Press Releases
Twenty-Nine Members of the U.S. Senate from Both Parties Urge Obama Administration to Renew County Payments
Washington, D.C. - In a bipartisan effort to maintain the "contract" between rural America and the federal government, 29 members of the U.S. Senate from both parties are urging the Obama Administration to include a long-term reauthorization of the county payments program, known as the Secure Rural Schools and Communities Self-Determination Act (SRSCA), in its 2012 budget. "The SRSCA is not an entitlement program, but rather a demonstration of the commitment that this nation made to rural … Continue Reading
July 13, 2010
Wyden Secures Commitment from Portland VA Director on Appeals Backlog, Travel Reimbursement
Washington, D.C. - Continuing efforts to give Oregon veterans the quality medical treatment they deserve from the VA, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) was able to secure commitments from new Portland VA director, John Patrick, on three pressing issues that have strained veterans' already stretched finances. The commitments made by Patrick will address concerns over a backlog of Fee Basis appeals stretching back more than two years as well as what appears to be improper charging of third-party … Continue Reading
July 08, 2010
Wyden at Oregon National Guard Job Fair in Central Point on Sunday, July 11
EDITORS: More than 30 employers and 500 National Guard soldiers and their families are expected at the Yellow Ribbon Career and Benefit Fair at Crater High School in Central Point on Sunday, July 11. The job fair opens at 8 a.m. Senator Wyden, Gen. Mike Caldwell of the Oregon National Guard, employers and others will hold a press availability at 10:30 a.m. at the high school. This is the third of four Yellow Ribbon job fairs that will be held this summer. The job fairs are being held in … Continue Reading
July 08, 2010
Oregon National Guard Job Fair in Redmond on Saturday, July 10
EDITORS: More than 30 employers and 300 National Guard soldiers and their families are expected at the Yellow Ribbon Career and Benefit Fair at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds, Redmond Clackamas Community College on Saturday, July 10. The job fair opens at 10 a.m. Senator Wyden and Gen. Mike Caldwell will address the attendees at that time. They will be available to the media at 10:30. This is the second of four Yellow Ribbon job fairs that will be held this summer. The job fairs … Continue Reading
July 06, 2010
Wyden, Hunger Relief Task Force Visit King School on Wednesday to Highlight Summer Food Programs
Portland, OR - Oregon Senator Ron Wyden and members of the Hunger Relief Task Force will have lunch with children at King School in Portland at noon on Wednesday, July 7, 2010, to highlight the need to continue federal funding of summer food programs. Federal nutrition programs are up for renewal this year. Getting the programs funded at an appropriate level is a priority, especially during the summer when school is out and children don't have access to school meal … Continue Reading
July 02, 2010
Wyden, Merkley Announce More than $16 million for Broadband Infrastructure
Washington, D.C. - Responding to the need for reliable, high-speed internet access throughout all corners of Oregon, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) announced today that Crook and Clackamas Counties as well as Bend will receive a combined $16 million in Recovery Act funding for broadband infrastructure projects and a community computer center equipped with high-speed internet access. "Oregon's economic success as it moves through the 21st century will depend on … Continue Reading
July 02, 2010
Wyden in Salem on July 6 for Two Events: Visit Food Program at Boys and Girls Club, Ribbon Cutting at Marshall Composite Systems
Portland, OR - Oregon Senator Ron Wyden will visit the Salem Boys and Girls Club to highlight the need to continue federal funding of summer food programs. Federal nutrition programs are up for renewal this year. Getting the programs funded at an appropriate level is a priority, especially during the summer when school is out and children don't have access to school meal programs.. Who: Oregon Senator Ron Wyden Boys and girls What: Highlight the … Continue Reading
July 02, 2010
NEWS CONFERENCE, Monday, July 5, 10:30 a.m. Senator Ron Wyden, Local Brewery Owners, Hops Growers and Equipment Manufacturers on Creating More Jobs by Lowering Federal Taxes on Craft Beer
Portland, OR - Senator Ron Wyden, owners of craft breweries in the Willamette Valley, hops growers and other suppliers will hold a news conference on at 10:30 a.m., Monday, July 5, 2010, on legislation to lower the federal tax on craft beer. Wyden is co-sponsoring legislation that will cut the tax on craft beer in order to stimulate investment and job growth. Craft brewing is a $2.3 billion business in Oregon, employing 4,700 people. Who: Oregon Senator … Continue Reading
July 01, 2010
Wyden in Southern Oregon for Fourth of July Events in Ashland and Canyonville
Portland, OR - Oregon Senator Ron Wyden will attend two Southern Oregon events on the Fourth of July. He will walk in the Ashland Fourth of July parade and be the keynote speaker at a dinner in Canyonville honoring Oregon veterans. Sunday, July 4 10 a.m., Ashland Fourth of July Parade. 4 p.m., Annual Fourth of July dinner honor veterans, Seven Feathers Hotel & Casino Resort, 146 Chief Miwaleta Lane, … Continue Reading
June 30, 2010
Committee Approves Bill to Help Native American Vets with Disabilities Receive Housing Assistance
Washington, D.C. - Efforts to correct a flaw in current law that excludes some disabled Native American Veterans from housing assistance programs took a huge step forward today as legislation to amend eligibility requirements has been approved by the Indian Affairs committee. The Indian Veterans Housing Opportunity Act of 2010, introduced by U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and John Thune (R- S.D.) will discontinue the counting of disability compensation as income, a practice that often pushes … Continue Reading
June 29, 2010
Wyden, Markey Encourage CMS to Implement Their “Independence At Home” Program Within 6 Months
