Press Releases
Wyden, Merkley: Nearly $2.3 Million to Help Rural Oregon Business Owners, Farmers and Ranchers Lower Energy Costs, Generate Income, and Expand Operations
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that Oregon businesses and organizations will receive a combined nearly $2.3 million for renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements that will lower their energy costs, generate new income, and strengthen the resilience of their operation. This funding is made possible in part by the Inflation Reduction Act, the nation’s largest-ever investment in combatting the climate crisis. “We can address high energy … Continue Reading
September 06, 2023
Wyden, Merkley, Bonamici, Hoyle Announce BOEM to hold Public Meetings for Comments on Offshore Wind Energy
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley along with U.S. Reps. Suzanne Bonamici and Val Hoyle today announced that the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management will host public meetings on two draft proposals for wind energy off the Oregon coast and opened a 60-day public review and comment period. “Renewable energy is an essential piece of the strategy to combat the climate crisis. However, local communities and fishermen have to be at the center for decisions about offshore wind … Continue Reading
September 05, 2023
Merkley, Wyden: Over $600,000 Coming to Oregon for Crucial Wildfire Risk Reduction Projects
Washington, D.C. - Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced a total of $661,720 coming to Oregon from the U.S. Forest Service (USFS). These funds will be split across three projects in the state to support wildfire risk reduction, habitat restoration, and collaborative prescribed fires. These investments will strengthen forest health, protect public lands, and restore essential ecosystems harmed by past wildfires. “As wildfire seasons become increasingly longer and … Continue Reading
August 31, 2023
Merkley, Wyden Announce $7.5 Million for New Housing in Warm Springs
Washington, D.C. - Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is awarding $7,500,000 to the Warm Springs Housing Authority to construct additional housing units, which will expand available housing options to Tribal families in Warm Springs. “It’s critical that Tribal families have affordable, safe places to live to foster community and connect them to their land,” said Senator Merkley. “This critical … Continue Reading
August 31, 2023
Merkley, Wyden Announce Over $1 Million Coming to City of Haines to Improve Water Distribution and Infrastructure, Fire Safety
Washington, D.C. - Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is awarding $1,015,000 to the City of Haines to repair and upgrade 10,000 linear feet of water distribution pipes. This funding will also be used to install fire hydrants throughout the community. “When I meet with local leaders in rural Oregon across the state, they make it clear that water infrastructure is a top priority,” said Senator Merkley. … Continue Reading
August 31, 2023
Merkley, Wyden Announce Nearly $1.5 Million to Promote Healthy Pollinator Populations
Washington, D.C. - Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced the University of Oregon and Oregon State University are receiving a combined total of $1,499,973 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) to support research into bee populations and habitats. “Protecting pollinators, like bees and butterflies, is an urgent issue that requires bold and sustainable solutions,” said Senator Merkley, who as a champion for pollinator … Continue Reading
August 30, 2023
Wyden Statement on HHS Recommendation to Classify Cannabis as Schedule III Controlled Substance
Washington, D.C. - Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) issued the following statement after reports that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) formally recommended that the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) move marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act: “Ultimately, I believe that cannabis should be descheduled with strong federal regulations put in place to protect public health and safety - that’s why I introduced the … Continue Reading
August 24, 2023
Wyden, Merkley Announce More than $25.7 Million to Oregon for Rural Broadband
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that four Oregon counties will receive a combined $25.7 million from the USDA Rural Development’s ReConnect program to bring broadband to homes and businesses in the Mid-Valley and Central Coast. “I will not rest until 100 percent of Oregonians get the broadband necessary to access jobs, education and telehealth,” said Wyden, who advocated for expanding rural broadband access by successfully pushing the Department of … Continue Reading
August 24, 2023
Wyden, Merkley: More than $19.3 Million to Oregon for Culverts Aiding in Fish Passage
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that six Oregon counties will receive a combined $19.3 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation for culverts to encourage fish passage and species conservation. “Culverts and the Salmon SuperHwy are proven methods for tackling depleted salmon and steelhead stocks while preventing floods,” said Wyden, who fought for crucial dollars to for the Salmon Superhwy that builds fish passages into existing … Continue Reading
August 24, 2023
Wyden, Merkley: Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians Earns Federal Investment in Upgraded Broadband
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians has secured a $482,325 federal grant to improve broadband service for its Tribal lands in southwest Oregon. “Federal investment in fast and dependable broadband is a must-do infrastructure priority, and those resources must include Tribal communities in Oregon and nationwide,” said Wyden, who earlier this year successfully fought to correct inaccuracies in the … Continue Reading
August 22, 2023
