Press Releases
Hoyle, Wyden, Merkley Announce $25 Million in Funding for Port of Coos Bay Intermodal Project
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Representative Val Hoyle and U.S. Senator Ron Wyden and U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, announced $25,018,750 in federal funding for the Pacific Coast Intermodal Port (PCIP) Terminal Planning Project. The investment comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Nationally Significant Multimodal Freight and Highways Projects (INFRA) grant program. “I am thrilled today that the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded over $25 million for the Port of Coos Bay … Continue Reading
October 14, 2024
Wyden, Merkley Announce $37 Million in Federal Funds for Oregon to Replace Unsafe Drinking Water Infrastructure
Washington D.C.—U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced a federal investment of $37 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to replace lead and copper water pipes across Oregon that have been known to cause serious health issues. “The science is clear - there is no safe level of lead in drinking water,” Wyden said. “I am very grateful to see more than $37 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law ensure that Oregonians always have access to clean drinking water in … Continue Reading
October 11, 2024
Wyden Presses Biden Administration to Secure U.S. Wiretapping Systems Following Reported Hack
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., pressed the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to stop hackers from breaching U.S. telephone and broadband companies’ wiretapping systems by setting mandatory security standards and doing more to hold companies accountable for negligent cybersecurity, in a letter today. Wyden’s letter follows a report by The Wall Street Journal last week that suspected-Chinese government hackers may have breached major … Continue Reading
October 10, 2024
Wyden, Merkley, Salinas Announce $2 Million Federal Investment to Oregon Small Businesses to Lower Energy Costs
Washington D.C.—U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley with U.S. Representative Andrea Salinas today announced a federal investment of more than $2 million to help lower energy costs for farmers and small businesses in Marion and Jefferson counties while reducing carbon emissions. “Rural Oregonians are often on the frontlines of the fight against the climate crisis, whether that is combating wildfires, drought, or other extreme weather events caused by climate change,” Wyden said. “I … Continue Reading
October 10, 2024
Wyden, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Ban Lavish Gifts for Supreme Court Justices
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden said today he is cosponsoring legislation that would ban Supreme Court justices from receiving gifts valued at more than $50, aimed at strengthening the ethical standards of the Court. Senators Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., and Peter Welch, D-Vt., led the introduction of the High Court Gift Ban Act. In addition to Wyden, Senators Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., Alex Padilla, D-Calif., and Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., cosponsored the bill. Representatives Alexandria … Continue Reading
October 10, 2024
Wyden Joins Legislation to Build and Renovate Homes for Working Families
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden said today he is cosponsoring legislation that would provide tax credits to generate incentives for new investments and additional resources for single-family home construction and renovations for working families in Oregon and nationwide. Senator Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., who led the New Homes Tax Credit Act, released a report on housing supply in America, which found that underbuilding, restrictive zoning policies, and home financing hurdles have … Continue Reading
October 09, 2024
Wyden, Merkley and Hoyle Announce NOAA’s Support for Port Orford
Washington D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, along with U.S. Representative Val Hoyle, today announced the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries included specific support for Port Orford’s local economy and job growth in its National Seafood Strategic Implementation Plan. “World-renowned seafood is synonymous with Oregon, and is a vital part of our coastal economy and a delicious part of our dinner tables,” Wyden said. “I’m gratified NOAA recognizes … Continue Reading
October 07, 2024
Wyden, Merkley Announce Federal Investment to Mitigate Water Loss
Washington D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced a federal investment of $350,000 for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation to make improvements that will reduce water losses in the Little Walla Walla Canal System. “As we face an ever-deepening climate crisis, it’s vital to find efficient ways to conserve resources like water to help communities throughout Oregon thrive,” Wyden said. “I’m gratified that this investment from the Inflation … Continue Reading
October 03, 2024
Merkley, Wyden Co-Sponsor Legislation to Revitalize Congressional Check on Rogue Supreme Court Decisions
Washington, D.C. - Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden have joined legislation that would revitalize Congress’s ability to check the Supreme Court’s inaccurate interpretation of federal law and restore rights by statute that the Court has taken away. “The Supreme Court is making life-altering decisions threatening Americans’ reproductive freedom, workers’ bargaining power, voting rights, clean air, and so much more—Congress needs a process to quickly and effectively respond to … Continue Reading
October 03, 2024
Merkley, Wyden: $1 Million Federal Investment Will Build Resiliency to Wildfires, Smoke in Lane County
Washington, D.C. - Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that $997,622 is coming to Lane County to build resiliency in the face of climate chaos-fueled wildfires and smoke. This funding under the historic Inflation Reduction Act—the largest investment in climate action in history—will help improve air quality and mitigate the harms of wildfire smoke for Lane County residents, protecting public health and frontline communities disproportionately at risk of these … Continue Reading