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Representative Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), authors of the Independence at Home demonstration program included as Section 3024 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111-148), today sent a letter to Acting CMS Administrator Marilyn Tavenner encouraging CMS to implement the program as soon as possible prior to the law's January 2012 deadline, with a goal of implementation within the next 6 months. This morning, Wyden and … Continue Reading
June 25, 2010
Wyden, Merkley Announce $1 million For PSU to Expand Research in Energy Efficient Building Practices
Washington, D.C. - Continuing efforts to improve energy efficiency and promote green industries of the future, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) announced today that Portland State University will receive a $1 million grant to fund a public-private research partnership into green building practices, materials and training. "This funding will help ensure that Portland State and Oregon remain in the forefront of green building technology development," Wyden said. "It … Continue Reading
June 24, 2010
Senators Urge Transocean To Delay $1 Billion in Dividends Before Paying Its Bill for Gulf Oil Spill
Washington, D.C. - Determined not to leave taxpayers, Gulf Coast businesses, communities and wildlife paying the bill for the devastation caused by the Deepwater Horizon explosion and uncontrolled release of oil into the Gulf of Mexico, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.), Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Russ Feingold (D-Wisc.), Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Max Baucus … Continue Reading
June 22, 2010
Wyden and Grassley to Testify in Rules Committee on Eliminating Secret Holds
Washington, D.C. - Tomorrow at 10:00 am EDT (7:00 am PDT) in room SR-305, U.S. Senator's Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) will testify before of the Senate Rules Committee on their more than decade's worth of experience trying to end the use of secret holds in the U.S. Senate. The hearing will be webcast live online and will be available in archived form shortly after the conclusion of the hearing. The webcast will start approximately 15 minutes prior to the start of the … Continue Reading
June 22, 2010
Senate and House Members from Both Parties Urge Obama Administration to Speed Up Payments to Counties
Washington, D.C. - Recognizing the importance of federal payments to rural counties, 35 members of Congress from both parties are urging the Obama Administration to abandon plans to delay sending Payment in Lieu of Taxes money and release the funds before the end of this month. "County governments, already facing a dismal economic situation, cannot wait an extra month for these funds, or simply suspend their operations for a month," the members of Congress said in a letter to Interior … Continue Reading
June 22, 2010
Oregon Caves and Devil’s Staircase Protection Bills Pass Energy Committee
Washington, D.C. - Marking another milestone in the fight to protect Oregon's natural resources for future generations, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) announced that a pair of bills designed to provide protections for two of Oregon's greatest natural resources have been approved by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, paving the way for consideration by the entire U.S. Senate. Senator Wyden chairs the Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests, with … Continue Reading
June 16, 2010
Wyden: Commitment to Invest in Oregon Company Good News for Nanotech Jobs, Health Care Costs and Those with Kidney Disease
Portland, OR - In a major victory for the future of nanotechnology and for the Oregon economy, Senator Ron Wyden said that today's announcement that the private equity firm Warburg Pincus has committed to investing up to $50 million in the Oregon company Home Dialysis Plus is good news for lower health care costs, Oregon jobs and those suffering from kidney disease. "This commitment by Warburg Pincus in the technology developed by HD+ is a tremendous advance for kidney dialysis patients and … Continue Reading
June 15, 2010
Wyden, National Guard to Host Job Fairs for Returning Soldiers in the Portland Metro Area, Central Oregon, Southern Oregon and the Willamette Valley
Portland, OR - Recognizing the high unemployment rate among National Guard soldiers returning from Iraq, Oregon Senator Ron Wyden is joining forces with the Oregon Military Department to host four job fairs that will match employers who have jobs with soldiers who need them. The Yellow Ribbon Career and Benefit Fairs will be held at the following locations: Portland Metro Area, Saturday, June 26, Clackamas Community College, Oregon City. Central Oregon, Saturday, July 10, Deschutes … Continue Reading
June 15, 2010
Current and Former Members of Congress to Gather for Conference on Bipartisanship Tomorrow
Washington, D.C. - The U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress, the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) and the U.S. National Archives will host Breaking the Stalemate: Renewing a Bipartisan Dialogue, a conference to explore the causes and effects of partisan gridlock in Washington and outline tangible solutions for changing course. Current and former Members of Congress, political experts, and journalists will participate in panel discussions throughout the one-day conference. The … Continue Reading
June 15, 2010
SCHUMER, WYDEN, BEGICH BLAST BP PLAN TO GIVE BACKDOOR $2.6B PAYMENT TO SHAREHOLDERS THROUGH ESCROW ACCOUNT—SENATORS SAY COMPANY MUST FIRST SET ASIDE BILLIONS TO COVER DAMAGES FROM GULF DISASTER BEFORE MAKING ANY PLANS FOR DIVIDEND
WASHINGTON, DC-U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer (D-NY), Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Mark Begich (D-AK) today called on oil giant BP to abandon its reported plans to set aside billions for a shareholder dividend until it first commits to setting up an escrow account that would cover the company's liabilities from the oil spill disaster in Gulf of Mexico. The board of London-based BP met yesterday to discuss how to deal with the quarterly dividend, estimated at $2.6 billion, that the company is due … Continue Reading
