Reading