October 02, 2024
Wyden, Merkley, Hoyle, Salinas: Communities in Oregon to Receive Much-Needed Funding for Law-Enforcement Technology
Washington D.C.— U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, along with U.S. Representatives Val Hoyle and today announced crucial federal investments for technology to support local law enforcement-including emergency response and crime prevention-in Benton, Lake and Marion counties, and the city of Medford. “Communities throughout Oregon simply must have the modern tools required to prevent and fight crime in a modern world,” Wyden said. “I’m gratified this investment will help build safer … Continue Reading
October 01, 2024
Wyden, Merkley, Bonamici Announce $4.5 Million Federal Investment to Increase Housing Climate Resiliency
Washington D.C.— U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley with U.S. Representative Suzanne Bonamici today announced a federal investment of $4.56 million to retrofit two apartment complexes in Portland with climate resilient materials and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. “The fight against the climate crisis demands an all-out attack,” Wyden said. “Not only should new housing be developed with climate goals in mind, but existing housing must be upgraded to help get to a zero-emission … Continue Reading
September 30, 2024
Wyden Announces Town Hall Next Week in Clackamas County
Portland - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today announced he will hold an open-to-all town hall on Tuesday, Oct. 8 in Clackamas County. This 11 am town hall at Camp Withycombe (15300 SE Industrial Way, Happy Valley) will be Wyden’s 35th so far this year and his 1,100th overall -- honoring his promise to hold at least one town hall each year in each of our state’s 36 counties. “The Oregon Way draws strength each time Oregonians come out in communities small and large to have face-to-face … Continue Reading
September 26, 2024
Wyden Introduces Sweeping Court Reforms to Restore Public Trust as Supreme Court Faces Legitimacy Crisis
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today announced the introduction of new legislation to restore balance among the three branches of government, increase transparency to improve public trust in America’s courts, and modernize the courts to ensure greater access to justice for more Americans. In the wake of recent rulings upending decades of precedent and evidence of unethical behavior, Wyden’s Judicial Modernization and Transparency Act would modernize the courts by expanding … Continue Reading
September 26, 2024
Wyden Backs Legislation to Establish Program Supporting Students’ Basic Needs
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden said today he is cosponsoring legislation that would help ensure college students in Oregon and nationwide can meet their basic needs while pursuing their education. The Basic Assistance for Students in College (BASIC) Act aims to combat the basic needs crisis by allocating funding to help students access nutritious food, safe and secure housing, mental and physical health care, high-quality and affordable child care, technology, transportation, … Continue Reading
September 25, 2024
Wyden Joins Colleagues to Modernize Vehicle Safety Tests, Require Use of Female Crash Test Dummies
Washington D.C.—U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) said today he has joined U.S. Senate colleagues from both parties to introduce legislation that would improve passenger vehicle safety by requiring the use of the most advanced testing devices available — including a female crash test dummy. The bipartisan She Develops Regulations In Vehicle Equality and Safety Act would enhance passenger vehicle safety by updating U.S. crashworthiness testing procedures, Wyden said. “The fact that women are … Continue Reading
September 25, 2024
Wyden Introduces Legislation to Clean Up Hemp Market, Keep Products Out of Kids’ Hands
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., introduced the Cannabinoid Safety and Regulation Act (CSRA) to establish national standards to protect public health and safety and keep cannabis products out of the hands of children. The CSRA would establish a national age restriction to prevent those under 21 from purchasing hemp-derived cannabis products. The legislation would require that all hemp-derived products are tested for safety and are manufactured using clean and safe processes. … Continue Reading
September 24, 2024
Wyden, Merkley Demand Postmaster General DeJoy Reverse Decision Hurting Mail Services in Southern Oregon
Washington D.C.— U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today demanded Postmaster General DeJoy immediately reverse his damaging position to relocate outgoing operations at the regional postal distribution center in Medford. “We share the grave concerns of the residents of Southern Oregon that this consolidation poses significant negative consequences for both our community and the efficiency of postal services in the region,” the senators wrote in a letter to DeJoy. “The Medford … Continue Reading
September 23, 2024
Wyden, Merkley, Colleagues Urge Social Media and Encrypted Messages Companies to Increase Resources Toward Combating 2024 U.S. Election Disinformation
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said today they have joined Senate colleagues in calling on 11 of the largest and most popular social media and encrypted chat companies in the United States to increase resources needed to combat 2024 U.S. election administration and certification disinformation. “We are deeply concerned that the dissemination of election disinformation via your products and/or platforms - if left unmitigated - will suppress voter participation, … Continue Reading
September 23, 2024
Merkley, Wyden Announce Over $4 Million to Boost Behavioral Health Services in Oregon
Washington, D.C. - Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced that the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is awarding seven Oregon health centers a total of $4.1 million?to launch and expand their behavioral health services. This federal funding is critical to providing Oregon communities with more resources to help address mental health and substance use disorder challenges. “As I traveled the state to hold a town hall in each of Oregon’s 36 counties … Continue Reading
