Press Releases
TriMet's Use of Build America Bonds Saves $3 million
Portland, OR - TriMet has become the second public entity in Oregon to take advantage of the new Build America Bonds program championed by Senator Ron Wyden. By using Build America Bonds on a portion of TriMet's recent $49.55 million bond issue, the transit district will save taxpayers nearly $3 million in interest costs over the term of the bonds. "The goal of Build America Bonds is to create jobs, rebuild America's infrastructure, and save taxpayer money by offering public entities an … Continue Reading
October 30, 2009
10 Senators Ask Reid to Expand Access to the Health Care Exchanges
Washington, D.C. - Nine Democratic senators joined U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) today in expressing support for a version of Wyden's Free Choice proposal which would promote real competition among health insurers by increasing the number of Americans able to choose plans in the new health insurance exchanges. In a letter (below) addressed to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, U.S. Senators Mary Landrieu (D-La.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Evan Bayh (D-Ind.), Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), Barbara … Continue Reading
October 30, 2009
Declassifying Total Intelligence Budget Figures Informs National Security Debate
Washington, D.C.-. U.S Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) released the following statement today in response to the Director of National Intelligence's release of the total size of the National Intelligence Program budget. This number has been publicly released each year since 2007 pursuant to the requirements of the "Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007" which included declassification language previously offered by Senator Wyden. "Declassifying the total size of the … Continue Reading
October 29, 2009
Wyden, Merkley Announce $40 Million To Boost Geothermal Energy in Oregon
Washington, D.C. - Continuing efforts to advance alternative energy resources and break our dependence on foreign oil and fossil fuels, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) announced nearly $40 million in Recovery Act funding for the exploration and development of geothermal energy technologies in Oregon. "This funding will literally help to bring Oregon's geothermal energy potential to the surface," Wyden said. "It will create and sustain jobs improving alternative … Continue Reading
October 28, 2009
Wyden Forwards U.S. Attorney, U.S. Marshal Finalists to President Obama
Portland, OR - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden forwarded to President Obama today the names of the finalists chosen by a selection committee for U.S. Attorney and U.S. Marshal for the State of Oregon. The 13-member selection committee appointed by Wyden and U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley made their recommendations to Wyden after interviewing candidates and deliberating over last weekend. The committee chaired by Deschutes County District Attorney Mike Dugan was comprised of a diverse group of police, … Continue Reading
October 26, 2009
Senator Wyden Responds to Majority Leader Reid's Decision on Public Option
Washington, D.C.-. U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) issued the following statement in response to Senate Majority Leader Reid's decision to include a public option with an opt-out provision in the Senate health reform legislation: "I agree with Senator Reid that health reform should give Americans more options. Now, I want to work with him to ensure that all Americans can choose those options. The bottom line is that the public option can't really hold private insurers accountable if it is … Continue Reading
October 22, 2009
Defense Authorization Bill Passes, Including Wyden Proposals on Back Pay for Troops and Ban on Burn Pits
Washington, D.C. - Persisting in his work to safeguard the financial and physical health of our troops, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) secured retroactive pay for 864 Oregon soldiers under the Post Deployment and Mobilization Respite Absence (PDMRA) program along with a ban on the burning of hazardous chemical waste in war zones as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 (H.R. 2647)."This bill takes concrete action on some really important issues for our troops," … Continue Reading
October 22, 2009
Wyden's Position on Net Neutrality Upheld at FCC
WASHINGTON, DC - Extolling the economic benefits of a free and open Internet provided by the policy of net neutrality, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) released a statement today in response to the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) vote to begin writing net neutrality regulations. The FCC will prevent internet service providers (ISP) from being able to act as gatekeepers, favoring their own applications or services over those provided by others and blocking or slowing certain internet … Continue Reading
October 21, 2009
Wyden, Merkley Help Save Oregon Manufacturing Jobs
Washington, D.C. - Fighting against a decision by the Customs and Border Protection Agency (CBP) that would have devastated Oregon knife manufacturers, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) saw the amendment they co-sponsored to prohibit the reclassification of certain knives as switchblades included in the final FY 2010 Homeland Security Appropriations bill that passed the Senate today. The amendment was sponsored by Senator John Cornyn (R-Tex.) and a number of senators … Continue Reading
October 15, 2009
Wyden to Meet with Central Oregon Soldiers Headed for Afghanistan
Portland, OR - Oregon Senator Ron Wyden will be in Redmond on Saturday, October 17, 2009, to meet with the National Guard troops from Central Oregon who are scheduled to be deployed next year to the Middle East, possibly Afghanistan. On the same day, Wyden will hold a town-hall style meeting with students at the National Guard Youth Challenge Alternative High School near Bend. The Department of Defense has alerted more than 3,500 members of the Army National Guard's 116th Cavalry Brigade … Continue Reading