Wyden, Merkley: Nearly $160,000 to OSU for Coastal Disaster Preparedness and Innovation
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that Oregon State University will receive nearly $160,000 from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for disaster preparedness, innovation and education. “I’m all in to ensure Oregon’s coastal communities have all the resources they need to prepare and then recover from a disaster that could strike at any moment,” Wyden said. “I’m gratified OSU has earned these federal investments to help shore up our … Continue Reading
August 22, 2023
Wyden, Merkley Urge Biden Administration to Expand Automatic Voter Registration Through Medicaid Application Process
Washington, D.C. - Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) today urged the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to expedite its work with states to expand automatic voter registration (AVR) through the Medicaid application process. Recently, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek signed legislation that authorizes the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) to automatically register unregistered Oregon voters when they apply for Medicaid. Through … Continue Reading
August 16, 2023
Wyden Statement on 5th Circuit Ruling on Mifepristone
Washington, D.C.— U.S. Senator Ron Wyden released the following statement after the 5th Circuit issued its ruling to restrict access to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved abortion medication mifepristone: “Any effort to restrict access to safe and effective abortion medication is nothing more than a political ploy to control women’s bodies. The science is clear and a wealth of evidence demonstrates the drug’s safety and efficacy, which is why the … Continue Reading
August 16, 2023
Oregon Lawmakers Announce More than $6 Million Statewide to Enhance Cybersecurity
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and U.S. Representatives Earl Blumenauer, Suzanne Bonamici, Val Hoyle and Andrea Salinas today announced Oregon would receive more than $6 million from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency for crucial cybersecurity upgrades for state and local governments. “The constant and ever-evolving threat of cyberattacks demands a rigorous and unflinching commitment to … Continue Reading
August 15, 2023
Representative Salinas, Senators Wyden and Merkley Announce $300,000 Grant to Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde to Combat Opioid Epidemic
Tigard, OR – Today, U.S. House Representative Andrea Salinas (D-Tigard) and U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has awarded $300,000 to the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde for opioid overdose response. These funds are part of the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP), an initiative aimed at reducing substance use disorder fatalities in high-risk rural communities. “As the … Continue Reading
August 14, 2023
Wyden, Merkley: Nearly $92,000 to Upper Klamath Basin for Crucial Conservation Planning
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that the Upper Klamath Basin will receive nearly $92,000 from the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation for data collection and conservation planning through Oregon State University. "There have been incredible efforts by folks in the Klamath Basin to prepare and respond to more frequent and severe droughts caused by climate chaos—but all of that starts with everyone having all the … Continue Reading
August 11, 2023
Wyden Statement on Cyber Safety Review Board Investigation of Recent Microsoft Exchange Online Intrusion
Washington, D.C.—U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., released the following statement on the Department of Homeland Security announcement that its Cyber Safety Review Board will review the recent Microsoft Exchange Online hack. Wyden requested the board investigate the recent hack in a letter sent July 27. “I applaud President Biden and CISA Director Easterly for acting on my request for the board to review this recent espionage campaign, including cybersecurity negligence by … Continue Reading
August 11, 2023
Wyden, Merkley, Bonamici, Hoyle Press Feds to Provide More Opportunities for Oregon Coast to Weigh in on Draft Wind Energy Areas
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley along with U.S. Reps. Suzanne Bonamici and Val Hoyle said today they are urging federal officials -- if draft wind energy areas for the Oregon Coast are released -- to schedule three public meetings on the Coast for public review, and also to double the comment period from 30 days to 60 days. The letter with those requests from the four Oregon lawmakers to Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) Director Elizabeth Klein comes in … Continue Reading
August 08, 2023
Wyden To Hold Two Town Halls Next Week in Tigard, Hood River
Portland – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today announced he will have two in-person town halls next week in Washington and Hood River counties. Wyden has already held 34 town halls so far throughout Oregon in 2023– including previous town halls this year in both Washington and Hood River counties. Heading into next week’s town halls, Wyden has held 1,061 town halls overall statewide in fulfillment of his pledge to hold at least one town hall each year in each of … Continue Reading
August 07, 2023
Merkley, Wyden Announce $515,000 Coming to La Grande School District to Address Regional Housing Needs, Promote Technical Education
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that the La Grande School district will be awarded $515,000 through the Department of Education for a Community Initiated Project to operate housing construction and construction career and technical education (CTE) programs in the school district. “This is a win-win for the La Grande students and community as it helps students learn valuable skills and addresses the housing crisis we are … Continue Reading