October 15, 2009
Energy and Water Appropriations Bill Clears Senate and Heads For President's Desk
Washington, D.C. - Working to improve Oregon's waterways and alternative energy technology capabilities, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) announced today that the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act is on its way to the President's desk for signature. The bill, which includes nearly $200 million in projects for Oregon and the Northwest, has been approved by both the House and the Senate. The bill also includes millions in funding for … Continue Reading
October 14, 2009
Three More Wyden Amendments Included in America's Healthy Future Act; Ten Total
Washington, D.C. - Three amendments written by U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) were accepted to the final version of the America's Healthy Future Act of 2009. Ten Wyden-authored amendments are included in total. The "Rewarding High Quality Medicare Advantage Plans" amendment will provide incentives for providing high-quality care by increasing payments for Medicare Advantage plans that voluntarily improve their services. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) score Medicare … Continue Reading
October 13, 2009
U.S. Senator Ron Wyden: Statement announcing his vote to pass "America's Healthy Future Act" out of committee
Mr. Chairman and Colleagues, I think we all understand that health Reform legislation is unlike any other bill. Apart from the fact that it affects all Americans and our entire economy, writing a health reform bill is fundamentally different than anything else the Congress does.Take for example an appropriations bill or a tax bill, these kinds of bills are largely collections of a variety of different provisions, some of which are so important to a particular a state or a particular Senator … Continue Reading
October 07, 2009
Senate-Passed Defense Appropriations Bill Includes Over $60 Million to Protect Troops and Boost Oregon's Development of Advanced Technologies
Washington, D.C. - The United States Senate last night passed the fiscal year 2010 Department of Defense appropriations bill, which includes over $60 million for Oregon projects. Included at the request of Oregon Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, these projects will provide research and development of clean energy technologies, equipment to help ensure military personnel land aircraft safely in severe weather conditions, and updated data and voice communications systems. The bill also … Continue Reading
October 05, 2009
Wyden Responds to Amtrak Study of the Pioneer Line
Portland, OR - A preliminary study of the Pioneer Line needs to more fully explore key issues of cost and ridership before Congress can make a decision about restoring passenger rail service to Eastern Oregon, Senator Ron Wyden said in a letter to the president and CEO of Amtrak. "It is apparent that the Pioneer has the potential to greatly benefit the State of Oregon by providing an alternative means of passenger transportation," Wyden said in the letter to Joseph H. Boardman. "However, the … Continue Reading
September 30, 2009
Wyden, Merkley Announce Investigation Into National Guard Exposure to Carcinogen
Washington, D.C. - The Inspector General for the Department of Defense will investigate whether actions by the U.S. Army and a contractor exposed Oregon National Guard troops to a harmful carcinogen in Iraq in 2003.The investigation is in response to a letter written by U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and five other senate colleagues calling on Inspector General Gordon Heddell to investigate whether the U.S. Army and KBR - a contractor hired to restore the Qarmat Ali … Continue Reading
September 29, 2009
Wyden Votes for Public Option
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) today released the following statement regarding his vote in the Senate Finance Committee in favor of the public option:"The legislation before us currently does not offer enough real competition to keep Americans from continuing to be abused by health insurers and held captive by large employers. Without the ability to hold insurers accountable for their costs and quality of service, without the ability to get a better deal and stop the … Continue Reading
September 25, 2009
Committee Interview Schedule Setto Select U.S. Attorney and U.S. Marshal
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden's selection committee has chosen six candidates to interview for the position of U.S. Attorney and six candidates to interview for the position of U.S. Marshal. The interviews will take place October 24 - 25, 2009. The candidates interviewing for U.S. Attorney are: John FooteJohn HaroldsonDwight HoltonJoshua MarquisAmanda MarshallKent Robinson The candidates interviewing for U.S. Marshal are: Russel BurgerJames FerrarisGerald GregEric MellgrenCarla … Continue Reading
September 24, 2009
Senate Approves FLAME Act, Over $8 Million for Oregon Projects to Improve Communities and Preserve Natural Areas
Washington, D.C. - Oregon Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that the Interior Appropriations bill, which includes over $8 million for Oregon projects, passed the U.S. Senate. The bill includes funding to protect and conserve natural recreation areas, replace outdated infrastructure, and provide farmers the resources they need to bring their crops to market. "We must continue to preserve Oregon's natural treasures so that future generations will benefit from the recreation … Continue Reading
September 24, 2009
Wyden, Merkley Announce USDA Funding for Rural Renewable Energy Grants
Washington, D.C. - In recognizing the importance of energy efficiency in America's rural businesses, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D- Ore.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture will be awarding more than $866,000 in grants and a $2.2 million loan guarantee to rural businesses in Oregon to promote alternative energy production."This funding will help 24 farms and agricultural businesses in rural Oregon create and save energy using sustainable, alternative … Continue Reading
